Beaver resigns as state mammal

A coalition of environmental groups launched an ad campaign today to protest Governor David Paterson’s proposed $69 million cut to the Environmental Protection Fund, which is used to pay for a variety of green initiatives, including land preservation. The Adirondack Council sent us the ad below, which features a snapping turtle, eastern bluebird, beaver, and brook trout resigning as the state’s reptile, bird, mammal, and fish, respectively. The proposed cut amounts to about a third of the fund.

Rally for the VICs

Andy Flynn, local writer and publisher, is organizing a rally at the Adirondack Park Agency to save the state Visitor Interpretive Centers at Paul Smiths and Newcomb. Flynn has served as the VICs spokesman until he left the job last year. Below is an e-mail from him:

To all:

I invite you to join us for a peaceful rally to protest the Adirondack Park Agency’s planned closure of the Visitor Interpretive Centers at Paul Smiths and Newcomb.

The “Save the VICs” Rally will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. Thursday, March 11, 2010 in front of the Adirondack Park Agency headquarters in Ray Brook. Come for one hour or two, but please come help us celebrate the value of the VICs to the Adirondack Park.

What you need to bring:

-Warm clothing (as this is outside)

-Signage displaying your feelings (i.e. Save the VICs; We Love the VICs; Keep the VICs Open)

-Instruments (guitar, banjo) to play if you know “This Land is Your Land” (lyrics to be provided)

-Children if you have them

-A friend or two or three

-Stories about your experiences at the VICs

Remember, this is a peaceful rally to support the VICs – outside the APA headquarters. The APA Board of Commissioners will be holding their monthly meeting inside the building at the same time, and rally participants are asked NOT to take their protests inside the building. We will be singing and chanting and holding our signs proudly outside and will make enough noise to be heard.

I encourage you to help us pressure the APA Board of Commissioners to come up with a plan to keep both centers open.

Join us at the March 11 rally and let your voice be heard!

Thanks!

Andy Flynn

Former VIC Senior Public Information Specialist (2001-2009)

Saranac Lake, (518) 891-5559