(508) 943-4800 Newsstand: 75 cents www.auburnnews.net PROUD MEDIA SPONSOR OF THE CENTRAL SOUTH COUNTY RELAY FOR LIFE! Wednesday, November 10, 2010 O’Connor interviews for Palmer manager job AUBURN ACTING TOWN MANAGER ONE OF SEVEN SEMIFINALISTS BY RYAN GRANNAN-DOLL panel plans to present finalists to view. er, as part of the process of convert- STONEBRIDGE PRESS STAFF WRITER the Town Council at its Monday, O’Connor answered committee ing its form of government from a PALMER — Palmer officials last Nov. 15 meeting. The Council would questions for more than an hour, town administrator to town manag- week got a glimpse of who may then make the final decision. ranging from why he left certain er format. O’Connor was previously become their town manager — Former Spencer Town jobs to how he would help develop a candidate for the first attempted Auburn’s Acting Town Manager Administrator Carter Terenzini is Palmer’s economy. Overall, he search, but was not selected for the Charles O’Connor. one of the candidates, but described himself as “prudent, fru- job. The Palmer Town Manager Southbridge Town Manager gal and deliberative.” O’Connor, in response to being Search Committee interviewed Christopher Clark last week with- He acknowledged, however, that asked what type of businesses may O’Connor Thursday, Nov. 4, at its drew his name from the running. he applied to Palmer because his prosper in Palmer, said he would Ryan Grannan-Doll photo Town Hall. O’Connor is one of seven Overall, Burns said, O’Connor did contract with Auburn expires at the take steps to attract business to the Auburn Acting Town Manager Charles semifinalists vying for the job. Town well. end of the year. Although, he did not town and foster a “business-friend- O’Connor fields questions during an Council President Paul Burns, who “He certainly has the experience,” mention it, Auburn is in the process interview Thursday, Nov. 4, for the town is also the committee chair, said the Burns said after O’Connor’s inter- of searching for a new town manag- Turn To O’CONNOR page A13 manager position in Palmer. Officials urge importance of flu shot BY ELIZABETH GREGORY every year can be NEWS STAFF WRITER just as dangerous AUBURN — While the world has as the so called not erupted in swine flu fever as it “Swine Flu” we did last year, Director of Public saw last year. Health and Registered Sanitarian “Every year in Andrew Pelletier warned people the United States last week not to be lax when it 30,000 to 40,000 comes to getting their flu shot this people die as a year. result of the flu,” “Last year, what we had was a he said. “So, any- pandemic flu,” Pelletier said. thing you can do Andrew Pelletier “Pandemic is a new strain of flu to avoid catching that we’ve never seen before. The it and to boost your immunity is def- H1N1 that we saw last year was a initely going to be in your favor, as novel flu, meaning some of the sub- well the people around you.” strains were never seen before and He also warned not to look at the the fact that it crossed borders made flu shot as a cure-all for seasonal it pandemic. Concern last year is sickness, and therefore, an excuse to that because it was a new strain, cough uncovered or sneeze shame- nobody had immunity and therefore lessly into the faces of others. we had to vaccinate in order to Rather he said “there needs to be a inject immunity.” combination of good hand hygiene, Elizabeth Gregory photos However, Pelletier explained that social distancing, as well as the vac- Tom, Gina and Ryan Nilson make it a family trip to cast their ballot, showing you’re never too young to learn the importance what some people may not realize is in voting, saying, “It’s a great honor and our civic duty.” that the seasonal flu that we see Turn To FLU page A12 Town sees high turnout on Election Day NEARLY 60 PERCENT OF REGISTERED VOTERS CAST THEIR BALLOTS BY ELIZABETH GREGORY election, echoed that sentiment day. NEWS STAFF WRITER last Tuesday, Nov. 2. The long line of cars stretching AUBURN — The ballots are in, “It’s been a good day,” Frost down Auburn Street was a patri- the votes are cast, and the whirl- said. “It’s terrific to see so many otic sight that put voters waiting wind that was Election Day has people passionate about coming in traffic at ease and those rally- passed. out to vote and such a healthy per- ing outside in high spirits. In its wake, it left impressive centage of voters.” The excitement was contagious, percentages of great voter By 3 p.m., 34 percent of leading both parties to let loose turnout in Auburn. Auburn’s 11,625 registered voters and have some fun and laughs. State Rep. Paul Frost, R- had come to cast their ballots, Auburn, wh ran unopposed in the with a total of 58 percent for the Turn To ELECTION page A16 Elizabeth Gregory photo Domenic Mercurio, owner of Mercury Media and Entertainment, pours a glass of wine AVNA to celebrate community with awards for Terry Reed at the Third Annual AYFS Wine Tasting Fundraiser. BY ELIZABETH GREGORY you to a community that has provid- NEWS STAFF WRITER ed them with the opportunity to do AUBURN — Inside the walls of what they do best — care for others. AYFS wine tasting the little white church that sits atop On Tuesday, Nov. 16, within the Pakachoag hill are some of Hogan Center of the College of the Auburn’s biggest fans. Holy Cross in Worcester, the AVNA a major success Made up of nurses, physical, will hold its First Annual occupational and speech therapists, Community-Wide Recognition BY ELIZABETH GREGORY dance, nearly twice the amount of home health aides and volunteers, Dinner and Awards Ceremony to NEWS STAFF WRITER people than last year. celebrate some of the many people the staff at the Auburn Visiting AUBURN — On Friday, Nov. 5, When a “wine run” had to be done who have kept the organization Nurses Association (AVNA) are Auburn Youth and Family Services halfway through dinner after the alive and thriving. there to provide the community held its third annual Wine Tasting bottles ran dry, it was clear that the Entitled “Celebrate Community,” with comfort and peace of mind. Fundraiser to benefit the non-profit event was more of a success than five awards will be given to those For 90 years, and counting, the organization that offers many com- anyone had anticipated. individuals and local partnered AVNA has given residents from all munity-wide programs aimed at Food was provided by Pepper’s organizations that have gone above over the region a precious gift, giv- improving the lives of Auburn fami- Catering, of 43 Hudson St., and beyond to carry on the AVNA’s ing the community a better quality lies and children. Northborough, while the wine was mission and philosophies. of life through passionate people Courtesy photo Some of the services include sup- provided by Domenic Mercurio of who dedicate their lives to helping “This is the first time that the Hilda Healy, a member of the AVNA Board port groups for children, after- Mercury Media and Entertainment. AVNA is opening this up to the com- others and provide elderly residents of Directors for the past 10 years, will be school programs, summer pro- Pepper’s also auctioned off an munity,” said CEO Kim Harmon. with respect, hope, companionship, the recipient of the organization’s Deanna grams, as well as a food pantry and entire Thanksgiving Day dinner for “Not only are we recognizing our and the opportunity to reside where D. Goggins Spirit Award at AVNA’s First clothing closet. up to 15 people complete with an 18- staff, but we are opening up and say- every sick person feels most com- Annual Community-Wide Recognition This year’s benefit was a tremen- 20 pound turkey and all the fixings. ing thank you to the community as fortable — their home. Dinner and Awards Ceremony Tuesday, dous success, according to AYFS “This has been very successful,” Now, they would like to say thank Turn To AVNA page A14 Nov. 16. officials, with 115 people in atten- Turn To AYFS page A8 E E CALENDAR.........A11 GREGORY JOIN 33 AND COUNTING; OPINION..............A6 AUBURN NEWS ROCKETS RUN PAST SENIORS .............A9 OBITUARIES .......A11 TEAM WARRIORS, 35-0 SPORTS ............A10 PAGE 2 PAGE A10 INSID 6 56525 10391 9 INSID 2 • THE AUBURN NEWS • Wednesday, November 10, 2010 Gregory joins Auburn News team ALMANAC QUOTE OF THE WEEK HIRED AS NEW STAFF WRITER “These children are absolutely incredible to STAFF REPORT Camera.’” age film about the friendship meet. They are the most welcoming people in Gregory has worked at Bells between a bunch of 12-year-old the world and their smiles really light up my AUBURN — Elizabeth Gregory is the Lawn and Garden on kids. Each kid in the movie had his life … I brought a few tennis balls with me this newest face of the Auburn News. Southbridge Street for the past little niche in life. One kid was a past summer to give to the children there and Elizabeth Gregory joined the staff of the six years, and also met her future negotiator, one was a fighter, one they held them like they were the most incredi- News last week as its newest staff writer, and husband there.