Quote:
Originally Posted by Woodsy
DJS...
You are obviously a property owner that is directly affected by the WOW trail. Your idea of deeding property owners waterfront access is ludicrous at best. Why would that be in the interest of people of NH? A one time sale of a valuable asset is NEVER a good thing! Once that shoreline is deeded to people like you, the rest of public will no longer have access!
Its amazing the amount of wrong information your posting as facts...
1. The RR ROW (Right of Way) belongs to the STATE OF NH (and by default the citizens of NH), not the RR. The Hobo RR leases the tracks from the state. The STATE owns most of, if not all of the waterfront that abuts the RR ROW. (There is a thread here about shoreline leases... its good read. I am sure that battle will be revived soon enough)
2. The RR ROW along the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee is a Corridor Trail and as such can be used in the winter (once the NH Trails Bureau has posted it OPEN) for recreational purposes such as snowmobiling, XC skiing, hiking etc.
3. The Public is prohibited wallk ALONG the RR ROW, however, it is allowed to cross the RR ROW in certain instances... Just ask all the folks who lease the land on the other side from the state! SDS is one of the bigger developments that lease the shoreline from the state.
4. There is a Bill that has passed or is about to pass that will indemnify the RR from injuries that may occur trailside... This alleviates most of the legal entanglements and insurance liability costs of the WOW trail.
5. The Laconia PD has some of the best bicycle cops in the business, I am sure the WOW trail will get the same proffesional attention as the rest of the city does.
The fact is that the residents of SDS and others don't OWN the waterfront or the RR ROW. Its in the best interests of the Citizens of NH to insure access to all, not just a priveledged few. I can understand thier position, however they bought thier property knowing that there were no guarantees to water access.
Woodsy
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Ok, Lets back up here. I do not need you to tell me who I am and where I live.
This is where it gets interesting... A few posts advise that the Water access is the right of the NH people. If a Bike path were to go in, it would be a bike and walking path only. It would not be a swimming trail. Have you been to the shore of Paugus Bay? Bolders and rocks and railroad debris line the shoreline. No one will have access to the water. After all, arn't you purposing a "BIKE PATH"
So you do agree that a lease is needed to cross the track? So where is your lease? Can I see a copy of your lease? Can I get a copy of your insurance policy to cover injury when crossing the track?
I value your opinion on the Police Bike Taskforce but when a home is broken into or vandalized it is simply going to be a case of.. Maybe we will catch them next time.. please fill out this report. So, will the WOW trail people pay for the detail officers needed for ALL of bike week. They usually need to bring in Campus police and the National Guard for help. But now we will have a 9 mile path of crime to monitor.
I am not associated with SDS but I do know that Southdown only leases a small amount of land from the state. Most of the waterfront is owned. No one, not even the Pope would have access over thru or under the tracks. It may be a good idea if you drive down to City Hall in Laconia and see the SDS plot plan. Only the area that is leased and not owned by SDS is where the docks are located. The public will NEVER have access to the water for that whole stretch of land.
The idea of deeding the property to the land owners is a good idea. Before the railroad came into Laconia it was taken from the property owners. Why shouldn't it be deeded back in the same way. Why should they need to "share the land with you". I do think that it should be deeded back and that the land be then taxed as waterfront.
A bike path is a complete waste of taxpayers money. Fix a bridge, Fix a road, Maybe a school system.
When you say that it should be open to all and not the privileged few. It is available to you at a cost. Work Hard, Save your money and buy a place on the lake and stop waiting for another Bail out!!!