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The Westfield News Serving Westfield, Southwick, and the surrounding Hilltowns
“The most dangerous
of all falsehoods is a slightly distorted truth.”
— GEORG CHRISTOPH LICHTENBERG
www.thewestfieldnews.com VOL. 85 NO. 206
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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2016
Danahey sees ‘engagement’ as key to her COC role By LORI SZEPELAK Correspondent WESTFIELD-Amber Danahey, the city’s new community outreach coordinator, sees her role as one of “engagement” with businesses and constituents in all facets of life in Westfield. Having just surpassed her first 90 days in Suite 300 at City Hall, Danahey reflected on Wednesday morning of how she sees her engagement role unfolding over time. “Two-way communication is an important way to engage the public and make more connections,” she said. “We also plan to increase our social media presence.” Mayor Brian P. Sullivan echoed those sentiments in a separate interview. “Community outreach and engagement has become increasingly important, particularly with the emergence of social media,” said Sullivan.
“Facebook, Twitter, and countless other apps have changed how people are informed about local government.” Sullivan noted that the days of the mayor and department heads meeting with reporters who cover the “City Hall Beat” is no longer enough. “Those connections remain important but people are looking for more two-way communication, and my vision for Amber is to have her serve as a conduit between City Hall, the citizens, the business community, and our nonprofit community,” said Sullivan. Since Danahey started May 31, she has made it a point to drop in on businesses when her schedule allows introducing herself. Additionally, she has attended several events including ribbon cuttings, one of Sullivan’s “coffee hour” sessions, and a “business mixer” networking event conducted Tuesday night, hosted by real estate agent Leslie
Lambert. Danahey has also attended a legislative tour at the Massachusetts Air National Guard – 104th Fighter Wing at Barnes ANG Base, and a meeting of the Massachusetts Mayors’ Association. “When communication breaks down, it becomes more difficult for my Administration to explain why or how certain things happen,” added Sullivan. “An informed and engaged public makes for better government, and that is really what we’re all striving for here.” Danahey concurred. “The last 90 days have been eyeopening,” said Danahey. “Everyone I have met has been so nice, so helpful, and has had great suggestions and recommendations.” Danahey explained that during Tuesday night’s event, she reviewed See Danahey, Page 3
Amber Danahey is Westfield’s new community outreach coordinator.
Hazard mitigation planning underway
Overdose Awareness Day Mayor Sullivan leads off the candle lighting ceremony. See additional photos Page 8. (Photo by Marc St. Onge)
Southwick Fire seeking advertisers By DAN DESROCHERS Correspondent SOUTHWICK–The town’s fire department is seeking businesses to assist in developing their new calendar. The Southwick Fire Department is selling space on each month’s page in order
to raise money for an all-terrain rescue vehicle, or ATR. All money received from the businesses will go toward producing the calendar, while all funds raised from donations from residents who get the calendar will help to purchase the ATR.
A group of Southwick firefighters. This photo may be used in the calendar. (Photo provided by Jessica Bishop)
“Last year people will remember that we did a fundraiser with a photographer,” Jessica Bishop, Southwick firefighter-paramedic and project organizer, said. “From that we made a little over $9,000. It was really impressive and great to see the community reach out. It was quite touching.” That photography project, which cost $25 per donation and those who participated received the chance to have a professional portrait taken and their own copy, led to the department purchasing a thermal imaging camera. The calendar will be designed to have pictures from the fire department for each month, from December 2016 to January 2018. Spaces around the pictures will be used for businesses to advertise. The calendars will be sent to every residence in Southwick, along with an envelope that suggests a See Southwick Fire, Page 3
By DAN DESROCHERS Correspondent WESTFIELD–Residents were given the first chance to discuss the new hazard mitigation plan yesterday evening at city hall. The meeting was the first of two public participation events that are being held by the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC), who is helping to create the new plan along with a hazard mitigation planning committee, and is funded by FEMA and MEMA.The committee is comprised of several parts of municipal and civil services, including department of public works, police and fire departments and even the local hospital. The discussion mostly covered the possible changes that will be coming to Westfield’s current hazard mitigation plan, which was last changed in 2008. “Hazardous mitigation is action taken to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to people and property,” presenter and PVPC land useenvironmental planner Ashley Eaton said. Eaton said that the current plan is expired by FEMA standards, which requires that plans be updated every five years. Without the plan being updated, Eaton said that the city is not eligible for FEMA and MEMA
grants to help fund many hazard mitigation projects, like dam and levy repairs, flood control equipment, snow removal and hazard preparedness. However, Eaton stressed that this does not preclude the city from receiving funding or assistance from FEMA or MEMA if a disaster strikes. Eaton said that the key changes that have been suggested by the committee so far is the inclusion of both extreme temperature and climate change responses within the plan, as well as improving language and scope regarding microbursts; the latter of which has brought increased awareness in western Massachusetts since 2008. Public participation at the meeting was limited, as the audience was small. However, PVPC will be having additional meetings that the public can attend on Sept. 14 and Sept. 21, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at city hall. Also, on Sept. 21 there is a tentatively planned public discussion event for the hazard mitigation plan, but the time has not been set. If any residents have comments, concerns or would like to see anything addressed by the committee or in the plan, they are urged to email Ashley Eaton at aeaton@pvpc.org, or by calling (413)781-6045.
A car remains buried in the front yard of a Southwick resident after Thursday’s snowstorm. (WNG file photo)
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