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TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 2017 TUESDAY, JUNE SATURDAY, JULY27, 29,2017 2017
Police warn of bike thefts
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Westfield City Council President Brent B. Bean, II.
Ward 3 Councilor Andrew K. Surprise (WNG File Photo)
(WNG File Photo)
By DAN DESROCHERS Correspondent WESTFIELD—Police warned of a recent spate of bicycle thefts plaguing the city. According to Westfield Police Capt. Michael McCabe, roughly 20 bicycles have been reportedly stolen in Westfield in the past month. While this sort of crime tends to happen in the warmer months, McCabe noted that bicycles stolen are traditionally unsecured but that was not the instance in at least one case. “Two bikes were stolen with locks cuts,” McCabe said. “It’s unusual to have bikes stolen with the locks cut. Usually it’s a crime of opportunity.” According to McCabe, the two bicycles were allegedly stolen in one incident, so while two items were taken it is viewed as one case. Otherwise, he said that this was the only incident where the bicycles that were taken were secured. According to McCabe, the police incidents of reported bicycle larcenies since May 1 is 15. These 15 suspected larcenies, according to McCabe, total an estimated $5,000 in value reported lost. McCabe said that residents should continue to practice safe keeping of the bicycles in light of the recent thefts. “Lock the bike, keep it inside. You have to take some precautions,” he said. In addition, bicycle owners should write down the serial number of the bicycle, otherwise it is “almost untrackable,” McCabe said. He added that police are aware of a suspected “group of kids” that are allegedly taking bicycles and painting them.
Pictured are two teams competing in the 4th Annual Kevin J. Major Tournament back in 2014. In 2016, the tournament evolved to 30 teams. (WNG File Photo)
7th Annual KJM Tournament is a hat-trick By GREG FITZPATRICK Correspondent WESTFIELD – It’s just about that time of year again; the 7th Annual Kevin J. Major Memorial Hockey Tournament is taking place from August 8 through 13 at Amelia Park Ice Arena. The tournament will once again offer the perfect hat-trick; hockey, a great cause, and a sense of community. The tournament is hosted by KEVS Foundation, a 501.3C and non-profit organization, who started the event back in 2011, in honor of Kevin Major, who passed away in 2011 at age 19 of sudden cardiac arrest. The tournament that started with 12 teams in 2011 has evolved to 30 teams last year with three divisions; pro, social, and old boys. Each team is guaranteed three games and the top teams will compete in the championships on Sunday August 13. Even though games get underway on Tuesday August 8, the official opening ceremony will take place at Noon on Saturday August 12. Members of KEVS Foundation will spend some time recognizing some of the work that the organization has done recently. Both the silent auction and 50/50 raffle begin on Friday at 3 p.m. and run until Noon on Sunday. Some of the raffle items
The tournament is played every year in honor of Kevin Major, who passed away in 2011 from sudden cardiac arrest. (WNG File Photo) in the past have included Southwest airlines tickets, Busch Garden’s tickets, sports memorabilia, and gift certificates to local area restaurants. Although the numerous days of exciting hockey which has featured several Division 1 College players See KJM Tournament, Page 8
Westfield Police Capt. Michael McCabe
Movie night under the stars continues Saturday By LORI SZEPELAK Correspondent WESTFIELD-For those of us old enough to remember the Sundown Drive-In Theater in the Hampton Ponds area or the Red Rock Drive-In in Southampton – those memories curled up with a blanket in the back seat of our family car are etched in our minds. This summer, the drive-in theater experience – 21st century style – continues with three movies on the grounds of the Amelia Park Children’s Museum on South Broad Street. The movies are sponsored by the Westfield Rotary Club and hosted by museum staff. The first movie, “The Bee Movie,” was screened June 24 and approximately 50 area residents attended. “Trolls” will be shown The Secret Life of Pets See Movie Night, Page 8 tonight, Saturday, July will be shown Aug. 12. 29 at 8 p.m.
The Peanuts Movie will be shown Aug. 19.
Preview of Special City Council Meeting on Monday By AMY PORTER Correspondent WESTFIELD – With the next regular City Council meeting scheduled for August 24 and urgent business to complete, Westfield City Council president Brent B. Bean, II has scheduled a Special City Council meeting for this Monday, July 31 at 5:30 p.m. in City Council chambers. “We really don’t like to do special meetings,” Bean said, adding, “Every year most councilors make time. The issues are high priority; as a collective group they responded.” He said only one councilor had a scheduled vacation and can’t make it. One of the high priority issues is a special permit for extended hours of operation for Boise Cascade, a request that first came before the City Council in March. After several public hearings, reviews by committee and amendments to the original special permit, the matter is up for a vote. “It would be unfair to make them wait another month,” Bean said. He said the lumberyard has done its due diligence to accommodate neighbors, and has spent money and time addressing issues of hours, light, and noise from their operation. “They’re in a tight spot,” he added. Another time sensitive issue is the vote to approve the $250,000 appropriation from the Community Preservation Committee for the Columbia Greenway Rail Trail. The urgency is to meet engineering and design deadlines for a $6.25 million state and federal match for the central portion of the trail, currently slated for 2019. “This is a situation in which we removed $250,000 from the general budget and in turn used CPA funds,” Bean said. He credited Ward 6 Council William Onyski for coming up with the idea, adding that other towns use CPA funds for their bike trails. Bean said questions about the legality of using CPC funds have been answered by the Law Department. “We’ll rely on them,” he said. The first item on Monday’s agenda will be a vote to authorize a new intergovernmental agreement between the City of Westfield and Westfield Gas & Electric Municipal Light Department for internet connection services. Currently, the city is operating on a month-to-month agreement with Comcast, with whom they had a previous threeyear contract. Bean said the sooner the City Council authorizes the agreement, the sooner they can meet Comcast’s 30 day cancellation notice. “We can then light the city up… with Whip City Fiber,” he said. Bean said Comcast “has been great,” both responsive and understanding. He also added that many residents still have Comcast. “We’re creating competition. In the end, it will save residents money on their bills,” Bean said. The City Council will also vote on a resolution approving the appropriation of monies for the creation of an accessible playground in the City See City Council, Page 7