Senate to Consider Companion Measure to Gibson Testing Bill

Washington, DC – The Senate will consider a companion to a bill authored by Congressman Chris Gibson (NY-19) that would empower state and local school systems by reducing the frequency of federally-mandated assessments.

The Senate bill was introduced this week by Senator Jon Tester (D-MT), a former teacher.

“Families and educators across the nation agree the federal government’s testing regime is onerous and unfair, shifting classroom focus away from teaching and learning to testing,” said Congressman Gibson. “As thousands of New York parents opt to have their children sit out of these assessments, and as the Senate prepares to vote on updating our main federal education law, I am extremely grateful to Senator Tester for taking action. Our bill in the House continues to gain bipartisan support, and I am hopeful our efforts will finally put an end to the one-size-fits-all approach to testing.”

Congressman Gibson, whose military career included several years of teaching at West Point, re-introduced the Student Testing Improvement & Accountability Act in January with Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema (AZ-9).

“The way to ensure good jobs and a strong economy is through an education system designed to teach students the skills they need to fill the jobs of the future,” said Congresswoman Sinema. “Teachers should focus on the content their students need to master—not simply material for an upcoming standardized test. This common-sense legislation puts the focus back on learning and ensures students are ready to step right into the jobs we’re working hard to create.”

The House legislation currently has 32 bipartisan co-sponsors representing 19 states, including New York Congressmen John Katko (NY-24), Tom Reed (NY-23), Lee Zeldin (NY-1), and Chris Collins (NY-27) and Congressman Fred Upton (MI-6), chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

“As a co-sponsor of the Student Testing Improvement & Accountability Act, I want to thank Senator Tester for offering a companion bill in the Senate,” said Congressman Zeldin. “This legislation will roll back federally mandated testing in our Long Island schools. I believe in higher standards, but we need to stop the over testing in our schools. Challenging our students is important, but they aren't guinea pigs. This is an important next step to shift the focus in our classrooms from testing to teaching and ensuring our children never lose their love of learning. I strongly urge Congress to pass this bill.”

The Student Testing Improvement & Accountability Act replaces current annual testing requirements for math and language arts with the exact same grade-span testing requirements in current law for science classes.

This returns federal testing requirements to the once-per-grade-span standards in place before No Child Left Behind, when math and reading assessments were conducted once in grades 3-5, once in grades 6-9, and once in grades 10-12.

The National Education Association (NEA), which represents three million educators across the country, announced its support for Congressman Gibson’s bill and the companion legislation introduced by Senator Tester this week as the Senate prepares to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.

Letter to the Editor: Ignorance is Bliss

Dear Editor:

The Center for Sustainable Rural Communities recently sent a letter to the Town of Richmondville advising them of information obtained from the public record that indicates a potential link between contamination at a superfund site in Connecticut and the former Kivort Steel facility in Warnerville. Additionally, we reported statements made by Town officials regarding the site which suggests possible anecdotal knowledge and community concern about environmental issues at the site. We provided that information, which included a specific EPA Identification number, to ensure that the Town had all available information as they consider a request for a new junk yard permit for the site and a development plan, as is required under the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA).  We were very clear that we had no first-hand knowledge of environmental issues at the site, nor were we alleging such issues, but were simply reporting information that we were aware of and should, as a matter of due diligence, be investigated.

The reaction we received was both surprising and concerning. The Town’s Code Enforcement Officer said he was unable to find the information we submitted, the developer’s representative indicated in an email (obtained under FOIL) that she looked for hours and was unable to find the information and the Times-Journal ran an editorial calling our letter a “stink bomb” and a “scare tactic.”  This is particularly odd given that a simple Internet search returns the same information we provided in less than 30 seconds, a 2 minute conversation with the Town of Richmondville Planning Board members could verify previous statements they made about the site, and a ten minute phone call to the EPA could validate the information provided by us regarding the superfund site.

In a 2008 letter to the Schoharie County Planning and Development Agency (also obtained under FOIL), a Senior Attorney for the NY State Department of State notes that complaints regarding junk yards (which the Kivort site was and is proposed to be again) “should be taken seriously and investigated. Once the municipality is on notice of a potential violation, a duty might very well exist to investigate it, whether or not the complainant has been identified.”

So why would those in receipt of the information not be willing to take a few minutes to verify it? We can only guess that having no information is preferable to having information that requires them to actually do something. If ignorance is bliss, there are some folks in our community, including public officials, who prefer to remain eternally blissful.   

Bob Nied

Center for Sustainable Rural Communities

Pet Talk Column: It's National Pet First Aid Awareness Month

Welcome to my column dedicated to pets of all shapes and sizes. Here, you will find topics dedicated to enhancing the health and well-being of pets and their owners. I will be including topics in hygiene, safety, training, behavior, breeds and species, funny stories, recipes and tips and tricks. I am a licensed Veterinary Technician and have worked with animals professionally for 17 years now. I’ve seen and helped animals in the clinic setting, emergency room and people’s homes. I look forward to sharing my knowledge and experience with you each week and hope you find something that helps you and your pets out.

National Pet First Aid Awareness Month

In an era when there’s a national day, week, or month for almost everything, it’s understandable that this announcement lacks the pizzazz of an announcement like National ice cream day. To many people, pet first aid isn’t a very interesting topic, until their pet is hit by a car; suddenly choking on a toy; ingests a toxin; or any number of other incidents that can occur. 

Animals are surrounded by constant hazards and accidents can and do happen. The best thing you can do as a pet owner, is be as prepared as possible. An emergency situation can be handled much faster and more appropriately if an owner has resources like a pet first aid kit and a list of important phone numbers. Important numbers that should be kept handy are; your veterinarian, emergency animal clinic, poison control and a friend who is willing to help you in an emergency. The 24hr Animal Poison Control number is (888)-426-4435.  

Just like us, most pet accidents happen in or near the home. Some of the most common accidents are; toxic ingestion, hit by a vehicle, eye injury, fight wounds, birthing problems, wild animal encounters and near drowning. A pet first-aid kit can be easily created by you at home, to keep on hand, so it’s easily accessible in an emergency and when you call animal poison control. The AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association) states that 25% more pets would survive if just a single pet first aid measure was applied prior to getting proper veterinary care.

Below are the following items that should be in your kit:

Rubber gloves

Hydrogen peroxide 3% (Make sure it’s within the expiration date) (To induce vomiting)

Liquid hand dish-washing detergent (Dawn, Palmolive)

Teaspoon/tablespoon set (to measure ant. of peroxide.)

Benadryl (diphenhydramine tablets 25mg w/o other ingredients)

Corn syrup

Dosing syringe or turkey baster for giving peroxide

Can of tuna in water or jar baby food (chicken)

Bulk bandage material (gauze roll, telfa pads, bandage tape)

2 Towels (For warmth, protection or bolster)

Remember, before using anything in your kit, please contact your veterinary professional or poison control hotline. Remember: STAY CALM!

Lorraine Fancher, LVT

Middleburgh Canoe Race set for Saturday

The Middleburgh Sloughter Canoe/Kayak Race will take place on April 25, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. This 5 mile downriver race takes place on the majestic Schoharie Creek.  Registration and starting line will be at the Fultonham parking area on Rt. 30 in the town of Fulton (about 14 miles south of Interstate 88). The finish line is at the new Middleburgh pavilion in Timothy Murphy Park, just south of the intersection of Routes 145 & 30.

This course is better suited to well-used stock and rec boats than to newer carbon pro-boats.  A well-worn comp cruiser would be a good choice, also. Of course, downriver kayaks are made for this race. With the high water this year, it should be fast and exciting.

Managed by the Middleburgh Rotary Club in coordination with MCS Booster Club, West Fulton Rod & Gun Club, Middleburgh Rod & Gun Club, Knights of Columbus, Boy Scout Troop 2, and support from State Parks in our area.

Refreshments will be sold at the Timothy Murphy Park (finish line).

There will be 9 classes: Canoe – 2men, 2women, man/woman, Adult/Student (under 19), Kayak – Man, Woman, Student(<19)Male, Student(<19) Woman - Cruiser

The race is run on a 5+ mile strip of the Schoharie Creek from a parking area on Route 30 to the bridge at Middleburgh. Depending upon the weather the trip can be adventuresome (fast with high water) or just fun (not so much water).

The race was sponsored by the Middleburgh Rotary Club in the 70s and 80s and was “restarted” in 2014. The 2014 event was well received with more than 100 participants, good weather and good water.

For more information about registration forms and applications, please contact James Spencer at poppop@midtel.net or 518-827-4448.

From SUNY Cobleskill to Churchill Downs: Coby '14 Grad Works With Kentucky Derby Qualifying Horse

Starting to ride when she was only fifteen years old, Paige Montayne always wanted to be involved with horses from her early childhood, but little did she know that it would lead to her working with a Kentucky Derby qualifying thoroughbred. 

Graduating from SUNY Cobleskill last May with a Bachelor's in Technology in the Animal Science program, Paige has since had the opportunity to work for George Weaver in Elmont, New York, with Assistant Trainer Blair Golen. 

A girl and her horse.
Paige poses with Tencendur.

It is there that she started working with Tencendur, a three year old colt nicknamed Monster for his impressive stature. Placing second in the Wood Memorial earlier this month, Tencendur earned a spot in the big race at Churchill Downs next weekend. 

Describing the thoroughbred as a war horse, Ms. Montayne is responsible for ponying Tencendur when trainer Blair Golen takes him out on the track. Although a presumptuous horse, Paige said Tencendur just "keeps getting better and better."

Originally from Saratoga Springs, Montayne use to ride her bike by the Saratoga Race Track for fun. She had always wanted to ride horses when she was young, but her mom had "tried everything possible to not have me ride," a battle which Paige won in the end. 

Calling herself lucky for having grown up in Saratoga, a "horse lovers dream" by her account, Ms. Montayne moved on to SUNY Cobleskill where she rode on the hunt seat team and was awarded a scholarship for two straight years by the New York Breeders Thoroughbred Development Fund. 

The gravity of Tencendur's success, however, has not been lost on Paige. 

Excited because "not many people get to the experience this," Montayne has nothing but love for the thoroughbred, who she admiringly described as a fun horse that loves to play and jump around a little bit. 

However, her time with Tencendur is drawing to a close. Resuming her role as a veterinary assistant for Teigland, Franklin and Brokken back in Saratoga Springs, Paige will not be accompanying Tencendur and company to Kentucky for the coming race.

Still, having had the opportunity to work with a thoroughbred of Tencendur's potential less than just one year after graduation from Cobleskill, Ms. Montayne has already accomplished more than most in her field ever will. 

Reflecting on her time with the derby qualifier, Paige commented, "I am very lucky to have worked with him."

State Police in Coby Conduct "Operation Hang Up" Campaign

New York State Police stationed in Cobleskill have recently conducted a six day Operation Hang Up campaign to combat distracted driving. 

From April 10th to 15th Troopers in Cobleskill issued 16 tickets for operating a motor vehicle while talking or texting on a cell phone or using an electronic device.

This initiative is part of an ongoing effort to stop distracted driving and stress the danger of operating a motor vehicle while using electronic devices. Troopers plan to continue their efforts throughout the year in order to make New York's streets and highways safer.

According to statistics, approximately 23% of all auto collisions in 2011 involved the use of a cell phone. That equals out to roughly 1.3 million car crashes. 

Three Running for Middleburgh Library Board

On April 28th, 2015, the Middleburgh Library will hold a Budget and Trustee vote  from noon to 8 p.m. at the Middleburgh Library, 323 Main Street, Middleburgh.  Two vacant trustee seats will be filled by popular vote from three candidates running for the board.  Find out a little bit more about each candidate below:

Debra Bechtold:  I have been a Middleburgh resident for 27 years. My husband Mark works for MCS, my son Ryan is a 2014 graduate of MCS and son Cameron is in the Class of 2016.  I enjoy being involved with the community. Over the past 20 years I have coached, been involved with the Booster Club and operating the game clock at basketball games. I am also involved with Cornell Cooperative Extension, Schoharie County, as a Master Gardener.

I am the Marketing Director for Cobleskill Auxiliary Services, Inc. at SUNY Cobleskill.  I have also been involved in the Graphic Arts field over 25 years. One of my pet projects at the moment is showing the world Schoharie Valley with Visions of Schoharie Valley (facebook).

The library has always been important to our family and I want to be a part of helping it continue to grow and evolve into a larger part of the community.

Cathleen Berry and her other half, stained-glass artist Robert KarlesKent, moved to Schoharie County in January 2013 to help support the flood-recovery efforts in the county. Cathleen runs Grindstone Press & Graphics, located in Middleburgh. The “press” side of her company specializes in publishing of quality children’s books, educational cookbooks, back-to-basics living, and small-business image. The “graphics” half focuses on design and illustration for print and online use.

Last year, she designed and produced The Seasons of Schoharie County, an independent tourism magazine she distributed to surrounding counties to spotlight some of the hidden gems of our county. Cathleen donates her time and graphics abilities to local nonprofits and helps local businesses develop new marketing ideas.

In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, baking, and spoiling their rescue cats.

As a member of the Middleburgh Library Board of Trustees, Cathleen will bring her enthusiasm, creativity, and “why not?” attitude to the table.

Veronica Lindsey:  I moved to the state of New York in 1976 from Las Vegas, NV to attend high school in Cobleskill. I graduated in 1980 and also attended SUNY Cobleskill and graduated in 1982 with an AAS in Accounting.

I have worked several jobs, over the years. The main occupations were as administrative assistant for the Cobleskill Campus Child Care Center until 1990 when I took a job with the State Insurance Fund. By 1991 I took a promotion and began working for the Dept. of Taxation and Finance in Albany, where I currently work as a tax regulations specialist I. I work with corporate tax forms, updating them based on new legislation, etc.

I learned to read when I was 3 (from the Sunday funnies) and have never stopped. I usually have 2 or 3 books going at a time, plus an audio book.  Since I became a member of Middleburgh Library I have borrowed many books, as I’m sure my account will show. They know me now when I walk in and ask if they have a book for me!

I’m also very interested in genealogy. I’ve been using ancestry.com for several years now and have thousands of individuals in my tree. I haven’t used the library’s genealogy room yet, but plan to in the future. In fact, I’m attending a workshop tonight at the library to learn about what I need to do to become a member of Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). I have many ancestors on my father’s side of the family that lived in New York and in Schoharie County. The ancestor that I plan to use to become a member of DAR lived in Schoharie County and was a sharp-shooter for the Black-Plumed Soldiers, Charles Carl Neer.

I’m looking to get more involved in the library and the community.

Mine Kill Hosting "I Love My Park Day" on May 2

Please join Parks and Trails New York, the Friends of Mine Kill and Max V. Shaul State Parks and thousands of volunteers from across the state on Saturday, May 2nd, 2015, from 9am to 3pm, for a great day of fun and service during I Love My Park Day.  Participants will have the opportunity to make a difference at one of the best kept secrets in the northern Catskills –Mine Kill State Park.  To pre-register, please go to http://www.ptny.org/ilovemypark/ , go to www.nysparks.com or contact the Mine Kill office at (518) 827-8690 for more information.

Mine Kill State Park is located in the scenic Schoharie Valley overlooking the New York Power Authority’s Blenheim-Gilboa Pumped Storage Power Project.  The reservoir provides excellent fishing and boating opportunities.  The eight miles of trails, including trails from the Park to the NYPA Visitor Center such as the nationally designated Long Path, are great for hiking, biking and birding.  Cascading 80 feet through a narrow gorge is the picturesque Mine Kill Falls for which the Park is named.  Mine Kill also features the only 18-hole/36-basket, permanent disc golf course at a state park in the Saratoga-Capital Region.    

During I Love My Park Day, volunteers will plant shrubs and trees as part of a beautification of the park entrance and picnic areas, thanks to generous contributions from Home Depot of Oneonta, NY. Participants can also join forces for some much needed trail maintenance along the eight miles of trails in addition to the newly constructed disc golf course.  Assistance is also requested along the Blenheim-Gilboa Reservoir to help pick up trash and debris along the waterfront. Volunteers are encouraged to bring work gloves, a water bottle and comfortable clothing. All other tools and equipment will be provided by the park.

There will also be a picnic barbecue with hot dogs, hamburgers, and refreshing beverages sponsored by Stewart’s Shops.  The barbecue is free to all I Love My Park Day volunteers!  Other snacks and vegetarian options will be provided by the Friends of Mine Kill and Max V. Shaul State Parks.  Registered volunteers will receive complimentary Stewart’s Shops refreshments as well as a commemorative I Love My Park Day 2015 t-shirt and other free giveaways.

I Love My Park Day is coordinated at the statewide level by Parks and Trails New York in partnership with New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Friends groups and park staff will oversee cleanup, improvement and beautification projects and work alongside volunteers.  

I Love My Park Day is sponsored statewide in 2015 by LL Bean, AT&T, Brookfield, the Corning Incorporated Foundation, The New York State Business Council, Price Chopper and America’s Best Value Inn.  Locally, I Love My Park Day at Max V. Shaul is sponsored by the Friends of Mine Kill and Max V. Shaul Group, Stewart’s Shops, Home Depot- Oneonta and the Schoharie County Soil and Water Conservation District.

About Friends of MK & MVS State Parks: The Friends of Mine Kill & Max V. Shaul State Parks are proud supporters of preservation, education, and recreation at the parks. We volunteer often at the parks, and assist in programming and development of the parks for present and future generations. Our group is open to everyone who enjoys Mine Kill and Max V. Shaul State Parks, and we hope that you will join us.

About PTNY: Parks & Trails New York is the leading statewide organization working to preserve and enhance a network of parks, greenways and trails for all New Yorkers for generations to come. Since 1985, our influential reports and advocacy efforts have been critical to keeping parks and historic sites open and protecting New York’s natural, recreational, cultural and historical resources. For more information, visit www.ptny.org.

County Backs Creation of Regional Land Bank

Supervisors voted unanimously on Friday morning to endorse the concept of a six-county land bank to be headed by the Mohawk Valley Economic Development District (MVEDD).

Encouraged to support the concept by MVEDD representative Steve Smith, the land bank would consist of the six counties that constitute the Mohawk Valley - Fulton, Herkimer, Montgomery, Oneida, Otsego, and Schoharie - and take in tax foreclosed properties to revitalize and then put back into the market. 

The State of New York created ten regional land banks in 2011 with an up front investment of $33 million, which the coordinating agencies used to fix and then sell previously languishing houses. According to Smith, the state is considering adding an additional ten land banks to the program. 

Using the state's initial funds to begin repairs, land banks continue to subsist off of the sale of houses. They receive no taxpayer dollars aside the state investment, and once the properties are sold, they return to the tax rolls at no cost to the local municipalities. 

In addition to Schoharie County, the City of Rome and the Counties of Herkimer and Montgomery have also passed resolutions in support of the six-county land bank concept. 

In other business, the Schoharie Board of Supervisors:

• Delayed action on utilizing eminent domain to rebuild the Shady Tree Lane Bridge until the May county board meeting. The delay was requested by County Attorney Mike West, who said the completed appraisals have still not been sent to the county.
• Heard from AECOM representative Patty Flores that crews are working on all four sites, with Platterkill Creek expected to be wrapped up by June, followed by Dave Brown Mountain, Line Creek, and the Little Schoharie. 
• Voted to recognize the life and efforts of former Schoharie Town Supervisor William Vedder, who recently passed away. Vedder had served only one term, 1996-1998. His wife and daughter were present for the county board's recognition. 

Letter to the Editor: Zoning and Democracy are Compatible

Dear Editor,

The last paragraph of Bob Nied's letter explains the practical necessity and utility of zoning. The Town of Schoharie's 2005 Land Use Law rewrite, struck down by the court only because it was improperly filed at the time it was passed, was designed from a long-range comprehensive plan 8-9 years in the making.  The plan grew from lengthy surveys filled out by town residents on the way they'd like to see their community grow.  

The late John Poorman, the highly respected long-time chair of the Capital District Transportation Commission, shared with me that Scoharie was one of the few locales in the entire country where town and village governments had worked cooperatively to formulate a shared vision for the region's future.  He felt people didn't fully appreciate the rarity and worth of our community's capacity to work toward common goals.

The Town Council thought it wise to revisit and rewrite segments of the Land Use Law, leaving out any public input until they have tweaked it to members' satisfaction.  Only then will they present it at a public hearing.

Richard Sherman is one of the Councilmen contributing to this rewrite.  In response to Bob Nied's debunking of the rhetoric against zoning, he writes, "Every time a zoning regulation is written it infringes on someone's rights to use their property as they see fit …  I believe that any time you restrict a persons ability to use their property as they see fit is a bad thing to do."  Really?

That is an extreme view, one I'd frankly shrug off as inconsequential were Richard not helping revise a Land Use Law built from input from the Schoharie citizens.  Civilization requires us to live alongside others.  The presence of laws is a recognition that pure freedom of the sort Richard advocates often results in societal mayhem.  Schoharie's zoning laws were conceived through a logical, thoughtful progression, not from on high from the wealthy or powerful.  They grew a from a desire to protect the historical richness of our town and village, a contemplation of what positives make our community livable, and from a respect as to why those of us who chose to move here did so. As one who moved here 37 years ago to raise his family, my only agenda is to uphold those qualities.

Plucking away carefully conceived components of that hard-won land use law, or wishing we could do away with zoning altogether in the name of individual rights, is contributing to the collapse of a system that enables us to live sensibly with one another.  I sit on our Village's Planning Board.  It's not a fun job, but we routinely work to help people work to meet local, state, and federal laws related to projects they wish to see through.  Few of us like having rules to follow, or tedious forms to fill out, but these ultimately work to the advantage of our village's progress, and variances are available to accommodate aspects that fall outside the letter but not the logical intent of the law.

Someone -- I'm not sure who, but someone -- owns land adjacent to the Old Stone Fort complex.  I won't speak for Richard, but I'm guessing that he'd agree that the person who owns the property should not be able to erect a high rise apartment complex or a go-kart track on that land just because he owns it and has the money to build either.   

In fairness, this anti-zoning sentiment from Richard surprises and saddens me. Over the past decade, I've heard him argue repeatedly and passionately for upholding the Town's Land Use Law in the face of a company's ongoing attempt to run roughshod over it.  His, and his fellow-councilmen's fatigue in this battle is understandable, but I dearly hope he's not tiring of the righteousness of that fight.  It's a fight far more principled and of credit to him than the one that champions a person's right to do whatever he wants on any land his personal fortune enables him to buy.  

In what universe is that just?

- Tom Smith,

Schoharie, NY

Cobleskill Police Blotter (4/21/2015)

The Cobleskill Police Department has announced the following arrests for the week of April 13th-20th.

Monday, April 13, 2015

At 11:15 a.m. Cobleskill Police arrested Taylor A. Newman, age 20, of Ballston Spa, NY, for Grand Larceny 3rd and Conspiracy 5th. She was arraigned in Cobleskill Town Court and released.  She is to return to Cobleskill Town Court on April 28th at 5:00 p.m.

At 11:40 a.m. Cobleskill Police arrested Jude M. Shevalier, age 24, of Cooperstown, NY, for Grand Larceny 3rd and Conspiracy 5th.  He was arraigned in Cobleskill Town Court and released.  He is to return to Cobleskill Town Court on April 28th at 5:00 p.m.

At 11:15 p.m. Cobleskill Police arrested John M. Frith, age 22, of Bronx, NY, for Petit Larceny.  He was issued an appearance ticket and released.  He is to appear in Cobleskill Town Court on April 28th at 5:00 p.m.

Tuesday, April 14, 2015

At 5:20 p.m. Cobleskill Police arrested Christopher L. Johnson, age 25, Homeless, for Conspiracy 5th and Grand Larceny.  He was arraignment Cobleskill Town Court and remanded to the Schoharie County Jail on $1000 Bail / $2000 Bond.  He is to return to Cobleskill Town Court on June 23rd at 5:00 p.m.

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

At 9:40 p.m. Cobleskill Police arrested Jonathan A. O'Connell, age 21, of Fort Plain, NY, for Petit Larceny.  He was issued an appearance ticket and released.  He is to appear in Cobleskill Town Court on May 5th at 5:00 p.m.

Thursday, April 16, 2015

At 8:33 p.m. Cobleskill Police arrested Ashley B. Clark, age 20 of Bronx, NY, for Petit Larceny.  She was issued an appearance ticket and released.  She is to appear in Cobleskill Town Court on April 28th at 5:00 p.m.

At 8:33 p.m. Cobleskill Police arrested Tatiana M. Baddie, age 19, of Bronx, NY, for Petit Larceny.  She was issued an appearance ticket and released.  She is to appear in Cobleskill Town Court on April 28th at 5:00 p.m.

Friday, April 17, 2015

At 3:46 pm, Cobleskill Police arrested Casey S. Becker, female, age 39, of Warnerville NY for Driving While Intoxicated, Operating a Motor Vehicle with .08% or higher, Failure to keep right, and refusing to take a preliminary breath test. She was released on traffic tickets and is to appear in Cobleskill Town Court on May 5th, 2015 at 5:00 pm.

Saturday, April 18, 2015

At 3:00 pm, Cobleskill Police issued a summons to Michael J. Healy, age 18, of Bronx, NY for Possession of an Alcoholic beverage by a person under age 21. He is to appear in Cobleskill Town Court on May 5th, 2015 at 5:00 pm.

At 6:54 pm, Cobleskill Police arrested Stephen M. Francis, age 53, of Cobleskill for 2 counts  of Harassment in the Second Degree. He was issued a criminal summons to appear in Cobleskill Town Court on May 12th, 2015 at 5:00 pm.

At 7:04 pm, Cobleskill Police arrested Brian Zanghi, age 43, of Summit for Aggravated Unlicensed Operation 3rd, and 1 other V+T violation. He was arraigned and released after posting $150.00 cash bail. He is to return to Cobleskill Town Court on April 28th, 2015 at 5:00 pm.

Registration Still Open for Annual Cider Run

The third annual Cider Run, featuring a 10K run, 5K run, and 5K walk will take place on Saturday, April 25, at the Fly Creek Cider Mill & Orchard in Fly Creek, New York.  Runners, walkers, volunteers, and spectators will gather to raise funds and awareness for The Northeast division of The Alzheimer's Association.

The Alzheimer’s Association is a non-profit organization that serves a 17-county area and the 2015 race funds will serve the needs of people in Delaware and Otsego Counties.  Support will aid the local office helping guide families through the Alzheimer’s Journey with information and referrals on local services, individual in-depth care consultations, support groups, education programs and safety services.

The Cider Run includes a scenic 5k fun run and walking course as well as a challenging 10k course. Participation in either event will guarantee you a refreshing and delicious glass of hard or sweet cider at the finish line.  Each course provides spectacular views of the mountains and valleys that surround the Fly Creek Cider Mill.  The 10k run presents an increased challenge and any runner will feel a great sense of accomplishment when completing this course.  

Registration begins at 8:00 AM race day for a 10:00 AM start.  Visit www.ciderrun.com for print-and-bring registration and waiver forms.

Race and Volunteer Coordinator Contact:

Stacie Haynes

(607) 765-8296

Haynes.stacie@gmail.com

Massive Fire Burns 80 Acres in Mburgh, Requires 60+ Firemen to Contain

Over sixty firemen and emergency responders were able to contain a massive brush fire in the Town of Middleburgh on Sunday afternoon, but not before the blaze engulfed over eighty acres of land and an arrest was made. 

Originating from the illegal use of a burn barrel at 1974 Huntersland Road, the fire rapidly spread north west to Llama Lane, where a wildlife rescue facility is operated by Darcy and Wes Laraway. The call came in at 1:33 p.m. 

Photo by Wes Laraway.

Also spreading towards Brooky Hollow Road and Decker Road, a fire perimeter was established after approximately four hours of on the ground efforts. Middleburgh Fire Chief Michael Devlin praised the help of all parties involved. 

Telling The Schoharie News that, "It was scary for me," Mr. Laraway felt safe with all of the fire departments at his property, but conceded it would have been "very difficult to start moving the animals" had the fire spread.

Further commenting that wild animals do not move well in an emergency, Laraway pointed out that it wasn't until he "saw all the ash coming down around our barn I started getting nervous." 

The Middleburgh Fire Department will continue to monitor the hot spots said Chief Devlin on Monday morning, but he believes "at this time we have a strong fire line established." Devlin estimated the damages at $2,500. 

An arrest was made for the open burning during red flag warnings, but as of this morning's publication, no details or arrest information has been released to the media by the Department of Environmental Conservation. 

Assistant Fire Chief Jerry Wayman was in command of the fire scene and oversaw the efforts of 67 firemen and first responders from thirteen fire departments, two ambulance squads, and countless others. One firemen was injured. 

County Moves Forward in bid to Relocate Jail

After years of regulatory back and forth with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Schoharie County is finally making headway in its proposed relocation of the Public Safety Facility from its current location within the floodplain to higher ground.  

Informing Supervisors that a recent meeting was held between FEMA officials, New York State Homeland Security, and himself, Flood Recovery Coordinator Bill Cherry indicated that the federal agency may be open to moving the facility after all. 

FEMA, which has rejected one appeal submitted by the county, and has yet to respond to another, has maintained that the facility should be rebuilt where it stands despite the devastating effects that Irene and Lee wrought upon the building in August, 2011.

Local, state, and federal officials have vehemently disagreed with the agency's position.

Just two weeks ago a press conference was held by Congressman Gibson Gibson, State Senator Jim Seward, Assemblyman Pete Lopez, and others in the empty remnants of the Schoharie County Jail to request FEMA listen to the demands of the county. 

Mr. Cherry commented at Friday's county board meeting that, "By their own federal regulations and operating standards, FEMA must comply with local codes, laws, and floodplain regulations, and New York State has declared that repairing that critical facility in its present location would be a violation of DEC floodplain regulations."

However, Cherry did report that upon hearing the county's continued perusal of a federally approved 428 Alternative Project that would allow the county to relocate the facility on their own within a agreed-upon capped amount of funds, FEMA officials were agreeable to the idea.

Further meetings between county specialists, construction experts, and FEMA's cost estimators are slated to take place over the next week.

Letter to the Editor: Zoning is not the Problem

Dear Editor:

Most people have heard about “urban myths” like alligators in the sewer but few realize we have our fair share of rural myths as well. In Schoharie County the number one myth is that the reason the economy is depressed, the reason we don’t attract big box stores and the reason few businesses move here is because we have overly restrictive zoning laws. It is an easy gripe to repeat, fun to say but it is also untrue. The oft repeated refrain that we “chased away Lowes” is a perfect example. Lowes did not reject Cobleskill as a site for one of its stores because of zoning, lack or water or the other familiar claims. It chose not to build because of very carefully conducted demographic studies that demonstrated to Lowes’ executives that Cobleskill could not support a large home center, given many factors including the proximity to similar stores to the east and west.  The population wasn’t here, the median income level wasn’t here and a Lowes in Cobleskill would not be profitable. The latest claim that the proposed zoning law in the Town of Schoharie would prevent economic growth is equally unfounded and not born out by the facts.

Consider for a moment the Towns of Colonie and Latham. There is no shortage of development in either. In fact they are up to their ears in commercial development. If you compare the zoning law in Schoharie to zoning regulations in Colonie or Latham, it quickly becomes apparent that the laws in Latham and Colonie are far more extensive, granular and restrictive. So why do they not look like ghost towns? The answer is simple. Viable businesses adjust their plans to zoning regulations if they believe there is a profit to be made. Zoning didn’t keep business out of Latham, Colonie, Saratoga or dozens of other communities, any more than it would keep business out of Schoharie County. In fact, half of the Towns in Schoharie County don’t even have comprehensive zoning laws!

What keeps business out of Schoharie County is laundry list of problems – relatively low population (small market for goods and services), low median income levels (consumers with little discretionary spending), uneven access to broadband technology (makingInternet transactions difficult), relatively low rates of college and post-graduate education (shortage of senior-level managers and administrators), unprofessional leadership (unfortunate history of political wrangling and scandal) and an absolute lack of progressive planning strategies (reliance on passive, outdated economic development strategies that ignore quality of life issues, non-traditional markets and alternative marketing strategies).

A related rural myth is that things would be better if we could only get another Stewarts or Dollar General. The fact of the matter is that the only way that rural communities stand a chance at thriving is to aim higher than embracing an suburban strip mall mentality. We need to distinguish ourselves from other run of the mill places by making our communities more livable, more walkable, more sustainable, more interesting and more vibrant. We need to start by revitalizing our downtowns into unique destinations that attract families who will stay and invest in the community. We need to encourage unique/one-off small businesses, non-traditional agriculture markets, scenic/eco-tourism, and develop our towns to be more than a drive thru on the way to Albany or Cooperstown. The use of carefully constructed comprehensive plans and progressive performance zoning is not the impediment to that kind of future it is the roadmap to that future; We should let go of the myths and work to our strengths and not make excuses for our weaknesses. Zoning is not the problem, a lack of vision and a lack of leadership is.

Bob Nied

Center for Sustainable Rural Communities