Ray Brook, NY, Nov 10, 2011 — Governor Andrew Cuomo made history yesterday when he chose Lani Ulrich as the first woman ever to lead the Adirondack Park Agency. The Old Forge resident takes over immediately and will guide the APA as it makes a decision on the controversial Adirondack Club and Resort project in Tupper Lake.

The governor also made history by picking a St. Lawrence County resident to sit on the commission for the first time. Sherman Craig is a woodworker and former teacher from Wanakena. As Brian Mann reports, yesterday's announcement leaves a couple of big unanswered questions.  Go to full article

Ray Brook, NY, Oct 24, 2011 — Speculation has been building for weeks over who Gov. Andrew Cuomo will choose as the next chairperson of the Adirondack Park Agency.

Lately, that speculaion has turned into concern as the agency board is about to begin reviewing one of the largest development projects ever proposed in the Park -- with no one in the chairman's seat. But one North Country lawmaker says she believes the governor is close to making a decision.  Go to full article

Oct 24, 2011 — The cell tower building boom in the Adirondacks has slowed this year. Applications to the Adirondack Park Agency are down - the agency has only issued nine permits or amendments for cell projects as of early October.

That's a big drop when compared to last year: 28 projects, and 2009, when the APA approved 27. Despite the trend, cell service providers say they're still planning to grow their wireless networks in the Park. Chris Knight reports.  Go to full article

Ray Brook, NY, Sep 16, 2011 — Support is reportedly building behind Lani Ulrich to assume the chairmanship of the state Adirondack Park Agency. Ulrich has served as an APA commissioner since 2004.

The Glens Fall Post-Star reported yesterday that local government leaders and environmental groups in the Park have come together to push Gov. Andrew Cuomo to nominate her to the position.

But as Chris Knight reports, Ulrich may have to resolve a pair of APA violations on her property if she wants the job.  Go to full article

Ray Brook, NY, Sep 16, 2011 — Yesterday's meeting of Adirondack Park Agency Commissioners was the first since Tropical Storm Irene unleashed havoc along some of the park's rivers. They got a briefing from agency staff on the damage to homes, businesses, roads and bridges and the agency's response.

Commissioners were also updated on Irene's impacts to the back-country, and efforts to reopen trails that were closed in the aftermath of the storm.  Go to full article

Ray Brook, NY, Aug 19, 2011 — The Adirondack Park Agency met yesterday in Ray Brook. It was their first monthly meeting without former chairman Curt Stiles, who announced his resignation in mid-July.

As Brian Mann reports, there is still no indication from Governor Andrew Cuomo about who will lead the APA going forward or when a pick will be made.  Go to full article

Aug 03, 2011 — After four years as head of the Adirondack Park Agency, chairman Curt Stiles is stepping aside. His tenure was marked by big clashes with elected officials in the Park, who lobbied Governor Andrew Cuomo not to reappoint Stiles for a second term. But Stiles also pushed through major reforms of the APA's regulatory approach, and engineered the first legislative change to the Park Agency Act in a generation.

Stiles, a former Xerox executive who lives on Upper Saranac Lake, sat down to talk in-depth with Brian Mann. Here's the first part of their conversation.

Note: Tomorrow during The Eight O'clock Hour, we'll hear from Stiles about the environmental challenges still facing the Park and about some of his own controversial decisions, including his handling of the Sandy Lewis farm case in Essex County.  Go to full article

Ray Brook, NY, Jul 18, 2011 — Adirondack Park Agency Chairman Curt Stiles will not seek reappointment to the APA board. Stiles made the surprising announcement at the end of Friday's agency monthly meeting in Ray Brook. He said he sent a letter to Gov. Andrew Cuomo last week that said he will not accept reappointment as chair or commissioner of the Park Agency. His decision to leave the APA was met with enthusiasm by his critics and disappointment by his supporters. Chris Knight reports.  Go to full article

Ray Brook, NY, Jul 15, 2011 — In a surprise announcement Friday, the chairman of the state Adirondack Park Agency Board of Commissioners announced he would not seek reappointment as Chair or commissioner.

Curt Stiles made his revelation Friday at the conclusion of the agency's monthly meeting. He says he spoke with family members and colleagues at the Park Agency before coming to his decision.  Go to full article

Lake Placid, NY, Jun 09, 2011 — The Adirondack Park Agency is looking for closure 10 months after a judge ordered a half-built, 10,000-square foot mansion in Lake Placid demolished. The boarded-up structure, owned by Arthur and Margaret Spiegel, still stands.

Now the APA has filed a motion to find the Spiegels in contempt of court for failing to tear the building down but the Spiegels said they can't get the necessary demolition permits from the town.

As Chris Knight reports, this is just the latest chapter in what's been a six-year legal battle.  Go to full article