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News and Information for the Town of Goffstown
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BY MATT SCHOOLEY For the Goffstown boys soccer team, the pitch was far from perfect in the opening round of the Class L tournament. In addition to dealing with top-seeded Concord, the No. 16 Grizzlies battled a muddy and wet surface during action on Wednesday, Oct. 28. Despite a lopsided 5-1 score, Goffstown gave the home team a bit of a scare, trailing 2-1 until about 15 minutes remained, when the Crimson Tide pulled away. Concord jumped to a 2-0 lead and was ready to cruise into the quarterfinals, but an own goal by the Tide defense put the Grizzlies on the board before intermission. “The score was not in any way indicative of the play,” said head coach Larry Houghton. “We played really well, but they were just bigger, stronger and faster than we were.” In the first 25 minutes of the second half, Concord regularly possessed the ball in the offensive zone before finding the back of the net again. The Grizzlies won four times during the regular season to earn the final Class L postseason berth, a strong feat for a team with only three seniors – Michael Whitney, Shayne Pouget and John Carbonneau. Carbonneau played an especially large role in the team’s development this year, starting as the goalie before being asked to move into the field to allow freshman keeper Adam Routhier minutes in net. Come crunch time at the end of the year, Houghton asked Carbonneau to step back into net, where he finished the regular season and playoffs. Sophomore twin brothers Kyle and Dylan Bisceglia anchored the Goffstown defense, while junior Ryan Emerson brought leadership in addition to his contributions in the backfield. Though Houghton said the three freshmen and four sophomores in this year’s starting rotation bode well for the program’s near future. “(The game against Concord) was crazy, and we played outstanding soccer for 80 percent of the game. It just wasn’t enough,” said Houghton, who added he thought the team had a chance to win if the turf had been dry. “We can play some great soccer and I look forward to seeing us do that.”
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BY MATT SCHOOLEY The girls of Goffstown High School volleyball have started a tradition their coach plans to continue year after year – success in the postseason. The Grizzlies won a playoff match for the first time in school history in 2008, and they did it again in ’09, upsetting seventh-seeded Alvirne, 3-2, on Wednesday, Oct. 28. The 10th-seeded locals fell to No. 2 Londonderry, 3-0, in the quarterfinal round on Saturday, Oct. 31. Senior captain Jackie Borror pounded out 40 kills and 33 digs combined in the two postseason matches, while senior libero Amelia Raymond collected 68 digs, and junior setter Jill Turcotte doled out 58 assists in the playoffs. “There was never any panic,” said head coach Matt Leonard. “There was the feel that we could do it. Even in the second round there was that same feel. When we got behind, you knew they’d keep fighting for the next point.” Leonard received some unexpected postseason contributions. Senior captain Leana Berube exploded with her blocking and hitting skills, but Leonard also said she played surprisingly well on defense during the team’s two playoff matches. Fellow senior Renee Lefebvre peaked in the postseason as well, making it difficult for her coach to keep her off the floor in crunch time. Freshman outside hitter Abby Cook saved the best matches of her inaugural year for last, racking up 28 kills in the final three matches. The GHS mentor also said right-side hitter Kaitlyn Johnson played a big role in the team’s success, bringing a strong competitive fire in addition to her abilities blocking at the net. Seniors Berube, Lefebvre, Borror and Raymond depart, but Leonard is looking forward to seeing players come up from a JV team went 14-4 the last two seasons and has won at least 10 matches four straight years. “Certainly the varsity level is where it shows the most, but we’ve had a lot of success over the last few years at other levels too,” said Leonard. “(Winning postseason matches) shows that year in and year out, hopefully, we can have a winning tradition.”
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By Amy J. Vellucci Several hundred turned out in the rain, sleet and, yes, even snow, to witness Goffstown’s annual Giant Pumpkin Regatta on the Piscataquog River on Sunday, Oct. 18. “Everyone seems to be having fun,” said Robbie Grady, executive director of the Goffstown Main Street Program, which runs the weekend-long event in which townspeople convert giant pumpkins into theme-decorated boats and race them down the river. It certainly wasn’t ideal weather, but it could’ve been worse, she pointed out. “We could be standing in a foot of snow!” She laughed. On the other hand, Saturday was a beautiful fall day and attracted approximately 1,000 more than did the previous year, said Grady, estimating approximately 3,400 in attendance at the height of the afternoon. Perhaps people had heard Sunday’s dismal forecast and brought their families out on Saturday instead, some speculated. The weekend’s events began Saturday with the arrival of the giant pumpkins on the common, donated by the area’s giant pumpkin growers. Scores of other activities followed, such as pumpkin painting, a pumpkin cook-off, live music, food, pumpkin catapulting, a pumpkin seed spitting contest and booths from many local organizations. The highlight and culmination of the weekend is the annual regatta. In the past, as many as 5,000 people have turned out for this bizarre but fun event that attracts people from all over New Hampshire and even from some neighboring states. After the boom of the cannon at 3 p.m. on Sunday, the pumpkin boats took off. Warmly dressed spectators lined both sides of the bridge over the river, several holding umbrellas, bundled-up children and hot coffee or cocoa. Bruce Normand, who chairs the promotion team for the weekend, helped launch all the boats. He also helped with general organization of the activities that include the scooping-out and other preparations of the pumpkins on Saturday afternoon. This year, Lori Davis from the Goffstown Lions Club took first place in her black Catwoman boat. Pam Young (Fahey), of The Goffstown News, took second place with her bright yellow duck and two ducklings trailing behind. She was followed closely by Fire Chief Richard O’Brien. The giant “pumpkin-eater” boat made an appearance, drenching several of the boat captains and generating cheers from the crowd along the riverbank.
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By Jillian JorgensenGoffstown municipal employees will feel the pinch next year, with the town cutting cost-of-living adjustments and switching to new insurance plans for nonunion employees. “This is not an easy topic, and I think we all know it. I think the employees of the town know it,” Scott Gross, chairman of the Board of Selectmen, said Monday night. “We’re not trying to save the town on the backs of our employees.” The town has historically given nonunion employees cost-of-living adjustments of 4 percent a year, but voted last night 4-1 to cut that to 2 percent for all nonunion employees. Selectman Nick Campasano voted against the motion, after introducing a motion that would have given a 4 percent cost-of-living adjustment as a lump sum payment to anyone who was not scheduled to receive a step raise that year. People with one to eight years on the job are given step raises; after eight years, employees begin receiving longevity pay, which is paid in lump sums and capped at a set amount. Campasano said he felt an across the board percentage created a disparity, with some people receiving just the cost-of-living adjustment and others their step raises. Other members of the board agreed that was an issue, and also discussed a need to revisit the town’s pay structure matrix for employees, but said they did not know the potential savings or unintended effects of Campasano’s motion. The cut of the cost-of-living adjustment from 4 percent to 2 percent for nonunion employees will save the town $48,246, Town Administrator Sue Desruisseaux said. In order to reduce what Desruisseaux said was a 17 Officepercent increase in health insurance costs, she also recommended changes to insurance plans for nonunion employees to the board. Next year there will be two managed-care insurance plan options for nonunion employees, instead of three. The price of copayments and prescriptions will rise, and there will be a deductible for some services, such as CT scans and hospital stays. Desruisseaux said the town did have enough time to consider higher-deductible plans, noting that they would be a more drastic change from current plans. The vote passed 3-2, with Selectmen Steven Fournier and Vivian Blondeau voting against. The town also voted to purchase two fire vehicles and four vehicles for the Department of Public Works through lease purchasing, pending a look at how the payments, spread over five years, will fit in the capital improvement plan. If approved after the review, the town will spend $1 million to purchase two vehicles, an engine and a tanker-pumper, over five years. Fire Chief Richard O’Brien originally asked for the engine this year and the tanker next, but purchasing them together reduced the cost. The estimated yearly payment, at a current interest rate of 4.65 percent will be $218,580. There is more than $100,000 in a capital reserve fund for the department that could be applied to the first payment. The board voted 4-1 in favor. Fournier voted against, after questioning O’Brien about the need for more trucks. In a separate motion the board also voted to lease-purchase four vehicles for the Department of Public Works. That would cost $981,700 over five years, and combines the department’s anticipated major purchasing needs for 2010 and 2011. With the current interest rate the yearly payment would be $222,312. That motion passed 4-1, with Fournier voting against.
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By Kathy Remillard Goffstown residents going to the post office will no longer see the familiar face of Alan Dutch behind the counter. Dutch retired Oct. 31 after spending 35 years at the Goffstown Post Office. Staff members marked Dutch’s last day quietly, with a cake and certificate of appreciation. Dutch has worked at the Goffstown branch since July 1974. Postmaster Marc Richer has worked with Dutch for the past six years and saw him as a great local resource. “He had a lot of knowledge, not only about the postal service, but about Goffstown in general,” said Richer. Richer also admired Dutch’s ability to connect with people. “He probably knew two-thirds of the people who came in, even if they were just coming in to check their P.O. boxes.” Though Goffstown has grown considerably in the past 35 years, Dutch helped to retain the post office’s small-town feel. “He’d always try to greet people by name, which was a real tribute to him and contributed to his longevity in the business,” Richer said. Co-worker Kelly Selfridge agreed. “He seemed to know everyone by name. You just don’t get that too much anymore.” Selfridge also said that she will miss Dutch’s sense of humor. According to Selfridge and Richer, Dutch wanted to keep his retirement low-key, but planned on spending time with his family and grandchildren, and pursuing his interest in antique cars. “He’ll be really, really missed by a lot of people,” said Selfridge.
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By SARAH LEBRUN Tamblyn F. Gosling, esq., an attorney with a practice in Goffstown, has been issued a six-month suspension from practicing law, stayed for a period of two years, for altering medical release documents in a divorce proceeding. Gosling is currently able to practice law and will be listed in records as having a six-month suspension but will not have to serve it if there are no additional problems within a two-year period. According to a case file from the New Hampshire Supreme Court Professional Conduct Committee, the case arose from a divorce proceeding where she was representing Scott E. Simpson. During the case, Gosling expressed interest in obtaining medical records on Simpson’s ex-wife, Julie Simpson. A medical release was forwarded for Julie Simpson to sign. According to the case file, when Gosling received the original release, she altered it using a different color ink, adding check marks next to seven additional types of records that Julie Simpson had not authorized. In the case file, Gosling said she did not expect Julie Simpson’s therapist would accept the release, but she thought she would try. The New Hampshire Supreme Court Attorney Discipline Office would not comment on this case. Gosling could also not be reached for comment.
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By SARAH LEBRUN Giant pumpkins return to Goffstown on Oct. 17 and 18 for the annual Giant Pumpkin Weigh-off and Regatta. According to Robbie Grady, Goffstown Main Street director, more than 5,000 people attend this event annually. The weekend is packed with various events, including a giant pumpkin weigh-off, pumpkin catapulting, live entertainment, pumpkin decorating, and of course, the giant pumpkin regatta. Last year’s weigh-off winner was Geoff Peirce of New Boston, with a pumpkin weighing in at 1,295 pounds. “The giant pumpkin growers have had kind of an iffy year (this year) because of the rain in June,” said Grady. “But the end of the season turned bookout well for them.” Each year, giant pumpkin growers also donate gourds to the Main Street program for the regatta. “It’s very generous of them to give us pumpkins,” said Grady. “We sure to appreciate it.” Last year’s regatta winner was Chief Patrick Sullivan of the Goffstown Police Department, who will defend his title in this year’s contest. Sullivan said his strategy for winning the race was speed. “You have to keep your eye on the prize first,” said Sullivan, “then go back and fight the water fight.” Sullivan was also confident he would win the race again this year. “You would think the fire chief would have a better chance (of winning) with the water he deals with all the time, but he’s not so good with the water,” Sullivan laughed. “I’ll win!” Besides the Police Department, other regatta partcipants include Rob Bennett of Neighborhood News, Chief Richard O’Brien of the Goffstown Fire Department, selectmen Chairman Scott Gross of the Goffstown Board of Selectmen, Main Street President Karen Henderson, Kimberly Peace of the Goffstown Conservation Commission, Mike French of the Rotary, Brian Hanson of Granite State Environmental, Mike Lee of Mountain View Middle School and Lori Davis of the Goffstown Lions Club. Other events this year include a New England Patriots cheerleaders meet and greet at NY Pizza and Calzones, where Patriots cheerleaders will sell and sign their calendars. Goffstown Main Street will also offer free pumpkin masks at the Main Street booth. Attendees will be able to take their masks to various places around the village will they will be able to decorate it. Goffstown’s Great Talent is also back for its second year of competition. Those wishing to compete may sign up until 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17, at the Main Street booth. There will also be a raffle for a quilt made by Marion Hooper of Goffstown. People can buy tickets at the Art Happens booth near Town Hall for $1. Weekend schedule
Saturday:
• 8 a.m. – Flea Market at St. Matthew’s Church
• 9 a.m. – Giant pumpkins arrive on the common, booths open, art show-off at Town Hall, art and flowers at Apotheca
• 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Art Happens on Main Street
• 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Open House at Masonic Lodge on Mountain Road
• 10 to 10:30 a.m. – Doggie costume contest at Glen Lake Animal Hospital
• 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. – pumpkin painting at Ace Hardware, holiday decoration close-out sale at the vestree
• 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Fire station open house
• 11 a.m. – NHGPGA State Weigh-off on the common, Main Street chicken barbecue on Mill Street
• 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Pumpkin cook-off drop-off at popcorn stand
• Noon – Announcement of prince and princess on the common, concert featuring Jim West at Relevant Church on Depot Street
• Noon to 4 p.m. – Live music by John Erlman at NY Pizza, pumpkin catapults on Mill Street
• Noon to 2 p.m. – pumpkin carving at Patrick’s Country Restaurant on High Street
• 1 to 2 p.m. – Meet the artists at Town Hall
• 1 p.m. – Concert featuring Terry Barton at Relevant Church on Depot Street
• 1:30 p.m. – Pumpkin seed spitting contest on the common, cook-off tasting at the popcorn stand
• 2 p.m. – Giant pumpkin boat building on Mill Street, concert featuring Paul Lavoie at Relevant Church on Depot Street
• 2:30 p.m. – Goffstown’s Great Talent on the common
• 3 p.m. – Concert featuring Paul Nelson and Ed Karjala at Relevant Church on Depot Street
• 4 p.m. – Concert featuring Dan and Jeni Klardie at Relevant Church on Depot Street
• 5 p.m. – Booths close
• 5 to 8 p.m. – Turkey dinner at Goffstown Historical Society on Parker Station Road – tickets required
Sunday:
• Noon – Giant pumpkin drop on Church Street, booths open
• Noon to 3 p.m. – Pumpkin games on the common, art show-off at Town Hall
• 12:15 p.m. – Pumpkin catapult finals on Mill Street
• 1 p.m. – Shopping cart race on Mill Street
• 1:30 p.m. – Pie-eating contest on the common – pre-register at Main Street booth
• 2 p.m. – Mini-pumpkin race on Mill Street – buy your tickets at Main Street booth
• 2:15 p.m. – Little red wagon kids race on Mill Street
• 2:45 p.m. – Arrival of pumpkin prince and princess
• 3 p.m. – Giant pumpkin regatta
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By SARAH LEBRUNGoffstown Parks and Recreation Director Dave French will retire Jan. 31, 2010, after 32 years of service to the town. “He was a dedicated employee. He was always there,” said Town Administrator Sue Desruisseaux. “It wasn’t just a job, it was his life!” Desruisseaux said she hopes to have a new director hired before French leaves, but the job has not yet been posted. “We need to update the job description and meet with the Parks and Recreation Commission before posting the job,” said Desruisseaux. French currently earns $71,838 as Parks and Recreation director. He has been a fixture in town, and is known by many in the community. His Parks and Recreation column, featuring the many programs run by his department, has been appearing in The Goffstown News for more than 15 years.
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By SARAH LEBRUN
Recycled Percussion packed the Goffstown High School gym during
a free concert Monday, Sept. 21, a homecoming performance
after finishing in third place on NBC’s “America’s
Got Talent.”
“When we were on the stage in Los Angeles, all we were saying the whole time is, ‘Who cares. Let’s just make New Hampshire as proud as possible!’” said Justin Spencer, founder of the band, during a speech midway through the show.
Despite a third-place finish, the group was headed out to New York, Delaware and ultimately
Las Vegas on Tuesday, Sept. 22, to become one of the acts in the Planet Hollywood Resort’s “America’s Got Talent Live” show, beginning Oct. 7. The group will also be the headlining
band on the FOX Reality Awards show on Oct. 17.
Other band members include Ryan Vezina, Jim Magoon and Todd Griffin.
“It feels great (to be back),” said Magoon, a 1992 graduate of Goffstown High School. “It should be a good show.”
Spencer, too, is a graduate of Goffstown High School.
According to a posting on Recycled Percussion’s Facebook
page, the 1,100 tickets for the concert were gone within 15 minutes.
“We are sorry for those who didn’t get tickets – the band will make it up,” the band wrote in one of their postings.
Goffstown selectmen Chairman Scott Gross read a proclamation before Recycled Percussion took the stage, declaring Sept. 21 as Recycled Percussion Day in the town of Goffstown.
“America’s Got Talent” top 40 finalist Mia Boostrom was also seen making her way into the gymnasium before the show.
Often times during the show, the sounds of Recycled Percussion were drowned out as the crowd in the gym went wild, screaming in excitement as the band played.
Two of the numbers the band played were pieces they did on “America’s Got Talent” – “Wipeout” and “Ballroom Blitz.” And when Magoon played the national anthem on stage, the other three band members made themselves scarce as he wailed on his guitar,
sending the audience into a frenzy.
During the show, Spencer also said the band was setting up a scholarship fund for “kids who want to rock and roll.”
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BY MATT SCHOOLEY
Goffstown girls soccer head
coach Eric Romein vowed not
to appear upset following a team
loss, but after a recent setback
to visiting Nashua South, that
promise was in trouble.
Despite building a 2-0 lead
midway through the second
half, Goffstown allowed the
Panthers to even the score in
regulation en route to a 3-2 win
in the second overtime period
on Friday, Sept. 25.
“We didn’t give up, but we
certainly didn’t want to challenge
them and go hard after
the ball late in the game,” said
Romein. “They flat out wanted
it more than us.”
Romein has been the team’s
head coach for eight years, and
after taking two seasons off,
he said he has tried to remain
positive despite the team’s slow
start.
The Grizzlies dropped to
2-6-0, while South spiked its record to 5-3-0.
Emily Ellis continued her
strong season when she took a
loose ball, carried it into the box
and scored to give Goffstown a
1-0 edge with 19:11 remaining
in the first half.
Ellis tallied her seventh tally
and has provided the vast majority
of the team’s 11 goals. The
junior scored five times during
the preseason as well.
It didn’t take long following
the halftime break for Goffstown
to add to its lead. Michelle
Beaulieu found the vacated bottom
left-hand corner of the net
on a breakaway little more than
two minutes after intermission.
Romein praised Beaulieu,
a senior forward, and Andye
Foley, a senior midfielder, as
leaders for GHS on and off the
field the last three years.
Nashua South cut the lead in
half with 25 minutes remaining
in regulation, though the Grizzlies
still appeared in control.
But with 4:01 left, a high-arcing
Panther shot from 35 yards
out found the upper corner of
the net, past the reach of goalie
Kayla Dennison, to knot the
score at 2-2.
In overtime, neither squad
broke through in the first 10
minutes, but with 3:44 remaining
the game ended following
a shot from just outside the box
that went largely unchallenged.
“Maybe not having been in
this kind of situation before hurt
us,” said Romein. “Hopefully
they were able to learn from it,
and in learning it won’t happen
again.”
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By Kathy Remillard In tough economic times, people often cut their budgets and find ways to spend less. For nonprofit organizations, this belt-tightening can have a devastating effect. Without donations, many are forced to close. UpReach Therapeutic Riding Center in Goffstown found itself in the predicament back in February when United Way, a major financial backer, was unable to offer further financial assistance. The decision was made to restructure, and the Upreach staff hasn’t looked back since. Though half of the staff was let go and two horses had to find new homes, one staff person has already been brought back, “through grants, donations and the kindness of our neighbors,” said Barb Miles, UpReach’s director of development. So far, the restructuring has been what Miles describes as very successful. One of the positives amidst all the challenges is that the facility has actually seen a surge in volunteerism. “Volunteers all help us do work we normally couldn’t do,” said Miles. Director of volunteers Lauren Kochakian agreed. “Finding some source of funding is imperative.” Over the last six months, UpReach has realized that the biggest gift is time, and that cannot be replaced with money. This is where the hundreds of volunteers that support UpReach come in. The five staff members, 10 horses and 61 students are supported by 350 volunteers each year, with 120 of those actively volunteering each week at any given time. Those volunteers log in more than 12,500 hours a year, doing everything from mucking stalls to office work to actively supporting the riders during lessons. “We have no ‘typical’ volunteer,” said Kochakian. “We have doctors, students, retir ees and everything in between. Some volunteer because of the horses, some people want to work to help those with disabilities, but they all unite here at UpReach.” Recently, a group of prison inmates on a work-release program spent a week at UpReach, tackling projects such as removing musty carpet, painting floors and other miscellaneous chores. Because these men were at UpReach most of the day, five local churches provided meals for these volunteers. Miles was very impressed with so many in the community coming together for a common cause. UpReach has plans to strengthen its community awareness efforts with a new ambassador program, designed to increase community awareness of UpReach, educate the public about programs and services and enhance fundraising efforts. Plans are also currently under way for a Diamonds and Denim Gala fundraiser on Oct. 23, sponsored by BJ’s of Hooksett. For more information, call UpReach at 497-2343.
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By Jillian Jorgensen
In the lead-up to their final performance on NBC’s “America’s Got Talent,” Recycled Percussion had to not only deal with coming up with a final performance, but also deal with tabloid rumors and news reports revealing financial disputes between band member Justin Spencer and former associates of the band. TMZ.com, a gossip Web site, reported recently that Spencer allegedly embezzled nearly $200,000 from the account of the company that manages Recycled Percussion. Spencer said the allegations stemmed from a civil complaint against him by Alexandria Thompson, who became an equal shareholder in the band with Spencer in 2006, according to papers filed with Hillsborough Superior Court. According to a Union Leader report, Manchester police conducted an investigation into possible fraud, and the result of the investigation was forwarded to the Hillsborough County Attorney’s Office for possible prosecution. “There is no criminal investigation for embezzling of $200,000 at all,” Spencer said recently. “No other credible news source would break that story … it’s a tabloid,” he said. Thompson first filed a suit against Spencer in June 2007, accusing him of diverting corporate funds to pay for personal items. That suit was settled in October 2007, but the matter came back to court in January when Thompson accused Spencer of violating the settlement by creating a bank account that only he had access to, according to court documents. Thompson petitioned for ex-parte attachment of a total of $150,000 against Spencer, including funds he had access to in accounts at St. Mary’s Bank and Bank of America. Spencer shot back with counter-claims, saying Thompson misappropriated funds and assets, interfered with prospective business, and committed unfair business practices. “Alex is a good person. She’s trying to do right by the company and the band that she believed in, and I think that the circumstances here are that we’re hoping and we’re putting our faith in the fact that the court is going to take the appropriate actions,” Thompson’s lawyer, Tracy Burnson, said. She said Spencer’s accusations against Thompson came only after she filed suit. “I would give his claims the weight that they deserve as a result of how that presented itself,” Bernson said. But Spencer said the timing of the accusations on TMZ had to do with the band’s appearance on the NBC show. “Now that we’re on America’s Got Talent about to win, there’s a whole embezzlement story,” he said.
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By SARAH LEBRUNFacing off against nine other acts, Recycled Percussion rocked the house in the final round of NBC’s “America’s Got Talent” on Monday, Sept. 14. But during the result show Wednesday, Sept. 16, America decided to crown Kevin Skinner the winner of national talent contest, leaving Recycled Percussion in third place. “Kids at home, we are living proof that you can come from a small town with nothing much to live on, but still make it big. Thank you very much America!” said drummer Justin Spencer. The Goffstown-based band was the last act to perform during the final round of the competition, presenting their version of “Wipeout.” The performance started off simply, with drummers Spencer and Ryan Vezina banging out the familiar “Wipeout” drum rolls. The performance gained momentum as Spencer and Vezina ran around the stage, up and down ladders, beating various percussion items. The performance ended in a rain storm of water on Spencer and Vezina, and Jim Magoon and Todd Griffin got in on the act as well, dumping buckets of water on each of the drummers. “Everybody was so excited it was unbelievable. They were all on Cloud 9,” said Carlos Cartagena, the band’s manager. “That was the best performance to date on the show, and the most fun.” Spencer’s father, Mike Spencer, said he flew out to Los Angeles for the final round of performances. “That’s when it finally hit me how popular Justin has become here,” said Mike Spencer. “We’re very excited and very proud of him right now. The whole band has worked very hard to get where they’re at.” In a Twitter posting on Tuesday, Sept. 15, the band wrote, “Thank you all of the loyal fans. You rock!” The band is expected back in New Hampshire on Thursday, Sept. 17. To view complete episodes of the show, visit www.nbc.com/americas-got-talent.
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By Jillian Jorgensen A Goffstown High School teacher argued to the School Board that she was only trying to help a Mountain View Middle School administrator by sending her e-mails about “rumors,” but the school district maintained those e-mails were threatening and harassing at a grievance hearing on Tuesday, Sept. 15. Donna Pinard, a special education teacher at Goffstown High School who formerly taught at Mountain View, received a letter of discipline from Superintendent Stacy Buckley because of e-mails she sent to Assistant Principal Jennifer Gillis. Pinard took on the issue as one of free speech in her grievance hearing, trying to have the letter removed, while the district maintained it was an employment and discipline matter. In the discipline letter, Buckley wrote that one of the e-mails was “divisive and damaging to the district.” The e-mail that prompted the discipline was sent May 30 to Gillis’s work e-mail address. In it, Pinard wrote that she heard Gillis said she adhered to what Pinard called the “dead wood philosophy” of educating, which she explained as a new administration targeting certain staff members with “the sole purpose of getting rid of them.” The e-mail said Pinard heard that Gillis spoke about the philosophy in a graduate course at Plymouth State University. Pinard went on to say, “I do not know if you really adhere to this philosophy or not,” but offered to explain, “how I and others express ourselves regarding the ‘dead wood’ philosophy.” “We would say what goes around comes around. Evenutally, one will be in the situation where they are the ‘dead wood.’” She also wrote, “My personal philosophy is that administrations who participate in this type of behavior are morally and ethically bankrupt. It is a form of evil.” In her testimony, Gillis said the e-mail “freaked her out,” citing the “we group” referenced in the e-mail and the assertion that what goes around comes around. “Was I going to meet with a ‘we group’ in the parking lot after work one day?” Gillis asked. She said did not adhere to the “dead wood” philosophy. But Pinard’s lawyer, Jon Meyer, pointed out that in the e-mail, Pinard offered to stop e-mailing Gillis about rumors if that was what she wanted. Pinard testified that the “we” was the group who had been discussing the rumor. Buckley said the e-mails contained fourth-party rumors that did not deserve credence, and constituted personal attacks that were not protected criticism of the district. Pinard testified that she had no animosity toward Gillis and did not mean to threaten or harass her. “I actually love Jen Gillis. We were colleagues for four years,” Pinard said. She said she absolutely did not consider her e-mails personal attacks. She said she wanted Gillis to be aware of what people were saying about her. “When I heard these rumors I actually went to her directly, because I actually wanted her to succeed,” she said. “I was actually intending to help her,” Pinard added later. Pinard said she is opinionated and said it was her right to say what she wanted as a citizen of the town, even if it was directed to a fellow district employee. “There should be free speech among citizens of the town,” Pinard said. When the district’s lawyer, Ed Kaplan, asked if that applied in the workplace, no matter what it is and how it upsets a co-worker, Pinard said yes. “I’m a very opinionated person, that’s true. I serve it up even when people don’t want it,” Pinard said. Meyer, Pinard’s lawyer, emphasized that she had not been asked to stop e-mailing Gillis, nor was there any policy about such e-mails on the books. Two previous e-mails Pinard sent to Gillis about rumors were also discussed. One said Pinard had heard that Gillis’s child was telling people he got Gillis to transfer Pinard; another said Pinard had heard Gillis and another teacher making fun of a third teacher during work. Pinard said she had no personal animosity toward Gillis. Pinard was previously disciplined for raising her voice to a parent in 2008, and was transferred from the middle school to the high school after sending what School Board Chairman Keith Allard said were “dozens of e-mails” to him. One of the e-mails read aloud at the grievance hearing complained that Mountain View’s Principal Jim Hunt was asking for an administrator to be in charge of discipline when he could have used pre-existing methods at the school. “He has destroyed us and continues to do so,” she wrote in that e-mail, according to Allard. Buckley, the superintendent, said bringing her concerns to Allard overstepped the chain of command, but Pinard said she sent them as a citizen. The School Board deliberated in a nonpublic session, and will deliver a written statement deciding whether Buckley was right in disciplining Pinard or, as she maintains, if it was her right to send such e-mails.
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BY MATT SCHOOLEY At some point, most coaches have said their strategy is to take it one game at a time. Matt Leonard is simplifying things even more. The Goffstown High School girls volleyball coach has stressed to his team the importance of breaking each game into smaller portions, and it has resulted in a 4-0 start. Leonard took the idea from assistant coach Sarah Stank, motivating the players to be the first team to score five points, 10 points, and so on. “That’s the focus, and they’re really buying into it,” Leonard said after the team beat Central on Sept. 11. “They get more excited that we’ve won 12 of the 15 games to five than they do about winning three full games.” In the first four matches of the season, the Grizzlies have lost just one game, winning in straight sets against Timberlane and Central with a 3-1 victory over Nashua South in between. Then on Monday, Sept. 14, the girls shut out Trinity. The win over Nashua had extra meaning to Leonard, as his team had never beaten South. Returning players Amelia Raymond and Jackie Borror lead the group, and the Goffstown mentor said he expects the pair of four-year starters to play all-state caliber volleyball throughout the season. Leonard said Raymond, a captain, has had a major influence on her teammates. “Amelia gets to balls I have never seen anyone get to, and her leadership style makes that infectious,” said Leonard. “She instills that in every other player on our team, and our defense has been swarming. Not much has been hitting the floor.” Other veterans seeing significant playing time are Leana Berube, Jill Turcotte and Britt Neuman; the consistent trio keeps errors to a minimum. Last year, the Grizzlies hosted and won a playoff contest for the first time in school history before falling in the second round. “I had a lot of conversations over the summer with the girls, talking about who we have coming back,” said Leonard. “It’s in their heads that we can do some good things. They realize we have the ability and skill, and a lot of the players returning are the ones who got us over the hump last year.”
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