The Peru Gazette

By John T. Ryan

Peru – The inside cover of the program handed out at today’s Veterans Day Service at Peru Memorial VFW Post 309 read: “What is a Veteran? A Veteran whether active duty, discharged, retired or reserve is someone who at one point in his or her life wrote a blank check made payable to ‘The United States of America’ for an amount of ‘up to and including their life.’ That is honor. There are way too many people in this country today who no longer understand that fact.”

Auxiliary President Judy Lefevre, Post Commander Tom Boisseau presented award

Rachael Woodruff presents her essay

By John T. Ryan

Peru – Each year the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) conducts a national scholarship competition known as the Voice of Democracy. It is an audio-essay contest for high school students in grades 9-12. The program annually provides more than $2.3 million in scholarships.

This year’s essay theme “What makes America Great.” Peru VFW Post 309 and its Auxiliary conducts the competition which was won by Saranac High School Senior Rachael Woodruff. Auxiliary President Judy Lefevre and Post Commander Tom Boisseau presented the award at today’s VFW Veterans Day Service.

By John T. Ryan

Peru – At today’s Peru Memorial Post 309’s Veterans Day Service VFW Post 309 and its Auxiliary presented its Citizen Education Teacher Award to Saranac High School English teacher Shelly Webster. Auxiliary President Judy Lefevre talked with Mrs. Webster’s students and colleagues discovering that both hold her in the highest esteem. Among many wonderful qualities she listens, guides and inspires her students. She also attends many school functions supporting them. Today she was in Peru supporting Rachael Woodruff who was receiving another VFW award. She had no idea that she would be receiving this award.

Northern Franklin-Eastern Clinton-Southeastern St. Lawrence-
Southern Franklin-Western Clinton-Western Essex-Eastern Essex- Including the cities of Malone, Plattsburgh, Star Lake,Saranac Lake, Tupper Lake, Dannemora, Lake Placid, Port Henry,

Source: Governor Cuomo Announces SUNY and CUNY will Waive Application Fees for Veterans and their Spouses | Governor Andrew M. Cuomo

Source: State Forest Preserve Use Plans Ignore Climate Change – – The Adirondack Almanack

Source: Construction on cashless toll system for NYS Thruway has started – syracuse.com

Source: Exploring Adirondack Climate Change Impacts – – The Adirondack Almanack

Source: Retired teacher recognized with Honor Flight

Expanded Online Ordering Makes Giving the Gift of Camping Easier than Ever

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today announced that DEC Camping Gift Cards and electronic gift certificates for stays and services at all DEC Campgrounds are now available for purchase online. Gift Cards and electronic Gift Certificates can be purchased online at the ReserveAmerica website.

“DEC has your holiday shopping covered this season,” Commissioner Seggos said. “For that one hard-to-buy-for outdoor enthusiast on your list, give the gift of New York State’s unmatched natural beauty with a gift card to visit any of our world-class recreational destinations. Online sales and electronic certificates make purchasing, reloading, and checking gift card balances easier than ever before.”

DEC Camping Gift Cards will continue to be a physical card that is mailed to the recipient. Electronic Gift Certificates will be emailed to the purchaser for printing and/or emailing to the recipient.

DEC operates 52 campgrounds and five day-use areas in the Adirondack and Catskill forest preserves. Camping season runs through the summer, with some facilities remaining open during fall foliage and hunting season.

For more information on DEC-operated campgrounds, including a list of campgrounds and schedules, visit DEC’s website and go to the Camping link under the Outdoor Recreation section, or call DEC’s Bureau of Recreation at 518-457-2500. To make reservations at any of these camping facilities, call ReserveAmerica at 1-800-456-CAMP (2267) or visit the ReserveAmerica website.

Source: UVM Health Network to offer DNA testing as part of primary care – VTDigger

Source: Affordable housing complex to be ready by June 2021 | Local News | pressrepublican.com

New DEC High Peaks Strategic Planning Advisory Group will Collaborate, Develop Framework to Balance Region’s Public Use Needs

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today announced a new strategic planning initiative for sustainably managing public use in the Adirondack High Peaks. The High Peaks Strategic Planning Advisory Group, comprised of key stakeholders with expertise in local government, recreation, natural resource protection, business, tourism, and other priority areas, will collaboratively provide advice on how to balance the critical issues associated with the increased public use of High Peaks resources in order to protect these resources for future generations.

“DEC and our partners are working hard to address impacts associated with increased use of the High Peaks because we all recognize the tremendous opportunities that will be created when we ensure this majestic region is sustainably managed for the enjoyment of both current and future generations,” Commissioner Seggos said. “DEC has assembled a team of talented and committed people to work together to provide advice on a strategic approach that will support the Adirondacks’ local economies, protect the environment, and provide safe, quality recreational experiences for visitors.”

DEC has identified five goals for managing public use in the High Peaks Region: ensuring public safety within communities, along roadways, at trailheads, and in interior areas; protecting natural resources and recreation infrastructure; providing a quality recreation experience; supporting local economic vitality; and making decisions based on science using the best available data.

To accomplish these goals, DEC is launching a formal Strategic Planning process, guided by Acting Executive Deputy Commissioner Judy Drabicki and led by Division of Lands and Forests Director Rob Davies and DEC Region 5 Director Bob Stegemann. Commissioner Seggos also named a High Peaks Strategic Planning Advisory Group to create a framework of policy recommendations to achieve the goals for the initiative, incorporate, expand, and/or modify the recommendations made to date to identify priorities, determine whether additional data is needed to inform the group, and identify actions for implementation. The group includes:

• Rocci Aguirre, Director of Conservation, Adirondack Council
• Sandi Allen, Retired DEC Counsel
• Pat Barnes, Region 1 Director, New York State Department of Transportation (DOT)
• Teresa Cheetham-Palen, Owner of Rock and River Guide Co.
• Shaun Gilliland, Chair, Essex County Board of Supervisors
• James McKenna, CEO, Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST)
• Pete Nelson, Adirondack Wilderness Advocates
• Mike Pratt, President & CEO, Olympic Regional Development Authority
• Dr. Jill Weiss, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
• Joe Pete Wilson, Supervisor, Town of Keene
• Charlie Wise, The Mountaineer outdoor specialty store
• Adirondack Park Agency representative (ad hoc)
• New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation representative (ad hoc)

DEC is already working with many local partners and other stakeholders to implement several actions, including long- and short-term improvements to promote sustainable use, particularly in the High Peaks. Examples include delineating parking on Route 73, working with DOT, New York State Police, and the towns, reducing congestion in areas around the High Peaks, highlighting the great, and underused alternative hikes and activities elsewhere in the park, and promoting sustainable use with partners through Leave No Trace to help visitors understand how their actions affect and protect the resource. The strategic planning process announced today will build on these actions to develop both short- and long-term actions to ensure sustainable use in the High Peaks that benefits users and protects the environment.

The High Peaks Strategic Planning Advisory Group will begin meeting this fall and include opportunities for broader public input. The group will be charged with finalizing and submitting a strategic planning framework to DEC Commissioner Seggos in 2020. Upon completion of the framework, DEC will develop a draft Strategic Plan for Managing Public Use in the High Peaks Region of the Adirondack Park that will be made available for public review and comment.

File Photo 2017

When:  Monday, November 11^th & 11 am

Where:   Peru Memorial VFW Post # 309

710 Pleasant St

Peru, NY  12972

Why:    Honor and pay tribute to our Veterans.

Questions?  Please contact me:

Judy Lefebvre, President

Peru Memorial VFW Post 309 Auxiliary

518-563-7558 (h)   518-593-5628 ©

Email – biljud@aol.com

St. Augustine’s Parish Center, Peru, NY
December 7th, 2019
10:00 am ~ 3:00 pm
Contact Judy Akey for additional Information and Vendor tables. 518-643-8716

Cafe lunch sponsored by the Catholic Daughter’s of the Americas, Court St. Monica #2598 providing a menu of; Soup, Sandwiches, Chips Beverage and a Bake Sale

FREE event for everyone!

By John T. Ryan

Peru’s old Stewart’s Shop closed last night at 6 p.m. and the new significantly larger store opened at 4:30 this morning only eight weeks after ground was broken. Over the next four weeks nine gasoline, kerosene and diesel dispensers will be installed and paving completed. Fuel sales are tentatively scheduled to resume on December 6th. Existing fuel tanks emptied quickly yesterday when all fuel grades were sold at $2.49 a gallon.

Sister Debbie sent a message thanking everyone who helped move school supplies yesterday from the former Seton Academy building to the Mission of Hope’s Peru warehouse.

“We had 18 volunteers and 11 truck and trailer loads of school equipment and supplies which will be shipped to impoverished areas of need! HOPE lives.”

Source: ‘They pack love in those shoeboxes’ – Sun Community News & Printing

Peru Central’s Board of Education launches its regular monthly board meeting on Tuesday, November 12, 2019 at 6:00 PM in the High School Community Room.  It is anticipated that an executive session will take place immediately following the 6:00 PM start, and that the Board will reconvene for public session business at approximately 7:00 PM.  Anticipated topics include:

• Fall Sports Review
• Middle School Pilot Program
• Acceptance of Grant Awards
• Audit Report
• Personnel Items

The full agenda will be available on the District’s website (perucsd.org).

All are welcome.

Source: Board of Regents Appoints Shannon Tahoe as Acting Commissioner of Education | New York State Education Department

Source: Governor Cuomo Signs Legislation Requiring Death Certificates to Specify Opioid Involved in Overdose | Governor Andrew M. Cuomo

Source: Clinton County 2019 Election Results | Local News | pressrepublican.com

Please share !!Attention Peru Residents and surrounding area yesterday I heard of 6 people having things stolen from cars or even inside garages in Peru. Today when going to work I opened my garage to see footprints right up my driveway to my side door and garage door my doors are always locked!! I will look at my cameras when I get home later today. Make sure things are locked up and cars are locked if outside.

Unofficial 2019 election results as reported by the Press Republican. These totals do not include absentee ballots.

Clinton County Legislator:
Area 1 – Calvin Castine 1,106 vs. Joel Herzog 391
Area 3 – Mark Henry 800 vs. Jerry Marking 769
Area 5 – Rick Potiker 593 vs. Bill Todd 421
Area 7 – Robert Timmons 811 vs. Carol Blakeslee 355
Area 9 – Chris Rosenquest was unopposed.

Clinton County Coroner:

Travis H. Nelson (D), 6,102

Chad H. Deans (R), 6, 429