LOCAL NEWS. LOCAL STORIES. LOCAL ADVERTISERS. SINCE 1998. Chicopee Register A TURLEY PUBLICATION ❙ www.turley.com December 18, 2020 ❙ Vol. 22, No. 41 ❙ FREE www.chicopeeregister.turley.com SCHOOLS Education association holds diversity celebration CITY Cultural Council beautifies West End Science teacher Carol Callahan, math teacher Tracy Allen, Vice Prin- See Page 6 cipal Dr. Lisa Lewis and social studies teacher Meghan Reniewicz pose outside Dupont Middle School on Dec. 12 during an initiative that endeavored to foster inclusion for students of all backgrounds. By Dalton Zbierski Chicopee. PHOTOS SUBMITTED BY CHICOPEE EDUCATORS ASSOCIATION Staff Writer “A lot of parents in the Carol Callahan, a Dupont Middle School teacher, points to the community aren’t aware of the camera during a celebration of diversity that was held at Dupont CHICOPEE – A spirited [resources] that are out there last Saturday. group of Chicopee educators that could help them advance danced in the rain outside of their child’s education,” said Chicopee Educators Associa- “We welcomed everyone Dupont Middle School last Dr. Lisa Lewis, the Grade 6 tion’s African, Latino/Hispan- with open arms, and they wel- Saturday afternoon as they vice principal at Dupont Mid- ic, Asian and Native American comed us and thanked us. It coalition. was a warm, heartfelt feeling,” participated in a drive-through dle School. “We want to assure COMMUNITY diversity celebration. them that we’re here for them. Despite the inclement said King. “We’re in a tough The Dec. 12 event held a We want to acknowledge them weather, approximately 30 ve- place right now, but you could Post 337 marks spotlight on diversity and in- and help them in every way we hicles pulled up to the school see the love and the compas- clusion as teachers pledged can for their children to be suc- during a two-hour span. King sion being exchanged between 75th anniversary their support for the academic, cessful.” considers the affair as a con- the teachers and the parents, as social, emotional and cultural Last weekend’s festivi- siderable accomplishment for See Page 5 needs of families of color in ties were coordinated by the all those who participated. See DIVERSITY page 5 COMMUNITY EDUCATION Educators vote ‘no confidence’ against DESE chair HEALTH & WELLNESS COVID testing at Chicopee Comp See Page 3 Chicopee landlord Salazar dos Santos, 79, is accused of subjecting female tenants to a wide range unwelcome sexual advance. Sever- al incidents occurred at 27 Linda Ave., pictured above. STAFF PHOTO BY DALTON ZBIERSKI. Lawsuit filed against landlord A group of educators and supporters, including CEA President Laura Demakis (second to right), SHEA President Scott Beaulieau accused of sexual harassment (second to left) and MTA Vice President Max Page (far right) rally outside of Chicopee High School in June of 2020. By Dalton Zbierski that his misconduct began no SPORTS Staff Writer later than 2008. By Dalton Zbierski during the COVID-19 pan- The U.S. Attorney’s Office Staff Writer demic. Ice Hockey CHICOPEE – Chicopee alleges that Santos abused his Approximately 20 unions landlord Salazar dos Santos, status as a landlord by forcing BOSTON – Thousands affiliated with the Western modifications 79, is accused of subjecting female tenants to perform oral of Massachusetts educators Mass. Educator Action Net- female tenants to a wide range sex, exposing his genitals to are calling for the resignation work have joined the cam- See Page 7 unwelcome sexual advances. A female tenants, touching the of Department of Elementa- paign to remove Riley from Dec. 7 lawsuit filed by the U.S. breasts and buttocks of female ry and Secondary Education office. As DESE’s direction Attorney’s Office alleges the tenants and engaging in other (DESE) Commissioner Jef- has constantly changed, edu- INDEX Chicopee landlord of engaging forced touching without con- frey Riley, including in Chi- cators and students have been Opinion 4 in extensive sexual harassment. sent. copee. left to pick up the pieces. Sports 7 Since the early 1970s, Santos is also accused of More than 100 unions “The kids are getting Santos has managed multiple locking female tenants in his representing educators in the hurt,” said Laura Demakis, Faces and Places 6 properties in Chicopee, as is office and forcing female ten- state favored a vote of no president of the Chicopee Ed- Public Notices 9 noted in the complaint filed by confidence against Riley for Classifieds 10 the Justice Dept. It is alleged See LANDLORD page 2 his alleged lack of leadership See DESE page 6 IN THE CITY 2021 Big E discount tickets on sale now for holiday giving Give the gift of Fair fun in 2021 and put The Big E Under the Tree Big E advance discount tickets, Value Passes, and Midway and Cream Puff vouchers are available for sale, just in time for holiday giving. Chicopee landlord Salazar dos Santos, 79, is accused of committing sexual misconduct at 40 Abbey St. Get tickets to the 2021 Big E, which takes place next year from Sept. 17-Oct. 3, online at TheBigE. LANDLORD from page 1 com and at the Box Office, open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, now through Dec. 23. Ticket options available are: ants to engage in sexual acts with him in exchange for Single Day admission tickets – $12 adults/$8 rent payment benefits or late rent payments. children 6-12 Santos allegedly used a variety of methods to threat- 17-Day Value Passes – $40 adults/$20 children en tenants who resisted his advances. He allegedly said age 6-12. This offer includes four FREE Giant Slide he’d call the authorities on tenants who were on parole, tickets for each Value Pass sold. threatening that their children would be taken away by Opening Day tickets (good for use on Sept. 17 the state if they failed to partake in sexual behavior. only) – $10 “No one should be forced to provide sexual favors, Midway Magic Vouchers – $25 or otherwise endure sexual harassment, in exchange for Six-pack of Big E Cream Puffs - $25 housing,” said U.S. Attorney Andrew E. Lelling. “Sexu- All tickets, passes and vouchers are “print at al harassment is illegal under the Fair Housing Act and, home” documents, making the gift a perfect last-min- especially during a time of increased unemployment and ute shopping option. To learn more, visit www.The- This residence at 113 Exchange St. was the scene of financial stress, my office will aggressively enforce this BigE.com/holidaytickets. sexual harassment, committed by landlord Salazar dos The 2021 Big E will be jam-packed with food, law to protect hard working women and others subjected Santos. to this kind of abusive conduct.” entertainment and more. sex on him,” reads the Justice Dept. complaint. The properties in question are located at 27-29 Lin- In 2019, a female tenant resisted Santos’ advances da Ave., 113 Exchange St., 39 Abbey St. and 40 Abbey and reported him to the Chicopee Police Department. St. The owners of the properties, listed by the U.S. Attor- She obtained a temporary restraining order against San- ney’s Office as being two family trusts, are alleged to be tos, who evicted the tenant almost immediately. liable for Santos’ criminal behavior. Another female tenant was evicted in 2019 for fail- NOTICE Santos is additionally accused of making unwel- ing to pay rent – only after she refused Santos’ advances. ERRORS: Each advertiser is requested to check their advertisement come sexual comments and intimidating female tenants the first time it appears. This paper will not be responsible for “It is appalling that any woman seeking safe, afford- by monitoring them from outside of their apartments. more than one corrected insertion, nor will be liable for any able housing would be met with demands for sex, sexual error in an advertisement to a greater extent than the cost of the “For example, over the span of about 18 months from propositions, unwanted touching, and threats. Such abu- space occupied by the item in the advertisement. 2008-2010, Defendant dos sive conduct by landlords and property manages violates Santos sexually harassed federal law and shocks the conscience,” said Assistant one female tenant, includ- Attorney General Eric Dreiband of the Civil Rights Divi- ing physically assaulting sion. “The Fair Housing Act protects tenants from sexual her, on approximately 40- harassment and threats by their housing providers, and 60 different occasions. He the Justice Department will work resolutely to hold such would force her to come predators accountable and to obtain relief for their vic- to his office to pay rent, tims.” lock her inside the room The lawsuit will seek monetary damages in an effort with him, take out his to compensate the victims. Civil penalties and a court penis, touch her sexually order restricting Santos’ contact with tenants will also under her clothing, and be sought. coerce her to perform oral Anyone with informa- tion pertaining to Santos’ ––– 2 Locations - Same Great Service ––– misconduct is encouraged from to call the U.S. Attorney’s Oldies Max's Office at 888-221-6023 or The email usama.victimassis- WEEstate BUY [email protected]. ALL TYPES Whatnot OF STUFF Shop Dalton Zbierski is a FROM A TO Z. VARIETY OF ITEMS FOR Staff Writer and can be Call Bill or Beth YOUR HOME OR APT. reached at dzbierski@tur- ley.com. 45 Parker Street 6 Chestnut Street Indian Orchard Ludlow 543-6065 543-6065 Acres of Beautiful Live Christmas Trees 222 Upper Moss Hill Rd. 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