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 Preshow Return to index of stories... |
Next on New Hampshire Outlook tonight. A citizens group wants to invoke their constitutional right to revolt. And as politicians begin their long march toward election season. We'll check the political pulse of the state. Plus. Also - we'll look at the life and times of the man some say was the most powerful politician in New hampshire History. His name was Styles Bridges. |
| Headlines Return to index of stories... |
Good Evening. I'm Richard Ager. Allison McNair has the day off. Welcome to New Hampshire Outlook. We begin with a summary of today's news. |
| MTBE fund Return to index of stories... |
Governor Jeanne Shaheen has signed legislation that will fund a clean up of contamination from the gasoline additive M-T-B-E. The additive is used to fight air pollution, but it has been polluting ground water supplies. Currently, federal rules have required the additive in New Hampshire's four southern counties. The new law is aimed at eliminating the need to follow those rules. |
| Arsenic Standards Return to index of stories... |
New Hampshire is moving toward establishing the nation's toughest standard for arsenic in drinking water. Governor Jeanne Shaheen today said the new standard will be ten parts per billion, down from the federal standard of 50 parts per billion. Arsenic exposure is linked to several diseases, including cancer, heart and neurological problems. Public water suppliers will have until January 2006 to meet the new standards. |
| West Nile Return to index of stories... |
State health officials say tests of mosquitoes have shown no signs of the West Nile virus in New Hampshire this summer. The virus appeared in a handful of dead birds in southern New Hampshire last year. There were no known human cases. Workers continue to collect samples. We'll show you their detective work Monday night here on Outlook. |
| Nascar Weekend Return to index of stories... |
The races don't start until this weekend, but thousands of NASCAR fans have arrived in Loudon. They're filling up campgrounds, hotels and motels for miles around. If you don't have reservations already, you may be out of luck. Even the New Hampshire Technical Institute in Concord is renting dorm rooms. Race fans will pour millions of dollars into the local economies over the next four days. The featured races include the Busch North race on Saturday and the Winston Cup on Sunday. |
| Tax Revolt Return to index of stories... |
Shades of 1776. Newington residents, who are unhappy with the statewide property tax, want to invoke their constitutional right to revolt. Newington is one of the so-called donor towns which send part of their tax money to property-poor towns. Town selectmen received a petition that was signed by 52 of the town's 850 residents. The constitution says people have the right to establish a new government whenever "the ends of government are perverted and public liberty manifestly endangered." The selectmen did not invoke the provision, but agreed to a public hearing July 31st. |
| Intro discussion Return to index of stories... |
You may not believe it but there's only 15 months until the next state-wide election. Where has the time gone? Clearly, it's time to catch up, so joining me for a political roundup are Republican state party chairman John Dowd, and Democratic House Leader Peter Burling. |
| Thank guests Return to index of stories... |
Thanks to my guests Republican state party chairman John Dowd, and Democratic House Leader Peter Burling for joining us tonight. |
| Business Outlook Return to index of stories... |
In business news today, a dreary outlook from Microsoft pushed the company's stock down more than three percent in after-hours trading. The software maker says demand for personal computers remains weak, and that will mean disappointing sales and profits in the summer quarter that's now under way. Microsoft provided that warning as it posted a profit of just a penny a share from its last quarter. |
| Wall Street Stocks Return to index of stories... |
The Dow Jones industrial average finished up just over 40 points. The Nasdaq composite closed up 30 point forty-two. The S-and-P 500 gained seven point thirty one. |
| NH Stocks Return to index of stories... |
Here's a look at stocks of interest to New Hampshire investors. Bottomline Tech was down a dollar seventy nine cents. Chubb was down a dollar forty eight. MBNA was down a dollar sixty eight. Pennichuck Corp was up a dollar seventy-five. And Timberland was down 6 dollars or fourteen percent after releasing lower than expected growth and earnings estimates. |
| Supermarkets Return to index of stories... |
A regional grocery industry report shows the three dominant supermarket chains in New Hampshire - DeMoulas, Shaw's and Hannaford Brothers -lost ground last year to smaller chains and independent stores. Their combined market share fell from 65 to 61 percent, even with three new stores opening in New Hampshire. Demoulas and Shaw's each captured about 21 percent of the New Hampshire market while Hannaford had an 18 and a half percent share. |
| Electric Sheep Return to index of stories... |
If you live in the Strafford or Rochester area, you may notice herds of sheep grazing under power lines this summer. Well, that's their job. For the Fourth year in row, Public Service Company of New Hampshire is using sheep to keep its power line rights of way clear. It's part of the company's "Grazing Power Project." This summer over 12 hundred sheep have been recruited to eat away brush and shrubs beneath the lines. |
| Intro Mt. Washington Return to index of stories... |
The weather couldn't be better for grazing or gardening. or just taking a walk. For a look at how long this sunny weather will last, we checked in a bit earlier with Anna Porter at Mount Washington Observatory. |
| Mt. Washington Return to index of stories... |
CG:WEATHER\Mount Washington Observatory\Today on the Summit\Temperature: 50 degrees\East wind at 4 mph\Mostly sunny\Visibility 60 miles CG:WEATHER\Tonight\North\Mostly clear with late patchy fog\Lows in the 50s\Light and variable winds CG:WEATHER\Tonight\South\Mostly clear\Lows in the 50s\Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph CG:WEATHER\Tomorrow\Statewide\Sunny\Highs 80 to 85\Light winds\ |
| Intro Styles Bridges Return to index of stories... |
Here's an interesting historical question: who was the most powerful political figure in New Hampshire history? Some might say our only president, Franklin Pierce. Others point to a man who went from being our youngest governor to leading the United States Senate. That man was Styles Bridges. This is his story. In advance, we'd like to express our appreciation to film maker John Groefer for allowing us to use excerpts from his 1984 documentary "Styles Bridges, Republican from New Hampshire". |
| Style Bridges Return to index of stories... |
Soundup: Documentary tape 44:51 Face the Nation You're about to see Styles Bridges of NH face the nation with questions of veteran Track: It is a measure of how fleeting political power can be - that Styles Bridges, leader of the United States Senate and powerbroker with a president - is little remembered today. Several years ago, author and historian James Kiepper set out to change that. His new book, Styles Bridges: Yankee Senator, tells how this man from New Hampshire rose to great power in Washington. Bite: Tape 1 21:42 Mark Trice, Secretary of the senate, went to the Cloak Room door opened the door and said is the senator there. Now there were several senators in the cloak room. And they looked around and said "No the Senator is not here." Styles Bridges in the 50's was known as "the senator" with friends on both sides of the aisle. Track: Styles Bridges was born on a farm in West Pembroke, Maine. The oldest of three children, he made much of his farm background. As a farm agent with the University of New Hampshire's cooperative extension, he traveled the state giving advice on crops, meeting people, and building the foundation of what later became a powerful political network. Bite: Documentary tape 17:18 Styles Bridges liked people. And he liked to meet people and know them, and he had one of the most fascinating outreaching personalities I ever knew. Bite: Documentary tape 28:58 *** Bridges was an excellent politician - in the best sense of the word. He probably built up and organized for himself an organization that may have been during the years he was in public life - as good an organization as I can remember. And he used it well. Track: That organization faced its first test in 1934, when Bridges won the Republican nomination for governor. He won the election and at the age of 36, became the youngest governor in New Hampshire history. He ran a frugal government, but did what he could to help those devastated by the depression. Bite: Documentary tape 13:34 During my term as governor of NH, NH was the first state in the union to qualify under the social security act. In addition, NH was the second state in the union to enact an unemployment insurance law for its workers. Track: Two years later, the Republican Party considered Bridges as a potential vice-presidential candidate. In the end, he ran for the United States Senate and was elected. By 1940, Styles Bridges had presidential ambitions, but the Republicans chose Wendell Wilkie instead to run against Franklin Roosevelt. Although he was a Republican, Bridges supported President Roosevelt's desire to intervene against Nazi Germany. He was one of only four senators who knew America was developing an atomic bomb - and secured the secret funding for it. Bite: Documentary tape 21:50 And I've often wondered if the atomic bomb had not been a success, and it had been found afterwards that we had spent 2,5 billion - which a lot of our colleagues except these four were unaware of - whether we would have been indicted instead of praised as we were when it was a success. Track: With each reelection, Styles Bridges gained seniority and power. With the election of Dwight Eisenhower as president, Bridge became majority leader of the senate and chairman of the appropriations committee. With his new power, he brought Pease Air Base, the Cold Regions lab, and other federal projects to his home state. Bite: Documentary tape 37:15 I don't recall any instance where what Senator Bridges wanted was negated - I think he was pretty much satisfied with the treatment he got at the White House. Track: But Bridges got rough treatment from the press when he accepted $35,000 to be a trustee of a union pension fund - an amount three times his Senate salary. He later resigned the trustee position. Five times Styles Bridges ran for the Senate, and each time he won by a bigger margin. Bite: Documentary tape 47:12 **Join us now for a Washington conversation with the top Republican policy planner, Senator Styles Bridges of NH. ARE YOU ANNOUNCING NOW FOR REELECTION. No, not yet - but I have no intention of giving up my public career as yet. I don't think he ever planned on dying - and I don't think he ever planned on not being in the U.S. Senate. My stepmother would talk to him about it now and then, and we just couldn't imagine him not being in the senate. As I said, he was not one to just sit and enjoy the sunlight - he had to be going and doing something. Track: In November, 1961, Bridges suffered a series of heart attacks. His old friend and fellow Senator Norris Cotton went to see him. Documentary tape: 49:43 I asked him to take care of himself and get back to the Senate. We were missing him. And said goodbye - and that night he died. So I saw him on the last day of his life. TAPE 2 53:10 I think that they should know about this unique gift of friendship that Styles Bridges had. Now he had enemies and he had political enemies but he could turn someone who was not in favor of Styles Bridges into a friend in a very short time. It is an incredibly unique gift that he had and you couple that with his hard work that was really until early morning until late at night, and his ability to be the compromiser and have friends on both sides of the aisle. Track: Robert Novak was a young reporter when he met Styles Bridges. TAPE 2 Novak 32:40 He was a long way from being an iron ideologue. Who was a very subtle person who worked effectively behind the scenes in ways that are really not done much today. He was a power broker of the best kind, because he wanted to get things done. TAPE 2 39:45 But would there be some things Styles bridges would like in 2001? Well I think he would really like Cabel Television. 39:55 can you imagine Styles bridges on Crossfre, Larry King live, Hardball, Bill Riely. He'd be so much in demand, because he was smooth articulate and he knew what was going on -30- |
| Tag bridges Return to index of stories... |
Perhaps the best measure of Styles Bridges' ability to keep his party unified was what happened after he died. The state Republican party fought out a divisive three-way nomination race to replace him - and a Democrat - Thomas McIntyre - was elected to Bridges' seat and served until 1978. |
| 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.org. 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 - We'll take a closeup look at New Hampshire's involvement in the Civil War. We'll talk with authors of a new book that traces the history of New Hampshire's Fifth Regiment. We'll also look at the works of a Concord photographer who captured unusual images of soldiers at war. |
| Goodnight Return to index of stories... |
That's it for this edition of New Hampshire Outlook. For all of us here at New Hampshire Public Television, thanks for joining us. Stay tuned for Secrets of the Dead. We'll be back tomorrow at 7:30. 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 |
| Tomorrow 7:30 Return to index of stories... |
Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook. Tracing the history of the fighting fifth. New Hampshire's all volunteer civil war Regiment. Plus snapshots in time. Tonight at 7:30 only on New Hampshire Outlook. |
| Tonight 11:30 Return to index of stories... |
Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook. Taking the political pulse of the 2002 elections. And meet the most powerful man in New Hampshire political history. Here at 11:30 only on New Hampshire Outlook. |
| Monday 7:30 Return to index of stories... |
Monday on New Hampshire Outlook. behind the scenes of the hottest ticket in the Granite State. The view from the pits. of the NASCAR races. Monday at 7:30 and 11:30 on New Hampshire Outlook. |
| Contamninated Well Return to index of stories... |
Two families in Richmond, New Hampshire, say their wells have been contaminated for years by a gasoline storage tank - and they want to know why the wells weren't tested. P-NH--Contaminated Wells dewkee Families want to know why well tests were delayed nine years -- Two families in Richmond want to know why their wells weren't tested for gasoline pollutants until nine years after contamination was found nearby. A storage tank leaked gasoline at the Richmond Four Corners Store in 1992. Contaminants were detected in wells serving two houses directly across the street. The next two closest houses weren't tested until this year and the results revealed hazardous levels of pollutants. The residents, David and Margaret Frampton and Steven and Elizabeth Goulas have used the contaminated water for years, without suspecting any problem. David Frampton said terrible headaches he had for six years stopped when he stopped drinking the water. Elizabeth Goulas and her five-year-old son also had headaches, which also stopped when they began drinking bottled water. Both families are consulting lawyers and hope to find out who, if anybody, is liable for their unreported pollution. AP-N |
| key: politics: local Return to index of stories... |
DATE:7/19/01 TOPIC:You may not believe it but there's only 15 months until the next state-wide election. Where has the time gone? Clearly, it's time to catch up, so joining me for a political roundup are Republican state party chairman John Dowd, and Democratic House Leader Peter Burling. SEGMENT LENGTH:11:17 NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: John Dowd\Chairman - NH Republican Party Rep. Peter Burling\House Democratic Leader |
| key: history Return to index of stories... |
DATE:7/19/01 TOPIC: Here's an interesting historical question: who was the most powerful political figure in New Hampshire history? Some might say our only president, Franklin Pierce. Others point to a man who went from being our youngest governor to leading the United States Senate. That man was Styles Bridges. This is his story. In advance, we'd like to express our appreciation to film maker John Groefer for allowing us to use excerpts from his 1984 documentary "Styles Bridges, Republican from New Hampshire". SEGMENT LENGTH:6:32 NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: James Kiepper\Author - "Styles Bridges: Yankee Senator" Norris Cotton\U.S. Senator - NH 1954-74\1984 Sherman Adams\NH Governor 1949-53\1984 also White House Chief of Staff 1953-1958\1984 John Bridges\Son\1984 Robert Novak\Journalist |
| sierra club Return to index of stories... |
Sierra Club calls on Shaheen to halt White Mountain Forest logging -- New Hampshire's chapter of the Sierra Club wants Governor Jeanne Shaheen to work to stop logging in the White Mountain National Forest. The conservation group today brought 16 hundred postcards to Shaheen's office, signed by people opposed to the logging. The group says millions of people come to the forest every year to hike and enjoy natural beauty, not clear-cut slopes. Logging supporters have said the forest should be open to multiple uses. |
| education shaheen Return to index of stories... |
AP-NH--Shaheen-Education hrwfnflshossmy Shaheen addresses education conference in Philadelphia xxx updates with Shaheen conference call, details on education report xxx -- Governor Jeanne Shaheen continued her push today to encourage states to devote more resources to early child education. Shaheen told reporters in a conference call from Philadelphia that New Hampshire has to do a better job of setting standards for workers who prepare pre-kindergarten age children for school. Shaheen says a report by the Education Commission of the States shows New Hampshire is ahead of many states in the effort, but noted there is room to improve. Shaheen wants to make sure that early child education provides kids with proper nutrition, appropriate health care and social skills. Shaheen is in Philadelphia for the commission's annual meeting. Her chairmanship of the commission ends on Saturday. |