MALONE -- Franklin County made it official Thursday: It is opposed to any action that would move the main campus of North Country Community College out of Saranac Lake.
As the legislators unanimously passed the measure opposing a move farther into Essex County, members offered to look at any future plans the college might have for phased-in financial support to repair and renovate sub-par buildings.
The college -- which is now billing itself the North Country College of Essex and Franklin in its advertisements -- has considered buying the former Upstate Biotech campus in Lake Placid and spending $52 million to renovate it.
It says it is out of space at the Saranac Lake campus and that the buildings there are old, non-compliant and in great need of extensive upgrades, which could cost up to $62 million.
But the move to Lake Placid would need the approval of both the Essex County Board of Supervisors and the Franklin County Legislature because they are the college's sponsors.
The Town of Harrietstown, the Village of Saranac Lake, the Saranac Lake Chamber of Commerce and the Brighton Town Council have already gone on record opposing the move, and legislators joined the list Thursday during their regular board meeting.
Members stressed that none of them are opposed to education or to the college itself, and Legislator Timothy Burpoe (D-Saranac Lake) said the resolution's text shows how much the college means to the North Country and the communities it serves.
He said the college was created 40 years ago to educate college-age and non-traditional students so they could find work or retrain for a different career.
HOUSING, COMMUTE
But some say the college has gotten away from that mission and is concentrating more on attracting out-of-county and out-of-state students, who pay higher fees to attend.
"It has a huge impact to the Tri-Lakes and Saranac Lake, in particular," Burpoe said of the college. "We really believe in the community college, but the direction it has proposed to go is heading in the wrong direction.
"Saranac Lake's main campus is Saranac Lake," he said. "To entertain an idea of moving the campus wholly or in portions to Lake Placid would be inappropriate and counterproductive for students."
He said they would either have to drive to Lake Placid to attend classes or find housing in the Lake Placid area, which is already scarce and costly.
CAMPUS CONDITIONS
Paul Maroun (R-Tupper Lake) said he has not heard from one person who thinks the move into Essex County is a wise one, adding that the board was not aware the existing campus was in such rough shape.
"We've never been notified that the problems were so bad we had to get a new campus," he said, adding that a new roof was mentioned and upgrades to the telephone system.
"This was something that didn't come out of the blue and happen," Maroun said. "No one ever told us it needs work."
He said the college could come up with a workable plan to renovate and repair the existing buildings.
In its resolution, the legislators stated that the college "is a significant contributor to the quality of life of the people of both counties" and that it "represents an economic impact of more than $60 million to the region and has created jobs and brought young people to the Village of Saranac Lake."
A draft copy of a campus site analysis completed by the college was presented to legislators; it called for the new campus.
Essex County supervisors tabled their vote on the move last week, saying they wanted to wait until the final report was ready in mid-May.
But Franklin County adopted the resolution that states that the legislature "pledges to do what it can after reviewing and approving a multi-year construction plan to be submitted to the State University of New York to assist in the reconstruction of this site" and will "only consider a multi-year plan that keeps (NCCC) in its current Saranac Lake location."
draymo@pressrepublican.com
Local News
Related Photos
-
P-R File Photo
Discussion
ALSO NOTE: Derisive name-calling of an individual or group will result in the entire comment being deleted. This includes the terms "stupid" and "idiot" and similar references.
Welcome to our new online comments feature. Before you can join the discussion, you must first register with Disqus and verify your email address.
Once you do, your comments will post after they have been reviewed by a moderator.
We welcome your thoughts and your opinions, including unpopular ones. We ask only that you keep the conversation civil and clean.
Not all comments are deemed printable. Some are disqualified, at the newspaper’s discretion, for a number of reasons. Here are some typical practices to avoid in trying to get your comment printed:
There is a 150 word maximum for comments. All comments greater than 150 words in length will be deleted in their entirety.
Don’t state as a fact something that is unsubstantiated or that our editors wouldn't know to be true.
Don’t presume someone’s guilt in a case when it hasn't been established by a court.
Don’t assail or impugn an identifiable individual or group. If you have that kind of criticism, sign your name and submit it as a Letter to the Editor. (There is some leeway on this in connection with public officials, but it is not unconditional.)
Don’t use profanity. This includes the term “tea bagger.”
Don’t be incendiary or tasteless. Those qualities are subjective, of course, and our editors will be the arbiters.
Do not identify yourself in the main content area of the article content form. Only by enforcing this rule can the moderators prevent unscrupulous commenters from falsely identifying themselves as someone they are not.
Don't type in all caps. It is considered the Internet equivalent of shouting.
In sports articles, do not criticize officiating.
Remember, moderators are not allowed to edit any article comments. If an article comment fails any of the above criteria, the entire comment will be deleted.
We monitor comments Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Approval of comments outside these times may be delayed.
Franklin reps nix NCCC move
Legislators pledge to help renovate, but say no new campus
- Local News
-
-
Ticonderoga faces severe school cuts
The district is starting its new budget process almost $2 million in the hole. Officials are seeking public input on the problem.
-
One injured in Plattsburgh house fire
A female suffered second- and third-degree burns in a fire at her South Catherine Street home early Sunday.
-
Plattsburgh's Sweet Adelines sing music of the heart
Sweet Adelines spread message of love on Valentine's Day with yearly singing valentines.
-
Love between the lines
Dr. Nell Irvin Painter of New Russia and Plattsburgh State's Dr. J.W. Wiley share historical and current viewpoints on interracial loving, American-style.
-
NCCS wins CVAC cheerleading competition
NCCS wins first place for the eighth time in nine years
-
Tentative contract reached with officers
The deal with New York state would cover the 2,800 members of the New York State Correction Officers and Police Benevolent Association who typically work at specialized state centers such as the Sunmount Development Disabilities Services Office in Tupper Lake.
-
Lookback: Feb. 13-19
News stories from around the region from 25, 50, 75 and 100 years ago this week.
-
Of Interest: Feb. 13, 2012
Peru Central School Board to hold budget discussion; Dannemora to discuss highway post; Beekmantown School Board invites budget input; Willsboro School Board to discuss policies; Chazy School Board to discuss budget; SLCS Board to appoint clerk pro-tem; Keeseville Zoning Board cancels meeting; Elizabethtown-Lewis School Board to work on budget.
-
Gourds' shapes create interesting canvas
Georgette Bacon's gourd art is on display through March 10 at Foothills ARTSociety in Malone.
- February 12, 2012
-
NCCS wins CVAC cheerleading competition
NCCS wins first place for the eighth time in nine years
-
One injured in Plattsburgh house fire
A female suffered second- and third-degree burns in a fire at her South Catherine Street home early Sunday.
-
Plattsburgh's Sweet Adelines sing music of the heart
Sweet Adelines spread message of love on Valentine's Day with yearly singing valentines.
-
Ticonderoga faces severe school cuts
The district is starting its new budget process almost $2 million in the hole. Officials are seeking public input on the problem.
-
Tentative contract reached with officers
The deal with New York state would cover the 2,800 members of the New York State Correction Officers and Police Benevolent Association who typically work at specialized state centers such as the Sunmount Development Disabilities Services Office in Tupper Lake.
-
Attempted-murder trial set
The case against Robert J. McCann, who is charged with trying to kill his former girlfriend at a secluded Westville site, begins Tuesday in Franklin County Court.
-
A historic battle for interracial marriage
Forty-five years ago, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down all remaining state bans on interracial marriage in Loving v. Virginia.
-
Fireworks to close weekend carnival
The final day of the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival is filled with activities and events. INCLUDES VIDEO
-
Arts and economic development discussed
A success story about a theater in Glens Falls underscored the importance of the arts at a presentation put on by Partnership for Community Development in Plattsburgh.
-
Ticonderoga faces severe school cuts
- Recent Article Comments
Greece Passes New Austerity Deal Amid Rioting
Coroner: Houston Autopsy Results Weeks Away
Raw Video: Greek Rioting Ahead of Austerity Vote
Raw Video: Child Rescued After Kosovo Avalanche
Pop Music Superstar Whitney Houston Dies at 48
Whitney Houston's Church Mourns Her Passing
Reaction to Houston's Death at Clive Davis Party
79 Turtles Seized at Shanghai Airport
Severe Cold Wreaks Havoc in China
Fuel Removal Under Way on Capsized Italian Ship
Police: Houston Found Dead in Her Hotel Room
Paul Suffers Narrow Loss to Romney in Maine
Palin Brings Anti-Washington Message to CPAC
Obama Scraps Birth Control Mandate
Navy Names Ship for Gabrielle Giffords
Uzbek Man Pleads Guilty in Plot to Kill Obama
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
