The Peru Gazette

Source: Meadowbrook announces COVID-positive staff member | Sun Community News PLATTSBURGH | Meadowbrook Healthcare reported that a fourth employee has tested positive for the virus.

Plattsburgh, July 24, 2020. Clinton County Health Department (CCHD) has confirmed that three individuals who attended a large gathering in Altona, NY have tested positive for COVID-19. The party took place on the evening of Friday, July 17, 2020, on Memory Lane Way in Altona, NY. 

“Anyone who attended this party has potentially been exposed to COVID-19,” stated John Kanoza, Director of Public Health in Clinton County, NY. “We are urging parents to talk to their children to see if they attended this party, as it is reported that many individuals who attended the party were in their late teens to early 20s.” 

Health officials are asking anyone who attended this party to contact the Clinton County Health Department at 518-565-4840. If calling after hours (after 5:00 pm and on weekends), individuals should call 518-565-3270. Anyone who attended this party should self-quarantine at home and monitor for symptoms of COVID-19. Those symptoms include fever (100.4◦F), cough, chills, muscle pain, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, and/or difficulty breathing. If you develop symptoms, call your healthcare provider for further guidance. Additional information on self-quarantining may be found at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/quarantine.html. 

“Residents must remain vigilant and continue to do their part to limit the spread of COVID-19. We have been fortunate to have low numbers of active cases over the past couple of months, but the risk of COVID-19 is not gone,” cautioned Mr. Kanoza. Residents can protect themselves and others by continuing to practice physical distancing (maintaining 6 feet of space between themselves and others), wearing face coverings when out in public, and frequent hand washing. 

CCHD – We continue to receive numerous travel-related questions from residents, including many residents asking if they should travel. CCHD does not recommend that individuals travel at this time. COVID-19 cases and deaths have been reported in all 50 states, and the situation is constantly changing. Because travel increases your chances of getting infected and spreading COVID-19, staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others from getting sick. To make the most of your staycation, visit www.goadirondack.com/staycation.

For an overview of the NYS Travel Advisory, guidance, and an up-to-date list of restricted states, visit https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/covid-19-travel-advisory.

If you MUST travel, take the following precautions to protect yourself and others during your trip:
– Clean your hands often. Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after you have been in a public place, after touching surfaces frequently touched by others, after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing, and before touching your face or eating. If soap and water are not available, bring and use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub your hands together until they feel dry.
– Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
– Avoid close contact with others. Keep 6 feet of physical distance from others.
– Wear a cloth face-covering in public.
– Cover coughs and sneezes.
– Pick up food at drive-throughs, curbside restaurant service, or stores.

“We like schools and local governments to look at the image they are projecting and how it reflects on them.”

By John T. Ryan 

Peru – A debate, especially on social media, has been ongoing since July 14th when the Peru Central School Board voted to retire the school’s “Indian” mascot/nickname. Most people commenting on media commenters oppose the change, while others believe it was justified and inevitable. People on both sides of the issue have pointed to Native American chiefs who support their opinion. 

Ben White is the Communications Director at the St. Regis Mohawk Reservation (Akwesasne) near Massena. He often receives phone calls on the mascot issue. It’s a frequent subject at school districts across the state. White commented, “We like schools and local governments to look at the image they are projecting and how it reflects on them. If there is any utilization of any indigenous caricatures, we ask that it be in a positive, honorable matter, that it be a true reflection of the indigenous people.” 

White encouraged school districts to reach out to local Native Americans stating, “It’s nice when school districts reach out to us for our thoughts on this matter. Our local school district recently changed its mascot from the Massena Red Raiders, a depiction of a western-style native. It wasn’t a correct representation of the Mohawk people. We’re utilizing this as an educational opportunity to go out into the surrounding school districts to share our culture, our language, our history, and to have a respectful relationship going forward.” 

White is aware that many people take great pride in Indian symbols. He stated, “I think the vast majority of people who attach themselves to native mascots have good intentions and have goodwill toward the indigenous people they are trying to honor.”  Still, he asked, “What other race or ethnicity is used to represent sports franchises or school districts?”  White also pointed out the word “Indian” is not a Native American name. It was Christopher Columbus, who called the indigenous people he encountered in this hemisphere Indians believing he was in India or South Asia. 

Coach Gary Edwards recalls speaking with a St. Regis Mohawk chief in 2001 about Peru’s mascot. The chief said he had no objections and had more important things to worry about. What has changed? Ben White said, “I think our consciousness as indigenous people has heightened over the years. There have been contributing factors such as the Elouise Cobel lawsuit against the U.S. government over the management of billions of dollars of trust funds. It’s the residential school experience that many of our elders went through. More of our youth are going to college, getting professional degrees and becoming more educated.” 

White also mentioned the awareness movements taking place across the country as having an influence. He stated, “Tribal communities are still the last people on the list to get additional resources. Some of that may be related to us being humble, quiet, reserved people. The time for that has passed. We need to speak up and voice our concerns on various issues. We can no longer be overlooked.” 

Source: Second home market booms in popular upstate NY vacation areas

Source: Amid Pandemic, Vermont Homeschool Enrollments Surge | Off Message

Source: NYS Department of Health stops Meadowbrook’s plans for visitation

Source: Peru community members deliver passioned plea | Sun Community News PERU | Community members delivered a passioned response to school superintendent Dr. Thomas Palmer July 22 — do not change our mascot.

Source: AuSable Chasm in the Era of COVID | Jack LaDuke’s Adirondack Journal – Mountain Lake PBS

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Elise Stefanik announced that Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital (CVPH) has been awarded a $250,000 grant through the HHS’ Rural Health Care Coordination Network Program. The purpose of the program is to support rural health consortiums/networks aiming to achieve the overall goals of improving access, delivery, and quality of care through the application of care coordination strategies in rural communities.

“Our rural health systems provide critical care and services to North Country residents, and they have been financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Congresswoman Stefanik. “I am proud to announce this funding for Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital as they continue their important work of serving Plattsburgh area residents. I have continuously advocated for and delivered direct financial support to our hospitals and community health centers, and I will continue to work hard on their behalf.”

Source: City & State Coronavirus Update

State Senator Betty Little has been appointed to serve on the board of the Olympic Regional Development Agency (ORDA).  Her nomination by Governor Andrew Cuomo was confirmed today by the State Senate.

“I’ve long advocated for ORDA as a member of the Assembly and Senate,” said Little.  “To serve on the board will truly be an honor and a wonderful opportunity to stay involved and continue to make a positive difference for the North Country Region.”

Little has secured millions of dollars in State funding critical to recent upgrades and expansion of ORDA’s winter sports facilities.  Little played a key role in the International University Sports Federation’s selection of Lake Placid as the site for the 2023 Winter World University Games.

ORDA was created by New York State to manage the facilities used during the 1980 Olympic Winter Games at Lake Placid. ORDA operates the Whiteface Mountain, Gore Mountain and Belleayre ski areas as well as the Olympic Center, Olympic Jumping Complex and Olympic Sports Complex in Lake Placid.

“Wherever I go, if I say I represent Lake Placid, people know exactly what I am talking about.  Our incredible Winter Olympic history is a source of tremendous pride.  But it’s not enough to be historic, we need to remain relevant.  I am very grateful Governor Cuomo has entrusted in me and the others appointed to the board this important mission.”

The board position is unpaid.  Little is retiring from the Senate at the end of this year.

1. Call Meeting To Order

2. Pledge of Allegiance

3. Roll Call

4. MOTION: Approval of Minutes for the Town Board Regular Meeting of July 13, 2020.

5. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Approval of AES Northeast’s Town of Peru Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrades and Disinfection Project Agreement.

6. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Quote for Town Hall Paver Repair.

7. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Hire IT Service Provider.

8. DISCUSSION: Zoning Code Updates.

9. DISCUSSION: Sewer Project Update.

10. DISCUSSION: Other Business.

11. DISCUSSION: Public Comments on Agenda Items Only.

12. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Pay Bills

13. DISCUSSION/MOTION: Adjourn to Executive Session.

14. DISCUSSION/MOTION: Return to Regular Session

MOTION: Adjourn

**In an effort to help stop the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, this Town Board Meeting will not be open to the public. The minutes will be available online as soon as they are approved at the following Board Meeting of August 10, 2020. Thank you for your understanding in this matter and stay safe!

            The Randy Preston Road Salt Reduction Act (S.8663/A8767) has now passed in both the Assembly and the Senate. The bill, sponsored by Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay Lake) and Assemblyman Dan Stec (R-Queensbury), was passed unanimously by the Assembly on Monday, July 20, 2020. The Senate passed the bill yesterday with only one member voting in the negative where the bill was sponsored by Senator Timothy Kennedy (D-Buffalo) and Senator Betty Little (R-Queensbury).

The bill would establish the Adirondack Road Salt Reduction Task Force, a pilot program to help protect the environment while ensuring safe road conditions. It’s important to ensure safe travel conditions during the winter, but the pollution stemming from the excessive road salt use on public roads presents a risk to both the environment and public health. Road salt can leech into surface and groundwater, releasing heavy metals and other toxins into the environment and drinking water supply that threaten the health and safety of North Country families.

“When it comes to keeping our lakes, rivers and streams and water wells clean, the old adage of an ‘ounce of prevention being worth a pound of cure’ certainly fits,” said Little.  “The good news, as we’ve seen in municipalities such as Lake George where there has been a tremendous focus on this issue, is that newer equipment and utilizing technology is helping our local highway departments do their incredibly important work of keeping our roadways safe while cutting back on road salt usage.  My hope is that we can do the same throughout the Park.  A comprehensive study, including a pilot program, would give us the data we need to develop best practices.”

“While safety always remains our top priority for residents during the winter months,” said Jones. “it is incumbent upon us to find ways to protect drivers without harming the environment and polluting our drinking water. This effort was spearheaded by the late Randy Preston and upon speaking with his wife, Michelle, she was elated that his legacy will be carried on. This legislation is a crucial step in providing protection for our natural water sources while also keeping the roads safe for travel during the winter. I’d like to thank my colleagues for supporting this measure and encourage the governor to do the same.”

“It’s imperative that we strike a balance of providing safety to our residents while addressing the ecological health of our waterways,” said Stec. “A proactive environmental strategy which also addresses the need for safe passable highways is long overdue in the Adirondacks. This proposed Pilot Program will supply us with the data needed to proceed towards a favorable outcome. I am proud to be a sponsor of this legislation and I am pleased that this bill has passed both houses and will be delivered to the Governor.”

The Adirondack Road Salt Reduction Task Force will gather and summarize available information and recommend best management practices for winter road maintenance in the Adirondacks. This includes recommendations for updated levels of service and road salt reduction targets to help the state Departments of Transportation, Health and Environmental Conservation reduce the level of water contamination while maintaining road safety.

Source: North Country prisons emptying as New York’s inmate population plummets | NCPR News

CALABASAS, Calif.—Eight high school skilled trades teachers and programs from New York State are among 50 teachers and teacher teams from across the country who were named today as finalists for the 2020 Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence. Peru High School teacher Leif Sorgule is one of the eight New York finalists. The teachers and their trades programs are in the running for a share of $1 million in total cash awards. The finalists were chosen by an independent panel of judges from a field of more than 600 skilled trades teachers applied for the prize.

Leif Sorgule teaches technology, engineering, construction and manufacturing at Peru High School. Before becoming a teacher 11 years ago, Sorgule earned a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in technology education and worked previously as a marine mechanic and carpenter. He is also an adjunct professor at Clinton Community College. At Peru High, Sorgule boosts workplace readiness and skills by modeling his classrooms on working businesses: construction students bid on mini residential construction jobs, robotics classes build scale robotic arms for factory use and engineering students design, build and test scissor lifts. His courses integrate cutting-edge technology with hands-on use of tools, from coding CNC machines to metal fabrication, computer-aided design to woodworking.

The 50 finalists—some competing as individuals and some as teacher teams—hail from 23 states and specialize in trades including manufacturing, welding, construction, automotive, agriculture mechanics and technical theater. New York is tied with California for the most prize finalists of any state.

“Trades teachers are truly unsung heroes, and our prize seeks to show everyone how powerful these classes can be,” said Danny Corwin, executive director of Harbor Freight Tools for Schools. “Skilled trades education has enormous potential to offer students pathways to multiple post-secondary opportunities, and these are the teachers who are providing them with the knowledge, skills and inspiration year after year.”

The 2020 finalists now advance to the second round of competition, where they will be asked to respond to online expert-led video learning modules designed to solicit their insights and creative ideas about teaching practices. The contenders will be asked how ideas from the modules might be used to inspire students to achieve excellence in the skilled trades. Two rounds of judging, each by separate independent panels of reviewers, will narrow the field to 18 winners and, finally, name three of those teachers Grand Prize recipients. All winners will be announced in late October.

The 18 winners will split the $1 million prize. Grand Prize winners will each receive $100,000, with $70,000 going to their public high school skilled trades program and $30,000 to the individual skilled trades teacher or teacher team behind the winning program. The 15 additional winners will each be awarded $50,000, with $35,000 going to their public high school program and $15,000 to the teacher or team. Finalists whose school, district and/or state policy prohibits the receipt of the individual portion of prize earnings were eligible to apply on behalf of their school’s skilled trades program. If they win, their entire share of the prize will be awarded to the school.

By John T. Ryan

Twenty-five residents were present at last night’s Peru Central School Town Hall Community Meeting. The subject was the Board of Education’s (BOE) July 14th decision to retire the “Indian” as Peru’s school mascot. No Board of Education (BOE) members attended. Superintendent Thomas Palmer said Health Department COVID-19 regulations limit attendance to no more than 50 people. He anticipated 50 or more people would try to attend; therefore, he advised the BOE not to participate and that he would respond to questions.

Everyone who spoke was against retiring the “Indian” as the school’s mascot. They were especially incensed that the School Board (BOE) make the change on July 14th without hearing from the taxpayers and alumni. School Superintendent Dr. Thomas Palmer said he advised against making the change without input, but a majority of BOE members disagreed. He said he would bring the concerns expressed to the BOE and that people would be welcome to express their concerns during the public comment part of the next regular BOE meeting.

Source: Whiteface Mountain Upgrades | Whiteface Mountain

The Peru CSD Board of Education will hold a special meeting on Thursday, July 23, 2020, at 6:00 PM.  The main focus of the meeting is to discuss the draft reopening plan.  Due to current COVID-19 conditions, the meeting will be held remotely via Google Meet.  The public may view the meeting live at https://youtu.be/KsB8aCZaoYg.  The meeting will also be recorded and will be available on the District’s website at www.perucsd.org.

The full agenda will be available on the District’s website.

Source: Free tire collection for Clinton County residents | Sun Community News ALTONA | Clinton County residents can soon take advantage of a free local tire-collection event.

Source: Saranac Lake looks to “hybrid” reopening schedule this Fall | Sun Community News SLCSD looks to stagger school arrival, departure times, with Wednesday for remote learning.