State again denies funds for 1812 plans

SACKETS HARBOR — It is a situation all too familiar to the village and the town of Hounsfield. The municipalities again will have to move forward with plans to honor state history without help from Albany.

Gov. David A. Paterson vetoed, for the second time, legislation that would have created a War of 1812 200th Anniversary Commemoration Commission because, he said, the state couldn't afford the $2.25 million his office estimated the panel would cost the state.

Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell, D-Theresa, said she was shocked at the second veto because bill sponsors worked closely with the governor to make the changes he was seeking.

"It's a travesty that this piece of legislation was vetoed," she said. "I don't know where the governor is coming from. There was no funding provided in that piece of legislation. That number came out of thin air."

Ms. Russell said the bill would have created a commission with 24 volunteers in charge of coordinating the bicentennial celebration now through 2015.

"The bill would have set up a framework of volunteers to work with other states who have a commission," she said. "This type of event is extremely important to economic development in this area. It's a fundamental lack of understanding the relationship between tourism and heritage and history to state economy and the north country."

The veto has residents puzzled as well.

"I don't understand why the governor decided to veto the bill," said Clayton F. Nans, vice president of the Sackets Harbor Battlefield Alliance. "I don't know what else we can do but wait until he's out of office and try again. He's being painful and arbitrary, but this isn't going to stop us."

It won't stop state government representatives either. Ms. Russell said another bill will be presented.

"Absolutely, we'll try again, as soon as we get back in session in January," she said.

The municipalities are becoming experts at moving forward without state assistance. In February, the governor proposed closing the Sackets Harbor Battlefield State Historic Site permanently, jeopardizing the North American Grand Tactical. Residents and organizations fought back, and, after funding was found to keep the site open, the event went off without a hitch July 31.

"The Grand Tactical was just a practice run for the 2012 celebration," said town of Hounsfield Supervisor Timothy W. Scee. "We've been planning this for about a year and a half now and if we are going to have a hard time getting help from the state, then we'll need to find a gimmick to get people to come here."

Sackets Harbor is just one upstate site where heavy fighting during the war occurred. The war pitted America against the British, including Canada, for nearly three years, beginning in June 1812. Other significant historic sites include Plattsburgh, Fort Ontario in Oswego and the Buffalo-Niagara Region.

Mr. Nans said other communities are planning their own commemorative celebrations and if a commission were formed, planning and scheduling events would be easier. He said he is disappointed with the lack of interest at the state level.

"The state of Maryland is putting a lot into their bicentennial, and up here in the north country, the front lines for the war of 1812, there is hardly a whisper," he said. "I guess it is going to be up to the individual communities, without Albany's assistance. Maybe we should have asked for millions of dollars; maybe the governor would have passed it then."