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Saturday,ÊJ ulyÊ30,Ê2016
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In PHOTOS| pg. 4
Clinton County Fair festivities
68th annual event filled with fun for all ages
www.SunCommunityNews.com
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In FEATURES| pg. 2
Peru building fees change New construction rates increased
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In NEWS | pg. 5
Strand Center ‘Dark’ Exhibit
Exhibit to feature diverse artist collaboration
Derrick hits Stefanik on trade policy
Trans-Pacific Partnership takes center stage in congressional race By Pete DeMola
pete@suncommunitynews.com
PLATTSBURGH — The Trans-Pacific Partnership has emerged as a central issue in New York’s 21st Congressional District. The opening salvo was fired last week by Mike Derrick, who is challenging Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-Willsboro) for the seat, with the rollout of the first campaign ad of the 2016 cycle. In the 30-second spot, Derrick said he agrees with Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump in opposing the proposed trade agreement between the U.S. and 11 Pacific
Rim nations. “I don’t support Trump, but he’s right that we need to stop the job-killing TPP deal, and take on both parties in Washington,” Derrick said. Derrick, a Democrat, criticized Stefanik for what he said was her support of the agreement, calling it an “unfair trade deal similar to NAFTA that will ship jobs overseas and hurt this region’s families who desperately need more economic opportunity and growth.” The Stefanik camp called the ad “false” and an attempt to deceive voters about the freshman lawmaker’s record. “Elise Stefanik has never supported TPP, and the news citations used to support Mike Derrick’s blatantly false claim are about TPA, not TPP,” said campaign spokesman Lenny Alcivar in an email. “Either Mike Derrick doesn’t know the difference between TPP and TPA, or he knowingly misrepresented
TwinÊbr others landÊ topÊ honor Peru residents Hunter and Riley Sartwell become Eagle Scouts PERU — A pair of twin brothers have earned their wings. Meet Hunter and Riley Sartwell, the newly minted Eagle Scouts who have reached the highest recognition in scouting. Teah The 18-year-old boys stood side-byDowling Writer side at Babbie Rural & Farm Learning Museum as family, friends and fellow scouts and leaders applauded their big day. The road to get there wasn’t easy. Riley and Hunter started their journey in second grade when they joined Cub Scouts. Troop 5 Scoutmaster Keith Kemp recalled Hunter pacing around the campfire, trying to figure out where the smell of smoke was coming from. “I asked him if he thought it could be the campfire,” he said. “Eventually, he figured it out.” The room exploded in laughter as Kemp walked back to his seat while giving Riley a special warning: “I will duct tape you to a tree again.” As they ascended up the scouting ladder, the boys made plenty of friends, in which they consider as brothers. “We got really close, maybe a little too close,” Hunter said.
her position because he has no new ideas of his own.” The Derrick camp shot back: “Why would she vote to fast track its approval if she doesn’t support it�” In a third news release, Derrick suggested Stefanik was beholden to her campaign donors. The lawmaker, he claimed, received $50,000 from “pro-TPP special interests that spent over $168 million on total lobbying in 2014 alone.” Derrick also touted an endorsement from the United Steelworkers, who said the candidate reached out when Alcoa threatened to cut 600 jobs in Massena last year. “Mike called and asked what he could do to help,” said Region 4 Representative Rick Sauer. “We did not hear from our Congressperson.” >> See Mike Derrick | pg. 9
TheÊ SunÊ addsÊ seasonedÊ vets,Ê promotesÊ fromÊ within
Lohr McKinstry, Kim Dedam and Elizabeth Izzo hired; DeMola and Lobdell promoted (L-R) Riley and Hunter Sartwell became Eagle Scouts together last week at the Babbie Rural & Farm Learning Museum. Photo by Teah Dowling
“It was cold.” How close, asked the crowd “No comment,” said the group. Several stories and laughs later, it was official: they were Eagles. ‘PROUD PARENTS’ Riley and Hunter’s parents, Scott and Lisa, exchanged the ceremonial pins. When the time came for the boys to pin their parents, the scout masters shouted out to poke them for each embarrass>> See TWIN BOYS | pg. 15
ELIZABETHTOWN — Sun Community News in Elizabethtown has added veteran reporters Lohr McKinstry and Kim Dedam to its talented team of journalists. The locally-owned company has also hired news clerk and arts columnist Elizabeth Izzo; named Keith Lobdell sports editor and designated Pete DeMola assistant managing editor. The announcements help solidify the newspaper group as the region’s number one source of superbly written community news. Sun Community News Managing Editor John Gereau said he is excited to welcome the new additions to his editorial team. “I’m ecstatic to bring this kind of talent and experience to Sun Community News,” Gereau said, noting that McKinstry and Dedam are well-known and respected journalists in the region. “Never before have we been better positioned to offer our readers all the news of importance they need in their daily >> See NEW STAFF | pg. 13