The Peru Gazette

More than 50 local business leaders and economic developers filled a room at SUNY Adirondack this morning for “New Markets, New Jobs: Practical Steps for Small Businesses to Grow through Exports,” an export forum organized and hosted by Congressman Bill Owens. Discussion focused on how to make the most of available government and private sector services, as well as practical advice on working with export and trade service providers and foreign buyers.

“As companies expand into new markets, they are able to hire more staff to manage the increased business activity,” said Congressman Owens. “This has a ripple effect, creating jobs for manufacturers, distributors, freight carriers, community banks, and customs and logistics service providers. I hope that the conversations we started today will be ongoing and help local businesses bring their products and services to markets in Canada and around the world.”

The U.S. population represents approximately 5% of the total world population, meaning that 95% of potential customers for U.S. goods and services live outside the U.S. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, the U.S. economy added 1.2 million more jobs between 2009 and 2011 due to record-breaking export levels. The U.S. exported $193.3 billion in April of this year with a trade in services surplus that increased by $200 million from March to April to reach $18.6 billion.

Peru Central’s Board of Education will be holding a special meeting on Monday, June 16, 2014 at 6:30 PM in the Jr/Sr High School Community Room. The Board is expected to immediately proceed into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing employment history of particular individuals.

The next step in the Peru 2020 strategic planning process will be a meeting of the volunteers serving on the Planning Team and Working Committees, slated for this Thursday, June 19th, from 6 to 8 PM in the cafeteria.

The session was intentionally scheduled to occur as soon as possible after the first meeting of the planning team held on June 12th, in order to maintain the momentum and focus on the goals of the planning project. Read more »

GENESEO, NY (06/12/2014)(readMedia)– Benjamin Ford from Peru, NY (12972), was named to the Dean’s List at The State University of New York at Geneseo for the spring semester 2014. To be on the list, a student must have achieved at least a 3.5 grade point average while taking a minimum of 12 credit hours.

SUNY Geneseo is a public liberal arts college recognized nationally for excellence in undergraduate education and for its professional and master’s level programs. The college combines a rigorous curriculum and a rich co-curricular life to create a learning-centered environment.

The kids will love the museum’s new milking cow!

Homesteading and Woodworking Weekend @ Babbie Rural & Farm Learning Museum – June 28- 29, 2014 – Hours 10am – 4pm. Woodcarving demos by Champlain Valley Woodcarvers. Other demos include shingle mill, antique chainsaw, flax spinning, and beekeeping. Hands-on activities include using a washboard and vintage ringer washing machine, grinding corn and tasting homemade cornbread. Visit the herbal and vegetable garden and do an activity with a Master Gardener. Picnic area available…. bring your own lunch or hotdogs, chips, soda and baked goods will be available for purchase.
518-643-8052 http://www.babbiemuseum.org/

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Thomas D. Pickering of Peru, N.Y., has earned his Juris Doctorate degree from Wake Forest University School of Law. Executive Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Suzanne Reynolds administered the oath and congratulated the Class of 2014, which received a standing ovation from family and friends.

The law school’s 40th annual Hooding Program speaker, the Honorable John L. Murray, told the graduates and their families during the Sunday, May 18, ceremony “this is not a point of arrival but of departure. I have no doubt that the high standard of education you have received here has prepared you well, but I encourage you to remain lifelong learners.”

Dean Blake D. Morant gave his closing remarks with mixed emotions. “I feel like these are some of my children going out into the world,” he said. “In these trying times, despite that tide, you have remained resolute and you are going to be the ones who change that tide. You are already my heroes, the graduates of Class of 2014. You are our future. I applaud you, congratulate you and implore you to do well and to do good.”

A diploma ceremony was held in Wait Chapel on Monday, May 19, following Commencement exercises on Hearn Plaza.

The Wake Forest University School of Law offers the following degrees: the JD, the JD/MDiv, the JD/MA in Religion, the JD/MA in Bioethics, the Master of Studies in Law, the Master of Laws in American Law, the SJD and the JD/MBA in conjunction with the university’s School of Business.

PLATTSBURGH, NY—Congressman Bill Owens today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation has renewed its selection of Peninsula Airways, Inc. (PenAir) to provide Essential Air Service (EAS) to Plattsburgh International Airport. The air carrier will receive $5,428,148 in funding support over two years and provide 12 weekly nonstop round trip flights to Boston Logan International Airport. “Air service to and from Plattsburgh is a strong basis for tourism and commercial investment in the region,” said Owens. “PenAir’s partnership with the Plattsburgh community has been constructive to-date and I am pleased that they have been chosen to continue air service into our region.”

Christopher D. Kreig, Airport Manager at Plattsburgh International Airport, submitted a letter to the U.S. Department of Transportation on behalf of Clinton County supporting PenAir’s Plattsburgh proposal. “PenAir’s service has been well received and I have received multiple compliments on their professionalism and customer service.” PenAir was selected in part due to strong community support.

“This extension will give us important continuity, and comes at a perfect time,” said Garry Douglas, President of the North Country Chamber of Commerce which serves as the airport’s marketing and development organization. “We recently developed and launched a major two-year marketing partnership with PenAir designed to further build their business, especially from the Montreal market. PenAir has also located a maintenance operation here, bringing jobs to the area and showing that Plattsburgh can support other hub connections as well.”

PenAir will operate flights to Boston Logan Airport using a 30-33 seat passenger Saab 340 aircraft. This new funding represents an annual increase of $243,240 over the current funding level. The selection renewal lasts for two years, from July 1, 2014 until June 30, 2016.

By John T. Ryan

Children living in the Laflure Lane-Washington Street area should soon have a safer route to school. In action at its Monday, May 9th meeting, The Peru Town Board approved the solicitation of bids for a pedestrian crossing light on Route 22 in front of the Peru Elementary School. The flashing light will be pedestrian activated and sidewalks and crosswalks on the school campus will also be constructed or improved. The federal government’s Safe Routes to School Program grant will finance 100% of the project. The Town of Peru will maintain the light.

Town Supervisor Peter Glushko believes that an effort to unionize Town of Peru employees may be in the offing. Glushko informed the Town Board that the Civil Services Employees Association (CSEA) has submitted a Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) request for a list of all employees, their salaries, time in grade and other information. Town of Peru employees are not currently unionized.

The Board is moving into the action stage on several long-discussed issues. The Board authorized issuance of a 30-year bond of up to $1,024,745 to finance construction of the 1.5-mile Little Ausable River Trail. The Town’s share of the cost should not exceed $261,000. State and federal grants will finance $763,745 (75%) of the total cost.

The Board authorized hiring AES Engineering Services to conduct a sewer district needs study at a cost not to exceed $24,400. The study will be 100% grant funded. No monies will be expended until the final grant is approved.

Professional Engineer Thomas P. LaBombard was hired to conduct a sewer study eastward along the Bear Swamp Road. LaBombard will develop a general plan, clarify district boundaries and estimate annual maintenance costs. The Board would like to extend water services to the vicinity of I-87 to encourage commercial development along this highly traveled highway.

On or about June 15^th repairs to the Highway Garage roof should commence. The Board authorized the expenditure of up to $148,360 to S&R Construction. Work is expected to be completed on or before November 1^st.

Grant writer Adele Douglas told the Board that the Town is eligible for a second Main Street Improvement Grant. The Town recently secured a $25,000 Main Street design grant. A committee has been formed to develop ideas and solicit resident opinion. A second $25,000 grant would assist in financing the committee’s recommended designs or improvements. The Board voted to apply for the grant.

The Board also approved an updated Town of Peru Freedom of Information Law (FOIL). Click Here To See Enacted FOIL

In other actions the Board:

• Discussed advertising for a Dog Control Officer (DCO) to succeed Kelly Allen who resigned effective June 1^st. The position will be parttime and civil service exempt. Supervisor Glushko said he has received phone calls from several people who are interested in applying for the position. Assistant Dog Control Officer Mark Hryck will be picking up dogs until a DCO is hired. He can be reached at 570-6557.
• Supervisor Glushko reported that plans for the July 20^th Peruvian Festival are moving ahead. Festival representatives will be visiting Peru on June 22^nd to coordinate the event’s details. Glushko said Peru residents would be asked to provide overnight accommodations for about twenty Peruvian visitors.
• During the community comment section of the meeting Holden Avenue resident Robert Manchester complimented the Highway Department for the paving job on Button Brook Parkway, Maiden Lane and Woodland Drive, although he expressed concern about certain asphalt transitions from the new pavement to the various driveways. Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell said his men would return to rectify any complaints.
• Another town resident complained about loud nighttime music in her neighborhood. She said she had called the State Police and Clinton County Sheriff’s Department. She claimed one state policeman stated there was nothing the he could do about loud noise. On another occasion the State Police visited the offending party who simply turned down the sound when the police approached and turned it back up when they left.
• Supervisor Glushko said the town does have a noise ordinance, which the New York State Police and the Clinton County Sheriff’s Department should be enforcing. Town Attorney Donald Biggs said he would write a letter informing police of the Town’s ordinance and asking for their cooperation. All parties recognized that both enforcement agencies are often busy enforcing higher priority laws.  Click here to view the Noise Ordinance in force

Regular Mtg Agenda 9Jun2014

By John T. Ryan

Longtime Dog Control Officer Kelly Allen has submitted her resignation to the Town of Peru. Town Supervisor Peter Glushko informed the counselors of the resignation at the Town Board’s May 28^6h meeting. Glushko commented, “Kelly has done a great job over the past 16 years, but she is retiring as of June 1st. She’s no longer able to handle the large dogs. We’ll need to find a new DCO.” Allen’s emailed resignation was accepted contingent on receipt of a signed email/letter.

The Main Street Planning Committee held its first meeting in May. Councilman Donald McBrayer told the Board that Adele Douglas was chosen as committee chair. The committee will utilize a 30,000 New York State grant to plan Main St.-Bear Swamp Rd. area improvements. The committee will hire a consultant and request business and resident opinions. Supervisor Glushko advised McBrayer to be sure to inform people that any recommended improvements will probably have to wait until the distant future because the Town is incurring long-term debt to finance the Walking Trail, Highway Garage roof, Fuller Road bridge repairs and Hurricane Irene related flood damage repairs.

The Board received a letter from Peru Central tennis coach Jim Neyenhouse thanking the town for cleaning up and outfitting the Jenkins Street tennis courts. Water and Sewer Department personnel performed the work.

Greg Timmons reported that electric power would extended to the Heyworth/Mason Park stone building within a few days. The electricity will power the recently purchased surveillance equipment.

Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell told the Board that he has hired Fuller Excavating to perform emergency repairs along the Reservoir Rd. Farrell said, “That area got pounded by the recent 3” rains.”

The long-discussed playground apparatus for Laphams Mills Park has been installed on the park’s western edge not far from Route 22. 

Last August the New York Municipal Insurance Reciprocal (NYMIR) organization conducted a review of the Town’s safety compliance. Inspectors recommended corrections/upgrades and most have been implemented. A few problems must still be acted on including deficiencies on the steel bridge crossing the Little Ausable River to Heyworth/Mason Park. Railings must be installed on a few playground bleachers. If the problems are not fixed, the Town’s liability insurance rates could rise.

The Town of Plattsburgh would like to transfer certain sections of the Nelson and Arnold Roads to the Town of Peru. Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell said the transfer makes sense because the Town of Peru plows and maintains the major part of the roads. Town Attorney Donald Biggs will research the legal and taxable property issues.

Museum Days at Babbie Rural and Farm Learning Museum, 250 River Road, Peru, NY. June 7-8, 2014 from 10:00AM to 4:00PM. Exhibits, live demonstrations, hands-on fun for the kids – grind corn, collect “eggs”, milk a cow, take a stagecoach ride, pet the animals. Fun for the whole family! The Peru SPCA will be at the museum with several animals (potential pets). Please consider leaving a donation to help this wonderful local organization. Picnic area available…. bring your own lunch or hotdogs, michigans, chips, soda and baked goods will be available for purchase.

This morning The Peru Gazette traveled to the Hallock Hill Rd. between Peru and Keeseville. It was a little too late to get the best photos, but here are few of the impressive animals at Marsha’s Buffalo Farm. All was peaceful until one bull started walking to the feed wagon. Then most of the rest of the herd slowly followed including a calf and his/her mom. As we drove away four more calves were heading to the wagon.

Please click on photo to view in full proportion. 

Ogdensburg airport will (soon) offer flights from Allegiant Air « The In Box.

WASHINGTON—Today Congressman Owens announced two Federal Aviation Administration grants totaling $1,159,700 awarded for rehabilitation and upgrades to airports in Plattsburgh and Lake Placid.

“These airports make travel easier and more convenient for local business leaders, residents and visitors,” said Congressman Owens. “Investing in these facilities will help ensure their long-term viability and prevent disruptions that could be caused by more expensive and time-intensive repairs down the road.”

The first grant, totaling $950,000, was awarded to Clinton County to rehabilitate several taxiways at Plattsburgh International Airport. Existing pavement joints on the taxiways are in poor condition and require resealing to maintain the structural integrity of the pavement.

The second grant, totaling $209,700, funds an environmental assessment to evaluate issues related to a proposed off-airport obstruction removal project.

Jim Langley, Minority Leader of the Clinton County Legislature and chair of the Legislature’s Plattsburgh International Airport standing committee, also offered comment in response to the announcement. “The Federal Government by way of the FAA has come through again for Plattsburgh International Airport.” he said. “The unusually harsh winter this year accelerated the need for rehabilitation of taxi ways. We greatly appreciate these funds, which will help keep the airport operating efficiently and safely, and our Members of Congress, who work hard to support projects in the North Country.”

Plattsburgh, NY (June 6, 2014) – The Strand Center for the Arts (SCA) is excited to announce its new ArtQuest camps for the summer! Five weeks worth of ArtQuest camps are offered over the course of the summer and are available in half or full day sessions for children ages 5-8 and 9-12.

With classes such as Refuse Reuse, History Detective, and Garden Explorer, children have the opportunity to look more closely at the world around them while exploring these special themes through clay and visual arts.

“ArtQuest camps are a great way for children to actively learn and create,” says Rebecca Conklin, SCA ArtQuest instructor. “Participating in the arts not only provides a creative outlet, but allows children to have continued development of fine and gross motor skills and exposure to diverse sensory experiences over the course of the summer.”

“Study after study shows that exposure to arts programs help students academically and socially. We worked hard to create half and full day art camp classes that integrated art with themed topics to ensure that area children have access to quality arts education programming,” says Aimée Baker, SCFA Education Coordinator.

The cost of each ArtQuest class is $95 or $85 for members. Scholarships are available. Register your child for a fun-filled summer by visiting the SCA website or by contacting the Arts Center directly!

The Strand Center for the Arts is open to visitors Tuesday through Friday, 10am – 5pm and Saturdays, 10am – 4pm. For a complete listing of all classes and workshops, please visit the Arts Center’s website at: www.plattsburgharts.org

The State University of New York at Potsdam recently named 861 students to the President’s List, in recognition of their academic excellence in the Spring 2014 semester. The SUNY Potsdam students were honored for earning top marks by Interim President Dr. Dennis L. Hefner.

The students included:

Emily Allen of Peru, NY, whose major is Music Education.
Megan Breton of Peru, NY, whose major is Childhood/Early Childhood Education.
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.

About SUNY Potsdam: Read more »

The State University of New York at Potsdam recently named Robert Duquette of Peru, NY to the SUNY Potsdam Dean’s List.

Duquette, whose major is Speech Communication, was among 355 students who were honored for academic excellence in the Spring 2014 semester.

To achieve the honor of being on the Dean’s List, each student must have satisfactorily completed 12 numerically-graded semester hours, with a grade point average of between 3.25 and 3.49 in the given semester.

SUNY Potsdam has a strong focus on academics, with its long history of excellence in the liberal arts and sciences. To find out more, visit http://www.potsdam.edu.

About SUNY Potsdam: Read more »

Large dump trucks filled with asphalt and dirt will be a common sight in Peru this summer. Several long-discussed Town of Peru construction projects are underway. They include paving Woodland Drive, Maiden Lane and Button Brook Parkway; replacing a major Fuller Road bridge; constructing the Heyworth/Mason Park to Sullivan Park Walking Trail; and replacing the Town Hall entrance steps. The Peru Gazette stopped by several projects today and took a few photographs. The highway paving photos were taken on May 29th. Click here to see a Trail Map  

From the Office of Congressman Bill Owens

PLATTSBURGH, NY—Today Congressman Bill Owens announced that the Department of Health and Human Services has awarded $1,500,500 in grant funding to the Head Start Program run by Joint Council for Economic Opportunity (JCEO) of Clinton and Franklin Counties.

“Head Start programs like the one at JCEO are a proven tool preparing students for their educational careers and increasing the chance that they will succeed later in their lives,” said Congressman Owens. “Funding for these programs is a critical long-term investment in the growth and stability of communities throughout the region.”

JCEO of Clinton and Franklin Counties focuses support on individuals and families that are actively pursuing self-sufficiency, serving low-income communities across Clinton and Franklin counties. The Head Start program includes 17 Head Start centers and three home visit options that deliver comprehensive early childhood education services to 377 children and their families.

“This funding is really important to us,” said Bruce Garcia, CEO of JCEO of Clinton and Franklin Counties. “This means that we can continue to provide services throughout the entire two-county area, from Keeseville to St. Regis Falls to Tupper Lake. We’re really happy that we’ve gotten this and will be good to go for the rest of the year.”

JCEO of Clinton and Franklin Counties is one of 58 Community Action Agencies in New York State. 96% of JCEO service recipients are temporarily in need and not on any form of public assistance.

Honor Flight interim director named » Local News » Press-Republican.

North Country Honor Flight director resigns » Local News » Press-Republican.

Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) has announced that Austin Waid-Jones of Peru, N.Y., a junior majoring in mechanical engineering, was named to the university’s Dean’s List for academic excellence for the Spring 2014 semester.

A total of 1,380 undergraduate students achieved the criteria required for WPI’s Spring 2014 Dean’s List. The criteria for the WPI Dean’s List differ from that of most other universities as WPI does not compute a grade point average (GPA). Instead, WPI defines the Dean’s List by the amount of work completed at the A level in courses and projects.

“WPI’s academic programs are remarkably rigorous, so being named to the Dean’s List is a testament to hard work, a sharp mind, and a commitment to excellence,” said Provost Eric Overstr?m. Read more »

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