Generosity
Clinton County Christmas Bureau supporters gearing up for Santa Night.
Dannemora woman with cancer given special quilt from a special friend.
Page 6
TAKE ONE!
FREE
Holiday Spirit
ECRWSS PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID DENTON PUBLICATIONS/ NEW MARKET PRESS
P.O. BOX 338 ELIZABETHTOWN, NY 12932 POSTAL PATRON
Page 7
...Also, look inside for our holiday section featuring local businesses!
November 28, 2009
United Way donations help local people, not pad pockets, Bernardi says Executive director aims to put concerns to rest following recent CBS News report By Jeremiah S. Papineau jeremiah@denpubs.com
Santa Claus comes to town Children had the opportunity to greet Santa Claus as he visited Champlain Centre in Plattsburgh Nov. 21. The jolly old elf stopped for brunch at the food court of the Smithfield Boulevard mall and to hear what children would like for Christmas. Santa was scheduled to come back for the remainder of the holiday season Nov. 27. Photo by Jeremiah S. Papineau
Did you our enjoy y y? Da Turkey Show us how you spent your Thanksgiving! Send your photos to jeremiah@denpubs.com and we’ll post them in the Photo Galleries section on our Web site!
‘Zumbathon’ will benefit Christmas Bureau, JCEO Gilligan’s Getaway hosting first-time event Dec. 10 By Jeremiah S. Papineau jeremiah@denpubs.com PLATTSBURGH — Alissa Perniciaro likes to Zumba and wants others to join her to help local nonprofit organizations. Perniciaro, a certified instructor of the aerobic fitness program which has become increasingly popular in the area, is organizing a “Zumbathon” to raise money for the Clinton County Christmas Bureau and the Joint
Council for Economic Opportunities of Clinton and Franklin Counties Food Shelf. The Morrisonville woman and fellow Zumba instructor Lisa Menia were looking for a way to spread the word about Zumba and help local charitable organizations at the same time. “We thought it’d be a great way to raise money and have a good time,” said Perniciaro. The pair have planned the See ZUMBATHON, page 10
2007 FORD ESCAPE XLT
$ 44047
ELIZABETHTOWN, NY
RAY BROOK, NY
(800) 559-6551
(800) 287-4525
DLR# 3160003
15,600
Stk#SE2460A, 4x4, Power Seat, CD Moon Roof, Light Gold, 57K Miles
PLATTSBURGH — The story of scandal involving the salary of the former executive director of the United Way of Central Carolinas may be more than a year old, but it’s now beginning to have a ripple effect in the North Country. John C. Bernardi, executive director of the United Way of Clinton and Essex Counties Inc., said it has come to his attention a story which aired on CBS News Nov. 19 titled “RecessionProof Job? Non-Profit CEO,” has raised concerns locally about charitable giving. In the report, the controversial salary of former Charlotte, N.C., United Way executive director Gloria Pace King was referenced, highlighting how King pulled in a $380,000 salary and $2.1 million retirement package. “This is a story that’s resurfaced from June 2008,” said Bernardi. “It looks like [CBS News] was doing a story on charitable giving and just pulled this up as an example.” Recently, Kirk A. Stallsmith, vice president of the local United Way’s board of directors, learned of concerns regarding making do-
Bernardi nations to the organization from employees of GeorgiaPacific in Plattsburgh, where Stallsmith serves as general manager. Several employees had seen or learned of the CBS News report and mentioned they wouldn’t participate in donating to the United Way campaign as a result. Stallsmith immediately responded to the concerns by issuing a company-wide e-mail which clarified several key points in the news report. “People need to be cautious when they read or hear something on the news and not draw broad assumptions,” said Stallsmith. “It was clear by reading the CBS report that there was a branch of the United Way and a few select other charitable organizations where See UNITED WAY, page 17
2006 FORD ESCAPE LTD
$
16,850
Stk#E2421A, Leather, 6 Disc CD, Fog Lamps, Pwr. Group, Lt. Green 53K Miles
FIND THE CAR YOU’RE REALLY LOOKING FOR AT: WWW.EGGLEFIELDBROS.COM