Many upstate New York communities, including several in the Adirondack Park, are considering closing their schools in the face of decreasing populations. Many have fewer than 50 children enrolled in kindergarten through 12th grade. Raquette Lake Central School closed its doors in 2006, and students attend school in neighboring communities. Local officials are debating whether to keep Lake Clear Elementary open.

Some schools are making an effort to welcome students from other areas to boost student populations. Newcomb Central School enrolled 6 foreign-exchange students in 2008 and Keene Central School has considered enrolling students from larger areas, such as Plattsburgh.

High school sports are affected by dropping enrollment as well. Several Adirondack schools have already taken measures to keep sports programs alive: Newcomb Central now has a combined team with Minerva Central and Long Lake Central plays with Indian Lake Central.

Supporters of school closings or mergers argue that these actions save resources: the expense of teachers, transportation, and building and grounds maintenance. Eliminating these expenses could save taxpayers and the school district money. Children attending larger schools have more social and academic opportunities than at a smaller school. Smaller schools are often unable to facilitate students with special needs. Some small schools are unable to provide a full-time nurse or school superintendent.

Those opposing school closings or mergers argue that students in smaller classes receive more one-on-one attention from teachers than they might in a larger classroom setting. Time spent on a bus or in a car being transported to another school would increase greatly for some students. Perhaps most importantly, schools carry a strong sense of community, which would be lost with a school closing.

Tell us what you think. Do you support closing shrinking Adirondack schools? Or, should efforts be made to keep these schools open?

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has proposed a statewide ban on most forms of open burning to reduce pollution and wildfires.

The State’s main concern is that more trash and plastics are being burned, releasing increasing amounts of cancer-causing chemicals into the air. Banning outdoor burning altogether could be an effective solution, as regulating materials being burned can be difficult.

Proposed regulations would include exceptions for small campfires, training exercise fires for emergency personnel, ceremonial, religious, and flag retirement fires.

Current restrictions are in place on burning debris outdoors in communities with populations of more than 20,000 people.

Many state residents and farmers, including those in the Adirondack Park, rely on controlled brush burning and burn barrels to dispose of lawn clippings, leaves, tree limbs and agricultural wastes.

Farmers are currently permitted to burn brush and agricultural waste such as feed bags, bale wraps and greenhouse flats, many of which are made of non-recyclable plastics.

Alternatives to burning include trips to dumps, landfills, or renting chipping machinery, which can be costly. Some property owners argue that strict enforcement of ‘no trash burning’ would be more effective than a statewide ban on all burning.

How do you feel about the proposed ban - should New York State place greater restrictions on open burning?

A Wal-Mart — in Tupper Lake, New York? Recent news reports indicate that Tupper Lake’s Mayor has been in contact with the retail chain Wal-Mart asking them to consider locating in the Village of Tupper Lake. This invitation follows the May 2008 closing of Jarden Plastic Solutions’ 15-acre plant that employed 70 people (formerly the home of Oval Wood Dish).

Nigro Companies, a Colonie based developer specializing in shopping centers, has been interested in the property for some time. If Nigro Companies does purchase the plant, Wal-Mart may move in.

There is already a Wal-Mart Superstore is in Ticonderoga, N.Y., inside the Blue Line. Wal-Mart has attempted and failed to locate in the northern part of the Adirondack Park twice. Public opposition kept the large chain out of Lake Placid, N.Y. in 1994 and Saranac Lake, N.Y. in 2006.

Advocates believe a large discount store could serve customers from as far as 40 miles away. Residents of some Adirondack communities currently drive over an hour to places like Plattsburgh, Queensbury and Malone, N.Y. to shop for groceries and other necessities.

Construction and operation of a large store could create new jobs for area residents. Wal-Mart is the largest private employer in the United States, employing roughly 1.4 million people.

Opponents argue that Wal-Mart, or any big-box store, has no place in the Adirondack Park. They are concerned that a large retail store will hurt small main street businesses. In addition, some contend that Wal-Mart fails to provide substantial wages and health care benefits to employees. Many simply see these huge stores as unsightly.

Do you think Wal-Mart should be allowed in Tupper Lake?

The Barton Group has proposed building 10 wind turbines on 1700 acres of land formerly used as a garnet mine and already zoned for industrial use. The turbines will be located near North Creek, New York, in the south-central Adirondacks. The turbines could generate enough electricity to power more than half of all households in Warren County. The turbines may also provide a positive message about generating power from a renewable, non-polluting resource, important in a region that has been so adversely affected by acid rain—generated largely by coal-fired electric plants in the mid-west.

Opponents argue that the turbines could prove fatal to birds and bats, and pose a particular threat to the endangered Bicknell’s Thrush. Aesthetics are another concern. 280 feet tall and 400 feet wide when the blades are fully extended, the wind turbines will be visible along an exposed ridge, compromising the wild forest character of the Adirondacks. They also argue that allowing this project will set a precedent, opening the door for similar projects in the future.

What do you think? Should the Barton wind farm be built?