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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2012
VOL. 24 NO. 8
CONWAY, N.H.
MT. WASHINGTON VALLEY’S DAILY NEWSPAPER
356-3456
FREE
Fryeburg votes down grant for downtown improvements
‘Slum and blight’ designation doesn’t sit well with majority of voters BY TOM EASTMAN THE CONWAY DAILY SUN
FRYEBURG — A proposal to designate a portion of downtown Fryeburg as "slum or blighted” in order to apply for a $150,000 federal beautification grant was defeated Tuesday night by a vote of 56-23. To proponents, the “blight and slum” terminology was seen as just a temporary and unpleasant (but minor) formality for a longer-term good. But to the majority at Tuesday's meeting, it was too much to bear. “I spent 34 of my 50 years here, trying to volunteer like others to make this a better place and not raise people's taxes,” said opponent David Smith. “To have a section designated a 'slum and blight' so we can prostitute ourselves for $150,000 is a slap in the face of everyone who has loved this town.” Proponents pointed out that the designation would only be temporary to apply for the grant, and, if awarded, would only be in place until the improvements — includsee FRYEBURG page 8
Kimberly Neideffer Clarke speaks in favor of the $150,000 federal sidewalk grant application at Tuesday night’s special Fryeburg town meeting at the American Legion in Fryeburg. The article was defeated by secret ballot, 56 to 23. (TOM EASTMAN PHOTO)
Former Hillsborough jail superintendent to investigate December jail break BY DAYMOND STEER THE CONWAY DAILY SUN
50 Seavey St. No. Conway Village 356-8989
OSSIPEE — A former superintendent of Hillsborough County Corrections is investigating December's escape from Carroll County Jail. The Hillsborough County superintendent had high praise for Carroll County after a recent visit.
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Inmate David Hobson, 34, of York County Maine, escaped from the Carroll County Jail on Dec. 1. Days later, Hobson was caught in Rochester. County commissioners recently approved $3,650 for former Hillsborough County corrections superintendent James O'Mara's investigation. O'Mara now works as the town administrator in Amherst.
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At last week's county commission meeting, commissioner Dorothy Solomon read aloud a letter O'Mara wrote, thanking Carroll County Correction's staff for their cooperation during a recent weekend visit. "I have been in many jails in my 30 years — from Boston to California," wrote see JAIL BREAK page 8
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