SOMETHING’S COMING SATURDAY NIGHT TO THE OPEN EYE!

by Julie Zimmermann

Circles come round. Old stories are retold. Musicals are revived. 

But few revived musicals of size and magnitude make it, even on the Great White Way. Which is why this retelling of a much-loved story is a weekend calendar Margaretville must.

This Saturday, June 28th, The Open Eye Theater is hosting a different version of this iconic Broadway show: “Electric’s West Side Story (On The Lower East Side),” a 75-minute family-friendly show, written by one person, with one person playing all the roles. 

That person is the enigmatic William ‘Electric’ Black, who takes the original 1957 musical, set on the upper west side, to the lower east side, Black’s own stomping ground.  

“Who wouldn’t want to take the classic tale that is West Side Story and have fun with it? It’s a solo performer’s stand-up: acting out all the play’s main characters. Why not infuse all the energy of that show and brew up all the personalities? It’s a zany West Side Story that takes place as I’m onstage by myself. But it’s improvisational, and it’s interactive: the audience gets involved.” 

Audiences for Electric’s show include fans of the famed musical— grandparents, parents and kids, as well as musical-comedy buffs who love to join in. Loyal fans of the beloved musical enjoy sharing the show’s message, especially in today’s atmosphere of social unrest. Kids and adults alike are taken back to the 50’s complete with gifted goodies associated with the era. Electric’s energy often has repeat fans returning again and again.  

A self-described “long-time theater guy,” and wearer of many, many hats, Electric is a an Emmy-award winning writer, a director, actor, performer, lyricist and educator. 

William 'Electric' Black

Ian Ellis James (real name) teaches dramatic writing at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. He inspires his students to stay relevant to the times—and the economy, exploring the worlds of acting, directing, and producing across all mediums.

“Jim Henson had just passed away when I got on board at Sesame Street,” Electric shares. “The Gospel Alphabet” came out of a script I’d written when Patti LaBelle made it her own. Then Queen Latifah recorded, “That’s the Letter ‘O’” and I got to create all kinds of hilarious way-off stuff.”

Black’s garnered seven Emmys for his work on Sesame Street. He’s also a regional Tony award winner in association with his many La MaMa productions. He’s penned more than thirty plays since then that strike a strong stance on social issues, performed in major cities across the U.S. Themes impacting children and community are his forte. By highlighting topics from peer pressure to gun awareness, Electric exposes situational circumstances steeped in strong statistics, creating opportunities for change through the magic of theater.

       

“If you are writing, you are always ready to work on something that is a potential vehicle for yourself; a solo show. I’ve been inventing characters and doing solo performances for a long time.” 

Theater for the New City, under the artistic directorship of Crystal Fields, first produced Electric’s version of West Side Story (On the Lower East Side.) It was there he also gave birth to “Gunplays,” a set of five plays “dealing with gun violence and insolence.” 

“I met Open Eye's Artistic Director Amie Brockway some time ago and stayed in touch with the theater’s original people. I used to do readings with them in the city, and so it’s great to catch up to them in Margaretville after all this time with one of my first big musicals.”

The fifties are alive and well this Saturday as Tony, Maria, Riff, Bernardo, Officer Krupke and Anita take the stage. The circle’s come round and everything about it is Electric. 

The Open Eye Theater is located at 960 Main Street in Margaretville. The show is Saturday, June 28th at 7:00PM. There will be a brief talk-back after the show. 

Pay-What-You-Will ($20 Suggested) Reservations: theopeneyetheater.org

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County Election Process Deemed First Rate

By Chris English

SCHOHARIE COUNTY — There was praise aplenty for the way Schoharie County operates its elections at the Friday, June 20 County Board of Supervisors Meeting.

During the Privilege of the Floor part of the meeting, State Senator Peter Oberacker and State Representative Christopher Tague lauded county election employees, officials and poll workers for their hard work and efficiency.

"Schoharie County is the best and that's not a lie," Tague said.

"This is a real model we haven't seen in any other county," added Jeff Furman of the voting advocacy group Rejoice The Vote. He was joined by fellow RTV member Sara Hess at the meeting, and they presented the two state lawmakers with a trophy honoring the county's election accomplishments.

In other actions from the June 20 meeting, the Infrastructure Committee was directed to review whether some county-owned land at the corner of South Grand Street and Mineral Springs Road in Cobleskill can possibly be conveyed to the Cobleskill Agricultural Society and converted into more parking for the Cobleskill Fairgrounds.

The matter was brought up late in the meeting by County Supervisor John Leavitt of Carlisle, who said that the Fairgrounds is thriving in so many ways and could certainly use more parking. The Infrastructure Committee will look into it and make a recommendation to the full BOS.

The BOS approved a resolution for a project on County Route 9/Caverns Road over Cobleskill Creek in the Town of Cobleskill. It authorizes the county to pay 100 percent of the cost of construction, construction support and construction inspection with the understanding that qualified costs may be eligible for federal aid, state aid or reimbursement from Bridge NY funds.

The cost of the project has been estimated at $4.86 million. Per the resolution, the county BOS agrees that the county shall be responsible for all costs of the project that exceed the amount of federal aid, state aid or Bridge NY funding. The project is currently slated to be paid for 95 percent with federal funds and the rest with non-federal funds.

The BOS approved a resolution opposing proposed state legislation that would prohibit any new or expanding Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) permits.

Also approved was a resolution supporting the enactment of proposed state legislation that would establish a five-year state moratorium on the use of biosolids. The BOS had previously approved a six-month Schoharie County moratorium on the use of biosolids, which is the organic matter left after sewage is treated.

Appointed to the Schoharie County Board of Ethics was Dan Lamont of Cobleskill (term expiring Dec. 31, 2026); Robert Smith of Carlisle (Dec. 31, 2026) and James Spencer of Middleburgh (Dec. 31, 2026).

Also approved was a resolution appointing five members to the Adirondack Appalachian Regional Emergency Medical Services Council. They are Judyth Tiffany (term expiring Dec. 31, 2025); Howard Huth (Dec. 31, 2026); Daniel Bixby (Dec. 31, 2025); Owen Hahn (Dec. 31, 2026) and Peter Nichols (alternate, Dec. 31, 2026).

 

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Drum Circles at Landis July 2

ESPERANCE – There will be drum circles at Landis Arboretum on Lape Road in Esperance on July 2 at 6:30 pm at the Peace Garden Pavilion. Registration: Registration: Drumming is free for everyone. If you enjoy drum circle, though, your donations will help us maintain the beautiful Peace Garden where we meet. This event is sponsored by Nick Zabawsky.

Drum Circles Return to Landis!

Drumming is returning to Landis! Join us from 6:30 to 8:30 PM on the first and third Wednesdays of the month (June 4th and 18th, July 2nd and 16th, August 6th and 20th, and September 3th and 17th) We’ll be in or near the Peace Pavilion at Landis to drum with leader Art Teale. Art is a dedicated musician (his group is Waitin’ on Bob) and a well-respected handyman in the area who welcomes seasoned drummers and newbies for a fun and relaxing experience. 

Please bring:

A drum (or a plastic bucket that makes a nice sound when struck), or rhythm sticks or other rhythm instrument 

A chair or if you prefer, a lawn blanket to sit on

Water (stay hydrated, people!)

Bug stuff to repel both mosquitos and ticks

 

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Volunteers Needed: Represent Esperance in Comprehensive Plan Committee

 

Sitting at new tables made by Jerry Weis (that will soon get 7 mats to prevent damage) during the monthly Esperance Town Board Meeting for June. Officials include: Michael Keller, (empty seat held for Barbara Sharpe not in attendance), Harold Conklin, Benjamin Gigandet, and Town Supervisor Earl Van Wormer III. Not in the photo, but also present were Deputy Supervisor Brian D. Largeteau, Town Clerk Jessica Castle, and Highway Superintendent Michelle Brust.

 

By Heather Skinner

ESPERANCE — At this month’s Esperance Town Board Meeting, Town Supervisor Earl Van Wormer III updated that 3 - 4 more Comprehensive Plan Committee volunteers are needed. To apply for grant opportunities that would benefit the Town and communities with things like infrastructure and road improvements, updating this plan is a key factor. Van Wormer doesn’t anticipate big changes in zoning laws as an outcome and would like a variety of volunteers. For example, there’s still not a volunteer representing input from the Village of Esperance. No prior Town meeting involvement is required to volunteer; call the Town Hall at 518-875-6109, or message Van Wormer at his new email address: supervisor@esperancetown-ny.gov.

To help with Van Wormer’s incoming emails that Town Clerk, Jessica Castle, has been helping manage, a motion was carried to hire an assistant for Van Wormer. The new hire is Luanne Mansheffer from the Water and Sewer Board who Van Wormer is already in close contact with. She will be working 10 hours a month to keep eyes and ears on grant opportunities at all times and help with the many full-time aspects of being a Town Supervisor that weren’t a part of the position even 5 years back. Because of this, Van Wormer said hiring an assistant is a decision Supervisors in other towns have also been making.

In addition to Van Wormer and Castle, Board members in attendance were Michael Keller, Harold Conklin, Benjamin Gigandet, Deputy Supervisor Brian D. Largeteau, and Highway Superintendent Michelle Brust.

Largeteau brought up something he noticed wasn’t mentioned in the Code Enforcement Report; A building he referred to as, “The Old Headstone Inn in Central Bridge near the cemetery”, seems to have collapsed. Van Wormer will make sure the Code Enforcement officer is aware. 

During the Town Clerk report, congratulations were in order as the marriage licensing and transcripts total for the month included the wedding of their very own Deputy Supervisor Largeteau’s son! Castle also updated that she settled taxes with the County treasurer.

Castle provided a list of records that have reached the end of their life expectancy and received Board authorization to destroy them. For example, it is expected they destroy bank statements after 6 years, creating space for newer documents as they accumulate. 

Brust detailed roads and blocked, crushed, and rusted culvert damage that the recent 4 inches of heavy rain, flooding, and debris have caused. Brust said it was lucky they didn’t lose the surface of Regan Road, but it unfortunately lost its shoulders. Sprakers Road had to be closed for a period of time and is so undermined that the Post Office is refusing to deliver mail to a homeowner there until it gets fixed. Bray road has also been undermined and is most urgently in need of repairs. Brust called 4 contractors to get estimates and found a way to save the Town $1,000 on the cost required to fix one of the culverts. Van Wormer recognized the need to fix this damage to prevent it from impacting the roads worse in the future, so the Board carried a motion approving up to $60,000 to get those repairs started.

It was brought to the attention of the Board that a new County employee billed Village snow removal to the Village, who then paid for it. Brust explained the Town typically pays for the Village’s snow removal. It will be an ongoing conversation next month as Brust investigates why her numbers don’t match the County’s numbers for the removal.

With the budget always having unexpected fluctuations, Van Wormer said he will be recommending a change in how they budget that will help take some of the guesswork out of it. He would like to set up a contingency account to help make other accounts whole in a timely manner when needed, and that would also allow unused line-item amounts by the end of a year to easily carry over for general distribution into the next year. 

Van Wormer reported that revenue and expenditures are pretty good for where we are in the year. They have not yet billed for Chips fund reimbursements that help cover road work, but once they do, Van Wormer said it will make up the difference currently lacking in their revenues. Overall, Van Wormer reported, “As our assets show, we are in really good shape.”

In the Assessor and Youth report, it was mentioned that in some communities, it was found there were houses built without building permits that aren’t on that tax roll.

Esperance Town Board Meetings are every 3rd Thursday of the month; 7:00 PM at the Town Hall, located at 104 Charleston Street. In July, that will fall on the 17th. A motion at this meeting approved the scheduling of a 7:15 PM public hearing during the July 17th meeting about Central Bridge Water District Improvements.  Van Wormer explained it’s very competitive to obtain Community Development Block Grant program funding opportunities, but they will have the required Engineering Report to apply, and it’s worth the efforts to receive input from the public and try for what would be a very helpful grant funding opportunity should they get approved.

Mike West plans to be at the September meeting to discuss RV and Camping Regulation.

Village Meetings are every 2nd Monday at the Village Hall at 7:00 PM. Both Town and Village meetings start with the Pledge of Allegiance and offer opportunities for all in attendance to speak and ask questions during Privilege of the Floor. 

Attending Town Board Meetings is also your opportunity to look through the Correspondence Folder each month. Van Wormer explained the folder usually contains newsletters from The Gathering Place, etc. According to this month’s agenda, it also contained a Schoharie County Conservations Association Newsletter, a Town of Westerlo Parade Invitation, and correspondence from Charter Communications and FEMA.

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Explore The Esperance Village Commons: Historical Museum

 

Ken Jones explained when the Museum was a school, kids got to lead The Pledge of Allegiance & ring the bell on their birthday like Jones is doing in this photo! On your way out from the museum, you can see the Hungry For History Chocolate Jumbles dedication sign about the popular treat in their cookbooks dating back to 1970 & that were judged at the Schoharie County Fair as early as 1916.

Rare finds you can view at the Esperance Historical Museum: pottery pieces from Schoharie county with local names on them, unusual stoneware bottle with writing on it from around 1825; dug up at an old foundation near the county line, Bibles from 1702 & 1740, cannonballs, & bell with cherubs, filigree cross, & grape vines details, & French & Latin writing on it saying, “Made for the glorification of god made by me 1738.” Other amazing vintage pieces to view: wooden crates for carrying eggs to trade at the general store, old photographs from the Memorial Day Parade, original Norman Rockwell poster, sorting table from one of the oldest post offices in the county, & jeweler sign that belonged to the father of Fred Lape, who founded Landis Arboretum.

This Erie Canal & Lafayette’s Tour Bicentennial exhibit will only be viewable until Labor Day; don’t miss your chance to read all about them at the Esperance Historical Museum Saturdays & Sundays 1 PM - 4 PM! 

  

By Heather Skinner

ESPERANCE- Esperance Historical Society President, Ken Jones, said at the Esperance Commons, “We’ve got a great collection of local history & folklore.” There’s agricultural equipment in the Carriage Barn & great learning opportunities. Highlighting, “It’s all free! If kids want to go on the swing sets or on the rides or have a picnic, we have a park right across the street.” 

Jones & Display Curator, Sandra Farah, have fond memories of attending the Museum when it was a schoolhouse from 1878-1968; Farah used the word “extraordinary” & comparisons to Leave It to Beaver to describe her childhood in the 50s & 60s, & remembers the wonder of finding books by Dr. Seuss on the school’s bookshelf.

Their School Room exhibit houses desks, an 1856 map used to make the atlas they sell, & a photo of Helen R. Montanye’s last 1968 class.

In addition to acquiring Museum items & keeping local history preserved & shared, Jones is writing a book on William North.

William North is prominent in this season’s annual, rotating exhibit of Erie Canal & Lafayette’s Tour Bicentennials. North was the founder of the Village of Esperance, on the 1810 trip to layout the Erie Canal, grew up in Boston during The Boston Tea Party, & had connections to Paul Revere, George Washington, Baron von Steuben, & Alexander Hamilton.

Their Research Library contains collections you can’t find anywhere else; Methodist history, Civil War, stories by local authors & poets, Sheldon Jackson’s personal reports, church records, genealogy, census books, cemetery records, & a Survey from 1729. Also, 300 Kniskern family documents obtained through a NYC auction house thanks to donations, & how to research your house’s history.

Exhibits include Doctor’s, WWI, WWII, & a covered toll bridge model with original & carved pieces from bridge wood. The Museum worked closely with authors Ronald G. Knapp & Terry E. Miller whose book, Theodore Burr and the Bridging of Early America, is available on Amazon featuring a photo of the bridge that stood from 1812-1930 on its cover.

There’s an exhibit & book about The Esperance Witch, whose sign on Route 20 was blessed by real witches during its dedication ceremony.

Their Civil War display case includes history of George Turnbull, Hicky Berg, the Hunter family, & hat molds made to incorporate birds, which were so popular some worried birds would go extinct.

Wonder where “Pop Goes the Weasel” came from? They have one! It’s a tool to measure & spin yarn.

Their Victorian scene from the 1840s was supplied by the grandparents of one of the Museum’s volunteers, Kirt Feuz, & includes a parlor organ used throughout generations.

See Esperance Band memorabilia from the 1800s-early 20s, and from Andy Quick’s Volunteer Fire Department Band. Unfortunately, the band hasn’t met since Covid, which Jones says is, “Really a crime because we were one of the last little places to have our own band up until then;” he hopes to see the band resurge again.

Donations & volunteers make a huge difference. Jones said they aren’t funded by grants & lots of talented people give their time to get a lot done on a small budget. Nick Juried’s donation is to thank for roof work. Their storage shed was given by a member. Laurel Berbach lives in FL; helping each summer. Open Museum hours are overseen by volunteers. Jones expressed the importance of younger generations being interested in volunteering & is looking forward to 4 new volunteers after school finishes. 

Those interested in being added to the Book Buddies volunteer email list to help with cataloging, exhibits, flowers, etc., reach out through The Esperance Historical Museum Facebook page; they meet twice a month.

Every detail tells a story, even bookmarks on their front desk created by community member Roberta Von Hamman, who lived to be 103 (at one time in the apartment above Eastman’s Cheese House). The legacy of one of the founders of the Museum, Dorothy Edwards, contributes today in reel-to-reel interviews with residents from the 70s that will be converted to digital and into a reworked play for their Aug. 23rd event, Old Esperance Memories with Willard Martin. It’ll feature Esperance residents & after, attendees will be invited to the Museum to review their scrapbook collection.

Upcoming Museum events at 123 Church Street include July 13th Family Home Run Day; (all ages) view their baseball exhibit & kids stitch their own felt ball at 1 PM,  Aug. 10th with New Blenheim Bridge site engineer Rick Christman, September 6th Annual Yard Sale, October 11th Soup & a Stroll guided walking tour of Esperance street names with connections to Revolutionary War Veterans, & December 6th Christmas at the Esperance Museum with Christmas exhibits, cocoa, craft sale, & letters to Santa drop-off. 

They’ll bring the Museum to you with hands-on games of What Is It? & prizes at Schoharie Lily Festival on July 12th & with an exhibit featuring the tourist homes & fishing sites of Esperance at the Altamont Fair (August 12th -17th). 

Great for school, homeschool, Historical Society, & family day trips! Head to the Esperance Historical Museum, dubbed one of the most interesting & best small-town museums on Route 20 by the Historic Route 20 Association. Their open season runs Saturdays & Sundays 1 PM - 4 PM Memorial Day – Labor Day. Your journey through time begins with HOPE greeting you when you walk in; the first wall display states ESPERANCE is the French Word for HOPE. 

Follow Esperance Historical Museum on Facebook for updates. They’ll have a new website up soon, then will look into using QR codes or phone numbers to add a self-guided tour element to the Museum. Some of their books are available online at https:// payhip.com/EsperanceHistoricalSociety. 

Attend Esperance Village meetings every 2nd Monday of the month in the Village Meeting Hall at 7:00 PM for ongoing Historical Society updates, & check out next week’s Mountain Eagle for a continuation of this article with more details about the Esperance Commons Carriage Barn & Presbyterian Church.

 

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FFLA Conference in Richmondville

RICHMONDVILLE – The New York State Chapter of the Forest Fire Lookout Association (FFLA) kicked off its Eastern Conference last Friday, welcoming members from across the country for a three-day event featuring tower tours, guest speakers, and association meetings.

The conference began Friday, June 20, at the Richmondville Fire Hall with registration and an official welcome by NYS Chapter Director Laurie Rankin, of Bloomville. Following the morning introductions, attendees visited the Bramley Mountain and Berry Hill Fire Towers. The day concluded with a chicken barbecue and an FFLA Board of Directors meeting. The event drew attendees from across New York State, as well as from Idaho, North Carolina, and Virginia. FFLA National Chairman Michael Guerin attended from California.

The conference continued Saturday, June 21, with a series of presentations at the fire hall. The lineup of speakers included the president of the Friends of Bramley Mountain Fire Tower, the mayor of Speculator, a New York State Forest Ranger, and representatives from Team Rubicon. SUNY ESF Professor Andrew Yacht is also slated to speak with some of his graduate students. In the afternoon, attendees will visit Kane Mountain and Makomis at Speculator fire towers.

The conference concludes Sunday, June 22, with a lineup of towers, including some private ones, that members can visit on their own.

 

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Finance Committee Approves Infrastructure Contracts - Sales Tax Revenue Slightly Up

By Matthew Avitabile

SCHOHARIE – At the Wednesday June 18 Schoharie County Finance Committee, Supervisors made several changes to the county budget and contracts. Supervisors Sandra Manko of Sharon, Jeff Haslun of Richmondville, and Harold Vroman held the meeting, including a number of members of the public and county employees. 

The meeting included approving contracts, such as for the Caverns Road Bridge Replacement for $3.894 million and $629,145 for Carver Construction for the replacement of the Ecker Hollow culvert. 

There was also discussion of a potential contract with Mom's Meals until July 1, 2026 to deliver meals to the older population of the county in case of a lapse of Meals on Wheels via the Senior Council to "safeguard the program." 

The committee also approved a contract for $12,000 per year with a 3.5% annual increase for Moise Marmozette as Medical Director. The Finance Committee also approved a $867,208 with Thermo Bond Building, LLC for "miscellaneous construction work and maintenance services for hut(s) for the Schoharie County broadband project as well as an engagement letter for auditing for the same project with Bonadio accounting. 

The committee also approved $3 million with Motorola Solutions for communication equipment for the Sheriff's Department. 

There were also renewals of a $375.01 per month contract with Inovalon for billing services for Mental Health and with Highmark Insurance Company. For Social Services, the committee approved up to $120,000 for $2,000 per assessment for Together for Youth for qualified individual assessment services per the Family First Prevention Services Act through June 16, 2026.  

There were several other motions, including an intermunicipal agreement with the Town of Gilboa to get Flat Creek Road reopened with more financial details to come.

Two proposals with Capital Security for Fire-Security-Access Control CCTV Integrated Systems at the DPW for $22,590 and changes/addition to the video intercom at DPW in the amount of $5,740.  There were also 9 unrestricted pistol permit transactions, two transfers in, two transfers out, and 11 semi-auto transactions. 

Gretchen Baker reported that she is working on document indexing for documents uploaded to the county website that will also affect towns and villages. 

The board also approved $3,818.75 to the Wladis Law Firm for a May invoice for the Streambank project. 

Sarah Hunt reported that sales tax revenue is up $42,000 and that the month of May is up 0.3% compared to the budgeted amount.

 

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LaBarge Shines for C-R in State Tourney

CHURCHVILLE — Cobleskill-Richmondville senior Cooper LaBarge, traveled to Mill Creek Country Club in Churchville in the western part of the state to compete in the NYS Golf Tournament this past weekend.  He scored both days for Section II (only top scores are counted for each section) and 30th in the state (out of 99 golfers)!  Additionally, Section II brought home 2nd place - the first time in 28 years that the team has placed in the top 3!

 

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Esperance Superintendent of Highways Michelle Brust Awarded For 15 Years Attendance

 

From left to right: Lori Mithen-Demasi, Chief Counsel, New York Association of Towns; Michelle Brust, Superintendent of Highways, Town of Esperance Highway Department; David Orr, Director, New York State LTAP Center - Cornell Local Roads Program.

By Heather Skinner

ESPERANCE — At the June 19th Esperance Town Board meeting, Superintendent of Highways Michelle Brust received praise and congratulations for a job well-done and was met with applause after announcing the receipt of a 15-Year Attendance award. 

After Brust thanked the Board for their help during the recent storm with their responsiveness and check-ins, Town Supervisor Earl Van Wormer III replied, “I want to thank you, Michelle, because Michelle’s the person that’s out there doing the work.” Van Wormer continued with appreciation of her always being out there doing good work in bad weather and, “She’s always working to try to save us some money.”

Brust donated the cost of her hotel room for 2 nights to the Town while traveling to attend Ithaca Highway School, bought a desperately-needed grabber tool for assisting with clean-ups when Town dumpster items get scattered by animals and wind, gets multiple estimates to compare for needed road work, and found a way to save the Town $1,000 on an upcoming necessary culvert repair.

For Town Board member Harold Conklin who asked during the conversation, “Can I bring up another thing to compliment Michelle,” Brust took note of his suggestion from last month’s meeting to start adding tonnage cost breakdowns to the estimates she presents, and this month she went the extra mile to carry out his request.

Van Wormer explained that because Esperance is a small town with a small number of roads, they do not have a highway crew. They have a Highway Superintendent because when brought up for voting, residents appointed the position to approve work being done. Van Wormer acknowledged Brust puts a lot of work in, saying, “It is very important. She does a great job, and we’re appreciative of her.” Then, the Board celebrated and brought a smile to Brust’s face with, “She is women, hear her roar!”

Congratulations to the Town of Esperance Superintendent of Highways, Michelle Brust, for being recognized and awarded for 15 years of dedication and Highway School attendance! Of this achievement, the June 4th NYS Department of Transportation’s official Release from the desk of Local Technical Assistance Program Center contact Amanda Caughey states:

“Superintendent of Highways Michelle Brust was recognized for their outstanding commitment to training and education following 15 years of dedicated attendance at the Annual School for Highway Superintendents (Highway School) held at Ithaca College. 

The Highway School is a training conference hosted jointly by the New York State LTAP Center - Cornell Local Roads Program and the New York Association of Towns. Over 700 highway and public works officials from across the state attend each year for training, education, and to share ideas on transportation topics aimed at making New York State’s local roads safer and more cost efficient. 

“These highway professionals from across the state come to the Highway School each year to gain valuable knowledge and share ideas aimed at making New York State’s local roads safer and more cost efficient.” – David Orr, Director, New York State LTAP Center - Cornell Local Roads Program

 The New York State LTAP Center - Cornell Local Roads Program provides training, technical assistance, and information to municipal officials and employees responsible for the maintenance, construction, and management of local highways and bridges in New York State. It is one of 52 Centers established under the Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).”

 

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