The Peru Gazette

From the office of Assemblyman Billy Jones 

After New York State and Franklin County reached an agreement over a week ago on the Franklin County Land Claim issue, the New York State Legislature passed legislation (A7759/S7566) to finalize the negotiations. This bill was sponsored by Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay Lake) and Senator Tim Kennedy (D-Buffalo).

This agreement has been a long time coming. It first arose in the 1980s when the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe sued New York State regarding land sold to the State in the 1820s, arguing that only the Federal government had the authority to handle such transactions. Due to the lawsuit, Franklin and St. Lawrence Counties have worked with the Tribe to determine how to resolve this issue in a way that was fair to both parties that includes compensation to cover tax revenue loss and shared infrastructure. Jones has been working on this issue for over a decade- first as a county legislator and now as a state assembly member.

“It has been a long journey, but I am glad that the Franklin County Land Claim issue is one step closer to being resolved,” said Jones. “This agreement will ensure that the county is not punished for an agreement New York State made over two centuries ago while also respecting the long history of the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe in this region. I also want to thank local and town officials, current and past members of the Franklin County Legislature, the County Manager, and Tribe members for all their hard work that made this possible.”

State Police announced the June 12 passing of dedicated Peru husband and father

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Meat Loaf
Mashed Potatoes
Carrots
Dessert

Served take-out only, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at St. Augustine’s Parish Center, 3030 Main St., Peru, NY 12972

“All are welcome at our table.”

Police said they didn’t find “any suspicious or harmful items.”
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From the office of Assemblyman Billy Jones

The New York State Legislature recently passed A5630/S5849, sponsored by Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay Lake) and Senator Robert Jackson (D-Manhattan), known as the Death Gamble bill. This bill would allow the beneficiary of a member of the state retirement system employed by the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) as correction officers to receive the death benefits the member would have received if they retired at the date of death. This legislation also includes security hospital treatment assistants employed by the Office of Mental Health (OMH).

Current law does not allow beneficiaries to receive any benefits if they are still employed by DOCCS or OMH at the time of the death but an exception for law enforcement officers, firefighters, and teachers was passed in 2000. This bill was first introduced several years ago and was a top priority for law enforcement groups and the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association (NYSCOPBA). Thanks to Assemblyman Jones, this legislation was able to cross the finish line to provide these much-needed benefits.

“This is a major victory for correction officers and their loved ones,” said Jones. “It is about time that correction officers receive the same treatment as law enforcement officers, firefighters, and teachers who choose to work after they reach retirement age. This bill not only ensures that correction officers and their families receive the benefits they are entitled to and work so hard for but also provides peace of mind that their loved ones will be taken care of once they are gone.”

While A5630 passed the State Assembly early Friday morning, thanks to Senator Jackson’s efforts, S5849 passed the State Senate later that day and now awaits the Governor’s signature.

David Brown Photo

Flight 46 will be the first-of-its-kind all-female Honor Flight. Flight 47 will include three WWII veterans.

A Message from North Country Honor Flight Director Barrie Finnegan

North Country Honor Flight will take to the skies again this Saturday with flights 46 and 47. Flight 46 will be the first-of-its-kind all-female Honor Flight. Fifteen deserving female Veterans will get a special stop at the Women’s Military Memorial at Arlington Cemetery, amongst the other memorials.

Flight 47 will include three WWII veterans, which is incredible even by National Honor Flight standards. With the Greatest Generation shrinking rapidly, we are proud to Honor these and the rest of the Veterans from the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War and Desert Storm.

We thank the Northern Adirondack Code Enforcement Officers Association for raising the funds to sponsor these flights. For five years now, this organization has kept Honor Flight as the beneficiary of their fundraising efforts. These sponsorships are crucial since these flights are an all-expense paid day of a lifetime for our Veterans.

Our flight leaders, Jerika Manning and Danielle Coon, have done an outstanding job of preparing these flights for a wonderful day; thanks to their efforts, our Veterans are ensured a fantastic day.

“Thunder in the Burgh” is back again, also. The motorcade will leave Champlain Center shortly after 6 am for the trip down to the Veterans Park on the US Oval. The send-off ceremony will once again start at 7 am sharp. The return home is scheduled for 8:30 pm right back at the Oval.
All portions are free, open to the public, and extremely family-friendly.

L-R Molly LaMountain and Karen Ricardelli

By John T Ryan 

Peru – Peru’s newest business has opened adjacent to Mountain Valley Federal Credit Union and the CFA Insurance Agency. After several weeks of remodeling and cleaning, Molly LaMountain and Karen Riccardelli opened LaMountain Riccardelli Accounting at 692 Bear Swamp Road. The women bring many years of individual and business accounting experience to our community. 

Molly LaMountain, a lifelong North Country resident, graduated from AuSable Valley Central School and Clinton Community College and then earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting at SUNY Plattsburgh. Karen Riccardelli has over thirty years of accounting experience, possesses a Masters’s Degree in Accounting, and is an Enrolled Agent Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Agent, the highest credential the IRS awards. Riccardelli is a new Peru resident and homeowner. She moved here from Connecticut, where she’s operated an accounting firm for many years. 

LaMountain and Riccardelli met through a mutual relative. Molly LaMountain explained, “First, we met over coffee to see if we liked each other. We did, so they formed a partnership on January 1 of this year. I worked for a CPA firm in Lake Placid and at a Plattsburgh firm for twenty-five years. I’ve been working from home since 2015. My kids are fifteen and seventeen, so I’m willing to take on more. Karen was moving to the area and looking to open up something. We’re both professionally in the right place at the right time.” 

The women also think they’ve located their business in the right place. Glancing at the Bear Swamp Road’s constant traffic stream, LaMountain commented, “The building was reasonably priced, eye appealing, very visible, and plenty of parking. It’s a great location for us.” Karen Riccardelli added, “One of the advantages of us being close to Plattsburgh is its two colleges. Clinton Community College has a bookkeeping program, and SUNY Plattsburgh offers a degree in taxation. We’ll be adding bookkeeping and payroll services. We’d like to have students working as interns during their college years. We plan to add two formal offices, five workstations in the back, four workstations up front, and a reception area. 

While LaMountain and Riccardelli plan on being in the office Monday – Friday between 9 a.m. and 3 p. m., sometimes they could be visiting clients; therefore, they recommend making an appointment. The office phone number is 518-643-5129.

PERU – CATS HUCKLEBERRY HILL TRAIL WORK SCHEDULED FOR SATURDAY, JUNE 10, 2023 IS CANCELED.

Unfortunately we must cancel this event due to an road acces issue. Thank you – Mike Derrick

Police said Baustert was driving on Interstate 89 in Sharon a week before Thanksgiving when she crashed her SUV, which at the time was carrying her husband and two children.

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FitzPatrick Cancer Center’s survivorship celebration part of American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life

PLATTSBURGH, NY Eat Dessert First: A Celebration of Life, the FitzPatrick Cancer Center’s (FCC) signature celebration of cancer survivorship and part of the American Cancer Society’s (ACS) Relay for Life, takes place Sunday, June 9 at the Clinton County Fairgrounds.

Ice cream sundaes will be offered in the Survivors Hall beginning at 4 p.m. After the Relay’s opening ceremonies, survivors are welcome to lead the walk in the first lap.

Each June, the FCC joins other cancer care organizations to honor cancer survivors and remind everyone that survivorship begins on the day of diagnosis. Read more »

Adirondack Park – A writing workshop is now available online to help young people enter the essay contest My Dreams for My Community.   North Country residents between ages 13 and 25 can win up to $400 by writing about their vision for the Adirondacks.  Submissions are due by June 15, 2023.

In a workshop recorded on May 23, Professor Shir Filler explains why we should write essays ourselves when ChatGPT can do it for us.  The bottom line:  a ChatGPT essay may be well crafted, but it’s boring.  Professor Filler’s workshop provides inspiration and leads people through a 9-step exercise to quickly draft an essay.  The free workshop is open to the public and can be accessed at  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFTcSQ2yv4I

The Adirondack Center for Writing (ACW) and Adirondack Voters for Change are sponsoring this essay contest to highlight concerns of young people living in the North Country region.  Professor Filler states that “Writing is the best way I know to figure out solutions to any kind of problem. The key is that you don’t have to get it right the first time. You can rewrite and rethink until you get to a solution or idea that works for you, and then you get to share it with others and enter a conversation about the issues you care about. It’s magic!”

To submit an essay, [1] fill out this form (available on ACW website) and [2] email the essay as a PDF or Word document to info@adirondackcenterforwriting.org.

Winners will be notified in July and will read their essays at a celebration on Monday July 24.   Sponsors will award the following prizes for two age groups: $400 for First Place, $200 for Second Place, $100 for Third Place, and three Honorable Mentions.

The Adirondack Center for Writing is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that inspires the love of writing, reading, and storytelling while honoring the rich history of the Adirondacks. Read more »

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After decades-long negotiations, Franklin County has reached an agreement with New York State regarding Land Claim issues and the St. Regis Mohawk Reservation. The St. Regis Mohawk Tribe first filed a lawsuit in the 1980s against New York State regarding land purchased from the reservation by the State in the early 19^th century. In 2022, a federal judge ruled that New York State did not have the authority to purchase that land because it was not approved by Congress as required under the Non-Intercourse Act of 1790.

            Since New York State illegally purchased the land in the 1820s, local government and state leaders, including Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay Lake) when he was Chair of the Franklin County Legislature, have been working together for years to determine the next steps for this Land Claim issue. Compensation for land ownership, taxes and public services like road maintenance and water infrastructure are major concerns for local governments, which is one of the reasons why it has taken so long to reach an agreement. Jones met with Franklin County and State officials on Friday, June 2 to finalize the agreement so that Franklin County and the Towns of Bombay and Fort Covington are compensated for land and services rendered. Read more »

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Reduced visibility and air quality possible through Tuesday

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