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December 21, 2019
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• EDITION •
City Council holds public hearing GEIS draft accepting public comments By Sarah Elizabeth Morris STAFF WRITER
PL AT TSBURGH | The city Of Plattsburgh’s Draft Generic Environmental Impact Statement (DGEIS) of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) was reviewed in a public hearing session Monday, Dec. 9 at City Hall. The first public scoping session for the GEIS was held a few months ago, back in September, where the public was able to request items they wanted covered in the GEIS. “The Common Council is pursuing its responsibilities under a New York State law called the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA),” said Attorney Mark Schachner, who is guiding the city through the GEIS process for the DRI. “The general idea … is that decision makers are supposed to take potential environmental impacts into account when they make decisions.” According to Schachner, the city is being responsible with the SEQRA by reviewing all the revitalization projects as a whole, rather than individually, which led to the GEIS. The impact statement was then accepted as complete late last month by the council. During the public hearing last Monday, the residents of Plattsburgh were invited to make recommendations and comments on the GEIS. The hearing, which began at 5 p.m., included a short presentation on the DRI projects before the public voiced their opinions. One of the people who spoke at the hearing was Manager of the Farmers and Crafts Market Julie Baughn. Due to some backlash of the new farmers market location, Baughn has began speaking out on what the actual vendors think. See PUBLIC HEARING » pg. 7
Plattsburgh Police Officer Brad Miller (right) and NAMI-CV Peer Advocate Todd Truscott are all smiles at a bookcase filled with books and games for children inside the police department’s community center on Margaret Street. Truscott was recently brought on to provide more services for city residents. Photo by Brian Happel
CENTER: HELP WANTED City police community center expanding By Brian Happel STAFF WRITER
PLATTSBURGH | As the Plattsburgh City Police Department Community Service Center celebrates its first anniversary, it is also offering even more help for anyone who needs it. The center is now partnering with the National Alliance on Mental Illness-Champlain Valley to provide an
expansion of services. That includes social worker and peer advocate Todd Truscott. “If one person can live a little easier, live a better life, then my work here is done.” Truscott is available at the center on Margaret Street on Monday and Friday afternoons for anyone to drop in, with the goal to have a peer advocate there full time during the week. He will be able to support people facing many of life’s challenges, from fighting opioid addiction to getting treatment for mental illness. Truscott can also help the homeless find shelter, get food to a family struggling to figure out where their next meal will come from or help visitors with paperwork from various agencies. See PD COMMUNITY CENTER » pg. 3
Clinton County approves budget
Legislators keep eye on spending plan By Brian Happel STAFF WRITER
Clinton County legislators prepare to give final approval to next year’s budget. This will mark the ninth year that municipal governments must comply with the state-enacted property tax cap. Photo by Brian Happel
PLATTSBURGH | Clinton County legislators on both sides of the aisle say there is plenty to be happy about while also remaining vigilant about next year’s spending plan. The 2020 budget approved by county lawmakers at the session on Dec. 11 stands at $174.7 million. “It’s a good, solid budget, there’s no question about that,” Area Eight Republican Legislator Mark Dame said. “But in a $170 million document with thousands of items and 800 some odd people working for the county, I’m sure there’s areas for efficiencies and savings that we’ll hopefully see and catch throughout the year.” See COUNTY BUDGET » pg. 2
Dan Stec announces run for senate Assemblyman to face Clinton County treasurer By Sarah Elizabeth Morris STAFF WRITER
NEW YORK | New York State Assemblyman of the 114th District Dan Stec officially announced that he will be running for the former State Senator Betty Little’s seat as
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Republican. Assemblyman Billy Jones of the 115th District is not running for the 45th Senate seat, opting instead to remain in the assembly. “With one-party control, we need someone who will continue her strong legacy as an honest, hardworking elected official,” Stec said in his announcement. “Someone who will push back against the radical liberal tax-and spend agenda that crushes our communities. Someone who will fight for our needs and values.” Stec is from Queensbury, which is covered by the 45th District. He was elected as assemblyman back in 2013, following his
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time as Town Supervisor. Because of his campaign for the senate seat, Stec is giving up the assemblyman chair, leaving it open to a potential runner. No one has officially confirmed they will be running for Stec’s assembly seat, but many politicians have expressed interest. Facing Stec during the 2020 election season is current Clinton County Treasurer Kimberly Davis, who is running as a Democrat. Davis announced her running back in May of 2019. Since then, she has raised over $26,000 for her campaign. See STEC » pg. 5
In the run: Assemblyman Dan Stec, 50, has been in his position for almost seven years. Following the retirement of current Senator Betty Little, Stec announced that he’d be running for her position in the 45th District. Photo provided by Dan Stec
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