Where North Country Candidates Stand on Leasing Cannon Mountain

As North Country voters consider their choices for state Legislature, we thought you'd like to know where the candidates stand on the potential leasing of Cannon Mountain to the private sector.

Senate District 1:

Jeff Woodburn
Democratic Candidate

He opposes leasing and sent us a link to something he wrote for the NH Business Review:

http://jeffwoodburn.com/?p=294

Debi Warner
Republican Candidate

Did not reply to our requests for information

Here is what the candidates for House District 2, which includes  Franconia, Lisbon, Lyman, Monroe and Sugar Hill, have told us:

Denis Ward
Republican Candidate
I think the old expression "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" applies quite well here. Though I think there are places where the NH government could gain efficiency by enlisting the help of the private sector, I don't think Franconia Notch State Park is one of them. I would not support privatizing Cannon Mountain.

Rebecca Brown
Democratic Candidate
So far, leasing is more a way to tackle the state's fiscal issues than a way to serve the interests of the community and the park. I will oppose any attempt to solve the state's fiscal issues on the back of Cannon Mountain - just like I oppose Northern Pass as an attempt by PSNH to solve its financial woes on the back of the North Country. If the leasing issue continues to be brought forward, we need to put that question into the context of a master plan for the entire Franconia Notch State Park. A master planning process needs to be driven by the needs of the park, Franconia and the rest of the local community, and it needs to recognize and respect the park's history and intent, as well as the economic and financial factor.

In House District 14, which includes parts of Littleton and Bethlehem:
Brad Bailey
Republican Candidate
Did not reply to our requests for information

Doug Grant
Democratic Candidate
I cannot help but see the resemblance between privatizing Franconia Notch State Park and running Northern Pass through the White Mountain National Forest. In both cases land belonging to the people in perpetuity is to be turned over to a private group of developers. I could go on and on but I will keep this statement brief. Let me be clear - I am totally opposed to this plan.

Cannon Earns High Marks in Ski Magazine Guide...And Reader Touts State Control

The annual Ski Magazine resort guide is in, once again with kind words for Cannon, which ranked No. 17 in the East. We particularly liked one reader's comments: "Great history, challenging trails, killer views, good value. A skier's mountain; love the vibe. Please, please, please remain state-owned and managed."

To read the guide, click here.

Gubernatorial Candidates Reveal Positions on Potential Leasing of Cannon Mountain

As New Hampshire voters consider their choices for governor, we thought we'd pass along where the candidates stand on the potential leasing of Cannon Mountain to the private sector. At a travel and tourism forum this month, Ovide Lamontagne said he favors exploring lease options for Cannon. Maggie Hassan's campaign said this month that she opposes leasing Cannon.

State Inspection Finds No Major Erosion Concerns at Mittersill

One of the concerns the pro-lease camp raised during this year's leasing battle was over erosion at Mittersill. We're told that an inspector from the state Department of Environmental Services hiked the entire Mittersill work road with Cannon management last week and identified no major erosion concerns whatsoever. 

Nonetheless, the inspector is working with Cannon to craft an erosion-control plan for the Mittersill work road, which is something that the Department of Resources and Economic Development agreed to do in negotiations with the state Senate earlier this year.

Franconia Notch State Park Earns Spot on List of Nation's Top Parks

Franconia Notch State Park, which as you know includes Cannon Mountain, was named the No. 2 state park in America on Adventure Journal's list of America's 20 Best State Parks. To see the list, click here.

Let's hope that the state's elected officials continue to recognize the importance of keeping the park intact and keeping Cannon Mountain under state control.

Park City Mountain Lease Dispute: Just Another Reason Leasing Cannon Is a Risky Proposition

A lease dispute had threatened to force Park City Mountain Resort to close for the upcoming season. They've agreed to a short-term deal to open this winter while they resume negotiations for a new long-term lease.

This is just another example of why leasing is a bad idea - and one that's fraught with risk for Cannon Mountain, its skiers and riders and the North Country.

To learn more about the Utah lease fiasco, see this report from SnoCountry.

SB217 Dies in the Legislature

What was left of SB217, the Cannon Mountain lease bill, has died in the Legislature after the Senate disagreed with an unrelated amendment the House tacked on the bill last month.

The final version of the bill called for the creation of a hiking corridor over Mittersill and on to the summit of Cannon. The lease, master plan and veterans memorial aspects of the bill were stripped from the measure last month while it was in the House.

Thank you for your support, email, letters and phone calls to state lawmakers. We're told that it made a difference!

While leasing is dead for this year, we're willing to bet that the issue will come up again. Recent calls to privatize Cannon have come from the Senate. With a full third of the Senate membership not running for re-election, it's anyone's guess what that will mean for Cannon and Franconia Notch State Park. Gov. John Lynch, who has always opposed leasing Cannon, also is not seeking re-election.