The lead story on page 1, by Thomas Abello, carried the headline “Gov. Pataki surveys area ice storm.” Excerpts follow:

“WILMINGTON — Touring the North Country with a number of dignitaries since late last week, Gov. Pataki arrived in Wilmington Monday night to view the ice storm’s devastation first hand.

“Pataki came to the Wilmington Fire House and met with volunteer firemen, emergency technicians from as far away as Michigan, and New York City police officers. The governor offered his appreciation to the personnel and sympathy to residents affected by the weekend ice storm.

“The governor was accompanied by Sen. Ronald Stafford, Assemblywoman Betty Little (so sorry she is retiring; she always had our back in Albany), Essex County Manager Cliff Donaldson, North Elba Supervisor Shirley Seney, Wilmington Supervisor Roy Holzer (that name sounds familiar) and Federal Emergency Management Agency Director James Lee Witt.

A CLOSER LOOK — Gov. George Pataki (can’t miss him at 6 feet, 5 inches tall) visited the Wilmington Fire House Monday as part of a region-wide investigation of the destruction caused by last week’s ice storm. Pataki was joined by Assemblywoman Betty Little (front and center) and James Lee Witt (right) of the Federal Emergency Management Association. (Enterprise photo — Thomas Abello)

“The weekend storm crippled the North Country, cutting power to more than 300,000 people and bringing travel to a halt as telephone poles and trees were knocked to the ground from high winds and ice. Niagara Mohawk officials estimate power may not be restored to some areas for two to four weeks.

“Utility crews from across New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and some as far away as Virginia and Maryland are assisting Niagara Mohawk in the restoration effort.

“Additionally, more than 700 tree trimming workers have been deployed to the region.”

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“Little damage in the village”

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The above headline was a bit misleading — you had to be there, as they say. Power was out in the entire village, and trees and branches littered every street. Here are excerpts from the page 1 story in the Enterprise:

“Although Saranac Lake escaped the weekend storm with minimal damage, village officials are interested in getting help from the National Guard to help clean up Mt. Pisgah.

“The mountain opened for business Tuesday despite a number of downed trees and limbs covering a large portion of the ski area. Village Manager Howard Riley said part of the mountain is open, but the majority of the trails need to be groomed and cleaned before it can be fully operational. Riley pointed to a number of small buildings on top of the mountain owned by the state police and Niagara Mohawk that had been covered with fallen trees.

“Fortunately, the new ski lodge at Mt. Pisgah was not damaged in the storm. Volunteers checked the building during the storm and retuned heat to the structure when power was restored.

“The Village Board requested Riley contact the National Guard — stationed at the Olympic Center in Lake Placid — to assist in the cleanup effort.

“Besides problems at the ski area, Saranac Lake officials were concerned with high water levels at Lake Flower, the Saranac River, and the Bloomingdale Road. Riley indicated water levels rose as much as 10 inches in some areas. Village employees monitored the water level throughout the weekend.

“There were no major problems but we were on pins and needles here,” said Riley.

“Mayor Tim Jock commended the job of the village employees who worked around the clock during the storm.

“We’re lucky to have such dedicated staff. Saranac Lake is always up to the call and again this weekend showed our true colors. I’m proud of each and every one of them,” Jock said.

(The nights of the storm I drove continually throughout the village with the yellow roof light casting eerie shadows on the darkened streets, keeping in radio contact with the village workers and helping to coordinate arising problems. The village workers did do an incredible job, as Mayor Jock said. The second night I went home about 4 a.m. and backed the car into the garage. Although everything was shut off, the spinning yellow roof light came on, and the neighbors phoned, thinking the garage was on fire.)