Joy Winnie makes Easthampton mayoral run official

By JACK SUNTRUP

@JackSuntrup

Published: 07-18-2017 11:46 PM

EASTHAMPTON — Flanked by family and supporters, longtime City Councilor Joy E. Winnie made her run for mayor official as traffic rolled by Nashawannuck Pond Tuesday evening.

“My knowledge of Easthampton’s past and present make me the best choice to lead this city to the future,” she said to applause.

Winnie, in her remarks, said the city appeared “bleak” after mill closures and industry loss decades ago. She referenced her 21 years on the City Council, going back to 1996 when the city adopted a new charter, when mentioning the city’s reawakening.

“I’ve seen a reawakening in Easthampton, like everybody,” Winnie said, “due to smart growth, good growth. … The buildings that I saw closed up now have become homes to new and inventive businesses and properties.”

Winnie is running against attorney Nicole LaChapelle in the November election to fill outgoing Mayor Karen Cadieux’s post. Winnie, 57, touted her experience on the finance, rules and government relations, public safety and other committees.

LaChapelle, in contrast, has not held an elected post in Easthampton. In a brief phone interview, she said that should not disqualify her in voters’ minds.

“Any candidate walking into a race brings a certain perspective and body of experience,” she said.

Winnie said she did not support designating Easthampton a so-called “sanctuary city.” She said debate over that designation and a racist incident at Easthampton High School meant the city would have to do more to address underlying problems and improve its “perception” to outsiders.

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“We’re not inclusive to anybody or exclusive to anybody,” Winnie said in an interview. “We want all people to come to Easthampton.”

LaChapelle and Winnie both said they would continue to forge ahead but work to preserve the small-town aspects that make Easthampton unique. After her press conference, Winnie said she would have to listen to her staff before pushing any major initiatives.

She also would not say whether she would support a tax increase to revamp Easthampton’s school buildings.

“I really feel that this is such an expensive, big project that I wouldn’t feel it would be fair for me to say to people what my thoughts are,” Winnie said, adding people would need to evaluate the project on their own.

She also said she would have no problem releasing campaign contribution records regularly. Winnie is behind in the cash race, saying Tuesday her campaign has yet to raise any money.

LaChapelle, 50, announced last week she had raised $17,000 for her campaign, adding that in the interests of transparency she would regularly release campaign contribution records.

She said the voters are lucky to be able to consider different candidates this year.

“Easthampton deserves a competitive race,” LaChapelle said.

Jack Suntrup can be reached at jsuntrup@gazettenet.com.

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