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Pages 16-19
Page 13
December 5, 2009
Towns make cuts to offset rising costs By Matt Bosley matt@denpubs.com Several towns in the area have finalized their budgets for the 2010 fiscal year. Despite the rising cost of health insurance and mandated health insurance contributions, many residents will see only minimal increases, in their property taxes.
AuSable The town of AuSable in Clinton County estimates an eight percent loss of revenue for its 2010 budget, and its taxpayers are going to have to make up the difference. “With the loss of our revenue, the increase to the taxpayers will be $39,240,” said town supervisor Sandy Senecal. Senecal said the decreased cash flow comes at the same time as a 50 percent increase in the mandated town contribution to the state retirement fund. To minimize the impact, appropriations will increase by only $5,629, roughly a 0.25 percent increase for the general fund. No raises were given to town employees, with the exception of a three percent raise for town highway personnel. “We looked at every appropriation and cut everything we could cut to maintain the services we provide,” said Senecal. Total assessed value in the town increased by $11.8 million, however, so the tax rate for the general fund will only increase by four cents to $2.15 per thousand. The budget was passed following a public hearing on Nov. 18.
Elizabethtown The town of Elizabethtown will also see an increase this year due to jumps in its retirement and health insurance costs. There, they increase 25 percent and 14.5 percent, respectively.
See BUDGETS, page 10
Chorale helps make holidays special By Matt Bosley matt@denpubs.com ELIZABETHTOWN — A talented group of singers made up of local residents is preparing to add their musical touch to the holiday season. The Pleasant Valley Chorale, under the direction of Susan Hughes, has been rehearsing since September in anticipation of their annual Christmas concerts. The two concerts, Friday, Dec. 11, 7:30 p.m. at the Essex Community Church and Sunday, Dec. 13, 3 p.m. at the United Church of Christ in Elizabethtown, are sure to help audience members get in the holiday spirit. The chorale includes 45 singers of all ages from Elizabethtown, Lewis, New Russia, Westport, Essex, Crown Point and Upper Jay. They rehearse weekly in the Elizabethtown Social Center, which acts as the primary sponsor for the group. “The chorale is developing a reputation for excellence and fun,” said Hughes. Mary Lu Kirsty will provide accompiament for the chorale on
See CHORALE, page 10
Photo by Matt Bosley
APA enforcement director reassigned after feud erupts Enforcement director removed after e-mailing insults By Matt Bosley matt@denpubs.com RAY BROOK — The Adirondack Park Agency has removed its enforcement program director from his position after he sent e-mails to Sandy Lewis calling him a “sociopath.” Paul Van Cott, who since 2004 has headed the APA’s enforcement division, has been reassigned as part of the agency’s general counsel office. According to APA spokesman Keith McKeever, Van Cott’s reassignment is part of an “ongoing, aggressive transition in the agency’s legal division.” Four of the APA’s six senior attorneys are currently eligible for retirement, he said. “Paul is the most senior attorney on staff not eligible for retirement,” McKeever explained. The change in position will give Van Cott a broader range of duties, McKeever said, focusing on Agency rules and regulations and other legal issues besides enforcement. He would not comment on whether Van Cott’s salary would
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Susan Hughes directs the Pleasant Valley Chorale as they rehearse for their upcoming holiday concerts. The group includes singers from throughout Essex County.
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“Mr. Lewis, you are a sociopath. Please shut up. Go out and get a shovel and work like a real person on your farm. Enjoy life and be a real farmer. You are very fortunate. Realize that and get a life.”
— An excerpt from an e-mail written by Paul Van Cott to Sandy Lewis
change. However, the move raises speculation as it comes just two weeks after Van Cott e-mailed Lewis, an Essex farmer who won a lengthy court battle with the agency in July and is now suing the agency for more than $200,000 in legal fees. Lewis has regularly sent mass e-mails for several months to area reporters, lawyers, and officials from state and local agencies sharing his disdain for officials at the APA, including Van Cott, who he referred to as “simply not competent” in a Nov. 10 e-mail.
Using his APA e-mail account, Van Cott responded. “Mr. Lewis, you are a sociopath,” wrote Van Cott. “Please shut up. Go out and get a shovel and work like a real person on your farm. Enjoy life and be a real farmer. You are very fortunate. Realize that and get a life.” In his reply, Lewis sent copies to State and County officials, including a State Police Sergeant and three members of the State Assembly. “The sociopath is the APA,” wrote Lewis in response. “You and your close-linked 501(c)3 coterie have perfected the art of raping the indigenous to the point of distraction and tears, serious illness and community-wide depression over 6.5 million acres for 37 years.” Van Cott then wrote a second e-mail that went to the same recipients. “Go farm. Dig a hole, milk a cow. Enjoy the 1,000 acres of farmland on Lake Champlain that you have,” he wrote, going on to defend the APA’s Nov. 9 settlement with LeRoy Douglas, the Silver Lake resort owner who recently had his APA enforcement case dropped. “You won your case,” Van Cott told Lewis.
See VAN COTT, page 10
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