Adirondack Council Welcomes Gov. Kathy Hochul
Looks Forward to Working with Her, Expects Her to Restore Faith in State Government
Tuesday, August 10, 2021
ALBANY, N.Y. -- The Adirondack Park’s largest environmental organization today welcomed the news that Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul will take control of state government upon the official resignation of Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who announced Tuesday that he would leave office in two weeks.
“We will be very pleased to see New York’s first woman governor take office later this month,” said Adirondack Council Executive Director William C. Janeway. “Her ascent will help to restore our faith in state government and its leadership. That faith had been badly shaken by the contents of Attorney General Letitia James’ report on the Governor’s actions.
“Given that the vast majority of sexual harassment and abuse cases go unreported, we applaud the courage of those who came forward. We believe that their actions will protect others from suffering the same treatment,” Janeway explained. “Sexual harassment is illegal, immoral, and harmful to the basic fabric of society. It is essential that all employees are safe in any workplace.”
Janeway said he was hopeful that Hochul’s government experience – she has also served a term in Congress -- and collaborative nature would lead to better environmental protection in the Adirondacks, as well as an improved economy.
“Lt. Gov. Hochul has shown a strong interest in Adirondack Park wilderness protection, clean water, and community development,” Janeway noted. “She has attended and spoken at several Adirondack Council events during her two terms as lieutenant governor. In every case, she has treated us with kindness and respect. Importantly, she also has shown the same respect to those with whom we seldom agree on environmental issues. That gives us great hope that she will remain thoughtful and will work to treat everyone fairly.”
She can also get state government out of its recent funk, he said. The Adirondack Park Agency’s board has lacked a chair for more than a year and several members are serving on expired terms. The Road Salt Task Force has a reporting deadline looming and no gubernatorial nominees to carry it out. Legislation passed both houses in June requiring boats to be free from invasive species prior to launch in the Adirondack Park but has not been signed into law.
“Many of the state’s functions inside the Adirondack Park have ground to a halt as the executive branch of government succumbed to administrative paralysis while the current Governor attempted to defend his actions,” he said. “As Kathy Hochul becomes governor, the entire state will have an opportunity to heal and make progress again.”
Janeway noted that the Adirondack Council has been a leader in making diversity, equity, justice, and inclusion part of the Adirondack Park’s social landscape. That means working to tear down the barriers that prevent people from reaching their full potential – as government officials, Park residents, visitors, and advocates.
“We are working to foster an Adirondack Park that is welcoming and inclusive to all. We look forward to a day when we can achieve that goal,” he said. “Preventing sexual harassment and fostering more vibrant, welcoming, inclusive, and safe places is an important part of that cause."
Established in 1975, the Adirondack Council is a privately funded not-for-profit organization whose mission is to ensure the ecological integrity and wild character of the Adirondack Park. It is the largest environmental organization whose sole focus is the Adirondacks.
The Council carries out its mission through research, education, advocacy, and legal action. It envisions a Park with clean water and clean air, core wilderness areas, farms and working forests, and vibrant, diverse, welcoming, safe communities.
For more information:
John Sheehan, Adirondack Council, 518-441-1340
