The editor is John Ryan at email: perugazette@gmail.com. The Peru Gazette is a free community, education and information website. It is non-commercial and does not accept paid advertising.
Comment Policy
The Peru Gazette welcomes comments on posted stories. The author MUST include his/her first and last name. No foul or libelous language permitted. The Peru Gazette reserves the right to not publish a comment.
Harkness – Volunteers were out in force yesterday at the Harkness Methodist Church preparing for today’s chicken and biscuit dinner. It’s being served take-out only from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. All are welcome!!
PLATTSBURGH, NY (10/14/2022) — Together with the Foundation of CVPH, the William H. Miner Foundation announced today a $1.2 million donation to support the University of Vermont Health Network – Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital’s (CVPH) Educational Career Advancement Program (ECAP), created to provide employees with the opportunity to grow professionally while addressing chronic workforce challenges faced by the hospital.
ECAP offers financial assistance for education to CVPH employees in exchange for a commitment to work for the hospital for a defined period of time upon completion. Participants are reimbursed for books and tuition and some may receive a stipend. Participants may also be able to adjust work schedules if needed while they pursue their degree.
Dr. Rick Grant of the Miner Foundation said that the foundation was pleased to support this worthwhile program, “William Miner built state-of-the art Physician’s Hospital in 1926, but he understood that it was the highly trained and dedicated staff that made it successful.”
Employees from Radiology, Laboratory, Perioperative Services, Patient Registration and Patient Care are currently enrolled in the program. The eight members of the first session are pursuing degrees or advanced certification in Nursing and Specialty Radiology.
Thanks to ECAP, Laboratory Assistant Norlene Buskey is attending nursing school. “I want the trustees to know how much they are changing my life and making my dream come true with this donation. I am so grateful; I want them to know that their donation will not go to waste, and I will be the best RN that I can be to take care of our patients and our community.”
In thanking the Miner Foundation, Alice Hyde Medical Center and CVPH President Michelle LeBeau called ECAP “a real investment in our people – one that could change their lives and have a lasting impact on our community.”
The William H. Miner Foundation will be working with The Foundation of CVPH to award these funds. ECAP applications will be accepted on a yearly basis. Representatives from Patient Care/Nursing, Professional Services, The Foundation and Human Resources review the applications and select participants based on open positions, future staffing projections and recruitment and retention trends. Preference is given to those pursuing high-need, hard to fill roles in the organization.
“This generous donation is yet another amazing example of the Miner Foundation’s commitment to CVPH and the entire North Country. The program will make a tremendous difference by supporting our staff, helping to keep talented and committed professionals here in the North Country and allowing us to continue our mission to care for our community,” said Associate Vice President of Philanthropy Kerry Haley.
Hospitals throughout the country and especially in rural areas like the North Country continue to be challenged with staffing shortages. The American Hospital Association (AHA) recently reported that in the early days of the pandemic, the healthcare industry lost 1.5 million workers. And while there has been a gradual recovery in some settings, according to the AHA, hospitals and nursing facilities lost 32,900 and 145,600 employees since December of 2021. Earlier this year, the Iroquois Healthcare Alliance reported that the overall average position vacancy rate in upstate hospitals was 17.1%, almost three times the average rate than at the beginning of the pandemic in 2020.
Upstate hospitals are currently recruiting for over 3,700 registered nurse position openings, according to the alliance that represents 50 hospitals in 32 counties in upstate New York.
“ECAP is one of several initiatives we’ve launched to support our employees’ desire to grow their careers while continuing to meet the needs of the community,” LeBeau said and added it’s part of a Network-wide effort to develop, nurture and retain talent throughout the region. “The support of the Miner Foundation has been instrumental in getting it up and running.”
“William Miner viewed quality healthcare as essential to rural life and he built Physician’s Hospital. But time and again he focused on the people who worked there, insisting on an education that combined head, hands, and heart. We believe ECAP will sustain Miner’s vision.”
From establishing the Physician’s Hospital at 100 Beekman St. in 1926 and supporting the creation of the Alice T. Miner Women and Children’s Center in 1999 to contributing to the CVPH Family Medicine Residency, The William H. Miner Foundation has a long history of supporting health care in the North Country. Miner grew up in Chazy in the early 1900s and after making his fortune in the Midwest, returned to the Champlain Valley investing in agriculture, education and health care. His Foundation continues to support the William H. Miner Agricultural Institute, Chazy Central Rural School and CVPH.
9 a.m. Oct. 15, 2022 – Youth Commission Brian Marino thanked coaches, parents, former Recreation Director John Flynn, Interim Recreation Director Kristen Marino, youth commission members, the field maintenance staff, and everyone responsible for the program’s success. Three hundred eighty children participated on mite, mini-mite, and peewee soccer teams.
Peru, October 13, 2022 – Wage increases are impacting Peru, especially in the town highway department. At last night’s meeting (October 13, 2022), the town board accepted equipment operator Jason Burl’s resignation. Supervisor Brandy McDonald commented, “Unfortunately, this won’t be the last. There are more coming up, possibly two more.” Later McDonald said, “If we lose more than two employees, there are some roads that aren’t going to get plowed this year.”
Wage competition from other towns, the state, and private industry is the primary reason employees are leaving, especially competition for employees possessing a Class A heavy equipment operating license. McDonald said Clinton County is starting people at $28 hourly, about $8 an hour more than Peru. Other towns have raised pay by $2.00 or $2.50 hourly, plus longevity percentage increases. Private companies are paying $10 to $12 more hourly, plus offering matching benefits and sign-on bonuses. Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell recalled when government entities didn’t lure employees from other government entities. He concluded, “It’s frustrating. It’s a revolving door.” McDonald said the board would include wages in the town’s 2023 budget discussions.
The Elm Street sewer line replacement project is nearing completion. Michael Metcalf of AES Northeast, the town’s contracting engineering firm, told the board that Luck Brothers Construction would perform line testing next week. Road reconstruction will begin on October 24, with the completion date planned for Veterans Day, November 11.
Metcalf also reported a meeting with Rifenburg Construction, the contractor responsible for phase #1 of the sewer system upgrade project. Metcalf said he reached an agreement over the few remaining issues and that the final financial figures should be forthcoming on October 14.
Luck Brothers will also be installing new sidewalks along Elm Street. Surveying is complete, with work beginning next week.
Peru and Black Brook are continuing their shared services cooperation. The board approved a resolution authorizing Michael Farrell to order a new John Deere 331G Tractor and Skid Steer at $120,187.96. Peru and Black Brook will each pay 50% of the cost. The towns use the equipment in road grinding-paving operations.
The board approved payments to Luck Brothers of $420,664.93 (Payment #2) for Elm street construction and $466,048.27 (Payment #4) for the Telegraph Road culvert construction.
Town Clerk Dianne Miller asked the board to consider implementing a purchase order system. She believes requiring departments to have approved purchase orders for small items would save the town money. She cited $155 in savings for two purchases adding that at least three other local towns require purchase orders with the supervisor as the approving official. Supervisor McDonald said a workshop would be the best place to discuss the issue and work out any details.
Councilman Rick Barber reported that when the Peru Town Market opened at Heyworth Mason Park on Sunday, October 9, he rang the Heyworth Mason Park bell for the first time. Barber said it was loud and sounded great. Barber donated the historic bell to the town and coordinated the bell tower’s construction. His family has possessed the bell for almost 200 years.
Counselors are concerned about four-wheelers damaging town parks, especially at Lapham Mills. A yellow four-wheeler recently performed wheelies in the parking lot. A four-wheeler doing a similar maneuver on the grass would cause significant damage.
Water-Sewer-Parks Superintendent Courtney Tetrault said some residents complained about not being aware of the recent town-wide boil water order. Tetrault said he notified the health department, the Peru Gazette, several local businesses, WIRY, his department’s Facebook page, and the town website. Tetrault wants to do everything possible to notify residents. He told the board that a cell phone app might be an additional means of communicating emergencies to residents.
Interim Recreation Director Kristen Marino gave a detailed report on the many upcoming Youth Commission activities, including this Saturday’s 9 a.m. soccer season closing ceremony, with games beginning at 9:30. All the teams will participate in a shotgun start.
Peru’s kids will be able to participate in the Clinton County winter basketball program. Practice begins in January, with games from February – March.
A non-profit dedicated to delivering food to the needy and purchasing sports equipment for disadvantaged children is interested in conducting a springtime half-marathon in Peru. Marino will forward the information to the board. Marino’s report begins at the 45-minute 50-second mark of the accompanying video.
Mark Hamilton, Director of the Plattsburgh Housing Authority, “The way that things are structured now is that when you work and you have income, and that threshold’s not high, you will no longer qualify for some of the support services that you would have qualified for before,” said Hamilton. “And so now you’re sort of on your own. But again, you can’t make all the ends meet because you can’t pay for health insurance and you can’t pay for daycare. And it’s really just incredibly difficult.”
Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay Lake) joined firefighters from the North Country today to announce that he introduced three bills to help volunteer fire departments in their recruitment and retention efforts and make much-needed capital improvements. One bill creates the Volunteer Firefighter Training Fund to help firefighters complete over a hundred hours of required training by providing funding to help cover the costs of travel and missing work. Another bill creates a Volunteer Firefighters Scholarship Program and Fund to assist volunteer firefighters in going to college after eight years of membership. The final bill creates the Volunteer Fire Department Capital Fund to help fire departments make capital improvements, build new stations, and buy new equipment to meet the current standards and recommendations.
“Volunteer fire departments across the North Country are there for us when we need them most and we must make sure they not only have the resources and equipment they need to keep us safe, but also the members to respond to these emergencies,” said Jones. “Volunteer firefighters are dedicated members of our community who devote so much of their free time to protect our communities and creating the Training Fund and Scholarship program is one way that we can show our appreciation. With the rising costs of construction, capital projects have also become unobtainable by our local fire departments, and they need this assistance to make sure that they can continue to provide life-saving services. The state needs to invest capital funds in our local fire departments to take the burden from our local taxpayers and local municipalities.”
“The Beekmantown Volunteer Fire Department has outgrown the station on Route 22 and is working towards building a new one and this funding will help us tremendously,” said Chief Darryl Menard. “We answer calls across the North Country, including on the Northway, and we need a new facility to house the equipment necessary to respond. I want to thank Assemblyman Jones for visiting the station earlier this year and listening to the issues we are experiencing and coming up with this solution.”
“The Champlain Fire Department is also struggling to get the funding needed to build a new fire station approved by voters years ago,” said Commissioner Chris Trombley. “This capital fund would be great news for this project and thank Assemblyman Jones for taking this initiative.”
“As volunteer fire departments struggle to recruit and retain new members, the Scholarship and Training Fund will go a long way towards helping districts with membership,” said Scott Ewing, 1st Vice President of New York State Association of Fire Chiefs. “Capital improvements and new stations will give fire departments something to take pride in, which will also help local fire departments recruit and retain members.
Earn while you learn program offers job opportunity, satisfaction of caring for others
PLATTSBURGH, NY (10/13/2022) – Applications are being accepted for the University of Vermont Health Network – Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital (CVPH) Clinical Assistant (CA) Training program scheduled to begin Monday, November 28.
Applications for enrollment are due Monday, November 7. Candidates must have a high school diploma or GED, demonstrate competency and attend all course sessions. Application can be made at UVMHealth.org/CVPHCA.
The six-week program includes 240 hours of classroom instruction and clinical rotations with hands-on experience. CA students will be paid $16.85 an hour while they attend class, developing the skills and confidence needed for direct patient care. Upon successful completion, graduates will receive:
A choice of vacant CA positions on a variety of nursing units
A CA hourly wage ($18.20 an hour weekdays/ $19.20 weekends) with shift differentials of $1.25 and $1.50 for evenings and nights, respectively
$4,000 sign-on bonus
A robust total rewards package that includes:
ü Sizeable wage increases as a member of 1199SEIU over the next year.
ü Paid time off
ü Tuition assistance and support
ü Educational opportunities
ü Flexible healthcare options
ü Recognition programs
Clinical Assistants work under the direct supervision of a Registered Nurse. They take and record vital signs, perform designated tests, collect patient samples, and support patients in all activities of daily living at the hospital. Interaction with unit staff, physicians and other hospital department personnel is critical. CAs also meet patients and their families as they enter the unit, welcoming and acclimating them to the service and routine.
CVPH launched the first training program in September to address a chronic shortage in clinical assistants and to provide those interested with an opportunity to become part of the patient care team.
More information about the Clinical Assistant Training Program can be found at UVMHealth.org/CVPHCA or by calling (518) 562-7180.
This program is part of The University of Vermont Health Network’s commitment to developing, nurturing and retaining talent in Northern New York and Vermont. Learn more about these efforts by visiting https://uvmhealthimpact.org/workforce..
New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, Allegany County District Attorney Keith Slep and the New York State Police today announced the arrests of Ronda (Brundage) Kish and Marion Brundage for allegedly stealing $11,276 from the Oramel Fire Department.
Ronda Kish was charged with Grand Larceny in the 3rd Degree, Corrupting the Government in the 3rd Degree and Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the 1st Degree. Marion Brundage was charged with Grand Larceny in the 4th Degree and Corrupting the Government in the 3rd Degree. Kish, 54, served as the department’s Treasurer and her former sister-in-law, Brundage, 52, was its Secretary and First Assistant Chief. The arrests were the result of a joint investigation between Comptroller DiNapoli’s Office, the Allegany County District Attorney’s Office and the New York State Police.
“These two officials allegedly used money meant for the protection of their community as their own personal bank account,” DiNapoli said. “My thanks to Allegany County District Attorney Slep and the State Police for partnering with my office to make sure that those who engage in public corruption are found out and brought to justice.”
From 2016 to 2020, Ronda Kish allegedly stole $8,675 from the Oramel Fire Department by making unauthorized cash withdrawals and writing checks to herself for supposed reimbursements that had no receipts or approval from the department’s board. Kish used the money to pay personal expenses, including numerous credit card bills.
Kish abruptly quit as Treasurer after the department’s board began to ask questions about the money. The Oramel Fire Department bank account was empty when she quit. Local officials brought their concerns to Comptroller DiNapoli’s office and the Allegany County DA.
During the same time period, Marion Brundage allegedly stole $2,601 by writing checks to herself for supposed reimbursements.
Kish and Brundage were arraigned before Judge David Szucs in the Town of Caneadea Court and are scheduled to appear again in court on November 9.
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; JCEO; and Banking Reports).
MOTION:Approval of Minutes for the Public Hearing and the Regular Town Board Meeting of September 26, 2022.
Community Input.
MOTION/DISCUSSION:Approval of Luck Bros., Inc. Payment App #4 for Telegraph Culvert Project
RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:Approval to Order a John Deere 331G Track Skid Steer Part of Shared Services with the Town of Ausable.
RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:Accept Jason Burl’s Resignation from the Highway Dept.
October 12, 2022