Mailed to requesting homes in Douglas, Northbridge and Uxbridge Vol. II, No. 37 Complimentary Home Delivery ONLINE: www.blackstonevalleytribune.com "No bird soars too high if he soars with his own wings.” Friday, June 12, 2009 Staff photos Above, members of the Douglas High School class of 2009 toss their graduation caps in the air at the con- clusion of commencement ceremonies held Friday evening, June 5. Left, Uxbridge High School class of 2009 President Michael Lovett delivers a humorous address of welcome to guests and graduates on Saturday, June 6. BBIGIG DREAMSDREAMS FORFOR CLASSCLASS OFOF 20092009 UXBRIDGE HIGH SAYS GOODBYE TO 100 DOUGLAS HIGH GRADUATES 105 SENIORS BY KRISTINA REARDON flu combined.” BY THOMAS MATTSON Because of misty weather, the event was TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER And then, he said he asked his teacher TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER held in the gym. But unlike the gym at the UXBRIDGE — Class President Michael why the young woman was crying. His DOUGLAS — This small town may seem old high school, now the Municipal Center, Lovett can remember witnessing a young teacher told him that she would be gradu- insulated from the world, but that is only an cool air was pumped in and no one was woman, crying hysterically, walking into ating from high school in a week and that illusion. uncomfortably hot. his third grade class, he told his class- she was very upset. The Douglas High School class of 2009 But there was a lot of warmth. mates at Uxbridge High School’s gradua- “All I remember thinking is: that’s it?” had a graduate whose mother grew up in That came from the students, parents and tion ceremony last Saturday morning. he asked, to a chorus of laughter. “All she Germany, another graduate whose ances- school staff. There is something tangibly “At that moment, two thoughts went into is doing is graduating from high school — tors are from the Philippines, and still different in a Douglas graduation from my head,” he said. “First, did I get that that’s no big deal. See, back then I didn’t another with a parent from Poland and the those of bigger towns. Maybe it is different morning’s cootie shot? As you probably see what all the fuss was about.” other from Laos. everywhere with the multiple changing of know, cooties was a disease that was But amidst the strains of the bagpipe In all, 105 seniors were awarded diplomas the guard through history, but there was a sweeping the nation in the ’90s, and it was music, applause, and speeches, the 100 at the 131st commencement of Douglas time students feared teachers, not because more frightening than SARS and the swine High School held Friday, June 5. Turn To UHS page A13 Turn To DHS page A11 Teachers union has Disabled youngsters full of life, love BY ANDY LEVIN TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER ‘no confidence’ in NORTHBRIDGE — At a time when many young families have ample reason to complain, Amy and Christopher Murray are counting Douglas school boss their blessings. Running a household with three BY THOMAS MATTSON larly salary and young children is never an easy TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER health care. task, especially during a period of DOUGLAS — The Douglas When Dupre great economic uncertainty. Doing Teachers Association (DTA) has got into the “no so when two of the children are pro- voted “overwhelmingly to issue a confidence” foundly disabled is a challenge few ‘Vote of No Confidence’ in School issue, School of us can understand, but it’s part of Superintendent Nancy Lane’s abili- Committee everyday life for the Murrays. ty to clearly, competently, and effec- Chairperson Twins Michael and Eric, now 6, tively provide leadership to the Shirley Downs were born at only 25 weeks, the school district.” interrupted her smallest infants to date to survive at The bombshell came during an and asked that Nancy Lane Milford Regional Medical Center. address by DTA President Nancy she cease speak- They then spent 147 days in the Dupre to the School Committee ing. Downs said the issues being neonatal unit at UMass-Memorial Wednesday, June 3. Dupre took to aired should be discussed only Medical Center in Worcester before the lectern after the committee’s behind closed doors. She also said going home. the School Committee would have to other business was concluded. She “They didn’t think Eric was going Courtesy photo opened her talk by discussing the consult with its legal counsel about to make it,” Amy said. “At about 10 fact that the third year of the teach- what steps to take in regard to the months, the doctors warned us that Eric Murray with his favorite Sesame Street character, Elmo. ers’ contract is coming up and that, complaints Dupre said she was something might be wrong develop- gia, the most severe form of cere- al compounded disabilities includ- despite concessions by the union, relaying. Downs also said she want- mentally with them.” bral palsy in which all four limbs ing problems with muscles that con- the teachers are being asked to ed proof of how many of the DTA’s Two months later, the boys were are affected. People with spastic trol the mouth and tongue. Michael reconsider their contract, particu- Turn To UNION page A6 diagnosed with spastic quadriple- quadriplegia most often have sever- Turn To BOYS page A6 A2-3 ...................................... LOCAL A12 ............................. SPORTS THE BLACKSTONE VALLEY TRIBUNE CAN BE A4-5 ..................................... OPINION A14-15 .................... CALENDAR A7 ................................... OBITUARIES B3 ........................ REAL ESTATE REACHED VIA E-MAIL: [email protected] INSIDE 2 • Friday, June 12, 2009 BLACKSTONE VALLEY TRIBUNE VALLEY NOTEBOOK TRIBUNE Elderly Connection to support UEF ALMANAC QUOTATION OF THE WEEK BY ANDY LEVIN 14 at Crystal Lake Golf Club in North for teachers and administrators, along with TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER Smithfield, R.I., is the Elderly Connection’s annual college scholarships to Uxbridge REGION — The Uxbridge Elderly major fundraiser and helps support the High School seniors. The UEF has provided Connection may have the interests of the Senior Center and other elderly services that more than $32,000 in grants and scholarships “If you do not town’s senior citizens as its primary focus, are not included in the town’s budget. since its inception. The group plans to award but the non-profit organization has agreed to Marsha Petrillo, director of the Uxbridge an additional $15,000 during the next school change, bad things donate some proceeds from its annual golf Senior Center, said all of the proceeds from year. tournament to this community’s students. the tournament’s Loon Mountain ski resort The tournament, to be held Sunday, June auction would be donated to the Uxbridge will happen.” Education Foundation (UEF) in memory of CALLAHAN ADDS TO former School Superintendent Daniel REFORM PACKAGE Stefanilo, who passed away last winter. — Michael Lovett, president of the “Dan was a great supporter of our Senior State Rep. Jennifer Callahan, D-Sutton, is Uxbridge High School class of 2009, on the Center and a friend to seniors throughout continuing her drive for passage of ethics need to adapt to life’s circumstances. the community,” Petrillo said. “He liked to reform legislation on Beacon Hill. attend our events and he and his golf team Callahan last year filed an ethics reform actually won our golf tournament last year. bill that would increase government THE STATS We wanted to honor Dan in some way,and we accountability and transparency. Now, she know how much the Uxbridge Education The percentage of those residents born WAREHOUSE OUTLET has expanded her campaign to include meas- outside the U.S. Foundation meant to him.” ures that aim to improve the state’s trans- Auburn ............0.6 Oxford ..............0.3 Stefanilo was a founding member of the portation and pension systems. Brimfield ..........0.9 Southbridge....10.0 UEF, which was established in 2005. The “Legislative leaders have had numerous organization raises funds to provide grants Brookfield ........0.9 Spencer ............0.8 opportunities to answer the call to reform, Charlton............0.6 Sturbridge ........0.7 yet stopped short of what is being demanded Douglas ............0.1 Uxbridge ..........0.6 CRANE by the public,” she said. “In my opinion, it Dudley ..............1.3 Wales ................0.2 was their hope these small steps would quiet Holland ............0.5 Webster ............1.6 the public outrage, which is obviously not Leicester ..........1.0 * Information as of SERVICE the case.” Northbridge ....1.1 2000 U.S. Census The recent indictment of former House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi on public corrup- tion charges notwithstanding, Callahan said SUNRISE/SUNSET ethics reform is about more than one indi- Sat., June 13 ......5:12 a.m. ......8:25 p.m. vidual or incident. Sun., June 14......5:12 a.m. ......8:25 p.m. “We already have laws on the books deal- Mon., June 15 ....5:12 a.m. ......8:26 p.m. ing with illegal or criminal acts,” she said. Tue., June 16......5:12 a.m. ......8:26 p.m. “Ethics reform is about creating a working 30 Ton Capacity Wed., June 17 ....5:12 a.m. ......8:27 p.m. environment that holds accountability and Thur., June 18 ....5:12 a.m. ......8:27 p.m. 162' Vertical transparency at its core. We need to instill a Fri., June 19 ......5:12 a.m. ......8:27 p.m. culture and atmosphere where people know Reach there are consequences for their actions, www.olearywelding.com long before they get to the point where there are criminal proceedings and indictments.” THE FIVE QUESTIONS Reasonable rates Callahan’s initial proposals call for 1. What is the easternmost province in expanding the state’s Open Meeting Law to 508-476-9793 Canada? apply to the House and Senate, prohibiting 2.