The Peru Gazette

Airport celebrates launch of nonstop jet service to/from Philadelphia 

July 1, 2022 – Plattsburgh, NY – Contour Airlines began flight operations today between Plattsburgh International Airport (PBG) and Philadelphia International Airport (PHL). Contour Airlines will offer 12 weekly trips to Philadelphia on a 30-passenger jet, with two round trips available each day, except on Tuesdays and Saturdays, where only one round trip will be available. As an American Airlines interline partner, Contour offers travelers the ability to ticket seamlessly from PBG, through Philadelphia International Airport and connect to a variety of destinations on American Airlines. 

At today’s inaugural celebration, passengers and local dignitaries held a plane-side welcome event followed by a water cannon salute over the first Contour Airlines departing aircraft. Both arriving and departing passengers were treated with Contour Airlines branded giveaway items, marking the start of new service. The inaugural flight took off from PBG to Philadelphia at approximately 8:00 a.m. local time and will provide convenient, nonstop and connecting access to and from the Plattsburgh International Airport. 

“Today is an exciting day as Contour Air takes its inaugural flight from Plattsburgh International Airport to Philadelphia International Airport,” said Mark Henry, Chairman of the Clinton County Legislature (R-Area 3, Chazy.) “Providing top-notch air service to the residents of Clinton County remains a priority for the legislature. Today’s flight is a true testament of the collaborative work done by our federal, state, and local officials along with leaders in the business community to continue this service. Safe travels to all on this maiden flight!” 

“Seeing Contour’s plane here today shows their commitment to servicing our region with experience and fostering continued growth.,” Robert Hall, Chairman Plattsburgh International Airport Committee (D-Ward 10, City of Plattsburgh.) “Our airport traffic continues to increase to pre-pandemic levels and we know this partnership will only help our airport grow. We thank Contour for their partnership and look forward to welcoming many more passengers on this flight!” 

“Contour Airline’s regional jet service to Philadelphia is a welcome addition to the community and reflects the hard work of the airport committee and Contour Airlines staff to make this happen.” said Plattsburgh International Airport Director Chris Kreig. “We look forward to supporting the region’s travel needs and continued economic growth, and giving travelers from Philadelphia and beyond the opportunity to enjoy the great recreational opportunities of the North Country.” 

“Contour is excited to bring our reliable jet service to Plattsburgh. I know that travelers will appreciate our low fares and the worldwide connectivity that our relationship with American Airlines brings to the area. We look forward to being Plattsburgh’s air carrier for many years to come,” said Matt Chaifetz, CEO of Contour Airlines. 

“The Chamber has long said that where things move is where prosperity occurs,” states Garry Douglas, President of the North Country Chamber of Commerce. “That’s why Plattsburgh International is so important, not only as a convenience but as a support for business and for our regional economy. We welcome Contour’s Philadelphia service as a next chapter, building upon the proven demand and need for such non-strop jet service to a major eastern hub. We thank them for their commitment and confidence and look forward to working with them to help maximize use by our regional businesses and institutions, by tourists coming to the Adirondacks, and by our Canadian friends connecting to destinations across the U.S. and beyond. Onward and upward!” 

The new Contour Airlines service is part of an announcement by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) as part of continued Essential Air Service at the Plattsburgh International Airport through the Alternate Essential Air Service program (AES). DOT will provide almost $10 million for AES over a 27-month term from July 1, 2022 through September 30, 2024. 

All scheduled nonstop flights between PBG and the Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) are available for purchase at www.contourairlines.com. Passengers wishing to book connecting flights, beyond PHL, should visit www.aa.com, and search for flight options from Plattsburgh (PBG) to their destination of choice. 

ABOUT CONTOUR AIRLINES 

Contour Airlines offers a premium, low-fare airline product that includes a complimentary first checked bag and snack and beverage service on all flights. Contour operates a growing fleet of Embraer regional jets featuring leather seating with expanded legroom in every row. Tickets are available for purchase on Contour’s website at contourairlines.com, by calling the Contour call center at (888) 332-6686, and through local and online travel agencies. Travelers can also book seamless connections to our interline partner, American Airlines, at aa.com. As one of the largest Part 135 operators in the United States, Contour Aviation operates a diverse fleet of aircraft that includes regional airliners for its commercial service as well as numerous business jets available for private charter. The company also offers fuel and aircraft handling services at the John C. Tune Airport in Nashville as well as retail aircraft maintenance at a facility adjacent to its headquarters in Smyrna, TN. 

Kid’s Art Camp! Participants must register. Sign up through the library’s email: perulib@gmail.com or call 518-643-8618.

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Plattsburgh, June 30, 2022. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to have an active travel-related Alert – Level 2 (Practice Enhanced Precautions) following the report of cases of monkeypox in many countries around the world. As of June 29, 2022, sixty-two cases of monkeypox have been reported in New York City, one case in Sullivan County, four cases in Westchester County, one case in Chemung County, and one in Rockland County. On June 29, 2022, 202 cases of monkeypox were confirmed in Quebec, Canada. There are currently zero cases in Clinton, Franklin, or Essex Counties. 

“Per the Quebec Health Ministry, the first 1 to 2 cases in Canada were related to international travel,” explained Debra Tackett, Director of Health Care Services at the Clinton County Health Department. “Since then the majority of cases in Canada are being transmitted through close contact with infected individuals. 

Monkeypox virus can spread when a person comes into contact with the virus from an infected animal, infected person, or materials contaminated with the virus, such as clothing or bedding. It is mainly spread through direct contact with infectious sores, scabs or body fluids. It also can be spread by respiratory droplets during prolonged, face-to-face contact. Monkeypox is not a sexually transmitted disease but can be spread through skin-to-skin contact through body fluids and sores. 

Risk to the general public is low but anyone can contract monkeypox through close personal contact. People who may be at higher risk of exposure to the virus include, but are not limited to, those who: 

• Had contact with someone who had a rash that looks like monkeypox or someone who was diagnosed with confirmed or probable monkeypox. 

• Traveled outside the US to a country with confirmed cases of monkeypox or where monkeypox activity has been ongoing. 

• Had contact with a dead or live wild animal or exotic pet that exists only in Africa or used a product that comes from such animals (for example game meat, creams, lotions, powders, etc.). 

Anyone with a rash that looks like monkeypox should talk to their health care provider, even if they don’t think they had contact with someone who has monkeypox. Call ahead before going to a healthcare facility for further instruction. 

“At this time, CCHD wants its residents to be aware of the potential risk of monkeypox,” added Ms. Tackett. “Anyone traveling internationally, including to Canada, should practice the enhanced precautions outlined by the CDC in their recent travel alert.” 

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By John T. Ryan

Plattsburgh – Undoubtedly, many Peru residents see the Soup Kitchen sign in Treadwells Mills; but it’s fair to conjecture they aren’t aware of the beautiful things happening at what was St. Joseph’s Church. When the parish church closed several years ago,  the Diocese of Ogdensburg could have sold it for other uses. Instead, today the building is home to St. Joseph’s Outreach Center, serving our region’s needy people. 

Reverend Scott Seymour was St. Joseph’s pastor when the diocese made the painful decision to close the church. He still supervises the Center as pastor of the joined parishes of St. Alexander’s Church in Morrisonville, St. James Church in Cadyville, and St. Augustine’s in Peru. Fr. Seymour commented, “This Church was built for the community. It remains utilized for the community. Church is coming to people differently.”  

On Monday, June 27th, Bishop Terry R. LaValley blessed and dedicated the St. Joseph’s Outreach center in the presence of Fr. Seymour’s parish community, his parish council and trustees, representatives of many local service organizations, and local community leaders. 

St. Joseph’s Church was always a welcoming place. At the time of its closing, volunteers staffed a clothing store and soup kitchen. Today, working in partnership with JCEO, the soup kitchen serves 300 to 350 people each Wednesday, double its previous numbers and the clothing store has significantly expanded. They call it a boutique. In the center’s food pantry people choose their food rather than having someone pick it out for them. The community garden and raised garden outside the center grow fresh vegetables. The Catholic Charities Retired Senior Volunteer Programs (RSVP) and E-MDT Elder Abuse programs have offices there. Veterans Feeding Veterans program volunteers pack about 300 food boxes in the former parish hall. CV-TEC and other tutors use the expansive main room (the main body of the former church) for high school equivalency and individualized student tutoring. Volunteers, parishioners, local businesses and parish staff (some working on their own time) transformed the former rectory (pastor’s home) into short-term transitional housing for the homeless, immigrants, fire victims, and others. Earlier in the day, the Mercy Sisters announced they would use the Center for their senior citizen Compassionate Care Program. Over the coming weeks, they’ll train volunteers to reach out to seniors. Many seniors would welcome a faith-based program into their homes, while others would welcome a government-based one.

Initially, Father Seymour offered the church for sale; the offers were far below the asking price. He recalled, “Selling the building at the price offered would dishonor the people who worked so hard to build the church. I took it to prayer. One evening I awoke and had the answer. “If you go, who will help the people who need us. I went to the parish council and the parish trustees. They were unanimous. St. Joseph’s will stand as a place to help the needy.” 

Editors Note – Correction to the story made on June 29th at 3:56 p.m. I erred in stating that the food pantry existed before the church’s closing. The clothing store operated at that time, thanks to the hard work of several volunteers.

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Voting in Peru takes place at St. Augustine’s Parish Center, 3030 Main St.

Democrats have the choice of candidates for Governor and Lt. Governor. Governor – Choices for Governor are Thomas R. Suozi, Kathy C. Hooch or Humane D. Williams. Lt. Governor – Ana Maria Archia, Diana Reyna or Antonio Delgado

Republicans have the choice of candidates for Governor – Choices are Rob Astorino, Andrew Giuliani, Harry Wilson or Lee Zeldin