Monday, November 28, 2011

Otter Creek Nature Trail

Thousand Islands Land Trust, Alexandria Bay
People have been walking and or horseback riding on  these trails for years. They are a slice of north country beauty that I shared with my son several years ago.  The terrain can be deceiving, not realizing just how high up you are until you come across the ravine.  The wetlands that flow into Otter Creek are absolutely amazing during the spring run offs.  The landscape is just as stunning in the winter and fall season.  The video I made is a virtual tour of the existing trails that were forged years ago.  They are not without some fault, but with T.I.L.T.  and the support of our town and village governments, this area can be developed into something extraordinary.


High Definition version for fast internet connections




Standard Definition for slower internet connections



Sunday, November 27, 2011

Seawall Restoration

River Hospital, Alexandria Bay

Earlier this year, River Hospital C.E.O. Ben Moore and board members presented a plan to restore the seawall as part of the Hospitals support and contribution to the villages Riverwalk Project.  The hospital hired Doug Strough to restore the almost 400 foot of deteriorated stone wall.  Mr. Strough who has an eye for detail and aesthetics has made some changes to the original wall.  At the begining of the video I made note of a curved wall.  The original wall met at an angle.  Mr. Strough changed it so if flowed more with the shoreline.  The main focus of the Riverwalk will be a wooden dock that will be over the water and in front of this beautifully restored seawall.  The Riverwalk project is still progressing and work will begin this spring.  Recently Prudent Engineer met with residents for a presentation and question and answer session.  More on that meeting in a few days.


Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Does Silence Mean Yes or No? [Video]

 Budget Passed Without New Supervisors Approval

According to the November 23rd TI Sun, Supervisor Elect Hunneyman, "who kept quiet during the hearing and request for approval said afterward that his silence meant he voted against the budget...."


Is silence part of the "new" transparency in our local government? This month silence means "I do not agree" and next month silence could mean "I agree".  How convenient.  How about we all say what we mean and mean what we say?

Related Posts Town Passes Budget

Monday, November 21, 2011

Budget Passes Supervisor Takes Pay Cut

Town of Alexandria

Town Supervisor Martha Millett announced at the November 9th budget hearing that she wanted to allow more time for the review and extended it until November 17th.  Because of laws governing municipal budget deadlines the hearing had to be held before the 17th.  The audio below is the rescheduled hearing that was held on the 15th.  Town Supervisor Elect Hunneyman wanted to make good on his campaign promise by cutting the Supervisor's Salary and expenses. Supervisor Millett as well as her predecessor have held both positions of Supervisor and Budget Officer.  The Supervisors salary  remains the same at $18,530. The Budget Officers salary was cut by Supervisor Elect Hunneyman from $32,418 to $22,418The expense account associated with this position saw a 50% cut and is now at $4,000.  It is unclear whether Hunneyman will follow in his predecessors foot steps and act as both Supervisor and Budget Officer.  The combined salaries would total $40,948.



Sunday, November 13, 2011

Audio on Village Website?

Recently Alex Bay Mayor Robb revisited the idea of making the audio from meetings available to the public via a new village website. This was originally suggested at the 2.22.11 village meeting, this concerned businessman urged the board to upload their audio on the village site. He went on to say that even though my blog had the audio of the meetings, visiting my blog was and unpleasant experience.  Why the board allowed this guy to use their meeting as his personal platform to criticize the content of  the circus boggles this bloggers mind. He also referred  to Newzjunky as a megaphone to the North Country

The village has had a website for several years now. It was created in a knee jerk reaction to commentaries regarding local politics posted on Abay.com and the circus.  The board wanted their own website to post meeting minutes, announcements, and use it as a means to refute comments made on the local blogs. In the beginning, the village site did upload typed meeting minutes but usually several weeks after the meeting coinciding with the availability of  Hard copies of the minutes at the next meeting . The occasional ordinance revision has also been posted. The posting of current information became less frequent and finally the only pertinent information was the yearly schedule of village meetings and sometimes the recycling schedule.

The village does not need a new website, the one they have now is capable of doing what they want and more. If the mayor and the board want to upload their audio and link it to the village site, I think this is a good idea.  I even offered to help show them how to do it.  Like anything else, the more you do it the easier it gets.  Some have a misconception of blogs and websites...I call this misconception  the Field of Dreams, Just because you build a website is no guarantee that people will visit it or even like it. Kind of like the circus.



VB Meeting 10.25.11 Audio

The November 8th VB meeting was canceled due to Election Day Observance.  This audio was delayed because of the same observance.


Thursday, November 10, 2011

The Cost of Freedom

A video montage that I created for all the veterans past and present.  This video answers the question, What is the True Cost Of Freedom....


Wednesday, November 9, 2011

North Country Sunset


This picture was taken last night in Rodman by my friend Michele Kirk Walton.

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Ballot for Alex Bay and Alexandria

Today is November 8th, Election Day. Please Vote! Click on the Ballot below to enlarge


From Sample Ballot Alexandria