Bits of Everything

Georgia O’Keefe’s Lake George Years

The Free George does a good job detailing Georgia O’Keefe’s time in Lake George.

What Would Really Happen if NY Shut Down?

The Post Star opines on what might really happen if NY State shuts down.

Ground Zero Mosque?

Of Mosques and Men presents an original piece about the Mosque proposed near ground zero in NY City.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxFzFIDbKpg

Safe Paddling Alternatives – Huletts Mentioned

The Adirondack Almanack talks about good places for paddling and Huletts gets a good mention.

Bits of Everything

Kayaker Dies in Lake George

An accident claimed the life of a kayacker, the Post Star reports.

Giants Make It Official / Will Return to Albany

The NY Giants will return to Albany this summer. See the press release and practice schedule here.

Fort Ticonderoga’s 1950 3D Premiere

The Adirondack Almanack shares the interesting story of Ticonderoga’s cinematic world premiere.

Why Take Tests at All?

The NY Post comments on the tests NY State students are taking nowadays.

Bits of Everything

Ticonderoga Searching for Another Grocery Store

Denton Publications says Ti wants more than Wal-Mart.

Slew Of New Motor Vehicle Fees

WCBSTV tells us that NY is asking for more $ for just about everything.

Supernova Any Day Now?

I came across this interesting post which seems fascinating. Looks like a relatively nearby star is going to blow.

Man Drowns in Lake George

The Post Star reports on a Lake George drowning.

Every Wonder Where Our Alphabet Came From?

This is a neat graphic which shows how our alphabet came to be.

In Case You See Any Turkeys Looking Nervous

May 1st is the start of Spring turkey season.

For the Spring Turkey Season, May 1 through 31, hunting is permitted in most areas of the state, except for New York City and Long Island; hunters must have a turkey hunting permit in addition to their small game hunting or sportsman license; shooting hours are from one-half hour before sunrise to noon each day; hunters may take two bearded turkeys during the spring season, but only one bird per day; hunters may not use rifles, or handguns firing a bullet. Hunters may hunt with a shotgun or handgun loaded with shot sizes no larger than No. 2 or smaller than No. 8, or with a bow and arrow; successful hunters must fill out the tag which comes with their turkey permit and immediately attach it to any turkey harvested; successful hunters must report their harvest within 48 hours of taking a bird. Call 1-866-426-3778 (1-866 GAMERPT) or report harvest online at: www.dec.ny.gov

Bits of Everything

Adirondack Life’s Photography Winners

Every year the magazine, Adirondack Life, holds a photography contest. See this year’s winners here.

NY Has Room to Cut

The NY Post had an article and graphic which shows that there’s plenty of fat to cut from the NY state budget. There just doesn’t seem to be the will in Albany.

One Big Shredder

This reminded me of the the compactor at the recycling center. Instead it’s a shredder.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aja7gcgRMJU

Bits of Everything

See Pictures of the iPad

Engadget has some great pictures of the new iPad.

Scaring the Birds Away

The Post Star reports on a novel way to scare birds away from the lake.

Report: School Hiring Increasing, Enrollment Decreasing All Over State

The Post Star reports on a new study which documents the problems caused when NY public schools hired nearly 15,000 teachers and almost 9,000 administrators over the last 10 years as enrollment dropped by more than 121,000 students. This is what we need more of. (Watch the videos.)

Interview with Assemblyman Tony Jordan, Part 2


Assemblyman Tony Jordan, from the 112th Assembly District, is Huletts representative in the NY State Assembly. He sat down with the Huletts Current this past week for a wide ranging interview.

Today I post part two of my interview with Assemblyman Tony Jordan.

Could you give us an update on the NY state budget crisis. It seems year in and year out, tax increases far exceed inflation. What are you doing specifically to halt this trend?

I ran on a platform of fiscal responsibility and reduced State spending. I have been working hard in my first term to do everything in my power to bring these ideals to Albany. Earlier this month, I, along with Assemblywoman Teresa Sayward, sent a letter to Governor Patterson asking him to eliminate member items, commonly called pork, from the State budget this year. I think the member item system is a perfect example of Albany’s addiction to spending. While many of the projects that are funded through member items are legitimate and worthwhile, there is the potential for misuse and abuse of this system for legislators to distribute member item money in return for votes or support in a particular community. If the projects being funded are truly worthwhile, it is my assertion that they should be funded through the official budget process thus making the awarding of funds transparent and open to public scrutiny.

In addition to member items, I, along with several of my Republican Assembly colleagues have signed a tax-free budget pledge for the 2010 executive budget. The pledge commits legislators to spending restraint and increased transparency, as well as a promise to vote against any proposed tax increase contained in this year’s budget. We as the elected leadership of this state cannot bemoan the economic hardship facing our citizens and our government and then turn around and burden them with increased taxes and fees. This includes the infamous unfunded mandate. Albany needs to realize that passing the spending burden on to local municipalities crushes our citizens and our businesses. There is a reason that New York is consistently ranked as one of the most unfriendly states in the union for businesses. If we want to grow the New York economy and provide our residents with stable, productive, and quality jobs, we have to reduce the tax burden and make this a state where businesses want to do business.

The Pension Reform Bill passed during the extraordinary session of 2009 is another important step for moving the State to a more fiscally viable position, but it does not go far enough. That is why I have joined with my colleagues sponsoring legislation that provides for a radical change to the retirement system. This bill will take all elected officials in the state, from Governor to Town Councilman, and all political appointees, and take us of the “Defined Benefits” retirement program; replacing it with a “Defined Contribution” plan.

There is still a lot of work that needs to be done. The outline of Governor Patterson’s Executive Budget makes some good first steps, but we need to go further. We need to be aggressive in our search for areas that can be consolidated and run more efficiently. The State, and its citizens, also have to make hard choices about which services we need the State to provide. I would stress the word need. New York has grown accustomed to large government and the myriad of services it provides. I believe there are some things that either the private sector can do, or that people and communities can do more efficiently than the State. A critical examination of the services provided by the State, and what the citizens and taxpayers of this State can actually afford is a critical component of any plan to steer New York out of the trouble waters caused by decades of overspending and bowing to special interests and unions.

With the 2010 elections fast approaching, do you have any predictions about the year ahead?

I think that 2010 is going to be an eye-opener for many elected leaders across the State. The unprecedented financial situation we find ourselves in did not materialize out of the blue as some have suggested. This is a storm that has been looming on the horizon for decades. The day of reckoning has been pushed further back over the years through increased taxes, fees, and borrowing. We have reached the point where the well is dry. We cannot afford to tax our citizens or businesses anymore, and we cannot afford to borrow more money to support our addiction to spending.

It is my hope that the people are going to vote this fall for representatives at the State level that will champion the tenants of fiscal responsibility. Without a change in the culture of Albany, it will be much harder for those of us who are striving daily to bring reason and fiscal prudence to the halls of the capital. I was recently ranked as the most conservative member of the Assembly based on my voting record this past year. This ranking was based on my votes against the budget bills of 2009 which dramatically increased State spending despite an historic deficit, and my consistent stance on fiscal and personal responsibility. I think my record, as indicated by this honor, will prove to the people of the 112th Assembly District that I am working hard to reduce the crushing middle-class tax burden and spur economic growth in the State and the District. I hope that we will see more people who share my views and goals for the State elected to the legislature in November.

Finally, residents of Huletts Landing are concerned about the decline of Whitehall. Lots of stores and businesses have closed, enrollment is plummeting at the school, taxes are continuing to go up and the population is stagnating. Could you tell us some of the positive things, that you hope for in Whitehall?

For the past 6 years I have had the honor of representing the Village of Whitehall as their Attorney. This has allowed me the opportunity to get to know the people of Whitehall and the community. The Village of Whitehall has a tremendous amount of upside. Its location on the canal should provide the catalyst necessary for economic opportunity in the future.

Given its physical location, however, it has struggled with attracting and keeping businesses with competition from both Rutland and Glens Falls. The leaders of Whitehall are working diligently to upgrade and improve the infrastructure of the Village with little impact on the taxpayers as possible. I will continue to work with the Village and State seeking efficiencies and consolidation where appropriate. It is my hope that between the Canal Corporations commitment to the community, the location on the waterway and the proximity to the lakes that Whitehall is able to enjoy the success it is capable of achieving.

Thank you Assemblyman Jordan for speaking to the Huletts Current. Please stop by sometime during the summer when the “Landing” is in full swing.

Bits of Everything

Boy Scouts Get New Stamp

The Boy Scouts of America celebrate their 100th anniversary this year, so to commemorate this event, the Postal Service has issued a new stamp. Please remember to purchase the new boy scout stamp and all your other stamps at the Huletts Landing Post Office.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sgi_HIaTJK4

States Pension Funds Not Enough

The Washington Post had an alarming story on how state governments have promised to deliver $1 trillion more in retirement benefits than they have in their pension funds.

2011 Saratoga Racing Season in Jeopardy

The Saratogian reports that if the NY City OTB closes, then the 2011 Saratoga racing season is in jeopardy.

Former Vermont Governor Celebrates Anniversary

The Burlington Free Press finds out what former Vermont Governor, Madeleine Kunin, is up to.

Bits of Everything

Budget Cuts (& Falling Enrollment) Mean School District Must Reduce Spending

The Post Star reports on the cuts that the Whitehall School District is facing.

Some Rest Stops to be Closed

It looks like those on the NY State Thruway will be spared but others won’t. Read about it in the Times Union.

Bits of Everything

In Case You Missed Times Square

Here’s a great panoramic view of Times Square on New Years complete with sound from panoramas.com. Can you see the ball drop? (Hint: Grab the mouse and look up.)

No Bridge, No Rest

The Post Star did an interesting follow-up on what people are doing without the Crown Point bridge.

Bits of Everything

Boathouse Hearings to be Held

The Adirondack Park Agency is going to hold a series of hearings before revising their boathouse regulations, the Adirondack Almanack reports.

Salt Alternatives to Protect the Environment

This is an interesting piece I ran across regarding alternatives to rock salt from the Mother Nature Network.

This is What Happens When You Overspend

David Paterson announced the budget mess is so bad, he’s withholding 10% of school and local aid, it was reported by the NY Post. Why not start tying school aid to enrollment figures?

Cool Pictures of Lake Champlain Bridge Design Concepts

The NY State Dept of Transportation has released different design concepts for the new Lake Champlain Bridge between Crown Point, NY and Addison, VT.

LG Park Commission Slow to Respond to Governor

December 1st was the deadline for all state agencies to comply with Governor Paterson’s Executive Order 17, which among other things, mandated:

“On or before December 1, 2009, each state agency shall review its regulations and report to the Secretary to the Governor …… on any proposed changes to regulations which could reduce the impact of existing mandates on local governments and generate property tax relief for New York State property taxpayers.”

So I made a Freedom of Information Act request to the Lake George Park Commission. Here is their response to my request for this information:

“The report of the Lake George Park Commission to the Secretary to the Governor pursuant to Executive Order No. 17 is not completed and is expected to be available in 21 days.”

Executive Order 17 also requires that any proposed mandate which is offered by a state agency must be accompanied by a fiscal impact statement which estimates the costs to local governments.

I also requested in the same Freedom of Information Act request the information submitted to the Governor’s office as it pertained to the proposed stream corridor regulations. The Lake George Park Commission responded that this information was exempt from being released to the public.

“Information submitted to the Governor’s Secretary in regards to the Stream Corridor Regulations are intra-agency drafts which do not represent a final agency policy or position.”

Interesting.