NYS Department of Civil Service

The adirondack almanac reports

By John T. Ryan

Ann and Lincoln Sunderland were gracious enough to open their home and property, known as the Keese Homestead, to the general public on Friday and Saturday October 22^nd and 23^rd, 2010. The Sunderlands knew some people wanted to see their historic home. Lincoln says people often walk on the edges of their front lawn to take pictures. Lincoln, well-known locally as the author of a book entitled “Peru History,” doesn’t mind. The Sunderlands decided to charge $5.00 per adult for the tour with the proceeds going to the Peru Community Church Ladies Guild. Ann said, “I thought we might raise $100 or $200.” Well, Ann underestimated that amount just a little! Over $2,500 was collected during the two days with 164 people touring on Friday and at least 348 on Saturday. Ann and Lincoln were showing the home to as many as thirty people at a time.

The Sunderlands are the first non-Keese family to reside in the home. Richard Keese, for whom Keeseville was named, purchased one square mile of property at this location in the 1790’s. Richard and his wife and eleven children lived in a small wooden structure (later to be a hen house) that still stands behind the Sunderland’s home. Richard Keese moved to Keeseville and built a beautiful home where the Mobil gas station now stands. In 1837, Richard’s son Peter built the Sunderland’s 6,000 square foot, seventeen-room home. The Sunderlands believe that Edward Downs from Clintonville was the mason who erected the home with its three-foot thick exterior walls. The initials “ED” are carved on one side of the house and have been found on other local buildings. (Click here to see photos)

The Sunderland’s raised their three daughters in the home (Carolyn, Beverly and Jill) after purchasing it in 1974. Over the year’s they’ve made the home more comfortable for living by replacing windows and uncovering once-concealed fireplaces, refinishing flooring and painting all the interior walls. Fortunately, Ann and Lincoln have a immense respect for the home’s historical significance. Touring the home is still a lesson in 19^th century history. This past weekend Ann said that people touring the “summer kitchen” found the clothes basins and dish washing basins with its wood burning chamber underneath to be very interesting. People also appreciated the original wooden ceiling beams and beautiful fireplace in the kitchen. Others will always recall the Italian marble fireplaces in the parlors, the Redford class in the doors and a few of the windows and the original and very beautiful wooden stair railing. Richard Keese’s original home and the nearby granary and corn-crib built in the 1790’s are all in excellent condition.

Everyone fortunate enough to tour the Keese Homestead is indebted to Lincoln and Sunderland for their hospitality and their respect for one of our region’s most significant properties.

The Adirondack Daily Enterprise reports

The Adirondack Daily enterprise reports

also –

North Country reps object to Grannis’ firing

The Adirondack Daily Enterprise reports

The Buffalo Evening News Includes a very interesting video interview with Mr. Cuomo. Like him or not, based on the polls it appears he will be our next governor.

The Adirondack Daily Enterprise reports

The Post Star reports

The Watertown Daily Times reports

The Watertown Daily Times reports

The Adirondack Daily Enterprise reports

The Press Republican reports (The Gazette featured a report on this issue on October 15, 2010)

AGENDA TOWN BOARD REGULAR MEETING October 25, 2010 @ 7:00 PM Read more »

The Free Press reports

The Watertown Daily Times reports

The Times Union reports

The Democrat and Chronicle reports

Congressman Owens News Release

PLATTSBURGH – If anyone was wondering why Matt Doheny loves loopholes in the tax code, we have an answer: it’s because he got rich while his company used loopholes to avoid taxes in the Cayman Islands, an off shore tax haven. Read more »

AGENDA TOWN BOARD SPECIAL MEETING OCTOBER 21, 2010 @ 6:15 PM

1. Call Meeting To Order

2. Pledge of Allegiance

3. Roll Call

4. DISCUSSION/MOTION: Approval for advertisement for bids for River Road water project.

5. DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: 2011 County Snow Removal Contract

MOTION: Adjourn

By Donald McBrayer

At 9:30 this morning, while many of us were going about our business on this rainy autumn day, a gathering of our area top Republicans met at the Plattsburgh Common Council Chambers to witness the endorsement of former New York Governor George Pataki for Republican Candidate for Congress Matt Doheny.

Mr. Pataki expressed his support for Mr. Doheny saying the candidate was our best choice to reverse the Obama Health Plan, and spur growth for small business. Pataki also requested everyone visit the website www.RevereAmerica.org <http://www.RevereAmerica.org>  and sign the Petition to Repeal the Healthcare Reform Bill (found at: http://petition.revereamerica.org).

When asked about the possibility of running for President in 2012, Mr. Pataki indicated he hasn’t given it a lot of thought, but added, “Never say never!”

Also present was former 23rd District Congressional Candidate Doug Hoffman, Plattsburgh’s Mayor Don Kasprzak, and Chair of the County Legislature Jim Langley.

When asked about his own future political ambitions, Doug Hoffman stated this gathering was not about his future, but to get every Conservative and Republican behind Matt Doheny, and show united support for the Republican Candidate. He then concluded by stating that what is best for New York, and the nation as a whole is more important than his own political goals, and that is why he supports Matt Doheny for Congress.

Representation only

See Peru Central Website

The Times Union reports

The Press Republican reports

By John T. Ryan

Election Day is on Tuesday, November 2, 2010. As usual, Peru voters will be voting at the St. Augustine’s Parish Center, 3030 Main St. There are 4,232 registered voters in Peru. 359 votes were cast in the September 14^th primary elections. That’s only 8.5% of the registered voters, but in line with other Clinton County communities.

The final vote count in Peru for the Douglas Hoffman vs. Matt Doheny Congressional primary contest was 186 votes for Hoffman and 84 for Doheny. Peru voters followed the Clinton County trend favoring the more Conservative Hoffman and rejecting the candidate favored by party leaders. Some Hoffman supporters have stated that will vote for Owens. They despise Doheny and they want to teach party leaders a lesson.

Voters will be using the new electronic voting machines. While local election officials reported no major problems with the machines in the primaries the general election ballot may be confusing for some people. There are eleven candidates for governor meaning some candidates will appear on a second ballot line. Parties such as the Green Party, the Anti-Prohibition and the Rent Is Too Damned High Party have places on the ballot.

The Adirondack Daily Enterprise reports