McLear and Ray Team Up for Changes in Meredith

[tummyman]

There was ABSOLUTELY an asbestos plant in Meredith. It sat on the site that is currently the parking lot for the Inns at Mills Falls at the traffic lights. Make no mistake about it...it was there.

[tummyman]

One last thing...I totally agree with SAMIAM. As an added thought, I wonder how much the local property tax rate would have increased without the huge investment that Rusty and his partners made in Meredith. Without him and his buildings, I bet most of the things that attract people to Meredith and the local businesses would not happen. He is a big deal and has made Meredith a destination. Everyone should be thanking him for making such nice accommodations...top notch, high class, and very good for the community. Wake up !!!!!

[winnipiseogee]

Just wanted to echo Samiam and Tummy. I grew up vacationing in Meredith and its why we live here today. My mom wouldn't even let me play in Meredith Bay as a kid because you could see 55 gallon drums floating around. The EPA came in and SHUT DOWN the asbestos mill because people who parked near the mill had cars that were covered in asbestos dust at the end of everyday. It was a dump that was poisoning the families in the community.

Rusty, Alex and their business partners have done a hell of a lot for this community and I for one appreciate everything they did to make Meredith a great place to live. If more families get to kayak, canoe, water ski and ice skate then good for them.

[Pineedles]

OK, OK their Gods!

[BroadHopper]

I'm not crazy about all the commercalism he brought to Meredith. His tourist trap cause massive traffic jams in Meredith Center. I use to love Meredith as a small town like Center Harbor, Melvin Village etc. Some folks loves to see dollars and traffic and folks settling in Meredith which cause huge growth and taxes. Many of my friends are native of Meredith and they are not happy with the way it became.

Sure the asbestos plant was an eye sore and I know for a fact the inn sits on a brown field. So is the swamp in the back of the hardware store. Folks that use to work at the factory told me about how asbestos residue was used as landfill throughout the region. I have to admit that I am glad it was shut down.

The real problem with Meredith Bay is phosphorus and other chemicals from lawn and shrub fertilizing. I do know the landscaper and he does use harmful fertilizer on the King's land.

He may did a great job 'cleaning up' the town but he is doing more harm than good on the long run.

[chipj29]

Just wondering why jet skis would not be allowed on the site? Why the hatred?

[Sunbeam lodge]

Originally Posted by tummyman

One last thing...I totally agree with SAMIAM. As an added thought, I wonder how much the local property tax rate would have increased without the huge investment that Rusty and his partners made in Meredith.

It wasn't Rusty that raised my taxes to $16000. It was the town. Most of my taxes go to the schools and if Rusty hadn't added to the tax Base I wonder how much I would be Paying.

[RailroadJoe]

$16,000! That's what I paid for my house.

[fpartri497]

Originally Posted by RailroadJoe

$16,000! That's what I paid for my house.

sure 30-40 Years ago

[mcdude]

Google: Asbestos + Meredith =

In New Hampshire, asbestos-containing products were manufactured for many years in Nashua, Meredith, and Tilton. In Meredith, the Keasbey & Mattison company operated an asbestos plant from the 1930's until 1962 when the plant was purchased by Amatex. Amatex continued to make asbestos products at the plant until late 1982....... In Meredith, asbestos waste was disposed of at the town landfill, which is now closed and capped. The existence of other dump sites in Tilton and Meredith, if any, is not known.

http://des.nh.gov/organization/divis...gories/faq.htm

One exception to the pattern of local indifference is Loretta Germain. "I think they're a bunch of axxhxlxs," she says of the corporation that she holds responsible for her cancer -- and she is not a woman who uses such language lightly.

READ MORE ABOUT ASBESTOS in MEREDITH

[Jonas Pilot]

Thanks mcdude.

[BroadHopper]

I read a lot of horror stories about the John Mansville asbestos plant on Canal St in Nashua. The building is now a warehouse for many businesses. No food or clothing can be stored there because of possible asbestos exposure.

One of my colleague at Sanders Associates died at 33 because of lung cancer possibly from asbestos exposure. He bought a house in Hudson without knowing the land was filled in with asbestos from the Nashua plant. There was a lot of finger pointing as the homeowners blamed the town, the town blamed the state, the state blamed the Feds and the Feds blamed John Mansville and John Manville blamed the homeowners. Loooong story!

I didn't know about the Tilton asbestos plant. I do know there was a plant on 28 south of Alton that use to make asbestos fire suits. They are still making fire suits but not out of asbestos.

[jmen24]

Yikes, guess I picked the wrong thread to take a poke at Less.

Honestly, it doesn't matter what any of us think about what Rusty and Alex are up to. They will do whatever fits their business model or goal at the time. Anyone that has ever been in business for themselves would beg for the kind of success they have achieved. If they didn't buy it, someone else would and I would rather see the building blended with its neighbors than be turned into some national competetor of the place on the hill.

If only we can get these two to sink their teeth into the Weirs.

[Bear247]

Originally Posted by tummyman

There was ABSOLUTELY an asbestos plant in Meredith. It sat on the site that is currently the parking lot for the Inns at Mills Falls at the traffic lights. Make no mistake about it...it was there.

You would think I would remember an Asbestos plant.

[Greene's Basin Girl]

I certainly remember the asbestos factory on the corner. One summer I waitressed at the old Dairy Bar that was on the corner near Aubuchon's. The guys that worked at the factory came over for breaks, lunch, dinner etc. They were covered with asbestos from head to toe. I have wondered how they all doing. I was friends with a few and I know they are fine. Thank goodness- things have changed since the 1970's.

[BroadHopper]

I remember the diary bar. Use to be the only place for the teenagers in town to hang out. Wasn't the owner name Dave from Dover NH?. I think he is one of the brothers of Weeks Diary in Laconia. Excellent ice cream!

[Janet]

Went to the dairy bar many many times to have a "Sissy Split". Miss the dairy bar, Sahama's and True's.

[camp guy]

Gee, no one seems to thinking about the employment opportunities these gentlemen have created already, and will create with new expansion of the business, let alone the dollars being spent at other business as a result of people coming to Town.

In today's economy, whatever it takes (within the bounds of the law) is what it takes to make a living. It's their money, and if they take the risks then they deserve the rewards.

[Boater]

The reason some posters are maligning McLear and HHH is bitterness over the speed limit law. McLear was in favor of it so they hate him. They'd rather not have the tax revenues, jobs and improvements to Meredith if they are provided by McLear and they don't like that he is successful.

That's the world we live in today. We can't just disagree on an issue, shake hands and remain friends. Anyone who has a different view must be hated and smeared. I see that a lot when issues like the SL are discussed on this board.

[codeman671]

Originally Posted by Boater

The reason some posters are maligning McLear and HHH is bitterness over the speed limit law. McLear was in favor of it so they hate him. They'd rather not have the tax revenues, jobs and improvements to Meredith if they are provided by McLear and they don't like that he is successful.

That's the world we live in today. We can't just disagree on an issue, shake hands and remain friends. Anyone who has a different view must be hated and smeared. I see that a lot when issues like the SL are discussed on this board.

I think a lot of the angst over rusty began before the speed limit, although it had everything to do with boating...And he seemed to jump on the sl bandwagon soon after.

[songkrai]

First.
I was not the one who brought up the subject of the asbestos factory.

Second.
Every town has a public library.
I highly suggest to all who are interested to go to the library and read up on the history of their town of residence.

There are many books out there about the towns, the lake, the boats on lake, the Castle in the Clouds, and on and on.

Third.
Most towns have a Historical Society. For usually little money one can join. I recommend joining. But if funds are limited many of these Historical Societies put on talks or lecture series about the towns and the history of the towns. I highly suggest folks attend these talks or lectures or presentations provided by members and guests of the local Historical Society.

[NoRegrets]

This thread is going the way of the movie "It's a Wonderful Life" with Jimmy Stewart. We could have many potential twists in what may be there if there was not Rusty or Alex. I like Meridith and have stayed at all the inns. Church Landing is fantastic. The walkway around the docks to the Gazabo is unique. It is a special destination in a good way.

[songkrai]

Originally Posted by tummyman

There was ABSOLUTELY an asbestos plant in Meredith. It sat on the site that is currently the parking lot for the Inns at Mills Falls at the traffic lights. Make no mistake about it...it was there.

The younsters don't remember the asbestos factory. No air conditioning. So all windows were open in Summer in this factory. Right on the corner at traffic lights. Used to be gas station on other (lake) side.

I met one of the maintenance workers. His claim was that at night they swept the floors. Enough asbestos powder to fill a pickup truck. His claim was that all was dumped into Meredith bay - each and every night. For decades. This was his claim anyway.