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HOMES EVERY WEEK! February 23, 2019

Times of Ti

suncommunitynews.com

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Trails get ADIRONDACKS WARM UP cleared APA approves Frontier Town hiking and horse paths By Tim Rowland STA FF W RITER

NORTH HUDSON | The state received approval from the Adirondack Park Agency last week to proceed with the third phase of a trail system at the redeveloped Frontier Town campground and equestrian center. The vote was unanimous after Department of Environmental Conservation representatives answered a few questions from commissioners, who sought assurances that the stone and other building materials would blend into the landscape. » Frontier Town Cont. on pg. 5

Climate change happening faster in park than elsewhere, scientists say » Climate change Cont. on pg. 2 Scientist Curt Stager speaks to a meeting of the Adirondack Park Agency.

Photo by Tim Rowland

Two plead guilty in case of widespread medical taxi fraud Taxi cab owners charged in connection with alleged scheme to defraud state out of millions of dollars By Elizabeth Izzo STA FF W RITER

The new Frontier Town campground will cater to tent campers, equestrians and RVs. Photo provided

OLIVE’S TI PI TO REOPEN UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP

Opening ceremony slated for Feb. 28

» Ti Pi Cont. on pg. 5

Ice rink reborn

PLATTSBURGH | Two men implicated in an alleged scheme to defraud the state out of millions of dollars in Medicaid funds have pleaded guilty. Avalanche Taxi owner Arshad Nazir, 54, of Plattsburgh pleaded guilty in federal court Tuesday to charges of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and offering and conspiring to pay bribes and kickbacks to Medicaid beneficiaries, all felonies. Nazir has also been ordered to pay $550,000 in restitution to the state Department of Health. He faces a sentence of up to 10 years in prison and an additional fine of up to $250,000 at his sentencing on June 18. Nazir’s plea deal is contingent upon his also pleading guilty to state charges of second-degree grand larceny and failure to secure workers’ compensation — both felonies — in Essex County Court at a later

date, according to the New York State Workers’ Compensation Fraud Inspector General’s Office. Capital Cab Corporation owner Muhammad N. Jahangir, 24, of Queensbury, pleaded guilty in Ticonderoga Town Court last week to two misdemeanors, petit larceny and failure to secure compensation, a worker’s compensation crime. He’s expected to pay $17,600 in restitution and is due back in town court April 3. “Today’s guilty plea is proof that we will not tolerate the actions of those willing to victimize their customers in order to steal millions of taxpayer dollars,” New York State Police Acting Superintendent Keith Corlett said in a statement Tuesday.

MULTI-YEAR INVESTIGATION

The pleas are the latest development in a broad, multi-year, joint federal and state investigation of medical taxi fraud that lead to more than 40 felony and misdemeanor charges against the owners and drivers of 11 cab companies in the Adirondacks last May. Workers’ Compensation Fraud Inspector General Leahy Scott said that these cab companies have “plagued” the Adirondack Northway for years. Altogether, the companies claimed “multiple millions of dollars in fraudulent Medicaid billings,” according to the New York State Workers’ Compensation Fraud Inspector’s Office. » Taxi fraud Cont. on pg. 8

Schroon Lake rink and pavillion ‘will get a lot of use’ By Tim Rowland STA FF W RITER

SCHROON LAKE | Schroon Lake’s fourth-generation (at least) ice rink opened last month, under a pavilion that will make the facility a year-round attraction. Schroon Supervisor Mike Marnell said he’s been involved with ice rinks dating back to 1982, when, lacking proper hockey gear, he mortified his daughter when he showed up to skate at a new rink wearing a motorcycle helmet. Past rinks have operated at the school, down near the Schroon Lake beach and most recently up on the hill overlooking the lake where the grand Victorian Leland House hotel once stood. But Marnell said the former rink had no cover, which was a problem when it snowed and when the sun would hit one end of the rink but not the other, causing deformities in the ice.

Schroon Supervisor Mike Marnell with the new Schroon Lake skating rink and pavilion.

The new rink is primarily for use as a place to free skate, and equipment is available to borrow at an adjoining stand. “Hopefully this will get the kids to stop playing with their cellphones and put on skates,” Marnell said. Eventually, he said, there will be designated hockey nights as well, along with a few times a year that snacks and hot

chocolate will be available as well. In summer, the rink will have a concrete floor suitable for roller skating, and the roof was designed to be high enough to potentially accommodate a basketball court. It will also be home to the Schroon Lake Association craft fair in July, farmers markets, square dances and other craft shows. “It will get a lot of use,” Marnell said.

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In addition, it will be available for family picnics and events, and will serve as shelter for swimmers on the beach in the event of a thunderstorm. Use of the pavilion is free of charge. The $130,000 pavillion took advantage of an $80,000 state grant, and fills a significant need for the area, Marnell said. » SL rink Cont. on pg. 7


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