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 Preshow Return to index of stories... |
Next on New Hampshire Outlook tonight. The cost of buying a home is skyrocketing in much of New Hampshire. We'll show you what $150,000 will buy across the state. more updates and analysis on the Brock impeachment trial and we profile a Center Tuftonboro theatre company that is bringing Shakespeare to life. |
| 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. |
| Brock Impeachment Return to index of stories... |
Two judges took the witness stand today in the impeachment trial of state Supreme Court Justice David Brock. Retired Supreme Court Justice William Johnson spoke of his concern over an ethical violation when former Justice Stephen Thayer commented on case from which he had been disqualified. This afternoon, retired Superior Court Judge Douglas Gray testified about a 1987 telephone call he says he received from Chief Justice David Brock about a case which dealt with a powerful state senator. We'll have more on the day's events in just a few minutes. |
| Cramped Classrooms Return to index of stories... |
New Hampshire children attend school in cramped, crowded classrooms where there's too much noise and too little fresh air. That's according to a survey done for the State Board of Education which found many of the problems relate to the age of the buildings. Thirty-three New Hampshire schools were built before 1900. Twenty-one percent were constructed during the 1950s, while only nine percent were built during the last decade. And the problems aren't just in poor school districts. Oyster River High School in Durham was built in 1963 and was meant to accommodate 603 students. Its current enrollment is 776. |
| Loon Safety Return to index of stories... |
The plaintiff call of the loon is a much a part of the New Hampshire experience as a view of the Old Man of the Mountain. During the last decade, the state has lost roughly ten loons a year because the birds swallowed lead sinkers and jigs left behind by fishermen. In January a law went into effect banning the use of the sinkers. So far this year only one loon death has been reported. One Fish and Game official says it's too early to tell if the ban is the reason. He says the poor summer weather kept away many weekend fishermen. |
| Summary Wrap Return to index of stories... |
That's the news summary. We'll be back with our focus on Real Estate, the impeachment trial and more after the weather. |
| Weather Forecast Return to index of stories... |
TONIGHT CLEAR NORTH MOSTLY CLEAR.THEN INCREASING CLOUDS SOUTH. LOWS 30 TO 40. TOMORROW INCREASING CLOUDS NORTH. RAIN LIKELY SOUTH HIGHS IN THE 50S. WEDNESDAY CHANCE OF SHOWERS HIGHS 55 TO 65. |
| Intro Impeach Today Return to index of stories... |
Retired Supreme Court Justice William Johnson says he never commented on cases from which he'd been disqualified. But he also testified in Day 6 of the Brock impeachment trial that he used suggestions from disqualified judges in writing his opinions. He said he did not think the policy was unethical. In another key prosecution case, retired New Hampshire Superior Court Judge Douglas Gray said he did receive a telephone call from the Chief Justice on the Home Gas Case. It's a call that Brock denies making. Richard Ager and Tom Rath comment on some of the day's testimony by the former judges. |
| IMPEACH today Return to index of stories... |
You can see and hear this portion of tonight's program by clicking on the "view this program" link outside of this transcript section. |
| Trial Calendar Return to index of stories... |
The trial resumes tomorrow. You can see gavel to gavel coverage here on New Hampshire Public Television starting at 9:00am and listen to it on New Hampshire Public Radio. |
| Intro REAL ESTATE Return to index of stories... |
The healthy economy has brought good things to New Hampshire - like jobs and tourist dollars, but it's not without a downside. It seems like everytime you pick up a newspaper these days, you see another headline about skyrockedting real estate prices. In some areas, the cost of a home is so high, people are being priced right out of the market. OUT: -- |
| REAL ESTATE Return to index of stories... |
SOT 26:54It's within walking distance to town but it's in need of work and not a big house. 26:58 -- THIS PORTSMOUTH HOME IS LISTED AT CLOSE TO 150 THOUSAND DOLLARS. IT'S A 2 - 3 BEDROOM HOME WITH 1 BATHROOM. IT SITS RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET FROM A COMMERCIAL PROPERTY. THE DAY WE MET REAL ESTATE BROKER MARK NASON, THIS WAS THE ONLY HOUSE AVAILABLE IN PORTSMOUTH IN THE 150 THOUSAND DOLLAR RANGE. -- 26:30Anything between 100 and 200 thousand dollars is slim pickings. 26:34 -- ***THE MEDIAN PRICE OF A HOME IN PORTSMOUTH HAS INCREASED CLOSE TO 6 PERCENT EACH YEAR FROM 1995 TO 1999. ACCORDING TO THE NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION THE HOUSING PARTNERSHIP, IN 1995 THE MEDIAN PRICE OF A HOME IN PORTSMOUTH WAS 130 THOUSAND DOLLARS. IN 1999 THE MEDIAN PRICE WAS 178 THOUSAND DOLLARS. THAT'S AN INCREASE OF 48 THOUSAND DOLLARS. -- Natural Sound NAT SOUND ALLY AND MARK WALKING DOWNTOWN. 23:27 Mark what is it that makes Portsmouth so appealing… It's a little city with a small town feel… PEOPLE CAN FLY IN AND OUT OF PORTSMOUTH FROM PEASE, OR TRAVEL TO WORK IN BOSTON ON INTERSTATE 95. WHILE WE WERE IN PORTSMOUTH, MARK SHOWED US ANOTHER HOME IN A HIGHER PRICE BRACKET. THIS 1800S HOUSE SOLD FOR 282 THOUSAND DOLLARS TWO YEARS AGO. IT HAS A DETACHED TWO-CAR GARAGE, 4 BEDROOMS, TWO BATHS AND SITS ON ABOUT A QUARTER ACRE. MAJOR RENOVATION WORK IS BEING DONE TO THE KITCHEN, AND IF IT WERE LISTED TODAY, MARK SAYS IT WOULD BE PRICED OVER 400 THOUSAND DOLLARS. THAT'S AN INCREASE OF OVER 40 %. SO WHO IS COMING TO PORTSMOUTH AND WHO CAN AFFORD THESE HOMES? -- 12"09 I see a lot of start up companies a lot of entrepenuerialship. People are working out of the house more and more they may be working in Boston but have the luxury of working with the company in the internet from home and they're choosing to come to new Hampshire and choosing to come to the seacoast in droves…12:36 -- BUT FOR MANY PEOPLE WORKING AND LIVING IN OR AROUND PORTSMOUTH - BUYING A HOME MAY BE WELL BEYOND THEIR MEANS. ACCORDING TO THE HOUSING OPPORTUNITY INDEX, RETRACK THE MEDIAN FAMILY INCOME IN THE PORTSMOUTH ROCHESTER AREA IS 52 THOUSAND DOLLARS. OF THE HOMES SOLD BETWEEN JANUARY AND MARCH OF THIS YEAR, FEWER THAN ONE THIRD OF THOSE MAKING THAT INCOME COULD AFFORD TO BUY A HOUSE. THAT LEAVES 69 PERCENT OF THOSE WHO WORK IN THE PORTSMOUTH AREA UNABLE TO AFFORD A HOME. EVEN SO, HOMES ON THE MARKET ARE ARE MOVING FAST… -- 27;51 It usually means if it gets advertised in the news or signs go in the ground and in a very short period of time they're ready willing and able buyer to pay for it…28:02 -- THAT'S NOT THE CASE IN BERLIN NEW HAMPSHIRE. -- LEE 1:06:40 it wasn't unusual for a home to be on the market for two to three years now were closer to six months to a year, nothing like down country but its still a lot of improvement by our standards. 1:06:56 -- BERLIN'S ECONOMIC WELL-BEING HAS LONG BEEN TIED TO ONE INDUSTRY - THE PAPER MILL. EFFORTS ARE UNDERWAY TO CHANGE THAT. BUT THE LACK OF HIGH SPEED INTERNET ACCESS IN THE NORTH COUNTRY MAKES THE AREA LESS APPEALING TO COMPANIES LOOKING FOR A HOME. IT'S KEPT HIGH TECH WORKERS AND PEOPLE WHO WANT TO "TELECOMMUTE" AWAY FROM BERLIN. SO WHAT CAN 15O THOUSAND DOLLARS BUY IN BERLIN? A LOT MORE THAN IT CAN ON THE SEACOAST. -- 58:25The average price of a single family home in Berlin is in the mid 50s now down country that would by you a pup tent in a park up here it gets you a nice home 58:37 when your talking 100 you're talking a plush home.68:41 -- THIS HOME IN BERLIN RECENTLY SOLD FOR 139 THOUSAND DOLLARS. IT HAS 3 BEDROOMS TWO BATHS, A FAMILY ROOM, FULL BASEMENT AND A TWO CAR GARAGE… IT'S ON TWO ACRES OF LAND WITH A VIEW OF PRESIDENTIAL RANGE AND VALLEY… LEE ALSO SHOWED US A HOME, WHICH RECENTLY SOLD FOR 40 THOUSAND DOLLARS. IT WAS ON THE MARKET FOR ABOUT A YEAR. -- Lee 59:45we get a number of retirees that have come from other parts of the country and relocate, the housing is less expensive they like the way of life here its more laid back and less crime they find the area quite attractive 1:00:02 -- PEOPLE OFTEN LEAVE CARS UNLOCKED WITH THE KEYS IN THE IGNITION AND THEIR HOMES UNLOCKED… 1:02:55 a high crime rate around here would be kids breaking into the coke machine and stole the change that would make the front page of the paper. It's not utopia here we have our problems but we have a lot more plusses than minuses up here a good way of life 1"03"09 -- LIKE BERLIN AND PORTSMOUTH, HOUSES IN CONCORD ARE MOVING MORE QUICKLY. AND PRICES ARE GOING UP TOO. -- 40:10This house less than a year ago sold for 137 thousand dollars - it resold within the first few days for 170 the asking price isn't that wild? 40:27 THAT'S A 24 PERCENT RISE IN LESS THAN A YEAR. -- 39:31When prices go up the higher priced homes will shoot up 30 to 40 percent. This time the lower prices are also up 25 percent. It's amazing. 39:59 -- 44:44we are getting more people well healed that are looking at higher priced homes 350 to 550 - probably 50 percent are working out of the house. 45:05 -- WE ALSO LOOKED AT A HOME THAT SOLD FOR ABOUT 240 IN THE SPRING OF 1999. -- 47:58This spring it sold again in a matter of days now they'd done nothing to it and it sold for 290 - I believe the asking price was 285. That gives you the ideas several people were interested in it. -- THAT'S OVER A TWENTY PERCENT INCREASE WITHIN ONE YEAR. ANN SAYS IT'S BEEN A SOMEWHAT QUIET SUMMER BECAUSE THERE JUST ISN'T A LOT OUT THERE TO SELL. THE SAME IS TRUE IN PORTSMOUTH. BERLIN, HOWEVER, STILL HAS PLENTY OF INVENTORY. |
| Intro discussion Return to index of stories... |
Joining me in the studio are Kipp Cooper and Mike Keeler of the NH Association of Realtors. |
| discussion Return to index of stories... |
Let's start with this real estate boom.What is making New Hampshire attractive? What are people looking for? Do you see prices going up from here? Some people are saying this harkens back to what happened in the '80s - inflated prices then bust in real estate market. Can we expet the same thing to happen? The median income for a four person NH family in 1998 according to US Census Bureau was 61,014 - What kind of house could a person like that afford? Mortgage rates 30 year fixed rate 7.99 with no points NH Adjustable rate 7.75 on five year adjustable East West Mortgage What can help first time buyer - what resources are out there? What special programs are there out there for first time buyers? Why does distance/commute make such a huge difference - foer example a home in Portsmouth for 150 thousand with no land three beddrooms 1 bath - might go for 100 in Barrington one half hour away? Why? I Is property a good investment? If shopping for a home what should person look for? Do you have to bid asking price or overbid in some markets? The tax rate in Concord is 32.36 per thousand. Berlin is high compared to Portsmouth. In Berlin it's 41 dollars per thousand.In Portsmouth 26.25 per thousand.… Where do you see real estate going from here? |
| thank guests Return to index of stories... |
Thanks to my guests Kipp Cooper and Mike Keeler or the New Hampshire Association of Realtors |
| Intro Shakespeare Return to index of stories... |
Finally tonight, there are drama classes and then there is Perform IT! Students learn the art of Shakespeare by making his classic works come alive. OUT: |
| Shakespeare Return to index of stories... |
nat sound "Perform It is a theatre program for home schooled students." nat sound "It's for students ages 10 to 19." nat sound "We spend the year studying Shakespeare in the theatre." Jan Helling Croteau is the founder and director of Perform It! Young People's Stage Company. She's also a professional artist and home schooling parent. nat sound For the past 7 years, Jan and students from the Center Tuftonboro, NH area have been telling tales -- Shakespearan tales. nat sound "The program is for the kids. We want to give them a chance to shine and stretch beyond their limits. It's extremely empowering for them to come off satge and say - I did it. I did Shakespeare." nat sound "I thought this would be a fun way to learn Shakespeare. They are able to perform it and the way I learned was only from a book." "I knew about Romeo and Juliet, but not much more. I didn't really understand him." Now she's part of his world. Maggie Croteau recently played Katherina in, The Taming of the Shrew. "We discuss characters and how they feel. We put ourselves in their place and that makes it easier to understand." "His plays deal so much with the human experience." Frances Hodges was cast as Katherina's younger sister, Bianca. "He worked with our human nature -- like the battle of the sexes. That's still going on today -- his work is still relevant." "And for Shakespeare, the performance was the play. That's what we're seeing here." Peter Friend knows Shakespeare. He has studied and taught about his work for more than forty years. He has become this theatre groups biggest fan. "They don't leave Shakespeare in the text -- stuck in a book. The performance is the play. What these young people are doing is bringing the play to life. That's exciting." "It's an unusual approach to Shakespeare for the kids at this age because they don't usually have the chance to see it come off the page. They learn it through their bodies on the stage." "He would exaggerate characters -- so we can all see ourselves or someone we know. That makes it fun for the audience." "If Shakespeare walking in right now, he'd recognize this play. He wouldn't be territorial about it." "The kids have shown me a lot. I now see everyone as a budding genius. They all shine - I want everyone to have the chance to flower with their own gifts." sounds of song as play ends. |
| 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 give us your feedback, see and hear the program by streaming video and participate in our daily poll. |
| Tomorrow Return to index of stories... |
Tomorrow night on New Hampshire Outlook. Winter's just a few months away, but a northeast regional taskforce says now's the time to prepare. Have you had an energy audit on your home? See why you should think about it. Continuing coverage of the Brock impeachment trial in Concord. and. we meet a dollmaker whose creations are inspired by seven generations of a Randolph family. |
| Goodnight Return to index of stories... |
That's it for this edition of New Hampshire Outlook. Thanks for joining us. Stay tuned for Antiques Roadshow UK. 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 |
| PROMO Return to index of stories... |
Hello, I'm Allison McNair. Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook. Winter's just a few months away, but a northeast regional taskforce says now's the time to prepare. Find out what goes into a home energy audit. Join us tonight at 7:30 for New Hampshire Outlook. |
| SaraSally Dolls Return to index of stories... |
Sara Sally Dolls Sister1: My family started coming here in 1826, the Watson Branch, and three different branches of our family had settled here and intermarried over the years. Chip: And that family has had a significant impact on the town of Randolph. They were hotel owners. John Boothman built many of the summer cottages in town; he also built the town hall. Sister1: Mr. Watson's son-in-law John Boothman who would be my grandfather, built the town hall for a princely sum of $700, which was just the materials. He donated his labor, and he was just shocked that the price was so high; they were hoping to have it, you know, be practically for free. VO: They were involved in politics and town government. They kept diaries and letters, and two of them were professional photographers, so seven generations later sisters Sally, Sue and Becky Boothman have uncovered an amazing collection of family history. Sister1: And we felt it would be important to share that information because so many people today don't have th kind of roots that we are fortunate to have, and so, Sally started making the dolls more, I think, as a craft activity, but then they became much more important. They became the individuals; they became our grandfather doing the logging. The new one that she is making right now is the photographer guy, Shurey, and we have Edith Watson doing the wash.And so those. little snippets that we've been able to uncover can become. in the round history to share with others. Sister2: This is one of the cottages of the more than eighty cottages that our grandfather built, and this one is on Randolph Hill.All of them were bungalow style; all of them had screened in porches because of the bugs as well as screened in sleeping porches, and they all faced the mountains, so view was exceedingly important. Sister2: One of the stories about people that he would hire to help him build was that the way in which he decided whether they were worth it or not is he would put a crow's foot on a board and then he would require those folks to then cut with a hand saw straight across without using a line without using a square without anything else. What they were really determing--he was looking at how good their eyes was. VO: My father was a woodsman; he was a trapper; he was a maple sugarer; he was a hotelier; he was a real estate man; he was a farmer. Sister2: The fly fishing doll really is patterned after my dad. He was a wonderful fly fisherman, and he used to tie all of his own flies, so when I started doing this and tying my own flies.It was I tried to recall now how did dad do this. I remember watching him for hours and how is it he did this and yeah, I think it's like this VO: Our dad was born in this house, and. we grew up and lived winters here and then in the summer we would move up on to Randolph Hill where our parents ran the Mount Crescent house. It used to take 25 cords of wood to heat this house in the winter, and it was all hand cut and split. Chip: Sarah tries to use local products for all of the accessories. For instance, the hair is fleece from local sheep, and her sister Becky designs and hand knits all of the clothing. Sara: This is the gentleman farmer. it's patterned after my great grandfather Laben Watson. The photographs that I would see of him was interesting to me was that these folks did the same as when they were climbing mountains was that they always wore the white shirts and ties even though they were out farming. Sara: My given name is Sara. My parents nicknamed me Sally at a very early age and when I was trying to put a name on these personalities our youngest son said call them Sara Sally. |
| Moose mating Return to index of stories... |
P-MA--Moose Mating Be careful out there, it's moose mating season -- Be on the lookout for lovesick moose. It's mating season for moose, and state wildlife officials say that could result in more of the big animals wandering on to roads in search of a partner. Biologist John McDonald says moose are "oblivious" to the dangers posed by cars, trucks, or any other kind of vehicle. During mating season, male are constantly on the move looking for females. McDonald says that often brings them into cities and suburbs and -- all too frequently -- across busy highways. The mating season lasts through the late October. |
| Health Care Funds Return to index of stories... |
The State of New Hampshire has lost seven and a half million dollars in money |
| Community Grants Return to index of stories... |
Three non-profit projects in Concord, Manchester and Farmington are getting almost one million dollars from the Community Development Investment Program. Bancroft Products of Concord, a manufacturing facility that employs more than 300 people who traditionally have trouble finding work, will get 600-thousand dollars over four years. Families in Transition in Manchester, which provides transitional housing and support services for homeless women, will get 300-thousand dollars over four years. The money will be used to expand the facility. Finally, Farmington Firehouse, sponsored by the Farmington Preservation Guild and Wentworth Economic Development Corporation, will get 37-thousand, 500 dollars next year to be used for renovation. |
| Stove debate Return to index of stories... |
With a chill in the air and oil prices climbing, some New Hampshire residents are trying to save winter heating costs by buying vent-free gas heaters. Critics are questioning their safety. Some people fear the emissions they release. And at least one New Hampshire community feels that fear is justified. New Hampshire law lets each community decide whether to allow the devices. Manchester does not. Only Massachusetts and Montana ban them outright. That's down from eight states four years ago. Manufacturers of the heaters maintain they are safe, and that their emissions exceed all national indoor air quality standards. |