Mailed free to requesting homes in Webster, Dudley and the Oxfords 508-764-4325 Complimentary to homes by request ONLINE: WWW.WEBSTERTIMES.NET “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” Friday, April 16, 2010 Crossing the finish line WEBSTER RESIDENT RUNNING IN LAST BOSTON MARATHON BY JOY RICHARD TIMES STAFF WRITER WEBSTER BOARD OF SELECTMEN WEBSTER — The thought of running 26 miles sounds like pun- ishment for some, but for the thou- sands who participate in the Miller looking for another Boston Marathon, the challenge is why they wake up in the morning. For one Webster resident, this term as selectman year’s race will be the last time he will feel that rush. Webster resident and avid run- HOPES FOR RE-ELECTION ON MAY 3 ning enthusiast Robert Stawiecki is excited, yet sad, to run this BY JOY RICHARD make the trip to the polls. year’s Boston Marathon on TIMES STAFF WRIETR Miller said as a life-long mem- Monday, April 19, as it will be his Editor’s Note: Leading up to the ber of the community, it is his last. Dudley and Webster Annual goal to keep the town moving for- “I will turn 60 in May and so this Elections on Monday, May 3, the ward. He added he is pleased that will have to be the last one,” said Webster Times is featuring election all five members have meshed Stawiecki. “I found out about two profiles of all the candidates in the together so well in the past two marathons ago that I needed a Board of Selectmen years. He said he knee replacement, but I held out and School believes his fellow because I love running.” Committee races. In board members work He said he is upset to end his the interest of fair- together so well hobby and that it is something that ness, the order of the because “they are all has been a part of his life for so profiles was selected pointed toward the long, but if he waited any longer, at random. same goal — even if the doctor said the exercise could Courtesy photo there are varying make his knees worse. Webster resident Robert Stawiecki pounds the pavement during the 2009 Boston WEBSTER — opinions.” Stawiecki said his doctor wants Marathon. This year’s race, his 15th, will be his last. After nine years Miller said after him to get the surgery because of serving as a select- almost a decade on the the advanced arthritis in his career, one that has spanned the a remedy to the weight he had man, Chairman board, three on the knees, but told him the only down- last 30 years. gained after quitting a three-pack- Robert J. Miller said Finance Committee side is that the replacement would Stawiecki said he started his and three years as last week he hopes to Robert Miller mean the end of his running love affair with running in 1980 as Turn To MARATHON, page A13 be re-elected for selectmen chairman, another three years he is confidant he to continue his work in the com- brings the right tools to the table munity. to be re-elected. With the Annual Election set “There is a lot to learn in this for Monday, May 3, municipal position,” said Miller, adding that LLIITTTTLLEE LLEEAAGGUUEERRSS races are kicking into high gear whether it is learning about the and with two seats available and Town Charter or what duties three candidates in play — includ- apply to the position of select- ing fellow incumbent Mark man, what the board can and can- RREEAADDYY TTOO Dowgiewicz and newcomer not do, there are many things that Donald Bourque — Miller said he one has to understand before real- hopes that residents put their faith in him again when they Turn To MILLER, page A16 PPLLAAYY BBAALLLL ‘I keep everyone in the back of my mind’ DOWNTOWN RENOVATION MAJOR Courtesy photo FOCUS FOR DOWGIEWICZ Players on the Indians, a Webster Little League Major League team, start the season off right with their first practice Wednesday, April 7. BY JOY RICHARD men will claim a spot on the TIMES STAFF WRTER board. Editor’s Note: Leading up to the Dowgiewicz is in his ninth year OPENING DAY CEREMONIES SET FOR THIS WEEKEND Dudley and Webster Annual with the board and fifth as vice BY JOY RICHARD Little League officials in the on Saturday, April 17. Teams will Elections on Monday, May 3, the chairman. He said in an inter- TIMES STAFF WRITER Webster Times is fea- view last week that he area agree they are happy to see meet up at the Dudley Municipal turing election pro- is looking forward to With the start of the Little ball games get underway and the Complex, at 71 West Main St., at files of all the candi- this year’s race, with League season set for this week- kids enjoy the sport they all know 12:30 p.m. Teams will then march dates in the Board of the hope of being able end, local kids are about to hear and love. to the Dudley Elementary School Selectmen and School to spend three more the two words every baseball fan Opening days will take place this Committee races. In years in the position longs to hear — “Play ball!” weekend, beginning with Dudley Turn To BALL, page A15 the interest of fair- he has come to love. ness, the order of the Dowgiewicz said he profiles was selected made the move into at random. town politics when he Dudley man charged with attempted murder moved back to WEBSTER — With Webster in 1999 after the Annual Election retiring from the ALLEGEDLY STABBED GIRLFRIEND less than a month police force where he away, candidates Mark Dowgiewicz worked as a BY JOY RICHARD Bergeron was placed in custody on TIMES SATFF WRITER want you, the voter, Connecticut State $5,000 bail and then arraigned to find out just what makes them Trooper from 1982 until 1997. He DUDLEY — Dudley Police arrest- Wednesday, April 7, in Dudley qualified to run your town, and has worked at the Worcester ed a local man last week after he District Court. According to court incumbent Mark Dowgiewicz Superior Court since 1999. allegedly stabbed his girlfriend in documents, he pled not guilty to the hopes to be that candidate of “When I retired from the State the early morning hours. charges of assault to murder and choice for the Board of Selectmen Police I had more time on my Dudley resident Gary R. Bergeron, assault and battery with a dangerous on Monday, May 3. hands,” said Dowgiewicz. “I have 43, of 42 Oxford Ave., was taken into weapon. In the election, Dowgiewicz will always enjoyed [the community custody Wednesday, April 7, at Bail was set by Judge Neil G. face off against fellow incumbent of Webster] so when I moved back approximately 2 a.m., after a phone Snider at $10,000 with a pre-trail date and Selectmen Chairman Robert into town in 1999, I decided to call to the police department was set for Tuesday, April 13 at 8:30 a.m., J. Miller and newcomer Donald D. made regarding a woman who was after the Webster Times’ press time. Photo courtesy Dudley Police Bourque. Two out of the three Turn To DOWGIEWICZ, page A16 found bleeding at Bergeron’s resi- According to Dudley Police Chief Department dence. Turn To CHARGED, page A13 Gary R. Bergeron Seniors ................. A5 Obituaries ............. B2 LEARNING Learning .............A6-9 Events Calendar ...... B3 WEBSTER MIDDLE SPORTS Viewpoint ............. A10 Real Estate ........Sect.B Sports ..................A12 Legal Notices ..... Sect.B SCHOOL HAS TALENT PAGE A12 PAGE A6 INDEX 2 • THE WEBSTER TIMES • Friday, April 16, 2010 www.webstertimes.net Governor releases $155 million for local road projects ALMANAC BOSTON — Rep. Paul structure.” Program and American cal street and bridge improve- Kujawski, D-Webster, has “Chapter 90 funds are essential Recovery and Reinvestment Act ment and safety projects ready to QUOTE OF THE WEEK announced that Governor Deval towards the repair and enhance- projects. go and waiting for these funds, Patrick has notified cities and ment of local infrastructure “For far too long, our roads and and MassDOT is working closely “It is like the old saying, towns they will receive $155 mil- needs,” said Kujawski. bridges were overlooked but our with our local partners on lion in state Chapter 90 funds to “Communities with tight budget, administration is committed to streamlined project design and ‘One day, you’re a hero and rebuild and repair local roads use the section 90 funds to make improving our infrastructure,” construction to put these dollars and bridges this year. transportation safe and effi- said Lieutenant Governor to use quickly and wisely,” said the next you are a zero’ — This significant capital invest- cient.” Timothy Murray. “We are Transportation Secretary and you can’t please everyone.” ment will create construction Each city and town will receive addressing deferred mainte- CEO Jeffrey Mullan. jobs, improve transportation and an increase in Chapter 90 fund- nance by responsibly applying “This important investment in public safety and encourage long- ing for the fiscal year beginning funds to invest in our roads and our communities lies within the term economic development on July 1, 2010, compared to the bridges in cities and towns confines of our 5-year capital - Webster Board of Selectmen across the Commonwealth. previous year, with funds allocat- across the Commonwealth.” plan, a responsible blueprint for Chairman Robert Miller, “This record level of invest- ed using a longstanding formula Chapter 90 funds are allocated the Patrick-Murray ment in repairing town and city based upon community road as part of the three-year Administration’s strategic commenting on his role on roads and bridges represents an miles, population and employ- Transportation Bond Bills investments,” said historic and timely boost for ment.