Annual roast raises laughs and funds By G. Michael Dobbs Managing Editor I've got a little bit of housecleaning that needs to be done. *** First, if you would like to see a bunch of reporters and politicians toss insults and quips at each other in a great restaurant with food and a cash bar, then you can't miss this year's Valley Press Club Roast "Mexican Style" at the Double Door restaurant at 60 Congress St. in Springfield at 5:30 pn May 12. Now, "Mexican-style" refers only to the food. Don't worry no elected officials or reporter will be hung like a piata for a beating, although I'm sure some folks would like to see that. The cost is $15 at the door and the proceeds go to the Valley Press Club's scholarship fund. In years past, Mayor Charles Ryan, Sheriff Michael Ashe and Holyoke Police Chief Anthony Scott have attended and lobbed a few verbal grenades. We're hoping that the many candidates from the various state and local elections all show up to support the scholarship fund and to show they're good sports. Come on Angelo Puppulo, Rosemary Mazza Moriarty, Gale Candaras, Bob Collamore, Jim Driscoll and the rest of you we'd love to see you there. Hey, Tom Reilly, Chris Gabrieli, Deval Patrick and Kerry Healey all of you are welcome, too! And yes, there is a chance if I can write a piece that I'll get up on the Double Door stage to do something. So write it down on your calendars and make a date for some uncensored and off-the-cuff repartee between the newsmakers and the news reporters. *** I have been remiss in not formally introducing our new reporter for our MetroWest Reminder who succeeds Michelle Symington. Erin O' Connor is a native of Westfield who recently graduated from West State College. She knows the area and its people well and is getting acclimated to her role here at Reminder Publications. Share your story leads to her by either e-mailing her at erin@reminderpublications.com or by calling her 525-3247, ext. 125. *** People have made comments to me about the closing of our Chicopee Herald offices. I'm very sorry to see them go due to budget re-alignments, however people can still drop off materials for us at the offices of Access 2 Media around the corner of our building at 432 Front St. As I have been assigned the Chicopee Herald reporting duties for the time being, I'm in Chicopee, Holyoke, South Hadley and Granby much more and frankly I enjoy it. I'm not only a graduate of Granby High School, but I spend many years working in Holyoke. My wife is a former Chicopee resident. So, I feel very much at home in this area. Your faxes are being forwarded to our East Longmeadow office, and I'm at 525-3247, ext. 103. If your call is of an immediate nature I'm on the road a lot use my cell number of 575-6092. This column represents the opinions of its author alone. Send your comments to mdobbs@reminderpublications.com or to 280 N. Main St., East Longmeadow, MA 01028.