The Maye Case:
First APA Case by Example: E2004-043
In which the APA falsely and belligerently claims John & Dawn Maye’s home on Saranac River was illegally constructed, fined them $2.8 million and demanded removal. In an unusual move, the Town Board of Black Brook gets involved and the APA drops the case.
The Nature Conservancy played a critical role here. The Conservancy’s sale to the state fell through when an easement was denied by other owners. Subsequently, the APA charged John and Dawn Maye. Had the Mayes sold, the Conservancy would have purchased - and then been able to sell to The State of New York with the needed easements for recreational use.
John Maye was diagnosed with cancer before the APA commenced its proceeding.
Advocacy group members support their silent partners as they seek property from the indigenous, and to drive the indigenous and their employers them from the region. Donors want the playground for themselves; those who work for the advocacy groups and within the APA share the mission. All live here, and they want to cleanse the area of those born here. The mission is clear in their actions. Some of the less tactful state this objective openly.
Here is one:
Hi Sandy,
In order to give you a timeline for the John and Dawn Maye case, I have to start about two years ago.
The state of New York was trying to purchase the Domtar Timber lands in the Town of Black Brook. Because the Town of Black Brook had vetoed the purchase of the Lyme Timber Lands within the Town of Black Brook, the D.E.C. and representatives of Domtar Timber lands and The Nature Conservancy met with the Town of Black Brook to get the Town's input before they tried to go forward with this sale.
The Nature Conservancy purchased the Domtar Timber lands and intended to sell this parcel to the State of New York to be included as part of the Forest Preserve. A problem developed in that the parcel of land only had access by an easement or right of way for the purpose of forestry use. This caused the deal to not go through. The Nature Conservancy then contacted the Town, to inform the Town of the problem and the Nature Conservancy also informed the Town that they were trying to get an easement across the Maye's property to the Silver Land road.
About two years later, around May of 2008, different neighbors of John and Dawn Maye contacted the Town of Black Brook concerning an enforcement action that the APA was taking against John and Dawn Maye. The APA was claiming that their home was illegally constructed along the Saranac River that dissected the Maye's property. The APA was fining the Mayes over 2.8 million dollars and demanding the removal of their home. John and Dawn Maye's neighbors insisted that their home was a pre-existing camp that the Mayes converted into a home. These neighbors were asking the Town of Black Brook to get involved.
This issue was on the agenda for the June meeting at the Town of Black Brook. All of the Town Board members remembered the Nature Conservancy informing the Town that they were trying to get an easement for access to the Silver Lake road. We were concerned that the APA was being used to make the Mayes a willing seller. This concern didn't stem just from this one case, but rather from several different owners within the Town with similar complaints of the APA being used by the Nature Conservancy and/or the Adirondack Council as a bully for hire.
The Town of Black Brook sent a letter to the APA asking that the enforcement case for the Maye case be delayed for a month, so that we could check our records to see if there was anything that we could add to the case. We also asked for a meeting with Curtis Styles , chairman of the APA, which he agreed to and did meet with myself and Supervisor Ricky Nolan.
The Town of Black Brook also asked for party status in the enforcement hearing. This was requested because of our concern that the Nature Conservancy was using the APA to force the Mayes to sell an easement.
The Town received a quick response from the APA. The APA postponed the enforcement hearing. Curtis Styles met with Supervisor Nolan and myself. Paul Van Cott from the APA met with Supervisor Nolan, myself, John and Dawn Maye, at the Maye's home. It was determined at that time that the place was a pre-existing camp that had been legally converted into a single family dwelling.
Paul Van Cott then sent John and Dawn Maye a letter stating that the enforcement case is closed.
What is unique about this case is that the Town got involved instead of just standing on the sidelines. I doubt that the results would have been the same if the Town had not gotten involved. What is not unique about this case is that it is happening quite often. The relationship between the Nature Conservancy, Adirondack Council, and Adirondack Mountain Club and the APA is such that the APA is often used as a bully for hire.
Howard Aubin
PO Box 123
Ausable Forks, NY 12912
518-647-8883
Jun 16, 2004 Used by the APA: Maye Letters to APA staff requesting no trespassing
Mar 14, 2008 For APA: Susan Parker Affidavit
Mar 18, 2008 For APA: Fravor Affidavit
Mar 19, 2008 APA Notice of Apparent Violation
Mar 25, 2008 APA Memorandum of Law in Support of Request for Enforcement Committee Determination
Mar 25, 2008 APA: Paul Van Cott Request for Enforcement Committee Determination
Jun 24, 2008 Board of Town of Black Brook letter to APA Chm. Stiles registering APA pattern of behavior
Aug 1, 2008 APA: Enforcement’s Paul Van Cott writes to Mr. and Mrs. Maye - Closing Matter
Aug 5, 2008 Gratitude: Letter to Black Brook Board by Mr. and Mrs. Maye
