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Northampton Building Commissioner Louis Hasbrouck says former city councilor Angela Plassmann can legally keep vehicle on her property

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After Plassmann’s resignation, it came to light that the Planning Department had referred the matter of her recreational vehicle to Hasbrouck after receiving complaints that it was illegal.

PLASS.JPGAngela D. Plassmann.

NORTHAMPTON – Former city councilor Angela Plassmann can legally park a controversial structure on her property as long as it is not used as a dwelling, according to a city official.

Building Commissioner Louis Hasbrouck said Monday he has determined the structure that once stood beside Plassmann’s house is a vehicle, as opposed to a “manufactured structure,” and thus does not violate local zoning.

“(Plassmann) presented documentation that it was sold with a certificate of origin for a vehicle,” Hasbrouck said. “She has a right to park it there.”

Plassmann, the former Ward 3 city councilor, removed the vehicle from her land in April in the wake of Hasbrouck’s prior ruling that it violated zoning restrictions. She resigned her council post a few weeks before that amid accusations that she was being harassed by an unidentified city department head for political reasons. At the time, Plassmann said she was considering legal action against the city, but no law suit has been filed to date.

Hasbrouck, who returned from vacation on Monday, said he made his previous determination based party on the fact that the structure was attached to a deck on Plassmann’s house. Plassmann’s mother had reportedly been living in the vehicle. Manufactured or mobile homes are not allowed by zoning, but people can park recreational vehicles on their property, Hasbrouck said. Although the structure on Plassmann’s property was large, Hasbrouck said it has permanent wheels and a hitch.

“It isn’t so big that you couldn’t hook it behind a pickup truck and drive it away,” he said.

Another factor in Hasbrouck’s revised decision is that state regulations have changed since he first viewed the structure in April. At that time, he said, flood zone regulations applied to recreational vehicles as well as to other structures, meaning Plassmann would have had to supply compensatory storage for flood waters. That restriction is no longer in effect.

Plassmann declined to comment on the situation Monday. Her lawyer, Patrick Melnik, could not be reached. The vehicle was still absent from her property on Monday.

Plassmann created a stir when she abruptly resigned in April, citing “recent city actions that have had a profound negative impact on my family.” Although she maintained she was being “singled out” for political motivations, Plassmann did not say who she believed was harassing her or specify why. A first term councilor, Plassmann defeated incumbent Robert Reckman in 2009, promising to correct a “disconnect” between City Hall and citizens. She often voted in the minority on issues and voiced skepticism about certain spending items. Plassmann also spoke about toughening drug enforcement efforts to protect the city’s youth. Last week, Ward 3 voters elected Owen Freeman-Daniels to serve out the remainder of Plassmann’s term in a special election.

After Plassmann’s resignation, it came to light that the Planning Department had referred the matter of her recreational vehicle to Hasbrouck after receiving complaints that it was illegal. Plassmann lives in the Meadows section of Northampton, which lies almost entirely in the Connecticut River floodplain and has tough restrictions on building. When Plassmann demanded to know who made the complaints, the Planning Department said it is not its policy to disclose that information.

Plassmann may not attach a permanent deck to her recreational vehicle or hook it up to her septic system without a permit from the Board of Health, Hasbrouck said. In order for it to remain in compliance with zoning codes, no one can live in the vehicle.

“I’ve been assured it’s not going to be used as a dwelling,” he said.


West Springfield police charge Hajir A Al Zubaida and Najah Kenani with striking and burning 13-year-old son

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Charges against the couple include assault and battery on a child and mayhem.

030911 West Springfield Police Car Police Cruiser 2

WEST SPRINGFIELD – Police arrested a Sprague Street couple Friday morning and charged them with striking and burning their 13-year-old son.

Sgt. Mark A. Sypek declined to elaborate on the nature of the boy’s injuries save to say they had recently occurred and did not require immediate medical attention.

The boy and his five siblings are now in the custody of the state Department of Children and Families, Sypek said.

Police asked to check on the welfare of those inside the home at 79 Sprague St., arrested the two shortly after 10:30 a.m.

Hajir A Al Zubaida, 34, and Najah Kenani, 52, both of that address, were charged with assault and battery on a child with injury, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, permitting substantial injury to a child and mayhem, according to police documents.

Additional information was not immediately available.

Springfield youth, who allegedly started small fire at Dearborn Street home, told investigators he had been trying to keep away mosquitoes

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Fire damage was minimal and no injuries were reported, Fire Dept. Capt. Michael Richard said.

Springfield Fire Dept Patch.jpg

SPRINGFIELD – A 15-year-old youth, who allegedly sparked a small blaze on a porch at a Dearborn Street home Monday morning, told investigators that he had been setting twigs on fire to keep away mosquitoes.

Damage to the floorboards of the first-floor porch at 57 Dearborn St. was minimal, said Fire Department Capt. Michael Richard, adding that the boards had been smoldering for some time.

Investigators found that smoke detectors on the second floor, where “four or five” children are living, were not functioning. “They were very very lucky,” said Richard.

The youth has been referred to the Fire Stop Program of Springfield offers intervention treatment and education for children involved with fire-setting behavior, Richard said.

President Obama: United States is AAA nation despite AA+ rating

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The President said also the U.S. didn't need a rating agency to tell it that it's political system was having trouble functioning.

Obama podiumPresident Barack Obama makes a statement to reporters after his meeting with Democratic congressional leaders on a year-end bipartisan agreement to extend expiring tax cuts in this AP file photo.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama says the U.S. always is and always has been a triple-A country, despite its rating agency downgrade.

He said also the U.S. didn't need a rating agency to tell it that it's political system was having trouble functioning.

Speaking at the White House on the Standard & Poor's downgrade, Obama renewed a plea to Congress to take action in September of help create jobs and cushion Americans from a still weak economy.

Obama said financial markets around the world "still believe our credit is triple-A. I and the world's investor's agree."

Dow drops 450 points in first trading day since S&P downgrade of American credit rating

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The U.S. stock market joined a sell-off around the world Monday in the first trading since Standard & Poor's downgraded American debt.

Wall StreetTraders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on Monday, Aug. 8, 2011 in New York. (AP Photo/Jin Lee)

By STAN CHOE, AP Business Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. stock market joined a sell-off around the world Monday in the first trading since Standard & Poor's downgraded American debt.

The Dow Jones industrial average fell more than 450 points in afternoon trading. Treasury prices rose — despite S&P's assessment that they were a riskier investment than the debt of some other countries like Canada and France. Investors still view Treasurys as one of the world's few safe havens from turmoil in other financial markets like stocks or commodities.

The yield on the 10-year Treasury note fell to 2.35 percent from 2.57 percent late Friday. A bond's yield drops when its price rises. The 10-year note's yield fell as low as 2.06 percent in 2008.

"Other AAA-rated sovereign debt issues are arguably in worse condition than the United States," said Bill Stone, chief investment strategist for PNC Financial. He pointed to the AAA-rated United Kingdom and France. Relative to the size of their economies, both have higher debt loads than the United States. The dollar's status as the reserve currency for the world also helps keep investors coming back to Treasurys.

Monday was the first chance for global investors to respond to S&P's announcement late Friday that it was reducing its credit rating for long-term U.S. government debt by one notch, from AAA, the highest rating, to AA+.

The move wasn't a total surprise but came when investors were already feeling nervous about a weak U.S. economy, European debt problems and Japan's recovery from its March earthquake.

Wall StreetIn this Aug. 4, 2011 photo, a trader works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, in New York. Global stock markets sank again Monday, Aug. 8, 2011, as worries about the downgrade of U.S. debt outweighed relief at a European Central Bank pledge to buy up Italian and Spanish bonds to help the two countries avoid devastating defaults. (AP Photo/Jin Lee)

Fresh memories of the financial crisis three years ago are also driving investors away from risky investments and into what's considered safer.

"Fear of a repeat of 2008 is what's really driving investments," said Gary Schlossberg, senior economist with Wells Capital Management.

In other trading on Wall Street, the S&P 500 index fell 60 points, or 5 percent to 1,139. The Nasdaq composite index fell 126 points, or 5 percent, to 2,407. The Dow was at 11,009, down 3.8 percent.

Last week, the Dow Jones industrial average fell almost 700 points. That was its biggest point loss since October 2008, during the financial crisis. The Dow has dropped in nine of the last 11 trading days.

The S&P 500 is already down 11 percent so far in August. If it stays down just that much, it would be the worst month for the index since October 2008.

Stock markets in Asia began the global rout. The main stock index fell almost 4 percent in South Korea and more than 2 percent in Japan. European markets opened later and fell, too, with Germany down 5 percent and France 4.7 percent.

Gold, considered to be a safe investment, rose more than $70 per ounce, to $1,721. Monday was the first time gold was above $1,700 although after adjusting for inflation, its price remains below its 1980 record. At that time an ounce cost about $2,400 in today's dollars.

Gold began the year at $1,421.40. It has climbed steadily as worries rose about high debt levels in both Europe and the United States. It went above $1,500 per ounce in late May.

Moody's, another of the other key credit-rating agencies, on Monday stood by its top Aaa rating for the United States. It said it could downgrade the U.S. if it doesn't improve its long-term finances by cutting its deficit, "but it is early to conclude that such measures will not be forthcoming."

Wall StreetTraders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on Monday, Aug. 8, 2011 in New York. (AP Photo/Jin Lee)

Standard & Poor's also on Monday downgraded the credit ratings of mortgage lenders Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and other agencies linked to long-term U.S. debt. Fannie and Freddie own or guarantee about half of all U.S. mortgages. Their downgrade could mean higher mortgage rates for consumers.

Worries about weaker profits that could result from a slowing economy have slammed the financial industry since late July. As a group, financial stocks in the S&P 500 index fell 4.9 percent on Monday to their lowest level since July 2009.

Bank of America Corp. has been the hardest hit. It fell 13.7 percent after AIG filed suit against the bank. The insurer alleged Bank of America sold it overvalued mortgage-backed securities. The bank denied the allegations. Its stock has dropped by nearly 50 percent this year.

Stocks in other industries whose profits are closely tied to the strength of the economy also fell sharply. Energy stocks in the S&P 500 fell 4 percent, for example.

The smallest losses came in safer industries whose profits tend to be steadier, regardless of the economy. Even in a bad economy people will still buy things like toothpaste and bread. Consumer staple stocks fell just 1.5 percent. Utilities, also a necessity for consumers, fell 2.8 percent.

The Vix index, a measure of fear among investors, shot up 26 percent to its highest level since May 2010. The index shows how worried investors are that the S&P 500 will drop over the next 30 days. It does this by measuring prices for stock options that investors can buy to help protect their portfolios.

Investors are worried that Spain or Italy could become the next European country to be unable to pay its debt. The European Central Bank said it will buy Italian and Spanish bonds in hopes of helping the countries avert a possible default.

Seeking to avert panic spreading across financial markets, the finance ministers and central bankers of the Group of 20 industrial and developing nations issued a joint statement Monday saying they were committed to taking all necessary measures to support financial stability and growth.

"We will remain in close contact throughout the coming weeks and cooperate as appropriate, ready to take action to ensure financial stability and liquidity in financial markets," they said.

Crude oil, natural gas and other commodities fell on worries that a weaker global economy will mean less demand. Oil fell $3.47 to $83.41 per barrel.

Worries about the U.S. economic recovery have been building since the government said that economic growth was far weaker in the first half of 2011 than economists expected.

The economy grew at a 1.3 percent annual rate from April through June, below economists' expectations. It expanded at just a 0.4 percent rate in the first quarter. The first half of 2011 was the slowest since the end of the recession.

Then reports showed that the manufacturing and services industries barely grew in July. Job growth was better than economists expected last month. But the 117,000 jobs created in July were still well below the 215,000 that employers added between February and April, on average.

The Federal Reserve will meet on Tuesday, but economists don't expect much to come out of the meeting. The central bank's key interest rate is already at a record of nearly zero, where it has been since 2008. The Fed has also already said that it plans to keep rates low for "an extended period."

The central bank finished a $600 billion program in June to buy Treasurys in hopes of supporting the economy. Chairman Ben Bernanke said last month that the Fed would step in to help the economy if it further weakened. But some Fed policymakers oppose more bond purchases, saying it could lead to higher inflation.

Fears about a weaker U.S. economy have overshadowed profit growth that companies have reported for the second quarter. For the 441 companies in the S&P 500 that have already reported, earnings rose 12 percent in the second quarter from a year earlier. Revenue growth has also topped 10 percent for the first time in a year.

Tyson Foods rose 0.8 percent after it reported stronger profit than analysts expected. The largest U.S. meat company said its net income fell 21 percent because of higher grain costs, but analysts expected a steeper drop.

Tyson was one of just five stocks in the S&P 500 to rise on Monday. The biggest gain came from Newmont Mining Corp., which benefited from higher prices for the gold that it produces.

Verizon Communications Inc. fell 3.9 percent after it was unable to come to terms with 45,000 workers on health care costs, pensions and other issues.

Mass. man accused of killing skateboarder in hit-and-run crash held on $100k bail

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Paul Baran pleaded not guilty Monday in Taunton District Court on a charge of leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death.

Paul Baran.jpgPaul Baran, 55, of Taunton, was held in lieu of $100,000 bail after being arraigned on charges relating to the hit-and-run death of 17-year-old Nicholas Silva-Thomas on Thursday night. (Taunton Police Dept. booking photo)

TAUNTON, Mass. (AP) — A Taunton man accused of a hit-and-run that took the life of a city teen skateboarder has been ordered held on $100,000 cash bail.

Paul Baran pleaded not guilty Monday in Taunton District Court on a charge of leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death.

Police say the 55-year-old Baran was behind the wheel when he struck 17-year-old Nicholas Silva-Thomas on Thursday night. He was arrested Sunday after questioning by police.

Silva-Thomas was going to be a senior at Taunton High School this fall, where he was on the wrestling team.

Family members say Baran has already apologized and seems genuinely remorseful. It was not clear if he had a lawyer.

Bay State officials sizing up fallout of US debt rating downgrade

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Administration and Finance Secretary Jay Gonzalez said that while Massachusetts is in better fiscal shape than most states, the downgrade could make it more expensive for cities and towns to borrow money to pay for large capital projects.

Jay Gonzalez.jpgAdministration and Finance Secretary Jay Gonzalez said that while Massachusetts is in better fiscal shape than most states, the downgrade could make it more expensive for cities and towns to borrow money to pay for large capital projects. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

By STEVE LeBLANC, Associated Press

BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts officials are sizing up how the decision by a credit ratings agency to downgrade long-term U.S. government debt could hurt the state's fiscal outlook.

Administration and Finance Secretary Jay Gonzalez said that while Massachusetts is in better fiscal shape than most states, the downgrade could make it more expensive for cities and towns to borrow money to pay for large capital projects.

Gonzalez noted that two of the three major ratings agencies — Moody's and Fitch — have given Massachusetts a rating of just one notch below triple-A. The third agency, Standard & Poor's, which downgraded the nation's debt, gave Massachusetts a rating two notches below triple-A, but with a positive outlook.

Gonzalez also pointed to a recent decision by Fitch to upgrade some Massachusetts' transportation bonds, citing the state's "strong fiscal management."

Wall St. takes a dive on first day after downgrade

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The Dow Jones industrials closed down 634 points, or 5.5 percent.

080811traders.jpgTraders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on Monday, Aug. 8, 2011 in New York.

NEW YORK — Stocks plunged Monday as anxiety overtook investors on the first trading day since Standard & Poor's downgraded American debt.

The Dow Jones industrials fell 634.76 points. It was the sixth worst point decline for the Dow in the last 112 years and the worst one-day drop since December 2008. Every stock in the Standard & Poor's 500 index declined Monday.

Investors worried about the slowing U.S. economy, escalating debt problems threatening Europe and the prospect that fear in the markets would reinforce itself, as it did during the financial crisis in the fall of 2008.

"'What's rocking the market is a growth scare," said Kathleen Gaffney, co-manager of the $20 billion Loomis Sayles bond fund. "The market is under a lot of stress that really has little to do with the downgrade." Instead, Gaffney said, investors are focused on "how Europe and the U.S. are going to work their way out of a high debt burden" if economic growth remains slow.

Investors desperately looked for safe places to put their money and settled on U.S. government debt — even though it was the target of the downgrade Friday, when S&P removed the United States from its list of the lowest-risk countries.

The price of Treasurys rose sharply, and yields, which move in the opposite direction from price, fell. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note fell to 2.34 percent from 2.57 percent Friday. That matches its low for the year, reached last week.

"This is largely a flight to safety," said Thomas Simons, money market economist with Jefferies & Co. "The bond market is really trading off of what's going on in the stock market." Money flowed out of stocks and into Treasurys.

Gold set a record. It rose $61.40 to settle at $1,713.20.

Crude oil, natural gas and other commodities fell sharply on worries that a weaker global economy will mean less demand. Oil fell 6.4 percent to settle at $81.31 per barrel.

Fear is spreading quickly through the market, said Dimitre Genov, senior portfolio manager with Artio Global Investors. "It's becoming a vicious cycle and could feed into consumers reducing their demand as well."

The Dow was down 5.5 percent a 10,809.85. The sharp drop extended Wall Street's almost uninterrupted decline since late July, when the Dow was flirting with 13,000. It fell below 11,000 for the first time since November.

The S&P 500 fell 79.92, or 6.7 percent, to 1,119.49. The Nasdaq composite index fell 174.72, or 6.9 percent, to 2,357.69.

Stock markets in Asia began Monday's global rout. The main stock index fell almost 4 percent in South Korea and more than 2 percent in Japan. European markets opened later and fell, too, with Germany down 5 percent and France 4.7 percent.

In the U.S., stocks fell even as Moody's, another major credit rating agency, stood by its top rating of Aaa for the United States. It said it could downgrade the U.S. if it doesn't cut its deficit, "but it is early to conclude that such measures will not be forthcoming."

Financial markets also did not appear comforted by an afternoon statement by President Barack Obama, who said Washington needs more "common sense and compromise" to tame its debt.

"Markets will rise and fall," he said. "But this is the United States of America. No matter what some agency may say, we've always been and always will be a triple-A country."

S&P, in its downgrade, criticized dysfunction in the American political system. The downgrade wasn't a total surprise but came when investors were already feeling nervous about the U.S. economy and European debt, among other problems.

Last week, the Dow Jones industrial average fell almost 700 points. That was its biggest weekly point loss since October 2008, during the financial crisis. Counting Monday, the Dow has dropped in 10 of the last 12 trading days. It is down more than 1,900 points, or 15 percent, since July 21.

The Russell 2000 index of small stocks has now lost nearly 25 percent from its most recent high on April 29. A decline of 10 percent or more off recent highs is considered to be a correction. But a drop of 20 percent or more is said to be the start of a bear market.

The Nasdaq and S&P 500 are both down about 18 percent since the end of April. The Dow is down 16 percent.

The last bear market for the S&P 500 ran from October 2007 until March 2009. The index lost 57 percent of its value during the downturn.

S&P on Monday downgraded mortgage lenders Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and other agencies linked to long-term U.S. debt. Fannie and Freddie own or guarantee about half of all U.S. mortgages. Their downgrade could eventually mean higher mortgage rates.

Worries about weaker profits that could result from a slowing economy have slammed the financial industry since late July. As a group, financial stocks in the S&P 500 index fell 10 percent on Monday to their lowest level since July 2009.

Bank of America plunged 20.3 percent, to $6.51, after AIG filed suit against the bank. The insurer alleged Bank of America sold it overvalued mortgage-backed securities. The bank denied the allegations. Its stock is down 51 percent this year, from $13.34.

Stocks in other industries whose profits are closely tied to the strength of the economy also fell sharply. Energy stocks in the S&P 500 fell 8.3 percent, for example.

The smallest losses came in safer industries such as consumer staples whose profits tend to be steadier, regardless of the economy. Even in a bad economy people will still buy things like toothpaste and bread.

The Vix index, a measure of fear among investors, shot up 47 percent to its highest level since May 2010. The index shows how worried investors are that the S&P 500 will drop over the next 30 days. It does this by measuring prices for stock options that investors can buy to help protect their portfolios.

Investors are also worried that Italy or Spain could become the next European countries to have trouble repaying its debts. Greece, Ireland and Portugal have already received bailout loans because of Europe's 21-month-old debt crisis.

The fears have pushed investors to shun Spanish and Italian bonds, which led to higher yields on the bonds. That resulted in even higher borrowing costs for the countries.

The European Central Bank stepped in Monday and bought bullions of euros worth of their bonds. The move helped to lower yields on Spanish and Italian bonds, at least temporarily.

Seeking to avert panic spreading across financial markets, the finance ministers and central bankers of the Group of 20 industrial and developing nations issued a joint statement Monday saying they were committed to taking all necessary measures to support financial stability and growth.

"We will remain in close contact throughout the coming weeks and cooperate as appropriate, ready to take action to ensure financial stability and liquidity in financial markets," they said.

Worries about the U.S. economic recovery have been building since the government said that economic growth was far weaker in the first half of 2011 than economists expected.

The economy grew at a 1.3 percent annual rate from April through June, below economists' expectations. It expanded at just a 0.4 percent rate in the first quarter. The first half of 2011 was the slowest since the end of the recession.

Then reports showed that the manufacturing and services industries barely grew in July. Job growth was better than economists expected last month. But the 117,000 jobs created in July were still well below the 215,000 that employers added in February, March and April, on average.

The Federal Reserve will meet on Tuesday, but economists don't expect much to come out of the meeting. The central bank's key interest rate is already at a record of nearly zero, where it has been since 2008.

The Fed has also already said that it plans to keep rates low for "an extended period." Chairman Ben Bernanke said last month that the Fed could step in to help the economy if it further weakened.

Fears about a weaker U.S. economy have overshadowed the profit growth that companies have reported for the second quarter. For the 441 companies in the S&P 500 that have already reported, earnings rose 12 percent in the second quarter from a year earlier. Revenue growth has also topped 10 percent for the first time in a year.

Verizon Communications Inc. fell 3.9 percent after it was unable to come to terms with 45,000 workers on health care costs, pensions and other issues.

More than 69 stocks fell for every one that rose on the New York Stock Exchange. Consolidated trading volume was heavy at 9.7 billion shares, nearly triple the volume in early July.


Family, friends remember fallen fighters as heroes

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The brothers, fathers, sons and uncles who died when a U.S. military helicopter was shot down in eastern Afghanistan all had something in common: a love of family and country.

080811halfmast.jpgA US flag is flown at half staff outside a restaurant near the main gate of Naval Air Station Oceana Dam Neck Annex the base of Navy Seal Team six in Virginia Beach , Va., Monday, Aug. 8, 2011. The base is the headquarters for Seal Team Six whose team members were involved in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan.

One relied on his deep faith. Another was planning a marriage proposal. And yet another would shoot baskets with his mom when they had something serious to discuss.

But the brothers, fathers, sons and uncles who died when a U.S. military helicopter was shot down in eastern Afghanistan all had something in common: a love of family and country, according to friends and family members. Those who knew them said the soldiers were aware of the dangers they faced but were dedicated to their mission — even if it meant giving their lives.

Here are the stories of some of the fallen:

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Patrick Hamburger planned to propose to his girlfriend, but had a job to do first: a mission in Afghanistan.

The 30-year-old sergeant from Grand Island, Neb., joined the Nebraska National Guard when he was a senior at Lincoln Southeast High School, but this was his first deployment, his brother Chris Hamburger told The Associated Press on Sunday.

"He didn't have to go, and he wanted to go because his group was getting deployed. He wanted to be there for them. That's him for you," Chris Hamburger said, adding that Patrick always looked out for his two younger brothers and friends.

He was also the kind of guy who helped his girlfriend raise her 13-year-old daughter from another relationship as well as the couple's own 2-year-old daughter, and planned to propose marriage when he got home, Chris Hamburger said.

Patrick Hamburger had been in Afghanistan less than two weeks and had arrived at Forward Operating Base Shank a few days before climbing aboard the helicopter with U.S. Navy SEALs and other troops to rush to the aid of a U.S. Army Ranger unit under fire from insurgents.

"It doesn't come as a total surprise that he was trying to help people and that's how it all ended up happening," Chris Hamburger said.

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If someone was sad, Michael Strange tried to make them smile. He loved snowboarding, surfing, scuba diving, running, and shooting guns on the range.

"He loved his friends, his family, his country; he loved making people laugh. He was one of a kind," Strange's brother, Charles Strange III, 22, said Sunday outside the family's Philadelphia home, where American flags were planted throughout the neighborhood.

Strange, 25, decided to join the military when he was still in high school, and had been in the Navy for about six years, first stationed in Hawaii and for the last two in Virginia Beach, where he became a SEAL about two years ago, his mother, Elizabeth Strange, told The Associated Press.

But he always told his family not to worry.

"He wasn't supposed to die this young. He was supposed to be safe," Elizabeth Strange said. "And he told me that and I believed him. I shouldn't have believed him because I know better. He would say 'Mom, don't be ridiculous and worry so much. I'm safe.'"

Charles Strange said his brother loved the SEALS, especially "the competitiveness, getting in shape and running and swimming and all of that."

He also had two sisters, 21-year-old Katelyn and 7-year-old Carly, and recently became an uncle. The family last saw him in June, when he came for a weeklong visit for his birthday, his mother said. He was supposed to be back for Thanksgiving.

"It was going to be such a good time," his mother said.

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If Elizabeth Newlun wanted to have a serious conversation with her son, John Brown, she had to shoot baskets with him.

"There's nothing athletic about me, but I realized that you have to get into other people's comfort zone to get information," said Newlun, of Rogers, Ark., explaining that her son, an Air Force technical sergeant, was a "gentle giant" who "just loved anything physical, anything athletic."

Newlun said her son played football and basketball in high school and went to John Brown University on a swimming scholarship. He had wanted to go into the medical field and become a nurse anesthetist, but decided to join the military after seeing a video of a special tactical unit, she said.

The airman was a paramedic and ready to attend to the medical needs of anyone who was rescued, his mother said.

Arkansas state Rep. Jon Woods went to high school with Brown in Siloam Springs and remembered playing basketball and watching "Saturday Night Live" on the weekends.

"When you think of what the ideal model of a soldier would be, he would be it," said Woods. "He could run all day."

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Aaron Carson Vaughn was a man of deep faith, insisting to his family that he didn't fear his job as a Navy SEAL "because he knew where he was going" when he died.

"Aaron was a Christian and he's with Jesus today," Geneva Vaughn of Union City, Tenn., told The Associated Press on Saturday. "He told us when we saw him last November that he wasn't afraid ... he said, 'Granny, don't worry about me.'"

"He was a tough warrior, but he was a gentle man."

Geneva Vaughn said her grandson, 30, joined the SEALS straight out of boot camp and was already a decorated fighter when he was asked by the Navy to return stateside to become an instructor. But he applied to SEAL Team 6 after two years, earning his way onto the squad in 2010.

He asked the military to return him to combat and shipped out just six weeks before he was killed, Vaughn said.

"He was doing what he loved to do and he was a true warrior," Geneva Vaughn said.

Aaron Vaughn leaves behind his wife, Kimberly, and two children, 2-year-old son Reagan and 2-month-old daughter Chamberlyn.

"They will take away his love for Christ. They will take his dream and his love for the country and they will know what an amazing man he is," Kimberly said about the children in an interview on NBC's "Today" show Monday.

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Robert James Reeves and Jonas Kelsall had been childhood friends in Shreveport, La., where they played soccer together and graduated from Caddo Magnet High School, Kelsall's father, John, told The Times of Shreveport and KLSA-TV.

Both joined the military after graduation, though the 32-year-old Reeves spent a year at Louisiana State University first, his father, Jim Reeves, told the newspaper.

Reeves became a SEAL in 1999 and served on SEAL Team 6, his father said. During his many deployments, he earned four Bronze Stars and other honors.

Kelsall, 33, was one of the first members of SEAL Team 7, his father said.

He trained in San Diego and met his wife of three years, Victoria, when he was attending the University of Texas out of Basic Underwater Demolition training, his father said.

Reeves placed several American flags outside his home and his neighbors joined in, many decorating their homes in red, white and blue in support of the families.

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It was Kraig Vicker's love for the ocean while growing up on Maui that inspired him to join the Navy.

But it was his faith as a Christian that pushed him to excel in the risky role as a member of the explosives disposal team attached to a Navy SEALs unit.

"Kraig was very strong spiritually," said his father, Robert Vickers. "In the back of our mind, we knew this might occur, this might happen and it did. So with the grace of the Lord, it helps us to cope with this."

Kraig Vickers, who would have turned 37 on Thursday, graduated from Maui High School in 1992 and attended Evangel College in Missouri on a football scholarship.

"He decided college wasn't for him" and returned home, his father said. After stints in tree trimming and working as a hotel security guard, he became a certified SCUBA diver and decided to join the Navy in 1996.

He lived in Virginia Beach, Va., with his wife Nani, who is seven months pregnant with their third child. Robert Vickers said she is making plans to return to Hawaii because she only has a small window of time before doctors won't allow her to fly.

"He wanted to be buried near the ocean," his father said, adding that the family is awaiting details on when the body will arrive on Maui.

___

Jon Tumilson got an early start on his preparation to join the SEALS. He had been a wrestler in high school and competed in marathons and triathlons.

Neighbors remembered the Rockford, Iowa, man as a warrior committed to the SEALs, no matter the pain he endured in training or the risks he ran on each mission.

"When he did something, he put his all into it," Jan Stowe, a neighbor of the Tumilsons for more than 30 years, told the Des Moines Register.

Tumilson, who was 35 when he died, "was going to be a Navy SEAL since I can't remember when," Stowe said. "He's like a hero to everyone here."

Another neighbor, Mark Biggs, said people were shocked by his death.

"You just never thought it would happen to Jon," Biggs told the Mason City Globe Gazette. "He's done so many dangerous things."

Friend Justin Schriever remembered Tumilson as "a die-hard at everything. He'd always go the extra mile on everything. He wouldn't let anything stop him from accomplishing something."

___

Brian Bill had plans for when he finished his military service. He wanted to return to graduate school and hoped one day to become an astronaut.

And for those who knew him, such lofty goals were not out of reach for the young man who wanted to be the best at anything he pursued.

"He set his standards high. He was that kind of person," Kimberly Hess, a friend who graduated with him in 2001 from Vermont's Norwich University, told The Advocate newspaper. "He was remarkably gifted and very thoughtful. There wasn't anything he wouldn't do for you no matter the time or day."

Bill was also a mountaineer, a skier, a pilot and triathlete.

Diane Warzoha, who had Bill as a student at Trinity Catholic High School in Stamford, said it was no surprise that he fulfilled his goal of joining the SEALs.

"Brian just wanted to do his best, to protect other people ... Challenge did not deter him, ever."

How to learn if the US downgrade could affect you

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4 questions to ask as you try to assess whether your loans could be affected by the market turmoil.

080811downgrade.jpgVisitors look at the stock price monitors at the BM&FBOVESPA Stock Market in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Monday, Aug. 8, 2011. Brazil's stocks are falling sharply, joining a global sell-off on the first trading day after a downgrade in America's debt rating.

After more than four years of a housing market crisis and major changes in credit card terms, it may be hard to believe that many consumers don't know what types of loans they have.

Do you have a fixed-rate mortgage or an adjustable-rate mortgage? What might cause your interest rate to change? How often could it adjust? And what about your credit cards? Do they have a fixed or variable rate?

Research shows many people can't answer these questions.

"An amazing number of people don't even know if they have an ARM or a fixed rate," said Stephen Malpezzi, an economics professor at the University of Wisconsin Business School who follows the housing market.

Those details are spelled out in the note that a homeowner signs at closing. But like the rest of the pile of papers that pass by during a closing, it's often a document that gets a once-over and then gets filed. And for credit cards, the booklet of terms that's mailed once or twice a year often doesn't even get that cursory level of review. It's just dropped in a file or thrown away.

Here are some questions to ask as you try to assess whether your loans could be affected by the market turmoil:

— Can my interest rate increase?

If you can't find the note in your mortgage packet, contact your bank and ask if the rate on your home loan is adjustable. For credit cards, if you tossed the last update of your terms, you may find some details on your statement or you might have to call the number on the back of your card.

— What benchmark or index is my loan or card tied to?

Mortgage rates are often directly tied to the yields, or interest rates, on Treasury bonds. This makes home loans the most vulnerable to the downgrade of U.S. debt. However, so far there's been little evidence that investors view U.S. Treasurys as risky investments. That perception would have to change in order for interest rates to climb significantly.

Home equity loans and credit cards are more often linked to the prime rate, which is less likely to change based on the downgrade.

— How much might my monthly payments increase?

Many adjustable rate mortgages set caps on how much interest rates or payments may rise. For credit cards, existing balances are protected from rate hikes even on variable rate cards. But new charges would carry the higher rate, which would drive up payments.

— How many times per year can my rate adjust?

Home equity loans are most likely among consumer borrowing to adjust on a monthly basis, followed by credit cards.

Mortgages often have limits on the number of times per year rates can change, but that varies widely depending on the source of the loan and when it was opened.

GOP candidates criticize Obama over credit rating

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"We were able to get through the Great Depression and not see a credit downgrade," said Rep. Michele Bachmann.

080811bachmann.jpgRepublican presidential candidate, Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., talks with Sheri Rush, of Griswold, Iowa, right, after signing an autograph following a meeting at the local community center, Monday, Aug. 8, 2011, in Atlantic, Iowa.

ATLANTIC, Iowa — Presidential hopefuls Michele Bachmann and Tim Pawlenty on Monday blamed President Barack Obama's spending policies for the downgrade in the nation's credit rating, seeking political gain days before a test vote by Iowa Republicans.

"We were able to get through the Great Depression and not see a credit downgrade. Only under this president have we seen a credit downgrade," Bachmann, a Minnesota congresswoman, said at an appearance here.

In Ames, Pawlenty, a former Minnesota governor, called the decision by Standard and Poor's to downgrade the U.S. credit rating "just one of many indications that our federal government is out of control, our economy is stumbling and the president's direction has been ineffective and wrong."

Both candidates were packing their daily campaign schedules with multiple events ahead of Saturday's Iowa straw poll, an important test of organizational strength as well as popularity. The stakes are high for the rivals from Minnesota; Bachmann hopes to keep her momentum going with a strong showing while a struggling Pawlenty is looking for a much-needed boost

"One has to beat expectations and one has to live up to them," said veteran GOP strategist Bob Haus, who is unaligned in the race.

Other candidates, to be sure, are on the ballot for the nonbinding vote in Ames. But some are competing more heavily than others.

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, the front-runner so far, along with former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich are bypassing the event even though they will be on the ballot.

Bachmann, a tea party favorite who has been running strong in polls since getting in the race earlier this summer, and Pawlenty, who has been building a campaign for more than a year but remains low in polls, arguably have the most on the line. They are seeking to reach as many GOP activists as possible over the next few days.

While the two largely focused their fire on Obama, Bachmann said her fight against the debt ceiling was unique; the congresswoman reminded Iowans that she voted against raising the debt ceiling.

"What sets me apart from the other candidates is that I have stood up time and time again," Bachmann said. She warned of more trouble ahead if the nation doesn't deal with its debt. "There's a one in three chance we could be downgraded again."

She added, "Clearly we can't afford the government that we have."

Pawlenty echoed that theme while in Ames, saying the decision by the rating agency makes it clear that the federal government is out of control and needs to be cut back. He also faulted Obama, saying: "These problems have been percolating for a lot of years — both parties have to take some blame — but it's also true that President Obama has made them exponentially worse."

Pawlenty has campaigned tirelessly in the state, only to see his polling numbers stuck in single digits. He argues that he's spent time patiently building a campaign organization, but he'll have to demonstrate that organization's ability to turn out backers on Saturday or many will see his campaign in trouble.

"Our goal is to move from the back of the pack toward the front of the pack and I'm confident we will do so as my message of cutting government and growing jobs and doing things like appointing conservative justices gets out," he said. "I don't think we need to win it, but I think need to show some good progress and I'm confident we will."

Bachmann's pitch to backers was more direct and upbeat — she promoted her campaign's entertainment plans for Saturday's event — as she looked to keep momentum on her side.

"I will guarantee you (that) you will have the time of your life," said Bachmann. "We're going to feed you and we're going to entertain you with Randy Travis. Sign up right here, we need your vote."

Steven J. Morse of Westfield pleads innocent to new charges in boating death of 10-year-old boy

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Moriarty agreed that the change sounds more “sinister” than the conduct of which Morse is charged. He took Jennings’ request under advisement.

Steven Morse.jpgSteven J. Morse appearing in Hampshire District Court in Dec. 2010.

NORTHAMPTON – The lawyer for a Westfield man accused of killing a 10-year-old boy with a motor boat pleaded innocent to new charges on his client’s behalf Monday and asked the judge to amend one of them to more accurately reflect the crime he’s accused of committing.

Judge Cornelius J. Moriarty III waived the appearance of Steven J. Morse in Hampshire Superior Court at the request of defense lawyer Michael O. Jennings. Morse, 37, of 65 Deborah Lane, is accused of killing Augustus Adamopoulos, 10, on Norwich Lake in Huntington last August. The boy and his father, James Adamopoulos, were kayaking on the lake when they were struck by the motor boat.

GUS.JPGAgustus "Gus" Adamopoulos was a precocious basketball player.

Last December, Morse pleaded innocent to manslaughter, homicide by vessel and homicide by vessel while under the influence of alcohol. In July, a Hampshire County grand jury indicted him on three additional counts of child endangerment while under the influence of alcohol and single counts of reckless operation of a boat under the influence of alcohol and intimidating a witness. According to the Northwestern District Attorney’s office, the reckless endangerment charges pertain to three boys under the age of 14, two of whom were passengers in the boat operated by Morse. The third boy was being pulled by the boat on water skis, according to prosecutors.

After entering the pleas, Jennings told Moriarty that the intimidating a witness charge is misleading and asked that it be reworded. According to Jennings, the charge covers a range of conduct, including the willful misleading of a witness or potential witness, which he said is the proper description in this case. Prosecutor Steven Gagne agreed that the charge involves the alleged misleading of a police officer, but said he does not believe it necessary to change the language on the indictment.

“In the grand scheme of things, it’s really not a big deal,” he said.

Jennings differed.

“It is a big deal to the person who’s being accused,” he told Moriarty.

Moriarty agreed that the change sounds more “sinister” than the conduct of which Morse is charged. He took Jennings’ request under advisement.

Adamopoulos’ death stunned his home town, especially the basketball community, where he was known as an avid player. Veterans Park Elementary School in Ludlow, which Adamopoulos attended, held a fund-raiser to dedicate a bench in his honor at the school’s basketball court.

At the request of Jennings, Moriarty extended a series of court dates for about a month. A pretrial hearing is now scheduled for Oct. 3. The case is due to go to trial in January, 2012.

Hampden County Sheriff's Department seeks 39-year-old Hector Alicea

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Alicea is winding down a sentence for burglary and began living at home under the program last month. Anyone with information is asked to call (413) 858-0195.

SPRINGFIELD – The Hampden County Sheriff’s Department continues to search for Hector Alicea, a 39-year-old Springfield man who failed to failed to report to the department on Friday as required by the courts.

Richard J. McCarthy, public affairs officer for the department, said that Alicea is winding down a sentence for burglary and began living at home under the program last month.

He was set to finish his sentence in December.

Alicea is described as an Hispanic male, 6 feet tall, 172 pounds with black hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information is asked to call (413) 858-0195.

Police identify victim in fatal Sargeant Street stabbing as Miguel Rodriguez, 24, of Holyoke

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Police found Rodriguez dead of multiple stab wounds after they were called to 164 Sargeant St. at 8:30 a.m. for a reported stabbing.

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This is an update of a story that was posted at 10:30 a.m. on Monday

HOLYOKE - A 24-year-old city man died of multiple stab wounds Monday morning on Sargeant Street, becoming Holyoke’s third homicide of the year.

Police identified the victim as 24-year-old Miguel Rodriguez of 36 North Summer St., said Capt. Arthur R. Monfette Police were called to Holyoke Pine Apartments, 164 Sargeant St. at about 8:30 a.m. for a report of a stabbing.

Rodriguez was found in the road, between two vehicles. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Monfette said police have not yet determined a motive for the stabbing.

There have been no arrests, but police are looking for one man seen leaving the area who may be a suspect, he said.

The man was described as dark-skinned male, possibly Hispanic, who appeared to be in his early 20s.

He was described as wearing blue-jean shorts, a black shirt, and a black baseball cap. He also appeared to have puffy hair that spilled out from underneath the cap.

Police cordoned off the area in front of the apartment building for several hours as the processed the scene for evidence.

The Massachusetts State Police Crime Scene Services unit was called to the scene to assist.

Outside the police tape, a crowd of onlookers, including several who said they knew the victim, gathered.

Springfield resident Hector Cordero said he knew Rodriguez. He cam to the scene after word spread that he had been killed.

“I came to pay my respects. It’s sad,” Cordero said. He said he had seen him as
recently as Sunday at a nearby market.
Location of Monday's fatal stabbing

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Another onlooker, Taisha Aponte said she knew Rodriguez.

“It’s definitely scary. He was a nice guy,” she said.

This morning’s murder is the city’s third of the year. In June, two men were killed in unrelated incidents over a period of two days.

Reynaldo Fuentes was shot and killed behind an Appleton St. convenience store on June 20. Brothers Juan, Carlos and Leonardo Perez were arrested and charged with the murder. A day earlier, Oscar Castro was shot outside of the Clover Cafe on High St. No arrests have been made in connection with his death.

Republican reporter George Graham contributed to this story


Not Bread Alone staff surprised about kitchen coordinator's criminal charges

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Friends of Don Petigny-Perry, the Not Bread Alone kitchen coordinator who is facing breaking and entering charges in Leverett, say the charges don't reflect the man they know.

DON.jpgDon L. Petigny- Perry, of Montague, sets out food for volunteers Wednesday at Not Bread Alone in Amherst in this 2010 file photo

AMHERST – Friends of Don Petigny-Perry, the Not Bread Alone kitchen coordinator who is facing breaking and entering charges in Leverett, say the charges don't reflect the man they know.

Not Bread Alone Program Director Laura Reichsman said if someone came in who didn't have shoes, he would get that guest shoes. She said he had a good relationship with the owner of Deals & Steals in Northampton who would provide the shoes.

Petigny-Perry "went above and beyond," Reichsman said.

She was surprised when Petigny-Perry, 57, of Montague was charged with breaking and entering in the nighttime after allegedly stealing an iPad and money during break-ins to a Leverett home and car last week.

Petigny-Perry, who is also the coordinator for the Springfield-based Center for Human Development’s SRO Project in Northampton, has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the case, said Christopher Yurko, CHD communication coordinator.

After he was charged, state parole authorities revoked his active parole. According to the Real Cost of Prisons Weblog, in his 20s, Petigny-Perry committed several armed robberies of Springfield-area grocery stores, using the money, according to the blog, to feed his cocaine and heroin addictions. He spent 18 years and seven months in prison and was released in 2001.

The arrest “won’t effect operations of the soup kitchen,” Yurko said. “The program is what’s important.

“I think people are shocked,” Yurko said. “Everyone had good things to say about Don.”

He said CHD like other human services programs “is all about rehiring, giving people second chances.”

Reichsman, who said she believes “you’re innocent until proven guilty,” said “in all my time working with him he showed great integrity. He was enormously professional. He did things by the book.”

She said Petigny-Perry’s arrest “is completely out of character to anything I witnessed. He was universally loved by program staff and guests and volunteers.”

At the First Congregational Church where the meals are served, staff said Petigny-Perry completed an enormous amount of work, including painting and beautifying the space.

He started offering tofu as an alternative to meat and offering stir fry. Meals are served Wednesday afternoons and on Saturday and Sundays as well as Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter.

Last year Petigny-Perry created “Everybody’s Gotta Eat!,” an event that celebrated the soup kitchen and the produce of area farmers, an event they had been planning to put on again this year but won’t.

They were just in the initial planning stages, Reichsman said.

Reichsman said she’s not going to hire an interim chef. She cooked this weekend and relief staff will fill in and be aided as always by volunteers. Guests know them.

When the guests were told what had happened they brought the relief staff into the dining room. “All the guests clapped and welcomed them,” Reichsman said. “Change is hard for everyone, particularly this population.”


South Hadley superintendent responds to criticism over terminated teacher Debra Caldieri

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Regardless of the reason for her termination, fired Latin teacher Debra Caldieri remains destitute. Watch video

AE_CALDIERI_3_8938535.JPGDebra Caldieri states her case at a South Hadley School Committee meeting.


SOUTH HADLEY – The South Hadley school system did its best to accommodate Debra Caldieri, but in the end had to part ways with the Latin instructor because she was no longer able to teach class, according to Superintendent Gus A. Sayer.

Caldieri’s saga— the story of a beloved teacher stricken with multiple sclerosis and forced into poverty by the loss of her job— was told in print last week, but Sayer, who was on vacation, could not be reached for a response. On Monday, having returned to his office, Sayer gave a different version of events, beginning with his rejection of the word “fired.”

“She was not fired in the sense that everybody takes that word,” he said.

As Sayer explained it, Caldieri has not been able to work since last December, when her condition forced her out of the classroom. When her paid leave of absence expired in April, Sayer said, he extended it for several months. Finally, however, he had to ask for her resignation.

“We’d love to have her back but we had to fill her position,” he said.

Caldieri, 48, was drafting her letter of resignation, which was due in September, when she received a letter from Sayer last month notifying her that she had been terminated. The schools had already been informed that she was applying for disability retirement, Sayer said.

“She told us she was not returning to work and I filled the position,” he said.

Caldieri reiterated Monday that she feels she has been fired. Moreover, she attributes her treatment by the schools to her devotion to Phoebe Prince, a freshman who hanged herself in 2010. Prince’s death sparked an international movement to combat school bullying and cast South Hadley, and the high school in particular, in an unfavorable light.

Gus SayerSouth Hadley Superintendent of School's Gus A. Sayer said he had no choice but to let Caldieri go since she could no longer perform her duties.

Caldieri acknowledged Monday that she is in no shape to teach school, but said she would have preferred to have been put on special leave so she could have time to recover. Sayer said that wasn’t an option.

“We advanced her additional leave beyond what was in the contract,” he said. “I can’t do it for a non-employee.”

As Sayer described it, the schools were considerate of Caldieri’s condition from the time she took the job six years ago.

“We went to great lengths to recognize this illness and that she was going to be absent from time to time,” he said.

Caldieri took a turn for the worse following the death of Prince. On the day after Prince killed herself, Caldieri left school grounds with some students to console another student at his home. When she returned, she was sanctioned by High School principal Dan Smith. As a consequence, her classes were monitored. Caldieri maintains that the stress of being monitored exacerbated her condition.

“I feel their whole purpose in harassing me in the first place was to get rid of me,” she said.

Sayer denied that Caldieri’s termination had anything to do with Prince.

“Absolutely not,” he said, adding that it was “very disturbing” to read some of the reaction to Caldieri’s termination.

In the weeks leading up to her departure from the classroom, Caldieri said she suffered a number of “transient” seizures that are part of her disorder.

“It’s like you go into a fog,” she said.

Regardless of the reason for her termination, Caldieri remains destitute. A friend has paid her work-related health insurance through Aug. 31, at which time it will end. She hopes to get on a state health plan with more expensive premiums. Meanwhile, Caldieri said it could take up to a year to determine if she is eligible for disability pay.

Springfield activists disappointed by scarcity of candidates for ward seats on City Council

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Just nine candidates are certified for the fall ballot for eight ward seats on the City Council, as compared to 30 candidates two years ago.

gomez.photo.JPGGumersindo Gomez, executive director of the Puerto Rican Veteran's Center.

SPRINGFIELD – Community activists said Monday they are disappointed that so few candidates emerged this year to run for eight ward seats on the City Council, and will strive to get a more crowded field in future elections.

By last week’s deadline, just nine people were certified for the 2011 ballot for the eight ward seats, including seven incumbent councilors. Just one ward councilor, John A. Lysak in Ward 8, has an opponent on the November ballot.

“It isn’t right,” said Michaelann C. Bewsee, who is a founding member of Arise for Social Justice, among organizations that pushed for ward representation. “A lot of people took out (nomination) papers, but didn’t follow through."


SCT_HOMELESS_1_2833052.JPGMichaelann C. Bewsee, founding member of Arise for Social Justice.


In contrast, 30 people were on the ballot for the eight ward seats in 2009, the first year of the new ward representation system in Springfield.

“No matter how worthy a city councilor is, nobody deserves a free ticket to re-election,” says Gumersindo Gomez, executive director of the Puerto Rican Veteran’s Center, and a long-time advocate for ward representation. “This is not what we fought so long and hard for.”

Bewsee and other community activists said there will be an effort to engage and energize young leaders in the community to run for office in future local elections.

Two organizations, The Springfield Institute and MassVote, have agreed to help a coalition of local organizations in generating greater interest in the election process, Bewsee said.

The activists, including representatives of Arise and the NAACP, have a press conference scheduled Tuesday at 1 p.m., on the steps of City Hall, to talk about their plans.

Arise was among plaintiffs that filed two federal voting rights lawsuits in 1997 and in 2005 in pursuit of ward representation.

SPT_TOSADO_7_8233289.JPGCity Council President Jose F. Tosado pushed for ward representation.

Voters approved ward representation in 2007 after decades of debate, multiple rejections by the City Council, a petition drive, multiple nonbinding ballot questions, and the federal suits.

The system that was approved by voters created five at-large seats and eight ward seats, in place of nine at-large seats. The new system began with the 2009 election.

City Council President Jose F. Tosado, who pushed for ward representation, praised the current ward councilors, but said a basic premise for the new system “was to increase citizen participation and involvement in local government and the electoral process.”

“That has not happened,” Tosado said. “We must continue to advance that cause.”

Six ward councilors are unopposed on the ballot, and a seventh, Ward 6 Councilor Amaad I Rivera, chose to run for an at-large seat instead this year. There one candidate for Ward 6, former School Committee member Kenneth Shea.

Bewsee said ward representation is already working to bring more racial and geographic diversity to the City Council. The goal of creating added interest and involvement from candidates, however, has not been achieved, she said.

Some factors that may have led to the small field for the ward seats might range from people being satisfied with the new incumbents, to some people being focused more on tornado recovery efforts.

But it also showed that more must be done to mentor and assist young leaders in the community, Bewsee said.

T.J. O'Connor center announces reduction in hours available for pet adoptions

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The center used to have 21 hours of public time per week for people considering animal adoptions, but that has been reduced to 13 hours, Executive Director Pam Peebles said.

tj oconnor animal adoption centerFile photo of the Thomas J. O'Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center, 627 Cottage St., Springfield. The facility announced reduced hours when the public may view animals.

SPRINGFIELD - The Thomas J. O’Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center announced it is reducing its public viewing hours by a third in response to budget cuts, executive director Pam Peebles said.

The facility on Cottage Street will be open only on Tuesdays and Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m. and on Thursdays from 2 - 7 p.m., she said.

The center used to have 21 hours of public time per week for people considering animal adoptions, but that has been reduced to 13 hours, she said. The center recently lost a full-time position, and it is not possible to provide the same amount of public time with the remaining three staff, she said.

The reduction in public hours does not affect the facility’s emergency call services, she said.

Peebles said she hopes the reduction in hours will be temporary. The facility is looking
for new sources of funding and she hopes to restore hours by September, she said.

State police identify driver in Russell crash as Keith Lamontagne of Westfield

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Keith Lamontage, of Westfield, is in critical condition at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield.

This updates a story posted on Saturday at 10:16 p.m.

RUSSELL - State police have identified the driver involved in the one-car crash on Route 20 here Saturday night as Keith A. Lamontagne, 43, of Madison Street in Westfield.

State police said the accident was reported at 5:30 p.m. and is still under investigation.

Lamontagne was heading west when he went off the road in his 2006 Nissan Altima and became trapped in the car. The accident occurred in the Whippernon section of town, west of Route 23, state police said.

Lamontagne was in critical condition Monday at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield.

State police did not have any other details, such as seat belt use.

Holyoke Retirement Board could opt to put delinquent Geriatric Authority costs on taxpayers

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Authority officials say the problem is insufficient federal reimbursements that leave the facility unable to pay its bills.

kravetz.JPGSteven J. Kravetz, member of Holyoke Geriatric Authority board of directors

HOLYOKE – The Holyoke Geriatric Authority’s inability to pay its bills means taxpayers may be forced to take on $449,000 in retirement costs.

The Retirement Board Tuesday is scheduled to ask the Board of Assessors to add to the next tax levy the authority’s unpaid retirement appropriations that go back to 2008, said Daniel R. Owens, Retirement Board executive director.

It would be the second major bailout of the authority for its failure to pay retirement costs since 1999 when the city forgave $3.2 million in such costs, Owens said.

That means those costs had to be funded through the city budget, he said, which consists mostly of state aid and taxpayer funding.

At its 8:30 a.m. meeting in Room 207 at City Hall Annex, Owens said he expects the Retirement Board to vote the request to assessors, as permitted by state law.

“They’re in arrears for 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and this fiscal year. I know they would (pay the bills) if they could, but they can’t. We just can’t let this debt stand,” Owens said.

Retirement officials have continually contacted the authority about the debt over the years, he said.

Steven J. Kravetz, a member of the authority board of directors, said he understands the reasoning of retirement officials but wishes they instead would opt to keep trying to work with the authority on a payment plan.

“I guess it’s their right to do that. I don’t think it’s appropriate, but it’s their right. They have to do what they have to do,” Kravetz said.

The authority is a nursing home at 45 Lower Westfield Road with more than 120 employees, 80 beds and 80 daycare slots for senior citizens.

The authority became a quasi-official city agency in 1971, with the City Council appointing three board members, the mayor appointing three and those six voting a seventh.

State law requires that entities such as the authority and the city make contributions according to a schedule to ensure retired employees’ pensions get funded.

Officials have said the authority is current on pension payments made from employee payroll deductions, but struggles with its own pension contributions and other bills.

The Retirement Board step comes with the authority under criticism from Mayor Elaine A. Pluta and members of the City Council for months for long-running debt to city agencies, including retirement costs, of more than $2 million.

Authority officials dispute city officials’ calculations and argue the facility’s bills are actually less than $1 million.

The authority is handcuffed by the federal Medicaid reimbursement formula that nets the facility only 75 cents on the dollar, officials have said.

Still, said Todd A. McGee, chairman of the City Council Finance Committee, authority financial problems have lasted for years and burdening taxpayers is unfair.

“You’re dumping it on the taxpayers and saying, ‘Pay the bill.’ That shouldn’t have to happen,” McGee said.

Ward 5 Councilor Linda L. Vacon said she knows it is hard for authority patients and employees to hear, but it might be time to sell the facility because the city cannot afford such bail-outs.

“It’s really just not sustainable and it’s not fair to the taxpayers to bear the burden,” Vacon said.

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