Salem Observer : Windham

Tree lighting set for Nov. 5

Salem Editor — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:48:00 GMT

WINDHAM – Windham Parks and Recreation has set the annual tree-lighting festivities for Saturday, Dec. 5. Santa will arrive to the Town Hall area by fire truck escorted by the Salem High marching band and color guard. He will be located in the cable studio for free photos. The Windham Community Band will play from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

The Boy Scouts will have their bonfire, and the Girl Scouts will have crafts in the upstairs of Town Hall. The day will end with the Windham Middle School and High School chorus groups leading holiday songs as the trees on the town common are lit.

Daisy Troop 12310 host the annual mitten tree this year. Bring donations of mittens, gloves, hats, scarves and any outerwear accessories. The first-graders will also be collecting can goods, paper products, baby formula, laundry detergent and money for the Windham Shepherd’s Pantry.

The Windham Presbyterian Church annual spaghetti supper from 4 to 6 p.m.

Annual ‘trot’ now a tradition

Salem Editor — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:40:00 GMT

BY DARRELL HALEN
WINDHAM – Louise Peltz and her family and friends have used a variety of ways to promote the Windham Turkey Trot – placing fliers in stores and on mailboxes, sending out press releases, contacting churches, notifying TV stations and web sites, putting up banners, and more.

Their multi-faceted outreach has also included using Facebook, the social media phenomenon.

Three years ago, Peltz’s daughter, Danielle, then a college freshman coming home for Thanksgiving, started a Facebook account to get word out about the event, which raises money for the Shepherd’s Food Pantry.

Since then, using Facebook has been an instrumental way for her family to promote the fundraiser – particularly among students – which drew a record 812 participants last year.

“I definitely saw a surge in the number of young people participating in the turkey trot once this got started because it’s a place for them to come and see their friends,” said Louise, who coordinates the event every year. “It’s been remarkable because most kids do not want to get out of bed at 8 o’clock in the morning to go to a turkey trot. But now it’s sort of like the thing to not miss.”

The trot, which will be held at 9 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 26, consists of a 3-mile and a 5-mile course that run through the Peltz’s Blossom Road neighborhood.

Although organizers estimate that typically about 30 percent of the participants are runners, participants also include walkers, bicyclists, roller bladers, stroller-pushers, wheelchair-users and wagonpullers.

“You can be a runner and run a race on Thanksgiving (and) your entire family can participate, too,” said Louise.

“You can go run, and your little kid can be on their bike with your husband or wife walking (with) them. Your mother, your family, your cousins that have come in, the extended family, can come. Everyone can do this which is what really sets it apart.”

To take part in the fun, participants pay a monetary donation of their choice, and all the money raised goes to benefit the pantry. To date, the trot has raised more than $40,000. The trot will be held regardless of weather conditions. The first 400 participants to arrive will each receive a long-sleeve T-shirt, compliments of Rockingham Orthopaedics.

The event is an unofficial race, but a kitchen clock on a step ladder in front of the Peltzs’ home serves as a timer. The miles are marked and competitive runners are encouraged to wear their watch.

Through Facebook, the Peltz family has sent out invitations, provided information about the event, uploaded photos of past trots and provided links to newspaper stories about the fundraiser. They also have the ability to upload videos, too. The event’s Facebook group has 282 members.

“Once people come to the trot, they usually keep coming,” reads a section about the event’s background.

“Everyone has a great time; friends and neighbors chat while strolling around the neighborhood, returning college students enjoy a mini reunion with friends, younger children like biking among the excitement, and we always see a few competitive runners.”

To date, more than 200 people have indicated they’re coming.

“A favorite event of mine!” one of the participants wrote online. “I hope I never miss it.”

The first trot, which drew about 50 people, was held in 1995. Organizers tout it as a fun way to burn off a few calories and raise money for a good cause before the holiday feasting begins.

“It’s a way for people to reconnect with their friends and their family,” said Louise’s husband, Claude. “It’s a way to build up your appetite before you gorge yourself on grandma’s turkey. It’s a nice way to get the blood flowing and get outside and get some fresh air. It’s a reunion with people you haven’t seen since you’ve gone to school or you haven’t seen in the past year. It’s a nice way to catch up.”

Lights Off: Decision delayed about lighting Griffin Park

Salem Editor — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:35:00 GMT

BY DERRICK PERKINS
After a heated two-hour discussion, selectmen tabled a plan to install lighting at Griffin Park until Nov. 23.

Windham Baseball Softball League has raised $137,922 to illuminate the parking lot, center walkway and a Little League baseball field with 19 light poles. If completed, the lights would allow the league to schedule night games at Zimmer Field from May until October. The cost to the town would be about $20 per threehour game for electricity.

Selectman Charles McMahon, who also is president of the league, pitched the idea to the board on Nov. 9, but was met with opposition from homeowners, School Board and Recreation Committee members.

Elizabeth Bandioli, a resident of nearby Squire Armour Road, questioned whether opening the park at night – currently closed dusk to dawn – would increase existing parking problems along Range Road. She criticized selectmen for rushing the project ahead without seeking feedback from the entire town.

“We should be able to look at this and discuss it as a community,” Bandioli said. “Why would you not plan accordingly with what you want to do before you ask for a vote. Once (the lights) are in place there are no controls there.” Bandioli wasn’t the only resident who took the proposal to task. Neighbor Michael Jeffers said he isn’t against night games, but said lit ballfields would be a better fit at the new high school or elsewhere in town.

School Board Vice Chairman Michael Hatem echoed Jeffers, calling on selectmen, recreation officials and town athletic leagues to discuss as a group lighting one or more fields at local schools rather than Griffin Park.

“It seems to me that we have a joint board and talk about implementing a master plan,” he said. “I would appreciate some attempt to work together ... and sit down and see what the most effective way of doing this is.” Ralph Valentine, a Recreation Committee member, criticized the league for going to the board without first consulting his committee. The town is moving too fast and residents are being left out of the loop, he said. The proposal garnered some support. Lighting Griffin Park would cut down on vandalism and make it easier for officers to patrol after hours, said Police Chief Gerald Lewis.

“I am a proponent of lights. I think we need more lights in more places,” he said. “The lighting that is being proposed, I am in favor of it.”

Rather than vote on the lights, selectmen sent it to the Recreation Committee for review at their Nov. 19 meeting. Selectmen then plan to revisit the issue at their Nov. 23 meeting.

SHS, PHS, WHS run in Manchester

Salem Editor — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 17:42:00 GMT

For the first time, Windham took part in the Manchester Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 26, and the girls team ran well thanks in large part to the 11th-place time of Kate Farrell.

Farrell completed the cross country race in 21 minutes, 7 seconds. Emma Boyd’s time of 22:12 was the second-fastest time for the Jaguars.

Rounding out the Windham top five were Olivia Goodale in 92nd, Alexis Clemons in 96th and Glori Foster in 112th.

Both of the Pelham teams finished in the middle of the pack during the event. The boys ended the day in 20th among 31 teams, and the girls were 10th out of 21.

Ethan Ely and Emily Spognardi posted the top times for the boys and girls, respectively, Ely coming in 87th in the small-school category at 18:50 and Spognardi grabbing seventh overall with a time of 20:55.

Salem’s day at the races included a 16th-place finish from its boys team and an eighth-place result from the girls.

Benn Dutton, Dan Schmidt, Eric Teuber, Eric Hutchins and Mitch Dutton were the top five boys for the Blue Devils, starting with Benn Dutton’s time of 17:41.

Crossing the finish line first for the Lady Blue Devils was Stephanie Cabral in seventh place overall, with Samantha Hutchins, Colleen Gill, Kerrin Foley and Amy DeNuzzio wrapping up the scoring on the day.

– Matt Schooley

It’s back to Concord for Garcia

Salem Editor — Thu, 07 May 2009 12:51:00 GMT

BY DERRICK PERKINS

When the parents of Republican state Rep. Marilinda Garcia looked north from Massachusetts for a new home in the Granite State, they moved for the very things she wants to preserve with her return to Concord.

“They wanted a larger yard for their kids, more opportunities for educational experiences, (the chance to) play tennis and baseball and all these different things. We really didn’t have those opportunities in Massachusetts,” Garcia said.

“My parents wanted a better standard of living for myself and my brother and sister.”

On April 28, the 26-year-old Garcia easily secured the vacant District 4 seat in the New Hampshire House – encompassing the two southern communities of Windham and Salem – after beating rival Sheila Murray in a special election. Garcia had previously served a term in the House from 2006 to 2008, but lost her re-election bid last fall. The District 4 seat opened up earlier this year after Republican Mark Pearson vacated his seat to take a job in Hudson.

As Garcia looks forward to serving out the rest of Pearson’s term, she hopes to safeguard the New Hampshire advantage, from keeping the state attractive to business owners and entrepreneurs to maintaing the Granite State’s natural beauty. A harpist, Garcia said the opportunity to travel as a performer had helped her keep her appreciation of her home state.

“Growing up, I played a lot with traveling orchestras. I’ve been fortunate to see much of the world and across the United States,” said Garcia, who also holds a degree from the New England Conservatory of Music as well as a degree from Tufts University. “There are some places that have charm ... but New Hampshire, I’m always happy to come back to.”

Her background in the performing arts has also allowed her to connect with children as a music teacher and aided her as an elected official in Concord. Years of being on the stage taught her how to present herself calmly in front of large audiences, taking away the nervousness associated with public speaking, she said.

Donna Sytek, a former Speaker of the New Hampshire House and a mentor of Garcia’s, said the 26-year-old candidate impressed her with her character as well as her ability to put a young face on traditional Republican values.

“I met her as a candidate and she was so unusual, her being young, a woman and being so capable. I was impressed with her confidence ... She’s not afraid to stand up for what she believes in, and to find a young person who is so confident is a rare combination,” Sytek said. “It’s certainly encouraging for us to have somebody to pass the torch to.”

For the time being, Garcia is focusing on her district seat and becoming an effective legislator as well as finishing up her master’s degree in public policy from the Harvard University Kennedy School of Government. But her return to Concord has drawn attention from across the state.

Former Gov. John H. Sununu, current chairman of the New Hampshire Republican State Committee, praised Garcia as a great candidate and hard worker.

“We were very pleased with the result (of the election),” Sununu said. “We think she represents the kind of young Republican that is certainly important to the party, and since she is so informed and well spoken, we’re looking for great things from her.”

Garcia takes District 4 state representative seat

Salem Editor — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 01:17:00 GMT

BY DERRICK PERKINS

Republican Marilinda Garcia handily defeated rival Democrat Sheila Murray in the April 28 District 4 special election for the vacant seat in the state House of Representatives.

Garcia secured 2,050 votes in District 4 – comprising Windham and Salem – to Murray’s 1,250, according to polling results released by her campaign.

Town officials in Windham reported Garcia garnered 678 votes to Murray’s 335. In neighboring Salem, Garcia took in 1,372 votes to Murray’s 915, according to Greg Moore, a member of Garcia’s campaign.

In a statement released after the polls had closed, Garcia said the margin of victory indicated that voters in both communities had given her a mandate for fiscal responsibility in Concord.

“We need representatives who will be mindful of the families who are struggling with this economy, not crush them with the burden of more taxes to pay for higher state spending,” she said.

The special election drew a larger turnout of voters than the March primary. In Salem 2,287 ballots were cast, compared to about 1,000 last month. Windham reported about 10 percent of registered voters hit the polls, casting 1,013 ballots.

The District 4 seat was vacated earlier this year after Republican Mark Pearson stepped down to take a job with the town of Hudson.

RAYS shine at state swim championships

Salem Editor — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 13:22:00 GMT

The largest team in the nine years of the Rockingham Area Youth Swim (RAYS) club competed at the New Hampshire State Swim Association state meet, March 20 to 22, at Phillips Exeter Academy.

Facing 14 other teams, the RAYS not only fared well in many individual events, but also scored well in all of the relays. In particular, the 8-, 9- and 10-yearolds scored well.

The team’s local athletes included Olivia Thrower, Emily Martsolf and Donovan Hopkins, all Windham residents competing in the 8-and-under girls and boys divisions. Hopkins took second in the 25-yard freestyle.

Among 9- and 10-year-olds, Alexis Sawyer, Thomas Draper and David Hume, all of Windham, raced for the RAYS.

Meghan O’Connor of Windham took fourth in the 50-yard backstroke among 11- and 12- year-old girls. Windham’s Samuel Lynn and Andrew Dalencourt faced fellow 11- and 12-year-old boys.

Among 13- and 14-year-old girls, Windham residents Courtney Smith, Julia Enos and Julia Bushell all collected top-10 finishes, while Tricia Caiati of Salem and Brian Dalencourt of Windham also competed for the Rock.

Angela Bleeker of Windham led the 15- and 16-year-old girls with top-10 finishes in the 500 free and 100-yard backstroke. Ashley Thrower, Katie Schmidt and Alex Hennessy, all of Windham, competed as well. Stephen Chau of Windham raced for the boys.

Jane Tighe of Windham took third in the 100 free, one of three top-10 finishes among 17- and 18-year-old girls. Mark Bacigalupo of Windham was second in the 100-yard butterfly and third in the 100 back and fourth in the 100 free for the boys. Michelle Kalil of Windham also competed for the girls.

The 8-and-under girls 100- yard freestyle relay took second place behind the efforts of Windham’s Emily Martsolf, who joined with Halle Hamilton, Gillian Connors and Caroline Russell. The 100-yard medley relay team of Hamilton, Madison Martin, Martsolf and Connors took third.

Donovan Hopkins and Grant Dixon, both of Windham, teamed with Asa Runge and Hunter Angione to place third in the 8-and-under boys 100-yard medley relay.

Julia Bushell of Windham, along with Jessica Martin, Alyssa Boccia and Shelby McKenney, took second in the 13- and 14- year-old girls 200-yard freestyle relay.

Jane Tighe of Windham, Mandy Avella, Haley Bowen and Abby DeWitt placed second in the 15-and-over girls 200-yard medley relay.

The RAYS offer sign-ups for the spring-summer season in early May. For more meet results or team information, visit www.mv.com/org/rays-nh.

Mass. gas tax hike may benefit N.H. businesses

Salem Editor — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 19:46:00 GMT

BY DERRICK PERKINS

A 19-cent jump in the Massachusetts gas tax has local gas station owners hoping to see a rise in customers from across the border, though the talk of taxes has left motorists steaming at the pumps.

Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick unveiled the increase to the state’s gas tax on Jan. 20 as part of a plan to raise $500 million a year to offset the cost of repairing the Commonwealth’s deteriorating roads, bridges and tunnels.

Reaching a total of 42.5 cents per gallon, the increase would leave Massachusetts surpassing New York and California with the highest gas tax in the nation. By comparison, the gasoline tax in New Hampshire is 18 cents per gallon, with another 1.6 cents set aside in environmental fees. Motorists already pay a 18.4 cent federal tax on each gallon of gasoline purchased.

“If you keep on taxing people, they are not going to buy it,” said Jim Massahos, owner of Salem’s R and J Getty. “People from Massachusetts will start coming over here. If someone gets 20 gallons, that’s like eight to 10 bucks a week. That’s a lot of money, especially now.”

Massahos, who has been operating the Main Street gas station since 1972, said the tax hike was good news for border communities like Salem with Massachusetts residents considering crossing the border for gas as one way to save money.

Frank Laratonda, manager of the Route 28 One Stop Retail Shoppe, said he had already seen a roughly 7 percent increase in the amount of customers from Massachusetts filling up at his pumps, a figure he expects to rise with the Commonwealth’s gas tax.

“I believe that it will help our sales, at least on the border stores. People are coming up here right now for other items, why not come up for gas, too?” he said. “This should definitely be a benefit for us.”

While many New Hampshire motorists view the increase as making the state a more attractive location for out of state consumers – like Derry resident Mike Stankus, who called the move “great news” for the economies of border communities – the plan has left a sour taste in the mouths of Massachusetts motorists.

Topping off his gas tank at Salem’s North Broadway St. Hess station, Richard Bartholdson, a native of Massachusetts’ South Shore, said the tax increased disgusted him.

“Where does it end?” he asked. “Between that and the cost of food, the lack of jobs and then the little guy gets to pay more for gas. Do you have to lose your home before you get relief?”

Massachusetts is not alone in eyeing increased taxes at the pump as a way to fill in budget deficits. Legislators in New Hampshire, for the first time since 1992, are considering a 15 cent increase on the gas tax as a way to fund the upkeep of the state’s transportation infrastructure.

Casting a critical eye on the move, Massahos predicted the potential increase would backfire, inspiring motorists to stay off the roads and dampening business for gas station owners. If the state wanted to lend residents a helping hand during the recession, they ought to cut taxes rather than raise them, he said.

“These people have already adjusted to where they’re learning not to use two cars anymore because of the price of fuel. All that it is going to do is keep people from driving,” Massahos said. “If they were smart they wouldn’t raise the tax and everyone will come over here. It’s a no-brainer.”

Ice storm keeps area safety departments busy

Salem Editor — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 13:11:00 GMT

BY DERRICK PERKINS

Jeffrey Emanuelson lost power after the Dec. 11 ice storm like hundreds of thousands of others across the state.

But instead of hunkering down with his family for a long, dark weekend in front of a fireplace like so many others, Emanuelson – Salem’s fire marshal – went to work.

“This is what we do. Whether its a natural disaster, a major fire or a mass casualty incident, the fire service responds,” Emanuelson said. “When it happens you know what’s coming and you handle the situations as they come.”

The Hudson resident joined the rest of Salem’s senior management team in coordinating relief, rescue and repair operations across the community throughout that weekend, taking time off when he could to rest, eat and go home and check on his family.

Several days after the first power lines went down, things have pretty much returned to normal for the department.

Twenty-year veteran firefighter Dave O’Brien said that as the number of calls coming into the station slowed down, the department had let out a collective breath of relief.

“(After the storm) was pretty much the busiest call volume I have ever seen, multiple calls from wires down to trees in houses and that on top of the medical aid calls,” he said.

On top of responding to emergencies as they arose, O’Brien said the department had been out canvassing neighborhoods hit with the power outages, going door-to-door and advising residents on proper portable generator use as well as locations where they could find food and shelter.

Emergency responders in neighboring Windham – where around 1,000 homes remained without power a full week after the storm struck – faced similar challenges as their Salem counterparts.

According to Assistant Fire Chief Robert Leuci, his department’s regular 24-hour shift personnel had been augmented by firefighters coming in during their time off to work an extra 10 or 12 hours.

“We catch a nap here or there and we make a point to eat properly. No matter what, we’re taking care of ourselves,” Leuci said. “We get (our staff) in and we rehabilitate them so they can go out and work to the best of their abilities.”

Some of the strain was lessened by bringing volunteers to man a communications center to give out basic information concerning the power outage to residents, he said. Still, with many in the department local residents, Leuci said everyone was dealing with the “unspoken stress” of leaving families at home with no heat, running water or power.

“When we’re here helping everybody else, we also have our families to take care of at the same time. While our folks are out checking on the neighborhood, we tell them to check on your own family. We’re doing anything that we can do to help our firefighters help their families so that’s one less worry on their mind,” Leuci said. “I have got to give them credit, they’ve served above and beyond.”

In Salem, Emanuelson praised the dedication of his entire department throughout the crisis.

“No one is any different from anybody else. It’s a collective. There is no one individual that has done more than any other to make sure we have the assets available,” he said.

Home meet goes swimmingly for Rockingham Area Youth Swim team

Salem Editor — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 02:08:00 GMT

The Rockingham Area Youth Swim (RAYS) team’s second home meet of the season was a decisive victory against the Peterborough Wave Swim Club.

The meet, which took place Dec. 7 at the Workout Club and Wellness Center in Salem, ended with a 308-61 win for the girls and a 270-49 margin for the boys.

Among 8-and-under girls swimmers, Gillian Connors took first in the 25-yard freestyle and butterfly, and second in the 25 backstroke. Halle Hamilton won the 25 back and placed second in the 25 free.

Ally Gillespie won the 100-yard individual medley (IM), while Emily Martsolf took top honors in the 25-yard breaststroke and second place in the 25 fly. Madison Martin was second in the 25 breaststroke.

For the 8-and-under boys, Donovan Hopkins won the 25- and 50-yard free, and the 25 back. Max DesRosiers won the 25 fly and took second in the 25 and 50 free. Liam DesRosiers placed second in the 25 back.

In the 9- and 10-year-old girls division, Mackenzie Donovan swept the 50 free, 100 IM and 50 back. Sarah Rodgers was second in the 50 and 100 free, as was Sarah Muller in the 50 back. Alexis Sawyer won the 50 fly and 100 free. Michaela Smith placed second in the 50 breaststroke.

Among 9- and 10-year-old boys, Connor Hopkins took the top spot in the 50 free, 100 free and 50 breaststroke. Raimond Chevalier took second in the 50 free and back. Eli Runge won the 50 fly and placed second in the 100 IM. David Hume was second in the 50 breaststroke and third in the 100 IM. Samuel Lynn won the 50 back and took second in the 100 free.

Brianna Nowicki placed first in the 200 free and second in the 50 fly and breaststroke in the 11- and 12-year-old girls division. Lauren Courtemanche won the 50 free, and Anna Matsco took second in the race.

Meghan O’Connor won the 200 IM and was second in the 100 free. Emily Matsco won the 100 free and took second in the 200 IM. Julia Enos won the 50 fly and breaststroke.

Brandon Perron paced the 11- and 12-year-old boys by winning the 50 and 100 freestyle races.

Andrew Dalencourt took second in the 50 free and fly. David Holzberger won the 50 back and placed second in the 50 breaststroke. Justin Missert was second in the 50 back. Richard Hume topped all competitors in the 50 fly and placed second in the 100 free, while Christopher Gallo won the 50 breaststroke.

Jessica Martin took first in three races among 13- and 14- year-old female competitors – the 200 free, 100 free and 100 breaststroke. Allison McCarthy was second in the 200 and 500 free races. Julia Bushell won the 50 and 500 free races and took second in the 100 free. Alyssa Boccia won the 200 IM and took second in the 50 free. Shelby McKenney won the 100 back and took second in the 100 fly. Tori Claverie placed third in the 100 back, and Cassie Clark was third in the 100 fly. Tricia Caiati was second in the 100 breaststroke.

In 13- and 14-year-old boys competition, Ethan Doherty was first in the 200 free. Nicholas Bergeron placed first in the 50 free, 100 back and 100 free. John Rodgers took second in the 50 free and 100 breaststroke.

Alex Flinn topped everyone in the 200 IM and 500 free and was second in the 100 back. Alex Holzberger took second in the 200 IM, 100 free and 500 free. Kelley Hayes was third in the 100 breaststroke.

The 15-and-over girls group included Hannah Fairbanks, first in the 200 free and 100 fly, and second in the 500 free; Haley Bowen, second in the 200 free and first in the 100 breaststroke; Jane Tighe, tops in the 50 free, 200 IM and 100 free; Mandy Avella, second in the 50 free and 100 breaststroke and first in the 100 back; and Angela Bleeker, second in the 200 IM, third in the 100 free, and first in the 500 free.

For the 15-and-over boys, Mark Bacigalupo won the 100 fly and placed second in both the 200 free and 100 back. Nathan Thompson was first in the 500 free and finished third in the 200 and 100 free. Colton Skavicus topped everyone in the 50 free and 100 breaststroke, while placing second in the 100 fly. Erik Luebbers was second in the 50 and 100 free. Chalmer Swanson IV was second in the 100 breaststroke.

Ice storm 2008 - Salem & Windham

Salem Editor — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 01:46:00 GMT

BY MATT SCHOOLEY

People are still dealing with the aftermath of the ice storm that left a good portion of the state without electricity and heat. Power companies are working as quickly as possible to restore power, bringing in crews from other states, but thousands remain disconnected.

Gov. John Lynch declared a state of emergency after more than 325,000 New Hampshire residents were left without power following the storm many officials say was worse than the one in 1998.

“It goes without saying that we lost power to a significant number of homes.” said Salem police Capt. Shawn Patten. “We also had significant damage to homes, vehicles and power lines. It’s taken days of cleanup to get the town into working order.”

Windham Fire Chief Tom McPherson said his department has been working around the clock. “The impact was the same as it’s been all over the state. It taxed our manpower,” he said. “Our concern was for the elderly population, making sure they’re safe.”

McPherson said the department transported several residents suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning from improper use of generators, although no deaths in the Salem area had been reported as of press time.

“It’s as significant if not more than 1998. It’s the worst I’ve seen it,” said McPherson. “Just the impact that it had on the community from a resident as well as public safety – it’s something I haven’t seen in a while.”

Transportation was also adversely affected in much of the state.

“From the police perspective, the issues are more traffic related – getting in and out of neighborhoods safely with downed lines and such,” said Windham Police Chief Gerald Lewis. “Fortunately, we haven’t had any crimes related to this.”

All towns hit, some more than others
“I’ve been with the department for 16 years, and this is the most I’ve seen with power outages and other things,” said Weare Police Lt. James Carney. “Although there was more ice on the road (in 1998), I just don’t remember this many trees down and this many people in the dark.”

Weare was one of the towns hit hardest by the storm, with about 75 percent of the town without power, according to Carney. As of Monday, Dec. 15, several hundred residents were still in the dark.

Disaster was averted when a local TV news team arrived in Weare to do a story on the damage, as the cameraman setting up and several members of the Police Department dodged a tree that began falling in their direction.

In Goffstown, 1,800 residents still had no power as of Monday, Dec. 15. Police Chief Patrick Sullivan said that number was at about 4,600 at the storm’s peak.

“The worst part is the inconvenience for all the people,” said Sullivan.“We certainly appreciate their patience, that’s for sure.”

One police lieutenant in the Goffstown department had to leave his post at the Emergency Operation Center after finding out his home was on fire. The blaze left a hole in the the side of his house, and leaving it uninhabitable.

Several roads were closed in Goffstown, but nearly every one was open by the beginning of the week, with the exception of Shirley Hill Road.

Another town thumped by the ice storm was New Boston. According to Police Chief Chris Krajenka, at one point only one road was open in town – Route 12N to Goffstown.

“It was scary out there,” said Krajenka. “Snapping trees, falling limbs – some of the sounds were God-awful.”

Some towns did have to deal with crime during the storm. Auburn Police Chief Edward Picard said his department received a call during the power outage about an attempted break-in.

The call came at 3 a.m., Sunday, Dec. 14, but Picard said his department hasn’t been faced with the theft of generators that he has been told is happening in surrounding towns.

“People have to go all the way to Connecticut to purchase generators,” said Picard. “The bad guys are using this emergency to their advantage.”

As of Tuesday, Dec. 16, about 50 percent of Auburn was in the dark, compared to what Picard estimated to be about 90 percent at the storm’s height.

Despite the negative effects, Picard said there was a positive aspect of the storm.

“I’m proud of the way that the town has responded to helping their neighbors who don’t have power,” said Picard. “There were private residents going around with their generators, and that’s the character of Auburn.”

The use of generators and personal heaters made for busy days and nights for the Hooksett Fire Department, according to Chief Michael Williams.

“We were extremely busy responding to over 60 electrical emergency incidents in a 48-hour period,” said Williams. “We are now experiencing carbon monoxide problems due to generators operating in garages and kerosene heater operating houses. Just (Monday) we responded to five carbon monoxide problems with related medical symptoms.”

Approximately half of Bedford remained in the dark as of press time, with approximately 3,500 customers still without electricity, and Police Chief David Bailey said reaching those residents has been difficult.

“The people you want to get the message to don’t get the power. So we put fliers in the restaurants, supermarkets and such to tell them what we have to offer,” said Bailey. “People may not have power until Friday in a lot of places. It isn’t just Bedford, it’s the whole southern tier of the state, and there are people a lot worse than us. They’re spread so thin, and they’re doing as much as they can.”

Officials opened a shelter at Bedford High School, but were running the school on generator power at the beginning of the outage.

For Bailey, the most difficult aspect of the storm’s repercussions is not knowing.

“When exactly their power is coming on, that’s not up to us. If it comes on sooner than the end of the week, you’re pleasantly surprised,” Bailey said. “Public services doesn’t want to make promises they can’t keep.”

Can more teachers be cut at Salem High School?

Salem Editor — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 21:08:00 GMT

BY DERRICK PERKINS

A projected 10.7 percent increase in school taxes has come under fire from at least one member of the Budget Committee while the School Board defends the spending as necessary for keeping the district on track.

“Salem is suffering the way every other town in New Hampshire is and every other city in the country is. You just have to look at the houses for sale and the empty businesses up and down Route 28,” said Stephen Campbell. “It’s hard to imagine the School Board could ask for so much that taxes would raise over 10 percent.”

With around 300 students from Windham leaving Salem High School for a new facility in the nearby town next year and taking with them about $2.3 million in tuition revenue, Campbell, a 14-year member of the Budget Committee, is calling on the district to shed more than the six teaching jobs and one halftime position expected to be cut by next year.

The tax hike represents a 7 percent increase in the operating budget due to the revenue loss and instating the state-mandated public kindergarten program, with the rest coming from separate warrant articles.

Campbell said he would be happier to see somewhere around 27 positions cut from the high school, reflecting the percentage of students leaving for Windham. School Board member Peter Morgan said the board would have likely presented level-funded budget from last year had the loss of Windham’s revenue not coincided with the cost of beginning a kindergarten program.

In analyzing how the high school would operate without Windham’s students, Morgan said the board had drawn from the recommendations made by a transition committee composed of parents and educators that stressed keeping all of the programs already offered as well as maintaining the class size as it is currently.

Using a formula to find the optimum student-to-teacher ratio – around 20 to 22 students per section – the board determined that they could cut six-and-a-half positions without increasing class sizes.

“If you were going to focus on the budget number and not what it represents, then you could probably reduce by more than six teachers,” Morgan said. “If (cutting costs is) all you’re interested in, then that’s what you do. What we’re really trying to do is present an education for the kids, and the tax rate isn’t the only story there.”

Though cutting support staff might look feasible given the loss of students, the school’s population has grown while administrative positions have not, according to Superintendent Michael Delahanty. With staff already overextended with the current student body at 2,100, Delahanty said the loss of 300 students still would not give administrators much of a breathing space.

“If you take a look at our ratio of support staff compared to several other school districts, we’re really not a district that is loaded with support staff,” he said. “If you look at our costs per pupil, there is only one school district that has a lower per pupil cost than us, and that’s in Hudson. Every other school has a significantly higher per-pupil cost than we have, and that is telling.”

Even so, Delahanty expects to have further staff reductions in the next two years as the Windham students finish up their junior and senior years at the high school, dropping the student body to around 1,500.

“For people to simply to expect that we’re able to eliminate several more positions than we have now is just being uninformed. It’s very easy for people to say you can cut more people – and the fact is we can – but the question you really have to ask is what is the quality of the program you want to offer,” he said.

“The board’s responsibility is to ensure the integrity of the program we offer, and they weren’t looking at diminishing that.”

20 arrested in Salem underage drinking bust

Salem Editor — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 19:10:00 GMT

BY JENN McDOWELL

Salem police arrested 20 people, all of them under 21, in connection with a large underage drinking party that got out of control.

One of them was arrested after fleeing the party when police showed up. He was charged with destroying mailboxes on Zion Hill Road.

Nine cars were also towed from the scene, police said. Most of the officers on night duty on Saturday, Aug. 23, responded to the 33 Grove Ave. home at 10:30 p.m. after police received an anonymous call about a large party at which a bonfire was burning.

“When we end up dealing with something that big, we have a big response in the beginning, then we start to clear units away,” said Salem police Capt. Shawn Patten. “A good part of the shift was tied up for quite some time over there.”

When police arrived at the house, the drunken revelers scattered into the woods surrounding the home. A few of them were able to get away, Patten said.

“Anytime we show up at a party like this, where there’s 50 or 100 kids, we obviously don’t have the means or the manpower to catch everybody,” he said.

The ones they did arrest at the home were brought into the station before being released to a parent or guardian.

Daniel Conklin, 20, of Tewksbury, Mass., was arrested hours later, after a Zion Hill Road resident called police and reported someone was walking around the neighborhood breaking mailboxes.

Police found Conklin at around 2:30 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 24, and upon questioning him, discovered he had come from the Grove Avenue party. During his spree, Conklin allegedly damaged over two dozen mailboxes as well as street signs, and also threw mail all over the road. He also threw a mailbox in the middle of the road, causing a hazard, police said.

Conklin was charged with unlawful possession of alcohol, criminal mischief and reckless conduct. He was released on $500 cash bail.

Danielle Pesce, 20, of Salem was arrested and charged with facilitating an underage drinking party and unlawful possession of alcohol because she was drunk at the time of her arrest, police said.

Ryan Cummings, 18, of Salem was charged with unlawful possession and transporting alcohol. Frank Elliot, 20, of Salem, was charged with disorderly conduct.

Another 16 from Salem, Windham, Danville and Raymond were arrested for unlawful possession for being drunk: Kadi Healy, 20, of Raymond; Kevin Moran, 20, of Windham; Stephen Doucette, 18, of Windham; Scott Harrelson, 19, of Raymond; Christina Mitchell, 20, of Windham; Elizabeth Supino, 19, of Windham; Amanda O’Brien, 20, of Windham; Kristen Nelson, 18, of Salem; Nicole Dufresne, 19, of Windham; Katherine Rochon, 19, of Windham; Krysti Sanderson, 20, of Salem; Florence Mae Stuart, 17, of Salem; Christina Sorrentino, 19, of Danville; Tabatha Powers, 20, of Salem; Philip Wetmore, 18, of Salem; and Zachary Green, 18, of Salem.

Those arrested were all given breathalyzer tests, Patten said. The alcohol left over was confiscated and put into evidence, he added.

Elsie retires from Salem Observer

Salem Editor — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 18:42:00 GMT

BY CHRISTINE HEISER

Elsie Talanian, longtime Salem Observer employee and town icon, is retiring.

One of the most familiar faces in town, Elsie, 88, cites health reasons for stepping down from her position, which she’s held for 42 years.

She’s known to readers for her column, “A Chat With Elsie,” a folksy collection of local announcements and wisdom, one of the most popular items in the paper. She’s also well known throughout the Salem community and surrounding towns as a successful advertising saleswoman.

She was inducted into the New England Press Association Hall of Fame in 2007 for her editorial and advertising contributions to the paper.

Elsie remembers her start at the Observer in 1966.

“I was staying at the Rockingham Hotel in the Depot, after just moving to New Hampshire from Connecticut,” she said. “I was in the little store across the street and saw an ad looking for a newspaper person. I went to see Robert Phinney, the publisher, and he hired me on the spot.”

She already had experience as a socials writer in Connecticut. While working there, she met and interviewed then-Gov. Abraham Ribicoff, Lady Bird Johnson, Gen. Douglas MacArthur and Margaret Truman. She also had breakfast with First Lady Pat Nixon.

At the Observer, she started writing about clubs and organizations, making $95 a week. The paper was run in a room in the hotel back then, she said. Occasionally, her stories wouldn’t run. When she confronted Phinney about it, he told her there weren’t enough ads to support the number of pages it would take to run everything.

In typical Elsie fashion, she took matters into her own hands. She asked Phinney to show her how to sell ads, then she hit the streets. The rest is Observer history.

Elsie has witnessed many events in that history.

“I remember one time when the horses got loose at Rockingham Park,” she said. “Lenny Wefers, the Tribune reporter, was in the Masonic Hall writing up the story. Meanwhile I was in Peever’s, the corner drug store, on the phone telling the story to the Associated Press. I thought that was pretty funny.”

Peever’s was on the corner where Salem Co-op Bank is now. She said it was the best place to hear the news.

“I’d sit in there, having a hot chocolate in the winter, or a Coke if it was summer, pretending to look over my notes,” she said. “That’s when you heard all the town gossip.”

Elsie was with the paper through several changes in management. Phinney sold the paper to Richard Noyes, who sold it to Arthur Mueller Jr., who sold it to the Union Leader.

Joe McQuaid, Union Leader publisher, knows things will be different at the Observer from now on.

“No one is irreplaceable, they say. But ‘they’ never met Elsie Talanian,” McQuaid said. “All of us associated with The Salem Observer and Neighborhood News know that the paper and the office won’t be the same without her.

“When we took over the Observer, Elsie took over all of us. You didn’t try to stop her, you just tried to keep up with her. She remains dear to her newspaper family as well as the community.”

In 2005, the paper was added to the four other weekly papers published by Neighborhood News Inc., an independent subsidiary of the Union Leader Corp. Elsie rolled with the changes, continuing her successful sales career and writing about and taking photos of town happenings.

Like a family

But it hasn’t been all business to Elsie. To her, her friends and coworkers were like family. Gail Stratos, lead designer and assistant production manager at Neighborhood, has worked with Elsie since 1982, when Stratos joined the Observer while still in college.

“Elsie’s been with me my whole adult life,” said Stratos.

She recalls when she and her husband, Danny, who also worked as a graphic designer at the Observer at the time, were getting married. Elsie booked them a room for their wedding night at the Hilton in Boston and made sure the room was stocked with champagne, fruit and cheese.

“It was so nice of her to do that for us,” Stratos said. “And she took care of the staff like we were her kids. She’d bring in Chinese food and pizza, making sure we were all fed. I love her to pieces, and I’ll miss her so much.”

Sales manager Dixie Goodell was always amazed by her energy and work ethic.

“It’s been my privilege to work with Elsie since I joined the company five years ago,” she said. “She is a true professional with a tenacity for getting the facts correct, meeting deadlines, and treating everyone she meets with dignity and respect. All of us at Neighborhood News understand her need to focus on her own health at this time, but are sad to lose her from our daily lives.”

Elsie has many happy memories of working with people in town. She thanks those who gave her news tips through the years, and also thanks her advertisers, who were always good to her, she said.

Many times business owners would tell her to just put them on the page if the cost wasn’t too high, if she were doing a sponsorship page for the Cub Scouts or a blood drive, and not bother to call them.

“I never took advantage of any of my people,” she said. “They trusted me.”

She’ll miss her friends and advertisers, she said. The feeling is mutual.

“She’s been knocking on my door for 23 years,” said Emmett Horgan, owner of Rockingham Toyota in Salem. “She’s an incredible lady, the most well-known person in Salem. I have the utmost respect for her."

Horgan says he uses her as an example for his own staff.

“I wish my sales team had her energy,” he said. “Retirement is just not in her DNA, but I wish her the best.”

Betsy Harris, from the Harris’ Pelham Inn, said words failed her at the thought of Elsie retiring.

“She’s a great friend, like a surrogate mom,” she said. “She’ll be sorely missed.”

Elsie is heartbroken about leaving the Observer, she said. She talked of all the people who have been named in her column.

“I’d put the birth of a child in there, then years later, I’d post the marriage of that child,” she said.

Her retirement plans are first to follow doctors orders, “this time,” she said, and recuperate fully from recent surgery on a bleeding ulcer. Then she’ll take it from there. She’ll have time to spend with her friends playing Bingo at Rockingham Park, for sure.

Of course, the steady stream of visitors to her room at Salemhaven, where she is at present, attests to a woman who plans to spend retirement with the people who mean most to her: the friends and neighbors she’s met through her years at The Salem Observer.

Symptoms, treatment and prevention for bug-born illnesses

Salem Editor — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 18:15:00 GMT

EASTERN EQUINE ENCEPHALITIS

Although Eastern equine encephalitis, or EEE, has not been detected in samples taken from around New England this year, officials urge that care be taken to avoid contracting this viral disease, considered to be one of the most deadly mosquito-borne diseases in the United States, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Web site.

Symptoms in humans tend to take three to 10 days to develop after a bite from an infected mosquito. Many people who contract EEE have no apparent illness. In those who do get sick, symptoms range from mild flu-like illness to inflamation of the brain, coma and death. The mortality rate in those who become ill is about one-third.

People older than 50 and younger than 15 seem to be most susceptible, and also those who work or play in areas where the disease is present, mainly in freshwater hardwood swamps in the Atlantic Coast and Gulf states, and also in the Great Lakes region.

The number of cases is small, mainly because people don’t live close to swampy areas where the mosquitoes live. About 220 cases have been cited in the United States between 1964 and 2004.

There is no human vaccine for the virus, but people can take precautions, such as using an EPA-registered repellent, wearing protective clothing, avoiding outdoor activity when mosquitoes are active – some carriers are aggressive day-biters, according to CDC – and removing standing water where mosquitoes can breed.

Although there is no specific treatment for EEE, medical care can include nursing care, physical therapy and prevention of secondary infections.

About half of those who survive the EEE will have mild to severe neurological damage. – Information from the U.S. Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, www.cdc.gov.

LYME DISEASE

Lyme disease is fairly easy to prevent if you know you have been where ticks live and look for the pest or evidence of its bite. However, for those unaware of the tick bite, Lyme disease is often misdiagnosed, causing longterm illness.

The Centers for Disease Control and Infection (CDC) says Lyme disease is caused by a bacterium carried by blacklegged ticks.

According to their Web site, “Typical symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, and a characteristic skin rash called erythema migrans. If left untreated, infection can spread to joints, the heart, and the nervous system. Lyme disease is diagnosed based on symptoms, physical findings (e.g., rash), and the possibility of exposure to infected ticks; laboratory testing is helpful in the later stages of disease. Most cases of Lyme disease can be treated successfully with a few weeks of antibiotics.”

The rash typically has a bullseye pattern, and shows up between three and 30 days after the bite. Patients also experience symptoms of fatigue, chills, fever, headache, muscle and joint aches, and swollen lymph nodes. In some cases, these may be the only symptoms of infection, according to the CDC.

Left untreated, Lyme disease can progress to loss of muscle tone, severe headaches and shooting pains, arthritis, joint pain and swelling.

If you’re bitten

Try to avoid areas with ticks, and checking for ticks if you have been outdoors. Discourage deer from coming onto your property, as they carry the ticks that harbor the Lyme bacteria.

The CDC recommends pulling a tick off as soon as it’s found, using tine-tipped tweezers as close to your skin as possible. Pull straight up. Clean the skin with warm soap and water. Don’t use petroleum jelly, a hot match, nail polish or other products.

If the tick has been attached to your skin for less than 24 hours, your chance of getting Lyme disease is very small, but the bitten area should be watched closely.

WEST NILE VIRUS

Pesky mosquito bites are irritating and in some cases, though rare, can cause West Nile virus.

But, the right conditions have to occur for someone to contract the virus.

The West Nile virus is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito that has fed on an infected bird. The infected mosquito then bites a human and transmits the infection.

The risk of contracting the infection is low but can be a serious threat to seniors, young children and those with poor immune systems.

West Nile virus can also be spread to people through blood transfusions and organ transplants from infected donors. And, pregnant women or breastfeeding mothers infected with West Nile virus could possibly pass it to their baby.

Symptoms

Illness typically occurs within three to 15 days after someone has been bitten by an infected mosquito.

The majority of people who become ill have no symptoms, though others may experience mild, flu-like symptoms – fever, headache and body aches, often with a skin rash and swollen lymph glands.

In a small percentage of people, more severe infections can cause headache, high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, paralysis and, sometimes, death.

There is no known transmission from birds to people, however, you should not handle birds or any dead animals with your bare hands.

There is no specific treatment for West Nile virus.

Prevention is key

While mosquitoes are active beginning in June, people should be thinking about prevention through Oct. 20.

In warm weather, mosquitoes can breed in any puddle that lasts more than four days. According to the state Department of Health and Human Services, residents can help prevent West Nile virus by following these guidelines:

• Eliminate standing water and other mosquito-breeding locations around your property – Remove old tires that can collect water; dispose of tin cans, plastic and ceramic pots; drill holes in the bottom of recycling containers that are left outside; make sure roof gutters are clean and drain properly; clean and chlorinate swimming pools and hot tubs; aerate garden ponds or stock them with fish; change water in birdbaths at least twice weekly.; and turn over plastic wading pools when not in use.

• Secure your home – Make sure that doors and windows have tight-fitting screens. Repair or replace all screens in your home that have tears or holes.

• Protect yourself from mosquito bites – If outside during evening and dawn hours when mosquitoes are most active and likely to bite, children and adults should wear protective clothing such as long pants, long-sleeved shirts and socks.

Use an effective insect repellent, such as one containing DEET. Repellents that contain Picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus have also been determined effective against the virus. Vitamin B, ultrasonic devices, incense and bug zappers have not been proven effective in preventing mosquito bites.

Since West Nile virus was first seen in the U.S. in 1999, in Queens, N.Y., states across New England have been tracking the occurrence of illnesses and the number of reported dead birds tested that could carry the virus.

This year, the West Nile virus has not been identified in New Hampshire, though 2,131 mosquito pools, one horse sample and 56 human samples have been tested so far. In 2007, no specimens tested positive for West Nile virus.

In 2003, three human cases were reported in New Hampshire. Facts about West Nile and other mosquito-borne diseases, the handling of dead birds and information about communities under declared public health threat can be found at www. dhhs.nh.gov or call the toll-free West Nile virus information line at (866) 273-6453.

– Source: New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services Web site, www.dhhs.nh.gov.