Coos Conversations

A great lesson for Berlin

I've been ranting for some time about Berlin's need to attract more diverse cultures, if for no other reason than to improve the selection of restaurants. Now there's more evidence that it's a good idea.. Lewiston, Maine, Revived by Somali Immigrants

Once again Gallus helps his cronies, not the residents of the North Country

Senate Bill 101, introduced by Senator John Gallus of Berlin, on behalf of local real estate interests, seeks to turn over New Hampshire's only public ski area, Cannon Mt, located in Franconia Notch State Park (FNSP), to private real estate interests for the purposes of development and commercialization of the Park.  Local real estate agents have discussed building condos and hotels on the hillside and along the shores of Profile and Echo Lake in NH's most spectacular State Park.

The bill threatens the transfer of land between the State of NH and the US Forest Service--necessary to re-open Mittersill Ski Area to limited skiing.  Negotiations are at a fragile stage now as an agreement is being worked out to protect the Bicknell Thrush nesting sites.  Introducing legislation at this critical stage will hold up the final agreement until the bill has been dealt with in the legislature.

Cannon Mt and Franconia Notch State Park are the jewels of the NH State Park system.  New Hampshire families are provided with affordable recreation well needed in this current economic recession.  Cannon Mt offers discounted ski tickets to NH families and school groups, NH college students and senior citizens, while remaining a self-funded park.  Cannon Mt provides about $500,000 of benefits to NH residents each year allowing affordable outdoor recreation.

No taxpayer funds are used to operate the park or the ski area.  New Hampshireʼs State Park System is a self-funded system.  If there is a year of bad weather then revenues must be made up the next year. User fees cover the costs of operating parks, not taxpayer dollars. 

SB101 would disrupt operations within all of Franconia Notch State Park.  Cannon Mt cannot be separated from FNSP without causing major disruption within FNSP, the Park System and the Department of Resources and Economic Development (DRED). Cannon Mt is the headquarters for all operations within FNSP, the shared administrative and maintenance facilities for both summer and winter operations are located within the Cannon Mt property. 

SB101 will cost us money-not save any money.  Franconia Notch State Park and Cannon Mt are the biggest revenue producers in the Park System.  FNSP generates 52% of the State Park revenue each year. Cannon Mt generates 80% of that revenue.  Separating Cannon from the Park system will devastate the rest of the State Park budget; create a need for a new revenue source and the need to build new capacity and maintenance operations to support the rest of FNSP and the other northern NH State Parks. 

Senator Gallus has made no attempt to discuss this with the elected officials in the town of Franconia or with the Cannon Mt. Advisory Commission, the state body responsible for the Cannon Mt. Improvement Fund.  Despite being a member of the CMAC, Senator Gallus has never brought this bill forward for discussion.

SB101 includes no consideration of the costs to the abutting towns for infrastructure improvements, planning, emergency services or the impact on the environment or the quality of life of the residents.  The Department of Resources and Economic Development has estimated a cost of $750,000 to do an impact study.  That does not include the costs of infrastructure improvements that would need to be made in the Town of Franconia that would be paid for by Town residents. Franconia has no infrastructure, no town sewer system and a limited water system. 

The people of NH own FNSP and Cannon Mt.  FNSP was purchased in 1927 and dedicated as a Forest Reservation and Memorial Park for NH War Veterans in 1928.  Residents from around the State, the Society for the Protection of NH Forests and the State Legislature all contributed to raising the money.  The language of the purchase describes the people's interest in protecting this special place from the commercialization that had almost ruined the Notch in the 1920's. 

Cannon Mt employees and management are public employees and stewards of the Park.  They work hard to provide the best skiing experience for NH residents and visitors from out of state.  In the summer months, the same employees manage the State Park's other resources, protecting the land, the rivers, the lakes and the wildlife as was intended.

   

What Can You Do to Help? 

• Call and write to the Senators on the Energy, Environment and Economic and Development Committee that will hear the bill (see list below)
• Call and write to the Senate leadership
• Call and write your Senator and Representative http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/house/members/wml.aspx
• Use the talking points/bullets above to explain your position
• Testify in the Senate hearing about your experiences in Franconia Notch State Park and why you believe Cannon Mt and FNSP should stay whole and for the people.
• Call and write to Governor John Lynch. 
• Email and let us know of your interest and support for making sure this bill does not become law in NH.

 

What we will do. 

We will keep you up to date on the dates and times of any public hearings in Concord and provide you with guidance so you can help keep our ski area available for the people, our park well cared for, maintain the quality of life in the surrounding communities and make sure FNSP is around for your children and grandchildren. 

   

Our goal is to quickly stop this bill in the Senate so negotiations can go on with the US Forest Service.  We need your help.  Local real estate businesses are making plans to bring their agents and workers to the hearing in Concord to support Senator Gallus (a real estate broker himself).

   

The people of this country just made a sea change and took our government back from the special interests.  It is time to do the same in northern NH.  FNSP and Cannon Mt do not belong to the special interests-they belong to the people of NH.

   

Thank you for your help.

   

Friends of Franconia Notch State Park

   

Senate Committee on Energy, Environment and Economic Development

   

Martha Fuller-Clark, Chair

Room 302
107 N. Main St.,
Concord, N.H. 03301

(603)271-4152
martha.fullerclark@leg.state.nh.us

Amanda Merrill, Vice Chair                           Home

Room 105-A                                                    8 Meadow Road
107 N.. Main St.                                            Durham, NH  03824
Concord, N.H. 03301                                      (603) 868-2491

(603)271-7803

Amanda.Merrill@leg.state.nh.us

Jaclyn Cilley                                                  Home

107 N. Main St., Room 105                         2 Oak Hill Road
Concord, N.H. 03301                                      Barrington, NH 03825
(603)271-2642                                                (603)664-5597

jacalyn.cilley@leg.state.nh.us

   

Bette Lasky                                                   Home

107 N. Main St., Room 107                         15 Masefield Road
Concord, N.H. 03301                                      Nashua, NH  03062
(603)271-2735                                                (603) 888-5557

Bette.Lasky@leg.state.nh.us

   

Bob Odell                                                      Home

107 N. Main St., Room 115                         P.O. Box 23
Concord, N.H. 03301                                      Lempster, N.H. 03605-0023
(603) 271-6733                                        (603) 863-9797
bob.odell@leg.state.nh.us                              rpojr@aol.com

   

Bill Denley                                                     Home

Legislative Office Building, Room 5                       2305 Wakefield Road
33 North State St.                                            Sanbornville, NH  03872

Concord, N.H. 03301                                      (603) 522-3802

(603)271-3073

William.Denley@leg.state.nh.us

   

Senate President Sylvia Larsen

23 Kensington Road

Concord, NH 03301

(603) 271-2111
sylvia.larsen@leg.state.nh.us

   

Senate Majority Leader Maggie Hassan

107 North Main Street, Rm 302

Concord, NH 03301

(603)271-2106
maggie.hassan@leg.state.nh.us

   

   

Senate Minority Leader Peter Bragdon

PO Box 488

Milford, NH 03055

(603)271-2675

peter.bragdon@leg.state.nh.us

Early days of Nansen on display at St. Kieran’s

If you're looking for something to do next week to stay out of the cold, check out "Winter and Remembering the Days of Nansen" at the beautiful St. Kieran's church on Sunday, January 25. There's a public reception and ski films from 4-6 PM. The exhibition features historic photos and ski artifacts from "the Days of Nansen" and the contemporary photography of Eric Kaminsky and Mary Gail Scott. The opening reception follows the North Country Talent Showcase, to be held from 2-4 PM.

"The purpose of this exhibition is to honor, celebrate and remember the many contributions both Norwegians and other ethnic groups made to the founding of our community. They began a rich tradition of actively enjoying our beautiful landscape, especially during the long Winter months. Known for bringing "cross-country skiing to America" and for world-class ski jumping, the Nansen Ski Club often attracted 10,000 people to the City of Berlin in one weekend. As we look again to cultural heritage tourism development, may be realize how much we have to offer", states Joan Chamberlain.

Scandinavian immigrants were persuaded by lumber company recruiters to settle in Coos County during the 1860's. Their European ancestors had been using skis to travel in snow season for centuries; it was only natural to continue the custom in their new land. Most of the Scandinavians settled into an area about one mile north of the village of Berlin, known as Berlin Mills, establishing the "Norwegian Village" one of Berlin's many ethnic communities. By the 1870's Nordic skiing had become so popular in Berlin that Skii Klubben was organized by the Scandinavian population and is the oldest ski club in America today. The club has undergone several names changes since its founding, and has been known as the "Berlin Mills Ski Club", Ski Klubben Fritjof Nansen" and the Nansen Ski Club, as it is known today. Jumping became popular when hillocks were cleared and the neighborhood became dotted with small ski jumps. In 1922 the Nansen Club staged the first large scale winter carnival, during which the first and longest bobsled run in the country was built and opened to the public. The Carnivals became an exciting and popular annual social and community event drawing throngs of spectators and participants.

In 1936 the Club began construction of the 70-meter hill to meet all specifications of the FIS and Olympic competition requirements. The jump was appropriately christened during the 1938 Olympic tryouts drawing over 40,000 spectators to the event. As an historic artifact today, it remains a proud symbol and silent reminder of our skiing and winter sports heritage. "The Exhibition includes displays of Romeo Labonte, Alf Halverson, and Spike Oleson ski memorabilia and is complimented by the contemporary photography of Eric Kaminsky and Mary Gail Scott who have helped us document that the "Spirit of Winter Play" our ancestors started more than a century ago is still present as a living legacy for all of us." states exhibit coordinator, Jean Boutin.

Eric Kaminsky, a long time resident of the North Country, started photography as a hobby in 1985. During the past 5 years he has operated Best Image Photography. As the manager of the Berlin Regional Airport he has the opportunity to take many aerial photos of Nansen Ski Trails and the region. One of his passions is nighttime photography using timed exposures. Mary Gail Scott has been a journalist and photographer for some 30 years. In 1995 she moved to Randolph where her family had summered for many years and continued her photography/journalism in various guises—freelance to employee. She writes and shoots for the Berlin Daily Sun part time and tries to make time to roam the woods and mountains with her cameras.

The Exhibition will run from January 25 to March 25 and is sponsored by Vaillancourt Electric and Robert Bellavance with support from the NH State Council on the Arts and the NH Charitable Foundation. For more information call 752-1028 or visit www.stkieranarts.org

Why I love the life I've made in Berlin

KDPaine's PR Measurement Blog: Do you love the life you've made?.

Let the questioning begin

The Berlin City Council is promising to raise a bunch of questions about the proposed Laidlaw biomass plant that will occupy major acreage in the middle of downtown Berlin, now that Laidlaw's purchase of the land is complete.

I have a few I'd like them to ask  myself?

How much of the revenue from the sale of that power will remain in Berlin, or at least in Coos County? If Laidlaw owns the plant, and Laidlaw is based in New York, won't most of the revenue travel immediately out of state? How does that benefit Berlin?

Will whatever revenue DOES remain in the county be sufficient to cover the environmental, business and health costs caused by having a noisy, ugly powerplant in the middle of the downtown.

If the revenue that remains in the county is NOT sufficient to cover those economic, environmental and health costs, who will pay for them? 

What are the plans for the rest of the site? And how will Laidlaw market that land. To whom and for what purpose?

Given that Laidlaw's stock is $.0005 (yes all those zeros are real) how long will it be before the company actually starts to hire people in Berlin. And how many of the 40 people they say they will hire will actually be from Berlin?

Just a few questions I have. I'm sure I can come up with more, and I certainly hope the Berlin City Council can come up with even more.

Why I love My Life

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Maybe it's the New Year or the Nor'Easter, but as Iwas walking to work this mornign, and later tromping thru the snow to the post office, it occurred to me just why I love my life right now.

When I was young, living in Manhattan, I'd watch people go to work every day. They all looked so miserable. In my naivete, I ascribed it to having to take an elevator to work every day. I hate elevators, they seem like cheating, and I have no patience to wait for them.

I'd live for the weekends, when my father and I wold head to Connecticut, where we lived in a dream house on the top of a hill (Literally --  Mr. Blanding’s Dream House was loosely based on his experience in Easton, Connecticut. ) We were only occasionally accompanied by my mother, who almost always was working, for which I had no patience. Llittle did I realize that she was actually  dictating the hem lines of millions of women around the world as Editor-in-Chief of Harpers Bazaar – I just knew that she wasn’t playing with ME. Sunday’s I would stage an inevitable temper tantrum in hopes that I could scream my way into not dragging me back to the city. My father tried to explain that cities were where people worked, specifically mommy and daddy, so we didn’t have a lot of choice. The message was clear, if you wanted to work, you had to live in a city. I hated cities, so this was clearly going to be a problem, no doubt one reason it took me so long to find a career.

Actually, I’ve spent remarkably little time working in cities. Most of my corporate career was spent in Silicon Valley, which is definitely not city-like at all. Yes, the buildings have elevators, but they also have atriums and gardens, and it does not look like 575 Madison, the cramped little headquarters of Harpers Bazaar where my mom worked, nor did it look like the Time-Life building from which my father ran Fortune. My only real city experience was in Boston, first working for Lotus, and later working for Poppe Tyson. And yes, in both cases I had to take an elevator to work and hated every minute I had to wait for it.

Within a year or two, I couldn’t take it any more and moved my business to New Hampshire, where I’ve been happily self-employed in a variety of pretty rural locations for the past 20 years. But now I work in a city, Berlin, NH. Granted, it’s not a very big city. But was once the largest city in the state, and still has the feel of a much larger burg. The streets are wide, the buildings are tall and stately, mostly built around 1900. The woodwork is dark and paneled and still carries the memories of the elegance that once was. So now I get up every morning, leave my cute little Victorian dream house 

and walk the 5 locks to the office. I trudge up the three flights of stairs, and sit in our anything-but-elegant offices in the former Berlin Boxing Club and finally, somehow, I found a compromise and a career of which my family would approve.

The Clock Starts Ticking Now

I have to agree that the announcement that Laidlaw  had completed the purchase of the Fraser Mill site in Berlin from North American Dismantling is indeed a tragedy.  Not just because it’s an inappropriate use of one of the most beautiful locations in New England, but mostly because it means painful, costly delays before the real rebuilding of Berlin can begin. As has been pointed out, Laidlaw may be promising new jobs, but their track record doesn’t give one confidence as to when the jobs will actually be created. Instead, in the mean time, this beautiful spot  will sit idle, with its ugly fences saying to all the world “ keep out” –  not just of the riverfront acreage, but of Berlin as a city. 

I’ve argued all along, that the key to the rebuilding of the Coos County economy is small businesses like mine, rather than over-hyped industrial plants like Laidlaw’s.  Now we can actually measure who’s right. Two years ago, I moved my business up to Berlin because I saw the potential of the area. Since then we’ve created 20 new jobs. Additionally, we’ve contributed to the local economy by buying our printing and other services locally, and by buying homes and insisting that company meetings take place in Berlin.  There’s got to be an economist at UNH or Plymouth State that can calculate the economic impact of that.  Laidlaw has been active in Berlin as long as I have and has yet to create a single job (unless you count Charlie Bass’ retainer). Now they’ve actually become a landowner in town, let’s see just how long it takes them to create the jobs they promise.   And lets see which business, at the end of 2009 has done more for the local economy.