The Peru Gazette

New York political leaders announced today that North Country Communities had been awarded $51 million in water infrastructure grants.  The state awarded Peru $16 million: $5,000,000 for a water systems improvement project and $11,087,515 for wastewater treatment plant unit process and disinfection upgrades.

• Town of Champlain, $5,477,500 for Sewer District No. 7;
• Village of Chateaugay, $6,571,636 for wastewater treatment plant disinfection upgrades;
• Town of Keene, $3,813,090 for improvements to Water District #2;
• Town of Peru, $5,000,000 for Peru water systems improvement project and $11,087,515 for wastewater treatment plant unit process and disinfection upgrades;
• City of Plattsburgh, $5,000,000 for Phase 4 drinking water system upgrades;
• Town of Potsdam, $1,399,484 for Route 56 Sewer District;
• Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe, $9,891,566 for wastewater treatment plant upgrades, and
• Village of Saranac Lake, $5,000,000 for Village of Saranac Lake water source and distribution evaluations.

State Senator Dan Stec commented, “We all deserve access to clean water. Funding infrastructure projects such as the ones announced today is a crucial way in making that a reality for all our communities. These grants will help provide clean water and make our region safer and healthier for all our residents.”

State Assemblyman Billy Jones stated,  “My colleagues and I in the State Legislature pushed to expand this program along with the Governor. Seeing the results right here in the North Country is great, considering that my district received the most funding from this program.”

Here’s a small portion of the just-posted North Country Public Radio article on the impact of local elections. It points to a serious problem in all communities—a lack of involvement in local government, civic and veterans organizations, and faith communities. It makes one wonder about our nation’s future.

ON KEEPING A COMMUNITY RUNNING

Lynn Hall is three years into a four-year term as a councilperson on the Town of Potsdam Board. She says the issues that town and local officials deal with aren’t always exciting. “But they’re really important for people to have a good life, to be able to live in a town without problems,” said Hall.

Often, they’re dealing with infrastructure issues and taxes. “You know, to sustain just your everyday life, you need people to make those decisions,” she said.

Hall thinks it’s easy to think of ‘politics’ as something that’s happening, instead of something you’re involved in. As a professor at SUNY Potsdam, she said she sees this in her own union. “You know, people say ‘I wonder what the Union will do about it.’ And I want to say, ‘Well, we are the Union. You are the Union!”

Still, Hall said she understands disengagement, “and I’m certainly guilty.” Hall said she rarely attended town board meetings until she became a council person, after someone asked her to run.

Serving makes Ha;; feel a lot closer to her community, but it also has challenges.

“It’s rewarding because you feel like you’re doing something for your town and the people who live there. I really enjoy the people I work with. I didn’t know any of the town board members and I got to know them and you know, we’re talking about important issues and that is very engaging in that way,” said Hall. “What’s frustrating? Lack of involvement.”

When Hall was elected in 2021, less than a third of Potsdam’s registered voters cast a ballot. “So that’s a very small number of people who are showing their investment in who is making the decisions in their municipalities,” said Hall.

Civic involvement, like volunteerism, is on the decline. But Hall says that communities need people “to advocate for our towns and our villages at the state level particularly, and at the federal level.”

Click here for the NCPR story 

Latest state data reveals assaults on staff exceeded 2023 by October

Click here for the Sun Community News story 

Click here for the Adirondack Almanac Story 

Click here for the Adirondack Almanac story 

Plattsburgh, NY – Clinton Community College’s nursing program has been ranked #3 in New York State by Nursing Schools Almanac, based on outstanding student performance on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). The research team at Nursing Schools Almanac analyzed extensive data from 2012 through 2021, calculating each New York nursing associate degree program’s NCLEX-RN pass rate among first-time test-takers.

About Clinton Community College:

Clinton Community College is a member of the State University of New York. Clinton offers 24 associate degree programs, eight certificates, transfer pathways and advisement options, multiple non-credit professional credentials, and many flexible learning options including online and evening courses. As part of the SUNY system, Clinton credits transfer seamlessly. For more information, visit us online at www.clinton.edu.

Click here for the MYNBC5 story 

Includes $825 million in finding

Click here for the AP story 

Click here for the Syracuse.com story 

Click here for the Syracuse.com story 

Click here for the Sun Community News story 

Schenectady, N.Y. – To honor those who serve and have served, Price Chopper/Market 32 will be raising funds for Disabled American Veterans (DAV) in November. All month, Price Chopper/Market 32 customers will have the opportunity to round up their change at checkout, 100% of which will go directly to DAV. Price Chopper/Market 32 will add to the fundraising with a $10,000 match.

Each year, DAV provides cost-free lifetime support to more than a million veterans of all generations and their families. In addition to having extended more than 345,000 free rides to medical appointments and assisted with 209,300 benefit claims last year, DAV worked to connect veterans with meaningful employment opportunities by hosting job fairs and providing resources to ensure they have the opportunity to participate in the American Dream their sacrifices have made possible.

“Price Chopper/Market 32 is gratified to collaborate annually with teammates and customers alike to help veterans who have risked their own lives to protect our country and freedoms,” said Pam Cerrone, Price Chopper/Market 32’s director of community relations.

DAV’s goal is to empower veterans to lead high-quality lives with respect and dignity. This is accomplished by ensuring that veterans and their families can access the full range of benefits available to them; fighting for the interests of America’s injured heroes on Capitol Hill; and educating the public about the great sacrifices and needs of veterans transitioning back to civilian life.

Click here for the NCPR story 

The Peru CSD Board of Education will hold a special meeting in the High School Community Room on Thursday, October 31, 2024, at 7:30 AM.  It is anticipated that the Board will almost immediately convene in Executive Session to discuss the employment history and potential discipline of a particular person.  Currently, no other District business is expected for this meeting.

The agenda will be available on the District’s website (perucsd.org).

The meeting is open to the public and current District, County, State and Federal safety procedures and protocols will be followed. The public may only view the open/public sessions of the meeting.  Executive Session is not available for viewing/attendance.

Click here for the Press-Republican story 

Flagpole Foundation Director Danny Kaifetz

Jimmy Devan

Greg Lee guides Jimmy Devan down the flagpole

Jimmy Devan and North Motorcycle Association members raise the pole

Danny Kaifetz shows Jimmy Devan the pole’s plaque bearing Jimmy’s name and years of military service.

Jim Brown pins the World War II Purple Heart on Jimmy.

World War II Purple Heart was awarded to Private Nathan Ralis, who died of his Normandy Invasion wounds.

Jimmy and Bonnie Devan’s daughter Sharron told what a wonderful father Jimmy has been.

By John T Ryan

Peru, NY – Don’t miss the beautiful new flagpole as you drive by the 692 Route 22B residence of Jim and Bonnie Devan. On Sunday, October 27, 2024, Danny Kaifetz, Director of The American Heroes Flagpole Foundation, conducted a moving ceremony to honor Vietnam War Veteran PFC James “Jimmy” Alvin Devan. Jimmy Devan served our nation from 1967 to 1968 in combat with the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, Charlie Company. Devan’s 2023 North County Honor Flight biography recounted his heroism. “On patrol and headed to Hill 10 in Da Nang, a booby-trap explosion destroyed Jimmy’s eyesight and inflicted severe injuries, requiring many back-and-forth transports between the Da Nang Hospital and the USS Sanctuary. Jimmy received a Purple Heart and several awards for his courage, saying he’d do it all over again.”

Danny Kaifetz addressed Devan’s family and friends, saying, “What is so difficult today is that Jim will not see his flagpole due to his extreme sacrifice 56 years ago for our Nation. I would like everyone here today to take a moment after this ceremony to describe to him what you saw through your eyes. The Honor, the Importance, and the Merit he earned are far beyond what we can convey today. Please aid this fine Marine and outstanding American Hero in seeing his flagpole and stamping that image into his heart.”

Decorated Veteran Greg Lee guided Jimmy through the ceremony. He served in the same Marine Vietnam Unit as Jimmy, just a few months apart. Onlookers shed a few tears as Jimmy, guided by Lee, touched the entire length of the flagpole.

Danny Kaifetz founded the American Heroes Flagpole Association in late 2022. Located In Owl’s Head, NY, its mission is to create and aware hand-crafted 25-foot Northern Red Oak flagpoles to combat wounded, combat-disabled, and combat-decorated veterans throughout the Northeast at no cost to veterans. Jimmy Devan is the 20th veteran to receive this award. Kaifetz plans to award 100 flagpoles over a five-year period.

American Legion Post 1619 members formed an Honor Guard, sounded taps, and fired a rifle salute. Auxiliary members sang several patriotic songs. Jimmy is a Post 1619 Life Member and Bonnie is an Auxiliary member. Veterans of the North Motorcycle Association stood at attention and helped Jimmy Devan raise the flagpole and flag.

After the flag flew, Danny Kaifetz conducted an additional presentation. Recently, a WWII veteran’s nephew sent Kaifetz his uncle’s Purple Heart, asking Kaifetz to find a place of Honor. The uncle, Private Nathan Ralis, participated in the Normandy Invasion on June 6, 1944, and died of his wounds on November 22, 1944. Kaifetz asked Veterans of the North Motorcycle Association officer Jim Brown to present the medal, saying, “There can be no greater honor for both the original recipient eighty years ago and the man we are honoring here than to have Jim Brown pin this Purple Heart Medal on James Alvin Brown’s chest.”

Jimmy Devan’s daughter Sharron also spoke, eliciting the most emotion from her father as she recounted what a wonderful father, mentor, and grandfather he’s been to his family. The Devans’ daughter Jamie was out of town attending a wedding, but she called to congratulate her dad as the ceremony concluded. Then, Jim and his wife Bonnie invited everyone inside for refreshments.

The American Heroes Flagpole Foundation has more ceremonies scheduled this year, the next being at the Barracks Veterans Park on the U.S. Oval on Veterans Day, November 11.  Go to www.americanheroesflagpoles.com on the web for more information.

Chicken & Biscuits

Fruit 

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!

1. Call Meeting to Order

2. Pledge of Allegiance

3. Roll Call 

4. MOTION:  Acceptance of Minutes for the Regular Meeting of October 10, 2024. 

5. Community Input.

6. DISCUSSION/MOTION:  Lakes to Locks Passage Kiosks.

7. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Approve the Sale of the Dynapac Roller & Blawknox Paver to the Town of Jay.

8. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Approval of Clinton County 2024-2025 Snow & Ice Services Contract.

9. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Awarding the RFQ Solicitation to AES Northeast, Inc. For the Wastewater Treatment Plant Project.

10. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Approval of the Hiring of Alexis Grennan for Part time Asst. Recreation Director for Fall Sports.

11. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Acceptance of the Internal Audit for the Town of Peru Town Clerk.

12. DISCUSSION:  Other Business.

13. DISCUSSION:  Public Comments on Agenda Items Only.

14. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: September 2024 Bills.

15. MOTION:  Adjourn to Executive Session.

16. MOTION:  Return from Executive Session. 

17. MOTION: Adjourn Meeting.

Click here for the MYNBC5 story 

Click here for infomration from the Clinton County Board of Elections