County Board Says No to Eminent Domain by Pipelines

SCHOHARIE - A divided Schoharie County Board of Supervisors voted Friday afternoon to oppose efforts by natural gas companies to utilize eminent domain as a means to secure easements through the properties of county residents for a series of unpopular pipelines. 

Introduced by Schoharie Supervisor Gene Milone, who had advocated against the expansion of natural gas pipelines since coming on the board in 2012, the measure was hotly debated by legislators, but ultimately approved by a healthy 10-4 margin. 

It was opposed by the following supervisors: Sandra Manko of Sharon Springs, Leo McAllister of Cobleskill, Phil Skowfoe of Fulton, and Harold Vroman of Summit. Neither supervisors Amber Bleau (Wright) nor William Smith (Broome) were present at the vote.

The resolution, citing efforts by both Constitution Pipeline and Tennessee Gas Pipeline to expand their presence in Schoharie County, will be sent by the county board to Assemblyman Pete Lopez, State Senator James Seward, Congressman Chris Gibson, and FERC. 

Sending an email to supporters on Saturday morning heralding the news, the Richmondville based Center for Sustainable Rural Communities applauded "those who stewarded this resolution forward and the members of the County Board who supported it."

Correction: this piece originally accredited Blenheim Supervisor Shawn Smith with introducing the resolution, when it fact it was Gene Milone. It has been corrected. 

Knight: Why I Came Back

Ladies and gentlemen, I'm back. 

A couple of weeks ago, after working for the Mountain Eagle since mid-July, I submitted my two weeks notice and contacted Schoharie News editor Robert Panico about potentially regaining control of my old project.

And here we are today, with me announcing my second term as editor of this delightful yet trouble making online news media publication. A reputation I was once proud of, but am now focused on rebranding into something new; something better. 

So now the hard part: explaining why. 

Well.... Why not? 

This news site is my pride and joy. A lot was accomplished in Schoharie County over the first year and there is much more to be done. Trust me, there is a lot more coming down the pipe for this news project, which we will come back to later. 

But for now, what will change? Well, everything. 

In addition to reintroducing a steady stream of hard news stories, investigative and feature pieces, as well as my own obnoxious editorials, which I'm sure the county board is just groaning at the thought of, I'm bringing along a few new people to the fray. 

Shania Marotta is joining The Schoharie News as our new ad lady, while Joslen Pettit will be helping out when he can with freelance (more like desperate intern) contributions to our county conversation. Both are excellent people I have full confidence in. 

However, the biggest change might be in what is left out... Arrest reports and soft news stories are vital to any news organization, but they are being put on the back-burner. Our focus is to bring you the news you need, not the news you need less of. 

To be completely honest, coming back is the hardest decision I have ever made. Although just a freelance journalist, I thoroughly enjoyed my experience at the Mountain Eagle and Liz Page is a wonderful editor, but... my place is here, with all of you. 

I can't promise that everyday we will have three new stories or some blockbuster, and there may be even times when we go one or two days without something at all being published, but that's because I am working on something that will soon be very important to us all. 

Something I can't quite share with everyone yet, because there are a few pieces left to put in the right place, but I can promise will come as a shock to many of you......but enough with the vague hints. 

It's an honor and a great pleasure to be back as editor, publisher, and owner of The Schoharie News, and I hope that together we continue down the road we once set upon to let the light of truth shine down upon the darkness of corruption and destruction.

- Timothy Knight, Editor of The Schoharie News. 

Boil Water Notice in Jefferson

At 12:00 pm this afternoon, SC Department of Health Environmental Services issued a Boil Water Order for the Jefferson Water District due to a loss of pressure. If you have any additional questions, please contact the Jefferson Town Hall at 607-652-7931 or SC DOH Environmental Services at 518-295-8382.

Drug Arrest in Cobleskill

The Cobleskill State Police Interstate Highway Patrol arrested a Binghamton woman on a drug charge following a traffic stop on Interstate 88.

 Shanecka M. Dinkins was charged with Unlawful Possession of Marihuana after she was found to be in possession of approximately 1 gram of Marihuana during a traffic stop. Dinkins was issued an Appearance Ticket to appear in the Town of Richmondville Court on April 1, 2014 at 4:00 pm.

Local Victims Targeted by Scammers Claiming to be from National Grid

The State Police at Mayfield have received several complaints regarding people pretending to be representatives from National Grid. Victims are receiving a phone call from someone pretending to be a representative from National Grid who states that they have to pay a bill immediately or their power will be shut off. The victims are then instructed to purchase Money Pak cards and call a 1-800 number, that is also fraudulent, and provide them with the numbers on the card to pay their bill. The scam appears to be targeting local businesses. The State Police are advising local business owners and area residents to be cautious of any such phone calls. Any questions can be directed to the State Police or National Grid.

Letter to the Editor: County Government is Broken

Thank You Supervisor William Smith for writing and clarifying your flip-flop on a county administrator. In your letter you also implored the public to attend the supervisors meeting this past Friday. You cried out, Please speak up! You must be heard! Yet yourself and Ms. Bleau missed work that day. I'm wondering do we still pay the supervisors when they're absent? It now looks like the county will be hiring a full time babysitter for the 16 toddlers. So the same group that just chose a chairman by voting right down party lines will now be entrusted to hire an administrator. We're supposed to believe they now will have the integrity and intellect to pick the best person for the job. This would all be laughable but we're paying for this long running mess. It's becoming more obvious with each passing meeting they cannot do the job they were elected to do. Gene Milone who initiated this future waste of taxpayers money has stated many times, we're just floundering. Shawn Smith Blenheim Supervisor says, It seems like we just drift from one disaster to another, not very assuring words for taxpayers to hear. Now because of the boards incompetence and the inability to work together the taxpayers will have to pay the price. Who knows what the final tally will be? This form of county government, the system in place is not working it hasn't for years. Failure after failure, mistake after mistake and the taxpayers foot the bill. We cannot do it anymore.The time is now for a County Executive elected by the people with this form of government every vote counts. As of now with this system my vote is useless. We have a 16 member board. I get to vote for one for one member to sit on the board that of course is who I vote for as my Town Supervisor to represent and serve my town at the county level.  This is one of my problems with this system.You see my Supervisor gets a free ride as he seems to run against someone always named unopposed That leaves us with no choice and makes it quite difficult to make a change.For someone to step up to challenge one of incumbents you would have to be a member of one of the major parties, even then you would have to get the approval of one of the 2 kings. It truly is a Good O'l Boys club.

Regards,
Jerry Fiore 
Summit

State Police Crackdown on Cell Use in Cobleskill

New York State Police stationed in Cobleskill have announced an increase in road patrols to combat distracted driving in Schoharie County. 

Dispatching Troopers to crack down on cell phone use during a six hour traffic detail on February 19th, officers issued six tickets to motorists for illegally using their cellular devices. 

Building on last week's success, State Police plan on continuing their crackdown on distracted driving and the use of cell phones. 

The New York State Legislature has regularly increased the severity of charges for being caught with a cellphone while driving in recent years. 

A first offense could cost a motorist $50-$200; a second offense within eighteen months could cost $50-$250; and a third or subsequent offense within an additional eighteen months could run $50-$450. 

Drivers may also lose up to five points from their license.

Vote in Our New Poll: Seceding from New York

Make sure to vote in our new poll on the sidebar. If there was a way to secede from New York and join Pennsylvania, especially if an adjoining County did so, such as Delaware, would you support such a move?

Southern Tier Towns Want to Secede from NYS, Join Pennsylvania

For some Upstate communities, enough is enough. Upset with various New York State policies that seem to be the opposite of local wishes, a local movement aims for big change.

Aiming to leave New York State's high tax burden and upset over recent changes in fracking policies, some communities see greener pastures in Pennsylvania. This part of the state was the only region where a majority of residents polled would often support hydraulic fracturing. Other issues, including the SAFE Act, are deeply unpopular.

Altogether there are 15 towns in four counties that desire to secede, including in nearby Delaware County. The exact names of these communities has not been named.

Such a deal would have to be approved by New York, Pennsylvania, and the United States Congress. Such a move is unlikely, to say the least. State Senator Tom Libous did include a question about the prospect of secession in a mailer to constituents.

In a recent survey conducted for the The United States Conference of Mayors and The Council on Metro Economies and the New American City of economic growth in the 363 metro regions in the country, the following Upstate regions rated:

352nd Ithaca,  353rd Glens Falls, 354th Buffalo-Niagara Falls, 355th Elmira,  356th Kingston, 362nd Utica-Rome, and 363rd Binghamton.

The issue has made a splash, getting to the pages of the Washington Post.

Letter to the Editor: TAC Force Decision Hurts Volunteers

At the February 20th meeting of the Schoharie County Board of Supervisors a political train de-railed on the Sheriff’s Tactical & Rescue Force. For those of you who are unfamiliar with who the TAC Force is, they are the people who direct traffic at your parades, keep order at the Grandstand events during the county fair and other festivals around the county and other such law enforcement work needed when there is not enough coverage available through local PD or the regular road patrol deputies. They also provide an extra level of search & rescue personnel for the county. The Force has been an active unit of the sheriff’s office for 45 years, always in uniform similar to that of the road patrol, and always armed. When they were first established in 1970 they were constituted as a special force of the Schoharie County Sheriff’s Department whose purpose is to serve and protect the residents of Schoharie County within our special field when called upon. Members were divided into 2 groups, active and inactive. The active members received a lot of training in law enforcement and firearms certification and were appointed as Special Deputy Sheriffs. The inactive members were persons with special skills such as pilots or divers who were primarily used for search & rescue operations. At some point during the current administrations reign, the county insurance provider was changed. When this happened the TAC Force members were not delineated as being armed members of the sheriff’s department. Last year the provider found out that the Force was armed and told the county supervisors that the Force was not covered for that and that this situation presented a great liability threat to the county. The Force members and Sheriff Desmond were looking for ways to get the Force back under coverage without extending the already overtaxed budget but this has been shut down. At the meeting mentioned above, in an 11 to 2 vote, the Board of Supervisors voted to disarm the TAC Force, take them out of law enforcement like uniforms, and change their name. I was present at this meeting to speak on behalf of the Force and outline the requirements by state law for an armed unit of auxiliary police or special deputy sheriffs for civil defense. I was not allowed to speak before the vote was taken. When Chairman Lape asked if there was any further discussion (there had been none other than the motion and second) I raised my hand, which was highly visible being filled with sheets of paper containing my prepared statement. He looked right at me and said, “There being no further discussion, all those in favor…” and just like that, your group of volunteers, who have provided thousands of dollars’ worth of free law enforcement service to your community in the last 45 years was shut down. Mind you, they will tell you that they did not disband the Force, which is, political rhetoric. They removed our side arms. They removed our powers to arrest. They removed our appearance and representation as law enforcement. They ordered us to change our name. If that is not disbanding, I don’t know what is. And yet, they expect the Force members to continue to provide the exact same services that they have been. We will have no more authority than a volunteer event staff person. What happens now when an unruly bunch starts acting up during a demolition derby? Local PD cannot afford to maintain a large enough presence on the fairgrounds to handle situations like that. The TAC Force is still needed. Let your town supervisor know that you are not pleased with their decision and that you want the TAC Force back as an armed unit of law enforcement in your community. Let them know that if they don’t, maybe the next person you vote for will! Spread the word!

Thank you.
Ted Volkert,
President of the TAC Force

County Board Passes Administrator in 8-6 Vote

The County Board was split this morning, but decided to accept the proposal to create a County Administrator. In the debate, the sides confronted both the potential costs and savings of such an action.

The newly passed law described the position as:

directly responsible to the County Board of Supervisors and shall perform the functions of the chief administrator of the County on behalf of the County Board of Supervisors, although the County Board of Supervisors shall retain the final administrative authority.

The position will require a Bachelor's in Public Administration or Business Management and ten year's experience in the public or private sector or a Master's Degree and five year's experience. Any person that becomes the Administrator is not allowed to hold any other public office.

The proposal passed into law can be read here.

The weighted vote totals were:

Yes:
Barbic, Seward: 5.5%
Buzon, Middleburgh: 11.8%
Federice, Conesville: 2.5%
Jordan, Jefferson: 4.3%
Lape, Richmondville: 8.1%
McAllister, Cobleskill: 16.2%
S. Smith, Blenheim: 1.1%
Milone, Schoharie: 11.0%
Total Weighted vote: 61.5%

No:

Bradt, Carlisle: 5.9%
Manko, Sharon: 6.2%
Skowfoe, Fulton: 4.3%
VanGlad, Gilboa: 4.1%
VanWormer, Esperance: 6.9%
Vroman, Summit: 3.8%
Total Weighted vote: 31.2%

It is notable that all former Chairs of the Board: Skowfoe, VanGlad, VanWormer, and Vroman all voted against the new position.

Supervisors Bleau of Wright and William Smith of Broome, who penned a recent letter against such a proposal, were absent.

Knight: Now is Time to Decide the Administrator Question

It's no little known fact that the American political system is broken. Not beyond repair, but wholly broken in several parts. 

We don't have to look at Washington, or even Albany to recognize this. Just take a gander at the fine sixteen men and women who constitute the Schoharie County Board of Supervisors: a legislative body that has been cursed by an inability to govern effectively for years. 

Now I mean no harm against its current occupants, for there are good, well meaning individuals from all three parties represented around the not so grand U-shaped table that occupies the third floor of Schoharie County's office building complex, but come on, let us be real. 

Almost two years removed from the heat of the controversial Fitzmaurice Report and we are still bleeding from the political wounds caused by that damning investigation. Yes, what was done must and should be reconciled, but for the love of God, must we still fight this?

Personnel Officer Cassandra Ethington was fired. As were her allies on the Board of Supervisors by an enraged citizenry. But to hear some speak of her actions, it is as if she was still employed and still engaged in unjustified actions. This is not the case, however. 

Schoharie County faces far graver problems that deserve solutions from our legislators: the future of economic development, drafting a code of conduct/ethics reforms to prevent another debacle in administration, and yes, an answer to the lingering administrator question. 

An answer, I am hopeful at least, will be addressed by our Schoharie County Board of Supervisors at tomorrow's February meeting. Whether yea or nay, it has been discussed for over thirteen months now, and by tomorrow evening, needs to be decided - once and for all. 

Some might call that callous, as perhaps there has not been enough debate on the subject, or maybe others believe there should be a public referendum to let the people decide. I say no to both - our legislators are elected to make decisions - so let them make them and be done with them. 

And then, with that decision made, they can - and we as well - may move forward with other concerns, issues, and questions facing the people of Schoharie County. For there are still many to be resolved in the coming months and years. 

Just for comparison: it took the U.S. Congress nine months to abolish slavery, yet we can't decide in over a year whether or not county government really does need or doesn't need an administrator. Good riddance, where is Abraham Lincoln to prod the cattle when you need him.

I advise no path to the Supervisors, for that is not my role at this point in time, but I do believe they must make a final decision. We, as a public, have allowed them to discuss this issue for long enough. The time to call the question is now.

Mrs. Largeteau, please call the roll.... 

Train Derailment in WV Highlights Fuel Transport Worries

The balance between fossil fuels and need for winter heating fuel was on display this week after a severe crash in West Virginia. A train carrying 3 million gallons of oil derailed in snowy weather, causing a fire that is still burning. Oil has also seeped into a nearby river.

The derailment has caused hundreds of families to be evacuated and 19 train cars left the tracks. One house was burnt down in the fire.

Photo credit: Marcus Constantino/Reuters

The media quotes Senator Joe Manchin as saying, "All you can see is a couple of blocks sticking out of the ground. There's some pickup trucks out front completely burned to the ground."
Much of the increased rail transport of oil and natural gas is due to changes in fossil fuel technology, namely fracking:

Rail shipments of crude have increased from 9,500 carloads in 2008 to more than 435,000 in 2013, driven by a boom in the Bakken oil patch of North Dakota and Montana. Limited pipeline capacity there forces about 70 percent of the crude to reach refineries by rail, according to American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers.

These types of accidents hit a deadly peak in 2013, when an explosion in Quebec killed 47 people.

Cobleskill Police Blotter

The Cobleskill Village Police arrested Kyle Rockwell, 17, of Esperance, Andrew J. Morrison, 17, of Schoharie, and Mackenzie Bachanas, 17, of Schoharie on charges of unlawful possession of marijuana. They were issued appearance tickets and released to return to court on March 17.

The Cobleskill Village Police arrested David H. Wayman Jr., 54, of Cobleskill on charges of seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and failure to register as a sex offender. He was arraigned and released after posting $15,000 bail. He is to return to court on February 17.

The Cobleskill Village Police arrested Louis Micheli, 21, of Middleburgh on charges of disorderly conduct. He was issued an appearance ticket and released to return to court on February 10.

Schoharie Man Arrested on Weapon, Drug Charges

On February 16, 2015 State Police from SP Cobleskill IHP stopped a 1999 Subaru on I-88 in the Town of Schoharie operated by Adam J. Crommie, 30, of Schoharie for speeding and the front seat passenger not wearing a seatbelt. Troopers conducted a search of the vehicle due to an odor of marijuana inside the passenger compartment. The search resulted in the seizure of a lead filled wooden Billy Club as well as a small quantity of Marijuana. Crommie was charged with Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 4th degree, a Class A Misdemeanor, as well as Unlawful Possession of Marijuana, a Violation. He was issued appearance tickets for the Town of Schoharie Court on a future date to answer the charges. The front seat passenger was also ticketed for not wearing a seatbelt.

C-R, Gilboa School Budgets Earn High Rankings, MCS Nears Fiscal Stress in Comptroller's Report

The state of the local school districts' budgets range from spotless to nearing troubled, according to the State Comptroller's office. The agency did a review of the deficit and debt loads of all towns, villages, and school districts in the county. The local villages had a similar range of issues in their report.

However, with declining enrollment, state aid cuts, and Common Core initiation the local school districts have a varied set of results. The state weighed various factors of fiscal stress in a rubric to establish an average score. The lower the percentage, the healthier the agency is.

Gilboa-Conesville: 0.0%
Cobleskill-Richmondville: 0.0%
Schoharie: 6.7%
Jefferson: 6.7%
Sharon Springs: 13.3%
Middleburgh: 20.0%

Two of the districts rated a spotless record. The only one that neared the Comptroller's Office's rating of 'susceptible fiscal stress' starting at 24.9% was the Middleburgh Central School District.

The audit also looked at the districts' last several years' budget deficits. Lower positive figures indicate a precise control of money while negative figures indicate deficits. Of the last three years, the districts operated at:

Cobleskill-Richmondville: 0.2%
Schoharie: 0.93%
Jefferson: 1.4%
Gilboa-Conesville: 1.8%
Sharon Springs: -1.63%
Middleburgh: -3.8%

Of all the schools surveyed, only Middleburgh was penalized for having deficits all three years. Its 2014 budget was heavily penalized for having a 4.4% deficit.

More information about all fiscal reports is published on the Comptroller's website.

Middleburgh, Richmondville Village Budgets Earn Top Marks from State

Both the Villages of Middleburgh and Richmondville earned high scores from a recent audit of fiscal stress conducted by the State Comptroller's Office. This new program, which has been conducted over the last three years studies various factors regarding fiscal health of local governments. Five of the six villages' scores were recently released by Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli's office.

Of the communities, each was ranked on the amount of cash on hands, use of tax funds, levels of debt, and sustainability of debt. For each stressor on the budget, a percentage was increased on the rubric.

The Village of Cobleskill's report was not available, but of the five other villages, each scored the following. The lower the score, the healthier the budget was. The Comptroller's office considers any score above 44.9% as 'susceptible fiscal stress.'

Middleburgh: 15.8%
Richmondville: 15.8%
Esperance: 17.9%
Schoharie: 22.5%
Sharon Springs: 39.6%

Middleburgh, Schoharie, and Esperance were all slightly penalized for undergoing fiscal stress in 2012 due to Hurricane Irene causing a spike in expenditures and dramatic fall in assessments. The Village of Sharon Springs was penalized for having a much larger debt load than the other communities.

Of the Villages, the communities had different three year average debt loads the state considered:

Richmondville: 4.9%
Middleburgh: 7.8%
Esperance: 13.5%
Schoharie: 17.7%
Sharon Springs: 20.6%

The ratio of deficits to the overall budget was weighed, with the aim of having a low, positive percentage representing prudent use of funds over the last budget year. Esperance was penalized for two large budget deficits in three years:

Middleburgh: 3.0%
Sharon Springs: 4.3%
Richmondville: 4.4%
Schoharie: 29.9%
Esperance: -23.6%

New EPA Regulations Would Ban Most Woodstove Models

For many in the area, woodstoves are a vital source of primary or secondary heat. The ample forests and thriving timber industry of Upstate New York provide a somewhat inexpensive and always available fuel.

However, for many residents dependent on the heat source this winter, things could change rapidly. The EPA is phasing in a five year program intended to reduce soot particulates in the air over the next five years.

After this period, all stoves will have to meet the following:

2.0 grams per hour for catalytic and noncatalytic stoves, if emissions are tested using cribs

Alternative limit: 2.5 grams per hour, if tested with cord wood; method must be approved

Within 60 days of the February 3rd decision all new non-EPA approved stoves must produce 4.5 grams of particulates or less. The EPA will allow all current woodstove stock to be sold through the end of the calendar year.

The EPA is also including an enforcement mechanism to ensure the rules are being followed. While much of this includes monitoring corporations regarding the output of their new woodstoves, there federal agency would directly handle violations by individuals.

It is estimated that 80% of current woodstoves would not meet the current regulation. While current stoves are not included for destruction, New York state is going above and beyond. The state joined with several others calling similar EPA moves inadequate and together are suing for more stringent regulations on outdoor and indoor wood boilers.

The lawsuit states that, "in rural New York counties, residential wood combustion is responsible for 90 percent of fine particulate matter pollition" and that such instruments are threats to public health.

Cherry to Seek New Term as Treasurer

County Treasurer William Cherry has announced that he will seek another term in office. Writing to taxpayers, the Treasurer wrote that there was still much work to be done that he believes will be accomplished over the next four years.

Cherry cites the fact that Schoharie County was one of the few debt-free counties in the state before the flood. His changes to the budget process allowed for a much smaller than average debt load and built up a reserve that allowed the County to pay for flood damage and emergency actions.

Listing challenges ahead, Cherry cites the need for FEMA funding for a new jail and communications center. He also writes about the need for local jobs, including the recent agreement to sell Guilford Mills and place several hundred jobs at the facility.

Cherry writes, "My unblemished 20-year record of protecting and safeguarding the taxpayer
dollars that are placed in my care is perhaps my proudest accomplishment."

The Treasurer's position is up for election in November. There are no other declared candidates as of yet.

Letter to the Editor: Consistent on Administrator

To the taxpayers of the Town of Broome and Schoharie County:

I am writing to you to clarify my position on whether or not we need a county administrator. This is in response to a statement made by the Schoharie News that I “flip flopped” on my views on the issue.

In 2014, during my first few months in office, I stated several times that a county manager, administrator or executive was needed due to our dysfunctional county government. But as time went on I learned that was not the problem! I feel that we have good people and a good system in place for the proper operation of our county, but it is not allowed to work! If we create a new position for county manager or administrator we are forming more government with a large salary and benefit package that puts a greater financial burden on our taxpayers without fixing a thing, because it will not be allowed to work due to the current political climate.

A county manager will not be a magician, just a band aid over the underlying problems of a county that is being run by personal and political agendas, a system that does not have the best interests of the taxpayers and county employees at heart.

You need to be heard! Voice your opinion for or against a county administrator at a continued public hearing at the Schoharie County Board of Supervisors meeting on February 20, 2015 at 9:00 am on the 3rd floor of the County Office Building.

There have been several public hearings on this issue in the past couple of months and only approximately 50 people have been heard. I feel this is not enough of a voice to support a decision for the entire county. Please speak up! You might ask, for example, what would the county administrator do that the supervisors aren’t already doing? And also, where would the money come from to pay the substantial salary and benefits for this new position?

Truly Yours,
William M Smith, III
Town of Broome Supervisor