Newcomer tops Holyoke race

From The Republican newspaper.

Wednesday, September 26, 2007 By KEN ROSS kross@repub.com

HOLYOKE - Political newcomer Timothy W. Purington captured the most votes in yesterday's Ward 4 City Council preliminary election, setting up a race between him and incumbent John P. Lecca.

"I think my grassroots strategy has really resonated with people," Purington said yesterday.

In the Ward 4 race, Purington received 164 votes, Lecca garnered 142 votes and Thomas W. Hart received 33 votes. The top two candidates advance to the general election on Nov. 6.

A total of 342 voters or 16 percent of the ward's 2,131 registered voters cast ballots in yesterday's preliminary election, according to City Clerk Susan M. Egan.

On Monday, Egan predicted a 9 percent voter turnout. Yesterday, she attributed the slightly higher turnout to the unseasonably warm weather.

"I think it's because today was so beautiful," Egan said. "People were walking to the polls."

Hart said he was "disappointed" about the results. "Primaries are always funny," Hart said. He added he will support Lecca in the November election. "I'd like to see Jack win," Hart said.

Lecca hopes more voters like Hart come out to support him in November. "I think they (my supporters) assumed I'd win again and move on and we have to take this gentleman (Purington) seriously," Lecca said. He added he believes support for Purington is being driven by "an outside faction" of people from outside Holyoke.

Even though he finished first, Purington said, "I'm not going to take anything for granted." As a result, Purington planned to resume campaigning today.

"I have a lot of people to talk to," Purington said.

Earlier yesterday afternoon, outside the sole voting place in Ward 4, St. Paul's Church on Appleton Street, Lecca and Hart and their supporters were vying for the attention of voters along with supporters of Purington.

Holding a red-and-white sign bearing Lecca's name, John J. Cadigan said he supported Lecca because "I know him and I think he's done a good job."

Purington supporter and Ward 4 resident Scott D. Welsch praised Purington, saying, "I think he's a great person. He's a hard worker and he cares about the community."

Purington wins preliminary election

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

Date: September 25, 2007

Contacts: Timothy Purington, Candidate for Holyoke Ward 4 City Council
Email: tim.purington@verizon.net
Phone: (413)534-8944, 413-262-9404
Website: www.holyokeward4.com

Holyoke, MA – On Tuesday, September 25, 2007 Ward 4 City Council Candidate Tim Purington finished first in Holyoke’s only preliminary election for the 2007 municipal elections. Preliminary results show a total of 339 votes were cast with Purington garnering 164, incumbent John Lecca 142, and Tom Hart receiving 33.

“I’m very gratified to see the confidence that the voters of Ward 4 have placed in me,” said Purington. “I felt that my message was resonating with people and I’m pleased to see that is true.”

Purington is head of his Neighborhood Watch, a mayoral appointee to the Holyoke Historic Commission, and Chair of the Ward 4 Democratic Committee. This is his first electoral run.

“I’m looking forward to the general election and am taking nothing for granted” Purington said. “I’m excited about this ward’s and this city’s future and ready to talk about the issues.”



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3 vy for Holyoke council seat

Posted by The Republican Newsroom September 22, 2007 13:46PM

By KEN ROSS kross@repub.com HOLYOKE - A singer who "just wants to help," a health care worker who believes strongly in "accessible government" and a turnpike foreman who's "down in the trenches" working for his constituents - these are the three choices for City Council facing Ward 4 residents in Tuesday's preliminary election.

The Ward 4 council candidates are Thomas W. Hart, 69, of 582 Pleasant St., Apartment 4R; John P. Lecca, 59, of 388 Pleasant St.; Timothy W. Purington, 47, of 243 Oak St.

Voters must narrow the field of three candidates down to two. Polls for Tuesday's preliminary election will be open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. at St. Paul's Church Parish Center, 485 Appleton St.

A native of Holyoke who works as an assistant foremen for the state Turnpike Authority, Lecca has held the Ward 4 council seat for the past four years. During that time, he said he has accomplished many achievements, including increased police patrols in the ward, helping to get four houses built on vacant lots and numerous quality of life issues, from keeping the streets clean to helping resolve a dispute between two neighbors over a collapsed wall.

"All of the issues I ran into in Ward 4 are residents being able to live safely, the quality of life issues in the city, maintaining our school system and keeping our fire and police fully staffed," Lecca said.

Keeping the police fully staffed is important, Lecca said, because "crime is a major issue in our ward."

Lecca also insisted he constantly seeks input from residents about what issues are important to them. "I'm down in the trenches in Ward 4," Lecca said.

Seeking input from residents is the central theme of Hart's campaign. "I'd like to do what they want me to do," he said.

An overnight maintenance worker for the Appleton Corporation in Springfield, Hart also performs with the Dane Kane Singers as a soloist.

Hart served on Holyoke's school committee from 1972 to 1974 and again from 1976 to 1978. He also ran unsuccessfully for mayor in 1973. And two years ago, he came up one vote short for the second spot on the ballot in the preliminary election for the Ward 4 City Council race.

Hart repeatedly stressed during a recent interview that he does not have a personal agenda. Rather, he insisted that he simply wants to serve Ward 4 to do what's best for the community.

"I want to give back to the city," Hart said.

In particular, Hart said he wants to help the city's elderly residents. "I just want to help the elderly and help the city," Hart said.

For Purington, he said the key issues are "clean streets, safe neighborhoods and accessible government."

A native of Colrain who moved to Holyoke 12 years ago and who directs HIV programs for Tapestry Health System's Holyoke office, Purington has been talking with residents throughout Ward 4 to find out what issues are important to them. And in most cases, he said, "it's really quality of life issues people care about."

Residents also "want a city councilor that will return phone calls," Purington said. "I'm certainly not saying the city isn't doing a good job."

Rather, Purington said, "I really feel like I'm ready to step up to the plate and be an asset for the constituents."

In many cases, the changes advocated by Purington have "very little cost associated" with them. In particular, Purington said he believes there should be more police officers on foot patrol in Ward 4. The city also needs to do more about illegally parked cars.

"The police department is doing an amazing job," Purington said. "People simply want more of a police presence."

Preserving some of the ward's older homes also needs to be a priority, Purington said.

And like Hart and Lecca, Purington said he plans to continue to seek input from residents even after the election and to do what needs to be done if elected to the council. "I'm willing to work like a dog for the city," Purington said. "I'm very committed to Ward 4."

News story from The Republican 9-18-2007

Candidates miss deadlines
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
By DAVID REID
dreid@repub.com
(This story appeared in The Republican Holyoke/Chicopee edition)

HOLYOKE - Just over half the 23 candidates for City Council this fall filed state-mandated campaign finance statements by yesterday's deadline.

And, according to records at the city clerk's office, only four of the 11 candidates for School Committee managed to file the required finance statements by yesterday.

Among those filing on time, At-large Councilor Patricia C. Devine topped the list of fund-raisers, declaring $7,440 in contributions in 2007. She also spent $4,979, leaving her campaign with $2,900 in cash and $200 in outstanding liabilities.

At-large Councilor Raymond H. Feyre, who announced he will not seek re-election, raised $7,030 and spent $3,771 this year, leaving his coffers with $3,259.

Among the other leading fund-raisers seeking election to the City Council were:
Timothy W. Purington, a candidate for the Ward 4 City Council seat, who raised $5,427, $1,617 of his own funds, and spent $957 this year.

Rebecca Lisi, a candidate in the race for eight at-large council seats, raised $4,004 and spent $2,256 this year.

Ward 6 incumbent Councilor Todd A. McGee raised $3,325 and spent $2,654 this year. He also listed $3,125 in outstanding loans to his own committee.

At-large council candidate Bruce F. Mitchell raised $2,726 and spent $2,650 this year. He also listed $1,321 in outstanding loans to his campaign.

Ward 1 Councilor Donald R. Welch raised $2,660 and spent $1,234 this year.

Incumbent At-large Councilor Peter R. Tallman raised $2,226 and spent $814 so far this year.

In Ward 5, incumbent Councilor John P. Brunelle reported raising and spending no money, leaving him with only $144 and outstanding loans of $2,256. His opponent, Linda L. Vacon, raised $1,401 and spent $660, leaving her campaign with $1,070. She also reported $1,910 in in-kind contributions, and outstanding liabilities of $500.

Those who missed yesterday's deadline include: At-large Councilors James M. Leahy, John E. Whelihan and Council President Joseph M. McGiverin; at-large candidate John D. Pierce Jr.; Ward 1 candidate Jeanne R. Forget; Ward 2 Councilor Diosdado Lopez; Ward 3 candidate Anthony M. Keane; Ward 4 Councilor John P. Lecca and one of his challengers, Thomas W. Hart; and Ward 7 Councilor John J. O'Neill, who is running unopposed.