Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Round ?

It wasn't much a hearing last night at the Morgan School in South Holyoke. Some regular business like a permit for a Verizon Wireless cell tower, as well as a car lot. Most people were there for the Transfer Station hearing, and after 30 minutes the regular stuff was finished so the Ordinance committee opened the hearing for a presentation by United Waste's chief executive Scott Lemay. But that's as far as it got. Councilor Diosdado Lopez immediately made a motion to continue the hearing until next month over the issue of Spanish translation, and after lengthy inter-committee debate they voted to grant to continuance.

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I am much confused by last night's proceedings since, as stated in this Republican story, Councilor Lopez is presently/still in court against the city on this very issue, and according to State ethics laws, that fact should have barred him from sitting on the Ordinance Subcommittee, at least in regards to this matter. I am certain of one thing, they set new record for the shortest transfer station hearing yet. Just over ten minutes.

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A total of 35 people were in the room last night at the Morgan School. If you take out all the sitting politicians, and those running for office. As well as others with some special interest connected to the Transfer Station like me reporting it, as well as the HOPE group and Grow Holyoke members, Janitor, and policeman - only 2 people were innocent members of the public. The whole purpose of holding this hearing in Ward 2 was so that people from the neighborhood could participate. I think Holyoke needs to start doing a better job advertising these things, and straighten out how these venues function. If language translation is going to be done for one group I hope it will be done at all public meetings, for everyone who asks for it. My Native American friends have been outraged for years at the lack of translation into the local Nipmuck, and Pocumtuc dialects.

Monday, June 29, 2009

Stories Of The Past Week

Holyoke's Irish Heart

Police Use Cell Phone To Track Down Murderer

Holyoke City Council rejects proposal to study use of Lynch Middle School as school administration offices

Holyoke police chief Anthony Scott renews call for election of judges in aftermath of shooting death of Luis Fernandez

Holyoke's chief worried about future

Holyoke homicide suspect held without right to bail following arraignment in District Court

Holyoke police stop vehicle at Newton and Cabot streets, arrest occupant on cocaine charges

Why EMC Wants to Build a High Performance Data Center in Holyoke

Sportscaster Jack Buck Made Calls To Remember

Holyoke Police Chief Anthony R. Scott calls off courthouse protests

Holyoke eyeing wind turbines on Mt. Tom

Holyoke's Homework House promotes student success

Scott's arithmetic doesn't add up

Holyoke will miss former St. Paul's Episcopal Church rector Rev. J. Gollan Root

Holyoke doorways inspire photo array

Mayor Michael Sullivan vetos City Council order to stop construction of Holyoke parking garage

Award Winning Summer Program in Holyoke

College funding trimmed

Holyoke police, federal agents, raid 105 High St., arrest two men for trafficking heroin

Single vehicle crash on Interstate 91 in Holyoke takes life of Waban man

Holyoke mayor backs garage

Holyoke golf club attack

Conference for Women Veterans draws 150 at Holyoke Community College

Grand visions boost Holyoke

Systems, Sustainability, and Holyoke

Company uses antique truck to help non-profits

Sullivan sees potential for changes in future of city government

Holyoke Rebrands Efforts to Bring Tourism Back to the City and Its Museums

Super-computing Center Proposed for Holyoke

A Huge Opportunity for the Region

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Stories Of The Past Week

Amtrak Adventures

Parking garage projects weighed

Library faulted in Internet case

3-car I-91 crash injures 2

Man who fell off ladder in Agawam plant identified as Jose Montoya of Holyoke

Holyoke officials welcome plans for The Decemberists concert at Mountain Park, although permits still needed

Holyoke residents join panel for new school superintendent

Biomass plants called threat to area forests

Holyoke budget spreads cuts across departments

The World Beard and Moustache Championships 2009 in Anchorage, Alaska

Holyoke police arrest Appleton Street man on cocaine and marijuana charges

Satellite wars: Tax draws fire

Chicopee, Holyoke add $300 fine to $100 state fine for anyone caught using marijuana

Former state House speaker, HCC President David Bartley wins award for human relations

Holyoke Art exhibit explores science fiction theme

8 students awarded scholarships by Latino association

Holyoke police arrest city man on heroin and cocaine charges

Holyoke Police Bust Four for Paintball Assaults and Vandalism


10% energy challenge in Greenfield

Manuel Torres of Holyoke arrested on heroin charges

Holyoke Police Chief Hopes for High Bail for Busted Drug Dealer

Michael Houle denies downloading child pornography on Holyoke library computer

5 people from Springfield, Northampton, Easthampton and Holyoke arrested on drug charges

Holyoke's Famous Rail Station

Paper City Brewery's Bottling Tradition

Holyoke computer center chosen for hydropower and proximity to water

Holyoke police arrest 30-year-old suspect, wanted for homicide in New York City

Renovations approved for Community Field

Sewer overflow addressed

Pension funds faring better

Holyoke boaters get new facility

Holyoke Police Investigating Father's Day Murder

Holyoke shooting victim dies

Holyoke Police Name Suspect in Weekend Murder

Holyoke Police Chief Calls For Protest

Holyoke man fatally shot on street

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Founders Day Fun

last Sunday afternoon I walked up to High Street to see the Founder's Day Car Show. The music made for a cool ambiance around City Hall while the people, dressed to impress, made for great watching.

Being a lifelong motor head, I'm kind of jaded on cars, but it was fun to look at all the modifications. Check out the scenes at Flickr, or click on the Pictobrowser below.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Stories Of The Past Week

The Big Story

Holyoke to be site of high performance computer center

High Performance Computing as the Future of Holyoke's E-conomy, Part I

Twittering Holyoke's Future

High-Performance Computing as the Future of Holyoke's E-conomy, Part II

Holyoke First - A Great Day For Holyoke!!

Brendan's Blog - Holyoke Welcomes High Tech!

The Art of Politics - Holyoke High Tech Computing Center

Computer center a coup for Holyoke

High Tech for a Historic City—A 21-Year-Old Web Entrepreneur’s View of the Big Computing Center Planned for His Home Town


Other Stories

Opening the Gateway

The Blue Sox are back in town

Holyoke Man Pleads Not Guilty to Beating Woman with Hammer

Holyoke grads told to love life

Reaction mixed to meter hike

Holyoke suspect indicted for porn

Jason Crochetiere of Holyoke dies after he slams mini-cycle into a truck on North Bridge Street in Holyoke - Family Mourns

The Valley Players - Holyoke Mass

Fund-raiser slated to help ailing Holyoke girl, 8

Court battle over proposed Lowe's home improvement store in Holyoke scheduled to continue into November

Holyoke loses move to have lawyer removed in wrongful termination lawsuit

Getting the 'bus' rolling for the Paper City

Holyoke Police Bust Wanted Man with Stolen Handgun near Nightclub

Holyoke police arrest 3 for trafficking heroin, cocaine and other charges

Lowe's battle goes on

Professional Development day in Holyoke

Councilors support makeover of Community Field in Holyoke - makeover blueprint (pdf file)

Lt. Gov visits United Water in Holyoke

Lisa Lavoie indicted on statutory rape

Assistance wanted on energy costs

Holyoke City Council may vote Tuesday on fiscal 2010 budget

Early morning 3-vehicle crash on Interstate 91 in Holyoke sends 2 to area hospitals

Holyoke Police Chief Anthony Scott criticizes library staff for waiting 3 days to report child pornography viewing

Holyoke police arrest city man on heroin charges after stopping his vehicle at Race and Sargeant streets

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Lyman Street Fire

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I was sitting at my computer when a report of smoke coming from a house at Lyman and Center came over the scanner. This made me jump to attention rather quickly. I live just down the block. In some sort of disbelief, I stuck my head out the window to look down the street, and sure enough there was ominous - acrid looking smoke coming from the house on the corner.

By the time I got my shoes on, fumbled for my camera, and ran out the door, the police had already arrived. Smoke was coming from the windows on the third floor. It had subsided somewhat, and police were getting everyone out of the house. The residents were trying to fight the fire themselves, and it looks like they had done pretty good job without getting hurt.

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The fire department arrived in force, and quickly had the situation under control. It looked to be caused by some sort of electrical thing in the wall, I'm not sure. I was just happy that everyone got out ok, and the damage seemed to be minor.

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Here's some video I shot of the scene.


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Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Parsons Fire - One Year Later

Can you believe it was one year ago today that Parsons burned?

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Over last Winter I began to realize that the fire was the end of the paper making era in Holyoke, and a 'New Holyoke' was being born. Great things began happening late last year. I started meeting new people at Crush events, and they weren't bickering, they were working together. Since the fire I've met more great people, and been to more great events than all my former years living in Holyoke combined.

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Its rather fitting that on this day most Holyokers will first learn of a computer research center planned for Holyoke. Were talking about a lot of inve$tment here, and a lot of new jobs. I hear the Parson site is one of the locations being considered, and If it does go there then I think the Parsons name should be attached to it in some way. To pay homage to the man who introduced Holyoke to the industry that gave us our first 150 years of prosperity.

And please use some of the bricks sitting at the site for Christ's sake. We love our red bricks here in Holyoke.

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Stories Of The Past Week

Water Power to the People of Holyoke

IRS, Holyoke resolve dispute

Holyoke police arrest Clemente Street woman on heroin charges

Holyoke School Department faces $1.3 million cut by City Council

WWII hand grenade found in Holyoke

Ex-House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi indicted on federal corruption charges

Lucas Pacheco of Holyoke gets 7-8 years after being caught with 2 loaded guns in his car

Holyoke police arrest Clemente Street man for possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and other charges

3 HCC graduates to receive awards

Holyoke High students to present 'The Glass Menagerie'

Alleged swindler Lewis Hoff of Holyoke admits owing 2 local businessmen $36 million

The Casey Kane Memorial Tennis Tournament will be played at Crosier Field Courts in Holyoke to honor a a girl who 'never stopped smiling.'

Mall walk to aid disease research

Loomis Village Wine tasting event to benefit Holyoke children's literacy

Mother Who Abandoned Newborn Identified - Found - Friend speaks

Enchanted Circle Theater programs seen as essential to schools

Girls Inc. members share life stories through digital productions

Palmer: The Town of Seven Railroads

The Case Against The Knowledge Corridor Rail System

Turners Falls Turnaround

Federal stimulus funds limits put squeeze on Holyoke schools

Bad Luck for Holyoke Furniture Store

Holyoke Cops Stop Theft at Marcotte Ford

Holyoke Library Announces Summer Hours

Holyoke Police Chief Anthony R. Scott eyes federal aid to avoid layoffs

94 receive diplomas at Holyoke's Dean Technical High School

Holyoke Catholic recalls roots

Cocaine trafficking nets 15-year prison term

Holyoke woman allegedly attacked

Power outage shuts down neighborhood

Holyoke envisions mixed uses for mills

Dropout rate aim of group

Holyoke City Council to discuss parking garage work, rates and parking meter rates

John DiNapoli Memorial Golf Tournament