The North Country is saying goodbye to a prominent figure. Black River resident Jim Kanik died Thursday at Samaritan Medical Center. He was 84.

Kanik is remembered for his leadership of the Development Authority of the North Country (DANC) and for his role in major projects that have helped shape the region.

Officials are also crediting his leadership for helping guide DANC as its first executive director.

"The Development Authority was Jim's legacy," said current executive director Jim Wright.

"From the beginning, it could have gone a number of different directions," Wright said. "Jim Kanik provided a vision, a direction for the Development Authority."

When Fort Drum talked expansion in the early 80s, Kanik sought to have Watertown benefit financially.

He is credited for helping secure the expansion of the city's water and waste water systems to the post, a financial boon for the city.

"Jim believed very strongly that if Fort Drum simply built their own infrastructure on post, that we as a community would be missing out," said DANC's Tom Sauter.

Kanik was also instrumental in the development of the highly debated Rodman landfill.

"This community needed a landfill to address the problems of its townships and counties," Wright said. "It needed a landfill to address the population growth of Fort Drum."

Kanik drew both praise and criticism over the landfill project, but former colleagues say he kept his focus.

"As unpopular as that was," Wright said, "Jim Kanik took it on and Jim Kanik got the job done."

His legacy isn't just high-profile projects. Colleagues and friends say Kanik is remembered for helping struggling local agencies.

"He worked with smaller public or private agencies, particularly those who provided a service to the community, in helping them get on financial track," said Don Alexander, a former colleague of Kanik's.

Funeral arrangements are with D.L. Calarco Funeral Home in Watertown.