The official accused of embezzling thousands of dollars is known for helping others.
NORWAY – Many people who have worked with Debbie Wyman over the years describe her dedication to helping the town recover from the economic slump that afflicted it as local factories have, one by one, shut down.
These recollections now stand in stark contrast to the longtime community development director charged with stealing more than $55,000 from the town during the past three years, allegedly from federal grants meant for economic development.
Wyman, 51, of Harrison is still at large after a warrant for her arrest was issued last Friday and her assets were frozen.
“My impression of Debbie was she was very involved in the community,” said John Williams, a former director for the Oxford Hills Chamber of Commerce. Williams replaced Wyman in that position in 1994.
Roy Gedat, who until recently was board president for the group Norway Downtown Revitalization, said for the almost 25 years he has known Wyman, he remembers her being involved with public activities. “She put a good face on the town because she was energetic and seemingly well-intentioned and willing to work on projects for the general betterment of the community.”
She was paid $15 an hour as community development director and $7 an hour as office receptionist, Town Manager David Holt said.
Wyman has a fairly extensive resume, which includes director of the Chamber of Commerce, manager of Norway Downtown Revitalization, owner of a pet grooming business, employee at Community Concepts and co-owner of the Trolley House Food and Spirits on Main Street.
Most recently, she has been Norway’s community development director, with oversight responsibility for federal grant money. She took a leave of absence in December and is due back next month. She has worked for the town in some capacity for the past 20 years.
Ken Morse, who dealt with Wyman when Norway’s natural-food store, Fare Share Market, received grant funding about six years ago, said Wyman was easy to work with.
“I worked with her fairly closely on the co-op, and with the (Norway Downtown Revitalization) group, and I always liked working with her,” he said. “I found her helpful and cooperative and when we got entangled with the state, she was always ready to pitch in with that.”
Known for her stylish fashions and outgoing, warm personality, Wyman was a predictably sunny presence at the town office.
Selectman George Tibbetts said, “She worked well in there, she had a good personality. It seemed she was always upbeat and cheerful.”
Wyman graduated from Oxford Hills High School in Paris in 1973 with her twin sister, Denise Pettingill, who lives in Massachusetts.
She was married twice: to Don Butters, an excavation contractor from Norway, from 1972 to 1978; and to current Norway Savings Bank Vice President and Chief Operating Officer David Wyman of Paris, whom she divorced in 1987, according to court documents.
She had one son with Wyman, Josh, a deputy with the Oxford County Sheriff’s Department.
She was the longtime companion of Realtor Tom Kennison of Oxford until a few years ago.
Wyman is believed to be on a Caribbean cruise with Gary Searles of Harrison, a well-known and wealthy Oxford Hills businessman. She has been living in an upstairs apartment at The Anchorage, a commercial office building Searles owns on Main Street in Harrison next to Long Lake.
Near that apartment on April 22, 2005, Wyman was assaulted by Tracy Calnan of Harrison, who pleaded guilty to the charge and paid a $610 fine, according to Cumberland County Sheriff’s Department and court records. The motive for the attack was not immediately clear.
Wyman’s lifestyle, while not excessively lavish, included some nice cars and frequent vacations to destinations such as Florida and the Caribbean.
According to state records, she drives a 2003 Cadillac with a vanity license plate, DEBBA 1, and from 1995 to 2002, she owned two Volvos. Also, in 1995 she drove a sporty Nissan 300ZX with the vanity plate NVRAGN, which stood for “never again,” according to local sources.
One source, who asked be remain anonymous, said Wyman used to get a lot of packages from Victoria’s Secret, the upscale clothing and lingerie company, at the town office. She would open them and hold up dresses and other outer garments for women in the office to see, the source said.
Police Chief Rob Federico said that based on subpoenaed bank statements, Wyman spent money almost as soon as she deposited it, mostly purchasing personal items.
In one month, her expenditures actually exceeded her income, he said.
At this time, officials believe Wyman is on a chartered sailboat, cruising the Caribbean.
Assistant District Attorney Joseph O’Connor said Wednesday, “The expectation is that she is probably going to come back. It’s hard for the average middle-class person to go undercover. This is her home. Her roots are here. Being on the run can’t be much of a life.”
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