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Little’s big announcement: ‘It’s time’ to retire

Sen. Betty Little serving until end of December ’20

State Sen. Betty Little speaks Nov. 1 at the Saranac Lake village offices. (Enterprise photo — Aaron Cerbone)

GLENS FALLS — After more than three decades in politics, state Sen. Betty Little has decided to call it a career.

Little, R-Queensbury, announced at City Hall on Thursday morning that she would not seek re-election to a 10th two-year term in 2020.

Little said it has been a privilege to represent the 45th Senate District and considers herself very lucky and fortunate.

“This is a difficult day for me, very, very difficult, because I have absolutely loved every single moment of what I have done,” she said in front of her family, friends and other elected officials. “I have loved the constituents — the people in our district. Everybody worked so hard to improve their own lives and to improve the lives of the people in their community and improve the community, but it’s time.”

Little’s state public service began when she was elected to the 109th Assembly District in 1995. She was 55 then and will turn 80 in September 2020. She was elected to the state Senate in 2002.

State Sen. Betty Little speaks at the Paul Smith’s College graduation in May. (Enterprise photo — Elizabeth Izzo)

Little said she wants to spend more time with her six children and 18 grandchildren, who are spread out between Kentucky, Tennessee and California, and to volunteer more.

She also said she wants to be more involved in the World University Winter Games coming to Lake Placid in 2023.

Little will serve in the state Senate until Dec. 31, 2020. She said she hopes to add to the 322 new chapters of law she has sponsored over her 19-year career as a senator.

Broadband and cell coverage, as always, will be one of her major focuses in her last legislative session, Little said. She also said she wants to secure funding for Lyme disease research in the North Country. Little sat on the state Senate Task Force on Lyme and other Tick Borne Diseases until 2018, when the state Senate flipped to a Democratic majority and all task forces — as well as their funding — were reset.

From left, state Sen. Betty Little, Tupper Lake village Mayor Paul Maroun and state Assemblyman Billy Jones stand in August 2018 at the site of the Tupper Lake bandshell. (Enterprise photo — Aaron Cerbone)

Long career

Little has sponsored hundreds of new laws. She said among her greatest accomplishments was approval of five state constitutional amendments to address matters related to the Adirondack Park. This included creating a 250-acre land bank for use by local governments so land could be removed from the preserve under certain conditions, such as installing water, sewer and telecommunication lines along the roadside, without approval by voters.

“We worked together on major initiatives to protect clean water and the natural environment while fostering more vibrant communities,” said Willie Janeway, director of the Adirondack Council, an environmental organization, in a press release.

“The senator was always willing to explain her position and seek opportunities to work together, even when we didn’t always agree,” Janeway said.

Other accomplishments she mentioned were preserving environmentally sensitive grasslands, combating invasive species and protecting private property by raising the standard for adverse possession claims.

Little acknowledged it has been difficult this term to be in the minority, but mentioned her close relationship with Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and her ability to work across the aisle.

Before being elected to the Senate in 2002, Little served in the Assembly. She was voted in through a special election in 1995 to replace James King, who resigned to become a judge.

Little started her political career as a Queensbury at-large county supervisor. Before getting into politics, she was a teacher. She also was a real estate agent.

Next year will mark her 25th year in the Legislature.

“As my youngest son said: ‘Mom, that’s pretty good for a third act,'” Little said.

Praise pours in

Accolades poured in for Little after the announcement.

U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik called Little a “legislative partner and friend,” as well as a “tremendous role model.” Stefanik said that when she is asked about women in politics, she always proudly points to Little, saying she “quietly shattered glass ceilings before it was hailed by the media.

“Betty Little truly sets the bar for her tireless and effective public service to her constituents,” Stefanik said in a press release. “Our community has watched in awe as Betty dedicated decades of her life to representing the hardworking families of Upstate New York. … I wish Betty and her entire family all the best in this next chapter. She has earned it.”

Assemblyman Dan Stec, R-Queensbury, said it has been wonderful working with Little for the last seven years. He said she was a tremendous teacher for him.

“It was very helpful explaining all sides of an issue that she may have been looking at a lot longer,” he said.

Stec said he tries to emulate how hardworking and accessible Little is. She is well respected in both chambers on both sides of the aisle, and in the governor’s office, he said.

“They think very highly of her. She’s trusted. She’s everything that a public servant ought to be. We’ve been lucky to have her all these years,” he said.

State Assemblyman Billy Jones, D-Plattburgh, said Little will leave a “tremendous legacy” in her retirement.

“She has fought tirelessly for her constituents and has worked diligently to make the North Country a better place,” Jones wrote in a press release. “I am proud to have worked with Betty on many legislative accomplishments over the past few years, and I am humbled to call her a friend.”

Former Essex County Board of Supervisors Chairman and town of Jay Supervisor Randy Douglas said that he worked with Little on many projects, including lobbying for state and federal funds to rehabilitate Olympic facilities and getting state and federal funds for the towns of Jay and Keene after hurricane Irene in 2011.

“Betty Little is a proven dedicated public servant that I am honored to call my friend,” Douglas wrote in an email. “The North Country is losing a gem as our representative.”

Tupper Lake village Mayor Paul Maroun said Little has always been close to Tupper Lake and many of the smaller communities in her district.

“In this business we all yell and scream … but this lady’s got heart,” Maroun said. “The North Country is going to miss Betty Little.”

Maroun said he will miss working as a counsel in her office.

Glens Falls Mayor Dan Hall, a Democrat, said Little was very accessible and receptive to the city’s requests.

“She would always pick up the phone or have one of her staff help us. She was very easy to work with. She helped us accomplish a lot in the city,” he said.

Little advocated for funding for the Downtown Revitalization Initiative, the Civic Center and the Glens Falls Senior Center.

EDC Warren County President Edward Bartholomew called Little a “superb” person and lawmaker.

“She conducted herself as something that the public could respect — just in her accessibility, her willingness to listen and to compromise to get something done for an individual organization, for an individual community or for the region — whether it’s the Adirondack Park Agency to lessen some of their stringent regulations to her continued advocacy for coverage for cell and broadband,” he said.

Warren County Democratic Chairwoman Lynn Boecher said she has been friends with Little for many years despite their political differences.

“I want to publicly commend her for her strong record of constituent service and really for our dedication and commitment to our region,” she said. “I want to thank her on behalf of the Warren County Democrats and wish her well on a well-earned retirement.”

Boecher said Little brought civility and class to the political discussion.

“She always maintained, certainly her party voice, but she did it without acrimony and she represented everyone,” she said.

Boecher said she is not surprised that Little decided to retire at this time, given the acrimonious state of political at the national level.

“I’m not surprised that someone with her integrity would have difficulty with the change that we’re all seeing,” she said. “Warren County Democrats wish her well on a well-earned retirement.”

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