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June 27, 2009
A Denton Publication
Free
Music
Coupon Queen
Observer
Concert series returns to Mirror Lake this summer.
That’s right, you can shop and get paid at the same time.
Driving the speed limit can be quite a challenge for some.
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Hearing on Whiteface Resort project draws a crowd By Chris Morris denpubs@denpubs.com LAKE PLACID — It was standing room only June 17 as the Lake Placid-North Elba Joint Review Board held a public hearing on the proposed Whiteface Resort subdivision project dubbed “Overlook II.”
The hearing kicked-off with a brief overview of the project, which involves developing resortowned property on Whiteface Inn Lane near Edgewood Road and Chipmunk Lane. Resort General Manager Mark Sperling detailed the plans. “We’re proposing taking an area and utilizing it for 22 twin homes
or duplex homes, 11 structures,” he said. “The 11 structures will be placed in the footprint of building envelopes that were previously approved for 11 large single-family homes.” Neighboring property owners were concerned with previous projects from the Whiteface Resort, noting that the stormwater run-off
from Overlook I has caused significant damage to homes downhill from the development. One resident told the board she had pictures of a neighbor ’s living room flooded with water. “We were assured in 1990 that there would be no negative impact on the lake or our property,” she said. “How do we know that will
be the case now?” Other property owners were concerned about the impacts of an additional subdivision on the surrounding area. Mark Wilson is president of the Lake Placid Shoreowners Association. “My three main points that I’d like to address concern lake water
See WHITEFACE, page 8
Supervisors to decide on health insurance benefits By Chris Morris denpubs@denpubs.com ELIZABETHTOWN — The issue of whether Essex County elected officials should contribute to their health insurance plans will be decided at the July meeting of the county Board of Supervisors. Only one town supervisor in Essex County currently takes fully paid health insurance benefits – St. Armand’s Joyce Morency. She came forward during the June 15 meeting of the Personnel Committee after Westport Supervisor Daniel Connell said constituents complained to him that the board isn’t following it’s own policies and procedures. But Morency – the longest tenured supervisor in Essex County – said when she was first elected in 1981 elected officials were offered paid health insurance to offset their relatively low pay. Additionally, an error in the county’s policy manual says both elected officials and unionized workers may take health benefits without contributing. “I had the option of taking medical insurance from either the Town of St. Armand or the county,” Morency said. “To me, the choice is obvious.” “The problem is, for me, is when I came to the county almost 29 years ago, I was an elected official and supervisors at that time earned $9,000 a year plus medical insurance,” Morency said. “So that was part of the deal. We didn’t make much of a salary, but we did get our medical insurance. And I’ve been getting it.” Morency said she was told she wouldn’t have to contribute to her plan because of her experience. County Manager Dan Palmer said she’s not necessarily wrong for taking up that position. “I’ve never been popular for saying this, but I think these supervisors are underpaid,” he said. “So the idea of extending cheap or free health insurance to these people isn’t really out-of-line.” “We’ve got to settle the issue of what constitutes what’s fair for them,” Palmer said. “Joyce has raised the issue that she was told she’d never have to pay for health insurance, and it never came to the point where she needed to until late in 2008. She’s kind of holding her ground, and wants us, the board, to make a determination. “And that’s really what’s got to happen next. The board needs to make a decision
See SUPERVISORS, page 3
Olympic Athletes from past and present joined several other local celebrities at Craig Wood Golf Course in Lake Placid June 18 for the ninth annual Olympian Celebrity Golf Classic. The event raised over $10,000 for the United Way of Clinton and Essex Counties. Photo submitted
Satisfy your appetite at Lake Placid Barbecue fest LAKE PLACID — Barbeque teams from throughout the United States, Canada and even Great Britain will return to the Olympic Oval in Lake Placid next weekend to fill the air with the sweet smell of barbeque and hickory smoke. The fourth annual Lake Placid I Love Barbeque Festival begins Friday, July 3, at 5 p.m. and continues throughout the weekend with live music, games, and, of course, some of the best grilled treats ever tasted in the Adirondacks. “I can't think of any better way to spend the July 4th weekend than with family, friends and barbeque,” stated the festival's director of operations Dmitry Feld. “This is an event that's created to bring together the community and family to celebrate all that's American... barbeque, plus raise money for an important organization.” Proceeds from the three-day food fest benefit the Shipman Youth Center of Lake Placid, a not-for-profit community organization providing support to children and youth ages 1018. Now in its fourth year, more than 8,000 people have attended the event and raised more than $20,000 per year. A new addition to the weekend festival is
the first-ever junior world championship barbeque competition. During the junior world championship event, barbequers between the ages of 16-21 will compete for big scholarship money from Paul Smith's College. The gold medal winning team and individuals will receive a $10-thousand scholarship from the school, while the silver medal winning team will earn a $6-thousand scholarship and the third place team a $5-thousand scholarship. Although the school specializes in hospitality, resort and tourism management, culinary arts and service management, the teams can use the scholarship money for any of the college's programs of study. “This event has taken the festival to a new level and is another reason for people to come to Lake Placid and to this event,” remarked Feld. Also highlighting the festival is Saturday's, July 4, "Buck-a-Rib" contest, where visitors can taste an assortment of ribs from 26 competing teams for just $1 apiece, and Sunday's, July 5, grand championship and New York state title cook-off. The winner will earn an automatic berth into the American Royal
See BBQ, page 5
Zydeco legend CJ Chenier will be among the many live performers at the fourth annual Lake Placid I Love Barbecue Festival next weekend. The event raises thousands for the Thomas Shipman Youth Center each year. Photo submitted