The Peru Gazette

The Peru Gazette posed six questions to each of the two candidates for Area Five of the Clinton County Legislature. Here are Peter Keenan’s responses.

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

I am a widowed father of four and grandfather of four. I graduated from Peru Central School and Clinton Community College. I attended Plattsburgh State. I was in the Army Signal Corp. for two years during the Korean War Era. After 26 years, I retired from the New York State Dept. of Corrections. For 20 years, I drove school bus for Peru Central School. I was Peru Town Justice for 24 years. I have been an active member of the Peru Knights of Columbus for 33 years and a state chairman for 14 years. I was a softball and baseball umpire for 40 years. I was the Grand Marshall for the 2010 Applefest Parade. I was on the Dannemora Federal Credit Union Board of Directors’ Supervisory Committee for 10 years. I am the incumbent Area 5 Clinton County Legislator for the past 4 years.

How will your background and/or successes assist you as a town council member?

My upbringing, professional career, and extensive community involvement have prepared me well to serve on the Legislature.  I was born and raised in Clinton County and have lived here all of my life. I know the people and their challenges and will use my life experiences and good old fashion common sense to serve the good people of Peru and Schuyler Falls.

What county issues concern you the most?

Enticing economic development and job growth and keeping county property taxes stable along with the successful completion of the airport expansion. I am a member of the airport committee and securing airline service to a major hub city is an ongoing effort.

How would you address these issues?

The County Legislature, as a team that I am proud to be part of, have been successful in controlling county spending and in fact we delivered a property tax rate and levy decrease for the 2015 budget. We have accomplished that by careful scrutiny of spending and by prioritizing the needs of the citizens. We have made investments when there is a clear benefit for the tax payers and held the line on spending when that line is blurred.

Why should a person vote for you?

I hope that my record and the success of my first term would warrant the confidence of the voters for a second time. I have tried my best to make the right decisions for Clinton County and have always been available to hear the concerns of any citizen.

What party lines will your name appear on?

Democratic and Working Families Party.