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September 19, 2009
A Denton Publication
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Crime
Coupon Queen
Arts
Third suspect arrested for break-ins.
Another best kept secret is revealed: Get two for the price of one.
Artists at Work Studio Tour will be held Sept. 25-27.
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McCulley: Grannis United Way sets fundraising sights on $700,000 should recuse himself Pacesetters put organization By Chris Morris denpubs@denpubs.com
at 21.6 percent of its goal By Jeremiah S. Papineau jeremiah@denpubs.com
LAKE PLACID — A Lake Placid man who won his battle against the state Department of Environmental Conservation over motorized access to the Old Mountain Road is asking that the department’s commissioner recuse himself from administrative proceedings and strike several petitions asking him to reconsider the decision. Jim McCulley and his attorney, Matthew Norfolk of Lake Placid, filed a motion Tuesday seeking to have DEC Commissioner Pete Grannis removed from all future hearings regarding the May decision in McCulley’s favor. According to a statement issued by Norfolk, Grannis failed to disclose ex parte communication with DEC staff counsel, the Adirondack Park Agency and the Adirondack Council. The motion specifically names Alison Crocker of the DEC, APA Chairman Curt Stiles and Adirondack Council Executive Director Brian Houseal. McCulley said Commissioner Grannis had an obligation to disclose the letters received by DEC that sought reconsideration of the decision. “The reason for that is because the APA and the Adirondack Council have both filed for third-party status in my case,” he said. “We’ve found that they have been sending letters to Mr. Grannis that they have not disclosed to me or my attorney and it really is showing an underlying taint of the commissioner ’s position as the judge because these letters are giving him legal advice, legal opinion, which, quite frankly, in these administrative hearings are not allowed.” In May, Grannis dismissed a ticket issued to McCulley for operating his pick-up truck on the Old Mountain Road, which runs between North Elba and Keene. McCulley drove on the trail with his snowmobile in 2003 and his pickup truck in 2005 so he could get ticketed and force the issue into court. State law prohibits the operation of motor vehicles on Forest Preserve land, but there are two exceptions to that rule: Motor vehicles can be used on a road that falls under the jurisdiction of a town highway department and where a legal right of way exists for public use. Although DEC staff had argued the Old Mountain Road had been formally abandoned by the towns, Grannis found that wasn’t the case. He also said the road “is a legal right of way for public use.” In dismissing the complaint against McCulley, Grannis took the recommendation of Administrative Law Judge James McClymonds, who presided over a three day hearing in the case in November 2007. Since the May decision, numerous groups have come forward requesting Grannis revisit his decision. Stiles wrote Grannis on June 3, stating that the decision failed to take into account “the legal effect of the Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan.” “As a result, it reaches the wrong conclusion and provides a precedent that could lead to years of unnecessary litigation and conflict over long-closed motor vehicle roads,” the letter reads. The letter also calls for the formal abandonment of Old Mountain Road pursuant to Highway Law 212. Stiles also offers “any resources we can bring to bear to assist in this outcome.” Houseal’s letter to Grannis bares strong resemblance. “The Adirondack Council strongly urges you
See McCULLEY, page 2
WEST PLATTSBURGH — And, they’re off. The United Way of Clinton and Essex Counties Inc. officially marked the beginning of their 2009-10 fundraising efforts with their annual fundraising campaign kick-off breakfast at American Legion Post 1619 Sept. 10. The event included the announcement this year ’s campaign team will again seek to raise $700,000 to benefit the 33 partner agencies of the local United Way. John C. Bernardi, the nonprofit organization’s executive director, announced “pacesetters” — businesses and individuals who begin early fundraising efforts — have so far raised $151,426.62, bringing the campaign to 21.6 percent of its overall goal. Bernardi credited the success of the campaign’s start to the “good cross-section” of those in the community who continue to lend a hand to the United Way. “We’re well-represented and it’s just a tremendous asset, I think, to be so strongly supported by such a wide range of groups and individuals,” said Bernardi. “We’re truly blessed in this region in many ways. Mainly because people get involved and they’re compassionate and they’re caring towards their friends and their neighbors. It really shows.”
Gail Bridge, human resources director for Champlain National Bank, shakes the hand of John C. Bernardi, executive director of the United Way of Clinton and Essex Counties Inc. Champlain National Bank nearly doubled its contribution to the annual United Way fundraising campaign, raising $15,000. Photo by Jeremiah S. Papineau
Though Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, which has facilities in Rouses Point and Chazy, has traditionally made a contribution toward the local United Way campaign, this year ’s donation was in question, said
Bernardi. With the sale of the Wyeth corporation to pharmaceutical giant Pfizer Inc. announced earlier this year and transition of the Rouses Point facility to Akrimax
See UNITED WAY, page 8
Catholic Diocese commissions 65 as pastoral ministers By Dan Alexander dan@denpubs.com OGDENSBURG — “No pay, but the benefits are out of this world.” Those were the words of the Rev. Terry LaValley, presider and Diocesan administrator at the beginning of his homily, as the Catholic Diocese of Ogdensburg commissioned 65 parishioners as pastoral ministers in a Eucharistic Celebration Mass held at St. Mary’s Cathedral Sept. 12. Formation for Ministry courses were held the last two years at two regional sites: St. Phillip Neri Church in Westport and Church of the Visitation in Norfolk. Candidates attended courses in eightweek segments, once per week. The required courses included the Old Testament, New Testament, Church, Spirituality, Christology, the Sacraments, Moral Theology and Social Justice. “There is an academic component and pastoral training through workshops for mentoring and spiritual formation,” said Heidi Macko, who directs the program. “Our goal is to bring them into a deeper relationship with Christ and then to go out and minister to others. They’ll serve in a wide variety of capacities within their parishes.” The newly-commissioned ministers will assist their pastors in all phases of parish life. A minimum commitment of two years service is required, although most are already considered very active in their parishes and many will look to continue their formation training even further. With the average age of a priest in the
Participants in the Ogdensburg Diocese’s Faith Formation program at St. Philip Neri Church in Westport were commissioned as pastoral ministers at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Ogdensburg Sept. 12. They include: Daniel Alexander, Sarah Bosley and Paul White from St. Elizabeth’s Church in Elizabethtown; Rob Bashaw, Irene Haines and John Lucero Jr. from the Roman Catholic Community of Keeseville; Stephen Joseph, Leo Cahill and Brian Mulcahy from St. Augustine’s Church in Peru; Jacqueline Robertin from John XIII College Community Parish in Plattsburgh; Josephine Garrant and Brian Neureuther from Our Lady of Victory church in Plattsburgh; Leslie Marvel from St. Mary’s of the Lake Church in Plattsburgh; Starr Burke from St. Peter’s Church in Plattsburgh; Robert Brooks from St. Patrick’s Church in Plattsburgh; Joseph A. Provoncha and David Tart from Our Lady of the Lourdes Church in Schroon Lake; and Penny Martin and Susan J. Fahey from St. Philip of Jesus and St. Joseph’s Church in Willsboro and Essex.
See PASTORS, page 6
Photo by Matt Bosley