ECRWSS PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID DENTON PUBLICATIONS/ NEW MARKET PRESS PO Box 338 Elizabethtown NY 12932 Postal Patron
Saturday,ÊM archÊ19,Ê2016
>>
www.SunCommunityNews.com
In OUTDOORS | pg. 11
>>
Symbiotic relationship
In OPINION | pg. 4
The decent thing to do
Anglers gather to discuss salmon restoration
Editorial weighs paid family leave issues
Loss of North Creek volunteer felt by many
>>
In INDIAN LAKE | pg. 10
Townsend for town board Councilmen vote to purchase property
Performance artists
By Christina Scanlon
christina@suncommunitynews.com
JOHNSBURG — Firefighters from across town prepared for a difficult gathering earlier this week after the death of Leo Joseph Kushi Jr. The 41-year-old died of natural causes at his home last week. He was a member and assistant chief for the North Creek Volunteer Fire Department. “There are six departments in North Creek, but when one feels pain, they all feel pain,” said Brian LaFlure, Warren County Emergency Services Director. Services for Kushi, who dedicated 15 years to his department and had two young sons, were held Tuesday. “We acknowledge his years of service to our community and express our appreciation,” said Johnsburg Town Supervisor Ron Vanselow. “We share in the sorrow with his family, not just for his children, but the brotherhood of fire fighters. They are family.” LaFlure said “A number of volunteer departments met over the weekend, offering support for each other and planning their respects for the services.” “Ladder trucks with flags were arranged to stand at the entrance of St. Therese Catholic Church”, said LaFlure. An outpouring of support and condolences began appearing on the North Creek Volunteer Fire Department Facebook page moments after Kushi’s death was announced. “Leo was such an amazing Dad and a great role model and has so much love for his sons and family. Right, very close behind, is his great love for all of his friends North Creek Volunteer Fire Company Inc. He is with you in your hearts and on your shoulder wherever you are. Carry on - you make him smile down on you,” wrote Sharon Taylor. A representative from The Alpine Lodge wrote, “RIP, Leo. Know that your friends and family love you, miss you and will honor your memory by doing the best WE can for our families’ neighbors and friends all with honor, valor, sacrifice, and courage. We will volunteer our time more often. You made your mark on our lives.” According to Kushi’s obituary, in lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to Community Bank of North Creek to assist Leo’s sons Patrick and Michael.
Johnsburg Central School musicians Tyler Glover, Victoria Glover, Sara Pierson and Ethan Dunbar performed for the student Art Reception Friday, March 11, at Tannery Pond Community Center. The musicians are students of Mary Leach and the artists are students of Maria Glode. Photo provided
No joke, most Adirondack waters fishable by April 1 Mild winter has anglers excited By Christina Scanlon
christina@suncommunitynews.com
RAY BROOK — One of the mildest winters on record will give fishermen a rare opportunity to the start of the 2016 trout season. “Anglers interested in Adirondack trout streams may actually be able to access and fish many of our streams in early April this year, several weeks earlier than usual,” said David Winchell, a spokesman with the state Department of Environmental Conservation. “Anglers possibly could be fishing on opening day, a rarity in the Adirondacks.” Anticipation for April 1 is high around the region. “People are definitely excited,” said Luke Haines, manager of Fish 307 in Lake George. “Typically, we see that when we get the first warm up,” he said. “That’s when we get the first rush.”
Haines said people are already prepping. “Guides are getting ready. People are getting their reels ready.” The store, which offers bait and tackle and is an authorized service center for downriggers and trolling motors, has been fielding calls from outside the region. “We’ve had six to 10 calls so far from New York City and New Jersey from people who want to put their boats in this weekend,” he said of calls that came in last week. Trout fishing is allowed year-round on Lake George, and while there was some ice-fishing this winter, “the window was short,” said Haines of the abbreviated four to six week season. “Spring fishing should be better because of the sheer number of ice fisherman not able to fish,” he said. In Crown Point, Norm St. Pierre, of Norm’s Bait and Tackle, was witnessing the same excitement last week. “We’re getting out on boats here real quick,” he said. “They are already catching salmon.” Though docks and launches in Lake Champlain haven’t >> See FISHING | pg. 3