Sitting at a computer running Mircosoft Windows, watching YouTube, and blogging on a platform created by a 20 year old, Milton Freidman gets this one right.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76frHHpoNFs&feature=related
Now For Some History – 1975
From the mid-1960’s through the 1970’s these decals were quite common around Lake George. You would peel them off and the front would stick to the inside of a car window. I haven’t seen any in a long time, so this one brought back memories. They might go back farther than this, but they promoted the entire Lake George region. We’re not sure who produced them so if you know anything about them, drop us a note.
Bits of Everything
Cartoon Time
See & Hear the Comments on the Draft Stream Rules
The Lake George Park Commission has posted the video from their February 24, 2009 public meeting where public comments were solicited on their proposed stream regulations.
The first video is from February 24, 2009, the first 11:00 AM session. It is 1 hour and 34 minutes.
If you don’t have the time to watch, here are the most salient parts from the first video. The public comments start at 22:30 into this video. Out of the 18 speakers featured in part one, 13 speakers were opposed or had concerns regarding the stream regulations, 5 spoke in favor of them.
If you have problems viewing the file above, use this link to the video file to download and view on your computer. (You can right click on this link and “Save Target As…” to download the entire file to your computer. It is quite large though.)
At 29:23 into the first video, there is an excellent speaker from the Lake George Property Owners Group who speaks about being at all the preliminary meetings where the rules were originally discussed before being drafted (and which went on for two years) and that the proposed rules now being considered bear no resemblance to what was ever discussed at those preliminary meetings.
At 1:30:00 into the first video, the speaker tells how he believes one of the most radical environmental groups active in the basin, the Fund for Lake George, is influencing these rules behind the scenes, through two appointees to the LGPC who were members of the Fund before they were appointed. This apparent conflict of interest is something everyone needs to know about.
If you watch these two speakers you will begin to see how the process is not a fair process but how the environmental organizations are “stacking the deck” in favor of these very extreme regulations.
The second video is from February 24, 2009, the second 11:00 AM session. It is 2 hours and 19 minutes.
Once again, we’ve tried to summarize the most important parts from this video also. Out of the 26 speakers featured in part two, 20 speakers opposed or had concerns regarding the stream regulations, 5 spoke in favor of them and 1 was neutral.
If you have problems viewing the file above, use this link to the video file to download and view on your computer. (You can right click on this link and “Save Target As…” to download the entire file to your computer. It is quite large though.)
The DEC representative leaves before this video even starts. So you can thank DEC Commissioner Grannis, for at least being up front, and not caring what people think.
At 1:00 into the second video, Kathy Simms, the Bolton Town Supervisor, speaks about all the comments she has received opposing the stream rules.
At 5:37 into the second video, Joe Rota, the former Dresden Town Supervisor who now lives in Putnam, tells why he is against the proposed rules.
At 42:00 and again at 1:38:45, we hear two speakers tell horror stories about road salt. Road salt isn’t even covered by these proposed rules.
At 1:10:15, John LaPointe, Town Supervisor of Putnam, states that the people he represents are “vehemently opposed” to the rules as drafted.
At 1:19:02, Mark Schachner, representing the Town of Lake George, states that the rule making procedure is “woefully, legally deficient.”
At approximately 1:57:00 a local logger talks about his love for the environment but also why he is opposing these rules.
The third video is from February 24, 2009, the evening session. It is 1 hour and 30 minutes.
The DEC representative never returns to the evening session.
The public comments start at 20:50 into this video. Michael White repeats his PowerPoint presentation from the first session. Out of the 18 speakers featured in part three, 17 speakers opposed or had concerns regarding the stream regulations, 1 spoke in favor of them.
If you have problems viewing the file above, use this link to the video file to download and view on your computer. (You can right click on this link and “Save Target As…” to download the entire file to your computer. It is quite large though.)
Huletts resident, Pat Peterson speaks at 45:36.
Peter Bauer, Executive Director for the Fund for Lake George, says in 1:25:20 – 1:25:33 that it’s “high time to deal with” golf courses. Listen for yourself.
Sadly, this is commentary and analysis you won’t see on other media outlets. But you can see it here on the Huletts Current. Don’t take our word, watch for yourself.
If you watch the whole thing, you’ll learn that 2 commissioners didn’t attend, the DEC representative left after the morning session and 2 commissioners had ties to the Fund for Lake George. While we won’t call this hearing a farce yet, after all three sessions: 50 people spoke out in opposition or had concerns regarding the draft rules, 11 were in favor and 1 was neutral. Let’s see how these public comments are incorporated. You saw it here, even if you weren’t there.
Now For Some History – 1995
“In 1995…A Line Of Damaging Thunderstorms Developed In The Northern Great Lakes During The Night Of July 14 And Quickly Strengthened As It Moved Into Northern New York By 4 Am On July 15…And Then Into Southern New England By 8 Am. Estimated Peak Wind Speeds In Excess Of 100 Mph Occurred In The Adirondacks And The Storms Themselves Covered Over 800 Miles (From Ontario Province To Cape Cod) In Less Than 12 Hours”
See the Radar Map from that day.
Remember where you were that morning?
Bits of Everything
Governor’s Poll Numbers Continue to Drop
The Governor’s poll numbers reach a new low.
Your Yard and Spring: What You Should Know
North Country Public Radio has an interesting story about how you should care for your yard now that Spring has arrived.
Now For Some History – 1775
In the early dawn of May 10, 1775, Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold took Ticonderoga “in the name of the Great Jehovah and the Continental Congress.” Crown Point was also captured. The Colonies knew the importance of these forts which protected the great water gateway to and from Canada and stored valuable ammunition.
In November 1775, Gen. George Washington sent Henry Knox to bring cannon from Ticonderoga to be placed on Dorchester Heights near Boston. Knox transported the cannon to Fort George by scows and thence by sleds. A numerical summary of this cold winter accomplishment would be: 59 cannon, 82 sleds, 80 yoke of oxen, 40 days, 300 miles.
At about every six miles on Knox’s route, markers have been placed. One can be seen a little north of the Col. Williams Monument on the road between Lake George and Glens Falls.
The cannon were placed on Dorchester Heights during one night without being discovered. The next day the bombardment of Boston began and British General Howe decided to evacuate and sail for Halifax.
This picture of Henry Knox’s trek hangs in the entrance to Fort Ticonderoga.
Legend has it, that on their way, they passed through what would become the Town of Dresden years later.
Now For Some History – 1920
It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane, It’s a Car
This was in the national news a few days ago but in case you missed it, here it is again. The Terrafugia is billed as the first flying car. It just completed its test flights from the Plattsburgh airport. So here we see it leaving Plattsburgh by land and by air. Click on the pictures to see them in full size. Plattsburgh isn’t far from Huletts, so keep your eyes open for the flying car. (Pictures with permission of Terrafugia.)
Bits of Everything
Gaslight Village Decision Favored by Many
The Post Star has more on the Gaslight Village Property.
“A total of 21 letters were in support of Concept 1 — the removal of both buildings; four letters were supportive of Concept 2; and 249 letters and signatures on petitions supported Concept 3 and the use of both buildings for events in Lake George.”
It’s good to see that a public use area for tourism and people will be incorporated into this plan.
Adirondack Boat Cake
The Pink Cake Box has an Adirondack Lake Boat Cake (with video) that looks too good to eat.
Saturday Quote
“The universal brotherhood of man is our most precious possession.”
Mark Twain
Gaslight Village – In Brief – Decision Due Soon
An interesting project is close to being finalized by Warren County, the Town of Lake George and Lake George Village. There is an approximately 12 acre parcel which is now owned 62% by Warren County, 19% by the Town of Lake George and 19% by Lake George Village. It is the former location of Gaslight Village (the Opera House and Cavalcade of Cars).
A group of environmental organizations have partnered to obtain a conservation easement to build a man-made wetland on approximately 10 acres. There are three different options being considered for the remaining 2 acres. To read about the different options, click here.
Man made wetlands have been the subject of much debate as to whether they actually work but the taxpayers of Warren County and the two municipalities will be paying for the maintenance of the entire parcel going forward. The environmental organizations have advocated Concept # 1 (all buildings removed from the remaining two acres) but a number of people would like to use the existing structures on the two acres, not subject to the conservation easement, for public use.
The subplot of all of this, is to see what the respective governments agree to. A decision may come as early as today.
Updated 3:45 pm – March 20, 2009
The Warren County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously today to approve Concept #3. (Cavalcade of Cars renovated as closed structure; Opera House renovated as open air pavilion.)
It’s Not All Legalese
The public comment period for the draft stream corridor rules being considered by the Lake George Park Commission has now expired. Instead of focusing on the environmental or property rights issues involved, I thought this letter was probably the best I’ve seen at explaining the legal issues involved.
It is written by Mark Schachner, an attorney for the Town of Lake George, who at one point represented the Huletts Landing Property Owners Civic Association. It was cc’ed to all the towns in the basin and ultimately floated out to you on the Huletts Current.
Mr. Schachner raises some serious questions about how the Lake George Park Commission has handled this process and points out some apparent deficiencies in their legal methodologies. This letter only focuses on the legal process of adopting the draft stream rules, it does not address any environmental issues of the current debate.
As citizens of our great country, the legality of our laws should be paramount to all. Read the whole thing. (It’s four pages and the download is over 1 MB, so it will take a few seconds to load.)