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The editor is John Ryan at email: perugazette@gmail.com. The Peru Gazette is a free community, education and information website. It is non-commercial and does not accept paid advertising.

Comment Policy

The Peru Gazette welcomes comments on posted stories. The author MUST include his/her first and last name. No  foul or libelous language permitted. The Peru Gazette reserves the right to not publish a comment.

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Dogs seized from A Canine Gem will be ready for adoption soon, officials say

The adoption process will be facilitated through Elmore SPCA, and the community is reminded not to visit the jail for information about the dogs

Click here for the MYNBC5 story 

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day With 99¢ Ice Cream Cones at Stewart’s

No need to have the luck of the Irish with this sweet deal!

Stewart’s Shops is celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, with a 99¢ special on single-scoop Ice Cream Cones!

Feeling festive? Try a scoop of our cool and minty Mint Cookie Crumble or Mint Chip Ice Cream. Maybe you would rather sweeten things up by sinking your teeth into our award-winning Chocolate.

Don’t forget the sprinkles. They are always free!

Whatever flavor you choose, this deal is sure to brighten up the day.

And don’t forget to try Stewart’s limited-edition Shenanigan Shake Refreshers while supplies last!

Stewart’s is your one-stop Shop for all your St. Patrick’s Day needs from our Buttermilk, the magic ingredient for pancakes or whipping up a loaf of Irish Soda Bread, to beer and potato chips and our limited-edition Irish Cream Coffee!

What’s Your Flavor?

Board of Education Budget Workshops #1 & #2

The Peru Central School Board of Education will gather Tuesday, March 26th and Thursday, March 28th at 6:00 PM to conduct 24-25 budget workshops.

The March 26th meeting will be held in the High School Community Room.

The March 28th meeting will be held in the High School Cafeteria.

At these workshops, the School Board is expected to discuss/review:

  • Base Budget
  • Proposals and/or Reductions
  • Balancing of Revenues and Expenditures

The meetings are open to the public and current District, County, State and Federal safety procedures and protocols will be followed.

The agendas will be available on the District’s website.

Jehovah’s Witnesses Launch Invitation Campaign

Residents Invited to Two Special Events in March

During March 2024, Jehovah’s Witnesses will be launching a special campaign to invite fellow residents of The Champlain Valley to two special events.

On Sunday, March 24, millions of Jehovah’s Witnesses around the world will gather to commemorate the death of Jesus Christ. 

The annual observance of the Lord’s Evening Meal will feature a talk highlighting the significance of Jesus’ death and what it means for all of mankind. 

The one-hour event will begin and conclude with prayer. 

To learn more about how Jehovah’s Witnesses observe the Lord’s Supper, please visit the event’s Frequently Asked Questions page found on jw.org, the official website of Jehovah’s Witnesses. 

Before the Memorial, a special talk titled “The Resurrection—Victory Over Death!” will be delivered on the weekend of March 16 and 17, 2024. 

The 30-minute, Bible-based public talk will focus on the scriptural hope of a resurrection and what it means for the loved ones we have lost.

Admission to the Memorial and special talk is free and open to the public.

For more information about these events and how to attend, please visit jw.org.

Robert Frenyea was honored as Irish Person of the Year

Plattsburgh (3/15/2024) | For over 60 years, the North Country Chamber of Commerce has organized the St. Patrick’s Day breakfast, a beloved tradition in the community. We were delighted to welcome a sold-out crowd to the West Side Ballroom this morning. The lively event took on a “Tonight Show” format, with Matt Boire as the host, entertaining the audience with an hour of merriment and humor.

The event’s highlight is the Irish Person of the Year recognition, bestowed upon individuals who demonstrate exceptional dedication to volunteerism in business, community, or civic activities. This year, we proudly honored Robert Frenyea. Robert Frenyea’s outstanding community leadership and unwavering commitment to service set him apart. Robert holds family values in high regard as a devoted father of two daughters and a loving husband to Michelle. In addition to his tenure on the chamber board, including a term as chairperson, Robert played a crucial role in fostering international business relations through Canadian seminars. His deep respect for veterans is evident in his active involvement with the West Plattsburgh Legion and his active service in Vietnam. Read more »

Stefanik Announces 2024 NY-21 Congressional Art Competition

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Elise Stefanik today announced the 2024 Congressional Art Competition is open to receive submissions from high school students in New York’s 21st District.

“Every year, I look forward to reviewing hundreds of incredible pieces of art highlighting the very talented student artists of NY-21 for the Congressional Art Competition,” said Congresswoman Elise Stefanik. “The winner of this competition will have their artwork proudly displayed in the United States Capitol. It is a privilege to empower our youth to showcase their incredibly thoughtful and beautiful art pieces. I am looking forward to what NY-21’s student artists produce this year.”

The winning selection will be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol alongside artwork from students from across the nation.

Art submissions, along with a Congressional release form, must be submitted or mailed to one of Congresswoman Stefanik’s district office locations listed below by May 1st, 2024:

  • 99 Troy Road Suite 312 East Greenbush, NY 12061
  • 137 Margaret Street Suite 100 Plattsburgh, NY 12901
  • 330 Ford Street Suite B8 Ogdensburg, NY 13669

A list of rules and the submission form can be found here.

STATEMENT ON SENATE ONE-HOUSE BUDGET FROM SENATOR DAN STEC

            “From its quarter-trillion-dollar price tag to its misplaced priorities and failure to address major outstanding issues like the broken Tier Six pension system and our ongoing public safety crisis, the Senate one-house budget would put New York State in even more dire financial straits than it is currently in.

“A recent comptroller report noted that the high tax-and-spend climate in our state is a major contributor to our outmigration crisis. This plan, would increase taxes by an additional $7 billion and spends a mind-boggling $246.2 billion, $13 billion more than Governor Hochul’s already costly Executive Budget proposal. Not only does this proposal fail to address the root causes of outmigration, it exacerbates the problem and contains many misplaced priorities.

“The Senate plan includes $2.4 billion for illegal immigrant support services, as well as an additional $175 million in health insurance coverage for them. This is funding that belongs to legal, law-abiding taxpayers and would be better off being returned as needed tax relief or towards reforming Tier Six.

“At a time when retail theft is on the rise and public safety remains an urgent concern, the Senate budget would cut nearly $100 million in funding for the state police. It would also advance the governor’s proposal to close up-to five correctional facilities. These measures are just yet another sign of how Senate leadership is failing to take the safety of our communities seriously.

“While the Senate one-house budget proposal addresses some major concerns of mine – namely, raising the Medicaid reimbursement rate for nursing homes and hospitals and restoring Foundation Aid for our schools – this is ultimately a plan that contains far more bad than good. That’s why I voted against the Senate’s one-house budget proposal. The Legislature and governor must do a better job of serving the priorities of our hardworking families and small business owners. As we work towards an enacted budget, I urge all parties to exercise fiscal responsibility and do what’s right for all New Yorkers.”

 

Petition calls for Clinton County sheriff to resign amid jail allegations

Click here for the NCPR story 

CVPH Peru Blood Donor Drive on Monday, April 1

Peru – CVPH Donor Center Blood Brive, Monday, April 1, from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., at St. Augustine’s Parish Center, 3030 Main St. in Peru. 

On February 29, CVPH collected 28 pints in Peru, which is a wonderful total. Thank you to all the donors! 

All blood collected is utilized in our trl-county region.

The drive is being coordinated by St. Augustine’s Knights of Columbus Council 7273. 

Margaret Street downtown construction wrap-up begins next Monday

Good Morning,

On Monday, March 18, 2024, Rifenburg Construction and their subcontractors will return to Margaret Street to wrap up items that could not be completed in the fall. They will begin with installing new signal poles and pedestrian crossing facilities at the intersections of Margaret/Cornelia Streets, Margaret/Broad Streets, and Brinkerhoff/Oak Streets. Following this, they will install the new concrete crosswalks, restrip all existing lines, and finish with punch list items. Please take care when traveling in these areas and watch for construction personnel and flaggers.

Please go to my.cityofplattsburgh-ny.gov/en/ for weekly project updates and to keep up to date on other City of Plattsburgh Projects.

Stefanik Advocates for New York Based Lake Champlain Educational Center

Peru Gazette file photo

Elise Stefanik News Release 

Washington, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik sent a letter urging the Lake Champlain Basin Program and the Great Lakes Fishery Commission to establish a center for outreach and educational efforts on the New York side of Lake Champlain in the North Country.

The Lake Champlain Basin Program and the Great Lakes Fishery Commission lead important efforts to combat invasive species, protecting the watershed’s biodiversity and strengthening our local economy. This is vital, as non-native invasive animal and plant species cost the United States over $100 billion every year.

In the letter, Congresswoman Stefanik states, “As Co-chair of the Congressional Invasive Species Caucus, I remain committed to preserving our cherished environments and combating harmful invasive species that threaten wildlife habitats. Having a space for our communities and visitors in the North Country to learn about the restoration of Lake Champlain and its watershed, as well as the threat of invasive species, would help facilitate more informed and involved communities.”

Stefanik continues, “The Lake Champlain Basin Program and the Great Lakes Fishery Commission are uniquely qualified to provide opportunities for students, residents, and visitors to learn more via exhibits, hands-on activities, events, and educational programs for all ages. I urge you to partner with our North Country community by establishing a space for all to learn, engage, and actively participate in ensuring our ecosystems are preserved for years to come.”

Find the full letter here.

CENTRAL NY NEWS Kia thieves take more than cars: Syracuse victims lose money, jobs, a ride named ‘Betsy’

More than 900 Kias and Hyundais were stolen in the Syracuse area last year and the theft rate is even more this year. 

Click here for the Syracuse.com story 

Protecting your right to know

Reprinted with Press-Republican permission. Appeared in the March 13, 2024 edition. 

VIEWPOINT

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is a guest editorial by Jim Zachary. Zachary is CNHI Director of Newsroom Standards & Practices can be reached at jzachary@cnhi.com.

All government business is your business.

Government can only be of, by and for the people when it is out in front of the people.

State Sunshine Laws should not only codify the public’s right to know but should facilitate access to both records and meetings while providing real penalties when elected and appointed officials block or stall access.

Unfortunately, as a combined CNHI and Associated Press nationwide report published this week shows, in the vast majority of states public access laws have little to no teeth, and in the states that do have stiff penalties for violations, enforcement is sparse at best.

That needs to change. Every last penny government spends is your money.

It is your right to know every transaction, every decision, every expenditure and every deliberation of your government.

Whether at the White House, the statehouse or the county courthouse, all the documents held in government halls belong to the people, and all the business conducted by our governors is public business.

The understanding that we are the government and the government is us is primary to our Republic.

The only powers held by federal, state or local government are the powers we give.

So, whether it is Congress, the state’s General Assembly, county commission, city council or the board of education, it is your right to know all the people’s business.

When you attend local city, county or schoolboard meetings, and ask questions and hold elected representatives accountable, you are not minding their business, you are minding your own business.

When you make a public records request, you are not asking local records custodians to give you something that just belongs to them or the office where they work. You are simply asking for your own documents. Those custodians need to understand that.

The Bill of Rights guarantees the freedom of the press for very important reasons. The founders built a hedge of protection around the media because the press, as the Fourth Estate, guards and fights for the public’s right to know, holding government accountable.

Journalists help keep an eye on government, shine the light on its actions, fight the good fight for access to documents and meetings, champion transparency and defend the First Amendment because of a core belief in your basic, fundamental rights — principally, your right to know.

Access to public information, though, is not just for the press. It is for each and every one of you too.

 

Third New York guard member identified in Texas helicopter crash

Jacob Pratt, of Rensselaer, has been identified as the sole survivor of the helicopter crash on Friday

Click here for the MYNBC5 story 

Depot Theatre offers performance opportunity for students

Auditions for its Academy program will take place March 30

Click here for the Sun Community News story 

Martin Mannix Jr., a longtime Town of Plattsburgh political leader and SUNY Plattsburgh supporter, has passed away.

On March 14, at 10:45 a.m., the Town of Plattsburg issued this statement.

“We honor the memory of a man whose unwavering devotion stretched across more than thirty years of service to the Town of Plattsburg as an esteemed member of the Town Board, Deputy Supervisor, and Town Justice. In every role, Marty’s dedication to serving his community and striving for its improvement remains a timeless testament to his profound influence and love for the community. We offer his family and friends our deepest condolences.”

Click here for Mr. Mannix’s obituary 

Anticipating hundreds will lose motel rooms on Friday, Scott administration to open 4 temporary shelters

Click here for the VTDigger story 

Police investigate fatal crash in Franklin County, NY

New York State Police are investigating after a driver was killed on Route 3 in Harrietstown

Click here for the MYNBC5 story

Law firm: Saratoga Springs school officials ‘did not go far enough’

Click here for the Times-Union story 

Here’s your Maple Weekend Passport

Push for stricter animal neglect and abuse laws intensifies in Clinton County

Mooers Town Supervisor Jeff Menard, along with the County Legislature, say they are currently considering passing a tethering law

Click here for the MYNBC5 story 

Peru applying to be a Pro-Housing Community & More

News includes affordable housing, the Recreation Director Assistant position still not filled, a grant application to be submitted, town property sale faces obstacles, a new hire in the Highway Department, and Employee Handbook revisions 

March 12, 2024—The Peru Town Board held a regular meeting Monday evening chaired by Deputy Supervisor Jim Douglass. The board excused Supervisor Brandy McDonald and Councilman Melvin Irwin.

Our nation, NYS, and this region have a housing shortage, especially affordable housing. Last year, Governor Kathy Hochul initiated and signed Executive Order 30, creating the Pro-Housing Community designed to reward local governments working hard to address New York’s housing crisis. Planning Board member Allison Webbinaro addressed the board to advocate for Peru to take advantage of the program and to be named a New York State Pro-Housing Designated Community. Webbinaro said the state had already named five North Country communities “Pro-Housing,” and she wants Peru to join them. A Pro-Housing designated community will receive funding priority for several state discretionary programs, including the Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI), the N.Y. Forward program, and more. The three board members present, Jim Douglass, Eric Duquette, and Kregg Bruno, supported the application and asked Code Enforcement Officer Bob Guynup to prepare it. Peru needs additional housing, especially in the water-sewer district, where relatively few property owners will bear the cost of the state-mandated water and sewer improvements.

Recreation Director Kristen Marino said she hasn’t received any applications for the recreation director assistant position. Marino may recommend subdividing the job by season, i.e., a baseball assistant, a soccer assistant, a basketball assistant, etc. She thinks people may be willing to commit to a specific sport over a shorter period.

Water/Sewer Parks Superintendent Courtney Tetrault reported that he’s applying for a federal grant through Congresswoman Stefanik to help pay for the upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant. The application is due this Friday.

The town wants to sell 45 acres of no-longer-used property adjacent to Brand Hollow Rd. At one time, the property was the town’s wastewater lagoon site. Unfortunately, decommissioning the property is going to be expensive. The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) indicated that an engineering study and asbestos assessment of the property’s 20′ x 20′ building would be required. The estimated cost is $33,000. The board tabled the issue pending receipt of more information.

In other actions, the board accepted Adam Archer’s resignation as a Highway Department Machine & Equipment Operator and approved hiring T. J. Welch of Peru as his replacement. Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell praised Adam Archer’s work, saying he’d gladly take him back if he ever wants to return. Deputy Highway Superintendent Tyler Jarvis said T.J. Welch has a great, can-do attitude and will, hopefully, be a town employee for many years.

The board approved changes to the Employee Handbook regarding maximum compensation time for Highway and Water/Sewer/Parks employees and Highway Department Commercial Driver Licensing.

US House passes bill cracking down on TikTok

Bill gives owner ByteDance 165 days to divest from TikTok, and if it does not app stores would be legally barred from hosting it

Click here for The Guardian Story 

Peru Community Church to host Palm Sunday Brunch

Clinton County Health Department Receives Health Department Clinical Services AccreditationClinton County, NY, March 12, 2023.

On January 31, 2024, the Compliance Team (TCT), a nationally recognized healthcare accreditation organization approved by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), announced the award of Exemplary Provider® status to the Clinton County Health Department (CCHD). This recognition follows the successful completion of TCT’s Health Department Clinical Services Accreditation program.
Debra Tackett, MSN, RN, Director of Health Care Services, expressed her satisfaction with the achievement, stating, “The Health Care Services staff is proud to have attained accreditation in Health Department Clinical Services from The Compliance Team. This accomplishment validates our team’s dedicated efforts and reinforces our commitment to quality measures and evidence-based practices, thus enhancing our preparedness for future healthcare crises.”

Read more »