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Saturday,ÊS eptemberÊ26,Ê2015
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www.SunCommunityNews.com
In SPORTS | pg. 22
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Vikings defeat Sentinels
In OPINION | pg. 6
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Improve transparency
Moriah pulls off upset
Local governments need to use tech
In TICONDEROGA | pg. 3
Logging on Town updates website
Regional council keeps plans close to the vest NorthÊ CountryÊ groupÊ readiesÊ applicationsÊ forÊ nextÊ roundÊ of Ê stateÊ fundingÊ
By Pete DeMola
pete@suncommunitynews.com
LAKE PLACID — Titans of North Country business, education, tourism and politics gathered at a ballroom here last week to finalize and vote on the projects that they hoped would net the region millions in state funds next year.
While the exact projects compiled by the North Country Regional Economic Development Council remain under wraps, officials have singled out three broad areas for investment: Tourism and community development; advanced manufacturing and innovation and agriculture and renewable energy. Earlier this year, Gov. Andrew Cuomo an-
nounced the creation of the Upstate Revitalization Initiative (URI), a $1.5 billion investment program designed to buoy upstate New York’s economy. In addition to the annual funding competition for 10 different regions, three upstate regions will each win $500 million in a “Hunger Games”-type battle royale. While Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul, who attended the sessions couldn’t dish out the details, she called the pitches “legacy projects” that would transform the North Country landscape for generations. “This is the fourth quarter of the big game,”
ADK marathon
Runners flock from near and far Thousands will come for annual race in Schroon Lake
By Christopher Pratt
Hochul told the group. The concept of competitiveness through cooperation works, said Hochul. “This is exactly what the governor envisioned when he came up with the regional development council,” she said. Hochul, who has visited Lake Placid several times since taking office in January, said she has visited each Olympic venue and both she and the governor are aware of their importance to the region. >> Story Continued | pg. 4
Dispute continues over Ti armory Despite recent board action, Ti supervisor wants voters to weigh in on armory proposal By Christopher Pratt
christopher@suncommunitynews.com
christopher@suncommunitynews.com
SCHROON — There’s a multitude of races across the country for distance running enthusiasts, but for those who partake year after year in the Adirondack Marathon Distance Festival, the event offers an incomparable blend of natural scenery and human spirit. The annual distance running ritual takes place this weekend in Schroon Lake. For runner Joe Branigan, 60, who splits time between residences in Schroon Lake and Florida, the combination of fall foliage, clear views and a fun crowd, makes the Adirondack race a true treasure of the distance running circuit. “It kind of just gives you the inspiration,” Branigan said of the scenery. “This is home to me and I love the area, and I just to love participate in it.” Branigan, a retired plumber, will run the half marathon this year. He’s run the full 26.2 mile Adirondack Marathon before and has also completed races in Boston, Chicago and New York. It’s the 2002 Adirondack Marathon race that is most memorable to him, though. Branigan proposed to his wife during the event. The race “just brings out his love for the Adirondacks,” said Mary Beth Romanzo, Branigan’s wife. >> Story Continued | pg. 13
TICONDEROGA — Despite a recent town board vote to scrap controversial plans to relocate the police station, Ticon-
deroga Supervisor Bill Grinnell is challenging residents to bring the plan back to life, and heÕ s also raising questions about a recent state decision related to the legality of the proposal. Last month, the commissioner of the state Office of General Services told officials that relocating the police station to a maintenance facility on the armory property would Ò fundamentally changeÓ the function and purpose of the property. A major point of contention has been whether the project to relocate the police facility would violate a deed restriction, which states the property is to be used for recreational purposes. On the heels of the commissionerÕ s decision, and with a wellorganized group of neighbors opposed to the project lobbying them, town board members voted 3-2 to cancel a nonbinding referendum on the project, which was planned for the November election. Additionally, board members included language in the resolution saying it Ò shall end allÓ consideration of the police station at the former armory property. But not so fast, wrote Grinnell, in a strongly-worded statement sent to the Times of Ti on Tuesday. Grinnell asserted that an engineering firm’s analysis shows the armory proposal would cost far less than building a new facility. Grinnell has pointed to a cost comparison completed by AES Engineering of Plattsburgh, which looked at different options for addressing the departmentÕ s space needs. According to >> Story Continued | pg. 11