Happy Thanksgiving

The Schoharie News would like to thank all of our readers for their unbelievable efforts in support of this project, as it would not be as successful as it is without you, and to wish each and every one of you a Happy Thanksgiving. This is by far the editor's favorite holiday of the season, as it affords everyone the opportunity to give thanks to those most responsible for their success during the previous year and for their hopes of those yet to come.

 

We will be back on the job Friday morning, until then: have a happy holiday everyone and may your Thanksgiving dinner be plentiful and surrounded by friends and family that love and appreciate you. 

 

Community Pipeline Meeting on Monday December 2, 2013 at 7PM inside of the Radez Elementary School Gym located on 319 Main Street, Richmondville, NY. The latest information on the proposed Constitution Pipeline from threats of eminent domain and legal efforts to landowner resistance and the pipeline company's safety record will be provided to the public. This advertisement is sponsored by the Center for Sustainable Rural Communities and the Stop the Pipeline Schoharie Action Committee

Varsity Basketball Heats up as Local Teams Head to Coaches vs. Cancer Classic, Gilboa Takes on Schenevus

 

Update (8:28 pm): Gilboa-Conesville's matchup against Schenevus has been cancelled on account of the poor weather conditions.

The Middleburgh Knights, Schoharie Indians and Sharon Springs Spartans varsity basketball teams will be traveling to Fulton-Montgomery Community College on Saturday afternoon to participate in the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic, the first real test for all three local schools in the Section 2 Western-Southern division.

 

For the Indians it is an early measure of whether they still have last year's spark that fueled a respectable 13-6 season, best for second in their division, and whether the Knights (3-11) and Spartans (0-18) can rebound from their respective fifth and sixth place finishes, that included both failing twice to Schoharie.

 

In other local high school basketball news:

• The Gilboa-Conesville Wildcats are hosting the Schenevus Dragons tonight at seven in a non-conference matchup.
• The Cobleskill-Richmondville Bulldogs are heading to Broadalbin-Perth tomorrow night at seven thirty to take on the Patriots in a non-conference matchup

We will update with results as we get them through-out the week and the season. Please note that all records and scores are currently provided by Max Preps and are subject to irregular reporting, but we hope to personally cover the five local teams as time and travel permits and would also welcome input from our readership as well.

 

Community Pipeline Meeting on Monday December 2, 2013 at 7PM inside of the Radez Elementary School Gym located on 319 Main Street, Richmondville, NY. The latest information on the proposed Constitution Pipeline from threats of eminent domain and legal efforts to landowner resistance and the pipeline company's safety record will be provided to the public. This advertisement is sponsored by the Center for Sustainable Rural Communities and the Stop the Pipeline Schoharie Action Committee

Boil Water Order for Part of Cobleskill

Below is a copy sent out from the County Department of Health

11/26/2013 at 16:00FROM: Public Health SanitarianSchoharie County Department of Public Health 

Please be advised that a Boil Water Order is in effect for the Colonial Village Route 7 Cobleskill. 

There was a loss of pressure reported at this system on 11/22/2013 and this was not a planned interruption.  The system did not notify health department. 

The chlorine feed pump was disabled when a well pump relay switch failed on 11/24/2013. 

Accordingly a boil water order was issued to this system and will remain in effect until furthernotice. 

Boil water notices have been distributed to residents as calls about it are being received. 

Water leaks were reported by residents of the the mobile home park and water service was interrupted with no notifications. 

The park has 80 services and service about 200 people.    Service has been restored according to a resident that reported the incident.  This is the only area affected.  It appears that only the distribution system has been affected as the resident reported pressure is restored.  Relay switch was ordered.  It appears that emergency stockpile equipment will not be required. 

However, until samples have been collected and results received, water system flushed and cleared the notice shall remain in effect. 

Samples are planned for today and 11/27. 

The order may remain until 11/29. 

Contact information has been left for the laboratory to contact DOH with sample results. 

Water leaks in systems do occur as fittings break sometimes.  The system needs to notify DOH.  A boil water order may be issued anyway but the system must notify residents as well.

Community Pipeline Meeting on Monday December 2, 2013 at 7PM inside of the Radez Elementary School Gym located on 319 Main Street, Richmondville, NY. The latest information on the proposed Constitution Pipeline from threats of eminent domain and legal efforts to landowner resistance and the pipeline company's safety record will be provided to the public. This advertisement is sponsored by the Center for Sustainable Rural Communities and the Stop the Pipeline Schoharie Action Committee

Town of Conesville Still Without Highway Superintendent

 

Residents of the Town of Conesville are still wondering this Tuesday - three weeks after election day - who their Highway Superintendent will be in the race between Democrat Stephen Young and incumbent Republican Larry Brandow, which after absentee and affidavit ballots were counted last Tuesday was tied at 154 votes apiece.

 

We have been working on finding the answer to this unusual occurrence by researching New York State Town law and reaching out to the Town of Conesville, but unfortunately state law does not specify what actions must be taken in case of a tie between candidates and the Conesville Town Clerk is currently on vacation, which has resulted in a game of phone tag with the Deputy Clerk.

 

Although not specified under the election sub-section of New York State Town law, it is spelled out in other sub-sections that the Town Board is the ultimate arbiter in regards to filling vacant elected and appointed offices, which in this situation could result in the five individuals who sit on the Conesville Town Board electing their next Highway Superintendent.   

 

However, that only muddies the water further because of the political dynamics of the Conesville Town Board, which is unanimously Republican, and would potentially have the power to choose between the incumbent Republican Highway Superintendent and his Democratic opponent, a disconcerting situation considering the overwhelmingly Republican electorate did not place much political emphasis in their decision on November 5th, but that doesn't mean the Board wont.

 

Unfortunately, the County Board of Elections had to throw out an absentee ballot during last week's count because its applicant passed away between the time he filled it out and the election occurred, which in New York State results in the immediate invalidation of that vote. A vote that in this tight race would have decided the election and prevented this complicated situation from happening in the first place.

 

The Schoharie News will continue to monitor this developing story.

 

Community Pipeline Meeting on Monday December 2, 2013 at 7PM inside of the Radez Elementary School Gym located on 319 Main Street, Richmondville, NY. The latest information on the proposed Constitution Pipeline from threats of eminent domain and legal efforts to landowner resistance and the pipeline company's safety record will be provided to the public. This advertisement is sponsored by the Center for Sustainable Rural Communities and the Stop the Pipeline Schoharie Action Committee

Heavy Storm Expected Tuesday Night

Some severe weather is expected to come our way tomorrow. After the bitter cold of yesterday, we can expect more trouble ahead over the next 48 hours. The temperature in the low-lying areas are likely to hover around freezing. According to Weather Underground, temperature Tuesday afternoon will be 39°, leading to early showers. Later in the day, the temperature will fall to just 34°, enough for snow to begin falling. The real issue that comes in is the possibility of heavy freezing rain at that temperature.

Wednesday's high is likely to rise to 41°, but the day will see a mix of freezing rain, rain, and snow. Accumulation is likely to be only an inch-- but the heavy, wet snow and freezing rain could make that day a bear to drive.

And remember, our Schoharie News Weather page is auto-updated. Click to see the latest in forecasts, radar, and dam levels.

Community Pipeline Meeting on Monday December 2, 2013 at 7PM inside of the Radez Elementary School Gym located on 319 Main Street, Richmondville, NY. The latest information on the proposed Constitution Pipeline from threats of eminent domain and legal efforts to landowner resistance and the pipeline company's safety record will be provided to the public. This advertisement is sponsored by the Center for Sustainable Rural Communities and the Stop the Pipeline Schoharie Action Committee

Vote in Our New Poll: Was Richmondville Right Dealing with Maranatha?

Here is a chance for our readers to weigh in on the controversy surrounding the Maranatha project in Warnerville. Do you feel that the Town of Richmondville's actions were justified? Why or why not? The new poll is on the sidebar.

Community Pipeline Meeting on Monday December 2, 2013 at 7PM inside of the Radez Elementary School Gym located on 319 Main Street, Richmondville, NY. The latest information on the proposed Constitution Pipeline from threats of eminent domain and legal efforts to landowner resistance and the pipeline company's safety record will be provided to the public. This advertisement is sponsored by the Center for Sustainable Rural Communities and the Stop the Pipeline Schoharie Action Committee

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.