Monson canceled its Summerfest celebration as a result of the damage left by the June 1 tornado.

File photo by Neil A. HawleyFireworks are seen over Springfield during last year's Fourth of July festivities.

SPRINGFIELD – While the city continues to recover from a tornado two weeks ago, the sponsors of the annual Fourth of July celebration said Wednesday that plans remain in place for this year’s fireworks and festivities, with the event seen by some as more important than ever.

During a press conference held at Riverfront Park, representatives of Spirit of Springfield, city officials, and business leaders said that “Star Spangled Springfield” is set for July 4, with Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co. (MassMutal) serving as the lead sponsor for the sixth consecutive year.

“We are very pleased to continue the tradition this year, even more than ever, because of the blow Springfield took a couple of weeks ago,” said John Chandler, chief marketing officer for MassMutual. “It’s a chance for the community to rally and show its pride.”

Mayor Domenic J. Sarno said the July 4 festivities will be a “morale boost,” and “a shot in the arm” for Springfield. It coincides with the city’s 375th anniversary celebration and MassMutual’s 160th year in Springfield.

“More than ever, now, we need this morale boost to celebrate the resolve of our human spirit,” Sarno said.

Chandler said MassMutual shares the city’s commitment to rebuild Springfield in the aftermath of the June 1 tornado, and said the words “Spirit of Springfield,” are reflective of the city’s resolve.

In Monson, the annual Summerfest celebration will not be held this year due to serious tornado damage. The event has featured a downtown parade, music, food and fireworks.

The event will return in 2012, officials said.

In Springfield, the festivities will start at 7:30 p.m., in Riverfront Park’s festival field. It will feature a performance by Dan Kane’s Rising Stars.

A 20-minute Fireworks by Grucci display begins at 9:30 p.m. from the nearby Memorial Bridge.

The Rising Stars will feature 150 children, ages 6 to 15, performing patriotic, pop, Broadway and country music.

The tornado damaged Riverfront Park including knocked down trees and branches, but much of the downed trees and debris was being removed this week by the Park Department in advance of July 4, officials said.

Spirit of Springfield presents “Star Spangled Springfield” each year.

Judith A. Matt, president of Spirit of Springfield, said a look at the park on Monday raised some initial concerns, including a sidewalk area being blocked, but the area has been cleaned and the access and view are unobstructed.

In addition to MassMutual as the lead sponsor, the festivities are supported by Tower Square, The Republican, WWLP-22News, Mix 93.1 FM, the Springfield Parking Authority, Elegant Affairs, Michael’s Party Rentals, 90 Meat Outlet, Charlie Arment Trucking, Joseph Freedman Co., United Tractor Trailer School, the city, and others.

Matt said roughly 150,000 people are expected to view the fireworks from around the region, including those that come to the riverfront.

Some power was lost on the riverfront, and auxilliary power and lighting will be brought in, Matt said.

Others who were present for the announcement were: representatives of the Police and Fire departments; City Councilor Kateri B. Walsh; Spririt of Springfield representatives, and other sponsors and supporters.

The chambers gave each a check of $1,000 for storm relief instead of the plaque and letter it normally awards, said Jeffrey S. Ciuffreda, president of the Affiliated Chambers.

Photo by John Suchock / The RepublicaniSpringfield , 6/6/11, Staff Photo by John Suchocki -- Massachusetts Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Gregory P. Bialecki while touring Main st area hit by the tornado.

SPRINGFIELD – Despite the pain, people should now look at rebuilding from the June 1 tornadoes that cut a swath through the Pioneer Valley as an opportunity to improve communities, according to the head of the state’s economic development efforts.

“I think the first impulse is to rebuild exactly what was there,” Gregory P. Bialecki, state secretary of Housing and Economic Development, told more than 175 business and civic leaders Wednesday. “But we really should be looking at ways to make things better.”

People will get a chance to discuss tornado recovery with state officials during a public forum with Gov. Deval L. Patrick at 3 p.m. Tuesday at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, Bialecki announced during his speech during the annual meeting lunch of the Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield at the Springfield Marriott.

The event was arranged before the tornado hit. Back then, Bialecki was to have spoken in more general terms about the state’s economic recovery from the recession and efforts to make sure that recovery takes hold in Western Massachusetts.

Bialecki said the tornado is actually an opportunity to move ahead with or expedite economic recovery plans. Perhaps, he asked, redevelopment in a neighborhood was blocked because no one wanted to displace residents.

“Now those residents are already displaced,” Bialecki said. “Now isn’t the time to put all out plans on a shelf. It’s the time to put them on the center of the table.”

Take Main Street in Springfield in the South End, he said. Last year, the city completed at $3.8 million corridor improvement project that included new sidewalks and streetlights that survived the storm for the most part. That project was meant to be just the first stage of improvements in the South End.

Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno said he will soon appoint what he called a “Robert Moses” for the tornado recovery. Moses, who died in 1981, was the “master builder” who helped reshape New York City, its suburbs and Long Island from the Great Depression through the 1960s.

The Affiliated Chambers always honors nonprofits during its annual meeting. This year’s honorees, the YMCA of Greater Springfield and the Salvation Army were specifically heralded for their efforts in the wake of the storm.

The chambers gave each a check of $1,000 for storm relief instead of the plaque and letter it normally awards, said Jeffrey S. Ciuffreda, president of the Affiliated Chambers.

Narkewicz said it remains to be determined how Northampton will notify truckers of the law.

View full sizePhoto by Greg Saulmon / The RepublicanA truck passes a sign on Northampton Street warning that the use of engine brakes is prohibited in Holyoke. Northampton is considering a similar ordinance.

NORTHAMPTON – After some truck drivers gasped in outrage, the City Council will consider a somewhat toned-down ordinance on the use of compression brakes when it meets on Thursday.

Acting on the complaints of residents in several neighborhoods, some councilors put together an ordinance that called for a ban on the brakes, which announce their use with a loud blast of compressed air. Some contend that the noise is excessive and unnecessary. When that ordinance came up for a vote in April, however, truck drivers and representatives from trucking companies flocked to Council Chambers contending that the brakes are a safety feature and that banning them would be both onerous and dangerous.

The council sent the measure back to the Ordinance Committee for fine-tuning, and in May that committee held a public hearing on the matter. After much back-and-forth between residents and truckers, the committee crafted a less extreme ordinance that restricts the ban to trucks with improper or inadequate muffler systems. The fine for violation of the law is $300.

Council President David J. Narkewicz said the ordinance came about as a result of concerns from people all over the city who find the loud gasping noise objectionable. He noted that the problem is not limited to Northampton. A number of states restrict the use of compression brakes and Holyoke last year instituted its own ban, which Northampton studied in crafting its law.

As defined in the council packet that accompanies the ordinance, compression brakes are an alternative braking system to wheel brakes used on semi-trucks and other large vehicles, primarily as a safety back-up. The device relieves the compression in diesel engines, causing the vehicles to slow down. By flipping a switch, the driver can release the compressed air from the pistons through the exhaust system, causing the loud gasping noise.

Drivers mostly use the compression brakes when hauling heavy loads downhill and in emergency situations. They not only supplement the braking power of wheel brakes but also take stress off them. As a result, there is less wear-and-tear on the wheel brakes, meaning that they will last longer and need less maintenance.

The city feels that some truckers uses their compression brakes indiscriminately, according to Narkewicz. In addition, trucks with poor muffler systems can be excessively noisy, he said. Some truckers also modify their vehicles in ways that result in increased noise. After listening to both sides discuss the issues, the committee came up with the compromise ordinance aimed at ill-equipped vehicles.

Narkewicz said it remains to be determined how Northampton will notify truckers of the law.

“Some communities post signs at the city limits,” he said. “We’ll talk about how to provide notice to people.”

Narkewicz acknowledged that some details, such as if the ban will pertain to traffic on Interstate-91, remain unresolved. He expects there will be continued discussion of the matter.

“I hope (the ordinance) at least puts this on the radar screen,” he said.

At first, 3,677 of the town’s 37,819 residents would have been shifted, but now that number has been reduced by 146 to 3,531.

Amherst Town Hall

AMHERST - The Select Board voted to approve the final redistricting proposal submitted by the District Advisory Board, a proposal which reduces the number of people who will change precincts from an initial proposal.

At first, 3,677 of the town’s 37,819 residents would have been shifted, but now that number has been reduced by 146 to 3,531.

The advisory board presented its final report to the Select Board Monday for approval. Town Clerk Sandra J. Burgess needed to submit the official map of the redrawn precincts, a legal description and the precinct populations along with a certified vote of the Select Board to the Local Election District Review Commission through the Secretary of State by Wednesday.

The advisory board had to do some tweaking to the map presented to the Select Board last month after a member of the local review commission was concerned about two precinct lines that “were particularly uneven.”

The advisory board was able to address one but not the other. If it moved the other so-called protrusion, the board would have made the anomalies worse.

Carolyn Holstein, chairwoman of the advisory board, said they wanted to minimize the number of changes to the neighborhoods and to distribute students through the town’s 10 precincts as evenly as possible. The town is home to Amherst and Hampshire colleges and the University of Massachusetts.

Also no precinct could be larger than 4,000 people.

What made the job difficult in particular was that 31 percent of the town’s population lives on just 2 percent of the total land area, Holstein said.

The largest shift is in precinct 9 where 1,665 will be shifted into precinct 2. Another 75 from precinct 9 will be shifted to precinct 6.

“You’ve done amazing work,” Select Board chairwoman Stephanie J. O’Keeffe said.

The Local Election Districts Review Commission has the final approval on redistricting plans and changes are effective Dec. 31, Burgess said in an email Tuesday.

Every registered voter whose polling place is changed must be notified by mail of the new polling place, she added.

The punishment was the result of an investigation led by the AG's Fair Labor Division out of its Springfield office.

SPRINGFIELD - A city cleaning company has been ordered by the state Attorney General's Office to pay $26,000 in fines and restitution for violating the state’s prevailing wage, independent contractor and payroll record-keeping laws, and for retaliating against an employee who filed a complaint.

The company, KJR Cleaning, formerly known as KJR Commercial Cleaning, Inc., and its president, Kelly Raleigh of Springfield, were found in violation stemming from a February 2010 investigation by the office of Attorney General Martha Coakley.

The penalty was announced Wednesday in a press release from Coakley's office.

"A worker’s right to file wage complaints with our office is protected by law, and no worker should be in fear of their employer for exercising that right,” AG Coakley said.

In February 2010, the Attorney General’s Fair Labor Division opened an investigation after receiving a complaint alleging that workers had not been paid properly at two separate prevailing wage jobs at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst.

During the course of the investigation, allegations were made that Raleigh retaliated against a former employee in an attempt to get the individual to withdraw the wage complaint filed with the AG’s Office.

As a result of the investigation, Raleigh and her company were cited and have been ordered to pay more than $4,000 in restitution and a $22,000 penalty to the Commonwealth.

The investigation was handled by Assistant Attorney General Barbara Dillon DeSouza and was investigated by Inspector Brian Davies, both of AG Coakley’s Fair Labor Division in the Springfield office.

The Massachusetts wage and hour laws include anti-retaliation provisions that protect employees who bring allegations of wage violations to the attention of the Attorney General. Specifically, it unlawful for an employer to penalize, discharge, or in any manner discriminate against an employee who reports violations. It is also unlawful for employers to threaten or intimidate employees into accepting less than what they are due to be paid.

The Attorney General's Office has a Fair Labor Hotline for workers to report violations. The number is (617) 727-3465

The city has held five tax title auctions since 2007.

File photo by John Suchocki / The RepublicanThis home at 90 Beverly Dr., Westfield, was sold Wednesday in a tax tiltle auction by the city. Here, Westfield building inspector Jonathan Flagg waits for any interested parties who might want to view the property Monday.

WESTFIELD – This city picked up $63,000 in its effort to restore a residential parcel on Beverly Drive to the active property tax roles.

That was the amount, about $3,000 more than what the city was owed in back taxes and interest, paid by former Building Inspector Donald York at a public auction at City Hall Wednesday.

“Rehabilitation,” was York’s immediate reaction to his successful bid.

“I’ll open it up, dry it out and then evaluate” he said of his next move for the single family home at 90 Beverly Dr.

City officials acknowledge the deteriorated condition of the small ranch style home after years of neglect, but note its location on a corner lot should make attractive as a new residence for new owners. The home is located on Beverly Drive at the corner with Barbara Street.

“It is deteriorated,” said acting Building Inspector Jonathan S. Flagg at an open house held on site Monday.

York said he was drawn to the auction because of the property’s “availability and future potential. There is potential because property values in the area,” which he estimated at between $180,000 to $225,000.

Assistant City Solicitor Shanna R. Reed said she was “pleased” with auction results, adding the Law Department is currently working on about six similar parcels headed towards the tax foreclosure process.

“The city did very well,” said Reed.

City Treasurer Gregory I. Kallfa, the city’s tax title custodian, agreed. “We were able to pick up what was owed and we put the property back on the tax roles.

“It was nice to see that a couple people were interested,” said Kallfa, noting the bidding process drew competition from three bidders.

“This is a nice neighborhood. The property is also located to schools,” Kallfa said. Both Southampton Road Elementary and North Middle School are nearby.

Back taxes and interest owed Westfield for the 90 Beverly Dr. parcel amounted to $59,772. York is not responsible for that bill since the property was auctioned “free and clear” of municipal liens.

Reed said the city acquired the property through tax title in 2009. Property taxes had not been paid since 1998, she said.

The Beverly Drive property is the latest to be auctioned by the city because of tax foreclosure.

In March a singe-family home at 21 Miller St. fetched $67,000 when Roman Moshlousky successfully out bid several other interested persons.

In 2007, property at 15 Lynnwood Dr. was sold at auction for $151,000 while that same year the city auctioned the former Westfield Woodworking Co. on Coleman Avenue for $225,000.

In 2009, a single-family home at 16 Clinton Ave. drew a high bid of $23,000.

The Beverly Drive parcel has an appraised land value of $85,700. It is a one-story, two bedroom, five room home with a screen porch at the rear.

In addition to helping with government costs, the federal declaration makes federal loans and other assistance available to eligible individuals such as homeowners, renters and businesses in tornado-damaged areas

View full sizeRepublican staff photo by Mark M. MurrayLeon Jenkins, left and his brother Walter Jenkins, right, on hand for the arrival Wednesday morning of two temporary house trailers being installed next to their building at 18-20 Searle Place which was damaged in the June 1st tornado. The homes came from American Mobile Homes of Weymouth, Ma. that company said they have more coming to the area.

Two weeks after a deadly tornado ripped through the region, President Barack Obama declared a major federal disaster area for Hampden and Worcester counties, assuring the federal government would pay for the lion’s share of storm-related costs for Springfield and other eligible communities, state agencies and nonprofit organizations.

Obama’s approval came just four days after Gov. Deval L. Patrick requested the declaration in a letter to the president.

It also took place the same day the state House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly to approve $15 million to pay for costs of state agencies responding to the storms.

Patrick, speaking to the press in Boston, thanked the president and those at the Federal Emergency Management Agency for approving the declaration so quickly.

“We have a lot to do to help our communities recover and rebuild, and it’s good to know we can count on our government to help,” he said.

Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno heralded the news as a key moment in efforts to rebuild sections of the city and tend to those harmed by the storm.

“Two weeks ago at this time we were being hit from a damaging tornado,” he said. “In two weeks time, president Obama has turned around the disaster assistance request,
and we’re moving squarely ahead to rebuild the city and rebuild the human spirit.”

Staff photo by Patrick JohnsonSpringfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, standing in front of his department heads, speaks Wednesday at a press briefing in City Hall about the ramifications of the city being declared a federal disaster area because of the June 1 tornado

West Springfield Mayor Edward J. Gibson said he was thrilled with the news and is looking forward to launching the next steps to aid affected portions of that city.

“It is a big hurdle to get over. It just opens up so many more opportunities to help people affected by the tornado.”

In addition to helping with government costs, the federal declaration makes federal loans and other assistance available to eligible individuals such as homeowners, renters and businesses in Hampden and Worcester counties.

The president’s authorization means the federal government will pay at least 75 percent of costs of repairing or replacing public roads, bridges, utilities and buildings in Springfield and other communities in Hampden County, as well as debris removal and overtime for employees.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency continues to evaluate the damage data and supporting information related to such public assistance that Patrick is seeking for Southbridge and Sturbridge in Worcester County.

U.S. Sens. John F. Kerry and Scott P. Brown and other political leaders at the federal and state levels issued statements, saying they were grateful for the president’s quick decision.

“Due to the devastation, I believed a swift and bold federal response was necessary,” said U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, D-Springfield. “I am pleased that President Obama recognized the enormity of the destruction and today ordered federal aid for the state.”

Under the presidential declaration, individuals are eligible for rental payments for temporary housing, grants for home repairs or to replace personal property not covered by insurance, unemployment benefits for up to 26 weeks, low-interest loans for property losses not covered by insurance, and other loans and relief programs, such as crisis counseling, income tax assistance for filing casualty losses; advisory assistance for legal, veterans’ benefits and Social Security matters.

In order to help individuals and businesses, the federal government will establish disaster recovery centers in each of the nine communities hit hardest by the June 1 storm system, according to Patrick.

Sarno at a press briefing in City Hall said the interval between the arrival of the tornado and the arrival of the federal help has been remarkable.

Flanked by city department heads, Sarno said city employees and managers did tremendous work preparing the paperwork needed to apply for federal assistance.

He said the application was in order and the damage estimated ready for verification by the Massachusetts Emergency Management Association within two days after the tornado. For the city to be approved in two weeks by FEMA, “set a new paradigm for turning things around,” he said.

“What kept us going for 24/7 has been the resiliency of the people of Springfield and the power of positive character shown through and through,” Sarno said.

Staff photo by Patrick JohnsonNick Russo, FEMA federal coordinating officer, speaks Wednesday about the role FEMA will play in the rebuilding of tornado-damaged areas now that the city and other parts of the county have been declared a federal disaster area.

Also at the press briefing was FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Nick Russo, who said the level of federal assistance changes once a declaration of a disaster area is issued.
“You do have a declaration now,” he said.

The federal agency will not be the sole voice in the restoration of the city, but will work with state and local agencies and even individuals throughout the process, he said. “We are not the team; we are part of the team.”

With the federal declaration in place, people in affected areas should register to apply for federal assistance.

“Whether you think you are eligible or not, you should register,” he said. “Let the system determine if you are eligible.”

The number to register is (800) 621-FEMA, or (800) 621-3362. The TTY line number for the hearing impaired is (800) 462-7585. For those with access to the Internet, the web address is http://www.disasterassistance.gov/

Russo said phone numbers go to a phone bank that is open from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. daily.

He cautioned that with several other disaster relief efforts ongoing across the country, people calling the number may have difficulty getting through.

He urged people to keep trying. In the next few days, FEMA will also be setting up disaster recovery centers in each of the affected communities that will aid people through the steps in the process for getting relief. Typically, he said, the amount of time between registration and receiving payment is seven to 10 days.

FEMA’s job is to cover what he called “unmet needs” that are left over after the home or business owner’s property insurance settlement is reached.

“Our job is not to make people whole. Our job is to get people back on their feet again.”

Also present was Jose Vejarano, a public affairs specialist for the Small Business Administration.

The federal agency during times of disasters is authorized to go beyond aiding small businesses to help homeowners and renters who lose property or personal possessions, he said.

The agency makes low-interest long-term loans of up to $200,000 for homeowners and tenants, and up to $2 million for businesses and non-profit agencies.

To apply, people need to first register through FEMA, he said. Procedures for eligible communities to request federal funds will be aired at a series of meetings at locations to be announced shortly by state and federal officials.

Patrick estimated tornado damage in Hampden County at $23.9 million, well more than the $8.3 million threshold for winning disaster aid. He estimated damage at $378,305 in Sturbridge and $208,006 in Southbridge, both in Worcester County.

In his letter requesting federal aid, Patrick said 319 homes were destroyed by the tornadoes and another 600 had major damage. Patrick is scheduled to appear at Springfield’s Court Square at 12:30 p.m. today with Sarno to discuss what the state will do to aid communities in light of the disaster declaration.

He is also scheduled to take part in a public forum on tornado recovery that is planned for 3 p.m. Tuesday at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

The event was announced Wednesday at a meeting of the Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield. In another move to pay for tornado damage, the state House of Representatives on Wednesday voted 152-1 to approve $15 million for the states costs stemming from the deadly storms.

State Rep. Angelo J. Puppolo Jr., D-Springfield, urged approval of the money in a speech on the House floor. State Reps. Brian M. Ashe, D-Longmeadow, and Michael J. Finn, D-West Springfield, whose district office had heavy tornado damage, gave their first speeches on the floor in support of the bill.

“This is critically important,” Puppolo said. “It’s a first step to stabilize our communities even further.”

Puppolo said state lawmakers are also evaluating the possibility of direct state aid for communities.

The $15 million would pay for overtime and other tornado-related costs of state agencies such as the State Police, the state Department of Conservation and Recreation and the National Guard.

The bill also speeds the way cities and towns would borrow money for emergency purposes.

The bill would eliminate a requirement for cities and towns to obtain two-thirds approval from a Town Meeting or city council and a state oversight board for short-term borrowing to pay for employees’ over-time and other costs of responding to the tornadoes.

Instead, the local treasurer, the mayor or selectmen and a state director of accounts would approve the borrowing.

The local treasurer and select board or mayor can also authorize longer loans for capital purposes, but those borrowings would require approval of a state oversight board.

The bill would also allow communities to provide property tax relief to property owners affected by the tornadoes. Property taxes for the fiscal year that starts July 1 would be based on the damaged condition of the properties.

On Wednesday, prior to the House vote, Patrick and Lt. Gov. Timothy P. Murray met at the Statehouse with about 40 to 50 grade 5 students from Springfield’s Elias Brookings Elementary School, one of the city schools heavily damaged.

The students told Murray and Patrick some emotional stories about how their families survived the storms.

Christopher Lisojo, 11, of Springfield, said his family is among those living in the MassMutual Center in Springfield, which has provided a shelter after the tornadoes. Lisojo spoke about how his family survived by taking shelter in their basement after seeing television warnings about the tornadoes.

Jada Daniels, 11, told Patrick about how a tree damaged her family’s home, and they are living with an aunt.

The governor consoled her, saying “You’re going to be all right.”

Some people who lost their homes will begin receiving mobile home trailers over the next few weeks as temporary housing supplied by insurance companies.

Lany Burrows, of American Mobile Homes Inc. in Weymouth, which has sent about three dozen of the units, said, “Ninety-nine percent, it’s been an insurance company calling saying they have a client in need of a home,”

The units are delivered by truck and range from one to four bedrooms. They vary in size from 12 by 36 feet to 14 by 70 feet.

American Mobile Homes has 142 units available.

“The list is growing. .¤.¤. More and more calls are coming in every day,” Burrows said.

In East Longmeadow, students, teachers and parents are joining the ranks of those pitching in to offer aid to families affected by the tornado.

“A lot of groups are collecting money and items, and we will be bringing it all together this Saturday,” said School Committee member Elizabeth Marsian-Boucher.

The Parent Teacher Organizations at various schools, the National Honor Society led by Frank Paige, and the culinary department at East Longmeadow High School led by Mary Jane McMahon will be raising funds that will be donated to hurting communities.

“We all wanted to help out, and this is a way to do it together,” Marsian-Boucher said.

The five schools will be collecting donations and clothing until Friday and on Saturday in the East Longmeadow High School parking lot from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. They will try to fill a school bus with items to deliver to Salvation Army.

“I know they are in need of monetary donations, but also baby wipes, diapers and clothes,” Marsian-Boucher said.

Staff writers Dan Ring, Sandra Constantine, Jim Kinney, Elizabeth Roman and Brandon Chase contributed to this report.

Current Speaker Robert DeLeo rejected the notion that the trial pointed to deeper problems at the Statehouse.

Associated Press photoFormer Massachusetts House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi, second left, listens as his attorney Thomas Kiley, left, speaks to the media outside the Federal courthouse in Boston, Wednesday, after his conviction on conspiracy and other charges.

BOSTON – The conviction of former Massachusetts House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi on federal corruption charges sparked a range of emotions from the state’s top political figures Wednesday, from anger and sadness to a touch of defiance.

House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo, who succeeded DiMasi as the Democratic leader of the Massachusetts House, called the conviction “deeply troubling” and a powerful blow to the public’s trust in government.

But DeLeo rejected the idea that the trial pointed to deeper problems at the Statehouse, saying lawmakers have worked to toughen ethics laws.

Speaking to reporters after the conviction, U.S. Attorney Carmen Ortiz said “the culture of corruption on the Hill has been dealt another blow.”

DeLeo said he couldn’t imagine anything more damaging than the idea that DiMasi’s conviction for conspiracy, fraud and extortion, was par for the course on Beacon Hill.

“This was definitely not business as usual and it is a slur on every hardworking public servant to suggest otherwise,” said DeLeo, who served as the chairman of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee under DiMasi.

Gov. Deval L. Patrick called DiMasi’s conviction “the end of a very disappointing chapter.”

Patrick, also a Democrat, testified during the trial that DiMasi pressed him to approve a software contract that prosecutors allege was part of the kickback scheme.

Neither the governor nor his administration was accused of wrongdoing, but critics faulted Patrick for being too willing to cater to DiMasi’s wishes in the hopes that the speaker, in turn, would accede to his agenda.

Patrick tried to distance himself from DiMasi Wednesday saying “the work my team does has consistently been of the highest integrity, and mindful that we work for the general public, and not for ourselves.”

Asked if changes need to be made at the Statehouse as a result of the conviction, Patrick said “we’re still human beings who work here.”

Senate President Therese Murray, also a Democrat, called Wednesday a “sad day” for Massachusetts, and said the actions of one person should not cast a shadow over the entire Legislature.

Republicans took a tougher tone.

U.S. Sen. Scott P. Brown said he applauded the jury for “sending a message that the business-as-usual, go-along-to-get-along mentality in Massachusetts politics will not be tolerated.”

“The facts of this case should be disturbing to everyone who rightly wants and expects honest service from their elected officials,” Brown said.

House Minority Leader Rep. Brad Jones called the conviction “another dark day for politics in Massachusetts.”

“The verdict that was handed down by a jury of peers is certainly a black-eye on Beacon Hill. This is another example of the continuing problems that we can lay at the doorstep of one-party politics,” said Jones, R-North Reading.

Democrats hold every statewide office and overwhelming majorities in the Massachusetts House and Senate.

The mayor said the proposed budget funds essential services and avoids layoffs and furloughs.

File photo | The RepublicanHolyoke City Hall.

HOLYOKE – The City Council cut about $80,000 from the $120.2 million budget that Mayor Elaine A. Pluta has proposed to run the city in the fiscal year that begins July 1.

The council also voted 7-6 against endorsing Pluta’s budget Wednesday at City Hall.

The lack of council endorsement is mostly symbolic. State law requires that the city have a budget once the fiscal year begins and the council’s 45-day window to take additional action on the budget expires at midnight Friday, council President Joseph M. McGiverin said.

Cuts were made in the budgets for the police, fire, mayor and personnel departments.

Pluta on May 3 presented the budget, which is $3 million, or 2.5 percent, higher than the $117 million approved for the current fiscal year.

The budget funds essential services and avoids layoffs or furloughs, Pluta said. The council can cut but not add to the budget.

Councilor at Large Kevin A. Jourdain voted against the budget. He objected to decisions made in the funding of the sewer fund and the personnel department. He also said City Hall needs only two full-time custodians, not three as Pluta’s budget proposes.

“To me, there’s still too much fluff in this budget,” Jourdain said.

Pluta, a city councilor for 14 years before becoming mayor in January 2010, took the cuts in stride.

“This is not the first time the City Council voted against the budget. I did that myself in my time on the council,” Pluta said later.

The largest cut was $49,847 for the police comptroller salary. The position is vacant with the recent departure of comptroller Melinda Lane.

“That person left last week and I don’t think there’s any need for that,” said Ward 1 Councilor Donald R. Welch, who proposed the cut.

Another $10,000 was cut in the Fire Department line item for repair and maintenance to motor vehicles, reducing that to $50,000.

Jourdain also proposed the largest cut, which failed: slashing from $6.4 million to $6.1 million the fee paid to United Water, a private firm that runs the wastewater treatment plant.

Among the issues are that the sewer fund is unbalanced and half a million dollars in unpaid sewer bills is outstanding, Jourdain and others said.

“That needs to be reconciled,” Jourdain said.

But only five councilors voted for that cut and eight voted no.

Voting against the budget were councilors Anthony M. Keane, Rebecca Lisi, Todd A. McGee, John J. O’Neill, Timothy W. Purington, Linda L. Vacon and Jourdain.

Voting in favor of the budget were council President Joseph M. McGiverin and councilors Diosdado Lopez, Peter R. Tallman, Brenna E. Murphy, James M. Leahy and Welch.

Councilors Patricia C. Devine and Aaron M. Vega were absent.

More than half the budget consists of funding from the state, with the rest covered mostly by revenue from property taxes, excise taxes and other fees.

State aid to Holyoke is projected at $77.4 million in the next fiscal year compared to the current $76 million, the Department of Revenue said.

Among the increases in the budget is $500,000 in city contributions to employee pensions, a cost that will rise to $10 million from the current $9.5 million, Pluta said.

Richard Reim has spent the 15 days since the June 1 tornado recovering, mourning, thanking heroes, reliving those few seconds at Village Green Family Campground, planning his return there, and hoping to get back to roofing but knowing he may have disabilities.

The Republican / Michael S. GordonRichard R. Reim, 52, is recuperating at the East Longmeadow Skilled Nursing Home from injuries he sustained during the June 1, 2011 tornado while in his recreational vehicle in Brimfield. His girlfriend, Virginia L. "Ginger" Darlow, who was with him at the time, died from her injuries. At left is the home administrator, Patrick P, Arquin. At right is Robin L. Mitchell, evening supervisor.

BRIMFIELD – When his Winnebago went over on its side in the tornado, it felt almost gentle, not like it was being slammed, Richard R. Reim recalls, and when it then lifted it in the air, it felt like going up in an elevator.

But the 32-foot motor home camper was smashed to pieces on landing, Reim was badly injured and his girlfriend, Virginia Darlow, was killed.

Virginia "Ginger" Darlow

After being treated for five days at UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester for five days, he has been staying at East Longmeadow Skilled Nursing Home.

His movements are limited because of six broken vertebrae and he has headaches from a concussion and some pain from having bruised ribs, scrapes everywhere and a couple of teeth knocked out.

The Republican/ Submitted photoIn the foreground is the Jeep belonging to Richard R. Reim, 52, and in the background, the recreational vehicle he shared with Virginia L. "Ginger" Darlow, 52. Reim was injured and Darlow died in the RV during the June 1 tornado in Brimfield.

Reim, who is 51 and from the Three Rivers section of Palmer, also has enough of a sense of humor to make jokes about the ignominy and nuisance of having landed from his whirlwind flight in a patch of poison ivy and having gone two days with a 2-inch twig impaled in his buttocks.

Today he plans to be at calling hours in Holden for Darlow, the kindest person he ever knew.

He said they were together for 10 years and he is struggling these past weeks with the memory of calling out to her for 10 long minutes without knowing where she was and without being able to get up or crawl.

“My girl was in my arms when we were flying in the Winnebago and I could not help her,” Reim said. “It is completely devastating.”

The strongest of three tornadoes to touch down in Western Massachusetts June 1 left three people including Darlow dead and destroyed homes, businesses, and large swaths of forest.

It was on the ground for 39 miles, moving east from Westfield to Charlton with winds reaching 160 miles per hour and a National Weather Service rating of EF3.

Reim and Darlow were staying the summer at Village Green and had just returned with groceries from Springfield when campground owner Lester Twarowski and others shouted warnings to the 20 or so campers on site that a tornado was approaching from Springfield.

The couple talked about going to the basement of one of Twarowski’s two houses on the grounds where he always offers shelter for tough storms, but Reim said that they had just come from Springfield where the weather seemed uneventful and the sun was shining so they figured they had a few minutes.

When the hail started they felt there was still time before walking up to the house but when the tree crashed into the Winnebago and the wind roared like the sound of locomotives, there were just seconds to rush into their camper, and then into its bathroom, which Reim said seemed like the best option at the moment.

He had quick second thoughts on that when he looked at the glass shower door just inches away but at that point all options were gone but holding each other tight.

“The Winnebago turned on its side and the bathroom was on top of us. It did not slam us or anything. It just turned us. It felt the way it feels going up like an elevator. I just held her, so damn tight,” Reim said.

“The next thing I knew, I was looking up in the sky. I saw trees look like toothpicks, I saw campers torn into debris like somebody put them in a big mixer bowl. She was nowhere around me. I yelled for help. In 10 minutes a guy came by. He said he saw my 32-foot Winnebago 35 feet in the air,” Reim said.

As a couple of men started to remove debris from Reim, he said he told them to find his dog, Daisy, who would be looking for Darlow.

“They got me out,” Reim said.

A little later, one of the men came to Reim and said it had taken 20 minutes to uncover Darlow.

“One of them came back and just said, ‘Sorry.’ I did not say a damn word. I was just scared,” Reim recalls.

By then there were ambulances at the campgrounds, and emergency responders, the Twarowski family and other campers formed a human chain and passed Reim on a stretcher uphill through debris, which was everywhere with all the trees down and 95 of 97 campers and trailers destroyed.

Word arrived that another tornado was approaching during the two hours it took to move Reim to an ambulance.

“Those people all stayed with me like heroes.” Reim said. “Lester’s whole family was out there helping. I saw people bandaged up who were still helping. They rescued me and another lady and who else knows. It was unbelievable. I owe them all my life. They did what they could to save my girl, but she died instantly.”

He was taken to UMass Medical Center where he was treated and put in a full torso brace. “I got fantastic care there,” he said.

Reim is also thankful to the American Red Cross, Vital Ambulance Service which gave him free transport to East Longmeadow Skilled Nursing Home, where he has appreciated the treatment and concern he has received from the entire staff.

During his rehabilitation stint, Reim has also been grateful for attention and help from the Twarowski family, from Springfield lawyer David Meck, whom he had done snow plowing for last winter, from the Tzu Chi Foundation and others in the community.

Reim said he would like to get back to Village Green this summer, to help the owners rebuild and, when he can, to live there again.

“They really meant it when they put the word family in the campground name. They care about the safety of kids and all of the campers. They look out for you. They have strong guidelines and they are very reasonable,” he said. “I would be foolish to go anywhere else. Does a tornado ever hit the same place twice?”

Reim said Wednesday he was feeling better and hopes he will be able to get back to roofing work at some point, even though he knows he may be limited by physical disabilities.

“I have some people waiting for me to do some roofing. I can still supervise people. As for going up on a roof, I cannot answer that now. Medically, if I can, I will go. Work is a healthy thing,” he said. “If I can’t do roofing, I will rake. I will walk around and pick up after dogs. I will be an asset to the community until I die.”

He would also be interested in talking with other people who have gone through trauma, whether in this recent storm or otherwise.

“People talking with me has been the strongest medicine I had,” Reim said.

This year’s voter turnout was under 17 percent, said Town Clerk Maureen Winseck.

Mark P. Wisnewski

GREENFIELD – Mark P. Wisnewski emerged the winner of the contested town councilor at-large seat in Tuesday’s general election, winning with 901 votes to Cameron R. Ward’s 887.

The Precinct 1 town councilorship was a write-in campaign. Marian A. Kelner won the seat with 92 votes. Her competitor, Dennis Lashier, received 45.

School committee vice chairman Keith C. McCormic lost his seat in the only other contested race, with three candidates vying for two spots. Secretary Maryelen Calderwood picked up 957 votes and Daryl B. Essensa got 1,168. McCormic received 720.

Steven M. Ronhave ran unopposed for Town Council in Precinct 4, Vice President David Singer held onto his Precinct 5 seat, and Hillary H. Hoffman took the Precinct 6 position.

This year’s voter turnout was under 17 percent, said Town Clerk Maureen T. Winseck.

The budget calls for a $2 million increase in spending from the previous year.

Republican file photo

CHICOPEE – The School Committee approved a $75.3 million budget for the next year, which members defined as tight but did not require them to cut staff or programs.

The committee voted 10-0 Wednesday to accept the budget for fiscal year 2012, which begins July 1. It still must be adopted by the City Council, but that vote is a formality since the body cannot add or move money around. It is also tied to the state requirement that says they cannot spend less than the budget the committee adopted.

The committee and school administrators have spent months crafting the spending plan, which calls for an increase of almost $2 million from the previous year.

“This was probably one of the most difficult budgets I have worked on,” said Michael J. Pise, a School Committee member for about 20 years. “I don’t believe we are going to save any money for next year.”

The schools received $53.6 million in state assistance this year and city tax money will add another $26.6 million. The school budgets also received grants and about $1.1 million in School Choice revenues. However, it also had to pay back the city about $13.8 million for services it provides such as telephone, administrative services and unemployment and medical insurance.

The about $2 million increase in state assistance was offset by an about $2 million reduction in federal stimulus money. To prevent having to make cuts to staff or programs, the School Committee used about $1.5 million in its reserve account to bolster the budget.

Chicopee’s spending on schools will be no higher than the minimum required by the state. The City Council is not being asked to exceed the requirement and Committee member Donald J. Lamothe said he appreciated that the council has allowed the schools to set aside money not used rather than requiring it to be returned to the city’s coffers.

Members had few complaints about the spending proposals. Member Mary-Elizabeth Pniak-Costello asked if any programs had been eliminated because they were not working.

“We downsized some so we could reallocate money to programs that we thought were more promising,” Rege said. “One of the programs we worry about is summer school, and we are expanding it this year.”

Member Adam D. Lamontagne said there is funding to continue drop-out prevention programs, which he said is important to students’ successes.

“I’m happy we are putting a huge focus on math,” Pise said.

Math scores on the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System exams have lagged behind English, and an audit of the school system showed math instruction needs to be improved.

Gonzalez is also a suspect in a bank robbery of a TD Bank branch at the Holyoke Mall.

SPRINGFIELD - City detectives on Wednesday arrested 25-year-old Gumersindo Gonzalez of Springfield in connection with a bank robbery Sunday at a TD Bank branch at 1800 Boston Road, police said.

Sgt. John Delaney, aide to Police Commissioner William Fitchet, said Gonzalez was arrested in front of 75 Longhill Road by detectives under the command of Capt. Peter Dillon.

He was charged with two counts of armed robbery while masked and single counts of communicating a bomb threat in the commission of a robbery and armed robbery.

Gonzalez was also charged with being a suspect in a recent robbery at another TD Bank branch at the Holyoke Mall, Delaney said.

Holyoke and Springfield police cooperated on the investigation.

Police are still looking for two other suspects in the Springfield robbery.
In that robbery, three men wearing sunglasses and hooded sweatshirts entered the bank at about 11:25 a.m. Sunday. They handed a note demanding money to a teller and fled on foot after she gave them an undisclosed amount of cash. The men claimed to have a bomb.

This investigation is ongoing and more arrests are possible, Delaney said.

People with information are asked to call the Springfield Police Detective Bureau at (413) 787-6355. Those who wish to remain anonymous may text a tip via a cell phone by addressing a text message to “CRIMES,” or "274637," and then beginning the body of the message with the word "SOLVE."

The Bruins captured the championship for the first time in 39 years.

By HOWIE STALWICK
VANCOUVER, British Columbia – The Boston Bruins were confident they could defeat the Vancouver Canucks in a fair fight, 20-on-20.

When the battle evolved into 20 Bruins versus 34 million Canadians, the Bruins liked their chances even better.

The Bruins, playing a Vancouver team desperate to return the Stanley Cup to Canada for the first time in 18 years, instead brought the Stanley Cup back to Boston for the first time in 39 years with a 4-0 triumph Wednesday night.

“I’ve been dreaming of this since I was a little kid,” a beaming Tim Thomas said while exchanging hugs and kisses with family at center ice.”

“He was the heart and soul of this team,” Boston forward Chris Kelly said of the goalie, who won the Conn Smyth Trophy as series MVP. “He couldn’t have played better in the finals.”

The game was followed with a fervor in Canada that hockey creates in no other country. Vancouver watering holes were overflowing by noon, and sidewalks were filled with fans wearing Canucks jerseys, waving banners and signs, honking horns and clanging cow bells.

The Bruins chose to ignore the insanity surrounding them. Instead, they wore down the Canucks with their standard recipe of physical play, relentless forechecking, strong defensive play and stingy net play by Thomas.

Veteran center Patrice Bergeron and rookie winger Brad Marchand each scored two goals, and Marchand tacked on an assist. Vancouver outshot Boston 37-21, but Thomas was forced to make only a handful of difficult saves.

After the traditional handshakes between teams were exchanged at center ice, Boston captain Zdeno Chara upheld another tradition by holding the Cup high above his head before teammates took turns holding the cherished prize.

“It’s an amazing moment (to hold the Cup), a very humbling honor,” Chara said.

While Vancouver fans rioted in the streets after their team lost, back in Western Massachusetts, fans were celebrating the team's first Stanley Cup in 39 years.

The Republican | Greg Saulmon06.15.2011 | HOLYOKE - Bruins fans at Brennan's Place on High St. react following the team's victory in game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals.

Boston, which trailed in the best-of-7 series 2-0 and 3-2, became the first team in NHL playoffs history to win three Game 7’s in one year. Only three other teams have won on the road in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals.

“We’re best when our backs are against the wall. We’ve done it all year,” said 43-year-old winger Mark Recchi, who confirmed that he is retiring as a player after winning a third Cup.

“It means a lot to Boston. I can’t wait for the parade,” a teary-eyed Bergeron said.

Thomas, who set single-season NHL playoffs records for saves and shots faced, said the fact he is a Stanley Cup champion for the first time at the age of 37 “hasn’t set in on me yet. It’s kind of surreal.”

“You don’t even think it’s real,” defenseman Johnny Boychuk said. “Right now, it’s just a dream – only it’s real.”

Wednesday’s triumph, the only one posted by the visiting team in the finals, came before a sellout crowd of 18,860 and millions of television viewers in Canada and the United States.

Bergeron, left surprisingly open in the slot, backhanded a Marchand feed along the ice just inside the right post to beat Roberto Luongo at 14:37 of the first period.

Marchand made it 2-0 at 12:13 of the second period when he circled the net after Luongo failed to control the rebound of a wrist shot from the left point by Dennis Seidenberg.

Bergeron scored on a near breakaway with 2:25 left in the second period, sliding into Luongo after being brought down by Vancouver defenseman Christian Ehrhoff. Marchand added an empty-net goal with 2:44 left in the game after Luongo was pulled for an extra skater.

The Bruins won the Stanley Cup for just the sixth time in the 87-year history of the franchise. The Canucks, established in 1970-71, have yet to hoist the Cup.

“Boston played a real strong game,” Vancouver coach Alain Vigneault said. “They have great goaltending. They deserved to win.”

The Canucks posted one-goal victories in the other three home games of the finals. Boston outscored Vancouver 18-3 in three dominant performances in Boston.

A series often marred by chippy play ended in cleanly played fashion. Vancouver fans rose to their feet in the final minute to salute the Canucks, the NHL’s top team during the regular season. As Boston players and coaches mobbed one another on the ice at the end of the game, fans broke out in a “Go Canucks Go!” chant, and Vancouver players lifted their sticks high in the air to salute the fans.

Extra shots: Boston forward Nathan Horton, injured in Game 3, joined his teammates on the ice in full uniform at the end of the game .¤.¤. Vancouver police were anticipating that perhaps 100,000 fans would gather downtown to watch the game on television. Streets were closed to traffic throughout the finals to enable fans to watch the game outdoors on big screens. Fires were seen burning in the streets after the game ... The Canucks have sold out 363 straight games since 2002 .... Jeff Tambellini, who grew up in suburban Vancouver when father Steve played and later worked as an executive for the Canucks, replaced injured Mason Raymond in the Vancouver lineup. The elder Tambellini, who won a Stanley Cup while playing with the New York Islanders in 1979-80, is now general manager of the Edmonton Oilers ... Raymond, who suffered a fractured vertebrae in Game 6, attended the game after spending two nights in a Boston hospital. He received a huge ovation when shown on the scoreboard video screens.

The federal census every 10 years requires redistricting plans to ensure voting wards have roughly the same number of people.

Ward 4 City Councilor Timothy Purington helped Walnut Street residents with a compromise.

HOLYOKE – About 1,200 people would shift voting wards in a redistricting plan the city has filed with the state, City Clerk Susan M. Egan said.

If the state approves, the redistricting plan will take effect in January and residents who are registered voters among the 1,200 will get notices in the mail identifying their new voting places.

Voters will continue to cast ballots at their current polling places in city elections this fall, Egan said.

Redistricting plans are required after the federal census is released every 10 years. The plans are needed to account for population shifts and ensure all voting precincts have roughly the same number of residents.

The 2010 census showed the city’s population to be 39,880, up slightly from the federal 2000 census total of 39,838.

With people having moved around, the task facing officials was to ensure each of the seven wards has between 5,412 and 5,981 people.

Since each ward here has two voting precincts, that means each precinct must have between 2,705 and 2,990 people.

Cities and towns had to file redistricting plans with the state Local Election District Review Commission by Wednesday.

Residents of the part of Walnut Street between Hampshire and Cabot streets succeeded in persuading city councilors to change a plan that would have split their street down the middle.

Under that plan, those who live on the even-numbered side of part of Walnut Street would have gone from being part of Ward 4 to Ward 1.

They argued at a hearing with councilors May 31 that their neighborhood is cohesive, they attend neighborhood crime watch meetings together and it was important to them that the city avoid splitting the street.

Ward 4 Councilor Timothy W. Purington devised a compromise that the City Council incorporated into the redistricting plan that was finally approved.

Purington’s plan kept the Hampshire and Cabot streets part of Walnut Street in Ward 4 and moved four blocks of Ward 4 around Appleton and Beech streets to Ward 1.

The council approved the redistricting plan 8-5.

Voting in favor of the plan were councilors Kevin A. Jourdain, Donald R. Welch, Linda L. Vacon, Rebecca Lisi, Joseph M. McGiverin, Peter R. Tallman, Aaron M. Vega and Purington, Egan said.

Voting against the plan were councilors Diosdado Lopez, Todd A. McGee, Anthony M. Keane, John J. O’Neill and Brenna E. Murphy, she said.

Councilors Patricia C. Devine and James M. Leahy were absent, she said.

Among other changes, six blocks would be moved from Ward 6 to Ward 7, from Beacon to Hampden streets, and from Thorpe Avenue to Northampton Street.

Angry, drunken revelers ran wild Wednesday night after the Vancouver Canucks' 4-0 loss to Boston in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals, setting cars and garbage cans ablaze, smashing windows, showering giant TV screens with beer bottles and dancing atop overturned vehicles.

Associated PressPeople watch a car burn following Game 7 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals on Wednesday in Vancouver.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Angry, drunken revelers ran wild Wednesday night after the Vancouver Canucks' 4-0 loss to Boston in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals, setting cars and garbage cans ablaze, smashing windows, showering giant TV screens with beer bottles and dancing atop overturned vehicles.

"It's terrible," Canucks captain Henrik Sedin said, shaking his head. "This city and province has a lot to be proud of, the team we have and the guys we have in here. It's too bad."

NBA star Steve Nash, from Vancouver and the brother-in-law of Canucks forward Manny Malhotra, sent a Twitter message imploring the fans to stop the violence. "We're a great city and have a lot of class. Our team is great and our championship will come. Soon," Nash wrote.

There were no immediate indications of injuries, although images were shown on television of at least one woman mopping blood from her forehead.

"You don't ever hope for a situation like this," Vancouver police Const. Jana McGuinness said. "You celebrate the good times and you prepare for the bad times and that's exactly what we've done. Unfortunately, the tables have turned tonight. ... We will have to sit down and evaluate exactly what happened here. It's going to be a black mark for a very, very long time."

Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson praised the police and firefighters and asked people to stay away from the central downtown area.

"It is extremely disappointing to see the situation in downtown Vancouver turn violent after tonight's Stanley Cup game," Robertson said. "Vancouver is a world-class city and it is embarrassing and shameful to see the type of violence and disorder we've seen tonight.

"The vast majority of people who were in the downtown tonight were there to enjoy the game in a peaceful and respectful manner. It is unfortunate that a small number of people intent on criminal activity have turned pockets of the downtown into areas involving destruction of property and confrontations with police."

Tear gas mingled with the stench of acrid smoke and stale beer as riot police, truncheons drawn, moved in to quell the violence, pushing crowds away from the burning cars.

Later, police cars also were set on fire. At one point, police were using flash-bangs — grenades that are designed to distract and disorient, rather than injure — to try to break up the mob, said Chad McMillan, 31, a Vancouver resident and Canucks fan.

"This isn't what the Canucks are about," McMillan said. "This isn't what their fans are about. This isn't what this city is about."

Flames leaped from at least two flipped vehicles in the middle of trash-strewn streets, filling the downtown core with heavy black smoke in the moments immediately following the game.

"I heard a loud noise and turned and there was a car being stomped on by a bunch of guys," 18-year-old witness Brandon Sinclair said about the first few moments of violence.

"A bunch of guys started rocking it, then they flipped it over and five minutes later it was on fire and then they flipped another one. It was just out of control."

Bright orange flames were seen shooting nearly 10 yards into the air as bystanders tossed firecrackers.

Television images showed a large fire burning inside a parking garage, but it wasn't clear what was ablaze.

A small group of rioters appeared to be at the heart of the action reminiscent of a similar scene that erupted in the city in 1994 following the Canucks' Game 7 loss to the New York Rangers.

Flames erupted an exploding car, prompting bystanders to duck down in alarm. Fans who were trying simply to get out of the danger zone found their visibility reduced by the thick black smoke.

About an hour after the game ended, some bold troublemakers started hurling garbage and bottles at police officers, who deflected the debris with riot shields. Protesters who rushed the police line were quickly subdued with blows from a truncheon.

Some protesters held what looked like pipes or hockey sticks over their heads as they jeered at officers. Newspaper boxes were wrenched off the sidewalk and hurled through store windows. Portable toilets were tipped as the stifling black smoke spread through the city's core.

Some seemed to revel in the rampage, recording the vandalism on cell phones and video cameras. A few congratulated those who tried to attack police, and others erupted with cheers every time something was damaged. Fans set fire to a stuffed bear decorated to symbolize the Bruins, while others sang a drunken tune as they danced on an overturned vehicle.

At least two young men covered in soot reported being roughed up by the police, but they weren't arrested. Rivers of poured-out alcohol, broken glass and trash made navigating the streets treacherous.

Fans wandered amid the chaos, some with bandanas or T-shirts pulled over their faces — either to hide their faces from police and TV cameras or to guard against the smoke, or both.

One fan declared the team's victory 'the best birthday present ever!'

Staff photo by Patrick JohnsonSteve Borden, right, shouts at the row of TV screens at JT's in Springfield as the Boston Bruins score the final goal in their Game 7 win Wednesday night. He called the victory the "best birthday present" he ever had.

SPRINGFIELD – In hockey there are shots on goals and goals, and you won’t find it in the stat book, but there’s also shots after goals.

And beers.

After the Bruins scored their final goal Wednesday night, cementing game 7 of the NHL playoffs and clinching their first Stanley Cup in 39 years, Steve Borden hoisted beer skyward and shouted “This is the best birthday present ever!”

Borden, like a lot of people, wasn’t around the last time the Bruins won the Stanley Cup. But the New York state resident and his friends gathered at JT’s in downtown Springfield not to dwell on the past, but to celebrate the present and the Bruins.

“It’s one small step for man, but it’s one large (expletive deleted) step for the Bruins!” shouted Borden’s friend, Dave St. John of Feeding Hills.

As the clock wound down to 0:00, JT’s owner Keith P. Makarowski chimed the brass bell hanging behind the bar as patrons whooped and hollered.

Chris Scuderi, also of Feeding Hills, joined St. John and Borden in a celebratory shot when the Bruins were awarded the Stanley Cup at center ice.

“Let’s just say I’m going to the victory parade,” he said.

Chris Brown of Springfield said “We’ve never seen it in our lifetime. It’s a major championship for Boston. That’s good.”

Hockey is a rough and tumble sport, no question. But the Bruins celebration was more than just a men’s only affair.

Seated at the corner of the bar Mallory Ryan of Chicopee and Maria Merritt of West Springfield did a celebratory shot with their friend Christopher Cross.

“We deserve to win this because we outscored them by a lot in the four games,” Merritt said.

“We haven’t won in 39 years – we deserve to be champions of the world,” said Ryan.

Over in the corner, Allen and Lois Warren of Ludlow watched the clock tick off.

Lois Warren said she was a Bruins fan growing up. “This rears back to the days of Gil Gilbert and Gerry Cheevers,” she said.

Allen Warren said he was pleased they won.

Pleased?

“I’m not much of a Bruins fan,” he said. “I like the Chicago Blackhawks. When they won last year, I went out there.”

Defying congressional criticism, the White House insisted Wednesday that President Barack Obama has the authority to continue U.S. military action in Libya even without authorization from lawmakers on Capitol Hill.

FILE - In this May 31, 2011 file photo, President Barack Obama speaks in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington. Republicans and Democrats scolded President Barack Obama on Friday for dispatching U.S. forces against Libya without getting congressional approval as the House moved toward approval of a resolution demanding a rationale for the mission. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)

By JULIE PACE, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Defying congressional criticism, the White House insisted Wednesday that President Barack Obama has the authority to continue U.S. military action in Libya even without authorization from lawmakers on Capitol Hill.

In a detailed, 32-page report to Congress, the White House also put the cost of U.S. military operations in Libya at about $715 million, as of June 3, with the total increasing to $1.1 billion by early September.

It was the first time the administration has publically detailed its legal rationale for continuing the Libya campaign without receiving congressional authorization within the 60-day window set in the War Powers Resolution. Officials argued that because the U.S. has a limited, supporting role in the NATO-led bombing campaign in Libya and American forces are not engaged in sustained fighting, the president is within his constitutional rights to direct the mission on his own.

"The president is of the view that the current U.S. military operations in Libya are consistent with the War Powers Resolution and do not under that law require further congressional authorization because U.S. military operations are distinct from the kind of "hostilities" contemplated by the resolution's 60-day termination provision.," the White House said.

The administration's defense of the Libya mission comes in response to a nonbinding House resolution passed this month that chastised Obama for failing to provide a "compelling rationale" for U.S. involvement in Libya.

The resolution gave the administration until Friday to respond to a series of questions on the mission, including the scope of U.S. military activity, the cost of the mission and its impact on other U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio, speaks on Capitol Hill in Washington in this photo taken Friday, June 3, 2011. Republicans and Democrats scolded President Barack Obama on Friday for dispatching U.S. forces against Libya without getting congressional approval as the House moved toward approval of a resolution demanding a rationale for the mission. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

But the report appeared to do little to quell congressional criticism. A spokesman for House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, said the White House was using "creative arguments" that raised additional questions.

Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., who has introduced a resolution similar to the House measure, said he was amazed that the administration did not believe U.S. forces were facing "hostilities" in Libya, saying generals have told lawmakers otherwise in classified briefings.

"The way the administration handled this entire affair left people on both sides of the aisle very perplexed," said Corker, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Adding to the congressional pressure on Obama, a bipartisan group of 10 lawmakers on Wednesday sued the president for taking military action against Libya without war authorization from Congress. The lawmakers said Obama violated the Constitution in bypassing Congress and using international organizations like the United Nations and NATO to authorize military force.

While Obama did not seek congressional consent before ordering U.S. airstrikes against Moammar Gadhafi's forces nearly three months ago, the White House maintained that the president is not in violation of the War Powers Resolution. Boehner sent Obama a letter this week stating that the 90-day window runs out on Sunday.

Previous presidents, Republicans and Democrats, have largely ignored the law, which was created as a check on their power to authorize military force.

While the U.S. led the initial airstrikes on Libya, NATO forces have since taken over the mission. The U.S still plays a significant support role that includes aerial refueling of warplanes and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance work. Obama has ruled out sending U.S. ground forces to Libya.

House Majority Leader Eric Cantor of Va. exits the House chamber on Capitol in Washington, Friday, June 3, 2011, after the Republican-controlled House adopted a resolution rebuking President Barack Obama for dispatching U.S. military forces against Libya without congressional approval. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

"U.S. operations do not involve sustained fighting or active exchanges of fire with hostile forces, nor do they involve the presence of U.S. ground troops, U.S. casualties or a serious threat thereof, or any significant chance of escalation into a conflict characterized by those factors," the report said.

The president has said the U.S. joined the international effort in Libya to prevent the slaughter of civilians at the hands of Gadhafi's forces, a development Obama said could have shaken the stability of the entire region.

Though Obama emphasized that U.S. involvement would be limited in time and scope, the mission has already dragged on longer than many expected. The bombing campaign has halted some of Gadhafi's advances on rebel forces and there are increasing calls from world leaders for him to leave power, but the administration is still struggling to define an exit strategy for U.S. forces.

The report released Wednesday said that if the U.S. were to end its participation in the NATO operation, it would "seriously degrade the coalition's ability to execute and sustain its operations to protect Libyan civilians."

The White House also said in the report that the U.S. is working with Libya's main opposition group, the Transitional National Council, on plans for a political transition if Gadhafi leaves power. Despite initial questions about the Council's composition, the White House said in the report that the U.S. is not aware of any ties the group has with any terrorist organization, including al-Qaida and Hezbollah.

The White House and Capitol Hill have been at odds throughout much of the campaign over whether the administration has fully consulted Congress on the mission. Congressional leaders and key committee members were only summoned to the White House the day before Obama ordered airstrikes against Gadhafi's forces. Several lawmakers attended in person, others by phone as Congress had just begun a weeklong break.

Obama aides insist they have briefed Congress extensively throughout, citing more than 30 briefings with lawmakers and their staff, and 10 hearings where administration officials have testified on Libya.

The White House has called the House resolution chiding Obama, as well as a similar resolution in the Senate, unhelpful and unnecessary. The administration much prefers a resolution sponsored by Sens. John Kerry, D-Mass., and John McCain, R-Ariz., that would signal support for the Libya operation.

The fate of that measure is in limbo, however, as the Senate Foreign Relations Committee delayed plans to discuss so lawmakers could review the House report.

White House spokesman Jay Carney said Wednesday that the president expects Congress to support the Libya campaign as it continues. With Gadhafi under pressure to leave power, he said now is not the time to send "mixed messages" about U.S. commitment to the campaign.

___

Associated Press writer Donna Cassata contributed to this report.

Al-Qaida has selected its longtime No. 2 to succeed Osama bin Laden following last month's U.S. commando raid that killed the terror leader, according to a statement posted Thursday on a website affiliated with the network.

Ayman al-Zawahri, who will turn 60 next week, is believed to be operating from somewhere near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.

By HAMZA HENDAWI, Associated Press

CAIRO (AP) — Al-Qaida has selected its longtime No. 2 to succeed Osama bin Laden following last month's U.S. commando raid that killed the terror leader, according to a statement posted Thursday on a website affiliated with the network.

Ayman al-Zawahri, who will turn 60 next week, is believed to be operating from somewhere near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.

He is the son of an upper middle class Egyptian family of doctors and scholars. His father was a pharmacology professor at Cairo University's medical school and his grandfather was the grand imam of Al-Azhar University, a premier center of religious study.

In a videotaped eulogy released earlier this month, al-Zawahri warned that America faces not individual terrorists or groups but an international community of Muslims that seek to destroy it and its allies.

"Today, praise God, America is not facing an individual, a group or a faction," he said, wearing a white robe and turban with an assault rifle leaned on a wall behind him. "It is facing a nation than is in revolt, having risen from its lethargy to a renaissance of jihad."

Al-Zawahri also heaped praise on bin Laden, who was killed in a May 2 raid by U.S. Navy SEALs in the Pakistani garrison town of Abbottabad, and criticized the U.S. for burying him at sea.

"He went to his God as a martyr, the man who terrified America while alive and terrifies it in death, so much so that they trembled at the idea of his having tomb," he said.

Al-Qaida gave no details about the selection process for bin Laden's successor but said that it was the best tribute to the memory of its "martyrs."

The statement announcing al-Zawahri's succession was filled with the terror network's usual rhetoric, vowing to continue the fight against what it called "conquering infidels, led by America and its stooge Israel, who attack the homes of Islam."

The group also said it will never accept Israel's legitimacy and will continue to support Muslims in Afghanistan, Iraq and North Africa.

The al-Qaida statement also stated the group's support for this year's popular uprisings in Egypt, Tunisia, Yemen, Syria and Libya.

"We encourage the people of Islam to rise up and continue the struggle, persistence and devotion until all the corrupt and oppressive regimes imposed by the West are gone," it said.

Memorial Middle School in Fitchburg, Mass. is taking heat over a survey given to seventh and eighth-grade students asking them explicit questions about their sexual history without their parent's knowledge or consent.

FITCHBURG, Mass. - Memorial Middle School in Fitchburg, Mass. is taking heat over a survey given to seventh and eighth-grade students asking them explicit questions about their sexual history without their parent's knowledge or consent.

Fox News Radio reported the story on Wednesday after Arlene Tessitore, who has two daughters attending the school, filed a complaint with the civil liberties group The Rutherford Institute.

Tessitore told Fox News Radio that she was outraged after hearing that her daughters were asked about oral sex and pregnancy prevention, among other things.

"There were two surveys distributed to my eighth grader and another one of those surveys asked about her activities in giving oral sex," Tessitore said on Fox and Friends Wednesday. "Some of the questions I don't think can even be posted on TV this morning as it would offend some of the viewers."

The survey was given with the option of parents opting their children out, according to John Whitehead, president of The Rutherford Institute. He and Tessitore claim that she never received the "permission slip" of sorts from either of her daughters, who were allegedly forced to take the survey after telling teachers they didn't want to.

“It goes down a whole list including birth control pills, condoms and one of the answers is ‘withdraw,’” Whitehead told Fox News Radio. “Adults know what this is, but kids have to imagine or go online to find out what it means.”

Whitehead said his organization wrote to the school and didn't hear back and has since appealed to the Department of Education.

Francis G. Thomas, the principal of Memorial Middle School, reportedly said that although the survey is graphic in nature, participation was mandated by a federal grant the district applied for through the social services agency LUK Inc. in conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control.

The CDC disputed that the survey was part of the Youth Risk Behavior Survey which monitors "six types of health-risk behaviors that contribute to the leading causes of death and disability among youth and adults," according to its website.

Whithead and Tessitore have said that they want similar surveys to be given out with the clause that parent's opt in to allow their children to be asked the questions. Whitehead said that if such a change isn't made, they will likely move forward with a lawsuit.

What do you think? Do you remember taking such surveys in school? Is it inappropriate to ask middle school students about things like sex and drug use? Chime in below and join the conversation.