- [Stephfond] Tonight on "WPBS Weekly: Inside The Stories".

Canadians continue to pay high rates for internet services despite a year long push to lower prices.

We'll tell you more.

And, do you recognize this political figure?

He's part of a documentary by writer Maury Thompson.

Charles Evans Hughes was a presidential candidate in 1916, who was born in Glens Falls.

All this and more coming up on "WPBS Weekly: Inside The Stories".

(serious music) - [Announcer 1] "WPBS Weekly: Inside The Stories" is brought to you by the Watertown Oswego Small Business Development Center, a public resource offering confidential business advice for starting or expanding a small business.

- Good Tuesday evening, everyone.

I'm Stephfond Brunson.

Welcome to another edition of "WPBS Weekly: Inside The Stories".

The pandemic has caused a surge in demand for the services we access from our homes in Canada.

Internet, entertainment, TV, and streaming, and all that demand is pushing internet prices higher.

Now, a decision from the regulator may stoke bills upwards even more.

Here's how.

(cash register rings) - [Jamie] It's now something of a pastime among Canadians, a tradition that young and old alike partake in.

- The bill is too high.

- Those are too high.

- It's expensive.

It's one of the most expensive utilities that you've pay per month.

- [Jamie] That's right.

Complaining about how much we all pay for our telecommunication services like television packages, phone and wireless costs, or our internet plans.

- Spotty service, no internet, it drops, it's goes on for days.

Cable, yeah.

And that doesn't seem to be any kind of real resolution.

- [Jamie] Gripes about internet specifically have grown and amid the pandemic.

- And it could be overused in our house.

We've tried different solutions, but still it's a little inconsistent from time to time.

- [Jamie] Now calls into the CCTS or Commission for Complaints for Telecom Services, which handles consumer issues with Bell, Rogers, Telus and others may be about to jump further according to the country so-called independent ISP providers.

- [George] It matters to you because first of all, as a Canadian, you're being soaked for your telecom services, both mobile, which we know very well, and internet.

- [Jamie] George Burger represents one such smaller provider, VMedia in Toronto, which is now being forced to lift prices on their subscribers.

Thanks to a recent decision from the CRTC led by current chair, Ian Scott.

The decision?

To restore higher costs that smaller players pay to big telecom to piggyback on their networks and offer an alternative to consumers.

And there are lots of providers like VMedia across the country now affected by the May 27th decision, forced to raise prices, effectively lifting the average cost to connect online for all Canadians, Burger says.

- In the end, we have no choice but to increase our rates and that's gonna impact our subscribers, but it's also going to impact the market because the higher our rates are, the higher the benchmark is against which the large companies priced themselves.

- [Jamie] Telecom services is major business.

More than $50 billion annually in this country, much of that concentrated among a handful of big players like Rogers and Bell, Shaw Communications and Cogeco.

The big telcos have held the regulators decision saying it will allow them to continue spending on network expansions, including in vaunted next-gen systems like 5G.

"We're pleased the CRTC has recognized the critical role that network builders play in connecting Canadians everywhere."

Bell said in a statement on May 27th.

"It's a positive decision that enables the major infrastructure investments Canada needs, including Bell's accelerated capital plan."

The decision means those players could reap an estimated windfall of nearly half a billion dollars.

It's also raised criticism of Scott, a former lobbyist.

- Given that the hit that we took, given the hit that the consumers took and given the incredible benefit and windfall that the incumbents got again, it really casts a huge shadow over the credibility of our telecom regulatory system.

It fits everybody's worst impressions about how at the end of the day, the big companies basically own the regulators.

- [Jamie] After shelter and food costs, according to Statistics Canada, our communication services combined represent the third biggest expense for the average Canadian household.

Something that Ottawa and the liberal government remained concerned about.

- [Reporter] The Minister for Innovation, Science and Industry Francois-Philippe Champagne indicating this month that the decision is being reviewed now.

Telling the Toronto Star, he quote, "Hears the voices of the smaller providers and recognizes that wholesale rates play an important part in competition."

- And the overall framework has to, at some point, be completely reassessed because in the end, consumers are going to pay increasing higher prices.

Look right now, telecom services are the third highest expenditure for Canadian households after food and shelter.

(suspense music) - Meantime, on the US side, a Glens Falls journalist and filmmaker has produced a documentary about a local forgotten historical figure.

That local figure is Charles Evans Hughes.

Hughes was a civil rights activist, a New York state governor, a presidential candidate and chief justice in the Supreme Court.

PBS Mountain Lakes Thom Hallock sat down with the writer and has more.

- And we're joined now by Maury Thompson who wrote, produced and directed this documentary.

Welcome.

- Thank you.

- Appreciate you being here.

Many of our viewers will recognize you and certainly your name.

They've seen your byline and read your articles for many years.

You reported on politics and local government and business for more than 20 years with The Post-Star newspaper in Glens Falls.

You retired in 2017.

You continue to write articles on the region's history for both The Post- Star and the Lake George Mirror.

And you picked up a book on New York politics at a Crandall Public Library book sale a few years ago, and read about this former governor, presidential candidate and US Supreme Court justice, who was born in Glens Falls, Charles Evans Hughes.

Prominent politician and statesman, later chief justice of the US Supreme Court, yet I think if you ask 10 people, "Who is Charles Evans Hughes?

", you will probably get looks from people saying, "I don't know."

Why do you think that is?

- Well, I think that there's probably a lot of former governors and non-victorious presidents (laughs) Who people wouldn't know off the top of their heads.

With Hughes in particular, his story maybe never caught the wavelength like a Teddy Roosevelt or FDR, so that's kind of why I've devoted many hours of my life to telling his story through articles, blog posts, a book, and now a documentary, and who knows what else for as long as I live on the earth.

(Thom laughs) - When you read about him in that book that you had picked up, had you heard of him?

- I'd heard of him.

And I knew about his house on Center Street in Glens Falls.

I didn't know much about him.

What caught my attention was the depth of the many things that he had done.

I mean, you read off that list and you add that, that he was the first president of the Baptist Church, that he helped found a national organization for understanding between Jewish people and Christians, and that he raised the money for Admiral Byrd's flight and many other things that he did.

Any one of those would make a great achievement.

He had dozens of achievements.

- Yeah.

To be a New York governor, to run for president in 1916, he did lose to Woodrow Wilson in a close race.

- Yup.

Barely loss.

- Barely loss.

- I'd like to say that a couple of 4,000 votes in California and we'd have a presidential library in Glens Falls.

So I sorta jokingly say we need to build the almost presidential library.

(both laugh) - What was it that got him into politics?

- He was a lawyer in New York City and the state hired him, first of all, to do an investigation of the utility industries and then an investigation of the life insurance industries.

And the life insurance industry, he revealed a lot of corruption in that industry and many reforms then were made as result, and that catapulted him into politics.

I say catapulted him because it wasn't necessarily his decision.

There was a democratic candidate you may have heard of, William Randolph Hearst, the newspaper publisher and Teddy Roosevelt felt that Hughes had the name recognition and the popularity from the life insurance industry, that he was the one that could carry the ticket.

- And he won.

That was another close race, but he defeated William Randolph Hearst, the newspaper mogul.

And in his two terms as governor, what was going on in New York at the time?

- [Maury] Labor rights, he had a strong record on labor legislation.

Also, the shutting down of the racetracks, a very close decision, something that he championed, went statewide.

Of course, as the son of a Baptist minister, he's opposed to gambling.

The state constitution at the time, prohibited racetrack gambling, but there were ways around that.

And Hughes got legislation passed that you might say closed that loophole and many of the racetracks, the race section in New York state shut down for a time because of that.

Of course, that made Hughes very unpopular in Saratoga Springs, as well as some other places, but made him very popular nationally as a reformer.

The third area would be in protecting the Adirondacks.

- [Thom] Mm hmm.

The waterways and land conservation.

He brought together a coalition to purchase state land, purchased quite a bit of state land.

And he also implemented a major reforestation program.

- [Thom] In the documentary, it talks about, I think it was a 115,000 acres preserved by the state under his watch.

He saw clearcutting.

He saw the effects of clearcutting, the impact it had and he despised that.

And that was part of the reason that he helped do what he could to end clearcutting in the Adirondacks.

- [Maury] He had a good overall view of the importance of stewardship.

- What seems to be the consensus on what kind of governor he was?

- Generally regarded as a very strong governor.

He was regarded as a hero just about every place in the nation, except in New York, where they're very angry over the racetrack issue.

Taft became the leading candidate and he campaigned across the country for Taft.

And then in 1909, Taft came to Fort Ticonderoga, many political pundits say that that was where the die was cast for Hughes to go on the court.

- Which he did the year later.

- Yes.

- He was appointed by Taft - Yes.

- to the US Supreme Court, isn't it?

Associate justice.

So he stayed on the court for six years until 1916.

- 1916.

- And that's when he was the Republican nominee for president.

- [Maury] For suffrage was a big issue with that election.

- [Thom] He supported the suffrage movement.

- [Maury] He did.

Yes.

He was the first Republican presidential candidate to have a women's campaign team.

They were called the Hughesette.

They went across the country by train and campaign on his behalf.

As I said earlier, he nearly lost that election.

After the election, and this is what speaks to today, this is probably the most compelling facet of Hughes to me is his devotion to political civility, and something that speaks so soundly in today's society.

He nearly lost the election to Woodrow Wilson, but after the US in World War I, he made speeches saying, we've got to get behind.

We've got to rally behind President Wilson.

- That says a lot about his character.

You talked to his biographer in the documentary.

He says that he believes Hughes is viewed bond as one of the greatest chief justices of the US Supreme Court of all time.

- [Maury] Many regard him as that.

- [Thom] You talked with the Supreme Court justice from Warren County, and he said much the same, that here was a guy with a vision years before many other people, especially when it came to race and civil rights.

- Yes.

He was very much dedicated to peace and tolerance.

- He, through the years, talked about his love of Glens Falls.

- When he came to Glens Falls to make a speech when he was campaigning for governor in 1906, when he opened a speech saying, "It's so good to breathe my native air again."

- That's where we know where the title - That's the where the title comes with the documentary.

- to the documentary comes.

So he cherished growing up here and being a native son of Glens Falls.

- Yes.

- When you read about Hughes in the book, did you immediately say, "You know what, this sounds like a great documentary."

- No.

- [Thom] Or did it take a while?

- It took a while.

Shortly after I retired from The Post-Star, I met Caitlin Stedman - [Thom] Mm hmm.

- from Snarky Aardvark Films and we talked about the idea.

What evolved was a project that, is not only a history project, but a tourism project, because it shows his connections with the various historical and cultural sites of our region.

- Tonight, we sweep you away to Robert Moses State Park in Massena, New York.

Take a virtual trip before you plan an actual one and prepare to explore over 2000 acres of natural beauty.

(car honking) - [Joseph] Not to be confused with the Long Island state park with the same name, Robert Moses State Park is located partly on the mainland of Massena, New York, and partly on Barnhart Island in the St. Lawrence River.

Visitors can reach the park through a tunnel under the Eisenhower Lock.

With over 2,300 square acres worth of space, Robert Moses State Park offers many amenities and activities, including wooded campsites and cabins, a marina and boat launch and plenty of fishing locations.

A swimming beach, tennis courts, and a year-round nature center.

- I am Doug Crawley.

I'm the Park Manager at Robert Moses State Park and the Thousand Islands.

This is my fourth summer as park manager here.

Well, The Nicandri Nature Center opened last year, so this is our second summer operating.

They offer day programs, programs in the woods, hiking programs, as well as the interpretive exhibits that are inside the building.

Right now, they're open seven days a week.

After Labor Day, they'll be closed on Monday and Tuesday, but they offer year-round programming.

(serene music) - [Doug] Yeah, there's several miles of trails in behind The Nicandri Nature Center.

There's a couple different loops that have overlooks.

(serene music) - [Announcer 2] The Nicandri Nature Center's mission is to promote awareness, appreciation, and respect for the environment through exploration, education and outdoor recreation.

They offer free programs, events, and recreation for all visitors.

A perfect place for both children and adults to learn about the local wildlife and habitats.

Visitors can easily spend a few hours here interacting with the exhibits and enjoying the nature trails.

(serene music) Although camping and the marina are seasonal, day use of the park grounds for activities such as skiing, snowshoeing and hiking are year-round.

With over 200 campsites, 15 cabins, and 120 slips in their marina, this park is a very popular location in St. Lawrence County.

(serene music) The vast variety of wildlife available to see is another reason many visit Robert Moses.

- Well, a lot of people drive through in the evening time to look at our deer.

We have a very healthy deer herd out here in the park.

There's no hunting out here, so you see deer every evening.

Raccoons, skunks, Canada goose, all the usual stuff, but a lot of deer besides.

We get a lot of people come out for carp.

We do a couple of carp tournaments through the season.

The Walleye Association is really big out here.

There's a lot of good walleye fishing and some of the deeper holes.

(serene music) - [Announcer 2] The Seaway Visitor Center at the Eisenhower Lock provides tourists and ship watchers with an observation deck, where they can view commercial vessels and cruise ships from around the world as they travel through the lock.

Guides are available to provide additional information to visitors.

Hundreds of ships from all over the world make thousands of transits through the St. Lawrence Seaway annually, carrying a wide variety of cargoes, including grains, iron ore, coal, steel and stone.

(serene music) Rental facilities at Robert Moses State Park are available for you to host your next family reunion, graduation party, or wedding at one of the park's picnic areas or beach gazebos.

The museum and 2,300 acre park provide opportunity for year-round learning and recreation.

- Before we head out for the evening, we leave you with a hauntingly beautiful song by North Country musicians, Joseph and Shannon Foy.

Here they are with "Ghost".

(drums playing) ("Ghost" by Joseph and Shannon Foy) ♪ Even when the door slams ♪ ♪ Even when it's gone when I thought it would last ♪ ♪ There's something in the madness ♪ ♪ Buried in the echoes that keep bringing me back ♪ ♪ And I long for the heartaches ♪ ♪ And even for the wars that I fought in my head ♪ ♪ Thinking you're alive when you know that you're dead ♪ ♪ How can I move past this ♪ ♪ When I'm a ghost ♪ (sad music) ♪ I'm afraid to move on ♪ ♪ Clinging to a life that was filled with regret ♪ ♪ But standing on the outside ♪ ♪ My feet are on the edge with my face to the glass ♪ ♪ And I can see the streetlights ♪ ♪ Were they always there ♪ ♪ Were they ever that bright ♪ ♪ Did I walk alone on the darkest night ♪ ♪ Who would have seen me ♪ ♪ When I'm a ghost ♪ ♪ I'm alone ♪ ♪ Deciphering codes to get back home ♪ ♪ My spirit is slowly losing hope ♪ ♪ But my time has finally come ♪ ♪ But I can't go ♪ ♪ When I've left everything unsown ♪ ♪ Show me the world before it's gone ♪ ♪ Tell me my train won't come ♪ ♪ Tell me my train won't come ♪ ♪ Tell me my train won't come ♪ ♪ Tell me my train won't come ♪ ♪ Tell me my ♪ (sad music) ♪ I know all the secrets ♪ ♪ I see you when you come and I see when you go ♪ ♪ But there's nothing to believe in ♪ ♪ I'd rather be asleep or I'd rather not know ♪ ♪ So bury all your demons ♪ ♪ And the letters that you wrote ♪ ♪ They can burn instead ♪ ♪ Of sitting on the edge of your broken bed ♪ ♪ You need to move past this ♪ ♪ 'Cause you're not a ghost ♪ (sad music) ♪ But I can't go ♪ ♪ When I've left everything unsown ♪ ♪ Show me the world before it's gone ♪ ♪ Tell me my train won't come ♪ (serious music) - That does it for us this Tuesday evening.

Join us next week for a fresh look inside the stories.

Ottawans are rediscovering the city now that COVID restrictions are slowly lifted.

Come walk, bike, and paddle with folks thrilled to be back in touch with nature.

And, from Ottawa to the waters of Oswego, New York, move along out of Syracuse makes kayaking and other recreational activities accessible for all.

Join us for these stories and much, much more.

Meantime, if you have a story idea and you'd like to see us explore, or you're a musician or a poet that would like to be featured, email us at wpbsweekly@wpbstv.org.

Until then, good night everyone.

(upbeat music) - [Announcer 1] "WPBS Weekly: Inside The Stories" is brought to you by the Watertown Oswego Small Business Development Center.

Offers confidential business advice for those interested in starting or expanding their small business.

A public resource serving Jefferson, Lewis and Oswego Counties since 1986.

♪ They can burn instead ♪ ♪ Of sitting on the edge of your broken bed ♪ ♪ You need to move past this ♪ ♪ 'Cause you're not a ghost ♪ (sad music)