The Peru Gazette

The Post Star reports

The adirondack almanac reports

The Watertown Daily Times reports

The Times Union reports

Legislation aims to remove ownership of debt from foreign
nations and control future spending

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Bill Owens introduced H.R. 5157, the War on Debt Act. The legislation enacts a specific blueprint to force Washington to get serious about reducing the national debt and eliminate American dependence on foreign creditors.   Read more »

The Regular Town Board Meeting was held on Monday, April 26 at 7 P.M. All Board personnel were present.
An audio recording of the meeting can be found at:
http://d1091839.domain.com/PeruTown/TBM-04-26-10.WAV
Minutes for the Regular Meetings on 3/22/10 & 4/12/10, and Special Meeting on 4/1/10 were approved and can be found at: http://www.perutown.com/min10.htm

The meeting started with a presentation by Leeward Babbie who announced the grand opening of Babbie Rural & Farm Learning Museum on June 12th, & 13th . Mr. Babbie thanked the Town Board, Code Enforcement Officer Paul Blaine, and the people of Peru for the help and opportunity to finally see his dream become reality. He also informed the Board that Town Supervisor Pete Glushko was requested and accepted to cut the ribbon at the celebration. Mr. Babbie explains that the museum, located at 250 River Road, is an agricultural, hands-on learning museum that will feature many rare pieces of agricultural equipment, old tractors, farm animals, and demonstrations. He than passed out a brochure that can be found at: http://d1091839.domain.com/PeruTown/BabbieRuralFarmMuseum.pdf
For more information about the Babbie Rural & Farm Learning Museum visit their website at: http://sites.google.com/site/babbieruralfarmlearningmuseum/

In other action the Board:

• Discussed the status of the hours for the Secretary to Zoning/Planning. Code Enforcement Officer, Paul Blaine was present and expressed concern about the discussion to possibly reduce the Zoning/Planning Secretary hours to twenty hours a week. Mr. Blaine then passed to the Board Members letters of support from the Planning Board, Zoning Board, and the Comprehensive Planning Committee that expressed similar concerns. Mr. Blaine explained his office has the most interaction with the people of Peru, and with the coming changes to zoning, wants to make sure his office doesn’t suffer as a result of any such decision. Town Supervisor, Peter Glushko explained the Board has made no definite decisions regarding hours. Mr. Glushko explained the Board is planning on implementing cross-training among all support personnel for purposes of efficiency, and to help “fill in the gap” when needed. He indicated this might include some hour reductions upon further review, but at this time no such decision has been made.
• Discussed the soon to be implemented Employee Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy. EAS (Employee Assistance Services) will be taking the existing 1995 policy and updating it to meet the town’s current needs. One change being considered is to have all employees tested. The current policy only applies to drivers and safety sensitive positions; this was originally a cost-saving decision in the 1995 policy.
• Passed a Motion to set a Workshop date on May 5 at 6:30 P.M. for the proposed Dog Control Law and Noise Ordinance.
• Passed a Motion to change liaisons. Sue Polhemus will now be the liaison to Planning/Zoning, and Brandy McDonald will now be the liaison to Parks/Recreation.
• Discussed the Water Quality. W/S Superintendent, Greg Timmons explained to the Board the state has lowered the standards for halocetic acids. Halocetic acids are the result of organic material and its interaction with the chlorination process. Mr. Timmons said the water needs to test below 80 when averaged out over 4-quarters, but we’re always running on the borderline of 80 with the halocetic acids test. This issue could be addressed in a couple ways including trying different filter media, or using ultraviolet light for part of the decontamination process. Timmons indicated he is working with the Town Engineer, Peter Gibbs to find the most suitable solution. The 2009 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report can be found at: http://d1091839.domain.com/PeruTown/towndocs/PeruWDAWQR2009.pdf
• Donald McBrayer asked the Town Clerk, Kathy Flynn when the people of Peru will be able to pay their taxes online. Flynn indicated January 2011.
  

The Meeting was adjourned at 8:55 P.M.

If not and you want to know where to find fresh locally-grown and locally-processed foods, attend Eating Local Yet events in Canton on Thursday, May 6 from 5:30-8:30pm at Plattsburgh High School; Friday, May 7 from 5:30-8:30pm at St. Lawrence University’s Eben Holden Hall in Canton; or Saturday, May 8 at Case Junior High School in Watertown.

The events will help you learn where to find and how to use local foods in budget-conscious, nutritious ways. Speakers include nutritionists, chefs, farmers, and Dr. Jennifer Wilkins, the creator of the first regional food guide in the U.S.

Topics include where to find farmers’ markets and farmstands; which foods provide a good source of vitamin D and probiotics; how to ask for different cuts of locally-raised meats; how to cook grass-fed beef; ways to eat local year-round; rendering lard for nutritional value; planning a local and seasonal diet; the differences of local, organic, and natural labeling; and how eating locally helps you, your community and the future.

$10 fee covers local food snacking (Thursday/Friday) or lunch (Saturday) and materials.

Please call ahead to Cornell Cooperative Extension Franklin County: 518-483-7403 for the Plattsburgh event; St. Lawrence County: 315-379-9192 for the Canton event; Cornell Cooperative Extension Jefferson County: 315-788-8450 for the Watertown event.

The photo shows the farmstand at the multi-generational Ben Wever Farm, raising grass-fed beef, poultry, seasonal vegetables, and honey in Willsboro, NY. Photo: Adirondack Harvest

The Adirondack Daily Enterprise reports

Former Plattsburgh Mayor Clyde Rabideau is making his presence felt in Saranac Lake.

The Adirondack Daily Enterprise reports

The Burlington Free Press reports

This story is included because the situation undoubtedly applies to many farms in our region.

The Peru Gazette added a new link to its right sidebar today “Restaurant Reviews.”  The Urbanspoon website has several reviews of local restaurants. We thought our readers might find it useful! Please add your reviews.

AGENDA  PERU PLANNING BOOARD, Wednesday, May 12, 2010 at 7:00p.m.  Peru Town Hall Read more »

Richard Williams, Chair of the Town of Peru Planning Board, called the meeting of Wednesday, March 10, 2010 at 7:00 pm, to order. Read more »

AGENDA TOWN BOARD REGULAR MEETING April 26, 2010 @ 7:00 PM Read more »

Photo includes – Emma Altizer, Gabrielle Altizer, Alissa Chung, Rachel Collier, Sarah Connelly, Kariana Garrand, Mary Gilbert, Rebecca Gonyea, Sven Hecken, Russell Izzo, Kyler Kennedy, Emily McCall, Paige Moore, Boone Nolan, Morgan Reyell, Justus Ruff, Taylor Spear, Corey Knight and Charles Remillard. (Not pictured) Will Rice. Click here to see a larger photo.

While some teenagers were enjoying vacation time during the recent spring break, eighteen members of the Peru Community Church Senior High Youth Group were in Washington D.C. volunteering their time working in soup kitchens and food banks. They worked at five different sites: the DC Central Kitchen, S.O.M.E., Miriam’s Kitchen, Martha’s Table and Capitol Area Food Bank.  Shifts began as early as 5:30 a.m. on some days. Some young people went out on McKenna’s Wagon where they traveled in a van to distribute sandwiches, soup and sweets to people on the street.

This year the group was able to tour the Capitol together. There was enough time off to visit the monuments, museums, and memorials if they chose. They attended a church service at St. Augustine’s which is the oldest Black Catholic Church in Washington.  It has a lively contemporary service which is always fun to participate in.

The group left at Peru at 6 a.m. Saturday, April 10th and returned at 4 p.m. Friday, April 16th.   This was advisor Doug Garrand’s 11th year, Amanda Connelly’s third and final year and Cheryl Remillard’s first year as an advisor.

Pastor Bob Svenson was having surgery so he wasn’t able to go. He’s doing fine by the way.  He’s at home resting and getting restless!

Many thanks to the people of Peru Community Church, St. Augustine’s Church, the community and the many people and businesses that donated items and/or funds to help out!

WASHINGTON – Yesterday, Congressman Bill Owens voted to ensure that veterans and their families get the care and support they deserve.  The Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act will reform and improve veterans’ health services by supporting wounded warriors and their families, expanding health care for female veterans, improving mental health services, and increasing access to health care for veterans in rural areas.  The legislation passed unanimously 417 – 0.

Read more »

The Watertown Daily Times reports

New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) Acting Regional Director Mark E. Frechette is joining officials from across the state highlighting National Work Zone Awareness Week.  National Work Zone Awareness Week focuses on the critical importance of driving safely and staying alert in highway construction and maintenance work zones. Local transportation officials gathered this morning at a highway maintenance operation to commemorate the week, which runs from April 19th through April 23rd, coinciding with the beginning of the highway construction season in many locations.  Read more »

The Post Standard reports

The Times Union reports

The Post Standard reports

Democrat and Chronicle reports

The Post Star reports

An interesting story about the importance of horse racing to Saratoga.

The Adirondack Daily Enterprise reports

VA to staff two outpatient clinics – one in Elizabethtown and one in Saranac Lake.

The Adirondack Daily Enterprise reports

An interesting story on Saranac Lake’s vision for future development.