The Peru Gazette

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

The Peru Democratic Party meeting will be held on Thursday February 23rd, 2017 at 7 00PM.
The location will be the Peru Town Hall.

15 wrestlers heading for state championship meet Feb. 24-25

Source: Peru wins wrestling title as athletes punch tickets to Albany – Sun Community News & Printing

Dr. Spear in his office today

By John T. Ryan

Peru – Dr. Merritt Spear’s longtime friend Nancy Fegan expressed the sentiments of many people when she said, “He’s there when you need him.”  His friends, family and associates agree that those words can be applied to his practice of medicine, pubic service, military service, politics and most importantly family.

This year Dr. Merritt Spear will celebrate his 52nd anniversary of practicing medicine in the North Country. His experiences have been vast – private practice, Peru Central School physician, Clinton County Coroner, Director of SUNY Plattsburgh Health Services and Director of SUNY Plattsburgh Sports Medicine. Anyone attending hockey games at the Ronald B. Stafford Ice Arena will see him at the end of the rink. His resume reads: SUNY Plattsburgh Director of Sports Medicine 1976-present.

Peru residents probably know Dr. Spear best as the team physician for Peru’s great wrestling and football teams. Others know him as Director of Sports Medicine for the Empire State Games and Chairman of Medical Services for the Bobsled and Luge World Cup and World Championships or as a medical team member at the 1980 Lake Placid Olympic Games.

Alison, Stephanie, Dr. Spear, Joan, Jennifer & Geoffrey (2009) 

Nevertheless, with all these accomplishments on his resume , when asked what he’s most proud of Dr. Spear quickly responded, “My family!” This year Dr. Spear and his wife Joan will celebrate their 58th wedding anniversary. While sports medicine has taken him away from home for many hours, Dr. Spear believes it has enhanced his family life. He explained, “My kids (Geoffrey, Stephanie, Alison and Jennifer) are athletic. I’ve been able to see what they were doing. It fit into a pattern. I’ve followed the kids and I’ve gotten to know the people who taught them. I loved every minute of it.”

Dr. Spear (Ft. Row, 3rd from left) Albany Medical College Class photo

A Plattsburgh native, Dr. Spear is a Plattsburgh High School and University of Vermont graduate. He and Joan were married in 1959 during his last year at Albany Medical College. The Spears moved to Peru in 1965 when he was hired as Peru’s school physician. They purchased their historic home at 2985 Main Street where Dr. Spear opened a private practice. In 1973 he joined Dr. Travers Robbins and Dr. Victor Ludewig to open the Beaumont Medical Center on the Bear Swamp Road.

While Dr. Spear is reticent when speaking of his accomplishments, he has wonderful memories of his military service. Not long after arriving in Peru he joined the U.S. Army Medical Corps, first as a member of the Vermont Reserves and then as a member the Vermont National Guard. His weekend duty and summertime encampments continued for 29 years. He retired in 1994 at the rank of Colonel. He remarked, “I’m very proud of my association with the Reserves and National Guard. I met some good people.”

Politics has also been one of his special pursuits, an interest undoubtedly sparked by his father Merritt Spear who served two terms as Plattsburgh mayor and one term as a city counselor. Dr. Spear was elected Clinton County Coroner in 1976 and was reelected two times.

A dedicated Republican, he has served on the Peru and Clinton County Republican Committees and has a special regard for former NYS Assembly member Janet Duprey. He said, “I worked hard for Janet Duprey. She was very good in that position.” Janey Duprey in turn considers Dr. Spear to be a very special man. She said, “Dr. Spear has been there for me for forty-one years. He’s definitely the person most responsible for me running for the state assembly. He told me to run and he said I could win. I thought about it. Then I told him, ‘I’ve got a deal. I will run for the assembly if you will be my campaign manager.’” Dr. Spear accepted that deal and was ready to continue if Janet had run for reelection in 2016.

Members of the SUNY Plattsburgh Sports Medicine Department hold Dr. Spear in the highest regard. Physicians Assistant Anna D’Angelo, Assistant to the Director of Sports Medicine, has worked with Dr. Spear since 1978 at SUNY Plattsburgh, at the Empire State Games and at Peru Central. She said, “Dr. Spear is very sensitive, a very dedicated physician who truly cares about the people he takes care of. He taught me the art of medicine.” Her description reinforces Dr. Spear’s self-characterization when he said, “I like working with people. I’m not a gadget guy.”

Jason Pachter, SUNY Plattsburgh’s Head Athletic Trainer said, “Dr. Spear is an icon in this department. He helps cover all seventeen of our sports and he’s a member of the SUNY Plattsburgh Athletic Hall of Fame. He gets along with the athletes and he knows sports medicine.” Pachter said Dr. Spear knows when the athletes can safely return to action after an injury, something that’s very important to the athletes and the teams.

Today Dr. Spear considers himself semi-retired, but he still says, “I have no desire to quit what I’m doing.” Undoubtedly Dr. Spear will be here as long as he is able and as long as we need him. He will continue practicing his art – the art of medicine.

Dr. Merritt Spear’s still-active resume:
Private Practice 1965-1976
Peru Central School Physician 1965-1990
Director, College Health Service – SUNY Plattsburgh 1976-1991
Director of Sports Medicine, SUNY Plattsburgh 1976-present
College Physician (half-time) 1991-1999
Consultant in Adolescent and Sports Medicine, CVPH Medical Center 1976-1991
Clinical Instructor in Medicine at Albany Medical College 1965-1999
Colonel. Medical Corps, U.S. Army Reserves and Vermont National Guard, Retired.
Member, Advisory Committee, NY State Governor’s Council on Lifetime Health, Fitness and Sport 1993-1994
Director of Sports Medicine Empire State Games 1980 – present
Team Physician, Peru Central School 1965-1990
Member Medical Services, 1980 Olympic Games, Lake Placid
Chairman, Medical services for World Cup and World Championships Luge and Bobsled, Lake Placid February – March 1983
Physician in Training, Olympic Training Center, Colorado Springs August 1982
Chairman, Sports Medicine section of United States Bobsled Association 1982-1984
Member, Sport Medicine Advisory Board, U.S. Olympic Training Center, Lake Placid
Lecturer – Various
Clinton County Coroner 1976-85
Member Board of Directors March of Dimes, Northern NY Chapter 1966-1991
Member Board of Directors Senior Citizens Council of Clinton County – 2005-2011, 2013 –

Awards:
SUNY Plattsburgh Sports Hall of Fame October 1995
Eastern Athletic Trainers Association David G. Moyer Award January 2006
New York State Athletic Trainers Association Kent Scriber Award July 2015

Forest Ranger Actions for 2/6 – 2/12/17

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents statewide. Working with other state agencies, local emergency response organizations, and volunteer search and rescue groups, Forest Rangers locate and extract lost, injured, or distressed people from New York’s backcountry.

In 2016, DEC Forest Rangers conducted 356 search and rescue missions, extinguished 185 wildfires that burned a total of 4,191 acres, and worked on cases that resulted in nearly 3,000 tickets or arrests.

Recent missions carried out by DEC Forest Rangers include: Read more »

State government’s 2016 overtime queen is an information technology specialist whose extra pay nearly tripled her regular salary.

Source: IT specialist was New York State’s top overtime earner in 2016 – NY Daily News

ALBANY — Gov. Andrew Cuomo proposed $2 billion in his budget to be used over five years to upgrade and protect drinking water but some estimates for the total cost of water infrastructure needs in the coming decades are 40 times that amount. A joint legislative budget hearing on environmental conservation held Monday in Albany shed light on the state’s overall needs for the largely unseen infrastructure that keeps clean water running and wastewater treatment humming. […] state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli’s office estimated Monday that the state’s water systems may need roughly $40 billion for drinking water system repairs and improvements over 20 years. Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan, R-Long Island, suggested at an unrelated event Monday that the Legislature and governor should enter into a memorandum of understanding on how to spend this year’s proposed investment.

Source: New York’s water infrastructure needs estimated at $80B over 20 years – Times Union

Good morning everyone,

Just a few important reminders this morning, since we are in the final days of preparation for Mission #67. I’m not certain I will get a regular news/notes out later this week, so did not want you to overlook the following:

1. Deadline for applications for summer mission is March 1, 2017. Tentative travel dates will be around July 5th. Applications can be found on our newly designed website via this link:http://www.ncmissionofhope.org/index.php/get-involved-2/apply/mission-application-form/

2. News and notes daily during Mission: Back by popular demand will be our daily news/notes while we are on Mission next week. Bonnie Black will do the bulk of the daily info and I’ll add bits and pieces as needed. We have a VERY full schedule, so I think you will really enjoy reading about our “hearts and hands working together to improve lives”. Stay tuned….and thanks in advance, Bonnie!

3. I still need a few more folks who could pick up an education sponsorship. If you think you could do that, please contact me this week. Read more »

Please watch the explanation on Calvin Castine’s Home Town Cable

DiNapoli: Executive Budget Reduces Out-Year Gaps, Diminishes Independent Oversight
Federal Funding Questions Pose Increased Risk for State

The $162.2 billion Executive Budget includes proposals to address infrastructure needs while reducing out-year gaps, but shifts some spending off-budget and would expand Executive authority to reshape spending and programs without legislative input, according to a report released today by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.
“The 2017-18 Executive Budget seeks to balance spending and revenue and proposes much needed capital investments in clean water projects while increasing funding for education, health care and other programs,” DiNapoli said. “Still, several proposals raise issues regarding checks and balances over use of the public’s dollars and would diminish independent oversight.”
The budget projects total All Funds spending of $162.2 billion in state fiscal year (SFY) 2017-18, up 3.8 percent from the current year. These figures include federal aid associated with the Affordable Care Act and disaster-related assistance, which the Division of the Budget (DOB) excludes from its primary presentation of $152.3 billion in All Funds spending.
The budget proposal comes at a time of significant risk involving the federal budget. It includes $54.3 billion in federal assistance, or one in every three dollars in total. These funds are critical to help pay for essential investments in human services, transportation, education, environmental programs and health care. Federal Medicaid support has increased by billions of dollars as a result of the Affordable Care Act and other policy changes and is projected to rise another $3.3 billion over the next four years. The current budget debate in Washington threatens much of that funding.
Total revenue is projected at $160.4 billion, an increase of 4.4 percent. Although DOB estimates tax revenues in the current year to remain relatively flat, it expects such revenues to rise by $4.2 billion, or 5.6 percent, in SFY 2017-18, in part because of the Executive’s proposal to extend the higher personal income tax (PIT) rate for upper-income earners for an additional three years. Federal aid is projected to rise by $1.4 billion, or 2.6 percent, in the coming year and by $4.2 billion through SFY 2020-21.
DOB projects that spending will exceed revenues in the General Fund by an average of $2.1 billion in the three years starting in SFY 2018-19. Such projected gaps are substantially reduced from earlier projections in large part because of the proposed extension of the top PIT rate and various spending shifts which change reported expenditure levels and growth.
The budget includes several proposals potentially affecting the expenditure of tens of billions of dollars that would give the Executive expanded authority to reshape the budget after it has been adopted by the Legislature. These include the ability to increase or decrease planned expenditures, change the identified purpose of spending and reallocate spending to other state agencies and public authorities. For example, numerous Local Assistance appropriations would authorize the Director of the Budget to reduce planned spending if receipts – including but not limited to federal aid – are lower than projected.
Certain other aspects of the Budget raise concerns with respect to transparency, accountability and oversight. These include:
A lack of clarity regarding spending levels and growth;
Continued use of lump-sum appropriations; and
Additional proposed limits on the Comptroller’s independent oversight of the use of public resources, including review of various contracts and debt issuances.
Eliminating these provisions creates risk of misuse of such resources and higher costs for taxpayers.
General Fund reserves at the end of the current fiscal year are projected to total $6.8 billion, down by $2.1 billion from a year earlier. They are projected to decline by another $1.2 billion by the end of SFY 2017-18. DOB anticipates a $150 million deposit to the Rainy Day Reserve in SFY 2017-18, if fiscal conditions permit.
The budget proposes increased bonding authorization for state-supported debt of nearly $8.9 billion, or 6.8 percent, over existing authorizations. None of these authorizations would require voter approval. Spending under the proposed five-year Capital Program and Financing Plan is projected to total $66.2 billion, an increase of $2.8 billion, or 4.4 percent, from the current Plan.
The Executive Budget also: Read more »

United Way Officials and the volunteer Campaign Team meet to announce to the media that the Campaign Team raised $725,115.00 for the 2017 Campaign to help with high priority health and human service needs throughout the Adirondack Region. Pictured here at the table from left to right is Assemblyman Billy Jones, Past Campaign Chair and Board Member; Amy Kretser, Campaign Chair; John C. Bernardi, Executive Director/CEO; Bill Ferguson, SEFA Chair and pictured in the back are members of the United Way Campaign Team and staff.

Amy Kretser, Executive Director of North Country Association for the Visually Impaired (NCAVI), served as the Campaign Chair this year. She said “we are so delighted to deliver this exciting news to our three county region. It is once again a testament to the generosity and caring nature of the North Country. It was very challenging this year Read more »

AGENDA TOWN BOARD REGULAR MEETING – February 13, 2017, 7:00 PM

Call Meeting To Order

Pledge of Allegiance

Roll Call

MOTION: Approval of Minutes for the Town Board Regular Meeting of December 30, 2016 and January 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/MOTION: Reschedule Zoning Board of Appeals Manning Reduction.

DISCUSSION: Water/Sewer Projects Update.

DISCUSSION: Fire Alarm Inspections

DISCUSSION: New truck Purchase for Parks.

DISCUSSION: Fertilimer Issue Update.

DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Transfer of Monies for Vac Truck Paydown.

Other Business.
Community Input on Agenda Items.

Motion to Adjourn.

Bear hunters in New York State took 1,539 black bears during the 2016 hunting seasons, Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos announced today.

“New York has excellent bear habitat and vast, accessible public lands that offer exciting opportunities for bear hunting,” said Commissioner Seggos. “Black bears are thriving in New York currently, and are a great resource for both out-of-state and local hunters.”

Hunters took a total of 1,025 black bears in the Southern Zone, about 10 percent fewer than in 2015, but slightly more than the recent five-year average. Nearly equal numbers of bears were taken during the bow season, 379 bears, and regular season, 398 bears. The early season, which occurs only in a handful of management units in the Catskill region, yielded 228 bears.

In the Northern Zone, 514 bears were harvested, approximately 12 percent fewer than in 2015, but on par with the historical average. Bear harvest in the Northern Zone tends to alternate between strong harvests during the early season one year, followed by strong harvests during the regular season the next year, based primarily on cycles of food availability. In 2016, hunters were most successful during the early season, taking 238 bears, while the regular season produced 167 bears. Read more »

Source: Unlike many, New York mostly avoids risky pension gambles – Times Union