The Westfield NewsSearch for The Westfield News Westfield350.com The WestfieldNews Serving Westfield, Southwick, and surrounding Hilltowns “TIME IS THE ONLY WEATHER CRITIC WITHOUT TONIGHT AMBITION.” Partly Cloudy. JOHN STEINBECK Low of 55. www.thewestfieldnews.com VOL. 86 NO. 151 TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 2017 75 cents $1.00 SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2019 VOL. 88 NO. 271 Humason likely to vote ‘no’ on ban of flavored tobacco products By PETER CURRIER the President of the United vaping. vaping products that were Staff Writer States. If you have that power, Opponents to the Baker already removed from her WESTFIELD — State Sen. you can certainly use your vape ban said that the illness- and other store’s shelves when and Mayor-Elect Donald F. brain to make your own deci- es are not the result of legal the ban started. Humason Jr. said that he sions.” vaping product, but instead She did say that she would would likely vote similarly to He indicated that he needs illicit THC vaping cartridges prefer the bill pass only if it state Rep. John C. Velis next to really look at how the bill that were cut with Vitamin E means she can begin selling week when a bill that would is written first before he com- acetate. The Center for non-flavored vaping products ban the sale and use of fla- mits to a vote one way or Disease Control (CDC) came as well as unflavored tradi- vored tobacco products is another, but that his current out with a report Nov. 14 that tional tobacco. expected to be voted on in the plan is to vote against it. backs this up, saying that If the law is going to change State Senate. The vote to ban the sale of every patient they evaluated again, however, she said she Humason said that it is flavored tobacco products tested positive for the vitamin would want more warning likely that he will vote to would affect both vaping e. than they got for the ban in reject the bill as Velis did in products and traditional Fathima Ashra’s store, No September. For that, Governor the House. The flavored tobacco products like ciga- Limits Vape and Smoke Shop Baker announced the ban and tobacco ban bill passed in the rettes and cigars. The bill also in Westfield, has remained local Health Departments House 126-31. Velis was one comes in the middle of a open since the ban was enact- were going to each store to of only a few Democrats to blanket statewide ban on the ed in late September. She said remove the products from vote against it. sale of all vaping products that the ban on flavored prod- their shelves the next day, giv- State Sen. and Mayor-Elect Donald F. Humason Jr. (File photo) “The way I see it is, if order by Gov. Charlie D. ucts would further negatively ing the store owners little time you’re an adult, you can make Baker. Baker’s ban was impact her business, as such to prepare. like at least a couple weeks in September was originally your own decision,” said enacted due to reports of an products make up a large por- “We would have to get rid warning this time to prepare set to expire in late January, Humason, “When you’re outbreak of mysterious lung tion of her inventory. That of all the flavored products we for different product.” but is now expected to end on 18-years-old you can vote for illnesses that were blamed on does not include the flavored have,” said Ashra, “We would The ban ordered by Baker Dec. 24. Velis continues work of the House as he campaigns for Senate By HOPE so sick of politics as usual.” they want someone represent- E. TREMBLAY Constituents across the dis- ing them who has a seat at the Assistant Managing Editor trict want someone who can table. WESTFIELD — In the work with others, despite “In my time in the House week since state Rep. John C. political party affiliations. I’ve quickly moved up the Velis officially announced his “They are looking for ranks and I do have a seat at run for the senate seat of someone who is about col- the table,” he said. “In west- Mayor-elect Donald F. laborating,” said Velis. “The ern Massachusetts we don’t Humason Jr., he has contin- number one thing I hear is have the luxury of letting pol- ued to do what he thinks is party politics and he polariza- itics get in the way of getting best for residents. tion not just on a national things done.” This is how Velis, a level, but at the state and local So far, Velis is the only can- Westfield Democrat, conducts levels. And I’m all about that didate for the seat, which the business of the House and – that’s how I’ve governed for Humason will resign before how he said he will continue the last five years.” he is sworn-in as Westfield’s to represent constituents of Velis often votes across mayor in January. Velis said elected the senator for the 2nd party lines based on what he he welcomes a challenger, but Hampden and Hampshire believes residents want, not if anyone steps up, he or she District; doing what is best what his party wants. should know he will work for residents no matter which “I vote based on what is hard to earn the seat. party he votes with or against. important and good for resi- “I consider myself what we “I’ve been out for the better dents, not what the party call in the Army a ground- part of the last eight months wants,” he said. pounder,” Velis said. “No one talking to people,” Velis said, The second thing Velis will out-work me on this cam- State Rep. John Velis is seeking the seat of state Sen. Donald F. Humason Jr. who will resign “and what they say is they’re hears from constituents is that paign.” before being sworn-in as Westfield’s mayor. (File photo) Westfield receives Cybersecurity Awareness Grant By AMY PORTER “Cyberattacks are an training, which she said may half years, the IT Department in the Westfield Middle Westfield Technical Staff Writer emerging and increasing be used for employees’ pro- has installed over 4,000 School in October, and is still Academy is close to being WESTFIELD — Westfield threat to communities across fessional and personal lives. Chromebooks for teachers on track to begin in January 1:1, and Abner Gibbs is one of 94 municipalities the Commonwealth and the “We’re trying to be proac- and students. or February at the Westfield and public school districts nation,” said Secretary of tive to give people the tools The 1:1 program rolled out Intermediate School. See Grant, Page 3 across the Commonwealth to Technology Services and they need to identify cyberse- receive a grant for cybersecu- Security Curt Wood in a press curity risks,” Bernashe said, rity awareness, Information release about the program. adding, “In today’s society, Technology Manager Lenore “By strengthening our com- it’s not a question of if but of J. Bernashe and munities’ cybersecurity pos- when.” Superintendent Stefan ture, we are preparing munic- Bernashe and Czaporowski Czaporowski announced this ipal and schoolemployees to said they may also be able to week. better detect and defend bring some IT students into Bernashe recently attended against cyber threats.” the training, such as Westfield a kickoff meeting in In January, all employees in Technical Academy’s Worcester, where Lt. the city and district will Information Technology pro- Governor Karyn Polito and undergo cybersecurity assess- gram, which has a cybersecu- Secretary of Technology ments to see what they know, rity component. “This would Services and Security Curt followed up with additional give them some real-world Wood met with award recipi- assessment training. training,” Bernashe said. ents. She said the grant pro- Then in February to Cybersecurity becomes gram will allow the city and December, they will be more essential as the district school district to educate trained in the online program, closes in on becoming a one- employees on how to identify which would normally come to-one district, with devices cybersecurity threats and pro- at a cost to the city. Bernashe for every student. vide proactive phishing train- said Westfield received 2,600 Bernashe said over the Westfield IT Manager Lenore Bernashe receives a certificate from Secretary of Technology ing. licenses from the grant for the course of the past one and a Services and Security Curt Wood and Lt. Governor Karyn Polito . (Photo submitted) Streaming Workshop at Another way we earn your trust. The Westfield Athenaeum Whip City Fiber has a simple monthly fee TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19 | 5:30-7 PM of $69.95 a month for gigabit internet. 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