Corruption can happen anywhere
By G. Michael Dobbs
Managing Editor
The reaction to last week's events in Chicopee was fascinating to say the least. With the news of Mayor Richard Goyette's arrest by the FBI and arraignment on two charges of extortion, one would have expected that Aldermanic President Keith Rattell who has been steadily criticizing the mayor would have immediately called for his resignation.
Rattell waited, though, just like much of the city's residents, to pass an initial judgement. I think it was because he, like almost everyone else in the city, was in shock.
That shock is turning to anger for many. Goyette signs have been taken off lawns and many people are feeling betrayed. WAQY's John O'Brien was broadcasting from the steps of City Hall on Monday morning, expressing his feelings about the story and he drew a large crowd.
Thankfully there didn't seem to be too much snide chuckling going on from other communities because I think most people realized, with this news, that any community is vulnerable to corruption.
Most Chicopee residents understand that politics is a blood sport in their city. Campaigns can be very rough and leave all sorts of residual bitterness. Few people in Chicopee would even imagine, though, that there was the kind of extortion described in the criminal complaint that was released Oct. 31.
Once upon a time, people thought that corruption of this nature was reserved for bigger communities. I don't think anyone has been surprised by the arrests and charges in Springfield Frank Keogh, Anthony Ardolino, and the Asselin family but Chicopee?
As I write this at 8:30 on Monday morning, Goyette has not yet announced his resignation. There's no need for him to resign. The City Charter does not compel him to leave office.
And I'm sure the guy needs a paycheck.
Now, would it be in the best interest of the city for Goyette to resign? Yes. Right now, Goyette is playing the role of "the shadow mayor." He'll come into his office, do what he has to do, and leave. Everyone knows tha,t under this arrangement, the mayor's office will cease to be an agent for progress in the city.
Goyette is now a political leper. No one will want to do business with the city as long as he is mayor.
Goyette acknowledged his status by blowing off the debate on WHYN radio last week and by not telling the Chicopee and Holyoke Chambers that he would not be at the breakfast preceding last week's Business to Business trade show.
If he truly wanted to state his innocence, he should have shown up, or at least called to say he wasn't going to come.
The other reason Goyette should resign is that he maintains that he is innocent and frankly, he will need the time and energy to work on his defense. He has a lot to defend, after all, since the evidence is on video and audio tape.
If the charges that Goyette was entrapped are true, he and his defense team will need time to prepare their case.
Rick Goyette is a fourth-generation member of the Chicopee community. If he cares about his town, he should resign.
The Chicopee case makes an important point: corruption can happen anywhere, not just larger communities. Citizens must remain vigilant and understand that we are the employers, the supervisors, and the bosses of elected officials.
Of course, considering the many twists and turns this story has taken since it broke last week, Goyette may announce his resignation by the time you read this column.
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Please join me at 5:10 p.m. on Wednesday at WAIC 91.9 FM for a roundtable discussion of the elections.
These are my opinions alone. Send your comments to mdobbs@reminderpublications.com or to 280 N. Main St., East Longmeadow, MA, 01028.
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