For Immediate Release: February 28, 2001
Contact:
Victoria Hristovski | Director Public Information | Adirondack Park Agency
contact@apa.ny.gov | (518) 891-4050
RAY BROOK - The Adirondack Park Agency held its second meeting of the year on February 15th and 16th, at the headquarters in Ray Brook.
Agency members welcomed Cara McCann and Walter Linck as two new members of staff. Cara McCann is an artist designer for both the Newcomb and Paul Smiths Visitor Interpretive Centers. Originally from Clifton Park, she now lives in Saranac Lake. Cara recently completed her Master of Arts program in studio art at SUNY Albany and has long been an admirer of the VICs. She hopes to bring her experiences and skills in graphic design, art and multimedia exhibit installations, as well as working with children, to our programs.
Walter Linck joins the Agency as a project associate for state lands. He recently completed directing the New York Adirondack AmeriCorps Program during its first two critical years. Before that, Walter was an educator, an administrator, and an outdoor guide. He earned a Master in Environmental Science and a bachelor’s degree in Forest Biology, both from SUNY College of ESF. He is currently working in Ray Brook with Charles Scrafford, supervisor of regional planning at the APA.
While Agency members were welcoming the two new staff members, they were also saying goodbye to a well-respected colleague. Empire State Development Designee Greg Caito is leaving his position at ESD and his seat at the Agency as a result. Agency Chairman Richard Lefebvre presented Greg with a certificate of appreciation and a round of applause for his dedication and diligence while working with Agency members and ESD. Greg will remain in the Lake Placid area while working for IBM.
During his Executive Director’s Report, Daniel Fitts declared the Chilly Ski Festival held at the VIC’s was a great success. There were 300 total visitors for the January 13th event.
Fitts also mentioned in his report that it has been almost a year since the Governor’s announcement of additional funds for the Agency for much needed staff, and in that time, the Agency has filled more than five new positions, including a new state land position funded though DEC to work on the UMP initiative. There is a total of ten new faces bringing new blood and energy to our organization. Fitts commended the Governor George Pataki on his dedication to the Adirondacks and credited the staff for helping to get the work done. Fitts also reported on the Warren County Outreach meeting on February 8 at the Warren County of Supervisors Chambers where Chairman Lefebvre and several Agency members and staff met with local government officials. There, the commitment of working to combine the efforts of local government services and economic teams into a community assistance team were discussed and planned. Associate Counsel Barbara Rottier discussed improvements taking place in enforcement to the Enforcement Committee on Thursday. She attributed factors such as the addition of two Enforcement members, improvements to the Enforcement Action Database and the ongoing case review process she is overseeing as reasons for the escalating success of the Agency’s enforcement program. New Enforcement Attorney Paul Van Cott said that the volunteer work of two college interns is also helping with the Agency’s commitment to resolving enforcement matters.
Counsel Charles Fox also announced that a fourth enforcement officer will begin in March.
Visitor Interpretive Centers Naturalist Mike Storey presented a draft for new exhibits and design that are to be implemented at both the Paul Smiths and Newcomb VICs. He presented the plans to the Ecology/Interpretive Committee on Thursday at the Agency’s headquarters in Ray Brook. The plans articulate guidelines for development, theme and storylines for an exhibit that will captivate the general public. The system of a central theme area and individual exhibit "pods" would allow visitors to experience the past, understand the present and envision a future to a Park changed by man and nature.
The next Adirondack Park Agency meeting will take place March 15 and 16 at the Agency’s headquarters in Ray Brook.