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Saturday,ÊNo vemberÊ12,Ê2016
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www.SunCommunityNews.com
In POLITICS | pg. 13
Stefanik goes back to D.C. Incumbent wins re-election
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In opinion | pg. 6
What a race it was Now, it’s time to move forward
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In COUNTY | pg. 4
TMS lauded
CFES gives school award
County lawmakers cast doubts on OFA merger
Essex County Board of Supervisors float options following well-attended public hearing By Pete DeMola
pete@suncommunitynews.com
ELIZABETHTOWN — County lawmakers are considering walking back efforts to merge the aging department into public health. The merger, long in the works, was subject to a public hearing last week. About a dozen stakeholders spoke out against the proposal that is now awaiting state approval. County officials were also presented with 500 signatures of senior citizens who are said to be against the merger. Mike Marnell (R-Schroon) asked on Monday if he could
offer a resolution to “abolish” the measure. “If so, I would make that resolution,” Marnell said. James Monty (R-Lewis) said he agreed. “I’d like to push it, but this isn’t the time,” Monty told Marnell. Joe Giordano (I-Ticonderoga) said he met with members of the Office for the Aging Advisory Council last week to discuss their concerns on transparency. The council said they were largely frozen out of the process. Previously, the group raised questions about projected cost savings and concerns that services would be reduced. Critics also believe combining the departments would lead to a loss of independence at a time when services need to be enhanced to address a rapidly aging population. Randy Preston (I-Wilmington), who has spoken in favor
of the consolidation, agreed there may have been a lapse in communication. “I’m concerned seniors were led to believe something bad was happening,” he said. County lawmakers are resolute that services to county seniors will not be diminished during the shift. With an annual operating budget of $2.6 million, the OFA runs 18 programs, including meal delivery, transportation, nutrition programs and caregiver services. Under the new arrangement, OFA would cease to be an independent cabinet-level department, and would be folded into one of several units overseen by public health. Shaun Gillilland (R-Willsboro) said the arrangement will enhance services by leveraging resources at the much-larger public health department. >> See OFA | pg. 15
DissolutionÊ inputÊ soughtÊ byÊ state Port Henry village and Moriah town officials will appear in Albany to testify on dissolution process By Lohr McKinstry
lohr@suncommunitynews.com
MORIAH – When the dissolution of the Village of Port Henry is finally accomplished, local officials are wanted at the state capital. “We’ve been invited to Albany to testify before the legislature,” Moriah Town Supervisor Thomas Scozzafava said. “This whole process has been difficult. The state wants us to tell them what went wrong and what could be done better.” The village is scheduled to end on March 31, 2017. The Town of Moriah will take over most of its functions and responsibilities. Scozzafava said State Sen. Betty Little (R-Queensbury) and State Assemblyman Dan Stec (R-Queensbury) are both interested in fine-tuning the dissolution process. “It’s complicated, it’s redundant, it has to change,” Scozzafava said. “You should do a plan before you vote on dissolving, not after.” Once voters OK dissolving a village, state law mandates that a plan outlining how dissolution will be accomplished must be written. >> See DISSOLUTION | pg. 12
REGIONAL FINALS SET — Ticonderoga back Justyn Granger runs past Tupper Lake defenders toward the endzone, scoring on his only carry of the day in a 43-0 win over the Lumberjacks. The Sentinels will travel to Schuylerville Saturday, Nov. 12, to play against Section II champion Cambridge with a trip to the Final Four on the line. Photo by Keith Lobdell