In Saranac Lake, New York, the village Board of Trustees has voted 3-2 to finance the removal of asbestos from a property on Neil Street. The site has fallen into disrepair, and contains a dilapidated trailer. All told, it has been reported that it will take $12,000 to remedy the asbestos situation.

The removal of asbestos is important, as exposure to the material can cause serious health problems. Inhaling or ingesting asbestos fibers can ultimately prove lethal, with asbestos exposure linked to lung cancer, asbestosis, and mesothelioma. Mesothelioma, a rare cancer, can affect the lungs, the lining of the heart, and the tissues in the abdominal cavity. Sadly, the disease can kill within months of being diagnosed in some cases.

The village had planned to sell of the Neil Street property once it had been cleaned up, but the parcel is so tiny (about a tenth of an acre) that developing the land could be tricky. "At this point, the property is useless unless someone wants to put a trailer back there," said Trustee John McEneany.

"The board’s intent was to clean up the property," McEneany added. "I also know it was the intent of the board to get it back on the tax rolls and possibly put in some kind of workforce housing. But at these particular dimensions, that isn’t going to happen."

Village Manager Marty Murphy recommended that in order to entice buyers, the property should be clean and free of asbestos. "I would recommend we put it out to the open market first, and if we’re not able to sell it that way, perhaps we can approach some not-for-profit agencies and see if we can structure some kind of a partnership," Murphy said.

In Jamestown, New York, the demolition of the Winter Garden Theater is scheduled for later this month. However, before the building can be torn down, asbestos abatement must take place. According to Jason Stronz, executive director of the Jamestown Renaissance Corp. (JRC), a contractor for the asbestos abatement and demolition will be chosen soon.

”Structurally, the building is sound. It’s an eyesore more than anything else and there’s no real significance to it in terms of architecture. Nothing is going into that space that’s feasible or that will generate enough revenue to offset the costs of renovating it. It’s honestly a situation where we can do a lot more with it torn down than we can with it remaining on the property,” he said.

Removing asbestos from the site prior to demolition is required by law. Asbestos exposure is conclusively linked to the development of mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer. Mesothelioma affects less than 3,000 Americans each year, and the disease typically lies dormant for up to fifty years before an individual begins to suffer from mesothelioma symptoms.

”A lot of people have, over the years, looked at the Winter Garden with plans to renovate it or bring something else into that space,” said John Merino, executive director of the Gebbie Foundation.

”The problem is that the costs associated with doing so are simply insurmountable. (The board) looked at the JRC’s plans and liked them. I think it’s going to be a major improvement.”

St. Lawrence County officials have decided to postpone the planned study for possible uses for the former Judson Street jail in Canton, New York. The study was expected to cost $110,000, and given the current economic climate, officials agreed that the money might be better spent elsewhere.

"After we heard the gloom and doom news about the financial shape we’re in, we thought we needed to do something different," said Legislator Frederick S. Morrill. "I’m afraid, though, that if we just neglect the jail, it could end up like the J&L site [a contaminated site near Star Lake]. We don’t want it to sit there 30 years and end up with a real mess on our hands."

According to Mr. Morrill, the oldest parts of the former jail could contain asbestos, as well as other hazardous materials. "We need to know the total cost of removing that stuff so it doesn’t just sit there," he said.

Exposure to asbestos can lead to serious health problems, including mesothelioma, a rare but lethal form of cancer with no known cure. While many mesothelioma patients do benefit from chemotherapy, the majority are dead within just two years of being diagnosed, with the cancer sometimes killing within weeks or months in other cases.

Legislator J. Patrick Turbett argues that the jail does not need immediate attention. "The jail was occupied by human beings until we moved to the new jail in May, so I don’t think there is a significant environmental problem that exists today," Mr. Turbett said.

"If they’re saying we had people living in conditions like that, they should be prepared for a whole slate of lawsuits…A lot of asbestos issues exist only after you disturb it. If we’re not going to touch anything, we’re not going to disturb anything. We’re talking about hundreds and hundreds of thousands of dollars to move ahead. I think it could be put off indefinitely until our financial conditions improve."

In Middletown, New York, the local school board has agreed to consider the sale of Memorial School.

The 60,000-square-foot school is nearly 90 years old, and has been vacant for almost five years. According to School Board President Will Geiger and Superintendent Ken Eastwood, the building is known to have a whole host of problems.

Some of these include mold, non-compliance with standards set forth in the Americans with Disabilities Acts, and issues with asbestos. All told, bringing the building up to code could cost as much as $25 million.

Asbestos exposure may lead to development of mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer that can kill within months of being diagnosed. Mesothelioma affects less than 3,000 Americans each year, but despite the efforts of cancer researchers all over the globe, there is no known cure.

Mesothelioma cancer typically lies dormant for up to fifty years before an individual begins to suffer from mesothelioma symptoms. Asbestos exposure can also cause other serious health problems. These range from asbestosis to pleural plaques to various forms of lung cancer.

Opinions about the future of the aging school are divided. While almost all school board members were in favor of the sale, one member of the school board cast a dissenting vote. Board member Evelyn Isseks said the district should take measures to preserve the historic building.

“We seem to be getting rid of buildings, such as Chorley,” she said, referring to a local elementary school slated for demolition. Unfortunately, the high cost of asbestos abatement often deters school districts from choosing renovation in lieu of demolition or sale.

In New York State, the Queensbury Union Free School District is getting ready to embark on a massive undertaking. The district plans to spend $16.5 million on a project to improve local schools. The project will begin this spring, and will focus on improving the middle school and upgrading the district’s transportation building. Douglas Huntley, the superintendent of schools, said the project will take two years to complete.

"We will be taking full advantage of the next two summers," Huntley explained, adding that "Most of our attention for this spring will be at the transportation site."

Renovations at the middle school will be preceded by asbestos removal. Asbestos exposure can lead to mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer, later in life. Mesothelioma affects less than 3,000 Americans each year, and is always fatal. Sadly, despite the efforts of cancer researchers around the globe, the majority of patients lose their battle with this cancer in less than two years.

The cancer may affect the lungs, the lining of the heart (known as the pericardium), or other organs and tissues in the abdominal cavity. Asbestos exposure may also cause lung cancer, lung damage, and scarring of the lining of the lungs.

After asbestos removal is complete, the middle school will undergo renovations in the science classrooms and gym. Ventilation and heating systems will also be updated. At the elementary school, boilers, electrical systems, and ventilation are also getting an upgrade.

In Dunkirk, New York, two area schools will soon be getting some much needed upgrades and improvements. According to Dunkirk City School District Superintendent Gary Cerne, the district plans to be well under budget for these needed projects at the middle school and high school.

"The current building project, it looks like with the bids coming in low, about $800,000 under. We might be about $1 million under budget which is huge on a project that’s just over $7 million," Cerne explained.

"So we talked about prioritizing several things at the middle school that need to be done up above the gym, which is actually some windows to science rooms. The mortar is just falling out and it’s something that should have been done years ago," he said, adding that work on the middle school gym also needs work.

"We want to shift the court over to one side so that way we have room for bleachers on the other. Right now we have portable bleachers we use but when the people in the first row sit there their feet are on the court," Cerne said.

"The third thing was some asbestos in some old tile that will be taken care of. Mostly [at the] middle school," he added. Asbestos removal is a key way that schools can protect the health of their students. Asbestos exposure is conclusively linked to the development of mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer. Mesothelioma affects less than 3,000 Americans each year, and while there are palliative treatment methods available, including chemo, there is no known cure. Asbestos exposure can also cause many other respiratory problems.

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There has been a rise in concern for adequate healthcare for those returning home from service time over seas. Veteran hospitals across the country are taking a second look at the programs they offer and seeing need for more support during a soldier’s transition into civilian life.

Recognizing this void, the Syracuse VA Medical center has adopted a program in reaction to the increasing numbers of veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. This illness in particular has inhibited many soldiers returning home from combat.

Post-traumatic stress disorder is triggered by exposure to horrifying events, which for veterans are experienced while in combat. Those with PTSD have reoccurring frightening thoughts and possible flashback memories during their time at war. This condition often effects daily functioning and makes their transition back to home-life extremely difficult.

Suffering from ailments that were caused during a soldier’s service is an unfortunate occurrence that has become more prevalent due to higher awareness. Physical harm has also been a burden that some veterans are forced to face whether it be immediately or later in life.

A form of cancer that has been widely common among veterans is mesothelioma. This aggressive disease is caused by the inhalation of asbestos fibers. Because of asbestos’ large presence in the military, every branch was affected with airborne particles of asbestos. Navy shipyards were especially prone to then inhalation of this foreign product, since it was widely used in engine rooms and overall construction. Sadly, navy mesothelioma cases are all too common.

The Syracuse VA Medical Center is reacting to the increase of PSTD by creating a new program that gives support to not only the veterans, but the family members and care givers that are constantly challenged by the condition. Coordinator Ann Canastra emphasizes how taking care of the family will in turn better the care of veterans. The 12-week course is free and will focus on teaching family members about PTSD and ways deal with the illness and take care of themselves along the way.

In Ithaca, New York, the cleanup at the former site of Ithaca Gun is lurching forward, albeit very slowly. The project was delayed in the latter days of 2009 due to funding issues. The board of Empire State Development Corp. (the agency responsible for disbursing the grant money for the project) will decide later this month if the city of Ithaca will be allowed to redistribute $420,000 from the grant in order to clean up the site.

The money in question was originally slated to subsidize redevelopment, but the extent of the cleanup was far larger than was expected at the beginning of the project. Cleanup must be completed before redevelopment can begin. The money comes from the Restore NY grant fund. The money, if allowed to be used for cleanup, would be used to clear away piles of contaminated waste.

Asbestos and other hazardous materials are present at the site due to its age and the materials used to create firearms there in past decades. Asbestos exposure can lead to mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer that often targets the lungs. Mesothelioma affects less than 3,000 Americans each year, with the disease typically lurking dormant for up to fifty years before an individual begins to exhibit the first symptoms of the cancer.

Developer Frost Travis said, "From the state’s point of view I can understand this; they’ve been entrusted with these public funds and they want to make sure they’re put to work in the most cost-effective manner. And they feel that if they don’t have some money in reserve, then there’s no guarantee the project would actually happen. I’m willing to forego the $800,000 that I otherwise would be eligible for towards the redevelopment, because without it going toward the remediation, there’s no cleanup."

In Rochester, Minnesota, the St. Pius X Catholic Church has undergone a $2 million renovation. The project began last spring, and the first Mass in the new space was held on Christmas Eve. The congregation moved out of the sanctuary on Mother’s Day weekend in 2008 in order to allow construction crews to begin the project. Until recently, the congregation had been meeting in the St. Pius X school gymnasium while renovation work in the church was underway.

Bishop John Quinn is scheduled to dedicate the sanctuary on January 24. "We gutted it and put it back together," summarized parish administrator Denise DeRienzo, who directed the project.

The Reverend Charlie Collins, believes that now, "It’s a more beautiful church" after the renovation project, including the installation of a new skylight. The church is not only more beautiful, it has been safer. Asbestos was removed, and new heating, cooling, and sprinkler systems were installed.

Asbestos exposure is conclusively linked to the development of mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer. Mesothelioma affects less than 3,000 Americans each year, and the disease typically lies dormant for up to fifty years before an individual begins to suffer from mesothelioma symptoms.

Other aspects of the renovation project included new wall and ceiling coverings, improved restroom facilities, and updated wiring. The church has announced that they plan to wait until they have accumulated $35,000 to purchase a new organ and speakers for the updated church. The recent work is the first major renovation of the space since the church opened back in 1964.

One year after a tragic fire in Corinth, New York ravaged the local economy, the community has failed to bounce back. Now, local officials and residents are concerned about what the future may hold. Around this time last year, a fire consumed three area businesses situated in downtown Corinth, all of which operated out of buildings that were over one century old. It took seven months to clean up the fire debris and suspected asbestos contamination from the area.

Asbestos removal is needed after fires in older buildings in order to protect people from exposure to airborne asbestos particulate matter. Inhaling or ingesting these fibers of asbestos, even if accidentally, can prove to be lethal later in life. Asbestos exposure is conclusively linked to the development of mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer that often affects the lungs, as well as other parts of the body.

Mesothelioma affects less than 3,000 Americans each year, and while there are palliative treatment methods available, including chemo, there is no known cure. The disease typically lies dormant for up to fifty years before an individual begins to suffer from mesothelioma symptoms.

To date, there are no plans to rebuild on the lots where the stores once stood, and the local economy has become stagnant. "Sales have died," said Sher Millis, founder of the Adirondack Artists’ Studio on Main Street.

Village Mayor Brad Winslow added, "It’s been frustrating for me. We’re optimistic the properties are going to get rebuilt, but it’s been a long, hard process."

"There is nothing here, so they don’t stop any more," said Shirley G., 50, a local artisan.

"We have to support the village," Millis told local reporters. "We are committed to changing the energy here."