Milone, VanWormer, VanGlad Lead in Chair Poll

The newest Schoharie News poll has a jumbled mix in regards to who should become the next Chair of the County Board of Supervisors. There were many votes-- including an interesting situation revolving around Gilboa Supervisor Tony VanGlad. In rapid succession, about 90 votes were added to his total, which we believe was done either by computer error or someone voting more than they should. As such, with those votes removed we have an interesting picture. Of course, this is an unscientific poll and the extra votes reflects the  imperfect process.

Included in the poll question were Supervisors at least entering in their second term. The poll also includes the current Chair Phil Skowfoe and two former Chairs, Earl VanWormer and Harold Vroman. The results follow.

Manko, Sharon- 17: 7.6%
Buzon, Middleburgh- 13: 5.8%
Milone, Schoharie- 67: 29.9% 
Skowfoe, Fulton- 16: 7.1% 
VanGlad, Gilboa- 29: 12.9% 
Vroman, Summit- 9: 4.0%
Barbic, Seward-7: 3.1%
VanWormer, Esperance- 40: 17.9%
Lape, Richmondville- 15: 6.7% 
Bradt, Carlisle- 11: 4.9% 
Total: 224

Clearly, Gene Milone's leadership relating to the Fitzmaurice Report have been well-received by the residents of the County. In second was former Chair Earl VanWormer, who has not publicly stated that he will seek the chairmanship. Third was Mr. VanGlad, who is very popular in Gilboa. In fourth is Sandra Manko of Sharon.

Story Time and Presents With Santa on December 14

Santa Claus is coming to Schoharie County, bearing gifts and story time, albeit a little early. On Saturday, December 14th from 10-11:30 AM good 'ole Kris Kringle will be at the Zion Lutheran Church in Cobleskill to read the Polar Express and deliver a special gift to every child.

Cost of attendance is $10 per child with a maximum of $20 per family, while children under four are free. Please contact Nancy Brumaghim at 368-5378 or at nan.c.b71@gmail.com as space is limited in this special event, of which all proceeds will to the AED Project of Schoharie County.

Advisory for Harsh Weather Tonight

The National Weather Service has put out a bulletin on extreme weather coming to the area tonight. There is a concern that a cold front could bring downpours tonight across New York and New England.

Probability of wind damage. Credit Nat'l Weather Service

The following is the alert from the Weather Service.

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE STORM PREDICTION CENTER HAS INCREASE
THE POTENTIAL FOR SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS OVERNIGHT ACROSS ALL OF
EASTERN NEW YORK AND WESTERN NEW ENGLAND.

A STRONG COLD FRONT WILL LIKELY BRING A LINE OF HEAVY RAIN SHOWERS
AND EVEN A FEW THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS THE REGION OVERNIGHT...MAINLY
FROM AROUND MIDNIGHT IN OUR EXTREME WESTERN AREAS...EXITING
WESTERN NEW ENGLAND AROUND 600 AM. THE MAIN THREAT WILL BE FROM
DAMAGING WIND GUSTS IN EXCESS OF 58 MPH ALONG WITH CLOUD TO GROUND
LIGHTNING.

WHILE NO RIVER FLOODING IS EXPECTED...RAIN COULD FALL HEAVILY FOR
A TIME OVERNIGHT TO PRODUCE AREAS OF PONDING WHERE FALLEN LEAVES
HAVE CLOGGED DRAINS.

And remember-- keep it tuned to the Schoharie News weather page for up-to-the minute forecasts, dam levels, and radar.

Weighted Vote Totals in Schoharie County

With the polls finally closed across all sixteen towns that make up Schoharie County, and large changes across the Board, the Schoharie News has put together the town by town county board weighted vote totals so that our readers can not only better understand the significance of certain races over others but can track each board faction's strength.

Cobleskill - 481 (16.2%)

Middleburgh - 352 (11.8%)

Schoharie - 326 (11%)

Richmondville - 241 (8.1%)

Esperance - 204 (6.9%)

Sharon Springs - 184 (6.2%)

Carlisle - 176 (5.9%)

Seward - 164 (5.5%)

Wright -155 (5.2%)

Jefferson - 129 (4.3%)

West Fulton - 127 (4.3%)

Gilboa - 122 (4.1%)

Summit - 112 (3.8%)

Broome - 95 (3.2%)

Conesville - 73 (2.5%)

Blenheim - 33 (1.1%)



Board of Health Stands By Public Health Director, Draws Line in Sand

Following the suspension of Personnel Director Cassandra Ethington in November first's special meeting of the county board, there was a motion brought forth by Middleburgh Supervisor Jim Buzon to also suspend Public Health Director Asante Shipp-Hilts, which after a prolonged discussion, was tabled.

 

Fast-forwarding to yesterday's county board meeting, Board of Health President Betsy Bernocco briefly read a resolution that was recently passed and signed by a majority of their organization in support of Ms. Shipp-Hilts. The resolution "expressed our total confidence... in the abilities of our Public Health Director."

 

Mrs. Bernocco, who previously served on the county board as the Supervisor of Richmondville, drew a proverbial line in the sand by stating the "power rests on the Board of Health" to determine Ms. Shipp-Hilts' future, and not the Board of Supervisors.

 

Dr. Joseph Luz, also a member of the Board of Health, stated that "We feel Asante has done an excellent job," and that it "strongly support[s] her to continue in that position." Dr. Luz concluded his remarks by adding that removing her would be an "error."

 

Schoharie Supervisor Gene Milone followed up Mrs. Bernocco's and Dr. Luz's statements by asking if "either of you read the Fitzmaurice Report," of which both responded that they had, and Mr. Milone replied simply that "was all he wanted to ask." No further discussion was had on the matter.

Cherry to Board: Relocate County Jail

County Treasurer and Flood Recovery Coordinator William Cherry presented multiple facets of ongoing relief efforts to the County Board of Supervisors earlier today. Among the items was a proposal to move the jail from its existing location to higher ground. The Harvey Stoddard complex remains heavily damaged and a complete solution has not been agreed upon.

On November 1 Senator Chuck Schumer visited the site and agreed with the position of elevation. Treasurer Cherry wrote a letter to Governor Cuomo's office asking for a solution. The issue revolving around the jail will be included with a set of FEMA-related issues that Cuomo's office is sending to Washington.

In his letter to the Governor, Cherry argues that replacing the jail in its current location "doesn't make sense if building a new, relocated facility is cost-effective." In his figures, $14 million would be required to fix the in situ jail and $18.7 to relocate the facility to a location out of the floodplain. He also points out that FEMA must consider the idea of rebuilding in a floodplain if "any such possibility exists."

Cherry continues that the existing site would not only be flood prone, but that emergency response could be hampered. "Every single one of those critical offices was rendered inoperable" due to Hurricane Irene.

Board Names Charity Bender as Interim Deputy Personnel Director

The Town of Carlisle Supervisor and Personnel Committee Chairman Larry Bradt reported to the Board of Supervisors in this morning's session that New York State Civil Service has recommended the creation of a interim Deputy Personnel Director to fill in while current Personnel Director Cassandra Ethington remains suspended following the release of the Fitzmaurice Report in late October.

Mr. Bradt, who made a motion for the position to be created, followed up by motioning that current Deputy Board of Supervisors Clerk Charity Bender should be named to head it. Ms. Bender, argued the Carlisle Supervisor, is qualified for the job and would remain in her current position while also handling the duties of the Personnel Office when need be.

With lunch recess approaching and County Attorney Mike West's presence not expected until after one, discussion of the matter was delayed until the afternoon session, which was passed by voice-vote on a motion to table by Jefferson Supervisor Dan Singletary.

If Bradt's motion to create an interim Deputy Personnel Director is approved this afternoon, it would represent the Board's beginning framework of what a post-Ethington Personnel Office will look like in county government. The introduction of Ms. Bender to oversee its operations in the present signals the Board of looking for outsiders to take the reins of the troubled department.

Update - The Schoharie News has just learned that the Board has approved Ms. Bender's appointment and she is now the legal head of the county's Personnel Office. We will update with for more information as we receive it.

Update 2 - Ms. Bender's motion passed 9-3, with Supervisors Murray, Singletary and Vroman voting against.

Board Votes 12-1 to Contract Guilford Mills Marketing to CBRE

The Schoharie County Board of Supervisors, on a motion by Seward Town Supervisor Carl Barbic, voted 12-1 to enter into a one year contract with CBRE-Albany, a global real estate firm that focuses on property management and leasing, to handle the marketing of the vacant Guilford Mills property in Cobleskill.

 

Treasurer William Cherry, who was tasked by the Board at last month's meeting to manage marketing of the former Interknitting property that has gone without an occupant for twelve years now, recommended CBRE be contracted because of their extensive global and local portfolio in handling similar transactions.

 

Mr. Cherry reasoned that since there is "no market for a 265,000 square foot building," that you would "subdivide it and break it up." Cobleskill Town Supervisor Tom Murray, who still believed the offer from Butternuts should be considered, questioned the judgment of the county "becoming a landlord," saying that it would be a "bad road to go down."

 

In the end only Jefferson Town Supervisor Dan Singletary voted against the motion, arguing that people can "look wonderful on paper," and that he would "like to see another proposal." Supervisor Barbic called that argument a "delay."

 

CBRE will receive a 5% to 6% commission depending on the final asking price of a potential sale, which Mr. Cherry recommended be set at $3 million but could be lowered to $2-2.5 million depending on the situation.

Letter to the Editor: HCR - We Never Defaulted

To the Editor:

 

The Schoharie News published a piece recently about Schoharie County’s sale of its Certified Home Health Agency to HCR Home Care. Unfortunately, your article included misstatements about HCR.

 

For example, your article claimed that HCR was defaulting on payments to other counties in 2011. The fact is that HCR never defaulted on a single payment, and today we maintain strong relationships with each of these counties. In fact, they refer our agency to other entities.

 

HCR is proud to provide home health services to the people of Schoharie County, through our team of local registered nurses, physical, occupational and speech therapists, medical social workers and home health aides.

 

Our client service and quality of care are routinely recognized nationally and statewide:

 

HCR Home Care of Schoharie County was recently listed in HomeCare Elite, which names the top 25 percent of agencies nationwide, based on such performance measures as quality patient outcomes and patient satisfaction ratings.

 

An independent survey commissioned by the federal government gave HCR of Schoharie County high marks for patient care quality and patient satisfaction, exceeding New York state and national averages in numerous categories.

 

Clearly, Schoharie County and its residents are benefiting from the CHHA sale to HCR. The people of Schoharie County can be assured that when they choose HCR, they will receive the highest possible quality care.

 

Sincerely yours,

　

Elizabeth Zicari, RN BSN CENP Jacklyn R. Losie, RN, AS

 

Vice President of Clinical Services Director of Patient Services

 

HCR Home Care HCR Home Care of Schoharie County

Richmondville Sets Steep Requirements For Potential Maranatha Investor

New York City investor Da-Lai Wu made his case to the Town of Richmondville Tuesday morning on why he should be the man to turn around Maranatha and takeover the $5.3 million publicly funded facility that is currently sitting unoccupied on Route 7.

 

However, in order for any of that to occur, Mr. Wu needs Empire State Development to grant a waiver due to the regulations attached to the Restore New York grant the project received but that cannot happen until Mr. Wu meets nine requirements set by the Town of Richmondville, which holds the final say on whether a waiver request will be submitted or not.

 

The Schoharie News received a copy of the nine requirements earlier this afternoon in an e-mail from a concerned resident. In order for the Town of Richmondville to sign off on a waiver request, Mr. Wu must meet the following stipulations:

 

1. Approval from: a) all lenders; b) NYS Business Dev. Corp. c) SBA d) Co. IDA

2. Written consent and guarantee on all secondary grant disbursement agreements with the Town, and the Town's related security agreements.

3. Assurance of no damage to the building, equipment; and is ready for immediate operation.

4. $20,000 deposit to be held in escrow by the town for a mandated federal audit of the Community Development Block Grant of $650,000.

5. Payment of town's expense for hiring Orion Management Co. (currently $5,500; expected additional $5,000)

6. Payment of unpaid water bill to the town.

7. Power bill - to be handled by the Village of Richmondville.

8. Compliance with Orion Management Co.'s demands in preparing and submitting required employment records to meet federal regulations pertaining to the CDBG.

9. Compliance with Orion Management Co.'s demands in furnishing complete records pertaining to the expenditure of $75,000 for the purchase of the adjacent Chichester land, to meet the regulations of the RestoreNY grant.

 

It remains to be seen if Mr. Wu will be able to overcome the obstacles constructed by the Town of Richmondville and acquire Maranatha, obstacles he described as business unfriendly at Tuesday's meeting, but regardless the situation involving the multi-million dollar project and future ownership will continue to remain fluid.

Last Portion of Report Documentation Withheld, Could be Used for Legal Action

The Schoharie County Board of Supervisors has one part of the Fitzmaurice Report still under wraps. The official documentation for the second portion of the Report has still not been released. There is general consensus of Board members that the information should be made public in time, but there is a wait for the release.

District Attorney Jim Sacket spoke to the County Board on November 1st, waiting on further information before coming public on recommendation for legal action. Hundreds of pages of County records, emails, and other documents are included in the portfolio.

The documents have been partially summarized in the second part of the Fitzmaurice Report and are partially culled from public record. However, the information taken from County emails remain private and include names of employees that were redacted in both issues of the Report. Sources indicate that the documentation includes more content revolving around how Supervisors or former Supervisors such as Martin Shrederis and Tom Murray were involved with giving more power to Cassandra Ethington. According to the first part of the Report, Murray was also involved with Ethington and Conservative Party Bill Hanson.

This documentation could be used after the public hearing on Cassandra Ethington's employment with the County. Whether or not legal action will be filed is unclear, but circumstances are different than the first portion of the Report's documentation. The first set of documentation was released, but did not include as much sensitive information.

Legal Protection's End May Bring Suits Against Ethington

Cassandra Ethington's issues with residents of Schoharie County will not end at the dismissal hearing early next month. The event, tenatively dated for early December may very well see the currently-suspended Personnel Chief fired from her position with the County. While this would be a dramatic event, other issues will likely take its place.

First is the end of a legal shield for Ethington. As of today, any lawsuits filed against Ethington for her role as Personnel Director will be met by the County. In the past, as with lawsuits filed by Penny Grimes, Ethington was defended by attorneys paid for by the County. Once she is let go, the legal protection ends and the costs come straight from her pocket.

Beyond this, the risk of lawuits appear very high. Previously dismissed lawsuits for employees such as Grimes, Eva Gigandet, and Sean Jordan could be re-litigated. In addition, employees that were let go during her tenure with the Personnel or Health Department may now sue, understanding that the County is no longer behind her.

While the County itself may be sued by current and former employees, the chance of personal lawsuits has risen with the release of both portions of the Fitzmaurice Report. These could begin by the end of the year.

Town of Fulton Elects Judge Who Can't Serve

Residents of the Town of Fulton went to the polls on November 5th with two choices for Town Justice: Republican Ronald Jeffer or Democrat Charles Shoemaker, both of whom are respected figures within the municipality and neither of which had qualifications unbecoming of service. Or so they thought.

The Schoharie News has learned that the Schoharie County Board of Elections received a letter on November 4th, the day before the election, by Mr. Jeffer asking that his name be removed from the official ballot, but due to the lateness of his request he remained a candidate for Town Justice and would go on to win by just 29 votes over Mr. Shoemaker.

Why would Mr. Jeffer request that his name be removed by the Board of Elections?

Well, it turns out that Mr. Jeffer, who is employed by the federal government as a postmaster in the Town of Fulton, is ineligible from holding public office because of his federal employment under the Hatch Act. As such, he cannot legally serve in the position he was just elected to, which has left Town of Fulton voters in a peculiar situation. 

According to the Board of Elections there is legally no winner in the Town of Fulton until Tuesday morning, but the question has to be asked: since Mr. Jeffer is clearly victorious with his margin exceeding that of potential absentee and affidavit ballots, and by his own letter acknowledged his inability to serve, who exactly will become Town Justice in Fulton?

That decision could very well be made by the Fulton Town Board, which according to New York State law, has the ultimate power to appoint individuals in the case of a vacancy of any town office, including that of Town Justice. Now who they would appoint is another story altogether - Mr. Shoemaker would be the logical front-runner considering his candidacy and close finish last Tuesday, but the Town Board can legally appoint whoever they wanted.

Combining the illegal election of Mr. Jeffer and the too close to call Town Supervisor's race between incumbent Phil Skowfoe and challenger Francis Tatten, the Town of Fulton has become a hotbed for post-election controversy and discussion, a notoriety one doubts they were aiming for when entering the ballot box.

Middleburgh Best House Victorian Christmas Tea December 14th

The Middleburgh Best House medical museum will continue its annual tradition of ringing in the Christmas season over tea with friends. The event on Saturday, December 14th between 1-4pm will be served with tea, hot chocolate, and fine desserts. The event has been a cooperation between the Best House, its parent the Middleburgh Library, and the Century Club.

Lame Duck Board of Supervisors Meets Friday

The Schoharie County Board of Supervisors will be meeting on Friday in the first of two lame-duck sessions facing the current slate of supervisors following last Tuesday's political realignment at the ballot box, which will result in four to six new individuals taking seats on the county board - pending the final absentee count in Blenheim and Fulton.

However, several issues still face the county board in the remainder of 2013: managing the continued fall-out caused by the Fitzmaurice Report's findings, revising the 2014 county budget to meet public expectations after last week's hearing on the subject and internally re-configuring board politics following the results of election day which will usher Republicans back in control come January with a slim majority.

There is currently no public agenda posted on Schoharie County's website for the board meeting, which will convene at nine Friday morning on the third floor of the county building in Schoharie. All meetings are open to the public and typically take a one hour recess for lunch in the vicinity of eleven thirty to twelve, followed primarily by the introduction and passage of operating resolutions.

One thing to watch is how Chairman Phil Skowfoe acts as his re-election hopes hang in the balance of 24 absentees in the Town of Fulton and, if he's victorious on that front, whether he will retain the bipartisan coalition that holds his chairmanship together or if Republicans will coalesce around their own candidate in the fast approaching January meeting. 

Sharon Hosting Small Business Event

Sharon is holding an event celebrating the expansion of business that the community has enjoyed over the last several years. The Small Business Saturday will be on November 30th starting with the American Hotel in the Village of Sharon Springs from 10am to 6pm. There will be special vendors open and all visitors are encouraged to visit the eclectic mix of businesses in Sharon.

Investor Makes Case for Maranatha Change

Interest in the Town of Richmondville's special board meeting on Maranatha and the potential for a new investor to come in reached such levels yesterday afternoon that the Town Court exceeded its occupancy level of 46 people and proceedings were moved to the Fire Department less then a half mile down Main Street to accommodate the approximately 75 residents that were in attendance.

 

With substantial debts including electric and water bills, an unpaid consultant and a roughly $20,000 equipment audit facing whomever acquires Maranatha, potential investor Da-Lai Wu said that it was a "no brainer" that all outstanding bills would have to be paid in advance of his New York City investment firm's potential takeover.

 

Mr. Wu, who addressed the audience of residents and politicians, told the crowd that in the future he needs assurance that the Town of Richmondville wouldn't continue what he summarized as a business unfriendly attitude towards the project he is seeking to acquire. Saying that if he wanted to expand Maranatha to include a tennis court or other buildings under his potential ownership that he should be able to do so without hindrance.

 

However, with the original project dependent on millions in state grants, and the strings that are attached, nothing can occur unless all parties involved are on board for a waiver by Empire State Development, which will need the cooperation of the thus far skeptical Town of Richmondville to be considered.

 

Stella McKenna, who currently owns Maranatha and is operating out of her secondary location in Cobleskill for the time being, said that "this needs to happen now" and that we "can't wait another week." State Senator Jim Seward concurred, stating that "if nothing happens, it remains an empty building."



Schoharie News, WSDE Announce Partnership

The Schoharie News and WSDE would like to announce a partnership between our news service and Schoharie County's premier radio station AM-1190 WSDE and their affiliate lite-94.3 FM, which is owned and operated by Ed Sherlock of Middleburgh. 

While the details of the partnership are still evolving, both parties have agreed in principle to share content and help promote the other on their respective formats, with the Schoharie News supplying news updates for WSDE's daily broadcasts and WSDE promoting the Schoharie News to potential advertisers and on the air. 

On WSDE's November 27th edition of "Talking Schoharie County," which airs weekly on Wednesday mornings from nine till ten, Schoharie News editor Timothy Knight will co-host the program with Mr. Sherlock to discuss the topics of the day from across the county. 

Both parties will retain full ownership of their original entities and the partnership is subject to continued joint approval. 

Stamford Chamber of Commerce Sponsors Holiday Farmers Market November 23

The Greater Stamford Area Chamber of Commerce will be sponsoring a holiday pop-up farmers' market on Saturday, November 23 from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Frank W. Cyr Center, where the former Rexmere Hotel was located, on 159 West Main Street in the historic Village of Stamford.

With over 35 vendors expected, and countless items available for shoppers on the eve of Thanksgiving, it is encouraged by the local chamber of commerce for consumers to "think local FIRST" when considering their preparations for the upcoming holiday. 

Not only will a variety of local flavors and creations be available, ranging from New York State maple syrup products to farm-fresh meats and a touch of marmalade, but you will get to the know the farmers and other vendors that represent the financial backbone of the greater Stamford community and to support their efforts. 

For more information, including a complete list of vendors, please visit www.CatskillMtns.org 

Vote in Our New Poll: Who Do You Believe Would Make the Best County Board Chair?

In this new poll, we are asking readers to opine who should be the next Chair of the County Board. Assuming that the current candidates in the lead all win, there will be three Chairs on the Board: current Chairman Phil Skowfoe and former Chairs Harold Vroman and Earl vanWormer.

There are no freshmen in this poll, as the chance that they would be selected is slim. What do you think? Vote on the sidebar!