New Hampshire's Virtual Town Hall
Legislature says no thanks, Old Man
The following editorial by Joseph W. McQuaid appeared in the May 19th edition of the Union Leader.
It has been seven years since nature reclaimed the Old Man of the Mountain. Yet to this day the state has done little to help bring tourists back to the Franconia Notch region where the Old Man was such an attraction for generations.
These are tough times for the state's budget, so we don't expect miracles. But when politicians talk of the importance of tourism, and find millions to refit Hampton Beach, it is ridiculous not to at least commit the state to some limited future role in financial support of the Old Man Legacy Fund.
The fund's plans are to create ground-level images of the Old Man through a series of huge granite stones, along with a refurbished museum and informational walking tour along Profile Lake. Much of this plan will come through donations from private citizens and companies. All of it will be on the state's property. Yet the Legislature declines any responsibility for making it happen.
The Old Man brought millions of tourists to the North Country and the whole state reaped the benefits. Is it too much for the North Country to expect some state support for the effort to memorialize that symbol and revitalize the area?
It has been seven years since nature reclaimed the Old Man of the Mountain. Yet to this day the state has done little to help bring tourists back to the Franconia Notch region where the Old Man was such an attraction for generations.
These are tough times for the state's budget, so we don't expect miracles. But when politicians talk of the importance of tourism, and find millions to refit Hampton Beach, it is ridiculous not to at least commit the state to some limited future role in financial support of the Old Man Legacy Fund.
The fund's plans are to create ground-level images of the Old Man through a series of huge granite stones, along with a refurbished museum and informational walking tour along Profile Lake. Much of this plan will come through donations from private citizens and companies. All of it will be on the state's property. Yet the Legislature declines any responsibility for making it happen.
The Old Man brought millions of tourists to the North Country and the whole state reaped the benefits. Is it too much for the North Country to expect some state support for the effort to memorialize that symbol and revitalize the area?
Tags: Old Man of the Mountain
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