Hi everyone,
Happy Halloween! I hope everyone has a great day and stays safe while trick-or-treating. I’ll be out with my son, Carson, who has been counting down the days and is thrilled to finally wear his costume. As for me, I’m mostly looking forward to sneaking some of his candy when we get home!
The week started off on a great note with a visit to the Holyoke Fire Department for a workout and a ride-along. I was proud to donate a Rogue Echo Bike to the department to support the health and wellness of the firefighters who do so much to keep our communities safe. It was also a valuable opportunity to spend time with the men and women of the department, learn more about their day-to-day responsibilities, and accompany them on several calls throughout Holyoke to see firsthand the incredible work they do serving our community.
On Wednesday, I had the pleasure of visiting Peerless Precision, Inc. in Westfield. I was proud to nominate the company for the Massachusetts Manufacturing Caucus’s “Manufacturer of the Year” Award earlier this year, and during my visit I had the opportunity to present the team with a Senate citation recognizing this well-deserved honor. Congratulations to everyone at Peerless Precision on this outstanding achievement!
Out in Boston this week, Team Velis toured the Samaritans office, as part of our work with the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use, and Recovery. It was a valuable chance to learn more about the organization’s life-saving work in suicide prevention, crisis support, and mental health advocacy. We appreciated hearing from their team about the services they provide throughout Massachusetts and the difference they continue to make for individuals, families, and communities facing difficult challenges.
Thursday was an especially meaningful day for Holyoke and veterans throughout our region as we officially celebrated the ribbon-cutting of the new Holyoke Veterans Home alongside residents, families, staff, and so many incredible advocates. Many will recall that one of the first pieces of legislation I worked on upon joining the Senate was the State Legislature’s bond bill that first funded the reconstruction and led to so many other steps along the way. After years of advocacy, planning, and hard work, it was incredibly rewarding to see this state-of-the-art facility officially open its doors. Most importantly, this milestone and the new facility stands as a lasting commitment to ensuring that the veterans who have served our country receive the care, dignity, and respect they deserve.
This week, Team Velis hosted office hours in Westfield, Russell and Southampton. Next week, we will hold office hours at the Agawam Council on Aging on Monday from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. If you’re unable to attend, you can always reach us by email at john.velis@masenate.gov, by phone at (413) 572-3920, or online at senatorjohnvelis.com.
Sincerely,
John Velis