News of the shipyard's appearance on the closure list hit the statehouse mid-morning.
The Governor was the first statehouse official to offer public comment on the shipyard, and he wasted no time in getting to his point.
"I want to start by saying, very clearly that this is not over. This is just the beginning of our fight to keep the naval shipyard alive."
And Lynch's basic message -- that closing the shipyard is wrongheaded -- was echoed by legislative leaders from both parties…Manchester State Senator Lou D'Allesandro said he couldn't recall a single state event of comparable economic effect.
"This situation is very dramatic and it's going to take a little while to analyze but no one is going to be pleased. And I'm really astounded, that a base that performed so well from an economic standpoint -- did the jobs on time and underbudget -- would be targeted for elimination. That doesn't make a great deal of sense."
The shipyard has twice before appeared on base closure lists, only to be spared…….Senate Majority Leader Bob Clegg says regardless of the shipyards ultimate fate this time around, damage to the state's economy is already afoot.
"I think just being on the list has economic effects. We're looking at 5000 people who are going to be cutting back on what they spend on the anticipation that they might loose their jobs -- and there are no jobs in the state of NH or in Maine that can duplicate what they are getting paid."
Given that, Legislators say the best hope is to reach across the asile, and across the state lines to Maine officials to offer a united front stressing the shipyard's merits…….Deputy house speaker Ken Weyler believes that case could be compelling, but worries it could fall on deaf ears.
"It's a tough fight, not to say we won't win again, because we've been in thi spot before. But the Pentagon wants the base closed, it’s a tough fight."
Many lawmakers hope one advantage the base may enjoy is the advocacy of the state's senior US Senator. Judd Gregg is chair of the senate budget committee, and has long enjoyed a close relationship with President Bush…….Last week, Gregg said he'd not tried to use his personal ties to save the shipyard, and that politics should have no role in determining base closures…..State Senate Minority Leader Sylvia Larsen says she for one hopes Gregg has a change of heart.
"Politics should play a role at this point. I think senator Gregg ought to stand up for his state and the jobs that are provided there……So I'm just fine with him playing politics right now."
On Monday the entire Maine and New Hampshire Congressional delegations will join Governors John Lynch and John Baldacci for a meeting at the shipyard……The Pentagon's list of bases reccomended for closure now goes to the base closure commission -- or BRAC. The commission can change which bases are on teh list before it passes its recommendations on the President by September 8th.
