The Peru Gazette

Peru – The Peru Community Church invites everyone to a Community Thanksgiving Service to be held on Tuesday, November 21st at 6:30 p.m. All are welcome!

Private First Class Ernest LaPine

L-R Madeline LaPine, Janet LaPine Downs, Ernest LaPine

By John T. Ryan

Peru – Veterans Day has a special meaning for Janet Downs. Her father Private First Class Ernest LaPine was in a hospital in France recovering from combat wounds on the first Veterans Day, November 11, 1918. On Veterans Day 1984, 66 years after being severely wounded, Private Lapine was awarded a Purple Heart.

Janet Downs related her father’s story at this year’s Peru VFW Post 309 Veterans Day Service. A Westport, NY native and longtime Keene Valley resident, Ernest LaPine enlisted in the U.S. Infantry on April 25, 1918 at age 22. On May 19, 1918, less than 30 days after entering service, he departed for England. On June 2nd, he was assigned to duty in France transporting goods by horse and wagon from the coast to the French interior. Just over 90 days later, on September 17th he was severely wounded and hospitalized with shrapnel in his left shoulder. His family wasn’t aware of his injuries until October 8th when they received a telegram from Washington, D.C. On March 10, 1919 Private LaPine was discharged from military duty. He brought home a reminder of his service to our country – the piece of the shrapnel that had been lodged in his shoulder. He carried that shrapnel in a change purse in his pocket for the rest of his life.

World War I veterans didn’t talk much about their war experience. Even though Lapine had suffered severe wounds, he didn’t complain about not having received a Purple Heart. However, as Janet Downs related, her parents were loyal fans for the television series Mash where Purple Hearts were awarded almost weekly. Janet’s mother Madeline started saying, “If they can get one, Ernest certainly deserves one.” She soon discovered that getting one would take persistence.

On April 18, 1983 an application for the award was submitted at the Veterans Administration office in Elizabethtown. The discharge records documenting Ernest LaPine’s wounds and the telegram informing his family of his wounds accompanied the application. Ernest even submitted a photo of the shrapnel.

Janet Downs said, “That’s when the fiasco began.” One government office quickly responded, “We’re all out of Purple Hearts.” Then a government official stated that Private LaPine’s records may have been housed in a St Louis, Missouri warehouse that had been destroyed by fire. Finally, after a year had passed, someone in Washington advised the family to contact their Congressman.

In July, 1984 the documents Ernest LaPine had preserved were sent to Congressman David O’B. Martin’s office in Washington D.C. The Congressman soon assured the family that the award would be received within the next six weeks. Finally, on Veterans Day 1984, Jim Lloyd of the Elizabethtown Veterans Administration office presented the Purple Heart to Private First Class Ernest LaPine at CVPH Medical Center where he was a patient. He passed away a little over 30 days later on Christmas Day 1984 at age 88, the proud recipient of the Purple Heart. The family also learned that the telegram informing them of his wounds was the document that made the award possible.

Western Union Telegram to the family

The Peru Ski Club will be holding a registration on December 10th from 6pm to 7pm at the Peru Town Hall, downstairs.

– Participants must bring a birth certificate.
– The child participating must be present
– Payment in full is required at registration.
– This program is Non-refundable once payment is made.

More info and registration forms can be found at the town website: www.perutown.com

The Peru Lions Club will host it’s 40^th Annual John P. Adams Memorial Turkey Trot on Thursday, November 23, 2017.  5K, 10K, and 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk start time is 8:45 AM at the Peru Elementary School.

Online registration and full event details available at https://www.perulionsclubnewyork.org/turkeytrotregister

Bib/Chip packet pick-up at Peru Elementary School cafeteria 4-7PM on Wednesday, 11/22 and 7:30am to 8:15am on Thursday, 11/23

All proceeds from this event, used only in this local area to support Peru Lions Club sight preservation projects, provide aide to the blind and visually impaired, and to assist other local service organizations in meeting needs of residents in this area “We Serve”.

Source: DEC Announces Summer Camp Registrations Open – – The Adirondack Almanack

By John T. Ryan

Peru native Cindy Snow battling MS. I have loved her restaurant’s food.

Source: Downtown Plattsburgh eatery closes | Local News | pressrepublican.com

Source: Plattsburgh Housing Authority hopes to rehab, reuse dilapidated properties | NCPR News

The Strand Center for the Arts is holding a Preview Party for the Tri-County ARTSMAP – a web-based interactive map of the region’s artists, individuals and cultural organizations.  The ARTSMAP Preview Party will be held on the Strand Center for the Arts’ lawn from 1 – 4, Saturday, November 18, 2017. The ARTSMAP will be on display for public preview with a reception and remarks in the Gallery at 1:00 – 1:30. Community members are invited to participate throughout the afternoon with the creation of an art installation on the Brinkerhoff Fence.  The installation “Oculi” by Beverly Eichenlaub is envisioned as the first in a series of art installations featuring local artists invited to embrace and promote the existing fence as a community asset.

Artist, individuals and cultural organization can elect to be located on the ARTSMAP as part of completing the ongoing information surveys available at ARTSMAP.net.  The Tri-County ARTSMAP Arts and Cultural Asset Mapping Project is being conducted by the Strand Center for the Arts, in partnership with SUNY Plattsburgh.  The project is funded by a grant from New York State Council on the Arts, managed by Premises Architecture PLLC, and supported by the City of Plattsburgh and North Country Chamber of Commerce.  For information, visit ARTSMAP.net or contact artsmap.net@gmail.com

By John T. Ryan

Peru – The charges against Michael James of Peru remain outstanding. James appeared in Peru Town Court on Tuesday, November 14th represented by his attorney David Albers. Assistant Clinton County District Attorney Tim Blatchley represented the people. Judge Lawrence Cabana set the next court date for December 12, 2017 at 2 p.m. and told the Albers and Blatchley that if a settlement is not reached by December 12th, he will set a trial date.

James was arrested in connection with the September 20th dog attack on his neighbor Mrs. Loretta Timmons. Mrs. Timmons suffered severe injuries when attacked by James’ three dogs. In 2016 the Town Of Chesterfield Town Court found one of those dogs to be dangerous and ordered James to permanently confine the dog. That dog was euthanized the day after the Timmons incident.

James is charged with Class A misdemeanor charges of Criminal Contempt in the 2nd Degree, Reckless Endangerment in the 2nd Degree and an unclassified misdemeanor under the NYS Agricultural and Markets Law. He also faces nine town law violations related to the September 20th incident.

At a previous hearing Judge Cabana issued an Order of Protection directing James to stay away from Mrs. Timmons at her home or at any other location. He further directed that James not walk his dogs south in view of Mrs. Timmons’ property. He released James on his own recognizance.

By John T. Ryan

Peru – Based on Supervisor-elect Brandy McDonald’s statements at the Monday, November 13, 2017 town board meeting, Peru residents will not find McDonald at his town hall desk until about 4 p.m. most weekdays. McDonald said that he completes his full-time job daily at 3:30 p.m. and will report to the town hall immediately thereafter. He stated that he plans to appoint town counselor Jim Douglass as deputy town supervisor and asked that the supervisor’s salary be decreased by $3,690 (from $24,900 to $20,910) and the deputy supervisor’s salary be increased by $3,690 (from $1,310 to $5,000). McDonald said, “We will have better coverage. Everyone knows I have a full-time job. That was no secret during the election. I’ll be here right after I get done work and as needed after work and on weekends. There’s no set time for a supervisor.”

In mid-October McDonald responded to a Peru Gazette questionnaire stating, “My employer is fully aware of my political position and potential increase in responsibilities if elected. To make sure I was accessible, I have continually listed my personal cell phone number on the Town of Peru’s website. I pride myself in having a proven record of availability and approachability.” Since McDonald did not specify what hours he would be in the town hall, the Peru Gazette followed up by asking exactly what hours he would be at his town hall desk. McDonald responded, “My availability to perform the Supervisor position if elected, will be conducive to the current town hours and extended when required…” The town hall is currently open to the public from 9 a.m to 3 p.m.

Responding to McDonald’s proposal, Supervisor Peter Glushko asked, “Why didn’t you bring this up during the budgeting process?” McDonald responded, “Why would I bring it up when we didn’t know who was going to win the election?” Glushko was clearly skeptical about an appointed person (the deputy supervisor) conducting traditional town supervisor duties. He said, “A deputy supervisor takes over if the supervisor is unable to function as supervisor.” Glushko also related how many years it took for the board and the public to accept increasing the supervisor’s salary rate to its current level. He did not want to see the salary decreased for McDonald’s successor. Counselor Jim Douglass agreed that a fair salary is necessary to attract people to the supervisor’s position. He proposed modifying McDonald ’s resolution to include a statement that the the supervisor’s salary will return to the current level, plus any cost of living increases, at the end of McDonald’s term of office.

When councilman Donald McBrayer asked town attorney Matt Favro for his opinion, Favro suggested that the budget approval be delayed to give him time to do additional legal research and to give the board time to think about the issue. The board responded by scheduling a special board meeting for Wednesday, November 15th at 7 p.m. NYS law requires that the budget be approved by November 20th.

The Town of Peru will be holding a Special Meeting on Wednesday, November 15, 2017 at 7:00 PM.  The purpose of the Special Meeting will be to accept the final budget for 2018.

Kathleen Flynn

Town Clerk

Town of Peru

Source: A look at the impact of GE’s new vision on Schenectady, region – Times Union

L-R Judith C. Kelsey, AKC Judge, Maggie Pyne with her dog Am/Can Champion Cimmaron Northern Lights aka “Mario”

Maggie Pyne, a senior at Peru High School, won “Best Junior Handler” at the annual Central New York Shetland Sheep Dog Club Show held this past weekend in Syracuse, NY.

As a seasoned Jr. Dog Handler, Maggie has won numerous titles in the US and Canada including the 2015 NYS Fair 4-H Grand Championship. Her years of experience in the dog show arena helped her edge out her competition this year which included other juniors that will be competing at the upcoming Westminster Dog Show.

Hunters Encouraged to Pass on Shots on Young Bucks

With the start of New York’s most popular big game season slated for Saturday, Nov. 18, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos is encouraging hunters to be safe, enjoy the natural beauty of the environment, and consider passing up shots on young bucks.

“New York has some of the best hunting opportunities in the nation, and our ongoing conservation efforts and hunter safety programs are providing ample opportunities for residents and visitors to enjoy all New York has to offer,” said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. “Deer and bear hunting is also an important tool for New Yorkers to assist our wildlife management efforts and critical for controlling populations especially in areas and habitats where deer overabundance are causing ecological damage. The opening of the Southern Zone regular season is a cherished tradition for many families, drawing friends and relatives together for a weekend afield. I wish all hunters a safe and successful season.”

Deer hunting has been changing in New York, with more hunters opting to voluntarily pass up shots at young, small-antlered bucks in favor of letting them grow to be older, larger bucks. DEC is encouraging hunters to make a difference for the future of the deer herd and increase their likelihood of seeing older, larger bucks by choosing to Let Young Bucks Go and Watch Them Grow.

Regular Firearms Season for Deer and Bear Begins Nov. 18
The 2017 regular deer and bear hunting seasons in New York’s Southern Zone begin at sunrise on Saturday, Nov. 18, and continue through Sunday, Dec. 10. Read more »

Source: GE planning $1 billion in cuts at Schenectady-based unit – Times Union

Click here to view a Mountain Lake ETV Program on the history of Plattsburgh Air Force Base

L-R Linda Baker (Owner), Crystal O’Jida-Blair and Cheryl Rock

The New Impressions staff is #22 in the Peru Gazette’s photo series of people who make Peru a wonderful place to live.  Linda Baker opened her business at 6 Mason St. in Peru’s former post office building in 2003. She describes New Impressions as a family salon with all the latest techniques in color, cutting and styling.  Services include spa manicures & pedicures, tanning, waxing and foiling.  She also said New Impressions is a fun place to be. After speaking with Linda, Crystal and Cheryl for a few minutes we’re sure their patrons have reached the same conclusion. Phone 643-0881.

Click here to view a 31 minute video of today’s VFW Post 309 Veteran’s Day Service. 

Celebrate Veterans Day at the Peru VFW Post 209, 710 Pleasant St., Peru, NY. Service at 11 a.m. on Saturday. All are welcome and encouraged to attend. A complimentary lunch will be served. 

Source: Legal Marijuana Marketing To Adults Presents New Perils For Kids : Shots – Health News : NPR

Front Row – Town Atty. Matt Favro, Supervisor Peter Glushko, Dep. Supervisor Donald McBrayer. Back Row – Jim Langley, Brandy McDonald, Jim Douglass, Kathy Flynn

By John T. Ryan

Peru -Youth Director John Flynn, Town Clerk Kathleen Flynn, Secretary to the Board Pam Barber, this reporter and the town board were the only people who attended the November 9th public hearing on the town’s 2018 preliminary budget. Peru’s 2018 town tax rates will remain relatively stable. General fund rates will increase from $2.18 to $2.27 per thousand dollars of taxable value while the highway fund tax rate will decrease from $2.58/M to $2.53/M.  Health insurance cost will increase over 11%. Employees will receive a 2% cost of living pay raise and equipment will be replaced as needed.  A resolution the 2018 budget is on the November 13th board agenda.

The town’s taxable property value increased from $419,719,632 to $422,148,732 .  General Fund revenues and expenses increase from $1,399,541 to $1,491,038 (6.5%). Highway Fund revenues and expenses decrease from $1,641,745 to $1,627,153 (.08%).

Click on the second appearing image for a larger view. 

Click here to view 2018 and previous tax rates

Town of Peru 2018 Preliminary Budget for 2018