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Saturday,ÊD ecemberÊ24,Ê2016
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In Features | pg. 5
Wanted: Bold, strong women Women of distinction awards on tap
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In opinions | pg. 6
Boreas classification
We call for a common sense compromise
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In FEATURES | pg. 11
Christmas at the Luck’s
Plattsburgh decorations up for 51st year
Clinton County Legislature passes 2017 budget Lower health, retirement rates contribute to lower tax levy, taxes By Teah Dowling
teah@suncommunitynews.com
PLATTSBURGH — The Clinton County Legislature unanimously passed the 2017 final budget last week. Total appropriations clock in at around $165.1 million and total revenues came in at $134.4 — both seeing an increase of around $2 million over least. The spending plan carries a tax levy of $28,607,951, which is $159,557 lower than the recommended budget’s original figure. County Administrator and Budget Officer Michael Zurlo
said the decrease was primarily due to final health and retirement rates coming in lower than expected. “We had not counted on that happening,” he said. “But it was a welcomed surprise.” As a result, the county tax rate dropped by 4 cents down to $5.93. MUNICIPALITY TAX BREAKDOWN The town of Champlain and village of Rouses Point county tax rate decreased by 4 cents. The city of Plattsburgh will see a 16 cent drop. Beekmantown’s payment dropped significantly by $3.20 >> See County Budget | pg. 14
PreppingÊf or
CVPH issues final call for fundraising efforts
iceÊ skating
Annual campaign bankrolls programs, health initiatives across Clinton County
Mooers Forks, Peru incorporating new outdoor winter offerings for residents
MOOERS FORKS — Ready to ice skate? Mooers Forks and Peru are in the process of constructing free outdoor skating rinks for the season. In Mooers Forks, a new ice skating rink Teah will be placed at St. Ann’s Catholic Church Dowling Writer in the pavilion. Supervisor Jeff Menard said the town has been trying to come up with a location to put in a rink for several years, but weren’t successful until the parish offered by the site. “We wanted to give people something to do during the winter months,” he said. “Now, we finally can.” The town is currently gathering cost estimates for the rink, as well as plans for maintenance. The expenses, Menard said, will be covered through donations and the town’s recreation budget. Town officials are hopeful to get the rink up and running after New Year’s. PERU In Peru, Sullivan Park has been tapped as a site.
By Pete DeMola
pete@suncommunitynews.com
Peru officials are in the process of placing a park in Sullivan Park. The rink should be completed sometime after New Year’s. Photo by John Ryan
Last year, Peru officials attempted to put up a rink, but it failed, largely due to the warm weather. “We thought it would be as simple as making a hole in the ground and filling it with water to freeze,” said Councilman Donald McBrayer. “It’s not that simple, but hopefully we’ll have better luck this time around.” Peru officials will purchase a liner for about $850. Lumber for the edges, benches and a light are already at the site. The final steps, McBrayer said, include putting the rink together and freezing the water. McBrayer said the rink should be completed after New Year’s, and will be maintained by the Peru Youth Commission and town water and sewer department.
PLATTSBURGH — The Foundation of CVPH is rounding the final stretch of their annual fundraising effort. The charitable arm of Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital raised $260,000 last year, and aims to beat that goal by the end of the month. “We are hoping to raise an additional $50,000 from the community in the next few weeks,” said Kerry Haley, executive director of the Foundation of CVPH. A team of 50 campaign volunteers have been reaching out to their contacts for support. All donations to the health network will stay in the community. Projects funded in the past year include aiding patients with travel costs for specialized care, funding hospital equipment and programs and the facilitation of an ongoing lecture and education series designed to promote community wellness. Recent topics have been on mental health, orthopedics and lung cancer. One program sees SUNY Plattsburgh students working with local third and fourth grade girls on workshops designed >> See CVPH Fundraising | pg. 15