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Velis testifies on behalf of Stolen Valor bill
few actions that correspond with them.” — ABIGAIL ADAMS
TUESDAY, JULY 21, 2015
VOL. 84 NO. 182
“We have too many high-sounding words, and too
75 cents
WHS principal Carter resigns
By HOPE E. TREMBLAY Staff Writer WESTFIELD – State Rep. John Velis’ Stolen Valor Bill went before the Judiciary Committee last week and if it becomes a law, it would impose tougher penalties to people stealing the identity of veterans by falsely claiming benefits given to them. “It’s about honor,” said Velis, a veteran himself. “We earned those uniforms.” Velis, who is a member of the Judiciary Committee, testified about the Stolen Valor merits along with Ludlow’s Veteran Service Agent Eric Segundo, who also serves as vice commander of the state VFW. A group of veterans attended the hearing and cheered at several points in the testimony. “The Committee did not ask a single question,” said Velis. “I have never seen that before See Stolen Valor, Page 3
LT. COL. MORRIS FONTENOT
Air Force: F-15 pilot in Va. forest crash was incapacitated By BROCK VERGAKIS Associated Press NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — A decorated combat veteran who died in an F-15 crash in the George Washington National Forest in Virginia was incapacitated and unable to eject, according to an Air Force investigation released Monday. Lt. Col. Morris “Moose” Fontenot Jr., a member of the Massachusetts Air National Guard, was killed in the Aug. 27 crash near Deerfield, about 135 miles northwest of Richmond. The investigation by Air Combat Command says Fontenot was incapacitated during a rapid descent, rendering him unable to recover or eject from the aircraft. The report says the investigative board didn’t have enough evidence to pinpoint why Fontenot was incapacitated. “With no eyewitness accounts, surviving aircrew members, detailed emergency calls, or flight data recordings, and with minimal information from analysis of components recovered at the mishap site, the specific reason (Fontenot) became incapacitated could not be determined,” the report says. At the time of the crash, Fontenot was flying from Barnes Air National Guard Base to Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans so the aircraft could receive a radar upgrade. The day before the flight, Fontenot had removed himself from the flying schedule because he said he had a head cold or sinus infection. The day of the flight, he didn’t appear congested or unfit to fly, according to the report. A few minutes before 9 a.m., Fontenot radioed to an air traffic control center in Washington while he was flying at about 38,000 feet that he was experiencing an emergency. Less than two minutes later, the jet crashed and residents near Deerfield said they heard a series of explosion-like booms. At some point in the flight, a warning light came on indicating higher than normal temperature in the avionics bay. The report said it’s
REP. JOHN VELIS
See F-15 Crash, Page 3
By AMY PORTER Correspondent WESTFIELD – Superintendent Suzanne Scallion announced today that Westfield High School Principal Jonathan Carter has resigned effective August 21. Carter and his family will be relocating to Connecticut where he will be pursuing graduate studies in education law. He is also committed to spending more time with his young sons, ages 4 & 6, Scallion said in a statement. “We wish him the best, of course,” she said. JONATHAN CARTER In his letter of resignation to the superintendent, Carter said: “I appreciate the opportunity that I have had to work with so many wonderful students, families, and educators during my two years in Westfield. I have learned a lot from you and the other talented educators in Westfield, and together we have accomplished many great things on behalf of Westfield kids. Together we have moved Westfield High School forward, as illustrated by our improved MCAS results, best-ever Advanced Placement results, and even an exchange partnership with a high school in Denmark! I leave with a heavy heart, but with the belief that Westfield High School and Westfield Public Schools will continue to thrive and prepare ALL students to meet the 21st century rigors and demands of college, the workforce, and our ever-changing community.” Dennis Duquette, currently principal at South Middle School, has been named interim principal at the high school. Scallion said that Duquette previously served as a superintendent and principal before coming to Westfield. She called him “upbeat, personable, and a motivator.” Scallion said Duquette will continue at South until the end of the month, then transition to the high school. Justin Baker, currently assistant principal at North Middle School, will be the interim principal at South Middle School. Baker has worked as a teacher for Westfield for several years and is enthused about the opportunity to team with the staff at South. Scallion called Baker, “one of our rising stars.” Scallion said the position of assistant principal at North Middle School, which Baker is vacating, is a contract position that will be posted. Scallion said that the hope is that both interim positions will become permanent. “They’re both interim until June 30 of next year, at which time we’ll get to decide and they’ll get to decide. We know how successful they are in their current positions,” she said. “Both Mr. Duquette and Mr. Baker possess a match in leadership skills to the needs in their new schools. While not an ideal time for administrative changes, we’re very pleased that we have the talent in house to fill the positions,” she said.
Level 3 sex offender arraigned on new assault charges
Cash, phone taken from barber by job applicant By CHRISTINE CHARNOSKY Correspondent WESTFIELD – A local barber had money and a phone taken by someone who pretended to be seeking employment. David Munoz, owner of County Barber Shop located at 61 School Street, reported the incident to police at 1:36 p.m. Thursday afternoon. Munoz says a man whom is known to the victim came in inquiring about employment. Munoz walked out of the room for a moment and when he returned, $280 in cash and his cell phone were gone along with the man. Munoz said Friday this man works as a barber at a local hair salon. A Google search of the alleged suspect’s name shows he has been a licensed master barber since 2007, according to the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation website. Munoz gave the man’s name to police and he is hoping they will press charges.
ties can be located anywhere if not locally regulated. Chapter 40A, section 3 states: No zoning ordinance or by-law shall prohibit or unreasonably regulate the installation of solar energy systems or the building of structures that facilitate the collection of solar energy, except where necessary to protect the
By CHRISTINE CHARNOSKY Correspondent WESTFIELD – A registered level 3 sex offender was arraigned in Westfield District Court Monday on new charges of assaulting a minor. Jesse J. Caisse, Sr., 44, was arrested after a search warrant was served on his Holyoke Road address at 1:05 p.m. Saturday afternoon. He was charged with indecent assault and battery of a person 14 or over, witness intimidation, and arrest on a warrant temporary by clerk. Caisse, who is being represented by courtappointed attorney Maria Barroso, entered a not JESSE J. guilty plea to the charges. CAISSE, SR. Caisse was held in the Hampden County House of Correction over the weekend and sent back to the facility Monday afternoon until a pre-trail detention hearing is held on
See Solar Farm, Page 3
See Charges, Page 3
Mayor Daniel M. Knapik, Citizens Energy Chairman Joe Kennedy and Sean Fitzgerald of Westfield Gas and Electric throw the switch to start operations for a solar array at the city landfill in May. (WNG file photo)
Planning Board to assess proposed solar farm ordinance By DAN MORIARTY Staff Writer WESTFIELD – The Planning Board will conduct a public hearing tonight to hear details of a proposed ordinance to regulate the construction of solar farms within the city. The ordinance is being proposed by Ward 1 Councilor Christopher Keefe to “adopt restrictions and Planning Board review requirements for
large ground-mounted solar energy facilities.” Keefe is seeking approval of the ordinance by the City Council and recommendations from the Planning Board because currently the (city’s code of zoning ordinance) is silent on these issues” and under state law (Massachusetts General Law Chapter 40A, Section 3, (which addresses zoning exemptions) those facili-
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