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VOL. 20 NO. 35
BERLIN, N.H.
Sale of Gorham mill finalized BY BARBARA TETREAULT THE BERLIN DAILY SUN
GORHAM – The sale of the Gorham paper mill to New York-based Patriarch Partners was finalized Friday morning and the new owner announced it will begin refurbishing the mill immediately with plans to resume production within five weeks. “We are extremely excited to have finalized this transaction and look forward to the journey of rebuilding and revitalizing the business,” said Lynn Tilton, founder and CEO of Patriarch. “Patriarch is committed to turning around distressed and dormant businesses with the dual goal of building portfolio value while sustaining and creating jobs in America. This acquisition presents an opportunity to achieve both goals as we rehire the mill’s workforce and make the necessary investments and operational changes to return the com-
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pany to long-term profitability,” Tilton said in a written statement. Patriarch said Tilton is active in setting the strategy for all Patriarch portfolio companies and will be very involved in the rebuilding of the Gorham mill. She plans to be at the mill in June for a painting party with union workers. Patriarch said it expects to get the towel machine up and running within 30 days and have the remaining two specialty paper machines operating within 90 days. The company plans to rehire union workers and management within the next several months. Over the next 15 months, Patriarch said it plans to acquire and install a new tissue machine at an estimated cost of $35 million. Producing initially two ply tissue, the machine will require the hiring of about 30 new employees at what will be known as Gorham Paper and Tissue. see FINALIZED page 16
Mill sale lauded by local officials BY BARBARA TETREAULT THE BERLIN DAILY SUN
GORHAM – Reaction to the sale of the Gorham paper mill to Patriarch Partners was positive with officials optimistic about the long-term future of the plant. “It’s great. It’s just great,” said Gorham Town Manager Robin Frost. “We couldn’t have been more pleased see LAUDED page 17
Ceremony honors fallen officers BY CRAIG LYONS THE BERLIN DAILY SUN
BERLIN— Law enforcement officials and community members gathered together to honor those who have fallen in the line of duty at the local Peace Officers Appreciation and Memorial Service. White Mountains Community College hosted the brief ceremony Friday morning to honor fallen law enforcement officials. Nearly 50 people attended the ceremony. “We give thanks to law enforcement officers and their family for the sacrifice they make,” said Frank Dumaine, coordinator of the college’s criminal justice program. New Hampshire will be celebrating its 19th Peace Officers Memorial Service this year, and the college is hosted the North Country’s fourth ceremony.
During the ceremony, Dumaine read the names of the 42 officers, throughout the states, who died in the line of duty. More than 10 of those officers were from Coos County. Hadley and Robert Platt presented the wreath during the ceremony to honor their father, Joseph Platt, of Northumberland. The college began hosting the ceremony two years ago because of the cooperative work between the institution and local law enforcement agencies. Executive Councilor Ray Burton said it’s important to have this ceremony in the region. “This afford folks who have a connection with law enforcement the opportunity to salute and say thanks right here in northern see CEREMONY page 16
Hadley and Robert Platt presented the wreath during the Peace Officers Appreciation and Memorial Service Friday to honor their father, Joseph Platt, of Northumberland. White Mountains Community College annually hosts the ceremony recognizing law enforcement officials who died in the line of duty and their families. (CRAIG LYONS PHOTO)
Berlin man arrested following pursuit, colliding with three police cruisers BY CRAIG LYONS THE BERLIN DAILY SUN
BERLIN— A Berlin man was arrested this weekend following a pursuit through the city where he
reportedly crashed into three police cruisers. The Berlin Police Department arrested Matthew Staup, 25, of Berlin, and charged him with driving under the influence of drugs or liquor; aggravated
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driving while intoxicated; conduct after an accident; disobeying an officer; reckless operation; and open container after he was apprehended Saturday night.
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