The Peru Gazette

Casella operates the landfill.  Not all people are satisfied.

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“In the IRCP, as of October 4, 2018 approximately thirty-seven victims have resolved their claims and have received $5,495,000 in compensation. Two other claimants are still considering whether to accept the compensation offered by the independent administrator.”

Oct. 10, 2018

Introduction
In March 2018, the Diocese of Ogdensburg launched the Independent Reconciliation and Compensation Program (“IRCP”), part of an on-going effort to express contrition to those who suffered sexual abuse by diocesan clergy and to help them find a sense of healing. Bishop LaValley instituted this IRCP, motivated in part by the successful IRCP programs undertaken by other dioceses in New York State. Victims who participated in those programs expressed gratitude for the opportunity to be heard.

At the time that the IRCP was under consideration, we did not anticipate the crisis the Church now faces due to the scandal involving former Cardinal McCarrick and the release of the Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report.

Additionally, the former Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, Archbishop Vigano, released a letter in which he suggests that Pope Francis and other members of the hierarchy protected abusers. These events raise questions about the integrity and transparency of the Church. While the sin and crime of sexual abuse of minors is found in every segment of society, it is especially horrific when these acts are committed by those who represent Christ and His Church. We, as a Church and as a diocese, have worked hard to eliminate this evil and to protect our children and young people. It is an effort that demands our constant attention and total commitment.

Prevention of abuse, education and training of those who work with minors, and reconciliation with those who have been hurt remain an on-going priority.

As the People of God, we undertook the IRCP because it was the right thing to do. There are wounded voices that need to be heard. There are broken hearts that need tending. Concrete actions of repentance and words of apology are so necessary.

Our desire in this program was to help victims heal. This report outlines the IRCP’s progress and reviews the lessons we learned in the process. Over a period of many years now, the Diocese of Ogdensburg has made significant strides forward in dealing with the sexual abuse of minors by clergy, and in preventing acts of abuse through our safe environment programs.

The IRCP
The Diocese of Ogdensburg has consistently reached out to victims of sexual abuse and offered them assistance and support. Through the years, the Diocese has offered counseling and other types of support and assistance to victims who have come forward. With the IRCP, the Diocese has offered financial compensation in response to what these victims, who as minors or vulnerable adults, had been victimized by Church leaders.

In introducing the IRCP, Bishop LaValley stated, “This is an opportunity for victims to find healing. We cannot give back what they have lost. Victims have told me that they want a tangible sign of the Church’s desire for healing and reconciliation. We trust and believe that this program can aid in healing and reconciliation.” The IRCP addresses the request for a tangible sign of our desire for healing and reconciliation.

The IRCP was administered by Mr. Kenneth Feinberg, a respected and trusted mediator. Mr. Feinberg and his colleague, Ms. Camille Biros, exercised complete autonomy in assessing claims and awarding compensation to victims, and the diocese abided by their decisions.

In the IRCP, as of October 4, 2018 approximately thirty-seven victims have resolved their claims and have received $5,495,000 in compensation. Two other claimants are still considering whether to accept the compensation offered by the independent administrator. Throughout the process, claimants made clear they were not interested in money alone but, were grateful that the Church reached out to them, listened to them, and expressed sorrow and understanding.

We pray this program brings some measure of peace and consolation to the victims. We are happy that many have indicated that their healing has been aided by our outreach to them in the IRCP.

The diocese is financing the IRCP through a line of credit and long-term loan. The diocese will not and has not used money donated to parishes, schools, charitable organizations, It’s our Church, It’s our Future Capital Campaign, or donations to any specific programs or ministries to fund the IRCP or compensate claimants. Funds to repay the loans for the claims of the IRCP will come from accumulated net investment returns in the Diocese Loan Account and net accumulations due to good claims performance in the diocesan self-insurance program.

Lessons Learned
When the IRCP was undertaken, we did not fully grasp the extent of the abuse that occurred over the last seventy years. As of this writing, our diocese over the last 70 years has received approximately 72 credible claims of sexual abuse of a minor by a member of our clergy which involved twenty-seven priests, including the claims handled by the IRCP. Ten of these claims were resolved outside of the IRCP process for an aggregate amount of approximately $750,000.00. In eleven cases not submitted to the IRCP, the claimants had died or were unable to be found.

Thirty-eight credible claims were submitted to the independent administrator at the start of the IRCP. During the course of the IRCP, eleven additional credible claims were brought forward in the program. Of these forty-nine credible claims, thirty-nine participated in the IRCP. Six of the claimants could not be located, two declined to submit a claim, and two had died.

There were twenty-six priests who had credible allegations brought against them in relation to the claims in the IRCP, including eleven repeat offenders. The incidents of abuse occurred over a period of seventy-five years, with some claims dating to the 1940s.

The fact that no incidents of abuse were reported to have occurred in the last twenty years gives us hope that the safe environment efforts we have undertaken are effective. Despite the justifiable anger aimed at the Church at the present time, it’s important to acknowledge that we have made much progress in providing a safe environment for our children and vulnerable adults.

We are saddened that there were repeat offenders. Our files reveal that the protocols in place for dealing with abuse in the past were not effective and are not acceptable today.

Our records show a common protocol that was followed with tragic effects. The abuser would be arrested or the matter would be reported to a diocesan official. To avoid scandal and spare the victims from giving grueling testimony, where police agencies were involved plea deals were reached with the approval of law enforcement agencies, judges or district attorneys. When no law enforcement agency was involved, the matter was handled quietly by the diocese and parents or guardians of the victim to avoid putting the victim through the legal process. The accused was sent for counseling, and upon receiving a recommendation from mental health professionals that there was no danger to others, the bishop would reassign the offender to another assignment.

Although this protocol was done in good faith and with good intentions, these tragic decisions allowed the abuse of other victims in many cases.

The protocols for handling abuse cases in past decades, not only for the Catholic Church but for other public and private employees, emphasized secrecy to protect victims and avoid scandal and embarrassment. Read more »

The regular meeting of the Peru Town Board was held on Monday, September 24, 2018 at the Peru Town Hall.  Mr. Brandy McDonald Supervisor; was not present and is excused; Those present were Mr. James Douglass, Councilman; Mr. James Langley, Councilman; Mr. Melvin Irwin, Councilman; Mr. Matthew Favro, Town Attorney; Mrs. Dianne Miller, Town Clerk.  Also present Mr. Courtney Tetrault, Water/Sewer Superintendent; Mr. Michael Farrell, Highway Superintendent; Mr. James Kirby, Town Justice; Ms. Pamela Barber, Secretary to the Board: Mr. Dave Drollette, Dog Control Officer and Mr. John Flynn, Recreation Director.

The meeting was called to order at 7:01 PM by Mr. Douglass, with the Pledge of Allegiance.  

Motion by Mr.Irwin, seconded by Mr. Langley to approve the minutes from the September10, 2018 meeting.  

Ayes 3 Nays 0 Motion Carried

Motion by Mr. Douglass, seconded by Mr. Irwin to approve the minutes from September 12, 2018 meeting.

Ayes 3 Nays 0                                                                         Motion Carried             

Community Input and Questions

None

RESOLUTION NUMBER: 18.09.24.01  

A RESOLUTION TO REAPPOINT JANE BRELIA TO THE BOARD OF ASSESSMENT REVIEW Read more »

PLATTSBURGH, NY – Bi-annually The Strand Center for the Arts produces exhibitions focused on presenting the talents of its members; the Holiday and Summer Members Shows. Members at any artistic level, from hobbyist to professional, are invited to submit works for these “Members Only” exhibitions.

The Strand Center for the Arts Holiday Members Show is open to all members whose membership is valid through January 1, 2019. Memberships can be renewed or started anytime before or during drop off, online at www.strandcenter.org or by phone at 518-563-1604, during regular gallery hours. Entries may be in the form of any media, including (but not limited to) painting, drawing, photography, jewelry, sculpture, fiber, ceramics, stained glass, bead weaving, printmaking, mixed media and woodwork. Two-dimensional artwork must be framed under glass or plexi-glass and be backed with wire for hanging and all artwork must be labeled on the front and back.  Artists can download the full guidelines, artist contract and artwork labels at The Strand Center for the Arts website at www.strandcenter.org or pick them up in our offices at 23 Brinkerhoff Street in Plattsburgh.

Drop off for submissions will run from Tuesday, November 13 to Tuesday, November 20, 2018. Artwork should be dropped off at the reception desk in the Strand Center Main Gallery at 23 Brinkerhoff Street in downtown Plattsburgh during regular gallery hours. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Annual Holiday Members Show will be on view in The Strand Center Main Gallery at 23 Brinkerhoff Street in Plattsburgh from December 7 to December 28, 2018. The Opening Reception will take place Friday, December 7 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and is free and open to the public. For more information on these exhibits, upcoming events, concerts or classes happening at The Strand Center for the Arts please call 518-563-1604 or visit www.strandcenter.org.

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Register for the Walk of Faith beginning at 11:45 a.m. Opening ceremony at 12:30 p.m. Pulled Pork Dinner served 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. 

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1. Call Meeting To Order
2. Pledge of Allegiance

3. Roll Call

4. MOTION:  Approval of Minutes for the Town Board Regular Meeting of September 24, 2018.

5. MOTION/DISCUSSION:  To Accept reports from all Departments: (Water/Sewer/Valcour; Highway; Town Clerk; Dog Control; Youth Department; Code/Zoning; Supervisor’s Report; Court; Website; JCEO; and Banking Reports)

6. Community Input

7. DISCUSSION:  Vac Truck repair update.

8. DISCUSSION:  Sewer Collection Project Update.

9. DISCUSSION:   Town of Peru Water and Wastewater System Energy Assessment

10. DISCUSSION:  Peru School Solar System Trail Project.

11. DISCUSSION:  Employee Handbook Update

12. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  AES Northeast Term Agreement

13. DISCUSSION:  Other Business.

14. DISCUSSION:  Public Comments on Agenda Items Only.

MOTION:     Adjourn

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Babbie Rural & Farm Learning Museum , 250 River Road, Peru, NY  will be hosting HARVEST WEEKEND on October 6-7, 2018 from 10am to 4pm.

$1.00 off admission if you bring a nonperishable item for the Interfaith Foodshelf.

There will be demonstrations of corn harvesting using antique equipment, hit & miss engines as well as demonstrations in the granary and blacksmith shop.  Mary Heald and Kendra Durant will demonstrate the art of flax spinning and weaving.

Let the kids visit the animals and take a ride on Thomas the Train.  Stagecoach and hayrides will be available for the whole family.  Kids can make a corn husk doll, paint a pumpkin, find treasure in the corn box and play pumpkin tic tac toe.

There will be book signings with Celine Paquette (History of Champlain) on Saturday and Anastasia Pratt (County Historian) on Sunday.

Bring your own lunch or purchase hotdogs, chips and cold beverages on site.  Enjoy our picnic area.