Search for The Westfield News
WEATHER TONIGHT Showers, t-storms late. Low of 59.
The Westfield News
“Dreams are
often most profound when they seem the most crazy.”
Serving Westfield, Southwick, and the surrounding Hilltowns
— SIGMUND FREUD
www.thewestfieldnews.com THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2015
VOL. 84 NO. 225
The Rugged Maniac 5k drew all-day crowds for this huge two day event. Large participant groups started on an every 15-minute mark to keep things moving and the fun rolled throughout the day. Participants come from all over New England to participate and test their mettle in this yearly event. (Photo by Cindi Williamson)
Film crew wants to document Rugged Maniacs in Southwick By HOPE E. TREMBLAY Staff Writer SOUTHWICK – A television crew is seeking permits to film this year’s Rugged Maniac event Sept. 26-27 at the American Legion Post 338’s motocross track. Joshua Sopp, a field production manager who has worked on the TV series Shark Tank and The Great Food Truck Race, requested permission to bring a small crew to Southwick. Chief Administrative Officer Karl Stinehart told the Board of Selectmen the crew would consist of six people including two producers, camera operators, audio and PA technicians all in one mini van.
“We’re checking the codes to make sure there’s nothing that has to go through the Planning Board,” Stinehart said. Stinehart said Police Chief David Ricardi was reviewing the request as well. Sopp was reached by phone about the project but he said a confidentiality clause prevented him from commenting on filming the event. Last year Rob Dickens and Bradford Scudder — the entrepreneurs behind Rugged Maniac – pitched their 5k obstacle race as a shorter, entry-level obstacle race more challenging than some, but more accessible than longer, more intense events on an episode of
Shark Tank. Panel member Mark Cuban, the high-profile owner of NBA’s Dallas Mavericks, Landmark Theatres and Magnolia Pictures, agreed to invest $1.75 million in exchange for 25 percent ownership in the company. The pair started their business in 2010 and in 2014, took their 3.1 mile course with 25+ obstacles to 20 cities all over the United States. Participants start their day slogging through mud, sliding into pools of water, running through fire hurdles, climbing over walls and more as they make their way through the 3.1 mile course. When they’re done, there’s bands, beer, and camaraderie among the “rugged” participants.
Local, state green energy groups rally By AMY PORTER Correspondent HOLYOKE – Environmental advocates from around the region held a press conference outside of Holyoke City Hall Wednesday to launch Mass Power Forward, a new statewide coalition of 80 organizations dedicated to clean energy. Press conferences were also held simultaneously in Weymouth, Boston, Pittsfield and Fall River. The launch is in advance of a major legislative hearing on energy scheduled for September 29. Claire Miller of Toxics Action Center, a statewide member of the coalition, said the legislature will be considering major energy policy at the hearing. “We want to be connected and communicating across the entire state,” Miller said. “We’re really at a crossroads.” Representing Westfield at the press conference was Mary Ann Babinski, spokesperson for Westfield Concerned Citizens (WCC). She spoke of the group’s eight-year-long fight to stop a proposed gas-fired power plant in the city. She said although the construction has been delayed, the power plant proponents continue to apply for permit extensions. “They are not going away and neither are we,” she said. Babinski is also a candidate for the Westfield City Council, where she hopes to continue the fight. “WCC believes now more than ever
75 cents
Huntington passes amended contribution to Gateway budget
By AMY PORTER Correspondent HUNTINGTON – The town of Huntington held a Special Town Meeting on Wednesday evening in Stanton Hall to vote on the Gateway Regional School District budget. Interim moderator Thomas Gralinski was sworn in at the start of the meeting due to long-time moderator Peter Jacques’ resignation. He read the sole article in the warrant, to appropriate or transfer from unappropriated funds in the treasury, the sum of $547,979 for Huntington’s share of the over-minimum contribution to the budget for the Gateway Regional School District. The Finance Committee and the Select Board then both stated that they did not recommend the full amount in the warrant. Select Board member Ed Renauld moved to amend the amount of the contribution to $404,211, which he said was the maximum allowed under Proposition 2 ½. Renauld gave a brief explanation: he said that the town held a Special Town Meeting in May, prior to the annual meeting, to request a Proposition 2 ½ override in order to pay for the district’s above-minimum contribution of $547,979, slightly
See Gateway Budget, Page 3
Committee works to protect Westfield River By FRAN RYAN For the Daily Hampshire Gazette Environmental educators have long believed that people with a deep understanding of, and meaningful ties to, the area in which they live are more invested than others in protecting that environment. Proof that this “sense of place” concept is working in the Valley is found in the work of the Wild and Scenic Westfield River Committee. The committee is part of the National Wild and Scenic River System, which was created by Congress in 1968 to preserve and protect rivers with “outstandingly remarkable scenic, recreational, geologic, fish & wildlife, historic, cultural, or other similar values.” To achieve this goal, the Wild and Scenic Westfield River Committee enlists the help of people who are directly engaged with or affected by the rivers, brooks and streams that make up the watershed. This includes landowners who live along the waterways, local environmental specialists, business owners and other concerned people who want to pitch in to help conserve the natural resources around them. “This is the only program in the country where the protection efforts come from people that actually live along the waterways,” said Roan Katahdin, the Worthington representative to the Westfield River Wild and Scenic Committee. This hands-on grassroots approach to protecting the watershed, combined with assistance from state and federal agencies, has proven to be an effective strategy. Since its initial designation as the state’s first National Wild & Scenic River in 1993, 35 miles of the Westfield River’s three major tributaries and headwater streams have been added to the designation, which now totals 78 miles of waterways. “Before that first designation, it was the committee themselves that had to ID certain segments of the river they thought might fit the criteria,” said Meredyth Babcock, volunteer coordinator for the Wild and Scenic Westfield River Committee. “They had to walk it, take photos, document everything they saw, put that together and submit the proposal as to why they thought it deserved protection. It was community people that really did most of the foot See Westfield River, Page 3
Jed Proujansky, Select Board member from Northfield and Mary Ann Babinski of Westfield Concerned Citizens talk about their advocacy efforts to promote clean energy at home. (Photo by Amy Porter) that this fossil fuel power plant should legislation this fall that will determine not have been sited here or anywhere,” how our state will replace fossil fuel and she said. nuclear power plants,” he said. Also speaking at the rally was Jeff “Investment decisions made this year, Proujansky, Select Board member in such as taxes on citizens to help build Northfield where Kinder Morgan hopes Kinder Morgan’s pipeline will deterto build a compressor station and a pipe- mine how we power our communities line, similar to the one currently in for decades.” Southwick. “Massachusetts leaders will weigh See Green Energy, Page 3
Riding club holds horse show Sunday WESTFIELD – The Westfield Riding Club hosts its second show of the season on Sunday beginning at 8:30 a.m. at the club grounds located at 29 Fowler Road in Westfield. More than 55 riders are pre-registered for Sunday’s event and spectators are welcome. The club is a non-profit organization founded on the eve of World War II in 1939 by a group of horse enthusiasts whose intent was “fostering interest in the use, care, breeding and protection of horses.” “Horseback riding is one activity that every member of a family can participate in. It is not unusual for generations of family members to be showing together and that is what makes our horse shows unique and fun,” said club president Sarah Bonini.”
The show will features classes and prizes for horses and riders of all ages and disciplines including the the Founder’s Day Pleasure Classic, a Pro-Am Challenge, Jackpot Showmanship & Jackpot Versatility Classic, “Bareback Eq” Challenge and the Wildfire Farm Equine Rescue Challenge. Three perpetual trophies will be awarded. The club organizes educational activities, programs, shows, trail rides, and other events to enhance the understanding of correct horse management and riding, as well as appreciation of the horse with particular emphasis on youth participation at all levels. “We are very fortunate to have such an active club, one that See Riding Show, Page 3
ATTENTION TEACHERS !
Keep Your Week Going...
EvEry WEdnEsday in sEptEmbEr comE in and gEt a
FREE CoFFEE! With your School ID. 1 pEr customEr, pEr day
ress P e h
T
roo
m
Coffees • edibles • News 62 School St. • Westfield
62 School St • WeStfield
ValID SEpt. 2-30, 2015