Judi Window's List: ManchesterNH

"As Kickstarter has grown over the past few years into the Internet's go-to crowdfunding platform, it's been tempting to try to apply the model to anything and everything in need of cash – to products, places, programs, public parks, potholes, you name it. But the concept has some clear limitations when implemented at the urban scale. Maybe a neighborhood could fund its own park and street improvements when City Hall can't. But what about the communities that can't afford to do that? Crowdfunding of community assets could potentially double down on inequality."

"But a bold decision in 1988 began to turn things around for this city. At the request of beleaguered Chelsea officials, Boston University agreed to manage the failing schools for ten years, an unprecedented — and as yet unduplicated — move by a private university. The management plan, known officially as the Boston University/Chelsea Partnership, called for sweeping changes in curricula, teacher training, school policies, and facilities. The goal: to make Chelsea schools “a model for excellence in urban education.”"

"New Hampshire's Executive Council has approved $485,000 in aid to refugees, following a request from Manchester's mayor to vote against it over concerns that the city is having trouble accommodating refugees who have already settled in the area."

"Manchester, NH Residents and visitors will soon be greeted with a revitalized backdrop when they enter Manchester at exit 6 off I-293. Alta Properties in partnership with hotel owner/operators Roedel Companies have begun their multi-million dollar renovation on the former Clarion Hotel on Front St.. The property will reopen early next year as The Falls Center and La Quinta Inn and Suites. It will feature a 109-room hotel, conference center and repositioned restaurant. "

"Perhaps you've heard the story. When I stepped in to run the Campbell Soup Company in 2001, the environment at Campbell was hugely challenging. We'd lost half of our market value in just one year. We were at a strategic crossroads for our shareholders. Employee engagement had plummeted to an all-time low and some our best people were hanging on by a thread. Making matters worse, Camden, New Jersey, home to our World Headquarters, was firmly established as one of the poorest and most dangerous cities in the United States. Safety concerns for our employees abounded."

"In a highly unusual move, Mayor Ted Gatsas and the city’s Board of Aldermen asked the State Department in July to halt resettlements here for now. A tide of more than 2,100 refugees over the last decade — most recently, Bhutanese families coming from camps in Nepal — has been more than the city of 109,500 can assure jobs and decent housing for, Gatsas said."

"While it is still too early to determine if Honolulu received a net gain of 10,000 additional visitors, it is not too early to conclude that Hawaii received much less world publicity than it had hoped for."

"The day before my visit here, Manchester Mayor Ted Gatsas won re-election in a landslide. En route to a restaurant down the Daniel Webster Highway, I saw a man on the corner holding up a Gatsas for Mayor sign that had “Thank You” bumper stickers pasted across it. The white-haired fellow looked into each passing vehicle, mouthed “thank you” and waved."

Video of Manchester NH