The Peru Gazette

Jon Rulfs, co-owner of Adirondack Farms in Peru, NY, has been named as a Co-Chair of the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program, a farmer-driven research and technical assistance program serving Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties.

Rulfs, who serves on the Northeast Dairy Producers Association Board of Directors and is active with Clinton County Farm Bureau and other agricultural organizations, is one of three Co-Chairs for the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program. He joins dairyman Jon Greenwood of Madrid and dairyman Joe Giroux of Plattsburgh to lead the farmer-member advisory committee and commodity-focused subcommittees of the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program.

Rulfs owns the 2,500 milking cow dairy operation in Peru in partnership with Jake Swyers and Rocklyn Giroux. The operation raises all its own crops on the 5,000-acre farm. The farm was established in 1996. Adirondack Farms welcomed more than 500 visitors to “A Day on the Farm” event last fall. Jon is also co-owner of Rulfs Orchard, a 200-acre diversified fruit and vegetable farm in Peru, NY, with his father, Bob Rulfs. Read more »

By John T. Ryan

The final costs will exceed estimates by about 15% –$100,000–, but in a few weeks Peru residents should see work commencing on the Little Ausable River Walking Trail. The Peru Town Board at its March 24^th meeting unanimously approved a bid of $809,799 from Steven E. Fuller Excavating of Keeseville. Three other contractors submitted bids: Luck Brothers of Plattsburgh and two contractors from the Troy area. The Walking Trail should be completed by October 31^st. It will connect the Heyworth/Mason and Sullivan Parks.  Click here for Walking Trail Vision Statement   Click here for Walking Trail Map

The project will actually cost $860,000 including engineering and inspection costs. Federal and NYS grants will pay $649,600 and the Town will pay the balance of $210,400. The Town Board will determine where the additional monies will come from at an April 10^th, 6:30 PM Budget Workshop.  A few months ago the Board expressed concern about the projected costs, but determined that the cost of repaying grant monies already expended and associated costs would exceed the increased cost of the project. .

Bids for the reconstruction of the Town Hall entrance steps will be opened on April 9^th at 10AM. That project’s cost should not exceed $60,000.

The Board also adjourned for a brief Executive Session to discuss a work history.

News from Peru Central School

With the Peru Elementary School’s continued efforts to support health and wellness among students, we will hold our fourth annual health fair for kindergarten through 2^nd grade on Friday, May 2^nd.  Students will have the opportunity to rotate through seven stations on varying health topics including hand washing, dental hygiene, dance fitness, bike safety, healthy snacks, summer safety, and martial arts skills.

It is our hope by educating our youth on health and wellness choices with real-world settings and local resources that students will continue to make positive choices promoting proper nutrition, exercise, and dental care.

Our parent partners are encouraged to attend and each child will receive a bag of items supporting healthy choices.

“The new enacted state budget addresses a number of priorities for me, including a reduction in the Gap Elimination Adjustment to help schools, extra funding to help municipalities fix roadways damaged by the harsh winter and tax relief for businesses and homeowners to help spur growth. My push was for increased Gap Elimination Adjustment restoration funding.  This is the issue I hear about most from my school districts.  The Senate proposed $517 million for GAP, $217 more than proposed by the governor and $150 million more than the Assembly.  The final amount agreed to is $602 million. I voted against the GEA formula in 2010, and I continue to advocate for the elimination of GEA, but I’m glad to see more funding going towards GEA than any other portion of the school aid in this year’s budget.  Overall school aid funding increases by $1.1 billion.”

 “I am disappointed neither the executive or Assembly was willing to keep Chateaugay Correctional open.  The site will be designated a Start-Up NY tax free zone and economic development funding made available to attract private-sector investment for the facility, but that does not mitigate the immediate economic impact the closure will have on the community.”

“I am pleased to see a modest tax credit included to help our upstate theatres.  As chair of the Senate Tourism committee, I sponsored the measure to ensure upstate theatres are able to compete with those in other states where tax credits are offered for ‘teching’ of Broadway shows.  Keeping these productions in New York is good for the economy, good for revenue and good for the arts.”

“Some of the smaller allocations I advocated include $500,000 for a new lyme and tick-borne illness prevention and treatment program, $100,000 for a new pilot program to develop a healthy parenting and mentoring program to address child abuse, new funding for invasive species eradication and small grants to support our apple and maple syrup producers.

“Spending growth is once again held to a 2 percent cap and the budget is adopted on-time.  It comprises a wide-range of priorities reflecting the diversity of the state.”

On Saturday, April 5^th, 2014 volunteers across Clinton, Essex and Franklin counties will lend their hand to the annual Day of Caring event hosted by the 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. Kathy Snow, Director of Development of the United Way 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 to help maintain the unique quality of life in this area.”

Local residents who are unable to volunteer are still able to participate in the day by donating food.  There will be food drives manned by volunteers at Sam’s Club, Price Chopper, and Yando’s Big M, all in Plattsburgh along with a drop off at Cumberland 12.  Students from Project H.E.L.P. at SUNY Plattsburgh will also be going door to door in the City of Plattsburgh collecting food from residents. In Lake Placid , Uihlein Living Center will also be collecting food on April 4^th, 2014. Catholic Charities in Malone is collecting food and senior hygiene products all weeks to help out the local seniors. The drop off site is at any local senior citizen center in Malone.  All food items collecting will go to the local food shelves.

The United Way of the Adirondack Region, Inc. held its Annual Meeting and Recognition Dinner on Saturday, March 8^th, 2014 at the American Legion Post #20 on the Quarry Road in Plattsburgh, NY.

There were four new board members elected to the Board of Directors.  They are: Mark Davey, District Superintendent of Champlain Valley Educational Services, Billy Jones, Chair of the Franklin County Legislature, Chris Mazzella, Principal of Peru High School and Brian Waters, Assistance Vice President, Facilities Services, Adirondack Health.

The following officers were re-elected: Gerald Morrow, Supervisor, Town of Chesterfield as President of the board, Victoria Marking, Marketing Manager of PrimeLink as Vice President, Ed Davis, Vice President of Northern Insuring Agency, Inc. as Secretary and Joyce Rafferty, CFO of Champlain Valley Physician Hospital as Treasurer.

From the Office of Congressman Bill Owens

WASHINGTON—Today the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced the allocation of 2,000 additional officers including staffing increases at Land Ports of Entry at Champlain and Alexandria Bay.  Increasing these allocations makes trade and travel across the northern border easier and more secure, supporting job growth and tourism throughout northern New York. The exact number of officers to be allocated to these land ports is not yet known.

“Increasing Canadian trade and tourism is vital to local job creation and economic development, especially along our northern border,” Rep. Bill Owens said. “Improving these border services supports the growth of business partnerships that increase Canadian investment in our region and provides our local businesses with greater access to the Canadian marketplace, growing jobs and local economies throughout the region.”

This allocation is made possible by the Fiscal Year 2014 Consolidated Appropriations Act, which Congressman Owens, as a Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, advocated for the inclusion of greater trade-facilitating resources for New York and our northern border with Canada.  CBP estimates that the greater trade volume enabled by each increase of 33 CBP officers supports as many as 1,000 American jobs.

As co-chair of the Northern Border Caucus, Rep. Owens has long been a strong advocate of trade facilitation. His recent efforts include advocating for $105M in fiscal year 2015 appropriations for the Alexandria Bay Port of Entry facility. This facility is under-equipped to handle the hundreds of thousands of trucks, buses and passenger vehicles that pass through each year, creating long lines of idling vehicles that place an excessive burden on infrastructure and discourage commerce and tourism.

While trade with Canada supports nearly 600,000 jobs in New York and more than eight million jobs across the U.S., delays at our nation’s land ports cost an estimated 26,000 jobs and $18 billion in lost economic output each year. Improving the Alexandria Bay facility would turn these job and economic losses into gains for our local communities.

Last Friday, March 28^th, Congressman Owens toured the Champlain Port of Entry to view their Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) system, an important technology in streamlining the submission and approval of regulatory paperwork by American businesses that rely on efficient border operations. WPTZ covered the visit.

Soybean production in Northern NY has increased significantly in the last 5 years: from approximately 5,000 acres in 2007 to approximately 14,000 acres grown in Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties in 2012. To support farmer interest in the crop, the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program (NNYADP) funded 2013 soybean variety trials conducted by Cornell University at two sites in the region.

The results of the 2013 soybean trials conducted at Robbins Farms in Jefferson County and at the Miner Institute in Clinton County area posted at www.nnyagdev.org <http://www.nnyagdev.org> .

Lead researcher William J. Cox, a Cornell University Crop and Soil Sciences professor, says the probability of increased soybean acreage in Northern NY is high for reasons that involve climate and costs.

“It is no longer too cool to produce soybeans in Northern NY. The 2013 growing season was considered to be a cool year, especially from mid-July through September. Nevertheless, the Watertown Airport recorded 2040 growing degree days (GDD) from June 1 through September 30, more than 100 GDD above normal. Despite the light frosts on September 17 and September 24, the Group I soybeans planted on May 14 had attained physiological maturity and did not suffer any yield loss,” Cox points out.

“Farmers can also delay planting soybeans through the first week of June with minimal yield penalty. Many soils in NNY do not dry out until early June and soybeans could be planted at this time with a limited yield penalty. Of equal importance, these wet spring soils hold moisture better than lighter soils in August when conditions become dry,” Cox notes. “More soil water and cooler comparative temperatures in Northern NY in August would result in less moisture stress for soybeans during this critical period of soybean development.”

The cost of soybean meal, which exceeds $400/ton, also has farmers considering planting and processing their own soybeans.

“The price of soybean meal will probably remain high because of the increased demand for soybeans in China. The lower inputs – minimal tillage, planting, spraying, (unless aphids or diseases arise), and harvesting – for soybeans vs. corn makes it an attractive crop from a labor-management perspective, especially on smaller dairy operations,” Cox says. “The relatively high value of the crop also makes it an ideal candidate as a cash crop.”

Soybean handling facilities that ship soybeans on railroad cars for overseas destinations are in place in Jefferson County.

The results of the NNY soybean variety trials were incorporated into the Recommended Soybean Variety Tables for NNY in the 2014 Cornell Guide for Integrated Field Crop Management.

The complete 2013 Northern New York Soybean Variety Trials report with tables is posted at www.nnyagdev.org.

From the Office of Elise Stefanik

Willsboro – Elise Stefanik today announced her founding team of County Coordinators for her 21st District congressional race, boosting the campaign’s reach and organizational efforts across the vast 12-county district.

The roster includes business, political and community leaders from every county who will assist with voter outreach, campaign event organizing and planning, fundraising efforts, petition signature collection, and campaign information and material disbursement. Stefanik has continued to gain momentum as petition collecting is well under way and the primary election quickly approaches.

“Everyone on this list of county coordinators will have a valuable role and I’m so appreciative of their public support and willingness to help in their home counties,” Stefanik stated. “Each team member is well-known, respected and active in their community and county. They understand how high the stakes are in the upcoming election, and that we need to move forward with new leadership in Washington on behalf of the hardworking families, military veterans, small businesses and farmers in our district.”

“We need the right people in Washington to lead us, people like Elise Stefanik. We can still make sure everyone in America has the opportunity to dream and succeed. In order to make sure that happens we need lower taxes, less Federal regulations and a true voice for NY-21. Elise certainly has the passion and know how as a small businesswoman to make sure we are heard in Washington.” – Mike Bittel, Washington County

“Elise is young, energetic and just the type of person we need in Washington to clean up the mess that older generations have created and left for future generations to solve. She will be a representative we will be proud to call our own.” – Debbie Blake, Clinton County

“Washington is broken. It’s going to take fresh faces with fresh ideas to fix it. Elise is the perfect candidate to bring North County values and common sense to our nation’s capital. That’s why I’m supporting her and working for her campaign.” – Jim Ellis, Franklin County

“Elise is a bright, charismatic, articulate, knowledgeable millennial who is conversant on the national issues as well as the issues facing the 21st Congressional District. She has experience in the private business sector and in Washington, DC. Elise is also a member of the NRA and a strong supporter of the Second Amendment; she would oppose any federal legislation that would attempt to infringe on our Second Amendment rights.” – Nancy Foster, St. Lawrence County

“From the first day I met Elise Stefanik, she has impressed me with her integrity, compassion, intelligence, and drive to understand and fix the problems facing our country and northern New York. She is someone who has earned my trust and support and will serve us well in Washington. I am proud to be part of her team.” – Mike Ring, Jefferson County

“I’ve known Elise and seen how much she cares about small businesses and hardworking families in the 21st Congressional District. She’s intelligent and an extremely hard worker, and I’m proud to support her in this race because I know she will fight more than anyone else on our behalf in Congress,” – Mark Wescott, Warren County

Elise for Congress County Coordinators:

Debbie and Rockwell Blake, Clinton County

Bridget Brown, Essex County

Laurie Curtis Dudley, Essex County

Shaun Gillilland, Essex County

Kellie King, Essex County

Jim Ellis, Franklin County

Joe and Sally Spodaro, Franklin County

Burton Peck, Franklin County Read more »

From the Doheny for Congress Campaign

Watertown, New York – The Doheny for Congress Campaign today announced a number of new additions to its management team. The group includes a host of seasoned campaign veterans with years of experience throughout the state.  The team includes: Lynn Krogh, Campaign Manager; Andy Trombley, Field Director; and David Catalfamo, Communications Director. They join with the campaign’s National Chairman, Former Congressman Bill Paxson to provide Doheny for Congress with a uniquely deep and talented team.

Matt Doheny, “These new additions to the campaign bring with them a great measure of experience and talent that will help carry our message to every corner of the district. I’m excited to have each of them as part of this team and look ahead toward a successful campaign in the coming months.”

Concluded Doheny, “The campaign is already moving into high gear and we are gaining momentum. We are building a grassroots team in literally every county throughout the district and will have more announcements in the coming days.”

Brief profiles are available below:

Lynn Krogh, Campaign Manager

A veteran of numerous political campaigns, Lynn first began honing her skills on then-Governor George Pataki’s re-election campaign. She is active in the Republican Party throughout the state working on a number of high profile campaigns. In 2012, she was a key member of the team that engineered Ed Day’s surprise win as Rockland County Executive. Lynn is currently the “Political Architect” with the Casale Group.

Andy Trombley, Field Director

Andy is a North Country native, graduate of St Lawrence University and a former Warren County Independence Party Chair. He is a veteran of numerous campaigns throughout the region including Regional Representative for the Doheny 2012 Campaign.

David Catalfamo, Communications Director

David Catalfamo brings with him years of experience navigating the complexities of New York State government and politics. During his time as Senior Vice President of the Empire State Development Corporation he helped lead the award-winning “I Love New York” media campaign. David also served as Communications Director for Governor George Pataki, acting as lead advisor on political strategy and public policy.  A veteran of many New York campaigns, David is currently a Managing Director of Park Strategies and its political consulting arm, Verus.

Peru Elementary School has organized an Art Show to celebrate its young artists for the eleventh year in a row.  Selected works from each grade have been displayed at the Peru Free Library. You can see our student’s work from Kindergarten to 6th Grade at the Peru Free Library from March 25th to April 25th.  Art displayed at the show can also be seen in 3D on “Mr. Badger’s Art Class” website under the “Community Events” banner. There will be a closing celebration on April 25th with food, crafts, good people, and the chance to get your picture taken as the Mona Lisa, Vincent Van Gogh, and Edward Munch’s “The Scream.” There will also be a big “Art Event” sign on the front lawn.

The Elmore SPCA will be holding a Pet Adoption Day at Tractor Supply in Plattsburgh from 10-3 on Saturday, March 29th.  Stop by and see some of the shelter’s adoptable dogs and cats.  If you are looking to adopt that special cat, kitten, dog or puppy to adopt, The Elmore SPCA may have just the right pet for you.

Pope Francis is in the news almost daily. If you would like to learn more about him, the film Francis: The Pope From the New World will be shown on Friday, March 28^th at 7 PM at St. Augustine’s Church. The hour-long documentary begins with the Pope’s election on March 13, 2013 and revisits his background in Argentina, where he served as archbishop of Buenos Aires and as a Jesuit provincial.

The film uses interviews with the Pope’s close friends, his fellow priests, his co-workers, his biographer and the poor of Buenos Aires. It covers his personal life, including his family relations and his support for the San Lorenzo soccer team. A trailer and more information about the documentary is available at its website, popefrancisdocumentary.com.

The movie showing is co-sponsored by St. Augustine’s Knights of Council 7273 and St. Monica’s Court 2598 Catholic Daughters of the Americas.

The Peru Central School District is seeking candidates to fill two (2) vacancies on the Board of Education Both seats are at large, with one seat for a full five-year term from July 1, 2014 – June 30, 2019, and one for an unexpired term for the period of May 21, 2014 – June 30, 2015. The candidate with the highest vote total shall fill the full term vacancy, and the candidate with the second highest vote total shall fill the unexpired seat through June 30, 2015.  The School Board Election will be held on Tuesday, May 20, 2014.

The ‘Petition for Nomination of Candidate’ is available in the District Office at 17 School Street on Mondays through Fridays, except school holidays, or via the web at http://www.perucsd.org/Page/1284.  Petitions must be directed to the School District Clerk, shall be signed by at least 25 qualified voters of the District, and shall state the name, residence and phone number of the candidate.    Petitions must be returned no later than 5:00 PM on Monday, April 21, 2014.

The Peru Central School Board of Education will gather Tuesday, March 25th at 6 PM in the Jr/Sr High School Community Room for their fourth public session budget workshop.  At its budget workshop, the School Board is expected to:

1. Review the budget timeline.

2. Receive a series of recommendations from the Budget Advisory Committee.

3. Receive a first draft summary of proposed expenditure plan for the 14-15 school year.

4. Discuss the continued use of lever voting machines.

Area Students Advance to New York State History Day | Fort Ticonderoga.

Regular Mtg Agenda 03242014

Capitol Confidential » Cuomo: Veterans will get contract set-aside.

Willsboro – Elise Stefanik today launched a revamped website giving 21st Congressional District voters greater opportunities to become involved in the campaign and provide more information about Elise’s candidacy. The website, stillwww.EliseforCongress.com, offers voters  more information about her stances on the issues important to New York small businesses, veterans, hardworking families and farmers; the ability to endorse Elise’s campaign; an avenue to follow her travels and activities throughout the district in a social media center; and a way to volunteer and contribute to the campaign.

“Accessibility and transparency are important to me so that voters know exactly who I am and the values that I stand for. Our updated website is meant to provide people in the 21st Congressional District a better idea of the principles I hope to bring to Washington on their behalf, as well as a way to become an even bigger part of our team,” Stefanik said.\\

Cornell Cooperative Extension will present 2014 NNY Sheep and Goat Week programs in six North Country communities between April 8 and April 17. The program agenda includes activities for youth, families and adult livestock handlers, including the CSI Sheep and Goat: Health From the Inside Out presentation that includes learning how to do a basic necropsy.
 
“Necropsies are a very good way to understand what goes on inside an animal and to gather information to share with your veterinarian in a timely manner using digital pictures and the internet.  The 2014 Sheep and Goat Week programs offer the opportunity to learn what data to collect to help figure out sheep and goat health challenges,” says NNY Sheep Week organizer Betsy Hodge, a livestock educator with Cornell Cooperative Extension of St. Lawrence County and team leader for the Northern New York Regional CCE Livestock Team.
 
The 2014 NNY Spring Sheep and Goat Week programs are as follows:
·      April 8: Plattsburgh, 7pm, CCE Clinton County office, activities include CSI Sheep and Goat: Health From the Inside Out; register with Peter Hagar at 518-561-7450.
·      April 9: Canton, 7pm, CCE St. Lawrence County Extension Learning Farm, adult-level program with veterinarian Carolyn Pierce and CCE Livestock Specialist Betsy Hodge, activities include CSI Sheep and Goat: Health from the Inside Out; register with Betsy Hodge at 315-379-9192.
·      April 15: Burke, 1pm, Downing Acres Farm, hands-on activities include body condition scoring, health assessment, showing, possible necropsy, and more, evening videos/photos with information on performing necropsies and working with your veterinarian; register with Diane Dumont at 518-483-7403.
·      April 16: Canton, 1pm, CCE St. Lawrence County Extension Learning Farm, youth-level program, activities include body condition scoring, grading, conducting a physical exam, working with your veterinarian, showing, and more; register with Amy Sands at 315-379-9192.

The evening meetings also include an update on the sheep artificial insemination project and a discussion of the Northern Adirondack Lamb Cooperative (NALC) proposal to develop a protocol for taking NALC-approved lambs to the livestock auction in New Holland, PA, to encourage better prices. 

According to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, there were 70,000 sheep and lambs on farms in New York State in 2013. Learn more about small livestock management by contacting Cornell Cooperation Extension in Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Jefferson, Lewis, or St. Lawrence County or go online to www.ccenny.com.
 
Cornell Cooperative Extension provides equal program and employment opportunities.

Contractor gets probation after pleading guilty to grand larceny » Local News » Press-Republican.

Average Wall St. bonus over $164K.

WASHINGTON—Today, Representative Bill Owens announced the start of the annual Congressional Art Competition for high school students from New York’s 21^st Congressional District.

“This competition is an opportunity to showcase the talents of our region’s young artists,” said Owens. “I am excited to see how the students in our district translate their creative passion into original artwork.”

To enter, students should send a digital image of their original artwork and a completed Student Information & Release Form to NY21art@mail.house.gov.  The winning artist and a parent or guardian will have the opportunity to be flown to Washington, D.C. to attend the national reception and view the winning artwork in the Capitol building. Read more »