On Aug. 7, the Oneida Lake Association blended picnic and policy by hosting a meeting at Arrowhead Lodge at Oneida Shores County Park. Nearly 80 people, including members of law enforcement, the DEC and state, county and town legislators, such as State Sens. John DeFrancisco and Dave Valesky, Oswego County Legislator Roy Reehil and Cicero Town Supervisor Mark Venesky, were in attendance. Cornell, ESF, USDA Wildlife Services, the state fish hatchery and many other conservation-minded organizations were also represented.
This meeting provided an opportunity to network and discuss many topics related to the health and welfare of Oneida Lake. The first half of the meeting included an outdoor barbecue, providing attendees an opportunity to network and brainstorm ideas on ways to share in a commitment to preserving and enhancing the lake’s environmental and commercial health. One of the highlights of this event was a fly-in by Air 1, the helicopter from the Onondaga Sheriff’s Department. The Brewerton Fire District also brought their rescue boats for close inspection.
The meeting then transitioned to the spacious lodge, where OLA President Warren Darby addressed the attendees. He and OLA Board Member Matt Snyder presented slides on the work and history of the OLA. A representative from the Brewerton Fire Department spoke about the dramatic rescue of four teenagers who were adrift on a jetski through most of the night of July 2. Deep diver Tim Caza then closed out the program with astonishing images of shipwrecks he has uncovered at Oneida Lake’s bottom, including the only Durham boat ever discovered in New York state.
If you share an interest in Oneida Lake and its surrounding, consider joining the OLA. Visit us at oneidalakeassociation.org.
