Let me begin this first post of 2012 with what I’ve personally grown to understand as the most precious gift and best wish of all. “May you have good health throughout 2012”.
I was just reading about the fact that Kestle is seriously thinking about establishing its airplane facility in Wisconsin. Let’s face it, companies move their operations to a particular location for several reasons and most of those reasons have to do with their bottom line. In our Live Free or Die State where we pride ourselves with the fact that we don’t have any broad base taxes, our State Economic Development Office can barely meet its payroll never mind offer generous incentives. (That’s why PSNH funds so many of their efforts) We might be proud of our tax situation here in New Hampshire but we have to keep in mind that although we don’t pay broad base taxes, we also don’t attract people like Kestle. Now don’t get me wrong, I don’t want to pay taxes any more than the next guy, what I’m saying is that “there’s nothing for nothing” and when we pay nothing we usually end up with nothing. So when I read that Mayor Grenier is confident that Berlin is in the running, I have to ask myself why in hell would they be serious about Berlin? Sorry Paul, every community and State claims to have people with the “greatest work ethic”, so you better come up with something better than that. Now co-locating with the biomass plant has merit, but I don’t know if there’s enough to be gained by that co-location to make it worthwhile. Sure Kestle will get electricity at a discount, but that discounted electric rate is probably on par with the base rate in Wisconsin. I must confess that I have no idea how much thermal energy Kestle needs and it could be that it’s a tremendous amount and that it may make economic sense, but as I said earlier, the decision will be about the impact on the bottom line, not any special “deal” Mr. Grenier claims he can pull off. Berlin and our Mayor are back in that “mode” of wishing for a “knight in shining armor” that will ride into town and save our faltering economy. It’s that way of looking at our future that has seen us shrink to half our once prosperous selves and sets us up for promoters like Michael Bartoszek, the Granite Mining King we citizens supported for months and the TEPCO promoter John Harrison who promised us an aluminum plant and a nuclear plant. When will the leadership of Berlin come up with its own goal and a strategy to reverse our downward spiral? It’s a question that the citizens of Berlin should be asking Mr. Grenier and his hand picked “Team”.
Rocky,
You make me laugh. The way I read your post you seem to be claiming that a broad based tax will result in more jobs for the State of NH. Can you prove that higher taxes will result in more jobs? Maybe I missed the point of your post but your left leaning perspective on economics sure can be amusing. Are you working for Soros?
By the way, NH has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the nation. I realize that Coos County's rate is high, but as a State we are doing relatively well. I would respectfully submit that maybe we are doing better than the rest of the nation because of our lack of a broad based tax. Food for thought.
Take care,
WN
Posted by: Wing Nut | January 03, 2012 at 08:42 PM
My point WN is as stated, there's nothing for nothing and that my friend is neither right or left leaning. There are States where companies are offered million dollar incentives at the drop of the hat because they have the resources to do that. I'm not sure if we're better or worse off for not having a broad base tax and I do know what the right leaning arguments/prejudices are. One difference between you and I and many right leaning folks my friend is that I don't believe that I'm as infallible as you guys seem to believe you are.
Posted by: Rocky | January 03, 2012 at 09:24 PM
It is my understanding that Burgess biopower can not offer cheaper electricity to any co-locater as provided in the power purchase agreement with PSNH and that the submitted plan (application) submitted and approved by NH for the biomass boiler does not include any provisions within the current plan for co-location. That does not mean that a plan can not be changed, but it does mean that the current plan doesn't offer any more incentives for co-location without significant retrofitting. It's a disadvantage to enticing co-locators in much the same way our government has a disadvantage offering "nothing for nothing". Perhaps that is why Kestle is now branching out in their thinking to Wisconsin.
Posted by: jonathan edwards | January 04, 2012 at 07:10 AM
I'm Thankful that Berlin no longer has Folks like Tim, Dick and Dave in Control. Their Negativity is more Depressing than the Suicide Rate attributed to the 45th Parallel!
And when asked for alternative solutions for Berlin's Economic Future, They pump more Hot Air than a Biomass plant...
The Name is "Kestrel", and Yes, I'm for it's Location here in Berlin. So When a Person will consistantly NOT "root" for the "Home Team".....What Conclusion are We left with????
Posted by: warren, | January 04, 2012 at 07:24 AM
Yes it would be great to have Kestle (Kestrel sorry) here in the city, but the team has no control over a sizable retrofit expense, significantly more incentives prescribed by other states, and agreements in place that prohibit the sale of cheaper power to co-locaters on the Burgess site, unfortunately.
Posted by: jonathan edwards | January 04, 2012 at 07:49 AM
It's totally false that "Tim. Dick, Dave" were negative about Berlin or economic development, quite the opposite in fact. What they were negative about along with anybody that took the time to look at the history of the company, was Laidlaw and its CEO Michael Bartoszek. Unlike Paul Grenier who swoons over anybody in a business suit,(Wanna-be syndrome) Mr. Bertrand and the Counselors had done their due diligence and had in hand, evidence of wrong doing by Laidlaw. They also were aware of what Laidlaw had done in Ellicottville NY when they sued the small town for $10M. It would have been irresponsible possibly criminal for "Tim, Dick, Dave" to support Laidlaw. It's pure BS that they didn't support economic development.
Posted by: Rocky | January 04, 2012 at 08:41 AM
Rocky,
I don't believe I am infallible and I like to listen to both sides of any argument before forming an opinion. That being said, you'll never convince me that bigger government ($15 Trillion in debt) and higher taxes is going to help generate private sector jobs which is what the entire country sorely needs. I suggest that you stop drinking the Obama, Pelosi and Reid Kook-Aid and start thinking objectively about these issues. Just because the media says Obama has all the right answers doesn't make it true.
I also want to reiterate my previous post. Michael Bartoszek took advantage of some unwitting people and that is shameful. To quote Bill O'Reilly, his is a pinhead. A MAJOR pinhead in my opinion.
Take care,
WN
Posted by: Wing Nut | January 04, 2012 at 10:01 AM
Tim,Dick,Dave and Tom are all Gone. And now Cascade and Berlin's Burgess Site have a Future.... Coincidence?
Methinks Not. Money wasted on endless Rat Hole "Studies" does nothing to support economic development.
BTW, WN. How many Gallons of Leprechaun Juice have You consumed? Another Lock-Stepping Bushbot...
Posted by: warren, | January 04, 2012 at 04:16 PM
Keep drinking the Pauls' Punch, while you root for Team Berlin, Warren. In another two years, we can see where we've not been.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMxkMy9JvXI
Posted by: Antonio Andolini | January 04, 2012 at 04:37 PM
Warren,
So you think that my concern about massive goverment spending ($15 Trillion and counting) makes me a Bushbot? Come on man, Bush didn't help the situation either. Obama doubled down on his over-spending mistakes. I pray that President Romney reverses the trend of the last two administrations before the country is bankrupt.
Take care,
WN
Posted by: Wing Nut | January 04, 2012 at 04:55 PM
Tony! "Ron Howard" is a tad better than Alfred E. Neuman. haha.
Those sure must have been Happy Day's when America still had some innocence. Berlin has actually made a lot of Progress lately. I'm not sorry in the least that none of this progress has been "progressive" enough for You. But We can still enjoy the Old Country, Right? So just for fun:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVyzQY8W--g
WN, I expect Mitt, Newt or whichever Milk Toast gets Nominated to Choke this November, just like McShame did in '08.
Have a Nice Day,
ME
Posted by: warren, | January 04, 2012 at 05:24 PM
President Romney! Now that right there is funny I don't care who you are?
Is it too far fetched to think that the Repubs nominted McCain, and let him pick Palin knowing that those two nitwits could not possibly defeat the Dems Obama and therefore they could blame the entire mess they created on the Democratic POTUS? Hey WN "Mitt" Happens!
Posted by: toonist | January 04, 2012 at 09:21 PM
"The Littleton Courier, Berlin Reporter, and Coos County Democrat all announced today their endorsements of 2012 Republican Presidential candidate Ron Paul."
http://www.ronpaul2012.com/2012/01/04/three-nh-newspapers-endorse-ron-paul-for-president/
Posted by: Ron Paul 2012 | January 05, 2012 at 08:10 AM
Littleton Courier + Berlin Reporter + Coos County Democrat = 0
Posted by: Rocky | January 05, 2012 at 11:47 AM
Thank the good Lord above that Iowans had enough common sense not to vote for Gingrich. You heard it here first on byte & chew. President Romney will be our next President.
Toonist, the country cannot take four more years of BHO. I for one will be glad to see him go. I know that will upset you far left wing loons, but you should try to get used to the idea now (you have a year to digest it).
Take care,
WN
Posted by: Wing Nut | January 05, 2012 at 03:27 PM
2016 is coming! Keep the faith.
Posted by: Antonio Andolini | January 05, 2012 at 04:01 PM
Despite Iowa’s sizable hype, no national delegates will be directly at stake Jan. 3. In presidential voting, the Iowa GOP caucuses are essentially a statewide straw poll.
The Hawkeye State will send 28 delegates to the Republican National Convention in Tampa Aug. 23, out of 2,286 voting delegates total, but all of Iowa’s delegates will be “unbound,” or free to vote for any candidate for president or vice president. Iowa works differently from most states, which will award delegates to presidential candidates proportionally, according to how much of the vote each candidate captures. Most of those delegates will be required to vote for a specific candidate during the first round of voting at the national convention. Iowa’s won’t.
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/01/iowa-caucus-what-actually-happens/
Posted by: Antonio Andolini | January 05, 2012 at 04:17 PM
"Mitt Happens"!!!! .... toonist, thats Hilarious!
I remember when Mitt Carpet Bagged His way into Massachusetts to run against that Fat, Bloated Slob, Teddy K. Mitt had just made a Gaffe about some Milk Subsidy for Veteran's. He was giving a Speech in Downtown Haverhill by the T stop. Two Vietnam Vets showed up in a "Cow Suit" with a Bull Horn shouting "Show us how to Milk a Cow, Mitt!"
-I Love Direct Political Action! It was a Favorite Sport of mine for a time. One of My High Spots was Heckeling Bill Clinton outside the Merrimac Diner on Elm St. Manchester in 2000.... from about 15-20 feet away! I was the closest of a few Heckelers that day...
Posted by: warren, | January 05, 2012 at 04:25 PM
Just for You, Tony. The problem with Unions is.......
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_62Nk8KiQaU&feature=related
Posted by: warren, | January 05, 2012 at 05:31 PM
My favorite: "Brother Jim became subject to involuntary immobilization..."
Posted by: Antonio Andolini | January 05, 2012 at 08:40 PM
Isn't Satire Great? Here is what Happens when a Nations Health Care System is Nationalised....the end result is Mediocrity and Rationing. As well as Your General Practitioner being a Govt. Employee.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7S19_CD1fGc&feature=related
Posted by: warren, | January 06, 2012 at 08:48 AM