The Peru Gazette

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Chamber, CCC and manufacturing hub look to bolster welding workforce

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City officials, coaches and residents alike applaud Bailey Vanarman’s efforts (Note that several Peru businesses contributed to the effort) 

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Photo Caption: Assemblyman Billy Jones, Speaker Carl Heastie, CEO and President of the Plattsburgh YMCA Justin Ihne, and board members and staff of the Plattsburgh YMCA

This morning Assemblyman Jones joined New York State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie to announce an investment of $1.3 million for the Plattsburgh YMCA’s new facility at the former CVPH Wellness Center on New York Road.

“I am proud to have secured this funding which will renovate the former wellness center into the new home for the Plattsburgh YMCA” said Assemblyman Billy Jones. “The Plattsburgh YMCA is an invaluable asset for the North Country community offering a wide range of programming for families and residents of all ages. This investment will help the Plattsburgh YMCA continue and expand the programs that they offer”.

The Plattsburgh YMCA has been searching for a new state-of-the-art building to continue and expand the outstanding programming they offer the community.  This facility, which was recently gifted by The University of Vermont Health Network Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital (CVPH), will fill that need.

“We are incredibly humbled by the support from Speaker Heastie and Assemblyman Jones. Our vision for the reimagined state-of-the-art Family YMCA cannot become a reality without our community coming together to make it happen, and the generosity is a perfect example of that,” said Justin Ihne CEO Plattsburgh YMCA.

The Plattsburgh YMCA is looking to begin work on the building this fall, with plans to move into the new facility in the Fall of 2023. The new building will include an updated aquatic center and expanded space for youth, teens, and seniors with dedicated areas for gathering, learning, and connecting. Since its inception in 1886, the Plattsburgh YMCA has focused on serving the North Country with many services around child-care, health and wellness. This new facility will help the Plattsburgh YMCA continue and expand those services.

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Clinton County, August 23, 2022. The Clinton County Health Department (CCHD), University of Vermont Health Network – Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital (CVPH), SUNY Plattsburgh and Hudson Headwaters Health Network (HHHN) have been working together to create a streamlined response to any potential monkeypox cases in Clinton County. 

“This group has been working together for several weeks to stay up to date on the current status of the monkeypox outbreak,” stated Jeffrey Sisson, Director of Public Health at CCHD. “Together we have worked to provide support and outreach for local healthcare providers, secure testing and treatment access, and create a plan for the safe return of students to the SUNY campus.” 

“At CVPH, we are constantly on the lookout for this illness and we will continue to be vigilant,” CVPH Infectious Disease Expert Keith Collins, MD stated. “We have not seen any positive cases at the hospital. However, we have taken steps to ensure we’re ready to provide the care our patients need. That includes working with New York State to be able to administer treatments for patients in our area who contract monkeypox.” 

“At SUNY Plattsburgh we are working closely with CCHD to ensure that we have the latest information and guidance, and that we are ready to provide medical support if needed,” explained Susan Sand, Assistant Director for Medical Services at SUNY Plattsburgh. “We have proactively shared information and resources about prevention, protection and detection via campus-wide email and the Student Health and Counseling Center web page. We will continue to update campus with the most current information as we monitor the situation and respond accordingly.” 

Monkeypox is a viral illness that does not usually cause serious illness but may result in hospitalization or death. Cases in this outbreak have involved a rash (often in the genital and peri-anal regions), and may also include other symptoms such as fever, swollen lymph nodes, and pain when swallowing, before or after the rash appearance. Monkeypox is spread through direct skin-to-skin contact with the infection rash, scabs or body fluid. It can also be spread through respiratory droplets during prolonged face-to-face contact or during intimate physical contact. There are currently zero cases of monkeypox identified in Clinton County. 

Any person, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation, can get or spread monkeypox. At this time those most at risk include individuals who have multiple and/or anonymous sexual partners. 

“Many people have expressed concern about monkeypox being the new COVID-19,” explained Mr. Sisson. “Monkeypox is very different. Vaccines and antiviral medications already exist AND it does not spread as easily between people as COVID-19 does.”

If you believe you have contracted monkeypox, you should contact your primary care provider immediately. Be sure to call the office first and tell them you suspect monkeypox. Cover all areas with lesions or rash and wear a surgical mask any time you are around others. 

To learn more about monkeypox and how to protect yourself, residents can visit www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox. To learn more about vaccine availability and who is eligible visit https://health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/zoonoses/monkeypox/vaccine.htm. 

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The Peru Gazette posted this June 27, 2022, news release on July 4, 2022.

STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION ANNOUNCES NORTH COUNTRY PROJECT TO IMPROVE ACCESS FOR PEDESTRIANS WITH DISABILITIES 

New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez today announced that work will soon begin on a $1 million project that will provide sidewalk accessibility improvements at 70 pedestrian crossings in Jefferson, St. Lawrence, and Clinton County.

 “Providing communities with compliant infrastructure reflects our commitment to a multi-modal, more accessible transportation network for all users,” said Commissioner Dominguez. “Projects like these allow everyone to enjoy and contribute to the richness of their communities using safe, accessible pedestrian facilities.”

The project will replace sidewalk ramps at intersections on State Highways in communities across Jefferson, St. Lawrence, and Clinton County. The new installations will provide ramps compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The breakdown of planned work thus far is as follows:

• 7 crossings along U.S. Route 11 in the hamlet of Mannsville in Jefferson County
• 15 crossings along State Route 970L in the Village of Clayton in Jefferson County
• 13 crossings along U.S. Route 11 and 11B in Potsdam and DeKalb in St. Lawrence County
• 13 crossings along State Route 9 in the hamlet of Chazy in Clinton County
• 21 crossings along State Routes 22B and 442 in the hamlet of Peru in Clinton County

Similar projects have been undertaken across New York State and continue to ensure that those with disabilities have safe and accessible pedestrian crossings on State Highways.

Through new projects and improvements to existing facilities, NYSDOT continues to address the ADA needs of its pedestrian network to provide safe, accessible facilities across the state. NYSDOT also looks for opportunities to fill existing gaps or enhance pedestrian access where appropriate.

State Senator Joseph A. Griffo said, “It is important that our sidewalks and crosswalks are accessible to everyone. This project will ensure that pedestrian crossings comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and will improve accessibility in communities throughout the North Country.”

State Senator Patty Ritchie said, “As New York State continues to make enhancements to its transportation network, it is critically important that we improve access for pedestrians with disabilities. I applaud the New York State Department of Transportation for making these critical investments into sidewalk accessibility improvements at crossings throughout the region I represent. Doing so will help make travel both easier and safer for those with disabilities.”

State Senator Dan Stec said, “The new pedestrian crossings fulfill a crucial need and make our sidewalks more accessible. When this project is completed, it’ll help make our region safer and more inclusive to residents and visitors alike.”

Assemblymember Ken Blankenbush said, “I appreciate the State Department of Transportation for putting an emphasis on improving crossings in the North Country. By making sure the pedestrian crossings are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), we are able to provide everyone, no matter their abilities, an accessible route, whether they are going to work, traveling or completing commerce.”

During the project, motorists in these communities can expect to encounter work zones with alternating two-way traffic controlled by flaggers. The $1 million project was awarded to Bothar Construction, Binghamton, New York.  The project is expected to be completed in late fall 2022.

Motorists are urged to slow down and drive responsibly in work zones. Fines are doubled for speeding in a work zone.  Convictions of two or more speeding violations in a work zone could result in the suspension of an individual’s driver’s license.