So when I reported on Governor Andrew Cuomo’s new system of Regional Economic Development Council’s last week, it was still a little unclear how these volunteer-run advisory groups would navigate politically charged decisions.<\/p>\n
State officials, and members of the North Country Council, argued that the group would work toward consensus, using public input to shape a plan for this region that all sides could embrace.<\/p>\n
Then, last week, Council co-chair Garry Douglas — who also heads the Plattsburgh North Country Chamber of Commerce — announced that the I-98 rooftop highway project wouldn’t be included as a priority project.<\/p>\n
Now, a St. Lawrence County legislator is calling for Douglas to be replaced, according to the Watertown Daily Times<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cIf Mr. Douglas cannot find it in himself to be more open-minded, then I call for Gov. Cuomo to remove him from the council and we can continue with one chair,\u201d Mr. Burns said in an email.<\/p>\n Mr. Burns\u2019s ire was raised by Mr. Douglas\u2019s announcement Friday that the council will not include I-98, the proposed four-lane highway that would link Watertown to Plattsburgh, as a priority project for state funding.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n