The Peru Gazette

Approved October 2009 Zoning Board Minutes

By Adele Douglas

It’s December and Christmas shopping madness has begun. If you’d like a break from the typical hectic shopping experience available at the big Plattsburgh retailers, head over to the library. Locally made, beautifully displayed art will greet you. (Click to see a series of photos) 

The Peru Free Library is hosting an exhibit and sale of works by the North Country Potter’s Guild, including ceramics and mixed media. Not only are they beautiful, but many of the items are extremely affordable, prices range from $4 on up. 

 The opening reception is this Friday, December 4, from 5 to 7pm and it’s a great opportunity to meet the artists in a fun atmosphere, helped along by yummy food and wine.  The exhibit and sale will run through to January 8^th.  Library hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday from 10am to 7pm, Friday from 10am to 4pm and Saturday from 10am to 4pm.  Call 643-8618 for more information.

See October 2009 Planning Board Minutes for an explanation 

By Donald McBrayer

Peru’s Town Board is currently shopping around for health insurance for Town Employees. This daunting task is made more complex by the wide variety of options available. Town employees should be actively engaged in this process because they will be directly affected by any decision that is made. There is a Special Meeting set for Thursday December 3rd at 7:00 P.M. to continue exploring options, and voting on this issue will happen before the end of the calendar year. One of the main issues being discussed is offering high deductible policies and supplementing them with HRAs or HSAs. These two options are similar, but also quite different. It is important to understand the difference when considering them. Read more »

Click here to review the Board’s Wednesday December 9th Agenda

The Adirondack Daily Enterprise reports

Roy Perry holds a Turkey Trot trophy

By John T. Ryan

On Thanksgiving Day Roy Perry worked as a Peru Lions Club member conducting the Turkey Trot. Certainly the people completing the Turkey Trot had a positive attitude to accomplish their goal. Perry must have felt right at home. On November 18th Roy Perry was inducted into the “Donation Hall of Fame” by CVPH’s North Country Regional Blood Donor Center. Perry was recognized for donating 152 pints of blood or over 19 gallons over the past thirty-three years. Perry was also recognized for his positive attitude about life and the joy he brings to others.  The Free Trader Today quoted CVPH lead phlebotomist Martha Alger praising Perry,  “You fill the room with your cheerful personality and your great outlook on life. You’re a true inspiration.”  Alger didn’t go so far as to relate Perry’s A+ (A positive) blood type to his outlook on life.

Read more »

The Post Standard reports

By John T. Ryan

Our favorite hikers Joanne Kennedy, Colleen Kaulfuss, Nancy LaBaff and Jean Ryan made another Sunday hike today. This time they departed the Atmospheric Science Research Center about 7 a.m. and reached the Whiteface Mountain summit about 11 a.m. with several stops for picture taking.  It was an 8.5 mile roundtrip hike with a 3,600+ feet elevation gain. The ladies report that there is about 6 inches of snow on the ground with drifts up to 10 inches. (Click here to see more of Jean’s photos)

The Adirondack Enterprise reports

By John T. Ryan

The Peru Lions Club 32nd John P. Adams Memorial Turkey Trot attracted a record 577 participants, so many entrants that the Lions ran out of entry forms. (See series of photos) Most people felt the beautiful weather with temperatures in the high 40’s had a lot to do with the great turnout. Most of the entrants had local addresses, but others came from the far west or southern United States and were visiting home for Thanksgiving. As long-time Lions Club member Larry Ewald Sr. says, “The Turkey Trot is a family event and a lot of families come.  That’s why we added the one mile run. It’s designed for families.”

Len Skilian of Plattsburgh has a special reason to participate in the Turkey Trot. He served in the U.S. Air Force in France and Vietnam with the Turkey Trot’s honoree John Adams. Skilian said, “I was here for the first Turkey Trot and try to be here as often as I can. This year I brought my grandson Rob Duquette.” Peru Lion John Adams was a respected leader at Clinton Community College at the time of his death. Skilian obviously held Adams in very high regard. 

Sheila Neyenhouse Dumont resides in Beekmantown, but she  has come back to her hometown for the past seven consecutive years to walk in the one mile Turkey Trot event.  Sheila’s husband Wayne and daughter Sarah were on hand to cheer her on. Sarah was home for the holiday. 

Steve and Lois Roberts and their daughter Jamie were participants in the 5k run. Steve and Lois considered themselves to be the representatives of the Peru Lions Club.  Steve and Lois joined the Lions Club after having such a good time at last year’s Turkey Trot. Lois described the Peru Lions very simply, “They’re a hilarious group of guys who do a lot of good. They get a lot done.”

The major winners of today’s event were:

One mile: Boys – Ben Post, Girls – Alexandra Brown, Walker – Sheila Dumont

5K:  Matt Medeiros and Sarah Facteau

10K:  Jeremy Drowne and Michelle Kirby Post

Here is a link for race results with timing for all participants.

By Donald McBrayer

Many of us throughout Peru are preparing a huge turkey dinner for our friends and loved ones. Thanksgiving is a time for celebration, not a day to spend in the hospital with food poisoning. So, I want to remind everyone of a few safety tips when preparing Big Bird. Read more »

By John T. Ryan

Clinton County’s existing single-family home sales in October increased by 33.3% according to the statistics released by the New York State Association of Realtors (NYSAR). Fifty-six homes were sold in the county compared to forty-two last year. Median home prices increased by 6.9% from $126,345 to $135,000. These figures compare very favorably to the statewide trend where sales increased by 5.7% and median prices increased by 2.4%. Clinton County’s October sales trend was impressive compared to other North County counties such as Essex, Jefferson and Warren. Sales moved upward by 9.4% in Essex County while they decreased by 2.4% in Jefferson County and 11.1% in Warren County. (Monthly sales figures detailed)

Duncan R. MacKenzie, NYSAR chief executive officer credits the federal first time home-buyer tax credit with helping to revive the market. MacKenzie commented,  “The extension of the first-time buyer credit and the creation of a tax credit for existing homeowners who purchase their next home will allow both the housing market and our economy to hold on to the gains that have been made in recent months.”

(Median prices detailed) 

The Adirondack Daily Enterprise published an excellent article on the Tri-Lakes region real estate sales, especially regarding second-home values.  Please click here for the link. 

Bloomberg.com repports

The New York Observer reports

By John T. Ryan

The Town of Peru’s health insurance broker has informed the town that employee health insurance premium will increase by 35% next year if no changes are made.  Since health insurance costs the town approximately $160,000 annually, an increase of that size has the potential of costing the town an additional $56,000. That was the big news at the November 23, 2009 Peru Town Board meeting. In response, Read more »

The adirondack almanack reports

The Post-Standard reports

The Adirondack Lifestyle Blog reports

The Adirondack Daily Enterprise reports

The Post-Standard reports

By John T. Ryan 

At 6 a.m. on Sunday, November 22nd Colleen Kaulfuss and Jean Ryan traveled from Peru to the Cascade-Porter Mountain trailhead between Keene and Lake Placid on Route 73 where they met their friend Nancy LaBaff from Canton. It was a beautiful day with a cloud undercast so when they reached the mountain summits, the women paused for almost an hour to take pictures.  Jean brought back the photos you’ll see here. To appreciate them the most please view them in slideshow format. Click here

The Press Republican reports

TOWN BOARD REGULAR MEETING AGENDA NOVEMBER 23, 2009 @ 7:00 PM Read more »

The Watertown Daily Times reports