The Peru Gazette

The Keeseville-Peru Ecumenical Choir will be performing two concerts.  The first concert will be Saturday, December 15, 2012, at St. Augustine’s Church in Peru at 7:30pm. The second concert will be Sunday, December 16, 2012, 7:30pm at St. John the Baptist Church in Keeseville.  The choir is directed by Jeanette Woodruff and accompanied by Carol Bachand.  The 66 member choir will be performing a variety of sacred and secular Christmas music. Admission is free.

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As Editor of the Peru Gazette I have to ask: Based on the poor public attendance at government meetings do Americans really care about how their government functions? Most Internet visits involve crime and scandal stories, not news coverage of government. 

By John T. Ryan

Counselors approved the Town of Peru 2013 budget at a November 15, 2012 Special Town Board meeting. Water users will be subject to an 82% tax increase with rates increasing from $1.71 to $3.10 per thousand dollars of assessed value.  The cost of the town’s ongoing $3.2 million water system improvement project is the major reason for the tax increase. Annual interest on the $3.65 million bond totals $176,868. Combined with previous borrowing, the water system’s annual interest payments total $238,924.

A water user with a home assessed at $100,000 will pay water taxes of $310.00 plus metered usage charges.  Water users with a $200,000 house will pay taxes of $620.00 plus metered usage charges. A homeowner with a $300,000 home will pay $930.00 plus metered usage charges. Assuming an average home has metered charges of $400 annually, water costs will total approximately $710.00 annually for a $100,000 home, $1020.00 for a $200,000 home and $1,330.00 for a $300,000 home.

The general budget tax rate will increase from $1.91 per M to $1.93 per M. The highway department tax rate will increase from $2.35 to $2.37.

Counselors Jim Douglass, Susan Polhemus, Kregg Bruno and Supervisor Peter Glushko voted in favor of the budget. Counselor Brandy McDonald was excused and was not present.

Click here to review 2013 Preliminary and Final  Town Budget

Click here to review the historical Peru tax rates

Peru – The Peru Free Library will host the North Country Potter’s Guild with a reception, show and sale on Friday, November 30, 2012 from 5 to 7 PM at the library on North Main Street. Click here for details – Library Potters

Senior Patrol Leader Hunter Sartwell (Left) led the Eagle Scout Circle of Honor for Thomas C. Gwinn Jr. (Right)

By John T. Ryan

Peru – An impressive ceremony on Sunday, November 11, 2012, climaxed a five-year journey for Thomas Gwinn Jr. In 2007 Gwinn achieved the Boy Scout Tenderfoot rank. Last Sunday he was awarded Boy Scouting’s highest rank – Eagle Scout.  Gwinn’s Court of Honor ceremony was conducted at St. Augustine’s Parish Center as Gwinn’s parents, Thomas and Jennifer Gwinn and over 100 family members, friends, Scouts and Scout leaders looked on. Senior Patrol Leader Hunter Sartwell led the ceremony.

L-R Troop 49 Scout Master Thomas Gwinn Sr., Thomas Gwinn Jr. and Mrs. Jennifer Gwinn

Two hours prior to the Eagle Scout ceremony, Gwinn and other Troop 49 Scouts participated in Veterans Day ceremonies at the Veterans Park on the former Plattsburgh Air Force Base.  Troop 49 Scout Master Thomas Gwinn Sr. said, “My son Tommy has always been interested in the military.  He’s helped maintain the Veterans Park so it wasn’t surprising that his Eagle Scout Project involved the park.”   Gwinn Jr. planted a strategically-placed hedge which should reduce or eliminate the damage resulting from runners and dogs passing through Veterans Park.

Since joining Peru Troop 49 Thomas Gwinn Jr. has earned 29 merit badges, received the Kayak and World Conservation Awards and participated in leadership training and as a Boy Scout camp staff member.  In 2011 he attended the National Scout Jamboree.

The program handed out at the Court of Honor included two very appropriate quotations which Thomas Gwinn Jr. has obviously taken to heart.

“A Scout is clean, but he is not afraid to get dirty.”

“We must change boys from a ‘what can I get’ to a ‘what can I give’ attitude.”

(Click here for more ceremony photos) 

The Town of Peru will be holding their 26th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on Friday November 30th at 7:00 PM at the Town Gazebo.  Everyone is welcome.

There will be Christmas carols and the arrival of Santa Claus!  Refreshments will be served at the Peru Community Church Fellowship Center.

AGENDA TOWN BOARD SPECIAL MEETING, November 15, 2012 – 6:30 PM

1. Call Meeting To Order
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Roll Call
4. MOTION/RESOLUTION:  Adopt 2013 Final Budget.
5. MOTION/RESOLUTION:  Adopt Employee Benefit Handbook.
6. MOTION/RESOLUTION:  Town Acceptance of Denali Drive.
7. Other Business
8. Motion to Adjourn

Planning Board approved October minutes

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Nap Light proudly wears the Legion of Honor Insignia

By John T. Ryan

On Friday, November 9, 2012 Napolean “Nap” Light, one of Peru’s most decorated veterans, traveled to the French Consulate in New York City to receive his appointment as a “Chevalier of the Legion of Honor.”

Legion of Honor Insignia

In June 1944 Nap Light was a member of the 30^th Infantry Division during the “D Day” invasion of Normandy.  His citation, signed by the President of the French Republic, read, “This prestigious distinction underlines the deep appreciation and gratitude of the French people for your contribution to the liberation of our country during World War II. We will never forget the commitment of American heroes like you to whom France owes so much.”

Nap Light served in the United States Army from 1942 to 1945. Eighteen months of his service were in the European theater of operations.  The U.S. Army recently presented him with the Bronze Star, our nation’s 4^thhighest combat decoration. At age 90, he is still an active member of the Peru, NY community.

Napolean Light’s military ribbons

Post 309 Chaplain Ron LaDuke salutes the Flag

By John T. Ryan

Peru’s official Veterans Day ceremony was celebrated on Sunday, November 11, 2012 at Peru VFW Post 309. Post Commander Thomas W. Fusco welcomed everyone to the post.

A Color Corps from the James P. O’Connor Composite Civil Air Patrol Squadron posted the Colors. Post Chaplain Ron LaDuke led opening and closing prayers. The Post 309 Honor Guard sounded a rifle salute. The invited speakers included James Langley, Chairman of the Clinton County Board of Legislators, and Karen Bisso, a recent candidate for the NYS Assembly.

CAP Color Corps

James Langley thanked veterans of all our nation’s wars for their service to this country saying, “We honor the service members here today and remember their sacrifice. Thank you for answering the call of duty.”

Karen Bisso delivered what she called  non-traditional Veterans Day remarks. Bisso described the United States as being in a period of moral, spiritual and political decline. She deplores what she perceives as complacency, dependence and apathy. She said veterans have the experience to turn our country around and that they should continue to serve this country. They can serve by getting involved in government and by asking younger people to get involved.  Bisso believes that this country must change its course and said that if the current trend continues there will be nothing left worth fighting for. Click here to see our phoots in a larger format. 

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