The Peru Gazette

Peru is one of the towns on the list 

Click here for the NCPR story 

Flag Raising dedicated to Arthur Dupreey who died in Vietnam at age 20 

Click here for the MYNBC5 story 

Thanks to Tom Lavin of the Adirondack Regional Theater for a great story and photos 

Once upon a time, in the small town of Peru, NY, there lived a young boy named Mason Barber. Mason was an eighth grader with an extraordinary passion for musical theater. While most kids his age were busy playing sports or video games, Mason spent his afternoons belting out show tunes and choreographing impromptu dance routines in his bedroom.

His current favorite musical? Disney’s “The Little Mermaid.” The enchanting tale of Ariel, the curious mermaid who longed to explore the human world, captured Mason’s heart. He knew every lyric, every dance step, and every behind-the-scenes fact about the Broadway production. But there was one problem: Mason had never directed or been a part of a production team yet.

Determined to change that, Mason approached Pam and Tom Lavin of Adirondack Regional Theatre, to put on a production of “The Little Mermaid Jr.” Armed with cardboard props, borrowed costumes, and sheer enthusiasm, they transformed four stages and parks in the North Country into an underwater wonderland. Mason directed, helped choreograph, design the sets and even played the role of Scuttle at one performance.

The show was a hit! Parents wiped away tears as their children sang “Part of Your World,” and Mason beamed with pride. But he knew this was just the beginning. He dreamed of someday directing the grand Broadway version—the real deal with the best local actors, dazzling sets, and an orchestra pit.

Fast forward ten years. Mason had graduated from Plattsburgh State with a degree in Theater Arts. His résumé boasted various plays and musicals as an actor, director, set designer and even recitals with dance companies. But something tugged at his heart—the memory of that makeshift “Little Mermaid” production in Peru.

He returned to Adirondack Regional Theatre, now a seasoned director with a vision. He gathered a team of passionate artists, including his childhood friend Gabby Dion, who had always been his biggest supporter. Together, they set out to create magic.

Auditions were held, and Mason found his Ariel—a talented young actress named Bryn Walsh. The cast rehearsed tirelessly, and Mason poured his heart into every detail. The set designer, Roscoe Duquette, joined the group to build an awe-inspiring underwater kingdom. The costumes, designed by LeAnn Yelton, sparkle, and the orchestra, led by Cam Lincoln, learn their parts as the breathtaking choreography, created by Carlee Carrier and Jamie Roberts, took shape.

As opening night approaches, the Strand Center Theatre is buzzing with anticipation. Mason is waiting for the overture to begin and for the curtain to rise, revealing a breathtaking seascape. He will hear Bryn’s voice soar as Ariel sings of her dreams, and Mason will know he is witnessing something special.

Mason’s vision will be on display for all to see June 13-15 at Plattsburgh’s Strand Center Theatre. ART will present two evening shows at 7:30pm (June 14 & 15) and two matinees at 2pm (June 15 & 16). Tickets are available from the Strand Center for the Arts by calling the box office at 518-563-1604, online at  www.strandcenter.org/theater-events  or at the door the night of the show

Audiences are sure to be praising the innovative staging, the emotional performances, and the sheer joy radiating from the stage. Mason’s dream will come true—he directed Disney’s full-scale “The Little Mermaid.” The boy who once wielded cardboard swords now commands a crew of the North Country’s best.

When the final notes of “Under the Sea” echo through the theater, Mason will take a bow alongside his cast. Undoubtably tears will well up in his eyes. The North Country will have been transformed, and so will he. The little boy who loved musical theater had become a maestro of storytelling.

And so, Mason Barber’s journey—from junior director to Broadway luminary—reminds everyone that dreams, no matter how small or improbable, could lead to something magical. As the curtain fell at a recent rehearsal, Mason whispered to Gabby, “This is just the beginning.”

Click here for the Press-republican story 

Click here for the WCAX story 

Click here for the Hamilton Funeral Home obituary 

NYSCOPBA and multiple state and private agencies applaud the confirmation

Click here for the Sun Community News story 

L-R Assistant Coach Ethan Depo, Cooper Sweeney, Nick Palmer, Liam Clark, Patrick Clark, Nolan Miner, Brady O’Connell, Coach Ryon O’Connell

Congratulations to The Peru Nighthawks on winning Section 7 Sectionals on Thursday, May 23. 4 out of 6 players. Good luck to the golfers and Congrats to the team on their section win.

Peru Gazette 2023 file photo

By John T Ryan 

Peru—Highway Superintendent Michael announced his plan for highway paving at the town board’s May 13, 2024 meeting. Paving should begin in about three weeks. Until then, Peru will assist the Town of Ausable with its paving projects. Then, Ausable will assist Peru.  

Farrell’s initial project will involve paving the remaining half of John Boswell Road. Subsequently, he will lay a binder on Davern Road and pave Rock Road and Locust Drive.  

Farrell will use $404,000 in NYS Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS) monies to pay for the projects. He commented, “When I run out of money, I’ll stop.”  Farrell relies on CHIPS money for virtually all the town’s paving projects. 

1. Call Meeting to Order
2. Pledge of Allegiance

3. Roll Call 

4. MOTION/DISCUSSION:  

5. MOTION:  Acceptance of Minutes for the Regular Meeting of May 13, 2024. 

6. Community Input.

7. DISCUSSION:  4-H Free Food Kiosk Project. 

8. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: NYSEG LED Light Conversion Agreement.

9. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Hiring of C & S Engineers for the Replacement of Telegraph Rd. Bridge/Culvert.
10. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Resolution to Purchase (2) Hwy. Message Boards.

11. MOTION/DISCUSSION:  Acceptance of Use of Community Application for Heyworth Mason Park.

12. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Accept SEQR FOR Water Treatment Plant Project.

13. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:   202-B Proceedings Resolution.

14. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:   Approve Bond Resolution for Water Plant Improvements.

15. DISCUSSION:  Other Business.

16. DISCUSSION:  Public Comments on Agenda Items Only.

17. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: May 2024 Bills.

18. MOTION:  Adjourn to Executive Session.

19. MOTION:  Return from Executive Session. 

20. MOTION: Adjourn Meeting.

2015 Peru Gazette photo

By John T Ryan

The Town of Peru’s May 29 public hearing notice simply states that the hearing’s subject is a 202b matter. The 202b matter concerns upgrades to the water treatment plant on Reservoir Rd. This project is in addition to the $11 million to $25 million upgrades planned for the wastewater treatment plant.

The water treatment upgrades include expansion, new filtration equipment, a second water storage tank, and a supplemental well. In 2015, the town conducted a $3 million plant upgrade. Click here for the Peru Gazette’s 2016 story.  Residents can ask questions at the May 29, 5:45 p.m. public hearing.

Click here for the Adirondack Explorer story 

The Peru Gazette used syracuse.com’s calculator to determine Clinton County schools’ 2024-25 spending per pupil. Syracuse.com calculated per pupil spending by dividing each district’s total budget by its total enrollment. Per pupil spending at smaller schools is generally higher. for example, Lake Placid, with a 546 pupil enrollment, budgeted $41,025 per pupil.

They ranked 668 schools. The lower the rank, the higher the spending per pupil.

Northern Adirondack – $33,232 – Enrollment 835 – Rank 336
Ausable Valley – $33,196 – Enrollment 1,142 – Rank 340
Peru – $31,526 – Enrollment 1,716 – Rank 415
Plattsburgh – $30,117 – Enrollment 1,749 – Rank 492
Chazy – $29,989 – Enrollment 465 – Rank 496
Northeastern Clinton – $29,746 – Enrollment 1,225 – Rank 503
Saranac – $29,353 – Enrollment 1,470 – Rank 524
Beekmantown – $28, 005 – Enrollment 1,975 – Rank 567

Click here for the Syracuse.com story 

Syracuse.com calculated per pupil spending by dividing each district’s total budget by its total enrollment.

Breeze Airways is launching a new direct flight from Burlington to Raleigh-Durham

Click here for the MYNBC5 story 

Peru – CVPH Donor Center Blood Brive, Monday, June 10, 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., at St. Augustine’s Parish Center, 3030 Main St. in Peru. 

All blood collected is utilized in our local trl-county region.  Your neighbors appreciate and need your support. 

The blood drive is coordinated by St. Augustine’s Knights of Columbus Council 7273. 

Click here for the MYNBC5 story 

The Clinton Community College Board of Trustees has named Ken Knelly as administrator in charge, succeeding John Kowal as president. Knelly, currently chief of staff at SUNY Plattsburgh and Special Adviser to SUNY for the Clinton Community College Transition, has been leading the work of planning for a new location by the college’s fall 2025 semester. His appointment is effective Thursday, May 23.

The board on Wednesday accepted the resignation of Kowal, who was named president in March 2022. Kowal joined the college in 2018 as vice president for academic affairs. He served as administrator in charge from late 2021 to his appointment after the departure of former President Ray DiPasquale.

Clinton Community College Board Chair David Favro said, “Ken is the right person at the right time for this role. He has led us to the point of an identified location and through other key steps. The job of getting Clinton Community College healthy and completing the work of locating on the SUNY Plattsburgh campus is emerging as a single leadership task, and he is up for the role. We also thank John for his efforts on behalf of the college and wish him the best in the next stage of his career.” 

Site Determined for New Location

After thoroughly evaluating potential sites, including Algonquin, Banks and Adirondack Halls, SUNY has approved plans to move forward for a new Clinton Community College location at Redcay Hall on Beekman Street and an adjacent house at 133 Court Street. This choice allows Clinton to maintain its distinct identity while providing SUNY Plattsburgh opportunities to reallocate significant resources and repurpose existing facilities.

The decision enables SUNY Plattsburgh to retain and strategically reallocate substantial funds and priorities in a timely manner. Algonquin could be repurposed into an admissions-focused area adjacent to housing, residence halls, dining centers, and parking. Additionally, the removal of Adirondack and Banks Halls, unoccupied former residence halls, will create new greenspace areas and reimagine the west end of campus in a generational change.

The consolidation of all of Clinton into a single, edge-campus location will streamline activities while requiring only limited lab use and minimal upgrades. The adjacent 133 Court Street house is also included in the planned transition, which would involve Clinton moving in by the summer of 2025.

About Ken Knelly

Knelly began his career at SUNY Plattsburgh in 2014, leading an integrated university marketing and communications team. He moved to the Office of the President in 2017, adding administrative responsibilities and later as chief of staff under President Alexander Enyed. He has served as Special Advisor to SUNY for the Clinton Community College Transition since February 2024. He earned an A.A. in Business from Essex Community College in Rossville, Md., a B.B.A. in Finance from the University of Minnesota-Duluth, and an M.A. in Public Policy from West Virginia University.

At SUNY Plattsburgh, he led the university’s external relations, served as a member of the president’s leadership team and co-chaired the university’s self-study committee for its reaffirmation of accreditation by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education in 2020-2022.

Knelly’s past experience includes more than a dozen years as a print journalist, including as a reporter, editor, and newsroom leader. Locally, he is the immediate past president of the Rotary Club of Plattsburgh and led a grassroots effort to bring high school girls’ lacrosse to Clinton County. He is a native of Baltimore, Md.