Following the abrupt resignation of Adirondack Park Association Chair-man Curt Stiles this summer, support for the appointment by Governor Cuomo of Commissioner Leilani “Lani” Ulrich of Old Forge as APA Chairman continues to grow.
Mrs. Ulrich has the support of State Senator Betty Little (R-Queensbury) who feels that of the eight Commissioners on the APA Board, Ulrich is the one best suited for the position’s responsibilities, according to the Glens Falls Chronicle.
“It’s a great honor to be considered for this position, and I greatly appreciate all of the support I have received,” Ulrich said upon hearing about the recommendation from Senator Little.
“Since we are sometimes so far removed from the rest of the Park, I feel it is important to bring awareness to the issues, present them fairly, and come together with the rest of the Park to solve them,” she added.
Ulrich, who has spent seven years on the board and currently chairs the APA Regulatory Programs Committee, has become known by supporters for her desire to get things done properly.
She is also recognized as having a positive relationship with local governments and environmental groups
Her balanced approach to decisions, and perhaps most importantly, her personal relationship with the Adirondacks, are also considered attributes.
“She’s very even-keeled and understands the economic needs of the Park as well as the environmental concerns,” Senator Little said.
Five of the eight APA Commissioners live inside the Adirondack Park.
“She was my only recommendation to the Governor. Lani is the only in-the-Park commissioner on the current APA board whose term has not expired, and I think she would make a great chairperson,” Senator Little said.
Support for Ulrich has also been voiced by Assemblywoman Teresa Sayward (R-Willsboro).
She has also received favorable words from the Executive Director of the Adirondack Park Local Government Review Board, Fred Monroe, who believes Adirondack municipalities would be pleased with her as the choice.
“She balances environmental protection with the need for jobs and economic growth and she does an excellent job in running a meeting,” Monroe said.
As a co-founder and former Executive Director of CAP-21, and as a co-founder of the Adirondack Common Ground Alliance, Monroe believes that Ulrich has the credentials to fill the position.
“Number one,” Monroe said, “She’s a resident commissioner. She lives in Old Forge, and both the Review Board and the Adirondack Association of Towns and Villages feel that is important. If you’re a resident, you’re subject to the same rules and regulations that everyone else is, and you can’t just make rules and then go home and not abide by them.”
John Sheehan of the Adirondack Council agrees. He feels that Ulrich is a “thoughtful and intelligent person” whose experience in community development in the western Adirondacks, around Inlet, Old Forge and Raquette Lake neighborhoods can only be seen as an asset to the Adirondacks.
“She understands the issues and gets along well with local government. That’s obviously critical to that position,” Sheehan said.
If appointed by Governor Cuomo, Ulrich would be the first woman at the helm of the APA, and as the agency’s primary voice and negotiator with local government, Adirondack citizens, and environmental groups, she would be the first Chairperson to have the support of both local government and environmentalists.
