The Peru Gazette

Plattsburgh, NY The public is invited to meet Northern New York farmers, food processors, wine and cider makers, and chefs with a diverse array of products at the 5th annual Food from the Farm event on Saturday, March 7 from 2:00pm to 5:00pm at the Plattsburgh Recreation Center gymnasium on the US Oval in Plattsburgh, NY.

Visitors will have the opportunity to sample and buy locally-grown or produced foods, wine and cider; pick up recipes and gardening tips; meet local food producers, and support the local economy and food movement. Products for sale may include overwintered storage crops such as carrots, beets and potatoes; winter greens, frozen meat, maple, honey, wine, and hard cider.

Anyone who would like a supply of fresh local food throughout the growing season will be able to meet farmers offering Community Supported Agriculture subscriptions and purchase a membership for 2015.

North Country growers use high tunnel structures to produce food even in the winter. Adirondack Harvest Coordinator Laurie Davis notes, ‘The array of local products available in late winter runs a wide gamut and the Food from the Farm tastings have expanded for 2015.’

The featured chef for the 2015 Food from the Farm is Chef David Allen of Latitude 44 Bistro in Plattsburgh. Allen regularly works with the local organic farmers. Event staff will be demonstrating how easy it is to work with local products to create different dishes and flavors.

This family-friendly event includes Cornell Cooperative Extension nutrition educators providing tips on using local food year-round, and 4-H Youth doing cooking demonstrations sponsored by the Produced in New York Project.

Food from the Farm is coordinated by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Clinton County, Adirondack Harvest, and Master Gardener volunteers. Co-organizer Amy Ivy with CCE Clinton County says, ‘This is a fun event for families and provides the opportunity for people to get to know local farmers and support the local agricultural economy. We encourage that contact by giving a door prize ticket opportunity for each farmer you talk with during the event.’

Unlimited sampling, door prizes and helpful information are all included in the admission of $5 per adult, $20 per family, 5 years and under free. Tickets are available in advance on the CCE website at http://cce.cornell.edu/clinton, at the CCE office in Plattsburgh, or at the door.

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY-21) voted in support of S. 1 – the Keystone XL Pipeline Approval Act. This bipartisan legislation that has passed out of the Senate would authorize construction of the Keystone XL pipeline.

“I am proud to support this commonsense, bipartisan energy project,” said Congresswoman Stefanik. “This project will create as many as 42 ,000 new jobs and help lower energy prices for hard working North Country families. The President will now have a chance to demonstrate that he is willing to work with Congress and stand with a strong majority of Americans who support the construction of this pipeline by signing this measure into law. I hope he does so quickly and I commend my colleagues in the House and Senate for their work on this important, bipartisan legislation.”

By John T. Ryan

Dangerous intersections were primary topics of discussion at the Peru Town Board’s February 9^th meeting. Stop signs appear to be invisible to several local drivers, especially at the intersection of the Brand Hollow Road and Military Turnpike Extension. That relatively busy intersection has been the scene of numerous accidents including a recent collision that reportedly sent three people to the hospital. Monday night, Town Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell asked for permission to install a streetlight at the intersection. Farrell is hopeful that illuminating the intersection’s four stop signs would reduce stop-sign violations. Farrell said, “NYSEG will install a new street light as soon as possible. I don’t know their schedule, but I hope it can be installed within the next two weeks.”

The Route 22-Maiden Lane intersection near Stewart’s was on the Board’s agenda at the request of Michael Blaine who recently emailed Supervisor Peter Glushko to express his concern. Monday night Blaine told the Board that he’s amazed that a serious accident hasn’t occurred at the intersection especially when out of town travelers pass through. He said, “ I can’t believe there’s not an accident there every day. It’s been an ongoing issue. It’s not gotten any better…I’m sick of locking it up to avoid a wreck.” Board members discussed several possible remedies; however there was no consensus on the most effective remedy. NYS DOT has previously indicated it will not install a traffic light at the intersection. Supervisor Glushko and Highway Superintendent Farrell both recommended to Blaine that he write to DOT to express his concerns. Glushko said citizen letters seem to get more reaction than letters from town officials. Blaine said, “I will drop them a line!” It appeared to many in attendance that a serious or fatal accident must occur before DOT takes action.

In other actions or news the Board:

• Approved participation in the NYS Department of Environment Conservation’s Trees for Trails Programs. 275 deciduous trees at a total cost of $695 including tubes and stakes will be planted along the Town Walking Trail.
• Learned that the energy supplier transfer from NYSEG to Ambit Energy is at a standstill. Some entity or individual has placed a “hold” on the Town’s account. Supervisor Peter Glushko and Ambit officials are attempting to resolve the matter. All parties deny placing the hold. If a remedy is not found, the Town will refer the matter to the NYS Attorney General’s office.
• Approved a 2015 engineering contract with Engineering Ventures PC of Vermont. Several counselors had expressed frustration with Engineering Ventures’ inaccurate cost estimates on several projects and difficulty in contacting engineer Peter Gibbs. Monday the Board appeared to have resolved these issues, especially its communication with Gibbs who attended Monday’s meeting. Gibbs told the Board, “I appreciated the constructive criticism. We have our strengths, but we’re not everything. If there’s a project that is not in our wheelhouse we will refer it to another engineering firm. When there are things that are appropriate for us to handle, we’d love to be a part of it.”
• Approved a $7,650 bid from Jonathan Babbie for purchase of the Highway Department’s 2005 Chevrolet truck. The insurance company declared the truck a total loss as a result of theft-related damage. The Town sold the truck in an “as is” condition with no guarantees.
• Learned that a party desires to purchase the former log home sales office at 3085 Route 22 (adjacent to the Dollar Store). The property is zoned commercial, but the individual would like to use the building as a residence. Counselors will examine the zoning law and any associated legal issues.
• Postponed agenda items including a presentation by the Babbie Rural and Farm Learning Museum; renewal of two IT contracts and purchase of new computer equipment for the Town Court.
• Conducted a 50 minutes executive session to discuss the employment of an individual.

The meeting adjourned shortly after 9 p.m. Counselor Kregg Bruno and Town Clerk Kathy Flynn were excused from attending the meeting.

Click here to see eight Peru Gazette photos

For the past nine years, the Peru Central School District has organized a Budget Advisory Committee (BAC) that has served to inform and promote school-community discussion concurrent with the school district budget development process.

The BAC typically meets 3-4 times to develop an understanding of revenues and expenditures, components of a balanced budget, and particular challenges that face the school district. Traditionally, the BAC has formulated recommendations for Board consideration to assist the Board and administration.

The BAC is tentatively scheduled to meet in the Jr/Sr High School Community Room at 6:00 PM on Thursday, February 12th, Thursday, February 26th and Tuesday, March 17th. In addition to these informational sessions, the BAC will be invited to share their recommendations with the School Board on Tuesday, March 24th during a public budget development workshop.

If you wish to participate in any of the meetings of the BAC, please register by calling 643-6004. Thank you.

On Thursday, February 12, 2015 from 6:00 to 7:30 PM, Peru Central School District will be presenting its second workshop of a four part series titled ‘Empowering Parents.’ This second workshop will focus on ‘CRUTCHES: A Parenting Framework That Parents Can Lean On’, and hopes to provide parents with tips for managing the challenges of parenting and life circumstances, attaining balance amidst trying times, and discussing the ABC’s (aka, Awareness, Balance, and Control) of being an empowered parent.

The meeting will be held in the Library of the Peru Jr/Sr High School and is open to all families within the school district.

Ticonderoga mill gas spur dead – Press-Republican: News.

Oil train foes rally – Times Union.

Local relief ideas absent – Times Union.

Police: Sweep nets 34 for misuse of public assistance – Press-Republican: News.

Cornell Cooperative Extension will hold 3 classes in Northern NY for Beginning Farmers. Anyone who would like to start a farm or change to a new product will find this an interesting group to help you learn the Best Management Practices. The free classes with take-home resources will be held from 1-4pm:

• Tuesday, February 10, Ausable Valley Grange, Keeseville;
• Friday, February 13, 911 Building, Malone; and
• Friday, February 20, Extension Learning Farm, Canton.

Workshop topics include Evaluating Your Resources, Getting Started, Who can help? and Best Management Practices for Vegetable Production, Livestock Production and Growing Hay and Pasture.

Speakers are Anita Deming, Amy Ivy, Diane Dumont, Betsy Hodge, and Kitty O’Neill of Cornell Cooperative Extension; Sarah Johnston with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets;Jennifer Bosley, USDA Farm Credit Service; and Peter Hagar, Clinton County Soil and Water Conservation Service.

Registration is appreciated: contact your CCE office or Anita Deming, 518-962-4810 x409, ald6@cornell.edu <mailto:ald6@cornell.edu> . We may cancel so let us know if you plan to attend. Walk-ins are OK too.

MORE INFO:
CCE Franklin County, Malone: 518-483-7403

CCE St. Lawrence County, Canton: 315-379-9192

CCE Essex County, Westport, 518-962-4810 x409

Regular Mtg Agenda 9Feb2015 

ITHACA, NY – Nicholas Uliva, a sport management major in the School of Health Sciences and Human Performance at Ithaca College, was named to Dean’s List for the fall 2014 semester.

From day one, Ithaca College prepares students for success through hands-on experience with internships, research and study abroad. Its integrative curriculum builds bridges across disciplines and uniquely blends liberal arts and professional study. Located in New York’s Finger Lakes region, the College is home to 6,100 undergraduate and 460 graduate students.

John Bernardi, United Way Ex. Director/CEO & Campaign Co-chairs

            The United Way of the Adirondack Region, Inc. has met the 2015 campaign goal of $725,000. The annual campaign is conducted primarily during the fall months and concludes in February of each year. This year’s campaign raised a total of $725,413.00 which includes proceeds from special events. Bruce Garcia of JCEO was the co-chair of this years drive and has been a long time supporter and partner of the local United Way organization. He 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 and we are proud of what we have been able to achieve”. Marge Garcia of Adirondack Community Action Programs, Inc. was the co-chair of this year’s drive and has also volunteered on the campaign team for several years. She said, “It was a valiant team effort among campaign team volunteers, United Way staff and employee campaign representatives, but most of all, it was the generosity of businesses, organizations and individuals that made it successful.

Read more »

Dear Educators, Parents and Students,

It’s time for The Strand Center’s Annual High School & Middle School Exhibition! This year’s exhibition will open on March 20th and run through April 24th 2015. We hope these dates work with the majority of local school districts. This year we are expanding the number of participating schools; however, due to our limited gallery space we must restrict the number of works from each school to ten total works. We understand that this puts restrictions on how many of your students get to participate and we apologize. If there are any questions or concerns, please direct them to gallery@plattsburgharts.org.

This year the HS/MS Exhibition features an added incentive for students. Works that place first and second in each of the media categories will be featured in a temporary exhibition at Champlain Centers Mall in Plattsburgh and be eligible to win a scholarship sponsored by Champlain Centers!

GUIDELINES:

▪ 10 pieces of artwork per school district (not per teacher). Two works per student max.
▪ All work must be labeled on the BACK ONLY. Please include: artist name, title of work, medium, grade level, and school
▪ All work must be matted and framed. There are no material restrictions, but works need to be sturdy and professionally presented. Works should be wired on the back as our hanging system is not compatible with commercial hooks found on pre-fabricated frames.
▪ Artwork must fall under one of the given categories.
▪ Teachers must submit a full list of works being dropped off, including the students’ name, title of work, medium, grade level, and school. This list can be submitted in paper when works are dropped off or electronically by emailing gallery@plattsburgharts.org. The Strand Center will maintain its standard 30% commission rate for sales, so please advise your students to take this into consideration when pricing if they do decide to sell work.

IMPORTANT DATES:

HS/MS Exhibition: March 20, 2015 – April 24, 2014
Artwork drop-off dates: March 7 – March 14
Artwork pick-up dates: April 25 – May 2

Arrangements can be made with our Gallery Coordinator if you cannot make it to the Center during our regular hours.

CATEGORIES:

Drawing, Painting, Sculpture (3D), Ceramics, Mixed Media (2D), Photography, Graphic Design, and Printmaking.

Awards will be given in each category. In addition to these categories, there will be a Best of HS/MS award given to one student. The “Best of” award will be chosen based on a jury panel as well as a people’s choice vote. The student who wins “Best of” will also be awarded a scholarship from Champlain Centers.

Award Jurors TBD.

The Strand Center for the Arts agrees to:
• Send a press release to local paper(s) no later than 12 days before the exhibit.
• Design and distribute exhibition posters, flyer, program and invites to the local region.
• Feature the exhibit in at least two weekly digital newsletters.
• Clean and maintain the gallery spaces throughout the exhibit.
• Provide a punch and snack reception for the opening night.
• Manage the satellite exhibition in Champlain Centers Mall
• Work with Champlain Centers to provide the “Best Of” winner with a scholarship

I hope your school will be able to participate in this year’s exhibition. If you are unable to participate please let the Arts Center know as soon as possible so we may pass the opportunity onto other students.

For more information on dates, guidelines, requirements, and more please contact our Gallery Coordinator, Christina, by phone at 518-563-1604 or by email at gallery@plattsburgharts.org. More information can also be found on our website www.plattsburgharts.org under “Exhibitions.”

Thank you! We hope to hear from you soon!

Peru Central’s Board of Education launches its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, February 10, 2015 at 6:00 PM at the school district’s Community Room, adjacent to the main entrance of Peru Jr/Sr High School. An executive session associated with particular personnel matters will take place immediately following the 6:00 PM start. The school board is slated to reconvene for public session business at approximately 7:00 PM. Anticipated topics include:

· ADK P-TECH 1st Year Retrospect
· Athletics Program Review
· Peru 2020

The full Board agenda is available on the District’s website at www.perucsd.org.
All are welcome.

Washington, D.C. – The House Armed Services Committee has announced that Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY-21) has been selected by her colleagues on the Committee to serve as Vice-Chairman for the Subcommittee on Readiness.

“I am grateful to Chairman Thornberry and my colleagues on the Committee for the opportunity to serve in this important position,” said Congresswoman Stefanik. “The Readiness Subcommittee has extraordinary responsibility overseeing the budget for the Department of Defense. From this position, I will be able to work to undo the damaging effects that the sequester is having on our military readiness as well as bring a strong voice to protect and strengthen the interests of Fort Drum. I look forward to working closely with Subcommittee Chairman Rob Wittman on these important issues.”

“I am pleased to announce that Congresswoman Stefanik will be serving in this important position in the 114th Congress,” said House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mac Thornberry (R-TX-13). “From day one, Congresswoman Stefanik has displayed a strong desire to advocate on behalf of the needs of the Department of Defense, and specifically Ft. Drum in New York’s 21st District. From her seat as Vice Chairman on the Readiness Subcommittee, she will be well positioned to help advance her goals and protect the capabilities of our armed forces.”

About the Readiness Subcommittee:

The Readiness Subcommittee is responsible for the single largest account within DOD’s budget. It oversees military readiness, training, logistics and maintenance issues and programs, military construction, installations and family housing issues, and the BRAC process. It also oversees civilian personnel, energy security, and environmental issues that affect DOD. The Readiness Subcommittee makes sure that our troops are properly trained and their equipment is properly maintained so they can succeed in their missions, and that they have the facilities and services they deserve when they return home.

The people most in the know analyze the financial challenges facing NYS schools. The report was issued in January 2104, but it’s still very relevant.

School District Insolvency by the NYS Association of School Business Officials

LOUDONVILLE, NY The following area residents were named to Siena College President’s List for the Fall 2014 semester. President’s List students must achieve a term index of 3.9 or above.

Chad Dashnaw, a biochemistry major, of Peru, NY (12972) was named to the Preisdent’s List.

Alyssa Murphy, an English major, of Peru, NY (12972) was named to the Preisdent’s List.

Founded in 1937, Siena College is a private, Catholic Franciscan, residential, liberal arts college with a student body of about 3,000. Siena College offers more than 1,200 unique program choices and professional curricula in teacher preparation/education, pre-medical, pre-law and social work. A student-to-faculty ratio of 12-to-1, average class size of 21, rigorous academics, Division I athletics, intramural sports and widespread service and advocacy experiences nurture each student’s personal growth while providing the education of a lifetime.

Plattsburgh City Council to consider medical marijuana resolution – Press-Republican: News.

Today, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY-21) announced the opening of her Plattsburgh office:

“I am excited to have our doors open to serve the Plattsburgh community,” said Rep. Stefanik. “Whether you need help with a federal agency, information about services my office can provide, or wish to share your opinion on issues before Congress, I encourage anyone in the area to stop by our Plattsburgh office for assistance.”

Congresswoman Stefanik’s Plattsburgh office is located at 23 Durkee Street, Suite C, Plattsburgh. The phone number is (518) 561-2324.

In addition, Congresswoman Stefanik announced new hires in her district offices. Serving as Regional Director for the Plattsburgh office will be Renee Hertz. Renee is a graduate of Rutgers School of Law and lives in Keene Valley.

Congresswoman Stefanik also hired two key staffers who worked for Congressman Bill Owens. Matt Scollin is a graduate of University of New Hampshire who worked for Congressman Owens and will serve as Regional Director for Congresswoman Stefanik’s Glens Falls Office. Also, Maddie Donovan who graduated from Nazareth College of Rochester and worked for Congressman Owens will serve as Regional Director for Congresswoman Stefanik’s Watertown Office.

“I am so pleased to have Renee, Matt and Maddie on our team,” said Rep. Stefanik. “Their experience and knowledge of the district will help us greatly as we serve constituents in the North Country and I am excited to have them on board.”

By John T. Ryan

Party leaders say 49% was a good turnout; nevertheless, 51% of Peru’s registered voters failed to exercise their civic responsibility in the November 2014 election. They took no part in electing a member of Congress, New York State Governor, Member of the New York State Assembly and Peru Town Justice. In hopes of developing a greater understanding of last fall’s voting patterns, The Peru Gazette asked the Clinton County Board of Elections for registered voter numbers and vote totals. Greg Campbell, a Board of Elections Commissioner, was kind enough to answer our request. We did the analysis.

• 2,029 of Peru’s 4,134 registered voters cast ballots in the November 2014 elections.
• Peru ranks 3^rd in Clinton County with 4,134 registered voters behind the City of Plattsburgh’s 9,479 and the Town of Plattsburgh’s 7,041.
• Peru’s Republicans voted in greater numbers than Peru’s Democrats – 57.6% to 50.5%.
• Republicans cast 46% of the ballots cast in Peru while Democrats cast only 30%.
• 1,287 or 31% of Peru’s voters are registered as “No Party,” Independence Party, Conservative Party or Working Families Party.
• Elise Stefanik won a seat in Congress and carried the Town of Peru, but Democrat Aaron Wolfe carried Clinton County by a substantial margin.
• 3^rd Party, plus “No Party” voters cast 23.5% of the votes cast in the Town of Peru and 24.4% in Clinton County.

Peru’s registered voters by party or “No Party:”

• Republican – 1,622
• Democratic – 1,207
• No Party – 900
• Independence Party – 321
• Conservative Party – 40
• Working Families Party – 26

Registered Voters in Clinton County By Party/No Party

• Total – 44,923 (20,182 or 44.9% voted in 2014)
• Democratic – 16,252 (7,638 or 47% voted in 2014)
• Republican – 14,181 (7,614 or 53.7% voted in 2014)
• No Party – 10,458 (3,430 or 33% voted in 2014)
• Independence – 3,206 (1,171 or 36.5% voted in 2014)
• Conservative – 482 (236 or 49% voted in 2014)
• Working Families – 247 (56 or 22.7% voted in 2014)
• Green – 97 (37 or 38.1% voted in 2014

Peru’s Registered voters by party/no party casting ballots in 2014:

• 935 or 57.6% of Peru’s registered Republicans cast ballots.
• 610 or 50.5% of Peru’s registered Democrats cast ballots.
• 319 or 35.4% of Peru’s registered “No Party” voters cast ballots.
• 131 or 40.8% of Peru’s registered Independence Party voters cast ballots.
• 20 or 50% of Peru’s registered Conservative Party voters cast ballots.
• 7 or 26.9% of Peru’s registered Working Families voters cast ballots.

Peru’s Party or “No Party” votes as a percentage of the ballots cast in the Town of Peru:

• Republican Party voters cast 46% of all ballots cast.
• Democratic Party voters cast 30% of all ballots cast.
• “No Party” voters cast 15.7% of all ballots cast.
• Independence Party voters cast 6.5% of all ballots cast.
• Conservative Party Voters cast .01% of all ballots cast.
• Working Family Party voters cast .003% of all ballots cast.
• “No Party” and 3^rd Party voters combined cast 23.5% of all ballots cast.
• So-called 3^rd Party voters (Independence, Conservative and Working Families) cast 7.8% of all ballots cast.

Registered Voters in Clinton County by Town:

Total – 44,923

• Altona – 1,442
• AuSable – 1,669
• Beekmantown – 3,564
• Black Brook – 954
• Champlain – 3.409
• Chazy – 2,717
• Clinton – 428
• Dannemora – 1,197
• Ellenburg – 1,186
• Mooers – 1,998
• Peru – 4,134
• Plattsburgh – 7,041
• Saranac – 2,690
• Schuyler Falls – 3,015
• City of Plattsburgh – 9,479

2014 Final Election Results:

Member of Congress:

• Elise Stefanik – 936 (47%) votes in Peru and 8,470 (43%) in Clinton County
• Aaron Wolfe – 851 (43%) in Peru and 9,378 (47%) in Clinton County.
• Matthew Funiciello – 189 (10%) votes in Peru and 1,943 (10%) in Clinton County.

Governor of New York State:

• Democrat Andrew Cuomo 987 (53%) votes in Peru and 10,809 (58%) in Clinton County.
• Republican Rob Astorino – 866 (47%) votes in Peru and 7,697 (42%) in Clinton County.

Member of New York State Assembly:

• Republican Janet Duprey 1,207 (63%) in Peru and 10,915 (60%) in Clinton County
• Independence Party Karen M. Bisso – 712 (38%) in Peru and 7,335 (40%) in Clinton County.

Peru Town Justice:

• Republican Lawrence Cabana – 1,287 (66%)
• Democrat Karen Glushko – 665 (34%)

Clem Hawkin’s Band

Eric Gibson’s 15-year old son Kelley played the mandolin briefly at the Clem Hawkins Band Concert Saturday Night. It was one of the evening’s many highlights! Click here to play 

CVPH Volunteer Opportunities Jan

Please note that due to pending inclement weather, Peru Central School District will be closed today, Monday, February 2nd.