Eminent domain shouldn't be used to benefit private company

To the editor,

The first eight months of my term as Grafton County Commissioner, District 3, have just whizzed by. I did, however, want to take a few moments to discuss the highlights of our county’s affairs.

I began my term by keeping a promise I made to the citizens of Grafton County during my campaign. Once I was sworn into office, my first act was to voluntarily take a 10-percent pay cut. I feel that one must lead by example and in these trying economic times this was the least I could do to show my solidarity with my fellow citizens.

Although “new” to Grafton County government, in particular, I am very familiar with county government in New Hampshire, in general, because of my previous service as a Sullivan County Commissioner.

The Grafton County Commissioners meet each Tuesday at 9 a.m.. at the County Administration building in North Haverill.

Initially, I familiarized myself with the many facets of Grafton County government and the constituent departments. During my tenure, I have endeavored to determine where viable savings can be made in the various county departments. The Grafton County 2012 budget reflects a significant increase over last year’s budget. I voted against this budget increase because I believe that significant reductions could have been made without adversely affecting core mandated governmental functions to help Grafton County taxpayers who are already overburdened with taxes.

The county is currently undergoing a performance audit at the request of the County Delegation, the first such audit in at least 20 years. I believe that this performance audit will identify areas where processes can be streamlined or eliminated, which will result in cost savings. I promise to update you when the results are in and that I will be a proponent of implementing any viable cost saving measures identified.

Additional issues with which I have been dealing, include a defective million dollar water tank, a proposed biomass combined power and heating facility, and looking at alternate forms of county produced energy sources, such as biodiesel.

The Grafton County Farm continues to be a source of quality food for the inmates in the Department of Corrections and the residents in the Nursing Home. The 135 Grafton County Nursing Home continues to provide excellent quality skilled nursing care to our nursing home residents.

The county has recently embarked upon a revenue producing timber cut in accordance with the county’s written Forestry Management Plan.

The county is also in the midst of a major $33-million construction project. The new 150 bed Grafton County Department of Corrections Facility is expected to be ready for opening by mid-year 2012.

Also, I am most impressed and pleased with the caring and dedicated service of the many employees at the Grafton County Complex in North Haverhill with whom I have had the privilege to meet over the last eight months.

Northern Pass Project

I have been contacted by many constituents regarding the proposed Northern Pass Project. Everyone who contacted me was vehemently opposed to this project. I objectively read and researched all of the information available concerning the Northern Pass Transmission, LLC, 1,200 Megawatt Hydroelectric project and I have come to the same conclusion as those individuals who contacted me. The negatives associated with the project far outweigh any of the sketchy positives which have been presented.

I have written to Governor Lynch advising him of my opposition to the Northern Pass Project and cited the following specific reasons for my opposition:

1. No homeowner should be subject to government confiscation of their property by the use of eminent domain by a private company for private gain. I fully support the concept detailed in House Bill 648. This bill would protect New Hampshire landowners from the immoral acquisition of their property by a profit seeking entity. I urge my fellow citizens of Grafton County to contact their State Senator and urge them to support this bill, which was referred back to committee during the last legislative session.

2. Although there are no conclusive studies which have been performed, there is an increased rate of “childhood leukemia” in children who live in proximity to high voltage transmission lines. My feeling is that until someone can definitively provide me with evidence that this is not the case, then we should not risk even one child’s health.

3. During these economically stressful times, I understand that the threat of the construction of 85 to 135 foot steel transmission towers has had a detrimental effect on the real estate market in all neighborhoods along the preferred route of the Northern Pass Project. I cannot think of a more inopportune time to impair an already weak real estate market.

4. Additionally, should the Northern Pass Project be allowed to proceed as proposed, it will seriously reduce the value of any homes in direct proximity to the HVDC lines. In turn, these New Hampshire home owners will rightfully request tax abatements, which, if granted, will necessitate that other homeowners in that same town will have to pick up the difference and pay more in their property taxes.

5. The greatest asset of our Granite State is her natural beauty as embodied by her lakes, mountains, rivers, streams, fields, and forests. The permanent scarring of our majestic White Mountain National Forest is, quite simply, repugnant. Tourism is paramount to our state’s economy. We must not allow any harm to come to that which has been our economic lifeline.

6. We have, and must continue to use, the renewable natural resources in our Granite State, such as micro-hydro, bio-mass, geo-thermal, and solar. The utilization of these energy resources will result in permanent jobs going to New Hampshire residents.

If anyone wishes to contact me directly to discuss county concerns, the Northern Pass Project, or any other issue, please feel free to contact me at 536-2224 or omer.ahern.jr@gmail.com.

Omer C. Ahern, Jr.

Commissioner

District 3, Grafton County

Plymouth