Letter writer: I am greatly concerned with politicians lumping Social Security and Medicare into a category referred to as entitlements.

Government should control Medicare

Steps toward privatizing Medicare and Social Security, whether through vouchers or other means of allowing private insurance companies to handle your retirement needs may leave you powerless. Some politicians are campaigning on the premise that your entitlements should not be handled by the bureaucracy of big government but rather it be wise to invest in insurance companies because you can shop for the best deal - “yeah, right!”

I would rather have the option of government handling of my retirement funds because we as Americans have some control on how our investments are managed through the power of our vote come the election cycle.

On the other hand, once you concede to privatization, there is no recourse and no means of expressing your financial grievances if you become dissatisfied.

– BILL PAUL, Chicopee

Romney’s success is at our expense

Associated Press | Evan VucciRepublican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney speaks during a campaign rally Friday in Orange City, Iowa.

Usually, I turn off the TV when coverage of the RNC comes on for fear of stomach regurgitation. But this time I was unable to get to the remote in time. I happened to hear a male delegate’s voice saying something like, “We must vote for Mitt Romney. He’s so successful in the business world.”

Yeah, sure, he’s successful and he reaps in millions for himself at the cost of peoples’ jobs. Those fortunate not to be ousted face lower wages, less health benefits, less, if any, pension. Mitt Romney is successful when putting people out of work - not creating jobs.

Some think this rich white man is going to do something for them. They need to get it through their heads they are not of his social status.

Wake up! This is not a soap opera where the wealthy family up on the hill comes down to mingle with the commoners at the local pub or diner.

People of modest means and logical minds would not even consider voting for this man.

– JOYCE J. BISSELL, Erving

Social Security, Medicare different

I am greatly concerned with politicians lumping Social Security and Medicare into a category referred to as entitlements. These are programs that recipients have paid taxes for their entire lives.

Entitlements are programs that have been established to give things to people who have done nothing for them except to fill out paperwork to ask for them. These include welfare, food stamps, fuel assistance, Medicaid, and even free cell phones. The list goes on and on and the abuse is well known.

Why can’t we leave seniors who have worked their entire lives alone, and make small cuts to the real entitlements? Over a period of several years this would reduce the deficits and encourage the people who are living off the government to look to a job.

– DALE HASTINGS, Chicopee

Ameristar’s plan wins an advocate

As a homeowner in East Springfield, I was pleasantly surprised by the presentation that Ameristar gave about six months ago. I favor a casino with them because they are not a “one size fits all” resort. They adapt the casino to the location befitting the site (as presented in their slide presentation). They have already purchased the land and cleared it and it is ready to build upon. They also have designed a specific route off of 291 to enter and exit. It would be an excellent choice for Springfield.

Personally, I feel that if it is built in the South End, all the downtown bars and restaurants should close their doors because with many bars (free drinks) and restaurants under one roof why would patrons choose to go into outside venues. What about the traffic from Connecticut? When the Big E is in town there is already gridlock!

–AGGIE KELLY, Springfield

Police departments need diverse forces

This is regarding a recent letter to the editor, arguing that “police departments need educated cops.” To require degrees in policing as a condition of employment for Massachusetts police departments for hiring and promotion purposes would be discriminatory and disadvantageous for minority applicants and current minority police officers and supervisors. It would also contradict the current ethnicity quota system in place for civil-service-based police departments.

Attempts at this form of lobbying, either in part or in totality, as the letter writer states, would generate opposition from minority groups, the courts, police unions and police chiefs and community action groups.

–WALTER KRZEMINSKI, Easthampton

Some of the most sought after license plates have low numbers.

File photo / The Republican

BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts drivers hoping for low number license plates will soon find out if they've won a state lottery designed to distribute the plates.

Officials from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and Registry of Motor Vehicles will draw the winners of the annual lottery Monday. The drawing will be held live on WBZ radio between 8 and 10 p.m.

More than 7,500 applicants entered this year's drawing for a chance to win one of 124 of the most sought after Massachusetts license plates, including plate numbers 73, 295, 449, 493, 7755 and 1Z.

A list of lottery winners will be available on the Registry's website Tuesday afternoon and winners will receive official notification by mail.

The lottery is in response to criticism that low-number plates only went to the politically connected.

The commission held simultaneous meetings in 3 locations across the state, including Boston and Brockton, where no one attended.

The Republican | Michael S. GordonMassachusetts Gaming Commission Chairman Stephen Crosby, right, and commission member Bruce Stebbins, left, at a hearing Monday at Springfield Technical Community College.

SPRINGFIELD — Public hearings held across Massachusetts to solicit input on the first phase of regulations designed to pre-qualify applicants who want to build casinos attracted sparse audiences and few speakers.

Simultaneous meetings were held at Springfield Technical Community College, the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center and Massasoit Community College in Brockton by Massachusetts Gaming Commission members linked through a 90-minutes video conference.

In Brockton, no one attended the meeting at all. In Springfield an audience of about 20 attended, and speakers included Kevin Conroy, a lawyer representing Mohegan Sun, who requested more privacy for applicants and recommended a few ways to speed up the process. Bruce Bozsum, chairman of the Mohegan Tribal Council, also addressed the commission.

The gaming commission will award a single casino license for Western Massachusetts, one of three licenses it will approve for casino resorts in different geographic regions of the state. Mohegan Sun is planning a casino for Palmer, and at least three others are bidding to build a casino in Springfield.

Last month, MGM Resorts International unveiled plans for an $800 million casino in the South End of Springfield’s downtown. Penn National Gaming has said it is working on a plan for a casino in the North End of the downtown, on land including the properties of The Republican newspaper and Peter Pan Bus Lines. Ameristar Casinos of Las Vegas is planning to build a casino on 40 acres it owns off Interstate 291 and Page Boulevard in Springfield.

Seminole Hard Rock Entertainment has said it is also eyeing Springfield, after the company ran into opposition from Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse with an earlier plan for a casino in Holyoke.

In the first phase of the process, casino companies have to pay a nonrefundable $400,000 application fee and submit materials to pass financial and integrity background checks to qualify to submit a final application.

“We are here primarily for fact finding,” said Stephen P. Crosby, chairman of the commission, who conducted the meeting in Springfield with member Bruce Stebbins, a former Springfield City Councilor.

With the issues being highly technical, it was not a big surprise for the commission to get few speakers. People also had an opportunity to submit comments in writing, Stebbins said.

A second hearing will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday with gaming regulators scheduled to square off with Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno to air criticism over a possible conflict for the city’s casino consultant. The meeting, also at Springfield Technical Community College, is expected to bring more people.

Despite the sparsely attended meetings Monday, the Gaming Commission stayed in the hall from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in case someone came late and wanted to address the board.

“I guess it is a credit to us. Our regulations are pretty good,” Crosby said.

Hobby Lobby Stores Inc. purchased the campus in 2009 from the Northfield Mount Hermon School.

Photo by Cori UrbanThe future of the former Northfield campus of Northfield Mount Hermon School is scheduled to be announced Sept. 21.

NORTHFIELD— The future use of the former Northfield Mount Hermon School campus in this community is scheduled to be announced at a public meeting Sept. 21.

The announcement will be made at Sage Chapel on the campus at 2 p.m. that Friday.

Hobby Lobby Stores Inc. purchased the campus in 2009 from Northfield Mount Hermon. It intends to transfer the property to a Christian educational institution that has the financial means to take over and maintain it.

Oklahoma-based Hobby Lobby has selected two finalists for the campus: Southern Baptist Convention’s North American Mission Board and Grand Canyon University Foundation of Phoenix.

“Both fit the orthodoxy requirements, that is, traditional Christian beliefs and values,” said Dr. Jerry Pattengale, executive director of Green Scholars Initiative, representing Hobby Lobby.

“This is not simply because of the Green (Hobby Lobby owners) family’s personal beliefs, but their desire--and many from around the world--to see the campus return to an organization in keeping with its founder’s beliefs and intentions. Many approached us with claims to be in D.L. Moody’s legacy, but only picked a very tangential aspect and seemed to add-on a Christian component. These two finalists are solidly within the Moody tradition.”

More than 100 institutions have shown an interest in the campus.

Hobby Lobby Stores Inc. purchased the 217-acre Northfield campus for $100,000 on behalf of the C.S. Lewis Foundation from Northfield Mount Hermon School after the college preparatory school consolidated operations onto its nearby Gill campus; Hobby Lobby intended to gift the campus to create C.S. Lewis Great Books College.

The C.S. Lewis Foundation then sought to raise $5 million to open the college, but by the mutually agreed upon fund-raising deadline of Dec. 31, 2011, it had realized only about $600,000; thus the foundation lost its sole beneficiary status, and the doors opened to other possible organizations.

Evangelist Dwight L. Moody founded a Northfield school for girls in 1879 and the Mount Hermon school for boys in Gill in 1881. The schools merged in 1971 to form Northfield Mount Hermon; the Northfield campus was closed in 2005.

Since Hobby Lobby purchased the quintessential New England campus with its rolling green lawns and flowering trees, it has put more than $6 million into improvements and ongoing maintenance and will surpass $1 million in taxes.

Some of the brick and stone historic buildings have been restored and renovated. Crews of local contractors including landscapers, painters and plumbers have worked to ready the campus. Among the work that has been done is the renovation and restoration of Sage Chapel, the restoration of Stone Hall, the restoration of the Moore Cottage guest house, restoration of other buildings and work on the 1894 auditorium that seats more than 2,000.

“The gifting of such a historic campus is both exhilarating and exhausting,” Pattengale said. “It’s been a great joy, and we trust that Northfield will enjoy the next season of life on the Moody campus (and) that those from NMH--alumni and current students--with religious interests still find a place to worship on the campus.”

Commented Steve Green, president of Hobby Lobby: “When we see how God has used this process to bring back the interest in the Northfield legacy, as demonstrated by the volume of inquiries and proposals, we realize that God likely used the C.S. Lewis Foundation’s interest to get us involved, and, in turn, to be able to help to preserve this campus for long-term Christian programs.”

The Sept. 21 open meeting at Sage Chapel will be followed at 2:30 p.m. with a “National Conversation” on “What is the Future of Christian Higher Education.” Journalist Michael Cromartie will moderate this. Among the panel guests will be Steve Green (representing business), Dr. David Wright (provost, Indiana Wesleyan University), Dr. Brian Mueller (CEO, Grand Canyon University), Carlos Campo (president, Regent University) and Jay Hein (president, Sagamore Institute, former director of Faith Based Initiatives for President George W. Bush). It will air at www.nationalconversations.com.

“Some of us have fallen in love with the Northfield campus,” Green said. “Both Jerry Pattengale and Les Miller (real estate analyst for Hobby Lobby Stores) helped us in the gifting process and both have made good friends in Northfield and have loved participating in the journey. I’d be very surprised if this isn’t a regular stop for some of us in the ensuing decades.”

UMass still has a lot of work to do on the offensive side of the football according to its coaching staff.

UMass coach Charley Molnar, has a few words with his quarterback Mike Wegzyn in the first quarter of Saturday's loss to Indiana. J. Anthony Roberts

AMHERST — After Saturday’s 45-6 loss to Indiana, University of Massachusetts quarterback Mike Wegzyn said the Minutemen’s offense was close to clicking.

That would have to depend on your definition of “close.”

Yes, UMass was significantly better than it was against UConn, but it only gained 59 yards against UConn, so being significantly better doesn’t necessarily mean “close” in the context that Wegzyn implied it.

Offensive Coordinator Mike Kruczek offered some perspective after Monday evening’s practice.

“There’s still major steps to be taken to get to where we want to get to against the kind of opponents that we have to play this year, next year, as we move on in I-A,” he said. “That may be his perception of what’s happening, but I think what he was saying is that improvement was made.”

Improvement was indeed made. UMass gained 264 yards as opposed to 59. The Minutemen had 14 first downs instead of three.

And of course, they got on the board, scoring on their second series after a 56-yard trick play set up a 16-yard Wegzyn scamper for the team’s first and only touchdown of the season.

But many of the problems that plagued the Minutemen on that Thursday night in East Hartford were still present on Saturday afternoon Foxborough. There were still six three-and-outs on 14 possessions. Three more of those possessions (not counting the scoring drive) had just one first down.

In an offense that relies on pace and rhythm, moving the chains is paramount.

“I think as our fans watch it, and I know they’re frustrated, I think they need to look at the consistency of moving the chains because that’s what this offense is,” Kruczek said. “I think progress will be made in their minds if they see us continue to make first downs, drive the football, which we haven’t done this season in the first two games — the only touchdown was on a big chunk play on that second series we had.”

Numbers aside, coach Charley Molnar said there was improvement based on what he saw on the film.

“I think after the first game I could have picked two, three, four guys on every play and said, absolutely can’t win with that performance on that play,” Molnar said. “Then, this game you’re kind of down to one or two.”

What it comes down to, by the account of both the coaches and players is youth. That’s not an excuse, as they’ll tell you, but rather a simple fact.

“When you have a 19-year-old freshman up front that’s 280 pounds up against someone close to 300 pounds that’s three years older, there’s a maturation strength that’s tough to match,” Kruczek said. “When you play the Big East, when you play the Big Ten, that’s what matters.”

Will it come with time? Wegzyn said he believes that UMass has the players in place. That he saw flashes of what the offense could become against Indana, and that with time they’ll be a consistent light instead of an inconsistent strobe.

“The longer you’re with a team, the more comfortable you get with each other, and the more you mesh,” Wegzyn said. “At that point, you’re just out there playing with your buddies instead of thinking about what you have to do, instead of thinking about your assignments.”

Whether that is achieved this season remains to be seen. What is unlikely in any realistic sense is that much of it will be visible this week, when the Minutemen travel to No. 17 Michigan.

“It may not show against Michigan because they’re just so good across the board, but now when we start getting into the Mid-American Conference, the talent level will be much more even — or relatively even — it’ll start to really show itself,” Molnar said.

Even Wegzyn, ever the optimist, was willing to back off a little bit when it came to UMass’ trip to Ann Arbor, where the Minutemen are the largest underdog of the 2012 season in games between two Football Bowl Subdivision teams at 45.5 points.

“If I was a fan, I’d see that we were the underdog,” Wegzyn said. “We might not blow Michigan’s top off and go off on them, but I have to believe that a lot of the people I’ve talked to, that a lot of the fans, that they still are pulling for us, they still believe in us.”

Those who still believe will have to show patience. The “clicking” that Wegzyn referred to in Saturday’s post-game press conference is further off than one week.

INJURY UPDATE

The Minutemen’s offensive line will get a boost this Saturday with the return of junior Anthony Dima, who started all 11 games in 2011. Dima had been previously out with a strained leg muscle.

Wide receiver Marken Michel, who was on the receiving end of Saturday’s biggest triumph — the 56-yard gadget play — did not practice Monday but is expected back Tuesday.

The news was worse for freshman running back Stacey Bedell, who had his left arm in a sling Monday and is out for an undisclosed period.

Quarterback Kellen Pagel, who has been sidelined indefinitely with post-concussion symptoms, was in full uniform Monday, but Molnar said that didn’t indicate that he was on his way back anytime soon.

The Bidwell House Museum is a New England heritage landmark that uses the history of its land, house and collections to reimagine, re-create, restore and research colonial and early American life in Western Massachusetts.

Photos by David DashielThe Bidwell House Museum in Monterey

MONTEREY—There really are 48 chairs at the two-story post-and-beam Georgian saltbox once home to a minister and now The Bidwell House Museum.

Actually, there might be one or two more chairs in the collection assembled from the 1784 death inventory of the Rev. Adonijah Bidwell.

Why so many chairs? A. Barbara Palmer, executive director of The Bidwell House Museum, speculates that the minister had “an unusual number of chairs for one family” because Sunday services sometimes took place in his home.

The Bidwell House Museum is a New England heritage landmark that uses the history of its land, house and collections to reimagine, re-create, restore and research colonial and early American life in Western Massachusetts.

It features 18th- and 19th-century furnishings, an heirloom vegetable garden, an early farm and garden tools exhibit, fields and forests, hiking trails and picnic tables.

Palmer especially likes the three miles of stonewalls that crisscross the 192-acre property.

Built in about 1750 for Bidwell, the first minister of Township No. 1, The Bidwell House was situated in a frontier region that became the towns of Monterey and Tyringham. The imposing residence has six large paneled rooms, four fireplaces, two beehive ovens and three closets.

“It’s one of the few houses from that era on its original site,” Palmer said. Visiting there is “an experience of traveling back to another century.”

The house has been restored authentically and filled with antiques. The museum was formed in 1990 at the bequests of Jack Hargis and David Brush who purchased the un-restored house in 1960 and spent 25 years returning it to its original appearance and filling it with museum-quality 18th-century furnishings that matched Bidwell’s death inventory.

Inside the Bidwell House.

To commemorate his 1752 marriage to his college sweetheart, first wife Theodosia Colton, Bidwell carved two hearts in the parlor door, a local tradition found in a number of 18th-century houses in Monterey.

Bidwell farmed the property from 1750 to 1784. His eldest son, Adonijah Bidwell Jr., developed the farm into a large and prosperous dairy farm, expanding the land holdings and building a compound of barns and outbuildings. Grandson John Devotion Bidwell continued to farm and added a tanning yard.

In 1853 the house and property were sold out of the family. It was used as a farm and later as a summer arts school.

During the May-October season, The Bidwell House Museum hosts programs such as concerts, lectures, workshops and demonstrations.

“It’s a very inviting property,” Palmer said, “a great get-away.”

If the move proves successful, the league would be forced to pay players on the Montreal Canadiens, Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers during a work stoppage.

AP File PhotoNHL commissioner Gary Bettman leaves after speaking to reporters after NHL labor talks in Toronto, Thursday, Aug. 23, 2012.

The NHL Players Association intends to challenge a lockout before labor boards in Quebec and Alberta, a move that if successful could force the league to pay players on the Montreal Canadiens, Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers during a work stoppage.

The sport’s labor contract expires at the end of Saturday and a lockout appears to be certain, which would be the league’s fourth work stoppage since 1992 and first since the 2004-05 season was wiped out.

Labor law in Canada is provincial, not national. The NHLPA is not recognized as a certified union in Quebec.

Murray won the first two sets, lost momentum in the third and fourth sets, but came back in explosive fashion in the final set to become the first British Grand Slam tennis champion since 1936.

APBritain's Andy Murray reacts after beating Serbia's Novak Djokovic in the championship match at the 2012 US Open tennis tournament, Monday, Sept. 10, 2012, in New York.

NEW YORK – His considerable lead, and a chance at history, slipping away, Andy Murray dug deep for stamina and mental strength, outlasting Novak Djokovic in a thrilling five-set U.S. Open final Monday.

It had been 76 years since a British man won a Grand Slam singles championship and, at least as far as Murray was concerned, it was well worth the wait.

Ending a nation’s long drought, and snapping his own four-final skid in majors, Murray finally pulled through with everything at stake on a Grand Slam stage, shrugging off defending champion Djokovic’s comeback bid to win 7-6 (10), 7-5, 2-6, 3-6, 6-2.

“Novak is so, so strong. He fights until the end in every single match,” Murray said. “I don’t know how I managed to come through in the end.”

Yes, Murray already showed he could come up big by winning the gold medal in front of a home crowd at the London Olympics last month. But this was different. This was a Grand Slam tournament, the standard universally used to measure tennis greatness – and the 287th since Britain’s Fred Perry won the 1936 U.S. Championships, as the event was known back then.

Murray vs. Djokovic was a test of will as much as skill, lasting 4 hours, 54 minutes, tying the record for longest U.S. Open final. The first-set tiebreaker’s 22 points set a tournament mark. They repeatedly produced fantastic, tales-in-themselves points, lasting 10, 20, 30, even 55 – yes, 55! – strokes, counting the serve. The crowd gave a standing ovation to salute one majestic, 30-stroke point in the fourth set that ended with Murray’s forehand winner as Djokovic fell to the court, slamming on his left side.

By the end, Djokovic – who had won eight consecutive five-set matches, including in the semifinals (against Murray) and final (against Rafael Nadal) at the Australian Open in January – was the one looking fragile, trying to catch breathers and doing deep knee bends at the baseline to stretch his aching groin muscles. After getting broken to trail 5-2 in the fifth, Djokovic had his legs massaged by a trainer.

“I really tried my best,” Serbia’s Djokovic said.

No one had blown a two-set lead in the U.S. Open title match since 1949, and Murray was determined not to claim that distinction.

When Djokovic sent a forehand long on the final point, Murray crouched and covered his mouth with both hands, as though even he could not believe this moment had actually arrived. The 25-year-old Scot removed his sneakers, grimacing with each step as he gingerly stepped across the court. Djokovic came around to offer congratulations and a warm embrace, while “Chariots of Fire” blared over the Arthur Ashe Stadium loudspeakers.

Murray was one of only two men in the professional era, which began in 1968, to have lost his first four Grand Slam finals – against Djokovic in the 2011 Australian Open, and against Roger Federer at the 2008 U.S. Open, 2010 Australian Open and 2012 Wimbledon.

The other guy who began 0-4? Ivan Lendl, who just so happens to be Murray’s coach nowadays. Murray’s forehand is one of the improvements he’s made under the tutelage of Lendl, who sat still for much of the match, eyeglasses perched atop his white baseball hat and crossed arms resting on his red sweater – in sum, betraying about as much emotion as he ever did during his playing days.

During the post-match ceremony, Murray joked about Lendl’s reaction: “I think that was almost a smile.”

The lack of a Grand Slam title for Murray, and for his country, has been the subject of much conversation and consternation in the United Kingdom, where the first of what would become tennis’ top titles was at awarded at Wimbledon in 1877.

Djokovic, in contrast, was bidding for his sixth major trophy, fifth in the past two seasons. He had won 27 Grand Slam hard-court matches in a row.

Murray and Djokovic were born a week apart in May 1987, and they’ve known, and competed against, each other since they were about 11. Before Saturday’s semifinals in New York, they shared a computer and sat together to watch online as Scotland and Serbia played to a 0-0 draw in a qualifying match for soccer’s World Cup.

It was windy at the start Monday, gusting above 25 mph, and Murray dealt with it much better. Djokovic admitted after his semifinal that he was bothered by heavy wind while falling behind 5-2 in the first set Saturday; that’s when play was suspended until the next day, the reason the tournament finished on a Monday instead of Sunday for the fifth consecutive year. Murray faced similar conditions in the semifinals, too – when a changeover chair skidded onto the court as he served one point – and joked after that victory that growing up in wind-whipped Scotland helped.

Murray had plenty of noteworthy fans in the stands Monday, including a pair of Scots who crashed his news conference after that semifinal: actor Sean Connery and Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson. The last British woman to win a Grand Slam singles title, 1977 Wimbledon champion Virginia Wade, also was present, chatting between games with actor Stanley Tucci.

With the air carrying balls and making them dip or dart this way and that, nearly every shot became a bit of an adventure. Both players repeatedly needed to adjust mid-swing, contorting their bodies simply to make contact. Both let service tosses fall to the ground because the ball would move out of hitting range. As the wind wrapped around the chair umpire’s microphone, it made a loud, distracting sound that resembled thunder.

They traded nearly mirror-image breaks in the first two games, and that made sense, given how good both are at returning serve. Two of the best in the game right now, maybe ever. Djokovic crouches low, his back nearly parallel to the ground, before an opponent serves. Murray shuffles his weight from leg to leg and hops forward at the last second to cut off angles.

Both worked hard, the physical nature taking a toll. Djokovic’s right knee was bloodied after he scraped it during a few tumbles to the court when he lost his footing, and he switched shoes late in the third set. Murray clutched his left thigh while deciding not to chase a lob.

There were 10 points of at least 10 strokes each in the first-set tiebreaker, which lasted 25 minutes. Djokovic saved each of Murray’s initial five set points, the last with a 123 mph ace to make it 10-all. But Djokovic’s backhand flew long at the end of a 21-shot exchange to cede set point No. 6, and this time Murray converted, hitting a 117 mph serve that Djokovic couldn’t put in the court.

Murray turned toward his guest box and bellowed, “Come on!”

That loss to Federer in this year’s Wimbledon final left Murray in tears, his voice cracking as he told the supportive Centre Court crowd, “I’m getting closer.” He appeared to be really, really close Monday, after seizing that epic first set and then racing to a 4-0 lead in the second.

But Djokovic is nothing if not tenacious, and he would not go quietly. Raising his level of play as Murray took a step or two backward, Djokovic broke for 4-1 and then again when Murray served for a two-set lead at 5-3. That’s when Murray made three unforced errors, truly showing some jitters, as though the prospect of such prosperity was a tad overwhelming.

When Djokovic held to 5-all, it seemed as though the second set might head to a tiebreaker, too.

But with Djokovic serving while trailing 6-5, he was the one who faltered. On a 31-stroke point, Djokovic missed a forehand to make it 15-30. Then Murray’s defensive skills came into play, as he got one overhead back and forced Djokovic to hit a second, which sailed wide. Chest heaving, Djokovic put his hands on his hips, having a hard time understanding what was happening. Two points later, Djokovic pushed an inside-out forehand wide, giving Murray that set. Even Lendl rose to his feet.

Djokovic, though, knows how to fashion a comeback. He’s won three times after facing a two-set hole, most recently in the French Open’s fourth round this year, and most notably in the U.S. Open’s semifinals against Federer last year.

After stretching for a backhand volley winner to hold at 1-1 in the third, Djokovic let out a guttural yell and pumped his fists. Across the net, Murray frowned and shook his head. In the very next game, as Murray kept up a monologue of self-admonishment, Djokovic kept up his better-late-than-never charge. He broke for a 2-1 lead, turning on a 126 mph serve with a terrific return. Soon enough, they were headed to a fourth set.

Djokovic held onto the momentum there. He secured a break point by tapping the ball over the net with the lightest caress, then took four steps, raised his right fist and yelled. There was more punching of the air and screaming seconds later after a volley winner put Djokovic ahead 1-0.

The sun was setting, the match was approaching 3½ hours, and it was apparent that Murray was now tentative and in some trouble.

Making a key tactical move, Djokovic pushed forward at nearly any opportunity, shortening points and grabbing easy volleys wherever he could. He ended up winning the point on 39 of 56 trips to the net; Murray was 16 of 24.

A critical moment came with Djokovic facing a break point that could have let Murray pull even in the fourth set. After Murray missed a forehand to make it deuce, chair umpire Jake Garner warned Djokovic about taking too much time between points. A discussion ensued, and after winning the next point with a service winner, Djokovic sent a “Take that!” stare in Garner’s direction. In the stands, Djokovic’s father stood up and glared at Garner. Djokovic held to go ahead 3-1 and eventually forced the fifth set.

Murray nosed ahead quickly, breaking for a 1-0 lead when his shot ticked off the net tape, throwing off Djokovic, who missed a backhand then smiled a wry smile of disbelief, shaking his head. Murray walked to the changeover chomping on a white towel.

It was a 2-0 lead for Murray soon thereafter, as he pounded a 131 mph service winner and then used some terrific defense to stretch a point until Djokovic missed again. Murray screamed and pumped his arms, and the spectators, sending something special, responded with a roar.

Murray broke again to go ahead 3-0 and was on his way.

The City Council will meet in regular session Sept. 20 and may consider the vacancy then.

Richard Onofrey

WESTFIELD – The City Council abruptly adjourned Monday night before accepting the resignation of Ward 2 Councilor James E. Brown Jr. or deciding how and when the vacancy will be filled.

Adjournment came at the request of Ward 5 Councilor Richard E. Onofrey Jr. as City Clerk Karen M. Fanion was preparing to submit Brown’s resignation, that was effective Sept. 1, for consideration.

Mary L. O'Connell

The surprise action brought a charge from Ward 4 Councilor Mary L. O’Connell that “Ward 2 is being denied representation. There is a resident who is duly and legally ready to represent the Ward.”

But, Onofrey said he still has questions that need answers before he will be ready to act on filling the vacancy.

The resident O’Connell was referring to is Brian S. Winters, 28, of 34 Cross St. who received a single write-in vote on last November’s municipal election ballot in the Ward 2 contest.

James Brown

Brown ran unopposed but Winters and his wife Erin Winters each received one write-in vote on the election ballot. Erin has declined interest in the seat but Winters told Fanion that he wants to fill the vacancy.

Assistant City Solicitor Shanna R. Reed, on request of Council president Christopher Keefe, issued an opinion following Brown’s announced resignation, that based on the City Charter, the vacancy must be filled by the appointment of a defeated candidate from the last municipal election.

“I have questions concerning the definition of candidate,” Onofrey said Monday night. “I have asked for the Law Department to define candidate and I have asked the Law Department to check with the Secretary of State. My opinion is that a person who receives a single write-in vote is not a candidate for office.”

There are other candidates interested in filling the vacancy according to council members. Former School Committee member Jeffrey L. Gosselin made his intentions public at the council’s Aug. 30 special meeting. Others include former City Councilor Lynn F. Boscher, Ralph Figy and Jeremy J. Beltrandi, all residents of Ward 2.

Winters was in attendance at Monday’s council meeting, held because its Sept. 6 regular meeting conflicted with the state primary election.

He and Erin are among 25 plaintiffs in a suit filed against the city, Mayor Daniel M. Knapik and the City Council in an effort to block construction of a $36 million elementary school at Ashley and Cross streets. Plaintiffs contend that the Cross Street property, formerly a municipal ball field, is projected under the state’s Article 97 open space law.

Brian Winters told a reporter before the start of Monday’s meeting that he plans to withdraw his name as a plaintiff. The reason, he said, “is personal.”

Brown announced late last month that he would resign his council seat because of employment commitments.

As of Monday, 10 communities were considered of critical risk, and another 12 are at high risk. Running from north to south, the communities form a solid line from the Vermont border to very near the Connecticut border.

SPRINGFIELD - With the number of communities rated with elevated threats for Eastern Equine Escephalatis and West Nile Virus growing daily, much of the Pioneer Valley rates a threat level of at least 'high' and in some cases 'critical.'

As of Monday, 10 communities were considered of critical risk, and another 12 are at high risk. Running from north to south, the communities form a solid line from the Vermont border to very near the Connecticut border.

The entire state of Massachusetts has been declared to be of at moderate risk by the state Department of Public Health.

DPH on Monday elevated the threat level in several towns in Franklin and Worcester counties after it was learned an young girl has been hospitalized after being diagnosed with EEE.

Several communities in Hampshire and Hampden counties had already had their risk levels elevated after cases of West Nile Virus or EEE were discovered. The school systems in Chicopee, Belchertown and Ware have announced all outdoor activities scheduled for dusk or later - the time when mosquito activity is at its highest - will be either cancelled or rescheduled.

View EEE/West Nile Virus threat levels in a larger map

The number comes on top of the $700 million construction cost.

View full sizeAssociated Press | Mark LennihanOne World Trade Center, center, rises above the National Sept. 11 Memorial and Museum at the World Trade Center, Thursday. Tuesday will mark the eleventh anniversary of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

By JENNIFER PELTZ

NEW YORK – A debate over balancing the need to honor the memory of Sept. 11 with the enormous costs of running a memorial and museum at ground zero has been reawakened on the eve of the attacks’ 11th anniversary, as officials faced questions Monday over the project’s expected $60 million-a-year operating budget.

The number comes on top of the $700 million construction cost of the National Sept. 11 Memorial and Museum. A report Sunday by The Associated Press noted that $12 million a year would be spent on security, more than the entire operating budgets of Gettysburg National Military Park and the monument that includes the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who leads the nonprofit foundation’s board, on Monday called the Sept. 11 memorial’s operating cost a necessity for security and other costs unique to hosting millions of visitors a year on the reborn site of two terror attacks, in 1993 and 2001.

Some congressional Democrats underscored their efforts to help get federal money to cover some of the operating cost, while a Republican senator reiterated his opposition. Even some victims’ family members are divided over whether the annual price tag represents the price of paying tribute to the nearly 3,000 lives lost or the cost of unnecessary grandeur.

At ground zero, several visitors Monday to the memorial plaza were surprised – but not put off – by the $60 million-a-year figure.

“Really?” said Pat Lee, 57, a Walmart manager from Atlanta. But, she said, “I don’t think the money is too much. Because it’s important to keep alive the memory of what happened.”

The centerpiece of the rebuilt World Trade Center site, the memorial includes both a serene, solemn memorial plaza, where waterfalls fill the fallen towers’ footprints, and a mostly underground museum that is to house such artifacts as the staircase workers used to escape the attacks.

The plaza opened last year and has drawn 4.5 million visitors so far. The museum was to have been finished by Tuesday, but progress has stopped amid a construction-costs fight between the memorial foundation and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the agency that owns the trade center site. The Port Authority has claimed the Sept. 11 memorial foundation owed it $300 million for infrastructure and revised project costs; the foundation has argued it’s owed money because of project delays.

The parties involved in the dispute said Monday they had reached an agreement that paved the way for completion of the museum.

Even so, it remains unclear how the foundation will cover the costs of running the museum, once it does open.

So far, the foundation has been able to rely on corporate and individual donations and selling memorabilia. The annual expense was about $27.8 million last year, including four months of operating the memorial plaza, according to recently audited financial statements.

But the expense is projected to jump to $60 million after the museum opens. The foundation plans to spend around $12 million a year on private security; operating the waterfalls costs another $4.5 million to $5 million annually, the foundation says.

Foundation officials haven’t responded to requests for information about other costs at the site.

“Nobody is taking the money and building a hunting lodge for the trustees or having caviar and Champagne every night,” Bloomberg said when asked about the operating expenses after an unrelated news conference. “It’s a lot of money, but it costs that. Do you want a real budget, or do you want us to lie?”

He said the costs could be covered by donations, by admission tickets to the museum – the price has not been set, but the memorial president has suggested it could be up to $20 – and from federal aid. A proposal for up to $20 million a year in federal money has, so far, hit roadblocks.

Senate sponsors Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii, and New York Democrats Kirsten Gillibrand and Charles Schumer said through their offices Monday that they continued to press for the money.

“This is hallowed ground, and it deserves to be treated like other national monuments,” Schumer said in an emailed statement.

Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., has been blocking the measure. And he’s not relenting, spokesman John Hart said Monday.

“He believes it is wrong to pay for this by borrowing $200 million from future generations and foreign governments when the federal government is rife with waste and duplication,” Hart said.

The Sept. 11 memorial would be more costly to run than some of the other places where the nation remembers its dead – Arlington National Cemetery, which receives 4 million visitors a year, costs $45 million annually, and Gettysburg National Military Park $8.4 million.

But the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum has an $81.2 million budget for this year, about $51 million of it expected in federal money and the rest from private donations and investment income. It has averaged about 1.8 million visitors annually over its 19 years.

The memorial to the victims of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing derives its $3.3 million operating budget entirely from museum revenues, private fundraising and endowment earnings.

“We run ours with a very lean staff because that’s how we can sustain our memorial and museum,” said Kari Watkins, executive director of the Oklahoma City National Memorial.

The Sept. 11 museum has “a different philosophy and approach,” Watkins said, noting that she wasn’t critical of it.

Some Sept. 11 victims’ family members are, however. To Jim Riches, a retired fire chief who lost his firefighter son at the trade center, the memorial and museum’s projected operating expenses reflect an overblown project that he feels is more tourist attraction than tribute.

“We just want a simple memorial. They want to make this the Metropolitan Museum,” he said Monday.

But other victims’ relatives see it as the understandable cost of honoring their loved ones in the ambitious spirit that surrounded the rebuilding in its early days.

“For me, as a family member, yes, it’s a big number, but you know what? It was the worst attack in our country’s history. It reflects well what we as a nation will do, and can do. And I’m OK with it,” said Lee Ielpi, also a retired firefighter whose firefighter son died in the attacks. Ielpi is on the memorial foundation’s board and runs a visitors’ center financed by a separate nonprofit group.

Associated Press writers David B. Caruso, Verena Dobnik, and Karen Matthews contributed to this report from New York. David Porter contributed from Newark, N.J. Andrew Miga contributed from Washington.

The plan is to have the new leader ready to step in when Superintendent David Dupont retires in June.

HOLYOKE – The School Committee voted Monday to hire a consultant to search for a new superintendent officials hope will be in place when the current school year ends in June.

That’s the date of retirement of Superintendent David L. Dupont, who is in his third year leading the system and 40th working for it.

The committee voted 7-2 Monday to hire the Massachusetts Association of School Committees, of Boston.

The committee considered six consultants on a list compiled at the committee’s request by Vice Chairman Devin M. Sheehan. At least $20,000 is available in the budget for the search, he said.

Mayor Alex B. Morse, chairman of the School Committee, made the motion to hire the Massachusetts Association of School Committees. The firm has worked here before so knows the system, is less than two hours away making it more accessible than some of the national firms and the price is reasonable, he said.

Hiring the Massachusetts Association of School Committees will cost at least $10,500. It will cost more for advertising, which can include $1,800 to $2,000 per ad in a publication like Education Week, according to information about the firm Sheehan provided.

The school system also might have to reimburse superintendent candidates for travel and lodging expenses, officials said.

A representative of the firm is scheduled to discuss the superintendent search with the School Committee Monday.

Officials have said that having nine months until the school year ends might seem like a lot of time. But searching for and screening candidates and selecting finalists can eat up months. And it is possible officials and the community will be unsatisfied with the candidates and a new search might be ordered, they said.

“I think it’s important in terms of timing to get the process going,” Morse said.

The salary range to be offered to superintendent applicants wasn’t discussed. Dupont’s yearly salary is $144,000.

Parents at the committee meeting at Dean Technical High School said later they were upset they were uninvolved in choosing a consultant.

“We’re supposed to be working together,” said Hazel Rosario, who has triplets at Dean.

School Committee members Michael J. Moriarty and Joshua A. Goshua assured the parents, gathered in the hall outside the meeting room, that parents and others in the community will have a say in the superintendent search.

In previous searches, a committee of 15 or so parents, business people, teachers and others was formed to screen superintendent applicants, Moriarty said.

“Why do you think you’re not going to be part of that?” said Moriarty, an at large committee member.

Garcia, who represents Ward 1, said there might have been confusion over the meeting’s start time. Most meetings begin at 6:15 p.m. But Monday’s was a special session to deal only with the superintendent search that began at 6 p.m. No one spoke during the public discussion part of the agenda that occurs after the Pledge of Allegiance, he said.

Other consultants the committee discussed were the New England School Development Council, of Marlborough, McPherson & Jacobson L.LC., of Omaha, Neb., Proact Search, of Wilmette, Ill., Ray and Associates Inc., of Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Manahawkin, N.J., and The Management Solution, of Auburn, which lists former Holyoke treasurer David B. Donoghue as senior finance consultant.

The $250,000 grand prize was won by Truehart's partner Nick Peterson of Tampa.

ABC photoRachel Truehart, 27, of Southampton, was a contestant on ABC's "The Bachelor" and "Bachelor Pad."

Southampton native Rachel Truehart did not find true love or win the $250,000 grand prize Monday night on the season 3 finale of ABC's "Bachelor Pad."

Truehart and partner Nick Peterson of Tampa handily defeated Chris Bukowski of Chicago and Sarah Newlon of St. Louis in the two-hour finale. A jury comprised of former contestants decided to award the $250,000 to the couple. In secret balloting, Truehart voted to split the prize with Peterson, but he voted to keep it for himself and was awarded the entire prize.

"You're a schmuck," an upset Truehart told Peterson after his vote was revealed

Peterson retorted, "I'm a schmuck with $250,000."

Truehart said the two had decided before the vote to split the grand prize, but Peterson apparently double-crossed her. "You're pathetic," she told him as he made his way out of the studio.

It was a dramatic and often rough night for the 27-year-old Truehart. She had formed a relationship earlier in the season with fellow contestant Michael Stagliano of Sherman Oaks, Calif. However, it was revealed in the finale that Stagliano has reunited with an old flame and Truehart was left out in the cold.

"Once I got off (the show) I realized I was not falling in love," Stagliano told Truehart.

A teary Truehart expressed feelings of confusion and betrayal over Stagliano's actions. She cut him off during further explanations saying his words were not making it any easier.

"Bachelor Pad" kicked off its third season on July 23 with 15 contestants from "The Bachelor" and "The Bachelorette" and several "super fans." After several weeks of challenges and eliminations, former contestants formed a jury and decided which of the two duos would get the $250,000 cash prize. It was then up to Truehart and Peterson whether to share the prize or attempt to take it all. Had both voted to keep the prize rather than share it, the money would have been split among the pool of former contestants.

Truehart, a 2002 Hampshire Regional High School graduate, failed to find the man of her dreams on "The Bachelor" earlier this year. An executive assistant, Truehart holds a bachelor's degree in marketing and psychology from Roger Williams University in Rhode Island.

The company that will get the construction contract is Western Builders Inc., based in Granby.

An artist's rendering of the proposed new library in Granby.

GRANBY - Thunderous applause rang out to the rafters when Granby voters approved the final $350,000 needed to finance a new $4.6 million library, at a special Town Meeting in the high school gym Monday night.

Library supporters were nervous at the start. After all, the shortfall had come as a shock. The town had approved a request for $861,304 just last October, and library supporters were sure it was all they needed.

They had also gotten professional estimates in January and May to confirm their position, said Virginia Snopek, president of Library Trustees.

Then the actual bids came in, and the bomb fell. The lowest bid for construction was $3,733,500. That was $350,000 more than the town expected.

“Surprised? We were astonished! Flabbergasted!” John Libera, chairman of the Finance Committee, told the crowd, and then went on to recommend approval of the $350,000 request in the strongest terms. The money will come out of the town’s municipal buildings stabilization fund, and will not affect taxes.

Libera told voters that because of a recent flood of government stimulus grants for construction projects, construction companies are less eager to take on “small” projects like the new library.

He reminded them that the design of the building was minimal, with nothing more to cut out. The construction cost doesn’t include furniture, which is being donated. It doesn’t include landscaping or paving.

He warned that if the town sent out for bids again, they would doubtless come in higher.

A few voters rose to question the need for a costly library.

But supporters came back full force. Pamela Desjardins stood up to remind people that they had turned down a substantial grant to build a new high school because they didn’t want to pay their share.

Now they had a $2,603,663 grant from the Massachusetts Public Library Construction program, and they would lose it if they didn’t provide the rest.

“I pray to God we don’t give up on this one,” she said. “It’s time we stopped crying ‘poor’ and time we start moving forward. We need to do something for out children, and this is a starting place.”

“It’s a heck of an economic deal for the town,” said Joseph Furnia. “We gotta do this.”

The motion required a two-thirds vote. The 168 “yes” votes were so overwhelming that the moderator did not have to count the “no” votes.

Part of the affirmation was no doubt due to awareness of the tireless leadership of Snopek in the fund-raising effort. Even now the Trustees president promised the assembly that the trustees will continue to seek donations and hold fund-raising activities.

“It isn’t about me,” Snopek said afterwards of her victory. “It’s about all of us.”

The company that will get the construction contract is Western Builders Inc., based in Granby.

A new poll by the Republican-leaning Kimball Political Consulting found Brown leading Warren among likely Massachusetts voters, 46 percent to 45 percent.

The Associated PressThese 2012 file photos show incumbent U.S. Sen. Scott Brown, R-Mass., left, and Democratic challenger Elizabeth Warren, in Boston. (AP File Photos)

A new poll finds Republican U.S. Sen. Scott Brown and Democrat Elizabeth Warren in a dead heat, with the race tightening over the last two weeks.

A poll released Monday by the Republican-leaning Kimball Political Consulting found Brown leading Warren among likely Massachusetts voters, 46 percent to 45 percent, within the 3.5 percent margin of error. That is closer than in the last Kimball poll, released Aug. 24, which showed Brown leading Warren by six points.

Since the earlier poll, both the Democrats and the Republicans have had their conventions. Warren had a prominent speaking role at the Democratic National Convention, while Brown attended the Republican convention for only one day and did not speak.

Brown had been down by four points in Western Massachusetts in August, and is now up by seven points. However, his lead decreased in the North Shore and South Shore.

In the presidential race, the poll found Democratic President Barack Obama up by 16 points over Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney in Massachusetts. In August, Obama led by 11 points.

In Western Massachusetts, 51 percent of voters supported Obama and 41 percent supported Romney. Those numbers were similar in every region except Metro Boston, where Obama led by 40 points, 68 percent to 28 percent.

The imbalance between the two races illustrates that Brown continues to benefit from voters who plan to split their ticket. The poll found that 15 percent of Brown supporters planned to also vote for Obama, while only 3 percent of Warren supporters planned to cross party lines to support Romney. Brown continues to get support from independents – holding a lead of 54 percent to 36 percent.

The poll of 756 likely Massachusetts voters was conducted Sept.7-9.

» Detailed analysis of Kimball poll [pdf].

Letter writer: People will complain about what is going on in Boston, Washington, or here in their own city, but they don’t seem to care who is representing them.

Charlie Ryan betrays party by backing Brown

The Republican | Mark M. MurrayU.S. Sen. Scott P. Brown, left, shakes hands with former Springfield Mayor Charles V. Ryan after Ryan endorsed him during a press conference at Gus & Pauls' Bakery and Deli on Sumner Aveue in Springfield last week.

Re: my old friend Charlie Ryan’s misguided endorsement of Sen. Scott Brown (Republican Sept. 7): Brown may be a nice guy, and he does indeed on occasion cross party lines with his votes.

But did “proud John F. Kennedy Democrat” Ryan stop to consider that in a closely divided Senate it could be Scott Brown’s organizational vote that would make Mitch McConnell the Senate majority leader? Yes, the same Mitch McConnell who proudly proclaimed that his party’s number-one priority was making Barack Obama a one-term president.

As for Charlie’s assertion that today “too many people are asking what my country can do for me,” he could indeed have come to that conclusion from watching the Republican National Convention in Tampa. Next thing we know, Charlie may be trying to tell us Mitt Romney was a good governor.

– DURHAM CALDWELL, Springfield

Hampshire College does the right thing

The Republican’s recent editorial “Illegal immigrants deserve helping hand” underscores much that is true about our country. We often vacillate between our highest ideals, “give me your tired” and the mean-spirited xenophobia that creates obstacles for those who come, at great risk, to find a way to lift their families out of poverty by doing jobs that go unfilled by Americans.

In the book of Exodus, the God of the Hebrews reminds them that they were once exploited in the land of Egypt and that they must not exploit the aliens among them.

The majority of us are the descendants of immigrants, often seen as aliens, who came to this land of opportunity seeking the very same thing – a decent job, dignity and respect.

Hampshire College is to be commended for recognizing that offering the opportunity for a college education is a pathway out of the shadows into a productive and fulfilling life; and The Republican is to be commended for highlighting Hampshire’s gesture and encouraging other institutions of higher learning to do the same.

– DENISE GRANGER, SSJ, Justice and Peace Committee, Sisters of St. Joseph, Springfield

Poor voter turnout a troubling trend

When one looks at the results of the primary election Thursday, it is a shame the amount of people who take the time to vote is so small.

When only 300 people vote in a ward that has 1,400 people, shouldn’t we be ashamed?

Then one has to look at the other facts. The amount of votes Michael Kane as former state representative received. His name was on the ballot, but he isn’t even running. Does anyone know what is going on anymore?

People will complain about what is going on in Boston, Washington, or here in their own city, but they don’t seem to care who is representing them.

It takes a lot of time and money to run for office. To have such a small turnout is a shame. I thought as I got older, things would get better. I guess not.

– ANN LeBLANC, Holyoke

Settling with Jones sends bad message

I noticed that habitual offender Melvin Jones has been awarded $575,000 from the City of Springfield to settle the Jeffrey Asher matter.

I had math at University of New Hampshire, but it was over 30 years ago, yet some simple analysis tells me we have a career, decorated 17-year Springfield Police Officer sitting in the Hampshire County House of Correction after being found guilty of assaulting Jones for trying to defend himself and three fellow officers in the line of duty. For this act, Asher is denied his liberty for 18 months, and has lost his lifelong pension.

What is wrong with this picture? Jones, who has been arrested no less than two more times since the Asher event will be rewarded handsomely, and the career public servant is vilified, and humiliated.

What message are we sending to Springfield’s children, and to his remaining colleagues in blue? Stop the world, I want to get off.

– STEPHEN R. ETKIN, Ludlow

Kevin Garnett, making a Chinese tour for the shoe company Anta, recently told a Chinese website that he plans to retire as a Boston Celtic.

These were the most read stories on MassLive.com yesterday. If you missed any of them, click on the links below to read them now. The most viewed photo gallery was the Associated Press' pictures of New York Fashion Week 2012, at right.

1) Stevan Ridley flying high, Wes Welker in the doghouse following Patriots win over Titans [Nick Underhill]

2) Massachusetts State Police: Evidence indicates wrong-way driver in MassPike head-on crash made U-turn; medical condition possibly a factor [The Republican Newsroom]

3) Kevin Garnett says when he retires, it will be with Boston Celtics [Jay King]

4) Massachusetts law enforcement agencies issue lookout for 'Bearded Bandit' wanted for series of bank robberies [Patrick Johnson]

5) Rachel Truehart of Southampton loses in 'Bachelor Pad' finale in a night of betrayal [Ray Kelly]

6) PM News Links: Marine headed to Westover was victim in Mass. Pike crash, Olympian Aly Raisman injured in weekend accident and more [Dwight Shepard]

The casino selection process, unveiled by the mayor on Aug. 27, calls for the city to determine in December which casino company or companies have the right to negotiate an agreement with the city.

Photo by Michael Beswick/The RepublicanSpringfield City Council

SPRINGFIELD – The City Council Monday night delayed a vote on whether any casino deal should be approved by a citywide ballot vote, rather than a ward vote for any selected site.

At the suggestion of Councilor Timothy Allen, councilors sent a proposal for a citywide referendum to a subcommittee for review and a possible public hearing.

Allen initially sponsored the citywide vote on the council agenda, but agreed to withdraw it after speaking with other councilors.

Allen said deciding whether to hold a citywide or ward vote is the council’s responsibility and resolving the issue soon would help casino developers “know what they’re dealing with.”

But other councilors had expressed support for referring to matter to subcommittee, where a public hearing could be held to gauge opinion. Allen said.

City Council President James Ferrera III said he supports the citywide vote, but understood why councilors wanted additional time.

Mayor Domenic J. Sarno has urged the council to approve the citywide vote, rather than the ward ballot currently called for in casino legislation.

Four developers have expressed interest in building a casino in Springfield - Ameristar Casinos of Las Vegas announced plans for project off Interstate 291 and Page Boulevard; MGM unveiled an $800 million proposal in the South End; Penn National Gaming is developing casino proposal in the North End, on land including properties of The Republican and the Peter Pan Buslines.

Seminole Hard Rock Entertainment is also eying Springfield for a casino after the company ran into opposition from Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse for an earlier plan in Holyoke.

The casino selection process, unveiled by the mayor on Aug. 27, calls for the city to determine in December which casino company or companies have the right to negotiate an agreement with the city.

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission plans to meet with city officials Tuesday to discuss the city’s selection process and air criticism over a possible conflict for the city’s casino consultant.

The five-member commission’s meeting is scheduled at 1 p.m. at Scibelli Hall at Springfield Technical Community College.

Commission members raised concerns last week that the city’s consultant might have a conflict of interest.

Stephen P. Crosby, the chairman of the commission, questioned if Springfield made the right decision in hiring the Chicago law firm of Shefsky & Froelich as a consultant.

The law firm is a registered lobbyist in Illinois for MGM Resorts and Penn National Gaming, two of the casino companies seeking to build in Springfield, raising doubts about its objectivity in advising Springfield.

How do you have captains practices without captains? Just ask the UMass hockey team.

J. Anthony RobertsKevin Czepiel, pictured here against Quinnipiac last season, is stepping up as a leader for the Minutemen during the preseason.

AMHERST — Although the University of Massachusetts hockey team won’t skate with first-year coach John Micheletto for the first time until Saturday, the team has been on the ice plenty over the past couple of weeks.

Two to three times a week, the Minutemen have taken the ice without any coaches, for what are traditionally known as Captain’s Practices.

Except the Minutemen don’t have any captains yet.

Instead, the job of leadership has fallen by default on seniors like Kevin Czepiel and Rocco Carzo.

“It’s not in place, there’s no captains or assistants, no one has a letter or anything like that — but there’s a couple older guys like Kevin and Rocco and a couple guys that really stand out as leaders without really being told that they’re captains,” junior defenseman Connor Allen said.

To a certain extent, a more open leadership has helped the team over the past few weeks, according to Czepiel.

“It makes everyone accountable instead of having to lean on one or two or three guys, we have 30 guys in that locker room who have to be responsible for what we do on a daily basis,” he said.

Czepiel said that this isn’t the first time in his career the Minutemen have entered preseason training without set leaders — two seasons ago they found themselves in a similar spot before Paul Dainton stepped up and took the reins.

But with a new coach in place, things feel different.

“Nothing is really the same at all,” Czepiel said. “We have a new coach, and we haven’t experienced that, so it’s a whole new experience for everybody.”

The players haven’t been told when or how captains will be decided upon.

The team will have a little less than a month to get everything figured out, with the opener against UConn looming on Oct. 12.

For the players though, concentrating on what happens on the ice will be a welcome change from the focus that’s been squarely on the coaching situation over the summer.

“So much happened this summer, so much change, that it’s all been talk, now we’re just ready to get in the locker room with the coaches and learn all the new things,” Allen said. “I can’t wait to start playing games, and I think that goes for all the guys in the room. We need practice, but I just want to get going.”

The YouthBuild program targets inner-city young adults struggling with unemployment, lack of job skills and other challenges.

Mary Reardon Johnson

Mary Reardon Johnson

SPRINGFIELD – The YWCA of Western Massachusetts expects that a new, three-year $1.1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor will help the organization double the size of its YouthBuild program that focuses on providing education, employment skills and leadership skills for at-risk young adults in Springfield.

The grant was formally announced Thursday at the YWCA at 1 Clough St., and follows two years of unsuccessful applications for the federal grant aid, said Mary Reardon Johnson, YWCA executive director.

The YWCA YouthBuild Springfield program is a 12-month job-training program that targets inner-city, high school dropouts, ages 18-24, who are unemployed, unskilled, and might have various other challenges in their lives such as struggling with substance abuse or as young parents, Johnson said.

“YouthBuild is an opportunity for them to start again,” Johnson said. “To start again in a caring but demanding environment.”

With the grant assistance, spread over three years, the YWCA expects to increase from about 30 participants to almost 60 participants and also increase program staff, Johnson said. Applications are now available at the YWCA, for the next one-year program expected to begin in November.

YouthBuild is designed as a comprehensive and transformational program that provides both on-site construction work experience and GED academic and job skills training and job placement, primarily in construction, Johnson said.

“As one young woman said to us, she likes to drive by the house and be able to say to people, ‘I built that,’” Johnson said.

YouthBuild in a national model, “but we have a Springfield flavor,” Johnson said.

The YWCA, in reviewing applicants for the YouthBuild program, strive to ensure that at least 51 percent of the participants are young women in keeping with its mission to provide services and tools for self-sufficiency to women and girls, Johnson said. Nationwide, the bulk of YouthBuild participants are young men, she said.

Mayor Domenic J. Sarno and state Sen. James Welch, D-West Springfield, praised the YouthBuild program in Springfield and the federal grant assistance.

The program, with an annual budget of more than $800,000, has received financial support from various sources including the Hampden County Regional Employment Board, the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, the city of Springfield through its Community Development Block Grant and Shannon Grant programs, Holyoke Community College, YouthBuild USA, Americorp, the Community United Way of Pioneer Valley, and the YWCA. In addition, YWCA YouthBuild has partnered with other local organizations.

Over the past 14 years, the YWCA YouthBuild program has served over 500 Springfield participants, Johnson said.

The Department of Labor awarded $75.7 million in YouthBuild grants nationwide, according to a press release.