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 Preshow Return to index of stories... |
Next on New Hampshire Outlook. Should treatment for any mental illness, as well as alcohol and drug dependency, be covered by insurance? Opposing sides sound off on the issue. Also, legislation on jet ski restrictions draws a crowd in Concord. And bringing Atlantic Salmon back to our rivers. |
| Headlines Return to index of stories... |
Good Evening. I'm Allison McNair. Welcome to New Hampshire Outlook. |
| Submarine Collision Return to index of stories... |
A New Hampshire sailor gave key testimony today at the Navy investingation into the sinking of a Japanese trawler. Technician Patrick Seacrest of Manchester told the court he violated orders by failing to track surface ships manually before the U-S-S "Greeneville" surfaced. Asked by one court official if he'd been lazy, Seacrest replied, "Yes, sir. A little bit." He admitted he stopped keeping charts of sonar contacts with surface ships despite orders from his captain. Seacrest says he never alerted officers he stopped. He has been granted immunity for his testimony. Nine people aboard the trawler lost their lives in the accident that occurred February 9 off the coast of Hawaii. |
| Intro Jet ski Return to index of stories... |
Spring doesn't arrive until tomorrow, but a Senate hearing today focused a lot of people's attention on enjoying the warmer months ahead. Senate bill 146 would impose restrictions on a class of small watercraft commonly known as jet skis. As producer Richard Ager reports, the hearing brought out strong feelings on both sides of the issue. CG:BULLET4\Proposed Personal Watercraft Regulations\Must stay 300 feet from shore when in use\Operate only during daylight hours\Could be prohibited following a public hearing\Hearing requires petition signed by 10 residents\Source: Senate Bill 146 |
| Jet Ski Return to index of stories... |
Track: More than 100 people converged on Representative's Hall to express their opinions on the bill. Supporters say it would simply extend the same restrictions on the newer 3and 4 passenger watercraft, as already exist on the 1- 2 passenger ski boats. All would be classified as personal watercraft or PWC's. Bite: Hearing tape 1 24:00 The bottom line is, 3 and 4 passenger craft are almost an identical carbon copy to the 1 and 2 personal craft. The old saying is, if it walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck - it's a duck. Bite: Hearing tape 1 24:50 There has been a dramatic increase in the registration of PWCs but it is still only about 6% of the total registrations. But they are responsible for 26% of the accidents reported. Bite: Hearing tape 1 25:30 In my view, it doesn't take a leap to logically come to the conclusion that we must have a mechanism to address problem areas when they appear. Track: The bill would define all small craft powered by a water jet as personal watercraft and impose tighter restrictions than exist on regular boats. Graphic: Among other measures, personal watercraft would have to stay 300 feet from shore when in use, and could only be operated during daylight hours. PWCs could be prohibited from any lake, pond or river following a public hearing. Such a hearing would require a petition signed by 10 area residents. Bite: Hearing tape 1 33:46 Now what we have noticed through the years and I attended many of those hearings over the years. Close to 90% of the hearings have resulted in either closure or severe restrictions in personal watercraft. We think the hearing process as it was set out at the time and testified about at the time does not work well. So we think that - and by the way Mr. Chairman, it is the only type of boat that has that kind of specific hearing process. No one else has that. So we single out this kind of craft. Track: But that special attention is justified according to many lakefront property owners like Iain Gilmour who lives on Kezar Lake in North Sutton. Bite: Hearing tape 2 11:23:54 It's really a community lake. There are indeed many visitors, but most of the visitors are involved in either swimming or fishing. And most of that activity is very passive and quite delightful and doesn't damage the view in any way. But not only that, essentially it's quiet - those activities are quiet. I really take issue with the individuals at the hearing who have suggested that jet skis of any size are quiet. I don't believe it. Standup: Hearing Tape 2 14:10:13 At first glance, this may appear to be a clash between owners of expensive lakefront property and those who can only afford a small watercraft for enjoyment. But it's not that simple. Industry figures state the average watercraft owner earns $95,000 a year. And many waterfront residents own and enjoy these watercraft. Soundup: Hearing Tape 1 10:53:28 Our entire family has taken and passed the boater safety course which is offered by the Dept. of Safety. Track: Dawn Wiitala lives on North River Lake in Barrington. She says the Senate bill would unfairly penalize responsible watercraft owners who plan family activities around their ski craft. Bite: `Hearing tape 2 47:11 This lake is perfect for the kids for water skiing and tubing - it's just the right size. They can go around it a couple of times before they get tired. It's a calmer lake - there's not a lot of big waves or congestion like on a bigger lake. We know the kids have tried waterskiiing up on Winnipasaukee but the lake is just so rough, it's hard for them to do. So they really enjoy the opportunity to waterski and tube on this lake. Track: That is an opportunity that Wiitala fears could be lost if the Senate bill passes. For NH Outlook, I'm Richard Ager. |
| Women Candidates Return to index of stories... |
New Hampshire is one of only four states where a woman occupies the governor's office - a statistic that some might say confirms research on women candidates for executive office. Bipartisan research shows that voters from both major parties have lingering reservations about the toughness and leadership abilities of women running for governor or president. The research also shows one of the problems womencandidates face is the comparatively low number of female role models in executive positions in both business and politics. Men and older voters were more likely to prefer a male candidate for a top office like governor. We'll be talking more about women in executive office tomorrow night on outlook. |
| Manchester Airport Return to index of stories... |
Business developers wanting to cash in on traffic to and from Manchester Airport - have hit a major stumbling block. City Hall and neighborhood groups are standing their ground against more commercial development along Brown Avenue. Officials are refusing to change city zoning laws to accommodate developers. Some residents say they've had enough with the expansion of the airport, increased traffic and commercial development. But developers and real estate agents argue the city should seize the opportunity to expand its tax base. |
| Wet Spring Return to index of stories... |
Heavy snow cover could lead to some major flooding this spring - if the snow melts too quickly. This weekend, a state official measured 23 inches of snow in Concord which contains the equivalent of six inches of water. That's 43 percent more frozen water on the ground than average for this time of year. At 15 other monitoring sites, officials have measured even greater amounts. But there may be good news - long-range forecasts call for gradual melting and slightly dryer-than-normal weather for the next month -- the most critical time of year, when it comes to flooding threats. |
| Intro to Mt. Washington Return to index of stories... |
Well- the first day of spring finally arrives tomorrow - and doesn't it feel good just to know it's finally here at least on the calendar!.We spoke to weather observor Katie Hess just a few minutes ago to find out how the weather will be around the state tonight and tomorrow. |
| Mt. Washington Return to index of stories... |
CG:WEATHER\Tonight\North\Partly cloudy \Chance of snow showers\Lows near 20\ CG:WEATHER\Tonight \South\Clearing skies\Lows in the lower 20's\\ CG:WEATHER\Tomorrow\North\Clearing skies\Highs in the lower 40's\\ CG:WEATHER\Tomorrow\South\Mostly sunny skies\High in the mid 40's\\ |
| Intro Mental Health Return to index of stories... |
How do you feel about insurance coverage for mental health services? In New Hampshire schizophrenia, major depression and bi-polar disorer are covered in the same manor as physical illnesses. But under House Bill 672, all services for mental health as well as treatment for alcohol and substance abuse would be covered. Tomorrow there'll be a public hearing on the bill to expand mental health benefits and joining me to talk more about the bill from two different perspectives - Dr. Joffree Barnett - Child Psychiatrist and Yvonne Nanasi, Director of Government Relations for Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield |
| Thank guests Return to index of stories... |
Thanks to my guests Yvonne Nanasi and Dr. Joffree Barrnett. |
| BP Bump Return to index of stories... |
CG:BUMP\Mental Health Parity\Hearing on HB 672,tomorrow at 1:15 pm, Room 302, Legislative Office Bulding |
| Business Outlook Return to index of stories... |
Ahead of the Federal Reserve's highly anticipated decision tomorrow on interest rates, stocks ended the session higher. While it is expected that the Fed will lower interest rates for a third time this year, investors continue to debate how big the cut might be. |
| Wall Street Stocks Return to index of stories... |
While the day may be described as mild the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 135 points to end at 99-hundred-59. The Nasdaq composite as up 60 points to 19-hundred-51. And the S-and-P 500 gained 20 points to eleven-hundred-70. CG:STOCKS\Dow Jones Industrial Average\9959.11\=135.70\NYSE\596.17\+8.51 \American Stock Exchange\881.54\+12.00 \Nasdaq\ 1951.19\+60.28\S&P 500\1170.81\+20.28 |
| NH Stocks Return to index of stories... |
And here's a look at some New Hampshire stocks of interest. Autodesk was down one-point-eight-one. Sanmina Corporation closed up 2 dollars and forty-four cents. Teredyne was up over three and a half. Unitil Corporation - up 1-point-three-five.And Verizon Communications was up over one and a half. |
| Maple Sugar Return to index of stories... |
The snow may have put a damper on the start of this year's maple-sugaring season, but New Hampshire sugar makers hope to make up for lost time. In the southern part of the state, the season runs from mid-February to March - in the northern region,the season spans March to April. There are many special events around sugar making next weekend - which have been designated by Governor Jeanne Shaheen as New Hampshire Maple Weekend. |
| Small Biz Award Return to index of stories... |
A Jaffrey businessman is one of ten distinguished business leaders in the Northeast. Steven Walker, president of New England Wood Pellet Incorporated, has recieved the Fleet Small Business Leadership Award. More than 12-hundred nominations were submitted for the honor. Walker was recognized for technological innovation in producing wood pellets for use in stoves and furnaces. Winners receive ten-thousand dollars, and Fleet will donate an additional ten-thousand in the business's name to a charity of the winner's choice. |
| Intro Adopt a Salmon Return to index of stories... |
There's an effort underway by the US Fish & Wildlife Service to bring Atlantic Salmon back to our rivers. Through their Adopt-A-Salmon program some 70 schools are helping to raise the salmon from eggs and then release them into area rivers. In 1999 we visited an Adopt-A-Salmon classroom at East Derry Elementary School |
| Tag Adopt-a=Salmon Return to index of stories... |
Since we taped that story both Matt Poole and Sherri Farwell have moved on, but the Adopt-A-Salmon program continues on with this years students planning to release their salmon into the Souhegan River in the next few weeks. However, the federal funding for the program has been stopped, so it may not be able to continue beyond this year. |
| 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 - NH Outlook goes on a backcountry ski trek to the remote Zealand Falls Hut in the White Mountains. Spend the day and night in the backcountry. We'll show you what the experts pack for an enjoyable and safe kick-and-glide tour in this skier' paradise |
| 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 Granite State Challenge. 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 |
| Frost Heave Return to index of stories... |
Spring begins tomorrow - and the warmer days and cold nights help produce frost heaves - those bulges, heaves, bumps, and holes in the road that knock many a vehicle out of allignment. So where the heck do they come from - Frost heaves form when water in the ground rises and saturates the shallow, already soaked layers of soil, and then freezes. And after our tough winter, most road engineers and experts say this year we'll have a bumper crop. What's worse - many towns and state road maintenance budgets are already maxed out due to our stormy winter. So there isn't much left over for patching or flattening bumpy roads. |