A bid for N.H. casino

Bay State gambling backers see urgency on legislation

A southern New Hampshire golf course owner is raising the stakes in the race to build the first New England resort-style casino outside of Connecticut.

Golf Management Co. wants to transform its Green Meadow Golf Course in Hudson into the Sagamore Crossing Golf Resort & Convention Center. The $300 million project would include a 135,000-square-foot casino with 4,000 slot machines and 100 table games, a hotel and convention center.

The new proposal adds urgency to the Bay State casino debate.

State Rep. Martin J. Walsh, a Dorchester Democrat, who has introduced a measure on Beacon Hill to authorize two resort-style casinos in Massachusetts, said the Legislature should not waste any more time.

“We can’t drop the ball on this,” he said. “People are gambling already at two Connecticut casinos and we don’t want to lose out to New Hampshire, too.”

So far, New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch has been skeptical of the push to legalize casinos.

“Any discussion of expanded gambling must answer questions about what it would mean for job creation, generating revenues and how it will affect the quality of life up here,” said Colin Manning, a Lynch spokesman.

A study by the Center for Policy Analysis at the University of Massachusetts found that a casino in New Hampshire could attract 8 million gamblers from Massachusetts, Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire who spend as much as $825 million annually at the two Connecticut casinos.

A spokesman for House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo said, “Speaker DeLeo will review a variety of revenue-generating proposals at the approprate time, including gambling.”

Yesterday, Cedric Cromwell, the newly elected Mashpee Wampanoag tribal council chairman, said he will ask Gov. Deval Patrick to begin formal negotiations for a casino in Middleboro.

Last year, the owners of Suffolk Downs and Wonderland Greyhound Park agreed to merge and try to build a casino in Revere.

Boston Herald

Meredith Police log

Article Date: Thursday, November 20, 2008
MEREDITH — Local police responded to 235 calls for service and made nine arrests during the seven-day period ending Nov. 17. They also made 57 traffic stops, issued 50 warnings, seven summonses and investigated four motor vehicle accidents. They also took two adults into protective custody for drunkenness. Those arrested will be arraigned in the Meredith Session of Laconia District Court on December 3.

— Lovering Volvo reported a theft of a vehicle. A number of days later, police received a call from Revere, Mass., to advise the vehicle had been recovered.


(The Citizen of Laconia-Police Log)

Anti-greyhound racing group considers NH ban

SEABROOK — Now that greyhound racing has been banned in Massachusetts, Grey 2K USA is considering its next step — in New Hampshire.

"We're obviously pretty excited with what voters decided in Massachusetts," said Paul LaFlamme, who serves on the board of directors of Grey 2K USA. "By the same token, what's right in Massachusetts isn't necessarily right in New Hampshire."

Grey 2K USA of Somerville, Mass., initiated the ballot question to ban greyhound racing in Massachusetts by 2010. Massachusetts passed the law by voter referendum. In New Hampshire, legislators would have to get onboard with a bill.

(Seacoast Online-Full Story)

T-Bone's Restaurant

Just got back from this restaurant in Salem, NH. If you're in the area, try it. The last time we went there was no wait. However, today there was a 25 minute wait. It was worth it.

We ordered the onion soup, basil/mozzarella/tomato, salad, T-bone steak, baked potato with sour cream and a shepard's pie with green beans. Everything was excellent and cooked to perfection.

click here for other locations and menu

Businessweek - The Best Place to Raise Your Kids 2009

submitted by Mark C.
Businessweek went state by state to make their choices of the best place to raise your kids in every state. (Click here to check other states)






Connecticut
West Haven
Nearest city: New Haven
Population: 54,765
Median household income: $63,191

West Haven is home to the University of New Haven and is about five miles from Yale University. Families can spend a day at Bradley Point Park beach and Sandy Point bird sanctuary.

Runners-up:
East Hartford
Norwalk


Maine
Portland
Nearest city: Portland
Population: 65,821
Median household income: $60,836

Portland, Maine's largest city, is culturally diverse and its progressive waterfront community is only a few hours' drive north of Boston. The Old Port section of the city has cobblestone streets and great shops, restaurants, and bars.

Runner-up: N/A


Massachusetts
Malden
Nearest city: Boston
Population: 56,454
Median household income: $67,599

Malden is a racially diverse, relatively affordable, and well-connected city six miles north of Boston. The city is working to rejuvenate its downtown, a mix of shops and restaurants around the Malden Square.

Runners-up:
Cambridge
Weymouth

New Hampshire
Nashua
Nearest city:
Population: 90,984
Median household income: $79,063

Nashua, the state's second-largest city, is known for its low crime and good schools. It draws shoppers from nearby Massachusetts who want to take advantage of the state's lack of a general sales tax.

Runner-up:
Manchester


Rhode Island
Pawtucket
Nearest city: Providence
Population: 73,612
Median household income: $48,207

The mill city on the Blackstone River is becoming known as an artist enclave with the transformation of aging mills into artists' lofts and studios.

Runners-up:
Warwick
Cranston

Vermont
Burlington
Nearest city: Burlington
Population: 38,358
Median household income: $56,879

Burlington, on the eastern shore of Lake Champlain, is a walkable, cosmopolitan city that is a short drive from skiing and other outdoor activities.

Runner-up: N/A