The Peru Gazette

Source: Major Change Made New York State Driver’s License, State ID

Peru Town Board meeting of April 11, 2022

Source: Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin resigns following federal indictment – City & State New York

Source: Calls for salt-free roads  – Adirondack Explorer

Source: Musicians pair up to keep 7-foot Steinway in the Adirondacks | NCPR News

Source: An Essex County Land Bank could be a local solution to the Adirondack housing shortage | NCPR News

Source: CVPH and New York State Nurses Association still negotiating a contract

Source: War in Ukraine expected to impact planting season in our region

Source: Margaret Street voted to turn into one-way | Sun Community News PLATTSBURGH | Forty-two percent of respondents voted to convert Margaret Street into a one-way single shared-use lane with parking on both sides of the street in the secondary public feedback

“The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that Central New York is considered a high-transmission zone for the coronavirus, and urges residents to wear masks indoors, including at schools, in Cayuga, Onondaga and Oswego counties. The state Department of Health expanded that masking recommendation to Cortland and Madison counties.”

Source: Covid hospitalizations jump in Onondaga County as cases keep rising – syracuse.com

Source: Bonnie Raitt’s bandmate says they’re all ready to get onstage again, as tour comes to Syracuse – syracuse.com

Assemblyman Billy Jones makes a speech on the Assembly floor about the inclusion of his Fair Play Ambulance Act in the state budget.

Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay Lake) announced he helped pass a 2022-23 state budget that invests in several crucial public sectors to provide economic relief for North Country residents including funding for agriculture, education, infrastructure and tax relief to families and businesses.

“With rising inflation, it was necessary to pass a comprehensive state budget that brings home real results and provides much-needed relief to North Country families,” said Jones. “From bolstering services for our brave service members to securing tax cuts for middle-class families and businesses, the final budget makes significant investments in North Country communities. As New York’s recovery continues, I’ll keep working with my Assembly colleagues to move our state forward.”

To help address rising costs North Country families are facing, the state budget accelerates the phase-in of middle-class tax cuts, suspends the state’s gas tax to help New Yorkers save at the pump, provides $2.2 billion in property tax rebate checks as well as cuts taxes by $100 million for New York small businesses, in addition to $250 million for tax credits to COVID-19-related expenses.

Education and Infrastructure Funding Read more »

Source: 50 years strong, District No. 3 recognized for decades of service | Sun Community News PLATTSBURGH | Local lawmakers, families and fellow volunteers alike recently honored District No. 3 Fire Department, its charter members and its five decades of service

Assemblyman Jones joins Town of Franklin Supervisor Dorothy Brown, Highway Superintendent Jacques DeMars and highway department employees on Monday for a tour of the town’s new garage. 

Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay Lake) announced that he secured $500,000 for the town of Franklin to help with expenses relating to the rebuild of the town highway garage after it was destroyed by a fire in December 2019. Jones announced the funding as he toured the new facility.

“The morning after the fire, I was there on the ground to see the damages firsthand and to offer any assistance I could provide,” said Jones. “As a representative of a rural region, I understand from experience the importance of upkeeping our local infrastructure. The highway department manages critical equipment and ensures everyone can safely travel on our roads, especially in the colder months. That’s why I fought to secure $500,000 in funding for the reconstruction of the town of Franklin’s garage and I’ll continue working to ensure these crucial departments have the funding they need to keep our communities safe.”

The fire 2019 fire destroyed the town’s highway department garage along with four vehicles and several other pieces of equipment, and unfortunately, it was a total loss and all the town’s serviceable plow trucks were destroyed.^[1] In 2020, Assemblyman Jones met with town officials to discuss the plans for a $1.3 million garage where the town will park its trucks, plows and other vehicles.^[2] To help rebuild the town garage, Assemblyman Jones secured $500,000 in state funding.^[3]

“The funding and assistance Assemblyman Jones provided were huge,” said Jacques DeMars, Town of Franklin Highway Superintendent. “He was there for us in our time of need and went above and beyond to make sure we had the funding to make this possible. I want to thank Assemblyman Jones for his assistance and for taking the time to see our new facility.”

“Assemblyman Jones securing $500.000 in funding for the Highway Garage was a relief as we planned to rebuild after the fire,” said Dorothy Brown, Town of Franklin Supervisor. “We were able to construct a bigger and better building that our Highway Department could be proud of. I want to thank Assemblyman Jones for being our advocate and securing these funds for the Town of Franklin.”

Audit Finds Many NY School Districts Lack Sufficient Staff for Mental Health Services and Adequate Oversight of Mental Health Education

Too many New York school districts’ mental health teams are understaffed, with too few available services and inconsistent and limited oversight of mental health education for students, an audit by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli found.

“The upheaval caused by the COVID-19 pandemic created a crisis for many students in New York, but not enough is being done to make sure they are getting the information and support they need,” DiNapoli said. “The State Education Department should work with state and local entities to ensure resources to address the problem are available and prioritize mental health instruction and outreach among school districts so students and staff can recognize warning signs of distress and know how to get help. I’m encouraged that the department responded positively to our recommendations.”

According to the American Psychological Association, over 80% of teens experienced more intense school-related stress due to COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that in 2020, mental health emergency room visits rose 24% among 5- to 11-year-olds and 31% among 12- to 17-year-olds. In December 2021, the U.S. Surgeon General issued a warning of an urgent mental health crisis among America’s youth.

Prior to the pandemic, the State Education Department (SED) published guidance and resources for mental health education on its website and, during the pandemic, gave school districts further instruction about the importance of checking on students’ mental health and promoting the availability of resources for those in distress.

But as DiNapoli’s audit shows, most of the state’s 686 districts outside of New York City entered the pandemic with mental health teams that were far short of nationally recommended staff-to-student ratios: Read more »

Source: 20-year-old dead after fatal crash in Plattsburgh

Source: Adirondack Canoe Company opens at Essex Industries

Source: State regulators approve smaller than requested rate hikes for two hospitals in UVM Health Network | Vermont Public Radio

Source: Alcohol to go will become legal in New York. Is it a game-changer? – syracuse.com

Source: NY lawmakers finalize $220B budget, boosted by federal funds – syracuse.com

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced the availability of employment opportunities for the summer recreational season. Individuals looking for seasonal summer employment who enjoy the outdoors are encouraged to learn more about opportunities to work at DEC facilities.

DEC operates 52 public campgrounds and five-day use areas throughout the Adirondack and Catskill Parks. DEC hires more than 500 seasonal employees to provide a variety of services throughout the summer season. All levels of experience and skillsets are needed, ranging from supervisors, lifeguards, security, maintenance, cleaning staff, and booth workers. Some positions start as early as May, but varying start dates can be accommodated based on school and work schedules.

Individuals at least 16 years old interested in summer lifeguarding positions at DEC facilities must complete the waterfront lifeguard course to be considered for employment and a no-cost waterfront lifeguard course will be offered April 19 – 22, in Gloversville, Fulton County. The free lifeguard course includes certification in required lifeguarding and waterfront skills, CPR/AED for professional rescuers, and first aid.

All applicants for seasonal summer employment must be willing to work weekends and holidays. Those interested in summer employment with DEC or looking for more information should visit DEC’s website, call (518) 457-2500 Ext. #1, or email campinfo@dec.ny.gov.

“The passing of the state budget is welcome news. While jobs are rebounding in many industries, our economic recovery lags the nation, and risks have expanded as the budget process has unfolded, with growing geopolitical uncertainty surrounding Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and persistently high inflation. In addition, New Yorkers continue to grapple with the health, economic, and social impacts of the pandemic.

“I am pleased to see the budget will provide tax relief and support to help middle-class New Yorkers and small businesses, boost wages for health care workers, make green investments and extend relief programs to assist those affected by the pandemic.

“While it’s good news the budget maintains a commitment to building up reserves, many new programs will add recurring spending, and it is yet unclear to what extent they are supported by recurring revenues. Using temporary federal relief aid to fund new spending programs could create a “fiscal cliff” in the future. We must remember this influx of federal funding is finite. Bolstering state savings through the formal rainy day fund reserves is essential for sustaining services that New Yorkers rely on and improving the state’s long-term fiscal standing.

“My office will analyze the final enacted budget and release a detailed analysis in the coming weeks.”

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Track state and local government spending at Open Book New York. Under State Comptroller DiNapoli’s open data initiative, search millions of state and local government financial records, track state contracts, and find commonly requested data.