A QUIET MOMENT
By State Representative Don Humason, Jr.
May 31, 2008
As I write my column this week, I am sitting at my desk in my Boston office on the 5th floor of the West Wing of the State House. The window is open and I can hear the traffic sounds from Beacon Street and the people in the Boston Common across the way. The sun is shining and there is a light breeze. It’s a beautiful day on Beacon Hill.
I’m having a quiet moment. One of those rare times when the office is practically empty and the phones aren’t ringing. No meetings or hearings right now. No formal sessions today.
The House was in session yesterday to hear the farewell address of a colleague who is leaving to become the new Registrar of Motor Vehicles. We also voted to move an Early Education and Care bill along the process. Very little debate. It was a unanimous vote. Not much to oppose given the intent of the bill; especially when the language contains the line “subject to appropriation” which means if we can’t afford it we won’t do it.
The House was in informal session today and just adjourned to meet next Monday in another informal session. We’re still waiting to hear from the Speaker’s office when the next formal House session is. He’s not real quick to let us know what the schedule will be. It makes it kind of hard to plan things here and back in the district.
Senator Mike Knapik and I just hosted a group of school children, parents, and chaperones from Highland Elementary School who were visiting Boston and came to the State House. They’ve left to head home so it’s quiet now. Yesterday a group of students were here from Abner Gibbs Elementary School.
Springtime always brings many school groups and tourists to Boston. They come to walk the Freedom Trail, visit the Aquarium or Science Museum or Museum of Fine Arts. Of course Fenway Park and the State House are always on the attractions list. It’s nice to see Westfield people at the capitol.
May is nearly over and June begins on Sunday. That leaves legislators only 2 months to complete all our required business before the House and Senate adjourn on July 31.
That business includes completing the FY ’09 state budget and numerous capital bond bills along with all the other legislation still awaiting action. So, it may be quiet now, but I expect it to build to a frenzy in the next few weeks.
I’m reflecting back on last Monday. It was probably one of the nicest Memorial Days I remember. The weather was bright and sunny, but with a refreshing breeze. The streets were lined with people. The crowd of spectators was terrific. The veterans, marching bands, civic groups, kids and politicians made for a great parade.
Thank you to the Westfield Veterans Council and all the veterans for their great work in organizing and staging the parade. As usual it was very well done.
I would also like to extend congratulations on behalf of the Great and General Court to the Central Baptist Church at 115 Elm Street in Downtown Westfield. They celebrated their 175th anniversary last Sunday with a big birthday party at the church.
Well, my quiet moment has ended. It’s time to email this column to the Westfield Evening News in order to make deadline and appear in Saturday’s paper. Then I’ve got to hit the Mass Turnpike at rush hour and try to make it back to Westfield in time to attend the Annual Meeting of the Westfield River Watershed Association.
Hope you have a great week and a few nice quiet moments of your own!
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Representative Don Humason and his legislative aide Sarah Latour may be reached at their Westfield District office, 64 Noble Street, Westfield, MA 01085, 568-1366.
Their Boston address is State House Room 542, Boston, MA 02133, (617) 722-2803.
Email address: Rep.DonaldHumason@Hou.state.ma.us