Gatsas: It’s official

Manchester Mayor Ted Gatsas officially filed for re-election yesterday.  In doing so, he issued a statement saying he was extremely proud of the work accomplished during his time as mayor.  The mayor highlighted reductions in crime, a net migration of people and businesses into the city and the STEAM Ahead program at West High as evidence that things are moving in the right direction.  Said Gatsas, quote: 

“What the city needs now is to continue on the positive work we have done together while also understanding where we can and must do better…I am running for Mayor because I love this city and I know that the taxpayers need an advocate and a voice in City Hall. I am proud to have fought the breaking of the tax cap which saves each household in Manchester hundreds if not thousands of dollars a year.”

Gatsas said he campaign to bring his positive vision of Manchester to the voters and earn every vote.

Langton

In addition to the mayor, several others filed their candidacies yesterday.

  • At-Large Alderman Dan O’Neil filed for reelection.
  • In Ward Two, incumbent School Committee Member Debra Gagnon Langton filed for reelection.
  • In Ward Three, restaurant owner Tim Baines, son of…filed for alderman.
  • In Ward Four, Jason Hodgdon of Ashland Street became the third person to file for alderman, creating the first primary of the election cycle.  Mark Flanders filed for school board.

  • Flanders

    In Ward Five, Alderman Tony Sapienza filed for reelection.

  • In Ward Eight, Ed Sapienza and Jimmy Lehoux, last year’s runners up in the races for alderman and school board, filed again for those seats respectively.
  • In Ward Twelve, Joel Elber filed again for alderman, creating the city’s second primary race of the season.

Willard: Corrects the record

Manchester Police Chief Nick Willard’s not very happy with the knocks his department’s taking over its alleged failure to notify the public in real time about the rape of a student at West High School in September, two thousand fifteen.  In a lengthy discussion with Girard at Large about the incident yesterday, Willard said the officer handling the investigation offered to work with the Manchester School District to notify West’s parents and the public of what took place but that Assistant Superintendent David Ryan declined their offers because he simply refused to allow any public statements to be made.  It being a school matter, and the department’s practice of not issuing statements on crimes involving juveniles, Willard said his department deferred to Ryan’s wishes.

Ryan: Refused to release

Willard said he was extremely proud of the work his officers did in response to the crime, explaining that the school resource officer did everything that should have been done once notified of the crime.  Not only was the victim immediately and properly taken care of, the department had a confession from the person she accused of so violently violating her in the hallway later that day.  Willard said he and the officers involved wanted to advise the parents and the public that there was no danger to the student population at West or the public at large as the perpetrator was in custody and confessed to the crime.  Give that, he said a statement would not have compromised their investigation.

News from our own backyard continues after this.

Crime Wave Continues

The Candia Police Department’s released its latest monthly crime stats.  To be candid, we’re not sure what’s going on over there.  The department says it made one hundred twenty one motor vehicle stops last month, issuing one hundred nineteen warnings and two summonses.  However, eight people were arrested for a variety of driving crimes, including reckless operation, driving after suspension, operating without a license, false inspection sticker, unregistered vehicle and driving while intoxicated.  Other arrests were made for Breach of Bail, domestic violence and assault.  Things seem to be getting a little crazy as the Candia Crime Wave continues to crash over the community.  Must be the heat.

Soucy

Finally this morning, we make note of the passing of C. Arthur Soucy, a longtime Democratic operative in the city of Manchester.  He was the father of District Eighteen Senator Donna Soucy.  Calling hours are tonight at Lambert Funeral Home from 4 to 8 p.m.  A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated tomorrow at 10 a.m. at St. Pius X Church on Candia Road.  Donations may be made in his memory to the Saint Vincent de Paul Society at St. Pius X Church, 575 Candia Road or to the St. Teresa Healthcare Center in Manchester.

That’s NEWS from our own backyard!  Girard at Large hour ___ is next!

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