Schoharie County Bar Association to Host Training Program March 18, With Focus on Flood Insurance Reform

Schoharie County Bar Association will host a training program "The Changing Face of Real Estate Practice" on Tuesday March 18, 2014, from 10:00am-2:30pm. The program will highlight important updates including the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012.

Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 legislation passed in response to the devastating floods of the last several years and places risk of loss due to flooding on those who will be most benefited. The result is significant increases to flood insurance rates and many more properties than formerly included in the risk pool. 

Previously, flood insurance holders enjoyed a significant subsidy by the Federal Government. However, the costs associated with flooding from hurricanes including Katrina, Irene, Sandy and other rain events, have caused financial pressure and a shortfall in the insurance funds available.

This program is intended mainly for real estate professionals including attorneys, land surveyors, engineers, real estate sales persons, insurance agents and municipal code enforcement officers, however, it will be of interest to anyone who owns real estate in a flood zone or identified area of potential flooding.

The program will include training and a review of the germane aspects of the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012, the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), using and understanding Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM), Flood Elevation Certificates and other flood related topics. Speakers include Tim Blanchard, NYS DEC Certified Flood Plain Manager, Jon Thompson, Professional Land Surveyor and Joanne Darcy-Crum, Attorney and Professional Land Surveyor.

The program is being sponsored by Schoharie County Bar Association in cooperation with Schenectady County Bar Association and Catskill Area Association of Land Surveyors and will be held on Tuesday March 18, 2014. Registration and coffee starts at 9:30, with the program from 10:00a.m.-2:30p.m.at SUNY Cobleskill. The fee for the seminar is $100 for members of participating organizations, $ 125 for non-members, which includes Continuing Education Credit. Others are invited for a fee of $50 (if no Continuing education is needed) and includes handouts and a working lunch. Reservations are required. For additional information contact the office of Joanne Darcy Crum, L.S. at 518-234-4650 or jdcrum@hotmail.com.

Cobleskill Police Arrest Woman for Stealing More Than $4,000 from Employer

The Cobleskill Police Department submitted the following arrest report this morning:

   

      On 03/02/2014 at about 09:05 pm, Cobleskill Police arrested Misty M. Wayman, age 38, of Cobleskill NY on arrest warrants for Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, a class C Felony; and Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree, a class E Felony.

On December 31st, 2013, police received a complaint from Wayman’s  employer, the Schoharie County Council of Senior Citizens, Inc., alleging that Wayman was believed to have been involved in an on-going course of theft of money from the business over the course of her employment.

Business and financial records were subpoenaed and reviewed during the investigation. Subsequent information discovered during the investigation showed that Wayman is believed to have stolen a minimum of $4,055.87 between January 15th 2013 to November 28th 2013. Wayman is alleged to have used a business credit card for unauthorized personal purchases as well as taking cash deposits for her own use from  “The Everything Shoppe”, a business owned and operated by the Schoharie County Council of Senior Citizens. 

    

VanWormer: Empower Board Chairman to Meet Administrative Needs

With the Schoharie County Board of Supervisors largely undecided on Schoharie Town Supervisor Gene Milone's county administrator proposal, one member believes the ongoing public debate could be resolved within the framework we currently have now, rather than adding an executive layer to local bureaucracy.

Arguing that the implementation of an appointed county administrator would further widen the gap between residents and their government, Esperance Town Supervisor Earl VanWormer has suggested a simpler fix to the county's lack of executive oversight: empowering the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors to assume many of the proposed administrator's responsibilities.

Mr. VanWormer's proposed change would elevate the Board Chairman, a position he held for much of the last decade, to the equivalent of an Prime Minister in a parliamentary system. In addition to representing their town's constituents on the board, they would oversee the daily operations of county government and work with the department heads to ensure all gears turn properly. 

Citing figures that range from $250,000-$300,000 to cover the costs of an county administrator and all the position entails - personal staff, work space, office supplies, etc. - the Esperance lawmaker believes only a modest salary increase would be necessary to adequately compliment a full-time board chairman's additional workload. 

Coming just days after the Board of Supervisors welcomed the Greene County Administrator to brief them on his county's own governmental transition, it remains to be seen whether Mr. VanWormer's proposal takes a foothold in the continuing conversation, or like other proposed changes to county government, is assigned to the wastebasket of history. 

Fighting Tigers Close 2013-14 Season on Low Note

The SUNY Cobleskill men's basketball squad capped an already disappointing 2013-14 season by falling 66-57 in the first round of the North Eastern Athletic Conference tournament Friday night to the Penn State Berks Nittany Lions, an opponent the Fighting Tigers had defeated twice in the regular season. 

Led by junior Cortrell King's fourteen point performance, the Fighting Tigers offense had little to celebrate as they struggled with turnovers through out the contest - losing possession twenty-two times to the Nittany Lions - who would convert 45% of their shots  from beyond the arc, and for the upset victory. 

King averaged 14.2 points per
game this season, a team high

Finishing 11-14 overall in his sixth season at the helm, SUNY Cobleskill head coach Matt Allen will head back to the old drawing board in hopes of configuring a successful formula for the Fighting Tigers. His squad struggled greatly away from home this season, losing ten straight road games at one point, but posted a winning record om campus.

Support Our Sponsors

Topping 60,000 page views in the month of February, the Schoharie News has grown phenomenally since our conception last summer. We currently have over 2,100 facebook fans - more than any other source of local news in the Cobleskill-Middleburgh market - and average 2,000 hits per day on the website's server. 

None of which would have been possible without the continuing valued support of both our readership, and our handful of advertisers; both of whom we have praised consistently for making this possible through their loyal audience, but today we want to specifically thank Schoharie County's small businesses that have taken a chance on us.

From old friends at Magical Printing & Designs, The Hair Artist and Four Star Realty to new sponsors at the National Bank of Coxsackie and Tri-Town Computers, we have been fortunate enough to meet wonderful entrepreneurs and business professionals that span the county's diverse economic marketplace.

As such, we would like to encourage our readership in its entirety to support our hard working sponsors for making this news project possible. There are many ways to go about this, and they range from liking our advertisers on social media to stopping by their local establishments and experiencing a taste of the high-quality services they offer in person.

Need professional level business cards? Magical Printing & Designs on 281 Main Street in the Village of Schoharie is the place to go for that and so much more. They designed the Schoharie News' cards, and we cannot praise them enough for the quality of their work.

Looking for a local salon? Susan Stiles stylish The Hair Artist, located on 678 East Main Street in downtown Cobleskill, needs no introduction after twenty years in the styling and beauty industry - easily becoming the leader in Schoharie County fashion.

Maybe you're thinking of moving? Four Star Realty's dynamic duo of realtors represent the royalty of realty in the Schoharie Valley. With decades in real estate experience, Tracy Boomhower and Lisa Tenneson are the choice for high-level professionalism you'll love.

Tired of the same 'ole banking? The National Bank of Coxsackie's Middleburgh branch is not just another location on the corporate map, but an addition to the bank's expanding network of Catskill area communities they have adopted as their own, and have invested into.

Is your computer still not working properly? Stop by one of Tri-Town Computers two Schoharie County offices in either Cobleskill or Schoharie and they'll get your technology back into working shape, or you don't pay - that is the Tri-Town business guarantee.

Please share this article to your friends, neighbors, and family; and tell them about some of Schoharie County's finest small businesses, and most importantly of all, stop by their offices and check out our sponsors extraordinary quality - you wont be disappointed.  

Center for Sustainable Rural Communities to Host Comment Writing Workshop Saturday March 22

The Center for Sustainable Rural Communities is sponsoring a Comment Writing Workshop to help area residents, public officials and agencies develop and submit formal comments to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) concerning the proposed Constitution Pipeline. (The deadline for submitting comments to FERC is April 7, 2014.)

This is an important opportunity for the community to send a strong message to FERC that the pipeline will negatively impact the safety, property values and quality of life of area residents. Join us on March 22, 2014 from 10 AM until 2 PM at the Center for Sustainable Rural Communities, 296 Main Street, Richmondville, NY.

Instructions for writing a simple comment letter will be presented by community activist Allegra Schecter. Computers, printers and other supplies will be provided and volunteers will be available to assist you. Refreshments will be served. Registration is necessary. To register please call toll-free: 1-800-795-1467 or email: rnied@ruarlcommunities.org.

Petitions Available for Middeburgh Library Board March 1st

Starting today petitions will be available for local residents interested in running for the Middleburgh Library Board of Trustees at the library located on 323 Main Street in the Village of Middleburgh. Petitions come with an informational packet, and must be completed and returned by Saturday, March 22nd. 

Interested residents can run for any of three Board of Trustee seats open in the upcoming election, which will be held in conjunction to the annual library budget vote on April 22nd. There are currently nine members on the library board, but that number is being expanded to eleven with the addition of two seats this election. 

Members of the public are encouraged to speak with library director Teresa Pavoldi or attend the next library board meeting on Monday, March 10th at 6:30 p.m. for more information. 

Charlotteville Fire Department to Host Buffet Dinner March 14th

The Charlotteville Volunteer Fire Department will be hosting a benefit buffet dinner on Friday, March 14th from 5-7:30 p.m. 

Members of the public are invited to attend the community spread, which will feature an exciting Irish themed menu of corned beef, cabbage, potatoes, Irish soda break, green bean casserole, and much more.

Cost of admittance ranges from $9.95 for adults, $5.00 for kids 6-12, and no charge for children six and under. For more information, please contact Georgia at 607-397-8054.

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.