Look Inside:
January 18, 2014
Editorial
Smoking age should be 21
N News ws
Enterprise En
Page 6
2014
4 192
A Denton Publication
Where’s the melt?
Serving the Upper Hudson River Region
FREE • Take One
This Week
CARDBOARD CHAMP
MINERVA
By Seth Lang
seth@denpubs.com ELIZABETHTOWN Ñ Officials throughout the region are using more sand and salt on area roads this winter. An unusual number of ice storms and temperature fluctuations have many local highway departments exhausting their supplies at a rapid pace. Ò The ice storms weÕ ve had this year have demanded a significant more amount of sand and salt than normal snow storms,Ó said Westport Highway Superintendent Dennis Westover. Ò WeÕ ve already used what we did all of last year and thereÕ s still a lot of winter left.Ó The town of Moriah is facing a similar plight, according to Moriah Highway Superintendent Jamie Wilson. Ò WeÕ ve depleted most of our reserve, and still have not received a salt order we placed before Christmas,Ó Wilson said. According to the Essex County Department of Public Works Supervisor Anthony LaVigne, the cost of transportation to the county is compounding the problem. Ò Essex County has the highest cost of transportation because itÕ s the furthest distance from any of the sources,Ó LaVigne said. Ò If, in fact, there is a demand for more supply we can purchase it from a privately contracted company and there would be no additional cost because our bid is done on an annual basis,Ó LaVigne said. LaVigne pointed out that the county tries to keep at least a 30 percent reserve at all times, maintaining 9,000 10,000 yards for an estimated annual use of 6,000 yards. CONTINUED ON PAGE 4
Locals part of ‘shot heard around the state’ PAGE 2 NEWCOMB
Santanoni to host open house weekends Bob Lewin was the grand champion of the 2013 Adirondack Cardboard Sled Racing Circuit. In 2013 Lewin raced in Long Lake, Indian Lake, and Inlet scoring overall points for the competition and walked away with a trophy for the first regional Cardboard Sledding race. Read about this year’s Cardboard Sled Race Circuit inside.
PAGE 3 SPORTS
Local Business effected by APA Classification By Seth Lang
seth@denpubs.com NEWCOMB Ñ For local business owners Ruth and Dave Olbert the recent classification given by the Adirondack Park Agency (APA) on the Essex Chain of Lakes came as fairly pleasing news. The Olberts own Cloud-Splitter Outfitters, which offers year-round cabin and outdoor equipment rentals and access to unspoiled wilderness on the Hudson River. Ò More access means more people and
weÕ re looking into ways to expand,Ó said Dave Olbert. Ò The biggest obstacle right now is financing our expansion.“ The 6,955 acre tract of land known as the Essex Chain of Lakes, southwest of Newcomb is named for its eight lakes and ponds. It was acquired by the state and recently classified by the Adirondack Park Agency as primitive. Under the primitive classification motorboats will not be permitted. First and Pine lakes will remain open to floatplanes and access points will be strategically located in
Wild Forest, to ensure easy access to all. The agency rejected a DEC proposal to allow planes to land on the largest in the chain, Third Lake. Motor vehicles will not have access in this primitive area, but disabled people will be allowed to drive to Fifth Lake along a short Wild Forest corridor. Most local officials were hoping the chain would be classified “Wild Forest”, which would have opened access to motor vehicles, floatplanes, motorboats and snowmobiles. CONTINUED ON PAGE 4
Local teams compete for victories PAGE 11
Minerva Volunteer Fire Department & Rescue Squad completes an active year By Mike Corey
denpubs@denpubs.com
Index MINERVA
2
NEWCOMB
3
PUBLISHER’S COLUMN
6
MILL CREEK MUSINGS
7
CALENDAR
9
CLASSIFIED
13
MINERVA Ñ The year 2013 proved to be yet another very busy one for the Minerva Volunteer Fire Department & Rescue Squad, which is staffed by an extremely dedicated group of community volunteers. Whether responding to someone having chest pain/difficulty breathing at 3 in the morning, quickly heading out to a chimney fire, standing-by with the ambulance for a community event, or responding to a motor vehicle accident with personal injuries, department personnel do what they do best: use their emergency medical and firefighting skills to help CONTINUED ON PAGE 4
Automotive Service, Inc.
SIGN UP TODAY!
www.newsenterprise.org
www.newsenterprise.org/alerts/manage/
Remember to keep clicking newsenterprise.org all day every day for the latest local news, featured stories and extras
Each week, we’ll send you the printed edition straight to your email’s inbox for FREE. Cancel any time. To sign up, simply go to
Online
518-623-5588
3943 Main St. Warrensburg, NY 12885
50688
A FULL SERVICE REPAIR FACILITY Facebook & Twitter
Become a “fan” on Facebook. Simply search keyword “News Enterprise” or follow our Tweets at
www.twitter.com/newsenterprise1