Gibson to Support Raising Debt Ceiling, End to Gov't Shutdown

Congressman Chris Gibson has taken a stand separate from most of his party on the government shutdown of the last three weeks. He writes on his Facebook page that "As I’ve said all along, this government shutdown was completely unnecessary." He also stated " will support the bipartisan agreement to fund government operations until January 15 and to extend the debt ceiling until February 7. This agreement also overturns a rule issued by the Obama Administration to ignore verification requirements in the Affordable Care Act."

Opinion: No to Dissolution

No one can take away Cobleskill Mayor Mark Galasso's forthrightness. He laid his platform out there during his races for Trustee and Mayor. He was elected in 2011 expressly on the platform of dissolving the Village of Cobleskill and hopes to win on the same platform again.

Galasso's popularity has taken a hit since 2011 in large part to his allegiance to the dissolution cause. Part of this had to do with his shifting of the water district.

Take Galasso's first election as Mayor in 2010. Trustee Sandy McKay was interviewed in the Cobleskill paper and was skeptical of the water extention plan that Galasso was trumpeting.

Mr. MacKay countered that by selling water without annexing nearby land, the village is surrendering its resources without gaining any tax base. 

And, he added, if the village did sell water, the revenue would go in the water fund and wouldn’t reduce taxes.

McKay did make mistakes during the campaign, but this statement is spot on. The water line extension will bring in a new Stewart's but no guarantee of much else outside of Howe Caverns. Instead, it finds the municipality's power reduced and any additional funds floundered.  Due to Galasso's insistence, the additional 150% rate for out-of-Village water has been reduced to parity, reducing the amount of money coming in. Mr. Galasso's effort to divert money from the water fund to the general fund was also not allowed.

The analysis of the cost-benefits of dissolution also showed mere pennies on the dollar of savings. Plans to cut personnel at the police department are contentious while many savings have already been found by consolidating the Village and Town departments of public works. Future savings would be minimal.

Meanwhile, the idea of transforming Cobleskill into a city appear dead in the water. If the Village does, in fact, dissolve there is a likely chance that re-incorporation would be near-impossible.

Just as in Middleburgh, there is a particular distaste with the idea that the residents of the Town could not vote on the issue. Even though the majority of the Town's residents do live in the Town, the prospect of taxation without representation is unpopular to say the least. Beyond this, as the NY Council of Mayors stated earlier this year, in every case of a Village dissolution, Town taxes have significantly risen.

There may be a time for dissolution, but this is not the case. Mayor Galasso's fate may rise and fall with the public sentiment revolving around this and if this is the case there is a clear choice for the voters this fall.

The Schoharie News Run Down of 2013 Races

Schoharie County Sheriff

Democrat, Shield of Integrity - Lawrence Travis

Republican                              - Anthony Desmond

Conservative, Independence - Todd Ethington

 

Schoharie County DA

Republican, Conservative, Ind. - James Sacket

 

Schoharie County Coroner

Republican                                 - Donna McGovern

 

Town of Blenheim

Supervisor

Democrat                                 - Shawn Smith 

Republican, Conservative        - Robert Mann Jr.

 

Justice

Republican                                - William Kniskern Jr.

 

Clerk

Republican                               - Robin Alley

Councilman

Republican                                - Keith Graham

Republican                                - Anne Marttice-Strauch

 

Town of Broome

Supervisor

 

Democrat                                  - David Mitchell

Republican, Conservative, Ind. - William Smith III

Clerk

Democrat                                   - Anne Batz

Republican                                 - Donald Wood

Councilman

Democrat                                   - Frank Schafroth

Democrat                                   - Kermit Jackson

Republican                                 - David Wood

Republican                                  - Dale Vance

Assessor

Republican                                   - Irene Schmidt

Highway Superintendent

 

Democrat                                     - Michael Parker

Republican, Independence           - Jason Wayman

Town of Carlisle

Supervisor

 

Democrat, Conservative, Ind.   - Susan Bortell

Republican                                 - Larry Bradt

Clerk

 

Democrat, Republican               - Colleen Crofts

Councilman

Democrat, Conservative, Ind.   - Linda Cross

Republican                                 - Robert Smith

Republican                                 - David Laraway

 

Highway Superintendent

 

Democrat, Republican               - Michael Broadwell

Town of Cobleskill

 

Supervisor

Democrat, Conservative, Ind.   - Thomas Murray Jr.

Republican, Freedom Party       - Leo McAllister

Justice

Democrat                                    - Marc Weiss

Democrat                                    - William Northrup

Republican                                  - Gary Bywater

Republican                                  - Dawn Fiorillo

Councilman

 

Democrat                                     - Bruce Stevens

Democrat                                     - Ron Williams

Republican                                   - Elizabeth Montario

Republican                                   - Roger Mallery

 

Town of Conesville

Supervisor

Democrat, Conservative, Ind. - Joanne Noone
Republican                              - William Federice

Clerk

Republican                               - Nancy Sweatman

Justice

Republican                                - David Merwin Jr.

Councilman

Democrat                                   - Tiffany Hilliker
Democrat                                   - Catherine Riedl
Republican                                 - Robert Proudman Sr.
Republican                                 - Paul Tubiolo

Councilman (to fill a vacancy)

Democrat                                     - Gary Young
Republican                                  - John Sweatman

Highway Superintendent

Democrat                                      - Stephen Young
Republican                                    - Larry Brandow

Collector

Democrat                                       - Irene Hess
Republican                                    - Diane Williams

Town of Esperance

Supervisor

Democrat, Conservative, Ind.        - Steven Miller
Republican                                     - Earl VanWormer III

Clerk

Democrat, Republican                   - Charmayne VanWormer

Highway Superintendent

Democrat, Republican                   - Gary Ovitt

Councilman

Democrat, Republican                    - Michael Keller
Republican                                      - Kathy Easton-DeSarbo

Town of Fulton

Supervisor

Democrat                                          - Phillip Skowfoe
Republican, Conservative, Ind.        - Francis Tatten

Highway Superintendent

Republican, Conservative, Ind.         - William Jaycox Jr.

Town Justice

Democrat                                           - Charles Shoemaker
Republican                                         - Ronald Jeffer

Assessor

Democrat                                            - JoAnn Avitto
Republican                                          - George Sherwood

Councilman

Democrat                                            - Deborah Krol
Democrat                                            - Dean Rhinehart
Republican                                          - Albert Hodder
Republican                                          - Janet Kahrs

Town of Gilboa

Supervisor

Republican                                           - Anthony VanGlad

Councilman

Republican                                            - Dorothy Pickett
Republican                                              - Norwood Tompkins

Assessor

Republican                                             - Thomas Molle

Town of Jefferson

Supervisor

Republican, Paul Revere Party               - Sean Jordan
Conservative, Independence                   - Daniel Singletary

Justice

Republican                                               - Lynn Hait

Assessor

Republican                                               - Greg Sheehan

Councilman

Republican                                               - Charles Buck
Republican                                               - Ken Buck

Town of Middleburgh

Clerk

Democrat, Republican, Conservative        - Brenda Lawyer

Councilman

Democrat                                                    - Sara Masterson
Democrat                                                    - William Ansel-McCabe
Republican                                                 - David Lloyd
Republican                                                  - Brian DeFeo

Highway Superintendent

Democrat, Republican, Conservative          - Dale Nunamann

Town of Richmondville

Supervisor

Democrat                                                       - Scott Bennett
Republican, Conservative, Ind.                     - Richard Lape

Justice

Republican                                                     - Herbert Needleman

Councilman

Democrat                                                        - Vernon Hall
Democrat                                                        - Zachary Stahlecker
Republican                                                      - William Lancaster
Republican                                                      - Paul Maurice

Highway Superintendent

Democrat                                                        - Keith Althiser

Town of Schoharie

Supervisor

Democrat                                                          - Gene Milone
Republican, Conservative, Ind.                        - Martin Shrederis

Justice

Democrat                                                           - Frederick Kennedy Sr.

Councilman

Democrat                                                            - Matt Brisley
Republican                                                         - Alan Tavenner
Republican                                                          - John Wolfe

Highway Superintendent

Republican, Pro-Active Roads                            - Daniel Weideman

Town of Seward

Supervisor

Democrat                                                             - Carl Barbic
Republcan                                                            - Howard Bricker

Clerk

Democrat, Republican                                          - Brenda Southworth

Councilman

Democrat                                                               - Charlene King
Democrat                                                               - George Fletcher
Republican                                                             - Daniel Kniskern
Republican                                                             - Romine Davenport Jr.

Highway Superintendent

Democrat                                                                - Bruce Chamberlain
Republican                                                              - Bruce Baxter

Town of Sharon

Justice

Democrat, Republican                                             - Evelyn Falsarella

Councilman

Republican                                                               - Joseph Falsarella
Republican                                                                - David Cross

Town of Summit

Supervisor

Republican, Democrat, Ind.                                      - Harold Vroman

Justice

Republican                                                                 - Ivan Cole

Councilman

Democrat                                                                   - Richard Beller
Republican                                                                 - Fern Kovac
Republican                                                                 - Brian Handy

Town of Wright

Supervisor

Democrat, Common Sense Party                                - Karl Remmers
Republican, Conservative, Ind.                                  - Amber Bleau

Clerk

Democrat, Republican, Conservative, Ind.                  - Lynn Herzog

Councilman

Democrat                                                                      - Kristin Williams
Democrat                                                                      - Beverly Lavick
Republican                                                                    - Thomas Aulita
Republican                                                                    - George Karlewicz

Highway Superintendent

Democrat, Republican, Standing Together                   - Jeff Proper

Village of Cobleskill

Mayor

Citizens Party                                                                 - Linda Holmes
Fiscally Responsible Party                                             - Mark Galasso

Trustee

Cooperation Party                                                           - Kathleen Johnson
Fiscally Responsible Party                                              - Mark McDermott
Liberty Party                                                                    - Timothy Snyder
 

Town of Fulton Meet the Candidates October 25th

Come out to meet the candidates in the Town of Fulton on Friday, October 25th. All are welcome at the West Fulton Fire Department. The event will begin at 7pm.

Schoharie County Faces Cool Days, Cold Evenings in Coming Week

After enjoying a relatively mild late-September and October this Fall, including an optimistic forecast from our smallest forecasters in nature, Schoharie County's string of good weather luck might be about to run out...

With lows dropping down to 40 degrees on both Friday and Saturday evening - and even farther down to 35 on Sunday night - Schoharie County's long term forecast shows our average high decreasing over fifteen degrees from today (61) until next Friday (45) with lows dropping even steeper over the same time period (55>31).

And to make matters worse: the average wind speed varies from nine to thirteen miles per hour over the next ten days, which could result in bone-chilling conditions with the combination of cold temperatures and mild winds. 

Democratic Meet the Candidates Night in Gallupville October 27th

Another meet the candidates night will be held in the Town of Wright on October 27th at 6PM, sponsored by Wright Democrats at the Gallupville House. The Town of Wright Democratic candidates will be there as well as Larry Travis who is running for county sheriff. There will be cider and donuts and all are invited. The Republican event will be October 20th.

Milone Donates Salary Back to Schoharie

Schoharie has been facing many troubles over the last two years, especially on the budgetary level. With the dramatic fall of local property values and dozens of local residents leaving due to Irene, both the Village and Town budgets have been stretched to the max. Thanks to the quick actions of Mayor John Borst and the Village Board and Supervisor Gene Milone and the Town Board the pain has been reduced significantly.

One example is Supervisor Milone's decision not to draw a 2013 salary from the Town. Being a technically part-time position, Milone was eligible for a $8,775 salary this year. He instead donated it back to the budget. $8,950 was budgeted for the 2014 budget, but only due to the fact that the Supervisor's position may be switching hands. The almost $9,000 represents a large portion of the small tax increase this year. If re-elected the money could be placed back into the Town's general fund.

Every Town and Village cannot have their officials give back their small salaries but when it does happen it is appreciated.

New Ethington Ad Highlights Ties to Snowmobiling

Todd Ethington's campaign has launched a one-third page ad in the Cobleskill paper lauding his support of snowmobiling. The former snow patrol deputy is backed by two local snowmobiling groups. The ad explains that Ethington would like to find grants to expand safe local trails.

Carlisle Meet the Candidates October 23rd

There will be a meet the candidates night next Wednesday October 23rd for candidates of both parties in the Town of Carlisle. The event at the Carlisle Town Hall will take place between 7-8:30. All candidates for Carlisle office and all three Sheriff's candidates have been invited. All are welcome.

Desmond Endorsed by Forrest Wollaber

Sheriff Desmond has been endorsed by Forrest Wollaber, who held many positions across the County. The former County Clerk was also the County Republican Chair and Undersheriff. Desmond posted the endorsement on his Facebook page. He writes in part:

I have known Tony for over 35 years and have always found him to be honest, trustworthy, and professional. His dedication and hard work will continue to provide leadership and integrity to the Sheriff’s office.

Across County, Sellers' Legacy Remains

Normally, the legacy of a giant in local politics hangs heavy over an area-- even after their retirement or death. There are still many that fondly remember Arlington van Dyke's tenure as Middleburgh's Mayor and Supervisor, as well as Chair of the Board of Supervisors and Assemblyman. A positive influence of a man or woman involved in local community groups, politics, and business can be a legacy that is tried in earnest to meet.

But this is not always the case.

Take the tenure of Cobleskill Mayor Michael Sellers from 2005-2009. He defeated former Mayor Bill Gilmore and Robert LaPietra. Sellers was elected with under 50% of the vote in the contentious race. Sellers was reportedly surprised as anyone by his victory-- and his governing style showed it. The campaign was heavily dependent on SUNY Cobleskill students re-registering to vote in the local election and was able to secure the victory.

Sellers came into the office with no allies on the Board and no political experience. With no legislative or executive experience, the young mayor was quickly sidelined by a Board eager to pursue different interests. His rival Gilmore carried a 2007 trustee race and appeared set to run for mayor again in 2009 but died early that year.

Mr. Sellers' lack of a firm platform played havoc with his attempted accomplishments. A move that he lauded-- taking out flouride from drinking water-- was overturned by his own administration in 2009. His waffling in regards to the proposed facility at Guilford Mills and Lowe's left Cobleskill's economy rudderless.

Meanwhile Mayor Sellers planted the seeds for future discord in Cobleskill politics. His alliance with then-Trustee Galasso to begin a dissolution study is handicapping the future of the Village. Galasso won in 2009 on the dissolution platform and now that the potential effects are being felt, voters are feeling a bit gunshy. Sellers' reputation of being boxed in was on display when pushing the process forward in 2009. The same was seen in the fact that due to the four year slog of Sellers' administration, the Village of Cobleskill switched to a two-year term system for both the Mayor and Trustees.

The instability continued even after Sellers quietly left office in 2009 without running for re-election. The damage was done as the "law-and-order" candidate Mark Nadeau quickly ruined his career while using the N-word with Supervisor Tom Murray. After a short caretaker administration, Mark Galasso swept into office in 2010 and was re-elected in 2011. Cobleskill has had four different mayors since November 2009 and ten since 1990.

Sellers' legacy is a complicated one but an overwhelmingly negative one. Residents of the County that were willing to take a chance on an inexperienced 21 year old in Cobleskill could be shy to support even an experienced candidate like Shawn Smith of Fultonham, Sean Jordan of Jefferson, or Matthew Avitabile of Middleburgh. This hesitancy is understandable-- but could prevent hangers-on like Dan Singletary or William McCabe from getting the boot after their expiration dates.

Mayor Sellers also muddied the water of Cobleskill's electoral politics-- almost forcing a pendulum shift towards candidates like Nadeau and Galasso. Ultimately, if Sellers' dissolution study forces the end of the Village he would have another notch in his resume. Still, for most Cobleskill residents it is a record that they wish he did not have at all.

Meet the Candidates Night in Gallupville October 20th

There will be a chance to meet with the Town of Wright Republican candidates on Sunday, October 20th at 6pm. The event will be hosted at the Gallupville house.

All are welcome and refreshments will be provided.

2013 Shows Incumbents in Trouble

2011 was a bit of a watershed year. The Supervisor's races, shaped by the flood, a death, and retirements saw a dramatic shift. The seats in Middleburgh, Schoharie, Sharon, and Richmondville all shifted hands.

In 2013 a similar landscape is forming. There are multiple incumbents fighting tough battles, with some not returning for the next County Board.

There are two races where there will definitely be a shift. The death of William Goblet will set up a new Supervisor in Wright, even after all of the wrangling on the Town Board. Come January next year either Republican nominee Amber Bleau or Democratic nominee Karl Remmers will take the seat. In the Town of Broome Anne Batz' retirement to run for Town Clerk leaves Bill Smith as the likely frontrunner.

In Jefferson, Dan Singletary-- although now running as a third-party candidate-- appears to be in major trouble as Republican nominee Sean Jordan has tapped into a vein of the community's populace angry with Singletary's antics.

In Cobleskill Tom Murray is in the fight of his political life. Challenged by Republican Leo McAllister he faces a well-known, generally well-liked candidate. McAllister's business experience matches Murray's and carries no negative baggage that Murray has become known for.

In Schoharie it is round number three between current Supervisor Gene Milone (D) and former Supervisor Martin Shrederis (R). Milone's campaigning seems to have him in the lead and Shrederis' efforts have dropped in recent weeks.

Phil Skowfoe (D) has an advantage in the Town of Fulton, but his 2011 race did see him drop to just below 50%. Frank Tatten does have a base of support in the community and it appears that even if Skowfoe wins next month, it will not be a bruiseless win.

The Board of Supervisors may see nearly half of its number change hands in this year's election. This would mark a large shift in the balance of both the political landscape and policy.

2014 Tentative Budget: Spending and Debt Decreases, Taxes Mixed

The 2014 tentative budget, set to be announced in a press conference by Treasurer Bill Cherry this morning, will show not only the decline of public expenditures but also the overall decrease in property taxes for county residents, while completing flood related reconstruction without indebting county government or taxpayers.

 

Here are the highlights:

• While the county's 2014 tax levy is set to rise 1.98% over 2013 levels, the budget actually decreases the equalized full-value property tax rate by 1.52% despite the lingering effects of economic recession and reconstruction costs. 14 Towns will see tax reductions due to the NYS Equalization Rate, while only two will see increases.
• Expenditures are set to decrease by 7.8% in the 2014 budget, or roughly $6 million, due to the Stream Bank Stabilization project winding down. The budget also doesn't account for Flood Reconstruction Capital Projects because of federal and state reimbursements expected to reach 100% of costs.
• The County government currently has $29 million in Bond Anticipation Notes, which allows the county to borrow needed funds for reconstruction projects on agreement to repay when that project's completed. However, due to FEMA and SEMO programs, the county is expecting near full reimbursement of costs and our BAN debt to decrease to $25.5 million by 2014.

With county government still wrangling with how to proceed concerning both the county jail and public safety facility, which is estimated to cost $14 million to rebuild and $19 million to construct in a different location, this budget goes a long way towards salving public concerns by already decreasing BAN debts;  an overall reduction in expenditures and the county property tax rate while maintaining a high level of effectiveness in the execution and costs of reconstruction.

Cherry on "the Report": "Justice Should be Served"

With "the Report," conducted by the Fitzmaurice and Walsh Law Firm, set for an explosive release Friday afternoon citizen and public official alike are anxiously awaiting its contents in hopes of finally separating the truth from rumors in regards to accusations of corruption and misconduct in Schoharie County government.

Including County Treasurer Bill Cherry.

When asked for his thoughts concerning the "Fitzmaurice Report" earlier today, Mr. Cherry replied that in his opinion "there was a concerted effort by some county officials to bypass New York State Civil Service Law during a dark period that spanned the past three to four years," and that "If the report shows that county officials abused their position and used their authority to benefit their friends or unfairly punish rank and file employees working in county government, the perpetrators should be identified and justice should be served."

Although the contents are rumored at this point, if confirmed the $300,000 report would essentially indict several public and political officials for creating a culture of intimidation in Schoharie, which Mr. Cherry firmly believes that "There is no room in our county government for individuals who place politics above public service, or personal ambition above the law."

And there is no room for disagreement with Mr. Cherry's assessment. 

Remember that if you read this article to "like" our Facebook page and get the word out.

New Schoharie News Poll on Sidebar

With the last Schoharie News poll predicting a large victory for current Schoharie County Sheriff Tony Desmond closed out today, it is time to pick the brain of our readers for their opinion. There is a new question on our right sidebar asking you the readers of Schoharie County: do you support the job performance of the current Board of Supervisors?

Final Poll Results Show Large Lead for Desmond

The final results of the Schoharie News poll are in and they are lopsided in one candidate's favor. The unscientific poll has incumbent Sheriff Tony Desmond winning over his two opponents.

Desmond * (R): 408- 46%
Ethington (C): 242- 27%
Travis (D): 237- 27%
Total: 887
* Denotes incumbent

Desmond's lead has stayed roughly the same over the last month after Todd Ethington jumped into an early lead. Last week's story on the possible revelation of the report seemed to rapidly shift public opinion. All told the poll had an astonishing 887 votes.

"The Report" Followed Multiple Accusations of Misconduct in Human Resources

The Schoharie County Board of Supervisors and the taxpayers of the area wait on pins and needles for what will happen next with the "Report" due out later this week. While there have been denials of the newsworthiness of the process from individuals such as Jefferson Supervisor Dan Singletary, other data seems to point otherwise.

The whole process began early last year-- about the same time as large shifts in personnel in the County. There were multiple layoffs in the County Sheriff's Department and around the other departments in late 2011. While some of these jobs were saved, it was a bitter pill to swallow. County Treasurer Bill Cherry called out Human Resources Director Cassandra Ethington-- saying that if there were any layoffs the first should be "the personnel director."

This also comes as some of the laid off have accused the Supervisors and the HR Department of engineering some actions as direct payback for other actions.

Penny Grimes was among those laid off. In April 2012 she launched a suit against Schoharie County, specifically Cassandra Ethington. The suit was ultimately dismissed with Judge Eugene Devine writing in his August 2012 judgement that the dismissal was "not made out of personal malice." Still, the accusations seem to have resurfaced in the research done for the Report.

For example, Ms. Grimes described her entire relationship with the Personnel Director to be "extremely poor," in part accusing that Mrs. Ethington "went out of her way to verbally abuse me, criticize me and attempted to strip me of the responsibilities that I exercised for many years." At one meeting attended by former Richmondville Supervisor Betsy Bernocco in 2010 Ethington allegedly screamed at the plantiff for two-and-a-half hours, resulting in the prescription of an anti-depressant.

One of the central points of the lawsuit was that actions taken by Ethington were political in nature. Grimes alleged that Ethington attempted to force out the backers of the last Health Department chief Kathleen Strack and that Ms. Grimes' firing was part of an ""illegal pattern of hiring younger, inexperienced employees and eliminating older employees."

In the supporting and opposing documentation, the implications reached a fever pitch. Anne MacCuish from the Emergency Management Office submitted in a deposition that she was present for the alleged shouting incident and that Mrs. Ethington was so involved that "I became concerned because of the length of time that the yelling continued." She also states that this was only one incident of several.

Part of the documentation implied that Mrs. Ethington used her position to benefit her mother. While there was a shake-up at the Health Department, Mrs. Ethington's mother was hired as the Nursing Supervisor. It was alleged that later, when the County was forced to downsize, the supporters of the previous coordinator were placed on the chopping block directly organized in a list by the Personnel Director.

Karen Karker, a Preschool Special Needs Assistant also alleged to be witness to the pattern. She stated that she was berated by Mrs. Ethington for moving her desk. There were other incidents-- to the point that Ms. Karker indicated on a self-assessment conflict with her supervisor-- for which she was "vigorously criticize[d]."

While Mrs. Ethington's office determined that Ms. Grimes simply "handed out pamphlets," as implied in the court paperwork, there are multiple documents indicating otherwise. Kathleen Strack, the immediate prior Health Director stated that during her tenure that was not the case. Meanwhile there were five documents coming from various sources including Cobleskill Regional Hospital, Cornell Cooperative Extension, and others, stating that Ms. Grimes was an integral part of supporting their operations.

Mrs. Ethington's deposition denied all wrongdoing. As far as the alleged shouting incident, she stated:

"[Ms. Grimes] was particularly resistant to doing the time logs, saying she felt they were demeaning. Again, Ms. Bernocco and I tried to explain to her that the Board of Supervisors wanted all positions evaluated in light of the difficult fiscal times faced by the County."

She stated that she had "lost a degree of patience" but never raised her voice during the meeting. In addition, a deposition by Betsy Bernocco backs up this version of events, saying that Mrs. Ethington did not raise her voice once. Ms. Bernocco also saw no personal dislike of Ms. Strack by Mrs. Ethington.

Mrs. Ethington also writes that she had a largely "professional" relationship with Ms. Strack, including taking their children to a lake to swim and holding a Pampered Chef party at her house.

In another lawsuit filed in April 2012, former Planning Department employee Sean Jordan alleges in part that Mrs. Ethington mislead him about compensation and advancement in his job. This lawsuit was also dismissed. In a deposition filed, Mr. Jordan states that Mrs. Ethington led him to believe that additional workload would be additionally compensated. Instead, his research was used by the Personnel Director to create a position meant to replace him. Mrs. Ethington stated in a separate deposition that she had followed proper procedure and did not promise anything untoward.

Remember that if you read this article to "like" our Facebook page and get the word out.

Desmond Endorsed by Congressman Gibson

Tony Desmond has picked up the support of Congressman Chris Gibson, who forwarded a letter to him. In part, the letter read that Sheriff Desmond is "a true professional who always put public safety for all the citizens of Schoharie County at the forefront of his decisions."

Photo credit Tony Desmond Facebook page

SALT to Hold Green Shirts Celebration

Come and join in a commemoration of all of the good works done by the Green Shirt volunteers since Irene. SALT is coordinating an event to mark the departure of these volunteers and to thank them for helping to put Schoharie County back together.