Letter to the Editor: Constitution Pipeline "Unnecessary"

Editor's Note: The Schoharie County Planning Commission met yesterday and discussed the proposed Wright Interconnect Station that will serve as a pivotal byway in the Constitution Pipeline's current plan. For more information please refer to our original article.

Dear Editor:

The poll on the proposed Constitution Pipeline is a terrific idea but the stated premise of that poll, “the likelihood of the pipeline coming in appears to be growing,” is simply not accurate. In fact, as the regulatory process associated with the pipeline becomes increasingly complex and fraught with challenges, the likelihood that the pipeline will be built diminishes.

Both the Army Corp of Engineers and the NY State DEC have erected significant roadblocks to the project by requiring that Constitution justify why it won’t route the pipeline along one of the many existing pipeline right-of-ways, requiring that surveys be completed on all impacted properties (something that is currently impossible because of landowner resistance) and insisting that Constitution bore under, rather than trench through or go over, nearly 80 stream crossings (a technique that portends exponential construction cost increases and considerable delays).

Nearly 75% of impacted in landowners in Delaware County and 50% of impacted landowners in Schoharie County have thus far refused to sign easements, demonstrating a unprecedented level of community resistance to a pipeline industry accustomed to getting 97% of landowners to sign on the dotted line.

The opposition to the pipeline is well-organized and coordinated with multiple organizations working collaboratively to challenge all aspects of the proposal, particularly the multi-county Stop the Pipeline group which has secured pro-bono legal representation from the prestigious law firm Pace Environmental Litigation Clinic. Stop the Pipeline has also raised nearly $20,000 in the last month alone to fund the hiring of subject matter experts to testify to the inaccuracies of Constitutions environmental reports.

The Center for Sustainable Rural Communities, a non-profit advocacy organization, has received a national grant to fund education and outreach in opposition to the pipeline proposal. Towns and Villages have passed resolutions opposing the pipeline, elected officials have submitted formal comments to FERC against the proposal and the Cobleskill-Richmondville School Board has rejected an easement offer from Constitution that would have routed the pipeline through the BOCES campus in Schoharie. The Schoharie County Board of Supervisors has called for a comprehensive impact analysis that includes an examination of the possible build-out of a fracking infrastructure before approval of the pipeline is considered.

More and more landowners are realizing that even if the pipeline is eventually approved, they are in a much better position if they refuse to sign easements and force the company to take them to court to take their property under eminent domain.  In court, landowners will have an opportunity to demonstrate financial losses far greater than the pipeline company would be willing to acknowledge while trying to intimidate those landowners across their kitchen tables. Local committees have been established to identify and refer qualified eminent domain lawyers to landowners willing to stand and fight.

Finally, as a counterpoint to intimidation and pressure tactics employed by landsmen working for the pipeline company, the Center for Sustainable Rural Communities has established a Landowner Response Team which is available to landowners by calling 1-800-795-1467. Trained members of that team can assist landowners in documenting harassment, trespass or other transgressions by survey crews and pipeline representatives and serve as witnesses to such activity if the opportunity for litigation presents itself.

Constitution is proposing to build a pipeline that is unnecessary, in a region that does not want it, by taking private property without just compensation.  In response, the vast majority of area residents have said no, have organized to prevent it, have expended their energy and opened their wallets to fight it and are growing less and less intimidated by the pipeline company threats and rhetoric. The probability of the Constitution Pipeline being build is not growing but rather, the opposition and resistance to it certainly is.

Bob Nied

Center for Sustainable Rural Communities

Cobleskill Stone Receives Two Industry Honors for Delaware County Project

Cobleskill Stone Products Inc. received honors by the New York Construction Materials Association (NYCMA) and the Empire State Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) for its paving project at the NY Safety Track at Davenport, New York - located just outside of Jefferson in neighboring Delaware County. They were awarded the Hot Mix Asphalt Showcase Award from NYCMA and the Excellence in Construction Award from ABC.

The awards were based on performance, safety, the material mix design, quality control and ride-ability, of which Cobleskill Stone was not only involved in the design and production of the material but was also the paving contractor that transported and placed the asphalt.

Aerial view of the New York Safety Track

Emil Galasso, President and owner of Cobleskill Stone Products, said that he was "very pleased, humbled and honored to receive such a prestigious honor from these two leading trade organizations." He went on to say that he was "very proud of our people who did an excellent job on this project."

The New York Safety Track serves as a safety training facility for motorcycle enthusiasts. It stretches 2.14 miles with 18 precisely designed turns and long straight-aways with over 450 feet in elevation changes. Mr. Galasso would go on to describe the track as not your "everyday run of the mill paving project," which he explained by saying "special mix designs were needed, special paving procedures and automation were also used." 

Greg Lubinitsky, co-owner of New York Safety Track said that “The reception and reviews of the track after our first season have been beyond our imagination," adding that "Many accomplished and veteran riders have proclaimed it to be the smoothest riding and technically the most challenging track in the East, if not in the country."

Poll: Mixed Results on Richmondville's Decision Regarding Maranatha

The latest Schoharie News poll shows sharp disagreement over the Town of Richmondville's recent actions regarding the Maranatha Family Center. The decision to block the efforts of potential investor Da-Lai Wu have caused a deep rift both within the Town and out.

The most recent poll has a narrow plurality supporting the Town's actions.

Do You Agree with the Town of Richmondville's Actions Regarding Maranatha?

Yes- 80: 48%
No- 66: 40%
Too early to tell- 19: 12%

The division will likely continue as talks have slowed down and the building sits vacant.

New Poll Up: What is Your Opinion on the Constitution Pipeline?

Be sure to vote in our new poll on the right hand sidebar on the Constitution Pipeline. With action taking place across the County and a possible shift in the Town of Wright, the likelihood of the pipeline coming in appears to be growing. Weigh in!

Town of Richmondville Conducting Survey to Address Broadband Availability

 

Members of the Town of Richmondville Board are currently going door to door delivering a 13 question survey, with return envelope included, in partnership with the Middleburgh Telephone Company (or MIDTEL) to gather the necessary information that will address the lack of broadband availability in the Town of Richmondville.

 

 

The survey is being completed as part of the process for MIDTEL to complete a grant application for the project, which would provide greater access to broadband in the Town of Richmondville - where many homes are still reliant on ineffective dial-up or overly priced satellite coverage for their internet access.

 

Broadband coverage is a major concern across the County, particularly in the sparsely populated and remote areas, but if the Town of Richmondville-MIDTEL partnership can acquire the necessary funds then perhaps one more municipality can scratch it off of its to do list and be an example to neighboring towns of how to address this important matter for their own residents.

 

 

 

Petition Calls for Reinstatement of Schoharie EMT Training Center

Some members of Schoharie County's EMT community are up in arms regarding the decision by the New York State Department of Health to remove a location in Schoharie County as a training center. The decision to remove the Schoharie County Ambulance & Rescue Squad Association is hobbling the efforts to certify medics undergoing training. This is taking place as the state is requiring more training mandates in order to become or continue service in local squads.

The petition listed here already has 25 signatures, including that of local EMTS.

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

Schoharie County Planning Commission to Review Wright Interconnect Project, Vital Part of Constitution Pipeline

The Schoharie County Planning Commission, which is headed by Peter Shulman of Fulton, will be reviewing a referral submitted by the Town of Wright Planning Board tonight at seven in regards to the Iroquois' Wright Interconnect Project, which would expand the existing Wright Compressor Station to enable the delivery of gas via the proposed Constitution Pipeline.

 

In documents submitted in early August to the Town of Wright Planning Board, Iroquois' detailed its sketch plan of constructing a "new compression facility with gas cooling as well as modifications to certain existing facilities," with plans to commence construction by mid-Summer 2014 to meet their proposed in-service date of March 31, 2015.

 

They also included in their plan that "This Project is being developed in conjunction with the proposed Constitution Pipeline to enable delivery of up to 650,000 Dth/d of natural gas from the terminus of the Constitution Pipeline in Schoharie County, NY into both Iroquois' and the Tennessee Gas Pipeline under a 15-year capacity lease agreement with Constitution."

 

However, local review of the sketch plan seems almost foolhardy considering the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has "exclusive jurisdiction" over Iroquois' existing pipelines and the Wright Interconnect Project, leaving both the County and Town planning boards with little to no room to represent their local constituents.

 

If approved, the Constitution Pipeline would transport a natural gas equivalent of 4.5 million gallons of oil from the Marcellus Shale deposits in Pennsylvania to the Wright Interconnect Project which would then direct the fuel across New York State byway of both the Iroquois' and Tennessee pipelines.

 

There have been worries expressed across Schoharie County, some of which will be addressed in a community meeting at Richmondville's Radez School that is also scheduled for seven this evening, over the Constitution Pipeline's proposed path through the Northern portion of the county and the potential environmental risks associated with such a project.

 

Although it is still unknown whether the Constitution Pipeline will receive final approval, the County Planning Commission will have the opportunity to express their opinion on the construction of an integral piece of the pipeline puzzle, albeit with the knowledge that their decision could be rendered null and void by the federal government at any moment.

 

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

State Police Arrest Jefferson Woman for DWI

 

The New York State Police stationed in Cobleskill arrested Heather Cunningham of Jefferson, New York for Driving While Intoxicated on November 30th, 2013 following reports of a property damage accident on North Harpersfield Road in the Town of Jefferson.

 

Heather Cunningham, 30, of Jefferson

According to investigators Ms. Cunningham "was operating the vehicle and exited the roadway coming to rest against a row of pine trees." She was then administered the standardized field sobriety tests, which she failed, and was then transported to the Cobleskill station for processing.

 

Ms. Cunningham was issued Uniform Traffic Tickets returnable to the Town of Jefferson court on Monday, Decembber 9th, 2013 at 7pm.

 

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

Chrismastime in Schoharie Next Weekend - December 6th, 7th

Schoharie is set to kickoff the holiday season with their "Christmastime in Schoharie" two-day event next weekend. Starting on Friday afternoon and lasting into the following evening on Saturday, the event will offer something for everyone from meeting Santa (Friday at 6pm at the county courtyard) to horse and wagon rides and lighting the Fox Creek Park (Saturday at 4pm) for the holidays.

 

 

There will also be a Christmas decorating contest, sponsored by the Schoharie Promotional Association, that will award a prize to the best decorated businesses and three additional prizes for decorated homes. The judging will be done on December 18th and you can stop in Magical Printing and Designs to pick up a brochure with all the details.

 

Early forecasts indicate a 80% chance of either rain or snow to come down on Friday afternoon, with Saturday looking mostly dry with temperatures in the mid-thirties.

 

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

Department of Labor Files Tax Warrant on Maranatha Family Center for Failure to Pay Unemployment Contributions

The New York State Department of Labor's Unemployment Division has filed a $3,057 tax warrant against the Maranatha Family Center following its inability to pay $2,718 worth of contributions to the state unemployment fund and an additional $134 to the re-employment service fund over the last five quarters of business operation. 

 

Documentation filed with the Schoharie County Clerk's office shows Maranatha failed to pay over $2,000 in unemployment contributions during the fourth quarter of 2012 into the first quarter of 2013, an early red flag that in hindsight indicates the project's financial struggles from the beginning to pay its bills.

 

Although this tax warrant is the least of Maranatha's concerns, with its owner Stella McKenna facing both a summons of foreclosure and seizure of equipment notice, it reveals that the project's financial issues have stretched to the first months of operation and begs the question if Maranatha was ever economically sound to be in business.

 

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

Conesville Town Board to Appoint Highway Superintendent in January

 

On Tuesday afternoon the Schoharie News published a story on the Town of Conesville and their Highway Superintendent conundrum, which began on November 19th when the final count of absentee and affidavit ballots in the tight race between Democrat Stephen Young and incumbent Republican Larry Brandow resulted in each candidate receiving 154 votes apiece.

 

Since then we have received new information.

 

According to Conesville Supervisor-elect Bill Federice, who will take office in January, by New York State law the Town Board cannot appoint anyone to the Highway Superintendent position until the new board is seated, meaning that town residents are still in limbo over how their indecisive vote will effect the highway department and that the Deputy Superintendent will have to serve as interim head from the evening of December 31st until the board decides on someone in their organizational meeting.

 

But that still wont be the end of this saga, because state law requires any appointment to an elected town office to last only until the next regular election, which sets the stage for residents of Conesville to have their voices heard again on the Highway Superintendent position in a little more than eleven months and it also creates the potential for a electoral rematch between Mr. Young and Mr. Brandow, pending the board's final decision.

 

Although this process is long from over for the small town of 734 residents, at least we now have some of the blank spots filled in where they were previously question marks - with the notable exception being who will receive the temporary appointment in January - and to that question no-one knows except for the one Supervisor and four Councilmen who will vote on this pressing matter in just a few weeks.

 

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

Off-Beat Science: ISON Survives Perihelion

Comet ISON, the topic of conversation amongst Astronomy enthusiasts worldwide, was formed in the Oort cloud near the orbit of Neptune and captured the world's attention as it approached our galaxy's dominant star - the Sun - and faced imminent annihilation. All of which set the stage for the comet's dramatic and Milky Way sized exit stage left yesterday afternoon.

Hottest exit ever

Or did it?

Astronomers predicted that either ISON would be obliterated by the Sun as it reached perihelion or that a small remnant of the comet would briefly survive and bathe the night sky in an galactic firework show. And at first it appeared the little comet was indeed destroyed, being confirmed within the scientific community when NASA declared it dead.

However...

It's alive!!!!!!!

Amateur astronomers continued to watch for signs of ISON and what soon emerged was a nucleus, albeit smaller, and tail of what had survived perihelion (Greek for near the god of the sun) and continuing on its orbit across the solar system, dumbfounding everyone in the process.

It remains to be seen whether ISON survives the next couple of days and does indeed self-destruct, or if the world's favorite little comet completely survives its brush with the solar system's twenty-seven million degree Fahrenheit flaming ball of death and completes its journey across our solar system and beyond.

 

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

Cobleskill Drug Bust Nets Two Arrests, Meth Ingredients and Equipment Seized

The Cobleskill Police Department, New York State Special Operations Response Team and additional law enforcement agencies conducted a successful drug bust in the Village of Cobleskill on Wednesday morning that netted two arrests and the seizure of Methamphetamine ingredients and equipment from the suspects location.

Christopher Clark Wood of Richmondville, who was charged with the Unlawful Manufacture of Methamphetamine and as a Fugitive of Justice for similar charges in Tennessee (Cobleskill Police Department, WTEN)

From WTEN:

During an investigation into the sale of controlled substances in the Cobleskill area, information was developed that Christopher Clark Woods was involved in the manufacture of methamphetamine at the residence of Laura K. Kieru. A search warrant was eventually issued for the residence.

Christopher Clark Woods, 27, of Richmondville, was arrested and charged with one felony count of Unlawful Manufacture of Methamphetamine, and also charged as a Fugitive of Justice. Woods was found to be wanted by the Obion County Sheriff's Office in the State of Tennessee for violation of Probation for the crime of Promotion of Methamphetamine.

Woods was remanded to the Schoharie County Correctional Facility without bail.

Laura K. Kieru, 28, of Cobleskill was arrested and charged with one count of felony Unlawful Manufacture of Methamphetamine, and one count of Conspiracy.

Kieru was remanded to the Schoharie County Correctional Facility on $5,000.00 cash bail or $10,000.00 bond.

Both defendants will go before the Town of Cobleskill Court on December 3rd at five p.m. The investigation is still ongoing and more charges may be brought forward, but it represents yet another successful investigation by Chief Larry Travis' department in their campaign against urban drugs moving into our local communities.

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

Middleburgh's Miracle on Main Street December 13th, 5:30-8:30 pm

Middleburgh's annual Miracle on Main Street will be held on Friday, December 13th from 5:30-8:30 in the evening all across the Village of Middleburgh's beautifully lit Main Street. The event is co-sponsored by the Middleburgh Renaissance Council and the Village government.

 

There will be everything from caroling to pictures with Santa to miniature horses and a live Nativity scene at St. Marks's Church... And that doesn't even include all of the Library's events where there will be dancers, bell ringers, story time and the list goes on.

 

This one of the must see Christmas time events in the entire county, as the spirited combination of Middleburgh's beautifully lighted Main Street and even greater community minded business owners makes the night one to remember every single year. Now all the event needs is the right amount of snow and the Miracle on Main Street could become a living image of Norman Rockwell's designs of small town America celebrating the holiday's.

 

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

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