Middleburgh Fire Department to Host "Breakfast with Santa"

The Middleburgh Fire Department and their Ladies Auxiliary will be hosting a breakfast with good 'ole Saint Nicholas on Sunday, December 8th at the fire house from seven until eleven that morning with Santa stopping by from the North Pole around eight for approximately two hours. 

Cost of attendance is $5 per adult, $3 per senior citizen or six to twelve year old, while children under five are admitted at no cost. The breakfast will be served buffet style with the menu featuring pancakes, scrambled eggs and bacon with the choice of several beverages ranging from coffee to juice to wash it all down. 

There will also be children's activities, which will be provided by the local Boy and Girl Scout troops.  

Smith, Skowfoe and Bleau Victorious in Supervisor Races; Conesville Still Without Highway Superintendent

The Schoharie County Board of Elections convened yesterday morning for almost four hours to count hundreds of leftover absentee, affidavit and military ballots in all sixteen towns from November fifth's off-year election. Voters in the Towns of Blenheim, Fulton and Wright finally learned who they elected as their respective Town Supervisor, while the final results in Conesville left residents still without an elected Highway Superintendent heading into the new year.

Blenheim
 

One of the three too close to call Town Supervisor races was decided just five minutes into this morning's count, with Democratic challenger Sean Smith winning seven of nine absentee ballots and Blenheim's top job over twenty-year incumbent Republican Robert Mann Jr. Mr. Smith received plenty of well wishes and support from members of the county board and other officials in attendance.
 

Conesville
 

The biggest surprise of the morning came from the Town of Conesville's Highway Superintendent election between Stephen Young and Larry Brandow, with Mr. Young heading into the day with what was thought a safe eleven vote lead with twenty-nine ballots yet to be opened. However, as luck would have it, Mr. Brandow carried the absentee and affidavit count overwhelmingly by a decisive 20-9 spread, which resulted in the two candidates ending the day with 154 votes apiece. 

Fulton

 

Entering the morning not knowing whether he would retain his position as Town Supervisor in Fulton, let alone the Chairmanship of the county board, incumbent Democrat Phil Skowfoe nervously paced back and forth across the Board of Supervisors chambers as he and his Republican challenger Francis Tatten awaited the results of their highly competitive race, of which the difference was only two votes in the incumbent's favor. With twenty-seven ballots to count Mr. Skowfoe needed only thirteen of them to claim victory, instead he received sixteen and a narrow seven vote victory to boot.

Wright
 

Roughly two dozen observers waited out the remaining eight towns to hear who would win Wright's contest between Democrat Karl Remmers and Republican Amber Bleau, where the Democrat held a three vote lead on election night with forty-five ballots left to count. As anticipation built amongst the audience, the machine decided not to work - delaying the final process for almost five excruciatingly long minutes - which was followed by the Deputy on patrol accidentally turning off the room's lights, adding to the anxiety of everyone in attendance. But after all was said and done, Ms. Bleau carried the absentee and affidavit ballots 26-18 over Mr. Remmers, winning the election by five votes and finally ending the Town of Wright's ten month long lack of representation on the county board.

 

Conservative Party Did Not File Campaign Finances, Appears to Violate State Law

The Conservative Party of Schoharie County has played a major role in local politics over the last decade under the tenure of current Chair William Hanson. From 2007 to the present it has staked out an independent tack, endorsing multiple candidates across the County for races from Supervisor to Sheriff to County Clerk.

However, as the third largest party in the County it is required to disclose financial transactions so long as they are above $1,000 total. Since 2007, there has not been a single filing.

There is every reason to believe that the Conservative Party has been involved financially in multiple races across the County. Direct evidence came this year in a mailer attacking County Treasurer Bill Cherry and Supervisors Carl Barbic, Gene Milone, and Phil Skowfoe. On the bottom of the mailer, it stated that it was paid for by the Conservative Party. Considering that 4,000 placards were printed and mailed-- it is inconceivable that the total cost was under $1,000.

When researched, there is no filing for the party at all. Not even a basic statement or a quarterly election summary. Not a mention of the mailer or its cost, as required by law.

State law is clear on the issue. On the NYS Board of Elections website there is no room for error.

Committees are required to file either an itemized campaign financial disclosure report, an In-Lieu-Of Statement (if qualified), or a No-Activity Report, as described, for each filing period: 

Itemized Campaign Financial Disclosure Report 

An itemized campaign financial disclosure report is a report disclosing the financial activity for a specific reporting period, detailed on applicable schedule(s), and where at the close of the reporting period, the aggregate of receipts or expenditures of the campaign have exceeded $1,000.

If there is no political activity or fundraising of over $1,000 the committee can report this instead and there would be no money figure attached. Still, with the creation and distribution of the infamous mailer, this does not seem plausible. Since this is the case, how could election law not be followed by a large party in Schoharie County?

New County Board's Weighted Vote Totals by Party, Faction

As asked for by our readers, we are happy to bring you the totals of the weighted votes controlled by the Democrats and Republicans and those that were endorsed by the Conservative Party or not.

Democrats and Republicans, * Denotes Conservative Party Backing

Cobleskill - 481 (16.2%) (R)

Middleburgh - 352 (11.8%) (D)

Schoharie - 326 (11%) (D)

Richmondville - 241 (8.1%) (R)

Esperance - 204 (6.9%) (R)

Sharon Springs - 184 (6.2%) (D)

Carlisle - 176 (5.9%) (R)

Seward - 164 (5.5%) (D)

Wright -155 (5.2%) (R)*

Jefferson - 129 (4.3%) (R)

Fulton - 127 (4.3%) (D)

Gilboa - 122 (4.1%) (R)

Summit - 112 (3.8%) (R)*

Broome - 95 (3.2%) (R)

Conesville - 73 (2.5%) (R)

Blenheim - 33 (1.1%) (D)

Total Democrats: 6 seats- 1186: 39.9%
Total Republicans: 10 seats- 1788: 60.1%
Total: 2974

Total Non-Conservative: 14 seats- 2704: 91.0%
Total Conservative: 2 seats- 267: 9.0%
Total: 2974



Town of Wright Final Elections Results

The Town of Wright has not seen a Supervisor since the death of Bill Goblet. The infighting left Amber Bleau as de facto Supervisor, unable to represent the Town at the County level. On election night Mr. Remmers led by a scant three votes. However, with over two-dozen absentee ballots left to count, Ms. Bleau wound up with the lead.

Bleau (R-C)- 343: 50.4%
Remmers (D)- 338: 49.6%

It is unclear if there were any affidavit ballots counted in this race but it was the closest in recent memory.

Skowfoe Wins in Fulton

Incumbent Fulton Supervisor Phil Skowfoe has pulled out a dramatic victory in the Town of Fulton race. In the first results, Skowfoe led Republican Town Councilman Frank Tatten by just two votes. With the absentees counted and certified today, Skowfoe expanded this lead.

Skowfoe* (D)- 230: 50.8%
Tatten (R)- 223: 49.2%

* Denotes incumbent

Smith Wins in Final Tally in Blenheim

Newcomer Shawn Smith has officially unseated 20-year incumbent Bob Mann in Blenheim. The 27-year old attorney ran a vigorous campaign and expanded his lead over Mann in the final tally. In the original count, Smith was leading by 6.

Now, with the absentees counted, Smith won by a larger margin.

Smith (D)- 77: 53.5%
Mann (R)*- 66: 46.5%

* Denotes incumbent

Shipp-Hilts Affidavit Points to Collusion with Ethington, Perjury

Details of the infamous Fitzmaurice Report lay out step by step how Personnel Director Cassandra Ethington oversaw a "reign of terror" within county government that resulted in both her control of the Health Department and the termination of public employees based solely on Mrs. Ethington's personal agenda.

This brings us to the curious case of current Health Department Director Asante Shipp-Hilts, who following the Report's revelations of collusion and subordination to Mrs. Ethington, is facing her own removal from power by a Board of Supervisors intent on cleansing the county of the now-suspended Personnel Director's tenure.

Ms. Shipp-Hilts, who has largely escaped public ridicule to this point, appears to have lied in an June, 2012 affidavit in Grimes v. Schoharie County that claimed that after she "arrived at the Department, I was the immediate supervisor of all staff in the Department, plain and simple." Adding that she saw "no rational basis why petitioner would have as she seems to contend, believed Mrs. Ethington was to [sic] holding herself out as head of the Department even after my arrival."

This is directly contradicted by evidence contained within the Fitzmaurice Report that not only documents Mrs. Ethington's takeover of the Health Department - before and during Ms. Shipp-Hilts' county employment started in May, 2011 - but by her own admissions made to investigators. One of which conceded that Mrs. Ethington held the power as the appointing authority in regards to Kim Euler's layoff in late 2011, with additional information showing Mrs. Ethington signed off on it as the "appointing authority and the Interim Director of the Health Department."

Even more troubling is the fact Mrs. Ethington appointed Ms. Shipp-Hilts to the position of Epidemiology Coordinator on April 26, 2011 as the "Appointing Officer with the title of Interim Public Health Director typed under her signature." Which begs the question of how Ms. Shipp-Hilts could have possibly believed she was in charge or made subsequent statements indicating the same when she was clearly hired under the authority of Mrs. Ethington, who was then Interim Health Director.

Mrs. Ethington said as much in a June 14, 2011 memo to Eva Gigandet that stated Ms. Shipp-Hilts "is your immediate supervisor and I am in charge administratively over the health department on a day to day basis until further notice," and again in October, 2011 when she described herself as the "Acting Director, Public Health Department" to co-budget officers Alicia Terry and Paul Brady. Just three months later Mrs. Ethington would sign a letter to then Deputy Director of Public Health Ian Feinstein as the Interim Public Health Director with Ms. Shipp-Hilts listed as only the Epidemiology Coordinator.

All of this proves the glaring inaccuracies of Ms. Shipp-Hilts claims in her June, 2012 affidavit, but that document itself contradicts her past statements in that neither Mrs. Ethington nor Ms. Shipp-Hilts claimed that holding the position of Epidemiology Coordinator constituted control of the Health Department until former health officials initiated lawsuits against the county because of Ethington's actions as Interim Director, with Shipp-Hilts having no say whatsoever in the administrative functions of the department she supposedly was the head of from her appointment in April, 2011 onward.

With November 1st's motion to suspend Ms. Shipp-Hilts fresh in mind, and the Board of Health's subsequent expression of total confidence in her abilities at last Friday's meeting, her fate as Public Health Director could very well be decided by the inaccuracies of both her affidavit and the contents of the Fitzmaurice Report that clearly demonstrate her lack of authority over the embattled department and even that of a subservient role to Mrs. Ethington.

Education Forum Tuesday at Schoharie Central

All are invited for an Education Forum at Schoharie Central School on Tuesday, November 19th at 4pm to discuss issues revolving around the field of education. Assemblyman Peter Lopez and Senator James Seward have assisted in setting up the event meant to bring in more perspective on modern teaching.

There is no formal format but much of the conversation will likely revolve around two upcoming bills in the State legislature regarding Truth in Testing and Common Core. There will be an opportunity for educators to speak about the issues and ask questions. These concerns in particular have grown since New York State became involved in Common Core.

Opinion: Board Must Re-Institute Grimes and Gigandet

Nearly two years ago Town of Schoharie Supervisor Gene Milone motioned for an investigation to look into allegations of wrongdoing, misconduct and harassment operating within Schoharie County government. It was initially supported overwhelmingly and soon after developed into one of the hottest points of contention on the Board of Supervisors after the tangled weave of corruption started to become unraveled.

The results of this investigative report, with a final price tag in excess of $300,000 that took almost a year to complete after a firm was selected, was damning to Personnel Director Cassandra Ethington: not only did she systemically work with allies on the county board to take over the Health Department following Kathleen Strack's resignation but she fired several employees within that department and others for blatantly personal reasons.

Among those wrongfully terminated, according to the Fitzmaurice Report, were Penny Grimes and Eva Gigandet, two former employees of the Health Department who were intentionally singled out by Mrs. Ethington and fired for decidedly personal reasons - Ms. Gigandet for example was told by the now-suspended Personnel Director that the federal grant money provided for her position could be "better spent elsewhere" and was summarily released without further reason, which at the time led to confusion on the Board of Supervisors over who exactly was in control of the county's health apparatus.

With early November's suspension of Mrs. Ethington and Friday's appointment of Charity Bender to serve as interim head of the embattled Personnel Office, apparently resolving the ongoing management crisis within one of the county's most important departments, there is still one aspect of this entire affair that must be dealt with: restitution for both Ms. Grimes and Ms. Gigandet.

Both of these hard working and experienced Health Department professionals deserve to be rehired not only on the merits of their job qualifications, which are extensive, but to right the unquestionable wrongs of Ms. Ethington's "reign of terror" that resulted in two years of hell for these women that despite separate lawsuits wouldn't be vindicated until the late October release of the investigative report. 

As the Schoharie News reported earlier, the Board of Supervisors will be meeting on December 10th to both approve of the 2014 public budget and to consider reinstating Ms. Grimes and Ms. Gigandet's jobs into the Health Department's budget. The latter proposal faced mixed support at Friday's county board meeting with lame duck Cobleskill Town Supervisor Tom Murray stating that the State Supreme Court had already ruled that they weren't wrongfully dismissed, apparently oblivious to the contents of the report. 

However, at least to the Schoharie News,  it is common sense that final justice should be served as a result of Fitzmaurice's findings with that being the re-institution of both Ms. Grimes and Ms. Gigandet to the county Health Department, which must be approved at the December 10th meeting by the Board of Supervisors in a demonstration of full understanding of the damaging effects Ethington's tenure had on the daily operation of county government and on the lives of her personal targets, who were fired with complete disregard of their credentials and dependent on Mrs. Ethington's agenda.

County Board to Meet on Reinstating Fired Employees

The Schoharie County Board of Supervisors will be meeting to discuss the overall budget proposed by Budget Officer Bill Cherry and will have an extra item on the agenda. Extended discussion was held on Friday revolving around several employees fired during the tenure of suspended Personnel Director Cassandra Ethington.

Multiple Supervisors spoke about what to do about employees that were let go in late 2011 such as Eva Gigandet and Penny Grimes. Mrs. Grimes spoke to the Board and discussed how she worked her way into her position and "earned" her paycheck. Esperance Supervisor Earl vanWormer echoed similar sentiments, calling for reinstatement.

Seward Supervisor Carl Barbic supported a similar tack, but under further consideration. He requested a further look into the budget before making such a decision. After this, Treasurer Bill Cherry said that he would again look into the budget to allow restitution and that he would support such a re-hiring.

Schoharie Supervisor Gene Milone asked for a special meeting to discuss such a re-hire, saying that it was not fair to leave the former employees waiting to know what would happen. He said that the Board should "come to conclusion" on the issue. He called it a "no-brainer" and said that the employees were "wrongfully dismissed."

Cobleskill Supervisor Tom Murray disagreed, stating that the State Supreme Court said that the employees were not wrongfully dismissed.

A majority on the Board did not agree with a consensus call to hold a special meeting at this time.

Penny Grimes Speaking to the Board. Photo Credit SCHOPEG

Former employee Penny Grimes spoke again, asking Mr. Murray what he meant. Murray stated that he did not believe that the Fitzmaurce Report "holds a lot of merit." Grimes stated that the voters supported what the Board did regarding the Report. She said that she was "sick and tired" of other people implying that the Report was a "pack of lies" while looking in Murray's direction. She said that she would not want to sue again, but could in the future.

Watch part of the exchange below. Video credit from SCHOPEG.

Instead of a special meeting, Phil Skowfoe instead asked for the consideration of these issues on December 10th during a regular budget meeting.

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