Puppolo hosts fundraiser at Abruzzo on Boston Road

Date: 7/7/2009

By Courtney Llewellyn

Reminder Assistant Editor



WILBRAHAM Even though State Rep. Angelo Puppolo doesn't have to worry about running for re-election for another year, he hosted a fundraising event last Monday evening to plan ahead and to meet with supporters.

"I'm definitely planning on running again," Puppolo said, "and fundraisers are an important way to get my message out to voters." He added that it's expensive to run for an elected position, maintain a district office and find money to donate to charities.

His first campaign for state office cost him close to $60,000.

"Events like this go a long way," he said of his dinner at Abruzzo Restaurant, located at 2589 Boston Rd. Puppolo said he chose the spot for the fundraiser to showcase the new restaurant.

Puppolo, a Democrat, represents the entire town of Wilbraham and parts of the city of Springfield and the town of East Longmeadow. He serves on the Joint Committees on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy, on Municipalities and Regional Government, and on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.

He said he goals for the next year are to continue being out in the district and continuing work on environmental issues and improving public safety.

"That subject [public safety] is near and dear to me," he explained.

Abruzzo was full of Puppolo supporters on June 29.

"Angelo had been a City Councilor for many years [before becoming a representative]," Clodo Concepcion, president of the Sixteen Acres Civic Association, said at the event. "He's very dedicated. What you see is what you get. Whatever he goes for, I support."

"I plan to be consistent," Puppolo stated. "I want to continue to build on the successes we've accomp-lished. The key now is to implement and maintain the changes we've made."