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This week's stories: (click on the headline
to jump to story)
 Goffstown
makes a big fuss over returning soldier
Kindergarten
'held hostage'
Weare's
'Peaceful Playground'
Library
work is new assistant's calling
Hess:
'Guilty'
Goffstown
Goffstown makes a big
fuss over returning soldier
By JENNIFER CLAISE
Staff Writer
jclaise@yourneighborhoodnews.com
Tyler Frost is overwhelmed by all the attention
he's been receiving lately.
Driving down Route 114, there are several signs that mention
him by name. And on Saturday, Aug. 7, he was the guest of honor
at a party with about 50 of his friends and family and a live
band.
"It's kind of embarrassing," Frost, 23, said with a
laugh.
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But Frost's mother, Patty Pare, said her
son deserves all the attention that he's getting, and then some.
This is because Frost is one of the over 150 members of the Londonderry-based
94th Military Police Company, which arrived back in the United
States from Iraq recently after two tour extensions and a couple
of flight delays.
"It feels good to be home," said Frost, who was deployed
on Dec. 5, 2002. "I mean, what else can I say? It feels
really good."
The 94th landed at Fort Drum, N.Y. on Friday, July 30, and were
welcomed back to New Hampshire with a reception at the JFK Coliseum
on Wednesday, Aug 4.
And for his family, that moment could not
come soon enough.
"I just couldn't wait to put my arms around him," Pare
said.
Frost's aunt, Donna O'Dougherty, was one of the family members
eager to greet him on Wednesday.
"I'm very close to Tyler," O'Dougherty
said. "When Ty was in Iraq, he would call me whenever he
could. He refers to me as his second mother. This is a happy
day for all of us."
His grandmother, Rita Brouillard, who also attended the reception,
said she was honored and pleased to see not only her grandson
return, but all of the other soldiers as well.
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GRATEFUL TO HAVE HER SON HOME Patty
Pare of Goffstown shows her son, Tyler Frost, how happy she is
to have him back after two years in Iraq. (Jennifer Claise Photo)
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"We thought of all of them when they were over there, really,"
she said. "It makes you realize more and more what's really
important in life."
And Frost was quick to mention that, despite the attention he's
been getting since his return, there are still plenty of soldiers
serving in Iraq whose families are waiting for them to come home
as well.
"I have two friends in the Marine Corps, and I don't want
anyone to forget about them," Frost said. "I don't
want it to seem like I'm stealing the limelight."
O'Dougherty agreed it is important to remember the soldiers who
have not yet returned, and those who have been killed in action.
"I'm so happy for (Patty) that her son is home," she
said. "But I told her, 'Never forget that your son came
home.' There are so many moms and dads whose kids aren't coming
home."
But since Frost has returned, O'Dougherty said that she's seen
nothing but positive changes in him.
"He has always been a good kid, but he came back and he
has grown into a man," she said.
And while Frost's family was worried how Tyler might be affected
by the experiences he had in Iraq, O'Dougherty said he has plenty
of support at home.
"I told my sister Patty to watch him and really listen,"
she said. "I think he's a quiet guy and I worry about what
he's done and seen over there, and how it might affect him."
But, she added, "He's a smart-enough kid to seek help if
he needs it," she said.
Frost said his plans include spending lots of time with his friends
and family, returning to his job at Goffstown Public Works where
he is a truck driver, building a house in Goffstown, and riding
a new Harley-Davidson that he bought during leave in December.
"This is one of the toys I bought when I got home,"
said Frost, posing in front of his shiny black motorcycle.
At the party Saturday, Frost also introduced his girlfriend,
Toni Wakester, to his friends and family.
Frost and Wakester, 22, met while serving in Iraq after she volunteered
to transfer to the 94th Company. They've been together for about
a year and a half, Frost said.
Despite his long deployment, Frost said he remains confident
that he and his fellow soldiers serve for a worthy cause.
"Each time I was extended, I knew the situation that was
going on," he said. "I knew it was a just cause, and
that they weren't just keeping us over there for no reason."
Goffstown
Kindergarten 'held hostage'
Lawsuit will delay opening past 2005
By RUSS CHOMA
Staff Writer
rchoma@yourneighborhoodnews.com
School officials are now saying a public
kindergarten approved by voters last March may not be finished
by the slated opening date of September 2005.
SAU 19 Superintendent Darrell Lockwood reported to the Goffstown
School Board that due to ongoing litigation with neighbors of
the facility's proposed location, plans to start work on the
project have been derailed.
Lockwood made his report at the Monday, Aug. 9, school board
meeting.
"The architect has indicated to us that if they can't begin
full blown design by Oct. 1, we won't be able to open in September
of '05," Lockwood said.
"And with our attorneys indicating that Superior Court (where
the litigation is being heard) probably would not respond to
the town for six to nine months," he said. "So, we're
well beyond Oct. 1."
Lockwood was critical of the neighbors who filed the litigation.
According to Lockwood, the lawsuit had created a "hostage
situation."
During the March School District Meeting, voters approved a $3.3
million facility on Tibbetts Hill Road. The land for the building
was donated by Timberstone Realty, who offered the district a
10-acre parcel of land in the middle of a 25-unit housing development.
Unknown to many residents, the actual site plans for the proposed
building had not yet been approved by the planning board.
Three abutters to the proposed kindergarten property Robert
Wike, David and Christi Garrison and the McRae Family Trust
now contend the proposal was improperly pushed through the planning
board approval process. Goffstown attorney Mike Ryan, who represents
the abutters, has said the school board, using "emotional
blackmail," helped a pushy developer bully the planning
board into approving the proposal without a proper look.
The zoning board of adjustment upheld the planning board's decision.
The abutters filed their litigation as an appeal to that decision,
asking a judge to decide the issue.
Ryan did not return calls for comment.
Although voters have already approved money to begin work, Lockwood
said the district is unable to start.
As long as there is no conclusion to the litigation, the site
plans might still change, and so architects cannot begin their
final design work.
"While we feel there is no merit in this appeal, the school
board has a fiduciary responsibility to not waste (taxpayer)
money," Lockwood said.
State aid is still guaranteed to Goffstown even if the groundbreaking
is delayed, said Lockwood. However, the guarantee is for $2.2
million, and if the price on the project increases, the town
would have to pay the difference or scale back the plans.
As part of his report to the school board, Lockwood said the
district may run into overcrowding issues. Preschool and certain
special education programs are currently housed at Bartlett Elementary
School, and the kindergarten proposal called for those programs
to be moved over to the new building.
The move would relieve overcrowding at Bartlett, Lockwood said.
Without the new facility in 2005, Lockwood said, the district
should consider the possibility of installing portable classrooms
at Bartlett.
Weare
Weare's 'Peaceful Playground'
By JODI WOLFE
Staff Writer
jwolfe@yourneighborhoodnews.com
Recess at Center Woods Elementary School
will be a lot more interesting and fun this year.
As part of the Peaceful Playgrounds program, volunteers have
been painting the school playground with games such as hopscotch,
pickle, around the world, four square, and number and letter
grids.
"I'm excited," said Assistant Principal Laura Stoneking.
"I hope we can get it done in time (for the new school year)."
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The program is a lot of work, but the students
will benefit the most, and it's worth the money, the time and
the effort, Stoneking said.
And everyone is involved with the project
students, the administration, parents and the the PTO.
Peaceful Playgrounds was developed by Dr. Melinda Bossenmeyer
of California in her doctoral thesis about how to create less
conflict on playgrounds, said Center Woods Elementary School
Principal Jude Chauvette.
One of Bossenmeyer's methods is to have the school administration
regulate playground games so the students can't argue about the
rules, said Chauvette. The rules would be kept in a book that
the teachers on recess duty could carry and clarify the rules
for the students.
Bossenmeyer's thesis also suggests three
methods for students to deal with conflict
walk away, talk about it, and if students cannot do either of
those, they can play rock, paper, scissors to see who is right,
said Chauvette.
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HELPING OUT Sarah Bedard, 10,
a recent graduate of Center Woods Elementary School, helps paint
a four-square court as part of the Peaceful Playground program.
(Jodi Wolfe Photo)
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Another idea addressed by Bossenmeyer is a version of kickball,
where teams are not picked, students are not left out, and everyone
gets a turn at play.
After the kicker kicks, he or she becomes the pitcher and the
person who caught the ball becomes the kicker.
Chauvette said he hopes the designs painted on the blacktop will
remind the students what to do as well as spread them out throughout
the playground as there are usually 150 students on the playground
at the same time.
With the letter and number grids, teachers can bring students
out to the playground for more interactive class time as well,
said Stoneking.
During the first couple of weeks of school, students will have
a structured recess. All the teachers on duty will rotate games
and explain them, Chauvette said.
Easter said it's good there is more adult supervision and interaction.
A lot of children today don't know how to play games such as
hopscotch and four square, said Chauvette.
"There definitely is a lack of kids learning those essential
games," said Stoneking, agreeing with Chauvette.
Another benefit of the program is students can learn the games
and play them at home, said Stoneking.
Chauvette said he recommended the Peaceful Playground because
he had ordered the program when he was assistant principal at
Chester Academy, but he left before it could get started.
There have not been many conflicts on the playground at Center
Woods, but issues do arise when students have unstructured time
such as lunch or recess, said Stoneking.
"I think it's wonderful," Easter said. "I think
a lot of problems in elementary school start or get worse on
the playground. I think if they have a way to channel their energy,
I think it's great."
The school purchased the program from Bossenmeyer that includes
the training materials, the layouts, the directions and the blueprints,
said Stoneking.
Administrators began working on the Peaceful Playground program
in January. They first had to apply for a grant to purchase the
program, and then went over the blueprints to see what could
be done at Center Woods.
The Weare Friends PTO donated $500 for paint supplies and additional
money for playground equipment after receiving a request from
the administration, said co-chairman Cheri Easter.
Carts, balls and jump ropes have been ordered and students will
have to sign out the equipment, which will make them responsible
for returning and caring for the items, said Chauvette.
Easter said more supplies will be beneficial because Center Woods
does not have a lot of equipment for a large group of students.
"The great thing about it, too, is that our parents (and)
volunteers can take ownership in putting this together,"
said Stoneking.
The volunteers have been trying to work on Mondays from 4 to
8 p.m. and hope to finish in time for the new school year, said
Chauvette.
Easter has not been able to attend many Monday night painting
sessions, but wants to get her family involved.
"I think the more people involved, the better," she
said.
Anyone who wishes to help with the Center Wood Peaceful Playground
Project can call the school at 529-4500 or check Channel 17.
Goffstown
Library work is new assistant's calling
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By JESSICA D'AVANZA
Correspondent
Goffstown Public Library's new assistant
director, Steve Viggiano, may still be called the new guy for
a little while, but he is far from new at what he does. Recently
working at the Manchester City Library, Viggiano has even tried
his hand as a children's librarian, complete with performing
story times.
Viggiano's first taste of the Goffstown Public Library was two
summers ago on a day off from work which he decided to spend
climbing Mt. Uncanoonic.
"I was looking for someplace to get water. I had forgotten
to bring some and I went into the library," said Viggiano.
"I had met Amy (Lapointe, former assistant director) at
a meeting and she gave me a tour of the library. I was very impressed
by the staff friendliness and the quaintness of the building."
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THE NEW GUY Steve Viggiano
hopes to add a music collection to the Goffstown Public Library,
as well as encourage children and adults to read.
(Jessica D'Avanza Photo)
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Viggiano began at Goffstown library
on July 19 and has plans to begin a music collection there.
"Most libraries I've been in have a music collection. It
is a good way to broaden a person's horizons," said Viggiano.
He is open to any suggestions from the public on what to include
in the library's new collection.
"I'm trying to strike a balance between things a library
should have and things people will check out," said Viggiano.
He enjoys listening to classic rock and even plays the guitar.
His library life began in college at Keene State as an English
major.
"I was student teaching at the time," he said, "and
at night I worked at the school library. I soon realized how
much I looked forward to those nights of working at the library."
After graduation, Viggiano applied for some teaching jobs. Just
in case working in a library was his true calling, he also applied
to Manchester City Library.
He found that working at a library was for him, but he needed
to try something different before settling down. Viggiano became
an AmeriCorps/VISTA volunteer (Volunteers in Service to America)
working for Habitat for Humanity in California for one year as
the volunteer coordinator.
"I wanted to try something different, to live in a different
part of the country," he said. "I knew that once I
settled into a job, I would never have the chance."
Living behind a church in housing he was offered, he soon moved
into the house of the construction coordinator and his wife,
who were empty nesters.
"My job at their house was to pick oranges from the back
yard and make orange juice," Viggiano said.
After his year was up, he headed east and was offered a job at
the Chandler Library in Nashua. To take advantage of full-time
work, Viggiano soon began at the West Side Branch in Manchester.
He started taking classes at the University of Rhode Island to
work toward a master's degree in library science. He completed
his degree by taking some classes online and others which were
offered in Durham. It was during this time he became a part-time
children's librarian for one year by filling in for a co-worker.
"While in school I went into it with the idea that I would
work at a small public library," he said. "I enjoy
working with the public and I wanted to get my hands into every
aspect of the job."
Manchester City Library is one of the largest libraries in the
state of New Hampshire. Coming from such a large atmosphere to
the small historic Goffstown Public Library doesn't bother Viggiano.
"I worked at the West branch, so I've become used to the
difference in libraries," he said. "Goffstown reminds
me of the (West) branch. It has an informal, small-town feel."
Viggiano is excited about his time here at the library and believes
the community library is one of the best ways to serve people.
If you would like to contact Steve Viggiano, his e-mail is Stevev@goffstown.lib.nh.us.
Weare/Hooksett
Hess: 'Guilty'
Weare man gets suspended
sentence, admits guilt in Barney evidence case
By RUSS CHOMA
Staff Writer
rchoma@yourneighborhoodnews.com
A Weare man pleaded guilty
to a felony charge of evidence tampering in connection with the
investigation of the brutal kidnapping and torture of a small
dog last summer.
Stephen Hess, 19, of Buxton School Road, Weare, pleaded guilty
Monday, Aug. 9, to the charges in Hillsborough County Superior
Court. Hess could have faced five and a half to seven years in
jail, but because of his plea, he was given a one-year suspended
sentence. He was also given two years of probation and ordered
to complete a drug and alcohol abuse counseling.
Last summer, a toy poodle named Barney disappeared, then was
found several days later after being duct-taped and dragged behind
a vehicle across pavement. Hess was arrested Aug. 25 of last
year, after police discovered several pieces of evidence from
the investigation two pieces of duct tape with Barney's
fur on them in Hess's Weare trailer.
Barney's owners, Ruth and Lou Mariano of Hooksett, who said their
pet is once again thriving, heralded the guilty plea as a positive
step.
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"We were gratified
to see Mr. Hess in court, entering his plea," they said
in a released statement.
Weare police have not filed any charges for the actual torture
of Barney, but in affidavits filed at the time of his arrest,
police suggested Hess might have had motive to torture Barney.
Prior to Hess's sentencing, the Marianos read a statement in
court, telling Hess that if he wanted to heal old wounds, he
would "stand before this court and in the presence of his
family and will finally speak the rest of the truth."
Hess' lawyer, Anthony DiFruscia,
denied his client had anything to do with the torture of Barney.
"He has made it clear that he knows nothing about the actual
'dog-knapping,'" DiFruscia said.
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Barney the poodle
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DiFruscia referred to Barney's torture as a "hideous thing"
and suggested Weare police had not been thorough in their initial
investigation.
"I'm not faulting them necessarily," he said. "But
had they done their own investigation quickly and thoroughly
to begin with, heavens knows what would've happened."
DiFruscia also refused to acknowledge his clients guilt in the
tampering case. The plea bargain had been made, he said, because
there "was sufficient facts that if a jury believed it,
he could be found guilty."
"(Hess has) got a 14-month-old child, he's gotten married
and he wanted to put this behind him," DiFruscia said. "That's
the reason for his plea the family, himself and getting
on with his life."
The Marianos praised Weare police for continuing to investigate
the torture case.
"We have been assured that the Weare police are still aggressively
pursuing this aspect of the case," their statement said.
Weare police did not return calls for comment on the status of
the investigation by press time.
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