It was quite a week for news in Boston.
On Wednesday, while preparing for the full formal House session that afternoon, word went around the State House that Tim Murray, Governor Deval Patrick’s Lieutenant Governor, would be resigning his position. Beacon Hill is always full of gossip so there was much speculation as to why the Lt. Governor would leave his position more than a year and a half before his term was over.
In his comments to the media, Lt. Governor Murray stated it was so that he could take the job as the Executive Director of the Greater Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce. As the former Mayor of Worcester some people said it was a good fit. Others were more critical and found it ironic that he would be taking a job to lobby in support of business when he had often been the point man in the Patrick administration to push for policies and higher taxes harmful to the business community and the jobs they produce.
The Lieutenant Governor position pays $125,000 a year and Murray will now be making over $200,000 in his new position without the need to commute to Boston every day or to travel all over the Commonwealth. Our state Constitution does not provide a mechanism to fill a vacancy in that office either by appointment or special election so it will have to remain vacant until a new Lt. Governor is elected in November of 2014 and takes his or her seat in January 2015.
Should Governor Patrick leave the state or be unable to perform his duties for any reason the next person in line of succession is the Secretary of State William Galvin. Galvin would serve as Acting Governor as long as necessary leaving the Secretary of State’s position unoccupied.
On the same day, Worcester Democrat State Representative John Fresolo filed a letter of resignation with the Speaker and the House Clerk announcing his intention to resign his position at 5 p.m. Wednesday. His letter stated he could no longer be effective in his position.
Fresolo had been the target of a House Ethics Committee probe into allegations of wrongdoing. According to House rules, no member of the Ethics Committee may reveal any of the findings or proceedings of the committee so despite the ongoing speculation it was never made public what the charges were against him.
Also on Wednesday the Massachusetts Senate began its debate of their version of the $34 billion FY 2014 state spending plan. At the time I am writing this column, late Thursday evening, I just spoke with Senator Mike Knapik who informed me the Senate was still in session going through the hundreds of amendments the members had filed.
Because it was so busy on Wednesday, I was unable to make it back to Westfield in time for the annual Citizens’ Scholarship Foundation annual awards night at South Middle School. I would like to congratulate all of the students who received scholarships and all the donors who made them possible.
Mark your calendars for my annual Flag Day Standout on Friday, June 14th from 4 – 6 p.m. at the park on the South side of the Westfield River between the two bridges. Bring your family, friends, and American flag and join us, rain or shine, as we celebrate our nation and our heritage of freedom. All are welcome.
Monday is Memorial Day. Since the time after the Civil War when widows decorated the graves of fallen Union and Confederate soldiers, this day has been a day of special significance. It is a day when we should all pause to honor and remember the lives of those who gave all in the cause of freedom.
The United States military is still actively engaged in theaters around the world. Men and women who have taken up arms in service of their country and proudly wear the American flag on their uniforms still put themselves in harm’s way every day while we go about our lives blissfully unaware of the hardships and dangers they endure for our sakes.
Take the opportunity this Memorial Day to thank a veteran. Thank a soldier, sailor, airman, or marine. It doesn’t matter if you know them personally or not. Just walk up and say, “Excuse me, I’d like to thank you for your service. I want you to know it is sincerely appreciated and you will not be forgotten.”
Like many communities across our country, Westfield will have its annual Memorial Day parade and ceremony on Monday morning. The parade steps off from North Elm Street at 10 a.m. and travels down Elm Street and Broad Street to conclude with a ceremony on West Silver Street across from Parker Memorial Park and South Middle School. Please join us if you can.
God Bless America!
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 McCarthy 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
