TRAC STEERING COMMITTEE
Chris Brescia, Saranac Lake
Amy Catania, Saranac Lake
Jack Drury, Saranac Lake
Al Dunham, Saranac Lake
Jim Ellis, Tupper Lake
Steven Engelhart, Wadhams
Steve Erman, Saranac Lake
Phil Gallos, Saranac Lake
Jim Griebsch, Saranac Lake
Bob Hest, Belmont
Jim Hotaling, Saranac Lake
Mary Hotaling, Saranac Lake
Mike McNulty
Jim Meade, NC, Saranac Lake
Chiprle Mecklenberg, Tupper Lake
Dan Mecklenberg, Tupper Lake
Kate Ritter, Essex
Alan Roberts, Saranac Lake
Dick Roberts, CA and Loon Lake

COMMENTS IN SUPPORT OF TRAILS WITH RAILS
'This week my husband and I took a beautiful ride from Lake Placid to Saranac Lake on the Adirondack Scenic RR and had a wonderful time. We understand that there is a move to take up these tracks, and we want to speak out---strongly--- against that plan. They have historic and tourist value, and once removed , cannot be replaced. There are plenty of other places for hiking; please allow this route to stay a railroad.' Marilyn Bradley, October 1, 2016

'I want to visit Saranac Lake and Lake Placid with my disabled fiancee who uses a cane, by train. Starting from Utica, which I can reach easily by Amtrak.'Nathanael Nerode, Ithaca, NY, June 12, 2015
' Will be a valuable asset once the 84 miles of existing track is improved. Once it's taken up, the rails will be gone forever from this area.' Donald Schoeb, Eagle Lake, MN, June 16, 2015
'I am signing the petition to save the rails becuase the rail line is a tremendous economic machine that can be used to boost the economically depressed upstate New York economy. Please think about this more thoroughly. It will be truly an irrevocable mistake made to remove rails and make this a trail only. BOTH can exist.'
Hubert Nealy, Williamsburg, VA
June 16, 2015
'The Trains are important assets that should be fully utilized for the economic and transportation needs of the Adirondacks. The Trains are historically important. I feel that if the tracks were torn up it would be a huge mistake for the future in many aspects for the Adirondacks and New York State.' Mark Wilcox, Lake Placid, NY, December 9, 2014
'I support the idea of combining rails and trails' Gail McKay, Saranac Lake, NY, December 8, 2014
'Lets keep the rail line. We should NOT take away any source of history or attraction that might help the economy.' Tom Forgatch, Jay, NY, December 8, 2014
'Family roots in the Adirondacks go back 130 years; have summered there for 65 years. Care deeply about the future of the Adirondacks.' Esty Foster, West Chester, PA, December 11, 2014
'To destroy the existing RR tracks is short sighted and wrong. As a group tour professional, I know first hand the great draw the completed tourist train would be. But more than that, restored rail service would bring many people from Urban areas who rely on public transportation... No doubt that a recreational trail along side would also be a great boom to the local economies. Rail and Trail together is the obvious correct solution. It is indeed Win/ Win.' Keith Gorgas, Saranac Lake, NY, December 8, 2014.
'I believe infrastructure should be preserved and maintained, not torn up.' Christine Meixner, Lake Pleasant, NY, December 3, 2014
'We need rail service both for transportation and tourism in the Adirondacks, and we also need scenic trails. The best option for our communities is to have both. Please keep the rails!' Sally Smith, Brooklyn / Willsboro, NY, December 2, 2014
'This has a major public benefit and will have minimal impact on the natural environment.' Richard Longstreth, Washington, D.C. December 2, 2014
'I think we should pool our resources and ideas and work to have both rails and trails!' Sandra Hildreth, Saranac Lake, NY November 15, 2014
'This is indeed a win-win situation, The detailed comprehensive, carefully developed schematics for the Trails with Rails is astonishing. It is very important to keep the entire rail line to Lake Placid' Susan Day Fuller, Mountain View, NY, November 15, 2014
'It is a win win for this controversial issue - makes the most out of both of the interests, rail and trail.' Mark Kurtz, Bloomingdale, NY, November 12, 2014
'Keeping the rail in place provides access to the interior of the Adk Park for the elderly and people living with disabilities, which is a growing percentage of the New York State population, and developing a corresponding trail system, is a win win solution for all sides and for all New Yorkers.' Naj Wikoff, Keene Valley, NY, November 12, 2014
'I strongly support a mixed use Rails with Trails approach and believe tearing up the tracks is short-sighted and foolish.' Rex Trobridge, Glenmont, NY, November 19, 2014
'I think this is the best way to go and have for a long time.' Kara Page, Tupper Lake, NY, November 19, 2014
'It lets both sides win and keeps it from being such a contentious issue.' Timothy Backhurst, AICP, Clinton Township, MI, November 14, 2014
'I have a downtown business that needs all the customers it can get and the train brings them into town.' Barbara Curtis, Saranac Lake, NY November 12, 2014
'Train service is critical to Saranac Lake.' Henry Parnass, Saranac Lake, NY, November 12, 2014
'My business depends on the passengers that come to Saranac Lake via the train. Removing the rails would damage downtown businesses and destroy part of an infrastructure we need to expand, not demolish.' Carla Sternberg, Saranac Lake, NY, November 12, 2014
'It makes no sense to run the train to Tupper Lake and not continue to go to Lake Placid. Abandoning a vital infrastructure like a railroad is a bad idea. Plus, there is already a trail approved to go along side the tracks from Lake Placid to Saranac Lake. Most tourist bikers will find that 10 mile route more that enough biking for a day while serious trail riders want a much more challenging ride than on a trail that is on a relatively flat route of that which a train takes.' Larry Poole, Saranac Lake, NY, November 12, 2014
'Transportation infrastructure that holds the potential to bring thousands of visitors to the Adirondacks with low carbon emissions should not be removed. New trail opportunities adjacent and not adjacent to the railroad should be identified.' Sunita Halasz, Saranac Lake, NY, November 12, 2014
'The economic impact of trails AND rails will benefit the region in a greater way than just trails alone can. We need more tourism draws to this state.' Kritsty Garretson, Geneva, NY, November 11, 2014
'Compromise. The best for both sides.' Brenda Karns, Oneida, NY, November 11, 2014
'I'm over 70 years old and would definitely ride the train into the Tri-Lakes region. I wouldn't be using the proposed trail, but feel that having a RR track nearby would provide an element of security to those who would -- such remote wilderness needs to be respected.' Lois Bormann, Utica NY, November 11, 2014
'We only have ONE chance to preserve living history. Once it is gone it is gone forever.' Richard Soper, Plattsburgh, NY, November 10, 2014
'The railroad through the park is such an amazing opportunity to enhance travel and tourism opportunities in our region. When ever I travel outside of our Central Leatherstocking region people always comment about how much they've loved it, when they have been able to get tickets on trains. (Which they tell me can be quite difficult to do!) Please save the railroad and add to the trail system. This really is the win-win solution for upstate New York and it will be a great asset for our future!' Jennifer Sinsabaugh, Ilion, NY, November 10, 2014
'We need to keep every asset we have to this area! It's vital for the economy to the smaller northern towns, could boost tourism and more revenue to an area that is in dire need! Families enjoy activities together, enjoy the nature and connects areas that otherwise wouldn't be enjoyed by residents and visitors. Please save our trails and rail lines! Thank you.' Samantha Hains, Ilion, NY, November 10, 2014
'Do both and win for everyone involved! The train operates very well within the Sl to Lp region. RR service needs to be expanded to Lake Clear and Tupper Lake immediately! This has been long-promised by NYS! It is time to fulfill this vision AND to expand it with a trail system. Many people come to the area just to ride the train, but others ride it because it is a great option on a rainy day when other attractions are not a good option. Let's do both rails and trails!' Robert Ludlam, Potsdam, NY, November 10, 2014
'I've watched this discussion between trails and rails go on with little headway now for months - this is, by far, the BEST solution for everyone.' Catherine Bennett, Canton, NY, November 10, 2014
'I believe the more transportation options we have the better. Destroying transportation infrastructure to replace with a recreation venue makes no sense. Developing complimentary recreation opportunities while restoring the infrastructure to full usability makes great sense.'Phil Gallos, Saranac Lake, NY, November 10, 2014
'...removing tracks is shortsighted. Train travel is increasing all over the country (check Amtrak statistics). I personally would use the train if there were a connection from Saranac Lake to New York City. Now I have to drive to West Port, Fort Edward, or Albany. Also, I have serious concerns about the cost of removing tracks and creating a trail only, as well as maintenance of just a trail. Trails with rails seems like a 'no-brainer' that would satisfy everyone's desires.' Priscilla Goss, Ray Brook, NY, November 10, 2014
'This option will provide service and access to the largest number of people, ensuring that they can enjoy the wilderness as well as an important historic resource.' Susan Arena, Keeseville, NY, Oct. 24, 2014.
'This amazing resouce must be saved for generations to come as well as current folks who are disabled and cannot enjoy the splendor of the Adirondacks any other way.. there is plenty of room for both trains and trails.' Jim Farr, Clinton, NY, Oct. 24, 2014
'The rails are a valuable resource. Fix them and provide a reasonable lease to the railroad to operate effectively. Truncating the line at Tupper makes no sense to tourism or economic activity. Let's realize the full potential of the rails.' Paul Erena, Milton, VT, Oct 24, 2014.
'Please keep the rail line so older people can enjoy seeing the mountains.' Florence Wood, Whitesboro, NY, Oct 24, 2014.
'That railroad is a treasure and as such should be upgraded. It is the best, and in cases, the only way to get canoes, kayaks and camping gear into remote areas.' Michael Waterman, Getzville, NY, Oct 23, 2014.
'When people from out of state visit and want to ride the train, they know and want to go to Lake Placid and have no idea where Tupper Lake is located. We need the train for transportation and recreation and the trails for recreation.'Margaret M. Preston, New Hartford, NY, Oct 23, 2014.
'Born and raised in Saranac Lake. Trails with Rails is the win-win option. Removing the rails in the corridor is an irreversible decision. We need both today to preserve future options.' Robert Cochran, North Tonawanda, NY, Oct 23, 2014.
'I would enjoy the benefits of having both options, I love to snowmobile, ride my four wheeler and being able to hop the train for camping, fishing excursions etc. would be a great boom for this neck of the woods.' Ken Casler, Saranac Lake, NY, Oct 23, 2014.
'This is a great common sense solution. Working together is a win-win.' Michael Ring, Adams Center, NY, November 15, 2013.
'I am signing this petition because I am rapidly entering my Senior Years; riding the rail is the only realistic way for my wife and I to view and enjoy the beautiful wilderness of the Adirondacks. Loosing the convenience of rail transportation to relax, enjoy, and appreciate the scenic back country north of Tupper Lake would be a crime against Senior Citizens, the disabled, and the very young. A trail with the rail would be great for the younger generation, but a trail only, the desire of the 'Trail Only' group is strictly selfish on their part. If they succeed, when they reach their Senior Years, the only enchantment they'll have will be past memories. Totally unsatisfactory compared to what we have now, and ludicrous compared to the experience that will be possible with complete rail restoration!!' Edward Haycook, Canton, NY, November 15, 2014.
'The rails need to be preserved and utilized. I ride snowmobiles up in that area for 32 yrs and would rather see a rail and a trail then eliminating the rails altogether. Once that asset is taken away we can never get it back and I believe that the rails only enhance the beauty of the area!' Robert Helms, Huntington Station, NY, November 15, 2014
'I feel a Trails WITH rails is an ideal situation and will help the region economically.' Anne Marsh, Essex, NY, November 29, 2014.
'I think it makes sense to give people options, and not eliminate a useful service.' Robert Cohen, Ballston Lake, NY, November 21, 2014
'I would love to be able to utilize the rail system to visit lake placid again on a more regular basis. As well as enjoy the trails along the way to take in the beauty that is the Adirondacks.' Ray Sherman, Holland Patent, NY, November 20, 2014.
'I support the construction of a trail system alongside the rail system that is in place. This will enable hikers, walkers and bikers to enjoy a part of history that will also be preserved by keeping the rail line in place.' Randy Putnam, Burnt Hills, NY, December 2, 2014
View 39 pages of comments in support of trails WITH rails here.