2006 Year in Review: July

JULY

July 6, 2006

Fireworks over Whizzer in Waterford

WATERFORD — A group named “Take Back Our Waterford” collected signatures to recall selectman Whizzer Wheeler at the town’s annual July 4 parade.  The drive to oust Wheeler prompted him to resign his post.  However, a short time later he beat out three others as a write-in candidate to return to his seat.

County courtroom ‘panic buttons’ fail?

PARIS — When a jail inmate became unruly at the Oxford County Courthouse, a rarely used “officer down” alert was engaged with debatable results.  Some of the clerical staff at the courthouse claimed 35 minutes passed before help arrived, while the Oxford County Sheriff’s office said the response time was closer to six minutes.  The issue also elicited debate about where the system was connected, how it worked, and who should respond.

Make way for ‘Throg’

MECHANIC FALLS — Mechanic Falls Town Manager Dana Lee starred in a recently released DVD movie as the dimwitted barbarian, Throg.  By the end of the year, Lee had resigned his position with the town, although he left to get into real estate, no acting.    

July 13, 2006

Mail thefts rattle residents

WATERFORD — Residents of Deer Hill Road in Waterford were rattled at the discovery of stolen mail, removed from their mailboxes, in some cases opened, and then discarded near the roadside.  It was one of a handful of similar incidents reported across the Greater Oxford Hills during the year.

Otisfield man, 68, runs up Mt. Washington

OTISFIELD — Gordon Chamberlain, 68, of Otisfield underwent a months-long training regimen and conquered the Northeast’s highest peak during the annual Mt. Washington Road Race, finishing 17th overall in his division.

Norway man arrested following multi-cop chase

OXFORD/PARIS — A man was arrested and charged with two counts of eluding a police officer, operating under the influence and reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon following a chase in which the man led five police officers through the back roads of Oxford and Paris before finally getting captured when he chose dead-end Paine Pond Road as his final turn.

July 20, 2006

Sheriff investigates chief deputy

OXFORD — Oxford Postmaster Marilee Cooper, 48, was granted a temporary court order of protection from Oxford County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy James Davis, 59 following allegations of stalking involving the misuse of law enforcement equipment and resources. 

Chick didn’t disclose missing money

POLAND — The mystery of Poland’s $2 million TIF debt to the Poland Spring bottling company took a new twist when Town Manager Richard Chick admitted that he had known of the problem before the annual town meeting in April.  Chick said he did not report the problem before leading the town into a new fiscal year because he had not yet identified its source.

SAD 17 eyes trimming its central office staff

OXFORD — SAD 17 Superintendent Dr. Mark Eastman announced that he would review central office staffing following the recent departure of his assistant, Mark LaRoach, with an eye toward eliminating that position.  By years end, the school board voted to keep the job, plus add a benefits coordinator.  Also on tap for next year are several new jobs created and paid for this year with the assistant superintendent's unused salary.

July 27, 2006

Grandparents to a loon

WATERFORD — The Advertiser-Democrat brought readers the story of McWain Pond residents Bill and Nancy Hanger, who worked to create a nesting place for a loon that laid in egg on the dock of their neighbors, Ed and Beverly Damon.  Pond residents got a once-in-lifetime show as the baby loon, nicknamed “Mac” was nurtured, hatched and taught to swim and by his parents.

Did Wyman steal from businesses?

NORWAY — The embezzlement investigation of former Norway Community Development Director Deb Wyman widened as it was found that she had stolen from area business as well as from state grants.  It was discovered that Wyman also pocketed loan payments made to the town, and to the Norway Brach Railroad Corporation by Northeast Tool and Die.

1961 Harrison pickup draws $23,051 on eBay

HARRISON — The Harrison Fire Department got far more than it hoped for its decommissioned 1961 Dodge Power Wagon, when the 63rd and final bid concluded the internet auction at $23,051.  Because selectmen in Harrison are only allowed to dispose of equipment valued at less than $10,000, an impromptu town meeting was quickly scheduled to approve the sale.