Avitabile, Quinn Honored by Chamber as Leaders

The Schoharie County Chamber of Commerce honored several local business owners and public officials on Friday evening for leading the county toward a brighter financial future.

Photo by Sheila Donegan.

Among the award recipients was Middleburgh Mayor Matthew Avitabile (pictured left), who was chosen as the 2014 Community Leader of the Year for his above and beyond commitment to the community. 

Mr. Avitabile would also be bestowed with an award from Congressman Chris Gibson, who was present for the festivities along with Assemblyman Pete Lopez and other elected officials.

Also from the Schoharie Valley, Lin Quinn's Under the Nose gift shop at the foot of Vroman's Nose was selected as the 2014 New Business of the Year. Her award was presented by Bobbi Ryan. 

Hosting its Annual Business Celebration and Awards Ceremony at B.W. Delaney's in Cobleskill, the Chamber further recognized Lori and Ken Wortz's Kymar Distillery as the 2014 Business of the Year.  

Avitabile Named Chamber's "2014 Community Leader of the Year"

The Schoharie County Chamber of Commerce has named Middleburgh Mayor Matthew Avitabile as its 2014 Community Leader of the Year.

Chamber Executive Director Georgia Van Dyke, writing in a letter addressed to the honored official, stated that the award "recognizes individuals in Schoharie County who have gone above and beyond in their commitment to our community."

She further wrote that Avitable exemplified this commitment through his dedication, leadership, involvement, and hard work.

Elected mayor of the then reeling valley community in 2012 over incumbent William McCabe, Mr. Avitabile has overseen the recovery of Middleburgh's Main Street business district with the addition of four new businesses in 2014 alone.

Stating that he is "honored to receive this award on behalf of all the people who have made our amazing recovery possible," Avitabile named building community spirit in the aftermath of the flood as the accomplishment he is proudest of.

A Professor at SUNY Oneonta, Mr. Avitabile is seemingly a jack of all trades, as by his own count, he is often involved in managing flood recovery, budgetary prudence, business development, and helping the Middleburgh Fire Department.

Still, his focus is on what's next for Middleburgh.

Commenting that "accelerated economic growth and community development" are on his agenda moving forward, Avitabile pointed to a recent article in the Albany Business Review that mentioned Middleburgh as a top destination for Millennials as a sign they are on the right track.

Closing by remarking, "2015's going to be the best year for Middleburgh yet," Mr. Avitabile seemed honored and relieved at the same time by the Chamber's award, but determined to continue the work he has been charged with by his citizens.

He and other Chamber of Commerce award recipients will be honored at the Annual Business Celebration & Awards Ceremony/Dinner scheduled for Friday, March 27 at the Best Western in Cobleskill.

Chamber of Commerce to Manage Schoharie County Tourism

After listening to two detailed presentations on the future of tourism in Schoharie County, the Board of Supervisors were in agreement on Friday morning that the function should be privatized and removed from the county government apparatus in favor of the Schoharie County Chamber of Commerce, which previously had administered the county's tourism program from 1998-2009.

With over one hundred local businesses in support of their proposal, the Chamber's pitch called for the creation of a full-time tourism coordinator, which the county currently lacks, in conjunction with a chamber tourism board that would focus on planning and maintaining fiscal responsibility. The occupancy tax board would also be utilized to provide further financial oversight. 

Additionally, Scott Ferguson of the Chamber frowned upon the county's current visitors center. When asked for the chamber's position on it by Jefferson Town Supervisor Sean Jordan, Mr. Ferguson dismissed it as a "green garden shed," adding that the chamber plans to see the office relocated to fill a "vacant storefront in one of our communities." 

Following up on the Chamber's presentation was Cathleen Berry, publisher of the Seasons of Schoharie County tourism magazine, who suggested the creation of two niche festivals to draw in younger tourists and families to come visit the area. Ms. Berry also agreed that the visitors center needed to be relocated, suggesting the vacant pharmacy in Schoharie as a possible brick and mortar location. 

In the end both proposals encouraged the county board that privatization was the right path, which they agreed to unanimously. However, there was hesitation by some members to exclude Ms. Berry, who left after her presentation, in favor of the Chamber and requested that she be involved in the process. 

The Chamber of Commerce will assume all county tourism responsibilities on July 1, 2014.