The New York Times, 12 Other Newspapers Endorse Adirondack Propositions 4 and 5

THE ADIRONDACKS, NY (11/01/2013)(readMedia)-- The New York Times and 12 other newspapers from Buffalo to White Plains have urged voters to support the two Adirondack constitutional amendments on Tuesday's General Election ballot, Propositions 4 and 5.

In its November 1 editorial, the Times writes, "...both should be approved. They would provide benefits for the park and the people who live, work or visit there."

Joining the Times with endorsements of Propositions 4 and 5 are:

The Journal News of White Plains;

The Buffalo News;

Democrat & Chronicle of Rochester;

The Post-Star of Glens Falls;

The Watertown Daily Times;

The Adirondack Daily Enterprise of Saranac Lake;

The Leader Herald of Gloversville;

The Daily News of Batavia;

The Adirondack Explorer of Saranac Lake;

Denton Publications, the weekly newspaper chain based in Elizabethtown;

The Observer of Dunkirk;

The Chronicle of Glens Falls.

Propositions 4 and 5 are also supported by a host of state and local groups and individuals, including former New York Gov. George Pataki, four former leaders of the state Department of Environmental Conservation and the Adirondack Park Agency, U.S. Rep. Bill Owens (D-Plattsburgh), U.S. Rep. Chris Gibson (R-Kinderhook), and The New York League of Conservation Voters.

Proposition 4 would allow the Legislature to settle the 100-year-old problem of disputed property titles in the Town of Long Lake, Hamilton County. Since the 1800s, the titles to 216 parcels, including the school, the firehouse, businesses, homes and other properties have been disputed. Proposition 4 would permit the state to clear these titles in exchange for funding to purchase lands that the state has long wanted to add to the Adirondack Forest Preserve for public recreation. The Department of Environmental Conservation is expected to recommend that the state acquire the historic Marion River Carry, acreage along the Marion River, the Utowana Lake shore, and a canoe portage that connects Raquette with Utowana and Blue Mountain. These lands would be forever protected at no cost to taxpayers.

Proposition 5 offers the opportunity to expand the Adirondack Forest Preserve by 1,500 acres and protect 100 Adirondack jobs. The proposition would authorize the Legislature to give an Adirondack mining company temporary access to the 200 acres of state Forest Preserve that immediately adjoin its existing mine. In exchange, the company, NYCO Minerals Inc., would provide the state with funding to purchase 1,500 acres of forests with mountains, streams and excellent fishing opportunities, expanding public access to the Jay and Hurricane Mountain Wilderness Areas near Lake Placid and protecting wildlife habitat. NYCO would return the 200 acres to the Forest Preserve once its project is completed. Allowing NYCO to continue to work on its site will protect rural jobs that support schools, churches, fire departments and small businesses.

For More Information:

William Farber

518-548-6651

Randall Douglas

518-647-2204

www.voteyesfortheadirondacks.com

Twitter: @AdirondacksYes