The Peru Gazette

Pope said opening a Keeseville branch makes business sense. “We did our research. The Towns of AuSable and Chesterfield have the population and businesses (65) to support a financial institution. Many roads come right into Keeseville and it’s in the center of our company triangle now that we have offices in AuSable Forks, Keeseville and Peru.” An AuSable Forks native, Pope is enthusiastic about serving people in and around her hometown.

“Establishing an AuSable Forks branch in October 2018 gave the credit union exposure and encouraged growth,” Pope stated. “In the past 12 months our loans have grown 22% and membership has grown almost 20%. We have over 3,000 members. Here in Keeseville we’ve signed up 25 new members in the first five business days.”

The Keeseville office is admittedly small, but that’s not expected to last long. Pope said, “We’re looking for land and we plan to construct a new building. I hope we can have it operational in about a year.” In the meantime, the current office across from Arnold’s Grocery is well located and easy to access.

Pope said some people don’t understand who can belong to the PFCU and the services it offers. Anyone living, working, worshipping, attending school or volunteering in either Clinton or Essex Counties is eligible to become a member. She added,  “We’re a full service financial institution with checking and savings accounts, certificates of deposit, business and personal accounts, car loans, personal loans and mortgages. We offer online banking. Members can scan a check using our smart phone app and deposit it directly into their accounts.  Our online accounts are compatible with the Quickbooks accounting program and all accounts are ensured by the National Credit Union Association.”

Keeseville’s PFCU branch hours of operation are 8 to 4 Monday, Tuesdays and Wednesday and 8 to 5 Thursdays and Fridays. Phone 518-825-1354 for information.

*When you register online, make sure you check the box to receive text message (or email) results! We publish race results periodically as runners are finishing. You can get your results sent directly to you while you are on your way to your Thanksgiving Day! No waiting around!

*Packet Pick-up is Wednesday 11/27 from 4-7pm (for local runners) and Thursday 11/28 from 7:30am-8:15am (for out-of-towners) in the Peru Elementary School Cafeteria.

We will be awarding trophies for the 5k and 10k ish runs to the top three finishers this year in the male and female race divisions. The awards will take place in the cafeteria at 10:15AM sharp on race day.

Ribbons will be awarded to the top three finishers (Male and Female) in each age division at 10:30AM sharp on race day (0-12, 13-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80 +.

The Peru Lions Club consists of people who represent a cross section of our community. Chartered in 1945, the Peru Lions Club continues to serve the community in a variety of ways. We live by our motto “WE SERVE” and where there is a need,you will see a Lion. A prime example are the free eye screenings we provide to incoming kindergartners, day cares, any child between the ages of 1 and 5, across upstate NY. While our main goal is to aid the visually impaired and blind, our club contributes to over 18 service projects. 100% of YOUR donation at our Turkey Trot goes back to your local community. Thinking of becoming a Lion? We will have flyers available. And, thank you as always for your support.

Supervisor McDonald announced that the Town Board Meeting of December 30, 2019 (6 p.m.) will include a resolution to dedicate the Town Court House to the late Joseph Kelley. The possibility of holding this meeting at the Court House will be explored.

Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell reported that installation of the pre-cast concrete culvert on the Patent Road should take place very soon. The road will be closed and detour signs will be deployed while construction is underway. The culvert is located a few hundred feet north of Mother Cabrini Shrine.

The Board also:

Approved a $10 quarterly Valcour District sewer rate increase. No one addressed the Board at the public hearing for the increase.

Approved a Clinton County re-levy of Peru’s outstanding 2019 water and sewer bills in the amount of $59,703.71 Clinton County will include the charges in 2020 property tax bills. Payment had to be received at the Town Hall no later than November 5th to avoid the re-levy.

Approved interior wood work at the historic Lyon Street School in an amount not to exceed $1,675. Randy LaValley Construction of West Chazy will do the work. LaValley has liability insurance and will complete the work himself.

Agreed that the Board has no authority to request the removal of two Main Street political signs. Two residents complained about what they perceive as the inflammatory nature of the signs; however, Supervisor Brandy McDonald said property owners have freedom of speech. Town Attorney Matt Favro and fellow Board members did not disagree.

Learned that recent high winds damaged several Hometown Hero signs. The affected families will be notified. Repairing the signs is the sponsor’s responsibility.

Adjourned to executive session to discuss legal issues related to the Washington Street expansion. No action was taken following the session.

Concurred with Town Clerk/Tax Collector Dianne Miller’s proposed January office hours. Miller tries to make her hours convenient for taxpayers.

Peru native Nathan Wilson is Davey Commons’ developer and general contractor. Wilson is very enthusiastic about the project. He said, “I bought the land from my father-in-law Harney Davey. It’s been in the family for a long time and it lends itself to a nice development. It’s nice to bring something like this to my hometown.”

Wilson envisions the two bedroom units attracting people looking to downsize while the two-story 3-bedroom units should attract families. He anticipates monthly rent ranging from $1,300 to $1,500. No two apartments will be the same.

Wilson cited several of Peru’s great qualities saying, “I think many people are looking for Peru’s conveniences and small town life. They’ll be very close to restaurants, the post office and the walking trail.”

They’ll also find insurance agencies, a credit union, supermarket, drug store, hardware stores, liquor store, laundromat, car wash, gas stations, churches, beauty shops, dentists and a new Stewart’s. Peru has a lot to offer its residents!

The difficult decision was made earlier this week by Atkins and Fuller and the timing makes sense for both. Fuller is retiring from the construction business and Atkins’ business is continually growing throughout the east coast of the United States.

“It has been a lot of fun over the last 11 years, but I’m going into retirement now,” Fuller said. “The racing business has created a second family for me and I am very thankful for that.”

Atkins, who owns North Line Utilities, LLC. said, “Airborne has been an exciting venture for me, I’ve learned a lot about the business, enjoyed a great partnership with Steve and made many friends in the Airborne family. Currently with our continued expansion (Northline) I just don’t have the time to devote to the venture myself that it needs and deserves.”
During their ownership, the speedway had four promoters/speedway managers.

Fuller’s first promoter was Mike Perrotte back in 2008. Mike Bruno and John Walker followed, with Robby Knowles as the most recent. “It is definitely sad to hear the news, but I appreciate the effort and dedication put in by Steve and Jamie over the past decade,” Knowles said. “The facility is beautiful and hopefully someone will take advantage of this opportunity and continue Saturday night short track racing in Plattsburgh.”

The 2019 season came to a close this past Saturday with the Banquet of Champions at the Rainbow Banquet Hall in Altona, NY. Steve Bernier, Adam Pierson, Marc Lalonde, Shawn Duquette and Nathan Smart were crowned champions in their respective divisions.

If and when a new ownership group is formed, plans for the 2020 season will begin immediately. For more information, stay tuned to plattsburghairbornespeedway.com or Plattsburgh Airborne Speedway on Facebook.