Former Governor Steve Merrill to lead 12 member "revitalization" commisssion. Benson wants recommendations in 120 days.
Governor Benson has charged what he’s calling the old man of the mountain revitalization task force with a basic mission.
"What I want to have happen is for the committee to look at all of the art of what is possible. From that, define what is practical, and from that define what is tasteful."
The twelve member commission includes legislative leaders…..the old man’s caretaker, tourism officials, and the publisher of the Manchester Union Leader… Absent are any members of the state’s environmental community. Former Governor Steve Merrill has been tapped to lead the task force. Merrill says he’s sensitive to environmental concerns, and promised to solicit input form the forest society. He also pledged to forge consensus between what he says seem to be two basic schools of thought.
"There are those who feel there should be substantial work done. Manmade work done. There are those who believe basically it should be left as it is. The task force has no preconceived notion."
Merrill says the task force will hold a series of public meetings to solicit input. Citizens are also invited to make suggestions via-email. But many on the task force say they’ve been deluged with proposals ever since the old man fell. George Bald, commissioner of the department of resources and economic development.
"It has been all over the place…..Doing something small at the base of the mountain……Doing something life size at the base of the mountain. Doing something life size up on the mountain. Pictures….a holographic image. It really has been a wide variety."
Other suggestions involve a full-fledged rebuild using materials ranging from stone and metal to plastic and rubber. Task force member David Neilsen, whose family has cared for the old man since the 1960s, says he has no reason to distrust Governor Benson’s promise to make the old man tribute tasteful. But says he will remain vigilant.
"I guess aware enough to see if something that I for one reason or another that I could not live with. If that were to occur then I think we would be prepared to make a statement that we don’t agree with what is happening."
The old man of the mountain task force is scheduled to hold its first meeting Saturday in Franconia.
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