Representative Don Humason



TOP 10 OF 2008 By State Representative Don Humason, Jr. December 27, 2008 I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas. This is my last column of the year. It is my annual Top 10 List of stories and events that pertain to my district of Westfield and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in 2008. 10. The Economy. National and state recession, Federal bailouts and stimulus packages, and major cuts in the current state budget as well as expected deficits in the Massachusetts Fiscal Year 2010 state budget of $2 billion. 9. The loss of such notable members of the Westfield community as Carol Mazza, Publisher of the Westfield Evening News, Alan “Nick” Herman, Don Blair, and many others. 8. The dramatic rise and fall of oil and gasoline prices. During the summer of 2008 oil hit record highs, prompting Americans and Baystaters to change their driving habits and seek alternative transportation and alternative energy sources. Gas was selling for over $4.20 per gallon. By winter 2008, oil was down to $43 a barrel and gasoline sold for under $1.59 per gallon. 7. A record high budget built on shaky footings. In July the House and Senate passed, and Governor Deval Patrick signed, a state budget for Fiscal Year 2009 that contained a record $28.2 billion in spending. All 21 Republicans in the two branches voted against the budget because they correctly foretold that revenues would not be there to sustain such a bloated, out of control budget. 6. Milestones. 2008 was the 120th anniversary of the Westfield YMCA and the 140th Anniversary of the Westfield Athenaeum. Both organizations add tremendously to the quality of life in our community. 5. Scandal. The Democratic Majority in the House and Senate was marred by multiple ethics scandals and allegations of wrongdoing including a probe of House Speaker Sal DiMasi involving state contracts awarded to a close associate of his, the arrest of Senator James Marzilli for allegedly groping women on a park bench in Lowell, and the indictment of Senator Dianne Wilkerson, caught on camera by the FBI stuffing money into her bra, for bribery. 4. 2008 marked my sixth year as Westfield’s State Representative, and I earned another 100% voting record for the session by not missing a single one of the 364 roll call votes held in the House of Representatives in 2008. I was also honored to be re-elected to a fourth term representing the 4th Hampden District after defeating challenger Brian Hoose in the race. 3. Tragedy at the gun club. The accidental self-shooting of an 8 year old Connecticut boy who attended the annual Machine Gun Shoot at the Westfield Sportsman’s Club with his father caused a shockwave around the city and state. 2. Tragedy on our roads. There were numerous deaths of young people due to various traffic accidents in Westfield, including the death of a mother and son out trick-or-treating on Halloween night and a well-known and beloved Westfield High School student killed in an accident at a dangerous spot on Shaker Road. 1. The historic election of Barack Hussein Obama as America’s first black President. May you all have a safe, happy, and prosperous New Year 2009! * * * Representative Humason and his Legislative Aide Jonelle Gingrich may be reached at his State House office, Room 542. Boston, MA 02133. (617) 722-2803. Representative Humason and his Chief of Staff Sarah Latour may be reached at his Westfield district office, 64 Noble Street, Westfield, MA 01085. (413) 568-1366. Representative Don Humason’s website is www.DonHumason.org
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TOP 10 OF 2008

By State Representative Don Humason, Jr.

December 27, 2008

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas.

This is my last column of the year. It is my annual Top 10 List of stories and events that pertain to my district of Westfield and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in 2008.

10. The Economy. National and state recession, Federal bailouts and stimulus packages, and major cuts in the current state budget as well as expected deficits in the Massachusetts Fiscal Year 2010 state budget of $2 billion.

9. The loss of such notable members of the Westfield community as Carol Mazza, Publisher of the Westfield Evening News, Alan “Nick” Herman, Don Blair, and many others.

8. The dramatic rise and fall of oil and gasoline prices. During the summer of 2008 oil hit record highs, prompting Americans and Baystaters to change their driving habits and seek alternative transportation and alternative energy sources. Gas was selling for over $4.20 per gallon. By winter 2008, oil was down to $43 a barrel and gasoline sold for under $1.59 per gallon.

7. A record high budget built on shaky footings. In July the House and Senate passed, and Governor Deval Patrick signed, a state budget for Fiscal Year 2009 that contained a record $28.2 billion in spending. All 21 Republicans in the two branches voted against the budget because they correctly foretold that revenues would not be there to sustain such a bloated, out of control budget.

6. Milestones. 2008 was the 120th anniversary of the Westfield YMCA and the 140th Anniversary of the Westfield Athenaeum. Both organizations add tremendously to the quality of life in our community.

5. Scandal. The Democratic Majority in the House and Senate was marred by multiple ethics scandals and allegations of wrongdoing including a probe of House Speaker Sal DiMasi involving state contracts awarded to a close associate of his, the arrest of Senator James Marzilli for allegedly groping women on a park bench in Lowell, and the indictment of Senator Dianne Wilkerson, caught on camera by the FBI stuffing money into her bra, for bribery.

4. 2008 marked my sixth year as Westfield’s State Representative, and I earned another 100% voting record for the session by not missing a single one of the 364 roll call votes held in the House of Representatives in 2008. I was also honored to be re-elected to a fourth term representing the 4th Hampden District after defeating challenger Brian Hoose in the race.

3. Tragedy at the gun club. The accidental self-shooting of an 8 year old Connecticut boy who attended the annual Machine Gun Shoot at the Westfield Sportsman’s Club with his father caused a shockwave around the city and state.

2. Tragedy on our roads. There were numerous deaths of young people due to various traffic accidents in Westfield, including the death of a mother and son out trick-or-treating on Halloween night and a well-known and beloved Westfield High School student killed in an accident at a dangerous spot on Shaker Road.

1. The historic election of Barack Hussein Obama as America’s first black President.

May you all have a safe, happy, and prosperous New Year 2009!

* * *

Representative Humason and his Legislative Aide Jonelle Gingrich may be reached at his State House office, Room 542. Boston, MA 02133. (617) 722-2803.
Representative Humason and his Chief of Staff Sarah Latour may be reached at his Westfield district office, 64 Noble Street, Westfield, MA 01085. (413) 568-1366.
Representative Don Humason’s website is www.DonHumason.org

This Site Designed and Maintained by: The Barre Group