This week, I listened in on Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s four State of the State presentations (click here for article about Monday’s address). Next week, we’ll get Cuomo’s budget presentation for 2022. That doesn’t get passed until April, but it will be interesting to see how the state fills this $15 billion hole.

Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve had a few stories posted online for you. In case you missed them, one was about a new connector trail between the Town of Newcomb’s beautiful High Peaks Overlook park and Goodnow Mountain. The trail isn’t 100% finished, but the hope is it will be next year. Read more about that here.

There’s more news, too, about the Town of Lake Luzerne’s request for a map amendment to the Adirondack Park Agency. Through the public comments that I filed a Freedom of Information Law request for, we found some preliminary information about a homeowner looking to develop his property in the area. We also found a number of neighbors against the map amendment, but a few local business owners in favor. Read more on that here.

And in more APA news, the agency is getting sued by a former commissioner of the state Department of Environmental Conservation for approving the Saranac Lake Marina expansion. I wrote about that here.

The Adirondack Park Agency is not meeting this month, according to its website, because it has no actionable items before the board. It will be interesting to see what happens in February, especially considering the map amendment, the lawsuit and last month’s news that APA board member Chad Dawson resigned. 

Hopefully you’ve gotten your latest print issue of our magazine now, too. One story in there from me about the U.S. Army’s plans to increase training exercises, possibly in the Adirondacks, is now online. Check that out here.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo delivers his 2021 State of the State Address in the War Room at the state Capitol. Photo by Darren McGee- Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo

Editor’s note: This first appeared in Gwen’s weekly “Adirondack Report” email newsletter. Click here to sign up.