LONG LAKE -- A diverse gathering of elected leaders, environmental groups, state officials and special-interest groups met recently to try to tackle common challenges facing the Adirondack Park.

It was the second-annual meeting of the Common Ground Alliance, an ongoing attempt to forge alliances among natural adversaries.

"We're more in violent agreement than disagreement," said APA Chairman Curt Stiles.

The Common Ground Alliance presents a unique opportunity for stakeholders across the park to join forces and tackle the common problems everyone faces, he said.

State Sen. Betty Little (R-Queensbury) said she was impressed to see the more than 160 people gathered.

"I think that, while we do have differences, I think the common thing that we have is that we all love the Adirondacks. We love what we have, and we want to see it continue with sustainable communities, as well as continuing with preservation of the environment."

Brian Houseal of the Adirondack Council urged the gathering to set aside its differences for the afternoon to concentrate on some common causes.

"There are things that we can agree on and we all know that have to be solved, and there is other stuff -- lest I mention ATVs -- that we can't resolve today. But let's go for the ones that we all know commonly that we can get to."

TOP CONCERNS

A survey with 14 issues was distributed, with attendees ranking issues they felt needed to be addressed.

Property taxes topped the list; the lack of broadband Internet and energy issues tied for second. At the bottom of the list were threats from acid rain and invasive species.

Bill Osborne, director of the Hamilton County Department of Economic Development and Tourism, said the Common Ground Alliance's priorities aren't necessarily the most pressing in the park but are those on which they can find common ground.

Osborne said the list didn't address what he considered the most pressing challenge: creating meaningful year-round employment in Adirondack communities.

James McKenna, director of the Lake Placid-Essex County Visitors Bureau, said issues like property taxes are a statewide problem and that this group should focus on issues that are unique to the Adirondacks.

Osborne and Adirondack Mountain Club Executive Director Neil Woodworth presented a joint proposal: The alliance should work to bring a climate-change research facility to the Adirondacks that is partnered with a college or university. It would study weather patterns and the threat of pollution and invasive species and identify economic opportunities.