Front Page News
May 14, 2014
Chichester Grange Community Awards
Left to right: Amy Binder, Educator; Richard DeBold, Citizen of the
Year; John Martell, Police Officer; Paul Sanborn, Fire Fighter;
Shannon Downey, Outstanding Youth.
On May 7, about fifty people gathered at the Grange/Town Hall for
Chichester Grange’s Annual Awards Night. A large delegation was
present from the Fire Department to see Paul Sanborn receive his
Firefighter of the Year plaque. Paul’s grandfather and uncle were
charter members of the Chichester Volunteer Fire Department and his
great-uncle served as its first chief. Paul grew up in and around
the fire station and joined the Department when he turned sixteen.
He went on to become a professional fire fighter as well as a local
volunteer.
Police officer John Martell received the Police Officer of the Year
Award. Sgt. Martell is a part time police officer and also serves as
Chichester’s Emergency Management Director. He has been involved
with the Chichester Police Department for over twenty years and is a
familiar face at town events where a police presence is required.
Shannon Downey is the Outstanding Youth for this year. Shannon has
been home-schooled and is currently taking classes in business
administration at NHTI. She has done volunteer work at the
Chichester Library, been active with the Pembroke Academy theater
group, and helped to care for the animals at the Audubon Society in
Concord. She is a very helpful and outgoing young woman who has done
a lot to help out the Chichester community.
This year it was Chichester Central School’s turn to nominate a
teacher for the Educator of the Year Award. The choice was Mrs. Amy
Binder who came to Chichester as a beginning teacher in 1995 and has
grown in skill and wisdom during her career at Chichester Central.
During the social time following the presentations it came to light
that Amy’s mother had taught for four years at Chichester Central
School before her daughter was born.
The Citizen of the Year for 2014 is Richard DeBold, who has served
Chichester in many capacities since moving here in 1978. He began
with a brief stint as Building Inspector and moved on to serve on
the Planning Board, the Budget Committee, the Zoning Board of
Adjustment, the Road Advisory Committee and the BCEP Solid Waste
District Committee. He was president of the Chichester Youth
Association for six years and has coached many town baseball and
soccer teams. For over twelve years Richard was chairman of the
Chichester Parks and Recreation Commission and has been involved in
the recent upgrades to the recreational facilities at Carpenter
Park. He is currently a Selectman, a position he has held for over
twelve years while maintaining a level head and a sense of humor.
|