RAY BROOK - Supporters of the state Adirondack Park Agency Visitor Interpretive Centers in Paul Smiths and Newcomb picketed outside the APA headquarters on Thursday, carrying signs that read "Keep the VICs Open" and chanting, "Save the VICs."
The rally, organized by former APA public information specialist Andy Flynn, was attended by a group of about 30 people, including numerous VIC volunteers like Joan Sleinkofer of Rainbow Lake.
"We're here to keep the VICs open so we can continue to educate the next generation about the importance of learning about the outdoors," she said.
In January, Gov. David Paterson included a plan to close both VICs in his Executive Budget proposal. The move, which still has to be ratified by the Legislature, would save the state, which is in the throes of a fiscal crisis, about $500,000 a year.
But supporters say closing the VICs would have a negative impact on the local residents, visitors and area school children who have benefitted from the facilities' educational programs and trail systems since the VICs opened 20 years ago. About 100,000 people visit the two facilities each year.
Lois Stunzi, who set up a craft table for children at Thursday's protest, teaches a regular nature program for children at the Paul Smiths VIC.
"They come and they learn about nature, they learn about different animals, we do nature walks, and they make a craft," she said. "It's not a program you can do in a classroom. Hundreds of schoolchildren come every year. If the VICs are closed, all of this is going to be lost."
"It's such a wonderful experience for the little kids, many of whom probably don't have an opportunity to get out," added Joy Harvey, another VIC volunteer. "It's also wonderful for the skiers in the winter and hikers in the summer."
Since the plan to close the VICs was announced, a group of stakeholders, now dubbed the VICs Transition Task Force, has been meeting to develop a plan to keep the visitor centers operating, potentially through a collaboration among private and nonprofit organizations. The Adirondack Park Institute, the "friends" group that supports educational programs at the two facilities, is coordinating the transition effort. The task force is trying to get a plan in place prior to January 2011, when the facilities are slated to be closed, eliminating 10 jobs.
But those who showed up for Thursday's rally haven't given up on the possibility that state funding for the VICs could be restored or that another state agency could take over operation of the two facilities.
Dick Harvey, a Paul Smiths VIC volunteer, held a sign that read "Let DEC Run the VIC."
"I'd like to see the VICs continue to be functioning just the way they are right now," he said. "A good agency that would do a good job would be DEC. I think they'd be well set up to do it."
Flynn said the state needs to get creative.
"If the APA can't afford it, don't just toss the VICs in the recycle bin and hope a private entity is going to pick this up," he said. "Figure out a way in Albany, through other state agencies, to keep these things open."
While the relatively low-key protest was taking place in the parking lot of the APA headquarters, Park Agency commissioners were holding their monthly meeting inside.
During a break in the meeting, APA Chairman Curt Stiles said the future of the VICs is out of the agency's hands.
"Everybody has a right to express themselves, and I think there's a lot of people at the agency who have sensitivity for the VIC issue and other closure issues throughout the state," he said. "But this is the governor's budget at this point in time, and it can only be changed by the Legislature, not the commissioners."
The VICs were targeted for closure not only to save money, but also because they're not considered by APA officials to be part of the agency's primary regulatory mission.
"The question is what is the core mission of the Park Agency?" Stiles said. "If financial constraints are limited, you have to make the tough decisions. We identified that the core mission is not the VICs."
But Flynn says the state has an obligation to tell the story of the Adirondack Park.
"I think the state has a responsibility to teach the people of New York state why the Adirondack Park is important to protect," he said. "After all, it was the state that created the Park, the Forest Preserve and the Park Agency."
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Contact Chris Knight at 891-2600 ext. 24 or cknight@adirondackdailyenterprise.com.
