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Knights thank everyone who attended today’s breakfast and express gratitude to local highway department personnel.
The St. Augustne’s Knights of Columbus are grateful to everyone who supported its Pancakes Plus breakfast, especially since about four inches of snow fell last night. They came for Peru, Schuyler Falls, Morrisonville, Cadyville, Plattsburgh, Dannemora, and other nearby communities.
Peru Highway Department snowplow operator Andrew McLaughlin, his wife Judeva, and their beautiful five children attended. Andrew had completed a plow run and said he’d make a second run after breakfast. Thanks to Andrew, the other Peru Highway Department members, and nearby town, county, and state highway department staff, people can easily travel, attend events, visit family, and enjoy the day.
2/20/25. 8:30 a.m. – Snowfall amount and Schuyler Falls included in the first paragraph.
Peru—St. Augustine’s Knights of Columbus will serve “Pancakes Plus” Breakfasts on Sunday, February 9, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at St. Augustine’s Parish Center. The January breakfast had a record turnout. Let’s see if we can set another record this month.
The menu includes Pancakes, Waffles, French Toast, Scrambled Eggs, Sausage, Bacon, home fries, Real Maple Syrup, Fruit Sauce, Coffee, Orange Juice, and Milk.
$10 for adults, $5 for children 5 to 11; children under 5 are Free. Take-outs are $10.
The Peru CSD Board of Education’s Policy Committee will meet on Friday, February 7, 2025, at 8:00 AM in the District Office, in the High School Building. The meeting is for policy development. Various policies from the 0000, 2000, 7000, 8000, and 9000 series may be discussed.
The meeting is open to the public and current District, County, State and Federal safety procedures and protocols will be followed.
MOTION/DISCUSSION: To Accept Reports from all Departments (Water/Sewer/Valcour; Highway, Town Clerk; Dog Control, Youth Department; Code/Zoning, Supervisor’s Report, Court; Website; Banking Reports, and JCEO);
MOTION: Acceptance of Minutes for the Regular Meeting of January 27, 2025.
Community Input.
DISCUSSION: C & S Companies February 5, 2025, Project Status Report for Telegraph Rd. Project.
MOTION/DISCUSSION: Letter of Support for Verizon Fios Broadband.
RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Approval of Purchase of 2025 Truck for the W/S/V Dept.
DISCUSSION: Thank You Letter from Babbie Museum for Donation and Sponsorship Card for Town Council.
L-R City Mayor Wendell Hughes, Town of Plattsburgh Supervisor Michael Cashman, Chamber CEO Gary Douglas, CC Legislature Chairman Mark Henry
The North Country Chamber of Commerce has released the results of its 2025 Annual Issue Survey, defining the position of regional businesses on a number of key issues and expressing expectations for the year ahead.
2025 BUSINESS CONFIDENCE INDEX:
“A year ago, the North Country business community told us they remained generally confident about 2024,” says Chamber President Garry Douglas. “The 2024 Business Confidence Index was 82%, with 60% expecting their business activity to be up and 22% expecting business to remain steady. For 2025, we are at a higher level of 87% with 65% anticipating that business will be up and 22% expecting it to be steady, which is very encouraging for the year ahead.”
At the same time, responses to questions on several key federal and state issues identify concerns, such as possible tariffs on Canada, and matters needing further attention, such as childcare and housing.
FEDERAL ISSUES:
97% call for optimizing the secure flow of legitimate cross-border commerce and travel at our northern border, including adequate staffing at all times.
97% declare that tariffs must be avoided on Canadian goods crossing the border.
81% support making the 2017 federal tax cuts permanent.
78% support federal tax relief for tips and overtime as a means of workforce recruitment and enhancement.
NEW YORK STATE ISSUES:
97% say “affordability” should be a key theme for the state, both for businesses and residents and to help stem out-migration.
80% say the State Budget must be free of any forms of tax increases.
98% say it is important for employment and the economy to enhance the capacity and affordability of child care.
89% call for enhanced support for BOCES and community colleges to assist with workforce needs, including a successful transition for Clinton Community College and the Institute for Advanced Manufacturing.
85% agree that the state must address in a major way the growing inadequacy of electricity transmission capacity and access in support of our economy.
95% agree that we must enhance regional availability of quality affordable housing including funding and approaches to scale that can work in the Adirondacks.
81% support the enactment of the pending MTA Capital Plan for the N.Y.C. metro area, recognizing its importance to the North Country in light of our large role in the production of transportation equipment.
The top four priorities for state action are as follows:
#1 – Enacting a new State Budget with no tax increases.
#2 – Regional availability of quality affordable housing.
#3 – Enhanced capacity and affordability of childcare.
#4 – Support for BOCES and community colleges to develop the workforce.
The Chamber’s 2025 Issue Survey results have been shared with federal and state officials and will be used to help guide the Chamber’s advocacy efforts in the coming months in Washington, Albany and elsewhere.
Members of the New York-Canada Relations Task Force join members of the General Consul of Canada in New York’s delegation for a photo after a breakfast meeting.
1/6/25 – Assemblyman Jones News Release – This week, Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateauguay Lake) welcomed the General Consul of Canada in New York, Tom Clark, in Albany. Joining Consul General Clark were Deputy General Geoff Gartshore, Quebec Delegate General David Brulotte, Consul and Senior Economic Officer of Ontario Trade and Investment Office in New York Aaron Pinto, and representatives from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
In celebration of the Consul General’s visit, Jones sponsored a Resolution to Proclaim Monday, February 3rd, as Canadian Heritage Day in New York. Trade with Canada supports 520,300 jobs, and more than 800 Canadian-owned companies employ 65,000 New Yorkers. Many of these jobs are right in the North Country’s manufacturing sector. New York also has $28 billion in exports and $50 billion in annual bilateral trade with Canada. Between trade, tourism and proximity to the border, New York has a special relationship with Canada that deserves to be recognized.
On Wednesday morning, Jones also hosted breakfast for the New York Canada Relations Task Force, during which members were able to have an important conversation with the Consul General and his delegation regarding the relationship between the state and Canada. Considering the recent 25 percent tariffs on Canadian goods proposed by the federal government that will impact heating oil, asphalt, cement, lumber, and other building materials and other goods vital to the North Country economy, this was an important discussion to figure out the next steps as we all navigate these new trade laws.
“I want to thank Consul General of Canada in New York Tom Clark and his delegation for returning to Albany to have important discussions about our future,” said Jones. “Canada is our largest trading partner – I oppose the tariffs proposed by the federal government because they will only hurt local businesses and bring higher costs to consumers. We have always had a great relationship with our northern neighbors, and I fear the recent issues with tariffs will be damaging. Our economies are so intertwined that our businesses and residents can prosper with proper trading policies. I will continue these conversations with Canadian leadership to ensure that the North Country is ready for what comes next.”
“I thank Assemblyman Billy Jones for his steadfast support for the strong and longstanding relationship between Canada and New York State,” said Consul General Clark. “Jones has demonstrated an unyielding commitment to protecting and enriching the economic and diplomatic ties that are essential to our mutual prosperity and security. We are equally committed to this relationship because we know we win together. This is a friendship that has stood the test of time, and we will continue to be good friends and neighbors.”
Town of Harrietstown Franklin County Snowmobile Accident: On Feb. 1 at 2:20 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch called NYS Forest Ranger Adams about a snowmobile accident near McCauley Pond. Ranger Adams was on snowmobile patrol and reached the scene with Ranger O’Connor at 2:45 p.m. Saranac Lake Rescue and Saranac Lake Volunteer Fire Department were assisting the 39-year-old subject from New Jersey. Rangers Lewis and Praczkajlo helped package the patient in a litter and joined rescuers in transporting him to the trail and a staged UTV. An ambulance met the UTV for transport to a Life Net helicopter at Lake Clear Airport, which took the subject to the hospital. New York State Police (NYSP) alerted rescuers that the patient died from his injuries. Resources were clear at 4:41 p.m. Judging by the tracks, NYSP and Rangers determined the snowmobiler lost control around a left turn and crashed into several trees.
Knights thank everyone who attended today’s breakfast and express gratitude to local highway department personnel.
Peru—St. Augustine’s Knights of Columbus will serve “Pancakes Plus” Breakfasts on Sunday, February 9, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at St. Augustine’s Parish Center. The January breakfast had a record turnout. Let’s see if we can set another record this month.
The Peru CSD Board of Education’s Policy Committee will meet on Friday, February 7, 2025, at 8:00 AM in the District Office, in the High School Building. The meeting is for policy development. Various policies from the 0000, 2000, 7000, 8000, and 9000 series may be discussed.
Call Meeting to Order
What: Chicken & Biscuit Dinner