The carpeting in the corridors of City Hall is disgraceful, in the opinions of those questioned by the Lamplighter. One observer called it a testament to the value of lowest-bid purchasing. All three floors have dark wrinkles in the medium gray carpeting.

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Food shop owner Melinda Barrett reports there was a definite drop in business when the stock market slumped late in September and she is still feeling it at her Merrimack Street location.

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Former Mayor Jim Waldron sought and got information this past week in remembering one of the city's unusual characters of past generations. He recalled a dignified Italian gentleman who wore a white suit and claimed he helped many residents with legal problems. His name turned out to be Francis Scalese. He and his little dogs were recalled by some older residents, including former state Rep. Francis Bevilacqua. It was Scalese who once advocated overhead sewers and steam-heated sidewalks.

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The neat guide called "A Comprehensive Guide to Exploring Haverhill Trails" is dedicated to Conservation Officer Mark Sheehan for his help in working with the Trails Committee, providing information about various aspects of the trails program in the city. Ten trails are traced in various neighborhoods. The guide books can be purchased at the Conservation Office in City Hall and at Wally's Farm Stand on Amesbury Road.

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The students at Pentucket Lake School and their elders took advantage of the voting last week to help finance their projects. As the voters entered and left, the older folks sold baked good and other edibles, while the students sold distinctive desk calendars that, they said, "helped the whole school." There were no classes that day, but the students used their off time to good advantage. (A Pentucket Lake School calendar now graces the Lamplighter's desk.)

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Talk about bad and unfortunate timing! The day a hearing on an unleashed-dog trail was scheduled was the day a story appeared about a dog running loose and almost killing a show horse.

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Service club twist: Rick Barry, a power in the Exchange Club, was host of a Salvation Army breakfast where he had to pay tribute to the Kiwanis Club for collecting the most money last year in the annual Red Kettle drive for Christmas funds. There is a (mostly) friendly competition among the clubs that take part in the outdoor collection campaigns in some often-cold weather.

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Facilities for retraining workers have moved from the Landmark Building at 60 Merrimack St. to the Garand Building at 192 Merrimack St., opposite the Lamplighter's office. There is hope and trust the trainees will be taught where to smoke and how to properly dispose of the residual butts.