Newsletter, Adirondack North Country Association

Pictured from right, Terry Martino, Executive Director Adirondack North Country Association with Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, center, and Sylvie Nelson, left, Executive Director Saranac Lake Chamber of Commerce

On May 10 – 11, 2007 Terry Martino, Executive Director of the Adirondack North Country Association, participated in the New York Delegation that attended the New York / North Country Day in Washington, D.C. The delegation was led by Garry Douglass, Executive Director of the North Country Chamber and included thirteen members representing North Country interests and crossborder issues. Members participated in the New York Day Legislative Breakfast Forum where Senator Schumer and Senator Clinton provided comments about the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, the need for the elimination of the Alternative Minimum Tax, and discussions for a national Energy Policy. The senators were joined by Derek Douglas, Director of the NYS Office of Federal Affairs who discussed the goals of Governor Spitzer in partnering with New York businesses and communities.

The New York Delegation included participants from the arts, the Olympic Regional Development Authority, CBN Connect, health care, various communities, the Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Quebec government. Delegation members had the opportunity to meet with Senator Schumer, Senator Clinton, Congressman McHugh and Congresswoman Gillibrand to discuss priorities identified in the North Country Economic Development "Hot List." Concerns about the impact of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative’s negative impact on the northern economy were represented. Projects throughout the North Country that will benefit from federal funding were highlighted, including the Plattsburgh International Airport and the CBN Connect: Community Broadband Network, amongst others.

During the meetings with Senator Schumer, Congressman McHugh, Congresswoman Gillibrand and Senator Clinton’s staff, Martino provided comments about the need for federal involvement in Green Planning and Technology as an investment in the future of the Adirondack North Country. She said a Green Planning and Technology Initiative will support "green" rural economies which will stimulate "green" business development. She emphasized that a strategic planning component will establish the Adirondack Park and North Country Region as a special setting for businesses engaged in conservation, alternative energy and innovative product development. There was positive feedback about the potential for this type of programming in the North Country with the goal for ANCA to submit a proposal in early 2008 to the legislative members.

Stance on Energy

by Terry Martino
Energy of course is a topic on most everyone’s mind these days. Not just because of rising gasoline prices, but also due to concerns over global climate change, foreign oil dependencies, and the like. So what is an appropriate ANCA response? How can ANCA help North Country communities deal with such matters, especially their impact on community growth and development? What alternative technologies (wind power, biomass conversion, etc.) and energy conservation measures make most sense for the region, and how should ANCA proceed, if at all, with respect to such options?

In ANCA’s Board of Directors’ Strategic Plan 2006 – 2010, directors emphasized their commitment "to the energy sector and to reliable energy, conservation strategies and renewal energy sources as an important component of the region’s economic viability." Presently we are exploring energy related questions and needs on a number of fronts. For example, ANCA is working in collaboration with four other not-for-profit groups to help develop and promote the notion of an "Energy $mart Park" for the Adirondack Park. This initiative we hope will help foster a more cohesive dialogue and outreach program across the region regarding overall energy matters. We also are directly engaged or otherwise involved in specific energy conservation efforts, such as supporting a recent study of possible public building upgrades in the Town of Franklin (Franklin County) and learning about new ways to help local governments improve the efficiency of energy use in their communities. And ANCA will continue its involvement in various demonstration and public education projects now being planned for the North Country over the next several months.

We hope as well to involve as many citizens of the North County as possible in this vitally important topic. Let us know if you have ideas for ANCA to pursue. Or if you want to be involved in some way in helping ANCA more fully develop and implement appropriate responses for addressing the region’s energy needs and concerns. We welcome everyone’s input.