Jim Ellis honored for decades of work to bring passenger service back to region

by Dan McClelland

Adirondack Railroad President Frank Kobliski saved perhaps the most moving part of his speech Tuesday to the last- and that was the honoring of Tupper Lake Jim Ellis for his decades of advocation for the return of the train to Tupper Lake.

Calling Mr. Ellis back to the speaker’s desk after he and Paul Maroun had welcomed the guests earlier, the railroad CEO told the audience in the train station that “Jim has served on the Adirondack Railroad Preservation Board for years and he’s been a stalwart and dynamic force in bringing about what we celebrate today.”

“Jim, in recognition of your hard work and achievement I have from our board our first ever lifetime achievement award.”

He read the words on the framed proclamation:

“Whereas James Ellis, lifelong resident and favorite son of the Village of Tupper Lake, New York has dedicated more than 48 years of his life to bringing passenger rail service back to the Adirondacks- 30 of it as a director of the Adirondack Railroad Preservation Society and the operating Adirondack Railroad;

“And whereas, by his efforts and collaborations, and the support of his wife, Elaine, daughter Jamell Ellis Branch and son, John, the return of passenger rail to his home community is celebrated today, September 13, 2022;

“Be it known to all that the directors of the society bestowed the first lifetime achievement amount to James Ellis with grateful thanks and recognition of his inspiring example!”

Very loud applause.

Jim was joined in front of the audience by his family members.

The presentation was made behind a handcrafted ticket counter crafted by accomplished wood worker Jim Meade and donated to the station in memory of his mother Barbara Meade years ago, shortly after the station was finished.

Mr. Ellis, who is currently the chairman of the Franklin County Industrial Development Agency, never misses a chance to plug one of his pet projects. He took that public opportunity to explain that IDA, in preparation for the downtown revitalization initiative (DRI) grant for the next cycle is taking information today.

He pointed to the IDA staffer and the information table nearby, and said the IDA and community leaders want to know from the people of Tupper Lake and from its many visitors “what you want to see here in the Junction.”

The new grant application, he said, will cover a target area from the town’s Aaron Maddox Center to the western limits of the village.

“So let us know what you think,” he told the 100 or so in the audience that day.