Public Health Director Asante Shipp-Hilts Sumbits Resignation, Effective in New Year

Following weeks of Board scrutiny over her role in now-suspended Personnel Director Cassandra Ethington's "reign of terror" in county government, the Schoharie News has learned that Public Health Director Asante Shipp-Hilts has submitted her resignation to the Board of Supervisors, effective January 2nd, 2014.

 

According to numerous sources within county government, both on and off the record, Ms. Shipp-Hilts submitted her resignation via email Tuesday night to members of the Board and Supervisors and asked that they refrain from dispersing the information until she had an opportunity to address members of the Health Department last Thursday.

 

Ms. Shipp-Hilts, who is highly regarded as an intelligent young professional, was first hired into the county Health Department in May of 2011 by Mrs. Ethington as the Epidemiology Coordinator and would serve under the suspended Personnel Director as her supervisor in the department until early 2012. 

 

She assumed the role of Public Health Director only after lawsuits were initialized against Mrs. Ethington for the then questionable layoffs of department employees Penny Grimes and Eva Gigandet, which the Fitzmaurice Report found to be personally motivated on Ethington's part and the Board has since received a motion to reinstate the two employees.

 

Board of Health President Betsy Bernocco recently addressed the Board of Supervisors in reading a resolution signed by a majority of the Board of Health in support of Ms. Shipp-Hilts, stating that they had "total confidence... in the abilities of our Public Health Director," but the sentiment of numerous Supervisors was expressed when Schoharie Supervisor Gene Milone simply asked if Bernocco had read the contents of the recently finished report.

 

There is no immediate front-runner to assume her position atop the embattled Health Department, which she will be spend her last month out of the office by using saved vacation and personal time, but if the Board's decision to appoint Charity Bender to temporarily oversee the Personnel Department is any indication, they may start their search for the county's next Public Health Director by looking outside of the department.

Maranatha EXCLUSIVE: Wu Backs Out of Project, Says Richmondville "Should be Ashamed"

After months of negotiations between the Town of Richmondville and New York City entrepreneur Da-Lai Wu concerning the $5 million Maranatha project, which current owner Stella McKenna was recently served notice of foreclosure on by the New York Business Development Corporation, it was decided Friday evening by Mr. Wu to end his perusal of the shuttered physical fitness center. 

 

Mr. Wu, who is the CEO and Director of Player Management with RUSH-N-CRUSH, originally came to the area to investigate the possibility of working in partnership with SUNY Cobleskill on developing local tennis programming by updating and using their tennis facilities based on his knowledge in the sport from both being a professional player and coach the past three decades. After estimating the college could repair their poor quality courts to U.S. Open standards with a price tag of $105,000, Mr. Wu expanded his horizons to visit neighboring facilities and to see if there was interest in the area for a tennis program when he discovered Maranatha in August.

Describing the troubled training facility's staff members as "awesome," while adding they are "people with the highest integrity," Mr. Wu soon learned of their plight and took an interest in Maranatha's troubles, which would reach critical mass when unpaid electric bills forced its initial closure, and would lead to Mr. Wu beginning his considerations of taking over the program with plans for extensive expansion of the project.

However, he immediately hit a brick wall - that being the Town of Richmondville government - with its public officials compiling a nine-point list of demands they expected Mr. Wu to meet before they agreed to sign a waiver request allowing his acquisition of the project, due because of the requirements attached to a $650,000 state grant Maranatha received.  

 

During this time he met with town officials over the extension of a $20,000 equipment audit, which he wanted to push back from next April to July, because he didn't want "all the debts to take capital" away from his investment during what he called the "critical market time for a fitness center," but the town wouldn't budge. And because of this, Mr. Wu estimated he lost anywhere from $120-150,000 in potential revenue because he could not open in October as he was originally planning and that he would now have to come up with approximately $250,000 to just "keep the place from sinking."

 

But that wouldn't be the end of it for Mr. Wu, who in an attempt to salvage the project, placed a request for a public meeting in October with the Town of Richmondville to discuss his proposed takeover of the facility. However, according to his account, Mr. Wu alleges that Richmondville Town Supervisor Richard Lape's response was that if he wanted a public meeting that he would have to be pay $15,000 first, presumably as collateral against one of Maranatha's outstanding debts, and then they would give him his meeting.

 

Shocked by the request, Mr. Wu contacted New York State Senator James Seward and after the legislator directly called the Richmondville Supervisor concerning the unusual $15,000 requirement for a meeting that it "disappeared," although a public hearing still wouldn't be held for three more weeks until the Tuesday after election day.

 

In the end, the "Town [of Richmondville] should be ashamed," said Mr. Wu as we concluded our comprehensive interview "because the whole community losses out." Despite his disappointment with how Maranatha turned out, Mr. Wu is currently involved in discussions with SUNY Cobleskill's PACE program to start a class in which he would instruct continuing education participants  on how to teach tennis for certification while additionally working to expand the college's program in the sport of his passion.  

The future of Maranatha is less certain now that Mr. Wu is out of the project and Ms. McKenna was served with foreclosure papers almost two weeks ago, leaving the Town of Richmondville with a $5 million building that could sit vacant for years while legal proceedings drag out and residents of both the Village and Town governments on the hook for over $50,000 worth of unpaid debts that they may very well have to pick up the tab for.

Poll: Wait and See on Reinstating Fired Employees

The general sentiment around the County has been to review many of the circumstances surrounding the tenure of former Personnel Director Cassandra Ethington. This remains the case in the most recent Schoharie News poll. Many support immediate reinstatement of the former employees fired by Ethington, but a plurality support more investigation before the decision is made.

Should the Employees Fired During Ethington's Tenure Be Reinstated?

Yes, all- 37: 27%
Yes, if mentioned in the Fitzmaurice Report- 21: 15%
No- 25: 18%
Too early to tell- 56: 40%
Total: 138

The next several weeks will see the departure of the current Board of Supervisors and the seating of the new ones. What the new Board will do is still uncertain, but there will be a further inquiry as the situation unravels.

Heavily Armored Former Military Vehicles Entering into Local Police Departments

No former military vehicles have yet become part of the inventory for the Schoharie County Sheriff's Department, but they could be soon. Surrounding counties have taken on surplus vehicles-- some of which served in Iraq. The Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected craft, or MRAPs have made an appearance in Jefferson and Albany County. They have been offered free to some police agencies-- and the Albany County Sheriff's office obliged.

An armored car in service in Warren County, NY.
Photo credit: AP/Mike Groll

"It's armored. It's heavy. It's intimidating. And it's free," said Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple, among five county sheriff's departments and three other police agencies in New York that have taken delivery of an MRAP.

The vehicles, which get about five miles per gallon, offer a punch for the agencies. There are concerns that the vehicles are overpowered for local police enforcement, although some in law enforcement disagree.

"We live in the North Country," he said. "It's very common for people to have high-powered hunting rifles." 

In one recent incident, a team used its armored military-surplus Humvee to approach a barricaded suspect, similar to a circumstance in which it might use the MRAP. 

"We live in the North Country," he said. "It's very common for people to have high-powered hunting rifles." 

In one recent incident, a team used its armored military-surplus Humvee to approach a barricaded suspect, similar to a circumstance in which it might use the MRAP.

The link above leads to a good article on the spread of these vehicles-- which could soon number about 900 across the country. So far, New York agencies have a disproportionately high number of the MRAPs.

Kindness Crew Collecting Pajamas for Needy

Some more good deeds going on around the County. There is a project to assist those that need a little warmth this winter. Below is a press release:

"Caz Girls Conquer 365 Random Acts of Kindness" is running an event called the Pajama Project. They are asking people to donate new pajamas of all sizes to distribute to the kids in the county who may need a little warmth and comfort this winter....especially for Christmas. They will be collecting pajamas until December 14th. People can either mail the pajamas to - The Kindness Crew, P.O. Box 543, Cobleskill NY 12043 or they may contact the ladies through their FB page (Caz Girls Conquer 365 Random Acts of Kindness) to make arrangements to be picked up. Drop off locations are also being worked on.

Letter to the Editor: Milone Looks Toward Future

Dear Editor, Neighbors and Friends,

 

Now that the dust has settled with respect to elections, it is time to continue focusing on issues of importance concerning both the towns and county. It has been no secret that flood mitigation efforts have been ongoing and numerous meetings have already taken place involving many state and federal agencies attempting to come up with not only a plan to address future flooding events, but also to acquire the necessary funding needed to implement them. I am pleased to say once again, that our Assemblyman Peter Lopez and Senator James Seward as well as our Congressman Chris Gibson, have been in the forefront on this issue ever since my calling upon them for assistance.

 

It is also important for you to know that there is currently a major movement to afford the County Board of Supervisors opportunity to address both the New York State Assembly and Senate regarding the issues of mandate relief to our county as well as reform on the recently passed Safe Act-two major issues which effect every Assemblyman’s and Senator’s district throughout the state. It is our hope to have our voices heard, and if necessary, summon the assistance of the general public through possible letter campaigns or demonstrations. Once again we have petitioned our Assemblyman, Peter Lopez and Senator James Seward for assisting us in this effort.

 

The introduction of solar energy to our county buildings and residents is another major issue being dealt with. This issue holds much excitement for county residents particularly with respect to cost savings that should be considerable. There are state contributions available pertaining to the implementation of solar energy, which the county should be taking full advantage of.

 

There also remains the issue of reconstructing County Government pertaining to policies and procedures being put in place, which have never before existed including disciplinary procedures for department heads. Our entire county workforce must be reassured that a new day has come with respect to workplace environment. Employees shall no longer work in fear and they must come to know how very much they are appreciated. There is necessity for new direction and it is my personal opinion that a county manager is needed to prevent our county from continuing to flounder from day to day causing lack of direction and the loss of accountability. The residents and employees of Schoharie County deserve better than business as usual.

 

The agenda concerning issues to be addressed and achieved is quite lengthy and I remain completely optimistic that the newly elected supervisors will not fall victim to the issue of control and that each will do their best to work with others concerning all the issues at hand. The struggle for power and control between political parties has caused major setbacks in our Democracy. It is past time for all elected representatives to work in the best interest of the people we represent. Our future depends on it. While change is not always easy to acquire we must remember that the people have given our county a fresh start. Hopefully the people will remain vigilant on the call for change.

 

Gene Milone

Gallupville Man Arrested for Removing Handicapped Foster Daughter's Teeth

Often times reporting the news brings both the good and the controversial. Unfortunately, this is just terrible. Stephen Walker of Gallupville was arrested after the family dentist discovered something unnerving. Walker's 8-year old foster daughter was complaining about mouth pain. When  the dentist checked the girl's mouth, three teeth were missing-- allegedly forced out of the mouth by Walker. The girl is mentally disabled.

Photo and story references credit Times Union

The dentist gave the information to Schoharie County Child Protective Services, which then handed the case over to the State Police. Walker was arrested and charged with two counts of felony assault and endangering the welfare of a child on two counts. He is held on $10,000 cash bail or $5,000 bond. He is due back in court on November 25th.

Quiltbug to Trade Food for Fabric on Thanksgiving Weekend

The Esperance based Quiltbug Quilt Shop at 169 Main Street (Route 20) will be trading fabric for food to donate to local pantries on Friday and Saturday of next week. Food pantries are traditionally low in their reserves following Thanksgiving and Quiltbug is encouraging people to bring non-perishable food items to their Esperance shop to help those pantries restock, with donations above $5 value earning an in store purchase discount certificate.  

 

There will also be a celebrity at the shop to sign autographs on Friday from 12:30-2:00 and to raise funds to provide bullet proof vests for police dogs: local celebrity dog Thor, who was featured in American Dog magazine this month, and who's owners will be selling his calendar with all proceeds going to the aforementioned cause that is run by Vested Interests organization.

 

If you have any questions concerning the food bank fundraiser or Thor's appearance please contact Kris Driessen at 518-875-9400 or by email at Quiltbug.com@gmail.com. The shop will be open ten until five on Friday and ten to three on Saturday.

Severe Squall Predicted in County Today

If you are about to head out somewhere, you may want to rethink your plans for an hour. From the National Weather Service:

A Line Of Snow Squalls In Schoharie County... At 237 PM EST...Snow Squalls Were Detected By Radar.  These Snow Squalls Were Located Along A Line Extending From Schoharie To Richmondville...And Moving East At 35 Mph. Snow Squalls Will Be Near... Middleburgh By 305 PM EST In New York This Includes Interstate 88 Exits Between 19 And 23. Snow Squalls Producing A 15 To 30 Minute Period Of Heavy Snow And Near White Out Conditions Can Be Expected. Generally An Inch Or Less Of Snow Will Accumulate...But The Severity Of The Snow Squalls Will Significantly Reduce Visibility And Cause Extremely Hazardous Driving Conditions

Green Shirts Leaving Schoharie County

In an emotional ceremony on Monday, December 18th the hundreds of volunteers that assisted flood victims across the County were honored. The Green Shirts, affiliated with the Reformed Church are leaving after two years of service in the area. Many are moving on to help other flood victims affected by Hurricane Sandy. From SALT's press release:

Over the past two years, over 500 Green Shirt volunteers from all over the United States and Canada have come and donated a week or more of their time to helping to rebuild our homes and community. Many of these volunteers have come multiple times and stayed for 2 or more weeks at a time. Collectively, they have volunteered for over 53,000 hours - worth over $1,025,000 of inkind labor. 

In addition, the Green Shirts have spent over $225,000 in our area, supporting our local economy while rebuilding it. After the initial meetings between SALT and World Renew Regional Managers for New York and New England, Doug and Pat Guikema, reported to World Renew that the SALT recovery group was "one of the best organized, ready to lead the recovery efforts that they have had the privilege to work with" in the 10 years since they've been involved with World Renew and, that SALT was "ahead of the curve for Long Term Committees." 

"Closing down our Schoharie site comes with many mixed emotions," said Doug Guikema shares. "We are thankful that we were able to complete the homes that we did, and yet we know there are more families waiting for the assistance they need to finish rebuilding their home yet, and that makes it difficult to leave."

Opinion: Give Bleau a Chance

In the aftermath of Tuesday's final count of absentee and affidavit ballots in the Town of Wright's too close to call Supervisor race between Democrat Karl Remmers and Republican Amber Bleau, which Mrs. Bleau won by just five votes, the response by some individuals to the Republican's victory was disappointing to say the least.

Ranging from allegations of being a replica of former Supervisor William Goblet, who's passing earlier this year led Mrs. Bleau to assume leadership as Deputy Supervisor, to concerns over her participation in a tri-party advertisement that together formed the county's Conservative Party faction, residents ranging from readers of the Schoharie News to county officials have expressed skepticism and worries over her election to the county board.

These worries are nothing new. We have been hearing them for weeks now at the Schoharie News, but after interviewing Mrs. Bleau two days before the election and reviewing her record of service in the Town of Wright, we believe them to be exaggerated and would ask everyone to give the Supervisor-elect a chance to do her job before casting final judgment.

The election is nothing more then an educated guess as to who we think will do the better job in office, particularly between two non-incumbents as such was the case in this situation, with our guess either being proven to be accurate or inaccurate by their actions in said office.

Mrs. Bleau's focus is primarily on the growth of Wright by improving public services and expanding business in the town of fifteen hundred plus citizens, a job she is well prepared for because of tenure on the town board and her de facto leadership position since early 2013, while she also eases into her equally important role of representing her neighbors on a county-wide level in the currently fluid state of affairs of Schoharie politics.

With that said, could we please give the Supervisor-elect an opportunity to prove herself before casting the first stone and disregarding her leadership experience and qualities just because of her inclusion in an political advertisement that she was invited to join and did so in good faith? Obviously, the reasonable answer would be yes... Only time can vindicate or ostracize the voters of Wright for their decision on November 5th.

Reminder: Schoharie News to Join WSDE on Talking Schoharie Program Wednesday

 

Just a reminder for our readership: Schoharie News editor Timothy Knight and WSDE 1190 AM owner Ed Sherlock will be co-hosting the Talking Schoharie program on Wednesday morning from nine until ten on your source for premier local radio coverage.

Also - with the Thanksgiving holiday fast approaching, coverage will be spotty at the Schoharie News as we take a breather from the nonstop current of investigations, political news stories and covering county affairs, but we will continue to monitor the pulse of Schoharie County and update with news as it comes in as well as the continued publication of community events.

As always, feel free to send tips and community news to aaaabraves@yahoo.com and if you have an opinion, perhaps concurring with or arguing against that of the Schoharie News or a local politician, we publish letters to the editor as we receive them and without editing.

Once again, we can not offer enough thanks to our wonderful readership and we hope all of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving next week. We will be deciding on several potential changes at the Schoharie News while enjoying the break and working on a couple of outstanding stories from the past couple of weeks.

Middleburgh Library Discussion Tonight

The Middleburgh Library will be holding a discussion on the future of the Library tonight. The event at 7pm will discuss how the institution and its activities will expand. All are invited:

We're hoping to get a representation of all the different populations in Middleburgh-- town officials as well as ordinary citizens, primary residence or second home owner, library users and non library users, older residents, and younger ones! This is your chance to tell us what really makes this library important to this community and what we need to do to keep it that way. We're looking forward to hearing what you have to say-- please come!

More details can be found here on Facebook.

Maranatha Faces Potential Foreclosure, Loss of Physical Assets

Following months of public concern and speculation over Maranatha's financial situation, of which there was a general consensus that they were in dire straits, the Schoharie News has learned through researching a tip provided to us earlier in the week that owner Stella McKenna is close to losing control of her $5 million project because of millions in outstanding debts.

 

According to legal documentation posted on the Schoharie County Clerk's database, Ms. McKenna was served with not only a verified complaint by NBT Bank that seeks the collection of Maranatha's equipment and inventory due to their defaulting on a $50,000 note, but she also received a verified foreclosure complaint from the New York Business Development Corporation.

 

The latter complaint was filed on November 13th - last Wednesday - and stated Maranatha defaulted on the "conditions of the Note and Mortgage by omitting and failing to pay installments for principal and interest which were due on August 1, 2013, and each and ever month thereafter." The total sum of the project's debts to NYBDC are over $1.5 million, with it consisting of $1,482,062.57 in principal owed and the remainder being interest.

The day after on Thursday, November 14th, NBT Bank's complaint was filed and its contents show that the project defaulted on a roughly $50,000 note with the balance being 99% principal to interest owed. As part of the note's agreement in February, 2013, that provided NBT with collateral in case of Maranatha's failure to pay its bills - the local lender is seeking to legally acquire all equipment, records and inventory as a result of late September's default.

It is not known whether this will impact investor Da-Lai Wu's efforts to acquire the failed project or how its other interested parties might react to this substantial development, but one thing is for sure - Ms. McKenna's time to salvage what remains of her project, which she spent years putting together, has apparently run out.

 

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