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 Preshow Return to index of stories... |
Next on New Hampshire Outlook tonight. The search for affordable housing in the granite state. Policy makers search for options. And you've seen the headlines about backcountry rescues. We'll show you the people who who do the job that saves growing numbers of lost hikers and skiers. |
| Headlines Return to index of stories... |
Good Evening. I'm Allison McNair. Welcome to New Hampshire Outlook. We begin tonight with a summary of today's news. |
| Affordable Housing Return to index of stories... |
The third annual statewide housing conference was held today in Manchester. The focus was on how to create more affordable housing in New Hampshire. The conference attracted more than 300 participants representing all aspects of the housing market. It was a chance for planners, lenders, developers and housing advocates to meet and exchange views and information. One issue under discussion: how to provide more housing without adding to urban sprawl. |
| Tag Housing Return to index of stories... |
The challenge of creating new and affordable housing is the focus of our discussion tonight coming up in just a few minutes. |
| Acid Rain Return to index of stories... |
The damaging affects of acid rain continue to take their toll on New Hampshire lakes, streams and forests - despite emission cuts that were mandated by the 1990 Clean Air Act. That's according to findings in a new report from The Hubbard Brook Research Foundation. Coal-burning plants in the Ohio River Valley are blamed as the major source of nitrogen and sulfur pollution that falls in the Northeast. The pollution travels eastward on prevailing winds and falls as rain, snow or fog. The foundation notes there's been some improvement in New England's waterways --since the Clean Air Act was pased - but 15 percent of the lakes in New England still are acidic. |
| Intro Mt. Washington Return to index of stories... |
It seems winter just doesn't want to make its exit - depite the fact that it's officially spring according to the calendar. A few minutes ago we checked in with Meteorologist Charlie Lopreseti at the Mount Washington Observatory to find out what's in store for us weatherwise and what it's like on top of mount washington tonight. |
| Mt. Washington Return to index of stories... |
Charlie Lopresti - Meteorologist/Observer - reporting - 1 picture CURRENTLY Temp: 5 F Wind: Northwest 7 mph Wind Chill: 1 F FORECAST Tonight: Cloudy with light snow developing, then becoming partly cloudy by morning. An inch of less of accumulation to the south, and just a dusting to the north. Lows: 15 to 20 North Near 20 South Winds: Light and variable Tomorrow: Partly sunny with a chance of snow late Highs: 35 to 40 F Winds: West 5 to 10 mph |
| Intro Affordable Housing Return to index of stories... |
According to the New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority 100,000 jobs were created in New Hampshire over the past eight years. And for every two new jobs, only one new housing unit was built. Throughout the state, available and affordable housing is at a premium. For anyone moving here, finding a place to call home sweet home can be source of major stress. |
| Afford. housing Return to index of stories... |
clip carolyn "About half of my clients are from out of state. The others are moving up." narration These are interesting times for Carolyn McGee. She owns Hall-McGee Realtors in Porstmouth. carolyn clip "The process has changed over the years that I've been an exclusive buyer's agent. Now my clients will make several bids on a house and often they'll be outbid or outraced." narration This horse race approach to buying a home in southern NH can be unnerving for many. Carolyn warns her out-of-state clients of what to expect on the seacoast. clip carolyn "It's shocking to some. The prices are very high and they get here and find there is very little inventory." narration According to the Bureau of Census, in 1999 New Hampshire's homeowner vacancy rate was the fifth lowest in the country. The rental vacancy rate was third lowest. anne clip "Supply and demand. That's the problem. We have more people moving in than we have houses. When was the last time you saw an apartment being built in Portsmouth?" narration Anne Rugg is the executive director of The Housing Partnership - a non-profit corporation that has been fighting for the creation of more affordable housing. anne clip "It's a major concern. We need to increase the affordable housing. We have seen the economy grow and the number of people coming here for work, but not the number of homes." carolyn clip "We could use more construction, but there's not a lot of available land left. narration Anne recognizes that as a problem, but sees others as well. anne clip "There's not much land left in Portsmouth, but there are the zoning laws. In Portsmouth the zoning laws require that there is a maximum of 4 units per acre. You just can't make the numbers work. narration Not unless those four units are highly priced. But that does little to help alleviate the problem. ann clip "I think every community needs to look at their zoning laws to make it more affordable for the work force." jennifer clip "Over the past year, the Chamber has surveyed members about what they thought the biggest problem was and they said housing." narration Jennifer Quinlan is the Business Development Manager for the Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce. jenn clip "What we heard from manufacturers was that they were not able to expand as quickly as they liked because they couldn't fill the positions because of the housing shortage." narration And for seasonal employers the problem hits just as hard. Every Spring, the Isles of Shoals Steamship Company hires crews for their two tour boats. Many are student interns who need housing for the summer months. clip Robin "Now where do they stay?" narration Robin Whittaker is the company's president. robin clip "Two of the interns are from UNH. They and the others from around the country chatted by internet and ended up finding housing at UNH. They will be renting housing dorms this summer." narration So for now, the crew aboard the Thomas Leighton should be happy. But for the many others, the search goes on. |
| Intro Guests Return to index of stories... |
Joining me in the studio is Tom Watson, an attorney with the firm of Watson, Lyons and Bosen in Portsmouth. He's also Chair of the local zoning committee. Also joining me is Clara Monier, Executive Director of the New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority. Points of discussion How severe is the affordable housing crisis? How did we get to this point? What role has zoning laws played in this? Why are the zoning laws written to discourage more housing? Clara - Your group has money for affordable housing, are you going to be able to spend it with so amny zoning restrictions? What have been the effects on businesses? / Do businesses face growth restrictions if problem not resolved? What are some of the long-term solutions from zoning / business perspectives? What happens if the problem is not resolved? |
| Thank guests Return to index of stories... |
I'd like to thank my guests Atty. Tom Watson and Claira Monier of the NH Housing Finance authority for being here. |
| BP Bump Return to index of stories... |
CG:BUMP\FOR MORE INFORMATION\Workforce Housing/Labor Shortage Summit March 28 - 7:30 AM Sheraton Harborside Hotel Portsmouth\ Workforce Housing/Labor Shortage Summit March 28 - 7:30 AM Sheraton Harborside Hotel Portsmouth |
| Business Outlook Return to index of stories... |
In business news tonight, if you're planning on flying Comair out of Manchester, you should call ahead. A strike by Comair pilots forced the airline to cancel flights around the country, including four daily flights out of Manchester Airport. The strike also affects some Delta Airlines connections. No new talks are scheduled. |
| Wall Street Stocks Return to index of stories... |
On Wall Street, the Dow Jones industrial average saw a triple-digit win thanks to today 's continued blue chip rally. Some investors are cautiously optimistic that Wall Street might be recovering after two weeks of heavy losses. But analysts warn there are no guarantees the gains will be sustained in the long term. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up over one hundred eighty two points today to close at 9-thousand six hundred eighty seven. The Nasdaq ended the day down just over ten. CG:STOCKS\Dow Jones Industrials\9687.53\+182.75\NYSE\587.01\+9.14\American Stock Exchange\867.47\+6.10\Nasdaq\1918.49\-10.19\S&P 500\1152.69\-12.86 |
| NH Stocks Return to index of stories... |
Here's a look at some stocks of interest to New Hampshire. Chubb closed up one-point six. Lockheed was up 1-point -two-one. State Street was up over 1 and a half. Texas Instruments was down 2-point three-one. And Verizon Communications was up one-point -oh five. CG:STOCKS\Chubb\68.10\+1.60\Lockheed\36.11\+1.21\State Street\89.53\+1.53\Texas Instruments\36.50\-2.31\Verizon \48.00\+1.05 |
| High Tech Summit Return to index of stories... |
Internet privacy and computer security are just some of the issues that Congress will debate this year. That's the message Senator Judd Gregg had for 30 executives of New Hampshire high-tech companies in Bedford today. The discussion focused on how government actions affect those companies. Other high tech issues include software copyrights and patents, and immigration visas for foreign high-tech workers. The senator also put in a few good words for President Bush's tax cut proposal as a key to further economic growth. |
| Intro Backcountry Rescue Return to index of stories... |
Last Friday, two hikers were rescued from Crawford's Purchase in the White Mountains. They are among the estimated 150 people rescued in New Hampshire's backcountry each year. Chances are, they were brought to safety by one of the few expert search and rescue teams in the state. Producer Scott Jones brings us behind the scenes with the Appalachian Mountain Club, for a mock Search and Rescue in the White Mountains. |
| Goodnight Return to index of stories... |
That's it for this edition of New Hampshire Outlook. Good night. |
| founders Return to index of stories... |
Thanks to our founding sponsors who have provided major funding for the production of New Hampshire Outlook: New Hampshire Charitable Foundadtion Public Service of New Hampshire Alice J. Reen Charitable Trust Putnam Foundation Stratford Foundation |
| website Return to index of stories... |
For information on tonight's program, and links to our guests and interviews, visit our web site at nhptv.o-r-g. You can see and hear streaming video of our broadcasts and participate in our daily poll. If you've got a story idea or comment on our program you can call us at 800-639-2721. |
| Tomorrow Return to index of stories... |
Tomorrow on New Hampshire Outlook - The house debates another education funding tax proposal. This one is called a consumption tax. We'll talk take you to the debate and talk to the bill's author. Plus. the campaign to snuff out smoking in restaurants. |
| PROMO Return to index of stories... |
Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook. Is a conumption tax a viable option for solving the state's education funding crisis? We'll take you to the legislative debate. Join us tonight at 7:30 only on New Hampshire Outlook. |
| Berlin Reporter Return to index of stories... |
P-NH--Berlin Reporter smfjayfn Berlin Reporter closes -- One of New Hampshire's North Country newspapers has shut down. Some of the employees at The Berlin Reporter, which has been published for more than 100 years, were told last night not to report for work today. Others did not learn of the closing until they arrived at the paper this morning. Peter Allaine, the newspaper's general manager, said the Reporter employed about a dozen people. He learned of the closing last night, and said attracting and hiring employees was one of several difficulties facing the newspaper and probably contributed to the closing. AP- |
| BASS PSA Return to index of stories... |
Hi I'm congressman Charlie Bass. The New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence and I are committed to the belief that all people have the right to live free of sexual violence. If you've experienced sexual assault please remember that it is not your fault. You are not alone and there are people who can help. Call the Coalition's new hotline at 800-277-5570 for confidential information and support. Call anytime! When you want to talk, advocates at the coalition's support centers are ready to listen. Call 1-800-277-5570 |