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ECRWSS PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID DENTON PUBLICATIONS/ NEW MARKET PRESS PO Box 338 Elizabethtown NY 12932 Postal Patron

Saturday,ÊNo vemberÊ12,Ê2016

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www.SunCommunityNews.com

In SPORTS | pg. 12-14

Heading to States

Lake Placid cross country looking for repeat

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In opinion | pg. 6

What a wild ride

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Let’s hope this never happens again

In Arts | pg. 9

Avenue Q at Stafford Theater

Drama Club performance set for Nov. 17-20

Supervisors cast doubts on OFA merger Essex County Board of Supervisors float options following well-attended public hearing By Pete DeMola pete@suncommunitynews.com

ELIZABETHTOWN — County lawmakers are considering walking back efforts to merge the aging department into public health. The merger, long in the works, was subject to a public hearing last week. About a dozen stakeholders spoke out against the proposal that is now awaiting state approval.

Climate

County officials were also presented with 500 signatures of senior citizens who are said to be against the merger. On Monday, Mike Marnell (R-Schroon) asked if he could offer a resolution to “abolish” the measure. “If so, I would make that resolution,” Marnell said. James Monty (R-Lewis) said he agreed. “I’d like to push it, but this isn’t the time,” Monty told Marnell. Joe Giordano (I-Ticonderoga) said he met with members of the Office for the Aging Advisory Council last week to discuss their concerns on transparency. The council said they were largely frozen out of the process. Previously, the group raised questions about projected cost sav-

ings and concerns that services would be reduced. Critics also believe combining the departments would lead to a loss of independence at a time when services need to be enhanced to address a rapidly aging population. Randy Preston (I-Wilmington), who has spoken in favor of the consolidation, agreed there may have been a lapse in communication. “I’m concerned seniors were led to believe something bad was happening,” he said. County lawmakers are resolute that services to county seniors will not be diminished during the shift. >> See OFFICE FOR THE AGING | pg. 11

Input sought for county EMS strategic plan

change fight Native speakers, youth and science focus on cooperation, accord at Adirondack Climate Coalition gathering

Public encouraged to submit comments as county moves forward on addressing EMS crisis

SARANAC LAKE — Young voices, American Indian voices, science and silent words drawn across protest signs delivered messages of concern and hope at the Adirondack Climate Coalition march here last week. A row of seven small posters leaned against the stage at Riverside Park: Kim Dedam “Make our world a better place,” one Writer said. Another simply asked for “A kind world.” These came from Keene Central School students, said Nicky Frechette, an event coordinator with Mothers Out Front. Her daughter Lily worked with school friends to create the messages. Theirs weren’t the only very small voices. Young people who train with the New York Ski Educational Foundation marked their support, declaring “I am pro-snow” with their signs, a reference to climate change impact on winter sports.

Lake Placid High School Senior Birk Albert, 17, is a United Nations Tribal Earth Ambassador. He spoke at the climate awareness gathering in Saranac Lake last week about ongoing water protection action on Standing Rock Sioux lands in North and South Dakota.

>> See CLIMATE CHANGE | pg. 15

Photo by Kim Dedam

By Pete DeMola pete@suncommunitynews.com

ELIZABETHTOWN — What are your expectations when you call 911? It may seem like a no-brainer, but the county’s emergency services coordinator wants to hear from you. For much of the past year, EMS Coordinator Patty Bashaw has been surveying emergency service squads across the county, discerning their concerns and needs as the municipality explores solutions to addressing the declining rate of volunteers. One of the final steps in the data collection process is collecting input from county residents. A new website has been launched, and the public is encouraged to share their insights. >> See EMS CRISES | pg. 11


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