The Peru Gazette

Uncertainty over federal changes to Medicaid in a Trump administration has prompted New York to notify a vendor that it may cancel a $550 million upgrade to the state-administered health program’s information and billing system. State Medicaid Director Jason Helgerson said the state could lose the 90 percent share the federal government was expected to pay for the complex upgrade — about $495 million — if the Trump administration changes Medicaid to a block grant program. Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway has said converting Medicaid to block grants is part of the administration’s plan to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, the federal law known as Obamacare. Medicaid is the joint state-federal health insurance program for low-income Americans.

Source: Uncertainty over Medicaid changes may stall N.Y. computer upgrade – Times Union

Empire State Development today announced that 43 businesses will expand in or locate to New York State, partnering with colleges and universities to spur economic growth across the state. These 43 businesses have committed to create more than 640 new jobs and invest more than $15 million statewide.

“From life sciences to advanced manufacturing, industrial engineering to green-tech, more and more companies are finding New York State is a great place to grow their business,” said Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Howard Zemsky. “These 43 companies will create hundreds of jobs for New Yorkers in dynamic, innovative industries while generating millions in revenue for local economies throughout the state.”

“The business partnerships SUNY colleges and universities have cultivated as a result of this program continue to bring academic and research benefits to our students, faculty, and staff while also driving economic development in every region of the state,” said SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher. “Congratulations to each of the SUNY colleges and universities welcoming new business partners as a result of today’s announcement.”

These businesses will create jobs in key industries, including: biotechnology; craft beverages; computer/information technology; data processing and hosting; industrial electronic engineering; green technology; high technology; imagining/optics; life sciences; manufacturing; research and development; software development; value added processing; and agribusiness and food processing.

The 43 companies announced today are sponsored by the following New York State colleges and universities: Broome County Community College; Clinton Community College; Dutchess County Community College; Erie Community College; Hudson Valley Community College; Mount Saint Mary College; New York University; Schenectady County Community College; SUNY Albany; SUNY Cobleskill; SUNY Downstate Medical Center; SUNY Plattsburgh; University at Buffalo; and University of Rochester.

The following businesses have joined START-UP NY:

SUNY Plattsburgh – 26 new jobs
Resolute Forest Products is a global leader in the forest products industry with a diverse range of products, including market pulp, wood products, tissue, newsprint and specialty papers. The company owns or operates over 40 manufacturing facilities in the United States, Canada and South Korea, as well as power generation assets in Canada and the United States. Resolute is establishing a U.S. principal office on the campus of SUNY Plattsburgh to support current manufacturing operations in nine states. The company will create 26 new jobs and invest $26,000. Read more »

PLATTSBURGH — Clinton County has compiled a list of over 100 tax delinquent properties, and aims to auction them off this summer if their owners don’t settle up.

Source: Clinton County reveals foreclosure list – Sun Community News & Printing

ITHACA, NY (02/23/2017)– Nicholas Uliva, a resident of Peru and Business Administration major, was named to the Dean’s List in Ithaca College’s School of Business for the fall 2016 semester.

From day one, Ithaca College prepares students for success through hands-on experience with internships, research and study abroad. Its integrative curriculum builds bridges across disciplines and uniquely blends liberal arts and professional study. Located in New York’s Finger Lakes region, the College is home to 6,100 undergraduate and 460 graduate students.

CALL MEETING TO ORDER
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
APPROVAL of January 18, 2017 minutes.
OPEN FLOOR to public hearing
APPLICATION:
Use Variance & Area Variance: Z-2017-018 Nicholas Zagrodzki
Use Variance & Area Variance-
8 Oakdale Dr.
Peru, NY 12972
ANY FURTHER BUSINESS
CEO REPORT:
ADJOURNMENT

Relaxing statutes will make games more attractive, lucrative for players, say advocates — and will aid with fundraising

Source: Charitable groups cheer proposed gaming reforms – Sun Community News & Printing

CHAMPLAIN — The village is working with the state to be designated as a Clean Energy Community.

Source: Champlain continues push to go green – Sun Community News & Printing

Local photographer Tom Semeraro will be exhibiting here at the library March 3 – April 15. Opening reception Friday March 3 from 5-7. All welcome.

PLATTSBURGH, NY – The Strand Center for the Arts is delighted to host artist Eric Reinemann in the Main Gallery in March, 2017. This upcoming exhibit, “Phases 2009-2016,” will open in The Strand Center Main Gallery on Friday, March 3; an opening reception that is free and open to the public will be held from 5:30-7:30 p.m. that evening.

Eric Reinemann received his MFA from the University of Oregon in 2003 and BFA from the State University of New York at Plattsburgh in 2000. His works are on display at GF Contemporary in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and have been acquired by numerous public and private collections across the country.

Reinemann works with his daily environments, which he can reconstruct, re-imagine, and remember in a new way on the pictorial plane. Read more »

Vegetable Soup
Chicken Breasts & Stuffing
Mashed Potatoes/Gravy
Cranberry Sauce
Corn
Cherry Cobbler
The cooks are at work. The welcome mat is out. Serving begins at 4:30. Come and enjoy this free, delicious meal.

Gov. Cuomo’s office has warned public-relations officers at 55 state agencies to start churning out a lot more good news about the administration — or else, sources said. Cuomo’s communications

Source: Cuomo warns state agencies to start pumping out good news | New York Post

His overall veto rate of 14 percent over the past six years is higher than the 11.4 percent of bills that were vetoed by former Gov. George Pataki and the 8.5 percent that were blocked by Cuomo’s father, Mario Cuomo

Source: Cuomo’s 2016 vetoes, by the numbers

North Country travelers will have a new option for direct flights to the East Coast starting this spring. Boutique Air will begin offering daily service from Massena to Baltimore, as well as twice daily flights to Albany.

Source: New airline with flights to Baltimore taking off from Massena | NCPR News

Exams set for April 7; Registration deadline is March 17

Examinations for individuals seeking a license to practice the sport of falconry, become a volunteer wildlife rehabilitator, or use leashed tracking dogs to find wounded or injured big game animals are scheduled for Friday, April 7, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced today.

The exams will run from 10 a.m. to noon at most DEC Regional Offices across the state. A list of DEC Regional Offices can be found on DEC’s website.

The registration deadline for these free exams is Friday, March 17, and exam registration forms are available from DEC’s website. Read more »

A Message from the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program

Northern New York. Two soybean diseases not previously confirmed in Northern New York crops were identified in 2016 by the annual corn and soybean disease survey and assessment funded by the farmer-driven Northern New York Agricultural Development Program. The proactive disease assessment program helps protect the security and profitability of corn and soybean, two major agricultural crops for the Northern New York region. The results of the 2016 survey are posted at www.nnyagdev.org. Read more »

PLATTSBURGH — Call them the hidden homeless — the 100 individuals and families in Clinton County that live in local motels.

Source: Clinton County inks deal with ETC to help the homeless – Sun Community News & Printing

From the Office of Assemblyman Billy Jones

Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay) announced the launch of his districtwide tour
to hear the concerns of residents and let them know how his office can help them. The tour will
kick off on Feb. 20 in the town of Champlain.

“As your voice in Albany, it’s my job to make the North Country stronger,” said Jones.
“I’m here to listen, take notes and bring home the results our families deserve.”

Jones will also visit local businesses, schools and senior centers, as well as meet with
local officials during his tour. The 115th Assembly District includes all of Clinton and Franklin
counties, as well as the towns of Brasher, Lawrence, Piercefield and Hopkinton in St. Lawrence
County. Residents are encouraged to join Jones to discuss community issues at one of the stops
on his tour.

The tour will begin in Champlain on Monday, Feb. 20, at the following locations: Read more »

Plattsburgh, NY – 2/15/17 – On Saturday, April 29, 2017 the United Way of the Adirondack Region is once again teaming up with Project H.E.L.P. at SUNY Plattsburgh and the Adirondack Coast Visitors Bureau for the Annual Day of Caring. Each year, this volunteer-driven event brings together local businesses, organizations, clubs and individuals to help regional nonprofit human service agencies and nonprofit attractions accomplish a variety of projects. During the last Day of Caring, more than 606 volunteers completed over 57 projects including facility improvements, senior citizen housework, neighborhood cleanups, enhancing attractions, bottle drives, food drives, building ramps, insulating walls, painting for non-profit organizations, helping move furniture, yard work for senior citizens and more.
United Way of the Adirondack Region is now seeking projects and volunteers throughout Clinton, Franklin and Essex counties for the 2017 Day of Caring. Focused on addressing some of the urgent needs facing our community, this event gives volunteers a firsthand look at these needs while carrying on the tradition of giving back to the community. Read more »

CANTON, NY (02/16/2017)– Henry D. McCormick of Peru has been selected for inclusion on St. Lawrence University’s Dean’s List for academic achievement during the Fall 2016 semester.

McCormick is a member of the Class of 2017 and is majoring in Geology. McCormick attended Ausable Valley Central School.

To be eligible for the Dean’s List, a student must have completed at least four courses and have an academic average of 3.6 based on a 4.0 scale for the semester.

About St. Lawrence University: Read more »

Source: Refugees, migrants flee U.S. on North Country roads, seek asylum in Canada | NCPR News

Source: Cross-border workers could feel pain from “tweaks” to NAFTA | NCPR News

AGENDA Planning Board, WEDNESDAY, March 8, 2017 @ 7:00 PM
TOWN OF PERU
CALL MEETING TO ORDER
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
APPROVAL of February 8, 2017 minutes.
OPEN FLOOR to public hearing
APPLICATIONS:
1. 2-Lot Subdivision with SEQR: P-2017-001
Forrence Orchards Inc.
2-Lot Subdivision
2731 Rt. 22
Peru, NY 12972
ANY FURTHER BUSINESS:
CEO REPORT:
ADJOURNMENT

Mahoney’s Auto Mall and Employee Andrew Fuller Plead Guilty to Environmental Law Crimes; Must Pay $187,500 in Fines

CANTON – Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman and Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos today announced the conviction of Mahoney’s Auto Mall, Inc. (“Mahoney’s”) and its employee, Andrew Fuller, for violations of the Environmental Conservation Law (“ECL”) related to burying more than 140 gallons of hazardous substances on Mahoney’s property. Read more »

The Town of Peru, Town Board has scheduled a Public Hearing on Monday, February 27, 2017 at 6:45 PM. The Purpose of the Public Hearing will be to hear the public concerns on a local law amending the Local Law #2 of 2013 of the Town of Peru, concerning Zoning Board of Appeals Manning Reduction.
The meeting will be held at the Town Hall at 3036 Main Street, Peru.

Kathleen Flynn
Town Clerk
Town of Peru

During three hours of budget testimony, state Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia tried to make the case that anything less than that would shortchange the state’s growing population of non-English speaking students, teachers who need training to roll out a revised set of Common Core learning standards, and families seeking quality prekindergarten programs. The biggest gap between the two proposals centers around foundation aid — base aid that is awarded to school districts through a complex formula that takes into account the level of student need and a community’s wealth in order to drive more funding to schools that really need it. Education officials also urged lawmakers to increase state support for the growing population of students who are learning to speak English. Elia also tried to make the case that the state should develop a $30 million professional development fund for teachers, who will need training as they draw up lesson plans and curriculum around a new set of K-12 learning standards.

Source: Elia: Budget plan shortchanges education – Times Union