On Monday, March 6, 2023, the Warren County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report that a vehicle had overturned off the side of Luzerne Road. Assisted by the West Glens Falls EMS and West Glens Falls Fire Department, it was reported that the driver fled the scene, and deputies managed to locate Logan C. Marshall – age 22, of Queensbury – near the crash site, where they determined that he was intoxicated and placed him under arrest. Marshall submitted to a breathalyzer, which showed that his Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) was almost three times the legal limit.
Marshall was charged with Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) and aggravated DWI for operating a vehicle with a BAC of more than 0.18%. He was released to a third party.
Ever wonder how you can help the environment from the comfort of your own home? Think community solar farms! Community solar can be a great option for people who are unable to install solar panels or have insufficient solar resources.
Community solar is any solar project or purchasing program within a geographic area in which the benefits of the solar project flow to multiple customers. The Cornell Cooperative Extension is just starting up a program which would help lower carbon emissions by helping lower income households utilize solar energy. Solar, wind and other renewable resources will be increasingly utilized to deliver affordable and green electricity over the next decade. The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority’s (NYSERTA) clean energy agenda has a target of 70% renewable energy by 2030, and 100% by 2050.
People who live in apartments do not generally have the option of installing solar panels, but the Cornell Cooperative Extension is also working to connect people who live in apartments, as well as lower income families. By connecting people to community solar farms, there is a potential savings of 10% on their electric bill, and the service is still generated by the current utility company.
Bradley Towel – the Energy Program Manager with the Cornell Cooperative Energy Program – sees the importance of small steps in gaining momentum: “One of the small things that has been put into place is consolidated billing. Instead of two separate bills, they have consolidated the bill, which also shows the savings” he said.
There are pros and cons to community solar – it lowers electricity bills, reduces carbon footprint, and combats rising electrical fees, but at the same time, Solar farms take up a lot of space, and there is a lack of control over the output.
Community solar programs are fast becoming the preferred option when choosing a clean energy source. Community solar farms are often built on unused barren land or brownfields, which are tracts of land that have been developed for industrial use, polluted, and then abandoned. Community solar farms cover between 20 to 40 acres, and are connected directly to the electrical grid. The incentive to participate – up to a 10% discount on electricity costs – pairs nicely with the positive environmental impact, and even better, people don’t need a roof or to own their own property to participate. By opting into community solar, people can participate in helping the environment, and save money on their utility bill at the same time.
Today, Gary discusses Hilary Stec, the newly appointed Queensbury supervisor-at-large. Also, Glens Falls moves forward with a merger between Greater Glens Falls Transit and the Capital District Transportation Authority, a local business coming up on 40 years of service, new short-term rental apartments to appear in Downtown Glens Falls, funding awarded for trail construction on French Mountain, and the third annual Up Yonda Maple Festival set for next weekend.
00:02 – Intro 00:44 – Ad Break 1 01:40 – Story 1: CDTA Merger 03:36 – Story 2: Performance Industrial 05:55 – Ad Break 2 06:19 – Story 3: Hilary Stec Appointed Queensbury Supervisor 08:25 – Story 4: New Downtown Apartments 09:56 – Story 5: Funds for French Mountain 11:42 – Story 6: Up Yonda Maple Festival 12:30 – Outro
Karen Miller is President and CEO of Performance Industrial, which has been in business in South Glens Falls since 1986. The original brand – Americlean – was founded by Mark Miller, who saw a need for cleaning and painting services in his own community. As the business grew, he sought training and certifications for his team to ensure their ability to provide excellent service… By the early ’90s, his business was fully established with an array of services; from sandblasting and painting to kitchen exhaust cleaning.
In 2014, the Americlean team sat down to assess their successes, current specialties and future goals… They found that seamless, professional performance was something that customers valued in the services that were provided. Taking this information to heart, Americlean decided it was time for a rebranding… And so, they became Performance Industrial.
In an effort to maintain the high standards of Performance Industrial, Mark brought his hardworking son Bill and daughter-in-law Karen into the fold. Bill and Karen purchased the business from Mark on December 31st of 2019, and through their leadership, Performance Industrial continues to grow today. They currently employ 55 people, and though they are currently fully staffed, Bill and Karen are always investing in and growing the company.
Sean Willcoxson joined the company seven months ago as Operations Manager, after spending 26 years of his career with Mazzone Hospitality: “I was the Vice President of catering for Mazzone… I was ‘born and raised’ in the catering division. Now with young kids, I needed to find new opportunities… I knew Bill Miller through the organization Folds of Honor” Sean said.
Folds of Honor is an organization that ensures families who have sacrificed so much for our country receive the education and opportunities they deserve… Created to raise money for the families of fallen or permanently wounded servicemen, “Just this year we added a category for first responders, and what we do is raise money for scholarships for their kids or spouses… Anything that goes towards education” Sean said. He has been involved with Folds of Honor for over four years.
Bill Miller has also been a supporter of Folds of Honor, and through their common interest in public service, Bill and Sean became friends. Through their friendship, Sean joined Bill and Karen at Performance Industrial in September of 2022: “I had to learn a lot and learn the business. Obviously, our company does a lot of cleaning… Kitchen exhausts, industrial cleaning, sand-blasting, epoxy floors, painting; we do it all safely. How it works is that we start on an epoxy job or a kitchen exhaust job or HVAC ductwork cleaning, and then the relationship builds and the scope of the work increases… Our biggest focus is that we have a permanent placement of 35 employees at a manufacturing facility. That’s a third of our business.”
“The kitchen exhaust, industrial cleaning, HVAC duct category is a third of the business, and epoxy flooring is another third. Epoxy flooring is a coating that is a seamless and waterproof floor. It’s easier to clean, you can add a texture so that it is slip resistant, and it’s chemical resistant. The added benefit is the ease of use. There are no grout lines. It’s used a lot in fire houses, college dorm bathrooms, manufacturing plants, and farms” Sean said
“Our newest focus is that we purchased a ceiling tile cleaning system. It basically simplifies how you clean ceiling tiles. The first thing that we start with is education. There are two types of ceiling tiles – acoustical tiles, and vinyl tiles. The acoustical ceiling tiles feel like a hard foam; they are not wipeable. Over time, the ceiling tile gets stained… We have a process that brings the tile back to life without replacing it. If it’s just dirty we can bring it back to almost new at a fraction of the cost of replacing it… Now, vinyl ceiling tiles are what you find in restaurants and industrial kitchens. They have a fire rating. With that tile, we spray and wipe the grease off. You can spray multiple times, (and) the grease is captured.”
Sean understands the need for this product in the marketplace: “If the ceiling tiles are dirty, it’s a (bad) first impression… They need to look fresh. Our team will go in with ladders and clean the tiles while they are still in the ceiling” he said.
Due to his experience in the hospitality industry, Sean sees the importance of the service that Performance Industrial is able to provide: “The culture in a work environment is important. Employees should feel good about the area that they are working in and the product that they are creating… Our specialty is cleaning, and the focus of the employees in a kitchen is making great food.”
Performance Industrial has stayed in business for 37 years by providing services that are valued by their customers. Their focus is on kitchen exhaust, epoxy flooring and permanent placement of employees. They currently have two office locations – one in South Glens Falls, and another in Albany. For more information, visit Performanceindustrial.com
Today, Gary discusses some proposed parking plans for the City of Glens Falls. Also, Queensbury Union Free School District breaks ground on its new sports field, the location formerly known for Birch Bark Eatery to become an Airbnb, Warrensburg High alumni sought for the school’s upcoming spring concert, and Warren County holding a community engagement forum on recycling next week.
00:02 – Intro 00:35 – Ad Break 1 01:29 – Story 1: Queensbury UFSD Sports Field Project 02:46 – Story 2: Birch Bark Eatery to Become Airbnb 04:07 – Ad Break 2 04:32 – Story 3: Glens Falls Parking Plans 07:32 – Story 4: Warrensburg Alumni Sought for Special Concert 10:07 – Story 5: Warren County Recycling Forum 11:53 – Outro
On March 3, 2023, New York Supreme Court Justice Robert Muller declared that it was arbitrary and capricious for the Adirondack Park Agency to issue permits for the use of the chemical herbicide ProcellaCOR in Lake George without an adjudicatory hearing. The Herbicide ProcellaCOR would have been used to treat populations of the Euroasian watermilfoil in Lake George, which create dense mats and overtake habitats of native aquatic plants.
This ruling means that any subsequent Adirondack Park Association (APA) review of applications to apply ProcellaCPR in Lake George must be preceded by such a hearing – the Adirondack Park Agency was created in 1971 by the New York State Legislature to develop long-range land use plans for both public and private lands within the boundary of the Park.
The Lake George Association and The Lake George Waterkeeper were both opposed to use of this chemical herbicide. The Lake George Association acts as the guardians of Lake George’s water quality, monitoring such and creating projects to help protect the water. The Waterkeeper’s mission is to defend the natural resource of Lake George and its watershed.
Along with the Lake George Association and the Waterkeeper, there was intense public opposition to use of this herbicide as well; more than 4,600 citizens signed a petition opposing use of the chemical herbicide. Three towns – Hague, Dresden, and Ticonderoga – adopted formal resolutions in opposition to the use of the herbicide.
In the ruling, there was an emphasis on scientific questions regarding the impact of the herbicide on Lake George as an ecosystem and drinking water source – the State group argued that the chemical has been used in other lakes and found to be undetectable three days after the application, while the petitioners argued that there was more research needed and that the dead milfoil could feed blooms of algae.
Moving forward, the Lake George Association and the Waterkeeper would like to continue the previous process of mechanically harvesting the Euroasian watermilfoil.
Today, Gary discusses this year’s South High Marathon Dance, as well as the origins of the event–dating back 45 years. Also, a judge’s ruling in the proposal of using a herbicide on Lake George, The Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Lunch With Legislators event, new details on the Moreau United political party, a local historian’s new YouTube series, and donations sought for a Lake George Food Pantry.
00:02 – Intro 00:43 – Ad Break 1 01:42 – Story 1: ProcellaCOR Ruling 03:23 – Story 2: ARCC Lunch With Legislators 05:49 – Ad Break 2 06:13 – Story 3: The South High Marathon Dance 11:14 – Story 4: Moreau United 12:20 – Story 5: “History On the Road” 14:57 – Story 6: Donations for Lake George Food Pantry 15:32 – Outro
South Street – which is locally known as “the street of dreams” – is primed for the next investment of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) that was awarded to Glens Falls in 2017… The City of Glens Falls could seek bids for construction of the 6,000 square-foot proposed market center as early as this spring!
The South Street area of Glens Falls was identified as an area in need of revitalization due to the high vacancy rates and dilapidated condition of the buildings. Through the DRI, the City of Glens Falls has worked to identify projects that have public benefit, stakeholder support, and are ready to be implemented. These DRI projects are implemented to catalyze investment in the area.
The empty lot where the mixed event space will be built is across the street from another new business that’s establishing itself… Glens Falls Bagels owner Kerry Smith wasn’t concerned about the empty storefronts that surround his business when he opened – when he chose the location, he was aware that the city would be investing in South Street.
58-66 South Street
Smith opened Glens Falls Bagels in mid-November, but has already signed a new lease. The property at 58 through 66 South Street was recently purchased by business partners Gregg Singer and Larissa Ovit. Singer and Ovit are excited to be investing in South Street, and have been called “trendsetters”. Their investment is across the street from the mixed use event space, which is expected to bring people to the farmers’ market, community events, and concerts. Singer and Ovit plan to open a bar called the “Golden Monkey Lounge” and renovate the second level into four one-bedroom apartments.
At 4:14 AM on Thursday, March 2nd, a shooting took place at 29 Dix Avenue in Glens Falls. The two people that were shot were allegedly breaking into the home when the resident shot them. The suspected home invaders were taken to Albany Medical Center, and one of the suspects is in critical condition.
The Glens Falls Police and State Police interviewed the alleged shooter to determine what crimes had been committed. Local Defense Attorney Tucker Standclift is representing the person suspected of firing the gun. The identities of the persons involved have not been released.
