Happy October, everyone!
I hope everyone got a chance to visit the Big E this year. This was their biggest year ever, topping more the 1.6 million attendees over the course of its 17-day run.
I started this week off with one of my favorite lunchtime activities, calling bingo at the Council on Aging. This Monday, we were in Agawam and had a great turnout. A big thank you to the COA for hosting this and letting me participate. I can’t wait for next time.
On Tuesday, Senate Ways and Means Chairman Michael Rodrigues came out here to the 2nd Hampden and Hampshire Senate District for a guided tour with myself and our respective staff. With me being chairman of the Veterans Committee, much of the focus was on military organizations in the district. We began the morning at Soldier On in Agawam, a nationally renowned non-profit organization that works to rehouse homeless veterans. The work that they’re doing at the Agawam facility is amazing and I was proud to show Chairman Rodrigues their hardworking staff and some of the great programs they have going on.
After Solider On, we visited the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home. We toured both the current building as well as the planned site for the new building. Secretary Poppe from the Department of Veteran Services also joined us at this point in the day. After meeting with both the staff and the residents, we also toured a mock-up of what the rooms in the new facility will look like.
From the Soldiers’ Home, we went to Barnes Air National Guard base in Westfield to tour the hangars and discuss the importance that Barnes plays in the defense of the East Coast airspace. The 104th Fighter Wing as well as the municipal airport are cornerstones of our local economy. Continuing to support them both has been a privilege as Westfield’s state senator, and I was glad to showcase some new infrastructure upgrades they have received as a result of state and federal funding.
This week we also celebrated the grand opening of Autumn Mist Farm’s new retail store in Agawam and New Valley Bank’s new branch in West Springfield! It is always great to see businesses growing in our communities and I wish them both the best of luck!
This week my team held office hours in Agawam on Monday from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Council on Aging, and in Southwick on Wednesday from 11 a.m. to noon. Next week we will be in Chicopee on Monday from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. and in Russell on Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Please feel free to stop by with any questions or concerns. We are always happy to help!
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, where you can also sign up for my newsletter.
Sincerely,
John Velis