For Immediate Release: January 25, 2002
Contact:
Victoria Hristovski | Director Public Information | Adirondack Park Agency
contact@apa.ny.gov | (518) 891-4050
RAY BROOK- The first Adirondack Park Agency meeting of the new year, held January 10th and 11 th, was a busy one at the Agency’s headquarters in Ray Brook. The Board had opportunity to witness two highlights of the Agency’s agenda for Thursday and Friday. On Thursday morning, Ted Blazer, President and CEO of the Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA), talked about initiatives ORDA has been involved with to maintain New York State’s Olympic venues and to bring world-class athletes and competitions to the North Country. Lake Placid Olympian Jack Shea also spoke on Thursday as part of the "March to Salt Lake City " presentation. On Friday, Plattsburgh Airbase Redevelopment Corporation (PARC) President Dan Wieneke made an informational presentation on the history of PARC and the plans for the future.
Thursday morning’s session began with a special presentation by Mr. Blazer on the "March to Salt Lake City" and was followed up with the Board’s presentation of a certificate commending Mr. Blazer and ORDA for their service to the North Country.
"ORDA has been a great partner with the state of New York by continuing to bring national and international competitions here, and by keeping the state’s Olympic venues in top shape," said APA Executive Director Daniel Fitts.
ORDA was recognized by the Board for its diligence in training Olympic athletes and keeping its facilities held to high standards.
Lake Placid’s Speedskating Olympic Champion, Jack Shea, also attended the meeting Thursday to discuss the importance of good sportsmanship in competition and to remind everyone that the most important part of the Olympics are the athletes.
"Our athletes are our country’s ambassadors," Mr. Shea said, "It is such a great opportunity for athletes to stretch out their hands in friendship with people from all over the world."
Mr. Shea’s grandson, Jim Shea, is in Salt Lake City to represent the USA in the Skeleton competition.
"I am so proud of my grandson. He has a real understanding of how necessary it is to befriend and have love of his fellow man, which is all a part of the Olympic ideal," Mr. Shea said.
The Regulatory Programs Committee met to review one new permit application on Thursday. Committee members reached consensus to send the application back to public hearing. The application was for a limited demonstration project to evaluate the effectiveness of Sonar and sequestering curtains on dense beds of the exotic plan Eurasian water milfoil in two sites of Lake George, in the Town of Bolton, Warren County. The initial public hearing process was suspended while the applicants and the recognized parties tried to reach a settlement. Not all the parties signed the stipulations and commissioners expressed concern about the lack of a public record and cited a need for more documented scientific evidence before making a decision. The full Board agreed with the committee on Friday and the project has been directed back to public hearing.
A revised draft policy on telecommunication towers was reviewed during the Administration Committee on Thursday. The draft was submitted for commissioners to review and no action was taken this month.
Local Government Committee members were updated on plans for the fifth Local Government Day. It is scheduled for March 21 and 22, 2002 at the Hotel Saranac in Saranac Lake. Last year’s even attracted 160 people from 32 communities and 11 counties in the Adirondack Park, and representatives from 14 other organizations.
On Friday, a special presentation was given by Plattsburgh Airbase Redevelopment Corporation (PARC) President Dan Wieneke during the Economic Affairs Committee meeting. PARC looks to enlist biotechnology, aviation, manufacturing and high-tech businesses and corporations to best utilize its facilities. PARC is redeveloping and marketing the former Plattsburgh Air Force Base, a 5,000-acre planned business residential development in the City and Town of Plattsburgh. Civilian re-use of the former base has already resulted in the creation of over 1,000 jobs. Mr. Wieneke spoke about some of the highlights of 2001 including $6 million in building renovations and improvements to the facility and maintaining and upgrading historic oval buildings. Today, PARC serves as an economic development anchor for Clinton County including areas within the Adirondack Park.
The next Adirondack Park Agency meeting will be held on February 14th and 15th at the headquarters in Ray Brook.