NH Resources

  If former senator Molly Kelly were a stronger gubernatorial candidate Gov. Chris Sununu might be in trouble, but she isn't.   Starting with his seriously flawed proposal to bring amazon to New Hampshire the performance of this governor has been essentially nothing.   All of his legislative initiatives from school vouchers to right to work crashed right along with parts of the state budget and contract negotiations with the state employees union. The first term governor shuffled the Department of Resources and Economic Development or infamous DRED to Business and Economic Affairs which is supposed to be advancing the state economy and creating jobs. But instead it picks winners and losers with the winners being mostly from Concord.   In the Granite State the next election is never more than two years away. This encourages performance by elected officials but it really doesn't work like this. Statewide political campaigns simply cost too much.   Almost right after her p

  Kirby, Vermont resident Melanie Finn wants to restrict free speech and letter writers to the Caledonian Record.   "Limit length of letters. This paper needs more diverse, fresh voices on the letters page. Many other newspapers have such policies." Finn said. One would not need to look further than New Hampshire to see just how dangerously bad this would be.   All New Hampshire newspapers restrict length in one form or another. This isn't ideal but it's fair considering the rising costs of newsprint and the market competition newspapers face. These are also opinion letters not graduate level dissertations and some letter writers don't understand this. But the rest of the letter writing policies that exist in the Granite State are clear restrictions of free speech and constitutional rights.   This starts with one letter per month, geographical requirements for submission and with content has to be in alignment with the political philosophy of the editor. The N

Two days after the state primary will be a day of decision for New Hampshire.   The September 13th veto override day in Concord will determine if wood biomass energy production has a future in the Granite State. This vote could go either way.   If the political analysts and State house watchers are to be believed there are now about 107 swing votes in the 400 member house. Swing votes are undecided votes that are frequently characterized by horse trading which isn't a good thing especially with the permanent economic consequence and job losses to the North Country if this override fails.   In recent days the wood biomass industry has stepped it's presence with rallies at the State house plaza and the southern tier which is where I think these swing votes are all from.   There has to be a 3/5ths vote majority to override Gov. Chris Sununu. This vote will be close like razor thin close. It will be a history defining day for New Hampshire.  

The Business Finance Authority made the right decisions in the now withdrawn Balsams Bailout.     New Hampshire does alot for a small state to advance economic development and create good jobs. This is significant because the Granite State can't dole out generous tax, land, energy and workforce incentives the way states like Tennessee, South Carolina and Connecticut can. Yet New Hampshire still manages to attract some quality business endeavors.     The Balsam's Bailout proposal wasn't a quality business endeavor. It was an example of speculation, risk and more to this point- gambling. And had these real estate dice rolls come up short the real loser would have been NH taxpayers.     But post Balsams Bailout I'm not understanding the behavior of local elected officials like Executive Councilor Joe Kenney and Berlin Mayor Paul Grenier. Their attitude seems to be one of complaining if not whining why this risky real estate deal didn't move forward.     And it d

  A number of wood biomass supporters including the son of a former governor recently appeared before a Sun editorial board with reasons why Senate Bill 365 should be overridden and continuing this North Country industry.       Unfortunately, they sung like a choir performing before the wrong audience.     Sen. Jeb Bradley, Lobbyist Jasen Stock, Tom Thompson and local forester Karla Allen all made compelling arguments for wood biomass energy production but they should have been in southern New Hampshire where the real votes are that will decide the fate of this industry on September 13th.     "If landowners who for years have been willing to share with the public and the state are going to shut access to their land down." said Tom Thompson son of the former governor best known for his ultra-conservative policies on state spending and his infamous quote, "Ax the tax!" New Hampshire was different then but Thompson is right if this override vote fails there w

 Apathy kills things faster than the politicians in Concord.   And a killing time is coming. The fate of the New Hampshire biomass industry will be decided on September 13th which is veto override day at the Statehouse.   Some things will happen before then. New Hampshire has two advocacy groups dedicated to forestry and biomass energy production. The New Hampshire Timberland Owners Association and the NH Wood Harvesting Council both have a long-term lobbying presence in Concord. But neither are doing enough statewide outreach especially as $100 million dollars, good jobs and an entire way of life that sits in the crosshairs. Apathy Kills Things. Quickly.   If the legislature does not override the veto of Gov. Chris Sununu of Senate Bill 365 means the closure of six biomass energy plants, mass layoffs and some towns will lose as much as 27% of their total property taxbase. Bethlehem and Tamworth as examples.   The economic consequences for New Hampshire are very real but th

 Gubernatorial candidate Steve Marchand is a perpetual politician that has no real plans for New Hampshire.   Marchand made a recent campaign swing through Berlin and from the article by Barbara Tetrault, "is running partly because a lot of people have urged him to make another run." Marchand says.    Not a lot of substance there. Berlin like the rest of northern New Hampshire faces mounting challenges in everything from education quality to increasing strain on the local property taxpayer. The Marchand campaign offers nothing. I wonder who these people are that are urging him to run for Governor?     Marchand seems proud of his French-Canadian heritage, yet like the rest of his empty campaign offers nothing about what New Hampshire could do with Canada.     An experienced if not career politician, Marchand tries to make the argument that "no state has less of a relationship between state and local governments. Which really isn't true. New Hampshire has a lar

 In July the Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau appointed a new minister of border security and organized crime reduction.       Changes are coming to the Canadian border.     "Managed in a way that promotes legitimate travel and trade while keeping Canadians safe and treating everyone fairly and in accordance with our laws." said Bill Blair the new minister.       While treating everyone fairly the question becomes what this could actually mean in places like Derby Line, Norton and West Stewartstown, New Hampshire? The border with Canada is either open or it's closed.     It goes both ways.  🛃🛃🛃

 Back in 2010 when Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware, Maine and Massachusetts were legislatively moving towards allowing expanded gaming I knew this was the decline and fall of Atlantic City as a casino destination, and it was.  But before it all this happened I decided to experience the historic AC boardwalk and it's 12 casinos.     There were two things that instantaneously jumped out about this storied seaside location. There were at least 100 feral cats underneath the boardwalk and Russians everywhere. And I mean everywhere. Russians in the smallest casino like the AC Hilton once frequented by Frank Sinatra, Russians in the then newly opened Borgata which is like a  multi-level Walmart Supercenter with slot machines. And the boardwalk itself of course.     There were russians everywhere and I decided to find out why.     All of them spoke in broken english if they spoke it at all most wouldn't even make eye contact with me and responded with "nyet." The r

The candidates for the next election in New Hampshire have all filed.   As in all state elections there is alot of political speculation as to what could happen. I've heard for some time that the democratic party is poised to make big election wins because of President Donald Trump, and that the NH Republican Party is not only disorganized but is experiencing real issues in fundraising for it's slate of candidates.   The history of elections in the granite state is interesting. Many decisive political races have been fought and won not by political parties themselves, but by the role of undecided independents that swing a race either to the left or to the right.   I think this will happen in this next election and there will even be a few surprises.   The GOP will likely construct a breakwater against this reported blue wave that is coming and attempt to hold on to their held territory, which includes the governor's office. There will be alot of campaign ads and postcar

September 13th will be a defining day in the history of New Hampshire.     This is veto override day in Concord. The house and senate will vote yea or nay for pieces of legislation that Gov. Chris Sununu has vetoed in this last legislative session.     One of these vetoed bills is Senate Bill 365, the wood biomass bill which will decide the course of history for the Granite State. The question that gets answered on this early fall day is whether New Hampshire will continue to have a working and sustainable forest industry with millions of dollars in local tax base and good paying jobs or not. September 13th will be a historical direction for New Hampshire.     Senate Bill 365 is about the North Country. Over 1/3 of the state is forested, most of it north of Concord. This veto override will require a 3/5 yea majority which is 250 votes in the 400 member house and 16 votes in the 24 member senate.     This 3/5ths is a real problem. A vast majority of the legislators in this s

Governor Chris Sununu recently made a political campaign like swing up north to Conway.   Of course he was asked about the wood biomass industry and his veto of legislation that now decimates this North Country industry and lots of good jobs.    "To ask the governor to impose a quarter billion in tax, plus an additional subsidy, I'm not going to do that." Sununu said. Similar to his previous statements about subsidies the governor doesn't define these numbers like how the quarter billion is calculated.  "It's unfortunate about the jobs." the governor also said. It is unfortunate about the jobs and the loss of local tax base. It's unfortunate that New Hampshire can't have policymakers in Concord that can support well established state history with a realistic or even explained financial model or at least come up with a compromise. None of this was done.     Gov. Sununu is campaigning for a second term. I don't see anything stopping him

  About 1773 the king of England, George III had a problem. English colonies were not paying taxes into the state treasury as they should.     New Hampshire was one such colony.   "Once vigorous measures appear to be the only means left of bringing Americans to a due submission to the mother country the colonies will submit." the powerful monarch said. He then sent divisions of British redcoats in heavily armed frigates across the atlantic quickly igniting a bloodshed fueled insurrection and a revolution which would ultimately forge a small forested New England state and later a country.       England lost this war but they might be returning.     The North Country of New Hampshire which is over a 1/3 of the state's landmass is on the verge of losing it's last working forests industry which has existed since before the American Revolution. Concord is now similar to London as centre of taxation, revenue, sovereignty and the issuance of edicts. The wood biomass vet

  The Flying Yankee could be scrapped and it wouldn't be missed just like it hasn't been missed for the last 30 years. Moving The Flying Yankee Will Come To Symbolize Something. Rome.   But the idea of moving this train down to Concord is still a good one. It will cost the state well over $30,000.00 to bring it down from Lincoln. Then as a lighted, vandalized static display visible from I-93 it will come to symbolize what is wrong with Concord and it's growing similarities with that of Rome.   New Hampshire should not be in the railroad preservation business. There is no heritage with this train, only costs. This Flying Yankee train is nuisance nostalgia that needs to be scrapped.

Governor Chris Sununu recently made a political campaign swing up north to Conway.   Of course he was asked about the wood biomass industry and his veto of legislation that now decimates this North Country industry and lots of good jobs.   "To ask the governor to impose a quarter billion in tax, plus an additional subsidy, I'm not going to do that." Sununu said. Similar to his previous statements about subsidies the governor doesn't define these numbers like how the quarter billion is calculated.       "It's unfortunate about the jobs." the governor also said. It is unfortunate about the jobs and the loss of local tax base. It's unfortunate that New Hampshire can't have policymakers in Concord that can support well established state history with a realistic or even explained financial model or at least come up with a compromise. None of this was done.   Gov. Sununu is campaigning for a second term. I don't see anything stopping

  There is a proposal to tear up part of the state owned rail line between Concord and Lincoln for a multi-use recreational bike trail.🚵🚵🚵     It's an idea that should at least be considered.   Purchased in 1975 from a bankrupt Boston & Maine railroad this state owned rail line has never been anything more than seasonal tourist trains and a scant few freight cars serving industries that really no longer even exist.   This is compounded by the fact that the state has no plans or even a strategy to market these rail properties or even improve them. The attitude of DOT Commissioner Victoria T. Sheehan is indifference, I know because I've asked her about state owned rail lines like the Concord-Lincoln line.     Regional Planning Commissions or even the Office of Business and Economic Affairs could advance both state and federal grant applications for this rail line, but they don't because this lethargic rail line just isn't a state priority.   The constructi

 The Flying Yankee train is nostalgic nuisance that needs to be cut up and scrapped.     Retired Green Mountain railroad executive Frederick Bailey made a recent unsupported argument that this train should be moved up to the Bartlett rail yard where after languishing in Lincoln for years something meaningful will actually happen to this historic state owned train. It won't.     The Flying Yankee train set has been a state liability since it was donated by  Bob Morrill, it was also a political deal cut by former Executive Councilor Ray Burton. The now mostly abandoned train sits needing over $275,000.00 in direct rehabilitation plus another $200,000 a year in operating costs and an expensive liability policy as it's lightweight construction and articulated wheel sets are prone to derailments. None of this changes if the train were to be moved up to Bartlett. The Flying Yankee In A Different Time.    Last fall I appealed to Governor Chris Sununu to stop DOT Commissione

 Governor Chris Sununu vetoed Senate Bill 365 the wood biomass mill. Now a portion of the local North Country economy is almost on the skids.   "Senate Bill 365 creates another immense subsidy for New Hampshire's six biomass plants. It will harm our most vulnerable ratepayers and job creators to benefit a select few." Sununu said.   The statistically popular governor didn't say how these immense subsidies are created, if they even exist at all. The governor also didn't define what harm there would be to ratepayers and who these select few are. Gov. Sununu Has Delivered A Decisive Blow To Northern New Hampshire.   If there were any illusions that Gov. Sununu supports the North Country and it's economy his veto of Senate Bill 365 answers some questions of their very own.

Governor Chris Sununu recently made a political campaign like swing up north to Conway.     Of course he was asked about the wood biomass industry and his veto of legislation that now decimates this North Country industry and lots of good jobs.    "To ask the governor to impose a quarter billion in tax, plus an additional subsidy, I'm not going to do that." Sununu said. Similar to his previous statements about subsidies the governor doesn't define these numbers like how the quarter billion is calculated.    "It's unfortunate about the jobs." the governor also said. It is unfortunate about the jobs and the loss of local tax base. It's unfortunate that New Hampshire can't have policymakers in Concord that can support well established state history with a realistic or even explained financial model or at least come up with a compromise. None of this was done.   There Isn't Much Opposition To Gov. Sununu  Gov. Sununu is campaignin

 As a railfan I've riden mountain bikes on near many abandoned and active railroad lines. The Danville rail trail is one of the best in the country.     Rails to trails is still relatively new. Abandoned railroad tracks are being removed becoming an almost instant rail trail. The problem arises when the prior surface materials from decades of railroad operations like gravel, cinders and crossties are left plus New England seasonal storm debris that is often not cleaned up. The trails in New Hampshire and parts of Maine are like this.   This Isn't A Rail Trail. It's A Regular Trail. There Is A Difference.   This isn't the case in Danville. The trail is well graded, maintained and very level for a rail trail. It's distance isn't lengthy but it's very scenic. Unlike most rail trails there is also one way access at both ends of the mountainous route as RCT allows mountain bikes on their busses servicing the entire trail. I'd reccomend starting at

 The candidates for the next election in New Hampshire have all filed.   As in all state elections there is a lot of political speculation as to what could happen. I've heard for some time that the democratic party is poised to make big election wins because of President Donald Trump, and that the NH Republican Party is not only disorganized but is experiencing real issues in fundraising for it's slate of candidates.     The history of elections in the granite state is interesting. Many decisive political races have been fought and won not by political parties themselves, but by the role of undecided independents that swing a race either to the left or to the right. Question Whether There Will Be A Tsunami In New Hampshire.    I think this will happen in this next election and there will even be a few surprises.     The GOP will likely construct a breakwater against this reported blue wave that is coming and attempt to hold on to their held territory, which includes

To The Editor:   New Hampshire is unique in that it has no Lt. Governor, instead it has a five member Executive Council. Much of what the governor does is with the advise and consent of the Executive Council. It is said that when the King of England was establishing the New Hampshire colony sometime near 1741 the Executive Council was created to weaken the powers of the appointed governor so as to control the collection of shilling and the taking of high-quality timber for the British navy. The governor is now elected but some things haven't changed.   Governor Chris Sununu recently vetoed Senate Bill 365, the wood biomass bill that will cause resulting job loss and economic conditions all across the North Country. The governor cited: "immense subsidies" for his veto but offered no insight as to what this means. It would be interesting to learn if these immense subsidies, if they even exist, are connected to investment banks and hedge funds that are based in En

It happens every two years, another election approaches in New Hampshire. Elections to me are a sense of renewal, a sense of ideas and a sense that a candidate might emerge that makes something really big happen. Sometimes big things in politics can be dangerous but New Hampshire still needs some things to happen. Elections Are A Sense Of Renewal .   I'd put the state tourism economy on the very top of this list. The granite state has a long, established and historic tourism economy which could be a lot more powerful than it is.    There are many examples of what could be done but as one example imagine what would happen if Amtrak were to run a dedicated ski train from New York City up the Connecticut River Valley to St. Johnsbury, Vermont then across northern New Hampshire to Bretton Woods and a short time later North Conway. I'll tell you what would happen, more state tourism builds a better local economy. Of course running Amtrak trains to the Mount Washington V

 The Business Finance Authority is considering a $28 million dollar state backed loan guarantee for the Balsams resort up in Dixville Notch. I hope that it is rejected.   I've been following the BFA state loan guarantee program since 1994. It's a good program that in most cases the loan size is less than $11 million dollars which is secured with live collateral such as real estate, equipment, inventory, accounts receivable and signed contracts.   No Balsam's Bailout.   This Balsam's Bailout has none of this. Instead, it's a much greater, lofty idea based on reaching speculation and possibly gambling. Speculation that if it fails, causes substantial long-term liability and damage to the state treasury. This unprecedented state financed bailout also involves the use of the EB-5 program which is the exchange of visas for hard currency from places like China, Thailand and Malaysia. Our neighbors in Vermont recently had an experience with this same EB-5 program

 Vermont could have one of the best passenger rail systems in the country.     It isn't to be and the reason is politics and chaos on both sides of the river.      During the last 30 years I've watched Vermont taxpayers throw millions of dollars in financial subsidy at Amtrak in exchange for empty seats and an unclear direction for the future. Nothing has ever changed.     The Amtrak Vermonter train which truncates at St. Albans is politically supported by Senator Patrick Leahy and more recently, New Hampshire's Senator Maggie Hassan.There is an expensive proposal to bring this train back to it's original namesake, Montreal. Nothing is ever said about ridership numbers for this idea. "They are so critical for our state's and businesses." Sen. Hassan said in support of Amtrak. She hasn't said which New Hampshire businesses and how Amtrak running up and down the Connecticut River Valley could be considered "critical." Amtrak In Northeast Ne

 There is a proposal to tear up part of the state owned rail line between Concord and Lincoln for a multi-use recreational bike trail.    It's an idea that should at least be considered.   Purchased in 1975 from a bankrupt Boston & Maine railroad this state owned rail line has never been anything more than seasonal tourist trains and a scant few freight cars serving industries that really no longer even exist. New Hampshire Has No Strategy To Market It's Railroads.   This is compounded by the fact that the state has no plans or even a strategy to market these rail properties or even improve them. The attitude of DOT Commissioner Victoria T. Sheehan is indifference, I know because I've asked her about state owned rail lines like the Concord-Lincoln line.   Regional Planning Commissions or even the Office of Business and Economic Affairs could advance both state and federal grant applications for this rail line, but they don't because this lethargic rail line

The Trump inspired tariffs on Canada mean less freedom and first amendment rights.   One of the major tariff items imported from Canada that is causing this is newsprint. Some of the smaller newspapers in New Hampshire are reporting as much as a 35% increase in the price of newsprint.   The impact of this is very clear: less newspapers, less words and less free speech.     In New Hampshire neither Governor Chris Sununu or one member of the congressional delegation has said anything about these tariffs and this is despite the granite state having over $500 million dollars a year in cross-border trade with Canada alot of which originates in the North Country.   These tariffs against Canada are very real. Sanctions against free speech are very real. Less newspapers are less free speech which will only embolden more sanctions to happen and they will.  

The Trump inspired tariffs on Canada mean less freedom and first amendment rights.     One of the major tariff items imported from Canada that is causing this is newsprint. Some of the smaller newspapers in New Hampshire are reporting as much as a 35% increase in the price of newsprint. Newsprint Is Free Speech.   The impact of this is very clear: less newspapers, less words and less free speech.   In New Hampshire neither Governor Chris Sununu or one member of the congressional delegation has said anything about these tariffs and this is despite the granite state having over $500 million dollars a year in cross-border trade with Canada alot of which originates in the North Country.   These tariffs against Canada are very real. Sanctions against free speech are very real. Less newspapers are less free speech which will only embolden more sanctions to happen and they will.  

    As a major direction for his campaign for state senate, Franconia resident David Starr is supporting right to work. Right to work isn't even an issue in the northern part of New Hampshire.   Ever since the era of Governor Meldrim Thompson the New Hampshire Republican Party has had this strange obsession with repealing the right to work which is required union membership for all state employees.   This union called the State Employees Association or SEA has done tremendous things for New Hampshire. For example, how many state programs have continued to run despite reduced funding and resources from the financial politicos in Concord?  If it wasn't for the SEA and the sheer dedication and volunteer hours of it's members about 20% of the state parks system would have to be either reduced or shut down. There are many state parks throughout the North Country, some of them are heavily used.   The SEA does charge union fees for membership and they are reasonable. Many membe

  Communities across New Hampshire are voting against keno. Bethlehem, Littleton and the rest of the North Country should do the same. Questionable If Keno will create revenue for local communities and education.   Described as assistance to education, particularly kindergarten keno is an electronic bingo game with below average payouts and the description I've heard "a state tax used to finance the bureaucracy in Concord."   Portsmouth, Keene and ironically even the city of Concord itself have voted against allowing keno. Their concerns are valid: that this state lottery game isn't going to return any major revenues to local economies or education.   This would be enhanced in the North Country which is already largely undeserved if not neglected by Concord to begin with. The actual gaming numbers of keno will also be significantly impacted by the next year startup of casinos in Boston and Springfield, Mass. which will immediately begin draining $62 million d

 The Balsam's in Dixville Notch is surrounded by bad history.   Opened in 1865 the hotel thrived at a time when for 90% of the population reality was pretty grim. Each day thousands of low paid workers from across New England would wearily trudge into mills in Lowell, Lawrence, Manchester, Sanford and closer areas like Groveton, Berlin and some sources say even Littleton. Cloistered Opulence At Risk To The NH Taxpayer.   The history books actually enhance this era of grand hotels or gilded era. Scenes of cloistered opulence with crystal glasses and fine china appear while the grim reality in the lower castes of society were simply ignored. $28 Million Proposed Bailout For This Property.   Today the Balsam's looks like a "broken dollhouse." It's worse than this. It's developer like Les Otten is attempting to sell the idea of a $28 million dollar state backed loan guarantee and more recently, a "credit enhancement" to push this risky pr

After the Northern Pass decision was reached Mayor Paul Grenier responded by making statements about Governor Chris Sununu and economic development in the North Country. Neither of these statements has any validity.   "This sends a very chilling message to anyone working to bring economic development to the North Country." Grenier said as he requested that Gov. Sununu take a more active role in addressing the real issues in the North Country. He didn't say what these real issues are.   Berlin could pursue many strategies in economic development and creating jobs but it's clear that Mayor Grenier himself that isn't taking an active role in addressing the real issues in the North Country. Norfolk Southern Heads North Into Canada.   As a long-term railfan I've excitedly and recently watched Norfolk Southern railroad locomotives power a St. Lawrence & Atlantic train up through Berlin enroute to Canada. There is immense potential to use rail transporta

 Vermont should suspend it's Amtrak service and it's state subsidy.      Amtrak needs to improve it's state operations and run a well-managed, competitive railroad.   Throughout this winter (2018) I've witnessed half-empty Vermonter and Ethan Allen Express trains traverse through Vermont as Greyhound bus lines ran on exactly the same routes with better service and prices. Their coaches weren't half-empty either. Not Many Palm Trees In Vermont.   Started in 1971 after the bankruptcy of the Penn Central railroad Amtrak has strayed from its original purpose to save passenger rail. Instead its become a labyrinthine bureaucracy based in Washington that doesn't respond to anything including market conditions.    For example, Amtrak has a corporate goal in it's route planning of serving state capitols like Montpelier. They've actually scrapped better route proposals like Boston to Burlington because of policies like this which makes no sense. Bringing

 Casino legislation has once again been filed.   Senate Bill 586 would allow 5,000 slot machines and 240 table games at "siting of the casino locations is done for optimal revenue impact." Wherever this is.   Starting next year two higher end casinos in Boston and Springfield, Massachusetts will open and almost immediately begin scraping $59 million dollars a year right off the New Hampshire economy. This number will only go higher. Senate Bill 586 is so poorly crafted legislation it does nothing consider Massachusetts never mind competing with it. Senate Bill 586 Is So Poorly Crafted It is destined to fail.   Senator D'Allesandro the lead sponsor should have done some in-depth market research before filing this bill and it's apparent he didn't. For example the Lakes Region and North Country areas both have strong tourism economies which casino gaming might enhance, possibly exponentially. This bill does nothing to consider the tourism economy in New H

 After the Northern Pass decision was reached Mayor Paul Grenier responded by making statements about Governor Chris Sununu and economic development in the North Country. Neither of these statements has any validity.   "This sends a very chilling message to anyone working to bring economic development to the North Country." Grenier said as he requested that Gov. Sununu take a more active role in addressing the real issues in the North Country. He didn't say what these real issues are.   Berlin could pursue many strategies in economic development and creating jobs but it's clear that Mayor Grenier himself that isn't taking an active role in addressing the real issues in the North Country. I've Recently Seen Trains To/From Canada.   As a long-term railfan I've excitedly and recently watched Norfolk Southern railroad locomotives power a St. Lawrence & Atlantic train up through Berlin enroute to Canada. There is immense potential to use rail transp

 Within hours of the Northern Pass decision Berlin Mayor Paul Grenier made statements about Governor Chris Sununu and economic development in the North Country.   "This sends a very chilling message to anyone working to bring economic development to the North Country." Grenier said as he called for Governor Sununu to take a more active role in addressing the real issues facing the North Country. This isn't valid. Not at all.   There are many strategies Berlin could pursue to create good jobs and economic development in Berlin and across the North Country. It's Grenier himself that isn't taking an active role. There are many strategies Berlin could pursue.   Several years ago there was a quality proposal to separate Berlin from the North Country Council regional planning agency and create it's own economic development district with it's own authority to advance federal grant programs, long-term regional planning and state loan guarantees. Th

 In a 180 degree flip-flop Governor Chris Sununu now supports a subsidized commuter rail system in southern New Hampshire. Not only is this political but it demonstrates an unbalanced if not biased policy towards the use of rail in this state.     "New Hampshire's groundbreaking Amazon proposal has demonstrated the need to study potential options." Sununu says in support of yet another feasibility study to throw millions of dollars to move, at most, 2900 people a day from Boston to Nashua, Manchester and Concord. New Hampshire has a questionable if not biased position towards rail.   As an example of this bias New Hampshire owns over 170 miles of active freight rail lines that could be independently profitable if they were marketed correctly but they aren't. Instead, first term Governor Sununu prefers shiny passenger trains running through politically valuable re-election areas.   The Concord to Lincoln rail line goes right through the Lakes Region and could

  The slot machine revenue at the Oxford Casino is increasing. This is good for Maine and continues to be bad for New Hampshire. Slot Machine Revenues Increasing. Good for Maine and Bad For New Hampshire.   Located about 40 miles east of the New Hampshire border at East Conway it's yearly revenue for 2017 was $796.6 million dollars up $62 million from the year before. It isn't unreasonable to believe that 25% of these revenues at this small casino are coming from the Mount Washington Valley and the rest of the Granite State. These numbers are in direct contrast to the argument that the market for casinos in New Hampshire is "over- saturated."  Not true.    But despite this ever increasing revenue going over to Maine, the New Hampshire legislature has once again tabled and killed casino legislation. Co-Sponsored by North Country Senator Jeff Woodburn, Senate Bill 586 was actually a bad piece of legislation. Intended for "optimal revenue impact" the b

 Vermont could have one of the best passenger rail systems in the country.     It isn't to be and the reason is politics and chaos and it's on both sides of the river.      During the last 30 years I've watched Vermont taxpayers throw millions of dollars in financial subsidy at Amtrak in exchange for empty seats and an unclear direction for the future. Nothing has ever changed.    The Amtrak Vermonter train which truncates at St. Albans is politically supported by Senator Patrick Leahy and more recently, New Hampshire's Senator Maggie Hassan.There is an expensive proposal to bring this train back to it's original namesake, Montreal. Nothing is ever said about ridership numbers for this idea. "They are so critical for our state's and businesses." Sen. Hassan said in support of Amtrak. She hasn't said which New Hampshire businesses and how Amtrak running up and down the Connecticut River Valley could be considered "critical." Is