The Peru Gazette

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

Source: City convenes public safety council – Sun Community News & Printing

Source: Watertown Daily Times | North country’s Amish population continues to grow

Call Meeting To Order

Pledge of Allegiance

Roll Call.

MOTION: Approval of Minutes for the Town Board Special Meeting of October 30, 2017 and the Town Board Regular Meeting of October 23, 2017

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

Community Input

DISCUSSION: Peru Community Church Presentation.

DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Approve 2018 Final Budget

DISCUSSION: Highway Culvert Update.

DISCUSSION: Highway Jenkins Street Update.

DISCUSSION: Highway New Hire Update

DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Tobacco Free Facilities Resolution.

DISCUSSION: Town Water/Wastewater Projects Update.

DISCUSSION: Sullivan Park Grant Update.

DISCUSSION: Town IT Update.

Other Business.
Community Input on Agenda Items.

Motion to Adjourn.

Peru Central’s Board of Education launches its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, November 14^th at 6:45 PM at the school district’s Community Room, adjacent to the main entrance of Peru Jr/Sr High School.  It is anticipated that an executive session will take place immediately following the 6:45 PM start.  The school board is slated to reconvene for public session business at approximately 7:00 PM.  Anticipated topics include:

• Annual Audit
• Building Goals
• Information Technology Update
• Bid Awards
• Policy Review
• Leadership Academy

The full Board agenda is available on the District’s website.

All are welcome.

Source: Special Counsel questions VA findings in Albany whistleblower case – Times Union

Source: How The Adirondack Land Bank Will Work – Adirondack Explorer – Adirondack Explorer

L-R Lindsey Ashline, Owner Jim Kane and RN Pam Courtney

By John T. Ryan

Peru – Peru residents can’t help but be aware of Valehaven Home for Adults. It’s on Main Street at the center of our community. How many of us have ever entered its front doors to find out what’s going on?

Owner Jim Kane and administrator Lindsey Ashline want local residents to know they’re welcome to stop by and learn more about Valehaven. Lindsey Ashline said, “I think people sometimes forget us. The residents especially love to see kids. Our residents have great stories to tell. We’re open to the public. We want people to understand what we do here.”

Valehaven has 23 employees, 16 of whom are full-time employees. Jobs include a registered nurse, certified home health aids, certified personal care aids, cooks, maintenance, activities and transport personnel. Residents can receive help taking medications, bathing, dressing and toileting. Residents must have cognitive ability. Valehaven cannot restrict their coming and going.

Lindsey Ashline is excited about Valehaven’s coming facelift. The main room’s lighting is being upgraded and the walls are being painted in cheerful, joyful colors.  The front yard gazebo, the porch area and a storage building are other recent upgrades.

Several local groups and individuals help make the residents’ lives more enjoyable, but more are needed and welcome. Mountain Lake Services conducts a monthly bingo and Peru High School’s P-Tech students do yard work. Residents love the The North Adirondack Chapter’s “Love on a Leash” animals and the Butternut Ridge Farm’s Therapy donkeys. Local musicians stop by at least twice each week, the St. Augustine’s Church religious education students sing Christmas carols, 4-H members do Christmas activities and the Peru Community Church brings holiday gifts.

Valehaven is one of six licensed adult care facilities Jim Kane owns under the corporate name Adirondack Manor Home for Adults. The others are located in Ticonderoga, Queensbury, Scotia, Utica and Camden, NY. At one time the corporate headquarters were located in Peru in the building currently occupied by the New Impressions Family Salon at 6 Mason Street.

Here are the Town of Peru 2017 election results for the proposals on the back of the ballot.

Proposal #1 for a Constitutional Convention:
1,319 No, 208 Yes

Here are the 2017 Town of Peru Election results for the contested races, not including any absentee ballots.

Town Supervisor:
Brandy McDonald 819 Votes
James Langley 726 Votes

Source: Authorities investigating inmate OD death | Local News | pressrepublican.com

Source: Police: Thieves hit Peru laundromat for quarters

In an effort to support early learning within the community, Peru Central School District has been awarded a grant from the New York State Education Department to support a prekindergarten program.

The Peru Central School District was recently awarded a grant that will allow our district to create a program for forty (40) Prekindergarten students.  The Prekindergarten Program is New York State funded, specifically designed for 4 year olds.  Prekindergarten is not mandatory; parents can choose to participate in the program.  In order to be eligible, children must turn 4 years old before December 1, 2017.  This full day Prekindergarten program is free to district residents chosen for the program.

The 40-student Program will start January 24, 2018.  The Program will first serve twenty (20) students that qualify under Head Start criteria and guidelines, and will be hosted at the JCEO Head Start site in Plattsburgh.  The remaining twenty (20) students will be hosted at the Peru Elementary School.  We will select the remaining students utilizing a lottery system.  Parents who wish their child be considered for this program must complete and submit an application.  The application can be found on the district website: https://www.perucsd.org/Page/5884.

All applications and any supporting documents must be submitted in person to Registrar’s Office on or before 3:00pm Friday, December 1, 2017.

WILLIAMSVILLE, N.Y. – Tops Friendly Markets, a leading full-service grocery retailer in New York, northern Pennsylvania, western Vermont, and north central Massachusetts announced today that the company will offer military personnel and their immediate families an 11 percent discount off of their grocery bill this Veterans Day.

On Saturday, November 11, Tops Markets will honor an 11 percent discount off of a total order to all veterans and immediate family members in the same household, who shop at any Tops location. Customers should present proof of service that they, or an immediate family member are a U.S. Veteran, active duty, reserve or retired military personnel to automatically receive an 11 percent discount off of their total purchase that day.

“The respect and gratitude Read more »

By John T. Ryan

On Tuesday, November 7th Peru voters will have the opportunity to chose their town leaders for the next four years. This is a so-called off-year election: nevertheless, it’s a very important election. The voters’ choices may determine the future of Peru.  PERU Sample Ballot

The proposals for a Constitutional Convention and amendments to the State Constitution on the back of the ballot are also very important.

Voting takes place in Paul Calkins Memorial Hall at St. Augustine’s Parish Center, 3030 Main Street, from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. Voting should take no more than 5 or 10 minutes of your valuable time. You will have the opportunity to decide who serves in the following positions.

Town Supervisor:

Brandy McDonald (Democratic, Conservative, Working Families Parties)

OR

James R. Langley Jr. (Republican Party)

Town Council (Vote for Two Candidates)

Marque Lou Moffett (Democratic and Independence Parties)

James T. Douglass (Democratic and Conservative Parties)

Melvin A. Irwin (Republican and Independence Parties)

The following candidates are unopposed, but they are on the ballot:

Superintendent of Highways
Michael H. Farrell (Democratic, Republican and Independence Parties)

Town Justice
James P. Kirby (Democratic Party)

Town Clerk/Tax Collector
Kathleen K. Flynn (Republican and Independence Parties)

L-R Jerry Johnson chef/owner, Joe Hack, Robyn Lewis, Josh Martin front of the house manager, Sonia Passino, Lauren Prue office manager, Penny Defayette, Kyle O’kusky, Julia Lemieux, Shoben Runyan, David Hamilton chef/owner, Cameron Diman. 

The staff at Pasquales Restaurant, 2931 Main Street in Peru is #21 in the Peru Gazette’s photo series of people who make Peru a wonderful place to live.  Owners Jerry Johnson and David Hamilton are the head chefs, so it’s relatively easy for them to maintain food quality and consistency. Pasquales’ tasty American-Italian food and generous portions have made it a North Country favorite. Its staff members are very busy, friendly, hardworking people. Pasquales is open seven days a week.  Phone 518-643-0799.

Photo L-R Peru K-2 School Nurse Kathy Bedard, K-2 Principal Michelle Rawson, St. Augustine’s Knights of Columbus Council 7273 Deputy Grand Knight Robert Manchester.

By John T. Ryan

Peru – On Thursday, November 2nd, St. Augustine’s Knights of Columbus Council 7273 Deputy Grand Knight Robert Manchester presented twenty-four new children’s winter jackets to K-2 Principal Michelle Rawson and School Nurse Kathy Bedard. Kathy Bedard commented, “As the weather gets colder we see children, especially at recess, who need the extra warmth. There definitely is a need. The children are very happy to receive them.”

The Knights of Columbus began a Coats for Kids Program during the 2009 recession. Since 2013 the Peru Knights have distributed 120 jackets at the Peru Elementary School. The 2,000 Knights of Columbus Councils in the United States and Canada have distributed nearly 400,000 coats, including 88,000 during the past year.