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ECRWSS PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID DENTON PUBLICATIONS/ NEW MARKET PRESS PO Box 338 Elizabethtown NY 12932 Postal Patron

Saturday,ÊNo vemberÊ7,Ê2015

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www.SunCommunityNews.com

In SPORTS | pg. 18

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Playoffs continue

In OPINION | pg. 6

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In Arts| pg. 11

Consolidation Dolly’s Word becomes reality on Entertainment

Griffins capture Class D title

Now it is time to step on the gas

LPCA to host Gravity and Other Myths

Essex County supervisors: Goodbye horses County commences equine eviction of unstable stable By Pete DeMola

pete@suncommunitynews.com

WESTPORT — The clippity-clop of hooves at the Essex County Fairgrounds may soon be a thing of the past — or at least a soundtrack that will only be heard during one week in August. The board of supervisors formally voted to initiate eviction proceedings on Monday after

the long-term boarder of at least a half-dozen horses at the county-owned facility failed to settle his bill. The non-payment has been a thorny issue for years now, said lawmakers. Supervisor Randy Preston said he quit going to meetings to discuss the issue because it was all talk, no action. “I heard the same thing year after year after year,” said Preston.

Feeding theÊ needy

Essex County Department of Public Works Superintendent Chris Garrow said the county is frequently on the hook for cleaning bills, including hauling away manure. Lawmakers appeared to be outraged when the issue was first discussed at a committee meeting last month. “So these are private people that are boarding their horses on the taxpayer’s dollar and we’re not only letting them board them, we are hauling manure away?” asked Supervisor Thomas Scozzafava. “Who’s allowing this to

>> Story Continued | pg. 13

Willsboro, Essex at cusp of emergency service reform Proposition to create ambulance districts on Tuesday ballot

Families First aims to provide 70 food baskets for needy families

ELIZABETHTOWN — As Thanksgiving loomed last year, dozens of families in Essex County peered into their cupboards and bank accounts and determined that they didn’t have the resources to give their families a proper holiday meal. Pete Sixty-two of them went to Families First DeMola in Elizabethtown, where they picked up Editor baskets containing everything needed to put on a classic Thanksgiving spread: A frozen turkey, stuffing mix, canned vegetables, cranberry sauce, potatoes — even fresh vegetables from Essex Farm. For the nonprofit organization, the annual donation drive is all about paying it forward. “We love it when people come and get food baskets,” said Linda Snow-Perry, the staffer tasked with spearheading the collection drive that provides the items. Local need is high: Essex County’s poverty level is 13 percent, while nearly 43 percent of public school students are eligible for free and reduced lunch programs. This year, Families First aims to provide 70 baskets, which are assembled to feed a family of four.

happen?” “I guess we are,” said Supervisor Gerald Morrow. County Manager Daniel Palmer said the original intent in the decision to board animals was to generate revenue to offset the cost of fairground operations. “It’s hard to believe that you would have to evict a horse,” said Palmer, “but it’s the owners that you’re evicting.” Supervisor Dan Connell, of Westport, said

Donors can drop off nonperishable items at the organization’s office on Water Street in Elizabethtown or at collection points around the county, including one manned by Adirondack Outreach, who plans on setting up a presence between Kinney Drugs and Tops Friendly Market on a pair of weekends this month. “We don’t want to see hunger at all,” said Trent Faircloth, a ministry apprentice with the organization. “We want to give everyone a chance to congregate as a family and share a meal on Thanksgiving.” Adirondack Outreach is the nonprofit arm of LIFE Church, also located on Water Street.

ESSEX — Surgery is currently underway to cauterize the wounds facing the emergency services squad run jointly by Willsboro and Essex. On Election Day, voters in both communities were poised to create a pair of ambulance districts in each community by way of approving matching ballot propositions. It’s a measure that, if given the go-ahead, would shift administration of the squad from the fire district in Willsboro to the towns themselves. This story went to print on Tuesday afternoon before vote totals were in. But local officials were confident residents in both municipalities would approve the propositions. Doing so may ensure long-term sustainability as the squad struggles with recruitment and staffing issues paired with a higher call volume and an aging population. Once the certificate of need moves from the department to a newly-formed entity, the squad can start billing insurance companies, a measure that is currently forbidden under state law. Revenue, which squad officials project at about $70,000 for the first year, will be used to offset costs, including the possible hire of a full-time EMT.

>> Story Continued | pg. 13

>> Story Continued | pg. 13

Families First have launched their annual Thanksgiving food drive. Food items or donations may be dropped off at collection points around Essex County. This year, the nonprofit aims to fill 70 baskets, which will cost $1,500. For more information, call Families First at 873-9544. Photo courtesy of Flickr user Lawrence OP via Creative Commons


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