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Chamber Corners: Upcoming Events

By BusinessWest Staff August 30, 2011

Chamber Corners Departments

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

• Sept. 6: Springfield Chamber of Commerce board of directors meeting, noon-1 p.m. at the TD Bank Conference Center, Springfield.

• Sept. 7: Business @ Breakfast, 7:15-9 a.m.,Twin Hills Country Club. Members, $20; non-members, $30. To reserve tickets, contact Cecile Larose at (413) 755-1313 or [email protected].

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

• Sept. 14: After 5, 5-7 p.m. at Mama Iguana’s, Main Street, Northampton. Members, $10; non-members, $20. To reserve tickets, contact Cecile Larose at (413) 755-1313 or [email protected].

• Sept. 15: ACCGS board of directors meeting, 8-9 a.m., TD Bank Conference Center, Springfield.

• Sept. 19: ACCGS Golf Tournament, Ludlow Country Club, Tony Lema Drive, Ludlow. Shotgun start at noon. Cost per golfer, $150. Contact Cecile Larose, [email protected].

• Sept. 21: ERC board of directors meeting, 8-9 a.m., the Gardens of Wilbraham, Community Room, 2 Lodge Lane, Wilbraham.

• Sept. 21: ACCGS ambassadors meeting, 4-5 p.m., EDC Conference Room, Springfield.

• Sept. 21: PWC Luncheon, “Up the Ladder: The Power of Education.” Special guest speaker: Carol Leary, president, Bay Path College. Reserve tickets through Lynn Johnson, [email protected].

• Sept. 30: Hampden/Wilbraham Golf Classic, Country Club of Wilbraham. Shotgun start at noon. Cost per golfer: $110. Contact Sarah Tsitso, [email protected].

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

• August 31: The University of Massachusetts Amherst & Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce 45th Annual Community Breakfast, 7:30-9. Hosted by UMass Amherst Student Union Ballroom (free parking in the Campus Center Garage). Sponsored by UMass Amherst and the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce. Tickets are $8 when you register and pay on-line at www.umassconferenceservices.com/registration. Tickets will be available at the door for $10. For more information, call (413) 577-1101, or [email protected].

• Sept. 7: Multi Chamber After 5 Networking Event, 5-7 p.m. at Cooley Dickinson Hospital. (Amherst Area Chamber, Greater Easthampton Chamber, and Greater Northampton Chamber). Sponsored by: Traditional Health First, UMass Fine Arts Center, and Murphy McCoubrey Attorneys at Law. Tickets: $5 for chamber members; $10 for non-members. RSVP at (413) 253-0700, or [email protected].

• Sept. 21: Chamber breakfast, 7:15-9 a.m. Hosted by: Applewood at Amherst. Topic updates on North and South Amherst and Kendrick Park. Sponsored by Elite Home Health Agency. Tickets: $15 for chamber members; $20 for non-members.
RSVP at (413) 253-0700 or [email protected].

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

• Sept. 7: Summer Sizzle, 4:30-7:30 p.m., Chicopee Moose Family Center #1849, 244 Fuller Road, Chicopee. Tickets: $20 for members, or if you have five or more employees, $18 each; $25 for non-members. Sponsors: Championship: Pilgrim Interiors Inc., Chicopee Electronics, LLC, and United Bank; Pennant: Dave’s Truck Repair Inc., Days Inn, and Wingate at South Hadley.

• Sept. 21: Salute breakfast, 7:15-9 a.m. at the MassMutual Learning & Conference Center, 350 Memorial Dr., Chicopee. Tickets: $19 for members; $26 for non-members.

• Sept. 27: Rake in the Business Table Top Expo & Business Networking Event, 4:30- 7 p.m. at the Castle of Knights, 1599 Memorial Dr., Chicopee. Presented by the Chicopee, Greater Holyoke, Greater Westfield, and the North Central Connecticut Chambers of Commerce. Exhibitor fee: $100 per table. Admission fee: $5 pre-registered, $10 at the door. Sign up online www.chicopeechamber.org, or call (413) 594-2101

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

• Sept. 7: Multi-Chamber Networking Event, 5-7 p.m., Cooley Dickinson Hospital, Northampton. Join with the Greater Easthampton, Amherst Area, and Greater Northampton Chambers for a special evening of business networking. Sponsored by: Fleury Lumber Company and Innovative Business Systems. Door prizes, hors d’ouevres, host beer and wine. Tickets: $10. RSVP to [email protected] or (413) 527-9414 by Sept. 6.

• Sept. 24: Recycling Day, 8:30 a.m-1 p.m. Responsibly dispose of your old computer, monitor, television, stereo and/or home and office appliances. Open to all members of area communities. Location: Valley Recycling, 245 Easthampton Road (Route 10), Northampton. Contact the chamber office at (413) 527-9414 or [email protected] for recycling fees. Recycling services courtesy of Duseau Trucking, Hatfield. Proceeds to benefit chamber community programs.

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

• Sept. 15: Vote the Valley, 5-7 p.m., Springfield Country Club, West Springfield. YPS (Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield) in Partnership with NAYP (Northampton Area Young Professionals) bring back Vote the Valley.

Quaboag Hills Chamber of Commerce
www.qvcc.biz
(413) 283-2418

South Hadley/Granby Chamber of Commerce
www.shchamber.com
(413) 532-6451

• Sept. 13: Skinner Museum Stroll, 5-7 p.m. Sponsored by Mount Holyoke College. Special guest: Lynn Pasquerella, president of Mount Holyoke College. Highlights: tours of Skinner Museum collection; refreshments under the tent. Tickets: $5 for chamber members.

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

• Sept. 12: Mayor’s Coffee Hour, 8-9 a.m. Hosted by the Holiday Inn Express, Barnes Meeting Room. Complimentary coffee and Danish. Call the Chamber office at (413) 568-1618 if you plan on attending.

• Sept. 16: Chamber September Breakfast. Registration begins at 7:15 a.m. Hosted by 104th Fighter Wing Air National Guard Base, 175 Falcon Dr., Westfield. Guest speaker will be Allan W. Blair, President and CEO of the Economic Development Council of Western Mass. Cost: members, $20; non-members, $25. Contact Carrie Dearing at (413) 568-1618 or at [email protected].

• Sept. 27: 14th Annual Rake in the Business Table Top Showcase. The Greater Westfield, Chicopee, Greater Holyoke, and North Central Connecticut Chambers of Commerce will hold a multi-chamber trade show. Members may purchase a table for $100; purchase includes four complimentary admission tickets. Admission for the public is $5 for anyone who pre-registers, $10 at the door. Sponsorship opportunities are also available at a platinum, gold, or silver level. Call the Carrie at (413) 568-1618 or e-mail, [email protected].

YPS-Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield
www.springfieldyps.com

• Sept. 15: Vote the Valley, 5-7 p.m. at Springfield Country Club, West Springfield. YPS (Young Professional Society of Greater Springfield) in Partnership with NAYP (Northampton Area Young Professionals) bring back Vote the Valley.

Court Dockets

By BusinessWest Staff August 30, 2011

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
Tayisha Guzman v. Chicopee Village Townhouses
Allegation: Negligent maintenance of property, causing slip and fall: $3,389.33
Filed: 6/30/11

HAMPDEN SUPERIOR COURT
Edwin Diaz v. CSX Intermobil Inc.
Allegation: Defendant misclassified as an independent contractor instead of employee, transferring numerous costs unlawfully from the defendant to the plaintiff: $495,463.91
Filed: 4/25/11

Geodesign Inc. v. Purcell Associates and the Town of West Springfield
Allegation: Collection of outstanding fees for design services rendered on a construction project: $1,090,295
Filed: 4/20/11

Peter Mayberry v. Allcare Dental Management Inc.
Allegation: Medical malpractice: $50,000+
Filed: 4/27/11

Ted Ondrick Company, LLC v. Green River Development, LLC
Allegation: Non-payment of paving services rendered: $25,350.30
Filed: 5/6/11

HAMPSHIRE SUPERIOR COURT
Rose P. Gamin v. Five Star Aviation Inc.
Allegation: Crash of aircraft due to negligence of maintenance facility: $65,000
Filed: 7/18/11

NORTHAMPTON DISTRICT COURT
JP Elastomerics Corp. v. Soltech Inc.
Allegation: Breach of contract and failure to pay commission: $16,646.80
Filed: 6/14/11

Shawn Mineau and Kevin Mullen v. Decosino Construction and Five Star Building Construction
Allegation: Failure to pay prevailing wages: $25,000
Filed: 6/9/11

Michael Elbery v. City Tire Inc.
Allegation: Unfair and deceptive trade practices and fraud: $10,000
Filed: 6/27/11

SPRINGFIELD DISTRICT COURT
Advanta Bank Corp. v. Alpha Builders Inc.
Allegation: Non-payment on credit account: $10,533.95
Filed: 6/19/11

Arthur C. Lamb Co. Inc. v. National Maintenance and Service Corp.
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $8,417.37
Filed: 6/3/11

Beacon Sales Co. v. Keith G. Roy Home Improvement and Construction
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $10,629.76
Filed: 6/19/11

BSI, LLC v. Tigar Refrigeration Co., LLC
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $9,123.72
Filed: 6/19/11

Catherine Nguyen v. Faces of Phobia
Allegation: Plaintiff was injured after being struck in the face by another patron who was startled and trying to flee: $24,999.99
Filed: 6/6/11

Concord Electrical Supply Limited v. Precision Electric Enterprise, LLC
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $22,243.99
Filed: 6/24/11

WESTFIELD DISTRICT COURT
Industrial Air Solutions v. Creative Hardware Floors Inc.
Allegation: Enforcement of a previous judgment: $5,488.54
Filed: 6/3/11

Pic This

By BusinessWest Staff August 30, 2011

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]

Kids Safety Event

At left, the staff and family members of the Law Offices of Thomas M. Libbos, P.C. hand out hundreds of free bike safety helmets to children at the 3rd Annual Kids Safety Event staged recently at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. From left, are: attorney Thomas Libbos, Samantha Wrinkle, Catherine Wrinkle, Melissa Cintron, and attorney Katherine Lamondia-Wrinkle. Below left, Shriners Clown Lenny Horowitz, a.k.a. “Paintbrush,” waves from a Springfield Fire Department Fire Truck during the event, which was produced by Market Mentors LLC of West Springfield.

Extreme Makeover

Extreme Makeover: Home Edition is coming to Springfield. That announcement was made recently in front of City Hall, with dozens of city officials, volunteers, and builders in attendance. Here, Brad Campbell, left, executive director of the Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Western Mass., standing with Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, thanks Western New England University students for volunteering their time to help with the project, which will kick-off with the ceremonial “door knock” at the home of the lucky family on Sept. 11. At right is Nick Riley, owner of N. Riley Construction and lead builder for this project. Visit http://www.joinextreme.com/mass to register as a volunteer or donate to the project. For behind the scenes photos and videos visit http://www.facebook.com/emheSpringfield.

Briefcase

By BusinessWest Staff August 16, 2011

Briefcase Departments

Business Confidence Index Stabilizes
BOSTON — The Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM) Business Confidence Index stabilized in July after drops in May and June, adding a half-point to 50.5. “The index remains near the neutral midpoint of its 100-point scale, and results overall are very similar to what we saw in June,” said Raymond Torto, global chief economist at CB Richard Ellis Group Inc., chair of AIM’s Board of Economic Advisors. “July brought more evidence of a lackluster economy, with the deadlock in Washington adding to the uncertainty about prospects for future growth. The deal reached at the end of the month to end the debt crisis may or may not restore faith in national leadership; it will not end the uncertainty, however, because we don’t know what the impact will be on the economy.” AIM’s Business Confidence Index has been issued monthly since July 1991 under the oversight of the Board of Economic Advisors. Its historical high was 68.5, attained in 1997 and 1998; its all-time low was 33.3 in February 2009. Although the index is up 2 points from last July, and about 10 points over two years, Torto noted, “a more realistic interpretation is that we saw confidence grow steadily from March 2009 to June 2010, and have bumped along since then.”

Baystate to Eliminate
354 Positions
SPRINGFIELD — Citing continued cuts in state reimbursement and “the government’s inability to properly fund the expansion of health care,” as well as the lingering impact of a weak economy, Baystate Health recently announced a reduction in workforce totaling 354 positions. The cuts, announced on July 20, involve positions held by 169 managers and staff, as well as another 185 vacant, funded positions. Affected employees will receive severance pay and other benefits “in accordance with Baystate Health’s workforce-transition policy,” said Gregory Harb, executive vice president and COO at Baystate Health. “Our leadership carefully reviewed all positions system-wide, and … announced a reduction in our workforce by 354 positions.” Baystate Health, the region’s largest employer, took the action to ensure its financial viability and ability to fulfill its charitable mission, focused on improving the health of the people of Western Mass., said Mark Tolosky, president and CEO of the system. The combination of continued reductions in state reimbursements, inadequate funding of the expansion of health care, and a soft economy is creating dire situations for health care organizations throughout the state, and Baystate Health is not immune from these challenges, he added. Baystate senior leaders project a $25 million budget shortfall in 2011 growing to $54 million in 2012 unless expenses are reduced. Plans are to continue to monitor the situation closely to ensure the long-term viability of the system. “At Baystate Health, we embrace changing models of patient care and health coverage expansion; however, these changes are not based on a properly funded plan,” said Tolosky. “Massachusetts has expanded and enhanced health care for our residents, which we applaud, but the Commonwealth is not paying for these commitments.” Elaborating, he said that health care providers are facing intense pressures to transition to a less costly, highly coordinated, patient-centered model of care amid an environment of continuing underpayments. Massachusetts health care providers are faced with freezes in reimbursements for patient care by Medicaid and other state programs, Tolosky explained, while medical inflation is rising by 3% to 4% annually. The disparity created by decreasing revenues and increasing costs threatens the financial viability of hospitals throughout the Commonwealth. Baystate, like so many others within health care, is being paid less than the cost of the care it provides, he went on. The three hospitals of Baystate Health — Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, Baystate Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield, and Baystate Mary Lane Hospital in Ware — were underpaid $26.5 million by the state government for the cost of care for Medicaid patients in 2010. Medicaid patients represent 26% of the patient population at Baystate’s hospitals, resulting in significant financial loss for care of these patients.

Springfield Sells School Offices to Developer
SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield City Council voted last month to sell the vacant for School Department office building at 195 State St. to CSM North of Acton for $1. In exchange, CSM North must deliver on its commitment to use private funds to develop the site into 30 to 35 market-rate apartments. The School Department moved out of the building a year ago, relocating to the old federal courthouse building. The 195 State St. property is considered one of many efforts by the city to encourage the development of market-rate housing in the city’s central business district, and therefore one of the keys to revitalization of that area.

East Baking Co. Approved for Tax-incentive Program
HOLYOKE — The Holyoke Office of Planning and Development announced last month that the Mass. Economic Assistance Coordinating Council had approved the East Baking Co. certified project. The certified project status allows the company to be eligible for state investment tax credits and local property-tax exemptions. East Baking Co. is relocating and expanding operations to its new facility at 104 Whiting Farms Road, located within the Holyoke Economic Opportunity Area. Prior to the state approval, the Holyoke City Council approved the project, which includes a tax-increment financing agreement. East Baking Co. is a five-year-old Massachusetts company that manufactures baked goods. It counts UMass Amherst and Baystate Health among its many clients. The company outgrew its original location and is consolidating all of its operations at the 28,000-square-foot facility in Holyoke.

Survey: Salaries to Increase — for Some
NEW YORK — Despite ongoing uncertainty, companies are betting on their best workers — and are willing to pay more to prove it, according to a recent survey. After years of stagnant wages, nearly all — 97% — of the 1,200 U.S. employers polled in a compensation survey by Mercer said they plan to increase salaries in 2012. The average increase in base pay is expected to be 3% in 2012, up slightly from 2.9% in 2011 and 2.7% in 2010, the consulting firm said. However, the top-performing employees — just 8% of the workforce — will see their salaries increase by an average of 4.8% next year, the survey said.

Springfield Wins Square Dance Convention
SPRINGFIELD — The City of Homes will become the city of square dancing for a week in 2015, following the Greater Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau’s successful bid to win a major convention. After a lengthy sales process, organizers of the National Square Dance Convention agreed to bring their event to Springfield for the first time. Nearly 7,000 attendees are expected for the convention.

Big E to Feature Diverse Lineup of Talent, Events
WEST SPRINGFIELD — The 2011 Big E, slated for Sept. 16 to Oct. 2, will feature a diverse lineup of talent this year, including Reba, Blake Shelton, and Darius Rucker. New England’s largest fair will also present two weekday Mardi Gras parades, sponsored by Mohegan Sun; the Big E Super Circus, sponsored by Coca-Cola; along with a assortment of rides, crafts, food, animals, and the best of the old and new that fairgoers have come to expect. The fair opens Friday, Sept. 16 with Be a Kid for a Day — all ages pay the children’s price of $10 — and Military Appreciation Day, honoring the men and women of the armed services; admission is free for military personnel and dependents with ID, as well as veterans with ID (copy of DD-214 or proof of membership to any veterans’ organization). For tickets, showtimes, and detailed information, visit thebige.com; www.facebook.com/thebige; or
twitter.com/the_big_e. Appearing on the Comcast Arena Stage will be:
Reba — Country-music legend and winner of seven CMAs and two Grammys, Oct. 2 at 7:30 p.m. (tickets: $69/$59/$49).
• Blake Shelton — Country sensation with four out of five gold albums, Oct. 1 at 7:30 p.m. (tickets: $39/$29).
• Darius Rucker — Rising country star and former lead singer of Hootie and the Blowfish, Sept. 23 at 7:30 p.m. (tickets: $39/$29).
• Freestyle Motocross — Sept. 16 at 7:30 p.m. and Sept. 17 and 18 at 2 and 7:30 p.m. (free).
• Bowzer’s Rock & Roll Party — John Bauman stars as his alter ego Bowzer, featuring his band, the Stingrays, and a lineup of 50s and 60s bands, Sept. 24 at 7:30 p.m. (free).
• Jake Owen — CMA-nominated, rising country star, Sept. 25 at 7:30 p.m. (free).
• An Evening with Cheap Trick — 70s icons, writer and producer of The Colbert Report theme song, Sept. 30 at 7:30 p.m. (free).
Appearing on the Court of Honor Stage, sponsored by Comcast, will be:
• Extreme Vegas — Spectacular illusions, acrobatics, and more, daily at 11 a.m., 3 p.m., and 8 p.m.;
• Frankie Lymon’s Legendary Teenagers — Sept. 16-22 at 1 and 6:30 p.m.;
• The Buckinghams — “Kind of a Drag,” “Don’t You Care,” Sept. 23-27 at 1 and 6:30 p.m.;
• Yvonne Elliman — Disco diva, Sept. 28-Oct. 2 at 1 and 6:30 p.m.
• Galaxy Girl — Tina Winn, who swings on a 120-foot sway pole, daily at 2, 5, and 7 p.m.

OPAL Real Estate Named Preferred Developer for Court Square Project
SPRINGFIELD – A development group led by local businessman Peter Picknelly has been designated the preferred developer for a project to convert a long-vacant office building on Elm Street at Court Square into a multi-million-dollar project with a mix of retail, office, and residential uses. The Springfield Redevelopment Authority, which owns the six-story office building at 13-31 Elm St. and four connected properties, voted unanimously in July to designate OPAL Real Estate Group of Springfield as preferred developer. The preferred-developer designation is for 120 days and, if successful, would culminate with the sale of the property to the developer. Picknelly is president of OPAL and Peter Pan Bus Lines. The OPAL team also includes Demetrios Panteleakis, managing partner; Robert Schwarz, executive vice-president; and Mark Healy, vice president of brokerage.

Chamber Corners: Upcoming Events

By BusinessWest Staff August 16, 2011

Chamber Corners Departments

Chicopee Chamber of Commerce
www.chicopeechamber.org
(413) 594-2101
• Aug. 24: Business After Hours, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., hosted on a C-5 at Westover Air Reserve Base. Cost: $10 for members, $20 for non-members. Registration is required.

Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce
www.holycham.com
(413) 534-3376
• Aug. 24: Chamber Business Salute Breakfast, 7:30 to 9 a.m., hosted by the Yankee Pedlar, 1866 Northampton St., Holyoke. Sponsored by Lyon & Fitzpatrick LLP. Cost: $20 for a buffet breakfast. Call the chamber at (413) 534-3376 to reserve tickets or log onto www.holycham.com.

West of the River Chamber of Commerce
www.ourwrc.com
(413) 426-3880
• Aug. 22: 8th Annual Golf Tournament, hosted by Oakridge Country Club, Agawam. Registration at 11:30 a.m., lunch on terrace at 12 noon, shotgun start at 1 p.m. (scramble format), sit-down banquet dinner at 5:30 p.m. Cost: golf and dinner, $99 per player; dinner only: $35 per person; tee or green sponsor, $75. Other sponsorships available; contact chamber for more information. Fees include green fees, 18 holes of golf with cart, lunch on terrace, refreshments on course, and formal banquet dinner. Banquet dinner includes raffles; silent auction; prizes for first-, second-, and third-place teams, hole in one, closest to the pin, longest drive, and most accurate drive.

Court Dockets

By BusinessWest Staff August 16, 2011

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
The Levato Supply Co. v. Theroux’s Plumbing & Heating Inc.
Allegation: Non-payment of plumbing and heating goods: $6,755.67
Filed: 3/17/11

FRANKLIN SUPERIOR COURT
Paula Denton v. Northeast Foundation for Children Inc. and Roxanne Kriete
Allegation: Breach of contract for employment: $84,307.75
Filed: 5/25/11

Stephanie Nace and Jordan Carriere v. Salon 107 and Debra Mathey
Allegation: Breach of employment contract for services, labor, and materials: $30,000
Filed: 6/8/11

GREENFIELD DISTRICT COURT
Capital One Bank v. Piano Service
Allegation: Monies owed for credit advanced: $12,405.90
Filed: 4/7/11

HAMPDEN SUPERIOR COURT
Geodesign Inc. v. Purcell Associates, et al
Allegation: Collection for the value of design services rendered on a construction project: $1,090,295
Filed: 5/16/11

Imedicor Inc. v. MassMutual Life Insurance Co.
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $520,000
Filed: 4/18/11

Peter Mayberry v. Allcare Dental Management, LLC
Allegation: Medical malpractice: $50,000
Filed: 4/27/11

Six Flags New England v. Air Shield Inc.
Allegation: Defendant designed, constructed, and erected a canopy structure, which later collapsed: $66,000
Filed: 5/5/11

HOLYOKE DISTRICT COURT
Barbara Stone v. Macy’s at the Holyoke Mall
Allegation: While shopping at Macy’s, plaintiff was thrown to the ground by two Macy’s employees, causing personal injury: $2,479.43
Filed: 5/3/11

PALMER DISTRICT COURT
Sentry Services Inc. v. RB Enterprises
Allegation: Non-payment of loam and fill supplied: $24,611.77
Filed: 5/24/11

SPRINGFIELD DISTRICT COURT
Bradco Supply v. CDC Custom Exteriors and Home Improvement Inc.
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $7,049.51
Filed: 4/28/11

Capital One Bank v. Craftsmen’s Corner
Allegation: Monies owed on credit account: $5,196.90
Filed: 5/11/11

Capital One Bank v. Bannon & Ferrari Granite Inc.
Allegation: Monies owed for credit advanced: $18,278.56
Filed: 5/2/11

Liberty Mutual Insurance Co. v. RPM Restoration & Waterproofing Inc.
Allegation: Non-payment on two workers’ compensation policies: $44,615.88
Filed: 4/28/11

Opinion

By BusinessWest Staff August 16, 2011

Opinion

Educate Our Cities Back to Life

Detroit has been losing people and jobs for decades, but it isn’t the only place where unemployment rates are well above 10%. Three of Massachusetts’ 12 largest cities have unemployment rates of 13% of more. At the top of the list is Lawrence, at 16.8%. Per-capita incomes in Lawrence, as in Detroit, are more than 40% below the U.S. average.
Yet Lawrence, unlike Detroit, is growing. In fact, it’s growing faster than any other city in Massachusetts. Its expansion as an entry point for immigrants in Massachusetts could be a source of economic strength if Lawrence could balance immigration with education. Regional disparities in Massachusetts are largely explained by education, which is why strengthening the schooling of our poorest communities must be a high priority for the entire state.
In practice, that will mean a keener educational focus on the recent immigrants who are fueling the growth of cities like Lawrence — perhaps with even more support for charter schools, some of which have achieved remarkable results with Hispanic children.
Population changes between 2000 and 2010 suggested a few key factors in the growth of U.S. cities with fewer than 200,000 people. One was a warm climate, a factor that doesn’t apply here in Massachusetts. Another was a high education level; cities where one-quarter or more of adults had college degrees grew much faster than less-educated cities. It’s easy to imagine educated hipsters flocking to dense but manageably sized cities in pursuit of a cool night out.
Still another factor was a sizeable Hispanic population. The U.S. is becoming increasingly Latin. A city like Lawrence — where more than one-third of the population is foreign-born and almost three-quarters are Hispanic — provides new immigrants with the comfort of ethnic enclaves and the ability to get around without a car.
When education and immigration are well-balanced, both forces help cities thrive. The foreign-born can be a bridge to the global economy. In mid-sized, northern-tier cities where more than one-quarter of adults have college degrees, incomes are 45% higher than in less well-educated cities.
Larger cities, like Boston and New York, can comfortably combine well-educated elites and poorer new arrivals. The peril of mid-sized cities is that they can become monocultures. If they become boutique towns that house only the well-educated, then they do little to spread prosperity. If they become isolated enclaves of poorer immigrants, they may lack the resources that enable opportunity.
Some former immigrant bastions, such as Cambridge and Somerville, have prospered because they are tightly tied to Boston’s success as a capital of the information age, and because they combine immigration and education. More than one-fourth of the residents of Cambridge and Somerville are foreign-born, and more than one-half of adults have college degrees. In both cities, unemployment rates are below 6%, and incomes are well above the national average.
Quincy and Worcester are two other mid-sized cities that are managing the balancing act moderately well. Worcester may have once seemed like an urban disaster, but the city’s abundant educational institutions have helped its population to grow steadily over the past 10 years. Quincy, the state’s most Asian city, has plenty of both foreign-born residents and college graduates.
But while Fall River, New Bedford, and Lawrence continue to play an important role welcoming large immigrant communities, they have too little education. Their large immigrant communities remind us of the opportunity that Massachusetts once provided for impoverished Irish and Italians, but their difficulties also remind us that opportunity rarely comes easily.
Expensive infrastructure schemes, like new commuter rail lines, are occasionally floated as tools to turn around these troubled towns. But the children growing up in these areas really need human, not physical, capital. Schooling is the most reliable source of individual and urban success. The work of MIT economist Joshua Angrist and his co-authors has identified particularly large benefits of charter schools for urban Hispanics, which should make us hopeful about the new charters that have recently been approved for Lawrence.
That is only a small step. But Lawrence’s fight is also the Bay State’s fight.

Edward L. Glaeser, an economist at Harvard University, is author of The Triumph of the City.

Pic This

By BusinessWest Staff August 16, 2011

Departments Picture This

Pitching In for the Red Cross

In response to the storms and tornadoes that caused massive destruction in Western Mass. on June 1, Big Y World Class Markets responded by hosting a donation program in all 58 Massachusetts and Connecticut stores. Big Y World Class Markets collected donations from customers and employees resulting in a grand total of $141,882.64 for American Red Cross Disaster Relief. Funds were raised through a special in-store customer/employee donation program and from employees in all other Big Y locations, from the Store Support Center to distribution centers. This gift includes a matching gift of $50,000 provided by Big Y Foods, with $10,000 each from Donald and Michele D’Amour and Charles and Elizabeth D’Amour. The community and employee donations along with the personal contributions by the D’Amour family will be utilized in support of the ongoing local relief efforts in these devastated communities and the many people affected by the natural disaster. A formal check presentation to the American Red Cross of Pioneer Valley was held on July 28. From left are Donald and Michele D’Amour; Rick Lee, executive director for the Red Cross Pioneer Valley Chapter; and Elizabeth and Charles D’Amour.

A ‘Green’ Grand Opening

As part of the grand-opening celebration of PeoplesBank’s new LEED-registered branch in West Springfield, Douglas Bowen, president and CEO of PeoplesBank, cuts the ribbon to officially open the office. On hand are, from left, Sheila Goodwin, Barbara Bernard, West Springfield Mayor Ed Gibson, Bowen, Melissa Richter, and Stacy Sutton. Also, more than 100 children participated in the PeoplesBank free child ID event at the grand opening. Below, Yahaira Guzman (left), head teller from the bank’s St. James office, and Maggie Serrano, PeoplesBank teller supervisor, help collect information from the children to complete their Child ID Kit.

Getting a Good Read

In June, Susan Jaye-Kaplan, co-founder and president of Link to Libraries, was one of five individuals from across New England recognized as a New England Patriots 2011 Community MVP Award winner. She was honored for her work with Link to Libraries, which has, since its creation, collected and distributed more than 27,000 books to area nonprofits and public elementary schools in underserved communities in Western Mass. and Connecticut. To commemorate that achievement, former Patriots running back Patrick Pass visited the Springfield Boys & Girls Club on July 19 to read to a group of 35 third- and fourth-grade students (some of which are enrolled in the Hasbro Summer Learning Initiative), and present Kaplan with a check to Link to Libraries for $10,000 to further the work of that organization.

Lymtech Cuts the Ribbon

On July 15, The John R. Lyman Co. staged an official ribbon-cutting ceremony for its Lymtech Scientific division at its new location on Westover Road in Chicopee. Elected officials, local business leaders, and company employees were all on hand to participate in the ceremony. Third-generation owner Bill Wright said, “I am delighted to continue our commitment to Chicopee and to our local workforce. We have been manufacturing in this area for 105 years and hope to continue for many generations to come.” The family company boasts several second-generation employees on its payroll and even some third-generation workers as well. From left are: Gail Sherman, director of the Chicopee Chamber of Commerce; Michael Burzynski of Lymtech; Mike Ciolek, president of Associated Builders; Dawn Creighton, representing Associated Industries of Mass.; Anita Wright of Lymtech; state Rep. Joe Wagner; Wright; Chicopee Mayor Michael Bissonnette; state Sen. Mike Knapik; and state Rep. James Welch.

Bankruptcies

By BusinessWest Staff August 16, 2011

Bankruptcies Departments

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

Allair, Kenneth R.
Allair, Brenda J.
24 Kendall St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/27/11

Angelic Glass
Colwell-Lafleur, Gabriel Z.
Tran, Tuyet Linh
41 School St.
Shelburne Falls, MA 01370
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/22/11

Baker, Frederick F.
P.O. Box 1004
Williamsburg, MA 01096
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/20/11

Bassett, Todd M.
95 Baldwinville Road
Phillipston, MA 01331
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/21/11

Benoit, Jodi M.
11 Patricia Ave.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/29/11

Benson, Karen M
31 Carpenter St.
Warren, MA 01083
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/16/11

Berrios, MaryAnn M.
a/k/a Martin, MaryAnn
1 Berkeley St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/21/11

Blandford Country Store
Lomas, Russell C.
Lomas, Janet E.
84 Newhall St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/24/11

Brodeur, Jennifer K.
325 Main St.
Monson, MA 01057
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/27/11

Brown, Perdelisa C.
29 Kenwood Park
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/17/11

Burns, Mary T.
65 North Main St.
Florence, MA 01062
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/21/11

Cappas, Geraldo
Cappas, Sandra I.
1123 St. James Ave.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/20/11

Casey, Christopher M.
Casey, Aimee L.
a/k/a Michaud, Aimee L.
103 Maple Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/23/11

Cheryls Grooming Room
Dyer, Cheryl A.
268 Harkness Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/30/11

Cianciola, Michael S.
Cianciola, Heather A.
116 Middle St.
Southampton, MA 01073
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/23/11

Cincotta, Patricia L.
97 Balis St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/28/11

CNEJ Trucking LLC
Epps, Clyde N.
Epps, Jaye H.
38 Asinof Ave., Apt 417
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/24/11

Coleman, Bobby
154 Kimberly Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/28/11

Coletsos, Marina L.
222 Dawes Ave.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/20/11

Colon, Luis A.
Colon, Milagros
75 Walnut St., Apt. C
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/22/11

Cooke, Sandra L.
22 Sydney Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/23/11

Cote, Roland T.
35 Ruskin St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/24/11

Craig, James A.
295 Columba St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/29/11

Cruz, Iris M.
a/k/a Moreno, Iris M.
233 Walnut St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/28/11

Cruz, Teresa
100 Division St., Apt. 504
Springfield, MA 01107
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/22/11

Davidson, Caitlyn B.
46 Windsor St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/22/11

Dean, Todd M.
71 San Miguel St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/20/11

Deauseault, Deborah
33 Truby St.
Granby, MA 01033
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/28/11

Diederich, John A.
39 Rimmon Ave.
Springfield, MA 01107
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/24/11

Dyachenko, Viktoriya I.
375 Ohio Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/24/11

Ehrlich, Kimberly A.
16 Wistaria St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/21/11

Ely, Todd W.
Ely, Jennifer L.
216 Peterson Road
Palmer, MA 01069
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/22/11

Ferro, Leah M.
35 Brookfield St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/20/11

First Fruits Children Center
JC Realty Consultants
Carr, Tiffany M.
145 Harvard St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/28/11

Frey, Mildred R.
30 Glenwood Ave.
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/23/11

Gadson, Wesaline
PO Box 1815
Pittsfield, MA 01202
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/21/11

Garcia, Aurelio
Garcia, Marilyn
249 Huron Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/27/11

Garde, Thomas F.
60 Embury St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/22/11

Gonzalez-Garcia, Jose Angel
Rios, Ana Maria
70 Tokeneke Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/24/11

Gosselin, Patricia A.
47 Starling Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/27/11

Griffin, Cheryl M.
42 Adams Road, Unit #61
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/30/11

Gutkowski, Deborah L.
17 East Cleveland St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/20/11

Harpin, Roger P.
Harpin, Susan A.
100 Brianna Lane
Springfield, MA 01129
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/22/11

Hicks, George F.
43 Barton Ave.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/20/11

Hill, Cynthia L.
32A Highview Dr.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/24/11

Hobbs, Keith R.
Hobbs, Marcia M.
616A East St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/17/11

Howard, John P.
Howard, Diane Marie
88 Vadnais St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/24/11

Howes, John Clifton
Howes, Megan Lynn
a/k/a Ladue, Megan Lynn
25 Blacksmith Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/20/11

Hunt, Randy S.
65 Center St.
Adams, MA 01220
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/22/11

Kibbie, Jacqueline M.
93 Grochmal Ave., Lot 3
Indian Orchard, MA 01151-1048
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/16/11

Kimbell, Allen Jay
6A McBride Road
Wales, MA 01081
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/22/11

Kullberg, Matthew Carter
22 Edwards Square
Northampton, MA 01060
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/29/11

Lamirande, Robert A.
Lamirande, Susan L.
35 Lynwood Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/22/11

Larivee, Susanne Francis
Larivee, David Francis
20 Alfred St
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/17/11

Laurin, Susan A.
80 Letendre Ave.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/27/11

Lennon, Lynne A.
495 Twichell St.
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/17/11

Liberti, Anthony Joseph
41 Brewster St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/22/11

Martinez, Cassandra
496 Grayson Dr.
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/30/11

Mascaro, Michelle
166 Hampshire St.
Indian Orchard, MA 01151
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/20/11

Meislish, Laurie Ellen
116 Montgomery St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/24/11

Mello, Joseph W.
5 Bates St., Apt. 1
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/21/11

Minnie, Daniel W.
Minnie, Maureen E.
25 Arnold St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/29/11

Moakler, Gary P.
42 Oakland St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/27/11

Murray, Suzanne J.
49 Stockman St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/22/11

Mylonakis, Eftis
2057 Page Blvd.
Indian Orchard, MA 01151
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/30/11

Neslusan, Serena M.
120 Five Bridge Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/29/11

Nicholson, Carole N.
483 Stony Hill Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/29/11

O’Donnell, John P.
O’Donnell, Ruth M.
24 Highmoor Dr.
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/17/11

Orange Video
Nelson, Gary E.
Nelson, Joyce M.
180 Walnut St.
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/25/11

Palmer, Maureen A.
10 Harwich Road
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/20/11

Pazik, Joseph S.
2 Linden Ave.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/21/11

Peczka, Robert J.
Peczka, Gladys A.
15 Old Coach Circle
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/17/11

Peters, Lynn
120-D Rifle St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/16/11

Reybuck, Sabrina
P.O. Box 88
Warren, MA 01083
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/20/11

Risch, Scott David
Risch, Jennifer Hope
86 Cliff St.
North Adams, MA 01247
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/20/11

Ritter, Sean P.
Ritter, Iwona M.
3 Harlow Clark Road
Huntington, MA 01050
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/29/11

Rivest, Gary Leo
Rivest, Sadie Marie
98 Davis St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/27/11

Roach, David N.
Roach, Kimberly A.
3518 Greenwich Road
Ware, MA 01082
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/23/11

Romito, Jeffrey R.
Watts-Romito, Lisa M.
31 Stony Brook Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/28/11

Rousseau, Brian F.
260 Casey Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/28/11

Scales, Arlene Marion
17 Hall St.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/17/11

Shufelt, Kevin M.
160 Lyons Hills Road
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/25/11

Simonds, Jane B.
115 State St.
Amherst, MA 01002
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/17/11

Skaza, Jan M.
Skaza, Joan E.
38 Sanders St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/29/11

Skorka, Judith
P.O. Box 54
Chicopee, MA 01014
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/22/11

Slate, Debra Lynn
48 Poole Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/29/11

Sommer, Marlene K.
a/k/a Ferrero, Marlene K.
113 Albemarle Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/16/11

Stultz, Nicole J.
137 Wanamaker Road
Northfield, MA 01360
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/23/11

Tajon, Manuel M.
32 Lynwood Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/22/11

Tardiff, Paul U.
P.O. Box 81255
Springfield, MA 01138
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/16/11

Tetreault, Crystal M.
PO Box 405
Warren, MA 01083
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/26/11

Tluszcz, Edward J.
35 North Wales Road
Holland, MA 01521
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/17/11

Valenta, Barbara K.
20 Lyman Ave.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/21/11

Vergara, Luis
Santos-Vergara, Wanda I.
291 Rosewell St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/16/11

Virgilio, Janelle L.
a/k/a Coons, Janelle L.
23 Allessio St.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/21/11

Visconti, Beth A.
42 South View Dr.
Southwick, MA 01077-9769
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/29/11

Whalen, Francis Earl
Whalen, Shirley Mae
35 Cahillane Ter.
Florence, MA 01062
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/23/11

Williams, Roy Blane
184 Birch Bluffs Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/28/11

Wiswall, Donald J.
270 Turners Falls Road
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/20/11

Wright, Sandra J.
49 Hamilton St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/20/11

Doing Business As Certificates

By BusinessWest Staff August 16, 2011

DBA Certificates Departments

The following Business Certificates and Trade Names were issued or renewed during the months of June and July 2011.

AGAWAM

ABLM Properties
31 South Brooke Lane
Adam Rovithis

Knox Trail Outfitters
29 Southwick St.
Michael DeChristopher

Own the Way
301 Springfield St.
Rashad Rauf

Robert Hurlbut Consulting Services
417 Springfield St.
Robert Hurlbut

CHICOPEE

Cookie’s Bodega
830 Chicopee St.
Jasmilarin Urbina

Dana Park Pizza and Wings Inc.
486 Springfield St.
Alan E. Bishop

Evelyn’s Bakery
8 Center St.
Evelyn Vargas

Natural Healing Massage
123 Carew St.
Donna Bigos

Snowcap Design
110 Hampden St.
Wendy Markham

GREENFIELD

Masiello Commercial Associates
508 Bernardston Road
The Masiello Group

Sanana Massage
10 Fiske Ave.
Susan M. Cadwell

HADLEY

Hartford Ma Cleaners
440 Russell-Hadley
Kyou S. Kim

Mark McLeod Contracting
233 Bay Road
Mark McLeod

HOLYOKE

Dollar Tree Store
2269 Northampton St.
Julie White

High Street Jewelry Gift & Video
445 High St.
Juan Morales

KPB Pretzels Inc.
50 Holyoke St.
Kenneth P. Brunini

Nati’s Gifts
1518 Dwight St.
Frank Caraballo

SHLLC Network & Computing Services
12 Winterbury Circle
Michael Mastroianni

Sports Authority
50 Holyoke St.
Thomas Hildenberg

T.J. Enterprises
171 Pearl St.
Michael D. Miteza

LUDLOW

Andrea Hair Gallery
345 Holyoke St.
Andrea Smith

Spindle City Precious Metals
321 Center St.
Vincent Riggio

Morais Concrete Service Inc.
171 Rood St.
Maria Morais

Mudpuppy Web Design
57 Elm St.
Nicholas Line

Pioneer Realty
733 Chapin St.
Paul Miele

PALMER

Alphatel Designs
331 Burlingame Road
Joseph Lyons

Linc’s Plumbing & Heating
21 Wilbraham St.
Lincoln Tetreault

Rapid Home Improvement
36 Elizabeth St.
Leon Marsh

SPRINGFIELD

A Perfect Surface
87 Vincent St.
Kimberly A. Calento

Ace Taxi
295 Allen St.
Yasir E. Osman

Attain Therapy & Fitness
300 Birnie Ave.
Performance

Bay Street Bottle and Can
836 Bay St.
Bao H. Nguyen

Baystate Traffic Control
34 Front St.
Marc A. Brown

Blooming Beauties
144 Glenwood St.
Lourdes M. Cortez

Elite Realty
20 Gerald St.
Chad T. Lynch

Grace Star Music
85 Sherman St.
Carl Neal

J.N.Y. Fashion
718 Main St.
Yolanda Vergara

Opinion

By BusinessWest Staff July 19, 2011

Opinion

What’s Behind the State’s ‘Big Shrink’

Massachusetts has lagged behind the rest of the country in job creation since the 2001 recession. While the rest of the country grew, we shrank.
Two interlocking factors explain a significant portion of our stagnation — Massachusetts is failing to create new businesses at the same rate it did in the ’90s, and the new businesses we manage to create are much smaller in size. The Pioneer Institute’s latest study, “The Big Shrink,” seeks to understand how the dynamics of firm size have changed.
Average establishment size dropped from 16 employees in 1990 to 9.7 employees by 2007. This decline has several causes. Large establishments in Massachusetts are disappearing, particularly branches of more than 100 people. Headquarters have actually grown in average firm size over the period studied. Unfortunately, we lost an astounding 5,000 of them from 1990 to 2007.
The most important changes have occurred at stand-alone, single-location firms that make up the vast majority of establishments in the state. The number of stand-alone businesses has increased by almost 150,000 establishments over the 17-year period. But most of that growth is from single-person or non-employer service companies, particular business services. That has resulted in a drop of average firm size at stand-alone companies from 8.38 employees to 5.48.
To be sure, small businesses are crucial to the economy, and we should support them. There’s also a case to be made that high-value-added service businesses are a durable source of employment that is strongly resistant to outsourcing. But a job-creation dynamic that results in fewer, smaller businesses is incompatible with long-term economic growth.
What is precluding Massachusetts establishments from growing and, in the process, hiring more people? Given that firm shrinkage is pervasive across industries, the answer may lie in the general business environment, as opposed to our current economic-development focus on specific industry niches. Put simply, we need a broad-based effort to address those factors that make the costs of growing and hiring outweigh the benefits. These costs include taxes, unemployment-insurance charges, and the legal and regulatory environments, to name a few factors other studies have highlighted. Massachusetts regularly falls below average in studies that rank states based on their tax and regulatory environments.
Relative to the rest of the U.S., Massachusetts’ inability, long-term, to grow jobs suggests that our economic policies are not effective. To create jobs requires that Massachusetts dramatically increase its rate of business creation and reverse the firm-size trend. Reigniting the Bay State’s job engine will require a systematic approach that takes into account the real dynamics of employment in this state and makes the Commonwealth an attractive place to start and grow businesses.

John Friar is the Pioneer Institute’s senior fellow on Jobs and the Economy and executive professor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Northeastern University’s College of Business Administration.

Editorial

By BusinessWest Staff July 19, 2011

Opinion

Rebuilding: the Region’s Big Challenge

It’s been nearly seven weeks since the tornadoes touched down in Western Mass. In most all respects, people have stopped talking about what transpired that day — it’s now a distant, yet still-fascinating memory for many — and are instead focused on the future, which is as it should be.
As with any disaster, there is an immediate response to the calamity, a stage in which this region shined on many levels, with people and institutions pitching in and stepping up in ways that can only be described with the word inspiring. Now comes the next phases, or ‘r-words,’ with respect to an event of this magnitude — recovery and rebuilding — and with these steps, the region must shine just as brightly.
In Springfield, matters are off to a very promising start with the appointment of the two leaders of the rebuilding effort — Gerald Hayes and Nick Fyntrilakis — and strong hints about the game plan they intend to put in place.
Hayes, vice president of Administration and Finance at Westfield State University, is a natural choice for this project, with his strong background in economic development, urban revitalization, and long-term planning initiatives. In short, he knows how to get things done, and he’s long displayed an ability to work with others to reach stated goals. Fyntrilakis, meanwhile, is a rising star in Springfield development and revitalization efforts, having taken a leadership role in the State Street Corridor Initiative and other projects to bring vibrancy to the city’s central business district and other neighborhoods. Like Hayes, he’s shown an ability to take a project from the drawing board to reality.
But neither has anything quite like a tornado rebuilding effort on his résumé, so this will be an exciting new challenge to which they will certainly lend energy, determination, and imagination.
The roadmap is still being developed, but the broad plan moving forward is to hire a master planner to create a blueprint for recovery and rebuilding, garner critical feedback from all relevant constituencies in the drafting of that master plan, and then effectively execute what’s been put down on paper. All this will take time, resilience, and large amounts of money that currently don’t exist and must be found, which might be the most difficult part of this assignment.
But it all starts with a plan, and for that, we suggest that all those involved aim extremely high and resolve never to settle for anything second-rate because something better might be too difficult or too expensive to pursue.
We’ve said this many times before, as have countless others, but it bears repeating. Rebuilding from the tornado will be an extreme challenge, in part because this region has never experienced anything like this, but it is also a tremendous opportunity to make things better than they were on May 31. Much better. That may sound a little corny, but it’s absolutely true, and it must be the mindset.
We can make the homes that were damaged or destroyed greener and more fuel-efficient as we rebuild; we can take already-challenged neighborhoods and make them places businesses will want to invest in and make their homes. We can make the South End a model for modern urban renewal.
None of this will happen quickly or easily, but the opportunity is there to do something meaningful, something historic — if we take the energy and creativity that was applied to the tornado response and apply it to the long-term process of rebuilding in Springfield, West Springfield, Westfield, Monson, and every other community where the tornadoes touched down.

Building Permits

By BusinessWest Staff July 19, 2011

Building Permits Departments

The following building permits were issued during the months of June and July 2011.

AGAWAM

Agawam Plaza
67 Springfield St.
$30,000 — Fire sprinkler installation

CHICOPEE

Berkshire Retail
205 Exchange St.
$45,000 — Renovate Internet cafe

Callaway Golf Sales Company
425 Meadow St.
$19,000 — Renovate existing duct system

Con-Way Transportation
84 New Lombard Road
$82,000 — Roof repair

Faith Methodist Church
181 Montcalm St.
$9,500 — Install replacement windows

Hair Cuttery
1410 Memorial Dr.
$30,000 — Store remodel

Nineteenth Association Properties, Inc.
561 Sheridan St.
$8,000 — Add 8-by-14 deck with ramp

TFGC
425 Meadow St.
$35,000 — Erect wall partitions

HADLEY

Kevin Michelson
8 Pine Hill Road
$14,000 — Construct waiting room for customers

HOLYOKE

Jeffrey Wilga Jr.
269 Whitney Ave.
$13,600 — Build new addition

Jonathan M. David
2 Oscar St.
$22,300 — Re-build collapsed roof

Nicole Rodrigues
48 Portland St.
$5,000 — Renovations

Patrick Mangan Trust
317 Westfield Road
$3,800 — Install patio door

LUDLOW

Big Y Foods Inc.
433 Center St.
$98,500 — New roof

Lil’ Dogs
393 East St.
$7,000 — New roof

NORTHAMPTON

F. L. Roberts & Company
63 Main St.
$39,000 — Exterior renovations

Garden Building, LLC
361 Main St.
$10,000 — Exterior renovations

Leo P. Lachance
487-489 Bernardston Road
$208,000 — Interior renovations for a new community medical center

SOUTH HADLEY

Cumberland Farms
507 Newton St.
$350,000 — Store renovations

E Ink
7 Gaylord St.
$1,505,000 — Commercial renovation

Mount Holyoke College
1 Everett St.
$1,097,600 — Construction of a new public safety building

SPRINGFIELD

Fuller Development, LLC
1545 Main St.
$91,000 — Tenant fit-up

HGI
820 West Columbus Ave.
$6,000 — Build exterior deck

Mercy Hospital
233 Carew St.
$4,190,000 — Renovate fourth and fifth floor

WESTFIELD

Briarwood, LLC
70 Court St.
$1,500 — Interior renovations

Bankruptcies

By BusinessWest Staff July 19, 2011

Bankruptcies Departments

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

Acevedo-Barrows, Natasha
252 Gilbert Ave.
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/11

Alves, Adam
72 Canal Dr.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/01/11

Anderson, Lynne S.
24 Hamilton Ave
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/08/11

Ardizzoni, Thomas Joseph
Ardizzoni, Sandra Lee
22 Holland Road
Wales, MA 01081
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/11

Baez, Evelyn
565 Riverside Road
Springfield, MA 01107
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/03/11

Baez, Pedro
a/k/a Baez, Peter
565 Riverside Road
Springfield, MA 01107
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/03/11

Ballester, Gloria I.
28 Sherbrooke St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/13/11

Basu, Biswajit
Basu, Vandana
48 Holy Family Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/04/11

Beraldi, Michael E.
29 Pine St.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/11

Bernardos, Robert J.
Bernardos, Luce T.
a/k/a Bressette, Luce T.
54 Wing St.
Indian Orchard, MA 01151
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/15/11

Bizon, Danielle M.
74 Front St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/02/11

Block, John Chris
26 Mountain Dr.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/03/11

Blue Tomato Farm Food
Hu, Guang
a/k/a Hu, Phillip G.
55 North Main St., Unit 41
Belchertown, MA 01007
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/03/11

Boniface, Christopher M.
252 Kings Highway
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/08/11

Boos, Erica A.
2215 Main St.
Three Rivers, MA 01080
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/07/11

Bouchard, Denise J.
63 7th St.
Turners Falls, MA 01376
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/11

Boucher Sr., Gilbert E.
P.O. Box 225
Oakham, MA 01068
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/13/11

Boulware, Stella M.
a/k/a Mims-Hylton, Stella
61 Kimberly Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/01/11

Burnett, Ann E.
415 Springfield St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/01/11

Byrd, Leah
35 Hope Farms Dr.
Feeding Hills, MA 01030
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/11

Carlson, Erik J.
37 Boutin St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/14/11

Carpenter, John H.
Carpenter, Joanne E.
23 Berkshire Circle
Ware, MA 01082
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/14/11

Chevalier, Marjorie A.
185 Chudy St.
Three Rivers, MA 01080
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/09/11

Conniff, Daniel J.
Conniff, Pamela D.
30 Mooreland St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/11

Cullen, Courtney Jean
40 High St. Apt. N
Amherst, MA 01002
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/15/11

Dawson, Randall C.
Dawson, Brigitte A.
P.O. Box 292
Ashley Falls, MA 01230
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/07/11

Demarco, Roberta M.
a/k/a Demarco, Robbie M.
84 Worthy Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/09/11

Dimos, James K.
PO Box 882
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/11

Dolan, Eileen T.
a/k/a Grimaldi, Eileen
11 King Place
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/03/11

Dulude, Kenneth G.
Dulude, Kristie A.
162 Penrose St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/08/11

ELR designs
Interiors by ELR Designs
Rhindress, Erin Leigh
a/k/a Boughamer, Erin Leigh
343 Wilbraham Road
Hampden, MA 01036
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/07/11

Enright, Benjamin P.
4 Highland Ave.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/07/11

Fernandes, Roberto
21 Jackson St., #2
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/06/11

Fitch, Judith E.
21 Clayton Dr.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/11

Flynn, George F.
Flynn, Linda L.
41 Rabideau Dr.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/06/11

Furnia, Joseph C.
Furnia, Gloria G.
154 Taylor St.
Granby, MA 01033
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/13/11

Glover, Grady A.
Glover, Amanda R.
220 2nd St.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/11

Gonzalez, Joseph Perez
327 Orange St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/12/11

Griffin, Ruth F.
67 Clough St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/15/11

Grimaldi, Jennie L.
525 Cooper St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/08/11

Gugenberger, Steven A.
36 Beauregard St.
Indian Orchard, MA 01151
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/03/11

Hambley, Mark Gregory
190 Longhill St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/15/11

Hector, James G.
62 Edwards St., Apt. 203
Springfield, MA 01105
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/06/11

Holzhauer, Mariah
121 Greenfield Road, Apt. 1
Montague, MA 01351
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/11

Jahn, Maria Davina
50 Pine St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/13/11

Jenco, Mark P.
5 Newell St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/08/11

JOE Construction Services
National Service
Prince, Joseph D.
Prince, Renee M.
153 Mt Vernon Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/01/11

Kennedy, Cheri L.
31 Borys Circle
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/03/11

Kennedy, Jason D.
31 Borys Circle
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/03/11

Kirouac, Donna Lee
72 Washington St.
Lynn, MA 01902
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/13/11

Knight, Norma L.
25 First St.
Hampton Ponds
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/11

Krutka, James W.
Krutka, Julianne M.
74 King St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/15/11

Lacki, Lester S.
Lacki, Mary Alyce
650 Silver Lake St.
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/03/11

Lapointe, Steven J.
Lapointe, Lynn
36 Raymond Circle
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/01/11

Larder, Marc M.
Larder, Ellen M.
37 Helen Circle
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/01/11

LeClair, Frank
14 Goodman Lane
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/07/11

LeVardi, Jerry P.
1125 Sandmill Road
Cheshire, MA 01225
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/08/11

Lucia, Denise M.
6 Paper St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/09/11

Mahoney, James L.
2460 Pendleton Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01022
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/13/11

Marlow, Matthew Fredrick
46 Clinton Ave.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/14/11

Matta, Gerald
397 Palmer Road
Ware, MA 01082
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/11

McCarthy, Peter E.
Caballero-McCarthy, Minerva
a/k/a Reardon, Minerva C.
115 Barbara Lane
Feeding Hills, MA 01030
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/06/11

Medvec, Stephen W.
P.O. Box 1046
Pittsfield, MA 01202
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/09/11

Moore, Edna M.
P.O. Box 82
Ware, MA 01082
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/15/11

Mowe, Marcia Ann
74 Park Ave.
North Adams, MA 01247
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/06/11

Nassar, Micah G.
45 Williow St., Apt 30
Springfield, MA 01103
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/05/11

Newton-Irelan, Robin F.
870 East St.
Lenox, MA 01240
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/06/11

Nielsen, Donald
735 Memorial Dr. #33
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/11

Noonan, Michael W.
58 Summit St.
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/07/11

North Adams Regional Hospital
71 Hospital Ave.
North Adams, MA 01247
Chapter: 11
Filing Date: 06/13/11

Northern Berkshire Health
71 Hospital Ave.
North Adams, MA 01247
Chapter: 11
Filing Date: 06/13/11

Northern Berkshire Realty
71 Hospital Ave.
Doctors Building, Room 2
North Adams, MA 01247
Chapter: 11
Filing Date: 06/13/11

O’Neill, Roy
664 East Main St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/05/11

Pagan, Julio A.
1224 Page Blvd.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/09/11

Phillips, Christopher K.
Phillips, Melissa T.
a/k/a Torres, Melissa
73 Armstrong St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/13/11

Phillips, Claiborne Hooper
120 Central St.
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/11

Prouty, Frances A.
154 McIntosh Dr.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/14/11

Renaud, Michele A.
1073 Pine St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/13/11

Rivera, Marisol
859 Main St.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/01/11

Robinson, Brett L.
Robinson, Lauren A.
a/k/a Cardin, Lauren A.
P.O. Box 801
Wales, MA 01081
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/11

Robinson, Ernestine
9 Sycamore St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/09/11

Rubero, Jose F.
2 Old Bay Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/03/11

Senecal, Sharen A.
20 Faulkner Place
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/11

Something Special Catering
Bernier, Laurie A.
P.O. Box 227
Granby, MA 01033
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/01/11

Soto, Susan M.
a/k/a Craven, Susan M.
275 Main St.
Indian Orchard, MA 01151
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/04/11

Spencer, Allan L.
Spencer, Karen
298 Monson Turnpike Road
Ware, MA 01082
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/13/11

Springer, Edward P.
Springer, Laurie A.
47 Davis St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/10/11

Strong, Craig R.
95 Gilbert Ave.
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/11

Sullivan, James M.
Sullivan, Rebecca E.
73 Somerset St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/10/11

Surprenant, John Paul
Surprenant, Mary Elizabeth
PO Box 498
Brimfield, MA 01010
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/13/11

Swayger, Michael J.
P.O. Box 83
Westfield, MA 01086
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/06/11

Talbot, Erica J.
96 Anzio Road
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/07/11

Talbot, James M.
324 Southwick Road, C-7
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/07/11

Tavernier, Stephen A.
Tavernier, Marie E.
92 Florence St.
Springfield, MA 01105
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/07/11

Thomas, Jason
Thomas, Teresa Lynn
92B Little Rest Road
Warren, MA 01083
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/08/11

Trott, Brian A.
400 East St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/13/11

Vadnais, Phillip G.
16 Monroe St.
Ware, MA 01082
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/06/11

Vega, Henry A.
Vega, Catherine P.
a/k/a Dagastino, Catherine
13 Day Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/08/11

VG Janitorial Service
Govine, Vincent
42 Holland Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/14/11

Visiting Nurse Association
535 Curran Highway
North Adams, MA 01247
Chapter: 11
Filing Date: 06/13/11

Warner, Debra E.
111 Hope St., Apt. 3S
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/07/11

Whalen, Michael Patrick
Whalen, Linda Rita
115 Shearer St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/09/11

Willaims, Dianne Marie
107 Monrovia St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/06/11

Williams, Jean
23 Monticello Ave
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/14/11

Woods, Catherine Mary
105 East St.
Clinton, MA 01510
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/06/11

Young, Mary Margaret
184 Coyote Circle
Feeding Hills, MA 01030
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 06/15/11

Incorporations

By BusinessWest Staff July 19, 2011

Departments Incorporations

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

AMHERST

Sing This Summer Inc., 137 Pine St., Amherst, MA 01002. Jonathan Hirsh, same. Vocal training and coaching.

CHICOPEE

Zohra Inc., 659 Grattan St., Chicopee, MA 01020. Umar Bhatti, same. Convenience store.

GREAT BARRINGTON

Rude Movement Inc., 14 Berkshire Circle, Great Barrington, MA 01230. Jordan Ivey Weller, same. Organization designed to encourage good public behavior among citizens of Massachusetts.

HOLYOKE

Sybm Inc., 10 Beacon Ave., Holyoke, MA 01040. Alizabeth Bernadette Showers, same. To improve the communities in which we live by adding value through everyday contributions in the arts, education, and enterprise. Sybm hopes to create a renaissance like movement restoring the belief in our youth and young adults the ability to dream without fear.

Victory Home Healthcare Inc., 717 Northampton St., Unit 41, Holyoke, MA 01040. Jacob Waah, same. Home health care services.

Western Mass Safety and Fire Education Assoc. Inc., 600 High St., Holyoke, MA 01040. Michael Richard, 10 Heritage Lane, Monson, MA 01057.

HUNTINGTON

The Huntington Public library Foundation Inc., 7 Main St., Huntington, MA 01050. Karen Wittshirk, 143 Pond Brook Road, Huntington, MA 01050. Nonprofit organization formed to support and promote the Huntington Public Library.

INDIAN ORCHARD

Seven Oceans Inc., 967 Worcester St., Apt 3, Indian Orchard, MA 01151. Ramzan Ali, same. Convenience store.

Western Mass Hackerspace Corp., 34 Front St., Indian Orchard, MA 01151. Patrick Cagan, 11 Lewis St., Westfield, MA 01085. To promote and encourage technical, scientific, and artistic skills through individual projects, social collaboration and education.

LENOX

Stockbridge Motorcar Company Inc., 150 Hubbard St., Lenox, MA 01240. Automotive repairs and sales.

Women’s Interactive Network Inc., 213 Main St., Lenox, MA 01240. Laura Fetherolf, same.

LONGMEADOW

Springfield Rifles Inc., 100 Jonquil lane, Longmeadow, MA 01106. Youth hockey program.

NORTHAMPTON

Rich Denno Inc., 551 Florence Road, Northampton, MA 01062. Richard Denno, same. Construction.

Wayde James Inc., 49 Pine Brook Curv, Northampton, MA 01060. Wayde James, same. Construction.

SOUTH DEERFIELD

Primo Pizzeria & Restaurant Inc., 4B Sugerloaf St., South Deerfield, MA 01373. Ismael Alvarado, 275 East Hadley Road, Amherst, MA 01002. Pizzeria and restaurant

SPRINGFIELD

Quality Import Management Inc., 626 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104. Jhoan Cruz, same. Roumeliotis Law Group, P.C. 51 Taylor St., Springfield, MA 01103. George Roumeliotis, same. Professional law services and consultation.

Royal Professional Inc., 101 Mulberry St., #113, Springfield, MA 01105. Avihen Levanon, same. Retail hair sales products.

Sh Wireless Inc., 1365A Liberty St., Springfield, MA 01104. Jin Hong, 2334 Founders Way, Saugus, MA 01906. Cellular phone sales and service.

Springfield Wildcats Inc., 179 Warrenton St., Springfield, MA 01109. Crystal Mendoza, same. Youth football and cheerleading program for grades 3-8.

St. James Property Mgmt. Inc., 706 Saint James Ave., Springfield, MA 01104. Carlos Rivera, 90 Paramount St., Springfield, MA 01104. Commercial property-management company.

Varsity Entertainment Group Inc., 202 Northampton Ave., Springfield, MA 01109. Heath Richardson, same. Music composition.

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Tri-State Fabricators Inc., 49 Apricot Hill Lane, West Springfield, MA 01089. Mark Edwards, same. Metal fabrications and construction.

WILBRAHAM

Wilbraham Construction Inc., 10 Beechwood Dr., Wilbraham, MA 01095. Judy Bergdoll, same. Construction

WILLIAMSBURG

Scotti’s Inc., 151 Sugar Hill Road, Williamsburg, MA 01096. Pierre Brisson, same. Limited food service and recreation.

WILLIAMSTOWN

Willows For Holidays Inc., 480 Williamstown, MA 01267. Bhupinder Sabharwal, same. Motel.

People on the Move

By BusinessWest Staff July 19, 2011

Departments People on the Move

United Bank announced the following:

Barbara-Jean DeLoria

• Barbara-Jean DeLoria has been named Senior Vice President of Commercial and Retail Lending. She has been with United since 1989, most recently serving as a senior vice president and commercial lending officer. She also has overall responsibility for the bank’s consumer lending department. In her new role, DeLoria will remain based at the bank’s corporate headquarters in West Springfield and will maintain her commercial-lending portfolio, in addition to her new responsibility for managing the bank’s retail lending division, which includes consumer and residential lending. DeLoria is treasurer of the Affiliated Chamber of Commerce of Greater Springfield and serves on the Professional Women’s Chamber. She also serves on boards for the Weston Rehabilitation Center for Women, the Massachusetts Small Business Review Board, and Springfield Rifles Hockey Inc. She is a teacher for the Center of Financial Training (CFT) and president of Dress for Success of Western Mass.; and
•

Milly Parzychowski

has been hired as Assistant Vice President and Residential Lending Sales Manager. She is a new addition to the United Bank team, bringing with her decades of experience in mortgage financing in the Greater Springfield area. As the assistant vice president and residential lending sales manager based at the bank’s corporate headquarters in West Springfield, Parzychowski is responsible for managing the residential-lending team of originators, as well as residential-mortgage business development. Parzychowski joins the bank from Mortgage Master in West Springfield, where she served as senior loan officer, a position she had also held previously with Family Choice Mortgage Corp. in West Springfield. She serves as chair of the Board of Directors for the Agawam Small Business Assistance Center, is immediate past president of the West Springfield/Agawam Kiwanis Club, and is active in several charitable organizations.
•••••
Attorney Susan Fentin, a partner with Skoler, Abbott & Presser, P.C., will be a key speaker at the 2011 Advanced Employment Issues Symposium in Nashville, Tenn. on Oct. 6 and 7. Fentin will be part of the keynote panel that will begin the symposium and will be speaking on independent contractor misclassification, a topic of significance for employers in Massachusetts and elsewhere in the U.S.
•••••

Tamara Fricke

The Massachusetts Chamber of Business and Industry announced that Tamara Fricke has been named Vice President and Manager of Chamber Relations. She comes to the chamber with more than 15 years of professional experience in managing sales, marketing, and information-technology initiatives.
•••••
Dietz & Co. Architects announced the following:
• Jamie Kelliher has joined the firm. He graduated from Cornell University with a bachelor of Architecture degree and the University of Arizona with a master of Architecture degree in Urban Design. Prior to joining Dietz & Co. Architects, he worked at Drachman Institute for Regional Development in Tucson, Ariz. and Paolo Soleri/Arcosanti Planning Office in Mayer, Ariz., where he acquired experience working on complex, high-end, award-winning, multi-family, mixed-use building projects. He collaborated on the Soleri Bridge and Plaza in Scottsdale, Ariz., where the design incorporated hallmarks of Paolo Soleri’s signature style and was also designed to bring awareness of our human connection to the sun and the natural world;

Josh Payne

• Josh Payne has joined the firm as an Architectural Associate. He graduated from Roger Williams University with a bachelor of Architecture Degree and studied planning, architectural design, and art history for a semester at Palazzo Rucellai in Florence, Italy. He acquired valuable experience collaborating on complex, high-end residential projects at a design firm in Great Barrington;

Kris Kennedy

• Kris Kennedy has joined the firm as an Architectural Associate. He came to Dietz as an intern in the spring of 2010 and has since earned his master of Architecture degree from UMass Amherst. He was one of three graduates honored by the faculty of the Tau Sigma Delta National Honor Society, which is the only national honor society in architecture. He also acquired his certification as LEED AP BD+C. He was involved as a session chair at the NESEA Conference BE11 this past Spring. He is most interested in sustainability and community engagement through design; and
• Mark Hellen has joined the firm. He graduated from New York University and Boston Architectural College with a master of Architecture degree. Prior to joining the firm, he spent over 10 years at CBT in Boston, working on various educational, residential, and commercial projects. His extensive list of experience, regionally, includes the design of Turner Hill Cottage Development, a residential project on an exclusive golf course in Ipswich, Mass., and Northfield Mount Hermon Rhodes Art Center, an educational project encompassing multiple classroom, art, and performance spaces. His most complex past project is Champlain College, which included adding four dormitory buildings to an existing neighborhood.
•••••

Kristen Adams

Kristen Adams has been named eMarketing Officer for Florence Savings Bank. Adams joined FSB in June, having worked most recently as an Internet Marketing Manager at the Janlynn Corporation. Active in the community, Adams is a volunteer at Big Brothers Big Sisters and a member of Northampton Area Young Professionals.
•••••
Attorney Ryan Alekman, a Partner of Alekman DiTusa in Springfield, has been elected to a two-year term on the Board of Governors of the Massachusetts Academy of Trial Attorneys. A graduate of the Western New England College School of Law, he handles personal-injury and criminal-defense cases.
•••••
Nuvo Bank & Trust Co. has promoted Susan Fearn to Assistant Vice President in addition to her duties as Client Sales and Service Manager.
•••••
Brian O’Shea, Manager of the Holyoke McDonald’s, 285 Maple St., and Jeremy Zimowsky, manager of the 2194 Northampton St., Holyoke McDonald’s, are recipients of Outstanding Restaurant Manager awards by the Connecticut and Western Mass. McDonald’s Owner-Operator Assoc. The award recognizes managers whose McDonald’s restaurants operate at an outstanding level and exemplify leadership following McDonald’s key initiatives. The top 10% of restaurant managers are bestowed with the honor.
•••••
The Mass. Society of Certified Public Accountants Inc. recently elected its board of directors for the 2011-12 fiscal year. The MSCPA board of directors sets policies, manages programs, and oversees activities that benefit the 10,500-plus-member organization and accounting profession. The following will serve as board officers:
• Stuart Benton, CPA, Bradford Soapworks Inc., as chairman;
• Kenneth Kirkland, CPA, KAF Financial Group, as chairman-elect;
• Merrill Puopolo, CPA, CBIZ, Tofias & Mayer Hoffman McCann P.C. – Tofias New England Division, as vice-chairwoman of finance;
• Tracy Noga, CPA, Bentley University, as vice chairwoman;
• William Mahoney, CPA, Edelstein & Co. LLP, as vice chairman;
• Jeffrey Solomon, CPA, Levine Katz Nannis + Solomon P.C., as past chairman; and
• Theodore Flynn, CAE, MSCPA, as president and CEO.
The following will sit on the board as members: Cheryl Burke, DiCicco Gulman & Co. LLP; Frank Constance, CPA, Coles & Bodoin LLP; Kristin Costa, CPA, Braver P.C.; Paul Gerry Jr., CPA, Gray Gray & Gray LLP; Gerald Gerson, CPA, Litman Gerson LLP; Scott Levy, CPA, Grant Thornton LLP; Kevin Martin Jr., CPA, MST, Kevin Martin & Associates P.C.; Carla McCall, CPA, Alexander Aronson Finning & Co. P.C.; Robb Morton, CPA, CITP, Boiselle Morton & Associates LLP; George Neble, CPA, Ernst & Young LLP; Charles O’Donnell, CPA, Hans Kissle Co. Inc.; and Carolyn Stall, CPA, Stall Advisors LLC.
•••••
The Springfield Technical Community College Foundation recently welcomed three new members to its board:

Raymond Berry

• Raymond Berry is Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration for the United Way of Pioneer Valley. He previously held positions at MARC: Community Resources, the Springfield Housing Authority, and the Mason Square Development Corp.;

Sheila King Goodwin

• Sheila King Goodwin is Senior Vice President of Retail for PeoplesBank and previously held management positions at Citizens Bank and Fleet Bank; and

Michael Weekes

• Michael Weekes of Longmeadow is President and CEO of the Massachusetts Council of Human Service Providers, the state’s largest human-service
trade association, and also of the Human Services Providers Charitable Foundation.

Chamber Corners: Upcoming Events

By BusinessWest Staff July 19, 2011

Chamber Corners Departments

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

• Aug. 3: Red Sox Bus Trip to Fenway Park vs. Cleveland Indians. Game time: 7:10 p.m. Cost: $105 each. Limited tickets are still available.
• Aug. 24: Business After Hours, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., hosted on a C-5 at Westover Air Reserve Base. Cost: $10 for members, $20 for non-members. Registration is required.

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

• Aug. 11: Networking by Night Business Card Exchange, 5-7 p.m., hosted by Nicky D’s, 164 Northampton St., Easthampton. Sponsored by 5 Star Building Corp. Door prizes, hors d’ouevres, host beer and wine. Cost: $5 for members, $15 for non-members.
Greater Holyoke Chamber of Commerce
www.holycham.com
(413) 534-3376

• Aug. 24: Chamber Business Salute Breakfast, 7:30 to 9 a.m., hosted by the Yankee Pedlar, 1866 Northampton St., Holyoke. Sponsored by Lyon & Fitzpatrick LLP. Cost: $20 for a buffet breakfast. Call the chamber at (413) 534-3376 to reserve tickets or log onto www.holycham.com.

South Hadley/Granby Chamber of Commerce
www.shchamber.com
(413) 532-6451

• Aug. 9: “Step Away” for Chamber, 8-11 a.m., hosted by Wingate Nursing Home, Rt. 202, South Hadley. No cost, but There is no cost, but members must RSVP to Kay Sordillo at [email protected] by Aug. 5. Chamber members only.

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

• Aug. 22: 8th Annual Golf Tournament, hosted by Oakridge Country Club, Agawam. Registration at 11:30 a.m., lunch on terrace at 12 noon, shotgun start at 1 p.m. (scramble format), sit-down banquet dinner at 5:30 p.m. Cost: golf and dinner, $99 per player; dinner only: $35 per person; tee or green sponsor, $75. Other sponsorships available; contact chamber for more information. Fees include green fees, 18 holes of golf with cart, lunch on terrace, refreshments on course, and formal banquet dinner. Banquet dinner includes raffles; silent auction; prizes for first-, second-, and third-place teams, hole in one, closest to the pin, longest drive, and most accurate drive.

Court Dockets

By BusinessWest Staff July 19, 2011

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
Ted Ondrick Co. Inc. v. Bruschi Brothers Inc.
Allegation: Breach of written agreement: $14,608.90
Filed: 6/13/11

FRANKLIN SUPERIOR COURT
Kevin Bonfilio v. Main Street Bar & Grille, et al
Allegation: While at the defendant’s tavern, plaintiff was beaten by two intoxicated patrons, suffering permanent injuries: $235,840
Filed: 5/16/11
Patterson Farm, LLC v. Agronomic Field Services, LLC and Allan Smith
Allegation: Failure to pay for trucks purchased and services rendered: $51,380.41
Filed: 5/27/11

GREENFIELD DISTRICT COURT
Veronica Willard v. Fisher Express Inc.
Allegation: Breach of partnership conversion: $25,000
Filed: 5/27/11

HAMPDEN SUPERIOR COURT
Concrete Services Inc. v. Bruschi Brothers Inc., et al
Allegation: Breach of contract and unfair and deceptive trade practices: $6,161.52
Filed: 5/6/11

Barbara Ostrowski v. Robert S. Wool, M.D. and Women’s Health Group of Western Mass. Inc.
Allegation: Medical malpractice: $80,000
Filed: 5/5/11
Ted Ondrick Co., LLC v. Green River Development, LLC and John Christopher
Allegation: Non-payment of paving services rendered: $25,350.30
Filed: 5/6/11

HOLYOKE DISTRICT COURT
Falcetti & Clark Electrical Supply v. Specialty Loose Leaf Inc.
Allegation: Non-payment of electrical services supplied: $5,000
Filed: 4/22/11

PALMER DISTRICT COURT
Irene Spring v. Mass. Central Railroad Corp.
Allegation: While traveling in a car under a train-track overpass, part of the railroad support structure fell and struck the plaintiff’s vehicle: $9,576.33
Filed: 5/24/11

SPRINGFIELD DISTRICT COURT
Heritage Electric Inc. v. Lexington Development
Allegation: Non-payment of electric labor and materials: $5,470
Filed: 5/2/11

Liberty Mutual Fire Insurance Co. v. NIHEN Construction Co. Inc.
Allegation: Non-payment on two workers’ compensation policies: $16,925.34
Filed: 5/16/11

Nassau Lens Co. Inc. v. Occhali Eye Boutique, LLC
Allegation: Non-payment of goods sold and delivered: $10,115.11
Filed: 4/11/11

The MVA for Rehabilitation v. Commerce Insurance Co.
Allegation: Denial of payment for medical bills: $3,870.52
Filed: 4/18/11

By BusinessWest Staff July 19, 2011

Departments Picture This

Hoop City Jazz & Art Festival

Large crowds descended on Court Square July 9-11 for the Hampden Bank Hoop City Jazz & Art Festival (HCJAF). The annual event featured a number of jazz performers, art vendors, an array of fine food, and general merriment.
Photography by Ed Cohen

From left, Kari Njiiri of WFCR; Adrienne Osborn, director of Artist Relations for the HCJAF; Ron Ancrum, president of the Community Foundation of Western Mass. and advisory board member for the HCJAF; John Osborn, president and founder of the festival; Amy Scribner, assistant vice president and associate director of Marketing for Hampden Bank; Richard DeBonis, senior vice president and director of Marketing for Hampden Bank; and Evan Plotkin, president of NAI Plotkin.

The scene in Court Square.

Vincent Ingala lights things up on his saxophone.

Pancho Sanchez performs with his Latin Jazz Band.

Hampden Bank employees John Mirkin, Amy Scribner, Donna Abelli, Cindy Bartels, and Debbie Andrews.

The scene on Friday night.

The scene in front of the stage.

Dawn Creighton, with her daughters, Caleigh (left) and Mackenzie.

Big Band Celebration

Hundreds of area residents flocked to the green at Springfield Technical Community College on July 9 for what was called a “Poppin’ Big Band Celebration.” The evening of music and dance was a salute to Benny Goodman’s 1943 concert at the Springfield Armory, much of which was later transformed into STCC after the facility closed in 1966. The event featured the Memories Big Band Sound, a USO Retro Show featuring two dance troupes, Jitterbug Dancers of Chicopee, and Small Planet Dancers of Westfield, and a performance by the U.S. Northeast Navy Pops Band.
Photography by Jim Langone

Big Band Celebration

The scene from the audience, with the Armory Museum in the background.

The Memories Big Band Sound performs.

The Small Planet Dancers mug for the camera.

Audience members take to the dance floor.

Briefcase

By BusinessWest Staff July 14, 2011

Briefcase Departments

Advertising Club
Seeks Nominations for
Pynchon Award
SPRINGFIELD — The Advertising Club of Western Mass. is seeking nominations for the 97th annual William Pynchon Award, the area’s oldest and most prestigious community-service recognition program. Established in 1915, the award honors individuals from all walks of life who go beyond the call of duty to enhance the quality of life in Western Mass. communities. Educators, social activists, philanthropists, clergy, physicians, journalists, and business leaders have received the award in years past. To nominate an individual, submit a one-page letter explaining reasons why the nominee should be considered. Included should be brief biographical information, outstanding accomplishments, service to the community, organizations he or she is or has been active in, and the names, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses of at least three people who can attest to the nominee’s contributions. All nominees will be considered and researched by the Pynchon trustees, comprised of past and present presidents of the Advertising Club. The 2011 award recipients will be announced in early fall. The awards dinner and ceremony will be held on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2011 at Chez Josef in Agawam. Nominations must be submitted by the end of business on Friday, July 22, 2011 to William Pynchon Trustees, Advertising Club of Western Mass., P.O. Box 2823, Springfield, MA 01101 or by e-mail to [email protected].

MacDuffie Property Acquired for School
SPRINGFIELD — The former home of the MacDuffie School in downtown Springfield has been acquired by the owner of several private alternative schools, with the intention of creating a boarding school for inner-city youths. John Foley, who is also the founder of Project 13, a Holyoke-based program that encourages middle-school students at risk of dropping out to stay in school, closed on the property on July 1. He plans to create the Commonwealth Academy, which will be a nonprofit institution with funding from private donors and the government. The MacDuffie campus, which includes some of the oldest homes in the city, was extensively damaged by the June 1 tornado that plowed through the city. Foley said he intends to continue using the homes as residences for the students.

UMass Chancellor to
Step Down in 2012
AMHERST — Before stepping down as UMass President on June 30, Jack Wilson announced that Robert Holub, chancellor of the flagship Amherst campus, will leave that position next year, and sooner if a replacement is found. The announcement came on the heels of a May report in the Boston Globe stating that an evaluation committee recommended against reappointing Holub after his existing contract expires on July 31. In a statement, Holub said he would leave sooner than July 2012 if another chancellor is able to begin before his new term expires.

Editorial

By BusinessWest Staff July 5, 2011

Opinion

Launching a Quest for Leadership

When we think about leaders, the discussion tends to gravitate — as it does when the subject is entrepreneurs — toward whether such individuals are born or cultivated.
The answer, with regard to each, is both.
Leaders, like entrepreneurs, simply must possess certain inherent traits, without which they won’t succeed. But we believe that leadership, like entrepreneurship, can be encouraged, developed, and, in effect, produced.
Which is why we are very encouraged by the creation of an initiative known as Leadership Pioneer Valley (see story, page 6). Spawned by the Plan for Progress and, more specifically, Action Item 7 in a 2004 update of that document — “Recruit and train a new generation of leaders” — the program was launched with the broad goal of creating an abundance of something the region will certainly need in the years to come.
Based on models created locally and in other communities, Leadership Pioneer Valley (LPV) will attempt to take people with inherent leadership qualities and provide training and insight that will help shape them into effective leaders than can serve — and benefit — this region in the decades to come.
In the ‘About Us’ section concerning LPV on the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission’s Web site, it notes that the 10-month program that recruits enter “immerses participants in an inspiring and enlightening curriculum that examines critical issues that the region’s numerous and diverse areas. During the program, participants expand their leadership skills while gaining connections, greater commitment to community stewardship, and cultural competency.” Roughly translated, this means that LPV intends to give participants an education in the Valley, its assets, challenges, goals, and aspirations — and then provide them with some opportunities to do something meaningful with that education.
We’re obviously hopeful that LPV can succeed with that overall mission, because this region has a number of very large challenges facing it, and none of them can be overcome without leadership.
For example:
• The region as a whole and most all of its larger communities must still reinvent themselves from former manufacturing centers into … well, something else. Unfortunately, most cities in the Valley carry that descriptive phrase ‘former manufacturing hub’ and have nothing to replace it with;
• While developing new sources of jobs, the region and its individual communities have to create a workforce with the skills needed to take on those new jobs, and thus attract new employers to the 413 area code;
• Springfield, the capital of Western Mass., is emerging from the economic meltdown that made it the butt of jokes for the better part of a decade, but it is still far from being the vibrant urban center everyone wants it to become; and
• The minority populations (soon to become the majority) in cities like Springfield and Holyoke need to become much more engaged in their communities and part of the pattern of progress. They have strength in numbers, but they’re not fully utilizing this asset.
These are just some of the myriad issues and challenges confronting our region, and the truth is that none of them are recent phenomena. They have been issues for many years — decades, actually — because the solutions are elusive; they don’t come easy.
And they won’t come through chance, fate, or the law of averages. They will come only through effective leadership that understands the region and the people who call it home, and are committed to moving it forward.
That’s why LPV is a critical development for Western Mass., and why we hope it will succeed in its all-important assignment.

Incorporations

By BusinessWest Staff July 5, 2011

Departments Incorporations

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

AGAWAM

Murphy Ventures Inc., 22 Lakeview Circle, Agawam, MA 01001. Timothy Murphy, same. Retail athletic footwear.

AMHERST

Full Extent Fitness Inc., 451 Pleasant St., Amherst, MA 01002. Charles Harner, same. Nonprofit organization aimed at providing a high quality fitness experience to everyone.

Norwood Laboratories Inc., 194 Lincoln Ave., Amherst MA, 01002. David Sloviter, same.

CHICOPEE

Handle with Care Inc., 254 Hampden St., Chicopee, MA 01013. Lori Demarco, same. Bottle and can redemption.

Next Level Sports and Education Inc., 328 East Main St., Chicopee, MA 01020. Rodney Smith, same. Provides educational information on health and sports fitness.

Phoenix Services and Solutions Inc., 105 Woodlawn St., Chicopee, MA 01020. Evelyn Cruz, same. Cleaning services.

EAST LONGMEADOW

Huang Garden Inc., 422 North Main St., East Longmeadow, MA 01028. Hong Mei Hong, same. Chinese Restaurant.

Luci Technologies Inc., 61 Prospect Hills Dr., East Longmeadow, MA 01028. Grace Lucia, same.

EASTHAMPTON

Park View Landscaping Inc., 170 Park St., Easthampton, MA 01027. Brian Colby same. Commercial and residential landscaping services.

FEEDING HILLS

Micro Mode Logistics Inc., 32 Horsham Place, Feeding Hills, MA 01030. Steven William Marasi, same. Transportation logistics.

HATFIELD

Gay’s Package Store Inc., 17 Scotland Road, Hatfield, MA 01038. George Gay Jr., same. Package and convenience store.

HOLYOKE

Holyoke Butcher Shop Inc., 502 Westfield Road, Holyoke, MA 01040. David Amedeo, 110 Park River Dr., Westfield, MA 01085. Meat market and deli.

Holyoke Community Music Inc., 147 Brown Ave., Holyoke, MA 01040. Megan Barber, same. Non-profit organization designed to support young people in Holyoke through music education, performance, and the development of a strong and vibrant music community.

Mega Express Transportation Inc., 256 Maple St., Suite5, Holyoke, MA 01040. Pedro Payano, same. Transportation services.

LUDLOW

Legacy Fire Protection Inc., 592 Center St., Ludlow, MA 01056. John Manganaro, same. Design, installation and inspection of commercial and residential fire suppression systems.

Modern Castle Inc., 592 Center St., Suite B, Ludlow, MA 01056. Jason Carrington, same. Sales and service of electronics.

NORTHAMPTON

Noviello Anesthesia, P.A., 141 State St., Northampton, MA 01060. John Noviello, same. Registered nurse anesthesiologist.

SOUTHWICK

JVJ Distributing Inc., 297 North Loomis St., Southwick, MA 01077. Jeffrey Pelinsky, same. Sales and distribution of food products.

SPRINGFIELD

Harder Work Inc., 46 Groveland St., Springfield, MA 01108. Yusuf Abdul-Ali, same. Non-profit organization designed to raise money for foundations who meet specific requirements for help.

Ministerio De Fuego Inc., 752 Belmont Ave, #1, Springfield, MA 01108. Bienvenido Vazquez, same. Youth and adult ministry.

New Dawn Healthcare Inc., 32 Dickinson St., Springfield, MA 01108. Dawn Hunter, same. Alternative low-cost affordable home healthcare services.

WESTFIELD

Friends of the Westfield Senior Center, 40 Main St., Westfield, MA 01085. Thomas Humphrey, 84 Cardinal Lane, Westfield, MA 01085. Raise funds to support the Westfield Council on Aging.

Gopal Krishna Convenience Inc., 420 Union St., Westfield, MA 01085. Vinod Kumar, 77 Sibly Ave., West Springfield, MA 01089. Convenience store.

Miss Sweets Inc., 4 Russell Road, Westfield, MA 01085. Tracy Gillespie, 6 Woodland Road, Westfield, MA 01085. Preparation and sales of sweets.

WILLIAMSBURG

Joshua Montgomery Inc., 39 Petticoat Hill Road, Williamsburg, MA 01096. Joshua Montgomery, same.

Louis Montgomery Inc., 39 Petticoat Hill Road, Williamsburg, MA 01096. Louis Montgomery, same.

Briefcase

By BusinessWest Staff July 5, 2011

Briefcase Departments

Pair Tapped to Head Tornado Recovery
SPRINGFIELD — Gerald Hayes, vice president for administration and finance at Westfield State University, and Nicholas Fyntrilakis, assistant vice president for community responsibility at MassMutual, have been selected to lead the city of Springfield’s long-term rebuilding campaign following the tornadoes of June 1. At a news conference last week, Mayor Domenic Sarno said both men have extensive credentials in urban development and knowledge of Springfield’s history and character. They will serve at no cost to the public. In the wake of the disaster, 22 buildings in the city were demolished, 171 condemned, and more than 1,000 damaged. Hayes and Fyntrilakis will coordinate the tornado-recovery effort until Dec. 31, at which time the arrangement will be reevaluated. The rebuilding campaign, a public-private partnership that will involve the Springfield Redevelopment Authority and DevelopSpringfield, will operate out of a downtown office and will be advertising for a consultant to write a multi-year plan for recovery efforts. Hayes has more than 30 years of economic-development experience, and Fyntrilakis is a former School Committee member and current chairman of DevelopSpringfield.

PVLSI Collaborates with Seahorse Biosciences
SPRINGFIELD — The Pioneer Valley Life Sciences Institute (PVLSI) and its Center of Excellence in Apoptosis Research (CEAR) have entered into a translational-research collaboration with Seahorse Biosciences of North Billerica and Chicopee. Dr. Nagendra Yadava will be the principal investigator for the program at the PVLSI and will receive the title of John Adams Investigator, in appreciation of support from the John Adams Innovation Institute to create CEAR. Alejandro Heuck, an assistant professor of biochemistry and molecular biology at UMass Amherst and a collaborator with Yadava on this project, will also be named a John Adams Investigator. The program will foster shared research between PVLSI scientists and industry partners, to accelerate new products to the market and foster regional economic development. The new project uses intellectual property developed at the PVLSI to create a new reagent kit aiding scientists in quantifying cellular bioenergetics using Seahorse’s XF Analyzer, an instrument that measures different aspects of cell metabolism. “I am delighted to extend our relationship with Dr. Yadava, the PVLSI, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst,” said David Ferrick, chief science officer for Seahorse. “The collaborative research and development performed under this agreement will simplify mitochondrial assays and expand our understanding of the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in aging and disease.” D. Joseph Jerry, PVLSI’s science director, added that the agreement “sets the stage for PVLSI scientists to leverage their intellectual discoveries into new products, fulfilling the institute’s mission for translational research.” Patrick Larkin, director of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative’s John Adams Innovation Institute, added that “this is exactly the type of project we were hoping for when we invested in the PVLSI. It demonstrates the importance of the institute to the region in providing an interface for the life sciences with local advanced manufacturers.” In related news, Yadava was recently named the Western Mass. Mitochondrial Champion by the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation, and will serve as an expert on mitochondrial function to researchers and clinicians in the region. Yadava and his team recently published a paper titled “Mitochondrial Dysfunction Impairs Tumor Suppressor P53 – Expression/Function” in the Journal of Biological Chemistry.

Westmass to Finalize Acquisition of Ludlow Mills
CHICOPEE — Westmass Area Development Corporation (Westmass) recently informed the Ludlow Board of Selectmen it planned to acquire the Ludlow Mills property on or about July 1, according to Kenn Delude, president and CEO of Westmass. With a combination of state grants, private debt financing, and equity investments, Westmass has put into place a finance program that will enable the project’s permitting to commence immediately and allow building utility modifications to be made before winter. “After two years of due diligence investigations, we are now prepared to begin our long-term partnership with the community and start work on the project,” Delude said. He noted that the first visible signs of activity will occur in late summer when the Columbia Gas Co. installs a new gas main along State Street. This work will then be followed by the road reconstruction and other related infrastructure improvements. The goal is to have all the roadway improvements completed by December 2012, according to Delude. The improvements will be funded by a $3.7 million state grant the town received under the MORE JOBS program. “Westmass is committed to seeing that Ludlow Mills once again becomes a major contributor to the economic prosperity of our region,” added Delude. He noted that businesses seeking a new or expanded location, whether to lease or own, are encouraged to contact Westmass for more information.

Grants Available to
West of the River
Chamber Members
WARE — The West of the River Chamber of Commerce is taking its mission of helping local businesses to the next level with the launch of a workforce-education initiative. The chamber will award $500 grants to four businesses which can be used for classes, seminars, and workshops that will develop employees’ skills and ultimately help the business. The idea was proposed by the West of the River education committee and is based on the concept that an educated workforce equals a stronger economy. Grants are open to all members of the West of the River Chamber. The winners will be drawn lottery style at the beginning of August. For an application or more information, call (413) 426-7077 or send an e-mail to [email protected]. All applications must be received by Aug. 1. The chamber serves the business communities of Agawam and West Springfield.

Link to Libraries
Donates Books to
Monson Tornado Victims
EAST LONGMEADOW — Link to Libraries recently donated more than 250 new books for youths of all ages to Monson Savings Bank, which will be distributed to tornado victims in town. The books will be distributed to the children left homeless or with tornado damage to homes in the Monson area through the bank, according to Susan Jaye-Kaplan, president of Link to Libraries. “The books donated by Link to Libraries, we hope, will give much needed enjoyment to the families hit by this devastating tornado,” said Jaye-Kaplan. “It is our hope that the children will find pleasure in reading and an opportunity to have time to relax and be relieved of some stress and worry.” The books include reading material for preschool through the teenage years.

Salvation Army Receives Recognition, Financial Gift
SPRINGFIELD — Major Thomas Perks and his wife, Major Linda Jo Perks, both of the Greater Springfield Salvation Army, have been recognized locally with a monetary donation for the organization they manage, as well as by the national office of the Salvation Army. The Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield honored both the Salvation Army and the YMCA of Greater Springfield during its annual meeting on June 15. Both organizations were recognized for their strong business models and community presence that have had a direct impact on quality of life in the Greater Springfield area. Both also received a check for $1,000. In related news, Perks and his wife were recently honored by the national Salvation Army with pins for 25 years of service. The designation illustrates the tireless efforts of the couple and the organization they oversee. In addition to assisting first responders and victims of natural disasters, the local Salvation Army helps more than 30,000 families throughout the year and more than 6,000 families during the holiday season.

Chamber Corners: Upcoming Events

By BusinessWest Staff July 5, 2011

Chamber Corners Departments

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

• July 8: ACCGS Legislative Steering Committee, 8-9 a.m., TD Bank Conference Center, Springfield.
• July 11: ACCGS Annual Golf Tournament, Ludlow Country Club, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., $150 per person.
• July 20: ACCGS Ambassadors Meeting, 4-5 p.m., EDC Conference Room, Springfield.

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

• July 18: 8th Annual Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament, 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Hickory Ridge Golf Course, Amherst. Sponsors: Hampshire Hospitality Group, Cooley Dickinson Hospital, Applied Mortgage Services, Blair, Cutting & Smith, J.F. Conlon, Blue Cross Blue Shield, the Mass. Business Assoc., MetLife, Health New England, and Fallon Community Health. Cost: $125 per player, $500 per foursome, includes lunch, tournament, dinner, gift, and goody bag. Register at [email protected] or (413) 253-0700.

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

• July 14: Networking By Night Business Card Exchange, “Waterski Show Night,” 5-7 p.m., hosted by Oxbow Water Ski Show Team, 100 Old Springfield Road, Northampton. Sponsored by Columbia Gas of Massachusetts. Gala waterski show, door prizes, hors d’ouevres, host beer and wine. Cost: $5 for members, $15 for non-members.
• July 29: 27th Annual Greater Easthampton Chamber of Commerce Golf Tourney, 9 a.m. shotgun start – scramble. Hosted by Southampton Country Club, College Highway, Southampton. Major sponsor: Easthampton Savings Bank. Golf with cart, lunch, dinner, gift, contests. Win a Buick hole in one sponsored by Cernak Buick; $10,000 hole in one sponsored by Finck & Perras Insurance. Cost: $100 per person, $400 per foursome.

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

• July 14: 34th Annual Pancake Breakfast, 7-11 a.m., Westfield South Middle School, rain or shine. Cost: $5, $4 for seniors, $2 for children. Vendor tables available for $75 for members, $100 for non-members. Call chamber office at (413) 568-1618 for tickets.

People On The Move

By BusinessWest Staff July 5, 2011

Departments People on the Move

Daniel X. Montagna has joined the law firm of Brodeur-McGan as an Associate Attorney. He graduated cum laude from Western New England College School of Law in Springfield, where he was a member of Western New England Law Review.
•••••

Jaimye R. K. Hebert

Jaimye R. K. Hebert has joined Monson Savings Bank as Vice President and Commercial Loan Officer. Hebert brings more than 10 years of commercial lending experience to her position, including managing all aspects of a commercial-loan portfolio in excess of $80 million.
•••••
Deborah Gagnon has been appointed Corporate Outreach Officer for Country Bank. In the newly created position, she will oversee the implementation of the bank’s Community Advisory Council and community-outreach activities.
•••••
Christopher Venne is the winner of United Bank’s Service Excellence Award for the second quarter of 2011. The quarterly award recognizes an employee whose on-the-job performance exemplifies excellence in service. As a floating teller, Venne helps keep staffing levels consistent by moving among United’s Springfield branches as needed. In addition, he can be seen escorting customers to their car if the occasion demands, as well as helping foreign-speaking individuals communicate with bank staff.
•••••
STCU Credit Union has hired Michael S. Ostrowski as its President and Chief Executive Officer. His career in financial services spans lending, branch administration, and senior management.
•••••

Nancy Bazanchuk

Nancy Bazanchuk, Disability Resources Program Director for the Center for Human Development, has been inducted into the New England Wheelchair Athletic Association (NEWAA) Hall of Fame. The NEWAA Hall of Fame recognizes the accomplishments and contributions of people who promote sports for disabled persons, are role models for disabled youth, and encourage people of all ages to become more active. The NEWAA also selected Natalie Stebbins as its Female Athlete of the Year. Stebbins has been a Disability Resources member for seven years.
•••••
Greenfield Fire Chief Michael Winn has graduated from the 19th offering of the state firefighting academy’s chief fire officer management training program in Stow.
•••••
Christine Finnie has joined the Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage office in Longmeadow. As a Sales Associate, Finnie provides residential real-estate services in Longmeadow and the surrounding communities of East Longmeadow, Hampden, and Wilbraham.
•••••

Steven Weiss

Steven Weiss of Shatz, Schwartz and Fentin, P.C., of Springfield, is included in a new book titled Inside the Minds: Representing Small Businesses in Bankruptcy, from Thomson Reuters’ Aspatore Books. Weiss, Shareholder and Chair of the Bankruptcy Department, wrote the chapter “Advising Small Business Clients About Chapter 11,” which includes critical bankruptcy information, guidance, and a checklist. Weiss concentrates his practice in the areas of commercial and consumer bankruptcy, reorganization, and litigation. He supervises the firm’s bankruptcy, reorganization, and workout practice, and represents creditors, debtors, and others in commercial and consumer bankruptcy cases throughout the state.
•••••
The Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, based in Springfield, recently honored three area leaders for their contributions to the region and the commonwealth at its 49th annual meeting on June 9.
• Paul E. Hills, Executive Director of the Ware Community Development Department, was recognized for his work in support of regional initiatives and programs and for his successful efforts in community development for the town;
• Stanley W. Kulig, Public Works Superintendent for the city of Chicopee, was honored for his work in promoting and overseeing Connecticut River cleanup efforts, bike path and walkway projects, and infrastructure improvements; and
• David F. Woods, Chair of Leadership Pioneer Valley, was honored for his dedication to creating an advanced leadership-development program that will support emerging and existing leaders in the region’s business, nonprofit, and public sectors.
•••••
The Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Co. (MMWEC), based in Ludlow, elected its officers and four directors during the Joint Action Agency’s May 4 annual conference. They are:
• Kevin P. Kelly, Manager of the Groton Electric Light Department, was elected to the Board of Directors to complete the one year remaining on the term of Thomas R. Josie, retired General Manager of Shrewsbury’s Electric & Cable Operations;
• Jonathan V. Fitch, Manager of Princeton Municipal Light Department, was reelected to a three-year term as a Director;
• Robert V. Jolly, General Manager of the Marblehead Municipal Light Department, was reelected to a three-year term as a Director;
• James M. Lavelle, Manager of the Holyoke Gas & Electric Department, was reelected to a three-year term as a Director;
• Jonathan V. Fitch also was elected to his second one-year term as Chairman of the Board; and
• Peterf D. Dion, General Manager of the Wakefield Municipal Gas & Light Department, was reelected to his third one-year term as President of MMWEC.
• Additional MMWEC officers for the coming year, as elected by the board, are Ronald C. DeCurzio, Chief Executive Officer and Secretary; James B. Kline, Treasurer; Alan R. Menard, Assistant Treasurer; Nancy A. Brown, Assistant Secretary, and Nicholas J. Scobbo Jr., General Counsel.
• Other MMWEC directors, elected previously by the membership, are Gary R. Babin, Director of the Mansfield Municipal Electric Department; Jeffrey R. Cady, Manager of the Chicopee Municipal Lighting Plant; and Sean Hamilton, General Manager of the Sterling Municipal Light Department.
• Michael J. Flynn and Paul Robbins serve on the board as Gubernatorial Appointees. Flynn also represents the Town of Wilbraham on the board, with Luis Vitorino and John M. Flynn representing the towns of Ludlow and Hampden, respectively.

Agenda

By BusinessWest Staff July 5, 2011

Agenda Departments

Jazz & Art Festival
July 8-10: A Mardi Gras theme will kick off the 5th annual Hampden Bank Hoop City Jazz & Art Festival on July 8, featuring Glenn David Andrews with the Soul Rebels, and hosted by Wendell Pierce, star of the HBO series Treme. The celebration, planned at Springfield’s Court Square on the Esplanade, continues throughout the weekend with a lineup of world-class entertainment. On July 9, performances are slated by Marcus Anderson, the UK Kings of Jazz Groove, Down to the Bone, 17-year-old jazz newcomer Vincent Ingala, and Gerald Albright. On July 10, performances begin with the Eric Bascom Quintet, followed by Samirah Evans and Her Handsome Devils. Kendrick Oliver and the New Life Orchestra will also perform, and Latin jazz performer Poncho Sanchez will close out the festival. Organizers will also be increasing the number of merchandise vendors, artisans, and crafters, as well as food vendors. For more information, visit www.hoopcityjazz.org.

Big Band Celebration
July 9: The Springfield Armory National Historic Site will be the setting for an evening of music and dance to salute Benny Goodman’s 1943 concert in the city. The Memories Big Band Sound will kick off the celebration from 6 to 8 p.m., performing the music of Glenn Miller, the Dorsey Brothers, the Andrew Sisters, and Benny Goodman. The USO Retro Show will be performed by two dance troupes as Jitterbug Dancer, of Chicopee, and Small Planet Dancers, of Springfield, take the stage at 8 p.m. with a look back at the 70th anniversary of the USO. The dancers will be dressed in World War II-era uniforms. Jitterbug will also offer free swing dance lessons to the audience from 5 to 6 p.m. The evening culminates with a performance by the U.S. Northeast Navy Pops Band from 8:30 to 10 p.m., playing top-10 music hits from the past three decades. Picnicking is encouraged. There will be ample parking, including handicap parking, and indoor restroom facilities. The rain site is Scibelli Hall at Springfield Technical Community College. The museum will also be open during all event hours. For more information, call (413) 734-8551 or visit www.nps.gov/spar.

Autism Conference
July 9: The Elms College Division of Communication Sciences and Disorders and Autism Spectrum Disorders, along with the River Street Autism Program, will host “The New Face of Autism” from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the college’s Alumnae Library Theater. This first annual conference is designed for parents and professionals, and topics will include critical communication skills in autism, the future of autism treatment, teaching children with autism to ask for what they want, making psychoactive medication decisions, and quality-of-life issues for individuals with Asperger’s. Educators and professionals in the field of speech and language pathology and board-certified behavior analysts will conduct the conference sessions. The $95 cost to attend includes all presentations and lunch. Registration is required. For more information, contact Dee Ward at (413) 265-2253 or [email protected].

Western Mass. Business Expo
Oct. 18: Businesses from throughout Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin, and Berkshire counties will come together for the premier trade show in the region, the Western Mass. Business Expo. Formerly known as the Market Show, the event, produced by BusinessWest and staged at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, has been revamped and improved to provide exposure and business opportunities for area companies. The cost for a 10-by-10 booth is $700 for members of all area chambers and $750 for non-members, corner booths are $800 for all chamber members and $850 for non-members, and a 10-by-20 booth is $1,200 for all chamber members and $1,250 for non-members. For more information, log onto www.businesswest.com or call (413) 781-8600, ext. 100.

Picture This

By BusinessWest Staff July 5, 2011

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]

Lucky 13th

Brothers Joe (left) and Carmino Manzi, co-owners of Villa Napoletana restaurant in East Longmeadow, recently celebrated their 13th anniversary in business with a party at the restaurant on North Main Street. They’re standing in front of a Sunoco modified racecar they sponsor that is driven by John Catania at Thompson Speedway in Connecticut in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series.

Link to Libraries

George Burtch, vice president for Global Integration at Hasbro, is seen with fourth-grade students at the Center for Excellence School in Holyoke, where he is participating in the Link to Libraries nonprofit celebrity read-aloud program. The Link to Libraries program offers youth in underserved communities reading programs, new books, and opportunities to meet area business executives who often mentor area youth. For more information on Link to Libraries, go to www.linktolibraries.org.

NCCJ Honorees

The National Conference for Community and Justice staged its annual Human Relations Award Banquet on June 14 at the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield. The agency, founded in 1927 as the National Conference for Christians and Jews, is a human-relations organization dedicated to fighting bias, bigotry, and racism in America. Honored with
NCCJ Human Relations Awards for 2001 are, from left, Dr. Saleem Bajwa, Thomas Burton, youth award recipient Rosaline Abraham, James O’S. Morton, and Hyman Darling.

Read-aloud Event

The United Way of Pioneer Valley and BusinessWest’s Difference Makers collaborated to present a special read-aloud session at the Holyoke Public Library that was part of the Connect to Reading Book Drive staged to collect books for the Hasbro Summer Learning Initiative. From top, BusinessWest Senior Writer Joe Bednar engages a pair of young people in a reading exercise; BusinessWest Advertising Consultant Gwen Burke has one of the young people read to her; dozens of young people and their parents take part in the reading initiative; BusinessWest Advertising Consultant Tina Kuselias reads to a group of young students.

Doing Business As Certificates

By BusinessWest Staff July 5, 2011

DBA Certificates Departments

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

AGAWAM

Healthy Homes
430 Main St.
Walter Thorne

Michael’s Home Improvement
88 Chestnut Lane
Michael Gregory

Noel E. Brown & Sons Farm
443 North West St.
Mark G. Brown

OCS Outstanding Customer Service
9 Henry St.
Albert McLean

Peppo’s Pizza
421 Springfield St.
Guiseppe Odierna

Primewickerfurniture.com
490 Southwick St.
Eleanor Stepanik

AMHERST

Amherst Media
246 College St.
Edward Severance

Auction Shipper Inc.
330 College St.
Aytac Candleviren

Buddhist Cultural Encounters
37 South Pleasant St.
Mark Hart

Ginger Garden
351 Northampton Road
Amherst Gourmet Inc.

Roger Magnus Research
19 Trillium Way
Roger Magnus

HOLYOKE

Bebe’s Pawn Shop
123 High St.
Ramon A. Gracia

Colly’s Barbershop
153 Sargeant St.
Rolando L. Pabon

Diamond Light
63 Jackson St.
Igor Poltalets

Ghost Armor
50 Holyoke St.
Justin Lomelivgen

Golden China
455 South St.
Dan J. Pan

NORTHAMPTON

Autumn Inn, LLC
259 Elm St.
Sheila Somers

Northern Lights
53C Hatfield St.
Daniel Ogrypziak

Outside Inn
50 Chapel St.
Gerard Sodano, Jr.

Purple Rose Healing Arts
245 Main St.
Chaya Aronson

The Collared Scholar
557 Easthampton Road
Debra Wysocki

Turnkey Imaging Consultants
161 Crescent St.
William Orr

SOUTHWICK

Gia Professional Service
1 Granaudo Circle
Virginia Schwarzenbach

Keenkut Landscaping
146 Vining Hill Road
Lailonnie Keene

Splatter Room
108 Congamond Road
Jeffrey Caron

SPRINGFIELD

Mass Food Safety Alliance
217 Cabinet St.
Gisela Elias

Metropcs & Connective Wire
296 Cooley St.
Barry Zenstein

Michael James Photography
24 Puritan Road
Michael W. Mettey

Mommasboyz Customs
256 Laconia St.
Andrea Weller

New Tech Wireless
135 State St.
Larry Beckett

Nu Yu Hair Studio
1366 Allen St.
Stacy Harris

Rodriguez Family Mart
119 Wilbraham Ave.
Jose O. Rodriguez

Royal Seasons Restaurant
339 Boston Road
Carlos A. Pereira

San Lorenzo Social Club
895 Carew St.
Alberto Medina

Savers
1277 Liberty St.
TVI Inc.

Soca Sweat
64 Denver St.
Kafi A. Martin

Son’s Landscaping Services
392 Page Boulevard
Sarinh P. Son

T & S Associates
668 Dickinson St.
Son T. Vo

The Cozy Cottage Garden
39 Lorimer St.
Kathleen M. Caban

Why Not Pen Pals
53 Lester St.
Morning Bambi

Your Best Accessories
180 Massachusetts Ave.
Perla Quioto

Zumba With Shelly
24 Arcadia Blvd.
Shelly A. Sankar

WESTFIELD

Friends of the Columbia Greenway Rail Trail
55 Franklin St.
Don Podolski

Gregory
356 Valley View Dr.
Grigoriy Ruge

LTW Custom Cosmetics
32 White St.
Lyn Wegiel

Northeastern Exterior Makeovers
2 Klondike Ave.
Michael Forrett

Street Hair Company
32 Main St.
Nancy Whittier

Tiny Paws
362 Montgomery Road
Eileen M. Scully

Union Mart
420 Union St.
Meet Patel

Wizard Cycle Supply
8 Schumann Dr.
Paul E. Jaeger

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Bertera Mitsubishi
526 Riverdale St.
Bertera Automotive Corporation

Chili’s Grill & Bar
1175 Riverdale St.
John McGlone

Family Dollar Stores of Massachusetts
1120 Union St.
Christal D. Powell

Handi-Hands
617 Dewey St.
Jeffrey D. Paquin Sr.

Public Employees Retirement Insurance
37 Elm St.
Owen Freeman-Daniels

Smiling Stars
59 Irving St.
Catherine Well

Western Mass Chimney Service
103 Craiwell Ave.
Robert Boido

BANKRUPTCIES

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

American Inventories
Graveline, Ronald G.
PO Box 1111
Sturbridge, MA 01566
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/22/11

Anthony, Aryn A.
a/k/a Breveleri, Aryn A.
40 Fredette St.
Chicopee, MA 01022
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/17/11

Atlas Appraisal
Brayton, Peter J.
Brayton, Claudine A.
53 Amostown Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/24/11

Bailey, John Guy
172 Highland Ave.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/27/11

Barnes, Gordon W.
592 Stony Hill Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/19/11

Bigos, John S.
Bigos, Sally A.
44 Russell Ter.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/20/11

Birchem, Mark A.
6 Cowdry Lane
Wakefield, MA 01880
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/20/11

Biskup, Robin H.
22 Enfield St.
Indian Orchard, MA 01151
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/18/11

Blankenship, Rush G.
Blankenship, Diane G.
141 Thayer Road
Monson, MA 01057
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/19/11

Bonafilia, Joan M.
610 County Road, Unit 3
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/19/11

Boyle, Francis Joseph
Boyle, Tammy A.
1369 Page Blvd.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/24/11

Bradley, Scott E.
51 Garfield St., Apt 1
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/23/11

Cardin, Dennis Michael
Cardin, Debra Claire
22 Sanford St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/18/11

Castilla, Johanna M.
75A Wells St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/16/11

Chaplin, Valerie R.
376 King Road
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/25/11

Civilian Staff
Walton, James G.
1760 Westover Road, Trail
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/25/11

Clark, Lynn Ann
63 Oakridge Dr.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/20/11

Clow, Sandra L.
47 Basil Road
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/19/11

Coblentz, Linda S.
200 Wisdom Way
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/16/11

Collette, Jason A.
Collette, Nikki S.
PO Box 310
Sturbridge, MA 01566
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/19/11

Colson, Raymond W.
Colson, Joan L.
138 Lucerne Road
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/27/11

Complete Construction
Dave’s Painting
O’Brien, David P.
O’Brien, Veronica L.
a/k/a Orlich, Veronica L.
P.O.Box 1245
East Otis, MA 01029
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/26/11

Cote, Keith D
Cote, Patricia M.
769 Allen St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/25/11

Coughlin, Brian
Coughlin, Laura J.
80 Milford St.
Hanson, MA 02341
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/16/11

Dassat, William P.
Dassat, Susan M.
22 Egremont Ave.
Pittsfield, MA 01201-7208
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/16/11

David Wood Electrician
Wood, David C.
Wood, Julie M.
325 Fenn St., #1
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/22/11

DeSimone, Richard D.
DeSimone, Stephanie L.
a/k/a Spence, Stephanie L.
4M Culdaff St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/23/11

Deuso, Nicole
200 Narragansett Blvd.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/20/11

DiNicolantonio, Robert P.
DiNicolantonio, Jean M.
178 Legate Hill Road
Charlemont, MA 01339
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/19/11

Dones, Felipe
233 Denver St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/16/11

Downer, David A.
18 Lynn Dr.
Southampton, MA 01073
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/27/11

Downer, Tertia M.
18 Lynn Dr.
Southampton, MA 01073
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/27/11

Dupee, William F.
32 Greylock Ave.
Adams, MA 01220
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/20/11

Egan, Richard C.
90 Harris St.
Granby, MA 01033
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/24/11

Fortier, Russell James
575 Bridge Road
Florence, MA 01062
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/17/11

Funari, Bethany Alice
16 Vermont St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/26/11

Gambrell, James Oakley
61 Langevin St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/27/11

Gates, Justina M.
2 Balance Rock Road
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/20/11

Gelinas, John P.
136 Amherst Road
Granby, MA 01033
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/19/11

Gonzalez, James
42 King St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/20/11

Gray, Shain Edwin
65 Gilbert Ave.
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/16/11

Griffin Spirito, Donna M.
9 Feeding Hills Road
Southwick, MA 01077
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/17/11

Haesaert, Daniel L.
Haesaert, Carol J.
62 Eddy St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/18/11

Harris, Kim M.
a/k/a Gauthier, Kim M.
59 Cote Road
Monson, MA 01057
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/25/11

Haueisen, Nathan P.
519 East River St. Lot 33
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/17/11

Haymes, Michele L.
36 Fowler St.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/11

Hennessey, Sean T.
3 Valentine Ter.
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/20/11

Houghton, Brian R.
Houghton, Kerry Ann M.
9 Baltic Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/25/11

Humphrey, Ellen G.
155 Marble St., Apt. 42
Lee, MA 01238
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/26/11

Jablonski, Alan P.
47 Hillcrest St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/20/11

Jediny’s Doggy Bed Breakfast
Jediny, Todd J.
Jediny, Julie
a/k/a Smith, Julie
4 Waterman Ave.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/19/11

Jeffery, Barbara E.
5 Weymouth St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/23/11

Johnson, Erik Raymond
Johnson, Erin Leslie
94 Marble St.
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/19/11

K C Air Duct Cleaning
Engley, David M.
14 Western Ave., Apt. 2
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/25/11

Kelley, Gail S.
659 Nassau Dr.
Springfield, MA 01129
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/23/11

Kendall, Jennifer A.
55 Searles St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/11

Kimball, Lee H.
P.O. Box 450
Granby, MA 01033-0450
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/20/11

Lassiter, Leslie
15 Shaw St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/16/11

Lavalley, Lisa Jean
a/k/a Kibbie, Lisa J.
8 Dewey St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/19/11

Lewis, Wesley F.
75 Cuff Ave.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/16/11

Lindemann, Richard J.
Lindemann, Rita B.
421 Turners Falls Road
Montague, MA 01351
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/23/11

Lippman, Amber L.
16 Knightville Dam Road
Huntington, MA 01050
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/16/11

Llewellyn, James D.
108 Dartmouth St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/24/11

Lockett, Chekesha S.
15 Fern St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/30/11

Lone Wolf Design
Yost, Colleen R.
P.O. Box 801
Becket, MA 01223
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/26/11

Love, James J.
59 Park St.
Lee, MA 02138
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/18/11

Lyons, Kevin A.
19 Evergreen Dr.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/17/11

Madeen, Mohammed Hassim
Madeen, Nona Lifthika
34 Meadow St. Apt #45
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/20/11

Malin, Stephen W.
2 Dewey Way, Apt. 3
Sheffield, MA 01257-9603
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/18/11

Mandel, Harvey S.
P.O.Box 60907
Longmeadow, MA 01106-5907
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/17/11

Marek, Jennifer Jean
a/k/a Lastowski, Jennifer I.
3 Claren Dr.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/25/11

Market America
Arond, Daniel Joshua
a/k/a Lord-Arond, Daniel J.
Lord, Heather Amara
10 Deep Woods Dr.
Amherst, MA 01002
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/18/11

Martinez, Juan
PO Box 2735
Springfield, MA 01105
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/29/11

Martins, Katrina
70 Main St., Apt. 3
Monson, MA 01057
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/19/11

Mattern, Elizabeth C.
4 Veterans St.
Millers Falls, MA 01349
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/16/11

McDonnell, Meaghan M.
225 Pelham Road
Amherst, MA 01002
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/16/11

McManus, Kirk W.
McManus, Marsha E.
108 Monson Turnpike Road
Ware, MA 01082
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/27/11

McPheters, Stephen R.
153 Amherst Road
Sunderland, MA 01375
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/25/11

Messier, Robert C.
281 Chauncey Walker St., #546
Belchertown, MA 01007
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/23/11

Miller, Christopher
PO Box 209
Brimfield, MA 01010
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/17/11

Moran, Angel
82 Edbert St., Apt. D.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/11

Muzzy, Susan M.
25 Clyde Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/17/11

Naginewicz, David J.
116 John St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/23/11

Nevue, Marie A.
16 High St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/24/11

Newton, Josephine Catherine
66 Plain St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/27/11

Nimtz, Kurt D.
Nimtz, Suzanne G.
5 Second St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/23/11

Nitri, Michael A.
161 Hartford Ter.
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/23/11

O’Connor, Sean Patrick
13 Pomeroy St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/17/11

Orlandi, Michael J.
811 East St.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/25/11

Ortiz, Irma E.
75 Balis St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/25/11

Ouimette, Timothy J.
41 Sawmill Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/22/11

Owczarski, Karl M.
Owczarski, Ellen J.
179 Newbury St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/30/11

Pelchat, Thomas C.
51 Belleclaire Ave.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/23/11

Pereira, Ramiro Santos
Pereira, Cynthia Anne
34 East Palmer Park Dr.
Palmer, MA 01069
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/25/11

Perez, Lisa Marie
1157 Sumner Ave.
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/26/11

Pires, Alberto
Pires, Yvette C.
22 Wilson St.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/19/11

Powers, Pamela J.
298 New Boston Road
Sturbridge, MA 01566
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/19/11

Quirk, Alice Mary
281ChaunceyWalker St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/19/11

Radiance Wellness Center
Llewellyn, Will G.
a/k/a Vance, William G.
108 Dartmouth St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/24/11

Reyes, Gladys
70 Alexander St.
Springfield, MA 01107
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/24/11

Robinson, Terez C.
31 Pomona St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/29/11

Robles, Maria
49 Plante Circle
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/25/11

Roman, Andrea L.
47 North Main St., Apt. 1B
South Hadley, MA 01075
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/18/11

Ross, Alyssa N.
785 Williams St.
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/16/11

Roughley, Cynthia A.
15 Mead Ave.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/27/11

Roy, Alfred J.
46 Van Horn St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/19/11

Roy, Eric M.
369 Old Enfield Road
Belchertown, MA 01007
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/18/11

Sayres, Ronald M.
176 Columbus Ave. #415A
Pittsfield, MA 01245
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/18/11

Schilling, Rolf G.
248 Amherst Road
Sunderland, MA 01375
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/24/11

Scott, Lorraine H.
18 Amore Road
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/24/11

Scruggs, Cheronique S.
49 Montrose St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/24/11

Seeling, Holly Anne
a/k/a Nipson, Holly Anne
68 Lake George Road
Wales, MA 01081
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/20/11

Seymour, John W.
Seymour, Colleen M.
1608 North Main St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/19/11

Smith, Stephen C.
Smith, Elizabeth M.
29 Kulig St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/24/11

Soares, Elizabeth J.
290 State Road
North Adams, MA 01247
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/16/11

Spaulding, Robert N.
Spaulding, Julie A.
177 Kerry Dr.
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/29/11

St. John, Michael P.
St. John, Darcy L.
28 Wellington Ave.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/16/11

Summers, Latasha R.
443 Newbury St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/26/11

Sweet, Jennifer L.
27 Royal Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/20/11

Swierzewski, Paul J.
17 Western View Road
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/23/11

Tatta, Louis T.
Tatta, Ellen F.
36 Highland St.
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/31/11

Tolzdorf, Debra A.
90 Hamilton St.
Belchertown, MA 01007
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/17/11

Tremblay, Karen A.
2 Montgomery Ave.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/20/11

Turcotte, Teresa A.
11 Sherwood Ter.
Holyoke, MA 01040
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/16/11

Vega, Jacquelyn
92 San Miguel St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/25/11

Vincent, Gerard Joseph
9 Plantation Dr.
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 05/20/11

Ward, Victoria Jeanne
12 Williams St.
Shelburne Falls, MA 01370
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/23/11

Warren, David J.
4 Isabella St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/17/11

Wetherby, Jennifer J.
PO Box 395
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/25/11

Wiles, Barry David
Wiles, Marguerite Bessie
78 Colrain-Shelburne Road
Shelburne Falls, MA 01370
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/19/11

Williams, Roger A.
Williams, Inez
37 Grover St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/19/11

Wilson, Frederick L.
54 Mathieu Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/19/11

Winter, Paula A.
43 Garfield Ave.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/24/11

Wood, Edward M.
Wood, Kathleen E.
174 Ellendale Circle
Springfield, MA 01128
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/20/11

Yando, Donna L.
61 Mark Dr.
Agawam, MA 01030
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/16/11

Yeomans, Katherine L.
179 Eddy St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/29/11

Zebrowski, Martin P.
122 Main St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 05/18/11

Opinion

By BusinessWest Staff July 5, 2011

Opinion

The Law of Unintended Consequences

I had an appointment with a client recently who told me that she was shocked to see how empty a restaurant was in downtown Springfield a few nights earlier. The reason she was so surprised was that this particular restaurant was relatively untouched by the tornado that tore through the center of the city on June 1. The owner stated that the reason things were so quiet was that people were simply afraid to come back.
Having read or viewed many articles and newscasts discouraging people from traveling to impacted areas (for completely understandable reasons) immediately after the tornadoes struck, I believe the law of unintended consequences might be starting to take effect in this region.
For instance, I myself have tried to stay clear of any impacted areas (unless going there to help with cleanup efforts). However, even though these intentions have been sound, the businesses that exist in these locations are suffering continued damages by this mindset. Many of these organizations were already struggling due to the recent, prolonged recession well before the tornadoes touched down. If their difficulties are now compounded by a sustained dropoff in business, a large number of them might not make it through to the other side. This could create a second wave of negative events for our region.
I write this in the hope that those who are in a position to do so can help spread the word regarding those conducting business in areas impacted by the recent tornado. I’ve already reached out to the leadership of Springfield encouraging them to use their amplified microphone to continue to spread the word that businesses are open and eager to serve — and that, when possible, individuals and business owners should do what they can to support these ventures.
I truly feel that those living and working in bordering communities need to be encouraged to travel back into impacted areas. The average local resident catches the news only on occasion, so it will take a genuine, concerted effort to convince people that it’s not only OK to come back, but such support is genuinely needed.
What we need is for individuals and business owners to think about both the direct and indirect victims of the tornadoes when they make decisions about where to stage the next staff luncheon or where to have their next date night. I’m a small-business owner in East Longmeadow, and I’ve been thinking a lot about how fortunate I’ve been to escape these tornadoes unscathed. But I’ve also been thinking about my counterparts in downtown Westfield, the center of West Springfield, the South End of Springfield, Wilbraham, or Monson who have been far less fortunate.
All businesses in our area are challenged by the economy, competition, and other factors. Businesses located in the paths of the tornadoes have been dealt an added blow that may prove crippling unless people step up and help in very simple ways.
My concern is long-term. If things are handled well, our entire region could use this experience as an opportunity to grow and prosper. However, if mishandled, we could see large-scale business closures and abandoned homes that could take many years to recover from.
Perhaps if we each do a little, then it might be enough to keep our collective community growing in the right direction.

Edward Zemba is president and co-owner of Robert Charles Photography; (413) 525-4263.