The Peru Gazette

By Donald McBrayer

As I gaze out upon the thermometer beyond the window this morning, I see it is 25 degrees below zero. Then I wonder — How are my pipes doing?

Even if you haven’t had a broken or frozen water pipe in years, the chance of seeing one today is very good. These temperatures added to a little wind will allow the fingers of Old Jack Frost to seek out weak spots in the home plumbing you may not know ever existed.

Why do pipes break when they freeze? We all remember our third-grade science class. When water freezes it expands. If water is sealed in a container, the expansion from freezing will cause that container to burst. Our internal home plumbing is a sealed container, and will certainly bust if allowed to freeze. To prevent this we have two choices: One: don’t allow the pipes to freeze by keeping them warm. Two: allow someplace for the expansion to go.

Copper pipes are more likely to break when frozen than the newer Pex (cross-linked polyethylene tubing) plumbing systems. Don’t think you’re off the hook with Pex however. Pex piping may be far more resilient to breaks from freezing than traditional copper, but it isn’t foolproof. Pex joints are a weak point when freezing, and should be watched closely when it’s this cold. Read more »

The Watertown Daily Times reports

The N Y Post reports

The Times Union reports

Brian Mann of NCPR comments

North Country Public Radio reports

Did members of Congress try to exempt themselves from current health care reform legislation?

No. This claim was based on the erroneous assumption that congressional efforts to establish a “public option” for health insurance would have required everyone (except members of Congress) to participate in a new federal insurance plan. The proposed legislation would merely have required everyone (including members of Congress) to have health insurance that met minimum benefit standards, and to that end called for the creation of insurance exchanges which would offer health insurance plans to those who could not otherwise afford insurance plans meeting the minimum benefits criteria.

In fact, the final version of the health care reform legislation that was eventually passed in March 2010 stated that “Members of Congress and congressional staff” will only have access to plans that are created by the health care bill or offered through the exchanges established by the bill:

(D) MEMBERS OF CONGRESS IN THE EXCHANGE.

(i) REQUIREMENT — Notwithstanding any other provision of law, after the effective date of this subtitle, the only health plans that the Federal Government may make available to Members of Congress and congressional staff with respect to their service as a Member of Congress or congressional staff shall be health plans that are:

(I) created under this Act (or an amendment made by this Act); or

(II) offered through an Exchange established under this Act (or an amendment made by this Act).

The Press Republican reports

The PostStar reports

One hundred and fifty years ago, few knew about Lavinia Bell, a fugitive from slavery who trekked from a Texas plantation to Rouses Point, New York, in search of freedom in Canada. Now, for the first time, her riveting experiences will be presented to the public in “Never Give Up: The Story of Lavinia Bell,” reenacted by Melissa Waddy-Thibodeaux at Plattsburgh State University’s Krinovitz Recital Hall. The presentation will begin at 7:00 PM on February 11, 2011. This event is free and open to the public.

Ms. Thibodeaux’s visit to Plattsburgh in February will be her first to the North Country. She has already earned national acclaim for her sensitive depictions of Harriet Tubman and Rosa Parks. The North Country location of the premiere of Mrs. Bell’s story, in the region where her vision was at last realized, is as fitting as are the sponsoring organizations: the North Country Underground Railroad Historical Association, Plattsburgh State University, and Clinton Community College.

Ms. Thibodeaux will also offer performance workshops for university and college students during her stay in Plattsburgh. On February 12, she will cross into Canada where, under the sponsorship of the Negro Community Center in Montreal, she will introduce Mrs. Bell to a waiting audience.

To see Ms. Thibodeaux portray Harriet Tubman visit: You Tube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTp2A08misE

To learn more about this event, contact Don Papson at NCUGRHA@aol.com or (518) 561-0277.

The Watertown Daily Times reports

The Watertown Daily Times reports (A great story about a person in Albany few of us in this part of the North County know much about)

The PostStar reports

AGENDA TOWN BOARD REGULAR MEETING

JANUARY 24, 2011 @ 7:00 PM Read more »

AGENDA PUBLIC HEARING ON 2011 Town Noise Ordinance, January 24, 2011- 6:45 PM

1. Call Meeting To Order

2. Pledge of Allegiance

3. Roll Call

4. MOTION: To open the Public hearing. Click here to view proposed ordinance

5. DISCUSSION: Community Input and questions

6. MOTION: To close the Public hearing.

7. MOTION: Adjourn

The Adirondack Daily Enterprise reports

Peru Central School District and Peru Central’s budget advisory committee is hosting a public forum at 6 PM this coming Monday, January 24th at 6 PM in the community room, adjacent to the main entrance of Peru High School.

Monday’s 6 PM public forum will actively engage district residents by soliciting ideas and perceptions regarding school finances, cost reductions, forecasted budget factors for constructing next school year’s proposed budget plan. The intent is to help Peru Central respond thoughtfully to the fiscal challenges facing New York State. This public forum is the first in a series of three winter 2011 public forums at Peru Central focused on school budget factors. Individuals who participate Monday will receive a briefing packet.

One year ago, Peru Central employees and district residents generated nearly one hundred suggestions to  reduce costs, operate even more efficiently and streamline programs, while maintaining strong instructional programs for students. Many of those suggestions were put into practice this school year, either fully or in part.

Monday’s public forum will start with distribution and discussion of pertinent facts. Next, district residents who attend will engage in small group discussions focused on fiscal challenges ahead and how to best respond to those challenges. The last segment of Monday’s public forum will feature a brief stakeholder survey, intended to generate ideas for Peru Central to continue reducing costs while maintaining strong programs, according to A. Paul Scott, Peru Central Superintendent of Schools.

The Watertown Daily Times reports

The Watertown Daily Times reports

The Press Republican reports

By Donald McBrayer

Rebecca Garrow was granted a use variance to open a consignment store at the recently closed Becky’s Diner location on Main Street. It will be known as “Thee Thrifty Peddler” (The 2 e’s on Thee is correct) and will sell new and used items including furniture, jewelry, clothing, antiques, crafts, etc. Mrs. Garrow stated she was too young to retire, but wanted out of the restaurant business. She and her husband (Roger) will run the shop together. The Zoning Board expressed concerns included parking, which was shown to be adequate, and items for sale being displayed outdoors. Mrs. Garrow stated that an occasional piece of furniture may be displayed, but it would be rare if ever. Approval was unanimous.

The Board also approved an area variance for the Town of Peru, clearing another hurdle in the preservation of the historic Lyons Road Schoolhouse. Town Historian Ron Allen, current schoolhouse owner Allen Dixon, and Town Supervisor Pete Glushko were present to express support for the project. Parking was discussed as a possible problem should the schoolhouse be used in the future for visits and tours. It was agreed that the parking issue would be addressed at a future time when it becomes more relevant. It was also agreed that the varience would be granted provided the lot would be used strictly as a historical preservation site owned by the town, and only upon town acceptance of the lot. Mr. Dixon is donating the schoolhouse and its original lot for to the town for one-dollar. Approval was unanimous.

Both applications will appear before the Planning Board for site-plan review in February.

The Watertown Daily Times reports

The Wall Street Journal reports

The Press Republican reports

The Adirondack Daily Enterprise reports

The Free Press reports