Does NCPR want to "pauperize" the people of the North Country?

Corrected: Mr. Dicker points out, accurately, that he said “pauperize” and not “pulverize.” I’ve corrected this word throughout the text.

Fred Dicker is one of Albany’s most influential conservative journalists, host of a closely watched AM radio talk show and a political writer for the New York Post.

On his show Friday, Mr. Dicker argued that there are

“extremely wealth elitist types from the New York City area who have a vested interest in pauperizing the people of the Adirondacks to benefit themselves, their second and third homes, their property ownership. It’s a class warfare against the people of the Adirondacks.”

His guest, Essex farmer Salim “Sandy” Lewis, replied, “Mr. Dicker, you’re only 100% right. I’m astounded to hear you say it. But I want to make it clear to you. I know who they are.”

“Tell us!” Mr. Dicker urged.

Pretty exciting stuff. So who are the villains of this “plot for the pauperization of the people of the Adirondacks,” to quote Mr. Dicker?

“The lead of this started with Nelson Rockefeller,” Lewis began. Which is pretty standard fare.

The Republican governor has never been popular with those who disapprove of the Park Agency and its rules.

Mr. Lewis then went on to blast Peter Paine from Willsboro, president of Champlain National Bank and one of the co-creators of the modern APA.

All very fine and good, but it’s sort of old hat, ancient history. Those bones have been chewed pretty well since the 1970s

Mr. Dicker wanted fresh meat: “We only have about three minutes, so get to the heart of it, if you would!”

Then Mr. Lewis popped his guns at one of the true villains, the nefarious, the underhanded…NCPR?

“They formed these charities and there are a number of them, and one of them sadly — and you better give them time — is Brian Mann, Ellen Rocco, and Martha Foley at North Country Public Radio. They’re in the middle of this. These charities draw from the same anonymous donors.”

Yikes. That’s pretty strong. Nonsense, of course, utterly ridiculous, but exciting.

I always feel a little awkward responding to stuff like this. It’s just that silly. But I suppose it’s necessary to clarify a few points.

1. Mr. Lewis is apparently convinced that NCPR is part of some cabal, but he has never questioned the accuracy of our reporting. He’s always welcome to do so.

2. The largest source of income for North Country Public Radio is local memberships, from North Country people — the vast majority under $100. The second largest source of income are local businesses who purchase “underwriting” on our airwaves.

3. Mr. Lewis is correct that some of our major donors are also donors to or members of environmental groups. We have a “firewall” between fundraising and our journalism that is completely impervious. There is no fudging of this line, none.

4. I love complicated, thorny, controversial stories. NCPR wants those stories from me. If I ever find evidence of a plot to “pulverize” my neighbors in the Adirondacks, we will claw and fight to be the first to tell you about it.

But that story has to be factual and fair. AM talk radio blather, ad hominem attacks, and conspiracy theories won’t cut it.

Your thoughts and comments are welcome below.