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The Westfield News
“A
man is not old until regrets take the place of dreams.”
Serving Westfield, Southwick, and the surrounding Hilltowns
www.thewestfieldnews.com VOL. 83 NO. 17
John Barrymore
TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2014
75 cents
Stolen gold brings charges By Carl E. Hartdegen Staff Writer WESTFIELD – A city woman is facing larceny charges after she was arraigned in Westfield District Court Friday as a result of a police investigation into evidence that she stole a handful of gold jewelry from the home of a retired city police officer. Det. Anthony Tsatsos reports that the young woman, Gina M. Gallo, 24, of 162 Root Road, came to his attention during his regular examination of jewelry sales to area jewelry stores when he noticed that she had made multiple sales of gold jewelry at two area jewelry stores. Tsatsos was able to place a hold on five gold rings and a gold earring
Taylor with grandparents Rosalie West and Ray West. (Photo submitted)
American Idol contestant Taylor Hildack performs in front of the judges.
See Stolen Gold, Page 8
Senior Center on Planning Board docket By Dan Moriarty Staff Writer WESTFIELD – The Planning Board will begin its consideration tonight of the petition of the Council on Aging petition for approval of a site plan, special permit and stormwater management plan for the Senior Center to be constructed on Noble Street. The board will also initiate the review of Whip City Aviation, LLC, which plans to make substantial investment at Barnes Regional Airport to repair existing “T” hangers and to construct new hangers
Taylor gets a support hug from her family. (Photo submitted)
Taylor and Tyler Hildack. (Photo submitted)
Staff Writer WESTFIELD – After months of controversy involving the departure of now-former President Dr. Evan Dobelle, Westfield State University is looking to start the spring semester of 2014 off by mending it’s relationship with students and alumni alike. As a part of that effort, the University’s new advancement division, headed by former State Senator Michael R. Knapik, announced staffing changes this week and set an agenda emphasizing donor engagement for a new year filled with fundraising efforts. See Gala, Page 8
See Route 57, Page 3
Gala highlights Westfield State advancement effort By Peter Francis
Minimum Wait. Maximum Care.
Westfield native’s Idol experience By Peter Francis Staff Writer WESTFIELD – Taylor Hildack remembers the day last summer at Foxborough’s Gilette Stadium, when she was chosen out of thousands to take a walk to meet some very important people. Moments later, she was introduced to Ryan Seacrest, host of “American Idol”, the hit program that has captivated and inspired aspiring singers the world over, who then informed her that she would be moving on to the next round of auditions to earn a trip to Hollywood for the right to be crowned “American Idol.” While she didn’t advance past that third round of auditions in Boston, Hildack, 20,
has positive memories of her entire Idol experience, which culminated with an appearance on the program’s Season 13 premiere last week. “I felt like I was dreaming. I was on cloud nine,” said Hildack, daughter of Christine Libardi and Randy Hildack. “I could hear them (the judges) talking, but I could hardly hear them because of the adrenaline.” She cites jazz luminaries Etta James, Billie Holiday, and Nina Simone, along with modern R&B crooners Lana Del Rey and the late Amy Winehouse as inspirations, and showcased her versatility by belting James’ immortal “Something’s Got a Hold on Me” and Idol alum Carrie
Underwood’s “Before He Cheats” for Idol judges Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban, and Harry Connick, Jr. “We went through the registration in September at Gilette when a producer came up to her and asked her if she could sing,” said Taylor’s father. “So she sang for him, and he gave her a green sticker.” Randy Hildack went on to explain the exhilaration at hearing his daughter’s name the next day over the stadium loudspeakers, and promptly being led to meet Seacrest. Following the initial audition in Foxborough, Taylor Hildack went on to the next audition and then the regional final, See Westfield Idol, Page 8
DOT administrator: state ‘not interested’ in Route 57 By Hope E. Tremblay Staff Writer SOUTHWICK – It came as a big surprise to town and state officals last week when Administrator of the MassDOT Highway Division Frank DePaola wrote in a letter that the state was “not interested” in land where Route 57 is supposed to be extended. The letter was sent to Western Massachusetts Electric Company (WMECO), owners of the land. WMECO has been holding the property for the state, which promised to complete the Route 57 project decades ago and took homes along the path of the extension. The Southwick Board of Selectmen is hoping the state will offer a clarification of its position on extending Route 57. More than a week ago, a meeting took place in Boston regarding the future of Route 57. The meeting with DePaola was attended by Agawam Mayor Richard Cohen and West Springfield Mayor Edward Sullivan, along with state Reps. Nicholas Boldyga and Michael Finn, and State Sen. Donald Humason’s chief of staff. Southwick officials were not informed of the meeting until the day before, so
See Senior Center, Page 8
(www.facebook.com/
AmericanIdol)
Overgrown vegetation grows where a house once stood on the north side of the present Route 57 near the Southwick / Agawam town line. The home was purchased and razed to make way for the expansion of Route 57. (Photo by Frederick Gore)
Walk-In Express Care is now open in Westfield! Noble Express Care is conveniently located at 57 Union Street. Hours: Mon - Fri 11:00am - 8:00pm | Sat - Sun 10:00am - 5:00pm
Noble Express Care 57 Union Street, Westfield MA 01085 (413) 642-7200 NobleExpressCare.com Noble Express Care is a DBA of Westfield Medical Corp