I am fully in favor of the WOW trail and I am glad to say that I have contributed to this project.
I realize that there are SDS/Long Bay owners that oppose this project. However, this project benefits all the people that will use the trail. The SDS/Long Bay owners are trying to restrict ownership of public land that they believe they have an ability to control.
I feel strongly that publically owned land should benefit the public, not the few that have limited, but exclusive rights to access. SDS/Long Bay owners do not own the rail bed in question. The state owns the land and the citizens should be the only people that benefit from this ownership.
Although I have been hoping that a good compromise could be worked out between WOW and SDS/Long Bay, it seems to me that SDS is not in the compromising mood. Therefore, I feel WOW should move forward and begin construction of Phase 3 at once.
SDS/Long Bay owners had their say and they refused to look at the big picture benefits of this project. They seem to think that they have a “gated community” and as such, no one should be able to enter their “gated” area. In fact, SDS/Long Bay has to allow access from the rail bed, land that they do not own, so this is not an infringement on their space. I had hoped that SDS/Long Bay would find a way to compromise in this situation, but based upon private emails to me and other public statements that SDs owners have made, I now feel compromise is not on the SDS/Long Bay agenda. Regardless of what some have said, they are clearly stonewalling this project.
This project is a wonderful project using public land for the good of all tax payers. That is what public land should be used for! The views of the water near Lakeport are wonderful and must be part of this project. It clearly brings value to the entire project.
SDS/Long Bay does not own one square foot of this rail bed, but they seem to think that they can stop the entire Phase 3 of this project, thus significantly weakening the whole project. It is time for those with any interest in this project to step up with their positions and opinions. The lake does not belong to owners at SDS /Long Bay. It is for everyone to enjoy, no matter what their financial means happen to be.
Completion of this project will give all residents and visitors a great path to see the lake with unobstructed views without any obstructions.
The public land in that area should be used for the benefit of the public, not for the few that happen to own property at SDS/Long Bay!
NH voters, please contact your representatives and senators about this issue. Public access must take precedence over privately granted leases and temporary rights-of-way. If leases are not in the best interest of all the citizens, they must not be renewed. The full interest of the public has to be considered. In fact, they own the land, not the few at SDS/Long Bay.
Hopefully, a reasonable compromise can be worked out, but the good of all must be given the strongest consideration! If SDS/Long Bay owners are not willing to compromise, then let us move forward in the best interest of all the folks in the public sector that will benefit from this great project. The personal interests of few should not infringe on the rights of many!
R2B
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