Belair started his public service after being asked to serve on the License Commission.
Edward W. Czpiel and Ronald R. Belair volunteer their services at the Chicopee Knights of Columbus Thanksgiving Dinner last year.
CHICOPEE – Ronald R. Belair, the Ward 9 City Councilor, said he will not run for re-election after serving the city in different capacities for 14 years.
Belair made the announcement Monday, saying severe neck and back problems are making it difficult to continue. He recently had surgery on his neck.
“I can’t physically run a campaign and give the services I need to with my condition,” Belair said.
Belair took out papers to run, but said he will not return them. With the July 29 deadline looming to take out nomination papers, he said he wanted to give someone else a chance. The deadline to return nomination papers with 50 signatures is Aug. 2.
“It is more important than ever for people who are interested in public service to step up,” Belair said.
So far one person, Gerry Roy, who owns a real estate business, has taken out papers. Roy unsuccessfully challenged Belair two years ago for the seat, City Clerk Keith W. Rattell said.
“It is an opportunity for people to come forward and run for the position. Sometimes it is hard to unseat an incumbent,” Rattell said.
This is Belair’s sixth year, or third term, on the City Council. Before that he served as chairman of the city’s license commission for eight years.
“I’ve enjoyed my 14 years of public service to the city,” he said. “I’m saddened. I enjoy public service and I enjoy helping the community.”
Belair, an employee for the Department of Transportation, is also known for organizing the annual Knights of Columbus, Council 4044 Thanksgiving dinner. He said his public service began when then-Mayor Richard J. Kos, also a Knights of Columbus member, asked him to serve on the License Commission.
“I think I was tough and I was very fair. You try to keep people in business, but at the same time you don’t want them to ruin neighborhoods,” he said.
Belair said he is proud of the work he has done as a councilor, including seeing the completion of a sewer project, park renovations, sidewalk repairs and helping improve the relationship with the Westover Job Corps.
