×

Fast News for June 28

Correction

A story in the June 21 edition of The Cabinet on the primary races incorrectly stated that Republican state Sen. Gary Daniels has a primary challenge from Shannon Chandley. Chandley is a Democrat and she will run against Roger Tilton in the Democratic primary. Daniels has no primary challenger.

Another Democrat

Lisa Nash, a Bedford Democrat, signed up to run for House District 41, a floterial district for Bedford and Amherst, after press time last week, so she was not mentioned in The Cabinet’s story on candidates who filed for the Sept. 11 primary elections.

Since she has no primary opponent, Nash will run against incumbent Rep. Laurie Sanborn, R-Bedford, in the general election.

Partnership

MILFORD – Hitchiner Manufacturing Co., has been struggling to find qualified engineers locally and is having mixed success in retaining talent recruited from elsewhere. So three years ago, the company partnered with Keene State College to create an in-house Manufacturing Engineering Certificate program.

Hitchiner’s first class of seven employees graduated June 23, having completed 400 hours of classroom work during the three years. For Hitchiner’s needs, this training equates to a four-year college degree, said Timothy C. Sullivan, company Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Services.

“We knew there were people in our nonexempt workforce who had the aptitude to be a successful engineer at Hitchiner, certainly, however they did not have the foundational education requirements,” Sullivan said. The partnership with Keene State College, which brought the classroom instruction to Hitchiner’s Milford building, filled that gap.

The program was open to all of Hitchiner’s 700 employees at no cost. Of the approximately 16 who began the program in 2015, and over 40 who enrolled in the program after the curriculum cycle began, seven have completed all 12 courses.

They include Michael Jarvis of Wilton and Richard Moore, Britta Doucet and Joe Peterson, of Milford.

Hitchiner produces investment castings, finished parts, and assemblies for the aerospace, defense, automotive, and medical industries.

Exit work

Last week, the state Executive Council voted to approve the reconstruction of the eastbound exit from Route 101 to 101A on the Milford-Amherst town line. The $1.4 million contract went to F.L. Merrill Construction Inc. of Loudon. The work will reconfigure the exit ramp, remove loose ledge and add a slip lane, making it safer to enter Route 101A east. District 5 Executive Council David Wheeler said there have been a lot of minor accidents at the intersection and it is congested as well.

Signs of the times

As we approach the midterm elections, campaign signs will start to pop up. A sign company called ShieldCo said it took a survey of 3,000 Americans to find out what we think about yard signs, and in particular, neighbors’ signs.

It seems that Californians have the biggest issue with yard signs, with 49 percent saying they would be irritated if a neighbor erected one.

And New Hampshire came in second, with 33 percent saying they find their neighbors’ signs irritating. On the other end of the scale, the state least irritated by political yard signs is Arkansas.

The survey also shows that the majority of people in the Granite State believe everyone should have the right to express their opinion.

Dodge honored

AMHERST – The Amherst School Board recently dedicated the gymnasium at Amherst Middle School and renamed it “The Porter Dodge Gymnasium” to reflect Mr. Dodge’s 36 years of service to the school.

In a surprise assembly for Dodge in front of the entire student body, faculty, and community leaders, a plaque was presented to Dodge that states Dodge always had “The Courage To Care.”

State Sen. Gary Daniels, R-Milford, was there, along with state Rep. Shannon Chandley, D-Amherst. Selectman and state Rep. Reed Panisiti, R-Amherst, offered proclamations on behalf of their legislative bodies.

Adam Steel, incoming Superintendent of Schools, said Dodge helped mold the middle school into one of the premier middle schools in the state, dedicated significant hours above and beyond what’s required to ensure students know the importance of caring for others.

Porter is now director of operations for the entire school system.

“There are few people who I have met in my career whose heart and dedication to children can compare to Porter,” said Bethany Bernasconi, who is following Dodge as the next principal of AMS. “He unselfishly gives of his time and energy to make sure every student feels special and has the support they need to succeed. Whether on the athletic field or hallways of AMS he truly is a champion of all children.”

COMMENTS