You'll be missed...............

I just learned that Larry Kelly the Executive Director of Tri-County CAP will soon be retiring. Larry’s retirement is another serious blow for the region. I’m confident that Tri-County CAP will find a qualified Director to head its organization, but what Berlin and the region will miss will be Larry’s connections to the outside world.  I believe that Larry’s relationships in Concord and Washington are irreplaceable. I’ve watched Larry at many public functions in the Berlin/Gorham area and he was at his best when speaking to the Governor, a US Senator or to any political dignitary. Larry brought millions of State and Federal dollars to the North Country, not only through the many programs that his organization administers, but in general by speaking-up for a variety of New Hampshire projects both private and public that needed support. My friends, those shoes will be hard to fill and I can’t imagine who will speak to the needs of our region more eloquently than Larry. The North Country owes a debt of gratitude to Larry Kelly and I wish him the best in his retirement. A heart felt “thank you” Mr. Kelly, for all you’ve done for the people and the communities of the North Country.

Comments

[Lucy]

As a former employee of Tri County CAP, I witnessed first hand how Larry has helped people and businesses. He will indeed be missed.

[jon]

He is the ghost of money found. He's like Santa Claus. Good things come from him without anyone knowing exactly what happened. Thanks for your time for Berlin, Larry.

[wood burner]

I must say Rocky, That is a GREAT headline.He is a great man,and the north country will miss him dearly.Injoy Larry! You deserve it!!!

[Rocky]

Thanks Wood Burner, it's not often that we agree about things. In Larry's case, his works speaks for him and his goodness overcomes whatever differences we may have over issues, we can't make that claim about too many people.

[warren,]

Happy Trails Larry.

[jon]

http://nhjournal.com/2011/04/06/new-hampshire-biomass-plants-face-closures-layoffs/

[jon]

http://www.newbiomassnh.org/proposed-biomass-plants

[Antonio Andolini]

Larry, as though who say it best, would say, "may the road rise with you and the wind be always at your back."

[wood burner]

Whats you point Jon???I can find things and paste all day.

[jon]

"Whats you point Jon???I can find things and paste all day."

NH can't afford to force closure of the smaller IPPS, Woodburner. Now is the time to act on their survival, and I'd be willing to bet NH is working on that while the delay with the PUC continues. If the IPPS don't intervene with the SEC I do believe it will be because of negotiations being implemented for some contracts being renewed as it only makes sense to do so. Hopefully that ends up being the case for the renewable biomass energy base we've already established in northern NH.

[Antonio Andolini]

We need to get less expensive electricity to grow our economy, not a return to PSNH monopoly.

How former mill towns down South are doing it:

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/12/21/road-recovery-north-carolina-economy-moves-textiles-tech/?cmpid=cmty_email_Gigya_North_Carolina_Economy_Moves_From_Textiles_to_Tech

[jon]

and...we need a coos loop upgrade before we can do much of anything in that regard, unfortunately.

[warren,]

We NEED a Coos Loop Upgrade? Now That IS Interesting...Thought You would never Say it, but I'll agree with You.

[Rocky]

Not for $250M of OUR money do we need the Coos Loop!

[jon]

Warren, If the Right things merit a coos loop upgrade let it begin. If the wrong things "want" a coos loop upgrade let it fail. There is a HUGE difference.

[warren,]

Better get Your Talking Points Straight. We DO need the Coos Loop, and We will Pay for any upgrade, regardless of why it happens or who wants it. Nothing is for Free. Keep Paying those Bills, Pilgrim.

[jon]

Paining for it in the right way makes sense, paying for it in the wrong way doesn't.

[warren,]

There may well be a lot of Pain coming down the Line soon. As the Boy Scout motto goes: Be Prepared.

[jon]

http://www.concordmonitor.com/article/250659/why-i-changed-my-mind-on-northern-pass

[Antonio Andolini]

More on Northern Pass

http://www.concordmonitor.com/article/250837/northern-pass-drops-alternatives

[warren,]

I think We can All agree on the Northern Pass. It will be a Disaster for New Hampshire, and Must be Stopped. If it were simply Buried alongside I-93 all the way from Quebec to Franklin there would not be an Issue. But I hear the Folks in Charge think they can stiff New Hampshire a Lot easier than they can Vermont! So I-93 is not a consideration. Lets Prove them Wrong! Do We WANT 135' Towers Running through Franconia Notch?...And Past Ski Area's?

[warren,]

The Preferred Route now includes: Pittsburg, Stewartstown, Colebrook, Lancaster, Bethlehem, Sugar Hill.... and Lincoln.
Correction: They Plan to Spare Franconia Notch by running it to the West. Very Considerate of them.

[BT]

No money in federal budget agreement for Berlin prison

By Barbara Tetreault

Apr 13, 2011 12:00 am
BERLIN – The federal budget agreement does not contain funding to activate the federal prison in Berlin, meaning its opening is delayed until at least this fall.

U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen yesterday reported that the budget agreement does not contain money to operate the Berlin prison, which was scheduled to begin hiring correctional officers this month. The agreement runs through Sept. 30 – the end of the federal 2011 fiscal year. Shaheen said she will work to get the funds in the 2012 fiscal budget.

“I am committed to seeing that funding for the Berlin prison is included in next year’s budget,” Shaheen said. “Right now, we have a $276 million state-of-the-art prison already built. Now we’re spending an additional $4 million a year to keep the empty building open. That’s not fiscally responsible,” she said.

While disappointed, local officials said they will use the time to get people and businesses ready to work for and do business with the Bureau of Prisons.

“This is bad news for the entire region. We were looking for more jobs there. We’ve been waiting and waiting for that to happen,” said Gorham Town Manager Robin Frost.

“I’m not surprised,” said Berlin Mayor Paul Grenier. “I did not think with the saber rattling between the two parties we had a reasonable chance of getting it funded by October.”

Grenier said Berlin taxpayers have invested money in upgrading the sewer and water systems to handle the federal prison counting on water and sewer payments by the prison to cover the costs incurred.

Mark Belanger, manager of the Berlin office of N.H. Employment Security, said everyone knew there were budget considerations regarding the opening. He said the local Talent Team, which is working with White Mountains Community College and N.H Works, to maximize the economic benefits of the prison for the local communities, will use the time to get people and the region ready.

He said the Talent Team’s focus is two fold – to get businesses ready to bid on goods and services required by the prison and to get people prepare to compete for jobs at the facility. He said the Talent Team will continue hosting free workshops for area residents and businesses.

“The need to prepare the workforce and the business community hasn’t changed. It’s still there,” he said.

The Bureau of Prisons yesterday referred phone calls about the budget and plans for the facility to the Department of Justice. A response had not been received by press time.

When fully activated, the prison will hold 1,700 inmates. It will employ 332 people with 40 percent existing bureau employees and 60 percent new hirees.

A warden, Dr. Deborah Schult, was selected and moved to the area this winter. In all there are 16 staff members employed at the facility.

(Reporter Barbara Tetreault can be reached at barbara@berlindailysun.com)

[Rocky]

It would be interesting to hear what former Sen. Judd Gregg has to say on the subject of the Federal Prison. Sen. Gregg played an important role if not "the role" in securing funds for the prison and with his departure and the election of Tea Party slash and cut candidates in place, should we be surprised. We shouldn't be looking for common sense in all of this, it's politics gone berserk and it may all get worse before it gets better.

[Antonio Andolini]

We will learn to survive without that which we were told we must have to survive.
"Sayin', someday, you'll understand."