Schoharie County ARC To Host Blood Drive in March

Schoharie County ARC will host a blood drive on Thursday, March 13, from 1-6 p.m. at the ARC Campus on Route 30 between Middleburgh and Schoharie.

The blood drive is part of the NYSARC Gives Back Project, which includes ongoing efforts to give back to the community through volunteer programs and by providing essential supports and services to people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities and their families.

To schedule an appointment to give blood, please call (518) 295-8130 or 1-800-RED CROSS. You may also schedule an appointment online at www.redcrossblood.org.  Those donating blood in March will receive a limited Edition Red Cross decal. 

Capital Area Rock Band to Shoot Music Video in Sharon Springs

Sharon Springs, NY - Cuttlebone, a Capital area rock band, will be filming a live music video taking on the subject of government surveillance. The video shoot, which will take place Saturday, March 1st at the historic Smith and Empire building in Sharon Springs, will be the second for the band. Their first video "Greasejoint" accompanied the release of their freshman album, "Welcome to Joe's."

Cuttlebone performing

The 5 piece progressive band will perform the song "HELLo" during the music video. The song, which was written by front man Berto Benac, describes a man's frustration with the government surveillance state. "HELLo" is a part of a larger project, the aim of which is to question the role of the government in the lives of everyday people. "HELLo" will be released as part of a sampler EP in April. The band plans to release the entire project next year.

The video shoot will begin at 11:30 a.m. and the public is invited to attend. The Smith and Empire building is located across from the Roseboro Hotel at 209 Main Street on Route 10, Sharon Springs, New York. 

Letter to the Editor: Gigandet Expresses Thanks, Gratitude for Board's Decision

Dear Editor,

I am writing to thank the Schoharie County Board of Supervisors which voted on Friday to return me to my position in the Health Department, one I lost in December of 2011. 

Gratitude goes to not only the Board Members present on Friday, many of whom have been tireless champions of truth and right, but also to the Clerks of the Board, department colleagues, other department employees and Directors, retired employees, community members, and dear friends who have been so supportive throughout this difficult journey. Also to www.theschoharienews.com for the unbiased and consistent reporting. 

As word spread in the building it was clear that this decision, which also returns my colleague to her job, was cause for celebration not just for us, but represented a very positive turn for many, many others.

I am looking forward to rejoining the team, sprinkled throughout the county and adjoining ones, that works to give us all resources to respond and recover from a variety of disasters.

    

Most Sincerely,

Eva Gigandet

(returning) Schoharie County Public Health Preparedness Coordinator

Supreme Court Overturns Schoharie Zoning Laws

Ruling that the Town of Schoharie's adoption of Local Law 2-2005 was, "arbitrary and capricious and affected by an error of law," Schoharie County Supreme Court Justice Eugene Devine rendered the zoning laws null and void in a decision handed down on Wednesday, February 19th. The case had been before the Court since 2005. 

Arguing that the Town of Schoharie failed to properly comply with requirements set forth by SEQRA, Cobleskill Stone Products successfully made the case that local lawmakers flouted environmental review standards in the course of adopting the zoning laws. Their repeal is a major victory in Cobleskill Stone's fight to expand mining operations, which had previously been set back by a Court decision on August 21st, 2013 that found they did not have, "vested rights to expand its mining activities to adjacent parcels."

According to Wednesday's decision, town officials submitted two Negative Declarations with either incomplete environmental assessments, or none at all. In addition, the law permitted numerous activities that were not previously allowable in local Agriculture Districts, including manufacturing, telecommunications, technology and research development, etc.

Town officials disputed Cobleskill Stone's arguments by stating the 2005 law was the, "culmination of several years' worth of consideration and consultation with other agencies on the potential environmental impact of the zoning revisions," and therefore, felt it unnecessary to prepare a draft EIS and the negative declarations were drafted and published.

However, Judge Devine would find the town's arguments unsatisfactory as the minutes provided, "offer no insight as to the discussions or deliberations that lead to this conclusion." He would later add that, "the onus of strict compliance with SEQRA procedural requirements was not placed upon CSP, but rather, was an obligation that rested solely with the Board."

Last week's ruling will not be the end of this ongoing dispute; as Cobleskill Stone is in the process of appealing the August decision, the Town of Schoharie must decide what their next course of action will be, and in the meanwhile, the town's zoning laws have been reversed to 1970's standards, possibly complicating 21st century development. 

Maranatha's Future in Doubt

It has been nearly half a year since Marantha Family Center’s new facility on Route 7 closed its doors. The center has moved some classes to its former location on Elm Street in Cobleskill, but the future of the new 62,000 square foot building remains uncertain.

The most notable movement came in October of last year, when New York City investor Da-Lai Wu expressed interest in the facility. He came with an investment plan which he said involved expanding the facility, while also reopening the existing building as quickly as possible. However, Mr. Wu said the complex legal arrangements required for the transaction took longer than he had anticipated. “Records showed that the majority of MFC's revenue occurred from December through part of March,” said Wu in a letter to the editor of The Schoharie News. The duration of the proceedings cut into this important time and this delay, along with a number of other complaints Mr. Wu addressed in his letter, were what Mr. Wu said caused him to retract his offer.

Photo credit: Ed Munger,
Daily Gazette

Many of the problems with finding an investor stem from the conditions surrounding the facility’s initial construction. A large portion of the funding came from grants. The terms of these grants stipulate that only the current owner, Stella McKenna, can have any share of ownership. This means that, before any investment contracts can be signed for Maranatha, a waiver of this requirement must first be agreed to. Although the Town of Richmondville did file a request for such a grant, Mr. Wu said the request came too late to be effectve. He cited this delay as one of his primary concerns upon exiting from negotiations.

In addition to these legal barriers, any potential buyers of Maranatha also face many financial problems. The facility has approximately $31,000 in unpaid electric bills, which were the initial reason behind the closure. Marantha also faces an approximately $20,000 equipment audit of the facility’s construction grant. The property is also in foreclosure.

The financial liability and legal troubles facing potential investors are typically cited as the prime reasons for the apparent lack of interest. Mr. Wu, among others, has made the case that the Town of Richmondville has the ability, in at least some cases, to waive or delay these burdens. The Town, however, is reluctant to accept too much risk, which they say is out of fear that taxpayers will be left to pay the facility’s expenses, should the business fail again even with investment.

Now, as Mr. Wu begins pursuing another property interest in Middleburgh, Richmondville residents and membership holders are left with Marantha’s message, written on the sign in front of the new facility for most of its closure. “Reopening ASAP.”

Sheriff's Office Discovers Summit Man Trapped in Home, Suffering from Hypothermia

Editor's note: The Sheriff's Office filed the following press release early this morning to local news organizations.

At 12:15 today, February 25, 2014, the Schoharie County Sheriff’s Office received information from a concerned citizen reporting that a subject who resides on Mud Lake Road in the Town of Summit was potentially in need of assistance. 

The Sheriff’s Office, Richmondville Fire Department and The Summit Rescue Squad responded to the scene and found entry to the house was blocked due to a large amount of snow. There was no indication that anyone had been in or around the house for several days.

Upon entry they found a 76 year old male resident in serious need of medical care. There was no heat in the home.  The subject was suffering from hypothermia, frost bite and dehydration. The subject was transported to Cobleskill Regional Hospital and admitted in serious condition. 

The Sheriff’s Office would like to remind everyone that during this cold weather, they should check on their elderly neighbors or call the authorities if they are unable to do so.

Any questions related to this press release can be directed to Sheriff Anthony F. Desmond. Sheriff Desmond can be contacted by calling 518-860-3092.

Local Officials Participate in Pro-Active Webinar

Cobleskill, NY (February 24, 2014) – Creating Healthy Places To Live, Work and Play hosted a webinar at SUNY Cobleskill for elected officials and road crews to learn Cost Effective Solutions for Complete Streets on February 24th. Representatives from towns and villages as well as County level employees were invited to participate in this viewing and discussion.

Complete Streets is a way of looking at roads being used by all – cars, buses, trucks, as well as bicycles, wheel chair and pedestrians.  It looks at access to being able to get from one place to another by the mode of transportation that is best for the individual.  

Currently in Schoharie County Sharon Springs and Schoharie have adopted Complete Street Policies that were crafted with assistance from LaBerge Group from Albany; their assistance was supported by Creating Healthy Places grant funds.  Blenheim and Middleburgh are working on drafting  policies  with LaBerge group currently.

The webinar offered inexpensive ways to implement Complete Streets within communities, whether it is during a planned restriping of a road to enlarge a shoulder for bicyclists and pedestrians or if it is a making a plan to clear not only sidewalks, but curb cuts so that people can easily cross streets.  The webinar was presented by Jeff Olsen from Alta Group in Albany and sponsored by TriState Transportation and DASH NY.  After the webinar, a discussion was held on projects to consider locally as well as how to fund some of the more costly changes being discussed by communities through the NY Rising discussions.

Complete Streets have several benefits including allowing for people to have a walkable community.  Complete Streets also can improve the economics of a community by creating a more conducive environment for people to shop in downtown stores.  Complete streets can improve the environment by encouraging people to walk and bicycle instead of take a car for short trips or to use public transportation to get where they are going and thereby reducing emissions released into the air.

Creating Healthy Places is a grant funded through New York State Department of Health to address the growing problem of obesity and its effects on chronic diseases such as Type 2 Diabetes and Chronic Heart Disease.  The Grant was awarded to SUNY Cobleskill in 2010 for 5 years with $875,000 coming into the community to work on access to fresh fruits and vegetables and places to be physically active.  For more information or questions, please contact Maureen Blanchard, Project Coordinator at (518) 255-5294.

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.