The Peru Gazette

A message from Congressman Owens

Last November, the voters sent a powerful message.  They were frustrated.  For two years all they saw was partisan bickering.  The message I got from the last election was to stop the arguing and actually get things done.  That’s why the “Lame Duck Session” that followed was so successful. While neither side was able to get everything they wanted we worked together to move the ball forward.  I thought that it would serve as a precursor of things to come…It seems I might have been wrong.

The first thing the new House Majority sought to do, wasn’t to create jobs, but was repealing the Health Care Reform law. This repeal, if signed into law, would increase the deficit by $230 billion.

Then, they announced that we would begin to work on cutting spending. While still not focusing on job creation, it was at least dealing with the economy. Unfortunately, the plan put forward was an ideological slash and burn program that severely cuts federal agencies like Social Security and the Department of Education and defunded the new Health Care Law which polling shows Americans want modified not killed. Goldman Sachs released a report on February 23, 2011 saying that the C.R. as proposed would substantially hurt the economy. They even went so far as to completely defund NPR and PBS, neglecting the key role public broadcasting plays in our schools and homes in rural America.

The new Majority is overreaching. I’m willing to work with anyone in Washington to ensure that we have sound policy and that Upstate New York’s voice is heard. But in order to do that people have to be willing to seek common ground. I propose a cut across the board of 2.5-3%. This way we reach the goal of the Majority of cutting spending, while at the same time making the cuts manageable. I will continue to push this effort as I feel that it is a common sense solution to the problems we face.

Wasting a week to put out an overtly partisan budget that passed at 4:00 am this weekend with a party-line vote was nothing but an exercise in futility. Our time should have been spent seeking a compromise with the Senate.

We can and must do better.

Thank you,

Bill Owens

Member of Congress

File Photo

AGENDA TOWN BOARD REGULAR MEETING, FEBRUARY 28, 2011 @ 7:00 PM Read more »

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From the office of Congressman Owens

PLATTSBURGH – Congressman Bill Owens today announced a request to small business owners in New York’s 23rd Congressional District to help identify existing and proposed federal regulations that impede economic development and job creation.  Business owners are encouraged to share experiences and ideas with Congressman Owens through a new page on his website at https://owens.house.gov/Contact/SmallBizRegs.htm.. Read more »

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Here is the state by state tax data

The Press Republican reports

AGENDA, PERU PLANNING BOARD, Wednesday, March 9th, 2011, 7:00 p.m. Peru Town Hall

1. CALL meeting to order.

2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.

3. ROLL CALL.

4. APPROVAL of February Minutes.

5. OPEN floor to Public Hearing.

6. SUBDIVISION & SEQR: KLC DEVELOPMENT LLC.

Minor Subdivision ~ Calkins Rd.

7. DISCUSSION: S. BAZZANO, INC.

Hours of Operation ~ Pasquale’s Pizzeria

8. ANY FURTHER BUSINESS.

9. CEO REPORT.

10. ADJOURNMENT.

From the office of A. Paul Scott, Superintendent of Schools

Peru Central School District’s Board of Education has its second budget development workshop this coming Tuesday, March 1st at 6 PM in the community room, adjacent to the main entrance of Peru High School. It’s anticipated the Board will:

1. Discuss a set of Peru Central ‘Key Points’ that outline how the school district can respond thoughtfully to the Governor’s executive budget proposal.
2. Approve a proposed ‘Public Service Emphasis for 2011-2012’ list of eight progressive strategies, helping Peru Central maintain strong programs, even while increasing efficiency in all instructional programs and support operations.
3. Examine the anticipated ‘top’ 2011-2012 budget increases by category of expenditure, as reported in the February 20, 2011 Press-Republican news story entitled ‘Peru CSD Faces Huge School-Budget Gap’.
4. Examine facts and figures on class sizes at each grade span, compared with statewide average class sizes for elementary, middle and high school.
5. Receive the Superintendent’s briefing on prospective attrition via retirement for July 1, 2011 forward, and discuss Peru Central’s successful use of attrition in recent years as the preferred method of reduced employment, rather than layoffs.
6. Receive and discuss a preliminary draft revenues estimate for 2011-2012. The revenues estimate is subject to ongoing revision, based on school board feedback and updated financial figures from New York State.
   

Residents who attend the workshop will receive an information packet, to help them follow along, according to Peru Central Superintendent of Schools A. Paul Scott.

The Adirondack Daily Enterprise reports

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The Observer Dispatch reports

The Lo-Hud.com reports