Village board hears about state reg changes that could affect GRD’s Summer Recreation Program

by Rachel Hunter

For years, local children have enjoyed swimming at the Town of Fowler’s Sylvia Lake Beach alongside other pools and local lakes as part of the Gouverneur Recreation Department’s Summer Recreation Program. The future of this opportunity is now uncertain, as the New York State Department of Health has unveiled regulation changes.

Gouverneur Recreation Department Director Casey T. Canell reported the following at the Village of Gouverneur Board of Trustees meeting on May 21: “Regulations are changing,” Director Canell said. “For rec programs to attend swimming facilities – regardless if it is a beach or a pool – we have to provide our own lifeguards in addition to the lifeguards that are being provided. It is something that we are going to have to look at, and see if it is something that we can do or are able to do. I have been researching this.”

Village of Gouverneur Mayor Ron McDougall has been in talks with Town of Fowler Supervisor Rick Newvine on the matter. “We will try to do a work-around and see what we can come up with, so we do not lose our summer Sylvia Lake swimming program,” Mayor McDougall said. “Because this potentially has the possibility of that happening, correct?”

“Yes,” Director Canell said.

After some discussion, it was noted that these regulation changes would affect all planned swim trips. “Any beach you went, it would be effective, correct?” Trustee Troy Besaw asked.

“Yes,” Director Canell said. “These places are providing lifeguards, but in order for groups to come in, the groups have to bring in additional lifeguards. Plus there’s adult-to-child ratio and all kinds of interesting stuff.”

“Does that mean you will have to hire more staff if you were going to do this?” Trustee Besaw asked.

“Just for swimming,” Director Canell confirmed.

Village of Gouverneur Deputy Mayor Charles Newvine then said: “But a pool lifeguard certificate is different than an open lifeguard. So because Sylvia Lake is an open boundary, it takes a different certification than just going to a pool. So you have to find somebody that has that certification – on top of the ones that are already hired at Sylvia Lake. When you go to Sylvia Lake, they provide you with three lifeguards. How many kids do you take to Sylvia Lake?”

“We’ve had 50 a couple times, but usually its 30-35,” Director Canell said.

“So, three lifeguards and 35 people, and that’s not enough for the State of New York,” Trustee Besaw said.

“Plus all of the Rec staff,” Deputy Mayor Newvine said. “They want an additional three people.”

“That’s an absolute farce,” Trustee Besaw said.

“But the Rec staff are not lifeguards,” Village of Gouverneur Clerk/Treasurer Barbara Finnie said.

Mayor McDougall then said: “Anyways, the Town Supervisor of Fowler said that we are going to fix this somehow.”

“Well, he’s the smartest man I know, but that’s a tough fix,” Deputy Mayor Newvine said. “The only way you could do it would be to have additional lifeguards. The school is begging people to be lifeguards. Every year they beg kids to be lifeguard certified. You would have to find kids, on top of the ones that Fowler already employs… and I think they employ five. So if they had six, they would have to have all of their staff there. But we would have to pay for them…”

“We would have to pay for at least two, because what would happen if one couldn’t make it?” Director Canell said. “Safety is a priority, and it is just something that I do. One of the reasons I keep returning to Sylvia Lake is because I am comfortable that it is a safe place for us to take these kids. I am at a loss for words…”

Town of Gouverneur Supervisor Dave Spilman, Jr. then asked, “What would it take to certify your staff?” A question that was on the lips of the Deputy Mayor Newvine and the Village Trustees. “Are you interested in doing that, Casey?” Trustee Besaw asked.

Deputy Mayor Newvine then said: “It has to be certain certification, like from the American Heart Association, and it has to be open pool certification. The school does it. Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure there’s other places that do it. But I am sure it is quite limited right now trying to find a space because we are in June.”

Village of Gouverneur Clerk/Treasurer Barbara Finnie said: I think (Town of Fowler Supervisor Rick Newvine) said he has seven lifeguards this year that signed up.”

“That would be fine,” Deputy Mayor Newvine said. “We would have to pay for those three people on our payroll to work the days that we take them to Sylvia Lake. They have to be our employees.”

Director Canell then said: “That is just a small part of it.”

Village of Gouverneur resident Shawn Mead then asked: “Is there any grants available?”

“I’m sure there are, but you know how grants are,” Deputy Mayor Newvine said. “You would not be able to use it this year… You wonder if there’s local municipalities that have kids that are lifeguard certified that you could reach out to. Do you know what I mean? Sylvia Lake is close to Edwards and Hermon.”

Director Canell then said the following: “Criteria is also changing for just regular operations, which is another conversation. There is going to be a lot to this.”

“Alright, plug away,” Mayor McDougall said. There were no further comments on the matter during the regular meeting.

In other news, Gouverneur Recreation Director Casey Canell gave the following report:

The Before-School Morning Program meets weekdays at Gouverneur Elementary School, and is hosted in partnership with the Gouverneur Central School District. Enrichment program features early morning wake-up activities, interactive social play, arts and crafts, and breakfast. Highlights this month included Kids Kindness Recognitions and Bingo Fun Theme Days.

The After-School Program meets at the Gouverneur Recreation Center STEAM Studio on Trinity Ave., Gouverneur, for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Match activities. The After-School Program is held on Mondays and Wednesdays for Grades 2-4, and Tuesdays and Thursday for those in UPK-Grade 1. Bus transportation is provided by the Gouverneur Central School District. The program highlights include recreational opportunities exploring STEAM field, theme days and guests with fine arts appreciation, gaming stations with tournaments, and interactive social play. Highlights included Spring Fest and Mother’s Day Projects.

Toddler Town meets on Tuesday and Thursday mornings for a recreation pre-school playgroup. The program features interactive socialization, music and art, story and snack, and active play. Highlights this month included Mother’s Day Arts with Parent & Me Interactive Play.

The Senior Citizen Program continues to be held weekly on Friday mornings for bingo and coffee social. All area seniors are welcome to attend.

In related business, sign-ups are underway for Missoula Children’s Theatre (MCT) featuring Sleeping Beauty. The Summer Recreation Program (Performing Arts) will be held July 22-27 for youth in grades Kindergarten through Grade 12. Packets are available at the Gouverneur Recreation Center. For more information, call 315-287-0524.

The Summer Recreation Program is currently being planned for July and August 2024.

The next meeting of the Village of Gouverneur Board of Trustees will be held on Tuesday, June 18, 6 p.m., in the municipal courtroom. For more information, call 315-287-1720.

Gouverneur PD awarded $70,000 to purchase body-worn cameras, speed radar units

by Rachel Hunter

Governor Kathy Hochul recently announced $127 million to police departments and sheriffs’ offices outside of New York City for new technology and equipment to prevent and solve crimes and improve public safety. The Governor secured additional funding in the FY 2025 Enacted Budget to fund applications made by 378 law enforcement agencies that responded to the state’s application for funding last fall. The Gouverneur Police Department was awarded $70,000.

“Public safety is my top priority, and we are continuing to make record investments in law enforcement so they have the resources they need to protect our communities,” Governor Hochul said. “By investing in the latest technology and equipment, we’re responding to the requests of law enforcement agencies as they look to safeguard the future of our state.”

Police departments and sheriffs’ offices will use the funding to purchase new technology and equipment to modernize their operations and more effectively solve and prevent crime. The grants will support a variety of equipment and technology, including but not limited to license plate readers, mobile and fixed camera systems, computer-aided dispatch systems, software, unmanned aerial vehicles, gunshot detection devices and smart equipment for patrol vehicles and police officers.

The State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) notified all agencies of their grant awards in mid-May and sent award letters this month to police departments and sheriffs’ offices, which applied for the funding in late 2023. More than half of the total funding will be used to support license plate readers (22 percent), body-worn and patrol vehicle equipment (20 percent), and public safety camera systems (17 percent).

Division of Criminal Justice Services Commissioner Rossana Rosado said, “When police agencies and community organizations across New York voiced their needs, Governor Hochul listened. We thank the Governor for working to ensure that this year’s budget met those needs, and we look forward to continuing to work with our law enforcement agencies and community partners to further strengthen those relationships and support evidence-based practices that help keep New Yorkers safe and allow communities to thrive.” The Division of Criminal Justice Services provides critical support to all facets of the state's criminal justice system, including, but not limited to: training law enforcement and other criminal justice professionals; overseeing a law enforcement accreditation program; ensuring Breathalyzer and speed enforcement equipment used by local law enforcement operate correctly; managing criminal justice grant funding; analyzing statewide crime and program data; providing research support; overseeing county probation departments and alternatives to incarceration programs; and coordinating youth justice policy.

The FY25 Enacted Budget sustains record-level investments in public safety and criminal justice funding to support Governor Hochul's comprehensive, multifaceted approach to address gun violence and includes additional funding to target retail theft, more effectively combat domestic violence, and ensure funding for community-based programs that serve victims and survivors of crime.

Village of Gouverneur Chief of Police Darren Fairbanks informed the Village of Gouverneur Board of Trustees of the $70,000 award during its May 21 meeting.

“Last week, the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services made me aware that they had awarded the Gouverneur Police Department $70,000 subsequent to a grant application I filed in November of last year,” Chief Fairbanks said. “That financial award will be used to purchase body-worn cameras, new speed radar units for patrol cars… Our current radar units are over 20 years old. I would like to thank the New York State Governor’s Office and the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Service for selecting the Gouverneur PD – one of only four agencies in St. Lawrence County – to receive that award.”

Words of congratulations were extended by Mayor Ron McDougall and the Village of Gouverneur Board of Trustees to Chief Fairbanks on the $70,000 award.

In other news: Chief Fairbanks detailed the following in his monthly report: “We still have one full-time police officer position in the Gouverneur Police Department that has yet to be filled. I anticipate that Civil Service will announce a date and time for the next Police Officer exam soon. I encourage anyone who fits the criteria to be able to take the exam and has interest in wanting to be involved in law enforcement to take the exam when it is given.

“In the month of April, the Gouverneur Police Department received 416 calls for service, and 224 of those calls for service required police intervention. Ninety-six of those calls for service were IBR criminal complaints On average 24 criminal investigations per patrol. The PD effected 20 arrests for a total of 35 charges for four felonies, 20 misdemeanors, five violations, three traffic infractions, and we executed 0 bench warrants. We responded to and investigated 10 motor vehicle collisions, three incidents outside the Village of Gouverneur due to outside law enforcement not being available or to provide assistance to outside law enforcement. And 13 incidents involving the Gouverneur Fire Department and/or the Gouverneur Rescue Squad. We received 28 requests for general welfare or mental health checks in which eight were determined mental health related. The eight mental health calls were handled by our agency. Of the eight mental health calls our agency took 3 into custody for emergency involuntary evaluation with all 3 being under 9.41 by police observation/investigation. No individuals were under 18 years of age and no repeats. There were 2 attempts at utilizing the Mobile Access Program calls, but the calls did not change the end result of the complaint. There was one reported non-fatal drug overdose inside the Village of Gouverneur.”

The next regular meeting of the Village of Gouverneur Board of Trustees will be held on Tuesday, June 18, 6 p.m., at the municipal courtroom. For more information, call 315-287-1720.

Reminder: Gouverneur Memorial Day Observance is Monday

by Rachel Hunter

The Gouverneur Memorial Day Observance will be held on Monday, May 27, 10 a.m. parade, with service to follow at Riverside Cemetery (Williams St.) at about 10:30 a.m. The observance is jointly organized by the James Maloy American Legion Post 65 and the Silas Wainwright VFW Post 6338. Parade line-up will be at 9 a.m. on Rock Island St., Gouverneur.

There will be a free luncheon following the observance, provided by the Auxiliary to VFW Post 6338, at the Silas Wainwright VFW Post 6338, 100 W. Main Street, Gouverneur. The lunch will include hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, salad, barbecue beans, and dessert.

The public was reminded of the annual observance by Village of Gouverneur Mayor Ron McDougall at the Village of Gouverneur Board of Trustees meeting on Tuesday, May 21.

No further information was made available by press time this week. See coverage of the Gouverneur Memorial Day Observance in an upcoming edition of the Gouverneur Tribune Press.

For more information, call the Silas Wainwright VFW Post 6338 in Gouverneur at (315) 287-4682

Gouverneur CSD residents to vote on $44M proposed budget for 2024-25

by Rachel Hunter

On Tuesday, May 21, Gouverneur Central School District residents will vote on the proposed $44,165,000 budget for the 2024-25 school year. The proposal carries a 3.59 percent spending increase over the current year and a 2.03 percent increase to the tax levy, which is at the levy limit.

The Gouverneur Central School District Board of Education held the annual budget hearing on May 13. The call to order was given by Board of Education President and Chairperson David Fenlong. There were over 30 Gouverneur Central School District staff, faculty, administrators, and community members present. A sample ballot was available for public perusal. The Budget Vote will be held on Tuesday, May 21, noon to 8 p.m., in the GHS Auditorium. The inspectors and officers of election were appointed at the May 4 meeting of the Gouverneur Central School District Board of Education as following: Chief Inspector Diane Kelley, Inspector Judith Poticher, and Assistant Clerk, Kim Shampine.

The presentation of the 2024-25 Proposed Budget was presented by Gouverneur Central School District Superintendent of Schools Jacquelyn L. Kelly as follows:

“I’d like to thank everybody for coming tonight,” Supt. Kelly said. “This is a nice crowd.”

The 2024-25 Proposed Budget contains three components – Administrative Component, Program Component, and the Capital Component.

There is $5,070,630 in the Administrative Component of the 2024-25 Proposed Budget. This is an increase of $368,089 over the current budget, and represents 11.48 percent of the total budget. “The primary reason for the increase is a central data processing shift,” Supt. Kelly said. “Software is now going to be recorded to the Administrative Component.” Supt. Kelly reminded the community that the Administrative Component includes expenses for the Board of Education, district clerk, Superintendent of Schools, Assistant Superintendent, business administration, auditing, treasurer, tax collector, purchasing, legal services, personnel services, records management, public information services, curriculum development and supervision, central data processing, central printing and mailing, central storeroom, judgments and claims and employee benefits attributable to salaries included in this component.

There is $31,710,087 in the Program Component of the 2024-25 Proposed Budget. This is an increase of $2,401,349 over the current budget, and represents 71.80 percent of the total budget. Supt. Kelly said the increase is a direct result of the District trying to “build in the positions that have been funded by the American Rescue Plan federal funding over the course of the past three years.” The community was reminded that the Program Component includes salaries and benefits of teachers, guidance, health services, psychological and social work services, pupil personnel services, co-curricular activities, interscholastic athletics, district transportation services (excluding bus purchases), contract transportation, recreation, youth programs, civic activities, employee benefits attributable to salaries included in this component, transfers to school lunch and special aid funds, and legal services relating to the program component. Supt. Kelly also said that one big part of this component is the cost of the third year of a three-year First Student transportation contract included in the 2024-25 proposed budget, which is about $2.5 million.”

There is $7,384,283 in the Capital Component of the 2024-25 Proposed Budget. This is a decrease of $1,239,898 over the current year’s budget, and it represents 16.72 percent of the total budget. “The decrease is primarily because of the $1.2 million project at the middle school,” Supt. Kelly said. The community was reminded that the Capital Component covers the cost of operation and maintenance of buildings, school bus purchases, debt service, transfers to capital and debt service funds, tax certiorari, judgements and claims, and employee benefits attributable to salaries in this component.

In looking at the budget comparison between the 2023-24 school year and the 2024-25 school year, Supt. Kelly noted that the total budget has increased. The budget for the 2024-25 school year is projected to be $44,165,000. The tax levy will be $7,066,189, with a tax levy increase of $140,638. The tax levy increase that is projected for the 2024-25 school year is 2.03 percent. The spending increase is $1,529,580 or 3.59 percent, and the District will be allocating reserve funds to cover the difference between the spending increase and the tax levy increase.

The estimated financial impact on property owners is as follows: If a property owner is eligible for Basic STAR, on a $60,000 home, the total increase is projected to be $8.12. On a $100,000 home, the total increase is projected to be $17.21. If a property owner is eligible for Enhanced STAR, on a $60,000 home, the total increase is projected to be $0. On a $100,000 home, the total projected increase is $7.27.

Supt. Kelly then said: “I want to give you a little background on how we arrived at the budget this year. As you probably know, this budget supports our long-term district-wide goals. We have had those goals in place for three years now. Our first goal is to bring consistency to curriculum decisions across grade levels and to provide appropriate professional development to support those curriculum decisions. We are trying to tie the professional development in with our curriculum. Our primary focus continues to be developing the foundational skills necessary for students to effectively read and write and do math. Our second goal is to continue to provide the social emotional support and academic opportunities for all students to be engaged and find success in school. Our primary focus in for all students to feel safe, welcomed at school, and want to be a part of our school community. Finally, we will continue to work to provide a continuum of the Special Education services district-wide to support the needs of all our students.

“This year, we had a couple of great planning sessions when talking about the budget, and what we thought we needed to include,” Supt. Kelly said. “So, district-wide, some of the additions to the budget this year are: We will have a school psychology intern joining us. We will have behavioral support. We will continue the afterschool and summer remedial and enrichment programming that has been funded by the American Rescue Plan funds for the last three years. We will have technology education support, orchestra, and we will continue our virtual psychologists. At the Gouverneur Elementary and Middle Schools specifically, we will continue to fund the Math Academic Intervention Services (AIS) Teachers, the Instructional Math Coach, Counseling Teaching Assistants, and we will be funding additional classroom aides specifically for the kindergarten classrooms. At the high school, we will be looking to add a Reading Academic Intervention Services (AIS) Teacher. We will be looking at BOCES Alternative Education Programming to address some of our needs at the high school.

“As I stated earlier, many of these positions have been funded over the past three school years utilizing the American Rescue Plan (ARP) federal funding that the District received as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic crisis,” Supt. Kelly said. “While the funding is scheduled to end in summer of 2024, the needs of our student population continue to increase and these services are needed by our students and their families.”

Supt. Kelly said: “One last thing that I would like to add is that, in preparation for the New York State mandated shift to the use of electric vehicles and the district’s need to be prepared for that shift, the proposed budget includes the purchase of five new diesel-powered buses and one new gasoline powered Suburban. The budget also includes two fully grant funded electric powered vehicles. This will allow the district to determine the feasibility of using electric vehicles in a district of our size and terrain.

“The business office, administrative team, and I have worked hard, with faculty and staff input, to develop a fiscally sustainable budget that provides the preservation of the strong educational programming, safe and secure environments, and extracurricular activities that our community has supported over the years.”

It was also noted that, in addition to the budget, residents will be asked to elect four members to the Gouverneur CSD Board of Education. The top three vote-getters will be named to the three-year seats (July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2027) to succeed Nickolas Ormasen, Laurie Roberts, and Laura Spicer, and the fourth will fill the vacant term (May 22, 2024 to June 30, 2027) to succeed Lisa McGregor. The candidates on the ballot are: Laurie M. Roberts, Laura Spicer, Roland Roderick, Nickolas Ormasen, and Lisa McGregor. Full candidate bios have been published online at www.gcsk12.org.

Also on the budget will be a proposition that, if approved, would continue to allow a high school student to serve as an ex officio, not-voting member of the Gouverneur Central School District Board of Education.

There were no questions made public at the budget hearing.

Gouverneur Central School District Board of Education President David Fenlong extended gratitude to Supt. Kelly for the budget presentation.

All residents in the Gouverneur Central School District who are 18 years of age or older, a U.S. Citizen, and have resided in the district for at least 30 days prior to the election are encouraged to vote. The Gouverneur Central School District Budget Vote and Board Member Election will be held Tuesday, May 21, noon to 8 p.m., in the GHS Auditorium. There also will be the Gouverneur Central School District Art Show in the GHS auxiliary gym on Tuesday, noon to 8 p.m. For more information, visit www.gcsk12.org.

Frankie & The Moonlighters to perform at Sock Hop in Gouverneur

by Rachel Hunter

Frankie & The Moonlighters will offer sweet sounds from the ‘50s and ‘60s, on Saturday, May 18, 7-10 p.m. at the Gouverneur Elks Lodge No. 2035, 1419 US Highway 11, Gouverneur.

Admission to the sock hop is $3 (single) or $5 (couple). Due to the generosity of an anonymous donor, there will be a $100 prize for the best outfit, and judging will be at 8 p.m. Food will be available for purchase from 5 to 6 p.m. The Gouverneur Elks will offer the classic food options cheeseburger with French fries and shake, or hot dog with French fries and shake at a nominal $5 cost. The public is encouraged to attend.

Frankie & The Moonlighters, based in Bloomingdale, NY, is a nostalgia band with music from the ‘50s and 60s. Each band member has a day-job, thus the name “moonlighters.”

The “chief crooner” is Frank Whitelaw, 63, who currently serves as the Town of St. Armand Town Justice. He retired from the New York State Police after 24 years of service, and also served as Essex County Coroner for over seven years. “Music has always been my go-to throughout life,” Mr. Whitelaw said in an interview with the Gouverneur Tribune Press. “It was even my major in high school. It’s been a driving force. After I retired, I co-founded heavy metal band Sonic Boom with a friend. Eight years later, I wanted to try something different. Fifties doo-wop music has always resonated with me, so I decided to venture out and find a whole new group.”

Frankie & The Moonlighters consists of the following: Frank Whitelaw as primary lead vocalist, Donna Fortune, Melissa Nugent, and Jessica Kemp as backing and lead vocals, Mike Harrington on lead guitar, Barb Curtis on upright bass, Sue Grimm on keyboards, and Kevin McLaughlin on drums. The group formed in November of 2022, and was finalized in January of 2023.

“Everyone in the group is passionate about music and they give 100 percent,” Frank Whitelaw said. “The music is all from the ‘50s and ‘60s. We all have period-correct wardrobe, and our stage set is reminiscent of a performance stage from the ‘50s or early ‘60s. We give a high-energy show with a smattering of crooning ballads. We even have our audience play along on one of our songs, when the ladies hand out percussion instruments, so the audience can play along and sing along with us. Our shows are rated G, so we are family-friendly. The band has been evolving since forming. For only being a little over a year old, we are getting lots of great feedback. We tend to honestly self-critique, so this serves as the medium for growth and improvement. It’s rewarding when we see our audiences singing along, dancing and just having fun. The goal is, to let you leave your troubles at the door and just have a good time. No other agenda. Just rock around the clock.”

Frankie & The Moonlighters is booked around the North Country in 2024. The Gouverneur Elks Lodge No. 2035 will feature Frankie & The Moonlights during the sock hop on Saturday, May 18, and during the Elks’ Annual Car Show on Saturday, June 8. The band will also be playing the Clinton County Fair in July, Music on the Green at Riverside Park in Saranac Lake, Tupper Arts Sunset Music Series in August, Port Henry Farmers Market, The Battle of Plattsburgh celebration in September, a North Country Hospice benefit show in October, among others. The band is taking November off to hit the studio, to record their first EP.

Anticipation is high throughout to community for North Country’s ‘50s-‘60s nostalgia band, Frankie & The Moonlighters, to come to Gouverneur on Saturday, May 18. Organizers encourage residents to arrive early to enjoy the sock-hop fun! For more information, call the Gouverneur Elks at 315-287-1630.

Jeff Boyer Productions to return to Gouverneur Public Library this summer for bubble, energy shows

by Rachel Hunter

Jeff Boyer Productions will return to the Gouverneur Public Library this summer with Big Bubble Bonanza shows at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on July 10, and Fun With Energy Shows at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on July 17. It was confirmed by Gouverneur Public Library Director Karen King this week. Call 315-287-0191 now to reserve seats for these shows.

Faithful readers of the Gouverneur Tribune Press will recall that a total of 159 local residents enjoyed the Big Bubble Bonanza Show, hosted by Jeff Boyer, during three shows at the Gouverneur Public Library in 2023. It was Judith Poticher, president of the Gouverneur Public Library Board of Trustees, who saw Mr. Boyer’s show first-hand and wanted to bring it to the Gouverneur Public Library for local families to enjoy. It was a smash hit, and there is much anticipation for Jeff Boyer Productions to return in 2024.

Jeff Boyer is a proven crowd-pleasing performer engaging, amusing and educating audiences for decades. He’s been excited about bubbles and physics since he was a kid. Studying acting at SUNY Jefferson (Watertown, NY) and the Boston Shakespeare Company brought his skills and calling into focus. Jeff moved into performing for family audiences in 1993. He’s enjoyed being part of ensemble casts and being a one-man show including musical theatre, drama, comedy, science and magic performance. He started Jeff Boyer Productions in 1999 and has been wowing audiences internationally with bubbles, science, and comedy ever since. A variety artist with over 25 years of entertainment experience, Jeff mixes the flair of magic, comedy, music and audience participation. He specializes in inclusion and diversity performance, seamlessly engaging audiences beyond language, cultural, age, and ability barriers. His dynamic style galvanizes communities. Jeff began creating bubble shows in 2005. His experience with school groups led him to raise audience participation to a new level. Jeff wows crowds of up to 1800 and spends much of his year touring internationally. When not on tour he loves to relax by the stream at home with his family and his favorite dog Lizzie.

With Big Bubble Bonanza, Jeff Boyer engages, delights and inspires those in attendance with a sensory-friendly bubble extravaganza, which will be fun for the whole family. North Country residents will have the opportunity to see the newest, funniest, zany spectacular from world-famous, Guinness Book of World Records-holding, master bubble wrangler Jeff Boyer, as he takes bubbles to the max with big bubble flair. Mixing comedy, music, and interactive bubble-magic, Jeff engages and delights audiences of all ages. The Gouverneur Public Library will be filled with excitement and delight from Jeff Boyer’s Big Bubble Bonanza, an interactive bubble show for all ages. The shows will be at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Wednesday, July 10. There is no cost to attend.

At the Fun With Energy Show, Jeff Boyer shows kids that energy is what makes our world work, through carefully laid out activities illustrating the laws and forces which govern the world around us. Jeff takes audiences on an exciting energy filled ride they’ll always remember. He brings kids right up on stage for interactive demonstrations that entertain and amaze. The shows will be held at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Wednesday, July 17, at the Gouverneur Public Library. There is no cost to attend.

For more information about Jeff Boyer, visit his website at http://jeffboyer.com.

Gouverneur Public Library Director Karen King also announces this week that the 2024 Summer Reading Program will run July 1-31. Sign-ups will be held throughout the month of June. Registering gives participants one ticket toward the grand prize in their age group. Tickets can be earned by completing the activities on the Summer Reading Activity Sheet, created by the Gouverneur Public Library staff. The grand prize winners will be drawn on Friday, August 2. For more information, call the library at 315-287-0191.

The Gouverneur Public Library, 60 Church St., Gouverneur, is open on Mondays to Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Fridays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. More details on the Gouverneur Public Library are available at gouverneurlibrary.org.

Reminder: Gouverneur Chamber Banquet is May 1

by Rachel Hunter

The Greater Gouverneur Area Chamber of Commerce’s 114th Annual Banquet will be held on Wednesday, May 1, 5:30 p.m. (social hour), 6:30 p.m. (roast beef dinner), at the Gouverneur Elks Lodge No. 2035, 1419 US Highway 11, Gouverneur.

Greater Gouverneur Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Donna Besaw of Gouverneur confirmed with the Gouverneur Tribune Press this week that tickets are still available at $25 per person. For more information, visit gouverneurchamber.net.

The Greater Gouverneur Area Chamber of Commerce will honor 2024 Award of Merit Recipient Clark Porter, a local businessman and entrepreneur. Faithful readers of the Gouverneur Tribune Press will recall that a full sketch was published in the April 19 edition. The Award of Merit is presented annually to a “business or businessperson active in the community over a long period of time or has a notable record of accomplishments in civic activities.” Clark Porter has had membership in the Greater Gouverneur Area Chamber of Commerce since 2021.

Past recipients of the Award of Merit include Eldon B. Conklin (1991), Robert A. Porter (1992), Gale Ferguson (1993), Dr. Alexander Dodds (1994), Eleanor Jackson (1995), Korleen Spilman (1996), E. J. Noble Hospital Auxiliary (1997), Ice Storm Community Leaders (1998), Joe Laurenza (1999), Della Evans (2000), Gouverneur Rotary Club (2001), Dr. Tim Monroe (2002), Kinney Drugs, Inc. (2003), Dale and Kay Bush (2004), Fred Easton (2005), Cives Steel Co. (2006), Nancy J. Cappellino (2007), Judy Peck (2008), Dr. Robert Saide (2009), Joe and Carolyn Pistolesi (2010), Harland Brown (2011), Dick and Brad Conklin (2012), Spilman’s Garage (2013), Gouverneur Auto Parts (2014), Casablanca Restaurant (2015), Fun Unlimited (2016), Newvine’s NAPA Auto Parts (2017), New York Pizzeria (2018), Wilson and Glenda Bickford (2019), Hometown Heroes (2020-2021), Blevins Ford/Team Blevins (2022), Charles A. Gardner, Attorney (2023).

Anticipation is high in the Gouverneur community for this year’s Chamber Banquet as news spreads about local businessman/entrepreneur Clark Porter being selected for the Chamber’s 2024 Award of Merit. The banquet has been a topic of conversation at local municipal board meetings, the Gouverneur Area Development Corporation (GADC) meeting, among others. All North Country residents are encouraged to purchase their tickets early to ensure their seat at the 114th Annual Greater Gouverneur Area Chamber of Commerce Banquet on May 1. For more information, visit www.gouverneurchamber.net or call 315-287-0331 or visit the Chamber office at 53 Herm Towne Road, Gouverneur.

Youth Bureau Sponsors 4th Annual Trash Dash 5K in Gouverneur on April 27

by Rachel Hunter

On April 27 and 28, the St. Lawrence County Youth Bureau invites adults and youth to join them for a weekend of walking and picking up roadside trash. Residents will register and select one of five county locations. Walkers meet on Saturday, April 27, at Mills Park (Johnstown St.) in Gouverneur at 9 a.m. Other locations include Rensselaer Falls, Potsdam at 9 a.m. on Saturday, or in Massena and Ogdensburg on Sunday at 1 p.m.

Each year, the Youth Bureau schedules its Trash Dash close to, or on, Earth Day. This year, EARTHDAY.ORG commits to end plastics for the sake of human and planetary health, demanding a 60% reduction in the production of all plastics by 2040. More information, on plastic reduction, can be found on their website.

“This is a great opportunity to make a personal contribution to a cleaner environment, especially within our local communities. Our teens appreciate having service projects especially ones that are environmentally friendly and fosters civic pride. This also creates connectedness with individuals of all ages who are coming together for a good cause,” said Alexa Backus Chase, Youth Bureau Director.

Last year approximately 87 youth registered to attend which included several organizations such as Gouverneur High School’s Honor Society, PAL of Massena, Ogdensburg Key Club, Reality Check, Massena Interact Club, Lisbon Interact Club, NNCS Science Honor Society, and Heuvelton Boy Scout Troop 9.

“Trash Dashers” picked up over 1100 pounds of garbage from all five locations.

Adults, families, teens, and organization teams are welcome to participate. Email RZuhlsdorf@stlawco.gov to register or call 315.379.9464 with questions. Registration deadline is Tuesday, April 23. Parking and specific site locations can be found when registering online. Mandatory safety training is offered the day of the event.

Easter Egg Hunt Saturday at Riverview Park in Gouverneur

by Rachel Hunter

The Riverview Park Association and Gouverneur Recreation Department will present the 2024 Easter Egg Hunt Eggstravaganza on Saturday, April 13, with festivities starting at 10 a.m., at Riverview Recreational Park in Gouverneur. The public is invited and encouraged to attend.

Faithful readers of the Gouverneur Tribune Press will recall that the inaugural Easter Egg Hunt, hosted by the Riverview Park Association and the Gouverneur Recreation Department, in 2023 was a success with hundreds of local youths hunting for colorful Easter Eggs on the athletic fields at the Riverview Recreational Park.

The 2024 Easter Egg Hunt Eggstravaganza will start at 10 a.m. with sign-ups, visits with the Easter Bunny, kids games, and more. The Easter Egg Hunt will start promptly at 11 a.m. for children 10 and under. It is estimated that there will be over 1000 Easter Eggs for the youths to find. There is no cost to attend, and all North Country families are welcome.

Organizers told the Gouverneur Tribune Press that the Easter Egg Hunt Eggstravaganza was scheduled to be held in mid-April, after the 2024 Easter holiday, in hopes that the athletic fields would be free of snowy conditions. All North Country children are urged to wear weather-appropriate gear for the hunt.

For many families Easter just isn’t Easter without the annual egg hunt. There have been community-wide Easter Egg Hunts in Gouverneur, Richville, Oxbow, DeKalb, and other North Country communities this 2024 Easter season, and there is much anticipation for the 2024 Easter Egg Hunt Eggstravaganza at the Riverview Recreational Park this Saturday, April 13.

Did you know? The custom of the Easter egg hunt comes from Germany. Some suggest that its origins date back to the late 16th century, when the Protestant reformer Martin Luther organized egg hunts for his congregation. The men would hide the eggs for the women and children to find. This was a nod to the story of the resurrection, in which the empty tomb was discovered by women.

In the German Lutheran tradition the Easter egg hunt is linked to the Easter Bunny – or the Easter Hare as he was originally known. The first written reference to the Easter Hare was in 1682 in Georg Franck von Franckenau’s essay, De ovis paschalibus (‘About Easter eggs’). However links between hares and rabbits and Easter go back earlier in central Europe. Hares were associated with fertility and with the Virgin Mary, and sometimes appear in paintings of the Virgin and Christ Child, and also in illuminated manuscripts. Custom had it that the hare would bring a basket of brightly painted eggs for all the children who had been good, and these would be hidden around the house and garden for the children to find.

The event is anticipated to be a great success, thanks to the volunteers and donations received from businesses and local community members in the greater Gouverneur community. To donate candy or for more information, call the Gouverneur Recreation Department at 315-287-0524 or call 757-323-9974.

Richville Free Library to hold Eclipse Watch Party

by Rachel Hunter

North Country residents and visitors are encouraged to enjoy the Great North American Eclipse on Monday, April 8 at the Richville Free Library.

The Richville Free Library’s Eclipse Watch Party will be held on Monday, April 8, noon to 4:30 p.m., at the Richville Free Library, 41 School Street, Richville.

The Richville Free Library, established in 1932, officially took ownership of the building at 41 School Street, Richville, on January 1, 2022. The building was originally built in the 1960s, and was long the location of the Richville Christian Fellowship Church, which held weekly services there from 1992 to 2021 before moving to a new location in Gouverneur, and becoming the North Country Christian Fellowship Church. It was the long-held vision of Pastor Ford Reynolds of Richville that 41 School St. would be an excellent location for the Richville Free Library, and thanks to $90,000 in state funding secured through New York State Senator Patty Ritchie (R-Heuvelton) and the support from greater Richville community, that vision has become a vibrant reality.

Faithful readers of the Gouverneur Tribune Press will recall that the move from 87 Main Street to 41 School Street in Richville allowed the Richville Free Library to grow and expand its offering for its patrons. In the past two years, the Richville Free Library under the leadership of Library Director Nancy Garrand, has become a community hub – a true resource for those in Richville and the surrounding communities. The Richville Free Library now has over 5,000 books available for loan alongside a myriad of other resources (computer workstations, thriving Children’s section, periodicals, historical resources, and so much more.) The Richville Free Library has featured community events, educational events, club meetings, musical experiences, and more for people of all ages since the library opened its doors at 41 School Street in Richville. The Richville Free Library just this past week held its Second Annual Easter Egg Hunt which utilized the spacious grounds adjacent to the Richville Free Library and connecting to the Richville Playgrounds.

As anticipation grows for the Great North American Eclipse on April 8, 2024, the Richville Free Library is hoping that the grounds will once again be well-utilized. St. Lawrence County is anticipating 50,000 tourists will be visiting as the North Country is in the path of totality. Richville Free Library Director Nancy Garrand has officially extended an invitation for all to enjoy the solar eclipse from the grounds around the Richville Free Library extending down towards the Richville Playground.

The Richville Free Library Eclipse Watch Party will be held on Monday, April 8, noon to 4:30 p.m. There is no admission fee, or registration necessary. All children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian, due to the danger to the eyes when viewing the solar eclipse. Attendees are encouraged to bring a chair or something to sit on, such as a blanket or tarp. Refreshments will be available for purchase.

Thanks to the North Country Library System, free eclipse glasses for viewing will be available. The distribution of glasses and eclipse information to libraries is led by the nationwide Solar Eclipse Activities for Libraries (SEAL) Project, managed by the Space Science Institute in Boulder, Colorado.

In preparation for the stellar event, the Richville Free Library is hosting Eclipse-related workshops that will be fun for the whole family. On Wednesday, April 3, the Richville Free Library held an information session about the Eclipse, complete with a question and answer period. This Saturday, April 6, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., there will be a Pinhole Camera and Viewing Shield making class. All those in attendance are asked to bring an empty cereal box. All other materials will be provided. Call the library at 315-287-1481 to reserve a spot.

The Richville Free Library is encouraging all to remember to prioritize health and safety during the total solar eclipse.

Keep Your Eyes Protected: Do not look directly at the sun during the eclipse (except during the limited time of totality when the sun is completely covered by the moon—and even then, with caution). Sunglasses will not protect your eyes. If your eyes are exposed to the sun without the appropriate protection, it can cause “eclipse blindness,” which can temporarily or permanently damage your eyes. One of the best ways to view a solar eclipse is through a pinhole projector where you look at a projected image made through a pinhole in cardboard paper. Or even easier, grab a colander from the kitchen (not the mesh kind, the one with holes in plastic or metal)! Another way to view a solar eclipse without harming your eyes is by using International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 12312-2 certified eclipse glasses from a trusted source.

Don’t Forget the Sunscreen: Springtime weather can be warm and sunny. The sun throughout the day can be very bright, including during the partial phases of a solar eclipse. It can damage your skin, even in cooler temperatures or on a cloudy day. To help prevent skin damage, wear a wide-brimmed hat, long-sleeved shirts, and long pants if possible when outdoors. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher. Sunscreen should be applied to dry skin at least 15 minutes before going outdoors and again after swimming or perspiring.

Be Prepared: While on the Road: Traffic volume is expected to be very high on the day of the eclipse. Plan on staying in one place for the day. If you must be out, allow for plenty of extra travel time. Consider using 511NY for current travel conditions. Streets or bridges may be closed and depending on your location you may run into extensive traffic jams. Prepare by bringing water, fuel, medications, and food in your vehicle. Do not stop to view the eclipse along the roadway, especially interstates, parkways, and freeways. Choose a safe viewing destination off the road and arrive early to ensure you are ready for the big show!

Boots and a Jacket: Springtime weather can be cold, snowy, or have significant rainfall. Be prepared with the appropriate clothing/footwear, such as jackets and boots. Have alternate plans should the weather present hazards. If heading out on the trail to see the eclipse, check trail conditions. The Adirondacks can have snow, icy, and muddy conditions depending on elevation.

The Richville Free Library is just one of the local libraries in the North Country Library System (NCLS) planning a watch party event.

The Gouverneur Public Library will hold a watch party for 3-4 p.m., at 60 Church St., Gouverneur. There will be space-themed desserts, and a free raffle for a NCLS Eclipse-themed T-Shirt. Gouverneur Public Library Director Karen King told the Gouverneur Tribune Press that the T-shirt glows in the dark. The drawing will take place right after the total solar eclipse. All patrons are encouraged enter the free raffle during their next visit to the Gouverneur Public Library. You do not need to be present to win. The library will contact the winner after the drawing. On April 2, the Gouverneur Public Library announced that it is running low on the 2,000 eclipse glasses received through NCLS in preparation of the eclipse. “We are low on Eclipse Glasses. We unfortunately must limit people coming in for glasses to five-a-person. We at the Gouverneur Library take this as a sign that we have done well helping our community prepare for the eclipse, and for that we are grateful. We ask for your patience as we limit glasses, and hope that you understand.” For more information, call the Gouverneur Public Library at 315-287-0191.

Meeting at the Gouverneur Public Library on April 1, the Gouverneur Area Chamber of Commerce encouraged all visitors to enjoy all that “The One and Only Gouverneur” has to offer – accommodations, eateries, stores, etc. They also urged the motoring public to travel with caution on Monday, April 8, and to leave plenty of time for daily commutes. Chamber President Tim Reddick said: “It will impact all of us. It will be a legitimate impact on Monday afternoon, from 1 p.m. till 5:30 p.m.” Chamber Vice President Ray Babowicz then said: “If you got to be somewhere, go at 11 a.m. at least.” Visit the Gouverneur Chamber of Commerce website, www.gouverneurchamber.net, for more details on the total solar eclipse and businesses in the Gouverneur community.

The Gouverneur Tribune Press also received the following Eclipse-related news briefs:

From New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) Acting Commissioner Daniel F. Martuscello III: On April 8, 2024 New York State will be at the center of a total solar eclipse which will impact all DOCCS facilities with some level of darkness during this event. However, 23 facilities fall directly within the path of totality and will experience total darkness, ranging from approximately one and a half minutes to approximately three and a half minutes. For facilities in the path of totality, visitation will be canceled and publicized on the Department webpage. Visitation at all other facilities will end at 2 p.m. The following 23 facilities will be in the path of totality during the eclipse: Adirondack, Albion, Altona, Attica, Auburn, Bare Hill, Cape Vincent, Cayuga, Clinton, Collins, Five Points, Franklin, Gouverneur, Groveland, Lakeview Shock, Marcy, Mid-State, Mohawk, Orleans, Riverview, Upstate, Wende, and Wyoming.

From St. Lawrence University: SLU is celebrating its position within the path of totality with a new website dedicated to informing the public about the Total Solar Eclipse on April 8, 2024. The website includes an explainer video from Henry Priest Professor of Physics Aileen O'Donoghue and will feature a livestream of the event with expert commentary. For more info, visit: stlawu.edu/total-solar-eclipse-2024.

From The Ogdensburg History Museum: To help the public better understand and prepare for this celestial phenomenon, Dr. Timothy Abel, PhD, will give a presentation at the Ogdensburg History Museum, 206 Ford St. The presentation will take place on Sunday, April 7th at 1 p.m. at the Ogdensburg History Museum, 206 Ford St. It is free and open to the public, and all are encouraged to attend and learn more about this rare astronomical event.

From St. Lawrence County Public Transit: “On April 8th, St. Lawrence County is anticipating tourist travel that may cause major traffic congestion. For rider and driver safety, buses scheduled to be in the path of totality during the eclipse will pause operations and will resume once it is finished. Please expect delays of an hour or more for all stops scheduled after 2:30 p.m. Affected routes: 22, 61, 62, 63, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70A, 70B, 71, 73, 74. Anyone with necessary travel affected by these changes may reach out to First Mile Last Mile at 315-644-6944.”

For more information on the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse, visit science.nasa.gov/eclipses.

Gouverneur’s own Nort Taylor to celebrate 102nd birthday with card shower

by Rachel Hunter

Gouverneur native Norton W. Taylor will celebrate his 102nd birthday with a card shower at his home on Sunday, April 7, 2024.

Norton Warren Taylor (affectionally known as “Nort”), the son of Martin Warren Taylor and Jessie May Robinson Taylor, was born on April 7, 1922 at his grandmother’s home at 87 Rock Island St., Gouverneur. Nort graduated from Gouverneur High School with the Class of 1940. He is a U.S. Air Force veteran (WWII, 1942-45), and enjoyed employment at Kinney Drugs throughout his career. Nort has been dedicated to serving those in the Gouverneur community and beyond. For over 60 years, he served as a member of the Gouverneur Rotary Club. He also served as president of the Gouverneur Area Chamber of Commerce. Nort is a member at the First Presbyterian Church, and has been involved as a member of the Gouverneur Masonic Lodge No. 217, along with other civic groups over the years. He also has enjoyed hobbies such as traveling, gardening, reading, etc.

Faithful readers of the Gouverneur Tribune Press will recall that Nort Taylor had a drive-by birthday celebration and parade for his 100th birthday in 2022, and April 7 was declared “Nort Taylor Day” by the Village of Gouverneur. Nort has enjoyed quiet celebrations at home surrounded by the love of his friends, family and community members ever since.

A birthday card shower is being organized for Nort Taylor’s 102nd birthday on April 7, 2024. All cards can be mailed to the following address: Nort Taylor, 31 Meadow Lane, Gouverneur, NY 13642.

LOCASH, David Lee Murphy to headline double-header concert at County Fair

by Rachel Hunter

The 2024 Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair will have a double-header headline concert featuring Country Artists David Lee Murphy and LOCASH on Saturday, August 3, 7 p.m., at the grandstand. The official announcement was made this week by Fair Manager Don Peck. The 2024 Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair will open on Tuesday, July 30 and run through Sunday, August 4, at the Gouverneur Fairgrounds. Reserved seating is $70 per person. General admission is $50 per person. Starting in early April, concert tickets will be available for purchase online (www.gouverneurfair.net) or through the Fair Office at 315-287-3010.

First on the grandstand stage will be American Country Music Singer-Songwriter David Lee Murphy, best known for his #1 country hits "Dust on the Bottle" and "Everything's Gonna Be Alright", as well as the hit songs "Party Crowd", "Out with a Bang", "Every Time I Get Around You", "The Road You Leave Behind", and "Loco." He has released five solo studio albums: Out with a Bang (1994), Gettin' Out the Good Stuff (1996), We Can't All Be Angels (1997), Tryin' to Get There (2004), and No Zip Code (2018). His songs "Just Once" and "We Can't All Be Angels" appeared on the soundtracks of the films 8 Seconds (1994) and Black Dog (1998), respectively. Murphy took a hiatus from recording in 2004, and has co-written several singles for other artists, including the hits "Living in Fast Forward" for Kenny Chesney, "Anywhere With You" for Jake Owen, "Big Green Tractor" for Jason Aldean, and "Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not" for Thompson Square. On April 6, 2018, Murphy and Kenny Chesney released a studio album together, No Zip Code, which features their hit song "Everything's Gonna Be Alright".

Next on the grandstand stage will be the Country Music Duo, LOCASH. Named “country music’s iconic feel-good duo” by PEOPLE, LOCASH – Preston Brust and Chris Lucas – are adding a new dimension to their hitmaking career with the launch of their own record label – Galaxy Label Group. With distribution by BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville, LOCASH will continue “hitting homers and serving up first-class songs,” as hailed by American Songwriter. With fresh music expected to release in spring, this new era follows back-to-back high-profile collaborations “Let It Slide” (Leslie Jordan, Blanco Brown, LOCASH) and “Beach Boys” (feat. The Beach Boys’ Mike Love and Bruce Johnston). LOCASH is known for Platinum breakout “I Love This Life” and Gold #1’s “One Big Country Song” and “I Know Somebody.” LOCASH has earned eight charting singles, two successful albums, nearly 800 million global streams, and hold a history of nods from the genre’s biggest awards shows since launching in 2015.

Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fairgoers will not want to miss these two great shows.

Fair Manager Don Peck told the Gouverneur Tribune Press that the budget used to be less than $35,000 for the country headline star, but that had changed in recent years. Now, the Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair Association budgets $100,000+ in order to bring in top quality talent for the annual county fair. Sponsorships from local businesses and community members for the Saturday concert are being sought for the 2024 Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair. Those interested are encouraged to call Fair Manager Peck at 315-771-7690.

Fair Manager Peck said the fair board is already in talks about the talent for the 2025 Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair, and it is hoped that details will be announced during the 2024 Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair.

For more information on the Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair, visit www.gouverneurfair.net.

Town of Gouverneur still accepting housing rehabilitation project applications

by Rachel Hunter

The Town of Gouverneur announced at its March 12 meeting that it is still accepting applications for housing rehabilitation projects.

The Town of Gouverneur was recently awarded $400,000 in funding through the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) to assist approximately 10 eligible single-family homes located in the town. The program is intended to provide assistance to income-eligible homeowners to perform rehabilitation activities that are necessary to help alleviate substandard conditions in their homes. The Town of Gouverneur's Housing Rehabilitation Program has received funding through HUD Small Cities Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) dollars, administered through the NYS Office of Community Renewal to provide assistance to homeowners for rehabilitation activities necessary to help alleviate substandard conditions in their homes. Only properties that are determined to be substandard are eligible to be assisted under this program.

For more info, visit www.gouverneurny.com, call 315-287-2340, or stop by the Town of Gouverneur Offices Building, 1227 US Highway 11, Gouverneur.

Town of Gouverneur Supervisor Dave Spilman, Jr. raised the topic during Old Business at the March 12 meeting of the Town of Gouverneur Council. Those present also included Town of Gouverneur Deputy Supervisor Jay Bowhall, Town of Gouverneur Councilman Curran Wade, Town of Gouverneur Councilwoman Lory Whitton, and Town of Gouverneur Councilman William Infield, among the others in attendance at the public meeting.

“We are accepting applications,” Supervisor Spilman said. “We have 11 or so, and we’ll still accept more.” Supervisor Spilman is seeking applications to be submitted to the Town of Gouverneur by May 1, 2024, so that they can move ahead with the process of selecting applicants and getting the projects out to bid.

Town of Gouverneur Councilwoman Lory Whitton asked: “Who decides who is eligible?”

Town of Gouverneur Code Enforcement Officer Rick Wood said the following: “The applications go to the Development Authority of the North Country (DANC). DANC gives us a qualifying list. Then I go out and check the houses, and make sure that none of them are certain type of house. Like, this program doesn’t cover manufactured homes. So we would have to eliminate those. Then I send a list back, they go through and approve them, and then myself and one of the DANC workers come out, and we go through the house. We evaluate them, and then we turn around and write out a work order, and then submit it to the owners. They accept what we’ve got on their plate. We send it back to DANC, and they put it out in the bid. It’s bid out. Usually, they put it out for a two-week period, and then we take the contractors around the beginning of the second week to show them exactly what we are doing. And then the bids are finalized at that point.”

Councilwoman Whitton then asked: “Is it a bid per location or all in one?” CEO Wood said, “Each house is a separate bid. We shoot for 10, depending on cost and materials, and labor prices.” Supervisor Spilman together with Town of Gouverneur Bookkeeper Diane Kelley announced that nine homes were done last year, and 11 were done the year before. “The cost last year was pretty drastic pricing-wise,” CEO Wood said. “There was a major increase on all new materials. But that is the process. It’s lengthy, but the contractors are in and out in usually two weeks once they start, and they have 45 days to be finished. We have on average four contractors that bid on them. It’s a whole gamut of process – everything from roof to windows to siding to insulation to sometimes cosmetics that need to be done on the interiors. Sometimes there are ADA applications, and all that kind of stuff.”

Town Councilman William Infield asked: “Each contractor can sub out each other thing though, right?”

“No,” CEO Wood said. “That’s the difference. Unless it is an approved subcontractor. There may be a heating contractor that comes in that does everything except for a roof. He can sub that roof out, but he can’t sub half the project out. He has to do the majority of the work on the contract. Something that he doesn’t specialize in… they can sub out to somebody, but DANC has to approve it.”

“Does he have to divulge that way ahead of time?” Councilman Infield asked.

“Oh yes,” CEO Wood said. “To give you the process, when we go out and look, we start with a list and we work down through. There’s needs and wants. A lot of people want a lot of stuff, but they need more than what they want. So we go down through and try to give them what they need. If your roof is needed, we want to give you a roof because if you don’t have a roof, then the rest of the house is no good anyways. So we try to go even to the point of evaluating the roof to see if it has 5 or 10 years left, so we know exactly what we are giving you when we are all done… Most of the general contractors they can do everything from roof, siding, plumbing. Electrical is usually subbed out. That’s a caveat from somebody who has a specialty in that. And then after they do some of that electrical, it has to be inspected anyways…”

Supervisor Spilman then asked the following: “Each project is evaluated for lead?”

CEO Wood said, “Each project is tested for lead and asbestos now. It does not come out of the funds. It’s like the lead pipe project that we had here. It was a separate fund for them through the federal government. Asbestos is basically the same thing. They go in and they caveat that out, and then your funds are still there for your projects.”

Supervisor Spilman then said, “Before it was just in the area in which you were working, that you looked for asbestos.” “Now it is everything,” said CEO Wood in confirmation. “We get the project, and then they go through whatever is in the project. If it happens to fall under one of those things, that is when we decide what we are doing also. The St. Lawrence County Program hasn’t run into a lot of it. But we have run into a lot of it here. There’s a lot of lead and asbestos in this area, because more of the older houses are getting renovated.”

“That makes sense,” Councilwoman Whitton said.

“As long as it is not coming out of our budget,” Supervisor Spilman said. “That’s good.”

There was no further discussion.

All Town of Gouverneur homeowners with substandard single-family homes are urged to submit a housing rehabilitation application. For more info, visit www.gouverneurny.com, call 315-287-2340, or stop by the Town of Gouverneur Offices Building, 1227 US Highway 11, Gouverneur.

The Town of Gouverneur Council will hold its next monthly meeting on Tuesday, April 9, 6 p.m., at the Town of Gouverneur Offices Building, 1227 US Highway 11, Gouverneur.

Benefit for Gouverneur’s own battling Stage 2 Brain Cancer is March 16

by Rachel Hunter

The Gouverneur is being called upon once again to support one of its own in their battle against cancer.

Tracy Goodale of Gouverneur was recently diagnosed with Stage 2 Brain Cancer, and is undergoing a six-week series of radiation treatments in Watertown. Tracy has been out of work since before October 2023 when she had a craniotomy. Over $3,000 out of the $10,000 goal has been raised to date through a GoFundMe fundraising page for her gas, food, and other expenses. Tracy makes her home in Gouverneur with her husband, Cory Goodale, their four children, and three dogs.

There will be an in-person “Benefit for Tracy Goodale” on Saturday, March 16, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Gouverneur Elks Lodge No. 2035, 1419 US Highway 11, Gouverneur. There will be a chicken barbecue. Cost is $15 per dinner. There will be options for dine-in, take-out or delivery. Meal includes a half broiler, baked beans, salt potatoes, a roll, and a dessert. Preorders must prepay, call 315-287-1630. There will also be a silent auction, raffles, T-shirt sale, and hair tinsel extensions.

For more information, call or text Julie (315-960-3323), Cortney (315-486-3106), Tara (315-777-0652), or Jaelyn (315-590-2917).

Village hires part-time police dispatcher

by Rachel Hunter

The Village of Gouverneur Board of Trustees at its Feb. 20 meeting approved the hiring of a part-time police dispatcher.

Upon the recommendation of Village of Gouverneur Chief of Police Darren Fairbanks, the Village of Gouverneur Board of Trustees approved hiring Lia Canell of Gouverneur in the position of part-time police dispatcher.

The topic was raised by Village of Gouverneur Mayor Ron McDougall, who read the recommendation letter, dated February 14, 2024, written by Chief Fairbanks to the Village of Gouverneur Board of Trustees and Mayor Ron McDougall, as follows: “The Gouverneur Police Department currently has 48 hours per week when there is no police dispatcher, and those hours must be covered by the current full-time staff with overtime. The Village of Gouverneur currently has one part-time dispatcher on its roster, however their availability has changed due to gaining full-time employment elsewhere. We have identified a candidate Lia K. Canell, 18, of Gouverneur, NY, who meets the qualifications for such position. I am seeking the board’s approval to offer a part-time, non-competitive dispatch position to Lia K. Canell. I ask that Lia’s hiring be effective immediately so said arrangements can be made to begin her training, a minimum of 80 hours, as soon as possible. I ask the board to waive the pre-employment physical requirements. Ms. Canell will be required to undergo electronic fingerprinting at the expense of the Village in the near future. Thank you for your time and consideration.”

After some discussion, the Village board approved Ms. Canell’s hire, effective Feb. 26.

The next meeting of the Village of Gouverneur Board of Trustees will be held on Tuesday, March 19, 6 p.m., in the municipal courtroom. For more information, call the Village of Gouverneur at 315-287-1720.

Walk With A Doc to be held Feb. 24 at Gouverneur Middle School

by Rachel Hunter

Walk With A Doc in Gouverneur has been rescheduled for Saturday, February 24, 2024, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., at the Gouverneur Middle School, located at 25 Wilson St., Gouverneur. All North Country residents are invited to join a variety of St. Lawrence County healthcare providers for a free, fun walk. This event is open to all and is for people of all abilities.

The event will be hosted by Brittany Terpstra, PA, of the Community Health Center of the North Country (Gouverneur), who will talk on how to lower your chances of getting respiratory illness through the Winter months. She will also remind North Country residents about ways to stay active even when cooped up indoors during cold, snowy weather. There is great anticipation for the first Walk With A Doc in Gouverneur of the 2024 year. Walk With A Doc in Gouverneur is made possible thanks to the Community Health Center of the North Country, St. Lawrence County Public Health Department, and a Bridge To Wellness: St. Lawrence County Health Improvement Plan.

Walk With a Doc is a local chapter of an international 501(c)3 that is inspiring communities through movement and conversation. With an aim to make hope and health accessible to everyone around the world, the doctor-led walking groups are safe, fun and a free place to get in some steps, learn about health, and meet new friends.

Walk With A Doc was started in 2005 by Dr. David Sabgir, a cardiologist in Columbus, Ohio. Frustrated with his inability to affect behavior change in the clinical setting, Dr. Sabgir invited his patients to go for a walk with him in a local park on a spring Saturday morning. To his surprise, over 100 people showed up, energized and ready to move.

Since that first event in 2005, Walk with a Doc has grown as a grassroots effort with a model based on sustainability and simplicity. A doctor gives a brief presentation on a health topic and then leads participants on a walk at their own pace. In 2009, Walk With A Doc became an official 501(c)(3) and added an Executive Director with a focus on building a program that could easily be implemented by interested doctors in other cities around the country. As a result of these efforts, the reach of Walk with a Doc now extends all around the globe with over 500 chapters worldwide, including Walk with a FUTURE Doc chapters led by medical students.

Walking was recognized by the Surgeon General of the United States of America as one of the single most important things we can do for our health. Now, as we usher in 2023, is the time to join the movement in making health and happiness accessible for all.

Walk With A Doc has released a list of 100 reasons why walking is important, and it can be viewed online at walkwithadoc.org. Did you know that walking is one of the best things you can do for your health? Many diseases, conditions, and ailments can be prevented or even healed by participating in regular physical activity. Fortunately, even moderate-intensity aerobic activity such as walking can provide these health benefits. All are welcome to join Walk With A Doc in Gouverneur on Saturday, February 24, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., at the Gouverneur Middle School to learn about the importance of physical activity, and to participate in a free, fun walk right here in the Gouverneur community.

For more information, contact Community Health Center of the North Country Spokesperson Ray Babowicz at 315-713-9369 or email rbabowicz@chcnorthcountry.org.

Circus Coming To Gouverneur

Billy Martin's Cole All-Star Circus returns to Gouverneur after an absence of four years. The circus will appear in the Gouverneur High School Gym on Saturday, February 3 at 3:00 and 6:00 p.m. Through the efforts of Gouverneur High School Principal Cory Wood, proceeds are earmarked to benefit various school groups and classes.

The 90-minute performance is completely new and features a dozen displays of acrobatics, aerialists, balancers, cyclists, comedy and more. The troupe is on its annual tour of New York State and will visit over 135 schools and communities this year.

Children 12 years and younger are free when accompanied by an adult. Adult tickets are $20 each and available at the door beginning one hour prior to each performance. Check the circus' website for more info and details: www.billymartincircus.com.

Village board adopts resolution

by Rachel Hunter

The Village of Gouverneur Board of Trustees at its Jan. 16 meeting adopted a resolution.

Village of Gouverneur Mayor Ron McDougall read the resolution as follows: “Whereas, a portion of the water/sewer use fees may be deductible on taxpayers income taxes, and

“Whereas, a portion of that is deductible is the amount used for maintenance or repair or for the purpose of meeting interest charges with respect to such benefits.

“Now Therefore, Be It Resolved that for the purpose of income tax deduction of 88 percent for the water fee, and 79 percent of the sewer fee have been allocated for interest in maintenance for the year 2023.”

The motion for the resolution’s adoption was made by Village Trustee Troy Besaw, seconded by Deputy Mayor Charles Newvine. The motion carried with all votes cast in favor.

The next meeting of the Village of Gouverneur Board of Trustees will be held on Tuesday, February 20, 6 p.m., in the municipal courtroom. For more information, call 315-287-1720.

Walk With a Doc in Gouverneur postponed due to inclement winter weather

by Rachel Hunter

The first Walk With a Doc in Gouverneur in 2024 was postponed due to inclement winter weather last Saturday.

Faithful readers of the Gouverneur Tribune Press will recall that the Walk With A Doc sessions in Gouverneur is made possible thanks to the Community Health Center of the North Country, St. Lawrence County Public Health Department, and a Bridge To Wellness: St. Lawrence County Health Improvement Plan. The Gouverneur Tribune Press will announce a date once the event is rescheduled. The Community Health Center of the North Country said it would be rescheduled within the next 30 days.

Walk With a Doc is a local chapter of an international 501(c)3 that is inspiring communities through movement and conversation. With an aim to make hope and health accessible to everyone around the world, the doctor-led walking groups are safe, fun and a free place to get in some steps, learn about health, and meet new friends.

Walk With A Doc was started in 2005 by Dr. David Sabgir, a cardiologist in Columbus, Ohio. Frustrated with his inability to affect behavior change in the clinical setting, Dr. Sabgir invited his patients to go for a walk with him in a local park on a spring Saturday morning. To his surprise, over 100 people showed up, energized and ready to move.

Since that first event in 2005, Walk with a Doc has grown as a grassroots effort with a model based on sustainability and simplicity. A doctor gives a brief presentation on a health topic and then leads participants on a walk at their own pace. In 2009, Walk With A Doc became an official 501(c)(3) and added an Executive Director with a focus on building a program that could easily be implemented by interested doctors in other cities around the country. As a result of these efforts, the reach of Walk with a Doc now extends all around the globe with over 500 chapters worldwide, including Walk with a FUTURE Doc chapters led by medical students.

Walking was recognized by the Surgeon General of the United States of America as one of the single most important things we can do for our health. Now, as we usher in 2023, is the time to join the movement in making health and happiness accessible for all.

Walk With A Doc has released a list of 100 reasons why walking is important, and it can be viewed online at walkwithadoc.org. Did you know that walking is one of the best things you can do for your health? Many diseases, conditions, and ailments can be prevented or even healed by participating in regular physical activity. Fortunately, even moderate-intensity aerobic activity such as walking can provide these health benefits.

All North Country residents are encouraged to keep exercising throughout the winter months. The Gouverneur Central School District has announced that they have once again opened both the elementary and middle schools to hall walking during the evening hours. The Gouverneur Middle School is open for hall walking on Mondays and Wednesdays from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. and the Gouverneur Elementary School is open for walking on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Please call or stop by either building to fill out an application to participate.

There is much anticipation for the first Walk With a Doc in Gouverneur in 2024. See upcoming editions of the Gouverneur Tribune Press for more details.

Walk With A Doc to be held Jan. 13 at Gouverneur Middle School

by Rachel Hunter

Walk With A Doc in Gouverneur will return on Saturday, January 13, 2024, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., at the Gouverneur Middle School, located at 25 Wilson St., Gouverneur. All North Country residents are invited to join a variety of St. Lawrence County healthcare providers for a free, fun walk. This event is open to all and is for people of all abilities.

The event will be hosted by Brittany Terpstra, PA, of the Community Health Center of the North Country (Gouverneur), who will talk on how to lower your chances of getting respiratory illness through the Winter months. She will also remind North Country residents about ways to stay active even when cooped up indoors during cold, snowy weather. There is great anticipation for the first Walk With A Doc in Gouverneur of the 2024 year. Walk With A Doc in Gouverneur is made possible thanks to the Community Health Center of the North Country, St. Lawrence County Public Health Department, and a Bridge To Wellness: St. Lawrence County Health Improvement Plan.

Walk With a Doc is a local chapter of an international 501(c)3 that is inspiring communities through movement and conversation. With an aim to make hope and health accessible to everyone around the world, the doctor-led walking groups are safe, fun and a free place to get in some steps, learn about health, and meet new friends.

Walk With A Doc was started in 2005 by Dr. David Sabgir, a cardiologist in Columbus, Ohio. Frustrated with his inability to affect behavior change in the clinical setting, Dr. Sabgir invited his patients to go for a walk with him in a local park on a spring Saturday morning. To his surprise, over 100 people showed up, energized and ready to move.

Since that first event in 2005, Walk with a Doc has grown as a grassroots effort with a model based on sustainability and simplicity. A doctor gives a brief presentation on a health topic and then leads participants on a walk at their own pace. In 2009, Walk With A Doc became an official 501(c)(3) and added an Executive Director with a focus on building a program that could easily be implemented by interested doctors in other cities around the country. As a result of these efforts, the reach of Walk with a Doc now extends all around the globe with over 500 chapters worldwide, including Walk with a FUTURE Doc chapters led by medical students.

Walking was recognized by the Surgeon General of the United States of America as one of the single most important things we can do for our health. Now, as we usher in 2023, is the time to join the movement in making health and happiness accessible for all.

Walk With A Doc has released a list of 100 reasons why walking is important, and it can be viewed online at walkwithadoc.org. Did you know that walking is one of the best things you can do for your health? Many diseases, conditions, and ailments can be prevented or even healed by participating in regular physical activity. Fortunately, even moderate-intensity aerobic activity such as walking can provide these health benefits. All are welcome to join Walk With A Doc in Gouverneur on Saturday, January 13, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., at the Gouverneur Middle School to learn about the importance of physical activity, and to participate in a free, fun walk right here in the Gouverneur community.

For more information, contact Community Health Center of the North Country Spokesperson Ray Babowicz at 315-713-9369 or email rbabowicz@chcnorthcountry.org.