The Peru Gazette

By John T. Ryan

Several area residents reported seeing black smoke rising from a 507 Route 22B residence last evening.  The home burned to the ground, but it wasn’t bad news because the Peru Volunteer Fire Department was conducting a “practice burn” at the vacant house located across from Dimock Farms.  Chief Brian Westover said, “This is the first home we’ve had for a practice burn in about seven years.”

The practice burn enabled the Fire Department to give its new members valuable training. Before setting the entire home ablaze, a firefighter ignited a smoke fire in a 55-gallon drum in the home’s interior.  Using ladders and a South Plattsburgh Fire Department aerial ladder the firefighters mounted the home’s roof where they used axes and chain saws to cut ventilation holes.  Ventilation holes reduce smoke and reduce temperatures within a burning structure.  Next, the firefighters set a room ablaze and with the help of breathing apparatus they entered the home to extinguish the blaze.  Finally, the entire home was set afire giving firefighters the opportunity spray water on the building’s exterior. The department’s new pumper, referred to as Brutus, can pump up to 2,000 gallons a minute.  Experienced firefighters instructed the new members as they performed all this training.

The 1100-degree temperatures measured on the house’s roofline made it a very warm summer evening for the personnel.  The firefighters volunteer to do this while most of us are comfortable in our air-conditioned homes. A second practice burn will be held at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 23, 2011 at a large home near the corner of the Mannix and Clark Roads. (Click here to see more Peru Gazette photos).

The Adirondack Daily Enterprise reports

By Donald McBrayer

Geoffrey Spear was nominated to run for Town Councilor at the Peru Republican caucus that was held on Thursday, July 14th.

A Peru native,  Spear is the son of Dr. Merritt  & Joan Spear. Graduating from Peru Central in 1980, Spear went on to earn a B.S. degree in Biology/Chemistry and a Masters Degree in Education/Athletic Management at Springfield College, MA in 1988.

Spear works as a men’s soccer coach and college instructor at Plattsburgh State University. He is married to Dr. Anne-Marie Boule Spear, a dentist with offices in Peru and Plattsburgh. They have four children ages 9-18. Geoff is involved with the community as a member of the Peru Community Church, a volunteer Peru Youth Commission soccer coach, and a coach for the Plattsburgh youth travel soccer program.

“I’m running for the Town Council so I can be a voice for all citizens in making the decisions and taking the actions that will charter the course Peru should take over the next several years. Having spent my professional career as a coach, I know what it means to be a part of a team.  I am confident that I have the common sense, leadership ability, listening skills and understanding of working in a collaborative manner to be an effective member of the Town Board,” Spear stated.

Election day will be November 8th this year.

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Syracuse.com reports

By John T. Ryan

There’s a new flag flying high over the Champlain Valley thanks to the good works of the Woodmen of the World Life Insurance Society.  A flagpole has been erected at St. Patrick’s Oratory also known to many as Mother Cabrini Shrine. It was dedicated on Sunday, July 10^th at the St. Augustine’s-St. Patrick’s Annual Parish Picnic. Rev. Alan Shnob accepted the flagpole and flag in behalf of St. Augustine’s – St. Patrick’s Parish from Woodmen of the World District Representative Gary Liberty. The inscription on the flagpole plaque reads, “In Honor and Remembrance of the Heroes and Victims in the Fight Against Terrorism and to Celebrate the Enduring Spirit of All Americans.”

The Woodmen organization has made several similar presentations in neighboring communities including at the Veteran’s Park in Keeseville and the Brushton Fire Department in Franklin County. Two 10 ft. x 15 ft. flags were given to Clinton County Emergencies Services for use at ceremonies honoring people who have served the community.  In the next few weeks flagpoles will be presented to Plattsburgh Fire Station #2 and to Clinton Community College. Any non-profit organization can receive a flagpole or flag. Gary Liberty explained, “Woodmen of the World is a fraternal benefit society. Our goal is to protect families from financial hardship and to be active in bettering the community. Promoting patriotism is one of our most important activities.”

Rev. Alan Shnob and Gary Liberty

Liberty said there are some 3,600 Woodmen of the World members in the North Country. The Society offers members life insurance, investments and financial planning along with many social activities. Local members attend such functions as bowling days and a children’s Christmas party where every child receives a gift. Membership in Woodmen of the World is open to individuals of all ages.   For information, call Gary Liberty at 643-2381 or 569-1908.

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The Democrat and Chronicle reports

Richard Williams, Chairman of the Town of Peru Planning Board, called the meeting of Wednesday, May 11^th, 2011 at 7:00pm to order. Read more »

Adirondack Daily Enterprise reports

The Peru Community Church – St. Augustine’s Church Vacation Bible School is only a few days away. It will be held the week of August 1-5 beginning at 9 a.m. each day and ending at noon.  All children from age 3 through grade 6 are invited.  To register please call the Peru Community Church at 643-8641 or St. Augustine’s Church at 643-2435.

POTSDAM, NY (07/14/2011)Kregg Bruno used the unique combination of a successful high school career and a taste of the NCAA Division I level to create a standout three-year career as a wrestler at SUNY Potsdam.

Bruno, a member of the Bears wrestling team from 1981-84 and a 2011 Bears Hall of Fame inductee as of this Saturday, received an athletic scholarship from Syracuse University after becoming the first-ever New York State champion from Section VII at Peru Central School (He was inducted into that school’s Hall of Fame last October).

Following one semester of wrestling at SU, Bruno decided he needed a change. After finishing out the academic year, the Peru, N.Y., native met with Potsdam coach Neil Johnson and transferred to the College in 1981.

“Division I was too intense for me,” Bruno said. “I still enjoyed wrestling, but we practiced three times per day. I had a brother in St. Lawrence County, so I decided to attend Potsdam.”

The decision turned out to be the right one for Bruno, who became an All-American at 142 pounds at the 1981 NCAA Division III Championships. He would go on to earn All-State University of New York Athletic Conference honors twice, and was a SUNYAC champion in 1982-83. Read more »

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The Town of Peru Youth Commission is holding an open registration for their Fall Soccer Program at the Peru Town Hall.  Youth who reside in the Town of Peru and have not yet registered for the Fall Soccer Program can do so now through August 5th between the hours of 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM. 

Mini Mite ages are 4 & 5, Mite ages are 6,7 &8, and Pee Wee level is 9,10 and 11. 

For additional information, please call Youth Director, John Flynn at 643-6843.

The Times Union reports

Tyler Williams - Peru's 2011 Firefighter of the Year

By John T. Ryan

The Peru Volunteer Fire Department has chosen Tyler Williams as its 2011 Firefighter of the Year.  Chief Brian Westover said the award is a way of recognizing all the effort Williams has put forth for the department during the past year.  Tyler Williams has been a member of the Peru Volunteer Fire Department for fifteen years and has worked his way up to First Assistant Chief. Williams commented, “Firefighting has been a big thing in my family my whole life. My father Richard Williams was a firefighter and my grandfather Townsend Carpenter was a firefighter for 30 years.” Williams said that he looks upon firefighting as a great way to help the community. He lives a only short distance from the firehouse with his wife Heidi daughter Kaitlynn.

Please note – The Peru Gazette will have a story on the department’s EMS Provider of the Year.

Congressman Owens’ letter to Governor Andrew Cuomo