Middleburgh Readies for 2nd Annual Heritage Day

The Village of Middleburgh in conjunction with the Middleburgh Area Business Association are readying plans for the community's second annual Heritage Day set for this upcoming Saturday, June 14th. It will be kicked off by the Middleburgh Rotary Sloughter 5K at 9 am that morning. 

Among other items, the event will feature guided historic tours, gnomes demonstrations at the Artisans Gallery, a scavenger hunt sponsored by the business association (entry forms will be available at NBT Bank), and Technopolooza, which will include live entertainment, food, student exhibits and rocket launches. 

The official unveiling of the Baker Avenue pavilion mural will also take place.

Vote in Our New Poll: Do You Approve of Governor Cuomo's Job Performance?

Governor Cuomo's administration has had a lot on its plate over the last four years from fracking to gun issues to taxes to regulations. Do you approve of the way he's handled the job the last three and a half years? Vote in our sidebar to make your voice heard.

Dangerous New Form of Heroin Infecting Area

A new, more easily-addicted form of heroin is making its first appearances in Schoharie County. Most likely coming from sources in Utica, New York City, and Albany, this new type is easily concealable and avoids visible effects of heroin use, such as track marks.

Sublingual heroin has gained in popularity nationwide over the last decade. So called because it can be put into pill or film form and placed under the tongue. The veins under the tongue can carry the drug through the blood stream rapidly and without need for a needle. This does result in a smaller "high" but has the advantage of being far less traceable and more portable.

Due to heroin's low cost, this type of heroin could rapidly become a major form of the drug. While sublingual heroin has not overtaken that delivered by the needle, it will likely become a major secondary version of the opiate.

While there have been no specific arrests for sublingual heroin, sources indicate that it has reached Schoharie County. Major recent drug arrests could make a dent in its expansion as the Cobleskill Police Department has taken the lead in combating heroin, among other drugs.

Opinion: County Board Needs to Unify Around Common Cause

The 2014-15 Schoharie County Board of Supervisors has a dynamic group of members tasked with overseeing the administration of government in this county; from lawyers to union officials and small businessmen to farmers, all facets of rural Upstate New York are represented in this legislative body. 

However, and perhaps unfortunately to some extent, the result of having a diverse set of individuals convene to conduct public policy is that with whatever positives they bring from their personal life, it's inevitable that at least a few negatives will come along with them. Namely, large egos and set attitudes. 

Both, again unfortunately, are at the root of dysfunctional county government, and while it would be easy to just point fingers and yell at the supervisors to put aside their petty differences, we are not naive or idealistic enough to believe sixteen individuals will agree on anything contentious, let alone retinue business.

With that said, we do believe the county board can come together on a broad set of similar principles that can serve as a unifying measure between supervisors that although they have different ideologies and distinct personalities, that they all have a common desire to see Schoharie County succeed in their own way.

Sure, perhaps our youthful idealism is clouding the realities of political discourse, but we strongly believe that it the sixteen men and women sitting around the U-shaped table on the third floor of the county board can spell out their similarities for wanting this county to thrive, then maybe they will be more willing to consider each others differences. 

Mine Kill to Host Father's Day Fishing Tournament

Join the Friends of Mine Kill and Max V. Shaul State Park on Saturday, June 14, 2014 during the Father’s Day Weekend Fishing Tournament, from 7am - 12pm.  Celebrate Father’s Day and beat the heat along the beautiful Blenheim-Gilboa Reservoir.  Entry per individual is $10, while a family of 4 or more may enter for $30.  Registration will be at the boat launch area in Mine Kill State Park or you can call Mine Kill State Park at (518) 827-8690 to pre-register.  

The fishing tournament will take place on the Blenheim-Gilboa Lower Reservoir for a chance to win 50% of the entry fees.  The remaining funds will support educational programming and recreational activities at the park through the Friends of Mine Kill and Max V. Shaul group.  The individual with the longest recorded fish (any species) will be awarded the winnings following the end of the tournament at 12pm sharp.  Anglers may fish from the shore of the reservoir or may use a boat.  Please note that the New York Power Authority no longer requires a seasonal permit to launch a vessel on the Blenheim-Gilboa Reservoir.  However, all boaters must check in at the Mine Kill State Park office and then power-wash the boat prior to entering the water. 

Mine Kill State Park has many more fishing opportunities for you.  If you can’t make it out to the Father’s Day Weekend Fishing Tournament then please join us during the Late Summer Fishing Tournament on Saturday, August 16th.  The Mine Kill Summer Fishing Tournaments continue to grow thanks to everyone who has participated in past events and spread the word.  Please note, if you are 16 years or older you must have a valid fishing license.  In order to use a boat (both motor and non-motorized) on the reservoir, please stop at the Mine Kill park office and fill out the appropriate information.  All boats are required to be power-washed at the power-wash station adjacent the park contact office.  However, boats are not needed though since there is plenty of shoreline access for all your fishing fun.     

Mine Kill State Park is located in the scenic Schoharie Valley overlooking the Power Authority’s Blenheim-Gilboa Pumped Storage Power Project.  The reservoir provides excellent fishing and boating opportunities.  The eight miles of trails, including trails from the Park to the NYPA Visitor Center such as the Long Path, are great for hiking, biking and birding.  Cascading 80 feet through a narrow gorge is the picturesque Mine Kill Falls for which the Park is named.  The Park also has an Olympic sized swimming pool with separate wading and diving pools.

For those who would like to extend their visit, nearby Max V. Shaul State Park is a small, quiet camping area with 30 wooded tent and trailer sites, picnic grounds, a state of the art playground and boat access along the Schoharie Creek.  In addition to the Max V. Shaul trails and fishing opportunities, campers have free access to Mine Kill State Park. 

New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees 180 state parks and 35 historic sites, which are visited by 60 million people annually. For more information on any of these recreation areas, call 518-474-0456 or visit www.nysparks.com, connect on Facebook, or follow on Twitter.

Artisan's Gallery to Host Vroman's Gnomes Opening

Gnomes are coming to Middleburgh...

Starting Friday, June 13th at the Artisan's Gallery located on 322 Main Street, Middleburgh, NY, artists Mike and Joe Galli will be unveiling their Vroman's Gnomes. The Gallery will be open from 6-8 pm for the special event, and light refreshments will be served. 

The artists foretold that, "When the clock strikes 6 on the evening of June 13th under the strawberry moon, you are invited to experience the newly discovered land of Vroman's Gnomes. These mystical creatures have been living amongst us since the Devonian Period and have rarely been seen. Emerging from the Ancient Forest and migrating to different regions of Schoharie County, these gnomes hiked from Vroman's Nose and have surfaced to reveal themselves to Humankind." 

Residents and art aficionados are invited to come and see the Gnomes in their natural habitat. For more information on these mysterious creatures, you can visit their official facebook page here which states they were discovered atop Vroman's Nose; protecting the landmark.

Schoharie Man Faces Alcohol and Drug Related Charges

New York State Police stationed in Cobleskill have announced the arrest of fifty-seven year old Dennis Robtoy of Schoharie, who was stopped on State Route 145 by a State Trooper for failing to keep right earlier this week, and will face alcohol and drug related charges stemming from the incident. 

After being pulled over, Robtoy was found to be intoxicated and was in possession of marijuana and a metal smoking pipe that contained the illegal substance. He tested at a .08% blood alcohol concentration and was charged with Driving While Intoxicated and Unlawful Possession of Marijuana. 

Robtoy will appear in the Town of Cobleskill Court on June 10th for further action.

Carlisle Man Arrested for Aggravated DWI

New York State Police stationed in Princetown have announced the arrest of twenty-nine year old Jacob J. Bradt of Carlisle for Aggravated DWI. 

Jacob Bradt

State Police stopped Mr. Bradt on June 3rd near the intersection of Routes 20 and 30 in Duanesburg, and upon interviewing him, detected the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from his person. Mr. Bradt refused on-scene sobriety tests and was then placed into custody for DWI. 

He was then transported back to the State Police Station in Princetown for processing where he provided a BAC of .26 percent, or three times over the legal limit. Mr. Bradt was released on tickets and will appear in the Town of Duanesburg Court on June 30th at 7:00 p.m.

Middleburgh Residents Gather to Seed New Life at Creekside Park

The following was submitted by Middleburgh resident Sheila Donegan on a recent event involving the community's Creekside Park located on Baker Avenue. We would like to thank Ms. Donegan for her submission and photos of the local affair:

The torrential rains yesterday (June 3) had at least one beneficial aspect.  Creekside Park on Baker Avenue in Middleburgh got a good soak.  On Saturday, May 31, SAW, Schoharie Area Wild, an organization within SALT, planted donated day lilies of varying colors, 8 lilacs bushes, and other wild flowers along the property lines near the pavilion which recently sported new murals showing fishing and canoeing in the Schoharie Creek.  

Bob Stevenot, Lisa Tenneson, and Erik Crater

Photo credit: Sheila Donegan

Village trustees pitched in to help, with Bill Morton rototilling the plant beds, and Lily Bruno digging in clumps of plants. The many volunteers at this project were joined by SALT volunteers doing construction work on the old former library building. Bob Stevenot and Erik Crater, of the Green Iguana Bistro, manned the grills for the BBQ, and donated salads, as did Lisa Tenneson of Four Star Realty.

Mayor Avitabile and Sarah Goodrich, with members of the SAW team (Buck Berdan,
Emily Davis, Doug Stinson, and Joe Kopacz). Photo credit: Sheila Donegan

Blenheim to Host Breakfast to Benefit Felter's Wife

The close-knit community of Blenheim will be hosting a breakfast at the Blenheim Town Hall on Saturday, June 14th from 8:30 am until 11:30 am to benefit the wife of late Highway Superintendent Gerald "Gerry" Felter. 

It will be donations only and the proceeds will go directly to Gerry's wife, who was dependent on her husband's salary and collects only a small social security stipend. Many in the small town have volunteered to help with the event.

On a day with many activities planned countywide, residents in neighboring and distant communities are encouraged to attend and support Blenheim's charitable breakfast to help Mrs. Felter through these challenging and difficult times. 

AECOM Stream Work to Begin Early July

Although the Schoharie County Board of Supervisors voted to move forward on the AECom stream bank remediation project at the May county board meeting, Middleburgh Town Supervisor Jim Buzon told residents of Middleburgh that work is not expected to begin on the streams until early July.

Mr. Buzon, who made the comments toward the end of Thursday night's annual joint town and village board meeting, indicated that the project's start date had been pushed back because the contracted work crews were reassigned to different jobs while the county board deferred action for two months. 

The project has been the source of considerable contention within the county since it was revealed that AECom had gone approximately $2.6 million over budgeted costs in late March, leading the county board to request the NY State Comptroller's Office review the original contract's alleged unauthorized alterations. 

Four local streams are slated to be rehabilitated once work begins, including sites at Dave Brown Mountain; Line Creek; Little Schoharie, and Platterkill. Mr. Buzon said the project most likely wont be completed until late October. 

County GOP Backs Lopez, Seward

The Schoharie County Republican Committee voted unanimously Wednesday night to nominate Assemblyman Peter Lopez and State Senator James Seward for re-election in their respective campaigns. There was no opposition and the nominations were confirmed by voice vote. 

Town of Middleburgh Councilwoman Sue Makely nominated Mr. Lopez, while former Town of Cobleskill Councilman Ryan McAllister nominated Mr. Seward. Both nominations were quickly seconded and the Secretary was instructed to close the polls and make one vote for the nominees. 

Schoharie County Vice-Chairman Chris Tague oversaw the proceedings in Chairman Lewis Wilson's place. Both Mr. Lopez and Mr. Seward stressed the importance of this fall's statewide elections, while Mr. Tague reminded committee members that there will be a handful of local elections as well. 

SAFE Act Remains Unpopular

Almost eighteen months after the controversial passage of Governor Andrew Cuomo's signature "NY SAFE Act" legislation, opposition remains strong across significant portions of Upstate New York to the gun control law, with emotions running particularly high in Schoharie County. 

Since it was signed into law, the NY SAFE Act has been the target of two Board of Supervisors resolutions; several displays of citizen protest; verbal assaults from politicians representing both political parties, and most recently, dozens of pointed yard signs dotting the local landscape.

From the Village of Middleburgh to the Town of Seward and every community in between, these signs are being proudly displayed on the yards of residences and highways, signifying the continued resolve of local voters to the unpopular law, even a year and a half since it was passed.

Mr. Cuomo, who came within thirty votes of carrying Schoharie County in the 2010 Gubernatorial election, is likely to cede large swaths of Upstate New York to Republican Rob Astorino because of the law this fall, but as of the latest poll - is leading his challenger by thirty points statewide. 

Still many residents share County Sheriff Tony Desmond's sentiment that the NY SAFE Act is, "another step toward total gun control," and as such, public opposition is likely to remain substantial for years to come. 

Minor Oil Spill in County Courthouse Causes Court Headache

Over the weekend a valve gave way on one of two boiler systems located in the penthouse of the Schoharie County Courthouse, causing oil to leak through the floor and into the elevator shaft and ceiling tiles of lower floors, staining carpeting and tiles in the process. 

No one was harmed during the minor spill, which was estimated by a county official to be somewhere between five and twenty gallons. County court however, was forced to relocate to the Board of Supervisors meeting room in the nearby county building due to the toxicity of the fumes. 

Ironically enough, contractors were set to install two spillway containment barriers around the van sized boilers this very week on recommendation of Flood Recovery Coordinator Bill Cherry, who made the suggestion to supervisors at the May county board meeting. 

According to Mr. Cherry, who told the Schoharie News that both boiler systems are approximately three decades old and the valve simply decayed after years of use, the county currently has no dollar amount on how much the necessary clean-up process and repairs will cost at this time. 

It is unknown precisely when regular court proceedings will commence once more in the courthouse, with current estimates between five and seven days at the earliest. 

Vote in Our New Poll: What is Your Favorite NFL Team?

Over the weekend we asked our readers on facebook who their favorite National Football League team was; the response was varied between the three franchises that call New York home - the Bills, Giants and Jets - to the regional powerhouse New England and several teams spread across the nation.

Inspired by the impassioned debate, our new poll is concerned with the question of which professional football team is Schoharie County's favorite to root for on the gridiron. Now, we can't list all thirty-two teams, but our survey will feature the area's four regional franchises that each received strong support.

The poll is located on the right-hand sidebar of the website and will be open until Monday afternoon. 

Schoharie In Line for Dry, Warm Weather (June 4, 2014)

After facing an onslaught of severe weather Tuesday afternoon that brought lightning, hail, and a flash flood warning to the region, Schoharie County is settling down for a quieter forecast the next seven days with predominantly warm temperatures and low chance of precipitation. 

Graphic credit: WNYT

Rainfall is possible both Thursday and Friday, but the weekend is shaping up to a beautiful sunfest that will keep highs in the low to mid eighties. Despite the storm yesterday, it was primarily a beautiful day that only turned ugly towards the latter part of the afternoon and cleared soon afterwards. 

According to WNYT's weather almanac, the area has received approximately 13.8 inches of rain thus far this year, which is roughly 1.37 inches below average levels of precipitation for early June. Not that it is particularly concerning at this time, but definitely something worth observing closely. 

Letter to the Editor: Wu Questions Rville's Maranatha Priorities

"Richmondville officials are demanding that Stella McKenna tell them about plans to sell her closed Maranatha gym in Warnerville."

What gall they have, to "demand", that Maranatha be sold, when in fact, it was they who stopped the gym from being sold, open for business, and from all debts, both to the local government and all B2Bs, being paid in full. With that said, before all of the 'Good Ole Boys', as well as their rable-rouser cohorts, start claiming that I neither had the capital nor a business plan to bail the club out, please let it be known that the investment that I made purchasing fitness equipment in my Sharon Springs location is both more advanced, as well as more costly and greater in both quality and quantity than what was in Maranatha, and, that I also paid for all of it up-front, so there is zero debt. In addition, not only am I renting a commercial location in Sharon Springs, I have also been paying bills on a domicile in Cobleskill for the past year, as well as paying for a residence in Sharon Springs for my whole family since April, since, they are now managing the that location. Lastly, I recently had a code review on the Grand Union building in Middleburgh done by a well-known architect from the city, Jim Lagone, specifically, to open my second location, as I was denied the opportunity to open a club in the Maranatha building. At least in Middleburgh, the mayor of that village--who was the one who invited me to so--and the supervisor of that town, both have the foresight to provide something beneficial for all of their constituents.

Everyone in the county needs to watch Schopeg or access the Richmondville town board minutes for December. They spent 45 minutes discussing asking the state for a waiver of the recapture agreement for the $2.3 million dollar grant, which is the same EXACT waiver which I asked them to ask the state for in September, October, and November, to which they refused each time, even though the state told them many times to ask for it as well. In fact, the state became so exasperated with the whole situation, that they asked them to only write one sentence, and one sentence only: "Please waive the recapture clause of the grant agreement so that Da-lai Wu can invest in, and re-open, the Maranatha Fitness Center". Simple...no? However, they would not ask for said waiver, which, totally protects only them and their constituents, since, after receiving the waiver, the state can never come after them for any part of the $2.3 million dollars. So how do they say 'no'? 

Please be advised that now that the town has the waiver, the club's founder can sell the building and the property to anyone, and does not have to notify anyone about anything. The town's 'demand' can, and should be, ignored. So why did the town turn down the opportunity to have their water bill and audit fees paid, as well as the village's electricity bill? Why did they turn down free office space on the undeveloped second floor of the club's building, which they could have built to their specifications, preferring to assume that the state would give them a grant for their offices, which they were subsequently denied last month? How is it that they believed that the waiver that the state and I both asked them to ask for, was different from that which they themselves asked for and received in December, and after the business model was already totally untenable--not to mention the fact that without a plan, carte blanche with regards to selling the property became a reality?

I lived though this past winter here in Cobleskill, and there is not a lot of things to do besides hibernate, nor, many places to recreate, even though, our state taxes pay for a huge facility in Cobleskill. However, we cannot access the gym, pool, fitness center, nor indoor tennis courts, which is a standard perk at other institutions where they rent facilities to the community at large to earn revenue for their own in-house community, and by doing so, they make real money, hand-over-fist. So what is up with the mentality in these two towns? Why does no one want to receive additional revenue, no strings attached, and to have all arrears paid in full? Why does no one there wish to provide for their neighbors in the community? And why, do residents even allow this situation to occur? 

IMPO, it's time to act. It's time to put the pedal to the metal, and make these 'Good Ole Boys' in both towns, act responsibly, and for the benefit for all. What do you think???

Da-lai Wu

Poll: Readers Approve of Gibson Job Performance

The latest Schoharie News poll has found that readers overwhelmingly support the job performance of incumbent Congressman Chris Gibson. He has represented Schoharie County and the rest of the 19th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives since January, 2013.

Congressman Gibson was first elected to the House in 2010 over incumbent Democratic Congressman Scott Murphy in the 20th congressional district, and was subsequently re-elected to his second term in the 19th district following the redrawing of congressional districts in 2012. 

According to the survey, which one hundred and twenty two readers participated in, 67% (82 votes) approved of the Congressman's job performance, while only 25% (31 votes) disapproved and the remaining 7% (9 votes) remain undecided at this time.

Gibson is currently seeking his third term in office against Democratic challenger Sean Eldridge.

Blenheim Appoints Deputy to Become Highway Superintendent, Remembers Felter

It was both a serious and somber occasion Monday evening, as the Blenheim Town Board moved to fill the substantial void left by longtime Highway Superintendent Gerald Felter's unexpected passing in May, and to remember his years of dedicated service to the close-knit community. 

Starting the meeting with a moment of silence to remember "Gerry," as he was known by family and friends alike, the town board voted unanimously to approve a resident's suggestion to name the town's pavilion/park area behind the town hall in his honor. An official naming ceremony will be held at a date to be determined. 

Moving on to the vacancy, town board members voted to appoint Dave Mattice, Felter's deputy in the public works department, to succeed him as Highway Superintendent. The board would also voted to grant Mattice an annual $3,000 stipend to off-set his loss in wages from accepting the position and to perform any additional duties. 

In an attempt to reduce costs for the town, which operates on a shoe-string budget at approximately $300,000 annually, town board members decided to run the department with only two employees and to rely on part-time assistance when additional help is needed in the winter, or to cover sick time and vacations.

In other action:

• The town board voted to extend Cobra health insurance coverage to Felter's wife until she can acquire public assistance. The extension was approved to August.
• The town board voted to pay for a $60 advertisement in the Maple Festival brochure, after a mis-communication led to the town historian approving the ad after the board initially voted against it.
• The town board voted to authorize Councilwoman Anne Mattice-Strauch to purchase up to $600 in materials for a local park to be built in conjunction with SUNY Cobleskill's Creating Healthy Places program. 

Woodstock Artist Opens Local Exhibit at the Schoharie Hive

On Saturday evening the Hive hosted Woodstock artist Norm Magnusson's art opening at its gallery and shop on Main Street in Schoharie. Magnusson has recently installed six sculptures across Schoharie County.

Photo credit: Bob Nied

The sculptures are cast aluminum and resemble blue and yellow historic markers but instead carry fictitious stories related to important cultural, economic, and environmental issues. They are located in in several local communities, including one outside of the Hive in Schoharie. 

A map of the markers is available here.

Magnussom discussed his motivations for creating the sculptures and took questions from visitors attending the two-hour long opening, which was presented by the Center for Sustainable Rural Communities and funded in party by the Decentralized Program of the New York Council on the Arts administered by the Green County Arts Council.