E E R F Wednesday, May 8, 2013
wEdNESdAy
Talking to children about loss By Mike Mortensen
FOR THE LACONIA DAILY SUN
LACONIA — Less than a month after a Laconia Middle School student Lily Johnson died after being struck by a car as she was walking home from school, sessions have been scheduled as a way to help young people cope and rebound from such a loss. Parents are often unsure about how to help children cope with death, but it can be even more challenging when it’s a friend or classmate who has died. Experts say communication is the key to helping children navigate their emotions. While the sessions which New Hampshire Catholic Charities will offer starting Thursday in Laconia are designed to assist young people coping with different types of loss, the announcement from the social service agency says that youngsters who are coming to terms with the death of a classmate could find the program especially helpful. “The recent death of Lily makes offering this program more poignant,” said Leonard Campbell, who handles parish and community outreach for the New Hampshire Catholic Charities Laconia see LOSS page 12
WELCOME BOB SALOME
Sox hurt by errors in 6-1 loss
Minnesota Twins take advantage of back-to-back errors in the infield — Page 8
VOL. 13 nO. 234
LaCOnIa, n.H.
527-9299
FRee
Citing health, Laconia superintendent steps down
Bob Champlin has been a presence in city schools since 1980, superintendent for 13 years By Michael kitch THE LACONIA DAILY SUN
LACONIA — After serving for 31 years in the city school system, the last 13 of them as Superintendent of Schools, Bob Champlin announced yesterday that he will step down at the close of the school year. In a letter to Joe Cormier, who chairs the School Board, read when the board met last
night, Champlin explained “as you know, I have had some significant struggles with a health issue. While I am confident I will get better (as I have many times before),” he continued, “I also know that the Laconia Schools need and deserve consistent leadership.” Later Champlin said that “nothing is more important to me than the well-being
of our schools, our students, our teachers and our staff. It is a 24/7 job and I’m afraid I would make a mistake. This was a very tough decision.” He said that he had no immediate plans other than “to get my health together.” He explained that in the 18 years since he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis “I’ve battled it really well. see CHAMPLIN page 11
Spring blooms in downtown Laconia
The Winnipesaukee River, Rotary Park and the Belknap Mill are bedecked with blossoms. (Mark Chertok/Courtesy photo)
At Granite State Futures talk, tensions between competing perspectives By roger aMsden
nity conversation which was attended by 117 people at Laconia Middle School last night. Laconia Attorney David Osman, summing up the conversation for one of the eight groups which grappled with a number of issues ranging from demographic trends to economic development, said Fuel Oil OIL & PROPANE CO., INC. ‘’there are very real differences. 10 day cash price* Laconia 524-1421 subject to change We had strong statements
FOR THE LACONIA DAILY SUN
LACONIA — Differences over the role of government emerged as one of the key issues at a Granite State Future commu-
Buy One Get One FREE
Eyeglasses and Sunglasses! 527-1100 Belknap Mall
3.29 99**
about the role of the government and there was very little common ground.’’ The same sentiment came up with another group and John Moriarity of Laconia said there was broad agreement about the challenges facing the state but no consensus emerged on the issue property rights. Tim Carter of Meredith, an activist with the Lakes Region Tea Party, said that there see FUTURES page 10