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By Jake Mardin
The Colebrook News & Sentinel, September 6, 2012
A crowd of 200 people gathered at the monument park on Bridge Street in Colebrook this past Saturday, for the No Northern Pass Rally and Walk organized by the No Northern Pass Coalition and Life Free or Fry.
The event was part of a statewide Hands Across New Hampshire protest, and most were decked out in the opposition movement's signature color of hunter orange. The contingent chanted anti-Northern Pass slogans during a march down the sidewalk on Main Street, and the line stretched from Le Rendez-Vous bakery to Rite Aid.
Several politicians participated in the event, including Executive Councilor Ray Burton, U.S. Representative Charlie Bass, N.H. Representatives Duffy Daugherty and Larry Rappaport of Colebrook, and Rep. Gene Chandler of Bartlett. Candidates in the upcoming election were also in the crowd, including Charlie Kurtz of Errol, running for the New Hampshire House; and Jeff Woodburn of Dalton, seeking a N.H. Senate seat; and Coös County commission candidate Rick Samson of Stewartstown, a longtime vocal and staunch opponent of the proposed Northern Pass transmission line.
The purpose of Saturday's protest was not only to voice opposition to the project, but also to recognize those landowners who have held out and refused to sell their land to Northern Pass. "When we win, we need to make sure no one forgets the sacrifices that these families have made, Rep. Bass said. Rep. Rappaport called those holding out "heroes," and Rep. Daugherty also took the microphone to express his admiration for their courage.
After the march, the group returned to the park, where Julie Moran led the crowd in the song "Northern Pass, No Trespass." Afterward, Mrs. Moran said she was very happy with how the event turned out, noting that organizers had only five weeks to plan the event and it fell on Labor Day weekend. "PSNH has $16 million to pay people to do their job," she said. "We're doing it out of our own pockets."
Dave Chase, who owns land on Ben Young Hill in Clarksville and is one of those refusing to sell, said the American Dream is to build your own home. "To me, that's something that can't be sold," he said.
Lynne Placey of Stewartstown is another holdout, and said she was "overwhelmed by the number of people" at Saturday's protest. She said the past year and a half have been stressful and has caused some friction in her family. "It's made me appreciate the land I have and love," she said. "I'm very pleased with the people that have supported me. Bob Baker has been a wonderful help-kind and supportive."
Mr. Baker said he thought the event "was a wonderful showing of community support."
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