The Peru Gazette

Updated 5/19/10

The Post-Star reports Part#1 The Post Star reports Part #2

The Post Star reports Part #3 The Post Star reports Part #4

A wonderful series about the history of the Crown Point Bridge, why it failed and what the new bridge will be like.

Click here for a list of the deficient bridges in Clinton County. Peru has eight deficient bridges!

The Adirondack Daily Enterprise reports

The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle reports

By Adele Douglas

The Heyworth/Mason Park has a long and interesting history that will soon be documented and displayed for the public. Volunteers are working to develop eight interpretive signs to go up in the park and along the new trail. These are the subjects of the signs:

1. Welcome to Heyworth/Mason Park

2. Native Americans

3. First Mill Site: gristmill and sawmill.

4. Other Early Industries: woolen mill, tannery, cider mill and potato starch factory.

5. A. Mason and Sons Lumber Mill Click here to review this sign

6. Heyworth Village Apartments onwards

7. The Ausable Branch of the Delaware & Hudson Railroad

8. River Ecology

We’re trying to keep them of interest to students, especially fourth graders who will hopefully be touring the site as part of their study of New York history. The images on the signs will have the biggest impact and the suggested word count limit is 300.

Over the next few months I’ll submit the draft signs to this website. Please feel free to weigh in with your comments and suggestions, either via this column or by e-mailing Ron Allen (perutownhistorian@charter.net) or me (chinadele1@hotmail.com). Thanks!

Thanks to Joanne Kennedy for the great photos. See www.joannekennedy.net

By John T. Ryan

May 13, 2010 was the end of the smudge pot era at Forrence Orchards. At about 1 a.m. Seth Forrence and two helpers lit about 550 pots for the last time. Forrence said that smudge pots made economic sense when fuel oil sold at $.50 a gallon and apples sold for $15.00 to $16.00 a bushel. Today fuel oil sells for $2.70 a gallon while apples still sell for $15.00 to $16.00 a bushel. He said he’ll be relying on wind machines in the future. Forrence’s Stafford Farm off the Mannix Road has three wind machines.

This  week’s low temperatures arrived at a bad time because several apple varieties were in full bloom. Forrence said that temperatures dipped to as low as 25 degrees in some parts of the orchard.  He stated, “There’s a certain part of the farm where the trees are low-lying where the fruit is pretty well shot.” He said it’s too soon to estimate any percentage of crop loss.

The Press Republican reports

Joanne Kennedy and Colleen Kaulfuss hiked Bald Mountain and Blueberry Cobble near New Russia on Thursday, May 13th.  We thought our readers might enjoy Joanne’s photos. (Click here)

The Adirondack Daily Enterprise reports

The Post Standard reports

The Adirondack Daily Enterprise reports

Diocese of Ogdensburg announces pastoral changes

WASHINGTON – Today Congressman Bill Owens urged local small businesses in need of financial assistance to apply for federal economic injury disaster loans available in various counties in Northern and Central New York before the June 1st deadline.

“Small businesses and family farmers are the main drivers of our local economy and it is important that they have the tools they need to succeed and spur job growth in Upstate New York,” Owens said.  “These low-interest loans will help them recover from damages and crop losses.” Read more »

New system will help veterans access earned benefits

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Bill Owens joined the United States Department of Veterans Affairs in announcing the launch of a new and improved online form that makes it easier and faster for veterans to apply for their health care benefits.

“This is great news for Upstate New York veterans,” said Owens. “Innovations like these make it more convenient for our veterans to access the benefits they have earned through their service to our country.”

This revised online application form (10-10EZ) provides enhanced navigation features that make it easier and faster for veterans to use.  The new version also allows veterans to save a copy of the completed form for their personal records. Read more »

By Donald McBrayer

The Regular Town Board Meeting was held on Monday, May 10 at 7 P.M. All Board personnel were present.
An audio recording of the meeting can be found at:
http://d1091839.domain.com/PeruTown/TBM05-10-10.WAV
Minutes for the Regular Meetings on 4/26/10, and Special Meeting on 5/4/10 were approved and can be found at: http://www.perutown.com/min10.htm.
All Department Reports were approved and can be found at: http://www.perutown.com/town.htm.

The meeting started with a presentation by Peru Central School Superintendent Paul Scott on the upcoming Peru Central School Budget Vote. Mr. Scott indicated a Proposed Budget Briefing can be found online at: http://www.perucsd.org/budget/10-11/edplanbudgetproposal.pdf. Mr. Scott stated that because of 7% growth in the Plattsburgh area of the Peru School District the tax rate would only increase by one-half of one percent – from the current rate of $17.66 to $17.78 per $1000 of property value.
The 2010-2011 Budget Vote will be held on May 18 from Noon till 9 PM at the High School Gymnasium.

In other action the Board:

• Tabled a Motion to release the Ormsby Circle Escrow. Highway Superintendent, Mike Farrell informed the Board there were several areas of concern that must be addressed before the $23,320 escrow is returned. Town Attorney, Don Biggs asked if the Town, by Resolution or Resolution with Conditions, had already accepted the road. This will be looked into before proceeding.
• Announced the hiring of Donna Quero as the typist to the Planning and Zoning Board Office.
• Set a Public Hearing on the Town Park Parking Ordinance to be scheduled on Monday, May 24 at 6:45 PM prior to the Regular Town Board Meeting. The proposed ordinance can be found at: http://d1091839.domain.com/PeruTown/towndocs/ProposedParkParkingOrdinance.pdf.
• Discussed the difference between town and state roads as far as tree removal is concerned. Town Supervisor, Peter Glushko stated he has received several complaints concerning the removal of trees along Pleasant Street. Mr. Glushko informed the Board the State DOT controls the determination and process for tree removal along state roads, and that the town has no say in this procedure.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 PM.

Rulfs Orchard and Roadside Stand is undoubtedly one of Peru’s best-known businesses. Its beginnings can be traced to the fall of 1952 when Bob Rulfs’ father asked him how he was going to sell all his surplus apples. When Bob didn’t have a ready answer, his dad placed a crate of apples on his son’s front yard along with a “For Sale” sign. The apples sold in less than an hour and the rest is history. Today the Bob Rulfs’ stand sells a multitude of products and attracts thousands of local customers and North Country visitors. Read more »

AGENDA TOWN BOARD REGULAR MEETING MAY 10, 2010 @ 7:00 PM  Read more »

Scholarships to cover cost of college for children of troops who have died in line of duty since 9/11

WASHINGTON – Congressman Bill Owens announced today that the Department of Veterans Affairs has started taking applications for The Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship, which Congress passed and was signed into law last year.  The scholarship expands the New GI Bill education benefits to cover the full cost of a college education for all of the children of service members who have died on active duty on or after September 11, 2001. Read more »

This Saturday, May 8 from 10 am to 4 PM the Healthy Parks Healthy People Eco Fair will be held at Point au Roche State Park.  The event will be held in the beach area and includes displays, demonstrations and free activities for all…A few  examples to tempt you:

Live Owls
Building Blue Bird Houses
Canine Club demos
Nature walks
Build a bucket garden
Square dancing

I hope you’ll all take advantage of this great day at Point au Roche! The North Country Cultural Center for the Arts is proud to support and be a part of this community event…HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!!

Susan R. Daul, Executive Director
North Country Cultural Center for the Arts
23 Brinkerhoff Street
Plattsburgh, NY  12901
ncccadir@primelink1.net
plattsburgharts.org

The Elmore SPCA in Peru will be hosting a BBQ chicken dinner, silent auction, call auction and raffle on Saturday, June 12th at the American Legion Post #20 on the Quarry Road in Plattsburgh.  Preview of items begins at 5 pm, dinner at 6 pm and call auction starting at 7:15 pm.  Tickets for the dinner may be purchased on our website at www.elmorespca.org. They are also available at the shelter, Peru Library, from any Board member, and at the door,  Tax deductible donations are currently being accepted.  Please call (518) 534-3484 if you would like to donate an item.

The adirondack almanac reports

The Adirondack Daily Enterprise reports

The Times Union reports

Congressman to continue work on protection and promotion of Upstate Agriculture

WASHINGTON – Congressman Bill Owens announced today his appointment to the House Committee on Agriculture.  He will join colleagues on the panel that has general jurisdiction over federal agriculture policy and oversight of various federal agencies.

“Upstate agriculture is a major driver of our entire state’s economy, and now our region has a larger role in the decision making process,” Owens said.  “As we continue to work our way out of the recession, we need to provide every opportunity to our farming community and small business owners to succeed.” Read more »

Congressman reaches out to community to better serve small businesses, create jobs

WASHINGTON – Last week, Congressman Owens reached out to the Upstate New York business community, sending out a questionnaire to business leaders across North and Central New York to get their ideas about what Congress can do to more effectively create jobs for thousands of area New Yorkers looking for work. Read more »

The Peru Town Board will meet on Tuesday, May 4, 2010 at 6:30 PM in the downstairs area of the Town Hall for the purpose of discussing with possible action on the filling of the Secretary to the Planning/Zoning Boards position

Pete Glushko
Town Supervisor