The Peru Gazette

Source: Introverts unite! (From a distance) – – The Adirondack Almanack

From the office of Congresswoman Elise Stefanik

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Stefanik and Congressman Anthony Brindisi (D-NY-22) have led a bipartisan letter to USDA requesting immediate assistance for upstate New York dairy farmers, many of whom have lost direct markets due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The letter, signed by members of the New York Congressional delegation, requests swift action by USDA, including direct payments and reimbursements for dumped milk, in order to provide relief to dairy farmers. It also requests that USDA purchase dairy products to be distributed to local food banks and provided to communities in need, and also allow grocery stores and other venues to donate milk locally.

“Our dairy farmers are facing an unprecedented crisis that comes after years of low milk prices” said Congresswoman Stefanik. “I have had conversations with many producers in my district and understand their urgent need for relief. I am proud to be co-leading this effort, along with Congressman Brindisi, to urge USDA to immediately provide financial relief to our farmers and make purchases to give our communities better access to dairy products. The dairy industry is very important to upstate New York and it is crucial that we continue to support them, an essential industry, who is working tirelessly to keep our grocery stores stocked during this unprecedented time.”

“As Members of New York’s Congressional Delegation, we represent a robust community of dairy farmers who have lost direct markets due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Congressman Brindisi. “Farmers across the country have suffered tremendous loss, and New York is no exception. We are writing to request that swift action be taken, including direct financial assistance, by the administration and USDA in order to provide relief to our dairy farmers and other parts of the dairy supply chain.”

“At a time when food security is of utmost importance, we must do everything we can to keep farmers in business during this most challenging time. New York Farm Bureau appreciates the efforts from Rep. Stefanik and our congressional delegation for highlighting the needs of our dairy farmers and working to secure federal assistance for our farm families,” said David Fisher, New York Farm Bureau President.

“Dairy farmers and their cooperatives are facing unprecedented economic strain marked by significant demand displaced by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Jim Mulhern, President and CEO, National Milk Producers Federation. “We have urged USDA to use the authority provided by Congress under the CARES Act, as well as other existing authorities, to provide immediate, robust support to dairy producers. We commend Reps. Brindisi and Stefanik for their bipartisan collaboration and strong advocacy for Upstate New York dairy producers during this challenging time.”

Information and your questions on the EIDL and PPP answered! 

Plattsburgh, NY – The North Country Chamber of Commerce and SCORE will be hosting a webinar/call on Friday, April 17th at 10:30 am to discuss the following federal assistance programs:

• Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Program
• EIDL Cash Advance
• Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)

Staff from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will be on the call to provide our business community, local nonprofits, and chamber members with the most up-to-date information available on the programs, as well as, answer your questions.

Register and ask your questions today by visiting northcountrychamber.com!

Source: First COVID-19 death in Warren County, third in Clinton County as North Country cases surpass 600 | NCPR News

The U.S. trend has been declining daily.

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

1. US 582,594 (+4.48%)
2. Spain 170,099 (+1.96%)
3. Italy 159,516 (+2.02%)
4. France 137,877 (+3.15%)
5. Germany 130,072 (+1.73%)
6. UK 89,571 (+5.12%)
7. China 83,303 (+0.20%)
8. Iran 73,303 (+2.26%)
9. Turkey 61,049 (+7.19%)
10. Belgium 30,589 (+3.18%)

Source: P-R Sports Photo Flashback: April 14, 2020 | Sports | pressrepublican.com

Source: Cuomo signals rural NY might be able to start relaxing stay-home guidelines sooner than NYC | NCPR News

Source: NYS Prisons: Hundreds of staff and inmates contract COVID-19, advocates call for early release of inmates | NCPR News

Source: Burlington asks for halt of F-35 flights during pandemic – VTDigger

Message from Town of Peru Supervisor Bandy McDonald:

(30) Day Extension for the State of Emergency I signed on 3-16-20 until 4-16-20 for the Town Of Peru. This order expires every 30 days. So this order will now run until 5-13-20 for the Town Of Peru. I can also lift this order before the 30 days if needed.

The Clinton County Health Department (CCHD) today reported 47 lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 among residents of Clinton County. The number includes 43 cases, as of this morning, listed on the NYSDOH website. CCHD noted that 4 of the 47 individuals they are reporting were tested in Vermont. These four are not currently listed on the NYSDOH website (https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/home) and CCHD expects that they will become part of the Vermont case count.

Source: Joyful Noise: father and daughter planting a “victory garden” in Peru | NCPR News

Source: No, You Don’t Need To Disinfect Your Groceries. But Here’s How To Shop Safely | NCPR News

Source: We asked how the coronavirus was impacting people’s lives in the North Country. Here’s what they said | NCPR News

The Latest
President Donald Trump asserted Monday on Twitter that he is the ultimate decision-maker for determining how and when to relax the nation’s social distancing guidelines, as he grows anxious to reopen the country as soon as possible. He added, “With that being said, the Administration and I are working closely with the Governors, and this will continue. A decision by me, in conjunction with the Governors and input from others, will be made shortly!”

Source: Layoff of 337 Glens Falls Hospital employees announced – Sun Community News & Printing

Peru – The Town of Peru is attempting to continue its most essential services during the coronavirus crisis. Supervisor Brandy McDonald, whose full-time employment schedule has been curtailed, said he is at the Town Hall several hours each week and responds to calls via cell phone (518-593-3078). He sometimes responds to as many as 50 calls daily. Water and sewer payments are being processed and Town Clerk Dianne Miller is processing quarterly tax payments. Dog Control Officer Dave Drollette is continuing his normal activities and coordinating dog licensing. Call him at 518-578-2217. Call 518-643-2745 to leave a message for any of the Town Hall personnel. They will do their best to get back to you. Click here for direct numbers

McDonald said some construction projects are continuing. Building permits are being issued and inspections performed. Contractors and developers have had many questions regarding the “essential work” permitted by Governor Cuomo’s ‘PAUSE’ Executive Order. Normal staffing is permitted on projects classified as essential such as service stations, convenience stores and low-income housing. Only one person is permitted to work on a non-essential project at a given time. McDonald said the state is requiring the Town to strictly enforce the Executive Order.

Town Board meetings are continuing although they are closed to the public and limited to 5 persons being present. Authorization of bids for a new town hall roof is on tonight’s meeting agenda. Bids for the multi-million dollar sewer system upgrade project are expected to be advertised on April 18th.

Water-Sewer Superintendent Courtney Tetrault said his department is working two crews and rotating shifts. Each crew has a licensed water and wastewater operator on shift to meet requirements for DEC and DOH. He commented, “ We try to distance ourselves from each other when possible and have restricted access to our facilities to employees only unless necessary. Crews have been instructed to clean vehicles and work areas when their 3-day shift is done and before the next crew comes on. We are primarily concentrating on running the facilities and making sure our Dig Safe locates are done. We are also concentrating on maintenance of our facilities and any emergencies that come about.”

Water meters are not being replaced unless absolutely necessary and back-flow testing requirements have been put on hold. Grounds clean-up may be delayed. Larger maintenance projects which require confined space entry have been put on hold.

The Highway Department is working split shifts. Superintendent Michael Farrell commented, “We switched to four ten-hour days. We are working Monday-Thursday 6 AM-4:30 PM. We have three people working Monday and Tuesday and the other three working Wednesday and Thursday. Yes, it has an impact on what we can do and still maintain social distancing.”

Sand-sweeping roads on the outskirts of village has been done. Farrell said, “We don’t have the personnel to sweep the village and sub-divisions. It takes all six men to run the sweeping equipment and that’s with no flagging people. We are taking all the plow gear off the trucks and servicing them for summer work. We will be doing a few ditch jobs on back roads and trying to get salt delivered or held in storage if that’s necessary.”

Chamber set to host conversation with local leaders on impact of COVID-19!

Plattsburgh, NY – The North Country Chamber of Commerce is hosting a conversation with our local county leaders on Thursday, April 16th at 9:00AM. Hear updates and answers to questions regarding the response by our Counties to COVID-19 and the impacts on our county governments.

Panelists will include:

• Mark Henry, Chair, Clinton County Legislature
• Donald Dabiew, Chair, Franklin County Legislature
• Shaun Gilliland, Chair, Essex County Board of Supervisors
• Bill Farber, Chair, Hamilton County Board of Supervisors

Register and ask your questions by visiting northcountrychamber.com!