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2013 Ballot Proposals: Proposal # 2

The official ballot text for Proposal # 2 reads as follows:

Additional Civil Service Credit for Veterans with Disabilities Certified Post-Appointment

The proposed amendment to section 6 of article 5 of the Constitution would entitle a veteran who has received civil service credit for a civil service appointment or promotion and subsequently is certified as disabled to additional civil service credit at a subsequent appointment or promotion. Shall the proposed amendment be approved?”

What it Means:

The measure would benefit individuals who, for whatever reason, were not classified as a veteran with disabilities at the time of their first civil service appointment. Approving this measure would fix this error.

This is basically an amendment to correct an error. The League of Women Voters have noted that they cannot find any opponents or opposing arguments.

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2013 Ballot Proposals: Proposal # 1

This year there are 6 ballot proposals on the general election ballot for voters to decide.

I thought I would go through these one at a time this week.

The official ballot text for Proposal # 1 reads as follows:

Authorizing Casino Gaming

“The proposed amendment to section 9 of article 1 of the Constitution would allow the Legislature to authorize up to seven casinos in New York State for the legislated purposes of promoting job growth, increasing aid to schools, and permitting local governments to lower property taxes through revenues generated. Shall the amendment be approved?”

What it Means:

The measure would allow the legislature to authorize up to seven casinos in the state, specifically for the stated purposes of promoting job growth, increasing funding to schools and permitting local governments to lower property taxes.

While not transcribed into the amendment nor ballot measure language, the Governor and legislature have agreed to a two phase expansion of casinos if the measure passes.

Phase 1: Allow for the construction and running of four total casinos in upstate New York – two in the Catskills, one in the Southern Tier and one near Albany.
Phase 2: After seven years pass, allow for the construction and running of three casinos in New York City.

An agreement between the state and St. Regis Mohawk Tribe has given the tribe a monopoly on casinos in certain counties, including neighboring Warren and Essex counties. While technically a long shot, Washington county would be eligible for one Casino if the measure passes, which I detailed here in this former post.

Learn More:

For a full analysis of both the pros and cons of Prop 1: check out this page on BallotPedia.org

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Washington County GE Plant to Close

This week it was reported that the The General Electric plant on Route 4 in Fort Edward is slated for closure. GE announced its intent to move capacitor production to Clearwater, Fla. This is part of a larger national trend where businesses and people are flocking to low tax states.

A new book, How Money Walks – How $2 Trillion Moved Between the States, and Why It Matters by Travis Brown offers hard data on the economic contest among the states.

Brown uses official IRS statistics to produce hard data about the massive movement of American working wealth within the country. Between 1995 and 2010, the nine states with no personal income taxes gained $146.2 billion in working wealth. The nine states with the highest personal income tax rates lost $107.4 billion. The 10 states with the lowest per capita state-local tax burdens gained $69.9 billion. The 10 states with the highest per capita state-local tax burdens lost $139 billion. Simply put money, businesses, and people moved from high-tax to low-tax states.

And the tax that seemed to matter the most? The personal income tax. The states with no income taxes gained the greatest wealth, while the states with the highest income taxes lost the most.

Mr. Brown is on a national speaking tour promoting his book, which is highlighted in the video below.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmMYORkU-No

Sadly, New York state is one of the states losing jobs, businesses, and income due to it’s high tax status.

Mr. Brown’s website has a “Money Walks App” which lets users track by state, not only how income is shifting, which jurisdictions are benefiting.
http://www.howmoneywalks.com/web-app/

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Help the LGA Fight the Asian Clam

Recently, I received this update and fundraising appeal to help eradicate Asian Clams from the Lake George Association. Please consider helping this worthy cause.

From the Lake George Association’s appeal:

Asian Clam Management in Lake George

September 2013 Update
Asian clams were found in lake George in late 2010, and control efforts were initiated immediately in the spring of 2011 to eradicate this treat to the lake. Left unchecked, this invasive species multiplies rapidly, ultimately resulting in thousands of clams per square meter. Thanks to immediate action, no significant impacts from these clams have been noted in Lake George to date.

More than $1.5 million has been speant over the past three years to control this threat, and the results of the most recent fall/winter treatment are very encouraging. Seven of the 27 known acres of clam beds in Lake George were treated using plastic mats on the bottom of the lake, which smother the clams. Planning efforts for a fall 2013 treatment are underway. For more information, including detailed reports and maps, go online to www.stoprtheasianclam.info

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The LGLC Celebrates John Apperson’s Legacy


John S. Apperson, Jr. Photo credit: Adirondack Research Library

This year marks fifty years since the passing of John S. Apperson, Jr., a celebrated Lake George conservationist. To honor his memory and accomplishments, the Lake George Land Conservancy (LGLC) held a gathering on July 21 hosted by LGLC Director Debbie Hoffman and her husband Bill, at their Bolton Landing home in the heart of “Apperson Territory”.

Over 60 people joined together for the casual event. Guests were able to walk around the property, which neighbored Bill and Kathleen Horne’s home known as the Annex, and enjoy the lakefront views.

“To live on and cherish the land,” explained Ms. Hoffman, “where such an important Father of Lake George strolled around contemplating and working out his next “battle” to passionately save the place he loved has a feeling like none other.”

Apperson was a remarkable force in the world of land conservation and public awareness of environmental issues of Lake George and the greater Adirondacks. In 1939 Apperson bought the iconic Dome Island to prevent potential development; to this day the island is off-limits to the public and serves as an important site for ecological studies.

The gathering was a dual celebration of Apperson and LGLC’s 25th Anniversary. Founded in 1988, LGLC’s efforts to protect the land surrounding Lake George carry on the work initiated by early conservationists like Apperson. LGLC even created its own “Apperson Society” to honor those who have gone above and beyond in their support for land conservation.

The gathering included a brief overview of LGLC history and ending with current day challenges, presented by LGLC Executive Director Nancy Williams.

“We have never seen so many large parcels that have such a huge impact on conservation on the market at the same time”, Williams explained. “We are creating neighborhood ad hoc committees to discuss and research the potential future of these large areas.”

Apperson’s great-niece and Virginia historian Ellen Apperson Brown also spoke to the group about her great uncle’s life. Guests were able to see pictures of Apperson as well as a remarkable collection of privately owned memorabilia shared by neighbors of the Apperson Territory, in particular Bill and Kathleen Horne.

Ms. Brown’s displays can viewed by the public at the Lake George Historical Society’s Museum.

“It was an honor to host this event,” added Ms. Hoffman, “and enhance awareness to the challenges and the accomplishments of Apperson’s life and the Lake George Land Conservancy.”

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Grant’s Cottage: Great Nearby Trip


Grant’s Cottage, the summer home where President Ulysses S. Grant died, is located in nearby Wilton, NY. Wilton is south of Glens Falls.

In so far as July 23, 2013, is the 128th anniversary of the death of President Ulysses S. Grant, I thought I would do a post on the local cottage in which he died.

“Ulysses S. Grant Cottage” is a state historic site located on Mt. McGregor in the town of Wilton.

Grant died of throat cancer at the age of 63 in Mt. McGregor and finished his memoirs at the cottage, which were highly regarded by the general public, military historians and literary critics.

From Huletts, it is only about an hour’s ride. It is well marked and only about two miles from the Northway exit. It is only open for tours on the weekend though. It is located adjacent to Mt. McGregor state prison. So close in fact, I could see the inmates almost 100 feet away behind the prison fence.


Grant spent his last days at the cottage completing his memoirs.

Without giving too much away, the cottage today remains essentially the same as during Grant’s stay. Visitors tour the downstairs of the cottage, viewing the original furnishings, decorations, and personal items belonging to Grant, including the bed where he died. A short walk down a path, brings you to a spectacular view.


Today, the cottage remains essentially the same as it was during Grant’s stay.

I enjoyed the easy trip and the spectacular view. For anyone who loves American history, it’s a fun day outing!

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Bits of Everything

Watch Out, The Top 7 Summer Health Hazards

From WebMD, what you need to be careful of in the summertime.

DEC to Spend $3 million on Porous Pavement Project

The New York State Department of Conservation plans to move forward with a $3 million project to reconstruct a section of Beach Road on State lands and the Lake George Beach parking with porous asphalt and other storm water management features to protect water quality.

“Hoofprints Walk Of Fame” Unveiled at Saratoga Race Course

Man o’ War or Secretariat? The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) and the Saratoga 150 Committee today unveiled a new attraction designed to pay homage to the 30 most accomplished thoroughbreds to compete at Saratoga Race Course during its 150-year history.

New Tick-Borne Illness Could be Worse Than Lyme Disease

From CBS New York, a new disease spread by deer ticks has already infected 100,000 New Yorkers since the state first started keeping track.

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Dr. David Starbuck to Speak in Huletts: Saturday July 13th


Dr. David Starbuck will speak about his research and archaeological digs at Fort William Henry on Saturday, July 13th.

The Friends of Historic Huletts Landing (FHHL) 2013 summer lecture series begins on Saturday, July 13th.

Dr. David Starbuck from Plymouth State University is going to present the Archaeology of Fort William Henry: Digging Up an American Legend at 7:30 p.m. at the Mountain Grove Memorial Church.

Plan on attending and learn about the interesting things Dr. Starbuck has unearthed at Fort William Henry in Lake George Village.

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State Approves Electricity Transmission Line


The portion of a new high voltage power cable (as seen in red) that is proposed from the U.S.-Canadian border to New York City is planned to run underground through the Town of Dresden. (Click image to see full scale.)

The state Public Service Commission on Thursday approved the high-capacity electricity transmission line that will run on the other side of the mountain through Dresden and be submerged beneath the waters of Lake Champlain. It will run from Canada’s hydroelectric facilities to New York City. The state commission’s approval leaves only a few federal permits to begin the $2 billion project.

To learn more, view my September 5, 2012 post.

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NY Assemblyman Gives Thoughts on Budget

Assemblyman Dan Stec (R,C,I-Queensbury) shared his thoughts today on the 2013-14 New York State budget. Stec felt there while there were a few negatives in the budget, the bulk of it more than adequately addressed the needs of his constituents while holding the line on spending, increasing it by less than one percent.

“This year’s budget contains many positive items for our communities,” said Stec. “There is a much-needed commitment to improving our highways and bridges, a measure I have strongly supported even before I entered the Assembly. In another commitment to our many lake communities, there is increased funding in this budget to combat our aquatic invasive species. The Olympic Regional Development Authority also received continued support and investment, an issue of importance to many in my district.

“There was also a renewed focus on education and our economy. Our schools will see the overall increase in aid they need to provide our children with the quality education they deserve. Another $150 million was laid out for the Regional Economic Development Councils, further helping our job creators grow and develop our economy.

“Unfortunately, there were other items included in the budget I can not support. The $36 million for the SAFE Act only goes further toward treating our responsible, law-abiding gun owners as criminals and I will continue working to repeal this violation of our constitutional right. I voted to fully restore the $90 million cut to non-profit providers of care to the developmentally disabled, a cut which is unconscionable. We need to renew our commitment to ensuring we take care of those who are unable to care for themselves.

“While there were several negative items in this budget, there was a great deal that will greatly enhance the quality of life in our communities. I believe that the budget we are passing today importantly holds the line on spending.”

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And the Least Free State in America, is…

George Mason University’s Mercatus Center just released the third edition of their comprehensive “Freedom in the Fifty States” study, ranking “the American states based on how their policies promote freedom in the fiscal, regulatory, and personal realms.”

North Dakota, South Dakota, Tennessee, New Hampshire, and Oklahoma took the top five freedom spots, while Rhode Island, Hawaii, New Jersey, California, and New York came in 46th through last place.

(Mouse-over a state to see it’s ranking.)

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Stec Joins Thousands, Stands Up For Second Amendment


Assemblyman Dan Stec addressing a crowd of thousands at #NY2A, a rally in support of the Second Amendment.

Assemblyman Dan Stec (R,C,I-Queensbury) joined scores of elected officials and an estimated crowd of several thousand sportsmen and Second Amendment supporters today at #NY2A, one of the largest rallies in New York State history. Stec, who recently launched a petition to repeal the NY SAFE Act, addressed the crowd and proudly joined them in standing up for the Second Amendment.

“The SAFE Act is an ill-conceived measure, crafted in the dead of night, that tramples on the Second Amendment right our forefathers and generations of Americans have fought to defend,” said Stec. “It was an honor to join one of the largest crowds in our state’s history today and take a stand for an open government and our constitutional rights.”

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Stec Launches Petition to Urge Repeal of NY Safe Act

Assemblyman Dan Stec (R,C,I-Queensbury) launched a petition last Friday to urge a repeal of the NY SAFE Act, the controversial new gun-control legislation pushed through by Governor Cuomo last month. The petition can be located at http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/Dan-Stec/story/50861/ or on the Assemblyman’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/AssemblymanDanStec. In just four days, the petition has already received over 400 signatures.

“While elements of the NY SAFE Act, such as the strengthening of Kendra’s Law, increased penalties for illegal firearm usage and the measures taken to protect first responders are measures I support, the fact remains that this bill severely restricts the constitutional rights of our sportsmen and outdoor enthusiasts while ignoring overwhelming information that shows restricting access to firearms is not a solution to solving gun violence in our communities,” said Stec. “That is why I am launching a petition to repeal this misguided legislation.”

“Our residents deserve a reasoned, logical approach to solving violence in our communities and not a knee-jerk response that only infringes upon responsible, law-abiding gun owners. I urge everyone to sign my petition so we can repeal this unconstitutional measure and chart a new course that respects the legacy of sportsmen and outdoorsmen while still addressing the root causes of violence in society.”