Miracle on Main Street this Friday in Middleburgh

The Middleburgh Business Business Association published the itinerary for the Miracle on Main Street Christmas event in Middleburgh this Friday. Put on by the local Renaissance Council, there will be carriage rides, business openings, hot cocoa, Santa, and more.

Heavy Storm Expected Tuesday into Wednesday

A severe winter storm is expected to hit the area over the next two days. Eight to twelve inches are expected Tuesday and 1-3 on Wednesday. Expect many schools and offices to be closed. A Winter Storm Warning is expected from Tuesday at 4am until Wednesday at 7am. The Noreaster may also bring in a small amount of ice. Make sure to keep track of the weather on our site. It's always updated and can be found here.

Santa in Schoharie December 14th

Santa Claus will be at the Schoharie County's Diner in Schoharie, the site of the former Alley Cat on December 14th. All are welcome to get pictures with Santa with the purchase of breakfast or lunch. Kids will also receive a free gift bag.

Letter to the Editor: Protect the Environment

Love Canal, Boston Harbor, Scintilla/Amphenol in Sidney, Railcon in Sidney, General Electric's PCB's in our Hudson River....billions of taxpayers' monies because of "brilliant leadership!" The companies DO NOT PAY FOR THE CLEANUPS!! We taxpayers do. How many times have I heard "NOT ONE SPILL IN PENNSYLVANIA!" What BS! Finally they had to reveal nearly 300 with the statement, "It might be more...Records are kinda loose!" Somebody gave us a beautiful Earth and gave us the choice on how to treat it, or destroy it. In India for centuries they have dumped sewage, chemicals and garbage into the Ganges River which they also bathe in and wash their clothes in. Oh and don't forget all the cremains dumped there...all in the source of their drinking water. "Leaders" have allowed that!" I am one of at least four in Otego Village who now have cancer. We all live next to cornfields which are sprayed repeatedly with RoundUp , which like carcinogenic fracking fluids by tractor trailer loads, go into each well. Stupid is stupid!...and not leadership! Our water, land, health and economies are in the balance. Greed is surpassing common sense, and giving the finger to The Creator!

Charlie Pierce
Otego

Man Arrested in Snowmobile Theft

Sheriff's deputies arrested Conor E. McDonald, 18, of Coxsackie with criminal possession of stolen property in the 5th degree following an investigation of a stolen snowmobile from Greene County. Mr. McDonald was arraigned in the Town of Broome court and remanded to the Schoharie County Jail, to appear at a later date.

Letter to the Editor: Stand Up for Property Rights Against Pipeline

The following is an open letter to property owners from Robert Neid of the Center for Sustainable Rural Communities:

Please be advised that Constitution Pipeline has received only conditional approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). They DO NOT have the right to seize your property, enter your property or conduct any activity on your property at this time.

Recent letters sent to landowners by pipeline lawyers contained inaccurate information and empty threats. The Center for Sustainable Rural Communities has filed a formal complaint about those letters with the NY State Attorney General and called for an investigation.  The Pace Environmental Litigation Clinic has demanded a retraction of the threatening letters.

Landowners who have not signed easement agreements are urged to do the following:

·         Post “No Trespassing” signs.

·         Deny pipeline crews access to your property.

·         Call the police if pipeline crews come on your property without your permission.

·         Ask your neighbors to watch your property when you are not home, photograph any unauthorized activity by pipeline crews, and call you if someone tries to trespass.

·         Document any activity by pipeline crews on or near your property – take video or photographs, and record dates, times, license plate numbers and what activity occurs.

·         Discuss your situation with an attorney experienced in eminent domain.

Please remember that before the pipeline company can attempt to seize your property through eminent domain they must take you to court, usually Federal Court. For that to happen you must receive official papers via “personal service,” which requires the documents to be personally handed to one of the property owners (“served”), not sent by FedEx or mail.

For additional information visit: www.stopthepipeline.org and/or contact the toll-free Landowner Assistance Line: 800-795-1967.

Landowners are encouraged to call the Office of the NY State Attorney General at

800-771-7755 if they have received threatening correspondence from the pipeline company or their representatives.

The above is offered for informational purposes only and is not offered as, nor should it be considered, legal advice.

Vote in Our Poll: Do You Support Pipeline Decision?

FERC made headlines several weeks ago by declaring the Constitution Pipeline environmentally safe. Last week they made more waves by approving the project, leading to a timetable where it could start construction within several months.

What do you think?

Do You Support FERC's Decision to Approve the Constitution Pipeline?

Yes

No

I don't know

pollcode.com free polls

Sharon Man Arrested for Aggravated DWI

State Police in Cobleskill arrested a Sharon man for Driving While Intoxicated following a traffic stop in the Town of Seward.

Troopers in Cobleskill arrested Joseph F. Nolette age 46 of Sharon for DWI following a traffic stop on State Route 10 in the Town of Seward. Nolette was issued a traffic tickets for Aggravated DWI and various other traffic violations before being released to appear in the Town of Seward Court on December 10, 2014 at 7:30pm.

Poll: Readers Support a New Party

Schoharie News readers are not pleased with the direction of local politics. Most readers that voted in the most recent poll state that they wish there was a third party available for choice. A strong minority back the local Republican Party with a smaller proportion believing that both parties are about equally right.

How Would You Describe Current Politics in Schoharie County?

- The local Republicans are usually right 25% - 26 
- The local Democrats are usually right 6% - 6 
- The two parties are about equally right 18% - 19 
- I wish there was a local third party 51% - 54 
 105 total

Legal Challenge Fights Pipeline Decision

The Pace Environmental Litigation Clinic has launched a counter attack to the recent Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's decision to okay the Constitution Pipeline. Representing the local Stop the Pipeline organization, the group sent out a letter that made clear its objections.

 It reads in part:

According to your firm’s website, you specialize in eminent domain proceedings. Therefore you must know that your letter is replete with misleading information. It is apparent to STP that the intent of your letter is to bully landowners—who are already under duress from the December 2, 2014 decision by FERC that granted your client a conditional certificate of public convenience and necessity (“CPCN”)—into waiving their property rights. While we expect such unconscionable tactics from shady bill collectors, we do not expect them from a prestigious law firm such as Saul Ewing.

The law firm also challenged the legal standing the pipeline proprietors have used to support their project:

Please be advised that your misrepresentations of the facts and law to recipient landowners may violate the New York Rules of Professional Conduct. In particular, Rule 8.4, states that a “lawyer or law firm shall not: (c) engage in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation.”

The move is supported by the Center for Sustainable Rural Communities, which is calling for the NY Attorney General to investigate tactics used by backers of the pipeline project.

Police Respond to Heroin Overdose

On November 29, 2014, State Police in Cobleskill responded to a residence in Middleburgh for a report of a possible drug overdose. Upon arrival they found an unconscious 30 year old female with shallow breathing who had recently injected heroin. Troopers on scene administered one dose of intranasal Naloxone which revived the victim. The female was transported via ambulance to St. Peter's Hospital in Albany for further treatment.

Gloversville Man Arrested for Marijuana Following Traffic Stop

On November 30, 2014, State Police in Cobleskill arrested Adam C. Brickle, age 19, of Gloversville, for Unlawful Possession of Marijuana. Brickle was the operator of a 2005 Lincoln which was stopped on State Route 10 in the Town of Jefferson for failing to dim his headlights. While interviewing Brickle, a strong odor of marijuana was detected inside of the vehicle. A search of the vehicle led to the discovery of approximately 20 grams of marijuana and a marijuana grinder. Brickle was issued a traffic ticket as well as an appearance ticket for Unlawful Possession of Marijuana, a violation, and is scheduled to appear in the Town of Jefferson court on December 15, 2014.

Vehicular Manslaughter Charges in Wright after DWI Fatality

A fatal motorcycle crash resulted in Vehiclular Manslaughter charges against the operator, on October 1, 2014, the New York State Police investigated an accident which occurred on State Route 443 in the Hamlet of Gallupville. A motorcycle with two riders left the roadway, struck a stand supporting a basketball hoop and continued until it struck a church. The passenger identified as Colleen M. Rogers, 24, of Wright was ejected from the vehicle and killed. The driver of the motorcycle was identified as Kristofer J. Govel, 28, also of Wright.

Govel who was also injured in the accident was charged with Driving While Intoxicated and Vehiclular Manslaughter 2nd, he was arraigned in the Town of Wright Court on November 24th, 2014. Govel is set to appear in the Town of Wright Court on December 22, 2014.

Center for Sustainable Rural Communities on Pipeline Approval: Unacceptable

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has issued a “Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity” for the proposed Constitution Pipeline. In doing so, the Federal agency essentially rejected the hundreds of comments, studies and concerns submitted by impacted landowners, communities, scientists and citizens groups. They also sent a signal to the NY State DEC and the US Army Corp of Engineers that concerns raised by those two agencies about the proposed pipeline would not be taken seriously. FERC also approved the proposed expansion of the compressor station in the Town of Wright which will facilitate the Constitution Pipeline and potentially others. By issuing the Certificate, FERC sets the stage for the seizure of private property through eminent domain to accommodate pipeline easements. Constitution may attempt to serve condemnation papers to individual landowners as early as today.

The proposed pipeline will follow a 50-60’ wide clear-cut path through Broome, Chenango, Delaware and Schoharie counties, dissecting forest, farmland, streams, wetlands and residential backyards. An estimated 1/3 of the route through Schoharie County will require blasting. Opponents have pointed out the pipeline will impact sensitive eco-systems and habitats for a wide verity of species including bald eagles and the bat colonies living in the Karst cave systems of Schoharie County, which are already threatened by “white nose syndrome” a disease that has resulted in the deaths of an estimated 6 million North American bats.

The Center for Sustainable Rural Communities submitted multiple comments to FERC opposing the pipeline including an extensive hydrogeology study and an industry standard white paper detailing the national security vulnerability of the proposed pipeline and associated compressor station. FERC dismissed the latter study essentially saying that steps were being taken to address the security issues but would not disclose what those steps are.  In response to the hundreds of environmental concerns raised, FERC deferred to “mitigation” promised by pipeline builders Cabot Oil & Gas, Williams Partners, Piedmont Natural Gas and WGL Holdings. FERC did not express concern about the safety records of Cabot and Williams, both of whom have garnered long lists of violations and fines related to drilling and pipeline operations.

Pipeline construction cannot begin until the NY State DEC conducts public hearings and grants a “401 permit.” Appeals to FERC’s decision are also likely by citizen and non-profit groups. Litigation is also possible by one or more of the hundreds of individuals and groups who have registered with FERC as “Interveners.”

Robert Nied, spokesperson for the Center issued the following statement after the FERC announcement:

“The Federal regulatory process has failed the citizens of New York. FERC has opted to ignore the health, safety, quality of life and property rights of the residents of our region and rubber stamp a destructive and unnecessary project in order to further the profits of a callus and out of control oil and gas industry. The Center will continue to fight this project and stand with those resisting its abuse of private property rights, community rights and the right of every citizen to a safe and healthy environment.”

Breaking News: Constitution Pipeline Approved by FERC

The Federal Energy Regulatory Committee has made an astonishing decision, announced today. Coming months off of its statement that the proposed Constitution Pipeline would be environmentally safe, the regulatory body has declared that the pipeline has been conditionally approved.

This has resulted in a mad dash by parties to stop or to begin the project. A statement from the Center for Sustainable Rural Communities will be published shortly decrying the decision. Meanwhile, the natural gas industry will likely attempt to start construction in early 2015. Construction could be done by the end of the year.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Williams Energy has several other pipeline projects prepared, although these may not intersect Schoharie County:

Williams also has several other pipeline projects in the works that would expand and reroute gas shipments to increase its ability to move Pennsylvania gas on its Transco network, which runs from Texas to New York.

State Police Respond to Overturned Vehicle on I-88

On November 27, 2014 at approximately 2:43 AM State Police in Cobleskill investigated a one car accident involving a vehicle that flipped over onto its side on I-88 Eastbound. A 2008 GMC Acadia was found overturned on its side after the operator David P. Guest, age 29, of Midlothian, VA lost control and slid off the left shoulder of the roadway. Guest was ticketed for Failure to Keep Right and Speed not Reasonable and Prudent for the conditions due to the slush covered roadway. Neither Guest nor his passenger was injured in the crash.

Grocer Opens in Middleburgh, Ribbon Cutting December 12th

A small grocer has opened its doors on Main Street in Middleburgh. The Olde Corner Store, formerly of Gallupville, opened up at 308 Main Street. Operated by owner Joy Heckman, the store offers a full assortment of deli meats with various canned goods, produce, cooking supplies, specialty teas, and more. A bakery is expected to be functional shortly.

The store, located two doors down from the community's new pharmacy, opened its doors last Tuesday. There will be a formal ribbon cutting right before the festivities of Miracle on Main Street begin and the same day as the ribbon cutting for the new Green Wolf Brewery.

Mrs. Heckman has been able to open in part thanks to efforts of local officials to bring a food store back to Middleburgh. She also sees a wider purpose and welcome: "I am overwhelmed by the welcoming spirit of the residents of the village and town of Middleburgh. As one of my favorite customers says - I'm just happy to be here!"

Letter to the Editor: Changing Assessments for Political Purposes Improper

After reading several news articles concerning the pending sale of the Guilford Mills property I find myself compelled to respond. One article quotes County Treasurer Bill Cherry saying “the county never asked Cobleskill Assessor Alan Danforth to lower the assessment because a higher number makes the plant look more attractive”. While I won’t comment on whether the tactic is effective or not, I can’t stand silently by while our elected officials attempt to pervert the assessment process and deceive would be buyers of the property. But what is perhaps even worse is the lack of indignation or even concern by the local paper’s editorial staff concerning blatant and overt injustice in our tax assessment system.

The sole responsibility for determining and assigning an assessed value to a property lies with the Town Assessor. The Schoharie County Treasurer, the Schoharie County Board of Supervisors, or even a Town board should have no bearing or influence on the process. Mr. Cherry’s comments and the local paper’s subsequent portrayal indicate that the County has interfered with Mr. Danforth’s assessment. This is highly irregular and improper. Mr. Danforth has no option but to assign the correct assessment for every property within his jurisdiction. On each tentative assessment roll issued by the assessor Mr. Danforth must sign and attest that he has assigned the correct values. Either Mr. Danforth believes and can justify an assessed value of 4.5 Million dollars or he has violated his oath of office and sworn statement.

If what has been reported is true, some serious ethical and legal violations have occurred. Manipulating assessment values is a serious offense with severe implications for all county taxpayers. By inflating the assessment of the Guilford property every tax payer outside of the Town of Cobleskill and Cobleskill Richmondville School District has paid more than their fair share of property taxes. Meanwhile those taxpayers living in those two tax jurisdictions have paid less than their fair share. Certainly no system is perfect and assessment mistakes can and do happen, but to learn that the Schoharie County Treasurer has willfully and intentionally conspired to manipulate the system goes too far. This action cannot go unchallenged. Therefore I have written the attorney general and asked for an investigation to determine if a crime has been committed.

Of course, we all hope that the sale of the Guilford property goes through and promised jobs come to fruition, but our need and desire for jobs cannot trump government honesty and transparency. We must be disciplined enough to do things the right way. That requires a local press that is able and willing to call out elected officials for their misdeeds not glorify them or sit idly by.

Sincerely,
Robert Mann, Jr.
Blenheim Resident

Middleburgh FD Hosting Breakfast with Santa this Sunday

The Middleburgh Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary is holding a breakfast with Santa on Sunday December 7th. The event is $5 for adults and $3 for kids from 6-12 and seniors. Kids 5 and under are free. The event will be at the Middleburgh Fire House from 8-11am. See below for more information.

NYS Retirement Fund Posts Loss

The New York State Common Retirement Fund, in which many of the state's pensions are funded from is facing a stark reality. Already believed by some to be underfunded, the State Comptroller's office announced that the fund lost .52% in the most recent quarter.

The results were published on the Comptroller's website. The fund is partially invested in a series of stocks and other equities meant to raise more money than the rate of inflation and pay for hundreds of thousands of current and future pensions. The fund gained 3.6% in the last quarter but the overall long term expected return is 7.5%. It now has $178.3 billion dollars stashed away.