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CVPH News Release – Foundation of CVPH fundraiser supports women’s heart health
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) says, on average, 86 women in Clinton County die each year from heart disease.
PLATTSBURGH, NY (1/20/2025) – Getting dressed for the day is not typically considered a lifesaving activity. In this case, it could do exactly that for women in the North Country and across America.
The Foundation of Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital (CVPH) is asking businesses and community members in northern New York to join millions of people in rocking their red as part of “National Wear Red Day” on Feb. 7. The day is dedicated to raising awareness about efforts to end heart disease and stroke while spreading the word about the risks and how to prevent heart disease.
“Losing even one woman to cardiovascular disease is too many,” says Michelle Senecal, Foundation of CVPH Events and Special Projects Manager. “Who will you wear red for? Whether it’s a loved one, co-worker or neighbor, this is an easy way to make a real difference in their lives and health.”
The Foundation is asking local businesses and residents to wear red and donate $5 in honor of someone they know who has been affected by heart disease. It also offers a red logo pin for $10. Individuals can donate by visiting UVMHealth.org/CVPHHeart. Businesses interested in participating or getting more information can contact Senecal at 518-314-3359 or email her at msenecal@cvph.org.
Money raised through this National Wear Red Day event will go toward a $1.2 million cardiac and pulmonary rehab expansion project at the hospital. The upgraded center will more than double the number of cardiac patients who can undergo rehab and open up a new pulmonary rehab program.
More than 60 million women in the United States are living with some form of heart disease, and it is the leading cause of death for women in the country, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) says, on average, 86 women in Clinton County die each year from heart disease.
“By wearing red and giving a small gift to The Foundation, you’re helping people with heart and lung disease live fuller lives,” Senecal adds.
1/20/24 – 5 a.m. Starting today, you’ll notice noticeably colder temperatures. These cold temperatures, with wind chills of -5 to -15 F, will last through Thursday morning before temperatures return to normal next weekend. If you’re spending time outside, please be sure to dress accordingly!
National Weather Service – Burlington- Heads up! Temperatures will turn very cold Monday onward, with wind chills below zero throughout Vermont and northern New York. The mountains will be especially cold. Anyone planning to recreate outdoors should take precautions against the extreme cold.
The Peru Town Board conducted its 2025 Organizational Meeting on Monday, January 13. The board approved all proposed resolutions except those related to the Peru Free Library and JCEO, which are awaiting more information. The board expects to approve those resolutions at its January 27 meeting.
Here is the agenda for the meeting, followed by the resolutions.
Call Meeting To Order
Pledge of Allegiance
Roll Call
DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION:Establishment of 2025 Salaries for Elected Positions:
DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION:Approval of 2025 Appointees.
DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION:Establishment of 2025 Appointee Salaries and Frequency of Payments
DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION:Establishment of Town Department Liaisons.
DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION:Establishment of 2025 Regular Town Board Meeting Dates and Times.
DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION:Approval of 2025 Contracts.
DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION:Establishment of 2025 Town Mileage Reimbursement.
DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION:Designation of Town Depositories.
DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION:Designation of Town Newspaper.
CityPlace is divided into two buildings, and the smaller south building is slated to open in mid-to-late June. It includes 53 residential market-rate units, retail space and a roughly 150-room hotel.
1/16/25 – Plattsburgh, New York — Clinton-Essex-Warren-Washington Board of Cooperative Educational Services (CVES BOCES) is proud to announce plans for a new, state-of-the-art Career and Technical Education (CTE) Center in Plattsburgh, New York. This transformative project addresses growing enrollment, space constraints, and the demand for modern workforce development programs, positioning CVES BOCES as a leader in educational excellence and regional economic development.
The $59 million project includes a 155,000-square-foot CTE center and an additional 12,000-square-foot accessory building to be built on a 17-acre site adjacent to CVES’s Learning Hub Campus. The facility will provide cutting-edge learning environments for high school and adult students, fostering opportunities for skills development in alignment with the needs of regional employers.
“The CVES Board is proud to support this innovative initiative that will empower students to pursue their desired career paths with the high-quality resources needed to succeed in the modern workforce,” CVES Board President Mr. Michael St. Pierre said. “This CTE Center possesses vital importance to our community, and we anticipate outstanding results thanks to the incredible staff that works with our students on a daily basis to create the next generation of young professionals and boost the skillsets of adult learners.”
“The Clinton County Capital Resource Corporation, an economic development partner of the Clinton County Industrial Development Agency (CCIDA), is proud to support the development of this transformative Career and Technical Education Center. By issuing the bonds that assisted with financing this critical project, the Corporation is reinforcing its commitment to advancing workforce development, education, and economic growth across the North Country,” said Molly Ryan, Executive Director of CCIDA. “This state-of-the-art facility will empower students and adult learners with the skills they need to succeed and strengthen partnerships with regional employers and drive long-term economic sustainability in the community. The Corporation is thrilled to be a part of such a visionary project that will have a lasting impact on the region.”
Meeting the Growing Demand for Educational OpportunitiesRead more »
L-R Suburban Propane Assistant VP of Product Supply Craig Palleschi, Adirondack Farms Co-Owner Shane St. Cyr, JCEO Director of Community Outreach Lisa Gardner-Goodrow, and JCEO Director of Development Ellie Jent.
PLATTSBURGH | On Monday, January 13, Adirondack Farms and Suburban Propane recently presented a $1,000 check donation to the Joint Council for Economic Opportunity of Clinton and Franklin Counties, Inc. (JCEO) to support their local food pantry programs, which works to improve community health by distributing donated, recovered, and farmed food to those in need.
Adirondack Farms Co-Owner Shane St. Cyr and Suburban Propane’s Assistant Vice President of Product Supply Craig Palleschi presented the check to Director of Community Outreach Lisa Gardner-Goodrow and Director of Development Ellie Jent at the JCEO Food Distribution Center on Margaret Street in Plattsburgh.
On Giving Tuesday, Adirondack Farms hosted a fundraiser on its Facebook page (Adirondack Farms), encouraging community members to help raise funds for the JCEO food pantry. For each share of their Giving Tuesday Facebook post, Adirondack Farms committed to donating $5, up to a $500 donation. Suburban Propane committed to matching the funds raised. In total, $1,000 was donated to the JCEO.
Property tax levy growth for New York’s school districts and 10 cities will remain capped at 2% for the fourth year, according to data released today by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.
The tax cap, which first applied to local governments (excluding New York City) and school districts in 2012, limits annual tax levy increases to the lesser of the inflation rate or 2% with certain exceptions. The law also includes provisions that allow school districts and municipalities to override the cap. DiNapoli’s office calculated the inflation factor at 2.95% for those with a June 30, 2026, fiscal year-end.
“For the fourth year in a row, the property tax levy for school districts and 10 cities will be capped at 2%,” DiNapoli said. “School district and municipal officials will have to deliver services efficiently as they face the difficult task of managing costs that continue to rise.”
The 2% allowable levy growth affects the tax cap calculations for 675 school districts and 10 cities with fiscal years starting July 1, 2025, including the “Big Four” cities of Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and Yonkers, as well as Amsterdam, Auburn, Corning, Long Beach, Watertown, and White Plains.
State tax receipts totaled $79.9 billion through the first three quarters of State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2024-25, $1.2 billion higher than estimates released in the Division of the Budget’s (DOB) Mid-Year Update to the Enacted Budget Financial Plan. On a year-over-year basis, collections were $5.5 billion higher than those through December 2023, according to the monthly State Cash Report released today by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.
“Strong financial markets and economic growth have propelled the state’s revenues through December,” DiNapoli said. “However, recent volatility in the markets and persistent inflation are cause for concern. In addition, the direction of federal tax policy under the new administration could potentially impact state revenues.”
Personal income tax (PIT) receipts totaled $40.7 billion and were $719.3 million above DOB’s financial plan projections and $4.4 billion higher than the same period in SFY 2023-24, reflecting, in part, the impact of wage and financial market growth over the course of the year.
Year-to-date consumption and use tax collections totaled $17 billion which were 2.1%, or $353.8 million, higher than the same period last year but were $53 million lower than DOB’s mid-year estimate. Sales tax receipts, the largest share of these taxes, increased by $320.8 million, or 2.1% over last year. Business taxes, which include collections from the pass-through entity tax (PTET), totaled $20.2 billion, $1.3 billion higher than through December in the prior fiscal year and $530.4 million higher than financial plan projections.
All Funds spending through December totaled $172.3 billion, which was $8.7 billion, or 5.3%, higher than last year for the same period, primarily due to higher costs in non-Medicaid public health and public welfare. All Funds spending through December was $1.2 billion lower than DOB projected, primarily due to lower than anticipated spending from state capital projects funds. State Operating Funds spending totaled $91 billion, $7.2 billion, or 8.7%, higher than last year but $2.6 billion lower than DOB projected.
The state’s General Fund ended December with a balance of $55.2 billion, $7.8 billion higher than DOB projected and $4.2 billion higher than last year at the same time primarily due to higher than anticipated tax collections and lower than anticipated spending. In addition, in December 2024, the state transferred just over $3.6 billion from the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund from the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to the General Fund.
Jacqueline Riley, NP-C, Senior Nurse Practitioner at CVPH Skilled Nursing Facility, checks the blood pressure of resident Mary Lafountain.
Resident Bonnie Bond receives some tender, loving hair care at CVPH SNF.
Skilled Nursing Facility Named Age-Friendly Health Systems Participant
CVPH News Release – PLATTSBURGH, NY (1/16/2025) – Older adults are living and working longer, redefining later life and enriching our communities. Delivering care that values them and addresses their unique needs leads to better outcomes, more satisfied patients and families and lowers overall costs.
This is why University of Vermont Health Network – Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital’s (CVPH) Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) is proud to be recognized as an Age-Friendly Health Systems Participant. It is a movement aimed at delivering safe, reliable, high-quality health care in every setting based on what matters most to older adults as individuals.
“This achievement reflects on the type of care we provide to our residents and patients every day,” Jacqueline Riley, NP-C, senior nurse practitioner at CVPH SNF, says. “We deliver excellent care, and we’re always striving to do better. The Age-Friendly Health System initiative is an important part of our mission to provide every older adult with the best care possible.”
Riley, who spearheaded the application process for the hospital, adds that staff also benefit from the designation, as they’re able to learn about what is working well in other facilities in our region and across the country. As part of the Age-Friendly Health Systems Action Community, CVPH SNF is implementing evidence-based practices focused on addressing four essential elements of care for older patients:
What Matters: Know and align care with each older adult’s specific health outcome goals and care preferences including end-of-life care.
Medication: If medication is necessary, use age-friendly medications that do not interfere with what matters to the older adult, mobility or mentation.
Mentation: Prevent, identify, treat and manage dementia, depression and delirium.
Mobility: Ensure that older adults move safely every day in order to maintain function and do what matters to them.
CVPH SNF is recognized as a member of an international group of more than 2,700 health care facilities working to tailor care to patients’ goals and preferences and deliver care that is consistently of the highest quality. The Age-Friendly Health Systems initiative was launched in 2017 by The John A. Hartford Foundation and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement in partnership with the American Hospital Association and Catholic Health Association of the United States. For more information, visit www.ihi.org/agefriendly.
(PLATTSBURGH, NY – January 16, 2025) The Board of Trustees of the Strand Center for the Arts has announced the appointment of Megan Charland to the position of Executive Director of the organization. Charland has been with the SCA as the Artistic Programming Director since 2022 and has been instrumental in strengthening the SCA’s connection to the community and advancing its mission.
“Over the last three years, Ms. Charland has proven an unwavering focus on creating the best version of our organization over its 25-year history,” said Tom McNichols, President of the Board of Trustees.
“We look forward to continued growth and sustainability as we remain steadfast in our dedication to our mission to the community with Megan at the helm.”
Charland brings with her a nearly 20-year career working within the nonprofit sector as an arts administrator, with a focus in community arts education. Since joining the Strand Center for the Arts team in 2022, she has increased educational revenue, grown staffing, diversified programming and re-engaged the local community to make the Strand Center for the Arts a beacon of creativity and engagement for the North Country region.
“I’ve spent most of my career in Western New York and, honestly, never thought I would have the opportunity to work as an arts administrator in my hometown,” said Charland.
“This region is so incredibly lucky to have this resource here for our community, and I do not take for granted the responsibility and privilege it is to lead it. I’m immensely proud of the work my team and I have accomplished here at the Strand over the past few years, and I look forward to the work ahead of us to continue bringing thoughtful and engaging arts programming to our community.”
A graduate of Peru Central School (Class of 2004), Charland is a North Country native who returned to the region in 2020. Positively impacting people’s lives through the arts has always been at the heart of her work throughout her career, whether it be serving as a program director, curator, producer or photo editor. Charland earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in Visual Studies and a Graduate Certificate in Arts Administration from Visual Studies Workshop in association with The College at Brockport in 2013. She also earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Professional Photographic Illustration from Rochester Institute of Technology in 2008.
In addition to expanding the Strand Center for the Arts’ quarterly educational opportunities in both the arts center and theatre, Charland has developed multiple community programs. These programs include the “Law Enforcement Mindfulness Program” for law enforcement personnel and their families; “ART/WORK: Worthwhile Opportunities through Resources & Knowledge” for youth; and “Creative Action: Art Experiences for Vets” for our local veterans. Charland also expanded the organization’s “Art Helps Scholarship Program” to benefit not only youth and seniors, but adults of all ages – truly reflecting the value each staff and board member of the SCA share, which is that art is for everyone.
Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay Lake) extended a warm congratulations to Charland for her appointment as Executive Director.
“I’ve had the pleasure of working with Megan since she returned to the North Country to help bring more arts programs to our region, like the Strand Center’s law enforcement mindfulness program for local officers and their families, which I funded,” said Jones. “Great things are in store for the Strand Center and I look forward to continuing to work with Megan and her team to support local artists and arts programs.”
Looking forward to 2025, Charland is eager to continue developing community partnerships, expanding sustainable revenue streams and completing the $905,000 Raise the Roof Capital Campaign.
Grandmother Judy Akey congratulates Anthony after he graduates from Parris Island.
Mom Dorina, Anthony, and Dad James Falvo
Anthony and several of his fellow Marines
By John T Ryan
Peru, NY – January 9, 2025—Four members of Peru High School’s 2024 graduating class are proud members of the U.S. Marine Corps. Anthony Falvo, the 18-year-old son of Jim and Dorina Falvo, is one of them. Anthony has been home for a few weeks since his November 8 Basic Training graduation. He’s been waiting for his Marine Corps Intelligence School Class to open, so a few days ago, the Peru Gazette talked to him about why he joined the Marine Corps and what his experiences have been thus far.
Anthony Falvo considered joining the Marine Corps for several years before enlisting during his senior high school year. “I love learning, but I didn’t enjoy school. I knew the military would give me choices. It would get me into the role of being an adult and kick-start my career for anything I wanted to do after that. If I decide to return to school, the Marine Corps will pay for it. I signed a five-year active duty contract and a three-year reserve contract.” Anthony took the AP courses at Peru High School, which, combined with his summertime EMT course, helped him advance to E-2, Private First Class.
Anthony encountered a mixed reaction when he told his parents about his plans. He recalled, “My recruiter recommended that I sit down with my parents to talk to them about it. They were surprised at first and a little hesitant, especially my mother. I sat my dad down with the recruiter at first. He was on board. After my mom talked to the recruiter, she felt better about it.” Anthony said his grandfather, Bob Akey, and earlier generations served in the military. He remarked, “As far as I know, I’m the first Marine.”
Why did he choose the Marine Corps over one of the other services? Anthony explained, “I talked to the Army first, then the Navy. I wanted to see what they had to offer me. When I spoke to the Marine Corps recruiter, I said, ‘I’m not going to talk to anyone else. I know what I want to do.’” Why was it an easy decision? Anthony responded, “It’s how Marines carry themselves and feel about their job. It’s being a part of something bigger than you and swallowing your pride to do your part.”
Marine Corps Basic Training is known as the toughest Basic of all the services. Anthony said, “Basic is tough, but it’s mentally more than physically challenging. Your body will get you through the physical part. The mental part is where you really have to fight. After arriving, you’re up for three days doing things you’ve never done before and meeting new people from all over the country. When you finally get time to sleep, you think about what’s happening at home. You miss home a lot. You don’t have your cell phone except for one Sunday when you get it for two hours. But you are building friendships. I have a very good friend from Alabama and another from Florida.”
Anthony also developed confidence in others and in his leadership abilities. I loved working with the other people. People were able to swallow their pride and listen to others. I was a fire team leader during the Crucible. My peers listened, followed orders, and gave me feedback. It’s great seeing that from young adults.”
Since arriving home, Anthony has been in uniform on recruitment duty. He visits schools and talks with young people wherever he finds them, asking if they want to know more about the U.S. Marine Corps. Those young people will undoubtedly be impressed by how Anthony Falvo carries himself and observe his pride in being a United States Marine.
CVPH News Release – Foundation of CVPH fundraiser supports women’s heart health 
1/20/24 – 5 a.m. 
Chili
National Weather Service – Burlington- Heads up! Temperatures will turn very cold Monday onward, with wind chills below zero throughout Vermont and northern New York. The mountains will be especially cold. Anyone planning to recreate outdoors should take precautions against the extreme cold.
1/16/25 – Plattsburgh, New York — Clinton-Essex-Warren-Washington Board of Cooperative Educational Services (CVES BOCES) is proud to announce plans for a new, state-of-the-art Career and Technical Education (CTE) Center in Plattsburgh, New York. This transformative project addresses growing enrollment, space constraints, and the demand for modern workforce development programs, positioning CVES BOCES as a leader in educational excellence and regional economic development.
Property tax levy growth for New York’s school districts and 10 cities will remain capped at 2% for the fourth year, according to 
January 16, 2025
By John T Ryan