Review Board News October 30, 2013
Published on Oct 30, 2013
by ADK Review Board News in ADK Review Board News
- STATE SELLS CAMP GABRIELS PRISON PROPERTY FOR $210K (Editorial) – Adirondack Daily Enterprise ( Saranac Lake, NY) Website
A staff report notes that the state sold Camp Gabriels prison property Tuesday to Mohammad Ibrahim of Elmont for $210,777.
- YESEVEN SUPPORTS STUDYING ROUTE 11 BYPASS IN CANTON-POTSDAM CORRIDOR (Letter) – Watertown Daily Times ( Watertown, NY) Website
Writers, John Casserly and John Danis, co-coordinators of YESeleven write their local advocacy group is in favor of of upgrading U.S. Route 11.
- HAMILTON COUNTY WOOS ROOST – Press-Republican ( Plattsburgh, NY) Website
Reporter Lohr McKinstry reports that the vacuum created by the departure of Hamilton County Tourism Director Ann Melious could be filled by the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism.
- PROPOSITION 5 GOOD FOR ADIRONDACK ENVIRONMENT AND ECONOMY (Letter) – Adirondack Daily Enterprise ( Saranac Lake, NY) Website
Writer Garry Douglas, President and CEO of Plattsburgh’s North County Chamber of Commerce writes that New York voters can help protect 100 North Country jobs and add 1,500 acres of forestland to the Adirondack Forest Preserve at no cost to taxpayers by voting in favor of Proposition 5.
- SUPPORT ALL NEW YORK PROPOSITIONS (Editorial) – Democrat & Chronicle ( Rochester, NY) Website
The Democrat & Chronicle editorial board encourages voters to approve all six ballot proposals this year, including the Adirondack Land Swap (Proposition 5) and the Township 40 settlement (Proposition 4).
- UPSTATE CONGRESSMAN SUPPORT ADIRONDACK PROPOSITIONS – Daily Gazette Blogs ( Schenectady, NY) Website
Reporter David Lombardo reports that U.S. Rep. Chris Gibson, R-Kinderhook, and U.S. Rep. Bill Owens, D-Plattsburgh, have both announced their support of the Adirondack Land Swap, Proposition 5, and the Township 40 proposal, Proposition 4.
- SOLD: A 336-BED PRISON IN THE ADIRONDACKS – Capitol Confidential ( Albany, NY) Website
Reporter Rick Karlin reports that the state Office of General Services appears to have a buyer for the empty Gabriels minimum security prison in Franklin County.
- GIVE OK TO PROPOSALS (Editorial) – The Leader-Herald ( Gloversville, NY) Website
The Leader Herald editorial board encourages voters to approve the two statewide propositions that will appear on the Nov. 5 ballot involving the Adirondack Forest Preserve.
- VOTE AGAINST LAND SWAP (Letter) – The Leader-Herald ( Gloversville, NY) Website
Writer Dave Gibson of Adirondack Wild writes that the Adirondack Land Swap proposal is really about corporate profits. He writes that the Land Swap sets a bad precedent for "our beautiful, constitutionally protected forever wild forest preserve."
Review Board News October 28, 2013
Published on Oct 28, 2013
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Review Board News October 25, 2013
Published on Oct 25, 2013
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Review Board News October 24, 2013
Published on Oct 25, 2013
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- IN MY OPINION: SUPPORT FOR STATE AMENDMENTS – Press-Republican ( Plattsburgh, NY) Website
Assembly Member Janet Duprey urges voters to approve Proposition 5, the Adirondack Land Swap amendment, and the Proposition 4, the Township 40 amendment.
- VOTE NO ON PROP. 5, MINING THE FOREST PRESERVE (Letter) – Adirondack Daily Enterprise ( Saranac Lake, NY) Website
Writer Charles Morrison, member of the Adirondack Committee of the Atlantic Chapter of the Sierra Club, urges New York voters to vote no Proposition 5 on Nov. 5.
- MAYORAL FORUM DRAWS BIG CROWD – Press-Republican ( Plattsburgh, NY) Website
Reporter Amy Heggen reports that three Plattsburgh city mayoral candidates discussed their economic plans, the need for an improved Community Development Office and opportunities to partner with SUNY Plattsburgh at a forum on Tuesday.
- TUPPER VILLAGE BARELY PASSES PRO-TRAIL RESOLUTION – Adirondack Daily Enterprise ( Saranac Lake, NY) Website
Reporter Shaun Kittle reports that the village of Tupper Lake has passed a resolution in support of converting rails to a trail.
- HALLOWEEN TRAIN THIS WEEKEND – Adirondack Daily Enterprise ( Saranac Lake, NY) Website
A staff report notes that the Adirondack Scenic Railroad has been repaired after a recent act of alleged sabotage earlier this month.
- TUPPER VILLAGE BARELY PASSES PRO-TRAIL RESOLUTION – Adirondack Daily Enterprise ( Saranac Lake, NY) Website
Reporter Shaun Kittle reports that the Tupper Lake village passed a resolution in support of converting rails to a trail.
- VOTE NO ON PROP. 5, MINING THE FOREST PRESERVE – Adirondack Daily Enterprise ( Saranac Lake, NY) Website
Letter writer Charles Morrison, a Sierra Club member from Saratoga Springs, writes that the Sierra Club, Protect the Adirondacks and Adirondack Wild all urge a "no" vote on Proposition 5, the Adirondack Land Swap, because the proposal is completely inconsistent with the intent, purpose and letter of the "forever wild" provision in the state constitution.
- MUNICIPALITIES TO GARNER LESS PROPERTY TAXES FROM FARMERS IN 2014 – Watertown Daily Times ( Watertown, NY) Website
Reporter Ted Booker reports that a new state law signed by the governor this week limits annual increases in the state’s agricultural land assessments to 2 percent, down from a maximum of 10 percent.
- STOCKING STURGEON IN THE ST. LAWRENCE – North Country Public Radio ( Canton, NY) Website
Reporter Sarah Harris reports that state environmental officials have released about 11,000 baby sturgeon into the St. Lawrence River and its tributaries in an effort to restore the sturgeon population in the region.
Review Board News October 22, 2013
Published on Oct 22, 2013
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- VOTE YES ON BALLOT PROPOSITION 5! – New York League of Conservation Voters ( New York, NY) Website
Writer Elizabeth Mooney writes that the New York League of Conservation Voters urges voters to approve Proposition 5, the Adirondack Land Swap constitutional amendment.
- FOREST PRESERVE FOR SALE? (Letter) – Hamilton County Express ( Speculator, NY) Website
Letter writer James McMartin Long of Caroga Lake, a member of the board of Protect The Adirondacks, writes that Proposition 5 — the Adirondack Land Swap constitutional amendment — is a raw deal and should be voted down. He writes that if it passes, it will mean that the "forever wild" forest preserve will now be up for sale.
- RESIDENTS SHOULD VOTE YES FOR PROPOSITION 4 (Letter) – Watertown Daily Times ( Watertown, NY) Website
Letter writer John Sammon of New Hartford writes that a vote to approve Proposition 4 will allow the state to settle the land claims in Township 40 that have been simmering for 130 years.
- PUBLIC COMMENT SOUGHT ON FIRE TOWER PLANS – Adirondack Daily Enterprise ( Saranac Lake, NY) Website
A staff report notes that the state Department of Environmental Conservation is seeking public input on its plans to manage a pair of historic Adirondack fire towers.
- APA SAYS IT’S NOT IGNORING STORMWATER – Adirondack Daily Enterprise ( Saranac Lake, NY) Website
Reporter Chris Knight reports that APA officials have said that they do review a project’s potential impacts on stormwater, even if the term isn’t in the APA Act.
- CORRUPTION COMMMISSION PROBES INTENSIFY – NCPR ( Canton, NY) Website
Reporter Karen DeWitt reports Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Moreland Commission has deepened its investigations in recent days due to accusations that the Governor is trying to control the panel and possibly suppress some subpoenas.
- DIGGING INTO THE MINING PROPOSITION – Adirondack Daily Enterprise ( Saranac Lake, NY) Website
Reporter Chris Knight reports on the benefits and potential pitfalls of Proposition 5, the Adirondack Land Swap, exploring the ideas of old growth, the second mine available to NYCO, the benefit of adding 1,500 acres of land for the 200 that would be borrowed.
- KEESEVILLE DISSOLUTION-PLAN VOTE TUESDAY – Press-Republican ( Plattsburgh, NY) Website
Reporter Lohr McKinstry reports that village of Keeseville voters will decide Tuesday if they want to approve the plan for how their municipality would end its existence.
- NEW SARANAC LAKE HOTEL DESIGN PRESENTED – NCPR ( Canton, NY) Website
Reporter Chris Knight reports that the design of a 90-room hotel proposed in Saranac Lake was presented publicly for the first time last week.
Review Board News October 19, 2013
Published on Oct 19, 2013
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Review Board News October 18, 2013
Published on Oct 18, 2013
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- ROOST PRESENTS SARANAC LAKE MARKETING EFFORTS – Adirondack Daily Enterprise ( Saranac Lake, NY) Website
Reporter Jessica Collier reports that representatives from the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism gave a report Wednesday night on their efforts to market Saranac Lake.
- PUBLIC CRITICIZES TOWN OF PLATTSBURGH BUDGET – Press-Republican ( Plattsburgh, NY) Website
Reporter Dan Heath reports that residents criticized spending during a public hearing on a local law to allow the Plattsburgh Town Council to override the state tax cap for its 2014 budget.
- OFFICIALS: TOURISM DEPARTMENT NOT MOVING – Post-Star ( Glens Falls, NY) Website
Reporter Don Lehman reports that Warren County will not be buying a building to house the county Tourism Department anytime soon.
- ADIRONDACK COUNCIL CELEBRATES 2013 AS YEAR OF COMMON GROUND AS ENVIRONMENTAL, COMMUNITY INTERESTS WORK TO MUTUAL BENEFIT – Adirondack Council ( Elizabethtown, NY) Website
A staff report notes that many of the Adirondack Park’s environmental organizations and local governments found common ground on issues of common concern, advancing agreements that better protect the park’s environment while also encouraging community development in 2013.
- LAKE FLOWER HOTEL DESIGN PLAN UNVEILED BUILDING’S HEIGHT REDUCED; SOME BOARD MEMBERS SAY IT’S STILL TOO BIG – Adirondack Daily Enterprise ( Saranac Lake, NY) Website
Reporter Chris Knight reports that Saranac Lake village planning board members like the look and design of a proposed 90-room hotel on Lake Flower, but they say the height of the nearly 60-foot building remains an issue.
- DAVE GIBSON: LAND SOUGHT FOR MINING COMPANY IS HARDLY ORDINARY – Adirondack Almanack ( ) Website
Writer Dave Gibson, a partner in the non-profit organization Adirondack Wild, writes that he agrees with Bill Ingersoll’s recent post about the land swap between NYCO Minerals and New York state, which states that the land exchange represents a straight commercial transaction that lacks any public need or benefit.
- IN MY OPINION: VILLAGE SHOULDN’T BE DISSOLVED – Press-Republican ( Plattsburgh, NY) Website
Writer Dale Holderman, Mayor of the Village of Keeseville, writes that he feels the plan to dissolve the village is flawed.
- DEC OPENS TRAIL TO LOON LAKE MOUNTAIN FIRE TOWER (Editorial) – The Adirondack Almanack ( ) Website
A staff report notes that a 2.8-mile trail to the fire tower on the summit of Loon Lake Mountain in the northern Adirondacks is complete and open to the public.
- BOARD NAMES NEW VICE CHAIRMAN – The Leader-Herald ( Gloversville, NY) Website
The Leader Herald reports that Gloversville city Planning Board during a special meeting Tuesday night 10/15 nominated Geoffrey Peck as new vice chairman of the board.
Review Board News October 16, 2013
Published on Oct 16, 2013
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Review Board News October 15, 2013
Published on Oct 15, 2013
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- JANEWAY, SHEEHAN DISCUSS SUPPORT OF ADIRONDACK LAND SWAP, TOWNSHIP 40 PROPOSAL – Journal News ( White Plains, NY) Website
Reporters from the Journal News interview Adirondack Council Executive Director William C. Janeway and Communications Director John Sheehan about the Council’s support of the Adirondack Land Swap proposition and the Township 40 proposition.
- NEW TRAIL CLIMBS LOON LAKE MOUNTAIN – Press-Republican ( Plattsburgh, NY) Website
A staff report notes that a 2.8-mile trail to the fire tower on the summit of Loon Lake Mountain in the northern Adirondacks is complete and is now open to the public.
- SURVEY SHOWS AMERICADE STILL KING, BUT OTHER EVENTS GAIN STEAM – Post-Star ( Glens Falls, NY) Website
Reporter Don Lehman reports that while Americade is still the most important annual event to hotel, motel and campground owners in Warren County, a survey has found that other events had a good year and have moved up the chart in a yearly survey of lodgers.
- VOTERS TO DECIDE ON ADIRONDACK LAND SWAPS IN NOVEMBER – Troy Record ( Troy, NY) Website
The Associated Press reports that while the Adirondack Land Swap proposal has strong support in the northern part of New York, environmental groups are divided. Of note: The story also appeared in Newsday, WNYT, Wall Street Journal, Post-Standard, NBC News, the Utica Observer Dispatch, Times Union and Post-Star.
- SUPERVISOR FRED MONROE EXPECTS LOWER TAX BILLS IN CHESTER – Post-Star ( Glens Falls, NY) Website
Reporter Jamie Munks reports that Supervisor Fred Monroe of the Town of Chester is expecting a drop in sales tax revenue due to a decrease in the market value of property in the town.
- ETHICS REPRIMAND ISSUED BY ESSEX COUNTY – Press-Republican ( Plattsburgh, NY) Website
Reporter Lohr McKinstry reports that the Essex County Ethics Board has reprimanded former County Republican Election Commissioner Derinda Sherman for handing out some absentee ballots too soon.
- PROTECT LAWSUIT CAN PROCEED – Hamilton County Express ( Speculator, NY) Website
Reporter Cristine Meixner reports that a state Supreme Court judge has denied a motion by Protect the Adirondacks for a preliminary injunction against building new community connector snowmobile trails in the Adirondack Forest Preserve while its lawsuit against the APA and the DEC is being heard.
- LOCAL GRANT PROPOSALS SOUGHT IN CHAMPLAIN VALLEY – Adirondack Almanack ( ) Website
A staff report notes that the Lake Champlain Basin Program is seeking proposals for local grants to support the implementation of the long term management plan for Lake Champlain.
- STATE GIVES MUSEUM $1M FOR WALKWAY – Adirondack Daily Enterprise ( Saranac Lake, NY) Website
A staff report notes that the state will be awarding $1 million to the Wild Center in Tupper Lake to create a walkway.
Review Board News October 11, 2013
Published on Oct 11, 2013
by ADK Review Board News in ADK Review Board News
- NEW TRAIL OPENS TO FIRE TOWER ON LOON LAKE MOUNTAIN – Adirondack Daily Enterprise ( Saranac Lake, NY) Website
A staff report notes that the Department of Environmental Conservation has opened a new trail to the fire tower on top of Loon Lake Mountain in the northern Adirondacks.
- STRENGTH OF BOAT PLAN QUESTIONED – Times Union ( Albany, NY) Website
Reporter Brian Nearing reports that Lake George Village Mayor Robert Blais spoke Thursuday during a public hearing held by the Lake George Park Commission about his concerns that the proposed rules to protect the lake against invasive species may not be strong enought.
- WINTER TOURISM IN THE NORTH COUNTRY – YNN ( Albany, NY) Website
Reporter Erin Moran reports that winter tourism in the Adirondacks is looking more promising than ever in the wake of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s tourism campaign which began in May.
- VERMONT TOWN OPPOSES TICONDEROGA PIPELINE PROJECT – Adirondack Daily Enterprise ( Saranac Lake, NY) Website
A staff report notes that town officials in Cornwall, Vermont, want the state to stop a plan to build a pipeline through the town to a paper mill in New York.
- RAIL TRAIL FATE, LAND TIFF ON ‘NEW YORK NOW’ – Times Union ( Albany, NY) Website
A staff report notes that this week on New York Now, WMHT’s Matt Ryan heads to the Adirondacks to investigate the controversy over the fate of a historic rail trail connecting two tourist hotspots, and how a land dispute in one of the region’s most scenic locales is about to be settled — or perhaps not — by voters in a statewide referendum.
- SPEAKERS AT HEARING BACK BOAT INSPECTION PROGRAM – Daily Gazette ( Schenectady, NY) B2
Reporter Stephen Williams reports that, judging by comments made at a public hearing held on Thursday, the public is in favor of plans to impose mandatory boat inspections on Lake George to keep acquatic invasive species out of the lake.
- NYCO LANDSWAP DIVIDES ENVIRONMENTALISTS – NCPR ( Canton, NY) Website
Reporter Brian Mann reports that the Adirondack environmental community is divided over support of the Adirondack Land Swap ballot proposal. Some groups say that valuable land will be lost, but others say that more land will be gained than lost.
- NY AGRICULTURE CHIEF AUBERTINE JOINS COMPTROLLER STAFF – Adirondack Daily Enterprise ( Saranac Lake, NY) Website
A staff report notes that New York state Agriculture Commissioner Darrel Aubertine, who announced his resignation last week, will be joining the staff of the state comptroller as a special assistant for external affairs.
- WOULD CUOMO OVERRIDE THE APA? – Adirondack Daily Enterprise ( Saranac Lake, NY) Website
Reporter Chris Knight reports that Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s decision to meet with only select stakeholders to discuss the classification of the former Finch timberlands during his trip to the Adirondacks two weeks ago has raised a few eyebrows.
Review Board News October 10, 2013
Published on Oct 10, 2013
by ADK Review Board News in ADK Review Board News
- CITIZENS, ENTREPRENEURS RAISE CONCERNS OVER PROPOSED LAKE GEORGE BUSINESS DISTRICT – Adirondack Journal ( Warrensburg, NY) Website
Reporter Thom Randall reports that various concerns over establishing a Business Improvement District in Lake George were raised by citizens at a public hearing Monday Oct. 7, and their questions prompted the village board to delay a pending proposition to create such an entity by at least 30 days.
- NORTH ELBA GIVES CONCEPTUAL APPROVAL TO LAKE FLOWER HOTEL PARKING – Adirondack Daily Enterprise ( Saranac Lake, NY) Website
Reporter Jessica Collier reports that the town of North Elba board members gave conceptual approval Tuesday to letting a hotel developer use its parking lot at the Saranac Lake Town House.
- COMMENTARY: VOTE YES ON THE TOWNSHIP 40 AMENDMENT – Adirondack Almanack ( ) Website
Writer Mike Prescott urges New York State voters to vote yes to Proposition #4, the Township 40 Amendment, on Nov. 5.
- FINCH LANDS AREN’T ON APA AGENDA THIS MONTH – Adirondack Daily Enterprise ( Saranac Lake, NY) Website
Reporter Chris Knight reports that the APA will not be taking any action on the classification of the former Finch timberlands at its monthly meeting in Ray Brook on Thursday.
- MINING COMPANY PUSHES FOR ADIRONDACK LAND SWAP – NCPR ( Canton, NY) Website
Reporter Brian Mann begins a two-part series looking in-depth at the NYCO ballot proposal, interviewing Mark Buckley, NYCO’s environmental safety manager. He notes that supporters of the swap say that more ecologically valuable tracts would be added to the forest preserve if the proposal is passed.
- GOVERNMENT LEADERS URGE SUPPORT FOR PROPOSITION TO ADD MORE CASINOS – Press-Republican ( Plattsburgh, NY) Website
Reporter Joe LoTemplio reports that state and local leaders are urging New York voters to support a statewide proposition this November that would allow construction of four new casinos.
- MOVE OF WARREN COUNTY TOURISM DEPT. GETS RENEWED CONSIDERATION – Adirondack Journal ( Warrensburg, NY) Website
Reporter Thom Randall reports that Warren County leaders are considering relocating their entire Tourism Department to a site off Northway Exit 20 near the outlet malls.
- SIX FLAGS ASSUMES OWNERSHIP OF GREAT ESCAPE LODGE, INDOOR WATER PARK – Adirondack Journal ( Warrensburg, NY) Website
A staff report notes that Six Flags has announced that it has purchased the remaining ownership interests in the Six Flags Great Escape Lodge & Indoor Water Park.
- CHAMBER BACKS TWO BALLOT PROPOSITIONS – Post-Star ( Glens Falls, NY) Website
A staff report notes that the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce announced Wednesday it “fully endorses” two “Adirondack Park land swap” ballot propositions on the Nov. 5 election ballot.
Review Board News October 9, 2013
Published on Oct 9, 2013
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Review Board News October 8, 2013
Published on Oct 8, 2013
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Review Board News October 5, 2013
Published on Oct 5, 2013
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Review Board News October 4, 2013
Published on Oct 4, 2013
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Review Board News October 2, 2013
Published on Oct 2, 2013
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Review Board News October 1, 2013
Published on Oct 1, 2013
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