E E R F Friday, February 22, 2013
friday
3 needs to be reduced to 2 in Meredith Selectboard race
Sachem & Eagle girls advance Laconia & Gilford open NHIAA Div. III basketball tourney with wins — Page 9
VOL. 13 NO. 183
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Governor touts advanced manufacturing jobs during Laconia visit By RogeR Amsden FOR THE LACONIA DAILY SUN
LACONIA — Governor Maggie Hassan touted the virtues of advanced manufacturing yesterday as she visited New Hampshire Ball Bearings’ Astro Division as part of her “Innovate NH” tour, which features stops at cutting edge businesses
across the Granite State. ‘’When I tell high school students what starting salaries are in high tech manufacturing they’re amazed,’’ said Hassan, who said that focusing on helping people develop skills for jobs in an innovative economy is her major priority as governor. Manufacturing accounts for
$18.5-billion in gross state product, making it the single largest sector of New Hampshire’s economy (19-percent), according to a study released in 2011 by the New Hampshire Center for Public Policy Studies. That study also showed that manufacturers employ 77,000 people in the state and pay out
$6.4 billion in wages and benefits each year. But an aging workforce and the lack of skilled workers to take their place has produced a labor shortage in the state, which mirrors national tends according to Gary Groleau, manager of Labor Relations see HaSSaN page 8
By michAel Kitch THE LACONIA DAILY SUN
MEREDITH — The three candidates for the two seats on the Board of Selectmen — Nate Torr, Lou Kahn and Jayne Greemore — along with two incumbent trustees of the library — Pamela Coburn and Mary Richardson — who are seeking reelection unopposed, fielded questions from voters before more than two dozen voters at the Community Center last night. Torr, who joined the Selectboard soon after retiring after a 40-year career as a high school biology teacher, said that he is seeking a second term because “the town of Meredith has been good to me and this is an opportunity to give back.” He confessed to sometimes “being a little crazy as my wife can attest,” but added that he was pleased with the work of the board during his tenure. “I’d like to be a native,” said Kahn, “but my New York accent gives me away.” Calling Meredith “my hometown,” he said that his relationship with the community see MErEdiTH page 12
Laconia police Lieutenant Rich Simmons (center) points out some of the features of the newly upgraded communications center at the department’s New Salem street headquarters to Commisioner Doug Whittum as Chief Chris Adams (left) and Commissioner Warren Clement look on. In the background is dispatcher Nicole King. (Alan MacRae/for The Laconia Daily Sun)
Upgrade: LPD shows off new communications center By gAil oBeR
THE LACONIA DAILY SUN
LACONIA — After getting two consecutive grants from the U.S. Department of Justice, the city Police Department has completed an upgrade of its communications center. Yesterday police commissioners and Ward 4 City Councilor Brenda Baer toured the new dispatch center that Also Upholstery Tile and Grout Area Rug Pick Up
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includes new computer monitors, a large 9-1-1 screen with mapping, a new floor, and a completely revamped furniture system that allows for easy access to the wiring panels. Chief Chris Adams said the department fields about 100,000 phone calls and 9-1-1 calls annually. Laconia dispatched is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. According to Lt. Rich Simmons and
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Capt. Bill Clary, the old furniture and wax tile floor meant that because the computers hard drives actually sat on the floor, the area around them couldn’t be cleaned. The upgrade allowed the department to get everything off the floor and to contain the wiring panel. Simmons said there were two PVC pipes holding up the entire table and that see LPd page 11
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