Vote in our New Poll: Would You Support a County Utility?

With solar power on the lips of many people around the County, including a proposed multi-acre solar farm in the Town of Schoharie, hopes of a county electrical utility may be soon to follow. Presently only the Village of Richmondville has municipal power, which runs at a significantly less expensive rate than National Grid.

There was a proposal for a similar utility around 2006 that never materialized. With high state and federal incentives for building a large solar farm or other means of local power, would you support an initiative for a local utility?

Central Bridge Man Arrested for Criminal Mischief

Sheriff's deputies arrested Patrick Haroldson, 20, of Central Bridge on an arrest warrant on November 8th for criminal mischief in the third degree stemming from an incident where Mr. Haroldson caused damage to a motor vehicle. Mr. Haroldson was arraigned in the Town of Schoharie court and released to return at a later date.

Cuomo Vetoes Veterans' Benefit Bill

Just days after election day, Governor Andrew Cuomo decided to veto a bill passed by both houses of the state legislature. The bill, intending to aid veterans by allowing them to voluntarily purchase credit into the state retirement system for their service during peacetime.

The bill's synopsis says:

 Provides up to three years of service credit to members of public retirement systems of the state for military service rendered during times of peace; removes requirement that such military service occur during specified periods of hostilities; requires such members have at least five years of credited service, not including military service.

The bill passed the State Assembly 133 to 1 and the State Senate 57-0. Overall costs were going to cost taxpayers about $170 million. Both Assemblyman Lopez and Senator Seward voted for the bill.

Cuomo's veto message is below, citing in part that New York City's annual liability would be about $18 million.

  Veto 484

Poll: Stagnant to Negative Economic Growth in County

Schoharie County residents are not positive when it comes to the state of the local economy, with many arguing that it has shrunk over the last year. 33% of residents believe that there hasn't been a significant change while 46% believe that there has been some kind of decline, including 27% that believe that the local economy has declined greatly.

How Has Schoharie County's Economy Changed Over the Last Year?
Improved greatly 1% - 2
Improved slightly 16% - 29
No significant change 33% - 61
Declined slightly 19% - 35
Declined greatly 27% - 50
Don't know/undecided 5% - 9
186 Total

This poll could also be seen as:

Improved: 17%
No significant change: 33%
Declined: 46%
Don't know/undecided: 5%

Schoharie Girls Win Section II Championship

The Schoharie Varsity girls soccer team won November 5th against Canajoharie and they are the Section II Class C Champions. They won 2-1 at Lansingburgh High School and face Potsdam today.

CDPHP Health Insurance Coverage to be Cut to Just Two County Pharmacies

Middleburgh's Valley Pharmacy will be just one of two pharmacies in the County that will offer CDPHP health insurance coverage after January 1st. Under the proposed changes by the company, many pharmacies that accept CDPHP's plan will no longer at the end of the year.

These policies will only affect the Medicaid line of business and come after dramatic changes to the state and federal health care systems.

The Valley Pharmacy offers a full assortment of prescription drugs and over the counter needs, including household supplies and cosmetics. Located at 312 Main Street, the store is open Monday through Saturday from 8am-6pm. Their Facebook page and more information can be found here.

Seward Man Arrested for Larceny

State Police in Cobleskill arrested a Seward man for Larceny on November 4, 2014 following a complaint of missing property.
 
State Police arrested Ronald Gage age 62 of Seward following a complaint of missing property.  Allegations were made that Gage took items from a marital property that was in violation of a court order.  Gage was charged with Petit Larceny and released on an appearance ticket.
 
Gage is to appear in the Town of Seward Court on November 26, 2014 at 7:30pm to answer the charge

Middleburgh Man Arrested for Criminal Mischief and Contempt

State Police in Cobleskill arrested a Middleburgh man following a domestic incident on November 3, 2014.
 
State Police arrested Christopher E. Costello age 19 following a domestic incident that occurred at a residence in Middleburgh.  Costello allegedly damaged property belonging to a family member during an argument that led to a physical confrontation.  Costello was charged with Criminal Mischief 4^th and Unlawful Possession of Marihuana.
 
Costello was arraigned in the Town of Middleburgh Court and released to appear on November 19, 2014 at 7:00pm.  An Order of Protection was issued by the court.

Christopher E. Costello was later arrested by the State Police Cobleskill following a domestic incident that occurred in Middleburgh.  Costello entered a family property and engaged in a verbal domestic violating an Order of Protection in the process.  Troopers located Costello in the Village of Middleburgh and took him into custody.  Costello was charged with Criminal Contempt 2nd, Costello was arraigned in the Town of Middleburgh Court and remanded to the Schoharie County Facility on cash bail. 
 
Costello is to appear in the Town of Middleburgh Court on November 19, 2014 at 7:00pm to answer this charge and previous charges that were lodged from a previous domestic incident.
 

C-R Student Arrested after Confrontation at School

State Police arrested a teen following an altercation that occurred at Cobleskill-Richmondville High School.
 
State Police arrested Jordan J. Davenport 18 of Schoharie after he was involved in an altercation with another student at Cobleskill-Richmondville High School.  Davenport was 
charged with Harassment 2^nd and Endangering the Welfare of a child following an argument that turned physical.  Davenport was arraigned in the Town of Richmondville Court and released to appear at a later date.  An Order of Protection was issued by the court.

The State Police Cobleskill Bureau of Criminal Investigation assisted with the case.

Green Wolf Brewery Opening December 12th in Middleburgh

Middleburgh, as its name implies, is in the middle of everything: it is within an hour's drive of The Catskills, The Capital District, the Mid-Hudson Valley, the Adirondacks, and Cooperstown. We have a classic American main street with shops, restaurants, historic buildings, a great museum, and an amazing library. Hiking trails and bountiful farm stands are only minutes away. It is the perfect location for a brewery and tap room. We fill a niche for locals (who no longer need to drive thirty minutes or more for great local craft beer) and for tourists (who see our tap room on Main Street and decide to stop).

All this success doesn't happen in a vacuum. Middleburgh has an active and helpful business association and local government. It is a village on the rise - in the middle of everything that has to do with eastern half of New York State. Green Wolf is proud to be part of such a great community.

We have been brewing beer for five months in our brew house at 315 Main Street and we are excited to say that our tap room is nearly finished. On December 12, 2014, we will have our grand opening celebration during the festivities of Miracle on Main Street. From December 12th onward, the tap room at Green Wolf will be open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday - 4 pm to 9 pm.

We have seven beers in our rotation: Ravens Black India Pale Ale, Pindar's Imperial India Pale Ale, Abbey Gargoyle Belgian-style Dubbel, Hal's Old Singular Belgian-style Strong Ale, Wit's End Wiezenbock, Dire Wolf Whiskey Porter, and Schoharie Pale Ale. We also have specialty ales that come and go throughout the year.

Please stop by, enjoy one of our brews, and (as we like to say) drink - howl - repeat!

Seward Wins Unopposed

State Senator James Seward won unopposed last night in the 51st Senate District, which includes Schoharie County. All of the ballots have not been counted yet, but it appears that he won more than 60,000 votes last night. It is unclear how many write ins there were.

Lopez Wins Unopposed

State Assemblyman Peter Lopez won unopposed last night in the 102nd Assembly District, which includes Schoharie County. He won a total of 28,965 last night. It is unclear how many write ins there were.

Cuomo Wins Statewide in Surprisingly Tight Race

Governor Cuomo won by a significantly lower margin than predicted statewide with some Upstate Counties still to come in. Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins has peeled off a large protest vote against Cuomo from the left. With 81.6% of the polling stations in, Cuomo has won:

A. Cuomo (D)  1,432,448 - 54.4%
R. Astorino (R)1,053,422 - 40.0%
H. Hawkins (G)134,190 - 5.1%

Gibson Wins Re-Election by Wide Margin

Congressman Chris Gibson has won re-election to his third term. With half of the vote in, he is leading by a healthy margin:

 C. Gibson: 60,479 - 65.9%
S. Eldridge: 31,256 - 34.1%

Gibson Easily Defeats Eldridge in Schoharie

Congressman Chris Gibson appears to be headed for a third term tonight, with results from Schoharie coming in:

Gibson (R): 7,241 - 78.6%
Eldridge (D): 1,977 21.4%

Astorino Wins Big in Schoharie

With the results in, it is apparent that Rob Astorino has handily defeated Andrew Cuomo in Schoharie County:

Astorino (R): 5,884 - 64.3%
Cuomo (D): 2,468 - 27.0%
Hawkins (G): 705 - 7.7%

Town of Conesville Highway Superintendent Race

Candidate	Votes	Vote Percentage
Porter, David (R)	140	67.3%
Hilliker, Paul (D)	68	32.7%

Town of Blenheim Council Results

Incumbent Republican Renee Grabowski wins in Blenheim tonight:

Grabowski, Renee (R)	72	60.0%
Mattice, Michael (D)	48	40.0%

Schoharie Mourns Unexpected Death of Beloved Educator

From the Schoharie CSD website:

he Schoharie Central School District community is mourning the loss of dedicated educator and friend Steven Hoard, who passed away unexpectedly on Monday, Nov. 3, 2014.

Mr. Hoard, who taught 7th and 8th-grade Social Studies at Schoharie Jr./Sr. High School for 13 years, was beloved by staff, students and their families for his caring, enthusiasm and sense of humor. In addition to teaching, Mr. Hoard coached varsity track and wrestling at Schoharie, where he also had served as advisor to the High School Student Government Association and Key Club. He was also known for being an avid Star Wars fan.

The district’s crisis team met Monday night to plan how to best support students and staff, and steps are being taken to provide assistance and support during this difficult time. Grief counselors are available on campus to help the school community cope with the unexpected loss.

SCS is thankful for the support and assistance offered by the Board of Education, former staff, neighboring school districts, the Capital Region BOCES and the community.

Final arrangements for Mr. Hoard are pending.

Mr. Hoard was a resident of Berne who graduated from Mohonasen High School. He is survived by his wife, Nikki and son, Benjamin, and his mother and sister.

NY Rising Blenheim/Fulton Meeting Thursday

A NY Rising Community Reconstruction joint meeting with the Towns of Fulton and Blenheim will take place on Thursday November 6, 2014 at the West Fulton Fire Station, 807 West Fulton Rd. from 6:00 – 8:00 PM. Everyone is welcome to attend and hear about projects that are being discussed in your communities.