The Peru Gazette

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The budget includes a 3% raise for other employees

Peru—After conducting four department workshops, the Peru Town Board presented a tentative 2025 budget at a special meeting on Thursday, October 3, 2024.

Responding to planned culvert replacement project costs, the board agreed to forego a 2025 pay raise. Town Clerk/Tax Collector Dianne Miller also said she would forego a raise. The tentative budget does include a 3% pay increase for other employees.

At this point, town general expenses are estimated at $2,088,121, up from $1,943,895 (+6.3%). Highway Department expenses rise to $2,062,358, up $126,326 (+5.4%).

The board hopes to have more information on property tax revenue and department expenses in place for a workshop on Wednesday, October 16, at 5:30 p.m. If necessary, it will hold a second workshop on Wednesday, October 23, at 5:30 p.m.

A Preliminary Budget will be formulated and presented at a public hearing on Wednesday, November 4 at 5:30 p.m.  On Tuesday, November 14, the board plans to conduct a special meeting to adopt the Final 2025 budget

(All photos by David Brown)

Thomas Batterson, U.S. Air Force, 1968-1991 – Vietnam

Tom received a draft notice. Looking to get out of English class, Tom took the Air Force qualifying exam, passed, and enlisted. After basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, Tom became an Air Crew Life Support.  Tom ensured the survival of the flight crew on any aircraft. On leave, Tom joined his Dad and Uncle for a drink.  It was an honor to be served at 18 since the drinking age was 21.  Tom received many commendations for his 23 years of service.  Today, at the Vietnam Wall, Tom will be touching the name of a best friend, David Van Blarcom.  Tom hopes to leave his guilt behind and find peace.

Lloyd Brockney, U.S. Army, 1965-1969 – Vietnam          

Against his mom’s wishes, Lloyd enlisted because he always wanted to be a soldier. Lloyd had basic training at Fort Dix and AIT at Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston. Sent to Vietnam, Lloyd was a medic with the First Air Calvary, 56th Medical Battalion. Lloyd was on sick call for the whole troop.

Sitting in a slick Huey about 200 feet in the air, Lloyd was shot down in Tay Ninh Province. Lloyd’s head was wedged in the tail of the helicopter. Knowing he had to get out, he couldn’t move. Sadly 5 comrades lost their lives that day.  Lloyd received a Purple Heart for his heroism.  

Lanny Bruno, U.S. Army, 1965-1968 – Vietnam

Lanny was working construction in South Dakota when he received a draft notice.Lanny immediately got a flight and enlisted. After basic and AIT training at Fort Dix, Lanny drove trucks and transferred to police duty.Lanny volunteered to attend Diesel School and became a Diesel Mechanic.Sent to Germany on TDY, Lanny’s buddy wanted to learn to ski at Zukes Pit.  After a 2-hour lesson, he went to the mountain top and skied down so fast he didn’t know what to do, so he went to the ski lodge. Leaving Germany, Lanny was glad he flew to McGuire Air Force Base, where he completed his service.

Martin Connell, U.S. Navy, 1967-1971 – Vietnam

Marty enlisted and had basic training at the Great Lakes Naval Station.  Marty was a radar man on the oldest commissioned destroyer in the Navy, the USS Wallace L. Lind (DD-703). Going to Vietnam, the ship patrolled in the Gulf of Tonkin and Subic Bay. Marty was running radars in North Vietnam at the Gulf of Tonkin when he could intercept transmissions of trucks on the move coming toward them.  Marty saved many lives that day, including pilots flying a mission over North Vietnam. On R & R in Hong Kong Harbor, Marty learned much from two girls who served as tour guides and offered him chicken blood soup.

George Dorr, U.S. Navy, 1965-1969 – Vietnam

George was drafted into the Army but chose the Navy.  George had basic training at Great Lakes Naval Station. George boarded the USS Mississinewa (AO-144), a Fleet Oiler.  George was first a fireman and then a Boiler Tender who refueled everything from military ships to aircraft carriers. There were over 450 officers and enlisted people on the ship. George said they had it good and ate well, occasionally eating steaks and ice cream. The closest they got to Vietnam was the Equator. George enjoyed seeing many countries, including Sicily, Italy, France, Greece, and Turkey.  

Roger Dorr, U.S. Navy, 1967-1971 – Vietnam

Like George, Roger was on the USS Mississinewa (AO-144). Assigned to Vietnam at Can Ranh Bay, Roger was an interpreter who spoke Vietnamese.  Average firefights lasted 3 minutes. Roger received a call that a “black pony” was flying a fixed-wing aircraft and asked if they were in trouble. The troops kept their heads down as “black pony” dumped everything they had.  Three hundred enemies were gone. Roger’s comrades weren’t injured.  Roger received a Combat Action Ribbon for calling in fire support. Roger’s 8-foot pet boa constrictor took care of the rats.  

Three Dorr brothers served in the Navy.      

Michael Foley, U.S. Marine Corp, 1969-1972 –  Vietnam

Following in the footsteps of his dad and cousin, Michael enlisted in the Marine Corps.  Michael had basic training at Parris Island and trained as a demolition engineer who blew things up.  Parents were not to send anything to soldiers. Michaels’s friend received a pizza. They forced-fed him, washing it down with hot water.  The more he puked, the more they made him eat. Michael recalls going past the review station at graduation and being told ‘you are now U.S. Marines and will be until you die’.  Michael said he wouldn’t swap it for anything as he learned how to love his brothers.  Read more »

(All photos by David Brown)

Richard Barnier, U.S. Army, 1949-1953 – Korean

Richard enlisted and had basic training at Fort Dix.  Starting as a paratrooper, Richard changed to driving a tank and became a tank commander.  During an amphibious operation, the timing of high tide was crucial for the successful landing of UN Forces, which needed a significant landing with a wave-like effect on the battlefront.  On a boat, Richard saw General Douglas MacArthur.  Richard discussed a memory that bothers him to this day.  Driving through town, an enemy was camouflaged, and all hell broke loose.  The Lieutenant ordered Richard, who was driving the tank, to run over a North Korean soldier, which still bothers Richard. Richard was leader of a Battalion driving a tank, the enemy fired and destroyed the tank in front of his. 94-year-old Richard Barnier

Ricky Clark, U.S. Navy, 1966-1969 – Vietnam

Ricky enlisted and had basic training at Great Lakes Naval Station. On sea duty, Ricky, a deck aid, worked in the engine room. With a bucket, Ricky would bilge dive, lift deck plates up, degrease them with rags, and be careful not to touch the hot pipes. Ricky said they saw conflict off the coast of Vietnam. Ricky was a night hookman on a replenishing ship.  Two ships ran side-by-side at synchronized speeds and courses as pallets stacked 5 feet high carrying hundreds of pounds of supplies traveled across cables from one ship to another. Ricky enjoyed seeing Japan, Hong Kong, and the Philippines.  

James DeLucas, U.S. Air Force, 1971-1995 – Cold War

Jim had ROTC at MIT.At Eglin Air Force Base, Jim’s residency was in Family Practice. Sent to Plattsburgh Air Force Base, Jim was Chief of Family Practice. Jim’s 2nd residency was in Aerospace Medicine and a Master’s in Public Health.  After a year in Korea, Jim returned to Plattsburgh, practiced medicine, and was the last hospital commander at the closing ceremony.  In an F-16, Jim felt he was shot out of a cannon. After losing the Challenger space shuttle, Jim was the first to test seating and parachute weight as an escape system. His brother blasted off on Columbia in the very seat Jim tested.  Jim served 24 years in military service.

John DeZali, U.S. Air Force, 1967-1969 – Vietnam

John had basic training at Lackland Air Force Base and became an Air Crew Survival Specialist. John kept the parachutes, survival kits, and helmets clean and in working condition. Once, a General came in and asked John to clean and check out his helmet, resulting in John receiving Airman of the Month.As a reward, John rode in a KC-135 from Maine to California and back to visit family. The military asked John to participate with the U.S. Air Force bobsled team. For two years, John was on the 2-man and 4-man bobsled teams, receiving medals on the 4-man team. They enjoyed beating the Navy bobsled team.

James Farrell, U.S. Marine Corps, 1963-1967 – Vietnam

Jim enlisted and had basic training at Parris Island.  At Camp Geiger and Camp Lejeune, Jim had AIT training with the 3^rd Infantry Division. Back from Vietnam, Jim had motor transport in Okinawa with the 3^rd Battalion, 2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th, and 5^th Marine Divisions at the beach, loading and unloading ammo on the ships.  Re-enlisting, Jim spent two years at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard delivering flags to the fallen at military funerals and serving as an Honor Guard. Jim recalls a day in Okinawa, drinking whiskey and an entire bottle of champagne, jumping into a pool, fully clothed. 

Bruce Finley, U.S. Air Force, 1969-1973 – Vietnam

Bruce had basic training at Lackland Air Force Base and AIT in building maintenance at Shepard Air Force Base. Deployed to Vietnam, Bruce landed in Cam Rahn Bay, then Danang with the Red Horse Squadron. Bruce was the foreman on the painting crew who worked well with the civilian Vietnamese.  At Monkey Mountain, Bruce’s highlight was the Bob Hope show, which featured Sammy Davis, Jr. and Ann Margaret. After 51 years, Bruce and his closest buddy, Bill Bennett, reunited. Bruce and Bill were under a rocket attack, hurrying to grab their helmets and vests, they collided running out of the tent. Bruce and Bill shared many memories.  

Robert Fish, U.S. Army, 1960-1966 – Vietnam, U.S. Army Reserves, 1976-2002

Bob enlisted, had basic training at Fort Dix, was a combat engineer and fixed trucks.  In Germany, Bob and his buddies were drinking and playing poker. Receiving notice they were flying out, they gave all the money to the bartender’s girlfriend. Bob got along with everyone and enjoyed trips to Holland and Paris. Bob joined an MP Unit with the Vermont Army Reserves. Bob left Vermont to reduce travel and was a Chief ammunition inspector of Bullets and Missiles. Bob received orders to Desert Storm.  Bob spent 32 years in military service and 35 years with the New York State Police.  

Richard Fournia, U.S. Army, 1972-1975 – Vietnam

Rick enlisted and had basic training at Fort Dix and AIT with the 25th Infantry Division. Rick trained with the Infantry Platoon with the Australian Army and in South Korea.  Rick served with two friends in Hawaii in the 1st Battalion, 19th Infantry.  Sent to Germany, Rick was with the 1^st Armored Personnel Carrier anti-tank missiles. Rick said he would do it all over again.  Rick and two other dedicated friends, James Farrell and Todd Perry, also on today’s flight, have supported the American Legion Post 1618 in Saranac for 22 years. Rick’s dad, Clarence, flew on Honor Flight #34                  

Louis Hanlon, U.S. Army, 1968-1971 – Vietnam

Louis enlisted and had basic training at Fort Bragg and AIT training in artillery and cannoneer at Fort Sill.  In Vietnam, Lou pushed projectiles into cannons to prepare for fire, taking the shells out and getting ready for the next. Lou was a forward observer with Company A, 505^th Parachute Infantry Regiment.  A radio operator, Lou, pre-plotted positions and gave 8-digit grid coordinates, inputting data to send information to guns adjusting fire. Troops were sent as water buffalo tripped flares, letting the enemy know where they were. Ninety minutes later, they were hit by enemy fire.  Lou saved his Commander’s life as the fire was coming in.  Read more »

Peru, NY: The Peru Fire District will conduct a planning workshop on its upcoming building project at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, October 6. The public is welcome to attend. 

October 5, 2024, Plattsburgh, NY – Thirty more deserving veterans flew to Washington D.C. today on North Country Honor Flights 58 and 59. View Dave Brown’s photos of the Send-Off Ceremony and flight line departures with music accompaniment. The Peru Gazette will publish veteran biographies as soon as possible.

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October 4, 2024, Plattsburgh – Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay Lake) presented North Country Honor Flight with $100,000 that he secured in state funding at Lake City Choppers in Plattsburgh before the first motorcycle escort departed to pick up veterans for the Honor Flights on Saturday. This funding will support North Country Honor Flight’s mission to bring local veterans to Washington, D.C., to see our Nation’s war memorials.

“I am proud to have secured $100,000 in funding in the state budget for the North Country Honor Flight,” said Jones.  “I have seen firsthand the important work NCHF does throughout the North Country in honoring and recognizing our veterans for all their sacrifices for our great nation. I am humbled to be a part of this organization and its important mission, and I will continue to support our veterans in any way I can. I want to thank the North Country Honor Flight organization and all their dedicated members and volunteers for all they do for our veterans here in the North Country.

“Thank you to Assemblyman Billy Jones for his steadfast support over the years,” said Barrie Finnegan, Executive Director of North Country Honor Flight. “This funding has been invaluable in helping us bring veterans to our Nation’s capital, and we look forward to continuing to work together to support our local veterans.”

Amendments, public hearings and public comment period detailed

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(Please Share) Peru, NY – Chris Garrow, a 1994 Peru High School graduate, was a member of the New York State Police for 23 years, starting as a trooper in Plattsburgh.  Chris passed away on June 12, 2023, after a short battle with pancreatic cancer. His cancer was deemed a result of his time responding to the recovery efforts in New York City following the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001. Chris loved the job, and being the overachiever, he stayed busy as a Marine Operator, Firearms Instructor, member of the State Police Underwater Rescue Team, and Field Training Officer. He held ranks of Sergeant, Station Commander, Lieutenant, and, most recently, Captain, which was his career goal. Chris was a distinguished pistol expert and received a Superintendence Commendation Award and a 911 First Responder award.

The Garrow family is deeply touched by the community’s support and is eager to reciprocate. With the effort of many friends, they are organizing a fundraiser on Friday, October 11, and Saturday, October 12. The funds raised will benefit the Christopher Garrow Fund, providing scholarships to aspiring Peru High School graduates and supporting local families affected by cancer. Your participation in this fundraiser is appreciated and will better our community.

The fundraiser will kick off on Friday with exciting boys’ and girls’ soccer games at 4:30 and 6:30 PM. Jenn’s Smoking Hot BBQ will cater to your appetite, and raffle baskets will add to the fun.

The event will continue at 9 AM on Saturday with two thrilling “Battle of the Blues” flag football games between local law enforcement and Peru alumni. The winners will play a Championship Game at 10:30 AM. The day will also feature an auction, 50-50, and a raffle of exciting prizes. At 1:30 PM, participants will support the Peru team playing their home football game.

At 6 PM at Valcour Brewing Company ($5 entry fee), there will be snacks, dessert, raffle tickets, a 50/50, and a silent auction with an open cash bar.

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The purchase of the 45-store chain, including 38 stores in Vermont, is a major expansion of Stewart’s New England presence.

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Peru Town 2025 Budgeting Schedule:
Wednesday, September 18, 2024, 5:30 PM       Highway Budget Workshop
Wednesday, September 25, 2024, 5:30 PM       Water/Sewer/Valcour Workshop
Wednesday, October 2, 2024, 5:30 PM             Salaries/General Workshop
Thursday, October 3, 2024, 5:30 PM – Special Meeting to Present Tentative Budget
Wednesday, October 16, 2024, 5:30 PM           Budget Review Workshop (Downstairs)
Wednesday, October 23, 2024, 5:30 PM           Budget Review Workshop (if needed)
Monday, November 4, 2024, 5:30 PM                Public Hearing on Preliminary Budget
Thursday, November 14, 2024, 5:30 PM            Special Meeting to Adopt Final Budget

Peru—Pancakes Plus Breakfast, Sunday, OCTOBER 13, served by the St. Augustine’s Knights of Columbus, St. Augustine’s Parish Center, 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. $10 for adults, $5 children 5 to 11, and Children under 5 are Free. Take-outs are $10. The menu includes Pancakes, French Toast, Strawberry Sauce, Sausage, Bacon, Scrambled eggs, Hash Browns, Real Maple Syrup, Coffee, Orange Juice, and Milk.

Future breakfasts are scheduled for Sunday, January 12, Sunday, February 9, Sunday, March 9, Sunday, April 13, and Sunday, May 11.

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NYS Education Commissioner to join Thursday, Oct. 17 celebration

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