Schoharie Leader Nominees

The following have been nominated for the Schoharie Leader award, which we will decide in the coming days:

- Steve Hoard, SCS Social Studies Teacher
- Matthew Avitabile, Mayor of Middleburgh
- The Schoharie County Quilt Barn Trail, with sites across the County
- Nancy Brumaghim, essential part of many Cobleskill community projects
- Domenic Saldamarco, Irene volunteer
- Alicia Terry, County Planning Department
- Janet Mayer, who retired after 41 years as Middleburgh's Village Clerk
- The Beekman Boys of Sharon
- Norine Hodges, SCAASA
- James Landauer, for community service
- Matt and Michelle Strobeck, FIT Coalition in Cobleskill
- Josh DeBartolo, Irene volunteer, founder of Schoharie Recovery

Commission Press Confernce: Howe Caverns Had the Most Heart

The NYS Gaming Commission is currently undergoing a press conference regarding the various casino projects approved and denied today. They said that Howe Caverns had the "most heart" with the most public support. However, the Commission had to do what made "financial success," and needed to avoid "setting communities up for failure."

Furthermore, the Commission did not believe that the nearby Saratoga Racino would destroy the Schenectady project. The Commission said that the group was constricted in what decisions it made to follow current NYS law.

NYS Gaming Commission Press Conference Livestream

Gaming Commission: Howe Caverns Rejected over Financing

More information is trickling out of the NYS Gaming Commission following its landmark decision to approve a casino project in Schenectady. The Commission released a statement regarding its recommendations, including the fact that the Rivers Casino project was selected unanimously over the Rennselaer and Schoharie projects.

The Commission released a brief statement regarding the two rejected Capital District casino proposals. It noted that the Rennselaer project had considerably less public support than the Schoharie and Schenectady projects.

However, the Commission was deeply concerned about the viability of the Howe Caverns project, considering that the applicant, "provided no commitment or highly confident letters for either its equity or debt financing." In fact, the Commission stated that, "Unlike all other Applicants, the sponsors of the Howe Caverns proposal stated that it could not propose a capital structure in any level of detail prior to receiving a gaming license." The Commission also noted that the Howe Caverns project was the only one in which the money needed to complete the process was unclear.

Commission Decides Whether to Approve Howe Caverns Casino Site

The New York State Gaming Commission's press conference has made waves. The Commission also named casino projects in other regions. In the Capital Region, the Commission announced that it would not be the Howe Caverns Project. The state announced that the Rivers Casino and Resort at the Mohawk Harbor in Schenectady. The project will have 150 rooms along with a hotel. The overall project is worth $300 million.

Audible protests were heard in the crowd when the announcement was made.

The state cited economic concerns in its decision. It had reviewed over 100,000 pages of documents related to all of the casino proposals across the state.

This story is developing... Keep it here for updates.

NYS to Ban Fracking

It was unclear which direction the Governor's office was going to head in regarding fracking. After receiving a public health report regarding the potential effects of the practice, the Governor decided to ask the state legislature to ban the practice.

The acting Commissioner of Health stated, “I cannot support high volume hydraulic fracturing in the great state of New York,” The Administration decided to side with activists that contended that fracking would cause more harm than good in the local ecosystem.

Man Arrested for DWI in Cobleskill

On December 16, 2014, State Police in Cobleskill arrested Abdirahman Hussein of Minnesota, for DWI and multiple traffic violations. Hussein was stopped in a 2007 Saturn on I-88 in the Town of Schoharie after being observed at a speed of 86 mph in a 65 mph zone. Hussein failed standardized field sobriety testing and was transported to SP Princetown for processing. Hussein was found to have a blood alcohol content of 0.10%. He was issued multiple tickets and arraigned in the Town of Cobleskill court. Bail was set and he was remanded to the Schoharie County Jail. Hussein is scheduled to return to the Town of Schoharie Court on December 22, 2014.

Cuomo Decision to Strip Union Rights After Teachout Endorsement

Albany is aglow today with talk about Governor Andrew Cuomo's decision to challenge a major public sector union. The Governor has decided to remove 1,000 positions across the state from union classification.

The move plans on removing about 2% of the Public Employees Federations' current membership, as reported in the Times Union. The paper reports that employees were simply handed the notice and asked to sign a form indicating that they had received it.

The decision still needs to be approved by the Public Employees Relations Board, but the move could affect state employed attorneys, accountants, and others. The union says that it will be challenging the decision. It also comes just four months before the close of the current contract, differing from the usual eight months that such a decision is normally made.

The move happened less than a year since the PEF endorsed Cuomo's opponent, Zephyr Teachout for the Democratic nomination for Governor. In the endorsement, the group criticized what it called a "culture of fear" under Governor Cuomo.

Opinion: The Power of a Job

It has been said that a job is the most effective anti-poverty program there is.

Schoharie County's finding that out after a long, slow learning process. The deal to bring in up to 900 jobs to the Guilford Mills site is a Christmas miracle. Even any significant fraction of such employment would be a boost to the local economy not seen in well over a decade. For the first time since Interknitting started closing down in 2001 will the private sector make up for its loss of 700+ jobs.

Many jobs are dependent on local tax dollars-- local schools and governments are vital part of local society. However, private sector jobs also have the ability to branch out and bring in addition investment, new jobs, and pay in more to the local tax base. Altogether, one person with a new $40,000 job and the means to pay for a house, car, and local products is a massive boon to our local economy.

Just imagine 900 of them. Imagine the extra demand this will put on our local restaurants, contractors, shops, and other parts of local commerce.

The process is being started across the County. Middleburgh has created dozens of local jobs over the last several years, and Cobleskill is preparing a large growth spurt. Schoharie is opening new businesses and repairing old buildings. Just add 900 jobs and the long reaching effects on top of all of this.

Let's try to keep young and working age families here in the County. We can build enough of a tax base that the rates don't have to jump every single year for many school districts and municipalities. We have a golden opportunity: let's use it to our full advantage.

Cuomo Nears Fracking Decision

Governor Cuomo seemed to indicate that he will finally make a stand in the fracking debate. In the four years he's been in office, the Governor has not indicated either way where he stood on the controversial practice. Now he says that he is awaiting a health report on fracking's effects due out by January 1.

In a recent interview, the Governor was slightly more clear, but still obtuse about his final decision. He said, “By the end of the year, we should have positions on both that are clear. We'll start the new year with major decisions under our belt.”

It is not clear which position he will wind up taking. Some speculate that he may allow very limited fracking, but ban it in almost every part of the state.

Man with Knife Arrested after Fight, Trespassing

On Thursday, 12/11/2014, at about 5:48 pm, the Cobleskill Police Department received a report of “two males fighting” on the porch of a residence located on Union Street in the Village of Cobleskill. Upon arrival, patrol officers were advised by a witness that an altercation had occurred between 2 males and that one of them may have been stabbed. A suspect identified at the scene was observed throwing a knife to the ground as officers arrived. He was quickly placed into custody without incident.

Upon further investigation it was determined that the suspect, Patrick C. Emery, age 26 of Cobleskill, had responded to the victim’s residence to engage him in a confrontation over a female known to the both of them. Emery is reported to have illegally forced his way into the victim’s residence, and a physical confrontation between the two occurred. The victim was able to remove the suspect from inside of his residence, at which time the suspect reportedly displayed a knife and told the victim that he was going to “kill him”. A physical confrontation between the victim and suspect then continued outside of the victim’s residence until the victim was able to re-enter his residence and secure the door. Witnesses called the police and the victim was able to remain in his residence until patrol officers arrived on scene.

The victim sustained minor contusions and abrasions as a result of the altercation, but was not injured by the knife.

After reviewing the incident with the Schoharie County District Attorney’s Office, police charged Emery with Menacing in the 2nd Degree and Criminal Trespass in the Second Degree, both class A misdemeanors, and Harassment in the Second Degree, a violation. Emery was arraigned in the Town of Cobleskill Court and was remanded to the Schoharie County Correctional Facility on $1000.00 cash bail or $2000.00 bond. Emery is to return to Town of Cobleskill Court on 12/16/14 at 5:00 pm for further action.

Vote in Our New Poll: Have We Recovered from Irene?

Make sure to vote in our newest poll. Has the Valley from Blenheim on up properly recovered from Hurricane Irene?

Has the Valley Recovered from Irene?

It is better than before the flood

It is about the same as before the flood

Not quite there, but getting better

Not at all

pollcode.com free polls

Poll: No to Pipeline

A large majority of readers do not support the recent decision by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to approve the Keystone Pipeline.

 Do You Support FERC's Decision to Approve the Constitution Pipeline?

Yes 25% - 155
No 74% - 468
I don't know 1% - 7
630 total

Middleburgh Museum Launches Fundraising to Repair Damage

A Middleburgh museum has launched a bid to repair damage to its historic carriage house. In need of over $22,000 in repairs, the Best House Museum is asking for assistance from the community. The former home and office of local Doctor Christopher Best the museum offers a look back to the turn of the 20th Century for local history and medicine.

For more information and to donate, check out the museum's fundraising page here.

Casino Decision Expected Wednesday

Our sources indicate that the decision of whether or not the area will be approved for a casino will take place this Wednesday, December 17th. There are conflicting views among insiders over whether or not the casino will be approved.

Sheriff's Department Rescues Man in Broome

A Town of Broome man was rescued from his home Friday evening by members of the Schoharie County Sheriff's Office including the snowmobile patrols.

At 2:45 Friday afternoon the Sheriff's Office received a call from a resident on Armlin Hill Road advising that a neighbor who resided in a small cabin which has no phone, electricity and is heated with wood had not been seen or heard from since Tuesday when 22 inches of snow fell in the area.

The Sheriff's Office responded to Laura Lane and using snowmobiles went to the residence and located David Garrison age 60 inside. Garrison who has some disabilities was transported with his dog by snowmobile to his neighbor's house.

Garrison said that he was unable to get to his woodpile because of snow and his condition he had tried to keep warm by burning parts of his house in the woodstove.

Garrison declined medical attention and his neighbor was allowing him to stay with him for the time being.

Richmondville to Receive Grant for Water Main Replacement

The Village of Richmondville will be receiving over a half million dollars to replace much of its water system. A NYS Homes and Community Renewal grant approved last week will bring $535,000 to undertake water improvements in the Village.

Middleburgh Receiving Money for Rehabilitation, Historical Projects

The Village of Middleburgh is continuing its impressive recovery with two new projects to be funded through the state. Piggybacking on the success of new parks and wildflowers, the community was approved last week for two major expansions.

One is to use space near and around the Schoharie Creek to revitalize much of the area. The $20,000 will be used to study the area and rehabilitate dilapidated buildings and plan parks and other projects. Middleburgh was also awarded $15,200 to develop a "Breadbasket" Heritage trail to honor local history and attract visitors.

Cobleskill Receiving over $600k for Pool Repair, Housing Rehabilitation

Mayor Linda Holmes and the Village of Cobleskill has two new notches on their belt. The community, which has already had another $3.4 million in grant funding approved this year, had over a half million dollars approved by the state for two major projects.

First, the community will fix a major portion of its Forever Generations Nick Iorio Park. Almost $160,000 will be used to replace the aging pump house at its pool, allowing for its continued quality use. Another $500,000 will be used to repair much of Lark Street housing through a NYS Community Development Block Grant.

County Receives $150k for Multi-Use Trail

It's been talked about for over a decade now, but a multi-use trail spanning much of the County may actually become a reality, due to several recent moves. First, local committees for the NY Rising projects came together with a plan for a trail to stimulate local athletic, ecological, and business activities in the area.

The plan is to bring a trail along the Schoharie Creek to allow a combination of hikers and bikers to travel along the scenic region. The trail would run from Blenheim to Esperance and pass through Fulton, Middleburgh, and Schoharie. The $149,876 project will be funded through the Department of State. The new Schoharie Area Wild group, established by SALT with local municipalities, has been working on local planning.

The state describes the project as:

"Schoharie County will implement recommendations from the Schoharie County New York Rising Community Reconstruction Plan to improve community resiliency and promote tourism and recreation. The project will examine the feasibility of a Schoharie Creek multi-use trail from North Blenheim to the Village of Esperance.Schoharie County will implement recommendations from the Schoharie County New York Rising Community Reconstruction Plan to improve community resiliency and promote tourism and recreation. The project will examine the feasibility of a Schoharie Creek multi-use trail from North Blenheim to the Village of Esperance."