Adirondack Express

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Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Old Forge, NY ,

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Viewpoints

The Rail Trail-why it will happen

Three recent letters in Adirondac (Adirondack Mountain Club's spring issue) convince me again why the Great Adirondack Rail Trail will happen. In one, David Banks cites a study by University of Wisconsin on the economic impact of Railtrails in Wisconsin, a $924 million income (statewide, yearly), 13,193 jobs and 1.2 million trail uses. This makes the numbers put forth by the Rail Trail Conservancy study, a very reasonable 240,000 visitors, $20 million additional revenue. The "jobs created" numbe ...

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You deserve a better state budget

To the editor
All of us have been under considerable pressure, and the economic slump has been a big test for us both individually and as a state. Considering how hard each of you work, you deserve no less than a budget that outlines clear paths to mandate relief and economic growth and that protects our most vulnerable.
With just a few days left of budget negotiations, I would say that many significant items are left undone. I have heard multiple times from Gov. Cuomo that upstate matters, but ...

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Diabetes is a killer

To the editor
According to recent medical reports, diabetes is now one of the leading causes of death in America. Type II diabetes, untreated over-time, causes grave harm to body organs making victims susceptible to arteriosclerosis, heart attack, stroke, hearing and eye problems, kidney damage and sexual impotency, leg cramps and gangrene.
Every 50 seconds, on average, a new diabetic is added to the list of an estimated 16 million victims. Many people don't even know they have it, ignoring symp ...

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Twin Bridges vote is important to Forestport; it’s now or never

By Jeannie Wolcott
For the Express

It’s now or never. You might think I am talking about an Elvis Presley tune. To be perfectly honest, I wish I was.
I am referring to the important special vote on the Twin Bridges. Actually, I call it the “Troubled Bridges over Calm Water.”
If you are qualified to vote in this special town election, I urge you to consider the long-lasting implications.
I am about to give you my take on this issue which appears to have divided the town that I ...

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This time, it’s personal

I have a cautionary tale for everyone out there in bear land, commonly known as the Adirondacks.
We have not had any bear activity at our house for about five years, now. We take down the bird feeders when the snow starts to melt, we take our garbage out about a half hour before they pick it up, I don't leave food or fast food bags in my car (I had to learn the hard way after one of my cars was totaled by a bear desperate to get my son's empty lunch bag. The bear broke out three of my car's wi ...

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Economic development: Appropriate role for the Adirondack Park Agency

Over the past few weeks, there has been speculation and opinion offered by citizens and elected officials about an expanded economic development role for the Adirondack Park Agency. Before moving too far down this path, we should consider the strengths and limitations of the Park Agency and other state and local government organizations and regional not-for-profits with roles to play in economic improvement. The Park and its communities require and deserve effective economic development and othe ...

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New cans are for trash, not garbage

The Town of Webb has made a change to its public trash cans to make sure that bears do not find an easy meal in town. The new cans were designed and executed by the Department of Public Works. Town of Webb Supervisor Robert Moore says that so far, so good.
“We haven’t had any problems yet this year. They seem to be holding up very well,” said Moore.
The cans are reinforced wood with a smaller opening in the top to prevent bears from pulling out the trash and people from stuffing in their household ...

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Bears

“We lure bears in with an easy meal and punish them with death for accepting our invitation.” - Sylvia Dolson, Get Bear Smart Society. Please be bear aware while vacationing in the Adirondacks. Always remember that bears, even the ones who are in town, are wild animals and should be respected as such. When bears become used to relying on people for food it never ends well for the bear. Put your garbage in a secured container, don’t leave food or garbage in your car or on your porch. And it shoul ...

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Look for this logo for tips and information

Black bears are big and strong, and if they want something — like your food — not much can stop them. They are also surprisingly smart. Many bears recognize and can open food containers, like coolers and refrigerators, whether they are on your picnic table, in your car, or on your porch.
And they may not wait for you to leave before they approach. Real bears are not as polite as Yogi Bear; they make a mess, scare you away, and come back for more if you’ve got it.
Bears don’t usually start out thi ...

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A vision for our future - part 2

Last month I questioned the lack of planning and vision for our future offered by elected [county] officials. As a follow-up, I believe it is only fair that I articulate what I see as my vision for the future and the possibilities of what our area can look like years from now. Realizing I might be criticized by those who do not agree, if it will initiate conversation and dialogue in order to make positive changes, that is fine.
First, we have to look at what we already have and expand on those positive ...

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A vision for our future

By Joseph Chilelli
For the Express

With all the recent news about our County Legislature and their controversial handling of the issues, the question that I would ask is, “What is their vision for the future of our county?”
From the recent handling and presumed closing of the Country Manor to the proposed windmills in the Fairfield/Norway area and the potential $30 million plus jail on the horizon, the question of whether any of our leaders have a vision for the future comes to mind.
It certainly ...

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Sports

Week's Sport Schedule

Tuesday, May 21 BMBB vs. Remsen at home 4:30 p.m.
GMSB vs. Remsen at home 4:30 p.m.

Thursday, May 23
B & G Varsity Track at Remsen 3:30 p.m. (Section III, Class D Finals)

Sports reports

by Dave Clark

Varsity golf team wins title in exciting match
The varsity golf team had their most important match of the year this past Tuesday, May 14, in a match pitting the three best teams in the Northern Division of the CSC, held at the Thendara Golf Course, a par 36 front nine.
Old Forge knew going in that a victory over both schools would clinch the title and it was not decided until the fourth player had completed her round. Yes, it was Lexie Haehl, and when she sunk a clutch putt on t ...

Week's Sport Schedule

Tuesday, May 14
Varsity Golf vs. Remsen and Adirondack at home 3:30 p.m.
B and G Varsity Track at Canastota 3:30 p.m. Division III Championships
BVBB at Madison 4:30 p.m.
GVSB at Madison 4:30 p.m.

Wednesday, May 15
BMBB vs. New York Mills at home 4:30 p.m.
GMSB vs. New York Mills at home 4:30 p.m.

Thursday, May 16
Varsity Golf vs. New York Mills at home 3:30 p.m.
BMBB at Herkimer 4:30 p.m.
GMSB at Herkimer 4:30 p.m.

Friday, May 17
Varsity Golf vs. Cooperstown ...

Sports reports

By Dave Clark

Girls varsity softball
The girls' varsity softball team played one league game and two non-league games this past week.
Monday, May 6, they played their last league game of the season hosting Rome Catholic. Guess what? The team won their first game of the year in an exciting 16-13 victory.
The game started poorly for the team as they gave up six runs to Rome in the first inning. However, they did not play like a team that has not won a game this year and they played ...

Columns

Mountain Tales by Jeff Ell

Three strikes and you're dinner
"If you hunt and fish long enough, then just about everything that can happen-will happen" Paul Lyall
Paul is an older friend of mine who has spent much of his life outdoors, and his words were ringing in my ears last Thursday when three unusual things happened to me while fishing on my day off.
First: I hooked the bass pictured above, three times.
Second: A stringer of fish was carried off by another fish.
Fishing on my day off is not unusual, but I still feel ...

A long story short

by Mart Allen
Trust and faith in truisms
Anyone who has read more than three of my columns knows I put a lot of faith in cliches. Call them what you will, to me they are more appropriately called truisms. I put as much trust and faith in them as I do in history. If people would let themselves be guided by them they would find they have less stress and strife in their lives along with those they interact with.
I drove my children and grandchildren to distraction reciting them, as did my parents a ...

A long story short

by Mart Allen
Good news and bad news
The first thing I do every morning is turn on the news. Before he died early this year my best friend Morgan Roderick and I compared notes on the passing scene at least once a week. You see we both came from the old school and never ceased to be bummed out by the direction we saw the country headed in. One of our favorite analogies was to compare our versions of current mores with those of our respective parents. I shudder to think that if the trend continues ...

No more, no less

by Meg Ulrich

Bugged
And so POOF! All of the sudden it is spring and it's springing all over the darn place. My itchy eyes and drippy nose tell me that the pollen is on the loose. I happily blow my nose and dab my eyes. Every year I stand in my yard and survey the feet upon feet of snow and become convinced that the world will never, ever be green again. It seems like it will never melt, like it's an impossible feat and yet one day it is gone. I remarked just yesterday that the bugs hadn't been ...