MAYOR QUESTIONS N-ELBA HIGHWAY TAX ON SL RESIDENTS

Saranac Lake Mayor Tom Michael says he plans to ask Town of North Elba Supervisor Roby Politi why village residents on the North Elba-side of Saranac Lake should continue to pay a highway tax to the town, considering town crews don’t maintain any roads in the village.

The move comes several weeks after a local resident, Alton Beideck, asked the village board to stand up for its residents and try to get the highway tax rescinded.

Beideck says he’s been asking the same question for ten years.  “We get nothing out of our money,” he said Tuesday.  “You never see a North Elba vehicle in the village doing anything on the roads.”

Currently, residents in both the villages of Saranac Lake and Lake Placid pay a highway tax to the Town of North Elba that amounts to about 20 cents per thousand dollars of assessed property value. 

But North Elba Highway Superintendent Larry Straight says his crews don’t do any plowing or other road work in the Village of Saranac Lake.   He noted that the town does share some services with the Village of Lake Placid, but Straight wouldn’t say whether he felt continuing to charge the highway tax to residents in either village was justified.  “I don’t think that’s my call,” he said.

Saranac Lake Mayor Tom Michael says he’ll be meeting with North Elba Supervisor Roby Politi on Thursday.  He says the highway tax is one issue he plans to discuss.  “It is something I’ll bring up,” he said.  “Not living in the North Elba end of our village, I was unaware they were still charging a highway tax.  If the town would like to contribute the monies raised to help maintain the roads in that part of the village, there may be a conversation there.  But if they’re collecting money for not doing any work, they probably should no longer do that.”

There is a local precedent for exempting residents inside a village from having to pay a town highway tax.  In 1993, the Town of Harrietstown stopped charging a 17-cent per thousand highway tax to property owners on the Harrietstown-side of Saranac Lake, according to town highway superintendent Craig Donaldson.

He said the village successfully petitioned the town to rescind the tax inside the village, complaining that town crews didn’t do any work within the village limits.

North Elba Supervisor Roby Politi, who made working with people on the Saranac Lake side of North Elba a big part of his successful election campaign last year, said he understands the concerns. 

“Village residents tend to feel that they are being taxed for town services they may not use in addition to being taxed for the same services within their village,” he said.  “Who should pay for what has been a source of contention between towns and villages since the 1950’s.”

Politi indicated he’d be willing to talk with village officials, but he also suggested that if the town were to consider cutting the highway tax for village residents, the villages should consider equalizing water and sewer rates.  Currently, North Elba residents who live outside the villages of Lake Placid and Saranac Lake pay higher utility rates than those who live in the villages.

Tom Michael said he supports equalizing water and sewer rates.  (news2) “It just harkens back to the work we’re trying to do bring all the municipalities together and eliminate these governmental lines that really make no sense.  I think water and sewer rates should be equalized ‘inside and outside.’  But let’s equalize fire rates, park cost rates and all the things that are maintained that people inside and outside any municipality use.”

As for the North Elba highway tax, Alton Beideck is hopeful the village and town can find a solution by sharing services or working cooperatively.   “I think the village and town can get together and work this out,” he said.  “And we can get something for our money.”

Larry Straight, North Elba’s Highway Superintendent, said he wants to work more with the Village of Saranac Lake and the Town of Harrietstown.  “I’d be very interested in sharing services with them,” he said.

-Chris Knight

SUSPECT SHOT WHILE FLEEING BORDER PATROL

A Constable man was listed in stable condition Tuesday after he was shot while fleeing U.S. Border Patrol agents.  And a second suspect is still on the run this morning.

Around 10 p.m. Monday night, State Police Captain Robert LaFountain says Border Patrol agents encountered two all-terrain vehicles near the Trout River border crossing in the Town of Constable. 

Suspecting they were smuggling marijuana, Border Patrol agents pursued the ATV’s across fields and back roads in the Constable area. 

“Two border patrol agents encountered one of the ATV’s in a field,” LaFountain said.  “At the time, the agents observed the ATV was driving at them and both agents discharged several shots at the ATV.  The ATV continued and fled the area.”

A short time later, Franklin County 911 received a report of a man who had suffered a gun shot wound to the torso.  Police later identified the man as 25 year-old Timothy J. Fleury of Constable.

He was initially taken to Alice Hyde Medical Center in Malone then transferred by North Country Life Flight helicopter to Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington, Vermont.  Fleury reportedly underwent surgery and was listed in stable condition.

Border Patrol agents later located the second all-terrain vehicle.  LaFountain says an unidentified suspect abandoned the four wheeler in a field and fled into the woods.  He was still at large this morning, according to State Police in Malone.

LaFountain said they did not have a description of the suspect, and he was not believed to be armed.  

He says about 50 pounds of marijuana was recovered. “The initial investigation being conducted by U.S. Border Patrol concerning the marijuana smuggling activities that were suspected resulted in several large duffle bags containing marijuana being secured in that area,” LaFountain said.

Meanwhile, LaFountain says State Police are investigating the shooting in consultation with Franklin County District Attorney Derek Champagne and U.S. Attorney Glen Suddaby. 

Asked if the Border Patrol agents’ decision to open fire was justified, LaFountain said that issue won’t be addressed until the investigation is complete. 

The two Border Patrol agents involved, who have yet to be identified, were placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.

-Chris Knight

TL NATIVE HONORED BY STATE SENATE

A nine year-old from Tupper Lake has been honored by the New York State Senate for raising awareness about muscular dystrophy.

Tai McLear has been named as a recipient of the 2008 New York State Senate Achiever’s Award.

Tai was joined by his mother, Kam Foley, and his grandparents, Kevin and Francine McLear, at a Disability Awareness Day event in Albany on Tuesday where Senator Betty Little presented him with the award.

Tai was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy when he was three-years-old.  In striving to overcome his own personal challenge, Little says Tai has become a champion for many others afflicted with the disease.

“Tai sets an example that we would all do well to follow,” she said.  “I am honored to present Tai with this award in recognition and appreciation for all he has done on behalf of so many others.”

Tuesday’s visit was Tai’s first to the State Capital.   “It was fun and good to hear about all the good things other people are doing,” he said.  “It was nice be down here.” 

Little said Tai has spent hundreds of hours and raised thousands of dollars to fight the disease.  His fundraising projects have included a boot drive sponsored by the Tupper Lake Fire Department in which Tai raised $3,460.

A student at LP Quinn Elementary School, Tai has also enlisted the help of faculty and friends to raise funds through bake sales and designating a “Jeans Day” at the school.  A Fall Carnival at the school netted more than $1,200 last year. 

Some of the proceeds raised by Tai have been earmarked for a child to attend the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s 2008 Summer Camp program.

Tai serves as the northern region Good Will Ambassador for Muscular Dystrophy.  “Tai’s goal in life is to help improve services that will improve the quality of life for people like him,” said Little.  “He’s off to a great start.”

-Chris Knight

LAWMAKERS MARK TAX FREEDOM DAY

The North Country’s lawmakers in the state Assembly marked “Tax Freedom Day” this week by calling for passage of legislation meant to reduce the state’s tax burden on families.

“Tax Freedom Day” refers to the amount of days individuals must work to pay off their combined tax obligations at the federal, state and local levels. 

According to the non-partisan Tax Foundation, the state’s 2008 Tax Freedom Day was May 5, the third-highest in the nation.  Only New Jersey and Connecticut have Tax Freedom Days falling later than New York State.

Assemblywoman Teresa Sayward, a Republican, said her constituents are struggling due to high property taxes. “We have to do something,” she said.  “We have several proposals that would reduce taxes in many ways.   We’re going to stand behind Governor David Paterson and his idea of cutting 10 percent from the budget next year.  We’re going to work with him to try and bring relief to the people of the state of New York.”

Republican Assemblywoman Janet Duprey also expressed a willingness to work with the Democratic governor.  She said it’s a “sad state of affairs” when New Yorkers have to work until early May to pay off their tax obligations. 

“We have got to stop taxing our residents,” she said.  “They deserve better than Albany is providing for them.  I hope working with Governor Paterson and Comptroller DiNapoli that we’ll finally be able to put the breaks on increased taxes.”

Both Duprey and Sayward are supporting the “New York State Property Taxpayers Protection Act,” which would cap school property tax levies at four percent or the rate of inflation – whichever is lower.

The lawmakers are also backing an enhanced child care credit and a measure that would establish a summertime gas tax holiday for motorists from Memorial Day to Labor Day 2008.

“We’re going to try to take taxes off gasoline for the summer so that our businesses, farmers, truckers, loggers and construction guys can feed their families,” Sayward said.  “We’re working very hard to bring some kind of relief to New York State to our taxpayers.”

On average, the Tax Foundation says Americans must work 74 days to afford their federal taxes and 39 additional days to pay state and local taxes.

-Chris Knight

BOIL WATER ORDER LIFTED IN BEECHWOOD

A boil water order has been lifted for residents in portions of the Beechwood subdivision in the Town of Harrietstown. 

The order was issued last week after a drop in water pressure due to construction activity on the water system. 

But the Department of Health says the boil water order is no longer necessary based on the most recent tests of the water system. 

Again the boil water order for portions of the Beechwood subdivision in the Town of Harrietstown has been lifted.

HISTORY CHANNEL SHOW WITH PSC STUDENTS POSTPONED

An episode of “Modern Marvels” on the History Channel that will feature students from Paul Smith’s College has been pushed back until the end of this month.

The episode, named "Axes," was scheduled to air tonight.  The hour long show includes footage of the Paul Smith’s College Woodsmen’s Team that was shot on campus in March.

College officials say the episode has been rescheduled to air on Friday May 30 on the History Channel.

POLICE AND FIRE REPORT

Lake Placid Police arrested a 19 year-old Lake Placid woman on a pair of felony charges at 5:45 p.m. Monday.  Karyn A. Lincoln was arrested on a warrant from Lake Placid Village Court stemming from a police investigation into a stolen check that was allegedly forged and submitted to a local bank.  Lincoln was charged with second-degree forgery and second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument.  She was arraigned and remanded to the Essex County Jail in lieu of $1500 cash bail or $3000 bond.

Tupper Lake firefighters were called to an island in Tupper Lake at 6:33 p.m. Tuesday.  26 members and two trucks responded.  They found a controlled burn which the property owner didn’t have a permit for.  The fire was extinguished and firefighters returned to the fire station by 7:31 p.m.

Lake Placid Volunteer Fire Department members were called to a report of a ground fire on River Road at 6:01 p.m.  One truck and 20 members responded and extinguished the blaze with 50 gallons of water.  They returned to the fire station by 6:45 p.m.

Lake Placid firefighters responded to a report of a tree burning on a power line at 8:46 p.m. last night.  One truck and 9 members were called to Johnson Avenue.  They secured the area until the Lake Placid Municipal Electric Department could arrive to remove the tree.  Firefighters returned to the fire station by 9:12 p.m.

DRAFT OF NEW LP-NORTH ELBA LAND USE CODE COMPLETE

The preliminary draft of a new land use for the Town of North Elba and Village of Lake Placid has been completed and is now posted online for public review.

It’s been more than two years since the revision was launched with the goal of addressing development pressures and issues in the town and village.

Dean Dietrich, chair of the technical steering committee tasked with revising the code, says the new land use code embraces the principles of “smart growth.”

It encourages development in areas that already have infrastructure and can handle additional building density.  But it discourages development, for example, in places that don’t have water and sewer capacity.  “I think we’ve struck a balance where we allow growth but at the same time limit that growth in the areas where it should be limited,” Dietrich said.

The code creates several new “overlay” districts that would limit the amount of cutting and disturbance along ridgelines, hilltops and shorelines.

Planners also took a close look at the community’s cultural resources and used an inventory of historic structures to create a “historic overlay” district.  Owners of properties in that inventory would be asked to consider the building’s historic character before making any changes or additions.

The new code includes language designed to boost the amount of housing stock for permanent residents.  The committee is also looking at the possibility of requiring developers of major projects to provide affordable housing.  And the new code is written to encourage more mixed use development – such as a combined retail and residential project.

Michael Clarke, chairman of the Joint Planning Commission, says they set out to make the new code more user-friendly and easy to interpret. “We’re trying to be more explicit, so there isn’t as much ambiguity as to how the code can be interpreted,” he said.

One problem the new code hopes to solve, Clarke explained, is when applicants for large projects come in with plans already prepared.  “They don’t give the Joint Review Board an opportunity to go back to first base,” he said.  “In the new code we ask them to come in with a sketch plan first.”

Asked if the new code encourages or discourages development, Clarke said they’ve been more concerned about quality.  “We’re thinking about quality of development versus trying to do less or trying to do more,” he said.

Village Trustee Pat Gallagher, the lone elected official involved in the process, says he’s satisfied with the work of the committee. “Everything was thrown on the table,” he said.  “I don’t think anybody held back – trying to vet every possible circumstance and potential flaw.  I think it really got chewed up pretty good.  I think as a group we’re confident that we’ve done as much as we can without going over board or being too heavy handed.”

Initially, planners hoped to have the new land use code written in a year.  But, Dietrich explained, it may end up being closer to three years by the time the process is complete later this year.

“I think the main reason is we didn’t really know the size and scope of the task in front of us.  Three years is the average length of time it takes for municipalities to do land use codes so we’re right on the average amount there.”

The preliminary draft – available at lakeplacid.com/jointplanning – will be presented to the village and town boards by late June or early July.  That will be followed by a series of informational meetings in the summer before the process of adopting the new code, which will include public hearings, gets underway in the fall.

LandWorks of Vermont has served as the consultant on the project.

-Chris Knight

WOOD BOILER MORATORIUM LANGUAGE DRAFTED

The Village of Saranac Lake’s legal counsel has drafted the proposed moratorium on outdoor wood boilers that will be the subject of a public hearing on May 12.

The moratorium, as written by village attorney Charles Knoth [NO-th], would restrict the installation and/or use of any new outdoor furnace for a period of six months from the date the moratorium is enacted.  It notes that the village currently has no regulations that address wood boilers.

“Concerns have been raised regarding the safety, environmental and health effects of these heating devices, particularly the production of emissions and offensive odors,” reads the proposed moratorium. 

“The village has significant concerns regarding the potential adverse impact of unregulated outdoor furnaces and believes that this moratorium is necessary in order to allow the Board of Trustees to investigate the relevant issues and adopt a local law regarding outdoor furnaces.”

The village board considered regulating or banning the devices after hearing complaints last week from a McClelland Street resident about the smoke and fumes created by his neighbor’s outdoor wood boiler.  Other communities across the state have enacted or are looking into similar restrictions.

Village Mayor Tom Michael said he believes six months will be enough time for the village board to address the issue.

He said he hasn’t made up his mind yet on whether an outright ban or just regulations are needed. “What I’ve picked up so far is they’re really not to be used in tightly populated areas like the village,” he said.  “But we also have properties in the village that are large.  If you can set them back from property lines far enough to allow use without disturbing your neighbors, I don’t have a problem with that.”

An outdoor furnace, as defined by the proposed moratorium, is any device located outdoors and/or separate from the premises to be heated which burns wood and/or other combustible material for the primary purpose of producing heat or energy for any interior space.

Village Code Enforcement Officer Doug Fransen says there is one pending application for a new outdoor wood boiler.  But it came in before last week’s village board meeting, when word that the board was considering regulations was first publicized.

The local law that would impose a six month moratorium includes provisions allowing the village to extend that time period, if deemed necessary by the village board.

The public hearing will be held at 6 p.m. on Monday, May 12, prior to the regular village board meeting.

Meanwhile, the state Department of Environmental Conservation is reportedly considering drafting rules to regulate outdoor wood boilers.

DEC spokeswoman Laurie O’Connell couldn’t comment on the proposed regulations.

She said the department has been already receiving a lot of public comment on the issue, even though no formal proposal has been created. 

O’Connell said the proposed regulations, if they’re drafted, could be released for public comment in the next few months.

Tom Michael said he doesn’t feel it’s necessary for the village to wait and see what action the state takes on outdoor wood boilers. “I don’t believe we should wait for the state to go through its political process of determining what’s right and wrong.  If in tightly packed areas its obvious they’re a nuisance to a neighborhood, I think the village should act on it.”

The Adirondack Daily Enterprise, which obtained a copy of the draft state regulations, reported that the new rules would restrict everything but “clean wood” and starter materials like newspapers from being burned in an outdoor wood boiler.

New and existing boilers couldn’t be used between April 15 and September 30 unless meeting certain emission standards and other criteria.  Setback and stack height regulations are also being considered by the state.

-Chris Knight

LP BOARD HEALTH INSURANCE ISSUE BACK ON THE TABLE

The compensation of Lake Placid's elected officials is back on the agenda after a second proposal was introduced Monday that would strip trustees of health benefits in exchange for a pay raise.

“In a continuing effort to lower costs for village taxpayers and taking into account the concerns expressed at our St. Patrick's Day meeting I have worked out a proposal that I feel is equitable, reasonable and cost reducing,” said Village Trustee Pat Gallagher in a prepared statement.

Gallagher's proposal would boost trustees’ base pay by -- $1,409 annually – to a total of $6,865. In return, trustees would no longer receive health coverage.

Currently two trustees – David Jones and Paul Strack -- are on the village health plan which costs village taxpayers about $14,000 for each trustee.

Trustee Peter Roy said that if the plan were adopted, trustees should no longer be paid $1,500 extra to opt-out of health coverage. Gallagher said he agreed though his concept would allow total compensation to be adjusted upward to $10,000 as the cost of health care rises.

Mayor Jamie Rogers noted that municipalities cannot lump together salary and the value of benefits like health coverage in into a single item. The board agreed to study the issue further and revisit the issue at the next village board meeting in two weeks.

In other village business, trustees unanimously voted to boost village bus drivers hourly wage by 40 cents. The board raised the pay for the 16 part-time trolley drivers to $12.40 an hour.

The board also set public hearings to raise the parking fines from $10 to $35 and install a three-way stop sign at the intersection of School Street and McLenathan Avenue.

The hearings are tentatively scheduled for May 19 in the Village Beach House in Lake Placid.

-Jacob Resneck

FUNDING ANNOUNCED FOR ADK REGIONAL AIRPORT

Federal lawmakers announced Monday that the Adirondack Regional Airport in Lake Clear has received two grants from the state DOT, totaling just over $1 million dollars. 

The first grant award is for $994,650, and will provide federal funding for the rehabilitation of Taxiways C, D, and E at the airport.  Currently, officials say the taxiways are in very poor condition and require repairs to ensure safe operations at the airfield. 

The second grant award is for $61,448 and will provide federal funding to replace the airport rotating beacon.  The existing beacon suffers from numerous outages and needs replacement.

In addition to the Lake Clear airport, which is run by the Town of Harrietstown, DOT funding was announced Monday for three other airports in the region.

Ogdensburg International Airport has received a $133,000 grant to replace an approach path indicator system and rehabilitate the facility’s general aviation apron.

Potsdam Municipal-Damon Field has received a $272,888 grant to repair cracks in a runway. 

And the Ticonderoga Municipal Airport received $131,955 for various construction and repair work.

Congressman John M. McHugh said the grants will fund improvements in safety and efficiency.  “Helping rural airports remain safe and operable continues to be a top priority of mine in Congress,” he said.

Senator Charles Schumer said the federal investment helps guarantee the airports are equipped to serve North Country residents as well as bring commerce to the region.

“This is welcome news for the North Country, and it is a critical investment in these airports that play such key roles in the regional economy,” added Senator Hillary Clinton.

-Chris Knight

 
MINING MOVIE TO BE FILMED IN ESSEX COUNTY

Filming is scheduled to begin this fall for a $20 million movie set in an iron ore mining town in the eastern Adirondacks.

Lori Kelly Bailey, the film's producer and writer, says a crew will spend 10 weeks in the Town of Moriah.

The movie is titled “Mineville” and will be shot in the local hamlet of the same name.

Irish actor Jason Barry, who appeared in “Titanic,” will direct the film about Irish immigrants who worked Mineville's ore deposits in the early 20th century.

Also signed on are actors Giovanni Ribisi ("Flight of the Phoenix"), William Sadler ("The Shawshank Redemption") and Anthony Lapaglia ("Without a Trace").

Bailey says shooting is scheduled to start Sept. 22.

-AP wire reports

VISITORS BUREAU TO RELEASE ‘IMAGE STUDY’ RESULTS

The Lake Placid/Essex County Visitors Bureau will be releasing the results of an Image Study for Lake Placid, the Adirondacks, and competing destinations during a series of meetings this week.

In 2007, the Visitors Bureau contracted with the image research firm Longwoods International to conduct an Image Study for Lake Placid.   

Visitors Bureau officials say the research will provide an in-depth analysis of what visitors and non-visitors perceive regarding Lake Placid and the Adirondacks, identifying strengths and weaknesses.

Dr. Bill Siegel, Founder and Chairman of Longwoods International, will introduce the research project with a presentation to be delivered by Scott Hanson, the company’s President and CEO.

The information will be released to the community during a series of four meetings over three days beginning today and wrapping up on Thursday.

A final presentation will be given on Thursday, May 8th at 10:30 a.m. in the conference room at the Village Beach House and is open to the public.

STATE TROOPER INJURED IN LEWIS CRASH

A New York State Trooper was injured after his patrol vehicle crashed Sunday in the Town of Lewis.

Police say 29 year-old Daniel White was responding to assist another trooper with a vehicle stop on the Adirondack Northway when he failed to negotiate a left-hand curve and lost control of his Chevy Tahoe.

The vehicle struck an embankment and guardrail and was totaled.

White suffered bruised ribs in the accident which remains under investigation.

-Chris Knight

POLICE REPORT

Saranac Lake Police charged 27 year-old Joseph M. Rushlow of Saranac Lake with failure to appear on Monday.  Police say Rushlow was arrested following a traffic stop of a vehicle he was riding in as a passenger.  The vehicle had been stopped for investigation of a gas larceny complaint for Tupper Lake Village Police.  Police determined that Rushlow had an active warrant out of Plattsburgh Town Court for failure to appear.  He was turned over to the custody of State Police in Ray Brook.  Tupper Lake Village Police, with the assistance of Saranac Lake Police, arrested the driver of the vehicle – 26 year-old Virginia Kohler of Saranac – on a charge of petit larceny for an alleged gas drive-off at Stewarts in Tupper Lake.  She was issued appearance tickets for village court.

Tupper Lake Village Police charged 22 year-old Michael Broderick of Milford, Connecticut with third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation at 10 p.m. last night.  He was arrested following a traffic stop on Mill Street.  Broderick was arraigned and released on $500 cash bail to return at a later date.

GAS PRICES MAY IMPACT SUMMER TOURISM BUSINESS

Local leaders and tourism officials say high gas prices will have an impact on the summer tourism season in the Adirondacks.

But they’re optimistic that the area’s location relative to major population centers and an ongoing surge in Canadian visitation will help to minimize that impact.

As gas prices continue to surge, Douglas Yu, marketing specialist for the Adirondack Regional Tourism Council, says people are probably planning shorter trips for their summer vacations – something he thinks gives the Adirondacks an advantage.

“The Adirondacks have always been a driving destination,” he said.  “I’m thinking there is going to be some impact for us.  Then again, people are looking at destinations closer to home now, maybe shorter vacations.  We’re ideally situated here in the Adirondacks for that kind of choice.”

This isn’t the first summer that travelers have had to consider high gas prices when making their vacation plans.

In previous years, Lake Placid Mayor Jamie Rogers says people have shifted their plans – something he expects to see this year. “The people that are traveling a long distance probably don’t come in the numbers they usually do.  But people that live nearby, within in the state and surrounding states, instead of taking long vacations, tend to take them more in our area.  We don’t expect to see a large impact in this area because of the price of fuel of tourism coming in.”

Lake Placid’s tourism economy can also weather the high gas prices, Rogers said, because of the many regular events the community hosts in the summer.

Jim McKenna, president of the Lake Placid-Essex County Visitor’s Bureau, said the area’s tourism-based businesses are able to bank on those events, regardless of high gas prices.   “If you look at what’s on our schedules for the summer months – the horse shows, Ironman, rugby, lacrosse and the Can-Am hockey schools – there’s a certain amount of guaranteed business that we know we will have.”

Art Lussi, whose family owns the Crowne Plaza Resort in Lake Placid, says those events have been an “insurance policy” for the Olympic village

But other parts of the Adirondacks that don’t have the attractions like Lake Placid could be more vulnerable to high fuel prices.  “There’s no question it could have an effect,” Lussi said.

In Tupper Lake, Chamber of Commerce Director Marty Modzier says she expects people will think hard about driving long distances this summer.  But so far she hasn’t seen any signs of a potential downturn in tourist visits.  “I’m seeing a very active interest in our community and our area,” she said.  “I don’t think we’ve seen a slackening of that type of inquiry that I can document.”

Many of the people contacted for this story said any potential loss of summer tourism due to high gas prices will likely be made up by an ongoing surge in Canadian visitation in the North Country. 

The Adirondack Regional Tourism Council runs a visitor center on the Adirondack Northway in Beekmantown, 20 miles south of the border.  The council’s Douglas Yu says the number of Canadian visitors continues to be strong.  “We haven’t had this much traffic in April coming south since the early 1990’s.  And for the Canadians, the gas prices here in New York are considered a bargain.  I’m very optimistic we’ll have a strong summer.”

Whatever the impact gas prices may have on visitors to the Adirondacks, some officials, like Lake Placid’s Jamie Rogers, say they’re more concerned about the impact on the workforce that supports the tourism industry.

 “That’s a great concern to businesses in our area,” he said.  “If you look at most of our lodging facilities, people travel pretty far distances to come to work every day.  We’re working right now with Franklin and Essex Counties to try and provide public transportation to reduce some of those costs on the labor force in our area.”

A poll released last week by Siena College found 80 percent of New Yorkers plan to cut back on the amount they spend on their summer vacation because of gas prices.

-Chris Knight

FATE OF WAWBEEK BUILDINGS STILL UNCERTAIN

The fate of two historic buildings from the former Wawbeek Resort remains uncertain after the only proposal to save both buildings was rejected by the owners as not viable.

In March, the owners of the former Upper Saranac Lake restaurant and hotel announced they would freely give away the two 19th century buildings slated for demolition to anyone who could remove them by May 20.

Dick and Diane Sittig of Malibu, California had come under pressure to save the buildings by historic preservationists including the Adirondack Architectural Heritage organization.

The state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation also weighed in saying that the buildings, designed by William Coulter, a noted Saranac Lake architect, were eligible for the National Historic Register.  But that likely won’t prevent the Sittigs from tearing down the buildings.

The Adirondack Park Agency had asserted jurisdiction over initial plans to construct a luxury house over the footprint of the former restaurant.  But the agency later withdrew its jurisdiction after the Sittigs lowered the height of their proposed new house to 2.4 inches below the agency’s 40-foot height restriction.

Had the new plans required an APA permit, the park agency would have been required to consult with the state historic preservation office, which had already ruled the buildings historically significant.

Meanwhile, efforts by a Tupper Lake man to save the buildings have suffered a setback. Jim Lanthier had sought to move the buildings to Tupper Lake in an all-volunteer effort. But his handwritten proposal was rejected this month for lack of funding.

In a letter to Lanthier, Tim Smith, the Sittigs’ Lake Placid attorney, wrote that:  “It appears to us that there are significant organization uncertainties, and that there is no currently-available funding source, and that your group will not be able to complete your work by the originally-prescribed May 20^th date, or any date even close to that.”

Lanthier said he would be providing additional documentation this week to the Sittigs. “I hope they change their mind,” he said.

Details on the only other proposal submitted – a plan to save the Mountain House but not the former restaurant – have not been made public and it was unclear as of Monday whether that proposal would proceed.

-Jacob Resneck

VERIZON SEEKS OK FOR FOURTH I-87 CELL TOWER

Verizon is seeking approval from the Adirondack Park Agency this week for the fourth of eleven new cell towers it’s planning along the Adirondack Northway.

So far, the company has secured APA permits for cell projects in Warrensburg, Lewis and North Hudson.

On Thursday commissioners will consider a proposed Verizon cell tower in Schroon Lake.  It’s the first of the 11 proposed towers that the company plans to disguise as a white pine tree in order to minimize visual impacts.

The structure would be 90 feet tall, with a 12-panel antenna and a lightning rod. The other towers the park agency has approved are roughly 80 feet tall.

The proposal is part of an agreement Verizon reached with the park agency and environmentalists last year to improve cell coverage along a stretch of the Northway between exits 27 and 35.

Apart from the 11 new towers, Verizon is also modifying six existing towers to improve cell reception on the Northway.

The APA’s regularly scheduled monthly meeting will be held Thursday and Friday at the agency headquarters in Ray Brook. 

Among other business, the park agency will consider Dean and Donna Pohl’s proposal to expand a preexisting single-family dwelling in order to create a new tourist accommodation and commercial use restaurant on Raquette Lake.  The project includes an Inn with 27 bedrooms, an 80-seat restaurant with a tavern, a small gift shop and an 8’ x 100’ dock for boat access. 

And, the New York Power Authority is proposing to re-align a portion of the previously approved Tri-Lakes Reliability Project.  The 46 kilovolt electric transmission line would be located parallel with State Route 56 in the Town of Colton for a distance of 3.4 miles.  1.86 miles of the re-aligned transmission line route will be located in what is now forest preserve land for which an amendment to Article 14 of the state Constitution is being sought.

Among Friday’s agenda items, the agency’s Enforcement Committee will meet to determine two enforcement matters; one involving an alleged wetlands violation and the other involving an alleged permit condition violation.  The committee will also discuss the civil penalty for a previously decided matter involving a mining operation in the Town of Ticonderoga.       

For a full agenda or meeting materials go to the APA website: www.apa.state.ny.us

-Chris Knight

PLATTSBURGH MAN CHARGED IN ALLEGED STALKING CASE

A Plattsburgh man was arrested Friday in what police are calling a stalking case.

Plattsburgh City Police arrested 27 year old Nicholas A. Belvedere for allegedly repeatedly following two twelve year old girls to and from school and offering them a ride.     

City Police say they received a complaint from a parent reporting that their daughter and daughter’s friend had been offered a ride and followed to and from school on several occasions. 

An investigation conducted by City Police Detectives resulted in the arrest of Belvedere.

He was charged with two counts of second-degree stalking, a class E felony, two counts of endangering the welfare of a child and one count of making a punishable false written statement, misdemeanors.

Belvedere was arraigned Saturday and was taken to the Clinton County Jail in lieu of $5,000 cash bail or $10,000 bond.  He’s scheduled to be back in court later this week.

Police are asking anyone with information on the case to call 563-3411.

-Chris Knight

MCHUGH: TOBACCO MAILING BAN PASSES COMMITTEE

A bill proposed by Congressman John McHugh that would outlaw the shipping of cigarettes and other tobacco products using the U.S. Postal Service moved forward last week.

The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee voted to send McHugh’s “Do Not Mail Tobacco” bill to the full House of Representatives for consideration. 

McHugh, in a news release, called it an important step forward in protecting minors from getting cigarettes online.

He says private mail carriers like UPS, DHL, and FedEx have already changed their policies.

“Right now, the U.S. Postal Service is the sole carrier still delivering cigarettes through the mail, allowing children to order tobacco products online from vendors with few safeguards to stop underage purchasers,” McHugh said.

“We need to enact this legislation so we don’t continue to undermine the efforts of parents, teachers, and organizations across the country that have worked to educate children on the dangers of cigarettes.” 

The bill would restrict cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, and roll-your-own-tobacco from being carried or delivered by the Postal Service.  It also imposes a penalty of $100,000 for each violation. 

In addition to the potential for cigarettes to be delivered to minors, McHugh says online tobacco vendors have cost state and local governments billions in lost tax revenue, and hurt the ability of small businesses to compete.

According to an American Journal of Public Health study, almost 20 percent of tobacco sales websites do not say anything about prohibiting sales to minors, more than half require only that the buyer indicate they are of legal age, and another 15 percent require only that the buyer type in their date of birth. 

The legislation has received the backing of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, the American Cancer Society, and the New York Association of Convenience Stores, among others.

The bill is now before the full House of Representatives for consideration. 

McHugh had introduced similar versions of the legislation in June 2007 and in the previous Congress.

-Chris Knight

POLICE AND FIRE REPORT

Saranac Lake Police arrested 31 year-old Bryan K. Cole of Malone on Sunday at 12:40 a.m.  Police say an Essex County Sheriff’s Department patrol traveling to the Saranac Lake police station observed Cole’s vehicle failing to stop at a stop sign on Kiwassa Road, then speeding on Main Street.  A sheriff’s deputy allegedly observed a beer can being thrown from the front passenger side window.  Police stopped Cole’s vehicle and say he appeared to be intoxicated.  He refused to take a roadside screening test and was placed under arrest.  Cole was charged with aggravated driving while intoxicated, refusal to take a breath test, speeding and failure to stop at a stop sign.  He was processed and released to a third party to appear in village court at a later date. 

Saranac Lake Police arrested a 17 year-old male from Saranac Lake at 6:38 p.m. Saturday.  The teen, whose name was not released due to potential youthful offender status, was arrested on a warrant for allegedly riding in a vehicle which he didn’t have permission to be in.  He was also accused of stealing gasoline from two different local merchants.  The teen was charged with two counts of petit larceny, sixth-degree conspiracy and third-degree unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.  He was processed, arraigned in village court and released of his own recognizance to appear again at a later date.

Lake Placid Police charged 21 year-old Thomas Tarka IV of Saranac Lake with disorderly conduct at 3:35 a.m. on Saturday.  Police say Tarka was arrested for yelling obscenities at people on Main Street.  He was released to appear in Lake Placid Village Court at a later date.

Tupper Lake Village Police arrested 20 year-old Georgia L. Smith of Tupper Lake on a bench warrant from Malone Village Court on Sunday at 3:17 p.m.  She was remanded to the Franklin County Jail pending an appearance in Malone Village Court.

Lake Placid firefighters were called to the Comfort Inn on Saranac Avenue at 11:54 p.m. Friday night.  Two trucks and seven members responded.  They found a fog machine being used in a banquet room activated the smoke alarm.  The fog machine was turned off and firefighters returned to the fire station by 12:32 a.m.