Southwick Native Shares His Experiences at West Point
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TONIGHT Mostly Clear. Low fo 10. Search for The Westfield News The Westfield Search for The Westfield News News“HISTORY AND EXPERIENCE TELLS Westfield350.com The Westfield US THAT MORAL PROGRESS News Serving Westfield, Southwick, and surrounding Hilltowns CANNOT“T COMEIME IS INTHE COMFORTABLE ONLY WEATHER AND INCRITIC COMPLACENT WITHOUT TIMES, TONIGHT BUT OUTAMBITION OF TRIAL.” AND Partly Cloudy. OUTJOHN OF STEINBECK CONFUSION.” Low of 55. www.thewestfieldnews.com Search for The Westfield News Westfield350.comWestfield350.org The WestfieldNews — GeraLD R. FORD “TIME IS THE ONLY VOL. 86 NO. 151 Serving Westfield,TUESDAY, Southwick, JUNE 27, and2017 surrounding Hilltowns 75 cents VOL.88WEATHER NO. 54 THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2019 CRITIC75 CentsWITHOUT TONIGHT AMBITION.” Partly Cloudy. JOHN STEINBECK Low of 55. www.thewestfieldnews.com ‘Retire the Fire!’ City Officials express support for Pickleball VOL. 86 NO. 151 TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 2017 75 cents Preventing and the All-Abilities playground By AMY PORTER old clay tennis courts on Correspondent Franklin St. into Pickleball Fires In WESTFIELD – At tonight’s courts, at an estimated cost of (Thursday) City Council $185,000. meeting, councilors will vote “We are trying to create an Your Home on whether to fund the cre- environment of living, work- By TINA GORMAN ation of Pickleball courts in ing and playing in Westfield. Executive Director the Municipal Playground. The reuse of the clay tennis Westfield Council Councilors will also consider court and creation of On Aging a Resolution, mostly symbol- Pickleball courts is a small Unattended cooking is the ic, to support the city in mov- part of that,” said At-large most frequent cause of fires in ing forward to seek funds for Councilor Brent B. Bean, II, an All-Abilities playground who chairs the Finance com- DAVID FLAHERTY BRENT B. BEAN, II the home. State Fire Marshal At-large City Councilor At-large City Councilor Peter Ostroskey encourages being designed for the Cross mittee. older adults to use caution in St. park. A motion by Councilors are dedicated to that area of resolution as a symbolic state- the kitchen. His statewide The Finance committee, Bean, Figy and Flaherty for town and in particular the all- ment. cooking safety campaign which is meeting at 6 p.m. immediate consideration of abilities park,” Bean said. “I’m supporting both. I urges seniors to “stand by before the City Council, will the Resolution related to the City Council president think we should spend money recommend whether or not to All-Abilities Playground is Ralph J. Figy said consider- on recreation in this city. We your pan” and “put a lid on TINA GORMAN spend $115,000 from Free also on tonight’s agenda. ing the push for Pickleball can’t stop everything because it.” Older adults should be Executive Director Cash, and the remaining “Creating and supporting courts, the City Council wants we don’t have good roads,” careful not to leave food, Westfield Council $70,000 from the Park Square the resolution is an easy one. to make the playground a pri- grease, or oils cooking on a On Aging stovetop unattended. Wear Green bond, to repurpose the We want to show people we ority, and is asking for the See Pickleball, Page 3 short or tight fitting sleeves when cooking. Loose fitting clothing can easily catch fire. Keep pot handles turned inward to pre- vent accidental spills of hot con- Southwick native tents. A three-foot “child-free zone” should be maintained around the stove. Grandchildren and pets should be kept away from the stove while shares his cooking to prevent burns and scalds. Remember that stoves and ovens are for cooking and baking, not stor- age. Combustible objects such as potholders, towels, experiences paper or plastic bags should be kept away from heat- ing elements. Covering a pan fire with a lid and turning off the heat source is the safest way to put out the fire. at West Point Throwing water or using a fire extinguisher on a By PETER CURRIER grease fire will only spread the fire. In addition, the Correspondent force of the extinguisher can splash flaming grease WESTFIELD- West Point is one of, if not the most well- A section of Western Avuenue with a concentration of pot- out of the pan. Baking soda will also help to put out known military academy in the world. Many are aware of its holes on both sides of the road. (Photo by Peter Currier) a grease fire. Burning pans should be left on the stove prestige, but there are some within the institution who and not moved. A person can be badly burned and believe that not enough people understand what the life of a the fire will spread if a burning pot or pan is moved. student there looks like. Westfield DPW gives For fires inside an oven or microwave, the door Harry Reed is a 22-year-old should be kept closed, the appliance turned off, and Cadet Lieutenant in the U.S. the fire department called. Army in his senior year at West update on pot hole repairs Metal objects should never be placed in a micro- Point. Having grown up in By PETER CURRIER wave. Utensils, aluminum foil, or twist-tie wraps can Southwick and attended St. Correspondent arc and cause a fire. Microwaved foods and liquids Mary’s Parish School, Reed WESTFIELD- The Department of Public Works provided can become very hot. Therefore, caution should be believes that Western detail of their plan to fix the pot hole problem throughout the exercised to avoid scalding. Massachusetts is underrepre- To avoid electrical fires, appliances such as toasters city. sented at the military academy and coffee makers should be unplugged when not in Due to recent severe weather and temperature changes in in New York. One requirement use. It is important not to overload outlets and power the region, pot holes throughout the northeast have become for Reed and his classmates is strips. One appliance should be used per outlet, espe- larger and more frequent. Westfield is not immune to this and that they take part in two public cially if it is a heat-generating appliance. Electrical one of the biggest areas of concern is Western Avenue. The speaking engagements while cords should not be run under rugs or be pinched by DPW has taken notice of the issue and is actively working to they are out on spring break in furniture. Extension cords should be used temporar- fix the problem, but it is more complicated than meets the eye, the second week of March. One ily. They are not designed for long-term or perma- according to Casey Berube, the DPW’s Deputy Superintendent. of Reed’s chosen speaking nent use. Electrical appliances and cords should be Cadet Lieutenant Harry “We are planning to dispatch three crews on Thursday to engagements was to speak to kept away from water. Call a professional electrician Reed, a native of revisit Western Avenue, Bates Road, and Lloyds Hill,” said if you have frequently blown fuses or tripped circuit The Westfield News to advocate Southwick and graduate for his soon-to-be alma mater, breakers; dim or flicking lights; overheated plugs, of St. Mary’s Parish See Update, Page 3 cords or switches; loose plugs; or unusually warm or and hopefully get more interest School. (Photo submitted) faulty outlets or switches. in West Point from students in Natural gas and fuel oil are efficient home heating western Massachusetts. options. However, precautions should be taken to “They look for people who are well rounded and do well assure that everyone in the home remains safe. If you in school,” said Reed, “and people who are involved in WTG spring offering heat with gas, have your furnace and water heater sports and leadership inside and outside of school.” professionally checked each year. Do not use or store Reed described the lengthy process of being selected to gasoline or painting supplies inside where they can be attend the academy. In order to even be considered, one has is ‘family friendly’ ignited by the pilot light. Gas leaks can be dangerous. to be nominated by their local Representative or Senator in By LORI SZEPELAK If you smell something like rotten eggs or you think the state’s congress. In Reed’s case, he was nominated by Correspondent there might be a leak, move outdoors, do not smoke Congressman Richard Neal. Across the country, 4,000 peo- WESTFIELD-This spring’s Westfield Theatre Group offer- or turn on or off electrical switches, and dial 9-1-1 ple can be nominated for each class year. When those 4,000 ing is a “beautiful show” that director Tom LeCourt is excited immediately. Oil furnaces should be professionally nominees go to West Point, they are narrowed down to about to bring to the local stage. serviced every year. The tank should remain above 1,200 students. The process is the same for the U.S. Naval “It is a true celebration of life and loss and love that can be one-quarter full. If the oil burner releases smoke or Academy in Annapolis, Maryland and the Air Force Academy enjoyed by the entire family,” said LeCourt of the production soot in the house, call for service. in Colorado Springs. “Tuck Everlasting The Musical” that begins its run at the Fires caused by space heaters can be deadly. Space “The reason why myself and another member of my Westfield Woman’s Club later this month. “I hope our audi- heaters should not be used as the primary source of school got selected is because western Massachusetts is ences will enjoy experiencing this classic story in a brand new heating a house or apartment.