ALLIANCE OF ADIRONDACK
GROUPS SEND
A 'BLUE PRINT FOR THE BLUE LINE' TO GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATES
Non-traditional Allies Come Together on Common Ground Issues
Click here
to read "Blue Print for the Blue Line"
Read the letter
to Eliot Spitzer
For more information:
Terry Martino, Adirondack North Country Association
518-891-6200
Brian Houseal, The Adirondack Council
518-873-2240
Released: Tuesday, October 24, 2006
An alliance of over 25 local leaders from organizations that
are directly involved in the economic, environmental and social
future of New York State's Adirondack Park has produced a "Blue
Print for the Blue Line" and is calling on the gubernatorial
candidates to address their concerns. Together, they represent
leaders of nonprofit organizations, municipal governments, businesses,
economic development, and environmental interests and work directly
with constituents within the Adirondack Park and beyond.
Their efforts to identify a common
ground agenda are focused on improving the economic viability
of our Park communities while conserving the environment. The
intent of the alliance is to present strategies that will be
critical to a sustainable future for the region.
Terry Martino, Executive Director
of the Adirondack North Country Association, states, "The
Alliance developed a Blue Print for the Blue Line that forges
our common interests and goals for the economic, community and
environmental well-being of the Adirondack Park. We believe this
dialogue is vital to the future of the region."
Located within a day's drive
of nearly 50 million people, many rural communities throughout
the Park are struggling for economic survival. Increasingly,
local communities are challenged by the loss of their Main Streets,
the out-migration of their youth, the lack of business development
and markets, and inadequate and aging infrastructure. Rising
property values, accompanied by rising property taxation, and
an increase of second home development have resulted in an affordable
housing crisis.
Sylvie Nelson, of the Saranac
Lake Chamber of Commerce, said, "It is very important that
our next Governor understand the unique challenges faced by businesses
and residents of the Adirondack Park."
Collectively these groups, some
of whom are not traditional allies, have recognized that the
region has numerous environmental threats including loss of natural
communities and species due to factors such as climate change,
unplanned development, and invasive species. In addition, the
degradation of water and air quality due to acid rain and mercury
pollution and the lack of adequate infrastructure threaten human
and ecological health. Increasingly local communities have recognized
the adverse impacts of these environmental threats to the tourism
and recreation economy and their quality of life.
Lani Ulrich, Founding Director
of CAP-21 (Central Adirondack Partnership for the 21st Century):
"Historically, a great deal of time and money has been spent
clarifying how the representative groups of the Adirondacks differ
in their missions and agendas. This effort is designed to increase
dialogue and to articulate the big-picture areas of Common Ground
upon which we agree and for which we need attention and assistance
from Albany and Washington."
Brian Houseal, Executive Director of the Adirondack Council,
said, "Too often, our elected officials and government agencies
use the excuse that Adirondack organizations don't speak with
one voice. This "Blue Print for the Blue Line" demonstrates
that we can find common ground and innovative solutions that
are good for the Adirondack environment, its communities and
local economy. We trust that all candidates are listening because
we intend to carry this effort into the future, well beyond the
elections."
Raymond P. Curran, President,
Adirondack Sustainable Communities, said: "We believe the
common ground agenda will help to empower communities to care
for the people, the land and the future of the Adirondacks, an
urgent priority to assure lasting Park protection and management."
Zoe Smith of the Wildlife Conservation
Society, states, "This Alliance represents Adirondack organizations,
businesses, and local government coming together and building
a bridge to work with one another on issues that are vital to
the future of the Park. Conservation of our natural resources,
successful businesses, and healthy communities are issues that
we should all be concerned with. Without one, we cannot successfully
accomplish the others."
The alliance recognizes that
many of the issues they raise are common across the entire state,
but believes that the Adirondack Park is unique due to its relative
isolation, sparse rural population, and its status as a protected
area treasured by many New Yorkers as well as many Americans
and the international community. The letter to the candidates
asks them address their concerns as they consider their goals
to lead New York State.
List of Common Ground Alliance
Members:
Adirondack-Champlain Community
Broadband Network, Andy Abdallah, Chair of the Advisory Board;
Howard Lowe, Executive Director
Adirondack Economic Development Corporation, Dan Woodman, Executive
Director
Adirondack Council, Brian Houseal, Executive Director
Adirondack Daily Enterprise, Catherine Moore, Publisher
Adirondack North Country Association, Terry Martino, Executive
Director
Audubon NY, David Miller, Executive Director
CAP-21, Lani Ulrich, Executive Director
Central Adirondack Association, Chip Kiefer, Executive Director
Citizens Campaign for the Environment, Adrienne Esposito, Executive
Director
Clifton-Fine Economic Development Corporation, Christopher Westbrook,
President
Historic Saranac Lake, Mary B. Hotaling, Executive Director
Holmes and Associates, Timothy Holmes, Research Director
Leading Edge, Jack Drury, Principal
New York Rivers United, Bruce Carpenter, Executive Director
Plattsburgh-North Country Chamber of Commerce, Garry Douglas,
Executive Director
Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, Sylvie Nelson, Executive
Director
Saranac Lake Red Carpet Team, Keith Wells, Chair
Sound Adirondack Growth Alliance, Susan Cooper, Chair
Town of Forestport Town Board, Joan Ingersol, Supervisor
Town of Inlet, J.R. Risley, Supervisor
Town of Long Lake, Gregg Wallace, Supervisor
Town of Ohio, George Edwards, Supervisor
Town of Salisbury, John Mowers, Supervisor
Town of Webb, Robert Moore, Supervisor
Town of Wilmington, Jeanne Ashworth, Supervisor
Tupper Lake Chamber of Commerce, Jon Kopp, Executive Director
Village of Tupper Lake, Michale R. Desmarais, Mayor
Wildlife Conservation Society's Adirondack Programs, Zoë
Smith, Program Coordinator
Wildwood Arts & Antiques, Tupper Lake, Jon Ko
|
