2004 Year-in-Review (October to December)

OCTOBER

October 7, 2004

Creeping black fungus wipes out man’s dream

OXFORD HILLS — Nearly one year after black mold forced 62-year old Gaynor Fitch out of his home and destroyed his health, the local maintenance man was still trying to recoup his financial losses.

The Advertiser-Democrat featured Gaynor’ plight, including his attempts to rehabilitate the used trailer he had obtained five years earlier, and his related history of health problems.

Inspectors with Community Concepts advised Gaynor to vacate the home, due to the insidious mold which had spread into the flooring, the insulation, the ceiling, and had rotted-out rafters.  State inspectors were unable to determine if the mold was present before Gaynor had taken possession of the mobile home.  Representatives from the Maine Manufactured Housing Board stated that there was no violation of the “implied warranty” on the home.

Plan to Change high school surprises SAD 17 directors

OXFORD — Questions and skepticism were the order of the day when a committee assigned to study “smaller learning communities” reported to the SAD 17 school board on what it termed the “advantages of switching to a team-orientated, four group approach for the high school.” 

The concept of four completely autonomous “vertical” teams in grades seven through 12, each with its own budget, administration, guidance department, schedule, and curriculum seemed to run counter to the original concept for the school when it opened in 1998, which was aimed at bringing technical and academic classes together in what was then described as a “seamless environment.”

Board members were concerned that the new plan might lead to increases in administrative costs.  The plan was also derided for its potential to “label,” or categorize, students.

Sheriff asks county to fund three more deputies

OXFORD COUNTY — As Commissioner’s gathered to finalize the new county budget, the Oxford County Sheriff’s Department met them with a request to increase their own budget by $210,639 — or, 28.38 percent.  The increase was intended to fund three additional deputy positions.  The Sheriff’s Department, which has not added a new deputy since 1990, has reportedly become besieged with requests for increased coverage, especially in the more rural areas of the county.

October 14, 2004

Sherry and one-year-old twins thriving

REGION — It was a happy story that led the newspaper this week, when we followed up on Sherry Mason, now 17, whose difficult pregnancy we had first covered in August 2003. 

While still in the womb, Sherry’s babies — Abigail and Allison — had suffered from twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, a condition in which one twin gets too much blood from the placenta and the other too little.  Each twin weighed in at under two pounds when they were born three months premature via emergency Caesarian section in October 2003. 

When we reintroduced readers to the twins one year later, they were happy and healthy despite some lingering health concerns.  Sherry was just moving out of a group home she and the twins had briefly been required to stay in by the Maine Department of Human Services.  She was now hoping to finish high school.

Feds have $2 million for tech park

NORWAY — Brett Doney, CEO of the Oxford Hills Growth Council announced that the Economic Development Administration, an arm of the U. S. Department of Commerce, had approved a pre-application worth $2 million to fund a portion of the planned infrastructure for a new business park at the top of Pike’s Hill.

“We are confident that this will lead to a final award [of the grant] in 2005,” said Doney.

If received, the grant will be used to run electricity and telecommunications lines, and to build storm water and fire protection systems at the new complex.

Priest’s body found in woods

OXFORD COUNTY — A body found off South Arm Road in Andover was identified as Rumford Priest Gordon “Father Mike” Chiasson.  Chiasson had been missing since September 29.  Sheriff’s Captain James Miclon stated that Chiasson had been dead “for some time” and that no foul play was suspected.

October 21, 2004

Officials try to deal with bullies

OXFORD — When a local mother expressed her concerns to the SAD 17 school board over the possible return to school of a youth who was accused of assaulting her son, we reviewed the district’s “zero tolerance” policy on bullying.

Those efforts center on actively involving the 85-percent of the school population, referred to as “bystanders,” who are not either directly involved in, or the victims of, bullying.

We also made special note of the 15 to 20 fifth and sixth grade students at the Guy E. Rowe Elementary School in Norway who are leaders in the “bully-busters” program.

Voters remove Roberts in Greenwood

GREENWOOD — In a special town meeting attended by 93 residents, voters approved a measure to remove Selectman Ivan Roberts from office.  The vote was 70 to 23 in favor of recalling Roberts.

Roberts fought for his job, noting his contributions to a recently completed dam project and towards cleaning up local junkyards.  He also claimed that he was alone among local selectmen in attending various training sessions and workshops.  Other municipal officers countered that Roberts overspent while taking part in those classes and that Roberts was “rude” and “difficult to work with.”

State official praises local highway effort

OXFORD HILLS — David Cole, commissioner of the Maine Department of Transportation, attended a local transportation summit and lavished praise on the Fix 26 Corridor Committee.  He stated that the region has become a leader when it comes to transportation issues.

The summit prioritized upcoming road issues, with the committee now focused on the following projects: reconstruction of Route 26 from the junction with Route 122 near the Poland Spring Inn traveling north to the Poland Regional High School.  Rebuilding the section of Route 26 in front of Oxford Plains Speedway.  Reworking Route 117 from Norway to Harrison.  Building a pedestrian bridge linking the former C. B. Cummings property to Main Street in Norway.  Also discussed was the concept of building a Route 26 bypass around downtown Bryant Pond.

October 28, 2004

Arsonist being sought by police

OXFORD — Police, forest rangers, and firefighters were on the lookout for an arsonist believed to have set a series of 13 small fires along a three-quarter mile wooded section of Skeetfield Road. 

The fires along the busy road were spotted soon enough — most having grown to only two or three feet in diameter — so that they were quickly extinguished.  However, authorities were concerned over the apparent manner in which the fires had set, theorizing the use of a “charcoal lighter of some kind.”

Oxford Hills jobless rate creeps up

OXFORD HILLS — We noted that local unemployment rates in the Norway-Paris Labor Market Area were inching up, from 5.3 percent in July, to 5.5 percent in August, and then to 5.8 percent in September.

This percentage was well above the 4.1 percent rate of unemployment for the state.  The national average was at 5.1 percent, but was actually moving in the opposite direction, down from 5.4 percent in the previous month.

It was also noted that there are currently approximately 700 persons without jobs in our area, while some 11,330 individuals are gainfully employed.

County Commissioners won’t hire more deputies

OXFORD COUNTY — County commissioners slashed $124,838 out of the requested budget increase from the Oxford County Sheriff’s Department.  This effectively killed at least two of the three new deputy positions the department had been hoping to create. 

At work was a schism between the smaller towns of the county, which are requesting additional police coverage, and the larger towns, which are funding their own police departments in addition to contributing to the county budget for those same services.

NOVEMBER

November 4, 2004

Young child dies in trailer fire

OXFORD — After a week with multiple fires of unknown origin, the news centered on one blaze, in a Cheryl Lane mobile home, with a definite cause.  Tragically, this fire resulted in the death of a seven-year-old boy.

State Fire Marshall Sergeant Ken Grimes traced the origin of the fire to a couch in the center of the trailer, where smoking materials were later determined to be the source of ignition.

Kathy Bennett, 37, and Neil Gephart, 30, escaped through a bedroom window on one side of the trailer.  Their neighbor Raymond Reece, along with Police Officer Alan Coffin, rescued seven-year-old Shawn and 11-month old Andrea from the other end.  Sadly, Shawn was later pronounced dead at Stephens Memorial Hospital in Norway, having succumbed to smoke inhalation.

Voters reject tax cap

OXFORD HILLS — The Advertiser-Democrat reported on initial poll results from the November referendum vote.  Question one, known popularly as the “Pelesky initiative,” had asked voter approval to cap property taxes at one percent of value, and to roll back those valuations to 1996 levels.

Support for the measure had initially been high in the spring, but support wavered as election day drew near.  Many local municipalities and school districts campaigned against the measure, noting that it would result in draconian cuts to town services.

All 18 towns in our coverage area weighed in against the proposal.  The measure had its greatest support in Hartford (48.2 percent), Mechanic Falls (47.7 percent), and Sumner (47.3 percent.)  The initiative lost by the widest margin in Stoneham, where “yes” only garnered 27.8 percent of the vote.  This was followed by the only other towns in our coverage area where “Pelesky” got less than 40 percent of the vote: Hebron (38.5 percent) and Waterford (39.4 percent.)

However, it is worth noting that Advertiser-Democrat readers seemed, among all voters, the least enthusiastic about abandoning Pelesky’s goal.  Within the newspaper’s circulation area, “Yes” held on for 41.6 percent of the vote.  In contrast, “Yes” only garnered 41 percent in Oxford County as a whole, 40.4 percent in Androscoggin County, and 37 percent statewide.

November 11, 2004

Little boy honors loss of friend

OXFORD — We followed up on the previous week’s devastating fire with a report on the cause from the Maine Department of Public Safety.  We also introduced readers to Kyle Rogers, the seven-year-old best friend of the child killed in the blaze.

Kyle had decided to reach out and help his friend’s family, single-handedly collecting $540 in donations in just one day.  Kyle visited area businesses, such as Oxford Homes, Burlington Homes, and Record Lumber, all of whom donated.  The first $240 Kyle collected was matched by Don and Terry Strout of Moon Dog Drywall.

One hurt in North Norway fire

NORWAY — Another fire was front-page news, this one at 598 Greenwood Road, the former location of Kavuja’s Country Store.  The store had been converted into a private residence.  According to Norway Assistant Fire Chief Jim Tibbetts, tenant Robert Paradis had been attempting to light a pilot light in a propane oven when an explosion occurred.  Paradis was transported to Stephens Memorial Hospital with “serious,” but not life-threatening, burns.

Rape Crisis center broke, closes

OXFORD HILLS — With payments coming in late from Maine’s Department of Health and Human Services, and without a cushion of donations to fall back on, the Rape Education and Crisis Hotline (REACH) was forced to close it’s doors, laying off all four employees.  Some volunteers remained for various support and advocacy services.

November 18, 2004

Dismal holiday for hundreds of kids?

OXFORD HILLS — On a related note, with the holiday season fast approaching, the Advertiser-Democrat focused on the struggles of Christmas for Kids.

Gerri Price, a coordinator for the local charity, which provides toys and winter clothing to needy families, told us that she already had more applications than last year, but that donations had dropped to such an extent that the program was “in crisis.”

One special concern, Price noted, was that former employees of local mills, once among the strongest block of donators, were reportedly now on the receiving end.

Buckfield loses thousands without a plan

BUCKFIELD — We reported on the efforts of Buckfield, like many towns in our area, to update its comprehensive plan.  Without a current plan, the town remains ineligible for many grants that it might otherwise apply for. 

While many towns in our coverage area are in the midst of a ten-year cycle of updating local growth plans, Buckfield’s plan has not been officially updated since 1985.

Business loan fund replenished

OXFORD HILLS — Western Maine Finance, the financial arm of Enterprise Maine, announced that it has received a $500,000 grant from USDA Rural Development.  These funds will be used in their Intermediary Relending Program, which will use the funds to make loans to area businesses — both new startups and those hoping to expand.

November 25, 2004

Paris selectmen accused of ‘law violations’

SOUTH PARIS — Selectman Barbara Payne stopped the board dead in its tracks when she publicly reprimanded them for conducting what she felt to be unlawful executive sessions.

Although this appeared to cause some acrimony at the time, Payne’s warning has since resulted in a plan to hold a workshop so that municipal officers, and others, from the area could study Maine laws concerning public access of information.

Sheriff may get three more deputies

OXFORD HILLS — The Oxford County Budget Committee put a funding request from the Oxford County Sheriff’s Department solidly back on the books, overruling the county commissioners who had earlier cut the requested budget increase to fund three new deputy positions.

While it was agreed that nine more deputies would be needed to “adequately” staff the department, debate continued to swirl around how to best levy taxes for that coverage.  The smaller towns continued to support funding for new deputies while the larger towns with their own police departments were, generally, against the proposal.

Federico new Norway Chief

NORWAY — While the county was haggling over deputies, we noted the hiring of a new Police Chief in Norway. 

Local officer Sergeant Rob Federico was already a grandfather when he made a career move into law enforcement in 1995.  In a meteoric rise from part-time patrol officer to Police Chief, Federico was praised for “extremely good communication skills and an open attitude with the public.”

Federico replaced Chief Tim Richards, who had been terminated in April after charges that he had violated a restraining order filed be a former girlfriend who had also been, at one time, his subordinate in the Norway department.

DECEMBER

December 2, 2004

Raging vandal violates dead child’s ashes

WEST PARIS — In what was perhaps the saddest, and most disturbing, story of 2004, the Advertiser-Democrat reported on the tragic loss of Tina Loring. 

Burglars had battered down the rear door of Loring’s Tuelltown Road mobile home while she was away and had gone on a rampage, punching as many 61 holes in the walls. 

But the most sickening aspect of the wanton destruction was the violation of an urn containing the ashes of Loring’s 12-year old daughter, Cassie Bennett, who had died of a brain tumor eight years ago.  The urn was smashed and Cassie’s remains were scattered all about the home.

Although law enforcement sources have since identified, but not named, a “person of interest,” not enough evidence has yet been collected in order for an arrest to be made.

Should towns charge for fire calls?

GREENWOOD — Like many area small town all-volunteer fire department’s, Greenwood has been struggling to keep up with costs, training, and regulations.  We reported on the issue when we focused on local discussions of whether the town’s fire department should begin charging a fee for responding to certain types of calls.  No decision was reached, but the debate continues to be of interest throughout the Oxford Hills.

December 9, 2004

Deer sting nails two for poaching

OXFORD — We reported on three game wardens and an Oxford Police Officer who spent Thanksgiving Day manning a “robo-deer.”  The lifelike mechanical animal, positioned in a pasture just off of East Oxford Road, was designed to draw the attention of would-be poachers.  The stakeout location was chosen for being nearby to Jackson’s Deer Farm, where domesticated red deer and elk had been shot with a bow and arrow the previous winter.

Two local men were cited as a result of the sting.  A 45-year old Oxford man actually took a shot, while a 19-year old Hebron man, apprehended before he fired, was summonsed for carrying a loaded weapon in a motor vehicle.  Both men also received additional tickets for “hunting” without wearing the requisite safety orange.

Williams quits at chamber

OXFORD HILLS — After ten years as head of the Oxford Hills Chamber of Commerce, John Williams stepped down in order to focus on his broadcasting business.  Williams’ resignation is effective December 31.

December 16, 2004

Selectman provides fire victims with presents

NORWAY — Amanda Tapley had planned to take her two young daughters, Kaitlyn and Madison, and move out of state after Christmas.  One might have expected that decision to have been hastened when a fire ravaged their Cottage Street apartment in October, robbing them of all their possessions.

But, when a outpouring of local support flooded in — including a substantial financial gift from Norway Selectman Bill Damon and his wife Beatrice designed to make sure Amanda’s young girls had a merry Christmas — Amanda found herself with a brand new outlook on the Oxford Hills communities.

“I can’t think of any other place I would want my kids to grow up,” she said.

Officials mum on ‘big box store’

OXFORD — After noticing several surveyor stakes in the field where the Oxford Drive-In had once been located, the Advertiser-Democrat sent a reporter to investigate.  What we turned up was evidence that something is happening, even though all parties involved have reportedly been sworn to secrecy. 

Brett Doney, executive director of Enterprise Maine, confirmed that a national development company has put options on properties in the area.  Although he declined to name the company, he stated that “it does include a big box retail.”

However, Doney noted that actual construction on the site “could take place right away, or [be] put on hold for any number of years.”

Paris picks Sharon Jackson as manager

SOUTH PARIS — After two separate terms as interim town manager for Oxford, in which she was passed over both times for the top spot, Sharon Jackson was hired as the new town manager for Paris. 

Jackson replaces Steve McAllister, who surprised the board of selectmen with his sudden resignation to start a private business in Waterford

December 23, 2004

Calls reduce anguish for local military families

IRAQ/ GREATER OXFORD HILLS — Following the terrorist attack on a military dining hall in Monsul, Iraq, which killed two guardsmen from Maine and injured 10 others, we anxiously joined our surrounding communities as, one by one, our beloved soldiers in the 133d Engineer Battalion called home to check in with family members.

Should small towns pay for sheriff’s deputies?

OXFORD COUNTY — The debate over the funding of additional deputies at the Oxford County Sheriff’s Department reached a new crescendo when Bethel Town Manager Scott Cole began circulating a plan for proposed legislation that would reconfigure the funding formula, relieving larger town’s that operate their own police departments from some of the burden of supporting the Sheriff's department.

Join the crowd — urge L. L. Bean to stay here

OXFORD HILL — And finally, we advised our readers of a grassroots attempt, currently gaining momentum, whose goal is to convince the Maine-based outdoor apparel and equipment company to open up a permanent call center in the Oxford Hill area.

L. L. Bean had recently operated a seasonal call center in Oxford, while simultaneously abandoning plans to open a permanent operation in Oakland.  That satellite office was scuttled when a national cell phone company announced designs on a cell center in the same business park.  L. L. Bean pulled out, citing concerns over an adequate labor pool in that area.

We noted the large, talented pool of workers right here in the Oxford Hills.  We also pointed out how L. L. Bean’s founder and namesake, Leon Leonwood Bean, grew up in Greenwood.  And we brought our readers attention to a giant photo opportunity in which the community was being asked to turn out in L. L. bean clothing for an outdoor photo that will be turned into a promotional poster for the campaign.