TEMPIS FUGITS
By State Representative Don Humason, Jr. Can you believe it’s already November 4? That means 308 days have passed us by in this calendar year with only 57 remaining until 2007. It feels like it’s been a long year for me with the legislative session, moving into my new District Office at 64 Noble Street, work on my new house (actually, I bought and renovated my grandparent’s house), planning my wedding and honeymoon, and the campaign. But I can’t believe how fast it has gone by. Time flies! Election Day is next Tuesday. Some might say “Finally!” There’s no question many people are tired of all the politics and the campaigning. It’s so important that people realize how much hangs in the balance with every election. It is vital that you participate in your state government. You must let your voice be heard. You need to give every candidate, every issue your most careful consideration then cast your ballot. It is the only way to keep our representative democracy working. I recently began reading David McCullough’s biography on John Adams. McCullough, a Massachusetts resident, is one of my favorite authors and historians. I had the chance to meet him and hear him speak last year while attending a conference at the University of Virginia. He’s written many books including 1776, which I’ve quoted in this column. Adams was one of the architects of the system of government we in Massachusetts and these United States operate under today. He was a brilliant man with fire and passion for this democracy and for the earnest debate of ideas. I wonder what he would say about all the public apathy and low voter interest and turnout on our election days. November is National Adoption month. We celebrate and honor all adoptive children and their families. According to Commissioner Harry Spence from the state Department of Social Services, in 2005 more than 3,300 children from across the country were adopted out of state foster care. If you think you might want to adopt a foster child, contact the Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange office at 1-800-882-1176 for more information. The newest installment of my local cable show, “From the State House to your House” is now on the Westfield Community Programming Channel, Channel 15. I watched it the other night and was delighted at how well it went. This month we taped the show at Westfield High School with Miss Margaret Toomey and the Gillette Senior Chefs. They show us all how to make a Thanksgiving Dinner complete with turkey, mashed potatoes, squash, cornbread, cider and apple pie. To my knowledge, this is the first local cooking show to appear on Chanel 15! The show airs on Sunday afternoons at 4:30 PM, Wednesdays at 8:30 PM, and Thursdays at 10:30PM. I hope you have a chance to watch the show. We’re all pretty proud of how it came out. My thanks to Mark St. Jean from Westfield State College, who produces my shows, and to Margaret and all the chefs. If you’ve ever visited the Massachusetts State House you know how big and imposing the building can be. I’m perpetually saving lost tourists; pointing them in the right direction or telling them how to find this room or that. It’s easy to get lost here. I’ve worked in the building for 16 years and sometimes even I can get turned around. The Bureau of State Office Buildings recently finished a comprehensive sign project in the State House. Everywhere you look you can see these attractive, easy to read signs that will help visitors and legislators alike find their destinations in the building. From the elevators to the restrooms to the nearest exits these new signs are fantastic. The next time you come down to Beacon Hill I think you’ll be impressed with just how user-friendly the new signs are. If you do come by, I hope you’ll look me up. I’m on the 4th floor, in room 443, for the time being. In the new legislative session starting in January I’ve requested new office space. More on that in a later column. Next Saturday is Veterans’ Day. I hope you will join me and the members of Westfield’s veterans’ organizations at a commemoration of Armistice Day, November 11, 1918 at 11AM. The parade begins at 10:30 AM at the Westfield Bank. The ceremony will take place at Parker Memorial Park. God Bless America and her veterans! 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 |