May 25, 1994

The Maine Human Rights Commission voted 3-2 Monday to find the city of Westbrook violated firefighter Kathy Reynolds’ rights under the “whistleblower” law and by sexual discrimination. The case hinged on how the city scheduled Reynolds for paramedic work with the Rescue Unit after she got the full-time firefighter job. The sexual discrimination ruling was a surprise. An investigator for the commission found no sexual discrimination. But the investigator, Paul D. Pierce, said Reynolds was “boycotted” by her coworkers because of her complaints about paramedic hours and the city didn’t step in to protect her right to complain.

The Gorham School Committee voted last week to cut 1.6 full-time teaching positions from the high school’s business department. The loss of two teachers will leave only one business teacher. The cuts were part of a package of recommendations by Superintendent Timothy McCormack after the Town Council reduced McCormack’s 1994-95 budget increase by $100,000, to an extra $595,911 worth of local appropriation.

Charles Sr. and Rose Boyd, 117 Longfellow Place, Westbrook, entertained at a dinner party May 14 for Florence Carter, 219 Longfellow Place, who turned 84 years old on May 15. Also invited was Marion McFarland, Maple Street, who turned 84 in January. Florence and Marion were classmates and had fun telling stories of the past. Marion said she enjoyed the delicious chicken pies and cooked turnip – her favorites.

The top students at Westbrook High School class of 1994 have been announced. Lori Francoeur is valedictorian. She’ll attend Boston University. Alison Bachelder, salutatorian, will attend Harvard. The other top students and the schools they will attend are Heather Thomas, Cornell; Rachel McCarthy, Ithaca College; Kimberly Bouchard, Clarkson College; Jessica Morrill, Ithaca College; Samantha Martel, University of Rhode Island; Amy Zimmerman, University of Connecticut; Kinga Szaniawski, Boston University; Joseph Charczenko Jr., Worcester Polytechnic Institute; Joseph Gardiner, University of Maine; Heidi Schildroth, University of New Hampshire.

May 26, 2004

A Westbrook man is behind a new effort to ban slot machines in Maine. On May 20, George Rodrigues, who had campaigned against the proposed Westbrook casino last year, announced the formation of No Slots for ME! He said his group plans to launch a petition drive at the November election to place a citizen’s initiative barring slot machines statewide on the ballot.

Despite its reputation as one of the biggest nights of high school seniors’ lives, the prom is “not that big of a deal,” say Kailey Christy and Kristen Towle, two Westbrook High seniors. These days, for some the prom is just another social dinner and dance and a chance to hang out with friends. Towle said she thinks the hype of the prom can never match reality. “People psych themselves up so bad like it’s going to be this awesome night, it’s going to be so much fun, and then they get disappointed.” And yet, according to Marc Gousse, high school principal, this year’s attendance at the prom was higher and he saw “a lot of kids smiling, having a good time.”

Westbrook High School’s class of 2004 top students and their college choices have been announced: Kathleen Ahearn, valedictorian, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute; Ashley B. Dasch, salutatorian, University of Southern Maine; Lucas LaViolet, honor essayist, Colby College; Mat Gray, Bowdoin College; Katie Moulton, University of Maine; Brent Emery, U.S. Naval Academy; Madison Gouzie, Colby College; Tyler Chase, Worcester Polytechnic Institute; Regina Wohl, Colby College; Kim Radley, St. Anselm College; Maria Stauble, Suffolk University; Kristopher Fecteau, University of Maine.

Two Gorham siblings have been cited for perfect scores at college. Alan Damon graduated May 15 with a degree in computer science from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He was named to the dean’s list for the spring semester with a 4.0 average. Kelly Damon has been named to the dean’s list for the spring semester at Emory University with a 4.0 average. Alan graduated from Gorham High School in 2000, and Kelly graduated the next year. Their parents are Duane and Pam Damon.

Gorham will have its annual two Memorial Day parades, one in the village and the other in Little Falls. Parade participants in the village will step off at 9 a.m. from Robie Gym, and proceed down Main Street to the Eastern Cemetery, where deceased veterans will be honored. Then the parade marches to the Veterans Memorial at Phinney Park for the placing of wreaths. The parade musters again at 11 a.m. on Depot Street in South Windham and marches through Little Falls after a stop on the bridge to toss a wreath into the Presumpscot River and play taps. The parade’s final stop is the Hillside Cemetery.

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