Author: NH Business Review Staff

Park garden to be rededicated

NASHUA Nashua Garden Club members and the public will join Mayor Bernie Streeter to rededicate the sensory garden at Greeley Park on July 23 from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Carolyn Gaudette, former president of the club, will present the bronze relief plaque…

Many Iraq war critics have own blindspots

What we see and hear on TV daily - the horrors of the war, the abuse of prisoners, the merciless killing of hostages - is a testimony to what hatred and moral blindness can do to people. Unfortunately, the truth…

General aviation industry has a ‘hidden’ impact

Many industries in New Hampshire are ”below the radar.” They’re businesses that for one reason or another are not very visible or are hard to reduce to mere statistics. One of them is the general aviation business. A general aviation…

DMV forces Derry to quit Web registration

The town of Derry has removed its new on-line motor vehicle registration program from its Web site in the wake of a warning issued by state officials. The program was shut down on June 28 after a representative from the…

There are no Web viruses in the open source world

If I was the conspiracy-minded sort, I’d swear that Richard Stallman and Linus Torvalds sneak into their underground labs at night to whip up Web viruses. Those lords of the open-source software movement -- Stallman over the border in Cambridge,…

Anthem rejoins health partnership fold

Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Hampshire has announced that it’s going back to the drawing board to help build a tiered health-care product with some of the state’s largest purchasers of health insurance. “This cause is so worthy,…

Outsourcing: the good, the bad and the inevitable

Outsourcing is either the smartest business practice since the development of the assembly line, allowing companies to shave double-digit percentage points off their bottom lines, or the most repugnant, directly responsible for exporting good-paying U.S. jobs overseas. “Outsourcing is the…

What exactly is the Executive Council for?

We have been critical here before about the way the governor and Executive Council conduct their business -- or, rather, our business. It’s possible, we realize, that the councilors show more curiosity when discussing issues in private than they do…

The song has ended, but the melody lingers on

Continuing ramifications of actions taken or not taken by state government highlighted the coming of July. On the school-funding front, actions taken by the Legislature in secretly negotiating and then passing a completely new school-funding plan resulted in a lawsuit…

If Benson’s leading, there’s no one following

Almost daily, the governor demonstrates his complete lack of understanding as to how the governmental process works. His naiveté has grown from “forgivable miscue” to “embarrassment.” The governor is exactly where he was two years ago - wandering aimlessly in…

Partnerships can close the nursing shortage gap

In the fields of health and human services, there is no more critical workforce issue than the serious shortage of nurses, a shortage that will worsen as the baby boom generation ages and retires. In recent years, the University of…

There are no Web viruses in the open source world

If I was the conspiracy-minded sort, I’d swear that Richard Stallman and Linus Torvalds sneak into their underground labs at night to whip up Web viruses. Those lords of the open-source software movement -- Stallman over the border in Cambridge,…

Day trippin’ in the White Mountains

When you think of the White Mountains, chances are you see yourself schussing down a Double Black diamond run making tracks in the powder. But the area has just as much - maybe even more -- to offer by way…

Advise and consent

Richard Brothers, a 45-year-old Campton resident who’s described as a “part-time health care adviser” to Governor Benson, has decided that he wants to give it another shot in trying to retire his fellow Republican, Sen. Carl Johnson of Meredith. Brothers,…

Give jokes a chance

We now know the extent of U.S. Sen. Judd Gregg’s legendary sense of humor. He doesn’t like Jane Fonda jokes. During a visit to Dartmouth College, the senator was given of a computer science lab to see the latest developments…

Free to be you and me

At its much-publicized 2004 Liberty Dinner last month, the New Hampshire Liberty Alliance -- a group that describes itself as a “non-partisan coalition” that supports “increased individual in New Hampshire” - didn’t only hear from Governor Benson and Jason Sorens,…

Daydream believers

Early summer is the time for Red Sox slumps, beach novels and political storytelling. Considering that F&J covers neither sports nor literary accomplishments, here are two of the summer’s best-selling New Hampshire political rumors so far. 1. After winning in…

Thank you for your ‘welcome’

Fending off any attempt to criticize Governor Benson for his relationship with the wannabe settlers of the Free State Project, the governor wanted to make it clear the other day that while he’s glad to help them build their bandwagon,…

Making the rounds …

• You’ve to have some sympathy for Kelly Ayotte. She quit her post as the governor’s legal counsel last year only a few of months after taking the job to become deputy attorney general. Now she’s back to working as…

General aviation industry has a ‘hidden’ impact

Many industries in New Hampshire are ”below the radar.” They’re businesses that for one reason or another are not very visible or are hard to reduce to mere statistics. One of them is the general aviation business. A general aviation…

Anthem rejoins health partnership fold

Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Hampshire has announced that it’s going back to the drawing board to help build a tiered health-care product with some of the state’s largest purchasers of health insurance. “This cause is so worthy,…

Heritage panel tackles inventory

LYNDEBOROUGH - Developing an inventory of the town’s historic and cultural sites will be the first project taken on by the newly formed Heritage Commission. At an organizational meeting Tuesday, Chase Roeper was named chairman. The commission will next meet…

Chimney fire damages home

NASHUA -Firefighters confined a fire that started in a home’s chimney early Sunday morning. A charcoal grill connected to the chimney at 55½ New Dunstable Road was the cause, and firefighters had to rip apart the walls of the surrounding…

Accident remains under investigation

MERRIMACK - Merrimack police say a medical problem appears to have contributed to a two-car wreck that sent three town residents injured to the hospital around midday Sunday. Stephanie Roy, 35, and her mother, Lorraine Roy, 68, both of 4…

BMW test drive aimed at cancer fund raising

NASHUA - Carolyn Choate is program manager for WYCN-TV 13 in Nashua. But on Friday, she goes national when her portrait and those of 49 other breast cancer survivors from across the country are displayed on a shiny new BMW…

Next stop: Pleasure Island

IF YOU GO The chug-chug-chug, toot-toot, woo-woo song of the faithful Old Smokey rail system, which once filled the air and completed the warm, family-fun atmosphere at the former Pleasure Island in Wakefield, Mass., will be played again on July…

Barrett House seeing tour and program cuts

NEW IPSWICH - The first victims of a slumping economy are cultural activities, particularly those that are dependent on donations, gifts and endowments. Among those victims is Historic New England, owner of the Barrett House, and the result is fewer…

Seized car will save taxpayers money

(AP) - A car seized in Manchester in a drug crime will be used to patrol the prison in Laconia. The federal court recently released the 1998 Lincoln to the state Corrections Department. The vehicle was seized when parole officers…

Cleanup of park site to take more time

Tilton - (AP) - The cleanup of a planned riverfront park will take longer and cost more than expected. The Environmental Protection Agency began the cleanup five weeks ago and found more extensive contamination from lead and barium ash. The…

Man charged in ax attack on neighbor

(AP) - A Manchester man is recovering after police say his neighbor attacked him with an ax. Michael Ceichon was treated at Elliot Hospital for a cut on his hand. His neighbor Robert Pelletier, 33, was in court Friday charged…

Teen beaten with bat still hospitalized

Manchester - (AP) - A popular teen from Weare was still hospitalized this weekend with severe head injuries after being beaten with a baseball bat. Authorities initially reported the incident as road rage, but Ralph Rhea of Weare says his…

Hills House makeover begins

HUDSON - Members of the Historical Society and rotary club braved rain and sun last weekend to start painting the Hills House. About 15-20 people helped scrape, prime and paint the home’s first floor June 26-27, society member David Alukonis…

Free WiFi at town library

The Amherst Town Library now offers free wireless Internet access for library patrons. The way the new system works is that people with wireless laptop computers will be able to access the Internet from most tables or chairs in the…

Barn dismantling date changed

Despite Andy Roeper’s best efforts to coordinate and schedule all of the various workshops on dismantling and reassembling a barn well in advance, one of the key players has managed to double book the initial dates and he is moving…

Army: Soldiers to be involuntarily recalled to duty

WASHINGTON - It could be a long weekend for thousands of former soldiers. The Army says it will begin notifying more than 5,600 of those soldiers next week that they are being involuntarily recalled to active duty and could be…

Conservation group members look at preservation

WILTON - In addition to preserving rural character and quality of life and providing habitat for wildlife and recreation areas for people, conserving open space costs a town less than developing it into house lots. The cost of providing town…

Call for films for festival

WILTON - All independent filmmakers are invited to submit a film to the 11th annual Wilton Film Festival, to be held Oct. 15 and 16. The Best In Show will be screened at Premiere Night, Friday, Oct. 15, at the…

Soup kitchen seeks school supplies

The Nashua Soup Kitchen and Shelter is seeking donations for its “Backpacks for Back to School” program. The program helps disadvantaged children start the school year off on the same footing as other children. Children in need in grades one-12…

Institute opens with free talk

NASHUA - Rivier College’s Center for Peace and Social Justice will hold its ninth annual Summer Institute next week, from July 5-9. This year’s program, “Peacemaking and Peacebuilding in a Time of Endless War,” will feature presentations by a number…

New teen council in need of members

JOINING IN MILFORD - Teens who complain there isn’t enough to do in Milford will get their chance to do something about it. As a follow-up to earlier gatherings about helping youth in the area, the Souhegan Valley Teen Council…

Injured repairman improving

REGION - A 61-year-old Sears department store repairman remained hospitalized Thursday, but his condition was improving following injuries he sustained Wednesday while working on a big-screen television at a Merrimack residence. Gerald Tetrault, of Gilford was in good condition at…

Old Home Days tote bags arrive

WILTON - “Wilton Old Home Days” tote bags have arrived at the Wilton Main Street Association office, and will be available at the Downtown Marketplace and Putnam’s Store. These American made Enviro-Tote bags feature a screen transfer of Gail Hoar’s…

GOP committee to host event

The Nashua Republican City Committee will be hosting a campaign event at the home of Carolann Crain on Tuesday at 6 p.m. U.S. Rep. , R- N.H., Charles Bass and Executive Councilor Dave Wheeler will be guest speakers. The address…

HIV testing offered Tuesday

Sunday is National HIV Testing Day, an initiative of the National Association of People with AIDS urging Americans who might be at risk to get tested. For local residents, however, the observance comes two days later. On Tuesday, the city’s…

Creating communities is Starter’s business

Like many business ventures, Starter Building & Development of Londonderry began almost by accident, when four small developers came together in 1989 to rescue a floundering housing project in Merrimack. The real estate downturn had begun in earnest, and the…

Paving the way for more women in construction

What if your young daughter told you she was interested in a career in construction? Sher Harvey, an owner and vice president of Infantine Insurance in Bedford, would tell you that construction is deeply rooted in math and science, pays…

State program helps firms boost energy efficiency

One of the most important issues facing companies throughout New Hampshire and the United States is energy efficiency, and since 1999 the New Hampshire Office of Energy and Planning has been working with companies to improve their energyefficiency efforts through…

N.H. hydro plants added to buyer’s giant portfolio

What is Brascan and why is it buying up all of these utility assets? You may remember that in addition to owning a 43 percent share in Nexfor, and thus the pulp and paper mills in northern New Hampshire, Brascan…

New EPA effort urges shopping malls to recycle

Can’t finish that Cinnabon? The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and a group that represents shopping centers hope the mall where you bought that grapefruit-sized cinnamon roll will recycle your leftovers. Chances are if you bought it at a mall in…