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Animal cruelty charges lead to sex assault investigation

Hooksett Editor — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 20:09:00 GMT

By Dan O’Brien

A child predator living in Hooksett was arrested Aug. 20 for failing to register as a sex offender after police found dead and dying pets in his filthy trailer park home. He was released from prison Wednesday, Aug. 26, after a Hooksett District Court judge lowered his bail.

Police arrested Eric Bousquet, 49, of 102 Howard Ave., on Aug. 20 for failing to register as a sex offender after getting word that he hadn’t been home for five weeks, authorities said. He was also charged with animal cruelty on Sept. 2.

When police went to his home that day in an attempt to locate him, officers found an extremely messy house inhabited by dead and dying pets, police said.

Hooksett Detective Janet Bouchard, one of the responding officers, said Bousquet is now under investigation for molesting four children who have come forward in recent weeks. However, Bousquet has only been charged with failing to register his place of residence to police.

“The animal cruelty charges are definitely coming,” Bouchard said Aug. 25. “The sexual assault case is just beginning.”

At Bousquet’s court arraignment Aug. 27, a police prosecutor requested Bousquet’s bail remain at $10,000 cash, but Judge Gerald Boyle reduced that to $10,000 surety, which Bousquet posted that day, according to The Union Leader.

Bousquet was convicted in 1992 of felonious sexual assault of a 12-year-old girl in Pembroke. Hooksett police say he’s been convicted of failing to register as a sex offender three times since 2001 and two cases, including the new one just mentioned, are pending.

When attempting to locate Bousquet on Aug. 20, Detective Bouchard said she and other responding officers found an extremely cluttered and filthy home. As police combed the house, they discovered a dead cat and a dog on the brink of death, Bouchard said. The dog had to be euthanized after maggots were found eating away at it, she said.

The home was in a similar condition on Aug. 25, inside the Park Place Mobile Home Park off Route 3.

Dawn Cormier lives in the same mobile home park as Bousquet. She took in Bousquet’s remaining live cat and three very small kittens. She said Bousquet’s dog was a poodle named Trigger.

“It’s a shame,” she said. “That dog followed him everywhere.”

She said Bousquet had at least five adult animals and six kittens. She believes three kittens have died, but police could not discover them due to extensive decomposition.

Another neighbor, who asked not to be identified, said Bousquet had not been living in the home for at least three weeks, possibly longer. Police say he was required to notify them if he moved or even stayed at another residence for a couple of days.

Graduates deal with changing job market

Hooksett Editor — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 19:52:00 GMT

By KAREN DANDURANT

Adults are concerned about getting jobs in today’s economy.

High school and college students are also concerned.

They know that, in this job market, they will be competing with adults for the same jobs. So, they are choosing their career paths carefully.

Michelle Pelletier, 21, of Pembroke, recently graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. She has been applying for jobs since January.

“I’ve been struggling,” said Pelletier. “The numbers of engineering jobs are fewer than they might be. I’ve gotten a few responses and interviews but no real offers yet.”

Corrinne Foreman-Doherty is a guidance counselor at Pembroke Academy. She said she sees concerns that the high achieving kids wanting to go to prestigious universities are finding the money is not there for scholarships.

“Kids are choosing UNH and Keene State and Plymouth,” said Foreman-Doherty. “Community colleges have a great acceptance rate for high-end kids but, with the way things are now, they will have big bills to pay. I think the kids still have their minds set on what they want and their parents are supporting them. Students are choosing more carefully where they are going. Other kids are purposely going to a community college with the intention of transferring later on. Some kids are not ready to go to school yet and need to work for a while.”

A lot of area kids who want to work locally are lucky, said Foreman-Doherty. A local grocery store, Bi-Wise, located in Allenstown, makes a practice of hiring primarily high school and college kids.

Mark Giradin, who manages Bi-Wise, said the idea of hiring young people has worked for the store since before his being hired 26 years ago. He said two-thirds of the staff is part-time employees and the other third are full time.

“The kids know about us,” Giradin said. “We hire them for cashier, bagging and stocking positions. Most come from Pembroke, but also Hooksett, Chichester and Allenstown. We have college kids who worked here as high school kids and now commute back here to work because they need to make money.”

The reason they are successful in keeping their staff of students is that they try to be as accommodating as possible with the students’ schedules. Giradin said they try to work with the kids so as not to interfere with their sports and other extracurricular activities.

“We have a stack of applications,” Giradin said. “Our kids bring their friends in who are looking for work. As the high school seniors leave, we have sophomores and juniors ready to step in. It’s a good system that works for us. We’re small and independent, so we are able to have an adult supervisor for five kids at a time. If they had to supervise 50 kids, it would not work out as well.”

Two college students and one high school student who are employed at Bi-Wise have high hopes for their future. And, they say they love their jobs and are grateful to be working.

Keith Zona, 19, of Hooksett, attended New Hampshire Technical Institute in Concord before transferring to the Motorcycle Mechanical Institute.

“I want to learn about motorcycles and hope to eventually open my own customized shop,” Zona said. “When I graduate, MMI will help me find my first job. There is a high demand for good technicians, so I think I’ll be OK. I was originally planning for a career in business or administration and in this economy that became a concern. I think I have a better focus now.”

Nineteen-year-old Shannon O’Connor is a nursing student at New Hampshire Technical Institute. She works front end customer service at Bi-Wise.

“I chose nursing because I like to help people but also because it’s a sound career,” O’Connor said. “People will always need health care. It’s pretty recession-proof.”

O’Connor knows that as a college graduate she will likely compete with adults who have the upper hand in the job market.

“I’ll just hope to be skilled enough to get the job I want,” she said.

Jenny Poulin, 18, is a senior at Pembroke Academy and works at Bi-Wise as a bagger. She plans to attend the University of New Hampshire to study exercise science.

“I’m lucky to have a job here,” Poulin said. “I have worked here for two years. I have friends who are concerned about finding summer jobs.”

Poulin is not too worried about the economy. She hopes that by the time she graduates from UNH, the economy will be more stable.

“Depending on the status of things then, maybe I will be worried,: she said. “Right now I just have to focus on building my career. I want to be a personal trainer and hopefully that will work out for me.”

Tri-Town Ambulance to lose Hooksett

Hooksett Editor — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 19:33:00 GMT

BY LAUREN SAUSSER

The Hooksett Town Council unanimously voted to end the town’s relationship with Tri- Town Ambulance and create the town’s own ambulance service, beginning in July 2010.

Hooksett currently contracts for emergency response services with Tri-Town for $79,880 per year. Tri-Town also serves Pembroke and Allenstown.

The new service, which will require the Fire Department to purchase another ambulance, will operate from the Safety Center.

The town already owns one ambulance, which serves as a backup for emergencies.

Fire Chief Michael Williams said he anticipates the cost of the ambulance at $150,000 to $200,000, which would come from the department’s impact fee account. The balance of that account exceeds $300,000.

Williams said the council’s decision could add more than $260,000 in revenue each year, but more importantly will mean quicker response times for residents. “That was the catalyst of why we started looking into the ambulance service,” Williams said. “It comes down to response time.”

The Tri-Town ambulance vehicle that serves Hooksett is headquartered at the Hooksett Safety Center during business hours Monday through Friday. On weeknights and weekends, it is stationed in Pembroke.

Town Councilor David Ross supports the change, but said he would have preferred the decision be made by voters.

“Just because we can do something doesn’t mean we should do it without going to the voters,” Ross said. “I really think it should be on the warrant article and I’m confident it would pass.”

Athletes perform – and watch – at state meet

Hooksett Editor — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 20:16:00 GMT

BY JERRY LIPTAK

At the girls gymnastics state championships, the hosts won the title, but the guests – teams and individuals – still enjoyed the show.

Salem High beat second-place Pinkerton and third-place Central on Saturday, Feb. 21, for its third straight New Hampshire championship, but Little Green athletes, as well as individuals from Goffstown, Pembroke, John Stark and West, took their turns on vault, bars, beam and floor, then cheered on friend and friendly foe alike.

“They really appreciate when they see a talented gymnast,” said Ginnie LaVallo, Salem’s head coach, mentioning no team in particular. “They know the work that goes into doing any of this. So it’s nice to see them watching the other competitors.”

Manchester Central
Central’s Ainsley Smith finished fifth in the all-around, helping the Little Green to 130.625 points, 5.575 behind the Blue Devils and two back of the Astros. Spaulding’s Kaitlyn O’Brien won the individual allaround with 36.2 points.

Sarah Conley and Hooksett’s Liz Wong added important points for Central, with Wong a top-10 performer on vault and bars.

Meg Norklun, who coaches Central and the lone West entrant, Jill Dusseault, said the sport fosters friendship because so many of the athletes know each other through gymnastics training centers, not just as school teammates or opponents.

Conley co-captained this year’s Central team with Chelsie Gilbert. They graduate, along with Bonnie Duval, Laura Robitaille and Molly Friedman-Cowan.

But Smith returns as a senior in 2010, and Wong, Abby Noonan, Jessica Carignan and Katie Williamson are back for their junior years. Emily Harrises competed on bars as a freshman.

Manchester West
Dusseault put up a top-20 effort on uneven bars, posting her best score of the year. Afterward, Norklun and Goffstown’s coach, Carol Raza, shared a laugh. “All season long, she’s either jumped off the bar or landed on her butt,” said Norklun good-naturedly. The coach embraced and congratulated Dusseault after the event.

Pembroke Academy, Goffstown and John Stark
Ashley Reade led a trio of individuals with Neighborhood ties in the all-around. John Stark’s Reade placed 19th overall, including a tie for 12th on beam.

Pembroke’s Kelsey Dobe was 25th in the all-around, keyed by strong showings on vault and floor.

Jana Hieber, representing Goffstown, finished 30th in the all-around. Her best performance came during the floor exercise.

Kristin Paradis, Trinity High’s mentor when the school had a team, coached Reade and Dobe, who train together in Bow. Paradis also mentored Prospect Mountain’s Haley Farnham, tied for 18th in the all-around, and Belmont’s Joy Piper, 23rd.

FIRST robotics competition is Feb. 27 and 28; this year’s game tries to simulate the moon’s gravity

Hooksett Editor — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 19:47:00 GMT

BY GINGER KOZLOWSKI

Lunacy. An apt description of the idea a bunch of high school kids could design and build a robot capable of playing a game under conditions similar to the moon’s surface in just six weeks. But that is exactly what teams involved in this year’s FIRST robotics competition are doing for this year’s game, called “Lunacy.”

In the game, robots will play on a slippery surface, meant to simulate gravity one-sixth of the Earth’s, just like on the moon. Two threeteam robot alliances collect and store balls in trailers attached to the opposing team’s robots, with human plays positioned around the perimeter to score by throwing balls in the trailers.

The robots play without human intervention for the first 15 seconds, then are operated by radio control for the remaining two minutes. West High School’s Team 501, the PowerKnights, is ready to play.

“Unlike previous years where we finished the robot just in time to ship,” said Bedford senior Chris Costes, “this year we completed construction of the major robot features about a week in advance of the ship date. Though we completed construction early, the remaining week was used to the fullest and allowed us time for testing and tweaking.”

Coming up with ways to cope with the slippery surface were important to the team.

“The drive train we decided on is a six-wheel system with all wheels powered using a singlespeed transmission on each side of the robot,” he said.

“There were many ideas discussed about how to manipulate the moon rocks. Ultimately we decided to build upon the system we used during the Aim High competition two years ago.

There are a pair of rollers at the front of the robot that are used to suck the moon rocks off the floor where they are stored in a hopper. Towards the back of the robot there is a “magazine” where we can store up to four moon rocks, ready to be shot.

“On top of this magazine there is a turret that holds our shooter, able to launch moon rocks about 5 feet. This turret can be controlled by the operator and can rotate about 270 degrees. We also have a camera mounted on the turret that can be used to track the opposing team’s trailer markers and aid in aiming the turret,” said Costes.

Other local teams competing this year include Bedford High School, Team 509; St. Paul’s School, Concord, Team 1512; Bishop Brady High School, Team 1517; Hopkinton High School and John Stark High School, Team 1922; Pinkerton Academy, Team 241; Memorial High School, Team 238; Trinity High School, Team 40; Central High School, Team 131; and Pembroke Academy, Team 134.

The BAE regional competition takes place at the Verizon Wireless Arena Friday, Feb. 27, and Saturday, Feb. 28. Admission is free.

Hooksett District Court on, then off, closure list

Hooksett Editor — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 19:31:00 GMT

BY GINGER KOZLOWSKI

Hooksett District Court was on the list of the governor’s budget cuts, but was removed from that list shortly after it was announced.

To cut costs, Gov. John Lynch proposed consolidating eight district courts and save nearly $2 million a year. Critics said the plan would drive up salary and fuel costs for police forced to travel farther to court. Allenstown Police Chief Shaun Mullholland was notified on Friday, Feb. 13, that the Hooksett District Court was an error.

“Hooksett District Court was taken off of the list because Concord District Court is too small and would not be able to handle merging with Hooksett District Court,” he said. “Hooksett District Court is one of the larger district courts in the state.”

Mulholland’s reaction to the news Hooksett District Court could be closed was swift. He wrote to Sen. Jack Barnes with the following words:

“The proposal to close the Hooksett District Court would place a hardship on the people of Hooksett, Allenstown and Pembroke. Our citizens would have to travel to Concord to receive court services.

“This also places additional cost burdens on the police departments of the three communities. This would increase our fuel costs as we would need to travel to Concord instead of Hooksett.

“This would also add to overtime costs. We would have to transport prisoners a greater distance as well.

“As you are all well aware all three communities are facing budget crises also. Adding additional costs to the towns and cities by the state only further aggravates the property tax issue.

“I hope you will consider the impact of closing the Hooksett District Court. If this is approved it will occur in July of 2009. Our budgets have already been submitted and cannot be changed at this time for the 2009 year. This would require additional cuts in already lean municipal budgets.”

Allenstown Selectman Tom Gilligan said Mulholland put it best, and all on the Allenstown Board of Selectmen felt the same way.

Hooksett Town Councilor David Ross was also dismayed at the possibility of losing the courthouse.

“Closing couthouses and jails when crime is statistically expected to increase is more foolishness on their part,” said Ross.

Ice storm of Dec. 11-12 leaves hundreds of thousands without power around state

Hooksett Editor — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 19:26:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

Local towns are dealing with the wrath of Mother Nature, who dropped ice around the Granite State, leaving a good portion of the state in the dark.

More than 325,000 New Hampshire residents were left without power following an ice storm that many officials say was worse than the one that took place in 1998.

Virtually all of Epsom, a town of about 4,000 people was left in the dark at the start of the ice storm.

“There were quite few trees and wires down,” said Selectman Joanne Randall. “The whole town was out. As of Monday (Dec. 15), we still had small pockets of secondary roads without electricity. There may still be some people without power at the end of the week.”

Epsom Fire Chief Stuart Yeaton said they learn something from each event, having gone through floods the past few years and the tornado this summer.

“Every time we get another event, we learn something,” he said. “People would call and say they have power and a generator (to offer).”

Auburn police have seen the criminal element take advantage of the storm. Police Chief Edward Picard said his department received a call during the power outage about an attempted break in.

The call came at 3 a.m. Sunday morning, Dec. 14, but Picard said his department hasn’t been faced with the theft of generators that he has been told is happening in surrounding towns.

“People have to go all the way to Connecticut to purchase generators,” said Picard. “The bad guys are using this emergency to their advantage.”

As of Tuesday, Dec. 16, about 50 percent of Auburn was in the dark, compared to what Picard estimated to be about 90 percent at the storm’s height.

Despite the negatives that came with the storm, Picard said there is a positive he took out of it.

“I’m proud of the way that the town has responded to helping their neighbors who don’t have power,” said Picard. “There were private residents going around with their generators, and that’s the character of Auburn.”

Candia officials met on Friday, Dec. 12, to set a plan of action, a plan that included getting the town’s roads cleared first.

While the road agent and his crews began on the back roads, firefighters attacked dangerous trees on Route 43, High Street and Old Candia Road.

Officials opened an emergency shelter later in the day at the Moore School, but after only one resident stayed there Friday night, it was suspended on Saturday.

The use of generators and personal heaters made for busy days and nights for the Hooksett Fire Department, according to Chief Michael Williams.

“We were extremely busy responding to over 60 electrical emergency incidents in a 48-hour period,” said Williams. “We are now experiencing carbon monoxide problems due to generators operating in garages and kerosene heater operating in houses. Just (Monday, Dec. 15) we responded to five carbon monoxide problems with related medical symptoms.”

Pembroke and Allenstown were not hit too hard. Lt. Dwayne Gilman of the Pembroke Police Department reported that 425 homes in Pembroke were without power at the height of the problem, mostly in the northern area of town. Allenstown residents also lost power, but there were no serious issues reported by the Allenstown Police Department.

Jodoin trades Hooksett for Pembroke

Hooksett Editor — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 01:43:00 GMT

BY LAUREN SAUSSER and GINGER KOZLOWSKI

Hooksett Town Administrator David Jodoin will soon become Pembroke’s town administrator.

Town Council Chairman David Dickson said Jodoin’s day of departure has not been finalized and details are still being discussed.

Jodoin is set to begin work in Pembroke on Dec. 1, according to both Jodoin himself and a release from the town of Pembroke.

He will be paid a salary of $72,000, said Pembroke Selectman Fred Kline, along with standard benefits, which Kline said is in keeping with what town administrators are paid in towns of Pembroke’s size. He was paid $90,000 in Hooksett.

“Pembroke leaned heavily on town administrator for finance,” said Kline. “He rose right to the top (of their list of candidates).”

In a press release by the town Pembroke, Jodoin’s experience was cited.

“By combining his knowledge of the local government systems, along with the strong and experienced staff already in place, the Board feels that we will be able to move forward quickly,” it said.

Jodoin said he looks forward to having an easier work schedule in Pembroke due to fewer meetings.

“The appeal of Pembroke is simple,” he said. “It will give me the opportunity to spend more time with my family, and that’s the most important thing to me.”

“The taxpayers of Hooksett have lost a very good friend and the Town Council is very appreciative of everything David has done for the town since 2005,” Dickson said.

The Town Council will discuss plans for both a short- and long-term replacement.

“I’m going to be having a discussion with Municipal Resources Incorporated,” Dickson said, explaining the recruitment company will aid the town in filling the position with an interim manager. “That will be the short-term solution, and then we’ll definitely be looking for a long-term replacement.”

Such an arrangement has been in place in Pembroke for the last several months, with Carol Murray providing services as interim town manager through MRI.

Jodoin was hired as town manager in 2005. His name drew international attention in 2007 when four Hooksett town employees were fired for allegedly gossiping about him and another town worker. The town’s insurance company settled with two of the former employees last March for $130,000. Litigation is still pending with the remaining two employees.

Jodoin’s three years as town administrator seemed to break Hooksett’s unlucky streak, having gone through two other administrators in one year after Mike Farrell left in 2003 after six years on the job.

Arthur “Chuck” Packard held the job for just three months, from Jan 1 to April 1, 2004, leaving to care for his sick mother. Moni Sharma was town administrator for about one year, serving from Aug. 9, 2004, to July 8, 2005. Jodoin took over on July 11, 2005.

“We’ve had our fair share of turnover,” he said. “One of David’s strength is definitely his knowledge base on how the town is supposed to run.”

State Rep. David Boutin, who previously served on the Hooksett Zoning Board of Adjustment, said Jodoin was a good fit for the town.

“David is a very hard worker but he was low key,” Boutin said. “He really did his business by example – worked hard. That’s one of the great things about him. The town is going to miss him.”

Town Councilor Mike Pischetola said he is confident Jodoin served Hooksett well for three years.

“I certainly would put my name down on a recommendation,” Pischetola said. “He has the good intentions of the town of Hooksett in mind at all times. But everyone moves on, sometimes it’s for the better and sometimes it’s not.”

Large turnout expected Nov. 4, police in Hooksett and surrounding towns prepare for traffic

Hooksett Editor — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 01:33:00 GMT

BY GINGER KOZLOWSKI

A record turnout is likely in the works for the presidential election on Tuesday, Nov. 4, and area police and poll workers are gearing up for the crowds.

In Hooksett and Pembroke, police will be enforcing a change in the usual traffic patterns at the school buildings where voting takes place. Police in Epsom, Allenstown, Candia and Auburn were not making any changes in traffic pattern, but will be prepared for more traffic than usual.

In Allenstown, poll workers will be available an extra hour in the morning, with hours now starting at 7 a.m., and ending at 7 p.m., for this election only. Parents of Hooksett’s middle school students will have to be aware that voting is likely to make parent-teacher conferences scheduled for that day difficult to get to on time.

“Be patient,” said Hooksett police detective Paul Cecilio. “If you have a parent-teacher conference, get there early. We anticipate a large crowd.”

Cecilio added that there will be message boards and officers to direct traffic. Additional lighting will also be provided so those voting after dark will be able to find their way to the auxiliary parking areas behind Cawley Middle School.

Expect to wait in line.

“If we get an influx of people,” said Cecilio, “it could be all the way to (Route) 28.”

And if you are in line near the time the polls close?

“If your car’s in line (at 7 p.m.),” said Cecilio, “they’re last to vote.”

In Auburn, there will be extra voting booths at Auburn Village School to help manage the crowds, said town clerk Joanne Linxweiler.

“If people are in line waiting to vote at 7 p.m. (closing time),” she said “the moderator will allow those already in line the opportunity to cast their vote.”

In Candia, town clerk Christine Dupere said she is having additional poll workers to help that day, including same-day voter registration. Again, if you are in line by the time the polls close, you will be allowed to vote.

“The moderator and I are doing a lot of advanced planning to keep things running smoothly,” said Dupere,” and I will be holding a training class for all the poll workers and election officials.”

Allenstown Elementary School will be closed that day.

“We will have extra officers on duty,” said Police Chief Shaun Mulholland. “However, there are no plans to change traffic patterns. We do expect parking problems, there is no real way to resolve that issue.”

In Epsom, there will be extra help at Epsom Central School.

“We will be having greeters that will direct people where to go to vote or if they need to register to vote,” said town clerk Dawn Blackwell. “We will be having two check-in tables.”

Traffic pattern changes in Pembroke

Pembroke is making the following changes to the traffic pattern on Election Day:
• Pine Street from Broadway to High Street, westbound only.
• High Street from Pine Street to Maple Street, southbound only.
• Maple Street to Broadway, eastbound only.
• Prospect from Maple to Pine Street, northbound only.

On-street parking will be limited to one side of each affected street. It will be properly posted with no parking signs. The Police Department will have officers at the polls to assist with the new traffic pattern. There will also be personnel on hand to assist with traffic flow in the school parking lot. Extra lighting equipment will be in place to help light the area after dark. School will not be in session on Election Day. Handicap parking will be available.

Traffic pattern changes in Hooksett

In Hooksett, all traffic will enter Cawley School through the entrance off White Hall Road in two lanes approaching the school. All traffic will exit through the rear gate of Cawley onto Farmer Road. Traffic wishing to exit back onto Whitehall Road should use Whitehall Terrace to reverse direction. All other north/south traffic should go to the end of Farmer Road and exit via Londonderry Turnpike (Bypass 28).

Officers will be at Farmer Road and Londonderry Turnpike to assist with traffic should it back up on Farmer Road.

Last year’s cellar dwellars, Pembroke boys near top of class

Hooksett Editor — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 20:34:00 GMT

BY RYAN O’CONNOR

This time last year, the Bow boys soccer team had locked up a top-four seed in the Class I tournament – par for the course for George Pinkham’s squad.

Peter Bisson, on the other hand, was completing his first season at the Pembroke Academy helm. His team had shown signs of progress, but were out of playoff contention nonetheless.

This year, things are a little different. Though the Falcons are in the playoffs again, it’s they who are playing the unfamiliar role of underdog while Bisson’s boys continue to crash the Class I party. In fact, Bow was the first on what’s become a long list of foes to suffer a surprise setback at the hands of the upstart Spartans.

On Aug. 29, PA traveled to Bow to open the season and defeated the defending state runners-up, 2-1.

This time around, the Falcons had a better idea what to expect, yet the result was no different.

Behind three goals from striker Ryan Clark and another from Caleb Bonanno, the Spartans won again on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 4-0, and improved to 9-3-2, good enough for fourth place.

Bow, now 7-7-1 on the season, was 6-2-1 in nine prior contests and hadn’t given up more than two goals in a game since Sept. 6.

Yet Bisson said he had a feeling his players were due for a big performance. Scoring the first goal against Bow’s staunch defense, he said, gave them all the confidence they needed.

“The energy was there. I don’t know if it’s because it was our last home game or what, but if we can maintain that energy and finish teams off, we’ve got a real shot,” said Bisson. “I’ve got a lot of talent, and the right players are in the right spots. I’m willing to put it all in their hands.”

Despite the 2-0 record against the Falcons during the regular season, Bisson said that doesn’t mean he’d like to see them again in the playoffs.

“They’re dangerous,” he said. “They defend well and they can get forward very quickly. They’re right in there with a lot of good teams that can easily beat you on any given day.”

Pinkham said he’s happy just to be in the playoffs. In fact, he said he hasn’t looked at the standings since mid-September.

“We’ve struggled all year offensively. We know that, and we know we need to hold teams down with our defense,” said Pinkham. “I give this Pembroke team credit. The chances they had they finished. They look very strong.”

At games, some adults cross the line of unacceptable behavior

Hooksett Editor — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 13:45:00 GMT

BY RYAN O’CONNOR

Sitting at a youth hockey conference, watching what was likely to be another boring prerecorded training video, Kermit Brunelle sighed.

On the screen, Don Lucia, coach of the national champion University of Minnesota ice hockey team, was giving a speech.

“A lot of people think I have the best job in hockey, and I tell them, ‘You know, I have the second- best job in hockey,’” said Lucia. “‘The best job is being the head coach at an orphanage – no parents to deal with.’” Brunelle chuckled.

The Bedford native has been coaching youth hockey in the greater-Manchester area the past decade.

For nine years, he woke before sunrise, brought his son or daughter to a frigid ice rink and taught half-awake children to skate, handle the puck and, most importantly, play hard and clean. Only this year did he shed the added pressure of coaching one of his own children.

He’s been able to handle the lack of sleep and multiple layers of clothing well enough.

In fact, the experience has generally been positive, even rewarding, but it’s parents who think their child deserves more playing time than another, or those who vocally second-guess a coach or official, that grate on his nerves.

That behavior, said Brunelle, does not reflect the true nature of youth sports.

In some cases, emotions run high; in extreme cases, people are hurt, even killed. Usually, it’s the child who suffers.

Pressure points
As a Little League coach in Goffstown, Bob Gurskis knows all too well the weight parents can put on coaches’ and players’ shoulders.

In a town where baseball roots grow deep, he feels like just another weed to be plucked from the infield dirt, even after leading the Goffstown 9- and 10- year-old tournament team to a District 1 title in 2007.

“Some parents are so demanding, I literally have to talk to them and say, ‘Hey, lighten up, you’re taking the (kid’s minds) out of the game,’” said Gurskis. He said he’s talked to several players so disenchanted they’re ready to quit the sport rather than continue into Babe Ruth. It’s no wonder, he said, that at least one study indicates only 9 percent of children play organized baseball after the age of 12.

Gurskis grew up playing in Nashua and competed in semipro ball. He relocated to Florida and coached Little League there before moving to Goffstown. The attitude toward junior baseball in Goffstown – as compared to everywhere else he’s lived – is astounding, he said. “This year, even more than ever, I think it’s kind of 50-50.

Half the families and half the people involved understand baseball is entertainment. It’s a game. Coaches teach you to work hard. Sports is a healthy thing,” he said. “The other half take the game so far to the opposite direction. Every play is life or death. Every pitch is the last out of the World Series.”

And Gurskis said that mentality has reached the softball diamond, the soccer field and the football gridiron, among other playing surfaces.

“Everyone gets emotional,” he said. “But it becomes personal. ‘Why is your son getting the starting assignment and not mine?’ or ‘Why is he playing four innings and mine is only playing three and two-thirds?’”

Gurskis has clashed with fellow board members and coaches who have exhibited such an attitude, both at games and behind closed doors.

He can deal with the shots fired at him. It’s the collateral damage that concerns him.

“The pressure comes down on the kids, and that’s not what you want,” he said. “They’re going to find pressure in life without us. We don’t need to put more on them.

“Let’s help them try to be successful and analyze and improve what they’ve done wrong rather than scream at them for swinging at a bad pitch.”

It’s not just the coaches and players who are targets.

Leon Kenison of Bow began officiating baseball in high school when he was forced to substitute for a group of absent umpires. Roughly 50 years later he’s still listening to parents, coaches and players question his rulings. Most of it is background noise.

“Because of my gray hair, I guess I don’t get as much grief as some of my younger colleagues, whether it be from parents, coaches or players … But it’s tough to say because I’ve really trained myself not to hear that stuff,” said Kenison. “I know the younger (umps) let it get to them a little. When I’m in the stands I prefer to be a silent spectator and only positively encourage those on the field, but if I’m umping and someone gets really bad, I’ll just turn to them and say, “Gosh, I could use some help.”

There is constant recruiting for umpires, added Kenison, who said he’d rather be officiating than coaching.

“The coaches get a lot more pressure from parents in terms of, ‘Why doesn’t my kid play more?’” he said. “Not only do they have logistic stuff, in terms of scheduling practices and finding fields, which is a nightmare, but they have to deal with the parents of a 12-year-old kid who is going to break into the Major Leagues next week.”

Kenison has umpired and/ or coached at every local level, from Little League to high school to American Legion and beyond, and he’s seen the sport and the attitudes evolve.

In the past, a disruptive parent would be reprimanded and usually calmed by peers. These days, it’s not necessarily a parent’s actions that create problems, said Kenison, it’s inaction. “A kid (is) throwing a hissy fit when they think they’ve been tagged out or something like that,” he said. “… I’m not saying parents should reprimand their kids right on the field, but I certainly don’t see folks getting involved (in discipline) like they did 20 or 30 years ago. I think it makes it harder on the coaches more than anyone.”

Brunelle can relate.

On the ice, he teaches children to play with respect for themselves, their foes and the game, minus the violence generally associated with hockey. He knows other coaches preach a similar approach.

Yet many pupils still exhibit selfish tendencies.

“It’s the trips home from the rink after games,” said Brunelle. “(Parents are) talking about the performance of their individual child, where on the bench we’re stressing team play.”

Every now and then he witnesses the effects of a parent coaching from a distance.

“A lot of parents, I think, try to live vicariously through their children,” he said. “But parents yelling from the stands in such a manner that a child can hear it, that child usually takes it as criticism and internalizes it as a negative experience for them.”

Indeed, such actions generally serve as a deterrent to participate, said Kate Hays, who practiced sports psychology in Concord for 25 years before moving her practice to Toronto in 1997.

“Ironically, a kid may lose interest in being involved in sports because of the huge amount of negative energy involved,” she said. “(The parent) is thinking they’re protecting their kid or standing up for their kid, but most kids actually find that type of intervention embarrassing and feel more pressure to perform.

“Essentially, what may ordinarily be a fun activity with friends begins to have a lot of emotional pieces that in turn create long-term implications.”

Jim Bail not only coaches and serves as a Little League board member in Windham, but he scouts players for the professional ranks.

At one particular American Legion game in 2007, Bail was asked by Concord coach Avril Cate to take a look at a couple players.

Bail obliged and, after the game, pulled one particular athlete aside and told him he’ll never have a chance at the next level if he continues to throw fits over an umpire’s calls.

“I see parents softening their kids up a little more than is good for them,” he said.

More than ever, he added, parents are turning their children into victims.

“(The players) aren’t taking enough ownership for their own issues,” he said. “They try to pout their way onto teams or try to pout their way into starting positions – with mom and dad in the background saying how unfair it is – instead of bucking up and doing it themselves.”

Even in youth football, said Dave Tremblay, a coach receives their share of parent-generated headaches.

Tremblay has coached football at the youth and high school level for roughly 10 years.

“Generally, I think you have two different types of parents,” said the current Pembroke Academy head coach. “You have the parents who expect their kids to be all-stars, and then you have the parents who kind of have the fear of the unknown, the ones who get nervous when their kids are practicing five days a week, and they’re getting used to the physicality of the sport.” The latter is easier to deal with, said Tremblay.

He remembered one incident when he coached the Hooksett Hurricanes.

A neighbor, whose child played under Tremblay, decided to confront him because of a perceived lack of playing time.

A mildly heated exchange ensued, recalls the coach, but he said he learned from the experience.

“First of all, the Pop Warner rules set forth and regulate playing time, but I’ve just learned to be really open with everyone and let them know up front how it’s going to be. I also spread the responsibility among my coaches, so it’s not just my decision, and parents can’t single out one person.”

Even if disagreements occur, Hays said these kinds of moments offer opportunities to positively resolve problems.

More importantly, she said it’s necessary to communicate with the child and identify and separate the aspirations of the young athlete from the parent.

Proof positive
One of Brunelle’s most memorable moments as coach involved a youngster from Minnesota who had transferred to New Hampshire and was moving back to the Midwest with his parents.

“I received an e-mail thanking me for my efforts as a coach, and more importantly it said the one thing the boy remembered is, at the end of the game when you shake hands, you’re supposed to take your glove off.”

That, said Brunelle, was indicative of parents who care, and there are many of them, he said.

In fact, all parties interviewed for this story acknowledged they’ve generally had positive experiences with youth sports, and they said there are some encouraging trends.

Leagues around the country are taking proactive approaches to eliminating inappropriate behavior.

Kenison noted that approximately 10 years ago the New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic Association created a policy that mandates any coach or player ejected from a game must sit at least one additional contest. A second violation brings an immediate end to that individual’s season.

Several other organizations, said Kenison, including Babe Ruth, have adopted similar policies. “It’s sort of a motivational tool to make people behave, and from what I’ve seen, it’s made a heck of a difference,” he said. “People previously felt they could have their say anytime they wanted, and now we just say, ‘See ya.’ I think that’s had a very sobering effect on malcontents and makes the umpiring job much easier.”

Brunelle said USA Hockey and Granite State Youth Hockey have created a parents code of conduct and are enforcing zero-tolerance policies concerning a parent’s verbal or physical abuse of a player, coach, fellow parent or official.

If an individual breaks the code, he said, a 30-day suspension follows, and those punished must go before a board and request reinstatement.

“I think it’s needed just to make sure parents understand this is a game,” said Brunelle, “and winning and losing is not that important, as long as kids continue to develop as players and people.”

Many struggle to pay last year’s fuel bills, worry about future

Hooksett Editor — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 13:36:00 GMT

BY JENN McDOWELL

It’s going to be a lot harder for the Hills family of Allenstown to stay afloat financially this year, with fuel prices hitting record highs.

Jeanne Hills babysits her toddler grandson, staying home while her husband and her adult children work. With the price of heating oil averaging more than $4.50 a gallon, according to the state Department of Energy and Planning, the future looks frightening.

The Hills got a decent price last year, but ended up spending a total of $2,281 on their oil deliveries between September 2007 and their most recent in May 2008. This year, they are likely going to spend much more than that to heat their home.

Hill added that her mother, a 70-year-old retired woman on a fixed income, had so much trouble trying to pay for the oil heat bills on her mobile home in Derry that she had to move in with Hill’s sister.

“I used to buy 150 gallons (per delivery) and had to go down to 100 gallons,” said Hills. “It wasn’t fitting in our budget. Prior to that first September bill, I was paying $240 for 150 gallons, and now for 100 gallons it was almost as much,” Hills said, adding she made good use of her wood stove last winter and would continue that practice this winter.

Not a bad idea, and one David Pearl of Hooksett has more than bought into. Pearl, who runs “Spotlight Video” out of his Main Street home, has two years’ worth of wood sitting in his back yard in preparation of the heating crunch.

Pearl does use oil, but stocks up on the wood each year, buying it wholesale at about $1,200 for a gigantic truckload that equals about 12 cords, a two-year supply.

At first, said Pearl, his wife, Joanne, wasn’t crazy about the the huge amount of wood in their backyard. “This year, she’s kind of on board; that it’s definitely worth it,” said Pearl. “You’re going to have to have heat one way or the other.”

Local governments under stress
Hooksett Town Administrator David Jodoin said most of the town’s buildings run on gas heat, the price of which is also on the rise.

Still, with energy prices increasing along with gasoline, Jodoin said there are going to be many trickle-down effects from the national and state levels to the towns.

“We will be forced, like many towns, to postpone paving if things get too tough and look at hours of operation, and possibly even layoffs,” Jodoin said. “Projections are impossible right now. The market on fuel is fluctuating way too much. All we can do is, like everyone else, pray that things stabilize.”

To heat the old Town Hall and the highway garage for the 2007-08 year cost Hooksett $11,768.42 said Finance Director Christine Soucie.

The only building in Candia that runs on oil is the old library, not in regular use. The heat has to stay on the lowest setting there so the pipes don’t freeze, said selectmen’s assistant Dawn Chabot.

That building alone cost $1,401.47 to heat between January and December 2007.

“It’s probably going to be double, if not triple, this year,” said Selectmen Chairman Fred Kelley, adding his own home cost about $1,000 to heat during this past winter.

Pembroke and Allenstown use little heating oil, as they sit almost directly on top of a gas line. Natural gas prices are also increasing, according to the Department of Energy and Planning, but not at the rate of oil increases. The average cost for natural gas is around $1.70 per unit on the high end.

“The major gas line that runs to Concord runs through Pembroke between Route 3 and the (Suncook) river,” said Pembroke Town Administrator Geoff Ruggles, adding that skyrocketing oil prices will have only a small effect on Pembroke.

The only Pembroke building using oil is the Perry Eaton building, the old police station, which also houses the Sewer Department.

Most of the town is also on gas, Ruggles said, but some residences in older sections may be on oil heat.

It’s basically the same story in Allenstown, where the majority of buildings – including the town hall, police and fire stations and recreation center – are on the same gas line that runs through neighboring Pembroke.

“I’m sure the rate will increase just like everything else,” said Police Chief Shaun Mulholland, agreeing with Jodoin that gasoline is going to have the biggest impact on the town’s budget.

The highway garage in Allenstown is a little bit different. “We actually heat the highway garage with waste oil,” said Selectman Tom Gilligan. “We have a waste oil burner that we put in years ago, and we continue to maintain and upgrade it. We also have a propane tank as a backup at the highway garage,” he said.

Epsom selectmen’s assistant Nancy Wheeler said the current town office building, the old Town Hall, and both the fire and police departments run on oil heat. The highway shed is the only town building that uses propane.

In 2007, she said, Epsom spent $13,738 on heating oil, coming within $150 of what they had budgeted for that year. Selectmen budgeted $15,475 for 2008 in anticipation of the historic meeting house, which was moved next to the old Town Hall, is completely renovated and becomes involved in the oil heat budget this year.

So far, the town has spent $8,188 of their 2008 heating oil budget line, with about three more months left to go between October and December.

Wheeler added the town was able to lock in a good rate at $2.34 per gallon, but will have to go out to bid again sometime in the next month. “If it goes up a dollar a gallon, based on what we used the second half of the year, we should be okay, but who knows?” said Wheeler.

Auburn Town Administrator Bill Herman said town is trying to juggle the rising costs of heating fuel, gas, and asphalt, and said those increases have exceeded their budget projections.

The Board of Selectmen is looking at installing a new, more energy efficient heating system in the town hall this year to help to defray some of the increase in oil heat costs down the road.

“Depending on the account, increases of 10 to 27.5 percent were included in the 2008 operating budget for anticipated fuel increases. It appears at this point those increases may not be enough to cover the expenses of heating the town buildings this year,” Herman said.

All town buildings except for the highway garage run on oil heat, he said, and rising heating fuel costs caused the budgets for both the police department and general government buildings, including the Town Hall, highway garage, and old police and fire stations, to run over budget in 2007-08.

So far in 2008, according to Herman, those accounts are getting close to their budgeted amounts, with at least three months left to heat on this year’s budget.

Assistance is available if you can’t pay your bill

Hooksett Editor — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 13:30:00 GMT

BY CHRISTINE HEISER

Next winter, when the temperatures drop and the oil tank is low, rising fuel costs might bring on a budget crisis for some homeowners.

Unlike public utilities such as gas or electric, private oil companies are not bound by law to deliver in the winter even if the customer doesn’t pay their bill, so each company sets its own policies. But most will work with the customer if they can’t pay.

Janice Fusco at Viking Oil and Propane Company in Candia said they follow the normal collection procedures for their credit customers, with letters and phone calls to follow up. If a customer is behind in payments, Viking might require a customer who orders fuel to pay for the delivery upfront along with 25 percent of their balance, for instance.

But those policies can always change, said, Fusco, as fuel companies also have to pay for the fuel they get, and prices are rising quickly. “We advise customers to not ignore their bills or our attempts to reach them,” she said. “Communicate with us and we’ll work something out.”

State offers fuel assistance Area fuel assistance programs are gearing up for the 2008-09 heating season and the rise in demand that’s sure to come with skyrocketing fuel costs.

“The number of requests went up by 7 percent last year from the year before,” said Sharon Brody, head of the Rockingham Community Action fuel assistance program. “We’re expecting even more this year.”

The Rockingham office handles the area from Auburn to the Seacoast and south to Salem. There are six community action agencies in the state, which distribute federal funds made available to them from the New Hampshire Office of Energy and Planning in the form of low-income home energy assistance block grants. Help is available to both homeowners and renters.

Go to the state OEP Web site, www.nh.gov/oep/programs. htm, and click on “fuel assistance,” for more information and for the contact for your area.

Brody couldn’t say what the exact eligibility criteria would be for assistance this year, as it depends on how many applications the office gets and how much money is available. But she encourages people to apply as soon as they can if they anticipate a need. Applications are taken from Sept. 1 through April 30, and from that point, an interview will set up with those requesting help.

Some towns also offer assistance to varying degrees, Brody said, but this year, everyone will be strapped trying to assist those in need.

The community action agencies also accept private donations. “Sometimes elderly people get assistance, then they ask to be taken off the list when they no longer need help,” Brody said. “Then we’ll get $1 or $5 in the mail from them. It breaks us up.”

To make a donation, send to the community action agency of your choice and earmark it for fuel assistance. The phone numbers and e-mail addresses for the agencies are listed on the OEP Web site.

Brody is hoping, most of all, for a warm winter this year. “But if not, we hope we can help everyone,” she said. “We’re waiting for our Santa Claus, our knight in shining armor, so we can help as many people as possible.”

Pembroke Academy’s first triumph comes courtesy of fourth-quarter heroics

Hooksett Editor — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 20:03:00 GMT

BY RYAN O’CONNOR
It was the first win in the program’s first year, and it came in dramatic fashion.

The Pembroke Academy boys lacrosse team, entrenched in a low-scoring battle with Pelham on Thursday, April 17, entered the fourth quarter up, 2-1. However, two quick Pelham goals put the Spartans behind and, it seemed, on their way to a third straight loss to open the season.

But with 36 seconds left in regulation, midfielder Patrick McCormack picked up an unforced Pelham turnover, streaked down the field, dished the ball to Doug Merrill, who passed to Brian Roche, who found the back of the net.

Then, 19 seconds later, the Spartans did it again – this time on a McCormack tally with seven seconds left in the game to secure a 4-3 victory.

“I couldn’t be more happy with these guys showing that kind of heart and dedication,” said head coach Stephen Wallin. “I just put them on the field, and they do the rest.”

Nathan Huntley and defenseman Jordan MacRae scored Pembroke’s first two goals, giving

the locals a 2-0 edge.

Senior goalie Nate Komm played a tremendous game in net, said Walllin, who added MacRae earned the game ball for his relentless efforts and Merrill turned in a strong performance at midfield.

Prior to the victory, PA lost, 15-0, to both Portsmouth and Hollis-Brookline – two of the top teams in Division III. Getting the win against Pelham, said Wallin, was a huge boost to morale. “I think they can play with the best of the best,” he said. “I have high expectations for them. I definitely expect them to finish around .500 and maybe make the playoffs.”

Others contributing this season include seniors Ryan Foster, Andrew LaValley, Matt Lavoie, Richard Blye, Tobey Manning and Adam Gray; juniors Jerry Jarnigan, Christopher Allen and Vincent Verecchia-LaChance; and sophomores Matthew Sweeney, Dalton Sirrine, Samuel Harty and Jamison Syphers.

Five arrests at park-and-ride lot

Hooksett Editor — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 19:42:00 GMT

BY JENN McDOWELL

Five men were arrested at Hooksett’s park and ride lot on Hackett Hill Road as police investigated the spot for reports of lewd acts in the woods there.

“It’s been ongoing for years now. There’s been word that this kind of stuff goes on,” said Hooksett police Detective Sgt. Nick Pinardi of the relatively remote trail system near the park and ride, across the street from the toll booth.

Robert Blais, 55, of Manchester, and Earl Corey, 55, of Warner, were arrested on Thursday, April 17, and charged with criminal trespass, indecent exposure and disorderly conduct, said Pinardi.

Pinardi said the department has fielded complaints from citizens going to the park and ride for legitimate use of the trail systems, and have seen people, particularly men, congregating at the parking lot and heading into the woods.

Some have seen these men performing sexual acts, Pinardi said. Since the snow has melted, the department has heard more of these accounts, and responded by putting extra patrols on the parking lot.

“One of our officers walked right up on it,” Pinardi said. The officer caught Blais and Corey “in the act” on the trail by the park and ride, Pinardi said. As the officer approached the area where the two men were, a third man walking ahead of him went to the same spot and stood directly next to Blais and Corey.

That man, Michael White, 44, of Canterbury, attempted to flee when he saw the officer approaching. When the officer asked what he was doing there, White allegedly said he was going to the bathroom.

White was charged with criminal trespass, as he was fully clothed at the time of the arrest.

On a second foot patrol through the trails, an officer came upon William Vickory, 60, of Pembroke, and Stephen Savoy, 43, of Manchester, who appeared to be pulling their pants up, Pinardi said. Both were charged with criminal trespass, he said.

Pinardi said Hooksett police will continue to patrol the area, as they believe this is a common place for people to commit such acts.

The ground in the area, Pinardi said, is littered with trash and condoms.

If Blais and Corey are convicted on the indecent exposure charges, they will have to register with the state’s sex offender registry.

All five men are due to be arraigned in Hooksett District Court on May 21 at 8:30 a.m.