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On behalf of the Common Ground Alliance the following letter was mailed in late September to Eliot Spitzer and John Faso with Blue Print for the Blue Line document and copied to candidates for elected office in New York State. We are writing on behalf of an alliance of organizations that are directly involved in the economic, environmental and social future of New York State’s Adirondack Park. Together we represent leaders of nonprofit organizations, municipal governments, businesses, economic development, and environmental interests and work directly with constituents within the Adirondack Park and beyond. Our efforts to identify a common ground agenda are focused on improving the economic viability of our Park communities while conserving our natural environment. The intent of our alliance is to present proactive strategies that will be critical to a sustainable future for 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. Collectively we 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. We recognize that many of these issues are common across the entire state, but we believe that the Adirondack Park is unique due to its relative isolation, sparse rural population, and the status as a protected area treasured by many New Yorkers as well as many Americans and the international community. As you consider your goals to lead New York State we ask that you address these environmental, economic and community concerns that we are raising. We are hopeful that you share our combined commitment to a healthy environment, a prospering sustainable economy and vibrant communities in the Adirondack Park. We have included a Blueprint for the Blue Line for your consideration and look forward to receiving your input about the future of the Adirondack Park. Sincerely yours, Alliance Members Enc. Appendix A: A Blueprint for the Blue Line 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 Kopp, Owner |
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