Representative Don Humason



NEWS FROM THE DESERT By State Representative Don Humason, Jr. April 22, 2006 I want to start this week by complimenting those who planned, participated in, and attended the Patriot's Day ceremony last Saturday at Parker Memorial Park. It was an excellent event marking the historic contribution of the men of Westfield who fought in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. It was also a fine tribute to Hugh Lamb. Speaking of patriots, I said a few weeks back that I was going to bring news from the desert. I've been exchanging emails with a friend from Westfield who is over in Kuwait. Lt. Colonel Kevin Keenan is commander of the Army Aviation wing at Barnes, and is in charge of all the helicopters. I asked Kevin if it was OK to share his comments with all of you who read this column and he said yes. Hi Don, Thank you for the note and the newsletter. All is fine here. We are very busy but your Massachusetts soldiers are doing very well. Morale continues to be high. You would be proud of all the young soldiers here and how hard they work without complaint. This younger generation matches any previous generation with their ability to adapt, work hard and take care of each other. They are doing a tremendous job and representing all of Massachusetts very well. This Massachusetts Battalion Headquarters also has two active duty Navy detachments under its control, one other National Guard unit, and one Army Reserve Detachment. The living conditions are good although the base we are at is very isolated in the middle of the driest desert I have ever seen. We are almost halfway through the deployment and looking forward to coming home in the fall. A fellow legislator of yours, Hank Naughton of the 12th district, Worcester, was here yesterday to say hello. He has been serving over here for a year and was passing through on his way back home. Lucky guy!! I mentioned your name and he immediately responded with the I Love Westfield button you wear on your lapel. You are famous on two continents! Take care, KEVIN B. KEENAN, LTC, AV CDR, Aviation Task Force Kuwait 3-126th Avn I want to announce that the latest installment of my community public access cable show, "From the State House to Your House," should air on Comcast Channel 15, Sunday, April 23, at 4:30 PM. State Senator Mike Knapik is the featured guest. Mike and I discuss the upcoming state budget, health care, and other items of interest to Westfield. The episode will re-air on Wednesdays at 8:30 PM and Sundays at 4:30 PM until a new show is taped next month. The program is a half hour long. This episode replaces the long running and very popular (if I do say so myself) Tour of the State House show I did. The show is produced by Mark St. Jean at the Westfield State College Communications Department TV studio. Students from the college also help in the production. I really appreciate all Mark does to make the show a success. I enjoy doing this as a service to the people of Westfield and hope folks will watch to learn more about what their state government is doing. Next week the Massachusetts House of Representatives will convene in formal session to debate the 1600 amendments filed to change the House Ways and Means version of the fiscal year 2007 state budget. It should be a long week full of long, late days. I sponsored several amendments to benefit Noble Hospital and co-sponsored dozens more dealing with everything from increasing Chapter 70 education aid to extending tax credits for those who made energy saving improvements to their homes. Since Joe Wynn and I will be in my State House office all next week please call us directly by dialing (617) 722-2460. Unfortunately, I won't be available in Westfield for any meetings or events due to our budget debate. ATTENTION KIDS! The Westfield Sportsman's Club free Fishing Derby is Sunday, April 30 from 9 AM to 3 PM. Bring your poles, pails, and parents! I'll see you there. Representative Don Humason and his aide Joe Wynn may be reached at their Westfield District office, 64 Noble Street, Westfield, MA01085, 568-1366. Their Boston address is State House Room 443, Boston, MA02133, (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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NEWS FROM THE DESERT

By State Representative Don Humason, Jr.

April 22, 2006

I want to start this week by complimenting those who planned, participated in, and attended the Patriot's Day ceremony last Saturday at Parker Memorial Park. It was an excellent event marking the historic contribution of the men of Westfield who fought in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. It was also a fine tribute to Hugh Lamb.

Speaking of patriots, I said a few weeks back that I was going to bring news from the desert. I've been exchanging emails with a friend from Westfield who is over in Kuwait.

Lt. Colonel Kevin Keenan is commander of the Army Aviation wing at Barnes, and is in charge of all the helicopters. I asked Kevin if it was OK to share his comments with all of you who read this column and he said yes.

Hi Don,

Thank you for the note and the newsletter. All is fine here. We are very busy but your Massachusetts soldiers are doing very well. Morale continues to be high. You would be proud of all the young soldiers here and how hard they work without complaint.

This younger generation matches any previous generation with their ability to adapt, work hard and take care of each other. They are doing a tremendous job and representing all of Massachusetts very well.

This Massachusetts Battalion Headquarters also has two active duty Navy detachments under its control, one other National Guard unit, and one Army Reserve Detachment.

The living conditions are good although the base we are at is very isolated in the middle of the driest desert I have ever seen. We are almost halfway through the deployment and looking forward to coming home in the fall.

A fellow legislator of yours, Hank Naughton of the 12th district, Worcester, was here yesterday to say hello. He has been serving over here for a year and was passing through on his way back home. Lucky guy!! I mentioned your name and he immediately responded with the I Love Westfield button you wear on your lapel. You are famous on two continents! Take care,

KEVIN B. KEENAN, LTC, AV
CDR, Aviation Task Force Kuwait
3-126th Avn

I want to announce that the latest installment of my community public access cable show, "From the State House to Your House," should air on Comcast Channel 15, Sunday, April 23, at 4:30 PM. State Senator Mike Knapik is the featured guest. Mike and I discuss the upcoming state budget, health care, and other items of interest to Westfield.

The episode will re-air on Wednesdays at 8:30 PM and Sundays at 4:30 PM until a new show is taped next month. The program is a half hour long. This episode replaces the long running and very popular (if I do say so myself) Tour of the State House show I did.

The show is produced by Mark St. Jean at the Westfield State College Communications Department TV studio. Students from the college also help in the production. I really appreciate all Mark does to make the show a success. I enjoy doing this as a service to the people of Westfield and hope folks will watch to learn more about what their state government is doing.

Next week the Massachusetts House of Representatives will convene in formal session to debate the 1600 amendments filed to change the House Ways and Means version of the fiscal year 2007 state budget. It should be a long week full of long, late days.

I sponsored several amendments to benefit Noble Hospital and co-sponsored dozens more dealing with everything from increasing Chapter 70 education aid to extending tax credits for those who made energy saving improvements to their homes.

Since Joe Wynn and I will be in my State House office all next week please call us directly by dialing (617) 722-2460. Unfortunately, I won't be available in Westfield for any meetings or events due to our budget debate.

ATTENTION KIDS! The Westfield Sportsman's Club free Fishing Derby is Sunday, April 30 from 9 AM to 3 PM. Bring your poles, pails, and parents! I'll see you there.

Representative Don Humason and his aide Joe Wynn may be reached at their Westfield District office, 64 Noble Street, Westfield, MA01085, 568-1366.

Their Boston address is State House Room 443, Boston, MA02133, (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.

This Site Designed and Maintained by: The Barre Group