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The Best Gifts from Schoharie County

Sheriff's Arrest Esperance Man for Rape

Written By Cicero on 3/18/15 | 3/18/15

On March 11, 2015 the Schoharie County Sheriff's Office arrested Kevin J. Madelone Jr., age 23, Esperance, New York for Rape in the Third Degree and 2 Counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child following a brief investigation.

He was arraigned in the Town of Esperance Court with his attorney present and was released on his own recognizance to reappear on April 1st at 6:00 p.m.

On March 16, 2015 the Schoharie County Sheriff's Office arrested Michael C. Diamond, age 21, Schoharie, NY for Stalking in the 4th Degree and Coercion in the 4th Degree, which occurred the weekend of March 14-15, 2015.

Diamond was arraigned in Middleburgh Town Court and released on $5,000.00 bail to re-appear in court on March 18th. 

On March 17, 2015 the Schoharie County Sheriff's Office arrested a 21 year old Schoharie woman for Falsely Reporting an Incident.

Dyann Corey of Schoharie was arrested yesterday for Falsely Reporting an Incident in the Third Degree after an investigation into an incident from November of 2014. It is believe that Mrs. Carey gave the police false information that may have hindered an investigation.

Carey was issued an Appearance Ticket to appear in the Town of Schoharie Court on March 23, 2015 at 5:00 p.m.

Schoharie News Subscriptions Now Available


To find out more about our special reduced rate of $25.00 for a one year digital subscription, please email theschoharienews@gmail.com for more information. 

With the launch of The Schoharie News print edition in May, we are offering two subscription options to begin with for readers in Schoharie County. The first, being a digital option, is $32.00 per year and will be delivered by email on Monday evenings. 

The second option is an at-home delivery of the paper on Tuesday afternoon's exclusive only (at first) to village residents of Middleburgh and Schoharie at a cost of $35.00 annually. 

For those interested in either subscription option, we would ask that you send the requested information below to theschoharienews@gmail.com with the subject "Schoharie News Subscription."

The billing process will proceed once we receive your name, address, subscription method and payment information. 

Name: __________________________________
Address:_________________________________
Digital or Print:___________________________
Payment - check/digital:_____________________

The Schoharie News will also be available for sale in stores countywide; a full-list of locations will be posted as we approach the introductory issue's first publication on May 19th.

County Moves Forward on Final Stream Bank Site


The Schoharie County Board of Supervisors voted to move forward on the AECOM stream bank project Monday night, but not until after meeting for over two hours in executive session to discuss the troubled stream restoration efforts.

Inviting only representatives of the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Schoharie County Treasurer Bill Cherry, and Department of Public Works head Dan Crandall, the session was initiated by Middleburgh Supervisor Jim Buzon.

Supervisors left executive session at approximately 7:30 p.m., with Mr. Buzon immediately making a motion to move forward with the clearing of trees on the Dave Brown Mountain creek site, which passed by a seven-four margin. 

The Dave Brown Mountain site has been delayed for months after the original contractor backed out of the project, but a replacement firm was identified and approved in February. Dave Brown is the shortest of the four creek sites. 

Schoharie County is currently facing a budget shortfall of over two million dollars because of the project, costs that are being passed along to the county taxpayers.

Letter to the Editor: No Representation on Pipelines

Written By Cicero on 3/17/15 | 3/17/15


Dear Editor,

HERE WE GO AGAIN! Another big gas company is starting the process that will eventually lead to eminent domain. They plan to bury another gas pipeline on our properties, using a separate easement. Any landowner who doesn't want this intrusion and injustice will have no say and not one elected official (PETE LOPEZ) will speak up or try to help. I think what constitution pipeline has already done to the families and landowners that have refused to just hand over their land is nothing short of a criminal act. Now we get to go through the same nightmare and it will end no differently. This second larceny will start next month as the land thieves will hold public meetings. Their spokesman who is sometimes called a communications specialist will spread the usual line of bull, sounding much like a politician. Some of the talking points will be job creation and the large amount of taxes they will be paying. All of this touted as a great benefit to the surrounding areas. The truth is not one permanent job will be created and our taxes will continue to rise regardless of what these companies pay. On top of that we don't even get the benefit of using the gas that is being transported through our county. Next step for the land thieves will be to start throwing money around via grants. They have to show the public how community friendly they are and how much they care. It reminds me of a mobster walking into a room and handing out 50 dollar bills to everybody from the bartender to the bathroom attendant. He doesn't care about anyone he's just buying them off all for his benefit. It won't take long to spend that dirty 50 dollars. Another step for the land thieves, while all of this is going on they will be using the U.S. Postal Service to continually bombard the landowners with mailings. Pretty color pictures will arrive. Some showing one of their communication specialists handing a check to some organization of course everyone is  smiling and why not we all like free money. Other pretty pictures will show how everything looks with the pipe buried in the ground. Beautiful green grass always well manicured, looks like a fairway on your favorite golf course  I would like to see the picture of what was there before they cut, bulldozed, dynamited and dug. Show me the picture of what was there before they destroyed and killed every living thing in their path. They will come right in to first steal our land then destroy it and it will be easy. They'll get no resistance from elected officials (James Seward) . So as the landowners start to get up and dust themselves off from the beaten they just took. Here comes the second bully who will use the same tactics to rough us up once again. I expect most will take the beaten and not say or do much. Finally when the dust settles after the second larceny and Schoharie County becomes an interstate for pipelines. I have to ask are we better off with these pipes running through our county?  The county is already littered with real estate signs. People trying to sell their homes and flee this area and most leaving the state. Who is going to want to buy a house with pipelines on the property? I know I wouldn't.

Regards,
Jerry Fiore

Opinion: Keep Administrator As Is


It took the Schoharie County Board of Supervisors fourteen months to establish an administrator to oversee the daily operation of county government. Fourteen months of debate, hearings, research, and soul crushing rehashes of the same arguments for and against. 

And in just one month since the law was enacted, supporters are pushing to amend the administrator to eliminate redundancies of responsibilities between the new position and existing offices, while opponents are pushing to abolish the whole law altogether. 

Worse yet, when voting to set a public hearing on the new administrator proposals, supervisors only set a time and place to discuss the amended version and not the measure to abolish, squashing equal opportunity to continue the ongoing debate in the process. 

By God, only in Schoharie County. 

Let us be frank for a moment: The Schoharie News has stood behind the administrator proposal since day one, because we felt a change in county government is beyond necessary. We didn't stand behind turning this attempt at a solution into yet another problem. 

The original law as written served the needs of county government. The administrator, whomever the poor soul wound up being, would have the authority to oversee the operation of government through all of its faucets, including auditing, budgetary, and financial. 

Guess what? The amended version removes all three of those aspects from an administrator's list of responsibilities because they overlap with existing offices, which apparently justifies their removal and the weakening of an individual not even hired yet.

Again, only in Schoharie County.

Perhaps we are not remembering this accurately, but wasn't the entire purpose of establishing an additional layer of government to serve as a check and balance to the status quo while instituting much needed oversight over all functions of daily operation?

Actually, we just answered our own question, because the answer is definitely yes. Furthermore, if we can't trust an administrator to oversee and work with our exemplary officials and staff in county auditing and treasury, who can we trust him or her to oversee?

With the aforementioned stated, we stand behind the original text of an administrator, and we are opposed to all efforts to either amend or abolish the measure, because if we can't keep this position to help Schoharie County stay on the upright, then we're doomed. 

Buzon Accused of Misconduct by Town Board Member in Testy Exchange


Proceedings of the Middleburgh Town Board descended into chaos Thursday evening when Town Councilman Brian DeFeo accused Middleburgh Supervisor Jim Buzon of improperly conducting himself against the wishes of the town board.

Positioning himself before his colleagues in an unusual display, Mr. DeFeo opened his statement by saying he had "become more concerned about the conduct of our town supervisor," before spending nearly an hour airing several of his grievances. 

Accused of not one, but four charges of misconduct by the town councilman, Mr. Buzon at first listened patiently before barking back at each allegation in turn. Councilman DeFeo accused the town supervisor of:
  1. Taking it upon himself to make committee appointments without the council's knowledge.
  2. Approving unsanctioned work to be conducted by contractors without previous board okay.
  3. Entering into discussions with Constitution Pipeline without informing the town board.
  4. Misrepresenting the town board's official position on an administrator to the county board.

Addressing each malfeasance in response to DeFeo, Buzon defended his actions on each account while decrying the councilman's attempt to make policy disputes personal. The supervisor would later insist that he felt insulted during the hostile exchange. 

Arguing on the first and third charges respectively that he had asked a resident to serve as a last second consult in place of a sick committeemen, and had held discussions with Constitution as part of a group of supervisors, Buzon denied any misconduct.

Further stating that he had made his statement indicating the council's support for an administrator after polling a majority of the board in favor, Buzon pointed out that DeFeo had himself "stood before the county board and said we needed an administrator."

On the second charge, where he was accused of authorizing additional work to be conducted by an outside firm upgrading the Town Hall's security system without receiving town board approval first, the supervisor admitted his guilt by remarking he was "unauthorized to spend $200 to fully secure the building."

Town Councilman David Lloyd suggested Buzon should have made a couple of phone calls before making the authorization, while DeFeo persisted that the supervisor had "circumvented the board." Town board members had approved the additional work earlier that evening. 

Buzon, Chairman of the Flood and Re-licensing Committees on the county board, then accused DeFeo stirring sentiments of collusion at the town hall, where a Power Authority truck had been seen parked on multiple occasions during business hours.

Mr. DeFeo is employed by the New York Power Authority. 

Questioning why DeFeo hadn't offered the town supervisor, "The respect to go into executive session," Councilwoman Sue Makely commented that she was beside herself, and, "horrified," by the exchange her colleague on the board had initiated. Town Highway Superintendent Dale Nunamann walked out in disgust. 

The next day DeFeo sent out sent out an email to town officials and members of the press expressing his apologies for the manner of which he conducted himself the previous evening.

Second Annual Life in Schoharie Photo Contest Submissions

Written By Cicero on 3/16/15 | 3/16/15

Ladies and gentlemen, we have nineteen beautiful photographs submitted from all over Schoharie County to consider in the Second Annual Life in Schoharie Photo Contest. The winner and runner-up will be decided by the number of votes cast by our readers in our poll located on the right-hand sidebar. 

Readers have until Friday at noon to make their decision. The winner will be awarded a $20 gift certificate to Wal-Mart, with the runner-up receiving a $10 gift certificate to The Olde Corner Store. 

Goodluck to all of our submissions and goodluck!

"Beauty in the Hills"
Oorah/The Zone, Jefferson
"The Guarded Fort"
Christy Quinn, Cobleskill
"We'll Never Forget"
Mackenzie D. Hall, Cobleskill
"Beauty in Contrasts"
Aimee Lauterbach, Schoharie
"America's Breadbasket"
Sandy Cornell, Esperance
"A Nose Eye View"
Christian McCance, Cobleskill
"Barn in the Moonlight"
Shelly Bishop, Richmondville
"Valley Serenity"
Ron Forstell, Schoharie
"Winter's End"
Bobbie Borucki, Central Bridge
"Pasture Scenes"
Brianna Guckemus, Howes Cave
"Fall Delight"
Deb Roberts, Altamont
"Where Seasons Collide"
Michael Fahey, Howes Cave
"The First Snow"
Jeannie Jo Balogh, Lawyersville
"Mush, Onward!"
Vic DiSanto, Middleburgh
"Backyard View"
Kesha Haskin, Breakabeen
"Stunning Delight"
Lillian Johnson, Sharon Springs
"Summer's Flourish"
Joan Radliff, Richmondville
"An Evening Dip"
Joe Redmond, Cobleskill
"Staying Classy"
Dr. Best House, Middleburgh

Reminder: DEC Burn Ban in Effect Through May 14


Note: This is a 2012 article from the Department of Environmental Conservation explaining its annual statewide brush burn ban beginning on March 16th and lasting through May 14th.

All residential brush burning is prohibited in smaller communities during the state's historically high fire-risk period from March 16 through May 14, state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Joe Martens reminded New Yorkers today.
"This time of year has the most risk of fires and the risk is even greater this year due to the extremely mild winter we've seen across the state," Commissioner Martens said. "Since the open burning regulation passed in 2009, there have been fewer fires reported in New York state. In an effort to protect the health and safety of our children, families and our natural environment, we remind residents that brush burning is banned statewide beginning this week."
In 2009, New York toughened restrictions on open burning to reduce harmful air pollutants and help prevent wildfires. While the burn ban regulation allows residential brush burning for most of the year in towns with a populations of less than 20,000, it prohibits open burning in all communities during early spring when the bulk of New York's wildfires typically occur. The state regulation prohibits the burning of garbage at all times and in all places.
Several factors enable wildfires to start easily and spread quickly at this time, including the lack of green vegetation, abundance of available fuels such as dry grass and leaves, warm temperatures and wind.
Open burning is the largest single cause of wildfires in New York state. Data from DEC's Forest Protection Division shows that debris burning accounted for about 36 percent of wildfires in the state between 1985 and 2009, which is more than twice the next most-cited cause. In addition, from 2000 to 2009 New York's fire departments responded to an average of 2,300 wildfires each year from March 16 to May 14. That represents about 46 percent of all wildfires for the year.
Fire department data for 2010 and 2011 indicated a 26 percent reduction in wildfires during the burn ban period for those years when compared to the previous 10 years (2000-2009). In addition, 86 percent of all communities across the state had a reduction of wildfires compared with the previous five years.
Some towns are designated "fire towns" primarily in and around the Adirondack Park and Catskill Park. Under the Environmental Conservation Law, open burning is prohibited in these municipalities without a written permit from DEC. Open burning is prohibited at any time in these municipalities. To find out whether a town is a designated "Fire Town" and/or to obtain a permit, parties should contact a DEC regional office. For a directory of the DEC Regional Offices, visit the DEC website.
Violators of the open burning state regulation are subject to both criminal and civil enforcement actions, with a minimum fine of $500 for a first offense. To report environmental law violations call 1-800-TIPP DEC (1-800-847-7332), or report online on DEC's website.
A list of questions and answers on the open burning regulation is available on DEC's website.

County Board to Meet Tonight in Special Session


The Schoharie County Board of Supervisors are holding their second special board meeting in five days this evening. According to sources on the board, the meeting is being held to discuss the stream bank project.

Supervisors are scheduled to meet at 5:00 p.m. on the third floor of the Schoharie County office complex.

Although nothing is specifically spelled out in the official agenda, the flood committee - which oversees the financially troubled stream rehabilitation effort - is slated to address an issue with the whole board.

Stay tuned for updates.

Middleburgh Welcomes New Bistro


Middleburgh's growing business community welcomed a new member Saturday afternoon with the opening of The Green Iguana Bistro on the corner of Wells Avenue and Main Street.

Featuring artisan burgers and sandwiches, the bistro has been the brainchild of partners Eric Crater and Bob Stevenot, who have worked since 2013 to renovate the one-time Middleburgh Library into a beautifully decorated dining establishment.

Photos by Sheila Donegan
Offering a wide variety of sandwiches and salads, The Green Iguana takes traditional American style food and shapes it with a modern twist. In addition to the menu options, the bistro offers an extensive wine and beer bar.

Joining an ever increasing number of businesses to have opened on Main Street Middleburgh the past fifteen months, the bistro's opening is just another step in the community's long journey to recovery following the devastating effects of Hurricane Irene.

Preceded by Fish Tales & Fur, The Valley Pharmacy, The Olde Corner Store, and Green Wolf Brewery, Crater and Stevenot's creation is in good company for future success. Success that has already been obtained, if you ask their first customers this past weekend.

State Police Conduct School Zone Speed Enforcement in Sharon

Written By Cicero on 3/14/15 | 3/14/15


New York State Police stationed in Cobleskill recently performed a school zone speed enforcement details at the Sharon Springs Central School in the Town of Sharon, according to a press release issued today.

The detail was executed during the afternoon and encompassed the dismissal time of students as well as various after school activities. Six motorists were issued traffic citations for speeding violations.

This detail was run in conjunction with ongoing traffic safety initiatives that are focused on highway and pedestrian safety. Troopers plan more efforts in the future to ensure highway safety in Schoharie County.

Traffic Stop Leads to Drug Bust in Coby

State Police arrested a Cobleskill man on a drug charge following a traffic stop on State Route 7 in the Town of Cobleskill.

Dak A. Kruglak age 18 of Cobleskill was arrested and charged with Unlawful Possession of Marihuana following a traffic stop.  Kruglak was stopped for a Vehicle and Traffic Violation and found to be in possession of approximately 5 grams of Marihuana.  

Kruglak was issued an Appearance Ticket to appear in the Town of Cobleskill Court on March 17, 2015 at 4:00 PM.
 

DOT Reduces Speed on Two Middleburgh Roads


Drivers in the Town of Middleburgh will have to slow down on a pair of local roadways. 

Announcing that the New York State Department of Transportation has recently completed two speed reduction studies on the municipality's request, town officials informed residents of the speed changes at Thursday evening's monthly town board meeting. 

The new restrictions are limited to Frisbieville and Middlefort Roads and will soon be going to effect.

Slicing the maximum speed a motor vehicle can travel on either road down to thirty miles per hour, the Middleburgh Highway Department will be responsible for acquiring the necessary signage to properly post the new speed limit for motorists. 

Department of Transportation officials signaled a desire to reduce speed on the Town of Schoharie's share of Frisbieville Road as well, but it can only be done so if their municipal board requests a study be conducted on the merits of a possible reduction.


Tennessee Gas Announces Public Houses to Address Second Pipeline

Written By Cicero on 3/13/15 | 3/13/15


Laying the groundwork for a second natural gas pipeline to come through Schoharie County, Kinder-Morgan's North East Direct (owned by Tennessee Gas) has announced a series of public houses to address the public's concerns on their project. 

Slated to follow a similar path of that of Constitution Pipeline, which has received the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's blessing, Tennessee Gas has begun the process of plotting their own gas transportation route to reach new energy hungry markets.

Two public houses are scheduled to be held in Schoharie County: April 6th in Schoharie at the Days Inn & Suites and April 14th in Richmondville at the Radez Elementary School. Neither date has an announced time as of publication.

Center for Sustainable Rural Communities representative Bob Neid told The Schoharie News in an email exchange on Wednesday that, "I believe this is not just an environmental issue it is an economic and class issue as well. "

He would further comment that he thought, "Low income rural communities with little political clout are being exploited and abused."

The Schoharie County Board of Supervisors has taken a series of stands against the incursion of additional pipelines in recent months, with one resolution being passed just last month signaling their opposition to the use of eminent domain against county residents.

Second Annual Life in Schoharie Photo Contest


It's that time of the year again, Schoharie County. As we have stated in the past, The Schoharie News utilizes photos on a regular basis to add a visual component to our articles, because they add a little something extra to our pieces. 

However, nothing gives us more pleasure than seeing your work behind the camera displayed for all to see. 

With that in mind, we would like to announce our second annual "Life in Schoharie Photo Contest," where you can submit one photograph of anything Schoharie County related to be considered for a pair of gift certificates.

Last year's inaugural winner Cheyla Bevins won the prize
after submitting this beautiful photo of the Schoharie Creek. 
The winner of the contest will be judged by the readers of The Schoharie News, who will have three days to review the photos before voting on their favorite submission on the right-hand sidebar of the website. 

A $20 dollar gift certificate to Cobleskill Wal-Mart will be awarded to the victor, with the runner-up receiving a $10 gift certificate to the Olde Corner Store in Middleburgh.

All contest entries must be e-mailed to theschoharienews@gmail.com, with the subject "Schoharie News Photo Contest," by noon on Monday. Shortly thereafter, all photos will be published on the website for our readers to take into consideration. 

You must include your name and town of residence for your submission to count.

Goodluck!

Comic-Con Coming to Saratoga Springs

Written By Cicero on 3/12/15 | 3/12/15


Saratoga Springs, NY - Due to the rising pop culture and comic book fan demand, Saratoga Springs will be hosting a comic-con platform on Saturday, April 25, 2015 from 8:30 a.m.-11:00 p.m. with a pre-party scheduled for the prior Friday evening. 

This one-day event will feature:
  • WWE Superstar Brutus 'The Barber' Beefcake, Erica Schroeder voice actress from Pokemon, Yu-GiOh, and more, Blake Foster from Power Rangers, and more special appearances to come
  • Top comic book artists like Mark Mckenna, Paul Abrams, Richard Clark, Kevin Conrad, Michael Oppenheimer, Victor L. Castro and more! · Cosplay group Hero Army, Kathrine Zan, Ruby Rinekso, and Jennifer Rose will make a special appearance
  • Vendors and dealers from all over the North Eastern states
  • Show floor events will include Artists, Celebrities, Gaming, Free Movie Theater, Costume Contest, Panels, Live Podcasts, KITT – from Knight Ranger, and other pop culture fun
General admission tickets are $7 for online purchase of single day passes ($10 at door day of), and VIP packages for $25 and $50 are available for purchase on www.chasecon.org. Children under 4 are free.

There is a  $10 entrance fee to attend the pre-party unless you buy a $50 VIP ticket, which will include the pre-party ticket fee. 

ChaseCon, is a New York privately owned company dedicated to following the mold of the traditional comic con - while providing the perfect mix and experience of current pop culture events. ChaseCon Expo, will include features such as: artists/illustrators/writers from the comic industry, film/television celebrities, book authors, science fiction/fantasy, gaming, Cosplay, and educational opportunities. 

ChaseCon believes that community participation is essential in creating a successful event, therefore we believe it is an important priority for us to give back through supporting local businesses and charity events. Since 2014, ChaseCon Expo has consistently listened and studied the desires of the “comic con attendee” to create the ultimate atmosphere and experience. For more information on ChaseCon Expo please visit chasecon.org or e-mail at chaseconexpo@hotmail.com

Letter to the Editor: Step Right Up to the County Circus

Dear Editor:
Step Right Up
The Schoharie County Board of Supervisors has a less than auspicious history of inaction, political shenanigans and internal conflict that includes comic wrangling over seat assignments and the embarrassing episode of board members essentially suing themselves over committee appointments.
Given that history, they should have willingly embraced the suggestion, stewarded by Wayne Stinson and other bright and concerned citizens, to move the county toward a system of governance that included a professional County Executive (a system that works well in other counties). Ever selfish and shortsighted, the County Board moved instead to appoint a County Administrator, a role that would be relativity ineffective, have little or no autonomy and still be subject to the adolescent-like whims of the Board. But alas, even a weak and insignificant change by the Board could not stand up to the backroom political maneuvering as members of the Board moved quickly to first water down the already inconsequential role of the Administrator and then tried to abolish the position altogether before anyone could even be sworn in.
As the little brightly colored circus car that is county government continues to drive around the midway, the clowns continue to trip over their big shoes as they jump in and out of the back seat. If it weren’t for the need to actually govern a county in precipitous economic decline, county residents could watch the entertaining slapstick show with dispassionate amusement. Instead, we all sit in shock and wonder how the county will ever survive without competent leadership and without a vision for the future.
There is only one way to fix this pathetic situation and that is for smart people to move off the sidelines and run for office and for concerned citizens to elect them, support them and participate in the process.  Unless that happens the side show of Schoharie politics will continue to run indefinitely or until the county simply collapses.
Bob Nied

Confusion Reigns as Supervisors Debate Two Visions for Administrator


A public hearing for ye, but not for thee. That was the decision the Schoharie County Board of Supervisors made when faced with dueling local laws concerning the administrator position on Wednesday night.

Convening in a special legislative session to discuss an amended version of the administrator that was passed over in favor of the law's original draft in February, supervisors also heard arguments for a local law put forth with the intention of abolishing the recently created position altogether. 

However, only one was approved to move forward in the process. 

Arguing that it would address redundancies between the administrator and existing county offices, Conesville Supervisor Bill Federice introduced proposed Local Law #3 as an opportunity to "strengthen the text and verbiage" of the current statute. 

Removing wide swathes of the original bill, which had tasked the administrator with working on budgetary and financial matters, critics of the amendment have accused the law's backers of bowing down to external and internal political pressures associated with the overlapping duties.

A motion to set a public hearing on the amended version of the administrator position was made by Schoharie Supervisor Gene Milone and approved 10-3. The hearing was set to take place during another special county board meeting on Tuesday, March 31 at 5:00 p.m. 

Not all proposed local laws would receive the same treatment. 

Sponsored by Fulton Supervisor Phil Skowfoe, proposed Local Law #4 states simply that, "The position of Administrator for Schoharie County which position was established by Local Law #1 is hereby abolished." 

Posing the query that, "If you're going to amend something why did you pass it to begin with," an impassioned Skowfoe questioned the reasoning behind the amended version. The legislator would later state that if his colleagues wanted to do away with the original law, his bill was, "there to take it out of the question."

Although it obtained eight yeas to six nays to holding a concurrent debate on both laws in the special March 31 meeting, the weighted votes just weren't there to keep the law alive and it failed from the combined clout of those opposed.

Voting against holding a public debate for Local Law #4 were Supervisors Barbic, Federice, Jordan, Lape, McAllister, and Milone. All of whom had just minutes before supported holding a public hearing for proposed Local Law #3. 

Declaring that he was, "ashamed of this board," and that, "this has turned out to be one of the biggest political fiasco's," Skowfoe angrily accused the administrator's supporters of making a handshake deal behind closed doors to ramrod the amended version through by the end of March.  

Expressing his own disappointment with those voting against debate, Esperance Supervisor Earl VanWormer commented that, "It doesn't seem like you want a true democratic process." He stated later that supervisors were taking the decision out of the public's hands. 

Mr. Federice, for his part, stated toward the end of discussion that residents already had the chance to express their opinion on an administrator over the fourteen month period of time it was before the county board.

Opposed to the removal of an administrator's role in the budgetary process, Middleburgh Supervisor Jim Buzon signaled his opposition to the amended version. The key vote in passing the original law, Buzon explained that on the amendment, "You're not going to have my vote."

Offering, in his words, a chance for his colleagues to redeem themselves, Skowfoe made a motion to hold a public hearing on abolishing the administrator at the regularly scheduled April county board meeting at 10:00 a.m. instead, but that too failed along the same lines as the initial vote.

Visibly disgusted, the nine-term incumbent said only that, "I guess you're really afraid of what the public will see." 

Letter to the Editor: Admin Debacle Proves We Need a New County Board

Written By Cicero on 3/11/15 | 3/11/15

To the Editor:

I love serendipity.  A nice bit popped up this morning and it can really stand the light of day.  The crocuses don't need the light yet.  Soon, I hope.  But, I digress.....

I started my day's reading with the Schoharie News, email edition.  Among the information was a brief financial report of the major parties in the county and some suggested implications on the November election at which time all the county supervisor positions will be decided.  I wondered to myself what  impact the new Administrator position and person might have on those important elections in our little county.  I didn't plan to give it more thought.  Serendipity, however, had other plans.

The Daily Gazette arrived not much later and imagine my surprise (and maybe my amusement) when I read (under the headline: "Administrator plan sees challenge, change", page C2) that Supervisor Philip Skowfoe, Fulton, has introduced Local Law 4 to the Schoharie Board of Supervisors.  Local Law 4 of 2015, if passed, will abolish Local Law 1 of 2015.  Local Law 1 created the position of full-time Administrator for the County.  Skowfoe wants it gone and is quoted, saying, "We've got something that works now, why are we changing it?"  

His motion highlights a beautiful irony.  That is, the Board voted and Democracy was served.  The decision was made, fairly and squarely.  We are to have an administrator.  In the interest of full disclosure, I think the administrator is a good move and I said so the Board last fall.  I get that Skowfoe doesn't like it and doesn't agree with it but the deal is done.  

His willingness to waste time and tie up the board with any consideration of Local Law 4 stands as a perfect illustration of exactly why a County Administrator is needed.  Mr. Skowfoe, we do not have something that works now.  We need to change it.  You are proof.

The Times Journal editorialized on the particulars of the upcoming selection process and gave nary a hint of knowledge that Skowfoe had introduced Local Law 4.  I will give the TJ editor the benefit of the doubt that he knew and chose (wisely and with meaning) to simply ignore it as foolish folly.    

So, with enough Spring in the air to keep the temperature above freezing, this very morning gave me 1) a reminder of a pending election that can repopulate the County Board of Supervisors, 2) a specific reason to do so (not that I really needed one, just sayin') and 3) some specific thinking about how we take forward an important step.  All the local news outlets inadvertently conspiring has to be serendipity.  Has to mean something.

With luck, we will have a County Administrator before the November elections.  That position alone is intended to improve our lot but the position and person will be either hindered or helped by the people we elect as Supervisors.  We don't need to wait to know that there is willingness to impede our progress.  We will need to wait until November to elect a Board that values progress above obstruction but there is no question that is what we need to do.  We need to change something that doesn't work.

Chris Claus

Supervisors to Convene Special Meeting Tonight


The Schoharie County Board of Supervisors are convening a special county board meeting tonight to discuss an issue related to The Special County Administrator Exploratory Committee, according to the official agenda.

Supervisors are scheduled to meet at 4:00 p.m. on the third flood of the Schoharie County office complex. 

Although nothing has been publicly confirmed or disclosed, rumors are floating that the recently created Administrator position is facing both external and internal push-back, perhaps the cause of tonight's session.

Opinion: Rural America's Suicide Epidemic


Rural America is often seen as the heartland of this great country, with Schoharie County a shining representation of all its hard working ethos and well natured community spirit.

However, if The Atlantic's Julie Beck is to believed, our position might also put us in the cross-hairs for tragedy:
In rural America, where there are more guns, fewer people, and fewer doctors than in the urban U.S., young people are at particular risk of suicide.
A study published Monday in JAMA Pediatrics analyzed suicides among people aged 10 to 24 between 1996 and 2010, and found that rates were nearly doubled in rural areas, compared to urban areas.
She stated the aforementioned in her recent piece "The Growing Risk of Suicide in Rural America," an eye opening and question spurring article that addresses several issues we have grown increasingly accustomed to in our own community.

Namely, the county's lack of sufficient employment opportunities and a growing sense among young people of feeling out of place with a population that is rapidly aging. Combine that with a cultural stigmatization and we are in trouble.

The statistical realities are just as disheartening, according to Beck:
Both adults and adolescents are at greater risk of suicide in remote areas of the U.S., according to a 2006 literature review. But suicide is in general more common among adolescents and young adults: It’s the third leading cause of death for people aged 15 to 24, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the second for people 25 to 34, and the 10th most common among the general population.
So what are we to do? We know Schoharie County isn't immune to this type of tragedy - just last fall a SUNY Cobleskill student took his own life on campus. What is the solution to a problem that can impact anyone from any background?

Well, whatever the solution, it has to begin with the recognition that there is a problem to begin with and that once we can accept that reality, we can let go of a cultural stigmatization that only emboldens a sense of apathy and loneliness.

After that acceptance the rest will fall into place, most of which involves an increase in mental health awareness and societal understanding. I don't think it can be stressed enough that the simple act of understanding can make the difference.

For anyone who is going through difficulties and needs a kind voice to hear your troubles, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) and talk to one of their caring counselors, because your life is worth it. 

The Best of the Summer

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