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The Westfield News Serving Westfield, Southwick, and the surrounding Hilltowns
www.thewestfieldnews.com VOL. 85 NO. 44
Westfield 10th-graders to be screened for drug use in March By AMY PORTER Correspondent WESTFIELD – Parents of 10th-graders in Westfield High School and Westfield Technical Academy received letters this week about an upcoming interview-based screening for 10th-grade students about the use of alcohol, marijuana, and other drugs, scheduled to take place the week of March 14-18. The screening follows two years of preparation by the Westfield Public Schools, according to Liz Flaherty, Health and Safety Supervisor for the district. Flaherty said the state Department of Public Health (DPH) has a very specific screening plan that requires involvement by school nurses, guidance counselors, adjustment counselors and substance abuse counselors. All of the district’s counselors underwent a two-hour training with the DPH during a professional day in June of 2015. That was followed up by a four-hour DPH training in November that incorporated intervention and referral for treatment. Flaherty also consulted with Karen Jarvis-Vance, Northampton Public Schools’ Director of Health Services, Health Education, and Safety, who has run the program in Northampton for the past five or six years as a pilot for the state, and who she said has been “a guiding force and real
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No plea reached for man accused of seriously injuring police officer WNG FILE PHOTO
help on this.” In January of this year, the team looked at the calendar to decide which week was the best for the screening, and chose mid-March. Following the events of recent weeks, Flaherty said they chose not to change the date after thoughtful deliberation. “While they’re deeply connected in one respect,” she said. “they’re not connected in others.” The screening uses the CRAFFT tool, an acronym for key components in the questions: Car, Relax, Alone, Forget, Friends, and Trouble. This tool is designed for youth 14 and up. There is one form, consisting of six questions about behaviors relating to alcohol and drug use. Part A, which is not counted as part of the six questions, asks if during the past 12 months, a student drank alcohol, smoked marijuana or hashish, or used anything else to get high, including prescription drugs, or things you sniff or “huff.” If students answer no to the first three questions, they are asked to fill out the first question in Part B, which asks if they have ever ridden in a car driven by someone (including themselves) who was high or had been using alcohol or drugs. The following five questions in Part B ask if they’ve used alcohol or drugs to relax, if they’ve used alone, if they become forgetful when using, if family or friends have asked See Drug Use Questions, Page 7
Council appoints committee members By HOPE E. TREMBLAY Staff Writer WESTFIELD – The City Council approved several appointments recommended by the Personnel Action Committee this week. Councilor Cindy Harris presented the reappointment of James V. Liptak to the Council On Aging and touted his experience and hard work as a volunteer. “He assists at events and Senior Center Director Tina Gorman supports his reappointment and said Mr. Liptak is always willing to volunteer for special projects,” said Harris. Liptak’s term expires the first Monday of February 2019. Patricia Steele-Perkins was appointed to the Cultural Council for a term that expires the first Monday of February 2019. Steele-Perkins worked in real estate, as well as her husband’s doctor’s office, served on the YMCA board, is a Red Cross
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volunteer, is a trustee of The Westfield Athenaeum, is active with Grandmother’s Garden, and is a master gardener. Jennifer Lee was appointed to the Commission for Citizens with Disabilities for a term to expire June 1, 2018. Lee is filling the seat formerly held by Agma Sweeney. Harris said Lee is employed with Stavros Center and is committed to providing access for people with disabilities. Lee is also a member of the Disability Policy Consortium. Gail Yarmesky was also appointed to the Off-Street Parking Commission. “Gail worked in the mayor’s office under Mayor Medeiros then left for Baystate Medical Center and then worked with Mayor Knapik until her retirement,” said Harris. “She really wants to be part of this commission.” Yarmesky’s term expires the first Monday of February 2017. She will fill out the seat resigned by Patricia Reynolds.
By CHRISTINE CHARNOSKY Staff Writer WESTFIELD – The Commonwealth would like to see the man accused of assaulting a city police officer serve time in jail for “shattering” the young officer’s life. Assistant District Attorney Magali Montes told Westfield District Court Judge Philip Contant Friday that Victor J. Guzman of Westfield “ruined the life of a 32-year-old officer who has no guarantee that she will fully recover.” Westfield Police Officer Megan Bartlett has been out of work since the assault that occurred during a traffic stop shortly before 3 a.m. on May 17. Bartlett read from a lengthy prepared statement to the court describing her ordeal and the tremendous impact it is having on her and her family. “I am a 32-year-old single mother and the sole provider of a 12-year-old daughter,” Bartlett said, “who was beyond proud” of her mother for becoming a police officer. Guzman is accused of kicking Bartlett twice in the head, one blow blocked by Bartlett’s hand, which resulted in a dislocated finger. Bartlett had a torn cornea and subsequently had a stroke from fluid building up in the back of her head and neck from the kick, and is diagnosed as having a traumatic brain injury. When she suffered the stroke, Bartlett said, “I thought I was going to die. I could only think of my daughter.” Bartlett said she panicked thinking, “Am I not going to see her before I die?” Bartlett said she is still receiving physical and occupational therapy and is progressing, but that she has been kept “from a career I love so much.” “I became a police officer because I love being there for people,” she said, “I am uncertain when or if I can return to work.” “When asked what should happen to the man who did this to me, my mind goes blank when my future is still so uncertain,” said Bartlett, concluding her statement. Initially, Guzman, 26, was released on $100 cash bail after being arraigned in May on charges of two counts of assault and battery on a police officer, two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (his foot), disorderly conduct and failing to stop. Guzman was stopped by Westfield Police Officers Bartlett and William Cavanaugh because he had allegedly been involved in a hit-and-run accident in West Springfield. The defendant failed to stop for officers and then pulled into the apartment complex located at 134 Union Street where he resides. Montes said that Guzman was yelling, “I am f—ing home! What do you want from me?” “The defendant was extremely agitated and was yelling and screaming creating a disturbance (which) roused residents from their homes,” according to court documents. Allegedly Guzman was intoxicated and “had to be tased,” Montes said. He was handcuffed, and as police were attempting to place Guzman into the police cruiser, he kicked Cavanaugh in the stomach and kicked Bartlett twice. See No Plea, Page 7
WNG FILE PHOTO
VICTOR J. GUZMAN