Supervisors Vote Down Casino Proposal

Schoharie County Supervisors voted down a proposed resolution Friday evening that, if adopted, would have signaled the Board of Supervisors interest in seeing a casino constructed within county limits. Sharon Town Supervisor Sandra Manko offered the eye-catching resolution for consideration.

Despite hearing arguments that building a casino in Schoharie County would lead to increased job creation and human tourism, legislators voted down the proposal 1118-1616. Supervisors Buzon, Jordan, Manko, Milone and Skowfoe voted in favor, while the rest were either excused or against .

Commenting that her no vote wasn't against the casino in principle, Wright Town Supervisor Amber Bleau told the Schoharie News she felt that, "our local infrastructure isn't prepared for the traffic." She would go on to add that, "I'm also concerned with the potential for increased drinking and driving."

Last November New York voters approved a statewide initiative by fourteen percent authorizing up to seven casinos to be built in the state. Schoharie County residents narrowly supported the ballot measure by a mere two hundred votes, indicating the public is just as split on the issue as its officials. 

State Police Arrest Parolee Wearing Devil Mask for Burglarizing Central Bridge Church

An ongoing investigation by the Cobleskill State Police has led to the arrest of two local suspects for the January 27th burglary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on Church Street in Central Bridge. From the State Police's official release:

During the early morning hours of January 27, 2014 two subjects forcibly entered the church and damaged numerous doors, cabinets and locking mechanisms while attempting to locate items to steal. The value of the damages is approximately $18,000. They stole approximately $160.00 and two backpacks from the Boy Scout Troop 46, which maintains a storage room at the Church.  Also stolen was approximately $40.00 from the church Family History Center.

The suspects have been identified as eighteen year old Roger Graham (pictured left) and twenty-six year old Justin Pethick (pictured right), both of whom reside in Central Bridge. Graham was arrested on February 4th and charged with Burglary in the Third Degree, while Pethick was caught on February 20th and charged with Burglary in the Third Degree, Petit Larceny and Unlawful Possesion of Marihuana. Both were arraigned in the Town of Cobleskill and remanded to Schoharie County Jail. 

Graham

Pethick

According to the press release Pethick, who was also on parole, wore a devil mask during the burglary to conceal his identity. He was charged with Petit Larceny due to a separate complaint filed by Apple Food and Grocery, located on Route 7, in which he is, "accused of stealing tobacco and cigarettes while employed there."

Cobleskill State Police were assisted in their investigation by the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision and the Schoharie County District Attorney's Office. 

Middleburgh Town Board Welcomes Wu, Discusses Other Business

New York City investor Da-Lai Wu may have moved past obtaining Maranatha's $5.3 million physical fitness complex, but he hasn't given up on the idea of opening a gym in Schoharie County. On Wednesday evening he apprised members of the Middleburgh Town Board on his intentions to possibly open up a facility on Route 30 in the vacant Grand Union. 

Explaining that he would like to rent the building for six months to begin with and then bring exercise equipment in to test his business model, Mr. Wu looked toward expanding the center to include several tennis courts in the future. Courts that he hopes will be used to host youth tournaments, and keep local players in Schoharie County year round. 

Middleburgh Town Supervisor Jim Buzon expressed the board's sentiment by stating it would be, "wonderful to see [Grand Union] in use again." The Supervisor would go on welcome the investor into the community and offered to speak at next month's planning board meeting in support of his proposal. 

In other business, the Middleburgh Town Board:

• voted unanimously to re-approve a two-year contract with MEVAC. In addition, Mr. Buzon informed board members that he included funding for the emergency squad in his requests to New York Rising, stating that the town, "appreciates all the work."
• voted unanimously to set fire inspection fees at $20 per year/$60 per three-year period for commercial properties, while exempting non-profit/religious institutions.
• heard from Town Assessor Robert Mann Sr. that the town provided cell phones offered little to no reliable coverage, and that there was confusion over what numbers to call by the public. Town Councilman Frank Herodes motioned, and board members voted unanimously in favor of returning town phones to Mid-Tel provided land lines. 
• voted unanimously to re-appoint former Town Councilman and Village of Middleburgh Mayor William Ansel-McCabe as a Marriage Officer for the Town of Middleburgh.
• voted unanimously to set a public hearing on Wednesday, March 13th at 7:15 pm to consider the 2014 Village Fire Contract. The hearing will take place during their regularly scheduled March meeting. 

Opinion: Abatements Offer Welcomed Incentives

     Schoharie County Supervisors voted solidly Friday afternoon to approve two local laws that offer generous tax assessment exemptions to first time home-buyer construction and specific home improvements. Good, it was the right decision - as Mr. Milone has argued for months - nothing bad can come from offering these incentives. 

      If just one family decides to move into Schoharie County because of them; and they build a new home, enroll their children in local schools, and help fuel the economy, the abatements can be deemed a success. While growing the struggling tax base is their primary reason for implementation, encouraging young families to settle in county is at the heart of the issue. 

     Take for instance the editor of this publication. Although I am currently renting and getting by paycheck to paycheck, my intention is to one day purchase or build my own home. And the exemptions adopted last week give me hope of that home being located one day in Schoharie County, with a head start from my community to ultimately succeed.

     Consider how the abatements work: if you choose to purchase a plot of land and build your own house, the assessed value of that construction will be halved that first year and will gradually be brought up over five years. The effect will be not only the increased value of that property, but the expansion of the local tax base.

     It would afford young families the opportunity to build their dream home without facing the burden of significant taxation right out the gate. That in itself is a noble cause, but the law's side effect of potentially bringing in fresh, economically vibrant blood is the true upside to abatements, if they take a foothold.

     Local schools are facing significant challenges from declining enrollment, and small towns are lopsidedly aging without the next generation there to fill the void fifteen, twenty years from now. These exemptions have the potential to both draw in young people to take a chance in Schoharie County, and to keep them here - as in my case - to settle permanently. 

     Of course, we will only be able to examine whether abatements result in increased residential construction when the three year sign-up period lapses in 2016 and they sunset entirely in 2021, but even if they fail to meet a majority of the county board's expectations... At least they tried, and they weren't afraid to explore new paths to make our community better.

      

Vote in Our New Poll: Do You Approve of Chairman Van Glad's Job Performance?

With almost two months of leadership under his belt, Schoharie County Board Chairman Tony Van Glad has administered a more cautious, bi-partisan county legislature than local residents are used to seeing. But his approach is not without its detractors, and many have criticized the board's alleged lack of direction.

Van Glad was elected Chairman of the Board
over former Chair Phil Skowfoe in January

Here is your chance to weigh in: what is your opinion of Chairman Van Glad's job performance atop the Schoharie County Board of Supervisors thus far? Please vote in our poll located on the right-hand side bar of the website, which will be open until Saturday, March 1st. 

Artisan's Gallery to Host Catskill Candies and Confections on Saturday March 8

The Artisan's Gallery, located on 322 Main Street in Middleburgh, will be hosting Raelene Bond of Catskill Candies and Confections on Saturday, March 8th from noon until 4 pm to showcase her homemade chocolate creations and much more. Free samples will be available from the Margaretville based shop. 

In addition, the Artisan's Gallery is fully prepared for springtime - offering unique gifts for everyone, and every occasion through June - with free wrapping thrown in for those special Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day and graduation mementos purchased in-store. The Gallery is open regularly Wednesday through Friday 10-5 and Saturday 10-4. 

Schoharie Skating Starting at 4pm Today

In just about an hour, skating will begin at Schoharie's Fox Creek. All are invited.

From the Schoharie Promotional Association's Facebook:

Come on down to Fox Creek Park today starting at 4 PM. Even though the sun and rain have severely affected the ice skating rink, we will still have a bonfire, music, food and a chance to get out to meet and talk to your neighbors!

Split Board Approves Countywide Tax Abatements

With months of controversy setting the stage for Friday's public hearing on tax abatements, Supervisors and concerned residents spent almost an hour and a half arguing the merits and pitfalls of two proposed local laws that if approved would put in place countywide exemptions for first time homebuyer construction and certain property improvements.

Arguing that the exemptions would, "get people to look at Schoharie County," Middleburgh Town Supervisor Jim Buzon and others made the case for passing the local laws. On the flip side, Carlisle Town Supervisor Larry Bradt insisted there is, "no free lunch," and that abatements amounted to nothing more than, "a feel good law."

A majority of Supervisors disagreed. Casting two separate roll call votes on the abatement proposals, the county board approved Local Law #5 (property improvements) 1718-1009* with Mr. Barbic, Mrs. Bleau, Mr. Bradt, Mr. Federice and Mr. McAllister in opposition, while passing Local Law #6 (first time homebuyer) 2314-413*. 

Tax abatements entered the public discourse after the Town of Schoharie adopted them last fall. Since their town-wide enactment, Supervisor Gene Milone has spearheaded efforts to see them span not only the still-recovering Valley communities, but the county as a whole. The Village of Schoharie and the Town of Blenheim have recently approved their own versions of law, while the Towns of Esperance and Middleburgh have extensively considered them.  

It remains to be seen whether the abatements will truly, "draw families into our communities," as Mr. Milone stated forcefully before his colleagues Friday afternoon, or if Mr. Bradt's repeated warnings that they will end up costing local taxpayers in the long run, come to fruition. 

* - weighted vote

Middleburgh Adopts Public Safety Committee

Town of Middleburgh board members, who convened Wednesday evening after last week's snowstorm cancelled their regularly scheduled meeting, approved a draft proposal submitted by Councilman Brian DeFeo that would form a standing joint committee between the Town and Village of Middleburgh to address and review all aspects of public safety within the municipalities. 

The Public Safety Committee would consist of a member from both the Town Council and the Village Board of Trustees; one officer each from the Middleburgh Fire Department, the Huntersland Fire Department, and the Middleburgh Volunteer Ambulance Corp. In addition, both the Town and Village would be able to appoint an unaffiliated member of the public as well.

After briefly discussing the proposal, the Town Board unanimously adopted Mr. DeFeo's proposal in its entirety. The Town Councilman is planning to attend the respective organizations March meetings in order to personally invite their members to participate in the new committee.

Committee members would meet on a quarterly basis and would oversee a variety of public safety issues, including fire prevention, emergency medical response, and law enforcement concerns. Any operational expenses would be shared equally by the Town and Village governments.

Breaking News: County Board Reinstates Gigandet and Grimes

Following a prolonged executive session, the Schoharie County Board of Supervisors voted 13-1 this afternoon to reinstate Eva Gigandet and Penny Grimes as employees of the county Public Health Department. The board sanctioned Fitzmaurice Report identified both women as being wrongfully terminated by Personnel Director Cassandra Ethington during her, "reign of terror."

Town of Carlisle Supervisor Larry Bradt was the lone vote in opposition, arguing his decision was based on the lack of information concerning their compensation and severance packages. Neither Supervisor Vroman of Summit, nor Smith of Broome were present for the afternoon session. 

Visibly emotional after the vote, Ms. Grimes told the Schoharie News on both her and Ms. Gigandet's behalf that they were appreciative and thankful for the county board's decision, which came over four months after the report was publicly released and Mrs. Ethington was placed on administrative leave for her actions. 

Winter Advisory in Effect (February 20, 2014)

The National Weather Service in Albany has issued a winter advisory for much of Upstate, New York - including Schoharie County - until eleven this evening due to updated weather models indicating that the local area, and surrounding communities, could expect several inches of snow mixed with sleet to impact the area. 

County Board to Meet Friday (February 21, 2014)

The Schoharie County Board of Supervisors will be holding their second regular monthly meeting of the 2014 legislative session tomorrow morning at nine, which will be immediately (currently scheduled for two in the afternoon) followed by a public hearing on Town of Schoharie Supervisor Gene Milone's proposed countywide tax abatements. 

No agenda has been published on the county website at this time, but sources have indicated that Supervisors may possibly consider rehiring Eva Gigandet and Penny Grimes, two former Health Department employees that were systematically targeted and fired by now-suspended Personnel Director Cassandra Ethington during her, "reign of terror," according to the infamous Fitzmaurice Report.

Stay tuned to the Schoharie News for immediate coverage of tomorrow's county board meeting on both the website and facebook. 

Middleburgh Town Board to Meet Tonight (February 19th)

On account of last Thursday's gigantic nor'easter that dumped upwards to three feet of snow in parts of Schoharie County, the Town of Middleburgh was forced to cancel that evening's monthly board meeting - the first time that has occurred in decades - and it was rescheduled for this evening at 7:15 p.m. at the Middleburgh Town Hall that is located on 143 Railroad Avenue.

Letter to the Editor: Wu Sets Record Straight

Dear Editor,

In light of some online rabble-rouser’s absurd and untruthful comments, it is time for me to set the record straight regarding my involvement in the Maranatha Fitness Center (MFC). My willingness to invest in the MFC was offered with the specific intention of salvaging a recreation facility both needed and wanted by the community. All grant monies had already been spent almost a year before my awareness of MFC, much less my involvement, and my only intent was to move forward.

Every business has its model, including a health club. Records showed that the majority of MFC's revenue occurred from December through part of March, which is well within the industry's standard parameters. However, the drop-off in membership from May through September was so large and is so unique to this locale, that the limited revenue-producing time period specifically requires an abundance of success just to keep the business running without some exceptionally creative programming during the warmer months—which I was confident that I could provide. Additionally, to invest in a business which was running such a large deficit and with no working capital, required that the business model be altered to produce a greater percentage of return on the investment, including, equity ownership. With that said, in September 2013 I asked for two concessions from the Town and the Village of Richmondville in order to have a reasonable amount of time to get the business running again before having to cover all the arrears.

I first asked the Town to allow me to postpone a federally requested grant audit that cost $20,000 dollars, and which carried absolutely no penalty if not done. They agreed to give me a postponement opportunity, but wanted me to put $20,000 dollars in escrow, which is the same as not giving me a postponement. I also asked the Village of Richmondville's board to stretch out the electric bill payment of $31,000 dollars over three months, which they denied. Since neither the town nor the village was willing to make any concessions, under the health club model described above, in which the profits of the winter months must carry the business through the lack of activity in the summer months, the requirement of such a large initial payment after the winter term had already begun, made the investment untenable.

On top of that, the town’s delay in requesting a waiver from the state regarding the recapture of any funds related to the grant—the only way to have allowed me to obtain equity ownership—and which the state offered in late September, as well as numerous times in October and November, made it almost impossible to work within the business model and timetable required to make MFC successful. The need for a substantial infusion of capital then became way more than the business model's standard. By the time the town requested the waiver in mid-December, (which protects the taxpayers from having the state ask for any recapture of funds from the original grant) it was just too late in the season to get MFC’s doors open and viable.

The rabble-rousers who protested and focused on what was, and not what is, over these past couple of years—like they were Soviet citizens protesting the USA hockey team's win over their own team in Sochi, days after the game already ended—and especially, since those actions so severely affected the town officials' courage and their ability to move forward with what was necessary to allow the business model to flourish until after Election Day, has caused the facility to remain closed, and for all of the public debts to become solely the taxpayer's responsibility.

In my opinion, that is exactly why all in the community should ignore those who want to cry about what went wrong back in the day, and who refuse to make any efforts to find a way to currently make the situation better for everyone. They make a lot of noise which benefits no one, while this valuable community resource remains closed, and most likely, affected in a grossly negative manner by this year's intense weather conditions. The bottom line is that the facility could have easily been reopened, and everyone in the community would have had something healthy and enjoyable to occupy their time without having to hibernate in their homes due to all of the cold and snowy weather conditions which we are now experiencing.

Sincerely,

Da-lai Wu

State Police Arrest Richmondville Man for Endangering the Welfare of a Child

On February 19, 2014 State Police in Cobleskill arrested Zachary R. Foland, 21, of Richmondville, NY for assault and endangering the welfare of a child. The incident occurred around 3:30 a.m. at an address on State Route 7 in the Town of Richmondville. The victim and her children left the residence and reported the incident to State Police.  

Zachary Foland

Foland was arrested when he turned himself into the State Police later that same day. Foland was charged with assault in the 3rd degree, criminal obstruction of breathing, and endangering the welfare of a child, all misdemeanors. Foland was arraigned in the Town of Richmondville Court and remanded to the Schoharie County Jail in lieu of $5000 cash bail or $10,000 bond.   

Poll: Rebuild Blenheim Bridge

With the controversy about the Blenheim Bridge mounting and letters to the editor arguing for one position or another, Schoharie News readers are similarly divided. After a week of polling, our readers were asked if they would prefer to rebuild exactly where the bridge was exactly how it was, to build a replica in another location, or if the cost is too great for such a project.

- Yes, exactly where it was 194 (53%) 
- Yes, but as a replica elsewhere 19 (5%) 
- No, the cost and risk is too great 140 (38%) 
- Undecided 12 (3%)

The controversy will not dissapate anytime soon about the issue. With such a result, be sure to vote in our newest poll on our sidebar, whether or not you approve of the Schoharie News.

Cobleskill Police Blotter (February 18, 2014)

The Cobleskill Police Department submitted the following press release concerning recent arrests by their officers in the Village of Cobleskill: 

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

     At 4:00 p.m. Cobleskill Police arrested Ashlee C. King, 22, of Cohoes, NY, for a Bench Warrant for failing to pay a fine.  She was arraigned in Cobleskill Town Court and remanded to the Schoharie County Jail on $5,000 Bail / $10,000 Bond. She is to return to Cobleskill Town Court on February 18^th at 5:00 p.m.       

Friday, February 14, 2014

     At 8:06 p.m. Cobleskill Police arrested Christopher M. Majewski, 32, of Warnerville, NY, for 2 Counts Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle 2^nd. He was arraigned in Cobleskill Town Court and remanded to the Schoharie County Jail on $100 Cash / $200 Bail.  He is to return to Cobleskill Town Court on March 4^th at 5:00 p.m.

           

Saturday, February 15, 2014

     At 12:45 a.m. Cobleskill Police arrested Enrique Rivera, 23, of Cobleskill, NY, for Violation of the Village Noise Ordinance.  He was issued an appearance ticket and released.  He is to appear in Cobleskill Town Court on March 11^th at 5:00 p.m.  The property of at 155 MacArthur Avenue was posted for Unruly Gathering per the Village Noise Ordinance.

     At 2:19 a.m. Cobleskill Police arrested Albert M.V. Chapman, 24, of Brooklyn, NY, for violation of the Village Noise Ordinance.  He was issued an appearance ticket and released. He is to appear in Cobleskill Town Court on March 3^rd at 5:00 p.m.  The property at 110-1 Mallard Lane was posted for Unruly Gathering per the Village Noise Ordinance.

     At 8:55 p.m. Cobleskill, NY, arrested Robert J. Ambroz, 41, of Cobleskill, NY, on a Bench Warrant for failing to pay a fine.  He was arraigned in Cobleskill Town Court and remanded to the Schoharie County Jail on $125 Bail. 

SALT to Host "Fat Tuesday" Buffet to Benefit Flood Recovery

Schoharie Area Long Term Recovery (SALT) will be hosting a buffet style breakfast on "Fat Tuesday," March 4th from 5:30-7:30 pm to benefit local flood recovery efforts. The buffet will be held at the Fusion Community Church, which is located on 375 North Grand Street in Cobleskill. 

With pancakes, eggs, bacon, and much more on the menu, patrons can both satisfy their hunger and support a worthwhile cause for only $10 per adult, and $5 for children age twelve and under if they reserve their spot beforehand. Prices will rise slightly for walk-ins. 

Richmondville Woman Arrested for Possessing Heroin, Other Substances

On February 16^th, the State Police in Cobleskill arrested Lindsay Serio, 31, of Richmondville, NY for possessing heroin, oxycodone, and marihuana.  At approximately 2:10 pm Troopers stopped the vehicle in which Serio was a passenger, on I88 in the Town of Schoharie for a violation of the move over law.  During the stop Troopers detected the odor of marihuana.  

Lindsay Serio

A search of the vehicle and its occupants revealed that Serio was in possession of heroin, marihuana, and a crushed oxycodone pill.  Serio was charged with 2 counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the 7th degree, a misdemeanor.  Serio was also charged with unlawful possession of marihuana and possessing a controlled substance outside its original container, both violations.  

Serio was released on appearance tickets and is scheduled to return to the Town of Schoharie Court on March 3rd at 5:00 p.m.  Also arrested was the operator of the vehicle, Khondker Hossain, 25, of Levittown, NY for driving with a suspended license.  Hossain was charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the 2nd degree, a misdemeanor.  Hossain was arraigned in the Town of Schoharie Court and remanded to the Schoharie County Jail in lieu of $500 cash bail or $1000 bond.  Hossain is scheduled to return to the Town of Schoharie Court February 24th at 5:00p.m.  

Local Opposition Persists to Pipeline, Despite New Right of Way Leases

With public opposition quietening in recent months over Constitution's proposed natural gas pipeline that would complete its approximatly 124 mile journey in Schoharie County, the company has been busily working under the radar to negotiate right of way leases from local landowners.

The proposed pipeline, which would originate in Pennsylvania and end in the Town of Wright, passes through seven local townships: Jefferson, Summit, Richmondville, Cobleskill, Middleburgh, Schoharie, and Wright. Thus far, roughly 50% of property holders have granted easements, leaving Constitution in an unfavorable position to justify federal approval.

However, since the New Year, the company has obtained eleven new right of way leases according to the Schoharie County Clerk's Office. The new batch of leases are primarily in the Towns of Schoharie and Summit, including one costly $10,500 contract that secures Constitution passage through Shaul Farms property near the Schoharie Days Inn and Suites.

But despite recent successes local opposition is still present, as demonstrated by the Blenheim Town Board's unanimous decision to ban any form of natural gas production within their boundaries, and the release of an anti-fracking documentary by filmmaker and Village of Middleburgh Trustee Bill Morton. 

Still, to the distress of advocates and supporters alike on both sides of the controversy, little can be done locally to resolve the situation; as that power rests solely with the federal government.