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Adirondack Journal / News Enterprise
May 2, 2020
suncommunitynews.com
• EDITION •
Americade postponed to July 21-25 A SECOND DATE CHANGE MAY OCCUR
By Thom Randall CORRESPONDENT
New York State Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul File photo
Hochul: No definite date to reopen North Country By Joshua Miner CONTRIBUTING WRITER
PLATTSBURGH | New York Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul explained the implications of reopening the region last Wednesday during a Town Hall “tele-call” with the North Country Chamber of Commerce, stating that while cases of COVID-19 remain low here, it is still too soon to set a definitive date for local businesses and schools to open. “We are unveiling a strategy,” Hochul said. “We just don’t have the answer on dates yet.” With recent pop-up tests at Plattsburgh’s Market 32 and across the state, Hochul said they will now begin to have an idea just how widespread this virus is throughout New York. At a press briefing held last Thursday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo unveiled the preliminary results of these tests. While New York City and surrounding areas showed as many as 21 percent of people having the antibodies, only 3.9 percent of those tested in the rest of the state were positive. Hochul said the tests are crucial for reopening New York, as the antibodies show who may have contracted and then successfully fought off the virus. These individuals can be more resistant to catching and spreading COVID and would be considered safer candidates to return to work. According to researchers, many people have contracted the virus without any symptoms. Through the antibody tests, Hochul said, a clearer picture of COVID’s true impact on the state will emerge. Although numbers for upstate New York are much lower than in New York City, Hochul explains that we may be behind the curve in the North Country. As a result, she explains the reopening of New York state will need to be done on a region by region basis.
Dutcher added that if COVID-19 continues to take its toll, public safety concerns — and federal, state and local regulations — may yet require changing the new July 21-25 dates to September or early October. Such a decision
LAKE GEORGE | This year’s edition of Americade — the nation’s leading touring motorcycle rally — has been rescheduled from early June to July 21-25, event director Christian Dutcher announced April 22. Renowned for decades as the area’s largest event, Americade — which annually dominates Lake George for five early-summer days — will be transformed this year to protect attendees’ health, Dutcher said April 22 in a videoconference. The changes were prompted by the public health concerns related to the coronavirus pandemic. This 38th annual Americade is billed as “touchless,” adhering to prevailing socialdistancing protocol. Large group gatherings and seminars are to be deleted from its lengthy roster of events. Also, the 2020 rally will feature hand-washing stations and registration will be conducted online. Tour Expo, for many years the nation’s largest touring motorcycle equipment exposition, will feature regulated entry so a limited number of people will be circulating at each of its multiple sites in the village, Dutcher said. The traditional large group tours through the Adirondacks and Vermont have been realigned into smaller unguided tours that feature planned stop-offs at multiple restaurants instead of large gatherings at one or two restaurants, Dutcher said.
financial loss for the region — and that motorcyclists would be disappointed. “Americade is a tradition that motorcycle enthusiasts from all over the country look forward to every year,” she said. Lake George Town Supervisor Dennis
A crowd swarms in downtown Lake George during a recent year’s Americade week. This year’s edition of the renowned rally was rescheduled to July 21-25 due to concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic. This 38th annual Americade will be conducted with social distancing and activities reconfigured to preserve health of attendees, tourists and local residents, event director Christian Dutcher said. Photo by Thom Randall
STREET CONCERT SCRAPPED FOR 2020
would have to be made by late June, he said. “The health of our community and our guests is our paramount concern,” he said. This year, Americade will feature fundraisers among visitors, vendors and participants for healthcare workers and emergency responders. “We’ll be paying tribute to the heroic work of our local first responders and front-line hospital workers,” he said.
The mass “block party,” the popular rock concert held at Americade in recent years will not occur, according to Lake George Village Mayor Robert Blais. The popular comedy shows also are not being held this year either. Motorcycle factory demonstrations will be held, but with safe distance maintained between participants. Dutcher estimated that Americade 2020 attendance is likely to be one-third to one-half its traditional colossal size. But he predicted that many thousands will go through with their plans to attend because the rally offers an ideal antidote for the isolation they’ve experienced lately due to the pandemic. “People will be looking to Americade as their psychological release,” he said. “Our rally gives people the opportunity to get out on the open road, see some of the most scenic and remote places and breathe the fresh air of the Adirondacks,” he said.
AMERICADE IS A BELOVED TRADITION
In a news released issued by Behan Communications, community leaders offered their thoughts about the rally’s rescheduling. Blais said the decision to postpone, rather than to cancel, was a welcome decision for the area’s economic health. “Our great family resort hosts a wide variety of events successfully and cooperatively,” he said. State Sen. Betty Little said that she was pleased that the rally would indeed be held, because cancellation would cause a large
Dickinson said that maintaining the continuity of the event was important. “We need good news right now, and this is very good news for Lake George,” he said. “Our small businesses depend on Americade, and so many Americaders love coming back to Lake George.” Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce director Gina Mintzer said that Americade was vital to the prosperity of local small businesses. “Americaders can count on the warm welcome they’ve come to expect and Lake George’s trademark hospitality — delivered gratefully, cheerfully and at a safe distance.” Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce President Michael Bittel praised the rally’s rescheduling. “This is a testament to our resilience as a community and an expression of confidence that better days are ahead,” he said. ■ — Thom Randall can be reached at thom@ suncommunitynews.com or 518-744-9600.
More Warren Co. residents die from virus By Thom Randall CORRESPONDENT
QUEENSBURY | Four additional Warren County residents afflicted with the COID-19 virus died during the seven days ending April 27, bringing the county’s total to nine, county officials said. Of these nine deceased individuals, four died in an area hospital while three nursing homes residents passed away, along with one at an assisted living facility and another at a private residence. “The Warren County Board of
Supervisors and staff at county Health Services express our deepest condolences to those who have lost a loved one during this pandemic,” county Administrator Ryan Moore said in a prepared statement. Over the week ending Monday morning, the number of COVID19 cases increased from 100 to 128, according to county publicist Don Lehman. He also reported that the number of full recoveries in the past seven days increased from 58 to 76. Six Warren County residents were being treated in Glens
Falls Hospital for COVID-19 as of Monday, three in critical condition while three were considered seriously or moderately ill. Warren County continues to conduct COVID-19 testing at the county Municipal Center from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on weekdays. Referrals from a doctor or urgent care center are required. Residents of Warren, Essex, Hamilton, Saratoga and Washington counties are accommodated at the outdoor testing site. A total of 326 tests had been taken at this clinic since it began operation April 9. As of April 27,
results from 205 of those tests were returned to the county Among those results received, 10 positive tests of Warren County residents and 22 positive tests of the other aforementioned counties were received by the county, Lehman said. County authorities continue to uphold the state mandate that all people over age 2 must wear a face mask in public places when they are within 6 feet distance from anyone else. ■ — Thom Randall can be reached at thom@suncommunitynews.com or 518-744-9600.
See HOCHUL » pg. 8
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