Representative Don Humason



ANOTHER CONSTITUENT SURVEY By State Representative Don Humason, Jr. September 20, 2008 On September 11, I had to go to my office at the State House do make a citation from the House of Representatives for retiring Air National Guard Colonel Marcel “Jake” Kerdavid. I hadn’t planned on going to Boston that particular day, but it turns out I’m very glad I did. I was able to attend the 2nd annual Massachusetts Fallen Firefighters Memorial ceremony in Ashburton Park at the capital. For those who have never been to the State House, in the park next to the building is a beautiful memorial to fallen Massachusetts firefighters. Directly across the walkway is a memorial to fallen Bay state police officers. It was a lovely early autumn evening and the ceremony was attended by hundreds of firefighters and dignitaries from across Massachusetts. Being the anniversary of September 11, it was an especially poignant reminder of those public servants who gave their lives to save others. I’m very glad I got to go. Thank you to everybody who turned out on Tuesday to vote in the Primary Election. According to our city clerk, fewer than 10% of us registered Westfield voters cast our ballots. Statewide, the number was around 14%. I’ve heard some people say that Primaries are only for partisans. While it’s true that a voter must select either a Republican or Democrat ballot and may vote only on the races on that ballot, it’s important because you’re narrowing the field for November. Those who skip Primaries and wait to vote only in the General Elections are, in effect, limiting their choices and voting for whoever is remaining. You get the “leftovers” so to speak. I’m in the business, that is, I’m a politician, so any election day is a special day for me. Like my birthday or Christmas, I look forward to election days and to voting. I still get a thrill every time I go to the polling place and cast my ballot. With less than 6 weeks remaining to the General Election November 4, I thought I would do another constituent survey in my column. The last time I did a survey I had 32 readers respond. Maybe we can do better this time. By the way, before we begin the survey, Westfield on Weekends is presenting their 5th annual Colonial Harvest Festival in downtown Westfield next Saturday and everyone is invited. Westfield State College will also be investing their new President, Dr. Evan Dobelle, at a ceremony and family day Saturday. Next Sunday the Westfield Sportsman’s Club is hosting its annual Open House. Memberships will be on sale. Constituent Survey: 1) Do you favor using civilian flagmen on road construction jobs instead of police details? 2) Should Massachusetts combine the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority with the Massachusetts Highway Department to create one state highway system? 3) Do you favor the upcoming ballot question to decriminalize small quantities of marijuana? 4) Should state government offer taxpayers rebates or tax incentives to purchase hybrid cars, energy efficient appliances, or other green technologies for their homes? 5) Should state government invest in approved alternative energy sources like wind, hydro-electric, solar, or geo-thermal? 6) How about bio-mass? 7) Should Massachusetts pass a law prohibiting discrimination based on height or weight? 8) Do you favor increasing so-called “sin taxes” on beer and wine, cigarettes, and fast food? 9) Do you intend to vote this Election Day, November 4, 2008? 10) Who are you going to cast your vote for Obama/Biden or McCain/Palin? Feel free to drop off or mail your survey responses to my district office at 64 Noble Street, Westfield, or email them to me at Rep.DonaldHumason@Hou.State.Ma.Us. We’ll try to compile the responses before the election and let readers know how people answered the questions. Thank you for your input! * * * 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

ANOTHER CONSTITUENT SURVEY

By State Representative Don Humason, Jr.

September 20, 2008

On September 11, I had to go to my office at the State House do make a citation from the House of Representatives for retiring Air National Guard Colonel Marcel “Jake” Kerdavid. I hadn’t planned on going to Boston that particular day, but it turns out I’m very glad I did.

I was able to attend the 2nd annual Massachusetts Fallen Firefighters Memorial ceremony in Ashburton Park at the capital. For those who have never been to the State House, in the park next to the building is a beautiful memorial to fallen Massachusetts firefighters. Directly across the walkway is a memorial to fallen Bay state police officers.

It was a lovely early autumn evening and the ceremony was attended by hundreds of firefighters and dignitaries from across Massachusetts. Being the anniversary of September 11, it was an especially poignant reminder of those public servants who gave their lives to save others. I’m very glad I got to go.

Thank you to everybody who turned out on Tuesday to vote in the Primary Election. According to our city clerk, fewer than 10% of us registered Westfield voters cast our ballots. Statewide, the number was around 14%.

I’ve heard some people say that Primaries are only for partisans. While it’s true that a voter must select either a Republican or Democrat ballot and may vote only on the races on that ballot, it’s important because you’re narrowing the field for November.

Those who skip Primaries and wait to vote only in the General Elections are, in effect, limiting their choices and voting for whoever is remaining. You get the “leftovers” so to speak.

I’m in the business, that is, I’m a politician, so any election day is a special day for me. Like my birthday or Christmas, I look forward to election days and to voting. I still get a thrill every time I go to the polling place and cast my ballot.

With less than 6 weeks remaining to the General Election November 4, I thought I would do another constituent survey in my column. The last time I did a survey I had 32 readers respond. Maybe we can do better this time.

By the way, before we begin the survey, Westfield on Weekends is presenting their 5th annual Colonial Harvest Festival in downtown Westfield next Saturday and everyone is invited. Westfield State College will also be investing their new President, Dr. Evan Dobelle, at a ceremony and family day Saturday. Next Sunday the Westfield Sportsman’s Club is hosting its annual Open House. Memberships will be on sale.

Constituent Survey:

1) Do you favor using civilian flagmen on road construction jobs instead of police details?

2) Should Massachusetts combine the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority with the Massachusetts Highway Department to create one state highway system?

3) Do you favor the upcoming ballot question to decriminalize small quantities of marijuana?

4) Should state government offer taxpayers rebates or tax incentives to purchase hybrid cars, energy efficient appliances, or other green technologies for their homes?

5) Should state government invest in approved alternative energy sources like wind, hydro-electric, solar, or geo-thermal?

6) How about bio-mass?

7) Should Massachusetts pass a law prohibiting discrimination based on height or weight?

8) Do you favor increasing so-called “sin taxes” on beer and wine, cigarettes, and fast food?

9) Do you intend to vote this Election Day, November 4, 2008?

10) Who are you going to cast your vote for Obama/Biden or McCain/Palin?

Feel free to drop off or mail your survey responses to my district office at 64 Noble Street, Westfield, or email them to me at Rep.DonaldHumason@Hou.State.Ma.Us.

We’ll try to compile the responses before the election and let readers know how people answered the questions. Thank you for your input!

* * *

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