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Pittsfield NH News

March 9, 2016

The Suncook Valley Sun News Archive is Maintained by Modern Concepts. We are NOT affliated in any way with the Suncook Valley Sun Newspaper.



 

The Pittsfield Food Pantry is need of a replacement upright freezer. Any help by way of donation would be appreciated. Please contact Carl O’Brien of the food pantry at 496-8345.

 


 

VA Announces Additional Changes To Improve Veterans Crisis Line

Changes Support Crisis Line Staff and Creates Structure for Them to Succeed

Submitted Via Merrill Vaughan

 

Canandaigua, NY – Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Deputy Secretary Sloan Gibson today announced improvements to enhance and accelerate progress at the Veterans Crisis Line, which serves as a life-saving resource for Veterans who find themselves at risk of suicide.

 

Today, during his third trip to the Crisis Line in a year, Mr. Gibson announced that the Crisis Line would form a stronger bond with VA’s Suicide Prevention Office and Mental Health Services. This partnership includes VA’s National Mental Health Director for Suicide Prevention as well as several hubs of expertise, including one Center of Excellence focusing on suicide prevention research and education located at the same medical campus as the Crisis Line responders in Canandaigua, NY.

 

Mr. Gibson also announced that the Veterans Crisis Line would now be under the direction of VA’s Member Services, which has many efforts underway across the nation to restructure portions of VA that have direct contact with Veterans. This brings an expertise in ensuring that staff in these vital roles have more streamlined processes, adequate training and resources at their fingertips, to better serve Veterans.

 

These structural changes build on key hires made in the last year to lead the Crisis Line, including a director with extensive clinical social work background.

 

“I witnessed again today that the employees at the Veterans Crisis Line have a tremendously difficult job and they complete it with care, compassion and professionalism,” said Mr.  Gibson. I want to make sure that the trained professionals at the Crisis Line -- folks I consider the best in the business -- are able to focus on their core mission of focusing on the Veterans most in need of their help. They are life savers and we have to create the structure around them to succeed.

 

“Over the past year, we have put together a strong team to lead the employees at the Crisis Line. Today’s announcement of a structural change within the Veterans Health Administration and additional support from our experts in suicide prevention is another step to make sure the employees and the Veterans they speak with have what they need give Veterans a safe place to call when they need us most.”

 

As a part of the MyVA initiative, the largest restructuring in the Department’s history, VA has made improvements at the Veterans Crisis Line a key priority. By the end of this year, every Veteran in crisis will have their call promptly answered by an experienced VA responder. That will mean non-core calls will be directed appropriately to other VA entities that can best address their questions or concerns.

 

Already, VA has committed to increase staff at the Veterans Crisis Line. It now has more than 300 employees, and is in the process of hiring 88 more staff. At the same time, they have expanded the work area for responders and are making necessary technology improvements to phone systems and equipment to better handle the increased demand at the crisis line.

 

“Last year, counselors at the Crisis Line dispatched emergency responders to intervene and save the lives of Veterans in crisis more than 11,000 times,” said Gibson. “That means, on average, we’re stepping in to save 30 lives per day. Nothing could be more important.”

 

Key Facts:

Since its launch in 2007, the Veterans Crisis Line has answered nearly 2 million calls — and nearly a quarter of those calls were answered last fiscal year — 490,000.

 

The same is true for referrals to local VA Suicide Prevention Coordinators:  One quarter of the 320,000 referrals made so far by crisis-line counselors were made in FY 2015.

 

Crisis Line counselors dispatched emergency responders to callers in crisis over 11,000 times last year (averaging 30 per day) — and over 53,000 times since 2007.

 

Since adding chat and text services, they have engaged nearly 300,000 Veterans or concerned family members through chat or text.

 

Veterans in crisis may contact the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1.They can also text or chat with our trained professionals online at VeteransCrisisLine.net.

 


 

Pittsfield Area Senior Center

 

You are invited to join the Pittsfield Senior Center on Tuesday, March 15, at 10:30 AM to celebrate St. Patrick ’s Day with a musical performance by Cat Faulkner. Cat is a professional singer who combines the traditional jazz style with a new and exciting interpretation of the American Songbook which was made famous by artists, Ella Fitzgerald, Rosemary Clooney, Billie Holiday. You may be familiar with the iconic songs of that era that include, “It had to be you,” “Night and Day” and “My Romance.” Please come and enjoy the music and have lunch with us. Call 435-8482 to make your reservations.

 

DoD And VA Kick Off New Interagency Coordination Of Complex Care Effort Synchronized Processes will offer Peace of Mind to Service Members/Families Submitted Via Merrill Vaughan WASHINGTON -- The Departments of Defense (DoD) and Veterans Affairs (VA) today announced its ongoing effort to ease the transition for service members who require complex care management as they transition from the DoD system of health care to VA or within each system.  The effort is designed to ease the burden for service members and Veterans, who have suffered illnesses or injuries so severe as to require the expertise provided by multiple care specialties throughout both Departments.

 

“More than a decade of combat has placed enormous demands on a generation of service members and Veterans – particularly those who have suffered wounds, injuries, or illnesses which require a complex plan of care,” said Dr. Karen Guice, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, and Co-chair of the DoD-VA Interagency Care Coordination Committee (IC3). “These individuals require the complex coordination of medical and rehabilitative care, benefits, and other services to successfully transition from active duty to Veteran status, and to optimally recover from their illnesses or injuries.”

 

“Our collaborative efforts with DOD have improved and enhanced the process of caring for our military members with serious illness, injuries or disabilities, as they recover and return to their communities. Great attention has been made to developing a system which focuses on  continuity of care, holistic support services and a ‘warm handoff’ for Service members and Veterans as they move from and between military, VA and community health care systems.  Our care coordinators now have at their fingertips tools and processes that improve and simplify the lines of communication for our wounded, ill, and injured Service members and Veterans who require complex care coordination, their families, and those who provide their care in both Departments,” said Dr. Linda Spoonster Schwartz, Assistant Secretary for Policy and Planning for the Department of Veterans Affairs, and Co-chair of the DoD-VA Interagency Care Coordination Committee (IC3). “This process will enhance and improve the quality of care and services for these Veterans and their families now and in the future.”

 

The hallmark of the effort is the implementation of the role of Lead Coordinator. The Lead Coordinator will be a designated member of a service member’s care management team who will serve as the primary coordinator for that individual. The Lead Coordinator will offer personal guidance and assist the service member and their families in understanding the benefits and services to which they are entitled. Service members, Veterans, and their families, working with their Lead Coordinator, will have someone to whom they can turn when they have a question or issue as they actively participate in their care. The first phase of Lead Coordinator Training was completed in November. It is expected that a total of 1,500 DoD staff and 1,200 VA staff will serve as Lead Coordinators.

 

This effort comes as a result of the work of the DoD-VA IC3, established in 2012 to implement a joint, standard model of collaboration for the most complex cases of care that will require a warm handoff from the DoD to the VA system of care, as well as within the Departments, and is based on many of the best practices of collaboration that have been created over the last decade. This effort was enacted as policy by both departments in 2015, aligning more than 250 sub-policies to one, overarching policy that will govern the coordination of complex care cases that transition between the two departments.

 

Coordination efforts are synchronized through the IC3 Community of Practice (CoP), a group representing more than 50 DoD and VA programs that provide specialty care, including rehabilitation services for the visually impaired and polytrauma centers. It will be the job of the Lead Coordinator to guide service members through the system, ensuring that they receive the care, benefits, and services they both require and to which they are entitled.

 


 

Letter To The Editor

We would like to give a sincere Thank You to Jason Darrah for making the Fundraiser for Nathan’s Fight on February 19th at PMHS such a huge success. All the time and effort you put into raising ALS awareness and all of extra support for Nathan is very much appreciated. We also want to thank Heidi Darrah, Debbi Gosselin and Stefani Gauthier for all of their time and effort. Thank you also to to Peter Tuttle for donating back his 50/50 winnings and to the referees who donated their paychecks. We would like to also thank the seniors who unselfishly shared their senior night with Nathan. If we missed anyone, please know that the time and effort you put into making the night a success is sincerely appreciated.

 

With a Sincere Thank you,

Pat and Gail Vincent

 


 

Letter To The Editor

Pittsfield Warrant Articles 33 and 34

 

NH Beagle Club proposes, via warrant article 33, to lease 134 acres of town-owned land off Clough Road for training beagles to hunt rabbits, with 80 acres for their exclusive use.  The lease would give a private club long-term control over town land, while leaving the town limited authority.  Termination provisions in the lease are insufficient.

 

Wouldn’t it be in the town’s interest to have the authority to terminate the lease for failure to keep the beagles on the leased land, failure to maintain the fence intended to keep the beagles/rabbits on the land or for excessive noise from barking dogs?  Then there is the issue that any fence good enough to keep beagles in, will surely disrupt natural wildlife corridors and habitat.  And what about bathroom facilities and parking and statewide/multi-club events that would draw more participants?

 

I imagine the leadership of the Beagle Club has good intentions, but leadership changes as the years go by and 20 years is a very long time for the town to cede control to a private club with such limited protections for the town.  Shouldn’t this town-owned land be for the benefit of all Pittsfield residents, not the exclusive use of a private club and a few townspeople?  The small “benefit” that comes to the town as a whole is a nominal annual lease fee, which amounts to $800 in the first year.

 

It is also likely the town’s goals will change over 20 years.  A much better, more flexible approach would be the creation of a town forest – on the exact same acreage – as proposed in Warrant article 34.

 

A town forest will give the town full latitude over this property, benefit all residents and the town as a whole, generate revenue through timber harvest and avoid unwanted consequences. 

 

Cindy Hayden

Pittsfield

 


 

Letter

 

To the voters in pittsfield.

 

At town meeting  please vote yes for warrant article 37 To see if the town will vote to establish a revolving fund pursuant to RSA 31:95-H. You may read warrant article 37 in  the town report.

 

This was presented last year. It was drafted by the HSA in accordance with information provided by the New Hampshire Municipal Association. The Town Administrator had questions and sent it to legal inquiries  at the NHMA. Margaret M. Byrnes, Esquire, staff attorney, replied in part,  “I do read that last sentence to mean that in any situation where a town is permitted to collect fees, the town can also create a revolving fund for those fees.” (Title III Chapter 41 Section 41:9-a gives the right to collect fees).

 

Housing standards received an email from the administrator stating, “NHMA has given the green light to an HSA revolving fund. It will be on the warrant.” The select board chose to ignore that and it was not put in last year’s warrant. That is why it is a petition warrant this year.

 

Money collected by HSA should not go into the general fund, but into a revolving fund for housing standards as housing standards source of funding is those fees collected.

 

The governing body of the Housing Standards Agency is the town meeting, the voters of pittsfield, not the select board. That is why I am asking for your yes vote.  

 

Title III Chapter 48-a Housing Standards Section 48-a:1  definitions   II  “governing body,” shall  mean, in a city, that governing body which is designated as such by the charter of that particular  city; in a town, the town meeting. 

 

William Elkins

 


 

Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday And Easter Services This year as in past years, First Congregational Church, 24 Main Street, Pittsfield, will hold its usual Palm Sunday Service at 10 a.m. Sunday, March 20. The worship service will remember the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem with the distribution of palms.

 

A special Maundy Thursday worship service including Holy Communion, commemorating the “Last Supper” of Jesus, will be held Thursday, March 24, at 7 p.m. Special music will be provided by the Chancel Choir and JuBellation Handbell Choir.

 

On Easter Sunday, March 27, at 7 a.m., the customary Sunrise Service will be held in the Sanctuary with breakfast immediately following (about 8 a.m.) in the Vestry. The traditional Easter worship service will commence at 10 a.m. with special music provided by the Chancel Choir and JuBellation. Come and worship at either service and join in for breakfast!

 

There is parking and a wheelchair accessible entrance at the rear of the church at Chestnut Street. For more information about any of these services, call the church office at 435-7471 and speak with Rev. Dave Stasiak.

 


 

Murder, Murders, How Many Are There?

Pictured are two of the cast of “The Game’s Afoot”   — Cathy Williams, portraying Daria Chase, and Kim Tinkham, playing Inspector Goring.

 

The Pittsfield Players’ cast of “The Game’s Afoot” is honing their sharp-edged witty lines and physical foolery in preparation for their five-performance run beginning March 11.  “This mystery/farce written by Ken Ludwig is a winner,” says director Mike Hobson.  And a winner it is, as it was awarded the Mystery Writers of America Edgar award in 2012 for Best New Play.

 

Clearly, the most flamboyant character to arrive at the mansion home of actor William Gillette for holiday festivities is Miss Daria Chase, renowned gossip columnist.  Daria, portrayed by Cathy Williams, exercises her writing skills with the delicacy of an artillery barrage.  With razor-sharp, soul-cutting style she has sliced to ribbons most of the assembled guests at one time or another.

 

As events at the gathering turn from bad to worse, the authorities learn of strange happenings at the mansion and send Inspector Goring to investigate.  

 

Gifted as an intelligent and witty police inspector, Goring, played by Kim Tinkham, often displays the distracted attention of a child, her thought process gliding off to who knows where.  Yet her exemplary career has made her one of only a few female inspectors, and she admires the character of Sherlock Holmes.  Meeting Gillette, who has portrayed Holmes onstage for some twenty years, is a milestone event for her until she considers him a suspect for murder.

 

Will the confusing mystery behind multiple murders come together in a clear picture?  Will the guilty party, or parties, be correctly identified so that justice does prevail?  It’s all to be seen and heard in “The Game’s Afoot.”

 

The Pittsfield Players’ production of “The Game’s Afoot” will be performed March 11, 12, 18 and 19 at 7:30 p.m. and March 20 at 2 p.m. at the Scenic Theatre, 6 Depot Street, Pittsfield.  Tickets are $15 and available at pittsfieldplayers.com or by calling 603-435-8852.

 


 

Pittsfield Candidates Night 2016 

Pittsfield Listens and the Greater Pittsfield Chamber of Commerce co-sponsored Candidates Night.

 

Candidates for the offices of Select Board, School Board, Zoning Board, Planning Board, as well as Library Trustee participated in the event.

 

Community members gathered in small groups to discuss hopes and concerns for the future of Pittsfield and possible solutions. 

 

Community members then participated in a dialog with all of the candidates to ask questions and listen to the candidates present their perspectives on issues and priorities. Pittsfield Youth Voice lead one of the small group discussions ensuring all candidates heard their perspective as young voices of Pittsfield.

 

“I would like to thank Pittsfield Listens for the great experience. Knowing tonight was Meet the Candidates night, and my “fear” of being the center of the group, I was anxious all day. After having Paula [Pittsfield Listens Facilitator] talking to me and keeping me calm, I was ok after we got started. THANK YOU!!!” said Adam Gauthier.

 

The event was part of Pittsfield Listens “Round Tables, Not Podiums” series. The intention is to bring  community members together and with the combination of knowledge, skills, values and motivation, make Pittsfield a great place to live, learn, work and play.

 

The event was held at the Pittsfield Elementary School in advance of Town Election Day on Tuesday March 8th at Town Hall. Information from the event including letters from the candidates can be found at the Post Office and Town Hall. NH has “same day registration” meaning you can register and vote at Town Hall on Election Day.

 


 

VA Takes Accountability Actions against Board Of Veteran Appeals Personnel

Actions Proposed Against Three Attorneys, Two Judges Referred  to Merit Systems Protection Board

Submitted Via Merrill Vaughan

 

WASHINGTON - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) today announced it proposed disciplinary action against three Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) attorneys, and has filed a Complaint against two Board Veterans Law Judges. Accountability actions against the Board judges have been referred to the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), which has direct jurisdiction over cases concerning administrative law judges.

 

Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs Sloan D. Gibson filed a Complaint against two Board Veterans Law Judges with the MSPB and VA proposed actions against three board attorneys for reasons of misconduct based on information received as part of an Office of Inspector General (OIG) investigation that revealed a pattern of inappropriate emails that were racist and sexist in tone. The OIG proactively brought the information to VA early in their investigation and VA acted immediately by assigning the Board employees to non-adjudicative duties pending the disciplinary actions that have now been taken to protect Veterans appellate rights.

 

“These actions are reprehensible and completely counter to our values,” said Gibson. “It undermines the trust the American people place in the VA to serve our Veterans and has no place in this Department. We will not tolerate it. Taking action as quickly as we did was simply the right thing to do.”

 

VA proposed disciplinary actions in mid-January against two attorneys. One attorney retired, and one resigned from Federal service while the actions were pending. VA proposed a lesser administrative penalty against one attorney.

 

VA is conducting a review of appeals handled by these individuals while also examining comparative statistical data from internal quality review processes and appeals of Board decisions to the federal courts. At this time, we have no indication that any Veterans’ appeal was unjustly influenced by their conduct.

 


 

VA Improves Timeliness Of Provider Payments

Modification Enhances Veterans Access to Receive Timely, High-Quality Care

Submitted Via Merrill Vaughan

 

WASHINGTON – To enhance Veterans’ access to care and eliminate delays in Choice provider payment, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is eliminating administrative burdens placed on VA community providers. Previously, payments to Choice providers were not allowed until a copy of the Veteran’s medical record was submitted. Now, community providers, under the Choice program, will no longer be required to submit medical records prior to payment being made. To facilitate the change, VA has modified the Choice Program contract, making it easier for Health Net and TriWest to promptly pay providers.

 

VA continues to require pertinent medical information be returned to ensure continuity of care; however, it is no longer tied to payment. VA is taking these steps to more closely align with industry standards.

 

“This administrative step just makes sense,” said VA Under Secretary for Health Dr. David J. Shulkin. “It ensures Veteran access, timely payments and strengthens our partnerships with our Choice providers. We know that providing Veterans access to high-quality, timely healthcare would be impossible without collaboration with our community providers.”

 

VA’s Plan to Consolidate Community Care Programs outlines additional solutions to improving timely provider payment. VA is moving forward on two paths to further improve timely payment.  First, VA is working toward a single community care program that is easy to understand, simple to administer and meets the needs of Veterans, community providers and VA staff.  Secondly, VA plans to pursue a claims solution that moves to a more automated process for payment. VA envisions a future state where it is able to auto-adjudicate or process a high percentage of claims, enabling the Department to pay community providers promptly and correctly, while adopting a standardized regional fee schedule to promote consistency in reimbursement.

 

Veterans seeking to use the Veterans Choice Program or wanting to know more about it, can call 1-866-606-8198 to confirm their eligibility and to schedule an appointment. For more details about the Veterans Choice Program and VA’s progress, visit www.va.gov/opa/choiceact.

 


 

Letter To The Editor

Town Forest:

 

On March 12, 2016,  Pittsfield will have an opportunity to vote on Article 34 to create a Town Forest on the 144 acres of rocky, steep land that is designated as Map R-11 lot 2 and Map R-26 lot 8.

 

Here are a few reasons why the Pittsfield Conservation Commission supports a Town Forest:

 

• Pittsfield, a town with both city and rural character, should have a place for folks to go hiking, hunting, jogging and horseback riding or to enjoy a picnic in the woods. A 144 acre town forest can improve the quality of life for many of the people who do not own large parcels of land.

 

• The Town Forest is a place where neighbors can come together to share and celebrate their connection to each other and to the land. The Pittsfield Youth Workshop, PYW, supports the creation of a Town Forest which will provide many community service and recreational opportunities for their youth members.

 

• Large unfragmented habitats create natural corridors for all species of wildlife and a resilient landscape to cope with the effects of climate change.

 

• The Pittsfield Conservation Commission has an active Forestry Plan in place for the proposed Town Forest. This plan will produce significant revenue which will pay the management costs of the Town Forest.  Recreation and wildlife value will be created and offered at no cost to the taxpayers.

 

George Bachelder, Pittsfield Road Agent, states that Clough Road, the entrance to the Town Forest, is beyond the carrying capacity for an unpaved road, (362 cars/day  use Clough Road from the last official car count).  He would discourage the use of this land for a housing development on the grounds of vehicle traffic capacity.

 

Please support Article 34 to create a Town Forest for the benefit of Pittsfield.

 

Carl Wallman

 


 

Letter

 

Dear Pittsfield Residents,

The Economic Development Committee (EDC) is planning a special meeting on March 23, 2016, 6:00-8:00 pm in the PMHS Lecture Hall. The topic of discussion will be our economic strategy and focus.

 

With the assistance of Matt Monahan - Central NH Regional Planning Commission (CNHRPC) and Stuart Arnett - Arnett Development Group, the EDC will provide a forum for business owners, town officials, and other residents to give input into what economic strategy should be focused on as we move forward. This is part of the EDC’s update of the Pittsfield Economic Profile document originally created in 2007.

 

Please RSVP by emailing: [email protected] or calling 435-6573 by March 16, 2016.

 

Sincerely,

Ted Mitchell, Chairman

Economic Development Committee

 


 

Junior Service League Of Concord Presents Snow Queen

 

The Junior Service League (JSL) of Concord proudly presents “Snow Queen” by Stacey Lane. The play will be held at Memorial Hall at St. Paul’s School, Concord, NH, Friday March 18th at 7:00 p.m. and Saturday March 19th at 1:00 p.m.

 

This is an opportunity for families to attend live theatre and raise funds for a Concord-area non-profit organization. The JSL of Concord has once again teamed with director Karen Braz, to bring this children’s classic to life.  It is sure to entertain children of all ages!   A special thanks to the sponsors who helped make this event successful:  Concord Pediatric Dentistry, Concord Orthodontics, Merrimack County Savings Bank and Taylor Rental & Party Plus of Concord.

 

Play will benefit Concord area children in need The JSL continues it’s 80+ year tradition of supporting local social service agencies in the greater Concord area by distributing money raised to organizations supporting women and children. Tickets are a suggested $5.00 donation at the door.  Please join us for “Snow Queen.”  To contact JSL, please visit: www.jslconcord.org

 


 

Letter

Attend School And Town Meetings

 

Part 1 of Pittsfield’s political process: Tuesday, March 8th – Voting Day at the town hall.

 

Part 2 is Thursday, March 10th, when all registered voters must attend the 7PM School District Meeting at the Elementary School to vote on the school budget.

 

Part 3 is Saturday, March 12th, 10AM, again at the Elementary School, to vote on the town budget.

 

Last year, the combined effect of voting YES to budget increases at both meetings literally led to our 4% tax increase for 2015.  That 4% increase led to our distinction as the 15th highest taxed town in New Hampshire.

 

This year, based on the school and town budgets, property owners could be faced with yet another increase of over $2.80 per thousand!!!!!

 

If you find this unacceptable and, more importantly, unsustainable, then please attend the school and town meetings.  Your vote counts!!!  Your vote determines the budget.  Your vote determines your tax rate.

 

Remember, everyone gets the same card to raise either for or against a tax increase, and no one is forced to say a word!  If you proudly vote NO across the board for any tax increases, then you have treated everyone as fairly as those who vote yes.  There are no favorite ‘causes’ when you consciously choose to unilaterally vote against a tax increase.

 

Please attend the school and town meetings and vote as though the content of your wallet depends on it!  The hard truth is IT DOES!

 

God Bless Our Troops,

Rachel Wood

 


 

Jacey Lynn Darrah, the daughter of Heidi and Jay Darrah of Pittsfield has been recognized for her academic achievements during this past semester at San Diego State University in California. Jacey was placed on the Dean’s List for the Fall 2015 semester for being in the highest ten percent of all undergraduate students at SDSU. Jacey is majoring in Television, Film, and New Media Critical Studies and is planning to graduate in 2017.

 


 

Where Is Your Name Written?

 

Fr. Curtis Metzger, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church With the success of programs like “Finding your Roots” on PBS, and the success of software programs that help you find your ancestors, there is evidently a lot of interest in where we come from and records that help us discover that. The photo accompanying this article is of our parish register that records baptisms, marriages, burials, and communicants/members. These old books seem relics of a by-gone era, except that occasionally it comes in handy to actually have these records on paper. About once or twice a year I get a request to look up a parish record to help someone find some information. It’s nice to be able to turn a few pages and go hunting to find a written record (in cursive!) So, other than having comfort in some old records, where is your name written and what does it mean? Have you been part of community or religious organizations that will tell your story of being engaged in your community? When your descendants come looking for written records (because the computer records were lost when the hard drives crashed!), where will your name appear?

 

For Christians this time of the year is called Lent. It is the period of time that we reflect on our relationship with God in preparation for Easter. It is often seen as a penitential time of self-denial, but it really is about questioning how authentically we are living our faith—taking time to really assess that. In a sense, we ask ourselves if how we are living reflects what is ‘written’ down about who we are, or think we are.

 

For those who are part of a community of faith, you know the blessings of having brothers and sisters who help you to live fully into your faith and surround you with love amidst trials and tribulations. If you are not part of a community of faith, I’m sure there are many who would welcome you….and write your name down in their books and in their hearts.

 


 

Officer John Webber Joins Pittsfield School District As School Resource Officer

 

Kindergarteners recently interviewed Officer Webber to learn about their community. Students were excited to try on his bullet proof vest!

 

Through collaboration with the Pittsfield Police Department and Pittsfield School District, the opportunity to bring Officer John Webber into the school as a School Resource Officer (SRO) was made possible through grant funding.

 

Since December of 2015 SRO Webber has been in place in the school district and has brought supportive opportunities with him.

 

The School Resource Officer concept is based upon a triad system. A SRO is a part-time teacher, part-time counselor and full-time police officer.

 

The SRO becomes fully involved in the daily life of the school. SRO Webber is stationed at either PMHS or PES depending on what is going on or a certain need.  He has requests from staff members to be in either school (PES or PMHS) at a particular time.  His duties involve anything from patrolling the school zones before and after school, to investigating crimes that occur in the schools, and everything in between.

 

By having an SRO in the school it has enabled the Pittsfield Police Department to follow up quickly on crimes that are occurring. In the short time SRO Webber has been in the school he has already started to develop relationships with students and teachers.  Both approach with concerns or ideas about things going on at school.

 

SRO Webber has spoken with classes and has been asked to possibly teach a Learning Studio in the future.

 

He has taken on many other roles in his time as the SRO. Currently, he is serving as a Co-Facilitator of the Wellness Coalition, serving on the Emergency Management Team, as well as the Pittsfield Interagency Community Coalition.

 

SRO Webber has been focused on building relationships with students and staff, as well as learning the routines and systems of PES and PMHS. His responsibilities include providing coverage at arrival and departure times, lunch, transition times, and school events. Additionally, he will support the school curriculum (DARE Program, Learning Studios, etc.), work with the Student Support Specialists on investigations and interventions, and serve on school committees such as the Juvenile Probation Parole Office (JPPO) Team.

 

Students are welcome to come to him with concerns during free periods.  If parents would like to speak with SRO Webber about concerns they may have, they are welcome to contact him at either PMHS or PES.

 


Obituaries


 

Christian “Chris” J. Schoppmeyer

 

NEWMARKET – Christian “Chris” J. Schoppmeyer, 59, of Riverbend Road, died peacefully Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016, at his home.

 

Born Jan. 28, 1957, in Queens, N.Y., he was the son of Frederick Freyer and Helen Grace (Eisinger) Schoppmeyer.

 

Chris was raised in New York by his mother, Helen and stepfather, William Schoppmeyer. He was a graduate of Unity College in Maine. He spent his teenage years in Pittsfield, NH and graduated from Pittsfield High School.

 

His law enforcement career spanned over 35 years, beginning with the NH Fish and Game Department. Following that he worked with the US Fish and Wildlife Service, first as a Wildlife Inspector at JFK Airport and later as a Refuge Officer at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge. In 1987 Chris began working for NOAA Fisheries Service as a Special Agent, retiring in January 2014. Following his retirement, Chris continued his work with the Federal Law Enforcement Officer’s Association (FLEOA) as Vice President of Agency Affairs.

 

Chris was a dedicated member of his community, serving as a member and chairman of the Newmarket Conservation Commission, cofounder of the Newmarket Fishing Derby, an active participant with the Newmarket School to Career program are just some of the many ways he enriched the lives of those around him.

 

Chris was foremost a family man. He loved fishing with Travis, hunting with Erin, walking with Shadow, going to baseball games, spending time as “Pop-pop” and sharing his life with Terri. He loved family celebrations and gatherings, earning him the title of “Captain Fun.”

 

His father and stepfather predeceased him.

 

In addition to his mother, Helen Schoppmeyer of Pittsfield, survivors include his wife of 34 years, Terri (McGraw) Schoppmeyer of Newmarket; son, Travis Schoppmeyer and his wife, Carolyn of Exeter; daughter, Erin Schoppmeyer of Queens, N.Y.; grandchildren, Jakoby and Violet; brother, Steven Schoppmeyer and his wife, Mary of Walpole; sister, Susan Gray and her husband, Dennis of Barnstead; and nieces, nephews, and cousins.

 

A memorial service was held on Saturday, March 5, at the Newmarket Community Church, Main Street, Newmarket.

 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in honor of Chris’s love for the Newmarket Fishing Derby and town conservation projects. Please make checks payable to: Trustees of the Trust Fund, Mail to: Newmarket Town Hall, Finance Dept., 186 Main Street, Newmarket, NH 03857.

 

Visit kentandpelczarfh.com to sign an online guestbook.

 


 


 

 











 

 

 

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