Hail to the chief: Amherst receives Gov. Patrick

By Scott Merzbach
Staff Writer

Published on July 25, 2008

A visit from the sitting governor to Amherst is not an every day occurrence for local officials, even if Deval Patrick did win close to 84 percent of the town's vote in the 2006 state election.

So when residents learned Patrick and his cabinet would be staging an event at the Bangs Community Center, a lot of preparation work began.

Nancy Pagano, director of the Senior Center, said she was first notified by state Rep. Ellen Story, D-Amherst, that Patrick would like to use space at the Bangs. Once the advance team looked at the large activity room and determined it was big enough for the cabinet meeting, Pagano began the process of spiffing it up, "like anyone would when someone's coming to their home," she said.

Those working at the Senior Center were advised of some of the requirements, such as ensuring that the tables at which the governor and his cabinet secretaries would sit were properly skirted. "We had to do a little finagling with the table cloths," Pagano said.

They also knew there would be an opportunity for town officials and town employees to meet briefly with Patrick in the Senior Center lounge, so several volunteers prepared homemade foods, including baklava, fruit salad and brownies.

During his brief stop in the lounge before the cabinet meeting, Patrick spoke to and posed for photos with Amherst officials and employees. Pagano said some of these are already posted on the walls.

"It was very exciting and we were so impressed with his good listening abilities," Pagano said.

Though the state police handle the security details for the governor, Amherst Police Lt. Ron Young said the local department was contacted to provide information about site security. One Amherst officer was also assigned to work with the state police detail on the governor's personal safety, while other Amherst police officers handled parking issues and crowd control.

With many protesters from the University of Massachusetts unions outside the Bangs holding up signs attached to long wooden poles, Young explained that police had to make sure these sticks were not brought inside the room, where they could potentially be used as weapons.

Young said he believes all police actions went smoothly.

"The biggest impact on the citizens of Amherst was traffic and parking," said Young, observing that parking in downtown was at a premium during the time Patrick was in Amherst.

After the cabinet meeting ended, Patrick was given gifts thanking him for his visit.

Select Board member Alisa Brewer gave Patrick an "Only the 'H' is Silent" T-shirt, which residents are selling and wearing to raise money and awareness for the town's 250th anniversary next year.

Hadley Selectmen Chairman Gerry Devine gave Patrick a dozen ears of sweet corn picked fresh from the Four Rex Farm.

In the end, those who prepared for the governor's visit were satisfied with how things went.

"It was really worth it, it was thrilling and we just loved it," Pagano said.