Wheelchair-bound student
ascends Mount Cardigan
Nearly a dozen speak against
townwide Pathways project
Topless club awaits court
ruling to see if it can open in Bedford
Bedford Cop Cards becoming
hottest new collectible for kids
Long-range facility study
says Bedford high school may be needed, Riddle Brook addition possible way
to stem expected future growth
When should students learn
a foreign language?
By TRACIE STONE
Staff Writer
Teamwork, technology, and perseverance have recently earned a Bedford student the title of "first to climb Mount Cardigan in a wheelchair."
On Oct. 6, 14-year-old Matt Bishopric reached the top of Mount Cardigan. He wasn't alone.
But while more than 200 other McKelvie School students, faculty members, and volunteers joined Bishopric in making the climb to the summit of the 3,121-foot mountain in Alexandria during the three-day trip to Cardigan this year, Bishopric was the only one to do it in a wheelchair ever.
"I really feel like I accomplished something by being the first person on top in a wheelchair," said Bishopric, who has used a wheelchair since his early childhood because of a malformation in his spine.
The final climb to the top came after weeks of local training at McKelvie and Pulpit Rock as part of the 27th annual Mount Cardigan trip.
Bishopric credits his accomplishment to the enthusiasm and willingness of his classmates and the volunteers who offered to help out.
"It was all good team work by the parents and students that volunteered," Bishopric said.
Students and parents pitched in to help Bishopric maneuver his specially equipped wheelchair by pulling on a harness designed specifically for that purpose.
"There was never a shortage of volunteers to help out on the way up the mountain," said one McKelvie teacher, Judy Wildman.
The wheelchair Bishopric used was also important to the success of his climb.
Designed and donated by North East Passage out of Durham, the four-wheeled chair offered a stronger sense of stability and maneuverability over rocky terrain.
"When I found out I was going to be able to go on the trip, I just wondered how they were going to get me up there," Bishopric said.
However, after his first experimental visit to Pulpit Rock with his team and new chair, Bishopric was convinced the attempt would be a success.
"We got everywhere that we wanted to go," Bishopric said.
North East Passage is a company which works toward finding ways of introducing physically challenged individuals to outside activities they might not otherwise be able to do.
Bishopric and Wildman are both quick to acknowledge the climb to the summit, though quite an accomplishment, was not the only aspect of the trip and not the only tribute to Bishopric's perseverance and spirit.
"When we were at the camp site, Matt did as much as everybody else. He was never in his chair. He was always out and about getting things done and just having fun," Wildman said.
This ability to focus on what he can do as opposed to the things he is unable to do carries into the classroom for Bishopric also.
"He is just a remarkable kid if you were to ever see him class. He's a good student; in physical training he is right in there doing whatever he possibly can. He doesn't want anything special," Wildman said.
Bishopric attributes his positive attitude and ability to meet challenges head on to his parents, Kathleen and Brian Bishopric.
"They always told me I was just like everybody else and that if I try hard enough I can accomplish anything," Bishopric said.
Now, only one month after earning the prestigious title of the first person to climb Mount Cardigan in a wheelchair, Bishopric hopes his accomplishment will serve as an example and offer encouragement to others in similar situations.
"I want other kids to know that they're the same as anybody else, they shouldn't let being in a wheelchair or anything else stop them from ding something they really want to do," Bishopric said.
By TRACIE STONE
Staff Writer
Will the private and public sector be able to come together successfully in the Bedford Land Trust's Pathway Project?
This question was explored at length during a recent Town Council meeting when nearly a dozen residents spoke out against the project.
Public hearings for the town's master plan may not take place until February, although planning board members will have the opportunity to review the minutes of the Wednesday night meeting at upcoming master plan workshops.
"It's possible that the planning board may make changes to the draft before it hits the public hearing," said Planning Director Karen White.
White, Town Manager Catherine Debo, and Planning Board Chairman Paul Drahnak joined Town Council members Wednesday, Oct. 27, listening for two hours as 13 residents took to the podium to present views on the proposed Pathways Project.
"I'm very concerned about the safety issues of these sidewalks in my backyard. I'm liable now and I don't like it," said King Road resident John Herper.
All but two of the people speaking Wednesday night shared Herper's view, voicing concerns about liability, safety, loss of privacy, and potential maintenance costs of the proposed Pathway Project.
The issues of concern are magnified by incongruities presented when a private organization in this case the Bedford Land Trust accepts responsibility for a project on public land.
This issue was introduced early in the evening as a local attorney, Steven Silberberg, distributed photos recently taken at Muller Park on North Amherst Road showing overflowing trash cans, beer cans, and used condoms which had been discarded in the newly constructed Boy Scout park.
Silberberg said this is an example of what could happen when a private group is charged with caring for a public way.
If the Pathways Project is going to happen, "Have the town own them and have the town take care of them. Let's do it right," Silberberg said.
Many who spoke out against the Pathway's Project said they're opposed to the location of the proposed trails and not to the idea in general.
"I am a fan of Pathways when they go someplace schools, parks, the town pool, town hall. These wander aimlessly, going nowhere, serving no purpose. I really believe you would have people behind you ... but put some sense and logic into this," said Gary Watschke, a resident of Bedford Three Corners.
Watschke and others shared views that the project should be developed in and around the center of town, perhaps on paved paths, in open areas which can be easily policed and manitained.
Others like Cheryl Schunk, of Blackbird Drive, are supportive of designated trails developed through the town's open land.
"I want open land for myself, for my kids. We have conservation for ducks, conservation for deers. We need it for people," Schunk said, adding she and her family enjoy walking through the woods, even if they are not headed towards any specific destination.
The controversy of the proposed Pathways project came to light recently when local developer, Ken Hapgood, owner of Regal Homes, volunteered to grant Bedford an easement of some property on an approved King Road subdivision.
Hapgood offered the easement because he "thought it was the right thing to do."
The easement granted by Hapgood is now considered town property, more specifically a public way,although White said Wednesday the Pathway on this parcel has not yet been activated.
For abutters to this property, however, whether the trail has been activated is a moot point. That it is now a public way has property owners waiting anxiously for an answer as to the future of these Pathways.
While the original controversy surrounding the Pathways Project began with the King Road project, the issue became more heated with the discovery of a map in the first draft of the Vision 2000 master plan highlighting miles of proposed trails throughout the town.
Bedford Land Trust members have reported this map is only a draft defining a wish list of potential Pathways locations for future development.
The designated areas would only be developed if property owners agreed to offer a revokable license to the town or easements making the project possible.
"I need to make this perfectly clear, the Bedford Land Trust does not take land from people without their permission," Land Trust Chairman Pat Cobb said Wednesday night.
The Wednesday night discussion was seen in a positive light by many who attended and commented on the ability of local residents to actually be part of the planning process and decision making in the town.
"I don't see this as a negative. I thought it was really great that people took the opportunity to share their input and their views," said Town Manager Catherine Debo.
Encouragement for people to continue making their views known closed the meeting.
"If this (concerns about the project) were done during the process we wouldn't be here tonight," said Town Councilor Paul Goldberg.
"I think we heard quite a bit in favor at initial Master Plan hearings. We're hearing quite a bit of input against it tonight. We'll take it all under advisement as we continue to work with the draft of the master plan, but I'll also put out that in total we've heard from about 100 people in a town of approximately 16,000," said Drahnak.
By TRACIE STONE
Staff Writer
The doors to a proposed topless adult entertainment facility in Bedford remain closed while the owner of the property and local residents await a judge's decision.
Legal representives for property owner Louis Chani and the town of Bedford met in court on Thursday, Oct. 28, each to present their side on the opening of Mark's Showplace on South River Road to Hillsborough Superior Court JudgeWilliam Groff.
"The judge took it under advisement but he has not issued his ruling yet," said Bedford Planning Director Karen White.
The outcome of Thursday's court hearing will determine whether the temporary injunction prohibiting the opening of a topless club will continue until Chani presents his proposal to the planning board.
The court order was issued Oct. 18 in response to a petition put forth by town officials who believe the opening of Mark's Showplace would be in violation of the town's zoning ordinances which prohibit an "adult cabaret" from opening within 500 feet of a home or 1,000 feet of a recreational facility.
Judy Chani, co-owner of the property, said she and her husband did not believe the plans fall under the "adult cabaret" ordinances because the women serving and performing would be wearing thongs and would not be naked.
Chani plans to open a topless entertainment facility at Mr. C's Olde Road II. Mark Deane, owner of a Portland, Maine strip club, would run the club and call it Mark's Showplace.
By TRACIE STONE
Staff Writer
Pokemon cards may have to take a back seat to the newest collector items hitting the community, according to Bedford police officer Bill "Spike"Donahue.
The second edition of the "Cop Cards for Kids" are now available from any Bedford officer .
According to Donahue, the "Cop Cards for Kids" began in town three years ago as a way of introducing community children to local police officers.
"We thought this would be a great way for officers to get to know the children and to let the children know that police officers are approachable and not just authority figures who are around only when bad situations arise," Donahue said.
All 34 members of the Bedford Police Department, including the animal control officer and dispatchers, will carry a supply of their cards.
Each card has a picture of the police officer on the front and professional statistics on the back.
"All the kids have to do is ask any police officer for their card," Donahue said.
Each month, any child under the age of 16 who collects at least four cards will be entered in a prize raffle.
Any child wishing to participate in the raffle can bring his or her four cards to the dispatch window of the safety complex on Constitution drive and fill out a registration form.
Participants will list hobbies and interests on the registration form, allowing Donahue to award prizes that have personal significance to the winning children.
The raffle drawings will take place on the first of the month through May 2000.
Donahue said he hopes the second edition of "Cop Cards for Kids" is as successful as the first edition.
By TRACIE STONE
Staff Writer
It could be time for Bedford residents to at least consider the option of building a high school, according to the preliminary reports of the long-range facility study.
Berard Masse and Mark Joyce, of the New Hampshire Schools Administration Association, presented findings of a study of facility needs for the school district, conducted last spring and this fall, to an audience of approximately 110 people during the Monday, Nov. 1 meeting at Peter Woodbury School.
Although the report will not be concluded until January, preliminary findings suggest current overcrowding issues at Manchester High School West and continued population growth of Bedford could force residents to consider other high school options.
They did not discuss a charter high school, proposed by resident Ed Kruger. That plan will go before voters in this spring.
Recently, West officials have announced they may stop accepting Bedford students in the future.
Two years currently remain on the contract between West High School and Bedford.
There are currently 750 tuitioned students at West. That number could grow to 1177 within 10 years, according to findings.
"Bedford needs to be doing preliminary thinking about 'what if," said Masse, adding it will be important for the town to be ready for the day West is no longer able to accept tuitioned students from Bedford.
Proactive steps to prepare for this possibility would include identifying a proper site for a high school, work toward developing the educational specifications deemed appropriate by local residents and school officials, and locating an architect.
With this preliminary ground work covered, Masse said a new district high school could be completed in two-and-a-half years.
According to Bedford Superintendent Dennis Pope, the town has identified and already purchased a 42-acre parcel of land on Nashua and County Roads across from Riley Field.
"We are fully prepared to go out and do what is necessary to respond," Pope said.
Neither Masse or Joyce were able to offer a pricetag for a new high school, citing a number of variables including cost of an architect and contractor, and the quality, which can affect the overall cost.
Square foot costs between $105 and $160 were noted by Masse and Joyce, however.
Pope was confident a period of transition would be allowed should Bedford students be asked to leave the Manchester high school, ending a 78-year relationship.
"We've been assured by Manchester that there will be a smooth transition," Pope said.
Bedford students are being served well by the Manchester high school, according to the preliminary findings of the study.
"Manchester West meets a lot of important standards ... at the moment it is cost-effective for Bedford to send students to West," said Masse.
Issues surrounding the lack of control Bedford parents have over the education of their West High students remain.
The question of whether a Bedford high school could better meet the needs of local children is one which Masse and Joyce said they were unable to answer.
In addition to the high school findings, Masse and Joyce outlined findings on the needs of the town's elementary and middle schools also.
Based on projected population growth in Bedford, preliminary findings show a deficit of 20 classrooms at the elementary level and a deficit of four classrooms at the middle school level in five years.
By the 2009-2010 school year, the town can expect to have a deficit of 19 classrooms at the elementary school level and 13 at the middle school level.
Five options to address the anticipated overcrowding were reviewed.
Year-round school would increase the district's capacity by allowing some children to attend while other children are off.
Leasing space can work in emergency situations or as a short-term answer.
Increasing class sizes, or reassigning space, would also increase capacity.
The best solution in terms of minimal effect on existing schools would be adding new space either in a 300-student addition to Riddle Brook School or the construction of a whole new facility which could allow the expansion of the neighborhood school philosophy which began with this year's introduction of Riddle Brook.
Specific findings will be available to the public with the completion of the long-range facility planning report in January.
Comments will be incorporated into the report before being presented to the Bedford School Board during their Nov. 7 meeting which will begin at 7 p.m. at the SAU.
By TRACIE STONE
Staff Writer
French and Spanish could be added to reading, writing, and arithmetic, but what grade level is most appropriate? This question was posed to the Bedford School Board during the Oct. 25 meeting.
After a presentation by Assistant School Superintendent Ross Lurgio on the importance of a world language component in the Bedford school curriculum, board members agreed to continue a feasibility study.
Appropriate funding for the study will be proposed in the 1999-2000 school budget, Lurgio said.
Bedford students are introduced to French and Spanish in the fifth grade; their exposure to the languages increases in sixth, seventh, and eighth grade.
The idea for expanding world language education to the younger grades has developed from the growing diversity in population throughout the country as well as the continued increase of global interaction in businesses.
"Students need to be fluent in a second language to excel in career possibilities," Ross said, noting 2,500 New Hampshire businesses export to other countries, and 11 of those are in Bedford.
Board member Cindy Chagnon said scientific data supports the premise that foreign languages can be learned and maintained better when introduced at a young age.
Chagnon said the introduction of a second language before the age of 9 or 10 keeps specific "brain paths" open, allowing the child to learn very easily, in much the same way the learned their primary language.
Board member Rik Spaulding added that a similar window opens for the child sometime around the fifth grade.
Study in the area will continue.