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Saturday,Ê November 5, 2016

In SPORTS | pg. 13-15

Indians claim B title BCS girls off to regional finals

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In POLITICS | pg. 5

Final week until elections

Candidates on last efforts to snag voters

In ARTS | pg. 9

Creating stable communities

Involvement in events enriches quality of life

City councilors weigh department wish lists as budget progresses Department heads present wish lists as city continues to chip away at budget gap Elizabeth Izzo

elizabeth@suncommunitynews.com

PLATTSBURGH — Faced with a $1.5 million deficit, the City of Plattsburgh began taking a closer look at next year’s proposed budget plan on Thursday. Councilors seemed optimistic that they could narrow the gap, asking department heads what they would like to see in 2017 “if they could wave a magic wand.” “Despite the fact that we’re working with a tight budget, we want to start thinking about the future,” said Councilwoman Becky Kasper (Ward 5). “Even if we don’t get our dreams in 2017, at least we know where we’re heading.”

Kasper said the city’s future plans may be effected by the “rapid pace of projects” related to revitalization efforts, noting that local lawmakers are hoping to do a lot of financial planning in advance to support city departments as the larger workload — along with other unknown impacts of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) — are levied onto their departments. In the preliminary budget submitted on Oct. 8, total appropriations for the city were estimated at around $55.3 million, with 18.6 percent being taken from the tax levy. Estimated revenues are currently at $43.8 million, leaving $10.3 million to be raised by the tax levy, and a $1.5 million deficit. BUILDING INSPECTOR Joe McMahon, the city building inspector, said that his

GetÊt ested Free clinic to be offered this weekend at American Legion Post 1619 in Morrisonville

‘PERFECT STORM’

SOLD FOR SALE BY OWNER

518-555-1234

>> See City Budget | pg. 7

Clinton County to replace bridges in Mooers, Peru

forÊ Hep-C

MORRISONVILLE — The boot camp ritual was robotic in its precision. Soldiers lined up for their vaccination shots. Needles were outdated, “jet guns” were in, and soldiers received high pressure blasts of an 18-drug cocktail before Pete being shipped off to Vietnam. DeMola Editor The U.S. military saw the pneumatic devices as an exercise in modern efficiency. “These guns were made for cattle originally,” said Danny Kaifetz, a U.S. Marine who served from 1970-72. “This thing hurt.” The flinching led to ripped skin. Blood sprayed onto the gun, where it mixed with fluids from others. And kapow — the process repeated for the next guy, with no sterilization of the device between uses. Now 40 years later, growing evidence suggests the guns, banned since the 1990s, acted as a vessel to transport diseases, including hepatitis C. “The VA is backing off and is even allowing disability claims,” Kaifetz said. “Everybody knows it’s this gun.”

department would love to see the appointment of a new employee, or possibly more hours allocated to the department. McMahon said that the department “does what they have to do,” but he wishes they would be able to “spend more time” doing it. He believes that an extra employee would enable the department to better disperse the workload. Mayor James Calnon said that “a lot of the stuff that happens is reactionary,” and asked what would need to happen for the Building Inspector’s office to be proactive. Kasper added that once plans for the DRI are solidified, the city may see a greater need for building inspectors. “In the next four years, with the DRI, things are going to happen,” said Kasper. “There are going to be buildings and development of properties. In your estimation, will you be able to sustain, with this development, what you’re hanging

Other municipalities in different phases of new bridge construction By Teah Dowling

teah@suncommunitynews.com

Kaifetz, who serves as the medical officer for American Legion Post 1619, is spearheading an effort to get all Vietnamera veterans tested. He called the factors that led to the mass spreading of the virus a “perfect storm.” War, the draft, the lifestyle, culture — and the gun. The 1960s and early 1970s was a period of high recreational drug use. The draft saw an eclectic cross section of the population being pulled in, including low-level criminals who signed up to U.S. Marines to wipe away their pending charges. Hepatitis C was not discovered until 1989 — and testing wasn’t developed until 1992 — making it possible for those

MOOERS — Clinton County is preparing to go out to bid to replace two bridges in Mooers and Peru. The legislature voted 10-0 when to move forward with both replacements on Jarvis Road in Peru and Lamberton Road in Mooers. “They are both safe to use, but they have been chosen for updates,” said County Legislator Robb Timmons. Every year, the county’s highway department chooses one to two bridges in need of upgrades to be worked on each summer. This summer, the county focused on the Rand Hill Road Bridge in Morrisonville. Next summer, the focus will shift toward the bridges in Mooers and Peru. Bids will open for the Peru structure on Dec. 21. Timmons said the Mooers replacement is to be determined but should open sometime early next year. Once open, bids won’t close until 45 days after. Timmons said the legislature is looking at a spring 2017 construction

>> See Hep-C Testing | pg. 16

>> See Bridge Replacements | pg. 4

The U.S. military saw “jet guns” as an exercise in modern efficiency. But mounting evidence suggests the technology was responsible for spreading hepatitis C. “These guns were made for cattle originally,” said Danny Kaifetz, a U.S. Marine who served from 1970-72. “This thing hurt.” Photo by Teah Dowling

2 | November 5, 2016 • The ‘Burgh Sun

Tax season survival classes on tap PLATTSBURGH — The North Country Small Business Development Center and H&R Block will co-host three “Tax Season Survival Guide for Small Business” workshops on Nov. 15, 17 and Dec. 6. For more information, visit northcountrysbdc.org or call 564-2042.

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Saranac, Mooers exploring adding radar speed limit sign Town officials hope to curb speeding on highly populated roads By Teah Dowling

teah@suncommunitynews.com

MOOERS — A recent increase in speeding motorists is causing municipalities to look into installing radar speed caution signs. Mooers and Saranac are the first in Clinton County to consider incorporating the flashing monitors to try curb speeding on high populated roads. Saranac is focusing primarily on Ganong Drive – a 1.5 mile residential stretch off of Route 3 that contains mostly households with young children, seniors and the Saranac United Methodist Church. Initially, town officials believed installing stop signs would cut back on leadfoots in the 35 MPH zone. While it did solve the issue in short stretches, Supervisor Nick Carter said it only made motorists accelerate more. “We want to make sure those families are safe,” said Carter. Mooers is trying to do the same with Hemmingford Road. The approximate 3-mile long road currently has three speed limits – 20 from the connection to Main Street to the Mooers Elementary School playground, 45 from there to the end of residential homes and 55 the rest of the way to the Canadian border. The road connects with Main Street, School Street, North Star, Orr Road, Depot Street and Maple Street. Most of the street is inhabited by residential homes filled with families. Councilman Donald Perras said he’s noticed an increase in speeding since this summer. “There’s a lot of kids on that road and it’s not safe,” he said. “I’m hoping we can do something to prevent it from happening.” Ultimately, town officials would like to see the 45-mile speed limit zone reduced down to 30. A speed limit reduction study is currently being discussed. In the meantime, both towns are exploring installing a radar electronic speed sign – a $3,000 investment. If both towns approve, Mooers would incorporate a permanent unit on Hemmingford Road near the elementary school. Saranac would purchase a portable one and place it on roads with speeding complaints, such as Ganong Drive, Burnt Hill and Chazy Lake Road. “Installing of electronic speed signs is indeed a proactive way to reduce speeds in school and residential settings,” Department of Transportation Regional Public Information Officer Michael Flick told the Sun. “That being said, they shouldn’t be considered as a cure since they aren’t appropriate everywhere.” Narrowing travel lanes, planter trees in the margins, speed bumps and conducting a speed limit reduction study are a few suggestions of the DOT. The study, according to the DOT, would look into different factors, such as traffic volume, traveling speeds, highway geometry, roadside development, accident history and input from the state police. This summer, Peru and Rouses Point were both declined for their speed limit reduction studies. The town of Peru is currently making efforts to reduce traffic speed on Main Street by narrowing the lanes and replace one of the large shoulders with a planter tree section. Rouses Point Mayor Daniel Letourneau said the village isn’t planning on taking any measures to reduce speeds on their roads.

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The ‘Burgh Sun • November 5, 2016 | 3

Town of Plattsburgh signs off on waterfront revitalization plan Plan aims to tackle LaPierre Lane Park renovations first, complete in 2017 By Firstname Lastname

youremail@suncommunitynews.com

PLATTSBURGH — Earlier this month, town officials signed off on a waterfront revitalization plan that flags a different upgrade for each hamlet along Lake Champlain and the Saranac River, including Morrisonville, Cadyville, Treadwells Mills, Cliff Haven and Cumberland Head. “I’m really excited about this plan,” Supervisor Michael Cashman said. “This is a great launching pad for new changes to the community.” The overall goal of this project, Cashman said, is to provide at least one outdoor recreation space for each community to get people outside and, in the long run, drive new people and businesses into the town. Town officials are currently in the process of applying for funding through the NYS Health Foundation for the first project: LaPierre Lane Park. The 11-acre parcel off of La Pierre Lane in Morrisonville currently contains a single picnic table and a sign-in post for participants of the Northern Forest Canoe Trail (NFCT) —

a 740-mile marked canoeing trail extending from Old Forge to Fort Kent, Maine. The plan would convert the undeveloped land into a park and add a new parking lot and stone or mulch handicap-accessible trail. The pathway would loop around the vicinity and lead down to the waterfront. In the area, guests can enjoy lunch on the picnic tables, relax in the meditation garden, go out on the water using the new boat launch or play on the natural adventure playground. The total project cost is $244,000. Planning Technician Trevor Cole said the town plans on sending out the grant application in January for $200,000. The remaining $44,000, he said, could be covered by using the town’s services, machines and people. Town officials said if all goes as planned, they hope to start construction in summer 2017 and complete the project later that fall. Once this project is complete, Cole said the town will move onto revitalizing the next four upgrades. CADYVILLE The Cadyville Beach located along Route 3 contains a public swimming area, parking for up to 21 vehicles, a public restroom and a small picnic area. The beach itself will enlarge and a section

of the river will be allocated toward ice skating and curling. A boat launch and cleaning area will be incorporated. More picnic tables and parking spots will also be added, along with a new firepit and kayak/canoe rack. The total project cost is $334,000. TREADWELLS MILLS This portion of the proposed $169,000 focuses on the “island” located along Military Turnpike, which is currently used for fishing. The project intends to add a canoe/kayak launch, parking area and handicap accessible shoreline walk. Fishing access will also be improved. CLIFF HAVEN Cliff Haven’s Jetty Park, which is located along the shores of Lake Champlain, contains jetties (landing stages) that once served as ports for ships delivering pool to the Plattsburgh Air Base. The town came up with two concepts on how to revitalize the area. The first plan focuses on adding a handicap accessible trail on both jetties, along with benches. The second plan focuses on adding a motorized boat

launch. Both plans will incorporate parking, landscaping, better fishing access, a connector path to the Terry Gordon Bike Path and either a motorized or unmotorized boat launch. Both projects cost over $230,000. CUMBERLAND HEAD A parcel of land off of Cumberland Head Road on Cumberland Bay is home to a strong south wind and is primarily used by windsurfers. The town plans on turning the land into a park and a new windsurfing destination. Cole said the road will be realigned to not only add in bicycle and car parking, but to reduce speed on the now straight road. Besides improved windsurfing access, benches and picnic tables will be added. The total project cost is $826,000.

4 | November 5, 2016 • The ‘Burgh Sun

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Bridge Replacements << Continued from | p. 1

start date. Highway Superintendent Al Rascoe said the two-lane bridges would be completely shut down and require detours. The detour in Peru would include Route 22B and Union Road and be about five miles long. Davidson Road and Route 11 would be used for the detour in Mooers, which is about eight miles long. Rascoe said around 400 people drive across the bridge in Peru every day. The amount of travelers is less on the Mooers bridge. Rascoe preferred not to give away the estimated cost of both bridges, citing the ongoing bidding process. SARANAC BRIDGE Supervisor Nick Carter said town officials are currently exploring ways to replace the Square Dashnaw Road Bridge over Cold Brook. The two-lane structure located on Dashnaw Road washed away after Hurricane Sandy hit in 2013 and ever since then the town has been trying to find funding to cover the construction expenses, which range between $800,000 and $1.2 million, said Carter. At first, the town applied for federal funding through FEMA but was denied due to not meeting all the requirements. Andrew Feeney, deputy commissioner of Disaster Recovery Programs for Homeland Security and Emergency Services, declined to elaborate in a letter. The town applied for a grant through BRIDGE NY, a new grant program rolled out by the governor’s office, earlier this year. Carter said he has yet to hear from the state, so the town has decided to take matters into their own hands. Three options are constructing another two-lane bridge, a one-lane bridge or a pedestrian bridge. Town officials have also discussed not replacing the bridge and making the current 3-mile long detour using Cold Brook Road and a logger road, which leads up to one home and the Square Pond Campground Tavern. “We’re evaluating all of our options,” said Carter.

The Square Dashnaw Road Bridge over Cold Brook washed away after Hurricane Sandy hit in 2013. The fallen structure causes a three-mile detour for primarily residents and town services. Photo provided

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The ‘Burgh Sun • November 5, 2016 | 5

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Candidates embark on last-ditch effort to snag voters Ad buys, phone banking, attack ads mark final stretch of race By Pete DeMola

pete@suncommunitynews.com

GLENS FALLS — With just a week until voters head to the polls, candidates for New York’s 21st Congressional District are engaging in a madcap dash to the finish line. Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-Willsboro) has been crisscrossing the district, hitting the annual GOP dinner circuit and rallying campaign staff at her offices in Watertown, Plattsburgh and Glens Falls. To drive voter turnout, the lawmaker has been spearheading “Super Saturday” efforts each weekend, keeping track of phone calls and door knocks, and hailing campaign volunteers who have chalked up the most voter contacts. Stefanik posted a photo on Twitter Saturday of a whiteboard at her Glens Falls campaign office. “Over 250k calls and 13k doors,” Stefanik wrote. And in another post: “Teamwork!” she enthused. “With just over a week until Election Day, Elise will be doing exactly what she has for her entire campaign — working as hard as she can and traveling across the North Country everyday to share her message of new ideas and her record of real results for the North Country,” said Lenny Alcivar, a campaign spokesman. The campaign also rolled out a pair of television ad buys.

In a nod to the 2014 spot that saw her driving around the district in a Ford pickup, one peppy spot featured the lawmaker ticking off a list of promises she said she has kept since taking office, including the refusal of special subsidies, transparency and efforts to “preserve and protect Medicare and Social Security.” Another tongue-in-cheek ad saw the lawmaker walking through a cow patch detailing plans to improve bovine lives. “In parts of the North Country, there are more cows than people,” Stefanik said in the spot, entitled “Represents Everyone.” Stefanik faces opposition from Democratic candidate Mike Derrick, a retired army colonel, and Green Party candidate Matt Funiciello, who owns and operates a bakery in Glens Falls. Derrick, too, was on the road all week, with a full schedule in St. Lawrence County and in communities across the Champlain Valley. Volunteers spent Saturday canvassing in Washington and Saratoga counties, according to a Twitter post. With seven offices now open across the district, Derrick said it’s critical to reach out to voters directly. “I’m very pleased with where we are,” Derrick told the Sun. While the Siena Research Institute didn’t poll the district this cycle, a National Republican Congressional Committee-commissioned poll released Oct. 17 revealed Stefanik led Derrick by 25 percentage points. That hasn’t dissuaded the candi-

date, who brushed the survey off as a “push poll,” which he said aren’t known for their accuracy. “Our internal polling numbers show something different,” Derrick said. “My campaign numbers continue to increase in terms of popularity — I feel as if the trends are in my favor.” Derrick said campaign events, alongside direct mail efforts, have revealed “tremendously positive” responses. “When I have the opportunity to engage to voters across this district, I really reach them,” Derrick said. Over the weekend, Derrick also rolled out an endorsement from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 2032 and the Adirondack Daily Enterprise. Funiciello took the second-tolast weekend of the campaign off to nurse a cold and help his girlfriend move. An event in Glens Falls on Tuesday doubled as a birthday party and fundraiser, with the proceeds going towards a last-ditch social media spending effort. The candidate’s final campaign event, an address to the Adirondack Climate Coalition, is scheduled for Nov. 5 in Saranac Lake. Funiciello, too, isn’t concerned about the poll that shows Stefanik with a commanding lead. The GOP-sponsored poll is likely inaccurate, he said, particularly when measuring undecided voters, because he was not included. While he admits Stefanik has the advantage, “our internal poll shows us beating [Derrick] by 10 percent,”

Funiciello said. Chatter on the ground has been positive, he said, and he said he hopes to exceed the 10.9 percent of the vote he garnered in 2014. “There are people who definitely want another choice,” Funiciello said. “I’m very confident we’re going to build on the results we had last time.” NATIONAL RACE The race for the White House continues to cast shadows over the district. Last week, FBI Director James Comey announced in a letter to Congress that the agency was reopening an investigation into Hillary Clinton’s emails. Alcivar called the news “concerning and troubling.” Funiciello, who has referred to the national election as a “horror show,” called the renewed investigation “too little, too late.” “To do it 10 days before the election is a foregone conclusion,” Funiciello said. “I don’t think a renewed FBI investigation 10 days before the election occurs is even a relevant thing.” Derrick said the widely-criticized announcement by Comey was made out of an “abundance of caution.” “They didn’t make an effort to do that behind closed doors, they brought it right out into the open,” he said. He added: “It’s premature to know what results will come out of this.” Derrick also continued his attacks on Stefanik for her support of Trump, hoping the controversial

candidate’s slip in the polls will rub off on the freshman lawmaker. “She doesn’t have a good answer for that,” Derrick said on her support of the embattled candidate. “Her company is becoming lonelier and lonelier — it’s just inconsistent with who were are and the values we hold. The two are not compatible.” Derrick’s latest television advertisement, released Saturday, featured a litany of national Republicans, including Sen. John McCain and former Sec. of State Colin Powell, denouncing Trump. “Elise Stefanik, the only Republican woman from the Northeast to still support Trump,” the narrator intones. The candidate also issued a steady stream of news releases over the weekend hammering the incumbent, citing well-worn arguments. In a series of debates last month, Stefanik said she disagreed with Trump’s controversial comments on Muslims and women, but said she looked forward to working with a Republican commander in chief. “Mike Derrick is a decent family man who unfortunately ran an embarrassing, woefully inadequate political campaign,” said Alcivar, the Stefanik campaign spokesman, in response to the candidate’s comments. “On Election night, Mike Derrick will learn a hard lesson: North Country voters will have rejected his candidacy because he spent his entire campaign attacking his opponents, while offering zero solutions to address the challenges we face. That’s wrong for the 21st District, and its wrong for America.”

6 | November 5, 2016 • The ‘Burgh Sun

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OPINION

OPINIONS

Behind the Pressline

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Nightmare over or just beginning?

OurÊ goalÊ atÊ SunÊ CommunityÊ NewsÊ isÊ toÊ publishÊ accurate,Ê usefulÊ andÊ timelyÊ informationÊ inÊ ourÊ newspapers,Ê newsÊ products,Ê shoppingÊ guides,Ê vacationÊ guides,Ê andÊ otherÊ specialtyÊ publicationsÊ forÊ theÊ benefit of our readers and advertisers. WeÊ valueÊ yourÊ commentsÊ andÊ suggestionsÊ concerningÊ allÊ aspectsÊ of Ê thisÊ publication.

Dan Alexander

Publisher/CEO

any feel that as this election nears the national nightmare will soon be over and life can get back to “normal”, if there is such a thing. I like to be positive about things but I fear the nightmare may only get worse, regardless of who is elected. We know both candidates are flawed. We know both have very high negatives with the public. And we know our population is split on just who is worse. Therefore, I’m not sure either candidate will be the primary instigator of the new nightmare, but instead I think, like most nightmares, it will be self imposed. We’ve allowed ourselves to paint the candidate of our choice as a saint and the candidate we opposed to be Satan himself/herself. Unless we “let the election go” once it’s over, accept the new president as our Commander and Chief, we will make life even more of a nightmare by not accepting the wish of the majority. We hear of some who have threatened to leave the country, some are threatening a civil war and others vow civil disobedience. The reality is most candidates fail to deliver on their promises. So much of what you think either candidate will do may never come about or it won’t receive congressional approval, even if they try. Our nation and her people are strong. We’ve survived poor administrations before, but if we allow ourselves to become further polarized, we will have allowed the politicians to change who we are, from a united nation to a country that no longer respects the rule of law. It’s imperative that we the people never allow our politics or political leaders to pit us against each other, to the point of taking to the streets. As citizens we must demand greater transparency in government and be more aware of fact from fiction. We must demand a nonpartisan media or information center that helps keep us truly informed. It’s the only way we can keep an ever growing government completely in check. If we as citizens fail in our civic role we risk great peril and uncertainty for future generations. When you go to the polls next week choose wisely and may God Bless America. Dan Alexander is CEO of Sun Community News. He may be reached at dan@suncommunitynews.com.

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Publisher ............................................................................................Daniel E. Alexander Associate Publisher ............................................................................................ Ed Coats Operations Manager ............................................................................... William Coats General Manager Central...................................................Daniel E. Alexander, Jr. Managing Editor ...........................................................................................John Gereau General Manager North ................................................................. Ashley Alexander General Manager South .................................................................Scarlette Merfeld

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EDITORIAL

OFA merger deal the right decision, but could have been more transparent

ssex County is coming under fire for their decision to merge two departments: The Office for the Aging will be folded into the Department of Public Health. While the arrangement has been effective on a de facto basis since Jan. 1, the county is awaiting state approval to unlock next year’s funding stream. Lawmakers voted during last year’s budget discussions to eliminate the OFA director position. An equivalent has been crafted, and will fall under the purview of the public health director. Doing so will save $100,000 annually and create efficiencies between the departments, said county brass. The state-mandated aging agency runs several programs for seniors, including meal delivery, transportation, nutrition programs and caregiver services. Critics, including the crowd that packed Monday’s public hearing, have argued that the merger will result in a loss of services; that the county’s aging demographics require a cabinet-level position to ensure their interests, and projected cost savings will not materialize. As county officials craft next year’s budget, opponents are trying to kill the deal, and are putting lawmakers on the hotseat to rescind their decision. The county counters that efficiency is the new normal under the state’s fiscal climate, and that there is no evidence to prove a reduction in elder care, and that the streamlined operation will actually result in better services. We agree the merger is the right decision, but the county went about it the wrong way. The OFA Advisory Council has said they have been shut out of the year-long merger process. They said county officials did not respond to their inquiries or attend their meetings. And in order to receive info regarding the merger, they were forced to file Freedom of Information Law requests. Bolstering their argument, the state OFA has chastised the county for not keeping them in the loop. The county has not disputed that narrative, instead offering a parochial “father knows best approach.” As such, the subsequent controversy is of their own making because they allowed an environment of distrust and suspicion to unnecessarily fester. With better communication, this all could have been avoided.

We see no reason why county officials chose to allegedly freeze the advisory council out of the loop considering there is nothing untoward here. Facts speak volumes. We agree with the county that the onus is on critics to prove services will be slashed. So far, they have not: No staffers have lost their jobs. There is no indication services will be reduced. No seniors have gone on record with complaints. In fact, services to the elderly population have actually increased by 5 percent over the past year, as demonstrated in the formal report submitted to the state. This is clear evidence that the new arrangement is working. We know the folks at the county public health department, and we have full confidence that they will remain committed to providing the care that seniors deserve. Another overlooked aspect is the looming disaster facing the county’s emergency services squads. To combat the declining volunteers that run local squads, the county has redeployed resources from the OFA to combat the problem, which they have frequently referred to a crisis, and have even wrangled state brass to address the issue. Essex County is making headway on those fronts, conducting surveys of local squads, opening a dialogue with state officials and entertaining the idea of a countywide EMT service. This is an issue that is equally vital to seniors, and the county’s aging population. The private sector frequently streamlines services, and government should follow pursuit. Seniors are now wielding the merger issue over lawmakers like a sword, and they are faced with a tough decision: Rescind the decision, or stay the course at the risk of political fallout. The county is absolutely correct in their decision to merge the departments. It is unfortunate that they could not be more transparent in doing so. The Sun Community News Editorial Board is comprised of Dan Alexander, John Gereau and Pete DeMola. We want to hear from you. Drop us a line on our Facebook page, or follow us on Twitter, to share your thoughts.

LETTERS

ForÊ theÊ greaterÊ good To the Editor: A brief history: There is a road in Thurman that has been a point of contention. A family who owns large back woods acreage abutting the road claims it is a private road. The town lawyers maintain that it is a public road and the board voted to reconfirm the town road status. Currently, county and state agencies have been receiving multiple and daily complaints, ongoing for the past year or more, about the progress of Thurman’s capital projects. Interestingly, these call came from a few individuals including the patriarch of this same family who is also a sitting board member. His repeated phone calls have significantly delayed the completion of these projects since county and state regulatory agencies by law must respond to complaints before with appropriate reviews before work can continue. At a recent board meeting the Supervisor announced that these delays have

cost the town thousands of dollars in legal fees, town employee time, repeated documentation, etc. and that it may necessitate a tax override for the next budget. Immediately following the meeting the matriarch of this same family approached two board members (Gail Seaman and Jey Youngblood) asking if we were now sorry for the position had taken on the status of this road. I find the implications of this question to be offensive! It suggests that conducting town business for the good of the whole town had been obstructed by this family because of a vote that did not go their way. So be it if the whole town pays higher taxes for their obstructionism! The citizens of Thurman should be proud to have board members who will make hard decisions based on facts, law, the greater good, and not on favoritism, wealth and self-interest. Jey Youngblood Thurman

ENDORSEMENT POLIcy

s we approach the upcoming election season we want to make an important distinction regarding candidate endorsements. With a free distribution in excess of 60,000 homes, our papers are inundated every election cycle with candidate endorsements. The only source of revenue our community publications receive to offset the cost of print, delivery and overhead is paid notices and advertisements. All candidate endorsements must now run either in the form of an advertisement or a paid endorsement notice and include the name of the individual making the en-

dorsement. The paid endorsement notice can be purchased in three sizes — a quick 50 words or less for $15; a 51-175 word endorsement for $50 or a 176-300 word endorsement for $75. A paid advertisement will be based on standard advertising rates taking into consideration size and frequency according to the current rate card at the open advertising rate. For rates call Ashley at 873-6368 ext 105 or email ashley@denpubs.com.

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The ‘Burgh Sun • November 5, 2016 | 7

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Preliminary Saranac budget contains cuts

Town officials take funds from highway department, allocates toward park upgrades By Teah Dowling

teah@suncommunitynews.com

SARANAC — For a second year in a row, town officials found ways to save money in order to allocate more funds toward Pickett Corners Park renovations. Total appropriations clock in at $2,366,510, a decrease of $80,246 from last year, which comes primarily from the highway department. There’s not going to be any major truck purchase next year, which will save $50,000. Another $65,000 was taken out of the $300,000 road repair funding due to how much the town utilized this year. Revenues increased by $56,305 up to $504,305, primarily due to CHIPS money coming in and a new tenant in the town’s industrial park. More participation in the town’s youth program also con-

tributed to increase. The renovations to Pickett’s Corners Park, Supervisor Nick Carter said, had something to do with that. Up until this year, the board allocated about $20,000 toward the park, which primarily went toward upkeep and maintenance. This year, town officials put in an additional $40,000 to make several updates to the pool’s aging infrastructure and playground equipment. Three swings, two metal rocking horses and one slide inhabited a portion of the park for over 20 years, said Carter. “It was time for a change.” Town officials put an additional $2,000 toward next year’s budget for the second new set of playground equipment and resurfacing the pool. Other changes, Carter said, include a new gazebo and bathrooms. Despite all these changes, the tax rate decreased by 3 cents down to $6.70. A majority of the water rates remained the same except for Redford, which increased by $25 per unit due to addressing the aging infrastructure.

The town plans on using approximately 50 percent of its approximate $650,000 fund balance, which is around the same amount of savings used in previous years, said Carter. “We’ve been using around this amount for years and we’ve been doing it comfortably,” he said. This leaves $1,539,460 to be raised by taxes. Retirement costs increased by about $30,000 due to the retirement of one town worker. Health insurance costs increased by 8 percent, a rise most municipalities within Clinton County are seeing.

Round two: City mayoral candidates face off in debate

Mayor James Calnon, Colin Read face off in debate at SUNY Plattsburgh Elizabeth Izzo

elizabeth@suncommunitynews.com

PLATTSBURGH — Mayor James Calnon squared off against Colin Read, his opponent, in the final debate of the season on Wednesday The 90-minute session at SUNY Plattsburgh, hosted by local activist group Vision2Action, saw each candidate focus on their strengths and accomplishments, a departure from the first debate, a grinding affair that saw the two spar over beach pollution, downtown revitalization, housing and other issues facing the city. Read, a finance professor, presented himself as a pair of “fresh eyes” to the ails of the city, pointing to his academic and financial knowledge, while Calnon highlighted his municipal experience and accomplishments since taking office as mayor in 2014. Topics included rising school taxes, infrastructure, arts and entertainment and waterfront development. SCHOOL TAXES Asked about escalating school taxes, Calnon said school tax rates are “virtually independent” from the city’s, pointing to school boards as the primary decision makers. “Our involvement in school tax rates is very minimal,” he said. But one way to alleviate the costs would be to continue to grow the city’s tax base, he said, and spread the burden by adding more businesses. Calnon has previously said he is in favor of using short-term tax incentives to encourage growth. Read criticized the city for giving tax breaks to corporations. “Eighty percent of tax reductions go to corporations,” he said, echoing a theme he has frequently mentioned in the waning days of the campaign, including last week, when he said the city was offering “giveaways” to corporations in the form of low assessments on

the College Suites Complex and Main Mill Investments property. Read also faulted Calnon over the decline in the city’s long-term bond rating and the erosion of fund balance under his leadership. Colleen Lemza, an assistant professor of public relations at SUNY Plattsburgh and Julia Overton-Healy, director of the career development center, moderated the discussion. DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION The city was awarded $10 million in state grant funds earlier this year, and a committee is currently hashing out a plan for how the funds will be used. Calnon said that local colleges, along with their other benefits, “enrich the city with diversity.” “People come here for school and they fall in love and stay here,” Calnon said. The city’s downtown revitalization efforts are vital to keeping the millennial base here, the mayor said: “Quality of life is key.” Read said that there was a “wonderful opportunity” to capitalize on the Plattsburgh City Beach. Read proposed that the city build a boardwalk stretching from the beach into the downtown area. He said it would “probably cost around $5 million,” but the city couldn’t wait to find funding before making improvements. “We’re in the lake city,” Read said. “We need to look at the water as a resource.” Calnon said that his philosophy is to achieve small successes rather than suffer big failures, citing the city marina as an example. He said that the city had originally only expanded the marina by 32 slots to see if more changes would be viable. When they were, the city looked at adding more. “We need to build without burdening taxpayers,” said Calnon. “We need to build slowly on successes.” ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT Read and Calnon found common ground on arts and entertainment issues, with both candidates expressing the city has potential for growth. “We don’t need to compete [with Lake

City Budget << Continued from | p. 1

onto now?” “I hate to say no,” said McMahon, “We’re going to do everything we can to make sure that everybody’s safe and we’re doing our jobs.” “We’re always treading water. If we can get ahead of that, it’d be great.” Councilwoman Rachelle Armstrong said that since taking office, “there has been the suggestion that [the Inspector’s office is] kind of understaffed.” “You’re doing everything you can, and you’re doing a great job with what you have, but you could improve by having more staff. If there’s going to be more demand, it seems to be that it’s a no-brainer that you would need more staff.” Councilman Dale Dowdle (Ward 3) mentioned that the department may benefit from being given more hours. McMahon agreed, saying that if the department were given more hours and a new staffer, it would be the equivalent of “a person and a half ” extra.

Placid],” Read said. “We have the Strand.” A cheer erupted from the audience. “I want to make Plattsburgh a blues capital,” Read said, pointing to his involvement in Plattsburgh Blues & Jazz, a local group that promotes downtown concerts — including at Champlain Wine Company, which he owns. The Plattsburgh Public Art project was another point of pride for Read, who said his business has sponsored the mural-makers in the past. Read praised the ‘Outside Art’ group for their work in making the city an art destination. Calnon agreed that the group had done a lot for the city. The mayor pointed to Burlington as a possible collaborator in arts and entertainment. “We went to Burlington, and the Flynn Center said they wanted to collaborate with the Strand,” Calnon said. “We don’t want to be a smaller Burlington, but we want to take advantage of those relationships.” He also said that the city needed to “celebrate its French Canadian history” and its diversity. “It’s not all about fireworks and bands,” he said. “It’s about celebrating culture.” Read agreed and highlighted the city’s ties to Tibet, the autonomous Chinese province, through the Mandala mural and the Festival of Tibetan Arts and Culture. “I’d like to bring the Dalai Lama to Plattsburgh, perhaps as part of his Montreal trip,” Read said. According to Read, the government needs to “get out of the way” of arts nonprofits who can bolster the area’s arts and entertainment.

“The cost is going to be around $6 million,” said Calnon. “A grant application is being sent out this week.” On road work, Read called for the city to accelerate repair and start capitalizing on the Smart Streets movement, referring to a project that aims to develop an open data hub for road maintenance. Calnon said that the city was already exploring the use of that program, and that 86 percent of the city’s roads are in “good or excellent condition.”

INFRASTRUCTURE The candidates sparred on the city’s aging infrastructure, another hot topic in the campaign. Read proposed immediately taking out a $2 million bond to repair the New Base water lines, beginning in phases. “Let’s start doing something right now,” he said. Calnon said that the city has known the infrastructure has been in need of repair, and they have been working on finding a “great deal of federal assistance.”

CROWD REACTIONS The event, held at Hawkins Hall, drew approximately 60-70 people. SUNY Plattsburgh student Samantha Post said she didn’t know much about the race prior to attending. Post said that she thought the candidates were “kinda-sorta straightforward” with their answers, and she left the debate “kind of ” knowing more about the candidates. Election Day is Nov. 8.

The department hasn’t seen a raise in available hours for over 30 years, McMahon said. CITY CLERK City Clerk Sylvia Parrotte said that though she wasn’t proposing the idea for next year’s budget, she would like to see a building allocated to house the city’s physical records. Parrotte also wanted to work toward digitizing records. “Whenever someone FOILs something, I have to go down to the basement and search through the dusty old files down there,” she said, referring to Freedom of Information Law requests. Calnon agreed, pointing to Plattsburgh’s historical documents as something that should be digitized soon. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Paul DeDominicas, director of community development, said his department would like to hire an office manager, noting that both himself and the city’s events coordinator are often either out of the office or busy writing grants.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS With Election Day less than two weeks away, the candidates offered their closing statements with greater urgency. “My opponent is a prolific writer,” said Calnon. “But I am all about action.” He said that while his opponent “muddies the waters with implication,” he has been working “with facts.” “It’s not all about words,” Calnon said. Read argued that “words are important,” but he has acted. “I plan on keeping citizens informed, possibly with a weekly column,” said Read. According to Read, the city needs to collaborate more with the public to reach solutions that work for everyone. Read also called for the city to “let the private sector and nonprofits work, and get the government out of the way.” Calnon expressed his optimism in the city’s future. “I’m really excited about where we hope to be in 12 months,” he said. “I hope to be here.”

An office manager would free up time for himself and events coordinator Sandra Geddes to do other things, he said. So far this year, the department has put together applications for four different grants, and that takes time, said DeDominicas. If the office were to be given another employee, that may free up enough time for the department to double the amount of grant applications they are able to write. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Brian Brayton, head of the IT department, said that the city will need over $34,000 for new computers in the coming years. The city has 210 computers, according to Brayton, and a third of them are around 10 years old. “The 34,000 would replace about a fifth of what is needed,” said Brayton, which would amount to around 40 machines. More information on the Plattsburgh City Budget is forthcoming, with the collaborative “Mayor with Council” process expected to stretch until the state mandated deadline in January.

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“DAN BERGGREN & ALEX SMITH” @WHALLONSBURG GRANGE HALL

NOV.

12 Sat.

Saturday: 7:30 pm

Dan and Alex are united in their passion of folk traditions and songs that stem from the Adirondack Mountains. Tickets at the door: $12 adults, $5 under 18 Details: 518-963-4170, www.thegrangehall.info 91540

NOV. FLY LIKE AN EAGLE FUN 19 Sat. RUN @ WESTPORT CENTRAL SCHOOL

Saturday: Registration 8:00 am - 8:45 pm Race at 9:00 am

5th Annual 5K / 1k Run & Walk Sponsored by WPTSO Adults $20, Students $10, Family max $45 All proceeds to benefit educational initiatives at Westport Central School. Details: http://www.wptso.com

91539

NOV. ANNUAL TURKEY RAFFLE 18 @ST. JOSEPH’S Fri. PARISH CENTER.

Friday: 7:00 pm

Benefits the Men’s Club. Details: 518-493-4521

Lots of prizes (including a 42” smart TV). Five chances to win per game. Free Buffet Dinner. No admission charge. 91537

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The ‘Burgh Sun • November 5, 2016 | 9

EyE ON THE ARTS

Creating stable communities

n “Palm Sunday,” Kurt Vonnegut wrote that young people should use their lives to do “the most daring thing,” which he says is “to create stable communities in which the terrible disease of loneliness can be cured.” In an era where technology can be a near-obsessive draw, I would argue that one of the most important facets of local sustainability is us young people not only contributing to that Doctor Who subreddit online, but the community around us. You may wonder sometimes, after reading through a newspaper’s event listings, how attending the opening reception of an art exhibit could matter. It matters because it not only has the ability to enrich your life, but your community at large. It gives local lawmakers something to point to when they want to grant additional funding for a certain project — with regular attendance to gallery openings and concerts, they can say that there is a market in your area, and residents have a clear interest in arts and entertainment. It gives you an opportunity to connect with people who you may never meet otherwise. Even if you are not an artist, it gives you the opportunity to meet them and connect with perspectives beyond your social circle. The list of benefits are seemingly endless. There are a number of events happening around the region this week. Here are just a few: On Nov. 4, the Upper Jay Art Center will host musician Adrian Legg at 8 p.m. Organizers say that Legg is a “virtuoso guitar legend.” Tickets are $15 per person. For more information, visit upperjayartcenter.org. The Strand Center for the Arts in Plattsburgh will open two new exhibits on Nov. 4. Artists Bobby Ziemba and Kimberly Provost will both open exhibits with a free reception at 5:30 p.m. Ziemba is a photographer with a “half century” of experience, organizer say. Provost is a pastel painter. The Strand will also host an adult dance workshop on Nov. 9. Ages 17 and up. Tickets are $20. For more information on these events, visit strandcenter.org. Plattsburgh’s ROTA Studio and Gallery will host Totally Gnarly, Doomf**k and Finkle & Einhorn at 7 p.m. Tickets are on a $3-10 sliding scale — attendees are encouraged to pay what they can afford. For more information, visit facebook.com/rotagallery. The 6th Annual “It’s in the Details” seminar will be held at Fort Ticonderoga on Nov. 5-6. Organizers say that this weekend event is intended for “collectors and people with an interest in learning more about objects of the 18th century and what they can tell us about history.” Registration is required. For more information, visit fortticonderoga.org. The Whallonsburg Grange will screen “Eye in the Sky” on Nov. 5 at 7:30 p.m. The film follows a lieutenant general — played by Alan Rickman— and a colonel, played by Helen Mirren, as they face the effects of a top-secret a drone operation. Tickets are $6. For more information, call 963-4170 or visit cvfilms.org.

The Largest Source of Community Events in the North Country

> Arts columnist

Elizabeth@suncommunitynews.com

A&E A& &E

ELIZABETH IZZO

The Grange will also host an Election Day dinner on Nov. 8 at 4:30 p.m. Tickets are $12. For more information, contact admin@thegrangehall.info. The Champlain Wine Company in Plattsburgh will open a new exhibit featuring local portrait artists on Nov. 4. Artists included will be Nancy Fisher, Don Lafountain and more, known collectively as the Champlain Wine Portrait Artist Group. An opening reception and artist meet and greet is slated for Nov. 4 at 5 p.m. For more information, call 5640064 or contact champlainwinecompany@gmail.com. Saranac Lake’s BluSeed Studios will hold their 14th Annual Harvest Gathering fundraiser on Nov. 5 at 6 p.m. The event will feature live music, dancing, food and a silent auction. Tax-deductible donation levels are between $70-100. For more information, visit bluseedstudios.org. “Creepshow 8,” an 18+ drag event, will be held at the Plattsburgh VFW on Nov. 8. Performers will include Madame Blanche, Pattie Cake-Baker and more. Organizers will also host best costume and pumpkin carving contests at the event. Tickets are $10 at the door, $8 if bought at Studio Avant Garde in advance. For more information, visit facebook.com/HAUSofStarrNY. Charlie Parr will perform at the Waterhole in Saranac Lake on Nov. 8. Parr is a folksinger with 13 recordings and more than 250 shows per year under his belt. For more information, visit saranaclakewaterhole.com. The Ricochet Duo will perform a jam-packed classical and contemporary music setlist at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship’s Palmer street venue in Plattsburgh on Nov. 6. The duo will perform works by ten composers. Tickets are $10 per person. The show will begin at 4 p.m. For more information, call 578-2081 or contact ricochet.duo.info@gmail.com. Rockband Tambourelli & Her SuperTrips will perform at the 190 Grille & Cinema in Glens Falls every Saturday in November. The shows are expected to last from 9 p.m. until midnight. For more information, visit tambourelli.com or facebook.com/HeadyPro. www.suncommunitynews.com/A&Efor the latest events

From Sunrise to Sundown

Pictured: Rose Chancler and Jane Boxall of the Ricochet Duo. The pair will perform at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship’s Palmer Street venue on Nov. 6. Photo provided

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Tentative Plattsburgh budget contains cuts

Several cuts made for anticipated future retirements By Teah Dowling

teah@suncommunitynews.com

PLATTSBURGH — Town officials recently released the details of the 2017 tentative budget. Supervisor Michael Cashman said cuts were made to several departments in anticipation of retirements over the next few years. “We have a lot of people thinking about the possibility of retirement,” he said. “We want to make sure we put money away just in case.” Town officials increased the funding for the planning department by $89,000 due to two future retirements. This alone reduced the retirement costs down by 2.8 percent, Cashman said. Despite the savings, other expenses, like vehicles for both the zoning and buildings and grounds departments and insurance costs, are increasing, jumping up 5 percent for union workers and 8 percent for non union workers. The part-time bookkeeper position, previously held by Philip Carell, was eliminated. Cashman said his duties will be spread throughout the different departments. The town historian’s budget was reduced from $14,695 to

$4,134. Town Historian Richard Brogowski’s salary will be sharply reduced as result, from $10,000 to $1,000. The remainder will be allocated to office resources. Cashman said the town is currently in the process of partnering with nonprofit organizations, like the Clinton County Historical Association, to bridge the gaps. “This is not anything against Dick,” said Cashman. Brogowski was not available for comment by the time this story went to print on Tuesday. About $800,000 was saved in both the fire and ambulance departments. Cashman said the South Plattsburgh Fire District faced the most dramatic decrease due to paying off a bond payment. Less calls for both contracts with Morrisonville EMS and CVPH contributed to the drop in the ambulance’s funding. Total appropriations clock in at $13,857,195, a decrease of $15,725 from last year. Revenues increased slightly to $3,439,118, up $18,347 over last year. The town plans on using approximately $400,000 of its $10 million fund balance and $3,639,812 share of Clinton County’s sales tax revenue, leaving $3,789,071 to be raised by taxes. The total tax rate, including all the water, sewer, light, fire and ambulance districts, comes up to $21.13 — a $2.47 decrease from this year, coming mainly from the water funding. Finance Manager and Budget Officer Patrick Bowen said

the town is still waiting for the new county tax rate. The spending plan comes in $97,000 under the .68 percent tax cap. The town’s pending takeover of the Whispering Maples mausoleum on Tom Miller Road was not factored into the budget. “We have been advised by our counsel not to appropriate any budgets into budgetary line because to date, we are still not operating the mausoleum,” Cashman said. The ailing facility is still under state receivership, which is slated to expire at the end of the year. Cashman said the town is continuing to work with state officials to receive adequate funding for its future operation. A public hearing on the budget is scheduled for Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. For more information or to view the tentative budget, townofplattsburgh.com.

Plattsburgh considering increased funding for JCEO Town officials seeking more information before increasing funding by over $3,000 By Teah Dowling

teah@suncommunitynews.com

PLATTSBURGH — Town officials are currently discussing increasing funding for JCEO, the Plattsburgh-based nonprofit that provides senior outreach, early education and energy programs to Clinton County residents, among other efforts. The topic came up during the Oct. 3 board meeting when JCEO, or the Joint Council for Economic Opportunity, requested an increase from $18,920 to $22,532.

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JCEO Director Bruce Garcia said the additional funding would go toward the wages of the one full-time employee of the town’s community outreach program. The organization’s funding from the town has remained the flat since 2012. The previous year, the board decreased their funding from $23,405 to what it is today. Supervisor Michael Cashman said the drop was due to the in-kind services the town already provides, like space for the program in the Treadwells Mills Recreation Center on Military Turnpike. “I feel like we should give them extra funding,” said Councilman Marty Mannix, during last week’s work session. “I believe they’re providing the community with an important service.”

•MY PUBLIC NOTICES•

Councilwoman Meg LeFevre asked to see a breakdown in the figures before making a final decision. The board agreed and tabled the decision until the board votes on the budget Nov. 10. JCEO served over almost 5,000 households in 2016. Its food pantry provided a three-day supply of food eight times per year to about 20 houses each month. Over 20 families were assisted with emergency fuel and housing. Backto-school supplies were given to 125 children, and medical transportation was also provided to 58 seniors and more than 15 adults and children with Medicaid. For more information about JCEO, call 518-561-6310 or visit www.jceo.org.

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Discussions continue on joint dog park

Schuyler Falls on board with Morrisonville space, Plattsburgh reconsidering Cliff Haven proposed park

“It’s a beautiful piece of property,” he said. “We want to do something with it.” Questions or comments can be made to Plattsburgh at 562-6800 or Schuyler Falls at 5631129.

By Teah Dowling

teah@suncommunitynews.com

MORRISONVILLE — The towns of Plattsburgh and Schuyler Falls have agreed to continue discussions on a joint dog park. Supervisor Rick Potiker and Councilwoman Meg LeFevre brought up the proposed space for pooches in the East Morrisonville Rec Park, located on Bullis Road, during their respective town meetings last week. Potiker said Schuyler Falls is completely on board. Plattsburgh, on the other hand, is torn between this proposal and the one for Cliff Haven Rec Park, said LeFevre. Plattsburgh Youth Services and Recreation Director Melanie Defayette said while the town would like to implement both, upkeep and maintenance might cost too much. “I’m not sure if we can support two parks at this time,” she said. Discussions for the Cliff Haven proposal started in 2012. So far, the town has completed the park’s design and purchased the fencing — an approximate $10,000 investment. Defayette said interest has grown in the Morrisonville Park due to the success of the annual Doggie Paddle Day that takes place in the old swimming hole, which closed to the public four years ago due to budget cuts. After hearing about Schuyler Falls’ proposed dog park idea for River Street being shot down by the public, LeFevre approached Potiker on creating a joint park and splitting the expenses down the middle. The recreation department is researching what the upkeep and maintenance would cost for both. A final decision has not been made yet and discussions are ongoing. “We want to have everyone on board before we move forward with anything,” Defayette said. “It’s all about what the residents want.” Potiker said the town is considering other uses for the 20-acre town property on River Street. Options include converting the area into a park or playground with better waterfront access to the Saranac River. Adding an ice skating rink, hiking trail or courts for sporting activities were other suggestions.

PERU DOG PARK The Peru Dog Park is now open. The fenced-in area in Heyworth/Mason Park contains rocks for jumping, a fire hydrant, water bucket and plenty of space for running around. “It’s been extremely popular,” Supervisor Peter Glushko said. “People are in there all the time.” The official opening will take place Saturday, Nov. 5 at 10 a.m. During the ceremony, the town board will dedicate to the park to Lynn and Ann Wilke, who both participated in a volunteer group years ago to raise funds for the dog park standing today. For more information about the park, contact Councilman Donald McBrayer at 518-593-1217.

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SPORTS

The ‘Burgh Sun • November 5, 2016 | 13

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Lady Eagles advance to regional finals; Peru unable to beat IC By Keith Lobdell

keith@suncommunitynews.com

CHAZY — The Beekmantown Lady Eagles scored five times in the second half to break open their game against Section X champion Gouvernour to open the month of November with a spot in the Class B regional finals with a 6-0 win. The Eagles took advantage of the outside speed, especially left striker Alyssa Waters, who assisted on the first two goals of the game, both excellent one time shots by Kenna Guynup in the 29th minute and Olivia Buckley in the 43rd. “It was a great ball,” said Guynup of her goal which was fed by Waters. “It’s something we have been practicing all season and she made it easy to score that goal.” “Everything clicked in the second half,” Buckley said. “This was a dream come true to win this game and advance to the regional finals.” “Reagan Fessete gave me some good balls through the seams and to the outside, which put me in a position to make the passes,” Waters said. The second goal opened the offensive flood gates for the Eagles, as Jenna Trombley scored on a rebound off a Guynup shot in the 53rd minute. “I feel like I am here to prove my best and to help this team get to the final four,” said Trombley, a freshman who was called up toward the end of the season. “She has played very well for us,” head coach Pete Bursik said. “She was brought up to help defensively, but she does such a great job up front she allows us to get a break for Jordanne (Manney).” Kirsten Villemaire scored a goal off a Fesette direct kick in the 58th, while Katauna Trombley scoring on a Villemaire rebound in e 59th, and Buckley’s second goal of the game on a Hannah

Kerr assist in the 68th minute. “Our plan was to arrack them from the outside,” head coach Pete Bursik said after the game. “That has really been our goal all season. We have great line speed with Alyssa, Kenna and Olivia and if we know one size of the defense is weak, we want to attack with our speed.” Bursik gave a lot of credit to his defense in the win. “Their play is huge for us,” he said. “The defense is something we knew we were going to work on coming into the season and they have played well all year.” The Eagles will host Section III’s Westhill, who advanced with a 3-2 win over Section II champ Schalmont. Photos of this game can be found at mycapture.suncommunitynews.com.

CHAZY — For five minutes, Ichabod Crane kept its head against the Peru Indian defense. Between the 11th and 16th minutes, the Riders scored both of their goals en route to a 2-0 victory, ending the Peru season in the Class B regional semifinals the day after Halloween. Kevin Winglosky scored on a George Cox corner kick in the 11th, while Cox scored the second on a Giovanni Gomez assist in the 16th. Indian’s Jessy Dick defends the ball against Ichabod Crane in regional semi-final matchup Nov. 1 “I think our main concern as coaches was to be patient on defense because Ichabod passes the ball very well and possess,” coach Matthew Armstrong said. “We made a couple of mistakes early, and giving up the early goals affected the mentality a bit.” The Indians advanced to the Class B regionals with a penalty kick win over defending state champion Plattsburgh High, with Jacob Desso and Jesse Dick scoring while Tyler Robinson made crucial saves. “In the last two games, he has shown he is an outstanding keeper, and now everyone knows that,” Armstrong said. “It was a successful season for us. This is the first time we have won our division and a sectional title since 2003. It was a fun group of guys to coach.” While Armstrong said it will be tough to say goodbye to his six seniors who have helped to build the program, he feels the squad is in a good position to remain competitive in Division I in the Northern Soccer League and Class B. “The seniors are valuable players to lose, so we will need the underclassmen who played in this game tonight to step up and teach the younger players in the system.” Photos from this game can be found at mycapture.suncommunitynews.com.

After slow start, Peru reclaims Section VII/Class B football crown By Jill Lobdell, Keith Lobdell keith@suncommunitynews.com

CLINTONVILLE — Since starting the 2016 season with a 1-3 record, the Peru Indians have come on strong, winning their last five games, including the Section VII/Class B championship game Oct. 29 against Beekmantown. After suffering a 28-7 loss in week one and the low moment of the season in a 13-0 loss to AuSable Valley, the Indians scored a 41-29 win over the top-seeded Eagles to advance to the regional semifinals Friday, Nov. 4, and a game against Potsdam at Massena High School with kickoff at 7 p.m. “I thought the game went back and fourth in the first half,” Peru head coach Ryon O’Connell said. “Coach Lozier and his staff and players really took it to us in the first half. In the second half, our offensive line made some big holes and our specialty players made some plays.” The Indians trailed at three points in the first half, with Alex Archer scoring from two yards out and Ryan Criss scoring on an 84 yards kick return and 15 yard run.

Beekmantown’s Domincik Bordeau hurdles his way into the endzone. Photo by Jill Lobdell

Peru’s John Gallo dives for the endzone.

Each time, Peru had an answer, with Matt Latinville returning and interception for a score, Evan Palmer running for a 24 yard score and then catching a 45 yard score from Ryley O’Connell to have both teams going into halftime scoring 21 points. John Gallo scored in the opening minutes of the third quarter on a five yard run, while the defense was able to hold the Eagles in check. On the first play of the fourth quarter, O’Connell again connected with Palmer for a 29 yard touchdwn pass. Gallo then scored from 31 yards away to seal the game. “Recovering a punt gave us a short field and Jon was able to punch it in,” O’Connell said of the games key play. Gallo finished with 146 rushing yards and two touchdowns, while

O’Connell threw for 150 yards on 11 completions and two scores, one to Palmer, who finished with 66 receiving yards, and the other to Gallo, who had 71 receiving yards. For Beekmantown, Archer finished with 126 rushing yards and a score, while Criss had 94 receiving yards. Ryon O’Connell said theIndians had a lot of work to put in before facing the ‘Stoners Friday night. “We have a lot of hard work ahead of us and we have a lot of film to study,” he said. We will prepare for this week like we do every week and see what happens.” Photos from this game can be found at mycapture.suncommunitynews.com.

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Runners prepare for Section VII meet By Keith Lobdell

keith@suncommunitynews.com

The Lady Eagles are the top seed in the Class C sectional playoffs. Photo by Keith Lobdell

Volleyball sectional champs to beÊ determinedÊ Saturday

By Keith Lobdell

keith@suncommunitynews.com

SARANAC — Three sectional titles will be on the line this Saturday, Nov. 5, as the Lake Placid Lady Blue Bombers will be one of six teams playing in the Section VII championships. The Blue Bombers (3-13, 16-48) are the top seed in the Class D finals, where they will face the Northern Adirondack Lady Bobcats (0-16, 2-58) in the championship game, set to start at 4 p.m. in the Saranac High School gym. The day will open with the Class B final, where the Beekmantown Lady Eagles (16-0, 57-6) received a bye to the finals with three teams in Class B. The championship game is set for noon Saturday. The opening round, semifinal game in Peru Featured the second seed Lady Indians (14-2, 53-13) hosted third seed Plattsburgh High (9-7, 32-40) at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 2. In Class C, the winners of the semifinal games Wednesday, Nov. 2, will play at 2 p.m. in Saranac for the title. In the top half of the bracket, top-seeded Northeastern Clinton (12-4, 45-18) will host fourth seed AuSable Valley (511, 25-41) at 6 p.m. in Champlain, while second seed Saranac Lake (8-8, 34-32) will take on third seed Saranac (5-11, 2739) in the other semifinal, also at 6 p.m. The Beekmantown Eagles again won the CVAC regular season title with an undefeated season and dropping only six games along the way. They will have a tough test in the finals should CVAC runner-up Peru advance, as Peru has been the closest to defeating the perennial Class B power, including a one-game win over the Eagles in the Saranac tournament earlier this year. NCCS was third in league play, followed by PHS, Saranac Lake, Saranac, AVCS, Lake Placid and NAC.

TICONDEROGA — The sixth-ranked Lake Placid Blue Bombers came off a 22-0 regular season meet record to take the CVAC Invitational trophy in Ticonderoga Oct. 29, while Brittany Shumway of Saranac Lake earned to top individual spot in the girl’s meet. The Bombers were led by Henry McGrew, who ran the Ticonderoga Elementary/Middle School course in 17:47, 46 seconds off the pace of race winner Caleb Moore of Seton Catholic, who finished in 17:01. The Bombers were then anchored by the middle of their squad, as Scott Schulz (18:13), Trent White (18:13) and James Finegan (18:24) finished in sixth through eighth, with Kai Frantz rounding out the five scoring runners in 18:37, finishing in 12th. Saranac Lake’s Anderson Gray edged Saranac’s Andrew LePage out for third place by one second (17:54), while Lauchlan Cheney-Seymour finished fifth for the Red Storm. The Red Storm finished second in the meet. Dylan Trombley was ninth for AuSable Valley in a time of 18:25, while Ryan Flora (18:32) of Plattsburgh High rounded out the top 10. In the girls race, Shumway posted a time of 20:20, edging Seton Catholic’s Lea DeJordy out at the line, who finished with a matching 20:20 time. Lea’s sisters, Sofia and Savannah, finished in third and fourth, with Sofia holding a one second advantage. The Lady Knights, who finished at 22-0 in the regular season, only ran four runners at the invitational, opening the door for Saranac to earn the team title, with Lake Placid finishing second. Rachael Woodruff (20:55) and Heather Dutko (21:08) were the next two finishers for Saranac, while Lake Placid’s Marli Damp (21:08) and Gabby Armstrong (21:19) followed. The top 10 were rounded out by Saranac’s Elise LePage (21:32) and Beekmantown’s Enya Sullivan (21:45). The Section VII cross country teams will now take to the Cobble Hill course in Elizabethtown for the Section VII championships and state qualifier Friday, Nov. 4, with the girls race at 2:15 p.m. and the boys race at 3 p.m. Along with individual titles, teams will compete for sectiona titles and a spot in the NYSPHSAA state meet, set for Saturday, Nov. 12, at Chenango State Park near Binghamton. Peru and Beekmantown will run for state spots in Class B,

while Class C will include Saranac, Saranac Lake and AuSable Valley. Lake Placid, Seton Catholic, Moriah/Westport, Ticonderoga and Schroon Lake will be the Class D field. The NYSPHSAA Section VII team will include 12 runners, up to seven from the sectional champion with the rest of the roster being rounded out by top finishers in each class.

Top 14 boys Place

Time

Class

Runner

School