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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)

Posted: March 3rd, 2012 under General News, Peru/Regional History.
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A sign of the times!

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

Posted: March 3rd, 2012 under Planning Board News.
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BorgWarner Central NY plant to close with 158 jobs lost

Cortlandville plant to close with 158 jobs lost | syracuse.com.

Posted: March 3rd, 2012 under General News.
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Good-government chief: Congressional district design favors Democrats

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

Posted: March 3rd, 2012 under General News.
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PenAir to replace Colgan Air, service to Boston uninterrupted

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 »

Posted: March 2nd, 2012 under Congressional News, Peru/Regional History.
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Peru School Board to hold third budget workshop

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.

Posted: March 2nd, 2012 under Education News, Peru School News.
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