Ramadan Mubarak! Sending warm wishes, peace, and happiness to all those who celebrate as we enter the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan.
We had quite an eventful start to this week! Congratulations to everyone that ran Holyoke’s St. Patrick’s Day road race last weekend. I was glad to get to stretch my legs a bit and run beside so many of our community members. The celebrations continued with Holyoke’s parade on Sunday and it was so great getting to celebrate with everyone.
I kicked off Monday morning with the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department Annual Legislative Breakfast in Ludlow. Thank you to Sheriff Cocchi for hosting me and other Hampden County Legislators for a great breakfast and for sharing your budget and legislative priorities for the coming year.
On Monday morning my office also joined Chicopee Mayor Vieau and many Polish-American community members for Chicopee’s Polish Flag Raising event. Complete with a wonderful rendition of the Polish National Anthem, it was such a great event. Happy St. Joseph’s Day to all those who celebrate!
On Tuesday I hosted my eleventh episode of my local cable show,“ From Beacon Hill to the 413”, where I sit down with guests to take a look at what’s happening on Beacon Hill and in our district. This week I sat down with Michelle Michaelian, Senior VP at Behavioral Health Network Inc. who leads their Child and Family Community-Based Programs. BHN is the largest behavioral health provider in Western Mass and it was great to get her perspective on the challenges facing the Behavioral Health Sector. Keep an eye on your local cable channels or head to my website to watch!
Thursday morning my office joined the Western Massachusetts Fire Chief’s Association Legislative Breakfast in Holyoke. It’s always important for me to hear about the issues that are important to the Association’s mission.
This afternoon we have a very special birthday party. Easthampton’s Margaret “Marge” Mohr turned 102 years young earlier this month and is celebrating with friends and family at Northhampton’s Elk Lodge. I’m so grateful to have been invited to celebrate such a wonderful woman. Happy Birthday Marge!
This week my team and I hosted office hours at the Easthampton COA on Tuesday. Next week, we’ll be at the Westfield COA on Monday from 12:30pm-1:30pm, the Russell COA on Tuesday from 11:30am-12:30pm for Montgomery and Russell, and the Southampton COA on Wednesday from 10:00am-11:00am. Please feel free to stop by with any questions, comments, concerns, or just to say hello!
If you are unable to make our office hours or need assistance any sooner, I can always be reached at my email: john.velis@masenate.gov or by phone: (413) 572-3920. You can also find me online at senatorjohnvelis.com where you can also sign up for my newsletter!
Best,
John Velis