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 THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2019 VOL. 88 NO. 256 Humason, McCabe debate before Nov. 5 election By PETER CURRIER ment following the 10 ques- new businesses, but that taxes Staff Writer tions. in the city are going up too WESTFIELD — One week McCabe was asked if he much, too often. out from the city elections, supported the use of tax cred- “Taxes are somewhat of a mayoral candidates fielded its and other incentives to burden. So I think if you can questions on tax incentives, bring new businesses to do anything and everything to the stamina to do the job, free Westfield, or if there are other expand our tax base by either cash and more during a debate methods of doing so. brewing business or bringing Oct. 29 at Dever Stage at McCabe said that he sup- new business in, we should,” Westfield State University. ports the use of tax credits so said Humason. Candidates state Sen. long as they have shorter Humason was then asked Donald F. Humason Jr. and returns. He noted that having about his satisfaction with the Westfield Police Sr. Capt. proper management, decent city response to the problems Michael A. McCabe faced-off schools, and good utilities are with the water supply, and in a debate sponsored by The also important factors in what he may have done dif- Westfield News and The bringing in businesses. He ferently. Republican ahead of the Nov. said that some systems like He said that he was satis- 5 election. The moderator for the city utilities are phenom- fied with the response by the the debate was former enal, but that schools in City Council and the Mayor’s Western Mass News broad- Westfield could be made Office. He said he would look caster Ray Hershel and the more efficient in cost. closely at the water and the questions were asked by The “When we have the state effectiveness of the Granular Westfield News’ Assistant mandates that come through Activated Carbon filters and Mayoral candidate Michael A. McCabe, Hope Tremblay from The Westfield News, moderator Managing Editor Hope E. and they don’t have the bud- make the next step from there. Ray Hershel, Westfield State University student Michaela Piche and mayoral candidate Tremblay and WSU senior gets to go along with them, it He made a point to note that Donald F. Humason Jr. are on stage during the mayoral debate at the University Oct. 29. Michaela Piche. A crowd of means the city taxpayer has to he is a member of the PFAS (Photo by Peter Currier) 400 people attended the pick up the dollars and cents Caucus in the state legisla- debate, which was also to provide for the schools ture. PFAS are per- and poly- ing that he agreed that the city forward. Springfield to be purchasing livestreamed. mandates,” said McCabe. fluroalkyl chemical substanc- response to create the GAC “I really don’t want to be our water from them,” said Each candidate was given In Humason’s rebuttal, he es that have been found in filters was appropriate, but beholden to the City of McCabe., suggesting instead three minutes for an opening said that he wants to use some city wells. that he would approach it dif- Holyoke or the Town of statement and a closing state- every tool he can to bring in McCabe responded by say- ferently than Humason going Southampton or the City of See Debate, Page 3 City of Westfield Candidate Profiles The Westfield News will publish candidate profiles daily until Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5. Polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. All citizens are encouraged to vote. If you don’t know where to vote, visit cityofwestfield.org or contact the City Clerk’s Office at 413-572-6235. Diaz seeks to Gosselin running Mayhew seeks Sullivan seeks retain School for School School Committee School Committee Committee seat Committee re-election re-election Name: Ramon Diaz Jr Name: Jeffrey L. Gosselin Name: Diane M. Mayhew Name: Bo Sullivan Address : 242 West Road Address: 330 Elm St. Address: 21 West Glen Drive Address: 54 Barrister Circle Occupation : Systems Architect Occupation: Education Support Occupation: School Committee Occupation: Chief Advancement Professional; Northampton Public Schools Member Officer at Boys and Girls Club of What experience and qualifications Greater Westfield do you have that would be an asset to What experience and qualifications do What experience and qualifications do city schools? you have that would be an asset to city you have that would be an asset to city What experience and qualifications do I have a back- schools? schools? you have that would be an asset to city ground in technol- Commonwealth of I have 3 children schools? ogy, finance and Massachusetts licensed who have gone I have been a leadership based educator: Elementary through the Westfield member of the on my experiences Education (1-6); School Public School school committee in the military and Counselor (5-12) System. I was always for approximately civilian careers. I ”PROFESSIONAL” involved in the one year. In that have handled large A.S., Holyoke schools by volun- time, we have budgets and Community College, teering and being co- approved a balanced learned to lead Liberal Arts; B.S., president of the PTO. budget, started the teams to resolu- American International During my 2 terms process of building tions within given College, Elementary on the School a new elementary RAMON DIANE monetary con- Education; M.Ed., JEFFREY Committee, I have school, and worked BO SULLIVAN DIAZ JR. MAYHEW straints. Springfield College, L. GOSSELIN invested a significant with the individual What are your Higher Education amount of time and energy that this position schools to help them get the resources they main concerns for the schools and how Administration; C.A.G.S., Springfield requires by visiting schools yearly, going to need to best educate our students. Also, as do you hope to address them? College, Organizational Development & workshops here in town, Holyoke, Lee, and a father, I have had two daughters go See Diaz, Page 6 See Gosselin, Page 6 See Mayhew, Page 6 See Sullivan, Page 6 Mayor Sullivan gives notice; Figy to become acting mayor By AMY PORTER Sullivan said some communi- until the new mayor is sworn in. Staff Writer ties, like Westfield, are already a Sullivan said he will also be able WESTFIELD – Mayor Brian P. part of the Green Communities to work with the new mayor on Sullivan is cutting his term short to program, which gives grants to transition before he leaves. become the director of Green retrofit buildings using energy- “I wish Brian the best of luck. Communities for the efficient lights and heating, and He’s done a great job in his four Commonwealth beginning Nov. promotes the use of electric cars, years in Westfield. The Baker 12. among other goals. administration is getting a good He announced his decision to Sullivan’s last day as mayor will one,” Figy added. City Hall staff in person Oct. 29. be Nov. 8. City Council President “I felt I owed that to them, and Ralph J. Figy will then assume the thanked them for all the hard work role of acting mayor. and loyalty to make my adminis- Figy said he has already been on tration a success. You can’t be a the phone with the assessor to mayor if you don’t have hard- schedule a special meeting to set working employees in the com- the tax rate. He said his duties as munity,” Sullivan said. acting mayor will be limited; he In his new position, which falls can’t fire or hire people, and he Support for Sullivan under the Department of Energy can’t spend money. and Environmental Affairs, he will “I’ll keep the city moving for- At-Large City Council Candidate Richard K. Sullivan Jr. hosted a campaign be traveling to Boston two days a ward,” Figy said, adding that after event at The Tavern Restaurant with 125 supporters in attendance. (Photo week and will spend the rest of the six years on the council he feels up submitted) time meeting with all 351 com- to the task, and is glad to be able to MAYOR BRIAN munities in the state. serve the citizens of Westfield P. SULLIVAN PAGE 2 - THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2019 WWW.THEWESTFIELDNEWS.COM THE WESTFIELD NEWS Aviation instructor is learning to fly with scholarship By AMY PORTER National Guard as a full time Staf Writer technician supervisor of F-15 WESTFIELD – Galen maintenance personnel and Wilson, lead instructor of ten years in the United States Westfield Technical Air Force, where he spent Academy’s Aviation time with the Kosovo Air Maintenance program Campaign in February 1998- announced that a $10,000 June 1999, Operation pilot scholarship has been Enduring Freedom, Oct. 7, awarded to one of the Aviation 2001 and other military oper- instructors. ations during his time. He The Teacher Flight Training retired on January 31, 2019 Scholarship was awarded to from the Air National Guard Scott Hepburn by the Aircraft after 21 years of military ser- Owners and Pilots Association vice to focus full-time on (AOPA) under the “You Can teaching. Fly” program. The competi- Hepburn said he put in the tive scholarship is presented scholarship to learn how to to devoted teachers/instruc- fly, at Wilson’s urging, after tors currently working in a working on planes for 22 school or as part of a training years.