For Immediate Release: December 6, 2002
Contact:
Victoria Hristovski | Director Public Information | Adirondack Park Agency
contact@apa.ny.gov | (518) 891-4050
RAY BROOK - The Adirondack Park Agency (APA) announced today that Tupper Lake native Jim Frenette will serve as the interim Chairman of the Agency.
"Mr. Frenette's legislative experience, along with his background in education, provides a distinctive combination of knowledge of the Park and the sensitivities and needs of its people," Governor George Pataki said. "His expertise, qualities, and distinguished tenure with the Agency provide for a continuing balanced leadership in the Park."
At the Agency's regular public meeting last month, Chairman Richard Lefebvre announced his resignation for the purposes of retirement. Mr. Lefebvre was appointed to the Agency in July 1993 and served as Agency Chairman since February 1998. Mr. Frenette will serve as Chairman until a permanent replacement is established.
"In addition to his many partnerships and his impeccable working relationship with the Board and Agency staff, Mr. Lefebvre also did so much to improve the public's relationship to, and perception of, the APA," Mr. Frenette said. "It is our job to maintain that momentum, and to continue to balance economic development opportunities and the protection of the Park's precious natural resources."
Mr. Frenette was appointed to the Board in 1992 and currently sits on three committees with the Agency: Interpretive Programs Services, Regulatory Programs Services, and Park Policy/State Lands Services.
"We are very pleased with the appointment of Jim Frenette as interim Chairman," APA Executive Director Daniel Fitts said. "He is the longest serving member of the Board and over the years has demonstrated the level of balance that is so critical to Governor Pataki's vision for the Adirondack Park."
The appointment will run on an interim basis for the coming months while the search for a permanent chair is undertaken and completed. For the interim, Mr. Frenette will assume all the responsibilities, duties, and rights of Chairman.
A longtime resident of Tupper Lake, Commissioner Frenette has been active in community affairs since his graduation from LeMoyne University, and throughout his teaching career in Tupper Lake, which he retired from in 1984. His public service began in 1968 with his election to the Altamont Town Board, and includes a 10-year period as Town Justice before his election to the Franklin County Board of Legislators in 1985. He also served on the Department of Environmental Conservation's Open Space subcommittee. He is a past member of the Inter-county Legislative Committee of the Adirondacks and its subcommittee, the Adirondack Planning Commission. He is currently a member of the Adirondack Railroad Preservation Society, and sits on the "Next Stop; Tupper Lake" Committee which is dedicated to rebuilding the railroad station in Tupper Lake. He is also a volunteer of 18 years for the Tupper Lake Chamber of Commerce.
This month's APA meeting will be held December 12th and 13th at the headquarters in Ray Brook.