The Peru Gazette

Source: IG: State worker stole then sold agency laptops – Capitol Confidential

By John T. Ryan

Peru Free Library visitors can still enjoy the beautiful pottery and artwork that has been on display since November. Fifteen members of the North Country Potters’ Guild created the functional and abstract pottery and artwork. Librarian Becky Pace said, “This has been one of our most successful events. There’s been a great deal of interest in the beautiful items on display. They’ll be here until the end of January.” The works include earthenware terra cotta clay, several types of stoneware and porcelain with several types of alternative firings and paintings by Judith Corigliano, a retired Peru Central School art teacher. The Peru Free Library receives a percentage of the sale proceeds.

The library hours are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Friday from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Call 643-8618 for more information.

Eighty five percent of male smallmouth bass and 27 percent of male largemouth bass tested in waters in or near 19 National Wildlife Refuges in the Northeast U.S. were intersex, according to a new study by U.S. Geological Survey and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service researchers published in Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety.

Source: Sex Switching Bass Found in Lake Champlain Waters

Cornell Cooperative Extension Clinton County will be hosting a beginning farmer series for those who are new to farming or would like to diversify their operation. The classes will be conducted at 6064 Route 22 Suite 5, Plattsburgh, NY 12901.

Introduction to Business Planning from 7 to 9 p.m. Jan. 28, Introduction to Livestock Production from 7 to 9 p.m. Feb. 2, Introduction to Maple Production from 7 to 9 p.m. Feb. 4, Introduction to Small Berries and Vegetables from 7 to 9 p.m. Feb. 9, Introduction to Soil Health and Maintenance from 7 to 9 p.m Feb. 25, Introduction to Poultry Production from 7 to 9 p.m. March 3

If you would like to attend any or all of these classes, registration and more information can be found at https://reg.cce.cornell.edu/BeginningFarmerSeries_209.

The Peru, NY Knights of Columbus Tuesday Bingo scheduled this evening, Tuesday, December 29th, is cancelled due to the storm.

” The Knights thank our bingo players for their support in 2015. We look forward to serving you in 2016 and wish you a Happy New Year! Please drive carefully!”

Thursday, December 24 Christmas Eve – 4:30 (children’s mass) and 8:00 p.m. masses

Friday, December 25 Christmas Day – 9:30 a.m. mass

All are welcome!

All are welcome!

December 24, 2015 – Story updated to include video of almost all the songs sung at the concert. 

St. Augustine’s Church was filled to capacity Sunday evening, December 20, 2015 as the the Keeseville-Peru Ecumenical Choir performed its 50th Anniversary Christmas Concert. St. John the Baptist Church in Keeseville was also standing room only for Saturday’s concern. The choir is directed Jeanette Woodruff, Steven Collier is the concert accompanist and Stephen Woodruff is the organist. Choir members reside in Peru, Keeseville and several neighboring communities.

Click here to hear and see choir’s opening song O Come, All Ye Faithful. 

Click here for the Choir’s performance of We Three Kings. 

Click here for the Choir’s performance of O Holy Night. 

Click here for Hail Holy Queen from the music comedy Sister Act and the brass playing Jesus, Oh What a Wonderful Child

Click here for Hallelujah Chorus from “The Messiah” (Please excuse the obstructed video. When the audience stood, our vantage point was lost) 

Click here for the beautiful Prayer of the Children 

Click here for This Christmastide 

Click here for A Carol Fantasy

Click here for How Great Our Joy 

Click here for Christmas Lullaby 

Click here for What Star is This 

Click here for Christmas Time is Here 

Click here for The Birthday of a King 

L-R Supervisor Peter Glushko, Counselor Kregg Bruno

Resolution #15.12.21-2

A RESOLUTION HONORING THE SERVICE AS TOWN COUNCILMAN of MR. KREGG BRUNO to THE TOWN OF PERU, NEW YORK.

Motion By: MR. GLUSHKO

WHEREAS, Mr Kregg Bruno has served the Town of Peru faithfully and ably as Town Councilman from December 2009 through December 2015 AND,

WHEREAS, during his years of service, Mr. Bruno provided valuable contributions to the town board’s efforts which included: the completion of the Little Ausable River walking trail, the preparation of the Little Ausable River Park for everyday use, the extensive and badly needed upgrade of the Town’s Water Purification System, the recovery efforts of the aftermath of Hurricane Irene, the completion of two Safe Routes to Schools projects, enhancing the safety of our pedestrian school children, the repair of Holden Avenue, and the sponsorship of the grant for South Acres Park, saving affordable housing for more than eighty families, AND,

Whereas, he helped bring about the much needed clarification and simplification of town finances, providing accuracy in town financial records. He effectively served as town board liaison to Town Departments to include: zoning, Town Court, highway, water/sewer, youth program and dog control. He was part of a board that kept town taxes very low, even before Albany developed a tax cap policy in 2012. NOW

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town board of Peru does hereby officially thank Mr. Bruno for his tireless efforts as a Town Councilman and we take this opportunity to officially recognize his work for the good of the residents of the Town of Peru.

Motion By:       PETER GLUSHKO

Seconded by: Mr. James Douglass & Mr. Donald McBrayer

Roll Call:

Kregg Bruno

James Douglass

Peter Glushko

Donald McBrayer

Resolution Passed:

I hereby certify, that the foregoing is a true copy of a resolution acted upon by the Peru Town Board in regular session on this date of DECEMBER 21, 2015

PETER GLUSHKO, TOWN SUPERVISOR, Kathleen Flynn, Town Clerk

Supervisor Peter Glushko, Vicki and John Masella

The Peru Town Board honored John and Vicki Masella at its December 21, 2015 Town Board meeting.

TOWN OF PERU  Resolution #15.12.21-1

A RESOLUTION HONORING John and Vicki Masella for their efforts in bringing the spirit of Christmas to the residents of the Town of Peru for the past twenty five years

Motion By: MR. GLUSHKO

WHEREAS, The Town of Peru has celebrated the Christmas holiday season with a Christmas tree lighting at Little Ausable River Park, AND,

WHEREAS, this event has been accompanied, with the help of the Peru Fire Department, by the arrival of a long standing symbol of the Christmas season, Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus, fostering the Christmas spirit within the Town of Peru’s young residents, AND,

Whereas, John and Vicki Masella have played an integral part in the town’s opening ceremonies for the Christmas season for the past twenty five years, NOW,

BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town of Peru does hereby officially recognize Mr. and Mrs. Masella for their service to the children of the Town of Peru and extends the gratitude of the town board, both past and present for all they have done as exemplary residents of our town

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution serves as a ceremonial Key to the Town of Peru, an expression of a Town’s gratitude.

Seconded by Mr. James Douglass, Mr. Kregg Bruno and Mr. Donald McBrayer. Unanimously Approved and Certified by Supervisor Peter Glushko and Town Clerk Kathleen Flynn.

The song “Prayer of the Children” is in your editor’s opinion the most poignant songs sung by the Keeseville-Peru Ecumenical Choir. Composed by Kurt Bestor, it relates his reaction to the ethnic cleansing and civil war in Yugoslavia in the 1990’s.  Having once lived in that war-torn country he was concerned about the country’s children.   Unfortunately millions of other children are suffering the same fate during this Christmas Season. The choir sings the song a cappella and without sheet music.  Click here to hear and see the choir’s emotional rendering of this song. 

Here are the song lyrics:

Can you hear the prayer of the children?
On bended knee, in the shadow of an unknown room
Empty eyes with no more tears to cry
Turning heavenward toward the light

Crying Jesus*, help me
To see the morning light-of one more day
But if I should die before I wake,
I pray my soul to take

Can you feel the hearts of the children?
Aching for home, for something of their very own
Reaching hands, with nothing to hold on to,
But hope for a better day a better day

Crying Jesus*, help me
To feel the love again in my own land
But if unknown roads lead away from home,
Give me loving arms, away from harm

Can you hear the voice of the children?
Softly pleading for silence in a shattered world?
Angry guns preach a gospel full of hate,
Blood of the innocent on their hands

Crying Jesus*, help me
To feel the sun again upon my face,
For when darkness clears I know you’re near,
Bringing peace again

PLATTSBURGH, NY – The Strand Center for the Arts is currently accepting artist applications for their Off-Site Gallery Program. There are currently nine Off-Site Gallery locations that feature local artists booked through the Strand Center: Best Western Plus the Inn at Smithfield, Valcour Imaging, Days Inn Plattsburgh, The Development Corp, Clinton Community College, Eye Care for the Adirondacks, The UVM Health Network at CVPH (on both the first and second floor) and the Plattsburgh Public Library.

The Off-Site Gallery Program is offered as a service to area businesses in an effort to diversify the visual environment of their offices and give local artists a different level of exposure than a typical gallery audience.  Galleries are rotated on a quarterly basis, so businesses and their clients enjoy a different collection of artwork every three months.

Artists can apply Read more »

Source: Solitary confinement deal reached for NY prisons, big changes for Malone | NCPR News

Source: Clinton CC president: no faculty layoffs, despite budget gap | NCPR News

Regular Mtg Agenda21Dec2015

From the Office of Empire State Development

SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher said, “With 23,000 international students from 72 countries currently studying at our colleges and universities, SUNY is proud to ensure a truly global educational experience for all of our students.”

Empire State Development today announced that New York State ranked first in the Northeast region and second in the nation in attracting international students to its colleges and universities, according to the “Open Doors Report” for 2015. This top ranking underscores the important role that New York’s colleges and universities play as economic engines in the State. This success reinforces the Governor’s GLOBAL NY initiative, which is supporting New York State businesses’ expansion of global exports, working to attract additional international business investment to the State, and helping create and retain world class jobs in the Empire State. Read more »

From the Office of Congresswoman Elise Stefanik

Washington, D.C.–Today, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY-21) announced that the final government spending and tax package that passed the House with her support include several provisions she has fought hard for on behalf of the North Country. Among these provisions are a suspension of the medical device tax, an extension of the Land Water Conservation Fund, inclusion of the Zadroga 9/11 Health & Compensation Program, extensions of renewable energy tax credits, and funding for a Fort Drum military training academy, among other provisions. Read more »

Federal prosecutors successfully proved to a jury that former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver of Manhattan took millions in bribes and kickbacks disguised as legal fees. The annual disclosure forms legislators are required to submit to the state Joint Commission on Public Ethics only asks the elected officials to provide income ranges, not specific dollar amounts, for their outside income as well as the value of stock and property owned by them or their spouse. Former Senate Republican leader Dean Skelos, convicted last week on federal corruption charges and expelled from the chamber, was third with $200,000. In the Capital Region, the three lawmakers with the largest outside incomes were Democratic Assemblyman Phil Steck of Colonie, a lawyer with the firm of Cooper Erving & Savage, who earned between $100,000 and $150,000, and John T. McDonald of Cohoes, owner of Marra’s Pharmacy, and GOP Sen. George Amedore of Rotterdam, with his own construction business, who both earned between $75,000 and $100,000.

Source: Public servants, private pay – Times Union

Joe Purtell checks on Remi Beauharnois as she makes her poster

By John T. Ryan

Peru – At a time in history when many people stress the secular aspects of Christmas, Joseph Purtell has been attempting to expose Peru’s youth to the religious nature of the season since 1989. Purtell has served as Chairman of St. Augustine’s Knights of Columbus Council 7273’s Keep Christ in Christmas Poster Contest for 25 years. It would have been 27 consecutive years, except as member of the U.S. Air Force Purtell was called away to serve in Korea and in Operation Desert Storm.

Before the children arrive to draw their posters Purtell and his helpers place Christmas cards portraying the Christ Child on each worktable. He explained, “Sometimes they start off drawing Santa. We explain Christ to them and they quickly understand.” After having conducted the contest for so many years Purtell has many memories. He remarked, “I get to see the children grow and now I see their children. It’s wonderful!”

The Keep Christ in Christmas Poster Contest is a Knights of Columbus international program that began in the 1960’s. Several thousand K of C councils conduct the program annually for children ages 5 to 14. Posters are judged for each age level. The local youth judged to have the best poster this year will receive a special honor; their poster will be featured on St. Augustine’s Pastor Rev. Alan Shnob’s 2016 Christmas card.

Purtell said 2015 would be his last year leading the contest. He explained, “My wife Judy and I have 16 grandchildren living as far away as Florida and the Carolinas. We want to visit them more often. If I can’t commit, I’d rather not chair the program. If I’m here, I’ll be happy to help.

Coincidently the Peru Knights are in the process of reviving their Columbian Squires Circle, a youth group open to boys and young men ages 10 to 18. Purtell said, “I hope the contest can be passed on to the Squires. They conducted our contest in the 1980’s. It would be a great activity for them.”

By John T. Ryan

Town of Peru Water and Sewer Department Equipment Operator Chad Frechette has been busy this week preparing the base for skating rink adjacent to the road leading into Sullivan Park. Ice thickness and quality combined with safety issues associated with sleds entering the rink at high speed convinced the Town Board to move the rink from the Little Ausable Park pond.

The Sullivan Park location is large enough to accommodate the rink and several parked cars. There’s also a nearby fire hydrant and electric power pole. On December 21^st the Town Board plans to approve installation of a streetlight on the pole. Peru Youth Commission volunteers will maintain the rink.

St. Augustine’s Christmas Schedule 

Sunday, December 20 – 9:30 a.m Mass

Sunday, December 20 – 2 p.m. Penance Service

Thursday, December 24 Christmas Eve – 4:30 and 8:00 p.m. Masses

Friday, December 25 Christmas Day – 9:30 a.m. Mass

January 1, New Year’s Day – 9:30 a.m. Mass

All are welcome!

2-1-1 is a FREE number you dial for information and referral on health and human service needs. United Way of the Adirondack Region, Inc. is pleased to announce a new website for 2-1-1 in the Clinton, Essex and Franklin Counties. It is 211adk.org and can help individuals find the necessary services they need. Visit www.211adk.org and click on the DD link to get connection to Developmental Disabilities services in Clinton, Essex and Franklin Counties, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week or call 2-1-1, 7 days a week from 9:00am to 7:00pm for the answers you are looking for.

Do you know someone with a Developmental Disabilities and may be looking for services? 211ADK.org is an empowering tool for families, self-advocates and professionals, enabling them to find service options quickly and easily.   You can find out about activities and services you didn’t even know existed! The site provides details on services, fees, eligibility, hours and intake as well as program websites, translation and mapping tools.

Keeseville Knights of Columbus Eugene G. Santor Council #4689 donated the proceeds from their annual Harvest Dinner to the United Way of the Adirondack Region, Inc. Grand Knight, Roy Armstrong is presenting a check for $3,000.00 to Executive Director/CEO, John Bernardi. Also shown is Gerald Morrow, Hall Coordinator and United Way of the Adirondack Region, Inc. board member.

Melissa LaReau with her mother, Shirley LaReau-Kemp, after speaking to parishioners at St. Augustine’s Church, Peru, NY.  Photo and Story by Mike Langlois.

Psychology researchers describe happiness as a combination of life satisfaction and having more positive emotions than negative emotions. Melissa LaReau believes happiness is following your inner voice and pursuing life’s passions.

LaReau, a 2003 graduate of Peru High School and aspiring entrepreneur, recently talked to St. Augustine Church parishioners in Peru, New York. She described her role in creating Unfold Uganda, a business designed to help impoverished East African women.

LaReau’s twelve-year journey began after graduating high school. She attended Hartwick College, Oneonta, where she received a bachelor’s in science and economics. She taught English as a Second Language for a brief time for the Oneonta school district. LaReau then attended Texas A&M and graduated with a master’s in international affairs. Her first foray into the business world was an entry-level economist’s position with Ernst & Young, a multinational professional services company.

“This is exactly not what I want to be doing,” said LaReau, on her first impression of the corporate world. “I told myself three years and then I have to leave this job. I have to find something that I am more passionate about.”

Two-and-a-half years later, LaReau remembered the promise she had made to herself and listened to that inner voice. While scanning the online want ads for photo gigs – she had always dabbled in photography – an interesting item popped-up. The position was a fellowship working for a microfinance company which required basic computer and photography skills. The company was the Maryland-based Women’s Microfinance Initiative. The job was an operations position in the company’s Uganda, Africa, office.

WMI’s mission, according to the company’s website, is to establish village-level loan hubs, administered by local women, to provide capital, training and support services to rural women in the lowest income brackets in East Africa so that they can engage in income producing activities.

“I can do that job,” recalled LaReau. “I work in international economics, and I wrote my undergrad thesis on microfinance for my economics degree.”

The subsequent interview and hiring process moved quickly. Within a few weeks, she was in Uganda acting as the company’s only American employee. The decision meant giving-up a substantial salary with benefits, and collecting only a few hundred dollars per month.

When LaReau submitted a financial report a few months later, WMI’s treasurer knew the company didn’t have an average employee in the East African district.

“She (the treasurer) said we didn’t know the extent of your skills and experience,” said LaReau. “You look like a forensic accountant with the spreadsheet work you are doing.”

WMI asked LaReau to create and implement a finance system for the company’s East African loan-hubs. The district included Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. “This was very different from a fellowship doing operations,” she said. “I was now the East Africa finance director.”

Microfinance companies offer high-quality, affordable financial services to low-income people. Typically, these clients live in rural areas and are sustained by trading crops or locally made goods. Women in third world countries constitute a majority of the borrowers. In Uganda, LaReau worked with a staff of twenty local women who cultivated and sold tomatoes.

“We would give training in business planning, marketing, sales, and saving and investing money,” she explained. “The women were given one hundred dollars over six months. You can spend one hundred dollars in two minutes (in the U.S.). It’s a very small amount, but it’s life-changing for them.”

WMI’s business plan was to make the East African district financially sustainable and pull its operations within ten years. LaReau, who was hired seven years into the program, now had three years to reach the company’s goal. She trained a few top performing staff members who were able to successfully continue WMI’s business plan.

Although LaReau’s contract with WMI was nearing an end, she hoped to continue her work with the East African women. She became good friends with Lydia Neumbe, the daughter of WMI’s Uganda director. The two women decided to start their own business selling African made goods to an international market. The company would utilize the trade skills of the East African women to produce fashionable women’s wallets using local textiles. LaReau has since relocated to Washington, D.C., to raise venture capital, and Neumbe remains in her native country to set-up the company’s operations. LaReau said they decided to name the company Unfold.

“You can unfold a wallet,” she explained. “We’re also unfolding peace, hope, and opportunity (for the Uganda women and their families).  We are naming the company here Unfold Uganda,” she added. “If we move to other countries, then we will name it Unfold (for that country).”

LaReau said that Unfold Uganda hopes to add education credits, health care benefits, and begin an apprenticeship program for its employees and their families. “The main goal is to put the profits back into Uganda and create sustainable jobs,” she said. “If we give them the skills and the business training, then they can pass that along to their own children.”

For more information on Unfold Uganda visit:

Website: www.discoverunfold.com

Email:info@discoverunfold.com

Twitter: @discoverunfold

Instagram: @discoverunfold

Facebook: https.//m.facebook.com/discoverunfold

Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1010431239/unfold-wallets-that-empower/description

The Peru Community Church is pleased to announce their special Christmas season services.

On the fourth Sunday of Advent, December 20^th, during the 10:30 am service, the 20-member choir directed by Carol Gallagher will present the Christmas cantata “Appalachian Winter”, accompanied by organist/pianist Dennis Frisbie. Composed in the spirit of folk songs, the Cantata recounts the story of Christmas combining traditional and rustic music elements with spoken narrative. A reception and fellowship hour follows the service.   Sunday School at 9:15 am that Sunday will focus on the true meaning of Christmas (for all ages). Please Note: There will be no 8am Service.

On Christmas Eve, Thursday December 24^th, the 6 pm family service includes Lessons and Carols, as well as candlelighting. The 8 pm service includes anthems by the choir, again closing with candlelighting.

On Christmas Day, the 10 am service, held in the Chapel, reaffirms the birth of the Christ Child. Communion will be served.

On Sunday, December 27^th one service will be held in the Sanctuary at 10am.

The regular schedule of Sunday services at 8 am and 10:30 am, with Sunday School at 9:15 am for all ages, pre-school through adult, resumes on January 3, 2016.

All are invited to worship at any time.

Questions? Please call the church office at 518-643-8641. Read more »