| News - May 5, 2003 | |
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Former governor to head Old Man team Union Leader News
Benson’s office said the special panel would be officially formed, and its members announced, within the next day. In the hours after the discovery that the Old Man had crumbled Saturday, Benson established a revitalization fund and a task force to look into ways to “resurrect the state symbol.” A state representative in Bedford said he will rewrite the Franconia Notch Environmental Protection Act today to include the creation of a scale replica of the Old Man of the Mountain to be placed at one of the fallen monument’s viewing areas. “We’re going to miss him, but we’re hoping we can create something that honors him,” Rep. John Edward Kerns said last night. “The Old Man in the Mountain — he’s passed away, but we can set up a young man of the mountain to take his place. That’s what we do when we lose old friends, we look to the future.” Kerns introduced the Franconia Notch Environmental Act April 3. It would have required parks and recreation officials to make a biennial report on the health of foliage, parks and monuments in the Franconia Notch area — including the Old Man of the Mountain — so that money can be targeted to the areas that need it most. “I had the bill in hand,” the 23-year-old Republican said. “And now this happened. I’m really flabbergasted by it.” Kerns does not think a new Old Man of the Mountain should be built at the spot where he once looked out over the state. “There’s no copying the Old Man, you can’t do that,” he said. There was overwhelming sentiment yesterday among those visiting Franconia Notch that the icon would be impossible or difficult to replace. “If my dad dies, I can’t rebuild him,” said Doris Duchano of Colebrook. “He would live in my heart. You can’t replace something like this. To even try, it would not be the same.” Joanie Smith, who lives in Franconia and works for White Mountains Attractions, said a monument would be fitting and proper. “You just can’t place something back there,” she said. “The big thing about the Old Man is that he was real — he was not man-made. People came from all over the world to see him and they would all ask, ‘Is that really God-made?’ ” And yet, that familiar cliff is so achingly empty and forlorn to so many. “I would love to see the Old Man back up there,” Joan Fowler of Epsom said. “I just don’t know if it could ever be the same. To those who remember, it would never be the same.” Randy Knee of Manchester was adamant that somehow, the Old Man in some form should be returned to the cliff. “It’s weird,” he said. “After the Twin Towers, this is another tragedy, like Kennedy dying. I think we should pick up every piece and put him back up there. We can build towers — let’s build him. He was almost human. We’ll miss him.” Norman Duchano of West Stewartstown said his emotions are mixed. “I will donate (to Benson’s fund) — I can’t that much,” he said. “It’s hard to believe he’s gone, but if he can’t be put back to his original look, I say this has to be history. It would have to be a rock formation. I really don’t think with technology that it can be done. It would be a sin to have something put up that does not look like the Old Man.” Donations for the Old Man of the Mountain Revitalization Fund can be mailed c/o the Governor’s Office, State House, Concord 03301. Benson has officially declared Saturday as “Family Remembrance Day” in honor of the Old Man of the Mountain, his office said yesterday. In a news release, Benson invited families to visit Franconia Notch on that day to reflect on what the natural monument and state symbol has meant to them. Benson also invited families to bring with them any Old Man memorabilia or artwork they may have, so they can share their recollections and experiences with others. The event will be at Franconia Notch State Park. Union Leader Correspondent Lorna Colquhoun and staff writer Katharine McQuaid contributed to this story. |
