The Peru Gazette

Regular Mtg Agenda27Jul2015

State Senator Betty Little is urging area residents to attend an upcoming public hearing hosted by the Public Service Commission (PSC) examining the state of telecommunications in the North Country.

The hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, August 4 at the Conference Center in Lake Placid at 2608 Main Street. There will be two information sessions, 2 pm and 6 pm, and two public statement hearings at 3 pm and 7 pm.

“This is a chance for those who have concerns about their fixed line service, cell connectivity, broadband and other telecommunications to make their voice heard,” said Little.

The hearing in Lake Placid is one in a series being hosted by the PSC as part of its review of telecommunications technologies such as copper, fiber, cable systems and wireless networks. The commission has been conducting more than year-long, fact-based assessment of current the current telecommunications landscape in New York State.

The PSC staff assessment may be obtained at www.dps.ny.ogv/TelStudy. Additional information about the hearings may be found at www.dps.ny.gov.

The 116th National Convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States and Ladies Auxiliary was held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, July 18-22, 2015.  The delegates of the VFW passed a resolution to change the name of “the Ladies Auxiliary” to “the Auxiliary” effective thirty (30) days after the passing of the resolution. Membership will no longer be limited the “ladies”.

Effective August 21, 2015, “Membership in the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Auxiliary shall be limited to spouses, parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, children and grandchildren of a person who was or is eligible for membership in the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.

Persons eligible for membership in the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States shall not be eligible for membership in the Auxiliary; however, members in good standing of the Auxiliary and the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States prior to August 20, 2015 may retain membership in both.”

Contact your local Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Auxiliary for an application to join their Auxiliary.  Last year, Ladies Auxiliaries around the world provided $4,659,265 in monetary aid to veterans, active-duty military and their families; as well as, making donations to Cancer Aid and Research, visiting veterans and their families in hospitals and nursing homes, mentoring of youth activities, providing scholarships and awards to students of all ages.

Judy Lefebvre, President of Peru Memorial VFW Auxiliary, was a delegate to the Convention.  She will be glad to answer questions or provide clarification of this “moving forward” change. Judy is, also, New York State VFW Auxiliary Chief of Staff.  Veterans of Foreign Wars Posts without Auxiliaries, should contact  her at biljud@aol.com, 518-563-7558 or 518-593-5628, for information on the procedures for establishing and sponsoring an Auxiliary that will aid and support their Post.

From the office Congresswoman Elise Stefanik

Washington, D.C – Today, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY-21) introduced H.R. 3180, the Flexible Pell Grant for 21st Century Students Act — common sense legislation that expands flexibility for Pell Grants so that these important education resources are available for qualifying students all year round.

“Over the past few months I’ve been working on this legislation as a result of concerns that were raised from my Higher Education roundtables throughout the district, and from Carole McCoy, President of Jefferson Community College,” said Congresswoman Stefanik. “Right now, Pell Grants are only available for qualifying students during the fall and spring semesters. By expanding the eligibility window to include summer classes and increasing the possible maximum Pell Grant award by 50 percent, we can make sure that low and middle income families have added flexibility to achieve a college degree. As the first member of my immediate family to graduate from college, making higher education more affordable and more accessible is a top priority of mine as a Member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. I am proud to introduce this commonsense legislation to help North Country families and students.”  Read more »

Hay & Grain Harvest Plus Music Weekend – August 15-16, 2015 – Hours 10am – 4pm.  Watch harvesting of buckwheat and oats using antique farming equipment and loose hay being gathered and stored.  Ongoing demonstrations in the granary and the Blacksmith Shop.  Hand forged items for sale. Sun. Aug. 16 from 1:30 – 3:30, come listen to good old fashioned fiddling music by “Friends Union Band”.  Join in with the dancing and fun!  For the kids – make a cornhusk doll, pet the animals, play in the corn box, ride the stagecoach and Thomas the Train, and other hands-on activities.

Lunch will be available from Kat’s Katering.  Picnic tables on site.

Believed to be New York City man missing since early June.

Source: Body recovered from car hauled from Lake Champlain – Press-Republican: News

By John T. Ryan

Last September Peru Federal Credit Union CEO Maggie Pope said the Credit Union’s new building would be open for business in July 2015. Her pledge was fulfilled this morning when Pope concluded ribbon-cutting ceremonies by announcing, “700 Bear Swamp Road is open for business!” The Credit Union had been located at 2 Davey Drive, behind McDonald’s Restaurant, since 1998.

Peru Federal Credit Union Supervisory Committee Chairman Ron Wilson, Assemblywoman Janet Duprey, project contractors, Credit Union members and employees were present for today’s ceremony. Maggie Pope expressed pride that local businesses designed, constructed and outfitted the facility. She emphasized that the Credit Union’s mission is to serve local communities. Board Chairman Ron Wilson congratulated Maggie Pope on the project’s success saying Pope had realized her longtime dream to build the new facility.

IF YOU GOWHAT: “Music Man, Junior.”WHEN: 6 p.m. July 23 at the Samuel de Champlain Stage in Rouses Point, next to the Rouses Point Civic Center on Lake Street; 6 p.m. July 24 at the Peru Community Church’s Fellowship Hall on Elm St; 6 p.m. July 25 at Amazing Grace Vineyard and Winery, 9839 Route 9, Chazy; and 2 p.m. July 26 at Champlain Centre mall in front of JCPenney.ADMISSION: $10 Peru and Chazy shows. Donations are suggested for both the Rouses Point and Champlain Centre shows.

Source: Peru grad earns Adirondack Regional Theatre directorial debut – Press-Republican: News

Manager predicts “really fantastic” event, with headliners Maddie & Tae, a roaming T-rex, bingo tent and plenty more.

Source: Clinton County Fair to resurrect fun – Press-Republican: News

A message from Peru Democratic Party Chairman Brandy McDonald

The next meeting for the Peru Democratic Party will be on July23rd, 2015 at 7:00 PM at the Peru Town Hall.

Please mark your calendars to attend this Thursday evening meeting.

This is a busy time for folks in Peru. Here are a few of the items that will be discussed at the meeting on July 23rd.

·       The Clinton County Fair will be held on July 28th through August 2nd. Peru will be responsible for taking care of the booth on Friday July 31^st. On that day Peru will be awarding two $25 Gift Cards to two lucky people who visit the booth.

·       Fall Election: Peru Democratic Party  has two candidates running for Clinton County legislature positions; they are Pete Kennan and Carol Blakeslee. Brandy McDonald and Kregg Bruno will be in the running to fill two “Town of Peru Board” positions.

·       Fall Election 2016: Democrat Mike Derrick, who is a native of Peru, NY has announced his candidacy for 21^st Congressional District. Take a minute and visit Mike’s website: derrickforcongress.com

·       At this meeting the date and location  for the annual Peru Democratic “Meet and Greet” gathering will be established.

Scenes from the Sunday, July 19, 2015 International Peruvian Festival. Activities included playing of the U.S. and Peru National Anthems and an exchange of gifts at the Peru Town Hall. At the St. Augustine’s Parish Center talented Peruvian young people entertained and several cooks served 18 delicious Peruvian foods.

Click here to view more Peru Gazette Photos 

Greg Timmons – Front row, 2nd from right

By John T. Ryan

The July 13, 2015, Peru Town Board meeting started in a typical fashion. Peru’s Adirondack Anglers told the Board about the formation of their group and their recent fishing success. Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell and Water/Sewer Superintendent Greg Timmons were in their usual seats in the front row. Little did anyone realize that a few minutes later, Greg Timmons announced that, on April 30th, he would retire after 40 years of service to the Town of Peru. Timmons said he is retiring to help his son with childcare.

Peru’s Water and Sewer Department has received many honors, including the 2015 New York State Rural Water Association Waste Water System of the Year Award.  Several Town Board members traveled downstate to see Timmons receive that award. When they returned, Counselor Don McBrayer told other Board members, “Greg Timmons is known as the godfather of water.” “Other towns and vendors respect him. Everyone told us how lucky we are to have Greg,” supervisor Peter Glushko remarked.

The Peru Gazette will be conducting an in-depth interview with Greg Timmons in the very near future.

Dear Editor

 I am writing to urge the elected officials in the Northern New York area to support the Museum Education Act (MEA) introduced by Senator Betty Little (Senate Bill 5001) and Assemblymember Mathew Titone (Assembly Bill 8199).

 New York State has more museums, historical societies, zoos, botanical gardens and aquariums than any other state, many of which are among the leading art, history, science, and natural history institutions in the world.  As many as 60 million visitors, including over 6 million school children, visit New York’s museums and institutions each year, the economic impact of which is well into the billions of dollars statewide.  However, many of these major tourist and educational destinations are struggling financially to keep their doors open and provide the services students and adult learners need.  Since 2008, school districts statewide have been forced to cut their budgets and many have unfortunately cut transportation budgets once used to transport students to their local and regional museums and institutions.  This unfortunate reality has effectively cut-off many of New York’s students from learning field trips and, Read more »

Erika Kollinger, owner of DKD Pleasure Horses

By John T. Ryan

Watching horseback riding  in the movies or on television gives the impression that a rider just sits on the horse’s back, moves the reins and goes along for the ride. In fact, horseback riding is a sport that has standards and rules. It develops a rider’s balance, flexibility, agility and overall body awareness skills, similar to those of a gymnast. Erika Kollinger, the owner of DKD Pleasure Horses on the Lyons Road in Peru, is well qualified to discuss the merits of riding.

Kollinger has vast experience having instructed riders of all ages for the past 23 years.  She starts lessons with the basics. She explained, “I gear lessons to the age of the child. We start with the horse’s name and teach how to brush and lead the animal. Next we teach saddling the horse, then walking, stopping and backing up.” Kollinger accepts students as young as four years of age and she doesn’t have a required number of lessons. She said, “People have other obligations. It’s whatever you have time for or you can afford.”

Controlling a 1,000-pound animal builds self-confidence. Kollinger explained, “Riding gives kids a sense of accomplishment. They have something for that moment that’s their own. They also develop a sense of responsibility. They learn how to secure the animal, when to clean the stalls, and when to give the horse food and water.”

Kersten Staley has been riding for over 10 years. A Saranac resident and recent college graduate, she rode throughout her college years. She said, “Along with developing a sense of responsibility, riding develops good work habits. It’s fun, but it’s also hard work.” Mallorie Timon, a 2015 high school graduate, was riding a paint pinto named Archie the day the Peru Gazette visited DKD.  She said, ” I’ve always liked horses and I want to be a veterinarian.  Riding for me is a way to be around horses more often than I would be otherwise.” Mallorie described DKD Pleasure Horses as a very welcoming place. She stated, “It’s a big family here. Everyone was like, ‘It’s a new kid. Let’s help her out.'”

Erika Kollinger charges $30 for an hour and one-half lesson. She owns 14 horses so there is an appropriate horse for almost anyone.  DKD’s indoor arena enables her to offer year-around riding. While students ride only for fun, others show horses in local and higher level competitions.  DVD also offers children’s  birthday parties at which the kids are taught basic knowledge about horses and get to take a ride. Erika Kollinger can be reached at 518-569-4594.

Kirsten Staley of Saranac has been riding at DKD for over 10 years.

Kersten Staley training Louise, a year-old DKD paint-pinto.

Mallorie Timon rides “Archie,” a paint pinto

Perfect symmetry between Mallorie and her mount

Source: Mayor’s Cup Regatta & Festival | Calendar of Events | Plattsburgh, NY

Peru Central’s Board of Education launches its reorganizational meeting on Tuesday, July 14, 2015 at 6:00 PM at the school district’s Community Room, adjacent to the main entrance of Peru Jr/Sr High School.  At approximately 6:15 PM, it will continue on with its regular monthly meeting.  An executive session associated with particular personnel matters will take place immediately following the 6:15 PM start.  The school board is slated to reconvene for public session business at approximately 7:00 PM.

The full Board agenda is available on the District’s website at www.perucsd.org<http://www.perucsd.org>.

All are welcome.

Regular Mtg Agenda 13Jul15

Washington, D.C – Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY-21) issued the following statement on the force structure cuts from Fort Drum and the Army’s 10th Mountain Division due to sequester:

“This is incredible news for Fort Drum and our entire North Country community,” said Congresswoman Stefanik. “Fort Drum is a critical installation for our community, our state and the security of our nation, and I am grateful that the Army has spared this pivotal installation and the 10th Mountain Division from significant reductions in force structure like those seen at other bases across the country. Read more »

The Town of Peru, New York is privileged and honored to have government representatives from the Republic of Peru, South America visiting Peru, New York. This historic, 2nd annual festive Celebration will occur on Sunday July 19th, 2015.  This is arranged and coordinated by the Town of Peru Supervisor, Mr. Peter Glushko and Mr. Rodolfo Flores, Executive Director, International Peruvian Festival.

·       9:30 AM  Mass Celebration at St Augustine’s Church (located across the street from the Peru town hall)

·       10:30 AM Welcoming remarks by the Peru Town Supervisor and the Peruvian Consulate from New York City.

·       11:00 AM  Raising of the Peruvian and American Flags, followed by honor toasting of the Republic of Peru celebrating their national Anniversary

·       Artist performances and light Peruvian refreshments follow.

Peruvian territory was home to ancient cultures spanning from the Norte Chico civilization, one of the oldest in the world, to the Inca Empire, the largest state in Pre-Columbian America. The Spanish Empire conquered the region in the 16th century and established a Viceroyalty with its capital in Lima, which included most of its South American colonies. After achieving independence in 1821, Peru has undergone periods of political unrest and fiscal crisis as well as periods of stability and economic upswing. Economic cycles have mostly been based on the extraction of raw materials like guano (1845–1866) and rubber (ca. 1900).

Peru is a representative democratic republic divided into 25 regions. Its geography varies from the arid plains of the Pacific coast to the peaks of the Andes Mountains and the tropical forests of the Amazon Basin. It is a developing country with a high Human Development Index score and a poverty level around 25.8 percent.[6] Its main economic activities include mining, manufacturing, agriculture and fishing.

The Peruvian population, estimated at 30.4 million, is multiethnic, including Amerindians, Europeans, Africans and Asians. The main spoken language is Spanish, although a significant number of Peruvians speak Quechua or other native languages. This mixture of cultural traditions has resulted in a wide diversity of expressions in fields such as art, cuisine, literature, and music.

The Andes Mountains take up much of Peru, dividing the country into three sections. The Andes are a constantly changing mountain range, so they are prone to earthquakes, landslides, and flash floods. The Andes, are also filled with great beauty, such as the great Incan city of the clouds, Machu Picchu, which is a major tourist destination, and the huge Lake Titicaca. Near Huancayo lies Nevado Misti, a 18,500 foot peak, from which emerges a stream that is considered the source of the Amazon, the world’s largest river. It flows eastward, joining other rivers, themselves flowing north and east until the Maranon and Ucayali, two great rivers of lowland Amazonia, meet to form the Amazon River itself.

The July 20-21, 2015 Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training and Farm Food Safety Plan Writing Workshop in Peru, NY, is among the first training opportunities in the U.S. to provide farmers with the new federal certificate that is expected to be required as part of the new Food Safety Modernization Act Produce Safety Rule expected to be finalized in October 2015.

A collaboration by the Cornell Cooperative Extension Eastern NY Commercial Horticulture Program, Cornell University, Produce Safety Alliance, National GAPs Program, New World Foundation, and New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets is offering the two-day training at St. Augustine’s Parish in Peru, NY.  Read more »

The Peru Community Church is even more beautiful thanks the shrubs and perennials planted this morning by church members Evelyn and Joe Rinella (L&R) and Nicki LaPlante (Center)

What: A public meeting of the North Country Regional Economic Development Council.
Who: All individuals, businesses, organizations, labor and education representatives from the North Country are welcome to attend this open meeting.
Where: Lake Placid Conference Center
Lussi Ballroom, Second Floor
2634 Main Street
Lake Placid, New York 12946
When: Thursday, July 9, 2015 at 1 p.m.

Jim Neyenhouse was kind enough to provide the Peru Gazette with photos of the July 4th Mayor’s Parade and fireworks in the City of Plattsburgh. Thank you Jim! The Peru Gazette congratulates Jim on the occasion of his retirement as a Peru Central School Physical Education teacher. We know his students loved his classes and that his fellow teachers will miss him.

This is the final version of the text. Some phrases are different in the first drafts. These are indicated as a link to the first draft. There you can read the original wording.

When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bonds which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security. —

Such has been the patient sufferance of these colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former systems of government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny over these states. To prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his assent to laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

He has forbidden his governors to pass laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of representation in the legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

He has dissolved representative houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.

He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the legislative powers, incapable of annihilation, have returned to the people at large for their exercise; the state remaining in the meantime exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.

He has endeavored to prevent the population of these states; for that purpose obstructing the laws for naturalization of foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migration hither, and raising the conditions of new appropriations of lands.

He has obstructed the administration of justice, by refusing his assent to laws for establishing judiciary powers.

He has made judges dependent on his will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of new offices, and sent hither swarms of officers to harass our people, and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in times of peace, standing armies without the consent of our legislature.

He has affected to render the military independent of and superior to civil power.

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his assent to their acts of pretended legislation:

• For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:
• For protecting them, by mock trial, from punishment for any murders which they should commit on the inhabitants of these states:
• For cutting off our trade with all parts of the world:
• For imposing taxes on us without our consent:
• For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of trial by jury:
• For transporting us beyond seas to be tried for pretended offenses:
• For abolishing the free system of English laws in a neighboring province, establishing therein an arbitrary government, and enlarging its boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule in these colonies:
• For taking away our charters, abolishing our most valuable laws, and altering fundamentally the forms of our governments:
• For suspending our own legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

He has abdicated government here, by declaring us out of his protection and waging war against us.

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burned our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.

He is at this time transporting large armies of foreign mercenaries to complete the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of cruelty and perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the head of a civilized nation.

He has constrained our fellow citizens taken captive on the high seas to bear arms against their country, to become the executioners of their friends and brethren, or to fall themselves by their hands.

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavored to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian savages, whose known rule of warfare, is undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.
In Jefferson’s draft there is a part on slavery here

In every stage of these oppressions we have petitioned for redress in the most humble terms: our repeated petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have we been wanting in attention to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, enemies in war, in peace friends.

We, therefore, the representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name, and by the authority of the good people of these colonies, solemnly publish and declare, that these united colonies are, and of right ought to be free and independent states; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the state of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as free and independent states, they have full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and to do all other acts and things which independent states may of right do. And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.

JOHN HANCOCK, President

Attested, CHARLES THOMSON, Secretary

New Hampshire

JOSIAH BARTLETT
WILLIAM WHIPPLE
MATTHEW THORNTON

Massachusetts-Bay

SAMUEL ADAMS
JOHN ADAMS
ROBERT TREAT PAINE
ELBRIDGE GERRY

Rhode Island

STEPHEN HOPKINS
WILLIAM ELLERY

Connecticut

ROGER SHERMAN
SAMUEL HUNTINGTON
WILLIAM WILLIAMS
OLIVER WOLCOTT

Georgia

BUTTON GWINNETT
LYMAN HALL
GEO. WALTON

Maryland

SAMUEL CHASE
WILLIAM PACA
THOMAS STONE
CHARLES CARROLL OF CARROLLTON

Virginia

GEORGE WYTHE
RICHARD HENRY LEE
THOMAS JEFFERSON
BENJAMIN HARRISON
THOMAS NELSON, JR.
FRANCIS LIGHTFOOT LEE
CARTER BRAXTON.

New York

WILLIAM FLOYD
PHILIP LIVINGSTON
FRANCIS LEWIS
LEWIS MORRIS

Pennsylvania

ROBERT MORRIS
BENJAMIN RUSH
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
JOHN MORTON
GEORGE CLYMER
JAMES SMITH
GEORGE TAYLOR
JAMES WILSON
GEORGE ROSS

Delaware

CAESAR RODNEY
GEORGE READ
THOMAS M’KEAN

North Carolina

WILLIAM HOOPER
JOSEPH HEWES
JOHN PENN

South Carolina

EDWARD RUTLEDGE
THOMAS HEYWARD, JR.
THOMAS LYNCH, JR.
ARTHUR MIDDLETON

New Jersey

RICHARD STOCKTON
JOHN WITHERSPOON
FRANCIS HOPKINS
JOHN HART
ABRAHAM CLARK

Read more »