An Independent Weekly Newspaper Enjoy 2010


Salem Community Patriot


Salem Community Spencer’s Mountain


by Jay Hobson Most people go through hills and


valleys in life, but Spencer Desfosses, 9, from Bow, has been dealt a mountain. Diagnosed at age 5 with Becker’s


Muscular Dystrophy, Spencer has a positive attitude that rivals any adult. According to the Muscular Dystrophy


Association (MDA) Website, Becker’s Muscular Dystrophy is a degenerative disease that usually occurs in teens and adults and affects the voluntary muscles, causing a weakness and wasting of the shoulders, hips, and thighs. Spencer, this year’s NH Goodwill


Ambassador for the MDA, traveled around the state on the last two Mondays kicking off the firefighter’s Fill the Boot campaign on August 23 along the seacoast, and last Monday, Spencer traveled in fire trucks from Franklin with stops in Tilton, Concord, Hooksett, Manchester, Bedford, Merrimack, Nashua, Hudson, Pelham, Salem, Windham, Londonderry, and then back to Manchester, where he threw out the first ball at the Fisher Cats game. Spencer was accompanied on his trek


his stamina. “Every day is a struggle; he’s pulled


out of class constantly because of learning disabilities associated with muscular dystrophy, and he’s starting to feel a little bit different because he can’t


Patriot Spencer rides in the fire truck with new friend Fungo


by Fungo, the Fisher Cats mascot and Spencer’s new friend. Spencer’s mom, Jill Lanoie, marvels at


Patriot


keep up with the other kids. He can’t ride a bike, can’t run, and has fatigue, but he tries. He’s got motivation like you wouldn’t believe,” Lanoie said. The fire truck trek came out of the


trucks,” Spencer said. Quiet and friendly, Spencer didn’t


talk much on the ride from the Icenter to Canobie Lake Park, where he was greeted by park officials and given a welcome that included a welcome


blue when at a function in May, Spencer let it be known that he liked fire trucks. “Fire trucks are fun.


I really like fire Salem Community


sign just for him. Then, it was on to Windham. The whole time, he just held Fungo’s hand and hugged everyone. Trails along Spencer’s mountain


have been blazed through research and medical discoveries; however, much more research needs to be done. This weekend, firefighters in Salem and Windham, along with stations nationwide, will be out with tall rubber boots collecting donations for muscular dystrophy—for kids and adults who are navigating their own mountains.


Rudy Martinez and Christian Rodriquez, friends forever


Salem firefighter Ryan Gott gives Spencer a hand getting out of the fire truck


Fungo, Cameron Desfosses, Spencer Desfosses, and Salem firefighters Adam Newberry, Ryan Gott, and Brian Murray


Susan Covey Chosen to Fill Vacant BOS Seat


by S. Aaron Shamshoyan


After a heated debate, accusations of conspiracy, and a lot of negotiating, Salem now has five selectmen again. Susan Covey was the applicant chosen to fill the seat of former selectman Barnes, who resigned from the Board at the aid of his war-wounded son, and will serve in the position until


town elections in March. In all, seven citizens applied for the position, giving presentations in front of the Board of Selectmen. The applicants were: Ron Belanger, Bernard W. Campbell, Robert Campbell, Stephen Campbell, Susan Covey, Brian Keaveny, and Barry Pietrantonio. The major topics that were covered included criteria for the position of town manager, the budget, and concerns with the water supply. Covey spoke on how her three years on the Budget Committee had prepared her for the upcoming budget season. She has a career in banking and feels she has filled positions that require many of the same qualities as for a town manager. Covey said, referring to the budget, that she understands it’s either the “people or programs,” knowing she would have to make some tough spending cuts. Selectman Hargreaves questioned her abilities to deal with frustrated citizens, to which she responded that customers and non-customers alike come in on a daily basis to chat about problems in the town. When the presentations concluded, Selectman Roth motioned to accept Susan Covey to the Board. Among other things, Roth said, “Her personally reminds me of that of Arthur’s.” Selectman Hargreaves was in the opposition, saying that he received a call the previous night with a conspiracy theory that the vote was pre-planned in Covey’s favor. The rest of the Board responded saying that information was false. After many failed motions, Chairman Mike Lyons and Selectmen Roth and McBride voted in favor of Covey. Covey was sworn in on Wednesday, and began her position that night at a selectmen budget session.


Susan Covey


David McGrail and his mom on his first day of kindergarten


Kayo Leone arriving to school


Back-to-School Kids Lancaster


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Volume 4 Number 7 September 3, 2010 12 Pages


Soule Begins Another


Salem Community Patriot


School Year


by Robyn Hatch Wow—another year already. Soule takes a lot of time to welcome their students, as do all the schools in the Salem school system. Here are a few children who are excited, nervous, and walking or with moms and family members, who are probably sadder than the kids. Good luck!


Kelsey Cruz and Savannah Dannewitz headed to first grade on Wednesday,


September 1, at Lancaster School. Both were very excited to find out that these best buds are in the same class, starting the school year with big smiles and lots of excitement!


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staff photos by Jay Hobson staff photo by Robyn Hatch staff photos by Robyn Hatch


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