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 HelloReturn to index of stories... |
Hello. I'm Allison McNair. Welcome to NH Outlook. |
| Intro Affirmative Action Return to index of stories... |
Should New Hampshire eliminate affirmative action at the state university and state agencies? That is the intent of a bill debated at an emotional hearing at the statehouse today. Richard Ager has the story. |
| Affirmative Action Return to index of stories... |
Track: Diversity has never defined the University of New Hampshire. As the state university of the third whitest state in the union, it has struggled to attract minority students and faculty. And some of its efforts to diversify, such as an agreement between the past president and the black student union, go too far - according to Representative Michael Harrington. Bite: tape 1 10:08;21 It's called the diversity agreement and it goes on to set specific goals for adding a black student population of 300 by the year 2004, adding approximately 50 students each year. There will be no fewer than 10 tenure-track faculty in the year 2003 - no fewer than 2 black visiting scholars per year. I'll let you read this - I won't read the whole thing - but they've established these goals which seem to be in conflict with their concept of non-discrimination. Track: Harrington's bill would prohibit any preferences in admission to state schools and also ban preferences in recruiting, hiring or promotion in state agencies. The bill bans preferences based on race, sex, national origin, religion, or sexual orientation. Track: Harrington says such preferences contravene the equal protection clause in the state constitution. Bite: tape 1 10:04:24 One of the main premises of this is that everyone has the right to be treated as an individual. I don't think under the law that we should be looking at people as a member of a group based on their race, their national origin, their sexual preference or where their parents were born. They have a right to be judged as an individual. So they should not be decided - if we hire someone or promote someone or accept someone as a student based on the fact that they're a member of a particular group, but only on their qualities as an individual. that's what we should be looking at. That's what this bill does. Nothing more, nothing less. Standup: tape 3 11:36:47 When a similar bill was introduced last year, the president of UNH and the chancellor of the university system testified against the bill. This time, with a Supreme Court decision pending on a case involving affirmative action at the University of Michigan, the university sent only its lawyer. Track: The message was simple. Bite: tape 1 10:18;47 Because we're fast approaching what could likely be an historic juncture in the development of equal protection law, the university system believes that consideration of House bill 55 should be deferred until after the Supreme Court issues its decision. At that point, we will have a significantly clearer picture of the federal law backdrop against which this state law would be implemented. And incidentally, we will know more about our own state constitution because the NH Supreme Court often looks to federal court decisions to guide its interpretation on our own state's equal protection clause. Track: Rogers also said the bill isn't needed because no students who apply are being harmed. Track: tape 1 10:21:08 As we've said on many occasions, the university system admits every qualified student - admits every qualified NH student solely on the basis of their ability to succeed at our institutions and without the consideration of any other factor. Track: Much of the testimony centered around personal experience. Dr. Chanda Corbett is a clinical psychologist who was recruited by UNH. She says affirmative action recognizes that standardized tests are often unfair to minorities. tape 2 11:05:39 Everyone should look at more factors than just standardized tests, or race. Because I know that in many situations, my race may have gotten me in the door but that's not what kept me there. I had to perform. I can compete with anyone. Bite: tape 1 10:26:55 My ethnicity was a factor considered in my admission to the UNH. I likewise have no doubt that my ethnicity played a part in my subsequent employment in the federal govt. and my admission to law schools. Bite; tape 1 10:27:37 Affirmative action is important for what it gives, not for what it takes away. Bite: tape 2 10:44:05 Things have not improved that much where we can say okay, let's support this bill. Everything is equal and fair in housing, everything is equal and fair in employment, everything is equal and fair in the way that we look at one another. There's still so many issues that divide us, why would we want to go back into an issue on a bill that will even make resentments and anger and fear paramount again. Track: Senator Frank Sapareto testified that when he applied to college, he had to decide whether to apply as a Native American, which he was qualified to do. Bite: tape 2 10:38:10 I chose not to. It was the academic - hard work I had done and the grades in high school that I wanted to get in on those merits - and not on my race. And I think all of us should apply under that fair treatment. Bite: tape 2 10:54:02 Let's think about this thing, and let's think about it right. And let's throw this piece of trash out where it belongs. Track: This emotional issue will get further debate in a house subcommittee which will begin next week. For NH Outlook, I'm Richard Ager. |
| Intro Discussion Return to index of stories... |
Joining us this week in our weekly legislative round-up Democratic Senator Lou D'Allesandro and Republican Senator Jack Barnes. Thank you both for joining us. |
| Intro Transportation Return to index of stories... |
You've heard the expression: You can't get there from here. But here in New Hampshire transportation is no joke. Traffic is an issue for commuters and visitors North or South. As Lisa Brown reports in the debate over some big projects is hitting close to home for just about everyone concerned about Sprawl. **Web Pointer **Web Pointer |
| Transportation Return to index of stories... |
Open with shot of traffic and mountain This is The Strip…about a two mile portion along route 16 in Conway.that on a busy winter weekend, or in the height of the summer tourist season can actually take an hour or two just to drive through…It's about to be widened…Ask anyone, even the new Governor, and you'll find out, its been a long time coming. Bite: Benson 11:31:50 I was 18 when this whole thing started…if we are going to get things done, we need to move forward. 11:32:06 A recent attempt by some business owners in Conway to stall a portion of the Conway by-passs has failed and now the project is back on track. To actually build a by-pass around Conway to move people to Gorham and Berlin and points beyond is a nine step process, one that was agreed on more than ten years ago. But not without a lot of pain. Bite: Carol Murray 11:37:08 The compromise with the nine phase approach came hard there was blood all over the valley. 11:37:18 Countless outlet malls, retail stores and other commercial ventures along this stretch of highway is part of the reason for traffic congestion along the Conway strip. Widening lanes, creating turning lanes and other improvements -DOT officials say will help the flow of traffic, but it won't change the landscape. The strip is what is called "In-fill" and when in-fill takes place too quickly, there's bound to be problems. Nats of traffic…. Bite Tom Iriving/Conway Town Planner 1:01:12 Conway is essentially a cluster of villages. It is not an urban core with suburban neighborhoods around it, It's a couple of urban cores with an umber of villages connected nd the sprawl that is coming out is essentially an inefficient design pattern. Hwere we have large lots spread out and infill in the areas in between these village clusters, That's what I would consider to be Conways concern with sprawl-that we are loosing the distinctiveness of the villages. 1:01:45 For the first time in more than twenty years, the town of Conway has drafted a new comprehensive master plan, one that will allow the Conways to maintain what rural character they have, while moving forward. It is a plan that considers the direct link between transportation and land use.. Bite Carol Murray Lisa tape 14:52 There's always been a disconnect. Land use at a local level and transportation at a state level. You can't disconnect them. They are so intrically wed-that by disconnecting them that is how we produced the Conways. By increasing our conversations with the regional planning agencies and with communities we are trying to highlight, ok. If you have a train if you have some sort of transportation system that provides mobility, than you have to think about the fact that you are going to be attracting sprawl and everybody's definition of sprawl is different,'15:29 Keeping the lanes of communication open, is key to accepting change says Murray who is no stranger to oppositon. Recent public hearings on a proposed widening of Interestate 93 between Manchester and Salem have been met with mixed emotion. While many commuters embrace the project, some residents along the corrider fear road improvements will have a negative secondary impact. Too much growth. Bite from Package Show tape OT-629 11/13/02 4:12 The 800 to 1000 schoolchildren that will move to Derry as a result of this project will require construction of one o more new schools along with associated staff and supplies. This is ong to be a direct cost to Derry." 4:23 While projections of how the region will grow as a consequence vary, people concerned about the expansion say they want the Department of Transportation to take a broader view. Carol Murray Lisa Tape 17:52 We try to do the outreach and talk about-if your going to have a good transportaton facilty you're going to bring peole here, and in reality even if the transportation facility isn't great, new Hampshire is a great place to be and people are coming. 18:07 Bite Tom Irving 1:06:34 my own philosophy.there's two particular agents at work here. One is the transportation system leads you to a new plae that you want to go.and then, everybody follows-induced development, the other is that you link two important locations and you have the infill. The infill is one thing that contributes to Conway's concern in regards to sprawl. But with respect to induced development, in respect to the new by-pass, you're going to find that its going to open up new areas perhaps not in Conway but certainly in the region." And that's exactly what the North Country and towns like Berlin and Gorham are hoping for. Paper Mill woes and a bad economy have left both communities economically crippled. Bite Bill Jackson Executive council tape 1 1:27:40 the Conway By-pass will have regional economic impact especially in the towns of berlin and Gorham. When people come to our area and ask what can we do to help, our answer is simply please let this project go through as planned. The actual by-pass around Conway is still a few years away from being built. In the meantime, the town is seeing some benefit from the nine step process. Step four, building the north south road-a road that parallels the "Route 16 strip", opened this fall, and many in town say they've seen improvements. Bite: Tom Iriving 1:15:33 I think the fundamental trend that you should see and I tink its already taking place is more public involvemnt. In the past you had a select few-people that were movers and shakers that really had a drive to come up with planning and support planning initiiatives. What we are findig now that plans for a community have to be of the community. In Conway specifically, the motto that we follow is that "It's your town, its your future-make it your plan." Whether this next phase of widening actually helps the traffic flow through Conway is the big unknown. What is known however, is that Conway and the people who live there have learned a lot from their growing pains. In Conway, I'm Lisa Brown for New Hampshire Outlook |
| Next Week Return to index of stories... |
Is sprawl really a cause for concern? These are some of the questions we're been asking in this series Next Wednesday, New Hampshire Public Television presents a documentary on growth in Northern New England: Livable Landscapes by Chance or by Choice is at 8pm. It will be followed by A New Hampshire Outlook Special Presentation at 9pm. We hope you'll join us. |
| Goodnight Return to index of stories... |
That's it for this edition of our program. For all of us here at New Hampshire Public Television, I'm Ally McNair. Thanks for joining us. We'll see you next time on New Hampshire Outlook. |
| 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 Foundation Public Service of New Hampshire Alice J. Reen Charitable Trust Putnam Foundation Stratford Foundation |
| WEB PROMO Return to index of stories... |
Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook. It's our Friday Edition as journalists from around the state discuss the weeks top stories. Tonight at 10pm on New Hampshire Public Television. |
| website Return to index of stories... |
Is sprawl really a cause for concern? These are some of the questions we're asking in this series, and we want to hear from you. Please tap into our website at nhptv.org. Go to the Outlook page and click on the Sprawl icon. Along with a description of the topics you'll see covered here at New Hampshire Public Television, you can tap into our discussion forum, "what's on your mind." Start a conversation. or join one. We may use some of your comments or questions in upcoming discussions. |
| key: Environment Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 1/23/03 22:00 HOST: Allison McNair Length: 7:00 minutes In this edition of New Hampshire Outlook, NHPTV's nightly news magazine, we continue our week long series sprawl. You've heard the expression: You can't get there from here. But here in New Hampshire transportation is no joke. Traffic is an issue for commuters and visitors North or South. As Lisa Brown reports in the debate over some big projects is hitting close to home for just about everyone concerned about Sprawl. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Lisa Brown NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Craig Benson\NH Governor, Comm Carol Murray\NH Dept Of Transportation, Tom Irving\Conway Town Planner, Nancy Girard\Conservation Law Foundation, Bill Jackson\Gorham Town Manager |
| key: State Politics / Government Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 1/23/03 22:00 HOST: Allison McNair Length: 18:00 minutes In this edition of New Hampshire Outlook, NHPTV's nightly news magazine, we wrap up the week in the legislature with the capitol roundup and we here from both sides of the aisle. We began with a package about whether New Hampshire should eliminate affirmative action at the state university and state agencies? That is the intent of a bill debated at an emotional hearing at the statehouse today. Joining us this week in our weekly legislative round-up Democratic Senator Lou D'Allesandro and Republican Senator Jack Barnes. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Richard Ager NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Rep. Michael Harrington\R - Strafford, Ronald Rodgers\UNH General Counsel, Dr. Chanda Corbett\UNH Counselling Service, Rep. Dennis Vachon\D - Northwood, Bob Brown\Greater Nashua NAACP, Sen. Frank Sapareto\R - District 19, Purnell Ross\President - NH NAACP, Sen. Lou D'Allesandro\D - District 20, Sen. Jack Barnes\R - District 17 |
| Tonight 10:00 Return to index of stories... |
Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook. Join us tonight at 10:00 only on New Hampshire Outlook. |