The Peru Gazette

Churchill: Stewart’s looks west to Syracuse – Times Union.

PLATTSBURGH, NY— Following the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, Congressman Bill Owens congratulated American Olympians with local ties.

“Every Winter Olympics, New York’s rich Olympic history and the region’s pride in our local best-in-a-generation athletes come together as we watch the Olympic Games and root for our friends and neighbors,” Rep. Bill Owens said. “Our local athletes rose to the occasion in Sochi and showed what makes our nation and New York great. Congratulations to our Olympic athletes and their families on bringing to fruition years of hard work and sacrifice and for competing on the Olympic stage.”

The Adirondack Daily Enterprise recently published a list of Olympians with ties to the 21^st Congressional District. They are as follows:

LUGE

Chris Mazdzer, 25, Saranac Lake

Jayson Terdiman, 25, Lake Placid

Bronze Medalist Erin Hamlin, 27 Remsen

Summer Britcher, 19, attended the National Sports Academy

Tucker West, 18, attended National Sports Academy

Kate Hansen, 21, La Canada, Calif. and a part-time Lake Placid resident

Preston Griffall, 29, Salt Lake City, Utah and a part-time Lake Placid resident

Christian Niccum, 36, Woodinville, Wash. and a part-time Lake Placid resident 

SPEED SKATING Read more »

Paul Smiths and Gouverneur, NY – New York strawberry growers are hearing about a promising treatment for their fruit crop based on the success of a Cornell University entomologist with applying microscopic worms to beat back a highly-destructive alfalfa crop pest. Dr. Elson Shields expects to confirm the success of field trials with native-New York nematodes to control two species of weevils in Northern NY strawberry crops this year. 
 
‘Like alfalfa snout beetle, strawberry root weevil and black vine weevil are difficult to control with conventional pesticides, but they are very susceptible to attack by the biocontrol nematodes,’ says Shields, who received an Entomological Society of America Award for Excellence in Integrated Pest Management in 2013.
 
Strawberry growers interested in learning more about Shields’ research, funded by the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program, will have the opportunity to hear him speak on ‘Using Native Nematodes as Biocontrol of Root Weevils in Strawberries’ as part of the 9:30am-2pm Advances in Field Strawberry Production Workshops set for March 4 at Paul Smiths and March 5 at the Cambry Court Activity Center in Gouverneur.
 
Shields estimates weevil damage at $20,000-$30,000 of economic loss at the regional berry farm hosting the nematode research trials. 
 
The Shields Lab at Cornell will complete a series of soil tests this spring to confirm the effectiveness of the nematodes for controlling the berry pests.
 
‘Based on our years of experience with biocontrol nematodes, we expect to document an excellent level of control in the berry fields in May 2014. We also expect the nematodes to persist within the soil of the strawberry production environment for a number of years to continue to minimize the root damage by the root weevils,’ Shields says. 
 
The March 4 and 5 workshops focus on new ways of growing strawberries in field soil, detecting and mitigating soil-borne pests, and utilizing biological controls such as Shields’ nematode application treatment. Eastern NY Commercial Horticulture Program Berry Specialist Laura McDermott will present information on June bearing and day neutral growing systems, strawberry root problems, and spotted wing drosophila.
 
For more information and to register for the $5 strawberry production workshops, contact Cornell Cooperative Extension Horticultural Specialist Amy Ivy at 518-561-7450, adi2@cornell.edu.
 
To learn more about the farmer-driven Northern New York Agricultural Development Program which receives funding through the New York State Senate for agricultural research, technical assistance and educational outreach in Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties, visit the website at www.nnyagdev.org <http://www.nnyagdev.org> . The website includes a manual for the on-farm rearing of biocontrol nematodes. 

Cornell Cooperative Extension will present pre-season farmers’ market training to help North Country growers develop their salesmanship, labor management, social media skills and compliance with food safety regulations. Sessions from 10am to 2pm with Cornell Cooperative Extension educators will help growers create a compelling personal story to connect to consumers. To grow to the next level, many farmers need to learn how to comply with legal requirements for adding a farm labor force. To expand beyond family labor, this is critical.
 
How to reap sales from Facebook and the latest information on how to meet federal Food Safety Modernization Act regulations for the prevention of food contamination are also on the workshop agenda.
 
The training will take place as follows:
March 15 in Keeseville at the AuSable Valley Grange, register with Laurie Davis, 518-962-4810, lsd22@cornell.edu

Obesity Rate for Young Children Plummets 43% in a Decade – NYTimes.com.

Half a million New Yorkers enroll in Obamacare – Times Union.

By John T. Ryan

The Board appointed Bruce R. Germain, Timothy St. Pierre and Steve LaBounty to the Zoning Board of Appeals and Nicholas J. Zagrodzki and Kim Budwick to the Planning Board. Counselor Donald McBrayer favored tabling a vote stating that the Zoning Board members had indicated that they would like to see prospective board members attend at least one Board meeting and if possible they would like to meet prospective members. McBrayer said that to the best of his knowledge the candidates had not attended meetings and had not met with either board. Supervisor Peter Glushko said that Code Enforcement Officer Frank Slycord, Zoning Board Chairman Rob Bashaw and Planning Board Chairman Richard Williams recommended approval. Counselor Jim Douglas said that it was hard to get volunteers for any position, therefore he would not be in favor of delaying the vote. Counselor Kregg Bruno concurred. Glushko, Douglass and Bruno voted yes. McBrayer voted no saying he had no objection to any of the appointees, but objected to the boards not having input.

A new tandem dump truck/snow plow will be arriving in Peru this spring. The Peru Town Board approved the truck’s purchase at its Monday, February 24, 2013 meeting.  The winning bid of $120,435 submitted by R.R. Charlebois Inc. of Milton, Vt. Clark’s Truck Center of Plattsburgh was the only other bidder.  The Freightliner truck will be outfitted with a snowplow package, which the town purchased in November 2013 at a cost of $71,231. Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell said he expects the truck will be delivered in May.

Bids will be advertised this week for construction of the Heyworth/Mason Park to Sullivan Park Walking Trail.  They will be opened on March 19^th and awarded on March 24^th.  Grants are expected to fund 80% of the project cost. Walking Trail Map

The Town’s procurement policy was changed with the passage of 2014 Local Law #2. Referred to as the Best Value Law, it will permit the Board to accept a bid, which is not necessarily the lowest bid, if the Board determines that the higher bid represents a better value to the town. Supervisor Glushko cited the example of a geographically distant bidder submitting a low bid but not being in a position to provide prompt maintenance or service.

Section 1.2 of the law reads: “Goods and services procured and awarded on the basis of best value are those that the Town Board determines will be of the highest quality while being the most cost efficient. The determination of quality and cost efficiency shall be based on objectively quantified and clearly described and documented criteria, which may include, but shall not be limited to, any or all of the following: cost of maintenance; proximity to the end user if distance or response time is a significant term; durability; availability of replacement parts or maintenance contractors; and longer product life; product performance criteria; and quality of craftsmanship.” Local Law #2 of 2014

Security cameras will be installed at the Little Ausable River Park and Heyworth/Mason Park in the very near future. Electrical service will have to be installed at Heyworth/Mason Park to power the cameras.

Contract engineer Peter Gibbs is still working plans and specifications for the New Town Hall entrance stairs. Counselor Jim Douglas said, “I’d like to get moving on that project as soon as possible.”

The Board held a twelve-minute executive meeting to discuss an individual’s employment history.

The meeting adjourned at 8:15 PM.

Watertown Daily Times | Fort Drum faces cuts as DOD budget calls for massive Army soldier reductions.

Watertown Daily Times | Death of American Eagle at Watertown airport in May will mean birth of Philadelphia flights.

Advocates tour hard-pressed schools – Times Union.

IBM makes job deal – Times Union.

Easing the high cost of dying – Times Union.

For the past eight years, Peru CSD has organized a Budget Advisory Committee (BAC) that has served to inform and promote school-community discussion concurrent with the school district budget development process.

The BAC typically meets 3-4 times to develop an understanding of revenues and expenditures, components of a balanced budget, and particular challenges that face the school district.  Traditionally, the BAC has formulated recommendations for Board consideration to assist the Board and administration.

The BAC is scheduled to meet February 27^th and March 18^th beginning at 6 pm.  In addition to these informational sessions, the BAC will be invited to share their recommendations with the School Board on Tuesday, March 25^th during a public budget development workshop.

If you wish to participate in any of the meetings of the BAC, please register by calling 643-6004.  Thank you.

Watertown Daily Times | Climate change reaching north country farms.

Watertown Daily Times | Teens face job search hurdles as older workers fill entry-level spots.

St. Monica’s Court Catholic Daughters will host its annual St. Patrick’s Dinner on Saturday, March 15^th from 4 to 6:30 PM at the St. Augustine’s Parish Center.  The sumptuous meal will feature corned beef, ham, cabbage along with music provided by Don McBrayer, George Shnob and Elizabeth Churchill. Deirdre O’Callaghan and Taylor Morse dance Irish style to the music.

From the Office of Elise Stefanik

Plattsburgh – Don Lee, Chair of the Clinton County Republican Committee, became the most recent county chair to reaffirm his committee’s support for Elise Stefanik, despite additional candidates jumping in the 21st Congressional District race. Lee released the following statement of support today on behalf of the Clinton County Republican Committee:

“Elise Stefanik came to the Clinton County Republican Committee endorsement meeting and proved to us she is absolutely the best candidate in this race. She knows North Country issues, she’s very intelligent, she’s hardworking and has demonstrated she has the energy and drive to be a forward-looking candidate.

“Her ties to the community and small business experience, coupled with her understanding of the unique needs of the district, make Elise our best candidate to win this seat back, regardless of who else has entered the race recently.

“The Clinton County Republican Committee endorsed Elise last month and did so with very good reason. Our opinion of her as the strongest candidate has not changed and we will continue to support her campaign.”

Schumer calls for car-tracking technology data limits | New York Post.

Albany’s ethical compass still askew.

Lawsuits vanish on your dime – Times Union.

Regular Mtg Agenda 02242014

AGENDA

       1. Call Meeting To Order

       2. Pledge of Allegiance

       3.  Roll Call

     4. MOTION:         To Open the Public Hearing.

     5. DISCUSSION:  Community Input and Questions

     6. MOTION:         To Close the Public Hearing.

     7.  MOTION:         Adjourn

The United Way of the Adirondack Region, Inc. has met the 2014 campaign goal of $725,000. The annual campaign is conducted primarily during the fall months and concludes in February of each year. This year’s campaign raised a total of $725,116.00, which includes proceeds from special events. DaleAnne Wolter of Compassionate Friends of the Champlain Valley and JCEO was the co-chair of this years drive and has volunteered on the campaign team for several years. She said “we are so delighted to deliver this exciting news to our three county region. It is once again a testament to the generosity and caring nature of the North Country. It was very challenging this year and we are proud of what we have been able to achieve”. Ellen Gordon of Adirondack Community Action Programs, Inc. was the co-chair of this year’s drive and has also volunteered on the campaign team for several years. She said, “It was a valiant team effort among campaign team volunteers, United Way staff and employee campaign representatives, but most of all, it was the generosity of businesses, organizations and individuals that made it successful. I am always so impressed to see how people in our region come together for their friends and neighbors.” Other campaign team members included: Julie Kramer, Tony Searing, Jamie Basiliere, Lisa VanNatten, Jerry Morrow, Bruce Gray, Deena McCullough, Marge Garcia, Gayle Alexander, Dan Alexander, Betsy Senkowski, Doug Chaves and staff members Marion Daniels, Kathy Snow, Katie Benway and John Bernardi. Read more »

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced Empire State Development (ESD) has approved more than $9 million in New York State Broadband Grants to support five projects that will expand access to broadband services for approximately 33,000 households, 4,500 businesses and 55 community anchor institutions across Upstate New York, including in the Capital Region, Western New York, Finger Lakes, Southern Tier, Central New York, North Country and Mohawk Valley regions.

“Under our Connect NY Broadband Grant program and the Regional Economic Development Councils, we are supporting projects that will connect New Yorkers and businesses to much-needed internet access,” Governor Cuomo said. “Expanding our telecommunications infrastructure is one way we can grow local economies and improve the quality of life for New Yorkers. The projects approved will allow providers to invest in communities and connect local businesses with new markets, marking significant progress in our efforts to bring broadband access to underserved New Yorkers in Upstate New York.”  Read more »