Don't bite the hand that funds you

February 28, 2008

It's no secret that in the Lakes Region, there is a summer population and a winter population, and that this region has its share of seasonal residents. There's some gentle ribbing from those who "stick it out" and live in New Hampshire throughout the harsh winter months, which is only to be expected.

We find it frankly disturbing, however, when seasonal residents are openly insulted and generalized at a public hearing, especially from the mouths of public officials, even when speaking as citizens and not as officials. At the latest Moultonboro selectmen's meeting, a public hearing on SB2 had some questioning whether seasonal residents cared more about the bottom line on their tax bill or about what happened in Moultonboro.

Judging by the number of out-of-state addresses this paper is forwarded to in the winter, it's a safe bet that seasonal residents want to know what's going on in this area, even when they are elsewhere.

The attitude we're seeing from some is one that is found in grade school – when students work on a group project, the person who doesn't attend the project meetings is thought to be the least deserving of the final grade. This works just fine in school, but in the world of town government, it's a little different. No matter who spent what amount of time in discussion, everyone contributes through taxes, both seasonal and full-time residents. A seasonal resident paying taxes on a property assessed for $350,000 pays no less in taxes than a full-time resident with a property of the same value. Whether they choose to buy a plane ticket to attend Town Meeting or not, or fill out an absentee ballot under SB2 or not, they're paying full taxes, and only getting a half-year's worth of services.

Whether SB2 ends up passing or failing, the contribution of seasonal residents should not be denigrated, and the residents reduced to faceless personalities who only care about their bottom line. After all, it's those tax dollars that allow folks to consider capital projects.

They may not be here year-round, but seasonal residents deserve the same respect and consideration given to full-time residents. If this is the attitude that Moultonboro's seasonal residents are faced with, who could blame them for retreating to Florida or Arizona?