The Peru Gazette

It has been three weeks since George Floyd was killed by a Minneapolis police officer. Since then, there have been demonstrations around our state and the nation. The outrage we are seeing is not just about George Floyd. It’s about Trayvon Martin. It’s about Breonna Taylor. It’s about Abner Louima. It’s about Rodney King. How many times have we seen this situation happen over and over again? The names change, but the color doesn’t. I stand with the protesters and share in their outrage. Enough is enough. The system is broken and it must be fixed. Late last week, New York was the first state in the nation to take action. The Legislature passed, and I enacted, the “Say Their Name” landmark reform agenda that will help reduce inequality in policing and reimagine New York’s criminal justice system. The reforms include: -Allowing for transparency of prior disciplinary records of law enforcement officers by repealing Section 50-A of the civil rights law; -Banning chokeholds by law enforcement officers; -Prohibiting false race-based 911 reports; and -Designating the Attorney General as an independent prosecutor for matters relating to civilian deaths. Today, I signed additional reforms requiring state and local law enforcement officers to report within six hours when they discharge their weapon; requiring courts to compile and publish racial and other demographic data of all low-level offenses; and requiring police officers to provide medical and mental health attention to individuals in custody. In addition, I issued an Executive Order that mandates that every local government in the state has to undertake a comprehensive review of their police department’s procedures and, in partnership with the individual communities they serve, adopt specific reform plans. These plans must be submitted by April 1 in order for local governments to be eligible for state funding. The relationship between police and the communities they serve is based on trust. That trust must be restored or the system doesn’t work for anyone. The reforms we have passed in the past few days are a major step forward in restoring this trust, by rooting out excessive force, making policing more transparent, and ensuring justice and fairness for all New Yorkers. I thank the Legislature for their quick action and their leadership — and I thank the countless people who marched and spoke out for change; your voices were heard. We know there is still more work to do. It will take far longer than three weeks to undo four centuries of systemic racism and injustice in this nation. But New York State is committed to this work — and to realizing the dream of true freedom and justice. Ever Upward, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo

Read more »

Source: NY to allow visits at hospitals, group homes, Cuomo says – syracuse.com

Source: Coronavirus: Trudeau says US-Canada border restrictions extended to July 21

Northern New York faces the same challenges. Source: Woolf: Don’t count on influx of urbanites to solve Vermont population woes – VTDigger

Minestrone-Sausage Soup

Chicken Salad or  Egg Salad Sandwich

Home-made Carrot Cake

Served 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Take-outs only! 3030 Main St., Peru.

“As we continue the phased reopening of the state, it seems only fair that we look to find safe ways to allow individuals the opportunity to visit with their family members, face-to-face, in our hospitals and our nursing homes. Hospitals and nursing home facilities have been thoroughly conscientious in creating policies to screen individuals entering their buildings, and have done their best to comply with testing mandates, despite no financial help to do so. They have also been committed to finding creative ways to help their patients and residents stay in contact with those they love. While I am encouraged that the New York State Department of Health implemented a hospital visitation pilot plan, it is now time to expand the program to more hospitals, and include nursing homes in that discussion.

“New Yorkers, and particularly North Country residents, have and continue to do their part to flatten the curve and have stayed home to protect those most vulnerable. We cannot ignore the sacrifices that patients, nursing home residents, and their loved ones have made during this pandemic, and we must find a way to safely allow them to reunite. I am calling on the Executive to work with our health professionals to implement visitation policies that bring together families while simultaneously protecting their health.”

Source: Gatherings of up to 25 people now allowed in the North Country, but Cuomo encourages caution | NCPR News

Source: Cuomo OKs youth sports beginning July 6 for regions in Phase 3 | NCPR News

Source: Scott extends Vermont’s Covid-19 state of emergency to July 15 – VTDigger

The Peru CSD Board of Education will hold a special meeting on Wednesday, June 17, 2020, at 8:00 AM.  The main focus of the meeting is to accept the results of the June 9^th budget vote & board election (canvassed June 16^th).  Due to current COVID-19 conditions, the meeting will be held remotely via Google Meet.  The public may view the meeting live at http://meet.google.com/kth-iudv-orf.  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.

The regular meeting of the Peru Town Board was held on Thursday, May 28, 2020, at the Peru Town Hall.  Those present were Mr. Brandy McDonald, Supervisor; Mr. Richard Barber, Councilman; Mr. Kregg Bruno, Councilman; Mr. James Douglass, Councilman; Mr. Mel Irwin, Councilman; Mrs. Dianne Miller, Town Clerk and Ms. Pamela Barber, Confidential Secretary to the Board. Also present Mr. Courtney Tetrault, Water/Sewer Superintendent and Greg Swart, AES representative.

The meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM by Mr. McDonald, with the Pledge of Allegiance.  

Motion by Mr. Bruno seconded by Mr. Douglass to accept the minutes from the May 11, 2020, Regular Meeting.

Ayes 5 Nays 0                                                                                                 Motion Carried 

Sewer Project Bid Results

Greg Swart, AES representative presented two possible options to accept the one bid submitted with negotiations or to rebid in the Fall of 2020 due to over budget bid submitted.

Motion by Mr. Barber; seconded by Mr. Irwin for a workshop on June 22, 2020, at 5:00 PM to discuss the “Wastewater Disinfection Project”.

The annual concert series will not be held this year.

Hometown Hero banners will be placed randomly effective 2021.

Effective June 8, 2020, the Town Hall employees will return on a full-time basis. Safety guidelines will be followed.

Source: Free milk giveaway aids hundreds of households | News, Sports, Jobs – Adirondack Daily Enterprise

Source: City & State Coronavirus Update

Source: Low-risk youth sports to resume July 6 | WHEC.com

A message from Peru Town Supervisor Brandy McDonald 

We received the news that playgrounds, including swings and tennis courts, can be open now !! By Monday all the yellow tape will be taken down from them. The walking trail has always been open to get out and enjoy the outdoors as much as you can. Everyone Stay Healthy ❤️

***Please, note that ball fields and basketball courts will remain closed for now!!! Until we get the word from the State to reopen them We are hoping to see those re-open during Phase 4. Everyone have a great weekend!!!

Source: Unprepared hikers get lost outside of Marcy Dam – – The Adirondack Almanack

PROGRAMMING NOTE: I hope you’ve found these nightly emails useful and informative. Going forward, the NYS Coronavirus Update will publish on weekday evenings only. We’ll be back on Monday.

Cases of COVID-19 are increasing in nearly two dozen states that have begun reopening, and 15 states have seen record highs in the past two days. As New York reopens, however, we are continuing to see a decline in the number of daily new COVID cases.

One remarkable fact: Our state, which once had the highest number of cases in the nation, now has the nation’s lowest rate of transmission (Rt) — at just 0.77. An Rt of 1 or higher means that COVID-19 is increasing — an Rt of below 1 means it is decreasing.

Why is our state one of the rare few where case numbers continue to decline even as the state reopens? I believe it’s because of New Yorkers’ discipline and caution — including the widespread wearing of face masks. We must continue to be disciplined. If we stay the course, we will avoid the “second waves” that other countries are now grappling with.

Here’s what else you need to know tonight:

1. The news is still good regarding testing. Yesterday, we tested an extraordinary 72,395 New Yorkers for COVID. Of those tested, only 822 people were positive — or 1.1% of the total. This is great news: Even as New York has increased testing over the past few weeks, the number and percentage of positive results have stayed extremely low.

2. The deadline for the special enrollment period for health insurance is Monday, June 15th. New Yorkers who lost their health insurance this year can apply for a health plan through the NY State of Health Marketplace.

3. This Sunday, June 14th, is World Blood Donor Day. This is a day to raise awareness of the need for safe blood donations, to thank those who have donated and to encourage others to consider donating. Due to Coronavirus, there is a shortage of blood, and blood donations are urgently needed across New York State. Learn how and where you can donate at http://ny.gov/donateblood.

4. The number of COVID hospitalizations continues to decline. Yesterday total hospitalizations fell to 1,898, from 2,042 the day before. Sadly we lost 42 New Yorkers to the virus. Our thoughts are with their families.

5. Progress on police reform. Today I signed landmark legislation to improve transparency in police disciplinary records and ban police chokeholds, among other reforms that will help restore trust and improve the relationship between police and the communities they serve.

6. Remember to respond to the Census. Every New Yorker can now respond to the Census — it is safe, easy and can be done online from the comfort of your own home. See the response rate in your city or town here and if you haven’t already, complete the Census today at my2020census.gov.

Ever Upward,

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo

From Congresswoman Elise Stefanik

As a proud resident and the Congressional Representative of Schuylerville in Saratoga County, I am deeply opposed to Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan’s recent executive action to take down the historic statue of Revolutionary War hero Philip Schuyler. I have the honor of living in the historic cradle of the Revolutionary War – just minutes away from the Saratoga Battlefield and the Schuyler House – important sites that our community has worked hard to preserve, commemorate, and honor our region and founding leaders.

Growing up in Upstate New York as a student at Albany Academy for Girls, I vividly remember participating in a Middle School project called “Project Albany” where we were assigned various historic sites to research. My student group was assigned Schuyler Mansion – and even at that young age, we learned not only about how the Schuyler family lived, their family’s military service, and the important role Philip Schuyler played in providing critical financing for the Revolution, but we also learned about the family’s deeply disturbing use of slavery.

This was an important lesson at a young age that our American history is simultaneously exceptional and complex. It is true that the United States of America has been blessed with extraordinary leaders – especially our founding generation who envisioned the world’s greatest experiment of a nation based on the inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It is also true that like all leaders, our founding visionaries like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Philip Schuyler, had deep imperfections including the inhumane embrace of slavery.

Interestingly, when my younger brother was in Middle School, he was also assigned a similar project, but he could choose to study any historically important figure in Albany. After researching, he chose to highlight the lesser-known local figure Henry Johnson, an African-American hero who served in the U.S. Army in World War I. Private Henry Johnson served on the Western Front in France where he fought off a German raid in hand-to-hand combat, saving fellow soldiers’ lives while being wounded. I remember discussing this project with my brother and parents at the dinner table as my brother reflected that it was wrong that Private Johnson was not honored and was overlooked by the arc and authors of our national, state, and local history. It took almost 100 years for the United States to bestow Private Henry Johnson with his belated and deserved Medal of Honor. Years after learning about Private Henry Johnson from my brother at our kitchen table, I was honored to attend the historic and overdue ceremony at the White House at President Obama’s invitation in 2015 as a newly elected Member of Congress from Upstate New York.

The vibrant fabric of our history is rich with extraordinary, yet flawed leaders and disturbing chapters. Read more »

From the office of Congresswoman Elise Stefanik

Washington, D.C. – Congressmembers Elise Stefanik (NY-21) and Brian Higgins (NY-26), who serve as Co-Chairs of the House of Representatives Northern Border Caucus, are calling on the U.S. and Canadian governments to develop nuanced and particularized guidance for reopening the northern border.

In a letter to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary and the Canadian Minister of Public Safety, Reps. Higgins and Stefanik write, “We appreciate that the incidence of COVID-19 at communities along the border varies and we respect the public health imperative; yet, a one-size-fits-all approach toward allowing travel across the border has the impact of keeping communities apart. There must be bi-national coordination to develop a plan to safely allow for reasonable travel taking into account public health considerations but acknowledging our unique interconnected economies.”

On March 24 the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) imposed travel restrictions at Land Ports of Entry between the United States and Canada, limiting crossings to “essential travel” due to the ongoing pandemic. A second notice extended travel restrictions through May 20. A third agreement extended northern border restrictions through 11:59 pm on June 22, 2020.  Published reports indicate restrictions will be extended again into July.

Under the current order, “essential travel” includes:

• US citizens returning to the US
• Individuals traveling for medical purposes
• Individuals traveling to attend educational institutions  or work
• Individuals traveling for emergency or government response
• Individuals engaged in lawful cross-border trade (e.g. cargo drivers)
• Members of the military

Earlier this week the government of Canada indicated that they would allow individuals to reunite with their spouses, parents and dependent children if visitors observed a 14-day quarantine.

Higgins & Stefanik serve as co-chairs of the Northern Border Caucus, Congress’s oldest and largest Congressional Member organization dealing with the U.S. – Canada relationship.  Founded in 1994, this bipartisan group of Members has acted to highlight policy concerns and issues affecting the economic, cultural, and political partnership between the United States and Canada.