STATE REP. DONALD HUMASON JR.
The city of Westfield and the Second Hampden & Hampshire Senate district awoke to a big surprise on Monday morning when long-time state Senator Mike Knapik announced that he would be resigning his seat, effective Friday, August 9, 2013, to take a position at Westfield State University in the advancement department.
Mike Knapik has served our city in many capacities. He was a member of the Westfield School Committee. He was the Legislative Aide to former House Minority Leader Steven Pierce. He ran for the House of Representatives himself in 1990. And in 1994 he was elected to replace Democrat state Senator from Easthampton Shannon O’Brien.
Mike has served as the Senator for this city for 19 years. Over that time he was a member of numerous legislative committees, boards, and commissions. He was ultimately promoted within the Senate Republican caucus to hold the very important position as ranking minority member on the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. In this role he had a unique perspective on nearly every important piece of legislation to come through the Senate including every state budget. Mike used this position to the advantage of the people of the cities and towns he represented, always with an eye toward how he could make things better for his district, his hometown, and Western Massachusetts.
He served under 5 governors and worked with legislators from both houses, both parties, and every area of this small but vast state. His reputation as an honest, hard-working politician grew with each passing year. He was known for his stewardship of local projects and local bills, his humorous and witty debating style on the Senate floor, and his ability to work across the aisle to get things done for a very diverse district.
Mike is my former boss, a mentor, and a good friend. It has been my honor and pleasure to work by his side. He will be greatly missed by his colleagues and his constituents.
I don’t want this column to read like a eulogy so I will say this: Senator Knapik, in a legislature whose reputation has been marred over time by the unscrupulous and sometimes illegal actions of a handful of senators and representatives, you have maintained your integrity and risen above the fray. Your character cannot be impeached. In the big fish bowl of public life people may not always agree with the votes you took but no one can argue that you didn’t always act in what you believed to be the best interests of the Commonwealth and the 2nd Hampden & Hampshire District.
Westfield State University, my Alma Mater, entering its 175th year as an outstanding institution of coeducational public higher education in Massachusetts, and a renowned and oft-recognized value among colleges across the country, will benefit from your unique skills and connections as you work for the advancement and good name of the school. I wish you good luck in your new position and look forward to working together again with you in the future as both a legislator and member of the family of alumni of Westfield State.
Enjoy your new commute, Mike. Relish that tank of gasoline that won’t need to be refilled every other day and those increased turnpike tolls that you won’t have to pay. Sleep in on Friday mornings and leave the radio show to Brad & Bo and some other senator. Have a nice, quiet, undisturbed time at dinner with Kathy or lunch with Katie and Jimmy. Pick the events you want to attend. Take a vacation out of state. Don’t worry about missed roll calls, phone calls, or meetings. Relax. You’ve earned it through your service, dedication, and hard work.
Thank you Mike and congratulations on a long and honorable career as a public servant.
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
