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Placid village board rescindes parking order

Anyone who has served as an elected official in local government can tell you that your governing history ought to be examined from time to time … to wit …

“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”

For instance: Saranac Lake Village officials, over the past years, have wasted a lot of time and talent on two issues:

1. Why don’t we move the municipal beach from Lake Colby back to Lake Flower?

2. Why don’t we change Saranac Lake from a village form of government to a city?

I know because I played a part in those issues on the second or third time they were considered.

Lake Placid is probably the busiest village of its size in the entire United States (I know, you readers have told me 10,000 times not to exaggerate) and parking has always been a problem; a problem almost impossible to change because they are dealing with a finite space.

Now Mayor Craig Randall can appreciate what Mayor Bob Peacock was dealing with 54 years ago.

The Enterprise —

Tuesday, June 2, 1964

“After a two-week trial period of a new parking scheme on Main Street, the Lake Placid Village Board voted unanimously Monday night to return to the old system. At their last meeting, May 18, the Board had voted to try on an experimental basis a no-parking ban on the West side of Main Street between the Frances Brewster Shop [51 Main] and village parking lots.

“After rescinding the ban, the Board designated a presently-metered space in front of the Gulf Station [across fr4om the 1932 Olympic Arena?] for an unloading zone and decided to investigate facilities for off-street parking along the north end and middle of Main Street.

“Reporting for the highway commissioners, Trustee Jack Barry noted that there had been considerable reaction, both for and against the proposed parking plan. He stated that, although traffic flow is important, there is a serious shortage of parking spaces along the upper portion of the street and the new plan would serve to increase this problem. He recommended the additional unloading zone and stressed the need for additional parking facilities.

“The possibility of leasing a section of the new parking lot for private parking was discussed, but Village Attorney Norm Hess stated that it is illegal to lease public land for private purposes. The Board decided rather than offer spaces for bid, approximately half of the spaces will be left unmetered for free parking. A limit of 24 hours will be set on parking and the number of free spaces can be adjusted as the Board finds necessary.

“The Board read a letter from Luke F. Perkins of the Lake Placid Hardware [33 Main] giving official notice of the repairs needed on the sidewalk in front of his store. Mr. Perkins stated that his insurance company had advised that the sidewalk was in a dangerous condition and should be replaced by the village.” [When municipalities are given notice in writing of a dangerous condition they must make the repairs or become liable, known as the “prior written notice law”.]

“Highway Superintendent John Fell noted that many sidewalks are in need of repair or replacement, and he can begin work as soon as the funds are allocated. The Board turned the matter over to the highway Commissioners Barry and Trustee Oren Preston.

“A request by policeman J. Bernard Fell [one of the nicest men I ever knew] for one year’s leave of absence as allowed under Civil Service regulations was approved. The Board gave James Valenze a temporary appointment to replace Officer Fell.

“Trustees discussed changing the name of Wilmington Road to Whiteface Mountain Road. They noted that two residents are opposed to the change and decided to include a hearing on the proposal with the budget hearing to be held June 11.”

Kentucky Derby winner

“Northern Dancer”, a Canadian colt won the Kentucky Derby in 1964 by a neck and set the track record of 2 minutes that was not broken until 1973 by “Secretariat”. “Northern Dancer” went on to win the Preakness but missed the Triple Crown placing third in the Belmont Stakes.

[Believe it or Else, “Riley” won the Kentucky Derby in 1890 which I found out when my friend Chris McCoy Otto gave me a glass listing all the Derby winners.]

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Somehow the caption for last week’s flashback photo with the nurses was dropped which would have read: “Nurse Jennette Davis is the mother of Town Clerk Patricia Gillmett.”

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