Search for The Westfield News
WEATHER TONIGHT Chance of snow. Low of 19.
The Westfield News Serving Westfield, Southwick, and the surrounding Hilltowns
www.thewestfieldnews.com SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 2015
VOL. 84 NO. 079
Baker asks for snow disaster declaration BOB SALSBERG and STEVE LeBLANC Associated Press BOSTON (AP) — Gov. Charlie Baker formally asked the federal government on Friday to declare a disaster in 10 Massachusetts counties after a relentless series of winter storms brought record snowfall and frigid temperatures, causing 25 deaths and costing the state and its cities and towns an estimated $400 million. The request was made in a 22-page letter to President Barack Obama, delivered through the acting regional administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Citing an “unprecedented and disastrous pattern of severe winter weather,” the letter seeks 75 percent federal reimbursement for snow removal and other costs related to the storms, which Baker is asking FEMA and the president to treat as a single, monthlong disaster. “Despite our experience in dealing with harsh winter conditions, this severe pattern brought (Massachusetts) to a virtual standstill for days at a time,” Baker wrote. “Our public transit system collapsed, and private sector commerce, government services and healthcare suffered severe disruptions,” he added. While his administration took a number of steps to respond, the impacts went beyond the state’s capabilities and prompted appeals for
ON THE STREET
“Do you think the city could do more to support downtown and other businesses?”
LORI STACY Yes, I’d like to see the downtown area maybe like a little Northampton.
MEL SMITH Yes, I think they could consider maybe a ‘First Friday’ event where businesses can give specials for a day. It might get people out here.
KYLE CANOLE I’m from Milford, Mass. and this looks nothing like “my” downtown. I would hope the city could give tax breaks or other incentives for these businesses. Lots of small shops here, it’s nice.
ABBY McNUTT They could do more to help the downtown businesses. Shopping especially.
JOE WYNN I think they could do more for the beautification of the downtown area now that the Business Improvement District is dissolved.
LOU SIROIS I do think that the people in local government could show a stronger presence and maybe their constituents might also follow.
See Baker, Page 8
PHOTOS BY FREDERICK GORE
Alumna to present poetry at Westfield State WESTFIELD – On Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. the Loughman Living Room in Scanlon Hall will host alumna Lisa Mangini ’08 as she reads poems from her new collection, Bird Watching at the End of the World. Mangini released three chapter books in 2014, one fiction and two poetry in addition to Bird Watching at the End of the World. Along with own work, Mangini strives to showcase others’ talents, evidenced in her 2011 founding of Paper Nautilus, an independent literary journal, which is released once a year. Leah Nielsen, associate professor of English, believes Mangini’s reading could
inspire students to pursue careers in creative writing. “The benefit of bringing Westfield State alums back to campus to read their creative work is that it allows current students to see what the future can hold,” Nielsen said. “It’s hard, sometimes, when you’re in school and dreaming of a writing career, to realize it can actually happen. Lisa’s reading and question and answer session will provide a chance for our current writing students to envision their own writing lives.” Mangini teaches English composition and See Poetry, Page 8
LISA MANGINI
Girl Scout cookie culinary event coming back to Holyoke HOLYOKE – The “Call for Chefs” for the Girl Scouts Fork It Over culinary event has been announced. Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts is bringing Fork It Over back to Holyoke, June 23, and invites area chefs to join a one-of-a-kind culinary experience. Most everyone has heard of, if not tasted, a Girl Scout cookie at some point in their life. Participating chefs are asked to put a new spin on old favorites. Will they puree Do-Si-Dos cookies to create a Thai Peanut Pork Loin? Or crush up Savannah Smiles for a light, lemon cheesecake? Savory or sweet, chefs may use any of the eight varieties of Girl Scout cookies to create what they will. From Samoa Coconut Shrimp to Thin Mint Mississippi Mud Bars, there is no shortage of creativity at Fork It Over.
Space is limited. Once on board, chefs are provided a full selection of Girl Scout cookies to experiment with. When their recipe is ready, chefs are provided all the cookies necessary to create the final product. The finished creations are presented to a panel of judges at the Fork It Over event on June 23 at the Delaney House in Holyoke. The evening will feature a silent auction, raffle and live musical entertainment. Chefs are asked
to create approximately 250 bite-size portions of their creation for guests to taste. Tables and linens are provided to all chefs to display their creation and advertise their business. Chef commitment deadline is May 1 and recipes are due June 3. The event is open to the public and is a great way to support the Girl Scouts in your community. Tickets are $30 each or two tickets for $50 for advance purchases, and are available online at yourtimewellspent.org. All tickets at the door on June 23 are $30 each. For more chef information or for a full variety of Girl Scout cookies to experiment with, contact: Melanie Bonsu at 800-462-9100 (toll free in MA), or 413-584-2602, or mbonsu@gscwm.org
“Those who say they give the public what it wants begin by underestimating public taste and end by debauching it.” — T.S. ELIOT
75 cents
Velis to appear on Fox Saturday By HOPE E. TREMBLAY Staff Writer WESTFIELD – State Rep. John Velis, (D-Westfield) is gaining national attention from all political parties for his Stolen Valor Act. Velis is set to appear on Fox News’ America’s News Headquarters tomorrow afternoon to discuss the legislation, which would make it a crime to fake military service for financial gain. Velis will appear live at approximately 4:40 p.m. from the Fox newsroom in New York City. Velis said he was surprised when he REP. JOHN started receiving calls from Fox more VELIS than a week ago. “A Fox reporter reached out to me for a story and the Boston Herald picked it up and now Fox called to ask me to be on the show,” said Velis. The Democrat comes from a Republican family and said party affiliation is not as important as it used to be. “For me it’s about the issues, not the party, and I believe most people feel that way today,” said Velis. “I credit Fox for seeing this issue beyond the party,” he said. Velis is a freshman representative and said it is an honor to have his bill recognized. “It’s not every day a state-level politician gets invited to a national news program – I hope to do Westfield proud.” The bill serves as a beefed-up version of a federal statute making it a felony for an individual to falsely claim military service for financial gain. In addition to the federal government, several states already have similar laws on their books, but the Westfield Democrat, a captain in the United States Army Reserve who served in combat in Afghanistan, is proposing the toughest stolen valor law in the country, making it a criminal offense that could earn a fine of $1,000, a year in prison, or both. Velis received overwhelming support from the House of Representatives as co-sponsors for the Stolen Valor Act. “As a war veteran, this kind of bipartisan support is absolutely moving,” said Velis. “Most bills don’t get anywhere near this amount of co-sponsors.” Velis has received numerous emails from veterans commending his legislation and recounting their own personal stories. Velis said he is touched by what he has heard and feels it is “disgraceful” for anyone to falsely present veteran status because it is a dishonor to those who served and their families. The bill is currently in the judiciary committee. Velis hopes it will be heard soon. “There is widespread support for this bill and I can only hope that we move this bill through this year. Not this session, – this year,” said Velis.
National Federation of the Blind supports state commissioner’s efforts BALTIMORE – The National Federation of the Blind today expressed its support for Massachusetts Commissioner for the Blind Paul Saner and his plan to transition funding into more programs for employment and technology training for the blind. “The National Federation of the Blind is dedicated to ensuring that every blind person can live the life he or she wants,” Mark A. Riccobono, president of the National Federation of the Blind, said. “We therefore believe that the services of rehabilitation agencies must be directed toward training blind people for employment in today’s economy, as well as helping them to acquire and maintain jobs.” The Commission for the Blind will be transitioning funding from the Massachusetts Talking Information Center into other essential programs over a period of three years. While the move has garnered some criticism, alternatives for accessing newspapers, magazines, and other printed information exist in Massachusetts. One such alternative information resource for the blind is NFB-NEWSLINE®, funded by the Perkins Library. NFB-NEWSLINE® is an audio information service for the blind that is free of charge, easy to use, and requires no special equipment. If a person can operate a touchtone telephone, that person can access NFB-NEWSLINE®. “This service has everything I need in terms of news and information,” said Dr. David Ticchi, a senior citizen and retired blind schoolteacher who lives in Cambridge. “It’s available to me whenever I want or need it, and it is very easy to use. I personally prefer to use my regular touchtone telephone. With NFB-NEWSLINE®, it’s easy for any blind or print-disabled person to keep up to date and informed. You can just dial in and all the news, from sports to business to the obituaries, is at your fingertips.” See Blind, Page 8