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Letters
Accountability with ongoing expenditures
To the Editor: This is to address several county matters with an interest in accountability with ongoing expenditures. Recent articles have identified this area as “depressed” allowing for a large infusion of tax money projects. This includes $42 million in NY funds to build an International Cargo Facility. To me this is not wise use of our monies since the current domestic facility with the high costs of air freight is underutilized and unproven except for a small feeder for FedEx. And to label us a “suburb of Montreal” is risky and farfetched considering the pitfalls such as laws and the unratified economic MCA that can make this plan a liability for taxpayers. The annual county operating budget for the airport is $7.8 million. We are entitled to know what the revenue generated to offset this is, such as passenger ticket, parking, rental fees, etc. We should know how this airport is performing. Perhaps we should consider ourselves a suburb of Burlington which would explain the low load factor performance of subsidized SkyWest Airlines here, our only “essential” feeder compared to the many flight options at Burlington airport. For the first 8 months of this year, the official load factor for SkyWest here is a poor 55 percent with a target of about 82 percent considered healthy. Likewise, it will be hard to attract an “unsubsidized” international carrier to this uncontrolled and limited feed airport. Further, the twelve thousand annual enplanements may be hard to fulfill, thus increasing the costs to us taxpayers. The County has set aside “reserve funds” to cover such costs which is disturbing. Many residents need such funds outside of this airport gamble. Besides, Spirit Airlines offers us a large international hub at the Fort Lauderdale Airport. Cut costs and be transparent. — Geoffrey B. Barker, Plattsburgh ■
From BAIL REFORM » pg. 1
The new bail reform also confirms that anyone arrested that isn’t in for a “qualifying offense,” or a violent felony, will have mandatory release and owe less or no money for bail if the arrested isn’t a “flight risk.” Some of these crimes which doesn’t require bail include reckless endangerment, third degree assault, second-degree manslaughter, petty larceny, criminal mischief and more without violence. Those arrested and released with a ticket may also be given incentive to get them to come back for the arraignment. “Someone breaks into your home and commits a crime, they are given an appearance ticket and they get to go home,” Essex County District Attorney Kristy Sprague said. “How safe would you feel in your home that night?” The discovery of information in a criminal case is no longer limited to the day of court. Instead, the mandatory disclosure
The BG/NC Sun | December 7, 2019 • 7
SUNY Plattsburgh announces new president Alex Enyedi takes over By Sarah Elizabeth Morris STAFF WRITER
PLATTSBURGH | SUNY Plattsburgh recently announced its new president on Nov. 21, Alex Enyedi, selected by the State University of New York Board of Trustees. Enyedi is set to take place as president in January 2020, following the 15 year presidency of John Ettling, who retired in June 2019. “SUNY Plattsburgh is a special place and I am honored and excited to join the Cardinal family this January,” Enyedi said in a statement. “This tremendous opportunity will allow me to pursue my passion for serving students, empowering faculty and staff, and connecting
with community.” Enyedi provost and vice president for academic affairs at Humboldt State University in Arcata in California. He also spent his career as a professor, department chair, associate dean and senior associate dean in other universities in Michigan and Pennsylvania. “I have a passion to advance diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice,” Enyedi wrote in a message to Plattsburgh. “I have worked throughout my career to increase the number of traditionally underrepresented members of the college and advocated for gender equity and for the LGBTQ communities. I look forward to continuing this work at Plattsburgh.” A search for a new president started earlier in 2019 and came down to only women finalists. However, none of them were chosen and a new search was started
POLICE BLOTTER
Stolen camper discovered nearly decade later; men charged ALTONA | Authorities say they recently found a 35-foot camper that was reported missing from the Peru area more than seven years ago. The missing Keystone Outback camper trailer was discovered abandoned on Devil Den Road earlier this month and has led to the arrests of two men in connection with its theft. Through a joint investigation by State Police and Clinton County Sheriff’s Department, Michael H. Smith Jr., 46, and David J. Doner, 58, both of Peru, were arrested on charges of third-degree criminal possession of stolen property relating to the July 2012 theft.
of information is due within 15 days of the arraignment, or charge, date. The defendant and defense team may also visit the original crime scene, wherever that may be. Along with that, the defenders and prosecutors must gather all evidence within those two weeks and share it with each other before the trial. “By imposing accelerated discovery timelines, the reform may shrink case processing times, resulting in shorter jail stays for defendants held in pretrial detention,” the original discovery reform bill states. “By facilitating a defendant’s ability to prepare a defense, the reform may also result in fewer prison or jail sentences.” Falling under the discovery of materials for trial includes names and contact information, work affiliation of law enforcement, statements from those with information, all electronic recordings or stored information, materials such as drawing or photographs favorable to the defense, search warrants and
Alex Enyedi was chosen to take over as president for SUNY Plattsburgh. He will return to Plattsburgh before the start of the spring semester.
Photo provided by SUNY Plattsburgh
over the summer. Enyedi was chosen after a new search committee was formed and Enyedi did a live web interview to make his announcement as president. He will come to Plattsburgh in early January to prepare for his new job as president. ■
Both men will reappear in Altona Town Court later this month to face the charges. ■
Peru man facing meth-production charges PERU | Police say they found methamphetamine production materials at a local man’s home earlier this month. That alleged discovery landed Travis M. Pescia behind bars on charges of third-degree unlawfully manufacturing methamphetamine and criminal possession of precursors of methamphetamine, both felonies. State Police said Pescia was arraigned on the charges in Peru Town Court and sent to Clinton County Jail on $2,000 cash bail or $4,000 bond. Pescia will reappear in court later this month to face the allegations. ■
any lab work - all in 15 days. New York Assemblyman Dan Stec spoke against the law and how it would financially hurt New York and it’s tight billion dollar budget. “This is a broken budget process,” Stec said. “It’s a process of cramming things into a $176 billion state budget, cramming significant changes in policies - controversial changes in policies that ought to be able to have three days to be kicked around the public and of course with the state constitution to make sure that this is in fact in the people’s interest.” Though there was voting on the bail reform, the law ended up passing in a private session in Albany with the governor. New York State Assemblyman Billy Jones, though not at the event, spoke on the process of approving the law. “With over 20 years of law enforcement experience, I completely understand the need for responsible bail reform. However, for the past two legislative sessions, I have consistently
voted no on the provisions that were presented to the Assembly as both stand alone bills, and in the budget, because I believe the legislation went too far and is not only presenting a severe public safety risk, but is pushing too many mandates on our local governments, too quickly,” Jones said. “I am standing with our local prosecutors, law enforcement officials, and the overwhelming majority of constituents that have contacted my office, to oppose these new laws. These laws tie the hands of prosecutors and law enforcement officials, while putting too many dangerous criminals back on the streets. It is for these reasons that I voted against the bail reform measures that have been put forth in the legislature and I am calling on my colleagues to work with our judicial and law enforcement partners to scale back these conditions. We must ensure the safety of the public is not jeopardized, while trying to find common sense solutions on bail reform and discovery.” ■
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DEC. 6
Elizabethtown » ACAP’s Holidays
are for Sharing Toy Drive held at The Halfway House; 5:00 PM. Donate a new, unopened toy to help provide gifts to the children of Essex County, NY. Appetizers will be served. Basket raffles and 50/50 drawing will be available. Saranac Lake » NorthWind Fine Arts Reception for “A Once in a Blue Moon Sale” held at NorthWind Fine Arts; 5:00 PM. NorthWind Fine Arts invites you to the opening reception for our December “Once in a Blue Moon Sale.” The reception is free and open to the public, and light refreshments will be served. Plattsburgh » Holiday Potluck Supper held at Conservation Building, Clinton County Fairgrounds; 5:30 PM. Bring your own place setting and a dish or dessert to share. Rob and Jaki Roy, co-authors of The Coincidental Traveler: Adventure Travel for Budget Minded Grown-ups, will present a slide show of their travels to Colombia and Ciudad Perdita. Saranac Lake » Light Up Saranac Lake! held at Berkeley Green; 5:30 PM. Join us as we light the Balsam tree in Berkeley Green and partake in a festive holiday sing-a-long led by Northern Lights Choir. Gather for the parade as area fire trucks are decorated in bright lights and decorations! Paul Smith » Made at Paul Smith’s College held at Paul Smiths VIC; 6:00 PM. Come celebrate the
DEC. 7TH
Downtown Plattsburgh Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting
creativity of our community with our annual Made @ PSC art show and sale! A great place to find some lastminute holiday gifts and trinkets all produced by Paul Smith’s College staff, faculty, students, and alumni (cash only). Chazy » Angel of Hope Candlelight Vigil held at Riverview Cemetery; 6:00 PM. The Candlelight Vigil brings thousands together across the nation to mourn the loss of a child and to lay a white flower at the base of the Christmas Box Angel in their home towns. Please join us afterwards for hot cocoa and cookies. Rouses Point » Annual Christmas Parade of Toys held at Rouse Memorial Park; 6:45 PM. Everyone is invited to meet at Rouse Park where the Parade of Toys will begin. Santa Claus and Mrs.Claus will lead the Parade to the Peg Huchro Memorial Gazebo, where carols will be sung and the tree will be lit. Saranac Lake » Angel of Hope Remembrance Ceremony held at Adirondack Medical Center; 7:00 PM. There will be a candlelight remembrance ceremony for the children who have died. It is held outside so please dress warm! It is traditional to bring a white flower. All are welcome. Refreshments following in the lobby.
DEC. 7
Port Kent » Birding at Wickham
Marsh Wildlife Management Area Hike held at Wickham Marsh Wildlife Management Area; 8:00 AM. Join Champlain Area Trails’ team member Derek Rogers for a morning of birding at Wickham Marsh. To ensure participants get the full experience, we are capping this outing at 20 people. For registration info: www. champlainareatrails. com/our-events/ Lake Placid » St. Agnes School Christmas Bazaar held at St. Agnes School; 9:00 AM. There are trees, wreaths, plants, gifts, toys, crafts, baked goods, raffles, silent auction items
and so much more. Vendor space is available. Please call Kathleen at 518-523-3771 or email info@ stagneslp.org. West Chazy » Plattsburgh Farmers & Crafters Market Holiday Shopping Day held at Former West Chazy Elementary School; 9:00 AM. Please come and support your local farmers market vendors! Santa will be visiting from 11-12 and will be available for pictures and giving out cookies! Willsboro » Christmas Greens Tea held at Willsboro Congregational Church; 9:00 AM. Soup and sandwich luncheon 11am to 1pm, food table, collectibles, crafts, glass & silver table & wreaths. Essex » Christmas in Essex held in Downtown Essex; 9:30 AM. Santa and Mrs. Claus have decided to visit with the children of Essex (and neighboring towns). Hear first hand what they want for Christmas! It’s a magical time on Main Street in Essex! Join us for this wonderful celebration! Saranac Lake » Fall & Winter Farmers’ Market held at Hotel Saranac; 10:00 AM. Join the Saranac Lake Farmers’ Market as it moves inside at the Hotel Saranac. Local vendors will be selling Veggies, Meats, Eggs, Cheeses, Breads, Distillery, Herbal Wellness, Crafts and more! Plattsburgh » Christmas Tea and Bazaar held at First Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall; 12:00 PM. Featuring: Fresh Balsam Christmas Wreaths, Bake Shop, Specialty Crafts and Boutique Shop, Hand knits, Deli with hot soups, Christmas Shop, Fine Collectibles, and White Elephant corner. We invite all to enjoy the Silver Tea with sandwiches and cookies Morrisonville » Spaghetti Dinner held at St Alexander’s; 4:00 PM. St. Alexander’s and Knights of Columbus Council 6067 are hosting a homemade Spaghetti Dinner with meatballs, salad, garlic bread and assorted drinks. Donations are $9/ adults, $5/ 5 to 12 and under 5 is free. Donations support the K of C charities. Plattsburgh » Free Hot Chocolate and Cookies held at First Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall; 5:00 PM. Warm up and share some holiday cheer at the First
To list your event call (518) 873-6368 ext. 225 or email calendar@suncommunitynews.com. You can also submit your event on our website! Go to: suncommunitynews.com/upcoming-events
Presbyterian Church! This coincides Community United Methodist with the City of Plattsburgh parade Church; 11:30 AM. Our congregation and tree lighting ceremony. Please sponsors the Community Soup & join us. Sandwich lunch on the 2nd Monday of every month. Lunch is provided Plattsburgh » Downtown by the church to our community free Plattsburgh Holiday Parade and of charge. Tree Lighting held at Plattsburgh City Hall Rotunda; 5:30 PM. The DEC. 13 parade begins at 5:30 pm, starting Lake Placid » Lake Placid on Brinkerhoff St. Following the Holiday Village Stroll held at parade and a performance by Various Locations in Lake Placid; Center Stage, the Strand Center The weekend is chock full of for the Arts will be hosting the Tree events, including lots of free kids Lighting. activities. Santa will be making an Plattsburgh » Film Screening: appearance in several locations. “The Valley of Gwangi,” (1969) There will also be dining specials held at Newman Center; 7:00 PM. and live entertainment into the late A 50th-anniversary showing of evening. See the website for full Ray Harryhausen’s classic. Series schedule. host Andy MacDougall calls it “The Lake Placid » Skating Party in Godfather of Jurassic Park.” Free, the 1932 Arena held at Lake Placid with donations welcome. (free food Olympic Center; 5:00 PM. Enjoy as well). the free skating party in the Jack Plattsburgh » Strand Film Classic: Shea Arena 1932 Rink. Bring your How the Grinch Stole Christmas! own skates or rentals are available. held at Strand Center Theatre; 7:30 There will be a special appearance PM. Join us for a free showing of this by Santa! Christmas classic! Approximately Essex » Pleasant Valley Chorale 7:30pm, 30 Minutes following the Holiday Concert: With Angelic end of the tree lighting ceremony. Song held at Essex Community Church; 7:00 PM. A warm holiday DEC. 7 - DEC. 8 (and not-so holiday) program about Plattsburgh » Holiday Open angels in our lives, both Christmas House held at Clinton County Historical Association and Museum; and otherwise. Featuring music by Fauré, Handel, John Rutter and 10:00 AM. The Open House more. Free, donations accepted. provides a special opportunity to visit the Museum and find unique gifts for family and friends. The first 25 Open House visitors each day will receive free gifts, one per family. Plattsburgh » Kent-Delord House Museum Holiday Open House held S AT U R DAY at Kent-Delord House Museum; FILL THOSE 11:00 AM. This year’s theme is SEATS TODAY! Storybook Holidays and will include JAN. Let us help decorations and refreshments provided. Come and join us for Spread the Word and Watch this free event (donations to the Your Event Take Off With an museum will be gratefully received).
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DEC. 8
Enhanced Ad.
Dannemora » Annual Christmas
Pageant: “Faith, Hope and Christmas” held at Dannemora Community United Methodist Church; 11:00 AM. Please join us in celebrating Christmas at our Annual Pageant. This year’s title is “Faith, Hope and Christmas”.
DEC. 9
Dannemora » Free Community Lunch held at Dannemora
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