The owners of the company that runs Mt Sunapee Ski Resort in Newbury have criticized Governor John Lynch.
They've leveled the criticism after the Governor announced he'll rule against any expansion of the Resort.
Lynch's decision reverses a recommendation from the Department of Resources and Economic Development.
His announcement has met with cheers from opponents of the plan.
But it has rankled a couple of elected officials, in addition to the owners of the company running the Resort.
New Hampshire Public Radio's David Darman has more.
The owners of the ski company that runs Mt Sunapee's Ski Resort came to Concord to show their disappointment with Governor Lynch's decision.
Tim Mueller is one of the owners, and said he doesn't think the Governor took the time to really understand what the expansion was all about.
governor lynch has not looked at this project nor a plan for a comprehensive plan for mt sunapee. during the campaign he was asked about the expansion project and without the benefit of reviewing our master development plan with us, nor touring the land with us, he said he was against the project.
Mueller and his wife Diane want to expand their lease in Mt. Sunapee state park, to include 175 acres that would allow a third ski lift on the west side of the mountain.
The state land would also connect with land owned by the Muellers in Goshen.
They plan to build as many as 250 slope side condominiums there, to connect with the ski resort.
The Department of Resources and Economic Development conditionally approved the expansion, before being overruled by the Governor.
Commissioner Sean O'Kane's says there's nothing more his agency needs to do, now that the Governor has spoken.
in terms of the political process, i have made my recommendation to the governor. it is now in the hands of the decision makers. and its not my role any longer to be part of this. it goes to a different level.
The Sunapee ski lease was approved back in 1998, by then Governor Jeanne Shaheen and the Executive Council.
Ruth Griffin of Portsmouth was on the Council when it was approved seven years ago.
And she is still serving the voters of New Hampshire's Seacoast.
She says she's heard Governor Lynch's aides say he might not put the lease expansion proposal to a vote by the Executive Council.
Griffin objects to that kind of gubernatorial manipulation, and says she fought that behavior when former Governor Craig Benson did the same kind of thing.
the governor that didn't win election was known for withdrawing items from our agenda. and i thought we're over that now, that the governor and council would be able to debate issues that are coming before the state, rather than have the governor withdraw the item.
Griffin and one other councilor have said they'd support expansion if it came before them.
Two more have said they'd oppose it.
The fifth vote is up for grabs, but it may not matter, if councilors are shut out of voting.
The council's voice may not matter even if it does vote.
Under the state constitution, the Governor can overrule the council.
Supporters of the Governor's decision say that's a good thing.
Charlie Niebling is vice president of the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests.
He's also comforted that the Governor can overrule the recommendation of the Commissioner of the Department of Resources and Economic Development.
for all the bells and whistles that were attached to commissioner okane's recommendation, it doesn't make up for the fact that you're talking about...giving development rights to a private entity on 175 acres of state park land, largely to enhance the private profitability of that enterprise.
Local opponents of Sunapee expansion also welcome the Governor's stand.
Melanie Bell is a member of the Sunapee Advisory Committee and a Goshen Selectman.
She says the Governor understood the local community wouldn't benefit from the Sunapee expansion.
And she faulted Commissioner O'Kane, for conditionally approving the plans without giving proper consideration to local concerns.
we're the people that live here we ought to know, i mean, nobody has answered our questions....until they answer our questions, how can we feel comfortable in saying anything but no.
Opponents of Sunapee's expansions say they hope Governor Lynch's decision is the death knell for the Mueller's plans.
But the Muellers say they're not ready to give up yet.
They are asking the Governor to allow the Executive Council to vote on the matter.
But beyond that, they say they're not sure what their next move will be.
