Representative Don Humason



ELECTIONS AHEAD October 31, 2009 By State Representative Don Humason, Jr. This week the House of Representatives met in formal session for one day and passed the Mixed Martial Arts bill creating a state athletic commission to allow and regulate ultimate fighting and boxing in our state. MMA matches will soon be allowed to be held at venues around Massachusetts. As mixed martial arts and ultimate fighting is surpassing wrestling and boxing in terms of popularity, it stands to generate a great deal of new revenue for the Commonwealth. As a Judoka and an MMA fan myself, I voted in support of the non-partisan bill. There were ten representatives who voted against the measure which passed the Senate earlier this month. The House also began to debate legislation to divest state pension funds from companies doing business with or in Iran. After several members tried to blow the bill up by drastically amending it the House voted to move the bill to the end of the calendar and take the issue up at another time. Formal sessions of the legislature conclude on Wednesday, November 18, when the legislature recesses for holiday break. We will reconvene early in January 2010. That will be the second year of this two-year legislative session and in keeping with the joint rules of the House and Senate formal sessions will conclude on July 31, 2010. Thus far this year there have been 242 roll call votes in the House. I have been present and voting in the chamber for every one of them. I am proud to continue to have a 100% voting record this year. In fact, I have not missed a single vote in over four years. I know this can’t last forever, and given the distance, weather, and traffic conditions between Westfield and Boston I fear it is only a matter of time before that streak is broken. But until it happens I will continue to be proud of how I represent my constituents through my presence, debating, and votes on the House floor. As you know, next Tuesday is Election Day. In Westfield, voters will go to the polls from 7 AM to 7 PM to elect a mayor, city councilors, school committee members, and a library trustee. I urge every eligible voter to vote. It won’t be long after that before another election takes place. In December, Massachusetts voters across the state will again go to the polls this time to winnow down the field for contenders in the race to replace deceased United States Senator Edward Kennedy. The final vote will take place in a state-wide special election on Tuesday, January 19, 2009. Unfortunately, experts predict a small turnout. I agree with them. The weather is disagreeable, it is cold and gets dark early in the evening, many people don’t like to go out of the warm house at that time of year, and some seniors have moved south to warmer climes for the winter. Next week, I am meeting with an official from the US Census Bureau to tape a new installment of my cable show, “From the State House to Your House.” The topic will be the federal census happening next spring. If you haven’t had a chance to see my current program now showing on the Westfield Community Programming Channel 15 this month, the topic is the 95th anniversary of the dedication of Abner Gibbs Elementary School in Westfield and my guest is Principal Maggie Adams. Show times are Sundays at 4:30 PM, Wednesdays at 8:30 PM, and Thursdays at 10:30 AM and 10:30 PM. I would like to publicly congratulate Betts Piping Supply Company on Coleman Avenue on the occasion of their 50th anniversary as a small, family owned business serving the needs of contractors in the greater Westfield area. With the national, state, and local economy as it is, this is truly a milestone worth celebrating. For that same reason it is appropriate to recognize that Home Depot held a ceremonial ground breaking this week on their new rapid response distribution center being built here in town. Congratulations again. With Halloween comes a reminder to families and children especially to be careful and stay safe. Trick or treat in groups, carry flashlights, wear reflective gear so you can be seen when crossing the streets to avoid a repeat of the tragedy one year ago. If you’re looking for something fun to do, the Community Fall Festival will again be held at the Westfield Boys and Girls Club Saturday from 10 AM to 5 PM. It is free, and fun for the whole family. Go to www.bgwestfield.org for a list of activities. The Westfield Theatre Group is also staging a locally written production called Sleepy Hollow, based on that famous tale by Washington Irving about Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horseman. It runs this weekend and next. I’m looking forward to it! Happy Halloween! *** Representative Don Humason and his Chief of Staff Sarah Latour may be reached at their Westfield District office, 64 Noble Street, Westfield, MA 01085, 568-1366. Email address: Rep.DonaldHumason@Hou.state.ma.us Website: www.donhumason.org
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ELECTIONS AHEAD

October 31, 2009

By State Representative Don Humason, Jr.

This week the House of Representatives met in formal session for one day and passed the Mixed Martial Arts bill creating a state athletic commission to allow and regulate ultimate fighting and boxing in our state.

MMA matches will soon be allowed to be held at venues around Massachusetts. As mixed martial arts and ultimate fighting is surpassing wrestling and boxing in terms of popularity, it stands to generate a great deal of new revenue for the Commonwealth. As a Judoka and an MMA fan myself, I voted in support of the non-partisan bill. There were ten representatives who voted against the measure which passed the Senate earlier this month.

The House also began to debate legislation to divest state pension funds from companies doing business with or in Iran. After several members tried to blow the bill up by drastically amending it the House voted to move the bill to the end of the calendar and take the issue up at another time.

Formal sessions of the legislature conclude on Wednesday, November 18, when the legislature recesses for holiday break. We will reconvene early in January 2010. That will be the second year of this two-year legislative session and in keeping with the joint rules of the House and Senate formal sessions will conclude on July 31, 2010.

Thus far this year there have been 242 roll call votes in the House. I have been present and voting in the chamber for every one of them. I am proud to continue to have a 100% voting record this year. In fact, I have not missed a single vote in over four years. I know this can’t last forever, and given the distance, weather, and traffic conditions between Westfield and Boston I fear it is only a matter of time before that streak is broken. But until it happens I will continue to be proud of how I represent my constituents through my presence, debating, and votes on the House floor.

As you know, next Tuesday is Election Day. In Westfield, voters will go to the polls from 7 AM to 7 PM to elect a mayor, city councilors, school committee members, and a library trustee. I urge every eligible voter to vote.

It won’t be long after that before another election takes place. In December, Massachusetts voters across the state will again go to the polls this time to winnow down the field for contenders in the race to replace deceased United States Senator Edward Kennedy.

The final vote will take place in a state-wide special election on Tuesday, January 19, 2009. Unfortunately, experts predict a small turnout. I agree with them. The weather is disagreeable, it is cold and gets dark early in the evening, many people don’t like to go out of the warm house at that time of year, and some seniors have moved south to warmer climes for the winter.

Next week, I am meeting with an official from the US Census Bureau to tape a new installment of my cable show, “From the State House to Your House.” The topic will be the federal census happening next spring.

If you haven’t had a chance to see my current program now showing on the Westfield Community Programming Channel 15 this month, the topic is the 95th anniversary of the dedication of Abner Gibbs Elementary School in Westfield and my guest is Principal Maggie Adams. Show times are Sundays at 4:30 PM, Wednesdays at 8:30 PM, and Thursdays at 10:30 AM and 10:30 PM.

I would like to publicly congratulate Betts Piping Supply Company on Coleman Avenue on the occasion of their 50th anniversary as a small, family owned business serving the needs of contractors in the greater Westfield area. With the national, state, and local economy as it is, this is truly a milestone worth celebrating. For that same reason it is appropriate to recognize that Home Depot held a ceremonial ground breaking this week on their new rapid response distribution center being built here in town. Congratulations again.

With Halloween comes a reminder to families and children especially to be careful and stay safe. Trick or treat in groups, carry flashlights, wear reflective gear so you can be seen when crossing the streets to avoid a repeat of the tragedy one year ago.

If you’re looking for something fun to do, the Community Fall Festival will again be held at the Westfield Boys and Girls Club Saturday from 10 AM to 5 PM. It is free, and fun for the whole family. Go to www.bgwestfield.org for a list of activities.

The Westfield Theatre Group is also staging a locally written production called Sleepy Hollow, based on that famous tale by Washington Irving about Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horseman. It runs this weekend and next. I’m looking forward to it!

Happy Halloween!

***

Representative Don Humason and his Chief of Staff Sarah Latour may be reached at their Westfield District office, 64 Noble Street, Westfield, MA 01085, 568-1366. Email address: Rep.DonaldHumason@Hou.state.ma.us Website: www.donhumason.org

This Site Designed and Maintained by: The Barre Group