Welcome to the Save Cannon Mountain Blog!

We hope you find the Save Cannon Mountain blog to be a valuable resource for information regarding the proposed privatization of Cannon.

The blog home page will contain the latest information related to Cannon lease issues. The How to Help page contains useful contact information for state elected officials. The FAQ page answers some common questions about Cannon. The Pro-Lease Claims page aims to correct some of the misinformation put out by those who wish to see Cannon taken out of the state's hands. The Positive Trends page details how the mountain has been transformed since a new management team took over in 2007. The FNSP page examines the history of Franconia Notch State Park and its founders' intention for the Notch to forever remain under state control and free from commercial exploitation. The Sunapee vs. Cannon page reviews the history behind the Sunapee lease, why Cannon wasn't leased in 1998 and why the state and its taxpayers may not be getting their money's worth from the privatization of Sunapee. Finally, the Jobs page covers how privatization may affect employment opportunities for North Country residents.

Help us spread the word by sharing blog information with your Cannon friends. The best way to help fight privatization is to contact New Hampshire elected officials and let them know that you oppose leasing Cannon to the private sector.

To receive email updates when we post updates to the blog, simply type your email address into the "follow by email" box at the top right side of the page. (Your email address remains private and you are free to unsubscribe at any time.)

Comments or questions? Post them on the Save Cannon page on Facebook. Or email us at cannon4080@gmail.com

Lease Bill Status Update

We're told that the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will vote on an amended SB217, the Cannon lease bill, at either its March 8 or March 15 meeting, with the 15th being the more likely date.

If you haven't contacted committee members yet, please do so. Here is their contact information:

bob.odell@leg.state.nh.us
john.gallus@leg.state.nh.us
jeb.bradley@leg.state.nh.us
gary.lambert@leg.state.nh.us
amanda.merrill@leg.state.nh.us

Thanks for your support!

Coming Soon: Aerial Tramway Bungee Jumping?

If plans released this month for new summertime activities at Mount Sunapee are any indication, leasing Cannon Mountain is a threat to the tranquility of Franconia Notch State Park.

The private operators of the state-owned Mount Sunapee have filed plans to add new recreational activities over the next two summers, including a canopy tour zip line, aerial adventure park, disc golf, Segway tours and miniature golf. 

If Cannon is leased, will we see similar commercial activity within the park?

To see the full Mount Sunapee operational plan, which was just filed on Feb. 1, click here.

Gov. Lynch Opposes Bill to Lease Cannon

Gov. John Lynch has sent the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee a letter expressing his opposition to proposals to lease Cannon.

"I want to express my strong opposition to the provision that would require DRED to solicit requests for information from potential lessors interested in operating Cannon Mountain ski operations," the governor wrote.

To read his full letter, click here.

Conservation NH Calls Cannon Lease Bill One of 'Dirty Dozen Bills to Kill'

Conservation NH calls SB217, the Cannon lease bill, one of its "dirty dozen bills to kill in 2012."

The group writes that, "A more logical approach would be for DRED to develop a master plan for Franconia Notch State Park, fully engage the public in the development process, and ensure that the master plan addresses key issues facing the park’s future – including its name, the potential for leasing, and specific capital improvements needed to sustain the park and its use by the public."

Read more at the Conservation NH website.