(L-R) Front row:Allia Afifi ’12 (Yorktown Heights, NY), Courtney Weiss ’12 (Mystic, CT), and Capitol Region RSVP director Susan Contreras. (Back row) Kenneth Sousa, Bryant associate professor of computer information systems and Honors Program coordinator; Matthew McGrath ’12 (Boylston, MA), Jarrod Mead ’12 (West Kingston, RI), Stephen Burgess ’12 (Southborough, MA), and Management Lecturer Dave Greenan. The students were members of "Veteran Technology."

December 19, 2008

Students in one of Management Lecturer Dave Greenan’s “Business 101” honors classes took part in a version of Donald Trump’s hit reality show “The Apprentice.” Instead of hearing “You’re Fired,” however, everyone came out a winner – including the local organization the students partnered with and the veterans who will benefit from the program.

The class spent the fall semester working with Capitol Region Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), a Providence, RI-based nonprofit organization that places people over the age of 55 into meaningful volunteer assignments. The 24 students in the class were divided into five groups with each team creating a business plan to establish a computer repair company that will employ veterans. (To learn more, visit Capitol Region RSVP.)

Earlier this week, each group presented their 100-plus page proposals that included market research, advertisements, operations, reconstruction plans for the storefront facility, and income statements to Greenan and Susan Contreras, director of Capitol Region RSVP.

The new business, which will open on Cortland Street in Providence, will repair computers and sell refurbished computers with the profits being invested back into the company. The goal is that after receiving training, the veterans will be better equipped to secure jobs in the field or create their own businesses. The launch of the facility is being funded by a $200,000 grant secured by Senator Jack Reed.

“This project has been one of the most vibrant learning and community-based service project experiences that I have seen in my time at Bryant,” says Greenan. “I believe that all of us who have been involved have walked away with a better understanding of business, our community, and, most importantly, ourselves and the responsibility we have to give back to the community in which we live.”

Before picking the winning plan, Conteras commended all of the students for their work and emphasized that she would incorporate parts of each of the proposals into the final plan.

“This project couldn’t have been done without the help of the Bryant students,” says Contreras. “Everything that was presented to me was done very professionally, and Bryant should be very proud of their work. I was thrilled to work with them.”

The winning team, “Veteran Technology,” included Allia Afifi ’12 (Yorktown Heights, NY), Stephen Burgess ’12 (Southborough, MA), Matthew McGrath ’12 (Boylston, MA), Jarrod Mead ’12 (West Kingston, RI), and Courtney Weiss ’12 (Mystic, CT).

Mead, the team’s CEO, says he has a better understanding of how nonprofit organizations operate and their role in society. “The most important part of this project was to try to help the community by improving the standard of living for veterans and putting plans in place to help enhance their skills.”

Jaclyn Savickas ’12 (Holden, MA), the director of survey analysis for the “Computer Rebooters” team, says her group learned how difficult it can be for veterans with disabilities to return to the workforce.

“The new company is a great way for them to feel needed and be part of their community,” she says. “Sometimes we take what we have for granted. I know that many of the students in the class felt good to help others in need, and we have a new appreciation for people like Ms. Conteras who help the less fortunate every day.”

Throughout their research, students worked to build relationships that would help the organization thrive. One group looked into creating a partnership with local schools, and another secured a donation from Best Buy.

During the presentation, of “The Computer Colonels,” Christina Knips ’12 (Wappingers Falls, NY), the group’s CEO, informed Contreras that the Bryant women’s rugby coach, Eric Catalozzi, offered to do any carpentry work for free. He is active in the armed services and will be returning to Iraq in the spring.

A veteran who recently earned a certificate in project management from Bryant’s Executive Development Center will begin to implement the plan in January. A grand opening for the shop is slated for the spring.

The Southborough Food Pantry as the first organization to be served by The McAuliffe Regional Charter School's 'Make the World a Better Place' club.

Southborough Food Pantry Director, Barbara Jandrue, showed the students how to check the expiration dates and look for damaged cans and boxes. Then the students proceeded to categorize the food and began bagging and boxing them to be delivered to food pantry recipients at the Southborough Senior Center.

Southborough resident and mom, Linda Schaffer told the students the process of how a person qualifies for use of the food pantry and what volunteers do at the food pantry. Linda said she was enlightened that the students showed so much passion and determination in helping people out.

December 18, 2008 - Southborough Selectmen Tuesday night approved a new smoke detector system for the current police station. The system will be wireless and if and when the new police station is built the system purchased can be moved to another town owned building. Also approved was an amount up to $5,000 for the repair of the Southborough Police emergency radio. The emergency radio has gone down many times in the last several months leaving Southborough in a precarious position with neighboring towns covering the calls to the 911 system.

The bulk of the meeting was a hearing for a water problem entering a public way from a private residence on Marlborough Road. DPW Superintendent Karen Galligan, Interim Police Chief Jane Moran and Fire Chief John Mauro all testified that the condition has been on going but has been exasperated in the last several years. The water condition is a puddle in warmer seasons but becomes very icy during the winter months. The resident, Stephen Stanechewski, presented his side of the situation saying that his neighbors were allowed by the town to build septic systems higher than his property. Mr. Stanechewski referred to his property as the valley and that it collected a lot of water from the neighboring property.

Superintendent Galligan said she has met with Mr. Stanechewski about possible solutions. One neighbor, Anthony Maffei said the problem started when Mr. Stanechewski placed a high powered pump in his basement pumping the water out to the back and saturating the ground. He made suggestions about possibly piping it to a culvert under route 85 that crosses over to the MWRA. Selectman Sal Giorlandino explained why that proposal could not be an answer. Another option suggested was piping the water to an existing town drain. The cost of this solution according to Mr. Stanechewski would be cost prohibited after it was suggested that he pay for the piping the entire length of the project. Town Engineer told Selectmen that it would be feasible for piping to the drain but it would be similar to a person putting in a water line, it would be at the homeowner’s expense.

Selectmen asked Mr. Stanechewski and his neighbors along with the Southborough DPW to re-visit options and come to a solution. Selectmen reiterated that the Town will not tolerate the constant flooding and ice condition of a public way from private landowners.

Teen Driver Arraigned

December 17, 2008 - Southborough Police - A teenaged driver will be arraigned today in Westborough District Court on charges connected to a car crash on Southville Road that killed one teenager and critically injured another man earlier this month. According to Worcester District Attorney Joseph D. Early, Jr.

Ian M. Schimeke’s, 18 of 8 McCarthy Circle, Framingham was arrested last night and was charged with motor vehicle homicide by negligent operation; leaving the scene after causing personal injury resulting in death; and operating a motor vehicle negligently to endanger.

Jamoan James, 18 of Apartment No 208 at 8 Greenview Street, Framingham was pronounced dead at Metro West Framingham Hospital. Diego Mauro, 21, 0f Apartment # 6 at 8 Greenview Street, Framingham is recovering from injuries received in the crash. Two other occupants of the car driven by James fled after the crash. One was picked up by another car and later walked into the emergency room at Metro West Framingham Hospital. The other occupant left on foot.

Soon after what appeared to be a one-car accident at about 11:18 on December 8, investigators began developing evidence of a second car that must have fled the scene. The subsequent investigation led to the arrest of Schimke, who police believe was driving the car that caused the crash.

“Things are not always as they seem,” Early said. “This is an example of good police work by investigators from several jurisdictions. I want to thank Southborough Police and Framingham Police and Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone for their assistance in this case.”

The investigation by the State Police Detectives assigned to Worcester District Attorney’s Office and Southborough Police revealed that Schimke was driving a 1998 Chevy Lumina and James was driving a 2003 Dodge Intrepid on the night of the Crash. Schimke’s vehicle had pursued James’s vehicle from Ashland into Southborough.

As both vehicles were traveling westbound on Southville Road at speeds exceeding the posted limits, Schimke’s car pulled behind James’s car and intentionally struck its rear fender. Shortly thereafter, Schimke’s car crossed into the eastbound lane, pulled along the left side of James’s car and intentionally struck its right rear quarter panel. This crash caused Jame’s car to immediately lose control, spin off the eastbound side of Southville Road and crash into a tree.

Immediately following the crash, Schimke’s car slowed down, drove by the crash scene and then drove away. At no time did the Schimke stop and identify himself or report this crash to the authorities.

State Police Detectives, State Police Accident Reconstruction Section, Southborough Police and Framingham Police all contributed to the investigation which is continuing.

The cast will also feature children from many local communities including Shrewsbury resident Alie Curran (Fan); Boylston resident Daniel Lazour (Peter Cratchit); Southborough resident Lexi Ryan (Spirit of Christmas Past); Holden resident Bryan Tivnan (Turkey Boy); Dover resident Tori Heinlein (Belinda Cratchit); Northbridge residents Morgan Dzicek (Martha Cratchit), Robby Healy (Young Scrooge) and Matthew Vera (Youth Ensemble); and Hardwick resident Annika Condit (Youth Ensemble).

Tickets are on sale now for A Christmas Carol, and our entire Holiday Season that includes A Christmas Carol, The Nutcracker, The Beach Boys, and A Christmas Celtic Sojourn. Good seats are still available, but these shows are sure to be popular, so call today. For tickets to The Hanover’s spectacular new production of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, contact the box office Monday through Saturday from 10am to 6pm at 877.571.SHOW (7469) or stop by 2 Southbridge Street in downtown Worcester. Tickets may also be ordered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at www.thehanovertheatre.org

The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts is a world class theatre located in Worcester’s historic Federal Square. Originally built in 1903 as a vaudeville house, the building that is now home to The Hanover Theatre was renovated in 1926 in the grand tradition of the most ornate film theaters of the day by noted architect Thomas Lamb (architect of Boston’s Opera House). The theater has undergone many names and additional renovations over the decades. The grand reopening in March 2008 was the culmination of a $31 million renovation funded by contributions from hundreds of foundation, corporate, and individual donors. Since then, the Hanover Theatre has established its place as a rich entertainment and cultural destination. With Broadway shows, music, comedy, magic, and more, The Hanover’s second season is building on the success of the first season, and helping to revive Worcester as a cultural and arts destination. For more information, visit www.thehanovertheatre.org

2 Southbridge Street ● Worcester, MA 01608

Damage estimates are incomplete at this time