North Country News

At a pivotal time in state government, the North Country Chamber of Commerce held its annual Legislative Breakfast forum Friday morning to hear updates from the region’s representatives in Albany.

Congresswoman Elise Stefanik represents northern New York 21st House district. In 2014, she became the youngest woman ever elected to Congress. The Republican has not always agreed with the White House. She has broken with President Trump on withdrawing from the Paris climate accord, the government shutdown and tax bills that she says negatively impact New York state. But she has embraced Trump on other issues and appeared with him at Fort Drum last year. Stefanik attended this week’s State of the Union Address and says she was impressed with what she heard.

The North Country Chamber of Commerce has released its annual Business Confidence Index for the region.  It comes as the region has received a high ranking from a national economics research firm.

An update now to a story we’ve been following for months: the Plattsburgh Common Council has tabled a resolution that would lift a moratorium on new cryptocurrency mining operations within the city.

Plattsburgh was one of the first cities to be awarded a $10 million New York State Downtown Revitalization Initiative grant.  The primary area that will be redeveloped is a large parking lot one block from the center city adjacent to the Saranac River.  A developer recently revealed a proposed $25 million multi-use plan for the nearly five-acre site. Mayor Colin Read tells WAMC’s North Country Bureau Chief Pat Bradley he is hopeful construction work can begin soon.

The New York state Comptroller’s Fiscal Stress Monitoring System ranks the city of Plattsburgh among 10 municipalities in the state under moderate stress. Within that category, Plattsburgh ties with Rockland County for most stressed. Plattsburgh Mayor Colin Read, a first-term Democrat, was not surprised the city received that designation because it is based on data from financial reports for the 2017 fiscal year. The city has implemented a five-year budget planning process to reverse the trend.  Read tells WAMC’s North Country Bureau Chief Pat Bradley for the 2019 budget year, city leaders this month approved a budget that is under the tax cap and minimizes tax increases.

The Saranac Lake Winter Carnival begins this weekend in the Adirondack village.  The two-week celebration of the cold is a tradition that goes back over 100 years.

Towns and villages across New York are concerned about Governor Andrew Cuomo’s proposed cuts to AIM – state Aid and Incentives for Municipalities.  In the North Country, almost all communities would lose funding.

The primary ferry crossing on Lake Champlain between New York and Vermont is closed this afternoon.

Regional and business officials gathered this morning to hear from the head of the Clinton County legislature, the Town of Plattsburgh Supervisor and the city of Plattsburgh mayor on the state of their communities.

Late last year, the Department of Civil Service and the New York state Department of Environmental Conservation proposed that Forest Rangers and Environmental Conservation Police Officer titles be consolidated. The idea initially raised concerns as some interpreted the change as a plan to eliminate traditional Forest Rangers.

New York state officials are alerting backcountry downhill skiers, snowboarders and others who venture into northern New York's mountainous areas to be aware of the risk of avalanches.

One of the key areas in Plattsburgh to be redeveloped with New York state Downtown Revitalization Initiative funding is a large parking lot between the city center and the Saranac River. The project’s developer recently laid out the plans during a public forum.

Author and activist Bill McKibben was in Plattsburgh Monday evening to talk to residents about the status of the environment and the growing urgency to reverse climate change.

Clinton County comprises 1,100 square miles in New York’s northeastern-most corner. It is bordered by Canada to the north, the Adirondacks to the west and south and Lake Champlain to the east. Ten county legislators are tasked with passing laws in the sprawling county. They met earlier this month for their annual organizational meeting.

Last week, Governor Andrew Cuomo delivered his inaugural address at Ellis Island. It was a speech with unsubtle jabs at the Trump administration’s immigration policies versus New York’s melting pot history. Today, lawmakers return to Albany for the new legislative session.
115th District state Assemblyman D. Billy Jones represents Clinton, Franklin and part of St. Lawrence counties. The Democrat tells WAMC North Country Bureau Chief Pat Bradley the governor had previously outlined his agenda, so the speech offered no real surprises.

The Adirondack Park Agency has approved an amendment to the Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan that will reclassify the definition of a Travel Corridor.  The move could allow both rail and trail use along a rail line in the Adirondacks.

Some Plattsburgh common councilors are concerned that a move by the mayor may indicate an impending veto of a 4-2 council vote. A trio issued a letter warning that deferring his decision threatens the current council’s override authority.

An upscale travel magazine has listed the Adirondack region as a top travel location for 2019.  Those who promote the region are excited to see global recognition of the area.

Officials today announced plans for the upcoming Empire State Winter Games in Lake Placid.

In 2016 Plattsburgh was one of the first cities in New York to receive a $10 million state Downtown Revitalization Initiative award.  More than two years later there have been no shovels in the ground although planning continues.  Officials are holding public information sessions this week to provide updates on the plan.  WAMC’s North Country Bureau Chief Pat Bradley was at the first session last night.

Over the weekend, a special law enforcement team captured Martin Richards for violating parole. The search for the convicted murderer by the Clinton-Essex-Franklin Special Response Team occurred in the towns and wilderness areas of Essex County. Clinton County Sheriff Lieutenant Nicholas Leon, who commands the team, explains that the coordinated tri-county team was activated even though the public danger was believed to be low.

New Jersey Transit has awarded a multi-million dollar contract to Bombardier Transportation for new state-of-the-art rail cars. The vehicles will be built at Bombardier’s manufacturing plant in Plattsburgh.