Black Mountain, NH OPEN AGAIN more alive than ever

[deadheadskier]

Judge sides with Black Mountain in records case

JACKSON — A Superior Court judge has sided with Black Mountain Ski Area and ordered Jackson Police Department to turn over documents related to complaints about Black Mountain’s 90th anniversary

www.conwaydailysun.com

Looks like Eric is probably right in that the Chief was embellishing the nature of complaints about the party.

 

[eatskisleep]

Judge sides with Black Mountain in records case

JACKSON — A Superior Court judge has sided with Black Mountain Ski Area and ordered Jackson Police Department to turn over documents related to complaints about Black Mountain’s 90th anniversary

www.conwaydailysun.com

Looks like Eric is probably right in that the Chief was embellishing the nature of complaints about the party.

Not just embellishing, he was the complainer:

Mogensen said he was seeking proof of complaints that Police Chief Chris Perley said were made regarding the May celebration that included live music, fireworks and alleged public drinking and parking violations.
He questions Perley’s characterizing it as a disorderly celebration. He is also seeking information about other alleged complaints.
Perley said the police turned over a copy of a state Liquor Commission investigative report and all of the foundational information, including emails and calls for service.
Mogensen said the report showed the town did withhold information and also that concerns about the party came from just a single person, Perley.

wtf!!

 

[AdironRider]

Also in the article, although buried at the end, the investigation found Black was out of compliance by serving alcohol at the mid-station venue, had numerous public intoxication incidents (but not arrests - which IME is probably smart from the Town to not go overboard), admitted to a public urination problem because there were no bathrooms at midstation venue (probably why they didn't get in compliance for serving alcohol - they wouldn't be approved for that with no bathrooms), and also admitted they were lax about policing weed smoking. All of which they said they would do better about.

Basically the State gave them a warning and now they need to shape up. Town could still say nope, so Erik isn't out of the woods yet.

 

[rebel1916]

Also in the article, although buried at the end, the investigation found Black was out of compliance by serving alcohol at the mid-station venue, had numerous public intoxication incidents (but not arrests - which IME is probably smart from the Town to not go overboard), admitted to a public urination problem because there were no bathrooms at midstation venue (probably why they didn't get in compliance for serving alcohol - they wouldn't be approved for that with no bathrooms), and also admitted they were lax about policing weed smoking. All of which they said they would do better about.

Basically the State gave them a warning and now they need to shape up. Town could still say nope, so Erik isn't out of the woods yet.

There is an awful lot of extrapolation going on there. Some of which seems like reasonable jumps, some, like the weed, to be not exactly in line with the facts as written in the story.

 

[AdironRider]

The GM admitted to it occurring and said he would police it better.

Full disclosure, I personally don’t give a shit but the State Liqour Commission does in this context, so to have the complaint lodged and the mountain admitting it occurred in some fashion is significant.

 

[jimmywilson69]

Weird Story gets Weirder.

Its fun to party, but a business has to know when to draw the line. the State doesn't need to issue Liquor licenses if they are a nuisance. Not saying they are, but this is definitely a mark against them in that regard due to this one instance.

 

[Smellytele]

Weird Story gets Weirder.

Its fun to party, but a business has to know when to draw the line. the State doesn't need to issue Liquor licenses if they are a nuisance. Not saying they are, but this is definitely a mark against them in that regard due to this one instance.

Alcohol was served at the mid station before Eric was involved.

 

[eatskisleep]

There is an awful lot of extrapolation going on there. Some of which seems like reasonable jumps, some, like the weed, to be not exactly in line with the facts as written in the story.

Yeah seriously haha. The Black hater is back!

Also in the article, although buried at the end, the investigation found Black was out of compliance by serving alcohol at the mid-station venue, had numerous public intoxication incidents (but not arrests - which IME is probably smart from the Town to not go overboard), admitted to a public urination problem because there were no bathrooms at midstation venue (probably why they didn't get in compliance for serving alcohol - they wouldn't be approved for that with no bathrooms), and also admitted they were lax about policing weed smoking. All of which they said they would do better about.

Basically the State gave them a warning and now they need to shape up. Town could still say nope, so Erik isn't out of the woods yet.

Let's go point by point.


Also in the article, although buried at the end, the investigation found Black was out of compliance by serving alcohol at the mid-station venue,
The article states: “The Liquor Commission also said Black Mountain should have gotten permission from the commission to extend alcohol service to the midway (ski area) station … Black Mountain management replied they would get into compliance.”
This reflects an administrative clarification, not a violation. There is no finding of wrongdoing or penalty.


had numerous public intoxication incidents (but not arrests - which IME is probably smart from the Town to not go overboard),
The article explicitly notes: “The commission report says Jackson police never identified them, but only escorted them to the parking lot.”
No individuals were identified, cited, or arrested. The report confirms there were no substantiated (or actually documented??) incidents.

admitted to a public urination problem because there were no bathrooms at midstation venue (probably why they didn't get in compliance for serving alcohol - they wouldn't be approved for that with no bathrooms)
The report records: “Lahood said he didn’t catch anyone urinating in public. Black Mountain management agreed … there should be bathrooms at the midway station.”
There was no admission of a problem... only agreement that restrooms would be added for future large events. Also, who else here has gone to the bathroom while on slope and skiing? I know I certainly use the woods when nature calls.

, and also admitted they were lax about policing weed smoking. All of which they said they would do better about.
“Lahood told Dumas that he did smell marijuana during the event and suspected people were smoking on the chairlift. However, he didn’t see anyone smoking, and if he had that person would have been ejected. This seemed to satisfy Dumas.”
The investigator accepted this response; there was no finding of lax enforcement. Also, what's up with the Live Free or Die state being so anti weed?

Basically the State gave them a warning and now they need to shape up.
The judge’s order is quoted: “The fact that the NHLC has already conducted its own investigation into these matters without taking action tends to indicate that such a petition would not be accepted.”
No warning or disciplinary action was issued by the state mentioned in this article

Town could still say nope, so Erik isn't out of the woods yet.
Judge Attorri wrote that further enforcement by the town was “doubly speculative.”

This part was also like icing on the cake to read:
Meanwhile, on Sept. 17, the Jackson Zoning Board of Adjustment ruled that selectmen cannot fine Black Mountain for temporary signage placed at Veterans Park and the school’s grounds. A sign placed on July 5 saying, “Free Lift Rides Today.” A second sign was an orange directional sign saying, “All Ski Area Parking.” While the ZBA found the signs were improperly placed according to the sign ordinance, the selectmen didn’t give sufficient notice and so Black Mountain could not be fined for these violations.

And one more time for good measure:
The article says: “Mogensen said the report showed … concerns about the party came from just a single person, Perley.”
There were no “numerous” public complaints... only one source.

The official record shows no citations, no arrests, no penalties, and no substantiated violations. The state investigation closed without action, and the court ruled in Black Mountain’s favor.

Lastly, I don't think I commented about the The "petition" about the noise, and that is a different matter. 82 people signed it... how many of those people even live close enough to Black to hear music?

 

[deadheadskier]

Stop the presses. People are doing pot at a ski area!!!! Other are peeing in the woods!!!

Won't somebody think of the children!

This whole thing just wreaks of Perley being on a typical insecure cop, power trip. He probably had a sour interaction with mountain employees early in the season where he felt his authority was disrespected, then saw the mountain mocking the PD by giving out joke parking tickets (I received one during my visit) and said, "I'm going to show them who is boss! You try that in a small town Mr Morgensen!"

 

[jaytrem]

Stop the presses. People are doing pot at a ski area!!!!

It was most likely medical marijuana anyway. Seriously though, I had no clue it wasn't legal in the "live free or die" state.

 

[Edd]

It was most likely medical marijuana anyway. Seriously though, I had no clue it wasn't legal in the "live free or die" state.

Becomes a minor issue when the 3 bordering states all have it legally, and it is decriminalized here but it’s undeniably stupid.

 

[eatskisleep]

Apparently a big issue for some of the members here…

 

[AdironRider]

Do not confuse that with my personal beliefs about what a ski area should be able to do, weed, or drinking on mountain. All of which I've been known to partake in personally. It should be pretty self explanatory not to piss off authorities when doing so though but unlike almost every other mountain in the Northeast, Black has managed to do that. We going to seriously argue that cops behaving like power hungry cops or a well to do Town with no actual real problems being up in your business is something unique to Jackson NH? Please.

 

[kbroderick]

Stop the presses. People are doing pot at a ski area!!!! Other are peeing in the woods!!!

I feel like the validity of the public urination complaint really depends on how public the urination was.

Strategically picked spot amongst the trees? Get over it.

Standing in your skis at the edge of the snow, (this was a closing day WROD situation, right?) maybe not so great.

Off the edge of the deck? Definitely not great.

On the police cruiser? Amusing but unlikely to end well.

 

[rebel1916]

The GM admitted to it occurring and said he would police it better.

He did not say that, he said something to the effect of "he didn’t see anyone smoking, and if he had that person would have been ejected", which is rearward, not forward looking.

 

[2Planker]

Becomes a minor issue when the 3 bordering states all have it legally, and it is decriminalized here but it’s undeniably stupid.

All 3 bordering states and Canada to the North…

 

[eatskisleep]

He did not say that, he said something to the effect of "he didn’t see anyone smoking, and if he had that person would have been ejected", which is rearward, not forward looking.

Exactly! I literally posted the quotes directly from the article but some people still ignore it. Crazy!

 

[Killingtime]

I feel like the validity of the public urination complaint really depends on how public the urination was.

Strategically picked spot amongst the trees? Get over it.

Standing in your skis at the edge of the snow, (this was a closing day WROD situation, right?) maybe not so great.

Off the edge of the deck? Definitely not great.

On the police cruiser? Amusing but unlikely to end well.

One of the joys of skiing is pissing in the woods. A nice quiet spot in amongst the trees is Heaven. I'm guessing that to install bathrooms at the mid-station wont come cheaply. Funny how this hasn't been a problem before.

 

[kbroderick]

One of the joys of skiing is pissing in the woods. A nice quiet spot in amongst the trees is Heaven. I'm guessing that to install bathrooms at the mid-station wont come cheaply. Funny how this hasn't been a problem before.

Port-a-potties are my guess. I've seen other ski areas use them in places without plumbing, but given the challenge of getting them serviced once in place, they probably shouldn't be too close to the lodge, either.

 

[deadheadskier]

They could build permanent out houses. That's what Gunstock has at their summit. I'm guessing they don't get pumped all season.