The Peru Gazette

The Peru Central School Board of Education will gather Thursday, April 9th at 5:45 PM in the Jr/Sr High School Community Room for their fifth public session budget workshop. An executive session associated with collective negotiations 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. Anticipated topics include:

State Budget status.
Draft summary of proposed expenditure plan.
Proposed expenditures and revenue totals.

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

The meeting is open to all.

Babbie Museum Spring 2015 Newsletter

Lance Falcon tells the Peru Town Board about WEP’s

By John T. Ryan

WEP’s: A student link to the businesses and non-profits; a guided hands-on environment; a tool for the community with no academic or income restrictions. Those are just a few of the words Lance Falcon uses to describe WEP’s (Work Experience Program). Falcon and a small group of volunteers have been working for over 3 years to launch WEP’s. The program has received its Not-For Profit Incorporation from New York State. Falcon is the CEO, Peru Middle and High School Teacher James Testo is the President. Other board members include Rick Laurin, President of the Adirondack Coast Cultural Alliance (ACCA), student Felica Duchene and Falcon’s wife Veronika.

Lance Falcon recognized the need for a work experience program while working as a volunteer farrier at the Babbie Rural and Farm Learning Museum. When students volunteered to assist with museum events two things stood out: they had great ideas and enthusiasm, but they needed training and confidence. He said, “We started an orientation program to teach the students to deal with the artifacts and the museum’s visitors. We got very good comments from the board members and we realized the great potential of the students.”

Falcon believes that WEP’s is a tool to build student confidence, respect and self-esteem while at the same time assisting local non-profits and businesses. The students will come up with project ideas, develop a project business plan including a budget and submit the plan to WEPs for review and approval. If a project has merit the students will be given a loan to conduct the event. Mentors will guide the students throughout the process. Falcon emphasized that student safety is WEP’s highest priority. All mentors will undergo background checks and will be properly trained.

James Testo has business experience as well as being a long-time teacher. He explained, “Students need help with their career choices. Employers want employees with work readiness skills. By participating in WEP’s, the students will be ready when they go to their first interview.”

Students, parents and the community members can learn more about the WEP’s program on Wednesday, April 15^th at 7 p.m. on the lower level of the Peru Town Hall. Lance Falcon can be reached at 534-0488 or lancefalcon@ymail.com

Cuomo Gets Timely New York Budget but Pays Price – NYTimes.com.

Cuomo official lays out surplus plan | Capital New York.

Senator Betty Little today said the state budget will include funding to establish a logger training program at Paul Smith’s College. Little proposed the new program in response to concerns from paper and pulp mills and other wood product manufacturers about a logger labor shortage in New York.

“Sustainable forestry supports jobs, contributes millions of dollars in activity to our Adirondack economy and benefits the environment,” said Little. “A lack of qualified loggers is slowing the supply chain. As more biomass comes on line, that pressure will only increase. It’s very important we catch up with that curve.”

The 2015-16 state budget includes $300,000 to help establish the North American Logger Training School at Paul Smith’s College. Read more »

Ti farmer, wife arrested for animal abuse – Press-Republican: Home.

Peru Gazette File Photo

By John T Ryan

To choose a large company or a small provider: that was the question before the Peru Town Board at its Monday, March 23, 2015 meeting. “Small” won out as the board voted 4-0 to select Simon Moore as the Town of Peru’s new IT provider. The Board interviewed five companies, which they characterized as “all well-qualified.” Simon Moore and SymQuest were the two finalists. SymQuest’s clients include Clinton County, medium-sized corporations and institutions. Simon Moore is a sole-proprietor who serves several smaller communities and clients. The choice was complicated when SymQuest offered the town a free system-wide IT assessment. Moore said he would match Symquest’s offer. Supervisor Peter Glushko felt a comparison of the assessments would assist the board in making its choice. Counselors Jim Douglass, Brandy McDonald and Donald McBrayer (Councilman Kregg Bruno was not present) didn’t feel comfortable requesting a free assessment if the company was not going to be selected. They were ready to make a hiring decision. They also liked Moore’s $45 per hour cost versus Symquest’s $17,000 to $24,000 annual cost (the cost would depend on the assessment results). After considerable discussion the board voted 3-0 against conducting the free assessments with Glushko voting in favor. Then they voted unanimously to hire Moore who will conduct his own free assessment.

Water-Sewer Department Superintendent Greg Timmons reported receipt of the long-range sewer system study. The voluminous report recommended in excess of $4.5 million in repairs and upgrades over the next ten years. AES Engineering would like to give a PowerPoint presentation on the project. Timmons said, “Our timing is good. Grant money should be available.” Supervisor Glushko told the Peru Gazette he anticipates that some of the cost will have to be paid by users.

In the public comment portion of the meeting this reporter asked about the cancellation of the Wednesday, March 18^th Zoning Board Meeting. Zoning Board Liaison Donald McBrayer said only four of the seven board members would have been able to attend the meeting, therefore any vote to approve an agenda item would have had to be unanimous. Faced with those odds, the applicant chose to delay action until next month. The application involved the former log home sales office at 3085 Main Street. The property is zoned commercial; however, a party would like to purchase it as a residence. Councilman McBrayer noted that the zoning board does not have alternate members at this time and that they are needed. Delaying Zoning Board action can result in inconvenience and the loss of a property sale.

Non-Profits, local communities, museums and businesses may have more volunteers when the WEP’s (Work Experience Program) gets into operation. CEO Lance Falcon told the board that WEP’s has received a New York State non-profit designation. Falcon said the program would link high school students who are looking for work experience with local businesses, communities and non-profits. The program’s goal is to provide students with leadership and teamwork skills along with the opportunity to work alongside experienced people from all walks of life. Falcon is seeking board members and projects. (The Peru Gazette interviewed Lance Falcon on Thursday, March 26^th. A story on the WEP’s program will be published in the next few days.) 

PLATTSBURGH, NY – The Strand Center for the Arts is proud to announce that a temporary exhibition featuring artwork from the Annual High School & Middle School Exhibition will be on view at the Champlain Centre Mall in April. This temporary exhibit of High School and Middle School artwork will be on view at the Champlain Centre Mall Friday, April 10th from 5:00 to 9:00 pm and Saturday, April 11th from 9:30 am to 9:00 pm.

This year the High School & Middle School Exhibition features an additional benefit for students. Champlain Centre Mall has partnered with The Strand Center for the Arts to host a “Best in Show” Exhibition and sponsor scholarships for the first, second and third place winners. The winner of the first place award will receive a $200 scholarship while second place will receive $100 and 3rd place will receive $50 in scholarship money. Champlain Centre visitors are encouraged to vote for their favorite work that weekend. The three pieces receiving the most votes will win the “Best in Show” scholarship awards. The “Best in Show” exhibit and voting will take place in the Center Courtyard just before the entrance to JC Penneys, in the middle of the Mall.

FULL LIST OF STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN THE “BEST IN SHOW” EXHIBIT AND SCHOLARSHIP COMPETITION Read more »

WILLIAMSVILLE, N.Y. – Tops Friendly Markets, a leading full-service grocery retailer in upstate New York, northern Pennsylvania and western Vermont has announced that the company has been awarded the Independent Retailer of the Year distinction from New York City-based industry publication, Grocery Headquarters. The title comes with a cover story in the publication’s February issue titled “Tops of the Town,” and an awards dinner in downtown Buffalo in late February. Read more »

State’s legislators speak out against possibility of closing

Pre-emptive strike aims to save base – Times Union.

The Empire State Development (ESD) Board of Directors recently approved over $17 million in funding for 17 projects that are spurring economic growth and opportunity throughout New York State. These targeted investments are leveraging over $195 million in private and other public funding to support local businesses, workforce development, downtown revitalization, and projects that are building a strong foundation for future economic growth and job creation. The projects approved by the Board will directly create 387 new jobs and retain 485 existing New York jobs. Read more »

Pure Country Music for your Listening & Dancing Pleasure

Saturday, March 28th 1 – 4 p.m.
Kitchen Open for lunch & snacks

VFW event proceeds benefit local veterans & their families.

Peru Memorial VFW
710 Pleasant St, Rt 22B
Peru, NY 12972

A mountain ministry – Adirondack Explorer – Adirondack Explorer.

Even if it’s only 32 degrees in Peru this morning, seeing Melvin Irwin pruning his McIntosh orchard made us believe that springtime weather can’t be far away!

Melvin Irwin pruning at Irwin’s River Rd. Orchard

The North Country Regional Economic Development Council (NCREDC) today held its public meeting in Watertown in a show of support for the long-term viability of Fort Drum ahead of the scheduled rally and listening session about the military base’s impact on the region. The meeting provided the Council with the opportunity to reaffirm its commitment to helping to retain and grow Fort Drum as a national defense asset and the region’s largest employer. Council co-chairs Garry Douglas, President of the North Country Chamber of Commerce, and Tony Collins, President of Clarkson University, shared a joint statement of solidarity with the Fort Drum community during the meeting. Read more »

The Peru Youth Commission will be holding sign ups for all Town of Peru Youth on Friday March 20th from 6-9 pm and Saturday March 21 at from 9 – noon. Sign ups will include Baseball, Softball, Summer Activities and Fall Soccer. Employment opportunities will also be offered for youth ages 14. -18. All youth must reside in the Town of Peru and a copy of a Birth Certificate is required.

For any more information please contact John Flynn Youth Director at 593-0935.

New York’s 2014 voter turnout 49th best in the US – Times Union.

Albany – Assemblywoman Janet Duprey (R,I – Peru) today reiterated her support for a more open and transparent state government in light of an ethics reform agreement between Gov. Cuomo and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie. Duprey, a longtime advocate for ethics reform, was appointed to a bipartisan search committee earlier this year for an executive director for the new Office of Ethics and Compliance by Heastie.

“I’m passionate about enacting meaningful ethics reforms to the Assembly, and I’m determined to work with my colleagues across the aisle to earn back the trust of the people,” said Duprey. “This week, we started taking small but critical steps toward making the state Legislature more transparent. We passed legislation that strengthens the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), and now, Gov. Cuomo and Speaker Heastie have an agreement on ethics reform. I’m encouraged by these developments, but there is still much more work to be done to give New Yorkers the open, accountable, and transparent government they deserve. Now that ethics reform is finally on the agenda, we need to take further action and shed some much-needed sunlight on our house.”

Gov. Cuomo and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie yesterday outlined an agreement on reforms to New York State’s ethics laws and rules. The agreement includes Read more »

Form the Office of Superintendent of Schools 

The Peru Central School Board of Education will gather Tuesday, March 24th at 6 PM in the Jr/Sr High School Community Room for their fourth public session budget workshop. At its budget workshop, the School Board is expected to:

• Review Budget Timeline.
• Receive a series of Recommendations from the Budget Advisory Committee.
• Receive a First Draft Summary of Proposed Expenditure Plan for the 2015‐2016 school year.

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

  The meeting is open to all.

Flames consume Giroux’s Poultry barn in Chazy – Press-Republican: News.

Fujitsu Frontech branch headed to TN – Press-Republican: News.

Shared Responsibilities – 1st Place Winner Nature/Wildlife Category – Professional Division, Best in Show – Professional Division, and People’s Choice Award for the 2014 Annual Lake Champlain Maritime Museum’s Through The Lens Juried Photography Exhibit

By John T. Ryan

“The Jewels of Lake Champlain,” “Snowy Owl,” Minimalist Sunrise,” and “Shared Responsibilities” are just four of the twenty photographic works by Craig Allen on view through March 31^st at the Best Western Plus Inn at Smithfield. The display is part of the Strand Center for the Arts Off-Site Gallery Program. A Peru native and Peru High School graduate, Craig Allen has been a New York State Corrections Officer for 34 years.

The works on display feature landscape and wildlife photography. Anyone viewing Allen’s photographs will likely agree with his remarks in the show’s pamphlet. “Sharing intimate perspectives of the nature that surrounds us all, everyday, is a quiet satisfaction that is not easily expressed in words, nor is it meant to be. It is the photographer’s hope, and vision, that his images simply speak for themselves.”

Allen travels throughout the northeastern United States to practice his skills. Photos from as far away as Maine’s Acadia National Park are on display. Still as Allen explained, “Most of my photographs are right here in our own back yard. Some are taken on the Vermont side of the lake; others are taken as far north as the Chazy and Champlain area.” The Ausable Point State Park on Lake Champlain, not far from Allen’s boyhood home, is one of his favorite locales. 

The Jewels of Lake Champlain – 1st Place Winner Still Life Category – Amateur Division, Best in Show – Amateur Division for the 2013 Annual Lake Champlain Maritime Museum’s Through The Lens Juried Photography Exhibit

Allen’s interest in photography began in his youth. At about 8 years of age his father, Peru High School Counselor Ron Allen, introduced him to a black and white Polaroid camera. At Peru High School he learned darkroom techniques from teachers John Hotchkiss and Judy Corigliano. Several years later he took a semester-long course at Clinton Community College. A local professional photographer has also been a longtime friend and mentor.

Visitors to the Smithfield Boulevard display should enjoy Allen’s close-up, often-dramatic photographs of birds. Photography of this nature requires an intimate knowledge of animal habitats. Allen explained, “The more you study the biology of animals the more you realize that they’re telling you things. More clues are revealed to you about when something magnificent is about to happen.” Allen often waits five or six hours in freezing temperatures for that memorable magnificent happening.

While Craig Allen will undoubtedly always love landscape and wildlife photography, he plans to expand into portrait photography. He possesses all the needed professional equipment and accessories. He would like nothing better than seeing his work in a local publication.

Capitol Confidential » Latest inspection turns up railroad tanker defects.

PLATTSBURGH, NY – The Strand Center for the Arts is proud to announce that its Annual High School & Middle School Exhibition will be opening in the SCA Main Gallery at 23 Brinkerhoff Street in Plattsburgh. The opening reception for this exhibition will be held March 20th, 2015 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The exhibition will be on view from March 20th through April 24th, 2015 and is open to the public.

Yearly, The Strand Center for the Arts invites schools from Clinton, Essex, and Franklin Counties to participate in this juried show. Participating schools for the 2015 competition include Ausable Valley Central High School & Middle School, Beekmantown Central High School & Middle School, Brushton Moira Central High School, Elizabethtown-Lewis, Peru Central School, Northeastern Clinton Central School, Seton Catholic High School, Saranac Central High School, Saranac Lake High School, Willsboro Central School, and a number of home school students.

Awards will be given to students in the media categories of drawing, painting, sculpture (3D), ceramics, mixed media, photography/design and printmaking. Jurors for the awards are well acquainted with the arts and include Judy Guglielmo, local artist and business professional; Louise Pattinelli, retired art therapist and local artist; David Monette, Clinton Community College professor, illustrator, and writer; and Karen Blough, art historian and professor at SUNY Plattsburgh.

This year the High School & Middle School Exhibition features an added incentive for students. Artwork placing first and second in each of the media categories will be featured in a satellite exhibition at the Champlain Centre Mall in Plattsburgh. This satellite exhibit will be on view at the Champlain Centre Friday, April 10th from 5:00 to 9:00 pm and Saturday, April 11th from 9:30 am to 9:00 pm. Mall visitors are encouraged to vote for their favorite work that weekend. The piece receiving the most votes, and thus earning the “Best in Show” award, will receive a scholarship sponsored by Champlain Centre Mall.

The Annual High School & Middle School Exhibition will be opening in the SCA Main Gallery at 23 Brinkerhoff Street in Plattsburgh in March. The opening reception for this exhibition will be held March 20th, 2015 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The exhibit will be on view at the SCA Main Gallery from March 20th through April 24th, 2015 and is open to the public. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm and Saturdays from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. For more information on this and other events, please visit The Strand Center for the Arts website at www.plattsburgharts.org or email gallery@plattsburgharts.org.