Middleburgh, Schoharie Churches Holding Community Thanksgiving Dinners

This year the villages of Middleburgh and Schoharie will be hosting an ecumenical Community Thanksgiving Day Dinner on November 27, 2014. The dinners will be held at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church Social Hall in Middleburgh and the United Presbyterian Church Education Hall in Schoharie. The meal, seating 110 at each location, will be served at 1 PM and BY RESERVATION ONLY. Reservations may be made by calling 518-231-2416 by Friday, November 14. Regretfully, there are no take-outs or deliveries. All are welcome and all meals are free.

Vote in Our Poll: How Has Schoharie County's Economy Changed Over the Last Year?

Vote in the poll on the sidebar and let us know how you think the local economy has done over the last year.

Ball to Highlight Conference on Food and Farming

A Celebration of Our Agricultural Community at The Farmers' Museum in Cooperstown, will inform and inspire farmers and the public, unifying and driving the agricultural economy in Central New York on Saturday, November 15, 2014, from 9 am-5 pm

The conference's keynote speaker is Richard Ball, Commissioner of the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. Addressing the topic of food systems will be Jason Evans, Assistant Professor of Agriculture, SUNY Cobleskill. Doug Thompson of G&T Farm will speak on the impact farming has on our communities and economies, as well as pasture management.  Don Smyers, Executive Director of Cornell Cooperative Extension Schoharie and Otsego Counties, will address opportunities driving agricultural economic development in Central New York.

For farmers, the conference will provide information and networking opportunities to connect with potential partners and prospective customers. Local farms and businesses will share information on heritage-based as well as biotech farming and ways in which traditional techniques can and should inform modern ones.

Open to the public and free of charge, the conference will empower the public to become educated and engaged consumers, providing opportunities for people to get involved. By fostering a deeper appreciation for and understanding of farming, we support and stimulate the agricultural evolution that is so vital to the health and well-being of people, animals, and land.

"This conference will be a place for new ideas to be shared and relationships to be built," according to Danielle Henrici, the museum's director of education.  "As a direct result of the conference, both farmers and the general public in attendance will have the tools and inspiration to take positive action:  Farmers will have the latest and best information to grow their businesses and products well.  General attendees will learn how to better their families and their communities by making informed choices."

As a prelude to the conference, the documentary The Great American Wheat Harvest will be shown Friday, November 14 at 6:00 pm at the Fenimore Art Museum (across the road from The Farmers' Museum).

Admission to the conference and the documentary are free and advance registration is not required. Farmers and agricultural partners are invited to share their products or information at the conference for a small fee; contact Joan Cullen at 888-547-1450 extension 461.

The Conference is sponsored in part by SUNY Cobleskill, Lutz Feed Company, and Cazenovia Equipment Company.

The Farmers' Museum is located at 5775 State Highway 80, Cooperstown, NY. For more information, visit FarmersMuseum.org/food-farm

Jefferson Woman Arrested for Larceny

On October 26th the State Police in Princetown arrested Toby E. Scala, 33, of Jefferson, NY for petit larceny, a misdemeanor. Troopers received a report of a person pumping gas at the Stewarts Shop in Rotterdam and driving away without paying. According to Troopers, Scala stole gas from Stewarts on two separate occasions totaling $70.82.

Photo credit: State Police

 Scala turned herself into Troopers on October 26th and was released on an appearance ticket. Scala is scheduled to appear in the Town of Rotterdam on 11/6/14.

Poll: Change Planning Department

Schoharie News readers back the recent budget proposals to change the Schoharie County Planning Department into two separate agencies, including the elimination of Director Alicia Terry's position.

Do You Agree with the Proposed Restructuring of the Planning Department? 
Yes 53% - 139 
No 44% - 117 
Don't know 3% - 7 
 263 total

Three Arrested Following Burglary in Carlisle

State Police in Cobleskill arrest three subjects on Felony charges following a Burglary complaint in the Town of Carlisle. 
 
On the early morning hours of October 25^th 2014, State Police in Cobleskill responded to a complaint of a four wheeled ATV in a ditch on State Route 145 in the Town of Carlisle.  Subsequent investigation led to the discovery that the ATV had been stolen during a Burglary that was committed at a local property.  A check with the land owner determined that both a residence and a barn had been broken into, and property was missing from both.  During the investigation Troopers determined that a vehicle belonging to a caretaker on the property had also been stolen during the crime spree.  The stolen passenger vehicle was recovered by Troopers on October 26 while they continued the investigation.

Photo credit: NY State Police

On October 30, 2014 State Police Aviation was contacted  to assist following a tip from a local citizen,  they successfully located the stolen ATV’s in a wooded area near Gardnersville Road in the Town of Seward during a flyover.  Three local men were located and charged in the crimes.  Thomas Raggi 17 of Seward was charged with two counts of Burglary and one count of Grand Larceny.  Matthew C. Meyers 18 of Seward was also charged with two counts of Burglary and one count of Grand Larceny.  Cody F. Nolette 17 of Cobleskill was charged with two counts of Burglary; all three were arraigned and remanded to Schoharie County Correctional Facility in lieu of cash bail.  The investigation is continuing.

Letter to the Editor: Historic Parallels in Fracking Fight

Dear Editor:  I received a call from a man who expressed concern over the reported bullying that landowner's are facing who have to deal with the Constitution Pipeline.  Reading up on local history, he wanted to share a story about the "rent wars", that he said was similar to our present struggle.

The early settlers who cleared Schoharie County land, making it profitable, were required to turn over the wealth of their hard labor to the British Crown via the landlords.  These landlords, scheming to create more wealth for themselves, levied a tax on the tenant farmers.  In our County, rebels formed.  Whenever the tax collector arrived at a farm the sound of a horn would gather these rebels, disguised as women or wearing Indian costume, and armed would scare off the taxman.

This is our local history and it was the extreme disparity and injustice of the Crown and their servant landlords, that fueled the courage and determination for peasant farmers, to prevail over British rule during the American Revolution.

Doesn't the fossil fuel industry wear the crown today?  Isn't Congressman Chris Gibson, who accepted $36,000 in campaign funds from oil and gas interests $3,500 of which was paid out by Williams Co. of Constitution Pipeline, their representative?  In House Resolution 140, didn't he vote to give billions in taxpayer contributions that could have gone to green energy jobs, but instead served fossil fuel extraction?

Far worse than turning over taxpayer funds is when the politician/landlords sell us out to an industry that is harming life, destroying water and sacrificing the land that has sustained generations.

The gas industry tried yet again to appeal the Dryden fracking ban and their application was rejected.  The 221 Towns in NY that have adopted bans are defying this crown's domination and wouldn't our Schoharie County forefathers stand with us?  They would see through the subterfuge of language such as, "limiting our dependence on foreign oil" or manipulating us with "jobs and clean energy" which is code speak for exploitation and drilling for natural gas.

Wouldn't they be on the side of the 99% when the 1% wants to ship American oil and gas overseas to turn a profit and at hazardous environmental risk in and unstable world?  Isn't selling off American natural resources to the highest bidder a form of treachery?

How would these ancestors counsel us?  I think they would tell us to start by voting for candidates that represent grass roots democracy.   Candidates that will serve the people instead of the crowned corporation and lining their own pockets.  At present, I believe that Sean Eldridge for Congress and Howie Hawkins of the Green Party for Governor would be their choice.

Deborah Krol,  Fultonham

Schoharie Police on Lookout After Home Invasion Saturday

The Schoharie County Sheriff's Department has announced that it is looking for a suspect in an alleged home invasion in Schoharie.

A masked man allegedly entered into a house along Route 30 in Schoharie. The event allegedly happened around 8:50 Saturday morning.

Sources indicate a physical altercation occurred at the location.

Both state troopers and Sheriff's deputies were at the scene yesterday.

Police have been investigating since early yesterday morning. State police were observed asking residents if there had been a medium to stocky built man in dark jeans walking on or near either Routes 30 or 443.

The Sheriff's Department stated that the suspect is a male between 5'6" and 5'8". He was wearing a ski mask, black pants, and a blue hoodie and had facial hair.
Update: Video from News 6:

More details should be released as the story develops.

Planned Power Outage Across Much of County Tomorrow

National Grid has informed the Office of Emergency Services that there will be a scheduled power outage on Saturday, November 1, 2014 from 7-10 am in order to replace broken insulators on power lines.  The outage will be from the Cobleskill area south to Worcester area.

For more information, or if you have any questions, please visit the National Grid Website at https://www1.nationalgridus.com/OutageCentralHub

Two Fires in Conesville Cause Extensive Damage

From the Schoharie County Fire Wire, we have some unsettling news about two fires that struck Conesville Tuesday.

The two fires required assistance from first responders from local departments in Middleburgh and Livingstonville, as well as departments from Albany and Delaware County. The County also had to dispatch the FAST Team and Fire Investigation Team.

One of the tragic blazes was on Potter Mountain Road in Manorkill . The other was on 990V. Incredible photos from the scenes from the Fire Wire facebok page.

Opinion: Alicia Terry's Termination is Well Past Due

It's a well worn piece of commentary at the County Building. Not every conversation goes like this, but the variations have been heard too many times to count.

"How did Alicia Terry even become Planning Department Chair?"

"Her daddy and granddaddy were County Clerk."

Whether or not Terry was hired as a legacy may be an opinion. What is a fact is that in her twenty years running Planning and Development, Schoharie County has suffered failure after failure.

- She did not step in in 2001 when Interknitting announced it would be leaving Guilford Mills to prevent the closure and loss of 700 jobs.
- She bungled the sale or use of Guilford Mills for years before County Treasurer Bill Cherry stepped in and had it sold in months.
- The Guilford failures included a logging company, Intelligent Fish, and Butternuts Brewery.
- Bungled the prospective deals to bring Lowe's to Cobleskill.
- Forged the AECOM contract without Board approval, costing the taxpayers millions.
- Not following through in Sharon hotel renovation. Multi-million dollar promises from Terry and Korean investors still go unfilled years later.
- Worked with Cassandra Ethington to manipulate county government.
- In 2012 the County unemployment rate reached 12.2%, nearing Depression levels.
- Was directly involved in at least one questionable firing during her tenure.

In fact, her one "accomplishment" was her front-and-center involvement in the $9 million water line extension from the Village of Cobleskill to Howe Caverns. A project engineered by former Mayor Mark Galasso that just happened to benefit his relative Emil.

Former Middleburgh Mayor Gary Hayes says that Terry was a 'go to' person for Middleburgh's economic growth. No recent publication or statements from Middleburgh officials seems to back that up.

Alicia Terry is well-educated, for sure. But failure after failure has shown no learning and no initiative to solve Schoharie County's myriad economic problems.

Treasurer Bill Cherry's budget is bold. It is also necessary.

If you are on the fence, just ask yourself this: is the County better off due to anything, anything that Alicia Terry has done.

Letter to the Editor: Planning Department Changes Needed

In last week’s Times-Journal, that newpaper’s lead editorial demanded an explanation for some of the recommendations that I made in the 2015 Tentative Budget. It is a fair request. What isn’t fair however is the inflammatory claim made by the TJ editor that I “gutted” the Planning Department. Planning and Economic Development Director Alicia Terry recommended that the vacant Office Manager position be eliminated from the Planning Department in 2015, and that a new fulltime Planner position be created. I supported that plan, but I am also recommending a change in the way the agency is managed.

For the past 20 years, economic development has been the under-performing stepchild of the Planning Department, with both functions combined and overseen by one department head. I am recommending that the two functions be separated into their own individual departments. I made this recommendation because, in my opinion, our county’s economic development and job creation record is abysmal, and has been for a long time.

The Planning Department deals with helping towns re-write zoning regulations, assists with drafting master plans, and so on. On the other hand, Economic Development deals with bringing in new jobs, promoting Schoharie County to potential businesses which might be willing to relocate here, and cutting through red tape to help those businesses see the benefits of coming to our community. These two functions are really not compatible with each other in that Planning sets limits on what a homeowner or a business can do with their property, while Economic Development’s role should be creative and innovative in order to attract businesses and employers to our community. Over time, it is true that there have been occasions when I criticized our county’s economic development program. Those comments were not personal attacks, they were valid public policy criticisms of a program that was clearly not working. My complaints are based upon a taxpayer-funded agency’s failure to bring jobs to this county, when that is their only mission. Should there be no limits to how long we continue to pay for services that fall short of expectations?

The Director of Planning and Economic Development was appointed to that position more than 20 years ago, yet her job performance has never been evaluated by the Board of Supervisors nor has she ever come up for reappointment during that span of time. No annual goals are set by the Board, and no benchmarks are established in order to measure success (or failure). Moreover, this year’s cost overruns and change orders on the streambank project now total more than $5 million. The Planning Director has publically acknowledged that she personally authorized engineering company AECOM to perform $1.2 million worth of additional services, well beyond the scope of their contract, without ever bringing the matter to the Board of Supervisors for their approval. County taxpayers will now be stuck with that bill. The TJ editorial hinted that my budget recommendation is based upon some personal vendetta, and that I was being “vindictive”. Even worse, and more mean-spirited, were the accusations spewed out in two letters to the editor, claiming that the underlying reason for my recommendation for change was that I treat women differently than I treat men. Both accusations are completely false and untrue, and I believe they are made in an effort to take the focus off the real issue at hand, which is the ineffectiveness of our county’s economic development policies.

It is my duty and responsibility as budget officer to sometimes recommend changes to the status quo. Surely most people will agree that Schoharie County’s record of economic development and job creation over the past 20 years has been a failure. While counties all around us have experienced job growth and economic expansion, Schoharie County always seems to fall short. The TJ accurately states in their editorial that I once called our economic development efforts a “flat tire”. I still think that sums it up pretty well. That statement is not intended to hurt anyone’s feelings, it is an evaluation of our failure to create much-needed jobs in this county. This has nothing to do with the gender of the department head, instead it has everything to do with our lack of forward progress. I am suggesting that the Planning Department be separated from Economic Development, and that more emphasis be placed upon attracting new employers to Schoharie County.

With that in mind, I also recommend that the one current full-time position in the economic development division be replaced with two employees for essentially the same money. In a questionable “cost-savings” move made two years ago, the now-dismissed former Personnel Officer, working in conjunction with Planning Director, eliminated a grade 12 position in Economic Development and replaced it with the current grade 19 ‘Marketing Specialist’ position. Obviously, this change didn’t save any money at all, but instead cost taxpayers even more. I am recommending that this ill- conceived plan be reversed, and the current grade 19 position be abolished and replaced with one fulltime grade 15 position plus one half-time position for essentially the same money that we are now paying. The advantage here is that for about the same cost, we could have two economic development representatives out there beating the bushes and trying to bring in jobs instead of just one. I call that more bang for the buck.

As for the claims that I am somehow targeting anyone in county government because of their gender, I categorically and absolutely deny that accusation. Unless the Times Journal or its contributors have proof that I have ever discriminated against anyone based upon gender, race, or age, they are coming dangerously close to crossing the line and being sued for libel. I have worked with dozens, if not hundreds, of professional women during my 30 years in public service, and I have always fought for their equality in the workplace. I treat everyone that I work with, both men and women, with dignity and respect. But I am not your typical “politician” in that when it comes to taxpayer dollars, I am often willing to speak my mind, and even criticize other governmental agencies when the more politically correct (and probably smarter) move would be to sit on the sidelines and keep quiet. But the residents of this county have given me a job to do as their treasurer, a job that sometimes requires me to make difficult choices, and to speak the truth as I see it.

I know that I am not going to make everyone happy all the time, but for a local newspaper to accuse me of discrimination against women is a complete fabrication. I will continue to treat women and men as equals, to treat Democrats exactly the same as I do Republicans, and to be critical of wasteful spending and poor performance regardless of gender or political affiliation.

William Cherry
Schoharie County Treasurer

Letter to the Editor: Potential Terry Firing Inappropriate, Says Former Mayor

I would like to take this opportunity and express my support to the Times Journal in the Opinions section, titled, Convince Us Otherwise dated October 22, 2014. 

Although, Mr. William “Bill’ Cherry is behind this move to eliminate Alicia Terry and Sarah Blood, I feel his rationale lacks real depth. 

And yes, a majority of the Board of Supervisors must approve this action for it to implemented.

However, as a resident of the Town of Middleburgh, I know that Alicia Terry and Sarah Blood have been the ‘go to’ people in Middleburgh when seeking to relocate or start a business, information on economic development, and or grant funding. These are important functions they perform.

All I have seen are results from Alicia Terry and Sarah Blood in their work for the county. 
They have proven their value many times over, especially to the Town of Middleburgh. I believe, we are fortunate to have individuals like this working for us at the county level.

So, I encourage you to ask your Supervisor to convince you, the taxpayers, that politics isn’t playing a role in Mr. Cherry’s action. Soon, your supervisor will be voting on this issue.

So, James Buzon, Middleburgh’s representative on the Board of Supervisors, please let us know how you will be voting on this issue and why? 

Thank you for your time in this matter.


Respectfully,


Gary Hayes
Box 45
Middleburgh, New York 121222

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.