Hello Everyone,
Good news for the skiers and snowboarders out there: winter is well under way here in Western Massachusetts. While the first snow is always beautiful, I’m sure many of you also spent Monday morning shoveling driveways and sidewalks.
While the weather continues to change, my office has still been keeping busy with preparations for the new legislative session and events all over the district. I started off this week at Wreaths Across America’s event on Monday at the Great Hall of the State House. I was joined by fellow legislators and Veterans from across the Commonwealth. This is an excellent organization that works s to honor all our Veterans who have passed by coordinating wreath layings across the country during the holidays. I’m grateful to the organization for their work.
This year also marks the 386th anniversary for the Massachusetts National Guard and on Tuesday, the legislature held another event at the State House to commemorate it. For almost four centuries the Massachusetts National Guard has protected the then-Massachusetts Bay Colony and now Commonwealth. They were also the first national guard in the United States and many of the current institutions in our military can trace their roots back to this National Guard.
Friday morning, I was asked to speak at the Westfield Chamber of Commerce’s annual Holiday Breakfast. Our local businesses are the heart of our community, and it was so good to see all our leaders. I’m committed to continuing to support our local economies together in the next legislative session.
This week my office also joined Mayor McCabe and Representative Pease for the groundbreaking of Westfield Technical Academy’s new student house project on Mill Street in Westfield. The project is an outstanding collaboration between WTA and local businesses that will provide students with invaluable hands-on experience in building a house. Whether it be carpentry, electrical wiring, or engineering, there is no better laboratory for these students than being out in the field. I can’t wait to see the finished project!
My team held office hours this week on Monday in Chicopee from 10:00am to 11:00am at the COA. Next week, we will be holding double office hours on Wednesday from 10:00am to 11:00am at the Southampton COA and the Holyoke COA. Please feel free to stop by with any questions, comments, concerns, or just to say hello.
Should you be unable to make our office hours or need assistance sooner, please do not hesitate to reach out to my office. I can be reached at my email: john.velis@masenate.gov or by phone: (413) 572-3920 and you can find me online at senatorjohnvelis.com where you can also sign up for my newsletter!
Wishing you all a safe and happy holiday season,
John Velis