Home Archive by category Departments (Page 141)

Departments

Time to Make the Past History

By
Opinion

When it was first announced that Springfield would be the subject of an Urban Land Institute (ULI) study, we expressed worry that the panel assigned the task might well come back with a report outlining basically what we already knew.

There was certainly some of that when the report’s highlights were unveiled late last month. We already knew, for instance, that:

  • Springfield has a great location — off the Interstate, near the Turnpike, by a river, etc.;
  • It has a great housing stock;
  • There is a problem with crime, or the perception of it;
  • Several neighborhoods need some immediate attention;
  • Downtown could use more retail;
  • The Connecticut River is very shallow here;
  • Mattoon Street is “drop dead [gorgeous];” the panelist making the comment omitted the adjective, but everyone knew what he meant;
  • The York Street Jail should be torn down; most people had come to that conclusion long ago; and
  • The Union Station project should be put on ice; referring to the time, energy, and money expended on the project to date, one panelist borrowed the famous line from Raiders of the Lost Arc: … they’re digging in the wrong place!’

But while there were no stunning revelations from at least the Readers Digest version of the report (the full document will be out in a month or so), there were some things we could take from this $120,000 exercise.

First, there are some recognized priority projects, including the need to preserve and revitalize the city’s South End, specifically the Gemini and Hollywood neighborhoods. Other initiatives in the ‘threshold project’ category are the old federal building downtown, and Court Square, where plans to create a boutique hotel have stalled. And there are some longer-term endeavors to work on, such as creating more vibrancy in the downtown, perhaps through retail or by a college locating or expanding there; promoting programs to yield more home ownership; and even addressing the Civic Center parking deck.

But there was more to the discussion that wrapped up the week’s work conducted by an eight-person panel. Indeed, there was strong sense of urging — specifically, to bury the past and get on with the future.

While moving through a PowerPoint presentation complete with photos of Springfield landmarks and maps of downtown, the panelists spoke early and often about a negativism in Springfield that they believe has taken on a life of its own, and is now a serious obstacle to achieving progress.

There were several references to that proverbial glass, and how we who work and live in Springfield prefer to see it as half-empty, at best, while these experienced planners and business people from Pittsburgh, Washington, D.C., and other urban areas that have seen some really dark times, can easily see it as half-full.

Most of the panelists took at least a minute or two to address the subject of attitude. They said that while stakeholders move on with the hard process of fixing neighborhoods, building access to the river, and creating a 24/7 city, we have to start by at least trying to stop beating ourselves up.

And you know what? They’re right.

Perhaps the best message left by the ULI panel was that Springfield’s past — especially its recent past dominated by a fiscal crisis, a corruption probe that won’t end, and mostly frustration when it comes to economic development — does not have to be its future. But it just might be, unless we can get beyond that past and the game of affixing blame for it.

Springfield is not going to bounce back simply by stressing whatever positives can be stressed and chilling those negative vibes. But that would certainly be a good place to start.

This was perhaps the best advice given by the ULI panel. And if we all knew that already, then we’d probably forgotten it.-

By
Departments

The following Business Certificates and Trade Names were issued or renewed during the month of October 2006.

Affordable Cleaning Service
7 Williams St.
Kseniya Kiforishina

Marie P. Grady
69 North Alhambra Circle
Marie P. Grady

Amherst

The Art of Basketball
59B Boltwood Walk
Warren Esty Lett

Jack Radner, LAC
86 Heney St.
Jack Radner

Chicopee

Conroy Construction
28 Simone Road
John J. Conroy

Joe T Handyman Service
40 Slate Road
Joseph James Taliceo

MV Transportation Inc.
451 Center St.
Edward F. Overn

Easthampton

Hometown Painting & Home Repair
17 Harrison Ave.
Karlene M. Foster

Tidal Rock
116 Pleasant St. – Suite 244
Peter Martin

East Longmeadow

Jewelry Of Hope
48 Hillside Dr.
Beth-Ann Latsko

Quality Building Product
100 Shaker Road
Kathleen T. Devins

Springfield Area Driving
483 Parker St.
Peter S. Avdoulos

Greenfield

Cherie’s
58 Petty Plain Road
Cherie A. Rowland

Peggy’s Beauty Shoppe
46 Pierce St.
Margaret A Sears

Holyoke

ABC Gifts
50 Holyoke St.
Jaishri J. Singh

Holyoke Auto Body
41 No. Summer St.
Juan Pedrosa

Longmeadow

Michelle Murray MA LMHC
1200 Converse St.
Michelle Murray

Ludlow

Turkish Soccer Club
305 East St.
Nehmet Citlak

Northampton

Main St. GIS
107 North St.
William Tingle

Sushi City
228 King St.
Soe Naing

Ventures Field Associates
36 Service Center
Robert J. Walker
Stephen D. Ross

  

Palmer

Kitchen Table Tax Service
65 Jim Ashe Road
David E. Whitney
Mary L. Carrol

Yankee Fields
1162 Ware St.
Nancy Ruth Kerigan
Rosemary H. Rugg

South Hadley

Western Mass. Concrete Service
54 Bolton St.
Donald Wilkens
Richard Labarre

Southwick

Beacon Home Mortgage
15 Sunnside Road
Kenine Shea

Springfield

Boston Road Gulf
429 Boston Road
Ahmed M. AlsaHori

Glitterz Nail Salon
795 Liberty St.
James E. Dixon

Heavenly Grooming
1648 Carew St.
Norberto Crespo

King-of-Clean
294 Oakland St.
Darrell King

L&R Remodeling & Weatherizing
2994 Main St.
Luis O. Rivera

Restore Home Improvement Center
250 Albany St.
John Majercak

S-Cel-O Construction Co.
666 State St.
Ellen S. Boynton

Tim’s Internet & Cleaning Services
174 Main St.
Valentin Porfirio

Westfield

AD UP
110 Airport Road
George R. Munson

Menus New England
1037 Shaker Road
Michael Burris

St. Pierre’s Brothers Drywall
18 St. Pierre Lane
Troy St. Pierre

Tanner Tile
34 South Maple St.
Timothy A. Levasseur

West Springfield

BMIL Computer Services
64 E. Goosberry Road
Bryan Miller

Jimmy Larochelle Finishing Carpentry
104 Lower Beverly Hills
Jimmy Larochelle

Jungle Landscaping
29 James Ave.
Frank Teece II

OPINION

By
Opinion
Tough Times, Tough Choices

“The next governor and legislature will face a staggering mismatch between expected revenues and the costs of a broad array of important priorities . . . potentially in the billions of dollars . . .” This cheery conclusion comes from the Mass. Taxpayers Foundation’s recent report on the Commonwealth’s fiscal condition.

The report states that the fiscal 2006 budget surplus of $400 million has already been spent, the fiscal 2007 budget is out of balance by about $500 million, and only very tight spending controls on everything in the fiscal 2008 budget will deliver a balanced budget during the first full fiscal year of the next gubernatorial administration.

Yet here we are, four weeks away from the November elections, and every candidate for governor is promising more money for local aid, higher education, K-12 education, and healthcare reform. At least Green Party candidate Grace Ross makes no bones about where the money to fund her priorities will come from – $3 billion in new taxes – a bad idea for a state that’s already among the most expensive places to live, work, and do business in anywhere in the U.S.

For now, the budget is mostly balanced — although the taxpayers association’s analysis about the structural deficit in this year’s budget is right on — the economy is doing OK, and most people won’t accept, at least not easily, the daunting reality that’s spelled out by the report. So the next governor is going to face the more difficult challenge of encouraging and demanding caution and discipline at a time when most people might not be convinced that it’s time for broccoli instead of ice cream and cake.

Independent candidate Christy Mihos has done a great job of spelling out the significant economic and fiscal problems we face, but blames the whole thing on Republican leadership. That’s a bit much. Romney vetoed exactly $500 million in fiscal 2007 spending, which was promptly overridden in its entirety by the Democratic Legislature. In addition, many of the Romney administration’s ideas on spending, housing, local aid, education reform, and the like have never even received a hearing on Beacon Hill, much less a vote.

Democratic nominee Deval Patrick has worked hard to avoid becoming trapped into one position or another on the state’s financial situation — choosing not to support the voter-supported rollback of the income tax to 5%, not ruling out the possibility of raising taxes down the road, and avoiding specific commitments on spending. But he’s also done a good job of pointing out that huge cuts in state aid to cities and towns during the fiscal crisis a few years ago translated into whopping increases in property taxes at the local level, as cities and towns scrambled to make up the lost revenue.

Republican nominee Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey carries the political baggage associated with this financial quagmire. Yes, the economy is OK overall, but it’s much better for high-wage workers than it is for middle- and working-class families. Cities and towns haven’t fallen apart, but they’ve created and raised fees, laid off public safety employees and teachers, and supported numerous Proposition 2 1/2 overrides to make up for big reductions in local aid, and voters have felt the squeeze on their incomes as a result.

Healey also walks a fine line between blaming the Legislature for inaction on good ideas while she promotes herself as a check on their bad behavior. If she blames them too much for poor performance, she raises questions about her own effectiveness, and if she takes too much credit for working with them on key issues, she risks having to explain why so many good ideas have never gone anywhere.

Still, she’s the only candidate who’s made it clear that if the choice comes down to cutting state spending or raising taxes, she’s going to fight to cut spending. At a time when the Commonwealth’s budget writers and elected officials will face tremendous pressure to raise taxes just to stay “even,” voters would be wise to keep this in mind.

Charles D. Baker was secretary of health and human services and secretary of administration and finance under Governors Bill Weld and Paul Cellucci. 

By
Departments


James W. Broderick Jr.

TD Banknorth Massachusetts in Springfield announced the following:
• James W. Broderick Jr. has been promoted to Senior Vice President in the Commercial Real Estate Lending Division. He will be responsible for providing a variety of real estate lending services to business customers throughout New England and New York;

 


Kenneth F. Tobias

• Kenneth F. Tobias has been promoted to Assistant Vice President in Merchant Services. He will continue to serve as a merchant sales representative serving Western Mass., and
• Sandra J. Boreland has been promoted to Officer in the Direct Banking Department. She will supervise 10 to 15 customer service representatives.

•••••

Marie Lisewski, owner and principal designer at Laurel Mountain Basket Company in Easthampton, recently earned an award of excellence at the National Gift Convention in Boston. She won the award in the Holiday Corporate Gift Designs category.

•••••

Stephen Gallagher of the Insurance Center of New England Inc. in West Springfield was recently honored by the Society of Certified Insurance Counselors (CIC) for his 20 years of leadership and continued participation in the CIC program. The Society of CIC is an organization recognized nationally as a leading continuing education program for insurance professionals.

•••••

Shepard D. Rainie has joined Berkshire Hills Bancorp Inc. in Pittsfield as Senior Vice President and Chief Risk Officer. Rainie is a member of the bank’s senior management team and is responsible for credit risk, loan review, loan documentation, internal audit, and compliance.

•••••

The Greater Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau has appointed Gregory M. Pudlo as Convention Center Sales Manager for the MassMutual Center in Springfield. Pudlo will be part of a two-person sales team responsible for implementing strategies to promote and sell the MassMutual Center and the Pioneer Valley 18 months and out to conventions, meetings and trade shows.

•••••

Norman Lipsitz, PLS has been named Senior Project Manager at Coler & Colantonio Inc. in Norwell.

•••••

Gregory E. Deavens has been appointed Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for the U.S. Insurance Group of MassMutual. He will be responsible for leading the financial management activities within the U.S. Insurance Group.

•••••

Monson Savings Bank announced the following:
• Melissa L. Hottin has been named Residential Loan Underwriter, and
• Susan J. Vanzandt-Driscoll has been named Residential Loan Underwriter.

•••••

  

Hampden Bank announced the following:
• Tara A. Grealis has been named Vice President and Finance Manager, and
• Diane M. Ulitsch has been promoted to Assistant Treasurer.

•••••

Dr. Lindsay E. Rockwell has joined Hampshire Hematology Oncology and the medical practice of Dr. George Bowers in Northampton. She specializes in cancer care for women.

•••••

Stevens Design Studio in Westfield has named Justin Friend as Senior Web Developer.

•••••

Westfield Bank announced the following:
• Jay Seyler has been named Vice President;
• Diane Meimiec has been named Assistant Vice President;
• Dan O’Neil has been named Assistant Vice President, and
• Phil Burns has been appointed Residential Loan Officer.

•••••

Bryan P. Portier has joined Meyers Brothers Kalicka of Holyoke and Greenfield as an Associate in the Holyoke office.

•••••

Eric Schweighoffer has been named Director of Advertising for Better Bedding, which has stores in Western Massachusetts and Connecticut.

•••••

Michael Supranowicz has been named President and Chief Executive of the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce in Pittsfield.

•••••

Phyllis Thane has been appointed Dining Center Manager for the meals program at Franklin County Home Care’s Shelburne Senior Center.

•••••

Anh N. Cameron has been promoted to Branch Officer at the Sixteen Acres branch of PeoplesBank in Springfield.

•••••

TD Banknorth Insurance Agency has promoted Anthony E. Szwez to Senior Vice President. He will oversee the Springfield-based FutureComp division covering claims across New England.

By
Departments

The following building permits were issued during the month of September 2006.

Amherst

Bank of America
75 East Pleasant St.
N/A — Install temporary banking trailer
with ramp and two temporary ATM
kiosks for one year (existing building burned)

Easthampton

D & R Management Company
7 Industrial Parkway
$544,000 — Construction of new building,
office, and shop

East Longmeadow

Benton Professional Partners
265 Benton Drive
$2,762,192 — New building

Premier Source Credit Union
232 North Main St.
$1,440,000 — Two-story Office

Greenfield

First Baptist Church Society
118 Federal St.
$69,174 — Access ramp

Greenfield Co-op Bank
63 Federal St.
$52,724 — Replace drive-up tube
system with drive-up ATM

Ludlow

Baird Middle School
109 Sportsmen Road
$245,000 — New roof

Chapin St. School
766 Chapin St.
$245,000 — New roof


  

Palmer

Charlene Cavanaugh Hair Salon
1418 Main St.
$5,000 — Interior renovations

Southwick

Gristmill Shopping Center
610 College Highway
$28,000 — Renovate video store into a bakery

Springfield

Bryant Robinson LR
233 Tinkham Road
$1,800,000 — Construction of Church

Diocese of Springfield
65 Elliot St.
$280,000 — Add elevator to church

Mercy Medical Center
271 Carew St.
$104,038 — Renovation to fifth floor nursing station

Westfield

City of Westfield
Westfield Vocational Technical High School
$223,000 — playground

Cargill Inc.
163 Union St.
$375,000 — Build salt-storage building

West Springfield

Waterworks Car Wash
61 Franklin St.
$250,000 — Construct two-bay car wash

By
Departments

Bank Opens Loan Office in West Springfield

FLORENCE — Florence Savings Bank (FSB) is increasing its commitment to small businesses with two new initiatives – a new loan office in West Springfield and an increased commitment of $100 million in loan funds. The new loan office, located at 117 Park Ave., will feature a team of commercial loan officers and will expand the bank’s reach into Hampden County. The new office will be staffed by James Montemayor who has more than 21 years in banking, and Michael Whitman with more than 12 years in banking. Both were recently named vice presidents of FSB.

MassMutual Recognized for Web Sites; Captures InformationWeek 500 Ranking

SPRINGFIELD — Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) has garnered the top spot in DALBAR’s latest WebMonitor rankings of the best Web sites in the life insurance and annuity industry. FieldNet ®, the Web site for financial professionals produced by MassMutual, received an “Excellent” designation for the ninth straight quarter and has earned first place for six of those quarters. WebMonitor tracks Web site improvements and innovations across the financial services industry and identifies the industry’s best sites. In other company news, MassMutual Retirement Services has been awarded the No. 1 ranking in this year’s InformationWeek 500 “Wireless Innovation” category for its e4 (SM) wireless enrollment technology. MassMutual pioneered the patent-pending e4 technology, short for Electronic Enhanced Enrollment Experience, to help American workers take an active role in planning for retirement by simplifying participation in company sponsored 401(k) plans.

Monson Savings Offers New Online Banking Service

MONSON — Monson Savings Bank recently introduced a new service, Enhanced Login Security, which adds another layer of protection against unauthorized access to online banking accounts. The service not only recognizes passwords but also the customer’s computer. Additionally, the bank is taking steps to educate its customers about identity fraud and Internet security by handing out a comprehensive Q+A package at its branches and by making the information available online at www.monsonsavings.com. The measures are in response to the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council which requires financial institutions to conduct a risk assessment of its Internet banking service.

WNEC Enters Public Phase of $20M Campaign

SPRINGFIELD — Western New England College has embarked on the most ambitious fund-raising campaign in its history, a $20 million effort that will enable the college to advance its mission of helping students achieve their educational and career goals. Titled “Transformations: The Campaign for Western New England College,” it is the first time the college has undertaken a comprehensive campaign with multiple priorities. Since the launch of its leadership phase in July 2003, the campaign has raised more than $15 million from a select group of individuals, foundations, and corporations. The public phase of the campaign, which began Sept. 19, is expected to last through December 2007. Gifts to the campaign will support initiatives and programs in four areas: academic quality, $8.45 million; student enrichment, $4.05 million; financial aid endowment, $5 million, and The Fund for WNEC, $2.5 million. Persons interested in becoming involved in the campaign can contact the Advancement Division at (413) 782-1335 or toll-free at (800) 325-1122. Campaign-related news and information is available by visiting www.wnec.edu/campaign.

Greenfield Savings Names New CEO/President

GREENFIELD — Rebecca “Becky” Caplice, currently chief operating officer at Greenfield Savings Bank, will become president and CEO of the bank and its holding company, GSB, MHC, on Jan. 1. Caplice currently directs and supervises all bank operations and administrative departments as COO. Current president and CEO Joseph Poirier will stay with GSB as a member of its business development team. The bank’s governing body recently approved the leadership change at its quarterly trustee meeting. Caplice says she will build on the strong foundation that Poirier has contributed to during his 18 years at the bank. Her tenure with GSB began in 1991 as a senior vice president. In 1999, she was elected to GSB’s Board of Trustees and then promoted to executive vice president. In 2004, Caplice was promoted to COO. A resident of Shelburne, Caplice has been an active member of the Franklin County community since 1977. She is particularly interested in local economic development and Greenfield’s downtown revitalization.

Peter Pan’s Hall of Fame Bus Unveiled

SPRINGFIELD — Peter Pan Bus Lines recently unveiled its newly decorated Basketball Hall of Fame bus, complete with “HoopHall.Com” graphics and a basketball appearing on the front section of the bus. The bus is a regular Peter Pan line-run, 55-passenger motorcoach that travels the northeast corridor between Boston and Washington, D.C. The graphics promoting the Hall of Fame were the idea of Peter A. Picknelly, president of Peter Pan, who also serves on the Hall of Fame board, as a way to increase recognition of the Hall. The bus was wrapped in the new graphics by a Peter Pan affiliate, Coach Builders, which operates out of the Trolley Barn on Main Street.

Nursery Launches Parenting Services

SPRINGFIELD — Springfield Day Nursery has launched a parenting program to assist families in gaining self-sufficiency, acquiring better parenting skills, and becoming more involved in their child’s education, thanks in part to its new Under Five Initiative and funding from the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts. Joni Beck Brewer, LICSW, will serve as the new vice president of parent services, and will be responsible for designing, developing, and implementing parent education and support services. In addition, Brewer will supervise Springfield College School of Social Work interns who will offer intensive case management, including child and family assessments and home visits to teach and model parenting skills. Brewer will also oversee the creation of a parent advisory council. For more information on services, call (413) 858-3108.

Spalding Takes Never Flat Success to Soccer Field

SPRINGFIELD — Spalding is now bringing its industry leading innovation – NEVER FLAT technology – to the soccer fields. The Spalding NEVER FLAT soccer ball line, centered around similar technologies found in its NEVER FLAT basketballs, are the first-ever soccer balls with proprietary pressure-retention technologies and are guaranteed to stay inflated 10 times longer than traditional soccer balls. All products within Spalding’s NEVER FLAT soccer line use patent pending, exclusive full-ball construction technologies, a first within the inflated sports category, to dramatically increase pressure retention. The soccer ball line will reach sporting goods store in early November and will feature three product levels – the NF-5000, the NF-3000, and the NF-1500.

Third Generation Taking Over Furniture Business

SPRINGFIELD — Hampden Furniture’s inventory is currently being liquidated and new owners are hoping to reopen the business as a Broyhill furniture gallery in a neighboring town by early 2007. Owner Eugene Z. Baker is retiring from the business and his children, Ira and Carol Baker, will take over daily operations when the new location is determined. Hampden Furniture occupies 45,000 square feet in downtown Springfield, but the future site is expected to only accommodate Broyhill’s new store format that is much smaller. The liquidation sale will continue until all inventory is sold, according to Eugene Baker.

UMass Amherst Wins $1 Million Grant to Support Doctoral Program in Nursing

AMHERST – The School of Nursing at UMass Amherst has been awarded a three-year, $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to support its new doctorate in nursing practice and the related Your Life Matters Program (LIFEMAP), a health-risk assessment, health and lifestyle management initiative. In May, the UMass Board of Trustees approved the doctorate in nursing practice (DNP), making UMass Amherst the first school in the state to offer the advanced degree. The DNP, a four-year post-baccalaureate degree, focuses on preparing advanced practice nurses for functioning at the highest level of nursing practice. The grant provides funding for implementation of the new doctoral program. The grant proposal was written by School of Nursing faculty in cooperation with the UMass Amherst School of Public Health and Health Sciences (SPHHS).

Zasco Productions Moves into New Quarters

CHICOPEE — Zasco Productions, a multi-media, event-production company, has moved into new quarters at 340 McKinstry Ave. In Chicopee. The 5,100-square-foot facility enables the company, this year celebrating its 20th anniversary, to bring office, production, and warehouse operations under one roof.

By
Departments

The following Business Certificates and Trade Names were issued or renewed during the month of September 2006.

Agawam

J & J and Sons
P. O. Box 185
Joseph Herbert

L. B. Construction
670 Main St.
Christopher Leblanc

Amherst

A Taste of Brooklyn
233 North Pleasant St.
Crystal Richardson, Edna L. Richardson

Aubinwood Cavaliers
471 Bay Road
Joan & Obediah Gibson

Chicopee

Donald J. Sauvageau Building & Remodeling
48 Glendale St.
Donald J. Sauvageau

Techniques of Art
333 Front St.
Diane M. Myscinski

The Nurses Station
922 Chicopee St.
Sammy Rodriguez

Easthampton

Horderlings
116 Pleasant Street
Joshua Benard

Pioneer Valley Lactation Consulting
14 Pinebrook Dr.
Mary J. Carey

East Longmeadow

Portamedic
200 North Main St.
Mark and Christopher R. Parent

Porter Road Pet Care
141 Porter Road
Warner M. Cross

R&M Construction
P.O. Box 389
Michael Molinari
Robert Rama

Greenfield

Abe’s Sunoco
155 Main St.
Abdulamir Altael

Fein Construction – Creative Concepts
26 Sunrise Ave.
Peter F. Fein

Holyoke

Anita Coll Attorney at Law
4 Open Square – Suite 130
Anita Coll

Nailtique
50 Holyoke St.
Mai T. Hoang

Longmeadow

Virtual Business Services
41 Benedict Terrace
Christina Dimeo

Ludlow

All State Stone
148 Amherst St.
Ben Duchesne

KB Carpentry
38 Lyon St.
Kenneth Butts

Northampton

Judgment Recovery Services
111 Oak St.
Eric Sales

  

L.R.J. Landscaping
491 Bridge Road
Raul Collazo
Lisette Reyes

Palmer

Alli-Kat Toys
15 Cedarhill St.
Dawn Melanie Henry

Country Manor Apts.
29 Lariviere St.
Marek Kozabal

South Hadley

Therapies
19 Pleasant St.
Charles Eliopoulos, Ralph Pearsall

Southwick

Mapit
160 Point Grove Road 93
Annette Patterson

Springfield

Atlas Convenience Store
411-417 St. James Ave.
Aziz Ahmed

Balise Buick Pontiac GMC
683 East Columbus Ave.
James Balise

Balise Hyundai
881 East Columbus Ave.
Steven Mitus

Betty’s Show-Off
658 Page Blvd.
Betty Seieles

B&G Window Tinting
1174 Parker St.
Bryan Lora

Brathwaite Transportation
513 Armory St.
Milagros C. Brathwaite

Bryce Contractor Company
3 Dorchester St.
Damon Anthony Bryce

Civic Center Convenience
1369 Main St.
Nafees A. Chaudhary

Dalita’s Creations
94 Hickory St.
Migdalia Santiago

Dollar Tree 3541
1101 Boston Road
John Cote

Kiddo’s Transportation
3 Norfolk St.
Rony Pena

Westfield

Millwrite Design
579 Southampton Road
Robert F. Valcourt

NRF Consulting & Bookkeeping
144 Elm Street
Nadeen Frank

Optimium Health Therapeutic Massage, LLC
120 Elm St.
Maureen Belliveau

Smoke-N-Pepper
11 Deer Path Lane
Eric Hoff

West Springfield

TVS Communications
124 Myron St.
Gregory A. Sienko

Westside Signs
993 Main St.
Edward O. Hubbard

By
Departments

Fair Assessment

The Eastern States Exposition was in full swing this week, welcoming more than 800,000 guests by the middle of its last week. The Big E also reported record attendance days this year on Monday, Sept. 25 and Tuesday, Sept. 26. At left, two popular attractions at the annual fair: the petting zoo and Chicopee’s own Millie’s Pierogi stand. Above, the entrance to the midway beckoned kids and kids at heart with the signature Ferris wheel looming over a number of rides and games.

Kids First

A Kids Day VIP Planning Meeting staged held recently at First American Insurance Agency. In attendance were John and Magi Bish, Chicopee Mayor Michael Bissonnette, and various other community officials and business leaders. A Child Safety ID Day, sponsored in cooperation with The Molly Bish Foundation, was also held on Saturday, Sept. 30th, at First American. Pictured at left are: Gail Sherman, president, Chicopee Chamber of Commerce; Chief John Ferraro,Chicopee Police Dept.; John Bish, Chicopee Mayor Michael Bissonnette; Magi Bish, and Corey Murphy, vice president, First American Insurance Agency, Inc

Meet and Greet

Crocker Communications recently hosted a 50th anniversary celebration at its corporate office at the Greenfield Corporate Center. Jamie Crocker, left, president of Crocker Communications, greets guest Ken Vincunas of Development Associates.

Championing the Cause

Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) recently welcomed Olympic figure skating gold medalist Scott Hamilton to its home office to kick off Life Insurance Awareness Month, a national, industry-wide effort designed to raise the awareness of the importance of life insurance. Hamilton, who is serving as national spokesperson for Life Insurance Awareness Month, spoke to employees at MassMutual’s Springfield headquarters and its Enfield, Conn., campus, sharing his personal experience of losing his mother at a young age and overcoming a life-threatening illness to illustrate the importance of financially preparing for the unexpected.

Thanks for the Memories

Bill Tremblay, founder and President of Innovative Business Systems Inc. was honored for his career and accomplishments on Sept. 13, at the Look Park Garden House by several colleagues, long time customers, family, and IBS employees. The event coincided with the 3-year anniversary of the purchase of the company by five long time employees headed by Dave Delvecchio, vice president and general manager. At right, the five current owners of IBS with Tremblay and his wife. From left, Sean Benoit, Ben Scoble, Dave Delvecchio, Bill and Elaine Tremblay, Brian Scanlon, and Scott Seifel.

By
Departments

The following listings were omitted in error from the 2006-2007 BusinessWest Resource Guide:

Banquet Facilities
Melha Shriners
133 Longhill St., Springfield, MA 01108
(413) 736-3647
A fraternal organization supporting the Shriners Hospital for Children, which provides free care to children. The facility is available for social and business gatherings.

Early Education & Child Care Centers (Day Care):
YMCA of Greater Springfield
275 Chestnut Street
Springfield MA 01104
739-6951 ext 180
www.springfieldy.org
Capacity: 1,145
Infant (4 weeks) to age 13
Hours: 6:00 am-6:00 pm
Administrator: Kathleen Treglia
Services: Year- round educational programs at 19 convenient locations In Springfield, Chicopee, Wilbraham, Monson & Palmer. Scholarships available

Employment Agencies
Point Staffing
425 Union St., West Springfield, MA 01089
(413) 747-2516; Fax: (413) 747-2914
Web site: www.pointstaffing.com
Locations: 1
Owner: Mike Dumanie
Primary Specialties: Clerical and light industrial fields.

Multi-media and Video Production Firms
ATC Audio
89 Myron St., West Springfield, MA 01089
(413) 781-2327
Web site: www.atcaudio.com
Services: Audio, video, and lighting sales, rentals, and installation; system design, speaker repair, production assistance, and environmental noise analysis. Authorized reseller for audio, video, and lighting. Specializing in foreground and background music systems, small and large format sound reinforcement systems, whole house and home theatre audio-video systems, paging systems, and recording and production studios.
Employees: 7
President/CEO: Tony Caliento

Wassmann Audio Video
92 State Road, Whatley, MA 01093
(800) 286-9744; Fax: (413) 665-3732
Employees: 18
Web site: www.wassmannav.com
Services: Design and install audio, video, and multi-media computer projection systems and equipment for higher education facilities and businesses of all sizes.
President/CEO: Kirk Wassmann

Voice/Data Providers
Normandeau Communications Inc.
30 North Maple St., Florence, MA 01062
(413) 584-3131; Fax: (413) 586-1992
Web site: www.normandeaucommunications.com
Contact: Kim Durand
Service area: Massachusetts, Southern Vermont, and New Hampshire
Services: Sales, service, and installation of business telephone and voice mail systems. Installation of voice, data, and fiber-optic cabling for telephone service and connected voice and data equipment.

Restaurants
The Sierra Grille
41 A Strong Ave. Northampton, MA 01060
(413) 584-1150
Type of fare: Multi-ethnic foods; vegetarian and vegan choices, pick-and-choose sauces

The following listings contained incorrect information:

Advertising Agencies
Advertus Media was incorrectly listed as Advertus and Associates.

Banquet Facilities
The correct Web site address for The Delaney House in Holyoke is www.delaneyhouse.com.
The correct Web site address for Days Inn, Chicopee is www.trumpetsnightclub.com

Business and Manufacturing Resources
The correct information for the Biomedical Research Institute is: The Pioneer Vally Life Sciences Institute, 3601 Main St., Springfield, MA 01199
(413) 794-0653; Fax: (413) 794-0857
Contact: Dr. Paul Friedman
Web site: www.pvlsi.org

Credit Unions
STCU was incorrectly listed as the Springfield Teachers Credit Union.

Employment Agencies
The correct Web site address for Paratemps, Inc. is www.paratemps.net

Engineering Firms
The correct address for Vanasse Hangen Brustlin Inc. is One Federal St., Building 103-3N, Springfield, MA, 01105

Hotels and Meeting Facilities
The correct Web site address for Days Inn, Chicopee is www.daysinn.com/chicopeema
Park Inn in Chicopee should be omitted from this list.

Insurance Agencies
There was a misspelling in the listing for Crimmins Graveline Insurance; The information for top local officer should read: Tom Gravelin.

Internet Service Providers:
Crocker Communications, Inc.
Contact: Customer Care Division [email protected], 1-800-413-LINE, website: www.crocker.com
Services: Internet Access in Western MA (Dial up, DSL,T-1’s), Colocation, Web Hosting, Networking, Backup Server Protection
Prices vary by service/speed.

Voice/Data Providers:
Crocker Communications Inc.
Contact: Customer Care Division [email protected]
1-800-413-LINE, website: www.crocker.com
Services: VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol), Telephone Answering Services
Prices vary

OPINION

By
Opinion
Quenching the State’s Growing Energy Thirst

People stuck in elevators, ATMs and cash registers shut down, television stations off the air, surgeons waiting for the operating room lights to come back on. Scenes from Hurricane Katrina? No. These incidents occurred during California’s rolling blackouts in 2000.

To ensure there is enough power in Massachusetts, the next governor will have to confront the state’s energy challenges. The state set four power records this summer. Even though the lights stayed on, we could face energy shortages as soon as 2008, according to the power grid operator for New England.

The state got into this situation the old-fashioned way: more demand than supply. Basically, residents’ lives and jobs are more dependent upon electricity. Computers, iPods, mobile phones, and bigger homes, to name a few, all contribute to the increased use of electricity. But even though Massachusetts has increased its use of electricity by 250 megawatts a year, we have not substantially increased electrical generation since 2001.

If Massachusetts is going to attract more businesses, jobs, and residents, then the state needs to have enough electricity for businesses to expand and to ensure that the lights stay on.

And the state has to face some difficult facts: It cannot simply conserve its way out of the problem by becoming more efficient or turning to renewable sources to generate power. Massachusetts businesses are leaders in energy efficiency, spending almost $100 million a year on programs in that area. Consumers and businesses have given the Massachusetts Renewable Trust Fund a half a billion dollars since the fund was created. Even with these investments in energy efficiency, the state’s net energy use is still rising.

With predicted shortfalls as soon as 2008, increasing supply through renewable wood and hydroelectric, wind, and biofuels generation is a step in the right direction. However, these largely intermittent resources, with significant siting challenges, may not be available soon enough to provide the power the state needs. Emerging technologies are exciting and should be encouraged, but they likely won’t be available in time.

So, if the state is going to improve its economy then it must build more facilities to increase the production of energy, improve the delivery infrastructure, and be more energy efficient . One way to make the cost of living and doing business in Massachusetts more affordable is to have a balanced energy policy that will provide electricity that is affordable and readily available for businesses and residents.

Here are three suggestions that the next governor should implement in the first 100 days in office:

First, we need more power, so we need to build. There are a lot of companies willing and able to build more generation capacity in Massachusetts — and pay for it. There are numerous liquefied natural gas projects that would bring more energy to Massachusetts. There are utilities poised to put up new transmission lines. These projects all need to be undertaken. We need to bring more partners to Massachusetts by saying yes to projects that make sense. Doing so will bring more jobs and residents to work in the state while insuring reliable power.

Second, we need to make the permitting process work faster. Right now, getting the required permits for an energy project can take years and a lot of money. As a result, Massachusetts has not been building the power it needs. Our energy challenges are too demanding to waste time and money in a waiting game where no one wins. We need a thorough, predictable, and swift process that is fair to everyone and helps the state meet its energy needs.

Finally, we need tax incentives for renewable and alternative energy development in Massachusetts. Additional development of these energy resources will provide a more balanced approach to solving the challenge we face that also helps our environment and creates jobs.

For now, the lights still turn on when we hit the switch. But the next governor has to act in a forceful and comprehensive way. There are hard choices to be made in siting, demand reductions, transmission line development, energy efficiency programs, and green power generation. But, the way to do it is to have a balanced energy policy that delivers affordable and reliable electricity for everyone.

Richard C. Lord is president and chief executive of Associated Industries of Massachusetts, a nonprofit, nonpartisan association of employers and institutions. Angela M. O’Connor is president of the New England Power Generators Association.

By
Departments

Planning Amherst Together

Oct. 12, 14, 18, 20: Several public meetings are planned in October to help create an Amherst Master Plan titled Planning Amherst Together. The master plan will address goals and policies on land use, housing, transportation, economic development, community facilities, parks and open space, natural and cultural resources, services and facilities and utilities. Meeting dates are Oct. 12, 7 p.m., and Oct. 14, 10 a.m., both at the Amherst Middle School; Oct. 18 at 1 p.m. at the Jones Library, and Oct. 20 at 9 a.m. in Franklin Patterson Hall at Hampshire College. For more information, contact Neils la Cour at (413) 259-3040 or [email protected].

Women in Technology Workshop

Oct. 13-14: Springfield Technical Community College, in conjunction with the National Institute for Women in Trades, Technology and Science, will present a ‘Women in Technology’ workshop for high school and college teachers and guidance counselors in math, science and technology. The two-day workshop uses case studies, lectures, role-playing and interactive video to present solutions that work in recruiting and retaining young women in programs leading to technology careers. For more information, contact Dean Adrienne Smith at [email protected] or visit cbt.stcc.edu/ descriptions/women _in_technology.html.

Medical Device Seminar

Oct. 16: The Regional Technology Corp. (RTC), in cooperation with the Mass. Medical Device Industry Council (MassMEDIC), will conduct a seminar focused on medical device product development at FDA regulatory approval procedures. Sponsored by the Bank of Western Massachusetts, the event will take place from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Colony Club, 1500 Main St. in Springfield, and is the opening kick-off to two days of showcasing the life sciences industry in Western Mass. Tom Merle, vice president of Product Innovation at Continuum Inc., and James Wason, executive vice president of Medical Device Consultants Inc. (MDCI) will be guest presenters as experts in medical device product development and FDA regulatory issues. Tom Summer, president of MassMEDIC will also be on hand to discuss any other topics related to medical devices. Advanced registration is required. For more information, contact April Cloutier (413) 755-1314.

By
Departments

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

Babineau, Stephen M.
40 Palmyra St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 7
Date: 08/18/2006

Buchanan, William L.
Buchanan, Amy
61 Arthur St.
Springfield. MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Date: 08/17/2006

Burdick, Douglas A.
Burdick, Stephanie L.
9 South County Road
Florida, MA 01247
Chapter: 7
Date: 08/23/2006

Denison, David A.
Denison, Deborah J.
34 Munson St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 13
Date: 08/22/2006

Hays, James W.
Hays, Mary J.
348 Park St. Apt. 214
Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Date: 08/24/2006

Kelley, Robert Edward
Kelley, Donna Sharon
54 Old Barn Road
West Springfield, MA 01089
chapter: 13
Date: 08/17/2006

LaFleur, Wayne N.
LaFleur, Theresa A.
21 Batista Circle
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Date: 08/23/2006

Lamarche, Cherylann
a/k/a Vautrain, Cheryl A.
419 Springdale Road
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter: 7
Date: 08/17/2006

Leandro, Leonor D.
154 Whitney St., 2nd Fl.
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Date: 08/23/2006

Lombardi, Vincent M.
2 Lebanon Ave.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 13
Date: 08/17/2006

Luna, Mirna
34 Riverside Dr.
Westfield, MA 01085
Chapter 13
Date: 08/16/2006

Marshall, Garth R.
245 Ware St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Chapter: 7
Date: 08/18/2006

McKenzie, Chozi Mjitiba
PO Box 2116
Amherst, MA 01004
Chapter: 7
Date: 08/22/2006

Meadows, Tomorrow Jean
1235 Bay St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 13
Date: 08/21/2006

  

Morales, Carlos A.
PO Box 3844
Springfield, MA 01101
Chapter: 7
Date: 08/17/2006

Morin, Steven J.
191 Lafayette St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 13
Date: 08/23/2006

Mortensen, Warren William
PMB Mailbox 132
340 Cooley St.
Springfield, MA 01128
Cahpter: 13
Date: 08/17/2006

Noetzel, Paul R.
36A Amherst Road
Pelham, MA 01002
Chapter: 7
Date: 08/24/2006

Pearson, Courtney L.
164 Meadowbrook Road
Longmeadow, MA 01106
Chapter: 7
Date: 08/23/2006

Rooney, Kelly F.
104 Edbert St.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Date: 08/18/2006

Senerchia, Stephen J.
P.O. Box 611
Ludlow, MA 01056
Chapter: 7
Date: 08/22/2006

Severage, Jeffrey R.
82 Ruggles St., Apt. 2
Three Rivers, MA 01080
Chapter: 7
Date: 08/18/2006

Shaffer, Judith K.
20 Pomeroy Ter.
Northampton, MA 01060
Chapter: 7
Date: 08/23/2006

Skowyra, David A.
Skowyra, Karen S.
141 Boston Road
PO Box 150
Palmer, MA 01069
Chapter: 13
Date: 08/22/2006

Soto, Peter
37 Stockman St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 7
Date: 08/18/2006

Steinman, Linda Ann/Painchaud-Steinman
PO Box 60783
Longmeadow, MA 01116
Chapter: 7
Date: 8/22/2006

Taaffe, Thomas H.
17 Walnut St.
Northampton, MA 01060
Chapter: 7
Date: 08/24/2006

Vazquez, Jr., Pedro J.
18 Orchard St.
Springfield. MA 01107
Chapter: 8
Date: 08/21/2006

By
Departments

ACCGS Announces ‘Super 60’ Winners

SPRINGFIELD — Business is alive and well in the region as this year’s Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield Inc. (ACCGS) Super 60 revenue winners combined for almost $1.2 billion in the past fiscal year with average revenue for the top 30 exceeding $31 million and 50% exceeding $20 million. Now in its 17th year, the ACCGS award honors the fastest growing, privately held companies in the region for their significant contributions to strength of the regional economy. Companies eligible for the award must be independent, privately owned businesses, be based in either Hampden or Hampshire counties or be a member of the ACCGS, be in business for at least three full years and produce revenues of at least $1 million in the last fiscal year. Seventeen companies are new to the revenue category this year. Four companies on the revenue list also qualify for the growth category, with two companies in the top 10 qualifying for both lists. In addition, four companies new to the category this year are also new to the top-10 revenue winners list. In the growth category, the average growth among the winners was more than 57% with companies needing to have had at least 23% growth in order to be included in the category. Twenty-six of the companies reported growth in excess of 30%, with 18 companies exceeding 40% growth. Winners will be honored at the Super 60 Luncheon and Recognition Program on Oct. 27 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Chez Josef in Agawam. Steven Rothschild, CEO and chairman of bulbs.com, an online specialized lighting distributor, will deliver the keynote address, sharing insights on how to achieve rapid rates of growth in business.

Survey: Single Resume Typo Can Ruin Job Prospects

MENLO PARK, Calif. — The adage “It’s not what you say, but how you say it” holds particular weight when it comes to resumes, a recent survey shows. More than eight in 10 executives polled (84%) said it takes just one or two typographical errors in a resume to remove a candidate from consideration for a job opening; 47% said a single typo can be the deciding factor. The survey was developed by OfficeTeam and includes responses from 150 senior executives at the nation’s 1,000 largest companies. Resumes often are a job seeker’s first contact with prospective employers, according to Diane Domeyer, executive director of OfficeTeam. Domeyer stressed that candidates who submit application materials with typographical or grammatical errors may be seen as lacking professionalism and attention to detail, and thus spoil their chances for an interview or further consideration.

Former State Hospital Project Receives Funding

NORTHAMPTON — Gov. W. Mitt Romney recently signed a bill to provide $7 million in state aid to finish the demolition of the former Northampton State Hospital. The funds were part of a larger bill to assist infrastructure improvements for large private development projects. The House and the Senate passed the bill Aug. 31. Billed as The Village at Hospital Hill, the redevelopment plans include a mix of residential and commercial uses at the site. When completed, the development project will feature 476,000 square feet of office, retail and light industrial space, as well as 207 units of housing, according to the Mass. Development Finance Agency.

Director Named for Embattled PVTA

SPRINGFIELD — Worcester Transit Authority Director Mary L. MacInnes was recently chosen as the new administrator for the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority (PVTA) by its advisory board members. Pittsfield Transit Authority Director Charles M. MacNeil was the other finalist who also received strong support from the advisory board, however, it was Springfield Mayor Charles V. Ryan who cast the deciding vote. Both candidates had indicated their experience in the transit industry would be a benefit to leading the PVTA out of its current crisis of an ongoing federal probe. In other news, board members announced it will terminate its contract with auditing firm KPMG since the firm refused to complete its audit until the PVTA expands its own investigation into possible mishandling of the agency’s finances.

1,000 Jobs Lost Across State in August

BOSTON — The state’s total jobs capped at 3.207 million in August as the unemployment rate climbed to 4.9%, according to the state Department of Workforce Development. Due to a statistical revision to July’s estimated jobs total, Massachusetts lost 1,000 jobs in August. The agency noted the loss of 1,000 jobs was in part due to a new estimate of the state’s jobs gain in July, based on a survey of state employers. The state revised its original estimate of 4,000 jobs gained in July to 4,600. Jobs in education and health care had the greatest gains during the summer, while the financial and manufacturing sectors lost some ground. Overall, the state has added 21,600 jobs since January, and had 29,000 more jobs in August compared with August of 2005.

Unemployment Rate Up Across Valley

The unemployment rate for the Pioneer Valley reached 5.2% in August, according to the state Division of Unemployment Assistance. Job postings in August at FutureWorks, a one-stop career center in Springfield, were down by 31% to 508 listings, while the number of job seekers was up 24%, to 2,390. Of the jobs posted in August, the biggest proportion was in the retail sector, followed by administrative support. Sectors losing jobs included financial activities, information, and government, while the construction and manufacturing sectors remained flat over the year. FutureWorks representatives noted that area residents who are employed don’t appear to be seeking out new job opportunities. Approximately 95% of the job seekers who use the services at FutureWorks are currently unemployed

By
Departments

The Big E

Sept. 15-Oct.1: The 2006 edition of The Big E will present more than $1.7 million in free entertainment, a ticketed Brad Paisley concert, the Miss Latina U.S.™ Pageant, the return of Marriage on the Midway, and BiggiE’s Character Breakfast as well as the Mardi Gras Parade, rides, crafts, good food, animals and the best of the old and new that fairgoers have come to expect and enjoy. The Big E is located on Memorial Avenue in West Springfield.

‘Team Creativity Disney Style’ Workshop

Sept. 26: The Center for Business and Professional Development at Holyoke Community College will sponsor an all-day workshop titled Team Creativity Disney Style from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Kittredge Center for Business and Workforce Development on the HCC campus. The Disney Institute will share with participants the motivational tools that can unleash the creative power of one’s entire organization. The cost is $349 per person which includes continental breakfast, lunch and materials. For more information, contact Maria at (413) 552-2122 or via E—mail at [email protected].

HCC Business Summit

Sept. 27: The Holyoke Community College Center for Business and Professional Development is sponsoring a free workshop for business owners and managers who are looking for more effective ways to train their employees. Titled “Training for the 21st Century,” the workshop is planned from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at HCC’s Kittredge Center for Business and Workforce Development. The workshop will introduce employers to a new training approach that uses real-life scenarios, follow-up sessions, ongoing contact with instructors, and actual homework for participants. For more information, call (413) 538-5817 or (413) 538-5815.

Planning Amherst Together

Oct. 12, 14, 18, 20: Several public meetings are planned in October to help create an Amherst Master Plan titled Planning Amherst Together. The master plan will address goals and policies on land use, housing, transportation, economic development, community facilities, parks and open space, natural and cultural resources, services and facilities and utilities. Meeting dates are Oct. 12, 7 p.m., and Oct. 14, 10 a.m., both at the Amherst Middle School; Oct. 18 at 1 p.m. at the Jones Library, and Oct. 20 at 9 a.m. in Franklin Patterson Hall at Hampshire College. For more information, contact Neils la Cour at (413) 259-3040 or [email protected].

Women in Technology Workshop

Oct. 13-14: Springfield Technical Community College, in conjunction with the National Institute for Women in Trades, Technology and Science, will present a ‘Women in Technology’ workshop for high school and college teachers and guidance counselors in math, science and technology. The two-day workshop uses case studies, lectures, role-playing and interactive video to present solutions that work in recruiting and retaining young women in programs leading to technology careers. For more information, contact Dean Adrienne Smith at [email protected] or visit http://cbt.stcc.edu/descriptions/women _in_technology.html.

Medical Device Seminar

Oct. 16: The Regional Technology Corp. (RTC), in cooperation with the Mass. Medical Device Industry Council (MassMEDIC), will conduct a seminar focused on medical device product development at FDA regulatory approval procedures. Sponsored by the Bank of Western Massachusetts, the event will take place from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Colony Club, 1500 Main St. in Springfield, and is the opening kick-off to two days of showcasing the life sciences industry in Western Mass. Tom Merle, vice president of Product Innovation at Continuum Inc., and James Wason, executive vice president of Medical Device Consultants Inc. (MDCI) will be guest presenters as experts in medical device product development and FDA regulatory issues. Tom Summer, president of MassMEDIC will also be on hand to discuss any other topics related to medical devices. Advanced registration is required. For more information, contact April Cloutier (413) 755-1314.

‘The Politics of Immigration’

Oct. 26: Un/Welcome Guests: Labor, Law and the Politics of Immigration is the title of a panel discussion in the Gamble Auditorium at Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Legal experts, journalists and activists will discuss the controversial issues of immigration, migrant labor, homeland security, and the U.S. and Mexican border issues. For more information, visit www.mtholyoke.edu/go/wcl. The event is free and open to the public.

Super 60

Oct. 27: The Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield, Inc. will present its annual “Super 60” program at Chez Josef in Agawam. The event is a salute to the entrepreneurial spirit of the region’s privately owned businesses.

By
Departments

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

Brothers, Jeffrey Edward
Brothers, Lisa Marie
3 Benard Ave.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 13
Date: 08/02/2006

Graziano, Madeleine M.
630 Suffield St.
Agawam, MA 01001
Chapter: 7
Date: 08/02/2006

Hall, Heather Kirsten
73 Hall Road 17
Sturbridge, MA 01566
Chapter: 7
Date: 08/15/2006

Hamel, Dustin M.
28 Main St.
Monson, MA 01057
Chapter: 7
Date: 08/15/2006

Harrison, Roseanne M.
945 St. James Ave.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 13
Date: 08/02/2006

  

Nolette, Robert E.
2975 Gulf Road
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 7
Date: 08/02/2006

Pownall, Natalie
14 Norris St.
Feeding Hills, MA 01030
Chapter: 7
Date: 08/02/2006

Rosa, Carmen M.
945 St. James Ave.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 13
Date: 08/02/2006

Walton, Ralph A.
Walton, Kimberly J.
53 Washington St.
Gardner, MA 01440
Chapter: 13
Date: 08/15/2006

By
Departments

Modest Job Market Expected for Springfield

SPRINGFIELD — Area employers expect to hire at a conservative pace during the fourth quarter of 2006, according to the Manpower Employment Outlook Survey. From October to December, 20% of the companies interviewed plan to hire more employees, while 17% expect to reduce their payrolls, according to Manpower spokesperson Cathy Paige. Another 30% expect to maintain their current staff levels and 33% are not certain of their hiring plans. “Springfield area employers have softer hiring intentions than in the third quarter when 32% of the companies interviewed intended to add staff, and 21% planned to reduce headcount,” said Paige. “Employers have significantly more modest hiring intentions than they did a year ago when 43% of companies surveyed thought employment increases were likely and 17% intended to cut back.” For the coming quarter, job prospects appear best in Services. Employers in non-durable goods manufacturing and transportation/public utilities plan to reduce staffing levels, while those in durable goods manufacturing and wholesale/retail trade voice mixed hiring intentions. Employers in Public Administration are unsure of their staffing plans. Hiring in construction, finance/insurance/real estate and education is expected to remain unchanged.

Business Confidence Index Up in August

BOSTON — The Associated Industries of Massachusetts (A.I.M.) Business Confidence Index rose 1.7 points in August to 57.1, continuing its long-term fluctuation within a narrow, slightly positive range. The Index was down nine-tenths of a point compared to August 2005, and off 4.4 points from August 2004, but up over three and four years. Massachusetts employers reported stronger sales and hiring in August than in recent surveys, but did not foresee significant changes in conditions or results over the six months ahead, according to Raymond G. Torto, Co-Chair of A.I.M.’s Board of Economic Advisors and a Principal with CBRE Torto Wheaton. Confidence fell slightly in August among manufacturers and rose strongly among other employers. Confidence levels remained closely balanced statewide with Greater Boston moving above the rest of the state. Larger employers were markedly more positive than smaller ones on most survey questions, including those about sales and employment. The monthly index is based on a survey of A.I.M. member companies across the state, asking questions about current and prospective business conditions in the state and nation, as well as for their respective organizations. Readings above 50 on the 100-point scale indicate that the state’s employer community is generally optimistic, while a reading below 50 reflects a negative assessment of business conditions.

Asselins, Sotorian Plead Guilty to Variety of Charges

SPRINGFIELD — Several guilty pleas have been entered recently in a scandal at the Springfield Housing Authority. Raymond B. Asselin, former executive director of the authority and one of 13 defendants in a federal corruption case, recently pleaded guilty to racketeering, conspiracy, and tax evasion in U.S. District Court in Springfield. Other charges were dismissed in exchange for the pleas. He faces 11 to 14 years in prison and agreed to sign over his assets to the government to avert a forfeiture process. Meanwhile, his son, former state Rep. Christopher Asselin, pleaded guity to conspiracy to commit theft against the government and mail fraud, and will serve between 18 and 24 months in prison. Raymond Asselin’s assets include a BMW, a speed boat, $244,000 in cash, a $3.1 million home in Chatham and the equivalent of half the market value of his Mayfair Avenue residence. Asselin admitted to fleecing the housing authority for millions of dollars to decorate his homes and those of his children. Richard Asselin’s wife, Janet, also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit theft and tax evasion, and another son, James W. Asselin, also entered a guilty plea to conspiracy to commit federal bribery, conspiracy to commit theft against the government and mail fraud. Janet Asselin faces 10 to 16 months in prison under her plea agreement while James Asselin could receive 12 to 18 months in prison. Another former top official at the authority, Arthur Sortorian, agreed to forfeit his two homes and serve up to 14 years in prison for helping to embezzle more than $2.5 million from the authority.

Former Facemate Owner To Repay Retirement Fund

CHICOPEE — Walter F. Mrozinski, former chairman of the defunct Facemate Corp. on West Main Street, agreed to repay more than $13,000 into the company’s retirement fund. The judgment was recently settled in a suit filed in U.S. District Court in Springfield by the U.S. Department of Labor which charged him with failing to put money withheld from employee paychecks in 2002 and 2003 into the firm’s retirement fund. The retirement plan covers 39 participants, most of them former employees, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Facemate made specialty textiles used in shirt collars until it shut down in November of 2003.

Survey: Lack of Company Knowledge Biggest Interview Mistake

MENLO PARK, Calif. — They say job-hunting success is all about who you know. But how much you know about prospective employers plays a crucial role too, a new survey confirms. Nearly half (47%) of executives recently polled said that having little or no knowledge of the company is the most common mistake job seekers make during interviews. The national survey, developed by Accountemps, includes responses from 150 senior executives with the nation’s 1,000 largest companies. Candidates should learn as much as they can about a company before meeting a prospective employer, according to Max Messmer, chairman of Accountemps. He added that the most successful applicants will have a beyond-the-basics understanding of the firm, including its history, chief competitors and business objectives. Armed with this knowledge, job hopefuls should be able to describe how their skills and experience can help the business reach its goals.

By
Departments

The following building permits were issued during the month of September 2006.

AMHERST

Amherst Associates
378-384 Northampton Road
$9,900 — Remove and replace decks

Green Tree Family LTD Partnership
797 Main St.
$13,500 — Replace roof

Hampshire College
893 West St (Building C, Prescott House)
$133,750 — Replace exterior
envelope and water damaged walls

Hampshire College
893 West St. (Emily Dickinson Hall)
$53,998 — Re-side building and
install new roof

Johnson Chapel (Amherst College)
11 Quadrangle
$15,491 — Renovations

Perry Apartments
85 Amity St.
$6,500 — Roof repairs

CHICOPEE

Riverbend Medical Group
444 Montgomery St.
$131,100 – Erect partitions to create
offices and examination rooms

Valley Opportunity Council
198-200 N. Chicopee St.
$13,532 – Install vinyl siding

East Longmeadow

Benton Professional Partners
265 Benton Dr.
$2,762,192 — New Construction

East Longmeadow Center Village
32-48 Center Square
$1,622,304 — Construct new building

Premier Source Credit Union
232 North Main St.
$1,440,000 — New Construction

Hadley

Chamisa Corporation
31 Campus Plaza Road
780-square-foot addition

Pro Con Inc.
423-425 Russell St.
In-ground hotel pool

Town of Hadley
131 Russell St. (Hopkins Academy)
Installation of cooling units

Holyoke

Holyoke Revolver Club Inc.
431 West Cherry St.
$7,000 — Construct new pavilion

Holyoke Mall Company,
L.P. C/o Pyramid
50 Holyoke St.
$55,000 — Remodel existing store

Holyoke Mall Company, L.P. C/o Pyramid
50 Holyoke St.
$17,500 — Demolish existing store

Holyoke Medical Center
575 Beech St. (South Building)
$83,939 — Second Floor renovations

Ralph Thompson C/o Acorn Properties
245 Cabot St.
$55,000 — Install new roof

Sisters of Providence
1233 Main St.
$30,000 — Construct temporary entrance

Sisters of Providence
1233 Main St.
$30,000 — Construct temporary loading dock

Sisters of Providence
1233 Main St.
$30,000 — Construct temporary egress

  

Steibel Properties Inc.
155 Nonotuck St.
$1,598,700 — Construct 10-unit
apartment building

Ludlow

Paul Chaves
146 East St.
$4,000 — Commercial alterations

John P. DaCruz
119 Winsor St.
$10,000 — Commercial alterations

Town of Ludlow-Ludlow Public
High School
500Chapin St.
$3,200 — Repair roof

Northampton

Chamisa Corporation
31 Main Street
$4,500 — Install drywall and
new suspension ceiling

City of Northampton
100 Bridge Road
$93,500 — Installation of photovoltaic
array and associated mounting hardware

Pumpkin Hollow Farm Inc.
102 Main Street
$21,600 — Remodel storefront &
relocate ATM

Seven Bravo Two, LLC
152 Cross Path Rd (160 Old Ferry Rd)
$192,000.00 — Construct 2-unit
storage hanger

Smith College
126 West Street
$300,000 — Remove existing coal
handling equipment

Smith College
36 Bedford Terrace
$5,000 — Interior demolition

Thorne’s Marketplace, LLC
150 Main Street
$8,000 — Construct partition to
second-floor offices

South Hadley

Mt. Holyoke College
7-9 Bridgeman St.
$2,200 — Roof repairs
3 Stanton Ave.
$1,950 — Roof repairs

Red Cliff Canoe
Canal St.
$7,900 — New roof

Southwick

Southwick Town Library
Feeding Hills Road
$3,375 — Replace windows

Springfield

American International College
963-983 State St. (Pouch Hall)
$25,000 — Replace columns & balustrade

FPS Inc.
400 Cooley St.
$340,000 — Construction of
new restaurant

Pioneer Valley Nephro
300 Stafford St., Suite 161
$85,000 — Interior office renovations

West Springfield

Pearson’s Property Management
Park St.
$6,200 – Interior renovations to
office space

West Springfield Housing Authority
37 Oxford Place
$285,000 — Replace windows

By
Departments

WNEC Receives $1M Alumnus Donation

SPRINGFIELD — Western New England College (WNEC) recently received one of the largest gifts from a living individual in its history – a $1 million donation from Kevin S. Delbridge, class of 1977. To honor Delbridge’s contribution to the continued growth of the campus and enrichment of its students, WNEC will rename its Welcome Center the Kevin S. Delbridge Welcome Center during ceremonies on Sept. 19. Built in 2002, the Welcome Center serves as the main gateway to the campus and houses the Admissions Office and the Department of Graduate Studies and Continuing Education. Delbridge is a Senior Managing Director of HarbourVest Partners, LLC, a global private equity investment firm based in Boston. He also serves as Vice Chairman of WNEC’s Board of Trustees. He and his wife Sandra reside in the Boston area.

WNEC In Top Tier of Rankings

SPRINGFIELD — In its 2007 “America’s Best Colleges” rankings published by U.S. News and World Report, WNEC once again has been listed in the top tier of its “North” category among colleges and universities that provide a full range of undergraduate and master’s programs. The report ranks schools based on 15 areas related to academic excellence. This is the third year in a row that WNEC has been ranked in the top tier. The college, which moved up to 51st from its 62nd ranking last year, received high marks for faculty resources, small class sizes, and the amount spent per student on instruction, student services, and related educational expenses.

Company Receives Business Award

SPRINGFIELD — The Massachusetts Latino Chamber of Commerce recently presented the Mardam Signs Company of Springfield with an outstanding new business award. The award is presented to a business owner who has been in business for less than two years and has made a significant contribution to the uplifting of the Latino community. Marcos Rosario and his family are owners of the firm which is located at 437 White St.

Credit Union Closes Courthouse Site

SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield Mass. Municipal Employees Credit Union recently closed its branch office at the Hampden County Hall of Justice. For the convenience of patrons in lieu of the closing, the credit union’s office at 1030 Wilbraham Road will now be open on Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Credit union hours have also been adjusted that include closing at 4 p.m. on Thursdays and at 6 p.m. on Fridays.

Mestek Inc. Shares Go Private

WESTFIELD — During the recent annual shareholders meeting of Mestek Inc., shareholders approved a measure to take the company private, a move that John E. Reed, chairman of Mestek, said has a litany of benefits. Reed cited the ability of private companies to move faster and with greater flexibility when making decisions as reasons to take the company private. Reed currently holds a 57% stake in the firm. Smaller shareholders were bought out at a pre-set price as part of the deal. Mestek makes heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment, as well as metal-forming products, and employs approximately 350 people in its administrative headquarters and in manufacturing operations.

Local Court Reporting Firm Acquired

SPRINGFIELD — Boston-based O’Brien and Levine Court Reporting recently announced that is had acquired Liberty Legal Resources in Springfield, thus broadening its coverage throughout New England. The Springfield facility will take the name O’Brien & Levine. Former owner Jennifer Powis will continue to cover assignments along with other court reporters that are part of O’Brien & Levine’s nationwide network.

By
Departments

The following Business Certificates and Trade Names were issued or renewed during the month of September 2006.

Agawam

E & M General Cleaning Service
55 Royal Lane
Edward G. Filkoski

Gerry’s Painting
38 Pheasant Hill Road
Gerald Auby

Jay’s Barber/Styling
Dba Shear Illusions
497 Springfield St.
John Contrino

Karrah Creations
43 Beekman Dr.
Karen Rahilly

R & K Marketing
350 Meadow St., 28
Kim Parent, Richard Parent

Rock Daddy Cycles
830 Springfield St.
Rocco Basile Jr.

Sara’s Beauty Salon
28 Southwick St.
Sara Torres

X-Fusion Products
702 Barry St.
Nicholas D. Tassone

Amherst

Business Alliance Services
1278 Bay Road
Legrand Hines Jr.

Cherewatti Farm
575 Northeast St.
Ilona Cherrewatti

John B. Erskine Podiatry, PC
Dba Pioneer Valley Podiatry
20 Gatehouse Road
John Erskine

Leonard Farm
150 Sunderland Road
Scott A. Leonard , Marilyn Leonard

MHP-Massachusetts Housing
Partnership Fund Board
462 Main St.
MHP-Massachusetts Housing
Partnership Fund Board

Nails with Kocut
233 North Pleasant St.
Elaine Lanoue

East Longmeadow

4C property Services
91 Pease Road
Carl H. Otto III, Mary E. Otto

A-M Styles
2 North Main St.
Emanuela Hernandez

Bach Towing Inc.
174 Shaker Road
James Lawrence

Banner Residential Remodeling Co.
4 Elmcrest St.
Ralph Butler

Colson & Colson General
Contractors Inc.
714 Parker St.
Colson & Colson General
Contractors, Inc.

Curves
632 North Main St.
Susan Kozlik

Dan Chrisis
84 Oak Brook Dr.
Dan Chrisis

Douglas White Electrical
Services
245 C Shaker Road
Mario A. Cardinale

Facial Cosmetic & Maxillo
Facial Surgery, P.C.
382 North Main St., Suite 202
Dr. Richard J. Fraziero

House & Grounds Care
426 Porter Road
Gregory M. Thompson

Landmark Partners Inc.
60 North Main St.
Thomas Avezzie

Latulippe Construction
151 North Main St.
Yvon Latulippe

Newbury Associates
264 North Main St., Suite 9
Dorothy A. Patrakis, Michael P. S. Patrakis

Realistic Physiques
P.O. Box 623
Heather M. Sanford

Texcel LLC
55 Deer Park Dr.
Deborah Parys

Wingate at East Longmeadow
32 Chestnut St.
SRC East Longmeadow, Inc.
c/o Scott Schuster

Yummy Dough Inc.
53 North Main St.
Mike Change

Easthampton

Circle of Angels
13H Northampton St.
Kathy S. Grey

CWC/Hedgepeth Group
20 Kingsberry Way
Royster C. Hedgepeth

DEJ Custom Plastics
8B Orchard St.
Douglas E. Dionne

Hampshire Colon Hydrotherapy
25C Holyoke St.
Linda Whitford

Thomas E. Kelley, EA
184 Northampton St., Suite J
Thomas E. Kelley

Pioneer Valley Roofing
30 Garfield Ave.
Vincent Tortoriello

Pop Designer
26 Spring St.
Lynzi Williams

Roots Without End
13H Northampton St.
Kathy S. Grey

Sea-Scape Designs
116 Pleasant St., Suite 450
Brian Michael Hale

Valley Elder Care Management, LLC
359 Main St., Suite 27B
Patricia A. Knightly

Hadley

Designers
127 East St.
Chester E. Abel Jr.

Robert M. Burke
4 Bay Road, Building B
Robert M. Burke

Sibley Mechanical
3 Birch Meadow Dr.
John T. Sibley

Silverleaf Tyre Inc.
dba Hadley Tire
44 Russell St.
Stephan W. Gochinski

Workhorse Painting & Construction
115 River Dr.
Rebbecca Susan Woods

Holyoke

ABC Mini Storage
621 South Canal St.
Robert J. Celi

Andy Ramos Electric
52 Beacon Ave.
Andy Ramos

Atlas Automotive
8 Lynwood Ave.
Anthony Santiago

Carlex Inc.
D/B/A Auto Express
933 Main St.
James E. Balise Jr.

Dairy Mark
160-162 Lyman St.
Amir M. Paracha

Dairy Market
1552 Dwight St.
Amir M. Paracha

Dairy Market
96 Maple St.
Sagheer Nawaqz

Dillon & Edward F. Day
Funeral Home
124 Chestnut St.
Donald Shewchuk

Dollar Plus Home Décor
116 High St.
Muhammad Sabi

Fashion Nails
293 High St.
Tai Di Do

Forever 21 Retail
50 Holyoke St., Suite C333
Do Won Chang, President

Freshly Dipped
345 High St.
Shawn Marsh

M & H Construction
635 Homestead Ave.
Mark Haradon

Ngoc Minh Thi Le
D/B/A Subway
50 Holyoke St.
Ngoc Minh Thi Le

Shoeland Plus
166 High St.
Anthony Vazquez

 

The Barber Pole
117 High St.
William J. Kowal

LONGMEADOW

Golden Dragon Star, LLC
D/B/A Longmeadow Package Store
400 Longmeadow St.

Joanna H. Rosenthal
D/B/A London Theatre Tour
111 Woodsley Road

LUDLOW

AJ Electric
109 Lavoie Ave.
Nidal Abeid

Bay State Duct Manufacturing
26 Kirkland Ave.
Michael Gaudreau

Gillespie Car Care
407 West St.
Brian Gillespie

Port USA Entertainment
81 East St.
Maria F. Mendes

Scott’s Sprinkler Service
58 Duke St.
Scott Fortin

United Wireless
65 East St.
Jamie Kalagher

Westside Pizza
103 West St.
Vedat Kan

NORTHAMPTON

Lee Tower Real Estate
37 Averebrook Dr., Florence
Robert T. Doyle

New Outlook Construction Inc.
44 Massasoit Street
Peter G. Post

SOUTH HADLEY

AFC Improvements
23A High St.
Jason Patruno

Bloo Solutions
92 Lyman St.
Jeremiah Beaudry

Daniel Stebbins Bed & Breakfast
25 Woodbridge St.
Jean Foley

IB Cleaning & Sandblasting
315 Hadley St.
Irena Binczyk

Legowski Landscaping
49 Westbrook Road
Renata Legowski

Lewinski Lawn Care
197 Mosier St.
Craig Lewinski

Wendy Urban
470 Newton St.
Wendy Urban

Whitman Properties
29 Cariden St.
Anthony Whitman

SOUTHWICK

Berry Construction
73 Will Palmer Road
David W. Berry

Bonnie View Antiques & Collectibles
6 Bonnie View Road
Edward J. Deveno

Curves
320 College Highway
R. Craig Samuelson

Good Morning Building & Repair
6 Two States Ave.
Glen Gresham

LP Document Services
71 Berkshire Ave.
James E. Phelps, Laurie Phelps

Skilled Home Services
12 Secluded Ridge
Rick L. Bengston

SPRINGFIELD

A Basket to Remember
2058 Wilbraham Road
Julie Fiore

AD a Pt Publishing
456 Canon Circle
Andrea D. Piits

Auto Discounters
109 A Mill St.
Yehuda Schecter

Baez Property Services
558 Newbury St.
Jesus Baez

Boston Realty
489 Worthingon St.
Ritesh Patel

Builders Home Remodelers
185 Mill St.
Vincent Guiel

Charter Oak Insurance &
Financial Services
1500 Main St.
Peter S. Novak

Colon’s Touch of Elegance
154 1/2 Main St.
Lisandra Colon

Crosse Custom Graphics
34-40 Front St.
Corey R. La Crosse

Daddsyboy Music
164 St. James Ave.
John P. Morgan Jr.

Dave’s Express
41 Lancaster St.
David Lamarche

Direct-Tech
105 Jefferson Ave.
Bertrand Favier & Frantz Edouard Laporte

Excellent Cuts
538 Page Blvd
Willie A. Evans

Faith Unlimited Institute Inc.
39 Oakland St.
Edith Kaye

Ferrari Auto Sales
79 Carver St.
Francis K. Njorge

Finishmasters
102 Burn Ave.
Manuel Silva

GMCA Inc
D/B/A Finnegan’s Tavern
751-755 Liberty St.
Christopher Arillotta

Handy Man
71 Thompson St.
Jose A. Lopez

Jolie & Associates
130 Glenmore St.
Jacobs Olotu, Leah Kimani

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Allied Pest Control
380 Union St.
Walter Misialek

Attailus Delivery
1241 Elm St.
Collin Abebrese

Caring Solutions, LLC
632 Westfield St.
Patricia Lee Baskin

El Bohio Store & Deli
204 Balwin St.
Miguel A. Martinez

Intelistaff Healthcare Inc.
39 Van Deene Ave.
Tanya Clark

Kay Bee Marketing Resources
104 Brookline Ave.
Karen F. Blinderman

Kuhnel’s Auto Repair
2309 Westfield St.
Barry L. Kuhnel

Lampro Racing
2017 Riverdale St.
John J. Lampro Sr.

Mayimbe’s Auto Repair
55 Exposition terrace
Luis H. Martinez

Phiber Com
83 York St.
John W. Bryant

Red Light Lounge
125 Capital Dr.
Capital Liquors Incorporated

S.A. Processing
148 Chilson Road
Steve Fiske Ansara

Star Pizza
707 Main St.
Kenan Turkmen

WESTFIELD

A & M Small Engine Repair
77 Mill St., Suite 118

Brian Millette
5 Pequot Point Road

Millrite Design Inc.
579 Southampton Road

Onsite Computer Repair
of Westfield
66 Janis Road

Pete’s Renovations & Restorations
43 Washingon St., Apt. 4

By
Departments

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

AGAWAM

Amtheeben Inc., 36 Yarmouth Dr.,
Agawam 01001. Dinesh Patel, same.
Retail/ convenience store.

Azon Liquors Inc.,
384 Walnut St. Ext., Agawam 01001.
Michael William Beaudry Sr., 87 Country Road,
Agawam 01001. Liquor store operations and sales.

BELCHERTOWN

Ryan & Company Builders Inc.,
163 Munsell St., Belchertown 01007.
Floyd J. Ryan, III, same.
Contracting business.

The Cambodian Assistance and
Cultural Preservation Project Inc.,
228 Stebbins St., Belchertown 01007.
Paul H. Normando, same. (Nonprofit)
To provide food and clothing and the subsidizing
of children’s educational and medical expenses
for poor Cambodian families, following traditional
Cambodian Buddhist cultural practices, etc.

CHICOPEE

Luke Consulting Inc.,
36 Dowds Lane, Chicopee 01020.
John M. Luke, same.
Consulting services in program evaluation,
school evaluation, research support, etc.

Nucedar Mills Inc.,
1000 Sheridan St., Chicopee 01022.
Thomas Loper, same.
(Foreign corp; DE)
Manufacturing lumber products.

EASTHAMPTON

New City Scenic & Display Inc.,
116 Pleasant St., Suite 410,
Easthampton 01027. Amy Davis, same.
Design, engineering and construction of
displays and theatrical scenery.

EAST LONGMEADOW

Destination Delivery Solutions Inc.,
143 Shaker Road, Bldg. E, East Longmeadow.
Amylia Joy Fedor, 17 Barbara Jean St.,
Grafton, president, treasurer and secretary.
Mail consolidation/sorting/
forwarding/brokering.

Jenny’s Nail Salon Inc.,
424 North Main St., East Longmeadow 01028.
Yu Sun Sim, 35 Webber St., Springfield 01108.
To provide nail services.

N.J.C. Enterprises Inc.,
70 John St., East Longmeadow 01028.
Nicholus J. Chiusano, same.
Plumbing, heating and air conditioning.

FEEDING HILLS

Russo Real Estate Associates Inc.,
142 Tobacco Farm Road, Feeding Hills 01030.
Fernando Russo, same. Real estate brokerage.

GOSHEN

Cahoondie Inc.,
31 Main St., Goshen 01032.
Judi Christine Morin, same.
Real estate management and rental.

HADLEY

HelpingHomes.org Inc.,
206 Russell St., Hadley 01035.
Steven Marcil, same.
(Nonprofit) The preservation, restoration
and rehabilitation of existing housing stock for
the benefit of eligible low-income legal residents
of Mass., etc.

HOLYOKE

Liquid Sun Inc.,
22 Myrtle Ave., Holyoke 01040.
Thomas Spencer, same.
Retail and wholesale sales of
gardening products.

  

New England Chapter of Metals
Service Center Institute Inc.,
68 Jackson St., Holyoke 01040. Dave Shaw,
195 Feldspar Ridge, Glastonbury, CT 06033;
William Sullivan Jr.,
14 Eastwood Dr., Southampton 01073,
treasurer and clerk. (Nonprofit) To promote the
distribution of metal products, collect and disseminate
useful statistics and information, etc.

Passport Holyoke Inc.,
444 Dwight St., c/o Children’s Museum at Holyoke,
Holyoke 01040. Carol Constant,
100 Morgan St., South Hadley.
(Nonprofit) To collaborate to provide educational,
historic, cultural and recreational public programming
in Holyoke, etc.

LUDLOW

Quadraflo Inc.,
8 Stoney Brook St., Ludlow.
Fernando Ubidia, same.
To manufacture parts for soft drink fountains.

NORHTHAMPTON

JNK Enterprises Inc.,
73 Barrett St., #5147,
Northampton 01060.
Jin Hee Lee, same. Retail-restaurant.

SOUTHAMPTON

Brewmasters Tavern Ltd.,
2 Geryk Ct., Southampton 01073.
Efthimios Rizos,12 Geryk Ct.,
Southampton 01073. Restaurant.

SPRINGFIELD

BKA Inc.,
110 Treetop Ave.,
Springfield 01118. Kristin A. Wampler, same.
Distributor of protective packaging.

Greater Springfield Business Foundation Inc.,
1441 Main St., Suite 136,
Springfield 01103. Russell F. Denver,
2 Lester St., East Longmeadow 01028.
(Nonprofit) To enhance the overall business,
cultural, environmental, and civic environment in
Western Massachusetts.

KSK Machine & Gear Inc.,
785 Page Blvd., Springfield 01104.
Susan Kasa, 11 Nicole Circle,
Southampton 01073. Machine shop.

Our Sister’s Corp.,
6 Wesson St., Springfield 01108.
Michael Borecki, same.
(Nonprofit) To have a golf tournament to raise
money for the Jimmy Fund and Dana Farber Institute.

WESTFIELD

New Westfield Financial Inc.,
141 Elm St., Westfield 01085.
Donald A. Williams, same.
To deal in securities and operate as a holding company.

WILBRAHAM

GML Construction Inc.,
20 Cottage Road, Wilbraham 01095.
Victor R. O’Brien Jr., same.
General contracting, excavation, trucking, paving.

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Gagne Brothers Inc.,
638 Rogers Ave., West Springfield 01089.
Brett R. Gagne, same. Home improvement.

Glenwood Thoroughbreds Inc.,
318 Woodmont St., West Springfield 01089.
Edward D. Croken, same. Horse breeding and racing.

M. Jags Inc.,
120 Interstate Dr., West Springfield 01089.
Martin T. Jagodowski, Pine Hill Road,
South Hadley 01075. Sales and repairs of commercial
and residential septic pumps and lawn equipment.

Encouraging Small Business

By
Opinion

While some in this region still cling to the hope that large corporations will magically appear on the Western Mass. horizon, bringing hundreds of those ‘good-paying jobs’ with them, everyone else seems to have accepted reality.

And that is that those days — if there ever really were any in this specific part of the world — are long gone. Today, by and large, economic development equates to small-business development. This is what everyone has been saying for the past several years, and that’s what all the candidates for governor of this state would say, if you could get them to stop talking about tax rollbacks.

Small-business development is difficult, and it often takes years, if not decades to see some real results. But that is where the future of this economy lies, and that’s why we’re encouraged by the depth of small-business programs in the region, and encourage continued support for them, especially at the state level, where funding is crucial to their survival.

In this issue, BusinessWest spotlights just a few of the programs that are lending real guidance and support to people as they start small business or take them to that proverbial next level. The Entrepreneurial Training Program administered by the Donahue Institute at UMass has succeeded in helping a number of individuals, many of them displaced workers, gain the skills they need to get a business off the ground. None of the businesses spawned over the years would be considered household names by any means, but the people running them are not just working again — they are entrepreneurs, some of them at a point where they can hire other people.

Another program, the Law and Business Center for Advancing Entrepreneurship is doing just as that name might suggest. Administered by Western New England College and located in the Scibelli Enterprise Center at STCC, the center matches entrepreneurs, usually those with fledgling start-ups, with students in the college’s Law and MBA programs, who advise them on issues ranging from marketing to employee handbooks.

This fall, the institute expanded its scope with a new speaker series highlighting business success stories, as well as a two-day program called the How-to Entrepreneurial Institute, with seminars on such subjects as starting a business, securing capital, and protecting intellectual property.

Many times in the past we’ve cited the work being done at the Scibelli Enterprise Center, which boasts two business incubators and a wide variety of programs and support systems to help those ventures get over the hump. The SEC has seen several success stories, including a cross-border phone book company that was recently acquired by Yellow Book.

Not all the stories are that glamorous, certainly, and not all of them will end as well. There are countless stories about area residents trying to take an idea — be it an energy bar, a sports drink, a record label, or a small restaurant — and make it work. Many are struggling to survive as sole proprietorships, but all of them have some degree of promise.

This is the essence of small-business development. It is sometimes painfully slow going, but it’s worth it. And the key is to promote the notion of entrepreneurship, to encourage individuals to think about business ownership as a viable career option, and then to provide the help needed to get them started — and growing.

The Donahue Institute’s Entrepreneur-ial Training Program has been offered four times in each of the past two years. Funding cuts will limit that number to one this year. That’s just one small example of why, overall, this state and region need a greater commitment to small-business development.

There is some momentum in this component of economic development, and it must be seized. Springfield is now ranked near the top nationally among cities its size in the development of new small businesses, and it needs to stay there.

We can always hope that a major corporation will announce it is bringing 1,000 new jobs to East Longmeadow, Westfield, or Hatfield, but as we said, that is not reality. Small-business development is reality.

OPINION

By
Opinion
The End of Binge-spending Days

In 1981, I learned about cycles the hard way. I invested in Texas real estate when it was at an all-time high only to see values, and my investment, take a nosedive. This experience alerted me once again to the law of cycles: What is up will eventually come down, and what is down will go up.

When I took office, the Massachusetts economy was down. My team and I went to work to find ways to economize and to eliminate duplication and waste. We cut back on “nice to have” spending that we just couldn’t afford. We had our share of disagreements with the Legislature: the budgets I proposed did not cut school funding, for instance. But we were steadfast in avoiding new taxes. And, of course, our success in managing during the down years benefited from the state’s rainy day fund. Thanks to the courage and foresight of prior Republican governors and Democratic legislators like former speaker Tom Finneran, money saved during the good times helped to smooth out the bad.

Over the last three years, Massachusetts has come back. Businesses are hiring again, and we even read stories of employers creating incentives to retain older employees in the face of worker shortages. Our state and local tax revenues have gone through the roof. In fact, state tax receipts have exceeded forecasts by over a billion dollars for each of the last two years. A year ago, we refilled the rainy day fund.

Which brings us to today. When things are up, it’s easy to forget the law of cycles, and to spend like “up” is the only direction the economy will ever go. That’s just what happened in this year’s budget debate. On June 30, the Legislature passed a budget that spent not only all of the record tax revenues and all of the billion-dollar surplus, but also $500 million from the rainy day fund. The Legislature’s bet must be that if the Massachusetts economy keeps booming next year, no one will be the wiser. But there may already be signs that this is a bad bet: Tax revenues are below forecast for each of the last two months. And the law of cycles will not go away. Sooner or later, a downturn is inevitable. The spending spree will lead to deep cuts, big borrowing, a call for higher taxes, or all of the above. The fingers of blame will be pointed in many directions, but spending— runaway spending— will be the real culprit.

While we did address some of our critical infrastructure needs relating to state roads, bridges, and our system of public higher education, the budget included line item after line item of less-than-essential projects, such as merry-go-rounds and gazebos.

Every legislator and politician knows this spending can’t be justified, so why do they do it? Because it gets politicians praised — and re-elected. There’s no courage involved in spending more money. Drawing a line on spending is hard and fraught with criticism. When I vetoed $458 million of excessive spending in the budget this spring, I knew that community newspapers across the Commonwealth would decry my elimination of local pet projects. And, I knew that the Legislature would over ride most of my vetoes. In fact, they overrode all of them, to a chorus of community acclaim. But someone has to say “no.”

This year’s budget battle is history, but my concern is that the spending binge will continue unabated. Social service advocates always want more. Last month, I vetoed a bill mandating free pre-school for everyone, which would have cost over $1 billion a year. Government unions will want more. We have attempted to limit increases in state employee contracts to roughly 2 percent annually, unless there are significant concessions. But the unions will be expecting a more generous deal from the politicians they endorse in the fall elections — and if history is a guide, they’ll get it.

Yogi Berra famously said: “It’s déjà vu all over again.” He’d learned the lesson of cycles. We’ve seen cycles here in Massachusetts often enough to have learned as well. But we’ll need a hefty dose of courage from politicians and vigilance from citizens if we are going to be as well-prepared for the next inevitable downdraft as we were for the last one.

Mitt Romney is the governor of Massachusetts.  

OPINION

By
Opinion
Make Investments in Your Community

I have been in my position as president and chief executive officer for the Pioneer Valley United Way for 15 months. During this time, I feel that I have learned as much from my experience as I have contributed to it. Among the many things I have learned is that the success of the work that our United Way does would not be achieved if not for the partnership that we have with our more than 50 member, affiliated, and partner agencies, nor without the scope of services that are provided by their 130 programs and services.

In 2005, the United Way annual campaign raised more money than it did the prior year, and it still was not enough to meet all the challenging needs that our community faces. I have also learned that if we are to be successful and raise the resources that would be necessary to create healthy and strong communities, we will need to do so with the understanding that we are more than just a fundraising entity, but also are an organization that must operate and direct our actions and programs with a set of core values, and with a mission that extends way beyond the work we do through our annual campaign.

Our mission is driven by the need to be able to develop and support effective programs that directly improve the lives of the people in Hampden County, South Hadley and Granby, and that we will do so by providing a commitment to this mission that is grounded in the core values of leadership, integrity, collaboration, and innovation. We provide leadership by serving as a convener, enabler, and a facilitator in addressing community problems, and by educating and bringing together diverse communities around our tables that will help us to promote the work of the United Way, our agencies, and the programs that they provide.

Our second core value suggests that all of this needs to be done with integrity and by serving the communities in which we live and work honestly and with transparent practices. We do so by communicating directly and accurately and by encouraging effective community partnerships to help us carry out our important work. This will be accomplished, as our third core value suggests, by initiating collaborations, strategic partnerships, and community-wide relationships, which have the main goal of providing a catalyst for positive change in our neighborhoods and workplaces.

Finally, we expect that all of our work will be viewed through our final core value of innovation. We want to create value in investments in our work by using the most current technology systems and tools that are available to us that keep our United Way and the work that our agencies do relevant in our community.
At the end of the day, we want to provide an environment that is empowering, that is flexible and that helps us celebrate success.

The United Way campaign will kick off during the month of September at a variety of community-wide events. The goal this year is very simple: To raise more money than we did in 2005.

We also know that whatever it is that we are able to raise will not meet all the needs that our community has. This, together with our move toward impact funding based on the results of our recently completed needs assessment, will help us direct our resources in a way that will provide for strong, healthy and secure communities, and position the Pioneer ValleyUnited Way in partnership with you, our community, to respond quickly and efficiently to the concerns and needs of the larger community.

Your individual or corporate gift to the United Way campaign is the single best investment you can make in helping us reach these lofty goals. We will continue to provide you the accountability and assessment of how your investment is working. Most importantly, this campaign can and will help us create a unified address to the many worthy causes that we face, but with the overriding objective of providing for the well-being of our community and our children’s community.

Joel Weiss is President & CEO of the United Way of Pioneer Valley

The Control Board Should Stay in Control

By
Opinion

When news first leaked of planned legislation to extend the Springfield Finance Control Board’s stay in the City of Homes, many people expressed doubts about whether this was the best route for Springfield.

We at BusinessWest don’t have any.

A quick look around would reveal that some measurable progress has been made on a number of fronts, from the city’s fiscal health to the overall climate for economic development. But the work is far from over, and we think it’s not yet time to even think about turning the keys back over to elected city officials.

This is not an indictment of Mayor Charles Ryan or members of the City Council and School Committee. It’s merely an acknowledgement that the City of Homes still has a long way to go in its efforts to convince residents, business owners, the development community, and bond-rating agencies that it is truly ready for prime time. And we believe the control board’s influence will be needed for at least a few more years to ensure that Springfield is on the right road and won’t soon veer back into the breakdown lane.

Suffice to say that no one should feel comfortable when the very people they elect to office are essentially stripped of their authority, and the job of running their municipality is then placed in the hands of appointed officials from Boston.

But for Springfield, it has been a positive experience.

Why? Because recent city administrations — including former mayors and city councils — have shown a propensity for doing what is politically popular, not what is difficult or what makes fiscal sense. And this is exactly how Springfield got in the mess it’s in — by spending beyond its means and living for the present at the expense of the future.

This mindset needed changing, and the control board has done that. It didn’t win any popularity contests while doing so, especially with hard-working city employees who went years without raises, but that wasn’t the objective. The mission was to right the ship, and at the moment, we feel confident when we say that the city is no longer taking on water.

What remains — and it may take several more years to get the job done — is to institutionalize the changes that the control board has made. In short, there must be mechanisms in place, be they policies or new software applications, to ensure that fiscal responsibility does not again lapse into fiscal irresponsibility, the kind made famous, or infamous, by the city’s disgraced former mayor, Michael J. Albano.

Meanwhile, the city has to make real progress on the matters that most affect economic development and the city’s overall health and well-being. These include public safety, education, neighborhoods, and the city’s image. And here again, we believe the control board’s hand, hard as it might be, is necessary to achieve the desired results.

It’s not that we’re afraid to turn the city back over to its elected and appointed officials next June 30 — OK, maybe we are a little afraid. It’s more a case of feeling comfortable with the control board at the helm, as alarming as that might sound from a PR perspective.

And the business community as a whole should feel more comfortable as well.

Some day, the control board will exit stage left and the city will be left to sink or swim — hopefully swim. That day is not here yet, and it won’t be here for some time to come. That’s why the control board needs to stay in control.

By
Departments

“Doing Well By Doing Good”

Sept. 12: The Western New England College Law and Business Center for Advancing Entrepreneurship will open its 2006-2007 Entrepreneurship Speaker Series at 5:30 p.m. in the S. Prestley Blake Law Center. Nadine Thompson, chief executive officer and president of the beauty and wellness products company Warm Spirit, will speak on “Doing Well By Doing Good.” Warm Spirit, founded in 1999, is dedicated to socially responsible entrepreneurship and empowering women. The company boasts more than 20,000 direct-sales consultants nationwide. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call (413) 736-8462 or visit www.law.wnec.edu/lawandbusiness.

Course for Artists, Artisans

Sept. 13-Dec. 13: The Valley Community Development Corporation (Valley CDC), under contract with the City of Easthampton, will present a 13-week course titled Business Planning for Artists on Wednesdays from 6 to 9 p.m. in Plimpton Hall, Railroad Street, Easthampton. The course is designed for qualified artists and artisans who live in town or whose studios are located in Easthampton. Course topics will include small business management, copyright protection, contracts, market research, working with galleries, trade shows, selling to retail customers and financial management. The deadline to register is Aug. 25 in person at the Valley CDC, 116 Pleasant St., Easthampton. For more information and registration forms, call (413) 529-0420.

The Big E

Sept. 15-Oct.1: The 2006 edition of The Big E will present more than $1.7 million in free entertainment, a ticketed Brad Paisley concert, the Miss Latina U.S.™ Pageant, the return of Marriage on the Midway, and BiggiE’s Character Breakfast as well as the Mardi Gras Parade, rides, crafts, good food, animals and the best of the old and new that fairgoers have come to expect and enjoy. The Big E is located on Memorial Avenue in West Springfield. Advance discount tickets and 17-day value passes are available online at www.thebige.com and the Big E Box Office by calling (800) 334-2443, now through Sept. 9. Tickets are also sold at Big Y World Class Markets now through Sept. 13.

‘Team Creativity Disney Style’ Workshop

Sept. 26: The Center for Business and Professional Development at Holyoke Community College will sponsor an all-day workshop titled Team Creativity Disney Style from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Kittredge Center for Business and Workforce Development on the HCC campus. The Disney Institute will share with participants the motivational tools that can unleash the creative power of one’s entire organization. The cost is $349 per person which includes continental breakfast, lunch and materials. For more information, contact Maria at (413) 552-2122 or via e-mail at [email protected].

HCC Business Summit

Sept. 27: The Holyoke Community College Center for Business and Professional Development is sponsoring a free workshop for business owners and managers who are looking for more effective ways to train their employees. Titled “Training for the 21st Century,” the workshop is planned from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at HCC’s Kittredge Center for Business and Workforce Development. The workshop will introduce employers to a new training approach that uses real-life scenarios, follow-up sessions, ongoing contact with instructors, and actual homework for participants. The deadline to register is Sept. 13. For more information, call (413) 538-5817 or (413) 538-5815.

Western Mass. Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame

Oct. 5: The seventh annual induction ceremony for the Western Massachusetts Entrepreneurship Hall of Fall is planned Oct. 5 at the Log Cabin Banquet and Meeting House in Holyoke. The event is sponsored by Springfield Technical Community College. Inductees are include The Fontaine Family (Fontaine Bros. Inc.); Jesse and Barbara Lanier (Springfield Food Systems); Horace Smith and Daniel Baird Wesson (Smith & Wesson); The Balise Family (Balise Motor Sales), and The Grenier Family (Grynn & Barrett.)

Super 60

Oct. 27: The Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield, Inc. will present its annual “Super 60” program at Chez Josef in Agawam. The event is a salute to the entrepreneurial spirit of the region’s privately owned businesses.

By
Departments

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

Boone, Tina| M.
6 Hull Ave.
Pittsfield, MA 0120
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/31/2006

Chagnon, Sandra Carol
P.O. Box 661
Ware, MA 01082
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/31/2006

Cortes, Joel
Cortes, Maribel
57 Griffin St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 07/28/2006

Daverin, Rochelle M.
19 Cummings Ave.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/31/2006

Dias, Kathleen A.
100 W. Chestnut Hill
Montague, MA 01351
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/31/2006

Fimbel, Lyn A.
91 Westport Dr.
Chicopee, MA 01020
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/31/2006

Govine,Vincent E.
D/B/A V.G. Janitorial Services
42 Holland Dr.
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 07/28/2006

Hughey, Troy L.
25 Denton Circle
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 07/31/2006

  

Judkins, Edgar A.
Judkinas, Faye|H.
84 Pendexter Ave.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/28/2006

Kline, Blake Thomas
Kline, Janet May
14 Hemingway Road
Wilbraham, MA 01095
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 07/28/2006

LaBranche, Rita L.
126 Lancaster Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/31/2006

Lach, Malgorzata Ewa
62 Lyman St., 3rd Fl.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/31/2006

Muller, Diane Elizabeth
312 Stage Road, Apt. 7
Cummington, MA 01026
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/28/2006

Perez, Maria G.
341 Oakland St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 07/31/2006

Simmons, Myrtle H.
31 Amherst St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 08/1/2006

By
Departments

The following building permits were issued during the month of August 2006.

Chicopee

Chicopee Savings Bank
95 Cabot St.
$33,500 – Demolish building

Chicopee Savings Bank
103 Cabot St.
$33,500 – Demolish building

McDonald’s Corp.
1460 Memorial Drive
$650,000 – Build fast-food restaurant with drive-up window and interior dining

Oxford Investment LLC
711 East Main St.
$998,700 – Build addition for commercial building used for storage and assembly of industrial lasers

Northampton

Clarke School for the Deaf
46 Round Hill Road
$50,000 — Conversion of childcare area to dorms

The Coca Cola Company
45 Industrial Drive
$5,100,000 — Construct 9,140-square-foot addition

Florence Savings Bank
176 King Street
$2,500 — Replace small section of siding

Cooley Dickinson Hospital Inc.
30 Locust Street
$26,500 — Build out new exam room, office, and reception waiting area

Cooley Dickinson Hospital Inc.
30 Locust Street
$395,00.00 — Construction of wood-fired heating plant

Kollmorgen Corporation
347 King Street
$171,500 — Re-roofing w/PVC

Kollmorgen Corporation
374 King Street
$65,000 — Reinforce steel columns

 

Springfield

Roman Cathlic Bishop
1023 Parker St.
$488,200 — Roof repairs

Kayrouz Realty
685 Sumner Ave.
$500,000 — Demolish fuel island, replace fueling pipes, erect new canopy

American International College
963-983 State St. (Magna Hall)
$20,000 — Replace concrete steps

West Springfield

Waterworks Care Wash Inc.
d/b/a Friendly Car Wash
61 Franklin St.
$10,000 — Demolish brick structure

Theory Properties
306 Westfield St.
$25,000 — Renovations to retail store

Dick’s Sporting Goods
1081 Riverdale St.
$40,000 — Renovations to stockroom

Peter Soule
184 Union St.
$40,000 — Addition to commercial building

Westfield

Westfield Pike North, LLC
184 Southampton Road
$90,000 — New construction-United Bank

Westfield Bank
98 Southwick Road
$31,900 — Construct new ATM

By
Departments

Grill Work

Hampden Bank recently helped one of its best clients, West Springfield Auto Parts, celebrate its 50th anniversary by sending its vaunted grill team to cook up a hearty lunch for its employees. From left are, Glenn S. Welch, senior vice president of Hampden Bank, Donald A. Anderson, vice president of the bank, Michael Creanza, president and owner of West Springfield Auto Parts, Hampden Bank President Thomas R. Burton, and Steve Creanza of West Springfield Auto Parts.

Food for Thought

Paula Serafino-Cross, a local registered dietician, receives a special recognition award for outstanding service to the nutrition profession at a recent meeting of Western Area Massachusetts Dietary Assoc. (WAMDA)

Breaking Ground

Ground was broken late last month for the first stage of a new office park in East Longmeadow off Benton Drive. The 30,000-square-foot facility is being developed by the principals of Pioneer Sport & Spine Physicians, and is expected to be the first of many built in a campus-like setting. Doing the honors are, from left, state Rep. Gale Canderas; state Sen. Brian Lees; Allan W. Blair, president/CEO of the Economic Development Council of Western Mass.; James D. Driscoll, chairman of the East Longmeadow Board of Selectmen; Dr. Scott Cooper and son, Benton Professional Development; Ronald Abdow, chairman of Westmass Area Development Corporation; Dr. Ronald Paasch, Benton Professional Development; state Rep. Mary Rogeness; Nancy Mirkin, Hampden Bank and Kenn W. Delude, president, Westmass Area Development Corporation.

By
Departments

Stone Soul Festival

Sept. 1-3: Hampden Bank will continue its title sponsorship for the 18th annual Hampden Bank Stone Soul Festival at Blunt Park in Springfield. One of the largest multicultural events in the Northeast, the festival features fun and educational activities for all ages, as well as prize drawings, great food and live music. Festival hours are Sept. 1, 6 to 10 p.m., Sept. 2, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sept. 3, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Free admission.

The Big E

Sept. 15-Oct. 1: The 2006 edition of The Big E will present more than $1.7 million in free entertainment, a ticketed Brad Paisley concert, the Miss Latina U.S.™ Pageant, the return of Marriage on the Midway, and BiggiE’s Character Breakfast as well as the Mardi Gras Parade, rides, crafts, good food, animals, and the best of the old and new that fairgoers have come to expect and enjoy. The Big E is located on Memorial Avenue in West Springfield. Advance discount tickets and 17-day value passes are available online at www.thebige.com and the Big E Box Office by calling 1-800-334-2443, now through Sept. 9. Tickets are also sold at Big Y World Class Markets now through Sept. 13.

“Generations …”

Sept. 20: At its September professional development meeting, the Women’s Partnership will present “Generations…Working and Living Side by Side.” A representative from Big Y Foods Employee Services department will be presenting material about preparing employees to face the everyday life of managing and working with people of all generations. The meeting will be held at the Best Western Sovereign Hotel and Conference Center in West Springfield. Networking begins at 11:30 a.m., the program and lunch will be begin at noon and end at 1:15 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance for chamber members, $25 for non-chamber members or payment at the door. To register and purchase a ticket to the meeting, book online at www.myonlinechamber.com or contact Diane Swanson at (413) 755-1313.

‘Team Creativity Disney Style’ Workshop

Sept. 26: The Center for Business and Professional Development at Holyoke Community College will sponsor an all-day workshop titled Team Creativity Disney Style from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Kittredge Center for Business and Workforce Development on the HCC campus. The Disney Institute will share with participants the motivational tools that can unleash the creative power of one’s entire organization. The cost is $349 per person which includes continental breakfast, lunch and materials. For more information, contact Maria at (413) 552-2122 or via E-mail at [email protected].

HCC Business Summit

Sept. 27: The Holyoke Community College Center for Business and Professional Development is sponsoring a free workshop for business owners and managers who are looking for more effective ways to train their employees. Titled Training for the 21st Century, the workshop is planned from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at HCC’s Kittredge Center for Business and Workforce Development. The workshop will introduce employers to a new training approach that uses real-life scenarios, follow-up sessions, ongoing contact with instructors, and actual homework for participants. The deadline to register is Sept. 13. For more information, call (413) 538-5817 or (413) 538-5815.

Western Mass. Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame

Oct. 5: The seventh annual induction ceremony for the Western Massachusetts Entrepreneurship Hall of Fall is planned Oct. 5 at the Log Cabin Banquet and Meeting House in Holyoke. The event is sponsored by Springfield Technical Community College. Event hosts include The Fontaine Family (Fontaine Bros. Inc.); Jesse and Barbara Lanier (Springfield Food Systems); Horace Smith and Daniel Baird Wesson (Smith & Wesson); The Balise Family (Balise Motor Sales), and The Grenier Family (Grynn & Barrett).

Super 60

Oct. 27: The Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield, Inc. will present its annual ‘Super 60’ program at Chez Josef in Agawam. The event is a salute to the entrepreneurial spirit of the region’s privately owned businesses.

By
Departments

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

Allen, Thomas H.
21 Gerald St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/30/06

Ayala, Lynn
12 Lovell St.
Easthampton, MA 01027
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/13/06

Barkyoumb, Jonathan P.
78 Liswell Dr.
Feeding Hills, MA 01030
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/29/06

Bouchard, Gary
23A Prospect Hill Road
Brimfield, MA 01010
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 07/14/06

Chmura, Gerald W.
65 Russell St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/30/06

DeCaro, Adele M.
831 South Branch Parkway
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/14/06

DuPuis, Maria L.
48 Bamforth Road
Springfield, MA 01128
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 07/10/06

Edwards, Asheley R.
218 Conway St.
Greenfield, MA 01301
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/12/06

Edwards, Robbie J.
P.O. Box 9473
North Amherst, MA 01059
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/12/06

Fox, Debra A.
41 Lamb St.
South Hadley, MA 01075
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/07/06

Garcia-Wells, Jessica
20 Penrose St.
Springfield, MA 01109
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 07/06/06

Glerum, Daniel Michael
P.O. Box 144
Barre, MA 01005
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/03/06

Goodhind, Deborah L.
16 Wilbraham St.
Palmer, MA 01069
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/12/06

Grode-Chmura, Donna L.
65 Russell St.
Springfield, MA 01104
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/30/06

Harrington, Lisa L
Harrington, Richard W
288 East Main St.
North Adams, MA 01247
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/05/06

Holland, Anthony J.
78 Bloomfield St.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/07/06

Jacques, Kimberly Sue
54 Lancaster St.
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/14/06

Kelly, Jason
Kelly, Katherine M.
28 Crest Road
Monson, MA 01057
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/02/06

Kirwan, Dean P.
267 Ridge Road
Athol, MA 01331
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 07/07/06

Kreuzer, Andrew S.
47 Warren St.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/06/06

Ladner, Gary J.
13 Laurana Lane
Hadley, MA 01035
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/10/06

Lane, Mark S.
19 Greenleaf Ave.
West Springfield, MA 01089
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/06/06

Larzazs, Jill A.
26 Warebrook Dr.
Ware, MA 01082
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/10/06

  

Lavallee, Michael A
185 Louis Road
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 07/12/06

Lavenski, Adam
31 Camp Road
Orange, MA 01364
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/30/06

Leach, Steven A.
Leach, Bonnie L.
670 North Main St.
Lanesboro, MA 01237
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 06/30/06

Liberty, Kathleen A.
55 Highland St.
Ware, MA 01082
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 07/05/06

Marley, Robert J.
402 Newell St.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/12/06

McDonough, Jillian D
92 Lenox Ave.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 07/11/06

Miller, Anne M.
335 Summer St.
Barre, MA 01005
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 07/10/06

Moreau, Lisa M.
105 North St.
Ware, MA 01082
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/03/06

Mortori, John F.
1308 Worcester St.
Indian Orchard, MA 01151
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/05/06

Petrowicz, Daniel J.
Petrowicz, Deborah A.
34 Moore St.
Erving, MA 01344
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 07/07/06

Poplawski, Kathryn Marie
32 Irene St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 07/06/06

Reynolds, Jennifer A.
P.O. Box 64
Whately, MA 01093
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/12/06

Rocco, Laura Ann
89 Belmont Ave.
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/04/06

Rubin, Bonnie Marie
45 Sherman Hill Road
Ware, MA 01082
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/10/06

Ryder, Ronald
8 Silva St.
Monson, MA 01057
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 07/14/06

Smith, Linda M.
15 Arch St.
Pittsfield, MA 01201
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 07/03/06

Stevens, Kai G.
68 Warregan St.
Chicopee, MA 01013
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/12/06

Stutts, Anthony W.
Stutts, Rhonda
53 Talmadge Dr.
Springfield, MA 01118
Chapter: 13
Filing Date: 07/13/06

Torre, Jorge L
137 Cobb St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/12/06

Torres, Noemi
137 Cobb St.
Springfield, MA 01119
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/12/06

Vo, Tuan Nguyen
379 S. Branch Parkway
Springfield, MA 01108
Chapter: 7
Filing Date: 07/10/06

OPINION

By
Opinion
Getting Moving on Health Care

People say nothing is happening in Washington on health care. They say the only thing that has happened is that the crisis has gotten worse. They’re right.

But while Washington waits, Wall Street has acted. Too many big businesses are deciding that to compete and win in the global economy, many jobs no longer will come with healthcare.

While companies such as General Motors struggle under enormous health care obligations, companies such as Wal-Mart are opting out of employers’ traditional health care responsibilities. Wal-Mart currently insures fewer than half of its employees — that’s 800,000 workers left outside the system, some turning to Medicaid just to get health care at all. It’s not right, but it shouldn’t be a surprise. Good corporate citizens are coping with a competitive disadvantage in the global marketplace. GM pays $1,500 in health care costs on every vehicle it manufactures. Toyota pays only $200.

We’re stuck with a 20th century health care system that just doesn’t work for a 21st century economy.

The traditional employer-based health care system can no longer meet all our needs. Costs are too high, and businesses overseas are operating on a whole different playing field.

health care for a family of four now costs more than a minimum-wage worker earns in a year. Certainly, things have gotten worse. Under this administration’s watch, the number of uninsured Americans has grown by 6 million and premiums are up a whopping 73%.

This affects all of us. It matters if the kid down the block isn’t immunized. It matters to your tax burden when simple, treatable illnesses turn into expensive emergency room visits — often the only option for those without insurance. And it matters if we care about our moral obligation to others.

We need to cut health care costs. And we need a health care system that ensures quality, affordable health care for every American man, woman, and child.

We need big ideas and bold solutions, not more of timid Washington tinkering around the edges. If Americans can discover cures for the most devastating illnesses, we can surely find a way to make sure that all Americans benefit from those cures.

Right now the most expensive 0.4% of insurance claims account for 20% of all health care costs. We need to lower costs to businesses with a new federal reinsurance plan for catastrophic care — those with the most serious, and expensive, illnesses. Reinsurance is a simple concept: It’s insurance for insurers; a way for health plans to manage their risks and lower your costs.

Second, no child in America should lack health insurance. Leaving 11 million American children uninsured is wrong and, from the administration that brought us “No Child Left Behind,” it is breathtakingly hypocritical.

Most single moms raising two kids on $36,000 a year don’t qualify for any help. My Kids First plan would change that, covering all children up to three times the poverty level.

Finally, it is untenable for 35 million adults to go without insurance. We need to use every weapon in our arsenal until everyone is covered, including making the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program affordable and accessible for everyone in America with targeted tax credits for small businesses, middle-class families, and people between jobs. Members of Congress give themselves great health care and give taxpayers the bill — if it’s good enough for senators and congressmen, it should be good enough for every American who wants to choose it.

Doctors follow the motto “First do no harm.” So should Washington. We don’t want to reinvent the wheel on healthcare; we need to take what’s already working for those of us who are lucky and make it work for the millions of Americans being passed by. And we need to improve quality and lower costs for those with coverage today.

Americans have a choice. If Congress won’t fix healthcare, then Americans will fix Congress.

US Senator John F. Kerry is a Democrat from Massachusetts.

By
Departments

The following building permits were issued during the month of July 2006.

AMHERST

Amherst College Trustees
227 South Pleasant St.
$3,500 — Divide existing bedroom into 2 bedrooms

Amherst College Trustees
Hamilton House
$4,511,834 — Dorm renovations

Amherst College Trustees
Converse Hall
$5,000 — Reset existing stair treads

Amherst Housing Authority
36-38 Tamarack Dr.
$180,000 — Set and complete modular duplex

Amherst Presidential Village, LLC.
950 North Pleasant St. (1-14 Washington House)
$12,001 — Replace shingles

Trustees of Hampshire College
205 West Bay Road
$75,000 — Replace roof, smoke detectors and alarms

Norwottuck Fish & Game Association
1348 West St.
$40,000.00 — Install wireless antennae

CHICOPEE

Mt. View landscaping
67 Old St. James St.
$135,000 — Building addition

EAST LONGMEADOW

Starbuck’s
66 Center Square
$142,000 — Interior renovations (new building)

HOLYOKE

Holyoke Mall, L.P.
50 Holyoke St.
$126,700 — Renovate Clinton Exchange

  

Sisters of St. Joseph
34 Lower Westfield Road
$8,000 — Convert corridor into changing room

Northampton

Clarke School for the Deaf
46 Round Hill Road (Gawith Hall)
$250 — Selective interior demolition

Kollmorgen Corporation
347 King St.
$330 — Reinforce steel columns

SPRINGFIELD

Big Y Supermarkets
1360 Carew St.
$304,000 — Frontal addition

Fountaine Prop.
66D Industry Ave.
$23,000 — Interior renovations to warehouse

Linden Shopping Center
459 Main St.
$46,500 — Interior renovations

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Botega Cocina
46 Morgan Road
$5,000 — Replace hood system

Verdi Club
58 Chapin St.
$8,200 — Kitchen exhaust hood

An Important Victory for the Area’s Biomedical Sector

By
Opinion

At first blush, the numbers don’t seem too impressive, at least when compared to the $1.1 billion Bristol Meyers Squibb manufacturing facility recently announced for the Fort Devens site, and the hundreds of jobs it will generate.

This is a $4.9 million grant to study therapies for treating Type 1 diabetes, and the gain of possibly six to 10 jobs over the next few years for the company that won the federal contract, Worcester-based Biomedical Research Models Inc. But the news that broke early this month could have far greater implications for the company — and for the region and its still-fledgling biomedical research and manufacturing sector.

Taking the long-term and decidedly optimistic view, area business and economic development leaders believe the diabetes research grant could provide a significant boost to the Pioneer Valley Life Sciences Institute in Springfield, where Biomedical Research Models is a tenant, and to broad efforts to grow this sector in Western Mass.

And we concur.

In the case of both the company and the region, it’s a chance (another chance) to show what they can do, and that’s all both parties can ask for in what has become a highly competitive contest for research dollars and jobs that involves many regions of the U.S. and, increasingly, foreign countries, especially China.

For years now, the Pioneer Valley, which got off to a slow start in the biomed race at the expense of Worcester, Cambridge, and other Massachusetts communities, has been struggling to merely get noticed with regard to that sector, despite its oft-cited cost-of-doing-business advantages and ample land on which to develop. The Biomedical Research Models contract offers a chance to get that vital task accomplished.

Meanwhile, the Pioneer Valley Life Sciences Institute, a joint venture involving Baystate Health and UMass Amherst, has been working over its first three years to spark growth of biomed jobs in the area, and has needed a highly visible opportunity to showcase its facilities and partnership-building capabilities. This contract should help with that mission as well.

Biomedical Research Models President Dennis Guberski, a native of Chicopee, is calling the federal grant a victory for small businesses trying to make it in an increasingly crowded field. His company has developed special lines of rodents used to study several types of diseases, including diabetes. The National Institutes of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases, which has stepped up the fight against diabetes amid growing incidences of that disorder nationwide, has awarded Guberski’s company a contract to perform testing on several new compounds that could treat Type 1 diabetes.

The bid for the contract was submitted in association with the life sciences institute, and would not have been awarded without that alliance, said Guberski, noting both physical amenities at the center in the form of research facilities and the strong partnership between the university and the region’s largest health care provider.

Securing the federal grant should help officials at the institute in their ongoing awareness campaign to explain that the facility is not simply a mailing address for biomed companies, but a facilitating venture that blends science, health care, and economic development.

Taking the broad view, the federal contract could provide success stories on a number of levels. First, and most importantly, it could help advance the fight against a disease that is growing at alarming rates in this country. Second, it could help what must now be described as a regional company enhance its reputation within the life sciences research community. And it could, with time, give some real credibility to the Pioneer Valley’s efforts to promote itself as a center for biomedical research and manufacturing.

Thus, this is a small, but very important victory for the region and the life sciences institute, and something this area can definitely build upon as its seeks to add jobs and economic diversity.

By
Departments

PeoplesBank Expansion Planned

HOLYOKE — Within the next two years, PeoplesBank plans to open six new branches between Northampton, Wilbraham, Springfield, and West Springfield. Depending on land acquisition or lease costs, PeoplesBank expects to spend between $2 million and $2.5 million per branch. PeoplesBank recently opened a branch in Westfield and will open two branches this month, one at The Village Commons in South Hadley and the other in the Sixteen Acres section of Springfield. In other news, the bank recently reported that assets have increased by $200 million, or 18%, and loans increased by 25% to $950 million. Also, bank deposits rose by 22% to $863 million over the last 12 months that ended June 30. PeoplesBank has 14 offices in Amherst, Chicopee, East Longmeadow, Hadley, Holyoke, Longmeadow and South Hadley.

MassMutual Creates Structured Settlement Annuity Concept

SPRINGFIELD — Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company recently introduced MassMutual ® Structure Plus, a new concept using a structured settlement annuity that is designed to provide a more comprehensive solution for the life-care needs of catastrophically injured persons. The structure helps satisfy both the certain and uncertain needs of the injured party by providing access to trust services offered by the MassMutual Trust Company, FSB. With MassMutual ® Structure Plus, claimants place their settlement proceeds into a MassMutual structured settlement, which provides – for the convenience of the claimant – a lump sum payment which also funds a trust account for which the MassMutual Trust Company will serve as trustee. The advantage is that it works with the structured settlement annuity, and the structured settlement annuity is all that has to be funded by the initial settlement. A portion of the settlement proceeds will be directed from the structured settlement annuity to the MassMutual Trust Company, FSB, as trustee of a trust established by the injured party.

MassMutual Center Receives Positive Rating

SPRINGFIELD — The Pollstar Online listing recently ranked the MassMutual Center as one of the 100 most popular arenas in the world during the first half of 2006. The center was ranked 81st on its list of 100 facilities, according to total ticket sales. From January through June, the center held eight events, not including convention center programs and Falcons hockey games, and brought in more than $1 million with 60,276 tickets sold. Top-selling events included concerts by Motley Crue, Martina McBride and Larry the Cable Guy, as well as Disney on Ice and the Harlem Globetrotters. For September, country music star Alan Jackson is scheduled to perform and several children’s shows are planned.

Easthampton Savings Continues Strong Growth

EASTHAMPTON— Easthampton Savings Bank continued to experience steady growth during the second quarter of 2006, with total assets increasing $35.2 million from a year ago, an 8.8% increase over the last quarter. Total assets now stand at $647 million. In addition, the loan portfolio totaled $511 million at the end of June, an increase of $8.4 million, or 7%, for the quarter and $36.7 million or 8% for the year. Also, the bank experienced a deposit gain of $20.8 million from a year ago, representing a 4% increase since the end of June last year. In other news, the bank is now entering the permit phase of a new office in Westfield which is expected to open in approximately 15 months.

Roofing Contractor Receives Quality Award

SPRINGFIELD — Morris Roofing & Sheet Metal Corp. is a recipient of the 2006 Partner in Quality Award from Firestone Building Products Company. The award distinguishes the firm for its dedication to installing quality roofing systems and recognizes contractors who installed a minimum of four warranted Firestone roofs in each of the past five years, maintained at least 1 million square feet of Firestone roofs under warranty, and achieved an annual Quality Incidence Rating of 2.0 or less.

ValleyStone May Close Wal-Mart Site

SPRINGFIELD — Due to lower-than-expected traffic and earnings, the ValleyStone Credit Union may close its branch office in the Chicopee Wal-Mart since it will be forced to relocate its site when the company expands into a super center. Currently, the credit union is located just inside the entrance, however, with Wal-Mart’s expected super center expansion plans, ValleyStone will be forced into a new spot that will be less visible and have less square footage. ValleyStone officials acknowledged they had incurred considerable expense to build the current branch and would once again have to incur more costs to build the new branch. Wal-Mart has offered a small contribution to help offset the costs, according to ValleyStone officials.

By
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.

NORTHAMPTON DISTRICT COURT
Sofco Inc. v. Northampton Nursing Home
Allegation: Breach of contract — Failure to pay for goods sold and delivered: $3,011.72
Date Filed: July 20

SPRINGFIELD DISTRICT COURT
Quality Building Products Inc. v. American Home Construction Services Inc. a/k/a N.E. Fine Homebuilding Inc. a/k/a N.E. Fine Homes
Allegation: Breach of contract — Failure to pay for goods sold and delivered: $19,900.69
Date Filed: July 10

Masco Contractors Servies East Inc. d/b/a Quality Building Products v. Brain Rourke d/b/a Rourke Builders
Allegation: Breach of contract — Failure to pay for goods sold and delivered: $4,300.92
Date Filed: July 11

Marker Volkl USA Inc. d/b/a Marker USA v. Ski d/b/a Ski Haus and Melissa Houston
Allegation: Breach of contract — Failure to pay for goods sold and delivered: $4,232.96
Date Filed: July 11

Dynasty International Models & Talent Agency Inc. v. Atwater Studios Inc.
Allegation: Breach of contract — Failure to pay for services: $3,120
Date Filed: July 11

Transit information Products & Division of Webb & Associates Inc. v. W.S. Sign Design Corp.
Allegation: Breach of contract — Failure to pay for goods sold and delivered: $9,814.41
Date Filed: July 17

Liberty Mutual Insurance Co. v. Tufts Transportation, LLC
Allegation: Failure to pay workman’s compensation insurance policy: $9,327
Date Filed: July 18

Liberty Mutual Insurance Co. v. Summit Homes Inc.
Allegation: Failure to pay workman’s compensation insurance policy: $5,560
Date Filed: July 18

Liberty Mutual Insurance Co. v. Hamel Contracting Inc.
Allegation: Failure to pay workman’s compensation insurance policy: $5,819
Date Filed: July 18

HAMPDEN SUPERIOR COURT
Land Air Express of N.E. LTD. v. Billings Transportation Group Inc.
Allegation: Failure to pay for goods sold and delivered: $67,302.98
Date Filed: July 21

By
Departments

The following Business Certificates and Trade Names were issued or renewed during the month of July 2006.

AGAWAM

Coaching by Carrie
1325 Springfield St.
Carrie Egerton

God’s Way Ministries
760 main Sr.
Myron Callender II

Gordon Carpet Cleaning
22 Kensington St.
Daniel Gordon

Jeffrey S. Brown
62 Suffield St.
Jeffrey S. Brown

The Main Street Grill
369 Main St.
Richard Cayer

Neighborhood Cleaners
313 Springfield St.
Yuri Murzin

Shamin Service Center
332 Suffield St.
Muhammad Chaudlry

AMHERST

ML Creative
135 Red Gate Lane
Mathew Lebowite

Stay-Put Amherst
63 Pokeberry Ridge
Sara Wolff

CHICOPEE

Fantasy Wedding Planning
21 Dale St.
Danielle Proulx

Michael Maynard Investigative Services
41 Ames Ave.
Michael Maynard

East Longmeadow

DJ Rocco Productions
47 Harkness Ave.
Rocco Mesiti

Reaction Films
48 Glynn Farms Dr.
Joseph Nadeau

Strawberries
4106 North Main St.
Record Town, Inc.

HADLEY

Joyous Sunrise Enterprises
8 Sunrise Dr.
William Mastroianni

HOLYOKE

Botanica & Gift Shop
247 Main St.
Rene Raffo

Dominos Pizza
1534 Dwight St.
Paul Amaral

Merenciana Market
773 Dwight St.
Pablo Guerro

Quality Cars for Less
120 Suffolk St.
Ronald Gardner

LONGMEADOW

White Billing & Transcription
371 Maple Road
Joanne White

NORTHAMPTON

Amber Ava
80 Damon Road
Kim Matlans

Craftwork
131 Florence Road
Roger Latuner

MKM & Co.
208 Fairview Village
Linda Farmer, Kim Matland

N.E. Center for Esthetics Education
58/76 Pleasant St.
Chameleons School of Esthetics, Inc.

  

Richard Moodie
49 Gleason Road
Richard Moodie

SOUTH HADLEY

Riverside Café
30 Bridge St.
Peter Malapanis

SPRINGFIELD

Brian’s Heating & Air Conditioning
91 Woodrow St.
Brian Mawyer

Everythings a Go
168 Wilbraham Ave.
Marcus Blantov

GS Cleaning Services
153 Woodside Terrace
Lowrey Kelley

LD’s Unlimited Home Improvement
217 Hanson Dr.
Lee Dutil

Master Cuts
1655 Boston, Road
Regis Corp.

Mobile Wash
106 Tyler St.
Kevin Anthony

MW Home Improvement
28 Moulton St.
Bruno Massa

P & M Home Improvement
103 Forest Hills Rd.
Pavel & Millie Kobzar

Seasonal Specialties
50 Sparrow Dr.
Andrew Powers

Spic N Span Cleaning Co.
59 Redlans St.
Alfa Gutievrez

Transformers Barber Shop
276 Oakland St.
Carlos Clinton

Virtuoso
272 Worthington St.

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Auto Accidents Claims
19 Winona Dr.
Daniel G. Baldyga

The Cigar Room, LLC
865 Memorial Ave.
Karin T. Tranghese

Consumer Auto Repair
75 West School St.
Miguel A. Garcia

Famous Footwear
935 Riverdale St.
Brown Group Corporation

Fine Designs Mass
163 Circle Dr.
Irina Podolyanchuk

Rexel CLS
338 memorial Ave.
Summers Group Corporation

Supercuts
935 Riverdale St.
VP industries, LLC

Top Quality Cleaning Services
1163 Elm St.
Edilton Diogo

WESTFIELD

Elegant Tailoring Shop
59 Elm St.
Larisa Ouchinnikova

Klassee K-9 Kennel Inc.
319 Loomis St.
Janice Jorczak

Samradain Mgt.
236 North Road
Terence McGovern

By
Departments

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

AGAWAM

Derek Pelley Memorial Fund Inc.,
404 Silver St., Agawam 01001.
Deborah A. Pelley, same. (Nonprofit)
To raise funds to support treatment and educational programs for drug addicts, etc.

AMHERST

YJ Pho Inc.,
41 Boltwood Walk, Amherst 01002.
Yong Je Sung, 11 North Pleasant St., Amherst 01002.
To cook, serve Pho Noodle Restaurant.

Younger USA Science & Technology Corp.,
7 Dayton Lane, Amherst 01002. Yue Xu, same.
To sell and export scientific equipment to measure changes in living cells, provide related consulting services, etc.

BELCHERTOWN

Commonground Enterprises Inc.,
6 Shaw St., Belchertown 01007. Daniel J. Shafer, same.
Adapted children’s books and educational consultation.

The Foundation for Justice and Charity Inc.
222 Green Ave., Belchertown 01007. K.Y. Buckley-Brawner, same. (Nonprofit) To spread the concepts of Catholic Social Teachings.

CHICOPEE

Daughter For A Day Inc.,
47 Lauzier Terrace, Chicopee 01020.
Rebecca Kingston, same.
To provide household services to mothers, families and the elderly.

Engineered Polymers Industries Inc.,
2255 Westover Road, Chicopee 01022.
James O. Dwyer, 367 Wallingford Road,
Cheshire, CT 06410. Corporation Service Co.,
84 State St., Boston 02109, registered agent.
Compounding and dealing in plastic raw materials, chemicals, etc.

Odeh Corp.,
398 Front St., Chicopee 01013. Ziad A.
Odeh, same.
To own and operate one or more food markets or supermarkets.

EASTHAMPTON

Carl’s Pizza Inc.,
19 Morin Dr., Easthampton 01027.
Anthony Favata, 5 Alice St.,
Westfield 01085. Pizza and deli.

Madhaus Physical Theater Inc.,
10 Gaston St., Easthampton 01027.
Mark Allan Davis, same. (Nonprofit)
The production and promotion of dance and theater works, etc.

New England Metal Processing Inc.,
6 Industrial Parkway, Easthampton 01027.
Michael W. Hogan, 157 Main St., Hatfield 01038.
Metal processing.

The Good Dog Spot Inc.,
5 Lincoln St., Easthampton 01027.
Elizabeth B. Powers, same.
Dog daycare and grooming.

GRANBY

Green Ambulance Simulator Inc.,
52 Ferry Hill Road, Granby 01033.
Ralph J. Genella, same. Medical training.

Superior Oxygen Systems Inc.,
360 Batchelor St., Granby 01033.
Daryl Wallace Dumala, same.
Distributor of medical equipment paper work only.

HADLEY

Budget Equipment Rentals Inc.,
195 Russell St., Hadley 01035.
Herbert J. Michelson, 18 Grand Oak, Hadley 01035.
Equipment rentals.

HOLYOKE

A.F.W Wholesalers Inc.,
642 South Summer St., Holyoke 01040.
Adolfo C. Bruno, 953 South Westfield St.,
Feeding Hills 01030. The purchase and sale of wholesale consumer goods.

Applied QED Solutions Inc.,
64 Nonotuck St., Holyoke 01040.
Joseph C. Ledoux, 21 Fred Jackson Road,
Southwick 01077. To develop and market software.

Friends of H.R.A. Inc.,
13 Lakeridge Dr., Holland 01521.
Mrs. Christine McCooe, same. (Nonprofit)
To raise funds for the maintenance and preservation of Hamilton Reservoir in Holland, etc.

LONGMEADOW

Hobe Heights Inc.,
73 Inverness Lane, Longmeadow 01106. |
Charles Kittredge, same. Real estate acquisition and management.

LUDLOW

Micro-Tech Inc.,
52 Emma Way, Ludlow 01056.
Richard J. Hoey, same.
Purchase/sales/repairs of appliances including microwave ovens.

Pioneer Education Manager Inc.,
44 Sewall St., Ludlow 01056.
Gary Camp, 100 South Dr., Suite 215,
East Haven, CT 06512. Corporation Service Co.,
84 State St., Boston 02109, registered agent.
(Foreign corp: DE) To act as general manager of Pioneer Education. LLC.

Zen Peacemaker Circles Inc.,
241 Crescent St., Northampton 01060.
Marguerite Gregory, same. (Nonprofit)
To promote the principles and practices of the Zen Peacemaker Circles Inc., etc.

  

MONSON

Scent King Outdoors Inc.,
175 Main St., Monson. Justin Pelissier,
16B Ayers Road, Monson 01057.
To market and manufacture outdoor accessories.

NORTHAMPTON

Ariston International Inc.,
73 Barrett St., #5147, Northampton 01060.
Jaeyoung Lee, same. Education service.

Growles Enterprises Inc.,
12 Henry St., Northampton 01060.
Adrian Grace, same. Photography and pottery making.

Northampton Dermatology Associates,
P.C., 76 Columbus Ave., Northampton 01060.
Bruce M. Goldstein, same. To engage in the practice of medicine.

PG Group Inc.,
143 King St., Northampton 01060.
Pedro Ramalho, 886 Poole St., Ludlow 01056.
An auto repair shop.

SOUTH HADLEY

Chios Village Inc., 16 Main St., South Hadley 01075. Maria G. Kaitis, 143 Sesame Dr., Chicopee 01020. Commercial store.

SPRINGFIELD

Del Caribe Enterprises Inc., 135 Avocado St., Springfield 01107. Marta M. Rojas, 36 Pleasant St., Southbridge 01550. Wholesale foods and products.

The Epiphany Development Corp. 145 State St., Springfield 01103. Timothy Paul Baymon, 57 Thompson St., Springfield 01109. (Nonprofit) To pursue economic development initiatives to lift the burden of the poor in New England, etc.

Forest Park Commons Inc., 1398 Plumtree Road, Springfield 01119. John Yazel, same. Real estate development.

Gaudino Inc., 99 Union St., Springfield 01105. Charles Pasquale Gaudino, 15 Cataumet Lane, West Springfield 01089. Data outsourcing/processing.

JAM Roc Inc., 61 Keith St., Springfield 01108. Denroy A. Morgan, Jr., same. To promote, record and provide management representation for local musical groups, etc.

GlobalVentures Inc., 56 Narragansett St., Springfield 01104. Ms. Huriya Bakr, same. Sale of heavy equipment.

JABP Realty Corp., 454 Boston Road, Springfield 01109. Patrick K. Gregorius, same. To deal in real estate.

Renaissance Automotive Services Inc., 921 Roosevelt Ave., Springfield 01109. Joseph Lyas, same. Automotive services.

Rock Steady Construction Inc., 77 Green Lane, Springfield 01107. Kevin Miranda, same. Drywalling, ceiling, framing and carpentry.

Segunda Iglesia el Escudo de La Fe, 98 Fort Pleasant Ave., Springfield 01108. Luz M. Figueroa, 22 Spruceland Road, Enfield, CT 06082. Marlls A. Jiminez, 116 Larkspur St., Springfield 01108, officer/vocal. To promote the teachings of the Gospel of God, establishing places of worship, radio ministries, etc.

Stillstanding Inc., 306 Pasco Road, Springfield 01151. George Zantouliadis, 11 K St., Turners Falls 01736. Diner/restaurant.

Wilbraham Builders Inc., 48 Seymour Ave., Springfield 01109. Roger Trombly, same. To deal in real estate.

WARE

The Pioneer Valley Breastfeeding Task Force Inc., 9 Belmont St., Ware 01082. Ruth Stevens, MA, IBCLC, same. Support breastfeeding families in the community, promote breastfeeding, etc.

WESTFIELD

Lords Way Inc., 11 Princeton St., Westfield 01085. Ralph E. Thresher, same. (Nonprofit) To provide food donations, clothing, chores around the house and yard to persons in need of assistance.

NPN Foods Inc., 433 East Main St., Westfield 01085. Nikolaos P. Soillis, 187 Boutin St., Chicopee 01020. Restaurant fast food service.

P. J. Healy Company Inc., 9 Belden Dr., Westfield 01085. Patrick J. Healy, Sr., same. Cleaning business.

Waterwood Corp., 549 Russell Road, #4A, Westfield 01085. Jack Chak-Ki Fu, same. Manufacturer of pasta and other food products.

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Balise HY Inc., 122 Doty Circle, West Springfield 01089. James E. Balise, Jr., 950 Prospect Ave., West Springfield 01089. To deal in automobiles, sales, new and used, repairs, service, etc.

Balise PBG Inc., 122 Doty Circle, West Springfield 01089. James E. Balise, Jr., 950 Prospect Ave., West Springfield 01089. To deal in automobiles, sales, new and used, repairs, service, etc.

Capital Liquors Inc., 125 Capital Dr., West Springfield 01089. Barry Tabb, 195 Maynard Road, Wilbraham 01095. Bar.

Physician Care West, PC, 274 Westfield St., West Springfield 01089. Reda H. Ishak, M.D., same. To engage in the practice of medicine.

Red Hot Business Solutions Inc., 372 Park St., Suite 2, West Springfield 01089. Mark Patel, same. Information technology consulting services to businesses.

By
Departments

MassMutual announced the following:
• Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer Elaine A. Sarsynski has been named head of MassMutual International. She will have overall management responsibility for MassMutual International, a group of MassMutual subsidiaries that offer life insurance, health and accident insurance, annuity and pension products and asset management products, through a network of 15,000 full- and part-time representatives in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Luxembourg and Chile. She will also retain her responsibilities as Chief Administrative Officer at MassMutual, a role in which she has oversight of several corporate functions, including Corporate Services, Corporate Human Resources, Corporate Communications and Community Relations. She is also responsible for MassMutual’s Strategy Implementation Office, which oversees and facilitates the company’s overall strategy.
• Elroy Chan, who had been serving as head of MassMutual International, will continue in his role as Managing Director and CEO of MassMutual Asia Ltd. In addition, he will also serve as special advisor to MassMutual President and CEO Stuart H. Reese on a wide range of strategic business issues in Asia.
• While Sarsynski will now be responsible for international insurance operations, MassMutual Chief Investment Officer Roger Crandall will continue to oversee MassMutual’s investment subsidiaries abroad, including Baring Asset Management Limited and Babson Capital Europe Limited in London.


Ted J. Dickinson

Ted J. Dickinson of Dickinson Financial Consulting, Inc./Money Concepts FPC has received the 2005 Planner of the Year Award for the Western Mass. region. The award is presented by Money Concepts International, based in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., and is in recognition of outstanding customer relations and leadership within the financial planning industry. Dickinson has won the award two years straight and has also won the President of the Year honor three of the past five years.

•••••

Gregory Rolland has joined Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C. of Holyoke and Greenfield as an Associate in the Holyoke office.

•••••

Dr. Julie Siciliano has been named Dean of the School of Business at Western New England College in Springfield. Siciliano joined the WNEC faculty in 1984, most recently serving as a Professor of Management. Dean Siciliano succeeds Dr. Stanley Kowalski, Jr., who stepped down recently after 27 years as Dean.

•••••


Glenda K. DeBarge

Health New England of Springfield announced the following:
• Joanne N. Shaw has been named Claims Manager;
• Kim N. Kenney-Rockwal has been named Manager of Workforce Development;
• Glenda K. DeBarge has been hired as an Account Executive;

 


Matthew J. Hastings

• Matthew J. Hastings has been hired as an Account Executive;
• Eric P. Harlow has been promoted to Sales Manager, and

 

 


Jim M. Buker

• Jim M. Buker has been promoted to Account Executive.

•••••

 

 

 

Jennylyn Fontaine and Melissa Voutour have been named Sales Managers for the MassMutual Center’s 64,000-square-foot convention center. Fontaine and Voutour will be responsible for overseeing all of the facility’s sales, including solicitation for new business for trade shows, corporate meetings, public exhibitions, weddings, and special events. Their responsibilities will also include working closely with the staff of the Springfield Convention and Visitor’s Bureau.

•••••

Keller Williams Realty in Longmeadow announced the following:
• William R. Resnick has joined the South Hadley/Northampton Market Center. He will specialize in residential real estate;
• Carl E. Sittard has joined the South Hadley/Northampton Market Center. He will specialize in residential real estate;
• Elizabeth A. Villani has joined the South Hadley/Northampton Market Center;
• Frances M. Hill has joined the Longmeadow Market Center. She will specialize in residential sales;
• Michele M. Caldwell has joined the South Hadley/Northampton Market Center. She will specialize in all areas of real estate;
• Sarah A. Hadley has joined the Agawam Market Center. She will specialize in residential sales, and
• Sophia J. Harvey has joined the Longmeadow Market Center. She will specialize in residential sales.

•••••

  

Denise Dukette has joined Sovereign Bank as Vice President and Relationship Manager in its commercial lending group.

•••••

Michele L. Billingsley has joined Better Life Whole Foods in Springfield as a Corporate Executive Assistant. She will focus on organic produce, meat, wines and beers.

•••••

Momentum Group has named Carlo Centeno as Vice President of Marketing.

•••••

Deborah A. Nadle has been named Branch Manager for the Holyoke Credit Union.

•••••

Park Square Realty in Westfield announced the following:
• Maureen L. Staccato has joined the firm as a Sales Associate. She will work in the Feeding Hills office.
• Leslie J. Lambert has joined the firm as a Sales Associate.

•••••

Richard E. Gore III has joined Lee Audio ‘N Security Inc., as an Engineer, responsible for sales and service of the company’s engineered systems throughout Western Mass. and eastern New York. He is the son of Lee Audio President Richard E. Gore II and grandson of company founders Richard E. Gore Sr. and Barbara Gore.

•••••

Diane McClellan, Chief Financial Officer of Hampden County Physician Associates LLC, has become a Fellow in the Healthcare Financial Management Association.

•••••

Carlos Rios has joined Applied Mortgage Services Corp. as a Loan Officer in the West Springfield office.

•••••

van Schouwen Associates LLC announced the following:
• Daniel W. Horlitz has been promoted to Art Director, and
• Rebecca J. Leutert has been promoted to Technology Director.

•••••

Harry Monti has been promoted to Senior Vice President of Benefit Management Services in the group benefits division at The Hartford Financial Services Group Inc.

•••••

Barbara Haswell, RN, COHN, MBA, has received the Medique Leadership Award from the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses Inc.

•••••

The Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield announced the following election of officers:
• Chairman David M. Hobert, Sovereign Bank New England;
• Vice Chairman Arlene Putnam, Eastfield Mall;
• President Russell F. Denver, Springfield Chamber of Commerce;
• Treasurer Barbara Jean DeLoria, United Bank;
• Budget Director Malcolm Getz, Belt Technologies;
• Clerk David J. Martel, Doherty, Wallace, Pillsbury & Murphy, and
• Past Chairman Richard Ayers, Mount Tom Box Co.

•••••

Douglas K. Engebretson has been elected First Vice President of the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards.

By
Departments

Philanthropy — to the Max

Max’s Tavern in Springfield recently staged the Max’s Classic golf tournament, an event, now in its third year, that raised more than $150,000 for Baystate Children’s Hospital. Staged over two courses, The Ranch in Southwick and Crestview Country Club in Agawam, the tournament drew hundreds of golfers, with teams from many of the area’s largest businesses.


The Max’s team; from left, featured Mark Conley, Rich Rosenthal, owner of the Max’s Restaurant Group, Ed Hoberman, and Marshall Ruben.


The Barr & Barr Construction team; from left, Peter Garvey, Donald Barr, Sean Gouvin, and Steve Killian.


The Lenox/American Saw team; from left, Craig Vogel, Jim Welch, Don Quinn, and Jim Karalekas.



The Williams Distributing team (two foursomes); from left, Al Colonna, Jace Sadowsky, Dave Madsen, Scott Sadowsky, Anthony Frasco, Jerry Shanahan, Stu Smith, and Rob Benoit.

Springfield Needs a Regional Rally Cry

By
Opinion

Participation – that’s what Springfield’s Economic Development Director Dave Panagore says is needed in the city among private business owners, and we agree.

It’s true that some Springfield businesses have stepped up to the plate to pinch-hit for the City of Homes. Some, perhaps even facing financial constraints of their own, have offered services, such as pro bono legal work, Web site development, or marketing assistance. Others have contributed monetarily; Tim Andrews, who owns Tyre Trak Automotive Center on Chestnut Street, is proving that not all donations need to be of the six-figure variety, by giving the city $10 for each $30 oil change gift certificate he sells (complete with a jar of candy).

And in terms of larger gestures, the news that Springfield-based Baystate Health has made a five-year pledge to the city – beginning with $500,000 and increasing 2.5% each year – is notable in its size, but also in its rarity. For the most part, Springfield businesses have remained spectators as the city struggles, and even more scarce are the businesses outside of Springfield that have offered a helping hand to the region’s largest city in these last few unsteady years.

Again and again, we hear of the many benefits of marketing this region as a whole. Thousands of dollars were spent to create a marketing campaign that promotes the Pioneer Valley as one destination, and in every Visitors Center and Chamber of Commerce across Western Mass., we see four-color brochures touting the many hidden gems of the area, beginning with Dr. Seuss and Gee Bee planes and extending in all directions, toward the land of scented candles and the (booming) Berkshires.

What we aren’t seeing is the major employers of the region investing in its flagship city. Few are mulling development opportunities for satellite locations, and fewer still are offering creative solutions to Springfield’s monetary woes. There are no lines drawn separating Springfield or its problems from the rest of Western Mass., except those created by the disenchanted and disenfranchised, and they must be erased.

It’s not that we simply have to move forward with an ‘all for one, one for all’ perspective, although we do. Rather, it’s important to face the facts: the city is in trouble, finances are in shambles, crime rates are still uncomfortably high, and ‘brain drain’ remains a constant, troubling issue. Springfield cannot survive as an island, and furthermore the problems of the city, economic and otherwise, are already beginning to spread across the region, and that’s not going to stop without some strong, proactive measures. With the talents of management and staff from some of the region’s key economic players – as well as some of its smaller businesses, fueled by entrepreneurial grit and innovation – perhaps some real inroads can be made.

As Mayor Ryan has said, the city needs help, and the source of that help can’t be relegated to the powers-that-be on the city, state, and federal levels alone. It also can’t be limited to Springfield’s largest employers; as much as MassMutual has contributed over the years, we can’t rely on one company forever.

The assistance can be big, or small; it can be offered in trade, as a partnership, or in dollars. But it needs to be offered. Springfield has hit some foul balls in recent years, but the city is one player on a long roster. It’s time for the region’s employers to get in the game, understanding that the team is only as strong as its weakest link.