What leadership?

As I think back at the day when I launched byte&chew, little did I know how much time and effort it takes to maintain a blog. Byte&chew was born out of the need to have a serious conversation about the proposed Laidlaw Biomass Plant and who would have believed that Michael Bartoszek was going to bail on the project and that the Independent Power Producers were going to be the projects biggest obstacle? At the moment, we’re all playing a wait and see game to find out if the IPP’s get their day in court or if PSNH will offer them an acceptable Power Purchase Agreement. Also yet to be explained or resolved is the challenge of getting that amount of electrical energy to the grid over the existing transmission lines of the Coos Loop and, who will be paying for that upgrade. One thing is for sure, we’re not about to see smoke coming from the old stack for a few years, if ever.(Sorry Barry) In the meantime, the world continues to turn and new events seem to have captured the attention of those who read and comment on this blog. Some of the issues that have drawn the most attention make the Laidlaw issue “kids stuff” as compared to the complexities and importance of the economic issues of the country and the world. It’s been my experience that, when there’s big money involved you’re sure to find politics and politicians nearby. Some build their political careers on promises fabricated as a solution to problems that few of them understand, never mind solve. Others watch in disbelief as their careers come to an end over events way beyond their comprehension or control. The rest of us bicker among ourselves believing that we can influence outcomes by aligning ourselves with one political party or philosophy while defending our point of view as if we knew what we’re talking about. I believe that the reality is that, most of the time the script for these events have been written by those who will profit economically or politically from the chaos and we’re no more than spectators. Just look at the Laidlaw project. What role did Mayor Grenier really play in bringing the project to where it’s at today? In reality, none! Yes he became a cheerleader, but in matters that really matter he played no role at all, but the issue did get him elected mayor. This only proves that he’s a great opportunist. In the meantime and for the past 5 to 6 years Berlin and the North Country has languished in the aftermath of the paper mills closings and hardly a sound is heard from our political leadership about any effort to develop a new economic base for the City and the Region. Assuming that Berlin Station eventually gets built and goes online, those 40 jobs won’t even come close to providing the level of economic activity that will keep our children here or attract others to invest and move here. Nothing short of a significant effort will keep Berlin and the Region from losing more residents and our communities becoming mere shadows of their former selves. Is anybody paying attention to this issue? As I said, not a sound about this matter is heard from Mr. Grenier or Gallus and the cries of “jobs, jobs, jobs” have long been silenced by their lack of creativity or imagination, leaving the future of the Region to chance. I believe that they’re waiting for the next smooth talking promoter to stumble upon the remains of our communities and again, they’ll come alive as cheerleaders chanting “jobs, jobs, jobs”. That my friends is pathetic and, is a total lack of political leadership!  They need to address this issue during the next election cycle and, we need to make damn sure they do!

Comments

[warren,]

Turn, turn, turn... Rocky comes Back on Topic. The Cascade Mill IS Up and running with New Ownership under Cate St. A Lot of People will be Happy to Tell You that Mayor Grenier was "there" every step of the Way for Cascades Employee's. Jobs Saved count, Right? As for Berlin Station, The Pig is Here to Stay, regardless of the IPP's Pouting and Stalling Tactics. I believe it will Outlast Them and perhaps even this Blog. Take a Look at that famous Painting by Salvador Dali..."The Persistance of Time", its called? Berlin has a Future, Its just a Matter of Time. History has Shown that Negativity Never Triumphs in the End.

[toonist]

The power of positive thinking obviously not in Rocky's vocabulary so don't waste your time warren.

[Rocky]

Aux contraire mons amis, I think I'm an optimist, but very realistic and that's the piece that's often gets me in trouble. Coming to grips with reality does make you cynical. For example, I think Berlin is rich in opportunities (optimism) for creating a new economy, but these opportunities are not recognized/seen by the likes of our mayor, senator or people like warren,(reality)so the chances of seeing positive change is next to zero. (cynicism)

[Antonio Andolini]

Ah oui, Rocky. We optimists need to continue to push to change the reality in spite of the cynicism. We need to look elsewhere for leadership than the likes of Grenier and Gallus. They are stuck in the past and more than content to stay there. Let them live out there days strolling down Memory Lane.
City Hall works best when we in the (dreaded) private sector come up with the idea or plan and then turn to government for help, such as changes in rules and regulations, to implement our plan. Just look at the this year's ATV Festival in Berlin. The local club took the ball and ran with it. They organized the event, got the sponsors and then came to CIty Hall for support. At Cascade, it was Lynn Tilton and Patriarch Partners that got the plant up and running again. Sure, the Governor, the bureaucrats in Concord and the Mayor of Berlin will claim credit, but fact is private equity investors willing to take risks made it happen.
The "turning the battleship around " analogy is even more appropriate to our local economy, given how much a single industry dominated the past. Change does not come easy. You can stand at the shore and curse the tide, trying to ignore it, but it will come in, drown you and sweep you away if you don't move.
Lead, follow or (most appropriate for government) get out of the way!

[Rocky]

Cest bien Antonio, one gets tired of pushing/swimming against the tide. I think that some of us have a different view of government. Government shouldn't be in the way to begin with, it should be facilitating and helping. It's a dysfunctional government that's in the way and to me getting government out is not the answer, making it relevant should be the goal. There are things that only government can do, but it's up to us to make government accountable. In reality, the "us" part is as dysfunctional as our government.

[warren,]

In all these years at Byte & Chew, with Rocky's constant Whining about Opportunities and New Strategies and Game Plans for Berlin. He has never Proposed One Concrete Idea, just the Same Old Nebulous Waffle about Tourism. Which is Great for a Small Business on Main St. that sells Tacky Gifts and Souveniers, but Definately Sucks for the other 99% of Berlinite's.
I guess all those "washed up 50 something French People" who are so Scorned over on Coos Conversations Blog can Take a Hike to environs South to make way for a Future Artiste's Community and a Wave of Neuveau Riche. Talk about "Pie in the Sky", If He had His way, We'd all be in $8/hr. Service Industry Jobs for Life.

[toonist]

And that's all that the tourist industry will get you!

[warren,]

Right On Toonist. Some Folks are just concerned with #1. Remember the Bleatings about "Fiduciary Interest" a while back coming from a certain Committee of One? Again, The only Real concern was for #1. I've no problem with Tourism, Hunters are Great People... and the rest are OK. But Talk about eating the crumbs that fall from the Table!!! This My Way or the Highway attitude of a Minority here in Berlin is Pathetic. Lets have a Mixed Economy with Opportunity for All. Eh? Isn't it just like some folks view of "The Rich", to want all the Benefits for Themselves? And the Rest of us can all go you know where!

[warren,]

Here is just One Example of The Sterling Leadership We have right here in Berlin. Sen. Gallus will do Whatever it takes to create Opportunities for Berlin. Be it a Federal Pen or a Gambling Casino. The Federal Budget is problematic as We all Know by now, and Gaming has been Shot to You know where in the NH House every time it has been Proposed. We are LUCKY to Have Our State Senator Right here in Berlin...Where Anyone can Walk right in and Talk to Him in Person! Whadaya Want there Rocky? Someone else who might Live over in Whitefield or Littleton and who does not give a hoot about Berlin?

BERLIN -- Half the state Senate is expected to be in Berlin Monday for a tour set up by North Country Senator John Gallus. Gallus said he anticipates about 13 of the 24 state senators will attend the tour.
“We have a good half of the state Senate coming. This is a pretty good sized group,” he said.
Gallus said Senate President Peter Bragdon and Finance Committee Chair Chuck Morse are both scheduled to attend.
Gallus said he set up the tour to introduce the senators to the city and area. He said he wants to acquaint them with some of the issues facing the region.
“A lot of these guys have never been here,” he said.
Gallus pointed out there is a big difference in the economy of the North Country and that of the southern part of the state near Nashua and Manchester.
Gallus said the senators will arrive by 10:30 a.m. by van or private vehicle. In the morning , the group will tour both the federal and state prisons. During the recent budget debate in Concord, Gallus said there were a number of proposals about the Berlin prison including one to close the prison and send the inmates to an out-of-state facility. Gallus said he wants the senators to see the prison and its operation. While in Berlin, some of the senators also wanted to see the federal prison so Gallus arranged a tour there as well. The federal prison is completed but is awaiting a federal appropriation to be able to hire staff and accept inmates.
Lunch for the group has been arranged at the Jericho state park. Between 12:30 and 1 p.m., Berlin and Gorham officials and area economic development leaders have been invited to meet with the group.
In the afternoon, the group will travel some of the ATV trails in the park. Gallus said he is working to arrange ATVs for the group. He said he wants to discuss what improvements need to be made to the park which is not fully developed.
The group is scheduled to wrap up the tour by 4 p.m. and return south.

[Antonio Andolini]

Interesting news about what's happening with Northern Pass henchmen.
http://www.colebrookchronicle.com/Aug19.pdf

[warren,]

Principled People willing to Stand up for what They Believe in, not Backing down or Compromising even in the Face of $$$!
- They must be "Simplistic Morons" Antonio...

If Energy is a National Security Issue, then Let's Make it Right here in America. I thought Burying the Pass was an acceptable alternative. But now I'm suggesting the Quebecois go Bury their Pass where the Sun Don't Shine!

[Antonio Andolini]

Economist Jeffrey Sachs slammed President Obama on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" on Friday.

"We're almost three years into this administration, and there's never been a plan. And that's what everybody feels. And the president didn't lead. He waited. The quintessential image, sadly, of an administration that I supported and hoped for much better, is the president waiting by the phone to hear what Congress calls to tell him. It doesn't work in this country that way. It's not a matter that it's August. It's a matter that it's August 2011. So we've been drifting for a very long time. And we've been drifting down. And we had a short-term plan that failed. A short-term stimulus that was supposed to get the economy back on track, but it failed. And now we have nothing behind it. And we have no agreements, and we have no leadership. And, frankly, I do think it's pretty odd the president's on vacation right now. Normally I wouldn't care about such things, but the world markets are in deep crisis. It's no joke. This isn't just an up-and-down little blip. This is a very serious situation."
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2011/08/19/economist_sachs_hits_obama_theres_never_been_a_plan.html

[Antonio Andolini]

A longer clip including the conversation leading up to Dr. Sach's remarks and following:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036789/vp/44200957#44200957

[Antonio Andolini]

Because we wouldn't want to be accused of selective editing:
http://www.politico.com/blogs/onmedia/0811/Right_calls_foul_on_Schultzs_Perry_remark.html

[Antonio Andolini]

Who's leading?
Koch brothers? Forget about it! Karl Rove funding Herman Cain...what the Tea party is really all about...Janeane knows... so much wisdom in one segment...the Al Gore Channel at its best! Chockful' of nuts is that ...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EyfaxOl4y0Y

[Wing Nut]

Rocky likes to talk about lack of leadership. BHO is a perfect example of that lack of leadership on the Federal level. Saddest President that I've seen in my lifetime (I was a little too young to remember the poor job that Carter did as President). Those who remember Carter actually tell me that BHO is far worse. I cannot wait to see him go in 2012.

Take care,
WN