The Peru Gazette

From the office of NYS Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli

The historic surge in unemployment claims at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic rapidly depleted the New York State Unemployment Insurance (UI) Trust Fund, resulting in the state borrowing from the federal government to pay claims. State UI tax rates have already risen to the highest level permissible under law in 2021. Unless the state or federal government takes significant action, federal UI tax rates on employers will also increase in 2022 and beyond, according to a report issued today by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.

“The pandemic put many New Yorkers out of work and forced the state to borrow heavily from the federal government to meet their urgent unemployment claims,” DiNapoli said. “The state currently owes Washington $9 billion and the obligation to pay back this money and rebuild the trust fund balance presents a serious challenge for the state and businesses struggling to recover from the pandemic. Action is needed to avoid hiking costs for New York businesses and slowing the state’s economic recovery.”

The pandemic had a crippling effect on some state businesses and their workforce, causing a historic surge in layoffs and claims for UI benefits. From the fourth quarter of 2019 to the second quarter of 2020, regular state UI benefits paid increased from $530 million to $6.5 billion – a staggering increase of 1,124%.

New York’s UI trust fund account was not well-positioned to weather the crisis. On January 1, 2020, the balance was $2.65 billion, below the standard recommended by the U.S. Department of Labor. When the pandemic hit, the state began to borrow from the federal government to pay claims in May 2020. As of September 2, 2021, the amount owed to the federal government was $9 billion, down from a high of $10.2 billion at the end of March 2021. The current balance is more than double what was owed during the Great Recession.

Rate Increase

UI benefits are paid for with federal and state taxes collected from employers. State UI tax rates are determined for each employer based on their length of time as a liable employer, utilization of UI benefits by former employees and prior UI tax contributions, and the balance of the UI fund. Rates can grow with increased employee UI claims or a low UI fund balance.

Given the current negative balance in the state unemployment trust fund, 2021 UI rates for New York employers increased to a range of 2.1% to 9.9% of taxable payroll, up from 2020 rates that ranged from 0.6% to 7.9%. As a result, employer tax payments grew between 26% and 160% in 2021. Until the balance in the state account returns to a positive level, employers will continue to make state UI contributions between 2.1% and 9.9%. Read more »

Former Treasurer of Essex County Agricultural Society Stole Over $60K From Organization

State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, Franklin County District Attorney Craig Carriero and the New York State Police announced that Bridget Brown, former treasurer of the Essex County Agricultural Society (the Society), has been arrested for allegedly stealing more than $60,000 in funds from the organization which operates the Essex County Fair.

The Society is a non-profit organization whose mission is to encourage and promote agriculture in young children and adults through the Essex County Fair. Brown worked for the Society from 2013 to 2019 and currently is the Willsboro Fire District Treasurer, as well as the Clerk/Tax Collector for the Town of Willsboro, NY. District Attorney Carriero was appointed Special Prosecutor by the Essex County Court.

“Brown was entrusted to ensure that funds collected from the fair were managed for the benefit of the community. Instead, she allegedly abused her position for her personal benefit and now faces the consequences of her abhorrent actions,” DiNapoli said. “My thanks to Franklin County District Attorney Carriero and the New York State Police for their partnership in fighting public corruption.”

The investigation found that while employed with the Society, Brown over-paid herself, and made unauthorized ATM withdrawals and credit card purchases using the Society’s bank accounts. She also obtained a $20,000 loan on behalf of the organization, which the Society’s Board was unaware of and did not approve. To hide her theft, she allegedly falsified business records.

Brown was arraigned before Judge Richard Carpenter of the Town of Moriah. She is scheduled to appear in court next on October 11th at 10 a.m. at the Town of West Port court.

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Since taking office in 2007, DiNapoli has committed to fighting public corruption and encourages the public to help fight fraud and abuse. New Yorkers can report allegations of fraud involving taxpayer money by calling the toll-free Fraud Hotline at 1-888-672-4555, by filing a complaint online at https://www.osc.state.ny.us/investigations, or by mailing a complaint to: Office of the State Comptroller, Division of Investigations, 8th Floor, 110 State St., Albany, NY 12236.

Source: Coronavirus in NY: Cases, maps, charts and resources

Source: Covid vaccine mandate for kids is ‘an option,’ Hochul says – syracuse.com

Source: Crisie Luebbers: Grand jury to meet this week on case

Source: Clinton County DMV closes due to COVID exposure | Coronavirus | pressrepublican.com

Source: Most NYS School Districts Saw Student Enrollment Drops From 2010-2020 – The Adirondack Almanack

“After a delay of well over a year, the former New York Yankees shortstop and captain will be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame on Wednesday along with fellow class of 2020 members Ted Simmons, Larry Walker and the late Marvin Miller, whose efforts on the labor front changed the game.”

Source: Finally, Derek Jeter will join Hall of Fame during Cooperstown induction Wednesday – syracuse.com

Source: Fall foliage in Upstate NY: Why leaves change different colors (video) – syracuse.com

“This is what makes getting vaccinated and layering protections so important. These are actions that break the chain of transmission and limits COVID-19 proliferation that allows for the virus to mutate into something that could be more dangerous.”

Source: New ‘mu’ variant of Covid found in 49 states; may be more contagious than delta – syracuse.com

Source: FBI opens criminal probe into 3 troopers over fake Covid-19 vaccination cards – VTDigger

Source: 5 Upstate NY counties seeing highest Covid case rates; most of state in red zone – syracuse.com

The Clinton County Historical Association invites you to attend an unveiling of four Wayside Exhibits/Interpretative Panels on the Museum lawn on Friday, 10 September at 3 p.m.  In case of inclement weather, unveiling will be canceled due to space limitations inside the Museum.  Speakers will be:  John Krueger, former City of Plattsburgh Historian who was instrumental in obtaining the Fort Brown, Crab Island and Lake Champlain panels and Helen Allen Nerska, CCHA Museum Director, for the Plattsburgh Idea panel which was created by Rich Frost and Penny Clute.  All panels are sponsored by the Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership. 

These are the opening paragraphs on each of the panels that tell a small part of a much larger story.

Fort Brown:  Against All Odds

Imagine you’re here on September, 6, 1814.  Across the river an army of professional soldiers have marched into Plattsburgh.  You see their bright red coats move in columns through the small village.  Their numbers are staggering.

Making the Sacrifice

Two and a half hours of slaughter and destruction on a Sunday morning preserved the northern frontier from British conquest.  Following the September 11, 1814 Battle of Plattsburgh, British and American dead were buried in trenches on Crab Island.

Lake Champlain:  the Great Warpath

Lake Champlain shaped the course of empire in North America.  In a wilderness of mountains and forests, people could conduct commerce, or wage war, only by using the Champlain Valley’s natural water highways.  “The lakes and the rivers are the only outlets, the only open roads in this country,” wrote an experience French officer in 1758.

The Plattsburgh Idea

During the years before World War I, Americans feared tensions in Europe might impact the United States.  Leaders, including former President, Teddy Roosevelt and Army General Leonard Wood, voiced concerns about the country’s military preparedness.  One response was establishment of citizen’s military training camps (CMTC).

Plans are to install the Fort Brown panel across the road from the redoubt on Rt. 9/U.S. Avenue, the Crab Island and Lake Champlain panels along the Terry Gordon Bike Path and the Plattsburgh Idea on the Old Base Museum Campus Oval. After the unveiling, all are invited to visit the Museum to view the Aikin Rifle and speak to John Barton whose family made it possible for CCHA to have this treasure.  Museum visitors will receive a ticket for $1 off a pint of beer compliments of Oval Craft Brewing.

Source: 20 years later, Mohawk ironworkers reflect on unique connection to 9/11 | NCPR News

North Bend from State Route 22 to TD Bank parking lot will be closed for tomorrow Wednesday, September 8^th @ 7 am til 5 pm to install sewer lines and manholes.  TD Bank customers will have to park on State Route 22 and all drive thru customers will only be allowed to exit right onto N Bend.

There will be NO through traffic including Emergency vehicles during that time period.  

Source: Blue View: Adirondack History Center features thoughtful sculpture | News | pressrepublican.com

Source: Annual Applefest to return | Sun Community News PERU | The 43 annual St. Augustine’s Applefest will take place on Sept. 18 starting at 10 a.m.