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jeffk · 08-18-2005, 01:12 AM

I find it strange to call it "gouging" when a price is set for a business service and people obviously find that price acceptable, as evidenced by full seats and the traffic generated. Racing is a leisure purchase. No one is forced to attend races. (BTW the ticket prices I saw were $25 - $40). I don't think I've ever been to a sporting or entertainment event that didn't charge vastly inflated prices for food and drinks.

I don't go to races but I checked out the NHIS website. Two of the upcoming events are charity events, D.A.R.E. and a race for leukemia. Is Mr. Bahre making some money on these events? Possibly, but the sponsors must also benefit. I think it is very cynical to reduce someone's motives for helping out a community to simply "buying your way into a community". I'm sure that Mr. Bahre would like the good will of his community and neighbors. What's wrong with that? When you buy someone a present isn't a part of the motivation the hope that the recipient will appreciate the gift and be pleasant to you in return.

Mr Bahre created a very successful business in Loudon. As with almost any business, there are costs and benefits. Traffic and noise are costs. Employment, reduced property taxes, and sponsorship of community activities are benefits. Communities that keep businesses out to avoid the costs associated with development often struggle to finance their schools and infrastructure. They then turn to others to "help them out". They try to get the benefits of commercial activity, the generation of assets, without paying the associated costs. I'd prefer a community to accept the costs associated with business development to reap the benefits. Loudon has done this. Mr. Bahre seems to have a reasonably good working relationship with the town and the state and has established a national presence of NH in the racing community. That's not a bad thing.

Having said all that, I'm not that impressed with the house. It looks more like a hotel than a residence. But it's his choice. I also wish he would add more trees along the shore. Maybe someone who knows him could ask him to consider it.

08-18-2005, 01:12 AM	#16
jeffk Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Center Harbor Posts: 1,250 Thanks: 216 Thanked 488 Times in 280 Posts	Bahre is a good businessman I find it strange to call it "gouging" when a price is set for a business service and people obviously find that price acceptable, as evidenced by full seats and the traffic generated. Racing is a leisure purchase. No one is forced to attend races. (BTW the ticket prices I saw were $25 - $40). I don't think I've ever been to a sporting or entertainment event that didn't charge vastly inflated prices for food and drinks. I don't go to races but I checked out the NHIS website. Two of the upcoming events are charity events, D.A.R.E. and a race for leukemia. Is Mr. Bahre making some money on these events? Possibly, but the sponsors must also benefit. I think it is very cynical to reduce someone's motives for helping out a community to simply "buying your way into a community". I'm sure that Mr. Bahre would like the good will of his community and neighbors. What's wrong with that? When you buy someone a present isn't a part of the motivation the hope that the recipient will appreciate the gift and be pleasant to you in return. Mr Bahre created a very successful business in Loudon. As with almost any business, there are costs and benefits. Traffic and noise are costs. Employment, reduced property taxes, and sponsorship of community activities are benefits. Communities that keep businesses out to avoid the costs associated with development often struggle to finance their schools and infrastructure. They then turn to others to "help them out". They try to get the benefits of commercial activity, the generation of assets, without paying the associated costs. I'd prefer a community to accept the costs associated with business development to reap the benefits. Loudon has done this. Mr. Bahre seems to have a reasonably good working relationship with the town and the state and has established a national presence of NH in the racing community. That's not a bad thing. Having said all that, I'm not that impressed with the house. It looks more like a hotel than a residence. But it's his choice. I also wish he would add more trees along the shore. Maybe someone who knows him could ask him to consider it.