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Date: 3/28/2019
CHICOPEE – Now there is an actual race for mayor.
City Council President John Vieau has joined former police officer and Chicopee Comp Vice Principal Joe Morisette as a candidate to succeed Mayor Richard Kos.
In an interview with Vieau, the veteran city councilor explained during a recent council meeting he realized he wanted to try to fulfill an ambition about which he had often spoken with his mother.
“She was always hopeful that I’d seek the office of mayor,” he said.
He continued, “Something told me in my heart that it’s probably time.”
Vieau has served on the City Council for 16 years, and is serving his fourth term as president. He is a lifelong Chicopee resident and is a graduate of UMass Amherst, with a B.S. in Civil Engineering. He is a state-certified general appraiser and is employed with MassDOT as a review appraiser. He is the partner to Sherry Manyak and father of daughters Alyssa and Jenna, and son John Henry.
Vieau has checked with his employers, MassDOT, about the legal and ethical issues with his running for mayor and he will be taking a leave of absence from his job.
He will also be taking a pay cut if he wins, as he will be giving his seat up on the council if elected.
Noting he has a family, he added, “It’s something I had to think long and hard about.”
Like many others, he said Kos’ announcement that he was not going to run caught him by surprise.
He is now putting an organization together. “The campaign process is very demanding, he noted. “There is going to be a lot of work to do.”
He added, “I’m hoping to wear my shoes out walking the streets of Chicopee meeting the neighbors.”
There is a substantial list of issues Vieau will be addressing through the campaign. Among them are the continual economic development efforts for downtown and the former Oxford Country Club site; school funding; the future of the Waste Water Treatment Plant; a transfer station for trash; and looking at combining more departments for greater efficiencies.
He is thankful he has received support from most of his colleagues on the council. He will announce shortly a formal kick-off event for his campaign.
Vieau said that if he wins, “it will be gratifying to focus full-time on the city.”
***
The following is the statement released by Vieau:
I have been doing a considerable amount of thinking lately about the future of Chicopee. After 16 years on the City Council, I have made the decision to seek Chicopee’s highest elected office of Mayor.
For the better part of the last two terms, I have served as City Council President in Chicopee. I have been honored to lead a team of dedicated public servants who focus primarily on the concerns of Chicopee citizens, while balancing the needs of the city’s departments within the parameters of the city’s budget. I have also had the privilege to work alongside Mayor Kos in collaboration with my 12 colleagues on the council to address these concerns with comprehensive solutions. This meaningful work has granted me a unique perspective on what can be accomplished when we work together on shared priorities.
As I’ve thought about Chicopee’s future, it was my intention to build upon the progress I have made as a City Councilor, and seek re-election to represent the residents in Ward 3. However, after Mayor Kos announced he would not seek re-election, I began to think about Chicopee’s potential and new leadership that could encourage the progress our city deserves. Over the past several weeks, I have been humbled by the number of neighbors, friends and trusted colleagues who have asked if I would consider running for mayor. After heartfelt conversations with family, friends and colleagues, I decided that it was time to expand my role and focus my attention on the concerns of the entire city.
As a City Councilor, I have listened to the citizens of Chicopee. I understand the concerns and the hopes that each one of us have for our city. I also realize that the decisions we make as elected government officials affect our residents’ everyday lives. We have the ability and responsibility to create a safe, productive, and welcoming community for residents and businesses alike. In leading the City Council, I have asked everyone to consider the best interests of the Chicopee as a whole. I will do the same as mayor.
Based on my extensive experience as an appraiser for the State of Massachusetts, a City Councilor, and a member of various municipal boards and commissions, I am confident I have the background, qualifications and vision to serve as mayor. I also have a love for this city which helps me realize the challenges we face. After 20 years of involvement in our community and city government, I know one thing to be true; this city works best when we partner together towards a single goal – and that is to make Chicopee an outstanding place to live, raise a family and work.
I hope you’ll join me on this journey, and I look forward during this campaign to discussing with you my vision, agenda and priorities for our city’s future.