The Peru Gazette

Nonprofits Are Balking at Law on Disclosing Political Donors – NYTimes.com.

The dollar migration – Times Union.

Brian Mann On The Future Of Local Journalism – The Adirondack Almanack – The Adirondack Almanack.

New York launches health-benefit market » Local News » Press-Republican.

PLATTSBURGH, NY –Congressman Bill Owens will be holding a town hall meeting this evening, Tuesday, August 20^th, at Clinton Community College. After brief opening remarks, the congressman will answer questions from the audience.

“I am pleased to have the chance to hear from New Yorkers about the issues that matter most to them and answer their questions,” Congressman Owens said. “We have to work together to address our nation’s challenges and that starts with a civil, open discussion about our views and ideas.”

This evening’s town hall is part of an ongoing series of public forums the congressman has conducted since taking office. Most recently, on July 31^st, Congressman Owens answered live questions from constituents across the district through a telephone town hall he conducted while in Washington, D.C.

All constituents from New York’s 21^st District are encouraged to attend. The event venue will fill quickly, so it is recommended that constituents arrive early to get a seat.

WHAT

Town Hall Meeting with Congressman Bill Owens

WHEN

Tuesday, August 20^th, 2013

6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Capitol Confidential » Common Cause’s ‘Moreland Monday’ brings an update.

Speaking of the influence of “Soft Money” in NY politics Common Cause concludes:

“It’s obvious to Common Cause/NY that housekeeping accounts are a back door for big dollar special interests to give unlimited sums of cash for campaign purposes: a direct violation of the campaign finance law. Armed with only their constitutional right to vote and a change purse by comparison, New Yorkers deserve to know what $98 million buys for Bloomberg, Verizon, SEIU 1199, Wal-Mart and others. The Moreland Commission should take a hard look at the expenditures from housekeeping accounts at both the state and county levels,” said Susan Lerner, Executive Director of Common Cause/NY.

“New York State’s campaign finance laws are full of holes, and this report shows the incredible amount of money pouring through,” said Jesse Laymon of Citizen Action of New York, speaking on behalf of the Fair Elections campaign. “The Moreland Commission can only address these failures with a complete overhaul of the system, and a shift to publicly financed elections.”

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Cuomo sued over deal with Oneidas – Times Union.

Watertown Daily Times | Renovations at Ogdensburg’s Remington Museum will be finished in fall.

Watertown Daily Times | Five admit roles in cocaine, Ecstasy smuggling ring through reservation.

Are tile drains bad for Lake Champlain? | News from North Country Public Radio.

Amy Ivy: An August Garden Report – The Adirondack Almanack – The Adirondack Almanack.

By Adele Douglas

On Thursday August 8th an illegal party at Sullivan Park attended by over 200 teens from Peru and nearby towns was broken up by New York State Police by mid-night. Addressing the situation at the Monday, August 12th Town Board meeting Town Supervisor Peter Glushko and Deputy Supervisor Brandy McDonald said they had kept an eye on the situation and said that except for a knocked-over stop sign, the party-goers caused little damage. Glushko said that if the Town Board hears about a similar gathering they’ll make sure to ask the Troopers to clear it out earlier before anyone has a chance to start drinking. Board members do not want anyone driving home under the influence.  Town parks are to be used only from dawn to dusk.

Community input and an meeting agenda item focused on the issue of Chris Santry renting his home on Coastland   Drive during the summer for a month at a time and how exactly that month should be defined.  Neighbors, represented at the meeting by Heidi Danis, are concerned about the negative impact of the renters and want to make sure that the Town’s zoning regulations are being followed.

Other meeting items included:

• Water and Sewer Superintendent Greg Timmons reported  that the Town’s Water Quality Improvement Project is going well.  Three filters are on-line, the new mixer will be installed by September and he hopes that the Town can clean the reservoir before the pine needles start to fall as pine needles can clog the filters.  Timmons also mentioned that the last time the water test was conducted was during the flooding period; therefore, the Clinton County Department will be issuing a violation notice.
• Highway Superintendent Mike Farrell is concerned about the damage being done to town roads by certain private contractors. Most recently a plumbing contractor working on Oakdale   Drive didn’t use the street pads on his back-hoe resulting in deep gouges in the pavement. The recently paved road will have to be milled and sealed.  Farrell gave a sample of a permit that Plattsburgh requires to Town Attorney Don Biggs to review for possible use in Peru.
• NYMIR (New York Municipal Insurance Reciprocal) visited and provided the Town with a list of a few items on Town property that should be corrected in the next 6 months for insurance purposes.
• The Town has applied for a wastewater planning grant to help the Town analyze the entire system and prioritize where future grant funding for improvements should go.  If successful it will require a 20% or $7,500 match.
• The 2012 Town of Peru Annual Financial Report has been completed and submitted to the State Comptroller’s Office.
• Interviews are being conducted to fill the civil service position of Code Enforcement/Zoning Secretary vacated last month by Donna Quero.
• The Highway Garage roof issue is a step closer to being resolved. The Town’s engineer, Peter Gibbs, now believes that wooden supports can be used instead of the more expensive steel beams and a rubber roof is being considered.
• A company known as Contara would like to  lease space for a 2 foot  dish on the water tower. If Contara can start soon they are willing to give the Town a “signing bonus” of over $2,000.  The Town Board has asked Don Biggs to review the contract and meet again soon on this issue.
• Board Members have received a two quotes from contractors for fixing the Town Hall steps.  Since they offer different solutions they are difficult to compare.  Greg Timmons suggested having the Town engineer provide a design for contractors to bid on.

Meeting adjourned at 9pm.

Company expects to bring 80 jobs to Plattsburgh » Breaking News » Press-Republican.

Watertown Daily Times | Parents want another classroom at Theresa Primary.

Whiteface Adding A New Glade for the 2013-14 Season – The Adirondack Almanack.

New federal healthcare law will soon change the way businesses and employees obtain health insurance. The CCE workshops on the Affordable Care Act will address a wide range of questions including those about the Individual Exchange for sole proprietors and individuals and the Small Business Health Options Exchange. Cornell Cooperative Extension educators Kirk Shoen, Sandra Buxton, and Ashley Pierce are specially trained to deliver the most current information on the program.

Employers with more than 50 full-time equivalent employees will be mandated to provide workers with health insurance by 2015. Before the end of 2013, employers of all sizes must explain how to obtain health insurance to their employees.

Every individual in the U.S. will be required to have health insurance or pay a tax penalty. Read more »

EXCLUSIVE: Sheldon Silver takes indirect flights from NYC to Albany to horde frequent-flier miles – NYPOST.com.

Adirondack Events This Weekend (Aug 9) – The Adirondack Almanack – The Adirondack Almanack.

How the Rockefeller drug laws changed America | News from North Country Public Radio.

2012: A year of broken climate records | Grist.

Battle of Plattsburgh weekend promises fun for all » Amazing Neighbors » Press-Republican.

Regular Mtg Agenda Aug122013

Campus Notebook: Could bad state math cost good teachers? – Times Union.

Train kills pedestrian in Plattsburgh » Local News » Press-Republican.