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August 15, 2009
A Denton Publication
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Money talk
Health
Coupon Queen
Supervisors mull over two salaried positions amid hiring freeze.
Essex County has the highest rate of type 2 diabetes in the region.
Jill asks the question, do stores lose when couponers win?
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Dam sediment release leads to costly fine By Matt Bosley matt@denpubs.com NORTH ELBA — A North Elba Ranch accused of releasing dam sediment into the AuSable River has plead guilty to a pair of Environmental Conservation Law misdemeanors. Indian Pass Ranch, located on the Adirondack Loj Road in North Elba, Essex County, operates a dam on North Meadow Brook, a tributary of the AuSable River ’s West Branch. In September 2007, Indian Pass Ranch allegedly discharged sediment from behind the dam into the brook. The sediments were carried downstream and entered the AuSable, said DEC spokesman David Winchell. DEC’s Bureau of Environmental Crimes Investigation and DEC fisheries and water staff launched an investigation which eventually resulted in Indian Pass Ranch pleading guilty in North Elba Town Court to unlawfully disturbing the beds of the streams without a DEC permit and unlawfully repairing a dam without a DEC permit. “Uncontrolled sediment discharges can damage aquatic habitat by silting over stream bottoms requiring enforcement action by DEC,” stated Betsy Lowe, DEC Region 5 Director. “We need to be vigilant in the protection of the waters of Adirondacks and the rest of the State.” On May 4, Indian Pass Ranch and owner Joseph Barile had entered into an “Order on Consent” in resolution of DEC’s administrative action for the same two violations and, additionally, for discharging matter into waters causing or contributing to a contravention of the water quality standards. Under the plea settlement and the consent order, Indian Pass Ranch and Barile paid a total of $62,250 in fines and penalties. Of that, $22,500 was provided to the Au Sable River Association to be used for the conservation and maintenance of the river. In addition, Indian Pass Ranch must obtain a permit authorizing repairs of the dam and bring it into compliance with all dam safety regulations.
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Candidates chosen for Congressional election Scozzafava, Hoffman, Owens named as frontrunners in three-way race By Matt Bosley matt@denpubs.com The candidates have been chosen for an anticipated special election in the 23rd Congressional District. Committee members in the major parties have selected their candidates to fill the seat of Rep. John McHugh, who is expected to have his presidential nomination as Secretary of the Army confirmed in the next few weeks. Republican candidate Diedre “Dede” ScozzafaThis story was first va, Conposted on-line at 2 servative p.m., August 11 on candidate www.Denpubs.com Doug Hoffman, and Democratic candidate Bill Owens have emerged as the frontrunners in a three-way race for the yet-to-be-vacated seat. Scozzafava, 49, of Gouverneur, is a State Assemblywoman representing New York’s 122nd district, which makes up Lewis, much of St. Lawrence, and Jefferson Counties. She was chosen July 22 by a committee of GOP party chairs in each of the 11 counties within the Congressional District. “I’m very honored to have received the nomination,” she said, praising the open process by which party chairs interviewed the field of nine candidates. She has also been endorsed by the Independence party. Scozzafava said she plans to focus her campaign on issues like job creation, economic development, and energy costs, which she sees as important. “I think there's a very independent streak of people in the 23rd Congressional District,” said Scozzafava, “and I think there are a lot of people tired of party politics.” Essex County Republican chair Ron Jackson described Scozzafava as an excellent candidate and a proven
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vote-getter. Though she tends to be more moderate on social issues like abortion and gay marriage, he said her record of fiscal conservatism should outweigh concerns that she is too liberal. "I think that the majority of people understand her and will support her," said Jackson. "I don't think she will lose as (many voters) as she will gain for her consistency." Some of Scozzafava’s left-leaning views have put off many conservative Republicans, however, and Conservative party leaders chose Lake Placid accountant Doug Hoffman to challenge her. Hoffman, 59, is the managing partner of Dragon, Benware, Crowley & Co., an accounting firm with offices throughout the North Country. He had originally run as a Republican, but sought the Conservative nod after GOP leaders chose Scozzafava. He was chosen Aug. 6 by a committee of party chairs. “I have not left the Republican Party,” Hoffman said at an Aug 5. press conference in Plattsburgh. “The Republican Party has left me and has turned its back on the voters of the 23rd Congressional District and on the values that made our party strong.” Hoffman said his more socially
conservative views better reflect the moral fiber of North Country voters, and that Scozzafava is too willing to allow government spending. “I am a fiscal conservative who believes that our government leaders are spending money we don’t have,” he said. “Ms. Scozzafava may say she is a fiscal conservative, but her record in Albany says otherwise.” Though he has never been an elected official, Hoffman said his experience as a business owner and former board member of the Adirondack Economic Development Corporation speaks to his ability to create jobs. The field of candidates expanded once more on Aug. 10 when Democratic party chairs decided on Plattsburgh lawyer Bill Owens as their candidate. Owens, 60, is an attorney with Stafford, Owens, Pillar, Murnane & Trombley PLLC in Plattsburgh. He is a veteran of the Air Force and has had a hand in forming the Plattsburgh Airbase Redevelopment Corporation (PARC). “I’ve devoted my career to serving our country and helping create jobs in New York State,” Owens said. “I am running for Congress to use my experience to get our local economy moving again and create good pay-
ing jobs.” Owens said he was proud to have the support of Democratic party leaders, who called him “an effective, independent voice for our priorities.” “I’ll work to bring home federal investments for our infrastructure and schools, private business investment like we brought into PARC, and help for our dairy farmers who are suffering from severe price deflation. And I’ll work to make sure our servicemen and women at Fort Drum get the support they deserve.” If history is any indicator, Owens may have his work cut out for him. No Democrat has been elected to Congress in the region since the 1870s. Registered Republicans outnumber Democrats in the district about three to two. Governor David Paterson, who is charged with setting a date for the special election, has yet to do so. Jackson said holding the special election along with the rest of the November 2009 elections would save money and effort for the 11 counties involved. "I think the Governor will show some common sense and have it then," he said.
XTERRA Triathlon races into Lake Placid, Aug. 22-23 LAKE PLACID — Strength and endurance will be tested again when a new triathlon races through the Lake Placid region, Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 22-23. Much different than the recent Ironman Lake Placid triathlon, the world-famous XTERRA triathlon features a 1,500-meter swim, a 25k mountain bike ride and a 10k trail run. The Inaugural XTERRA Lake Placid triathlon, organized by Tri and Du It Multisports, is one of almost 50 to 60 XTERRA races in the United States each year and one of almost 15 XTERRA international competitions. “Lake Placid and the Adirondack region represent the Live More philosophy of XTERRA with all the outdoor activities and lifestyles,” said race
director J.P. Latkovic. “The area is about being outdoors and being active and this event is the same thing.” On Aug. 22, the day prior the XTERRA triathlon event, there will be a 10k and 5k trail run on the same run course as the triathlon. The 10k race begins at 9 a.m., followed by the 5k run at 9:05. The race will start and end inside the Olympic oval. Sunday's triathlon begins with the mass start swim at 8 a.m. The stage consists of two 750 meter rectangular loops. Upon completing the first loop of the event, the athletes will run 100 feet on the beach to re-enter the water and complete the same loop. Upon finishing the swim, athletes will have to run a quarter-mile to the transition area in the Olympic oval to begin the bike stage, which
will be followed by the race's final event; the run. Both stages will take on portions of the Jack Rabbit Trail. Athletes can still register for the XTERRA Lake Placid triathlon. The minimum age to compete is 13. Registration will be held on the Olympic oval Aug. 21 from noon to 6 p.m., Aug. 22 from 7-9 a.m. and Aug. 23 from 6-8 a.m. All racers receive a race shirt and race goodie bag. Volunteers are still needed in the race's transition area swim course, bike aid and run stations, finish line and registration. Volunteers are also needed to assist in the race's set-up and breakdown. For more information about the XTERRA Triathlon, visit www.XTERRAlakeplacid.com.