GES Principal Accused of Discrimination
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JULY 15, 2010 GILFORD, N.H. - FREE GES principal accused of discrimination and sex discrimination with Superintendent MCAD in 2005, which was dismissed due to lack of vows to stand probable cause, was includ- ed as part of the response to behind Billings Onie’s 2007 MCAD com- BY MEGHAN SIEGLER plaint. It stated that investi- [email protected] gator Jeannine K. Rice found A complaint filed at the that there were at least 15 Norfolk Superior Court in “significant criticisms” Massachusetts against, from parents, students, col- among other parties, Gilford leagues and the administra- Elementary School Princi- tion regarding Onie’s atti- pal Jack Billings is being tude and behavior, and that called “an attempt to dis- Onie’s supervisor,Rabbi Stu- credit his name” by Gilford art Klammer, found Onie to Superintendent Paul DeMi- be “virtually impossible to nico, who stands ready to supervise.” PHOTO BY DONNA RHODES “defend his good name and “The Onies have been re- his good work.” lentless in their pursuit of Sweet summer treats Deborah Onie of Brook- causing personal suffering Gilford kids enjoy their summer days spent playing on the beach and taking swim lessons. What they like most is something their moms call line, Mass., has filed a com- or defaming the character of “Snack Shack Friday,” when they get to indulge in some sweet treats at Gilford Beach at the end of a long week. From left to right with their plaint against Billings, the anyone directly or vicari- Friday goodies are Hayley and brother Kelin Jeffreys, Charlotte Lehr, Addy Wernig, Jenna Pichette and her sister Alli, Sydni and Sophia Lehr, Maimonides School in ously involved with Ms. and Taryn Wernig. Brookline, Mass., and Tim- Onie’s original dismissal or berland CEO Jeffrey Swartz, her inability to be rehired,” the chairman of the school’s Billings wrote in a statement Board of Directors. to the Steamer. Opechee Garden Club tour a perennial favorite Billings is the former gen- Onie filed her first com- eral studies principal of plaint against Billings with BY DONNA RHODES [email protected] Maimonides School, a pri- the Massachusetts Commis- vate Jewish day school. In sion Against Discrimination Folks gathered at Gilford 2007, as principal, he inter- in 2007, which was essential- Community Church last Sat- viewed Onie for a sixth- ly the same as the current urday for lunch and a little grade teaching position at complaint but did not name boutique shopping before Maimonides but did not hire Swartz as a respondent. She hitting the road with their her. withdrew that complaint pri- maps for the Opechee Gar- The complaint alleges or to filing her complaint in den Club’s annual garden that the accused parties “de- the Norfolk Superior Court tour. nied (Onie) employment on on June 24. This year’s theme was account of (her) age and re- In response to the 2007 Country Gardens of Gilford taliated against (her) for pre- MCAD complaint, Billings and the gardens selected viously filing an age dis- and Attorney Michael R. ranged from wooded to crimination complaint Coppock, counsel to Mai- fields, waterside to hillside. against the school in Norfolk monides and Billings, denied Mary and Don Chese- Superior Court on January any wrongdoing, specifical- brough’s wooded location 30, 2006.” ly that Onie was not hired had people in awe of the bor- The complaint says Onie based on her age (61 at the der of myrtle that circled the has suffered damages in the time of the interview) or that lawn and her vast array of PHOTOS BY DONNA RHODES form of loss of earnings and she was being retaliated wild and native flowers were Above left: Sandy Hickok, Opechee Garden Club vice president and homeowner on one the club’s summer gar- loss of fringe benefits, as against because of the com- inspiring. A walk through den tours stops, poses with President Carmel Lansia and past president Sandy Gove beside a four-season table well as great humiliation, plaint and subsequent law- the trees brought visitors to setting. Gove created the display as part of a new feature this year, showcasing decorative tables. Above right, mental anguish and suffer- suit she had filed previously a fairy-like garden of astilbe top: Astral heads of allium flowers caught many an eye at the Crowel residence, part of the Opechee Garden ing, and irreparable damage against the school and two spattered with native species Club tour last weekend. Above righ, b ottomt: Beautiful lilies, still damp from a quick summer shower, made to her career. former school administra- such as jack-in-the pulpit. a stunning floral display along a stonewall on Schoolhouse Hill Road, just one of the six stops on the Opechee Onie seeks an award of tors. “You’ve inspired us about Garden Club Tour on Saturday. multiple damages and rea- According to the Brook- what to do with our yard sonable attorneys’ fees. She line Tab newspaper, Onie now,” said one couple as they arrangements in the beds. was at the Crowel House on Sandwich is a lifelong gar- is being represented by her SEE BILLINGS PAGE A9 admired Mary’s natural Another stop on the tour Schoolhouse Hill Road dener whose eye was caught husband, Larry Onie. Larry where everyone admired by the spiky plant. Allium, Onie told the Steamer that some unusual allium. Sarah she said, is related to onion, his wife’s purpose is “just for Zuccarelli of Chapman Wild garlic, and chives and comes Billings to tell the truth.” Bird Sanctuary in Center SEE GARDEN TOUR PAGE A14 “It’s about students and education and what the en- vironment is like,” Larry Onie said. Town employees Onie had taught at Mai- monides for 20 years before her employment was termi- ‘Caught in the Act’ nated in 2004. While some BY LAUREN TINER sources say Onie was let go [email protected] ployees have already been re- as part of a wave of budget To boost morale and to ac- warded for their acts of kind- cuts, Larry Onie said his knowledge town employees ness and their devoted work wife was not rehired because who have gone above and be- to their particular service. she refused to rewrite sever- yond what is required of “We look for someone go- al boys’ report card com- them, the Town of Gilford ing above and beyond the call ments upon the demand of PHOTO BY DONNA RHODES now keeps a close eye on good of duty, whether it is a boss the school’s then-principals. Ducks like this one at Gilford Beach are fun to see but waterfowl can also carry a parasite on their feet. The deeds and rewards those who or a colleague who saw so- An investigation done after parasite can penetrate the skin on humans and cause a condition know as “duck itch”or “swimmers itch,” one are “Caught in the Act.” and-so doing something. It’s Onie filed a complaint of age reason why officials discourage people from feeding ducks and geese where people are swimming. Town employees have fairly low key,” said Dunn. been taken by surprise re- He said the employees cently when a fellow employ- who have been caught doing RY RGE •RE U ST State beaches looking good but ee or boss “tattles” on their good are rewarded with a $5 S • O S R C A positive tales and warming Dunkin’ Donuts gift certifi- I T T I V acts involving children, the cate and a write up. Recipi- E E H ) ) swimmers should keep their eyes open T • elderly, or the community as ents have been pleasantly S ( ) P BY DONNA RHODES E R Beach Inspection program, more frequently,but general- a whole. surprised, he said. A E [email protected] V • E S H under the Department of En- ly test samples are taken at Town Administrator Scott “It is meant to acknowl- N T T N A A T LAKES REGION — With vironmental Services. beaches at least three times Dunn first conjured up this edge those who do good L I P V E M I • summer heat beating down “We can’t test everywhere throughout the summer un- idea toward the end of last things more than anything. on the Lakes Region people that people swim but we do less lab results show bacteria year after receiving similar We’ve had 12 or so people Dr. Hugh’s Dental PC are swarming to local beach- test the popular swimming counts higher than 88 parts suggestions from the Safety since we started, and the 13th Hubert W. Hawkins IV MPH DDS es to seek respite from the re- areas and advise the towns per million. Depending on Committee, which works on will be announced during the 209 Cottage Street, Littleton, NH cent heat wave. With this in- or the beach owners if any how high over the state limit morale issues within the selectmen’s meeting (603) 444-4141 flux of beachgoers and swim- problems are detected,” said those counts are, a beach may town. (Wednesday),” said Dunn. Beautiful Ceramic Crowns mers comes an increase in Program Director Sonya be posted with an advisory, Standards are high to re- The first recipients to ever in One Visit. bacteria entering New Carlson. warning swimmers about port someone who has gone receive the “Caught in the DrHughsDental.com Hampshire’s waters, moni- Some towns like North- the bacterial counts. out of their way for others, Act” award on behalf of the tored closely by the State field monitor their waters SEE BEACHES PAGE A9 although over a dozen em- SEE CAUGHT PAGE A9 A2 THE GILFORD STEAMER ALMANAC JULY 15, 2010 Heifetz International Music Institute students to play in Gilford On Sunday July 18, at 3 Italy, China, France and the Jeanne Davis Porter, a mem- demonstrations, and other free will offering will be col- located near the Gilford Vil- p.m.