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The Westfield News Serving Westfield, Southwick, and the surrounding Hilltowns
“Love hath no physic for a grief too deep.” — ROBERT NATHAN
www.thewestfieldnews.com
Finance Committee recommends $600,000 cut to school department
Flanagan family ‘Grateful’ for community support By LORI SZEPELAK Correspondent WESTFIELD-On a recent morning visit with Angela Flanagan at her home, her daughter Gianna was bouncing on her knee, and asked politely, “I want to see pictures of Daddy.” Flanagan took a moment to select one of her favorite photos of her husband, Tom, from photos stored in her phone so that Gianna would smile. For Gianna, those photographs will be one of her connections to her dad since he was killed in a tragic car crash in South Hadley on May 22. As of Monday morning, the Northwestern District Attorney’s office said the accident “is still under investigation” and has not released the name of the driver who police say crossed the center line on College Street and hit Flanagan’s car head-on. Both drivers were transported to Baystate Medical Center; Flanagan did not survive the crash.
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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 2016
VOL. 85 NO. 134
Tom Flanagan of Westfield was killed recently in a head-on collision in South Hadley. He is seen with his wife, Angela, and their children, Gianna and Liam, while on an April vacation in Myrtle Beach. “On the day of Tom’s accident he went to work like he normally does on Sundays,” said Flanagan. “I was at a birthday party with the kids, and received a phone call around 7:40 p.m. that Tom had been in a serious accident but nobody knows details.” See Community, Page 8
By AMY PORTER Correspondent WESTFIELD – At-large Councilor David Flaherty, a member of the Finance subCommittee, started the budget hearing on Tuesday by saying $1.5 to $2.8 million in cuts are needed in the city’s budget, which he said is fast approaching the levy limit. “We applaud the School Committee’s efforts, but we also have other efforts in the city,” Flaherty said of the $58.9 million FY2017 budget Westfield School District staff and School Committee members listen to the Finance Committee’s recommendation at proposal. Opening the meeting up to Tuesday’s budget hearing. (Photo by Amy Porter) comments, School Committee Vice Chair Ramon Diaz said Resources Director Jennifer his committee is trying to her position. “Out of $6.2 million of new Willard and Pamela Kotarski think of long term stability request from teachers, not $1 in the business office for their with the budget. “With good schools, prop- was funded,” Scallion said of work on the budget since erty taxes go up. We’re mov- the level services budget the January. “Giving out pink slips is ing in the right direction. I’m school department had presented to the School challenging emotionally, and very proud of our colleagues Committee. She also noted costly for the city,” Scallion and our superintendent for doing the work that we have that they had already made said. over $750,000 in cuts from Rix spoke about the disdone,” Diaz said. that budget at the School trict’s savings in utilities, In her presentation, transportation and retirement. Superintendent of Schools Dr. Committee’s request. Scallion thanked Business Suzanne Scallion said that she See School Cuts, Page 5 has a tremendous obligation in Manager Ronald Rix, Human
Local educators receive awards By DAN DESROCHERS Correspondent WESTFIELD—A local education group recognized educators last night at the first annual Shining Star Awards. The awards, which are given to those who work in special education in Westfield, were presented by the Westfield Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC). There were a total of 27 recipients for the awards, and nominations came from students and families of students. The awards ceremony was held at the Tiger’s Pride at Westfield Vocational Academy, and light refreshments and treats were served. “It’s about celebrating those who help kids with special needs,” SEPAC leadership team member Melissa Rutkowski said. Those who received awards included teachers, paraprofessionals, counselors and others who help students in special education programs. Each nomination came with a comment from the student or family who nominated the winner, highlighting how they positively impacted children in the district. “For someone in this field, it’s their dream to make a difference,” Jack Starzic, adjustment counselor at Russell Elementary School and Shining Star Award winner, said. Starzic, who said that he does nothing more than anyone else, was nominated because he is “a wonderful person who goes above and beyond,” according to the ceremony program. For Kim Murray, essential life skills teacher at Munger Hill and fellow recipient, the award was extra special.
Women’s motorcycle group expands to Massachusetts
Erika Chrystal’s 2013 Tau Tau scooter.
Stolen scooter held sentimental value By DAN DESROCHERS Correspondent WESTFIELD—For Erika Chrystal, her scooter was more than just a mode of transportation. Over the weekend, Chrystal’s scooter was stolen from the parking lot of her apartment on Franklin St. The scooter, a 2013 blue Tau Tau, was a gift given to her by her husband Jay after she had come home following radiation treatment for thyroid cancer. For Chrystal, the scooter carried sentimental value that can’t be replaced. “I know it seems stupid, like ‘why a scooter,’ but my husband put so much work into it and so much thought,” Chrystal said. See Stolen, Page 8
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By CARL E. HARTDEGEN Special Correspondent WESTFIELD – Women who love to ride motorcycles now have an opportunity in Massachusetts for support, training and camaraderie after a city woman established a chapter of Stilettos on Steel. Lori McElhiney of Westfield said in a recent interview that she learned of the national organization of women motorcycle riders when a friend who snowbirds in Florida sent her a newspaper clipping about a Stilettos on Steel chapter there. McElhiney said that when she looked into the organization she found there to be hundreds of members across the country. According to the group’s national website, the organization began as a single group in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, but grew under the direction of the national president, Anne Zube, into an a national confederation with a mission – “To unite female motorcyclists of all skill levels for friendship, support, and peer-to-peer or professional learning opportunities that will make them knowledgeable and safe motorcycle operators.” Chapters spread to Michigan, Minnesota, Indiana, Florida, Connecticut and Colorado. This year Massachusetts was added to the list when McElhiney started a chapter in the Bay State. She said when she contacted the headquarters of the organization she learned that a woman in Connecticut was starting up a chapter. She said she was able to help that woman, who “had only been riding a couple of years”, organize that chapter. But after three years, she said, “The Connecticut chapter was very big and they were doing very well … so I asked corporate. I said ‘Hey, I’d like to start a chapter in Massachusetts’ and they said ‘Go for it’. So 2016 is my first See Stilettos on Steel, Page 8
BOB McKEAN Dr.Executive Suzanne Scallion Director Stanley Park
Mark Outgoing Boardman & Westfield Jennifer Gruzska Westfield Rotary Superintendent ofClub Schools
Kim Murray (left) and Karen Baker (right) pose at the Shining Star Awards ceremony.
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Members of Stilettos on Steel, a women’s motorcycle riding group, cruise up Southampton Road on a recent run to Hogback Mountain in Vermont. (Photo © 2016 Carl E. Hartdegen)