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Serving Bridgton and the surrounding towns of Western Maine since 1870. Vol. 147, No. 19

28 PAGES - 2 Sections

Bridgton, Maine

May 12, 2016

(USPS 065-020)

Weather . . . . . . . . . . 11B

www.bridgton.com

SEVENTY-FIVE CENTS

Bridgton food pantry users step up to support funding request By Gail Geraghty Staff Writer The personal stories of residents who depend on the Bridgton Food Pantry to make ends meet highlighted Tuesday’s public hearing on a citizen petition seeking $10,000 from taxpayers to help the pantry feed Bridgton residents. One man said that when he came to Bridgton four years ago, “I was in a real financial jam,” and was amazed at all the help he was offered by the pantry, the town, the Bridgton Community Center and others. “Since then I’ve gotten to know people and there’s a lot of people who take advantage of the food MAINE FAMILY PHYSICIAN OF THE YEAR, Dr. Eric Gerchman, who is a member of the Bridgton Hospital medical staff.

One on One with...

dr. eric gerchman

By Wayne E. Rivet Staff Writer FRYEBURG — When Eric Gerchman decided to follow in his father’s footsteps to become a doctor, he also followed his dad’s approach to medicine. “Take good care of the patient and the rest will take care of itself.” For the past 20 years, those words of wisdom served him well. Dr. Gerchman, a member of the medical staff at Bridgton Hospital, was recently named the 2016 Maine Family Physician of the Year. Dr. Gerchman has been a dynamic member of the Bridgton Hospital Medical staff for almost 20 years. He currently practices at Fryeburg Family Medicine in Fryeburg, but started in Naples at Naples Family Practice. “He is known by all in our community for his compassion for his patients and their families, as well as his ongoing passion and commitment for improved healthcare for all,” wrote Bridgton Hospital President and CEO, David Frum, in his letter of recommendation for the annual award. “First and foremost, Dr. Gerchman is a dedicated physician. The son of a family medicine physician in Chicago, Eric knew early on that he wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps as an ‘old school’ doctor. He speaks often of just being able to carry a ‘little black bag and just take care of his patients.’ In the early years of his career, he struggled with what he perceived to be the sometimes overwhelming bureaucracy that seems to define medicine and the restrictions imposed on physician’s who just want to take care of their patients. And yet, as we fast forward to today, we see where he has found a way to embrace both worlds and in fact has pioneered new ways of practicing that affirm the needs of all.” Dr. Gerchman recently completed a lengthy physician leadership training program as part of Central Maine Healthcare and has also accepted the role of Medical Staff Chief of Bridgton Hospital. “He is respected by his peers and hospital administration alike and embraces the opportunity his administrative role provides to bring about the changes he believes are so important to his patients and their families.” Frum wrote. Dr. Gerchman has been recognized both internally and externally for his unwavering commitment to patients over the years with numerous awards and public recognition, including the 2014 Bridgton Hospital HEROES Award, given to providers and staff who best demonstrate the best of healthcare professionals today by providing with expertise, exceptional healthcare services in a safe and trustful environment; the Patients Choice Award, granted by a public survey company, reflects the recognition patients have of the difference a particular physician has made in their lives and that of their families; and the Compassionate Doctor Recognition, granted to physicians who have delivered care with the utmost kindness and respect — to name just a few. Dr. Gerchmans’ dedication to improving healthcare goes beyond his work at the practice. He completed a humanitarian medical trip to Jamaica in June 2015 along with his wife, and is an active member of the Denmark Congregational Church. He is also the first physician to volunteer for extra shifts in the hospital to support the efforts of the inpatient medical providers needing additional staffing. “Dr. Gerchman is all that one could expect from their physician. He is knowledgeable, compassionate, respected by his peers and an advocate for improved healthcare and the delivery of that care for all,” Frum added. “Dr. Gerchman exemplifies the best of the best. We are proud to have him as a member of our staff and hope that he might be recognized by his peers for the great work he has done and we are certain will continue to do for the people of our community.” The News last week went one on one with Dr. Gerchman: DR. GERCHMAN, Page 9A

pantry. They’re like me — just getting by — and they are very, very grateful to the pantry,” he said. A young woman said, “I was denied general assistance and my five-year-old daughter would be hungry if not for the food pantry.” The income guidelines for general assistance are so low, she said, “they don’t mean too much” in terms of gauging how many people actually need the kind of lifeline the pantry provides. Many people have had their food stamps cut this year, said Bridgton Food Pantry Director Penni Robbins, which explains the big jump in the number of families served by the pantry — from

35-37 families last year to 75-80 families this year. The petition, which is Question 5 on the June 14 referendum ballot, asks if voters agree to “Set town funding of the Bridgton Food Pantry at $10,000 per year starting in Fiscal Year 2016-2017 to cover increased expenses and costs of running our vitally important local food pantry.” The funding would apply only to this fiscal year, even though the wording presumes the funding would continue in future years. Selectmen have recommended a “No” vote, in part because of a belief PANTRY, Page 12A

Who should receive ‘Spirit’ award By Gail Geraghty Staff Writer At the urging of Selectman Greg Watkins, Bridgton Selectmen have decided to participate in the national Spirit of America Foundation Tribute, by which a local person or group is honored for outstanding community service. The public is invited to visit the town website, www.bridgtonmaine.org or come into the Municipal Complex to nominate the honoree, who will be recognized at the June 15 Town Meeting, as well as at a fall event with other participating Cumberland County towns. The deadline is tight; nomination forms must be turned in by Thursday, May 19. Selectmen have yet to decide how the winner will

be chosen, either by the board itself or by an outside committee, which could include selectmen, town staff or community members. Watkins drew up the guidelines after the idea was discussed at two previous board meetings. He said he realized the timeline is tight, but that it would be most appropriate to honor the person or group at the annual Town Meeting. The selection criteria states that the honoree has demonstrated “continuing service and dedication to the town,” based on their volunteerism impact, longevity and compassion, among other attributes. At the earlier board meetings, there was a good deal of debate before the board decided to go ahead with the

program. “It’s a very difficult thing to do to say one person is doing so much more than someone else in the community,” Selectman Chairman Bernie King said when Watkins suggested the idea at the board’s April 12 meeting. “When you start singling out one person, someone’s going to get a bloody nose.” Watkins cited a letter sent to the town by the Maine chapter of the foundation, citing the many Maine towns listed as past participants in the program. “If we don’t do it, are we saying that nobody is” worthy of the award, Watkins asked. “This is about the town recognizing someone who has gone above and beyond, and cer-

SIDEWALK AS CHALKBOARD — The summer camp programs, which are offered through the Southern Maine Writing Project, take children outdoors to explore writing inspirations. If enough teenage campers register by June 6, longtime language arts teacher Anne Walker will lead a Young Authors Camp in her hometown of Naples. (Photo courtesy of Southern Maine Writing Project)

tainly there are many” in town, he added. “I can understand…that it may be difficult to justify one to another,” Watkins acknowledged. At the April 26 meeting, Watkins refined his stance on the selection process, saying he’d done some checking and found that at least one other town accepts open nominations from the public. He suggested that the town could post information explaining what the award is about, on the town’s website and elsewhere, and encourage residents to make their nominations. He added that according to the foundation’s guidelines, it doesn’t have to be one person SPIRIT, Page 13A

ATV crash

NAPLES — A 31-yearold Naples man suffered lifethreatening injuries Tuesday night as the result of an ATV accident on Lake House Road in Naples at 8:27 p.m. The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office reported that Caleb Humphrey was transported to Bridgton Hospital following the accident on the public way. Due to his injuries, Humphrey was subsequently transported via LifeFlight to Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston, where he remains in serious condition at press time Wednesday. Police say Humphrey was the lone rider on the ATV. He lost control while heading north on Lake House Road, and was ejected off the ATV, landing on the roadway. Police say he had not been CRASH, Page 3A

Discover the magic of writing

By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer NAPLES — It only takes a flick of the wrist to create a utopia where only best friends and favorite pastimes exist. It only takes a flick of the wrist to concoct a post-apocalyptic world where daily life is for those with a warrior’s heart. That is the magic of writing. The magic of transforming an idea into the written word is why agencies like the Southern Maine Writing Project (SMWP) promote writing camps. This summer, for teenagers only, a Young Authors Camp is being offered in Naples. The daytime camp happens at the Naples Public Library during the last week of June. The camp starts Monday, June 27, and runs through Friday, July 1. In

order for the camp to happen, at least seven teens must sign up by June 6. The instructor, Anne Walker, has been an English teacher for 25 years, and currently works at Gray-New Gloucester High School. She has been certified as a SMWP teacher consultant in 2007. This teacher, who calls Naples her home, is thrilled to share the writing experience with teens. And, if those future campers have some thrilling or chilling stories to tell, Walker’s areas of expertise are bound to intrigue. She has studied dystopian literature and writing. “Dystopian – it’s a world gone wrong, a glimpse into the future. There are a lot of teen dystopian books out,” she said, citing such as The Hunger Games trilogy. “I have taught horror literature. Some students are interested in fantasy and science fic-

tion.” “They just have to love writing,” Walker said. “If they love writing, they will have a great time.” “The Naples Public Library has graciously given us permission to have use of the grounds. That week we will have the run of the library. There is the cool basement with a kitchen, and nice reading nooks upstairs. It is the prime location for this,” she said. The day camp’s location in Naples and the timeframe could prove to be perfect for both local residents and non-

residents who spend the summer here, arriving before the Fourth of July. The location of the Naples library will make it easy for students to walk to other interesting spots like the Causeway, the shores of Long Lake or the town cemetery for writing exercises, according to Walker. “We will do a writing marathon,” she said. “You take off with a notebook, walk and sit down and write for a while, walk and write, walk and write, all day. There will be one day that is dedicated WRITING, Page 3A

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