THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2012
VOL. 20 NO. 193
BERLIN, N.H.
Walmart ex-employees want change not closure BY MELISSA GRIMA THE BERLIN DAILY SUN
GORHAM – Gorham’s Wal-Mart may be one of the largest employers in the area and it certainly draws more customers than any other retail outlet locally. But what happens when a change in management leads to the dismissal of a group of the store’s long-time full-time employees. The area found out recently when some customers and former employees started a letter writing campaign that played out in the pages of this paper. The letters were contentious at times, drawing some response from those still working at the big box superstore and some readers wrote in wondering if the workers were out to shut down the store. Nothing could be further from the truth, accord-
ing to close to a dozen current and former employees – some of whom asked not to be named for fear of reprisals. They said they are firm supporters of the Wal-Mart brand and philosophy but contend that the new management team is hurting the store. “Customer service has gone out the window,” one former employee said. Wal-Mart spokesman Dan Fogelberg disagrees. He said the Gorham store has seen improvements and that a “majority of associates have embraced the changes, and created a better shopping environment for the customers that shop there.” Fogelberg attributes the letters to a lack of using appropriate channels by those who feel slighted, and fallout from a change in management style. He said that although he has not looked see WALMART page 7
Gorham selectmen select appraiser for 2012 reval BY GAIL SCOTT THE BERLIN DAILY SUN
GORHAM—During the Gorham selectmen’s regular meeting Monday, selectmen approved the selection of KRT Appraisal, of Haverhill, Mass., for Gorham’s 2012 full revaluation. The company’s website says that “KRT Appraisal provides quality mass appraisal services throughout New England.” During the discussion, Selectman Paul Robitaille said he was concerned that KRT might not be able to respond to questions
about revaluations in a “ timely fashion.” “We need to make sure that when people have questions, they don’t have to wait months at a time for an answer,” he said. But Gorham Town Manager Robin Frost replied, “They (KRT) can be in touch with people by phone, email, they have access to the data (via the Internet) and can take a look at it and do research at their own place of business and can come up with answers. This is not an issue,” she said. Selectman David Graham said he had sat see APPRAISER page 6
Gorham selectman check town warrant articles BY GAIL SCOTT THE BERLIN DAILY SUN
GORHAM—At their Monday meeting, Gorham selectmen reviewed and decided which town warrant articles requiring appropriation of money to recommend,
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beginning with Article 5. Since the budget committee had not determined a recommended amount for Article 5, which funds the general municipal operations, the selectmen decided to
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Lauren Percy of Bow crowns Eileen Kelley of Randolph.
Randolph’s Eileen Kelley named New Hampshire’s Outstanding Teen RANDOLPH -Eileen Kelley of Randolph has won the top honors at the Eight Annual Miss New Hampshire’s Outstanding Teen Competition held February 10-12 at Pinkerton Academy’s Stockbridge Theatre in Derry. This was Kelley’s third time competing for the title. The daughter of Kathleen and Mark Kelley, Eileen will now go onto to compete in Orlando, Florida, in August for the title of Miss America’s Outstanding Teen. Eileen attended Gorham Middle-High School until the current academic year when she transferred to Concord
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High School after her mother accepted an executive position at the Concord Community Music School. Currently a junior, during the talent competition, Eileen performed a vocal to “Part of Your World” from Little Mermaid. Twentyone contestants vied for the title and more than $3,000 in scholarships. Eileen won a $1400.00 scholarship and was also a preliminary evening-wear/on-stage interview preliminary winner. She was named the overall interview award winner as well. Other Berlin and Gorham see KELLEY page 6
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