Hello Everyone,
I hope your November is going well. The holiday season is well underway and I can’t believe that we’ve already had our first snow here in the Pioneer Valley! Thanksgiving is already next Thursday! This holiday is one of my favorites: gathering with friends and family to give thanks for all that we have is something I cherish.
Some happy birthdays are in order this week as well; three members of the Southwick and Westfield community are officially centenarians as they reached the age of one hundred this fall. Happy Birthday to Marcia Kahn, Helen Kwasny, and Josephine Johnson. One hundred years young! My office was glad to stop by the Southwick Senior Center on Wednesday to present the three with Senate citations in honor of the milestone.
As part of the state’s “Try Transit” program, this week it was announced that all services for the Pioneer Valley Transporation Authority will be without fare between November 25th and December 31st. Whether you’ve never tried public transit, use it habitually, hate driving in the snow, or maybe just want to save on gas, I encourage everyone to take advantage of this opportunity to try out the Commonwealth’s largest regional transit authority.
It was also announced this week that the Supplemental Nutrional Assistance Program, or SNAP, will now allow beneficiaries to use their services for online purchases from local grocers using the Instacart app. Among those stores who are eligible are Geissler’s Supermarket, Stop & Shop, ALDI, Price Chopper, Price Rite Marketplace, and Big Y. This is great news, as many recipients with disabilities who are often homebound will now have equitable access to nutritious and affordable food.
I’m also relieved to announce that during a final settlement hearing in Springfield on Monday, our Federal Courts approved the settlement for victims of the 2020 COVID-19 outbreak at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home. Their payments are expected to go out in the next four to eight weeks. No amount of money can ever bring justice or bring back their loved ones, but this is an important step in trying to right the wrong that was done and bringing these families some form of closure and compensation.
My team held office hours this week on Monday in Chicopee from 10:00am to 11:00am at the COA and again at the Holyoke COA on Wednesday from 10:00am to 11:00am. Next week, we will be at the Russell COA on Tuesday from 11:30am to 12:30pm. 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 than then, 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 Thanksgiving,
John Velis