History
Several
concerned residents and business people from the Town of Duane have formed a
core group/ steering committee to save the Debar Lodge, a historic landmark
dating back to the early 1800’s, and possibly arrive at self-help remedy to
relieve the economic woes and employment in our little town, which has
absolutely no industry and a severely restricted tax base.
As can be seen
in the accompanying literature we have a historic landmark and possibly an
“Adirondack Great Camp” that was sold to the State of New York almost 25 years
ago. Barry Silverstein has occupied the 25 acres and buildings on a
25-year lease, which expires in August 2004. Also stated in the newspaper
articles, the state has no use or money to keep up the facility and therefore
would be “burning” or otherwise removing the structures. It would be an
outright shame, if not a crime, to deface and obliterate part of the history of
Duane. The site dates back to the 1800’s and the buildings to the 1930’s.
The site was one of the largest hop yards in the world and the current main
structure was the last of the “Adirondack Great Camps” to be built.
The first and
primary concern is to insure that the structures are not decimated or turned
into something inappropriate. Secondly, the emphasis should be directed to
assist the town’s economy. Over the last 15 years the assessment value has been
decreased by 1/15th each year, an amount that is considerable and has
had to be absorbed by the taxpayers. The group feels that the property can in
one way or another again generate funds for the town’s coffers. One thought
that has been suggested is to, in some manner, transfer or lease the stewardship
of property to the town to be administered by perhaps a park commission for the
benefit of the Town of Duane. Perhaps using it as a Bed & Breakfast/corporate
retreat, and possibly setting aside several weeks for use by physically
challenged children. Utilize the horse barns and existing trails for horseback
riding, hiking, snowshoeing etc. Initial contact with a Paul Smiths College
representative indicate a possibility the college might be interested in
administration of the facility for the town.
The National
Park Service and several states are in the process of outsourcing their
properties such as ski centers, campgrounds, and golf courses because they find
they have neither the resources, nor in some instances, the expertise to run
them. The lack of resources has already been sited for this facility as
being a reason to remove these historical landmarks. In this era of
economic hardship and unemployment the group feels they can produce a plan to
save the history, provide an economic stimulus, employment and enhance tourism
for the Town of Duane and Franklin County in general.
Initially the
core group consists of Ned Lemieux – Supervisor, Town of Duane and owner
of Signs & Designs sign shop, Gil Paddock – Owner of Deer River Campsite, Inc & a
Past President of Campground Owners of New York, Rod Boula – Vice President of
Alice Hyde Medical Center, and Eleanor Fisher - Owner of the Tamarack
Restaurant.
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