The Peru Gazette

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY-21) announced the 2015 Congressional Art Competition for New York’s 21st district. The Congressional Art Competition is open to all high school students in the 21st District.

“The North Country is home to many gifted students and the Congressional Art Competition is a great opportunity for them to showcase their talents,” said Congresswoman Stefanik. “The winner of this competition will have their artwork displayed in the U.S. Capitol for a year where it will be seen by visitors from around the world. I look forward to seeing what our students can create!”

Artwork entered in the contest must be original in execution, may be up to 28 inches by 28 inches, 4 inches in depth and cannot weigh more than 15 pounds. The artwork may be:

Paintings – including oil, acrylics and watercolor
Drawings – including pastels, colored pencil, pencil, charcoal, ink, and markers
Collage (must be 2 dimensional)
Prints – including lithographs, silkscreen and block prints
Mixed Media – use of two or more mediums such as pencil, ink, watercolor
Computer Generated Art
Photography

Art submissions along with a Congressional release form must be submitted to one of Congresswoman Stefanik’s district office locations no later than April 24, 2015. The Congressional release form can be found here and more information about the competitions rules and guidelines is posted here.

PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. (April 2, 2015) – The Strand Center for the Arts announces auditions for Jason Robert Brown’s musical ‘The Last Five Years’ at the historic Strand Theatre on Sunday, April 12 from 2 to 6 pm. The musical will be produced in association with Adirondack Regional Theatre.

There are two sides to every love story. From first date to final good-bye, ‘The Last Five Years’ chronicles the highs and lows of modern marriage in an intimate, honest and richly moving musical portrait. Read more »

PLATTSBURGH, NY – The Best Western Plus the Inn at Smithfield and the Strand Center for the Arts are pleased to announce that artist Susan Whiteman’s latest artwork will be on view at The Best Western Plus Gallery from April through the end of June, 2015. The public is invited to attend a free reception in the gallery located at 446 Route 3 in Plattsburgh, on Tuesday, April 28th from 5:00 -6:00 P.M.

Susan Whitman began painting when she was fifteen Read more »

The Peru Central School Board of Education will gather Thursday, April 9th at 5:45 PM in the Jr/Sr High School Community Room for their fifth public session budget workshop. An executive session associated with collective negotiations will take place immediately following the 5:45 PM start. The school board is slated to reconvene for public session business at approximately 6:00 PM. Anticipated topics include:

State Budget status.
Draft summary of proposed expenditure plan.
Proposed expenditures and revenue totals.

The full agenda is available on the Peru CSD website at www.perucsd.org.

The meeting is open to all.

Babbie Museum Spring 2015 Newsletter

Lance Falcon tells the Peru Town Board about WEP’s

By John T. Ryan

WEP’s: A student link to the businesses and non-profits; a guided hands-on environment; a tool for the community with no academic or income restrictions. Those are just a few of the words Lance Falcon uses to describe WEP’s (Work Experience Program). Falcon and a small group of volunteers have been working for over 3 years to launch WEP’s. The program has received its Not-For Profit Incorporation from New York State. Falcon is the CEO, Peru Middle and High School Teacher James Testo is the President. Other board members include Rick Laurin, President of the Adirondack Coast Cultural Alliance (ACCA), student Felica Duchene and Falcon’s wife Veronika.

Lance Falcon recognized the need for a work experience program while working as a volunteer farrier at the Babbie Rural and Farm Learning Museum. When students volunteered to assist with museum events two things stood out: they had great ideas and enthusiasm, but they needed training and confidence. He said, “We started an orientation program to teach the students to deal with the artifacts and the museum’s visitors. We got very good comments from the board members and we realized the great potential of the students.”

Falcon believes that WEP’s is a tool to build student confidence, respect and self-esteem while at the same time assisting local non-profits and businesses. The students will come up with project ideas, develop a project business plan including a budget and submit the plan to WEPs for review and approval. If a project has merit the students will be given a loan to conduct the event. Mentors will guide the students throughout the process. Falcon emphasized that student safety is WEP’s highest priority. All mentors will undergo background checks and will be properly trained.

James Testo has business experience as well as being a long-time teacher. He explained, “Students need help with their career choices. Employers want employees with work readiness skills. By participating in WEP’s, the students will be ready when they go to their first interview.”

Students, parents and the community members can learn more about the WEP’s program on Wednesday, April 15^th at 7 p.m. on the lower level of the Peru Town Hall. Lance Falcon can be reached at 534-0488 or lancefalcon@ymail.com

Cuomo Gets Timely New York Budget but Pays Price – NYTimes.com.

Cuomo official lays out surplus plan | Capital New York.

Senator Betty Little today said the state budget will include funding to establish a logger training program at Paul Smith’s College. Little proposed the new program in response to concerns from paper and pulp mills and other wood product manufacturers about a logger labor shortage in New York.

“Sustainable forestry supports jobs, contributes millions of dollars in activity to our Adirondack economy and benefits the environment,” said Little. “A lack of qualified loggers is slowing the supply chain. As more biomass comes on line, that pressure will only increase. It’s very important we catch up with that curve.”

The 2015-16 state budget includes $300,000 to help establish the North American Logger Training School at Paul Smith’s College. Read more »

Ti farmer, wife arrested for animal abuse – Press-Republican: Home.

Peru Gazette File Photo

By John T Ryan

To choose a large company or a small provider: that was the question before the Peru Town Board at its Monday, March 23, 2015 meeting. “Small” won out as the board voted 4-0 to select Simon Moore as the Town of Peru’s new IT provider. The Board interviewed five companies, which they characterized as “all well-qualified.” Simon Moore and SymQuest were the two finalists. SymQuest’s clients include Clinton County, medium-sized corporations and institutions. Simon Moore is a sole-proprietor who serves several smaller communities and clients. The choice was complicated when SymQuest offered the town a free system-wide IT assessment. Moore said he would match Symquest’s offer. Supervisor Peter Glushko felt a comparison of the assessments would assist the board in making its choice. Counselors Jim Douglass, Brandy McDonald and Donald McBrayer (Councilman Kregg Bruno was not present) didn’t feel comfortable requesting a free assessment if the company was not going to be selected. They were ready to make a hiring decision. They also liked Moore’s $45 per hour cost versus Symquest’s $17,000 to $24,000 annual cost (the cost would depend on the assessment results). After considerable discussion the board voted 3-0 against conducting the free assessments with Glushko voting in favor. Then they voted unanimously to hire Moore who will conduct his own free assessment.

Water-Sewer Department Superintendent Greg Timmons reported receipt of the long-range sewer system study. The voluminous report recommended in excess of $4.5 million in repairs and upgrades over the next ten years. AES Engineering would like to give a PowerPoint presentation on the project. Timmons said, “Our timing is good. Grant money should be available.” Supervisor Glushko told the Peru Gazette he anticipates that some of the cost will have to be paid by users.

In the public comment portion of the meeting this reporter asked about the cancellation of the Wednesday, March 18^th Zoning Board Meeting. Zoning Board Liaison Donald McBrayer said only four of the seven board members would have been able to attend the meeting, therefore any vote to approve an agenda item would have had to be unanimous. Faced with those odds, the applicant chose to delay action until next month. The application involved the former log home sales office at 3085 Main Street. The property is zoned commercial; however, a party would like to purchase it as a residence. Councilman McBrayer noted that the zoning board does not have alternate members at this time and that they are needed. Delaying Zoning Board action can result in inconvenience and the loss of a property sale.

Non-Profits, local communities, museums and businesses may have more volunteers when the WEP’s (Work Experience Program) gets into operation. CEO Lance Falcon told the board that WEP’s has received a New York State non-profit designation. Falcon said the program would link high school students who are looking for work experience with local businesses, communities and non-profits. The program’s goal is to provide students with leadership and teamwork skills along with the opportunity to work alongside experienced people from all walks of life. Falcon is seeking board members and projects. (The Peru Gazette interviewed Lance Falcon on Thursday, March 26^th. A story on the WEP’s program will be published in the next few days.) 

PLATTSBURGH, NY – The Strand Center for the Arts is proud to announce that a temporary exhibition featuring artwork from the Annual High School & Middle School Exhibition will be on view at the Champlain Centre Mall in April. This temporary exhibit of High School and Middle School artwork will be on view at the Champlain Centre Mall Friday, April 10th from 5:00 to 9:00 pm and Saturday, April 11th from 9:30 am to 9:00 pm.

This year the High School & Middle School Exhibition features an additional benefit for students. Champlain Centre Mall has partnered with The Strand Center for the Arts to host a “Best in Show” Exhibition and sponsor scholarships for the first, second and third place winners. The winner of the first place award will receive a $200 scholarship while second place will receive $100 and 3rd place will receive $50 in scholarship money. Champlain Centre visitors are encouraged to vote for their favorite work that weekend. The three pieces receiving the most votes will win the “Best in Show” scholarship awards. The “Best in Show” exhibit and voting will take place in the Center Courtyard just before the entrance to JC Penneys, in the middle of the Mall.

FULL LIST OF STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN THE “BEST IN SHOW” EXHIBIT AND SCHOLARSHIP COMPETITION Read more »

WILLIAMSVILLE, N.Y. – Tops Friendly Markets, a leading full-service grocery retailer in upstate New York, northern Pennsylvania and western Vermont has announced that the company has been awarded the Independent Retailer of the Year distinction from New York City-based industry publication, Grocery Headquarters. The title comes with a cover story in the publication’s February issue titled “Tops of the Town,” and an awards dinner in downtown Buffalo in late February. Read more »

State’s legislators speak out against possibility of closing

Pre-emptive strike aims to save base – Times Union.

The Empire State Development (ESD) Board of Directors recently approved over $17 million in funding for 17 projects that are spurring economic growth and opportunity throughout New York State. These targeted investments are leveraging over $195 million in private and other public funding to support local businesses, workforce development, downtown revitalization, and projects that are building a strong foundation for future economic growth and job creation. The projects approved by the Board will directly create 387 new jobs and retain 485 existing New York jobs. Read more »

Pure Country Music for your Listening & Dancing Pleasure

Saturday, March 28th 1 – 4 p.m.
Kitchen Open for lunch & snacks

VFW event proceeds benefit local veterans & their families.

Peru Memorial VFW
710 Pleasant St, Rt 22B
Peru, NY 12972

A mountain ministry – Adirondack Explorer – Adirondack Explorer.

Even if it’s only 32 degrees in Peru this morning, seeing Melvin Irwin pruning his McIntosh orchard made us believe that springtime weather can’t be far away!

Melvin Irwin pruning at Irwin’s River Rd. Orchard

The North Country Regional Economic Development Council (NCREDC) today held its public meeting in Watertown in a show of support for the long-term viability of Fort Drum ahead of the scheduled rally and listening session about the military base’s impact on the region. The meeting provided the Council with the opportunity to reaffirm its commitment to helping to retain and grow Fort Drum as a national defense asset and the region’s largest employer. Council co-chairs Garry Douglas, President of the North Country Chamber of Commerce, and Tony Collins, President of Clarkson University, shared a joint statement of solidarity with the Fort Drum community during the meeting. Read more »

The Peru Youth Commission will be holding sign ups for all Town of Peru Youth on Friday March 20th from 6-9 pm and Saturday March 21 at from 9 – noon. Sign ups will include Baseball, Softball, Summer Activities and Fall Soccer. Employment opportunities will also be offered for youth ages 14. -18. All youth must reside in the Town of Peru and a copy of a Birth Certificate is required.

For any more information please contact John Flynn Youth Director at 593-0935.

New York’s 2014 voter turnout 49th best in the US – Times Union.

Albany – Assemblywoman Janet Duprey (R,I – Peru) today reiterated her support for a more open and transparent state government in light of an ethics reform agreement between Gov. Cuomo and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie. Duprey, a longtime advocate for ethics reform, was appointed to a bipartisan search committee earlier this year for an executive director for the new Office of Ethics and Compliance by Heastie.

“I’m passionate about enacting meaningful ethics reforms to the Assembly, and I’m determined to work with my colleagues across the aisle to earn back the trust of the people,” said Duprey. “This week, we started taking small but critical steps toward making the state Legislature more transparent. We passed legislation that strengthens the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL), and now, Gov. Cuomo and Speaker Heastie have an agreement on ethics reform. I’m encouraged by these developments, but there is still much more work to be done to give New Yorkers the open, accountable, and transparent government they deserve. Now that ethics reform is finally on the agenda, we need to take further action and shed some much-needed sunlight on our house.”

Gov. Cuomo and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie yesterday outlined an agreement on reforms to New York State’s ethics laws and rules. The agreement includes Read more »

Form the Office of Superintendent of Schools 

The Peru Central School Board of Education will gather Tuesday, March 24th 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:

• Review Budget Timeline.
• Receive a series of Recommendations from the Budget Advisory Committee.
• Receive a First Draft Summary of Proposed Expenditure Plan for the 2015‐2016 school year.

  The full agenda is available on the Peru CSD website at www.perucsd.org.

  The meeting is open to all.

Flames consume Giroux’s Poultry barn in Chazy – Press-Republican: News.

Fujitsu Frontech branch headed to TN – Press-Republican: News.