Stop the Pipeline to Host Summer Gala Picnic

Stop the Pipeline, a non-profit grass roots organization, announces a gala summer picnic on August 17th from 1 PM until 5 PM at beautiful Pine Lake in Davenport (Oneonta), NY. There will be swimming, kayaking and canoeing along with music by Kathy Shimberg (1 PM), The Nieds (2:45 PM) and Peter Blue (3:30 PM).

There will be a raffle, an opportunity to chat with neighbors and to hear the latest update on the pipeline proposals by Anne Marie Garti, a volunteer attorney with the Pace Environmental Litigation Clinic (2 PM). Admission is $5.00. Please bring a dish to share.

Busy Weekend Ahead for Schoharie County

From community events in Middleburgh to the Sunshine Fair's 2014 kickoff and everything in between with thousands of warriors in Gilboa and hundreds of bicycle enthusiasts at Howe Caverns, Schoharie County is the place to be this weekend with events for everyone.

Event: Fourth Friday. When: Friday, July 25th, 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. Where: Middleburgh, New York

The Middleburgh Area Business Association's Fourth Friday festivities will enter its third month tomorrow evening, with local businesses along Main Street remaining open longer into the night and offering specials to patrons. Notably, the Green Wolf Brewery Co. will be offering its thirst quenching ale for sale.

Event: Warrior Dash. When: Saturday, July 26th, 8:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m. Where: Gilboa, New York

With Schoharie County Sheriff Tony Desmond estimating over six thousand people are expected to participate, Saturday's Warrior Dash at Nickerson Park to raise money for St. Jude Children's Hospital is the place to unleash your adventurous side on miles of mountainous terrain, muddy grades, and tasking obstacles.

Event: Sunshine Fair. When: all-day Saturday, July 26th through Saturday, August 2nd. Where: Cobleskill, New York

Schoharie County's annual Sunshine Fair at the Cobleskill Fairgrounds will kick off Saturday morning and run into next weekend as thousands of residents are expected to attend. Grandstand events will include truck and tractor pulls in addition to a monster struck show and several demolition derby's.

Event: Bicycle Show and Swap Meet. When: Sunday, July 27th, 9:00 a.m. Where: Howes Cave, New York

Annually one of the biggest bicycle shows in the northeast, there will be several prizes for vintage and custom built bikes at the Howe Caverns Pavilion on Sunday. Show bikes are free to enter and vendors will be charged $10 per spot. For more information contact Steve at 518-231-0614.

Schoharie in Severe Thunderstorm Watch (July 23, 2014)

Update (6:00 p.m.) - Local radar is indicating a dissipation of storms in the area, but residents are advised to keep an eye out through out the evening as conditions are ripe for stormy weather. 

The National Weather Service in Albany has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for Schoharie County residents until 10:00 p.m. tonight. Oppressive humidity levels and high temperatures have gave way to gusty winds and darkening clouds over the afternoon and into the evening.

As of 5:20 p.m., severe thunderstorm watches are in place for several area counties as scattered storms move across the region. Storms could become strong to locally severe with wind gusts in excess of sixty miles per hour, hail to one inch in diameter and heavy rainfall likely. 

Please stay safe everyone and stay tuned to the Schoharie News and WNYT-Albany for all your severe weather updates.

Schoharie County Arts Grants Information Available

The Community Arts Grants program of the New York State Council on the Arts is pleased to announce that the Fiscal Year 2015 Guidelines and Applications are now available.  The taxpayer dollars that these grants utilize are used to partially fund arts events, programs and experiences in Schoharie County.

The administrating organization for these grants is the Greene County Council on the Arts but all  taxpayer dollars allocated are for events and experiences in Schoharie County.

If you are an individual, organization or group of citizens interested in bringing arts and cultural events to Schoharie County, this funding opportunity may be right for you.

Informational workshops are scheduled for: August 16, 2014 between 10:00-11:30AM at 349 Mineral Springs Rd., Cobleskill and September 11, 2014 at the Middleburgh Library, 323 Main Street, Middleburgh from 6:30PM-8:00PM.  

New applicants are required to attend a workshop and returning applicants are encouraged to attend.

Link to grants is: http://www.greenearts.org/about/grants or visit schoharieartsgrants on Facebook.

Questions can be sent to grant coordinator, Renee Nied at: schoharieartsgrants@gmail.com

Two Middleburgh Teens Arrested for Pot Possession

In a press release issued Tuesday afternoon, the Schoharie County Sheriff's Department announced the arrest of two Middleburgh teenagers who were found to be in possession of marijuana in the valley community. 

Joshua McDonnell, 18, and an unnamed seventeen year old girl, were both arrested and charged with Unlawful Possession of Marijuana on Friday, July 18th, while parked on Mill Valley Road in the Town of Middleburgh. 

They would be subsequently released on appearance tickets to come before the Middleburgh Town Court at a later date. The female's name was withheld by the Schoharie News due to her status as a minor and to spare any embarrassment. 

Opinion: One Thousand Articles

As the Schoharie News was in the process of editing our article covering Oorah's legal victory over the Town of Jefferson Monday evening, we suddenly realized a major milestone would be achieved upon its completion and publication: our one thousandth published article. 

Sure, not every article was a masterpiece and several focused on nothing more than cold weather (granted, it was frigid outside and a slow news season to boot a significant portion of the past winter), but that is beyond the point.

The point is: we have been able to achieve something never before seen in Schoharie County, outside of the occasional television news coverage, in that information has been unleashed from a once every seven days experience to one that constantly changes and evolves before our readers eyes. 

Additionally, and this would not have been possible without our unbelievably incredible readership, but we have been able to expend our resources into the type of investigative journalism and healthy criticism of local government that has slowly dissipated from news bureaus nationwide.

Of course, such editorial decisions have resulted in allegations of yellow journalism or petty politics from our detractors, but we honestly believe the truth of the matter will always have the final say in how our stories are written and the facts contained within; agree or disagree with them, we digress. 

Although we do not know what the future holds for the Schoharie News, and we are expecting to make several important announcements in the coming weeks, we do know that without the support of our friends, neighbors, and strangers who have made this project the success it is, none of it would have been possible.

Thank you for sticking with us for one thousand articles.

Open Mic/Jam Event to be Hosted Monthly in Stamford

STAMFORD, NY – After having two well-attended community forums to discuss uses for the building, Western Catskills Community Revitalization Council, Inc. (WCCRC) is pleased to announce that a long-standing community event has been booked at the Western Catskills Community Arts Center located at the carriage house at 76 Main Street in the Village of Stamford. 

 

The event, formerly known as Open Mic Jam! and held in the storefront of 76 Main Street , is moving up the hill to the carriage house theater at the same location.  The event will still be generously hosted by local musicians Kevin Prior and Mike Herman, but will have a new name - Live From the Carriage House – Open Mic / Jam.   

 

This popular event will continue to be held the first Friday of the month at 7:30 p.m.  Musicians are encouraged to sign up quickly, by contacting Mr. Prior at kpjamnights@yahoo.com.  The public is welcome to attend and enjoy some of the region’s best musicians as they show off their talent in the open mic format.  There is plenty of parking available on Main Street and in the Village parking lot across the street.

WCCRC will be holding an open house at the Western Catskills Community Arts Center on Saturday, August 9, from 4:00 – 5:30 p.m.  Tours of the building will be available, as well as more information about renting the venue. 

Attend the open house and you will have a chance to win a pair of dinner tickets for the TP’s Cafe Block Party which will start at 5 p.m. on the same day.  The block party will spotlight:  MC/DJ Patrick Michael del Rosario, Logan's Express, featuring Jim Kopp, and the 20-piece Leather Stocking Jazz Band at 7:00 p.m.

WCCRC’s mission is to cooperate with local, state and federal governmental and civic bodies in aiding, assisting and fostering the planning, development, renewal, and improvement of housing and other buildings in the counties of Delaware, Schoharie and Greene, State of New York, for the primary purpose of revitalizing communities and in securing improved housing, commercial buildings and community facilities.

To learn more about WCCRC’s programs, call 607.652.2823 or visit www.westerncatskills.org.

Cobleskill Police Blotter (July 22, 2014)

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

Thursday, July 17, 2014

At 10:20 a.m. Cobleskill Police arrested Elmer B. Speedling, 58, of Howes Cave, NY, for Petit Larceny and Trespass.  He was arraigned in Cobleskill Town Court and released.  He is to return to Cobleskill Town Court on July 29th at 5:00 p.m.

Saturday, July 19, 2014

At 3:08 am, Cobleskill Police arrested Steven T. Barton, 25, of Cobleskill for Driving While Intoxicated, Aggravated Unlicensed Operation 3rd, and 2 other traffic offenses. He was arraigned in Town of Cobleskill Court and released after posting $500.00 bail. He is to return to Cobleskill Town Court on 07/22/14 at 5:00 pm.

At 10:39 am, Cobleskill Police arrested Robert A. Herzog, 29, of Schoharie, NY for Aggravated Unlicensed Operation 2nd and 1 other traffic offense. He was arraigned in T/Cobleskill Court and released. He is to return to Cobleskill Town Court on 07/22/14 at 5:00 pm.

Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Oorah on Tax Exemptions

After years of legal proceedings spanning two different municipal administrations, the New Jersey based Jewish organization Oorah has declared victory in what its attorney John Privitera called a, "landmark decision," on Friday evening over the Town of Jefferson.

It came in the hours following the New York State Supreme Court Third Appellate Division's unanimous ruling that the charitable entity was entitled to property tax exemptions at its facility located at the old Deer Run Ski Lodge near the Schoharie/Delaware county line on State Route 10. 

The not-for-profit summer resort/weekend camp getaway for underprivileged children praised the Supreme Court of Appeals in a press release issued over the weekend, quoting camp director Avraham Krawiec as stating, "we were confident in our decision to fight this injustice to the very end."

In response to the ruling, Town of Jefferson Supervisor Sean Jordan told the Schoharie News that, "The Town recognizes the recent decision rendered by the New York Supreme Court of Appeals, and will respect their decision as well as continue to pursue what is in the best interests of the Town, just as Oorah will understandably do what is in their best interests.

Oorah, which - in addition to its Jefferson site - has a camp located in the Town of Gilboa, has owned the property in question since 2010. The charitable organization has alleged animosity on the part of officials that have worked to deter them; namely, former Supervisor Dan Singletary, who was defeated by Mr. Jordan in the midst of the Fitzmaurice Report fallout last year. 

The Town of Jefferson has maintained that Oorah had failed to supply sufficient documentation before its Board of Assessment Review on multiple occasions, an argument that had been twice received favorably by Judge Eugene Devine of the Schoharie County Supreme Court in past cases. 

However, to the extent that previous decisions had found the religious organization to be not entitled to tax exemptions as written in federal law, the New York State Supreme Court of Appeals ruled Friday morning that they had been in, "error."

Mr. Jordan would later comment that both sides are "working amicably" to resolve other issues concerning building code statutes, and that, "The overall goal is to create an environment where the two sets of interests can coexist." 

State Police Arrest Schoharie Man Following Domestic Dispute

New York State Police stationed in Cobleskill have announced the arrest of a Schoharie man following a domestic incident in the Village of Schoharie. 

At approximately 8:30 p.m. on Thursday July 10th, State Troopers received the report of a domestic in progress at 130 Fair Street in Schoharie. When they arrived Troopers were met by Jeremy S. Roe who was intoxicated and belligerent towards the patrols.

Mr. Roe then became combative toward the Troopers who arrested him for Obstruction of Governmental Administration in the Second Degree and Unlawful Possession of Marijuana. 

He was arraigned in the Village of Schoharie before being released to appear on July 21, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. 

Ethington Trial to Resume Tuesday

Schoharie County's trial of suspended Personnel Director Cassandra Ethington will resume on Tuesday evening after a two week break in the hearings, which recessed on Thursday July 10th, after proceedings stalled out on only the second witness. 

The hearings were originally scheduled for three nights, but the county's timeline was greatly altered by a six hour cross-examination conducted by the defense attorney of Schoharie County Labor Attorney Mary Roach, who is seen as a key witness in the county's case. 

Tuesday's proceedings will be held at 6:00 p.m. on the third floor of the Schoharie County Courthouse.

New Pipeline Pitch Divides Supervisors

Supervisors were divided Friday morning as representatives of Kinder Morgan, which operates the existing Tennessee Gas Pipeline that cuts through the northern part of the county, pitched the creation of a third potential natural gas transportation route in Schoharie County; one that would mirror the proposed Constitution line.

Describing it as an expansion of an already existing system, Kinder Morgan Director of Public Affairs Allen Fore detailed the natural gas transportation company's proposed Northeast Energy Direct route that would span from northern Pennsylvania to the Wright Compressor Station and finally to Dracut, Massachusetts.

The proposed NED route would impact one hundred and ninety five landowners in Schoharie County across the Towns of Cobleskill, Jefferson, Middleburgh, Richmondville, Schoharie, Summit, and Wright; with approximately seventy of the ninety-five miles of pipeline being co-located at the existing Constitution route.

Cautioning Kinder Morgan officials to respect landowners in his municipality, Schoharie Supervisor Gene Milone questioned how exactly Schoharie County had become a central point of transportation for pipelines in New York, to which Wright Supervisor Amber Bleau quipped, "we have a pump station; that's why."

Sounding a friendlier note, Ms. Bleau commented that Tennessee Gas had been, "excellent neighbors," and encourage her fellow legislators to visit the pump station in her township. Esperance Supervisor Earl VanWormer disagreed, stating that they [Tennessee Gas], "haven't been good people in Schoharie County."

Questioning the necessity of their proposal, Middleburgh Supervisor Jim Buzon asked Mr. Fore why Kinder Morgan had not looked into sharing capacity with the already planned Constitution pipeline. Fore responded that, "on a base level, we're two different companies," and that FERC would need to rule if the project was in the public interest.

Schoharie County Board Chairman Tony VanGlad invited Kinder Morgan representatives to return in October or November to update Supervisors on the project's status, which is expected to be in the pre-application stage this fall. The company is not expected to begin the permitting process until fall 2015 at the earliest. 

Old Stone Fort to Host 'War of 1812' Lecturer

On Thursday,  July 24 at 7:00 PM,  the Schoharie County Historical Society presents the second program in its free Summer Lecture Series at the Old Stone Fort Museum complex.  John Osinski will discuss the role played by Schoharie County is the War of 1812, as part of the Bicentennial observance of that conflict.

War of 1812 is perhaps best remembered for the British attack on Fort McHenry, that inspired Francis Scott Key to write “The Star Spangled Banner.”  Some may remember that the British burned Washington, D.C. or the victories of the tiny United States Navy over ships of the world-dominating Royal Navy.  But little is generally known of the land battles that occurred along New York’s border with Canada.

John Osinski is one of the founders of the recreated Kellogg’s Artillery, a reenactment group portraying a militia company from Cobleskill that fought in the St. Lawrence/Lake Champlain campaign of 1813.  He will describe this action and other stories of Schoharie County volunteers.  The museum holds several significant artifacts from the War of 1812, including three militia artillery sabers that probably belonged to members of Kellogg’s, a collection of Giles Kellogg’s papers and a drum used by the Schoharie Militia.

The free lecture is open to the public and will be held in the Badgley Museum Annex, just across the street from the Old Stone Fort itself.  The museum is located in the village of Schoharie at 145 Fort Road, off NY State Rt.30, 2.5 miles south of Interstate 88 Exit 23.   The museum is open daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM and from Noon to 5 on Sundays.  For information, contact the museum at (518) 295-7192 or on the internet at theOldStoneFort.org.

Inside Look: Administrator Committee Makes Progress

One month after being tasked with the responsibility of investigating whether Schoharie County government should adopt additional oversight by way of an administrator, Conesville Supervisor Bill Federice informed the county board on Friday that the aptly named Administrator Committee is, "making very good progress." 

The study committee was approved unanimously by Supervisors at the June county board meeting on motion by Blenheim Supervisor Shawn Smith, and was subsequently appointed by County Board Chairman Tony VanGlad to consist of two proponents of an administrator; two opponents of the idea, and one neutral member. 

With hopes of concluding the committee's work by September at the earliest, Mr. Federice - who is serving as chair of the study group - told his fellow board members that they have already scheduled road trips to visit other counties that currently have administrators to obtain more information by asking questions and observing. 

Schoharie County Treasurer Bill Cherry, whom many had speculated might accept the position if created, pointedly dispelled any such motions with a brisk letter to the editor in early July that stated, "I don’t want the job... I will not apply for, nor accept, an administrator position that serves at the pleasure of the Board of Supervisors."

Still, pending the release of its findings, the committee's impact on the county board as a whole remains to be seen, which on its last vote concerning the matter, voted down the administrator concept by an overwhelming margin at the May county board meeting. 

In addition to Mr. Federice of Conesville, Mr. Barbic of Seward; Ms. Bleau of Wright; Mr. Jordan of Jefferson; and, Mr. VanWormer of Esperance serve as members of the Administrator Committee. 

Vintage Car Show at NYPA Blenheim-Gilboa Visitors Center Today (July 20, 2014)

NORTH BLENHEIM — If you like vintage cars and trucks, stop by the New York Power Authority’s Blenheim-Gilboa Project visitors center on Sunday, July 20.

                                       Photo Credit: NYPA.

A wide variety of antique vehicles will be on display, including a 1910 Oakland Model 24 roadster and a 1913 Chase Model M Express truck, along with a ’56 Cadillac Coupe DeVille, a ’56 GMC Suburban pickup, a ’65 Corvair, and antique tractors.

Visitors are invited to drive their own classic wheels to the show and socialize with fellow car buffs. Admission and parking are free. To register for a chance to win a trophy in a variety of categories, call 518-234-7495.

Short films on cars will be screening in the visitors center theater. Barbecue and other food will be available. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Arrive early, as several thousand car enthusiasts are expected.

Guests can also tour the B-G visitors center to learn more about electricity and New York State’s largest hydroelectric pumped storage power plant and drop by historic Lansing Manor, a country estate built in 1819. Both are open until 5 p.m.

The B-G visitors center is located on route 30 in North Blenheim, five miles north of Grand Gorge, 17 miles south of Middleburgh and 50 miles southwest of Albany. For more information, please call 1-800-724-0309.

Richmondville Man Arrested for Street Fight

New York State Police stationed in Cobleskill have announced the arrest of a Richmondville man following the report of a disturbance on Main Street. 

At approximately 4:30 a.m. Saturday July 12th, State Police received the disturbance report. Responding patrols encountered Culver Hernandez, thirty-four, of Richmondville, New York, attempting to fight multiple individuals in the roadway. 

Law enforcement on scene initially determined that the suspect had became intoxicated and engaged in the physical confrontation. Hernandez would reportedly be detained while the State Police continued its investigation. 

Further investigating led to the discovery that the suspect has destroyed property and groper a female prior to the fight that then spilled out into the street. Hernandez would then be charged with Forcible Touching, Criminal Mischief in the 4th Degree, and Disorderly Conduct. 

The suspect was arraigned in the Town of Richmondville Court, and remanded to the Schoharie County Correctional Facility to return to court on July 23, 2014 at 4:00 p.m.

County Board Withholds AECOM Pay

Passions flared at the Schoharie County Board of Supervisors meeting Friday morning, as legislators argued for the better part of an hour over the contentious stream bank project being administered by AECOM that is facing a significant budget shortfall. 

Supervisors had expected AECOM representative Patty Flores to be present following a June motion by the full board requesting her or another company official to be present for explanation of how AECOM arrived at the oft quoted $2.6 million figure that legislators have been discussing in earnest since late March.

However, with Ms. Flores reportedly on vacation, no representative of AECOM appeared before the county board for an update on the stream bank's progress or financial woes. Members of the board were not enthused.

Visibly agitated, Carlisle Supervisor Larry Bradt recommended, "not paying them until they come." Blenheim Supervisor Shawn Smith stated that he would second Mr. Bradt's statement if it was made into a motion, which Mr. Bradt responded by doing in kind.

Conesville Supervisor Bill Federice, who has led efforts to have the State Comptroller's Office audit the stream bank project's administration, commented pointedly that AECOM is a billion dollar company, and questioned why they didn't send someone else to brief the board in Ms. Flores' place.

Urging caution, Middleburgh Supervisor Jim Buzon warned legislators that withholding the company's pay would only cost the county more down the road, and that more delays would only further endanger an already, "project in jeopardy."

With only three supervisors in opposition - Mr. Buzon of Middleburgh, Mr. Smith of Broome, and Mr. Vroman of Summit - the motion was approved overwhelmingly, and later set the stage for another bout of contentious back and forth later in the afternoon, which will be covered in a separate news piece.  

Salt to Host Surf & Turf Dinner July 25, 2014

What’s better than chowing down on lobster, steak, shrimp, clams, baked potato and sweet corn? Supporting a good cause while chowing down on lobster, steak, shrimp, clams, baked potato and sweet corn. SALT is hosting one of it’s famed Surf & Turf Dinners on Friday, July 25. 

Come on down to the Middleburgh Reformed Church (178 River Street, Middleburgh) between 4:00pm - 7:00pm to enjoy the feast prepared by Chef Michael Vamvas. SALT welcomes you to dine-in with good company, warm smiles, and delicious food. Can’t stay long? Not a problem. Order the Surf & Turf trimmings to go!

Tickets are on sale now! Pre-sale tickets are only $30.00 through July 22. Regular ticket price is $35.00. http://www.saltrecovery.org/lobster

Check out photos of our last Surf & Turf Dinner! http://www.saltrecovery.org/past-events/

State Police Arrest Two, Charge Three Others for Trespassing

New York State Police stationed in Cobleskill have announced the arrest of two suspects, and charged three others, following a trespass complaint in the Town of Gilboa. 

On July 14, State Police were called to investigate a trespass in progress on Stryker Road in the Town of Gilboa. The ensuring investigation revealed that five young adults in their teens and twenties had entered a posted property on Stryker, and that two of them had entered a storage building on the grounds.

Charles Deiterich, 18, of Grand Gorge, New York and Robert Remley, 20, of Prattsville, New York were arrested for Criminal Trespass in the Third Degree and issued Appearance Tickets to return to Town of Gilboa Court on July 24th at 7:30 p.m. 

Additionally, Kaitlyn Snediker, 18, of Islip, New York; Brooke Koerner, 19, of Gilboa, New York, and John Voetelink, 20, of Prattsville, New York were all charged with Trespass and released on Appearance Tickets to also appear in court on the 24th. 

Head-On Crash Closes Route 30, Causes Power Outage Wednesday

On Wednesday morning a horrendous head-on collision on Route 30 in the Town of Blenheim caused the main road to be closed for approximately six and a half hours, power outages to occur across the area, and both drivers to be transported to nearby hospitals for medical attention. 

According to information supplied by local law enforcement agencies, the crash occurred when a passenger vehicle travelling southbound crossed over the medium and struck a northbound truck hauling garbage; sending the truck into a nearby power pole and the vehicle into the guardrail. 

Photo credit Schoharie Co. Fire Wire & News 

The Schoharie County Sheriff's 911 Dispatch were notified at approximately 9:09 a.m. of the collision. 

New York State Troopers were the lead agency on scene, while the North Blenheim Hose Company and Middleburgh Ambulance were initially dispatched. Mutual aid would be additionally supplied by the Middleburgh Fire Department, and the Jefferson and Conesville Rescue Squads. 

Firemen on scene freed the operator of the vehicle by using a rescue tool, and he would subsequently be airlifted to Albany Medical Center by Life Net. The truck driver would be transported to Fox Hospital in Oneonta by Conesville Ambulance. Neither are facing life threatening injuries. 

Additionally, the Schoharie County Sheriff's Department, NYSDEC Spill Response (oil was leaked on the road during the accident), National Grid, and the New York State Police Accident Reconstruction teams were on scene. The road was re-opened at approximately 3:40 p.m. 

For additional reporting on the crash, please see the Watershed Post's coverage from yesterday afternoon here. Also, more pictures from the scene can be found on the Schoharie Co. Fire Wire & News facebook page, which offers around the clock updates on local emergency services.