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March 6, 2010
A Denton Publication
History
Special
Sports
‘Epic Stories of the Iroquois’ at Adirondack Museum.
See our centerfold on National Problem Gambling Week.
Both Orange teams lose their chance at championship runs.
Pages 9-12
Page 4
Page 13
Stiles is willing Newcomb firefighters brave the cold to compromise Participate in cold water rescue training By Lindsay Yandon
By Jon Alexander
lindsay@denpubs.com
denpubs@denpubs.com RAY BROOK — Adirondack Park Agency Chairman Curt Stiles said this week he’s willing to consider some changes to the APA Act, including one that would doubtlessly delight many local leaders. In a commentary released Friday, Stiles wrote that moving enforcement hearings into local courts is a concept with merit. “The use of the local court system for enforcement cases is one idea which merits further discussion,” Stiles said. Local officials argue that the agency’s current role of assessing a landowner ’s compliance with APA regulations, then holding quasi-judicial hearings, determining guilt and imposing fines amounts to one board acting as judge, jury and executioner. Most violations never reach the enforcement phase, however, as landowners and agency staff are usually able to negotiate a resolution. According to the annual 2009 APA report, agency staff resolved about 550 cases, while only a handful moved into enforcement proceedings. In a recent state Supreme Court decision, Acting Justice Richard Meyer concluded that the APA Enforcement Committee and its Chairman, Commissioner Cecil Wray, had overstepped its legal bounds when it attempted to impose jurisdiction over the building rights of town of Essex farmer and former Wall Street executive Sandy Lewis. The agency is currently championing three
See STILES, page 7
NEWCOMB — In early February, members of the Newcomb Volunteer Fire Department slid into cold water rescue suits and jumped into the icy water of Lake Julia in Newcomb — just for practice. The Newcomb VFD has been participating in cold water rescue training for more than seven years. The recent refresher was taught by DEC Forest Ranger Del Jeffries of Newcomb. With the presence of several bodies of water in Newcomb, Fire Chief Mark Yandon insists the department be prepared for any accidents that may happen near or in those waters. Participants go through both classroom teaching and practical rescues during their training. Newcomb sees the occasional snowmobile accident on their lakes and is prepared to rescue anyone who may fall through the ice. “Unfortunately, we will never know what a real rescue
Members of the Newcomb Volunteer Fire Department recently participated in cold water rescue training on Lake Julia in Newcomb. Photo courtesy of NVFD
feels like until we have one,” said Yandon. “We can’t practice without the suits on.” With talk of the growth in local trail systems, such train-
Happy Birthday Alice Duncan of Newcomb turned 90 years old last week. She is pictured here with her daughter Suzann Stith, granddaughter Bridget Stith and Kayleigh Soentik - the international student from Suriname, who is hosted by the Stith family. A party for Duncan was hosted by the Women of the United Methodist Church at their community hall in Newcomb. Duncan was once the president of the Women of the United Methodist Church. Photo by Jackie LaCourse
ing is becoming more valuable given the increased snowmobile traffic, Yandon said. Yandon spoke of the importance of cold water rescue in
areas where snowmobiling is popular. “Being trained will enhance our ability to save a life,” he said.
Sporty’s Iron Duke Saloon to host "We Love Bridgette" benefit dinner By Lindsay Yandon lindsay@denpubs.com MINERVA — Sporty's Iron Duke Saloon will offer its space on Saturday, March 13 for a benefit dinner for Bridgette Connelly. Connelly recently underwent simple surgery and experienced several major complications. She is still in critical condition at Albany Medical Center. The event will begin at 5 p.m. and all are welcome to attend. Connelly is engaged to Minerva resident and Minerva Central School graduate Travis Howe. “There are so many unexpected costs related to the stay in Albany, and both Bridgette and Travis will be out of work for an undetermined amount of time,” said benefit coordinator Mike Lamphear. “We want to do anything we can to help them out.” The event is free of charge, but donations are appreciated. The evening will feature several raffles as well as a buffet style dinner and live music by Dreaded Wheat. An account has been set up at at Cooper's Cave Credit Union in Glens Falls for donations. They can be sent to the “We Love Bridgette” fund at 92 Dix Ave, 12801-3158. For more information, contact Mike Lamphear at 791-5832 or Ruby Boya at 648-0140.
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