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Local officials turn out for Welch's kickoff

Date: 2/29/2012

Feb. 29, 2012

By G. Michael Dobbs

news@thereminder.com

SPRINGFIELD — It's a new district for State Sen. James Welch, but getting his message out to a new group of voters is just part of the process, he told Reminder Publications.

Welch formally kicked-off his bid for re-election on Feb. 23 with a well-attended event at the Red Rose Restaurant.

The new senatorial district has much of the city of Springfield and retains about one third of Chicopee and the complete city of West Springfield. Agawam is no longer in the district.

Welch is facing Springfield City Councilor Melvin Edwards, who believes the addition of wards in Springfield and the elimination of Agawam may level the playing field against the incumbent.

Welch said, "Just about every election, the biggest challenge is introducing yourself to voters." He added that keeping in touch with constituents is "a constant effort."

"I pay as much attention to every part of the district as I can," he said.

He believes the redistricting of the Senate will affect every incumbent and sees the change as "an opportunity."

Welch is a life-long West Springfield resident who started in politics as an aide to then State Rep. Stephen Buoniconti in 2001. He was elected to the West Springfield City Council in 2004 and then to the House from the Sixth Hampden District in 2005. He began his career in the Senate in 2011.

For Welch, the issues with the greatest priority are education and economic development, as well as what he called "regional equity."

"We don't want to be overlooked," he said. He added an example of fighting for regional equity was the inclusion in the state's expanded gaming legislation stipulating one of the three casino licenses would be for Western Massachusetts.

Both Democrats, Welch and Edwards would face each other in a primary on Sept. 6. He said he would welcome opportunities such as forum and deabtes with Edwards.

Indicative of Welch's support were the number of elected officials at the event, which included a strong contingent from Chicopee. Mayor Michael Bissonnette and School Committee members Michael Pise, David Barsalou, Donald Lamothe and Deborah Styckiewicz attended. Former West Springfield Mayor Edward Gibson was there as well as Springfield City Councilors Clodo Concepcion and Kenneth Shea.

Andrea Nuciforo Jr., one of two Democrats challenging Congressman Richard Neal, was also at the kick-off. Although the former state senator did not serve with Welch in the Senate, he said he has known him for years.



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