WESTFIELD – The Park & Recreation Commission rejected a proposal, presented by members of the Westfield Democratic Committee, to place a commemorative plaque in Kane Park.
Warren Hill, of the Democratic Committee, submitted the petition to place a 9-12-inch granite plaque honoring U.S. Representative John Olver at the base of the Dawn Redwood tree located in the park at the south end of the Great River Bridge complex.
“That tree was fenced off at the request of Rep. Olver,” Hill said. “It’s a very rare redwood from China that Congressman Olver identified as significant in 2006. He refers to it as his tree.”
“Rep. Olver is retiring this year and we thought it would be appropriate to honor him with a grey granite plaque,” Hill said.
Olver has served in the U.S. House of Representatives for 21 years and prior to his election to the federal seat, served in both the state House of Representatives and state Senate, holding elective officer for the past 43 years.
Commissioner Robert Veronesi said that a Park & Recreation Department employee also notified the board of the need to protect the redwood tree.
“He said we have to do something to protect that tree long before construction even started,” Veronesi said. “He mowed the lawn and maintained that park. He referred to it as his pet tree.”
Other commissioners supported that position.
Dawn Sienkiewicz, who represents Ward 2 where Kane park is located, said “I was under the impression that the tree was being saved from the get go of the bridge project.”
Renee Worth said that she objected to the petition on another level.
“I don’t like getting into the political arena,” Worth said. “I am a fan of Congressman Olver, but if we do this we set a precedent. The Republicans or Rainbow party may ask for a comparable commemorative plaque.”
Sienkiewicz agreed.
“I don’t like the political aspect,” she said.
The board, by a unanimous voice vote, rejected the petition.
