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Record year Maine experiences a record number of pharmacy robberies, which included thefts in the Lake Region Page 3A

Tick, tock once more

Inside News

After years of inactivity, the Bridgton Methodist Church clock is again operational

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Calendar . . . . . . . 3B, 8B Classifieds . . . . . . 4D-5D Country Living 2B, 4B-7B Directory . . . . . . . . . . 3D Obituaries . . . . . . . . . 6D Opinions . 1D-3D, 5D-8D Police/Court . . . . . . . . 4A Sports . . . . . . . . . 1C-6C Student News . . . 5C-6C Entertainment . . . 1B-2B Weather . . . . . . . . . . . 5D

www.bridgton.com Vol. 143, No. 46

Serving Bridgton and the surrounding towns of Western Maine since 1870. 28 PAGES - 4 Sections

Bridgton, Maine

November 15, 2012

(USPS 065-020)

SIXTY CENTS

BPD Facebook comments out?

By Gail Geraghty Staff Writer Fans who want to comment on arrests posted by Bridgton Police on their Facebook page had better get their comments in while they still can. That’s because a majority of the Bridgton Board of Selectmen want to ban all comments on arrests, at a minimum. They feel so strongly about it that, on Tuesday, they came very close to voting to ban fans from commenting on anything posted on the page, in effect making it a “read-only” Facebook page. “I’ve talked to quite a few people about this, and we just do not like the comments. We do not need it,” said Selectman Bernie King, a former Bridgton police officer. Later, he added, “I don’t think it’s necessary.” King’s motion to make the entire page “read-only” was seconded by Selectman Bob McHatton, who initiated the

debate several months ago when he brought up the issue of negative or derogatory comments being made under the mugshots of persons arrested for criminal offenses. Just as the board was about to vote, however, McHatton withdrew his second, saying he didn’t realize King’s motion would apply to all comments made by the public on information posted on the page. McHatton’s intention, he said, was to limit the ban to comments made on arrests, and not on other posts, such as safety messages, reports on various grants and projects, video or photos of crime suspects sought by police or other items of interest such as design options for decals on new police department cruisers, which generated over 100 responses and over 1,000 views. The motion and discussion arose as Police Chief Kevin FACEBOOK, Page A

By Wayne E. Rivet Staff Writer FRYEBURG — Should the Fryeburg Water District remain “active” or be declared “inactive?” Residents will decide the organization’s fate in June 2013. FWD trustees decided to place the question before voters at their meeting Tuesday night at the Fryeburg Rescue building. The District was created in 2005 by the Maine Legislature when talk surfaced that the Fryeburg Water Company — a privately-owned utility — was contemplating its sale. The Company decided against selling. Yet, the District remained in place — just in case a day arrived that FWC did decide

to sell. Although the District has five elected trustees, it has no regulatory powers. To keep the District “active,” it takes about $1,100, which is raised through “donations” from the community. FWD Trustee Dick Krasker, who has raised the funds needed to operate the District, felt the Fryeburg community could use the $1,000 on more “pressing” issues than keeping the District “active.” Despite his own feelings on the issue, Krasker added that if local residents want to retain that “warm and fuzzy feeling” because the District is operational, he would support that position — continuing the reason he is on the board, to serve the interest of the public. FWD, Page A

FWD: Stay ‘active’ or go to ‘inactive?’

HONORING AREA VETERANS — Above, two people check the names of those listed on the war memorial adjacent to the Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library in Lovell; below left, Lake Region students Shantel Mather (left) and

Talya Bartlett performed during last Friday’s Veterans Day program in the high school gym; below right, a salute during Bridgton’s service held at the memorial on Depot Street Sunday morning. (Rivet Photos)

Casco selectmen react to Business Showcase booth fee

By Dawn De Busk ers were charged a fee of $10Staff Writer per-table to rent booths at the CASCO — Citizens have Business Showcase held in the been asking. public gymnasium, citizens asked When local business own- questions.

Some of those questions — and a better understanding of what had happened — were brought to the table when the Casco Board of Selectmen met

Path to wellness

Center to help breast cancer patients

By Wayne E. Rivet Staff Writer Ann Ruel of Harrison is following a calling. A year ago, Ann heard the words most women fear. I’m sorry, you have breast cancer. She had a scare several years ago when a lump was discovered, but it proved to be noncancerous. A mammogram on Sept. 19, 2011 would change Ann’s life — forever. Initially, the test revealed a two-centimeter mass. In reality, the lump was five centimeters, and Ann was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer. She underwent a double mastectomy and reconstructive surgery. “It was devastating. I had no family history of breast cancer. You wonder, ‘Wow, is this it? Will I survive this or not?’ When I asked these questions

Ann Ruel To open wellness center to my oncologist, she told me I was going to be a survivor. No one had said that to me at that point. I needed to hear those words,” Ann recalled. “I said, ‘Okay, good. What do I need to

do?’ It was the start of a long journey.” The journey continues. Ann’s experience tested her inner fortitude and her faith in God. “I truly believe the reason I went through this was that the Lord had a plan for me,” she said. “I am stepping out to do this purely on faith. If I don’t try to do it, I’ll never know whether I could help other lives or not. I’m giving it a shot. That’s all I can do.” By the first of the year, Ann hopes to open On Eagles Wings, Inc. — a breast cancer survivor wellness center for alternative treatment, located in her former real estate office on Portland Road, across from Beef & Ski. While two portions of the building are currently rented by an attorney and a financial consultant, Ann plans to renovate the “middle section” into a wellWELLNESS, Page A

on Tuesday night. On Election Day, the polling place was the Casco Community Center, and the third annual business showcase was held in a space where the volume of voters would be heightened by a presidential election. At some point, organizers decided to charge $10 for each booth — to cover the cost of advertising and additional janitorial services for the event. Selectman Ray Grant was surprised that this detail of the event did not come before the board sooner. Although the recreation department often charges fees for sports activities, the fee charged for booths at the business showcase was new, according to Grant. Plus, it was something the board should be kept aware of — as it involves the renting of town space and funds that should be accounted for, he said. “First of all, whatever fees, I think the board should be notified,” he said. “Anytime someone asks me why we are charging for something, and I don’t know, it doesn’t look good. And, it doesn’t feel good to not be able to answer,” Grant said. Shortly after that comment, acting chairman Tracy Kimball asked Grant, “Was the question: ‘Why are we charging?’ or ‘What are we doing with the money that

was charged?’ ” He responded, “Both.” During Tuesday’s workshop, the selectmen who spoke agreed a policy was in order to set a standard for how money is received during special events. “There should be some checks and balances.” Kimball said. “That has to be something that we should stay on top of it. I don’t want to add more to the recreation department. But, I would want to know that it wasn’t just a group of people. I would want to know someone is in charge of that,” she said. Casco Town Manager Dave Morton said the town’s auditor had recommended the town address these types of moneyrelated issues. Some of the auditing firm’s recommendations included having two people present while checks or cash are paid and receipts are being written, Morton said. “To protect the person whose money is being collected, there

(should) be two people there” during the process of taking the check or money and signing the receipt, he said. Later in the workshop, Morton said, “We have had a practice in the past of having these events without sanction” from the board of selectmen. Earlier, Morton said it was up to the board to determine when to require approval for an event where a fee is charged; and secondly, it was the board’s responsibility to “outline a process for accepting money for the events.” “I am suggesting that this may be the next policy you work on,” he said. The board members indicated that policy work would soon appear as an agenda item. Acting Chairman Kimball said, “We need a policy. I don’t think it is our job to decide how much they should charge Grant agreed with her, “There has to be checks and balances, and we need to approve it.”

The Bridgton News Established 1870

P.O. Box 244, 118 Main St. Bridgton, ME 04009 207-647-2851 Fax: 207-647-5001 bnews@roadrunner.com


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