Wayne LaMothe has been Warren County Planner and Director of the Department of Planning and Community Development for 40 years. In 1998, he spearheaded the effort with eight Hudson River towns to establish the First Wilderness Heritage Corridor. A quick browse of the 2016 First Wilderness Action Plan will give you good background.
Joining us at the outset will be Assistant Planner Ethan Gaddy and GIS Administrator Sara Frankenfeld. We'll have a quick discussion about the place of the Smartacus Story Collaborative in their plan to promote the First Wilderness, then transition into our 60-Minute Civic Conversation with Wayne LaMothe.
Interviewers: Dan Forbush, Founder and Editor, Cliff & Redfield Interactive Bill Walker, Managing Editor, Cliff & Redfield Interactive Claire Seleen, Junior at Glens Falls High School and Smartacus Cohost/Reporter NINE QUESTIONS FOR WAYNE LAMOTHE
Origin Story. How would you describe your background -- from your childhood through your decision to make planning your career?
Current Responsibilities and Team. As County Planner, what are your main responsibilities and those of the team you work with? How do you support other agencies of county and town government?
Main Challenges and Priority Projects. Where is your Department currently focusing most of its time and energies?
First Wilderness Launch and Development. When and how did the idea of the First Wilderness Heritage Corridor first occur to you? What specific steps did you take to get the ball rolling?
First Wilderness Successes. What benefits has the First Wilderness initiative produced for the region? What specific projects have been made possible?
First Wilderness Priorities Going Forward. What's left to be done? As you head into a new funding cycle, what's your approach to defining priorities and identifying projects?
The Adirondack Railroad. You've had a long relationship with the Adirondack Railroad, actually purchasing on the county's behalf the 40 miles that run from Corinth to North Creek. Where does this relationship begin for you? And how would you describe it today?
Promoting the First Wilderness. How do you describe the First Wilderness and what do you most want those outside of the county to know about it?
Retirement Plans. Tell us about your family and what you're most looking forward to doing as you enter a new phase of life.