It’s looking like Pennsylvania is following the trend of cash strapped states.

Table games are on their way to being passed.

I’ve been following the development(s) at the Sands Bethworks Casino in Bethlehem, PA is a former steel mill that has now become a casino and tourist destination. I’m thinking about taking a road trip down there in a couple of weeks, as a Texas Holdem player I think the greatest feeling is to crack some aces and have the dealer shove a nice pile my way…

I’m also thinking about taking a trip south the Mountaineer Casino and Racetrack in Chester, West Virginia. I’ve never been there but I think it’s an interesting comparison with New Hampshire a rural based upscale casino in a predominantly rural state.

New Hampshire has no casinos. But the rural based agrarian economies are similar.

Not that the major policymakers in the NH Statehouse are really listening to realistic and factual based arguments for the casino bills anyway.

But I’ll still be reporting what I find out right here on nhinsder.com

Well, that’s about all I’ve got right now. I’ve been listening to the Gonzo Goat Rancher Show episode #20 on I Tunes, the top of the show talks about dealing with frustration and rambunctiousness and listening to a song. In this case it’s a song by the Deftones it’s called My Own Summer.

I think its kind of a cool idea.

Summer is coming so I decided to post it here.

Source: Deftones. My Own Summer.(Shove It).

Blue New Hampshire is reporting about Gubernatorial Candidate John Stephen’s so-called volunteer work in Rhode Island for $370,000.00.

I don’t think this looks too good.

Former Commissioner Stephen is facing an uphill battle to begin with. A battle that will be determined in large, by finances. This is assuming there is a clear shot at the three term popular incumbent. This is like the sniper trying to range in on the wolf and not only are the skies cloudy they are very murky.

And the wolf has weapons too.

In a way this is good. The issue has been unleashed in the very beginning and so now Stephen needs to respond and quickly. From the article that I read in the Providence newspaper Stephen has a relationship with Jay Lucas d/b/a The Lucas Group. I was in the legislature when Lucas ran for Governor against Shaheen. I won’t recount history or the election results. My impression of Lucas is that he had little interest in learning about state government or how to get things done in the Statehouse. Instead the Republican party who I recall at the time was Steve Duprey picked Lucas I’m guessing over the ability to “self-finance” his campaign. This is pure speculation on my part.

But I think the real issue is the $370,000.00 and whether Republican frontrunner Stephen can either eliminate the issue or even distance himself from it. Former Commissioner Stephen was in South Carolina was this considered volunteer work as well?

Wounded animals in the forest die very quickly. This is fair and this is just.

I’ve long been a proponent of proactive transportation policy and more specifically using railroads to move people and goods and how effective rail systems make life better. I’ve been doing this for a long time. In 1990 I was one of the original 25-30 people who were standing in Monument Square in Portland, Maine calling for the creation of Amtrak service between Boston and Portland.

Today this service is a success. A new seventh daily train has been added and according to the advocacy group Train Riders Northeast the Amtrak service is now poised to expand north of Portland to a brand new station in Brunswick. I’m confident this this new service will do as well as the Amtrak service between Boston-Portland which is known as The Downeaster.

I think expanding Amtrak throughout New England is good transportation policy from all aspects, transportation, commerce, community and the list continues on. Similar initiatives are going on in Vermont.

Rail freight service is improving as well. Norfolk Southern Corporation has started the Patriot Corridor running from Mechanicville, New York to Ayer, Mass with a subsidiary effort directed from East Deerfield, Mass. up the Connecticut River valley to White River Junction, Vermont. This is a project that involves a multi million dollar capital investment in the rail infrastructure and a project that I’m confident will lead to substantial taxbase and jobs throughout New England.

I could easily continue on about some further projects that are happening with respect to rail in New England but I won’t because recently, I’ve found a video on UTUBE which I’m concerned about, a project that I’ve heard of before and a project that Senator John E. Sununu and Congressman Paul Hodes told me that does not exist.

This video is about a project known as the NAFTA Superhighway and the construction of roadway and rail from Mexico through to Canada that will be ultimately used to integrate the economies of Canada/United States/Mexico into a North American Union.

I don’t know if this project is happening or not. But I do know that at one time Rome was once a very powerful government and their policy was to tax and control.

All of the roads did originate in Rome.

Source: Endgame 6 of 13 via UTUBE.

So on my way home from Concord I decided to stop at the Lodge at Belmont. I’m thinking that the Kentucky Derby is coming the expanded gaming legislation is in the statehouse, and I haven’t been there in awhile, or at least since they’ve eliminated live greyhound racing.

It was pretty quiet today which makes sense its in-between seasons and there weren’t a lot of major racing going on the widescreens from places like Penn National, Belmont, Aqueduct, Presque Isle, etc. The first thing I noticed in the main lobby was an architectural rendering which looks like an expanded Lodge at Belmont with an attached hotel. My impression is that it looked very similar to the buildings at the Turning Stone Casino and Resort in Verona, New York. I’m thinking that if this is built that this would be the highest valued piece of property in Belmont in addition to the new jobs that would be created in this area of New Hampshire.   

If only the legislature can pass the gaming legislation. And Gov. Lynch signs it into law.

Right near the rendering which was done by an architectural firm with offices in such places as Las Vegas and Tulsa, Oklahoma is a demo model of a historical racing machine. This is a machine that looks very similar to a standard slot machine but in this case it is the last 10-15 seconds of a horse race where the bettor wagers on the outcome of a race that is from the past. Unlike regular live horseracing there is no handicapping, there are no odds or Beyer figures posted the bettor simply selects three horses the race is quickly run and the winnings are either paid or just a ‘game over.’ It moves about as fast as a standard slot machine and the payouts I saw for a .25 cent wager are all below $7.00. There is a handi helper function which really isn’t a helper it just selects the three horses instead of the player doing it.

I’ve read that these historical racing machines are an alternative to the regular slot machines that are now being proposed for New Hampshire. I don’t see how this can be an alternative the whole process of these machines seems to be exactly the same as the spinning of the slot machines; and from a regulatory standpoint how could the state let in historical racing machines and not let in the slot machines. Govenor Lynch is right the expanded gaming is either in New Hampshire or it isn’t.

There wasn't any activity in the poker room or any music at the Bluesology which is the bar area so I decided to head north.  It is in between seasons.

The only thing I don’t like about the Lodge at Belmont is its location. Getting there from Concord is Route 106 which does move along fairly quickly but there are lights in places like Loudon which can be aggravating and when the races are happening at NH Motor Speedway, forget it. Going north on 106 to get back to I-93 I think is a nightmare, especially at night. The hill going down by Belmont Fire Department; the stop sign in front of the church then trying to get through the residential area of Belmont and then onto to the traffic lights in Tilton.

Think its easier to hit a superfacta.

From the official press release below it looks like the Governor and Executive Council have approved $234,678 for a workforce training program aimed at high school students in northern New Hampshire.

Why is this needed?

It’s interesting in that they discuss a “contract with the Grafton County Economic Development Council.” Was this contract put out to bid? I think part of the argument here could be that the State of New Hampshire is at least trying to do something in creating jobs and that this program might be useful in helping local area businesses like Garnet Hill and New England Electric Wire have experienced applicants and trained employees for their operations. This is in addition to education.

I’m trying not to be cynical and negative but I think this is a waste of $234,678 and will do nothing more than pay a coordinators salary, plus benefits and likely the ditzy wife of someone who is connected to the right circles in Grafton county.  As a part of this the local news media will go right along with the program and they’ll be some story showing an innocent high school student working as an order filler or answering the telephone and how useful this program is. I think a better use of the $234,678 would have been to put the funds directly to the schools themselves to make sure the students graduate with some of the funds escrowed for students that either show an interest on their own, or have an interest and/or a demonstrated talent like machine engineering. In all reality this might not even be needed because companies like New England Electric Wire have in the past tried to do this on their own without taxpayer money and ditzy well-connected coordinators.

I don’t think this $234,678 is going to lead anywhere. And I’ll bet the vote just sailed through the Executive Council. It's just money anyway.

At one time New England Electric Wire Company based in Lisbon sponsored what I thought was a quality program. They had a partnership with Lisbon High School to bring in I think high-speed T-1 access into the high school so that video conferencing could be done with instructors from around the world so to offer better training for their in-house engineers and the students at the school would be able to take advantage of some of the content as well.

This is better than spending $234,678. And for what kind of results?  

I think the taxpayers and the students are going to get nothing out of all this.

Nothing.

But the Grafton County Economic Development Council will get something.

Source: Official Press Release.

Governor and Council Approve Funding to Expand Real World Learning Opportunities for Students

For Immediate Release

CONCORD – Gov. John Lynch and the Executive Council today approved the use federal Workforce Investment Act funds to expand a successful program in Grafton County that offers real world learning opportunities and high school credit for students.

The $234,678 contract with the Grafton County Economic Development Council will help to expand the existing North Country Work Place Education Project.

“We must continue to create new opportunities for real-world learning, where students can gain on-the-job training and the basic skills they need to graduate from high school and get a good job. These funds will allow us to expand a successful program, where students are learning valuable lessons, as well as high school credits,” said Gov. Lynch. “This program represents the state’s growing efforts to provide greater alternative education programs that are helping more of our young people graduate from high school.”

Gov. Lynch has made increasing New Hampshire’s high school graduation rate a priority, by increasing the compulsory attendance age from 16 to 18 and expanding alternative education programs. In just the last year, New Hampshire’s high school dropout rate decreased by 30 percent. This initiative builds on those efforts.

The current program matches students from the Lisbon Regional School and Profile High School, with companies such as Garnet Hill and New England Wire. Funding from the Workforce Investment Act will fund an expansion to other North Country high schools and businesses.

“Providing students with the opportunity to gain new job readiness skills is of paramount importance to building the workforce of tomorrow,” said Department of Resources and Economic Development Commissioner George Bald. “I'm thrilled that more and more young people will be able to access this first class project and to take advantage of this excellent public/private partnership.”

“The Governor and Executive Council’s support for this public/private partnership represents the solid support for innovative solutions to the problems in the North Country,” said Mark Scarano, executive director of the Grafton County Economic Development Council.

Governor Lynch has stated exactly what I was thinking earlier in the week about the politics that is really behind the very idea(s) of expanding casino gaming in New Hampshire. The three term governor has stated that it isn’t possible to have a pilot program for expanded casino gaming. The casinos are either here or they aren’t.

I’ll start by saying I really can’t blame Gov. Lynch for taking this position. He is opposed to the idea of bringing casinos into New Hampshire and doesn’t want to go down in history as the person that was responsible. There is no question that New Hampshire would be a different place if expanded casino gaming were enacted into law but the question but I’m still asking if it would it be a necessarily bad place.

Chester, Pennsylvania.

This community is just south of Philadelphia right off I-95 and alongside the Delaware River and the tracks of the Amtrak Northeast Corridor. Chester has seen a better day. When I first visited the newly opened racino it reminded me of some of the poorer neighborhoods in Baltimore. Poor, black, section 8 and burned out buildings. The roadway leading up to the racino is better. There are some light industrial buildings, like a canned goods manufacturer and a newer looking correctional facility right across from the parking garage at the racino itself. I’ve already talked about the racino itself in a previous blog back in August so I won’t waste your time now. But after considering the position of Governor Lynch am questioning if a expanded casino gaming pilot program could be applicable and more importantly, successful  in New Hampshire.

I don’t think it could be. Governor Lynch is right once it’s here it’s here and there is no turning back. But after looking at the financial statements from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania of the total revenue generated by gaming and what this means for the state treasury can’t help but to question if New Hampshire policymakers couldn’t be doing more in considering expanded casino gaming for New Hampshire.

Thought I’d start tonight’s blog with some information which may or not be helpful. And this information is iTunes. This is a product that is produced by Apple Corporation. I’ve always assumed it to be an expensive proposition in purchasing an IPOD or an iTouch for several hundred dollars, followed by a recurring expense of $15.00-$20.00 for the iTunes cards used for downloading music onto the IPOD to be listened to. Basically, a fashionable and trendy walkman.

Well today I found out that there is an inexpensive way to enjoy some of the iTunes and more specifically, free podcasting which has a lot of interesting content. Basically all I did was download the iTunes application and did a search of free applications including politics. Well, there’s a lot there and some of it is free. Right now I’m listening to the Gonzo Goat Rancher Show, it’s a mixture of comedy, politics, music and descriptive commentary. There are others. I haven’t spent a great deal of time researching all that is available. Some of the podcasts seem pretty interesting.  Podcasting and politics.

I also believe there is a way to download this content onto an MP3 player which can be purchased for $20-$30 dollars instead of the more expensive Apple societal statement route.  

Speaking of politics I’ve got a number of projects and ideas going on right now but nothing major to report on right now here on nhinsider.com. But I’d like to at least do a précis of some of my ideas and what will likely happen on my blog in the near future.

DRED Commissioner Bald nomination- Despite my interest and inquiry to Executive Councilor Ray Burton I’ve got nothing further to report here. Apparently, my concerns have been forwarded to the Commissioner in issues related to economic development and jobs. In any case there has been no response whatsoever. I’m frustrated by this because during the past two years I’ve contacted officials in Vermont including the Office of Governor about issues that face the region, especially in transportation and economic development. And each time I’ve received a response, a real response not fluff. I’m not even a resident of Vermont! So much for being a New Hampshire political insider.

Expanded Casino Gaming- It’s interesting that former Senator Rubens seems to be the go-to person for all things anti-gaming especially on WMUR.  I’m wondering who is actually listening to this societal based intellectual drivel. I’d be curious to see what Rubens would have to say about the new gaming legislation and development in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. I mean no disrespect, but I think Rubens needs to shut the fuck up.  

Today I was reading the Union Leader about the tax breaks for northern New Hampshire only creating seven jobs. I’m disappointed at the responses by both Sen. Gallus and Rep. Chandler. It’s clear that that this initiave isn’t working and something else should be done.

Well I’m running out of space. But thanks for taking the time to read my blog. That’s why I’m doing this.

So several days ago I was walking through Border’s bookstore in Concord looking at books like Stephen King’s new book, Under the Dome. I’ve been waiting for the decision or at least the announcement as to whether the famous writer from Bangor will have a sequel to The Shining. As I’m sure you all know the shining was partially based on the Mount Washington Hotel in Bretton Woods.

Apparently King has issued a statement about the possibility of a sequel featuring Danny Torrance fifty years later. King has stated that this would be a cool idea but at this point nothing firm has been done.

I’m thinking horror right now after watching some of the press coverage of the casino legislation before the legislature. Clearly the political alignment for the passage of a casino bill is better in New Hampshire than it’s ever been. Senate President Larsen has quoted 60% of New Hampshire voters favor this over taxation. I think the number is closer to 70% but right now this isn’t that important what is important is the political alignment and the fact that elected officials in the statehouse are listening to what the citizens of New Hampshire want. I’ve never heard of Executive Councilor Ray Burton ever state that he supports casinos in New Hampshire, even after I questioned him specifically on this issue but today “now is the time.” Burton has stated.

Now think about Jack Torrance. He is sitting at the bar in the Gold Room being served by the immaculate Bellman. “You’re credit is good here Mr. Torrance, you’re credit will always be good here but there is however, a certain matter that needs to be attended to.”

In New Hampshire that certain matter is Governor John Lynch.

What happens if the legislature passes this expanded casino gaming legislation and is vetoed by Governor Lynch. The popular three term Governor has stated that he is personally opposed to the idea of expanded casino gaming and if you notice that the commission he personally created via executive order isn’t doing anything except gathering information. Big surprise here. So the next election is coming, I think Commissioner Stephen unlike his bids for Congress so far is using a quality issue based strategy and sharp jabs against the governor. Not overly negative, Stephen is using his experience in state government to his advantage. Over time Stephen will inflict some real damage to the image experienced incumbent.

From a political basis Lynch could simply veto the casino bill. The outcome of the election won’t be decided by this action unless the popular three term governor wants to be known as the individual that brought casinos into New Hampshire, which he doesn’t. By vetoing the bill Lynch could effectively move the issue to the next governor should he lose and if he wins uses the veto to sustain his well- established position against expanded casino gaming. Somehow I just can’t picture Gov. Lynch signing a casino bill regardless of what it is.

And regardless of what the citizens of New Hampshire want.

NVN Nation- Descent.

Recently WMUR ran a segment that I think really shows what the media can do when they put their weight behind an issue. Especially an issue like homelessness in New Hampshire.

It featured reporter Amy Covino looking around Manchester on a cold night searching for the homeless in the cold of night. Strangely she didn’t find anybody.

Isn’t this amazing.

The unemployment rate is in the double digits, hundreds of people in the major cities like Manchester are struggling financially and a record number of individuals are sleeping in their cars, eating in soup kitchens and otherwise living in life conditions that can be accurately described as a living hell. As a result of this there’s another statistic that is quietly increasing as well…

And WMUR doesn’t find anybody.

I was waiting a scene showing attractive Amy wearing jeans and high heels racing across the parking lot like a scene from history detectives where the truth is not only uncovered but its well explained. Then the reality sets in. This isn’t supposed to be entertainment WMUR is trying to say something to someone:  

 It isn’t that bad in Manchester. At least not for the homeless people.

After searching Covino finds some abandoned homeless camps I could have sworn these were the same new sleeping bags in every location and then finally, finally they find someone who is homeless. Living right beside the Merrimack River with a nice kitty cat he describes homelessness. It might even be better than a stuffy condo or a security deposit apartment; you know the ones with the paper thin walls and the moans of ecstasy. WMUR closes it out with a heart wrenching story of a one room family of four and the challenges of bed bugs in the night, forget the cockroaches but bad bedbugs, bad. But the segment appears to end happily for this family so this is good. I’m not sure whether Covino considers herself to be a good journalist or whether she even spent enough time researching the homelessness issue and better yet revealing the truth. 

That would be journalism not entertainment.  

Recently there has been some concern about Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) tankers arriving in Boston from Yemen. This move has been approved by the U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Office in Boston. And I think that Mayor Menino is right.

“What about the safety of the people.” the Mayor said.

The issue revolves around the safety of bringing an explosive commodity into the metro area of Boston. The news media is reporting the various studies that have been done and of course it’s from different perspectives namely, the shipper, the Coast Guard and the LNG terminal facility itself. Of course the parties on the cash flow side of the supply chain say it’s safe and on the other side of the fence that it isn’t.

The LNG itself is from Yemen.

Part of the concern that I’m reading is that there has been limited to no communication between the various agencies. For example the Boston Fire Department didn’t get any information from the terminal on the specifications of the LNG shipment so they were unable to create a response plan. At least this is what is said in the media including WCVB TV in Boston.

“What about the safety of the people.”- Mayor Menino.

And it’s not like alternatives exist to bringing LNG shipments into Boston because they do. There is an LNG terminal in Newington, NH that would be safer than Boston and safer still would be to offload the volatile commodity in Halifax, Nova Scotia where I understand that Irving Oil Company is constructing a state of the art LNG transfer facility that is not only in a remote location but will be safer and more efficient than the LNG facilities that are currently available in New England. I wonder if the U.S. Coast Guard considered the safety of the people when it approved this transaction.

My experience is that they didn’t. Does the term "facilitating commerce." have any meaning. It should. It also means business as usual.

Semper Paratus.

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qa9-hbKNas