The Peru Gazette

Be the One Scholarships offered for first time since 2019

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L-R Town Attorney Matt Favro, Councilmen Melvin Irwin, Kregg Bruno, Supervisor Brandy McDonald, Town Clerk/Tax Collector Dianne Miller, Jim Douglass & Rick Barber

 By John T Ryan 

March 22, 2023, Peru – On November 7, Peru voters can elect two town board members. Having completed a four-year term incumbent, Democrat Councilman Kregg Bruno announced that he would seek reelection, while Republican Councilman Rick Barber stated he would not seek another term. 

Peru Republican Party Chairman Melvin Irwin told the Peru Gazette that Eric Duquette, a local building contractor, is interested in being elected to the board on the Republican ticket. Peru Democratic Party Chairman Marque Moffett said that her party hadn’t established a caucus date, but as of today, no Democrat has expressed interest in running. However, both Irwin and Moffett said they’d welcome more candidates. Neither party has set a caucus date. 

Rick Barber told the Peru Gazette why he isn’t seeking reelection. “I have thoroughly enjoyed my five years working with this board and for the town. As you know, life takes twists and turns. Kay and l bought a place in Florida and really enjoying retirement. I won’t say l ‘m done … maybe down the road, if things in our lives change, l would run again if the townspeople would have me. Right now, l can’t devote time to the town and be in Florida with my wife and family. As you are aware, l am the 7th generation of my family to hold office for the Town of Peru. I greatly appreciated being elected and l hope the people of the town have appreciated and enjoyed the work we’ve done.” 

Editor’s Note – The Peru Gazette will publish a story regarding Clinton County election contests at a later date. 

Correction – Melvin Irwin’s name was incorrectly written as Melvin Bruno in paragraph #2.

Features 10,000 eggs and a visit from the Easter Bunny

PLATTSBURGH, NY – A family favorite Easter tradition returns to the front lawn at The University of Vermont Health Network-Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital (CVPH). The Easter Egg Hunt is scheduled for Saturday, April 8 at 10 a.m. sharp.

Known as the fastest event in Plattsburgh, there will be nearly 10,000 brightly colored eggs scattered on the lawn that will be scooped up in about two minutes. The eggs will be stuffed with candy, and some will include a coupon for a free kid’s meal at Texas Roadhouse.

The egg hunt is free and open to children ages ten and younger, with a separate hunting ground for children 3 and under. Hunters should be dressed according to weather conditions. The event is BYOB (bring your own basket), and kids will get to say hello and pose for pictures with the guest of honor: the Easter Bunny.

There will be convenient parking in the Medical Office Building lots just off the Cornelia Street entrance, and CV-TEC students will help provide security services. For more information, contact Michelle Senecal at (518) 314-3359 or msenecal@cvph.org.

Shaun Akin elected mayor of Dannemora

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Two men charged with 2nd degree murder in Keeseville death

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A report by the Correctional Association of New York, which monitors prison conditions, found there has been “numerous departures from basic adherence” to the HALT Act

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Tuesday, March 28, 7 p.m. at the Peru Town Hall 

Call to order

Motion, Discussion, Approval of March Agenda

Motion, Discussion, Approval of January Meeting Minutes

Youth Director Update

Motion Discussion Approval of Youth Commission Appointments

2022

Brian Marino – Chairman

Emily Sypek – Vice Chair

Krista Bull – Secretary

Kristin Marino – Assistant Youth Director

Emily Sypek – Ski Club Coordinator

2023

Chairman

Vice Chair

Secretary

Assistant Youth Director

Ski Club Coordinator

Winter Recap

• Coaching Issues
• Parent Issues
• 1^st Season of County Basketball
• Ski Program

Youth Employment

Sponsorship vs. Donation

Fun Runs

Open Agenda

Adjourn

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“…they needed to do something with people because the resources up there were being overrun,” Page said

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Investigators say it was a drug deal gone bad 

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“The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says 107,735 Americans died from drug poisonings between August 2021 and August 2022, and 66% of those deaths involved synthetic opioids like fentanyl. Approximately 23% of fentanyl powder and 7% of fentanyl pills seized by the DEA in 2022 contained xylazine, according to Milgram.”

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Body found yesterday at Ausable Chasm Bridge riverbank 

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The Clinton County Historial Association announces the formation of Clinton County’s America250 Semiquincentennial Anniversary Steering Committee. The Committee is a coalition of historical, educational, nonprofit, government, and other representatives who, for several months, have been discussing the various event opportunities for the upcoming 250^th anniversary of the founding of our nation. The committee’s objective is to harness Clinton County’s collective efforts to ensure it marks this region’s imprint on the American Story. CCHA President Geri Favreau is serving as Project Coordinator. Desmond Meacham, a recent SUNY Plattsburgh graduate majoring in history, serves as project lead for aspects of the project related to the grant.

Steering Committee Members are:  Sharon Bell (Saranac Chapter, NSDAR.), Michael Cashman (Supervisor, Town of Plattsburgh, Battlefield Memorial Gateway Park & Committee Co-Chair), Geri Favreau (President, CCHA, Committee Co-Chair & Project Coordinator), Rich Frost (Historian & Author), Wendell Hughes (County Legislator), Brandy McDonald (Supervisor, Town of Peru), Desmond Meacham (Grant Team Leader), Helen Nerska (Director, CCHA & Town of Peru Historian), John Rock (Sons of the American Legion and Friends of Crab Island; Battlefield Memorial Gateway Park), and Craig Russell (Valcour Battle Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution)

Michael Cashman – “This region is rich with history. Especially military history dating back to the formation of this great nation. The Town of Plattsburgh along with our partners, the Clinton County American Legion, are excited to be advancing efforts of the Battlefield Memorial Gateway project. Our goal is to create a multigenerational space that helps to tell important stories that occurred on the land, islands and Lake Champlain. The BMG project will focus on the Battle of Valcour and Crab Island. While serving as a launching point for locals and visitors to continue to explore history throughout the North Country. It is with great pride to be part of a larger effort to celebrate our region’s history as stories in the earliest chapter of the American story.”

Geri Favreau – “Our region has had a significant impact on the formation and birth of our nation from the Original People who were here first to the Revolutionary War to the Battle of Plattsburgh and beyond.  The mission of the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission is ‘To commemorate our 250th anniversary with inclusive programs that inspire Americans to renew and strengthen our daring experiment in democracy.’  An experiment that has survived for 250 years!  It is with great pride that Clinton County and the Clinton County Historical Association will lead in commemorating the Revolutionary War in our region and the beginning of our democracy.”

Desmond Meacham – “I am excited and honored to be working on a project concerning our area’s strong roots to the birth of the country. The semiquincentennial celebrations here in Clinton County will include many moments to remember and learn about this land and the lake’s role in America’s earliest days.”

Craig Russell – “The Battle of Valcour Bay was the first ‘ naval encounter ‘ after independence was declared. Although a tactical defeat, it was a strategic win for the patriot cause. Although he eventually betrayed the country, Benedict Arnold was truly the foremost combat general from 1775 to 1777. Had he remained faithful to the cause of liberty, he surely would be ranked just under George Washington as a revered general. We must present the events that led up to that fateful October 11, 1776, and link the events in the Champlain Valley and Quebec Province commemorating the overall picture of what occurred and presenting and understanding the good part of Benedict Arnold’s military career.”

Sharon Bell – “The Battle of Valcour was a pivotal, but little known, battle in the American Revolution. By delaying the British Invasion force, Arnold bought time for the fledging American cause. The Saranac Chapter US Daughters of the American Revolution has been commemorating the Battle of Valcour for 127 years. We look forward to participating in the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution.”

John Rock – “Our area is very rich in history with the battles that have taken place and the veterans we have had who served our nation. The North Country needs to tell our story about what events took place in our fight for independence and the birth of a new nation. I hope everyone will help us plan this huge event for 2026, all towns and communities.”

For more information about Clinton County’s America250 program planning, contact: gerifavreau@gmail.com.  

Funding for this project came from an $8,000 Local Heritage Grant from the Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership.

March 20, 2023

The Town of Peru is accepting sealed bids for an air conditioning mini split system for the Town Hall and to furnish and install a drop ceiling as a separate bid.  Please visit Peru Town Hall to measure and assess needs for bid.  

Sealed bids will be accepted by Dianne Miller, Town Clerk, up until the opening of said bids, which will be at 10:00 AM on April 10, 2023, with the anticipation that the bid will be awarded at the regular meeting at 6:00 PM that evening. 

The Town of Peru reserves the right to reject any and all bids.

__________________________

Dianne Miller

Town Clerk

Town of Peru

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Peru – CVPH Donor Center Blood Drive, Monday, March 27, 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., St. Augustine’s Parish Center. All blood collected is utilized in our local region.

Coordinated by the Peru Knights of Columbus council 7273