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Saturday,ÊNo vemberÊ5,Ê2016

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In SPORTS | pg. 21-23

Sentinels earn Class D title

In opinion | pg. 6

OFA plans not transparent

Lady Vikings Cinderella run ends

Electorate needs to know more

In MORIAH | pg. 13

Stay alert when driving

Advocate warns of distraction dangers

OFA merger plan criticized in public hearing Dozens pack Old County Courthouse to speak out against merger of aging department into public health By Pete DeMola

pete@suncommunitynews.com

TICONDEROGA — Essex County’s plan to merge a pair of departments was met with stiff resistance on Monday. Dozens crammed into the Old Courthouse for a public hearing on the plan to merge the Office for the Aging into the Essex County Department of Public Health.

Nearly a dozen speakers, including health care providers, civil servants and teachers, spoke out against the decision, calling for the county lawmakers to rescind their authorization for what has been branded as an efficiency-creating measure. Combining the departments would lead to a loss of independence at a time when services need to be enhanced, say critics. Demographic trends show seniors will be make up an increasingly larger slice of the population. And the projected cost savings, initially tabbed at $100,000 due to the elimination of a cabinet-level director, won’t materialize. Office for the Aging Advisory Council

AheadÊ of Ê landÊ useÊ debate,Ê groupsÊ turnÊ toÊ publicÊ opinion By Pete DeMola

Chairman Elizabeth Buysse said no other county in the state has embarked on a similar measure, an indication that the OFA needed to be kept as an umbrella agency. “Elder issues need to be kept at the forefront of the county,” said Buysse, who hoped she could receive assistance with telemedicine and flying cars in 20 years. “We must meet these challenges with a singular focus and independent department.” With an annual operating budget of $2.6 million, the state-mandated OFA runs 18 programs, including meal delivery, transportation, nutrition programs and caregiver services designed to ensure seniors remain independent. Under the new arrangement, OFA would

cease to be an independent cabinet-level department, and would be folded into one of several units overseen by public health. Jamie Whidden, executive director of Saranac Village at Will Rogers, said those programs are critical to preventing rehospitalization and keeping seniors independent. “You may end up stepping over a dime to pay a dollar later,” Whidden said. Twenty-one percent of Essex County is over 65, a number that is projected to increase to 30 percent by 2030. That’s significantly higher than the state average of 14.7 percent, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. >> See COUNTY | pg. 25

spending pro-access groups at least 10 to one.

pete@suncommunitynews.com

NORTH HUDSON — As the public comment period gears up for how the state will classify the newly acquired Boreas Pond Tracts, groups on either side of the debate are flexing their muscles when it comes to lobbying the public and delivering their message. The war over the 20,494-acre tract, purchased by the state for $14.5 million in May, will not only be fought at Adirondack Park Agency-sponsored public hearings across the state — the first is scheduled for Nov. 9, and comments will be accepted until Dec. 30 — but also on the digital frontier: Expect an influx of social media posts, blog entries and news articles. They will join mass emails, letter writing campaigns, television advertisements and targeted online advertising, making the battle, perhaps for some, as ubiquitous as a political campaign. But it’s not all even, with green groups out-

THE PLAYERS The parcels, purchased by the state earlier from the Nature Conservancy, is largely anticipated to be the final in a series of largescale state acquisitions. Formerly owned by the Finch Pruyn timber company, the land has been closed to the public for over a century. Now the APA will collect comments to help determine the classification of the land, then the state Department of Conservation will draft a Unit Management Plan, with a formal decision expected to be made sometime next year. Four proposed alternate classification plans have been approved by the APA. Both sides — in as much that sides are clearly delineated — have painted the final >> See BOREAS | pg. 24

Students from eight local schools gathered in Long Lake on Saturday, Oct. 29 to participate in the 2016 fall Central Adirondack School Music Association All-County Concert. Pictured here is the senior chorus under the direction of Dr. Michael Lister. For additional photos visit www.suncommunitynews.com. Photo by John Gereau

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TICONDEROGA

Event depicts British retreat at Fort Ticonderoga A Fort Ticonderoga living history program will flash back to 1777 By Lohr McKinstry

lohr@suncommunitynews.com

TICONDEROGA – A new living history program at Fort Ticonderoga will showcase British soldiers, loyalists, and Native American allies who were cut off from the rest of the British line after the surrender of British forces at Saratoga in November 1777. Short of food and supplies, and facing the inevitable decision to withdraw to Canada, the British and their allies prepared to evacuate Fort Ticonderoga, the “Gibraltar of the North.” The program is Saturday, Nov. 12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the fort. A musket demonstration at 11 a.m. will provide military perspective from the loyalist forces. Programs and demonstrations highlight the weapons, tactics, and trades of the British garrison in the late fall of 1777. Tours will explore the decision to evacuate the soldiers back to Canada and the choice to destroy Ticonderoga in their wake to leave nothing useful for Continental Army forces. “These soldiers, recruited from loyalist refugees, were the eyes and ears of British army along Lake Champlain,” fort Chief Executive Officer Beth Hill said. “Whether New England fowlers, native trade guns, or old French Muskets, we’ll show the arms of the loyalists and discuss fighting for king and country without a home. Another musket demonstration at 12:30

p.m. will interpret the German Brunswick soldiers. German soldiers made up nearly

half of the British army in 1777. The event will also feature lectures on the myths of the Hessians in the American Revolution, and explore the story of the soldiers from the Duchy of Brunswick who served at Ticonderoga. Admission to the event is $10 for the general public and free to Fort Ticonderoga members, Ambassador Pass holders, and

children age four and under. For the full event schedule, visit fortticonderoga.org, or call 585-2821. ABOVE: The “Now Left to Their Own Defense” event will show German and British military re-enactors leaving Fort Ticonderoga. The living history event takes place Saturday, Nov. 12.

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TICONDEROGA

Festival of Trees coming to Hancock House in Ti Annual event to fill historical mansion with holiday trees By Lohr McKinstry

lohr@suncommunitynews.com

TICONDEROGA – The Ticonderoga Historical Society is looking for people and groups to participate in its 26th-annual Festival of Trees at the Hancock House. The gala celebration is Nov. 26 through Dec. 31. Hancock House representative Robin Trudeau said the festival is an important community event. “Each year, community organizations, businesses, school groups and clubs help in decorating the Hancock House by providing a tree, a centerpiece, gingerbread

house or some other festive holiday art,” she said. The highlight of the Festival of Trees is the Champagne Reception, which this year is from 1 to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 4. For the event, 30 trees are stationed around the Hancock House, each with its own theme or decorative motif, Trudeau said. Trees can vary in size, but state fire regulations allow only artificial trees. Lighting and extension cords must be UL approved. Trudeau said decorated trees must be put up on or before Nov. 25, and removed the week of Jan. 2 through 7. The Hancock House should be contacted to set up a time. Trudeau said to register for space or get more information, people should call her at 585-7868.

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TICONDEROGA

As part of the “National Guard Humvee School Program” at Ticonderoga High School, Mike Uchal’s technology classes and Brett Bernhard’s Maine Technology Program worked “hands on” with active National Guard technicians and educators from the 1427 Medium Truck Company. The one-day presentation on Oct. 20 gave students a close look at an armored humvee and “Recker.” Organizers say that this program gave students an opportunity to learn more about the military’s mechanics, equipment, job details and engineering.

Hague Oktoberfest celebration a success HAGUE — The 8th Annual Hague Oktoberfest, held Sept. 16-19, was a tremendous success, according to organizers. The event attracted more than 900 visitors along with a record number of craftsmen and vendors. Attendees enjoyed perusing a wide variety of merchandise in the vendor alley, beer supplied by Adirondack Brewery, food from Rainer’s at the Ramada and Emerald’s and live music. Younger visitors were delighted by Penelope the Clown and enjoyed a variety of games. For the adults, the games included the Men’s Keg Toss

Photo provided

(Winner: John Ripp of Hulett’s Landing); the Women’s (Jen Pasquini of Hague and Florida, NY) and the Miss Oktoberfest Contest, won by Sandy Rypkema of Hague. The weekend concluded with a non-denominational lakeside service led by the Reverend Bruce Tamlyn. All proceeds from the event – including the money taken in from the 50-50 raffle – will go to support area youth programs, including $500 to the Ticonderoga Backpack Program, $1,500 to the Beste Scholarship Fund and $500 toward a college scholarship for a Hague student planning to study science, technology, engineering or math. Organizers wish to thank the 60 volunteers and local businesses who made the event possible.

27th ANNUAL

ST. MARY’S CRAFT FAIR at St. Mary’s School

November 5th • 10:00-4:00 November 6th • 9:00-2:00

Bake Sale Basket Raffle & Lunch Homemade Soups, Chili, Hot Dogs / Michigans, Nachos and Hot and Cold Beverages

88254

he month of September was a busy month with the extremely dry conditions we experienced. We responded to 12 emergencies including four wildland fires, two boat fires, two motor vehicle accidents and four other general alarms. Our membership totaled 382.1 man hours for all of the emergencies with an average response time of 2.1 minutes and an average time from call to on scene of 6.4 minutes with the average call taking 61.7 minutes. In addition to responding to the emergencies, we also conducted four weekly training drills that included 144 man hours. With the cold weather approaching we would like to remind everyone to please make sure your chimneys are properly cleaned and that all heating devices are properly installed and properly ventilated. Also please make sure you have working smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. Our department is always are looking for new members with several different types of membership available. Membership includes regular, associate, junior and auxiliary and applications can be obtained on Tuesday and Thursday nights at 7 p.m., or contact any member for more information. You don’t have to be an interior firefighter and go in burning buildings to help us: we have members who drive, are fire police, exterior support, administrative, and so on. There are many ways to help without going into a burning building. Feel free to stop by and see how you can help. Junior members are a great way for our youth to get involved in community service. We have a very successful junior firefighter program with a third of our current department members having started out as a junior members. We also have had some of our junior members move on to careers in emergency services as well as a few that are currently in college obtaining degrees in emergency services.

St. Mary’s School 64 Amherst Ave., Ticonderoga, NY 12883 (518) 585-7433

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TICONDEROGA

Ti Historical Society receives $10K grant for digitization project Prized Loescher collection to be shared online, thanks to Northern NY Library Network

TICONDEROGA — The Ticonderoga Historical Society has been awarded a $10,000 grant from the Northern New

York Library Network for the digitization of original records from the Loescher Collection. “The Loescher Collection is one of our most valuable holdings,” noted Historical Society President Bill Dolback. “The results of this grant will be of great benefit to scholars, military historians and genealogists. The collection offers a truly com-

prehensive look at Roger’s Rangers and includes original research, unpublished manuscripts, works of art, even a collection of highly detailed miniatures.” The grant will specifically allow rosters of enlisted men who served with Rogers to be available online through the New York Heritage website.

The historical society was gifted the special collection in 2004, following the death of Burt Garfield Loescher, who remains an acknowledged authority on Robert Rogers in the French and Indian War. This military unit is regarded as the inspiration for the U.S. Army Rangers and other special forces from World War II to present day.

BIRTHS

JacobÊ CharlesÊ Cole TICONDEROGA — Jacob Charles Cole was born Aug. 2 at 11:18 p.m., to Nicole Ezzo and Tyler Cole of Ticonderoga. He weighed 8 pounds 3.1 ounces and was 20 1/2 inches long. His maternal grandparents are Valerie and Farrelly Ezzo of Ticonderoga and his paternal grandparents are Ricky Cole of Ticonderoga and Velda and Terry Dickerson of Pheonix, AZ.

Ann Knight, who won $300 in a raffle, stands with Seth Towne and Kevin Hart of the Ticonderoga Fish and Game Club. Proceeds from the raffle benefited the Ticonderoga Fish and Game Club. Photo provided

Public Health Dept. : Help available for pre-diabetes ELIZABETHTOWN — More than 1 in 3 Americans, about 86 million, have pre-diabetes. Nine out of 10 don’t know they have it. Pre-diabetes is when your blood sugar is higher than normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. The condition is still dangerous because it increases the risk of heart disease, stroke and progression to Type 2 diabetes. In fact, without lifestyle changes, 15-20 percent of people with pre-diabetes will go on to develop diabetes in five years. There are factors that increase the risk of pre-diabetes – age (especially after 45), being overweight or obese, having a family history of diabetes, having a history of diabetes while pregnant or having given birth to a baby weighing 9 pounds or more, and being physically inactive. The good news? If you have pre-diabetes, research shows that doing just two things can help you prevent or delay Type 2 diabetes: lose 5-7 percent of your body weight and get at least 150 minutes each week of physical activity – even brisk walking counts. Making these two changes can cut your risk

of getting Type 2 diabetes in half! The first step, though, is knowing your status. That’s why the Essex County Health Department has partnered with Elizabethtown Community Hospital (ECH) to raise awareness of pre-diabetes and increase the collective capacity of our organizations to offer preventative programs in the area of chronic disease. Over the last several weeks, both organizations have held or attended events to offer pre-diabetes screening – a simple paper test to assess an individual’s risk for pre-diabetes. When people are aware of their risk, they are then armed with information to bring to their health care providers. Simply discussing their screening results with their doctor can prompt testing to determine if pre-diabetes is confirmed. “Knowledge is power,” said Linda Beers, Director of Public Health. “We know changes in diet and physical activity levels are some of the hardest changes to make, but small lifestyle tweaks made and sustained over time can lead to big results in terms of health. We don’t want people to think they have

to change everything in their life or give up all their favorite activities – that’s just not practical. But, by slowly introducing healthier foods and increasing physical activity levels, better habits tend to stick.” Flu vaccines will continue to be offered throughout the fall and winter at the Elizabethtown office on Mondays and Thursdays. For an appointment, call 873-3500. ECHD and ECH are also preparing to offer more chronic disease prevention and self-management courses soon.

6 | November 5, 2016 • The Times of Ti Sun

OPINIONS

Behind the Pressline

OurÊ goalÊ atÊ SunÊ CommunityÊ NewsÊ isÊ toÊ publishÊ accurate,Ê usefulÊ andÊ timelyÊ informationÊ inÊ ourÊ newspapers,Ê newsÊ products,Ê shoppingÊ guides,Ê vacationÊ guides,Ê andÊ otherÊ specialtyÊ publicationsÊ forÊ theÊ benefit of our readers and advertisers. WeÊ valueÊ yourÊ commentsÊ andÊ suggestionsÊ concerningÊ allÊ aspectsÊ of Ê thisÊ publication.

Dan Alexander

Publisher/CEO

Dan Alexander is CEO of Sun Community News. He may be reached at dan@suncommunitynews.com.

OPINION

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Nightmare over or just beginning?

any feel that as this election nears the national nightmare will soon be over and life can get back to “normal”, if there is such a thing. I like to be positive about things but I fear the nightmare may only get worse, regardless of who is elected. We know both candidates are flawed. We know both have very high negatives with the public. And we know our population is split on just who is worse. Therefore, I’m not sure either candidate will be the primary instigator of the new nightmare, but instead I think, like most nightmares, it will be self imposed. We’ve allowed ourselves to paint the candidate of our choice as a saint and the candidate we opposed to be Satan himself/herself. Unless we “let the election go” once it’s over, accept the new president as our Commander and Chief, we will make life even more of a nightmare by not accepting the wish of the majority. We hear of some who have threatened to leave the country, some are threatening a civil war and others vow civil disobedience. The reality is most candidates fail to deliver on their promises. So much of what you think either candidate will do may never come about or it won’t receive congressional approval, even if they try. Our nation and her people are strong. We’ve survived poor administrations before, but if we allow ourselves to become further polarized, we will have allowed the politicians to change who we are, from a united nation to a country that no longer respects the rule of law. It’s imperative that we the people never allow our politics or political leaders to pit us against each other, to the point of taking to the streets. As citizens we must demand greater transparency in government and be more aware of fact from fiction. We must demand a nonpartisan media or information center that helps keep us truly informed. It’s the only way we can keep an ever growing government completely in check. If we as citizens fail in our civic role we risk great peril and uncertainty for future generations. When you go to the polls next week choose wisely and may God Bless America.

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Publisher ............................................................................................Daniel E. Alexander Associate Publisher ............................................................................................ Ed Coats Operations Manager ............................................................................... William Coats General Manager Central...................................................Daniel E. Alexander, Jr. Managing Editor ...........................................................................................John Gereau General Manager North ................................................................. Ashley Alexander General Manager South .................................................................Scarlette Merfeld

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EDITORIAL

OFA merger deal the right decision, but could have been more transparent

ssex County is coming under fire for their decision to merge two departments: The Office for the Aging will be folded into the Department of Public Health. While the arrangement has been effective on a de facto basis since Jan. 1, the county is awaiting state approval to unlock next year’s funding stream. Lawmakers voted during last year’s budget discussions to eliminate the OFA director position. An equivalent has been crafted, and will fall under the purview of the public health director. Doing so will save $100,000 annually and create efficiencies between the departments, said county brass. The state-mandated aging agency runs several programs for seniors, including meal delivery, transportation, nutrition programs and caregiver services. Critics, including the crowd that packed Monday’s public hearing, have argued that the merger will result in a loss of services; that the county’s aging demographics require a cabinet-level position to ensure their interests, and projected cost savings will not materialize. As county officials craft next year’s budget, opponents are trying to kill the deal, and are putting lawmakers on the hotseat to rescind their decision. The county counters that efficiency is the new normal under the state’s fiscal climate, and that there is no evidence to prove a reduction in elder care, and that the streamlined operation will actually result in better services. We agree the merger is the right decision, but the county went about it the wrong way. The OFA Advisory Council has said they have been shut out of the year-long merger process. They said county officials did not respond to their inquiries or attend their meetings. And in order to receive info regarding the merger, they were forced to file Freedom of Information Law requests. Bolstering their argument, the state OFA has chastised the county for not keeping them in the loop. The county has not disputed that narrative, instead offering a parochial “father knows best approach.” As such, the subsequent controversy is of their own making because they allowed an environment of distrust and suspicion to unnecessarily fester. With better communication, this all could have been avoided.

We see no reason why county officials chose to allegedly freeze the advisory council out of the loop considering there is nothing untoward here. Facts speak volumes. We agree with the county that the onus is on critics to prove services will be slashed. So far, they have not: No staffers have lost their jobs. There is no indication services will be reduced. No seniors have gone on record with complaints. In fact, services to the elderly population have actually increased by 5 percent over the past year, as demonstrated in the formal report submitted to the state. This is clear evidence that the new arrangement is working. We know the folks at the county public health department, and we have full confidence that they will remain committed to providing the care that seniors deserve. Another overlooked aspect is the looming disaster facing the county’s emergency services squads. To combat the declining volunteers that run local squads, the county has redeployed resources from the OFA to combat the problem, which they have frequently referred to a crisis, and have even wrangled state brass to address the issue. Essex County is making headway on those fronts, conducting surveys of local squads, opening a dialogue with state officials and entertaining the idea of a countywide EMT service. This is an issue that is equally vital to seniors, and the county’s aging population. The private sector frequently streamlines services, and government should follow pursuit. Seniors are now wielding the merger issue over lawmakers like a sword, and they are faced with a tough decision: Rescind the decision, or stay the course at the risk of political fallout. The county is absolutely correct in their decision to merge the departments. It is unfortunate that they could not be more transparent in doing so. The Sun Community News Editorial Board is comprised of Dan Alexander, John Gereau and Pete DeMola. We want to hear from you. Drop us a line on our Facebook page, or follow us on Twitter, to share your thoughts.

LETTERS

ForÊ theÊ greaterÊ good To the Editor: A brief history: There is a road in Thurman that has been a point of contention. A family who owns large back woods acreage abutting the road claims it is a private road. The town lawyers maintain that it is a public road and the board voted to reconfirm the town road status. Currently, county and state agencies have been receiving multiple and daily complaints, ongoing for the past year or more, about the progress of Thurman’s capital projects. Interestingly, these call came from a few individuals including the patriarch of this same family who is also a sitting board member. His repeated phone calls have significantly delayed the completion of these projects since county and state regulatory agencies by law must respond to complaints before with appropriate reviews before work can continue. At a recent board meeting the Supervisor announced that these delays have

cost the town thousands of dollars in legal fees, town employee time, repeated documentation, etc. and that it may necessitate a tax override for the next budget. Immediately following the meeting the matriarch of this same family approached two board members (Gail Seaman and Jey Youngblood) asking if we were now sorry for the position had taken on the status of this road. I find the implications of this question to be offensive! It suggests that conducting town business for the good of the whole town had been obstructed by this family because of a vote that did not go their way. So be it if the whole town pays higher taxes for their obstructionism! The citizens of Thurman should be proud to have board members who will make hard decisions based on facts, law, the greater good, and not on favoritism, wealth and self-interest. Jey Youngblood Thurman

ENDORSEMENT POLICy

s we approach the upcoming election season we want to make an important distinction regarding candidate endorsements. With a free distribution in excess of 60,000 homes, our papers are inundated every election cycle with candidate endorsements. The only source of revenue our community publications receive to offset the cost of print, delivery and overhead is paid notices and advertisements. All candidate endorsements must now run either in the form of an advertisement or a paid endorsement notice and include the name of the individual making the en-

dorsement. The paid endorsement notice can be purchased in three sizes — a quick 50 words or less for $15; a 51-175 word endorsement for $50 or a 176-300 word endorsement for $75. A paid advertisement will be based on standard advertising rates taking into consideration size and frequency according to the current rate card at the open advertising rate. For rates call Ashley at 873-6368 ext 105 or email ashley@denpubs.com.

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

PublicÊ hearingÊ lastÊ chanceÊ toÊ beÊ heardÊ onÊ zoningÊ law To the Editor: Elizabethtown property owners, this is your last chance to be heard regarding your property rights. On Nov. 15 at 6:30 p.m., the Elizabethtown Town Board will be holding a public hearing on a proposed new hamlet zoning law. The new law created by the planning board is triple the size of the existing hamlet law, and gives the planning board more authority. The new law is focused on the hamlet, but within two years, it’s likely the same principles will be considered for application towards the townwide Comprehensive Plan when it is revisited by the planning board. Originally the planning board denied the Comprehensive Plan was a townwide thing, but then had to admit that it was. The townwide Comprehensive Plan was toned down before passage by the Town Board. The planning board now say this hamlet zoning law is a simple update, but it’s much more than that and needs to be toned down as well. I have submitted numerous concerns to the planning board, as they requested, but with no apparent result. I’ve copied the same concerns to the town board who I trust are willing to consider all options. Two months ago, a public hearing occurred, but no one knew about it, myself included. The planning board opposes a second public hearing and encouraged the town board to not allow questions if a hearing is held for fear that property owners would vent and shred the plan. I strongly urge the town board to reject this law as written. It puts total authority in the hands of three non-elected people, allows for their personal discretion, and creates an extremely onerous permitting process. The chairman of the planning board regulating your property is local realtor Bruce Pushee. Conflict of interest? While the town board has indicated a public hearing will be held it’s not the only way to voice an opinion. People can speak to a town board member or simply write a note to the town hall. Copies of the proposed law are available in the town hall and on the town website. Ken Fenimore Elizabethtown

OFAÊ mergerÊ shouldÊ beÊ rescinded To the Editor: Essex County legislators plan to merge the Office for the Aging (OFA) with the Public Health Department to save $100,000. Ticonderoga Area Seniors (TAS) are concerned and do not want this merger to take place. TAS feel they will best be served by one director for the Office for the Aging to insure that the needs of Seniors are met now and in the future. They fear a loss of monies, services, and benefits at a time when more “Baby Boomers” are swelling their ranks and will require additional assistance. The merger cuts a full time leadership from the Office for the Aging and replaces it with a director who already has four other major departments to manage. One director to manage OFA is the best solution for the seniors. At stake are 18 programs OFA manages which include meal delivery, transportation, nutrition programs and care givers services etc., to ensure seniors remain independent, healthy and happy. Do the Essex County Supervisors have to play this game to save $100,000 at the expense of the health and well being of our seniors? They should have consulted with the state Department of Health or state Office for the Aging first before initiating this move to merge departments. Our democratic government is first and foremost for the people, then the town level, county level, and the state level. Why did Essex County go ahead and make the move to merge two departments without first checking with the people through community forums, a public hearing, and the state Departments of the Aging and Health? We the people want to provide for our Senior Citizens in the best way we can. The Essex County Supervisors should rescind the resolution to merge the Office for the Aging and the Public Health Department. The Seniors of Essex County should have their own independent cabinetlevel department. The Essex County Supervisors will vote on Monday, Nov. 7 on the proposed resolution to either merge the two departments or to rescind the merger. Contact your supervisor — leave a message on the phone; or better yet, talk to your supervisor to express concerns about the merger. We the people want optimum services for the quality of life and well being of our senior citizens. Lucy Bilow Ticonderoga

PutinÕ sÊ responseÊ toÊ HillaryÊ ClintonÊ To the Editor: Frank Pagano’s letter makes good sense, really, calling Clinton on illfounded statements. Except for his second and last paragraphs. Given Mr. Pagano’s appeal for proper use of reasoning in drawing conclusions, characterizations like “recklessly provoking a nuclear-armed adversary”; “a conflict with Russia” and “the ad hominem attack on Russia was irresponsible and dangerous” are a bit of the kettle calling the pot black, yes? Putin is supposed to watch Clinton and be thinking, “Oh, I am so mad at her talking nasty about us: I’m going to get even with her by dropping a bomb somewhere?” Don Austin Elizabethtown

The Times of Ti Sun • November 5, 2016 | 7

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COMMENTARy

AÊ noteÊ fromÊ theÊ TiÊ Kiwanis To the Editor: Another program year has ended, a new one is to begin, and our club would like to take this time to say thank you to everyone who supports our fundraisers. With your assistance, we are able to provide scholarship programs, the backpack program, Easter egg hunt, the senior luncheon, Christmas activities for children and much more. Our club does not own a building; every dollar raised goes back into the community in one way or another. Over the years, some of our contributions include playground equipment and a gazebo in Bicentennial Park, playground equipment at the Ticonderoga Middle School, the bath house at the local beach and park benches in the town of Hague. We also contribute to the Town of Crown Point, sponsor a little league team and support the Ticonderoga Middle School mentor program. Our club goal is to make a difference in our community however we can. We meet every Thursday at noon for lunch. Starting Nov. 3 we will be getting together at the Best Western located at 260 Burgoyne Road, Ticonderoga. We are a small club looking to increase our membership. You don’t have to own a business to be a member, all are welcome. We’re sure if you attend a luncheon, you will enjoy making new friends, listening to our speakers, saying the Pledge of Allegiance, singing “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee” and saying grace before our meal. Our upcoming events include “Fuel Up With Kiwanis” and “Win 55,” the middle school and high school bridge building contest and many more. Darlene Dorsett Ticonderoga

EssexÊ CountyÊ tetheringÊ lawÊ designedÊ toÊ protectÊ wellbeingÊ of Ê animals To the Editor: Please except this letter as a response to the recent article favoring the “Tethering Law” titled “Essex County Needs a Tethering Law.” I would like to express my strong support in passing such a law to protect the animals in Essex County. These are not laws to punish owners or to try to make things difficult. The animal’s health and wellbeing is the number one priority. Passing such a law in this county can give law enforcement and animal advocates the opportunity to work together to help well deserving and well-meaning owners make a better life for their pets. The Humane Society of the United States reports that tethering can be bad for an animal because dogs are social animals who need interaction with humans or animals, and this type of confinement can damage their physical and psychological health. As a result, a continuously confined animal can become neurotic, unhappy, anxious and often aggressive. They end up with physical problems from collars, have more frequent problems related to insect bites and parasites. Plus, they’re at high risk of dangers from being stuck on a chain like entanglement, strangulation, or being stocked and attached by dogs, wildlife, or people. These dogs can suffer from dehydration by overturned water bowls and may not have adequate shelter during below zero weather and snow storms or humid days. For these reasons and many more, I support the tethering law, which will be a wonderful process for all to work together and better the lives of the animals in our county, and help to educate people on how to be a good pet owner and what an animal really needs to live a happy life. This law is welcome as a positive change to our community and not something negative that people must be afraid of — it will forge positive relationships working together to help animals and people together. I know that animal lovers working in this community want to help people improve the lives of the animals. I look forward to this law passing. Sabine Weber Owner, Man and Beast Lake Placid

JoinÊ inÊ onÊ projectsÊ thatÊ makeÊ ThurmanÊ aÊ betterÊ placeÊ toÊ live To the Editor: I have happily lived in the town of Thurman for 21 years. I have attended most town board meetings and find Supervisor Wood and board members Shepler and Seaman to be honest, intelligent, caring and dedicated to Thurman. I was a deputy town clerk for over six years. The former clerk, Cynthia Hyde, treated me well and was helpful to all who came to our office. But over the years, she was constantly very critical of fellow employees. The last couple years, she spent many hours doing this by phone and to those coming to the town hall. This resulted in inaccurate minutes and discrepancies in records and money handled by our office. I was put on an on-call basis because I didn’t agree with her rants, and that ended my time as a deputy. At a recent “Meet the Candidates” night, Keith Parent, who frequently writes letters, was very rude. He dragged his chair around, turning his back on the candidate speaking, which resulted in a loud noise. It seems that his letters and actions may be revenge for not getting hired for a job with the Highway Department. Board member Eddy was also rude and disrespectful at this event, as he has been at many board meetings. For the past few years, there has been a group that seems intent on spreading false information and is rude at meetings. The board makes decisions that aren’t always popular, but are made with the best interest of the town in mind. I would hope that this group would stop blaming others for “splitting” the town and join in projects that make Thurman a better place to live. Volunteering to help always brings joy to one’s heart. Paula Hubert Thurman

Living and Dying in America Glenn Mollette

Columnist

e are fortunate to live and die in America. Billions of people have died from starvation in third world countries. Millions have died in war torn places and never knew a moment of real peace during their lives. So many live and die in harsh nations where daily life is mere survival. We are blessed to be born and to live out our lives in America. Often in life we ask ourselves, “Why in the heck do I care about anything going on in the world?” Stuff like Presidential elections, taxes, jobs, border security and wars in the Middle East. The list of world junk is almost endless. Last week we buried my little 53-year-old niece. We watched her grow up, marry, battle a life of diabetes and eventually die from kidney failure and cancer. I didn’t write a column last week because who really cares about writing when you’re standing in the funeral home and at a graveside? We buried my wife’s father about a year ago who died suddenly. The sudden death of such a good man and friend was painful. I’ve stood at the grave a lot of my life. My sons and I buried my first wife who was their mother. The pain and grief cut our hearts out. A few years before that my wife and I buried a little stillborn baby that ripped us apart in grief. Through the years I’ve stood at the grave of both of my parents and officiated about 400 funerals for friends and fellow church members. In the middle of pain and grief we don’t really care about anything else. Who can focus on the environment, fossil fuels and worry about Social Security when we are bleeding grief and sorrow? I can’t and I doubt that most people, if anyone can. We stand at the grave and we analyze our lives knowing that soon or maybe in the next five, ten or at best 30 or so years our lives will be over and our bodies will be six feet under the dirt. Our hope is that we will be in a much better place, removed from our bodies and cared for by a loving God. Thus, knowing that our lives are so short what are we to do? Keep living. Life is a gift. Don’t fret the small stuff. It’s all really small stuff. Try to love people and accept people where they are and not where you think they should be. Forgive people and move forward. Don’t carry grudges. Make the most of every day. Don’t be timid about living life and don’t live your life based on what you think everybody else wants you to do. You may not believe in an afterlife. What if there is an afterlife, meeting God, eternity and all that stuff? Do you really want to chance not trying to be ready for something that will be so much longer than this world? Finally, we should try to leave this world a better place. This brings us back to Presidential elections, taking care of our planet, jobs, border security, terrorism, equality and life around us. Little people are following us. Who we vote for and how we leave this world is so important. We only get a few years and there is some reason we are here. Make a contribution. Vote, keep our country safe, help us stay free and keep working to keep America - America. A place where people want to live and a country where we can die knowing that we were blessed to live briefly in such a great land. Glenn Mollette is a syndicated columnist and author of eleven books. Contact him at GMollette@aol.com.

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The Times of Ti Sun • November 5, 2016 | 9

EyE ON THE ARTS

Creating stable communities

n “Palm Sunday,” Kurt Vonnegut wrote that young people should use their lives to do “the most daring thing,” which he says is “to create stable communities in which the terrible disease of loneliness can be cured.” In an era where technology can be a near-obsessive draw, I would argue that one of the most important facets of local sustainability is us young people not only contributing to that Doctor Who subreddit online, but the community around us. You may wonder sometimes, after reading through a newspaper’s event listings, how attending the opening reception of an art exhibit could matter. It matters because it not only has the ability to enrich your life, but your community at large. It gives local lawmakers something to point to when they want to grant additional funding for a certain project — with regular attendance to gallery openings and concerts, they can say that there is a market in your area, and residents have a clear interest in arts and entertainment. It gives you an opportunity to connect with people who you may never meet otherwise. Even if you are not an artist, it gives you the opportunity to meet them and connect with perspectives beyond your social circle. The list of benefits are seemingly endless. There are a number of events happening around the region this week. Here are just a few: On Nov. 4, the Upper Jay Art Center will host musician Adrian Legg at 8 p.m. Organizers say that Legg is a “virtuoso guitar legend.” Tickets are $15 per person. For more information, visit upperjayartcenter.org. The Strand Center for the Arts in Plattsburgh will open two new exhibits on Nov. 4. Artists Bobby Ziemba and Kimberly Provost will both open exhibits with a free reception at 5:30 p.m. Ziemba is a photographer with a “half century” of experience, organizer say. Provost is a pastel painter. The Strand will also host an adult dance workshop on Nov. 9. Ages 17 and up. Tickets are $20. For more information on these events, visit strandcenter.org. Plattsburgh’s ROTA Studio and Gallery will host Totally Gnarly, Doomf**k and Finkle & Einhorn at 7 p.m. Tickets are on a $3-10 sliding scale — attendees are encouraged to pay what they can afford. For more information, visit facebook.com/rotagallery. The 6th Annual “It’s in the Details” seminar will be held at Fort Ticonderoga on Nov. 5-6. Organizers say that this weekend event is intended for “collectors and people with an interest in learning more about objects of the 18th century and what they can tell us about history.” Registration is required. For more information, visit fortticonderoga.org. The Whallonsburg Grange will screen “Eye in the Sky” on Nov. 5 at 7:30 p.m. The film follows a lieutenant general — played by Alan Rickman— and a colonel, played by Helen Mirren, as they face the effects of a top-secret a drone operation. Tickets are $6. For more information, call 963-4170 or visit cvfilms.org.

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ELIZABETH IZZO

The Grange will also host an Election Day dinner on Nov. 8 at 4:30 p.m. Tickets are $12. For more information, contact admin@thegrangehall.info. The Champlain Wine Company in Plattsburgh will open a new exhibit featuring local portrait artists on Nov. 4. Artists included will be Nancy Fisher, Don Lafountain and more, known collectively as the Champlain Wine Portrait Artist Group. An opening reception and artist meet and greet is slated for Nov. 4 at 5 p.m. For more information, call 5640064 or contact champlainwinecompany@gmail.com. Saranac Lake’s BluSeed Studios will hold their 14th Annual Harvest Gathering fundraiser on Nov. 5 at 6 p.m. The event will feature live music, dancing, food and a silent auction. Tax-deductible donation levels are between $70-100. For more information, visit bluseedstudios.org. “Creepshow 8,” an 18+ drag event, will be held at the Plattsburgh VFW on Nov. 8. Performers will include Madame Blanche, Pattie Cake-Baker and more. Organizers will also host best costume and pumpkin carving contests at the event. Tickets are $10 at the door, $8 if bought at Studio Avant Garde in advance. For more information, visit facebook.com/HAUSofStarrNY. Charlie Parr will perform at the Waterhole in Saranac Lake on Nov. 8. Parr is a folksinger with 13 recordings and more than 250 shows per year under his belt. For more information, visit saranaclakewaterhole.com. The Ricochet Duo will perform a jam-packed classical and contemporary music setlist at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship’s Palmer street venue in Plattsburgh on Nov. 6. The duo will perform works by ten composers. Tickets are $10 per person. The show will begin at 4 p.m. For more information, call 578-2081 or contact ricochet.duo.info@gmail.com. Rockband Tambourelli & Her SuperTrips will perform at the 190 Grille & Cinema in Glens Falls every Saturday in November. The shows are expected to last from 9 p.m. until midnight. For more information, visit tambourelli.com or facebook.com/HeadyPro. www.suncommunitynews.com/A&Efor the latest events

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Pictured: Rose Chancler and Jane Boxall of the Ricochet Duo. The pair will perform at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship’s Palmer Street venue on Nov. 6. Photo provided

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REGIONAL

Vietnam vets urged to receive hepatitis C testing Free clinic to be offered this weekend at American Legion Post 1619 in Morrisonville By Pete DeMola

pete@suncommunitynews.com

MORRISONVILLE — The boot camp ritual was robotic in its precision. Soldiers lined up for their vaccination shots. Needles were outdated, “jet guns” were in, and soldiers received high pressure blasts of an 18-drug cocktail before being shipped off to Vietnam. The U.S. military saw the pneumatic devices as an exercise in modern efficiency. “These guns were made for cattle originally,” said Danny Kaifetz, a U.S. Marine who served from 1970-72. “This thing hurt.” The flinching led to ripped skin. Blood sprayed onto the gun, where it mixed with fluids from others. And kapow — the process repeated for the next guy, with no sterilization of the device between uses. Now 40 years later, growing evidence suggests the guns, banned since the 1990s, acted as a vessel to transport diseases, including hepatitis C. “The VA is backing off and is even allowing disability claims,” Kaifetz said. “Everybody knows it’s this gun.” ‘PERFECT STORM’ Kaifetz, who serves as the medical officer for American Legion Post 1619, is spearheading an effort to get all Vietnamera veterans tested. He called the factors that led to the mass spreading of the virus a “perfect storm.” War, the draft, the lifestyle, culture — and the gun. The 1960s and early 1970s was a period of high recreational drug use. The draft saw an eclectic cross section of the population being pulled in, including low-level criminals who signed up to U.S. Marines to wipe away their pending charges. Hepatitis C was not discovered until 1989 — and testing wasn’t developed until 1992 — making it possible for those with the virus to donate blood for decades. “God knows how many people were infected,” said Kaifetz. “And this gun was the great equalizer.”

who served during the Vietnam era (1964-75), which leaves a large number of undocumented victims, or those receiving private care outside of the VA system. But what is known is that the infection rate for those who served in the Vietnam era is 10 times greater than the general population infection rate. “You’re looking at 2.5 million guys carrying this virus,” Kaifetz said. “Seventy-five percent of vets don’t know they have it.” ‘MORE DEADLY THAN AN AK-47’ The American Legion Post American Legion Post 1619 is working on a statewide awareness campaign and urging all Vietnam-era veterans to get tested for hepatitis C. Two free clinics are scheduled for Nov. 4 and 5 in Morrisonville. Pictured 1619 is working on a statewide above: A veteran receives a test at the clinic in February. awareness campaign and is Photo provide urging all Vietnam-era veterans to get tested. Two free clinics are scheduled for Nov. 4 and 5 in MorriTHE ILLNESS sonville. Hepatitis C is asymptomatic, which means it can sit dorThe session marks the second event this year. mant for decades. In February, Post 1619 became the first in the U.S. to offer If left untreated, it can destroy the liver and lead to death. tests. The turnout quadrupled the goal of 100 veterans, with Symptoms of the disease can be flu-like and include fever, 401 guys participating. fatigue, muscle ache, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, jaunFive percent of Clinton County vets were tested. dice, abdominal pain, joint pain, dark urine and gray-colored This weekend, the goal is 500. stools. Kaifetz likened the process to a NASA laboratory, with For those over 65, some of those symptoms are everyday stuff, Kaifetz said, making the undiscovered illness even more medical personnel from Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital working with machine-like efficiency with local post insidious. By the time serious symptoms are discovered, damage may members, volunteers and religious personnel to issue the rapid protocol antibody tests and subsequent counseling. be irreversible. “You couldn’t overstate any praise you want to give them,” The pool of victims could be enormous. Kaifetz said. The Veterans Administration has treated 65,000 veterans The tests have a 96 percent accuracy rating. for the virus, according to the military newspaper Stars and While the results of those tests have been sealed, Kaifetz Stripes, but about 87,000 remain untreated and an additional said the diagnoses were in line with national statistics. 20,000 are undiagnosed. “It was a significant number,” he said. “We saved some lives Kaifetz said the number could be far higher. The VA treats 22 percent of the 2.5 million U.S. veterans and there’s no doubt about it.” ‘1619 MODEL’ Following those initial successes, Kaifetz presented a report to 100 regional commanders from across northern New York. The story received attention from VA higher-ups and eventually went national. The Albany Stratton VA Medical Center paid close attention to the pilot project and are sending top brass to Morrisonville this weekend to monitor the effort with the goal of replicating the socalled “1619 Model” across the state in a turnkey package. “We can just make a boilerplate package,” Kaifetz said. “You build it and they will come.” Future clinics may be held in Syracuse, Albany or New York City — areas with a higher concentration of veterans. Kaifetz has already been recruited to go on the road. And that success is exactly why he said it’s imperative for local veterans to get tested this weekend. “If you don’t make this clinic, there’s no guarantee we’ll hold another one in the spring,” said Kaifetz, who likened the clinic to seeing a rock band in their garage before they became huge. “It’s imperative they show up now before our own success draws this away from local testing into statewide and national testing.” TREATMENT Testing is just the first step. Twenty percent of veterans >> See TESTING | pg. 25

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The Times of Ti Sun • November 5, 2016 | 11

MORIAH

Awards were presented at the Port Henry Volunteer Fire Department’s recent banquet. From left are Fire Chief James Hughes, Rookie of the Year Benjamin Hanson, Firefighter of the Year Phillip Smith and President Ron Nesbitt Jr.

Phillip Smith is Firefighter of Year in Pt. Henry Port Henry Fire Department held its annual banquet and awards night By Lohr McKinstry

lohr@suncommunitynews.com

PORT HENRY – The Port Henry Volunteer Fire Department held its 142nd Annual Firemen’s Banquet that named Fire Captain Phillip Smith, with 20 years of fire service experience, the Firefighter of the Year for 2015. Smith was presented a firefighter statue engraved with his name and a gold, uniform medal. The Rookie of the Year for 2015 was awarded to firefighter Benjamin Hanson, as selected by the chief officers of the department. A statue of a firefighter was presented to him in appreciation of his efforts. In addition, proclamations as presented by state Assemblyman Dan Stec and state Senator Betty Little were offered marking these achievements for both gentlemen. The event was held at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Port Henry, with 80 people attending. Fire Chief James Hughes, organizer of the festivities, acted as master of ceremonies. Several presentations were made throughout the evening beginning with recognition given to the new administrative and line officers of the department that included: President Ron Nesbitt,Jr., Vice President Charles McCaughin, Secretary Christopher Lee and Treasurer Linda DuRoss. Line Officers recognized included 1st Assistant Chief Ron Van Slooten Jr., 2nd Assistant Chief John T. Waldron, 3rd Assistant Chief Robert DeFelice, Captains Phil Smith and William Boyle, Lieutenants Michael Hughes Jr. and Gary Badore and Safety Officers John F. Waldron & Phillip Huchro. Port Henry Fire Department members recognized for several years of service included: Peter Cutting (5), Robert DeFelice (10), Nestor Rodriquez, Sr. (10), John T. Waldron (25), James Hughes (30), and Timothy McCaughin, Sr. (30) years of service, respectively. Special recognitions were given to those senior volunteers with 40 or more years of service to the department. Members recognized included Thomas Trow (40), Thomas McDonald (41), William Pratt (43), Phillip Huchro (45), Charles McCaughin (46), Thomas Boyle (50), Lester Daby (56), John Sweet (58), and John “Jack” Waldron for (67) years of service. “These remarkable gentlemen represent 446 years of combined service and experience to the community,” Hughes said. “Each member received Port Henry Fire Department service lapel pins.” In addition, those members with 40 or more years of service each received customized firefighter work shirts with their name and department crest. Firemen’s Association of New York State President Ken Pienkowski also presented proclamations to members with more than 50 years of fire service that included Thomas Boyle, Lester Daby, John Sweet, and John F. Waldron. Past Chief and past President William Pratt received a special tribute and the Fire Chief ’s Appreciation Award plaque for his 43 years of dedicated service to the department and community. Thomas Boyle, past assistant chief, was presented an inscribed Firefighter wristwatch for his 50 years of service to the community by the firefighters. A special recognition was extended to Michael Hughes Jr., for responding to 38 out of 61 calls in 2015. An engraved Leatherman Tool was presented to him marking his achievement. “This event once again proved to be a night rich in tradition, enjoyment, and entertainment for all firefighters, their wives, invited and distinguished guests,” Hughes said.

Moriah Chamber of Commerce President Cathy Sprague (right) handed out candy to trick-or-treaters in Port Henry on Halloween. Photos by Lohr McKinstry

12 | November 5, 2016 • The Times of Ti Sun

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Moriah budget finally ready with 3.9% levy increase

Budget up due to dissolution By Lohr McKinstry

lohr@suncommunitynews.com

MORIAH – The proposed 2017 Town of Moriah budget might be under or over the tax cap for the town, because the state hasn’t set one yet. That because the pending dissolution of the Village of Port Henry has short-circuited the normal budget process, Moriah Town Supervisor Thomas Scozzafava said. When the village ends its existence on March 31, 2017, the encompassing Town of Moriah will assume most village responsibilities – and expenditures. “This was hours upon hours of research trying to put it (the budget) together,” Scozzafava said. “Taxes are down. Village residents should see a significant savings.” Overall, taxpayers in the former village with a house assessed at $100,000 would pay $1,018 less in taxes, he said. The town used all the state dissolution aid it’s receiving, $347,224, to keep the tax levy as low as possible, the supervisor said. “We used the entire amount to reduce taxes,” he said. “The state requires you to use 70 percent, but we’re using it all. And we used very little (unexpended) fund balance.” Town officials met with the state Comptroller’s Office twice during the budget process to work out details of the dissolution process, he said. He also praised Supervisor’s Clerk/Budget Officer Becky Gilbo for her work on the new spending plan. “Becky put this budget together,” Scozzafava said. “She did a lot of groundwork before it was done.” Gilbo said she went back through the last four years of village budgets to review their spending. “We tried not to use much fund balance, in case there are surprises next year, and we need the fund balance,” she said. “It’s going to be a learning nine months (after dissolution).”

So far, it looks like the adjusted tax cap for Moriah would be 1.8 percent, but that could change, Scozzafava said. The state’s base cap is 0.6 percent, but can go up depending on financial situation. “Water and sewer was the most difficult part,” Scozzafava said. “The village is metered, the town is not.” The town charges a flat fee for water usage, while the village billed by meter readings. Village taxpayers with a $100,000 home paid about $1,945 in combined village and town taxes for 2016, and for 2017 they’ll pay $927 to the town only, a $1,018 savings. The amount includes $89 for village debt, which will still be assessed on the former village until it’s paid off. The Moriah tax levy went from $2.13 million for 2016 to $2.22 million next year, a 3.9 percent increase. The total town budget rose from $4.1 million to $5.1 million. The annual town water charge will be $354 for Water District #3, which will include the former village, from the village rate of $425. The former village sewer fee will be $332, down from $380. Scozzafava stressed that the sewer rates in the former village will go up $119.54 in 2018, because debt service will be added in. Outside the former village, town water rates will remain at $290 a year and sewer at $420. The budget includes 3 percent raises for employees and some elected officials, but not for town councilors, justices or the Board of Assessors chair. The highway superintendent will go from $47,500 to $55,000, because of increased duties covering the former village, which had its own Department of Public Works.

The joint wastewater treatment plant operator will drop from $65,000 to $60,000, and from a union to a non-union position. That salary had been split between the town and village. One clerk will be added, with the village clerk becoming a floating clerk in town offices, at $12.75 an hour. The town code enforcement officer will handle building permits and fire and safety inspections next year, at $14,900 salary, and the former village code officer will come on board at $5,000 a year, to do property maintenance and junkyard enforcement. Although the Port Henry Fire District is being formed to continue the village-owned Port Henry Volunteer Fire Department, it won’t set its own budget until 2018, so the town fire protection district tax rate of $1.32 per $1,000 of assessment will be used in 2017. Seasonal rates at the village’s Champ RV Campground will remain the same for 2017, Scozzafava said, as will those at the town’s Bulwagga Bay Campground. “We feel it’s a good budget,” Scozzafava said. “It was a team effort. It’s a budget that will work for 2017. We’re committed to keeping taxes down.” He said Village Deputy Mayor Matthew Brassard, the Laberge Group consultants, and village staff all assisted to create the new budget. The town has passed a local law allowing it to override the tax cap, if necessary. The budget public hearing is at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 10 in the Moriah Town Courthouse. The regular Town Council meeting will follow, with a vote on the budget planned.

The Adirondack Eagles Aerie 4410 in Moriah gave out free hot dogs and hot chocolate to treat-or-treaters on Halloween. Eagles Vice President Dwayne Anderson dressed up as a ghoul to invite kids in. Photo by Lohr McKinstry

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The Times of Ti Sun • November 5, 2016 | 13

MORIAH

Advocate says distracted driving can be fatal By Lohr McKinstry

lohr@suncommunitynews.com

MORIAH — Karen Torres’ father was run over by a distracted driver, and she was at Moriah Central School recently to relate his story to students. Her voice shaking at times as she described the horrific crash, Torres talked with highschool classes in the school auditorium. Her father, Pat Mapleson, was a highway worker struck by a distracted driver in a work zone, she said. “A man was drinking a bottle of water and he dropped it,” Torres said. “He reached over for it. When he looked up, he’d entered the closed lane in the work zone. He killed a worker, and that worker was my dad.” The fatality occurred in 2006, she said, as her father and his crew were filling in potholes on Sunrise Highway in Eastport, New

York when a cement truck entered the work zone. A driver in one of the maintenance trucks saw what was happening and yelled to warn workers. “My dad ran to the left, literally into the path of the truck,” Torres said, as a photograph of the crash site flashed on the screen behind her. “He (the driver) reached for that water bottle. It was just two seconds.” Her father was seven months from retirement, she said. “The last thing he said to me was, ‘I’ll see you Sunday, sweetheart.’ And what’s really hard is that, Sunday, where I saw him next he was in his coffin.” She described the pain she felt when she found out what had happened. “It never goes away, ever,” Torres said. Students sat in silence as Torres spoke, and showed photographs of the scene.

With the truck that killed her father on the screen behind her, Karen Torres told Moriah Central School students about the cement truck that ran him over because the driver reached down for a fallen water bottle. Her father was a State Department of Transportation worker filling in potholes. Photo by Lohr McKinstry

“It’s so important,” she told students. “Now is when you pick up your bad habits while driving. It can save lives.” She told students about wrecks caused by people using their cell phones while driving. Drivers are 20 times more likely to crash while texting, Torres said. “People are dying,” she said. “You can’t do this while driving. It’s gotten so out of control.” Torres said she was driving recently and saw a woman with kids in the car eating a bowl of cereal while driving. “God forbid she’d kill herself and her children,” she said. Moriah School Superintendent William Larrow said Torres’ talk was enlightening to

many students. “You hear all the time about people who have accidents while texting,” he said. Torres’ visit was sponsored by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee and the National Safety Council. A Long Island resident, Torres has a website at All4UDad.com that tells what happened to her father. Traveling from high school to high school, Torres said she’s shared the story of her father’s tragic death with thousands of students. “This crash was 100 percent preventable and I felt strongly that I needed to do something,” she said. “I started my own distracted driving awareness program and became a safety advocate and a public speaker.”

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Schroon budget under tax cap So far the 2017 Schroon town tax levy is a 3 percent decrease By Lohr McKinstry

lohr@suncommunitynews.com

SCHROON LAKE — The preliminary 2017 Schroon town budget is so far under the state tax cap. They’re still working on the budget, Schroon Supervisor Michael Marnell said, but remain under the 0.6 percent tax cap for the town. “We’re in good shape,” Marnell said. “It’s possible we’ll be under the tax cap. We are now.”

The $4.3 million budget raises $2.6 million from taxes, a 3 percent decrease from last time. The town tax rate with ambulance and fire districts included would be $4.19 per $1,000 of assessment, from $4.32 this year. The town got a break on state retirement system costs, which dropped from $150,771 for 2016 to $114,977 for 2017. Health insurance for town employees rose from $440,159 to $445,347. State aid went from $74,300 to $89,300. The town is also using $69,000 from its unexpended fund balance to reduce taxes in the budget. The town finished its park projects, such as new tennis courts, and that bud-

get dropped from $132,062 to $97,062. The public hearing on the proposed budget is on Thursday, Nov. 10, at 5:30 p.m. at the Schroon Town Hall. The regular Schroon Town Council meeting will follow at 6 p.m., after the budget hearing, to vote on the spending plan. The town plans to pass a local law to override the tax cap, if necessary, and a hearing on that is at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 10. Marnell said town employees are not in the budget for percentage raises, but for pay increases in the 50 cents to $1 an hour range. Elected officials are not getting raises. “I don’t like to give across-the-board raises,” he said.

Schroon Lake CS saves on bond Refinancing a school bond issue was a big savings for taxpayers By Lohr McKinstry

lohr@suncommunitynews.com

SCHROON LAKE – The Schroon Lake Central School District has refinanced a $13.4 million building bond issue to save about $1.6 million through a lower interest rate and use of some fund balance. Schroon Lake School Superintendent Stephen Gratto said the 2010 bond issue had been used to redo the school. “We turned our gym into an auditorium and built a gym,” he said. “The taxpayers were generous enough to allow us to bond $13 million.” The original interest rate on the bonds was 3.8 percent. “Now here we are and we still owe $10 million (prior to refinancing),” Gratto said. “Bernard Donegan, our financial advisor, recommended that existing lower interest rates made this a good time to refinance our bond. Knowing that we have a substantial fund balance, the (School) Board decided to refi-

nance the bond and at the same time, pay down the principal on the bond by using $1 million of fund balance.” The school still has an unassigned fund balance of $465,283, he said, after using the $1 million. “We got a very favorable interest rate, 2.05 percent, because of our good fiscal management,” Gratto said. “We’re a pretty frugal school.” That reduced their bond payments, he said. “It went down quite a bit,” he said. “With our new lower percentage and the principal payment of $1 million, with closing costs, over 14 years we’ll save $1.6 million. We put in a million and saved a million and a half.” The bond refinancing closed on Oct. 18, and the bond will be paid off in 2030. “Our lower percentage along with our $1 million principal payment will result in a savings of $1,639,866 over the remaining 14 years of the loan,” Gratto said. “It will help the taxpayers out a lot.” Their bond approval rating has also gone up two levels, he said. “We moved from an A ranking in 2010 to a AA minus ranking (two levels) in 2016,” the superintendent said.

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SCHROON

Mt. Severance Country Store owner Kenneth Ladeau (right) and Manager Michael Shaw stand in the newly renovated and reopened store in Schroon Lake. The store is offering homemade sandwiches, coffee, baked goods, groceries, sliced meats, and gasoline, among other things.

Popular Schroon Lake general store reopens The Mt. Severance Country Store is back under new ownership By Lohr McKinstry

lohr@suncommunitynews.com

SCHROON LAKE – The popular Mt. Severance Country Store is open again and under new ownership. The store at 1375 U.S. Route 9 in Schroon Lake is now owed by Kenneth Ladeau of Crown Point, who also owns car washes and coin-operated laundries in Crown Point and Port Henry. Ladeau said he was looking for a way to diversify, and saw buying the business as a way to do that. “It’s a huge undertaking,” he said. “I had been in the store before it closed (last year), and I thought about it and decided to do it.” Deau’s Mt. Severance Country Store, as it’s now named, reopened Sept. 1, with a grand opening slated for Saturday, Nov. 12 during regular store hours. The store is open seven days a week, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Store Manager is Michael Shaw, who’s managed Stewart’s Shops around the North Country.

Photo by Lohr McKinstry

Shaw said they’re working to add more and more offerings to the store. “We’re going to looking on to adding on during the winter,” he said. “The deli is the biggest thing, with Boar’s Head meats, and we have sandwiches on sub rolls, wraps, hard rolls. We also do cold cuts by the pound. “We have lunch specials; we’re getting out menus together. We have hot foods every day, soups, mac and cheese.” The menus will be printed soon, he said, and posted on the Facebook page, along with the lunch specials. They’ve applied for an alcohol sales license, and are also selling gasoline and lottery tickets. “We want to let people know, we’re back to the community,” Shaw said. “We want to get people back for a welcome.” The previous owners closed the store the week before Thanksgiving 2015. One thing they’ve added is an in-store bakery, Shaw said. “We have a bakery, with donuts, scones, muffins, hard rolls, things like that,” Shaw said. “We’re making breakfast sandwiches; we grill them as people wait. They’re very tasty. And we have hot coffee all day.” Ladeau said he was walking out of the Ticonderoga Country Club one day as Shaw was walking in and offered him the job of manager. “He said ‘sure’ and here we are,” Ladeau said. “Mike is doing a wonderful job. He’s very well respected. That alone will help us bring some business in.” The store’s Facebook page is: www.facebook.com/deausmtseverance/.

very Tuesday in November, the seniors are scheduled to go shopping in Ticonderoga. The bus leaves the club at 12:15 p.m. On Wednesday, Nov. 2, the monthly general meeting will be held at 4 p.m. followed by dinner at Buttino’s Italian Bistro in Chestertown. Every Thursday afternoon beginning at 12:30 p.m. Bingo is offered at the club. Everyone is welcome to attend. On Friday, Nov. 4 there will be a bus trip to Glens Falls. The bus leaves at 9 a.m. “Just Walk” is offered Mondays and Fridays from 9-10 a.m. throughout November. Seniors will play Wii every Friday at 1 p.m. On Tuesday, Nov. 8th. adult coloring will start at 10 a.m. Mexican Train will begin at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9, the Gourmet Groupies will dine at Dana’s Rusty Anchor in Plattsburgh. The bus leaves at 3:45 p.m. On Sunday, Nov. 13, the Lake George Community Band will perform at the Glens Falls High School. The free program is scheduled for 3 p.m. and is a “Salute to Veterans.” The bus leaves at 1:15 p.m. Dinner will follow the concert at Coopers Cave in Glens Falls. On Wednesday, Nov. 16, the seniors will go bowling in Ticonderoga. The bus leaves at 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 17, the events committee

meets to plan December events. The meeting is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Plans are underway for the annual Christmas party, which will be held on Dec. 3 at 1 p.m. at the club. The theme this year will be ugly sweaters. All members are encouraged to start shopping for the ugliest sweater than can find. More information will be in next month’s column. The club will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday, Nov. 24 and Friday, Nov. 25. Nutrition is served at the club Monday through Friday (except during holidays or school closings). Home delivered meals are also available for shut-ins. To sign up for nutrition, call Keisha 24-hours in advance at 532-0179. For information on any of these events and activities, or to sign up for membership, call 532-7755. Gift certificates are available to purchase for membership for loved ones for the holidays. Membership is $20 a year.

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CROWN POINT

Two seek Crown Point council seat in Nov. 8 election By Lohr McKinstry

lohr@suncommunitynews.com

CROWN POINT – Two men are seeking one open Crown Point Town Council seat, one on the ballot and one as a writein. Ivan Macey was the choice of the Essex County Republican Committee to replace Charles Mazurowski, 91, who died recently, and Macey will be on the general election ballot on Nov. 8. Mazurowski, a Republican, died Sept. 10 with three years left on a four-year term. Clayton D. Menser Sr. also asked for the committee’s sup-

port, and when it went to Macey, he chose to run as a write-in candidate. Macey said he’s well informed on issues in Crown Point, and was previously chairman of the Town Republican Committee. “I’m familiar with water and sewer issues, and the (Essex County) Fish Hatchery” in Crown Point, he said. “I am aware of what’s going on, what the town needs, and I have an engineering background. I’d like to help out.” A veteran of the construction business, he’s currently working for AES Northeast as a resident project representative. Macey has lived in Crown Point fior 60 years, and graduated from Crown Point Central School before joining the U.S.

Coast Guard. After military service, he went into the construction trade, he said. Menser is retired from 25 years active duty in the U.S. Marine Corps, and recently retired as a quality consultant for Parsons Brinckerhoff. He has a bachelor’s degree in international business management from SUNY Plattsburgh in 2011, plus associate degrees in industrial technology and business administration from Clinton Community College. “I have strong feelings for the town and the people that live here,” Menser said. “I feel that representing (residents) on the town board is a privilege and a responsibility that should not be taken lightly.”

Candidates embark on last-ditch effort to snag voters By Pete DeMola

pete@suncommunitynews.com

84914

GLENS FALLS — With just a week until voters head to the polls, candidates for New York’s 21st Congressional District are engaging in a madcap dash to the finish line. Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-Willsboro) has been crisscrossing the district, hitting the annual GOP dinner circuit and rallying campaign staff at her offices in Watertown, Plattsburgh and Glens Falls. To drive voter turnout, the lawmaker has been spearheading “Super Saturday” efforts each weekend, keeping track of phone calls and door knocks, and hailing campaign volunteers who have chalked up the most voter contacts. Stefanik posted a photo on Twitter Saturday of a whiteboard at her Glens Falls campaign office. “Over 250k calls and 13k doors,” Stefanik wrote. And in another post: “Teamwork!” she enthused. “With just over a week until Election Day, Elise will be doing exactly what she has for her entire campaign — working as hard as she can and traveling across the North Country everyday to share her message of new ideas and her record of real results for the North Country,” said Lenny Alcivar, a campaign spokesman. The campaign also rolled out a pair of television ad buys. In a nod to the 2014 spot that saw her driving around the district in a Ford pickup, one peppy spot featured the lawmaker ticking off a list of promises she said she has kept since taking office, including the refusal of special subsidies, transparency and efforts to “preserve and protect Medicare and

Social Security.” Another tongue-in-cheek ad saw the lawmaker walking through a cow patch detailing plans to improve bovine lives. “In parts of the North Country, there are more cows than people,” Stefanik said in the spot, entitled “Represents Everyone.” Stefanik faces opposition from Democratic candidate Mike Derrick, a retired army colonel, and Green Party candidate Matt Funiciello, who owns and operates a bakery in Glens Falls. Derrick, too, was on the road all week, with a full schedule in St. Lawrence County and in communities across the Champlain Valley. Volunteers spent Saturday canvassing in Washington and Saratoga counties, according to a Twitter post. With seven offices now open across the district, Derrick said it’s critical to reach out to voters directly. “I’m very pleased with where we are,” Derrick told the Sun. While the Siena Research Institute didn’t poll the district this cycle, a National Republican Congressional Committeecommissioned poll released Oct. 17 revealed Stefanik led Derrick by 25 percentage points. That hasn’t dissuaded the candidate, who brushed the survey off as a “push poll,” which he said aren’t known for their accuracy. “Our internal polling numbers show something different,” Derrick said. “My campaign numbers continue to increase in terms of popularity — I feel as if the trends are in my favor.” Derrick said campaign events, alongside direct mail efforts, have revealed “tremendously positive” responses. “When I have the opportunity to engage to voters across this district, I really reach them,” Derrick said. Over the weekend, Derrick also rolled out an endorsement from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 2032 and the Adirondack Daily Enterprise. Funiciello took the second-to-last weekend of the campaign off to nurse a cold and help his girlfriend move. An event in Glens Falls on Tuesday doubled as a birthday

party and fundraiser, with the proceeds going towards a lastditch social media spending effort. The candidate’s final campaign event, an address to the Adirondack Climate Coalition, is scheduled for Nov. 5 in Saranac Lake. Funiciello, too, isn’t concerned about the poll that shows Stefanik with a commanding lead. The GOP-sponsored poll is likely inaccurate, he said, particularly when measuring undecided voters, because he was not included. While he admits Stefanik has the advantage, “our internal poll shows us beating [Derrick] by 10 percent,” Funiciello said. Chatter on the ground has been positive, he said, and he said he hopes to exceed the 10.9 percent of the vote he garnered in 2014. “There are people who definitely want another choice,” Funiciello said. “I’m very confident we’re going to build on the results we had last time.” NATIONAL RACE The race for the White House continues to cast shadows over the district. Last week, FBI Director James Comey announced in a letter to Congress that the agency was reopening an investigation into Hillary Clinton’s emails. Alcivar called the news “concerning and troubling.” Funiciello, who has referred to the national election as a “horror show,” called the renewed investigation “too little, too late.” “To do it 10 days before the election is a foregone conclusion,” Funiciello said. “I don’t think a renewed FBI investigation 10 days before the election occurs is even a relevant thing.” Derrick said the widely-criticized announcement by Comey was made out of an “abundance of caution.” “They didn’t make an effort to do that behind closed doors, they brought it right out into the open,” he said. He added: “It’s premature to know what results will come out of this.” Derrick also continued his attacks on Stefanik for her support of Trump, hoping the controversial candidate’s slip in the polls will rub off on the freshman lawmaker. “She doesn’t have a good answer for that,” Derrick said on her support of the embattled candidate. “Her company is becoming lonelier and lonelier — it’s just inconsistent with who were are and the values we hold. The two are not compatible.” Derrick’s latest web-only advertisement, released Saturday, featured a litany of national Republicans, including Sen. John McCain and former Sec. of State Colin Powell, denouncing Trump. “Elise Stefanik, the only Republican woman from the Northeast to still support Trump,” the narrator intones. The candidate also issued a steady stream of news releases over the weekend hammering the incumbent, citing wellworn arguments. In a series of debates last month, Stefanik said she disagreed with Trump’s controversial comments on Muslims and women, but said she looked forward to working with a Republican commander in chief. “Mike Derrick is a decent family man who unfortunately ran an embarrassing, woefully inadequate political campaign,” said Alcivar, the Stefanik campaign spokesman, in response to the candidate’s comments. “On Election night, Mike Derrick will learn a hard lesson: North Country voters will have rejected his candidacy because he spent his entire campaign attacking his opponents, while offering zero solutions to address the challenges we face. That’s wrong for the 21st District, and its wrong for America.” The latest report from Larry J. Sabato’s Crystal Ball predicts Democrats will fall short of the wave they need to take the House. “Our projection of a Democratic gain of around 10-15 seats is still our best judgment at the moment, with the higher end being likelier at this point,” according to the report, issued Oct. 27. “However, Republicans remain solid favorites to hold their majority.”

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SPORTS

The Times of Ti Sun • November 5, 2016 | 21

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SentinelsÊ defendÊ ClassÊ DÊ footballÊ crown By Keith Lobdell

“We wanted to come out with some more fire in the second half,” Scuderi said. “The play was one that I was waiting for and the job did a great job blocking it. It is one that CLINTONVILLE — It has been somehas worked and I was able to make a play thing very hard to do in Section VII/Class for the team.” D football. Scuderi was not done. On the kickoff, Repeat. Scuderi, who had kicked the ball, fell atop On Oct. 28, the Ticonderoga Sentinels a loose ball fumble due to a hit by Sawyer were able to do just that in a rare carbonVeneto, leading to a 37-yard scoring run copy of their regular season meeting with from Jevyn Granger (12 carries, 78 yards). the Moriah Vikings, grinding out 226 rush“Both of those plays were great,” Scuding yards on 41 attempts as they controlled eri said. “I love the chance to make a play the second half in a 22-7 win. and be part of something positive with my “This is what we expected,” head coach team.” Scott Nephew said. “They came at us all Scuderi also had one reception for 21 night and I think we were able to wear them yards. down a bit.” Chandler Whitford added a pair of sacks The tow teams went scoreless through to the Sentinel defense along with a third the opening 24 minutes of play before the tackle for loss, while Sam DuShane added a Sentinels got the ball to start the second half pair of tackles-for-loss. on their own 46 on a short kick covered by For the Vikings, the defense was able to Hayden Scuderi. Ticonderoga’s Evan Graney hands the ball off to Jevyn Granger, with the Ti and Moriah offensive lines looking to gain contain Ticonderoga’s Graney, keeping him The Sentinels pushed the ball to the Mo- an advantage. Photo by Keith Lobdell in negative yardage (-27) on eight carries. riah 20 in the next seven plays, where Justyn working on all week,” DuShane said.”I think that score gave us “They were keyed on the outside, so we Granger was tackled and appeared to have the momentum.” were able to get some yards up the middle,” Justyn Granger lost the football but was called down by contact. “I was pumped for the play call,” said back Justyn Granger, said. The Sentinels took advantage on the next play as Evan who finished with 93 yards on 20 carries. “Once we were able Dylan Trombley finished nine-of-31 passing for 129 yards Graney (5-of-6, 52 yards) connected with Michael DuShane and a score on the final drvie of the game, hitting Connor on a 20 yard touchdown pass on fourth-and-nine. Graney to score, it just all took off.” Moriah seemed to gain some momentum back, forcing a Anderson on a 23 yard pass play. Brandon Hammond had then found Sam DuShane on a two-point conversion for an three-and-out on Moriah’s next possession before a Griffin 46 rushing yards on 13 carries, while Anderson had three 8-0 lead, his lone reception of the game. “That was a new look we had put in,” Nephew said. “Evan Hughes interception gave the Sentinels the ball at their own tackles-for-loss and DJ Taylor a pair of sacks. Malik Torm10 yards line. blee forced the lone turnover for the Vikings defense on an did a nice job finding the open receiver.” interception. After the Vikings held on the first two plays, Scuderi found “He’s our secret weapon,” Graney said of DuShane. “He was his chance to again make an impact on a close playoff game, The Sentinels will now face Section X champion Tupper able to get wide open and then made the catch.” scampering 82 yards on his only carry of the night for the Lake Friday, Nov. 4, 7 p.m. at Postdam High School. “I was the primary on that play and it was one we had been second score of the night, building the lead to 15-0.

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Cinderella run ends in Class D finals for Lady Vikings By Keith Lobdell

keith@suncommunitynews.com

PLATTSBURGH — For 65 minutes, the eighth seeded Moriah Vikings gave the Lady Eagles all they could, but a hand ball in the box started the clock striking midnight for the would-be Cinderella. Chazy’s Bailey Pepper took advantage of the opportunity, burying the ball in the upper right side of the net to give the Eagles a lead they would not give up. “I was really nervous at first. Conner (Lapierre) looked at me and said you got this,” Pepper said. “I just focused on the ball and didn’t think of anything else.” “I have all the faith in the world with Bailey when it comes to pressure,” head coach Sam Signor said. “If there was going to be a PK in this game, she was the one, and she killed it.” Signor, the first year head coach of the Lady Eagles, said she knew what pressures came along with the job of being a Chazy varsity soccer coach when she took it. “I was nervous this year,” she said. “There is much to be said about Chazy soccer. I didn’t want to let anybody down and I did not want to let this team down. I feel very lucky and honored to be a part of this program.” Signor said the main thing was to keep things in perspective at practice, especially during a mid-season slump. “We wanted to stay calm. It is one thing to beat a team in the regular season but it is a different thing in sectionals,” she said. “I didn’t change much. Things that worked, I kept it going.” The Eagles capped scoring in the 76th minute when Kendra Becker fired home a rebound for the final 2-0 score. “The first goal got the momentum back and we were able to secure the game with a second goal,” Becker said. “I wanted to pick up our communications and I wanted girls to play their positions more,” Signor said. “We were crowding too much in the first half. We also wanted to play to feet. Once we scored it really changed our game and we got more confidence.” “We wanted to settle down and start playing a more controlled game,” Lapierre said. Signor, like the three coaches before her, was impressed with the effort the Vikings gave in their attempt to be the first eight seed to win a sectional soccer title. “I was impressed with Moriah,” she said. “They were not the team we played the first two games of the season. They worked hard and gave us a run for our money.” The Lady Eagles will now face Section X champ Hammond

Saturday, Nov. 5, following the boy’s game at Potsdam High. “This is awesome,” Becker said. “Our team knows we are capable of going all the way and that is the standard we know we have to live up to every year.” “Everything is falling into place with us,” striker Natalie Pombrio said. “We had a tough season and know we have some confidence and we are just wanting to push through ev-

erything and work to overcome what is in our way.” “It’s kind of a tradition here and it is great every year we are able to win,” added Pepper. ABOVE: Moriah’s Stephania Zelinski looks to deflect the ball away from Chazy’s Kyra Becker in the Section VII/Class D championship game. Photo by Keith Lobdell

BINGO

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

DINNERS & SUCH

SENIORS

TICONDEROGA - Bingo, Ticonderoga fire house, 6:45 p.m. Doors 5 p.m. Every Thursday.

CROWN POINT - Second Blessings Community Thrift Shop a Ministry of First Congregational Church. We are open for the Season. If there is an emergent need during non-open hours, , please call Pastor David @ 518-597-3398 or Bonnie Landry at 518-597-3028. First Congregational Church is located "at the head of the Park" In Crown Point. All are welcome! For more information and directions to these or any church activities please call 5180597-3398. Visit us on the Web @ www.Brickchurchonline.com

TICONDEROGA Alzheimer's Caregiver Support Group monthly support group for caregivers InterLakes Health, Ethan Allen Library. 4 p.m. Details: 518-564-3370. Second Tuesdays

WESTPORT - Roast Beef Dinner, Tuesday, November 8, 2016 (election night) at the Westport Federated Church, 6486 Main St., Westport, NY. Serving starts 4:30pm with take-outs available. $10.00 Adults, $5.00 Children 12 & under, Preschool free. Donations of nonperishable food for the Westport Food Pantry are appreciated.

LONG LAKE - Nutrition Site serving lunch to our area seniors . Monday-Friday @ Noon Great lunch and social time. All are welcome, so come join us! Call Colleen Smith at 518-624-5221

BOOKS SCHROON LAKE – Schroon Lake Public Library's, Writers GroupMeets the 2nd and 4th Monday At 1:00 p.m., In the downstairs meeting room. New Members welcome! For more info call 518-532-7737 ext. 13. CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS SCHROON LAKE – Fall Storytime at Schroon Lake Public Library Thursday 10:30 a.m. October6thNovember 10th. Come learn about all the helpers in our community! Join us for stories, songs, crafts and fun. Open to children birth-for FREE. CLASSES & WORKSHOPS SCHROON LAKE - Get Your Uke On! Beginners Ukelele Classes at the Schroon Lake Public Library Saturdays, October 8th -Dec. 10th 11:00 a.m. FREE. Ages 10 through Seniors welcome. Class size is limited, call the library to reserve a space. 532-7737 ext. 13. Bring your own Ukelele or use one of ours. TICONDEROGA - Free Opioid overdose responder training. Ticonderoga Community Building, 152 Montcalm Street, Basement Meeting Room. 2nd Tuesday of every month, 5 p.m. 6 p.m. Must call 518.563.2437, ext. 3403 to register. Must be at least 16 years of age to participate. TICONDEROGA - Take Control Exercise classes. Ticonderoga Armory Senior Center. 9:30 a.m. Free. Details: 518-585-6050, rsvp@logocail.net. Every Wednesday.

MORIAH – 2015-2016 WIC schedule at the Moriah Fire Department December 8, January 12, February 9, March 8, April 12, May 10, June 14, July 12, August 9, October 11, November 15, December 13, 9:30 am - 2:15 PM Call us to schedule an appointment or find out more information at 518-873-3560 or 518- 569-3296 PORT HENRY – 2015-2016 WIC schedule at the Knights of Columbus November 12, December 10, January 14, February 11, March 10, April 14, May 12, June 9, July 14, August 11, September 8, October 13, November 10, December 8 9:30 am - 2:15 PM Call us to schedule an appointment or find out more information at 518-873-3560 or 518- 569-3296 SCHROON LAKE – 2015-2016 WIC Clinic Schedule at the Schroon Lake Health Center November 18, December 9, January 13, Feb 10, March 9, April 13,May 11, June 8, July 13, August 10, September 14, October 12, November 9, December 14 9:30 am - 2:15 PM Call us to schedule an appointment or find out more information at 518-873-3560 or 518-569-3296

TICONDEROGA - Essex County Lethernecks, Marine Corps League, Det 791, Ticonderoga American Legion Post. 6 p.m. Active Marines and Marine Veterans invited. First Thursday of every month.

PUBLIC MEETINGS

TICONDEROGA - Nar-Anon Family Group A support group for family and friends of addicts. Location: Office of the Prevention Team 173 Lord Howe St., Ticonderoga, N.Y.Mondays at 6PM (excluding Holidays) beginning June 6, 2016 For more info go to nar-anon.org

CROWN POINT - Crown Point Board of Fire Commissioners will hold monthly meetings on the 2nd Wednesday of each month commencing at 7:00 pm at the Crown Point Fire Station 2764 Main St., Crown Point New York.

TICONDEROGA – 2015-2016 WIC schedule at the Cornerstone Alliance Church December 7, January 4, Feb 1, March 7, April 4, May 2, June 6, June 27, August 1, August 29, October 3, November 7, December 5 1:30 PM - 6:00 PM November 16, December 14, December 21, December 28, January 11, 25, Feb 8, 22, 29, March 14, March 21, March 28,April 11, 18, 25, May 9, 16, 23, June 13, 20, July 11, 18, 25, August 8, 15, 22, September 12, 19, 26, October 17, 24, November 14, 21, 28, December 12, 19 9:30 am - 2:15 PM Call us to schedule an appointment or find out more information at 518-873-3560 or 518- 569-3296

NORTH CREEK - The Baby's Place Play Group of North Country Ministry meets on the first 3 Tuesdays of the month from 10:00 to 11:30. Children from newborn through age 3 and their caregivers are welcome to attend FREE of charge. The Play Group meets at the Adirondack Community Outreach Center, 2718 Route 28, North Creek. For questions, call 518-2514460.

DINNERS & SUCH TICONDEROGA - Elks cook to order breakfast will start Oct. 23, from 8-11 every 2 and 4th Sunday each month any question please contact me at 518-585-1052

TICONDEROGA - American Legion Post #224 Monthly Meeting. Second Thursday TICONDEROGA – The Ticonderoga Area Chamber of Commerce (TACC) will continue to host monthly Open House with the North Country Small Business Development Center on the Second Tuesday of each month. There is no Open Houses for the months May, June, July, or August. Note: dates are subject to change. For more info call 518-585-6619.

SCHROON LAKE - Schroon Lake nutrition site. Monday-Friday, 11:30 a.m. Call Keisha at 518-5320179. Everyone is welcome. TICONDEROGA - Free arthritis exercises. Ticonderoga Senior Center, 10 to 11 a.m. Details: Cornell Cooperative Extension of Essex County 518-962-4810, mba32@cornell.edu. Second and Fourth Wednesday VENDORS CROWN POINT – VENDORS WANTED for Crown Point Memorial Day Committee 3rd Annual Christmas Bazaar Saturday November 19th at the Crown Point Fire Hall. VENDORS RESERVE YOUR TABLE NOW, LIMITED SPACE. CALL 518-216-4024 ELIZABETHTOWN – The15.00 Elizabethtown-Westport Garden Club is renting space to crafters to sell their goods at our Annual Greens Tea at the U.C.C. Parish Hall in Elizabethtown on Dec. 2, 2016 11am-2pm. Each space is $20 and includes a 6' table. To reserve a space contact Garden Club President Kathy Linker 518-873-6493. The Club will still be selling wreaths and serving lunch that day. Those proceeds as always benefit our local Emergency Services.

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Local runners prepare for Secton VII meet By Keith Lobdell

keith@suncommunitynews.com

TICONDEROGA — The sixth-ranked Lake Placid Blue Bombers came off a 22-0 regular season meet record to take the CVAC Invitational trophy in Ticonderoga Oct. 29, while Brittany Shumway of Saranac Lake earned to top individual spot in the girl’s meet. The Bombers were led by Henry McGrew, who ran the Ticonderoga Elementary/Middle School course in 17:47, 46 seconds off the pace of race winner Caleb Moore of Seton Catholic, who finished in 17:01. The Bombers were then anchored by the middle of their squad, as Scott Schulz (18:13), Trent White (18:13) and James Finegan (18:24) finished in sixth through eighth, with Kai Frantz rounding out the five scoring runners in 18:37, finishing in 12th. Saranac Lake’s Anderson Gray edged Saranac’s Andrew LePage out for third place by one second (17:54), while Lauchlan Cheney-Seymour finished fifth for the Red Storm. The Red Storm finished second in the meet. Dylan Trombley was ninth for AuSable Valley in a time of 18:25, while Ryan Flora (18:32) of Plattsburgh High rounded out the top 10. In the girls race, Shumway posted a time of 20:20, edging Seton Catholic’s Lea DeJordy out at the line, who finished with a matching 20:20 time. Lea’s sisters, Sofia and Savannah, finished in third and fourth, with Sofia holding a one second advantage. The Lady Knights, who finished at 22-0 in the regular season, only ran four runners at the invitational, opening the door for Saranac to earn the team title, with Lake Placid finishing second. Rachael Woodruff (20:55) and Heather Dutko (21:08) were the next two finishers for Saranac, while Lake Placid’s Marli Damp (21:08) and Gabby Armstrong (21:19) followed. The top 10 were rounded out by Saranac’s Elise LePage (21:32) and Beekmantown’s Enya Sullivan (21:45). The Section VII cross country teams will now take to the Cobble Hill course in Elizabethtown for the Section VII championships and state qualifier Friday, Nov. 4, with the girls race at 2:15 p.m. and the boys race at 3 p.m. Along with individual titles, teams will compete for sectiona titles and a spot in the NYSPHSAA state meet, set for Saturday, Nov. 12, at Chenango State Park near Binghamton.

Peru and Beekmantown will run for state spots in Class B, while Class C will include Saranac, Saranac Lake and AuSable Valley. Lake Placid, Seton Catholic, Moriah/Westport, Ticonderoga and Schroon Lake will be the Class D field. The NYSPHSAA Section VII team will include 12 runners, up to seven from the sectional champion with the rest of the roster being rounded out by top finishers in each class.

Top 20 boys Place

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