The Peru Gazette

A Facebook live media event will take place at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, May 13, 2020. Updates will be provided on the status of the COVID-19 virus’s impact on Clinton County. 

Speakers will include: 

 Gary Douglas, North Country Chamber of Commerce 

 Erin Streiff, Clinton County Health Department, Director of Health Care Services 

 CVPH (tentative) 

Keeping in mind the health and safety of all community members, this will be a closed event. Questions can be submitted through Facebook during the Livestream. Or, submit questions ahead of time by 10:00 AM, Wednesday, May 13th to health@clintoncountygov.com. Please note that responses to questions submitted ahead of time may be included in individual speaker remarks, or answered in the Q&A section of the conference. 

A closed-caption recording will be made available on YouTube after the event. 

Washington, D.C  – Congresswoman Elise Stefanik has sent a bipartisan letter to the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) and United States Marshall Service (USMS) requesting that all inmates are tested for COVID-19 and confirmed negative before they are transferred to any Bureau of Prison quarantine location, which includes FCI Ray Brook. Currently, the BOP is only symptom screening and moving inmates who are asymptomatic with COVID-19, despite their ability to transmit the virus to BOP staff.

“Throughout this entire public health crisis, I have advocated for our local corrections officers and prison staff who have been, in many cases, directly exposed to COVID-19,” said Congresswoman Stefanik. “I have worked at the federal level to support and protect our corrections officers, and now I am calling on the Bureau of Prisons and U.S. Marshall Service to implement inmate testing to ensure that inmates and corrections officers are both protected from coronavirus. I will continue to work with my colleagues to protect those who work within the prison system, and their surrounding communities, from COVID-19.

Local sales tax collections dropped 24.4 percent in April compared to April 2019, leaving many of New York’s local governments grappling with shortfalls, according to State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. Sales tax collections totaled $1.02 billion in April.

Plummeting sales tax collections were widespread, leaving counties, cities and some other local governments short by about $327 million compared to last year. Although the first quarter of 2020 was relatively strong, March sales tax collections had already begun to show the impact of the COVID-19 shutdown–a decrease of 3.7 percent statewide with the largest declines downstate. The April figures show shrinking revenues for local governments throughout the state.

“The coronavirus has hurt household finances, and the April sales tax figures show how deep it is cutting into municipal finances,” DiNapoli said. “Sales tax revenues are vital for the counties and cities that are on the front lines of fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. They are the first responders and provide a safety net of services for New Yorkers. The federal government needs to provide assistance to those hit hard by this virus or the budget cuts could be severe in some communities.”

Social distancing protocols were established with the “New York State on PAUSE” initiative, which has shuttered non-essential businesses and offices since March 22. A halt to travel, the decline in retail activity and the large and growing numbers of New Yorkers who have lost their jobs have restricted business activity.

Every county in every region of the state saw a large drop in April collections. New York City experienced a 23.1 percent decline, amounting to $141.8 million in lost revenues for a single month. Unknown at this time is how collections are impacted by consumers’ growing reliance on e-commerce shopping for products that are now subject to State and local sales taxes.

The least severe, though still substantial decline in sales tax collections, occurred in the Mid-Hudson Region (-21.5 percent). The Capital District had the most severe decline (-28.8 percent). Outside of New York City, the state’s 57 counties had a decrease in collections of $159.5 million compared to April 2019.

In addition, 17 cities (not including New York City) impose their own general sales tax. April collections were down $5.7 million in April in aggregate compared to April 2019. Nearly every city saw large losses ranging from a decline of 20.1 percent in White Plains to a decrease of over 37 percent in Gloversville. A few cities tax only specific goods or services. Most cities, towns and villages and some school districts also rely on sales tax revenues to support their operations, through sharing agreements with their counties.

Local sales tax details

More than 180 nations worldwide have confirmed cases of the coronavirus. The following have the highest number as of 4 a.m. ET*:

US 1,347,936 (+1.36%)
Spain 268,143 (+1.31%)
Russia 232,243 (+4.92%)
UK 224,332 (+1.76%)
Italy 219,814 (+0.34%)
France 177,547 (+0.26%)
Germany 172,576 (+0.41%)
Brazil 169,594 (+4.24%)
Turkey 139,771 (+0.80%)
Iran 109,286 (+1.56%)

Below you will find the candidates for the two open positions on the Peru School District Board of Education. The Peru Gazette will be sending a questionnaire to each candidate seeking information on such matters as background, reason for wanting to serve and vision for the school.

The candidates are Kelley Beauharnois, Daniel Cayea, James Falvo, Sarah Graves, Joel Maggy, Marque Moffett, Steven Peters and Kimberly Rose.

Source: Want to see if your NY region is ready to reopen? State launches new dashboard – syracuse.com

Source: ‘Don’t fear the swab’: P-R reporters gets coronavirus test | Coronavirus | pressrepublican.com

From the office of Congresswoman Elise Stefanik

 The Lugar Center, an independent, nationally-known nonprofit aimed at promoting bipartisanship in governance has announced that Congresswoman Elise Stefanik ranks as the 14^th most bipartisan Member of Congress out of 435 Members. Last Congress, Congresswoman Stefanik was ranked as 19^th out of 435.

“When I ran for Congress in 2014, I promised to work with anyone with ideas – regardless of party lines – to deliver results to the North Country. I have kept that promise since I was sworn into office,” said Congresswoman Stefanik. “It is a true honor to be ranked in the top 5% most bipartisan Members of Congress by The Lugar Center. I work diligently in Congress and in my district with Members and elected officials on both sides of the aisle in order to secure real results for our region. During the COVID-19 crisis in particular, the ability to work effectively in a bipartisan manner is critical, as so many are suffering both financially and health-wise. I will continue to work tirelessly on issues important to the North Country to ensure my constituents have a seat at the table on the federal level.”

To view the full rankings announced this morning, visit The Lugar Center’s website.

Source: NY nursing homes required to test staff for COVID-19 twice a week

Source: With low virus spread, Vermont to reopen retail shops May 18

Source: The North Country needs about 500 more tests to begin first phase of reopening | NCPR News

Source: Homeless people forced to move out of Burlington campground

Our native turtles are on the move in May and June seeking sandy areas or loose soil to lay their eggs. In New York, thousands of turtles are killed each year when they are struck by vehicles as they migrate to their nesting areas.

What you can do to help:

• If you see a turtle on the road, please give turtles “a brake”. Slow down to avoid hitting it with your car.
• If you can safely stop your vehicle, please consider moving it to the shoulder on the side of the road in the direction it was facing.
• Picking the turtle up by its tail may frighten or injure it. You can pick up most turtles by the sides of the shell.
• Use caution when moving snapping turtles; either pick her up at the rear of the shell near the tail using two hands or slide a car mat under the turtle to drag her across the road.
• Please do not take turtles home. All native turtles are protected by law and cannot be kept without a permit. All 11 species of land turtles that are native to New York are declining.

Over the last four days the Peru community delivered 108 pounds of much-needed food to St. Augustine’s Church for the Peru JCEO Food Shelf.   Combined with last week’s donations the donated total is 533 pounds collected or 53.3% of the 1000 pound goal. When 1,000 pounds have been donated, the Peru Knights of Columbus Council will receive a $100 incentive award which will also be donated to the Food Shelf. 

Food donations can be left in or near the baskets in the entrance of St. Augustine’s Church at 3035 Main St. They will be secured daily and brought to the Food Shelf weekly.  

If you have questions please call Bob Manchester at 518-643-8977 or Bob Herforth at 518-643-8854.

Source: How North Country schools are making the tricky transition to remote learning | NCPR News

Source: BREAKING: North Country close to reopening; Finger Lakes, Mohawk Valley, Southern Tier on May 15th | NCPR News

A May 4th story that needs to be posted. For some reason the NY Post sometimes spells the word “Champlain” as “Chaplain.” Source: Upstate nurses coming to NYC to join fight against coronavirus

Source: Adirondack Experience goes digital for season | News, Sports, Jobs – Adirondack Daily Enterprise