Shepard ?on duty 40 years

Gorham Police Chief Ronald Shepard was recognized by Town Manager David Cole last week for his 40 years of service in the police department.

Cole said pins for 40 years of service were not available, but Cole has placed a special order for one.

Eaton scholarship semi-finalist

Rachel P. Eaton of Gorham has been named a semi-finalist in the 2013 National Merit Scholarship Program.

Eaton is one of approximately 16,000 semifinalists in the 58th annual scholarship program and has earned an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 8,300 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $32 million that will be offered next spring by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation

Jennifer Eaton said her daughter is home-schooled and participates in extra-curricular activities at Gorham High School.

The scholarship corporation said that 90 percent of the semifinalists are expected to attain finalist standing, and more than half of the finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar title.

About 1.5 million juniors in more than 22,000 high schools entered the 2013 National Merit

Scholarship Program by taking the 2011 Preliminary sat/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.

To become a finalist, a semifinalists and high school must submit a detailed scholarship application in which they provide information about the semifinalist’s academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, and honors and awards received.

A semifinalist must have an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by a high school official, write an essay, and earn sat scores that confirm the student’s earlier performance on the qualifying test.

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation, a not-for-profit organization that operates without government assistance, was established in 1955 specifically to conduct the annual National Merit Scholarship Program.

Meet some candidates

The North Gorham Public Library is inviting Gorham voters at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 20, to meet candidates running for House District 129 and Senate District 6.

The event will be held in the community room of the fire barn next to the library at the corner of North Gorham and Standish Neck roads.

Rep. Jane Knapp, a Republican incumbent, and challenger Andrew McLean, a Democrat, are the District 129 candidates. State Senate candidates are Jim Boyle, a Democrat, and Ruth Summers, a Republican. They will give brief remarks and answer questions from the audience.

Those attending will have an opportunity to talk with the candidates over refreshments after the short program. For more information, call the library at 892-2575.

Triad to meet

Gorham/Westbrook Triad will meet at 9 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 14, at Mill Brook Estates, 300 East Bridge St., in Westbrook.

Triad is a coalition of senior citizens, police and community providers that promotes safety and well being of seniors.

For more information, call Officer Ted Hatch of Gorham Police Department at 222-1681 or Capt. Tom Roth, Westbrook Police Department, 854-2531.

U.S. taxpayer debt

The Bureau of Public Debt reported on Sept. 6 that the U.S. public debt was $16,045,515,411,416.83.

Police Chief Ron Shepard