Jefferson Man Arrested for Domestic Dispute

New York State Troopers stationed in Cobleskill have announced the arrest of a twenty-nine year old Jefferson man following a domestic incident that occurred yesterday evening at approximately 11:30 p.m. 

State Police arrested Joel R. Wilson following the report of a physical domestic in progress. Wilson was charged with Criminal Obstruction of Breathing and Harassment in the Second Degree after a confrontation with a female victim. 

Wilson was arraigned in the Town of Jefferson Court, where an Order of Protection was issued. The accused is set to return to the Town of Jefferson Court on Monday, May 4th at 5:00 p.m. 

Vote in Our New Poll: Who do you Support for the Democrat 2016 Nomination?

Yes, it's that time of the election cycle again - candidates are lining up on the left and right of each other to run for President in 2016. With President Obama term-limited, both parties will be holding primaries to determine nominees. 

Thus far, several candidates have announced for both the Democratic and Republican nominations, with former United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton the presumable front-runner in next November's general election.

So, beginning with the announced, soon to announce, and rumored candidates on the Democratic side, who do you support for their nomination? The poll is located on the right-hand sidebar and will remain open until next Friday. 

Middleburgh Library News (May 10th-16th)

Week of May 10. 2015 – Middleburgh Library

5/2 to 5/15 – Art at the Library – In the Tech Room - Join us for a photographic journey of Middleburgh and Schoharie County with artist Voitek Moszynski.  Originally from Cracow, Poland, Mr. Moszynski considers photography as his lifetime hobby, not as a source of livelihood.  He travels extensively and takes photographs everywhere that he travels.  His photographs have been exhibited in numerous galleries.  All of his photographs are processed by him in his own laboratory. Voitek is especially proud of the Golden Award that he received from the Sierra Club of San Francisco, California in 1975.  Opening reception will be held on May 2nd at 7:00 at the library.

5/11 – 6:30 PM – Board of Trustees Meeting - Our meetings are open to the public.  Please join us!

5/12 – 10:45 AM - Drop-in Storytime - Get ready to move in this interactive storytime designed especially for children ages 0-5 and their caregivers.  We’ll read books, sing songs, recite fingerplays, dance and watch a short movie based on a weekly theme.  

5/12 – 1:00 PM – Mahjong Mania - Men and women are invited to come learn the game of Mahjong.  No experience necessary!  Just a willingness to learn and have fun!  No registration necessary.

5/13 – 11:00 AM – Doodlebugs - Doodlebugs is preschool art exploration for little ones and their caregivers.  Appropriate for ages two and up.  Registration is required.

5/13 – 5:00 PM - Kundalini Yoga - Kundalini Yoga involves repetitive movements with the breath, building strength, toning the nerves and clearing the adrenal glands.   Wear comfortable clothing and bring 2 blankets or a mat and blanket. A $5.00 donation is requested. Please use the back entrance when entering the building.  No registration required.

5/14 - 7:00 PM – Knitting Circle - These friendly ladies (men are welcome, but we haven't seen any yet!) knit and crochet, embroider and quilt, and more. You can learn a new skill here or share your own special talents with others - or just craft in the company of friends. Drop in anytime! No registration required.   

5/16 – 9:00 – 5:00 PM – Colonial Beer Fest – 1870 Beer Challenge & Revolutionary War Festival – Activities include a Revolutionary War Encampment, colonial brewing & cooking demonstrations, 18th century toys & games for kids, talks on the history of beer and hops in upstate NY and the Schoharie Valley.  There will be Schoharie Valley hops display at the Middleburgh Library, beer samples from Green Wolf Brewing Co. and MacKinnon Brother, of Ontario Canada.

9:00-2:00 – Hops history display in the library.

12:00-10:00 – Green Wolf Tap Room open.

1:00-5:00 – Revolutionary war encampment (behind the library) with the Burning of the Valleys Military Association (US) and the King’s Royal Yorkers living historians (Can), plus talks on Beer and Hops.

Admission $15.00 for Adults 21 years of age and older, includes beer sampling - $10.00 for non-drinkers or those 20 years or younger.  Children under 10 are free.

For more information on events, see our website at www.middleburghlibrary.info.

Pet Talk Column: Gardening for You and Your Pet

It’s National Pet Week May 3-9th. It’s that time of year again; April showers bringing May flowers, green grass and garden season. It’s a favorite time of year for many, especially for your pets. They look forward to running around in the fresh warm air; spreading their toes in the soft green grass and rolling around in whatever they can find. Do you find them munching on the grass or green shoots coming up? Do you wonder why they do this and if it will hurt them or wonder if they are sick? 

While it may seem like a strange behavior—especially when they throw up afterwards—there’s not much to worry about. Most experts in the veterinary and animal world don’t see a danger in letting them munch on the grass and in fact can prove to be beneficial for them. Grass contains essential nutrients a dog or cat might crave, especially if they are on a commercial kibble diet. 

Juices in grass contain folic acid just like mothers milk. This is an essential vitamin used for such bodily functions as production of hemoglobin; which helps move oxygen in their blood. It’s kind of like a wheat grass shake for your pet. Grass also acts as a natural laxative, counteracting cases of indigestion. 

When your pet eats things from the yard, grooms a lot or finds dead critters; grass will help them clean out their gut and eliminate it by vomiting. As with anything, there are always precautions to watch for. If your pet has a sudden increase in grass eating and begins gulping it down in large quantities; it could be a sign of a more serious underlying illness that your dog or cat is trying to self-treat and will require veterinary evaluation.

If you notice your pets have been munching, then you may want to introduce them to natural herbs and or cooked veggies in their diet. Cats tend to be more finicky than dogs but neither are fond of raw veggies either. They are kind of like big furry kids. 

You can start an herbal garden at home to give them an alternative to outdoor grass and landscaping that may lead to accidental ingestion of chemicals, herbicides or pesticides used to treat your (or your neighbor’s) yards. 

Whether you have a large yard space, a small 4x4 plot, or a windowsill; you can grow a healing garden for your cat or dog. The plants I suggest will be easy to grow, inexpensive and can double as a home remedy for you and your family. Below is a list to use as a guide.

Burdock Herb: Treats allergies, digestive and kidney issues. Needs to be kept in rich soil and keep it well pruned.

Milk Thistle: Used for liver disorders. Loves sun/part sun and flowers need to be removed.

Peppermint: Good for indigestion and nausea. Likes rich, moist soil, sun and/or shade. Keep it trimmed to keep healthy and from being invasive.

Astragalus Herb: Used for lowering blood pressure and blood sugar levels. It also improves digestion and promotes healing. It likes sandy soil. You will need to scratch the seeds before planting.

Garlic Grass: Is an immune booster. Plant a clove of the bulb in rich soil pointed side up. The grass that grows from the clove is okay for either to eat. Limit dogs on clove ingestion. Do not feed garlic cloves to your cat, just the grass from it.

Rosemary: Is an immune booster. It’s a hardy perennial, that doesn't like too much water and needs to be kept well-trimmed.

Grass: (From wheat or Barley berries from a health food store) Grass from these are good for digestion. Grow a plot just for pets. Moist balanced soil without weeds, is what allows it to grow best.

Gardening can be great for you and your pets. Consult your veterinarian or local master gardener for other pet friendly herbs and flowers and happy gardening.

Lorraine Fancher, LVT

Eagle Shot, Wildlife Rescue Offers $1,000 Reward for Arrest of Those Responsible

Appalled by the shooting of a young bald eagle in Otsego County this past weekend, the Middleburgh based New York State Wildlife Rescue Center is offering a $1,000 reward for the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the crime.

Shot near New Lisbon, a rural small town north of Oneonta, the eagle was brought Saturday evening to Wes Laraway, managing director of the wildlife center, whereupon he took immediate action to keep the bird alive. Actions which included giving the bird pain medication and wet packing the bullet wound.

Transported to the Cornell Wildlife Clinic for treatment and surgery the following morning, the bald eagle was saved, but it will unfortunately be grounded for the rest of its life, which may last for as long as forty more years.

Personally disgusted by the act, Laraway at-first offered a $200 reward for information on his personal facebook page starting Monday night, but drawing a wide range of support from friends and supporters alike, the bounty quickly rose to a thousand dollars in just a few days and it is still growing.

Commenting that he started the reward because shooting the eagle "was a horrible thing to do," Laraway hopes the culprit will be brought to justice and that it will "deter someone from doing it in the future."

Nearly going extinct due to contact with dangerous pesticides and a lack of nesting sites only forty-two years ago, the bald eagle was removed from the federal list of endangered species in 2007 after its population rebounded. However, the national symbol of the United States remains protected by three separate laws.

Laws that could lead individuals accused of capturing, killing, shooting, or wounding a bald eagle to face up to $250,000 in fines or two years in prison if convicted on the federal level. Civil penalties may also include the possibility of fines or jail time.

Although happy that the bird is alive, Laraway is sorry that it will have to spend the rest of its life out of the air, but he accepts that it is better than the alterative. Saying that the crime was unacceptable, the wildlife rescuer was baffled that someone would use the national symbol for target practice.

If you or anyone you know has any information regarding the shooting of the bald eagle, you may contact the New York State Department of Environmental Protection hotline at 1800-847-7332. Reward posters are available by contacting Mr. Laraway at laraway@midtel.net for a pdf copy. 

Gibson Attends Weekend Band Concerts

The Schoharie Valley Concert Band and the Depot Lane Singers collaborated for two special shows this past weekend in Schoharie County, with Friday's being attended by Congressman Chris Gibson and his two daughters. 

Congressman Gibson (right)
 talking with clarinet soloist
Brittany Bertola and her dad.

On Friday evening, April 24 at 7:30pm, they appeared together in the Schoharie High School auditorium, and again on Sunday afternoon, April 26 at 3pm, at the Cobkeskill-Richmondville auditorium.

DLS performed two selections from their upcoming "Tributes" concerts, America, The Dream Goes On and The Armed Forces Salute. Members of the audience were asked to stand when their service song was played, and there was great applause when they did so.

As a special feature of the Sunday concert, there was an appearance by the Fabulous Beekman Boys (Brent Ridge and Josh Kilmer-Purcell), introducing a piece called The Sharon Polka. It was a 19th century piece, composed by Theodore C. Clark of Canajoharie, for the "Lady Visitors of Sharon Springs."

Cobleskill Woman Arrested for Criminal Trespassing

New York State Police in Cobleskill have announced the arrest of a woman for Criminal Trespassing after she entered a home looking for her ex-boyfriend.

Troopers report that Donna M. Taylor, age 52, of Cobleskill, New York, entered a residency uninvited and unannounced while the residents were not home. A friend of the residents was home and found Taylor, who was asking if her ex-boyfriend still love there.

Taylor was arrested for Criminal Trespassing in the Second Degree, a class A Misdemeanor. She was issued an appearance ticket and is scheduled to appear in the Town of Cobleskill Court on Tuesday, May 12th, 2015.

FEMA Approves County Bid to Relocate Jail

U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand and U.S. Representative Chris Gibson today announced that, following personal appeals, the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) has approved of the framework that will finally allow Schoharie County to relocate its Public Safety Building away from the Schoharie Creek and out of the flood plain. Schumer, Gillibrand and Gibson explained that this important project has been delayed for years after the building was severely damaged during Tropical Storm Irene in 2011. Schumer, Gillibrand and Gibson said that Schoharie County and FEMA Regional staff recently came to an agreement over a framework for the total project cost of $37 million, which includes $1.5 million in insurance proceeds. The project will have a 75% federal cost share. On Tuesday, Schumer made a personal call to Administrator Fugate, where he urged Fugate to provide this final seal of approval of this framework, which will now finally allow this project to become a reality. Gillibrand also wrote Fugate in February urging him to expedite FEMA’s review of the County’s multiple requests.

“After four years of bureaucratic hurdles that were put up by FEMA, we were finally able to break through the red-tape. Now, Schoharie County will finally be able to receive the federal funding it needs to relocate its vital Public Safety Facility and get this long-overdue project underway. I was proud to go to bat for Schoharie, and that is why I personally called Administrator Fugate to urge him to swiftly approve this framework and funding,” said Schumer. “Schoharie County has already waited too long, but now, we can finally say this project is headed toward the finish line. Thanks to the perseverance of Bill Cherry, the Schoharie County Board of Supervisors, and their consultant, Ron Simmons – who have all worked on this tirelessly since the day the building flooded four years ago – we are finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.”

“I am pleased to announce that FEMA has finally heard our calls to move Schoharie County's public safety facility out of the flood plain and has approved the framework that will fully fund the relocation plan,” said Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. “I toured the area after the storm and saw firsthand how important it is that this critical facility gets moved out of the flood plain. I wrote Administrator Fugate on multiple occasions urging him to expedite FEMA’s review and respond to the county’s requests. I fought for years to help get Schoharie county through this red tape so they can relocate this critical facility and now this long overdue project can finally move forward.”

“This is wonderful news for the taxpayers of Schoharie County and the hard-working men and women of the Schoharie County Sheriff’s Department,” said Congressman Gibson. “They have persevered with abundant strength, dedication, and community spirit in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene and the loss of the public safety building. For over three years now, my staff and I have been honored to work with representatives at every level of government to see that federal authorities provide Schoharie County with the support and assistance it deserves. Those efforts have paid off here, and I want to express my gratitude to Senators Schumer and Gillibrand, Governor Cuomo, Senator Seward, Assemblyman Lopez, Andrew Feeney and his team at the State Emergency Management Office, and a host of local officials, especially Sheriff Tony Desmond and County Treasurer William Cherry. We will continue to work together to see that our first responders have the resources they need to keep our communities safe, and that the ongoing flood recovery mission continues with the federal support that is required.”

“The people of Schoharie County deeply appreciate the strong and rock-solid support shown by Senator Schumer, Senator Gillibrand, and Congressman Gibson for the relocation of our flood-damaged Public Safety Facility.  This important project will guarantee that such a vital facility and emergency response center will never again be left vacant and inoperable at the critical moment when it will be most needed should we face another disaster.  Thanks to their combined leadership and consistent support, FEMA will now allow us to accomplish that goal, and the fact that each of these officials have personally intervened on our behalf with FEMA Director Fugate to bring this process to a successful conclusion, certainly means a great deal to all of us involved in this very important project,” said Bill Cherry, County Treasurer and Flood Recovery Coordinator.

Schumer, Gillibrand and Gibson explained that before the storm the Schoharie County Public Safety Facility performed critical public safety functions for the surrounding community. Specifically, the Public Safety Facility housed county inmates, the Sheriff’s Department and road patrol operations, the county emergency operations center, and the 911 emergency communications coordination center. During Tropical Storm Irene in 2011, the facility suffered massive damages, with floodwaters reaching the ceiling. Most operations have been temporarily relocated as the majority of the building remains uninhabitable.

Mburgh Canoe Race Attracts Hundreds

Set on the majestic Schoharie Creek, the Middleburgh Sloughter Canoe/Kayak Race attracted over one hundred participants and hundreds more of spectators as nine classes of competitors took part in the five mile course on Saturday afternoon. 

Lining up at the Fultonham parking area on Route 30 and finishing at the new Middleburgh pavilion in Timothy Murphy Park, racers encountered fast but cold waters thanks to last week's unseasonably cool weather and rain/snow showers. 

Organized 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 area State Parks, Saturday's event was the second in a throwback to the canoe races of the seventies and eighties sponsored by the Middleburgh Rotary Club.

Racers of varying age groups and degrees of expertise from across the Schoharie Valley, Schoharie County, and region participated in the event, which awarded class victors with bragging rights and medals. 

The Schoharie County Sheriff's Department and Middleburgh firemen were on scene to provide assistance with traffic and in case of emergency on the water.

Lopez "Seriously Considering" Run for Congress

New York State Assemblyman Pete Lopez (R-Schoharie) is at the center of recent rumors concerning a possible congressional bid to replace outgoing Congressman Chris Gibson, but as of Friday evening the lifelong Schoharie resident has yet to make a final decision. 

Explaining that "Ultimately it boils down to my family," Mr. Lopez told The Schoharie News that he is seriously considering a campaign, but that he is weighing several factors before jumping into the race. 

Citing a "sense of urgency in the community" concerning flood recovery, common core, and the unpopular SAFE Act, the five-term representative said that he would not run unless he could "remain focused on my job as an Assemblyman, because that's my highest priority." 

The Catskill based Daily Mail set off a firestorm on Wednesday, April 15th when they inaccurately reported that Lopez had officially announced a run for Congress, while the Oneonta Daily Star wrote an article the same day disputing the Mail's story. 

In addition to the Schoharie native, who is seen as a hometown son by many in the county, State Senator Jim Seward, Assemblyman Steve McLaughlin, and former Assembly Minority Leader John Faso have also been mentioned as potential Republican candidates. 

Calling himself fortunate to be able to serve in six of eleven counties with the congressman, Mr. Lopez praised Gibson as an "intelligent, thoughtful man who works hard for his community." 

Although surprised by Gibson's decision to retire after having just won re-election handily in November over Democratic challenger Sean Eldridge, the assemblyman believed that he was just being honest with his constituency. 

Driving over one thousand miles per week across the 102nd Assembly District, Lopez said that "folks are fragile these days," and that they are facing questions every day on whether they have a job, a roof over their head, or a education for their children. 

Still, despite the long hours and hard work, Lopez considers his position in the assembly to be a privilege; one that he approaches with a sense of urgency as one-third of the calls his office receives still concern flood recovery, even as the fourth anniversary of Irene nears. 

Explore Nature Trails at the Iroquois Indian Museum May 23

Howes Cave, New York - The Iroquois Indian Museum, in partnership with the Audubon Society of the Capital Region, presents a Bird Walk and a live birds of prey show starting at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 23. 

Everyone is welcome to this free public event at the Museum.

Join members of the Audubon Society while exploring the Museum's hiking trails. Be sure to bring your binoculars to see what spring migrating birds are in the museum's forest and fields.

"There is so much to see on the Nature Trail at the Museum. Having members of Audubon Society with us guarantees an enhanced experience for our guests," said Iroquois Indian Museum Director Stephanie Shultes.

The local chapter of the National Audubon Society is dedicated to the protection, conservation and enjoyment of birds, wildlife and the environment in the Capital Region.

After the walk, you can take a seat in the museum's new, outdoor pavilion and enjoy a Live Birds of Prey show at 10:30 a.m., presented by Kelly Martin, president of the New York State Wildlife Rehabilitation Council. The council is a not-for-profit, statewide organization that has been in existence for more than 20 years.

Seward: Turn on Natural Gas in Cobleskill

ONEONTA, 04/27/15 – State Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I-Oneonta) is urging the New York State Department of Public Service to act quickly on a request from New York State Electric and Gas (NYSEG) to extend natural gas service within the Village of Cobleskill.

“Affordable energy can be a true game-changer when it comes to attracting new businesses and jobs to our region,” said Senator Seward.  “By extending a natural gas line within downtown Cobleskill, current employers and new businesses, along with residential customers, will all benefit.”

Due to a quirk in NYSEG’s franchise, a portion of the village’s center, including the theater and the developing Bull’s Head Inn, is without access to natural gas.  NYSEG is seeking to extend its line to the un-served village center.

In a letter to NYS Department of Public Service Secretary Kathleen Burgess, Senator Seward also expressed the importance of a quick approval, “Further, I am asking that the case be placed on an expedited timetable so that construction of facilities as contemplated in the application can be coordinated with a pending state Department of Transportation street project within the village and the subject area.  Timely approval would avoid the unnecessary and costly reconstruction of newly installed road improvements planned for the 2015 DOT project.  Therefore, time is of the essence.”

The NYSEG extension would connect to an existing gas main.  If approval is received by July or early August, NYSEG will be able to work in conjunction with a planned road widening project. 

According to NYSEG, there are approximately 25 potential customers along the proposed gas main extension route.  Company officials expect to connect 12 residential and 3 commercial customers during the first year.

“Downtown Cobleskill has so much to offer, great shops and restaurants, a diverse population, and a welcoming atmosphere.  Extending natural gas to Main Street and Park Place will further enhance the marketability of the area and pay dividends for years to come.” Seward concluded.

Local Man Arrested for Pot Possession

The Schoharie County Sheriff's Office has announced the arrest of twenty year old Alexander J. Mitchell of East Berne, New York for the Unlawful Possession of Marihuana.

Arrested during an investigation into a separate incident on Friday, April 24th at 3:12 p.m., Mr. Mitchell was released on an appearance ticket to appear in the Village of Schoharie court at a later date.

Mitchell is set to return to Village of Schoharie court on Monday, May 11th. 

Vroman's Nose Inspires New Business

Linda and Tom Quinn have lived at the foot of Vroman's Nose for eleven years now, where they have observed a steady stream of hikers and visitors the natural monument receives over the course of the spring, summer, and fall months. 

Initially observing the steady flow while operating a printing business, the Quinn's knew the hiking trail was special. However, after the devastating floods of Hurricane Irene destroyed their print shop, the Nose became more than just special: it became their livelihood.

Launching Under the Nose in September of 2014 as the hiking season was drawing to a close, the nature themed bake and gift shop became an immediate hit with not only hikers on the trail, but with the surrounding community, particularly in nearby Middleburgh.

Commenting that opening the gift shop has "always been a dream," Linda Quinn told The Schoharie News that although she and her husband had interest in the project, it just "never seemed like a feasible way to make a living." 

That changed when the print shop went under. 

Constructing and designing the Under the Nose building himself, Tom Quinn was described by his wife Linda as the "reason why this place is here." The building itself has a homey atmosphere to it, akin to what grandma's house would feel like on summer visits. 

An atmosphere that is matched only by their product. Featuring "all fresh made sweets" of many varieties, the bake shop is complemented by a wide array of pottery, quilts, photography, and even Little Schoharie Treasures - rocks special to the Schoharie Creek. 

Most if not all products available at Under the Nose are locally made. 

Having opened officially this past weekend, the Quinn's shop will remain open to customers through December except on Tuesday's and Wednesday's, with the store closing down for the season before Christmas. April 1st will be their typical season opening. 

In addition to investing their own money into the business, the Quinn's have received grant funds, but what surprised them most of all was the outpouring of support from the community, including the Chamber of Commerce and nearby businesses in Middleburgh. 

Approaching the business with an attitude that they want to make the economic pie bigger for all in the valley, rather than fighting over the last piece, Linda said that she and her husband are working hard to give back to the community, to whom they are grateful for.

For more information on Under the Nose you can visit their facebook page here.

Schoharie Welcomes Three New Businesses

Community representatives and public officials welcomed the addition of three new businesses to the Village of Schoharie on Friday afternoon with ribbon cuttings to commemorate their recent business openings.

Grampa George's Dugout:  Teresa VanAlphen, owner. 434 Main Street.  
Offering 40+ flavors of hard and soft ice cream. Open 7 days a week, Noon to 9 PM.  

Organized by Schoharie Promotional, ribbon cuttings were held for Grampa George's Dugout at 434 Main Street, Your Way Cafe at 434 Main Street, and Victoria's Grooming at 291 Main Street. 

Your Way Cafe:  Owner Darcy Gray.  Home style cooking and daily specials.  434 Main Street, Open Monday through Saturday 5:30 AM to 8PM and Sunday 7AM to 8PM.  295-6222.

All three events were attended by New York State Assemblyman Pete Lopez, Town of Schoharie Supervisor Gene Milone, and Village of Schoharie Mayor John Borst, as well as other business and community leaders. 

Victoria's Grooming:  Beth Chambers and her daughter, Madison McPherson, have located their pet grooming business at 291 Main Street.  Open Tuesday through Saturday, 9 AM to 3:30 PM. 391-3100.

Sheriff's Office Seeks Info on Lawn Damage

The Sheriff's Office is looking for help from the public: 

On 4/24 the department received two complaints of lawns being damaged by a vehicle. Extensive damage was done to each and we are looking for any information that would identify the vehicle, driver or other participants. 

The incidents occurred on Rickard Hill Rd. in the Town of Schoharie during the evening hours of Thursday, 4/23. The vehicle is believed to be smaller than a full size truck and would have sustained damage to the undercarriage and possibly the front end. If you have any information please contact the Deputy Reinhart or Deputy Mazuryk at (518) 295-8114.

Schoharie Promotional to Break Ground on Lily Park

The Schoharie Promotional Association is planning to create a walking path and gardens using approximately three acres of village owned land located between Route 30 and Fort Road and Fox Creek and the Old Stone Fort cemetery.  This area, once known as Fox’s Dorf, is the entrance to the Village of Schoharie.  Close to the Fox Creek covered bridge, which already attracts many for its ideal photo opportunities, the plan is to create a gravel path, winding through the area, from Fort Road to Route 30.  

Once the path is completed, our vision is to fill the park with lilies.  We will be requesting residents, businesses, and organizations to assist us in this endeavor.  They will be asked to plant lily varieties around trees and along borders of the path.  Since lilies are easy to grow, we envision that many will transplant varieties from their own gardens, making this a true community garden.  Contributors can plant a given area for which they will receive plaques to be placed in their areas, inscribed with the donor names and types of lilies.  We will be reaching out to the three churches in our area to create a small labyrinth for quiet reflection in the lily park.  This project will be a community effort and one that the community can share for years to come.

The Promotional Association is focusing our efforts on the park this year.  The village crew has been in the area cutting dead trees and brush and filling in low areas.  With four landscaping companies in Schoharie, we are seeking their advice and help to accomplish the layout of the park area and path direction.  We plan to rely on volunteers for much of the work that needs to be done.  

The Village of Schoharie has received a NYS Department of State Grant in the Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP) which is a planning grant looking at ways to revitalize the community with connections to the water.  It is oriented to recreation and connections: enhancements at Fox Creek Park, better connection of the park to the Old Stone Fort, and linkages between (sidewalks and paths).   It has been recognized for many years that Schoharie needs to connect the south portion of the village to the north.  Along with connections, a objective is to create a path under the Route 30 bridge to connect Fort Road and the lily park to Fox Creek Park on the other side of Route 30.  Linking the north and south sides of the village will see more walking and jogging participants, as well as providing a safe route to Fox Creek Park, the Little League fields, the Old Stone Fort, and the lily park.  

Nearly four years after the devastation of flooding from Hurricane Irene, the Village of Schoharie struggles to recover. Along with flood recovery, Schoharie needs to focus on ways to improve its economy and to attract prospective home owners and businesses.  One attribute to capitalize on is the valley’s beauty.  Along with the village’s three museums – the Old Stone Fort, Palatine House, and Train Museum, and the popular covered bridge over Fox Creek, the Lilies of the Schoharie Valley Walking Path and Gardens will add another tourist attraction to bring needed tourist dollars to our area.

Opinion: Build the Bridge

For two months the Schoharie County Board of Supervisors has heard public comments and concerns on the proposed rebuilding of the Shady Tree Lane Bridge in the Town of Cobleskill.

Currently, the old structure stands as a useless span of rusted and unsafe metal from Barnerville Road to Shady Tree Lane, a visual reminder of the cost of government inaction almost seven years after the bridge was closed.

Some residents and supervisors are opposed to the new bridge because it would require the county to use the unpopular process of eminent domain, while others question the need to replace the structure altogether.

Supporters of the project have urged the county to move forward to reduce the time it takes emergency responders to reach Barnerville Road, which has been cut off before by train to both fire and ambulance squads.

Countless residents, many of whom are elderly, have personally testified to the dangers of not having this bridge in place, because minutes re-routing responders in an emergency situation could be the difference between life and death.

Not only that, but if the county does not move forward with the project it will cost local taxpayers approximately $400,000 in grants the county will be responsible to pay back. An additional tax burden we simply cannot afford.

Ultimately, when you look at the affected residents on either side of the creek, the only individuals opposed are those who will lose portions of their property. We sympathize with them, but there is a greater good to consider.

Take for instance the following example: say one of their elderly neighbors on Barnerville Road has a heart attack and a train is just then passing by, delaying emergency responders for five minutes and resulting in that neighbor's death.

A death that could be prevented by the construction of this new bridge. That is why, in this case, we favor the county's use of eminent domain and the immediate building of the Shady Tree Lane Bridge project to occur as soon as possible. 

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