Representative Don Humason



OFFICIAL CHRISTMAS TREE #2 By Representative Don Humason, Jr. November 17, 2007 Last week, I wrote a column called “The People Have Spoken” about the municipal election results. I bemoaned the fact that two thirds of the eligible voters stayed home on Election Day and let the other one third cast the votes and make the decision for them. I wrote, “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.” I continued, “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.” To read the complete column, please go to my website www.donhumason.org. When my column appeared in the Saturday Westfield Evening News, there was a paragraph in bold beneath it that said, “Hey Don, Don’t you think it’s a bit unfair to label the Pulse Line callers part of the silent majority, for the most part they are concerned citizens who want to keep you politicians on your toes. For our part we hope they keep on “bitching” as you put it, it’s good for the whole community. Signed, C.M.” I’m smart enough to know you don’t get into a battle with a person who buys ink by the barrel, but I wanted to respond. Hey C.M., I respectfully suggest that you missed my point. Perhaps you misread or misunderstood what I said. My complaint is not with the Pulse Line or Pulse Line callers. My issue is with those in the silent majority who didn’t get off their behinds to cast their ballots but will inevitably call the Pulse Line or other forums like it to complain about their elected officials. I don’t think they should be allowed to have it both ways. If they didn’t care enough about the election to vote, then they shouldn’t later complain about their elected officials and the decisions we make. I suggest the best way for people to “keep politicians on our toes” is by voting. Democracy only works when all the people participate. I think we can both agree on that, don’t you, C.M? This week, I am pleased to report that a Westfield tree has been selected to grace the front lawn of the Massachusetts State House as the official Christmas tree for the second year in a row. The tree, a Colorado blue spruce, belongs to the Mead family of Heggie Drive. Joyce Mead contacted me early in 2007 to offer the tree to the state. She said it was getting too big and she was going to have to cut it down. I was delighted to hear that we had another tree in our city that we could offer to the Commonwealth. After my office spoke with Mrs. Mead I called my friend Tammy Kraus in the Massachusetts State Office Bureau and gave her the news. Kraus came to Westfield with workers from the Massachusetts Highway Department to see if the tree was suitable and accessible to be cut. They contacted me and the Mead’s just a short time ago to say their tree had been selected. Mass Highway came early to cut down the tree and place it on a flatbed truck to deliver it to Boston. Everything is a little expedited this year because Governor Patrick is going on a trade mission to China and that complicates the schedule for the holiday tree lighting ceremony. The Mead family will be invited to Boston when the event is finalized. I take great pride that Westfield has provided the official Christmas tree for the State House two years in a row. I am grateful to the Mead family for their donation this year and to the Bishop family for donating the tree last year. Plan a trip to Boston in December to see the tree, take in the sites, and go shopping in the city. Give my office a call and if I’m at the State House I’d be happy to give you a tour. Have a Happy Thanksgiving! 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
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OFFICIAL CHRISTMAS TREE #2

By Representative Don Humason, Jr.

November 17, 2007

Last week, I wrote a column called “The People Have Spoken” about the municipal election results. I bemoaned the fact that two thirds of the eligible voters stayed home on Election Day and let the other one third cast the votes and make the decision for them.

I wrote, “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.”

I continued, “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.”

To read the complete column, please go to my website www.donhumason.org.

When my column appeared in the Saturday Westfield Evening News, there was a paragraph in bold beneath it that said, “Hey Don, Don’t you think it’s a bit unfair to label the Pulse Line callers part of the silent majority, for the most part they are concerned citizens who want to keep you politicians on your toes. For our part we hope they keep on “bitching” as you put it, it’s good for the whole community. Signed, C.M.”

I’m smart enough to know you don’t get into a battle with a person who buys ink by the barrel, but I wanted to respond.

Hey C.M., I respectfully suggest that you missed my point. Perhaps you misread or misunderstood what I said. My complaint is not with the Pulse Line or Pulse Line callers. My issue is with those in the silent majority who didn’t get off their behinds to cast their ballots but will inevitably call the Pulse Line or other forums like it to complain about their elected officials.

I don’t think they should be allowed to have it both ways. If they didn’t care enough about the election to vote, then they shouldn’t later complain about their elected officials and the decisions we make.

I suggest the best way for people to “keep politicians on our toes” is by voting. Democracy only works when all the people participate. I think we can both agree on that, don’t you, C.M?
This week, I am pleased to report that a Westfield tree has been selected to grace the front lawn of the Massachusetts State House as the official Christmas tree for the second year in a row.

The tree, a Colorado blue spruce, belongs to the Mead family of Heggie Drive. Joyce Mead contacted me early in 2007 to offer the tree to the state. She said it was getting too big and she was going to have to cut it down.

I was delighted to hear that we had another tree in our city that we could offer to the Commonwealth. After my office spoke with Mrs. Mead I called my friend Tammy Kraus in the Massachusetts State Office Bureau and gave her the news.

Kraus came to Westfield with workers from the Massachusetts Highway Department to see if the tree was suitable and accessible to be cut. They contacted me and the Mead’s just a short time ago to say their tree had been selected.

Mass Highway came early to cut down the tree and place it on a flatbed truck to deliver it to Boston. Everything is a little expedited this year because Governor Patrick is going on a trade mission to China and that complicates the schedule for the holiday tree lighting ceremony. The Mead family will be invited to Boston when the event is finalized.

I take great pride that Westfield has provided the official Christmas tree for the State House two years in a row. I am grateful to the Mead family for their donation this year and to the Bishop family for donating the tree last year.

Plan a trip to Boston in December to see the tree, take in the sites, and go shopping in the city. Give my office a call and if I’m at the State House I’d be happy to give you a tour.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

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