Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

February 19, 2008

Contact:
Eileen Larrabee
518.486.1868

Tompkins County Legislator Named Director of New York State Parks Finger Lakes Region

Appointment comes amid major initiative to revitalize State Parks system

New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner Carol Ash today announced that Tompkins County Legislator Tim Joseph has been named Director of the Finger Lakes Region.

"The Finger Lakes Region - with its spectacular waterfalls, magnificent gorges and the pristine lakes - needs a dedicated advocate to guide this truly unique region into the future," Ash said. "With a distinguished career in public service, deep roots in the area, and a record of passionate community activism, I am confident Tim Joseph will provide exceptional leadership for the region and the entire State Parks system."

Ash noted that Governor Spitzer's budget proposal this year contains a major initiative to address decades of underinvestment in the State Parks system, including over $7.7 million to upgrade facilities in the Finger Lakes.

"The great challenge before our agency right now is to revitalize our State Parks so they contribute fully to our communities' economy and quality of life," Ash said. "It's essential to have a leader like Tim Joseph in place during this exciting time."

Joseph has served on the Tompkins County Legislature for 15 years, and was elected chair six times, from 2001 through 2007. He holds a BA in Government and a Masters of Regional Planning, both from Cornell University. Joseph has worked for a number of local human service agencies, including the Alcoholism Council of Tompkins County, Offender Aid and Restoration, and Tompkins County Cooperative Extension.

In addition, Joseph has served the community as a member of the Tompkins County Economic Opportunity Corporation and the Caroline Town Planning Advisory Committee, as well as a volunteer mediator for the Community Dispute Resolution Center.

"Tim Joseph possesses a cooperative leadership style and ability to bring people together and gets results. I look forward to working with him to strengthen the recreational opportunities, economy and environment of the Finger Lakes area," said Ash.

The Finger Lakes Region is home to more than 23 state parks, including Watkins Glen State Park, Taughannock Falls State Park, and Fair Haven Beach State Park as well as two historic sites, the Sonnenberg Gardens and Mansion State Historic Park and Ganondagan State Historic Site, New York's only historic site dedicated to Native American history.

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