FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Bates service-learning students present findings in Sabbatus and Turner

LEWISTON, Maine -- Bates College students enrolled in "Public Opinion," an advanced-level seminar taught by Douglas Hodgkin, professor of political science, are investigating the Nezinscot River Dam for the town of Turner and a proposed middle school for the town of Sabbatus

Eight Bates students each are working on these two service-learning projects and will present their findings at town meetings open to the public. The student presentation to the Turner Dam Committee will be made at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 7, at the Turner Town Office. Student contacts for this project include Heath Huston at 795-7381 and Thomas Mita at 795-7388. Or contact, Steve LaPlante, Turner town manager, at 225-3414.

The student presentation concerning the middle school will be made before the Sabbatus School Committee at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 8, in the Sabbatus Elementary School. Student contacts for this project include Jonah Safris at 777-7937, Brian Mulready at 795-7382 and Jason Silva at 795-7391. The Sabbatus town contact is Paul Malinski, superintendent of schools, at 375-4273. During summer 1999, Hodgkin distributed a request for proposals to city/town managers and superintendents of schools in Androscoggin County. Upon receiving several responses, Hodgkin selected two projects based on what he thought would be interesting to students as well as offer the potential for contributing to local decision-making. La Plante and Malinski each came to Bates to discuss the projects with students enrolled in the course.

For more information about the project, please call Hodgkin at 207-786 6133.