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$1M for Mittersill "improvement project"
- Thread starter bobbutts
- Start date
MadMadWorld
Active member
That's terrible. There goes the neighborhood!
Sucks to lose Barons as it was and I'm sure a big portion of Mittersill I haven't skied that has been in a "side country state" up until this proposed development. I'm sure the one net positive of destroying those experiences is that the Cannon Beavers will get busy in the woods elsewhere and prune stashes that don't exist today.
Smellytele
Well-known member
Well as noted that without Cannon (if sold off) then more money would be needed to support the other state parks - increasing the tax burden. Yes I know the talk is to lease it. Also you live in ME so you have no say.
MadMadWorld
Active member
The same argument is made for stadiums and other things. Ultimately, the only choice we have is in who we vote into public office that makes these decisions
Smellytele
Well-known member
This was from someones post earlier:
A more or less unbiased report on Cannon alleged deficit. http://www.unionleader.com/article/2...WS06/130509574
A quote from that article: She (State Treasurer Catherine Provencher) points out that Cannon actually operates at a profit but that revenues from Cannon go to support other parks that do not generate revenue. "Our parks fund was intended to be self-supporting, so I have to say Cannon and the Hampton meters pay for an awful lot of our system of parks that we can all enjoy," she said
That's fine, but do realize part of the taxes you pay in Maine goes towards operating parks that are enjoyed by very few people and lose money. It's all part of the greater good in providing recreational opportunities for people at a more reasonable cost than they will find pursuing those opportunities at privately held for profit venues.
Part of my tax dollars went towards a $14M revitalization of Hampton Beach. I've lived 15 minutes down the road from there for 6 years and have only been a couple of times to enjoy the improvements. It's just not a place I really dig, but appreciate that many other people do. I pay extra for State Park license plates for my car and probably don't realize a financial savings in doing so because I don't visit the parks often enough to justify the added cost of the plates that gets me "free" admittance. I buy them more because I know the extra money goes towards the upkeep and operation of the parks and there's value in that for the people of and visitors to this state.
Cannon could lose $1.3M a year and I wouldn't care. That's a buck a person. Residents lose far more on other frivolous expenditures by the state. At least money lost at Cannon provides a more affordable skiing experience than if it were privately run.
That's the way I see it anyways.
Puck it
Well-known member
And your tax dollars pay for a lot of other crap that should stand on it own or should I say pay their own way.
State Parks are by and large a money drain from the general fund in every state. NH is the only exceptions to that where the parks are fully funded by usage fees. For all the critics of Cannon and NH state parks financials, we do it better than any other state in the country.
Cannonball
New member
You were not aware that your taxes fund parks in your state? For someone who has a strong opinion about taxes increases and how their taxes should be spent, you might want to consider looking into at least the very basics of your state's operations.
dlague
Active member
Very true - many see the state paying for everything for NH Sate Parks which includes Cannon but the State parks system here is very self funded. Are there funds needed out of the Capital Budget for projects like Hampton Beach - yes. As deadheadskier mentions we do not use all of the resources - I for one do not visit Hampton Beach nor do I hike much in our state parks but I will be skiing Cannon due to the good deal extended to NH residents. I am not going to go crazy over where money is being spent on projects I am not interested in since there are others I like so in the end the projects overall cover a broader spectrum of people none of whom will use 100% of them.
Getting away again from the debate as to Cannon's status as a publicly owned ski area.....
Anyone up in the North Country been to Cannon and seen if any activity is going on at Mittersill?
Anyone up in the North Country been to Cannon and seen if any activity is going on at Mittersill?
Newpylong
Well-known member
Off topic rant:
I love this state because everything is as self sufficient as possible. Most of my taxes go towards local infrastructure, schools and roads, and that's pretty fair I think. If there are a few things that are subsidized like parks and ski areas, so be it. I could live in western MA and be paying so people in Boston can ride the T. Somewhere there has to be a balance.
As for Maine, look at all the money they are blowing on rail (and I am HUGE pro rail). Portland to Boston was a no-brainer - it's sold out constantly. Portland to Brunswick is pushing it. Now they are looking at extending to Augusta and possible going up the other way to Auburn/Lewiston. The state already spent millions rebuilding 20 miles of the Mountain Division past Westbrook and the customers never showed up. They are also looking at "Commuter Rail" between Lewiston/Auburn and Portland. Seriously? Burlington, VT tried that and it bombed. Traffic isn't bad enough and there aren't enough people. These are all multi-million dollars projects and maintenance that a small fraction will use.
So yeah - we have it pretty damn good here. That's why we have all the nut job Free Staters.
/end rant
SIKSKIER
New member
I'll be going to my house at Mittersill but not till Memorial Day weekend.I will report back.
dlague
Active member
Do you mean Labor Day? I think Memorial day is too far away, plus I would hate to see you miss the 2014-2015 ski season at Cannon with a place right there!
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VTKilarney
Well-known member
One clarification regarding taxes. Tax dollars spent on Cannon have an impact that is greater than the income received from the mountain itself. The people who ski at Cannon also pay taxes at hotels, gas stations, restaurants, etc. So the real question is whether or not the TOTAL revenues generated by Cannon (whether on-site or off-site) are greater than the total expenditure.
As far as off-site revenues are concerned, you would have eliminate tax revenues from money that would have been spent in NH even if Cannon did not exist. For example, if a family would have spent the same amount of money at restaurants and hotels while skiing Loon if Cannon was closed, those tax revenues should be excluded. I'm certainly not smart enough to figure out that calculation.
As far as off-site revenues are concerned, you would have eliminate tax revenues from money that would have been spent in NH even if Cannon did not exist. For example, if a family would have spent the same amount of money at restaurants and hotels while skiing Loon if Cannon was closed, those tax revenues should be excluded. I'm certainly not smart enough to figure out that calculation.
VTKilarney
Well-known member
10 month party at Sikskiers' house!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BYOB!!!!!!!
Abubob
Well-known member
I would think that would be impossible to quantify especially seeing as there are nearly no services as near to Cannon as there are to other areas. I don't even know what the closest gas station or restaurant there is south of Cannon other than what you would find in Franconia and I can't even think of much there. Lincoln/Woodstock is the closest and anyone that uses those services could much more easily ski at Loon. So I just don't see how it would be possible calculate outside taxes generated by each ski area.
Puck it
Well-known member
Gas and lodging in North Lincoln.
Add Littleton, Bethlehem, Franconia, and Sugar Hill to the list of towns.....
