April 1982

The star of the second annual Westbrook High School academic awards ceremony was senior Wenda Saunders, who was named valedictorian and received the Rachael Hutchinson Mathematics Award, the Bausch and Lomb science award, and commendations for her work in biology, music and English. She was named outstanding participant in the Pi Cone Math League, and is also a National Merit Finalist. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Saunders, South Casco, and intends to pursue a medical career

Among police log items: A dog bit Roland Leonard, Haskell Road, Windham, at 307 Bridge Street. The Westbrook Rescue Unit treated Ann Marie Lord, 21, at the Big Apple after she got gasoline in her eye. A juvenile stole some underwear and a tape cassette at Bradlees and earned a ticket to court. Joe Smith, a security guard at S.D. Warren, took charge of two dogs that came swimming down the river, a golden retriever and a cocoa-colored Labrador. They were taken to the Animal Refuge League.

Westbrook’s City Council agreed to talk about the Council of Government’s future. On motion of Alderman Donald Esty Jr., it voted to take up as a Committee of the Whole the so-called blueprint for the council that was presented in a general meeting called by COG. It wants its 18 member communities to approve future plans that include more joint purchasing, more inter-community discussion meetings and more inter-community planning. In view of federal cutbacks, it apparently wants more money from the community members, too.

“For the first time in history, we possess the power to destroy life on earth,” U.S. Sen George J. Mitchell told civics classes at Westbrook High School. Concerns about nuclear weapons led him to cosponsor a Senate Resolution calling for bilateral freeze in the spread of nuclear arms, he said. Mitchell spoke to about 50 seniors in government and social issues classes.

In an effort to promote arts and crafts in Gorham and make citizens aware of the abundance of talent in town, the Gorham Woman’s Club is sponsoring an art show from April 12 to 17.

In keeping with its annual theme, “Gems of the Month,” the Chopin Club of Westbrook will hold is “Diamond Jubilee” banquet and annual meeting in the Merry Manor, South Portland. Banquet committee is Warren Elder Jr., chairman, Mrs. Eben E. Fernald and O. Clyde Hulit. L. Jordan Berry will preside for business. The Chopin Club, a member organization of the National Federation of Music Clubs, is 63 years old, having been established in 1919.

April 1992

The state tightened its welfare rules to help solve its money problem in1991-92. Westbrook’s City Council has been asked to change its own rules to match. The state pays about 60 percent of Westbrook’s welfare costs. After a public hearing in which no one had anything to say, the council approved the new rules, 7-0, in first reading, with final action due April 20.

In the wake of a decision to delay development of a regional landfill and recycling center in Gorham, officials have begun wrangling over the host community, agreement that, at one time, translated into income of over $325,000 annually to the town. That amount, which was to go into effect when the center began operations, would be slashed to $73,000 a year under the new proposal by Regional Waste Management Systems. The $325,000 payment was to be made to Gorham in lieu of property taxes over the 25 year life span of the landfill.

Westbrook businessman and musician Al Hawkes has announced that he is a candidate for the Republican nomination to the state Senate from District 28, serving Buxton, Gorham and Westbrook. He will challenge Tuffy Laffin and Phil Curran in the primary race; the victor will face incumbent Democrat Sen. Donald Esty. “I’m a grassroots candidate,” Hawkes said. “I’m not a politician.”

Town Manager Paul Weston expressed concern to the Gorham Town Council about the number of properties in Gorham that the town has acquired because of non-payment of taxes. The town’s finance department currently lists 29 properties that have been acquired due to the non-payment of taxes. Weston’s suggested policy would ensure that the owner of a property, prior to its acquisition by the town, would be advised of his right of first refusal when the property is offered for sale by the town.

From the police log: The sound of breaking glass was enough for a Plummer Road woman in Gorham to report a domestic disturbance at her apartment house. Another woman going door to door on Barstow Road asking for money for medication shortly thereafter tested .26 on a police breathalizer. A goose reported to be loose in Friendly Village had removed itself to parts unknown by the time Animal Control Officer Jim Hawkes arrived to make the collar.

At anticipated confrontation between the Gorham School Committee and a group of budget watchdogs failed to materialize at a public hearing when the group’s spokeswoman was limited to a 10-minute presentation by Committee Chairwoman, Jill Knight. Ann Moody, spokeswoman for the Gorham Citizens Group, chose not to make her presentation after the time limit was imposed. “I’ve got all these pages in my hand and you’re telling me you’re only going to give me 10 minutes? No thanks.”