The Peru Gazette

Thanks to Jodie Bonville for sharing the celebration at the end of Wednesday’s Peru-Ticonderoga basketball game on Senior Night. The Nighthawks won 51-39.

Click here and wait for a second; the video should appear. IMG_6290

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April Wright

Peru – When most people think of the JCEO Outreach Center, they think of a “food shelf.” But, the people attending the Peru Democratic Party’s first Community Learning Series at the Peru Free Library learned that it’s much more than a food shelf.

Peru JCEO Outreach Coordinator, April Wright, was the guest speaker. Marque Moffett summarized April’s presentation and responses to the many questions people asked.

When April Wright arrived, two things were obvious: the JCEO Outreach Center does a LOT for our community, and April is a helper to her very core. Here is a partial list of the services provided by our JCEO Outreach Center:

• Providing fresh fruits, vegetables, bread, meats, dairy, personal hygiene items, and non-perishable food such as canned and boxed goods.
• Application assistance for people filling out SNAP*, HEAP**, HUD***, and Christmas Bureau applications.
• Housing assistance: for individuals, who can show they can pay monthly rent, JCEO can provide the first month’s rent + security deposit. They often collaborate with other local organizations such as DSS, United Way, and Catholic Charities.
• The backpack program gets school supplies to children whose families need assistance.
• Summer camp scholarships to select local summer camps.
• Connect volunteer drivers with individuals who need a ride to medical appointments.
• A supply of blankets, clothing, and new socks & underwear are on hand for any individual who needs them.

In addition to all the services, April will help people find additional assistance if they need it. She’s a living, breathing treasure trove of information! So if you or anyone you know is looking for help or would like to help yourself, please get in touch with April. The JCEO Outreach Center is in the basement of Peru’s Town Hall. Hours are Monday, Tuesday, Closed, Wednesdays, Thursday, and Friday from 8:30 am – 4:00 pm. The phone number is 518-643-8455. I recommend calling ahead, as April is often called away for work duties.

To wrap this up, I’d like to share a quote of something April said at the event: “To see what this community does to support us … it just touches my heart. It’s amazing.” Well done, Peru! Let’s keep up our good work.

* SNAP – Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, i.e., Food Stamps

** HEAP – Home Energy Assistance Program

*** HUD – U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Thanks to Jodie Bonville for allowing the Gazette to post her Facebook video of the victory celebration following last night’s Peru Varsity Basketball win over Ticonderoga. It was also Senior Night. Congratulations Nighthawks!

Click here to view on Facebook. 

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The budget would raise the state cigarette tax from $4.35 to $5.35 per pack.

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More than 26 percent of the state government workforce is eligible for retirement in the next five years and state has lost 14,375 employees since 2020

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By John T. Ryan 

Peru – As of January 1, 2023, Robert Desotell is the new owner of Liberty’s Garage. Virtually all of Liberty’s vehicle service customers know Robert; he has worked at Liberty’s since he was fifteen, beginning as a part-time employee while attending Saranac High School. After high school graduation in 2005, he attended the NASCAR Technical Institute in North Carolina for eighteen months and graduated as an ASE Certified Master Technician.  

Why did he buy the Garage? Desotell said, “It seemed like the right thing to do. I’ve been here a long time.” He plans to operate the Garage the same way former owners Karen and Jim Champagne did. He commented, “I don’t have any changes planned. It works!” 

Desotelle works in the shop alongside mechanics Todd Martineau and Donald Westerkamp. Between them, the three men have sixty-one years of mechanical experience. Donna Downs continues as office manager. 

Along with selling Mobil fuels, Liberty’s Garage offers a wide range of auto-truck services, from changing oil and tires to motors and transmissions. The Garage’s new self-serve gas pumps with the latest credit card technology are very popular. 

Liberty’s Garage is open from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday – Friday and from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. Call 518-643-9016.