![\"Governor](\"https:\/\/blogs.northcountrypublicradio.org\/inbox\/files\/2013\/07\/cuomofinch080712.jpg\")
<\/a>Governor Cuomo (Right) and Bill Ulfelder, executive director of New York’s Nature Conservancy signing the Finch Pruyn deal in August 2012 (Photo: Brian Mann)<\/p><\/div>\n
1.\u00a0 Finch lands deal approved, creating new Hudson River Gorge Wilderness<\/strong>.\u00a0 The Adirondack Park Agency, working closely with the DEC, the governor’s office<\/a>, local government leaders, and two of the Park’s largest green groups, crafts a plan that will create a vast new wilderness and primitive area along the upper Hudson River.\u00a0 It’s the biggest new motorless area created in the Adirondacks in a generation.\u00a0 The APA’s vote is unanimous.<\/p>\n 2.\u00a0 North Country wins big economic development grants, including<\/strong><\/p>\n The faded Hotel Saranac was once a centerpiece of the village economy and social life (Photo: Susan Waters)<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n funding for two Saranac Lake hotels<\/strong>.\u00a0 The project will renovate the historic Hotel Saranac, an icon in the Park and once a destination.\u00a0 More controversial is a plan to build a new resort on the shore of Lake Flower.<\/p>\n A NYCO official points at forest preserve land that will be mined under a land swap on 2013 ballot (Photo: Brian Mann)<\/p><\/div>\n 3.\u00a0 Adirondack land swaps approved by NY voters<\/strong>.\u00a0 Two big land swaps, including a controversial project involving NYCO Minerals, are approved by voters on the statewide ballot.\u00a0 The debate sparks a major rift within the Park’s green community, but local government leaders hail the effort as symbolic of a new era of cooperation and dialogue.<\/p>\n 4. Adirondack Scenic Railroad debate escalates<\/strong>.\u00a0 A debate over the<\/a><\/p>\n NCPR’s coverage of the rail-trail debate comes as New York state is gathering public comments about the future of the rail corridor. (Photo: Brian Mann)<\/p><\/div>\n state-owned rail corridor from Old Forge to Lake Placid grew fierce<\/a> and ugly in 2013.\u00a0 State officials launched an informal listening session to take comments on the rail vs. trail debate, but it’s still unclear whether New York will reopen a full process to re-evaluate future use of the route.\u00a0 At times, the vitriol rose to startling levels, with accusations of dishonesty and class-warfare.<\/p>\n The Palace Theater in Lake Placid. Photo: Natasha Haverty<\/p><\/div>\n 5.\u00a0 Regional effort saves Adirondack movie theaters<\/strong>.\u00a0 The “Go Digital or Go Dark” campaign gained traction<\/a> in 2013, raising enough funds to allow cinemas across the Park – from Ausable Forks to Tupper Lake — to convert to new digital technology, ending the era of film.<\/p>\n 6.\u00a0 Cuomo brings Adirondack Challenge to Indian Lake<\/strong>.\u00a0 Governor Andrew <\/a> Is the Newton Falls Paper Mill a good investment for taxpayers? Photo: Newton Falls Paper support group on Facebook<\/p><\/div>\n 7.\u00a0 Newton Falls paper mill dismantled<\/strong>. There was a long battle to save the Newton Falls paper mill, and many near-misses as various Canadian companies promised to reopen the long-mothballed plant.\u00a0 But in 2013, the equipment was dismantled and sold<\/a>, ending a long, painful chapter in the Park’s effort to hold onto some of its industrial base.\u00a0 Big questions remain about the future of the economy in southern St. Lawrence County.<\/p>\n 8.\u00a0 NY SAFE Act debate heats up<\/strong>.\u00a0 Signed by Governor Andrew Cuomo in January 2013<\/a>,<\/p>\n Governor Cuomo signed the NY SAFE Act last January (Photo: Karen DeWitt)<\/p><\/div>\n the SAFE Act has remained popular in downstate New York.\u00a0 But the gun-control measure has become a lightning rod in more conservative upstate districts, becoming a flash point in political campaigns, with some county sheriffs insisting that they won’t enforce it and many gun owners insisting that they’ll defy the law as an act of civil disobedience.<\/p>\n Adirondack Health CEO Chandler Ralph sparked a fierce debate in 2013, arguing that financial losses at the Lake Placid ER were unsustainable. (PHOTO: AMC)<\/p><\/div>\n 9. Adirondack healthcare industry shake up<\/strong>.\u00a0 The Park’s healthcare system continues to undergo tectonic shifts<\/a>, as long-time health providers enter into new partnerships and mergers, laying off staff, and considering closure of facilities.\u00a0 A major debate grows over future of the Lake Placid Hospital.\u00a0 Meanwhile, Hudson Headwaters continues to expand clinics and services inside blue line.<\/p>\n 10.\u00a0 Israel Keyes serial killer story unfolds<\/strong>.\u00a0 FBI continues to release details about Adirondack<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a>Cuomo and top state officials joined in a rafting race with New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg in July.\u00a0 It was political theater of the highest order that generated a huge amount of ink about the Adirondacks.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a>