Representative Don Humason



PRIMARY ELECTION DAY APPROACHES By State Representative Don Humason, Jr. September 16, 2006 Last week I shared my remembrances of Tuesday, September 11, 2001 and was gratified and touched by many of the readers who shared theirs with me. Thank you. One thing I think this community does so well is come together in times of crisis or memorial. On September 11, the Westfield Fire Department held a solemn ceremony, as they do each year, recalling the New York fire fighters, police officers, and Port Authority employees who were killed on that fateful day. Later that evening the Sons of Erin, which suffered the loss of three of their own 5 years ago, held a community service outside the club near the memorial upon which is inscribed the names of Tara Shea-Cramer, Brian Murphy, and Daniel Trant. It was a simple, touching ceremony. In Boston, the issue of re-opening the grounds around the Massachusetts State House, closed since 9-11, remains unresolved. Ours is one of the only state capitols in the country where visitors do not have full access to the grounds behind the tall gates where there are other memorials and statues, like the one of John F. Kennedy. While I appreciate the concerns for safety and security, I support reopening the grounds. The Governor does as well. But it's pretty complicated when it comes to who actually has the authority and responsibility to make the decision. The Speaker and Senate President, Bureau of State Office Buildings, State Police, and Department of Conservation and Recreation Park Rangers all have a say. So, like any good bureaucracy, it will take far too long for the decision to be made. It's already taken 5 years. This week the Legislature sent a number of important bills to the Governor. Despite being in informal sessions, the House and Senate enacted a bill giving prosecutors more time to bring charges against sex offenders who victimize children, and giving law enforcement more authority to closely monitor dangerous sex offenders in local communities. The tough new proposals were made in the past few days as House and Senate lawmakers worked cooperatively to advance a crime fighting package that was left unfinished at the end of formal sessions in July. I think this bill is a good start towards toughening laws on dangerous sex offenders, although if it were up to me, sex offenders who were a 'high risk to re-offend' would be locked up until they were too old to re-offend or for life, whichever comes first. Legislators approved a bill that gives prosecutors unlimited time to file charges against people accused of certain sex crimes, including rape and abuse of a child. The proposal is an expansion of previous plans which sought to extend the current 15-year statute of limitations to 27 years after a crime is committed or the victim reaches the age of 16. Other parts of the bill significantly increase the number of sex offenders who are required to be monitored electronically by Global Positioning Satellite systems. The legislation also tightens sex offender classification and registration requirements, and it prevents the most dangerous sex offenders from establishing residence in state nursing homes. With Primary Election Day coming September 19, another bill we gave to the Governor is both timely and necessary. We passed a bill that allows poll workers to be as young as 16 years old, and permits people to work at polls in cities or towns where they don't live. It also requires a Voters Bill of Rights be posted at every polling location. The purpose of this legislation is to recruit more and younger poll workers to augment and the current crop of workers whose average age is 72. Young workers need to have a letter from their parents okaying them to work as election officers. They would need to be U.S. and Bay state residents, be able to speak and read English, and be trained for the job. This Tuesday is the preliminary election that will narrow down the field of candidates in a number of races, including Governor and Lt. Governor. I urge you to hit the polls and exercise your American rights and responsibilities. At a time when officials predict a record low turnout for Tuesday, I believe it is those few who do vote that have the most power over their fellow citizens. If you don't go to the polls on Primary Day to let your voice be heard, others will speak for you, thus limiting your choices on Election Day in November. 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
This Site Designed and Maintained by: The Barre Group

PRIMARY ELECTION DAY APPROACHES

By State Representative Don Humason, Jr.

September 16, 2006

Last week I shared my remembrances of Tuesday, September 11, 2001 and was gratified and touched by many of the readers who shared theirs with me. Thank you.

One thing I think this community does so well is come together in times of crisis or memorial. On September 11, the Westfield Fire Department held a solemn ceremony, as they do each year, recalling the New York fire fighters, police officers, and Port Authority employees who were killed on that fateful day.

Later that evening the Sons of Erin, which suffered the loss of three of their own 5 years ago, held a community service outside the club near the memorial upon which is inscribed the names of Tara Shea-Cramer, Brian Murphy, and Daniel Trant. It was a simple, touching ceremony.

In Boston, the issue of re-opening the grounds around the Massachusetts State House, closed since 9-11, remains unresolved. Ours is one of the only state capitols in the country where visitors do not have full access to the grounds behind the tall gates where there are other memorials and statues, like the one of John F. Kennedy.

While I appreciate the concerns for safety and security, I support reopening the grounds. The Governor does as well. But it's pretty complicated when it comes to who actually has the authority and responsibility to make the decision. The Speaker and Senate President, Bureau of State Office Buildings, State Police, and Department of Conservation and Recreation Park Rangers all have a say. So, like any good bureaucracy, it will take far too long for the decision to be made. It's already taken 5 years.

This week the Legislature sent a number of important bills to the Governor. Despite being in informal sessions, the House and Senate enacted a bill giving prosecutors more time to bring charges against sex offenders who victimize children, and giving law enforcement more authority to closely monitor dangerous sex offenders in local communities.

The tough new proposals were made in the past few days as House and Senate lawmakers worked cooperatively to advance a crime fighting package that was left unfinished at the end of formal sessions in July. I think this bill is a good start towards toughening laws on dangerous sex offenders, although if it were up to me, sex offenders who were a 'high risk to re-offend' would be locked up until they were too old to re-offend or for life, whichever comes first.

Legislators approved a bill that gives prosecutors unlimited time to file charges against people accused of certain sex crimes, including rape and abuse of a child. The proposal is an expansion of previous plans which sought to extend the current 15-year statute of limitations to 27 years after a crime is committed or the victim reaches the age of 16.

Other parts of the bill significantly increase the number of sex offenders who are required to be monitored electronically by Global Positioning Satellite systems. The legislation also tightens sex offender classification and registration requirements, and it prevents the most dangerous sex offenders from establishing residence in state nursing homes.

With Primary Election Day coming September 19, another bill we gave to the Governor is both timely and necessary. We passed a bill that allows poll workers to be as young as 16 years old, and permits people to work at polls in cities or towns where they don't live. It also requires a Voters Bill of Rights be posted at every polling location.

The purpose of this legislation is to recruit more and younger poll workers to augment and the current crop of workers whose average age is 72. Young workers need to have a letter from their parents okaying them to work as election officers. They would need to be U.S. and Bay state residents, be able to speak and read English, and be trained for the job.

This Tuesday is the preliminary election that will narrow down the field of candidates in a number of races, including Governor and Lt. Governor. I urge you to hit the polls and exercise your American rights and responsibilities. At a time when officials predict a record low turnout for Tuesday, I believe it is those few who do vote that have the most power over their fellow citizens.

If you don't go to the polls on Primary Day to let your voice be heard, others will speak for you, thus limiting your choices on Election Day in November.

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