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B.H.S. student wins statewide nursing competition BY CRAIG LYONS THE BERLIN DAILY SUN
BERLIN— A Berlin High School nursing student took first place at the statewide Health Occupations Students of America competition at the end of March. Lindsay Dumont was one of four students to attend the competition, in Manchester, from B.H.S.’s Career and Technical Education nursing program. After taking first place for her poster on extemporaneous health, she will now get a chance to showcase her work at a national competition in June, in Anaheim, Calif. “I’m so excited,” said Amy Blanchette, adviser for the B.H.S. H.O.S.A. group. “I was very proud.” The three other students, Erin McGinnis, Katie Nelson and Nicole Demers did very well in the competition as well, said Blanchette. Nelson and McGinnis took fourth place for a display on career health. Dumont and McGinnis took place in the team competition and Demers presented work on medical photography. Dumont said she’s looking forward to presenting the poster in California, and was pleased when she heard she won the statewide competition. “It was pretty sweet,” said Dumont. “I didn’t see STUDENT page 6
Four students from the Berlin High School Career and Technical Education nursing program participated in the Health Occupations Students of American competition in Manchester at the end of March, and student Lindsay Dumont took first place for a poster of extemporaneous health. (l to r) Dumont, adviser Amy Blanchette, Erin McGinnis, Katie Nelson and Nicole Demers. (CRAIG LYONS PHOTO)
Businessman relays concerns about police presence to selectmen BY CRAIG LYONS THE BERLIN DAILY SUN
GORHAM— A Gorham businessman met with the Board of Selectmen Monday night to discuss a negative image of the town that’s being created by the police presence. “People don’t just want to come to Gorham for the sake of getting stopped,” said Jack Piattoni, owner of Thanksgivings Restaurant and Ledgends Pub. Piattoni said he’s heard from both residents and people in surrounding communities that people are avoiding the town
because of what’s perceived as an overbearing police presence. “It’s disturbing that people feel about the town the way they do,” said Piattoni. As someone who’s starting a new business in town and is a resident, Piattoni said he’s concerned about the image people have of the town. He added he’s been overwhelmed by these comments since he’s been back in Gorham. “I don’t see it,” said Selectman Terry Oliver. “Not any more.” Oliver said in the past the town has had see CONCERNS page 9
City council discusses road tolls BY BARBARA TETREAULT THE BERLIN DAILY SUN
BERLIN – The growing popularity of road tolls in the city landed the topic on the city council agenda Monday night. City Clerk Debra Patrick briefed the council on some issues and concerns she has with the present informal policy. She asked the council to approve a written policy, including a one page licensing form. In 1980, the council authorized
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the city clerk to issue road tolls for Glen Avenue Park area. Patrick said when she became city clerk in 1996 there was no written policy. She said she was told only non-profit organizations could apply, organizations could only sponsor one a year, and only one road toll per week. She said the number of requests has grown considerable. In 1999 she said there were nine requests for road tolls. Last year
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Gorham selectmen protest location of proposed train station BY CRAIG LYONS
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GORHAM— The Board of Selectmen plans to send a letter protesting the decision to not include Gorham as a stop along the proposed passenger rail line from Portland to Montreal. The board voted unanimously Monday to send a letter to the Maine Department of Transportation after reviewing the feasibility on the possible rail line. The feasibility plan lists Berlin as the first stop in New Hampshire rather than Gorham. Selectman David Graham said he felt the board should object to the study Graham said while the overall plan to restart the passenger rail service is a great idea; the plan should include a stop in Gorham. “The stop should be here,” said Selectman Paul Robitaille. He said he feels the stop is better positioned in Gorham since Berlin doesn’t have the available land, adjacent to the tracks, to accommodate a large train station. He added Gorham does offer the open land along the tracks. “We’re the only community that can really offer the room for the stop,” said Robitaille. see PROTEST page 6
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