| Franconia, NH
Please
support HB52. The state has proven over and over again
it is not capable of running a ski area efficiently.
The private
sector has demonstrated again and again that it can
and should. It makes economic sense, and has the full support
of everyone
I’ve spoken to “up here” – the
Franconia/Easton/Sugar Hill area.
Lease Cannon Mountain, and the state will
benefit in reduced costs of administration, guaranteed income
from the lease, and increased tax revenue through tourism (and
we all know that tourism enriches NH!) - Letter
to Martha McLeod from Nancy H., Sugar Hill
We
were aware of the issues at Sunapee from living fairly
close to
the area and were already in favor, but your analysis certainly
does sum it up very nicely. - Tina H.,
Franconia
The theory
that Cannon should be preserved as a state park is robbing
it of its
rightful place in the ski
world. It was first, and now is sadly being left behind, fading
into obscurity, as other, and many lesser, areas forge ahead
with vision and the necessary funds. Imagine Bode Miller, our
home town boy being snatched up by Bretton Woods....what does
that say about Franconia & Cannon Mtn ?
Progress can, and is, being made tastefully in many other places.
Give Cannon the chance to reign among the top ski places in
America. This can be done by the proper leasing agreements
and selecting the best choice for Lessees.
And this opionion has not even touched on the fact the Franconia
Notch area is being cheated out of the financial success other
NH areas are enjoing because of fear , like a dog hanging onto
a bone. Don't expect state legislature to ever be Ski Area
managers, anymore than you would ask a landscaping expert to
do your taxes. Its not their field, and never will be...or
they would be managing some ski area instead of sitting in
Legislature.
Nor can state money ever be allocated in sufficient amount
to be competetive. Leave it to the experts and their financial
backers. Just be ready to reap the profits. Like we are from
Sunapee. - Barbara
S. Sugar Hill
I
whole heartedly agree that Cannon should be leased out.
Our biggest gripe is the lack of work ethics that exist with
most of the employees there. My husband, having been an employee
of Cannon Mtn. at one time or another as a snow maker and a
groomer, can attest to this. The employees figure they are
a Union and the State is footing the bill so bully to you.
State employees are paid good wages and huge benefits and they
should be working for it like the rest of us do. If the current
employees are worth it, anyone who leases that mountain will
keep them on. If they don't pull their weight, just like with
any other job, they're out. Either way, it will not affect
employment and probably would increase the staff as you mentioned.
It is also disgraceful to go by that mountain through the notch
and see those slopes in such awful condition. If they didn't
try to compete with Killington, they could make a lot more
snow than they do for a much longer time. There have been times
in past years that they have run out of the budget before February
school vacation gets here. Makes no business sense to me. To
see those snow makers going in late October and early November
equates to leaving your heat on high with all to doors open
when it's -10 degrees outside. It is also distressing to see
the local business suffering over the past 3-4 years. I remember
a time when this town used to "jump" during ski season.
On the spot decisions could be made by a private industry instead
of waiting for the red tape to clear.
Also, in light of the recent major increase in our property
taxes, we should be receiving some of the revenue toward property
taxes. As only one example, Franconia's police, fire and rescue
squads are responsible for safety at Cannon Mtn. and in Franconia
Notch, but the residents are unfairly footing the whole bill
with no consideration. Most of people we've talked with that
want it to stay State operated are independently wealthy, or
are not residents of Franconia, therefore don't give a rats
.....
And what about all the other ski areas in the State that
are paying taxes to, essentially, their competition. Something
is just wrong with that picture. - Doreen
N., Franconia
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