“I was very surprised and disappointed to learn today of plans to close the Chateaugay Correctional Facility,” said Senator Betty Little. “My concern is for the correctional officers who would be affected and their families.  Without a doubt, the closing of a facility is a financial blow to them and the community.

“I’m working on gaining more details and what can be done to prevent the closure.  There are a lot of factors to look at including the security and safety of the system.  Also, the state has to weigh the financial impact on the community and the potential for reuse.  “Other regions of the state not only have a better capacity to absorb the economic impact of a closure, but the real estate is of much higher value. Camp Gabriels, abandoned in 2009, still sits mothballed.  And the 27-acre Lyon Mountain property just sold at auction to the lone bidder for the asking price of $140,000.”

State to close Chateaugay Correctional » Local News » Press-Republican.

NCCC plan eyes Hotel Flanagan » Breaking News » Press-Republican.

The Peru Free Library will present Radio Theater!, a program of radio drama, starting on Mondays (not including Labor Day) in September and October.  The program is funded by Lifetime Arts, a non-profit organization that provides arts programs to improve the quality of life for older adults.

For eight Mondays, starting on September 9, participants will read through a variety of radio plays and select one to rehearse and perform.  Rehearsals will culminate in a performance and audio recording of the radio drama.

No prior experience with radio drama is necessary.  Participants will learn everything they need to know during the workshop sessions. Besides people to read the parts of various characters, the program needs people who are interested in creating sound effects for the radio production.   Read more »

The 4^th Annual Leo P. Bourgeois Memorial Golf Tournament has been scheduled for Friday, October 11^th at the Adirondack Golf & Country Club in Peru.  Proceeds of the tournament fund scholarships in Mr. Bourgeois’ name for Peru Central School students.  Mr. Bourgeois or Mr. B as he was affectionately known was a highly respected and much loved guidance counselor at Peru Central School for many years.  PCS alumni established the scholarship fund as a fitting tribute to a man who spent his life reaching out to students motivating them to be the best students possible for a brighter future.  Since the tournament’s inception in 2010, six scholarships totaling $6,600 have been awarded to deserving PCS seniors, each pursuing a degree in post-secondary education. Read more »

Owens Statement on Passage of H.R. 2397, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act of 2014

Bill Increases Active Duty Pay and Supports Quality of Life Programs

Last night, Congressman Bill Owens voted in favor of H.R. 2397, the Fiscal Year 2014 Department of Defense Appropriations Act, which the House passed by a vote of 315 to 109. The legislation funds the nation’s military efforts overseas, as well as critically important health and quality of life programs for service members and their families. Read more »

Allen Turner (Right) and his son and right hand man Jessie

By John T. Ryan

Peru is one of the few communities north of New York City to experience an increase in population during the past ten years (9.9%). Undoubtedly Allen Turner’s foresight and willingness to take a business risk has played an important role in that growth. During that period Turner constructed twenty-two single-family homes and four duplexes in Peru and this summer he started constructing a four-unit apartment building at 3 Davey Drive, directly behind MacDonald’s Restaurant. The estimated $6 million assessed value of these structures brings in approximately $200,000 in tax revenue to our school and local governments- money that is vital to maintaining government services and improving our community.

A Milton, Vermont native, Turner has been wielding a hammer since age 12 when he began helping is father on his carpentry tasks. At age 13 he began helping out his cousin, a building contractor named Bill Sawyer. The cousins eventually formed a successful partnership; so successful that in the 1990’s they were framing 15 or 16 homes each year.

In 2000, Turner and Sawyer decided to analyze the construction scene on the west side of Lake Champlain. Turner said, “Bill and I called this area our new frontier. We didn’t know much about the area, but people we talked to recommended Peru because of its school system.  A school system draws people to a community. We concluded Peru was the place to be.”  Turner has resided in Peru since 2005, while Sawyer still resides in Vermont.

A few of the twenty-two homes Turner constructed on Washington St.

In 2001, Turner and Sawyer purchased about 75 acres of property bordering Washington Street less than a half-mile from Peru Central School.  Between 2002 and 2011, Turner constructed twenty-two homes which he describes as attractive “a step-up, but affordable.”  Today young, growing families, occupy the majority of the Washington Street homes and Turner has sixty-four nearby lots available for development.

Turner’s 4-unit apartment building under construction on Davey Drive

When the single-family housing market slowed in 2009, Turner saw an opportunity in multi-family housing. He explained, ” The rental market looked good. I thought I’d give it a try. So far, it’s been good.” Between 2010 and 2012, Turner constructed three duplexes on the Dashnaw Road and one on Elm Street. He plans to have the Davey Drive apartments complete and available to rent by this October.

Turner described working in Peru as being a good experience. He said, “Peru has good people who want to see things happen.” Asked what would help grow the community in the future he responded, “Extending water and sewer lines along the Bear Swamp Road to the Northway and on Dashnaw Road would be good. That’s the logical area for future commercial growth. When people come north from New York City, it’s as easy or easier to stop here as it is in Plattsburgh.”

Peru Water/Sewer Superintendent Greg Timmons told the Gazette that the water and sewer lines stop at the former Crickets Restaurant.  The town has discussed extending the water lines to the Northway and is looking into the availability of grant monies.

One of three Dashnaw Rd. Duplexes

Elm Street Duplex

VP Bill Chapin, Hotel Developer Chris LaBarge, Mayor Rabideau

Today, Mayor Clyde Rabideau introduced hotel developer Chris LaBarge who, on behalf of his company, Lake Flower Lodging LLC, has applied for variances to construct a major destination resort hotel on Lake Flower Avenue on a site currently occupied by 3 local motels; Lake Flower Inn, Adirondack Motel and Lakeside Motel.LaBarge wants to build 90 high-end rooms with a stand-alone restaurant on the water and a 200-seat catering facility along with increased dockage for boats to accommodate both guests and local who wish to visit.

Rabideau commented, “If this exciting new development comes to fruition, it will be one of the biggest game-changers for our local tourism economy in generations.”

The variances applied for include those for height and parking as LaBarge needs to have a 5-story structure to facilitate his vision along with parking on-site and off.

Interestingly, The Village of Lake George, which also lies within the Adirondack Park, just recently adopted a zoning code modification to allow for 6-story buildings so that it, too, could open the way for a new proposed hotel along its shoreline.

Said Rabideau, “The building would be about as tall as the Free Masons’ building on Broadway where Jreck subs is located and half the size as the two residential high-rises in the village, so its scale can certainly fit within our village.

LaBarge filed his variance requests on the 22nd with the Community Development Office and will appear at a special Zoning Board meeting on Thursday, August 8, at 5:30 PM.

Assemblyman Dan Stec, from the 114th district which encompasses the proposed site, commented, “Today’s announcement is very welcome news not only for Saranac Lake but for the Adirondacks. An investment of this magnitude is a potential game changer for the North Country. I look forward to supporting this project and working together with the developer and local and state government agencies to make this vision become a reality.”

Title: Retired teachers to collect food for Peru Food Shelf
Location: Peru Tops
Description: On Friday, July 26th members of the NYS Retired Teachers Association will be collecting food for the Peru JCEO Food Shelf at the Peru Tops Super Market from 2 to 4 pm. It also might be a good time to renew your acquaintance with one of your former teachers!
Start Time: 14:00
Date: 2013-07-26
End Time: 18:00

By John T. Ryan

Concern expressed by a Peru resident about two registered sex offenders residing in the hamlet was the primary news item at the Monday, July 22, 2013 Town Board Meeting.  In an email to Supervisor Peter Glushko, the resident stated that two level 2 sex offenders were residing on Elm St. The resident expressed concern regarding the offenders’ proximity to a daycare center and the school. The matter was referred to town attorney Donald Biggs who will research sex offender regulations and determine whether or not a local government could institute local laws. Click here for the sex offender registry. Click here for a link to frequently asked questions regarding sex offender laws and regulations.

Supervisor Glushko stated that the Town of Peru’s accounting issues have been resolved. The State Comptroller has accepted the Town of Peru’s 2011 Annual Financial Report (AUD) and the 2012 report has been submitted. The reports were delayed until accounting issues inherited from the Covel administration could be resolved.

Supervisor Glushko appointed a committee to consider applications for the parttime position of Secretary to the Code Enforcement Officer. Donna Quero recently left that position. A civil service list is in place. Interviews will be set up with the eligible applicants.

Water Superintendent Greg Timmons reported that the water quality improvement project is progressing. Two filter trains are online and a third should be in use by the end of this week. Timmons was especially pleased with the new computer controls and improving water quality. A few computer-programming issues still need to be resolved.

Timmons also addressed the recent water pipe break at the Peru Central School. The town was not notified that the school project was in progress. Several members of the board asked if there was any requirement that the school notify the town; no one had the answer to that question. The break resulted in an extended water outage for a large part of the hamlet and the Clinton County Health Department having to issue a boil water order. Timmons said when a boil water order is issued it will normally take three days to have the order lifted.

Supervisor Glushko asked department heads to begin working on their 2014 budgets.

Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell said his men would be busy for several days cleaning up trees felled by high winds during the Friday, July 19^th high winds. Farrell said that, with the exception of the Lake Shore Rd., trees came down throughout the town.

The Board approved a $798 upgrade to the recently installed town hall security system.  Camera coverage will be improved.

The meeting adjourned at about 8:10 pm.

The Adirondack Dump: We’ve Come A Long Way – The Adirondack Almanack 

Advocates want probe of pro-fracking campaign donations | Democrat and Chronicle | democratandchronicle.com.

Schumer seeks rail car rule change – Times Union.

New ad promotes Adirondacks – Times Union.

Regents to test format – Times Union.

Sheltered workshops are in midst of a storm – Times Union.

Governor shines spotlight on Adirondack Park.

Boil Water – lifted- 7-20-13

Updated Sat. 11 pm.

The Peru Central Class of of 1963 celebrated the first night of its 50th Class Reunion Friday night at Geoffrey’s Pub in Plattsburgh and Saturday night at the Quarry Rd. American Legion.   Here are a few photos (Click Here)

BURLINGTON, VT (07/18/2013)(readMedia)– Alice . Robinson, of Peru, NY has been named to the dean’s list for the spring 2013 semester at the University of Vermont. Robinson is a senior Professional Nursing major in the College of Nursing & Health Sciences.

To be named to the dean’s lists, students must have a grade-point average of 3.0 or better and rank in the top 20 percent of their class in their respective college or school.

Chartered in 1791, UVM was the first college or university in the United States that did not give preference to a religious sect in its charter. UVM now has nearly 10,459 undergraduates in seven schools and colleges, 1,540 graduate students and 449 medical students. As a small, comprehensive university, it blends the academic heritage of a private university with service missions in the land-grant tradition.

From the Office of Congressman Bill Owens

WASHINGTON—Today, Congressman Bill Owens joined 42 Democratic, one Independent and 37 Republican lawmakers and unveiled legislation to make the government more efficient. The group constitutes No Labels’ Congressional Problem Solvers  and their legislative package represents a starting point for future bipartisan cooperation. Owens is a co-sponsor of seven of the group’s nine policy recommendations. “Working together on this legislative package has shown us that we aren’t as divided as people think,” Congressman Bill Owens said. “All of us want an efficient government, and we know that can only happen when Members of Congress start working together.”

Congressman Owens was an inaugural member of the No Labels Congressional Problem Solvers. Since January, the group’s ranks swelled from 24 to 81 and include 73 Congressmen and Congresswomen and 8 Senators. The government efficiency legislative package is the group’s first legislative initiative.

The seven Owens co-sponsored pieces of legislation are as follows:  Read more »

Watertown Daily Times | Deployment announced for Fort Drum’s 3rd Brigade Combat Team.

State Questions Charities on Flow of Hurricane Aid – NYTimes.com.

20th Century Camps of Valcour Island