Jump to content

Arthur E. Chase: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Added location of death (see http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/telegram/obituary.aspx?n=arthur-chase&pid=173738987&fhid=30544 )
Unclefeet (talk | contribs)
385 edits
Corrected residence (to Naples, FL) and place of death (to Worc, MA) + added 2nd wife
Line 7: Line 7:
| birth_place = [[Worcester, Massachusetts]]
| birth_place = [[Worcester, Massachusetts]]
| death_date = {{death date|2015|1|5}}
| death_date = {{death date|2015|1|5}}
| death_place = [[Worcester, Massachusetts]]<ref>{{cite news|author1=Lisa Eckelbecker|title='A very pragmatic guy' Arthur Chase, former state senator, dies at 84|accessdate=9 January 2015|agency=Worcester Telegram & Gazette|date=6 January 2015|page=1 and A10}}</ref>
| death_place = [[Naples, Florida]]
|restingplace =B'nei Brith cemetary, [[Worcester, Massachusetts]]<ref>{{cite news|author1=Lisa Eckelbecker|title='A very pragmatic guy' Arthur Chase, former state senator, dies at 84|accessdate=9 January 2015|agency=Worcester Telegram & Gazette|date=6 January 2015|page=1 and A10}}</ref>
|restingplace =
| nationality = United States
| nationality = United States
| website =
| website =
| occupation = Businessman<br>Politician
| occupation = Businessman<br>Politician
| residence = Naples, Florida<ref>{{cite news|author1=Lisa Eckelbecker|title='A very pragmatic guy' Arthur Chase, former state senator, dies at 84|accessdate=9 January 2015|agency=Worcester Telegram & Gazette|date=6 January 2015|page=1 and A10}}</ref>
| residence = Worcester, Massachusetts
| party = [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| party = [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| spouse = Wynne L. Chase and later Elaine Kaufman Chase<ref>{{cite news|author1=Lisa Eckelbecker|title='A very pragmatic guy' Arthur Chase, former state senator, dies at 84|accessdate=9 January 2015|agency=Worcester Telegram & Gazette|date=6 January 2015|page=1 and A10}}</ref>
| spouse = Wynne L. Chase
| alma_mater = [[Worcester Junior College]]
| alma_mater = [[Worcester Junior College]]
| title = Member of the [[Massachusetts Senate]] from the Worcester District
| title = Member of the [[Massachusetts Senate]] from the Worcester District

Revision as of 15:19, 9 January 2015

Arthur E. Chase
Member of the Massachusetts Senate from the Worcester District
In office
1991–1995
Preceded byThomas P. White
Succeeded byRobert A. Bernstein
Personal details
Born (1930-02-04) February 4, 1930 (age 94)
Worcester, Massachusetts
Died(2015-01-05)January 5, 2015
Worcester, Massachusetts[1]
Resting placeB'nei Brith cemetary, Worcester, Massachusetts[2]
NationalityUnited States
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)Wynne L. Chase and later Elaine Kaufman Chase[3]
Residence(s)Naples, Florida[4]
Alma materWorcester Junior College
OccupationBusinessman
Politician

Arthur E. Chase (born February 4, 1930) is an American retired businessman and politician who represented the Worcester District in the Massachusetts Senate from 1991–1995.[5] He was the Republican nominee for Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in 1994, but lost in the general election to William F. Galvin.[6]

Early life

Chase was born on February 4, 1930 in Worcester, Massachusetts. He graduated from Commerce High School in 1947 and Worcester Junior College in 1951. Chase served in the United States Army from 1952 to 1954.[5][7]

Business career

In 1947, Chase and his family founded Chase Paper Company, a stationery company.[8] In 1977, Chase was selected by the U.S. Small Business Administration as the Small Business Person of the Year. That same year he received a certificate from the Harvard Business School Smaller Company Management Program[7] The company was chosen to print the official invitations for the 1981 inauguration of Ronald Reagan.[9] In 1984, Chase sold his interest in Chase Paper Company.[10]

In 1989, Chase founded a second stationery company, Checkerboard Ltd. Checkerboard specializes in personalized invitations and stationery.[11] It was one of the first stationery companies to offer the products created with recycled paper.[10] In 1992, Chase convinced his youngest son, Micah Chase, to join the company. He succeeded his father as Checkerboard's CEO in 1994.[11][12]

Government

Local government

Chase's career in public service began as a member the advisory board of Quinsigamond Community College.[7] From 1978 to 1981 he was a member of the Worcester School Committee.[9] He then served as an at-large member of the Worcester City Council from 1983 to 1989.[13]

State Senate

Chase represented Boylston, Clinton, Shrewsbury, West Boylston and Wards 1, 2, 3, 4, 9 and 10 of Worcester in the Massachusetts Senate from 1991 to 1995. During this time he served on the Counties (1991-1994), Ways and Means (1991-1994), Health Care (1991-1992), Steering and Policy (1991-1992), Education (1993-1994), Arts and Humanities (1993-1994), Local Affairs (1993-1994), and Public Service Committees (1993-1994).[7]

During his tenure in the Senate, Chase co-founded the Central Massachusetts Legislative Caucus.[14] He designed the Massachusetts Academy of Math and Science at WPI then the sponsored legislation to create it,[15][16][17] and was a leader in the effort to abolish county governments, reform unemployment insurance laws, and correct flaws in the program that allowed students to attend school in neighboring districts.,[14][18] supported the creation of a commuter rail service between Worcester and Boston[19] Chase was also pro-choice, which put him at odds with some members of his party.[19]

In 1991, Senator Chase fought against the way the School Choice bill was being financed, which he felt was a "reverse Robin Hood" that took money away from poorer communities to finance richer ones. Amendments were later made over the course of the next three years that changed the way that school choice would be funded.[20]

In 1993, Chase opposed the legislative override of the Governor's veto of the Pacheco anti-privatization bill because he felt that the law "serves only to protect the monopoly of a government bureaucracy..."[21]

Campaign for Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

In 1994, Chase ran for Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. He was the first Republican candidate to enter the race. His candidacy was poorly received by some members of his party, who circulated buttons that said "Anybody But Chase" and "Another Republican for Augie Grace" (a Democratic candidate for Secretary of the Commonwealth). House Minority Leader Peter Forman later entered the race and defeated Chase at the state party convention 66% to 34%. However, because Chase received more than 15% of the vote, he earned a spot on the primary ballot.[19] Chase defeated Forman in the primary by 753 votes, but lost to William F. Galvin in the general election 55% to 41%.[6]

Later campaigns

After leaving the Senate, Chase continued to campaign to end county government.[22][23]

In 1995, Chase was named Massachusetts chairman of Arlen Specter's presidential campaign.[24]

In 1996, Chase ran for Treasurer of Worcester County, Massachusetts. He lost to incumbent Michael J. Donoughue 57% to 43%.[9][25]

Civic leadership

Arthur Chase set an example as a leader willing to make changes at the expense of popularity. At meetings to prevent the siting of a group home for mentally handicapped adolescents in a neighborhood in his district, he openly opposed efforts to ban group homes within 1000 feet of a school on the grounds that it would effectively keep such homes out of the city of Worcester altogether. During the previous year, he supported the use of less expensive flag men at construction site instead of paid policemen at construction site, thereby risking the votes policemen in his district.[26][27] Chase regularly served as an emergency foster parent for abused, neglected and runaway adolescents through Y.O.U. Inc.[28]

References

  1. ^ Lisa Eckelbecker (6 January 2015). "'A very pragmatic guy' Arthur Chase, former state senator, dies at 84". Worcester Telegram & Gazette. p. 1 and A10. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  2. ^ Lisa Eckelbecker (6 January 2015). "'A very pragmatic guy' Arthur Chase, former state senator, dies at 84". Worcester Telegram & Gazette. p. 1 and A10. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  3. ^ Lisa Eckelbecker (6 January 2015). "'A very pragmatic guy' Arthur Chase, former state senator, dies at 84". Worcester Telegram & Gazette. p. 1 and A10. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  4. ^ Lisa Eckelbecker (6 January 2015). "'A very pragmatic guy' Arthur Chase, former state senator, dies at 84". Worcester Telegram & Gazette. p. 1 and A10. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  5. ^ a b 1993–1994 Public Officers of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  6. ^ a b Massachusetts Election Statistics 1994.
  7. ^ a b c d Mary B. Bicknell, Abigail Cramer (1995–2012). "Arthur E. Chase Papers, 1990-1995" (PDF). State Library of Massachusetts - Special Collections Department. Ms. Coll. 71 Arthur E. Chase Papers, 1990-1995: Guide: 2. Retrieved 12 April 2014.
  8. ^ "Meet the Family at Checkerboard!". Brides. Checkerboard, Ltd. Retrieved 13 April 2014.
  9. ^ a b c Nangle, Richard (15 October 1996). "Donoghue, Chase vie for role in county's demise". Telegram & Gazette.
  10. ^ a b Elkins, Ken (21 January 1991). "Checkerboard chases paper". Telegram & Gazette.
  11. ^ a b Towne, Jon (2 October 2011). "Micah S. Chase". Telegram & Gazette. Retrieved 13 April 2014.
  12. ^ Roberge, Amanda (25 March 2012). "Checkerboard: A Business Made Of Paper". Worcester Business Journal. Retrieved 13 April 2014.
  13. ^ Taylor, Gayle (30 October 1989). "Chase honored in farewell celebration". Telegram & Gazette.
  14. ^ a b Hammel, Lee (30 October 1992). "Chase proud of his record". Telegram & Gazette.
  15. ^ Susan L.J. Dickinson (11 May 1992). "Although Some Cynics Call Them Elitist, Math And Science Magnet Schools Flourish". The Scientist magazine. Retrieved 28 July 2014. Such statistics have convinced Massachusetts state senator Arthur E. Chase that--especially in a state known for its high concentration of technology-based industry--something must be done to alter the bleak predictions for the scientific future of the U.S. His response will take shape in September with the opening of the Massachusetts Academy of Mathematics and Science, a state-funded public high school that will be located on the grounds of the Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Chase has designed this magnet school with the help of a wide range of concerned educational groups, and, with unanimous approval by the state board of education in hand, he is confident that the bill establishing the school will pass the state legislature in June and the school can open in September. Although this program incorporates several facets of other, established "magnet" science high schools across the country--such as the Bronx High School of Science in New York and the Durham-based North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (NCSSM)--Chase believes that his plan, based on a public-private partnership with a large dose of community outreach built in, may be the best yet. "This is different and unique," says Chase. "We're going to establish this program at a fraction of the cost that most other states have spent, and we're getting more for our buck." Chase says the school will cost taxpayers roughly the same amount per student as other Massachusetts public schools and about half of what some magnet schools cost.
  16. ^ Karen Diegmueller (19 February 1992). "Academy of Math, Science Proposed in Massachusetts". Education Week. Retrieved 28 July 2014. The pilot project, proposed by Senators Arthur E. Chase and Matthew J. Amorello, would enable between 50 and 100 students per grade to attend Worcester Polytechnic Institute beginning in September 1993
  17. ^ "Massachusetts to Open a Public Science School". New York Times. 19 February 1992. Retrieved 28 July 2014. The new Massachusetts Academy of Mathematics and Science would be the first such nonresidential, state-financed school of excellence to be housed at an existing college, said one sponsor, State Senator Arthur E. Chase, a Republican from Worcester.
  18. ^ "Massachusetts to Open a Public Science School". The New York Times. 19 February 1992. Retrieved 13 April 2014.
  19. ^ a b c Nangle, Richard (13 September 1994). "Chase has anti-big government pitch". Telegram & Gazette.
  20. ^ "Massachusetts Districts Turn Thumbs Down On State's Hastily". Education Week. 11 September 1991. Retrieved 15 August 2014. While voicing support for the school-choice principle, Senator Chase called the current law "a reverse Robin Hood" that is "hurtful, selective, and destructive educationally" and could devastate the budgets of large urban systems. He also criticized the current program's lack of funding for transportation, arguing that it "represents choice for the few who can afford it, taken out of the hides of those who cannot." The proposed changes would provide that the state pay the tuition of transferring students--instead of deducting it from the sending district's state aid and would require parents with incomes over $38,000 a year to contribute to the tuition costs of their transferring students. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  21. ^ Chase, Senator Arthur (23–30 December 1993). "Privatization override means coal for taxpayers". Boston Business Journal. Contrary to the statements of the bill's chief sponsor, Sen Marc Pacheco (D Taunton), this law serves only to protect the monopoly of a government bureaucracy and brings privatization to a virtual standstill.
  22. ^ Worcester Telegram & Gazette Boston Bureau (24 January 1996). "Weld echoes Arthur Chase's refrain with call to end county government". Worcester Telegram & Gazette. "Arthur Chase lives!" Weld declared with a grin. Former state Sen. Arthur Chase, R-Worcester, filed legislation to abolish county government soon after he entered the Senate in 1991 and continued to push for it on beacon Hill until he left the Senate last January
  23. ^ McNiff, Brian S. (7 February 1995). "Panel questions savings from ending county reign". Worcester Telegram & Gazette. Arthur E. Chase... told the committee, 'The public is aware that county government has outlived its usefulness and has become a corrupt, fat-filled layer of government sandwiched between municipalities and the state, kept alive by politicians for the purpose of providing jobs for family members, friends and political cronies.'
  24. ^ Connolly, Timothy J. (16 September 1995). "Weld link to Wilson tipoff on Senate race". Telegram & Gazette.
  25. ^ Massachusetts Election Statistics 1996. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  26. ^ "In praise of a life well-lived". Worcester Telegram and Gazette. 7 September 2014. Retrieved 28 September 2014. One of the most remarkable displays of political courage I've ever witnessed occurred in 1993, when an angry crowd of more than 200 packed an auditorium to protest the siting of a group home in their neighborhood. As is typical in such situations, the residents were apoplectic. Belligerent audience members shouted down mental health officials and demanded the plan be scuttled. Politicians played to the crowd and strongly denounced the home. All except one. "I would have to say I could not support stopping this kind of house in this or any other neighborhood," then-state Sen. Arthur Chase told the stunned crowd. Nor would he support a bill to ban group homes within 1,000 feet of a school, noting that it would keep such homes out of the city. Later, I asked Chase why he showed up at the meeting when he knew he'd lose valued voter support. He shrugged and said he was elected to lead.
  27. ^ Williamson, Dianne (2 May 1993). "Bandwagon no place for leader". Worcester Telegram and Gazette.
  28. ^ Boisvert, Maurice J. (21 September 2014). "Sen. Chase a true role model". Worcester Telegram and Gazette. Retrieved 28 September 2014. he was, for many years, an emergency foster parent to many abused, neglected, and runaway adolescents through Y.O.U., Inc. For example, in the middle of night, his family took in a 17-year old mom and her infant son, who found themselves in an abusive and dangerous situation. When asked why they took in these troubled teenagers, he replied, "It is important for my children and our family to share our many blessings and to know that there are many members of our community that need help."

Template:Persondata

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Arthur_E._Chase&oldid=641739767"