A couple of excerpts from the long lead story on Page One:

“The plans for the building were disclosed when members of the Saranac Lake Volunteer Fire Department, led by Chief Richard Yorkey. [Richard was my high school classmate and his son, Rick Yorky has served as a paid driver with our fire department since 1985.]

“Fireman Sid Smith lashed out at the Board and asked why the plans had been kept a secret. He asked why no one in the fire department or police department had been informed about the change in plans. He said in order to find out what was going on the firemen had to purchase a copy of the plans from $25.

“Mayor Riley informed the firemen that a copy of the plans had been at the village office as soon as they were completed where anyone could inspect them.

The building next to the Fire House was torn down in 1964 to erect the addition. There are meeting rooms behind the parking stalls. The next building on the left was gone before 1964.

“A bidder or any one wishing the plans for study required a $25 deposit that would be returned when the plans were returned.

“In other business, Mayor Riley instructed Village Attorney Joseph Stephen to draw up an ordinance making it illegal to dump brush or building material at the village dump. The Mayor added, ‘if someone had an area large enough to cut brush he must also have an area large enough to burn it.'”

Permits for burning could be obtained at the village office.

(Democrats flipped the board in March after many, many years of Republican control. John Campion was elected Mayor with me and Charlie Lavery being elected Village Trustees. Democrat Myron Skeels and Republican George Stearns held the other two trustee seats. A couple of months later, Mayor Campion was appointed SL Postmaster and I was appointed Mayor to fill that vacancy. I appointed former Mayor Frank Ratigan to fill my Trustee seat.)

Placid parking — another deja vu

“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 St.) and Village Parking Lots.

“After residing the ban, the Board designated a presently metered space in front of the Gulf Station as 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, Jack Barry noted that there had been considerable reaction, both for and against the proposed parking plan.

“A request by police officer J. Bernard Fell for one year’s leave of absence as allowed under Civil Service regulations was approved. The Board gave James Valenze a temporary appointment as police patrolman to replace Mr. Fell.

“The Board decided to hold a hearing on the proposal of changing Wilmington Road to Whiteface Mountain Road.”