Visitor Center Allies Fight Closure
MALONE - Mother Nature's local allies are springing up to help save the Visitor Information Centers at Paul Smiths and Newcomb that are targeted for closure under Gov. Paterson's proposed budget.
"There are movements, but nothing is guaranteed," said Andy Flynn, a Saranac Lake-based book publisher, writer and former senior public information specialist at the VICs. "Then again, a proposal to cut doesn't mean it's a done deal."
Mr. Flynn, who worked at the VICs from 2001 to 2009, is encouraging the Adirondack Park Agency to keep the outdoor education centers and trails open. He cited two other instances where a VIC was targeted to close as a budget-cutting measure but was spared.
"This time, there are prisons, historic sites and state parks also proposed to close so it's a harder situation," he said. "But the taxpayers pay for the Adirondack Park and its maintenance, easements, land acquisitions, and for the Adirondack Park Agency. It's the state's responsibility to teach why it's important to protect the park. It's not fair to palm it off onto the private sector."
Adding that he understands the need to cut the deficit, he said the APA "took the easy way out" by offering up the VICs to help cut costs instead of figuring out how to keep them open.
"What's at risk with closing is ignorance of nature; closing the outdoor education centers can unravel all the good things they've been doing," he said.
"People come for all over the world to see what we have here. With all of today's environmental concerns, we need outdoor education more than ever. If the APA can't handle the expense of operating the VICs, it should hand some over to DEC and spread it out — but it's the state that should operate the centers, not private groups," he said.
Amid the public outcry against the proposed closures, some Adirondack-area residents are scrambling for a Plan B. For example, a citizen's committee in Brighton has formed to find new uses for the Paul Smiths VIC if indeed it is closed, as well as for the already closed Camp Gabriels. Last week, a new group of supporters emerged as the Adirondack Park Institute, the Friends Group to the Paul Smiths and Newcomb VICs, agreed to coordinate a VICs Transition Task Force, setting up a fund to accept contributions to finance the Task Force's efforts.
A news release from the API points out that the VICs are environmental jewels — "The VICs were developed on unique, resource-rich Adirondack wilderness sites that feature a number of indoor and outdoor exhibits, hiking and skiing trails, ponds and wetlands, mixed woodlands, and other natural highlights and resources" — that also boost the local economy.
Mr. Flynn made the same point in a letter to the editor to The Malone Telegram last week. He wrote: "I have seen firsthand what a difference these facilities make in regard to tourism and environmental education. In 20 years, both buildings have hosted almost two million visitors and educated about 75,000 students. Parents who attended educational programs at the VICs in the early years are now bringing their children back to learn about the natural history of the Adirondacks."
* Dr. Martha Van der Voort is the executive director of the API. To help with the transition task force, make a contribution, and/or get more information, call 518/327-3376, or mail donations to P.O. Box 249, Paul Smiths, NY 12970, noting "VIC Transition Task Force" on the check.
* Susan Mayer is heading Brighton's Town Redevelopment Citizens Committee to explore possible opportunities for the future use of the Paul Smiths VIC and Camp Gabriels. People are welcome to e-mail suggestions and ideas to her at suemayer4@aol.com.
