County Budget To Be Announced at Press Conference on 14th

On Tuesday, October 14th at 10:00 a.m., Schoharie County Treasurer and Budget Officer William Cherry will release the county’s 2015 Tentative Budget. Copies of the spending plan along with proposed tax rates, changes in expenditures, recommended adoption calendar, and a summary of the highlights of the Tentative Budget will be included. Questions from the press will be welcomed during the conference which will be held at the Treasurer’s Office on the first floor of the County Office Building, 284 Main Street, Schoharie, NY.

Committee Recommends the Creation of County Administrator

It may have taken several months, but the special committee set up to study a possible County Administrator really did their homework.

The committee, made up of Supervisors Federice of Conesville, Barbic of Seward, Bleau of Wright, Jordan of Jefferson, and VanWormer of Esperance has published their findings on September 19th.

The report can be found here on the County Website.

The Committee interviewed a series of public officials from counties with similar populations and budgets as Schoharie. Those chosen were Delaware, Fulton, Greene, Warren, and Washington.

They found a series of similar circumstances, between Delaware County having a full time County Board Chairman to Fulton, Greene, Warren, and Washington Counties each employing a full time County Administrator. Those that do have the salary range from $76,000 to $129,000. Their staffs range from just one other employee to three.

Each County that has adopted the Administrator system speaks highly of it, with similar functions. The Administrator is expected to communicate with both the county department heads and the county legislators.

The Committee was clear: they recommend the formation of an administrator. In part, they found:

"The present position of a part time Board of Supervisors Chairman would be enhanced by a chief operating officr who would report directly to the Chairman who should remain as the chief executive officer representing the residents of the County through the Board of Supervisors"

The committee recommends a position created that is meant to be non-partisan or without influence. They suggested a salary between $85,000 and $90,000.

The position would be empowered to execute the will of the County Board. The administrator would attend all committee and full Board meetings. They would also work with the County Board to fill any department head vacancies and could conduct special investigations as needed. The administrator would also serve as the chief auditing agent, allowing another layer of fiscal protection. They would also work on collective bargaining and salary agreements.

The recommendations for minimum qualifications include clauses that no one shall hold a public office while serving as administrator and does not need to be a County resident when appointed, but must move here within 120 days. The candidate would:

"Possess a Bachelor's degree in Business Management or Administration from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university and have ten years of full-time paid experience in public, business or industrial enterprise including a minimum of five years in public administration, or, possess a Master's Degree in Business or Public Administration from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university with five years of full time experience in public, business or industrial enterprise including a minimum of three years of public administration."

Commitee Chair William Federice of Conesville said that the "need for [a County executive] became increasingly compelling as we conducted our interviews with other counties." He also said that the commitee is "confident those who consider the case for an Administrator without deciding beforehand will come to the same conclusion as the Administrator Committee that Schoharie County needs a full time chief operating officer as is the case in 54 of the 56 other counties in New York State. We feel a County Administrator in that role would bring professional full time day to day management of county business as well as play a key advisory role to the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors and other elected officials and department heads."

The results have been shared with the remainder of the County Board, who will consider the proposal.

County Building Evacuated in False Alarm

Yesterday there was a false alarm at the County Building, and the entire staff was evacuated. The event took place a little after 10am. There was apparently a false alarm that was tripped, although the exact cause has not been released.

Due to the false positive, the local fire departments were asked not to respond, but the County Emergency Services office checked to scene to make sure there was no danger. The evacuation was orderly and quick.

Employees re-entered the building at 10:27.

Hanson Lawsuit Dismissed

A lawsuit launched by former Schoharie County Department of Public Works employee William Hanson was dismissed late last month. The judgement by Acting New York State Supreme Court Justice Gerald Connolly on August 21st backed the narrative of the County.

Hanson was suing over what he described as an intentional purge to remove him from his position and demanded restitution.

According to Judge Connolly, since Mr. Hanson was hired on a probation basis, he had less leverage in his case than a full civil service employee. The Judge declared that in this limited review of the termination as allowed by law, there was no legal standing to the suit. Connolly said that Hanson's own suit did "not allege that his dismissal was made for an improper or impermissible reason."

The Judge continued that probationary employees could be fired for "no reason at all" in court precedent. The dismissal also notes that Hanson's original brief admitted that he was a probationary employee, and in a second document contradicted his first story, stating that he was not probationary during his time with the County.

The judgement ended with acceding to the request of Schoharie County to dismiss the case and that Hanson's claims would be "dismissed and the relief in this proceeding is in all respects denied."

Irene Marked by Leaders in Blenheim Ceremony

It has been three years to the day since Hurricane Irene changed the Schoharie Valley forever. The Town of Blenheim hosted a remembrance ceremony at its future community center, as mentioned by Deputy Supervisor Renee Grabowski.

The event drew around thirty people, including volunteers, SALT members, and local officials. It began at 11am.

"I want us to be renewed.... every person has a role in this," said SALT Director Sarah Goodrich. "We continue to see SALT as an important piece of this puzzle."

The event was well attended

Congressman Chris Gibson said that he would not relent in helping the residents of the area until recovery was achieved. "I want to start with how proud I am of this community... Lesser people would have folded," he said. Gibson praised both SALT Director Goodrich and Schoharie Recovery founder Josh DeBartolo, who is currently helping flood victims in Colorado.

Assemblyman Peter Lopez became choked up when describing the devastation after the flood and thanking volunteers. "We have gone from flood victims to flood survivors to architects," he stated. He also noted that a full quarter of the calls his office receives is related to flood recovery.

Other local officials each said a few words. Schoharie Supervisor Gene Milone thanked volunteers and Congressman Gibson personally for assisting in resolving a two year old account that was hamstrung by state bureaucracy. "We cannot ask for better representatives," he said of the Assemblyman, Congressman, and State Senator Seward. Esperance Supervisor Earl VanWormer marked the incredible progress in Esperance and beyond. Middleburgh Mayor Matthew Avitabile said that efforts from every part of local society have been extraordinary.

The event also marked a shift in tone, as Goodrich noted between recovery and revitalization. She said that 85% of all houses were either fixed or would be torn down. 15% remain unoccupied and need to be fixed.

Schoharie County Arts Grants Information Available

The Community Arts Grants program of the New York State Council on the Arts is pleased to announce that the Fiscal Year 2015 Guidelines and Applications are now available.  The taxpayer dollars that these grants utilize are used to partially fund arts events, programs and experiences in Schoharie County.

The administrating organization for these grants is the Greene County Council on the Arts but all  taxpayer dollars allocated are for events and experiences in Schoharie County.

If you are an individual, organization or group of citizens interested in bringing arts and cultural events to Schoharie County, this funding opportunity may be right for you.

Informational workshops are scheduled for: August 16, 2014 between 10:00-11:30AM at 349 Mineral Springs Rd., Cobleskill and September 11, 2014 at the Middleburgh Library, 323 Main Street, Middleburgh from 6:30PM-8:00PM.  

New applicants are required to attend a workshop and returning applicants are encouraged to attend.

Link to grants is: http://www.greenearts.org/about/grants or visit schoharieartsgrants on Facebook.

Questions can be sent to grant coordinator, Renee Nied at: schoharieartsgrants@gmail.com

Ethington Trial to Resume Tuesday

Schoharie County's trial of suspended Personnel Director Cassandra Ethington will resume on Tuesday evening after a two week break in the hearings, which recessed on Thursday July 10th, after proceedings stalled out on only the second witness. 

The hearings were originally scheduled for three nights, but the county's timeline was greatly altered by a six hour cross-examination conducted by the defense attorney of Schoharie County Labor Attorney Mary Roach, who is seen as a key witness in the county's case. 

Tuesday's proceedings will be held at 6:00 p.m. on the third floor of the Schoharie County Courthouse.

Inside Look: Administrator Committee Makes Progress

One month after being tasked with the responsibility of investigating whether Schoharie County government should adopt additional oversight by way of an administrator, Conesville Supervisor Bill Federice informed the county board on Friday that the aptly named Administrator Committee is, "making very good progress." 

The study committee was approved unanimously by Supervisors at the June county board meeting on motion by Blenheim Supervisor Shawn Smith, and was subsequently appointed by County Board Chairman Tony VanGlad to consist of two proponents of an administrator; two opponents of the idea, and one neutral member. 

With hopes of concluding the committee's work by September at the earliest, Mr. Federice - who is serving as chair of the study group - told his fellow board members that they have already scheduled road trips to visit other counties that currently have administrators to obtain more information by asking questions and observing. 

Schoharie County Treasurer Bill Cherry, whom many had speculated might accept the position if created, pointedly dispelled any such motions with a brisk letter to the editor in early July that stated, "I don’t want the job... I will not apply for, nor accept, an administrator position that serves at the pleasure of the Board of Supervisors."

Still, pending the release of its findings, the committee's impact on the county board as a whole remains to be seen, which on its last vote concerning the matter, voted down the administrator concept by an overwhelming margin at the May county board meeting. 

In addition to Mr. Federice of Conesville, Mr. Barbic of Seward; Ms. Bleau of Wright; Mr. Jordan of Jefferson; and, Mr. VanWormer of Esperance serve as members of the Administrator Committee. 

County Board Withholds AECOM Pay

Passions flared at the Schoharie County Board of Supervisors meeting Friday morning, as legislators argued for the better part of an hour over the contentious stream bank project being administered by AECOM that is facing a significant budget shortfall. 

Supervisors had expected AECOM representative Patty Flores to be present following a June motion by the full board requesting her or another company official to be present for explanation of how AECOM arrived at the oft quoted $2.6 million figure that legislators have been discussing in earnest since late March.

However, with Ms. Flores reportedly on vacation, no representative of AECOM appeared before the county board for an update on the stream bank's progress or financial woes. Members of the board were not enthused.

Visibly agitated, Carlisle Supervisor Larry Bradt recommended, "not paying them until they come." Blenheim Supervisor Shawn Smith stated that he would second Mr. Bradt's statement if it was made into a motion, which Mr. Bradt responded by doing in kind.

Conesville Supervisor Bill Federice, who has led efforts to have the State Comptroller's Office audit the stream bank project's administration, commented pointedly that AECOM is a billion dollar company, and questioned why they didn't send someone else to brief the board in Ms. Flores' place.

Urging caution, Middleburgh Supervisor Jim Buzon warned legislators that withholding the company's pay would only cost the county more down the road, and that more delays would only further endanger an already, "project in jeopardy."

With only three supervisors in opposition - Mr. Buzon of Middleburgh, Mr. Smith of Broome, and Mr. Vroman of Summit - the motion was approved overwhelmingly, and later set the stage for another bout of contentious back and forth later in the afternoon, which will be covered in a separate news piece.  

Long Week Ahead for County Board

The Schoharie County Board of Supervisors will earn their paychecks this coming week, as legislators are scheduled to meet every evening for the next four nights.

Their marathon session will kick off today at 4:00 p.m. with a special county board meeting to name a Clerk of the Works to monitor the AECOM stream bank project as it moves forward into the construction phase. No official agenda has been published on the county website. 

Tonight's meeting will be followed by three days of special hearings on suspended Personnel Director Cassandra Ethington at the Schoharie County Court House. Each affair will begin at 6:00 p.m. and will last as long as necessary; Supervisors will serve as the trial's jury. 

Additionally, several townships (Blenheim and Middleburgh, to name a few) will be holding its monthly board meeting over the coming week, leaving those Supervisors with even more responsibilities to contend with on top of their already steep countywide obligations.

Dangerous New Form of Heroin Infecting Area

A new, more easily-addicted form of heroin is making its first appearances in Schoharie County. Most likely coming from sources in Utica, New York City, and Albany, this new type is easily concealable and avoids visible effects of heroin use, such as track marks.

Sublingual heroin has gained in popularity nationwide over the last decade. So called because it can be put into pill or film form and placed under the tongue. The veins under the tongue can carry the drug through the blood stream rapidly and without need for a needle. This does result in a smaller "high" but has the advantage of being far less traceable and more portable.

Due to heroin's low cost, this type of heroin could rapidly become a major form of the drug. While sublingual heroin has not overtaken that delivered by the needle, it will likely become a major secondary version of the opiate.

While there have been no specific arrests for sublingual heroin, sources indicate that it has reached Schoharie County. Major recent drug arrests could make a dent in its expansion as the Cobleskill Police Department has taken the lead in combating heroin, among other drugs.

SAFE Act Remains Unpopular

Almost eighteen months after the controversial passage of Governor Andrew Cuomo's signature "NY SAFE Act" legislation, opposition remains strong across significant portions of Upstate New York to the gun control law, with emotions running particularly high in Schoharie County. 

Since it was signed into law, the NY SAFE Act has been the target of two Board of Supervisors resolutions; several displays of citizen protest; verbal assaults from politicians representing both political parties, and most recently, dozens of pointed yard signs dotting the local landscape.

From the Village of Middleburgh to the Town of Seward and every community in between, these signs are being proudly displayed on the yards of residences and highways, signifying the continued resolve of local voters to the unpopular law, even a year and a half since it was passed.

Mr. Cuomo, who came within thirty votes of carrying Schoharie County in the 2010 Gubernatorial election, is likely to cede large swaths of Upstate New York to Republican Rob Astorino because of the law this fall, but as of the latest poll - is leading his challenger by thirty points statewide. 

Still many residents share County Sheriff Tony Desmond's sentiment that the NY SAFE Act is, "another step toward total gun control," and as such, public opposition is likely to remain substantial for years to come. 

Minor Oil Spill in County Courthouse Causes Court Headache

Over the weekend a valve gave way on one of two boiler systems located in the penthouse of the Schoharie County Courthouse, causing oil to leak through the floor and into the elevator shaft and ceiling tiles of lower floors, staining carpeting and tiles in the process. 

No one was harmed during the minor spill, which was estimated by a county official to be somewhere between five and twenty gallons. County court however, was forced to relocate to the Board of Supervisors meeting room in the nearby county building due to the toxicity of the fumes. 

Ironically enough, contractors were set to install two spillway containment barriers around the van sized boilers this very week on recommendation of Flood Recovery Coordinator Bill Cherry, who made the suggestion to supervisors at the May county board meeting. 

According to Mr. Cherry, who told the Schoharie News that both boiler systems are approximately three decades old and the valve simply decayed after years of use, the county currently has no dollar amount on how much the necessary clean-up process and repairs will cost at this time. 

It is unknown precisely when regular court proceedings will commence once more in the courthouse, with current estimates between five and seven days at the earliest. 

Woodstock Artist Opens Local Exhibit at the Schoharie Hive

On Saturday evening the Hive hosted Woodstock artist Norm Magnusson's art opening at its gallery and shop on Main Street in Schoharie. Magnusson has recently installed six sculptures across Schoharie County.

Photo credit: Bob Nied

The sculptures are cast aluminum and resemble blue and yellow historic markers but instead carry fictitious stories related to important cultural, economic, and environmental issues. They are located in in several local communities, including one outside of the Hive in Schoharie. 

A map of the markers is available here.

Magnussom discussed his motivations for creating the sculptures and took questions from visitors attending the two-hour long opening, which was presented by the Center for Sustainable Rural Communities and funded in party by the Decentralized Program of the New York Council on the Arts administered by the Green County Arts Council.

Marine One a Hit with Desmond

President Barack Obama's visit to Cooperstown was primarily focused on tourism, which he hailed the Baseball Hall-of-Fame for exceeding in, but it was also an opportunity for local officials to receive face time with the leader of the free world, or in Schoharie County Sheriff Tony Desmond's case - Marine One.

Desmond, who was re-elected to his second term in the Sheriff's Office last November, was present for Marine One's landing in Cooperstown. Meanwhile, at the Hall-of-Fame, Sharon Springs Mayor Doug Plummer and other area officials greeted the President's speech with local hospitality. 

Schoharie County Under Thunderstorm Watch

Schoharie County is under a severe thunderstorm watch until 8:00 pm according to a warning issued by the National Weather Service in Albany. There have been multiple reports of downpours, hail, and severe lightning impacting the greater Capital District area.

WNYT has the latest severe weather
developments on air and on its website

Earlier in the afternoon parts of the region were in a tornado watch, with one such vortex shaped cloud reportedly touching down on I-88 heading westbound toward Albany and flipping a tractor trailer on its side. CBS 6 Albany has the incredible photo of the scene posted here. 

Residents are reminded to stay mindful of the weather conditions outside and be prepared to take caution if necessary. 

County Clerk's Office Announces Special Passport Night on Wednesday May 14

In a press release issued earlier this week, Schoharie County Clerk Indy Jaycox announced that in order to "offer the public the opportunity to apply for a new passport," the clerk's office would be open additional hours on Wednesday, May 14th from 8:30 am until 8:00 pm.

During this time local residents may renew a child's passport (15 years and under), or get a new photo for an adult renewal. The County Clerk hopes the extra hour of operation will allow those who cannot make it by 7:00 pm, the chance to take care of their passport needs. 

Staff will be on hand to process applications and assist the public as necessary as part of this special Passport Night. 

Both the County Clerk's Office and the Department of Motor Vehicle Office are open until 7:00 pm every Wednesday evening, affording local residents an opportunity to take care of any outstanding business of their way home during the workweek. 

Sheriff's Office: No Arrest Made, But Tri-Agency Investigation Working on Car Break-In Spree

According to a press release issued Wednesday afternoon by the Schoharie County Sheriff's Department, there have been no arrests made in several vehicle related break-ins spanning the county, but out of the crime spree a tri-agency investigation has emerged to resolve the situation.

The break-ins, which started on Easter Sunday in the Village of Schoharie and soon spread to the Villages of Middleburgh and Cobleskill earlier this week, have local law enforcement investigating leads to track down those responsible for the thefts that claimed prescription drugs, electronics, and in one case, at least one debit card.

Officers in the Cobleskill and Schoharie Police Deparments are working on break-ins reported in their respective jurisdictions, while the Sheriff's Department is looking into four cases that occurred in the Village of Middleburgh.

Anyone who has any information concerning these matters is asked to call the Schoharie County Sheriff's Office crime tip line at 518-295-2295 or the Cobleskill Police Department at 518-234-2923.

Life in Schoharie Photo Contest Submissions

We have nine beautiful photographs to consider from across Schoharie County in our first "Life in Schoharie Photo Contest." The winner will be determined by which submission receives the most votes from our readership by Saturday noontime and they will receive a $20 gift certificate to Wal-Mart. The poll is located on the right-hand sidebar of the website. 

Good luck to all of our submissions and thank you for participating!

                                         "Musher"

Vic DiSanto, Middleburgh

                                          "Snowplow"

Courtney Roberts, Seward

                                         "Brothers"

Bruce Oska, Cobleskill

                                          "Irene"

Ken Hubert

                                          "Snowy Waters"

Stephanie Smith, Jefferson

                                         "Fall Serenity" 

Cheyla Bevins, Cobleskill

                                           "Web Action"

Gary Ovitt, Sloansville

                                          "Painted Night"

Melvin Marsh

                                           "Rolling Hills"

Da-lai Wu

Jaycox Welcomes NY Commissioner of Motor Vehicles to County Clerk's Office

On Tuesday, March 18th, Barbara J. Fiala, the NY State Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, came out to Schoharie to see first-hand the restored County Clerk’s Office and Department of Motor Vehicles. A former County Clerk herself, from Erie County, Commissioner Fiala has toured many Counties across the state and likes to stay in touch with those Clerks whose DMV offices are truly the “face-of-the-DMV” for so many customers across New York.

Commissioner Fiala was unable to attend the Open-House which Schoharie held last year, and County Clerk Indy Jaycox has kept an open invitation to the Commissioner to visit our scenic valley. “I am so glad to come back to Schoharie and see this beautifully renovated DMV office, particularly after witnessing the devastation wrought by Hurricane Irene,” said DMV Commissioner Barbara J. Fiala. “I commend County Clerk Indy Jaycox, her staff and everyone else who was involved in this amazing recovery. You should all be tremendously proud of your perseverance over this disaster.”

Commissioner Fiala (middle) with Assistant Commissioner
Omarr Evans (left), and County Clerk Indy Jaycox (right)

Accompanying Commissioner Fiala was her Assistant Commissioner DMV/County Clerk Liaison, C. Omarr Evans, pictured here with the Commissioner and Indy Jaycox, the Schoharie County Clerk. Jaycox had over 19 years of service in the Schoharie Department of Motor Vehicles before becoming Schoharie’s 37th County Clerk.