FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 2011
VOL. 19 NO. 203
BERLIN, N.H.
752-5858
FREE
Economist urges investment in Two seek early childhood development seat on Board of Selectmen BY BARBARA TETREAULT THE BERLIN DAILY SUN
NORTH COUNTRY -- At first glance, early childhood education and economic development may not seem to have much in common. But economist Rob Grunewald argues investing in early childhood development is better in the long run than offering subsidies and tax incentives to attract companies. Speaking last week to a group of about 70 North Country educational, business, and community officials, Grunewald, said research shows children who go through early childhood development programs are more likely to graduate from high school and go on to further education and are less likely to need public assistance or end up in the criminal justice system. Grunewald, an associate economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Minnesota, said skilled and educated workers are important in today’s economy. “This is an economy that is demanding workers with a higher level of skill and education,” he said.
Studies, he said, show that trend increasing in the future. Investing in early childhood development programs for kids across the country will help prepare the future workforce. He explained that from birth until the age of five, a child goes through tremendous growth and change. “If this period of life includes support for growth in cognition, language, motor skills, adaptive skills, and socialemotional functioning, the child is more likely to succeed in school and later contribute to society,” he wrote in a paper handed out at the meeting. Grunewald warned investing in early childhood development will cost money and the most of the return on the investment is ten to 20 years down the road. But he said various studies have estimated the return is anywhere from $7 to $20 in return for every dollar spent. “This is a very good place to spend your money,” Grunewald said. “The earlier the investment the greater the return,” he said. In contrast, he said research shows subsidies and tax see INVESTMENT page 6
GORHAM-- Two men are seeking a single seat on the Gorham Board of Selectmen in this year’s election. Incumbent Selectman Paul Robitaille is being challenged by Terry Rhoderick for the three-year seat on the board. The “Berlin Daily Sun” solicited questionnaires from the candidates, although a questionnaire was not returned by Rhoderick. Paul Robitaille 2011 1.Please briefly describe your background. I have been a life long resident of Gorham and went to Gorham schools, Our Lady of the Mountains Academy and Gorham High School. I worked in the Gorham and Berlin paper and pulp mills until the 2001 closure when I left and used trade act to finish my bachelor’s degree. I have a bachelor’s degree in human services and am the center manager for the Servicelink Aging and Disability Resource Center of Coos County located in Berlin. I recently finished a certificate from see SEAT page 8
Polling, meetings times announced for town meetings BY CRAIG LYONS THE BERLIN DAILY SUN
Wednesday morning Warden Larry Blaisdell and Major Dennis Cox toured Gorham’s renovated town hall auditorium. Much of the renovation work was done using inmates from the Northern Correctional Facility, in Berlin. Former Town Manager Bill Jackson, Town Manager Robin Frost, Blaisdell, Selectman Terry Oliver, Cox, former Selectman Glen Eastman, Finance Director Denise Vallee and clerk of the works Mike Waddell sat in the balcony seating during the tour. The seats were refurbished and upholstered by inmates at the prison. The town currently seeking a nomination for an award from the New Hampshire Historic Preservation Society for the town hall renovation project. (CRAIG LYONS PHOTO)
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ANDROSCOGGIN VALLEY— On Tuesday residents of the six local communities will be heading to the polls and annual town meetings. Here’s a list of where and when town meetings will be held and when polling places will be open. The Gorham town meeting is set for 7 p.m. in the Gorham Middle High School gymnasium. The polls will be open from 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. at the town hall, in the auditorium. The Milan town meeting is set for 6:30 p.m. at the Milan Village School gymnasium. The polls will be open see TIMES page 6