Serving the city HOLYOKE since 1995 FREE the November 27, 2020 Local news. Local stories. Local advertisers. A TURLEY PUBLICATION ❙ www.turley.com [email protected] www.sun.turley.com HCC honored Creativity key for pushing Vega looks forward to EV adoption to effective HOLYOKE – Holyoke remote Community College was heading back to city hall honored this week by the MassEVolves consortium By Shelby Macri a natural transition to bring with many of the developers learning for taking steps to expand [email protected] my skill set and passion for and businesses in the city will the use of electric vehicles Holyoke and Economic devel- also be an asset to keep cur- By Shelby Macri on campus. opment directly to city hall,” rent projects forward and work HOLYOKE – State [email protected] The Third Annual Representative, Aaron Vega Vega said. “Additionally, hav- on new projects for Holyoke. I MassEVolves Recognition will be taking on a new role ing worked with Marcos and am well aware of the obstacles HOLYOKE – Despite Ceremony was held Wed., in the beginning his team in the and struggles of the city as schools having to do remote Nov. 18, to highlight of next year. Vega OPED office my well as the assets and opportu- learning this year, teachers at Massachusetts leaders in will be the Director ability to hit the nities we have.” Dr. Marcella R. Kelly school the adoption of electric of the Planning ground running is Vega has helped the city are getting creative to get pos- vehicles (EV). and Economic important to ensure in many ways over the years itive student interaction. The The virtual event Development projects keep mov- as a State Rep., and this posi- teachers and staff are trying was co-hosted by the Department, with ing forward.” tion provides more opportu- hard to bring some normalcy national nonprof- his first day being While he nities for Vega to continue into the classroom. it Recharge America, the Jan. 25, 2021. served as a State helping the city. Marrero had The biggest change for Massachusetts Executive Mayor Alex Rep., Vega work- reached out to Vega, saying Principal Luis Soria, is find- Office of Energy and Morse announced ing with city that he was leaving and that he ing ways to engage students Environmental Affairs the resignation administration wanted Vega to consider the Aaron Vega in learning through a screen. and the Massachusetts of the current on legislative pri- position. Vega met with Mayor Teachers typically use, tone, Department of Director, Marcos orities that were Morse and others to explore movements and interaction in Environmental Protection. Marrero on Nov. 12. Marrero included in two landmark the option, before feeling that the classroom but it’s differ- spent more than eight years Economic Development bills, the position was a good fit for EV, 6 ent behind a screen so they’re leading the City’s develop- land transactions, and inno- him. One that would allow coming up with ingenious ment strategies, and he will vative programing. Including him to utilize his skill set and ways interact with the kids Donation effort be retiring on Friday, Jan. 22, the Holyoke-specific liquor interests. now. 2021 to provide a smooth tran- license program and was a “There are a number of Teachers are narrating successful sition for Vega. member of the legislature’s projects in the pipeline includ- and pointing out students who Joint Committee on Cannabis. ing a number cannabis com- The Outreach Vega has experience in are doing well in class and “My work on com- panies, new housing projects Committee at St. Peter’s the City’s economic devel- what they’re doing right. This mittees such as Economic and others that I will be work- Lutheran Church in opment projects and trajecto- encourages students to contin- Development, the Cannabis ing to get to the finish line. Holyoke combined efforts ries. He has served as a City ue to do the things that they Policy Committee Members We have an urban renewal with their Sunday School Councilor and Chair of the were praised for, and other and others has provided me plan, that I ushered in when I children and held a Joyful Redevelopment Committee students will follow lead. One with an understanding of the was on the city council, that Giving “Drive-thru Drive” before becoming a State Rep. teacher would say what stu- State programs and other provides a road map for the on Sunday, Nov. 15. The “Having been the dents were doing right, and for opportunities for Holyoke.” members were asked to Representative for Holyoke Vega said. “My relationship See VEGA, page 6 donate non-perishable for the past 8 years it seemed See LEARNING, page 11 food items in addition to warm coats, mittens, and hats to be donated to Kate’s Kitchen in Holyoke; Kate’s Kitchen is part of Food Bank of Western Mass anticipates winter rush Providence Ministries. Monte’s March Nov. 23 DONATION, 6 and 24 will raise Mall announces money for meals Black Friday, By Dalton Zbierski weekend hours Staff Writer HOLYOKE – While HATFIELD – At all times some of the biggest Black of the year, the Food Bank of Friday deals are already Western Massachusetts serves available online, Holyoke as an invaluable community resource. With temperatures Mall is excited to welcome The Food Bank of Western the most popular shop- plummeting and COVID-19 Massachusetts has been making ping weekend of the year case counts rising on a region- a difference throughout the The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts operates out of a 35,000 for shoppers still looking al scale, the Hatfield facility region since 1982. The COVID- sq. ft. warehouse in Hatfield and serves dozens of member agencies to experience the holiday enters the winter prepared to 19 pandemic has presented the scattered throughout the region. Turley Publications staff photos by Dalton Zbierski shopping tradition in a play a more crucial role than it facility its greatest challenge. safe and memorable way. ever has before. The super-regional shop- “It is a challenge, but we ping center will be closed do have a warehouse full of on Thanksgiving but will food,” said Lilliam Baulding, reopen its doors at 6 a.m. the Food Bank’s communica- on Black Friday, Nov. tions and engagement officer. 27 until 9:30 p.m. On “We have done a lot of pivoting Saturday, the mall will be since COVID started and are open from 9 a.m. until 9:30 meeting the needs. The entire p.m. and on Sunday from team has pitched in. A lot of 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. Click people are doing work that they here for a complete list of weren’t doing before. They’re Holyoke Mall’s holiday taking on extra assignments, hours. and it’s just getting done.” The Food Bank distributes Brian Longto operates a piece of Food Operations Manager Mike Cortis stands beside Communications MALL, 6 machinery inside the Food Bank and Engagement Officer Lillian Baulding inside the Food Bank of See FOOD, page 11 of Western Massachusetts. Western Massachusetts in Hatfield. ◗ In The News Library board seeking three new members By Shelby Macri The Board of Directors is a group of attending and participating in all board who represent a brand spectrum of the [email protected] citizen volunteers that the public library is meetings, being informed about all phases community. The MBLC handbook says entrusted to for governing. The Board is a of library operation, lending expertise and “An effective Board member is one who HOLYOKE – The Holyoke Public vital link between the library and the com- leadership to the board for the good of the participates intelligently in the entire Library is currently looking to fill three munity. Members are library advocates, library, helps to secure adequate munic- political process: understanding munic- positions on the Board of Directors as and leaders who develop service willingly, ipal funding, participates in fundraising ipal finance, local budgetary pressures, City Representatives. This position responsibly, and creatively for all mem- activities, and visiting the library often. personnel concerns, and the administrative involves a volunteer that is appointed by bers of the public. Qualifications for board members practices of the municipality as a whole.” the City to serve as a Library board mem- Each board member, whether elected include the appreciation of the library and The Library Board of Directors ber. or City appointed brings certain strength, a desire to provide the best library service recognizes the library is part of a larg- According to the Massachusetts skills, talents, and personal experience to for the community, and a willingness to er municipal structure and members will Board of Library Commissioners hand- the Board in order to uniquely serve the be a team player. Those who are inter- build stronger partnerships within the book, “The Library Board as a whole library. The Board is successful when cre- est should have the ability to work with community. If any resident is interested in should represent a broad spectrum of the ating working relationships with the com- people, to plan, and to put aside personal applying they can send a letter of interest community. A Board consisting of diverse munity, library staff, and fellow Board preferences for the greater good of the and a resume to mayorsoffice@holyoke. viewpoints assures that the library will members. library. org or call the Mayor’s Office at 413-322- save the total community.” Member responsibilities include The library is looking for volunteers 5510. MUSEUM DONATION Rapid COVID-19 test to be offered at public schools HOLYOKE – This week, the Testing to diagnose COVID-19 is Holyoke Public School were notified just one part of the COVID-response it was selected by the Department of strategies and is used with health-pro- Elementary and Secondary Education moting behaviors that reduce the spread (DESE) to offer the Abbott BinaxNOW such as frequent hand cleaning, physical rapid antigen test for COVID-19 in distancing of at least 6 feet, and wearing school health offices across the district.