Representative Don Humason



PATIENCE & POTENTIAL Westfield Evening News column By State Representative Don Humason, Jr. April 10, 2010 On Monday night Ward 2 City Councilor Jim Brown and Ward 3 City Councilor Peter Miller, along with the Westfield Business Improvement District, hosted the first in what I am certain will be a series of informational meetings regarding the Main Street/Broad Street renovation project beginning soon in downtown Westfield. City Engineer Mark Cressotti presented information on the stages of the federal, state, and city funded construction project. The Lang Auditorium at the Westfield Athenaeum was packed with downtown residents, business people and elected city officials eager to learn more about the impact and the outcome of the project. All agreed that there will be headaches, challenges, and major inconveniences to overcome during the 18 month project. I think it will be worth it in the end. I am extremely optimistic that once this project, and the Great River Bridge project, is complete a few years from now Westfield residents and motorists travelling through our downtown corridor will be thoroughly impressed and proud of the way our city looks, feels, and moves. There’s a cautious optimism, a new hope, if you will, about all the energy and excitement being generated in our city center. Along with the businesses, shops, and restaurants already plugging away downtown, and the proposed Columbia Greenway trail project, and the involvement of Westfield State College, and the current private property owners poised to renovate and improve their own parcels there is much to look forward to in Westfield. Skeptics will continue to complain, but I choose to be one of those many who see the vast potential of Westfield finally coming to fruition. We only have to be patient and keep the faith for a little longer. I know it’s going to be great. The House of Representatives met in session this week to take up an order relative to special procedures for the consideration of the House bill relative to expanded gaming in the Commonwealth. Basically, we passed the rules for the upcoming debate next week on Speaker DeLeo’s casino and racino bill that would see Massachusetts license two resort style casinos somewhere across the Commonwealth and give the state’s four race tracks in the greater Boston area slot machines. Unfortunately, the House leadership has scheduled the controversial debate on casinos for the same week that the Fiscal Year 2011 state budget will be released by the House Committee on Ways and Means. Legislators will surely be distracted by the need to file timely amendments to the budget bill while trying to stay on top of the debate on amendments to the casino bill. Whenever the leadership rushes any piece of legislation to the floor without a proper public hearing, a fiscal impact study, or adequate time for the public and lawmakers to review and vet the bill problems arise. Plus, we’re not so busy on Beacon Hill that these two massive events needed to be scheduled for the same time. The Majority Party should have had more respect for legislators and members of the public alike. Mark your calendars: The Friends of the Westfield Athenaeum is holding its annual book sale at the library this Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. This is one of our biggest fundraisers for the Athenaeum every year. The Westfield Theatre Group will be presenting the musical Heidi for their spring show starting April 16. Call the WTG box office at 572-6838 for tickets and information. The Carson Center for Human Services is having a benefit fundraiser Chocolate and Champagne Punch Dessert Reception at the theatre on Saturday April 17. For tickets call 572-4132. On Thursday, April 22, from 10 AM to 2 PM, the Westfield Council on Aging is holding its annual Senior Options 2010 health and information fair in the cafeteria at South Middle School. I plan to be among the 30 plus exhibitors on hand to provide services and information to Westfield’s senior citizens. I’ve been before and I can attest this is an excellent event. The Westfield Sportsman’s Club will hold its 56th annual FREE Youth Fishing Derby open to children 15 years old and under. Be at the club on Furrowtown Road, off Montgomery Road, on Sunday, April 25 from 9 AM to 3 PM, rain or shine. All participants and parents/guardians are required to wear safety glasses and caps to prevent injuries. Club memberships and refreshments will be available. This is a terrific time for kids and adults alike. See you there. * * * Disclaimer: The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not the staff, editor, or publisher of the Westfield Evening News. 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. Representative Don Humason may be reached at his Boston office, State House Room 542, Boston, MA 02133, (617) 722-2803. Email address: Rep.DonaldHumason@Hou.state.ma.us Website: www.donhumason.org
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PATIENCE & POTENTIAL

Westfield Evening News column

By State Representative Don Humason, Jr.

April 10, 2010

On Monday night Ward 2 City Councilor Jim Brown and Ward 3 City Councilor Peter Miller, along with the Westfield Business Improvement District, hosted the first in what I am certain will be a series of informational meetings regarding the Main Street/Broad Street renovation project beginning soon in downtown Westfield.

City Engineer Mark Cressotti presented information on the stages of the federal, state, and city funded construction project. The Lang Auditorium at the Westfield Athenaeum was packed with downtown residents, business people and elected city officials eager to learn more about the impact and the outcome of the project. All agreed that there will be headaches, challenges, and major inconveniences to overcome during the 18 month project. I think it will be worth it in the end.

I am extremely optimistic that once this project, and the Great River Bridge project, is complete a few years from now Westfield residents and motorists travelling through our downtown corridor will be thoroughly impressed and proud of the way our city looks, feels, and moves. There’s a cautious optimism, a new hope, if you will, about all the energy and excitement being generated in our city center.

Along with the businesses, shops, and restaurants already plugging away downtown, and the proposed Columbia Greenway trail project, and the involvement of Westfield State College, and the current private property owners poised to renovate and improve their own parcels there is much to look forward to in Westfield. Skeptics will continue to complain, but I choose to be one of those many who see the vast potential of Westfield finally coming to fruition. We only have to be patient and keep the faith for a little longer. I know it’s going to be great.

The House of Representatives met in session this week to take up an order relative to special procedures for the consideration of the House bill relative to expanded gaming in the Commonwealth. Basically, we passed the rules for the upcoming debate next week on Speaker DeLeo’s casino and racino bill that would see Massachusetts license two resort style casinos somewhere across the Commonwealth and give the state’s four race tracks in the greater Boston area slot machines.

Unfortunately, the House leadership has scheduled the controversial debate on casinos for the same week that the Fiscal Year 2011 state budget will be released by the House Committee on Ways and Means. Legislators will surely be distracted by the need to file timely amendments to the budget bill while trying to stay on top of the debate on amendments to the casino bill.

Whenever the leadership rushes any piece of legislation to the floor without a proper public hearing, a fiscal impact study, or adequate time for the public and lawmakers to review and vet the bill problems arise. Plus, we’re not so busy on Beacon Hill that these two massive events needed to be scheduled for the same time. The Majority Party should have had more respect for legislators and members of the public alike.

Mark your calendars: The Friends of the Westfield Athenaeum is holding its annual book sale at the library this Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. This is one of our biggest fundraisers for the Athenaeum every year.

The Westfield Theatre Group will be presenting the musical Heidi for their spring show starting April 16. Call the WTG box office at 572-6838 for tickets and information. The Carson Center for Human Services is having a benefit fundraiser Chocolate and Champagne Punch Dessert Reception at the theatre on Saturday April 17. For tickets call 572-4132.

On Thursday, April 22, from 10 AM to 2 PM, the Westfield Council on Aging is holding its annual Senior Options 2010 health and information fair in the cafeteria at South Middle School. I plan to be among the 30 plus exhibitors on hand to provide services and information to Westfield’s senior citizens. I’ve been before and I can attest this is an excellent event.

The Westfield Sportsman’s Club will hold its 56th annual FREE Youth Fishing Derby open to children 15 years old and under. Be at the club on Furrowtown Road, off Montgomery Road, on Sunday, April 25 from 9 AM to 3 PM, rain or shine. All participants and parents/guardians are required to wear safety glasses and caps to prevent injuries. Club memberships and refreshments will be available. This is a terrific time for kids and adults alike. See you there.

* * *

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not the staff, editor, or publisher of the Westfield Evening News.

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. Representative Don Humason may be reached at his Boston office, State House Room 542, Boston, MA 02133, (617) 722-2803. Email address: Rep.DonaldHumason@Hou.state.ma.us Website: www.donhumason.org