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Mailed free to requesting homes in Webster, Dudley and the Oxfords 508-764-4325 PROUD MEDIA SPONSOR OF RELAY FOR LIFE OF THE GREATER SOUTHBRIDGE AREA! Complimentary to homes by request ONLINE: WWW.WEBSTERTIMES.NET Front page quote Friday, June 3, 2011 MemorialMemorial DayDay weathersweathers thethe storstormm Webster resident Tarsha Gerrish helps her daughter, Mackenzie Gerrish, 2, get a little closer to the Memorial Day parade route so she can wave to the local fire trucks. Joy Richard photos Center: A local veteran salutes the flag during a Memorial Day wreath laying. Above: Veterans march in time during the Webster-Dudley Memorial Day Parade. WEBSTER — Even with morning downpours residents still came out to honor the fallen soldiers of the surround- ing communities on Memorial Day Local children watch as veterans Monday, May 30. fromfrom WebsterWebster andand DudleyDudley marchmarch inin the annual Memorial Day Parade. For more photos, turn to pages A10-11! The road to graduation MORIN OVERCOMES ROADBLOCKS EN ROUTE TO COMMENCEMENT BY JOY RICHARD TIMES STAFF WRITER OXFORD — Graduation has come and gone, but among the many sen- iors who have made their mark on the school during the last four years, there are few who can match the inspiration provided by Garrett Morin. Even with the rush of rehearsals and last minute preparations for graduation day, Oxford High School Principal Kevin Wells took a moment to reflect on Morin, 18, who Wells said he believes is an inspiration to his classmates. Morin has been in a wheelchair full-time since middle school, and has lived with spina bifida since Joy Richard photo birth. Morin said he has always had Oxford High School senior Garrett Morin, 18, can be seen in full graduation mode after mobility in his legs, but the wheel- rehearsals Wednesday, May 25. Morin was recently chosen by Oxford high School chair makes it easier to move long Principal Kevin Wells as a student who has made a positive impact on their school, and classmates during the last four years. Turn To MORIN page A16 Schools could see massive layoffs BY JOY RICHARD their fears that the music depart- expressed her passion for the music Joy Richard photo TIMES STAFF WRITER ment, mainly the chorus program at department at the school. WEBSTER — Members of the Webster Middle School, would be She said the loss of this program Webster School Committee are lost due to the possibility of staff would not only affect the younger wrestling with the prospect of more cutbacks. children who are just starting to than 20 layoffs at the schools. Several parents voiced their con- learn music, but the happiness of INTO THE SUNSET Students and parents lined the cerns to committee members over the students who have depended on walls and filled the chairs of the the potential loss of the program. the department as their creative out- OXFORD — The sun set on the Class of 2011 at the Oxford High School School Committee meeting Tuesday, Webster Middle School PTO let. commencement ceremony Friday,May 27. Pictured, a graduating senior May 24, at the Filmer School. The President Valerie Beals came before “After crunching some numbers takes her diploma. For more photos, turn to page A14! residents came out en mass to voice the microphone and adamantly Turn To LAYOFFS page A16 Turn To CLASS OF ‘11 page A<None> 2 • THE WEBSTER TIMES • Friday, June 3, 2011 www.webstertimes.net Durant says he’ll stay on Board of Selectmen ‘MY INTENTION IS NOT TO BECOME A BURDEN’ BY DAVID DORE not to become a burden to this board,” such as fellow rookie Ryan Fattman of “I think it’s only fair I don’t take any pay as STONEBRIDGE PRESS STAFF WRITER Durant announced at the May 23 selectmen’s Sutton, and see how they deal with holding I continue on the board,” he explained. “I SPENCER — The state’s newest state repre- meeting. “I certainly want to continue.” two positions. don’t think it’s proper.” sentative, Peter Durant, said earlier this “At this time, we’re just going to play it by Durant won a special election earlier this According to the Boston Herald’s online week he would stay on the Spencer Board of ear and see what happens,” he later told month to represent the 6th Worcester state payroll database, the starting salary for Selectmen until he or his colleagues feel he Stonebridge Press. “Certainly I don’t want to District, which includes the eastern half of state representatives is $61,133. That does not can no longer effectively do the job. do this job if I can’t do it properly. If the Spencer, East Brookfield, Charlton, include per diem reimbursements of $10 to “At this time I will say that my intention is board feels that it’s not working out, or I feel Southbridge and one precinct in Oxford. $100 for each day a legislator is at the State that I’m not doing the job justice, then I will Running as a Republican, Durant topped House or bonuses for chairmanships. certainly resign.” Democrat incumbent Geraldo Alicea and Durant thanked his fellow selectmen “for The other selectmen — Anthony Pepe, independent candidates Peter Boria and the past year and a half now” that he was on Gary Woodbury, Chairman Donald Robert Cirba. The special election was need- the campaign trail. “You guys have been fan- Berthiaume Jr. and newest member Robert ed after a judge declared the November con- tastic, and you guys have picked up a lot of “Bo” Fritze Jr. — indicated they wanted test between Durant and Alicea a tie. the slack I left behind.” Durant to remain on the board. He has one Durant also said he would send a letter to year left on his term. Town Clerk Jean Mulhall stating he is declin- David Dore may be reached at (508) 909-4140, Durant said he hopes to speak with other ing his $1,000 annual salary as a selectman or by e-mail at [email protected]. state representatives who are also selectmen, while he is also on Beacon Hill. 1-508-865-4370 Owner On Every Job www.skyhooktree.com NEWS BRIEFS M SALI COUNSELING ing support to provincial reconstruc- Psychotherapy Services for Soldier set to return home tion teams and civilian partners as Youth soccer registration this they help build Iraq’s civil capacity. Children, Adolescents, Adults & Seniors Army Reserve Sgt. 1st Class Operation Enduring Freedom is weekend Theresa R. Kann is returning to the •Anxiety/Depression • ADHD • Substance Abuse • PTSD the official name given to anti-terror- U.S. after a deployment to Iraq serv- ism military operations involving WEBSTER — Webster Youth • Panic Attacks • Eating Disorders • Relationships ing in support of Operation Iraqi U.S. troops and allied coalition part- Soccer will be holding registration • Grief/Loss and Other Freedom/New Dawn, or Operation ners. Active duty and reserve compo- for the Fall 2011 season at the George Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan Street field in Webster on Saturday, INDIVIDUAL,COUPLES &FAMILY nent members from all branches of and the Southwest Asia Theater of the U.S. armed forces have been June 4 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Call (508)987-3771 • 316 Main St., Oxford, MA Operations. deployed to support the war against New and returning players may WIC Accessible The soldier’s return to Joint Base global terrorism outside the borders also register online beginning June 1 Dix-McGuire-Lakehurst, N.J., for of the United States. U.S. troops serve at www.websteryouthsoccer.org. debriefing, evaluations and out-pro- in South, Southwest and Central Children must be 4 years of age by cessing procedures before returning Asia, the Arabian peninsula, the July 31, 2011 to play in the fall. New to their regularly assigned Army Horn of Africa, islands in the Pacific, players need to provide a copy of a Reserve or National Guard units. and Europe. birth certificate. Fees for the 2011 are Operation New Dawn transitions Kann served in support of $40 for U6 & U8 players, $50 for U10- and signifies a formal end to U.S. mil- Operation Iraqi Freedom and U14 players, and $60 for U16 and up. itary combat operations in Iraq. The Operation New Dawn. The sergeant, Volunteers are always needed and PROTECT YOUR INVESTMENT transition shifts the U.S. emphasis a military police member with 17 welcome at Webster Youth Soccer. from predominantly military to pre- years of military service, is regularly Please contact Valerie Beals at 508- with high quality sealcoating! dominately civilian as the U.S. offi- assigned to the 94th Military Police 943-7539 or cials assist Iraqis in accordance with Company, based out of Londonderry, [email protected] if the Strategic Framework Agreement. N.H. She is the daughter of Leona you have any questions. ExCealant The three primary missions of U.S. Anderson of Henry Road, Webster. Forces include advising, assisting, In 1993, Kann graduated from Bay Sealcoating, Inc. and training the Iraqi Security Path Regional Vocational-Technical where quality comes first Forces; conducting partnered coun- High School, Charlton. terterrorism operations; and provid- PROVIDING PROTECTION, ENHANCING APPEARANCE, AND EXTENDING THE LIFE OF YOUR PAVEMENT TONY PIETTE Call us today to get started on your project – 774-230-6724 WELL TESTING LMANAC • Install & Repair • Water Quality & A Water Pumps, Quantity Testing UOTE OF THE EEK Tanks & Filters Q W • Fully Insured • Water Pump “He is the only student in Service school who gets to park next 508-949-1771 or 860-974-2512 to me.” - Oxford High School Principal INVITING NEW PATIENTS Kevin Wells, joking with graduating senior Garrett Morin, Monica Rao, D.M.D.