NCLB feels like a "game"

By CAROL ROBIDOUX

Union Leader Correspondent

DERRY – Ernest Barka Elementary School looks more than inviting. It is the district's newest school building, positioned at the end of a road lined with upscale, neatly manicured homes. There is a colorful playground and ample parking. Inside, the layout is modern and spacious.

But Barka students failed to measure up to state standards for reading. It's now a School In Need of Improvement – a designation under the federal No Child Left Behind act. It also means Barka students can opt to attend another elementary school, one that is not “failing.”

This is a problem for Priscilla Maldonado, whose 9-year-old Joshua happily attends Barka.

“We have five elementary schools in the district – only two are 'passing' by state standards, but they happen to be on the other side of town,” said Maldonado.

Her son is doing fine academically. Maldonado said her problem is that she wonders what Barka is going to do to “fix” whatever the problem is there. She wants to know what will happen to the kids “being left behind,” who are failing to make the grade, and if her son is at risk of losing ground.

“My gut reaction was 'Are you kidding me? Really?' My son does well, he's never had a problem, and he's a good reader. But what about the other children? Some of his friends, who are at my house all the time, aren't doing so well. What's going to happen to them?” Maldonado said.

Derry Cooperative School District Superintendent Mary Ellen Hannon said there is nothing simple about explaining to parents what it all means. By the numbers, Barka should be a shining example. Based on the most recent New England Common Assessment Program tests, more than 82 percent of Barka students in grades 3 through 5 are proficient in reading – Barka scored above every other elementary school in the district, and tops the state average of 72 percent by 5 points.

“What happened this year is that that they became a SINI in a subcategory. Most say it doesn't make sense, but that's part of the bureaucracy of NCLB. It's also based on the number of students receiving free or reduced lunch which, at Barka, became greater than at Derry Village School, so the Title 1 designation was moved to Barka – and once a school becomes eligible for federal Title 1 funding, you must offer them school choice if the school doesn't hit the Annual Yearly Progress target,” said Hannon. “It feels like a shell game.”

John-Michael Dumais, Program Director for New Hampshire Parent Information & Resource Center, likens the ever-changing standards built into NCLB to a different game.

“Every year the bar is raised. I like to use the metaphor of getting a home run in baseball. Say you have to hit the ball 300 feet to get it over the fence, but the next year you have to hit it 350 feet, and the next year 400, so maybe you are just as good a hitter as you ever were, but because the fence was moved, you're no longer hitting home runs. It's the way the law is structured. The end goal of everyone reaching proficiency by the year 2014 becomes harder for schools to achieve, despite all the efforts being put into curriculum and compliance,” said Dumais.

“The idea behind the law is laudible, but is it realistic? If you believe the Bell Curve is a valid cultural phenomenon, then you will believe there are always those at the edge of the curve, always falling through the cracks and failing,” said Dumais.

According to Stephanie LaFrieniere, Title 1 Director for the state Department of Education, 38,935 students in New Hampshire schools were eligible to switch schools under the School Choice regulations. Of those, only 219 opted to go to different schools.

She notes that another issue in New Hampshire is that not all districts can offer choice – they just aren't large enough. There were 44 districts designated as Schools In Need of Improvement that could not offer school choice because they only have one elementary or middle school, LaFrieniere said.

“The hardest thing is to make that choice – leaving a school that is Title 1 to go to a school that is not means you're leaving behind the Title 1 programs, which are designed to help those students who are struggling academically,” La Frieniere said.

Dumais said parents should also understand that sending a letter about school choice is part of the compliance process schools. It does not necessarily mean that your child will be better off moving to a school 10 miles across town, or that the curriculum is better suited to a student struggling with basic reading or math skills.

“It's fairly complicated, and people over react. Our message to parents is not to freak out when you get the letter about school choice. Rather, it's time to get engaged. Find out what your child's school is doing to improve, and then get involved.”Dumais said.

On the Web: www.nhpirc.org

The Force of Summer Fun Was With Them

By CAROL ROBIDOUX

Union Leader Correspondent

DERRY – Most days Max Accardo is way too tall and pale to pass for Yoda, the wise but diminutive sage-green sage of “Star Wars” movie fame. But on Tuesday, size didn't matter.

It also didn't matter that Accardo's lime green skull cap didn't quite match the evergreen shade of greasepaint on his face, or that his brown robe was actually the lining of someone's winter coat, pulled from a closet during a department-wide costume scramble.

No one seemed to notice that his pointy cardboard ears were more floppy and goat-like than Yodish.

That's because it was Star Wars Day at Hood Park, and the tall green guy leading children in a Simon Says-inspired game of Jedi Master Says was making everyone's day.

“Master says yell like a Wookie,” said Accardo, evoking a mix of monkey growls and puzzled grunts.

“What's a wookie,” yelled a kid from the back.

Perhaps if Accardo had said “Yell like Chewbacca,” there would have been no confusion, because the only thing more universal than general Star Wars character knowledge is the joy a Star Wars-themed summer celebration brings to kids of all ages.

That's why Tuesday's festivities scored points across the board – even with the moms.

“This was something new this year – someone was telling me how excited the staff was about this event,” said Melissa DeMartino, lounging with a book while her 8-year-old son Joe, answering to Darth Vader for a day, was about to win a frozen light saber (freeze pop) for being the last villain standing in round one of Jedi Master Says.

“Next year they'll get more kids in costume, for sure,” said DeMartino. “It's great that the whole staff is dressed up – it shows the kids how cool it is to just have fun. When you don't want to spend a lot of money, all you need is a quarter for a Ring Pop, pack a lunch, and you're all set.”

Molly McDougal, 6, and Kendra Cyr, 7, looked like a pair of Princess Leias in a Doublemint Gum commercial. They didn't come together, and hadn't coordinated their outfits – which consisted of big white T-shirts belted at the waist, and carefully twisted and coiled pigtails.

They were too busy decorating their Wookie Cookies – pre-baked confections in the shape of Star Wars characters with custom trimmings – odd-colored icings, and a host of toppings including marshmallows, chocolate chips, sprinkles, nuts and M&Ms – to notice how identical they looked.

“We have a stellar rec department,” said Erika Veduccio, who was wrangling five kids for the day. “I feel grateful as a member of this community for all that they do for the kids. It's all free, and it's all fun.”

While Derry may not be unique in its quest to sooth the savage summer beast in all kids with a calendar filled with fun activities, it does provide a model for what ideally all parks and recreation departments should be striving for, said Chris Dillon, President of New Hampshire Recreation and Park Association, who currently serves as director of Recreation for the town of Salem.

“Recreation in any town provides a quality of life. Most recreation directors are members of our organization, which provides a place for networking and bouncing ideas off each other, so as you go from community to community, there's a sense of continuity,” said Dillon.

Kerry Horne, of the New Hampshire Local Government Center, learned during her time as Parks and Rec director for the town of Farmington, that good programming bonds a community.

“In terms of the function of municipal government, what's unique about parks and rec departments is that they become the heart of a community because they can reach every age group, from toddlers to senior citizens,” said Horne.

Keeping programming free or low cost is especially important to families in this economy.

“When you can keep people in their home communities for fun and recreation at a time when people are tightening their belts for free, or at an affordable cost, that's what people appreciate most,” said Horne.

“There are tons of towns and cities doing what Derry does – and many that don't, partly due to budget issues. But the biggest part of a successful parks and rec department is having the right staff in place. If the staff doesn't buy in, it's not going to work,” Horne said.

Which is why Derry Parks and Rec employee Jessica Scarlett had trouble keeping a straight face while overseeing Tuesday's activities at the park. She watched Accardo lead the costume parade, flanked by fellow employees Connor Porcelli as Luke Skywalker and Amanda Perry as Leia.

“We don't walk in a parade; we march,” Accardo instructed his followers, like a pointy-eared Pied Piper, lifting his knees to demonstrate the proper way to march.

Meanwhile, department employee Erik Hayes sporting a furry hoodie that doubled as an Ewok costume, lingered inside the park office with Justin Fairbanks as a suave Hans Solo, keeping an eye on the Wookie Cookie assembly line.

“The anticipation was high for Star Wars Day,” said Scarlett. “I didn't even ask the staff to dress up. They just showed up this way.”

'Move Derry Forward' committee in motion

By CAROL ROBIDOUX

Union Leader Correspondent

DERRY – Pooling creative and practical resources is the idea behind Move Derry Forward, a short-term committee in motion being formed to brainstorm and troubleshoot a short list of set goals.

Like a SWAT team for economic development, the committee will include members from existing boards or committees already working toward some aspect of economic development, as well as business and community leaders, even residents, if they want to contribute.

Councilor Joel Olbricht has been tasked with leading the charge and mapping a plan, which he unveiled during Tuesday's Council meeting.

Letters of invitation to join the committee are supposed to be out by August 15, however, the list of members is yet to be compiled.

Some discussion over how to select members was raised during Tuesday's meeting by Councilor Janet Fairbanks, who wondered if an announcement might go out on the town's community cable channel.

Olbricht explained that the Town Administrator is the only manager on the committee. Otherwise, they are specifically looking for representatives from: the town's planning board; Chamber of Commerce; Derry Downtown Committee; Housing and Redevelopment Authority; Derry Cooperative School Board; Pinkerton Academy; Friends of the Farmer's Market; New Hampshire Planning Commission; Rockingham Economic Development Corporation; and Parkland Medical Center.

Beyond that, the committee will tap local religious leaders, service organizations and business owners, said Stu Arnett, who is under contract with the town to assist with economic development projects.

“There's not a limit to the number of people who can be involved – more is better,” said Arnett.

The group will meet three times with a specific agenda as shepherded by the council, which has oversight to the projects that make the final cut. They are scheduled for Sept. 16; Oct. 21; and Nov. 18,to be held at Parkland Medical Center.

Three primary goals of the committee are:

• 
  
  
  Moving forward on TIF district properties in the northern sector of the site and complete the project so that it can be revenue neutral within 36 months; see that construction for the project begins on time, September of 2011
• 
  
  
  Make progress with development of the Downtown, as designated by the Central Business District zoning map, looking at all possibilities and funding sources, with a target of raising tax revenue by $2.5 million
• 
  
  
  Consider staffing and funding options for overseeing future townwide economic development

Progress of the committee will be reported during regular council meetings, said Olbricht.

Councilors must cram for election reg test

By CAROL ROBIDOUX

Union Leader Correspondent

DERRY – Summer vacation is over for town councilors who found out last night they have 30 days to cram for the big exam – a test of their knowledge on election procedures.

Their online tests are due by the Sept. 14 state election. 

“The Secretary of State is requesting you take the test,” said Town Clerk Denise Neal.

Councilors shifted in their seats.

“The state created a program, NH Votes, an online training program for all election officials. It's 23 lessons divided into 11 units. It will take you at least two hours to complete,” said Neal. “But I gave you cheat sheets.”

Whatever relief that might have been to the councilors was soon dashed, as Neal explained that the online test was not terribly difficult, but there was a lot of reading involved.

“I only gave you the test objectives for the section specific to selectmen's duties during state and federal elections, but you can take the whole test if you want to be graded,” said Neal, explaining that the councilors would need to score 85 percent or better to pass the test and get a certificate of completion. They would have until the Nov. 2 federal election to complete the entire test.

Councilor Brad Benson, picking up on the fact that there might be options, wanted to clarify.

“So we're not required to take the whole test,” Benson said, emphasis on the word required.

“You should take the whole test. That's my recommendation,” Neal said, like a fair but tough teacher pushing her students to achieve. Or a mom, judiciously advising her children on the question of whether finishing all their broccoli at dinner time was required.

NH Votes and is unique to New Hampshire voting regulations. It was developed by the New Hampshire Department of Justice, the New Hampshire Department of State and the University of New Hampshire's Justiceworks program in conjunction with Pew Charitable Trust prompted by a federal initiative to make sure voters are informed and up to speed with current voting technology.

It's also a response to national voter apathy and a the complacency over how votes are cast, collected and tallied, which came to light during the disputed 2000 Presidential election when Florida's balloting system came under scrutiny.

Derry is no stranger to voter apathy. In March, only 2,139 of the town's 21,000 registered voters made it to the polls – numbers that, for the past several elections, have been equally dismal.

In an effort to better prepare voters – and local election officials – Pew in 2006 established a program called Make Voting Work, with the intention of educating voters and town officials in every state.

“I took the test myself and it took me three hours. I got 100,” said Neal, as an afterthought. “It's a lot of information, but the council needs to know it too, as election officials. They have no idea what my job is. If I make a mistake, it's a Class B felony. I'd go to federal prison, but they'd be accountable,” Neal said.

She's not really worried about going to prison, but she would like her town to pass muster with the state by scoring well on the test. Even more important, that they take their responsibility to heart.

“I'm pushing them to take it before the September election, but I'm really doing it for them. Really, it's for the town, because if everything works right and we get all our eggs in the same basket, the state will give us a passing grade,” said Neal.

Other election officials being asked to take the test include the town moderator and supervisors of the checklist.

“And there's even a section for citizens who want to take the test,” said Neal. Although residents aren't graded by the Secretary of State, it never hurts to be informed, said Neal.

“I think everyone should understand this process,” said Neal.

To view the training materials online go to: http://nhvotes.sos.nh.gov

VOICES FROM THE CROWD

Dan Swanson, left Nick David and Charles Davis on stage Sunday with Living Colour at the Tupelo.

When frontman Corey Glover couldn't go on, Living Colour leaves it to the fans, who come through -- proving Rock Band is not just a game you play in your living room. Sometimes dreams really do come true.

 By CAROL ROBIDOUX
Union Leader Correspondent

Corey Glover was sidelined with laryngitis.

CLICK HERE TO SEE VIDEO FOOTAGE OF NICK DAVID SINGING "LOVE REARS ITS UGLY HEAD" WITH THE BAND.


LONDONDERRY – Twenty-five minutes past showtime at the Tupelo Music Hall Sunday night, and everybody was winging it.
 
Still lingering in the tour bus when they should have been well into their first set, Living Colour realized lead singer Corey Glover's laryngitis was getting worse. With their European tour days away, there was too much at stake to risk further damage to his vocals.


Inside the sold-out venue, hall manager Rob Coultas had to decide whether to call off the show or give the band the green light to play two hours of music, with no singer.

And then there were the fans – mellow but getting restless as the clock ticked. They were ready for what had been promised – a hard-rocking repertoire of favorite tunes delivered by the voice that put Living Colour on the map.

Several twists of fate later, three New Hampshire fans were  unwittingly on their way to the thrill ride of a lifetime – saving the show and making history, at least that's according to Tupelo owner Scott Hayward.

“I've never heard of anything like it, not in my experience. It was like an open mic night, only with Living Colour as your backup musicians,” said Hayward. 

After Glover came out nearly 40 minutes past show time and, in a raspy voice, told the crowd he wasn't able to join the band, the soundtrack to some of the band's greatest hits began. A few songs in, guitarist Vernon Reid and bassist Doug Wimbish said the magic words. 

“If anyone out there knows the lyrics to a song, come on up,” said Reid. 

They were just kidding, But that simple phrase stirred Nick David, Charles Davis, and Dan Swanson to live out their greatest Rock Band fantasies. The three didn't come to the show together. They didn't even know each other. But the planets seemed to line up for the unexpected trio, turning what should have been a band concert bust into the best night ever.

“It took gathering up a bit of intestinal fortitude,” said David, 37, a Concord blues musician who has had an obscure musical career that has occasionally landed him on stage jamming with the likes of Blues Traveler front man John Popper and Boston's Brad Delp. 

“I've been on stage enough that I didn't want to be that jerk, the gnatty little guy who buzzes around a band thinking he can sing something when he can't. But then I figured this was my chance: I didn't really care anymore if I sang out of tune or forgot the words,” said David, who took the mike for one of the band's better-known hits, “Love Rears Its Ugly Head.”

“I'd never seen them perform live, but in the late '80s and early '90s, another band didn't exist for me; they were it,” said David.  

The feeling was mutual for Charles Davis of Nashua, who said when Living Colour came onto the music scene, it literally changed his life. 


“As an African-American kid who loved rock growing up in New Hampshire, there were not a lot of role models for me musically. Living Colour became my superheroes. They were playing the music I loved and they all happened to be African Americans. That blew my mind,” said Davis, 39, who teaches percussion at Nashua High School South, and is a private drum teacher.

When he saw David take the band up on its original invitation for someone to join them on stage, he figured he missed his opportunity. Then opportunity knocked, again.

“I was there with my friend Rick – when we were young we played in a Living Colour cover band, Funny Vibe, named for one of the band's earliest hits. As the band started playing, I was sitting there thinking – hey, I know every lyric. It would be a huge honor if they'd just let me do one song. I ended up singing, 'Type,' one of my favorites,” said Davis. 


All he really wanted was an autograph.

“It was reminiscent of the movie 'Rock Star,' that surreal feeling, looking to my right and seeing Vernon Reid, and having Will Calhoun – one of my top 10 drummers of all time – behind me,” Davis said. “It was absolutely a dream come true.

The journey for Dan Swanson of Weare was a little different. 

“It's a cool story. I work at Daddy's Junky Music in Manchester. Saturday was my day off, but I got a call from someone at work who said, 'Hey, you might wanna come in. There's someone here you might recognize,” said Swanson. 

That someone was Living Colour drummer Will Calhoun, who had stopped by the music store to look at drum kits. 

“I told him I was a huge fan, and that we even cover 'Cult of Personality' in my band,” said Swanson.

Calhoun offered to put Swanson on the guest list for Sunday's show, and Swanson was thrilled to actually see the band he grew up listening to perform live, thanks to his older brother's music catalog.

Swanson got the nerve to go up after the band, feeling on a roll, asked if anyone else wanted to join. He pulled David up with him, to help with harmonies.

“I've worked as a roadie and there's always that barrier you can't cross, looking at the band from the side of the stage. Finally, it's me, on stage with some of my heroes, singing their song that means so much to me. Vocally, it was huge. I'm still reeling,” Swanson said. 

It was equally thrilling for the band, said Calhoun, who talked about the Tupelo show via cell phone from a tour bus in the aftermath. The band canceled a show scheduled for tonight, making Sunday's historic interactive show one for the record books.

But they did make a pit stop at Daddy’s Junky Music yesterday, to buy the drum kit.


“No, we didn't anticipate anyone would actually come up on stage. Having played the Tupelo before, we actually felt kind of at home. We felt comfortable enough to plan to just go out and just play, just let it go and see what happened. We were really thrilled by the whole experience,” said Calhoun. 


“It was fun and unusual and also kind of weird. We only said what we said in jest, but at a moment like that, you have no control over. After Corey couldn't sing, we were just in a 'roll the dice' mode. We rolled the dice and it couldn't have worked out better, for everyone,” said Calhoun.

Below: Nick David's full performance via YouTube

 

Link to Living Colour's official site: www.livingcolour.com
Link to Nick David's band, Mr. Nick and the Dirty Tricks:  www.thedirtytricks.com
Link to Charles Davis' site: www.charlesdavisdrums.com
Link to Dan Swanson's band, Friday After 5: http://www.myspace.com/fridayafer5

FIRE DESTROYS WARNER HILL ROAD BARN, BALLOON BUSINESS

Firefighters walk past the charred remains of a truck during yesterday's barn fire at A&a Balloon Rides Ltd.

By CAROL ROBIDOUX

Union Leader Correspondent

DERRY – A series of explosions rocked an East Derry neighborhood yesterday, as propane tanks ignited a blaze at A&a Balloon Rides Ltd., destroying a storage barn and balloonist Andre Boucher's entire fleet of hot air balloons.

“I don't know what happened. I was in the basket refueling when something must have sparked,” said Boucher, his face, arms and clothes still smudged with soot. “I'm just glad I got out of there.”

Andre and Alice Boucher watch their balloon business burn.

Just before noon neighbor Tim Lerchenfeldt said he and his wife heard what sounded like a bomb exploding.

“We thought it might have been an airplane crashing, it was that loud. It sounded like a bomb. The house actually shook,” said Lerchenfeldt. He ran down his Reuben Road driveway and headed up the hill in the direction of Boucher's place.

“That's when I heard a series of explosions, and I knew it was Andre's balloons. And that's when I saw smoke  billowing from the barn. It's also when I thought it might be a good idea to run back down the hill toward home,” Lerchenfeldt said.

“It could've been a real tragedy. We were glad to know Andre and everyone was safe,” Lerchenfeldt said. “But we were worried there would be more explosions. My wife grabbed the dogs, the cat and the checkbook and drove to a friend's house.”

Another neighbor, Don Tucker, who lives across the street from the Bouchers, said after he heard the first explosion he ran outside to see what was going on.

Minutes after Derry firefighters arrived at the scene. COURTESY/ DERRY FD

“I could see a fireball up on the hill, where the barn is. Then I saw a piece of something metal, I figure it must be a chunk from one of the tanks, it came flying through the trees and landed next to my mailbox,” said Tucker. “It's still there,” he said, pointing to the street in front of his home, where white chemical foam had run down Boucher's hill and settled across Warner Hill Road like snow from a very isolated snow storm.

More than a dozen surrounding towns responded to the blaze, primarily sending water tankers, which were needed due to a lack of hydrants in the East Derry neighborhood. One firefighter was taken to Parkland Medical Center with a non-life threatening injury, according to Battalion Chief Jack Webb. He said Boucher and another person were evaluated at the scene for minor injuries, but were not taken for treatment.

The intense heat of the blaze melted the siding off part of Boucher's house and cracked the windshield of Derry's Engine 4. Stacks of water bottles and ice lay on the ground next to firefighters, who had peeled off their gear and were taking a breather from battling the blaze in shifts, once the fire was under control.

Alice Boucher said she had left home early to go to the Londonderry Flea Market in hunt of some bargains.  She was shopping when her cell phone rang.

“It was my daughter. She told me there was a fire, so I rushed home to this,” said Alice Boucher, looking up across her singed lawn to where a plume of white and yellow smoke continued to rise above the smoldering mound of rubble that was once the storage barn, right next to her home.

“All those balloons, all those baskets, gone,” she said.

In addition to vehicles and balloons, the three-story barn was also a store house for antiques she inherited from her mother. “It's a shame, but my family is safe,” she said.

Another neighbor, Lisa Hultgren-Suffreti stopped by to see if she could get the Bouchers a cup of coffee, a bottle of water – a beer – anything she could do to return the kindness they had extended to her just a little over a year ago when her home was destroyed by fire.

Thick smoke and the need for a water supply made fighting the fire a challenge.

“Thank God eveyone's safe. Andre had an angel on his shoulder today,” Hultgren-Suffreti said to Alice Boucher.

Hultgren-Suffreti lives directly across Warner Hill Road from the Bouchers. After more than a year of rebuilding, she and her significant other, Lance Stevens, and their kids were finally able to move back into their own home last week, which was destroyed in the May 2009 blaze.

“We had been out for a drive and were on our way back when we saw the road was blocked. My heart started pounding as I asked for the address. I was afraid it was our house, again,” said Hultgren Suffreti.

She said hot embers from the explosion landed on her newly-installed roof and ignited in a construction debris Dumpster next to her house.

“Someone used our garden hose to put out the Dumpster fire, and some embers landed on our deck and roof, but we're fine. I can't believe this happened on our street again,” she said to Boucher. “I think this neighborhood has had enough.”

Towns assisting Derry with the fire included Londonderry, Windham, Salem, Chester, Auburn, Hampstead, Manchester, Hooksett, Raymond, Atkinson, Pelham, Litchfield, Candia, Plaistow and Hudson. The Nashua Salvation Army was on hand to assist firefighters as they battled the blaze.

Public Service of New Hampshire was called to restore power after some of the neighbors lost power following the explosions. Public Works was also called to take care of the avalanche of chemical snow accumulating on Warner Hill Road.

Salvation Army downsizing, relocating, but still on a mission

By CAROL ROBIDOUX

Union Leader Correspondent

DERRY – The real estate “vacancy” sign planted in front of the Folsom Road Salvation Army headquarters is truly a sign of the times.

The organization, which serves families in need in the Greater Derry area, is downsizing – relocating to a yet-to-be-named different space with a more affordable rent.

Newly enlisted commanders, Lt. Chris Williams and his wife, Lt. Kiley Williams, took over the helm of the local outpost July 1, after Captains Steve and Sally Warren were transferred to the Laconia Salvation Army operation.

It's a familiar predicament in a sputtering economy.

Finding ways to save on expenses while maintaining services is the challenge for many local businesses and charities, and the Salvation Army has not been immune to the need for institutional belt-tightening.

According to the 2010 Salvation Army Financial Report, which accounts for 7,773 U.S. operations, revenue from public support was down from $2.01 billion in 2007 to 1.76 billion in 2008. The organization's net assets dropped by $561 million in 2008, after a gain of $1.78 billion the previous year. The financial picture is a multi-layered portrait that includes investment losses and reduction in government-sponsored grants in addition to reduced public support.

Rachel Pitt of Londonderry, who owns the Folsom Road property which has been home to the Salvation Army for the past six years, said she tried to negotiate a more affordable rent for the organization when their contract was up for renewal, but was unable to come to a new lease agreement.

“I guess it's the economy. They were looking to pay about half their current rent. We tried to negotiate, but it didn't work out,” said Pitt. “It's too bad. The services they provide in this economy are more and more in need, and there are fewer people able to donate.”

She said she is still looking for a new tenant for the Folsom Road property, which is actually two buildings.

“We're prepared to split the property – it's a fully-functioning house and a hall,” said Pitt.

Town Planning Director George Sioras said the property's zoning should make it attractive to a variety of businesses looking for a highly visible move-in ready space. He recognizes that the Salvation Army's move signals a growing trend in town among businesses and organizations seeking more affordable rent by moving to other buildings.

For example, Scorpion Tattooing just moved from Rockingham Road to a vacant storefront on Manchester Road, and a billboard outside Bark Avenue pet grooming is announcing its move up the road to another Crystal Avenue location.

“In this economy we're seeing a lot of that, shuffling of businesses. It creates opportunity for other businesses. And right now is actually a good time to start a business, too – rents aren't so bad. For every empty store front you see in town, there's a new business moving in, or existing businesses looking for a new location,” Sioras said. “It's really a renters market.”

Williams said there are a few prime locations under consideration by the organization, but nothing has been finalized. The goal is to be settled into new digs by September 1, in time to launch its annual Red Kettle campaign, the organization's main fundraiser leading into the holiday season.

“We are currently wrapping up our Back to School Back Pack program – in fact we still have about three backpacks in need of filling, if anyone is interested in helping. It's like an Angel Tree, people take a tag, buy a backpack and fill it with school supplies. We will be completing that from our current location, before we make the move,” said Williams.

The message to the community is that the Salvation Army may be moving, but its outreach in the community is here to stay.

“It's a hectic time. We'll be moving and then jumping right into the kettle campaign,” said Williams. “We're looking at a smaller location, one where we can utilize the space better. We'll still have our Sunday services, and we'll still run the clothes closet and other programs. None of that will change.”