FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 17, 2005
CANAL CORPORATION DIRECTOR BEGINS WEEKLY INTERNET ADDRESS
Weekly Broadcast on Empire State News Network Features News and Information about the New York State Canal System
Carmella R. Mantello, Director of the New York State Canal Corporation, has begun a weekly internet radio address on the Empire State News Network (www.empirestatenews.net). The weekly broadcast will feature news and information about the Canal Corporation and highlight recent events on the New York State Canal System.
“This is a great opportunity to share information with the public about the exciting proposals and new initiatives that are on the horizon for the NYS Canal System. Over the last five months, as I've traveled across the State, I've seen firsthand the incredible opportunities for increased tourism, recreation, and economic development along the Canal and look forward to working with local, state and federal officials, non-profit and private sector partners to make the Canal an international tourist destination.”
The weekly radio address is updated each Monday. Empire State News Network covers news and information about State and municipal government throughout the state. ESNN is a production of the Statewide News Network, Inc., which has been providing timely and active news coverage of State and local government in the Hudson Valley for three decades.
In late May 2005, Governor Pataki unveiled his vision for establishing the Erie Canal Greenway and, ultimately, the Empire State Greenway, connecting the Niagara, Erie and Hudson River Greenways. The Greenway concept seeks to incorporate a regional approach to land-use planning, tourism, recreational trail development and other collaborative initiatives. The purpose of the Erie Canal Greenway is to strengthen local ties across the Canal Corridor, while protecting and enhancing its natural and cultural resources for future generations.
The Canal Corporation and an interagency task force are conducting an outreach campaign to gather input and ideas and develop a comprehensive set of recommendations to create the new Erie and Empire State Greenways and examine certain roles and responsibilities currently assigned to the Canal Corporation. The recommendations will be delivered in a report to the Governor in December 2005.
For more information about news and events along the New York State Canal System, please call 1-800-4CANAL4 or visit www.canals.state.ny.us.
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