TONIGHT Partly Cloudy. Low of 64. Search for The Westfield News The WestfieldNews Search for The Westfield News Westfield350.com The WestfieldNews Serving Westfield, Southwick, and surrounding Hilltowns “TIME IS THE ONLY WEATHER CRITICIn WITHOUT observation of TONIGHT IndependenceAMBITION.” Day, Thursday., July 4th, Partly Cloudy. JOHN STEINBECK Low of 55. www.thewestfieldnews.com TheSearch Westfield for The Westfield News News Westfield350.comWestfield350.org The WestfieldNews will not Publish. Serving Westfield, Southwick, and surrounding Hilltowns “TIME IS THE ONLY WEATHERVOL. 86 NO. 151 TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 2017 75CRITIC centsWITHOUT VOL. 88 NO. 156 WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2019 75 Cents TONIGHT AMBITION.” Partly Cloudy. JOHN STEINBECK Low of 55. www.thewestfieldnews.com VOL. 86 NO. 151 With one monthTUESDAY, to go JUNE to 27, file2017 papers, 75 cents two councilors undecided on election bid By AMY PORTER whether he will be seeking re-election. Currently, eight residents have taken Correspondent “I have been consulting with my doctors out papers for the seven At-large seats, WESTFIELD – With one month and once some health questions are including returning councilors Brent B. remaining for candidates to take out resolved, I will make a decision and Bean, II (the only council candidate papers for city office before the Aug. 2 announce either way,” he said. besides Michael Burns in Ward 4 who deadline, the sole candidates in the may- Morganelli said he is carefully consid- has been certified to date); Dan Allie, oral race remain state Sen. Donald F. ering taking out papers again, and had Dave Flaherty, Cindy C. Harris, and Humason, Jr. and Westfield Police intended to wait until July to do so. “I Andrew K. Surprise, who currently Captain Michael A. McCabe, both of think we need conservative spending serves as Ward 3 Councilor. Also taking whom have had their signatures certified, minds on the Council,” he said, referring out nomination papers for the At-large according to City Clerk Karen M. Fanion. to the recent budget marathon. “So many seats are John M. Bowen, Jr., Rudy F. All current City Councilors except for councilors voted no on every single Musterait, and Jason Russell. at-large Councilors Matthew Emmershy item.” The only currently seated ward coun- NICHOLAS J. and Nicholas J. Morganelli, Jr. have Morganelli said he will submit the cilor who as yet has no competition is MATT MORGANELLI, JR. taken out their papers for re-election to papers by the deadline, if he decides to Ward 1 Councilor Mary Ann Babinski. In EMMERSHY Westfield At-large two-year terms. run again to represent the “fiscally con- Westfield At-large Councilor Emmershy said Tuesday he is unsure servative voice.” See Councilors, Page 5 Councilor Robbery Westfield Mayor Brian P. Sullivan suspect on budget cuts By AMY PORTER Correspondent nabbed WESTFIELD – “Nothing that got cut was devastating to the way I’m going to man- age the budget,” Mayor quickly Brian P. Sullivan said this By CARL E. HARTDEGEN week, reflecting on the $1 Correspondent million in budget cuts made WESTFIELD – A city man who by the City Council during allegedly robbed a Russell Road conve- last week’s nine-hour budget nience store Friday evening was in review. WESTFIELD police custody 15 minutes after he fled “I am very sympathetic to MAYOR BRIAN with the cash he stole from the fright- employees in the city who P. SULLIVAN ened clerk. Westfield All-Stars vs. Longmeadow went through a salary cut, or City police report that a clerk from license or fee cut. Some of Honeyland Farms convenience store at Nate Blackak (41) has his eye on the incoming ball. See additional photos, story those things are required in their contracts,” Sullivan 4 Russell Road called police at 8:31 Page 9. (Photo by Marc St.Onge) added. p.m. Friday to report that a Hispanic The largest cuts of the night were to employee man wearing a hooded sweatshirt tied health insurance ($271,248) and contributory retire- tightly around his head and pointing ment ($250,000). something at her that he was holding in Sullivan said he had cut $1 million out of the the pocket of his sweatshirt had robbed CRC Boat Parade to set sail July 6 health insurance at the start of fiscal year 2019, but the store moments earlier. had been forced to put it back in at the end of the year Officer Joshua Krassler, the first offi- By HOPE E. TREMBLAY beginning at 4 p.m. A short patriotic pro- by sweeping accounts and using Free Cash. He said cer to arrive at the crime scene, reports Correspondent gram will kick-off the parade at 5 p.m. it had been a tough year for health insurance, after in a court document that the clerk did SOUTHWICK – Gather your red, white several good years. He also added it back in to the not immediately give the robber the and blue and deck your boat – or just your- Jerry Crane of the CRC said boats fiscal year 2020 budget. money when he said “Give me the self – for the annual Citizens Restoring should be decorated in a patriotic theme, “I’m not worried about that one at all. They money, I don’t want to hurt you” but, Congamond Boat Parade July 6. but requests that there be no balloons announced on the Council floor if we need it later, we when the man started to come around The event takes place on Middle Pond at because they are detrimental to fish and can use Free Cash. (But) we have no idea what that the counter towards her, she feared for 5 p.m. ponds. number will be,” Sullivan said, noting that Free Cash Anyone interested in participating See Robbery, Page 5 should bring their boat to Babb’s Beach See CRC Boat Parade, Page 2 See Budget Cuts, Page 8 WWII re-enactment to be part of Independence Day Military Appreciation Week at Six Flags celebrations By AMY PORTER Correspondent By HOPE E. TREMBLAY AGAWAM – During Six Flags New England “Military Correspondent Appreciation Week” from July 3 to July 6, all active and WESTFIELD retired military will enjoy free entry to the park with a valid ID, and other guests are invited to donate toiletries July 4: The Hampton Ponds Association annual and First Aid kits to receive a discounted entry, accord- July 4 Parade steps-off at 10 a.m. from Hampton ing to Medic Now Founding Board member Nicholas J. Ponds Plaza and ends at the HPA Hall at the corner Morganelli, Jr. of Westfield. of Old Stage and North roads where there will be a The Medic Now Foundation, a nonprofit organization ceremony to mark Independence Day. dedicated to broadening health access for military fami- July 7: Westfield Starfires Futures Baseball team is hosting a brief ground fireworks display for fans lies, has partnered with Six Flags for the Military Medic Now Foundation Appreciation Week. The organization is also sponsoring after the baseball game Sunday, July 7. Tickets for founding board member the Westfield Starfires games are available online Nicholas J. Morganelli, Jr. BENJAMIN SANCHEZ Jr. See Military Appreciation Week, Page 8 through westfieldstarfires.com and at the Bullens (WNG File Photo) Field Box Office or by calling (413) 335-0443. GRANVILLE 104th Fighter Wing to July 4: The annual town July 4 Parade steps-off at Music jams a highlight 10 a.m. from the Town Barn, ending at the Town Green with a small presentation. Certificates and of Friday arts festival Fly over the Boston Pops prizes will be awarded to participants in eight cate- By LORI SZEPELAK WESTFIELD – The 104th Fighter Wing is scheduled to per- gories. Correspondent form an F-15 Eagle flyover for the Boston Pops Independence Day HUNTINGTON-Guitarist Steve Hamlin welcomes Celebration, July 4 approximately 8:20 p.m., at the Esplanade in SOUTHWICK musicians – and music enthusiasts – to an Open Mic Boston. Music Jam on July 5 at North Hall. The F-15 Eagles will fly in formation, serving as a symbol of July 6: The Citizens Restoring Congamond annu- The event is part of the annual Historic North Hall air power and patriotism. Since the first flight as an independent al Boat Parade launches at 5 p.m. with a brief pro- Arts Festival, now celebrating its 10th year. Festival service in 1947, the Air Force has provided our nation’s most gram at Babb’s Beach. Boats will parade through offerings range from theatrical performances and art responsive and effective source of global vigilance, reach and air Middle Pond. Public viewing on shore is available at exhibitions to musical shows. The open mic is free, power in peacetime and war. Babb’s Beach, Saunders Boat Livery and the Town however, donations are graciously accepted at the door. “The flyovers performed by the 104th Fighter Wing’s F-15 Pier. Eagles during any special events serve as an additional training July 20: Southwick Fireworks hosted by the Southwick Civic Fund from The Wick 338 moto- See Music Jams, Page 8 See 104th Flyover, Page 8 cross track on Powder Mill Road. Donations are accepted through southwickcivicfund.org. PAGE 2 - WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2019 WWW.THEWESTFIELDNEWS.COM THE WESTFIELD NEWS CRC Boat Parade Continued from Page 1 A small fireworks display will be seen dition. from all three ponds of the Congamond “CRC started the boat parade in the mid Lake and the CRC hopes everyone will 70’s as a torchlight parade at dusk using “Light up the Lake” with tiki torches and real tiki torches,” said Crane. “Fire and other lights. A drone will take photos, boat gas tanks didn’t make sense, so it which will be available later for purchase was moved up to late afternoon using to benefit CRC.