For Immediate Release: September 17, 2002
Contact:
Victoria Hristovski | Director Public Information | Adirondack Park Agency
contact@apa.ny.gov | (518) 891-4050
Old Forge- An Adirondack icon, a pioneer, a true conservationist, a hero. Those terms, and many more, are used to describe the 97-year-old Adirondacker, Clarence Petty. Among his many contributions and reputations, Mr. Petty is also noted for his modesty.
"All these people say these wonderful things about me and I think it leads people to believe I'm someone else," Mr. Petty said at the Adirondack Park Agency's meeting in Old Forge, on Thursday, (Sept. 12) where he was recognized for a lifetime of contributions to the Adirondack Park, and as a patriot and humanitarian.
"Mr. Petty is very giving of himself," said APA Chairman Richard Lefebvre before reading the resolution recognizing Mr. Petty into the New York State record. "He is a tireless advocate for the wilderness and the forest preserve, and we owe him a debt of gratitude for his wisdom, foresight, advocacy, dedication and service to the Adirondack Park and this Agency."
"His contributions to the Park are legendary," said APA Executive Director Daniel Fitts. "We are extremely grateful to Mr. Petty for all the knowledge he has shared with this Agency and the people of the Park. We have a tremendous amount of respect for Mr. Petty and we are honored to have him here today."
Mr. Petty thanked the Agency for the recognition and spoke briefly on the importance of public involvement with government. To give the public, Agency members, and staff the opportunity to meet with Mr. Petty, there was a brief socialization period held on Thursday morning. Mr. Petty was approached by Agency Members, Designees, staff and public attending the event, all commending him on his lifelong achievements and contributions. Mr. Petty was also busy signing copies of his biography, entitled The Extraordinary Adirondack Journey of Clarence Petty.
After the recognition celebration, Agency members met in committees to discuss business.
The Regulatory Programs Committee met and discussed project No. 2001-213, the rehabilitation of a 40-mile stretch of the Warren County Railroad. On Friday, the Agency Board unanimously approved the project, which is to take place in Saratoga and Warren counties. The Agency also renewed three permits during this month's meeting.
Town of Webb officials gave a presentation on the Town of Webb Local Land Use Plan, highlighting its goals, accomplishments, and next steps. The presentation was informational, and not for Agency action.
On Thursday evening, CAP-21, a regional not-for-profit organization that provides a forum for community concerns, interests and aspirations of residents in the West Central Adirondacks, hosted a community tour and discussion with the Agency at the CAP-21 offices in downtown Old Forge. CAP-21 Executive Director, Lani Ulrich, highlighted important community improvement initiatives, including the cleanup of brown sites (abandoned gas stations), business revitalization efforts, and other programs with which the organization is involved.
During the Park Ecology meeting on Friday, Ray Curran, Supervisor of Resource Analysis Scientific Services, presented a slide-show of his recent trip to the Galapagos Islands with NY Times Traveler Magazine photographer, Nathan Farb. Mr. Curran's slide-show glimpsed at the behind-the-scenes work that goes into getting the perfect picture, and how it looks to those picking up the magazine. He also discussed the similarities between the ecology and management of the Galapagos Islands and the Adirondack Park. Steve Erman, Economic Affairs Special Assistant, also talked about the eco-tourism of the Galapagos economy.
The next Adirondack Park Agency meeting will be held on October 10th and 11th , 2002. On Friday, October 11th, the meeting will be held at the Adirondack Park Visitor Interpretive Center in Paul Smiths. For more information, please contact Victoria Hristovski at (518) 891-4050 ext. 173. All Agency meetings are held in an open forum and open to the public.