State Representative Rosemary Sandlin
29
Southwick Street Feeding Hills, MA 01030
413-786-7600
State
House,
Room 134 Boston, MA 02133
617-722-2400
December 2008 Newsletter
Sandlin Wins Re-election
It's official! The votes have been tallied and the people have re-elected Rosemary Sandlin to be the Representative of the 3 rd Hampden district! She will take the oath of office for her second term on Wednesday, January 7, 2009 at a ceremony at the State House. Representative Sandlin prevailed over a challenger in the November general election. Representative Sandlin ran on a strong record of commitment to serving the people of her district, a record she plans to extend into her second term as she continues to work in the State House on behalf of all the residents of Agawam, Southwick, Russell, and Granville. Representative Sandlin, who is on the Joint Committee on Education, as well as the Joint Committees on Tourism and Transportation, has pledged to focus on the economy, veterans' services, and expanding health care in her second term as a State Representative, saying: “Everyone's first priority should be fixing our economy, not just at the national and state levels but at the local levels as well. We must also ensure that our veterans are treated with all of the respect and dignity that their sacrifices deserve. We must prevent conditions for veterans from getting so bad that they wind up homeless and alone. I also see the importance of expanding current health care reform policies so that health care can be affordable for all.” If you want to get in touch with Representative Sandlin and let her know what issues concern you most in this upcoming legislative session, please call 413-786-7600 or email her at mailto:rosemarysandlin@aol.com.
During this holiday season Representative Sandlin has donated to several local organizations instead of spending money on holiday cards and postage stamps. She encourages her constituents to do the same, especially this year as many families are facing difficult economic times. The three organizations she encourages you to consider are the Valley Opportunity Council which provides fuel assistance for residents of Agawam, Southwick, Granville and Russell; the Southwick Family Coalition's Food Pantry; and the Agawam Fuel Assistance Program. You can donate in your family's name or donate anonymously. The Valley Opportunity Council provides fuel assistance for income-eligible families. You can indicate on your check the town you would like to assist. All donations are greatly appreciated. The Southwick Family Coalition administers funds for the local food bank for South- wick and Granville residents and always appreciates contributions, especially gift cards in any denomination from the Big Y. The Agawam Fuel Assistance Program provides one-time-only emergency assistance to local residents.
If you would like to donate to a local charitable organization this year, please consider the following programs that serve people from our community.
Valley Opportunity Council
Fuel
Assistance Program
300 High Street
Holyoke, MA 01041
The Southwick Food Pantry
220 College
Highway
Southwick, MA 01077
Agawam Fuel Assistance Program
Agawam Town Hall
36 Main Street
Agawam, MA 01001
THANK YOU!
Snow and ice are proving dangerous and costly this winter. If you have damage to your home, take photos or videos of the damage. Make the necessary repairs to prevent further damage to your property (for example, cover broken windows, leaking roofs, damaged walls, etc.) but do not make permanent repairs until your insurance company has inspected the damage and you have reached an agreement on the cost of repairs. Save all your receipts for expenses incurred for temporary repairs. Most standard insurance policies cover damage caused by wind, wind-driven rain, damage to your home from trees or other falling objects, and collapses of a structure due to weight of ice or snow. Frozen pipes as the result of extreme cold weather may or may not be covered depending on the circumstances.
Veterans Service Agent Richard Girard with Representative
Rosemary Sandlin
If you would like to talk to our Veteran Service Agent, contact Richard Girard at the Agawam Town Hall, 413-786-0400 x 237.
My Health Care Options http://www.mass.gov/myhealthcareoptions
Health Care Quality & Cost Council
2 Boylston Street, 5th Floor
Boston, MA 02116
Tel:
617-988-3360
Fax: 617-727-7662
Massachusetts Health Care Quality and Cost Council's New Consumer-oriented website
A new website has been launched by the Health Care Quality and Cost Council (HCQCC) to help MA residents “shop smarter” in regard to the quality and cost of health care!
The council was established in 2006 as part of the MA HealthCare reform law, intended to establish state-wide goals for improving health care quality and containing health care costs. The council was also created to design and maintain a consumer-oriented website. The website allows MA residents to compare hospitals in terms of treatment, cost, and other criteria that will allow consumers to choose the best care for the lowest cost. The site allows for searches specific to location, health care provider, and even specific medical procedure.
If you have any questions about the site, or any questions in general about health care in the Commonwealth, the Council's staff would be glad to assist you! Please visit the new website.
Commonwealth Covenant Fund (CCF)
A new loan forgiveness program for some graduates of our institutions of higher education has recently been announced by State Treasurer Tim Cahill. Graduates with degrees in science, technology, engineering or math (STEM) who stay in Massachusetts to work or teach in the STEM field after graduation may be eligible. The program is part of an effort to build a highly-skilled work force in the Commonwealth. For more information, please visit the website http://www.mass.gov/covenantfund
Dave Del Tatto Interns in Representative Sandlin's
Office at 27 Southwick Street, Feeding Hills.
of Agawam was elected to serve as one of twelve Electors in the Electoral College of Massachusetts. On December 15 th at a ceremony in the Massachusetts House of Representatives chamber, electors were sworn in by Governor Deval Patrick. Springfield Democrat and former State Representative Raymond Jordan was elected president. Secretary of State William Galvin presided over the election. "The burden of fulfilling that hope is not merely on President Obama and Vice President Biden. It rests with all of us. Over the next several months and years, let us tackle our problems according to the watch words of this historic campaign: hope, change and the future," Galvin said. Corinne cast her historic vote for Barack Obama for President of the United States and Joseph Biden for Vice President. Representative Sandlin celebrated the event and said she was proud that her good friend was able to participate in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to serve as a member of the Electoral College.
The Gas Tax Proposal and Paying off the Big Dig
Several proposals are being considered to pay the MassPike's debt for
the construction of the “Big Dig.” Some suggestions are to
raise the tolls on the Ted Williams and Sumner Tunnels, raise the tolls of
the eastern exits on the MassPike, construct toll booths at the highways
that enter Massachusetts from the north and south – possibly Routes 
91 and 93 from the north and Route 95 from the South.
Another solution would be to raise the gas tax. Rep. Sandlin is not
in favor of this solution and believes certain state agencies should be
operated more efficiently before any further consideration is given to
raising the gas tax. The operations of the Massachusetts Turnpike
Authority (MassPike), the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA) and
the Massachusetts Port Authority (MassPort) should be reviewed for
cost-saving measures before any increase in the gas tax should be
considered. Representative Sandlin said, “People in the western part
of the state should not have to pay for the cost of the Big Dig.”