‘Battle of the Cupcakes’ at annual ‘Festival of Colors’ pg. 12
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Wilmington’s celebration of fall kicks off Sept. 9 with great food, activities, music and more
pg. 15-19
High School Sports Fall Preview
A look at the 2017 season ahead Published By Denton Publications Inc.
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Sept. 2, 2017
Valley News Champlain Valley
suncommunitynews.com
• EDITION •
County news Board of Supervisors approve NCCC budget pg. 7
County fairground’s subcommittee releases report on CCE building see below
The Sun’s Kim Dedam delves into the CCE building’s history, and its connection to one of the region’s most famous men. pg. 4
NORTH COUNTRY REVITALIZATION THROUGH THE ARTS ‘When you have a thriving arts corridor, it spurs development,’ panelist says
SARANAC LAKE | A group of art, history and business executives convened last week to talk about ways the arts can spur economic development By Elizabeth Izzo in the North Country. • STA FF W RITER •
» Arts Cont. on pg. 13
LAKE PLACID OLYMPIC CAR SHOW & PARADE KICKS OFF SEPT. 3RD pg. 13 Love Us? Like Us.
Photo by Kerry O’Neill
Enrollment numbers weighed at first ELCS-WCS merger meeting
Projections suggest ELCS may continue to see a decline in student numbers, while Westport will hold steady ELIZABETHTOWN | Projected enrollment numbers took center stage at the first meeting of ElizabethtownCentral and Westport CenBy Kim Dedam tral’s joint merger committee. • STA FF W RITER • The first step in the study of a potential merger of the two districts looked toward enrollment data and projections as to student numbers for each and for a combined school. It begins what may become a two-year review, pending two rounds of school board approval and four public votes by taxpayers, including a formal permissive referendum, in each district. Education consultants Alan Pole and Bill Silky from the firm Castallo & Silky LLC, of Syracuse, gave an overview of what’s coming in the months ahead. They were clear that their review, and committee discussion will not decide whether to merge the districts or not.
the details, Pole said, such as identity, school colors or mascot or bus routes and staffing.
That decision will be left to the communities in Lewis, Elizabethtown and Westport if both school boards opt to take the findings to public vote next year. Reasons schools consider reorganization into one district vary, Pole said, but generally look to increase course offerings for students with upgrades to school facilities. Districts also look to decrease school tax rates in combining forces. It’s difficult, Pole said, for many reasons. School communities often fear losing a long-time local identity, while employees at schools fear losing job security. The goal with the merger committee meetings is to set a clear picture of each district and to see what might happen if the two districts merged into one. “In the end, we write the report. When the report is done, both boards of education will decide what to do.” The committee and consultants don’t do
» Merger Meeting Cont. on pg. 3
FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN UNDERWAY FOR INJURED MOTORCYCLIST
County task force reveals CCE Building options
Crowdfunding campaign for Jacob “Pookie” Diehl nets over $13K
Full restoration of county-owned Cornell Cooperative Extension building will cost $2.3 million ELIZABETHTOWN | The county’s fairgrounds subcommittee on Monday rolled out their long-awaited report on the ailing Cornell Cooperative Extension Building in Westport. The price tag for a full restoration effort is $2.3 By Pete DeMola million. • EDITOR • Just about every component of the wooden structure is compromised, said Todd Hodgson, a county-employed environmental manager, from the piers holding up the building to the need for asbestos remediation in the attic.
The building was originally designed for three-season use, and the installation of a year-round heating has accelerated the structure’s deterioration. County officials said their paramount concern was public safety — particularly considering the retro-engineered electrical system poses an immediate fire risk. “These areas are not fireproof,” Hodgson said. The building would also need to be made code- and Americans with Disabilities Act- compliant.
By Elizabeth Izzo STA FF W RITER
ELIZABETHTOWN | A crowdfunding campaign to benefit Elizabethtown resident Jacob “Pookie” Diehl has raised over $16,000 in just over a week. » Fundraising Cont. on pg. 4
» CCE Task Force Cont. on pg. 5
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NY Strip Steaks ........................................................ $9.99 lb. Boneless Center Cut Pork Loin Roast....................... $2.39 lb. Whole Chicken Legs ................................................ $1.19 lb. Boneless Pork Shoulder Steaks ............................... $2.29 lb. Whole Turkeys (16-18 lb. frozen) ........................... $1.29 lb.
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