Remember to Register to Vote! How to Register in this Article

It is a bit late to register for this year's ballot, but it is important for everyone to register and get out and vote.

• Be a citizen of the United States.
• Be a resident of the county at least 30 days before an election.
• Be 18 years old by December 31 of the year in which you register to vote (Note: You must be 18 years old by the date of the general, primary, or other election in which you want to vote).
• Not be in jail or on parole for a felony conviction.
• Not currently be judged incompetent by order of a court of competent judicial authority.
• Not claim the right to vote elsewhere.

You can register in person at the Schoharie County Building on Main Street in Schoharie. See here for more information.

You can find the paper copy of the registration form here. Print it out and mail it in to the address on the bottom and you're all set.

You can also fill out a form online here.

Good luck and happy voting!

Nutrition Education Comes to Local School

Sponsored by Schoharie Valley Farm to School Project for October's National Farm to School Month, SUNY Cobleskill Professor of Ag and Food Management, Anne Rogan, PhD, RD, CDN, delivers her quick "nutrition education in the cafeteria" lesson to 3rd - 6th graders of Middleburgh CSD. The topic was sugar consumption from prepacked foods and drinks. 

Middleburgh Village Trustee and Farm to School Executive Planning Council Member, Bill Morton, assists in organizing the completion of the lesson evaluations by the students.

Middleburgh Elementary School students fill out their lesson evaluations at the Schoharie Valley Farm to School Project table, while Anne Rogan, PhD, RD CDN, continued teaching about how to read labels to assess the sugar content of the food item to the next group of students.

Staff and volunteers responsible for delivering the nutrition education in the cafeteria experience to Middleburgh Elementary School students were (L-R): Bill Morton, Middleburgh Town Trustee; Regina Tillman, MS, RD, Schoharie Valley Farm to School Project Coordinator; Barbara Moore, Middleburgh CSD and Schoharie CSD School Food Service Manager; Anne Rogan, PhD, RD, CDN, SUNY Cobleskill Professor of Agriculture and Food Management.

 Photo credit Regina Tillman.

New York State Police to Host Training to Help Military Veterans in Crisis

On October 28, the New York State Police will host a two-day training at the State Police Academy in Albany to teach public safety personnel how to help military veterans in crisis.

The course is taught by the Upper Midwest Community Policing Institute and is for public safety personnel including law enforcement, EMS responders and 911 dispatchers. Public Safety personnel from across the state will attend.

Military veterans may experience a unique set of circumstances when returning from deployment.
They can suffer physical and psychological aftereffects from traumatic experiences overseas. This can culminate in injury to themselves, their families and public safety/law enforcement personnel.

This training helps attendees to effectively communicate with veterans in a crisis situation, teaching them the tools that can help to de-escalate a situation.

Participants will also learn more about wartime stressors, the effects of multiple deployments, and the challenges of veterans reintegrating into society and their families.

Same Deer Causes Two Crashes, Injuries in Cobleskill

On Saturday, October 25, 2014 at approximately 7:17pm a deer ran into the path of and was struck by a vehicle being driven eastbound by Daniel Marshall. The deer then became airborne and struck a vehicle operated by Kenneth VanBuren who was travelling westbound. The deer struck the roof of the vehicle causing the roof to partially collapse.

Photo credit: Schoharie County Sheriff's Office

The deer came to rest on the inside of the vehicle partially into the backseat. Kenneth VanBuren 21, was transported to Cobleskill Regional Hospital by Cobleskill Ambulance. His passenger, Heather St. Pierre, 24, was transported to Albany Medical Center by Central Bridge Ambulance.

FERC: Consititution Pipeline Would Have Little Negative Impact

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has finally weighed in on the proposed Constitution Pipeline project. After months of review, the agency believes that the project would have minimal environmental impact.

The Final Environmental Impact Study, released son Friday, believes that the method of construction would be appropriate for the local ecology:

Constitution would use specialized crossing methods for several waterbodies and wetlands, would cross other waterbodies using dry crossing methods, and would be required to obtain applicable permits and provide mitigation for unavoidable impacts on waterbodies and wetlands through coordination with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

The agency's determination read in part, "Iroquois would minimize impacts on natural and cultural resources during construction and operation of its project." This came after months of research and public comment.

It is unclear if this will directly lead to the construction of the 124 mile pipeline, but it comes as a blow to local efforts to stop the project.

Middleburgh Residents Encouraged to Take Comprehensive Plan Survey

Middleburgh residents are encouraged to participate in the revising of the Town and Village Comprehensive Plan. The document, which hasn't been updated since 1999, is being reworked by a committee of residents from both the town and village of Middleburgh.

The Comprehensive Plan Committee encourages residents to take a survey that will help them write the plan, which will advise on the growth of business, tax rates, zoning regulations, first responders, and other critical issues. The survey can be found here.

Vote in Our Poll: Do You Agree with Planning Dept Changes?

Make sure to vote in the poll on our sidebar. The question asks if you agreed with the proposed changes to the Planning Department in the new budget, including the elimination of Director Alicia Terry's position.

Stamford/Richmondville Pistol Team Places First in NRA Contest Category

The Stamford/Richmondville Pistol team Charles Rose of Gilboa ; Cliff Christman of Richmondville; Larry VanDeusen of Cobleskill and Jim Hitt (Captain of the team) of Stamford (holding the medals) placed first in the National Rifle Association (NRA) National Open Team Sectional-Conventional Pistol competition in the Expert/Law Enforcement-Civilian category and they placed fifth overall. Henry Mulbury, President of the Richmondville Club and Kevin Neary, Richmondville Village Mayor handed out the awards.

Photo Credit: Karen Cuccinello

Arrest in Middleburgh over Stabbing

Sheriff's Deputies arrested Ronald Fahrenkopf, 36, of Middleburgh after a stabbing incident on Thursday, October 23rd. Mr. Fahrenkopf is being charged with Assault in the Third Degree for allegedly stabbing Cody Hotaling, 19. Mr. Fahrenkopf was previously arrested in 2010 for allegedly slashing a woman and preventing her from leaving her place of residence.

Readers Overwhelmingly Disapprove of Common Core

Schoharie News readers overwhelmingly dislike Common Core provisions being implemented in New York State.

Do You Agree with Common Core in NYS?

 Yes 7% - 9
 No 82% - 110
 Too early/don't know 11% -15 
 134 total

Esperance Elks Haunted House Tomorrow

Esperance Elks 18th Annual Haunted House Saturday October 25th 5:30 to 8:30. FREE for the community, Route 20 Esperance Elks Lodge.

Iroquois Museum's Exhibit: Standing in Two Worlds: Iroquois in 2014 Open Through November

HOWES CAVE, NY -- The Iroquois Indian Museum’s newest exhibition, Standing in Two Worlds: Iroquois in 2014, is open until Nov. 30 with new November hours from Thursdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays from 12 Noon to 4 p.m.

The exhibit features over 30 Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) artists and focuses upon contemporary concerns that warrant their attention and creative comment.  Exhibition works (artwork and poetry) include those that explore boundaries and borders, environment, hydro-fracking, economy, gaming, the digital/disposable age, sports mascots, the impact of national/international events and decisions, the role of tradition and community, and the state of the arts.

For more information about the exhibition and admission, visit www.iroquoismuseum.org and like the Museum on Facebook

Standing in Two Worlds: Iroquois in 2014 is supported in part by grants from the New York Council for the Humanities and the generous donations of individuals.

Arrest in Schoharie Over Drug Charges

Sheriff's deputies arrested Joseph Lostritto of Schenectady following an incident on Terrace Mountain Road in the Town of Schoharie. Mr. Lostritto was arrested after an investigation in to an odor of marihuana coming from his vehicle after he had requested deputies to perform a vehicle unlock. Mr. Lostritto was released on an appearance ticket to appear in the Town of Schoharie court at a later date.

Knight: 'Tis the Season for Rhetoric

Ahhh, rhetoric, how splendid 'tis is. 

The great Greek philosopher Aristotle once opined that rhetoric is, "the faculty of observing in any given case the available means of persuasion," but that was in a time when words held meaning and democracy was not made a mockery of by ideological blowhards. 

Today the persuasive device can be described as little more than members of a particular party, or a media organization for good measure, shilling for their preferred point of view. Granted, it is often wrapped with a red bow of literary or oral flourish, but it remains shilling, none the less. 

Such is the case in Schoharie County presently, with the unveiling of the 2015 Tentative Budget by County Treasurer Bill Cherry. 

I will not parse words: this budget is brutal. The county is facing a significant tax increase, a stagnant stream of sales tax revenue, and a fundamental change in county operations if the Planning and Economic Development Department is split into two. 

Covering the proposed budget's announcement at a press conference last week for the Mountain Eagle, I read through page after page of preliminary expenditure marks and left with a vile taste in my mouth. Not for the budget itself, but in anticipation for the coming political maelstrom. 

Some might question why I, as a journalist, would dread a coming battle of rhetoric when it would result in a steady stream of news for me to cover? My reply: because I am a citizen of this county, first and foremost, and more often than not, what doesn't kill us makes us bitter in this county. 

Bitter against our neighbors, bitter against our politicians, and bitter against our taxes. And sadly, it appears after this past week of coverage and debate over the proposed fiscal road map, this budget season is going to be more bashful than usual. Oh joy to the world. 

It's bad enough our county is in the fiscal situation that is, but must it be compounded by the blind ideology of our political elite as well?

There are things I dislike about the proposed budget, but is not my place to state them due to my journalistic responsibilities, but if truth be told: no one wins in this budget, however, if we travel down this road of ill content and ill will without even an morsel of understanding, we will all lose as well. 

Therefore, let us gird our loins, for 'Tis the Season for Rhetoric, and like the impending doom of winter, there is nothing we can do to delay its coming.

Vote in our Poll: What do You Think of Common Core?

Make sure to vote in the poll on our right hand sidebar. This week's poll is if you agree with the implementation of Common Core in New York State.

Cobleskill Partnership Hosting Facebook Marketing Seminar

The Cobleskill Partnership Inc. is holding a seminar to teach residents how to use Facebook to promote their business. The event is Monday October 27 from 7-8 pm at the Cobleskill Methodist Church on Chapel Street. Visit their Facebook page for more information.

Schoharie Las Vegas Night This Saturday

The Schoharie Fire Department is holding their annual Vegas Night fundraiser at the Fire House this Saturday, October 25th. The event, from 7pm until midnight features food and drink as well as blackjack, craps, and a money wheel. RSVP on the invite page on Facebook here.

Long Island Man Arrested in Richmondville on Drug Charges

On October 17, 2014, State Police in Cobleskill arrested David J. Willmott III of Hampton Bays, NY for Unlawful Possession of Marijuana. Willmott who was operating a 2006 Toyota on I-88 in the Town of Richmondville was stopped by Troopers for speeding. While Willmott was being interviewed an odor of marijuana was detected inside his vehicle. A Search of the vehicle led to the discovery of marijuana in his glove box. He was issued a traffic ticket and an appearance ticket for unlawful possession of marijuana, a violation, and is scheduled to appear in the Town of Richmondville court at a later date.

Schoharie Woman Arrested on Aggravated DWI

On October 19, 2014, State Police in Cobleskill arrested Karen L. Wagner of Schoharie, for Aggravated DWI and multiple traffic violations. Wagner was stopped in a 2011 Jeep on Colby Road in Schoharie after multiple lane violations were observed by Troopers. Wagner refused to perform field sobriety tests and was transported to SP Cobleskill for processing. Wagner was found to have a blood alcohol content of 0.25%, more than three times the legal limit. She was issued tickets and is scheduled to appear in the Town of Schoharie Court on October 27, 2014.

Opinion: Anybody but Cuomo

There is much talk about the divide between Upstate and Downstate-- as there has been for ages. However, the divide between the two regions is at its furthest point under the divisive and combative administration of Andrew Cuomo.

Cuomo promised to be a fiscal hawk and responsible administrator. He turned out to be neither.

- Governor Cuomo has waffled on the issue of fracking. He has upset both camps by not banning the practice. He has placed unnecessary risk to local ecology by not encouraging a ban. If he is to take a position, he should come out and do so, rather than stringing along those that support and oppose it.

- His draconian gun laws inadvertently made hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers into felons for owning guns they legally purchased. His pushing through of the SAFE Act violated both his campaign promise and the essence of the Second Amendment.

- His campaign against teachers and embracing of Common Core has upset both the teacher's unions and parents' advocates. His waffling over whether or not to strip teachers of privileges has enraged teachers, parents, and administrators while slashing education aid.

- His broken promises in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene have left thousands in the lurch. Cuomo didn't even properly utilize federal disaster funding until after it was clear that Downstate would not use it all to repair after Sandy. The administration of NY Rising and FEMA buyouts have been disastrous, rubbing salt in the wounds of people that already suffered catastrophic flooding.

- Cuomo disbanded an anti-corruption commission after it became clear they were investigating those around him. He has made the Albany culture of corruption worse, not better.

- Pushed for increased regulation that is further stifling business, especially Upstate. The whole region has essentially been ignored unless there is a photo op or fundraiser here.

Andrew Cuomo is not fit to lead New York State. Whether you vote Green, Republican, or write in Zephyr Teachout, you will find a better candidate.