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The Westfield News Serving Westfield, Southwick, and the surrounding Hilltowns
“There is no
safety in numbers, or in anything else.” — JAMES THURBER
www.thewestfieldnews.com FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 2015
VOL. 84 NO. 203
SHRINERS HOSPITAL BENEFIT SATURDAY
Southampton Fire Chief reviewed by board By CHRIS LINDAHL @cmlindahl Daily Hampshire Gazette SOUTHAMPTON — Upset by hearing about delays in the Fire Department’s work to reestablish its ambulance services not from Fire Chief John Workman, but from media reports, the Select Board identified communication as an area in need of improvement during his annual performance review Thursday. He was evaluated by each member in categories including job knowledge, teamwork and personnel, and fiscal and time management. Most of the discussion between board members and Workman focused on deficiencies that led to the department suspending its paramedic services, lapses in communication and what member John O. Martin repeatedly termed a “lack of mutual respect” between the chief and some of his firefighters. Workman was praised for his ability to earn grants, manage the department’s budget, his “open-door policy,” and his initial success at launching the department’s paramedic-level ambulance services. After being hired in 2013, Workman successfully started a paramedic-level ambulance service, a first for the town which previously had only offered basic-level care. That operation was suspended in May after a state inspection revealed deficiencies in the department’s drug-management practices. Ambulance services are now fully operational after Workman overhauled the department’s practices and hired new staff. Workman set a self-imposed deadline for when the services would be resumed. The rollout was delayed three times, and on at least one of those instances some Select Board members were left in the dark. “It’s irresponsible and unprofessional for the Board of Selectmen to have updates on unmet deadlines from the media rather than from the chief himself — specifically getting a phone call at 8 o’clock at night from the Gazette,” Chairwoman Elizabeth Moulton said. “It’s expected that the fire chief would approach the Select Board with status reports and updates.” Workman insisted that news reports of the unmet deadlines were not worth stories because in one instance the delay was caused by scheduling conflicts, and that coverage of department activities often come out of the media’s “striving for a story.” “I’ve got to say, if it’s important enough for the press and the TV, then it’s important enough to us,” Martin said. Though member Charles J. Kaniecki is the designated liaison between the board and the Fire Department, Moulton said that does not negate the need for Workman to communicate with other members of the board. Martin said he agreed with the chief’s assertion that “communication is a twoway street.” “I’m going to make more of an effort to call you during the day if I need to — and do the same with me,” Martin told See Fire Chief, Page 3
Kathleen LaPorta, of Canton, Connecticut, right, receives a balloon sculpture from Melha Shriner Clown Kazin ‘Doc’ Craig, of Wilbraham, during a fundraiser for the Shriners Childrens Hospital in Springfield at The Cove Banquet Facility in Southwick. (WNG file photo)
Clowning Around event to benefit hospital By HOPE E. TREMBLAY Staff Writer SOUTHWICK – Get ready to laugh this weekend when the Melha Shriner Clowns come to town for the Second Annual Clowning Around for Shriners. The event is set for Saturday, Aug. 15 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. at Whalley Park and admission is free for all. Organizer Wendy Hart, a Southwick resident, has no personal connection to the Shriners Hospital for Children in Springfield, just a big heart. “I was at a vendor show last year and spoke to a Shriner clown and wanted to do something to benefit the hospital,” Hart said. She pulled together an event last year and is expanding on it this year. “I wanted to have it at Whalley Park because it is kid-friendly,” said Hart. “They have a playground and it’s set back from the road – I want it to be safe for the kids.” Entertainment will be provided by the Melha Shrine Clowns, a traveling arcade, a DJ, photo booth, dunk tank and two local bands: T.I.M.E. and Hot Mess. “I am really excited about the opportunity to raise money for Shriners Hospital, and Craig “Doc” Kazin, and other Melha clowns. (Submitted photo) hope to increase the amount we raised over last year’s total,” Hart said. said Hart. Shriners International is a philanthropic fraThe event raised $1,300 for the hospital Attending the event is free of charge, and ternity based on fun, fellowship and the Masonic in 2014 and Hart said when she presented food and beverages will be for sale. The Melha principles of brotherly love, relief and truth. the check at the hospital, she was even more Shrine Clowns will present a skit show and With approximately 325,000 members in 194 motivated to raise funds. spend the day mingling with children of all temples (chapters) in the United States, Canada, “I saw the work they did and I know the ages. Germany, Mexico, the Philippines, Puerto Rico money will be used right here to help chil“Our clowns love days like this because we and the Republic of Panama, our fraternity is dren,” she said. can help raise money for our hospital while just open to men of integrity from all walks of life. Hart chose the Shriners Hospital for having lots of fun with all the families in atten- More information about Shriners International Children because it helps local families. She dance,” said Shriner and President of the Melha can be found at shrinershq.org. wanted to host the event in Southwick to Clowns Joel Miller. For more information about the local area benefit the community as well. Hart said there will be donation jars at the Shriners call the Melha Shrine Center, 133 “I want to give back to my community event for people who would like to help raise Longhill St., Springfield, at (413) 736-3647, or with a fun event that also helps people,” funds for the hospital. visit the website at melhashriners.com.
Supreme Judicial Court affirms anti-human trafficking law BOSTON (AP) — The constitutionality of a Massachusetts law that targets sex trafficking was upheld Thursday by the state’s highest court, which rejected claims by two men that the statute was vague and its scope too broad. The Supreme Judicial Court said in a unanimous opinion that the 2011 law was “sufficiently clear and definite” and did not violate the due process rights of the two men, who are believed to be the first people convicted under the statute. In their appeal, lawyers for Tyshaun McGhee and Sidney McGee claimed the statute’s language, particularly the phrase “commercial sexual activity,”
75 cents
was unconstitutionally vague. They said the law also lacked the elements of use of force and coercion that a federal sex trafficking statute requires to establish the crime. The two Boston men were accused of recruiting three drugaddicted women, supplying them with narcotics and coercing them to have sex with men who responded to online ads. The law signed by then-Democratic Gov. Deval Patrick established the crime of human trafficking for sexual servitude, forced labor and organ trafficking. It increased penalties for human trafficking, and backers See Court, Page 3
AG Healey remains strong backer of Planned Parenthood By STEVE LeBLANC Associated Press BOSTON (AP) — The renewed national focus on Planned Parenthood is highlighting Attorney General Maura Healey’s strong support of the group. Planned Parenthood has come under scrutiny after anti-abortion activists released undercover videos that raised questions about whether the national organization was profiting from the sale of fetal tissue — something the group denies. The videos prompted one state lawmaker to ask Healey to look at Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts. A week after completing a
review that found the state group “fully compliant with state and federal law,” Healey fired off an email to her supporters criticizing what she described as political attacks on the organization, which offers health care services including abortions. “I’ve had enough,” Healey wrote. “The latest attacks in Washington on Planned Parenthood are nothing new — they’re simply the most recent offensive in a decades-long campaign to cut off women’s access to health care.” While anti-abortion supporters said they don’t doubt the conclusions of Healey’s review, they are questioning her close ties to the organization.
Planned Parenthood endorsed Healey during last year’s campaign and spent almost $1,700 supporting her candidacy; officials at the group also donated directly to her campaign account; and an image of Healey is featured on the organization’s Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund website with her quote: “Planned Parenthood’s endorsement was a game-changer for my campaign.” In June the group helped sponsor a “Sexual Health Lobby Day” at the Statehouse with Healey as featured speaker. Healey, in an interview posted on the same website during the campaign, also described her See AG Healey, Page 3