A free community news service for Peru, NY
Ticonderoga, Beekmantown, Saranac, and Lake Placid feature winning teams, Avery Blanchard and Jake Kollmer the individual winners
Posted: November 4th, 2023 under Adirondack Region News, Education News, General News, Peru School News, Sports News.
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Election Day is next Tuesday, Nov. 7. If you didn’t read these responses when they were posted, please take a few minutes to read them now.
Click here for Clinton County Legislature Candidates’ responses to Peru Gazette Questions.
Click here for the Clinton County Clerk Candidates’ responses to Peru Gazette Questions
Posted: November 3rd, 2023 under County Government News, General News, Northern NY News, Peru News, Peru/Regional History.
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Plattsburgh’s downtown is not ready yet,” said the hotel developer I invited to Plattsburgh some 30 years ago to walk downtown’s streets with me.
The developer concluded our walk and conversation by saying, “When your downtown has a critical mass of retail, dining, and entertainment, then you will not have to invite a hotel developer to walk the streets with you, instead, a hotel developer will come to you.”
Three decades later, after our downtown has achieved that critical mass of retail, dining, and entertainment, adjacent to a gorgeous lake, a hotel developer has come to us, ready to plunk down $35 million to build a fine hotel on a piece of property few would otherwise want.
One would think the city and the Common Council would jump for joy as a hotel anchor for our promising downtown, on land next to the wastewater plant, is a God send.
Alas, that is not the case.
I was mayor of Plattsburgh for a decade, from 1990 through 1999, a period of great tumult and change as our Air Force base closed and Route 3 continued to suck the life from our downtown. I was frantic in keeping our downtown vibrant and intact against those long odds.
Times and circumstances change, however. The same chain stores we have on Route 3 are found almost everywhere in America, as urban sprawl continues its unappealing appetite.
Yet, all the while, the Lake City’s downtown slowly built a critical mass of fine dining establishments, entertainment venues and unique retail shops…all “local” …the kind of shops tourists seek, by foot, as they can motor to a Wal-Mart anywhere, and not enjoy a lake front such as ours.
It is a powerful combination as there is so much to do. By the way, we named our community “The Lake City” during my tenure to turn our attention to our biggest asset and that name stuck for only one reason, because it is true. The Lake City only needs a hotel close to its shore to cement that title.
I went on to be a mayor of another community, Saranac Lake, and the same hotel developer came to us with a plan for another $35 million investment on the shore of Lake Flower. Of course, in this day of rabid social media, we encountered the same arguments against its building from the same types of naysayers, but we prevailed and the hotel is a beautiful success story and we are better off with its addition of top-notch lodging and venue space.
What were some of the common arguments from the naysayers? Here are a few of them with their answers edited for the Lake City:
What does the city gain?
In addition to the purchase price, the city gains downtown accommodations which will bring tourism, guests, and customers to downtown businesses.
What does the city lose?
Vacant, unused land; land that is adjacent to a sewage treatment plant and has no other foreseeable use.
What if the hotel goes bankrupt?
It will keep operating, as the mortgage lenders will keep it operating to get their loans paid or will sell it cheap to another operator to get as much of the loan paid off as possible. That is how it works in the hotel industry. The city has no liability and will continue to collect tax money.
How will the hotel stay in business in the “off months,” Columbus Day to Memorial Day, the low season?
Just like hotels in Lake George and on Route 3, hotels primarily depend on summer business so that their average vacancy rate gets into the 65% threshold and higher. However, this Downtown hotel is uniquely positioned for winter revenue-generating operations.
What are some of those winter revenue-generating operations?
Weddings, Plattsburgh State hockey packages, college visitors and conferences, card shows, yoga classes, Local craft exhibitions, wine tastings, Christmas packages with Santa, chess tournament, maple syrup festival, beer fest, local farm tours, arts show, celebrity chef-taught cooking classes, local corporate events, kids clubs, cocktail mixing master class, talent shows.
Does Downtown need a hotel to be truly successful?
Yes. Yes. And Yes. It is one of the top anchors of any successful Downtown.
I believe Plattsburgh has achieved that critical mass of retail, dining, and entertainment, and that is why a hotel developer came to us and is willing to risk his $35 million (not ours) on this proposition.
Together, the downtown businesses and the hotel can build upon the base already created and make the hotel a community center and our downtown even more vibrant.
Plattsburgh has nothing to lose and everything to gain. The Common Council must grab that elusive golden ring on this go-around, a reward our downtown has rightly earned and do it now.
— Clyde Rabideau served as mayor of the City of Plattsburgh from 1990 to 2000 and as mayor of Saranac Lake from 2010 to 2022
Posted: November 2nd, 2023 under Adirondack Region News, Business News, General News, Northern NY News, Peru/Regional History.
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University will use the $900K+ to increase graduation rates
Posted: November 2nd, 2023 under Education News, Northern NY News, State Government News.
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Posted: November 2nd, 2023 under Business News, Northern NY News, Peru/Regional History, Things to do in & near Peru.
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Posted: November 2nd, 2023 under County Government News, Northern NY News, Peru News, Political News.
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Posted: November 2nd, 2023 under Fire Department News, Regional NY-VT News.
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Posted: November 2nd, 2023 under Adirondack Region News, Agricultural News, Faces of Peru, Peru News.
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Incarcerated individual arrested for recent facility violence as he was released from prison
Posted: November 1st, 2023 under Adirondack Region News, Law Enforcement News, Northern NY News, State Government News.
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Saturday, Nov. 25 stops include Fort Edward, Port Henry, Plattsburgh and Rouses Point
Posted: November 1st, 2023 under Adirondack Region News, Business News, City News, Community Events, General News, Northern NY News, Youth News.
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Our staff share their stories, as a national crisis hits home. Across the country, health care staff suffer more violent assaults than any other profession.
Posted: November 1st, 2023 under Adirondack Region News, City News, Heathcare News, Northern NY News, Peru/Regional History, Regional NY-VT News.
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Posted: November 1st, 2023 under Law Enforcement News, Regional NY-VT News.
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Special Meeting to Adopt Budget
Scheduled: Nov 14, 2023, at 5:30 PM EST
Corrected: Originally stated by Gazette as 9 AM.
Posted: November 1st, 2023 under General News.
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Peru Nighthawk eight-grader Maddy Welc won the girls’ championship at 19:20.45, 10 seconds
Posted: November 1st, 2023 under Adirondack Region News, General News, Northern NY News, Peru News, Peru resident news/accomplishments, Peru School News, Sports News.
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SUNY COBLESKILL MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY RUNNERS EARN ALL-NAC TEAM HONORS
Waterville, Maine: Three members of the SUNY Cobleskill men’s cross country team have been honored with all-conference honors for their efforts during the 2023 season by the North Atlantic Conference (NAC) after helping the Fighting Tigers to a fourth-place finish at the league’s championship meet hosted by the University Maine-Presque Isle on Saturday in Presque Isle, Maine.
Senior Nick Logan, Queensbury, N.Y., Queensbury High School, was named to the All-NAC First Team for the third consecutive season after earning NAC Runner-of-the-Week honors three times during the season along with a second-place finish at the league’s championship meet by covering the 8000-meter course in a time of 27:40.2 while sophomore Nik Recore, Peru, N.Y., Peru High School, was named to the All-NAC Second team after earning NAC Runner-of-the-Week once during the regular season to go with a 13th place finish in a time of 28:58.5 at the league championships.
Sophomore Will Molesky, Latham, N.Y., Colonie High School, was named to the 2023 NAC Sportsmanship Team by the league’s coaches, which honors student-athletes in keeping with the conference’s theme of “Creating an Atmosphere of Respect” for each of its sports. Establishing the Sportsmanship Team in all sports is in concert with the league’s ultimate goal to create an atmosphere that places the highest regard on the exemplary behavior of all participants, coaches, administrators, fans and officials.
When informed of the trio’s honors, SUNY Cobleskill Head Coach Mitch Tomaszkiewicz had high praise for the group’s selections.
“Nick Logan is what every coach wants in a student-athlete. He is an outstanding athlete, as evidenced by his efforts throughout the year; he is an exceptional student who will graduate Magna Cum Laud, along with being a great team leader as a team captain. Nik Recore is a prime example of what can be accomplished if you work in the off-season and then work hard every day in practice. I can truly say that Nik is maximizing his abilities this season,” said Tomaszkiewicz. “Will Molesky is an exceptional young man who represents what a sportsman should be in and out of competition while being a great teammate over the year to everyone in the program.”
The Fighting Tigers will next close out their 2023 season at the NCAA Division III Niagara Regionals hosted by Houghton University on the Highlanders home course in Houghton, N.Y., beginning at 11:00 a.m.
Posted: October 31st, 2023 under Education News, Northern NY News, Peru News, Peru School News, Sports News.
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Posted: October 31st, 2023 under Faces of Peru, Fire Department News, Northern NY News, Peru News.
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The Peru Town Board will present its Preliminary 2024 Town Budget to the public on Wednesday, November 1, at a 6 p.m. public hearing. By anticipating $60,000 in sales tax revenue and making some budget cuts, The town board projects staying under the state-mandated 2% tax cap but only by $21,661 in an almost $3.9 million budget.
A huge projected Blue Cross Blue Shield rate increase ranging from 26% to 29.5% will impact town employees; the board plans to switch to the MVP insurance plan.
The budget includes 5% wage increases for full and part-time employees except for seasonal employees. Supervisor Brandy McDonald said the wage increases are needed to retain staff, stating that the water/sewer and highway departments lost employees who took higher-paying positions with Clinton County and the City of Plattsburgh.
Posted: October 31st, 2023 under Community Events, General News, Highway Dept. News, Town Board News, Water & Sewer Dept. News.
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Posted: October 31st, 2023 under Community Events, Heathcare News, Youth News.
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Posted: October 31st, 2023 under Adirondack Region News, Law Enforcement News, Northern NY News, State Government News.
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Posted: October 31st, 2023 under Education News, Political News, State Government News.
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The airline has operated routes in and out of Burlington for more than 20 years, and its passengers account for roughly 10% of Burlington’s total monthly flights.
Posted: October 31st, 2023 under Adirondack Region News, Border News, Business News, Congressional News, General News, Regional NY-VT News.
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November – CVPH program plans several opportunities to donate
The next donor drive in Peru is Monday, December 4
PLATTSBURGH, NY (10/30/2023) – The Adirondack Regional Blood Center, a program of the University of Vermont Health Network – Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital (CVPH), plans several blood drives open to the community in November.
The upcoming blood drive schedule is as follows:
The Donor Center, located at 85 Plaza Blvd, is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and walk-ins and walk ins are always welcome.
Blood collected by the Adirondack Regional Blood Center stays in the North Country, helping hundreds of people in this region. Its success rests on the generosity of donors and sponsors.
A donor card or another form of identification is required to donate. Learn more about the Adirondack Regional Blood Center, giving blood and becoming a sponsor at UVMHealth.org/GiveBlood or call (518) 562-7406.
Posted: October 30th, 2023 under General News, Heathcare News, Northern NY News.
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From NYS DEC
Fish in the Saranac River are about to experience some new-found freedom. Deconstruction to remove the remnants of the Indian Rapids Dam and Frendenburgh Falls Dam in Plattsburgh is just about complete, which means fish will now be able to move more freely on that stretch of river.
The projects are a combined effort of NYS Electric & Gas (NYSEG), US Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS), and Trout Unlimited to improve fish passage before a fish ladder is installed at Imperial Mills Dam. The fish ladder combined with the removal of the two dams will allow fish to access upper sections of the Saranac River for the first time in over 120 years!
For more detailed information on this project, visit the USFWS website.
Posted: October 30th, 2023 under Adirondack Region News, Business News, Environmental News, General News, Northern NY News, Peru/Regional History, State Government News.
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Sausage & Gravy Over Biscuits
Apple Sauce
Carrots
Dessert
Served take-out only, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at St. Augustine’s Parish Center, 3030 Main St., Peru, NY 12972
All are welcome!
Posted: October 30th, 2023 under Community Events, Northern NY News, Peru News.
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Changes reflect COVID-19 data in hospital, community
PLATTSBURGH, NY – The University of Vermont Health Network – Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital (CVPH) is rolling back masking requirements for patients, visitors and employees. Beginning Saturday, October 28, masking will be optional for all who enter CVPH facilities. However, hospital officials say anyone who has symptoms of a respiratory illness, including fever, cough, shortness of breath, chills, loss of taste or smell, or diarrhea is asked to wear a mask. There may also be some instances where visitors will be required to don a mask when visiting a patient in isolation or if the patient is under protective measures. CVPH Infection Prevention and Control Manager Erica Moore, RN, BSN, CIC expresses her appreciation for everyone continuing to be responsible visitors.
“Reducing risk for our patients, people entering our facilities and our staff is critical so we can continue providing care. We are asking visitors to join us in that effort,” Moore says. “If you or your child are not feeling well before you plan to visit, please stay home. Take care of yourself, and we’ll be happy to welcome you when you are healthy again.”
Moore adds that there are other ways to connect with loved ones staying in the hospital. CVPH offers patients and families options like video visits to ensure they are able to connect with each other. Phone service and wifi are free. Read more »
Posted: October 28th, 2023 under City News, Heathcare News, Northern NY News.
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