The Albany Times-Union reports that New York’s Democrats are considering pushing back the date of a special election to fill Elise Stefanik’s congressional seat when she leaves to be ambassador to the United Nations.

State Senator Dan Stec, who declared his candidacy for the seat in Congress, issued this statement.

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By Ellenburg Center 10th Grader Clara Parsons 

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The Peru Central School District is seeking candidates to fill two (2) at-large seats on the Board of Education due to the upcoming expiration of the terms of Ms. Sarah Graves and Mr. Steven Peters.

The three-year term for each seat runs from July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2028.

The Petition for Nomination of Candidate form is available in the District Office at 17 School Street on Mondays through Fridays, except for school holidays, or via BoardDocs on the District’s website.  Petitions must be directed to the School District Clerk, shall be signed by at least twenty-five (25) qualified voters of the District, and shall state the names and residences of the candidate and petition signers.    The candidate’s phone number shall also be stated.

The qualifications that must be met to run for the school board are:

• A U.S. citizen
• At least 18 years old
• A qualified voter in the District
• Able to read and write
• A resident of the District continuously for one year before the election
• Cannot be employed by the Board
• Cannot live in the same household with a family member who is also a member of the Board

Petitions must be returned no later than 5:00 PM on Monday, April 21, 2025.

The School Board Election will be held on Tuesday, May 20, 2025.

Stefanik has been nominated to serve as the US Ambassador to the United Nations for the Trump administration

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Longtime lake manager Guy Middleton steps into leadership role

UPPER SARANAC—The Upper Saranac Foundation (USF) Board of Directors has announced Guy Middleton’s promotion to executive director, effective Jan. 1.

Middleton, who has served as USF’s lake manager since 2001, will now lead all aspects of the Foundation’s operations. This marks introducing the executive director role at USF, a pivotal step in the organization’s growth and mission to protect the Upper Saranac watershed.

“Guy Middleton has been the backbone of USF’s programs for well over two decades,” said USF Board President Tom Swayne. “Most recently, he successfully managed the complex renovation of the Bartlett Carry Dam, ensuring its long-term safety and resilience. His passion for protecting the Upper Saranac watershed and his exceptional leadership and organizational skills make him the perfect candidate to guide the USF into this next chapter as our first executive director.”

As lake manager since 2001, Middleton has played a vital role in managing invasive species, conducting water monitoring programs, and spearheading community education initiatives. Over his 23 years of service, he has become widely recognized across New York State and nationally for his expertise in aquatic invasive species management and lake ecology.

Middleton’s extensive background includes degrees in environmental science, land use planning and wilderness leadership from North Country Community College and the State University of New York (SUNY) at Plattsburgh. He has also worked with the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) and Northwood School, further enriching his knowledge and dedication to environmental stewardship.

“Our lakes and communities face increasing challenges from water quality issues, invasive species, shoreline degradation and other ecological threats,” Middleton said. “The impacts of these challenges are far-reaching. My focus remains on exploring and implementing innovative approaches to mitigate these issues and preserve our freshwater resources for generations to come.”

“Guy Middleton’s appointment as executive director of the USF is clearly the right choice at the right time for this role,” said Ross Whaley, a member of the USF Board of Directors who is past president of the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry and former chair of the state Adirondack Park Agency. “He is passionate about protecting Upper Saranac Lake and the larger Adirondack watershed, demonstrating persistence in his work, and patience with others and institutions. He exemplifies the effectiveness of intelligence, hard work and civility.”

“On behalf of the entire Paul Smith’s College community, we extend our warmest congratulations to Guy Middleton on his appointment as executive director of the Upper Saranac Foundation,” said Zoe Smith, vice president of Strategic Initiatives at Paul Smith’s College (PSC). “For decades, PSC’s Adirondack Watershed Institute has had the privilege of collaborating closely with USF and working alongside Guy in his tireless efforts to protect the Upper Saranac watershed. We are confident that under his leadership, USF will continue to thrive.”

Middleton is deeply connected to the Adirondack community. He grew up in Lake George, has been a longtime resident of the Tri-Lakes area and has spent countless days on the water. Over the years, Middleton has developed a deep understanding of the importance of science in addressing environmental issues. An avid outdoorsman and expert skier, he is well known for his years as a ski coach at the New York Ski Education Foundation and Northwood School. He and his partner, Cammy, split their time between Lake Placid and their family home on Upper Saranac Lake.

The Upper Saranac Foundation is a nonprofit, science-guided organization seeking to preserve, enhance and protect the natural beauty, environmental quality and recreational enjoyment of the Upper Saranac Lake watershed through selective support of projects related to overall water quality. The Foundation is funded through tax-deductible donations. Activities include aquatic invasive species prevention and management, lake dam maintenance, monitoring water quality and promoting environmental awareness. To learn more, visit usfoundation.net.

Pulled Pork 

Macaroni & Cheese

Vegetable 

Dessert

Served 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., take-out only, at St. Augustine’s Parish Center, 3030 Main St., Peru, NY 12972 

All are invited and welcome!

An important resource for local residents

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See the list of local industries that will be adversely affected 

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The Cape Vincent Ambulance Squad and Chaumont Volunteer Fire Department alleges that two people who have worked or volunteered in those organizations have stolen around $500,000.

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At this time, please DO NOT enter Rod Bigelow’s Facebook page and BE AWARE of scammers.

Many people know Rod Bigelow as a Dannemora historian, co-author of the book Dannemora, and President of The Bigelow Society. Unfortunately, a scammer took over his Facebook page, removing important Dannerora history and personal information. The scammer is saying that Rod has a Bitcoin certificate to deal with bitcoins, and he is raving about how well a particular company is doing to lure Rod’s friends to buy from him. He also says that Rod is selling cats, anything, to get people’s money. All this is because the scammer took over Rod’s pages and wanted Rod to pay $800 to him to get his pages back. Rod refuses, so the scammer hopes to get Rod’s friends to pay instead. 

Facebook’s Directions to report a scammer 

Former resident Gus Rietsema makes generous pledge to New YMCA

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Clinton County Awarded $790,040 

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First subject: “The Digital Dollar Debate”

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Click here for the VTDigger story 

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(PLATTSBURGH, NY – January 30, 2025) When Strand Center for the Arts employees are not on the clock, they are making their own artwork. To celebrate the talents of those who work hard to maintain Plattsburgh’s cultural hub, Strand Center for the Arts is scheduled to host “On The Brink 2025,” an art exhibition featuring the works of the SCA’s staff, board members, studio techs and teachers.

The exhibition opens to the public on Friday, Feb. 7, with a free gallery reception from 5 to 8 p.m. The exhibition will remain on display through Saturday, Mar. 29. The gallery is free and open to the public to attend during operating hours.

Staff members featured in this show possess diverse skills in many different artistic disciplines. Thus, this exhibition will display a variety of works, including paintings, drawings, sculpture, digital art, photography, ceramics, and more.

Strand Center for the Arts Gallery Hours:

• Open 1 p.m.—9 p.m. Wednesday

• Open 1 p.m.—5 p.m. Thursday and Friday

• Open 10 a.m.—3 p.m. Saturday

• Closed Sunday—Tuesday

Kara Stark Elliot

Alex Edwards

Alex Edwards and Kara Stark Elliot bring expertise and community focus to board

CVPH News Release PLATTSBURGH, NY (01/30/2025) – Chairman of the University of Vermont Health Network – Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital (CVPH) Board of Trustees Joseph Donnery, DPM welcomed new Trustees Alex Edwards and Kara Stark Elliott at the board’s first meeting of the new year.

“Alex and Kara, with their backgrounds in finance, promise to be great additions to the Board and are most welcome.  Alex has past CVPH Board experience and Kara joins the Board with enthusiasm and pertinent community connections.  We look forward to their participation and contributions to our discussions and decision-making,” he said.

Edwards is filling a seat vacated by Tom Recny who served 9 years as trustee, the maximum allowed by the Board’s bylaws. With the addition of Stark Elliott, the Board membership increases from 12 to 13 members. Board bylaws provide for up to 15 trustees.

“This Board will miss Tom, a member for many years who was a trusted voice in matters coming before the Board.  He brought his valuable experience in local industry to the table for our benefit with ever-insightful input.  Tom will be missed as a Board member but remains as a friend,” said Dr. Donnery.

CVPH President Michelle LeBeau offered, “Our success in delivering the care our community needs is directly tied to the work of our Board of Trustees. The people who dedicate their time and expertise to this organization ensure that the community’s needs are well represented and the teams of professionals delivering high-quality care are supported in meaningful ways.”

Community Dedication and Professional Expertise
Edwards is the secretary/treasurer of Alexander Edwards and Company, CPAs, and P.C. He holds two bachelor’s degrees and an associate’s degree.  Edwards was a member of CVPH’s corporation board and eventually its Board of Directors, where he served as chairman of the audit, finance, and pension committees, hospital Treasurer, and member of the executive committee.  He has also served on the University of Vermont Health Network audit (vice chair), investment, defined contribution investment (president pro tem) and compensation committees.

Edwards previously served twelve years on the Board of Trustees of the Plattsburgh Public Library. He was a 33-year member of the National Ski Patrol, holding local and regional leadership roles. That organization honored him with a National Appointment #10678 and a Meritorious Service award #298.

Stark Elliott is a certified public accountant and manager at The Hoffman Eells Group CPAs, P.C. in Plattsburgh. She oversees a diverse portfolio of clients, specializing in business consulting, tax compliance, and not-for-profit auditing. Before transitioning to public accounting, she built a distinguished 10-year career in financial management roles within the Department of Defense, culminating as deputy chief financial officer of the Executive Office for Unmanned and Small Combatants at the Washington Navy Yard.  She holds a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy from Bentley University and a master’s degree in accounting from Keller Graduate School of Management.

A proud Plattsburgh native, Stark Elliott returned to her hometown with her husband, Dan, to raise their three energetic sons in the heart of the North Country. She is deeply committed to her community and serves on the boards of Behavioral Health Services North and Pine Harbour Assisted Living.

Both Edwards and Stark Elliott began their three-year terms in January, joining the 13-member board focused on aligning the hospital’s mission with the community’s health care needs. In addition to Chairman Donnery, they join Vice Chair Elizabeth Goerlitz-Coryer, Treasurer Graham Niles, Secretary Linda Bourgeois, Members at Large Neil Fesette and John McAuliffe, MD, Immediate Past Chair Betsy Vicencio and Trustees Kelly Donoghue, Richelle Gregory, Molly Ryan, and Richard Webber, MD, PhD.