20 Years Ago This Week 1/26/2008

The Conway Daily Sun published its first issue on Jan. 23, 1989. The first issue was eight pages. The staff of six included founders Mark Guerringue (publisher) and Adam Hirshan (editor); reporter M. Tracey Ober; sales representatives Kathleen Garrahan and Sheryl Weeks; and pressroom manager Frank Haddy. The first edition rolled off the press at 7:20 a.m.Some of the headlines and stories of the week of Jan. 23-28, 1989: Citizens' committee leaders propose east side road plan. Leaders of the Citizens' Transportation Committee want the town of Conway to build an east side road to relieve traffic congestion on Route 16. The idea is seen as an alternative to a more destructive eastern bypass. Arlond Shea and Peter Pinkham are among those heading the effort. New Sandwich school to open. A group of educators in southern Carroll County is organizing a private high school to serve communities as far north as Conway Village. Headmaster of the Sandwich Community School will be Martha Carlson. There will initially be 40 students from grades 7 to 10. Grades 11 and 12 will be added later. Police raid raises students' concerns. High school students lay low after Conway police raid a West Side Road home. Thirty-two juveniles are taken into protective custody for drinking alcohol. No charges were brought. Police say they were trying to present the the juveniles from drinking and driving. However, students are questioning whether the raid was legal. Police officers attacked by mad motorists. Fryeburg police officer Matthew Baker is hospitalized with injuries to his neck and head after being assaulted by a motorist he pulled over for speeding on Route 302. The incident comes after two cases of combative behavior against arresting officers in Conway and Bartlett. Citizens concerned over taxes. A group of real estate brokers, developers, business owners and individual taxpayers is meeting to explore ways to lighten the tax load on Conway property owners. Realtor Dan Jones, of Gribbel-Wason & Jones, is concerned that Conway's rising tax rates are driving business out of town. Snowstorm lifts spirits. A welcomed storm drops 4 to 6 inches of snow on the Mount Washington Valley, complementing the man-made snow that ski areas have been making since November. Opposition to zoning change is mounting. West Side Road business owners, including Tom Smith, of Vernon E. Smith & Son Plumbing and Heating, are fighting a proposed zoning amendment that would limit expansion of businesses on the road.