Evelyn J. (Morgado) Eleniefsky

on February 20, 2014

Evelyn J. (Morgado) Eleniefsky, 74, of Carver died Tuesday February 18, 2014 at home surrounded by her family after a battle with cancer. She was the wife of Robert A. Eleniefsky.

Born in New Bedford, the daughter of the late Robert and Elsie (Perry) Morgado, she lived in Mattapoisett and Rochester for many years before moving to Carver 15 years ago.

Mrs. Eleniefsky worked with her husband aboard their commercial dragger “The Four Kids.”

She was a graduate of Fairhaven High School. She loved knitting and spending time with her grandchildren.

She is survived by her husband, Robert; three children, Debra Stoltz and her husband Gary of Cooper City, FL, Paula Eleniefsky and her partner Jim Sittig of Marion, and Gary Eleniefsky and his wife Cara of Rochester; her siblings, Betty Washington of North Carolina and Walter Morgado of Mattapoisett; two grandchildren, Jacob and Josephine; and several nieces and nephews.

Her Memorial Service will be held on Saturday March 1, 2014 at 11 AM at the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Route 6, Mattapoisett. Please omit flowers. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Legally Blonde: The Musical

on February 20, 2014

Megane Mongrain playing Elle Woods and Matthew Tracy who plays her Harvard-bound boyfriend, Warner Huntington III in ‘Legally Blonde: The Musical’, running from February 20 through 22 at 7:30pm in the Fireman Auditorium, Hoyt Hall, Tabor Academy. Photos by Felix Perez.

Inside the ORR School District

on February 20, 2014

ORRHS School to Career program is featured on “Inside the ORR School District” with Supt.Doug White. The series airs on Comcast Ch.97 and Verizon Ch.37 Education Channel. Pictured L-R seated: ORR Seniors Shawn McCombe, James Glavin, Emily Goerges, Elizabeth Machado, L-R standing: Scott Greany, ORR School to Career Coord., ORR School Dist. Supt. Doug White. Photo by Deborah Stinson

Germany’s Difficult History

on February 19, 2014

Why did Germany fly off the rails, and how could her history have been different? On Thursday, February 20 at the Marion Music Hall (164 Front Street) at 7:00 pm, Dr. Kirtland Mead will explore this provocative question. In this centennial year of World War I, any student of European or world history must ask why Germany – which had been so civilized and orderly – became unstable around 1900 and led Europe into the two world wars.

During his presentation, Dr. Mead will ‘unpack’ German history, beginning with the Roman Empire, proceeding through the key medieval and early modern centuries, and culminating in the 19th century leading up to 1914. After identifying the key developments and decision points and their consequences, he will draw lessons for the challenges of achieving political development and stability today outside the developed West. Mead’s insights are based on an academic, professional, and personal involvement with Germany extending back to the 1960s.

This presentation (originally scheduled for February 13) is co-sponsored by the Sippican Historical Society and the Elizabeth Taber Library, and is offered to the public free of charge. No reservations are necessary. For more information, contact info@sipppicanhistoricalsociety.org or call 508-748-1116.

ORRJHS Oxfam Hunger Banquet

on February 19, 2014

To the Editor:

On behalf of the ORRJHS seventh grade teachers and students, I would like to express our appreciation to our parents: Kelly Horton, Rania Lavranos-Judd, Diane St. Pierre and Christine Winters. With their support and hard work, a vision of the ORRJHS Oxfam Hunger Banquet came to be. This group of parents made the educational event possible and a memorable experience for our students. We would also like to thank Annette Brickley, Education Manager at the New Bedford Ocean Explorium. The research she presented, along with a call for action, was motivating for all. For all those who attended and assisted in any way, we appreciate the support and willingness to lend a helping hand.

With gratitude,

Kathryn Gauvin,

ORRJHS Seventh Grade Science Teacher

The views expressed in the “Letters to the Editor” column are not necessarily those of The Wanderer, its staff or advertisers. The Wanderer will gladly accept any and all correspondence relating to timely and pertinent issues in the great Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester area, provided they include the author’s name, address and phone number for verification. We cannot publish anonymous, unsigned or unconfirmed submissions. The Wanderer reserves the right to edit, condense and otherwise alter submissions for purposes of clarity and/or spacing considerations. The Wanderer may choose to not run letters that thank businesses, and The Wanderer has the right to edit letters to omit business names. The Wanderer also reserves the right to deny publication of any submitted correspondence.

Jobs Cut, New GPA System Adopted

on February 19, 2014

Just as he has managed to accomplish with all of the schools’ fiscal year 2015 budgets so far, ORR Superintendent Doug White presented a more palatable budget to the ORR School Committee, down from requesting an additional $828,000 in January to $206,000 on February 12.

The price of that decrease, though, will be paid in part with a decrease in staff, and so far one facilities position and at least two Special Education professional and support staff positions are slated for reduction, although White would not go into specifics until the staff was first informed. The budget also calls for reducing a full-time foreign language teacher to part-time.

Of the 27 sections of foreign language, the school would lose three, as the school closely monitors student enrollment in each language course to decide where to start phasing out classes.

The budget now stands at $17,060,000, up 1.22% from FY14.

“This number can be supported in the three towns,” said White. “So that’s where we are now.”

A cut in stipend positions would put an end to “delayed start” mornings, a program Principal Michael Devoll says has been very successful.

“As you go further down the cut list, you start looking at the impact on students,” said Devoll.

In addition to cuts in staff, $325,000 will be taken from the excess and deficiency reserve, which would leave about $200,000 in the reserve.

“That is not a good accounting practice,” said White, and the three towns have asked White if it was possible to reduce that $325,000 by around $100,000. This, said White, would depend on several factors such as state funding and other unknown final costs that cannot be calculated until later in the year.

The joint School Committees will hold a public hearing in March 13 regarding the budget.

In other business, the committee adopted a 4.0 grade point average system, doing away with the school’s 5.2 GPA system in order to simplify matters and make students’ transitions to state colleges and universities go more smoothly.

Devoll admitted that the system was confusing for students, even misleading at times, since a straight-A student taking B-level classes could still wind up with a 3.4 GPA in the 5.2 GPA system.

There was a bit on contention over Advanced Placement and Dual Enrollment courses, which will now receive an extra .5 credits, an incentive for students to take Dual Enrollment courses which did not offer any credits toward the GPA before.

Cathy Smilan spoke on behalf of her son Justin, a student enrolled in Dual Enrollment classes who, at this time, excels in the courses but is not receiving GPA credit. She says this disqualifies him from being class valedictorian and speaking at graduation, something that is very important to him.

Devoll suggested allowing students like Justin to be considered by the Standing Committee on a case-by-case basis. No vote was taken to allow for further discussion of the matter.

The committee voted to require students taking AP courses to complete the national exam in order to receive full credit for the course, a move away from the old policy that allowed students to choose whether they wanted to forego the national AP exam and only take the class final exam for credit.

“We don’t necessarily view this as a problem,” said Devoll, who advocated for not changing the policy. He said it could potentially discourage students from taking the AP courses. “My preference is to maintain the status quo.”

Most schools in Massachusetts, however, require the students to take the AP exam for AP credit, and if they do not, they are dropped down to Honors-level credit.

Several committee members acknowledged that it was not fair that AP students who opted out of the national exam received the same credit as students who took the AP exam.

“This is a standard I think we should uphold,” said Robin Rounseville. “It’s like getting your driver’s license without taking the road test.”

With the policy adopted by the committee, the AP exam grade would not affect the student’s overall grade for the course per se, and students would not have to take the school’s final exam for the AP class.

Also at the meeting, after a lengthy discussion, the committee voted to reinstate the four-year physical education requirement for graduation, which will take effect with the class of 2017.

In other news, now that the committee has approved the request, a tree will be planted near the track area of ORR in memory of Dana Dourdeville.

The public hearing to discuss the ORR budget will be held on March 13 at 6:00 pm in the ORR School Committee Conference Room. Residents are welcome to voice their concerns and give their feedback on budget matters.

By Jean Perry

Getting a Taste of World Hunger

on February 19, 2014

Malnutrition is the leading cause of child mortality, accounting for one-third of all deaths worldwide of children under the age of five. One in eight people on Earth goes to bed hungry every night according to Oxfam, an international confederation of 17 organizations that work together to help create lasting solutions to the injustice of poverty.

The main message driven home the night of February 13 at the Old Rochester Regional Junior High School’s Oxfam Banquet fundraising event was that world hunger is not about a lack of food, nor is it about having enough resources for the entire world’s population to survive.

“Hunger is about power,” read the dozens of Oxfam factsheets placed on the tables throughout the cafeteria.

Companies and governments control the global food system, says Oxfam, “and they determine who eats and who doesn’t.”

Exacerbating the problem is climate change, the underlying theme of the event, which has dramatically increased throughout the planet; but nowhere more often are the effects of the changing climate witnessed than in developing countries.

The poorest of the human population are at the very frontlines of global climate change, with extreme weather conditions disrupting agriculture and drying up water supplies, while driving up food prices and plunging millions into poverty and hunger.

As the guests arrived, each was handed a ticket at random and informed that the meal they received would be determined by which class they were given – lower, middle, or upper.

The lower class, representing 50 percent of the world’s population living in poverty, were directed to their seating area on the sidelines of the cafeteria; they either sat in chairs or on the floor, eating a simple meal of plain white rice with a cup of water.

Middle class guests – representing the 35 percent of the population making between $1,000 and $11,999 per year – sat at long tables with benches and were fed white rice, black beans, and apple juice.

The minority of the human population – the remaining 15 percent – sat at round tables covered with table cloths, and enjoyed a full meal of rice, beans, baked fish, and cookies for dessert.

The guests symbolically witnessed first-hand the inequitable distribution of food and resources throughout the world, as the haves and have-nots ate their meals, segregated into their own areas of the room, but close enough to witness the unjust circumstances – and smell the delicious aroma of baked fish and seasoned black beans, of which half the people there were deprived.

“It really put things into perspective,” said Diane Braz, whose daughter Michaela was one of the volunteers serving food. “My son got one of the high class meals,” she said, pointing toward the center of the cafeteria, her empty plate of the white rice she had eaten still in her hand.

“I thought it was a very satisfying meal,” said middle-class guest Daisy Noble Shriver, who finished her rice and beans. “I was lucky to be in the middle class.”

Ironically, it was the lower and middle-class guests who seemingly cleaned their plates, leaving very little of their simple meal behind, while many of the upper-class guests still had rice on their plates, and a few even wasted significant portions of fish – an analogy of sorts that is, tragically, not very far from reality.

A lot went into planning the evening, an Oxfam fundraising event that takes place all across the country to drive home the message that climate change and world hunger are, in fact, related and both are on the rise.

Kathy Gauvin’s seventh-grade students had been studying climate change in her class, and the Oxfam Banquet was the culminating event. Gauvin said that although she spearheaded the event, the students organized the banquet on their own, along with parents who assisted in collecting the food and drink donations served at the event.

Just about 100 students volunteered, either by serving and cleaning up, or by presenting resources to raise awareness of climate change and world hunger, including informative science projects and an art committee who designed and hung posters throughout the school.

“It really is about the kids, and teaching them how to be global citizens,” said Gauvin. “It’s nice to have parents, students, and teachers all working together for a common cause. It always feels good.”

By Jean Perry

Lorraine M. (Pelaquin) McGuire

on February 19, 2014

Lorraine M. (Pelaquin) McGuire, 89, of Mattapoisett died Friday February 14, 2014 at Alden Court Nursing Home in Fairhaven. She was the wife of the late Herbert L. McGuire.

Born and raised in Brockton, the daughter of the late Joseph A. and Viola (Noel) Pelaquin, she lived in Hanson for 37 years before moving to Mattapoisett in 1996.

Mrs. McGuire was a communicant of St. Anthony’s Church.

She was an avid reader and enjoyed quilting.

She is survived by her children, John Kevin McGuire and his wife Joy of Post Falls, Idaho and Cheryl A. McGuire and her husband Chris Jaskolka of Mattapoisett; eight grandchildren, Angela Street, Alanna, Chris, Siobhan, Talia, and Kekei McGuire, Jacob and Serena Jaskolka; a great-grandson, Nathan Street; and several nieces and nephews

She was the sister of the late Russell, Paul, Louie, Joseph, and Frank Pelaquin.

Her family will receive guests on Friday morning from 8:30-10 AM at the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd. (Rt. 6), Mattapoisett followed by her Funeral Mass in St. Anthony’s Church at 10:30 AM. Burial will follow in the Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

Marion Snow & Ice Removal Over Budget

on February 18, 2014

The Marion Board of Selectmen met on a snowy, cold Tuesday evening at the Town House. One agenda item included a request for $38,000 above the designated snow and ice removal allocated budget for 2014. The Board approved the request.

After a signing of the warrants and approval of minutes for February 4, 2014, the board launched into other agenda items.

A recommendation from Police Chief Lincoln Miller to appoint Derryl Lawrence, Jr. as a full-time police officer was approved. Lawrence recently completed his one-year probationary period with the Marion Police Department.

A request from the Marion Art Center for the use of Bicentennial Park on July 12 for “Arts in the Park” was also approved. The event will run from 9:00 am until 4:00 pm.

A one-day all-alcohol license, on behalf of the VFW for a birthday party on March 1 from 4:00 until 11:00 pm, was approved. Another one-day all-alcohol license, on behalf of the VFW for a birthday party on March 8 from 3:00 until 9:00 pm, was also approved. A one-day all-alcohol license for the Marion Firefighters Association clam boil on March 22 from 4:00 until 7:00 pm was approved.

Next up was a discussion of the Plymouth County Mosquito Control Project that asked if the Town of Marion was in support of their proposed budget. “With the Eastern Equine Encephalitis issue and other insect issues, the PCMCP is asking if we support their budget,” said Town Administrator Paul Dawson. The board voted to support the effort.

Another discussion ensued regarding the calendar year 2014 Internal Revenue Service mileage reimbursement rate of 56 cents per mile, which is a reduction from last year’s reimbursement rate of 56.5 cents per mile. The rate is effective from January 1, 2014. The board discussed the rate reduction and had no comment.

A report by Town Administrator Paul Dawson regarding the Federal Emergency Management Agency flood map followed. Dawson said that Marion adopted the proposed maps that went into effect on January 17, 2014. “Some communities in southeastern Massachusetts are not determined yet, but Marion and Mattapoisett are approved by FEMA,” said Dawson.

A discussion followed regarding a volunteer to help with the Carver-Marion-Wareham Regional Refuse Disposal District (CMWRRDD). A newspaper advertisement requesting volunteers went unanswered. Dawson noted that Ray Pickles, head of the CMWRRDD, asked that volunteers have some experience in the trucking industry.

Lastly, Dawson asked the Board to appoint Facilities Director Sean Cormier as the Owner Project Manager of the oversight committee for the Town House feasibility study. Dawson also proposed advertising and using ‘word of mouth’ advertising to attract qualified individuals to join the committee.

In other business, the board said that they would like to have the two individuals who applied for positions on the Affordable Housing Trust come before the board and meet them. Jennifer Watson and Amy Wolfson both applied for slots on that board.

The board closed the meeting to go into executive session for strategy related to collective bargaining.

By Joan Hartnett-Barry

Shed Approved, Recycling Plant on Hold

on February 18, 2014

The Rochester Conservation Commission made quick work of their agenda Tuesday evening, with only one issue discussed in great detail.

That issue involved a plan by Shoen Morrison of 20 Foss Lane for the construction of a 14×20 foot shed with an extended roof, for which the Commission issued a negative Determination of Applicability, meaning that Morrison can go forward without having to come up with a more detailed proposal.

The work also includes the removal of some small pine trees near where the shed will be constructed.

Conservation Agent Laurell Farinon and Commission members Laurene Gerrior and John Teal said they had all been to the proposed site, which came before them because Morrison’s plans fall within the 100-foot buffer zone to bordering vegetative wetlands. No one took issue with the proposed project.

“I would agree that if they were mine that I’d want to take those trees down,” said Teal.

“That area is pretty much open save for a couple trees that he’s looking to take out,” added Farinon, noting that a barrier must be placed around the area of proposed activity and that the Commission be notified at time of construction.

Initially, Green Seal Environmental was to appear on behalf of Shawmut Associates for construction of a recycling facility at 50 Cranberry Highway that is currently in the process of receiving approval by the Planning Board after some changes were made to their initial Order of Conditions.

According to Farinon, a report from a third-party reviewer has been completed, and it needs to first go to the Planning Board, after which it can go to the Commission for approval.

The Commission issued a continuance on an amendment to the Order of Conditions for the project.

They also announced the completion of the pilot phase of a Forest Management program at Old Colony, which Farinon said was completed with “no problems.”

“It really came out nice,” she said, noting that some logs were left for a future state-sponsored woodworking program involving students at the school.

The next meeting of the Conservation Commission is March 4 at 7:00 pm.

By Nick Walecka