PUBLIC HEARING SET ON LP HILTON PROJECT

The public will have a chance next month to weigh in on the Hilton Lake Placid Resort's proposed expansion.

That's because the North Elba/Lake Placid Joint Review Board resolved Wednesday to send the project to public hearing.

Lane Hospitality, the Chicago-based owner of the property, has proposed adding 31 additional condominium units in an expansion they hope will be ready by 2009.  The plans had originally called for as many as 49 units to be added, but that brought strong objections from many neighbors in the Signal Hill area and the project has since been scaled back.

The real estate group has also recently revised the parking plan to include an enclosed structure with details unveiled to the planning board Wednesday evening. Board Chairman Bill Hurley told the architects that if they can get their revised plans in 10 days before the next scheduled meeting, a public hearing can be held on September 5.  The hearing is required before anything is approved by the joint review board.

The architects said it would be done. “Our preference would be to move it forward,” architect David Schlosser told the board.

On another front, the Adirondack Park Agency has yet to rule whether it has jurisdiction over the project. APA jurisdiction depends on several factors, most notably how the height of the structures are measured; there are concerns that some of the loft units may exceed a height limit.

The architects reportedly submitted a request for jurisdictional review in late June, but have yet to receive word from the APA.

While some members of the review board were initially reluctant to move the project to a public hearing, by the end of the meeting there was consensus that enough information existed to begin the process. If more changes are made or all the designs are not ready for the first hearing, there is nothing to prevent holding additional hearings, Hurley noted.

“There's a substantial amount of information here,” said vice-chair Olga Krone. “If the public has any concerns, they have enough to look at.”

Public comments can be made either at the public hearing, scheduled for September 5 at 7 p.m. in the North Elba Town Hall in Lake Placid or submitted in written form. Hurley said sometimes written comments are
better as it gives the planners more time to absorb the information at their own pace.

Originally constructed in the early 1960s, the Hilton hotel complex was last expanded in 1979 in anticipation of the 1980 Winter Olympics.

- Jacob Resneck

MCHUGH SAYS IRAQ TROOP SURGE IS WORKING

Congressman John McHugh says the Bush Administration’s troop surge in Iraq is working.

McHugh embarked for Iraq from Kuwait Tuesday morning where he flew to Baghdad on a military cargo plane.  He later spoke to reporters via a conference call.

Although he said the troop surge appears to be effective, McHugh noted that success cannot be achieved through the efforts of the U.S. Military alone. “It is critical that we impress upon the Iraqi people that while the military so called surge, the new set of tactics and overall strategy is making a big difference and probably over time continue to do so in increasing measure,” he said. “But it can’t in and of itself win this struggle. It has to be seized by the Iraqi politicians and the Iraqi people.”

From Baghdad, McHugh took a helicopter to Fallujah, one of the more dangerous cities in the country.  McHugh said the surge has helped rid the city of a majority of al-Qaida fighters, making it a safer place for military and civilian populations. (news4) “Until about eight months ago I was considered one of the most dangerous places in Earth.  It had become the new home and base of operations for al-Quida, and because of that was an enormously, challenging environment that most people considered lost,” he said. “Through a variety of initiatives including some of the tactics of the surge it’s now one of the more secure areas in Iraq.”

But the area is still not without danger. “al-Quida, while on the run, is still here, very real and very dangerous,” he said.

The congressman, while visiting Anbar Province, met with the Fallujan Mayor and a tribal council representative.

He also met over lunch with Marines and Navy forces and said they were holding up well. “The morale is good because they are allowed to engage as they were trained,” he said.

The Congressman later returned to Baghdad where he sat down for an update with General David Petraeus to discuss the progress of the Iraqi military. McHugh said they discussed the “lack of progress on what we generally call the benchmarks,” he said.

This was the eighth trip to Iraq for Congressman McHugh, who serves on the House Armed Services Committee.

McHugh has reserved comment on continuing U.S. involvement in Iraq until September when a report is released detailing the progress of the recent troop surge.

-Mike Fritts

TL SCHOOL BOARD SETS DISTRICT’S TAX LEVY

The Tupper Lake School Board approved the district’s tax levy at a special meeting held Wednesday night.

The revised figures are up slightly than predicted in April. The levy of just over $5.8 million means Tupper Lake residents will pay $15.96 per thousand dollars of assessed property value compared to $15.59 per thousand.

In April, Business Manger Garry Lanthier had predicted just an eight-cent increase in the tax rate.  But, because of new figures recently released from the state, the rate was raised.

The equalization rate in the town has dropped significantly from last year – from 75-percent to 63-percent.

Lanthier also reminded those eligible for STAR rebate checks this year that they need to submit an application with their school tax bills. Forms are available for download at the state Department of Taxation and Finance’s website - www.nystax.gov. Applications will also be mailed. Seniors need not fill out the form- their rebate check will arrive automatically.

Tax bills go out September 1 and are due by the end of the month.

In other business, Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Marty Mozdzier was in attendance to request the board move graduation back a day – from Saturday night to Friday night. The impetus for the request is a conflict that weekend with graduation and the annual Tinman Triathlon.

Mozdzier said many of the event’s volunteers have students graduating at the end of the upcoming school year, plus many students traditionally volunteer for the event.

Mozdzier was asked if the triathlon could be moved to another date. She said they looked into that possibility but Mozdzier said many competitors take part in the Tinman because it avoids conflicts with other races. And if they were to move it further into July they might run into conflicts with other events taking place throughout the region.

The board ultimately turned down the request to move graduation to Friday night.  School officials said they already have established the calendar for the next school year, and a Friday night ceremony would be a hindrance for graduates that have family coming in from out of town. But the school board did agree to meet with chamber officials prior to drafting next year’s school calendar.

In other news, a job posting is being sent out this week for a new position created in this year’s school budget. The board had budgeted up to $35,000 for a grant writing position. But last night Superintendent Dan Bower said they were seeking candidates to serve as a Grant Writer/Accountability Coordinator, which would pay a salary in the $40,000 to $50,000 range. Bower said the extra money in the salary is based on the person taking on duties from other district employees.

The job would involve seeking and obtaining grants and coordinating all New York State and district scoring and testing activities.

Bower said the job posting would be delivered to various newspapers throughout the state this week.

-Mike Fritts

RANGERS RESPOND TO SEARCH & RESCUE CALLS

Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers have responded to several search and rescue calls in the past few weeks.

On Wednesday, August 8, at approximately 11 p.m., a DEC Forest Ranger was contacted regarding a missing camper in the High Peaks Wilderness Area, Town of North Elba.  22 year-old Patrick Morgan of Alamosa, Colorado, a camp counselor for Camp Chateaugay, had left the group’s campsite at Marcy Dam earlier in the night and had not returned.  Forest rangers initiated a search that night but did not locate Morgan.  In the morning, as additional forest rangers were preparing to continue the search, Morgan returned to the campsite on his own.  He had apparently became lost in the dark after falling into Marcy Brook, but was able to find his way back with the onset of daylight and directions from another camping group.

On Sunday, August 12 around 6:30 a.m., DEC dispatch received a report from staff at the Adirondack Loj that 43 year-old John Tyo of Massena had left on Saturday for a day hike up Mt. McNaughton in the High Peaks Wilderness Area and had not returned.  Rangers began a search and upon interviewing other hikers in the area, learned that Tyo had been seen and was well equipped for his hike.  He was later located on the Indian Pass Trail near Rocky Falls.  Tyo stated that he had encountered heavy blow down and approaching darkness upon his descent, so he stopped for the night.  He continued out to Adirondack Loj without assistance.

On Sunday, August 5, at approximately 12:30 p.m., forest rangers responded to assist the Saratoga County Sheriff's Office with a reported deceased person in a vehicle, at the Hadley Mountain trail head in the Wilcox Lake Wild Forest.  According to Sheriff’s investigators, cause of death was unknown pending an autopsy and toxicology tests.  Forest rangers were cleared from the scene by 3 p.m.

On Sunday, August 12, at approximately 9:50 p.m., DEC dispatch received a call from Warren County 911 reporting two people lost on Tongue Mountain in the Lake George Wild Forest.  22 year-old Joshua Ruzonski and 19 year-old Dominick Nuccio, both of Rome, NY, used a cell phone to call 911 and report that they were lost.  Five forest rangers responded, searching the extensive trail system on Tongue Mountain.  They were unable to speak directly with the two hikers as their cell phone battery had died.  The two young men were located at approximately 2:15 a.m. near Fifth Peak and found to be mildly dehydrated but otherwise in good condition. 

DEC also reports that since July 22, forest rangers, working with local volunteer fire departments, responded to five wildland fires that burned a total of approximately 12 acres.  Two of the fires, located in the Town of Jay and the Town of Horicon had the assistance of the Department of Corrections personnel and inmates from Moriah Shock Camp, as well as aviation support from the New York State Police.

-Chris Knight

EX-ESSEX COUNTY MAN GETS 25 YEARS FOR SEX ABUSE

A former resident of Essex County was sent to prison on Tuesday for sexually abusing children.

41 year-old Dean M. Wilcox, who lived in Moriah before moving to Dover, NY was reportedly convicted of first-degree course of sexual conduct against a child and sentenced by Judge Richard Meyer to 15 years in prison.

He also was given five years post-release supervision, must pay over $1300 in fines and surcharges, register as a sex offender and submit a DNA sample to the state database.

Wilcox allegedly had sexual relations with a child under 11 years of age in the Town of Moriah between 2001 and 2004.

He had recently been sentence in Dutchess County Court to ten years in prison after pleading guilty to first-degree criminal sexual act.

The sentences must be served consecutively, meaning Wilcox will not be eligible for release for 25 years.

Essex County District Attorney Julie Garcia told the Plattsburgh Press-Republican that the Dutchess County case alerted law enforcement officials to the sex crimes in Moriah.  “I believe justice has been served,” she said.

-Chris Knight

DOT PLANS ROAD WORK IN SARANAC LAKE

The Department of Transportation is advising local residents and visitors that crews will be conducting paving operations next week on portions of Route 3 and Route 86 in the Village of Saranac Lake. 

The work is expected to begin on or around Tuesday, August 21 and is expected to be completed by weeks end. 

During that period, DOT says on street and overnight parking will be restricted and enforced.

POLICE AND FIRE REPORT

Tupper Lake Village Police charged 41 year-old James J. Eggsware of Tupper Lake with disorderly conduct at 12:53 a.m.  Police say Eggsware was arrested after he was observed standing in the street yelling and screaming.  He was processed and released to return to village court at a later date.

Saranac Lake firefighters were called to a rubbish fire at the Gold Mine on State Route 3 at 4:48 p.m. Wednesday.  Two trucks and 27 members responded, using 1000 gallons of water to put out the small blaze.  The fire was reportedly sparked by a person cutting metal.  Firefighters were back at the fire station by 5:42 p.m.