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August 22, 2009
A Denton Publication
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Remembering Katrina Film highlights endangered Louisiana wetlands By Matt Bosley matt@denpubs.com LAKE PLACID — Far removed from the devastation that consumed New Orleans, La., four years ago, many residents of Lake Placid may be unaware of the ongoing effort to revive the Gulf Coast. That’s certainly not the case with Stephanie Short. A Lake Placid native, Short was an undergraduate student at Tulane University in New Orleans when Hurricane Katrina hit on Aug. 29, 2005. It was then that she and her roommates were forced to evacuate their off-campus apartment. “We went out to Houston, and we had to watch the whole thing on the weather channel,” said Short, noting how she and her friends stayed glued to the television to find out the status of friends and belongings left behind. When the school re-opened in January 2005, Short returned and was stunned by the aftermath, witnessing first hand what many of her friends in the area had lost; cars, homes, and even family members. “It was just tragic,” said Short, “especially since it seems like more could have been done to prevent it.” Short went on to earn her Bachelor ’s and Master ’s degrees from Tulane, majoring in Ecology. Her concern for the region led her to an internship with the Gulf Restoration Network, a nonprofit coalition of organizations and individuals committed to restoring the Gulf of Mexico to an ecologically and biologically sustainable condition. It was through her work there that she learned of a larger and ongoing issue facing Louisiana’s Gulf Coast: the continuous loss of vital wetlands. Short explained that the wetland loss is caused by the way the Mississippi River is dammed. This, coupled with erosion caused by a maze of shipping canals and artificial fill for development purposes means Louisiana’s wetlands are disappearing at an alarming rate. According to GRN, Louisiana loses a football field's worth of wetlands every 45 minutes. The loss of these wetlands threatens not only Louisiana's well-being, they say, but the environment and economy of the entire nation as they are a hub for 30 percent of the nation’s oil resources, a home to major fisheries, a buffer for hurricanes, and native ecosystem of several unique and endangered species. On Friday, Aug. 28, at 7 p.m. The Pines Inn in Lake Placid will be one of hundreds of venues across the country to host the Katrina Anniversary film screening of a new documentary, "Paradise Faded: The Fight for Louisiana." The GRN-sponsored film aims to remind the nation that Louisiana’s coast and communities have not yet recovered. “I went to New Orleans after Katrina and saw a lot of the damage.” said Kathy Pfohl, who volunteered to organize the local screening. “I can’t believe it’s been four years and there are still people out of their homes.” There is no charge for the event. A "Rediscover New Orleans" raffle will be held to help with funding for GRN. Prizes include two nights at the Intercontinental New Orleans and brunch for two, a $500 gift card on the airline of your choice, and $150 gift certificates for two famous New Orleans restaurants. Postcards will be available for guests to fill out, asking their Senators and Congressmen for action for Louisiana's coastal wetlands.
See KATRINA, page 8
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Proposed carousel gets second wind By Matt Bosley matt@denpubs.com SARANAC LAKE — Community members looking to construct a new attraction in Saranac Lake are hoping their efforts will take on new life with their latest grant award. The Adirondack Carousel project, a nonprofit organization aimed at building and maintaining a full-size, handcrafted carousel, was recently awarded a $100,000 grant from the New York State Department of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. “We are thrilled to have this additional funding,” said Ted Glowa, president of the Adirondack Carousel’s all-volunteer board. “It is also very encouraging that the State is continuing to support our efforts to bring a community carousel to the Adirondacks despite the economic downturn,” he added. “They clearly view the carousel as a project that will have a positive impact in the Tri-Lakes region.” The brainchild of local woodcarver Karen Loffler, the carousel is seen by many as a way to strengthen the local economy by providing entertainment while encouraging respect for the environment and an appreciation for the Adirondack region. The carousel is planned to be housed in an enclosed, timberframe, decagonal pavilion with space for community programs and special events. The Village of Saranac Lake has already al-
This artist’s rendering shows an approximate plan for the Adirondack Carousel at its proposed site in William Morris Play Park. Board members in charge of the project are hoping a new grant from the State Parks and Recreation Department will encourage more people to join in the fundraising efforts. Image courtesy of Adirondack Carousel
lotted a site for the building in the William Morris Play Park, conveniently located near the business district and Adirondack Scenic Railroad train depot on the corner of Bloomingdale Avenue and Depot Street. Instead of the traditional horses, it will feature 23 unique wooden wildlife figures that are native to the region, all handcarved by volunteer artists from across the country. Examples in-
clude a blue heron, hermit thrush, bobcat, skunk, beaver, red fox, bass, and river otter, many of which are already completed and on display in various art galleries around the North Country. The Adirondack Carousel project got its first big boost in November 2007 when it was awarded a $240,000 matching grant from the Parks and Recreation Department’s Environ-
mental Protection Fund. The funding allowed the organization to hire a director and mount a capital campaign. The first phase of the project successfully raised over $400,000 for construction, and attracted more than $200,000 in in-kind donations, mostly in the form of the carved figures, which are valued at about $1,500 apiece. The economic downturn in
See CAROUSEL, page 7
Court upholds Sprague’s candidacy By Matt Bosley matt@denpubs.com ELIZABETHTOWN — A lawsuit aimed at getting one Essex County District Attorney candidate off the ballot has been rejected in court. Five Elizabethtown residents filed a claim in July, arguing that Republican-endorsed candidate Kristy Sprague’s petition signatures had to be declared invalid because she is not a resident of Essex County. Incumbent DA Julie Garcia was also named among the petitioners in the suit. Justice Robert J. Muller handled the case in Essex County Supreme Court, and delivered his decision Aug. 14. He cited precedents that dealt with the state Election Law. “Based upon this, it is clear ‘‘the only requirement’ imposed by the State Board of Elections ‘is that the candidate be a resident at the time of election,’’” Muller wrote. Sprague called the trial a publicity stunt on the part of Garcia and a waste of time and resources. “My opponent was wrong on the law and wrong on the facts,” said Sprague, “just simply wrong.”
Gregory and Barbara Krieger, Nancy Dawson, and Malcolm and Judyth Martin were the five residents to bring the suit. All are registered Republicans. Attorney James Walsh, who represented the petitioners in the case, said he was disappointed with the outcome. “I believe the constitutional office of District Attorney does require that person to live in the county in which they serve,” he said. “I think I provided the judge with case law supporting that.” Sprague currently lives in Clinton County where she serves as the Assistant DA, but has expressed a desire to move to Essex County before the November 3 Election. Sprague won the Republican endorsement over Garcia, who later gained the endorsement of Democrats. Garcia has remained a registered Republican, however, and plans to face Sprague in the Sept. 15 primary. “I am very pleased the voters will have a choice in the upcoming election,” said Sprague. “I look forward to being on the September ballot as the endorsed Republican candidate.” The two candidates are set to face off in
Kristy Sprague a debate on Thursday, Aug. 27 at 6 p.m. at the Elizabethtown-Lewis Central School. Editors note: Readers may submit questions for the candidates in the upcoming debate by sending them via e-mail to matt@denpubs.com or addressing them to Denton Publications, Attn: Matt Bosley, P.O. Box 338, Elizabethtown, NY 12932.