Lower Crowds

Airwaves · 08-27-2006, 10:17 PM

ITD & Resident2B
Interesting posts.

Both of you said you saw the "lawless aspect" of Lake Winnipesaukee portrayed "MANY TIMES" in the Boston News Media.

I am a member of the Boston News Media.

I am curious to know when I mentioned Lake Winnipesaukee in one of my newscasts? I can tell you, can you tell me? Specifically when did I or any of my colleagues talk about or imply there was a "lawless aspect" to the lake?

MANY TIMES?

Easy to say. Since you say these things in such a strong manner I can only assume that you would be able to direct me to the stories that you object to? RE: What outlets and when?

Again, easy to say and accuse "The Evil Media" (so far no one has accused the local media of overblowing the story) but the fact remains, the speed limit debate was a LOCAL issue and was not covered by Boston, New York, or National media. You might think the world revolves around Winnipesaukee, it does not. In the world of news, Winnipesaukee does not even appear on the map.

It's a place I love, but the last time Winnipesaukee got any kind of real news media attention is when Vice President George HW Bush took a ride on the Mount Washington and then only because he was on the boat!

This was an internet issue, period.

Hard to admit, but yes it was the discussion on this forum and others like it that drew attention outside of the area to the issue of speed limits and GFBL Boats. As I said much of that discussion was over the top but it was OUR DISCUSSION that is to "blame".

Island Life · 08-27-2006, 11:01 PM

As a consumer of the Boston media in the non-summer months, I can say that I never once heard about the speed limit debate in the Boston-area TV, radio or print media. Maybe I missed the odd reference.

But yes, I did read some of the bickering threads about the topic on this forum. But that required knowing about the forum and actively searching for/reading news and comments about the proposed legislation.

My guess is that only a tiny fraction of visitors to this area consult or even know about this forum. I can't imagine the bickering comments and references to lawlessness made much, if any, impact on the number of visitors this summer.

Instead, I blame the low boat traffic on high gas prices, the wet, and recently cold, weather and the economy. Although we live on an island and must use our boat regularly for errands, etc. I would estimate that I used the boat about 2/3 less this summer than I did last year. At $3.35/gallon, my kids can live without weekly trips to Center Harbor for ice cream, Wolfeboro for lunch and all that tubing.

And while I feel for all of you small business owners, the self-interested part of me really enjoyed the quiet lake this summer.

Airwaves · 08-27-2006, 11:21 PM

Island Life;
I agree with you, I was responding to the conversation that Winnipesaukee Divers had with a woman he ran into whose perception was that Lake Winnipesaukee has "Hundreds of Thousands of boats" that travel "70 MPH" so she no longer wanted to boat on the lake, and Winnipesaukee Divers believed it was because of news media coverage.

The impression of this woman is what I was addressing and when I said "we" are to "blame" I mean this forum and those like it, along with word of mouth.

There are other internet forums that discuss boating and Winnipesaukee, so even beyond this site there are others that discuss the issue and/or link here.

I believe you're right. My family's condo that I rented out this year was booked very quickly with only 2 weeks open. When the gasoline prices started going nuts I didn't even get phone calls for the two weeks.

There are many different reasons for the drop in tourists this year, but for the
family of 4, 5, or 6 that doesn't have a place up here and are looking at a couple of hundred miles drive (up and/or back) on top of everything else, yes I can conclude that gasoline prices were the major factor.

It's like when there is snow in the north country, but it doesn't snow in Boston. Folks just don't go skiing.

Kevin C · 08-27-2006, 11:45 PM

I think it's pretty simple. The economy has softened, interest rates are up, the job market is getting tougher with jobs being lost to lost abroad, cottage rental prices or motels rates are expensive and going up. Not to mention the gas prices going up which starts the inflationary spiral of increased prices for goods and services. This means less discretionary income, translated (at least for us) into less time on the lake.

In my family's case, between the high water on the lake until July and much higher gas prices, we have been up much less than last year. When we are on the water we have traveled much less on the lake and anchor more.

Resident 2B · 08-28-2006, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Airwaves

ITD & Resident2B
Interesting posts.

Both of you said you saw the "lawless aspect" of Lake Winnipesaukee portrayed "MANY TIMES" in the Boston News Media.

I am a member of the Boston News Media.

I am curious to know when I mentioned Lake Winnipesaukee in one of my newscasts? I can tell you, can you tell me? Specifically when did I or any of my colleagues talk about or imply there was a "lawless aspect" to the lake?

Aiwaves,

I have no idea who you are, so I have zero ability to answer your question regarding when you reported on the subject in any of your newscasts.

If you can tell us when and what you reported on the subject as you suggest you can, please do.

I also have no idea where your "lawless aspect" qoute comes from. What I heard and posted were comments about high speed and lack of concern for the safety of others. I did not use the phrase "lawless aspect".

As to where I heard the remarks, that was a while ago and I did not take notes and/or record the channel, date, time and reporter. I do not think many people do this when watching the TV news, but I could be wrong. I know I do not take this kind of note, so I cannot answer this question either.

I watch the Boston ABC outlet, the Boston Fox outlet and NECN. I do not exactly remember what outlet I saw the reports on, but I saw several reports during the winter. In my opinion, there was coverage in the Boston area that did not convey the boating conditions on the lake the way I believe they actually are. Most were sound bites from interviews of people with opinions on the subject.

I do agree with you that forums like this excellent forum had an impact on the preceptions of people as well. My only point was the coverage in the Boston broadcast media was not completely accurate and impacted people's decisions regarding where to spend vacation time.

I am also sure there are other factors such as gas cost and the weather. It all added up to a weak summer season.

Regards,

R2B

Weirs guy · 08-28-2006, 06:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Airwaves

I am a member of the Boston News Media.

Come on now, thats not a "half share" type of statement. We need a name!!

We came home from a weekend camping trip to Maine last night around 6:30 and it was 54 degrees and raining. The number of cars and people on Lakeside Ave looked more like a sunny Saturday in December then the last Sunday in August, but it was nice to haul the camper through without any trafic.

08-27-2006, 10:17 PM	#1
Airwaves Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: I'm right here! Posts: 1,153 Thanks: 9 Thanked 102 Times in 37 Posts	ITD & Resident2B Interesting posts. Both of you said you saw the "lawless aspect" of Lake Winnipesaukee portrayed "MANY TIMES" in the Boston News Media. I am a member of the Boston News Media. I am curious to know when I mentioned Lake Winnipesaukee in one of my newscasts? I can tell you, can you tell me? Specifically when did I or any of my colleagues talk about or imply there was a "lawless aspect" to the lake? MANY TIMES? Easy to say. Since you say these things in such a strong manner I can only assume that you would be able to direct me to the stories that you object to? RE: What outlets and when? Again, easy to say and accuse "The Evil Media" (so far no one has accused the local media of overblowing the story) but the fact remains, the speed limit debate was a LOCAL issue and was not covered by Boston, New York, or National media. You might think the world revolves around Winnipesaukee, it does not. In the world of news, Winnipesaukee does not even appear on the map. It's a place I love, but the last time Winnipesaukee got any kind of real news media attention is when Vice President George HW Bush took a ride on the Mount Washington and then only because he was on the boat! This was an internet issue, period. Hard to admit, but yes it was the discussion on this forum and others like it that drew attention outside of the area to the issue of speed limits and GFBL Boats. As I said much of that discussion was over the top but it was OUR DISCUSSION that is to "blame". Last edited by Airwaves; 08-27-2006 at 10:57 PM.

08-27-2006, 11:01 PM	#2
Island Life Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 273 Thanks: 12 Thanked 6 Times in 2 Posts	not the media As a consumer of the Boston media in the non-summer months, I can say that I never once heard about the speed limit debate in the Boston-area TV, radio or print media. Maybe I missed the odd reference. But yes, I did read some of the bickering threads about the topic on this forum. But that required knowing about the forum and actively searching for/reading news and comments about the proposed legislation. My guess is that only a tiny fraction of visitors to this area consult or even know about this forum. I can't imagine the bickering comments and references to lawlessness made much, if any, impact on the number of visitors this summer. Instead, I blame the low boat traffic on high gas prices, the wet, and recently cold, weather and the economy. Although we live on an island and must use our boat regularly for errands, etc. I would estimate that I used the boat about 2/3 less this summer than I did last year. At $3.35/gallon, my kids can live without weekly trips to Center Harbor for ice cream, Wolfeboro for lunch and all that tubing. And while I feel for all of you small business owners, the self-interested part of me really enjoyed the quiet lake this summer. __________________ Island Life the way my grandparents' grandparents enjoyed it - but with a faster boat!!!

08-27-2006, 11:45 PM	#4
Kevin C Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Billerica, Ma Posts: 103 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I think it's pretty simple. The economy has softened, interest rates are up, the job market is getting tougher with jobs being lost to lost abroad, cottage rental prices or motels rates are expensive and going up. Not to mention the gas prices going up which starts the inflationary spiral of increased prices for goods and services. This means less discretionary income, translated (at least for us) into less time on the lake. In my family's case, between the high water on the lake until July and much higher gas prices, we have been up much less than last year. When we are on the water we have traveled much less on the lake and anchor more. __________________ Skipper of CIRCUITOUS Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes. Author Unknown.

08-27-2006, 11:21 PM	#3
Airwaves Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: I'm right here! Posts: 1,153 Thanks: 9 Thanked 102 Times in 37 Posts	Island Life; I agree with you, I was responding to the conversation that Winnipesaukee Divers had with a woman he ran into whose perception was that Lake Winnipesaukee has "Hundreds of Thousands of boats" that travel "70 MPH" so she no longer wanted to boat on the lake, and Winnipesaukee Divers believed it was because of news media coverage. The impression of this woman is what I was addressing and when I said "we" are to "blame" I mean this forum and those like it, along with word of mouth. There are other internet forums that discuss boating and Winnipesaukee, so even beyond this site there are others that discuss the issue and/or link here. I believe you're right. My family's condo that I rented out this year was booked very quickly with only 2 weeks open. When the gasoline prices started going nuts I didn't even get phone calls for the two weeks. There are many different reasons for the drop in tourists this year, but for the family of 4, 5, or 6 that doesn't have a place up here and are looking at a couple of hundred miles drive (up and/or back) on top of everything else, yes I can conclude that gasoline prices were the major factor. It's like when there is snow in the north country, but it doesn't snow in Boston. Folks just don't go skiing.