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Valley News
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• EDITION •
FEMA to provide storm money Top news
in 2019: Investment in school safety, fitness, outdoor rec
Aid approved for public storm damage; status of individual aid pending By Tim Rowland STAFF WRITER
ELIZABETHTOWN | The federal government has declared 18 North Country counties to be a disaster area eligible for financial aid as the result of damages from the 2019 Halloween Storm, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced last week. The disaster declaration applies only to public-works damages at this point. The state is also asking for individual aid to help those whose homes were lost or damaged, but the status of that request is still up in the air. The state and local governments estimated damages from the heavy rains and wind topped $33 million, both in response costs and infrastructure damage. That left FEMA to verify the state’s estimates. “This approval is the next step toward gaining financial assistance from the federal government to allow local communities to continue to recover and rebuild,” the governor’s office said in a statement. Through FEMA’s Public Assistance program, reimbursement can be received for activities such as debris removal, emergency protective measures and the repairing and rebuilding of publicly owned infrastructure, including roads, public schools, bridges, parks, hospitals, police stations, fire houses, water and wastewater treatment facilities and other public facilities. See FEMA » pg. 2
Projects break ground in 2020 By Kim Dedam STAFF WRITER
ELIZABETHTOWN | The year 2019 saw many municipalities move ahead with major infrastructure and capital repair projects for 2020. Some of the most newsworthy events related to new directions and improvements at area schools; investments area fire departments; and in public safety and outdoor recreation. Here are some news highlights from 2019:
BOQUET VALLEY CENTRAL SCHOOL FOUNDED
More than 100 state roads, such as this one in Hague, were washed out by the Halloween storm of 2019. Photo by Tim Rowland
A merger vote in December 2018 moved communities in Westport, Lewis and Elizabethtown to form a new school district, blending Westport Central and ElizabethtownLewis Central School. The merged sport’s mascot had been in use for several years, but the school became Griffins official in 2019. See TOP NEWS » pg. 2
After 34 years, Morrow takes a bow Supervisor counts public works, honesty as his legacy By Kim Dedam STAFF WRITER
CHESTERFIELD |With a new year underway, and many new elected faces the Essex County Board of Supervisors, one longtime leader has closed a chapter here after 34 Gerald Morrow File photo years in office. Gerald “Gerry” Morrow opted to retire ahead of the 2019 election, having spent 26 years as supervisor in Chesterfield and four years prior as deputy supervisor. Before that, he served on the former Village of Keeseville Board of Trustees. As a Democrat, his voice formed a fi xture in what has long been a minority party in Essex County. But he gained and held his town’s confidence for more than an entire generation. “I don’t play politics,” Morrow said with a grin. “I started in 1994 and I was told ‘don’t go to E’town and make waves,’” Morrow told the Sun in an interview at his office. “Of course I’m one to cause waves.” At the outset of Morrow’s years as an elected official, he raised issue with decision-making protocol back in those days when decisions were partisan, made in closed-door caucus meetings. “The majority party supervisors used to go into the back room and have their discussions. And you didn’t know when they were coming back in. And they had the votes so nobody else was included.” Straight off, Morrow placed a resolution from the floor to end the “caucus” role in Essex County. See MORROW » pg. 6
New York Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul presented 10 projects with Downtown Revitalization Initiative funds that total nearly $10 million. Projects range from infrastructure and greenspace improvements to support for a new theatre for Pendragon and a children’s museum. Photo by Kim Dedam
Essex residents gain approvals to restore Victorian-era porch on town hall Porch would improve access, create public space By Kim Dedam STAFF WRITER
ESSEX |Residents of Essex are looking to restore, and donate to, a Victorian-era front porch on Essex Town Hall in the historic hamlet. After months of discussion, extensive review of historic documents and analysis of code requirements, the project met with Essex Planning Board approval in November and final Essex Town Board approval in December. What is proposed, according to the Porch Restoration Committee, a grassroots effort organized around design/review, “is a donation of the restoration of the historic
The Essex Town Hall currently has a stoop porch for access to the central door, but entry on the northern end is void, creating what is locally known as the “door to nowhere.” Photo by Kim Dedam
Victorian two-story porch that was in place from before 1905 until approximately 1970. What is being offered is a specific ‘in-kind’ donation, not a gift of money to the town.” As Essex town officials have fostered and completed renovations of employee office space on the second floor, they are working now to raise funds for a significant restoration of the circa 1797 ballroom of the old tavern. The proposed Victorian porch project is a separate and third step in returning the building to historic grace. A door on the northern end of the building stands vacant, without steps or access from the front. It is known locally, with some jest, as “the door to nowhere.” Outgoing Supervisor Ron Jackson, who begins a term on the Essex Town Council in 2020, views the grass-roots, altruistic effort in historic context.
3609 Essex Road, Willsboro, NY • (518) 963-8612 • Fax: (518) 963-4583
MEAT Fresh Pork Tenderloins......................................................... $2.99 lb. Marinated Chicken Tenders ................................................ $3.49 lb. Homemade Maple, Brown Sugar Breakfast Sausage .... $2.99 lb. Margherita Pepperoni Sticks .............................................. $5.99 lb. Fully Cooked Shrimp (31-40ct) Frozen 2 lb. Bags .................$13.99
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See ESSEX PORCH » pg. 3
JANUARY 2ND - JANUARY 8 TH
DELI
Spricy Ham (Capicola) ..........................................................$3.99 lb. Provolone Cheese..................................................................$3.99 lb.
PRODUCE
Local Spinach.........................................................$4.29 / Clamshell Large Greenhouse Tomatoes ...............................................$2.59 lb. Romaine Hearts (3 Pk) .........................................................$3.39 ea. Fresh Red Grapes...................................................................$3.19 lb.
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