Head hunting

The "no announcement" announcement by Laidlaw Energy that they had closed with North American Dismantling for the  mill property is one of the strangest  moves that Mr. Batoszek has made in a long series of exaggerated announcements. Up to now, the Laidlaw CEO had made mountains out of mole hills, fabricating information to make it look like something substantial had taken place when in fact nothing of importance had taken place. I've collected a series of those half truth announcements over the past couple years, but now (if) Laidlaw has indeed closed on the mill property, there isn't a beep from Mr. Bartoszek himself or on his blogs.  What is "that" all about?  Using Laidlaws track record in Ellicottville NY as a guide, I suggest that Berlin City officials better be ready for a nasty and dirty fight if they continue to oppose the Laidlaw project. This "paper company" (as opposed to a "real" energy company) and, (I don't mean they make paper either), just exist on paper. Such companies surround themselves with clever lawyers rather than engineers.(Can you say "Charlie"?) These lawyers get paid if and when they win in court, something like ambulance chasers and they give the legal profession a bad name. So what is Mr. Bartoszek up to and who are his friends? By friends I don't mean people like Barry Kelley who until recently, I thought was a smart businessman and friend of Berlin. I mean who is Laidlaw cozy with, who stands to gain financially (besides Mr. Bartoszek and a few insiders) if this project goes forward? I don't believe the list of friends is very long, since companies who push communities around and attempt to have it their way right or wrong by going to court don't have many friends. I suggest that there's a rat amongst us and sooner or later we'll see it's ugly head.

Comments

[Rich]

Can you say PSNH?

Which BTW really stands for

Perpetually Screwing New Hampshire

[Timothy Gordon]

I have sat here most of the day thinking about this, and the last few posts. I have to say, they are sad, it has come to childish name calling. They are many other things that I could add, but the bottom line is that this is the reason that nothing gets accomplished in this town.

[Rocky]

You're right Tim, if this is the extent of our involvement it's very sad. Hopefully some of the ideas that get posted have merit and may influence some to take action or become involved.

[jon edwards]

At last night's council session a challenge went out to the local newspaper reporters to research the deeds at the registry as to some confusion as to who is the true owner of the Burgess mill site. I can't think of a better use for the city attorney than to have a quick review of the deeds and the Limited liability companies associated with this ownership to more clearly show the city what or who they are dealing with. This is hardly a job for a reporter. Berlin needs to know who the players are of that Burgess mill site from the beginning, and the city should not simply take the word of a company claiming to be owner, when indeed a holding company's name is on the deed.

Additionally, Barry Kelly's eloquent speech didn't appear to impact the council last night. It became apparent that Lucy Remillard requested Barry to speak on Laidlaw, Remillard works with John Gallus, and Gallus has been pushing for the Laidlaw project in Concord. None of this was surprising though it is beginning to shed some light on some dark hallways.

What is surprising is that Barry Kelly is saying all three recent wood studies are outdated and can not be relied on, and that a new study that Laidlaw is going by is more accurate. I think we should give that the benefit of the doubt for the moment, and suggest that the city that trees built ask DRED to have their wood study updated if necessary and look at this new study at the very least.

There is no doubt in my mind that the Conservation Fund is sending us a clear message that we do indeed need to protect our future from liquidation harvesting that has impacted our forests immensely over the past ten years. If we don't have enough wood for Laidlaw energy, there is a very good argument right now that we don't even need to update the grid as Noble has apparently pulled out their number two spot, leaving Noble's first spot on the queue with Clean Power being number two. Since Clean Power and Noble can exist in harmony without an upgrade to the grid, a grid upgrade may prove to be meaningless without the wood supply to provide for more than one biomass plant.

Also, Barry Kelly is missing the entire point of wood supply in my opinion. He speaks about abundant wood supply availability due to economic changes and mill shut downs as if that makes biomass grade wood readily available, but it does not. Biomass grade wood was never used at the mills. The very fact of an economic slow down in the better quality wood industry provides for less biomass grade wood. What Barry is introducing is the potential future use of whole trees for energy production without coming right out and saying it. This fact could lead to massive increases in electrical costs to John Doe electric user.
As a major land holder in the north country it might be worthwhile for him to come forward and let the world know he stands to benefit from the sale of whole tree chips that would inevitably drive the cost of electricity sky high through pass through costs to Public Service Company. Or, as some people have said, Mr. Kelly could come forward and confirm he'd never sell a tree which might add to the credibility of his caring and concern for the area he has shown throughout the years.

[Timothy Gordon]

Jon,
You, Rocky, I have an agenda, Mr. Kelly has an agenda, Lucy, John Gallus and Mr. Bass have agendas, and we all have agendas. The only issue here is that some people have been elected to put the agenda of the Citizens of Berlin first, and that might not be happening. Then again, what is the agenda of the Citizens? Has anyone asked the Citizens? I remember a survey being taken, but, where is that now? What if the City Council is not acting in the best interest of the Citizens, all good questions.
Mr. Gallus is trying to get employment in the North Country, sadly this is the project that he has hitched his team to, but, at this juncture, there is nothing else happening up here, it is the something is better than nothing approach. It was obvious when he stated before the election that he was seeking federal funds for the upgrade of the grid, where he stood and with whom, so no surprise there, or did you miss that one? Seems the City did, for he won the majority of the votes in the City.
Who owns the property is less important as to who has the insurance policy in case of an accident and injury, and to what extent there is a trail for damages. The fact that there may be 15 companies in a paper trail before you actually get to Laidlaw is not the issue. It is only an issue upon the failure of the project, and then it becomes one as to who is responsible for the property taxes and who is the next "owner".
The City has never taken a proactive approach of the property, dating back to the failure of the tissue people, so now you are expecting them to act, without a retreat?
Jon, do not be so happy it has come back to those pesky wood studies, they are like statistics, with enough numbers, anyone can make anything seem likely or impossible depending on your point of view of the person crunching the numbers.

[jon edwards]

My agenda, for the record, has been from day one to accept the fact that Berlin will and should end up with a biomass plant due to the 2025 initiative, and that any biomass company should have as minimal of a negative impact as possible while providing an additional economic base for the area. I have learned a great deal on this journey of facts, opinions and agendas, and still have a great deal to learn.

In our office we have an old advertisement from 1982 with two family homes advertised with selling prices of $30,000. The $30,000 price is still prevalent today. In my own self serving way as an owner of a real estate firm there is something wrong with that statistic. Over 25 years have passed, and the home is in the same price range. That stagnated price is not due to the mill being closed as values have escalated during down times with the mill in anticipation of its removal. There you have it, my self serving reason; I want people who have a home to have it increase in value. Usually it is their biggest investment. I like the idea of their value growing as my commission dollar grows in direct proportion. Self serving isn't it? Yes. It is self serving for every tax payer out there in the city.

Cities in the area that sponsor huge industrial monstrosity's in the middle of their city have much lower values than surrounding cities and towns from Rumford to Berlin to Groveton as just a few local examples. Given a choice of having Clean Power's barnlike style plant on the outskirts vs. Laidlaw's middle finger like monument might deter less from negative property value, while providing jobs and tax revenue. There is other interest in the Burgess mill site for more appropriate uses in close proximity to a city's population, though that is not part of my agenda.

Wood;

Wood studies. The existing wood studies, do not contradict eachother, they differ in acceptable traveling radius. If those wood studies can now be shown to be outdated they must be updated so that we can count on them for guidance. It's the trees that made us.

Health; In a low lying valley with the Burgess mill site operating, with many of the city's population at the same level as the smoke stack's top, is that healthy?

Ownership; If, in some warped way, PSNH owns this mill we need to know. We need to know who the owners are period. That may very well just be confirmation of what is being stated, but we deserve to know prior to even considering an amicable working relationship with the ghost company we've been dealing with for the most part, if they were ever able to overcome all the obstacles this location bring to mind.

[V.]

PSNH owns it through Laidlaw who leases it from.... PSNH makes the money, proving they own it, who cares, just understand they are your new master is all. Sybil, that clean power smoke will be trapped in that same valley you know.... Say inversion with me.... in ver sion.....

[jon edwards]

V., To some degree you are accurate, except that the size of Clean Power is significantly smaller and I think we have a use for the steam from the cooling towers that would minimize that and it is further removed from the population. So let's all say together- better plan for the well being of the area. We need to get the attorney for the city confirming who's the owner of the Burgess mill site or we need to pay to have this legal work done. It is that important at this early stage. It absolutely matters as PSNH is not well liked for back room politics throughout the State and we need to expose them if they're involved. Like you, I think they're very much involved, and if so I think you're wrong. Our case, V, can be well received by the State of NH if we can muster up the fortitude to make a case. Last night, I saw a council with that fortitude for the first time.

[V.]

Council is a bit late to get motivated. Laidlaw is in possesion of the site. they have the keys own it or not. Too late. Too late politially also. The council and Mayor were elected because of their opposition to this project but failed to block the project, the project is part of Berlins future and Danderson, PSNH and Gallus and lots and lots of other people and entities have ensured that. This company will do everything it can to speed things along, they will do nothing for a community fighting them, opposing them at this point in the game can be detrimental to the community. Plant groves of woods around our "Monument" and call it Heritage park. And to Mr. Kelly and your many acres and acres of anxious woods and anxious low grade wood, very very well said. Don't woory Mr. Kelly your sad little trees will soon have a big giant boiler to burn in. "Tis not a monstrosity but a Monument"! "Cheers from the audience are heard...." Absolutely Eloquent! How lovely the monument would look if all we saw was the stack coming out of the woods (I mean "monument"), so well said. I love that Mr. Kelly....

[Rocky]

Barry Kelley clearly demonstrates what happens when a person has low expectations. He represents those that perceive success even while being exploited. We're a pathetic lot!

[Timothy Gordon]

Wow,
How in the world is it that you have the mindset that anyone else is not entitled to an opinion? Low expectations? You mean the City Council, who after a year have done nothing? Nor it seems have figured out how to do anything. That low of an expectation, or that pathetic? At least Mr. Kelly has stepped forward and made his platform, if you will, public, open and honest. He is not hiding behind numerous names making the same tired whining points or childish name calling. But then, this is only my opinion.

[V.]

Yes Mr. Kelly is entitled to his biased oppinion and I would call him an excellent man not a pathetic man. His family and what they have contributed should be respected. Pathetic doe sapply to Berlins future. It does not have to be that way but it probably will. Berlin will have a biomass plant that looks like an olde pulp mill. I believe this is the worst place for a plant like this but believe that argument is irrelevant. What is relavant is this community will get this plant wether they like it or not and the community is very very far behind and at a terrible disadvantage at making the best of that reality. For the love of god I hope this community can see the wisdom of making the best of this inevitable situation. The time the city could have acted in its best interest, for the best end result, has passed (while evildoers conived and plotted). The time for the city to make its situation better is right now!

[V.]

A much larger Heritage park. Alive and well. Hide as much of this monument as possible and perhaps more people could see it as a source of pride wether they like it or not. Maybe if a REAL attempt was made to make the site look better, not just to timber industry folks but to evreryday homebuyers and travelers, perhaps Berlin may have a future. If not it will be what it always has been, which is a has bin.

[V.]

And Mr. Gordon, if that is your real name, your name means nothing to me. I do listen to what you have to say, as insignificant as it has yet to be, but I do not need to get up in your business. Lose the tired old hangups this is 2009 and for the record everyone knows who I am! But it aint about me, I have contibuted to this discussion since day one and it is and has always been about the community. Public officials are fair game, people that stand to gain are fair game, city staff paid to not just make sure the streets are plowed and trash is picked up but to actually protect the City's interest and don't, are fair game. Citizens have no obligation to give out awards and nominate people as great leaders in an absolute vacum of leadership that exists in this pathetic Valley. A pathetic little village, that should of claimed bancruptcy years ago, wonderfully appointed, with wonderful neighbourhoods, overwhelmed with federally funded investments should not be what it is and believe it or not elected and paid staff are responsible. If they want awards for the fews good things that have happened they need to take the crap for all the crap too. I do not share your allegiance to be polite to individuals that are in a position where they have the responsibity to act and have not and me and my neighbours are losing our homes, our taxs are tripled and the community crippled, in what should be the best of times of Berlin. With or without Laidlaw the community has an opportunity to rebuild Berlin into a mecca for many things. The fact that you are content with whatever happens is pitiful.

[jon edwards]

Laidlaw stock value today: 5/100 of 1 penny
Laidlaw stock value a year ago: 1/5 of 1 penny

Had you bought stock in this company during this time you would have lost 100's of percentage points in value.

The reality of this company is that it has never produced power since its inception in 1999, and its value has yet to rise with the purchase of the Burgess mill site. The other reality is that this company has some heavy hitters on their side. The support they have may give reason to believe in success. And, it may fail despite PSNH support.

Debate, questioning and not being sold on this company is not necessarily the wrong thing for Berlin to do at this stage or during the application process based on the history of this company. We as a city did the same thing before developing a sense of credibility in the Clean Power project. It's time to stop calling each other fools and understand that the debate is important and does have meaning.

[Timothy Gordon]

Omg, V I am so sorry that I have offended your fragile psyche. Please do not hold it against me, I did not know that you have been here so long, and such a well known person. I just do not know what I was thinking, please, do not sic your friends on me, I am but one, and such a lowly person. I will live the rest of my life not understanding what got into my little pea sized brain that I could put forth my uninformed, wholly based in opinion words that pale in comparison to your Godlike wisdom that you are so thoughtful to share and enlighten our sad example of human life. I was thinking on the new building if I may add you name to it, to match your exalted status you have achieved in your life, I did not understand all those plaques and monuments around town were erected to you for your gifts you have bestowed to the citizens and community. Is it true that the new school is going to be named after you? Such a deserving honor for your hard work and dedication, enlightening the masses in your name, so befitting, a school in Berlin NH, oh, wait, is that too small, the new Community College Dorm, oh wait, you need a whole Federal Forest named in your honor, or how about renaming the Mt Washington, yeah, that should do it. My only question, why in the world is it that you have not bestowed your vast unequaled knowledge sooner to this area, that these issues would not be here, and why have you not solved world peace, or the economy, or just help explain black holes. It seems single handedly you have solved that ever pesky question. what happens to out of work rocket scientists.

[Rocky]

I wish to take a moment to remind all of you who visit and participate on byte&chew that after 50,000 hits I never had to block a post or an individual from this blog. This is a tribute to all of you who have kept the level of conversations at a respectful level. I agree with V. that public officials and those who thrust themselves in the public debate are "fair game" although we need to remain civil. Name calling is not a sign of knowledge or wisdom, it's more a sign of frustration and lack of eloquence. I believe that we're better served if we agree to disagree without being disagreeable. Thank you for visiting and participating on byte&chew. Rocky

[V.]

Rocky, I believe I am a bit frustrated.

[V.]

The plante will tar their throats! Ash will fall like feathers on their houses! The moon will set in the East.

[V.]

Heritage Park. I am excited to hear Daniella Flagellason has announced that "Heritage Park" will be expanding. "Heritage Park" now has a purchase and sales agreemant to purchase the remaining mill acreage from NAD and will be buying up to 20 acres from the LLEG leaseholder to construct the park. According to Mrs. Flagellason the park will include public riverwalks, wooded buffering around the Laidlaw/PSNH facility, public greene spaces and slect commercial building sites. The park will function as a "Central park" and will be New Hampshires largest public Greene for a city of any size. The name of the forest surrounding Ye Olde Pulp mill will be known as misery woods. I am asking Mr. Gordon (if that is his real name) to consider donating a bench. And by the way my sychee is wacky and I'm frustrated and I am frustrated that you isnt.

[V.]

And that lil old stack stiking out of the woods... well that is just a monume nt to the past. There used to be an ugly old factory there, now all you can see is the stack and the top of the Clean Laidlaw Power plante. and see its real nice how the company done put sighns up explaining it "Clean & Greene Power" cuz it looks like poison but it aints, its just particulates and such but the woods catches a lot. Course you can always see the plante from up on School street....

[V.]

Wow is my new Steam Heat from Laidlaw really hot and cheap too. They say people all over the whole city will soon be enjoying that clean greene Laidlaw Heat. Wow the lower East side, plumbed with cooperation between the city, USDA and Laidlaw and newly rehabbed has become the place to be when its cold outside..... First the East side, then the Downtowne, then.....

[V.]

And remember steam pipes can be above ground, they do not have be as deep as other pipes. Check with a real engineer. But couldnt they be under the streets, above water lines and kep waterlines from freezing. the city attitude needs to change from waa waa cant do it, to we are getting LLEG wether we waa waa or not and we need to figure out how to use that steam so it does not ruin Spencers View.

[V.]

Remember Laidlaw and PSNH are building this plante save us from Aakmadinajaid and our evil Middle east oil addiction. Use their waste steam to heat a thousand homes and buildings and its like kicking Osama in the nutbag.

[V.]

Sorry Charlie. Stack is staying.