Some weeks the title to my column eludes me. I just can’t think of one. Other weeks, like this one, it pops right into my head and I think I’m the most clever, witty writer since Oscar Wilde. “Prayers and Bears.” But I’ll get to that in a moment.
Tuesday was Primary Election Day for the special United States Senate election to replace John Kerry who stepped down after being appointed by President Obama to become US Secretary of State. Voters chose Congressman Ed Markey as their Democrat nominee and former Navy SEAL and Naval Aviator Gabriel Gomez as their Republican nominee.
Turnout at the polls across the Commonwealth was abysmal. Here in Westfield less than 12 percent of eligible voters went to cast their ballots. Massachusetts Secretary of State Bill Galvin speculated that the events surrounding the Boston Marathon may have had something to do with distracting the electorate. I don’t know if I agree. I just think special elections at odd times of the year don’t attract as much voter attention. People just aren’t thinking of elections. Plus I believe there is some “election fatigue” among voters who are just tired after a long presidential campaign.
But that is no excuse. Democracy only works when the people participate in the process. It is incumbent on all of us who have the right to vote to exercise that right, no matter how fatigued or distracted we may be. Think about the people in parts of the world where that right is not guaranteed. They would give anything to be able to cast a ballot and choose their government. The cynic in me also thinks that those in power like it best when the people sit it out and neglect to vote. We’ll all have another chance on Tuesday, June 25. I hope we can do better.
This was the week after the House of Representatives finished debating, in three long days, our version of the state budget for Fiscal Year 2014 which begins on July 1 and ends June 30, 2014. The budget now goes to the state Senate. The Senate Ways and Means Committee is crafting their own version of a spending plan and will release it on May 15 so the Senators can read it, file their own amendments, and hold their own debate starting May 22.
The House met Wednesday in formal session to swear in two new members who were elected in special elections to replace a vacancy in Peabody when Democrat Joyce Spiliotis passed away and another in Everett when Democrat Stat Smith stepped down from his position when the Feds prosecuted him for election tampering. The new Peabody representative is Republican Leah Cole. The new Everett representative is Democrat Wayne Matewsky. In total there are 160 State Representatives. Currently two seats are vacant due to resignations from two Democrat legislators who left to take different jobs. There are now 30 Republicans and 128 Democrats. Whew, tough odds!
Anyway, back to the title of the column this week. I got home from Boston on Wednesday and was in my house. In a sure sign that spring is here, I happened to look out the window and saw a big black bear wandering around my backyard. I called out to my wife that there was a bear in the yard and I heard her reply, from outside, “I know.” She had been in the kitchen when the bear walked right by our open screen door. She grabbed her cell phone and stepped out on the deck to take pictures of it as it meandered between our two cars, passed by our trash bin, and sauntered into the backyard.
I joined Janice outside and we watched him for almost a half hour as he took turns eating plants, laying down, and exploring the yard. Finally the bear, which I estimate weighed around 280 pounds, strolled off into the field on the way to my neighbor’s house. I immediately called the neighbors so they wouldn’t go outside and surprise him. I walked out into the yard and investigated the places where he had been but there was no sign of him at all. No tracks, no claw marks, no bear poo. If we hadn’t seen him we never would have known he was there. My 21-month old son Quinn was at his grandparent’s house so he missed the show.
Janice and I have seen as many as three black bears at a time in our yard. Just last week we saw six deer at once. There must be dozens of turkey. We see them constantly. And we hear coyotes almost every night, along with owls, whippoorwills, and wood peckers. I love living in the wilderness of West Westfield!
As for the prayer part, Thursday was the National Day of Prayer. Some of the pastors and churches in Westfield organized a prayer event on the Green in downtown Westfield. Mayor Dan Knapik and I were there along with nearly 300 people. Various pastors led us all in prayer for our nation and her leaders, our military and public safety officials, the church, and our families.
Despite some technical difficulties when the power to the sound system and keyboard wouldn’t work, causing the crowd to have to group together near the stage and all the speakers to have to try to talk above the traffic noise, it was a most uplifting and powerful event. Mayor Knapik and I were blessed to have the group pray for us. Like many Americans, I believe in God and the power of prayer. When I spoke, I quoted President Abraham Lincoln who said, “I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had no place else to go.” It was a beautiful night and I can’t wait ‘til we gather together again as a community to pray for God’s wisdom, guidance, and blessings on our country, state, and city.
Have a great week!
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not the staff, editor, or publisher of the Westfield News.
Representative Don Humason and his Chief of Staff Maura Cassin may be reached at their Westfield District Office, 64 Noble Street, Westfield, MA 01085, (413) 568-1366.
Representative Don Humason may be reached at his Boston office, State House Room 542, Boston, MA 02133, (617) 722-2803.
Email address: [email protected]
Website: www.DonHumason.org
