Senate scuttlebutt?

[fatlazyless]

According to the Senate website, the Transportation and Interstate Cooperation Commitee has scheduled a public hearing in the large Representative's Hall which is the very large meeting room for NH's 400 State Rep's at the State House at 107 North Main St, Concord on Friday February 24 at 9am.

The Transportation Committee Chairman, Senator Robert LeTourneau, (mail your opinion to) 30 South Ave, Derry NH 03038,is a Republican of Derry and is a long time motorcycle rider and has always opposed any mandatory seat belt or motorcycle helmet laws and he seems to be against a speed limit for boats. As you probably know by now, the Senate has sixteen Republicans and eight Democrats so it would seem likely that speed limits will get sunk by the Senate.


Whether you are for or against speed limits, you know the opposition will be there big-time, so if you can get the time away from work (what's that!), maybe you want to put on your best formal baseball cap and go to the NH State House, Friday Feb 24 at 9am.

If nothing else, it's a good lesson in civics and there will be a surprise NH legislation quiz on the next day Saturday right here in this thread, and all quiz-flunkies (under 80%) will have to go jump in the deep open water in Meredith, next to the ice fishing derby headquarters. 'So, go take a long run off that long Meredith Town dock right ovah thayer, yessuh ayuh!' No exceptions! So, go study up, everyone!

[RegalStan2450]

Do they want to say yes to no-speed limits for the benefit of the 32'-8000lb-1150hp go fast-be louds? Or, do they want to say yes to a 45day-25night speed limit for the safety of most motor boaters, sailers, most fisherman, kayakers, many waterfront residents, and the NH summer camp organization.

Wow, this statement is my whole problem with the supporters of this bill. You seem to think it is about the gfbl boats against everyone else and that simply isn't true.

Everything from bass boats , PWCs and sport cruisers will go 80+ mph. 45 mph is fast for certain boats and in certain areas yes. In the broads when I am going 50 mph with noone around it is not so fast. You get used to it very quickly. I am sure in a 30 foot sport cruiser it would feel really slow.

[Fat Jack]

Originally Posted by RegalStan2450

You seem to think it is about the gfbl boats against everyone else and that simply isn't true.

Stan,
You are correct here...HB162 in not only about GFBL boats. It applies to all boats equally. HB162 is more a case of "all speeding boats against everyone else". But rather than turn yet another thread into a "discrimination against cigarette boats" discussion, let's get back on topic.

Originally Posted by SAMIAM

Even though I'm not in favor of the bill,I promise not to whine and complain if the vote does not go my way.I'll accept it and abide by it because we live in a democracy and a decision will be made after everyone has their say.
I'm wondering if the other side will do the same?????.

Samiam,
If a purely democratic process was followed and we had instead found that a majority opposed speed limits, and the legislature properly followed that mandate, then it would be imcumbent upon the minority to accept that result. That is what "living in a democracy" is really all about.
But when such an overwhelming majority of NH's citizens favor a speed limit, you should not expect that the opinion of 13 senators will stop this tsunami.
Reasonable speed limits on our lakes are inevitable, whether through HB162, or the next attempt that can begin as soon as next September. Rest assured, the citizens of NH who own these lakes and want to feel safe on them will ultimately prevail. That is what "living in a democracy" is really all about.
HB162 was just the start of a long process towards returning sanity to boating in NH...it is not at all the end of that, regardless of the Senate vote. That is what "living in a democracy" is really all about.

[fatlazyless]

From www.thewmurchannel.com today, in a short article it says that in an informal poll the Senate is 9 for, 10 against, and 5 undecided. It doesn't go into any details or anything. Just like tv-news.....no details or follow-up questions. And now it's time for a commercial break....and another commercial...and another com...

[SAMIAM]

Fat Jack......I don't accept the premise that the "majority" of boaters want a speed limit.Anyone can manipulate a poll by carefully wording the questions.If the question had been "Do you support a law that would require boaters to observe a safe and reasonable speed" the results probably would have been the same. That said.....looks to me like you're considering the fact that the bill might not pass and you're getting ready for some non stop carping a la Al Gore and John Kerry.
But even if you do win,Jack, I'm affraid you're not going to be happy.Cruisers will still throw up 4' wakes.....Weirs bay will still be a madhouse.The gofast boats will create even bigger wakes going slower and the canoes and kayaks will take evn a worse pounding.
Wish there was an outcome that would please everyone,but I don't think it's possible.

[Cal]

Just like when mankind tries to fool with Mother Nature ...we correct one thing and wind up screwing three more things up

[Island Lover]

Its easy to disagree with a poll that has been published. Why doesn't the opposition publish their poll?

Could it be the results were the same?

[Lakegeezer]

Originally Posted by Island Lover

Its easy to disagree with a poll that has been published. Why doesn't the opposition publish their poll?

Could it be the results were the same?

The opposition to the law attempting to define excessive speed, above the reasonable definition that we already have, is the NH culture and civil liberties. There is no organized group to go against those lobbying for it, except perhaps the Bass fishing community. There really aren't that many boats that can go above 45, and not enough people boat at night to be impacted by the 'wake increasing' 25 at night rule. Not enough people care about what is being done here. The US culture has become very lax about defending its civil liberties lately - from the federal level right on down. (which govenment workers are reading your email these days, and do you care?) The legacy that we are leaving the next generation is one of surveillance, force of compliance, and rules brought on by political action committees. Groups like the one lobbying for this law get away with "having it their way", because the citizens don't know where to start defending their civil liberties - and this law doesn't impact most people enough to make this case a priority, especially to voters that are not boaters. That doesn't make it right.

It is up to our congress to realize that the proposed law is being brought on by a well funded group of fearful people which has used public relations campaign and lobby techniques to sway the uneducated non-boater into believing a twisted view of the truth. It is up to those who care to consider their representitive's position and vote on this issue at the next election. I've written to my senator - have you!?

[BroadHopper]

As defined in the Constitution. I don't think anyoneone read that document anymore. LakeGeezer hit it right on the nail. NH is known for its civel liberties and true NH natives will fight to the very end. 'Live Free or Die'.

Wish I had a smiley with the NH state flag.