Ratner Named SUNY Cobleskill Fighting Tiger Athlete of the Week

The SUNY Cobleskill Department of Sport & Exercise announced today that sophomore Ashlynne Ratner, Livingston Manor, N.Y., Livingston Manor High School, a member of the western equestrian team has been named the department’s Fighting Tiger Athlete-of-the-Week.

The Fighting Tiger sophomore rider helped led the western team to the first Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) Zone 2 Region 3 championship in program history by earning Reserve Point Rider honors in the final two regional shows of the year hosted by Morrisville State College in Morrisville, N.Y. on Sunday.

In the day’s opening show, Ratner tied for High Point Rider honors by winning Open Reigning and placing third overall in Open Western Horsemanship which gave the Fighting Tigers a victory over the five-team field and broke a tie with defending regional champion Morrisville State College at the top of the regional overall point standings to give Cobleskill the regional title and automatically qualify all team members to the regional team semi-final event.

The Fighting Tigers will next compete at in the IHSA Regional Round for individual competitors hosted by Morrisville State College on Sunday February 26th at 9:00 a.m.

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Fighting Tiger Men's Lacrosse Ranked 7th in NEAC Pre-Season Poll

The SUNY Cobleskill men’s lacrosse team will enter the 2017 season ranked seventh in the North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) Pre-Season Coaches Poll. The Fighting Tigers are coming off a 2016 campaign which saw them post a 3-11 overall record including a 1-7 record in conference play.

As head coach Ryan Gunzinger enters his 11^th season directing the program will have 14 returning letter men and 15 newcomers on the roster this year as the teams looks to return NEAC post-season play.

“I think we are much more athletic and deeper offensively and that we’ve improved our face-offs which should make us more efficient and allow us to score more this season,” said Gunzinger. “Defensively we are bigger, stronger and deeper which should help us keep some pressure off our goalies this year.”

Among the key returners Cobleskill will be counting on this year junior midfielder Kyle Magdziuk, Syracuse, N.Y., Westhill High School, a 2016 All-NEAC Second Team selection to lead the way after a season that saw him score 10 goals, pass out three assists to go with 104 ground balls picked up and a 58.3% face-off winning percentage on the year.

Also returning on the frontline will be: sophomore attackman Hunter Pruner, Glens Falls, N.Y., Christian Brothers Academy, who scored 14 points and four assists, sophomore attackman Garrett Vigrass, Wallkill, N.Y., Wallkill High School, who scored 11 goals and passed out four assists, and sophomore midfielder Anthony Yevoli, Amsterdam, N.Y., Amsterdam High School, who returns to the line-up after missing all of 2016 overcoming leukemia after a 2015 season which saw him score seven goals pass out two assists and pick-up 34 ground balls.

The offense will also be bolstered by the addition of ju

nior college transfer junior attackman Jeremy Mowrey, Johnstown, N.Y., Johnstown High School/Herkimer Community College, and freshman attackman Robert Gioielli, Staten Island, N.Y., Monsignor Farrell High School, who will each be counted on to bring added firepower to the roster.

The defense will benefit from the return of sophomore midfielder Sean Degnan, Monroe, N.Y., Monroe-Woodbury High School, who picked-up 27 ground balls and caused four turnovers while scoring nine goals and passing out five assists and junior Sean Rodee, Canton, N.Y., Canton High School, who picked-up 24 ground balls.

Among the new recruits freshman long stick midfielder Kiran Spigner, Greenwich, N.Y., Greenwich High School, and freshman midfielder Kieran Tierney, Marcellus, N.Y., Marcellus High School, will bring much needed size and athleticism to the back line.

In the net senior John Montaniz, Lindenhurst, N.Y., Lindenhurst High School/Suffolk Community College, returns after a season that saw him allow 182 goals in 14 games for a 13.81 goals against average. Montaniz made 173 saves while posting a .487 save percentage to go with 43 ground balls pick-up. 

  

With the new season on the horizon coach Gunzinger sees improvement but understands the many challenges that the Fighting Tigers as a team will face this season.

“We’ve got a lot of fresh faces this year which will provide us with better depth and athleticism that should lead to a better season. But our conference continues to get better each year and we are going to have to find a way to break into the top four teams if we want to make a play-off run this season.”

Cobleskill will open the 2017 season on Sunday February 26^th when they host the Hornets of Lyndon State College in a game to be hosted by the Fighting Tigers at Union College’s Frank Bailey Field in Schenectady, N.Y. beginning at 2:00 p.m.

TEAM RANKINGS:

Rank	Institution (First Place Votes)	Total Points
1st	Morrisville State College (8)	64
2nd	Keuka College	54
3rd	Cazenovia College (1)	52
4th	Bryn Athyn College	44
5th	Hilbert College	33
6th	SUNY Polytechnic Institute	28
7th	SUNY Cobleskill	24
8th	Wells College	16
9th	Medaille College	9

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Cobleskill Police Blotter

Monday, February 13, 2017

At 10:45 a.m. Cobleskill Police arrested James M. Lynch, 42, of Cobleskill, NY, for Criminal Obstruction of Breathing.  He was arraigned in Cobleskill Town Court and released.  He is to return to Cobleskill Town Court on February 14th at 5:00 p.m.

Thursday, February 16, 2017

At 11:45 a.m. Cobleskill Police arrested Savanna Hotaling, 25, of Cobleskill, NY, for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 7th and Unlawful Possession of Marihuana.  She was issued an appearance ticket and released.  She is to appear in Cobleskill Town Court on March 7th at 5:00 p.m.

At 9:58 p.m. Cobleskill Police arrested Christopher P. Douville, 20, of Victor, NY, for Trespass and Unlawful Possession of Marihuana.  He was issued an appearance ticket and released.  He is to appear in Cobleskill Town Court on March 14th at 5:00 p.m.

Friday, February 17, 2017

At 5:34 p.m. Cobleskill Police arrested Theresa M. Clark, 34, of Cobleskill, NY, for Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle 3rd and Public Health Law.  She was arraigned in Town of Richmondville Court and released.  She is to return to Cobleskill Town Court on March 7th at 5:00 p.m.

At 6:25 p.m. Cobleskill Police arrested Kathleen Brown, of Summit, NY, for Harassment 2nd.  She was issued an appearance ticket and released.  She is to appear in Cobleskill Town Court on March 14th at 5:00 p.m.

Saturday, February 18, 2017

At 1:45 a.m. Cobleskill Police arrested Adena Ostrander, 19, of Athens, NY, for Trespass.  She was issued an appearance ticket and released. She is to appear in Cobleskill Town Court on February 28th at 5:00 p.m.

At 1:45 a.m. Cobleskill Police arrested Haley H. Corso, 18, of Yorktown Heights, NY, for Trespass.  She was issued an appearance ticket and released. She is to appear in Cobleskill Town Court on February 28th at 5:00 p.m.

At 1:45 a.m. Cobleskill Police arrested Emily M. A. Johnson, 20, Beaver Falls, NY,  for Trespass.  She was issued an appearance ticket and released. She is to appear in Cobleskill Town Court on February 28th at 5:00 p.m.

At 5:44 p.m. Cobleskill Police arrested Kelsey N. Venzke, 27, of Cobleskill, NY, for Petit Larceny.  She was issued an appearance ticket and released.  She is to appear in Cobleskill Town Court on March 7th at 5:00 p.m.

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C-GCC's Edge, Rodriguez Named Athletes of the Week

Columbia-Greene Community College basketball standouts Tanisha Edge, of
Cementon, and Tydrea Rodriguez, Middletown, were each named NJCAA Region III
Athlete of the Week, for Feb. 21, 2017, in the women's and men's division,
respectively.

In a busy week, Edge led her team and was the game's leading scorer in wins
over Hudson Valley Community College on, Feb. 15 (30 points, 8 rebounds and
7 assists), and Herkimer Community College, Feb. 18 (35 points, 16
rebounds). She also had 19 points and 7 rebounds in a loss against Monroe
Community College, Feb. 19.

In a loss against Hudson Valley on Feb. 15, Rodriguez contributed 25 points
and 6 assists. On Feb. 18, the sophomore guard lead the team with a
21-point, 6-assists effort against Herkimer.

This is Edge's fourth and Rodriguez's second time this season earning the
NJCAA Region III Athlete of the Week citation.

For more information on athletics at Columbia-Greene, including teams
rosters, stats and schedules, visit http://www.cgcctwins.com/landing/index.

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Dudley Observatory at miSci presents Night Sky Adventure

Tue, April 18, 7:00pm – 8:30pm

at miSci - Museum of Innovation and Science, 15 Nott Terrace Heights, Schenectady, NY 12308

Tonight's Lesson: 27 years with the Hubble Space Telescope

The Hubble space telescope was placed into orbit in April of 1990. Since then, it has made many amazing discoveries. Join us as we celebrate Hubble’s legacy and hope for many more successful years of science!

Night Sky Adventures are astronomy fun for the whole family! Educators from the Dudley Observatory, in conjunction with volunteers from the Albany Area Amateur Astronomers group, present astronomy lessons, planetarium shows and night sky viewing (weather depending). Amateur astronomers and families are invited to bring binoculars or telescopes. One or more telescopes will be provided for public use.

For more information, visit our website at www.DudleyObservatory.org.

Cost: Admission to miSci ($10.50 adult, $7.50 child age 3-12, $9 senior 65+), Free for miSci members

Come early to enjoy the museum galleries as well as the Dudley Observatory program. miSci will be open continuously from 9am through the end of the Night Sky Adventure.

http://dudleyobservatory.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2ef4e7598fea6c4a053769914&id=c13bafff4e&e=378f2e2924

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Senior Science Day at miSci April 3 Event

Mon, April 3, 3pm – 4pm
miSci - Museum of Innovation and Science, 15 Nott Terrace Heights, Schenectady, NY 12308

Senior Science Day at miSci

Today's topic: NASA’s Great Observatories: Chandra X-ray Observatory

The Dudley Observatory at miSci is committed to lifelong learning and has created programming specifically designed for adults! Come explore the museum on a quiet afternoon, then join the Dudley Observatory for an exciting astronomy lesson presented by our Outreach Astronomer, Dr. Valerie Rapson.

Cost: Senior Admission to miSci ($10.50 adult, $7.50 child age 3-12, $9 senior 65+), Free for miSci members

Come early or stay after the lesson to enjoy the many exhibits miSci has to offer! The museum is open from 9 am – 5 pm. You need not be a senior citizen to attend.

http://dudleyobservatory.us4.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=2ef4e7598fea6c4a053769914&id=818a51c362&e=378f2e2924

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Over 150 NY Groups Call For Comment Extension on Fracked-Gas Pipeline

Albany, NY — More than 150 grassroots groups, businesses, faith communities, and organizations such as Food & Water Watch, Clean Air Coalition, NRDC, and Sierra Club are requesting that the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) extend the public comment period for National Fuel’s Northern Access 2016 Project. In a letter delivered to the DEC on Friday, February 17, the groups contend that one month is insufficient for communities and organizations to study and comment on a project the size and complexity of the proposed pipeline.

The controversial Northern Access pipeline would be nearly 100 miles long and cross hundreds of sensitive streams and wetlands in Western New York, including state-protected trout streams and an aquifer that provides water for thousands of residents. The majority of the pipeline’s gas—a half-billion cubic feet per day from Pennsylvania’s shale fields—would be exported, passing under the Niagara River into Canada.

The DEC combined comment hearings for air and water permits, allowing members of the public only three minutes to provide verbal comments on both. According to Diana Strablow of the Sierra Club’s Niagara Group, two of the three hearing locations were too small; many people arrived prepared to comment but left when they saw overflow crowds and no available seating. “That deprived people of their right to be heard,” says Strablow.

Though the DEC is also accepting written comments, concerned residents have been calling and emailing the agency for weeks, asking for more information, more hearings, and more time to comment.

Governor Cuomo, in his 2017 State of the State address, said New York “must double down by investing in the fight against dirty fossil fuels and fracked gas from neighboring states.” But Northern Access would move more gas into New York, as well as export gas to Canada.

“National Fuel is in a hurry to lay pipe,” says Lia Oprea, a landowner on the proposed route whose Erie County farm is on the National Historic Register. “But this project defies the governor’s vision for New York. We worry the company is pressuring the DEC into approving yet another unnecessary pipeline that enriches corporations but threatens public health and safety.”

In April 2016, the DEC denied a key water-quality certificate for the Constitution Pipeline, a project that would have involved fewer stream and wetland crossings than Northern Access but similarly flawed construction methods. The DEC concluded the project would have endangered New York water.

Emphasizing that the Northern Access pipeline could dramatically harm air and water quality, the groups are asking the DEC to grant an additional 60 days for public comment on the project. The current deadline for comments is February 24, 2017.

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7 Tips to Prevent Tax ID Fraud

 Honesdale, PA – As the 2017 tax season gets underway, Wayne Bank is urging all customers to take extra precaution when filing their return to prevent their exposure to tax fraud.
      “Fraudsters are using very clever tactics to get a hold of your personal information and submit false tax claims,” said Diane Wylam, Senior Vice-President and Senior Trust Officer. “Consumers must be suspicious of any communication from the IRS- through email, text or social media- that requests personal information, and should keep a watchful eye out for missing W-2s and mail containing sensitive financial information.”
      Tax identity fraud takes place when a criminal files a false tax return using a stolen Social Security number in order to fraudulently claim the refund. Identity thieves generally file false claims early in the year and victims are unaware until they file a return and learn one has already been filed in their name.
      To help consumers prevent tax ID fraud, Wayne Bank is offering the following tips:
* File early. File your tax return as soon as you’re able giving criminals less time to use your information to file a false return.
* File on a protected Wi-Fi network. If you’re using an online service to file your return, be sure you’re connected to a password-protected personal network. Avoid using public networks like a Wi-Fi hotspot at a coffee shop.
* Use a secure mailbox. If you’re filing by mail, drop your tax return at the post office or an official postal box instead of your mailbox at home. Some criminals look for completed tax return forms in home mailboxes during tax season.
* Find a tax preparer you trust. If you’re planning to hire someone to do your taxes, get recommendations and research a tax preparer thoroughly before handing over all of your financial information.
* Shred what you don’t need. Once you’ve completed your tax return, shred the sensitive documents that you no longer need and safely file away the ones you do.
* Beware of phishing scams by email, text or phone. Scammers may try to solicit sensitive information by impersonating the IRS. Know that the IRS will not contact you by email, text or social media. If the IRS needs information, they will contact you by mail first.
* Keep an eye out for missing mail. Fraudsters look for W-2s, tax refunds or other mail containing your financial information. If you don’t receive your W-2s, and your employer indicates they’ve been mailed, or it looks like it has been previously opened upon delivery, contact the IRS immediately.
      If you believe you’re a victim of tax identity theft or if the IRS denies your tax return because one has previously been filed under your name, alert the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit at 1-800-908-4490. In addition, you should:
* Respond immediately to any IRS notice and complete IRS Form 14039, Identity Theft Affidavit.
* Contact your bank immediately, and close any accounts opened without your permission or tampered with.
* Contact the three major credit bureaus to place a fraud alert on your credit records:
o Equifax, www.Equifax.com, 1-800-525-6285
o Experian, www.Experian.com, 1-888-397-3742
o TransUnion, www.TransUnion.com, 1-800-680-7289
* Continue to pay your taxes and file your tax return, even if you must do so by paper.
 
More information about tax identity theft is available from the FTC at ftc.gov/taxidtheft and the IRS at irs.gov/identitytheft.
     
                 Wayne Bank is a subsidiary of Norwood Financial Corp., Member FDIC, and is located in Honesdale, Pennsylvania.  The Bank has 27 Community Offices serving Wayne, Pike, Monroe, and Lackawanna Counties in Pennsylvania, along with Delaware and Sullivan Counties in New York State.  The stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol— NWFL.

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What Gets Covered after an Accident

Common Pitfalls

By Michael Ehline

There are a lot of misconceptions about lawsuits out there. Many of these are in one of two directions. In many cases people believe that the first thing to happen to them is that an ambulance chaser will track them down. This very well might happen. However, the other extreme is just as unlikely. Many people believe that lawsuits are made from pie in the sky numbers and not based on the hard reality on the ground.

Of course, most circumstances fall between the two. This is one of the biggest reasons why it is important to find an attorney that you trust. In addition, it's important to find an attorney that trusts you enough to be frank with you. The driver that caused the accident is not going to want to pay up for their fault. Secondly, your insurance company or theirs may choose to fight every step of the way. Some even refuse to pay out at all. It's not a cakewalk.

There are a lot of factors involved in determining how much money a person gets after an accident. First comes after the determination of fault. Often fault is pro-rated into the decision. Second is a combination of immediate and long term medical and other bills. Also factored in is the monetary value of lost work. Juries also consider incredible stress and suffering on the plaintiff and their family. Only an attorney specialized in such cases balances all of these varying concerns.

Consider these and more when discussing your accident case with an attorney. The bottom line always is the well being of your family. We cover more of these issues in next week's column.

Michael Ehline is an attorney specializing in car, truck, and motorcycle accidents. He can be reached at michael@ehlinelaw.com.

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Blenheim Supervisor Smith Announces Bid for District Attorney

Blenheim Supervisor Shawn Smith announced Saturday that he is running for Schoharie County District Attorney. He set up a Facebook page to support his candidacy.

Mr. Smith, an attorney, is in his second term as town supervisor. He is a Democrat and is also planning to seek the Conservative and Independence lines.

The seat is currently held by James Sacket, a Republican, who is retiring this year.

Mr. Smith was born and raised in the Town of Jefferson and later moved to the Town of Blenheim, where he currently lives.

“I have always had an interest in criminal law, both prosecution and defense, and that has been the focus of my legal career,” Mr. Smith said.

His first legal job was at the Schenectady County District Attorney’s Office. While working there part time though law school (2010-2012) he was granted a practice order by the Third Department of the Appellate Division Supreme Court.

“In that time I had the great pleasure of working with some well renowned prosecutors. During the time that I worked in that office I learned enough to jump start my career. I was able to work with seasoned trial attorneys," he said.

He was there for two years and experienced working in Schenectady City Court, various town courts, the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court and even second seated Felony trials. He worked on several appeals which included low level felonies all the way up to homicide cases.

“When I returned home and opened my own office in Schoharie I immediately was able to handle a wide range of issues for my clients.”

While in practice he has handled nearly every type of criminal case from speeding tickets and disorderly conduct, to felonies based on serious drug charges, assaults, weapons possession cases and basically everything in between. He also practices family law and has represented many clients that were the victims of domestic abuse and seeking protection from their abusive spouse. While doing that he has prosecuted numerous family offense petitions and successfully represented his clients that were the victims of offenses such as disorderly conduct, menacing in the second or third degree, harassment in the first or second degree, reckless endangerment, aggravated harassment in the second degree, stalking, assault in the second or third degree, attempted assault, criminal mischief, sexual misconduct, sexual abuse in the second or third degree, forcible touching, strangulation, criminal obstruction of breathing, grand larceny in third or fourth degree, and coercion in second degree.

“Since opening my office in Schoharie in the beginning of 2013 I have had dozens upon dozens of trials and pretrial hearings in various courts. I have successfully represented clients in Greene, Delaware, Otsego, Schenectady, Albany and Schoharie Counties. I have tried cases in all different types of courts- sometimes conducting multiple trials in one week.”

In addition to continually doing that type of work in Court, he said he has also dedicated a large part of his career to public service. He serves as legal counsel to multiple municipalities throughout the county and in 2013 he was elected as Town Supervisor of the Town of Blenheim and was re-elected to that post in 2015. He continues to serve as Town Supervisor and a member of the County Board of Supervisors. While in that capacity he has served on several county committees including the county Law Enforcement Committee and the Alternatives to Incarceration Committee. He is a member of the Delaware County Bar Association, the New York State Bar Association and President of the Schoharie County Bar Association.

Smith is also an avid hunter, trapper and fisherman as well as a gun collector. In his spare time, Smith enjoys camping, canoeing and hiking with his family. “Hunting, fishing, canoeing and hiking are the best ways to escape from the stresses that come with being a busy attorney” Smith said.

“I would like to bring my successful public service and private practice careers together for the benefit of the people of Schoharie County,” he said.

“The Office of District Attorney is the perfect opportunity for me to be able to do that. I plan to campaign all around the county from now until November in an attempt to earn the trust and support of all our residents. I would be honored and humbled to serve the residents of Schoharie County as their District Attorney.”

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Birches Denies Corruption in Schoharie Apartments

Embattled Developer Defends Record

From 2/10 Edition


It’s been almost four years since Governor Cuomo allocated millions for affordable housing in the Village of Schoharie, yet the project is still ongoing. Birches at Schoharie has been plagued by delays, legal disputes with contractors, and rumors of pay for play involving the developer, Steve Aaron.

Mr. Aaron is the owner of Birchez Associates, LLC, which received the state contract.  Companies tied to Mr. Aaron have given well over $250,000 dollars in campaign donations to Cuomo, an astronomical amount that surpasses disgraced Buffalo developer Louis P. Ciminelli. Mr. Ciminelli is currently facing federal bribery charges.

Questions arose after Darryl Towns, head of the NY Homes and Community Renewal Agency, chose Birchez to lead the project despite scoring lower than competing companies. While this practice is legal, awarding state funds based on campaign contributions is not. While Mr. Aaron isn’t currently under investigation for any wrongdoing, questions remain regarding both his ties to Cuomo and business practices.

When contacted by the Mountain Eagle Wednesday, Aaron said that contributions to Cuomo have nothing to do with receiving the Schoharie project. "Absolutely, positively no,” he said. “It's on the street because there are people that don't like the Governor." He added that his family has two generations of ties with the Cuomo family and that the current governor has done more for affordable housing than any previous. Aaron added that he is a member of the New York State Association for Affordable Housing.

Aaron and his associated companies have been sued or accused multiple times for failing to pay contractors, gender discrimination, and failure to pay property taxes. Particularly disturbing are lawsuits from 1995 and 2012 previously reported in the Times Union. Former employees alleged that Mr. Aaron intimidated them and practiced gender discrimination, with threats including flipped tables, thrown bottles, and threatening one woman with “punching her teeth down her throat and throwing her down a flight of stairs.” Mr. Aaron settled one lawsuit, while a jury awarded $1.4 million to the plaintiffs in the other.

Regarding one lawsuit, Aaron said that he did not intimidate a former subcontractor, saying that the individual was "shooting his mouth off to the press. " Aaron said that the subcontractor is now barred from doing business in the state of New York. Apart from that, the only other case Aaron said he was ever accused of similar behavior was 35 years ago when he called an employee ”the C word.”

Two contractors sued Birchez Associates for failure to pay for work done on Birches of Schoharie, which continues a troubling trend for the Kingston based developer. Mr. Aaron has been sued for hundreds of thousands of dollars over the course of his career, which he chalks up to his “high standards,” adding, "My reputation in the housing business is that we don't deliver inferior products."

Aaron told us that any conflicts were over inferior work. While at first stating there were no issues with contractors, the conversation evolved. He said, "We have a paving contractor we had to literally escort off the job because of poor quality and some obnoxious behavior." He said another contractor physically assaulted an employee and is demanding $250,000. Toward the end of the interview, Aaron said that a total six former contractors on the Schoharie project caused problems.

The Birchez owner stated that part of the issue with his reputation was caused by conflicts by other companies. He singled out Carver Sand and Gravel in Schoharie. Aaron said that the apartment project  was "[Carver Laraway’s] job to lose. His numbers were ridiculous. He continues to be an antagonist towards us."

In 2012 multiple municipalities in Ulster County sued Mr. Aaron for over $400,000 in unpaid property taxes, followed by a $1 million lawsuit filed by Kingston, NY. Aaron said that the situation was resolved. "It's been settled for years. I've been the subject of a number of hit pieces." Aaron stated that Kingston's Mayor and Assessor was biased against him and that he won in court. He also said that when a person "reaches the top," they receive more scrutiny.

Despite his troubling past, Mr. Aaron has been praised by federal, state and local officials alike. Former Congressmen Chris Gibson and Maurice Hinchey, along with State Senator John Bonacic all praised Mr. Aaron’s work with seniors in promotional videos posted to his website. Village of Schoharie Mayor John Borst was unavailable for comment.

Birches of Schoharie is currently accepting applications, however, there is no one living on the premises as of yet. Local and state officials are hopeful that the Birches project will bring jobs and tax dollars to the Village of Schoharie and Schoharie County as a whole. If Mr. Aaron’s history tells us anything though, it may end up being more complicated than that.

The Mountain Eagle reached out to multiple parties involved with Mr. Aaron but has yet to receive a reply or comment. We will continue to monitor the story as it develops.


Tyler James and Matthew Avitabile contributed research to this article

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Circle of Legal Trust Convention April 20-23rd

The meeting will take place in Las Vegas from April 20-23rd and is open to attorneys wanting to expand their SEO capacity. Seating is limited and tickets are $250 each. For more information, read the Circle of Legal Trust site.

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Employees Honored by Schoharie County

The County Board meeting on February 17th began with a discussion of Resolution #28, encouraging respect for all. This passed in a split vote.

Next there was a ceremony honoring a number of County employees for their service. One was for Treasurer Bill Cherry. “It’s my honor and privilege,” he said to recognize 20 years of service. “I’m honored to be here,” he said in a brief statement. Supervisor Manko asked to speak, saying that he did a great job at a recent statewide conference. “He did a good job.” She said that the state, rather than local government, caused much of the increase, including through unfunded mandates. “Bill did a great job representing Schoharie County and has its best interests in mind.” She said that the County made a mistake replacing him as budget director.

Other recognitions went to Denise Minton for 25 years of service, 30 years of service for Bonnie Post, and 25 years of service for Scott Haverly. Haverly said that it was his “staff that makes me look good.”

County Engineer Dan Crandell came to the floor to give 17 employees awards, of which 13 were present. He thanked the Department of Public Works crew. These included a number of employees honored for service in five year increments. Six were honored for five years of service, four for ten years, one for twenty years, and one for thirty years. Haverly thanked the road crew for their work.

Next to speak was Social Services Commissioner Tina Sweet. She honored a number of employees for their service. This included Joe Polak for 15 years of service, seen in the photo below.

Dr. Amy Gildemeister praised employees in her office. Brenda Hewett was praised as “incredibly organized” and a “wonderful employee.” The other was Karen Simmons, “she’s been incredibly dediated.”

Sheriff Anthony Desmond honored a number of employees in his office. Most couldn’t make it to the meeting, but several came, including Dispatcher David Houck, seen below.

Bonnie Post from the Community Services Department honored three employees present for experience ranging from 10-15 years. Several other employees with various years could not make it.

County Administrator Steve Wilson honored Shane Nickle, “the king of applying for grants,” he said. Nickle has been at the County for 20 years.

Probation Director Denise Minton honored Rose Keller for twenty years of service, saying she gives incredible dedication to the youth of the County.

The last was Nancy Dingee from the Office for the Aging. She honored Business Manager Amy Weitz for 15 years of experience and Coordinator for Extended Care for the Elderly Diane Kruzinski for five years of experience.


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Respect for All Resolution Sparks Fierce Debate

Rival Resolution Change Defeated, Original Passes in Split Vote

The meeting began discussing the proposed Resolution #28 entitled “Encouraging Respect for All.” The resolution was discussed at the December meeting and met with a deadlock before being revised. Some county employees and visitors wore red buttons donning the phrase “Respect for All.”

The resolution was offered by Schoharie Supervisor Chris Tague and seconded by Carlisle Supervisor Larry Bradt. Tague worked upon the resolution with Schoharie resident Glen Sanders. The room was filled with approximately 70 residents, most of whom were present for the employee recognition ceremony immediately following.

County Attorney Michael West read the resolution aloud. As he read through a portion of the resolution, he was stopped by Broome Supervisor David Simkins, who asked if it should encourage respect everywhere and not just in the county.

Supervisor Tague said that it was just a start, and asked County Treasurer Bill Cherry to speak. Cherry said that it could be a template for other counties to follow. He also said that he would bring it to a wider state conference for discussion. “If this resolution would be sent to another county, they would put their name in it,” said Cherry. “Either way is a strong message.”

Chair Earl VanWormer said that the Board could adopt it as “the county’s idea to support this effort. To not tolerate this type of behavior.”

Simkins asked if it was meant just for Schoharie County. “What if I want to say something bad about ISIS?” he asked.

“We’re encouraging proper behavior,” said Supervisor VanWormer, and said that terrorist groups could fall under a different category.

“The big key here is teaching our young people how to move on in life,” said Supervisor Tague. “It’s our job as local leaders,” to encourage such behavior. He credited Glen Sanders for writing the resolution draft then re-writing it in a manner intended to gain support of every member of the board.

Simkins made a motion to edit the resolution, seconded by Supervisor Shawn Smith of Blenheim to remove a portion, to state, “based merely on group identity.”

Supervisor Sandra Manko of Sharon spoke next, saying that the resolution would have no effect on the national scene. She said that she did not vote for President Donald Trump, but that the resolution was meant as an affront to the White House. “No one has told the residents how they should act and behave,” she said about her constituents. She added that most local residents voted for the Republican ticket in November. “If you really love the country and want what’s best,” she said, it was important to support leaders.

Supervisor Phil Skowfoe said that he would support the resolution but criticized the Times Journal for writing that it went back to the Rules Committee for a re-write, which he said didn’t occur. Supervisor Bradt said, “There you go again. You can’t always believe what you read in the paper.” He added that he received revisions that led him to support the resolution as it read as presented. Bradt said he took the blame for not going to the full committee.

Chair VanWormer brought Simkins’ revisions to a vote. Supervisor Manko made a motion to move the resolution to the Rules Committee “where it belongs,” but Supervisor Tague asked the Board to press for a vote on Simkins’ resolution. At that moment Supervisor Simkins withdrew the motion to defer to Manko’s motion. Manko said that the motion in December actually sent the resolution to the committee last time but was not followed through. Supervisor Bradt said he agreed to look at it.

The Board voted. Supervisors Simkins, Coppolo, Manko, Bradt, Luniewski, and Skowfoe voted yes. Voting no were Supervisors Bates, Federice, Hait, Lape, McAllister, Tague, VanGlad, VanWormer, and Vroman. The resolution was defeated by about 400 weighted votes.

Next Supervisor Tague asked for a vote on the resolution. All of the Supervisors voted yes except for Supervisors Bradt, Coppolo, Manko, Simkins, and Smith. The resolution passed with a weighted vote of 2134-840.

Supervisor Federice said that he believed the first resolution was brought about because of “political motivations” and that he agreed with Supervisor Manko’s earlier statement.

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Register Today for Friday's "Seen Enough Tobacco" Presentation in Cobleskill

Seen Enough Tobacco?
Presented by:
 Linda Wegner, Program Coordinator
Deyanira Cisneros, Community Engagement Lead
Advancing Tobacco Free Communities – Delaware, Otsego & Schoharie Counties

Join us as we discuss ways healthier communities
are being created through:

Ø Reducing youth and adult exposure to tobacco marketing

Ø Increasing the availability of tobacco-free outdoor shared environments

Ø Increasing the availability of smoke-free multi-unit housing

Ø De-normalizing tobacco and decreasing its use


*Seating is limited-
RSVP by calling (518)254-3272 by February 15, 2017

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C-GCC's Kidd Named Athlete of the Week

Columbia-Greene Community College men's basketball center Christopher Kidd,
of Poughkeepsie, has been named NJCAA Region III Athlete of the Week, for
Feb. 14, 2017.

Kidd scored 29 points, grabbed 14 rebounds and had four assists in an
overtime loss to #5 Mohawk Valley Community College last Wednesday. He
followed up with a 10-point, eight-rebound, three-steal, and two-assist
outing against Clinton on Saturday.

It’s the second time this season Kidd has received the NJCAA citation.

For more information on athletics at Columbia-Greene, including teams
rosters, stats and schedules, visit http://www.cgcctwins.com/landing/index.

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Night Sky Adventure Lecture at miSci, March 21

Night Sky Adventure  Tonight's lesson: Updates from Juno at Jupiter
Tue, March 21, 7:00pm – 8:30pm
miSci - Museum of Innovation and Science, 15 Nott Terrace Heights, Schenectady, NY 12308

Jupiter may be the largest planet in the solar system, but there is a lot of information we still don’t know about Jupiter. How did it form? What is the atmosphere like? What Fuels the great red spot? Juno, a recent mission to Jupiter, will help us answer these and other questions about the gas giant.

Night Sky Adventures are astronomy fun for the whole family! Educators from the Dudley Observatory, in conjunction with volunteers from the Albany Area Amateur Astronomers group, present astronomy lessons, planetarium shows and night sky viewing (weather depending). Amateur astronomers and families are invited to bring binoculars or telescopes. One or more telescopes will be provided for public use.

For more information, visit our website at www.DudleyObservatory.org.

Cost: Admission to miSci ($10.50 adult, $7.50 child age 3-12, $9 senior 65+), Free

Come early to enjoy the museum galleries as well as the Dudley Observatory program. miSci will be open continuously from 9am through the end of the Night Sky Adventure.

http://dudleyobservatory.us4.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=2ef4e7598fea6c4a053769914&id=6bd0c42bb2&e=378f2e2924

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Couple Jailed For Rape, Sexual Abuse

SIDNEY - A Sidney couple is facing felony sex charges following investigation into a child pornography complaint.

 The investigation revealed Justin D. Crandall, 28, of Sidney had sent sexually explicit photographs of a young child to another person. Crandall was arrested Feb. 11 and charged with first degree rape, class B felony, promoting sexual performance by a child less than 17years old, a class D felony, endangering the welfare of a child, a class A misdemeanor and seventh degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, class A misdemeanor.  Crandall was arraigned in Sidney Village Courtwhere he was remanded to the Delaware County Jail.

On Feb. 13.New York State Police at Sidney also arrested Jessica L. Crandall,e 27, the wife of Justin D. Crandall, of Sidney, for the charges of first degree criminal sex act, a class B felony, and endangering the welfare of a child, a class A misdemeanor.

The investigation revealed Jessica Crandall had also sexually abused a child less than 11-years-old. She was arraigned in Sidney Village Court and remanded to the Delaware County Jail.
The Village of Sidney Police Department assisted throughout the three day investigation.

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Steamboat Lecture Rescheduled at C-GCC

"Steamboat Days on the Hudson," a free lecture by Capt. Stanley Wilcox, Has
been rescheduled for Sunday, Feb. 19 at 2 p.m., in the Professional
Academic Center at Columbia-Greene Community College. The original date was
cancelled due to snow.

During his presentation, Capt. Wilcox will make the image of Hudson River
Steamboats come alive. The name itself invokes images of mighty three and
four hundred foot-long multi-level vessels churning up the river at close to
twenty miles an hour with paddle wheels slapping, smoke billowing from the
stacks, and hundreds of people gathered at the rails to view the passing
scenery.

The men arrive wearing freshly pressed shirts and pants while the women are
adorned in their Sunday best. This is, after all, a most special occasion. A
trip from New York City to Albany in only eight hours on a magnificent
vessel adorned with chandeliers, oil paintings, and brass rails.

The journey from the first steamboat that appeared on the Hudson to the time
of the grand and opulent vessels is a story filled with greed, frustration,
and courtroom drama. It begins with the New York Legislature granting Robert
Livingston a 30-year steamboat monopoly and ends with a decision from the U.S.
Supreme Court argued by none other than Daniel Webster.

These grand and inspiring boats have long since vanished from the Hudson, but
those who recall them do so with fond memories. It was an era that for many
made the Hudson River the center of the universe.

Capt. Wilcox is co-author of "The Hudson River Book," which includes a
foreward by the Riverkeeper.

C-GCC is located on state Route 23 in Greenport, one mile east of the Rip
Van Winkle Bridge. Route 23 can be reached from Exit 21 of the New York
State Thruway or the Hudson exit of the Taconic Parkway.

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Spaghetti Dinner Hosted by SUNY Delhi Students at Saint James Lake Delaware to Raise Funds for Baton Rouge Service Trip

SUNY Delhi students belonging to the Delhi Campus Interfaith Club will be travelling to Baton Rouge, LA to work on houses affected by flooding over their mid-winter break in February. The students will be hosting a spaghetti dinner to help raise funds for this trip. The dinner will take place on Sunday February 19 from 4:30 – 6 pm in the beautiful Parish Hall of Saint James Church Lake Delaware, located at 55 Lake Delaware Drive in Delhi on southbound State Route 28 halfway between Delhi and Andes. The dinner will cost $8; further donations towards the trip will be most welcome.

The Delhi Campus Interfaith Club is a student organization devoted to supporting religious and spiritual practice on campus, being a united voice across various religious affiliations, offering service and social opportunities to students, and addressing ethical and moral questions pertinent to our times. The Club is advised by SUNY Delhi Chaplain James Krueger, who is also Priest in Charge of Saint James Church Lake Delaware. While in Baton Rouge students in the Club will be doing flood relief projects, helping families to move back into their homes after the various flooding events.

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