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WEATHER TONIGHT Cloudy with showers late. Low of 38.
The Westfield News Serving Westfield, Southwick, and the surrounding Hilltowns
VOL. 85 NO. 286
www.thewestfieldnews.com SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2016
Saturday brings a lot of events to Westfield
By DAN DESROCHERS Correspondent WESTFIELD–For those in the city who had experienced continued lower water pressure through the holidays, relief should finally be here. The city of Westfield mid-day Friday announced that the water pressure issues that have plagued the western side of the city, including Westfield State University, have finally been resolved. The announcement came via the city’s website and emergency notices, but due to the city’s closure for the holidays no comment could be received from Department of Public Works. The water pressure initially lowered after there was a water main break on Northwest Road. The break was caused by a sudden surge of pressure after the Granville reservoir was put offline, adding to the issues that have been caused by drought and contamination of the water system this year. With water pressure back to normal, Westfield State University students are also allowed to come back to campus. They were initially forced off campus on Nov. 20 following the water pressure issue. Students are expected back as early as noon on Nov. 27.
A current look at the Granville reservoir. The shore is expanded and clearly visible, showing obvious drought conditions.
Festive decorations inside Flowers by Webster. can also expect to find handmade crafts from local artists, as well as a variety of raffle prizes. People can enter to win the prizes by buying a $5 coupon booklet that has three raffle tickets inside. Prizes include a variety of gift certificates from businesses including Whip City Music, Two Rivers Burrito Company, Blue Umbrella Books, Fast Feet and more. These events will be the beginning of the 13th annual Dickens Days, a month-long nonsecular celebration of the holidays and See Weekend Events, Page 7
Local politicians chime in on safe haven movement By GREG FITZPATRICK Correspondent WESTFIELD – In the aftermath of the presidential election, a large number of Massachusetts citizens have created a safe haven movement on social media. The movement is strongly suggesting that people throughout the state call Gov. Baker’s Boston and Springfield offices and urge the Governor to declare Massachusetts as a safe haven from hate. In fact, reported by WGBH News on Nov. 15, both of Gov. Baker’s offices received a total of 6,000 phone calls from individuals of the online group on Nov. 14. Tufts University Professor, Karina Meiri, helped with the call-in effort. Speaking with the WGBH News, Meiri explained what the social media group wants to see get accomplished.
75 cents
Water pressure issue resolved
By DAN DESROCHERS Correspondent WESTFIELD–Residents coming to the downtown area this Saturday will have plenty to do–or buy–as the holiday season is kicked off in Westfield. People can experience parades, a tree lighting, deals at a variety of small businesses and much more as Dickens Days and Small Business Saturday both coincide on Nov. 26. The events will help to highlight the continued improvements that the city has seen, including improved foot traffic flow, more storefronts and improved community involvement. The events this weekend though, are especially important to Mayor Brian Sullivan. He said that last year’s version of the events were the first set of events he was part of as acting mayor. He said that the city does an excellent job celebrating the holiday season and that there is a lot of hard work put into the effort every year. “What an exciting display of community participation, with so many family activities and business involvement,” Sullivan said.
Dickens Days coupon booklet. “This Saturday brings more awareness to downtown and what is down there, and we hope that it continues to bring more people down there,” Amber Danahey, Westfield’s community outreach coordinator, said. “There’s great places to walk and to see. It’s a much easier way to walk, parking is improving–it’s a much better thing for Westfield.” Those who visit the downtown area can expect to have a variety of events to attend, many of which are family-friendly. Starting at 10 a.m., Santa Claus will be brought to the Park Square Pavilion by fire truck, and the Curiosity Shop Tour–a self-guided tour of shops in the area with events, snacks and giveaways–will start at the Rinnova Building on Elm Street. Also at 10 a.m., those interested can go to the South Middle School on West Silver Street and participate in the Lanternlight Workshop, to create their own lanterns for the Lanternlight Parade at 6:15 p.m. Those who stop by the Rinnova Building
“Better to trust the man who is frequently in error than the one who is never in doubt.” — ERIC SEVAREID
SEN. HUMASON REP. VELIS “We want Gov. Baker to make the same kind of formal statement on behalf of Massachusetts and we find it very surprising and kind of worrying that he hasn’t come out with a formal statement yet,” said Meiri. Further into the article from WGBH, Gov. Baker’s Communications Director,
Lizzy Guyton, made a statement in response to the phone calls. “The Baker-Polito Administration rejects all forms of racism and discrimination and is committed to protecting the rights of all individuals, regardless of background, to ensure Massachusetts remains a welcoming place to live, work and raise a family.” The safe haven from hate would include any discrimination from race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, and ethnicity. Here in Western Massachusetts, local politicians have spoken out about the request made by several citizens. While they certainly don’t support discrimination of any kind, they don’t see how a declaration from Gov. Baker would make an impact. See Safe Haven, Page 7
Westfield School Committee member, and dog, complete Pediatric Therapy training By AMY PORTER Correspondent WESTFIELD – At the School Committee meeting last week, Diane Mayhew announced to her colleagues on the committee that she has completed K9 For Kids Pediatric Therapy training with her dog, “Maggie,” an English springer spaniel who she hopes to use in the Read to Rover program in the schools. Mayhew started the training three years ago, when Maggie was six months old, taking her through a series of classes with Melissa Kielbasa of Sandy Meadow Farm in Westfield. Although she has had Springer Spaniels before, she has never undergone therapy training with any of her other dogs. “My first Springer I showed in local little places,” Mayhew said. Her second Springer became a family pet. Maggie spent a year with her last dog, and Mayhew saw that she had a more outgoing personality. “We started with a puppy training class. Maggie was very outgoing, and did very, very well. She See Training, Page 7