The Peru Gazette

POTSDAM, NY Emily Allen of Peru, NY was recently named to the President’s List at The State University of New York at Potsdam.

Allen, whose major is Music Education, was among 925 SUNY Potsdam students who were honored for academic excellence in the Fall 2014 semester. College President Dr. Kristin G. Esterberg recognized the students for earning top marks.

To achieve the honor of being on the President’s List, each student must have satisfactorily completed 12 numerically-graded semester hours, with a grade point average of 3.5 or higher.

SUNY Potsdam has a strong focus on academics, with its long history of excellence in the liberal arts and sciences. To learn more about what makes the campus community so unique, visit http://www.potsdam.edu.

About SUNY Potsdam:

Founded in 1816, and located on the outskirts of the beautiful Adirondack Park, The State University of New York at Potsdam is one of America’s first 50 colleges. SUNY Potsdam currently enrolls approximately 4,350 undergraduate and graduate students. Home to the world-renowned Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam is known for its handcrafted education, challenging liberal arts and sciences core, excellence in teacher training and leadership in the performing and visual arts.

POTSDAM, NY Emily Allen of Peru, NY was recently named to the President’s List at The State University of New York at Potsdam.

Allen, whose major is Music Education, was among 925 SUNY Potsdam students who were honored for academic excellence in the Fall 2014 semester. College President Dr. Kristin G. Esterberg recognized the students for earning top marks.

To achieve the honor of being on the President’s List, each student must have satisfactorily completed 12 numerically-graded semester hours, with a grade point average of 3.5 or higher.

SUNY Potsdam has a strong focus on academics, with its long history of excellence in the liberal arts and sciences. To learn more about what makes the campus community so unique, visit http://www.potsdam.edu.

About SUNY Potsdam:

Founded in 1816, and located on the outskirts of the beautiful Adirondack Park, The State University of New York at Potsdam is one of America’s first 50 colleges. SUNY Potsdam currently enrolls approximately 4,350 undergraduate and graduate students. Home to the world-renowned Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam is known for its handcrafted education, challenging liberal arts and sciences core, excellence in teacher training and leadership in the performing and visual arts. To learn mor

Watertown Daily Times | Stefanik says she will support Boehner in first important House vote.

Sources: Chris Gibson Will Announce Retirement.

By John T. Ryan

The Peru Town Board conducted is final meeting of 2014 this morning (December 31^st) at 8 a.m. The Board approved several fund transfers; encumbered or reserved certain monies not expended in 2014 for 2015 and approved closing the Town Hall’s common area for public business at 1 p.m. every Tuesday. Supervisor Peter Glushko, Counselors Donald McBrayer and Jim Douglass were present. Counselors Kregg Bruno and Brandy McDonald were excused from the meeting.

The Board passed a resolution introduced by Supervisor Peter Glushko to close the Town Hall’s common area prior to and during Town Court sessions. The resolution cited safety concerns to the general public entering the building to transact business. Judge Kirby addressed the Board stating. “I want to go on record as being opposed to this action. It will not solve the problem.”  Supervisor Glushko stated that people involved in court proceedings would not be permitted to enter the Town Hall’s common area until 1 p.m. Judge Kirby will convene court at 2 p.m. Later in the meeting Judge Kirby inferred that he would prefer using the Town Hall’s lower level for court proceedings when he asked several questions relative to relocating the town historian’s downstairs office to the office currently occupied by Town Court. Counselors James Douglass and Donald McBrayer reiterated their reluctance to relocate the historian’s office.  Disrupting the JCEO office’s downstairs operations was mentioned as another concern. Counselor McBrayer, the Board’s Liaison to Town Court, said he viewed today’s action as a temporary solution and that he would be working with Judge Kirby and the Town Board to find a long-term solution to the issue. The Board did agree to reserve (encumber) $7,523 in unspent 2014 court monies for 2015 purchases of a computer server, filing cabinets, a shredder and a printer.

The Board approved several Highway Department fund transfers. $31,141 was transferred from the Town’s General Fund to the various Highway Department accounts and $66,731 was transferred between several Highway Department accounts. The transfers were related to higher than expected overtime costs during last winter’s hard winter, higher than expected paving costs and much higher salt and sand costs.

Town Historian Ron Allen requested that unexpended Town Historian monies be reserved or encumbered for repairs at the Town’s historic Rock Road School House. $5799.68 was encumbered. The work has been estimated to cost $7,600.

$4,220 was encumbered for the Youth Commission for the purchase of a new computer and clay for the athletic fields.

Code Enforcement Officer Frank Slycord told the Board, “Our office has had a very busy year. We issued 145 building permits, 25 new home permits and 14 Planning Board applications.” Slycord also stated that New York State is requiring that all Planning and Zoning Board members participate in four hours of annual training. If they do not have that training they cannot vote at board meetings. The training is available online and in Plattsburgh. Most Planning Board members have undergone the training while most Zoning Board members will have to attend if they want to continue as Board members. Slycord and Counselor Douglass both emphasized that board volunteers are appreciated and respected, but training is essential.

The Board scheduled its annual Organizational Meeting for January 12, 2015 at 6:30 p.m.

Supervisor Glushko stated he would be setting up a Memorandum of Understanding with the Elizabethtown SPCA for its dog shelter services.

The meeting adjourned at 9 a.m.

The Town of Peru has been awarded grants totaling $200,000 to be used to enhance its central area or core. $25,000 was awarded last summer and a $175,000 grant was announced at the Town Board’s December 22, 2014 meeting. The New York State Department of State awarded the grants through its Local Waterfront Revitalization Program.

The Town Board formed a Main Street Plan Committee last summer when the $25,000 grant was received. Grant Writer Adele Douglas explained, “The idea started as a means of improving the Sullivan Park and Heyworth/Mason ends of the Walking Trail. Improving sidewalks and installing bike paths have been mentioned as possible projects.” Councilman Donald McBrayer, Liaison to the committee stated, “The Board are not looking to take on an additional project that will cost us money. The money we spent in 2014 on the Town Hall’s entrance will be counted as the Town’s 20% share of the $175,000 grant.” Ideas have been sought from Main Street and Bear Swamp Road businesses. A consultant will be hired and the project scope will be planned in 2015. Implementation will take place in 2016.

It appears that the Peru Town Court will not be moving downstairs in the Town Hall or to Glenwood Plaza. The Board seems to be inclined to close the Town Hall to public business during court sessions. The Glenwood Plaza location needs extensive repairs and the cost of renovating the Town Hall’s downstairs area would be $10,000 or more. Councilman Donald McBrayer is extremely reluctant to disrupt Town Historian Ron Allen’s operations in the lower level. He explained, “I think the cost of moving the town historian upstairs would be too high.” Councilman Kregg Bruno said, “The taxpayers I’ve spoken to are not happy over having to spend money on this.” Supervisor Glushko said, “I favor shutting down the Town Hall at 1 p.m. so the court can convene at that time.”

Signing a 2015 dog shelter contract with Elmore SPCA remains in limbo. Elmore officials have not submitted a revised contract proposal. Supervisor Glushko said, “After Christmas we’ll be talking with the North Country SPCA in Elizabethtown about extending our contract. We will have a home for dogs no matter what.” Counselors Donald McBrayer and Jim Douglass said they would contact Elmore SPCA officials prior to the Board’s next meeting. All the Board members have expressed a desire to sign a contract with the local facility. Transporting dogs to Elizabethtown is costly and the boarding costs are higher than they would be in Peru.

The Board unanimously approved water and sewer rate increases effective January 1, 2015.

The Board approved several resolutions extending the water and sewer district boundaries adjacent to the Bear Swamp Road from the Dashnaw Road to I87.

Watertown Daily Times | State minimum wage to rise to $8.75 Wednesday.

The Peru Knights of Columbus will not conduct bingo on Tuesday, December 23rd because of Christmas week.  Bingo will resume on Tuesday, December 30th.  The Knights are grateful to the many people who support their weekly bingo, bell jar and concession programs and wish everyone a Blessed Christmas and Happy New Year!

Heroin warning videos at movies – Times Union.

School enrollment overall continues to decline – LakePlacidNews.com 

Regular Mtg Agenda 1222014

AGENDA PUBLIC HEARING ON 2015 Water/Sewer Rates, December 22, 2014, 6:30 PM  

1. Call Meeting To Order

2. Pledge of Allegiance

3. Roll Call

4. MOTION:      To Open the Public Hearing. 

5. DISCUSSION: Community Input and Questions

6. MOTION:    To Close the Public Hearing. 

7. MOTION:    Adjourn

Click here to see the earlier Peru Gazette story on the rate increases.

The Peru Community Church Senior Youth group will be conducting a bottle drive on January 3, 2015 to raise money for their annual mission trip to Washington DC. We will be stopping by our local neighborhoods requesting refundable bottles and cans or donations to help fund this very important mission to help others in need. For more information or to schedule a pick up on January 3, 2015 call Cheryl at 572-7442 or Brian at 420-4752. Please share this post with others!

Shock in Southern Tier of New York as Hopes of Gambling and Fracking Both Die – NYTimes.com.

LOOKING FOR THE PERFECT GIFT? Consider purchasing a gift certificate from The Strand Center for the Arts. Certificates are available in any amount and can be used for classes, lessons, memberships, artwork that is for sale in our gallery, tickets to performances at the Strand Theatre or for our “Sponsor a Seat” Strand Theatre fundraiser.

For further information call us at 518.563.1604 email outreach@plattsburgharts.org or visit us at: The Strand Center for the Arts, 23 Brinkerhoff Street, Plattsburgh, NY
HOURS: Tuesday to Friday, 10 am – 5 pm | Saturday, 10 am – 4 pm | Sunday and Monday closed. Holiday hours for The Strand Center for the Arts: closed Wednesday, December 24 to Thursday, January 1. We will reopen during regular hours on Friday, January 2, 2015.

A terrific gift for any occasion!

Beginning in January 2015, The Strand Center for the Arts will launch its new series of film classics. On Sunday, January 25 the Strand Theatre will show “The Maltese Falcon” the first in a series of three classic films which will include, “Some Like It Hot” (Sunday, February 15, 2015) and “Casablanca” (Saturday, February 28, 2015). The Strand Film Series will showcase one film each month. These films will include genres such as film noir, silent, classic, drama, independent and westerns.

A matinee and evening screening of all films is scheduled. To purchase advance tickets, visit www.plattsburgharts.org, call 518.563.1604 or visit our Box Office at 23 Brinkerhoff Street, Plattsburgh, NY. Box office hours are Tuesday to Friday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm and Saturday 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Tickets can also be purchased at the door the day of the screening at, the Strand Theatre located at 25 Brinkerhoff Street, Plattsburgh, NY.

THE MALTESE FALCON | Sunday, January 25 | 3:00 pm and 7:00 pm
SOME LIKE IT HOT | Sunday, February 15 | 3:00 pm and 7:00 pm
CASABLANCA | Saturday, February 28 | 3:00 pm and 7:00 pm
$7.00 | General Admission
$5.00 | The Strand Center Members, Students, Military, Seniors and Children
Children under 5 are not permitted

Photos: Schenectady, this is what your casino will look like – Times Union.

Board Backs Casinos in the Catskills, Near Albany and in Central New York – NYTimes.com.

On November 19, 2014 former NPR correspondent Andrea Seabrook interviewed outgoing Congressman Bill Owens. In her introduction Seabrook described Owens as a rational pragmatist. Owens said, “My view of the world is that there is a band of rational thought that we should all act in. I’m not saying that there is nothing you should be passionate about. But I think ultimately you have to go back to a thought-process that is fact-based and analytic.”  Describing his vision of a being an effective legislator Owens said, “You can’t take a position, in my view, that says, ‘Well, I’m going to have you sacrifice but not me. ‘… We need to finds ways to, if you will, conjoin the interests of groups as opposed to splitting them apart. And we don’t focus on that in my view very often.”

The interview was conducted on the blog decodedc.com. Click here to listen to the 20-minute interview. 

Cuomo to Ban Fracking in New York State, Citing Health Risks – NYTimes.com.

St. Vincent’s sorting table some mornings. Volunteers are needed!

St. Augustine’s St. Vincent de Paul Store assists many people thanks to the many people who donate clothing and its many volunteers. During the winter months several volunteers depart for warmer climates and there is a great need for new volunteers especially on Wednesdays and some Saturdays. The store operates Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Thursdays from 7 to 9 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. till noon. If you can help at any time please call Jane Woods at 834-5324.

From the office of Representative-elect Elise Stefanik

Glens Falls, NY – Representative-elect Elise Stefanik (R-NY) today announced new staff hires for her office in the 114th Congress.

Anthony Pileggi will serve as District Director. Mr. Pileggi was born and raised in Herkimer County and has worked in public service for most of his career. He worked as the Grassroots Director for Representative Richard Hanna’s (NY-22) successful 2012 re-election campaign and ran daily operations for Hanna’s Binghamton District Office. Most recently, Mr. Pileggi served as Deputy Campaign Manager and Director of Operations for Representative-Elect Elise Stefanik’s successful Congressional campaign, where he served as the principal Liaison to county and local leaders for the campaign. Mr. Pileggi graduated from the University at Albany, State University of New York with a degree in Public Policy and Public Administration.

Chris Perry will serve as Legislative Director. Mr. Perry has served as Legislative Director for outgoing Armed Services Committee Chairman Congressman Buck McKeon since 2011. Mr. Perry, with eight years of federal legislative experience, most recently handled the education and workforce portfolio for Chairman McKeon as well as overseeing a legislative staff of four. Mr. Perry holds a Master of Public Policy degree from George Mason University’s School of Public Policy and is currently working towards an Executive Master of Natural Resources from Virginia Tech where he serves as in Fellowship/Assistantship with the Center for Leadership in Global Sustainability. Originally from California, Mr. Perry received a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science with a minor in History from California State University, Northridge.

Ethan Gilbert will serve as Legislative Correspondent. Mr. Gilbert joins the office after running the Watertown office for Representative-Elect Elise Stefanik’s Congressional campaign. Mr. Gilbert is a graduate of Cornell University.

Anderson Briggs will serve as Staff Assistant in Ms. Stefanik’s Washington, D.C. office. Ms. Briggs most recently served as an intern in Representative Chris Gibson’s office (NY-19) and is a recent graduate of the State University of New York College at Cortland.

“I am pleased to announce that Anthony will join my team as District Director. Anthony knows the 21st District intimately and is a tremendously hard worker. He has a servant’s heart and great humility, and he will bring great institutional knowledge and energy to our district operations,” Stefanik said.

“I am also fortunate to have one of the most experienced and sought after Legislative Directors in the House of Representatives join my team.”

“Chris has demonstrated his mastery of key policy issues – with a particular expertise in Armed services as the LD for a former chairman – and has a proven track record. His experience and insights will bring great value to the North Country and I am excited to have him on our team.

“I am also pleased to have Ethan and Anderson on the team. Their strong New York ties, background and experience will serve our constituents well. We will prioritize constituent service above all else, and these two will help make sure that is a daily reality,” Stefanik said.

Mr. Pileggi, Mr. Perry, Mr. Gilbert, and Ms. Briggs will officially begin work on January 3, 2015.

WASHINGTON – This morning Congressman Bill Owens announced the nomination of 17 students from across Northern New York to attend U.S. service academies next year.

“Attending a U.S. service academy gives a student the opportunity to serve her or his country and receive a world class education at the same time,” said Owens. “I commend these students for choosing to pursue this path of extraordinary honor and selflessness. I am pleased to support their efforts in this regard and look forward to seeing them carry on the proud tradition of military service for their families and communities.”

Members of Congress may nominate students to attend one of the four U.S. Service Academies if those students meet certain eligibility requirements and submit a detailed application. The service academies that accept nominations are the Air Force, Army, Merchant Marine and the Navy. Rep. Owens, a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, is pleased to announce the nomination of the following individuals to a U.S. service academy:

United States Merchant Marine Academy – Kings Point, NY

Brendan Broderick – Massena, NY

Sarah Phillips – Johnstown, NY

United States Air Force Academy – Colorado Springs, CO

Cole Carpenter – Watertown, NY

Jesse DeMarsh – Hadley, NY

Kathryn Fanning – Canton, NY

Logan Graham – Queensbury, NY

Alexander Knecht – Cambridge, NY

D’Andre Lemieux – Plattsburgh, NY

Paige Lusk – Carthage, NY

Zachary Zeltmann – Adams Center, NY

United States Naval Academy – Annapolis, MD

Kathryn Fanning – Canton, NY

Logan Graham – Queensbury, NY

Alexander Knecht – Cambridge, NY

Connor Paquin – Massena, NY

United States Military Academy – West Point, NY

Blake Basmajian – Corinth, NY

Chandler Gach – Saranac Lake, NY

Nicole Gardner – Copenhagen, NY

Logan Graham – Queensbury, NY

Sarah Phillips – Johnstown, NY

Schuyler Radliff – Stillwater, NY

Brad Williams – Lake George, NY

Mary Young – Waddington, NY

Zachary Zeltmann – Adams Center, NY

Health insurance deadline extended 5 days – Times Union.