Progress 2017 by Press-Republican

PROGRESS 2017

Tuesday, February 28, 2017

ALSO INSIDE

THIS YEAR’S EDITION:

HOWL, POP-UP and PAINT

THE YEAR AHEAD IN LEARNING

ON THE JOB: THE FOLKS YOU KNOW

New shows, workshops, major public projects, renovations and innovations are at the fore of the North Country’s booming art scene.

From major upgrades to dealing with issues from Albany, an overview of the challenges and triumphs of local schools.

We sat down with a few locals to get to a peek behind the scenes working in banking, real estate, teaching, volunteering and tourism!

Page C6

Page C5

Throughout the issue

EDUCATION // THE ARTS // REAL ESTATE // TOURISM // BANKING // MANUFACTURING

PROGRESS2017 Tuesday, February 28, 2017 • A product of the PRESS-REPUBLICAN EDUCATION

MANUFACTURING

Norsk Fuels Regional Optimism Norwegian company expected to create at least 400 jobs to manufacture aerospace components. By Dan Heath Optimism for the region’s future received a major boost when Norsk Titanium and the state formalized plans to create a state-of-the-art additive-manufacturing facility and a training center in Plattsburgh. North Country Chamber of Commerce President Garry Douglas said a $250 million investment with $125 million from the state to create hundreds of new jobs in the North Country would be major news by itself. “But with Norsk Titanium, the greatest signiﬁcance lies in the extraordinary new production technology they have developed and are deploying for the ﬁrst time right here,” he said.

Closer to nature The proposed Saranc Community School would aim to teach students through both conventional and experiential learning methods. Photo/Nicole Swinton

Where All The World’s A Classroom Facing a narrow range of schooling options, some parents in Saranac are putting forth a hollistic approach to learning. By Nicole Swinton Sarah Vaillancourt is a resident and business owner in Saranac. She’s also a parent. She and her family moved to the region in 2012 to start a farm and today own and operate a bakery-cafe-farm store. Farmhouse Pantry has quickly become a center for community activity and conversation, hosting local artist performances and local wine and food tastings as well as open mic nights and a variety of classes for children in the community. Vaillancourt is fond of saying she gets to live in the North Country. “It’s such an incredible place because newcomers are enfolded into the community and their contribution is valued, including new ideas about how to live, work, and play. And

it makes sense they would be interested in an alternative form of education that embraces the resources unique to our area.” When Vaillancourt ﬁrst moved to the region she was surprised to learn how limited school options were in Clinton County. Ruling out the local public school and the only local private school, Vaillancourt’s family decided to pursue homeschooling, a fast-growing movement in America. Concerns about social issues, such as school violence, one-size-ﬁts-most education models and the lack of authentic life experiences motivate some parents to provide an individualized education at home. But the requirements of homeschooling can make it a daunting choice. See CLASSROOM, page C5

On Site The first of an initial 20 MERKE IV Rapid Plasma deposition machines was delivered to Plattsburgh in October. It was installed at the company’s 67,000-square-foot Demonstration and Qualification Center at 44 Martina Circle in Air Industrial Park. While the machines have been purchased by the state, the rest of the equipment and renovations at the training and testing center are an investment by Norsk. Norsk Titanium President and CEO Warren Boley Jr. said last October that the company plans to invest about $250 million in the region through the end of 2017. Preperations The training and testing center is intended to allow Norsk to have their process certified by aviation authorities and aerospace companies before the opening of the manufacturing facility. It will also allow the company to train future employees so they are ready to start work when the manufacturing operation launches. The center will house about 50 skilled workers and office

See NORSK, page C2

Local Bankers See Rosy Future for Region

BANKING

New development, state funding, good interest rates all boost prospects for loan and housing growth. By Dan Heath Local banking officials are optimistic about the region heading into 2017, based on steady growth last year and recent announcements of state investments. The Press-Republican interviewed officials at Champlain National Bank, Community Bank and Glens Falls National Bank and Trust Company for their perspective on last year and the year ahead. Banking on Growth Glens Falls National Bank and Trust Co. Vice President and Northern Region Corporate Banking Manager Allen Racine (left) and Vice President and Regional Manager John VanNatten (right) share the optimism for the coming year voiced by other bank officials. Photo/Dan Heath

More loans approved Community Bank Regional Manager Kent Backus said the bank had a solid 2016, both its

Champlain Valley-Adirondack region and the entire network. The bank has seen above-average results for the past several years, he said, particularly in its consumer-lending portfolios. Loans were up 12 percent across this region last year. Backus ties that to the relationships their employees have with the communities they serve. It is a testament to their commitment to local decision making on loans. “One of our most successful areas is our mortgage lending,” Backus said. “That was up See BANKING, page C2

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PROGRESS 2017

Banking: Loan approvals up 12% across Adirondack region 15 percent this year, which followed double-digit growth the previous year.” Mortgage lending is a vital piece of what they do. Meeting clients’ expectations on that often leads to them to choose Community Bank for personal banking and other financial services, Backus said. Examples include retirement planning, investment management, estate planning and employee benefit administration,as well as property and casualty insurance through its One Group Insurance agency. High expectations Backus said the bank’s officials and employees are by nature optimistic. The state’s investment in the region bolsters that optimism, he said. Upcoming projects such as Norsk Titanium fit in well with the initiative to develop a transportation equipment manufacturing cluster. Another reason they are optimistic is that while interest rates are starting to rise, the bank’s management team is “confident and hopeful” there won’t be a substantial increase. As interest rates start to rise, the additional costs to businesses and mortgage owners can make them stand pat. Backus said they feel the feds are more likely to allow a couple more modest increases. “Interest rates are at historic low levels. We foresee them remaining close to where they are throughout the remainder of 2017,” he said. Buying Merchant’s Bank Their confidence is seen in the upcoming acquisition of Merchants Bank. That bank, with 32 branches in Vermont and Western Massachusetts, is the third largest bank in Vermont based on deposits. Backus said the financial services sector has done well since, at least partly due to a belief the Trump administration would ease regulations put in after the financial crisis of 2008. Those regulations have increased costs for all banks, he said, even the community banks such as theirs that didn’t cause of the problem.

“We didn’t have one subprime loan on our books,” Backus said.

had a good year in 2016. “I think both saw slow, modest growth,” he said. Cacchio said the bank has assets of a little more than $300 Record year million, compared to about $286 million last year and $250 Glens Falls National Bank and Trust Co. Vice President and million in 2015. Regional Manager John VanNatten noted the bank is part of He feels people are growing more confident that the time is Arrow Financial Corp., a multi-bank holding company with right to invest in a businesses, whether a start-up or expansion. more than $2 billion in assets. The state’s investment in the region, including $125 million “Last year was a record year for us in profitability and for Norsk Titanium, $10 million for downtown Plattsburgh growth. A big part of that is the Plattsburgh market,” he said. and $38 million for Plattsburgh International Airport, is also Glens Falls National has been in the Plattsburgh market having an impact. since acquiring Fleet branches in 1997. Investments such airport or downtown development often provide the foundation for increased private investment, Cacchio said. “We’re optimistic. The bank is well positioned to take ad“One of our most successful areas vantage of that,” he said. is our mortgage lending. That was up “We have the services and products in place that we believe 15 percent this year, which followed will be beneficial to anyone moving into this area or looking to expand.” double-digit growth the previous The bank recently helped bio-pharm firm SterRx with fiyear.” nancing when that company expanded in Plattsburgh. The in—Kent Backus, vestment put the firm in position to land a contract it believes Community Bank Regional Manager could result in $1 billion in sales over the next five years. “We saw this as a growth market, and it continues to be one for us even up to today,” VanNatten said, adding that is true both on the deposits side and lending side. Vice President and Northern Region Corporate Banking Manager Allen Racine sees a market poised for growth. “As we talk to our customers and people in the community, there is a lot of optimism,” he said. Racine said that should increase when construction of the new Norsk Titanium facility starts and the Institute for Advanced Manufacturing at Clinton Community College opens in the fall. Optimism Champlain National Bank President and CEO Steven Cacchio said that bank — and the banking industry in general —

Norsk: Plans to invest $250 million in the region through 2017

On the Job with:

Britanny Faubert

staff, as well as up to 10 3-D printing units.

Age: 29 Position: Client Service Representative, Champlain National Bank Years on the job: 8

What got you interested in this career? “I like to be able to interact with people in my job. I really like building relationships with each of our clients, because they end up going from being your customer to more like family. I also like the challenge of dealing with money.” What were your first days on the job like? “My first days were certainly challenging because I had to learn the banking software in addition to all the rules and regulations. As I worked hard to learn everything, those initial challenging days became easier very quickly for me.” What part of your job do you like the best? “I like being able to find solutions for my clients. They come to me and depend on my knowledge of banking, so when they leave confident that I have helped them, it makes me feel great.” What is your work routine like? “My day at Champlain National Bank is usually 8 to 5. My first job is to take care of all our clients who dropped a deposit off in our night depository. At 8:30, we open our doors, and that’s where the fun begins! “For the most part, I handle deposits, withdrawals and payments, but I most enjoy when I get a new face in front of me because I get to tell them all about Champlain National Bank, and why we are the best bank in town.”

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New branch Cacchio said the Champlain National Bank has the products and services any new customer might need, in whatever form they might need, whether an actual bank branch, an ATM, a mobile device or online. “We continue to touch that customer in the way they want to interact with us,” he said. The bank opened a new branch in Lake Placid two years ago. That was well received, Cacchioi said, and has led them to explore expansion into the Saranac Lake market. They also will retain the focus on their existing footprint, which is Clinton, Essex and part of Franklin counties. They are already seeing increased housing starts, which provides evidence for their optimism. “There’s excitement, there’s no question about that,” Cacchio said.

Do you work with a team and, if so, in what ways are they supportive? “Yes, the people working in my branch are more like a family to me than work colleagues. Once I got to know everyone here, I found myself having not only a work relationship with them but also a personal one, and that’s really nice. “Our branch in Plattsburgh is all about teamwork and lending a helping hand whenever it is needed.” What are some of the more challenging parts of the job? “I would say the most challenging part of my job would be getting an upset client in front of me. A teller is the first person they see when they come in with a problem, so you often end up getting the brunt of their frustration, even though it has nothing to do with you personally.” What do you do for fun during your time off? “I am a mom of two kids under the age of 5, so my “off” days consist of playing referee and cleaning up the same toys multiple times a day. However, I wouldn’t change any of it! I also enjoy my side job selling clothes.” What advice would you give someone who wants to go into this field? “You must love people to be a teller or client service representative. You should also remember that you will most likely start at the bottom, but you can certainly work your way to the top and make this a career.”

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Manufacturing Jobs The manufacturing center is to be built at the former Clinton County Airport. Boley said the facility could be operational as early as the summer of 2018. Plans for that 166,000-square-foot facility were approved by the Town of Plattsburgh Planning Board last November. During the approval process, engineers for the project said it would use about half the manufacturing space and have about 237 employees when it opens. That would grow to about 474 employees at full operation, with round-the-clock manufacturing taking place seven days a week. Opportunity It is to be built by SUNY Polytechnic Institute, through its Fort Schuyler Management Corp. arm, and leased to Norsk. The state committed $125 million for the facility, money that will come through Empire State Development and was included in the 2016 New York state budget. The center will “While it was a two-year effort that won the day and house about 50 resulted in Plattsburgh’s seskilled workers lection as the site, it was Gov. and office staff, Cuomo who, with the support as well as up to of the State Legislature, provided the opportunity, and our 10 3-D printing new friends at Norsk Titanium units. who placed their confidence in our region,” Douglas said. The arrival of Norsk marked a fulfillment of the chamber’s goal to add aerospace to the region’s other transportation equipment manufacturing operations. The latter is seen in firms such as Bombardier, Nova Bus/ Prevost and Demers ambulances, as well as those that perform logistics and sub-assembly work for them, such as Spencer ARL. “As we saw at the Farnborough Air Show last summer, the global aerospace community is watching closely and taking note of an already large and diverse transportation equipment and aerospace cluster, which is now about to start revolutionizing aircraft production,” Douglas said. “What Norsk and the state are developing in Plattsburgh will keep our region a manufacturing center for decades to come and is already drawing new attention to us from far and wide.”

PROGRESS 2017 Michael Gallagher Special Publications Editor CONTRIBUTORS Elena Calvo Joe LoTemplio Robin Caudell Denise Raymo Cara Chapman Nicole Swinton Dan Heath Photography by Meg LeFevre Rob Fountain Ashliegh Livingston Progress is published once a year as a supplement to the

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PROGRESS 2017

Tuesday, February 28, 2017

On the go? So are we! You can read this edition on your favorite mobile device, anytime, anywhere. Go to www.pressrepublican.com and scroll down to “Special Publications”.

The Next Generation of Financial Advisors

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With major changes on the horizon, the young talent at Plattsburgh’s Lomanto & Co. represent the future of wealth management. By Meg LeFevre “Some people have the perception that wealth management investors to settle for lower and lower rates. is a lot like those old movies about Wall Street—guys with “The old 60 percent stock, 40 percent bond portfolio slicked back hair shouting stock quotes into a phone at their probably worked for just about every generation of retirees clients,” said Hannah Provost. before us, and that remains to be seen in this generation and Provost and Andrew Lomanto represent the new Plattsburgh the generations to follow,” said Lomanto. firm, Lomanto & Co. Financial Advisors. Both under 40, The other big thing Lomanto and Provost are keeping their Lomanto and Provost have a combined 24 years of financial eyes on is the Department of Labor’s Fiduciary Rule, a new advisement and banking experience, and they couldn’t be ruling set to be phased in this April. It expands the “investment further from “Wall Street guys.” advice fiduciary” under the Employee Retirement Income Lomanto, who graduated from St. John’s University in Security Act of 1974, demanding that advisors act in the best New York City, thought he’d find a job in the city, but other interest of clients and put clients’ interests above their own. promising career opportunities brought him If it isn’t delayed by the Trump to the North Country, and he capitalized on administration, Lomanto believes there them. “I thought I’d work on Wall Street, but With 40% of all will be challenges with this new rule. But I work on Bridge Street,” he said from his licensed financial he said he saw it coming several years nook of an office tucked away in the old train ago, so he took the continuing education advisors in the station on Bridge Street. courses to become an accredited With 40 percent of all licensed financial U.S. set to retire in investment fiduciary. advisors in the U.S. set to retire in the next the next decade, “We’ve always looked out for the decade, young professionals like Lomanto best interest of our clients, and we will and Provost represent the future of the Lomanto and continue to do that. Hannah and I are industry. As established advisors transition Provost represent fully prepared for however these new into retirement, firms like Lomanto & Co. the future of the rules and guidelines are rolled out, are at the ready to provide clients with expert whenever they’re rolled out.,” he said. industry. service and advice. Fee compression could lead to a As they establish their new brand here, further decrease in the number of trusted Lomanto and Provost look to the future of financial advisors, making it harder for what this largely market-driven and sometimes volatile middle class folks—those looking to invest $20, $50 or industry has in store for their business and their clients in the $100,000— to gain access to a quality advisor. coming year. Lomanto and Provost have built their business on these From an advisory standpoint, Lomanto acknowledged that accounts. Ten or twenty million-dollar investors aren’t retirees and those walking through their Bridge Street door. “We help people get saving for retirement are being faced with a great their kids through college and into a comfortable retirement,” challenge—risk for rate of return is the lowest in history. said Lomanto. Ten years ago, he said, five times the risk for your rate of “Financial planning is not always for the wealthy or those return was 25 percent; today it’s close to zero. Stunted rates that aspire to be rich, but rather for those that want financial compress growth across the market and eventually cause security, or moreover, those that don’t want to be poor.”

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PROGRESS 2017

Tuesday, February 28, 2017

EDUCATION

The Year Ahead in Learning

New Science Curriculums, major classroom upgrades for Malone Central and techcentric infrastructure investments in Elizabethtown-Lewis are in store for area students. By Ashleigh Livingston While mandates and budgetary issues are ongoing concerns for area public schools, opportunities for technology upgrades have district leaders excited. Many schools are working on or have already developed plans to utilize funding allocated to them through the Smart Schools Bond Act, which authorizes the issuance of a total of $2 billion in bonds to districts throughout the state for improved educational technology and infrastructure. “The opportunities to innovate learning are immense, and we’ll be working on a vision of what exactly that looks like,” said Scott Osborne, superintendent of Elizabethtown-Lewis and Westport central schools. Both districts, he noted, plan to use the majority of their Bond Act funding to improve infrastructure and WiFi access throughout their buildings. “I think a focus on infrastructure — one that is robust and expandable — is the wisest, most sustainable use of these funds,” Osborne said.

All budgets pass Area schools saw a relatively smooth budget season last spring, with far less cuts to programming and staff than in previous years. In fact, all 2016-17 spending plans presented by districts in Franklin, Essex and Clinton counties passed during the ﬁrst public vote. For 2017-18, however, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s budget proposal is somewhat concerning to school leaders. Both ELCS and Westport Central, for example, would receive minimal state-aid increases under the proposed plan, according to Osborne. “Additionally, we’re forecasting another low property-tax cap,” he said. “We may not have ﬂexibility to raise the tax levy much. “Our two major sources of revenue are capped or limited, so maintaining our programs and services for students can be a challenge.”

Upgrades in Malone Malone Central School is using its share of the money — about $2.8 million — to create additional pre-kindergarten classrooms, develop interactive technology areas to promote collaborative learning, upgrade safety features and provide additional wireless access points in each classroom to facilitate one-to-one computing. “I am so proud of the many things we have happening in our schools with technology,” Malone Central Superintendent Jerry Grifﬁn said. “Teachers are transforming their lessons and environments with technology, and it makes for a more engaging and relevant learning environment.” Also part of his district’s Smart Schools spending plan is an investment in community access to high-speed internet service. “One of the major challenges we have in our community is the lack of broadband access in many homes across the North Country,” Grifﬁn said. But while money is being provided to implement new technology, Osborne noted, “limitations will be, of course, funding to maintain whatever learning technology is put in place.”

New Curriculums On the curriculum front, schools are preparing for the rollout of new learning standards recently adopted by the state. “We’re at the onset of a new curricular approach to the instruction of science termed Next Generation Science Standards,” Lebrun said. “I anticipate this rollout will unfold similarly to the past introduction of Common Core Mathematics, wherein there’s a difﬁcult transition phase.” Sequencing, pacing and instructional strategies will have to be changed, he explained, and a “more inquiry-based method” will be implemented. Still, Osborne said, “the new science standards are a change for the better.” The state is also looking at allowing more ﬂexibility in how students can meet graduation criteria, he added. “There are many ways students can demonstrate success, and I’m pleased that the Board of Regents recognizes that,” Osborne said.

On the Job with:

ATHENA ANGELOS Age: 59 Position: Middle/High School reading teacher, Northern Adirondack Central School Years on the job: 20

What got you interested in this career? “When I was in second grade as a child, I struggled with reading. My teacher at the time told me I was never going to be able to read. From that point, during my own education, I hated reading. When choosing a career, I knew I needed to be ‘that’ reading teacher to light the fire in students and their love for reading.” What were your first days on the job like? “I was fortunate to have done my student teaching at NACS with Bonnie Gregware. My experience was amazing with her as my mentor. Once I became a faculty member, I was greeted and accepted with open arms.” What part of your job do you like the best? “The best part is when the ‘light’ goes off in a student and then a year later, they tell me all of the wonderful books they have read on their own.” What is your work routine like? “Every year my schedule changes because of the needs for the students. The past 10 years, I have team taught with Laurie Martin in grade six and then covered other labs in the Middle and High schools. “This year, I am teaching grades six through nine. I go where I am needed.”

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Do you work with a team and, if so, in what ways are they supportive? “In the Middle School at NACS, we have grade-level teams. We meet with our principal, Pam Ross, once a month or more if needed. Each grade level comes with concerns to discuss. Our team works very well with each other. We really are a team!” What are some of the more challenging parts of the job? “Keeping students’ attitudes in a school setting can be challenging.” What do you do for fun during your time off? “I love to travel with my daughter, Erica Hughes, and her husband, Zach. They live in Colorado. I am actually heading out there this April.” What advice would you give someone who wants to go into this field? “This field requires patience, maturity, responsibility of many things and the need to make every student successful. If you don’t have these attributes of thought, I would suggest not going into this field.”

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“It can be challenging for families to figure out an alternative education plan for their child. When choices are limited, they may feel their hands are tied. Without connecting with other families who have made the same choice you’re considering, it can be isolating.” Vaillancourt is honest about the pros and cons of living outside of mainstream education. “We can be flexible in following the interests of our children. This means our kids are learning deeply and fully from a wide range of subjects. They are self-directed and their motivation, depth of knowledge, and retention of information is incredible. But being outside of the system means that you are missing a piece of your community experience that most other families are at least somewhat involved in.” Interested in progressive, nature based schools, such as Waldorf schools and forest kindergartens, Vaillancourt asked around about alternative school options in the area. Over the past 4 years, Vaillancourt has connected with the growing population of North Country families passionate about the region. Homeschool groups, farmers markets and the cooperative lifestyle of the area have grown into a grass roots education movement. Vaillancourt and other local residents are working to establish a student led, adult supported, nature inspired community school. Saranac Community School will support children on their individual learning journeys. The schoolhouse will be set up in the clubhouse at New Land Trust, a 28-acre parcel in Saranac dedicated to preservation, recreation and education. As a democratic school, children will participate within a community of equals, embracing values of respect, social justice, and trust. Similar to a one room school house, students will engage in multiage classes, fostering collaboration, problem solving, and appreciation for the natural world. A board is currently being established. “The school is designed for students aged 6 through 18. We anticipate spending at least fifty-percent of our day outside. The appeal of an alternative school option is the opportunity to form tight relationships with families who have similar values and interests as your own. It means having a number of adults in your life you trust to be invested in your children. It offers a choice to families who are not comfortable with the public school option nor with taking on homeschooling. Ideally, an alternative school also provides access to resources that public schools just can’t.” Vaillancourt has a Master’s degree in Education, an established presence in the community and ample practical experience as a business owner as well as a parent. Still, she describes the significant challenges faced by educators interested in providing an alternative school option. From finding a viable location to working closely with the state to coordinate requirements the Board of Education has outlined for the operation of a non-public school to funding such a project. The isolation of the region can present its own challenges. “When pursuing a project like this, it can mean searching for interested potential staff and families in a wide radius. Resources and supports that might be in place in other areas of the state are not as easily accessed here. But the North Country has many independent, thoughtful, and resourceful people who are often able to fill in those gaps.” Despite the challenges, Families are encouraged Vaillancourt says the opto attend a parent-interest portunities the region meeting held at New Land presents when designing a Trust on Tuesday, April holistic approach to educa4, 2017 at 4 p.m. More tion cannot be overstated. information can be found at “The world is a fantaswww.saranaccommunity tic ‘classroom’ and living school.wordpress.com here provides access to nature, farming, ecology, forestry, history, and much more in really concrete ways. Getting outside encourages independence and innovation.” The current sociopolitical climate in America highlights the stratification of the U.S. school system. There is concern about the corporatization of education, frustration the absence of choice parents have in their child’s school, the debate over Common Core and the stress of competing in a global economy, to name but a few concerns. Pedagogically and politically, families and educators are facing unprecedented challenges. Vaillancourt believes the best approach to be a focus on education at the local level. Designing a community and lifestyle as a model for the future global community. She points out the gaps in universal education and the value of a more progressive education option in Clinton County. “Education has become more standardized across the country — which has benefits. Students have an increased chance of receiving the same caliber of education, for example. But it also means valuable local knowledge isn’t emphasized. It means local resources are not maximally utilized. Saranac Community School will be an asset to our area. It will alleviate some of the pressure on the local school and provide opportunity for collaboration with public school. And it will grow a community of students that are deeply invested in their local community and are motivated to stay in the area long term.”

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Tuesday, February 28, 2017

PROGRESS 2017

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

The Arts, as Both a Business and Craft, Flourish

Arts mainstays like the Adiondack Center for Writing and the Strand Center for the Arts build upon new concepts in 2017. By Robin Caudell The Adirondack Center for Writers rears into 2017 with double the staff power and literary programming galore. The Saranac Lake-based agency received a two-year $22,250 Regional Economic Development Grant. “We got a grant to fund a second full-time position,” said Nathalie Thill, the center’s executive director. Baylee Annis was hired as assistant to the director. “Before that, it was just me doing everything.” Thill said. “We had hired her part time, and the grant allowed us to do it full time. “It’s just been enormous because of that we have been able to do a lot of things for the organization programmatically, PR, outreach and marketing. It made huge impact.” A new website was launched in January. The feedback, even from youthful navigators, is thumbs-up.

streets and reading the poems. We printed them on little postcards one weekend, and we blitzed the town with these cards.” Coffee shop patrons, bank patrons, pharmacy patrons all received cards after their purchases. “The hospital put a poem card on the breakfast trays of patients in the morning,” Thill said. “It was a real, unique program we feel we could really engage people in an art from that people ﬁnd intimidating.” There was no submission process or judgment. All poems submitted were printed. “It was about community engagement,” Thill said. Collaborations “Odes for You Tour with Angel Naﬁs and Shira Erlichman” is a must-see-and-hear March 8 at Krinovitz Recital Hall at SUNY Plattsburgh. The center partnered with the college’s Saranac Review, English Department and the Center for Diversity, Pluralism and Inclusion. Author Julia Alvarez will read from her award-winning works at Paul Smith’s College on March 23. “I’m pretty psyched,” Thill said.

The Howl The Center for Writers will revisit two successful 2016 debuts: The Howl Story Slam and PoemVillage. The center partners with North Country Poetry Radio for “The Howl,” which is modeled after “The Moth” live-storytelling events. Lisa G’s hosts “The Howl” at 8 p.m. March 31 in Lake Placid, and it travels to Olive Ridley’s in Plattsburgh for 6 p.m. on April 8. “That’s really an important program,” Thill said, noting they held 14 in 2016. “We’re doing two a month all year all through the region. It’s a one of those combo programs. It’s perfect for them (NCPR); it ﬁts our mission and a great community outreach for both organizations.”

New Digs David Monette, Gallery Coordinator at the Strand Center for the Arts in Plattsburgh stands in the center’s newly renovated Artist Store. Photo/Rob Fountain

windows on stores on Main Street,” Thill said. “It was a corridor of poetry. You walked down the street, and they were on the same eye level. We thought we would get 50 poems. We got 420 poems. We got an insane number of poems. It was amazing.” Kindergartners, senior citizens, school students, college students, everyday people submitted poems. “It was really incredible,” Thill said. “Anytime in the month of April, you looked out on Main Street and there were clusters of people walking down the

PoemVillage March 13 marks the deadline for Tri-Lakers to submit up to three poems for PoemVillage. Last year, the Center for Writing invited community members in Saranac Lake, Lake Placid and Tupper Lake to submit original poems to blanket storefronts in downtown Saranac Lake during April, National Poetry Month. “We printed them on really pretty posters and hung then in

New Look The Strand Center for the Arts gallery is the latest goodvibrations epicenter after the reconﬁguration-dust settled. The gift shop and exhibition area was renovated in 2016. “We’re working on getting more shelving, so we have more surface area for displays,” said David Monette, gallery coordinator. “So far, it’s worked out really well. For me, it’s so nice to have new venues for local artists and craftspeople to display their stuff and sell it. We’ve had some people make some pretty good money doing it.” The “Native American Artists Exhibition” is a wrap but remains memorable. “We had more people than any other show,” Monette said. “It was pretty neat. We sold a lot of work actually. It was so well received. We couldn’t believe it. I was so blown away by all the great stuff that’s in here.

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Tuesday, February 28, 2017 “Akwesasne TV and the Eastern Door paper out of Quebec interviewed John Fadden, David Fadden, Martin Loft and me. We got a lot of great press coverage.” Housekeeping The Strand’s to-do list includes removal of the venting, duct work, electrical wires above the drop ceiling as well as the drop ceiling to raise the galleries’ height four feet. “We would just drop lights down and light this properly and make it amazing in here,” Monette said. “That’s the next step.” He is finishing a moveable wall to divide the Main and Community galleries. “We want to turn this part (Community GalSpring Must-Sees lery) into co-op gallery,” Odes to You Tour Monette said. with Angel Nafis and “We could fit 11 artists Sarah Erlichman with a 6 by 8 ft. space. March 8 @ 7pm Krinovitz They pay an enhancedRecital Hall, SUNY artist membership, and Plattsburgh Campus they will able to stay the entire year. They can exAuthor Julia Alvarez tend it if they want. They reads from her awardwill have openings.” winning works A different artist would March 23 @ 7pm be featured on a desigThe Pine Room, nated wall. Paul Smiths Monette lifted the concept from the Adirondack Artists Guild in Saranac Lake. “I went down there and saw how they were running their gallery,” he said. “We have such a big space. We could easily do that. It would serve many more artists, and it’s just a no-brainer I think.”

The Howl Story Slam ACW’s popular event come to Olive Ridley’s in Plattsburgh April 8 at 6pm. The event was held in 14 locations throughout the Adirondack Park last year. Photo provided/Adirondack Center

for Writing

PROGRESS 2017

New Blood

New art arrives in Downtown, with First Weekends still going strong. By Robin Caudell Murals on downtown buildings energize Plattsburgh’s cultural landscape. Julia Devine and Amy Guglielmo founded Outside Art: Plattsburgh Public Art Project in January 2016. Outside Art’s eye candy joins other initiatives to give downtown a new look and feel. Murals Last October, the project unveiled “Harvest” by artist Gharan Burton behind the North Country Food Co-op located on Bridge Street in Plattsburgh. “We expect to get that other half of that wall done hopefully this coming summer 2017,” Devine said. “We want to revitalize the space (alleyway) as an intersection of commerce and culture. “Jeremiah Ward at the NC Food Coop has a lot of ideas for the space,” Devine said. “All over the country, even in Europe and small town, they are finding innovative uses of alleyways.” “Woods and Wild Things” bloomed under the brushes of Norman and Tory Taber last summer on the side of the Cornerstone Bookshop on Margaret Street. He is an art professor, and she is an art lecturer at SUNY Plattsburgh. There, Devine is coordinator of the Center for Community Engagement. “That’s an example how I can encourage and get the faculty get engaged in the community through work,” Devine said. “It all sort of goes hand in hand. We have another one underway at the Plattsburgh Public Library.” Place-Based College “Topdog/Underdog” directors Tevin Jackson and Devine’s bold decision to stage playwright Suzan-Lori Parks’ Pulitzer Prize winning work at Peter Regnier’s 131 Cornelia St. pops open a world of cultural possibilities in downtown Plattsburgh. Starring Malamin Conteh (Lincoln) and Kendall Joseph (Booth), three performances were presented downtown by SUNY Plattsburgh’s Center for Community Engagement and the Theatre Department. The center is the new transfiguration of Center for Public Service, which promotes civic engagement and activities on campus. “It was put into place because the college wanted to this Carnegie classification for community engagement, so they are serious about tracking their engagement efforts and having more events and activities,” Devine said. “The mission is to bridge the campus and community more as we are place-based institution, to promote civic engagement on our campus to inspire faculty and staff to have community engagement in their courses, and to promote the idea we’re not only educating students to get good jobs but to also be good citizens and be socially responsible for each other. You can learn to be a good citizen through service and community engagement efforts.” Her public-art work encompasses creative-place making.

Where the wild things are Tory and Norman Taber of West Chazy, art professors at SUNY Plattsburgh and illustrators of children’s books, create a mural on the facade of the Corner-Stone Bookshop on Margaret Street in Plattsburgh P-R file photo. How can you revitalize in an area in different ways through culture? “I thought our campus has such rich culture, diverse students,” Devine said. “Fifteen percent of our students are international students from over 65 countries. We have students from New York City, urban places. Let’s bring some of that great culture into the community. At the same time, you are bringing awareness to an under utilized space and sparking ideas of what if something could be here.” First Weekends First Weekends bounces along after popping up on the arts scene four years ago. “2016 was about strengthening the Art Walk and trying to grow and accumulate more businesses to participate in the Art Wall,” said Leigh A. Carter, board president. “In 2017, we would like to continue with the focus of the Art Walk and incorporate more music via street performers and street musicians during the Art Walk to enhance the experience and also go back to our live concert series featuring original and local artists.” The grass-roots organization just wrapped up a silent art auction at Serenity Studio at 33 Clinton St. On March 3, Champlain Wine Company hosts a guest bartender event at 30 City Hall Place. Plattsburgh Mayor Colin Read and New York State Assemblyman Billy Jones will serve up wine starting at 7 p.m. The evening also marks the opening of artist Herb Carpenter’s exhibition. “We will be back up and running in May,” Carter said. “I believe people really appreciate the Art Walk. A lot of people enjoy it.”

TOURISM

Regional Tourism Momentum to Carry into 2017 Upgrades, events, online outreach will promote unique assets of Clinton, Essex and Franklin counties. By Denise Raymo Progress is exactly what regional tourism-promotion agencies made in 2016, and they plan to be just as pro-active in 2017. The Adirondack Coast Visitors Bureau, organized under the Plattsburgh-North Country Chamber of Commerce flag, plans to build on its momentum in 2017. Besides updating and launching a bi-lingual feature on its website, the chamber stepped up social-media marketing to retain the number of Canadian visitors, Chamber President Garry Douglas said. Northern border crossings here outpaced other border areas across the state and around the country, as far as its traffic numbers, he noted. Fishing Tournaments Five wildly successful Lake Champlain bass tournaments were among the activities that brought thousands of visitors to the region. The chamber has “confirmation of major new tournament commitments for 2017,” Douglas said. Details will be forthcoming soon. A new destination-marketing plan was also developed and adopted and will be introduced in the coming year, Douglas said. Other tourism-related support came in the form of promotion of local goods and producers around the state at events like Adirondack Day in Albany and the annual New York Farm Day in Washington, D.C. Douglas and the chamber also kept North Country interests in front of government officials whenever possible by organizing tours and events that were attended or hosted by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Lt. Gov. Kathleen Hochul, U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik and others.

Developing hand in hand with these more traditional tourism promotions is the chamber’s continued economic-development efforts that directly and indirectly impact the local tourism industry. Airport Gains Douglas points to the completion of the first phase of the Air Service Development Plan for eventual international service at Plattsburgh International Airport. The chamber will expand its marketing to tout the $60 million terminal expansion expected to be completed by year’s end. He and his staff will again lead the New York booth and have a presence at the Paris Air Show in 2017 and will seek another $40 million in investments under Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s statewide Airport Competition program, which focuses on economic-development enhancements. Funding ROOST Goals The Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism contracts with Essex, Franklin and Hamilton counties to handle tourism promotion, branding and marketing. All three made strides toward new initiatives and better planning in 2016, said Executive Director James McKenna. But he plans to catapult the region into the international spotlight to draw even more interest and investment in the Adirondacks. The greatest successes in Franklin County in 2016 were predicated on the implementation of the county’s 5-percent occupancy tax and County Treasurer Bryon Varin’s ability to capture bed-tax revenue generated through the online propertyrental hub airbnb. Now ROOST knows how much money it has to use, and a

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master plan can be drawn up to move ideas forward. “We can really look at how we can affect tourism and economic development,” he said. ROOST created a new brand signature for Tupper Lake to send a more cohesive message to potential visitors and investors. Businesses are encouraged to embrace the “Connect and Discover Tupper Lake” brand and use as a promotional tool throughout the community. The agency has a similar branding campaign going in Malone, which completed an evaluation of the attractions. The group will now create a destination-master plan in partnership with the Town of Malone and the Greater Malone Chamber of Commerce. Saranac Lake also received some crucial assistance through the organizatgion in securing the World Snowshoe Championships and helped the Town of Harrietstown re-establish a carrental agency at the Adirondack Regional Airport. “And we’re working with them on initiating some direct flights to Metro New York through White Plains Airport,” he said. New Ticonderoga Event The Ticonderoga Chamber of Commerce completed its destination plan with ROOST’s assistance, and staff helped bring young farmers together for Adirondack Harvest. “That gained some new life and was successful the first year out,” McKenna said. “It’s an event we identified outside the traditional travel season in mid-September that tries to grow the tourism economy.” He said the Schroon Lake region revitalized its Chamber of Commerce and that lodging will be the focus of economic development there. Conventions In 2016, ROOST carved a place for Lake Placid as a meeting hub. “We have seen continuous and steady growth in shoulder seasons and had one of the strongest meeting and convention years this area’s ever had,” McKenna said. “Coming off a very slow winter in 2015, we saw this was the busiest travel season in this town’s history,” he said, adding that regional events such as the Leadville race in Wilmington and the Adirondack Marathon in Schroon Lake also helped. Adirondacks USA McKenna said plans for 2017 will build on the past season by bringing the many communities and entities ROOST represents into its all-encompassing brand. “We manage nine destination websites, and we’re trying to focus on the adirondacksusa brand to promote this as an international destination,” he said. “Pooling everybody under the adirondacksusa banner develops more clout in the travel marketplace, and that’s what we’ll be focused on this year.”

C8 TOURISM

Beyond “The Little White Church”

The Town of Duane looks to raise its profile with tourists as “The Gate way to the Adirondacks.” By Elena Calvo A picturesque little white church welcomes visitors to the Town of Duane, where the population consists of 200 individuals and almost every errand requires a trip out of town. Duane is a small municipality in Franklin county, located at Exit 30 on the Northway, they recently updated the welcoming sign to “ Welcome to the Town of Duane—Northern Gateway to the Adirondacks.” The Tamarack, a restaurant-bar with a store, served as a main attraction for tourists and locals. Tragically, the venue was lost in a fire some years ago, leaving the population without their main meeting spot. “Our biggest problem is probably the lack of a place like the Tamarack. Tourists and the tourism dollars are the lifeblood of many small towns in the Adirondacks.” Town Supervisor Ned LeMieux, Sr said. LeMieux expressed his concerns regarding the declining tourism activity in the Town of Duane. “Our efforts are now to find a way to get tourists to stop by instead of just driving on through” he said. The town is currently working with the DEC on getting a new trail system, “Our efforts are they consider that a good now to find a way parking at the trail heads, to get tourists to the opening of trails to ATV traffic and snowmo- stop by instead biles is needed in order to of just driving on attract the attention of the visitors. They expect to through.” work out a deal with the —Ned Lemieux, DEC to open up 19 trails Town of Duane Supervisor for snowmobiling. Historic sites are abundant in the area, Debard Pond Lodge, located a couple miles East on route 26, is a Great Camp type building which was built around 1940. The view of the Debar Pond can be perfectly enjoyed from the Lodge. “We would like to find a way to acquire this property and arrange for a private owner to operate an “old style” Adirondack Inn. It appears that this will not happen due to State rules and regulations that are way too numerous to get into here. We do however plan to continue with our efforts.” LeMieux said. Efforts have been put into the church building, thanks to a $74,000 Smart Growth Grant received some years ago, they were able to make some renovations which include a new roof. A “Nature Trail” was added to the back of the church, the trail is about one-mile-long and provides a viewing stand overlooking a pond, which has become popular among skiers, dog walkers, and nature lovers. The church can no longer be used for religious purposes as it is now government property, but it is still presented as a Wedding Chapel, which has already been reserved for some weddings for the summer. When the church is not in use, it serves as a setting for social gatherings and “game nights” which have become quite popular. “We are the Northern-most town within the Blue Line with a major State North-South highway. One effort we’re making is to adopt a slogan for our town. Then we have to have some Adirondack type attractions. hence the effort to get trails systems in place.” LeMieux said.

Commercial Growth in Clinton County

Completed projects in 2016, upcoming activity said to show healthy market, strong interest. By Cara Chapman Clinton County’s commercial real-estate market was healthy in 2016 and has a positive outlook for the future. “The Route 3 corridor continues to be extremely hot,” said Steve LaBombard, Clinton County Board of Realtors past president and a real estate salesperson at Fesette Realty LLC. Projects that came about on that stretch in 2016 included the openings of Save-A-Lot and Harbor Freight Tools and a revamp of the Burger King restaurant, he said. Looking ahead, it was recently announced that a national chain plans to open a restaurant across from the Consumer Square plaza. “Many of the national retailers still seem to want to be on Route 3, from the area off the interstate to Broad and Cornelia streets,” said LaBombard. “It’s running out of space and is going to have to expand.” Smithfield Boulevard is one logical space potential investors can and are looking into, he said. For example, SeaComm Federal Credit Union will open on the corner of Smithfield and Tom Miller Road later this year. The area near the former Plattsburgh Air Force Base and Plattsburgh International Airport, particularly along U.S. and New York avenues, also makes sense for new growth, LaBombard said. Developers are putting millions of dollars into a new Maplefields store planned near the roundabout where the two roads meet, he said. “I have confidence that end of town is going to grow.” Interest in residential investment properties is high, too, including apartments and college housing, LaBombard said. “The reason is the confidence the community has that we are going to grow.” With companies such as Norsk Titanium coming to the area, people are going to need places to live, he added. “We have many more buyers than we have inventory.” Office and warehouse space remains pretty steady but could become more valuable as development occurs, LaBombard said. “Things are absolutely looking up. Everyone in commercial real estate feels that way.”

Tuesday, February 28, 2017

PROGRESS 2017

REAL ESTATE

Local Markets Look Welcoming

2016’s modest growth has local real-estate experts expecting momentum to gain this year. By Cara Chapman Housing markets in Clinton, Essex and Franklin counties experienced modest growth in sales throughout 2016, and professionals expect that success to continue, a local official says. “The overwhelming feeling about prospects in residential real estate for the immediate future is optimism,” said Clinton County Board of Realtors President Sarah Stansbury. “Real estate professionals across the nation, region and locally are expressing that although there is still a shortage of affordable housing on the market, they are busy as ever.”

region to a whole new level since there has never been a threetime Olympic village. The Lake Placid Summit Classic for lacrosse, Can-Am Rugby Tournament, the recent Empire State Games, the annual horse shows and others athletic events already help turn attention to the market, Politi said. “If you own a house here and you want to help pay for the taxes and some carrying costs, there’s the opportunity to use it as a vacation rental.” Owners tend to rent out their homes while the events go on, and some generate more than $150,000 annually, Politi said. “Overall, things are great,” he said of the market. “I can’t see it slowing down.”

More Sales Following national trends, the number of homes for sale locally was down in monthly year-to-year comparisons throughout 2016 by an average of 26.5 percent in Clinton County, 11 percent in Essex County and 12 percent in Franklin County, Consumer Confidence said Stansbury, who is an agent at Tahy Real Estate Group. Jim LaValley owns LaValley Real Estate, which has offices in “Meanwhile, prices for what was selling were up in most Tupper Lake, Malone and Potsdam. markets, while unemployment rates remained relatively low, In the Franklin County market, he found that activity started wages continued to improve and, as the year ended, mortgage out a bit sluggish in 2016 but picked up in the second half of rates began to increase.” the year. Even with fewer properties on the market, His brokerage saw a lot of activity in the all three counties saw growth over 2015 to- Even with fewer summer and fall, which was a little unusual, tals, with agents in Essex County selling 60 properties on the and that continued through the holidays into additional properties, Clinton County seeing the first quarter of 2017. market, all three 46 more sales, and Franklin County having an “Typically, when it’s a large election year counties saw increase of 35, Stansbury said. … there can be a trend of it slowing down a “Local median sold prices remained con- growth over 2015 little bit,” LaValley said, saying that people stant in Clinton County at $135,000, with tend to be “on hold.” totals. Essex County seeing a 9 percent increase to “But I think the last few years, consumer $186,405 and Franklin County a fall of 7 perconfidence has been strong,” he added, decent to $91,200,” she added. spite lending challenges brought on by financial reforms. Trends Follow Wall Street LaValley concurred with Stansbury and Politi, saying early In Essex County, the total volume of sales jumped from $181 indicators show 2017 will be even stronger than 2016. million in 2015 to $236 million in 2016, said Northern Adiron“Prices have stabilized, and in some cases even increased dack Board of Realtors President Nick Politi. some, so there’s certainly plenty of promising signs.” He is an associate real-estate broker at Merrill L. Thomas Inc. and said most of that agency’s business has to do with the Marketing second-home market, which Politi anticipates will fare even In the second half of 2016, second-home market sales in better this year. Franklin County improved, LaValley said. He explained that real-estate tends to follow Wall Street, “But clearly the buyer is moving more cautiously, and they’re which lately has been doing well. being very certain that they’re getting a value for their dollar.” Investment bankers “are going to park their money in real LaValley markets Franklin County differently depending estate in the next year or two, which leads us to believe that on whether people are going for primary housing or a second a lot of these high-end properties will start getting a lot more home. activity.” While those who fit into the former category are already comSome properties that have come on the market include J.P. ing to the area for a reason, his brokerage advertises the region Morgan’s Camp Uncas near Raquette Lake, for sale at $2.7 “in a way that creates a sense of lifestyle” to second-home buymillion, and Camp Gordon on Lake Placid, listed for $8.3 mil- ers. lion. For example, a particular property’s location next to the St. Regis Canoe Area or the opportunity to “own a piece of the Athletic Events Help Adirondack Park,” come into play, LaValley said. Politi’s focus centers around Lake Placid real estate. He said another Olympics, even a small-capacity one, would take the

On the Job with:

SARAH STANSBURY Age: 32 Position: Associate real estate broker, Tahy Real Estate Group Years on the job: 8 What got you interested in this career? “That I could make this a career and could create my own success and income. Every other job I had, I got paid the same amount of money as my peers who were less passionate.” What were your first days on the job like? “Tough — with no income and a lot of time on my hands, I wondered if I would make it. The market had taken a turn for the worse, and homes weren’t selling like they were in years before. “I didn’t know a good market, so I just went into it with open arms. Many people told me I couldn’t make it in a career without a secondary income or a partner to pick up the monetary slack, and proving them wrong became the fuel I needed to be successful.” What part of your job do you like the best? “The flexibility of my schedule. I can go on a field trip in the middle of the week with my niece and help care for my mother if she needs help getting to doctor’s appointments. I also love helping families with one of the largest purchases/sales of their lives.” What is your work routine like? “All over the place. Some days start with 8 a.m. appointments, and some days can end coming home from 8 p.m. appointments. Emails/texts/ calls come in at any time of day, from the middle of the night to first thing in the morning. I can spend hours driving around with clients looking at homes all over the North Country or sit at a computer all day crunching numbers for a client who is looking to sell their home.” Do you work with a team and, if so, in what ways

are they supportive? “The other associates at my brokerage and my family and friends are my team. They support me on days that I feel like giving up and remind me that the challenges I face are worth it for the end result of helping families achieve the dream of home ownership. In many jobs, you are compensated for your work throughout the week, but in this career it may take months to get paid for the work and time you have invested.” What are some of the more challenging parts of the job? “Being a slave to your work and finding time to turn it all off. With technology so easily accessible, texts, emails and phone calls can flood in at any time day or night. In the middle of dinner, a family birthday party or at the top of a mountain. It’s hard to turn it off knowing you could potentially be losing money to pay your own mortgage.” What do you do for fun during your time off? “I enjoy hiking with my dog, Zen, paddle boarding, do-it-yourself home projects, spending time with my family and friends, taking road trips, and traveling.” What advice would you give someone who wants to go into this field? “This career takes time to build; you won’t get rich quick and you will definitely show more than three houses to people before they decide on which one to buy. You may show 30 before they decide to just stay where they are. “You can meet someone who wants to sell, and it takes them a year or two to get ready to do so. “You have to nurture relationships and, like any business, you have to work hard, and the efforts you put in will come out but not instantly.

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PROGRESS 2017

C11

TRANSPORTATION

County Transportation Moving Right Along Improvements at Plattsburgh International Airport and county bus system mark the transportation highlights for the county in 2016-17. By Joe LoTemplio While the transportation landscape of Clinton County had its ups and downs in 2016, the near future looks like it will feature a much smoother path. The major news in the transportation field was without a doubt the expansion of Plattsburgh International Airport. The $54 million project tripled the size of the terminal building on the flightline of the former Plattsburgh Air Force Base. The expansion was necessary, as the airport experienced bustling business from the time it opened in the summer of 2007. Direct flights to Florida and other warm climes proved to be immensely popular with Canadian travelers in the greater Montreal market. While passengers using the airport have been inconvenienced for most of the past two years as a result of the ongoing project, they can now enjoy the benefits of the new streamlined facilities, Clinton County Deputy Administrator Rodney Brown said. More convenient The concourse now has seating for 360, with updated electronic-device-charging stations and three jet bridges compared to the one that existed previously. The ticket counter area is greatly expanded, with 14 counters available, more than tripling the number that existed previously. The space devoted to baggage claim now has two large carousels that are expected to handle the anticipated volume for years to come. In addition, passengers visiting the terminal will find brighter and more convenient facilities overall, including escalators to bring those arriving to the security checkpoint and returning passengers to baggage claim, Brown said. Seeking new airlines In 2017, the county expects to construct dining facilities in the concourse area and build a federal inspection station that will allow international arriving flights. However, neither of those projects is expected to inconvenience passengers using the airport during construction. “The newly expanded terminal will comfortably accommodate the existing passenger levels using the airport and allows the county to aggressively seek additional airlines and flight destinations,” Brown said. The enplanements (passengers departing the airport on flights) during 2016 were similar to 2015 levels, with 129,398. However, Airport Manager Chris Kreig expressed optimism that 2017 numbers would be higher, as Spirit Airlines started service to Orlando toward the end of the 2016 calendar year, and that should bring additional enplanements. Ridership declined While air travel was experiencing a grand year in 2016, road trips were a bit shaky — the Clinton County Public Transit bus system had a trying year.

A bumpy ride Clinton County Public Transit buses had a rough 2016 with routes being cut and down ridership. However, 2017 saw most routes restored and new buses on the road. P-R file photo Some routes were cut at the beginning of 2016 due to reliability concerns for an aging bus fleet. In addition, due to fleet issues and difficulties with compliance, the Dial-A-Ride and Rural Paratransit services in the rural areas were replaced with the new Rural Zone Service. With the reduction in available services, ridership also declined, Brown said. Passenger trips in 2016 totaled 120,000, compared to 150,000 in 2015, a 20 percent decrease. But seven new buses were acquired at the end of 2016 and are now in service. “Some previously cut services were restored at the start of 2017, but it typically takes some time for the users of the system to adjust to the new schedules,” Brown said. Regaining Trust He believes that 2017 will be a much better year than 2016 for CCPT, both for overall numbers as well as the convenience for the passengers using the system. Legislator Robert Timmons (R-Area 7, Peru) also believes the future of the bus system is positive and said the county will

continue to work to make it better. “We struggled with mechanical issues on our older buses, which caused us to reduce the number of runs,” he said. “We now have the new buses up and running and have reinstated most runs that we reduced and are looking at possibly adding more. We need to gain the trust of our patrons that relied on us before to come back and give us a try again. “The more riders we have, the more efficient we are.” Timmons said the county is also considering an advertising campaign to heighten the system’s profile. Roadways And the Clinton County Highway Department, the legislator added, has been working to keep the roads in good shape. “Our paving schedule of roads is the reason for this, and staying on top of repairs is key,” Timmons said. “We are proactive in keeping our bridges and culverts in good condition, and the grants that we have been able to attain for repairs is key to keeping taxes down.”

On the Job with:

MARY GALLAGHER Age: 25 Position: Operations and service coordinator, Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism Years on the job: 1½ years

What got you interested in this career? “Lake Placid and the surrounding areas are near and dear to my heart. I grew up in Rouses Point and frequented the Adirondacks throughout my younger and collegiate days. Growing up, I knew I wanted to settle down in the region. As a business major graduate from Plattsburgh State, the idea of marketing my favorite place in the world became an extremely desirable career choice. ROOST was the perfect organization for me to work as our mission is to let the world know about the tremendous assets we have to offer to travelers here in the Adirondacks and North Country.” What were your first days on the job like? “Educational and eye-opening. They consisted of continually learning about the unique aspects of the destinations we represent and all of the various aspects of the ROOST organization as a whole. I realized that no matter how much you think you know about a region you love, there is always much more to learn.” What part of your job do you like the best? “The satisfaction of helping those looking for information for their upcoming visit to one of our destinations. I love knowing that the service I provide for a traveler or conference/event attendee can result in an overall improved and seamless experience.” What is your work routine like? “My normal day consists of coming to work around 8 a.m. to settle in and catch up on email. My position encompasses duties that affect many departments in our organization so time management is of the essence, and I have become good at prioritizing. I review and complete tasks related to upcoming events and conferences. I’m an administrator for one of our region’s social-media accounts, so I check in on those platforms in the morning and revisit in the afternoon and evening to respond to comments and react to interactions as appropriate. I participate in many aspects of visitor service and conference-attendee service needs, and communicate via email and phone with visitors to assist with booking their trip and to provide assistance to conference attendees. The days often include a staff meeting or two, too. At the end of the day, I like to look back on what has been accomplished and set up my next work day. I’ll usually head home around 4 or 5 p.m.”

Do you work with a team and, if so, in what ways are they supportive? “I work with a family (at this point, the people surrounding me at work seem more like family than a team). My colleagues are always there to offer constructive criticism to help you improve and praise to inspire your continual hard work.” What are some of the more challenging parts of the job? “The most challenging part is that the constant changing of the seasons brings in many different demographics of travelers and attendees to events. So remaining knowledgeable about the variety of experiences our destinations offer to all of the traveling public year round is both challenging and rewarding.” What do you do for fun during your time off? “I definitely appreciate the beautiful area we live in and all it has to offer, recreation-wise. I love running, hiking, snowshoeing and any activity that will help tire out my wonderful dogs. What advice would you give someone who wants to go into this field? “It helps to be informed about every aspect of the organization you are looking to join and the product that they market. In my case, the fast pace and varied daily activities make destination marketing exciting.”

C12

Tuesday, February 28, 2017

PROGRESS 2017

MEET the

PRESS-REPUBLICAN

HOMETOWN TEAM Say hello to the Press-Republican newsroom staff—an all-star lineup that brings you the news you count on throughout your day. Seven days a week, journalists come together and, in a process that often goes well past midnight, take on the task of bringing the latest in local news to your door. You’ve seen them covering public meetings, area games and local events. You might have spoken with them, whether it be via email, over social media or on the phone. They’re the people you can be sure are out there, covering the issues that matter to you, from happening on the local arts scene to stories that grip the community. Our readers know that when they want the best in local reporting, there’s only one source in the North Country: The Press-Republican. The only daily newspaper that’s been bringing them the best coverage of the region for the past 75 years.

The North Country’s Most Trusted Reporting We’ve won more than 30 awards 2016 alone for journalistic excellence including: THE ASSOCIATED PRESS 2016 Newspaper of Distinction First Place, Best Investigative Reporting First Place, Best Spot News Coverage First Place, Best Spot News Photo Second Place, Best Spot News Coverage Second Place, Best Sports Photo Second Place, Best Spot News Photo Third Place for Best Spot News Coverage Third Place, Best Spot News Photo Third Place, Best Headline Writing

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