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The Westfield News Serving Westfield, Southwick, and the surrounding Hilltowns
www.thewestfieldnews.com VOL. 85 NO. 279
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2016
“Prejudice is a raft onto which the shipwrecked mind clambers and paddles to safety.” — BEN HECHT
75 cents
Marijuana legalization in Westfield could face difficulties By DAN DESROCHERS Correspondent WESTFIELD–Even though Massachusetts voters chose to legalize recreational marijuana last week, city officials are uncertain when, how or even if the drug will find its way into shops any time soon. As the Commonwealth attempts to formulate legislation after question four was passed last week, it is clear that municipalities will have control over some portions of implementation. For city officials though,
there are a lot of unknowns and some fear about the implementation and existence of legalized marijuana, which could delay its appearance in the Whip City. “I think there’s a lot of unknowns with the question itself and it will be a learning process for a lot of municipalities and police departments,” Mayor Brian Sullivan said about the enforcement of question four. “I talked to the police chief and it’s going to be very difficult to manage.”
JLBA members Maureen Suriner, Linda Fontaine-Greenia and Michele Keeney at Tuesday’s networking meeting. (Photo by Amy
Indeed, enforcement has become a concern for municipalities, as some worry that marijuana could lead to impaired driving and other drug problems. And as the opiate crisis continues to impact the area, politicians on both sides of the aisle are finding themselves against legalizing marijuana. Two such politicans–Sen. Don Humason, a republican, and Sullivan, a democrat–have their roots and their decision-making abilities tied to Westfield. “I was a big no on that question,”
Sullivan said about question four. “Having dealt with the opiate crisis right now I couldn’t imagine legalizing marijuana and all the stories and statistics we have seen about
recreational drugs like marijuana becoming addictive.” Similarly Humason, in a prior interview with Westfield News, voiced his concerns about the legalization of marijuana. “It would drive business out of cities, it would cause increased driving under the influence, it would increase opiate addiction,” Humason said. “I think there will be a lot of buyer’s remorse if it’s legalized.” See Marijuana, Page 3
Documentary being shown at WSU to help upcoming legislation
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Hilltown businesses network at monthly meeting By AMY PORTER Correspondent HUNTINGTON – The Jacob’s Ladder Business Association met on Tuesday at The Rapids in Huntington for their monthly “Snack and Schmooze” networking event. The JLBA is a group of business owners, artists and entrepreneurs with a goal of facilitating business opportunities in the hilltowns, while recognizing and preserving the natural resources of the area. A short business meeting preceded the schmoozing on Tuesday, according to JLBA president Michele Kenney of Chester, owner of Functional Art Thermal Insulated Window Treatments. Discussed was a proposed business and Michele Kenney and hiking map, and an Elizabeth Massa (Photo by upgrade to the JLBA Amy Porter) website at www.jlba. org. JLBA member Elizabeth Massa of Russell, a plumbing and heating specialist, is working on identifying family friendly hiking trails to include on the map. Ingrid O’Riordan of Turley Publications discussed a print proposal for the map. Visitor Linda Hill of Agawam, owner of The WebScientists, shared some of her web products and knowledge with the group. Door prizes donated by members were given out, along with sandwiches and chili from The Rapids. The December meeting of the JLBA will take place on Tuesday, December 13 at 6 p.m. at The Swinging Bridge Auctions in Huntington. Kenney also encouraged JLBA members to drop in anytime during the open house for economic development that will be held on Tuesday, November 29th from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Stanton Hall in Huntington. “I would like to encourage Hilltown Business owners to get involved in the various efforts being undertaken for regional economic development. This is a time of great opportunity for the Southern Hilltown region. I feel that by working together, we can create an improved economic situation where small businesses thrive, and residents can afford to stay in their homes,” Kenney said.
By DAN DESROCHERS Correspondent WESTFIELD–In an effort help residents understand why a plastic bag ban is being drafted, a Westfield State University intern will be showing a plastic bag documentary at the college this Friday. The documentary, titled “Bag It,” will help to explain the environmental and health impacts the plastic bags make, both locally and internationally. It will be shown at Scanlon Hall at Westfield State University on Nov. 18 at 6 p.m. The event is free and the public is welcome to attend. The entirety of the event is anticipated take about an hour and a half, and MARY ANN will include discussion. BABINSKI The film precedes an ordinance that will soon be going to city council, specifically the public health and safety committee, and is being spear-headed by Ward 1 councilor Mary Ann Babinski. “People can expect to hear a lot about plastics in general, and how they’re affecting our health and our children’s health and the health of the planet,” Sean Bacon, intern from Westfield State University and organizer of the event, said. “In particular, the impact that plastic bags have on all these.” The showing of the film is the only one currently scheduled in the city, with no future showings booked. However, Babinski did say there is a possibility of another showing in January 2017. The film will be preceding legislation that will be formally introduced to the city council’s public health and safety committee within the next month. Bacon is See Documentary, Page 3
Joe Deedy is preparing for the 5th annual Thanksgiving at Moolicious. (Photo from Joe Deedy)
Southwick business set to provide meals for all in the community By GREG FITZPATRICK Correspondent SOUTHWICK – With Thanksgiving right around the corner, it is an obvious time for families to come together and spend the special holiday in the comfort of one’s home. For Moolicious Farm, they too could say that their family is spending the day with each other as well, except their family will be much larger than most. The 5th annual Thanksgiving at Moolicious Farm is set to happen yet again on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday November 24. The last four years doing it, owner Joe Deedy has seen his dining area of the restaurant packed with families, old friends from high school, and just people that don’t have anywhere to go or no family in the area, and just simply want a hot meal and good company. The meals are free and are open
to all ages in Southwick and the surrounding Hilltowns. That is what Thanksgiving Day consists of for Deedy as he sees the whole dining room fill up past 3 p.m. “It’s more of a community fun event,” said Deedy. “We don’t see any sad faces.” Moolicious does their best to make sure that there are no sad faces, even if people don’t physically come to the restaurant. Besides allowing folks to dine in at Moolicious, Deedy has anywhere from five to ten volunteers who make deliveries to homes. The volunteers begin to deliver the meals at noon and it typically takes around an hour to complete the deliveries. Dining in begins at 1pm. As of November 15, Deedy says he has about 38 reservations for meals. Looking at the last four years See Meals, Page 3
Wright Flight donation
Ed Pelletier, Linda Hill and Steve Hamlin. by Amy Porter)
(Photo
The Wright Flight team at Barnes. Rick Farrell, Mike Gutkowski, George Merriam, William Coughlen, Linda Carr, Bill Stevenson, Pete Ouellette, Ev Talmadge, Ed Spellacy, and Bob Gould. Western Massachusetts Wright Flight was presented a check from the Massachusetts Airport Managers Association to help them with their advocacy and training of students interested in the aviation industry. Western Mass Wright Flight introduces students in grades 7 through 12 to the field of aviation, its history, the principles of flight, and the many career opportunities available in the aviation industry. To learn more about this program visit: www.wmawf.org. See additional Photos Page 3. (Photo by Lynn F. Boscher)