Township of Governor's Island, N.H.?

bilproject · 08-05-2011, 01:16 PM

Maybe all the Islands should get together and form their own county with no local towns. Combining all those taxes for the various Islands (we are all over taxed for what we get) we could all see at least a 50% reduction with an increase in services. How about it Bear Island, Rattlesnake, Cow, Long Island and all the smaller Islands, You In? If we could then all these towns would finally understand they are killing the golden goose.

MDoug · 08-05-2011, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bilproject

Maybe all the Islands should get together and form their own county with no local towns. Combining all those taxes for the various Islands (we are all over taxed for what we get) we could all see at least a 50% reduction with an increase in services. How about it Bear Island, Rattlesnake, Cow, Long Island and all the smaller Islands, You In? If we could then all these towns would finally understand they are killing the golden goose.

Count me in on Bear Island!

Ms Merge · 09-07-2011, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MDoug

Count me in on Bear Island!

Folks, this is not that far fetched. What I would recommend is that you approach your legislators. You can form an unincorporated area. This is actually the definition of a township. My idea for Governor's Island was to form an incorporated place which is a town.

Since the non bridged islands are largely seasonal this would fit perfectly with an unicorporated place. What it would take would be a bill sponsored by your state legislature. I actually think given the current political environment it would pass. You would not be responsible for the town and local school portion of the tax bill but would still pay the county and the state school fund. You would then negotiate with the county (always looking for funds) for the services you collectively would desire. Your taxes would be very low and you would be happy.

Regards,
Ms Merge

IslandRadio · 09-07-2011, 03:55 PM

I can see it now - the township of Rattlesnake Island

JMR · 09-08-2011, 03:23 PM

I am told that years ago thee was a discussion of a number of the islands coming together to form a town. As you might guess, the issue is (always?) too high taxation for the little benefit that islands actually get from towns. The offset is the costs of police, fire and some admiistration in the new town. And I suspect, the attitude of the town that you are trying to leave. Since, most towns do not want to lose taxable real estate.

The NH legislature has the power to create towns and change the boundaries of towns. It comes from the concept that towns and counties are the creation of the state legislature. Thus the state can change them at any time.

For example, Sugar Hill was once a portion of another town (Littleton?), but the legislature carved it out to stand on its own. It was challenged and the NH Supreme Court upheld the creation of sugar Hill by the legislature. As you might guess, it was years of litigation between the two before and after the legislature acted.

I have heard, but not checked, that Governors Island left laconia for Guilford back in the day.

A cynical view would be that money speaks when it comes to these decisions to change towns, etc.

For what it is worth..........

SIKSUKR · 09-09-2011, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMR

IFor example, Sugar Hill was once a portion of another town (Littleton?), but the legislature carved it out to stand on its own. It was challenged and the NH Supreme Court upheld the creation of sugar Hill by the legislature.

Actually, Sugar Hill was part of Lisbon in 1962. Second youngest town in Nh behind Harts Location 2001.

Heaven · 08-05-2011, 02:52 PM

Her "personal success" was no doubt in part due to the services she used throughout her entire life that were paid for by TAXES upon others, at least partially based on the VALUE of their "personal success". This is the worst form of "I got mine, now I don't want to share", or maybe "I got mine and now I'm gonna take my island and go home"

Happy Gourmand · 08-05-2011, 03:30 PM

I thnk I'll run for Mayor? Governor? President? King?
I'll do it for one lousy million a year, a waterfront home with a dock, and at least a 30' boat.
Then, when I "got mine" I ain't gonna share it with you!!

jrc · 08-05-2011, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heaven

Her "personal success" was no doubt in part due to the services she used throughout her entire life that were paid for by TAXES upon others, at least partially based on the VALUE of their "personal success". This is the worst form of "I got mine, now I don't want to share", or maybe "I got mine and now I'm gonna take my island and go home"

I guess I don't understand the word "share" with respect to taxes. We pay taxes to fund the government, they use this money to do goverment work: build and staff schools, build roads, pay the police, fire, feed the poor, care for the elderly, where does "share" come in?

All she is saying is that her little island can do this better by themselves than as part of Gilford. Now I don't know this women, she may be dead wrong on the finances, but she has a right to persue this. We should all pay attention to where and how are taxes are spent and always be looking for better ways to provide the government functions.

RailroadJoe · 08-05-2011, 04:12 PM

jrc Living in a world with blinders on.

tis · 08-05-2011, 04:15 PM

I want to secede too. I don't think the towns like that though.

jrc · 08-05-2011, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RailroadJoe

jrc Living in a world with blinders on.

Very possible, but just to be clear, I'm talking about local goverment.

I understand that many in the Federal government are very good at "sharing" my money with people who promise to vote for them.

Argie's Wife · 08-05-2011, 05:05 PM

...if you don't like how things are run - get involved...

You don't have to be a voting-resident to have a say in how a municipality budgets or makes budgeting decisions. NH has one of the best Right to Know laws as any state. Public meetings allow for the public to have a chance to speak. Public hearings are held for the public to address a board or committee, whether it's a governing body or an advisory committee, on the issues that matter to them. Public meetings and hearings both have to be posted in two places in a town - one of those places can be the town's website or the school's website - and generally at the town hall, post office, school district's office, or local library. As for public hearings, they're generally also posted in the local newspaper (but they don't have to be...) It's not hard to see who's meeting when and where - and you can be a part of the process.

Mink Islander · 08-06-2011, 01:19 PM

Bear Island researched this top some years back. Even hired a retired state supreme court justice to research and advise them as I recall. Conclusion was that it wasn't legally feasible without the cooperation of the town you're seceding from. Not likely.

Irish mist · 08-06-2011, 03:09 PM

This is a very difficult thing to do. Weirs Beach tried to leave Laconia back in the 90s & could not get it done.

LadyJane · 08-07-2011, 08:58 AM

Be careful what you wish for

fatlazyless · 08-07-2011, 11:10 AM

http://www.wves.sau48.org/ with just maybe 30 students spread out through grades K-8, it spends about $28,000/student, and pays the tuition for any Waterville Valley student that decides to go to Plymouth High School.

How many elementary school students, grades K-8, would the proposed Town of Governor's Island be likely to have enrolled?

Belmont Resident · 08-07-2011, 08:14 PM

If what I was told by a town employee is correct then Governors Island used to be part of Laconia.
They decided they did not want to be part of Laconia because they were being taxed too much. They decided to become part of Gilford.
Once again from what I was told, the taxes from the Island are what keep the taxes for the rest of the Gilford residents as low as they are.

Now I don’t know how many are, year round residents on the Island, but I can’t have a lot of sympathy for 2nd home owners, when so many can’t even afford one home.
And as far as I know we all know ahead of time what we are getting into before we sign on the dotted line.

We just got our tax bill for our 2nd home in Northern Maine and it was a staggering $1100.00. Yes that is eleven hundred. No complaints here, it’s a small price to pay for the solitude we enjoy during all of the summer holidays when the lake is a zoo. Not to mention the thousands of miles of snowmobile riding from our doorstep.

fatlazyless · 08-07-2011, 09:10 PM

Take a look at a map of Gilford and Laconia, and it's easy to see why Gov Isl would have been originally considered to be part of Laconia judging from the boundary line location between Gilford and Laconia in relation to Gov Isl's location.

MAXUM · 08-08-2011, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Belmont Resident

Now I don’t know how many are, year round residents on the Island, but I can’t have a lot of sympathy for 2nd home owners, when so many can’t even afford one home.
And as far as I know we all know ahead of time what we are getting into before we sign on the dotted line.

We just got our tax bill for our 2nd home in Northern Maine and it was a staggering $1100.00. Yes that is eleven hundred. No complaints here, it’s a small price to pay for the solitude we enjoy during all of the summer holidays when the lake is a zoo. Not to mention the thousands of miles of snowmobile riding from our doorstep.

It may be hard to have "sympathy" for people that for example own property on the Gov's Island, at the same time they like everyone else have to weigh the purchase of a piece of property against the total cost of ownership. It's a bit difficult to do that when the town clearly has a target on the prime property and on a whim can tax you right out of it? What's a reasonable figure, taxes double? triple? quadruple? in say 10 years? This is obscene no matter how "well to do" you may or may not be, especially when the perceived "rich" are hit hard as to keep the cost of living low for the rest. This is all out class warfare and it's wrong. I'm not rich by any stretch of the imagination - I look at many of the mcmansions and shake my head wondering why anyone needs such a place, but I don't for one minute think they should be screwed because they have more than I do. Careful what you wish for, at some point there will be no more "rich" people to go after.

Nothing you get from the government is free, somebody had to pay for it through taxes. We have far to many expecting everything for nothing, well time to cut them off the gravy train and let them go out and earn a living just like the rest of us.

tis · 08-08-2011, 04:22 PM

Good post Maxum. But you got me sidetracked. I was going to say if GI is successful, I think I will move there!

MAXUM · 08-08-2011, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tis

Good post Maxum. But you got me sidetracked. I was going to say if GI is successful, I think I will move there!

I would too if I could afford it, but all those mean nasty "rich" people have priced me out of the market

tis · 08-08-2011, 05:28 PM

Maybe we can pool our resources?

MAXUM · 08-08-2011, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tis

Maybe we can pool our resources?

I got the first 20 bucks...

tis · 08-08-2011, 05:45 PM

I think I can do a little more than that!!!!

We can buy one of the smaller olders places---

MarkinNH · 08-08-2011, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAXUM

We have far to many expecting everything for nothing, well time to cut them off the gray train and let them go out and earn a living just like the rest of us.

AMEN to that !!

RailroadJoe · 08-08-2011, 05:08 PM

Good luck. How do you get rid of 100 Senators and how ever many representatives at once. And where can you find any one honest enough not to worry about their Party and worry about the Americans.

MAXUM · 08-08-2011, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RailroadJoe

Good luck. How do you get rid of 100 Senators and how ever many representatives at once. And where can you find any one honest enough not to worry about their Party and worry about the Americans.

Put an end to career politicians - IE term limits, that won't solve the problem but maybe slow the damage done. Plus the electorate needs to be better educated on what the heck is going on and how it affects them. How many times have you seen a news crew hit the streets of say NYC and ask people basic questions about current events and the answers they get in response is nothing short of astonishing. As long as that continues we're doomed to fail as a society and a country.

Grandpa Redneck · 08-08-2011, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkinNH

AMEN to that !!

Yep, as my Grandpa used to say you can't get something for nothin' unless some one somewhere is is gettin' nothin' for something!!

Belmont Resident · 08-09-2011, 05:43 PM

I never said I agreed with the taxes, just that that’s how it is. I just don’t have sympathy for the rich mainly because a lot, not all, tend to look down on the rest of us, and there is a lot of that up here. Another thing we see a lot of up here is the people who have a lot of money are some of the cheapest ones when it comes to having work done to their houses.

Yup I’m all for term limits on all these bottom feeding politicians, especially the ones like Kennedy who was so old and useless he couldn’t even walk or stand up with out shaking.

And yes they should put an end to the people working the system while we pay for it.
A drug test for anyone on welfare, unemployment or any other assistance program would probably help weed out some. There is so much wrong, where do you start.
But now I’m off topic anyways.

The Big Kahuna · 08-13-2011, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Belmont Resident

I never said I agreed with the taxes, just that that’s how it is. I just don’t have sympathy for the rich mainly because a lot, not all, tend to look down on the rest of us, and there is a lot of that up here. Another thing we see a lot of up here is the people who have a lot of money are some of the cheapest ones when it comes to having work done to their houses.

Are you kidding me!

MarkinNH · 08-14-2011, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Belmont Resident

I never said I agreed with the taxes, just that that’s how it is. I just don’t have sympathy for the rich mainly because a lot, not all, tend to look down on the rest of us, and there is a lot of that up here. Another thing we see a lot of up here is the people who have a lot of money are some of the cheapest ones when it comes to having work done to their houses.
.

You must have run into a lot of bad apples. I have worked for and still work for Many of these wealthier waterfront homeowners and can honestly say that at least for the ones I know and work (ed) for they have been some of the most down to earth, friendliest and generous people I know. The "come on in, have a cup of coffee, tell us how you have been" kind of people.

RailroadJoe · 08-14-2011, 10:03 AM

Never judge all because of a few, except politicians naturally.

SIKSUKR · 08-15-2011, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Belmont Resident

I just don’t have sympathy for the rich mainly because a lot, not all, tend to look down on the rest of us, and there is a lot of that up here.
But now I’m off topic anyways.

Wow. Usually you reap what you sow. Sounds from your post that you're the one that looks down on people.

jrc · 08-15-2011, 10:31 AM

Quote:

I just don’t have sympathy for the rich mainly because a lot, not all, tend to look down on the rest of us, and there is a lot of that up here.

There is no correlation between money and arrogance, I've met jerks at every income level. Class warfare is a dangerous weapon, look at the riots in England.

BTW Belmont Resident, you own two homes, by most definitions you are rich.

AC2717 · 08-08-2011, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Belmont Resident

If what I was told by a town employee is correct then Governors Island used to be part of Laconia.
They decided they did not want to be part of Laconia because they were being taxed too much. They decided to become part of Gilford.
Once again from what I was told, the taxes from the Island are what keep the taxes for the rest of the Gilford residents as low as they are.

Now I don’t know how many are, year round residents on the Island, but I can’t have a lot of sympathy for 2nd home owners, when so many can’t even afford one home.
And as far as I know we all know ahead of time what we are getting into before we sign on the dotted line.

We just got our tax bill for our 2nd home in Northern Maine and it was a staggering $1100.00. Yes that is eleven hundred. No complaints here, it’s a small price to pay for the solitude we enjoy during all of the summer holidays when the lake is a zoo. Not to mention the thousands of miles of snowmobile riding from our doorstep.

Not picking a fight here, but just because they have a second home does not mean they should have to pay more for it because they can afford it.

Heaven · 08-08-2011, 07:23 PM

Well help me out then, does Gilford charge a greater tax rate for GI than for other areas of Gilford?

Mink Islander · 08-08-2011, 08:25 PM

At least that's according to the Governors Island Club website. It was once part of Gilmanton according to that site.

Mink Islander · 08-08-2011, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heaven

Well help me out then, does Gilford charge a greater tax rate for GI than for other areas of Gilford?

If your mansion is worth millions, as most if not all on GI are, then you will pay a lot of taxes. If that property is increasing in value faster than the average home in town, then their taxes will rise faster than others too. That's the NH tax scheme. Gilford (and GI) is no different than any other town/taxpayer in that regard.

samosetguy · 08-08-2011, 08:59 PM

The thing I don't get is I pay over $4k a year in RE taxes in NH (more than I pay in MA) yet I'm a NON-RESIDENT when buying my fishing license. To me, that's sort of an unnecessary slap in the face to all us seasonal property owners.

And since I'm venting, would it kill a Policeman to spend some time on Scenic Dr/Belknap Pt Rd in Gilford. It's a beautiful road that I would guess at least hundreds use a week in the summer for biking/running/walking. I swear I'm almost hit 3 times a summer by some speeding driver yet I rarely ever see the police try to stop speeders. Where else in the town is more important for them to sit in between calls?

Lastly, I emailed the chief of Gilford Police two years ago asking if I should take any precautions before taking my family hiking in the fall (i.e. around hunting season). His reply . . . "I don't know, I don't hunt." Maybe I'm being too critical but I was disappointed with that reply.

Mink Islander · 08-09-2011, 05:25 AM

I agree we should be treated as residents for such things as fishing licenses and snowmobile registrations. But that's a state, not a town issue. Show me the state rep that will lift his/her pinkie for a non-resident/non-voter. I will say, Gilford treats it's (non bridged) island residents better than any other town on the lake. Partly because there are a surprising number of islanders who are also full time mainland Gilford residents, partly out of longstanding tradition, but mostly because Gilford islanders are organized and proactive on town issues that impact them. Perhaps Gilford needs a non resident taxpayer association to consolidate issues and bring a better voice to the discussion. Equally true for other towns around the lake.

RailroadJoe · 08-09-2011, 05:25 AM

I drive Belknap Point Road at least twice a month and am always traveling about 20 miles per hour. I always stop at Lincoln Park, so maybe I like to see the lake.

Also if you hike any time during hunting season even if your on a road near woods, wear something orange, never wear white. When hunting in the woods hunters look for movement.

MAXUM · 08-09-2011, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RailroadJoe

I drive Belknap Point Road at least twice a month and am always traveling about 20 miles per hour. I always stop at Lincoln Park, so maybe I like to see the lake.

Also if you hike any time during hunting season even if your on a road near woods, wear something orange, never wear white. When hunting in the woods hunters look for movement.

I cannot stress enough as a hunter, if you venture into the woods wear something blaze orange and a lot of it.

Belmont Resident · 08-14-2011, 08:12 AM

Multimillion dollar homes, lake front, and views. All add up to a higher tax rate no matter what town you live in. GI just happens to be all million dollar homes not a mixture like other areas of the lake.
Honestly one of the biggest eye sores on the lake unless you own there.
I have not met many who just can not understand the need for that much wasted space.
I've always believed in having what I need in a house, not building to impress.

flyguy · 08-18-2011, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Belmont Resident

GI just happens to be all million dollar homes not a mixture like other areas of the lake.

That's not what I see in this close-up aerial video of the northeast shore of GI: Governors Island Helicopter Tour. Yes, there are megamansions, but there are still some original camps there, and long stretches of woods.

NoBozo · 08-18-2011, 02:40 PM

Nice video Bill. I just noticed something I hadn't noticed before..All those very expensive property's ..and NO Real Boathouses. Just a few open-walled "carports".

Are new construction boathouses no longer permitted on the lake..?? There is a nice new Stone boathouse over on Umbrella Point (Wolfeboro Neck)....but it was built on dry land (actually blasted out of solid rock) and then a lagoon dredged out in front afterward.

Maybe the property owners on GI just aren't Rich Enough to "Get er done".

NB

fatlazyless · 08-18-2011, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flyguy

.... in this close-up aerial video of the northeast shore of GI: Governors Island Helicopter Tour. Yes, there are ...

Say hey....that looks like two tennis courts, complete with tennis court nets, located just a few feet away from the water's edge, and nobody was playing any tennis! That's a big waste to see two empty and unused tennis courts!

So, what should I do to find a tennis-playing, bored Gov Isl widow in her fifties, or younger, like much younger?

If she has a hot car with a manual transmission, that would be a big plus.......either German or Swedish is good!

I could be over there in the Alumacraft outboard in about five minutes! From Buoy 3 to Governor's Island: Distance......about three million dollars......: time....oh about five minutes or less!

ishoot308 · 08-18-2011, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fatlazyless

Say hey....that looks like two tennis courts, complete with tennis court nets, located just a few feet away from the water's edge, and nobody was playing any tennis! That's a big waste to see two empty and unused tennis courts!

So, what should I do to find a tennis-playing, bored Gov Isl widow in her fifties, or younger, like much younger?

If she has a hot car with a manual transmission, that would be a big plus.......either German or Swedish is good!

I could be over there in the Alumacraft outboard in about five minutes! From Buoy 3 to Governor's Island: Distance......about three million dollars......: time....oh about five minutes or less!

That's the funniest thing you have posted in a loooong time!!

Rattlesnake Guy · 08-18-2011, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Belmont Resident

Multimillion dollar homes, lake front, and views. All add up to a higher tax rate no matter what town you live in. GI just happens to be all million dollar homes not a mixture like other areas of the lake.
Honestly one of the biggest eye sores on the lake unless you own there.
I have not met many who just can not understand the need for that much wasted space.
I've always believed in having what I need in a house, not building to impress.

BR, I think you are confused. The higher the assessed value for the town, the lower the tax rate. Having a bunch of big houses that don't use town services is a real boon to a town's tax rate reduction. Of course how much money the town spends is just as important.

Personally, I like the looks of any size place that is well done. I have not seen a strong correlation between well done and money spent. You can find plenty of both on either end of the bell curve.

Jonas Pilot · 08-18-2011, 04:36 PM

Rattlesnake Guy said ...

"Personally, I like the looks of any size place that is well done. I have not seen a strong correlation between well done and money spent. You can find plenty of both on either end of the bell curve."

Well said.

Merrymeeting · 08-09-2011, 06:36 AM

Like many things in life, the McMansions stick out because of their size and become the topic of most conversations.

But, when I travel around the lakes, I still see that the very large majority of homes are owned by hard-working, middle-class, families, whom in many cases have owned the property for generations.

Then everyone wants to tax the "rich" and the taxes reach the point where the hard working family can no longer justify owning the property. They sell to a richer family who does a tear-down on the "little" house... and the cycle continues.

Be careful what you wish for.

Kamper · 08-09-2011, 06:39 AM

I sympathize with you out-of-staters. When I worked in Mass. No one asked me how I wanted my income tax dollars to be spent.

Have you thought about establishing a precedent in your home state for NH to follow? How often have you commuicated to your rep.s that you feel "taxation without representation" goes against the traditions of the Commonwealth? I'm sure we'd all be interested in any response you get.

TOAD · 08-09-2011, 06:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamper

I sympathize with you out-of-staters. When I worked in Mass. No one asked me how I wanted my income tax dollars to be spent.

Have you thought about establishing a precedent in your home state for NH to follow? How often have you commuicated to your rep.s that you feel "taxation without representation" goes against the traditions of the Commonwealth? I'm sure we'd all be interested in any response you get.

It's not called a "Commonwealth" for nothing.

SIKSUKR · 08-09-2011, 07:27 AM

Interesting topic and timely for myself. I just spent the last few days on an island in Maine which did just this. My gf's daughter got married this past weekend on Long Island in Casco Bay. It used to be part of Portland but it seceded from it some time ago. Talked to a few locals that are very happy about that. The thing that stood out and I thought was funny was that the cars on the island didn't have any license plates or inspection stickers. Lots of old vehicles that probably would not pass. Many golf carts for transportation also. Pretty cool experience and a nice feel to the place. Not sure it compares to the GI situation with that being a bridged island and the homes on LI being very modest summer camps. fwiw

08-05-2011, 01:16 PM	#1
bilproject Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Bear Island/Fort Myers, Fla Posts: 231 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 1 Thanked 59 Times in 41 Posts	"Island County NH" Maybe all the Islands should get together and form their own county with no local towns. Combining all those taxes for the various Islands (we are all over taxed for what we get) we could all see at least a 50% reduction with an increase in services. How about it Bear Island, Rattlesnake, Cow, Long Island and all the smaller Islands, You In? If we could then all these towns would finally understand they are killing the golden goose.

09-08-2011, 03:23 PM	#5
JMR Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Hampton & Rattlesnake Island Posts: 175 Thanks: 33 Thanked 70 Times in 32 Posts	legal background? I am told that years ago thee was a discussion of a number of the islands coming together to form a town. As you might guess, the issue is (always?) too high taxation for the little benefit that islands actually get from towns. The offset is the costs of police, fire and some admiistration in the new town. And I suspect, the attitude of the town that you are trying to leave. Since, most towns do not want to lose taxable real estate. The NH legislature has the power to create towns and change the boundaries of towns. It comes from the concept that towns and counties are the creation of the state legislature. Thus the state can change them at any time. For example, Sugar Hill was once a portion of another town (Littleton?), but the legislature carved it out to stand on its own. It was challenged and the NH Supreme Court upheld the creation of sugar Hill by the legislature. As you might guess, it was years of litigation between the two before and after the legislature acted. I have heard, but not checked, that Governors Island left laconia for Guilford back in the day. A cynical view would be that money speaks when it comes to these decisions to change towns, etc. For what it is worth..........

08-05-2011, 03:30 PM	#8
Happy Gourmand Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Ruskin FL Posts: 1,027 Thanks: 188 Thanked 322 Times in 179 Posts	G.i. Nh I thnk I'll run for Mayor? Governor? President? King? I'll do it for one lousy million a year, a waterfront home with a dock, and at least a 30' boat. Then, when I "got mine" I ain't gonna share it with you!!

08-05-2011, 05:05 PM	#13
Argie's Wife Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Alton Posts: 1,908 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 533 Thanked 579 Times in 260 Posts	As I always say... ...if you don't like how things are run - get involved... You don't have to be a voting-resident to have a say in how a municipality budgets or makes budgeting decisions. NH has one of the best Right to Know laws as any state. Public meetings allow for the public to have a chance to speak. Public hearings are held for the public to address a board or committee, whether it's a governing body or an advisory committee, on the issues that matter to them. Public meetings and hearings both have to be posted in two places in a town - one of those places can be the town's website or the school's website - and generally at the town hall, post office, school district's office, or local library. As for public hearings, they're generally also posted in the local newspaper (but they don't have to be...) It's not hard to see who's meeting when and where - and you can be a part of the process.

08-06-2011, 01:19 PM	#14
Mink Islander Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 753 Thanks: 59 Thanked 271 Times in 129 Posts	Secession Bear Island researched this top some years back. Even hired a retired state supreme court justice to research and advise them as I recall. Conclusion was that it wasn't legally feasible without the cooperation of the town you're seceding from. Not likely.

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09-07-2011, 03:55 PM	#4
IslandRadio Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Mirror Lake - Full time resident Posts: 398 Thanks: 70 Thanked 156 Times in 61 Posts	I can see it now - the township of Rattlesnake Island

08-05-2011, 02:52 PM	#7
Heaven Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 523 Thanks: 128 Thanked 95 Times in 67 Posts	Her "personal success" was no doubt in part due to the services she used throughout her entire life that were paid for by TAXES upon others, at least partially based on the VALUE of their "personal success". This is the worst form of "I got mine, now I don't want to share", or maybe "I got mine and now I'm gonna take my island and go home"

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08-05-2011, 04:12 PM	#10
RailroadJoe Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 620 Thanks: 259 Thanked 158 Times in 100 Posts	jrc Living in a world with blinders on.

08-05-2011, 04:15 PM	#11
tis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6,749 Thanks: 752 Thanked 1,459 Times in 1,016 Posts	I want to secede too. I don't think the towns like that though.

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08-06-2011, 03:09 PM	#15
Irish mist Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 686 Thanks: 128 Thanked 85 Times in 49 Posts	This is a very difficult thing to do. Weirs Beach tried to leave Laconia back in the 90s & could not get it done.

08-07-2011, 08:58 AM	#16
LadyJane Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: northern Ct. Posts: 335 Thanks: 129 Thanked 50 Times in 33 Posts	Be careful what you wish for

08-07-2011, 11:10 AM	#17
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 8,765 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 300 Thanked 1,016 Times in 740 Posts	http://www.wves.sau48.org/ with just maybe 30 students spread out through grades K-8, it spends about $28,000/student, and pays the tuition for any Waterville Valley student that decides to go to Plymouth High School. How many elementary school students, grades K-8, would the proposed Town of Governor's Island be likely to have enrolled? __________________ ... down and out, liv'n that Walmart side of the lake!

08-07-2011, 08:14 PM	#18
Belmont Resident Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Belmont NH but prefer Jackman Maine Posts: 1,857 Thanks: 491 Thanked 410 Times in 251 Posts	Governors Island If what I was told by a town employee is correct then Governors Island used to be part of Laconia. They decided they did not want to be part of Laconia because they were being taxed too much. They decided to become part of Gilford. Once again from what I was told, the taxes from the Island are what keep the taxes for the rest of the Gilford residents as low as they are. Now I don’t know how many are, year round residents on the Island, but I can’t have a lot of sympathy for 2nd home owners, when so many can’t even afford one home. And as far as I know we all know ahead of time what we are getting into before we sign on the dotted line. We just got our tax bill for our 2nd home in Northern Maine and it was a staggering $1100.00. Yes that is eleven hundred. No complaints here, it’s a small price to pay for the solitude we enjoy during all of the summer holidays when the lake is a zoo. Not to mention the thousands of miles of snowmobile riding from our doorstep.

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08-07-2011, 09:10 PM	#19
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 8,765 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 300 Thanked 1,016 Times in 740 Posts	Take a look at a map of Gilford and Laconia, and it's easy to see why Gov Isl would have been originally considered to be part of Laconia judging from the boundary line location between Gilford and Laconia in relation to Gov Isl's location. __________________ ... down and out, liv'n that Walmart side of the lake!

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08-08-2011, 04:22 PM	#21
tis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6,749 Thanks: 752 Thanked 1,459 Times in 1,016 Posts	Good post Maxum. But you got me sidetracked. I was going to say if GI is successful, I think I will move there!

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08-08-2011, 05:28 PM	#23
tis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6,749 Thanks: 752 Thanked 1,459 Times in 1,016 Posts	Maybe we can pool our resources?

08-08-2011, 05:45 PM	#25
tis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6,749 Thanks: 752 Thanked 1,459 Times in 1,016 Posts	I think I can do a little more than that!!!! We can buy one of the smaller olders places---

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08-08-2011, 05:08 PM	#27
RailroadJoe Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 620 Thanks: 259 Thanked 158 Times in 100 Posts	Good luck. How do you get rid of 100 Senators and how ever many representatives at once. And where can you find any one honest enough not to worry about their Party and worry about the Americans.

08-09-2011, 05:43 PM	#30
Belmont Resident Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Belmont NH but prefer Jackman Maine Posts: 1,857 Thanks: 491 Thanked 410 Times in 251 Posts	I agree I never said I agreed with the taxes, just that that’s how it is. I just don’t have sympathy for the rich mainly because a lot, not all, tend to look down on the rest of us, and there is a lot of that up here. Another thing we see a lot of up here is the people who have a lot of money are some of the cheapest ones when it comes to having work done to their houses. Yup I’m all for term limits on all these bottom feeding politicians, especially the ones like Kennedy who was so old and useless he couldn’t even walk or stand up with out shaking. And yes they should put an end to the people working the system while we pay for it. A drug test for anyone on welfare, unemployment or any other assistance program would probably help weed out some. There is so much wrong, where do you start. But now I’m off topic anyways.

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08-14-2011, 10:03 AM	#33
RailroadJoe Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 620 Thanks: 259 Thanked 158 Times in 100 Posts	Never judge all because of a few, except politicians naturally.

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08-08-2011, 07:23 PM	#37
Heaven Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 523 Thanks: 128 Thanked 95 Times in 67 Posts	Well help me out then, does Gilford charge a greater tax rate for GI than for other areas of Gilford?

08-08-2011, 08:25 PM	#38
Mink Islander Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 753 Thanks: 59 Thanked 271 Times in 129 Posts	GI never part of Laconia At least that's according to the Governors Island Club website. It was once part of Gilmanton according to that site.

08-08-2011, 08:59 PM	#40
samosetguy Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 61 Thanks: 42 Thanked 35 Times in 14 Posts	Non-Resident Fishing License The thing I don't get is I pay over $4k a year in RE taxes in NH (more than I pay in MA) yet I'm a NON-RESIDENT when buying my fishing license. To me, that's sort of an unnecessary slap in the face to all us seasonal property owners. And since I'm venting, would it kill a Policeman to spend some time on Scenic Dr/Belknap Pt Rd in Gilford. It's a beautiful road that I would guess at least hundreds use a week in the summer for biking/running/walking. I swear I'm almost hit 3 times a summer by some speeding driver yet I rarely ever see the police try to stop speeders. Where else in the town is more important for them to sit in between calls? Lastly, I emailed the chief of Gilford Police two years ago asking if I should take any precautions before taking my family hiking in the fall (i.e. around hunting season). His reply . . . "I don't know, I don't hunt." Maybe I'm being too critical but I was disappointed with that reply.

08-09-2011, 05:25 AM	#41
Mink Islander Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 753 Thanks: 59 Thanked 271 Times in 129 Posts	Fees for non resident property owners I agree we should be treated as residents for such things as fishing licenses and snowmobile registrations. But that's a state, not a town issue. Show me the state rep that will lift his/her pinkie for a non-resident/non-voter. I will say, Gilford treats it's (non bridged) island residents better than any other town on the lake. Partly because there are a surprising number of islanders who are also full time mainland Gilford residents, partly out of longstanding tradition, but mostly because Gilford islanders are organized and proactive on town issues that impact them. Perhaps Gilford needs a non resident taxpayer association to consolidate issues and bring a better voice to the discussion. Equally true for other towns around the lake.