Stories- Week 10

So here are my stories for this week, my tenth here, and the eleventh Baysider. There's one story in here, I was worried might get me in trouble, have some fun and try and fgure out which one it is:


Police, Sheriff urge caution this week
One troublemaker can make all the difference
By Jim Shilander
Staff Writer
ALTON — Alton Police Chief Keith Iwans wants town citizens to know that the police are prepared for this weekends Bike Week crowds, but that doesn’t mean he enjoys having to make the sometimes extraordinary efforts to properly equip his officers for any potential problems.
"During bike season, Alton acts as an augmenting agency for the Weirs and Laconia. This is the routine every single year." Still, Iwans says that that role has been changing. "Over the last few years, Bike Week has spread into Alton. There’s more stopping and seeing the sights, and spending time in town." Iwans says that often, Alton police officers are responsible for drunk drivers leaving the Laconia and Weirs area, and that often that might include potentially fatal crashes involving cyclists.
What concerns Iwans more, however, is another aspect of Bike Week, an aspect that leads him to call it "the week of posturing." With tensions running extraordinarily high, he said, between the Hells Angels, who hold meetings in the Weirs, and the Outlaws, another group, there is potential for bad situations. "The majority who go to Bike Week are good people," he says, but "for all the benefits Laconia gets, its just not fair to the surrounding communities." Iwans says that the potential benefits of the event are "Just not worth it, for the expenses for outer communities (given the added public safety measures and presence needed for the event). This is where I get frustrated with Motorcycle Week."
Iwans is concerned that members of the Outlaws, who will be coming into Alton on Saturday, may provoke or be provoked by members of the Hells Angels. He is also concerned about a mentality in town that seems to view the gangs as harmless, which he said was the result of "a two-faced charm." "People need to understand who they are and what they stand for, that’s the problem." He also says that he is frustrated with those who feel that the benefits gained in business outweigh the costs to the town. Iwans said that he will pay out nearly $1,000 to $2,000 in overtime for the week, and that costs for additional equipment have added another $3,000.
Dave Shibley says that he was approached by a representative of the Outlaws to have the group dine at his restaurant on the Bay almost two weeks ago. The representative, Shibley says, said the group, which was described as between 300 and 600 bikers and bikes "was not intending on causing trouble," and in fact was going to approach other local businesses about the group coming in. The Outlaws have their own "World Run" in Portland this week. Shibley was told that the group was going to use Alton as a stopping point, and that after eating at Shibley’s restaurant, they would proceed back out on eastbound Rte. 11 and return to Portland through Rochester. Shibley was told that the Outlaws group "won’t be going to the Weirs."
Sharing many of Iwans’ concerns is Belknap County sheriff Dan Collis. He says that he "hopes they (the Outlaws) will stick to the plan that’s been presented." He says that he has held numerous meetings with local, state and federal officials regarding any contingency plans that might be needed if a situation came out of hand. He also mentioned that here were no problems last year when a smaller group of Outlaws came to Alton. "The unpredictable things are the concern," however, he added. "We’re concerned about what might happen if two gangs happened to cross paths on the road. These are things we can’t address." He said that he was hopeful that the Outlaws will have a nice meal and then come back where they came from."
While no representative of either the Outlaws or Hells Angels could be reached, a statement on the Outlaws national website reads as follows: "The government has labeled Outlaws MC a criminal organization and all its members as criminals simply because they are members. This is one of the most untrue and unjust statements ever made about our club. Everyday throughout America and the World members of Law Enforcement Religious, Fraternal organizations and other groups are convicted of criminal activity. Their membership is not universally labeled as criminals." Shipley did not recall the name of the representative who approached him originally, so he could not be contacted either.
Collis also detailed some of the problems between the two gangs recently, including the death of a member of an affiliated gang in Maine at the hands of another gang, the murder of the head of the Philadelphia chapter of Hells Angels by a rival gang, and a bloody confrontation in Canada that left several bystanders dead, as well as gang members. Iwans warned that he had known gangs to not just have fistfights, but to also use ball-peen hammers and potentially other weapons as well.
Iwans cautions citizens to stay away from the area around Alton Bay from between 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., when the Outlaws are expected. He says that much of the extra-equipment he has purchased (some of which will later be reimbursed through a federal grant) includes equipment capable of dispersing an unruly crowd in the Bay area, just in case something went wrong. Iwans says that he believes, if things go right, nothing will go wrong. "I expect that if they come to my town and they aren’t harassed it’ll be peaceful. I hope that the gangs have enough respect for the town to not make this their Armageddon battleground." Iwans adds that he will do his best to "enforce the laws of New Hampshire and be respectful and respect the people we (the department) deal with." Still he wants to make his message to any potential troublemakers clear "For the few dollars and cents they bring in here, it’s not worth it. They’re not wanted here (the troublemakers). This town belongs to the town of Alton and the people who live here."


Board waits out House decision, could cost money
By Jim Shilander
Staff Writer
BARNSTEAD — Perhaps the most important issue facing future Barnstead school boards was brought up by Donna Clairmont, the district’s business manager, at Tuesday’s meeting. She reported that the final version of House Bill 616, which was scheduled to be brought to the House floor June 15, would cost the district more than $600,000 in state funding. The bill, which would be effective July 1, would also potentially force an increase in the tax bill, which Chairwoman Eunice Landry speculated might be as much as $2 per thousand for each taxpayer in Barnstead. Audible gasps and rolled eyes greeted the news, and the board seemed to agree that any such funding cut would be bad for the district.
The board also approved two contracts to help improve the school environment. The board agreed to replace the schools burnisher, as well as to enter into a contract with Control Technology Systems to do maintenance on the school’s air system. The company will come in twice a year, under the approved contract, to change filters and do other maintenance. The current contract was called "bare bones" by Clairmont, who added that the additional costs for maintenance and parts borne by the district in its current contract would offset the cost of the more comprehensive new contract.
The board also further discussed the setting of goals for the district. Board member Keith Couch urged the board to adopt a policy "with more teeth" regarding curriculum mapping. Interim principal Michael Tocci and Superintendent Owen Conway both said that the process of mapping would be a gradual one, Tocci saying it would take at least a year to begin to implement. Curriculum mapping, as Tocci explained, would involve teachers setting educational units for each subject by month, so that multiple teachers are not teaching similar units every single year to the same students. It was also noted by the board that such an effort would have to involve a similar one in Alton as well, in order for future students of Prospect Mountain High School to have similar courses of study. Tocci and Conway also added that curriculum alignment for seventh and eighth graders was proceeding well with Alton.
The board also approved the hiring of two new staff members. Barnstead resident Joe Vignole was hired as a behavioral specialist for the school’s "Alternative Program." Vignole has experience with challenging students in the state system. The board also hired Christine De Nuzio as a seventh grade science teacher. De Nuzio comes with impressive experience and recommendations, according to Tocci, who complimented the board for their efforts to increase the district’s ability to offer competitive salaries, which seems to be attracting better applicants for open positions.


Standing room only at retirement party
Fond farewells bid to Parks and Heger
By Jim Shilander
Staff Writer
WOLFEBORO — Wolfeboro’s Lakeview Inn was packed last Wednesday with folks bidding farewell to longtime district business manager, Sue Heger, and Alton Superintendent Dan Parks. Many loving and glowing tributes of thanks and support were made for both, but especially Parks, who had an often-turbulent year, even as the new Prospect Mountain High School opened in Alton.
"It’s time," for retirement, Parks said, before the festivities. "I’ve been a superintendent for 26 years, the last five in Alton," he said.
Parks, though officially retiring, will however be working in an interim capacity as a superintendent in the Lakes Region next year (the announcement regarding specifics was to be made this week). Parks had previously been in upstate New York before coming to New Hampshire.
He said that he was proud of the work that he accomplished with his team, stating, "It was a real challenge to get the JMA approved, we built the high school and we did it on the first try." Parks also mentioned Alton’s "wonderful faculty, great administrators and wonderful students," as part of what he loved about his job.
PMHS English teacher Mark Murphy acted as emcee of the event, which featured funny reflections on Parks’ love of golf and some of his favorite stories, as well as tearful moments of thanks and appreciation for what the two retiring administrators had done for the community.
Joyce Hopper, a former school board member, spoke with great respect for Parks, and recounted the difficult situation the school district faced before he took over, including the loss of teachers, no teacher contract, and the possible loss of accreditation. Parks, one of two finalists for the role, was asked, "Do you really want this job?" She recalled his answer as a straightforward, "Yes, I do."
Parks had then assured Hopper and the other board members that he was ready to take on the challenges faced by the district. She also recounted how Parks would give kids lunch money, as well as the occasional ride home if they needed one. Hopper said that she was saddened by Parks retirement, that Alton was "losing the best administrator we’ve ever had." The assembled crowd then gave Parks a standing ovation. Hopper concluded by saying, "I love Don Parks."
Other school officials and teachers all made their own remarks about Parks during the ceremony. Peter Farrell said that Parks had helped Alton and Barnstead "make a defining statement."
Others spoke of Parks’ personal attention to students and faculty, and Heger’s numerous contributions to the district. Prospect Mountain principal Russell Holden also presented Parks with a drawing of the school created by a student, as a final gift.
Both Parks and Heger spoke at the end of the presentations about being "overwhelmed" by the sentiments of the evening. Parks also said that he was proud that the district "got a lot done when people didn’t think we could do it," under his leadership.
Heger had been with the Alton school district for 23 years until deciding to retire this year. "I started as a clerk/typist for $3.75 an hour," Heger said, "and I worked for five separate superintendents." Heger said the biggest change in the district was the split from SAU 51 in the late 90s, after which, she took over the day-to-day business operations. She plans to travel with her husband, John Martin, around the country to visit grandchildren, and they will be going to Hawaii next spring.


Penny Sawyer vs. Diabetes
Award for Barnstead nurse
By Jim Shilander
Staff Writer
BARNSTEAD — Much of Penny Sawyer’s adult life has been spent fighting diabetes. As a nurse at Concord Hospital for 20 years, she has seen the debilitating effects of the disease. As a certified diabetes educator for the last 15 years, she has made it her work to teach those most at risk of developing the disease to better manage their lifestyle, and to teach those already afflicted to have a better quality of life.
Sawyer was recently presented with an award from the New Hampshire Association of Diabetes Educators. The "Dick Smith Award" was given to Sawyer in recognition for "extraordinary commitment of time and effort to the mission," of the Association.
For those unfamiliar with diabetes, it comes in two different forms, with similar results. In Type I (more often called Juvenile diabetes), a faulty pancreas fails to produce insulin, a hormone that allows the body to absorb sugars and carbohydrates. The more common Type II (formerly called adult onset diabetes) afflicts a person whose body, in Sawyer’s words "doesn’t react as well to the insulin produced."
"There’s a lot that can be done about type II," says Sawyer, whose work includes both types. "Many children are developing Type II." This accounts for why the disease is no longer called "adult onset."
Many of the risk factors for Type II can be fixed, however. Sawyer includes inactivity, poor eating habits, obesity, and elevated cholesterol levels, among many of those risks. Much of Sawyer’s work involves education about the illness, including working with children and schools to administer proper care and how best to avoid getting the disease. Sawyer also works with Type I and Type II sufferers as an insulin pump trainer.
Sawyer also works as a diabetes educator at nursing homes, and at Pittsfield Medical Center. She cautions that diabetes can strike anytime in life, emphasizing that Type I diabetes can be discovered in the elderly, and its negative effects, including potential blindness, heart disease, kidney problems and numbness, can strike Type I sufferers even if they’ve lived a healthy lifestyle. Sawyer also stated that many times, diabetes is found in patients coming in for checks on other complications, such as heart disease. She stressed the importance of living a healthy lifestyle and staying active as being important for those in danger of developing the disease.


Globetrotting musician to perform at PMHS
By Jim Shilander
Staff Writer
Alton — It doesn’t take long to realize that Peter Robertson isn’t a native of the Lakes region. His accent is classic Aussie, but he has made the area his home as a recording artist. After playing as a session guitarist for platinum-selling artists in Australia, and playing in London and Nashville studios, Robertson went solo. He has found a home in New Durham, with his wife Mara Kerns-Robertson, where he hopes to work on his music.
Robertson originally came to the US "for music."
"I was living in London, and then came to Nashville to do work, including working with Tim McGraw’s band, Keith Urban and Jamie O’Neill," says Roberston. He explains further that he "met a friend who came from Boston, and I had never been to Boston. So I worked doing gigs in the area, and became musical director of a session band for touring groups." Robertson explains that he then met his wife and moved to New Durham this past year.
Robertson has recently released an album, "Who I am," featuring much of his own work. After his wife gave him the idea to begin performing his own work, Robertson sent a demo to a producer in Nashville. His hope was that the producer might suggest other artists who would perform the songs he had written. "The producer said ‘you should do your own thing,’" said Robertson, which helped give him the drive to record his first album. The first single, and title track, has been receiving airplay across the country in test markets, especially Top 40 and adult contemporary stations. Robertson says that another single will be going out later this year, as well.
Robertson will be performing with his band, with guest performances by students from Prospect Mountain High School. "They’ve been picking my brain about what the industry’s like," says Robertson.
The PMHS concert was suggested by the parent of one of Robertson’s guitar students, Becky Rouleau. By giving a chance to students to perform, Robertson also hopes to "get them in front of a crowd," and show them what the concert experience is like as a performer.
Tickets for the performance can be purchased at the door. The proceeds from the will be donated to the PMHS PTSA. The concert is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, but Robertson recommends arriving at 7. He called the 600-seat-Prospect Mountain auditorium "impressive" and will be performing songs from his album, as well as newer material.