Latest news with #Perron
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Southwick turns out for Memorial Day services
SOUTHWICK — On Memorial Day the nation stops to pay tribute to those who lost their lives while serving in the U.S. military, and the residents of Southwick joined their fellow citizens to give their own thanks for their sacrifice. 'Today is a solemn occasion to reflect on the courage, dedication, and selflessness of those who gave their lives so that we might live in freedom,' said Jason Perron, U.S. Air Force veteran and keynote speaker for the ceremony at the town's War Memorial. 'Those heroes came from all walks of life, different backgrounds, different stories but they shared a common commitment to defend the values and ideals that make our nation strong. They faced unimaginable challenges and dangers and many paid the highest price,' Perron said. 'As we pause here today, let us remember their names, their faces, and their stories. Let us also honor the families who carried their memories with love and pride, even in the midst of loss,' he said. 'Let us live with gratitude and let us strive to build a world worthy of their sacrifice,' he said before recalling the words of former President John F. Kennedy. 'As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them,' Kennedy proclaimed in 1963. Before Perron, state Rep. Nicholas Boldyga spoke of the men from Southwick who paid the ultimate sacrifice, which included Herbert Castle in World War II, Richard Power and William Alamed during the Vietnam War, Stephen Wentworth in the Beirut bombing of the U.S. Marine barracks in 1983, and Travis Fuller during Operation Iraqi Freedom. 'Their courage alongside countless others from our community remind us that freedom is not free. It is paid for with bravery of those who stood in harm's way from the battlefields of World War II to the conflicts of today,' Boldyga. 'Let's carry the spirit of Memorial Day with us. Let's pledge to continue to make our community a place where veterans are supported, where freedom is cherished, and community thrives,' he said. Select Board member Diane Gale also spoke of the men and women who were lost. 'I offer tribute to those who sacrifice life and limb and gave honor to all who fell for the fight for freedom … They all paid a debt they didn't owe and one we can never repay,' she said. As the ceremony opened, Shirley Odell, a Gold Star mother who lost her daughter, U.S. Navy Petty Officer Nancy R. Odell-Liupakka, in 1987 in Italy, placed wreaths on the granite markers inscribed with the names of the town's men and women who served in the military. Father Matthew Guidi of Our Lady of the Lake Parish offered the invocation. 'Let us never forget those who paid so terrible a price to ensure freedom would be our legacy. Their names may face with the passing of generations, but we will never forget what they've done,' Guidi said. And he asked for peace. 'Let us demand that no other young men or women follow them to the soldier's grave unless the reason is worthy and the cause is just,' Guidi said. During the ceremony, the Southwick Regional School Marching Band played a melody of service-related music, and as it closed, the haunting and plaintive melody of taps. The ceremony was organized by American Legion Post 338 and its commander Darcie Rock spoke of the families left behind. 'As we pause to remember our fallen comrades, we need to take time to give thought to their families, their friends and to those who loved them. We cannot measure the depth of their loss nor can we comprehend the true measure of their sorrow. We will never forget their loved ones, their value, their sacrifice and the many good things they have earned for us,' she said. Read the original article on MassLive.
Ottawa Citizen
03-05-2025
- Sport
- Ottawa Citizen
What the Senators took away from their first taste of playoff hockey
Less than 48 hours removed from his team's first-round series loss against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk admitted it still feels like it hasn't ended. Article content Article content 'I'm still not over it … I still wish we were playing Game 7 tonight,' he said. Article content With a dozen Senators players carrying zero playoff experience into the team's first post-season series since 2017, the almost inevitable disappointment of failing to reach the ultimate goal was bound to be difficult to process. Every team that goes on to find playoff success endures it, but that doesn't make it any easier. Article content Article content Still, the early playoff exit is ripe with lessons for this young Senators core. Article content 'It was a good learning experience for all of us to live it for the first time,' said Thomas Chabot, whose rookie NHL campaign came one year after the team's 2017 playoff run. 'One little play can cost you the game, and that's playoff hockey, but it's going to be good for next year when we come to that situation.' Article content A commonality amongst the younger Senators was their gratitude towards the team's grizzled playoff veterans. Claude Giroux, Linus Ullmark, Travis Hamonic, David Perron and Nick Cousins carry varying degrees of playoff success, but for a team in short supply of experience, all were appreciated through the team's short run. Article content 'Even when we went down 3-0, they were still positive,' said Dylan Cozens, who got his first taste of playoff hockey after several lean seasons with the Buffalo Sabres. 'Just having those guys around has a huge impact on the dressing room.' Article content Perron, a member of the Stanley Cup-winning 2019 St. Louis Blues, knows a thing or two about what it takes to go all the way. Article content Article content 'Getting playoff experience is so valuable. It's unbelievable,' he said. ' It feels like two different seasons … it was so refreshing to get up in the morning and just feel the electricity in your body right away.' Article content Article content The Senators' young talent has felt that energy. Tkachuk even called it 'addictive.' Article content That said, Perron cautioned the team to take care of the regular season before worrying about the playoffs: 'I almost want to just fast forward to March 15 every year and get to playing those bigger games, but you don't get there if you don't take care of the first part.' Article content Chabot echoed the difficulty of just making the post-season, saying that the road back to the playoffs next season will only be more closely contested now that Ottawa won't be sneaking up on other teams. Article content 'It's coming back in the same mindset of doing whatever it takes,' he said. 'We saw how tight it was this year; it's going to be the same thing, if not maybe even harder, next year.'
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Southwick Select Board appoints full-time town planner and economic development director
SOUTHWICK — Six months after the town's chief executive officer implored the Select Board to hire a town planner and economic development director, on Monday the board appointed Alvin Allen, who has been serving as a planner in the Springfield Office of Planning and Economic Development for the last 17 years. 'I was looking for some upward mobility in my profession,' Allen said during his interview with the board. A graduate of Westfield State University with a bachelor's degree in geography and regional planning, Allen has held a variety of positions since being hired by Springfield in 2008, including senior and principal planner. During the interview, talked about his responsibilities while in Springfield, which were extensive. 'I've worked as a planner dealing with zoning. I dealt with site plan reviews in regard to special permits. I've dealt with subdivision plan reviews … design guidelines for new housing on city-owned lots, historic preservation, [and] GIS computer mapping,' he said. 'I've had to deal with other city departments like the building department, DPW engineering and the Conservation Commission when it comes to wetland matters,' he added. According to his cover letter, Allen has worked with the Springfield City Council, the Planning Board, Historical Commission, the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, the Food Policy Council, and Urban Agriculture. He also administers Springfield's portion of the ValleyBike program, which is a regional bike sharing program. And while he didn't mention it during his interview, according to his resume, he has worked with the Gandara Mental Health Center as a staff member teaching clients between the ages of 12 and 21 discipline, respect, and taking responsibility for their actions. Planning Board Chair Jessica Ann Thornton was at the meeting to offer her thoughts on Allen's appointment. 'I appreciate you taking a look at a completely different community from the one you're used to dealing with. The challenges here are many,' she said, including the effort currently underway by the Planning Board and PVPC to update the town's zoning bylaws. 'I'm very much looking forward to your expertise,' she said. Thornton also said he comes to the town 'with the knowledge we're looking for.' Allen will also serve as the town economic development director. Greg Deily, the chair of the town Economic Development Commission also weighed in on Allen's appointment. 'I'm excited that someone with your resources to help us with our goals,' he said, adding that he was impressed with Allen's background. As the interview wrapped up, Select Board Chair Jason Perron said he was ready to appoint Allen. Select Board member Diane Gale asked Perron if he wanted to hold off on making the final decision until the board got to old business on its agenda. He said he was ready, and Gale made the motion to appoint Allen. She and Perron voted yes and Select Board member Douglas Moglin abstained. Later in the meeting, Moglin explained why he abstained. He explained his vote to abstain was because of his 'longstanding opposition' that the town didn't need an economic development director. However, he did endorse Allen's appointment. 'I think the candidate that we met tonight is imminently qualified and will do a good job as a town planner,' Parker began advocating for hiring a town planner/economic development director late last year. The town's current planner, Jon Goddard, has been working part-time since 2021. However, last year he was named the town's stormwater management coordinator and assistant DPW director, which prompted Parker to begin pushing the board for the new hybrid position. Allen's salary, which has yet to be negotiated, will be between $70,000 and $80,000.
CBC
27-04-2025
- Business
- CBC
Meet three young voters and top issues on their mind before election day
With just one day left before the federal election, you might be wondering what issues are top of mind for young voters as they head to the polls. Here's the perspective of three younger New Brunswicker voters. Mathieu Perron: Affordability, supporting the most vulnerable Mathieu Perron, a master's student in Health Management at l'Université de Moncton, says the cost of living is top of mind for him. This includes rising housing and energy costs, and wages that aren't keeping up with inflation. He said there's also the issue of post-secondary students deciding to move out of province once they graduate. "I think working out something regarding the economic development of rural areas is a big concern for many who want to stay in New Brunswick but maybe don't have the job opportunities to do so," said Perron. Perron said he is also concerned when he heard Conservative Leader Pierre Pollievre discuss making cuts to post secondary education. "It poses a risk to the accessibility of those institutions and the capacity of those institutions to keep offering programs," he said. Perron said tuition at l'Université de Moncton has needed to increase annually to keep up with costs. So, cutting funding on the federal level will burden students even more. He said he was pleased to see both major parties propose tax cuts for the middle class. Liberal Leader Mark Carney proposed a tax cut reducing the lowest federal income tax bracket from 15 per cent to 14 per cent. Pollievre says he would lower that same tax bracket to 12.75 per cent over a two-year period. "It's great, but for students who work and don't really make that much money, it's the wages that have to go up more than taxes need to be cut," said Perron. He would also like to see the student housing issue addressed, with a focus on building apartments designed specifically for students and their needs. "I know many people living four or five in the same apartment, which is something we have to do to pay the rent," said Perron. Perron voted in advance polling and said he decided to vote for a candidate who has shown strength in leadership. He said the candidate who got his vote was less divisive during the campaign and didn't try to bash their opponents. He said the candidate he voted for was also keen on maintaining social programs already in place to help the most vulnerable in the country. Daniel Mordi: Cost of living, immigration and financial aid Daniel Mordi, executive director of the New Brunswick Student Alliance, said housing, food insecurity, mental health services, access to healthcare, immigration and student financial aid are his greatest concerns for the federal election. He says these topics represent "major" challenges that students are facing all across the province. Elections Canada recorded that only 46.7 per cent of people aged 18 to 24 voted in the 2021 federal election. And, that's not lost on Mordi. He says that's likely because students don't feel the government cares about the issues impacting them. "There is no confidence in the governments from young people," said Mordi, "Students are looking for someone who does not just speak in numbers, but we need to see someone who's passionate about making a difference." Mordi said he hasn't seen any candidates talking about incentives to support students after graduation, in order to keep them in the province. He said New Brunswick needs to catch up to other provinces on that front. Mordi is waiting to vote on election day and says the candidate he votes for will be the one who understands that immigrants and international students contribute greatly to our country's economy. He also wants to see candidates who care about the issues impacting students. Allison Grace Lambert: Human rights, student support Allison Grace Lambert, a member of Wabanaki Two Spirit Youth Council, parent and mental health advocate, says Indigenous rights, mental health and women's health are the issues she's passionate about during this election. "If we have the resources to be healthy, we can raise our children to be happy and healthy and then they can serve their future generation," she told CBC radio's Information Morning Moncton. She said the affordability crisis is playing a role in deteriorating the mental health of many New Brunswickers. Lambert says the cost of living is difficult to manage with a two-person income, which doesn't leave many options for new mothers who are also students or recent graduates. Lambert said managing finances in this economy, from loan payments to trying to cover the cost of food and rent, can be very stressful. "At the end of the day, it's like you want to give up on it because it's like what's the point?" she said. Lambert would like to see more financial support for students so they are better set up to enter the workforce. Lambert will be voting on election day. She says the candidate she will vote for will be one with a focus on maintaining human rights and, in particular, women's rights.
Toronto Star
26-04-2025
- Sport
- Toronto Star
Perron sees former coach's fingerprints all over Leafs: ‘A lot of similarities'
OTTAWA - David Perron is having a cringe-inducing case of déjà vu. The Ottawa Senators winger won the Stanley Cup with the St. Louis Blues back in 2019 when head coach Craig Berube was calling the shots. A hard-nosed, north-south, competitive-at-all-times approach helped that group overcome a disastrous start to the season and eventually hoist hockey's holy grail. Berube has looked leave a similar mark on the Toronto Maple Leafs across his first season in charge of a talented roster with plenty of playoff scars from failures past. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW The Senators have quickly found out this iteration of their provincial rival is different — and Perron sees Berube's fingerprints everywhere. Toronto has a 3-0 stranglehold on Ottawa in the teams' best-of-seven first-round playoff series. The Battle of Ontario started with a 6-2 opening-night blowout before a pair of 3-2 overtime decisions with razor-thin margins. 'I see a lot of similarities,' Perron said Friday morning at Canadian Tire Centre of the Blues and Leafs. 'At times they have a shooting lane and they just drive the puck a little deeper. They delay, they hang onto it.' That level of composure is another area Berube, who was fired in St. Louis last season and hired by Toronto in May, has preached since arriving in town. 'The game may not be going your way all the time,' Berube said. 'You may not think you have the puck enough. But we stay patient, we keep doing our job defensively and checking … then it finally comes around a little bit and you get your opportunities.' It's a big reason why Toronto holds a 3-0 series lead for the first time since 2001 and is a combined 16-2-1 over its past 19 regular-season and playoff games. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW 'There's going to be breakdowns,' Berube continued. 'The extra effort that's needed — the second and third effort you need — I think we've got a lot of that going on.' A major issue in past playoff setbacks, the Leafs' power play has gone 5-for-9 this spring, while the penalty kill has been steady and goaltender Anthony Stolarz owns a .926 save percentage. 'So fun to be a part of this group,' said Toronto defenceman Brandon Carlo, acquired from the Boston Bruins ahead of the NHL trade deadline. 'When we do make mistakes, everybody else is going to pick it up. Everybody's working together. The process has been really great. The camaraderie has been awesome. 'This group is special.' Teams up 3-0 in best-of-seven NHL playoff series own a 207-4 all-time record, but Senators forward Claude Giroux was part of a Philadelphia Flyers outfit that dug out of that hole to beat Boston in seven games in 2010. 'What's the history saying?' Perron asked with a little grin. 'Not great, but we're going to try and turn that one day at a time. That's the only way we can focus.' The Leafs certainly don't want to give the Senators any life. Toronto blew a 3-1 lead to the Montreal Canadiens in a devastating first-round loss in 2021, and understands the energy a group can get from a couple wins after forcing Game 7 against the Bruins last spring after trailing 3-1. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW 'It's always a work in progress,' Leafs blueliner Morgan Rielly said. 'We're not getting carried away with anything.' The longest-tenured member of the roster added the style Berube installed in training hasn't changed much since the calendar flipped to the playoffs. 'We're trying to build our game,' Rielly said. 'We have areas that we try to focus on. Guys feel pretty comfortable, so we're just chipping away.' That's by design. 'It's the mentality that you need to build throughout the season to get to this level,' Berube said. 'If you don't do it during the regular season, it's hard to turn the switch on. I wanted to really get that identity across to our team right away.' He was asked about Perron comparing the Blues of six years ago to the current Leafs. The teams have different skill sets — St. Louis grinded opponents into submission, Toronto has more high-end talent — but he agreed there are parallels. 'It's all about the players buying into what you want to do,' Berube said. 'Our players have done a good job of buying into that. But there are similarities in the style of play, for sure, that we played in St Louis.' ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Perron experienced it first-hand. Now he's witnessing Berube's influence from a different vantage point — and not enjoying the view. 'I do see some stuff that pops in my head,' he said. 'And I know where it comes from.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 25, 2025.
