John F. Flynn III, chairman of Trustees for Westfield State University, foreground, responds to a question as Westfield State University President Evan Dobelle, background, looks on. The Board of Trustees met to review expenses incurred by Dobelle. (File photo by Frederick Gore)
BOSTON – After a summer of investigation into the exorbitant spending of Westfield State University President Dr. Evan Dobelle, it appears that the bell in Boston is tolling.
President Dobelle will be traveling to the State House next Friday to speak with the administration of Governor Deval Patrick and to answer questions relating to his use of University credit cards for personal expenses and lavish travel bills.
According to University Communications Consultant Molly Watson, President Dobelle received a letter Thursday morning from Dr. Charles Desmond, chairman of the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education, to come to Boston to review the spending, a meeting Watson said Dobelle requested himself earlier this week.
“Details are yet to be confirmed.” Watson said.
She said she believed Board of Trustees Chairman John Flynn had also received a letter, which Flynn himself confirmed his awareness of Thursday evening.
“I haven’t received it, but I’m aware it’s being sent,” said Flynn, who also serves as the Chief Administrative Officer for the Massachusetts State Police. “If I can make it Friday, I’ll be there (at the meeting).”
He would go on to say that, when he receives the letter, he will notify the other trustees.
“I wouldn’t hesitate to tell the others I’m going,” he said. “And if anyone is interested in coming with me, I would extend that to them.”
Earlier this week, Flynn and several other trustees spoke to The Westfield News regarding whether any trustees had accompanied Dobelle on any of the foreign trips which have been called into question by the Commonwealth.
“I didn’t attend any trips with the President,” Flynn said. “I don’t know of any (trustees) who did.”
“I have never traveled with Dr. Dobelle, I can assure you.” said Board member Kevin Queenin, President of Specialty Bolt and Screw Inc. in Agawam.
Several other members of the board did not return phone calls from The Westfield News, while others such as the Honorable Terry Craven, First Justice of the Suffolk County Juvenile Court and the Trial Court of Massachusetts, declined comment, with her Secretary instructing The News to “speak to the Public Relations Department at the University.”
Meanwhile, Dobelle is scheduled to speak at the Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce’s September Breakfast Friday morning.
