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Doing Business as Certificates

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DBA Certificates Departments

The following Business Certificates and Trade Names were issued or renewed during the month of July 2012.

AGAWAM

Advantage Insulation Group
1057 Main St.
Rhiannon Eiffort

Crazy for Charms
409 River Road
Barbara Cross

Handyman Cleaning Services
204 Brookfield Lane
Helen Schuler

Patriot Auto School
301 Springfield St.
Anthony Spear

Smiling Stars Photography
569 Springfield St.
Matthew Hanlon

CHICOPEE

BCN Mechanical
100 Lawndale St.
Benjamin Nyzio

Jan’s Novelty Gift Shop
38 Oriole Dr.
Janice E. O’Connor

KNS Construction
83 Ingham St.
Keith Robitaille

Strong Backs Moving & Hauling
54 Warwick Road
Keith Godek

EAST LONGMEADOW

Dollar Tree
406 North Main St.
Rosalie Beaugard-Lee

Pride Market
13 North Main St.
Robert Bolduc

White Dog Services
191 Maple St.
Robert Nowak

GREENFIELD

Barlow Tree Landscaping & Excavation Inc.
77 Davis St.
Bryan Barlow

Floral Affairs
324 Deerfield St.
Rebecca Guyer

Goly’s Garage
286 Federal St.
James Byrne Jr.

Heart Boats Music Therapy
76 Hastings St.
Michael Williams-Russell

Metals Plus
23 Woodard Road
Lawrence Foster

Pale Circus
24 Franklin St.
Alexander Phillips

Shaw’s Mart
239 Main St.
NaxMart LLC

HOLYOKE

A-1 Nolan Realty LLC
580 Appleton St.
Patrick S. Nolan

Claire’s
50 Holyoke St.
Sonia Tejada

G & P, Inc.
50 Holyoke St.
Rajat Ghosh

Hillside Holdings Inc.
80 Jarvis Ave.
Jeffrey S. Aldrich

Holyoke Towers Associates
582 Pleasant St.
James N. Sullivan

Milkman & Co. Inc.
16 Arden St.
Terril L. Mancuso

Sephora USA Inc.
50 Holyoke St.
Sherman Hoo

LUDLOW

Bridge Premedia
45 Tyburski Road
Ann Lukasik

PALMER

Accu-Siding and Home Improvement
P.O. Box 127
Wayne Quinn

Awsstores.com
1581 North Main St.
Brian Green

Azaya Inc.
1059 North Main St.
Jitendra Changela

Baldyga Inc.
1221 South Main St.
Mark T. Baldyga

Buddy’s Cities Service
1150 Park St.
Arthur D. Tripp, Jr.

Dream Catchers
1440 North Main St.
Charles L. Hood, III

Flamingo Racing
2 Wilbraham St.
Eric W. Sanderson

Floormax Coating
21 Wilbraham St.
John C. Becker, IV

Friendly’s Ice Cream
1519 North Main St.
Shanna Rhoades

SOUTHWICK

Jericho Builders
6 Hidden Place
Bernard Berard

SUP Lake Congamond
49 Mort Vining Road
Diana M. Flynn

SPRINGFIELD

Griffin Consulting Firm
1592 Plumtree Road
Nicole Griffin

Heavenly Air
83 Kathleen St.
Michael R. Rock

Heavenly Essence
588 Carew St.
Hamzah A. Latif

Johnny’s Janitorial Service
51 Nelson Ave.
Johnny M. Kyles

Jupiter Consulting Group
97 Overlook Dr.
Moira Catherine

Kitchen Counsel
270 Maple St.
Michael L. Talmadge

Lamontagne Auto Body Inc.
33 Stafford St.
Glen Robert

Lyndale Garage Inc.
87 Warehouse St.
David E. Vedovelli

Mexico Money Express
2766 Main St.
Ady N. Rosario

N.Y.C. Variety
195 Pine St.
Johnnie Young

Nayab Enterprises LLC
273 Hancock St.
Muhammad Imtiaz

New England Export and Import
764 Main St.
Riswan Raufdeen

OSB and Services
346 Page Blvd.
Carlos E. Martinez

Platinum Image Luxury
57 Haskin St.
Tamika McKenzie

Real Talk Tee’s
34 Clarendon St.
Evelyn Bethea

Robert Valenti Design
25 Hilltop St.
Robert A. Valenti

Roberto’s Bar & Grill Inc.
80 Worthington St.
Paul Ramesh

Saigon Springfield LLC
398 Dickinson St.
Thomas Vuong

Silver Shield Security
185 Belmont St.
Gary L. Berte

TD Bank
1800 Boston Road
Diane Ryan

Vito’s Barber Shop
654 Page Blvd.
Ciro Ricciardi

Wingate at Springfield
215 Bicentennial Highway
Sec Springfield Inc.

Wolfetones Gaelic Football
33 Progress Ave.
John B. O’Reilly

Xtraordinary Recording
2 Chestnut St.
Tony A. Mebane

WESTFIELD

Sandy L. Design
39 Magnolia Terrace
Sandra Fiedler

Timber Ridge Tree Expert
217 Lockhouse Road
Christopher Rafus

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Flowers by Webster LLC
82 Elm St.
Gail Kelly

Friendly’s
1094 Riverdale St.
BDL Restaurant Inc.

K Brothers Construction
1111 Westfield St.
Yuriy Krasnov

Knightly Billing
126 Maple St.
Paul M. Corey

Mind, Body & Skin
117 River St.
Kelly L. Rondeau

Paul H. Boudo & Associates
519 Gooseberry Road
Paul H. Boudo

Power Washing
29 Neptune Ave.
Thomas M. Bienia

Bankruptcies

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Bankruptcies Departments

The following bankruptcy petitions were recently filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Readers should confirm all information with the court.

Amoako, Kwame A.
128 Canon Circle
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/20/12

Athena’s by Sharane
Austin, Sharane A.
a/k/a Tierney, Sharane
1408 Bay St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/20/12

Blair, John Reginald
Blair, Kathleen Anne
a/k/a Mason, Kathleen Anne
80 Royalston Road
Phillipston, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/21/12

Bry, Rachel E.
41A Fearing St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/18/12

Camacho, Edwayra
10 Lombard St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/24/12

Campbell, Dennis Earl
Campbell, Donna Marie
32 Apache St.
North Adams, MA 01247
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/20/12

Condron, David W.
74 Dodge Ave.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/21/12

Daviau, Peter T.
33 Normand Terrace
Feeding Hills, MA 01030-1937
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/21/12

Dickinson, Jason C.
416 Huckle Hill Road
Bernardston, MA 01337
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/21/12

Dolby, Christine
15 Castle Hill Ave.
Great Barrington, MA 01230
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/22/12

Emerson, Daniel J.
235 State St., #311
Springfield, MA 01103
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/18/12

Fisher, Scott A.
181 West St., Apt. K5
Ware, MA 01082
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/22/12

Fitzgerald, Corey J.
Fitzgerald, Angela J.
a/k/a Frey, Angela J.
58 Patrick Ave.
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/20/12

Gasco, Grace
314 Taylor Hill Road
Hardwick, MA 01037
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/22/12

Harrison, Matthew S.
PO Box 692
Becket, MA 01223
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/21/12

Hebert-Dancik, Elaine
89 Sumner Ave., Apt. 4
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/19/12

Hover, Clifford J.
1155 Churchill St.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/20/12

Johnson, Christine D.
42 Cherryvale Ave., 1st
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/18/12

Johnson, William G.
139 Wyben Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/18/12

Labonte, Louise May
30 Stockbridge Road
Hadley, MA 01035
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/21/12

LeBlanc, Darlene A.
40 Sunnymeade Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/20/12

Magiera, Diane
223 Grattan St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/24/12

McCarthy, Jeanne Ann
477 Millers Falls Road
Northfield, MA 01360
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/22/12

McElligott, Thomas
McElligott, Helen A.
32 Elizabet St.
Feeding Hills, MA 01030
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/23/12

Medeiros, Michele F.
155 Feltham Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/18/12

Metivier, Angela D.
42 Lowden St.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/21/12

Metivier, Francis E.
a/k/a Metivier, Frank E.
42 Lowden St.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/21/12

Mike’s Landscaping and Excavating
MJS Excavating
Snow, Michael J.
15 Clapp Road
Post Office Box 204
Hardwick, MA 01037
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/20/12

Morrison, Vivienne N.
52 Fort Pleasant Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/22/12

Nester, Ronald R.
64 North Maple St.
Hadley, MA 01035
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/19/12

Newton, Forrest Lewis
Newton, Sharon Collins
79 Old State Road
Berkshire, MA 01224
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/19/12

O’Neil, Stephen C.
2 Kenlee Gardens
South Hadley, MA 01075
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/22/12

Otero, Thomas
89 White St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/19/12

Pearl, Estrelita L.
a/k/a Lee, Estrelita N.
174 Blanchard St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/19/12

Pierce, David A.
a/k/a Daudelin, David
Pierce, Dorothy A.
a/k/a Parent, Dorothy
301 Skeele St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/24/12

Rideout, Jerry
Rideout, Anne C.
a/k/a Germain, Anne C.
28 Arlington St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/21/12

Schoonmaker, Ward A.
Schoonmaker, Karen A.
343 Kelsey Road
Sheffield, MA 01257
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/21/12

Skubiszewski, Jack G.
Skubiszewski, Rebecca L.
53 Conway St.
South Deerfield, MA 01373
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/20/12

Smith, Monroe
239 Merrimac Ave.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/22/12

Squaire, Phyllis
76 Breckwood Circle
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/18/12

Swiatek, Michael J.
Swiatek, Holly M.
95 Railroad St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/20/12

Velazquez, Juan R.
Irizarry, Nilda L.
320 Elm St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/22/12

Welch, Deborah J.
a/k/a Miller, Deborah J.
4 Leslie Lane
Sturbridge, MA 01566
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/19/12

Whitman, Claude
23 McBride Road
Wales, MA 01081
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/20/12

Wiernasz, Matthew P.
146 Elmar Dr.
Feeding Hills, MA 01030
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/20/12

Chamber Corners: Upcoming Events

By
Chamber Corners Departments

AMHERST AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.amherstarea.com
413-253-0700
• Aug. 15: Chamber After 5, 5-7 p.m., at the Amherst Brewing Co, 10 University Dr., Amherst. Join us for the debut of Live United 365 brew. Help the United Way of Hampshire County and network with chamber members at the same time. Admission: $5 for members, $10 for non-members.

CHICOPEE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.chicopeechamber.org
(413) 594-2101
 • July 18: Summer Sizzle, 4:30-7:30 p.m., at the Chicopee Moose Family Center, 244 Fuller Road in Chicopee. This year’s theme is a Mexican Fiesta. More details to come. Sponsored by Freedom Credit Union and United Bank. Cost: $20 for members, $25 for non-members.
 
GREATER EASTHAMPTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.easthamptonchamber.org
(413) 527-9414
• July 27: The 28th Annual Golf Tournament (sold out), at Southampton Country Club. Check in is at 8 a.m., with a shotgun start at 9. Would you like to donate a raffle prize and/or to the golfer’s gift bag? Contact the chamber with your raffle prizE or gift donation.

GREATER HOLYOKE
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.holycham.com
(413) 534-3376
• Aug. 15: Chamber After Hours, 5-7 p.m. Hosted and sponsored by Hamel’s Creative Catering at the Summit View Banquet and Meeting House, 555 Northampton St., Holyoke. Admission is $10 for members, $15 cash for non-members.
• Aug. 22: Summer Salute Breakfast, 7:30-9 a.m., at the Yankee Pedlar, 1866 Northampton St., Holyoke. Cost is $20 in advance, $25 at the door.

QUABOAG HILLS
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.qvcc.biz
(413) 283-2418
 • Aug. 25: Community Celebration 2012, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Join Life’s Memories & More and the Collaborative for Community Health for a day of community celebration. Crafters, artisans, and vendors will be on hand with a bounty of great items to view and purchase. Enjoy musical entertainment. Get a henna tattoo or treat yourself to one of the collaborative services like chair acupuncture, chair massage, or Reiki, and try some delicious food. For more information, contact [email protected] or call (413) 283-4448.

THREE RIVERS
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.threeriverschamber.org
(413) 283-6425
• Aug. 6: Monthly meeting of the Three Rivers Chamber of Commerce, 7-8 p.m. at the chamber offices, 2376 Main St., Three Rivers. This meeting is open to the public.
 
WEST OF THE RIVER
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.ourwrc.com  
(413) 426-3880
 • July 18: Chairman’s Luncheon. WRC’s chairman and executive committee invite members to join them for lunch to discuss WRC activities, network, and discuss how WRC can bring greater value to its members.
• July 19: Economic Development Committee Meeting. This committee meets to address how WRC can enhance the economic development of Agawam and West Springfield. If you would like to join this committee, e-mail [email protected] for more information.
• Aug. 1: Education Committee Meeting. This committee meets to address how WRC will support and promote educational activities within Agawam and West Springfield. If you would like to join this committee, e-mail [email protected] for more information.
• Aug. 1: Wicked Wednesday, West of the River Chamber of Commerce After Five.
• Aug. 20: 9th Annual Golf Tournament at Springfield Country Club. Proceeds will go toward the WRC Educational Fund, which supports the Business Education Grant Program and student scholarships for Agawam and West Springfield Students. To register or for more information, contact the chamber at (413) 426-3880 or at www.ourwrc.com.

GREATER WESTFIELD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.westfieldbiz.org
(413) 568-1618
• July 18: Board of Directors Meeting, 8-9 a.m. in the President’s Boardroom at Westfield State University.
• August 1: Fund Development Committee Meeting, 8-9 a.m. at Air Compressor Engineering, 17 Meadow St., Westfield.
• August 8: Executive Committee Meeting, 8-9 a.m., at the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Westfield, 8-9 a.m.
 
YOUNG PROFESSIONAL SOCIETY OF GREATER SPRINGFIELD
www.springfieldyps.com  
• July 19: July Third Thursday, Great Lake Escape, 5-8 p.m. at Louie B’s Restaurant, 101 Point Road, Southwick. A sampling of Bud Light Lime will be provided by Williams Distributing. This event, as always, is free for for YPS members and $10 for non-members, and will include food and a cash bar.

Agenda

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Agenda Departments

NEBA Golf Tournament
Aug. 26: New England Business Associates (NEBA) will host a golf tournament on at Tekoa Country Club in Westfield. Proceeds from the tournament will benefit NEBA’s skills-training, supported-employment, academic-achievement, and self-employment programs for individuals with disabilities. The tournament will begin with a shotgun start at 1 p.m., and an awards and dinner ceremony will follow the finish. Sponsorship opportunities are available, and all golfers will have an opportunity to participate in contests and win prizes. To participate in the tournament and/or become an event sponsor, visit neba.eventbrite.com or contact David Parkinson, tournament director, at (413) 821-9200, ext. 145, or [email protected].

Massachusetts Chamber Business Summit
Sept. 9-11: The Massachusetts Chamber board of directors will conduct its annual Business Summit and Awards Ceremony at the Resort and Conference Center at Hyannis. The two-day meeting allows participants to meet with business professionals from across the state, as well as listen to state and local elected officials who will discuss the future of business in Massachusetts. Additionally, representatives from the Mass. Office of Economic Development will discuss loans, grants, and tax incentives available to business owners. Industry experts will also be on hand to discuss topics such as leveraging social media, search-engine optimization, and health care cost containment. The winners of the Business of the Year Award and the Employer of Choice Award will also be announced during the summit. For more information, call (617) 512-9667 or visit www.masscbi.com.

World Affairs Council Annual Meeting
Oct. 10: Hampshire College President Jonathan Lash will speak at the World Affairs Council of Western Mass. Annual Meeting & Dinner in the Mahogany Room of the Springfield Sheraton Hotel in downtown Springfield. More details will be forthcoming. Lash is an internationally recognized expert on practical solutions to global sustainability and development challenges. Before he became president of Hampshire College in 2011, he served as president of World Resources Institute (WRI), an environmental think tank with offices in eight countries and partners in more than 50 countries. WRI is an international leader on issues ranging from low-carbon development to sustainable transportation. From 1993 to 1999, Lash was co-chair of the President’s Council on Sustainable Development, a group of government, business, labor, civil-rights, and environmental leaders appointed by Bill Clinton that developed visionary recommendations for strategies to promote sustainable development. He played a key role in the creation and success of the U.S. Climate Action Partnership, which in 2007 issued the highly influential “Call to Action” on global warming. Prior to WRI, Lash held posts as director of Vermont Law School’s Environmental Law Center, Vermont secretary of Natural Resources, and Vermont commissioner of Environmental Conservation, as well as as a federal prosecutor. For more information on the event, call (413) 733-0110.

Western Mass. Business Expo
Oct. 11: BusinessWest will again present the Western Mass. Business Expo. The event, which made its debut last fall at the MassMutual Center in downtown Springfield, will feature more than 180 exhibitors, seminars, special presentations, breakfast and lunch programs, and the year’s most extensive networking opportunity. Comcast Business Class will again be the presenting sponsor of the event. Details, including breakfast and lunch agendas, seminar topics, and featured speakers, will be printed in the pages of BusinessWest over the coming months. For more information or to purchase a booth, call (413) 781-8600, e-mail [email protected], or visit www.wmbexpo.com.

40 Under Forty Reunion
Nov. 8: BusinessWest will stage a reunion featuring the first six classes of its 40 Under Forty program. Details on the event will be forthcoming. What is known is that it will be staged at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House in Holyoke, and will be open only to 40 Under Forty winners, sponsors, and their guests, as well as judges of the first six contests. For more information on the event, call (413) 781-8600, or e-mail [email protected].

Company Notebook

By
Company Notebook Departments

Bell & Hudson Acquires Walsh/CDI Agency
BELCHERTOWN — Bell & Hudson Insurance Agency recently announced its acquisition of the Walsh/CDI Insurance Agency Inc. at 15 Central St. in West Brookfield. The West Brookfield office will continue to operate as Walsh Insurance Agency until Oct. 1, when it will take on the Bell & Hudson name. The office will continue at the same location and with the same staff, including Kathy Savary, long-time office manager for Walsh/CDI Insurance Agency. “We are pleased with this merger, as it enables us to continue offering the same level of local service our customers are familiar with, and also allows us to offer more insurance carriers,” said former owner Patricia Walsh. “Bell & Hudson is a respected independent insurance agency, and we are proud and pleased to be part of the team.” Led by President James Phaneuf and Vice President Matthew Phaneuf, Bell & Hudson now has 16 employees, including 12 licensed agents. The agency is one of only 28 independent insurance agencies in Massachusetts holding the coveted Five Star Award of Distinction presented by the Mass. Assoc. of Insurance Agents. In 2007 Bell & Hudson was named Business of the Year by the Quaboag Hills Chamber of Commerce, and in 2011 the Insurance Journal named Bell & Hudson the Best Independent Insurance Agency in the East to Work For. Bell & Hudson Insurance Agency offers property, casualty, life, group health, and accident insurance for businesses and families.

Holyoke Medical Center Ranks No. 1 in State for Stroke Care
HOLYOKE — The Stroke Collaborative Reaching for Excellence (SCORE), a voluntary, statewide quality-improvement collaborative administered by the Mass. Department of Public Health (DPH) that supports primary-stroke-service hospitals, recently ranked Holyoke Medical Center first out of 58 hospitals in Massachusetts, including large teaching facilities, for stroke care. Defect-free care is achieved when a patient receives the appropriate care based on clinical guidelines. “Holyoke Medical Center is proud that our hard work and passion for providing great care was recognized by this prestigious award from the DPH’s SCORE program,” said HMC Stroke Program Clinical Manager Angela Smith. “We strive to provide exceptional care to all of our patients. This award represents that every stroke patient that comes through our doors receives the highest quality of care.” The rating evaluated adherence to 10 stroke consensus measures and required that each stroke patient receive all 10 measures. Holyoke Medical Center had the highest score in the state. This was one of several awards the medical center received at the annual award ceremony of the American Heart/Stroke Assoc. and SCORE. The medical center also received awards for being the highest performer on the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale and the American Stroke Assoc. ‘Get With The Guidelines’ Gold, Gold Plus, and Target Stroke Honor Roll awards for consistently exceeding quality-care benchmarks for stroke and administering the clot-busting drug t-PA within 60 minutes of hospital arrival.

Elms College Social Work Program Reaccredited
CHICOPEE — The Social Work program at Elms College recently received Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) reaffirmation of accreditation through 2020. The accreditation is effective for all bachelor’s degree programs, including the traditional undergraduate degree, weekend college degree, and Social Work degree-completion program available through a partnership between Elms College and Springfield Technical Community College. Under the direction of Program Director Dr. Mary Brainerd, the Social Work department began a self-study in July 2011 that included three volumes addressing the 10 competencies as required by the CWSE’s Commission on Accreditation (COA). In February 2012, a COA representative made a site visit to the college and met with faculty, staff, students, alumni, and the advisory board. In June 2012, the COA voted to reaffirm Elms College’s accreditation for eight years. “The accreditation is a lengthy, involved process, but it is very important for our program,” Brainerd said. “Without it, our students would not be able to sit for their Social Work licensing exam after graduation and would not be able to enroll in master of Social Work programs in advanced standing, which allows them to complete a graduate degree in one year.” Elms College began offering Social Work as a concentration in the Sociology Department in 1960. The program was first accredited by CWSE in 1982. It was the first accredited undergraduate social-work program in Western Mass. Today, the program offers a four-year undergraduate curriculum that educates students to become competent and effective entry-level generalist social-work practitioners. There are currently around 90 Social Work majors, including students who complete a bachelor’s degree on the STCC campus. The Social Work program has successfully gone through the reaccreditation process five times since 1982.

Briefcase

By
Briefcase Departments

Paid Sick Leave Sent to Study by Lawmakers
BOSTON — Backers of a bill that would require certain employers to offer workers earned paid sick leave acknowledged in recent months that it would be an uphill battle to get the legislation passed this session. They were proven right when the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing sent the bill to a study, according to the House clerk’s office, effectively killing its chances of becoming law this session, with the Legislature planning to recess at the end of July. The paid sick-leave bill was drafted by state Rep. Cheryl Coakley-Rivera and released favorably this year from the Labor and Workforce Development Committee co-chaired by the Springfield Democrat. Paid sick-leave benefits for workers have become a perennial issue on Beacon Hill, backed by a broad coalition of organizations and lawmakers who argue that legislation would improve productivity, reduce turnover in the workplace, and drive down health care costs by allowing people to seek primary care during the day rather than visiting emergency rooms after hours. Many business groups, however, including the Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce, warn that forcing employers to provide certain benefits could discourage hiring at a precarious time for the economy. Coakley-Rivera’s bill would have allowed workers at companies with more than 10 employees to earn up to seven paid sick days a year, while employers with between six and 10 employees would have been required to allow employees to accrue up to five paid sick days. Business, however, strongly resisted mandating sick leave, warning the bill could cost the economy as many as 12,000 jobs and claiming that such policies are best established by employers.

Construction Employment Stagnates in June
ARLINGTON, Va. — Construction employment stalled in June as more former construction workers left the industry, according to an analysis of new federal data released by the Associated General Contractors of America. The lack of current job openings, along with the departure of experienced workers, suggests a potential skilled-labor shortage may be developing, construction association officials warned. “Employment in the construction industry has fluctuated within a very narrow range — 1% above or below the June level of 5.5 million — for more than two years now,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. While the latest figure was 14,000 higher than one year earlier, the June 2012 total was just 2,000 higher than in May and in June 2010. “Construction employment has essentially been stagnant for much of the past two years.” Meanwhile, the unemployment rate for former construction workers fell to 12.8%, the lowest June rate since 2008 and much better than the 15.6% rate in June 2011 or the 20.1% rate in June 2010, Simonson noted. He added that, over the past two years, nearly 750,000 experienced workers have either found jobs in other industries, returned to school, retired, or otherwise left the workforce. “It will be hard for construction firms to get those skilled workers back when demand picks back up.” There was little difference among construction segments in terms of recent job gains or losses, Simonson noted. Residential construction added 1,700 total jobs in June and 8,900 (0.4%) over 12 months. Non-residential construction firms lost 600 jobs in June but added 4,300 (0.1%) over 12 months. Within the residential segment, residential specialty trade contractors added 7,600 jobs for the month and 14,100 (1.0%) over the past year, reflecting ongoing strength in multi-family construction. In contrast, residential builders — mostly single-family homebuilders — lost 5,900 positions in June and 5,200 (–0.9%) over 12 months. Non-residential job gains for the year were concentrated among non-residential building contractors, which lost 1,000 jobs in the latest month but added 4,300 (0.7%) over 12 months. Heavy and civil-engineering construction firms shed 2,000 jobs in June and 1,800 (–0.2%) in the past year. Non-residential specialty trade contractors boosted employment by 2,400 since May but only 1,800 (0.1%) since June 2012. Association officials noted that one bright spot for the industry was the 27-month highway and transit bill the president recently signed into law. They said the legislation includes many significant reforms that will allow more existing transportation funds to be invested in highway and transit construction projects, as opposed to unrelated programs. “This measure will certainly help staunch the decline in construction employment among highway and transportation builders,” said Stephen Sandherr, the association’s chief executive officer. “Congress understands that investing in infrastructure is one of the best ways to support growth within the private sector.”

Summit Focuses on Academic Advising
SPRINGFIELD — More than 70 community-college faculty and advisors met at the Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) campus to participate in an academic advising summit on June 22 to focus on advising as a collaborative approach. The summit workshops explored national best practices in academic advising, apprised academic advisors of National Academic Advising Assoc. (NACADA) services and resources that support more effective academic advising, and detailed how to improve both individual academic-advising skills and overall campus academic programs. Sessions included topics about career exploration and advising tools, introduced advisors to the Advising Is Teaching program, and discussed important updates to advising software. Keynote speaker Susan Kolls, associate director of Student Account Services at Northeastern University and a member of the NACADA board of directors, said students today are faced with a variety of challenges. They work hard both in and outside the classroom balancing school, work, and families; they struggle with financial issues; and many are in the military, often finishing their schoolwork while in the combat zone. “We’re looking at the whole student,” said Kolls. “None of our students are only students, and if we don’t look at the things that impact them, if we only look at the academic side, we can’t help them with the things outside of school.” Knowing a student’s background, Kolls said, can help advisors understand how a student is better, or less, able to cope with their situation. Through her interactive session, Kolls questioned how to get faculty, staff, and advisors to think about all of the contributing factors that impact a student’s success. According to Kamari Collins, STCC’s director of Academic Advising, the summit allowed advisors from the region to get together and start a conversation. “It was a good way to have everyone focus and strengthen our campus as a whole, and it was a great opportunity for us to share our best practices with our colleagues at the other community colleges.” The summit, made possible through the Board of Higher Education’s Vision Project Performance Incentive Grant, was available to the four community colleges in the Western Mass. Vision Project Exchange: Berkshire Community College, Greenfield Community College, Holyoke Community College, and STCC. This was the first time STCC has hosted the summit.

Hiring Lukewarm in June
NEW YORK — Hiring was lukewarm last month, with employers adding jobs but not enough to bring the unemployment rate down. The economy added 80,000 jobs in June, the U.S. Labor Department reported, barely an improvement from the 77,000 jobs added in May. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate remained at 8.2%. Economists surveyed by CNN Money had expected to see employers add 95,000 jobs and the unemployment rate to remain unchanged. The labor market has been volatile this year, with job growth starting off strong in the first couple months of 2012. Then a disappointing slowdown in the spring led many to wonder whether the recovery was taking a turn for the worse. June’s weak growth added to those fears. The economy needs at least 125,000 jobs added each month just to keep up with population growth. Revisions from previous months also showed the economy gained 1,000 fewer jobs in April and May than originally thought. Overall, the job market has a long way to go to climb out of the deep hole left by the financial crisis. Of the 8.8 million jobs lost, only about 3.8 million have been added back. Roughly 12.7 million Americans remain unemployed, and 41.9% of them have been so for six months or more. Another 88 million out-of-work people were not even counted as unemployed because they didn’t look for a job in the last four weeks.

Building Permits

By
Building Permits Departments

The following building permits were issued during the month of June 2012.

AGAWAM

Coopers Commons
161 Main St.
$4,000 — Interior renovation in Sheer Techniques Hair Salon

Lin Television Corp.
591 North West St.
$11,000 — Upgrade antenna panels

O-A Inc.
325 Silver St.
$108,000 — Renovation to office area

CHICOPEE

83 Worthen St. Inc.
650 Memorial Dr.
$1,075,000 — Additions at Metro Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram

636 Chicopee St., LLC
636 Chicopee St.
$55,000 — Renovations

Basser Kaufman Mass. 310, LLC
672 Memorial Ave.
$12,000 — Install exhaust ductwork for two bakery ovens

Joe Lucas
366 Chicopee St.
$28,000 — New roof at Cavaliers Restaurant

Practice Properties, L.L.
444 Montgomery St.
$160,000 — Expand adult medical department on second floor

EASTHAMPTON

Autumn Properties
179 Northampton St.
$17,000 — Construct interior partitions

Thomas Bacis
90 Cottage St.
$3,000 — Remove overhead door and install new model

HOLYOKE

Holyoke Mall Company, L.P.
50 Holyoke St.
$260,500 — Remodel American Eagle store

Holyoke Mall Company, L.P.
50 Holyoke St.
$154,000 — Remodel Foot Locker store

River Valley Counseling Center
317-319 Beech St.
$17,000 — New roof

Roman Catholic Bishop of Springfield
22 Westfield Road
$11,500 — New roof

LUDLOW

Mapletree Square Condo Association
200 Center St.
$82,000 — Reshingle

NORTHAMPTON

City of Northampton
170 Glendale Road
$25,000 — Add three additional antennas

Smith College
4 Nielson St.
$1,532,000 — New HVAC and new roof at Dewey House

Smith Vocational High School
Burts Pitt Road
$25,000 — Install solar array

Thornes Marketplace, LLC
150 Main St.
$25,000 — Renovate tenant space

SOUTH HADLEY

Center for redevelopment
15 College St.
$12,000 — Commercial renovation

Gerry’s Music Shop
80 Lamb St.
$20,000 — Addition

Mount Holyoke College
Morgan St.
$2,370,000 — Commercial renovation at Mandelle Residence Hall

Mount Holyoke College
50 College St.
$55,000 — Install elevator at Buckland Hall

Mount Holyoke College
50 College St.
$339,000 — Interior alterations at Clapp Hall

SPRINGFIELD

A & R Transport
33 Caldwell Dr.
$50,000 — New roof

Alfredo Improta
1021 Main St.
$454,000 — Renovations to existing building

City of Springfield
50 Empress Court
$476,000 — New roof at Mary E. Walsh School

Colvest/Columbus Springfield, LLC
1259 East Columbus Ave.
$125,000 — New tenant office fit-out

Freedom Credit Union
1976 Main St.
$17,500 — Install new drive-up ATM

Greater Springfield Senior Services Inc.
66 Industry Ave.
$254,000 — 3,950-square-foot remodel for office space

Springfield College
45 Island Pond Road
$191,000 — Renovations for classrooms and offices

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Eastern States Expo.
1305 Memorial Dr.
$45,000 — Strip and reroof gift shop

Greater Springfield YMCA
79 Great Plains Road
$7,000 — Repairs to Pavillion

Bankruptcies

By
Bankruptcies Departments

The following bankruptcy petitions were recently filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Readers should confirm all information with the court.

Arcand, Deborah L.
88 Whittier St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/06/12

Bacigalupo, Richard J.
Bacigalupo, Elsa M.
324 Spring St.
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/31/12

Belcher, Valadia C.
18 Vassar St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/06/12

Bergeron, Beverly A.
1583 Riverdale St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/06/12

Berkshire Yard Works
Dolan, Nicholas B.
Dolan, Neesha M.
a/k/a Cole, Neesha M.
2326 Jacobs Ladder Road
Becket, MA 01223
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/11/12

Bernat, Maureen
PO Box 366
Bondsville, MA 01009
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/12

Bickel, Floyd Norman
45 Lake Ave.
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/11/12

Bonafila, Laurie A.
95 Corey Road
Springfield, MA 01128
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/12

Brea, Juan O.
P.O. Box 6225
Springfield, MA 01101
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/15/12

Broughton, Christopher D.
15 Lawndale St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/11/12

Caliendo, Erika
198 Leland Road
Becket, MA 01223
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/11/12

Canning, Clay K.
Canning, Kimberly J.
203 Pheland Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/12/12

Carter, Edward Charles
60 Jeanne Marie St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/02/12

Casamento, Deana M.
183 Parkedge Dr.
Feeding Hills, MA 01030
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/13/12

Chartier, Kathleen H.
29 Chartier Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/12/12

Chateauneuf, Jeffrey P.
Chateauneuf, Sheila M.
84 Cherryvale St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/08/12

Consolati, Christopher M.
25 Putnam Ave.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/08/12

Corbett, Terras I.
837 Partridgeville Road
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/12

Davidson, Theodore Z.
Davidson, Susan M.
P.O. Box 45
Goshen, MA 01032
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/06/12

Dellea, Janet L.
2 Crossway St.
Lee, MA 01238
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/05/12

Dunbar, Charles Thomas
25 Hartford St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/11/12

Ewing, JR
P.O. Box 872
Chicopee, MA 01014
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/06/12

Fellows, William C.
Fellows, Joy A.
22 Fowler St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/12

Figueroa, Samuel
8 Meadowbrook Lane
Palmer, MA 01069
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/15/12

Flanagan, Michael J.
Flanagan, Miranda
13 Dexter St., Apt. 2
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/15/12

Flap Jack Willie’s Restaurant
Holmberg, William G.
P.O. Box 764
Warren, MA 01083
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/02/12

From Hair On
Rosazza, Elizabeth Ann
P.O. Box 203
Granby, MA 01033
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/12

Gardner, Sandra M.
a/k/a Madden, Sandra M.
193 Elberon Ave., Apt. 4G
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/11/12

Gutierrez, Luis E.
Gutierrez, Maria E.
201 Locust St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/06/12

Hebert, Donald P.
Hebert, Joan L.
120 Glendale Circle
Ware, MA 01082
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/05/12

Henriques, Marino
525 Chicopee St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/06/12

Hess, John P.
Hess, Susan E.
91 Deepfield Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/12/12

Hills, Beverly D.
a/k/a Schwartz, Beverly D.
49B Crown St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/12/12

Imme, Nicole M.
845 Wilbraham Road
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/12

Jones, Richard A.
224 Berkshire Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/04/12

Kasperek, Christopher Paul
Kasperek, Karen Marie
306 Barry St.
Feeding Hills, MA 01030
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/04/12

Knas, Matt J.
Knas, Teresa
202 Parker St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/11/12

Kowach, Lou Ellen
10 Paula Ave.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/12

LaClair, Jeremy Adam
71 Lakeview St.
Southwick, MA 01077
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/04/12

Lafleur, Debra Jean
25 Kendall St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/14/12

Lake, Kimberly Y.
88 King Arthur Dr.
Becket, MA 01223
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/12

Lane, Heather S.
42 Tilda Hill Road
Florida, MA 01247
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/12/12

Lange, Stephen R.
PO Box 73
South Barre, MA 01074
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/13/12

Laplante, Carole M.
a/k/a Stone, Carole M.
a/k/a Dauplaise, Carole
54 Stimson St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/11/12

Lasky, Paul L.
P.O. Box 837
Great Barrington, MA 01230
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/06/12

Lenox, Dianne M.
127 Vadnais St.
Chicopee, MA 01020-3026
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/01/12

Leon, Maria C.
a/k/a Leon, Maria Del Carmen
6 Lionel Benoit Road
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/08/12

Lessard, Eileen M.
168 Groveland St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/05/12

Liverseidge, Mary
2 Sutton Place #10
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/12

Lockett, Dessie R.
30 Marshall St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/13/12

Lucien, Jean W.
Lucien, Guilene
53 Sherbrooke St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/11/12

Lussier Plumbing
Lussier, Richard Leon
Lussier, Beverly Jean
1 Marlboro Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/12

Maclachlan, Tracy Dawn
101 Sylvester St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/02/12

MacNeal, Karen L.
25 Thomas St., Apt. 21
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/06/12

Majka, Daniel E.
Majka, Danielle M.
93 South Maple St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/15/12

Marte, Josefina
130 Hastings St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/06/12

Matney, Donna M.
PO Box 317
Warren, MA 01083
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/14/12

Meade, Kathryn M.
61 Orlando St.
Feeding Hills, MA 01030
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/01/12

Molinari, Lynne
99 Champlain St.
Indian Orchard, MA 01151
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/11/12

Monday, Debra C.
a/k/a DeRose, Debra C.
P.O. Box 418
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/04/12

Murphy, Michael S.
28 River St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/15/12

Niemiec, David A.
Niemiec, Karen M.
5 Gloria Dr.
Southwick, MA 01077
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/31/12

O’Connor, Richard Bruce
O’Connor, Margaret Diane
323 Green River Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/07/12

Osl, Miriam
70 Chestnut St.
Springfield, MA 01103
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/15/12

Pagan, Haydee
57 Farnum Dr.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/07/12

Pasini, Robert M.
111 Lumae St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/12

Paul, Christine A.
258 Oakham Road
Barre, MA 01005
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/10/12

Perreault, Brian H.
Perreault, Jennifer A.
22 Stone Road
Royalston, MA 01368
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/10/12

Quinn, Garald E.
45 Pulaski St.
Ware, MA 01082
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/05/12

Ramos, Rigoberto
185 Leyford Ter.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/06/12

Richard, Kelly L.
470 Porter Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/05/12

Rivera, Maria E.
40 James St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/06/12

Rock, Dawn M.
a/k/a Puduski, Dawn M.
140 Union St., Apt. 15
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/01/12

Rock, James M.
140 Union St., Apt. 15
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/01/12

Rodriguez, Edward
28 Oliver’s St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/12

Rodriguez, Maria D.
101 Lowell St., Apt. 3
Springfield, MA 01107
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/06/12

Rodriguez, Yavi
101 Beacon Ter.
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/14/12

Rowley, Andrea L.
12 Renny Ave.
Southwick, MA 01077
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/15/12

Salgado, Edith
415 Hillside Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/06/12

Sanchez, Roberto
1632 Carew St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/08/12

Sanders, Carrie A.
166/168 West Main St., Apt 7
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/12

Sinico, Shannon
135 Christian Hill Road
Great Barrington, MA 01230
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/05/12

Songini, Marie E.
80 Dawes St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/12

Soto, Jasmin M.
138 Jasper St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/11/12

Spooner, Ruth A.
118 Eagleville Road
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/08/12

Stearns, Pamela J.
8 Carter St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/13/12

Stewart, Gregory M.
98 Turnpike Road
Turners Falls, MA 01376
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/04/12

Sullivan, William F.
Sullivan, Mary A.
40 Porter St. Apt. 289
Granby, MA 01033
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/15/12

Uribe, John F.
2 Belden Court, Apt. W-2
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/08/12

Veremchuk, Peter
44 Sprague St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/01/12

Vorce, Bernice E.
67 Mechanic St.
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/31/12

Walker, Cynthia J.
28 Country Club Heights
Monson, MA 01057-9514
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/05/12

Walker, Mark A.
1424 Main St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/06/12

Wallace, Terrence A.
Wallace, Charlene L.
64 Mooreland St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/11/12

Wetherell, David C.
71 Coes Hill Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/12

Winn, Charles J.
Winn, Helen J.
a/k/a Main, Helen L.
86 Colonial Dr.
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/12

Wyllie, James C.
12 Wenonah Dr.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/08/12

Doing Business as Certificates

By
DBA Certificates Departments

The following Business Certificates and Trade Names were issued or renewed during the month of June 2012.

AGAWAM

Ad-Venture
10 Castle Hill Road
Jay Berger

Barry Rothenberg
335 Walnut St.
Barry Rothenberg

Deveno Landscaping
577 Springfield St.
David Deveno

K. Kudlic Trucking Inc.
491 Springfield St.
Kristen Kudlic

The Sand Trap
1399 Suffield St.
Kristine Mele

Vella Limousine
511 Springfield St.
Richard Vella

CHICOPEE

Sonic Value Transportation
129 Exchange St.
Ali O. Koseoglu

Total Exterior Services
218 Pondview Dr.
Lisa A. DelMonte

Yankee Auto Sales
162 Chicopee St.
Russell R. Foisy

EASTHAMPTON

Artisan Builders & Craftsmen
19 Plain St.
Aaron Scott

Mamadou Group Painting & Decoration
13 Arlington St.
Mamadou Diedhiou

Mountain View Antiques & Collectibles
51 Holyoke St.
James P. Delnero

Omni Ohana Media and Design
14 Playa Ave.
Sara H. Gomes

The House Doctor
29 Ward Ave.
Chris S. Black

HOLYOKE

B & C Cleaning Services
12 Evergreen Dr.
Brent Lavigne

Contemporary Auto Sales
63 Shawmut Ave.
Stephen Stathis

Flamingo
319 High St.
Sinung Yi

Kentucky Fried Chicken
2241 Northampton St.
Michael Houston

Tony’s Radiator Shop
84 North Bridge St.
Alan Barthelette

VK Restoration
92 Race St.
Vitek Kruta

LUDLOW

Alegria Dance & Fitness
658 Center St.
Debra Nunes

Jeffrey’s Suit Rack
287 East St.
Jeffrey Clemons Sr.

Lavoie Development Corporation
733 Chapin St.
David Lavoie

NX2 LLC
656 Center St.
Armando Nunes

NORTHAMPTON

DeLong Construction LLC
76 Bancroft Road
Edmund Lennihan

Hampshire Sheriff’s Office
205 Rocky Hill Road
Robert Garvey

Pine Street Publishing
10 Pine St.
Fred Contrada

Red Thunder Audio
20 Highland Ave.
Ezra Teboul

Retro Service
26 Strong Ave.
Jeanne Mulvey

Valley Green Feast
PO Box 632
Maggie Shar

Yankee Mattress Factory Inc.
104 Damon Road
Joseph Noblit

SPRINGFIELD

Metro Chrysler Jeep Dodge
484 Boston Road
Metro Auto Sales

Omega Provision
21 Garvey Dr.
Jose E. Hernandez

Organic Apparel
122 Mooreland St.
Yazmarie Quinones

Paula’s Porch Catering
207 Nottingham St.
Vivian L. Hatwood

Proex Physical Therapy
1150 Hall of Fame Ave.
Michael J. Mulrenan

Torres Painting
37 Castle St.
Juan Torres

Valley Automotive Inc.
160 Taylor St.
John Lizak

Your Way Catering
156 Chalmers St.
Bernard J. Carriere

Youth Urban Multimedia
1809 Roosevelt Ave.
Tammy Sharif

WESTFIELD
Egerton Home Improvements
44 Prospect St.
Ethan Egerton

Spring Hill Properties LLC
246 Russellville Road
Wayne Cowles

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Affordable Home Improvement
533 Elm St.
Pavel Pauasyuk

Cleaning Connection
76 Elmwood Ave.
Nathan Grenon

Great Plains Transportation
92 Great Plains Road
Dennis Koshechko

I Home Installations LLC
33 Angeline St.
Ray Auger

La-Prestiges Salon and Spa
533 Union St.
Yelena Ivanov

MCL Mechanical Services Inc.
26 Kelso Ave.
Marc C. Lichwan

TD Bank
969 Riverdale St.
TD Bank

Westside Check Cashing
205 Elm St.
JMT Check Cashing Inc.

BANKRUPTCIES

The following bankruptcy petitions were recently filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Readers should confirm all information with the court.

Arcand, Deborah L.
88 Whittier St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/06/12

Bacigalupo, Richard J.
Bacigalupo, Elsa M.
324 Spring St.
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/31/12

Belcher, Valadia C.
18 Vassar St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/06/12

Bergeron, Beverly A.
1583 Riverdale St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/06/12

Berkshire Yard Works
Dolan, Nicholas B.
Dolan, Neesha M.
a/k/a Cole, Neesha M.
2326 Jacobs Ladder Road
Becket, MA 01223
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/11/12

Bernat, Maureen
PO Box 366
Bondsville, MA 01009
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/12

Bickel, Floyd Norman
45 Lake Ave.
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/11/12

Bonafila, Laurie A.
95 Corey Road
Springfield, MA 01128
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/12

Brea, Juan O.
P.O. Box 6225
Springfield, MA 01101
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/15/12

Broughton, Christopher D.
15 Lawndale St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/11/12

Caliendo, Erika
198 Leland Road
Becket, MA 01223
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/11/12

Canning, Clay K.
Canning, Kimberly J.
203 Pheland Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/12/12

Carter, Edward Charles
60 Jeanne Marie St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/02/12

Casamento, Deana M.
183 Parkedge Dr.
Feeding Hills, MA 01030
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/13/12

Chartier, Kathleen H.
29 Chartier Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/12/12

Chateauneuf, Jeffrey P.
Chateauneuf, Sheila M.
84 Cherryvale St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/08/12

Consolati, Christopher M.
25 Putnam Ave.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/08/12

Corbett, Terras I.
837 Partridgeville Road
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/12

Davidson, Theodore Z.
Davidson, Susan M.
P.O. Box 45
Goshen, MA 01032
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/06/12

Dellea, Janet L.
2 Crossway St.
Lee, MA 01238
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/05/12

Dunbar, Charles Thomas
25 Hartford St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/11/12

Ewing, JR
P.O. Box 872
Chicopee, MA 01014
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/06/12

Fellows, William C.
Fellows, Joy A.
22 Fowler St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/12

Figueroa, Samuel
8 Meadowbrook Lane
Palmer, MA 01069
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/15/12

Flanagan, Michael J.
Flanagan, Miranda
13 Dexter St., Apt. 2
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/15/12

Flap Jack Willie’s Restaurant
Holmberg, William G.
P.O. Box 764
Warren, MA 01083
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/02/12

From Hair On
Rosazza, Elizabeth Ann
P.O. Box 203
Granby, MA 01033
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/12

Gardner, Sandra M.
a/k/a Madden, Sandra M.
193 Elberon Ave., Apt. 4G
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/11/12

Gutierrez, Luis E.
Gutierrez, Maria E.
201 Locust St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/06/12

Hebert, Donald P.
Hebert, Joan L.
120 Glendale Circle
Ware, MA 01082
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/05/12

Henriques, Marino
525 Chicopee St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/06/12

Hess, John P.
Hess, Susan E.
91 Deepfield Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/12/12

Hills, Beverly D.
a/k/a Schwartz, Beverly D.
49B Crown St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/12/12

Imme, Nicole M.
845 Wilbraham Road
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/12

Jones, Richard A.
224 Berkshire Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/04/12

Kasperek, Christopher Paul
Kasperek, Karen Marie
306 Barry St.
Feeding Hills, MA 01030
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/04/12

Knas, Matt J.
Knas, Teresa
202 Parker St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/11/12

Kowach, Lou Ellen
10 Paula Ave.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/12

LaClair, Jeremy Adam
71 Lakeview St.
Southwick, MA 01077
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/04/12

Lafleur, Debra Jean
25 Kendall St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/14/12

Lake, Kimberly Y.
88 King Arthur Dr.
Becket, MA 01223
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/12

Lane, Heather S.
42 Tilda Hill Road
Florida, MA 01247
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/12/12

Lange, Stephen R.
PO Box 73
South Barre, MA 01074
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/13/12

Laplante, Carole M.
a/k/a Stone, Carole M.
a/k/a Dauplaise, Carole
54 Stimson St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/11/12

Lasky, Paul L.
P.O. Box 837
Great Barrington, MA 01230
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/06/12

Lenox, Dianne M.
127 Vadnais St.
Chicopee, MA 01020-3026
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/01/12

Leon, Maria C.
a/k/a Leon, Maria Del Carmen
6 Lionel Benoit Road
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/08/12

Lessard, Eileen M.
168 Groveland St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/05/12

Liverseidge, Mary
2 Sutton Place #10
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/12

Lockett, Dessie R.
30 Marshall St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/13/12

Lucien, Jean W.
Lucien, Guilene
53 Sherbrooke St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/11/12

Lussier Plumbing
Lussier, Richard Leon
Lussier, Beverly Jean
1 Marlboro Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/12

Maclachlan, Tracy Dawn
101 Sylvester St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/02/12

MacNeal, Karen L.
25 Thomas St., Apt. 21
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/06/12

Majka, Daniel E.
Majka, Danielle M.
93 South Maple St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/15/12

Marte, Josefina
130 Hastings St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/06/12

Matney, Donna M.
PO Box 317
Warren, MA 01083
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/14/12

Meade, Kathryn M.
61 Orlando St.
Feeding Hills, MA 01030
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/01/12

Molinari, Lynne
99 Champlain St.
Indian Orchard, MA 01151
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/11/12

Monday, Debra C.
a/k/a DeRose, Debra C.
P.O. Box 418
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/04/12

Murphy, Michael S.
28 River St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/15/12

Niemiec, David A.
Niemiec, Karen M.
5 Gloria Dr.
Southwick, MA 01077
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/31/12

O’Connor, Richard Bruce
O’Connor, Margaret Diane
323 Green River Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/07/12

Osl, Miriam
70 Chestnut St.
Springfield, MA 01103
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/15/12

Pagan, Haydee
57 Farnum Dr.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/07/12

Pasini, Robert M.
111 Lumae St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/12

Paul, Christine A.
258 Oakham Road
Barre, MA 01005
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/10/12

Perreault, Brian H.
Perreault, Jennifer A.
22 Stone Road
Royalston, MA 01368
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/10/12

Quinn, Garald E.
45 Pulaski St.
Ware, MA 01082
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/05/12

Ramos, Rigoberto
185 Leyford Ter.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/06/12

Richard, Kelly L.
470 Porter Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/05/12

Rivera, Maria E.
40 James St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/06/12

Rock, Dawn M.
a/k/a Puduski, Dawn M.
140 Union St., Apt. 15
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/01/12

Rock, James M.
140 Union St., Apt. 15
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/01/12

Rodriguez, Edward
28 Oliver’s St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/12

Rodriguez, Maria D.
101 Lowell St., Apt. 3
Springfield, MA 01107
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/06/12

Rodriguez, Yavi
101 Beacon Ter.
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/14/12

Rowley, Andrea L.
12 Renny Ave.
Southwick, MA 01077
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/15/12

Salgado, Edith
415 Hillside Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/06/12

Sanchez, Roberto
1632 Carew St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/08/12

Sanders, Carrie A.
166/168 West Main St., Apt 7
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/12

Sinico, Shannon
135 Christian Hill Road
Great Barrington, MA 01230
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/05/12

Songini, Marie E.
80 Dawes St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/12

Soto, Jasmin M.
138 Jasper St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/11/12

Spooner, Ruth A.
118 Eagleville Road
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/08/12

Stearns, Pamela J.
8 Carter St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/13/12

Stewart, Gregory M.
98 Turnpike Road
Turners Falls, MA 01376
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/04/12

Sullivan, William F.
Sullivan, Mary A.
40 Porter St. Apt. 289
Granby, MA 01033
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/15/12

Uribe, John F.
2 Belden Court, Apt. W-2
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/08/12

Veremchuk, Peter
44 Sprague St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/01/12

Vorce, Bernice E.
67 Mechanic St.
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/31/12

Walker, Cynthia J.
28 Country Club Heights
Monson, MA 01057-9514
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/05/12

Walker, Mark A.
1424 Main St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/06/12

Wallace, Terrence A.
Wallace, Charlene L.
64 Mooreland St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/11/12

Wetherell, David C.
71 Coes Hill Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/12

Winn, Charles J.
Winn, Helen J.
a/k/a Main, Helen L.
86 Colonial Dr.
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/12

Wyllie, James C.
12 Wenonah Dr.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/08/12

PicThis

By
Departments Picture This

Send photos with a caption and contact information to: ‘Picture This’ c/o BusinessWest Magazine, 1441 Main Street, Springfield, MA 01103 or to [email protected]

Celebrity Read Aloud

Roderick Ireland, chief justice of the Mass. Supreme Judicial Court and a Springfield native, was the guest reader for the Link to Libraries Celebrity Read Aloud Program at William DeBerry School in Springfield. As a youngster, Ireland attended DeBerry School. He read to fourth-grade students and explained how important his education was and how much he enjoyed reading as a youngster and now as chief justice. The students presented him with a certificate of appreciation for attending their school and reading. Link to Libraries invites local and regional dignitaries to become part of its Celebrity Read Aloud Programs and read to area students. For more information, call (413) 224-1031, or e-mail [email protected].

Scholarship Winners

When Thomas E. Cosenzi passed away in 2009, it was not only ownership of the TommyCar Auto Group that passed to his children Carla and Thomas M., but his legacy of giving back to the community. That legacy was evident when the four recipients of a 2012 Tom Cosenzi Scholarship were recently awarded their checks for $1,000 at Country Nissan on Route 9 in Hadley. The scholarships, awarded each year to graduating seniors, helps students with demonstrated leadership and community involvement continue their education at either a two- or four-year institution. The program has expanded to other area high schools, with this year’s winners coming from Hopkins Academy in Hadley, Northampton High School, Shepherd Hill Regional High School in Dudley, and Greenfield High School. From left are: Nicole Himebaugh of Charlton; Anaisa Garcia of Florence; Carla Cosenzi, president of TommyCar Auto Group; Rita Pirozhkov of Greenfield; and Steven J. Keith of Hadley.

Editorial

By
Opinion
Brownfield Challenges and Opportunities

The compelling photographs on page 42 tell an intriguing story about the redevelopment of the sprawling former GE transformer-manufacturing complex in Pittsfield — and about brownfield redevelopment in general.
There are always three tenses involved with such projects, of course: the past, present, and future. The past is represented by images, stories, and recollections of what once was. In this case, and in most all cases, it’s about a large corporation that employed generations of people and brought economic vitality to a neighborhood, city, or region, and often gave it an identity. The present is usually represented by images of idle land where factories that employed thousands of people once stood.
The future? Well, that’s the hard part. The really hard part.
It’s often difficult to imagine what it can be — although people try mightily — and even more difficult to make reality. We’ve seen it repeatedly, at places like the former Uniroyal complex in Chicopee, the former Westinghouse site in Springfield (now one of many locations under consideration for a Western Mass. casino), the former Chapman Valve complex in Indian Orchard, and, to a lesser extent, the Ludlow Mills complex, now in the hands of Westmass Area Development Corp.
While there has been some encouraging progress with the Ludlow initiative — two projects, a new HealthSouth rehab hospital and some senior housing, were announced earlier this year — there have been mostly speculation and frustration involving the others.
That’s especially true in Chicopee, where the Uniroyal site has been a nightmare for mayoral administrations for more than 30 years, and Chapman Valve has been equally frustrating, with only a large solar-power array to be put in the category of new ‘development’ (there aren’t many jobs attached to solar farms).
Still, these brownfield sites are important to the region, and for many reasons. First, there will eventually be a severe shortage of developable land in Western Mass., although the ongoing sluggish economy has kept existing supplies virtually intact. This means that, to attract and retain companies and bring jobs to the area, brownfield sites like those listed above are a critical part of the region’s economic-development strategy.
Equally important is the fact that most of these sites are in urban areas, cities that were former manufacturing hubs and are now in the complicated process of trying to reinvent themselves as something else. These brownfield projects could provide a key piece to that puzzle.
We’re encouraged by what is happening in Pittsfield, and believe officials there are on the right track. The GE complex was indeed a center of innovation, and the transformers built there helped light up the world — literally. The Pittsfield Economic Development Authority, the entity created to redevelop the sprawling complex, has landed one tenant, a financial-services company, and is forwarding plans to build a life-sciences complex that will house companies that have moved beyond the startup stage and are looking for a place to grow.
As we’ve said many times, it is through the nurturing of small businesses such as these — rather than trying to lure large employers from other parts of the country or the world — that the region is most likely to secure more of those good-paying jobs that every community wants and needs. It may take more time to do it this way, but the results may well be more permanent.
It will take a long time — years, if not decades — to fill in the land left vacant when the GE buildings were torn down, and create a third picture to go with the two on page 42. The same is true in Chicopee and Indian Orchard, and it may likely be the same if a casino isn’t built in East Springfield on the Westinghouse site.
But with some patience, imagination, and, yes, the kind of innovation that made these sites so important to the region 50 and even 100 years ago, they can again be key contributors to the area’s economy.
And maybe give some of these cities a new identity.

Court Dockets

By
Court Dockets Departments

The following is a compilation of recent lawsuits involving area businesses and organizations. These are strictly allegations that have yet to be proven in a court of law. Readers are advised to contact the parties listed, or the court, for more information concerning the individual claims.

CHICOPEE
DISTRICT COURT
TBF Financial, LLC v. JSLC Corp., and Sandra and Joseph Marlin
Allegation: Breach of lease agreement: $21,378.06
Filed: 6/15/12

HAMPDEN
SUPERIOR COURT
Aaryn Blain v. Porterhouse Media
Allegation: Breach of contractual agreement: $25,000+
Filed: 5/8/12

Country Development Corp. v. Colorful Creations Bead Co. Inc. and Patricia and Stanley Pawlowicz
Allegation: Breach of lease agreement: $77,643.88
Filed: 5/2/12

Jenco Property Maintenance Services v. ITT Power Solutions d/b/a Exelis
Allegation: Breach of contract for snow plowing: $450,000
Filed: 5/18/12

John J. Walczak v. Turley Publications
Allegation: Breach of contract: $25,000
Filed 5/31/12

Michelle Michaels v. Superior Oxygen Systems Inc. and Inova Lab Inc.
Allegation: Failure to pay promissory notes: $150,000
Filed: 5/23/12

Rafal Lasiuk v. Liquor Town
Allegation: Action for monies had and received, unjust enrichment, and fraud: $96,817.50
Filed: 5/11/12

Shawntell Lee Waldon, administratrix of the estate of Aaron Lavanta Waldon v. Helsant Inc. d/b/a LACE
Allegation: Careless and improper security and maintenance at Club 418, causing wrongful death: $500,000+
Filed: 5/16/12

HAMPSHIRE
SUPERIOR COURT
Eclipse Manufacturing Inc. v. Gillespie Corp.
Allegation: Non-payment of monies loaned: $60,000
Filed: 5/23/12

Felix Perez v. Anthony’s Dance Club
Allegation: Negligent hiring and supervision, causing personal injury: $40,000
Filed: 5/15/12

R.E. Laplante Construction Inc. v. Harold L. Eaton Associates Inc.
Allegation: Breach of contract to supply land survey: $25,000
Filed: 5/29/12

NORTHAMPTON
DISTRICT COURT
American Express Bank FSB v. Pitt-singer P&H and Donald R. Pittsinger
Allegation: Non-payment on previous judgment: $10,759.23
Filed: 5/27/12

Constellation Newenergy Inc. v. Stop n’ Save
Allegation: Non-payment of services rendered: $8,342.50
Filed: 5/17/12

Eastern Brothers, LTD, d/b/a Black River Produce v. Sunflower Inc., d/b/a Green Street Café and John A. Sielski
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $10,666.94
Filed: 6/14/12

Santa Buckley Energy Inc. v. Volkswagon of Northampton
Allegation: Non-payment of services and goods: $7,016.38
Filed: 6/1/12

WESTFIELD
DISTRICT COURT
Cach, LLC v. Daval Home Services Inc. and Keith G. Roy
Allegation: Breach of credit-card agreement: $16,840.11
Filed: 5/25/12

Opinion

By
Opinion
A Simple Remedy for a Wall Street Danger

Over the past several weeks, the financial community has paid rapt attention to trading losses at JPMorgan Chase, estimated to be anywhere from $2 billion to as much as $9 billion. The sudden emergence of such a large loss sent a disturbing tremor through an already-vulnerable economic landscape. The lesson to be learned here is emphatically not about the bank or its leadership, but about the structure of our financial system.
The loss by the much-admired bank was more than a case of a private-sector company taking a private-sector hit because of a private-sector error. First, if a bank this important were to become endangered, the contagion to global financial confidence would surely necessitate a bailout. Losses in institutions to which we entrust the soundness of our money, or where deposits are guaranteed, put the rest of us at risk. Second, and less widely appreciated, JPMorgan’s trading loss is a minuscule fraction of the bank’s more than $75 trillion in notional value of its current positions in derivative securities. The trading of derivatives — securities whose prices are dependent on valuations of underlying assets but do not represent direct ownership claims on those assets — is exempt from the sensible regulation of disclosure and leverage normally applied to stocks, bonds, and other direct claims. This is still, despite all recent attempts at financial reform, the Wild West of trading markets.
Banks say their trading positions are properly hedged by countervailing positions, leaving them little risk. They ‘prove’ this using statistical models anchored in past price behavior and by noting that market pricing indicates a proper balance between their opposing positions, leaving little residual exposure. The problem is that the models are oversimplifications. They rarely predict unfamiliar possibilities, sometimes called ‘black swans,’ or the impacts of external events such as geopolitical disruptions.
All three of the largest U.S. banks have open derivatives positions in excess of 24,000% of their equity capital. Neither models nor markets can protect them from small percentage imbalances. In addition, bank-trading relationships around the world are so interconnected that, if one goes down, all are threatened. No CEO or board of directors, however talented and honorable, can oversee trading at the multi-trillion-dollar scale with perspective and precision enough to assure the avoidance of systemic impairment. Nor can any government oversight body.
Bank lobbyists insist that all this trading is needed to facilitate commercial transactions, but don’t be fooled. The open derivatives positions at the three largest U.S. banks exceed twice the GNP of the world. Add in large European and Asian banks, and the commercial-hedging argument becomes a parody. Hedging is useful in commerce, but its systemic risk should never outweigh its commercial value.
Under present rules, banks are free to put us all at risk in derivatives trading without creating any offsetting cushion. Every derivatives transaction involves some basis risk (that two paired commodities will not continue to move in unison), some counterparty risk (that the trade will not be honored by the other party), and some human-error risk. Accountants and regulators know well that netting massive positions to zero cannot reflect true exposure.
Whenever a new position is taken, there should be a mandatory accompanying reserve or capital charge. This would have a twofold benefit. It would increase protection for both the public and the banks, and it would dull the appeal of hazardously oversized trading accounts. Although regulators should set the actual amounts, imagine that the charge was uniformly 0.1% of the notional position value. Open positions of $75 trillion in derivatives would require $75 billion put aside, an amount large enough to make that trading scale unappealing. Charges to match the risk created would bring trading volumes back to sensible size with a minimum of new regulations and no need to outlaw useful commercial practices. They would simply acknowledge that all derivatives positions, however useful, impose some risk on the holders and the public. Current scale imposes an unmanageable risk.

James M. Stone, former chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and commissioner of Insurance for Massachusetts, is CEO of the Plymouth Rock group of property and casualty insurance companies.

People On the Move

By
Kevin Hart
Departments People on the Move

Mark R. Tolosky

Mark R. Tolosky

Mark R. Tolosky, president and CEO of Baystate Health, was recently awarded the prestigious 2012 William L. Lane Hospital Advocate Award from the Mass. Hospital Assoc. (MHA) in recognition of his “exceptional leadership.” During his 20-year tenure at one of the largest health systems in New England, Tolosky has helped transform Baystate Health into one of the Top 15 health care systems in the country, as recognized by Thomson Reuters. Lynn Nicholas, president and CEO of the MHA, noted that Tolosky “has driven the transformation of the North End of Springfield into a vibrant ‘medical mile,’ constructing new facilities, creating jobs, improving the local community, and contributing to the economic development of the city.” Nicholas added, “under Tolosky’s leadership, Baystate Health and Health New England are also nationally recognized for top levels of quality and safety, most notably through advances made in clinical care, the adoption of health-information technology, and the development of team-based and patient-centered medical homes.” Each year at the association’s annual meeting, the MHA publicly acknowledges one senior hospital executive who exemplifies exceptional leadership and the characteristics to which all hospital and health system leaders should aspire. Tolosky was nominated by Richard B. Steele Jr., chairman of the Baystate Health Board of Trustees, and his senior leadership team at Baystate Health. “Mark sets a stellar example as a CEO who tirelessly advocates for improvement, inclusion, responsibility, preparation, taking the high road, and the importance of collaborative, positive relationships,” noted one letter in support of Tolosky’s nomination. According to Nicholas, it was the first time in the nine-year history of presenting the award that the MHA executive committee was unanimous in its selection.
•••••

Eugene J. Cassidy

Eugene J. Cassidy became the seventh CEO of the Eastern States Exposition (ESE) in its 95-year history on June 27. He joined ESE as Director of Finance in 1993, and was named Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer in March 2011. He succeeded Wayne McCary, who retired June 26 after 21 years at the helm of the West Springfield institution. “The Big E is a balance of agriculture, industry, and entertainment all designed to move the core mission of the exposition forward while retaining the roots on which it was built,” said Cassidy. He is accredited as a certified fair executive by the International Assoc. of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE) and is actively involved as a member of the budget and finance and program committees. He is a frequent presenter at IAFE meetings on the local, regional, and national levels and served as program chair of the organization’s International Convention in Las Vegas in 2010. Cassidy began his career at KPMG Peat Marwick in Springfield. He then served as treasurer of Chicopee Cooperative Bank and Colonial Mortgage Co. and was assistant vice president of Park West Bank and Trust Co., all wholly owned subsidiaries of Westbank Corp.
•••••
Andrea Robitaille, P.E., recently joined Tighe & Bond Inc. as a Project Engineer. She brings to that position eight years of professional experience with the firm’s expanding structural-engineering team. Robitaille has provided bridge design and inspection, construction design, and transportation-planning services for numerous clients and projects throughout New England.
•••••
David Kalman, M.D. was recently promoted to President of Springfield Medical Associates, a multi-specialty group gractice with locations in Springfield and Enfield. Kalman has been a practicing gastroenterologist since 1927.
•••••
Amy Royal

Amy Royal

Amy Royal, founding partner of Royal LLP, the Northampton-based woman-owned boutique, management-side labor and employment law firm, has been invited to speak at the ExecuSummit 7th Annual National Employment Practices Liability Insurance Conference at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn. in October. She will present on minimizing emotional-distress damages in employment-litigation claims.
•••••
Danielle Nicklas

Danielle Nicklas

Danielle Nicklas, an attorney with the Springfield-based firm Cooley, Shrair P.C., has been appointed to serve on the Mass. Bar Assoc. (MBA) Health Law Section Council. Each council is charged with formulating and recommending policy and legislative positions, developing CLE program content for the MBA, and producing articles for Section Review and/or Lawyers Journal. Nicklas focuses her practice on the area of health law with a concentration in health care compliance, risk management, Start, and anti-kickback regulations.
•••••
Kevin Hart

Kevin Hart

Holyoke-based Mohawk Communications announced that Kevin Hart has joined the staff as Director of Operations. Hart has more than 15 years experience in the telecommunications field, from high-end PBX systems, to fiber installation, to managing communication networks for mid- to large-sized businesses. He will be managing the customer service department along with the outside technicians and various other projects.

PictureThis

By
Departments Picture This

Send photos with a caption and contact information to: ‘Picture This’ c/o BusinessWest Magazine, 1441 Main Street, Springfield, MA 01103 or to [email protected]

NCCJ Awards

The National Conference for Community and Justice (NCCJ), founded in 1927 as the National Conference of Christians and Jews, recently presented its Annual Human Relations Awards at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Six area residents were honored for their dedication to fighting bias, bigotry, and racism and promoting understanding and respect for all. Far left, from left: honoree Michael Sobon, president of O’Connell Oil, and his wife, Joan; honoree Ronn Johnson, principal, R.D.J. Associates; honoree Carol Leary, president, Bay Bath College; honoree Brian Tuohey, president, Collins Pipe; honoree Caleb Wilkie, a Westfield High School junior and youth community organizer, Andrea Kandel, executive director of the NCCJ. Left, Wilkie addresses the audience as he accepts the 2012 Youth Award.


WBOA Gala

The Women Business Owners Alliance of the Pioneer Valley Inc. (WBOA) recently celebrated its 2012 Woman of the Year Event and 30th Anniversary Gala at Chez Josef in Agawam. The mission of the non-profit organization is to build confidence and success, and empower women entrepreneurs. At left, Freda Brown (left), treasurer of WBOA and owner of Divorce Financial Services, who was honored as the 2012 Woman of the Year, stands with Susan Kelley, center, owner of Kelley Tax Service and vice president of WBOA, and Monique Leyda, senior account manager with Bishop Technologies.





YMCA Dinner

More than 350 guests filled the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame for the recent YMCA of Greater Springfield’s 160th anniversary celebration. The event featured a keynote address by successful sports and business leader Mannie Jackson, and entertaining insight on Boston sports from Boston Globe sportswriters and ESPN commentators Jackie MacMullan and Bob Ryan. Left, the scene at Center Court as the crowd salutes Springfield College President Richard Flynn.









From left, Kirk Smith, president and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Springfield; Bob Ryan, Jackie MacMullan, Mannie Jackson; and John Doleva, CEO of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame












From left, Steve Bradley, vice president of Government & Community Relations and Public Affairs, Baystate Health; Tom Creed, senior vice president and Market Commercial Credit Manager in the new credit management division of TD Bank; Kirk Smith; Kathy Treglia, vice president of Education & Government Relations at the YMCA; David Woods, principal of Woods Financial Group; and Victor Woolridge, vice president of Cornerstone Real Estate Advisers








Dancers from the Dunbar YMCA Family & Community Center, who performed a tap dance number directed by Shirley Similari.

Agenda

By
Agenda Departments

Massachusetts Chamber Business Summit
Sept. 9-11: The Massachusetts Chamber board of directors will conduct its annual Business Summit and Awards Ceremony at the Resort and Conference Center at Hyannis. The two-day meeting allows participants to meet with business professionals from across the state, as well as listen to state and local elected officials who will discuss the future of business in Massachusetts. Additionally, representatives from the Mass. Office of Economic Development will discuss loans, grants, and tax incentives available to business owners. Industry experts will also be on hand to discuss topics such as leveraging social media, search-engine optimization, and health care cost containment. The winners of the Business of the Year Award and the Employer of Choice Award will also be announced during the summit. For more information, call (617) 512-9667 or visit www.masscbi.com.
World Affairs Council Annual Meeting
Oct. 10: Hampshire College President Jonathan Lash will speak at the World Affairs Council of Western Mass. Annual Meeting & Dinner in the Mahogany Room of the Springfield Sheraton Hotel in downtown Springfield. More details will be forthcoming. Lash is an internationally recognized expert on practical solutions to global sustainability and development challenges. Before he became president of Hampshire College in 2011, he served as president of World Resources Institute (WRI), an environmental think tank with offices in eight countries and partners in more than 50 countries. WRI is an international leader on issues ranging from low-carbon development to sustainable transportation. From 1993 to 1999, Lash was co-chair of the President’s Council on Sustainable Development, a group of government, business, labor, civil rights, and environmental leaders appointed by President Clinton that developed visionary recommendations for strategies to promote sustainable development. He played a key role in the creation and success of the U.S. Climate Action Partnership, which in 2007 issued the highly influential “Call to Action” on global warming. Prior to WRI, Lash held posts as director of Vermont Law School’s Environmental Law Center, Vermont secretary of Natural Resources, and Vermont commissioner of Environmental Conservation, and as a federal prosecutor. For more information on the event, call (413) 733-0110.
Western Mass. Business Expo
Oct. 11: BusinessWest will again present the Western Mass. Business Expo. The event, which made its debut last fall at the MassMutual Center in downtown Springfield, will feature more than 180 exhibitors, seminars, special presentations, breakfast and lunch programs, and the year’s most extensive networking opportunity. Comcast Business Class will again be the presenting sponsor of the event. Details, including breakfast and lunch agendas, seminar topics, and featured speakers, will be printed in the pages of BusinessWest over the coming months. For more information or to purchase a booth, call (413) 781-8600, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.wmbexpo.com.

Chamber corners: Upcoming Events

By
Chamber Corners Departments

ACCGS
www.myonlinechamber.com
(413) 787-1555

• July 9: ACCGS Annual Golf Tournament, at the Ranch in Southwick. Registration starts at 10:30 a.m., with a 12:30 shotgun start. Sponsors to date include: Lunch Sponsor: MassMutual Center; Reception Sponsor: Blue Cross Blue Shield; Photography Sponsor: NUVO Bank; Putting Contest Sponsor: H.L. Dempsey Co.; Hole in One Sponsors: Rocky’s Ace Hardware, Hampden Bank, and Teddy Bear Pools & Spas. The chamber is still looking for sponsors at all levels. New this year is the Flag Sponsor for $250. Costs: foursomes, $600; individual golfers, $150; reception only, $30. Interested parties may register online for any of the sponsorships as well as for golf and dinner, or by e-mailing Cecile Larose at [email protected], or by faxing a registration form to (413) 755-1322. For more information, call (413) 755-1313.

GREATER EASTHAMPTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.easthamptonchamber.org
(413) 527-9414

• July 12: Networking By Night Business Card Exchange, 5-7 p.m., featuring a gala waterski show. Hosted by the Oxbow Water Ski Show Team, 100 Old Springfield Road, Northampton. Door prizes, hors d’ouevres, host beer and wine. Tickets: $5 for members, $15 for non-members.
• July 27: 28th Annual Greater Easthampton Chamber of Commerce Golf Tourney, 9 a.m. shotgun start for the Scramble event. Hosted by Southampton Country Club, College Highway, Southampton. Major sponsors: Easthampton Savings Bank and 5 Star Building Corp. Cost for the outing, which includes golf with cart, lunch, dinner, and a gift, is $100 per person and $400 per foursome. “Win a Buick Hole in One” sponsored by Cernak Buick. A $10,000 hole in one sponsored by Finck & Perras Insurance. Register at www.easthamptonchamber.org.

WEST OF THE RIVER
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.ourwrc.com
413-426-3880

• July 11: Wicked Wednesday, 5-7 p.m., EB’s Restaurant, 385 Walnut St. Ext., Agawam. Cost: free for members, $10 for non-members.

Court Dockets

By
Court Dockets Departments

The following is a compilation of recent lawsuits involving area businesses and organizations. These are strictly allegations that have yet to be proven in a court of law. Readers are advised to contact the parties listed, or the court, for more information concerning the individual claims.

CHICOPEE
DISTRICT COURT
Arclincia Cooke v. Holyoke Mall Co., L.P. and UGL Services UNICCO Operations Company
Allegation: Negligent maintenance of premises, causing personal injury: $9,493.99
Filed: 5/23/12

FRANKLIN
SUPERIOR COURT
Roberts Brothers Lumber Co., LLC v. Commerce Insurance Co.
Allegation: Breach of insurance contract and unfair insurance practices: $36,667
Filed: 5/7/12

Stanley Zielonka v. Cumberland Farms Inc.
Allegation: Negligent maintenance of premises, causing injury: $44,172
Filed: 4/23/12

HOLYOKE
DISTRICT COURT
Michelle Grout v. ES Realty Corp.
Allegation: Negligent parking-lot maintenance causing trip and fall: $3,233.48
Filed: 4/25/12

SPRINGFIELD DISTRICT COURT
Cecilio v. Rivera v. North End Oil Service Co. Inc. And Julio C. Feliciano
Allegation: Breach of contract: $19,534
Filed: 5/12/12

NES Rentals v. Capco Steel Corp. and Cityview Commons II, LP
Allegation: Non-payment on construction equipment provided under a rental agreement: $12,608.04
Filed: 5/04/12

Servisair Fuel Services, LLC v. East Coast Airport Services Inc.
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $33,977.34
Filed: 5/11/12

WESTFIELD
DISTRICT COURT
Gary Woods v. Homeplate Sports Bar, LLC and Daniel J. Asselin
Allegation: Negligence in security, allowing for repeated batteries of plaintiff by Daniel J. Asselin: $14,000
Filed: 5/30/12

Renaissance Manor of Westfield v. J. Newsome & Sons Construction Inc.
Allegation: Breach of contract for construction services: $9,465
Filed: 5/18/12v

Company Notebook

By
Company Notebook Departments

Normandeau Communications Changes Name to Normandeau Technologies
WEST SPRINGFIELD — In a strategic move designed to better convey the company’s full range of products and services, Normandeau Communications recently changed its name to Normandeau Technologies Inc. “It is our goal to have our name reflect more than just communications, but the entire breadth of solutions provided — telephone systems, structured cabling, networking, carrier and Internet services, mobility solutions, surveillance, call accounting, overhead paging, and messaging on hold,” said Kim Durand, director of sales for the company. “Our dedication toward building relationships with our customers and technical expertise has led us to become valued partners in decision-making processes for all their technology needs.” As part of its efforts to educate business owners and managers on the latest technology and how to take full advantage of it, Normandeau will offer ‘Lunch & Learn’ meetings at its new technology and training facility, located at the company’s office at 2097 Riverdale St., West Springfield. “We look forward to serving our community and providing educational opportunities to learn more about how new technology can benefit our customers,” said Durand.

Ludlow Mills Awarded $200,0050 EPA Cleanup Grant
LUDLOW — The U.S. Department of Environmental Protection has awarded WestMass Area Development Corp., owner and developer of the Ludlow Mills project, a $200,000 brownfields cleanup grant, another sign of progress in the continuing redevelopment of the 1.4 million-square-foot redevelopment project. The grant was part of a competitive process, and Ludlow Mills is one of 18 projects in Massachusetts to receive EPA Region One grants in this round. Westmass will use the funding to immediately begin removing asbestos from old mill buildings on the site. Westmass President Kenn Delude said the funds will augment state funding from the Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs for environmental remediation work that did not cover the removal of asbestos. “This is another significant step forward in the redevelopment of the largest brownfield mill-redevelopment project in New England,” said Delude. Westmass recently announced two projects for the site — a $27 million initiative launched by HealthSouth to build a new rehabilitation hospital, and a $22 million, 83-unit senior independent-housing project.

WEEI Radio Awarded UMass Athletic Broadcast Rights
SPRINGFIELD — Sports Radio 105.5 WEEI-FM recently announced an exclusive partnership with UMass that makes it the official home of UMass football and basketball. The five-year agreement kicks off with the 2012 football season, which begins on Aug. 30 at the University of Connecticut. In addition to comprehensive game coverage, WEEI Springfield will host the UMass coaches shows, featuring The Charlie Molnar Show and The Derrick Kellogg Show. The agreement was brokered by Nelligan Sports marketing, the multi-media rights holder for UMass Athletics.

Columbia Gas Donates Blankets to Friends of the Homeless
SPRINGFIELD — Employees of Columbia Gas of Massachusetts visited the Friends of the Homeless shelter on Worthington Street in Springfield recently to donate 150 heavy-duty blankets to the shelter. Columbia Gas employees have adopted Friends of the Homeless as one of the local charitable organizations they will be supporting in 2012, said Andrea Luppi, manager of Communications and Community Relations. “In addition to the donation of blankets, once a month, a group of employees from all departments has volunteered to serve lunch at the shelter and spend some time getting to know the people there,” she said. “It gives everyone a good feeling to be able to do something for a group that needs and deserves some help.” Last year, Columbia Gas signed on as one of the primary sponsors of “Journey in My Shoes,” which was the first fund-raising event for Friends of the Homeless.

Briefcase

By
Briefcase Departments

UMass President Awards $750,000 for Innovative Faculty Research
BOSTON — UMass President Robert Caret recently announced nearly $750,000 in grants to faculty members from the President’s Science and Technology Initiatives Fund to support six promising research projects, which range from creating standards for testing robotic systems to detecting financial fraud in large-scale securities data to developing new skin-cancer imaging technologies. The initiatives showcase a range of innovative research being undertaken by UMass faculty members that contribute to the growth of the Commonwealth’s economy, especially in the science and technology sectors, and extend the boundaries of human knowledge. The grants provide seed funding to accelerate research activity across all five campuses and position researchers to attract larger investments from external sources to expand the scope of their projects. “The Science & Technology fund advances the work of producing the discoveries and technological breakthroughs that will improve lives, create jobs, and preserve our planet,” said Caret. “It supports the ideas and inventiveness of our faculty and fosters a culture of collaboration across all five campuses that attracts investments and underscores our role as an innovation engine for the Commonwealth.” This marks the ninth year the President’s Science and Technology Initiatives Fund awards have been handed out. It’s one of three funds that President Caret taps to help advance the work of UMass faculty members: the other two are the Commercial Ventures and Intellectual Property Technology Development Fund and the Creative Economy Initiatives Fund. Since 2004, the Science & Technology Fund has provided $7.5 million to UMass researchers, which, in turn, has generated $207 million in funding from outside sources for vital research efforts and led to the creation of nearly 20 research centers on the five campuses. UMass’s annual research expenditures climbed to $587 million in fiscal year 2011; that same year the university generated income of $36.5 million from faculty discovery and innovation. To date, the President’s Science & Technology Fund has financed more than 60 projects representing the breadth of academic inquiry at UMass. Locally, a grant project at UMass Amherst called ‘Big Data Informatics Initiative (BDI2)’ focuses on areas such as detecting financial fraud in large-scale securities data, correlating video/audio surveillance data to spot trends or anomalies in real time, and smart-meter data processing by energy utilities. Collaborators include the Massachusetts Green High Performance Computing Center, Holyoke Gas & Electric, MIT, and commercial partners such as EMC, Nokia, GE Global Research, and Yahoo Research. The total awarded was $136,250.

MCDI Transitions to Family Self-sufficiency Focus
SPRINGFIELD — The Massachusetts Career Development Institute Inc. recently announced a transition in its core services that will increasingly revolve the agency around family self-sufficiency initiatives and de-emphasize some workplace-training programs, many of which are now being undertaken at the community-college and vocational-secondary-school level. The move will have the immediate impact of downsizing the organization by 15% of its current workforce. The agency will also plan to relocate to a smaller, more efficient training and educational facility within Springfield as it transitions to a more appropriate operating model, according to Timothy Sneed, executive director of MCDI. The new emphasis at MCDI will be on career counseling and training tracks that are in high demand, eliminating those that are being shifted to other training sources. However, MCDI will continue its vocational training programs that address the growing employer demand in health care through its Certified Nurse Aide/Home Health Aide and Medical Office Professional training programs. Sneed said he anticipates an opportunity for MCDI to grow into other health-related training programs based on employers’ needs. Sneed indicated that, in an effort to focus on program strengths, MCDI is evolving into an agency that supports “family self-sufficiency” and will provide a host of direct and indirect resources in support of the family. “There has been a shift in the funding landscape with respect to vocational training, and most federal and state dollars are targeted at funding community colleges and technical-high-school programs,” said Sneed. “So, in many areas MCDI has been duplicating services with more training funding going to the community colleges and vocational programs at the secondary-school level. We will continue to provide multiple levels of adult basic education and English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) together with career and academic advising. Our support-services strategy will include job-readiness and life-skills training, which is so critical in today’s job market. We will temporarily discontinue our trade programs in culinary arts, precision-manufacturing technology, and sheet-metal welding and fabrication.” He continued, “while this reorganization is difficult, we see this as an opportunity to strengthen our core training programs with a vision of future expansion opportunities. The impact upon a portion of our workforce is truly unfortunate. At the same time, our management and board of directors see this as a positive step in the long-term viability of MCDI and, most importantly, those we serve in our community.”

GSCVB Unveils 2012-13 Pioneer Valley Visitor Guide
SPRINGFIELD — The Greater Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau (GSCVB) has unveiled the new 2012-2013 Guide to Masachusetts’ Pioneer Valley, which is now available by ordering online at www.valleyvisitor.com. The guide is free of charge and is a collaboration between the GSCVB and the Franklin and Hampshire County Regional Tourist Councils. The guide, a 112-page publication, contains information about some of the region’s top attractions, accommodations, and restaurants. The book offers new features, including a listing of farmers’ markets and expanded listings of attractions, accommodations, restaurants, shopping, transportation, recreational sites, colleges, and prep schools.

Doing Business as Certificates

By
DBA Certificates Departments

The following Business Certificates and Trade Names were issued or renewed during the month of June 2012.

AGAWAM

4U Siding and Roofing
605 Southwick St.
Dmitry Bruskiy

Agawam Wellness
430 Main St.
Nichole Hines

Christo’s & Sons Landscaping
129 South St.
Mark Christodlous

Custom Cabinet and Millwork Inc.
62 Suffield St.
Garrett Kimball

Wargamers’ Terrain
73 Tobacco Farm Road
Joe Linares

Tucano Applications
14 Mansion Woods
Leonardo D. Mascarenhas

AMHERST

Deepening Roots Farm
793 Bay Road
Andrew Korza

Ganna Designs
2 Morgan Place
Crystal Nielsen

Hess Express
468 West St.
R.J. Lawlor

Majik Management Consulting
279 West St.
David Majka

Renew Vitality
324 Middle St.
Rosamond Wulsin

CHICOPEE

Abundant Wellness Center
94 Chicopee St.
Deborah Boulanger

D & D Sales
815 McKinstry Ave.
Donald Perusse

Dave & Lisa’s Artful Furnishings
165 Front St.
David Murphy

DES Auto Technologies
439 Chicopee St.
David Stearns

Eris Construction
26 Casino Ave.
Erisnaldo Santos

Pioneer Valley Landscaping
45 Dresser Ave.
James Hebert

West Side Home Improvement
429 Front St.
Viktor Lapik

GREENFIELD

Driscoll’s Company
45 High St.
John J. Driscoll

Lipton Mart
100 Mohawk Trail
Michael Lipton

SMD Contracting
278 Main St.
Stephanie M. Dudos

Zemi
176 Main St.
Maya Meyers

HADLEY

Crystal Gardens Unlimited
140 Mount Warner
Crystal Boucher

Hadley Dry Cleaners
206 Russell St.
Hwa J. Han

Interskate 91 North
367 Russell St.
William Hoeffer

Riverside
373 River Dr.
John Kershlis

Shaolin Kung Fu Center
231 Russell St.
Ryan Budny

Z Auto
105 East St.
Michael Zera

HOLYOKE

Emmanuel Jewelry Store
311 High St.
Tai W. Kang

Luigi’s Christian Book & Music Store
103 High St.
Eddie Rivera

M & M Mini Mart
46 Franklin St.
Naz B. Naji

Real China Restaurant
1529 Northampton St.
Shi Z. Liu

Stop N’ Go
915 Main St.
Sagheer Nawaz

Valley Hall
26 Hadley Mills Road
Gabriel Reyes

Who’s Next Barber Shop
241 Main St.
Omar Peralta

PALMER

Crimmins and Graveline Insurance Agency
1382 Main St.
Thomas Graveline

N.M. Construction
11 Conant St.
Nathaniel Messier

Reskewed Things
1444 North Main St.
Charles L. Hood III

Trackside Tire Service LLC
1237 Park St.
Norman J. Ashline

Track Side Trains
1294 South Main St.
Greg Flamand

SOUTHWICK

R.B. Distributors
375 North Loomis St.
Russell Jones

Shawn Rutola Electrician
25 Eagle St.
Shawn Rutola

SPRINGFIELD

L & G Signs & Designs
120 Kimberly Ave.
Leroy A. Davidson

L & Q Game Shop
182 Oakland St.
Luis Lopez

L & S Transportation
118 Cardinal St.
Liliya Dudrova

La Garita Convenience
1212 Main St.
Betsy Lozada

La Zona Supermarket Corporation
24 Fort Pleasant Ave.
Hector Merejo

Lazy Valley Winery Inc.
34 Front St.
Scott Santaniello

Lil Divas Boutique Salon
65 Sycamore St.
Elizabeth Matos

MJA Construction
11 Gold St.
Nelson Menjivar

One Stop Cuts
494 Central St.
Charlette Gentry

Pink Peace
5 Danaher St.
Michelle LaPorte

R. Rocca Construction
169 Carver St.
Roger H. Rocca

Richard R. Rulnick
79 Embassy Road
Richard R. Rulnick

Simply Divine Beauty Lounge
607 Dickinson St.
Kelly Rochelle

So Fresh, So Clean
94 Wilbraham Road
Michael R. Marshall

Spring Street Super Grocery
121 Spring St.
Jose M. Rijo

T-Shirt Time
427 State St.
Hernesto Olmo

The Vela-Villalobos Corporation
1350 Main St.
Eduardo H. Vela

The Brothers Grocery
314 Bay St.
Virginia Leonor

Top Performance Heating
58 Davenport St.
Dorsey Cupe Jr.

Tsvor Construction Company
113 Michon St.
Aleksandr Tsvor

Ummi’s Haven Daycare
16 Glendell Terrace
Saliyhah A. Wadud

Valley Inn Boston Road
339 Boston Road
Bryan L. Townsend

Vigo Remittance
432 Belmont St.
Western Union

WM Development Company
1 Monarch Place
Joseph A. Lashinger

West Indian Taste Inc.
320 Wilbraham Road
Cornel Forbes

WESTFIELD

Boise Cascade LLC
33 Fowler St.
Jim Wickham

Bshara Catering
110 Airport Road
Paul Bshara

Cherished Loved Ones Home Care
244 Birch Bluffs Dr.
Carolyn Giordano

Lucky Spa & Nails LLC
303 East Main St.
Huan V. Huynh

Marek Jewelers
7 Day Ave.
Scott Marek

The Country Clipper
9 Russell Road
Sara Noska

The Sharing Tree
27 King St.
Karen E. Eaton

WEST SPRINGFIELD

98 Front Street
98 Front St.
Suzanne Halpin

A and N Transport
33 Craig Dr.
Andrew Ngure

Acumen Data Systems Inc.
2223 Westfield St.
Edward W. Squires

Aquatique Pools
730 Union St.
Robert E. Genereux

Beautiful Rooms
42 Myron St.
Gary R. Okun

Dream Events
43 Belle Ave.
Daria Krasnov

E-Zee Mart
83 River St.
Arshad Iman

First Niagara Benefits Consulting
225 Park Ave.
First Niagara Risk Management Inc.

Galaxy 900
32 Pine St.
Ralph T. Dalise

Gamelli Vending
203 Circuit Ave.
Justin P. Gamelli

Odd Jobbers
67 Armstrong St.
Jared Hamre

Subway
1329 Riverdale St.
Steven Petow

Bankruptcies

By
Bankruptcies Departments

The following bankruptcy petitions were recently filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Readers should confirm all information with the court.

Arroyo, Braulio
57 Bevier St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/30/12

Ayala, Sebastian
557 Berkshire Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/29/12

Basile, Christopher J.
47 Cass Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/16/12

Batchelor-Morehouse, Lori A.
199 Batchelor St.
Granby, MA 01033
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/23/12

Beech, Thomas D.
PO Box 199
Oakham, MA 01068
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/21/12

Bellefleur, Guy Donald
2020 Calkins Road
Palmer, MA 01069
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/24/12

Blackburn, Barak S.
60 Riverboat Village
South Hadley, MA 01075
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/25/12

Bothwell, Patricia A.
126 Sears Road
Goshen, MA 01032
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/12

Boucher, Jr., Daniel B.
21 Revelle Ave.
Northampton, MA 01060
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/29/12

Boze, Roy D.
Boze, Kathyleen F.
37 Hummingbird Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/30/12

Bradley, Edwin D.
Bradley, Susan M.
20 River Road
Ware, MA 01082
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/23/12

Brown, Jeanette E.
1259 Plumtree Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/23/12

Brown, Peter K.
Brown, Michelle L.
126 Elmore Ave.
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/23/12

Burke, Kellie Anne
48 Dunstable St.
Boston, MA 02129
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/23/12

Capponcelli, Scott B.
Capponcelli, Dana J.
114 Franklin St.
Feeding Hills, MA 01030
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/29/12

Carpenter, Kenneth J.
341 Montcalm First
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/24/12

Chmura, Elizabeth A.
11 Hunting Lane
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/30/12

Chrusciel, Lorrie A.
59 Rising St.
Feeding Hills, MA 01030
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/24/12

Clinton, Deborah
103 El Paso
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/17/12

Corbett, Stephen H.
129 Spruce Hill Ave.
Florence, MA 01062
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/30/12

Couture, Scott A.
53 Independence Road
Feeding Hills, MA 01030
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/30/12

Daniele, Antonio E.
49 Dayton St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/18/12

Deuso, Randall J.
94 Duryea St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/25/12

Erlanger, Richard Martin
176 Columbus Ave.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/21/12

Etter, Arthur A.
P.O.Box 4422
Springfield, MA 01101
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/29/12

Feinberg, Lynne Amy
121 Willow St.
Florence, MA 01062
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/24/12

Fusco, Susan D.
41 Rogers Ave.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/24/12

Galipeau, Denise A.
55 Arnold Place Apt. 2
North Adams, MA 01247
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/30/12

Garnier, Albert N.
Garnier, Donna M.
194 Parkerview St.
Springfield, MA 01129
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/21/12

Gibson, Michael J.
Gibson, Tammy F.
95 Ward St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/30/12

Greenleaf, Paul R.
21 Hazelwood Terrace
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/16/12

Grubert, Susan E.
6 Furrow St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/30/12

Hamilton, Elizabeth Martha
73 Barrett St. #3104
Northampton, MA 01060
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/23/12

Hayden, Mary E.
a/k/a Wheeler, Mary E.
a/k/a Maloney, Mary E.
598 Southwick Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/12

Hayward, Patrick D.
124 Birchgrove Dr.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/16/12

Helfont, Jeffrey A.
44 Shawmut St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/25/12

Hroncich, John M.
6 Morgan Mannor
Lenox, MA 01240
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/24/12

Kizershot, Julie Michelle
16 Market St. Apt. 3B
Northampton, MA 01060
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/23/12

Koske, Robert M.
Koske, Christine A.
62 South Meadow Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/29/12

Kremensky, Robert E.
128 College Highway
Southampton, MA 01073
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/12

Lachowicz, Kim M.
a/k/a Cannon, Kim
45 Hancock Road
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/29/12

Lambert, Joseph
88 Watson St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/30/12

L’Ecuyer, Peter
L’Ecuyer, Cheryl
12 Highland St.
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/25/12

Lee, James W.
291 Morgan Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/17/12

Leighton, Christine
a/k/a Hoggard, Christine
177 Jasper St
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/22/12

Lepper, Thomas A.
Lepper, Margaret R.
756 Shaker Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/21/12

Lyons, Lori L.
22 Puffin Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/30/12

Malo, Aubrey Mae
a/k/a Cayo, Aubrey
P.O. Box 110
Williamsburg, MA 01096
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/12

Mandella, Michael A.
P.O. Box 122
Palmer, MA 01069
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/16/12

Marion, April L.
1 Upper River Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/28/12

Marshall, Shelley Lynn
a/k/a Stewart, Shelley Lynn
50 Coolidge St.
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/29/12

Martinez, Hector N.
Martinez, Otilia
15 Woodlawn St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/30/12

McCarthy, Mary
a/k/a Schulz, Mary
42 Franklin St., #7
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/30/12

Michael Epaul Photography
Michaels Woodworking
Epaul, Michael V.
259 Harkness Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/23/12

Michael R. Labbe Plumbing
Labbe, Michael Rene
18 North Farms Road
Haydenville, MA 01039
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/23/12

Mooney, Bruce Arthur
23 Linden Ave.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/24/12

Morehouse, Todd M.
P.O. Box 1132
Granby, MA 01033
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/23/12

Mullaney, Matthew J.
Mullaney, Katherine J.
34 Pine Hill Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/28/12

Mushenko, Laura A.
88 Birch Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/30/12

Nartowicz, Alan L.
74 East Colrain Road
Colrain, MA 01340
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/30/12

Nicotera, Andrew D.
Nicotera, Lisa B.
3 Emily Lane
Easthampton, MA 01027
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/29/12

Niemczyk, Bruce John
56 Liberty St.
Florence, MA 01062
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/17/12

O’Brien, Michael E.
O’Brien, Joanne M.
15 Fuller St.
Lee, MA 01238
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/16/12

Ollivierra, Rosalyn F.
254 Hillsdale Road
Great Barrington, MA 01230
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/22/12

Oquendo, Epifanio
Marquez, Maria
21 Bowers St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/24/12

Ott, David E.
Ott, Norma J.
14 Granville Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/30/12

Packard, Albert
Packard, Mary
a/k/a Smith, Mary
126 Feltham Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/29/12

Pecor, Denise Alice
a/k/a Callander, Denise A.
755 Curran Highway
North Adams, MA 01247
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/30/12

Penna, Kathleen M.
6 Robbins Ave.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/16/12

Philpott, James M.
154 Glenwood St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/24/12

Pike, Catherine M.
61 William St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/29/12

Potter, Jeffery C.
Potter, Krystyna J.
9 Gates St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/23/12

Pretlow, Juan P.
22 Knollwood Cir.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/24/12

Price, Sarah Elizabeth
a/k/a Turati, Sara E.
319 West St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/25/12

Quenneville, Kevin B.
Quenneville, Tina M.
81 William St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/22/12

Regan, Denis C.
94 Fuller St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/17/12

Reynolds, Sarah A.
4 Locust St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/30/12

Rivera, Ramon
103 El Paso St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/17/12

Robinson, Billy J.
779 Old Keene Road
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/25/12

Sanders, Dreana Chevon
17 Brunswick St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/23/12

Segundo, Eric
Segundo, Melanie
28 Lamont St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/29/12

Sheehan, Kathleen Marie
58 Russellville Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/24/12

Shields, Caroline A.
a/k/a Boland, Caroline A.
14 Brainard Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/23/12

Shumate, Ryan
2205 Boston Road, Apt. 01
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/18/12

Simurda, Stephen John
50 Middle St., Apt 2
Florence, MA 01062
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/18/12

Smith, David Cloutier
33 Fountain St.
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/30/12

Sprague, Donna M.
25 North Wake Ave.
Southwick, MA 01077
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/17/12

St. Marie, Diane
30 Holiday Circle
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/30/12

Torcia, Francis C.
Torcia, Mary
7 Oxford Lane
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/17/12

Tougas, Angelica Storm
a/k/a Chrabascz, Angelica Storm
83 Highland St.
Ware, MA 01082
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/28/12

Unforgettable Cuts
Maxwell, Tonia L.
102 Brooklyn St.
North Adams, MA 01247
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/29/12

Urban, Wendy L.
186 Pine St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/25/12

Vazquez, Luis A.
283 Walnut St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/24/12

Vazquez, Rolando
33 Flower Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/24/12

Wehr Constructions
Wehr, Mark C.
122 Manning St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/23/12

Witter, Beverly H.
47 Forge Pond Road
Granby, MA 01033
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/28/12

Word, Phillip P.
19 Beechwood Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/17/12

Editorial

By
Opinion
Springfield Is Now Casino Central

Seemingly overnight — although it has actually been this way for months — Springfield has become ground zero in the ongoing and increasingly bizarre efforts to usher in the casino era in Massachusetts.
Indeed, while many of the initiatives are in their infancy stages — meaning there are no casino developers attached to them — there are now apparently at least three casino projects in the making in Springfield, and perhaps many more that are soon to be on the drawing board. Compare this to other regions of the state, specifically the eastern and southeastern areas, where there is little if any competition for casino licenses at this stage, and it’s clear that Springfield may well become the main battleground in perhaps the most important new business development in the Commonwealth in a generation — or two, or three.
And because the stakes are so enormous, there is, or should be, tremendous pressure on the city and its officials to get this right. And already there are signs that this is going to get very, very ugly, and potentially bad for the City of Homes.
But let’s back up a minute. Recent headlines have revealed the existence of what have become known in some circles as the “north” and “south” casino plans, reportedly being pieced together by brothers Peter (the north) and Paul Picknelly. The latter apparently involves aggregation of several parcels in the tornado-ravaged South End of the city, while the former involves property just off I-91 in the North End, including the sprawling Springfield Newspapers building. That’s an intriguing development that leaves the region’s largest media outlet unable to comment on perhaps the most important aspect of the casino issue (where to put one) and with a serious credibility issue when it comes to coverage of all aspects of this saga.
But that’s another story.
The real story in our view, is that because of the strong political support for casinos in Springfield, fueled in large part by the city’s continuing fiscal struggles and urgent need for jobs, and corresponding strong interest from developers, there is an apparently bitter battle brewing that has the potential to divide the community (people are already settling into various camps) and turn what could be a great opportunity into a situation where it might be difficult to tell who, if anyone, actually wins.
There is already speculation among some city leaders, including Chief Development Officer Kevin Kennedy, that intense competition for a casino license in Springfield will wind up benefiting the community. The theory goes that with so many suitors, the city can likely broker a better deal from any and all of the players. We hope they’re right, but so many rival plans may wind up creating a situation where people are working against one another to get what’s best for them, instead of working together, as they should be, to get what’s best for the community.
And in the meantime, all this focus on casinos is very likely to divert needed attention from the many other issues facing this city — from schools to poverty.
We’re not sure it’s possible — in fact, we’re quite sure it’s not possible — to get the city and its officials behind one casino plan and make a concerted effort to create a proposal that works for the community and could gain the favor of the Gaming Commission that will ultimately decide which projects earn licenses.
But that would be our hope, because despite projections to the contrary, we believe a long, protracted casino battle will likely hurt Springfield in the long run.

People On the Move

By
Paul DiGrigoli
Departments People on the Move

Wolf & Company, P.C. recently announced the promotion of Mark O’Connell, CPA, to the position of President and CEO of the firm, effective July 1. O’Connell has been a member of the 100-year-old company since 1997, and spearheaded the development of its Springfield office, which he most recently served as dirctor. O’Connell will continue to work out of the Springfield office. He is a member of Wolf & Company’s financial-institutions group, and formerly held a seat on the firm’s executive committee, which establishes the firm’s policies and strategic direction.
•••••

Thomas R. Creed

Thomas R. Creed

TD Bank has named Thomas R. Creed Senior Vice President and Market Commercial Credit Manager in the new Credit Management Division in Springfield. Creed will direct approval, underwriting, and portfolio-management, staff, and procedures supporting TD Bank’s commercial-banking business in Western Mass. Creed has 27 years in banking and related fields and serves as chairman of the Holyoke Redevelopment Authority and on the board of the Economic Development Council of Western Mass.
•••••
United Bank announced the following:
• Amy Bilodeau has been promoted to the position of Personal Banking Officer at the West Springfield branch. She joined United Bank in 2008 with nearly 25 years of banking experience gained at the former Westbank, now New Alliance Bank, in West Springfield; and
Ronald A. Gannett

Ronald A. Gannett

• Ronald A. Gannett has joined the bank’s Beverly loan production office as a Senior Vice President in Commercial Baking, focusing on commercial real-estate opportunities in the Greater Boston area. He will assist in building the bank’s brand and commercial real-estate business in that area, while complementing the current activity in the Greater Worcester and Springfield areas.
•••••
American International College announced the following:
Linda Dagradi

Linda Dagradi

• Linda Dagradi, a 1971 AIC graduate, has been promoted to Vice President for Enrollment Management. Dagradi has most recently incorporated Admissions, Marketing, and Financial Aid into the umbrella of Enrollment Management to aid AIC in growing its student population both at the undergraduate and graduate levels; and
Nicolle Cestero

Nicolle Cestero

• Nicolle Cestero has been promoted to Vice President for Human Resources. In that position, she will supervise and direct the human-resources activities of the college.
•••••
Business Network International (BNI) Western Mass. recently appointed Jason Turcotte as Managing Director for the region. Turcotte will be responsible for overseeing and providing continued structure, training, and support to the chapters and members of BNI Western Mass. He will ensure that every chapter is following the BNI system and is on pace to achieve goals, as well as supporting the leadership teams within the region.
•••••
Elizabeth B. Rairigh

Elizabeth B. Rairigh

Elizabeth B. Rairigh, AICP, recently joined the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission as a Historic Preservation Planner. She holds a master’s degree in Historic Preservation and a master’s in City Planning from the University of Pennsylvania.
•••••
Thomas A. Miranda, an attorney with Springfield-based firm Cooley, Shrair, P.C., recently presented the seminar “Using Mediation to Settle Property Disputes” at the 2012 spring session of the CPE Forum at Holyoke Community College Kittredge Center. The forum provides educational programs to business professionals, including CPAs and CMAs. Miranda also recently presented a session on “Business Entity Organization and Structure to Limit Liability” at a Hampshire County Bar Assoc.-sponsored small-business-entity seminar.
•••••
Richard J. Kos

Richard J. Kos

The Board of Directors of Hampden Bancorp Inc., which is the holding company for Hampden Bank has named Richard J. Kos, Esq. to Chairman of the Board of the company and the bank, effective immediately. Kos has been an attorney at the firm of Egan, Flanagan & Cohen, P.C. since 2004 and is a partner of the firm. Prior to that, he had been in private practice since 1978, and was mayor of Chicopee from 1997 to 2004. Kos has a bachelor of science degree in Economics from Amherst College, and a law degree from Suffolk University Law School. He currently serves as a trustee of Our Lady of the Elms College, chairman of the Chicopee Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Board of Incorporators of the Mason Wright Foundation of Springfield, and a member of the Board of Directors of the Regional Employment Board of Hampden County. He has held prior directorships with the Pioneer Valley Red Cross, the Polish National Credit Union, Providence Place, the Economic Development Council of Western Mass., and the Westover Metropolitan Development Corporation. He had been
an incorporator of Chicopee Savings Bank.
•••••
The YMCA of Greater Springfield announced that four area leaders from the business and non-profit communities recently joined its Corporate Board of Directors. They are:
John Doleva

John Doleva

• John Doleva, President of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame;
Lorenzo Gaines

Lorenzo Gaines

• Lorenzo Gaines; Program Director for ACCESS Springfield;
Paul DiGrigoli

Paul DiGrigoli

• Paul DiGrigoli, Owner/CEO of DiGrigoli Salon and DiGrigoli School of Cosmetology; and
Jeffrey Poindexter

Jeffrey Poindexter

• Jeffrey Poindexter, an attorney with Bulkely, Richardson and Gelinas, LLP.
•••••
Friendly Ice Cream in Wilbraham recently announced the following appointments and promotions:
• Walter Kwiecien has been promoted to Director of Information Technology;
• Lionel Bisson is now Director of Training and Quality Assurance and will direct all training and development function and the quality assurance inspection process;
• Ana Alves, with the company since 1977, has been named Manager of Restaurant Technology and will be responsible for managing and developing point-of-sale systems;
• Valerie Doggett has been named Audit Service and Quality Service Assurance Manager, where she will be responsible for conducting quality service audits in both company as well as franchise-owned restaurants;
• Joseph Stiefel, a member of the IT Department since 2006, has been named Project Manager, and will be responsible for leading program development projects as well as supporting current systems from a programming and database perspective;
• Melany Howe has been appointed Senior Manager for financial planning and analysis, providing financial support and analysis for restaurant operations and all marketing and promotion activities;
• Matt Vitorino has been named Senior Financial Analyst, and will provide financial support and analysis for retail, co-pack and franchise operations;
• Christine Klingaman has been named the Franchise Business Consultant supporting several of Friendly’s franchise organizations as a liaison between the franchises and Friendly’s Support Center;
• Lynne Geiger, a 25-year employee, was named Point-of-Sale Systems Administrator, where she will be responsible for developing and maintaining Friendly’s POS systems as well as maintaining various software platforms;
• Richard Del Valle has been appointed Vice President of Restaurant Operations Support, where he is responsible for all restaurant operations support and quality assurance and training.

Opinion

By
Opinion
Fueling the Next Wave of Biotech Growth

The staggering impact of the nationwide economic malaise has caused every state to examine what it can do to attract the industries that will drive sustainable growth over the long term. We were reminded once again of why the life-sciences industry in Massachusetts is the envy of states across the country — and why we can’t become complacent about it — when 15,000 biotech professionals from 65 countries descended on Boston for the BIO Convention last week.
The local economy has undergone a remarkable transformation in the past two decades, as industries that once dominated the local landscape have been reduced to a shell of what they once were, and newer, technology-driven industries have grown to fill the void. The life-sciences industry has experienced unprecedented growth during that time, buoyed by a unique combination of local assets, including world-class universities and hospitals; substantial federal funding for research; a strong, local venture-capital community that understands the vagaries of our industry; and, more recently, the active involvement and support of the Commonwealth.
Employment at Massachusetts biotechnology companies has grown more than 50 percent over the past decade, to nearly 50,000, and even managed to grow during the depths of recession from 2007 to 2010. The average salary of a biotech worker is more than $95,000, substantially higher than the estimated state average salary of approximately $54,000. And with construction cranes looming not just over Cambridge and the Boston waterfront, but also reaching well out into the suburbs, Central Mass., and the South Coast, it is clear that investment and optimism in the future of the industry in Massachusetts remain strong.
But it was evident at the convention how dangerous it would be to become complacent. Other states and countries were there competing to lure away our state’s biotech companies and talent. They have many tactics at their disposal, including strong financial incentives, tax breaks, lower labor costs, and, in some cases, a fairly convincing argument about quality-of-life benefits outside of our state.
I experienced this first-hand as CEO of Organogenesis Inc., a biotechnology company based in Canton that has successfully developed two regenerative medicine products that use human cells to stimulate the body’s natural ability to repair and regenerate itself.
When we began planning five years ago to expand our operations, our top choice was Massachusetts. But when other states offered us incentive packages that topped what was initially offered here, we couldn’t help but listen. When we were offered a package of incentives that would potentially make us more competitive and more sustainable, we were set to leave the state and expand elsewhere.
A lot has changed since that time, for Organogenesis and for Massachusetts. We are now in the midst of a major, multi-year expansion that will more than triple the size of our presence in Canton, to more than 300,000 square feet. Our global headquarters, R&D, and manufacturing facilities will remain in Massachusetts. The decision to remain and grow here was driven primarily by incentives provided by the state under its 10-year, $1 billion Life Sciences Initiative, signed into law in 2008. Massachusetts has provided us with grants, low-interest loans, and a competitive tax rate, and we in turn have invested five times that amount to build our new facilities. We are delivering on the pledge to create hundreds of new jobs in the years ahead.
The state’s investment in the future of Organogenesis made a critical difference at a crucial time in our history. Dozens of Massachusetts companies are wrestling with the same questions about long-term growth and sustainability. The competitive race for growing industries like ours will only get tougher.
With all that has been done to make Massachusetts a more attractive magnet for biotechnology, we will constantly be challenged to stay one step ahead of the competition.

Geoff MacKay is president and CEO of Organogenesis Inc., and chairman of the MassBio board of directors.

Chamber Corners: Upcoming Events

By
Chamber Corners Departments

ACCGS

www.myonlinechamber.com

(413) 787-1555

 

• June 20: ACCGS Ambassadors meeting, 4-5 p.m. in the EDC Conference Room, Springfield.

• June 21: ACCGS Executive Committee meeting, noon-1 p.m. in the TD Bank Conference Center, Springfield.

• June 27: Professional Women’s Chamber Board of Directors meeting, 8-9 a.m.

• July 9: ACCGS Annual Golf Tournament, at the Ranch in Southwick. Registration starts at 10:30 a.m., with a 12:30 shotgun start. Sponsors to date include: Lunch Sponsor: MassMutual Center; Reception Sponsor: Blue Cross Blue Shield; Photography Sponsor: NUVO Bank; Putting Contest Sponsor: H.L. Dempsey Co.; Hole in One Sponsors: Rocky’s Ace Hardware, Hampden Bank, and Teddy Bear Pools & Spas. The chamber is still looking for sponsors at all levels. New this year is the Flag Sponsor for $250. Costs: foursomes, $600; individual golfers, $150; reception only, $30. Interested parties may register online for any of the sponsorships as well as for golf and dinner, or by e-mailing Cecile Larose at [email protected], or by faxing a registration form to (413) 755-1322. For more information, call (413) 755-1313.

 

CHICOPEE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

www.chicopeechamber.org

(413) 594-2101

 

• June 19: Health & Career Fair presented by Health New England, 8:30-11:30 a.m. at the Castle of Knights, 1599 Memorial Dr., Chicopee. If you are in the health care industry and have job openings, be a part of the job fair that will be at this event in the section “Corridor to Your Career.” The event is free to attend, and the public is welcome. Complimentary coffee, herbal tea, and sliced fresh fruit will be available until 9:30 a.m.

• June 27: Business After Hours, 5-7 p.m., at Grandview Estates off of Granby Road in Chicopee. Cost: $5 for pre-registered members, $15 for non-members.

• June 30: Bus trip to New York City — a day on your own in the city. The bus leaves the chamber parking lot at 7 a.m. and returns around 9:30 p.m. Cost: $45 per person. Call (413) 594-2101 or sign up online at www.chicopeechamber.org.

 

FRANKLIN COUNTY

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

www.franklincc.org

(413) 773-5463

 

• June 29: Breakfast Series, 7:30-9 a.m., Annual Legislative Breakfast and Annual Meeting, FY 2013 budget and business news from our delegation on Beacon Hill. Sponsored by People’s United Bank. Cost: $12 for members, $15 for non-members.

 

GREATER EASTHAMPTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

www.easthamptonchamber.org

(413) 527-9414

 

• July 12: Networking By Night Business Card Exchange, 5-7 p.m., featuring a gala waterski show. Hosted by the Oxbow Water Ski Show Team, 100 Old Springfield Road, Northampton. Door prizes, hors d’ouevres, host beer and wine. Tickets: $5 for members, $15 for non-members.

• July 27: 28th Annual Greater Easthampton Chamber of Commerce Golf Tourney, 9 a.m. shotgun start for the Scramble event. Hosted by Southampton Country Club, College Highway, Southampton. Major sponsors: Easthampton Savings Bank and 5 Star Building Corp. Cost for the outing, which includes golf with cart, lunch, dinner, and a gift, is $100 per person and $400 per foursome. “Win a Buick Hole in One” sponsored by Cernak Buick. A $10,000 hole in one sponsored by Finck & Perras Insurance. Register at www.easthamptonchamber.org.

 

GREATER NORTHAMPTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

www.explorenorthampton.com

(413) 584-1900

 

• June 21: New Member Info Session for June, 8-9 a.m. This is the chance to tell us more about your business and how the chamber can best serve you. Meet other new members and learn how to make the most of your chamber membership. RSVP to (413) 584-1900 or [email protected]. A light breakfast will be served.

 

WEST OF THE RIVER

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

www.ourwrc.com

413-426-3880

 

• June 21: Economic Development Committee Meeting, 7:30-8:30 a.m. Hosted by the Work Opportunity Center, Agawam.

• July 11: Wicked Wednesday, 5-7 p.m., EB’s Restaurant, 385 Walnut St. Ext., Agawam. Cost: free for members, $10 for non-members.

Court Dockets

By
Court Dockets Departments
The following is a compilation of recent lawsuits involving area businesses and organizations. These are strictly allegations that have yet to be proven in a court of law. Readers are advised to contact the parties listed, or the court, for more information concerning the individual claims.

 

CHICOPEE DISTRICT COURT

Brandi Sabourin v. Stop & Shop Holdings Inc.

Allegation: Negligent maintenance of premises, causing injury: $4,667.23

Filed: 4/25/12

 

Granite City Electric Supply Co. v. Pelland Electrical Contractors Inc. and John Pelland

Allegation: Breach of contract for electrical materials supplied: $19,510.01

Filed: 6/4/12

 

FRANKLIN SUPERIOR COURT

Russell and Kathryn Scott v. Farm Family Insurance Co.

Allegation: Failure to pay on insurance policy: $80,000

Filed: 4/13/12

 

HOLYOKE DISTRICT COURT

Lillian Santos v. Holyoke Mall Co. and UGL Services UNICCO Operations

Allegation: Slip and fall on foreign substance: $4,766.97

Filed: 5/30/12

 

PALMER DISTRICT COURT

Cach, LLC v. Linda Mason aka Linda L. Johnston and Joe’s Handyman

Allegation: Breach of credit-card agreement: $4,818.96

Filed: 5/24/12

 

SPRINGFIELD DISTRICT COURT

Catherine Gaynor v. Price Rite

Allegation: Slip and fall: $6,883

Filed: 5/18/12

 

Constellation New Energy Inc. v. Apple Tree Market Inc.

Allegation: Non-payment of services rendered: $19,812.27

Filed: 5/17/12

 

Wanda Roche v. Patalono Pizza, LLC

Allegation: Failure to clear ice, causing slip and fall: $16,097.18

Filed: 5/17/12

 

WESTFIELD DISTRICT COURT

Bobbie Demers v. Walmart Stores Inc.

Allegation: Failure to provide adequate security, causing personal injury: $9,550.36

Filed: 5/15/12

 

Vellano Brothers Inc. v. Lagone Plumbing & Heating Supply Inc.

Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $3,925.26

Filed: 4/6/12

Agenda

By
Agenda Departments

YMCA Celebration at Basketball Hall of Fame

June 18:  A celebration of the YMCA’s 160th anniversary will be staged at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, starting at 6 p.m. The event will feature a keynote address by sports and business leader Mannie Jackson and Boston Globe sportswriters and ESPN commentators Jackie MacMullan and Bob Ryan. MacMullan and Ryan, both Basketball Hall of Fame Award winners, will share their thoughts and experiences covering the celebrated Boston sports teams, with a special concentration on the Boston Celtics. Jackson is a former player for the Harlem Globetrotters who, after a successful business career, purchased the Globetrotters from near-bankruptcy and extinction, reinvigorating one of America’s most popular sports brands. He is now a philanthropist and author who recently released a book called Boxcar to Boardrooms: My Memories and Travels. Tickets to the June 18 celebration are available by contacting Peggy Graveline, development assistant at the YMCA of Greater Springfield, at [email protected], or by calling (413) 739-6951, ext. 179. Tickets are $160 each or $1,500 for a table of 10. All proceeds from the event will benefit the YMCA of Greater Springfield’s 2012 Annual Scholarship Campaign.

 

Health Care Expo and Career Fair

June 19: The Greater Chicopee Chamber of Commerce has partnered with Health New England to produce a Health care Expo and Career Fair to be held at The Castle of Knights on Memorial Drive in Chicopee, from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. According to Gail A. Sherman, President of the Greater Chicopee Chamber of Commerce, the Healthcare Expo has a multi-level purpose. “It is an opportunity for companies in the health care industry to promote their products and services; but it will also include what we are calling the “Corridor to Your Career” section where companies that have job openings in the healthcare industry will be there to welcome and meet job seekers in that field.” Companies that are in the health care industry can reserve a skirted-marketing table. If they are members of the Greater Chicopee Chamber of Commerce, the cost is $125. For non-members, the cost is $175. Admission to the event is free. Health New England’s Lynn Ostrowski, director of Brand & Corporate Relations, will launch the day’s event by teaching attendees how to effectively manage their energy throughout the day. Complimentary coffee, herbal tea and seasonal fresh fruit will be available until 9:30 a.m. To sign up or to learn more about this event, call Sherman at (413) 594-2101.

 

Elder Planning Seminar

June 20: Williamstown Commons Nursing & Rehabilitation Center will host “The Ins and Outs of Health and Long-Term Care Planning” at 6 p.m. Elder-law attorney James Sisto of the Berkshire Elder Law Center — a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and a certified public accountant — will discuss strategies for seniors in preparing for long-term care, financial planning, and estate planning. Certified senior adviser Kira Breard, branch manager of Interim Health Care, will discuss services designed to help with health and personal-care needs, as well as sharing information on a variety of programs and services available to seniors in Berkshire County. To RSVP for this program, call (413) 458-2111.

 

40 Under Forty

June 21: BusinessWest will present its sixth class of regional rising stars at its annual 40 Under Forty gala at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House in Holyoke. The gala will feature music, lavish food stations, and introductions of the winners. Tickets are $60 per person, with tables of 10 available. Early registration is advised, as seating is limited. For more information, call (413) 781-8600, ext. 100, or log onto www.businesswest.com.

 

WBOA 30th Anniversary

June 21: Chez Josef in Agawam will be the setting for the 30th anniversary celebration of the Women’s Business Owners Alliance of the Pioneer Valley (WBOA) at 6 p.m. The WBOA will recognize its 2012 Business Woman of the Year, as well as its 2012 Outstanding New Member, and will name its Top Women in Business in the Pioneer Valley. Renate Oliver, WBOA founder, will also be a featured speaker. The event will feature entertainment by Jeannie Pomeroy-Murphy, as well as a raffle fund-raiser. For more information or tickets, call (413) 525-7345 or visit www.wboa.org.

 

Walk for Miracles at Six Flags

June 23: Six Flags New England will host Walk for Miracles, a Children’s Miracle Network initiative to raise funds for patient-care programs at Baystate Children’s Hospital. “Six Flags New England is thrilled to be the sponsor of this incredible walk that benefits our local community,” said John Winkler, the park’s president. “We are proud of our commitment to our philanthropic work.” Registration for Walk for Miracles begins at 7:30 a.m., followed by step-off at 8:30 a.m. for a family-friendly stroll of about 1.5 miles inside the amusement park. Following the walk, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., there will be a special celebration including music and entertainment, as well as a medal ceremony for Baystate Children’s Hospital’s “Miracle Kids.” Registration fee is $10 for all walkers and includes participation in the walk, a light breakfast snack, and a T-shirt, while supplies last. Walkers who raise $50 or more for their efforts will receive free admission to the park on June 23. Walkers who do not raise $50 are also welcome to enjoy the park at 50% off general admission. All proceeds will remain local and support pediatric needs throughout Baystate Health, including equipment, outreach programs, and services at Baystate Children’s Hospital in Springfield, Baystate Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield, Baystate Mary Lane Hospital in Ware, and Baystate Visiting Nurse Assoc. & Hospice. To register, visit helpmakemiracles.org/event/walkformiracles.

 

Party with the Animals

June 23: The Zoo in Forest Park & Education Center is holding its 10th annual “Party with the Animals” fund-raiser at 5:30 p.m. under the big tent at the zoo. The October snowstorm hit the zoo especially hard. “We suffered damage to almost every exhibit at the zoo, from falling limbs from the trees that surround the zoo,” said John Lewis, executive director. Fortunately, the zoo was able to open on schedule this spring, but some exhibits are still undergoing repairs and renovations. The Party with the Animals includes gourmet food prepared by Noble Feast, a full-service bar, and music provided by the Westfield High School Jazz Band. Attendees will enjoy close encounters with some very special animal friends. The live auction, with Ray Hershel of Channel 40 as auctioneer, always generates an entertaining bidding frenzy. This is an adult-only event, and dress is casual-elegant. Tickets are $100 and can be ordered at www.forestparkzoo.org, or by calling (413) 733-2251.

 

Fork It Over

June 26: From 5 to 7:30 p.m., Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts present Fork It Over, a competitive, culinary fund-raising event featuring some of the region’s top chefs, who create original appetizers and desserts using Girl Scout cookies and present their creations to the public and a panel of judges at Storrowton Tavern and Carriage House. Participants include Hofbrauhaus, La Cucina di Hampden House, Magic Spoon Catering, School Street Bistro, Cornerstone Café, Nadim’s Mediterranean, Chandler’s, Johnsens Catering, Hampden Country Club, Eighty Jarvis, Four Main Street Bar & Grill, McLadden’s Irish Publick House, Chez Josef, Dana’s Grillroom, and Great Grapes Catering. The panel of judges who will determine the winners in both sweet and savory categories is led by Peter Rosskothen of the Log Cabin and Delaney House, and includes Lon Breedlove of the Massachusetts Restaurant Assoc., Bon Appetit Contributing Editor Dede Wilson, and West Springfield Fire Chief William Flaherty. Attendees will vote for a people’s-choice favorite. Live music will be provided by Ethel Lee and her Jazz Ensemble, and a raffle will feature items from dozens of Pioneer Valley businesses. Tickets are $30 each or four for $100 for advance purchases, and are available online at www.gscwm.org or by calling (413) 224-4031. All tickets at the door on June 26 are $30 each.

 

NYC Bus Trip

June 30: The Chicopee Chamber of Commerce will host a bus trip to New York City, leaving the chamber parking lot at 7 a.m. and returning around 9:30 p.m. Participants are on their own for the day in New York City. Tickets are $45 per person. For more information, contact Lynn at (413) 594-2101.

 

Massachusetts Chamber Business Summit

Sept. 9-11: The Massachusetts Chamber board of directors will conduct its annual Business Summit and Awards Ceremony Sept. 9-11 at the Resort and Conference Center at Hyannis. The two-day meeting allows participants to meet with business professionals from across the state, as well as listen to state and local elected officials who will discuss the future of business in Massachusetts. Additionally, representatives from the Mass. Office of Economic Development will discuss loans, grants, and tax incentives available to business owners. Industry experts will also be on hand to discuss topics such as leveraging social media, search-engine optimization, and health care cost containment. The winners of the Business of the Year Award and the Employer of Choice Award will also be announced during the summit. For more information, call (617) 512-9667 or visit www.masscbi.com.

 

Western Mass.

Business Expo

Oct. 11: BusinessWest will again present the Western Mass. Business Expo. The event, which made its debut last fall at the MassMutual Center in downtown Springfield, will feature more than 180 exhibitors, seminars, special presentations, breakfast and lunch programs, and the year’s most extensive networking opportunity. Comcast Business Class will again be the presenting sponsor of the event. Details, including breakfast and lunch agendas, seminar topics, and featured speakers, will be printed in the pages of BusinessWest over the coming months. For more information or to purchase a booth, call (413) 781-8600, e-mail [email protected], or visit www.wmbexpo.com.

PictureThis

By
Departments Picture This

Send photos with a caption and contact information to:  ‘Picture This’ c/o BusinessWest Magazine, 1441 Main Street, Springfield, MA 01103 or to [email protected]


Woman of the Year

Freyman1Freyman2Ellen Freyman, attorney and shareholder at Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin, P.C., was recently honored as Woman of the Year 2012 by the Professional Women’s Chamber of Western Massachusetts. The gala event, staged at the Springfield Sheraton, celebrated Freyman’s outstanding leadership, professional accomplishments, and many hours of service to the community. At top, Freyman shares a moment with John Doleva (center), CEO of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, and Paul Lambert, vice president of Programming & Guest Experience at the Hall. Bottom, Freyman celebrates with (from left) her son Stephen, her husband Richard, and her son Neal.














Groundbreaking Event

Elms College officials broke ground on June 2 for the school’s new Center for Natural and Health Sciences, which is projected to open in January 2014. Doing the honors are, from left, Mary Lou Wright, SSJ, professor of Biology; Linda Mansfield, chair of the board of trustees; Maxyne Schneider, SSJ, president of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield; Elms College President Mary Reap, IHM; William and Cynthia Lyons, co-chairs of the campaign steering committee; John Flynn, trustee emeritus; and Kevin Chroback, project architect.

Building Permits

By
Building Permits Departments
The following building permits were issued during the month of June 2012.

AGAWAM

Agawam CVS Realty, LLC
163 Silver St.
$95,000 — Alterations

O’Leary/Vincunas No. Two, LLC
200 Silver St.
$20,000 — Interior renovations

SBA/AT&T
850 South Westfield St.
$25,000 — Modify antenna facility

AMHERST

Dragonfly Health, LLC
17 Research Dr.
$1,933,600 — New two-story medical office building

Village Center North Amherst, LLC
83 Sunderland Road
$5,000 — Interior renovations to create sound-protected office suite

CHICOPEE

CDM Properties, LLC
924 Chicopee St.
$1,700 — Repairs caused by fire

Citizens Bank of MA
1283 Memorial Ave.
$70,000 — Repair interior finishes at bank

PJC Realty MA, Inc.
571 Meadow St
$123,000 — Interior remodel of Rite Aid

SCP 2002E-31, LLC
1616 Memorial Dr.
$103,000 — Remodel pharmacy area of CVS

GREENFIELD

Channing Beete
46 Greenfield St.
$15,000 — Install a tornado-approved room in lower bay of warehouse

Beth Reynolds
22 Riddell St.
$25,000 — New roof

Country Club of Greenfield
180 Country Club Road
$13,000 – Install new fire-alarm system

Elizabeth Dolby
306 High St.
$27,000 — Strip and re-roof

Rosenberg Property, LLC
311 Wells St.
$18,000 — Interior renovations

Second Congregational Church
16 Court Square
$30,000 — Replace rotten floor in chapel

Weldon Associates
54 High St.
$9,000 — Interior renovations

HADLEY

Frederic Englander
47 East St.
$25,000 — Install three antennas

I.M. Real Estate, LLC
10 Mill Valley Road
$195,000 — Construct a self-storage building

Pearson Hadley, LLC
380 Russell St.
$35,000 — Build out 800-square-feet of office space

Pearson Hadley, LLC
380 Russell St.
$4,000 — Second-floor renovations

HOLYOKE

CFM Buckley South, LLC
282 Cabot St.
$4,400 — Install storage shed

City of Holyoke Schools
222 Whiting Farms Road
$12,500 — Install solar array

Holyoke Boys Club
70 Nick Cosmos Way
$75,000 — Install new roof

Holyoke River Inc.
920 Main St.
$12,300 — Construct 18’ x 12’ structure

LUDLOW

Frank Baltazar
181 State St.
$21,000 — Reshingle

Mapletree Square Condo Association
200 Center St.
$82,000 — Siding

SOUTHWICK

Nicholas C. Ventrice
59 College Highway
$30,000 — Re-roof

SPRINGFIELD

Caring Health
1063 Main St.
$11,585,000 — Renovation of three buildings for use as a walk-in health center

C & W Realty
1200 Main St.
$42,000 — Replace existing first-floor windows

Dunkin Donuts
694 Page Blvd
$58,000 — Remodel

Maria & Silver Serra
673 White St.
$6,500 — Interior renovations for hair salon

Nick Recchia
988 Main St.
$246,000 — Renovations to retail store

Northeast Healthcare
200 Kendall St.
$33,000 — Interior renovations

Superbrush
800 Worcester St.
$79,000 — New roof

WP Realty Inc.
1377 Liberty St.
$65,000 — Interior remodel

WESTFIELD

City of Westfield
33 Smith Ave.
$5,700,000 — Replace roof and windows

DevCon Enterprise
475 East Main St.
$67,500 — Create new Lil’ Caesar Pizza

Goodman Networks
14 Greif Way
$15,000 — Telecommunications tower

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Dirk Kidwell
98 Front St.
$10,000 — Renovation for beauty salon

Emilie’s LLC
1319 Riverdale St.
$19,500 — Renovate existing retail space

U-Name-It Self-Storage, LLC
203 Circuit Ave.
$300,000 — Replace roof

Bankruptcies

By
Bankruptcies Departments
The following bankruptcy petitions were recently filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Readers should confirm all information with the court.

 

Allen, Gerald G.

Allen, Laurie J.

3 Katie Way

Springfield, MA 01128

Chapter: 7

Filing Date: 05/14/12

 

Anderson, Oral-Hugh

74 Shattuck St.

Springfield, MA 01109

Chapter: 13

Filing Date: 05/11/12

 

Arroyo, Hector

26 Chapman Ave.

Easthampton, MA 01027

Chapter: 7

Filing Date: 05/15/12

 

 

 

Barcomb, Robert M.

696 Bradley Road

Springfield, MA 01109-1425

Chapter: 13

Filing Date: 05/14/12

 

Bridges, Lynne B.

Bridges, Royal

115 Berkshire Ave.

Southwick, MA 01077

Chapter: 13

Filing Date: 05/11/12

 

Cabrera, Juan

21 Grant St.

Springfield, MA 01109

Chapter: 7

Filing Date: 05/15/12

 

CJ Distributors

Coolidge, Christopher J.

1082 South Main St.

Athol, MA 01331

Chapter: 7

Filing Date: 05/12/12

 

DeLaCruz, Ramon L.

DeLaCruz, Monserrate

41 Suffolk St.

Springfield, MA 01109

Chapter: 7

Filing Date: 05/14/12

 

Figueroa, Wilfredo

Santiago, Ilia

152 Pearl St.

Holyoke, MA 01040

Chapter: 7

Filing Date: 05/15/12

 

Herrick, Charles R.

PO Box 427

760 South Main Road

Otis, MA 01253

Chapter: 7

Filing Date: 05/11/12

 

Mema’s II Family Daycare

Elegant Prints

45 Valley Road

Springfield, MA 01119

Chapter: 7

Filing Date: 05/11/12

 

Moore, Larry James

27 Barry Wills Place

Springfield, MA 01118

Chapter: 7

Filing Date: 05/15/12

 

Pappas, Lisbeth L.

182 Applewood Dr.

Chicopee, MA 01022

Chapter: 13

Filing Date: 05/15/12

 

Platt, Peter G.

39 Alfred Street

Agawam, MA 01001

Chapter: 13

Filing Date: 05/13/12

 

Poulin, Richard L.

19 Saab Court, Apt. 505

Springfield, MA 01104

Chapter: 7

Filing Date: 05/14/12

 

Siano, Daniel J.

447 East St.

Chicopee, MA 01020

Chapter: 7

Filing Date: 05/14/12

 

Simula, Shawn C.

76 Main Road

Phillipston, MA 01331

Chapter: 13

Filing Date: 05/14/12

 

Springer, Diane

20 Blake St.

Springfield, MA 01108

Chapter: 7

Filing Date: 05/14/12

 

Stacy, Brandon Dennis

P.O. Box 814

Whately, MA 01093

Chapter: 7

Filing Date: 05/14/12

 

Thadison III, Edvertis E.

35 Juniper Dr.

Springfield, MA 01119

Chapter: 7

Filing Date: 05/14/12

 

Tobin, Joseph F.

30 Benz St.

Springfield, MA 01118

Chapter: 7

Filing Date: 05/14/12

Editorial

By
Opinion
No One Said This Was Going to Be Easy

The casino era in Massachusetts is only seven months old, but we wouldn’t blame anyone if they thought it was closer to seven years. It certainly seems that way.

Indeed, since passage of the legislation approving Las Vegas-style gambling last November, after years of debate and near misses, things have proceeded in slow motion, according to many observers, who, citing many apparent missteps and controversies, predict only more of the same for the immediate future.

Experts and media representatives assessing what’s happened thus far — including everything from questions about a conflict of interest involving local Gaming Commission member Bruce Stebbins (a former Springfield economic-development administrator) to the embarrassing resignation of interim Executive Director Stanley McGee only three days after he was hired — have used the phrase ‘rocky start’ early and often.

And while they’re right to some extent — the Gaming Commission has often looked the gang that couldn’t shoot straight — should we have expected anything else? This is a huge, complex industry Massachusetts is entering, where the stakes are enormous and the scrutiny is intense.

Gaming Commission Chairman Stephen Crosby might have been glossing things over when he recently told the Boston Globe, “I think it’s gone really well,” in reference to the start of the casino era, but in some respects he’s not far off base. Anyone who expected a smooth, fast ride was not thinking realistically. Crosby hit the nail on the head, actually, when he also told the Globe, “we have to learn to be comfortable with the fact that controversy is inevitable.”

And for evidence of that fact, one need look no further than the rebuke — that’s the only word to describe it — administered to Crosby by state Rep. Joseph Wagner, a Chicopee Democrat and key player in the fashioning of the casino bill last year, after Crosby put forth comments that simply suggested that the commission might license fewer than three casinos and a slots parlor.

The legislation that Wagner helped draft clearly states “up to three” casinos and a slots parlor, but he looked between the lines at Crosby’s comments and reasoned that, if only two casinos were licensed, then it would be the Western Mass. license that would be most in jeopardy, and he was right to come to that conclusion. And he quickly called out Crosby for saying the commission would do essentially what it was empowered to do — look at all the data and make decisions that make the most sense for everyone in the Commonwealth.

This is the way it’s going to be for the next two years, or however long it’s going to take the Gaming Commission to do its analysis and render its decisions. Every word, every step, every bit of conjecture is going to be scrutinized, analyzed, and probably overanalyzed.

And in many ways, all that is good because, despite the urgent need for jobs and revenue in this state — those are the reasons why this measure was passed in the first place — the goal here is not to get this job done fast, but to get it done right, with the understanding that ‘right’ is most certainly a relative term and there will never be agreement on what that actually means, and that’s part of what makes this compelling and maddening.

The rocky, bumpy start for the casino era — if those terms are even appropriate — has certainly been eye-opening. As if there were any doubt, we have been reminded that there is probably nothing that is going to come quickly or easily in the process of bring casino gaming to Massachusetts.

As Crosby said, we all have to get comfortable with the fact that controversy is inevitable — and unavoidable.

Doing Business as Certificates

By
DBA Certificates Departments
The following Business Certificates and Trade Names were issued or renewed during the month of June 2012.

 

AGAWAM

 

A+ Services

1135 North Westfield St.

John J. Snide

 

C & C Installation

837 Springfield St.

Andrew Clough

 

My Tan Factory

850 Suffield St.

Samantha Cloud

 

The DHL Group

387 Springfield St.

Andrew Clough

 

The Skin Salon

159 Main St.

Debra Pazik

 

AMHERST

 

Food 2 Go Delivery Service

1040 North Pleasant St.

Webster A. Marfo

 

Hampshire Hospitality Group

220 North Pleasant St.

University Motor Lodge LLC

 

Hickory Ridge Golf Club

191 West Pomeroy Lane

David Wasenda

 

Integrated Therapeutic Massage

664 Main St.

Kristine Sullivan

 

Julian’s Home Renovation & Repair

52 Chapel Road

Julian Albo

 

CHICOPEE

 

444 Front Street LLC

444 Front St.

Neesha Patel

 

Diverse Academy of Martial Arts

155 Front St.

Stephen Majgier

 

First Class Cuts

55 Springfield St.

Luis Graceski

 

Forget Me Knot Funbooths

95 Wheatland St.

Craig Galipeau

 

Hank’s Variety

457 Granby Road

Priti Patel

 

J and P’s Lawn Service

16 Amherst St.

Julie Murphy

 

 

SVT

124 Exchange St.

Ali O. Kosfoglu

 

Video Game Castle

40 Center St.

Ralph Cotter

 

GREENFIELD

 

Deerfield River Recycle

116 Meridian St.

Richard Plotczik

 

Franklin Spectacle Shop

489 Bernardston Road

Brian W. Wadman

 

Healing Works Salon

55 Cleveland St.

Diane Morrison

 

Kleeberg’s Sugar House

343 Adams Road

Brian Kleeberg

 

HADLEY

 

Active Chiropractic

8 Goeffe St.

Bradford Eichwald

 

Dwight Home Improvement

27 Maple Ave.

Thomas Dwight

 

Hadley Coin-op Laundry

206 Russell St.

Richard Czarniecki

 

Mountainview Auto Sales

71 Lawrence Plain

Wayne Asselin

 

TD Bank

140 Russell St.

Derrick Feuerstein

 

HOLYOKE

 

Aeropostale

50 Holyoke St.

Harry Axt

 

Bunt Down

49 Calumet Road

Thomas Kelliher

 

CPL LLC

279 Cabot St.

Stuart Lindeman

 

Dollar World

237 South St.

Aisha Ghuman

 

Fresh Paint Design

67 Lawler St.

Filipe Medes

 

New York Nails

778 Homestead Ave.

Karen A. Spear

 

Red Robin

27 Holyoke St.

Phyllis R. Mercurio

 

Ronald E. Gillis Insurance Agency

290 High St.

James R. Gillis

 

PALMER

 

J.C. Construction

2124 Palmer Road

Justin J. Coyer

 

Majestic Masonry

11 Pearl St.

Jacob Gehlhausen

 

Patriot Consumer Services

63 Belanger St.

Jason C. Brooks

 

Russell Baker Realty

1700 Park St.

Russell Baker

 

The Yellow House Inc.

1479 North Main St.

Bonny Rathbone

 

SOUTHWICK

 

David Sutton Heating

207 Mort Vining Road

David Sutton

 

Ham Hill Tents LLC

11 Ham Hill Road

Julie Servis

 

SPRINGFIELD

 

350 Grill

350 Worthington St.

Sherri L. Via

 

4King Edward Enterprises

20 Lemnos Lane

Keshawn Dodds

 

A2Z Convenience Store

115 Chestnut St.

Zaman Sajid

 

A.S.N.S. Landscape

64 Pasadena St.

Aramis Perez

 

Asian Market

19 Pomona St.

Truong Nguyen

 

 

Beautiful Lady Beauty

618 Belmont Ave.

Duane M. Dowd

 

Bedel Omar

685 State St.

Bedel A. Omar

 

Big Daddy’s Homemade Ice

955 Boston Road

Filomena Dibenedetto

 

Branandez Trucking

393 Water St.

Laura K. Brazier

 

C.J.D. Construction

23 Ingersoll Road

Carlo Dilizia

 

Cosmoprof

1726 Boston Road

Beauty Systems Group

 

County Chimney of Massachusetts

4 Berbay Circle

Edith Engelhard

 

Crafty Are We

52 Frederic St.

Carol A. Bissonnette

 

Darlene & Mary Sisters

76 Embury St.

Darlene D. Francis

 

Deals on Wheels

170 Main St.

Aramis Perez

 

Divalicious Salon

1601 Main St.

Javier Mulero

 

Economico T.V.

183 Pendleton Ave.

Rafael D. De Cola

 

Eight Residential LLC

32 Hampden St.

Daisy Sanchez

 

Exclusives Barber Shop

162 Boston Road

Dwayne R. Scott

 

Healthy Neighborhoods

50 Silver St.

Armando Roman

 

It’s a Snap Creative Photo

155 Lucerne Road

Richard R. Fullwood

 

J.J. Gleason Company

314 St. James Ave.

David J. Baker

 

Kaos to Kosmos

1655 Main St.

Luz S. Ramirez

 

Kishu Kali Corporation

823 Belmont Ave.

Kalpesh B. Patel

 

WESTFIELD

 

Creative Hairdressers Inc.

459 East Main St.

Michele Johnson

 

Follow Me

36 School St.

Gina Berte

 

Full Tilt Fabrication

121 Summit Lock Road

Michael Rossman

 

Liberty Lifting & Hoisting

7 Belmont St.

Thomas M. Johnson

 

M & Y Designs

404 Southwick Road

Shelly Hawley

 

Management Solutions Northeast

34 Country Club Dr.

Christopher W. Nagle

 

Santiago Family Restaurant

34 Franklin St.

Ismael R. Santiago

 

WEST SPRINGFIELD

 

Asian Star

753 Union St.

Nar Rai

 

Cosmo Prof

464 Riverdale St.

Beauty Systems Group LLC

 

Five Guys Burgers and Fries

1268 Riverdale St.

Robert Zinck

 

J. Paier Carpentry

265 Lancaster Ave.

Joseph L. Paier

 

J & J Archery

1102 Riverdale St.

Balise Motor Sales

 

John’s Home Improvement

97 Chester St.

John E. Richard

 

Mind Body and Skin

117 River St.

Angela Lamothe

 

Native Lands

33 Terry Road

James D. Poteat

 

Natural Nails

244 Memorial Ave.

Lien A. Chen

 

New Day Church

864 Riverdale St.

Michael Sorcinelli

 

Shrub Man

120 Interstate Dr.

Thomas P. Mauer

 

Z Case to go Distributor

703 Westfield St.

Yuri Murzin


Incorporations

By
Departments Incorporations
The following business incorporations were recorded in Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin counties and are the latest available. They are listed by community.

 

CHICOPEE

 

Krishna Gopal Inc., 457 Granby Road, Chicopee, MA 01013. Priti H. Patel, 2 Smith Place, Williston Park, N.Y. 11596. Convenience store and liquor license.

 

FEEDING HILLS

Che Bella Salon & Spa Inc., 833 & 835 Springfield St., Feeding Hills, MA. Anna Lisa Martino, same. Beauty salon.

NORTHAMPTON

Wishbone Productions Inc., 43 Warburton Way, Northampton, MA 01060. Matthew McCloghry, same. Fundraising sales and marketing services.

RUSSELL

 

Russell Enterprise Inc., 265 Dickinson Hill Road, Russell, MA  01071. Nadezhda Burkovskiy, same. Truck leasing.

SPRINGFIELD

Metropolitan Insurance Union Inc., 251 Boston Road, Springfield, MA 01109. Lance D. Letourneau, same. Insurance company.

 

Goodness Outreach Ministries Inc., 145 Bay St., Springfield, MA 01109. Derrick Augustus Samms, 801 Chicopee St., Chicopee, MA 01013. Community outreach.

Re Green Springfield, Inc., 1441 Main St. Suite 601, Springfield, MA 01108.

Timothy J. Ryan, 72 Morningside Park, Springfield, MA 01108. Non-profit organization designed to include the development, creation, and implementation of sustainable planting, caring, and maintenance of trees and vegetation in the city of Springfield. This includes the development of programming and initiatives to raise and expend funds for the planting, care, and maintenance of trees and the urban forest on both public and private lands within the city of Springfield.

Iglesia Pentecostal Jesus La Rosa De Saroin Inc., 316 1/2 Bermont Ave., Springfield, MA 0110. Mercedes Figueroa, 44 Allen Park Road Springfield, MA 01118. Bible studies and religious services related to the church.

Bonneau Anesthesia Services, Inc., 69 Mashapaug Road, Sturbridge, MA 01566. Jean-Paul Bonneau, 69 Mashapaug Road Sturbridge, MA 01566. Nurse anesthesia services.

 

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Ar-Rahman Co. Inc, 470 Main St., West Springfield, MA  01089. Abdulkadir Hussein, 483 Union St., West Springfield, MA 01089. Grocery store.

Car Development Inc., 122 Doty Circle, West Springfield, MA 01089. James E. Balise, 122 Doty Circle, West Springfield, MA 01089. Financing and redevelopment of real estate.

Affordable Home Improvement By Paul Inc., 533 Elm St., West Springfield, MA 01089. Pavel Panasyuk. 533 Elm St, West Springfield, MA 01089. Home improvements.

 

WILBRAHAM

 

Lucmar Livery Inc., 2460 Boston Road, Wilbraham, MA 01095. Paul J. Martins, 16 Lembo Dr. Wethersfield, MA 06109.

 

 

 

Briefcase

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Briefcase Departments

Springfield Parking Authority Reorganized

SPRINGFIELD — Mayor Domenic Sarno and Springfield Parking Authority (SPA) Chairwoman Mary E. McNally recently announced several changes at the Springfield Parking Authority. The SPA board has eliminated the position of executive director effective June 30, 2012. Harold King currently serves as the SPA’s Executive Director. Ehsanul Bhuiya will oversee day-to-day operations at the SPA on an interim basis. Springfield Redevelopment Authority Executive Director and former SPA Executive Director Christopher Moskal will temporarily provide management oversight for the SPA. In preparation for a refinancing of the SPA bonds due in June of 2013, and the issuance of a request for proposals (RFP) for the management of on and off street parking currently contracted to Republic Parking and expiring in early 2013, Sarno has directed the City’s Director of Internal Audit Cecilia Goulet, to undertake a review of the SPA’s current financial position and report back to him and the SPA Board of Directors within 60 days.
“Taking better advantage of the economic development capabilities of the Springfield Parking Authority as an essential element in our economic development delivery system is key to our continued success,” said Sarno. “With the current debt of the authority and the conditions of its facilities, especially the civic center garage, it is important for the city to make sure that there is a clear expectation of the SPA, better management and marketing of all on and off street parking in the downtown area and its return to its original role as an economic development tool for the city.” Since last year, the City has been working with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and MassDevelopment on the issue of parking in the downtown. A study was commissioned by MassDevelopment and was recently presented to the business community by Utile Inc. The study assesses the current parking inventory and demand in downtown as well as locations for potential new parking sites to replace the aging Civic Center garage in the central business district.

 

UMass Family Business Center Forges Partnership with BFF Affiliate Network

AMHERST — The UMass Amherst Family Business Center has joined the Business Families Foundation (BFF) Affiliate Network to work collaboratively on developing additional educational material, supporting business-family communities, and encouraging research in the field of family business. As a philanthropic organization, the BFF supports research and develops and disseminates educational material to family enterprises and professionals working with them to help them be aware of and address their unique growth and development challenges. It has been working for the past decade with a collaborative network of university-based centers for family enterprise and is welcoming new centers to join this affiliate network worldwide. These centers provide a wide range of courses, services, and activities to business family communities and are also providers of BFF’s “Road Map for Entrepreneurial Families” in-class program. “The UMass Family Business Center shares our values and those of our affiliate network members in their dedication and care in serving business-family communities in their region through quality continuous education,” said Dr. Pascale Michaud, president of BFF. Members of the BFF Affiliate Network contribute to the shared goal of increasing awareness of the unique features of family-owned enterprises and entrepreneurial families by offering educational and continuous learning options for business family members, those who advise them, and students in the field who may be helpful in anticipating and dealing with family business growth and development. For more information, contact Ira Bryck at the UMass Family Business Center at (413) 545-4545 or [email protected].

 

U.S. Family Wealth Shrank During the Recession

WASHINGTON — The Great Recession left the median U.S. family in 2010 with no more wealth than it had in the early 1990s, erasing more than two decades of accumulated prosperity, the Federal Reserve announced recently. The median family had a a net worth of $77,300 in 2010, compared to $126,400 in 2007, the Fed announced. The crash of housing prices explained three-quarters of the loss, which was compounded by the loss of income, as the earnings of the median family fell by 7.7% during the same period. The new data comes from the Fed’s release of its triennial Survey of Consumer Finance, one of the broadest and deepest sources of information about the financial health of U.S. families. The latest survey is based on data collected in 2010, and figures are reported in 2010 dollars. The survey underscores the fact that Americans are saving less for future needs and making little progress in repaying debt. The share of families saving anything over the previous year fell to 52% in 2010 from 56.4% in 2007.

 

Company Notebook

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Company Notebook Departments

United Financial Bancorp Announces Acquisition

WEST SPRINGFIELD — United Financial Bancorp Inc., the holding company for United Bank, and New England Bancshares Inc., the holding company for New England Bank, recently announced the execution of a definitive merger agreement pursuant to which United Financial Bancorp will acquire New England Bancshares in a transaction currently valued at approximately $91 million, based on United Financial Bancorp’s 20-day volume-weighted average stock price of $15.89 per share as of May 30, 2012 and excluding shares used to terminate New England Bank’s employee stock ownership plan. United Financial Bancorp’s acquisition of New England Bancshares will add approximately $726.5 million in total assets, $557.9 million in gross loans, and $581.6 million in total deposits before acquisition-accounting adjustments. The transaction will expand United Financial Bancorp’s presence into Hartford, Tolland, New Haven, and Litchfield counties in Connecticut, where New England Bank operates 15 full-service banking offices and two administrative offices. Under the terms of the definitive merger agreement, at the effective time of the merger, each share of New England Bancshares common stock will be converted into the right to receive 0.9575 of a share of United Financial Bancorp common stock. The consideration received by New England Bancshares stockholders is intended to qualify as a tax-free transaction. United Financial Bancorp expects the transaction to be immediately accretive to its earnings per share, excluding one-time transaction expenses. The transaction represents 163% of New England Bancshares’ tangible book value and a core deposit premium of 7.4% at March 31. Richard Collins, chairman of the board, president, and CEO of United Financial Bancorp, said that “we are very pleased to announce our plans to partner with New England Bancshares. This combination presents a tremendous opportunity to expand our presence in Connecticut, where United Bank does not currently maintain any branches. Connecticut is an attractive and growing banking market, and one we have had our eye on for some time. Like us, New England Bancshares has deep roots in the communities it serves, and we look forward to introducing our brand of banking to this region. We believe the strategic value of this transaction will enhance our franchise and add value to our stockholders’ investment. We are excited about the future of our combined company.” David O’Connor, president and CEO of New England Bancshares, said, “we feel that this merger is an excellent opportunity for our customers and the communities we serve. Partnering with United Bank will allow us to continue providing our customers with a high level of personalized service and local decision making while preserving our community-bank atmosphere.” The transaction, which has been approved by the board of directors of both New England Bancshares and United Financial Bancorp, is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2012. T

 

Research Spending Up 7% at UMass Amherst

AMHERST — According to UMass President Robert L. Caret’s office, research spending at the Amherst campus of UMass is up 7% over last year, while research spending at the five-campus system is up more than 8%. The funds, which helped the Amherst school reach a total of $181.3 million in research spending, come mostly from federal grants, with some private corporations also contributing to research projects. According to a report prepared by the UMass Office of Institutional Research, the university as a whole spent $586.7 million in fiscal 2011, up from $542.7 million in fiscal 2010. Some money on the Amherst campus has been spent developing new radar systems to provide earlier warnings of severe weather events such as tornadoes and hurricanes, while other funds were spent on nanotechnology.

 

Universal Plastics Acquired

HOLYOKE — The father-son team of Sunil and Jay Kumar has acquired Universal Plastics from the Peters family, pledging to serve as on-site managers and grow the business as the Whiting Farms Road company, founded in 1966 by James R. Peters, transitions from one family ownership group to another. Terms of the sale were not made public. Universal Plastics has gross annual sales of approximately $10 million, employs 70 people, and manufactures thermoforming plastics that include custom containers, protective covers, and enclosures for many large companies including Pratt & Whitney, General Electric, and BE Aerospace. The company also does work for the U.S. military. The new owners plan to keep senior management in place at the company and hope to expand and grow the product line. The Kumars also plan to serve as on-site owners and managers of the business. Sunil Kumar has an extensive background in manufacturing, having previously worked as president and CEO of International Specialty Products and GAF Materials Corp., and as executive vice president and member of the board of Bridgestone/Firestone Tires. His son Jay, who will join him in ownership, is a graduate of Cornell University and has worked extensively in the investment arena, most recently as managing principal at PAON LLC. According to Joseph Peters, president of Universal Plastics, closing on the sale of the business occurred this week, and the new ownership group has already reached out to many of Universal’s customers to inform them of the acquisition. Peters and his brothers Michael and Richard serve as senior managers of the company and will stay on for the foreseeable future to ensure a smooth transition.

 

HMC Earns Accreditation from Joint Commission

HOLYOKE — Holyoke Medical Center has earned the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for accreditation by demonstrating compliance with the commission’s national standards for health care quality and safety in hospitals. The accreditation award recognizes Holyoke Medical Center’s dedication to continuous compliance with the Joint Commission’s state-of-the-art standards. The medical center underwent a rigorous, unannounced on-site survey in January. A team of Joint Commission expert surveyors conducted a full evaluation for compliance with standards of care specific to the needs of patients, including infection prevention and control, leadership, and medication management. “In achieving Joint Commission accreditation, Holyoke Medical Center has demonstrated its commitment to the highest level of care for its patients,” said Mark Pelletier, executive director of Hospital Programs, Accreditation, and Certification Services for the Joint Commission.

People On the Move

By
Eric Fontaine
Departments People on the Move

Westfield-based engineering firm Tighe & Bond announced the following:

Eric Fontaine

Eric Fontaine

• Eric Fontaine, LEED AP has joined the staff as a Mechanical Engineer. He has more than 10 years of mechanical-engineering experience in heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems. His expertise includes sustainable and integrated system designs for education, government, commercial, industrial, and residential buildings. He is a member the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers and the U.S. Green Building Council; and

Jean Christy

Jean Christy

• Jean Christy, PE has joined the staff as a Civil Engineer. She has more than 10 years of experience in the management, design, permitting, and construction of civil-engineering design projects that range from site and roadway design to complex stormwater-management analyses. She is also a licensed soil evaluator.

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The law firm Annino, Draper & Moore, P.C. announced that Attorney Tracie Kester has been made a Partner. Kester focuses her practice on residential and commercial real estate, estate planning and administration, elder law, and small-business representation.

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Easthampton-based Hogan Technology announced that Sean Hogan, President of the company that is a provider of unified communications, has been invited by Technology Assurance Group, an international organization representing nearly $350 million in product and services, to speak at its national convention in New Orleans on Sept. 9-12. He will share his vision of the future of unified communications with some of the industry’s top manufacturers, vendors, suppliers, and resellers.

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Patrick J. Willcutts

Patrick J. Willcutts

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney announced that Patrick J. Willcutts, Vice President, Financial Advisor, Certified Financial Planner Practitioner, and Certified Investment Management Analyst Professional in the Springfield office, has earned the Certified Private Wealth Advisor designation. Willcutts has been a member of the firm since 2008.

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Glenmeadow Retirement announced the appointment of Allan J. Ouimet to the position of Director of the Glenmeadow at Home program. Ouimet has 20 years experience in human services, including various senior-director-level positions at the Stetson School in Barre, Mass.

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Garvey Communications Associates announced two recent appointments:

Kelsey C. Vella

Kelsey C. Vella

• Kelsey C. Vella has been named Public Relations Analyst and will create search-engine-optimized content for new media, social networks, and organic searches. She will also manage 30 different social-media platforms for public relations and advertising purposes; and

Jamie M. Dunkan

Jamie M. Dunkan

• Jamie M. Dunkan has been named accounts analyst and will insure contract compliance for more than $1 million in financial transactions annually. She will also support the agency’s online advertising and content-management efforts.

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Big Y Foods Floral Manager John Heon has been honored by United Fresh Foundation’s Center for Leadership Excellence. Heon was among 25 outstanding produce managers representing 20 different supermarket chains, commissaries, and independent retail stores in the U.S. and Canada.

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Epstein Financial Group announced the addition of Brian N. Caine, ChFC as Director of Retirement Income Planning. Caine will provide EFG clients with his expertise and knowledge in creating successful retirement outcomes customized for each individual’s unique objectives.

PictureThis

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Departments Picture This

Send photos with a caption and contact information to:  ‘Picture This’ c/o BusinessWest Magazine, 1441 Main Street, Springfield, MA 01103 or to [email protected]

Doris’ Day

More than 200 friends, colleagues, and area business leaders turned out at the Delaney House on May 29 to honor Doris Ransford, who recently retired after 26 years as director of the Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce. At top, Ransford is flanked by Robert Gilbert, president and CEO of Dowd Insurance, and Deborah Buckley, president of Goss & McLain Insurance. Bottom, she shares a moment with Peter Rosskothen, left, co-owner of Delaney House and the Log Cabin and former chamber board president, and state Sen. Michael Knapik, who represents Holyoke.











By the Book

Steven Bradley, a vice president at Baystate Health and a Link to Libraries Celebrity reader, recently read to grade 2 students at the William DeBerry Elementary School in Springfield. Bradley read the book Grace for President and shared with the students his experience, visit, and photograph with President Obama. He spoke to the students on the importance of reading 20 minutes every day, education, and being the best they can be. Each student received a donation of a new book and bookbag donated by Link to Libraries and supported by Baystate Health. Link to Libraries conducts more than 30 readaloud programs each school year throughout Western Mass. and Connecticut. For more information, visit www.linktolibraries.org.


Cutting the Ribbon

The Polish National Credit Union staged a ribbon-cutting ceremony on May 24 to celebrate the grand reopening of its Granby branch at 34 West State St. The branch, one of PNCU’s busiest, has been completely renovated and expanded, doubling its size. It now includes a suite of private offices for mortgage originators and loan officers and a spacious lobby and expanded teller line. The six-month project was directed by general contractor Barber Associates of Ludlow. Cutting the ribbon are, from left, Edward Ryback, PNCU board of directors chairman; James Warren, representing state Sen. Gale Candaras’ office; Virginia Snopek, trustee chairperson of the Granby Public Library; and Lynn Trompke, PNCU Granby branch manager.