Alleged attack is the talk of Agawam

AGAWAM, Mass. (WWLP) - The alleged assault on Agawam's Mayor is the talk of the town.  22News spoke with Agawam residents about the incident involving Mayor Susan Dawson and the estranged wife of her boyfriend.

Over 24 hours after the Mayor of Agawam was allegedly attacked inside the bar at Max's Tavern, people living in town are still talking about the incident.

“I don't know what to think. I don't like to get into personal issues because all of us have been through things that have been embarrassing,” said Meg Sullivan of Agawam.

The Mayor was walking out of the women's bathroom when she claims she was pulled by the hair, thrown to the ground, and kicked twice. She also says she lost consciousness during the incident.

She has filed a complaint in court against 61-year-old Celeste Benoit who lives on Blokland Drive in Longmeadow.

Mayor Dawson told 22News she knows the woman. “She's the almost ex-wife of the gentlemen I've been dating and that's the bottom line. It's not as gross as everyone makes it out to be,” said Agawam Mayor Susan Dawson.

Some people living in town believe the incident is a private matter. “I think it's much ado about nothing and it's her personal life. Personal business and what she does in her personal life has nothing to do with the town at all,” said Marilyn Gentile of Agawam.

But other people say that this very private incident has tainted her public position. “I just think it's embarrassing for Agawam. It's unfortunate,” said Julie Palazzi of Agawam.

The Mayor says the incident will not affect her ability to do her job. “I'm going to do the job that I was elected to do. I will do that in spite of everything that is going on in my personal life,” said Mayor Dawson.