Huletts Landing resident, Bruce Young, was recently appointed to a third term as Chairman of the Lake George Park Commission by Governor Cuomo.
During the last day of this terms legislative session, Bruce Young, a life-long Huletts Landing resident, was confirmed by the New York State Senate to a third term as Chairman of the Lake George Park Commission (LGPC). Mr. Young was originally appointed by Governor Pataki in 1996 and reappointed to a second term in 2002. “I have served under four different Governors and am pleased to have been appointed by Governors from both parties”, said Young.
Asked to reflect on his tenure at the helm of the LGPC, Mr. Young stated, “I think that the important things to reflect on are the successes of the Commission. Our lake safety patrol has been repeatedly honored for its outstanding safety achievements, many of which have been life saving. Our stormwater regulations have been nationally recognized and are used as a model program by other states. We are also winning the battle with eurasion millfoil having eradicated over 150 of the discovered sites. My fellow commissioners and our permanent staff have worked diligently to protect the treasure that is Lake George.”
When discussing his hopes for the future, Mr. Young stated, “We’ve got to control invasive species. We have to come up with a plan that will not only combat the major threats that we face today such as asian clams and zebra mussles, but also those that are sure to come down the pike in the future. We live in the age of an extremely mobile society where you can literally be wading in an asian rice paddy one day and swimming in Lake George the next. We also need some sort of reasonable stream corrider protection plan.”
Young, who grew up in Huletts Landing, spent his summers caddying at the golf course (yes, there was a day when people used caddies) and later working at the front desk of the Huletts Hotel. “I have fond memories of carrying two bags every Saturday for Mr. Nash and Mr. Eichler and would receive the grand total of $5.00 a day, a huge sum for a teenager in 1950 when a good salary for a skilled worker was $1.00 per hour. The many guests I met working at the front desk was a valuable introduction into the world outside Huletts Landing”, said Mr. Young.
After graduating from Cornell University, Mr. Young entered the United States Air Force where he finished first in his pilot traing class. Given his first choice of assignments he quickly selected his life long ambition of fighters. He was then selected to attend the Air Force’s Advanced Interceptor Fighter School, the Air Force’s version of “top gun.” Graduating at the top of his class there, he won the Air Force’s equivalent of the “Top Gun” award made famous by the movie of the same name featuring Tom Cruise. He spent his active duty years flying the Air Force’s top fighter, the Mach 2 F-106, participating in the Cuban missile crisis and other “Cold War” missions that are still classified.
After active duty, Mr. Young was a pilot for United Airlines for 30 years, finishing his career as a Boeing 747 Captain. He is married to Susan Young, a local realtor, has two daughters and four grandchildren.
Young is also an avid collector of Huletts Landing memorabilia. He demonstrated for me the telegraph morse code transmitter from the old steamship office at the big boat dock. He also possesses an old Huletts ice saw. “My grandfather used that saw to cut ice from the lake for the hotel in the 1920s and 30s.”, said Young. He also has a framed photo of his grandparents, mother and aunts and uncles at the laying of the cornerstone of the Mountain Grove Memorial Church in July 1922. Mr. Young’s grandfather, Harland Foote, was the builder of the stone church.
“Since I retired, I’ve dedicated my life to three things”, continued Young. “First is my love for Lake George and my work with the Lake George Park Commission. Additionally I’m also involved with the Mountain Grove Memorial Church where I’ve been a Trustee and Treasurer since 1990. Last, but not least, I’ve served as the Trustee of a Cornell University scholarship fund for 35 years. Years ago I remarked to fraternity brother, Ezra Cornell IV, that sholarships should be based on scholastic performance and have been stuck with the job ever since.”
“When I look out at this beautiful body of water I realize that my job is to protect it, but while doing so, to always remember that our citizens are part of the Lake George story and that their legitimate rights need equal protection. It may be a quaint phrase, but I believe in maximum use without abuse. I believe that being appointed to three consecutive terms by different governors is evidence that the approach we’re taking is the right one”, said Young.