The Peru Gazette

By John T. Ryan

Peru – By the end of 2017, Peru’s primary artery should have a better appearance and physical upgrades thanks to a resolution passed at the Peru Town Board’s December 21, 2015 meeting. The Board approved a $49,000 consulting contract with River Street Planning and Development to review Main Street and its environs, dialogue with local businesses and residents and recommend improvements. The consultant’s cost and up to $150,000 in Main Street improvements will be financed by a NYS Department of State Local Waterfront Revitalization Program Grant The town has already satisfied matching fund requirements thanks to the 2014 upgrades to the Town Hall entrance and nearby sidewalks.

The Town Board formed a Main Street Plan Committee in the summer of 2014 when a $25,000 grant was received. Grant Writer and Committee Chair 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.” Ideas were sought from Main Street and Bear Swamp Road businesses; however, the grant required hiring a consultant delaying any forward movement. Now that a consultant has been hired, more ideas will be sought and the committee’s work will continue.

By John T. Ryan

Peru – Town of Peru Highway Department personnel have informed the Town Board that they would like to be represented by the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA). Peru Town Supervisor Peter Glushko informed the Town Board at its December 23, 2015 meeting that a notification has been received from the department’s employees. The town has 30 days to either recognize the union or call for a formal employee vote. The department has seven non-management employees.

Rob Wright, a Highway Department foreman, cited pay as one of the primary reasons employees are asking for union representation saying, “Eight or nine years ago Greg Timmons pushed for and got a $1 an hour raise for his men in the Water and Sewer Department. Up until then highway and water and sewer got the same pay. Today we have to work 120 to 150 hours of overtime to catch them.” Wright also cited increased health insurance costs and the small 2016 pay raise granted to town employees. He stated, “Health insurance went up $100 a month for some employees and we got a .5% raise. It’s time. The guys are fed up with some of the things that have been going on.” Wright stated that CSEA already represents employees in Saranac, Plattsburgh, Schuyler Falls and most of the larger towns.

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York lawmakers on Wednesday kicked off their 2016 session, which is expected to be dominated by debates over government corruption, education funding and Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s proposal to gradually raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour. While the Senate’s Republican majority will be an obstacle, Heastie told The Associated Press that he’s optimistic about the chances of passing Cuomo’s proposal. New York Republican Party Chairman Ed Cox criticized tax cuts Cuomo proposed for small businesses as “window dressing” to offset concerns about raising wages to what would be double the level in Pennsylvania. Flanagan wants to end the state policy of taking back some school aid to balance the budget, a practice that hits suburban districts the hardest. The state’s teachers union and public education advocates are calling for $2.4 billion in new funds. Sen. Andrea Stewart Cousins, who leads that chamber’s Democratic minority, said it’s time for “a restart” for the Legislature after former Republican Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos and former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver were convicted of trading their influence for personal financial gain. Sen. Jeff Klein, head of the five-member Independent Democratic Conference, listed priorities including bans on synthetic marijuana, funding after-school programs for 1.2 million children and enacting 12-week paid family leave to help New Yorkers stay employed while caring for a loved one. Brian Kolb, leader of the Assembly’s Republicans, said the state needs to do more to fight heroin addiction, which he said is ravaging both rural and urban parts of the state.

Source: NY lawmakers convene: $15 wage, schools, ethics top agenda – Times Union

Cuomo, Heastie, Flanagan promise action on deal that fell through

Source: Lawmakers promise, again, to seize felons’ pensions | POLITICO

http://www.perutown.com/zoning-agenda.pdf

http://www.perutown.com/planning-agenda.pdf

Engineer also talks about shared services and tow-plows.

Source: Essex Co. questions DOT salt use – Press-Republican: Local News

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.”