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News from Assemblyman Billy Jones and State Senator Dan Stec
A bill to name the Carpenter’s Flats Bridge across the Ausable River in the Towns of Ausable and Peru in honor of Captain Christopher J. Garrow passed the state legislature yesterday. Captain Garrow was a 23-year veteran of the New York State Police who died last year from illnesses stemming from his service at Ground Zero after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. The bill was introduced by Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay Lake) and sponsored by Senator Dan Stec (R-Queensbury) in the Senate.
“I am proud to have worked with the state police, the Town of Ausable, the Town of Peru and Clinton County to introduce this bill to honor Captain Garrow for serving our communities and helping to keep us all safe,” said Assemblyman Billy Jones. “Captain Garrow gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country and memorializing him this way for his family and loved ones is a small way for the North Country community to show our appreciation for his decades of service.”
“When our nation needed him most after the September 11 terrorist attacks, Captain Christopher Garrow put his health and life on the line. We owe him a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid. Renaming the Carpenter’s Flats Bridge in his hometown is a way to honor him and his family and ensure his service and sacrifice are never forgotten,” said Senator Dan Stec.
“Trooper Garrow was a highly respected individual who represented the New York State Police with distinction and honor,” said Tim Bresett, Supervisor for the Town of Ausable. “The renaming of the Carpenter’s Flats Bridge to Captain Christopher J. Garrow Memorial Bridge is a very fitting tribute to his 22+ years of service protecting and serving the community and the people of New York.”
Captain Garrow graduated from Peru High School and joined the United States Marine Corps, earning the rank of Sergeant and being awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal and Good Conduct Medal. He became a member of the State Police in 2000 and finished his career at the Troop B Zone Headquarters in Lewis. He is survived by his loving wife and his two daughters.
When you’re enjoying delicious cheese today, take a little time to think about Adirondack Farms employees like Dakota Sayward. The Peru Gazette talked to Sayward yesterday morning along Mannix Road as he pumped 550 gallons of liquid fertilizer into a 16-row corn planter.
Dakota said he plants about 250 acres of corn daily. So far this spring, he’s planted about 2,300 acres in Peru and Plattsburgh, and he’ll plant 2,000 more over the next few days.
The John Deere Tractor he’s driving and the Ultraplant corn planter he’s pulling have been outfitted with the latest farm technology. Once Sayward aligns the tractor on the rows, satellite guidance steers the tractor and dispenses precise amounts of seed and fertilizer. Champlain Valley Agronomics, also located in Peru, analyzes Adirondack’s fields to determine the satellite guidance and the fertilizer needed in every row.
A Willsboro native, Sayward has worked for Adirondack Farms for about ten years. The Peru Gazette applauds hardworking farm employees like Dakota Sayward. They are genuinely essential workers. Adirondack Farms has 115 employees.
Clinton County, NY, May 31, 2024. Essex County, which borders Clinton County to the south, has reported five confirmed cases of rabies in wildlife this year. Rabies is a deadly viral disease that is transmitted through the saliva of infected animals. Though no cases have been identified in Clinton County this year, the Clinton County Health Department (CCHD) felt it appropriate to alert our residents of precautions to take.
Amanda Masten, a Senior Public Health Sanitarian at CCHD emphasizes the importance of remaining vigilant and taking necessary precautions. “Usually, rabies is spread through an animal bite; however it can also happen when infected saliva gets into an open cut, your eyes, nose or mouth,” explained Ms. Masten. “Once symptoms manifest, rabies is almost always fatal. This is why prevention measures are crucial.”
CCHD advises all residents to follow these precautions:
Ensure Pets Are Vaccinated: Ensure that all pets, including dogs, cats, and domesticated livestock, are up-to-date on their rabies vaccinations. Vaccination not only safeguards pets but also acts as a barrier against rabies transmission to humans. CCHD offers free rabies vaccinations for dogs, cats and ferrets. A full schedule of upcoming clinics can be found at www.clintonhealth.org/rabiesclinics.
Avoid Strange-Acting Wildlife: Exercise caution around wildlife, particularly if they exhibit abnormal or aggressive behavior. Do not approach or attempt to handle wild animals, even if they are injured. Teach children to do the same.
Report Suspected Cases: If you encounter a wild animal displaying unusual behavior such as aggression, disorientation, or excessive drooling, promptly notify local animal control or the health department.
By following these straightforward yet crucial precautions, residents can help reduce the risk of rabies transmission and protect the health and well-being of their families and pets. Additional information, including future Rabies Vaccination Clinic dates, can be found in CCHD’s North Country Health Effect available at http://www.clintonhealth.org/nc_healtheffect/Rabies.pdf and the latest edition of CCHD’s Talking Health Blog available at https://cchdtalkinghealth.blogspot.com/.
Hey New Yorkers! We all know our pizza is the best, so let’s do it justice and make sure we recycle our pizza boxes right. Whether you prefer a thick and doughy Sicilian crust or a thin and crispy Neapolitan, there is one thing we need to come to agreement on—recycle that pizza box when you’re done!
Every year in the U.S. about 3 billion pizzas are enjoyed. That’s a lot of sauce, cheese, dough, and… cardboard! According to the American Forest & Paper Association, pizza boxes are made of high-quality corrugated paper, which can be recycled at least seven times (AF&PA).
We know there is confusion among New Yorkers about whether a greasy pizza box is recyclable or not. The majority of recycling programs in New York State accept whole empty pizza boxes, even if there is a bit of grease residue. Before putting a pizza box in the recycling bin, remove any wax paper and the little plastic “table,” scrape the box of any remaining crust or cheese, and recycle that valuable cardboard! If you are ever unsure if the amount of leftover cheese and grease stuck on the pizza box makes it recyclable or not, the next best thing you can do is split the box in two, and only recycle the top half of the box. Check your local recycling program guidelines.
Remember this: Pizza boxes can be recycled, pizza can not.
PLATTSBURGH, NY (5/31/2024) – The blood and blood products donated this month at the Adirondack Regional Blood Center’s community drives will help hundreds of North Country residents. The Blood Center, a program of the University of Vermont Health Network – Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital (CVPH), relies on generous donors to meet the constant need for blood in our region.
In June, there will be numerous opportunities to give and the Donor Center, located at 85 Plaza Blvd. is open Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4 pm. Walk ins are always welcome.
Here is the community drive schedule for this month:
Monday, June 3, Adirondack Medical Center, Redfield Room, Saranac Lake, noon to 4 pm
Tuesday, June 4, Offices of the Town of Long Lake, 2 to 5 pm
Wednesday, June 5, Bloomingdale Fire Department, 3:30 to 6:30 pm
Friday, June 7, Plattsburgh City Police Community Center, Margaret Street, 10 am to 2 pm
Monday, June 10, St. Augustine Parish Center, Peru, 3 to 6:30 pm
Tuesday, June 11, Liberty Utilities, Massena, 11 am to 2 pm
Wednesday, June 12, Keene Fire Department, 3 to 6 pm
Thursday, June 13, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation headquarters, Ray Brook, 10 am to 2 pm
Friday, June 14, Lake Side Coffee, Rouses Point, 8 am to noon
Tuesday, June 18, St. Edmunds Church Hall, Ellenburg Depot, 4 to 7 pm
Wednesday, June 19, Alice Hyde Medical Center, Malone, 11 am to 3 pm
Thursday, June 20, Altona Fire Department, 4:30 to 8:30 pm
Friday, June 21, BHSN Inc., Route 22B, Morrisonville, 1 to 4 pm
Monday, June 24, Riley Ford, Chazy, 1 to 4 pm
Tuesday, June 25, Chateaugay American Legion, 4 to 7 pm
Thursday, June 27, Morrisonville Ambulance Service, Banker Road, 4 to 7 pm
Friday, June 28, Massena Elks Club, 11 am to 2 pm
Blood collected at these drives and at the Donor Center is used by patients in hospitals across the North Country, including Alice Hyde Medical Center, Elizabethtown Community Hospital (including the Ticonderoga campus), and CVPH. In addition to meeting 100% of these facilities’ needs, the Adirondack Regional Blood Center provides blood and blood products to Massena Memorial Hospital and Adirondack Medical Center.
Blood donors must be at least 17 years old (16 years old with written parental/guardian consent), in generally good health, and weigh at least 110 lbs. Prior to donating, a screening questionnaire addressing personal medical, social, and travel history must be completed, and a donor card or another form of identification is also required. Donors must wait 56 days between donations.
Learn more about the Adirondack Regional Blood Center, giving blood and becoming a sponsor at UVMHealth.org/GiveBlood or call 518-562-7406.
The Department of Environmental Conservation announced that it has awarded Champlain Area Trails (CATS) a $100,000 Smart Growth Grant. This grant underlines the department’s continued commitment to capital projects and community development initiatives that synergize environmental protection, economic development, and community livability, especially within the special protective conditions of the Forest Preserve.
The grant, focused on “Increasing Permanent Public Access to Trails in the Champlain Valley of the Adirondack Park,” will enable CATS to enhance permanent public access to trails on private lands. This initiative not only promises to enrich the Champlain Valley, a jewel in the eastern part of the Adirondack Park known for its stunning natural beauty and recreational significance but also to strengthen community ties and support local economies through sustainable recreational opportunities. Read more »
Stuck Truck: On May 27, Acting Captain Booth and Forest Ranger Odell responded to Ausable Point Campground for a report of a vehicle stuck on the beach. Following a brief investigation, Rangers determined the operator had attempted to launch their boat from the foot access to the beach the previous evening and got stuck. Boats may only be launched from designated boat launch sites. The operator was ticketed for unauthorized motor vehicle use on State land and launching a boat in an area other than a designated boat launch. A local tow company recovered the vehicle.
I want to take a moment to thank all those individuals and families who have served in the past, presently serve, or have family members who have served or are serving in our military for all they have meant to the legacy of liberty and freedom in the United States of America. May we all work to honor and preserve what they have dedicated and, in many cases, lost their lives to protect.
Now that summer has unofficially kicked off and we are all eager to get out and enjoy all the North Country has to offer, I’d like to share a couple of exciting options with you.
Annual Color Run
Mark your calendars for June 9th! The North Country Mission of Hope is hosting our annual color run at Rulfs Orchards in Peru, NY. This event is not just about running, walking, or strolling through the beautiful course that runs through the Rulf. It’s about experiencing the beauty of our region, enjoying a great time with family or friends, and, most importantly, supporting our Medical Services in Nicaragua. Your entry fee directly contributes to the general health, women’s mental health, and eye and dental clinics serving those in need in rural Nicaragua. Join us on June 9th at noon at Rulf’s Orchards in Peru, NY. Pre-register and pay at the following web link: https://www.adirondackcoastevents.com/upcoming-races
and click on the Mision of Hope Color Run
Return of the Annual Towne Meeting Concert
As the sun sets on June 9th, the Mission will host our annual concert featuring Towne Meeting at St. Augustine’s Church in Peru, NY. This is not just a concert; it’s a community gathering filled with songs, stories, jokes, and laughter. It’s a chance to come together, enjoy each other’s company, and support a great cause. Your donations from this concert directly benefit our Eco Program, which provides environmentally sensitive stoves and clean drinking water filters to those living in our service area of Nicaragua. These programs are not just about preserving the environment; they’re about protecting people from the adverse effects of unclean drinking water. Join us for this special evening at 7 pm on June 9th.
20th Annual McSweenys / North Country Mission of Hope Golf Tournament
Our 20th annual McSweenys / North Country Mission of Hope Golf Tournament will be held at the Barracks Golf Course on Friday, August 9th. The shotgun will start at 12:30 pm, and registration will begin at 11 am. In addition to the beautiful day of golf and the wonderful meal of Michigans and sides provided by McSweeny’s and the Barrack’s, we will have a gift basket raffle, balloon pop, 50/50, mulligans and course contests, and more.
The golf tournament is our largest fundraising event and supports our feeding programs in Nicaragua. We are deeply grateful for your past support, which has provided 70,000 to 80,000 meals for the neighborhood. For many, this meal is the only one they may have in a day. I have attached a registration form to this email, or you can contact me directly at jpcarlin1963@gmail, and I will help you to register.
In addition to golfers, we need volunteers for the event day. We also need volunteers to provide us with the 25 to 30 gift baskets to be raffled off and gift cards between $10 and $25 for the balloon pop. Please help support efforts to feed children and families in any way possible!
MOHtown News and Requests
Our MOHtown (Sr. Debbie Blow, OP warehouse) chief, Jim Dumont, asked me to let you know that we need 5 to 6 volunteers to help with a more significant donation on Tuesday, June 25th. He would like the volunteers to meet at MOHtown (3452 NY State Rt 22, Peru) at 8:30 am. If you can help, please give him a call at 518-651-6009. He has also asked me to request donations of packing tape, pallets, and home health care equipment (wheelchairs, walkers, commodes, electric beds, slide boards, etc.)
Our New Website is Up and Running!
We are pleased to announce that we have a new website. Over the next few months, we hope to add some additional pages and features. Please go and take a look and let us know what you think. http://www.ncmissionofhope.org.
Education Sponsors Mailing
We are sorting and getting ready to mail the annual education sponsors mailing, which includes a photo and letter from your sponsored student. They should be going out soon. Thank you to everyone who sponsors a child. We know that education can transform a child’s future; your caring and generosity make that possible!
On a Personal Note
I have made great strides in my recovery and have been cleared to return to my daily routine. With that will come my return to the office. At first, on a limited basis, but I will be back full-time with continued PT and your prayers.
Thank you for your support and prayers over the years, mainly as I have recovered from my accident.
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar today reminded New Yorkers that turtles are nesting in May and June and encouraged motorists to ‘give turtles a brake.’ In New York, thousands of turtles are killed each year by unsuspecting drivers when turtles cross roads to find nesting areas.
“Vehicle strikes are a major cause of mortality among turtles and at this time of year, turtles are particularly vulnerable as they seek sandy areas or loose soil in which to lay their eggs,” Interim Commissioner Mahar said. “When traveling on roads near rivers and marshy areas, DEC encourages drivers on New York roads to slow down and keep a lookout for turtles in our communities.”
Drivers who see a turtle on the road are encouraged to slow down to avoid hitting it with their vehicle. If the vehicle can safely stop and drivers are able to safely do so, motorists should consider moving the turtle to the shoulder on the side of the road in the direction it was facing. Motorists are advised not to pick turtles up by their tails, which could injure the turtle. Most turtles, other than snapping turtles, can be picked up safely by the sides of their shells. Snapping turtles have necks that can reach far back and have a strong bite, and should be picked up by the rear of the shell near the tail using both hands, or dragged safely across the road on a mat or blanket. Never drag turtles by the tail as doing so can dislocate the tail bones.
A licensed wildlife rehabilitator maybe able to help if an injured turtle is found.
DEC reminds people not to take turtles home. All native turtles are protected by law and cannot be kept without a DEC permit. Most of the 11 species of land turtles that are native to New York are in decline. Turtles are long-lived species and it takes many years for a turtle to reach maturity. Losing even one mature female can have a negative impact on a local population. Learn more about New York’s native turtles on DEC’s website.
DEC recognizes May 23 as World Turtle Day®. American Tortoise Rescue (ATR), a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the protection of all species of tortoise and turtle, created World Turtle Day® to celebrate and protect turtles and tortoises and their disappearing habitats around the world. These gentle animals have been around for 200 million years, yet are rapidly disappearing due to smuggling, the exotic food industry, climate change, loss of habitat, and the illegal pet trade.
Follow @NYSDEC’s social media accounts on May 23 for more information about turtles in the state.
Wednesday, May 29, 2024, Peru, NY – At tonight’s Town Board meeting, Brandy McDonald announced he’d be leaving his position as Town Supervisor in September or October. He said, “It’s not an easy decision for me, but sometime in September or October, I will be stepping down as town supervisor. My wife is working in Plattsburgh; we found a place in Plattsburgh and decided to downsize, but we haven’t found a place in Peru. He added,” I love this town, the people, and I love you guys. I’m going to miss it, but it’s the right thing to do.” McDonald said the house in Plattsburgh is under contract; he will not put his Peru house up for sale until July or August.
He hoped that one of the current board members would step up to the supervisor role. If not, they could appoint someone else.
If a board appoints one of its members, the board can either fill the open position or leave it vacant. The supervisor and council positions would be on the November 2025 ballot, with the winning candidate taking office as soon as the election is certified.
News from Assemblyman Billy Jones and State Senator Dan Stec
Clinton County, NY, May 31, 2024. Essex County, which borders Clinton County to the south, has reported five confirmed cases of rabies in wildlife this year. Rabies is a deadly viral disease that is transmitted through the saliva of infected animals. Though no cases have been identified in Clinton County this year, the Clinton County Health Department (CCHD) felt it appropriate to alert our residents of precautions to take.
The Department of Environmental Conservation announced that it has awarded Champlain Area Trails (CATS) a $100,000 Smart Growth Grant. This grant underlines the department’s continued commitment to capital projects and community development initiatives that synergize environmental protection, economic development, and community livability, especially within the special protective conditions of the Forest Preserve.
