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Wine Tasting
Feb. 10: The Wistariahurst Museum in Holyoke will host its annual “I Love Wine Event” from 6 to 8 p.m., sponsored by Liquors 44 and Historic Holyoke at Wistariahurst. Wines will be available from distributors including Bay State Wines, MS Walker, Commonwealth, and United. Light refreshments will be provided. Advance tickets are $25 each or $40 per couple; door admission is $30 each or $50 per couple. Reservations are necessary. For more information, call the museum at (413) 322-5660. The museum is located at 238 Cabot St.

Historical Lecture
Feb. 20: Professor emeritus Alan Swedlund will lecture on his 30-year research on the history of mortality in the Connecticut Valley as part of the Wistariahurst Museum’s Historical Lecture Series. Swedlund’s program is planned at 6 p.m., and there is a $5 suggested donation. Swedlund’s approach incorporates medical history with social history, and he uses documents from valley towns to identify epidemics and causes of death. Diaries, letters, newspapers, and other sources combine to tell the story from any given town. The lecture will be accompanied by historical images from the area. Swedlund is professor emeritus of Anthropology at UMass Amherst. His most recent book is titled Shadows in the Valley: A Cultural History of Illness, Death and Loss in New England, 1840-1916. The Wistariahurst Museum is located at 238 Cabot St., Holyoke. For more information, call the museum at (413) 322-5660 or visit www.wistariahurst.org.

Anthropologist Lecture
Feb. 22: Susan Darlington, a professor at Hampshire College, will discuss her latest book, The Ordination of a Tree: The Thai Buddhist Environmental Movement, as part of the Ovations series at Springfield Technical Community College. Darlington has studied the work of Buddhist monks in Thailand who are engaged in rural development and environmental conservation. The science-based talks, at 10:10 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. in Scibelli Hall Theater, will also include insights into religion and social activism. The presentations are free and open to the public. For more information, call (413) 755-4233.

Author Lecture
March 28: Internationally acclaimed author Tom Perrotta will read from his upcoming novel, The Leftovers, at 10:10 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. in Scibelli Hall Theater, as part of the Ovations series at Springfield Technical Community College. The talks are free and open to the public. Two of Perrotta’s books, Election and Little Children, have been made into movies, and five novels have been national bestsellers. For more information, call (413) 755-4233.

Slam Poet Lecture
April 13: Taylor Mali, a former high-school teacher who has emerged from the slam-poetry movement as one of its leaders, will discuss his performances at 10:10 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. in Scibelli Hall Theater, as part of the Ovations series at Springfield Technical Community College. The talks are free and open to the public. For more information, call (413) 755-4233.

Difference Makers
March 22: BusinessWest will stage its fourth annual Difference Makers Celebration at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House in Holyoke. The program recognizes area individuals and organizations that are truly making a difference in this region. The winners will be announced in the Feb. 13 edition of BusinessWest. The awards ceremony will feature entertainment, butlered hors d’oeuvres, and introductions of the winners. Tickets are $55 per person, with tables of 10 available. For more information or to order tickets, call (413) 781-8600, e-mail [email protected], or visit www.businesswest.com.

Outlook 2012
Feb. 22: The Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield will stage its annual Outlook program at a new venue, the MassMutual Center in downtown Springfield. The event will feature co-keynote speakers: U.S. Rep. Richard Neal will provide the federal outlook, and Michael Widmer, president of the Mass. Taxpayers Foundation, will provide a state perspective. Tickets are $50 person, with tables of 10 available for $475. For more information, call (413) 755-1313, or visit www.myonlinechamber.com.

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. Nominations are currently being sought for the popular program, which recognizes young people in realms including business, education, health care, nonprofits, government, law, and many others. Nominations, due Feb. 17, will be scored by a team of five judges. The 40 highest scorers will be feted at the June 21 gala, which 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 visit www.businesswest.com.

Chamber Corners: Upcoming Events

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Chamber Corners Departments

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

• Feb. 1: February Business@Breakfast, 7:15 a.m., Ludlow Country Club. Networking beginning at 7:15 a.m., breakfast buffet opens at 7:30 a.m., and program begins at 7:55 a.m. Cost: $20 for members, $30 for non-members. Seaso• tickets sponsor: Freedom Credit Union. Sig• sponsor: FastSigns. Coffee bar sponsor: YMCA of Greater Springfield. The chamber is still looking for sponsors for this breakfast.  Contact Cecile Larose at (413) 755-1313 or [email protected] for information.

• Feb. 7: Springfield Chamber of Commerce Executive Directors’ Meeting, 12-1:30 p.m., EDC Conference Room, Springfield.

• Feb. 8: Professional Women’s Chamber Critical Thinking @ Problem Solving Symposium, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Max’s Tavern, MassMutual Room, Springfield. Cost: $25 for members, $25 for non-members.

• Feb. 8: February After5, 5-7 p.m., Chez Josef. Joi• fellow chamber members for a• evening of networking, food, and a cash bar. Cost: $10 for members, $20 for non-members. Sponsorships are available. Contact Cecile Larose at (413) 755-1313 or [email protected] for more information.

• Feb. 10: ACCGS Legislative Steering Committee, 8-9 a.m., TD Bank Conference Center, Springfield.

• Feb. 15: ERC Board of Directors’ Meeting, 8-9 a.m., the Gardens of Wilbraham, Community Room, 2 Lodge Lane, Wilbraham.

• Feb. 15: ACCGS Ambassadors Meeting, 4-5 p.m., EDC Conference Room, Springfield.

• Feb. 16: ACCGS Executive Committee Meeting, 12-1 p.m., TD Bank Conference Room, Chamber Offices.

• Feb. 16: Springfield Leadership Institute begins. For information, contact Lyn• Johnso• at [email protected].

Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce
www.amherstarea.com
(413) 253-0700

• Feb. 2: Chamber After Five, 5-7 p.m., Lit Mezze Lounge and Nightclub. Cost: $5 for members, $10 for non-members.

• Feb. 8: Chamber Breakfast, 7:15-9 a.m., the Lord Jeffery Inn. Guest Speaker: Biddy Martin, president, Amherst College. Cost: $12 for members, $15 for non-members.

Chicopee Chamber of Commerce
www.chicopeechamber.org
(413) 594-2101

• Feb. 15: Chicopee Chamber Salute Breakfast/Annual Meeting, 7:15-9 a.m., Castle of Knights, 1599 Memorial Dr., Chicopee. Cost: $19 for members, $26 for non-members preregistered.

• Feb. 22: Chicopee Chamber Business After Hours, 5-7 p.m., Hu Ke Lau, 705 Memorial Dr., Chicopee. Joint networking event with the Massachusetts Latino Chamber of Commerce. Cost: $5 for members, $15 for non-members pre-registered. Sig• up online at www.chicopeechamber.org, or call (413) 594-2101.

Frankli• County Chamber of Commerce
www.franklincc.org
(413) 773-5463

• Feb. 24: Breakfast Series, 7:30-9 a.m., Chandler’s at Yankee Candle, Deerfield. Topic: “I Love My Job” — a panel of local speakers happy i• their work. Sponsored by Yankee Candle Co. Cost: $12 for members, $15 for non-members.

Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce
www.holycham.com
(413) 534-3376

• Feb. 15: Chamber After Hours, 5-7 p.m., Mrs. Mitchell’s Kitchen, 514 Westfield Road, Holyoke. Sponsored by Holyoke Credit Union. Cost: $10 for members, $15 cash for non-members. Make a reservatio• by calling the chamber at (413) 534-3376 or online at holycham.com.

• Feb. 17: Legislative Luncheon, 12-2 p.m., Log Cabi• Banquet & Meeting House. Keynote speaker: Therese Murray. Cost: $36. Purchase tickets by calling the chamber at (413) 534-3376 or online at holycham.com.

Northampto• Area Young Professional Society
www.thenayp.com
(413) 584-1900

• Feb. 9: February NAYP Networking Event 5-8 p.m., the Clario• Hotel & Conference Center, One Atwood Dr., Northampton. For more information, visit www.thenayp.com.

West of the River Chamber of Commerce
www.ourwrc.com
(413) 426-3880

• Feb. 2: Nighttime Networking event, 5 p.m., BMW of West Springfield, 1712 Riverdale St. Cost: free for members, $10 for non-members. For more information, contact the WRC at (413) 426-3880 or e-mail [email protected].

Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce
www.westfieldbiz.org
(413) 568-1618

• Feb. 6: Mayor’s Coffee Hour, 8-9 a.m., Elm Street Diner, 266 Elm St., Westfield. Mayor Knapik welcomes you to hear about our the city and to bring any questions, concerns, or ideas. The event is free. Call Carrie Dearing at (413) 568-1618 to register.

• Feb. 15: February WestNet, 5-7 p.m., Tekoa Country Club, 459 Russell Road, Westfield. Guest speaker: Rich Rubin, executive director of the America• Red Cross Westfield Chapter. Cost: $10 for members, $15 cash for non-members. Networking, cash bar, and free hors d’oeurvres. Call Carrie Dearing at (413) 568-1618 to register.

Court Dockets

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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
DHL Global Forwarding v. Diecast Connections Co. Inc.
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $5,251.11
Filed: 12/9/11

Viking SupplyNet v. Statewide Mechanical Contracting Inc.
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $5,059.04
Filed: 1/4/12

HAMPDEN SUPERIOR COURT
A.J.’s Pro Shop v. AMF Bowling Center Inc.
Allegation: Damages resulting from violation of lease agreement: $25,000+
Filed: 12/6/11

David A. Faita v. East Springfield Transportation Inc.
Allegation: Minority stockholder suit seeking equitable relief: $25,000+
Filed: 12/13/11

Iglesia Koinonia Inc. v. Primera Iglesia Cristiana Misionera, et al
Allegation: Fraudulent sale of property: $300,000
Filed: 12/16/11

Reynolds & Reynolds Co. v. Medeiros Williams Inc.
Allegation: Balance remaining on previous judgment: $32,140.88
Filed: 12/14/11

T.D. Bank, N.A. v. Advanced Corp. f/k/a Advanced Petroleum Installation Inc.
Allegation: Default on promissory notes: $159,080.89
Filed: 12/20/11

HAMPSHIRE SUPERIOR COURT
De Lage Landen Financial Services Inc. v. Value Discount Inc. and Abdul Chaudry
Allegation: Breach of lease agreements: $168,699.90
Filed: 12/5/11

Margaret Mercier and Marian Kennedy v. S.E. Sulenski Roofing and Siding Co. Inc.
Allegation: Breach of contract, negligent misrepresentation, and failure to perform remodeling services: $408,789.54
Filed: 12/19/11

Mary Bartoli v. Rolling Green Apartments
Allegation: Negligence in property causing slip and fall: $143,891.45
Filed: 12/14/11

HOLYOKE DISTRICT COURT
James C. McCann, D.C. v. Travelers of MA
Allegation: Claim for unpaid PIP benefits: $1,352.50
Filed: 10/26/11

NORTHAMPTON DISTRICT COURT
Waste Management New England Environmental Transport Inc. v. Northampton Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, LLV
Allegation: Breach of commercial service agreement and non-payment of waste-disposal services: $7,082.23
Filed: 12/2/11

PALMER DISTRICT COURT
Anna Maria Ribas-Dias and Joe Dias v. Adam Quenneville Roofing and Siding Inc.
Allegation: Breach of contract and misrepresentation relating to the installation of a new roof: $7,000
Filed: 11/22/11

Lonnie Desmariais v. Curtis Factory Plus Inc.
Allegation: Negligence and breach of contract: $5,141.39
Filed: 12/7/11

SPRINGFIELD DISTRICT COURT
Liberty Mutual Insurance Co. v. Maillett Development
Allegation: Balance remaining on workers’ compensation insurance policy: $10,212.98
Filed: 12/12/11

Liberty Mutual Insurance Co. v. Peter Amorello Construction and Demolition Inc.
Allegation: Balance remaining on workers’ compensation insurance policy: $7,229.19
Filed: 12/12/11

R.S.M.S., LLC v. T.K.O. Insurance Agency Inc.
Allegation: Collection of remaining balance on commercial rent: $1,250
Filed: 12/16/11

WESTFIELD DISTRICT COURT
Mark Lund v. Reed’s Flooring and Mark Reed
Allegation: Breach of contract for shower installation and misrepresentation: $7,419.30
Filed: 11/14/11

Picture This

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DevAssocGroundbreakingBW-0112c
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]

Cutting the Ribbon

PicThis 1 0112cAfter an extensive renovation project, the Lord Jeffery Inn in downtown Amherst reopened to the public on Jan. 9. Doing the honors at a ribbon-cutting ceremony are, from left: Robert Reeves, general manager of the inn; John Musante, Amherst town manager; state Rep. Ellen Story; Charles R. Longsworth, chair emeritus of the Amherst College Board of Trustees; Biddy Martin, president of Amherst College; Rob Winchester, president of the Waterford Hotel Group; and Peter Shea, treasurer of Amherst College and president of the Amherst Inn Co.

Third Thursday

YPS2
YPS1The Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield recently staged its monthly Third Thursday event at Nadim’s Mediterranean Grill in East Longmeadow. Top, Nick Gelfand, owner of NRG Real Estate Inc., with Christopher Rinaldi of Excel Technologies Inc. Bottom, board Member Ron Laprise, owner of Laprise Chiropractic, with Laura Judd.









Groundbreaking Development

DevAssocGroundbreakingBW-0112cGroundbreaking ceremonies were recently staged at the site of what will become known as the Northampton I-91 Professional Center, which will consist of two three-story Class-A office buildings designed for professional and medical tenants. The project is being spearheaded by Agawam-based Development Associates. From left are: David Masiello, owner of R.P. Masiello, general contractor, the builder chosen for the project; Travis Ward, operations manager for Development Associates; Suzanne Beck, executive director of the Northampton Area Chamber of Commerce; Eileen O’Leary Sullivan, co-owner of Northampton I-91 Professional Center; Ken Vincunas, general manager of Development Associates; J. Curtis Shumway, co-owner of the Northampton I-91 Professional Center; Northampton Mayor David Narkewicz; Brian Huntley, project manager for Tighe & Bond, the engineering firm consulting on the project; and Pat Levelle, CFO of CSO, a future tenant.

Briefcase

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Briefcase Departments

Friendly Is Closing 37 More Restaurants
WILBRAHAM — Friendly Ice Cream Corp. closed another 37 stores recently, including 10 in the Bay State, before emerging from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The chain, based in Wilbraham, has closed about 40% of its locations in Massachusetts and 20% overall (about 100 restaurants in total) since filing for bankruptcy protection last October. Locally, stores in Springfield, Holyoke, and Great Barrington shut their doors. The most recent closings will result in nearly 800 people losing their jobs, the company said. A spokesperson for Friendly said the company restructured leases for some sites, but could not reach agreements with landlords for 37 restaurants and decided to shut them down at the close of business on Jan. 8.

HCC To Acquire
Grynn & Barrett Studio
HOLYOKE — State Sen. Michael Knapik (R-Westfield) and state Rep. Michael Kane (D-Holyoke) recently announced that legislation authorizing Holyoke Community College (HCC) to borrow $7 million from the Mass. Development Finance Agency for the acquisition and renovation of Grynn & Barrett Studios has passed both branches of the legislature and is headed to Gov. Deval Patrick for his approbation. The bill, which was filed last January, will allow HCC to create a state-of-the-art educational facility for the associate’s degree in Nursing and the Practical Nursing and Radiologic Technology programs at the site currently occupied by the Grynn and Barrett Photography Studios. The building is located across from the college’s secondary access road on Homestead Avenue. These funds will provide an additional 22,000 square feet for specialized and general instruction, and will allow the college to repurpose space on campus freed up by the relocation of these programs. In 2008, the Mass. Division of Capital Asset Management (DCAM) commissioned a space-reallocation study, which concluded that HCC was tightly packed, and the current campus would not allow for projected increases in enrollment. The college has pledged to continue to work with DCAM to develop strategies to address space issues in the future. “This legislation will allow Holyoke Community College to prepare more students for careers in nursing and health care to meet the growing demand for qualified workers,” said Knapik. “This will not only be a boost for the college but for the Pioneer Valley as whole, as many of the students and former students live and work within our communities.” A major component of the new facility will be the HCC SIMuCENTER. This program will introduce simulation into the nursing curriculum, providing students the opportunity to learn clinical decision-making skills, refine technical skills, gain competency in recognizing and preventing common medical errors, and practice a wide variety of commonly occurring clinical events and situations. The SIMuCENTER program will also provide a unique opportunity for the creation of partnerships with other community-college nursing programs and local health care providers to further educate current employees. The college will enter into a 30-year financing plan with the Mass. Development Finance Agency, with the loan to be paid off through student fees. The college will implement a three-tier surcharge, including a $150-per-semester surcharge for Registered Nursing, Practical Nursing, and Radiological Technician students; a $100-per-semester surcharge for Pre-Nursing, Pre-Health, and Foundations of Health students; and a $1-per-credit charge for all students. Currently, HCC is the second-least-expensive community college in Massachusetts at $4,050 per year. The average for all Massachusetts community colleges is $4,545 per year. Patrick is expected to sign the bill into law.

Nominations Sought for Woman of the Year
SPRINGFIELD — The Professional Women’s Chamber, a division of the Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield, is seeking nominations for its 2012 Woman of the Year Award. The award has been presented annually since 1954 to a woman in Western Mass. who exemplifies outstanding leadership, professional accomplishment, and service to the community. The nominee’s achievements can be representative of a lifetime’s work or for more recent successes. Any woman is eligible for nomination, and a chamber affiliation is not required. For more information and a nomination form, visit www.professionalwomenschamber.com or e-mail committee chair Nancy Mirkin at [email protected]. Nomination documents are due by Feb. 10.

Construction-industry
Unemployment Jumps
to 16% in December
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Despite the addition of 17,000 jobs in December, the nation’s construction-industry unemployment rate jumped to 16% last month, a sharp increase from 13.1% in November, but down from 20.7% at the same time last year, according to the Jan. 6 jobs report by the U.S. Labor Department. For all of 2011, the construction industry added 46,000 jobs (0.8%), representing the best industry performance since January 2007. The average annual construction unemployment rate in 2011 was 16.4%, down from 20.6% in 2010 and 19% in 2009. Non-residential building construction employment stood at 662,200 jobs in December, down by 3,000 jobs compared to November, but up 3,000 jobs (0.5%) compared to the same time one year ago. Residential-building construction employment stood at 567,000 jobs in December, up by 3,000 jobs from the previous month and up 4,000 jobs (0.6%) from the same time last year. Non-residential specialty trade contractors added 20,000 jobs in December and have added 12,000 jobs, or 0.6%, during the past 12 months. In contrast, residential specialty trade contractor employment decreased by 3,000 jobs for the month, but is up by 16,000 jobs (1.1%) from December 2010. Heavy and civil engineering construction employment remained unchanged for the month and has added 11,000 jobs (1.4%) during the course of 2011. Across all industries, the nation added 200,000 jobs as the private sector expanded by 212,000 jobs and the public sector shrank by 12,000 jobs. Year over year, the nation has added 1,640,000 jobs (1.3%). The nation’s unemployment rate fell to 8.5% in December, down from a revised 8.7% level in November and down from 9.4% in December 2010.

Company Notebook

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Company Notebook Departments

TommyCar Corp. Adds Northampton Volkswagen
NORTHAMPTON — Carla Cosenzi and Thomas Cosenzi are continuing the legacy of their father, Thomas Cosenzi, by adding Northampton Volkswagen to the family-owned company, TommyCar Corp. The dealership, which will add approximately 25 to 30 new jobs in the Northampton area, is located at 48 Damon Road. “We want to strengthen the Volkswagen brand in the Pioneer Valley,” said Carla Cosenzi, president. “It is the leading company in diesel-engine technology, and the cars are an excellent value for the money. We believe we are exactly the right company to build excitement for this line of great cars.” Northampton Volkswagen will offer all models in Volkswagen’s line, including the Jetta, Passat, CC, Tiguan, Touareg, Golf, GTI, Golf R, Jetta SportWagen, Routan, Eos, and Beetle. The dealership will include a service department that offers full service, parts, and repairs for all Volkswagen models.

United Bank Foundation Awards $62,400
WEST SPRINGFIELD — Ten not-for-profit organizations recently received grants from the United Bank Foundation totaling $62,400 that serve individuals and families in the Springfield area and Worcester. The grants included $34,000 to United Way of Pioneer Valley, $2,000 to the Hampshire Community United Way, and $2,500 to United Way of Central Massachusetts. In addition, $6,900 was awarded to the Boys and Girls Club of West Springfield to replace game-room equipment destroyed by water damage as a result of the June 1 tornado. Also, Junior Achievement of Western Mass. received $5,000 from the foundation to support financial-literacy, work-readiness, and entrepreneurial programs for youths in kindergarten through grade 12, while Western New England University was granted $4,000 to purchase equipment for its School of Pharmacy. A $1,000 grant to ServiceNet in Northampton will provide program support for the Fit Together wellness center, which meets the needs of individuals with developmental and emotional challenges. The Worcester Education Collaborative received a $3,000 grant to help ensure that all Worcester public-school students have equal access to excellence in education, and a $3,000 award to the Worcester Youth Center will support the Leap to College program for urban youth. Dress for Success Worcester, which provides business attire for disadvantaged women seeking employment, was awarded $1,000 for operating funds. The foundation’s four primary funding areas of interest are education, health and human services, youth development, and cultural programs. Foundation guidelines can be found by logging onto www.bankatunited.com.

Firm Achieves LEED Gold Certification
SPRINGFIELD — Dietz & Co. Architects Inc. has received Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for Homes Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council for the recently completed units at the YWCA’s Campus of Hope. The new units provide housing that serves to transition women from domestic-violence shelters to longer-term living facilities. The 32,000-square-foot project is made up of 20 apartments and eight congregate housing units within its walls. The project was part of the larger Campus of Hope initiative that was started more than 10 years ago for which Dietz & Co. was the master planner. The firm also designed the first phase of the campus, a 60,000-square-foot building that includes administrative offices, meeting and classroom space, as well as an on-site shelter. The YWCA project was originally designed to achieve the LEED for Homes Silver certification level, but exceeded that level by achieving Gold certification. Several factors that supported the Gold certification include super-insulated walls and airtight construction, efficient mechanical systems that include roof-mounted photovoltaic panels for electricity, sustainable site design, and the use of green construction materials. A healthy indoor environment, pollution reduction, and lower utility and maintenance costs are also key elements of the certification. The efficient building is expected to reduce water and energy consumption by 20% to 30% over typical code-compliant construction. NL Construction was the general contractor for the project, and the units were supported by the LEED for Homes Provider, CET. The LEED Green Building Rating System is a voluntary, consensus-based national standard for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings.

Amherst Media Offers Animation Workshops
AMHERST — Amherst Media, an Apple-authorized training center, recently added a Winter Break Animation Workshop to its course offerings. Professional illustrator Gregory Miller, who has worked at Cartoon Network, is the instructor for the four-day course. Also, a Final Cut Pro X class will be offered Jan. 16-18 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. In addition, a host of training sessions are available for cameras and field equipment, editing, studio use, and numerous software applications, including Final Cut Pro and Photoshop. For more information on all of the available programs, visit www.amherstmedia.org.

Nicolai Law Group Named to U.S. News Ranking
SPRINGFIELD — For the fifth year in a row, Paul Nicolai has been named one of the “Best Lawyers in America” in commercial litigation. His firm, Nicolai Law Group, P.C., also ranked among the “Best Law Firms” by U.S. News & World Report in Springfield’s Tier 1 for Commercial Litigation and Tier 2 for Arbitration, and for Litigation-Eminent Domain and Condemnation. More than 3 million confidential evaluations by 39,000 of the country’s leading attorneys help formulate the lists for the “Best Lawyers in America.” Now in its 18th edition, the reference work is considered a definitive guide to legal excellence in North America, according to Nicolai. The U.S. News ranking took the evaluation process a step further, asking thousands of clients as well as legal peers for feedback on those law firms with “Best Lawyers” on their staff. The publication’s rigorous evaluation process also included information submitted by more than 10,000 U.S. law firms. The guide, in its second year, is intended to help refer lawyers and clients to appropriate sources of legal advice for their needs. The Nicolai Law Group represents businesses and their owners in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Hampshire, and Washington, D.C.

Picture This

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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]

Future Returns

The Mass. Bankers Assoc. Charitable Foundation recently presented Cooley Dickinson Hospital with a check for $5,000 to support the hospital’s Building Our Future campaign. Pictured, from left, are Craig Melin, president and CEO of CDH; Ken Bordewieck, senior vice president of Easthampton Savings Bank; Joanne Finck, CDH Building Our Future campaign chairperson; William Stapleton, president of Northampton Cooperative Bank; and Dan Forte, president and CEO of the Mass. Bankers Assoc. Charitable Foundation.

Court Dockets

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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.

FRANKLIN SUPERIOR COURT
Jason Brooks v. Charter Oak Fire Insurance Co.
Allegation: Failure to amounts due under insurance contract: $66,000
Filed: 11/8/11

GREENFIELD DISTRICT COURT
Capital One Bank v. Ace Cab Two
Allegation: Non-payment for goods charged on credit account: $7,513.49
Filed: 11/10/11

HAMPDEN SUPERIOR COURT
James Afflitto v. Shuttle X Transportation, LLC
Allegation: Breach of employment contract: $25,000+
Filed: 11/10/11

Liberty Mutual Insurance Co. v. Brian Michalyzk Excavation & Trucking
Allegation: Non-payment of workers’ compensation policy: $83,233.58
Filed: 11/21/11

New Penn Motor Express v. Insulation Machine Corp.
Allegation: Non-payment of shipping services: $94,090.41
Filed: 11/29/11

Plastic Resource Inc. v. Igor Poltavets, Bergen Industries Inc. and James P. McKay
Allegation: Breach of contract and conversion of equipment: $133,810.50
Filed: 12/6/11

Richard and Doreen Weisner v. Bertera Chrysler Jeep Inc.
Allegation: Misrepresentation and deceit in the sale of a vehicle: $25,000
Filed: 11/21/11

PALMER DISTRICT COURT
Stephen Plifka v. Liberty Mutual Insurance Co.
Allegation: Claim for non-payment of benefits: $5,000
Filed: 11/30/11

SPRINGFIELD DISTRICT COURT
ABC Supply Co. Inc. v. Nick’s Affordable Home Improvement Inc.
Allegation: Breach of contract: $8,605.88
Filed: 11/21/11

Alphasite v. Dunbar Community Center Inc.
Allegation: Breach of contract and non-payment of services: $7,267.50
Filed: 12/9/11

Christopher R. Brunell v. Jump & Bounce Inc. and Brenda G. Chouinard
Allegation: Breach of contract and failure to pay on promissory note: $20,000
Filed: 11/22/11

United Rentals Inc. v. Defelice Corp.
Allegation: Non-payment of materials, equipment, and services on a construction project: $23,826.52
Filed: 12/6/11

WESTFIELD DISTRICT COURT
Airflyte Inc. v. Waltzing Matilda, LLC
Allegation: Remaining balance due for FAA inspection and repairs to a Cessna aircraft: $70,934.19
Filed: 12/9/11

Ford Motor Credit Co., LLC v. Eg Partners, LLC
Allegation: Non-payment on retail installment sales agreement: $2,943.79
Filed: 11/9/11

Chamber Corners: Upcoming Events

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Chamber Corners Departments

Amherst Area
Chamber of Commerce
www.amherstarea.com
(413) 253-0700
  
• Jan. 25: Amherst Area Chamber After 5, 5-7 p.m. Cost: $5 for members; $10 for non-members. The new chamber Web site will debut.

Franklin County
Chamber of Commerce
www.franklincc.org
(413) 773-5463
 
• Jan. 17: Business After Hours, 5-7 p.m. at the Farm Table at Kringle Candle, Bernardston. Tickets: $5 for members, $8 for non-members.
 
• Jan. 27: Breakfast Series, 7:30-9 a.m. at the Greenfield Corporate Center. Program TBA. Co-sponsored by F/H Career Center. Tickets: $12 for members, $15 for non-members.

Greater Easthampton
Chamber of Commerce
www.easthamptonchamber.org
(413) 527-9414

• Jan. 26: Chamber Annual Meeting & Awards Dinner, 5 p.m. at Southampton Country Club. Annual awards presentation for business, business person, and nonprofit members of the year. Also, a review of a successful, 2011, and a celebration of member milestones. Cost: $30 per person, inclusive. For more information, visit [email protected]

Greater Holyoke
Chamber of Commerce
www.holycham.com
(413) 534-3376
 
• Jan. 18: Chamber After Hours, 5-7 p.m., at Mrs. Mitchell’s Kitchen, 514 Westfield Road, Holyoke. Sponsored by Holyoke Credit Union. Cost: $10 for members, $15 cash for non-members.
  
Professional Women’s Chamber
www.professionalwomenschamber.com
(413) 755-1310
 
• Jan. 18: Professional Women’s Chamber Business Expo, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., at Max’s Tavern at the Basketball Hall of Fame. Accepting reservations for the 14th Annual Tabletop Expo. Last year’s successful expo was a sellout. Sign up today to showcase your company’s products and services or to attend the event. Display price includes a draped table and lunch for one. General admission tickets include specialty sandwiches, fruit, chips, and dessert. For more information, contact Lynn Johnson at (413) 787-1555 or [email protected]

Greater Westfield
Chamber of Commerce
www.westfieldbiz.org
(413) 568-1618

• Jan. 18: WestNet networking event, 5-7 p.m., at Tucker’s Restaurant, 625 College Highway, Southwick. Opportunity to meet other local businesses and chamber members. Cash bar and free hors’doeuvres. Tickets: $10 for chamber members, $15 for non-members. Your first WestNet is always free.

Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield
www.springfieldyps.com

• Jan. 19: YPS Third Thursday, 5-7 p.m., Nadim’s, East Longmeadow. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar. Enhance your social and business networking skills. For more information, visit www.springfieldyps.com

Opinion

By
Opinion
Work in Progress: Glacial Improvement on Jobs

The December jobs numbers are good news — sort of — for the economy and the Obama re-election campaign. The economy added 200,000 new jobs, and the duration of unemployment is down slightly. Wages and hours worked are up, too. We can anticipate continuing progress between now and November.
But the bad news is that, though the trend is in the right direction, the progress is glacial. As Heidi Sherholz of the Economic Policy Institute (EPI) reports, the deficit of jobs needed to keep up with the normal growth of working-age population is still upwards of 10 million. Even at December’s modestly improved rate of net job creation, it will take until 2019 for the U.S. to recover its pre-recession rate of unemployment.
Moreover, as EPI points out, if we factor in workers who have dropped out of the labor force by looking at the ratio of employment to population (which is still down almost five percentage points since the beginning of 2007), the adjusted unemployment rate would be 9.5%.
The other problem is wages. As the New York Times keeps reporting in its fine “Working for Less” series, some jobs are coming back, but the wages are down by as much as half. And as long as that is the case, the measured unemployment rate can drop, but people still feel as if their own personal economy is in a deep recession. Between June 2009 — when the recession officially ended — and June 2011, inflation-adjusted median household income fell 6.7%, to $49,909, according to a study by two former Census Bureau officials.
This trend has only begun to reverse. Worker productivity is actually increasing at a rapid rate, but nearly all of these gains have been captured by corporate profits rather than worker wages.
As long as household income is down, there is not enough purchasing power to drive a recovery strong enough to generate enough good jobs at good wages. At the bottom of this problem are deep structural trends compounded by the financial collapse. They include a chronic trade deficit, the weakness of labor unions, and economic deregulation that gave corporations the power to batter down wages.
Since the financial crash, these longer-term trends have been compounded by the deflationary drag of the housing collapse and misplaced austerity fever. While the private sector is belatedly adding jobs, a public sector that should be leaning against the winds is still cutting net jobs.
So while the December jobs report is cautiously hopeful news both politically and economically, the administration, should President Obama win a second term, will have to do a great deal more to restore an economy of good jobs at good wages.

Robert Kuttner is co-founder and co-editor of the American Prospect.

Editorial: A Victory on Many Levels

By
Opinion
Thing5 Move Downtown Spurs Momentum in Springfield

The recent announcement that Thing5 LLC will be creating a new call center in One Financial Plaza, thus bringing 500 new jobs to Springfield, is a positive story for the city and the region — on a number of levels.
Let’s start with the jobs. That’s priority No. 1 in the Greater Springfield area, and it has been for many years now. Some might look at this and say, ‘it’s only call-center jobs,’ or words to that effect, but these opportunities come on many levels, from entry positions to management slots, and, in many cases, they can be handled by those who do not possess a college education. The region needs those high-quality jobs (call them white-collar, if you like), but it also needs employment opportunities like these, especially in such large volume.
Beyond the employment factor, there are many other aspects to this story, all of them positive. First, this company started here, in the Technology Park at Springfield Technical Community College — which was created to spur this kind of tech-related enterprise — and thus provides solid evidence that we can incubate ventures and grow them into major employers.
Also, this company stayed here. Indeed, when it reached that proverbial next level, there were, quite obviously, opportunities to take Thing5 almost anywhere — because there isn’t a city or town in the Commonwealth or well beyond it that wouldn’t fight, and fight hard, for 500 jobs. But management chose to stay in the City of Homes, largely because of the lower cost of living, available workforce, access, quality of life, and affordable commercial real estate.
This shows that our various assets are tangible — and sellable.
But perhaps the biggest benefit will come in the form of greater momentum downtown. First, this move gives a substantial boost to the office tower known as One Financial Plaza, which has had several dark floors for many years, but has been staging something of a comeback recently.
Beyond that, though, the 500 new employees working downtown will provide a larger critical mass of people needed to spur additional investments, be they in support businesses, hospitality-related ventures such as restaurants and clubs, or badly needed retail.
And there is another component — the possibility that some of these employees may soon be working and living downtown, thanks to a program that will offer reduced lease rates to Thing5 employees at the nearby Morgan Square apartments, managed by the same company (Samuel D. Plotkin) that also manages One Financial Plaza. This additional residential piece could further stimulate investment in the central business district and be a key contributor to the kind of vibrancy that other Northeast cities have enjoyed.
As we said, there are many angles to this positive story for Springfield and its downtown. The headlines were all about the jobs coming to the city — and that’s an important aspect of this — but there are many other elements that bode well for the City of Homes.

Doing Business as Certificates

By
DBA Certificates Departments

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

AMHERST

35 South Cycle Studio
35 South Pleasant St.
Lindsay Abbate

Crepe Diem
26 Emily Lane
Maya Stein

USA Constructing
133 South East St.
Mariana Falcon

CHICOPEE

Abram’s Masonry
22 Marcelle St.
Dayna L. Whitten

Dragonfly Properties
41 Reedstone Ave.
Donna M. Fanos

The Fisar Monica Shop
45 Fairview Ave.
James Dascanio

Vital’s Auto Service Inc.
451 Granby Road
Vital M. Fonseca

GREENFIELD

Dillon Chevrolet Inc.
54 Main St.
Thomas Dillon

In Stitches
259 Federal St.
Kathleen McIntyre-Bernier

Life’s a Pooch
25 Laurel St.
Jeremiah N. McLenithan

Neal Music Studio
16 West St.
Raymond Neal

The Masiello Group Commercial Associates
529 Bernardston Road
James J. Fleming

Timeless Beauty Salon
42 Chapman St.
Tina Hickey

W.H. Hutchinson Services
28 White Birch Ave.
Heath Hutchinson

HADLEY

Carr’s Ciderhouse
295 River Dr.
Jonathan Carr

Donut Man
142 Russell St.
Tony Santos

International Food Market
206 Russell St.
Hai Cheng

HOLYOKE

Cyberhook Design
55 Laura Lane
Franklin W. Dorman

Fast Eddies Citgo
679 Main St.
Iyad Jamal

K.W. Property Management
97 Locust St.
Kenrick Williams

Stop & Go
399 Hillside Ave.
Irfan Kashif

LUDLOW

Element Salon & Day Spa
21 Harding Ave.
Dan Montgomery

Flavr Flames Kitchen LLC
247 Cady St.
Paul Mock

Lavoie Family Chiropractic
733 Chapin St.
Christopher Lavoie

Western Mass Educational Advocacy Services
116 Sewall St.
Karen Mowry

PALMER

Eric’s Repair & Radiator
1281 South Main St.
Eric Gilbert

Mark Gilberts Auto Repair
24 Orchard St.
Mark Gilbert

Office Care of New England
55 Beacon Dr.
Kathleen Dyer

Pepe’s Tree Service
4231 High St.
Lucas Hebert

Top Notch Contractors
21 Wilbraham St.
Russell Orcutt Jr.

SPRINGFIELD

A & R Trucking Services
33 Cadwell Dr.
A & R Logistics Inc.

A.M.P. Solutions
125 Main St.
Courtney C. Brown

Baystate Employee Assistance
50 Maple St.
Mark R. Tolosky

Bermudez Remodeling
26 Allen St.
Juan L. Bermudez

Big City Builders
42 Arbutus St.
Steven J. Brantley

Chacon’s Trucking
35 Moore St.
Roberto Chacon Jr.

Chris Franklyn Agyei
188 Russell St.
Chris Agyei

Creative Cakes by Colleen
95 Patricia Cir.
Colleen F. Nadeau

Destinee’s Mini Market
2881 Main St.
Florita Ayala

E-V Automotive Repair
11 Front St.
Vance O. Dion

Eric-N-Son’s Trucking LLC
52 Pearl St.
Eric B. Denson

Executive Real Estate
535 Main St.
Amy Rio

Gina P. Allen Typing Services
120 Westminster St.
Gina P. Allen

Gordo World Barber Shop
856 Main St.
Juan A. Rondon

Hanna’s Diner & Deli Shop
184-186 Main St.
Hanna Kucharczyk

Hbookz Distribution Company
12 Mattoon St.
Ibn-Husein Muhammad

Keith’s Carpentry
726 Bradley Road
Keith Fournier

WESTFIELD

Adam & Company Landscape and Design
43 Deer Path Lane
Adam Midura

Adams Power Services Inc.
55A Westfield Industrial Park Road
David Tremblay

Chinto’s Pizza & Restaurant
868 Southampton Road
Jacinto Blanco-Munoz

Clean Sweep
69 Michael Dr.
Debra A. Post

Saari Philanthropy
20 Frederick St.
Faizer Iddrissu

Town Coupons
11 Shadow Lane
Roy Federer

World Peace Beads and Glass Emporium
4 School St.
Suzanne Tracy

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Cruise Center
1285 Riverdale St.
Gorecki Enterprises Corporation

Diamond Gold Connection
389 Park St.
GX Corporation

Friendly Hair Salon
553 Union St.
Tatyana Gitsman

Liquori’s Pizza Inc.
659 Westfield St.
Antonio Liquori

The Crop Shop
338 Westfield St.
Nancy R. Jamrog

Valley Instrument Service
84 Sagamore Road
Ronald Lee Jr.

Building Permits

By
Building Permits Departments

The following building permits were issued during the month of December 2011.

AMHERST

Amherst Pelham Regional School
170 Chestnut St.
$1,070,500 — Replace 400 windows and 30-40 doors

Deborah Eaton
15 High St.
$432,000 — Construct multi-family dwelling with six apartments

Knights of Columbus
37 North Pleasant St.
$7,300 — Replace water-damaged awning

CHICOPEE

Haynes Realty, LLC
60 Haynes Circle
$75,000 — Construct billboard

Richard Kida
1021 Memorial Dr.
$10,000 — Install pre-fab handicap ramp

US Tsubaki Inc.
106 Lonczak Dr.
$2,320,000 — Construct 23,200-square-foot addition

GREENFIELD

AR Sandri, Inc.
400 Chapman St.
$6,000 — Interior renovations

Clinical and Support Options
47 Franklin St.
$24,000 — New roof

Leo P. LaChance
487-489 Bernardston Road
$6,400 — Renovations to add 126 square feet of retail space

McDonald’s Corporation
285 Federal St.
$25,000 — New flat roof

Syfeld Greenfield Associates
259 Mohawk Trail
$225,000 — Renovations to existing retail area

Town of Greenfield
125 Federal St.
$285,000 — New roof

Town of Greenfield
402 Main St.
$23,000 — New roof and gutter repair

Shree Vinayak Inc.
125 Mohawk Trail
$13,000 — New roof

HOLYOKE

South Holyoke Housing Limited Partnership
534 South Bridge St.
$31,000 — Re-build parapet wall

LUDLOW

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
584 West St.
$69,000 — Construction of new pavilion

Chin’s Restaurant
12 Lakeside Ave.
$20,000 — Alterations

SPRINGFIELD

APG Properties
130 Eastern Ave.
$28,000 — New roof

Crown Atlantic/Crown Castle
20 Birnie Ave.
$15,000 — Replace six antennas

E. Brook, LLP
309 Fernbank Road
$24,000 — New roof

Global Signal/Crown Castle
50 Chapel St.
$15,000 — Replace six antennas

J.C. Williams Community Center
116 Florence St.
$21,000 — Remodel space

Mass Mutual
1500 Main St.
$192,000 — Construction of new office space

Springfield Rescue Mission
19 Bliss St.
$14,000 — Two-room renovation

Springfield Rescue Mission
19 Bliss St.
$34,500 — New roof

WESTFIELD

Jeffrey Glaze
Arch Road
$13,500 — 2,581-square-foot renovation

Pride Limited Partnership
33-39 Southampton Road
$61,500 — New roof

Suffield Westfield Properties Group, LLC
39 S. Broad St.
$10,000 — Alterations

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Paul Longtin
1268 Riverdale St.
$10,000 — Renovate existing restaurant

Town of West Springfield
26 Central St.
$243,000 — Renovate portion of third floor for United Bank

Town of West Springfield
425 Piper Road
$8,961,000 — Erect 258,000-square-foot high school facility

Bankruptcies

By
Bankruptcies Departments

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

Alvarez, Ivette
a/k/a Rivera, Ivette
300 East Main St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/29/11

Barnes, Dale E.
Barnes, Melissa M.
9 Belanger Road
Southampton, MA 01073
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/16/11

Battles, Jennifer Nicole
a/k/a Grannells, Jennifer N.
51 Southview Terrace
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/29/11

Benitez, Yoni F.
Liberato, Jenny
712 Chicopee St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/22/11

Boyer, Jason Allyn
Boyer, Kerrianne
a/k/a Wolske, Kerrianne
310 Birch Hill Road
Russell, MA 01071
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/29/11

Bump, Carl E.
Neale-Bump, Doris B.
36 Joy St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 11/28/11

Burr, Shirley Anne
82 Darling St.
Indian Orchard, MA 01151
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/18/11

Cameron, Lucretia D.
1259 Plum Tree Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 11/21/11

Cherry, Ronald
Cherry, Patricia
19 Ford St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/30/11

Christianson, Leona F.
28 Little Alum Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 11/21/11

Columbia, Percy R.
a/k/a Columbia, Richard P.
205 West Granville Road
Granville, MA 01034
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 11/16/11

Connors, Patricia
26 Fullerton St.
Indian Orchard, MA 01151
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/21/11

Cote, Patrick M.
34 Rockview St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/28/11

Cruz, Tamara M.
62 Warner St., Apt. 4L
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/16/11

Davidson, David G.
P.O. Box 854
Southwick, MA 01077
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/16/11

Dickson, Diana S.
16 Beyer Dr.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/17/11

Dubish, Edward S.
Dubish, Jennifer A.
77 Lombard St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/28/11

Fleagle, Jr., Robert D.
Fleagle, Christina J.
21 Raymond Circle
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/28/11

Guertin Day Care
Guertin, Roger David
Guertin, Shirley Marie
495 Burts Pit Road
Florence, MA 01062
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/17/11

Harnden, Brian S.
263 Granville Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 11/16/11

Harrop, Ronald L.
79 West St.
Granby, MA 01033
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 11/18/11

Keefe, Joseph W.
30 Westwood Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/16/11

Kolek, Kimberly A
a/k/a Gauthier, Kimberly A.
33 Dale Court
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/17/11

Kozlowski, Michael
24 Farquhar Road
Sturbridge, MA 01566
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/20/11

Labarre, Brooke A.
a/k/a Miltimore, Brooke A.
360 Westfield Road
Russell, MA 01071
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/28/11

LaBonte, Deborah J.
451 Hapgood St.
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/22/11

Lacasse, Lincoln A.
Lacasse, Kimberly A.
a/k/a Gray, Kimberly A.
191 Packard Road
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/30/11

Lami, Dannielle M.
P.O.Box 1785
Westfield, MA 01086
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/26/11

Lander, John J.
Lander, Jamie E.
128 Gale Ave.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 11/16/11

Laprade, Pierre F.
Laprade, Catherine A.
P.O. Box 564
West Warren, MA 01092
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/16/11

Leahy, Stephanie J.
35 Jeanne Marie Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/17/11

Loizeaux, Clyde R.
125 Pondview Dr.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/29/11

Lynes, Leonard A.
Lynes, Halina J.
647 Britton St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 11/29/11

Mahony, Clark T.
Mahony, Candace Docimo
119 Old Pleasant St.
Lee, MA 01238
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/30/11

McCabe, Donald V.
McCabe, Mary F.
5 Wood Dr.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/29/11

Melanson, Edward R.
51 Village Hill Road, #14
Northampton, MA 01060
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/26/11

Messer, Cami J.
197 Pasco Road
Indian Orchard, MA 01151
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/22/11

Murdock, Gloria D.
204 Denver St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 11/21/11

Nana’s Day Care
Ventura, Thomas F.
Ventura, Geraldine F.
Third Ave.
P.O. Box 73
Ware, MA 01082
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 11/23/11

Norway, Donna B.
61 Leslie St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/26/11

Omartian, Virginia N.
286 Bridge St.
Springfield, MA 01103
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/21/11

Pantojas, Cruz N.
16 Manilla Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/16/11

Picard, Jessie M.
288 Allen Park Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/18/11

Pierce, Lorene L.
a/k/a Massey, Lorene L.
a/k/a Small, Lorene L.
164 Plain Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/23/11

Praise and Glory Church
339 State St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Chapter: 11
Filing Date: 11/22/11

Pratt, Kenneth R.
43 Orchard St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/16/11

Rathbun, Richard R.
24 Apremont St.
Adams, MA 01220
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/18/11

Recoulle, Karen M.
296 Granville Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/16/11

Roy, James R.
Roy, Paula A.
43 Spruce Circle
Feeding Hills, MA 01030
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 11/16/11

Sanchez-Vega, Epifanio
127 Elijah St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/18/11

Schaffrick, John A.
Schaffrick, Brenda V.
15 Walnut St.
Adams, MA 01220
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/26/11

Shea, Joseph E.
1 Springfield St., Apt. 207
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 11/21/11

Shufelt, Douglas G.
P.O. Box 813
Great Barrington, MA 01230
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/18/11

Simpson, Bradley
35 Barlett Ave.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/18/11

Stabach, Paige E.
24 North St.
Three Rivers, MA 01080
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/18/11

Staton, Tommy Eugene
Staton, Debbie Ann
a/k/a Russell, Debbie A.
8 Banbury St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/29/11

Stewart, Nadia V.
a/k/a Jarrett, Nadia V.
111 Fargo St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/16/11

Sylvester, Kathy H.
630 Chicopee St., # 513
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/18/11

Talbot, Rene F.
52 Meadow St. Apt 2
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/18/11

Torres, Alisa
16 Cornwall St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/23/11

Doing Business as Certificates

By
DBA Certificates Departments

The following Business Certificates and Trade Names were issued or renewed during the month of December 2011.

AMHERST

Amherst Family Chiropractic
228 Triangle St.
Lee Kane

Amherst Healing Light Acupuncture
479 West St.
Elaine Walsh

Bold Folds
2 Dwight Circle
Alex Gillat

Visual Concepts 123
170 East Hadley Road
Yvonne Mendez

CHICOPEE

AJ’s Gaming
425 East St.
Luigi M. Montefusco

Cool Limos
658 Fuller Road
John Garcia

Diana Sobieras Photography
140 Hendrick St.
Diana Sobieras

MCS
17 Mellen St.
Daniel S. O’Connor

Wackerbarth Deliveries
57 Carter Dr.
Matthew Wackerbarth

GREENFIELD

ABC Cab
305 Federal St.
James Shippee

Blissful Nails
42 Chapman St.
Angela D. Dobie

Buttonfoot
111 Davis St.
Cyrstal Kelleher

Family Dollar Stores of Massachusetts
10 Colrain Road
Joyce K. Thaggard

Goodwin, Shine, and Associates
20 Federal St.
Alfred B. Goodwin

Sweet Banana Berry
87 Hayward St.
Raymond Trombly

Thai Blue Ginger
298 Main St.
Kanok Ninsri

HADLEY

Ascent Audiology
104 Russell St.
Northland Hearing Inc.

Calendar Club
367 Russell St.
SRV LLC

Loonar Tattoo
206 Russell St.
Albert Valenta

HOLYOKE

Dock’s Classics
31 Jackson St.
James D. Perry

Dunkin Donuts
225 Whiting Farms Road
Derek Salema

Pretty Nails & Tan
2257B Northampton St.
Ngocgiao Dinh

LUDLOW

CJ Refrigeration
25 Parker Lane
Claudio Laneiro

Esteenz Skin Care LLC
733 Chapin St.
Carol Santini

Felt Well Woolies
33 Cady St.
Amy Brown

Mainely Drafts
1361 Lyon St.
Keith Ouellette

PALMER

Bechard Farms
149 St. John St.
Donald Bechard

Bumpers and More
21 William St.
William Tetrault

Labonte & Son
241 Wilbraham St.
Gary Labonte Sr.

Roadfox
136 Gates St.
Andrew Fox

Rondeau Entertainment
1300 Ware St.
Richard C. Rondeau

SPRINGFIELD

Majestic Barber Shop
444 Chestnut St.
Misael Colon

Maxim Seamless Gutters
21 Cluster Circle
Maksim Barabolkin

Mexico Express Packaging
2756 Main St.
Ady N. Rosario

New England Home Improvement
463 Page Blvd.
Anthony Becker

O.D. Trucking
34 King St.
Oscar Davila

Puerto Rican Master Barber
602 Page Blvd.
John W. Stevens

R & R Cleaning
21 Valley Road
Diana Mercedes

S.A.S. Trucking LLC
180 Warrenton St.
Sherlock Suban

Snow and Ice
88 Butternut St.
Deobrah A. O’Brien

Springfield Mobil
1828 Boston Road
Sanjay P. Patel

T.S. Services
24 Leatherleaf Dr.
Sean L. Walter

Thalia Nails Creation
27 Lyman St.
Yahaira Rodriguez

Thee Realm
396 Page Blvd.
Juan R. Guillen

Touch of NYC Hair Studio
167 White St.
Sophia C. Evans

Valhalla Ventures
805 White St.
John R. Henle

Zuny’s Family Daycare
367 St. James Ave.
Maria Pedemonte

WESTFIELD

Barry’s Painting
348 Elm St.
Kurt Barry

Central Transit
93 Sackett Road
Joseph Caputo

Cosmic Holdings LLC
302 East Main St.
Alan Flint

Igor’s Construction & Remodeling
134 Little River Road
Igor Kravchuk

New England EDM Service
22 Mainline Dr.
Theodore W. Macutkiewicz

Terry’s Barber Shop
48 Elm St.
John Symmons

WEST SPRINGFIELD

AAA Xtreme Paintball
683 Westfield St.
Edward J. O’Malley

Cellular Sales of Massachusetts
175 Memorial Ave.
Julie Dean

Fabulous Finds
209 Elm St.
The Home Staging Company LLC

Quick Stop Oil
75 Union St.
David J. Vickers

Storrowton Tavern
1305 Memorial Ave.
Vintage Inc. Corporation

Briefcase

By
Briefcase Departments

MassMutual Invests in BMC’s Future
SPRINGFIELD — Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co. (MassMutual) recently made a $3 million contribution to Baystate Medical Center’s capital campaign to support construction of its new facility. “At MassMutual, we recognize the importance of good health and well-being, as well as the benefits of leading a healthy lifestyle,” said Roger Crandall, chairman, president, and CEO of MassMutual. “So it’s only fitting that MassMutual does its share to contribute to this project, as our employees, agents, policyholders, and the community at large in this region will directly benefit from the outstanding care this great facility will provide.” In recognition of MassMutual’s commitment to Baystate Medical Center, Mark Tolosky, president and CEO of Baystate Health, announced the naming of its first phase of the building project; it will be known as the MassMutual Wing. “We are so grateful that MassMutual shares our vision of good health for the community and has so generously provided this support, which significantly helps us to replace an aging infrastructure and continue to meet the health care needs of the people of Western Mass. right here in Springfield,” said Tolosky. The first phase is on schedule and on budget for opening in March 2012. The MassMutual Wing will house the Davis Family Heart and Vascular Center, which includes six surgical/endovascular suites to accommodate advanced, lifesaving cardiovascular procedures, and 32 cardiovascular critical care rooms that will support state-of-the-art medicine and at the same time provide ample room for the comforting presence of patients’ family members and friends. The $296 million project has made a significant economic impact on the region, with job growth for the construction industry benefiting from the addition of approximately 300 new jobs on site since breaking ground in 2009. Approximately 70% of the work on the project has been completed by local and regional businesses. In addition, Baystate expects to add more than 200 permanent clinical and medical positions.

Kennedy Named Chief Development Officer
SPRINGFIELD — Lifelong city resident Kevin Kennedy was recently tapped by Mayor Domenic Sarno to serve as the city’s new chief development officer. Kennedy will manage a consolidated Community Development Department created in 2008 under Springfield’s Finance Control Board. He also will oversee the city’s Housing, Neighborhood, Economic Development, Code Enforcement, and Planning departments, as well as staffing of the redevelopment and industrial-development financing authorities. Sarno described Kennedy in a statement as “exceptionally well-suited for the job of chief development officer.” Sarno added that Kennedy is a “seasoned professional who possesses the knowledge and experience to navigate the economic-development waters on the federal, state, and local levels as well as with the private sector.” Kennedy has served as the chief economic-development assistant to U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal since 1989. “Kevin Kennedy’s departure is a bittersweet occasion for me,” said Neal in a statement. “While I am sad he is leaving my congressional office, the city of Springfield will once again be the beneficiary of his considerable talents.” Neal cited Kennedy’s work on the State Street Corridor Initiative, the construction of the U.S. Courthouse, the new state data center, and the creation of the Neal Municipal Operations Center as areas where he has demonstrated effective leadership. In related news, Sarno announced that Christopher Moskal of Springfield, who has served as interim chief development officer, now will serve as director of the Springfield Redevelopment Authority. Moskal previously served as executive director of the Springfield Parking Authority. Sarno noted that the two appointments underscore his commitment to supporting the city’s planning and development functions to ensure they are optimally configured for maximum effectiveness. “The city’s ongoing investment in economic development will pay substantial dividends in terms of increasing development activity, stimulating job creation, and expanding our municipal tax base,” said Sarno. Both appointments are effective immediately. Kennedy will earn an annual salary of $125,000, and Moskal will receive an annual salary of $97,950.

Common Capital
Unveils New Focus
HOLYOKE — The Western Mass. Enterprise Fund has expanded its mission, changed its name, and put more capital on the table for local community-development projects, according to executive director Chris Sikes. In a recent announcement at Open Square, Sikes presented the company’s new name, Common Capital, and revealed a new logo, along with the company’s newly expanded role in the region. “It is clear to us that there is ample capital available to fund major change in Western Mass.,” said Sikes. “The challenge is not to access the money, but to help the region absorb that capital and leverage it for the common good.” Common Capital’s new focus, according to Sikes, includes extending lending well beyond small-business microloans, significantly increasing the company’s capital base, and enlarging business-advisory services. To help guide investments, Common Capital has initiated a discovery process to document specific needs within local business and community-development networks. Sikes noted that the process will include a “listening tour” with potential collaborative partners throughout the region to reconfirm community needs and resources. “We have capital and are well-positioned to attract much more,” he said, adding, “our goal is to find new and better ways to put it to use creating jobs, stimulating community development, and improving the quality of life in Western Mass.”

Women’s Fund to Award $150,000 in Grants
EASTHAMPTON — Applications are now available from the Women’s Fund of Western Mass., which will award $150,000 in grants in 2012 to organizations or programs serving women and girls in the four counties of Western Mass. Grants will range up to $15,000. “We look for projects that truly address the root causes, that influence long-term social change for women and girls, particularly around education, economic development, and safety,” said Julie Kumble, director of grants and programs. “Our three grant categories make it easier for organizations to decide where they might best fit in — operating support, project support, and capacity-building grants.” Before applying for a grant, Kumble recommends that applicants listen to a webinar that describes the application process. For more information on the webinar or for an application, visit www.womensfund.net. Since 1998, the Women’s Fund has awarded $1.7 million in grants.

Company Notebook

By
Company Notebook Departments

Hampden Bank Donates $150,000 to Develop Springfield
SPRINGFIELD — The Hampden Bank Charitable Foundation recently granted $150,000 to support the plans and objectives of DevelopSpringfield. “We not only see this as an opportunity to help build a better, more vibrant community, but, as a corporate citizen and a purpose-driven organization headquartered in Springfield since 1852, we also consider this is a major responsibility,” said Thomas Burton, president and CEO of the bank. “We are proud to be part of this significant effort to move Springfield forward.” DevelopSpringfield is a private Massachusetts nonprofit 501(c)(3) formed in 2008 to advance development and redevelopment of commercial real-estate projects, stimulate and support economic growth, and expedite the revitalization process within the City of Springfield. In recent months, Mayor Domenic Sarno requested that DevelopSpringfield, in partnership with the Springfield Redevelopment Authority, expand its role to lead the city’s multi-year planning and redevelopment activities for areas impacted by the tornado of June 1. “Throughout the years, and regardless of the challenges facing our community, we have always been able to count on Hampden Bank to support important community needs in Springfield,” said Nicholas Fyntrilakis of Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co., and chair of DevelopSpringfield’s 14-member board. “Supporting DevelopSpringfield is the latest example of their commitment to our community.”

United Bank Named Top SBA Lender to Women
WEST SPRINGFIELD — United Bank was recently named the state’s #1 Lender to Women in fiscal 2011 by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). United Bank approved the highest percentage of total loans to women of all participating SBA lenders. Joanne Sheedy, RCA portfolio manager, accepted the award on behalf of United Bank at a recent meeting of SBA participating lenders in Boston. Robert Nelson, Massachusetts district director, applauded lenders for supporting SBA loan programs, which he called a “tremendous benefit to our businesses and economic recovery in Massachusetts.”

WMECo Completes Largest Solar Facility in Region
SPRINGFIELD — Western Massachusetts Electric Co. (WMECo) celebrated the completion of its second large-scale solar-energy facility on Dec. 21 in the Indian Orchard section of the city. The facility features 8,200 solar panels and produces 2.3 megawatts (MW) of electricity. WMECo representatives joined local and state officials in celebrating the transformation of the former foundry site into a clean, renewable energy facility. The Indian Orchard facility joins WMECo’s Silver Lake Solar facility in Pittsfield as one of the largest in the Northeast region, and is the largest in New England. The project brought nearly $12 million of new construction to the region and will contribute $400,000 of annual property tax revenue to the City of Homes. Springfield is one of the two Gateway Communities in WMECo’s service territory, and is home to approximately 65,000 WMECo customers. The Commonwealth has a goal to install 250 MW of solar generation by 2017. Under the landmark Green Communities Act, each Massachusetts electric utility may own up to 50 MW of solar, subject to approval by the Department of Public Utilities.

Bay Path Receives
$25,000 Award
LONGMEADOW — Bay Path College recently received a $25,000 scholarship award from the Petit Family Foundation during its first Evening Honoring Women in Science event at the Connecticut Science Center. The award will be used to provide financial support for students who are pursuing careers in the sciences. Bay Path currently offers undergraduate majors in biology, biotechnology, and forensic science, and will be introducing programs in biochemistry and neuroscience in the fall of 2012. The Petit Family Foundation honors the memories of Jennifer Hawke-Petit, Hayley Elizabeth Petit, and Michaela Rose Petit by continuing the kindness, idealism, and activism that defined their lives. The foundation’s funds are given to foster the education of young people, especially women in the sciences, to improve the lives of those affected by chronic illnesses, and to support efforts to protect and help those affected by violence. “On behalf of the college, I wish to express my profound gratitude to the Petit Family Foundation,” said Bay Path President Carol Leary. “With this scholarship award, our students will have the opportunity to study and excel in the sciences, pursuing meaningful and rewarding careers.”

CHD Elder Care Program Receives $10,000
SPRINGFIELD — The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) recently awarded the Center for Human Development’s Hawthorn Elder Care program a $10,000 grant to fund performances of Talking with Dolores, a one-act play that takes a serious look at depression and suicide among the elderly. The award is part of NEA’s Challenge America Fast Track program, which supports extending the arts to underserved audiences. The funding targets elder Latino audiences in Massachusetts and Connecticut. CHD is one of 162 organizations nationwide to receive this award. “We’re thrilled about the grant award because we will be able to reach more people with an important message,” said Jim Callahan, vice president of CHD Hawthorn Elder Care, in a statement. “The play tackles serious issues, but it does so in a very creative way. More than anything, it’s an effective way to get the community at large to talk about issues that are often times uncomfortable to discuss.” The NEA grant also enables Hawthorn to fund Hablando con Dolores, a Spanish-language production of the play.

Big Y Adds 38th Pharmacy
GUILFORD, CT — Big Y Foods Inc. recently opened its 38th pharmacy in a World Class Market in Guilford. Paul Dimmock, R.Ph., is the pharmacy manager, assisted by Robert Frye, R.Ph., and Jane Gray, R.Ph. Big Y pharmacies also conduct special wellness events throughout the year, including flu shots and cholesterol, osteoporosis, and blood-pressure screenings.

People On the Move

By
Todd C. Ratner
Departments People on the Move

Florence Savings Bank announced the following:

Erin L. Couture

Erin L. Couture

• Erin L. Couture has been elected Vice President, Commercial Lending Officer of the Commercial Lending Department; and
Nancy D. Mirkin

Nancy D. Mirkin

• Nancy D. Mirkin has been elected Vice President, Commercial Lending Officer of the Commercial Lending Department.
•••••
Attorney John G. Bagley, Partner at Morrison Mahoney in Springfield, has been admitted to the American College of Trial Lawyers. He is the first person in the 63-year history of the firm to be inducted into the American College of Trial Lawyers. Bagley’s practice focuses on medical, dental, and legal malpractice; professional liability; product liability; commercial litigation; construction liability; employment litigation; and general negligence.
•••••
Karina L. Schrengohst, Esq. has been elected to serve as a member of the Board of Directors of Community Enterprises Inc. She is an Associate at Royal LLP, a management-side labor- and employment-law firm.
•••••
TD Bank announced the following:
• Gregg P. Desmarais has been appointed Store Manager at the TD Bank branch at 60 Main St., Westfield. He is responsible for new-business development, consumer and business lending, managing personnel, and overseeing the day-to-day operations; and
Derrick P. Feuerstein

Derrick P. Feuerstein

• Derrick P. Feuerstein has been named Store Manager of the TD Bank Hadley store, 140 Russell St. An Assistant Vice President, he is responsible for new-business development, managing personnel, consumer and business lending, and overseeing daily operations.
•••••
Six-Point Creative Works in Springfield announced the following:
• Meghan Lynch has been appointed President and Chief Executive Officer. In her new role, she is responsible for business and client development, and continues to manage day-to-day agency operations; and
• Marsha Montori will serve as Chief Strategist for client accounts.
•••••
Bacon Wilson, P.C. of Springfield announced that eight attorneys have been distinguished as New England “SuperLawyers,” and six of its attorneys have been distinguished as “Rising Stars” in the November issue of Boston magazine:
Paul R. Salvage

Paul R. Salvage

• Attorney Paul R. Salvage is the Co-chairman of the Insolvency Department. His practice deals with creditors, individuals, and companies facing financial difficulties. He was named a SuperLawyer;
Gary L. Fialky

Gary L. Fialky

• Attorney Gary L. Fialky is Chairman of the Corporate Department. His practice is concentrated in business and banking law, with an emphasis on business formations, mergers, and acquisitions. He was named a SuperLawyer;
Michael B. Katz

Michael B. Katz

• Attorney Michael B. Katz is Co-chairman of the Bankruptcy Department. His practice is concentrated in business and insolvency law. He was named a SuperLawyer;
Paul H. Rothschild

Paul H. Rothschild

• Attorney Paul H. Rothschild is Chairman of the Litigation Department. His practice is concentrated in general litigation, as well as personal injury, product liability, medical malpractice, and employer/employee disputes. He was named a SuperLawyer;
Hyman G. Darling

Hyman G. Darling

• Attorney Hyman G. Darling is Chairman of the Estate Planning and Elder Law departments. His areas of expertise include all areas of estate planning, probate, and elder law. He was named a SuperLawyer;
Michael J. Coyne

Michael J. Coyne

• Attorney Michael J. Coyne is a member of the Litigation Department with experience in commercial litigation, motor-vehicle franchising, banking litigation, lender-liability defense, franchise-litigation defense, municipal-law litigation, and government-contracts litigation. He was named a SuperLawyer;
Francis R. Mirkin

Francis R. Mirkin

• Attorney Francis R. Mirkin specializes in commercial and residential real estate and general business matters, as well as commercial-loan documentation. He was named a SuperLawyer;
Stephen B. Monsein

Stephen B. Monsein

• Attorney Stephen B. Monsein is a member of the Domestic Relations and Litigation departments. His work is concentrated on divorce cases, but he also handles personal-injury cases and does OUI defense work. He was named a SuperLawyer;
Gina M. Barry

Gina M. Barry

• Attorney Gina M. Barry is a member of the Estate Planning/Elder Law Department whose practice includes estate-planning issues as well as pet estate planning. Additional areas of focus include guardianship, conservatorship, planning for long-term care, and residential real estate. She was named a Rising Star;
Justin H. Dion

Justin H. Dion

• Attorney Justin H. Dion focuses on insolvency, business, and financial matters. In addition to handling Chapter 7, 11, and 13 bankruptcies, he also does financial planning, conducts foreclosures, and handles collection matters for lenders, as well as practicing nonprofit and real estate law. He was named a Rising Star;
Adam J. Basch

Adam J. Basch

• Attorney Adam J. Basch is a member of the Litigation Department whose areas of practice include construction litigation, personal injury, general litigation, and commercial litigation. He was named a Rising Star;
Todd C. Ratner

Todd C. Ratner

• Attorney Todd C. Ratner is a member of the Estate Planning/Elder Law Department whose practice includes estate-planning issues. Additional areas of practice include commercial and residential real estate together with general business and corporate law. He was named a Rising Star;
Benjamin M. Coyle

Benjamin M. Coyle

• Attorney Benjamin M. Coyle is a member of the Business and Corporate, Estate Planning and Elder, Litigation, and Municipal departments. He was named a Rising Star; and
Kevin V. Maltby

Kevin V. Maltby

• Attorney Kevin V. Maltby concentrates his practice on litigation and employment law. He was named a Rising Star.
•••••
The YMCA of Greater Springfield announced five new board members. They are:
• Ray Berry;
• Jules Gaudreau;
• Brendon Hutchins;
• John Koomson; and
• Sarah A. Williams.
The addition of these new members brings the total number of board members to 26.
•••••
Freedom Credit Union announced the following:
• Amy E. Fyden has been appointed Branch Officer of the Easthampton branch; and
• Beverly Walz has been appointed Branch Officer of the Sixteen Acres branch in Springfield.
As branch officers, both women oversee the financial and lending operations of their branch, develop new business opportunities with individuals and businesses, and promote financial literacy at area schools.
•••••
SABIC in the Americas, based in Pittsfield, announced the following:
• Innovative Plastics Executive Vice Presi-dent Charlie Crew will retire on Jan. 1; and
• Keith J. Smith, formerly of DuPont, will succeed Crew. Smith joined the company in December to plan for the transition.
SABIC acquired GE Plastics in 2007 and integrated it into its diverse portfolio as the Innovative Plastics strategic business unit.

Opinion

By
Opinion
An Age of Demoralizing Debt

The number itself is daunting: $1 trillion in student debt. That means there is more student debt than credit-card debt in the U.S. And that the amount of student debt in this country is in the realm of the GDP of such nations as South Korea, Mexico, and Australia.
This issue has the potential to fray our social fabric. The Occupy Wall Street protests inspired the Occupy Student Debt campaign, which has been asking 1 million students nationwide to pledge not to repay their student loans. This is a lose-lose proposition — one with potentially harrowing long-term financial implications for anyone who might follow this course — and it’s for the better that the Occupy Student Debt pledge has not caught on.
Yet the basic impulse is entirely understandable. There was a time in the not-too-distant past when student debt didn’t exist. When I went to college in the 1960s, students could pay for a college education without borrowing. College costs were low enough that a family contribution and a summer or part-time job got you through. You graduated with a degree — not with a payment plan.
As an educator, I have spent my entire career at public universities. When I was a young chemistry professor at Towson University in Maryland in the 1970s, a shared-responsibility social contract prevailed in the world of public higher education. Government funded about 70% of the cost of education, and students and families came up with the remaining 30%. Students graduated with little or no debt.
This shared-responsibility model acknowledged that earning a college degree benefited the student but also paid great social and economic dividends for communities, states, and the nation.
Today, that funding model has changed considerably. Nationally, the split is now closer to 50-50; the public subsidy and tuition dollars are roughly equal. The reason for this ominous change is clear: decreased funding by states has shifted more of the burden to the student.
In Massachusetts, the shift is even more acute. A decade ago the Commonwealth provided 63% of the funding for general education expenses at UMass. This year the state is providing 45%; students and their parents are on the hook for 55%.
So we have gone from the days when students took on no debt, moved through a period of ‘manageable debt,’ and now stand poised at the edge of an era of destabilizing, demoralizing debt. UMass students now graduate, on average, with $24,000 in debt, up from $14,000 only four years ago. At private universities, where education costs are two and a half times what they are at public universities, the debt story is even more daunting. How do we fix this major national problem?
There is no easy fix. But there are steps that, taken together, could put us back on a sustainable course.
For one, the 50 states need to make their public universities and colleges a higher priority. Next year is the 150th anniversary of the Morrill Act, which led to the creation of UMass and the vast expansion of public higher education nationwide. States should mark the occasion by rededicating themselves to the public institutions that have educated millions of citizens over the years and that drive the national economy.
The federal government should do its part by providing more grant aid to students — a step that would benefit public and private institutions alike.
We in higher education need to step up by reducing administrative and academic costs. We also need to make sure that students graduate in four years — eliminating the need for more loans and more debt.
While ‘crisis’ is a greatly overused word, its use is completely warranted in this instance. While organized default is not a good option, we do need to take a number of imaginative and purposeful steps to make sure that the student-debt storm does not batter our economy and our society. We need to keep our bridge to the future — our educational bridge — open wide for all citizens. v

Robert Caret is president of the University of Massachusetts.

Chamber Corners: Upcoming Events

By
Chamber Corners Departments

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

• Jan. 4: Business@Breakfast, 7:15-9 a.m. at the Sherato• Springfield. The monthly breakfast pays tribute to individuals, businesses, and organizations for major contributions to civic and economic growth and for actions that reflect honor o• the region. The chamber breakfast gives your company exposure to business owners, upper management, and salespeople. Each month, September through June, the event is hosted at a different locatio• throughout the ACCGS community. To reserve tickets, contact Cecile Larose at (413) 787-1555 or [email protected]

• Jan. 4: After 5, 5-7 p.m. Network, build relationships, and forge strategic partnerships. The ACCGS After 5, held the second Wednesday of certai• months September through June, offers business professionals from diverse industries a• opportunity to exchange business leads while socializing i• a casual atmosphere. For more information, contact Cecile Larose at (413) 787-1555 or [email protected]

Amherst Area
Chamber of Commerce
www.amherstarea.com
(413) 253-0700

• Jan. 11: Amherst Area Chamber Breakfast & Annual Meeting, 7:15-9 a.m., at the Courtyard by Marriott. Tickets: $12 for members, $15 for non-members.

• Jan. 25: Amherst Area Chamber After 5, 5-7 p.m. Cost: $5 for members; $10 for non-members. The new chamber Web site will debut.

Frankli• County
Chamber of Commerce
www.franklincc.org
(413) 773-5463

• Jan. 17: Business After Hours, 5-7 p.m. at the Farm Table at Kringle Candle, Bernardston. Tickets: $5 for members, $8 for non-members.

• Jan. 27: Breakfast Series, 7:30-9 a.m. at the Greenfield Corporate Center. Program TBA. Co-sponsored by F/H Career Center. Tickets: $12 for members, $15 for non-members.

Greater Easthampto•
Chamber of Commerce
www.easthamptonchamber.org
(413) 527-9414

• Jan. 26: Chamber Annual Meeting & Awards Dinner, 5 p.m. at Southampto• Country Club. Annual awards presentatio• for business, business person, and nonprofit members of the year. Also, a review of a successful, 2011, and a celebratio• of member milestones. Cost: $30 per person, inclusive. For more information, visit [email protected]

Greater Holyoke
Chamber of Commerce
www.holycham.com
(413) 534-3376

• Jan. 11: 2011 Winners Circle, 5-7 p.m., at the Yankee Pedlar, 1866 Northampto• St., Holyoke. Sponsored by Dowd Insurance Agency; Holyoke Community College; Holyoke Medical Center; PeoplesBank; Resnic, Beauregard, Waite & Driscoll; and Universal Plastics. Cost: $25. Call the chamber at (413) 534-3376.

• Jan. 18: Chamber After Hours, 5-7 p.m., at Mrs. Mitchell’s Kitchen, 514 Westfield Road, Holyoke. Sponsored by Holyoke Credit Union. Cost: $10 for members, $15 cash for non-members.

Greater Northampto•
Chamber of Commerce
www.explorenorthampton.com
(413) 584-1900

• Jan. 4: January Arrive@5, 5-7 p.m., at Verizo• Wireless/Wireless Zone, 162 North King St., Northampton. Sponsored by Normandeau Communications Inc. Cost: $10 for members. Arrive@5 is a casual mix and mingle with your colleagues and friends.

Northampto• Area Young Professional Society
www.thenayp.com
(413) 584-1900

• Jan. 12: NAYP Monthly Networking Event, 5-7 p.m., at the World War II Club, 50 Conz St., Northampton. Cost: free for members, $5 for guests.

Professional Women’s Chamber
www.professionalwomenschamber.com
(413) 755-1310

• Jan. 18: Professional Women’s Chamber Business Expo, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., at Max’s Taver• at the Basketball Hall of Fame. Accepting reservations for the 14th Annual Tabletop Expo. Last year’s successful expo was a sellout. Sig• up today to showcase your company’s products and services or to attend the event. Display price includes a draped table and lunch for one. General admissio• tickets include specialty sandwiches, fruit, chips, and dessert.  For more information, contact Lyn• Johnso• at (413) 787-1555 or [email protected]

Greater Westfield
Chamber of Commerce
www.westfieldbiz.org
(413) 568-1618

• Jan. 9: Mayor’s Coffee Hour, 8-9 a.m., at Dunkin’ Donuts, 625 East Mai• St., Westfield. Cost: free.

• Jan. 18: WestNet networking event, 5-7 p.m., at Tucker’s Restaurant, 625 College Highway, Southwick. Opportunity to meet other local businesses and chamber members. Cash bar and free hors’doeuvres. Tickets: $10 for chamber members, $15 for non-members. Your first WestNet is always free.

Editorial

By
Opinion
A Breath of Fresh Air in Holyoke

When people reference Alex Morse’s age, they do so slowly and with conviction.
They say ‘22 years old’ as if there was a verbal exclamation point behind the number and words. And it’s understandable — that’s a very young age to be walking around with a business card that says ‘mayor of Holyoke.’
But Morse is not like most recent college graduates, as anyone who has spent just five minutes talking with him can readily understand. He has confidence, poise, a plan — well, about as much as any mayor can have a plan — and a deep affection for his city.
He’ll need all of that and more as he moves into the corner office, because the challenges facing Holyoke and all other urban centers are considerable, and real progress is difficult to achieve and sustain.
But Morse will make you want to believe.
His election is certainly one of the most intriguing stories of 2011 locally, a real breath of fresh air in a city that is in many ways ahead of Springfield in terms of generating some positive vibes. And now, with Morse’s election, there is genuine excitement and optimism in the Paper City.
There’s something else, too — what could be real leadership.
BusinessWest has recorded a number of urban turnaround stories in recent years. Just last month, we told the story of Grand Rapids, Mich., the site of a City2City visit involving a large delegation from this region. A year earlier, that same program took us to Winston-Salem and Greensboro, N.C. A few years ago, we relayed the stunning recovery in Lowell, and we’ve been witness to real progress in Worcester, Pittsfield, and other cities.
There are common denominators with each of these stories, but the most critical is leadership, in the form of individuals who can set a tone and get people to follow them and work with them as they carry out strategic initiatives; leadership, in the form of people who can restore civic pride and get people to believe in their community again; leadership, in the form of people who can generate game-changers.
It’s very early in the game — the new mayor is still organizing the desk drawers in his office — but we believe he possesses such leadership skills, even at 22.
In simple terms, Morse has real potential to be the proverbial right person in the right place at the right time. The place is a city that is showing some signs of life after spending decades in retreat, and the time is a period when Holyoke is gaining a reputation as a ‘green’ city, a place where individuals and businesses want to be, at a time when most planners and economic-development experts tell us that people want to move back into the cities that were abandoned in favor of the suburbs 40 years ago.
The person is someone who appears to have the ability to get people to listen, follow, and take the lead when necessary.
In sports, analysts have a phrase they use when observers get excited about someone who has excelled or overachieved in their first exhibition game or spring-training tilt. They say, ‘don’t put him in the Hall of Fame yet.’ That appears to be what we’re doing with Morse, and it’s probably a little unfair — or more than a little.
But even though he hasn’t presided over his first ceremonial ribbon-cutting yet, it is clear that there is excitement in Holyoke, and he is the primary cause of it. What happens when the media hype from the election and its aftermath dies down is anyone’s guess, but we believe that in time, and probably not much of it, people will stop referencing how old Morse is. That’s because they’ll have better, more important things to talk about.

Agenda

By
Agenda Departments

Anthropologist Lecture
Feb. 22: Susan Darlington, a professor at Hampshire College, will discuss her latest book, The Ordination of a Tree: The Thai Buddhist Environmental Movement, as part of the Ovations series at Springfield Technical Community College. Darlington has studied the work of Buddhist monks in Thailand who are engaged in rural development and environmental conservation. The science-based talks, at 10:10 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. in Scibelli Hall Theater, will also include insights into religion and social activism. The presentations are free and open to the public. For more information, call (413) 755-4233.

Author Lecture
March 28: Internationally acclaimed author Tom Perrotta will read from his upcoming novel, The Leftovers, at 10:10 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. in Scibelli Hall Theater, as part of the Ovations series at Springfield Technical Community College. The talks are free and open to the public. Two of Perrotta’s books, Election, and Little Children, have been made into movies, and five novels have been national bestsellers. For more information, call (413) 755-4233.

Slam Poet Lecture
April 13: Taylor Mali, a former high-school teacher who has emerged from the slam-poetry movement as one of its leaders, will discuss his performances at 10:10 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. in Scibelli Hall Theater, as part of the Ovations series at Springfield Technical Community College. The talks are free and open to the public. For more information, call (413) 755-4233.

Difference Makers
March 22: BusinessWest will stage its fourth annual Difference Makers Celebration at the Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House in Holyoke. The program recognizes area individuals and organizations that are truly making a difference in this region. The winners will be announced in February. The awards ceremony will feature entertainment, butlered hors d’ oeuvres, and introductions of the winners. Tickets are $55 per person, with tables of 10 available. For more information or to order tickets, call (413) 781-8600, e-mail to [email protected], or visit www.businesswest.com.

Editorial: A Victory on Many Levels

By
Opinion
Thing5 Move Downtown Spurs Momentum in Springfield

The recent announcement that Thing5 LLC will be creating a new call center in One Financial Plaza, thus bringing 500 new jobs to Springfield, is a positive story for the city and the region — on a number of levels.
Let’s start with the jobs. That’s priority No. 1 in the Greater Springfield area, and it has been for many years now. Some might look at this and say, ‘it’s only call-center jobs,’ or words to that effect, but these opportunities come on many levels, from entry positions to management slots, and, in many cases, they can be handled by those who do not possess a college education. The region needs those high-quality jobs (call them white-collar, if you like), but it also needs employment opportunities like these, especially in such large volume.
Beyond the employment factor, there are many other aspects to this story, all of them positive. First, this company started here, in the Technology Park at Springfield Technical Community College — which was created to spur this kind of tech-related enterprise — and thus provides solid evidence that we can incubate ventures and grow them into major employers.
Also, this company stayed here. Indeed, when it reached that proverbial next level, there were, quite obviously, opportunities to take Thing5 almost anywhere — because there isn’t a city or town in the Commonwealth or well beyond it that wouldn’t fight, and fight hard, for 500 jobs. But management chose to stay in the City of Homes, largely because of the lower cost of living, available workforce, access, quality of life, and affordable commercial real estate.
This shows that our various assets are tangible — and sellable.
But perhaps the biggest benefit will come in the form of greater momentum downtown. First, this move gives a substantial boost to the office tower known as One Financial Plaza, which has had several dark floors for many years, but has been staging something of a comeback recently.
Beyond that, though, the 500 new employees working downtown will provide a larger critical mass of people needed to spur additional investments, be they in support businesses, hospitality-related ventures such as restaurants and clubs, or badly needed retail.
And there is another component — the possibility that some of these employees may soon be working and living downtown, thanks to a program that will offer reduced lease rates to Thing5 employees at the nearby Morgan Square apartments, managed by the same company (Samuel D. Plotkin) that also manages One Financial Plaza. This additional residential piece could further stimulate investment in the central business district and be a key contributor to the kind of vibrancy that other Northeast cities have enjoyed.
As we said, there are many angles to this positive story for Springfield and its downtown. The headlines were all about the jobs coming to the city — and that’s an important aspect of this — but there are many other elements that bode well for the City of Homes.

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.

FRANKLIN SUPERIOR COURT
Edmund J. Demers v. Poet’s Seat Health Care Center
Allegation: Negligence and breach of duty of care causing injury: $16,638.93
Filed: 11/10/11

GREENFIELD DISTRICT COURT
Roma Food Service v. Bada Bings Bar and Pizzeria Inc. d/b/a Christina’s Pizzeria & Tavern
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $5,307.21
Filed: 10/20/11

HAMPDEN SUPERIOR COURT
Adolfo’s Restaurant Inc. v. American Canvas and Aluminum and Lyman Conrad
Allegation: Non-payment of services, labor, and materials: $100,000
Filed: 10/28/11

Brunelle Electric v. Supermedia, LLC
Allegation: Failure to provide services: $250,000
Filed: 10/28/11

East Baking Company, Danny & Idalina Serra v. Irwin I. Weitz, Esq. and Weitz & Weitz
Allegation: Legal malpractice: $750,000
Filed: 10/31/11

Mark Machine Co. v. Bronx County Recycling, LLC and Salvatore Cascino
Allegation: Non-payment of services, labor, and materials: $25,529.55
Filed: 11/10/11

Uneco Manufacturing Inc. v. Dow Roof Systems, LLC and Christopher Maurice d/b/a Commercial Construction Services
Allegation: Breach of contract: $45,000
Filed: 11/9/11

Western Mass Environmental, LLC v. Stamford Wrecking Co. and Douglas P. Fleming, LLC and VAMC Bedford
Allegation: Breach of contract: $213,061.68
Filed: 11/12/11

PALMER DISTRICT COURT
Julie Szymanski v. Caceres-Ferez-Gomez Realty, LLC
Allegation: Breach of lease agreement: $7,000
Filed: 11/9/11

Meister Media Worldwide Inc. v. Hampden Structural Systems Inc. d/b/a Private Garden Greenhouse Systems
Allegation: Non-payment of previous judgment: $10,877.01
Filed: 9/17/11

SPRINGFIELD DISTRICT COURT
Cutter & Buck v. Fran Johnson’s Golf & Tennis
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $3,757.32
Filed: 11/22/11

Seaboard Drilling Inc. v. Atlantic Environmental Technologies
Allegation: Breach of contract for drilling services: $12,552.94
Filed: 11/15/11

U.S. Foodservice Inc. v. Compari’s Inc. and Tracy v. Mountain
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $2,928.75
Filed: 12/2/11

WESTFIELD DISTRICT COURT
Brian Bigelow v. City of Westfield
Allegation: Negligence in maintenance of sidewalk causing injury: $13,000
Filed: 11/30/11

Margaret Schimke v. Blanford Club Inc.
Allegation: Negligence in property maintenance causing injury: $20,132.16
Filed: 11/29/11

PictureThis

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UnitedBank
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]

Pitching In

HampdenBankThe Hampden Bank Charitable Foundation recently granted $150,000 to support the plans and objectives of DevelopSpringfield. Seen here, from left, are Nicholas Fyntrilakis, chairman of the board of DevelopSpringfield; Thomas Burton, vice chairman and CEO of Hampden Bank; Glenn Welch, president and COO of the bank; and Robert Massey, CFO, treasurer, and senior vice president of the bank.


Top Lender

UnitedBankUnited Bank’s Joanne Sheedy (center), RCA portfolio manager, recently accepted the bank’s award as the U.S. Small Business Administration’s #1 Lender to Women in 2011 from the SBA’s Robert Nelson, Massachusetts district director, and Jeanne Hulit, New England regional administrator.


Capital Idea

PNCUPolish National Credit Union recently donated $25,000 to the Chicopee Senior Center capital campaign. Seen here, from left, are: Ernest LaFlamme, co-chair of the capital campaign; James Kelly, president and CEO of Polish National Credit Union; and Richard Kos, co-chair of the capital campaign.



Holiday Party

Holiday Party 1
Holiday Party 2
Holiday Party 3More than 80 area children attended the annual Children’s Holiday Party on Dec. 17 hosted by WTCC-90.7 FM, the radio station of Springfield Technical Community College. DJ Fred (Flash) Layne, in his 13th year in the role, was Santa Claus. Station members personally donated more than $800 toward the event, according to committee chair Valerie King-Jackson. WTCC General Manager Denise Stewart said the event “helped these children to understand the love of a community.” Each child received a book donated by Barnes & Noble.

Briefcase

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Briefcase Departments

Big Y Acquires Louis & Clark Locations
SPRINGFIELD — Louis & Clark Drug Stores have signed an agreement to sell the assets of two of their pharmacy locations to Big Y Foods Inc. The Louis & Clark Drug Stores at 471 Breckwood Blvd. in Springfield and 459 Main St. in Wilbraham will be operated as Big Y’s Louis & Clark Pharmacies. Louis & Clark will continue to operate their remaining locations. “As a family-owned and -operated company, we are excited to be working with another family-owned and -operated company to continue to serve the needs of our local community. Through our partnership with Big Y, we are able to maintain our local roots,” said Skip Matthews, president of Louis & Clark. Through our partnership with Big Y, we are able to focus our business efforts on the growing fields of home medical equipment and specialty pharmaceutical services, while Big Y focuses on its strength in retail pharmacy.” In addition, Big Y Pharmacies and Louis & Clark will work together to develop Louis & Clark’s ongoing home medical equipment division by offering referrals and consultations to Big Y customers through Louis & Clark’s Medical Supplies and Equipment located at 309 East St. at the corner of Page Boulevard in Springfield, and the satellite Louis & Clark location at 238 Northampton St. in Easthampton. Through the years, Louis & Clark has been one of the region’s premier independent pharmacy and health care solutions providers. This new relationship with Big Y will ensure that continuity of services for these two stores. Louis & Clark Drug Stores were founded in 1965 by Louis Demosthenous and Clark Matthews. The first store, based in Chicopee, was named Airline Drug, but customers and friends commented so frequently on the opportune names of the partners, Louis & Clark, that they soon named the company after the two explorers, Lewis and Clark, who traveled across America in 1804. All current Louis & Clark employees at both locations will have an opportunity to interview for employment with Big Y.

MassCBI Updates Name
BOSTON — The Massachusetts Chamber of Business and Industry recently announced its new identity, the Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce Inc. “At the Massachusetts Chamber, we strive to represent all business interests in and around the Commonwealth,” said Debra Boronski, president and founder of the organization. “While we serve business and industry, the purpose of a statewide chamber of commerce is to increase wealth and prosperity by facilitating the growth of existing businesses and fostering new ones. Simply put, the Massachusetts chamber’s focus is the Commonwealth’s economic well-being.” The organization provides legislative advocacy, marketing, networking, educational, and informational programs for businesses in the state. The chamber also provides managerial services for local chambers of commerce and professional organizations such as the West of the River Chamber of Commerce and the Realtors Commercial Alliance of Massachusetts. For more information, visit www.masscbi.com.

Construction Industry a Lagging Indicator
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The nation’s construction industry lost jobs for a second straight month, shedding 12,000 jobs in November, according to the Dec. 2 jobs report by the Department of Labor. During the past 12 months, the construction industry has added 18,000 jobs, an 0.3% increase. The construction unemployment rate slipped from 13.7% in October to 13.1% in November, and is down from 18.8% in November 2010. Non-residential building construction employment decreased by 1,200 jobs for the month, but has added 9,900 jobs, or 1.5%, from the same time last year. Residential construction building employment decreased by 3,000 jobs for the month and has lost 400 jobs, or 0.1%, compared to the same time last year. In related news, for the week ending Dec. 3, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 381,000, a decrease of 23,000 from the previous week’s revised figure of 404,000. The four-week moving average was 393,250, a decrease of 3,000 from the previous week’s revised average of 396,250. The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 2.8% for the week ending Nov. 26, a decrease of 0.2% from the prior week’s unrevised rate. The advance number for seasonally adjusted insured unemployment during the week ending Nov. 26 was 3,583,000, a decrease of 174,000 from the preceding week’s revised level of 3,757,000.

Report: Corporations Paying Few State Taxes
BOSTON — A comprehensive new study, from the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP) and the Massachusetts Public Interest Research Group (MASSPIRG), profiles the 265 consistently profitable Fortune 500 corporations, finding that 68 companies paid no state corporate income tax in at least one of the last three years, and 20 of these corporations averaged a tax rate of zero or less during the 2008-10 period. “Individual taxpayers and Main Street businesses end up having to pick up the tab when these corporations avoid paying their taxes,” said Deirdre Cummings, legislative director for MASSPIRG. The report, “Corporate Tax Dodging in Fifty States, 2008-2010,” was produced by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP) and recently released in conjunction with MASSPIRG. It examines Fortune 500 companies that filed SEC filings with required information on total state taxes paid that year. Only companies that reported profits in all three years were included in the study. It includes EMC, Raytheon, and Staples, which are headquartered in Massachusetts. “Our report shows these 265 corporations raked in a combined $1.33 trillion in profits in the last three years, and far too many have managed to shelter half or more of their profits from state taxes,” said Matthew Gardner, executive director at the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, and the report’s co-author. “They’re so busy avoiding taxes, it’s no wonder they’re not creating any new jobs.” EMC is one company covered in the report. It reported annual profits each year from 2008 to 2010, netting over $2.3 billion during the period, and paid 0.3% in state taxes across the nation. Raytheon is another example, with annual profits netting over $8 billion but paying just 2.3% in state taxes across the country. The report finds that 68 of the 265 companies managed to pay no state income tax at all in at least one year from 2008 through 2010, despite telling their shareholders they made almost $117 billion in pretax U.S. profits in those no-tax years. Some companies, such as DuPont, Goodrich, International Paper, and Intel, paid no net state income tax over the full three-year period. MASSPIRG’s own study last year on the use of offshore tax havens found that household tax filers in Massachusetts pay on average $608 in additional federal taxes to make up for revenue lost due to use of offshore tax havens. “We need to level the playing field,” said Cummings. “Companies should thrive based on how productive and innovative they are, not based on their aggressive tax lobbyists and lawyers and their ability to devise elaborate tax-avoidance schemes.”

Company Notebook

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Company Notebook Departments

Big Y Sponsors
Sack Hunger Program
SPRINGFIELD — In a chain-wide effort to help the hungry within their local communities, all Big Ys are participating in Sack Hunger, which utilizes large, green, reusable grocery bags filled with staple, non-perishable food items selected by the food banks. The sacks include corn flakes, instant rice, elbow macaroni, kidney beans, peanut butter, cut green beans, sweet peas, whole kernel corn, chunk light tuna, and quick oats. Customers purchase a pre-assembled bag of groceries for $10, and then Big Y distributes the bags to that region’s local food bank. In turn, the food banks distribute the filled sacks to area soup kitchens, food pantries, senior food programs, day care centers, as well as many of their other member agencies. All the donated sacks will be distributed within the supermarket’s marketing area so every donation stays within the local community. Big Y’s Sack Hunger campaign began in November and runs through December.

UMass, State Open
Marine Research Station
AMHERST — UMass Amherst and the Mass. Division of Marine Fisheries recently celebrated the opening of a shared marine-science research center following a $400,000 renovation. The station investment, located on an Atlantic Ocean cove in Gloucester, seeks to promote sustainable fisheries and economic development. The research station assesses the behavior of fish and the size and health of fisheries, which are vital to the state’s economy. In 2010, the commercial Massachusetts fishing industry landed 282 million pounds of seafood valued at $470 million.

AIC Breaks Ground for Eastern Gateway Project
SPRINGFIELD — The first phase of the city’s Eastern Gateway project was launched recently with a groundbreaking ceremony in front of 1168 State St. The Eastern Gateway represents a joint venture between American International College (AIC) and DevelopSpringfield, the city’s nonprofit, 501(c)(3) economic-development corporation. The project seeks to create a mixed-use development that will include appropriate institutional, retail, and commercial uses; offer a pedestrian environment at the entrance of AIC’s athletic field complex, and serve both the college and the neighborhood. Also, by revitalizing the underdeveloped section between Austin Street and Roosevelt Avenue, the project aligns with the city’s efforts to continue strengthening the State Street corridor. The redevelopment program resulted from a study commissioned in 2008 by the State Street Alliance, an affiliation of more than 60 businesses, educational institutions, neighborhood councils, faith-based organizations, and nonprofits. The study identified near-term development opportunities for revitalizing the 3.2-mile-long corridor, and recommended several projects, including a supermarket to serve the Mason Square community and market-rate residential housing at 195 State St. — a project that is underway. Eastern Gateway is a multi-phase effort; phase 1 includes acquisition, remediation, and greening of the area, and phase 2 includes refinement of a site development plan, construction, and work to transform a marginal pedestrian environment into a vibrant, contemporary urban district.

Law Firm Earns
Top Ranking
SPRINGFIELD — Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin, P.C. has recently been named in the 2011-12 edition of U.S. News – Best Lawyers as one of the “Best Law Firms” in America. The firm received Metropolitan First Tier Ranking for Banking and Finance Law, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Corporate Law, Elder Law, Real Estate Law, and Tax Law. “While we very much value our clients, and our commitment to them is paramount, it is a thrill to have been recognized as one of the best law firms in America by our peers,” noted Gary Fentin, partner. “We have a very dedicated and talented team, and it is because of their hard work that we have been given, and accepted, this tribute.” Currently, the firm has 13 attorneys. Best Lawyers compiles lists of outstanding attorneys by conducting exhaustive peer-review surveys in which thousands of leading lawyers confidentially evaluate their professional peers, according to Fentin.

Comcast Launches Xfinity Phone Service in Granby
GRANBY — Comcast recently announced that residents and businesses in town now have access to innovative and reliable voice service, according to Mary McLaughlin, senior vice president of Comcast’s Western New England region. Comcast’s Xfinity Voice and Business Class Voice services for homes and businesses, respectively, are now available and can be combined for ‘triple-play’ packages that include cable television, Internet services, and phone services. McLaughlin noted that residents and businesses can switch to Comcast without changing their current phone numbers. “We’re excited to provide Granby with access to our full product suite and to also provide a new choice in quality phone service,” she added.

Bank Celebrates Customer Appreciation Week
PITTSFIELD — Berkshire Bank celebrated its partnership with Legacy Banks during Customer Appreciation Week on Dec. 12-16. The weeklong celebration included a variety of special events and promotions, including an Android smartphone giveaway program. Additionally, members of the community were asked to vote for their favorite nonprofit organization to win a $1,000 grant from the Berkshire Bank Foundation –Legacy Region. A total of $11,000 will be provided to 11 community organizations as part of the initiative.

Big Y Again Will Sponsor Spalding Hoophall Classic
SPRINGFIELD — The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame recently announced that Big Y World Class Markets will continue its partnership as the presenting sponsor of the 2012 Spalding Hoophall Classic. The high-school basketball tournament is in its 11th year and has expanded to five days with 46 teams at Springfield College’s Blake Arena on Jan. 12-16. Seven of the nation’s top nine teams from the ESPN FAB 50 rankings will be participating. “We are extremely grateful for Big Y’s commitment to the Hall of Fame and the Spalding Hoophall Classic,” said John L. Doleva, president and CEO of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. “Big Y has been a major participant in the Springfield community, and their support will continue to make an impact on hundreds of aspiring basketball players from New England and around the country.” Tickets are on sale at the Basketball Hall of Fame for $15 for adults and $10 for youths/students (18 and under). All patrons who present a Big Y World Class Market Savings Card will receive a $1 discount on each ticket purchased. For more information on the event, visit www.thehoophallclassic.com.

Northeast Realty Chooses Egan, Flanagan and Cohen
SPRINGFIELD — Northeast Realty Associates LLC, owner of a 152-acre parcel of land in Palmer where Mohegan Sun is proposing to develop a destination resort casino, has retained the law firm Egan, Flanagan and Cohen, P.C. The firm will offer a range of services for Northeast Realty, with attorney Stephen E. Spelman serving as lead counsel relating to the Palmer project. Spelman previously served as an assistant district attorney at the Hampden County District Attorney’s office, and has also worked for Davis Polk & Wardwell in New York City.

People on the Move

By
Stephen A. Roulier
Departments People on the Move

The Board of Directors of Hampden Bancorp Inc., the holding company for Hampden Bank, has unanimously elected Glenn S. Welch President and Chief Operating Officer of the company and the bank effective Jan. 1, 2012. In addition, effective Jan. 1, 2012, Welch has been appointed as a director of the company and the bank. As president, Welch will succeed Thomas R. Burton, who, after serving 17 years as President and CEO, will remain on as the Vice Chairman and CEO of the company and the bank. “After conducting an extensive search that identified several superbly qualified candidates, we have decided that Glenn S. Welch is our choice to lead Hampden,” said Stuart F. Young Jr., Chairman of the Board. “It was extremely important that we find a new president who could build on the strong foundation already in place at Hampden — for which we are grateful for the leadership our current president, Tom Burton, has provided over the years.” In announcing Welch’s appointment, Burton commented, “as a purpose-driven organization, it is vital that we select a leader who not only understands the inner workings of the bank and the industry, but one who has a constant focus on our customers, our shareholders, and on the communities we serve. Glenn was the single candidate who demonstrated he could deliver on all counts. I am delighted with this decision.” Welch has been employed by Hampden since April 1998, serving most recently as executive vice president and division executive of Business Banking. He previously served as vice president of Commercial Loans from April 1998 to June 2002. Prior to joining Hampden, Welch served as vice president, Middle Market Group, at Fleet Bank. Welch is a graduate of Western New England University and earned his MBA from the University of Massachusetts. He currently serves as chairman of the Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield (ACCGS), chair of the board of the Scibelli Enterprise Center and Western New England University Business Advisory Board, Treasurer of the Exchange Club of Springfield, member of DevelopSpringfield, and participant in the City2City project.

•••••

Stephen A. Roulier

Stephen A. Roulier

Stephen A. Roulier has joined Springfield College as Director of the Marketing and Communications Department. He is responsible for strategic marketing, public relations, and brand management.
•••••
Michelle R. Crosby has been appointed Branch Manager at PeoplesBank for its East Main Street office in Westfield.
•••••
Rebecca Caplice

Rebecca Caplice

Rebecca Caplice, President and Chief Executive Officer of Greenfield Savings Bank, has been elected to the Board of Trustees of American International College in Springfield.
•••••
Michael P. Buckmaster

Michael P. Buckmaster

Michael P. Buckmaster has been named Vice President, Commercial Lending at NUVO Bank & Trust Co. in Springfield.
•••••
Freedom Credit Union of Springfield announced the following:
Amy E. Fyden

Amy E. Fyden

• Amy E. Fyden has been appointed Branch Officer of the Easthampton branch; and
Beverly Walz

Beverly Walz

• Beverly Walz has been appointed Branch Officer of the 16 Acres branch in Springfield. As branch officers, both Fyden and Walz oversee the financial and lending operations of their branch, develop new business opportunities with individuals and businesses, and promote financial literacy at area schools.
•••••
Laurie Norton Moffatt, Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, has been nominated into the National Arts Strategies’ highly competitive chief executive program. She is one of 100 executive leaders in the cultural sector chosen to participate in the program. During the next two years, she will engage in discussions with colleagues from the U.S. and abroad about issues including budgeting, financial stability, marketing and development, as well as abstract problems including the role of the arts in modern life and maintaining relevance in a diverse, rapidly changing world.
•••••
Attorney Diana Sorrentini-Velez recently engaged in a discussion with area high-school student peer mediators to enhance their understanding and knowledge surrounding effective mediation and conflict resolution. She is an attorney at Cooley, Shrair in Springfield, and concentrates her practice on mediation, divorce, family law, and special-education law. She also serves as a family-law mediator, having completed the Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education-sponsored Family Law Meditation training program.
•••••
Thomas L. Plasse has been named Director of Finance of the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield.
•••••
Nadia M. Baral has joined Westfield Bank as Vice President and Compliance Officer. A certified regulatory compliance manager, Baral is responsible for the bank’s overall regulatory compliance.
•••••
Mary MacIlvain has joined Dietz & Co. Architects as Marketing Coordinator.
•••••
Glenmeadow in Longmeadow recently announced new board officers and members. They are:
• Eric Fuller, Chairman;
• Suzanne Smith, Vice Chair;
• Paul Nicholson, Treasurer;
• Mary Downey Costello, Clerk;
• Mark Cress, new member of the board; and
• Christopher Gill, new member of the board. In addition,
• Lawrence Bernstein has been elected a Corporator;
• Suzanne Boniface has been elected a Corporator;
• Rabbi Amy Wallk Katz has been elected a Corporator; and
• David Carlson has been elected a Corporator.
Existing members of the board include William Burrows, George Keady, Peter Landon, Ellen McKenna, Mary Meehan, Ann Marie Rome, Joel Weiss, Rachel St. Onge-Boisseau, and Sr. Betsy Sullivan.
•••••
The Johnson Memorial Medical Center (JMMC) board of directors announced recently that David R. Morgan will lead JMMC as President and Chief Executive Officer, dropping the “interim” from his title. Morgan began his tenure at JMMC in 2008 as a consultant and in 2009 was named interim chief operating officer of the organization. During just those two years Morgan restructured the financial and revenue cycle operations of JMMC, and created and implemented an operations improvement program. Morgan continued to serve as JMMC’s chief operating officer until May of this year when he was named interim president and chief executive officer.

Chamber Corners: Upcoming Events

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Chamber Corners Departments

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

Jan. 4: Business@Breakfast, 7:15-9 a.m. at the Sheraton Springfield. The monthly breakfast pays tribute to individuals, businesses, and organizations for major contributions to civic and economic growth and for actions that reflect honor on the region. The chamber breakfast gives your company exposure to business owners, upper management, and salespeople. Each month, September through June, the event is hosted at a different location throughout the ACCGS community. To reserve tickets, contact Cecile Larose at (413) 787-1555 or [email protected]

Jan. 4: After 5, 5-7 p.m. Network, build relationships, and forge strategic partnerships. The ACCGS After 5, held the second Wednesday of certain months September through June, offers business professionals from diverse industries an opportunity to exchange business leads while socializing in a casual atmosphere. For more information, contact Cecile Larose at (413) 787-1555 or [email protected]

Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce
www.amherstarea.com
(413) 253-0700

Jan. 11: Amherst Area Chamber Breakfast & Annual Meeting, 7:15-9 a.m., at the Courtyard by Marriott. Tickets: $12 for members, $15 for non-members.

Jan. 25: Amherst Area Chamber After 5, 5-7 p.m. Cost: $5 for members; $10 for non-members. The new chamber Web site will debut.

Franklin County Chamber of Commerce
www.franklincc.org
(413) 773-5463

Jan. 17: Business After Hours, 5-7 p.m. at the Farm Table at Kringle Candle, Bernardston. Tickets: $5 for members, $8 for non-members.

Jan. 27: Breakfast Series, 7:30-9 a.m. at the Greenfield Corporate Center. Program TBA. Co-sponsored by F/H Career Center. Tickets: $12 for members, $15 for non-members.

Greater Easthampton Chamber of Commerce
www.easthamptonchamber.org
(413) 527-9414

Jan. 26: Chamber Annual Meeting & Awards Dinner, 5 p.m. at Southampton Country Club. Annual awards presentation for business, business person, and nonprofit members of the year. Also, a review of a successful, 2011, and a celebration of member milestones. Cost: $30 per person, inclusive. For more information, visit [email protected]

Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce
www.holycham.com
(413) 534-3376

Jan. 11: 2011 Winners Circle, 5-7 p.m., at the Yankee Pedlar, 1866 Northampton St., Holyoke. Sponsored by Dowd Insurance Agency; Holyoke Community College; Holyoke Medical Center; PeoplesBank; Resnic, Beauregard, Waite & Driscoll; and Universal Plastics. Cost: $25. Call the chamber at (413) 534-3376.

Jan. 18: Chamber After Hours, 5-7 p.m., at Mrs. Mitchell’s Kitchen, 514 Westfield Road, Holyoke. Sponsored by Holyoke Credit Union. Cost: $10 for members, $15 cash for non-members.

Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce
www.explorenorthampton.com
(413) 584-1900

Jan. 4: January Arrive@5, 5-7 p.m., at Verizon Wireless/Wireless Zone, 162 North King St., Northampton. Sponsored by Normandeau Communications Inc. Cost: $10 for members. Arrive@5 is a casual mix and mingle with your colleagues and friends.

Northampton Area Young Professional Society
www.thenayp.com
(413) 584-1900

Jan. 12: NAYP Monthly Networking Event, 5-7 p.m., at the World War II Club, 50 Conz St., Northampton. Cost: free for members, $5 for guests.

Professional Women’s Chamber
www.professionalwomenschamber.com
(413) 755-1310

Jan. 18: Professional Women’s Chamber Business Expo, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., at Max’s Tavern at the Basketball Hall of Fame. Accepting reservations for the 14th Annual Tabletop Expo. Last year’s successful expo was a sellout. Sign up today to showcase your company’s products and services or to attend the event. Display price includes a draped table and lunch for one. General admission tickets include specialty sandwiches, fruit, chips, and dessert.  For more information, contact Lynn Johnson at (413) 787-1555 or [email protected]

Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce
www.westfieldbiz.org
(413) 568-1618

Jan. 9: Mayor’s Coffee Hour, 8-9 a.m., at Dunkin’ Donuts, 625 East Main St., Westfield. Cost: free.

Jan. 18: WestNet networking event, 5-7 p.m., at Tucker’s Restaurant, 625 College Highway, Southwick. Opportunity to meet other local businesses and chamber members. Cash bar and free hors’doeuvres. Tickets: $10 for chamber members, $15 for non-members. Your first WestNet is always free.

Picture This

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Monet 2
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]

Old Masters to Monet

Monet 1
Monet 2
Monet 3
Monet 4More than 150 guests attended the D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts’ preview reception for the exhibition “Old Masters to Monet: Three Centuries of French Painting” from the Wadsworth Atheneum. Guests included exhibition sponsors and major donors to the Springfield Museums. The exhibition of 50 masterpieces will be on view through April 29. “Old Masters to Monet” was organized by the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art in Hartford. Presentation of the exhibition in Springfield is funded in part by the Michele and Donald D’Amour Fund, established in 2008 to bring world-class art exhibitions to the D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts. From top: from left, Patricia Hambley, Mark Hambley, and Joanna Rosenthal: from left, Joanna Rosenthal, David Starr; Holly Smith-Bové, president of the Springfield Museums; and Peggy Starr; from left, Lyman Wood; Merrie Wood; Heather Haskell, director of the Springfield Art Museums; Julia Courtney, curator of art, Springfield Museums; Michele D’Amour; Dr. Eric Zafran, curator of European art at the Wadsworth Atheneum; and Donald D’Amour; Dr. Paul Friedmann looks over some of the paintings.

















Food Fest West

The West of the River Chamber of Commerce (WRC) staged its Fifth Annual Food Fest West on Dec. 8 at Crestview Country Club in Agawam. Sponsored by Western Massachusetts Electric Co., First Niagara Bank, and OMG Inc., the event featured the foods of area restaurants including Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Casa di Lisa, Chez Josef, Crestview Country Club, Lower Pioneer Valley Educational Collaborative, Magic Spoon, Mama Iguana’s, Nina’s Cookies, Nora’s, O’Connor’s Pub & Grille, Partners Restaurant, Tekoa Country Club, and Tokyo Asian Cuisine. Restaurants competed to win awards and prizes for best food and best presentation during the course of the evening. A chef auction was also be held, where attendees could bid on meals provided by their favorite chefs.  Proceeds raised by Food Fest West will go toward the Partnership for Education and the WRC Educational Fund, which provides grants to businesses for on-the-job training and continuing educational needs. Top, the team from the Magic Spoon. Bottom, some of the desserts that tempted attendees.






Award-winning Efforts


At Freedom Credit Union’s recent annual dinner, Ana Frasco, mortgage processor, top, received the President’s Award from Barry Crosby, Freedom president and CEO. The award recognizes her commitment to professional excellence. She was nominated by a colleague who recognized her exemplary attitude in her service to members and fellow employees, and her contributions to the success of the credit union. In addition, Julia Beaudoin, bottom, Freedom’s director of Human Resources, received a special Tribute Award from Crosby for her leadership actions taken during the tornado on June 1, 2011, ensuring the safety of employees and members at the Freedom branch on Main Street in Springfield.

Editorial

By
Opinion
Investment Key to a Resurgent Springfield

While visiting Grand Rapids, Mich. recently, several members of a delegation from Greater Springfield (see related story page 20) — participants in a program called City2City — engaged in a little game of ‘what if …’
“Suppose a group from Grand Rapids were to come to the City of Homes,” those initiating the exercise began. “Where would we take them, and what could we show them that would make them say, ‘wow!’”
There was some disagreement, but the general consensus was that such a delegation should certainly visit the Technology Park at Springfield Technical Community College and its Scibelli Enterprise Center, both unique facilities. Baystate’s Hospital of the Future (a $250 million initiative) would certainly be on a tour agenda, as well as the Pioneer Valley Life Sciences Institute, which the health system has developed in conjunction with UMass Amherst. The Quandrangle might warrant a visit (especially its new history museum, a tribute to Springfield’s industrial past). The Basketball Hall of Fame might make the itinerary, and perhaps the convention center, although every major city seems to have one of those.
So those playing this game concluded that, while Springfield has some things going on, there probably isn’t enough to fill a two-day visit with interesting stops, and thus certainly not enough to qualify Springfield for the same title Grand Rapids has earned: ‘resurgent city.’
It’s easy to see why Springfield is on the wrong end of the City2City tours: while those communities have successfully reinvented themselves and diversified their economies from strong manufacturing bases (or are well down that road), Springfield is still in the early stages of that process.
But there is something else missing as well. It was a word heard repeatedly in both Winston-Salem and Greensboro, N.C., visited by a City2City delegation a year ago, and again in Grand Rapids: investment. Individuals and corporations are investing in those three communities. Some are investing in Springfield (MassMutual, Baystate Health, and Big Y, for example, can’t be expected to do more), but simply not enough.
Instead, many businesses and individuals are dis-investing, by moving out of the city and especially its downtown, or by standing on the sidelines and hoping that someone else will take the lead in revitalizing Springfield. Such actions are still signs of the troubling times for the region’s largest city and unofficial capital.
The Grand Rapids city manager told the Springfield delegation that many of the professionals and businesses that had moved out of the Furniture City in the ’70s and ’80s have moved back in. The reason? Because they not only want to be there, but feel they need to be there. How many business owners can say the same about Springfield?
Not enough, certainly, and the reason is obvious: the city hasn’t given them enough cause to feel that way. Despite the many stops of interest listed above, Springfield is still lacking momentum, lacking what those in Grand Rapids called “game-changers,” and lacking investment.
The June 1 tornadoes and the vacant lots they’ve created in the South End and elsewhere provide opportunities for some investment, and the possibility for some true game-changers. In the meantime, there were plenty of vacant and underutilized properties before the twister struck, and a general lack of vibrancy on most days.
But Springfield is a classic chicken-and-egg case. Specifically, why would people invest in a city that lacks momentum and vibrancy? But how does a city gain vibrancy unless people are willing to invest?
Somehow, both things have to start happening at once. Most say this will occur when there’s a spark, something like the huge hotel renovation project in Grand Rapids or that city’s new downtown arena. Sparks are good, but what’s better is a general understanding that investments in Springfield are investments in this region — and investments in a better future for everyone.

Building Permits

By
Building Permits Departments
The following building permits were issued during the month of December 2011.

AGAWAM

A.D.E. Enterprises, LLC
916 Suffield St.
$160,000 — Interior renovations

Dollar Tree
830 Suffield Road
$6,200 — New sprinkler system

First Baptist Church
760 Main St.
$42,000 — New roof

AMHERST

Orchard Run Associates
1150 West St.
$346,000 — Install driven post-racking system to support 46 KW grid-tied solar array

PVP Holdings
36 Boltwood Walk
$2,500 — Interior renovation

Pioneer Valley Living Care Center
1 Spencer Dr.
$16,000 — Third-floor renovations

HADLEY

Aegis Real Estate, LLC
241 Russell St.
$293,000 — Rear addition to building

Dunkin Donuts
41 South Maple St.
$59,000 — Remodel interior

GGP Quality Enterprises, LLC
P.O. Box 1146
$2,500 — Interior renovations

HOLYOKE

Matthew Mainville
475 Maple St.
$151,000 — Renovate three apartments for ADA compliance

SBA Sites Inc.
29 Mt. Tom Ski Road
$646,000 — Install access road, tower, and foundations

SBA Sites Inc.
29 Mt. Tom Ski Road
$69,000 — Modify existing tower

NORTHAMPTON

6 Crafts Avenue, LLC
376 Pleasant St.
$37,000 — Exterior renovations

Cooley Dickinson Hospital, Inc.
30 Locust St.
$56,000 — Renovate meeting room for new chapel

Kelly Kristan
263 Main St.
$617,000 — Renovate second and third floor

New Frills Inc.
15 King St.
$11,600 — Replace rubber roof

Northampton Terminal Associate
1 Old South St.
$11,000 — Construct walls to create new offices

Ten Main Street Florence, LLC
10 Main St.
$85,000 — Renovation to medical office space

WAM, LLC
115 Industrial Dr.
$26,000 — New roof

Roman Catholic Bishop of Springfield
101 King St.
$74,000 — Repair and replace roof

Seven Bravo Two, LLC
152 Cross Path Road
$130,000 — Construct rooftop solar panel on storage building

SOUTH HADLEY

First Congregational Church
1 Church St.
$6,850 — Build storage rooms

SPRINGFIELD

APG Properties
130 Eastern Ave.
$78,000 — Re-roof

E. Brook, LP
309 Fernbank Road
$24,000 — New roof

Springfield Housing Authority
347-367 Central St.
$550,000 — Re-roof

WESTFIELD

City of Westfield
28 West Silver St.
$1,976,000 — Alterations

David Schenna
845 Airport Industrial Park
$58,000 — New metal building

Engineer Realty Corporation
53 Southampton Road
$50,000 — Alterations

First Congregational Church
18 Broad St.
$112,000 — Alterations

Koziar Capital, LLC
66 Union St.
$115,000 — Alterations

Lower Mill Inc.
77 Mill St.
$564,000 — Alterations

Shell Oil Company
259 North Elm St.
$80,000 — Alterations

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Creanza Realty
945 Main St.
$295,000 — New roof

E & K Realty Trust
60 Gary Dr.
$120,000 — Renovate 3,750 of office space

VFW
764 Riverdale St.
$14,000 — New roof

Victoria Temple Church of God
521 Union St.
$69,000 — Exterior renovation

Bankruptcies

By
Bankruptcies Departments

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

Abdou, David G.
Abdou, Andrea G.
322 Lyon St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/08/11

Acevedo, Santos
59 St. Lawrence Ave.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/01/11

Agure, Donna
34 Craig Dr., Apt. E 5
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/10/11

Arpin, Cindy
6 Farragut St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/10/11

B&B Landscaping and Excavating
Piccolo, Robert J.
260 East Center St.
Lee, MA 01238
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/02/11

Bak, Bruno M.
Bak, Patricia A.
95 Forest St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/04/11

BDF Property Improvements
Forgue, Jason R.
Forgue, Katharine M.
23 Bromley Road
Chester, MA 01011
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/02/11

Beamon, Tracy
37 Border St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 11/11/11

Benedetti, Sherri
Benedetti, Michael
180 Green River Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/05/11

Bessette, Kristen M.
a/k/a Jaskulski, Kristen M.
53 James St.
Feeding Hills, MA 01030
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/08/11

Brown, Diana L.
49 Old Farm Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/07/11

Butler, William D.
Butler, Deborah A.
95 Westwood Dr.
Sturbridge, MA 01566
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/31/11

Camp, Patrick W.
23 Windsor St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/07/11

Carter, Glenn T.
Carter, Constance A.
363 Bullard Road
Oakham, MA 01068
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/31/11

Champaca Journeys
Leupold, John Eric
35 New South St., #201
Northampton, MA 01060
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/09/11

Colon, Carole A.
a/k/a Hall, Carole A.
5 Bellwood Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/10/11

Cook, Thomas B.
18-20 O’Connor Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 11/15/11

Corbett, Elizabeth M.
189 Springfield Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/08/11

Cosme, Marianne Nina
15 William St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/14/11

Cote, Gail P.
310 Stafford St., #151
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/08/11

Crow, Karen A.
a/k/a Moorehouse, Karen
3 Jeane Dr.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 11/09/11

Cruz, Edith
100 Division St., Apt. 802
Springfield, MA 01107
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/15/11

Cruzado-Vila, Concepcion
938 St. James Ave.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/31/11

Delgado, Mark A.
494 School St. #303.
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/31/11

Dessources, Marie Kettelyne
616 Armory St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 11/08/11

DH Enterprises
Hescock, Danny L.
11 Oak St.
Gill, MA 01354
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/08/11

Diaz, Luis A.
15 Morris St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/31/11

Donnachie, Stephen M.
Donnachie, Diane
44 River Road
Worthington, MA 01098
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 11/02/11

Dyl, Stanley A.
350 Meadow St #69
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/14/11

Elser, David M.
35 Glenwood Ave.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/09/11

Etheridge, David R.
59 Sylvester St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/31/11

Fernandes, Roberto
21 Jackson St., #2
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/08/11

Fontaine, Paul L.
873 Springfield St., Apt.#7
Feeding Hills, MA 01030
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/31/11

Fontanez, Gilrolanel
500 Hancock St., Apt G
Springfield, MA 01105
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/08/11

Fortier, David L.
90 Main St., Apt. C
Northfield, MA 01360
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/10/11

Gaspari, Alexander
Gaspari, Fay A.
66 Kon Tiki Circle
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/03/11

Gonzalez, Katrina Maria
331 Cold Spring Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 11/05/11

Goodwin, Roy J.
75 Birch St.
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/14/11

Griswold, Corinna M.
P.O. Box 514
Haydenville, MA 01039
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/10/11

Griswold, Jr., Ronald J.
Griswold, Emmanouilla
106 Fenton Road
Monson, MA 01057
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/15/11

Harper, Phillip V.
Harper, Jane V.
15 Webbs Ct.
Ware, MA 01082
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 11/11/11

Harris, Diane Mary
PO Box 557
Pittsfield, MA 01202
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/09/11

Hart, Laurie A.
19 Greenwood Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/15/11

Hilson, Arthur L.
Hilson, Cynthia L.
a/k/a Noyes, Cynthia
a/k/a Gonzalez, Cynthia L.
275 Gresham St.
Springfield, MA 01119-1469
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 11/09/11

Hopkins, Marla Jean
30 High St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/31/11

Hoynoski, Tina E.
62 Union St., Apt. 1
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/10/11

Hurst, Jeffrey R.
180 Cherokee Dr.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/08/11

Jopson, Mildred P.
41 Chestnut St., Apt. 514
Holyoke, MA 01040-4631
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/10/11

Jurkowski, Kilean P.
Jurkowski, Nicole L.M.
60 Pleasant St., Apt. A
Easthampton, MA 01027
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/10/11

Kabaniec, Cynthia A.
P.O.Box 1008
Ashfield, MA 01330
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/05/11

Kirkpatrick, Mark D.
40 Spruce St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/08/11

Krause-Cote, Marie
22 Canal St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/07/11

Laporte, Marta B.
34 Schley St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/10/11

Lauziere, Elizabeth E.
767 Beacon Circle
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/10/11

Lefebvre, Brian K.
Lefebvre, Cathleen
a/k/a Normand, Cathleen
a/k/a Rios, Cathleen
90 Riverboat Village Road
South Hadley, MA 01075
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/31/11

Lichtenberger, Lisa M.
1794 White Pond Road
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/14/11

Lizotte, Scott A.
166 West Main St., Apt. 3
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/31/11

Lombard, John F.
166 West Main St., Apt. 3
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/31/11

Lusty, William Joseph
430 Old Warren Road
Palmer, MA 01069
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 11/01/11

Martinez, Ramiro
300 Walnut St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/07/11

Martinson, Todd J.
22A Main St.
Monson, MA 01057
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/15/11

Matos, Samuel
587 South Bridge St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/14/11

McCutcheon, Eric J.
555 Russell Road, Apt. J61
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 10/31/11

McHugh, Paul E.
519 East River St., Lot 29
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/31/11

Mejias, Rolando
Mejias, Flor M.
59 David St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 11/15/11

Michaels, Katie F.
a/k/a Colby, Katie F.
113 Brewster St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 11/01/11

Napravnick, Gina
18 Kent Ave.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/10/11

Nardin, Rosalie M.
P.O. Box 419
Stockbridge, MA 01262
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/10/11

Narvaez, Carmen M.
a/k/a Carmen, Narvaez
a/k/a Melendez, Carmen
43 Portland St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/09/11

Nelson, Dianna L.
109 Marten St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/31/11

Nelson, Michael A.
76 Hazen St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/31/11

Noga, Peter E.
Noga, Erica L.
18 Laurel Road
Huntington, MA 01050
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 11/09/11

O’Soro, Michael David
O’Soro, Noreen Bellmore
75 Strong Ave.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 11/03/11

Paro, Tina M.
103 Doverbrook Road
Chicopee, MA 01022
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/07/11

Patenaude, Charles Raymond
Haire, Teresa Catherine
60 Purinton Road
Shelburne Falls, MA 01370
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/31/11

Peich, Milan P.
116 North Ridge Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/10/11

Pichierri, Randall Vincent
10 Chamberlain Hill Road
Barre, MA 01005
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/09/11

Pioneer Tax & Business Service
Bistro 186
Hampshire Financial & Business
Lowney, Robert B.
P.O. Box 265
Hatfield, MA 01038
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/03/11

Rivadeneira, Carlos
15 Kelleher Dr.
South Deerfield, MA 01373
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/31/11

Smith, Craig A.
64 Whitney St.
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/31/11

Smith, Melissa A.
15 James St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/31/11

Snow, Jonathan K.
25 Norman Circle
Turners Falls, MA 01376
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/31/11

Spooner, William A.
118 Eagleville Road
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/02/11

Stec, Elizabeth M.
52 Casino Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 11/08/11

Surprenant, Louise A.
42 Roberta Circle
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/15/11

Theodorakis, Nickolas H.
71 Larchley Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/08/11

Torres, Magda
66 Pine St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/08/11

Vega, Jose L.
P.O. Box 955
Rutland, MA 01543
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/31/11

Vittorino, JoAnn
190 Rolling Green Dr.
Amherst, MA 01002
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/10/11

Wegrzyn, Paul A.
Wegrzyn, Cassandra A.
PO Box 383
Chicopee, MA 01021
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/14/11

Widelo, John W.
157 West Main St.
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/31/11

Williams, Daniel Christopher
21 Riverside Dr.
Florence, MA 01062
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 11/02/11

Wilson, James E.
Wilson, Annmarie R.
54 Chester St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 11/10/11

Yerrick, Kevin M.
49 Velma Ave.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/31/11

Doing Business As Certificates

By
DBA Certificates Departments

The following Business Certificates and Trade Names were issued or renewed during the month of December 2011.

AMHERST

1Tek
310 Market Hill Road
Gregg Hutchins

Acupuncture Works
479 West St.
Linda Robinson-Hidas

Amherst Corner
18 North Plesant St.
Mohamed Nagooradumai

Integrated Strategies Group
88 Grantwood Dr.
Zvi Rozen

Moving Mentor Inc.
123 Maplewood Circle
Barbara Perman

Spyntegrity
35 South Pleasant St.
Lindsay Abbate

Stone House Farm
649 East Pleasant St.
Candace Tolley

The Flexible Farmer
55 High St.
Lydia Irons

HADLEY

63 East Realty, LLC
63 East St.
Babak Gojgini

Applebee’s
100 Westgate Center
Apple New England

Creamy Delights
71 Lawrence Plain
Patricia McCarthy

Gamestop
367 Russell St.
Gametop Inc.

Harvest Market
78 Comins Road
Peggy Thibbitts

Kentucky Fried Chicken
3 South Maple St.
Michael Houston

Longview Farm
14 Barstow Lane
Steven Barstow

M. Jolly Trucking
45 Knightly Road
Matt Jolly

Old Navy
339 Russell St.
Old Navy LLC

Twin Oaks Farm
116 Stockbridge St.
Linda Kingsley

HOLYOKE

Gary’s Specialgiftmerchandise.com
631 South Summer St.
Garrison Pollard Sr.

Las Chicken Market
341 Appleton St.
Lidia C. Rodriguez

M & E Barbershop
120 Suffolk St.
Militza Santos

Pett Operations Inc.
50 Holyoke St.
Robert Pett

Sports Zone
50 Holyoke St.
James M. Dent

NORTHAMPTON

Cellu-Spray Insulation
55 Maple St.
Jonathan Tayer

Clarity Bodywork
16 Center St.
Sarah Hagedorn

Clinic Alternative Medicine
98 Main St.
Jennifer Nery

Comfort Heating & Cooling
7 Hinckles St.
Dale R. Simmons

Health FX
41 Locust St.
Timothy Molitoris

Island Homes USA
19 Tyler Circle
Alan M. Miller

Mad Capture Media
151 Media St.
Max Benjamin

Misty River Ballooning
82 Bliss St.
Donald LaFountain

My Garage
109 Bridge St.
Diane Todrin

Qi Internetics
241 King St.
John Zebrum

River of Grace Yoga
176 Crescent St.
Carole Bull

Vessel Coffee
28 Green St.
Rabeeh Saleh

Village Computers
18 Michelman Ave.
Aaron Clark

SPRINGFIELD

Julio C. Beltran Cleaning
87 Belle St.
Julio C. Beltran

LA Fitness
1150 West Columbus Ave.
LA Fitness

M. Clark Photography
75 Prouty St.
Maria F. Clark

Michelle’s Hair Salon
50 Hartley St.
Michelle R. Green

Palazzo Café
1350 Main St.
Luisa Cardaropoli

Primos Pizza
824 Worthington St.
Marie Melikian

School of the Noble
24 Schuyler St.
Ahmad A. Sharif

Smith & Wesson
2100 Roosevelt Ave.
Jeffrey D. Buchanan

Sunny Nails
801 Belmont Ave.
Van P. Nguyen

The Chicharron Restaurant
494 Central St.
Rafael Marte

Tools Home Improvement
42 Manhattan St.
Hector Quiles

Up’n Coming Artist
19 Layzon Brothers Road
Devin R. O’Connor

Vinh Chau Restaurant
409 Dickinson St.
Phuong Nguyen

WESTFIELD

Cassin Academy of Irish Dance
17 Castle Hill Road
Maura Cassin

Prolamina Corporation
132 North Elm St.
Joseph Kwederis

Utility Service New England
4 Coleman Ave.
David Miller

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Century Auto Service
1615 Riverdale St.
Peter R. Platanitis Jr.

Karen Provost Massage Therapy
698 Westfield St.
Karen F. Provost

Pavel Water Filtration
70 Windsor St.
Henry H. Pavel

Titan U.S.A.
140 Baldwin St.
Ralph S. Colby

Building Permits

By
Building Permits Departments
The following building permits were issued during the month of November 2011.

AGAWAM

Crown Castle
628 Meadow St.
$15,000 — Telecommunications maintenance

Six Flags New England
1623 Main St.
$1,500,000 — Form and pour concrete footing for Giant Inverted Boomerang Rollercoaster

WWLP TV
591 North West St.
$15,000 — Telecommunications maintenance

AMHERST

First Congregational Church
165 Main St.
$2,000 — Repair two front entry columns

Sean M. Clarke
531 Main St.
$6,000 — Roof repair

UMass
388 North Pleasant St.
$38,000 — New roof at Hiller House

HADLEY

E & A/I & G
1221 Main St.
$291,000 — Interior renovations

Hadley Housing Authority
Golden Court
$17,500 — New roof

Yoon Chun Suk
229 Russell St.
$4,700 — New roof

HOLYOKE

Fontaine Properties
20 Easthampton Road
$40,000 — Re-install roof

Holyoke Water Power Company
200 Northampton St.
$15,000 — Remove and replace six antennas

Pulaski Heights Inc.
76 Maple St.
$15,000 — Remove and replace six antennas

NORTHAMPTON

Atwood Drive, LLC
Atwood Dr.
$100,000 — Construct 13,000-square-foot foundation for medical/office building

Cooper’s Dairyland
55 State St.
$8,900 — Emergency structural repairs

Covest Northampton, LLC
327 King St.
$250,000 — Exterior renovations

Covest Northampton, LLC
327 King St.
$183,000 — Construct 1,750-square-foot addition

Daniel Polachek
335 South St.
$4,700 — Strip and shingle portions of roof

Joe Curran
72 Masonic St.
$5,000 — Add roof over entry deck

Julia Freedgood
15 Merrick St.
$17,000 — Strip and shingle roof

Searle Realty Trust
85 Easthampton Road
$120,000 — Construct new storage building

SOUTH HADLEY

Loomis Village
246 North Main St.
$19,000 — Build porch enclosure

SPRINGFIELD

CSM North
195 State St.
$750,000 — Interior renovations

East Springfield Family Restaurant
1003 St. James Ave.
$15,000 — Interior renovations

Springfield Rescue Mission
146 Taylor St.
$31,000 — New roof

WESTFIELD

Dennis Botticello
11 Summit Lock Road
$38,000 — Addition

F.L. Roberts & Company Inc.
90 South Maple St.
$575,000 — Construct new Jiffylube

National Industrial Portfolio
1111 Southampton Road
$25,000 — Addition

North Hartland Dry Kilns Inc.
Sgt. TM Dion Way
$140,000 — Construct new commercial building

Ronald Cecchini
591 North Road
$12,000,000 — Construct new building

Zak Francis
501 Southampton Road
$596,000 — New floor covering building

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Bob Simpson
76 Westfield St.
$12,000 — Renovate 1,250 square feet of commercial structure

Cellular Sales of MA
6513 Kingston Pike
$100.000 — Commercial fit-out

Konover Corporation
380 Union St.
$12,500 — Pour concrete piers and lally columns

Mittineague Children’s Center
1840 Westfield St.
$1,000 — Erect two partition demising walls

Bankruptcies

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

Acosta-Pacheco, Miguel
39 Ledyard St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/21/11

Adamczyk, Michael T.
177 Farnsworth St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 10/28/11

Ahern, Jeffrey
Ahern, Brenda M.
39 Jessie Lane
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 10/19/11

Anuraj, Migdalia
337 Main St.
Indian Orchard, MA 01151
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/17/11

Avila, Sonia I.
251 Beech St. #1
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 10/19/11

Bacigalupo, Nancy A.
310 High Knob Road
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/31/11

Baez, Ramon M.
40 Suffolk St., Apt. 2F
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/28/11

Barker, Scott T.
335 Barker Road
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/20/11

Beany, Robert J.
27 Orile Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/27/11

Beesen, Jens C.
Beesen, Marsha J.
177 Captain Beers Plain
Northfield, MA 01360
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/19/11

Bello, David
51 Portulaca Dr.
Springfield, MA 01129
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/25/11

Benedict, Harold C.
531 South St.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/21/11

Bertram, Laura J.
295 Britton St., Apt.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/21/11

Bode, Stephen R.
Bode, Christina A.
221 Lancaster Dr.
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/17/11

Brooke, Kevin A.
2 Barker St.
Palmer, MA 01080
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 10/18/11

Bruscoe, Jeffrey J.
108 West St.
West Hatfield, MA 01088
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 10/25/11

Burke, William D.
Burke, Rhianna M.
99 Cambridge Ave.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/27/11

Burris, Michael
1037 Shaker Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/26/11

Canevari, Elizabeth J.
17 Ridgeview Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/17/11

Canine Design
Levchenko, Svetlana D.
83 Doverbrook Road
Chicopee, MA 01022
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/27/11

Clark, Joan R.
147 Rosemary Dr.
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 10/25/11

Clark, Todd Andrew
81 Conz St., Apt 311
Northampton, MA 01060
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/20/11

Cole, Nancy J.
95 Lasalle St.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 10/21/11

Coleman, Elizabeth Anne
a/k/a Mooney, Elizabeth Anne
2075 Old Keene Road
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/29/11

Cook, Tobye Jill
101 Lake St.
Florence, MA 01062
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/28/11

Curtis, Sean D.
6 Gardens Dr.
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/28/11

David, Rebecca Lynn
7 Jon Dr.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/19/11

Davis, Debra Asbury
158 Riviera Dr.
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/31/11

Davis, Jones Kirk
158 Riviera Dr.
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/31/11

Dawicki, John F.
Dawicki, Jannine M.
65 Fiske Mill Road
Shelburne, MA 01370
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/20/11

Dieni, Daniel
13 Joanne Circle
Feeding Hills, MA 01030
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/20/11

Drummond, Edward N.
229 Mohawk Trail
Florida, MA 01247
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 10/17/11

Ellard, Dawn M
a/k/a Plourde, Dawm M.
113 James St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/20/11

Fleming, Jean Strain
42 Vadnais St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/27/11

Foy, Kris James
Foy, Dorothy L.
1076 Berkshire Ave.
Indian Orchard, MA 01151
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/21/11

Gauthier, Johanna E.
114 Dubois St.
Indian Orchard, MA 01151
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/24/11

George, Louis M.
George, Christy
1242 Dunham Town Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 10/19/11

Giraldi, Denise
83 Crescent Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/26/11

Gohr, Donna M.
40 Long Plain Road
South Deerfield, MA 01373
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/24/11

Grayson, Kathryn Claire
33 Kellogg Ave. #37
Amherst, MA 01002
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/26/11

Gulluni, Anthony
20 Rockland St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/28/11

Gurney, Christine L.
8 Brimfield Road
Monson, MA 01057
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/28/11

Hamel, Debra Lenee
a/k/a Hamel-Kearney, Debra Lenee
P.O. Box 148
Easthampton, MA 01027
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/20/11

Hartnet, Thomas D.
76 Lewis Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/21/11

Hopkins, Joyce L.
12 Princeton Ave.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/19/11

Joseph, Tricia Ann
11 Yale St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/24/11

Keeler, Thomas J.
Keeler, Mary F.
82 Meadowbrook Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/25/11

Keough, Norma E.
46 H Prospect St.
Hatfield, MA 01038
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/31/11

Kielbania, Jonathan Paul
Kielbania, Virginia Louise
a/k/a Barry, Virginia
a/k/a Miller, Virginia
a/k/a Richards, Virginia
81 Jacob St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/31/11

King, Stephen W.
95 Butternut Dr.
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 10/26/11

Kozlowski, Marie J.
24 Farquhar Road
Sturbridge, MA 01566
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/21/11

Lavigne, Alfred H.
Lavigne, Lola D.
P.O. Box 333
Lee, MA 01238
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/24/11

LeClair, Rebecca J.
a/k/a Benoit, Rebecca J.
130 Main St., 2nd Floor
South Hadley, MA 01075
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/27/11

LeClair, Robert J.
64 Timothy Circle
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/26/11

Lukin, Mikhail P.
Lukin, Marya
26 Alfred St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/19/11

Marcoux, Brian L.
115 Foch Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/23/11

Marion, Fred Robert
463 Beech St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/31/11

Marsh, Richard T.
Marsh, Patricia R.
15 Autumn Lane
Belchertown, MA 01007
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/27/11

Mascroft, Paula J.
a/k/a Dodge, Paula J.
216 Wheelwright Road
Barre, MA 01005
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/20/11

Matias, Ramona
349 Chestnut St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/18/11

Miller, Brandon J.
476 Berkshire Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/24/11

Mulvaney, Sonya
P.O. Box 516
Chicopee, MA 01021
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 10/28/11

Nissopoulos, Cleopatra A.
110 Somers Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/19/11

O’Day-Prizio, Melissa
254 Little Alum Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/21/11

Orenstein, Matthew J.
61 Groveland St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/19/11

Pacunas, Kristopher J.
121 Aldrich St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/26/11

Pedigo, Donna Ruth
15 High St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/17/11

Pellegri, Robert C.
56 North Main St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/18/11

Perusse, John E.
Perusse, Lucille B.
245 Johnson Road
Becket, MA 01223
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/21/11

Polchlopek, Jennifer L.
72 Kendall St.
Granby, MA 01033
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/21/11

Potvin, Paul E.
44 Kelley Road
Chicopee, MA 01022
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/17/11

Reagan, James M.
Reagan, Joanne L.
1 Klondike Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/23/11

Reed, Jeffrey
Reed, Shelley
6 Terry Lane
Belchertown, MA 01007
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/27/11

Rivera, Arida
15 Valley Heights St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/24/11

Rodriguez, Lou W.
47 Grant St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/17/11

Rogalski, Jane T.
a/k/a Rogalski Hill, Jane T.
79 Alfred St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/27/11

Rooney, Mary H.
5 Pine St. Apt. 3
Northfield, MA 01360
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/26/11

Sanderson, Brenda Lee
47 Thayer Road
Monson, MA 01057
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/27/11

Schryver, Harry J.
Schryver, Carole A.
46 Echo Lane
Easthampton, MA 01027
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/27/11

Sebastino, Gene P.
100 Bucklin Road
Adams, MA 01220
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 10/21/11

Sherblom, Carol Jane
a/k/a Bullard, Carol J.
a/k/a Richardson, Carol J.
46 Seminole Ave.
Hubbardston, MA 01452
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/29/11

Silver Photography
Silver, David E.
Silver, Susan P.
21 Lower Beverly Hills
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/28/11

Skorupski, Scott M.
a/k/a Parchinskaya-Skorupski, Natasha
69 Lathrop St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/28/11

St. Louis, Daniel L.
138 West Silver St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/18/11

Steele, Dennis Robert
Steele, Susan Jean
162 North Hoosac Road
Williamstown, MA 01267
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 10/25/11

Swan, Linda J.
65 Wheeler St.
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/29/11

Taquino, Tammy J.
268 Palmer Road
Trailer 55
Monson, MA 01057
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/20/11

Torres, Alexis J.
155 West St, Apt 2
Northampton, MA 01060
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/20/11

Turan, Faith
40 Editha Ave.
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/21/11

Vega, Jorge L.
217 Merrimack Ave.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/20/11

Wachta, Stanley J.
46C Valley View
Ware, MA 01082
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/17/11

Welch, Kevin
3 Vista Cir.
Rutland, MA 01543
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/27/11

Wheeler, Deborah A.
103 Parkedge Dr.
Feeding Hills, MA 01030
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/27/11

Williams, Roy Blane
184 Birch Bluffs Dr
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 10/19/11

Wilson, Duane E.
281 Chauncey St. Lot #566
Belchertown, MA 01007
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/27/11

Wright, Michael R.
444 Cooper St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 10/18/11

Doing Business as Certificates

By
DBA Certificates Departments
The following Business Certificates and Trade Names were issued or renewed during the month of November 2011.

AMHERST

Amherst Chinese Medicine
409 Main St.
Xiaqiang Zhao

Amherst-Ideal Weight Loss
379 College St.
Jeanette Wilburn

Brigade
6 University Dr.
Kirsten Modestow

Ghoghoo Ghora
22 Southpoint Dr.
Shireen Chaudhy

Good & Healthy Inc.
1 Boltwood Walk
Robert Lowry

Thrada Design Studio
17 Walnut St.
Brian Devore

Valley Frameworks
534 Main St.
Archival Matters Inc.

HADLEY

Affordable Autos of Hadley
11 Railroad St.
Norman Wilber

Carey Farm
26 East St.
Cam Carey

Chinese Kung Fu Wushu Academy
206 River Dr.
Binh Q. Nguyen

Hadley Picture Framing
44 River Dr.
Thomas Vachula

Ken’s Catering
136 Russell St.
Ken Berestka

Payless Shoe
367 Russell St.
Cheryl Falk

River Drive Auto Body
81 River Dr.
Stephen Szymkowicz

Southern New England Spice
35 Lawrence Place
Diane Kirby

TJ’s Taylor Rental
301 Russell St.
James Falcone

HOLYOKE

All in One
92 Suffolk St.
Luis A. Arena

El Rincon Boricua Restaurant
216 Lyman St.
Virgen Lopez

K & C Cellphone Outfitters
166 High St.
Christopher Nieves

Schermerhorn’s Seafood
224 Westfield Road
Michael J. Fitzgerald

Southwest Crafts
50 Holyoke St.
Luis A. Chaguipuz

Wow Family Entertainment Center
50 Holyoke St.
Michael Fabrizi

NORTHAMPTON

Audobon Partners
118 River Road
Robin Fields

Burrows & Weiss
78 Main St.
Mikal Weiss

Chaput Marketing
152 Crescent St.
Christopher Chaput

Collaborative Restoration
239 State St.
Kevin Hayes

Gusakor Woodworks
23 Myrtle St.
William A. Wallace

Healthy Home Care
71 Gleason Road
Sarah Zabriskie

Industry Mint
97 State St.
Daniel Kates

Simona’s
74 South Main St.
Simona Pozzetto

Sullivan Companion Care
83 Maynard Road
Roberta Sullivan

The Botaniste
33 Summer St.
Corina Miller

SPRINGFIELD

Abdul Baki Exporting
8 Cherrelyn St.
Rayan C. Abdul

Alert Ambulance Service
1131 Boston Road
David George

Ambis
142 Dickinson St.
Tazeen Rafiq

Avtel Solutions
553 White St.
Moses L. Diaz

Barifamily Inc.
383 Belmont Ave.
Wahab Abari

Baystate Employee Assistance
50 Maple St.
Mark R. Tolosky

Bling Bling Style
625 Boston Road
Mian Ashiq

Calendar Holdings, LLC
1655 Boston Road
Felix A. Cordero

Chuk’s Bait-n-tackle
436 Boston Road
Carlos M. Ayala

Cost Cutters
370 Cooley St.
Regis Corporation

DJ Nails Supply
200 Dickinson St.
Tuan Dam

El Bohio Restaurant
809 Liberty St.
Luis R. Cotto

Gentle Family Dentistry
1206 Boston Road
David W. Chou

Grace Jewelry
1210 Main St.
Hwa Y. Kim

Honor Capital
1 Monarch Place
Founders Finance, LLC

WESTFIELD

Lifetime Tilers Inc.
565 North Road
Patrick Smith

ZING
104 Mainline Dr.
James Fogarty

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Infinity Auto Rental Inc.
52 Baldwin St.
Joseph Gallo

Olympia Ice Center
125 Capital Dr.
Massachusetts Skate I Corporation

Petsey Schreiber Transport
80 Brush Hill Ave.
Philomena Schreiber

Stone Installation Solutions
1029 Elm St.
Russell C. Kern

Opinion

By
Opinion
Gas Tax Isn’t a Simple Cure for Transit Ills

The trial balloons keep coming for some sort of transportation revenue. There was Lt. Gov. Murray’s August trial balloon for a gas-tax increase. Then public discussions about needing four times more funding to maintain the Big Dig tunnels, and Gov. Patrick’s trip to attend President Obama’s press conference on federal transportation legislation. Make no mistake about it, there will be a push to raise transportation revenues, most likely through the gas tax, in the coming year.
But the administration faces a real uphill battle to get it passed.
Over the past two years, the Commonwealth massively restructured the state’s transportation agencies. A new entity, MassDOT, now oversees most major pieces of transportation infrastructure, including those formerly held by the now-dissolved Massachusetts Turnpike Authority. The 2009 law included additional reforms that held the promise of increased efficiency and lower costs.
The outcome of the reforms? We don’t know.
MassDOT was to report consistently on key performance measures. But they have not provided enough in terms of data content or informing the public. The department has done a far better job of communicating tactical successes — innovative projects and reform-related events. But these press events don’t say anything about progress on many key measures — measures that matter to the public.
Without this strategic communication, MassDOT will rightly struggle to make the public case that it is managing our assets and our money more wisely than in the past. For a public with Big Dig cost overruns and MBTA service failures lodged firmly in our collective psyche, changing a negative perception of transportation spending and management is a herculean task, made more challenging without a consistent method of communicating performance and accountability. And reports over the summer that senior engineers at MassDOT purposely avoided tracking maintenance issues do not help.
Any tax-increase proposal must be akin to a social contract — you taxpayers pay this, and we, the government, will give you value in return. Without refocusing the transportation agency on consumer-centered metrics, why would the public think that an increase in the gas tax will lead to service improvements?
A two-way request for more tax dollars paired with specific performance benchmarks — e.g. reduced congestion, increased on-time performance, and fewer structurally deficient bridges — might get us to that elusive destination called compromise, while a one-way offer to siphon more tax revenue into a black hole will land squarely in the breakdown lane.
A two-way contract with the public would change MassDOT’s focus from a strong emphasis on expansion to addressing long-term neglect of maintenance. Expansion projects that do not significantly address ‘customer-service’ issues and, in fact, further burden the MBTA with a crippling debt load, such as the multi-billion-dollar South Coast Rail project, would no longer be a priority.
Instead, the agency would focus on meeting the hundreds of millions of dollars in annual unfunded maintenance needs outlined in the state’s transportation capital plan. Subway riders and highway commuters know well what the neglect of maintenance means — delay, congestion, and aggravation.
The days of expanding the system without the finances to pay for or even operate it are gone. As Federal Transit Administrator Peter Rogoff stated in Boston last year, “if you can’t afford to operate the system you have, why does it make sense for us to partner in your expansion?’’
If an increase in the gas tax means funding expansions that leave us in precisely the same situation 10 years from now, but with a larger portfolio of assets, you can forget about it. If it prioritizes maintenance and improves our current system’s operations, sustainability, and efficiency, then the politics might work.
That’s a tall order for the governor. Reshaping perceptions and the politics of transportation means lessening the emphasis on politically expedient (but financially disastrous) expansions. It means communicating to the public consumer-based goals and drilling them into agencies used to very different marching orders.
There’s no doubt that our transportation system is underfunded. But asking for more money to make the problem bigger is not the answer.

Steve Poftak is director of research at the Pioneer Institute.

Chamber Corners: Upcoming Events

By
Chamber Corners Departments

ACCGS
www.myonlinechamber.com
(413) 787-1555
• Dec. 6: Springfield Chamber of Commerce Executive Directors’ meeting, noon-1 p.m. i• the  EDC Conference Room, Springfield.
• Dec. 7: ACCGS Business@Breakfast, at the Delaney House i• Holyoke. Doors ope• at 7:15 a.m. Tickets: $20 for members; $30 for non-members.
• Dec. 9: ACCGS Legislative Steering Committee, 8-9 a.m. i• the TD Bank Conference Center, Springfield.
• Dec. 14: ACCGS After 5, 5-7 p.m., at WWLP TV-22, Chicopee. Tickets: $10 for members; $20 for non-members.
• Dec. 15: ACCGS Executive Committee meeting, noon-1 p.m., i• the TD Bank Conference Room, chamber offices.
• Dec. 21: ERC Board of Directors’ Meeting, 8-9 a.m., at The Gardens of Wilbraham, Community Room, 2 Lodge Lane, Wilbraham.
Dec. 21: ACCGS Ambassadors Meeting, 4-5 p.m., EDC Conference Room, Springfield.

AMHERST AREA
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.amherstarea.com
(413) 253-0700
• Dec. 14: Amherst Area Chamber After 5/Holiday Party, 5-7 p.m. at the Amherst Brewing Company, 100 University Dr., Amherst, MA 01002. Admission: $5 for members; $10 non-members. For more information, visit www.amherstarea.com

CHICOPEE CHAMBER
OF COMMERCE
www.chicopeechamber.org
(413) 594-2101
• Dec. 6: Holiday Party, 4:30-6:30 p.m. Hosted by the Chicopee Chamber of Commerce. Free to members.
• Dec. 21: Salute Breakfast, 7:15-9 a.m., at the Castle of Knights, Chicopee.  Advance tickets: $19 for members; $26 for non-members; at the door: $21 for members; $28 for non-members.

GREATER HOLYOKE
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.holycham.com
(413) 534-3376
• Dec. 14: Holiday Salute Breakfast, 7:30 a.m., at the Yankee Pedlar, 1866 Northampto• St. Co-sponsored by Holyoke Gas & Electric and Health New England. Tickets: $20 for members; $25 for non-members.
• Dec: 21: Holyoke Chamber After Hours, 5-7 p.m. Hosted and sponsored by the Delaney House, 3 Country Club Road, Holyoke Tickets: $10 for members; $15 for non-members.

GREATER NORTHAMPTO• CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.explorenorthampton.com
(413) 584-1900
• Dec. 7: December Arrive @5, 5-7p.m. at Thornes Marketplace. Sponsored by King Auto Body, Johnso• & Hill Staffing, and United Bank. Tickets: $10 for members
• Dec. 13: New-member lunch, noon-1 p.m. Hosted by the Northampto• Chamber of Commerce, 99 Pleasant St., Northampton.

NORTHAMPTO• AREA YOUNG PROFESSIONAL SOCIETY
www.thenayp.com
(413) 584-1900
• Dec. 8: NAYP monthly networking event, at the Hotel Northampton
36 King St., Easthampton. Featured nonrofit is the Food Bank of Wester• Mass.

WEST OF THE RIVER
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.ourwrc.com
(413) 426-3880
• Dec. 8: Food Fest West, 6-8 p.m., at Crestview Country Club, 281 Shoemaker Lane, Agawam. Tickets: $25 i• advance; $30 at the door. All proceeds go to WRC’s Educational Fund, providing scholarships and business educatio• grants to West Springfield and Agawam. For more information, contact Tamara Fricke, [email protected] or (413) 426-3880

GREATER WESTFIELD
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.westfieldbiz.org
(413) 568-1618
• Dec. 9: Holiday breakfast, 7:30-9 a.m. at Shaker Farms Country Club, 866 Shaker Road.  Sponsors: Gold, Westfield Bank; Silver, Easthampto• Savings Bank and The Carso• Center for Huma• Services Inc. Highlights: the holiday benefactor this year is the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Westfield; attendees are asked to bring unwrapped gifts for childre• ages 5-15; age-appropriate games and toys are desired. Tickets: $25 for members; $30 for non-members

YPS-Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield
www.springfieldyps.com
• Dec. 15: Third Thursday, 5-7 p.m., Mckinney & Burbach Tavern, 1127 Mai• St., Springfield, 01105.  For more informatio• o• this event, visit www.springfieldyps.com