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Peru – CVPH Donor Center Blood Brive, Monday, January 29, from 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.

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

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New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli released the following statement on Governor Hochul’s Executive Budget proposal:

“Governor Hochul introduced her Executive Budget proposal amid continued economic growth; however, as recent years have shown, the financial picture can change rapidly. As the state faces out-year budget gaps totaling over $20 billion through State Fiscal Year 2027-28, it is important that actions are taken to improve the long-term stability of the state’s finances while ensuring adequate funding for our most important needs, including education, public safety, health and mental health care, among other priorities.

“The Governor and the Legislature have boosted the state’s rainy-day funds and other reserves for economic uncertainties, and these funds should be retained for emergencies. It is important to develop clear guidelines on the appropriate use of these reserves. In addition to protecting reserve funds, policymakers must ensure that this year’s budget decisions also improve the state’s structural balance.

“I remain concerned about the state’s debt burden, one of the highest in the nation and which continues to grow. I have put forth proposals to bring comprehensive and binding debt reform that will ensure more responsible debt decisions and, more importantly, greater accountability to the public. It’s time this issue is addressed before it hinders the state’s ability to adequately address future infrastructure needs.

“My office will release a more detailed analysis of the 2024-25 Executive Budget in the coming weeks.”

Pre-order by February 8th by calling 518-643-2261, 518-324-6084, or 518-578-5317.

Janine ScherlineELIZABETHTOWN, N.Y. – Janine Scherline of Peru, NY, joined the Adirondack Council staff as Director of Development in mid-January, the organization announced. At the same time, Elizabeth Rogers of Willsboro joined the Council’s staff as Director of Strategic Initiatives and Engagement.

Prior to joining the Council’s team, Scherline was Director of Donor Engagement for the Adirondack Foundation, a regional community foundation based in Lake Placid. Rogers was Director of Development for the UVM Health Network – Elizabethtown Community Hospital.

“With the new year comes an amazing opportunity to welcome two new senior staff members to the Adirondack Council,” said Adirondack Council Executive Director Raul J. Aguirre. “Janine and Elizabeth are fantastic individuals who are leaders in their fields and have exceptional talents that match well with the needs of the organization at this time. Both will begin the week of January 15.”

Janine Scherline will fill an existing director position, while Elizabeth Rogers will take on a newly created senior position focused on operational and strategic planning priorities. Both positions are part of the Council’s leadership team.

Director of Fund Development

“Janine will take the position that was vacated when our friend and colleague Debbie Pastore left in mid-July,” Aguirre said.“She will work with our board of directors and with Asst. Director of Development Nicholle Gotham, who has been carrying a heavy workload since Deb’s departure this past summer.

“Janine has been a successful fundraiser in a broad range of not-for-profit fields including the arts, public television and higher education,” he said.  “She has also exhibited leadership and a strong sense of community service, all tied directly to a love of the Adirondacks.”

In addition to her work for the Adirondack Foundation, Scherline worked for the State University of New York at Plattsburgh, Mountain Lake Public Television in Plattsburgh, and organizations promoting arts from Lake Placid to London, England.

Strategic Initiatives and Engagement

“As we look towards our 50^th Anniversary in 2025 and expanding our efforts related to the VISION 2050 report, Elizabeth will work with staff and the board in a new position. In the short term, she will focus on refining the Council’s upcoming initiatives and program efforts to be more strategic, innovative, and relevant to the issues currently at play in the Adirondacks,” Aguirre said.

Elizabeth Rogers

“We have a deep pool of talented staff members,” he explained. “Our staff are actively engaged in all the important areas related to the protection of the Adirondack Park, including conservation planning, government relations, environmental advocacy, constitutional law, and communications, among other areas.  Janine and Elizabeth will help us prioritize and focus our energy and resources so we take full advantage of the opportunities ahead while building momentum and finding new ways for the organization to articulate our top priorities to new audiences across the state and the nation. Very excited about having both of them join the Council team.”

In addition to her work for the Elizabethtown Hospital, Rogers worked in public affairs for the National Park Service at the Fire Island National Seashore on Long Island, and at Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument in Maine. She also worked for the US Fish & Wildlife Service and The Wild Center in Tupper Lake.

Established in 1975, the Adirondack Council is a privately funded not-for-profit organization whose mission is to ensure the ecological integrity and wild character of the Adirondack Park. It is the largest environmental organization whose sole focus is the Adirondacks.

The Council carries out its mission through research, education, advocacy, and legal action. It envisions a Park with clean water and clean air, core wilderness areas, farms and working forests, and vibrant, diverse, welcoming, safe communities.

Plattsburgh men plead guilty to manslaughter in the stabbing death of Kenneth Darrah

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FEMA allocation to support generator replacement project

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Visit to capital gives students a close-up look at how state government works

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Lake Placid project approved for long-term interest-free financing

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Price increasee to $.68 effective Sunday, January 21, 2024 

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No room at the inn for about 60 households daily 

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Medicaid costs pose challenge, investment in development wins welcome

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State hopes to put more school bus drivers behind the wheel

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Fans can vote once a day till Feb. 12

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