The Schoharie View- Failure in Leadership: Part 2

Bueller? Bueller?

Like Ben Stein's monotone character in Ferris Bueller's Day Off, we feel often as if we are repeating ourselves when it comes to expressing our sincere disappointment with the Schoharie County Board of Supervisors. Alas, someone has to do it.

Convening a special meeting on Monday evening to discuss the criteria that went into selecting Seebold Farms as the primary site for the relocated Public Safety Facility, supervisors ended up hearing from the residents of Schoharie for the umpteenth time on their opposition to the jail's location.

Even though yet another meeting had been scheduled for early July to hear the public's comments, we endured another round of the tired old platitudes from residents residing near the proposed jail site.

Bueller? Bueller?

It is not worth rehashing them here, because we all know them by now, but I do have a question for my friends on the county board: why?
Why did you first decide to become a Town Supervisor if you did not also intend to become a leader? Because right now, we don't have a county board of leaders; we have a county board of scared politicians that are willing to throw four years of hard work down the drain for the sake of appeasement.

Bueller? Bueller?

To reflect on another classic movie, there's a scene in the iconic film 1776 where the Clerk of the Continental Congress reads a letter from George Washington asking if there is anybody out there and if there is anybody who cares.

After years of writing these editorials, we feel compelled to pose the same questions to the county board: do you care about anything more than just keeping your job? We highly doubt it.

We do not know when or where the ability to lead died in this county, all we can do is mourn its painful and tragic death, because unless a drastic change occurs on the county board, such as the defeat of a majority of the incumbent supervisors, nothing will ever change...and the rest of us will have to deal with the consequences.

Bueller? Bueller?

- Timothy Knight,
Editor and Publisher,
The Schoharie News.
Tuesday, June 30th, 2015.

A Woman and her Horse: Reunited After two Decades

By Timothy Knight

MILLBROOK - On Saturday afternoon Laurie DeFeo brought home a twenty-five year old gray Arabian that has gone by the names of Sabrina and Arabelle. Normally, this wouldn't be news, but after spending years of countless hours in search for her long lost horses across the Catskills and the Hudson Valley, her story has finally found a happy ending.

Growing up on her family's horse farm, Ms. DeFeo became attached to a small, beautiful mare named Tara in her teen years. However, the bond between a girl and her horse would be severed by the divorce of Laurie's parents, who sold the family farm.

Laurie's beloved Tara was given to a girl the family knew on the promise that she would keep the mare, but the girl wound up selling the horse anyway in an relatively short time span.

Years later, Laurie sought out information on her old horse and found her beloved mare at a farm in Putnam Valley; only this time Tara was with her newborn filly, a chestnut Arabian with distinctive markings.

However, because she was working three jobs and attending college at the time, Ms. DeFeo knew that she did not have either enough time nor money to take care of the two horses, but she was pleased that they were healthy and were being cared for in a loving environment.

For over twenty years, that is where the story sat.

Until Laurie was in the process of settling in Millbrook, a small Duchess County village that is home to numerous horse farms. Laurie would identify the strong equine presence in her new home as a emotional trigger that brought up decades old memories of Tara.

Memories that prompted the now grown woman to find out whatever did happen to her horse and her horse's foal.

Starting her search by reaching out to former employees of the long shuttered horse farm in Putnam Valley, Laurie had been told that both horses were transported to Schoharie County at or near the Town of Jefferson.

Admittedly obsessed with finding any and all information, DeFeo drove to the county every for weekend in late 2013 and early 2014 to unearth clues and to find the farm where the horses had allegedly been brought to.

Reaching out to area equine barns, horse enthusiasts, news outlets, and veterinarians offices, she received an outpouring of support everywhere she sought help and the community provided numerous tips on horses that shared characteristics to either Tara or Sarbina.

Unfortunately, those tips would be all for naught.

Reflecting in a recent interview "all that looking upstate was a wild goose chase," Laurie explained that the former employee of the farm had inaccurately remembered bringing the horses to Schoharie County, when they had never even come close to the area.

In fact, the two horses were sold to owners in the opposite direction: Tara went to Brewster and Sabrina wound up in Fishkill.

Not one to give up easily, Laurie remained hard at work in her search to locate both horses, but despite her best efforts of pursuing leads and advertising her story on social media, she had effectively hit a dead end last year.

That is, until she received a message on facebook early last week from someone she has never met..

Containing only the picture of a mare for sale on Capital District HorseSource, the message spurred Laurie to follow up on the horse in question: a twenty something year old grey Arabian named Arabelle that has distinctive markings.

Having learned early in her search from a successful jockey that a horse's markings are equivalent to a human's fingerprint, DeFeo had kept in mind Sabrina's features, which included a blaze with a half moon shape over right eye, a little white patch under her left lip, and three white hooves with her front right hoof being completely black.

Features that matched the horse for sale perfectly.

Using both old photographs of Sabrina and Laurie's memory as a guide, not only was Arabelle's owner able to match her horse's markings to Sabrina with relative ease, but upon further investigation by Ms. DeFeo into the horse's pedigree and past owners, it turned out to be a once in a lifetime turn of events that the two horses are actually one of the same.

After years of searching, Laurie had finally found Sabrina.

Still in a state of disbelief on Friday morning, Laurie said that it felt like "the universe lined up and something really miraculous happened."

She drove upstate on Saturday to bring her baby's baby home, but what of her first true equine love - Tara?

Although well aware that the mare - now thirty-seven years old if still alive - is likely long past, Laurie's search will remain in earnest until the story of Tara is complete, one way or another.

West Fulton Puppet Show - July 10th & 11th

FULTON - Upstate New York has been losing her population in recent years, but the hardest hit has been Schoharie County, which has suffered a 3.5% drop in the last four years. In addition to being hard hit by tropical storms Irene and Lee a few years back, the agricultural county has suffered from a lack of jobs, an aging population and a sluggish economy.

That’s the story about the folks who leave. But there’s another story unfolding, about the people who are choosing to stay. West Fulton, a tiny hamlet in the heart of the county, is reclaiming her role as the heartbeat, drawing on her historical roots as both a farming and arts community, and reminding local families that there are plenty of reasons to stick around this summer. Local citizens have been working at the grassroots level to restore their hamlet. They have refurbished barns into art and performance studios, bought the church hall and reclaimed the upstairs stage, and opened their homes to host performers, artists and audiences alike from all over the world.

In addition to confronting dwindling population, the town has faced down other threats that endanger rural communities, from industrial wind turbines to hydro-fracking and the Constitution Pipeline. “These days, it feels like we are always being called to defend our way of life and fight back against outside interests,” says Rebecca Brown, who lives with her family in what used to be the Baptist church. “We are tired of telling people what we are against. We want people to know what we are for. Our community has been about local food (the town of Fulton is home to some of the most productive farmland in Schoharie County) and, historically, family-centered arts…The type that draws neighbors closer together. We want to welcome people from all walks of life, regardless of income, to our beautiful town and make them part of that tradition.”

This was the genesis of The West Fulton Puppet Festival, which will take place this July 10 and 11th, a free event open to the public.
The Puppet Festival will be a collaboration between local youth and professional artists. It begins with a community pot-luck (open to all, with free hot dogs and hamburgers while supplies last) at 5pm in the center park (860 West Fulton Road) on Friday evening, followed by a 7pm performance of La Mouche by Andy Gaukel. It will be performed in a beautifully restored neighboring barn.

On Saturday, performances and workshops with renowned puppeteers, including members from the Sandglass Theater, The Puppet People, and The Story Pirates will entertain audiences in local barns peppered throughout the hamlet. Puppetry workshops for kids will run periodically throughout the day Food will be provided throughout the day on Saturday by Catskill Mountain BBQ in the center park. While all events are free, attendees are asked to stop at the main tent in the center park to pick up their complimentary tickets. A master schedule will also be available there. All events will be within easy walking distance. The park is located at 860 West Fulton Road. Parking will be available in a neighboring farmer’s field.

“West Fulton has a long history of blending arts and farming,” says Cornelia McGiver, founder of Panther Creek Arts, a building that stands on the crossroads of the hamlet at the junction of Sawyer Hollow and West Fulton Roads. “The locals valued community theater and music so much, they installed a stage on the top floor of their feed store to host performances. In the past 100 years, farmers, merchants, parents, grandparents and kids all took to the stage together here.”

“West Fulton is a tiny place, and we want folks to relish that experience,” adds Brown. “At the Puppet Festival, you’ll have to cross a few backyards to get to some of the performances. It’ll be almost like trick-or-treating without the costumes. You’ll get to know us. And that’s all part of the experience. We want to welcome you to our town, because we’re here to stay.”

For more details about the performances and schedules, visit The West Fulton Puppet Festival on Facebook. For more information please contact Rebecca Brown, at 518-281-6401, or rbrownnyc@gmail.com.

This event is made possible (in part) with public funds from the Decentralization Program of the New York State Council on the Arts, administered through the Community Arts Grants Program by the Greene County Council on the Arts.

Fourth Friday fun in MBurgh

By Timothy Knight

MIDDLEBURGH - Civic organizations, farm stands, merchants, photographers, street musicians, vendors, and more lined up both sides of Middleburgh's Main Street on Friday evening in the community's second street festival of the season.

Coinciding with the graduation ceremonies at the high school, foot traffic was initially slow but steadily picked up through out the evening, as families strolled through the festive and inviting atmosphere.

In addition to the activities available on the street, there was plenty to do off the beaten path, where families could enjoy a nice meal at any of one Middleburgh's fine dining establishments, participate in a delicious bake sale in front of the Lutheran Church, purchase a t-shirt at Lerny's Gift Shop, or take a tour of the historic Dr. Best House (pictured below) on Claurverwie Avenue.

Fourth Fridays are sponsored by the Middleburgh Area Business Association and are held every month starting in May through October.

Schoharie County Beverage Trail Announced

By Timothy Knight

SHARON - Schoharie County's location as a premier destination just got a little more tastier.

Announcing the planned August kickoff for the Schoharie County Beverage Trail on Thursday at the American Hotel in Sharon Springs, local brewers, distillers, politicians, and tourism officials gathered to ring in the next stop to the county's growing tourism industry.

The beverage trail, which will officially launch on August 1st, will feature four Schoharie County producers:

• KyMar Farm Distillery in Charlotteville
• Royal Meadery in Richmondville
• Green Wolf Brewery in Middleburgh
• 1857 Barber's Farm Distillery in Fultonham

Believing that it is essential to build a story around your business, Green Wolf owner Justin Behan commented "that story is about our community," and that you need to build community about your craft beverages.

Opening as the first legal distiller in Schoharie County since prohibition, KyMar Farms owner Ken Wortz knew in 2011 that "one farm wine industry is not enough, but four or five will drive a crowd."

Further stating that four or five beverage producers will create a destination, Wortz said that it is already working because, "it is drawing people into Schoharie County."

Speaking on behalf of the Schoharie County Chamber of Commerce, Chamber President Scott Ferguson (pictured below) praised the beverage trail as a new and fresh idea that will draw people to Schoharie County.

Tasked with administering tourism after years of mismanagement by the county, the chamber has taken several steps forward in rebuilding and rebranding the county's number two industry.

Commenting that an "experience is what visitors want" when they come to Schoharie County, Ferguson further stated that the beverage trail will bring, "new people to our area to visit Schoharie County."

Supervisors Beat Jail Issue to Death - Again

By Timothy Knight

SCHOHARIE - Holding a special county board meeting last Monday evening to learn by what criteria the site selection process for the Public Safety Facility was conducted, supervisors came looking for answers, but left with more questions.

Held before a packed room of almost seventy residents, Wright Supervisor Amber Bleau questioned Flood Recovery Coordinator Bill Cherry on how the Seebold Farms site was selected over the others, considering the cost of the property is nearly double the assessed value.

Answering that, unlike the other potential sites, Cherry said Seebold Farms had a Century 21 Market analysis completed that pegged the property's value between $395,00-$425,000. Schoharie County is currently contracted to buy the site for $375,000.

Unsatisfied, Bleau further asked for justification of the site when taking into account that Seebold's was the most expensive site in the selection process.

Cherry responded that after a year of evaluations were conducted by two separate engineer and recovery representatives, Schoharie County DPW Commissioner Dan Crandall, and himself, "eventually all of us came to a universal conclusion" on selecting the site in question.

Concluding that Seebold's was the most cost effective and the best possible site, Mr. Cherry - in light of the heightened tension surrounding the selection of the location - offered the supervisors two choices moving forward.

"Your choices: do you put confidence in that joint decision...or not," Cherry commented before adding, "and if you don't; no hard feelings, but there is a risk involved."

That risk being the potential for the county to lose FEMA reimbursements for the cost of housing prisoners at Albany County jail, which the coordinator had alluded to at the previous county board meeting the Friday before.

Commenting "When I look at the numbers they're not lining up," Ms. Bleau questioned how the site could be scored when there was no assessment.

Explaining that the scoring was done through a series of ratings, Cherry said "there was four people who did the scoring independently," and, "we compared our sheets and in the end Seebold was the one we all agreed on."

Chiming in that he believes this "needs to be done in the right way," Summit Supervisor Harold Vroman further chimed, "there should have been a public hearing."

Opposed to the selection of the Seebold Farms site for a variety of reasons, an at-first small contingent of town residents that has steadily grown in size since May, has become a force to be reckoned with in Schoharie.

Concurring with Vroman's sentiment, Jefferson Supervisor Sean Jordan argued "this is a very large project that will effect a lot of people," and continued, "a lot of people feel like they weren't engaged with a little or at all."

After additional remarks, Mr. Jordan motioned for a public hearing to be held on a later date to afford the community the opportunity to comment, despite the public having commented on the facility's location twice before at regularly scheduled meetings.

Jordan's motion was approved 11-3 and a public hearing has been set for Monday, July 6th at 6:00 pm. Supervisors Shawn Smith of Blenheim, Bill Federice of Conesville, and Carl Barbic of Seward were opposed; the rest of those present were in favor of an additional meeting.

Numerous residents, despite a public hearing being officially set, addressed the county board in opposition to the jail's placement at the Seebold Farms property.

Schoharie Woman Wanted by State Police

By Schoharie News Staff

SCHOHARIE - New York State Police stationed in Schoharie are looking for information leading to the arrest of Schoharie resident Eleanor Black.
Black, who is 34, is wanted on a Schoharie County Bench Warrant after she failed to appear in court after an 18 count indictment, which includes 17 felonies. The charges stem from multiple cases beginning in 2012.

Known aliases she has used in the past include Rebecca H. Beal and Denise Ann Scott. Black has ties to Schoharie and Otsego Counties and held a recent address in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Black has become something of a local social media celebrity, however, for her unique mugshot (pictured below), where she is captured sticking her tongue out at the camera.

Wanted for Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the Second Degree, Forgery in the Second Degree, and several other charges, Black is 5" 2" tall, 160 pounds, has black hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information as to the whereabouts of this individual, should contact the New York State Police as soon as possible. Residents are advised not to take any police action other than to contact police at 518-234-9401 or email crimetips@troopers.ny.gov with information.

Local Chefs, Local Food: Schoharie Bounty of the County

SCHOHARIE - The greenhouses are decked out in all their floral glory, so the backdrop is ready for the third annual Bounty of the County Dinner starting at 6 p.m. on June 27 at The Carrot Barn at Schoharie Valley Farms. The evening is a benefit for S.A.L.T. (Schoharie Area Long Term, Inc.) that continues assisting victims of 2011 floods caused by Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee that hit Schoharie County.

Chef Tyler DeGroff, Chef de Cuisine at New World Bistro Bar in Albany, with other local chefs, will create a four-course, seasonal gourmet dinner with locally grown ingredients. DeGroff was raised in Schoharie County and graduated from the Capital Region BOCES - Schoharie Campus culinary department. He began working in the restaurant field right after graduation.

Dinner is at 7 p.m. and consists of four courses. The first course, said Chef DeGroff, is traditional tamale with a local twist -- stuffed corn and peas, plus pea tendrils and fresh cilantro. The second course is Arctic Char with White Puttanesca. Chef DeGroff’s Arctic Char comes from the fish hatchery at SUNY Cobleskill. “I plan to smoke the char and serve it with pasta made fresh with local eggs. I love to eat pasta as an intermezzo at dinner,” noted Chef DeGroff.

For the main course, Chef DeGroff plans braided beef short ribs, caramelized in coconut milk. “Delicious,” he said, adding it will likely be served with a stir fry of local vegetables.

Dessert is being donated by SUNY Cobleskill. Chef JoAnne Cloughly, chairman of the culinary department, will make a vanilla bean yogurt pane cotta with a strawberry - rhubarb compote and a lemon wafer cookie.

The dinner also will showcase local food, beer, wine and spirits, and include a silent auction.

The evening begins with cocktails at 6 p.m. with local musician Matt Durfee performing.

The cost is $150 for cocktails and dinner. Tickets are available through the S.A.L.T., www.saltrecovery.org.

Letter to the Editor: Proposed Conesville Law is in Town Residents Best Interests

Dear Editor,

Thank you for your request for information on the proposed Conesville Local Law Imposing a Lien on Insurance Proceeds for Buildings Damaged or Destroyed by Fire. Your interest in Conesville is appreciated.

The intent of this proposed local law is to remove a health and safety hazard while protecting the taxpayers of Conesville from potential financial burden by ensuring the property owner uses a portion of an insurance payout towards their legal obligation to remediate or demolish the structure in question by placing sufficient funds in an escrow account until the work is done.

I cannot claim this law as an original idea that I devised. After asking the New York State Association of Towns to help me investigate a possible solution for a potential problem structure in the Town of Conesville they found a local law in the Town of Rotterdam which addresses the very same issue. With some changes, the Rotterdam law was used as the Conesville template and has been reviewed by legal counsel and is in full compliance with New York State General Municipal Law and the New York Insurance Law. Interestingly, after hearing of the proposed law for Conesville; I am told several towns have since contacted our Town Attorney to discuss their interest in enacting a similar law in their town.

In addition to the need to protect the health and safety of our residents my concern is also the cost to the taxpayers of Conesville. A structure involved in a devastating fire which caused me to start this effort was condemned several months ago but the owner has failed to take action. Yes, there are legal remedies to force compliance. Unfortunately, if the owner does not take action it will be the taxpayers who will have to fund the demolition and then the Town would have to seek to recover those costs through legal action and a lien on the property which has minimal value. Our options for satisfactory recovery are limited.

At the public hearing some said this law is heavy handed and unfair to the owners of condemned structures who carry fire insurance. Not so. If the owner has the funds in their insurance to cover demolition or remediation, we are only ensuring they fulfill their legal obligations. Is it fair or unfair for the owner leaving the expense of demolition to the taxpayers of Conesville?

One individual at the public hearing claimed insufficient notice and publicity was given to the public hearing for this law. The local law was advertised in a legal notice as required, notice of public hearing was placed on the Town web site, publicized on the roadside announcement board at Town Hall and the proposed law was made available at the Town Hall. Since I took office I count as one of my accomplishments the fact the Town of Conesville has never been as transparent as it is now. Not even close.

The whole point of a public hearing is to solicit input and comment from interested parties. We did that and will incorporate some of the comments into a revised version without compromising the intent of what we are trying to accomplish which is to protect the health and safety of our citizens while protecting them from the financial burden of the Town picking up the tab to take down the structure if the owner does not.

It is the job of the Town to protect the physical and financial interests of all of us. When I saw the same law in another town in neighboring Schenectady County I felt it was my duty to bring forward the idea of this opportunity which would be of benefit to our residents. It will be the decision of the Town Board to decide if this proposed local law makes sense for Conesville. I can live with whatever is decided. But the residents of the Town of Conesville will also have to live with that decision.

William A. Federice, Supervisor
Town of Conesville

Letter to the Editor: Proposed Conesville Law Unduly Burdens Town Residents

Dear Editor;

Homeowners in Schoharie County who purchase Fire Insurance beware of a controversial town lawproposed by Conesville Supervisor Bill Federice.

A Public Hearing held Wed. June 10 allowed comment on the law imposing lien on insurance proceedsfor buildings in Conesville affected by fire. Its intent claims to compel property owners to clean up after fire, giving surety that the insured not abandon their property upon receiving their settlement.

The proposed law cites purpose as: ‘more often than not when a building is damaged or destroyed byfire, that property owner will abandon that premises and fail to clean up, demolish and remove buildings and debris, even though insurance payments may have been received.’

The standing room only crowd presented mixed opinions, most believing that the law would assist the town in ridding itself of ‘condemned properties’, potentially saving the town/county costly removal. The actual number of homes abandoned from fire over 10 years by Mr. Federice’s own admission - ONE and that owner continues paying taxes on a building with interior damage. To date, no building in Conesville has been removed by town or county due to fire loss.

Federice opened the hearing by reading a prepared synopsis defining his objective, never reading aloud the proposed law. Assuring mortgage liens satisfy first, the town lien then superseding any other liens. Debate began when residents questioned differences in his explanation of law comparing to the document text. Evident his overview didn’t match the law’s wording; he admitted one change was necessary, encumbering further expense placing public announcement for a new hearing.

It’s passage allows the town to claim against insured’s proceeds implementing municipal law article 22 causing establishment of a ‘tax district’. The district is then authorized and empowered to take claim to proceeds of a fire insurance policy when perfected with article 331 of insurance law. A special account is created securing monies until the Supervisor feels satisfied to release funds. The release process unduly burdens homeowner’s already suffering hardship from their loss requiring filing of an affidavit and fulfill 6 intrusive requirements.

Some suggested discrimination against homeowners with insurance, others agreeing it fails to address existing eyesores collapsed from snowload, storm damage or neglect, and lack of provision addressing future occurrences of the same.

Suggestion was made to update current building codes (unchanged since 1984) incorporating and enforcing present NYS laws protecting against abandonment. The hearing adjourned without a vote promising more conversation on July 8. Councilmen Paul Tubiolo and John Sweatman voiced opposition leaving Kelly Smith and Mr. Federice supporting the law, leaving absentee Councilman Bob Proudman as the potential tiebreaker.

How does this affect you if you do not live in Conesville? Mr. Federice boasted that other Supervisors within county show interest in proposing this law in their towns. Unable to stop Federal government from such wide over reaches, small town rural areas can. If not for overwhelming public interest and opposition this law could have passed, only to be realized at one’s most devastated moment, whenfacing hardship of recovering from something so emotional and life altering.

Unfortunately, WE need to seek out information. With more residents attending meetings, there’s less a chance of these types of loophole laws passing by dark of night. I urge you to contact your town officials voicing opposition to any possibility of this law being proposed. Inform your neighbors, log on to the County website, force transparency. In order to make our communities more pleasant to live in we must realize that good neighboring starts with informed public engaging in the process of governing.

Joanne Noone

Celebrate Independence Day in Grand Style in Schoharie County

COBLESKILL - On a battle site of the Revolutionary War, the 4th of July is celebrated in grand style in Upstate New York’s Schoharie County.

At the Old Stone Fort:

The celebration of Independence Day begins at 10 a.m. as The Old Stone Fort Museum holds its annual Independence Day celebration until 4 p.m.

The Old Stone Fort was attacked by British, Loyalist American and Native American forces in 1780, and is located near George Mann's Tavern, site of a Loyalist, or "Tory" uprising in 1777. It houses exhibits on the American Revolutionary War, including a cannonball that struck the building in 1780.

Part of the annual celebration is Jeff O’Connor of Cobleskill, who not only reads the Declaration of Independence at the Old Stone Fort, but also is part of the argument for a new country.

“It’s a passion,” said Mr. O’Connor. “It’s my other life.”
For 15 years, Mr. O’Connor has spent the 4th of July at the Fort, reading, leading, and reacting to lessons learned from the war for independence.

“Here in Schoharie County, at the time of the revolution, people were pretty well off under royal rule. They were born Tories and had to become revolutionaries. It tore families apart and it’s no mystery as to why,” Mr. O’Connor noted.

“There are 17 recorded toasts at a gathering celebrating the win of the revolutionaries. I’ve done the toasts in the past. But, I’ve never taken the role of a Tory,” he said.

Readings of the Declaration of Independence and other documents of the time will take place at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Throughout the day, museum staff and historical re-enactors will engage in “living history” and visitor-interactive debates on the issues of taxation, self government, and armed militias rebelling against the government.

All Independence Day outdoor activities are admission free. The regular museum admission rates apply to indoor exhibits. The event is co-produced by the Schoharie County Historical Society and the Burning of the Valleys Military Association, a regional organization of groups and individuals portraying early American history in and around the Schoharie, Mohawk and Hudson Valleys. Stone Fort Days, a large battle re-enactment event is scheduled for October 3 and 4, 2015.

And, in Cobleskill:

Later in the day, an Old-Fashioned 4th of July celebration takes over downtown Cobleskill and the Cobleskill Fairgrounds.

It starts at 2 p.m. at the Fairgrounds with food, crafts, music and dance.

A lineup begins at 4:30 p.m. for the annual parade “shows off the county,” said Jacqui Hauser of the Cobleskill Partnership, Inc., one of the organizing groups.

“The parade is hometown charming and lots of floats dress up in old-fashioned décor to give a feel of yesteryear. At 5 p.m., the parade marches through downtown to the Fairgrounds, “where there is a family fun park and people waiting. Of course, the fireworks are at dark and just excellent,” Ms. Hauser said.

Also working on the 4th of July celebration in Cobleskill are Friends of the Fourth and the Fusion Churches. Fireworks are paid by donations.

Creating Healthy Places Assist SNAP Benefit Recipients

By Maureen Blanchard

COBLESKILL - Creating Healthy Places is trying to assist families who receive SNAP benefits to make some healthy choices. Many feel that fresh fruits and vegetables are too expensive to purchase and they rely more on processed foods. To promote healthy eating Schoharie Fresh will provide $5 in Veggie Bucks with every $10 SNAP purchase through them.

This is funded through Creating Healthy Places. Families can purchase any food products through Schoharie Fresh and then get $5 towards vegetables either that day or in the future. Schoharie Fresh sells locally produced meats, poultry, eggs, baked goods, syrup and honey, teas, fruits and vegetables. Everything sold is produced in Schoharie County. The Veggie Bucks must be used before August 31 or before funds run out. This was done in the fall with $2 Veggie bucks and Schoharie Fresh attracted several families that were able to take advantage of this. We are hoping the $5 in Veggie Bucks can help families extend their food budget and add in some fresh local foods.

Schoharie Fresh, SUNY Cobleskill and Creating Healthy Places also have worked on a Better Foods Better Budgets presentation that was presented at Community Maternity Services in Schoharie this week. Families enjoyed a kale salad, vegetarian chili, corn on the cob and strawberries. They were shown how to prepare these foods as well as a cost analysis. Maureen Blanchard demonstrated cooking corn in a microwave to not only save time, but also to reduce the work and mess that many families use as a reason not to cook corn on the cob. When you cook the corn in the microwave with the husk still on, it makes less mess to shuck the corn after it is cooked. Cut off the bottom and squeeze from the top and the cooked corn comes out clean. Families and staff were amazed at the time saving feature of cooking corn like this.

Jason Evans, PhD prepared the chili and the kale salad. The kale salad was a huge success even with the children present eating it and asking for seconds. It was topped with a store bought ranch dressing with some honey added to it. Recipes were provided to the families as well. Jason and Maureen also talked about how to change recipes to make them more appealing to individual families.

Vegetables at local farmers markets are usually less expensive than at grocery stores as the farmers are selling directly to the customer. Foods are also fresher – most harvested that day and therefore have better taste and nutrition. Farmers markets do not sell per pound on fruits and vegetables and so families are better able to budget money than at the grocery store. And Claire from northern Saratoga, travels to Schoharie County every couple of weeks to purchase through Schoharie Fresh because it helps her family to budget money for vegetables and there is a greater diversity in what is sold and foods last longer because they are fresher.

The next presentation will be at the Community Dinner in Cobleskill on June 26th. We will be providing a salad for the meal and also do some demonstrations and provide information to families.

Green Wolf Brewery Expands

By Schoharie News Staff

MIDDLEBURGH - The popular Green Wolf Brewing Co. took another step forward last week, with the expansion of its hours to Thursdays and the official opening of its Beer Garden behind the brewery.

Recently marking their six month anniversary of opening, Green Wolf has since become a must stop for residents of the Schoharie Valley, inasmuch for the rich locally brewed beer as the welcoming and inviting atmosphere.

Patrons were treated to free food all weekend and were entered into a raffle where they could win a free growler of finely brewed Green Wolf beer, which recently bested the MacKinnon Brothers Brewing Co. in the 1780 Beer Challenge.

Showing Off for a Good Cause

By Timothy Knight

SCHOHARIE - Dozens of cars and hundreds of spectators crowded into Schoharie on Sunday morning to take part in the 5th Annual Schoharie Sloughter Car Show.

Held on a beautiful Fathers Day on Spring Street and in the county office parking lots, the show featured a craft show on the lawn and awards presented by John Van Wormer Septic Service and Big Johns Portable Toilets.

Although a time to take in the beauty of American manufacturing spanning the past and present, at the end of the day it was all for a good cause to embetter humanity.

Annually donating proceeds to a worthy local charity or group, this year's funds were donated to The Patriot Highlander Challenge, a not for profit organization that raises money for wounded military veterans.

Raising funds by holding an annual challenge where men and women of all ages compete on an extreme obstacle course at Sunny Knoll's Farm, this year's event is set for Saturday, August 29th.

The introductory event, held last September, was attended by hundreds and raised thousands of dollars.

For more information you can visit the challenge's website at patriothighlander.com or find them on Facebook.

County Inches Closer to Admin

By Schoharie News Staff

SCHOHARIE - Progress has been made in Schoharie County's search for an Administrator to oversee the daily administration of county government.
Stating "we made a lot of progress since we had our last meeting," Town of Conesville Supervisor Bill Federice, who serves as chairman of the Administrator Committee, informed supervisors on Friday that the Personnel Office has received nineteen applications for the position.

With Friday coincidentally being the last day applicants could submit resumes for consideration, the next step in the process is to convene the Community Stakeholder Committee that will assist in the interview process.

Organizing on July 13th to go over their role and to discuss an interview strategy for the applicants, the Community Stakeholder Committee will consist of a mixture of department heads and local residents.

Starting the following week, Mr. Federice said they are planning to start the interview process on Monday, July 20th through Wednesday, Jule 22th, after which an assessment and recommendation of the candidates to the Personnel Committee for subsequent interviews by the county board will be made.

The county board is expected to conduct its interviews of the final candidates by late August, so long as the timeline is followed as presently scheduled by Federice and company.

Appointed to the Community Stakeholder Committee is: Cindy Barber, Paul Brady, Gail Breen, Chris Claus, Randy Crasper, Mike Hartzel, Indy Jaycox, Ann Meyers, Kevin Neary, John Riedl, Barb Schaffer, Gail Schaffer, and Ron Stevens.

State Police Arrest Texas Fugitive

By Schoharie News Staff

COBLESKILL - New York State Police stationed in Cobleskill have announced the arrest of Antwone D. Ford, 39, of Texas during a traffic stop on I-88 in the Town of Cobleskill.

Ford was the passenger in a white tractor trailer which was stopped for speeding. During the interview of the driver and passenger, Ford provided Troopers with a false name.

After further investigation it was revealed that Ford was a Fugitive from Justice in Texas for Burglary.

The fugitive was arrested for False Personation, a Class B Misdemeanor, and remanded to Schoharie County Jail as a Fugitive from Justice awaiting extradition.

The operator of the tractor trailer was additionally issued multiple traffic tickets and his vehicle was towed after members of the State Police Commercial Vehicle Unit noted multiple safety and log book violations during an inspection of the vehicle.

Supers Prolong Jail Debate

By Timothy Knight

SCHOHARIE - Faced with a string of disgruntled residents on Friday morning, the Schoharie County Board of Supervisors balked on settling the jail location dispute, choosing instead to prolong the debate.

Six residents from the Town of Schoharie addressed the county board consecutively, calling for the supervisors to re-open the search process to find a new location for the recently approved relocated Public Safety Facility.

Commenting that there is no doubt you are driving into a historic village along Route 30, Schoharie resident Ruthanne Wilkenson told supervisors "First impressions are important," of which she expressed worries that having the jail at Seebold Farms would hurt that impression.

The designated primary site for the relocation of the county jail, the Seebold property (pictured bottom left) has come under fire for its position just before the entrance to the Village of Schoharie, leaving some residents to caution that it will tarnish tourist appeal to the valley beyond.

Offering that a jail is not "what we want to see in the gateway to the Schoharie Valley," resident Lynn Basselan further said that FEMA allows for the extension of a project's time line, currently set at 42 months, if there is justification, which she argued there is.
However, site documentation reveals that although the jail would be placed in the center of Seebold Farms, with a tree barrier on at least three sides, the secondary site at Zicha Road (pictured bottom right) would be located within yards of Route 7 and would be visible from I-88 to motorists.

Alleging that there was neither transparency nor community involvement, resident Jim Nass was pointed in his remarks, where he said, "The process for selecting the jail site was inherently flawed."

Nass would later question why the Seebold property, valued at approximately $175,000, was being purchased for almost $400,000 when the county has an abundance of vacant land.

Warning that there is at least some risk of jeopardizing the approved $37 million in funding from FEMA if an extension is sought on the agreed upon project time line of 42 months, Flood Recovery Coordinator Bill Cherry did comment "There's no guarantee that the reimbursement of prisoners will continue."

Typically not an approved reimbursement by FEMA, the federal agency made an exemption in Schoharie County's case after the county's appeal for a temporary jail to be constructed was denied. Covering 70% of prisoner housing costs, FEMA has saved the county millions of dollars since 2011.
With at least three and a half years until the new facility is built, Cherry estimated that there will be a additional $3.6 million in costs to house the county's prisoners in Albany County, $2.5 million of which is slated to be covered by FEMA.

Few on the county board were satisfied, however. Questioning what the search criteria was for selecting and scoring the potential jail properties, Wright Supervisor Amber Bleau requested that a special board meeting be held to review that information.

Middleburgh Supervisor Jim Buzon concurred, commenting that he "was not aware at that the time it (approving the primary jail site) would circumvent a public hearing."

Cobleskill Supervisor Leo McAllister, a supporter of the Seebold site, was open to holding the special meeting, but only so long as it was held immediately, so as to not jeopardize the hard work that went into securing the approved relocation.

Voting 10-4 in favor of holding the special meeting, supervisors met again on Monday night at 6:30 to further discuss the jail issue.
Supervisors Barbic of Seward, Bradt of Carlisle, Federice of Conesville, and Smith of Blenheim voted against the special meeting, with Mr. Smith arguing that it would only cost the county more money to continue delaying the project, which has recently approved by the Commission of Corrections.

Historic Bull's Head Inn Re-opens in Cobleskill

By Timothy Knight

COBLESKILL - Established in 1802 by Lambert Lawyer, the Bull's Head Inn is one of the oldest and most treasured landmarks in the Village of Cobleskill, where centuries of history and myth have come to define the fine dining restaurant.

It's that sense of history that led Chris Guldner and his wife Mary Sagendorf (pictured right) to purchase the Inn in 2012 despite it being in need of renovations after sitting unoccupied for several years.

Asking himself at the time what his wife and he were going to do down the road, Guldner had an eye on opening something in food service. He had previously owned a successful small chain of deli restaurants in Saratoga County.

However, it wasn't until after Chris saw that the Bull's Head Inn was for sale online that he realized it was financially feasible to purchase the historic landmark, which Mary said "was difficult to watch it deteriorate and decline," as a lifelong resident of Schoharie County.

Although he had worked in historic restoration and the Seabees while enlisted in the U.S. Navy, Gulder didn't expect the process, which just concluded with the Bull's Head Inn reopening a week and a half ago, to take years of work to full repair and bring to code.

Commenting that they are "glad to be apart of the solution," not only have Chris and Mary restored a cornerpiece of Cobleskill's past, but they have created thirty full-time and part-time jobs that range from cooks and dishwashers to waitstaff.

Open Tuesday through Sunday for dinner service, the Inn includes a newly built pub on the first floor of the structure, while work continues on the historic Cellar Tavern. The couple hopes to open lunch service to the public within the next month.

Featuring a wide assortment of appetizers, burgers, desserts, salads, sandwiches, seafood, and Bull's Head Inn specials, the menu offers something for everyone from the Major's Burger to satisfy your meaty desires to the Settler's Seafood Bucket for a taste of the sea.

Chris would point out that "this isn't about Chris and Mary - it's about the community," and, "We're just honored we had this opportunity."

Believing that patrons will be delighted by the atmosphere and quality of the food, Chris stated "It's not just a restaurant, it is a community gathering place" that people can come and socialize at.

Located at 105 Park Place, the Bull's Head Inn is open for dinner service 5-9 pm Tuesday to Thursday, 5-10 pm Friday and Saturday, and 4-8 pm on Sunday. The pub will remain open until 9 pm Tuesday to Thursday, until midnight on Friday and Saturday, and close up at ten on Sunday.

Schoharie Agricultural District #3 Under Review

Schoharie County Agricultural District #3 is up for its 8 year review. This district, originally formed on September 27, 1974, encompasses over 2,900 parcels, includes over 72,000 acres and is situated in the Towns of Carlisle, Cobleskill, Esperance, Richmondville, Schoharie, Seward, Sharon and Summit. It is the County’s largest Ag District, and encompasses some of the County’s best agricultural land.

All Landowners in the District will receive an Agricutural District Review Worksheet in the mail. In order to document the impact of agriculture in this district, it is important to complete the Worksheet. The information will be compiled and forwarded with additional supporting documents to the Commissioner of the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. Worksheets need to be returned by July 13, 2015.

In addition to the survey, if you have comments or would like to suggest modifications to the District, the County is holding a 30 day public comment period on the district. Comments are being accepted from June 12, 2015 to July 13, 2015. A copy of the map showing the entire district is available for review at the County Clerk’s office, 284 Main Street, Schoharie, NY, or on the County’s web site at
http://www.schohariecounty-ny.gov/CountyWebSite/Planning/planningservices.html. Comments and modifications can be sent to Sheryl Largeteau, Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, PO Box 429, Schoharie, NY 12157.

The Schoharie County Board of Supervisors is required to hold a public hearing on this Ag District. The hearing is anticipated on August 21, 2015 at 10:00 am during the regular Board of Supervisors meeting on the third floor of the County Office Building, 284 Main Street, Schoharie, New York.

Benefits for Farm Operations in Agricultural Districts in New York State:

• the mandate that State Agencies, as a matter of policy, encourage the maintenance of viable farming in Agricultural districts,
• the limitation on the exercise of eminent domain and other public acquisitions and the advance of public funds for certain construction activities,
• the limitation on the siting of a solid waste management facility on land in agricultural production,
• the limitation on the power to impose benefit assessments, special ad valorem levies or other rates or fees in certain improvement districts or benefit areas,
• the requirement that local governments, when exercising their powers to enact and administer comprehensive plans and local laws, ordinances, rules or regulations do so in a manner that realizes the intent of the Agricultural Districts Law and does not unreasonably restrict or regulate farm operations, and
• the requirement that applications for certain planning and zoning actions impacting on a farm operation within an agricultural district or on lands within five hundred feed of a farm operation within an agricultural district, include an agricultural data statement designed to allow the review agency to evaluate the possible impacts of the proposed action on the functioning of the farm operation.

Additionally, the Agricultural Districts Law establishes a land classification system used to assign agricultural assessment values to qualified properties both in and outside of a district, creates a process for the review of agricultural practices, discourages private nuisance lawsuits due to an agricultural practice which is determined to be sound, provides for advisory opinions as to whether particular land uses are agricultural in nature and requires disclosure to prospective grantees of real property that the property is in an agricultural district.

If you have questions about the Ag District Program, or other matters related to review of Ag District # 3, please contact Alicia Terry, Senior Planner at her office number 295–8770 or email at aliciaterry@co.schoharie.ny.us.

Sheriff's Office Announces Drug Busts

By Schoharie News Staff

SCHOHARIE - The Schoharie County Sheriff's Office has made several arrests stemming from an ongoing drug investigation.

On April 24th the Sheriff's Office arrested Melissa Teich, 20, of Carlisle on charges of three counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree. Teich was selling controlled substances from her residence in the Town of Carlisle, she was arraigned in Carlisle Town Court and remanded to jail in lieu of $15,000 cash bail or $30,000 bond.

On March 26th the Sheriff's Office arrested Paul St. Piere Jr, 58, of Dorloo after a search warrant was executed on his residence. St. Piere was charged with Unlawful Possession of Marihuana in the Third Degree, and three counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree. St. Piere was arraigned and released to return to the Town of Seward Court.

The Sheriff's Office and the New York State Police CNET Unit are continuing their investigationa within Schoharie County.