X

St. Lawrence County leaders say focus on future will pay

Posted 1/15/11

By MAUREEN PICHÉ Leaders in the greater Canton-Potsdam area say they are ready to put economic hard times behind them and move forward with many new initiatives and positive hopes for the year to …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

St. Lawrence County leaders say focus on future will pay

Posted

By MAUREEN PICHÉ

Leaders in the greater Canton-Potsdam area say they are ready to put economic hard times behind them and move forward with many new initiatives and positive hopes for the year to come.

A sense of optimism and preparation for hard work pervades their comments about the future, whether they represent the county, a school district, a hospital, a college, a community, a church, or a nonprofit.

Rebuilding Economy

“The St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce believes in the future, is excited about the future and is ready for whatever the future brings to our region,” said Executive Director Pat McKeown. “We all know that there have been economic hardships, industrial closures, and corporate shutdowns. Yet, in spite of these setbacks, the county chamber still believes that our county, the fifth largest east of the Mississippi, with its 105,000 people, and over 200 lakes, rivers and streams, has the power to bounce back if we refocus our energies on what we have rather than what we’ve lost.”

McKeown said the chamber will be working on rebuilding the St. Lawrence River valley economy by promoting the sport fishing industry in earnest this year.

“We have hired a coordinator, set a three-year renewable goal, and have received widespread financial support from both the public and private sectors to send Don Meissner, star of PBS’s “Rod and Reel Streamside” to the far reaches of the country, to share our stories and to lure visitors to the region,” McKeown said.

“Next in our sights is our vast network of trails, carefully groomed over the years by volunteers and sportsmen’s clubs,” she added. “These dense woods are more than just home to bears, deer and skunks. They exist for all to enjoy, whether that enjoyment comes on wheels, on tracks, on runners or on the soles of hiking boots.”

Hospital Expansion

Canton-Potsdam Hospital has a busy year of expansion ahead, despite state and federal budget cuts, according to David B. Acker, President and CEO.

“The hospital anxiously anticipates the opening of our new cancer center in the summer of 2011, the completion of the new physician office building in Canton, and the completion of Phase II of our Emergency Department expansion,” Acker said. “We have committed to a major investment in technology and are currently implementing an electronic health record as we make the conversion from a paper based to a digital Hospital.”

While continuing state and federal budget cuts will present significant financial challenges for all New York hospitals, Acker said, “We are preparing for the new era of health care reform with the development of chronic disease management programs and an intense focus on patient quality, safety, and service.”

‘Small But Mighty’

Norwood Mayor James McFaddin said his “small but mighty” village will continue to make improvements and expand its business base in 2011.

“We intend to make our village attractive so it becomes a destination and not a crossroads and we believe we have the plan and interested citizens to achieve our goal,” he said.

By mid-June of this year, he said upgrades to the municipal building will be completed, making it a true community center.

In addition, two new businesses have confirmed they will locate in Norwood in 2011.

“And we encourage other businesses to discuss their future plans with us,” McFaddin said. “We purchased a historic "News Block" that was in a state of collapse and the Norwood Lake Association stabilized the building for the village. Future plans for this block include establishing a "Railroad Museum" and operating a "Seaway Valley tour train" from the news block.

College Looks Forward

SUNY Potsdam President John F. Schwaller said he’s confident his institution can not only withstand these economic times, but flourish, and continue to be a resource for the community.

"I look forward to entering 2011 with a renewed sense of purpose and of pride in the work that we do here at SUNY Potsdam,” he said. “In 2011, the Crane School of Music will celebrate its 125th anniversary. We invite our North Country neighbors to join in this celebration by attending a world-class concert or lecture on campus.

"We know times continue to be tough for many here in the North Country, and that includes members of our college community,” he continued. “However, since its founding in 1816, the college has faced adversity before, and has always persevered. We bear a great responsibility to our students -- the future leaders of New York State -- to continue that tradition of innovation.”

And he added, "This spring semester, we will welcome our record-breaking freshman class back to Potsdam along with the rest of our 4,350 undergraduate and graduate students. We owe it to them, and our 833 employees, to continue SUNY Potsdam’s transformation into the public liberal arts and sciences college of the future."

Spiritual Growth

Rev. Michael Catanzaro, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church on the Park in Canton, said his hopes are focused on the spiritual growth of the world all the way down to the individual.

“For our world, the realization that like it or not and for better or worse we’re in this thing together. For our nation, a posture of authentic thankfulness for those who put cherished values and the greater good above their individual needs and desires,” he said.

“For our county, local municipalities and school districts, the wisdom to recognize economic limits and the courage to act within them. For Canton, to exert a bit more “can-do” spirit and to bolster our pride in a very wonderful, generous and caring community,” he added.

“For my church, the stamina to keep trying our hardest and walking our softest. For my family, strength to endure and opportunities to celebrate. For myself, to learn the lesson (whatever that lesson might be) the first time,”

“Finally, though, my greatest hope is that we who are ‘fearfully and wonderfully made’ would spend less of our energy on seeking justice and more on the giving and receiving of mercy,” Catanzaro said. “Oh, and laughter, we never have too much of that.”

Doing More With Less

William Gregory, Canton Central School Superintendent, said while he knows schools must do more with less, the first priority is still to educate.

“My hope for our schools is that despite the uncertain economic times in which we find ourselves, we recognize our wisest investment to be the education of our children, and that we commit our talents and resources accordingly,” Gregory said, adding, “My New Year’s wish is that leaders at all levels put partisan politics aside and truly act in the best interests of the people. My hope is that together we emerge from these challenging times with the vision, strength, and resolve to make our world a better place for all.”

New Hospice Programs

Brad Catling, Director of Development and Community Relations at Hospice and Palliative Care of St. Lawrence Valley, said hospice will continue to roll out new programs and services to assist those facing terminal illnesses.

“The new Life Beat program will help cardiac patients deal with symptoms of advanced heart disease,” he said. “And the Home Support Program, started in 2010, provides a hospice nurse and social worker to care for recently discharged patients from the Massena Memorial, Claxton-Hepburn and Canton Potsdam hospitals. This service aims to increase the quality of life for discharged patients and help reduce hospital readmissions.”

Hospice is also reaching out to congregations of all faiths with information and training to help them provide care for members of their own communities, he said.

Animal Shelter Changes

Anne Smith, Director of the Potsdam Humane Society, said 2011 will be full of big changes for the shelter.

“The construction on our new building is progressing at a steady pace and we expect to be fully operational in our new facility by early summer,” she said.

Programs in development for the coming year include increased assistance for low cost spay/neuter, canine training workshops, educational programs for children and a feral cat initiative.

“Eighty-eight percent of the animals in our care during 2010 found secure, loving homes,” Smith said. “I am encouraged by the prospect of providing enhanced services and humane care to animals in need and the community we serve.”