For the past 60 years, the sounds of air travel have hung over the city of Biddeford, Maine. Now this sound is in danger of being silenced forever.
The airport that was opened in 1951 is proving to be less of a source of income and more of an economic burden to the people. In the past three years, the cost of maintaining the airport is higher than the income it brings in.
To close the airport would cost approximately $3 million. According to records in the City Assessor’s office, the land on which the airport is built is worth approximately $1.6 million, leaving taxpayers to front the remaining amount.
The remaining balance seems to have people up in arms over the subject. Roland Pelletier, a home owner who has lived next to the airport for 25 years, says that he was fine with the airport until it began taking his money. Roland said, “The money is the biggest thing. If it was self-supporting, fine. Let it go on.”
Roland later said on the towns online poll, “NTSB (National Transportation Board) has a report of a pilot, who was also an instructor pilot, hit the trees at the end of the runway because he did not do a correct pre-flight check.”
In the past, there had been some controversy about the amount of trees needed to be cut down and cases where people have wandered onto runways. Tom Bryand, the airport manager, said that, “We have pedestrians, motorcycles, four wheelers (and) ATVs all using it (the runway). They just use is as a backyard and that’s against regulations.”
Paul Archambault, Chairman of Shut Our Little Airport (SOLA) and lives close to the airport, said that money is the key concern. Paul said, “Sure this started out as a fight about trees and public access. But it’s not just about that anymore. Now it’s about money, too.”
Mark Richman, a worker from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said that he has seen other small city airports close to save money for the residents. Mark said, “While it may inconvenience the pilots and some of the passengers, more often than not people seem to be better off without the airport.”
In an attempt to validate the need of an airport, pilot Phyllis Landry said that it is still a great resource of income for the city. “I’ve been flying out of this airport for 25 years. I know business people who fly in here all the time.”
Phyllis also said that by closing the airport would cause trouble for the rest of the town’s economy. “If I couldn’t fly out of here I’d have to go to Sanford or Portland. “
Paul doesn’t necessarily think that closing the airport should mean that another business would have to move in. “Maybe put an industrial park in there. Or how about a wind farm? We could provide power to the nearby schools. That’s the kind of progress we’d like to see. We’re trying to be positive and constructive.”
Joseph Blank, a member of the National Association for Small City Airports (NASCA) said that not all cities can support one. “In my time with the association I have seen a number of airports thrive in small cities. Unfortunately, some are just not cut out for it, and I think that is what the case here is.”
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
UNH Dean of Students Speaks About Alcohol
On New Hampshire Public Radio this morning, UNH Dean of Students Anne Lawing talked about the severity of underage drinking.
Lawing said that she was concerned about the frightening level of problems related to alcohol. These problems range from missing classes to thousands of deaths nationwide.
While she admits that there is no way to put an end to drinking at colleges, she does advise caution and good judgment to students that partake in these parties. “Students have been drinking as long as there have been students,”she said jokingly.
Sheila Lambert, coordinator of an alcohol awareness program at Southern New Hampshire University, comments that the problem is not as bad as some people may think.
Lambert said, “It is a misperception that students are always drinking too much. In our survey from spring 2009, we found that the majority of students partake in drinking in low risk ways, usually having less than four drinks a week.”
If students are beginning to cut down on the amount of alcohol consumed, Lawing still sees this as a prominent problem. “We are tired of all these problems,” Lawing said, “It wastes time of both the local and on campus police.”
Lawing said that she was concerned about the frightening level of problems related to alcohol. These problems range from missing classes to thousands of deaths nationwide.
While she admits that there is no way to put an end to drinking at colleges, she does advise caution and good judgment to students that partake in these parties. “Students have been drinking as long as there have been students,”she said jokingly.
Sheila Lambert, coordinator of an alcohol awareness program at Southern New Hampshire University, comments that the problem is not as bad as some people may think.
Lambert said, “It is a misperception that students are always drinking too much. In our survey from spring 2009, we found that the majority of students partake in drinking in low risk ways, usually having less than four drinks a week.”
If students are beginning to cut down on the amount of alcohol consumed, Lawing still sees this as a prominent problem. “We are tired of all these problems,” Lawing said, “It wastes time of both the local and on campus police.”
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Young Boy Helps in Heroic Save
At 6 a.m. this morning, a police officer saved a man’s life when she crashed her cruiser into a car that was stalled on the train tracks.
Janet Paradiso, a local police captain, arrived on the scene at 6:05, and heard the whistle from the train as she approached. Later at the police station she said, “I knew there was no time. I had to do something.”
Janet rescued an unconscious Francois Truffaut, 80, seconds before the Amtrak Downeaster train came rushing by at 40 miles per hour. “It was close,” said chief of police Brian Paul.
The save was thanks to a heroic young boy who sprinted 100 yards to the police station to report this minutes before the train was due to arrive. While James Laboke, 17, was on his way to work, he came across Francois who was passed out in the driver seat.
Shirley Temple, conductor of the Downeaster, couldn’t believe the situation she was in: “I had a lump in my throat the whole time. I was hoping for the best”. Even if she threw the breaks on full, there was no chance to avoid hitting the car without endangering the lives of all passengers on the train.
Francois, who is now resting in stable at Southern Maine Medical Center said, “I don’t remember a thing.” Police believe Francois, who is diabetic, went into insulin shock just as he reached the railroad crossing.
Francois frequently makes the trip down from Quebec City, Canada to Old Orchard Beach. The town that is famous for its long beaches, amusement parks and French fries. He said that he has made the trip since he was a child.
James did not want to take much credit, “I never thought about it. I just knew I couldn’t let that men get crushed by a train”. Even with the unexpected delay, James still got to work on time at the Eezy Breezy Restaurant.
Chales Champaigne, James’ boss and the owner of the Eezy Breezy Restaurant said that is the type of person James is. “It doesn’t surprise me at all,” he said, “He’s just a great kid”.
Janet Paradiso, a local police captain, arrived on the scene at 6:05, and heard the whistle from the train as she approached. Later at the police station she said, “I knew there was no time. I had to do something.”
Janet rescued an unconscious Francois Truffaut, 80, seconds before the Amtrak Downeaster train came rushing by at 40 miles per hour. “It was close,” said chief of police Brian Paul.
The save was thanks to a heroic young boy who sprinted 100 yards to the police station to report this minutes before the train was due to arrive. While James Laboke, 17, was on his way to work, he came across Francois who was passed out in the driver seat.
Shirley Temple, conductor of the Downeaster, couldn’t believe the situation she was in: “I had a lump in my throat the whole time. I was hoping for the best”. Even if she threw the breaks on full, there was no chance to avoid hitting the car without endangering the lives of all passengers on the train.
Francois, who is now resting in stable at Southern Maine Medical Center said, “I don’t remember a thing.” Police believe Francois, who is diabetic, went into insulin shock just as he reached the railroad crossing.
Francois frequently makes the trip down from Quebec City, Canada to Old Orchard Beach. The town that is famous for its long beaches, amusement parks and French fries. He said that he has made the trip since he was a child.
James did not want to take much credit, “I never thought about it. I just knew I couldn’t let that men get crushed by a train”. Even with the unexpected delay, James still got to work on time at the Eezy Breezy Restaurant.
Chales Champaigne, James’ boss and the owner of the Eezy Breezy Restaurant said that is the type of person James is. “It doesn’t surprise me at all,” he said, “He’s just a great kid”.
Young Boy Helps in Heroic Save
At 6 a.m. this morning, a police officer saved a man’s life when she crashed her cruiser into a car that was stalled on the train tracks. Janet Paradiso, a local police captain rescued an unconscious Francois Truffant seconds before the Downeaster train came rushing by at 40 miles per hour.
This save was thanks to a heroic young boy who sprinted 100 yards to the police station to report this minutes before the train was due to arrive. While James Laboke, 17, was on his way to work, he came across 80-year-old Francois who was passed out in the driver seat.
Francois, who is now resting in stable at Southern Maine Medical Center said, “I don’t remember a thing.” Police believe Francois, who is diabetic, went into insulin shock just as he reached the railroad crossing.
James did not want to take much credit, “I never thought about it. I just knew I couldn’t let that men get crushed by a train”.
Chales Champaigne, the owner of the Eezy Breezer restaurant said that is the type of person James is.
This save was thanks to a heroic young boy who sprinted 100 yards to the police station to report this minutes before the train was due to arrive. While James Laboke, 17, was on his way to work, he came across 80-year-old Francois who was passed out in the driver seat.
Francois, who is now resting in stable at Southern Maine Medical Center said, “I don’t remember a thing.” Police believe Francois, who is diabetic, went into insulin shock just as he reached the railroad crossing.
James did not want to take much credit, “I never thought about it. I just knew I couldn’t let that men get crushed by a train”.
Chales Champaigne, the owner of the Eezy Breezer restaurant said that is the type of person James is.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Class Assignment 2/10
Two teenagers were injured Monday night when the white Mustang they were riding in flipped off of Mile Hill Rd in Belmont, Massachusetts and landed on its roof. Jamie Peterson, 17, of Elm Street was the driver and managed to crawl from the car under his own power. He was relatively unharmed. The two passengers, who have yet to be identified were pulled from the car with use of the Jaws of Life and taken to Memorial Hospital.
According to Lt. Judith Barkus of the Belmont Police Department, the passengers were both young girls. One of the young girls is in stable condition; the other was airlifted to Mass. General Hospital in Boston.
Josie M. Crandall saw the accident from her home on 27 Mile High Rd. and immediately called the police. Crandall said, “I’ve never seen a car going so fast on this road. It’s a dirt road, and it’s really easy to lose control.” Tom Carroll Jr., 17, was on the same road that night and first on the scene. Tom told police that he was driving behind the Mustang in his pick-up truck, when they suddenly sped ahead around a curve. The next thing time he saw the car, it was flipped on its roof. Tom said, “I thought the worst. They were flying. It’s hard to see kids your age in something like this.”
Tom also told police he saw a couple of empty Budweiser cans in the car when he approached to check on the people inside.
This is the second type of accident on Mile High Road. In December of 1998, two people were killed in the same spot. Mile High Rd. has no streetlights, which could be a factor in the rate of accidents happening at this spot.
According to Lt. Judith Barkus of the Belmont Police Department, the passengers were both young girls. One of the young girls is in stable condition; the other was airlifted to Mass. General Hospital in Boston.
Josie M. Crandall saw the accident from her home on 27 Mile High Rd. and immediately called the police. Crandall said, “I’ve never seen a car going so fast on this road. It’s a dirt road, and it’s really easy to lose control.” Tom Carroll Jr., 17, was on the same road that night and first on the scene. Tom told police that he was driving behind the Mustang in his pick-up truck, when they suddenly sped ahead around a curve. The next thing time he saw the car, it was flipped on its roof. Tom said, “I thought the worst. They were flying. It’s hard to see kids your age in something like this.”
Tom also told police he saw a couple of empty Budweiser cans in the car when he approached to check on the people inside.
This is the second type of accident on Mile High Road. In December of 1998, two people were killed in the same spot. Mile High Rd. has no streetlights, which could be a factor in the rate of accidents happening at this spot.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
New York Times Tuesday 2/9
Today's paper wasn't as good as yesterdays. They seemed to pack too many different articles onto the front page and they weren't really anything that attracted my eye. Stories about the GOP, City Real Estate, and Ukraine, really aren't that interesting for me. Hopefully tomorrow will be a little more interesting.
UNH Students Offer a Different Campus Dining Experience
Beginning Tuesday February 16th, the students participating in the culinary arts program at the Thompson School of Applied Science will be preparing cuisine not commonly found in New Hampshire. Students will be preparing American dishes from different regions, beginning in New England and then going around the country ending with the Pacific Northwest. Lunches will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will cost no more than $9.95.
A new addition to this program, students will also be preparing international dinners every Thursday with each week a different region of the world starting with Mexico and ending with Italy. These dinners will be served from 5-7 p.m. and will go for around $12.95. Patrons over the age of 21 are allowed to bring their own beer or wine. The Restaurant at Thompson Hall is located in Cole Hall 144. Reservations are not necessary, but strongly recommended and can be made by calling 603-862-4760. Each theme and menu will be posted on the Restaurant at Thompson School’s website.
A new addition to this program, students will also be preparing international dinners every Thursday with each week a different region of the world starting with Mexico and ending with Italy. These dinners will be served from 5-7 p.m. and will go for around $12.95. Patrons over the age of 21 are allowed to bring their own beer or wine. The Restaurant at Thompson Hall is located in Cole Hall 144. Reservations are not necessary, but strongly recommended and can be made by calling 603-862-4760. Each theme and menu will be posted on the Restaurant at Thompson School’s website.
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