Hello everyone,
We hope everyone had a fun and relaxing February vacation! Good luck to those participating in today’s Penguin Plunge for Amelia Park Children’s Museum, make sure to enjoy some piping hot chocolate or coffee after your plunge!
While Senator Velis is deployed, our office remains dedicated to serving our district and advancing his legislative priorities. Recently, we celebrated the Senate’s approval of his bill supporting our brave firefighters.
This legislation would ensure that firefighters who become full-time can receive creditable service for their time as call firefighters, or part-time firefighters, regardless of what fire department they worked at. This bill creates parity between our dedicated first responder professions as currently local law enforcement officers can purchase similar time from any department and are not restricted to the same standards as call firefighters currently are. Senator Velis is always proud to support our firefighters and all first responders. Having passed the Senate on Tuesday afternoon, this bill heads to the House of Representatives for further consideration. Be sure to check out the Senator’s website to learn more about the legislative process! (Click Here)
Back in the district, Mark had the opportunity to sit down with MassDOT this week alongside other area legislators to discuss on-going projects to address traffic and safety concerns along our district’s state-owned roadways. On this topic, we would like to remind you all that there will be a public meeting held next week at Westfield City Hall on Wednesday February 25th at 7pm with MassDOT to discuss improvements that will be made along Route 10/202 near Barnes beginning next year.
Recently, the Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI) awarded grants to 7 community organizations in our district. These grants will enhance educational opportunities, workforce training, and telehealth by providing new internet-enabled devices and technology. In today’s digital age, access to reliable technology is crucial for learning, career development, and so much more. Team Velis appreciates MBI’s significant investments in Agawam, Easthampton, and Holyoke’s community programs.
This week Team Velis held office hours in Easthampton and Holyoke. Next week we have an exciting line up of office hours beginning on Monday at the Westfield Council on Aging from 12:30pm to 1:30pm, on Tuesday at the Russell Council on Aging from 11:30am to 12:30pm, and again on Wednesday at the Southampton Council on Aging from 9:30am to 10:30am. If you are unable to make office hours, please remember that you can reach us by email, john.velis@masenate.gov, by phone, (413) 572-3920, and online at senatorjohnvelis.com.
Sincerely,
Team Velis