YOUR COMMENTS

A Free Press? Bet the Eagle Times won't report why the state is broke now that they are on the "payroll". On the taxpayers dime, of course....
- Mae, Plaistow

THis is especially wrong seeing that a start up weekly newspaper that moved in to fill the gap had to close after all the advertisers ran back to the daily when the govt. propped it up.
Salmon press gave it a go with the Claremont villager and probably would have made it if the Eagle didnt rear its ugly head again. For companies to be able to use the bankruptcy process and govt. backed loans to strike down well run companies trying to make it on their own is just so wrong. I hope this attempt at re-starting the Eagle fails and let the state hold the bag this time.
- John, Manchester

Apparently the Union Leader needs to pick up a dictionary to understand the difference between a subsidy and government backed line of credit. I know it's tough to print fact when you're trying to sensationalize and sell papers but do your readers a favor and stick with the truth.

The truth being that the state backs lines of credit for all kinds of businesses. The fact that the multiple owners of the Eagle Times would have to go bankrupt before the state would be on the hook for a cent (George Sample is reportedly worth more than 100 million himself, do you think he's going to go bankrupt for the $250,000 line of credit?).

And then the inconvenient truth that the Valley News, which first reported this story, neglected to note that it's parent company had sought government backed funding itself.

But that wouldn't sell as many newspapers would it.
- James, New London

The only resason I would question the loan to any newspaper, is it looks like a way to insure a positive view point. If the new owner is so financially unstable the question occurs . Have we just given the money away like the Public Utilies Commission did with the money given by Verison to be used in the state by Fairpoiint removing all strings to the funds.
- clarence, northwood

Just another stunt by our Governor. He wants to be everybody's buddy. When do you see him? When there's a disaster, or when there is a photo op.

He lays off 300 State workers, but pulls this stunt. He's as much of a dissapointment as our new "President" They are both stellar losers, putting us, the American people at risk, more and more every day.
- Mike, Nashua, NH

I'd like to hear the executive council's side of the story. It better be good.
- Jim, Manchester

Editor

You commented on David T post. He mentioned the arena.

Did the Union Leader complain about taxpayers money being used to fund Verizon Wireless Arena?

Did the Union Leader have editorials that said Verizon Wireless Arena should only be built with private funds?

Did the Union Leader complain about using rooms and meals tax revenues to pay for Verizon Wireless Arena?

Manchester is spending more than 4 million dollars a year on Verizon Wireless Arena.

Has the Union Leader asked the management of Verizon Wireless Arena to place a ticket surcharge on tickets? Before voters got to vote on Verizon Wireless Arena, I believe that they were promised that there was going to be a ticket surcharge on tickets.
- Ken Stremsky, Manchester, NH

While this is being couched as some sort of financial trauma the real dilemma is hidden in plain sight – government and a free press shouldn’t be bunkmates.
As a former newspaper owner, I fought this battle when various proposals would be advanced to allow newspapers, usually small weeklies, to be allowed to get SBA loans. While that infusion of some working capital would help to smooth out the often seasonal cash flow that arrived for newspapers working in tourist areas, it opened the door for something worse – government meddling in the process of a free press.
I have no doubt whatsoever that this loan will deter the Eagle Times from commenting on any activity of the Governor or Council, but it is not a good precedent and hopefully this is the last newspaper bailout.
Ted Leach
Hancock, NH
- Ted Leach, Hancock

I am disappointed NH failed to take over the Eagle-Times. Wouldn't a state run Newspaper benefit all of us? After all, who are we to question the government? Gov Flynch could fire the president and appoint anyone he likes to run it. Taxpayer money can be used to provide lofty wages for union employees and garauntee their wage increases and healthcare benefits. The paper will provide accurate coverage of everything you need to know. Think of it as a "public option" in journalism and reporting. I am confident that our state reps, shea-porter and hodes will find a way to provide money via "ear marks" to subsidize providing the paper at less than cost to force other papers like the UL to lower their prices in order be "competitive". Next will be a government sponsored program of cash for day old newspapers. Because Newspapers eventually decompose and in doing so release CO2 and cause global warming, it will be necessary to spend federal money to buy back those papers.

sarcasm intended
- Michael Layon, Derry

It’s unbelievable how much our state has changed for the worse in a few short years. Bailing out a newspaper is as stupid as or more stupid than bailing out an auto industry. How is our society and country going to improve if we continue to support industries that are meant to fail? What if our state had bailed out the horse buggy business? We would probably all be riding horse buggies and wagons today. Our state and federal government politicians believe they are doing us a service when in fact they are simply stifling the new progress and ideas that could lead us to a more free and productive society. Elected officials: Please stop the bailouts, read the constitution and stop trampling our freedoms. 2010 can not come soon enough for most of you clowns.
- Dave, Manchester

Hey isn't Claremont the town that made a mess of how NH funds its education. Why should I have to pay bigger real estate taxes in Salem because of Claremont.

People move there because its cheap to live in the area. That is because there are no jobs to any significant extent.

Then they expect others in the state to subsidize them. The newspaper thing is in the same arena.
- Bob, Salem

It is just one more example of wasteful spending and incompetant action that keeps going on in Concord.
- James F. Maloney, Bedford NH

I don't want taxpayer funded or bailout of any newspaper - period!!
- Harry, Atkinson

This is not good. The state is going to garuntee that a newspaper, will make money and pay back the state on a loan is taking out. Who decides that the advertising department is collecting enough money to support the paper. Who decides and what help does the state give circulation department. Do they z(the papers) now ride on state trucks to help pay back a loan? What is this state government thinking and doing w/the public trust?
- Michael King, Epping

Critical state services have been cut and middle class workers laid off, all the while our political leaders keep lining their friends pockets.
- George, Concord

Silly me thinking that when a Pennsylvania company looked to buy a defunct newspaper in NH that they had the wherewithal to finance the purchase on their own.
- Joe Conway, Charlestown, NH

It's a fine line for hte government ot guarantee notes. Ironically, the convincing factor for many of the executive council members was the 'unlimited personal guarantee' of George Sample. Here's a question for you... If that personal guarantee was good enough for the EC, why wasn't it good enough for the bank to accept in the first place? And no offense UL, but papers aren't exactly on the thriving business growth chart lately - why would we choose this type of investment for the state?
- Mark Ridel, Manchester, NH

So much for "freedom" of the press!

I'd say don't ever buy the paper again, but then, yikes...we'll still have to pay for it! This is completely unacceptable Governor and Executive Council, but then you haven't cared about we the people in a very, very long time.

Show up to vote next time and vote all of these gov't clowns out of office who want to control more and more of our lives...puleze~!!
- judy, bradford

In this weeks edition of the Hippo is a great comment from the publishers desk. With the demise of the Eagle Times they had started up a newspaper in the Claremont area that is free to the readers just like the Hippo and he pointed out that several other free newspapers had started up in that area. He also pointed out that in the long run they have better news coverage than before. It turns out that the majority of those that are rehired at the "new" Eagle Times are living in Vermont and the newspaper is actually printed in Maine so the end result is the state funding is supporting the jobs in other states and not here in NH.
- Don Armstrong, Henniker

Ive never been a big fan of many newspapers and never considered paying for any except for the Wall Street journal. That aside I have to say the Eagle Times deserved to die. It was the worst paper out there period! The articles were written to appeal to the intellect and readership skills of maybe a sixth grader and investigative journalism was non existent. What a rag. The state could throw 200 million at that stupid paper and still nobody will buy it. The free market has already told the world - loud and clear- what the paper is worth - nothing. It went bankrupt. But alas the stooges in Concord are hellbent on making this money losing sinkhole prosperous again. Good luck Lynch - try as you might its impossible to turn coal into gold.
- mike, cornish

True, so true - the government should only give money to big banks, stock brokers and rich people. How dare they try and keep afloat some news organization that might criticise the "free market?" Tax advantages, no bid contracts, shrink wrap bundles of hundred dollar bills, agricultural subsidies to huge factory farms - those are the places to put our tax dollars. Continue to allow the aggregation of businesses till there is only one with the Union Leader as the house organ. Then we'll really get the news that's fit to print.
- Bill, Deerfield

Newspapers are very much under pressure in our digital economy.

This type of subsidy not only unnecessarily risks taxpayer money by investing in an industry with a very risky future, but it puts pressure on the competent Newspaper businesses that have been able to survive in spite of the current digital market challenges.

I'm one of the people who fuss as much as not on these UL pages about the UL. But the UL is one of the papers who are doing a darn good job at surviving as a public service.

Government should not be putting them under any more - economically artificial - pressure, the private economy is throwing plenty their way.

The UL might want to consider trying to harnessing the energy and resources of the entrepreneurs giving the Eagle Times a try. Newspapers - all newspapers - need all the help and partnerships they can get in the long term.

Complaining about government is one thing. But providing leadership and innovation in the private sector Newspaper economy is something the UL might want to constantly reevaluate. There seems like opportunities here. You guys are real competent over there in business. Think outside the box on this issue.

Of course newspapers compete among themselves. But that competition dwarfs the competition between all newspapers and the other mediums.

You guys are seizing the opportunity to complain about this issue. Don't miss the other opportunities while doing so.
- Bob Jean, Northwood, NH 03261

I agree somewhat with this editorial but my main beef is the fact that it is going to an out-of-state corporation instead of an in-state corporation. And, the jobs that are being preserved are fewer than were there before.
It would seem that while we are trying to stress job creation - and holding onto jobs - it should be focused on New Hampshire companies, so that the corporate profits tax stays in the state. If part of the deal was a state loan guarantee, shouldn't the bankruptcy procedures have guaranteed that the newspaper would be bought by a state company, entity or individual?
Those folks working for the Eagle Times also have a role in assisting the creation of and preserving jobs around the plant - including cafes, stores, gas, etc. - purchased in Claremont. So, there is some trickle down (unless the employees hired back work in Vermont).
I also wonder what kind of access regular individuals have to this information or programs like these. I'm not rich by any means, but if I knew that the state had a loan guarantee program like this, I surely would have looked into finding out about saving the Eagle Times. I’m sure I could have come up with the rest of the money. Back in 2008, I also looked into buying the Argus Champion from the former owner of the Eagle Times decided to let the weekly close instead of allowing someone to try and keep it alive.
So, I'm mixed about this.
- Tony Schinella, Concord, NH

No different down here in Dover. Our local paper, Foster's Daily Democrat, editorially endorsed a slate of candidates that are committed to building a 15 million dollar taxpayer supported parking garage, a garage necessary for the Foster family to market their old newspaper building sitting empty in the City's lower square. Dover residents are very familiar with this tactic, and have paid dearly!
- Patty Meserve, Dover

As a competitor to the Eagle Times, I am not sure why the taxpayers need to back this loan in the first place. The new Eagle seems to be doing fine.

By all accounts this new out of state entity has deep pockets and prints newspapers in other parts of the country already plus they recieved all the local government, school and county taxpayer funded advertising amounting to tens of thousands of taxpayers dollars yearly.

Does this mean that I am supporting my competition and backing their loan because I pay taxes in my state?

It is good to have the government support new businesses and get people back to work but now you are placing a taxpayer backed advantage to some in an open market.
Is this the new and improved New Hampshire advantage??

I am a small newspaper that began before the Eagle left and have weathered all the corporations that saw Claremont as a new market and have even seen some already close in a very short time, yet I'm still here with no state sponsored assistance even from the unemployment office. I contacted a local unemployment office hoping to hire a salesperson or two and I was basically told to go on line and fill out forms to try to match someone with the job you are offering. I thought that there would be a data base available to match businesses with people looking for work. Not the case. I have had better results using Craigslist.
Just my two cents worth.

Thank you to everyone who has called offering their support.
claremontcitypost@comcast.net

Chris Shaban
Owner
Claremont City Post
- Claremont City Post, Claremont

The way the taxpayers would "demand an end to these subsidies" is to refuse to buy it when Governor Lynch tries to portray himself as careful with tax dollars, which he will do and, unfortunately, will probably do better than his Republican challenger. He championed the huge increase in the state budget, because his core constituency is recipients of state money, and it would be disastrous if we let him hide behind the excuse of the bad economy for the deficits that have resulted.
- Spike, Brentwood NH

Dist. 1 Executive Councilor Ray Burton was a guest during my radio program Saturday morning and he explained that the NH Business Finance Authority is the clearing house for these types of loans with Gov & Council approval. I trust Ray but my feeling is: how many other small businesses not media connected could use some financial help? How much of this "guaranteed payback money is from taxpayers? And yes, where is this money available from the state coffers? Didn't the Democrats (Lynch,House & Senate) just raid the medical defense fund of $110 million dollars to cover their bloated budget?
bnyoung@metrocast.net
- Niel Young, Laconia

What was the Executive Council thinking?

Suppose the paper needs to write something critical of Gov. Lynch, can imagine of the internal debate about biting the hand that feeds you?

This is partly my money! I'm baffled, I thought this was America.
- Greg Salts, Manchester

The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. From the big D. guy in big D.C. to the little d. guy in little NH -- lessons well learned!
- Jacqueline Hamilton, Goffstown NH

Funny, but I don't remember the UL's editorials complaining about all the many new highway interchange, hotel, arena or airport improvements backed or funded by taxpayer dollars that are all over the Manchester landscape designed to help the city's businesses. Or perhaps the problem is only when another city is benefitting.

*** Editor's note: The Union Leader has regularly criticized this sort of city use of taxpayer dollars. Recent examples include last week's editorial on the Hackett Hill development project and a September editorial arguing that Walmart, not the city, should pay for any road improvements necessitated by a new store. ***
- David T, Alton

Between the paper's local and state government's part in seeing this loan guarantee, reporting, even if unbiased, will be tainted with possibilities of being viewed otherwise. Objectivity becomes an issue and the Eagle can be viewed as nothing more than a mouthpiece for those government entities, and their views on important political matters. A line has been crossed and as a result at least one of the papers that had moved in to fill the void left by the sudden departure of the Eagle Times has now also dropped out. A public option in healthcare providing competition with insurance companies is one thing (it truly serves for the betterment of peoples' lives by containing costs), this new type of public option/subsidy/guarantee is not in the same realm. The bond between the present Claremont administration and State has been questioned before...will it be properly scrutinized now?
- Stephen, Sullivan

Frederick Norton Freeman and Arthur Chase are turning in their graves.
- Kevin, Lancaster

Historically, news media, particularly newspapers, have been the watchdogs of Government. They become somewhat more "manageable" when they are beholden to the Government.
Thomas Paine wouldn't recognize this America.
- Don, Meredith

Great article, I would only add one thing. It was voted on unanimously and also without debate. I find it interestingly of note that no one felt it fitting to so much as consider the possible down side to doing this. Some Stewards.
- Craig, Manchester