Honor Tug Hill Commission

Senate Resolution No. 213 BY: Senator GRIFFO COMMENDING the New York State Tug Hill Commission upon the occasion of celebrating its 45th Anniversary on November 8, 2018 WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and pay tribute to those organizations which are dedicated to increasing public awareness of, and appreciation for, the natural resources of New York, recognizing the role all citizens have in protecting the environment and the quality of life in this Empire State; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend the New York State Tug Hill Commission upon the occasion of celebrating its 45th Anniversary on Thursday, November 8, 2018, at Grape N Grog in Camden, New York; and WHEREAS, For 45 years, the New York State Tug Hill Commission has diligently worked to enable local governments, private organizations, and individuals to shape the future of the Tug Hill region, and to demonstrate and communicate ways that this can be done by other rural areas; and WHEREAS, This small, non-regulatory state agency is charged with helping local governments and citizens shape the future of the Tug Hill region which includes 41 towns and 18 villages in portions of Jefferson, Lewis, Oneida and Oswego counties; and WHEREAS, The uniqueness of the Tug Hill region and its natural resources were recognized by New York State in 1972, when it created the commission; 20 years later, the state legislature passed the Tug Hill Reserve Act, further recognizing the statewide importance of the region's natural resources, and in 1998, passed legislation encouraging the use of state-held conservation easements on key working forest lands; and WHEREAS, The New York State Tug Hill Commission strives to maintain the area's notable treasures which include clean water, healthy forests, productive farms, stable communities, and opportunities for hunting, fishing, and recreation; the commission works toward these goals by building the capacity of the region's people to chart their own future; and WHEREAS, The commission's programs and services are directed at strengthening local decision making, saving money through information sharing and training, and help in coordinating and raising funds for community improvement projects; the commission uses a grassroots approach to help create a sound environment and economy for this special, rural region of New York State; and WHEREAS, This small, non-regulatory state agency diligently works to provide technical assistance to local governments, economic development organizations, and other local groups in land use planning, community development, and natural resource management; it also provides skill development and information for local officials through workshops and issue papers on various topics; and WHEREAS, The success of the New York State Tug Hill Commission is in direct correlation to the efforts of its Executive Director Katie Malinowski, her staff, and the Board of Directors whose involvement is, and always has been, characterized by an impressive commitment, an unbridled enthusiasm, and an uncompromising standard of excellence in all endeavors on behalf of the institution and the community it serves; and WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon all citizens to recognize and applaud the efforts of organizations such as the New York State Tug Hill Commission which are dedicated to educating the public about our special, rural regions of the State of New York; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commend the New York State Tug Hill Commission upon the occasion of celebrating its 45th Anniversary on November 8, 2018; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Katie Malinowski, Executive Director, New York State Tug Hill Commission.