The June Membership Meeting was held on June 6th and 7th in Lake Placid.
The weather did not permit an afternoon golf game but did allow for some time for those who arrived early to visit and network.
The reception which was sponsored in part by associate members Barton & Loguidice and Fitzgerald, Morris, Baker, Firth, PC started at 5:30 pm on Sunday, June 6th and was filled with conversation and good food by those attending.
The dinner which followed, was sponsored in part by associate member Burnham Financial started at 6:30 pm with guest speakers Senator Betty Little and Assemblywoman Teresa Sayward. Mr. Matt Doheny, Candidate for Congress introduced himself and spoke briefly to the group aslo. The High Peaks Resort provided an excellent meal with great service and members were able to visit with each other, associate members and invited legislators in a casual atmosphere.
The Membership Meeting started at 9:00 am after a breakfast sponsored in full by associate members Bernier, Carr & Associates on Monday, June 7th. The first guest speaker was Mr. Scott Travers, President/CEO of Newton Falls Fine Paper Company. He spoke of the revitalization of the Newton Fall Fine Paper Company and initiatives the company was seeking in the future in regard to renewable energy and the working relationship between the United States and Canada where their home company is located.
Hilary Smith, Director for the Adirondack Park Invasive Species spoke to the group about invasive species and what local government can do to work in preventing invasion and early signs of detection. A poster was available for members to take back to display in their municipal buildings.
The business portion of the meeting was held with by-law changes being approved and the resolutions listed below being approved.
Mr. Rob Davies from New York State Department of Environmental Conservation then discussed updates on the Adirondack SMART Growth Program and discussed land acquisitions in regard to public highways. A question and answer followed with snowmobile trails, landbank, conservation easements and a thank you for working with Hamilton County on opening Moose River Plains part of a discussion.
Mr. Garry Douglas, President of the Plattsburgh North Country Chamber of Commerce then spoke to the group. He distributed handouts and explained where his chamber was located, their commitments and goals and what their vision was for their members. He spoke of some of the obstacles and opportunities that everyone shared in the Adirondacks. He also highlighted working with the Adirondack Caucus on an Economic Strategy for the Adirondack area.
A break was held followed by lunch that was sponsored in part by associate member Lamont Engineering.
The final guest speaker was Dave Tomberlin from the ARISE (Adirondack Residents Intent on Saving Their Economy) Business Council who explained what the group was, their goals and visions for Tupper Lake. A powerpoint presentation shared an insight to their goal of communication between the entities in Tupper Lake such as local government, business and community. A new website has been launched that all the entities are able to use collectively to reach out to residents and visitors. They also are in the process of erecting kiosks with local information to better acclimate visitors with their community.
Brian Towers, President of AATV thanked everyone for their participation in the meeting.
