Mask mandate to be lifted at Gouverneur CSD, other SLC schools

by Rachel Hunter

On Sunday, February 27, NYS Governor Kathy Hochul announced that the statewide mask requirement in schools will be lifted on Wednesday, March 2, based on emerging data regarding declining COVID-19 positivity and hospitalization rates. The Gouverneur Central School District – among other school districts across St. Lawrence County – was notified on Tuesday, March 1 that the St. Lawrence County Public Health Department will support the change in guidance. Effective on March 2, students, staff and visitors are no longer required to wear masks in any of the district school buildings or on buses. Mask-wearing will be optional.

In a letter to district families, Superintendent of Schools Jacquelyn Kelly said in part the following: “As with all decisions, there will be individuals who support the continuation of mask wearing and those who favor the removal of all mask mandates, and we understand and are respectful of both perspectives. Wearing a mask is a personal decision and we will not tolerate any teasing, harassment, or negative remarks regarding an individual’s personal choice to continue to wear a mask in our schools or on a bus. As always, we continue to work with our local county health officials as COVID-19 health and safety protocols evolve. If any additional changes to these protocols are made, we will communicate those to you.” Much gratitude was extended to district families for their “ongoing partnership and commitment to the health and safety of our students, staff and school visitors.” Any questions can be directed to a school nurse or administrator.

During her COVID-19 update report, Supt. Kelly informed the Gouverneur Central School District Board of Education at its meeting on Monday, February 28 that an update to the district’s masking protocol was anticipated for the following day (Tuesday). True to her statement to the school board, Supt. Kelly released the updated mask policy for Gouverneur Central School District students via the school website, gcsk12.org. “The Gouverneur Central School District will continue to support any student or staff member who would like to continue masking by maintaining an adequate supply of masks and an environment that supports efforts of the individual to make tough decisions based on their own personal situations,” Supt. Kelly told the school board.

During the COVID-19 update, Supt. Kelly also said the following: “Weekly updates continue to be posted on the Gouverneur Central School District website relative to the positive COVID-19 cases. For the period of February 19 to February 25, the District had no COVID positive cases. For the preceding week of February 12 to February 18, there were 16 new cases. We continue to see a significant decrease in cases, which is in line with the data that is being shared across the state and nation. At-home test kits were sent home with students on Thursday, February 17 and families were asked to test their children upon return to school today, Monday, February 28. While the nurses continue our practice of notifying impacted families, faculty and staff, if we learn about a positive case, no longer quarantining or contact tracing has been very beneficial to everybody.”

Much gratitude was extended to Supt. Kelly for her report. For more information about the Gouverneur Central School District’s policies and COVID-19 related information, visit gcsk12.org.

GPD investigates death of Gouverneur resident

by Rachel Hunter

Village of Gouverneur Chief of Police Laurina Greenhill on Tuesday afternoon sent the following press release to all local media:

On February 13, 2022 at approximately 1:03 p.m., the Gouverneur Police Department and Gouverneur Volunteer Rescue Squad were summoned to 18 Johnstown St., Apt. D., Gouverneur, for a report of a male unconscious and not breathing. Upon arrival, the male was determined to be deceased. St. Lawrence County Coroner Kevin Crosby responded to the scene and an autopsy ordered.

The autopsy was performed by Dr. Robert Stoppacher, Medical Examiner, at Lourdes Hospital, Binghamton, NY. The cause and manner of death are pending further investigation.

The decedent has been identified as Andrew D. Johnston, age 39, same address.

The investigation has determined that Johnston was involved in a physical altercation earlier that day at approximately 1:36 a.m. at the Serendipity Bar, William St., Gouverneur. Anyone with information about that altercation is asked to contact the Gouverneur Police Department at 315-287-2121.

The Gouverneur Police is working with the St. Lawrence County District Attorney’s office and do not believe there is a threat to the public. The investigation is ongoing. The New York State Police also assisted at the scene.

Gouverneur High School releases second quarter honor roll

The Gouverneur High School released the following honor roll for the second quarter of the 2021-22 academic year. Academic Excellence honors were earned by student with grade average between 97 and 100 percent. High honors were earned by students with a grade average between 93 and 96.99 percent. Honors were earned by students with a grade average between 87 and 92.99 percent.

The second quarter honor roll was announced as follows:

In Grade 9, Academic Excellence honors were awarded to Carly Bartholomew and Destiny Blair. High Honors were awarded to the following students: Mae Cummings, Hannah Dafoe, Gavin Davis, Alexander Hendershot, Madison Hopper, Gianna Manning, Cayden Middleton, Danielle Shattuck, Kaden Wells. Honors were awarded to the following students: Kristen Burns, Mya Connor, Samuel Cox, Brendan Cunningham, McKenzie Dixson, Tony Fiacco, Janaya Fuller, Audrey Gaines, Zoe Griffith, Graydon Hance, Jayden Jenne, Meghan Keen, Paige Kirby, Willow Knapp, Abigail Lucas, Kendra Murdie, Tucker Mussaw, Charley Newvine, Kaleb Platt, Renisa Richards, Hannah Roderick, Raine Rumble, Garrett Shampine, Akaysha Shippee-Ray, Alyssa Stowell, Hannah Trimm, Malique Zeller.

In Grade 10, Academic Excellence honors were awarded to the following students: Llydia Blaine, Ivey Bulger, Rylie Redmond, Caitlyn Store. High Honors were awarded to the following students: Abigail Bowman, Brodie Burns, Meredith Bush, Austin Lacey, Faith Leader, Jacey Sheen, Riley Shepherd, Chloe Smith. Honors were awarded to the following students: Jonavin Ayen, Carly Barr, Sierra Billings, Chloe Boclair, Mazie Bowhall, Chloe Bright, Hayley Burt, Gage Cornell, Ashton Currier, Cael Denesha, Matthew Filiatrault, Courtney Forsythe, Sylvia French, Meadow Greenhill, Zaphire Hall, Elizabeth Hamilton, Tanner Hitchcock, Emily Infield, Emalyn Kulp, Rylynn Martin-McIntyre, Kati McIntosh, Tatum Mulder, Ninah Newcombe, Owen Nichols, William Riutta, Jaden Rodriguez, Kaden Schiszler, Joshua Spilman, Ashton Wilson, Jude Wilson, Connor Witherell, Hyde Wood.

In Grade 11, Academic Excellence honors were awarded to the following students: Ava Bartholomew, Addison Blair, Allison Carvel, Addison Conklin, Robert Gardner, Niciara House-Bowman, Ravin Labarge, Noel LaPierre, Mariah Manning, Elizabeth Riutta, Miranda Rowley. High Honors were awarded to the following students: Maya Bartleson, Randi Griffith, Rikki Griffith, Maxwel Lucas, Shane Muyano, Elisabeth Porter. Honors were awarded to the following students: Markeyce Abar, Shia Bright, Lia Canell, William Dubberly, Jacob Edney, Hazen Given, Hannah Kirby, Alexandra McDougall, Jack Schroeder, Piper Simmons, Kobe Steorts, Jerricka Walton.

In Grade 12, Academic Excellence honors were awarded to the following students: Carter Baer, Cierra Besaw, Raelin Burns, Alex Clancy, Hailey Cook, Ashlee Flood, Kate Forsythe, Kaitlyn Gibson, Cassidy Hardy, Ella Impaglia, Kortney Knight, Madison Kurdziel, Allie Martin, Thomas McIntosh, Hailey Morrissiey, Peyton Mussaw, Torie Salisbury, Cole Siebels, Addison Sonntag, Matthew Tobin II, Christopher Weaver, Connor Wood, Ariana Zeller. High Honors were awarded to the following students: Makayla Cassell-Beck, Katelyn Clancy, Alexis Devlin, Emma Hicks, Katelynn Hocking, Kiarra Jenkins, Samina Kheuangthirath, Olivia Rastley, Emma Rushlo, Janay Smith, Caden Storie, Kaleb Webster. Honors were awarded to the following students: Aiden Breckenridge, Cole Davis, Chad Facey II, Griffin Fenlong, Avery Hayden, Matthew Helvie, Caleb Hubbard, Shyanne Hutton, Gino Jacobs, Victoria Klimowicz, Colby Leslie, Alexander Lucas, Grace Mashaw, Julia McIntyre, Ariel Mooney, Michael More, Sullivan Rumble, Kaylin Shampine, Landon Shinski, Matthew Spilman, Carter Todd, Honor, Mark Tomford, Trayton Tupper, Gabriel Wainwright.

For more information about Gouverneur Central School District, visit gcsk12.org.

Gouverneur Middle School releases second quarter honor roll

The Gouverneur Middle School released its second quarter honor roll for the 2021-22 academic year as follows:

Academic Excellence honors were awarded to the following students: Kelvin Bice III, Kameran Bice, Michael Bingham, Olivia Bos, Taylor Farr, Cam Fawcett, Caleigh Flynn, Laina Kurdziel, Maycee Matice, Saloma Miller, Audrey Ormasen, Jerryn Peck, Caleb Premo, Carter Premo, Emma Riutta, Olivia Salazar, Zackery Schiszler, Giuliana Shepherd, Myah Siebels, Lorelei Slate, Wyatt Slate, Hayden Stowell, Gavin Tulley, Joseph Weldon, Hannah White, Adalyn Worden.

High Honors were awarded to the following students: Gage Allen, Liberty Allen, Karlee Ashley, Cyler Baer, Laila Bearden, Ashlyn Besaw, Kaelyn Bishop, Cole Blair, Violet Blair, Arianna Brown, Delia Bush, Katelin Bush, Zachery Bush, Nick Canell, Hope Cardinell, Rodney Cardinell, Brody Carr, Abriana Casey, Chloe Chambers, Kacey Collette, Arianna Colon, Sarafina Colon, Charlie Constance, Alana Correa, Avery Cox, Rose Cox, Charlee Cudhea, Brodey Daniels, Raegan Devlin, Lucas Doster, Gabriel Dusharm, Brayden Evans, Electa Fitzgerald, Elise Fitzgerald, Payton Forsythe, Kylie Gallagher, Isaac Gates, Karsen Goodale, Taylor Guthrie, Gregory Haines Jr., Lilah Hale, Emilee Hance, Gracen Hance, Madison Harper, Courtney Hays, Kaidyn Johns, Jordyn Johnson, Kaiden Johnson, Sarina Johnson, Payton Kirby, Tanner Kirby, Laraya Klock, Mackensi Koerick, Robert Kulp, John-Michael Leader, Kaitlyn Losey, Lily Macaulay, Aaron Marinella, Adrianna Mashaw, Parker Matice, Alexa Merkley, Connor Middleton, James Minckler, Paul Minckler, Michael Moore II, Madison Nichols, Reese Nichols, Tucker Nichols, Lauren Ordway, Tristen Parris, Cruz Pawananon, Jon Persons Jr., Damien Prashaw, Jaycie Prashaw, Alaynna Salter, Annabelle Schroeder, Arianna Sibley, , Lilah Siebels, Isabella Simmons, Damien Sixberry, Dreyden Sixberry, Hannah Sochia, Azlan Spicer, Kiraghan Stamper, Brian Stowell, Addison Tarkowski, Daimon Tuttle, Gavin Warren, Hanna Webster, Garrison White, Gracie White, Serenity Whitmarsh, Arianna Wood, Peyton Wood, Teigan Woodward, Dakota Wylie, Mia Young.

Honors were awarded to the following students: Brock Aldridge, Eugene Alguire, Dante Alton, Xavier Ames, Tristan Arquitt, Lane Ayen, Hadley Baker, Isabella Barbarito, Collin Bice, Dawson Blair, Kolbe Blair, Jackson Breckenridge, Rae-Lynn Burns, Avian Burt, Patrick Camidge, Brendan Campbell, Nori-Anne Card, Holly Carr, Cassidy Chambers, Saige Chambers, Alessandria Colon, Alessandro Colon, Curtis Crandall, Trey D'Agostino, Olivia DeGroff, Dylon Dixson, Lillian Douglas, Jennah Dubberly, Graham Fishel, James Fishel, Josslyn Fishel, Gabrielle Free, Grayson French, Trison Gagnon, Miles Gaines, Liam Gallagher, Reid Gardner, Kendall Goodale, , Bentley Graham-Brown, Cy Greenhill, Tuffy Griffith, Alexander Hall, Laynee Hall, Lee Hance, Sophi Hayden, Logan Hill, Grayson Hoffman, Devin Hogle, Johnathan Hogle, Aden Hubbard, Ayden Huff, Fate Hunter, Alice Idzenga, Peyton Jacques, Keegan Jefferson, Kadance Johnston, Anthony Jonquil, Michael Jonquil, Tanner Knight, Moriah Koerick, Ameillia Lacks, Braegan Lancto, Avalynn Langille, Yasmine Langille, Ragean Larsen, Reese Larsen, Gage Liscum, Rylee-Ann Lumley, Logan Lynde, Zackery Marlow, Sophia Marx, Faith Matthews, Keanna Matthews, Wesley McCarthy, Olivia McDougall, Rylee McEathron, Briahna McGill, , Carter McGill, Ayden Miller, Michael Moon, Kolt Murdie, Gabrielle Nagy, Hope Neuroth, Joshua Newcombe Jr., Karson Nicholas, Marlayna Nichols, Maliek Nisbeth, Troy Parris, Brycen Parshley, Jacob Pitts, Jonah Prashaw, Casmeir Reaves, Amelia Reynolds, Rylee Reynolds, Trent Reynolds, Kyle Rizza, Aidan Roggie, Makenna Rowe, Brayden Scott, Brianna Scott, Blake Shampine, Madison Sibley, Sully Simmons, Alyssa Smith, Angelica Smith, Lynx Smith, Maddix Sovie, Saige Stowell, Micaela Swinton, Niklas Tharaldsen, Nora Tharaldsen, Dameon Towne, Peyton Travis, Izzabella Vann, Nathan Wang, Storm Watson, , Lola Weaver, Celia Weekes, Jacob Weeman, Carter Whitmarsh, Sikoya Whitmarsh, Ella-Mae Whitton, Brayton Wiegand, Kailey Williams, Alivia Wilson, Garrett Witherell, Isabella Zeller.

For more information about the Gouverneur Central School District, visit gcsk12.org.

Gouverneur Bancorp, Inc. To Acquire Citizens Bank Of Cape Vincent

Cambray Mutual Holding Company (the “MHC”), Gouverneur Bancorp, Inc. (OTC Pink: GOVB) (the “Company”) and Gouverneur Savings and Loan Association (the “Bank” and, together with the MHC and the Company, “Gouverneur” or the “Gouverneur Entities”) and Citizens Bank of Cape Vincent (“CBCV”) today announced the signing of a definitive merger agreement pursuant to which CBCV will merge with and into the Bank, with the Bank as the surviving institution, in a series of transactions. The combined institution will have approximately $210 million in total assets and five offices in two counties in Northern New York.

Pursuant to the terms of the merger agreement, which has been unanimously approved by the Boards of Directors of CBCV and each of the Gouverneur Entities, CBCV stockholders will receive $1,056.11 in cash for each share of CBCV common stock held, representing aggregate merger consideration of $8,448,900.

Faye C. Waterman, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Gouverneur, commented “The acquisition of Citizens Bank of Cape Vincent will further expand our footprint into Jefferson County and the Lake Ontario, St. Lawrence River communities. Gouverneur and CBCV share the same core values, and this merger allows us to honor our longstanding commitments to our stockholders and communities while continuing to serve our customers with the same high level of personal service. The merger will also offer expanded products and services to the CBCV and Gouverneur customer base.”

Mr. Waterman continued “We are very excited about our growing Gouverneur family and serving the St. Lawrence County, Jefferson County and Lewis County regions for many years to come.”

Taylor Robbins, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Citizens Bank of Cape Vincent, commented “Citizens Bank of Cape Vincent is proud to be partnering with Gouverneur Savings and Loan. We believe this merger is an excellent fit given our familiarity with Gouverneur Savings. Both of our institutions have been successfully serving our communities for over 100 years. This merger offers significant and enhanced benefits to our customers, communities, employees, and shareholders. We are excited and look forward to demonstrating to all of our combined constituents that we’re better and stronger together. We believe this is an excellent opportunity for both institutions and we look forward to all of the opportunities that lie ahead for us.”

Under the merger agreement, Gouverneur will appoint one current CBCV director to the Board of Directors of each of the Gouverneur Entities, and will appoint Mr. Robbins as Executive Vice President.

The merger is expected to be consummated during the second quarter of 2022, after the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including the receipt of all required regulatory approvals and the approval of CBCV’s stockholders. In connection with the execution of the merger agreement, Gouverneur entered into voting agreements with the members of the Board of Directors of CBCV. Subject to the terms and conditions of the voting agreements, these individuals have agreed to vote their shares in favor of the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement.

Keller & Company, Inc. is serving as financial advisor to Gouverneur and Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP is serving as legal counsel to Gouverneur in connection with the transaction. Piper Sandler & Co. is serving as financial advisor to CBCV and Luse Gorman, PC is serving as legal counsel to CBCV in connection with the transaction.

About Gouverneur: Gouverneur Bancorp, Inc. (OTC Pink: GOVB) is the holding company for Gouverneur Savings and Loan Association, which is a New York chartered savings and loan association founded in 1892 that offers deposit and loan services for businesses, families and individuals. At September 30, 2021, Gouverneur Bancorp had total assets of $134.7 million, total deposits of $100.8 million and total stockholders’ equity of $27.2 million.

About Citizens Bank of Cape Vincent: Citizens Bank of Cape Vincent (CBCV) is a New York commercial bank offering deposit and loan services for businesses, families and individuals.  At September 30, 2021, CBCV had total assets of $87.2 million, total deposits of $79.7 million and total stockholders’ equity of $7.3 million.

Additional Information: In connection with the proposed merger transaction, CBCV will prepare a proxy statement (the “Proxy Statement”), as well as other relevant documents concerning the proposed transaction. The Proxy Statement will be mailed to the stockholders of CBCV, and stockholders of CBCV are urged to read the Proxy Statement and other relevant materials when they become available before voting on the merger. The foregoing description of the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby is not complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the merger agreement, which will be included in the Proxy Statement.

The merger agreement is not intended to provide any other factual information about Gouverneur, CBCV or any of their affiliates. The representations and warranties contained in the merger agreement were made only for purposes of that agreement and as of specific dates, were solely for the benefit of the parties to the agreement, may be subject to limitations agreed upon by the parties, including being qualified by confidential disclosures made for the purposes of allocating contractual risk between the parties to the agreement instead of establishing these matters as facts, and may be subject to standards of materiality applicable to the contracting parties that differ from those applicable to investors. Investors should not rely upon the representations, warranties and covenants or any description thereof as characterizations of the actual state of facts or condition of Gouverneur, CBCV or their affiliates. Moreover, information concerning the subject matter of the representations, warranties and covenants may change after the date of the agreement, which subsequent information may or may not be fully reflected in public disclosures by Gouverneur or CBCV.

CBCV and certain of its directors and executive officers may be deemed to be “participants” in the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of CBCV in favor of the merger. Information about the directors and executive officers of CBCV will be set forth in the Proxy Statement.

This press release does not constitute a solicitation of proxies.

Special Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements: This communication contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are generally identifiable by the use of words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “intend,” “estimate,” “may,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “should” or other similar expressions. All statements in this document, including forward-looking statements, speak only as of the date they are made, and neither Gouverneur nor CBCV undertakes any obligation to update any statement in light of new information or future events.

A number of factors, many of which are beyond our ability to control or predict, could cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking statements. These factors include, among others, the following: the ability to obtain regulatory approvals and meet other closing conditions to the merger, including approval by CBCV’s stockholders, on the expected terms and schedule; delay in closing the merger; changes in interest rates; national and regional economic conditions; legislative and regulatory changes; monetary and fiscal policies of the U.S. government, including policies of the U.S. Treasury and the Federal Reserve Board; the size, quality and composition of the loan or investment portfolios; demand for loan products; deposit flows; competition; demand for financial services in our market area; changes in real estate market values in our market area; and changes in relevant accounting principles and guidelines. These risks and uncertainties should be considered in evaluating forward-looking statements and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements.

Town of Gouverneur appoints acting assessors

by Rachel Hunter

Gouverneur now has two fully credentialed acting assessors. The Town of Gouverneur Council at its Economic Development meeting on Jan. 28 approved the appointment of two acting assessors, Sherry Geer and Phyllis Shaw. Both are former Town of Fowler assessors/data collectors, who recently moved into the Gouverneur community and submitted a joint application to the Town of Gouverneur by the Jan. 27th deadline. Their terms are effective on February 3, 2022. The Town of Gouverneur Council approved the appointment unanimously with one vote abstained by Town of Gouverneur Supervisor David Spilman, Jr. The next meeting of the Town of Gouverneur Council will be held on Tuesday, February 8, 6 p.m. For more information, call 315-287-2340.

Gouverneur CSD hears COVID-19 update

by Rachel Hunter

The Gouverneur Central School District Board of Education at its Jan. 24 meeting heard the following COVID-19 update from GCS Superintendent of Schools Jacquelyn Kelly:

“Weekly updates continue to be posted on the Gouverneur Central School District website relative to positive COVID-19 cases. For the period of Saturday, January 15 through Friday, January 21, the District had the following positive COVID-19 cases reported: The Gouverneur High School had 11 cases. The Gouverneur Middle School had eight cases. The Gouverneur Elementary School had 18 cases, for a total of 37 new cases. During the preceding week of Saturday, January 8 through Friday, January 14, there were 84 new cases. We experienced a significant increase in positive cases when sent at-home test kits and asked families to test their children upon return to school on Monday, January 10.

“As I am sure you are aware, the St. Lawrence County Public Health Department distributed a press release on Friday that aligns with the New York State Department of Health guidance for isolation and quarantine. One of the biggest changes that you will expect to see is that the New York State Department of Health will no longer conduct contact tracing. This means that individuals potentially exposed to COVID-19 will no longer be contacted by the Department of Health. Going forward, the Gouverneur Central School District will no longer be collecting information about contacts to report to the county health departments, except for in limited circumstances. We will no longer be conducting contact tracing in the school, for the most part. I say for the most part, because there may be an occasion in an event of a positive cluster or high risk exposure when the St. Lawrence County Public Health Department may ask the school to conduct contact tracing. If this becomes necessary, our school nurses will contact families by phone as they have in the past.

“Families, faculty and staff will not be responsible for contacting the school about any exposure that occurs outside of the school setting. We will continue our practice of notifying impacted families, faculty and staff as we learn about a positive case. This will involve a general notification alerting families, faculty, and staff of a positive case in a particular classroom or location. This type of notification will ask families, faculty and staff to monitor closely for symptoms but will most likely not result in anyone being in close contact or excluded from school. Students, faculty and staff will continue to be sent home if they come to school symptomatic.

“As we have done throughout the pandemic, the symptomatic individual can visit a healthcare professional for a negative test to return to school once their symptoms subside. Now, we are also giving families, faculty and staff one additional option. We will be using the testing supplies that the District received from the New York State Department of Health to offer families the option of testing at home. If a student or employee is sent home symptomatic, they will be able to use the test kit to administer two tests within a 24-48 hour period. If the symptomatic individual receives two negative test results, they will be able to return to school. One of the keys of ensuring the success of this new approach is rigorous symptom monitoring. Given the large number of positive cases in our region, the safest assumption is that we are all exposed on a regular basis, and as much, should be mindful of any COVID-associated symptom.

“I am very hopeful that this new approach strikes a balance of keeping our students in school while staying committed to the overall health and safety of our students and our entire school community. I encourage everybody to visit our District website for additional information regarding the updated guidelines for exclusion from school and school-related events.”

Gouverneur Central School District Board of Education President David Fenlong extended gratitude to Mrs. Kelly for keeping up-to-date on the latest guidance, and sharing the information with the Board.

On Jan. 25, the Gouverneur Central School District published the following notice on the District website: “You may be aware of yesterday's Nassau County Supreme Court ruling concerning the constitutionality of the state's mask mandate. The New York State Education Department has informed the District that the New York State Department of Health is in the process of appealing this decision and has further directed the District to continue to require the use of masks while this legal dispute is pending. Therefore, there is no change to the mask protocols we have been following, All students and staff members are required to wear masks at school. We will continue to follow the guidelines of the New York State Education Department and the New York State Department of Health, and we will keep you informed of any changes. Thank you for your continued cooperation and partnership during this time.”

In other school news:

The Gouverneur Central School District Board of Education at its Jan. 24 meeting accepted the Financial Report, for the period ending December 31, 2021.

The Gouverneur Central School District Board of Education approved a consent agenda, including the minutes of the regular meeting on January 10, 2022, the Claims Auditor’s reports for the period of January 14, 2022 to January 21, 2022, as well as CSE Business and CPSE Business (which includes the creation of a 1.0 FTE 1:1 Aide for a student, represented by the Gouverneur School Related Personnel Union, effective January 12, 2022, as recommended by the CPSE Committee), as well as the Treasurer’s Report for December 2021. This approval was made upon the presentation and recommendation of Supt. Kelly.

The Gouverneur Central School District Board of Education, upon presentation and recommendation of Supt. Kelly, approved the following personnel items as a consent agenda. The school board appointed Colleen Ruud to the position of Principal Account Clerk (12-month non-contractual) in the competitive class of civil service, commencing on February 7, 2022. The school board appointed Miranda Bango to the position of Individual Aide in the non-competitive class of the civil service, commencing on January 18, 2022. The school board also approved the appointment of Hailey Palmer (cafeteria) to work as a per diem substitute for the 2021-22 school year. The school board also acknowledged the medical leave for an employee, which is tentatively scheduled to begin March 2022, for approximately eight weeks. The employee will incur approximately 20 unpaid days. This leave is covered under Family and Medical Leave Act.

There was no other new business or public comments made at the regular school board meeting. The meeting adjourned to executive session to discuss the employment history of particular persons, and no further business took place. For more information about the Gouverneur Central School District, visit gcsk12.org.

Gouverneur Ice Rink opens for the season

by Rachel Hunter

The ice skating rink at Riverview Recreational Park in Gouverneur officially opened for the season on Saturday, January 15 at 4673 NY-58, Gouverneur.

Ice skating has been a favorite winter pastime for North Country families since at least the late 1880s. While the community’s ice rink has seen different locations over the years, what has remained the same is the North Country’s love of the ice.

The Gouverneur Ice Rink, now opened for the season and located near the Gouverneur Community Center, welcomes North Country residents of all skill levels to lace up their skates and enjoy the sport. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, organizers request that only one family use the bunkhouse at a time to put on skates.

The Gouverneur Ice Rink is possible thanks to many hours of volunteer support and donations from the Gouverneur community. Any notices regarding the ice’s condition will be posted on the Gouverneur Riverview Park Facebook page. For more information or to learn how to donate, call Jeremy at 315-921-1754.

Gouverneur Public Library hosting “Blind Date With A Book” and “Super Secret Surprise” Books Program now until Feb. 14

by Rachel Hunter

The Gouverneur Public Library, 60 Church St., Gouverneur this week started a new book programs for its patrons to encourage reading throughout the winter months leading up to the Valentine's Day holiday.

“Blind Date With A Book” is for all adults in the Gouverneur-area community to enjoy. Gouverneur Public Library Manager Greta Schrader said patrons will get a choice between historical fiction, romance, suspense and thrillers, and non-fiction. “The patron would come in, and the books are all covered up,” Schrader said. You get three words that describe the books for whatever stirs their emotions. They will bring it up to us. We’ll check them out. And when they get it home, they can open it.” As soon as the patron is finished reading their selection, they are welcome to make a return visit to the Gouverneur Public Library to pick another book. The program will last until Valentine’s Day, Monday, February 14.

A similar program has been established for local youth, and is called the “Super Secret Surprise Books Program.” All youths in the Gouverneur-area community are invited to stop by the Gouverneur Public Library and make their selections. Gouverneur Public Library Manager Greta Schrader said that youth will have the opportunity to select picture books, early chapter books, or chapter books. As soon as youths are finished reading their book selection, they are invited to make another selection. This program too will last until Valentine’s Day on Monday, February 14.

For more information on these programs, stop by or call the Gouverneur Public Library at 315-287-0191.

Gouverneur Central School District to host Food Box Distribution on Jan. 17

by Rachel Hunter

The Gouverneur Central School District will host a Food Box Distribution on Monday, January 17, starting at 11 a.m., at the Gouverneur Elementary School Parking Lot, 111 Gleason St., Gouverneur.

Organizers told the Gouverneur Tribune Press this week that 500 boxes of produce and dairy products will be available for distribution until all are gone.

All attendees are asked to follow the traffic cone pattern for safety and contactless pick-up.

DeKalb Jct. UMC to host free will Chicken and Biscuit Dinner on Jan. 11

by Rachel Hunter

A Free Will Chicken and Biscuit Dinner will be held on Tuesday, January 11, 5 to 6 p.m., at the DeKalb Junction United Methodist Church, 4302 Route 11, DeKalb Junction. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, the meals will be available via curbside delivery. All monetary and non-perishable food donations will be accepted to support the food ministries of the DeKalb Junction and Hermon United Methodist Churches.

All motorists are asked to come via the Gouverneur direction, so that they can turn directly into the parking lot and not have to cross the traffic on Route 11. All then are asked to follow the traffic cones, turn around and stop at the door where volunteers will bring out the required number of meals and Pastor Martha Helmer will momentarily visit with the folks in attendance. All meals are served on a first come, first served basis.

Organizer April Allen told the Gouverneur Tribune Press that the DeKalb Junction Methodist Church started its holiday food box ministry at least 15 to 20 years ago.

“Originally they provided all the fixings for a holiday meal at Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter, delivering to individuals and families in the Hermon-DeKalb School District that had been identified as being a family that would benefit from receiving a box,” Mrs. Allen said.

“At some point prior to 2012, they approached the Hermon Methodist Church to see if they would be willing to be a distribution point for the boxes for the families with a Hermon address which the Hermon Church was happy to do and within a couple of years the Hermon Church took over providing the food for and packing the boxes for those families.

“Today, the two churches operate separately but cooperatively. Each continues to provide holiday food boxes at Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter to individuals and families within the Hermon DeKalb School District. Both pantries have non-perishable food items they can provide to anyone living within the school district who finds themselves in need of food on a short-term basis,” Mrs. Allen said.

DeKalb Junction UMC and Old DeKalb UMC Pastor Martha Helmer told the Gouverneur Tribune Press this week that the food ministry serves about 20 local families, and are constantly seeking other residents who could benefit from the program. The mission is possible thanks to great deal of support received by community members, church members, and others. Pastor Helmer added that generous donations of canned goods and boxed food items are brought to the ministry from the Kendrew Church, since it is partially in the Town of DeKalb. “It’s a community project,” Pastor Helmer said.

Mrs. Allen agreed, saying that “both pantries rely solely on donations of non-perishable food items and money from their respective members and members of their communities to continue their ministries.” She added that both pantries have been the grateful recipients of food from food drives organized at the Hermon-DeKalb Central School and by other local groups, including Scouts.

When supplies get low at the local food pantries, the churches inform their congregation through a “needs list.” At the DeKalb Junction UMC and the Old DeKalb UMC, Pastor Helmer said they print the needs list in the church bulletin from time to time throughout the year, and ask for supplies like boxed macaroni, boxed potatoes, canned goods, juices, peanut butter, etc.

“When we get down, we just make a list and try to replenish because there are families who might need food in between the holidays,” Pastor Helmer said.

The North Country community has been generous to support the food ministries at the DeKalb Junction and Hermon United Methodist Churches in the past – even amid tough times like the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. Pastor Helmer told the Gouverneur Tribune Press this week that the food ministry is just one of many at the local United Methodist Churches.

“We try to do God’s work and God’s missions within our community and often that goes out to the larger community, country and the world, depending on the project,” she said.

Pastor Helmer said she is always amazed at God’s providence. While taking a course, Pastor Helmer encouraged the Seven Steeples United Methodist Churches (Edwards, South Edwards, Hermon, Russell, DeGrasse, DeKalb Junction, and Old DeKalb) to assist the Red Bird Mission in Kentucky.

“We boxed up and sent just shy of 95 pounds of baby needs items – wipes, diapers, shampoo, pacifiers, sippy cups, etc.,” she said. “It was the week before the tornadoes hit, and they were 10 miles from this mission. You can see how God was working in us getting that material there. I just thought that was God’s hand working. I was so pleased that was a good mission for our churches. Everybody was more than willing to help…”

Pastor Helmer said she hopes to do another mission project in the spring.

“It’s fun to help out where we can,” she said.

In addition, parishioners at the United Methodist Churches are able to donate to the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), which assists dozens of disaster relief projects each year – including the recent disaster relief project for the Kentucky tornado victims. All donations are welcome for that project as well.

Among the many other projects, Pastor Helmer said the visitation ministry has grown exponentially amid the COVID-19 pandemic crisis.

“We appreciate anything anyone can do to help with the missions within our community, our country and our world,” Pastor Helmer said.

With only a few days remaining until the Chicken and Biscuit Dinner on Tuesday, January 11 at the DeKalb Junction Methodist Church, volunteers are readying to serve the North Country community another delectable dinner – with all donations going to the food ministries at the DeKalb Junction and Hermon United Methodist Churches. Organizers say the food pantry could use donations of applesauce, fruit cups, dry pasta, pasta sauce, canned soup, canned meat, etc.

Please check the expiration date to ensure it is not passed before making the donation. “We always end up with outdated products and we cannot use them when we pack our boxes,” Mrs. Allen said.

For more information on the DeKalb Junction United Methodist Church, call the office at 315-347-3383. Ed. Note: See upcoming editions of the Gouverneur Tribune Press for the announcement of future benefit dinners and other events across the North Country community.

Town of Fowler holds swearing-in ceremony

by Rachel Hunter

In accordance with New York State Public Law, Town of Fowler officials have been administered their oath of office. The majority of the oaths were administered by the Hon. Tim Knowlton, Town of Fowler Justice, in a swearing-in ceremony during the Town of Fowler’s year-end budget transfers meeting on Dec. 29 at the Fowler Town Hall.

NYS Public Law §10 requires "every officer shall take and file the oath of office required by law." It further states, "every officer of a municipal corporation, including a school district, with the clerk thereof; and, every other officer, including trustees and officers of a public library and the officers of boards of cooperative educational services, in the office of the clerk of the county in which he shall reside, if no place be otherwise provided by law for the filing thereof." NYS Public Law §30 (1)(a) states "his refusal or neglect to file his official oath or undertaking, if one is required, before and within thirty days after the commencement of the term of office for which he is chosen, if elective office, or if an appointed office, within thirty days after notice of his appointment, or within 30 days after commencement of such term."

Town of Fowler Supervisor Rick Newvine announced at the Town of Fowler Swearing-In Ceremony that all elected officials, anyone on the municipal payroll, and appointed officers of a town board (paid and unpaid) needed to take their oaths of office.

During the General Election in 2021, voters elected into office Town of Fowler Councilmen Scott Cleveland and Lynn Bishop, and Town of Fowler Tax Assessor Michael Bates. Town of Fowler Councilman Lynn Bishop was administered the oath of office at the Fowler Town Clerk’s Office on Dec. 27. Town of Fowler Councilman Scott Cleveland was the first to be administered the oath of office by Judge Knowlton during the swearing-in ceremony on Dec. 29. He placed his hand on the Holy Bible, provided to the Town of Fowler by Deputy Supervisor Karen Simmons, and raised his right hand as he pledged the following: “I do solemnly swear or affirm that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of New York, and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of town council of the Town of Fowler, according to the best of my ability.”

Next to the podium was Town of Fowler Tax Assessor Michael Bates, who followed the same format, and recited the following oath as administered by Judge Knowlton: “I do solemnly swear or affirm that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of New York, and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of tax assessor of the Town of Fowler, according to the best of my ability.”

Others taking the oath of office for 2022 at the swearing-in ceremony included the following: Dog Control Officer Dan Moyer, Budget Director Rick Newvine , Deputy Supervisor and Town Historian Karen Simmons, Second Deputy Town Clerk and Deputy Tax Collector Kimberly Reed, Code Enforcement Officer Glen Besaw, Bookkeeper Barbara Finnie, Custodian Rosalee Thornton, Tax Collector and Registrar of Vital Statistics Tami Gale. They were administered the oath of office as one group by Judge Knowlton with each saying their respective office in the oath as follows: “I do solemnly swear or affirm that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of New York, and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of (insert office) of the Town of Fowler, according to the best of my ability.” Following the swearing-in ceremony, all town officials signed their oaths of office.

Oaths reportedly filed included Court Clerk Irma Ashley (Dec. 28), Planning Board Member Leo Knight Jr. (Dec. 29). Oaths still needed to be filed as of the date of the swearing-in ceremony was as follows: Town Attorney Henry Leader, Maintenance Specialist Byron Woodward Jr., First Deputy Town Clerk/Deputy Tax Collector/Deputy Registrar of Vital Statistics Debra Tupper, Deputy Highway Superintendent Nelson Bice, Board of Assessment Review Member Richard Weaver, and a Board of Ethics Committee Member TBD (oath will be taken after the ethics meeting in January).

All town officials must sign their oaths of office within 30 days after notice of their appointment, or 30 days after commencement of their terms. The next meeting of the Town of Fowler Council is to be held on Monday, January 10, 6 p.m., at the Fowler Town Hall, Little York Road, Fowler. For more information about the Town of Fowler, visit fowlerny.com or call 315-287-0045.

Reminder: Food Box Distribution to be held Dec. 28 at Gouverneur Elementary

by Rachel Hunter

A food box distribution will be held on Tuesday, December 28, starting at 11 a.m., located at the Gouverneur Elementary School, 111 Gleason St., Gouverneur. The boxes will include dairy and produce items.

Gouverneur community members are asked not to line up prior to 10:30 a.m.

If you have any questions, please contact Stephanie LaShomb at 315-323-2953, or lashomb.stephanie@gcsk12.org.