Greetings from snowy Prospect Hill.
Winter finally arrived. Although it looks like Mother Nature will grant us a reprieve for the “Big Game” tomorrow. I say big game, because I’m not sure I or the paper can use the official title of tomorrow’s game without the express written consent of the National Football League. Wouldn’t want to cause any legal issues and spoil what I hope will be a memorable victory to cement the reputation and legend of Bill Belicheck and Tom Brady. It’s been a fabulous run either way, and we take it for granted nowadays that the Patriots will win their division and make a playoff run.
I was there in the South end zone in Schaeffer Stadium (or was it Sullivan? Foxborough?? They kept changing the name…) with my dad back in the 70s when the only guarantee for those Patriot games was the that postmen from Melrose with whom we sat would always manage to smuggle a few flasks in with the trash bag – yes, a literal trash bag – full of sandwiches and snacks. Some days, their company and antics were a lot more interesting than the action on the field. Yeah, the South End Zone had a bit of a reputation I guess… Still, it was an afternoon with my dad, and I treasured every single one of them.
There were some good games, and some great players. Then in 1978 the team had a magical run, only to get “roughed up” in Oakland on the path to the, uh, “Big Game”. Still, I saw the excitement in my dad’s eyes, the timber in his voice during that stretch. He had been watching this team since 1960 when he had flown to California and watched as they lost the championship to San Diego. He had actually ridden to the field with some of the players that day. He knew some of the guys back then: they lived in the Boston area, and all had second jobs, as football didn’t pay nearly as much as it does nowadays. Something else we take for granted I guess… Still, to watch his reaction in my living room in 2002 as Adam Vinitieri put the ball through the uprights to cement the Patriot’s first ever championship was priceless. I’ll never forget it.
We take a lot of things for granted. For example, on the City Council, we just assume that at some point, Councilor Brian Sullivan will be president again! Seriously, congratulations to Brian on his record re-election to the president’s chair. The vote was unanimous – as it should have been, as Brian has shown time and again that he has the perspective and leadership skills that have served our council and the city so well. With so many first-term councilors, it was natural that we elected its most senior member to wield the gavel. I know he has the full support of his colleagues.
I would like to express my respect and gratitude to out-going president Bean. Brent and I have both served as president, so I know how challenging it can be. We both served at times when a large freshman class was being seated, and the extra time and attention needed to keep the legislative process moving efficiently, effectively, and legally can be difficult. It’s one of the reason presidents often serve for only a year – the demands go far above and beyond other council duties. I am also grateful that Brent has agreed to take over as Finance Chair – another challenging and time-consuming position. Given the recent difficulties between myself and the executive branch over the property tax debate, I thought it to be in the best interest of the city as a whole that someone else chair the Council’s busiest committee. In the meantime, I will serve on the Legislative and Ordinance Committee (another busy assignment!) and serve as chair of the Zoning, Planning and Development Committee, which see a lot of proposals from the Ward One region.
We take lots of things in life for granted. We assume that people will stop for red lights. We assume that when we go to the store, they will have the bread and milk we want in stock. We assume that the paper money we hold in our hands to pay for it is actually worth something. We assume that the bus will arrive on time to pick up and drop off our kids. Just imagine how chaotic life would be otherwise!
We also assume that the trash will get picked up and the roads plowed, but when faced with the “Storm of the Century”, we sometimes revisit those assumptions. I want to publicly express my appreciation for a job well done by the Public Works Department under difficult circumstances. The roads were passable just about everywhere by Tuesday afternoon, and the trash collection resumed within 24 hours. Obviously, it helped that we got off a little easier than the weathermen predicted, but then again, weather forecasts aren’t necessarily one of those items on that list of thing we take for granted here in New England.
Speaking of roads, I want to say thanks you to our new governor, Charlie Baker, for releasing $100 million dollars in Chapter 90 money that had been promised to the 351 cities and towns of the Commonwealth, but was held back by former governor Deval Patrick. This will mean at least an additional half-million dollars in new road money for the city of Westfield. I also want to recognize City Councilor Dan Allie for his efforts to keep this issue in the forefront for the incoming administration and legislature in Boston. Speaking of Boston, congratulations to Westfield’s own State Senator Don Humason on being reappointed to the position of Senate Minority Whip. Well done, Don.
Go Pats!
Christopher Keefe
Westfield City Council
Ward One
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not the staff, editor, or publisher of this publication.
