SOUTHWICK-With town elections coming up in less than two months, members of the Southwick Republican Town Committee are gearing up to assist several candidates who have not run for office in the past, according to chair Robert W. Horacek.
“We expect that those individuals will bring potential new members with their campaigns and we will focus on them until after our elections,” said Horacek, who has been a member of the committee for more than 20 years and has served as chair for more than 10 years.
Robert W. Horacek is chair of the Southwick Republican Town Committee. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)
Horacek is joined on the committee by officers Arthur G. Pinell, vice chair; Susan Fox, secretary, and Bob Fox, treasurer.
The committee meets monthly on the first Thursday and since the COVID-19 pandemic, has been meeting over the Zoom platform.
“Our collective focus on conservative values gives a cohesive element to a diverse group of individuals,” he said.
Horacek noted that by population, the committee is allowed 35 full voting members.
“We are also allowed an unlimited amount of associate members so we have plenty of room in our very large tent,” he said.
While Horacek said committee members are unsure of the actual timeframe that the Republican Town Committee was officially formed, he gave a “best guess.”
“The people to whom I’ve spoken have been in town for generations and suggest that our Republican Town Committee goes back to at least the turn of the last century,” said Horacek.
“The Republican Party was formed in Massachusetts in 1854 so we can at least assume that our committee was formed after that year.”
This year, Horacek said committee members are hopeful that a gathering event can be planned.
“We have been discussing ideas for an event but we are waiting to see what regulations due to the pandemic will affect those types of gatherings,” he said.
Horacek described committee members as having an “amazing synergy of goals and thought.”
For town residents interested in more details on the committee, Horacek said current information can be found on its Facebook page – facebook.com/SWKRTC. 
“To get involved with the committee, I would suggest that persons contact any of the officers or elected Republican officials in town,” said Horacek, noting he can also be reached by calling (413) 530-1697.
While an annual get-together featuring speakers is still under consideration, the state of the pandemic will ultimately determine the fate of that gathering in the coming months.
“In his book, ‘Man of the House,’ Tip O’Neill had a singular thread running through his narrative and that was ‘all politics is local,’” said Horacek. “Each one of us can make a difference in our own communities and see the fruits of those efforts while enjoying the satisfaction of knowing that you made your own community better.”
