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WSU releases statement on Monday’s lockdown By DAN DESROCHERS Correspondent WESTFIELD—Westfield State University has released an update on the report of a suspicious male on campus Monday that prompted a campus-wide lockdown. According to a statement from WSU President Ramon S. Torrecilha, an individual who believed that they were the person identified as the suspicious person came forward Monday night. The statement stems from a report yesterday of a suspicious male dressed in a black trench coat, a vest and with a bulging backpack, which had brought the university into a campuswide lockdown, while Massachusetts State and WSU Police searched for the suspicious male. According to the statement, the person went to the university’s police station as requested, and was wearing a black trench coat, black pants, a bulging backpack and a vest, which were the same articles reportedly being worn by the suspicious person yesterday. It was further said in the statement that the vest was “neither a bullet-proof vest nor body armor” and no threat was posed by the person. From the statement: “It has been determined that this individual poses no threat to the university community. Two students who made the identification yesterday reviewed the photo of this individual and confirmed that this was the individual observed yesterday. Officials however, did not specify who the person was that came forward. The university itself was in lockdown for almost two hours, lasting from 12:49 p.m. until 2:33 p.m., with classes resuming at 3:10 p.m. At the time, police did not report finding the party and later set up a hotline for tips, as well as increased police presence and escorts for students.
Junior Candace Alexander became emotional. “I never felt so unwanted before. It really does hurt,” she said about the racist incidents.
Genesis Perez with students who marched on Monday to the president’s office.
Several hundred participate in WSU’s ‘Walk Out Against Hate’ By AMY PORTER Correspondent WESTFIELD – Members of the Education faculty at Westfield State University organized a “Walk Out Against Hate” rally at 12:30 on Tuesday, surrounding the campus globe. The goal was to foster and support a campus culture of unity, inclusion and respect for diversity in response to the recent acts of racially charged bias behavior on campus, according to a university statement. “We’re standing up publicly. There is no room for hate here,” said Barbara Goff, professor of special education to the hundreds of students and staff that gathered for the rally. Dr. Floris Ortiz-Marrero, assistant professor of elementary education said the faculty was united to demand practical and See Walk Out Against Hate, Page 8
WSU students gather at Walk Out Against Hate Tuesday.
Local nurse pens book that speaks to all parents By LORI SZEPELAK Correspondent EAST LONGMEADOW – Sarah Behnk shares “endearing” lessons she has learned as a parent – while juggling her career in the health care field – in a new book she felt compelled to write. “Being a parent is the greatest gift but it can be a challenge to balance it all,” said Behnk. “Let’s be honest. I am still trying to find the balance of being a mom, having a career and finding the time to do the day-to-day errands and chores that are a part of life.” Her 14-page board book, “Mama, Where Are You Going?,” is geared for youngsters up to the age of five. All of the lessons are gleaned from her time spent with her daughter, Aria, who is now three. “The book teaches children that sometimes a parent has to leave, but that there is nothing more important than them,” said Behnk, who currently works as an infection prevention/employee health RN at Baystate Noble Hospital in Westfield. Books have always been an important part of Behnk’s life and along with her husband David, they both knew they wanted to share their love of reading with their daughter.
City Council preview, Nov. 16
The family of James Arps presents a check to Dan Paquette, Director of the Westfield Athenaeum. From left to right: Debra Lindsey-Lombardi, Lilliana Fernandez (lower), Ashley Fernandez, Lindsey Fernandez, Jeff Arps, Dan Paquette.
Donations from local golf tournament aid Athenaeum By DAN DESROCHERS Correspondent WESTFIELD–The Westfield Athenaeum received a donation of over $2,000 to help continue the renovation efforts of the over 150-year-old library. The Athenaeum received a $2,050 donation from the proceeds of the James Arps Memorial Golf Tournament, with an additional $2,050 going toward the Cornelia de Lange Syndrome (CdLS) Foundation. The library will now utilize the money to continue its efforts toward renovations to make the Athenaeum more universally accessible, including improved handicap access.
See Author Sarah Behnk, Page 8
Prof. George Michael
need to increase the one-day liquor license since the process for that specific license can be a long process. A number of town officials spend numerous hours working on completing the setup of the one-day liquor license. According to Deedy, the cost may seem extremely high because of the price jump, but most surrounding communities charge anywhere from $25 to $50. Deedy also said that the price change won’t be much of a burden since there are only a handful of events in Southwick every year that have one-day liquor licenses. The most notable ones in town are for the Rugged Maniac, Motocross Nationals, and an outdoor event that the Southwick Inn holds.
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the meeting was the one-day liquor license pertaining to for-profit businesses in Southwick. For at least the last 20 years, a one-day liquor license would cost $6.25. At the meeting, Deedy suggested that the fee should go up to $25, but then Select Board Clerk Russ Fox made a suggestion of his own to bump the fee up to $50. The board then made a motion and voted in favor of having the fee now set at $50. Fox discussed why he chose to increase the price of the license. “Fees are supposed to cover costs so it’s not a burden to the taxpayers,” said Fox. “You have to balance that, you need business in the community.” The board also felt that there was a
By DAN DESROCHERS Correspondent WESTFIELD—The City Council will be coming together this Thursday for its first meeting since the city’s election earlier this month. The City Council will meet Thursday, Nov. 2, at 7 p.m., with communications from Mayor Brian Sullivan beginning at 6:30 p.m. in City Council chambers at City Hall. The agenda is expected to be quite short for the City Council this week, with just six total items on it, including mayoral communications. First, in “Communications from the Mayor,” Sullivan is expected to submit a resolution to authorize an agreement to allow funding to be used by the Westfield Redevelopment Authority (WRA) on the Elm Street Urban Renewal Project. “This is authorizing the WRA to use the money from the budget approved for them,” Sullivan said. The money, according to Sullivan, is expected to be used to put stone in several parking lots in the area before winter comes. Then, Sullivan is expected to submit an appointment of William K. Tatro to the Off-Street Parking Commission. Sullivan said that Tatro is “a long-time resident who has asked to give something back to the city.” See City Council Preview, Page 7
See Golf Tournament, Page 7
Southwick Select Board increases some license costs By GREG FITZPATRICK Correspondent SOUTHWICK – At Monday night’s meeting, the Select Board decided to make an increase in some of the prices to their license costs for businesses in town. Select Board Vice Chairman Joe Deedy then explained that the price increases were not for any of their larger licenses. The largest increase in fees included three separate licenses being changed from $350 to $500; Common Victualer’s Wine and Malts, Annual Common Victualer’s Malt and Wine, and FarmerBreweries, Farmer-Wineries, FarmerDistilleries liquor license. Yet, the most talked about increase at
ICE coordinator Lyndsey Nunes shared her disappointment with recent events.
6am-8am: BOBDondley McKEAN and Steve Executive Director Stanley Park Matt VanHeynigen Mark Boardman & Jennifer Gruzska City Councilors Westfield Rotary Club
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