SPRINGFIELD – City Councilor Thomas Ashe declared his candidacy for Hampden County Sheriff at his annual St. Patrick’s Day event on March 18 citing his experience both in corrections and in government as a distinct advantage.

City Council President Michael Fenton served as emcee at the capacity crowd at the John Boyle O’Reilly Club that was attended by a number of Ashe’s colleagues on the council as well as Mayor Domenic Sarno and Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse.

Ashe told Reminder Publications that he would run a clean, issues oriented campaign for the position. Without naming names, he said there has been negative campaigning in the race.

“The other stuff is distraction. I have no interest in that. I want to talk about what is my qualifications that I think suit me for this position,” Ashe said.

Ashe said having experience in corrections is “critical” for the job.

“But I also think it’s that marriage of the correctional experience coupled with my governmental know-how that is obviously important for that job,” he said.     Ashe continued, “You have to deal with all levels of government. So that understanding, that knowledge is pretty important in my estimation.”

A Springfield native, Ashe has served on both the School Committee and the City Council. He worked at the Hampden County jail and rose to a supervisor in the Classification Department.

He subsequently worked at the Worcester County jail as assistant director of Educational Programs and then director of a community corrections program. In total he has nearly 17 years experience in corrections.

He described to the attendees at the event his great respect for Sheriff Michael Ashe Jr. and he wants to carry on his legacy, “but for any public office it is both reasonable and healthy for a fresh set of eyes, familiar but not overly comfortable with the operation to assess and make decisions that are in the best interest in the department and in the best interests of the public.”

He added, “Let’s be clear about one thing. The next sheriff of Hampden County will not have the clout to go to Boston and bring back what Mike Ashe has done over his long career. It’s a political reality the next sheriff will be asked to do more with less and this campaign will face that head on.”

He recalled how his first work in corrections was as a 19 year-old “walking the tiers” of the former York Street jail.

Ashe said as sheriff he would support bail reform to keep repeat offenders off the street, launch a drug education program in the county’s school and discuss a regional lockup for drug offenders.

Ashe’s campaign website is www.asheforsheriff.com.

One more candidate?

Clerk of Court Laura Gentile explained to Reminder Publications that she has been approached by a growing number of people urging her to consider running for sheriff.

She said she would make a decision by the end of the month.

She added, she has a “unique set of qualifications,” but added she is “very happy” in her present position.

“The question is do I want the job,” Gentile said.

Albano asks for grant

Governor’s Councilor Michael Albano has reacted to the passage of the Commonwealth’s most recent legislation addressing the opioid epidemic by submitting a $100,000 grant proposal to the Department of Public Health to create an implementation plan for the law and fund a director of operations to oversee it.

Cocchi receives endorsement, makes statement on Keough

Nick Cocchi has earned the endorsement of The International Brotherhood of Police Officers (IBPO), Local 583 Hampden Police Department, has voted unanimously to endorse him as sheriff.

Cocchi also addressed rumors that political advisor Frank Keough has been involved in his campaign.     

He wrote in a statement, “For a few days now, Attorney Shawn Allyn, the lawyer who has been involved in numerous legal actions on behalf of Mike Albano, recently has been texting members of our team copies of correspondence intimating that Frank Keough has been part of our team. Frank Keough has never been a paid consultant or advisor to the Cocchi campaign.

“I have tangentially known Mr. Keough for years in his capacity as a youth hockey trainer and coach. I had never discussed politics with him or had a personal relationship with him on any level other than just seeing him at the hockey rink.  Certainly I knew of his past transgressions. I also am aware of the work he has done since then, mentoring children, his coaching and his position at the Sabis school.

“In January of this year, I went to a meeting with Clerk of Courts Laura Gentile at her home to seek her endorsement for my race for sheriff. Ms. Gentile had invited Mr. Keough to the same meeting as her advisor and to be her counsel.

“A few days later, Sheriff Mike Ashe told me that Mr. Keough had expressed an interest to him to help as a volunteer for the Cocchi for Sheriff campaign. Keough also attended an open-invite Chicopee Coordinators meeting. I am clear that I communicated to my team that I saw no role for him in this campaign as being appropriate.  While we appreciated his personal support as a resident, like we would any other resident of Hampden County, he could not be involved in the campaign.

Cocchi concluded, “The critical work we do at the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department revolves around the concept of redemption.  I have dedicated my life to hopefully enabling second chances in people that our society rightfully sets aside. Unfortunately, the recent allegations against Mr. Keough for influence peddling as part of the East Longmeadow Police Chief search were enough to further ensure that there could be absolutely no role for him, even as a volunteer in my campaign.  While those allegations are yet to be proven, our campaign cannot indulge even the slightest hint of impropriety.  The position of sheriff must be beyond reproach and I am committed to make sure that this campaign continues with the utmost transparency and integrity.”

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