The Peru Gazette

The adirondack almanac reports (Sounds like a great book!)

The Press Republican reports

By Donald McBrayer

On the morning of December 21, just 15 hours before the winter solstice you’ll get a chance to witness the first total lunar eclipse in nearly 3 years. A total lunar eclipse happens when the shadow of the Earth passes over the surface of the moon completely covering it. The lunar eclipse begins at 1:35 AM and will last about 90 minutes.

The Moon will be easy to spot high in the southern sky near the borders of the constellations Taurus, and Orion. During the peak of the lunar eclipse the Moon will appear brownish orange or brick red and the sky will grow darker, allowing the bright winter stars surrounding our celestial neighbor to sparkle in prominence. Unlike a solar eclipse (the moon’s shadow passing over the Earth), a lunar eclipse is completely safe to watch.

While you’re looking up, glance a bit west of the eclipse to notice the sky’s brightest star cluster, the Pleiades (M45), also know as The Seven Sisters, in the constellation Taurus. This star cluster can be viewed almost any winter night, and is a marvel to look at through binoculars. Another wonder to check out with binoculars is the Great Orion Nebula (M42). This murky star nursery is located just under Orion’s Belt (three stars in the center of the Orion Constellation), and is 24 light years wide.

Weather is the only thing that will disrupt the view so if you miss this year’s lunar eclipse you’ll have to wait till April 2014 to catch the next one.

The Post Star reports

The Watertown Daily Times reports

The Watertown Daily Times reports

The Post Standard reports

The Watertown Daily Times reports

Peru Intermediate School teachers and staff followed what has become an annual tradition today when they distributed a tray of cookies and other edible delights to the bus drivers.  It’s a small way to show appreciation to vital members of the Peru Central education team. (Click here for more photos)

By John T. Ryan

December 17 update: Peru Voters approved the purchase of a new ambulance at the Tuesday, December 14th Fire Department voting.  The vote was 28 to 0. Robert Akey was unopposed and was reelected Department Treasurer. Courtney Tetreault was also unopposed and was reelected as a Fire Commissioner.

Dec. 13 – Peru voters are being asked to approve the purchase of a new ambulance and vote on the election of a Fire Commissioner and Department Treasurer. Voting will be held on Tuesday, December 14^th from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Peru Fire Station. The ambulance proposition will permit the Department to purchase an ambulance for not more than $175,000. $50,000 is on hand in the general fund and the current ambulance should sell for a minimum of $12,500, therefore the Department anticipates issuing serial bonds of approximately $112,500. The Department attempts to replace its ambulance every ten years. The current ambulance is a 1999 Ford.

Courtney Tetrault is running for re-election as a Fire Department Commissioner and Robert Akey is running for reelection as Department Treasurer.

Greg Timmons chairs the Fire Department Commissioners. Other members include Bruce Dimock, Frank LaBombard and Scott Houser.

The Watertown Daily Times reports

The Times Union reports

The Adirondack Daily Enterprise reports

The Mail reports

On December 27th at 6:45 p.m. the Town of Peru will conduct a public hearing to hear citizen comments on a revised Dog Control Law. The Peru Gazette asked Town Supervisor Peter Glushko to describe the proposed changes.  He responded: One big change is in the licensing procedures. NYS Agriculture and Markets no longer wants to administer and track the licensing of dogs in NY towns. This has been left entirely to the Town Clerks in the state and we have included the procedures that we as a Town will use to administer the notices and collect the fees involved. Other changes include:1) a set discounted fee for senior citizens for dog licensing; 2) Dogs under 4 months of age are not required to be licensed; 3) no more purebred licenses are required; 4) A dog enumeration (census) fee will now be levied when licensing dogs. Those are the more noteworthy changes in the new law.

Here is the proposed law in its entirety. Read more »

The adirondack almanac reports

The Press Republican gives us the chance to continue a wonderful tradition – click here

Brian Mann reports on National Public Radio

K of C Financial Secretary Donald McBrayer, Pat Holmes of the Peru JCEO and Grand Knight Allen Dixon

By John T. Ryan

St. Augustine’s Council 7273 Grand Knight Allen Dixon and Financial Secretary Donald McBrayer presented $150 of various canned foods to Pat Holmes, Manager of the Peru JCEO office. Holmes expressed his appreciation and said the food is especially needed at this time of year.

The Knights of Columbus is a Catholic, fraternal, service organization. Council 7273’s 160 members work together to serve youth, elderly, the sick and those in need. Since July 1st, the Council has donated almost $15,000 to St. Augustine’s Church and various other local programs.

The Associated Press reports

By Representative Bill Owens

Like many of my Democratic colleagues, I have long supported making the Bush-era tax cuts for the middle class permanent while letting the tax cuts for the ultra wealthy expire.  But unlike many in Washington, I have urged leadership of both parties to compromise on this issue.  Finally, after months of gridlock and finger-pointing from both parties, President Obama and Republicans in Congress have reached an agreement to do what is best for the American people – prevent a middle class tax increase on January 1 by agreeing to extend tax rates across all income levels for two years.

I support this compromise because job creation is my top priority.  Although I do not believe that extending tax cuts for the ultra wealthy will create jobs, and I’m concerned that doing so will unnecessarily add to the debt, I believe a two-year extension is a fair compromise and that the overall agreement contains significant job creation measures.  As we continue on the road to recovery, we will be able to revisit the tax rates for the wealthiest Americans when the economy is on stronger footing.

While many of my fellow Democrats believe that this compromise is a giveaway to the rich, nothing could be further from the truth.  The bipartisan agreement forged by President Obama and Congressional Republicans delivers several key victories for American families and small businesses in addition to the extension of current tax rates: Read more »

By Donald McBrayer

The Peru Town Board held its regular meeting on Monday, December 13. Everyone except Councilor Jim Douglass, who was excused, was present.

Meeting actions included:

·    Due to liability issues, the town cannot maintain the School Street sidewalk until the town accepts it. Acceptance of the sidewalk is dependent upon the passing of 3 core-sample tests by the Department of Transportation (DOT). Town Supervisor Peter Glushko informed the board that the sidewalk has passed the first DOT test. It is uncertain how long it will take before for the remaining two tests are completed.

·    Setting a Public Hearing date for the Dog Control/Licensing Law Revision scheduled for Monday, December 27th at 6:45 PM, preceding the regular meeting.

·    W/S Superintendent, Greg Timmons updated the board on progress at the River Road Project. The first 1000 feet of line was completed with minimal interruption to customers. The remaining 2000 feet will be completed in the spring.

·    The Rock Road School House being donated to the town must receive variance approval by the Zoning Board. The proposed subdivision to the original property lines does not meet current setback and road frontage requirements.

·    A “Thank You” from Town Supervisor, Pete Glushko to Kathy & John Flynn, Backporch Band, and the Peru Volunteer Fire Department for the wonderful time everyone had at the Christmas Tree Lighting on December 10th. See slideshow at: http://ryanjohn.zenfolio.com/p473634522/h3ba16460#h3ba16460

A recording of the meeting can be found at:  http://d1091839.domain.com/PeruTown/TBM-12-13-2010.WAV

Minutes for the November 22nd regular meeting were approved and can be found at:   http://www.perutown.com/min10.htm

Reports for all departments were approved and can be found at:
http://www.perutown.com/town.htm

The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 PM.

The Post Standard reports

By John T. Ryan

“I’m trying to pull off a little Christmas miracle.” That’s what Kim Senecal says about her effort to raise money to assist a friend. The friend, Nicole Morse, is an elementary teacher at Peru Central School. Nicole’s husband Jonathan is a patient at Mary Fletcher Hospital in Burlington where he is being treated for brain cancer. Nicole is traveling from her home just off Mason St. to Burlington each day. Kim would like to raise money so that Nicole could stay in a Burlington hotel at Christmas time. Kim says any extra money will be great because Nicole and Jonathan have had many expenses during the past several months and Jonathan lost his job at Wyeth. The Morse’s have one child, Sadie, who is six-months old. Kim Senecal is Sadie’s daycare provider.

Nicole Morse’s co-workers at Peru Central have been donating sick-leave to Nicole and taking up collections, but this is a chance for the entire community to help this local family in need.

Checks should be made out to Nicole Morse and mailed to Kim Senecal, 376 Salmon River Rd., Plattsburgh, NY 12901. If you have questions please call Kim Senecal at 561-7564.

Cherie LaDuke was the concert soloist

By John T. Ryan

St. Augustine’s Church was filled on Saturday, December 11th as the Keeseville-Peru Ecumencial Choir performed its 45th Annual Christmas Concert. Over 300 people enjoyed the choir’s performance under the direction of Jeanette Woodruff and accompanied by Carol Bachand on the piano, Steve Woodruff on the organ and Zachary Burgess on the snare drum. Selections ranged from “O Come. All Ye Faithful” and “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” to the very beautiful “There Is No Rose” and “Shepherd’s Pipe Carol.” Highlights included The “Little Drummer Boy” accompanied on the snare drum by Zachery Burgess and Cherie LaDuke’s solo in “Believe.”  Rev. Robert Svenson, Pastor of the Peru Community Church welcomed everyone and recited the Benediction while Rev. Alan Shnob, Pastor of St. Augustine’s Church, delivered the Christmas Message. The choir will perform the concert again tonight at 7:30 p.m. at St. John the Baptist Church in Keeseville. Click here for more photos (View as a slideshow to view the largest photos)