The Peru Gazette

From the Office of Congressman Bill Owens

WASHINGTON—Today, Congressman Bill Owens announced the availability of grant funds through the Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC). Grants will be awarded to projects that develop infrastructure, provide workforce training and business development, provide health care and public services to underserved areas, promote resource conservation, or promote renewable or alternative energy production.

“Northern Border Regional Commission grants strengthen local economies and encourage job creation and workforce readiness,” said Rep. Owens. “These grants help local businesses create jobs and prepare our workforce to fill them, driving economic growth throughout the region. The Commission continues to support New Yorkers developing their skills and investing in long-term success.” Read more »

PLATTSBURGH, NY- The North Country Cultural Center and the Adirondack Coast Visitors Bureau are excited to announce the call for entries for this year’s Adirondack Coast ARTWays competition. The theme of this year’s Adirondack Coast ARTWays is the Battle of Plattsburgh Bicentennial. Two hundred years have passed since military forces battled for colonial rights off the coast of Plattsburgh and throughout the region. To commemorate these events the 2014 theme of ARTWays is honoring this rich history by inviting artists to reinterpret these events through creative expression.

Artist can submit one work in any medium. Submissions due by 5 p.m. on Friday June 27th, 2014 and entry is free. Guidelines and application Read more »

Regular Mtg Agenda 14Apr2014

Northern New York – The Northern New York Agricultural Development Program (NNYADP) has received $600,000 in the recently-passed New York State Budget for research to enhance the sustainability and profitability of farm businesses in the state’s six northernmost counties: Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence.

The Northern New York agricultural industry contributes nearly $600 million in farm product market value to the local economy and has a local payroll of approximately $53 million. Read more »

By Donald McBrayer

During Tuesday’s Library Board Meeting TD Bank managers Chris Mullen and Diana Padron presented the Peru Free Library with a check for $497.74 for participating in TD Bank’s Affinity Program.

Library Board President, Kara McBrayer thanked TD Bank for its support and expressed gratitude for the people who participate in the program. “It’s this kind of support that keeps the Peru Free Library going,” McBrayer said.

The TD Bank Affinity Program is designed to help the growth of non-profit organizations by making an annual donation to the organizations based upon the average balance of all linked accounts at TD Bank. Eligible accounts include business and personal, checking, savings, money market, CD and retirement.

If you would like to join the TD Bank Affinity Program to help the Peru Free Library find out how at:       http://donyo1aolcom.dotster.com/PeruTown/PeruFreeLibrary04-11-14.pdf or ask your TD banking agent to link your accounts to any non-profit that is participating. The recipient non-profit will not receive any information from TD Bank regarding your account balances or any other personal information.  There is no cost to the account holders.

The Peru Highway Department has started its spring cleanup, sweeping and fixing torn up lawns, etc. The hamlet will be done when the lawns are hard enough to hold the tractors.  The Department will be working ten-hour days beginning April 14th. They will work Monday-Thursday.

On Sunday, March 30^th, Rev. Alan Shnob, Pastor of St. Augustine’s Church, honored two parishioners when he presented the Golden Rose Award to Peggy Banker and Peter Keenan.

Peggy Banker was honored for her 28-½ years of service as parish secretary and for her faithful ministry to the parish community.  She also received a Papal Blessing signed by Pope Francis recognizing her generous and faithful service.

Peter Keenan has been an active member of St. Augustine’s Parish and the Peru community throughout his life. Keenan, a charter member of St. Augustine’s Knights of Columbus Council 7273, was the Applefest barbeque chairman for 33 years, served as a Peru Town Justice for 24 years and was elected to the Clinton County Legislature in November 2011.

Father Shnob stated the Golden Rose Award in past centuries was a sign of respect and appreciation. Recipients have included churches, royalty, military figures and governments. As a youth Father Shnob was a member of St. Anne’s Parish in Mooers Forks where his pastor, Rev. Msgr. George Philips, presented the award during each Lenten Season. Rev Shnob thought it was a wonderful tradition and has followed Msgr. Philip’s example.

Babbie Rural & Farm Learning Museum Season Opening – May 10-11, 2014 –

Hours 10am – 4pm.

Plowing and planting with antique farm equipment ongoing throughout the weekend.

Other demonstrations include the shingle mill and blacksmith shop. A perennial plant

sale will be held. 518-643-8052 http://www.babbiemuseum.org/

Police locate body » Breaking News » Press-Republican.

No sign yet of missing student » Breaking News » Press-Republican.

Rainbow Banquet Hall damaged by fire » Local News » Press-Republican.

Study: Asthma costs $1.3B in state – Times Union.

Comptroller to Opt Out of Public Financing System – NYTimes.com.

NYSUT delegates call for ouster of State Ed’s John King – Times Union.

The man who led a revolution inside NY prisons | News from North Country Public Radio.

On Saturday, April 5th, 2014 volunteers across Clinton, Essex and Franklin counties will lend their hand to the annual Day of Caring event hosted by United Way of the Adirondack Region, Inc., North Country Regional Volunteer Center, Project H.E.L.P. at SUNY Plattsburgh and the Adirondack Coast Visitors Bureau.  With the help of more than 500 volunteers from the three counties and students from Project H.E.L.P., over 43 projects were completed.  Throughout the day volunteers will donate time to 9 non-profit organizations, 24 residential areas, 3 non-profit tourism attractions, 1 community event, 6 food drives and street/highway clean up. Kathy Snow, Director of Development of the Adirondack Region, Inc. stated “The Day of Caring is a tremendous opportunity for people through-out Clinton, Essex, and Franklin Counties to come together for friends and neighbors and to help maintain the unique quality of life in this area.”  Read more »

Watertown Daily Times | Smaller planes at Watertown Airport will lead to potential revenue losses for American Airlines.

Peru Central’s Board of Education launches its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, April 8, 2014 at 6 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 PM start.  The School Board is slated to reconvene for public session business at approximately 7:00 PM.  Anticipated topics include:

• Budget workshop #6
• Finalizing a 2014-2015 budget amount and voter proposition
• Recognition of multiple student clubs/groups

Report: IBM close to selling fabs to GlobalFoundries – The Buzz: Business news.

Special interest groups spend $210M lobbying state, local governments  – NY Daily News.

Comptroller shut out in talks for campaign finance change for his office – Times Union.

St. Augustine’s Knights of Columbus Council 7273 will host a pot roast dinner on Saturday, April 12^th from 4 to 6:30 PM at the St. Augustine’s Parish Center, 3030 Main St. in Peru.  $10 per person, children 12 and under $5.  Take-outs are available. All are welcome and encouraged to attend!

From the Office of Congressman Bill Owens 

WASHINGTON—Following the recent announcement of border staffing increases, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has released the estimated number of additional officers to be placed at ports of entry in the North Country by the end of fiscal year 2015. Estimates from CBP for staffing increases at each port of entry are as follows:

Alexandria Bay:  20

Champlain:  20

“Canadian tourism and trade account for thousands of New York jobs and billions of dollars in U.S. economic activity every year. Providing these much-needed border resources will make it easier and more affordable for companies in the North Country to sell their products and services in Canada, encouraging economic growth and job creation throughout the region,” said Rep. Owens. “These additional officers will bring added security and ensure that tourism and trade can continue to grow.”

As co-chair of the Northern Border Caucus and member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, Rep. Owens continues to advocate for $105 million in fiscal year 2015 funding for critical improvements to the Alexandria Bay Port of Entry facility. Owens will also be hosting an event titled “Investing in the 21^st Century Trade Infrastructure” with Reps. O’Rourke, Cramer and Barber in Washington, D

AVCS faces budget gap » Local News » Press-Republican.

Environmental Protection Fund gains $9 million » Local News » Press-Republican.