May the road rise up to meet those running and marching in our St. Patrick’s Day parades this weekend! What a great feeling to get back to traditions that we have so dearly missed. The Westfield Senior Center served up a corned beef and cabbage lunch, Chicopee City Hall hoisted the Irish flag, and the colleens donned their Irish sweaters, in what was a palpably exciting week. If only I could have gotten my hands on one of the meals served by the Senior Center.
This week kicked off on the beautiful campus of Westfield State University, where I hosted a substance use roundtable discussion. It was so great to be joined by members of the local medical community. During our meeting we discussed the challenges that both patients and clinicians are facing in the treatment of substance use disorders. We heard from partners that are doing critically important SUD research, doctors who are seeing the personal impacts of substance use, and the folks who are doing the lifesaving work at local clinics and treatment facilities. Effective treatment starts with the boots on the ground providing lifesaving care, and we must do everything we can to support these heroes. A sincere thank you to Westfield State University for hosting this meeting, Mayor Michael McCabe of Westfield, and everyone from the medical community who participated in this extremely important dialogue.
On Wednesday morning I presented Senate citations to the colleens representing the cities of Holyoke and Chicopee for this year’s St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. These young ladies are great ambassadors to their communities, and I look forward to seeing them march in Sunday’s parade. The presentation took place on what was a traditional Irish morning, cool and misty! Thank you to the folks at Holyoke Medical Center for hosting this presentation, year in and year out HMC has been an incredible community partner.
Later that day, I visited the Westfield Senior Center while they served a traditional Irish lunch. You wouldn’t believe the number of cars in line to bring home a hot order of corned beef, cabbage, and all the fixings. While there, I took the opportunity to wish longtime resident, Pearl DeGray, a happy 100th birthday. Wishing Ms. DeGray much health and happiness. Later in the week I also joined West Springfield Mayor William Reichelt, Police Chief Paul Connor, and state Rep. Michael Finn at the West Springfield Senior Center to help with their St. Patrick’s lunch.
I cannot wait to see everyone out on the parade route Sunday. Everyone have a fun and responsible celebration this weekend!
As always, if there is anything I can do to assist you, please never 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.
Sincerely,
John Velis