On Tuesday and again today there are PulseLine entries regarding the death of Officer Torres that may be seen as controversial and a few people have decided to blame The Westfield News for allowing them to print. Like you, we are emotionally torn over these comments but we print them because these submissions are, sadly, the opinions of people in our community. They could be your co-workers, neighbors or a member of your family. Everyone has an opinion and the PulseLine is a way for people to offer their opinions anonymously. While the timing of these people’s comments may be seen as insensitive, it is not our policy to withhold comments due to bad taste. The staff of The Westfield News does not write the PulseLine. These are comments from readers like you and we have heard overwhelmingly to keep this forum and to maintain its anonymity. Over the past year we have made great strides to turn the PulseLine into a useful forum for citizens to ask questions that we find answers to. Until the PulseLine ceases to exist we will continue to print the opinions of the people.
Because of who we are and our physical location next to the Police Department, many staff members of The Westfield News knew Jose and it was very difficult for them to put their emotions aside to do their job of reporting this tragedy. The professionalism of these reporters and photographers was truly showcased this past week. Our coverage of the events has been exceptional and our support of the family is proven in the printed pages, as well as on our website and Facebook page. Our deepest condolences go out to the Torres family and his fellow Police Officers on this tragic loss.
To the reader asking for civilian flaggers instead of off-duty police officers for traffic detail: it is my understanding that for construction involving a city road, only police officers are allowed to direct traffic, and that having a civilian direct traffic will result in a fine.
Mr. Berry, I read the PulseLine all the time and many times it makes my blood boil. But today, July 31, for the first time I feel I must respond, I realize that you allow people to vent and exercise their constitutional rights, but by allowing the second article in today’s paper to print I think was an error in judgment. Officer Torres has just been laid to rest when you allowed this caller to go off half-wittedly. I may not agree with the cost of having officers due road details, but it is their choice to work a second job. Is it any different if after their shift they went to work at Walmart or Six Flags ? They give up their days off, they give up family time to yes earn more money. Is it greed? No, they try to give their families better lives and most are sending their kids through college. For this caller’s assumption that this will cost the city hundreds of thousands of dollars – do you honestly believe his pension is as much as congressman or presidents? He gave 27 years of his life for this city, a Washington politician need serve only a few years to draw a pension. If, as you say, they should have been using civilian flaggers, do you not think that somehow there would have not been a lawsuit against the city if a civilian was killed on duty? He has earned his retirement and it is just that his wife receive it. She now has to continue with life and it is now her sole job to continue caring for their two sons. Please give this family time to mourn without having to read negative, senseless comments. In case this caller is wondering, or assuming, I am not a fellow officer but a taxpayer. God Bless all of his family, my prayers are with you. SPM
To the person that wrote such negative comments about police doing road jobs in Westfield. You must be an angry person that has no compassion for human life. If you object to the present system your comments should be to the powers in Boston where these decisions are made. This practice of police on the jobs is a Massachusetts state requirement. To add comments about money settlements with regard to this accident seems in poor taste.
I am absolutely APPALLED by the PulseLine submission of 7-31-2012 regarding the death of Jose Torres. Whether you believe that civilian flaggers should be used or not is a personal opinion. To slander a wonderful police officer/husband/father/friend, who lost his life while doing his job on the day of his funeral is beyond disgusting. All citizens should be outraged by this complete lack of respect given to the Torres family and the police department. Mr. Berry, please explain and apologize for your papers complete lack of good judgment.
To the editor and owner of the Westfield News to publish these comments on the day of that man’s funeral seem inappropriate. I believe in freedom of the press but the timing was wrong. SHAME
I am concerned over something I read about in the masslive forums today. There was apparently a very distasteful comment in PulseLine about Officer Jose Torres. Whatever was said was published in the paper on the day of his funeral. I don’t know what was said, but apparently it was very cruel. I knew Jose Torres slightly, from church, from my work in a local Credit Union and from seeing him around town. He was always friendly, always polite, and always respectful. He has a beautiful family left behind here in Westfield. Left behind to have to read ugly statements written by someone who seems to be nothing short of ignorant. I have two questions to ask.. one to whoever wrote the comment: Why did you do that? the other to the newspaper: Why did you publish it? I would also like to commend the work of Hope Tremblay and the wonderful article she wrote about Officer Torres.
Each day I pass the old Blessed Sacrament rectory on North Elm Street while during errands and I can’t help but notice over the last few months how they have allowed the house to deteriorate. There is peeling paint, broken windows that are boarded up, and bushes and shrubs that are overgrown and look like they haven’t been trimmed in months. It’s hard for us to believe that the parish or the Diocese of Springfield would want to sell the house in the deteriorating condition that it’s in. It’s such a beautiful old home and it should be preserved. One can only think if the outside looks so terrible, what must the inside look like? It seems to us that the parishioners would have a little more pride in what’s left of their church and preserve the house or at least clean it up. I’m sure there are more than a few people among the parishioners who can wield paint brushes, scrapers, and take care of the property to bring it up to what it should be – which was a beautiful show place. The house has five fireplaces with beautiful furniture inside. It’s very sad to see this happen to the house and I wish somebody would do something. I don’t know what’s wrong with the pastor of that parish that he would allow this to happen and I’m sure the Diocese of Springfield couldn’t sell that property in the condition it’s in. Although, if you look at the website for the Diocese that has a listing of all the property that’s for sale from the Diocese, the value that has been placed on that house appears to be very low, around $250,000. Seems to me that the house in its present condition is worth far less than that and someone would probably be able to get it for a song. I do think that someone should take things in their own hands and do whatever is necessary to bring that property up to a presentable condition so it is not the eyesore it is now. I hope that someone takes advantage of the situation and does something to make it look beautiful again.
I just can’t believe that The Westfield News editor chose to put a negative letter in the paper about Officer Torres’ death! On the day of his funeral, no less. What is wrong with you and the person who wrote that in that Pulse Line entry? Both of you should be ashamed.
I had the occasion to use the Agawam library yesterday. A very nice facility but I would never trade our beautiful Athenaeum for it. Lots of people are using the Agawam library though, because of the large parking lot; many senior citizens, too. I wish we had parking near our library. What was reasonably close for our seniors is now behind the Tavern. Any thoughts on a solution?
Hi. This goes to the nitwit who called into the Pulse Line regarding off-duty police officers collecting side job monies and spoke about Officer Torres in such a horrible, demeaning way. Obviously, this person has never lost a family member and I just have one question: What the hell were you thinking?
This is to the person who called in about Officer Jose Torres. Why don’t they leave him alone? He hasn’t even been buried a whole day and someone already has junk in the Pulse Line. If it was his family, it would be a different story. If you don’t have the guts to come up and face anyone in person, come see me, I’ll face you in person.
I just read the Tuesday, July 31, Pulse Line and how dare that individual have the gall, on a day of sadness for the Torres family, to blame Officer Torres and complain that his family will be collecting his pension. That is the reason why he has served this community for 27 years; he was doing his job. It’s not out of greed that they do this job but out of kindness and because they want to, it’s not mandated. So get your facts straight, you cold-hearted individual. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Torres family and the Westfield Police Department. Keep up the good work. I hope someday dude, or lady, that you have to experience what the Torres family has gone through and maybe you’ll understand in the end. Have a great day.
Good evening. I read the Pulse Line the other night and got very upset as I was wondering how long it would be before some idiot would call-in something about Officer Jose Torres. Guess they couldn’t wait. Why should we care how much his wife and kids will get when they have lost a loved one. I bet if the caller had the chance, he would work the extra hours like he did to support his family. I am still so upset after reading that. I hope whoever sent that message will give a donation to the family. My prayers are with the Torres family and God bless them. Thank you.
Hello. I would like to make a response about dump trucks. They all should be equipped with a camera on the back plate of the truck to see behind them. They should also all be equipped with audio so that when they back up they can be clearly heard. I would also like to comment on the Pulse Line entry about the vandalism in our parks and the trash that gets thrown all around. They spent so much money on the bridges and the graffiti is continuing. They should have more cameras to identify these thugs and punish them. Also, my heart goes out to Officer Torres and his family. Thank you.
Hi. As neighborhood people in the Dubois Street area, we would like to know the status of the party house at 10 Dubois Street. There are noise complaints almost every weekend which result in police presence. This past Friday there was an assault complaint which involved seven cruisers coming and the following night there was another noise complaint. None of this was ever in the Police Log. We would like to know why this has been allowed to continue for months. Is it a coincidence that the landlord happens to be a Westfield police officer? And a note to the caller complaining about Officer Torres and police officer’s on construction duty… Shame on you. Thank you.
This is in regards to Tuesday’s Pulse Line entry and the person who complained about Officer Jose Torres working overtime and that’s the reason he was killed – being greedy, simple and plain as that. I am appalled, appalled, that anyone could write a letter like that. My God, man, or woman, have you no sense of shame? Are you complaining because you might have to pay some money? You don’t have to pay the money. I can’t even talk any more about this because my profanity will win out. Shame on you. Be ashamed of yourself and crawl back into your shell where you belong. We all loved Officer Torres.
This newspaper published a very degrading Pulse Line call on Tuesday. My subscription will be up for renewal in September and because of this newspaper’s decision to publish a certain call, I have decided not to renew my subscription. You, the editor, had the option to publish that call or ignore it and I think you acted in very, very, bad taste.
Hello. I have two comments to make. One of which would be to please publish the telephone number for the Pulse Line right with the column so people can call easily and leave a message. Secondly, would be to the person who called in on Tuesday, July 31, complaining and nit-picking about Officer Jose Torres’ death saying he should have been “off duty” as opposed to “on duty.” I just thought that was in incredibly poor taste and I feel that we should have far more respect for public service. They’re working for us after all. Thank you.
I have my opinion on Officer Torres’ funeral yesterday. It was well deserved by him, he was a wonderful officer who deserved the best and got the best. What I want to know is why they are not going down the line and not giving overtime to people who need money, too. We all need money, we know that. But it wasn’t divided equally among the officers and I think not only in police departments but everywhere, overtime should be divided equally giving other people a break like everyone else. And like I said, I don’t disrespect the Torres family. God bless them and I wish them well. God bless his soul.
Thanks to all of those who put together and worked hard to run the 13 year old Babe Ruth tournament. You all did a wonderful job with the facility and with the operation of the daily games. Once again, thank you.
