The Peru Gazette

From the Office of Congressman Bill Owens 

WASHINGTON—Representative Bill Owens will hold a telephone town hall on Tuesday, November 12, 2013, in a continued effort to hear from constituents across the more than 16,000 square miles of New York’s 21st Congressional District. Representative Owens will give a quick update on the economy and his recent activities in the district during the November district work period. The event will occur from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. this Tuesday evening. Read more »

Story Updated and Corrected 11/8/13 12:00 PM (Our original story did not differentiate between the civilian and military ballot receipt dates)

By John T. Ryan

The name of Peru’s new Town Councilperson will not be known until at least November 18th. That’s the date when non-military and military absentee ballots will be counted. As of November 8th the Clinton County Board of Elections had received 82 ballots from registered Town of Peru voters.

Both absentee and military ballots must have been postmarked no later than November 4th. Military absentee ballots must be received 13 days following Election Day and non-military votes within 7 days. On Election Day, November 5th, only twelve votes separated Donald McBrayer who garnered 729 votes and Lana Knight who received 717 votes.  Jim Douglass garnered 987 votes. Two Town Council seats were up for election.

From the Office of Congressman Bill Owens  

PLATTSBURGH, NY—For Veterans Day, Congressman Bill Owens thanked veterans and encouraged them to hand salute the flag during the national anthem and other flag ceremonies. Many veterans are unaware that in 2008 Congress authorized veterans out of uniform to hand salute the flag at appropriate events, including the playing of the national anthem at sporting events.

“Thank you to all Americans who served our nation and all of their families for their support and sacrifices,” Congressman Bill Owens said. “I encourage all veterans to salute the flag during the national anthem. Seeing veterans rising among the crowd to salute sends a powerful message to all in attendance.”

Prior to 2008 U.S law only allowed veterans wearing a uniform to salute during flag ceremonies and the national anthem. Veterans wearing American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars caps were approved, but that meant many veterans attending public events like professional sporting events were not authorized to salute the flag.  Read more »

Peru voters agreed with their fellow New Yorkers on Tuesday, November 5th voting “YES” on five of the six propositions to amend the State Constitution. As might be expected local voters overwhelming favored the land exchange proposed by NYCO in Willsboro.

Prop. 1 Most forms of gambling are illegal in New York — except the lotto, horse racing, bingo, and games of chance. This proposal would amend the state constitution to legalize gambling, but limit the total number of casinos statewide to just seven.

Peru – Yes: 851 (67%) No:  416 (23%) 

Statewide  Yes: 57%, No: 43%

Prop. 2 Veterans who take the civil service exam are eligible for 5 extra points the first time they take the test, and 10 extra points if they are disabled. This proposal would make it easier for disabled veterans to get extra credit points if they are certified disabled after they take the test for the first time.

Peru – Yes: 1015 (83%) No: 209 (17%)

Statewide – Yes: 84% , No: 16% 

Prop. 3 This proposal would allow towns, cities, and counties to dispose of their waste without fear of exceeding their debt limit. Legislation excluding “sewer debt” from debt limits was first enacted in 1963, but only for a certain number of years. This proposal would extend the practice through 2024.

Peru – Yes: 770 (65%) No: 410 (35%)

Statewide – Yes: 62%, No:  38%

Prop. 4 This proposal would settle a number of land disputes that have persisted for more than a hundred years in Hamilton County. If passed, the state would relinquish its old claim on land in exchange for new forest land to be added to Adirondack Park. 

Peru – Yes: 891 (74%) No: 312 (26%)

Statewide – Yes: 72%, No:  27% 

Prop. 5 This proposal would give 200 acres of Adirondack Park land, and permission to mine that land, to the private mining company NYCO minerals with the understanding that NYCO would give the same amount of land to a forest preserve, and would also restore and return the 200 acres to the state upon completion of mining.

Peru – Yes: 1013 (82%) No: 222 (18%)

Statewide – Yes: 53%, No: 47% 

Prop. 6 Supreme Court justices and Court of Appeals judges are now required to retire at age 70; this proposal would extend the age of mandatory retirement to 80.

Peru – Yes: 432 (35%) No: 795 (65%)

Statewide – Yes: 39%, No: 61%

By John T. Ryan

These are the Peru 2013 candidate vote totals, not including absentee ballots. It was a very low voter turnout, even for an off-year election, with only 1,366 (33%) voters casting ballots. Absentee votes will increase that total slightly.  The winner of the second open Town Council will be announced after absentee votes are counted.

State Supreme Court Justice

Mark L. Powers – 531

Thomas D. Nolan – 843

Stan L. Pritzker – 732

District Attorney

Andrew Wiley – 978

County Treasurer

Kimberly Davis – 511

Susan Polhemus  – 818

Town Supervisor

Peter Glushko – 880

Kregg Bruno – 378

Town Councilperson

James Douglass – 987

Donald McBrayer – 729

Lana Knight – 717

Town Justice

Jim Kirby – 834

John Lawliss – 940

Town Clerk/Tax Collector

Kathleen Flynn – 996

John Facteau – 344

James Douglass easily won reelection to the Peru Town Council with 987 votes, however, the race for the second open seat is too close to call.  With absentee votes still to be counted, Donald McBrayer tallied 729 votes, twelve votes more than Lana Knight who garnered 717 votes.

The Peru Gazette will update with the other totals shortly.

Club President Lois Roberts and the Lions Club Lion greet everyone!

L-R Dan Hickey, Nap Light and Larry Ewald

The Peru Lions Club has been hosting an Election Day Spaghetti Dinner for at least 30 years. This year’s dinner was served in the Lions Club tradition of hospitality, laughs, youth participation and great food!  The Peru Gazette thanks all the members of the Peru Lions Club for all they do to enrich our wonderful community!  During our visit we snapped a few photos of some of the people who make the dinner a great event.  Click here to view all our photos. 

DMV lets you renew license online | Star-Gazette | stargazette.com.

Diane Haight (Right) supervises a voter’s sign-in

Peru – Election Day, November 5, 2013 – As of 1:25 PM 662 voters had cast ballots in Peru, 16% of the community’s registered voters. Voters have until 9 PM to cast ballots at the St. Augustine’s Parish Center, 3030 Main Street. Voting is traditionally heaviest in late afternoon and early evening. In 2010, also a non-presidential election year, 2,006 voters cast ballots.

Peru Election officials worked very hard to make voting as easy as possible with sample ballots for the candidates and the Constitutional Amendments on display.

Peru has 4,124 registered voters including:

• 1,640 – Republican
• 1,204 – Democrat
• 896 – Blank
• 312- Independence
• 37 – Conservative
• 26 – Working Families
• 9 – Green

Bob Manchester and Judy Twining are longtime election workers

The Peru Lions Club will host its annual Election Day Spaghetti Dinner today at the Peru Community Church Fellowship Center. It will be served from 4:30 PM to 7 PM. Adults $7; children 6 to 12, $4; under 6, free.  The Lions do a lot of great work in the Peru community and this is one of most important functions!  The Peru Gazette will be there!

The Peru Town Board will conduct a Public Hearing on the Town’s 2014 Preliminary Budget on Wednesday, November 6, 2013 at 6:30 PM. The Board will accept comments on the budget.

The Peru Gazette hopes to provide more information on the budget prior to the Pubic Hearing if time permits.

Click Here to Review Preliminary Budget 2014

Regular Mtg Agenda Nov4 2013

Town of Peru 2013 Sample Ballot 

Election Day is Tuesday, November 5, 2013.

There are also six NYS Constitution Amendments to be voted on. Please review them carefully. They are very important to several communities and New York residents.

Six Amendments to the NYS Constitution

Note that although his name appears on the ballot Democrat Kregg Bruno has indicated that he is not interested in being Town Supervisor.  He did not sign the required paperwork to officially withdraw. Both the Peru Gazette and the Press Republican reported his declaration of non-interest in the office. Click here for our previous story.

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Tax Collections and Spending Below Projections through Mid-Year

Zoning Board Agenda of 112013

         New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Joe Martens invites fifth graders to showcase their artistic talents and help to increase public awareness about trees in New York by participating in the annual national Arbor Day Poster Contest. “Trees play a vital role in the lives of New Yorkers and are a vital part of our ecosystem,” Commissioner Martens said. “Whether someone is tapping a maple tree in early spring or relaxing in the shade of a tree on a hot summer day, trees are integral to our quality of life.  I encourage fifth graders to join in our celebration of trees by drawing, sketching or painting their favorite trees and showcasing why trees are important in our daily lives.”

           Read more »

AuSable Forks man killed in Fla. crash » Breaking News » Press-Republican.

Main Street prior to the May 18, 1921 fire; current Peru Hardware on left

Main Street following the fire.

May 18, 1921 Peru, NY – “Almost an entire block of residences, stores, garages and barns in the Peru Village were burned to the ground early this morning…” These were the first words in a Plattsburgh Daily Press story that described the tragic fire that destroyed almost all the buildings in the block between today’s Main Street, Pleasant Street, Mason Street and Elmore Street. When the fire subsided only what is today’s Peru Hardware and an adjoining small building remained standing.  In 1921 it was known as the Clough Store. Peru Volunteer Department did not exist at this time; Peru relied on the Fire Department from Plattsburgh. Click here to see a larger presentation of the photos.

Here is the account of the fire that appeared in the 2003 printing of History of Peru, New York authored or edited by Lincoln Sunderland. 

The pictures presented here were part of the “Peru’s Busy Past” exhibition at the Clinton County Historical Museum.  The Peru Gazette thanks Peru Historians Ron and Carol Allen, The Clinton County Historical Association and Lincoln Sunderland for their cooperation.

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Title: Catholic Daughters Harvest Dinner – Nov. 17th
Location: St. Augustine’s Parish Center
Description: The Catholic Daughters, Court St Monica of the St Augustine’s church in Peru, NY will be hosting their annual Harvest Dinner on Sunday, November 17th, from 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. The menu will consist of Virginia Baked Ham, roasted potatoes, tossed salad, vegetables, fall fruit cups, dinner rolls and beverages. The cost will be $9.00 adults, $8.00 for Seniors, Children 3-10 – $5.00 and under 3 will be free. Proceeds to be used to further various charitable activities.

Start Time: 15:00
Date: 2013-11-17
End Time: 18:00

John Facteau

Kathleen Flynn

On Tuesday, November 5th, Peru voters will have the opportunity to either reelect incumbent Town Clerk/Tax Collector Kathleen Flynn or to elect her challenger John Facteau.  The Peru Gazette posed five questions to each candidate and they were kind enough to respond.

1. Summarize your educational background, primary employment history, a little about your family and community involvement.

John Facteau: I grew up in Saranac, NY and graduated from Saranac Central School and two years of BOCES (as known now as CV tech) with the carpentry trade. Since graduating in 1973, I have worked in the construction field, both residential and commercial construction. Also working many years for people who need work done. My primary employment was the New York State Department of Correctional Services with the responsibility of Construction Manager of 18 Correctional Facilities. I was responsible of estimating, planning, purchasing, supervising employees, keeping records of all funding and activities of projects. This employment ended in September of 2010 with retirement of 30 years.

Kathleen Flynn: I am a 1981 graduate of Peru Central High School, 1984 Graduate of Clinton Community College with An Associate’s Degree in Human Services, and 1986 Graduate of Plattsburgh State University with a Bachelor Degree in Psychology.

I have been married to John Flynn for 26 years (St. Augustine’s Church) and we have three children.  Morgan, 21 Senior at Siena College, William, 20 Junior at Plattsburgh State and Maddison, 16 Junior at Peru Central School.  John and I are active with the Peru Youth Commission, I am an active member of the Peru Lions Club, Peru Athletic Hall of Fame Committee, Peru and Clinton County Republican Committee member and consistent volunteer for the Peru Applefest.

2. How does/will your background assist you as town clerk/tax collector? 

John Facteau: I believe that with my background it will be more then assist me as Peru Town Clerk/Tax Collector, with dealing with the people in the Town of Peru with good and accurate record filing, collecting school and land taxes and record filing.

Kathleen Flynn: Because I have held this position for the past 11 years, my background is an asset as it gives me the skills to understand what a community member needs when they enter my office.  I have the experience and knowledge to either serve the resident immediately, or re-direct them to the office or community member that they are seeking.

3. What is the most important duty of the town clerk/tax collector? 

John Facteau: The most important duty as Town Clerk/Tax Collector is working for the people, issuing dog licenses, hunting and fishing licenses, collecting school and land taxes sending taxes due to taxpayers and sending paid receipts to taxpayers. Be there for the people of the town.

Kathleen Flynn: I can honestly say that there is not one duty that is more important than any other.  While collecting taxes comes to the forefront, I can promise that I balance to the penny daily, and your money is deposited immediately. I work 6 days a week to ensure that all tax payments are posted in a timely manner.  With that being said, I also place great emphasis on each resident that walks through the Town Hall door needing assistance from my office.  I pride myself on serving the public in a timely efficient manner.

4.  How would/do you perform this duty?  

John Facteau: The description of the duties as Town Clerk/Tax Collector is exactly how I would perform and look further into how I could do it better for the town and its people.

Kathleen Flynn: I am in the office five days per week and if I take time off, I offer my personal cell number to the employees within the Town Hall.  They all understand that I am available at any time.

5. In campaigning for the office, what is the most frequent concern regarding the office town clerk that the voters have expressed to you? How will you address this concern? 

John Facteau: In campaigning the most asked question concerns is when is the Town Clerks/Tax Collectors office open, and unable to contact the Town Clerk/Tax Collector. On this note, I would address this in a concerned way of being at the town hall 4.days a week and 1.evening so all of the town’s people would have access to the town.

Kathleen Flynn: Actually, people have been extremely happy (or so they say!) with my job performance.  Keeping taxes down is always a concern- my response is that I take care of your money, I don’t determine how much you have to pay!