The Peru Gazette

The Peru Gazette posed six questions to each of the four candidates for the Peru Town Board. Here are Kregg Bruno’s responses to the questions stated below.

Summarize your educational background, primary employment, a little about your family and your past community involvement. How will your background and/or successes assist you as a town council member? What town issues concern you the most? How would you address these issues? Why should a person vote for you? What party lines will your name appear on?

I married my wife Bonnie in 1987 and moved to Peru to raise my family, Christopher and Katie, and send them to Peru School where Bonnie and I both graduated from. I got involved in the community, coaches youth soccer, softball, and baseball for 12 years. My interest in politics began when I started attending board meetings in which nothing was being accomplished and the town of Peru was not being properly represented.

I want to continue to represent the people of Peru because I like the direction the Town is going in. The present Town Board has produced many new accomplishments that we should be proud of. The present Board has been able to set politics aside, work as a bi-partisan group, set and achieve goals and strive to keep Peru a great place to live and raise a family.

Budget time is always a crucial time of the year. With new tax caps, rising health care, and the importance to keep taxes affordable, its critical to make important financial decisions. Keeping the roadways and sidewalks up to date, as well as building new safe route to school, are always important in my decision making. Safe and clean water are a must throughout any community, and our Water and Sewer Departments have met the challenges. To continue to meet the needs of the community is also very important to me. Improvements to our new Heyworth Village walking trail and Parks, to keep a happy healthy community is something I’ll keep striving for. I’ll be going door to door and answering any question people may have before the election.  I want to thanks everyone for their past support and future support to continue to help Peru to grow and remain a great place to live. Thanks Kregg

The Peru Gazette posed six questions to each of the four candidates for the Peru Town Board. Here are Dwane Bast’s responses.

Summarize your educational background, primary employment, a little about your family and your past community involvement.

In 1982 I graduated from Peru Central School then continued my education at R.I.T. My wife and I own Adirondack Coffee Roasters, which started in Peru in 2007. Due to the need to expand our business we moved to Plattsburgh in 2013. I have been an active member of the Peru Knights of Columbus since 2007. I have been active with the Peru music boosters and also the soup kitchen. Every year I help with the Applefest, Peru walk of faith, and the Peru wrestling boosters.

How will your background and/or successes assist you as a town council member?

I believe that being my a business owner has given me the skills to work well with others, plan and follow a budget, time management and the ability to multitask.

What town issues concern you the most?

My first concern is that some of our town council have taken large amounts of time off at tax payers’ expense. The second is that we budget for only one year at a time and do not look consider a longer term approach.

How would you address these issues?

I will work hard for my pay and be available. If something took me away, I would find a way to pay back the town for time I was absent. I would also try to bring five and ten year plan to our town.

Why should a person vote for you?

I am hard working and care about our town. I believe that with some hard work, we can be one of the best towns in New York.

What party lines will your name appear on?

Republican and Reform Party lines.

The Peru Gazette posed six questions to each of the two candidates for Area Seven of the Clinton County Legislature. Here are Robbie Timmons’ responses.

Summarize your educational background, primary employment, a little about your family and past community involvement.

• Graduate of Peru High School (1985)
• Graduate of Paul Smith’s College (1989), degree in Hotel Restaurant Management
• Worked for several years in restaurant management positions
• Worked for the Town of Peru Highway Department and served as the elected Highway Superintendent for six years
• In 2008 started Rob’s Repairs providing remodeling, electrical and plumbing services
• Served ten years as a volunteer firefighter with Peru Fire Department
• Parents: Loretta and the late Robert Timmons
• My wife Michelle (Duprey) and I have two daughters, Lacy and Allie

How will your background and/or successes assist you as a Clinton County Legislator?

• While working for the Peru Highway Department, intensely involved in recovery from the 1998 ice storm and the severe floods of 1996 and 1998
• Worked collaboratively with the County and surrounding town highway departments dealing with these disasters
• Familiarity with federal and state disaster agencies brings a level of expertise to the Legislature on these issues
• As a successful private contractor for 7 years, I understand issues affecting small business owners

What county issues concern you the most?

• Further economic development
• Training of work force to meet employers’ demands
• Develop budgets to serve taxpayers’ needs within mandated tax cap
• Continued development of Plattsburgh International Airport

How would you address these issues?

• Continued growth of transportation hub
• Broadband, natural gas, wind and solar expansions
• Enhanced tourism promotion; support local businesses
• Collaborate with CCC, CV-TECH and local schools to properly train employees for vacant positions and future employment
• Develop appropriate budgets under mandated tax cap working with state legislators to assure the cap allows sufficient growth for needed services
• To enhance PIA as an international airport, we must work with local, state and federal officials to reach full potential

Why should a person vote for you?

• My experience with government budgeting and operations and my business success provides the skills to work effectively and cooperatively with County legislators, administrators, and departments.

What party lines will your name appear on?

• Republican and Reform Party lines

The Peru Gazette posed six questions to each of the two candidates for Area Five of the Clinton County Legislature. Here are Peter Keenan’s responses.

Summarize your educational background, primary employment, a little about your family and your past community involvement.

I am a widowed father of four and grandfather of four. I graduated from Peru Central School and Clinton Community College. I attended Plattsburgh State. I was in the Army Signal Corp. for two years during the Korean War Era. After 26 years, I retired from the New York State Dept. of Corrections. For 20 years, I drove school bus for Peru Central School. I was Peru Town Justice for 24 years. I have been an active member of the Peru Knights of Columbus for 33 years and a state chairman for 14 years. I was a softball and baseball umpire for 40 years. I was the Grand Marshall for the 2010 Applefest Parade. I was on the Dannemora Federal Credit Union Board of Directors’ Supervisory Committee for 10 years. I am the incumbent Area 5 Clinton County Legislator for the past 4 years.

How will your background and/or successes assist you as a town council member?

My upbringing, professional career, and extensive community involvement have prepared me well to serve on the Legislature.  I was born and raised in Clinton County and have lived here all of my life. I know the people and their challenges and will use my life experiences and good old fashion common sense to serve the good people of Peru and Schuyler Falls.

What county issues concern you the most?

Enticing economic development and job growth and keeping county property taxes stable along with the successful completion of the airport expansion. I am a member of the airport committee and securing airline service to a major hub city is an ongoing effort.

How would you address these issues?

The County Legislature, as a team that I am proud to be part of, have been successful in controlling county spending and in fact we delivered a property tax rate and levy decrease for the 2015 budget. We have accomplished that by careful scrutiny of spending and by prioritizing the needs of the citizens. We have made investments when there is a clear benefit for the tax payers and held the line on spending when that line is blurred.

Why should a person vote for you?

I hope that my record and the success of my first term would warrant the confidence of the voters for a second time. I have tried my best to make the right decisions for Clinton County and have always been available to hear the concerns of any citizen.

What party lines will your name appear on?

Democratic and Working Families Party.

The Peru Gazette posed six questions to each of the two candidates for Area Five of the Clinton County Legislature. Here are Rhonda Barber’s responses.

Summarize your educational background, primary employment, a little about your family and past community involvement.

I attended Saranac High School, graduating in 1986. I then went on to graduate from Siena College in Loudonville, NY in 1990 with a degree in finance. After college, I returned to Plattsburgh and started E-Z Sto. Upon my father’s retirement in 1999, my sister came on board and we are now co-owners of X-Plo/E-Z Sto. Our primary operations are transportation, storage and commercial warehousing. We have approximately 20 employees. My past community involvements have included coaching various teams for Saranac School and Peru Youth Commission; serving on various boards i.e. Plattsburgh Youth Hockey, Plattsburgh Lady Hornet Varsity Girls Hockey and Saranac Varsity Boys Hockey Booster Clubs; parent/team manager of various youth teams, Clinton Community College Foundation and NFIB Professional Business Leaders.

How will your background and/or successes assist you as a Clinton County Legislator?

I have always loved being involved, making decisions and being a part of making a difference. I am a great communicator and ideas are only as good as they are sold. The best ideas need to be communicated to the people for action to occur. In addition, I am a hard worker who is extremely organized. I give 110% in everything that I do. My keen business sense will allow me to run government like a business.

What county issues concern you the most? How would you address these issues?

I will NEVER vote to increase the tonnage coming into the landfill. I will also fight for my area to get compensation in exchange for being the counties dumping ground. I will push to build recreational, cultural and youth activities. I will sell the county as a tourist destination while promoting our region and lake. I will pursue increased shopping such as possible outlets which will draw people to the area and lead to increased tax revenue allowing us to maintain a stable tax rate.

Why should a person vote for you?

Our community needs new energy and forward thinking. I plan to serve the public interest with passion and competence while continuing to strengthen our towns with hard work and a keen business sense. These are the values that I deeply care about and are embedded in my daily work as a local business owner.

What party lines will your name appear on?

Republican, Independence, Conservative and Reform parties

The Peru Gazette expresses its thanks to the candidates for the Clinton County Legislature and Peru Town Board who were kind enough to respond to our questionnaire. We hope their answers will be of interest to local voters.  Rhonda Barber and Peter Keenan are competing for the Clinton County Legislature’s Area 5 Seat. Carol Blakeslee-Collin and Robbie Timmons are competing in Area 7.  Ms. Blakelee-Collin did not respond to our questionnaire. Four candidates are seeking two positions on the Peru Town Board. Kregg Bruno and Brandy McDonald are incumbents. They are being challenged by Dwane Bast and James Langley.

All the candidates deserve praise for their willingness to serve their fellow citizens. In spite of opinions to the contrary, The Peru Gazette believes that public service is one of our society’s highest callings and we believe that the vast majority of elected representatives serve to the best of their ability.

An equally high calling is the responsibility of every registered voter to cast their vote on Tuesday, November 3rd. In a typical non-presidential election year fewer than 50% of eligible voters take the time to vote – a very sad statistic.

Babbie Rural & Farm Learning Museum Presents:

2 consecutive weekends

October 16-17 and 23-24

Candy Harvest – Geared for younger children and will include fun, games and candy! Dress up in your costume and enter the contest!

5:00-7:00 pm                                    $1.00 admission

Soul Harvest – open to all ages, but parental discretion is advised as there will be gore, violence, and plenty of jump scares.  We are not responsible for loss of sleep due to nightmares, fear of the dark, or residual memories of horror imprinted on your mind.

8:00 – 10:00pm                                    $5.00 admission

On Saturday October 17^th, 2105 at 4:30 PM the Peru Democrats will hold a “Meet and Greet” for all candidates who are running in the November election.

Location will be: Murphy’s Restaurant, Rt. 22B, Peru.

Fun and free food for all. Come and meet the candidates. 

Mike Derrick, who is a Peru native and a candidate for the 21st, Congressional District in the 2016 election, will be among the speakers.

Peru Central School District is pleased to announce learning opportunities for residents in its new Community Education Program.

We are excited to offer the following 5 events for our first fall session:

Event                                                                    Date                                      Times

• Basics of Digital Photography                    10/22                                     5:30 – 8:00pm
• Microsoft Word for Beginners                    11/2 & 11/5                         6 – 8 pm
• Essential Oil Make & Take                          10/23/15                              6 – 8:30pm
• 5 Hour Pre-licensing                                    10/24/15                              9 am – 2
• Zumba Dance (starting 11/3)                     Tuesday/Thursdays        6-7 pm and Saturdays 9 – 10am

If you’re interested in hosting or participating in an event, or have an idea for one, we’d love to hear from you! 

For more information, contact Sheila at snugent@perucsd.org or 643-6020 or Lori at lagnew@perucsd.org or 643-6022

Harkness Methodist Church Annual Chicken and Biscuit Dinner

Harkness Church Hall—481 Hallock Hill Rd, Peru

Sunday, October 18^th—serving begins at 4:00 p.m.

Adults, $9; Seniors, $8; Children 6-12, $5; Preschoolers, free

Takeouts available

At 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 8, 2015 the Peru Town Board will hold a Public Hearing on a new Town Law which would prohibit vehicle parking on the Laphams Mills Road between Route 22 and the Dasnaw Road (adjacent to Laphams Mills Park). The Board has received complaints from property owners and is concerned about the safety of children who have been seen darting into traffic when vehicles have been parked adjacent to the highway. The Board believes that there is sufficient off-road parking for all vehicles.

At 7 p.m. Board’s regular meeting will begin. It was rescheduled from Monday, October 12th because of Columbus Day.

Roger’s House Panels

St. Vincent’s Thrift Store panels

By John T. Ryan

Many of the thousands of people who crowded the St. Augustine’s Parish Center grounds during the September 19-20 Applefest were surprised to find solar panels behind the St. Vincent’s Thrift Store and Roger’s House. If they looked across Main Street behind St. Augustine’s Cemetery they saw a much larger solar panel array being erected. When fully operational the system will supply most of the power needs of St. Augustine’s Church, the parish’s maintenance garage, the former St. Vincent’s Thrift Store, the rectory, the current St. Vincent’s Thrift Store and Roger’s House, the parish’s household goods/Christmas shop.

St. Augustine’s Pastor Reverend Alan Shnob explained, “I started thinking about solar panels when Bishop LaValley installed a solar system at his residence in Ogdensburg. I think they confirm the Holy Father’s call to conserve the world’s resources. They’re also about more than saving energy. They’re a sign that our parish is looking to the future. We’re looking to future generations. We’re passing on a legacy to them.”

The project is financially feasible thanks to the generosity of St. Augustine’s parishioners, parish savings, the hard work of St. Vincent’s Thrift Store and Roger’s House volunteers, a $30,000 New York Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) grant and a $20,000 gift from St. Augustine’s Knights of Columbus Council 7273. Edge Design and Consulting in Plattsburgh is the project designer and installer.

On Saturday, October 3rd, Bishop Terry A. LaValley will bless the panels following the 4:30 p.m. Mass where Bishop LaValley will assist in the initiation of a Junior Catholic Daughters Court in the parish; another indication the parish is looking to the future.

Panels being erected behind St. Augustine’s Cemetery

Panels being erected behind St. Augustine’s Cemetery.

Harvest Weekend – October 10-11, 2015 – Hours 10am – 4pm.

$1.00 off admission if you bring a nonperishable item for the Interfaith Foodshelf.  Demonstrations of corn harvest, granary, hit and miss engines and blacksmith shop.   On Sat. Oct. 10, come and watch as flax is spun into linen (Brook Sylvan Spinnery).  For the kids – make a corn husk doll, play pumpkin tic tac toe, paint a pumpkin, visit the animals and take a ride on the stagecoach, the hay wagon and Thomas the Train.  Special guest authors Katherine Cal-Morin (Saturday) and Gordie Little (Sunday) will be here to share their stories. Lunch will be available from Kat’s Katering.

Click here to view Sept. 28 Town Board Agenda

Peru – A Pulled Pork Dinner will be held on Sunday, October 11^th from noon until 2 p.m. at St. Augustine’s Parish Center. Corn on the cob, baked beans, salad, rolls and a beverage will accompany the pulled pork. The cost is $8 ($6 for Walk of Faith participants). Children 12 and under are $4 each ($3 each walkers). The dinner’s proceeds will benefit the Mission of Hope and the Peru Community Church Jamaica Project.
The dinner is sponsored by the Catholic Community of St. Augustine’s and St. Patrick’s Parish, The Peru Community Church, Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Court St. Monica 2598 and Knights of Columbus Council 7273. For more information please contact Christa Reyell at 566-6404.

The Catholic Community of St. Augustine’s and St. Patrick’s Parish, The Peru Community Church, Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Court St. Monica 2598 and Knights of Columbus Council 7273 in Peru, NY will hold its 9^th Annual Walk of Faith on Sunday, October 11^th at Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine (behind St. Augustine’s Church) in Peru, NY. Event is free. Walk Rain (bring an umbrella) or shine. Donations will be accepted for The North Country Mission of Hope and the Peru Community Church’s Jamaica Project.

Early registration begins at 11:45 a.m. Opening Ceremony begins at 12:30 PM.   Immediately following opening ceremonies, the Walk of Faith will begin. Walk is 2.7 mile route in the Town of Peru.

Proceeds from this event will go to The North Country Mission of Hope and The Jamaica Project. Please consider joining your neighbors on Sunday, October 11th. For more information please contact Chair Christa Reyell at 566-6404. Click here for more information

By John T. Ryan

In case you haven’t seen or heard ads or been privy to the local chatter, Rulfs Orchard began selling homemade ice cream about a month ago. Rulfs Office/Retail Manager Amanda Whisher said, “It’s gourmet ice cream, rich and creamy with 14% butterfat.” Rulfs sells eight flavors by the dish, cone and hand-carved pint. Flavors include: vanilla, chocolate, chocolate chip, chocolate chip with cookie dough, cookies and cream, chocolate with M&M’s, chocolate with Reese’s Pieces and maple walnut.

Adding ice cream to Rulfs traditional offerings took two years of planning and preparation. A business plan had to be developed followed by construction of a room dedicated to ice cream making. A Taylor ice cream machine was purchased and training took several weeks.

At Thanksgiving time, Rulfs will be selling an apple pie-vanilla ice cream combo. Then the ice cream machine will be given a rest until May though Amanda said, “If people still want pints, I’ll start it up in the winter.”

PLATTSBURGH, NY – The Strand Center for the Arts annually hosts a juried show open to artists of all ages and mediums. This year, the theme of the show is “On the Road” and participants are encouraged to submit artwork that addresses the themes of travel and adventure, whether it is in the region or abroad.

Entries may be in the form of any media, including (but not limited to) painting, drawing, photography, jewelry, sculpture, fiber, ceramics, glass, printmaking, mixed media, and woodwork. Read more »

Saturday, October 10, 1:00 p.m. at the Alice T. Miner Museum 

Chazy, New York – Join author and historian Marty Podskoch for a talk about his latest project, the Adirondack 102 Club, that encourages people to visit all 102 towns and villages in the Adirondacks.

The idea for the 102 Club began after Podskoch read about Dr. Arthur Peach of Vermont who, in 1954, suggested the idea of an informal group, the Vermont 251 Club, to veer off the beaten path and “discover the secret and lovely places that main roads do not reveal.” Podskoch believed the Adirondacks would benefit from a similar club.  Read more »

The Women’s Monday Night Golf League at Harmony Golf Club in Port Kent recently wrapped up its summer season after ten weeks of golf. Fifteen teams that comprise the league played four-person best ball over nine holes each week. At the end of the league season, first place honors went to The Wedgies with team members Cheryl Breen-Randall, Faye Martineau, Bev Sprague and Kathy Woodward claiming the prize with most points scored. Joy Good, Peggy McCormick, Carina Parrow and Maggie Pope’s team, The Port Kent Dirty Birdies, took second place honors and On the Dance Floor’s foursome, Liz Bazzano, Sandy Bazzano, Penny Defayette and Amy Osterhaudt followed in third place. While several birdies were scored throughout the season, there was only one eagle when On the Dance Floor’s team sunk one on the par five 5^th Hole in the 8^th week of play.

Peter Keenan (L) & Jim Langley participated in the Legislative Farm Tour

Kyle and Tom Everett answered all the legislator’s questions

By John T. Ryan

Peru’s agricultural diversity and the challenges farmers face was revealed to the county legislators who participated in last Friday’s Legislative Agricultural Tour conducted by Cornell Cooperative Extension Clinton County. Legislators Sam Dyer, Jim Langley, Peter Keenan, Jonathan Beach, Colin Read, Harry McManus and County Administrator Michael Zurlo visited Everett Orchards, Maple Grand Dairy, Northern Orchards and Adirondack Farms. (Click here to view these & more photos) 

The first stop was Everett Orchards, a 6^th generation family farm operated by William and Thomas Everett. In 2002 the Everetts entered the retail side of agriculture when they opened a farm market and cidery at 1945 Military Turnpike in Plattsburgh. In 2006 they began producing hard cider.

Tom Everett, with his son Kyle at his side, told the legislators about the orchard’s many apple varieties including several new European varieties used in cider production. Everett explained that this year’s warm nights have been a challenge for apple growers. September nighttime temperatures in the mid-40s play a critical role in bringing out the bright red color preferred by consumers. Ideally, apple trees should produce 500 or more bushels per acre annually.  Establishing additional orchard acreage is expensive costing about $18,000 an acre. The typical apple tree is productive for about 20 years.

Grand View Farm

Brothers Melvin, Bob and Jim Irwin milk about 80 registered Holsteins on the 1,200-acre Maple Grand Farm at 139 Jarvis Road. A relatively small farm in today’s world, milking cows is not the Irwin’s only business. They also sell hay, straw, oats and corn; operate a small orchard; lease cropland to a larger farm and own wood lots. Asked what the farm’s biggest challenge is, Bob Irwin eyed his large tractor and said, “The price of equipment.” Then he added, “health care and insurance.” Current milk prices are also challenging. A year ago milk prices increased to $25 per cwt. Today they are closer to $14. Cost of milk production ranges from $18 to $25 per cwt. depending on the size and efficiency of the farm.

Jim Irwin believes that the decline in the number of dairy farms will continue. He said, “Today eight farms control 80% of the milk production in Clinton County.”  The cost and availability of tillable land is a factor. Large farms compete for tillable land driving up values. Land that not so long ago sold for $200 an acre now sells for $5,000 to $6,000 an acre. In spite of these challenges Bob Irwin said the brothers can cover for each other and they are able to take off to travel and get away for a few days. He emphasized, “I look forward to coming to work every day.” Bob hopes that his son Kyle, who was standing a few feet away, will help maintain the Irwin family farm tradition.

L-R Jesse Mulbury, Colin Read, Sam Dyer and Harry McManus, Peter Hagar

Not far from the Irwin Farm, Cynthia and Albert Mulbury and their son Jesse operate Northern Orchards at 537 Union Road. The 500-acres farm has been operating since 1944.  During apple harvest, Northern Orchards has 185 employees who harvest, pack and ship its more than 50 varieties of apples.

Jesse Mulbury, a recent Cornell University graduate, greeted the legislators at Northern Orchard’s Farm Stand at 470 Union Road. He immediately guided everyone to a high tunnel greenhouse where he pointed to what seemed like an almost endless variety of tomatoes. Jesse said, “We’ve almost doubled production in these greenhouses.” He explained that the greenhouses have enabled farmers to grow plant varieties never previously grown in this part of the country and to extend the growing season. Mulburys are selling to new markets including farmers markets and restaurants.  A shopper at the Plattsburgh and Lake Placid Farmers Markets will find Northern Orchard’s extremely wide variety of fruits and vegetables.

Northern Orchards is also seeking to grow its farm stand business. Operational since 1992, the farm stand has a new look this year and more change is anticipated. Jesse’s sister Jennifer Mulbury will graduate from Cornell next spring. She plans to use her skills to develop the farm stand into a more significant part of Northern Orchard’s operations.

Jon Rulf (Center)

Adirondack Farms at 193 Brown Road is the largest dairy operation in this region and one of the 25 largest in New York State. Partner Jon Rulf greeted the legislators at the 4,800 cow/calf, 50-plus employee dairy farm. Adirondack’s 2,600 milking cows produce approximately 210,000 pounds of milk daily. The Agrimart Coop. dedicates three and sometimes four huge tankers to transport milk from the farm to its Chateaugay plant.

Manure management is a continuous challenge for all farmers, especially large farmers. Adirondack’s 5,000 acres of hay and corn are spread over several townships and border many residential neighborhoods. Rulf has to satisfy volumes of Department of Conservation (DEC) environmental regulations and the people who reside in homes bordering his crops. Although a final decision hasn’t been made, Rulf hopes that by the end of 2016 he will have a manure digester in operation. A $4 million investment, the digester will significantly reduce manure odor, greenhouse gas emissions and nutrient runoff. The methane gas associated with the process will power generators to produce electricity.

Perhaps Rulf’s greatest challenge is weaning his milking cows off bovine Somatotropin (rBST). Consumer pressure is forcing northeastern producers to eliminate its use. As of January 1, 2016, the Agrimart Coop will no longer accept milk from farmers utilizing rBST. Approved by the Food and Drug Administration in the mid-1990s, the hormone significantly increases milk production. Rulf said, “We think it’s a tragedy. It’s a shame we’re losing this technology. I believe the consumer has been mislead.” Rulf said farmers will be forced to milk more cows to make up for the decreased income.

Today, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY-21) announced that her office is accepting applications for qualified students to be nominated to a U.S. Military Service Academy.

“It is one of my highest honors as a Member of Congress to nominate deserving students from New York’s 21st Congressional District to our nation’s military service academies,” said Congresswoman Stefanik. “Serving in our nation’s military is one of the most honorable callings and I look forward to hearing from our district’s prospective nominees.”

Members of Congress may nominate candidates for appointment to four of the five U.S. service academies: U.S. Military Academy (USMA), West Point, NY; the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA), Annapolis, MD; the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA), Colorado Springs, CO; and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA), Kings Point, NY. The fifth service academy, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy (USCGA), New London, CT, does not require a congressional nomination for appointment.

Congresswoman Stefanik may nominate up to ten individuals for each vacant academy slot allotted to our district. Interested students are asked to complete, print, sign and submit a nomination form, available on our official congressional website: https://stefanik.house.gov/services/military-academy-nominations.

This completed form should be mailed to our Glens Falls district office, along with the following application materials, prior to November 1, 2015:

·         Current high school transcript

·         Standardized test scores (SAT or ACT)

·         Resume detailing extracurricular activities and any employment history

·         500-word essay describing your reasons for wanting to serve as an officer in the United States military

·         Three letters of recommendations

Successful applicants will have a broad academic background, the ability to pass a physical aptitude test, and strong leadership potential. An applicant must also be a U.S. citizen, a high school graduate between the ages of 17 and 23, unmarried, have no dependents, and be of high moral character. Acceptance of a service academy appointment requires at least a nine-year service obligation, including four years at an academy and five years of active duty service.

A member of the Congresswoman’s staff will be in contact later this fall to schedule an interview with the Service Academy Nominating Committee.

NCREDC Endorses 23 Priority Projects for Round V of Governor Cuomo’s Regional Economic Development Council Initiative

The North Country Regional Economic Development Council (NCREDC) announced its progress report was submitted to the State to meet the September 21 deadline.  The progress report, which details the Council’s achievements in implementing its five year strategic plan, is entitled “Accelerate,” reflecting the North Country’s readiness to accelerate economic growth and transformation across the region.

The report outlines the region’s strong performance record in implementing its strategies and projects since the first round of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s Regional Economic Development Council initiative in 2011. The first four rounds resulted in $338.1 million in State funding to support 291 projects that are completed or in progress and have committed to create or retain 4,931 jobs in the region. The Council’s plan supports this positive trend and will continue to build on the success of previous years, accelerating the North Country’s regional economy.

The progress report can be found on the North Country Regional Council’s website at http://regionalcouncils.ny.gov/content/north-country.  Read more »

Gerald Bassett was working on mower deck when it apparently fell onto his neck and pinned him beneath the vehicle, coroner said.

Source: Saranac man dies in tractor accident – Press-Republican: Local News

Peru – Main Street resident Ed Schiffler  took this photo in front of his house yesterday. As Ed said, “This os what the Applefest is all about!” The Applefest will continue today, Sunday, with a chicken BBQ at noon, games, rides, two bouncy characters (the cow and the crocodile), a giant craft fair, baked goods and great music.  The Compass Rose Band will play at noon followed by a return of the Bootleg Band that thrilled the crowds yesterday.