Representative Don Humason



WMASS GUBERNATORIAL DEBATE By State Representative Don Humason, Jr. September 30, 2006 I apologize for not submitting a column last week. I was at the State House last Thursday, the day I normally write my column, but when I emailed it back to my home email address in Westfield it got lost. I told the folks at the Westfield Evening News that I felt a little like the kid who tells the teacher that the dog ate his homework. Unfortunately, most of what I had written for last week has already passed and is no longer relevant. However, I would like to make mention of the students at Highland Elementary School whom I met with on Constitution Day to talk about the founding document of the United States system of government. I was very impressed with how much they knew about our Constitution. It's a real tribute to their teachers and themselves. Now that the Primary Election is over attention begins to focus on the General Election November 7. Around 15% of all the eligible Westfield voters cast ballots and selected Deval Patrick/Tim Murray and Kerry Healey/Reed Hillman as their choices to run for Governor and Lt. Governor in November. Next Tuesday, October 3, the candidates for Governor will debate each other in the only Western Massachusetts debate scheduled. I believe it will be broadcast on local television too. They will meet at American International College in Springfield. I intend to be there to support my candidate. If you want to learn more about the people who hope to occupy the corner office at the State House for the next four years, I encourage you to tune in. There's not too much to report on things happening in Boston. The Leadership of the House and Senate has still not agreed on when and if to bring us back to vote on the bond bill. We're technically supposed to meet in Constitutional Convention on November 7, two days after the General Election, to take up the question of a vote on the definition of marriage in the Commonwealth. But I am doubtful that will happen for the same reasons I doubt the Speaker and Senate President will be able to agree on bringing us back into session. The Legislature passed an $88 million supplemental budget bill in informal session and sent the bill to the Governor for his approval. It contains appropriations for police departments to replace old bulletproof vests that may not work sufficiently well to stop a bullet. It covers the cost of tuition and fees for National Guard members to attend the state's public colleges and UMass. Many of you know I sing with the Dan Kane Singers. Well, FYI, tickets are now on sale for our annual Christmas concert at the Mass Mutual Center on Friday, December 1. This year you can buy tickets directly from the Mass Mutual Box Office or at your local Big Y grocery store. It's not easy for 150 people to rehearse Christmas music when summer has only just slipped off the calendar, but we're doing it now to be ready by the show. It will definitely be worth it! September is National Library Card Signup month. If you don't have your free "Passport to Power," a library card, come in to the Westfield Athenaeum or the Boys and Girls Library and the librarians will be happy to help you sign up for one. With a library card, you can take out materials from libraries all across Massachusetts. Or you can take advantage of the many programs and services provided at your library. It's the best deal in town, and it's free! Last night, I had the pleasure of attending the annual meeting of the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Westfield. I want to congratulate Bill Parks and all the staff at the Westfield and Southwick clubs for their fine work for the children of our communities. I would also like to congratulate the many award recipients who were recognized for their support of and service to the club. I've just come from the Big E. Today was Westfield Day at the Eastern States Exposition. It is terrific to attend such a huge state fair and run into so many folks from Westfield. We had great weather and an excellent turnout. It was a lot of fun. It's going to be a busy weekend for me on the campaign trail here in Westfield: The Wine Tasting fundraiser for the Genesis Spiritual Life Center. The Westfield River Cleanup. The Community Fall Festival on the Green all day Saturday. And the third annual Comedy Night fundraiser for the Amelia Park Children's Museum Saturday night at Tekoa Country Club. Sunday begins the season of public breakfasts at the Mount Mariah Lodge of Masons on Broad Street. Then the monthly meeting of the Sons of Erin. Some time that afternoon I hope to relax long enough to watch the New England Patriots play. I hope you get some time to relax too. Representative Don Humason and his aide Joe Wynn may be reached at their Westfield District office, 64 Noble Street, Westfield, MA 01085, 568-1366. Their Boston address is State House Room 443, Boston, MA 02133, (617) 722-2460. Email address: Rep.DonaldHumason@Hou.state.ma.us * * * Please feel free to forward this column to your family, friends, and associates. If you do not wish to receive an email copy of my Saturday Westfield Evening News column, please reply and let me know. I will then take you off the list. Sorry for any inconvenience.
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WMASS GUBERNATORIAL DEBATE

By State Representative Don Humason, Jr.

September 30, 2006

I apologize for not submitting a column last week. I was at the State House last Thursday, the day I normally write my column, but when I emailed it back to my home email address in Westfield it got lost. I told the folks at the Westfield Evening News that I felt a little like the kid who tells the teacher that the dog ate his homework.

Unfortunately, most of what I had written for last week has already passed and is no longer relevant. However, I would like to make mention of the students at Highland Elementary School whom I met with on Constitution Day to talk about the founding document of the United States system of government. I was very impressed with how much they knew about our Constitution. It's a real tribute to their teachers and themselves.

Now that the Primary Election is over attention begins to focus on the General Election November 7. Around 15% of all the eligible Westfield voters cast ballots and selected Deval Patrick/Tim Murray and Kerry Healey/Reed Hillman as their choices to run for Governor and Lt. Governor in November.

Next Tuesday, October 3, the candidates for Governor will debate each other in the only Western Massachusetts debate scheduled. I believe it will be broadcast on local television too. They will meet at American International College in Springfield. I intend to be there to support my candidate. If you want to learn more about the people who hope to occupy the corner office at the State House for the next four years, I encourage you to tune in.

There's not too much to report on things happening in Boston. The Leadership of the House and Senate has still not agreed on when and if to bring us back to vote on the bond bill. We're technically supposed to meet in Constitutional Convention on November 7, two days after the General Election, to take up the question of a vote on the definition of marriage in the Commonwealth. But I am doubtful that will happen for the same reasons I doubt the Speaker and Senate President will be able to agree on bringing us back into session.

The Legislature passed an $88 million supplemental budget bill in informal session and sent the bill to the Governor for his approval. It contains appropriations for police departments to replace old bulletproof vests that may not work sufficiently well to stop a bullet. It covers the cost of tuition and fees for National Guard members to attend the state's public colleges and UMass.

Many of you know I sing with the Dan Kane Singers. Well, FYI, tickets are now on sale for our annual Christmas concert at the Mass Mutual Center on Friday, December 1. This year you can buy tickets directly from the Mass Mutual Box Office or at your local Big Y grocery store.

It's not easy for 150 people to rehearse Christmas music when summer has only just slipped off the calendar, but we're doing it now to be ready by the show. It will definitely be worth it!

September is National Library Card Signup month. If you don't have your free "Passport to Power," a library card, come in to the Westfield Athenaeum or the Boys and Girls Library and the librarians will be happy to help you sign up for one. With a library card, you can take out materials from libraries all across Massachusetts. Or you can take advantage of the many programs and services provided at your library. It's the best deal in town, and it's free!

Last night, I had the pleasure of attending the annual meeting of the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Westfield. I want to congratulate Bill Parks and all the staff at the Westfield and Southwick clubs for their fine work for the children of our communities. I would also like to congratulate the many award recipients who were recognized for their support of and service to the club.

I've just come from the Big E. Today was Westfield Day at the Eastern States Exposition. It is terrific to attend such a huge state fair and run into so many folks from Westfield. We had great weather and an excellent turnout. It was a lot of fun.

It's going to be a busy weekend for me on the campaign trail here in Westfield: The Wine Tasting fundraiser for the Genesis Spiritual Life Center. The Westfield River Cleanup. The Community Fall Festival on the Green all day Saturday. And the third annual Comedy Night fundraiser for the Amelia Park Children's Museum Saturday night at Tekoa Country Club.

Sunday begins the season of public breakfasts at the Mount Mariah Lodge of Masons on Broad Street. Then the monthly meeting of the Sons of Erin. Some time that afternoon I hope to relax long enough to watch the New England Patriots play. I hope you get some time to relax too.

Representative Don Humason and his aide Joe Wynn may be reached at their Westfield District office, 64 Noble Street, Westfield, MA 01085, 568-1366.

Their Boston address is State House Room 443, Boston, MA 02133, (617) 722-2460. Email address: Rep.DonaldHumason@Hou.state.ma.us

* * * Please feel free to forward this column to your family, friends, and associates. If you do not wish to receive an email copy of my Saturday Westfield Evening News column, please reply and let me know. I will then take you off the list. Sorry for any inconvenience.