| This report covers the period from August 29, 2007 through September 26, 2007.
Administrative tasks completed:
• Preparation of this progress report with supporting documentation
• Preparation of town center needs questionnaire for distribution to adult centers and
other locales
• Created and printed posters for Community Forum
• Distributed posters throughout communities at stores, town halls, library, etc.
• Sent meeting and Community Forum notices to Malone Telegram, Free Trader,
Plattsburgh Press Republican, NPR, WPTZ, Lake Champlain Weekly
• Invitation to Community Forum flyers/e-mails sent to all participants in March 2006
Visioning Session
• Initial drafting of Foothills 2020 plan including creation of project outlines
• Developed agenda for Community Forum
• Facilitated Community Forum
• Created database of contact information for all Community Forum participants
• Wrote article for CRC September Newsletter
• Update of the Foothills 2020 website (http://www.fullerventures.com/foothills 2020)
Other meetings included:
• Sustainable Ag – review of events/opportunities under way with Cornell Cooperative
Extension, including culinary tourism, Farmers markets, fiber arts; Chateaugay
Woodswalk; Wilder Farm 150th anniversary event (ag-tourism, fiber arts, etc.)
• identified resources for legally accessing licensed movies for showing in schools,
community venues, libraries
• Meeting with Bob McNary, recently appointed director of New York Empire State
Development, Corp on state initiatives in the Adirondack North Country
• Windshield tour of the communities, specifically Burke and Sellers Field
Work Teams
Foothills 2020 Cultural & Rec Working Group Meetings
Report on Cultural & Rec Work Group Meeting: September 8, 2007
Chateaugay Memorial Library 8:00 to 9:00 am followed by CCE Woodswalk at Chateaugay
Forest Farm.
Attendees: Jamie Basiliere, Eileen Clar, Zach Clar, Matthew Clar, Gina Strachan
Report on Cultural & Rec Work Group Meeting: September 15, 2005 Community Forum,
updates on C & R initiatives, participation in break out groups
American Legion Hall Chateaugay 9:30 am to 1 pm
Attendees: Jamie Basiliere, Eileen Clar, Matthew Clar, Zachary Clar, Gina Strachan
This report covers the period from May 26, 2007 through July 13, 2007.
Administrative tasks completed:
Preparation of this progress report with supporting documentation ·
Preparation of town center assessment form for use by work team members ·Preparation and placement of work team meetings publicity in public places in all communities, the Malone Telegram, and the Free Trader · Update of the Foothills 2020 website (http://www.fullerventures.com/foothills 2020)
Attempts continue to involve officials from the Town of Burke. In the interim the social and cultural work team has recruited Town residents to develop plans for this section of the overall economic revitalization strategy. A report on the work of this team is included below.
Fuller continues to research and gather information about financing sources for plan implementation. We attended public meetings on the wind energy farms proposed within the Foothills 2020 territory. Other meetings included: · a further meeting with Noble Wind Power representatives · a meeting on the North Country Community Broad Band project. Further contacts with students to schedule a student assembly in the High School lead Fuller to recommend that the plenary session to discuss the plan progress and encourage region-wide community input be held in mid-September. The social and cultural work team has recruited several students to work during the summer. Work Teams The Social and Cultural Work Team had its first meeting on June 13, 2007 at the Chateaugay Memorial Library in Chateaugay from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm. Attendees were: Eileen Clar, Zachary Clar, Jamie Basiliere, Susan Fuller SD Fuller provided background information on the Foothills 2020 process including the Visioning Session and described the objectives and purpose of the Foothills 2020 project. The group reviewed the topics of focus for the Social and Cultural Working Group, and how the Social & Cultural Work Team’s activities complement those of the Economic and Town Centers groups. Attendees received copies of background materials. Fuller explained the importance of including young people in the process. Several women who had said they would participate did not attend, including a representative for the Chateaugay Historical Society. Discussions included ways to get more volunteers involved and how to ensure that those who commit to attending a meeting will actually attend. Participants agreed that personal phone calls were likely to be more effective than e-mail exchanges to ensure attendance of people.
The second meeting of the work team was scheduled for July 3, 2007 at 8 am at the Chateaugay Memorial Library. Participants committed to getting more volunteers to attend the next meeting and to include representation from Burke, Bellmont, and Constable. Report on Social And Cultural Work Team Meeting: July 3, 2007 The Social and Cultural Work Group second meeting was held on July 3, 2007 at the Chateaugay Memorial Library in Chateaugay from 8:00 am to 9:30 am. Attendees were: Eileen Clar, Zachary Clar, Chelsea LaBare, Philicia LaBare, Kristin Farrell, Ryan LaBare, Stephanie Leffler, Gina Strachan, Larissa Bigelow, Susan Fuller and Jamie Basiliere A review and discussion of activities underway in all communities occurred. Fuller Communications and group chair Jamie Basiliere were particularly pleased that attendees included 5 students representing 2007-2008 Grade 8, freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior classes from Chateaugay High School. These students contributed significantly in identifying issues and giving recommendations for positive action to address the needs for Social and Cultural Revitalization for their communities, and suggestions for additional working group members. The group agreed that when young people are involved in projects, their parents become interested, and often involved, as well. Attendees represented Constable, Brainardsville, Burke, and Chateaugay village and town – each of the five communities active in the 2020 process. Because there were so many new volunteers Fuller briefly presented background information on the Foothills 2020 project and the objectives of the Social and Cultural Working Group. Jamie Basiliere reviewed the Strengths/Weaknesses/Challenges and Opportunities identified at the March 2006 Visioning Session in the Social and Cultural categories. Discussions began with identification of some of the needs and problems experienced by junior and senior high school students because of lack of facilities and activities for their peer groups. Gina Strachan, who relocated to Burke from Vermont about a year ago, described her Live a Life, North County Scare Halloween Theater project in Burke on October 26, 27, and 28 2007 that is involving many young people and community members as volunteers. The group agreed that there are amazing people in the communities who are committed to improvements that will benefit all. Church groups are especially effective ways to reach potential volunteers. Community service is required for confirmation, a potential resource for volunteers. Several groups/organizations were cited as good models and resources for 2020 projects including the Waverly Youth Council Group, the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival (The person who does the chain saw ice sculptures there is a resident of Chateaugay.), Fort Covington Rainbow Park, Playground 2000 in Barre, Vermont, and the Opera House in Vergennes, Vermont. On August 8 Eileen Clar is meeting with Colleen Lutinski from the North Country Cultural Center for the Arts to learn more about the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) "decentralization” re-granting programs, through the New York State Council on the Arts, who provides thousands of dollars for entertainment and recognition of sparsely served areas, including Franklin County. Volunteers indicated that they know people who may be interested in joining the 2020 project, including the Economic Development and Town Center groups and would speak with them. The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 16 at 6 pm. Location to be determined. Action Priorities identified at July 3 meeting: Community/Rec Park Development in all communities Programs for older kids (sports, larger pool, amusement park, x-c skiing, summer job opportunities) Winter carnival Skate Boarding Park Ice Rink Arts/Music Programs Movie Theatre/ Live a Life Halloween Festival Arts Decentralization funding Super Bowl, Mardi Gras, Halloween Ball related events in com Town Centers (coordinated with Town Centers Working Group) Internet Café (i.e. library) Sandwich shop and bakery 2nd hand clothing shop Fabric/Craft shop Fiber arts (sheep and wool) – building on Wilder Farm traditions/activities and regional growing interest in sheep and goat raising in area (to be coordinated Economic Development Working Group) SBA and SCORE as resources – residents want to start businesses related to arts and culture, but don’t have tools/know how and struggle, or start businesses without adequate preparation (business plans, etc.) and fail. Potential projects for inclusion in the Foothills 2020 plan include: Restoration of the Chateaugay Town Theater (Vergennes Opera House Model) Development of a comprehensive Development of a comprehensive plan for Community/Rec Park restoration, upgrade, and creation in lacking communities, for all ages of children and adults. Development of the area as a center for sheep, goats, small ruminants related fiber arts (in conjunction with an economic development strategy related to locally grown foods, agritourism and value added agriculture potential of the sheep, goats and other small ruminants industry.) The next meeting of the work team is July 16 at 6 PM at the Chateaugay Memorial Library. Report on Town Center Work Team The orientation meeting for the Town Center work team was held May 31. Mary Fredenburgh agreed to act as team leader and will contact initially the Village Clerk in Chateaugay to begin the process of identifying the buildings to be surveyed. Ron Barney, a businessman in Malone who is associated with the Franklin County IDA, and who is a certified building inspector with considerable experience working with HUD financed building rehabilitations is providing technical staff support to the work that needs to be done. A work team meeting publicized for June 26 in Constable was attended only by Fuller. A different publicity approach will be tried for the next meeting at a date to be determined. Report on Economic Development Work Team The work team meeting scheduled for June 19 was attended by one volunteer. William McGee, a resident of Mountain View with many years of senior planning and executive experience has accepted to lead this effort. Fuller provided research reports, contact information for self-identified residents from the Vision Session interested in this work from all communities. A work plan has been prepared and the work team members will soon receive necessary background information. This team will work closely with the Town Center work team to coordinate plans and ideas for encouraging new businesses to provide goods and services used and needed by residents in Foothills 2020 communities. ACTIONS AHEAD BY FULLER: · presentation to the Burke Town Board –TBD · presentation to CRC and Steering Committee · facilitate meetings for work group members · prepare plenary session proceedings and work materials – tentative date Saturday Sept. 15, 2007 · continuing research on economic development opportunities and discussions w/ area business owners and location consultants
DECISIONS OR ASSISTANCE NEEDED: Names from reps in local communities for work teams Assistance with publicity for work team sessions Designated buildings for town center inventory and assessment MAY 30, 2007 An information meeting was held with the Village Trustees for Chateaugay and a progress written report was distributed As a result of the information meetings, each jurisdiction where a presentation was made has named representatives to sit on the Steering Committee to guide and oversee the development of the Strategic Plan. Fuller attended several meetings in various parts of New York State to gather information about financing sources for plan implementation, best practices in agriculture, and development of alternative energy sources, including the public meetings on the wind energy farms proposed within the Foothills 2020 territory.
The Steering Committee organization meeting was held on April 21. Thanks to the American Legion in Chateaugay for use of their building. An important note was the presence of 2 students from Chateaugay Central High School and the principal of Chateaugay Elementary School who attended as nominees of the school board. Thank you to Joe Perry and Carol Leary for attending the Chateaugay School Board meeting on April 2. Jamie Basiliere has agreed to act as team leader for the Social and Cultural work team. The first meeting is scheduled for June 13 in the Library at the Chateaugay Town Hall.Chateaugay Historical Society will coordinate their efforts and grant applications with Foothills 2020. The orientation meeting for the Town Center work team is scheduled for May 31. Contact will be made with Town Supervisors and the Mayor of Chateaugay Village to identify the buildings to be surveyed.
DECISIONS OR ASSISTANCE NEEDED Names from reps in local communities for work committees Assistance with publicity for work team sessions Designated buildings for town center inventory and assessment |
