For Immediate Release: February 18, 2003
Contact:
Victoria Hristovski | Director Public Information | Adirondack Park Agency
contact@apa.ny.gov | (518) 891-4050
RAY BROOK- February's APA meeting took place on the 13th and 14th in Ray Brook where Agency Board members thanked an Adirondack icon and wished her well as she announced her retirement from Adirondack Discovery.
Joan Payne, Co-Founder and President of Adirondack Discovery, was recognized at the February meeting for the immeasurable contributions she has made to the public's understanding of the natural and human environment of the Adirondack Park. Adirondack Discovery began in 1978 as a tourism development initiative in the Town of Inlet, Hamilton County. Today, in its 25th year, the Discovery program is operating in 32 locations in all corners of the Park. The success of Adirondack Discovery has demonstrated the importance of addressing the Park in its entirety. As President of Adirondack Discovery throughout its 25 years, Joan Payne has been of great assistance to the Adirondack Park Agency in its efforts to interpret the Park. Always creative, always enthusiastic and always thinking of the next opportunity to reach the public, Joan Payne has been a true partner of the Agency and other interpretive organizations in the Park for decades. Joan's commitment to inclusion, accessibility, and the broadest possible program content has made Adirondack Discovery a distinctive program which has enriched the Park. The Agency recognized and applauded Joan's efforts and accomplishments and presented her and her Adirondack Discovery partner, Sue Beck, with a formal Certificate of Appreciation for a job well done in support of the Adirondack Park, the Adirondack Park Agency and the Agency's Division of Interpretive Programs. As Co-founder and Vice-President of Adirondack Discovery, Sue Beck was also recognized for the considerable contribution she has made throughout the years to the public's understanding of the natural and human environment of the Adirondack Park. Sue Beck has been a quiet visionary behind the Adirondack Discovery program and has worked tirelessly to see that the program never wavered from its original mission of sensitizing people to the many aspects of the Adirondack Park through high quality programming. Sue's efforts to ensure that the Discovery program always maintained the highest standards has helped Adirondack Discovery earn great respect among the Park's visitors and residents. The Board expressed sincere appreciation to Sue Beck for her extraordinary achievements and for her support of the Adirondack Park, a place where she has deep family roots.
Recognition was also given to Agency staff member Mary R. Reardon, whom shortly after the tragedies of September 11, 2001, assumed the responsibilities of sorting the Agency's mail and adhering to new state and federal guidelines. Mary stepped up to this formidable task - as she does with all tasks - with dignity and distinction. She was also recognized for her enthusiasm and diligence in implementing New York State guidelines in her daily task of distributing the Agency's mail to staff.
In addition to the recognitions at this month's Agency meeting, the Board also voted on three new projects, granting all three. They are: the installation of four new panel antennae in the Town of Peru (Clinton County); construction of a single family dwelling in the Town of Stony Creek,(Warren County); and a single family dwelling in the Town of Webb, (Herkimer County).
The next Agency meeting will be held March 13th and 14th at the headquarters in Ray Brook.