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Saturday,ÊM archÊ19,Ê2016
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www.SunCommunityNews.com
In NEWS | pg. 9
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Free Enterprise Marathon 2016
In POLITICS | pg. 5
Funiciello enters race
North Country students participate in biz contest
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Will take second stab at NY’s 21st
In NEWS | pg. 3
P’Burgh City Marina expanding Marina to almost triple in size by 2018
Officials split on creating resolution against trade agreement By Teah Dowling
teah@suncommunitynews.com
PLATTSBURGH — A local woman is pushing for the city to become a Trans-Pacific Partnership-free zone. Activist Mary Alice Shemo asked the Plattsburgh Common Council last week to pass the resolution against the TPP in an effort to build what she referred to as a “democratic movement of resistance.” “It’s a way for a locality to say that we don’t want to comply with this agreement,” she said. “We don’t know if it will go through, but if it does, we hope that this will protect us.” Councilwoman Rachelle Armstrong said she plans on looking further into the legisla-
tion and will convince the council to consider the resolution. TPP is a free trade deal between the United States and 11 other countries that seeks to provide an alternative to trade with China. Shemo said the TPP was a secretive process hatched by “corporate America.” “If you have to be so secretive to do something,” she said, “you probably shouldn’t do it.” Councilman Dale Dowdle said although he’s not opposed to the proposal, he is against creating a resolution. “I’m not sure it will become a resolution,” he said. “But if it does, I won’t support it.” Mayor James Calnon shares a similar mindset.
“I’m very reluctant to go down that path,” he said. Both Dowdle and Calnon are hesitant to pass on a resolution that could affect their relationships with Canada, a country the local economy is heavily dependent on. Industrialization, Calnon said, is one of the big relationships with Canada. Just last month, The Development Corporation announced another Quebec-based addition, Delastek, to its parks. French-speaking shoppers are another important asset to the area, Calnon said. The mayor believes the resolution won’t benefit the city. “It won’t help me balance my budget,” he said. “It won’t help me take care of the welfare
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>> See TRADE AGREEMENT | pg. 21
Updated dog law on hold for now
Clinton Community professor David Graham wins prestigious award
MORRISONVILLE — Bringing French language and culture to students has been one of David Graham’s ultimate goals for several years. Now, he’s being recognized for it. This spring, Graham will be receiving Teah the 2016 Médaille d’Or du Mérite FrancoDowling Writer phone from the association La Renaissance Française for promoting French language, French and Francophone culture and the values of the Francophonie in the world. The medal recognizes French advocates like Graham who devote themselves to the development or tightening of linguistic or cultural ties between France and other countries, along with spreading French language and culture throughout the country. “It’s nice to be recognized for what I do,” Graham said.
of my residents.” Dhimitri Qirjo, assistant economics professor at SUNY Plattsburgh, said last month the TPP will boost exports and economic growth by eliminating thousands of tariffs placed on US exports. This could lead to an increase in jobs in exporting, he said, especially since competition between countries gives more incentive to come up with new ideas, including in the electrical, automotive and agricultural industries. Shemo, on the other hand, believes this initiative could potentially eliminate “buy local” and “buy American” initiatives and hurt small businesses and family farms.
Peru holds off on approving dog licensing law until more information is gathered from Ag & Markets
By Teah Dowling
teah@suncommunitynews.com
For 50 years, Graham has brought foreign language to a number of college enrollees from Spanish for the first 20 years of his teaching career to his current instruction of French. Later on, the foreign language instructor broadened his lessons to Quebec culture – teaching students about popular music, history, cinema and migration. Popular French films and occasional maple leaf cookies were a few offerings of his Quebec Culture and Society class.
PERU — Town officials decided to hold off on approving a proposed dog licensing law at Monday’s public hearing. Peru held the hearing to change Section 17 of the dog licensing and control law, specifying what would count as proof to redeem a seized pooch. The amended law stated Elmore SPCA would be provided a report from the town clerk’s office containing the owner’s information, pet details and licensing and rabies information. The approximate 900 licensed dogs would be listed in a 10 to 12 page spreadsheet that would be updated and distributed every month. “The whole purpose of this is to make things easier for everyone,” Deputy Supervisor Brandy McDonald said. Representatives of Elmore SPCA shared their concern at the hearing.
>>See DAVID GRAHAM| pg. 21
>> See DOG LAW | pg. 12
David Graham YEARS OF TEACHING