Town rallies around innkeepers in immigration dispute
July 16, 2007

TEMPLE, N.H. --Three years ago, Andrew Cook and Nick Finnis, who are from Great Britain, bought the 1775 Birchwood Inn and turned it into a popular destination for locals and tourists.

Cook flew back to Great Britain last week to visit his parents, but the U.S. embassy didn't allow him to return when he tried to renew his visa. Officials said that he is ineligible to return because the inn doesn't make enough profit.

The inn is listed on the National Register Of Historic Places. Finnis said that he and Cook are protecting its New England roots while adding some old British charm.

"We decided not to take an income and put it all back in," Finnis said.

Nick and his partner of 17 years chose Temple because it reminded them of England.

"I'm scared of having to go back to England," Finnis said. "I just want Andrew here."

Town selectmen have sent a letter to British officials and the Chamber of Commerce wrote London. Many others have called or written to New Hampshire's congressional delegation.

Sen. Judd Gregg and Sen. John Sununu's offices have been working on the case.

In a letter dated Monday to U.S. Ambassador Robert Tuttle in London, Sununu said Cook and Finnis reported that they chose not to draw salaries during the start-up phase of the business in order to reinvest profits into the inn. He included a list of renovation projects they completed, including water and sewage systems and renovating the kitchen. The repairs have cost almost $200,000, Sununu wrote, and the two invested $11,000 more in buying furniture and equipment.

"Temple, New Hampshire, is a small, rural community of only 1,400 and has few businesses," Sununu wrote. "The inn, which is located in the town center, is the only local establishment which serves meals or offers accommodations. In addition to employing six people, the inn has hired local help for renovation projects and received financing from an area bank, so that the multiplier effect of this investment is significant for the Temple area."

A spokesman said that Gregg was in contact with the embassy to request a review of the case. Officials from Rep. Paul Hodes' offices said that he is also aware of the problem and working on it.

Information from: WMUR-TV, http://www.thewmurchannel.com/index.html

http://www.boston.com/news/local/new_ha ... n_dispute/