The Peru Gazette

“In her eyes, we’re going to take care of it,” says Alyssa Bartholomew’s mom, “and that’s what we’re going to do.”

Source: Peru 4th-grader takes thyroid cancer in stride | Local News | pressrepublican.com

The Peru Class of 65 is having a (51st!) class reunion July 29, 30, 31. We are hoping to bring most of our 160+ classmates back to the North Country for a memorable and fun-filled reunion. We have not had a reunion in 31 years and as a result are struggling to find everyone! We are looking for classmates who both graduated with us or if not, were with us for most of our high school years. If you were (or know someone who was) in Peru’s class of 1965, and have not yet heard from us, we would like to send you reunion information. Please contact me by either email or phone. Carlene Allen Wood Peru Central School Class of 65 cmawood@gmail.com 513-509-8755(call or text)

The next meeting for the Peru Democratic Party will be on Thursday, March 31^st at 7:00PM at the Peru Town Hall

·      During the last meeting it was discussed having the next meeting on the March 24^th, due to scheduling conflict the date of March 31^st, was selected as the next meeting date. There will be no meeting on March 24^th,

·      To those who have been selling the April Fund Raiser tickets, please make arrangements to turn the money collected over to Jean Schiffler. 643-8575 or schiffler-j@charter.net prior to the March 31^st  meeting date. Early turn in of money is appreciated.

I look forward to seeing you at the meeting. Brandy McDonald – Chairman

Asked what he would propose, the governor remained vague: “There are special conditions on farms — we understand that — and we’re putting together a special package for farmers, because they pose a unique problem, they really do,” Cuomo said. The state Farm Bureau has been adamantly opposed to the proposed $15 hourly wage, and has enlisted farmers across New York to speak to the financial crunch they fear will occur if it’s passed. The Bureau’s spokesman, Steve Ammerman, said the group appreciates that the governor recognizes the serious challenges farmers would face with a $15 minimum wage. On Tuesday, Democratic Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said he was negotiating with an expectation that the wage increase would be included in the budget package.

Source: Cuomo suggests wage ‘modification’ for farms – Times Union

PLATTSBURGH, NY – The Strand Center for the Arts is thrilled to host a lunchtime music series in its Main Gallery starting in March, 2016 and featuring music by SUNY Plattsburgh students. In the first installment, Ayrice Wilson and Daniel De Cranie-Pierre will demonstrate their prodigious vocal talents. Dr. Karen Becker, chair of the Department of Music at SUNY Plattsburgh, will accompany the vocalists on piano. This upcoming free event will take place in The Strand Center Main Gallery on Friday, March 25 from 1:00-2:00 pm. Read more »

Please share with as many of your friends as possible – Thank you!

Peru – Last fall Peru Central School 4th grader Alyssa Bartholomew, 9-year old daughter of Josh and Diana Bartholomew, was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Alyssa has been undergoing treatment at the University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington. The treatments, medications and associated expenses have been very costly. Courtney Rock, Diana’s friend and co-worker, has organized a benefit for the Bartholomew family to be held on Saturday, March 26, 2016 from noon to 4 p.m. at the St. Augustine’s Parish Center, 3030 Main St. in Peru.

The Master Gardener Volunteers of Clinton County are holding a free pruning workshop on Saturday, April 2 from 10:00 until noon at the Extension office located at 6064 State Route 22, Suite 5 in Plattsburgh.  A brief tutorial will be shown after which we will do hands-on pruning at this site.  Bring any pruning equipment you may have and a pair of gloves. There is no charge for this program but we do need to know how many to plan for so call us at 561-7450 or email Jolene at 442@cornell.edu

Source: Top APA commissioner says Cuomo “undermining” Adirondack protections | NCPR News

Office of the New York State Comptroller: Press Release

Source: DiNapoli Report Examines State School Aid Trends, March 14, 2016

By John T. Ryan

• Code Enforcement Officer Resigns

• CSEA to Represent Highway Department Employees

• Judge Kirby Would Still Like to Move Town Court Downstairs

• Parks Damaged by Motorized Vehicles

Frank Slycord, Peru’s Code Enforcement Officer (CEO), has resigned and a replacement is being sought. Town Supervisor Peter Glushko informed the public of Slycord’s decision at the Monday, March 14, 2016 Town Board meeting. Supervisor Glushko did not state the reason for Slycord’s action. He stated, “We are working through the formality of getting his resignation in writing.” Slycord succeeded CEO Paul Blaine on May 2, 2011. Slycord’s successor will be hired through normal civil service procedures.

The Board voted to hire Peru resident Stephen Imhoff as part-time/interim CEO. Imhoff, who works full-time as Town of Plattsburgh Code Enforcement Officer, will assist Peru when he isn’t working in Plattsburgh. He assisted the town for no charge during the Blaine-Slycord transition. During this transition he will be paid $50 an hour. CEO Secretary Kayla Martin’s work hours will be adjusted to coincide with Imhoff’s.

Supervisor Glushko reminded the Board that the code enforcement office would be busy in the next few months. Rulfs Orchard has still not received a building permit to construct a new 9,900 sq. ft. roadside stand and an application to constrict a free-standing Dunkin’ Donuts adjacent to Langley Insurance is pending.

The Board voted to recognize the Civil Service Employees Association as the exclusive representative of Peru Town Highway employees (with the exception of the Highway Superintendent). Five of the seven Highway Department employees petition the Board for CSEA recognition on December 10, 2015. The Board denied petition on January 15, 2016 and referred the matter to the New York State Public Employees Relations Board, which determined that the employee’s petition was in order. The Board has hired the Plattsburgh law firm Stafford, Owens, Piller, Kelleher & Trombley, PLLC to be its labor relations representative.

Near the end of Monday’s meeting Town Court Judge James Kirby addressed the Board. He stated, “I would still like to move Town Court to the basement.” Kirby described a recent incident when an inmate being arraigned became so unruly that he had to be moved out of the courtroom and into Kirby’s office. Kirby was concerned that a rowdy incident could spill out into the people in or near the courtroom. He added, “My office space is maxed out. We have the third largest workload in Clinton County and we’re 106^th out of 1,600 courts in New York State. Every other local court has its own court room except us.” Kirby also said that Clinton County Sheriff David Favro likes the basement location.

The Board members did not respond to Kirby’s statements (Counselor Donald McBrayer was excused from the meeting). Moving the court downstairs was vigorously debated in 2014. The Board decided against the move citing renovation costs and not wanting to relocate the Town Historian’s office. In 2014, Historian Ron Allen was vocal in his opposition to moving his documents and historical displays into the main floor office the Town Court staff currently occupies. The Peru JECO Food Shelf also operates in the Town Hall basement.

Motorized vehicles are damaging Peru’s parks. In the past several days, a vehicle damaged the grass field at Heyworth/Mason Park and one or more motorized vehicles ripped up turf at Sullivan Park. Supervisor Glushko said more severe damage would be suffered if vandalism continues after the ground thaws. The Board discussed asking for more State Police patrols and reinstalling the gate at Sullivan Park that was taken down when the ice rink was built.

Sullivan Park

Sullivan Park

Heyworth/Mason Park

The Peru Community Church is pleased to announce special Holy Week and Easter services. All services and events are open – all are cordially invited to join with us in worship at any time.

The Palm Sunday services on March 20, at 8 am and 10:30 am, herald the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.   Interim Pastor Rev. David Svenson’s ‘Modern Word’ is titled “It’s Party Time”. Palms will be distributed to all. Sunday School for all ages meets at 9:15 am. Palm Sunday Brunch (all-you-can-eat) will be served in the Fellowship Center from 9 am to 1 pm; cost is $8 for adults, $5 children 5-12; under $5 free. Read more »

PERU — Town officials decided to hold off on approving a proposed dog licensing law at Monday’s public hearing.

Source: Updated dog law on hold, for now – Sun Community News & Printing

 The Peru Central School Board of Education will gather Tuesday, March 22^nd at 5:45 PM in the Jr/Sr High School Community Room for their fourth public session budget workshop.  An executive session associated with particular personnel matters will take place immediately following the 5:45 PM start.  The school board is slated to reconvene for public session business at approximately 6:00 PM.  At its budget workshop, the School Board is expected to:

·                   Receive Budget Timeline

·                   Receive Overview of Budget Advisory Committee Activity

·                   Receive and Review Draft of Proposed Revenues

·                   Receive and Review Draft Summary of Proposed Expenditure Plan

The full agenda is available on the Peru CSD website at www.perucsd.org.

The meeting is open to all.

PLATTSBURGH, NY – The Strand Center for the Arts (SCA) is proud to announce the selection of Karen Dispo-De Boos as its new Development Director. The position is new to the organization made possible by the 2015 Regional Economic Development Council Award for Workforce Development. As Development Director, Dispo-De Boos will oversee all individual, corporate and foundation fundraising efforts; manage corporate member sponsorships; write grants; and implement other fundraising strategies. Read more »

The annual State Employees Federated Appeal (SEFA) conducted among state employees in Clinton-Essex-Franklin and Hamilton Counties has concluded and was highly successful at raising much needed funds for local services, as well as statewide, national and international charities. This year’s campaign total is $118,792.10.

William Ferguson, SEFA Committee Chair, stated “The SEFA campaign is one way state workers give back to our communities and with a 9% increase this year, that generosity will do more to meet the needs of the North Country neighbors. I’m proud of our SEFA campaign and the help it provides to so many in our region.”

John Bernardi, Executive Director/CEO of the United Way of the Adirondack Region, Inc stated that “the local SEFA committee, comprised of representatives from state agencies, is an extraordinary team of people who make it all happen, but it is the generosity and compassion of state employees throughout the region that is most impressive”. State employees can designate their gift to a wide range of local charities, as well as out of the area.

The 28^th Annual Business Expo will be held on June 2^nd  at the SUNY Field House. This is an opportunity to showcase your products and services to hundreds of people in one easy day. The Expo features booths representing hotels, attractions, technology, banks, insurance, office equipment, non-profit organizations and more. Booth space is available, so call the Chamber of Commerce at 518-563-1000 to learn more.

The fee for a booth is $450 for Chamber members and $550 for not-yet-members. Discounts are available for multiple booths. Information can be found at www.northcountrychamber.com.

An exclusive Exhibitor-Only Networking and Leads Session will be held from 10 – Noon. This format makes it even easier for contacts to be made with fellow exhibitors. Only exhibitors will be allowed in during this time. Doors open to everyone from Noon – 5pm. General Admission is $5.  Read more »

ALL YOU CAN EAT – Palm Sunday Brunch, Peru Community Church Fellowship Center, 13 Elm Street, Peru, NY

March 20, 2016 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 pm
Adults – $8.00
Children (ages 5 – 12) $5.00; Under 5 FREE

Scrambled Eggs, French Toast, *Bacon,
Biscuits & Sausage Gravy, Hash Browns, *Fresh Fruit Salad, Milk, Coffee, Tea and Assorted Juices (*New this year!)

Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) is teaming up with Chef David Allen of Latitude 44 Bistro in Plattsburgh to offer two more cooking classes focused on local food. Both classes run 11:00 am-12:00 noon right in the restaurant’s kitchen. On Monday, March 21 the topic is Fruit Desserts, with tips and ideas for using apples and berries either in season or frozen.  On Monday, April 4 the topic is Veggie-centric Entrees. Here Chef Allen will demonstrate how to incorporate more vegetables into main dishes. Both classes include demonstrations with plenty of time to ask questions, and conclude with sampling the featured dish.

Registration is due by the Friday before the class. The cost is $25 per class. To register visit the CCE Clinton County website at http://blogs.cornell.edu/cceclintoncounty/ and click on ‘In the Kitchen with David Allen’ under What’s Happening, or call the CCE office at 518-561-7450. Space is limited. For questions contact Jordy Kivett at jbw47@cornell.edu

Jump Rope for Heart

On February 9^th and 10^th, Peru CSD Elementary students, led by teachers Amie Chase, Tracy Posada, Natalie Schaefer and Nancy Thompson, celebrated our 11^th annual Jump Rope for Heart event during their Physical Education classes.  Students had fun and teachers were able to share heart and exercise facts with the students and encourage them to eat healthy and lead active lifestyles.  K-6 students and families raised $13,279.05!  Nearly $5,000 more than ever before in support of Go Red for Women, K-12 teachers contributed $417.00 more, allowing us to send a grand total of $13,696.05 to the American Heart Association from Peru Central School families and teachers.

K-2 students jumped short ropes, leaped over hurdles, jumped on pogo sticks, completed straddle and tuck jumps on mini-trampolines and bounced on hoppity-hops.  Second grade students, with the help of community volunteer Roy Perry, used Insta-pulse heart rate monitors to record their active heart rates. 3-6 Students completed short rope challenges, double Dutch and long rope jumping, agility stations with ladder and tires, used jump sticks and completed skip jumping activities.

 In support of our contribution, we were awarded $500.00 from US Games for Physical Education equipment for our K-6 program.

Motorized vehicles, including golf carts, are not allowed to use the Little Ausable River Walking Trail.  On Wednesday, March 9th, a Peru resident accompanied by two young children was encountered driving a golf cart on the trail.  A motorized vehicle also damaged the grass field leading to the trail from the Heyworth-Mason stone building.  It’s a wonderful trail. Let’s keep it that way!

Agri-Mark to Expand Cheese Production Operations, Retaining More Than 100 Jobs in the North Country

Empire State Development announced today that dairy cooperative Agri-Mark, Inc. will invest nearly $30 million to expand its cheese manufacturing facility in Franklin County and retain 106 jobs in the North Country Region. The expansion will enable Agri-Mark to continue to thrive and support future generations of New York dairy farmers.

“Agri-Mark’s investment to expand and modernize their Chateaugay facility is a win-win for the Upstate economy,” said Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Howard Zemsky. “The expansion will retain over 100 jobs in the North Country, allowing for the continued support of Agri-Mark’s 600 New York dairy farms across the state.”

The expansion and restoration of Agri-Mark’s Chateaugay facility in Franklin County involves rebuilding the current 110,641 square-foot manufacturing facility, reengineering the layout of the facility, and purchasing new machinery and other equipment. Empire State Development will support the dairy co-op with up to $6 million in funding, including $4 million in Economic Transformation Program funds to retain 106 full-time jobs and modernize its Chateaugay operations. Read more »

PLATTSBURGH — The annual Clinton Community College Technology and Career Fair will take place Wednesday, March 9, at Clinton Community College, from 8:30 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Source: CCC to host technology, career fair – Sun Community News & Printing

‘It’s pretty clear we’re headed for trouble’

Source: As shortage looms, state rethinks how it recruits and treats its teachers | POLITICO

The Strand Center for the Arts is excited to host its Annual High School & Middle School Exhibition this April and is looking for student artists. This year’s exhibition will be held at The Strand Center Main Gallery at 23 Brinkerhoff Street in Plattsburgh. The exhibition will open on April 1^st and run through April 30^th 2016 with the opening reception on Friday, April 1^st from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Homeschooling parents and local art teachers in Essex, Clinton, and Franklin counties are invited to submit their students’ works in this juried show. The HS/MS Exhibition features work from local students in 6^th through 12^th grades.

Awards will be given to students winning first, second, and third places in the media categories of drawing, painting, sculpture (3D), ceramics, mixed media (2D), photography, graphic design, and printmaking.

Artwork drop-off dates for teachers start on March 18^th until March 25^th and entries must be registered before this deadline. Interested homeschooling parents and local art teachers are encouraged to review the submission guidelines at www.strandcenter.org under Exhibitions and Upcoming for details. Contact The Strand Gallery Coordinator to register at gallery@plattsburgharts.org or by calling 518-563-1604.