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Date: 8/5/2016
GREATER SPRINGFIELD – The Hampden County Sheriff’s race remained active as the calendar moved steadily toward the 30-day mark before the Sept. 8 primary.
Former Springfield Mayor Charles Ryan made what he said what his first endorsement of a local candidate since he left office in 2008. Ryan pledged his support to Nick Cocchi at a press conference at Cocchi’s headquarters in July 27.
Ryan praised Sheriff Michael Ashe’s career and accomplishment and how Ashe’s support of Cocchi meant a lot to him.
He recounted that in conversations with Ashe, the sheriff told Ryan, referring to Cocchi, “I’ve got a guy I think I can recommend … I know what he does and I know who he’ll put in there.”
Ryan continued, “The cream rises to the top and that’s where he is now.”
He said it’s rare to see a politician such as Ashe groom someone as his successor “other than his brother-in-law.”
Ryan added about Cocchi, “He isn’t learning a couple of words in law enforcement, he wrote the book.”
Cocchi said he was “proud to stand here with Charlie Ryan. He helped put Springfield back on track from the devastation of the prior administration.” The latter was a reference to the state of the city after the administration of former Mayor, current Governor’s Councilor and sheriff’s candidate Michael Albano.
Albano issued a statement the next day that read, “While declaring he has ‘great respect for former Mayor Charlie Ryan’ Governor’s Councilor and candidate for sheriff Michael Albano stated, ‘I have nothing in political common with Charlie Ryan, whatsoever.’”
Albano defeated Ryan for mayor in 1995. Ryan had served as mayor from 1962 to 1967 and came successfully back into the office in 2004 and served two terms.
Albano launched his first television commercial last week, which emphasized his history and dedication as a Democrat and showing photos of him with President Bill Clinton, the late Sen. Edward Kennedy, among others.
Albano also released a letter he wrote the Massachusetts Gaming Commission objecting to any transfer of casino mitigation funds to the Western Massachusetts Correctional Alcohol Center (WMCAC) proposed for a Mill Street location.
The recommended amount of $280,000 was to help the addiction center pay the lease for its new location as the former one on Howard Street is now part of the MGM Springfield campus.
The Gaming Commission voted unanimously to approve the mitigation funds at its meeting on Aug. 1.
Springfield City Councilor Tom Ashe released a plan educate the county’s young people about the dangers of drugs.
Ashe told Reminder Publications that while at an event at the Forest Park Middle School he was shocked to learn that seventh graders didn’t know about opioids.
In a written statement Ashe said, “Our young people need to be educated about the dangers of opioids and other drugs. Schools are the ideal place to reach our youth and I intend to establish a strong partnership with the Springfield Public Schools system, which will generate a dialogue with students to inform them about drug. Under this partnership, the students of Springfield will be educated about drugs and can also discuss other health issues”
He proposed, if elected sheriff, the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department would start a program to allow students and community members to turn in drugs to the police without consequence; help train nurses and community health care members about opioid blocking drugs; facilitate addiction/recovery groups for Springfield Public Schools students which will be located at the four high schools and one middle school within Springfield; fund speakers at community events such as the Springfield Community Forum as well as an outreach coordinator position to administer resources, support, and counseling to Springfield Public Schools staff and students; and have a presence in youth organizations and clubs.
Ashe said,” Finally, we will seek to expand the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department during the summer. We will work hand and hand with School Department, Parks Department, Community Centers and other organizations that do programming for our children during the summer months.”
When asked how he would fund these initiatives, Ashe said he would have a complete review of the jail’s budget and finances undertaken and ask for a state audit. He would then prioritize the opioid related programs.
Ashe also commented on the comment made by Robert Jackson, one of his supporters, at the announcement of an endorsement by a group of African-American community leaders. Jackson was quoted as saying Springfield isn’t “ready for a Black sheriff,” referring to the candidacy of Sheriff’s Department Assistant Deputy Superintendent James Gill.
Both Cocchi and Albano immediately criticized the comment, but Ashe did not release a statement. He said, “I don’t share those sentiments.” He stressed the comments were Jackson’s alone and also noted Jackson’s “long record of service” in the community.
Ashe also received the endorsement of The Pioneer Valley Building Trades Council.
Dan D’Alma, president of Pioneer Valley Building Trades Council, said, “Tom Ashe is tested and has shown that he has what it takes to lead. We believe he is the best fit to be our next sheriff and we are ready to work hard for him in this campaign. Tom will fight for working people and we are going to fight for him.”