Nov. 5 The vote was NO. Thanks to all who helped defeat this issue.

NYS's constitution requires that every 20 years, voters are asked if they wish to convene a convention to re-write the NYS constitution. That vote is on November 4th. Concern has been expressed by many conservation groups (League of Conservation Voters, Sierra Club), that once the door is opened delegates would consider a wide range of potential amendments, including (if past history is a guide) significant alterations to our beloved Article 14. This is the famous "forever wild clause" which now safeguards the public lands of the Adirondack and Catskill Forest Preserves from development and timber harvesting. A major concern at previous state constitutional conventions has been efforts to package amendments weakening Article 14 with a slate of more popular initiatives. Said TC President, "While this is just one issue in a much bigger package, I urge all hikers carefully weight the issues in allowing the constitutional door to open again. While I will be away during the election, I am concerned enough that I applied for an absentee ballot"