The Peru Gazette

New York state school districts won’t merge even when offered extra money | syracuse.com.

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North Country leaders testify at mandate relief hearing 

David and Theresa Viti

By John T. Ryan

David and Theresa Viti have lived in Peru for about thirty years. Their children Nicole, Christina, and Daniella graduated from Peru Central and the Viti’s love the Peru community. That feeling was reinforced when the community came to their aid during Theresa’s two bouts with cancer. David Viti explained, “We’ve gotten a lot of support from the community and now we want to give back.”

The Viti’s have decided to give back by organizing a soup kitchen for two segments of our community: people who are experiencing financial challenges and people who simply need more social contact. David’s job as a Peru Central bus driver raised his awareness about families who are struggling. He said, “I see kids on the bus. I know it’s tough out there. There are also people who are eating alone. They can come to the soup kitchen and be treated as part of a family.”

In December David and Theresa approached Father Alan Shnob and asked if St. Augustine’s Church would be interested in sponsoring a soup kitchen at St. Augustine’s Parish Center.  Father Shnob was skeptical at first. The parish supports the Peru JCEO Food Shelf and Project Promise, which serves the homeless. He also knew that the Peru Community Church’s Saturday evening “Peace Meal” had closed down because of poor attendance.  However, Father Alan changed his mind thanks to the Viti’s persistence and economic realities. He explained, “The price of gasoline is predicted to reach $5 a gallon. Fuel oil assistance has been cut back. Things are getting tighter. I’ll do as I always do and rely on God’s Providence. God will provide.”  He added that if it is God’s will and the soup kitchen is not needed, any monies raised would be donated to the local food shelf or to local people in financial need.

A committee has been formed and Wednesday has been selected as the best day of the week to host dinners in Peru. The first dinner will be held on Wednesday, May 16^th.  About sixty people from both St. Augustine’s and the Peru Community Church have signed up to help out, but cooks, servers and cleanup volunteers are still needed.  So that no one will have to work too hard, the Viti’s want to have at least three working crews.

Approximately $7,000 in start-up monies will guarantee that the soup kitchen operates for the first year. $1,500 has been raised to date. Businesses, groups and individuals are invited to contribute and participate.  A crew representing a specific group would be a big lift for both the volunteering group and the soup kitchen.  Any person or group who would like to get involved should call David or Theresa Viti at 643-9856 or 420-9001.

The organizing committee includes CEO Father Alan Shnob, Project Administrators David and Theresa Viti, Secretary Jeanne Caron, Treasurers Lana Knight and Dwane Bast, Recording Secretary Sister Brian Marie Latour, Grant Writer Adele Douglas and Fundraising Chairman Kim Baldwin. Dave Casey and David Viti will oversee the kitchen. Donald McBrayer is website administrator. (Click here for the website) 

 Town of Peru Planning Board Meeting for March 14th – Cancelled 

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Watertown Daily Times | Good-government chief: Congressional district design favors Democrats.

From the Office of Congressman Bill Owens

PLATTSBURGH – Congressman Bill Owens announced today the United States Department of Transportation has selected PenAir to provide Essential Air Service from Plattsburgh International Airport to Boston. Read more »

The Peru Central Board of Education continues its annual budget workshop series on Tuesday, March 6th at 6 PM in the community room, according to A. Paul Scott, Interim Superintendent of Schools at Peru Central. At their budget workshop, the Board will:

• A. Receive ‘Budget Packet #3’ for the school board’s budget development binder containing various budget development documents and charts.
• B.  Examine and discuss a packet of facts, charts, class size figures and a room use map outlining grade six program options for July 1st forward, as part of the Board’s continuing examination of whether or not to reduce costs and staffing by more than $200,000 annually by returning grade six teachers to the elementary school and schedule, rather than the middle school program.
• C.  Receive and discuss recent editorials from regional print and broadcast media, focused on public education funding July 1st forward.
• D.  Receive and discuss an expanded and revised preliminary second draft cost reductions list of roughly $1M for July 1, 2012 forward, in response to continued scarcity of additional state aid revenues and the first year of the state-mandated property tax cap threshold.
• E.   Identify any particular areas the Board commissions the Interim Superintendent move ahead with, in regard to early notice to potentially impacted employees associated with preliminary cost reduction considerations.

Interim Superintendent Scott said each and every budget document outlined above will be available to members of the school community attending the workshop Tuesday night.

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Adirondack Almanack: DEC: Local Bear Harvest Down, Typical Deer Take.

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Dickey’s Barbecue Pit to reopen soon » NEW TODAY… » Press-Republican.

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Veteran Assemblywoman to retire » Breaking News » Press-Republican.

From the Office of Congressman Bill Owens

WASHINGTON – Congressman Bill Owens announced today that the House Agriculture Committee will hold one of four field hearings on the 2012 Farm Bill at North Country Community College in Saranac Lake.  The hearing, which will gather on-the-ground input on the multi-year reauthorization of federal agriculture policy, will be the only one held in the northeast United States this year.  It has been many years since the last congressional hearing was held in one of the eleven counties that make up New York’s 23rd Congressional District. The hearing is scheduled for Friday, March 9th and will be held at the Sparks Athletic Complex on campus at NCCC. Read more »

By John T. Ryan

The New York State Comptroller is charged with ensuring that state and local governments comply with all financial laws and regulations.  State auditors arrived in Peru on Tuesday, February 28th.  At the Monday, February 27^th Town Board meeting Town Supervisor Peter Glushko addressed department heads saying, “I think we’re in good shape. Please use this as a learning opportunity and don’t be afraid to ask questions.” Glushko said retirement records, payroll records and meeting minutes would be the first things audited. All departments will be audited.

Other Town Board meeting actions/information included:

FEMA will be reimbursing the town in the amount of $611,006.67 for Hurricane Irene related flood damage repairs. The Town of Peru calculated its contribution of in-kind labor, machinery and other services regarding Irene-related repairs at $161,006.67.

The Town of Au Sable Highway Department is still using the Peru Highway Garage as its base of operations. Au Sable’s garage has deteriorated to the point where it is no longer usable. Planning for a new garage is underway.

Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell reported that a verbal agreement for purchase of the town’s stone crushing machine has been reached with Pat Remillard.  No other party expressed interest in the machine.  Remillard will provide 12,500 yards of sand to the town as payment for the machine. Farrell said he had verified the legality of such a transaction with the Association of New York Towns and with Town Attorney Biggs.

The Town of Peru will not receive any share of the Clinton County 2011 sales tax revenue.  Peru had received excessive sales tax monies in some previous years and carried a negative balance into 2011.

The Adirondack Coast Visitors Bureau will be providing War of 1812 Bicentennial banners (29 inches x 60 inches) to the Town of Peru at no charge. The town will supply the manpower and hardware to extend the banners from major street light poles. The word “Peru” will be stated on each banner.

Three different banners will be displayed.