Representative Don Humason



THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN By Representative Don Humason, Jr. November 10, 2007 With the polls closed and the election results in, the people have spoken. In Agawam and Springfield the voters chose to replace the men at the head of their municipal governments with new mayors. In West Springfield and Northampton, the people chose to keep their mayors in place. Here in Westfield, the electorate chose to “hire” retired Massachusetts Air National Guard Colonel Mike Boulanger to take the mayor’s seat currently held by Acting Mayor Charlie Medeiros and, before him, Mayor Rick Sullivan. Both Mike and his challenger Brent Bean ran a good, clean race. Devoid of fireworks and personal attacks, it was still a valid political battle culminating in the votes being cast on Tuesday. Both Brent and Mike are to be commended for putting their names, their families, and their reputations on the line to even run in the first place. And they should be praised for keeping the race clean and out of the mud. Congratulations to both men, but especially to Mike Boulanger on his decisive victory. I have enjoyed representing the people of Westfield for nearly five years in the Massachusetts Legislature. I look forward to working with Mayor-elect Boulanger on behalf of the good people of this city. Congratulations should also go to the voters of Westfield who came out on a wet and cold November day to cast their ballots and make their voices heard. Thank you for doing your civic duty and living up to the responsibility given to you by our founding fathers when they created our system of representative democracy. It is somewhat troubling to me that so few of Westfield’s eligible voters came out. According to the City Clerk, fewer than 36% of the 22,000 people who could have voted cast ballots. That means that less than one third of the voters made the decision for the other two thirds who chose not to vote. By not voting, perhaps those citizens made their choice in letting the minority choose for them. I could surmise that since they did not wish to participate in the process they are content with the choices made for them by the others. And we could surmise then that that silent majority will remain silent over the next two years of this term and will not be heard complaining of the G&E Commissioners, Mayor, City Councilors, or School Committee members in the Pulse Line or around the water cooler. Someone once put it bluntly and succinctly, albeit brilliantly: “If you don’t vote, you can’t bitch.” We’ll see if that holds true in this case. The people have spoken. The House and Senate are preparing to wrap up our legislative business for the year. Our rules say we must recess on the third Wednesday of the first year of our two-year legislative session. That means we will recess no later than midnight on November 21, the night before Thanksgiving. After our holiday break we will convene in January 2008 subject to the call of the Speaker of the House. Sunday, November 11, is Veterans Day. Every year, every day, but especially now when American men and women are serving in the armed forces of these United States all across the globe, it is important that we the people honor and remember all of America’s veterans. Thank you. * * * Representative Don Humason and his new aide Sarah Latour may be reached at their Westfield District office, 64 Noble Street, Westfield, MA 01085, 568-1366. Their Boston address is State House Room 542, Boston, MA 02133, (617) 722-2803. Email address: Rep.DonaldHumason@Hou.state.ma.us
This Site Designed and Maintained by: The Barre Group

THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN

By Representative Don Humason, Jr.

November 10, 2007

With the polls closed and the election results in, the people have spoken.

In Agawam and Springfield the voters chose to replace the men at the head of their municipal governments with new mayors. In West Springfield and Northampton, the people chose to keep their mayors in place.

Here in Westfield, the electorate chose to “hire” retired Massachusetts Air National Guard Colonel Mike Boulanger to take the mayor’s seat currently held by Acting Mayor Charlie Medeiros and, before him, Mayor Rick Sullivan.

Both Mike and his challenger Brent Bean ran a good, clean race. Devoid of fireworks and personal attacks, it was still a valid political battle culminating in the votes being cast on Tuesday.

Both Brent and Mike are to be commended for putting their names, their families, and their reputations on the line to even run in the first place. And they should be praised for keeping the race clean and out of the mud.

Congratulations to both men, but especially to Mike Boulanger on his decisive victory.
I have enjoyed representing the people of Westfield for nearly five years in the Massachusetts Legislature. I look forward to working with Mayor-elect Boulanger on behalf of the good people of this city.

Congratulations should also go to the voters of Westfield who came out on a wet and cold November day to cast their ballots and make their voices heard. Thank you for doing your civic duty and living up to the responsibility given to you by our founding fathers when they created our system of representative democracy.

It is somewhat troubling to me that so few of Westfield’s eligible voters came out. According to the City Clerk, fewer than 36% of the 22,000 people who could have voted cast ballots. That means that less than one third of the voters made the decision for the other two thirds who chose not to vote. By not voting, perhaps those citizens made their choice in letting the minority choose for them.

I could surmise that since they did not wish to participate in the process they are content with the choices made for them by the others. And we could surmise then that that silent majority will remain silent over the next two years of this term and will not be heard complaining of the G&E Commissioners, Mayor, City Councilors, or School Committee members in the Pulse Line or around the water cooler.

Someone once put it bluntly and succinctly, albeit brilliantly: “If you don’t vote, you can’t bitch.” We’ll see if that holds true in this case. The people have spoken.

The House and Senate are preparing to wrap up our legislative business for the year. Our rules say we must recess on the third Wednesday of the first year of our two-year legislative session. That means we will recess no later than midnight on November 21, the night before Thanksgiving. After our holiday break we will convene in January 2008 subject to the call of the Speaker of the House.

Sunday, November 11, is Veterans Day. Every year, every day, but especially now when American men and women are serving in the armed forces of these United States all across the globe, it is important that we the people honor and remember all of America’s veterans. Thank you.

* * *

Representative Don Humason and his new aide Sarah Latour may be reached at their Westfield District office, 64 Noble Street, Westfield, MA 01085, 568-1366. Their Boston address is State House Room 542, Boston, MA 02133, (617) 722-2803. Email address: Rep.DonaldHumason@Hou.state.ma.us

This Site Designed and Maintained by: The Barre Group