Two years ago, we discovered something interesting. If you ask too many questions about Taxpayer-owned Gunstock Resort, huge sums are spent, and pressure is brought to oust anyone in elected or appointed office who asks those questions. Suspicious?
It is, and we won’t get into the weeds, but Gunstock Mountain Resort is the property of the people of Belknap County and New Hampshire. It is a government organ, and when the people’s representatives began questioning its motives and integrity, the mere idea of impropriety became a third rail.
Suspicious?
A bi-partisan cabal of advocates for keeping whatever goes on hidden are also enthusiastic about making it more difficult and expensive for citizens to file right-to-know requests of this government entity or anyone familiar with its workings (HB1002).
Suspicious?
The current Gunstock Commission and County Delegation, which rose to replace those asking uncomfortable questions, oppose HB1414. They don’t want it audited (they have oversight, you see).
Suspicious?
The Gunstock Commission does not want to record public meetings or keep meeting minutes, and they do not want a forensic financial audit of Gunstock Mountain Resort (which HB1414 requires). Related: Gunstock- The Home of No Financial Controls?
Suspicious?
This majority came into power in part because of a well-funded campaign to ‘Save Gunstock.’ The implication was that the resort was in danger, but the only things they saved Gunstock from were transparency and accountability. It worked in 2022. Will it work again in 2024? Will Gunstock Resort dodge operational and financial scrutiny yet again?
What are they hiding? Why didn’t they want a financial audit? Why doesn’t a majority of the Commission or the Delegation want one, either? Don’t Taxpayers have a right to know?
We cannot guarantee that HB1414, should it pass the House, will survive the State Senate or Sununu’s gubernatorial veto pen (Gunstock insiders did illegally donate taxpayer dollars to His Excellency’s campaign not once but twice), but that’s no reason not to try.
Something stinks at Gunstock, and the people who don’t want you to find the source of the odor continue to spend a lot of time, energy, and money making sure you don’t or can’t.
If that isn’t the best reason to ensure they get audited (and) regularly, I’m not sure what is.
Support HB1414, and perhaps we’ll see what it is they don’t want you to know.
