Page 78: of Marine News Magazine (November 2011)

78MNNovember 2011In February, New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo selected Brian U. Stratton to serve as the new Director of the New York State Canal Corporation, the agency responsible for New York State?s 524-mile canal network. Because Stratton had served as Mayor of Schenectady, one of the Canal System?s most historic cities, he was intimately familiar with the issueswhich face upstate New York com- munities throughout the Canal corri- dor, including transportation and infrastructure issues. Already, Stratton?s role has begun to benefit the people and communities alongthe Canal that rely upon the historic waterway for recreation and perhaps more importantly, economic develop- ment.BUSYAGENDA? ALLBUSINESSAlthough not necessarily prominent on the nation?s ?marine highway? agenda, the Canal Corporation is apublic authority under the adminis-trative oversight of the NYS Thruway Authority comprised of approximate- ly 500 full time employees. The Corporation maintains and operates57 locks, 16 lift bridges, a fleet of over 60 maintenance vessels such as tug- boats and dredges, and numerous other water control structures. For his part, Stratton hit the ground running, traveling to Chicago for MARAD?s 2nd annual National Port Summit on April 21. There, he met with Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and with port and trans- portation officials about issues impacting New York?s inland water- New Director, New Direction for NY Canals MN#11 (66-81):MN 2011 Layouts 11/2/2011 4:02 PM Page 78