Traditionally Speaking…by Pat Larsen - Being Welcomed Back…Part two

Just in case you missed “Part One”, this is a  continuation of the story about my personal journey with church.

Quite surprisingly, even to me, it took quite a bit of soul searching (forgive the pun) and reviewing of my earlier years of frequent attendance before I saw the disconnections that were missing in my adult life. 

So to continue…I was very intrigued that attending church was something forbidden to do within the church walls during the pandemic. Friends and neighbors spoke of sitting in their cars in the parking areas of their local churches just to be nearer to the places of worship that they found comfort in. Here’s the thing about me that everyone pretty much knows…tell me “no” and I’ll spend my days finding a way around that. 

So I did…I didn’t break laws or deliberately attempt to infect anyone, however, I began researching the masses being  held  “on line”...something I had never done in my life. View a mass on YouTube? That’s just a crazy notion. But before long, I was definitely into this concept and never missed a weekly event.

I felt connected again. But in a totally different way. This mass was said entirely in English (not Latin). This was brand new for me.

Still, I was a long way from my younger years of  experiencing regular attendance and I had no idea how to start looking for the church that I would call mine.

I knew the community within the church was the glue that held all of this together. That meant I had to step outside of my home to find a place to worship and pray but I had no idea where to start looking.

I began researching once the pandemic limits were lifted. Where were there churches that welcomed new community members? What time were the masses? Were the masses said in Latin or English? Where would I sit when I entered the church?

Would I be sitting in someone else's seat? (The anxiety was real!)

My first decision was to attend a mass with my son and his family about 40 minutes away from my home on an icy winter Saturday afternoon close to Troy, NY.

I emphasize “icy” because it was treacherous walking up the flight up steps to the  massive wood church doors. But I made it in one piece.

Once inside, I was quickly overwhelmed by the presence of the floor to ceiling stained glass images and tall wooden figures that represented the saints. The altar was embossed with gold leaflet embellishments and the music that surrounded the parishioners came from a second story that captured the sounds coming from a massive pipe organ.

I was overwhelmed.

But I knew that despite the grandeur, this wasn’t what I perceived MY church to be going forward.

So, I enjoyed the experience, and continued on with my journey closer to my home in Greene County.

My next decision was to attend a local church. I checked out the mass times and drove by the church to check out parking areas. Even though I was a short 16 minutes from my home, I still put the directions in my MapQuest just in case my anxiety kicked in as I was on my way.  Questions? Did I have enough fuel? was a serious thought.The night before I was to attend, I readied my church clothes and  checked to be sure I had a donation easily accessible in my purse.  I re-checked my phone three times to ensure my ringer was silenced and wouldn’t accidentally announce a call with my Harry Potter theme song. I set my alarm and still got up a half hour earlier.

I decided to bring my largest purse so that I could add my readers and my distance glasses if I was relegated to the last pew in the church because the rest of the church was full up.

I kept reminding myself that it was church, not my first day of incarceration.  I practiced breathing and smiling and looking like I belonged. I have a feeling by the looks I got, that folks were curious.

I was greeted by the Pastor immediately. Was I new to the area?

OHHH…I wasn’t new. That’s when I saw the curiosity deepen.

(My mind was screaming….so where the heck have you been then?)

The only place left to sit was in the first pew all the way down the aisle. And so, cane in hand, because my total knee replacement required some additional walking support, there I proceeded to the front of the church.

The first thing the priest on duty ( I don’t know what they’re called) said was..”do you people know what time it is? I was stunned, wide eyed and then I looked down at my watch and saw that it was the first day of Daylight savings time and it was actually “6:30am” not the 7:30am time I had thought mass was.

Mortified. That’s the only word I came up with.

The congregation chuckled, so I did too. 

But…then that’s when the shift came. 

I was “welcomed” by the congregation. Sincerely, kindly, generously opening up to my obvious needs of overcoming my fears of being new after many many years. 

Even the shivering of every muscle of my body slowly quieted. People smiled.  They offered me the sign of peace. I was shown all the how to’s… how to step up to receive the eucharist, how to hold my hands, what pages the prayers were on…I LOVED this church. I felt so embraced and comfortable…Everyone knew it was a huge step that I had taken without the words or  the excuses that I had planned if asked. 

I was WELCOMED BACK to my faith, this church, this place of reverence and prayers  and I knew it was perfect timing and exactly as it was always intended to be.

Best of all…the mass was now said in English. So to me everything was brand new and completely comprehensible. I loved it.

Pat Larsen is a syndicated columnist who lives in Greene County.

Feel free to give Pat a call to chat. 518-275-8686 She’d love to hear your story.

 

Remember to Subscribe!

Subscription Options

One Year $50.00 USD Six Months $30.00 USD One Year with Insider Newsletter $75.00 USD

Catholic Churches Face Closures in Greene Schoharie, Otsego, and Delaware Counties - Diocese May Close One-Third of Churches, Schools in Region

By David Avitabile

ALBANY - Facing a "financial and maintenance crisis," the Diocese of Albany announced last week that it will undertake a study that could result in the closure of up to one-third of the diocese's 126 parish churches and other buildings.

Several Catholic churches are in the Mountain Eagle territory in Greene, Schoharie, Delaware, and Otsego counties.

Bishop Edward Scharfenberger released a letter on April 7 to inform the faithful the problems and issues facing the diocese. The letter was included in newsletters in churches over the weekend.

"With a longstanding history of vibrant parish life up until the 2000s, we now face a financial and maintenance crisis as well - we have too many buildings! - which is leading us to realign or relinquish perhaps one-third of 12 parish churches and other buildings, even some of our remaining parish schools," the Bishop wrote.

The diocese, which is facing bankruptcy, is also facing problems of clergy health and advancing age, declining attendance, and other issues.

"Clergy health and well-being, quality sacramental ministry, consistent attendance, participation and volunteerism, well-maintained properties and assets have been heading in the wrong direction” the Bishop wrote.

The Bishop said the planning initiative is focused on evangelization and better stewardship of the Church’s assets.

Decisions have to be made soon, Bishop Scharfenberger added.

“If we are to have a solid, long-term future, we cannot NOT act. We are now launching a process in an effort to implement a newly envisioned future for long-term growth and the formation of mission-focused disciples."

The details of the process will be detailed in the weeks to come and begun on Pentecost Sunday, June 8, he announced.

"It is centered on sound principles of pastoral care," the Bishop wrote, "unified action and evangelization, ensuring every participant feels heard, valued, and supported as we walk together with Christ in this transition."

The study will not be another "'Call to be Church' which served other needs in another time," he wrote. That study resulted in the merger, closure, and sale of several parishes including the one in Schoharie nearly 15 years ago.

This "is a challenge and an opportunity to re-channel our efforts and resources toward a healthier Church focused on service, growth in our relationship with Jesus Christ, personally and communally, and sustainable for the needs we have inside and outside our walls. Through a prayerful, comprehensive and participatory evaluation process, we can ensure that the mission of the Church is carried forward, not left to decline.”

Bishop Scharfenberger wrote that the main objective of the process is that every parish in the diocese will take part in a transparent and honest decision-making process over several months of discernment, taking care to listen especially to the voices of youth and young adults, about “the mission and resources of each parish toward a realistic vision for its future.” The bishop described it as “a process to focus each parish on its mission as the Church, making best use of its personal and material resources.”

Reconfiguration or merging of parishes and the repurposing, closing, or sale of some churches, rectories, and schools “must surely be anticipated” as part of the outcome, he noted, saying they may ultimately need to “realign or relinquish perhaps one-third of 126 parish churches and other buildings, even some of our remaining parish schools.”

“Every resource or asset — buildings, personnel, services, holdings, and expenses — must point to fulfilling the mission Christ entrusts to us,” Bishop Scharfenberger continued. 

The diocese previously launched and completed a pastoral planning process beginning in 2006 and concluding in 2011 named "Called to be Church," which resulted in the diocese implementing nearly a dozen parish mergers in response to changing demographics and a shortage of priests. 

Bishop Scharfenberger announced in 2023 his decision that the diocese would declare bankruptcy, in part due to a flood of more than 400 lawsuits filed during a two-year period under New York’s Child Victims Act of 2019. Nearly all of New York’s dioceses filed for bankruptcy following the passage of the act.

 

Remember to Subscribe!

Subscription Options

One Year $50.00 USD Six Months $30.00 USD One Year with Insider Newsletter $75.00 USD

Jefferson Sets Public Hearing on Solar Moratorium

By Liz Page

JEFFERSON  – Members of the Jefferson Town Board approved bid prices for the sale of surplus equipment, totaling $34,400 during their meeting last Thursday, and set a public hearing for the May 8 meeting for a proposed six-month moratorium on solar facilities.

Highway Superintendent Ray Hendrickson ran down the list of surplus equipment for board members to approve the bids placed on Auction International. He also ran down his list of roadways for repair in the upcoming season. He is also making a grader patch to begin repair of roadways which are in more severe shape this spring due to the cold weather and up and down temperatures. He can't begin repairs until the roadways have settled from the heaving.

Councilman Don VanValkenburgh, gave a lengthy report on Jefferson Heritage Day, saying they are currently taking ads for the booklet. They are looking at a chainsaw demo and fireworks, the sale of  Heritage Day t-shirts to the public, an outdoor movie and compiling a list of volunteers to help with the event. He said the March meeting was well attended. They are getting information on social media and are working on the website. They are also looking to increase the list of vendors.

Supervisor Peggy Hait thanked Ingrid Zemir for her years of service as the town historian.

She made note of the new lighting in the town hall and court, which has been switched to LED both inside and out. She is going to check to see if the same can be down at the highway garage. The lights will save the town money and were installed through a special NYSEG grant.

She reported that elections have reverted back to their former schedules, rather than they newer schedule proposed by Governor Hochul. However, she cautioned everyone that it could change again and to be prepared.

Schoharie County was the first of 33 counties in the state, with a 74 percent voter turnout last November. 

The town received a check for $9,580 due to the low number of workers compensation calls.

The town received thank you notes from the West Jefferson Cemetery and the Evergreen Cemetery for the checks presented by the town to help with maintenance of the two cemeteries.

Supervisor Hait said the town has received  from the NYS Officers of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation regarding the properties to be listed as historic and recommended to the registry. The maps can be viewed on the website: https://park, ny, gove, shpo/national-register/Jefferson Historic DistrictJeffersonSchoharieCo.

Board members adopted a proposed fee schedule related to solar projects. There are 10 fees related to solar, the intent is to ensure solar companies pay their fair share. The pre-application fee is $15,000 per megawatt, with a minimum of $30,000 in order to begin development and the first sketch plan. It also includes a transfer permit fee, an application fee, transfer indemnification fee, construction permit fee, demolition fee, construction demolition inspection fees and an annual energy producing surcharge of one cent for kilowatt of energy sold. The specifications come from the Department of Energy website, according to Rich Irwin, code enforcement officer. The schedule was adopted.

Currently, it was noted, there are no proposed solar projects. The town already has an operating project owned by Camp Oorah.

The town is seeking the moratorium to allow the planning board time to upgrade the regulations for solar projects.

A quote of $11,500 for a new 145,000 BT boiler for the highway garage was approved and includes installation by BPI, of Waterford,NY. Supervisor Haiti was asked to get a price on purchasing a second boiler only to store for future installation.

Councilman VanValkenburgh asked that the money from the sale of the Post Office building be earmarked for a new highway garage. He said the town needs to begin the process so money is set aside for what will be needed in the future.

 

Remember to Subscribe!

Subscription Options

One Year $50.00 USD Six Months $30.00 USD One Year with Insider Newsletter $75.00 USD

Gilboa Hears from NYSEG, Discusses Building Payment

By Liz Page

GILBOA –  There were a few extra people present for the monthly meeting of the Gilboa Town Board on Monday as Arthur Klinger addressed New York State Electric & Gas Company outages and bill increases.

Klinger is the municipal and community relations manager for NYSEG's Oneonta district., which covers more than 3,000 square  miles, has 94,000 customers and 74 substations.

Klinger was invited to speak due to the number and length of time of outages in the town of Gilboa over the past year. He also addressed the new smart meters everyone will be having installed.

The Oneonta district is one of the last to have the smart meters installed, according to Klinger, which he believes is a good thing. Hopefully most of the glitches have been ironed out by the previous installations. He said they will make life simpler for him, both as a public relations person and as a customer.

He went on to explain how electric bills are compiled. NYSEG alternates between actual readings and estimated readings. The estimated readings are based on electric usage from the same month last year, which accounts for some of the increase in billings. Last winter was much milder, so the estimated readings are probably lower than each household's actual usage has been this winter. There is generally increased usage of lights and equipment during the winter months and this winter some people may have had their furnaces turning on more often, their lights turned on longer or they may have used some supplemental heat, such as portable heaters. All of it adds up to higher usage. So if the estimated reading is low by comparison, the catchup bill will be higher than anticipated.

NYSEG has to predict how much energy it will need and provide that estimate for how much energy it will need to purchase for the coming. Prepaid power is cheaper than on-demand power, so that also increased the bills. However, they are not allowed to over-do it. Because it has been such a harsh winter, Klinger said the company didn't estimate high enough, so more energy is now being purchased at the higher rate. Greater usage at a higher rate is another reason behind higher bills.

He said this winter was 15 percent colder than the winter of 2024.

Another rate increase is due on May 3, the final year of a three-year plan. He anticipates they will ask for another increase in the next plan and it is up to the Public Service Commission how much of an increase will be granted.

As for the outages, he pointed to an area in Grand Gorge where there is no access to the lines by road, so any repairs have to be made by manpower carrying in whatever is needed for the repairs, which takes much longer. He also said there have been a lot of trees on wire outages and while they do now have a maintenance plan to cut trees away from the lines, they haven't caught up. There is a 6-year plan. When they get through once, they turn around and start over. He said they are still playing catch up. There have been a number of storms and a lot of high winds to bring trees and wires together. He also points to aging infrastructure that breaks down under stress.  He said the Grand Gorge trouble spot is frustrating not only to the customers, but the crews because it takes them too long to restore the power. 

He said they now cut all of the vegetation within the right of way and further if they can get a private landowner's permission. However, it is difficult to keep up with the number of dying ash trees.

Heidi Pickett asked why there wasn't a plan in place  to provide access to the problem area or to move the lines. Klinger said it is a difficult process to gain rights of way from every property owner to move the lines or provide access.

He said the Smart Meters are coming in the near future. Grid One is the contractor and the employees will have badges. If you have an outside meter, they will replace it with a smart meter without anyone needing to be present. If you have an inside meter and you don't already have a plan for them to enter to get a meter reading, someone 15 years of age or older will need to be present to let the installers in.

Klinger said that whatever type of meter  you have now, will be replaced with a smart meter. People with solar panels have a different meter than a standard household and on-demand and others will also be replaced with a meter that will continue to provide the reading for whatever situation the homeowner has.

While some have based their major increases to Smart Meters, he said they have not been installed in this area yet. Homeowners will remain hooked to the existing system until they are sure all the glitches are out of the switched-over systems.

Some of the advantages of the Smart Meters is that it will notify NYSEG immediately when power is out at your home.

It will become more automated, but due to the lack of reliable cell and phone services in the region, there are glitches and there can be some inaccurate readings. Klinger said they are aware and this will be monitored once the new smart meters are in place. You can opt out of the new meters, but it will cost an extra $30-plus dollars. Information is available on the NYSEG website.

The town received five lawn mowing bids which includes the town hall and several cemeteries. The low bid of $5,000 was awarded to Windy Ridge Property Maintenance with the condition they produce insurance and non-collusive bidding application.

Town resident and  a fire commissioner with the Stamford Joint Fire District, Bill Sharick, was present to address issues with EMS dispatch between the counties of Delaware and Schoharie. A recent call made by neighbors and relatives for a 95-year-old male having a medical issue resulted in confusion over dispatching. Headwaters Emergency Medical Service responded to the call, but Sharick said there is still confusion over when they can be called. Because one of the calls went to Schoharie County, the Schoharie County ambulance was dispatched, along with Stamford first responders. Sharick said the problem was that sorting out the call and its location took time to sort out. "I see that there are two problems that we continue to have between Schoharie County and Delaware County dispatch and how it all takes place to get an ambulance. This is a concern to me and other residents in the town of Gilboa. Schoharie County needs to make arrangements for Headwaters to be dispatched immediately to a call." 

Supervisor Terry said she would like to get all the parties involved to sit down together to see the best way to resolve the issues.

It was also noted there has been an election law update.

 

Remember to Subscribe!

Subscription Options

One Year $50.00 USD Six Months $30.00 USD One Year with Insider Newsletter $75.00 USD

M'burgh Village Names Grants Committee

By David Avitabile

MIDDLEBURGH - Five people were named to a grants committee Monday night to help the Village of Middleburgh pursue revenue for important projects.

In February, village officials sent out a questionnaire asking residents for their ideas of needed improvements in the village and other issues. The village also asked for volunteers to serve on a grants committee.

At Monday night's village board meeting, board members named Mayor Tim Knight, Trustee Bob Tinker, and residents Patty Paser, David Avitabile, and Susan London as members. The remaining interested residents were named as alternates, Karen Brathauer, Nathan Searles, James Snyder, Candy Reynolds-Cummings, and Sara Masterson.

The committee will probably meet two or three times, Mayor Knight said.

In order to aid with the pursuit of grants, the village will be holding a walkthrough of the business district on Tuesday, June 10 at 9:30am with representatives of the Mohawk Valley Economic Development District and SEEC to "understand the total picture." The Middleburgh Area Business Association and the members of the grants committee are also invited.

In other grants news:

* Delaware Engineering has submitted the village's EPG for a sanitary sewer extension.

* Mayor Knight submitted a Technical Grant application, with MVEDD's assistance, for the DEC's Drinking Water Source Protection Program.

In their questionnaire, of the 14 projects noted, improving the village pool came in first with 222 responses or 55 percent of the responses received.

Coming in second was extending the sewer lines with 19 responses or 47.5 percent of the responses. Third and fourth were: replacing residential sidewalks and improving village parking, both with 15 responses or 37.5 percent.

Other suggested improvements were: replacing Main Street sidewalks, making the village hall accessible, improving Main Street crosswalk, reducing speed limits, installing more crosswalks, planting more trees, building a new firehouse, replacing Railroad Avenue sidewalks, improving public parks, and building a new DPW facility.

 

Remember to Subscribe!

Subscription Options

One Year $50.00 USD Six Months $30.00 USD One Year with Insider Newsletter $75.00 USD

MCS Approves $25.1M Budget, Taxes up 1.5%, Public Vote May 20

By David Avitabile

MIDDLEBURGH - Middleburgh Central School board members last week approved a $25.1 million budget for 2025-26 that includes a tax levy increase of 1.5 percent. The spending plan will now go before voters on May 20.

Superintendent Mark Place noted that MCS has the lowest tax increase in the area for the second year in a row.

In March, board members faced a budget gap of $277,000 and agreed to eliminate the gap by reducing spending and using funds from two reserves. To eliminate the rest of the budget gap, the district used about $65,000 from the Employee Retirement System and $100,000 from the Teachers Retirement System.

Spending was reduced to $25.1 million and funds from the TRS and the ERS to eliminate the gap, school Business Administrator Robyn Bhend told school board members last Wednesday night.

"We were able to do that," Ms. Bhend said Wednesday. "We made it work."

The final spending plan is $200,000 or 0.8 percent more than the current budget.

The district is still waiting for the state to adopt its 2025-26 budget. It is not known whether school aid will be increased or by how much, Ms. Bhend said.  

If there is additional state aid, "We would reduce the amount of reserve funding by the amount of the additional Foundation aid," Ms. Bhend said after the meeting.

Currently, state aid revenue for the district stands at $12.7 million, down $107,000 or 0.84 percent from this year. There are talks in the state legislatures to increase state aid by three percent.

Officials originally had been looking at a rollover budget that totaled $25.46 million, about $556,000 or 2.33 percent more than the current budget.

In addition to the budget, other voter propositions expected for consideration:

* School Bus Purchase ‐ Total cost not to exceed $484,000. As per Bus Replacement Plan – diesel engine buses, two-65 passenger buses with luggage compartments, one-30 passenger Wheelchair bus.

* Capital Project/Capital Reserve Proposition, $8.1 million total project cost. Withdrawal $2.1M from 2023 Capital Reserve for no additional tax impact.  Ability to continue funding reserve for the next project after withdrawal (additional $2M through 2033). Anticipate a capital project every five years to maintain/upgrade buildings and grounds.

* Repair Reserve Transfer. Per Reserve/Fund Balance plan - Reserve balance as of December 31, 2024, $421,011. Transfer not to exceed $600,000 (voter approval required/actual amount TBD by board). Funds set-aside for one-time unanticipated repair expenditures.

 

Remember to Subscribe!

Subscription Options

One Year $50.00 USD Six Months $30.00 USD One Year with Insider Newsletter $75.00 USD

Old Town Hall For Sale

By Joshua Walther

MIDDLEBURGH - Last Thursday, member Wes Laraway told the Middleburgh Town Board that the old town hall has been prepped for sale.

He explained that he and several Town employees got together on a nice day and filled a dumpster in one afternoon in an effort to clean the place.

“It’s in good condition,” he said. “It looks really good.”

Mr. Laraway noted that the building will be in the hands of realtor Pearl Ruby Torres, a Middleburgh agent with deep ties to the county that has been selling property since 1993.

He and the rest of the Board remains hopeful that the building will sell, saying “Let’s hope that somebody falls in love with it and wants to buy it, and let’s hope we can put it back on the tax roll.”

In other news, Dog Control Officer Joe Durma asked the Town if he can trade in street addresses for the names of residents so he can begin mailing dog licensing applications.

“I’m wasting my time coming out here,” he said, explaining that for every call that’s made, there’s someone that doesn’t answer their door. “I know these dogs aren’t licensed.”

Town Clerk Renee Schmidt agreed to look through her records and aid Mr. Durma in rolling out his new strategy for registering dogs.

Finally, Fred Risse of the Planning Board voiced his concerns about the new car detailing shop being run out of the smoke shop across the street from Valley Market.

“We served him with the paperwork, but the guy never showed up,” he explained, and said that if the Planning Board doesn’t know, the owner is technically doing illegal work.

Town Supervisor John Youmans and the rest of the Board advised Mr. Risse to get into contact with Codes Officer Tom Loucks, though Mr. Laraway held his own reservations.

“I still think there’s a fine line there to tell a business owner what they can and can’t do with their business,” he noted, but still referred the Planning Board to Mr. Loucks.

 

Remember to Subscribe!

Subscription Options

One Year $50.00 USD Six Months $30.00 USD One Year with Insider Newsletter $75.00 USD

State Files Appeal To Court's Solar Decision

By Chris English

SCHOHARIE COUNTY — New York State as expected has appealed a state Supreme Court decision from early March that declared the law governing the value of solar and wind energy facilities for tax purposes unconstitutional.

The appeal to the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court was filed just before the 30-day deadline by state Attorney General Letitia James and Assistant Attorney General Lauren Rosenberg, and is from "each and every part" of the March court ruling.

Schoharie County Supervisor Donald Airey of Blenheim, the lead petitioner-plaintiff in the lawsuit challenging the method by which solar and wind energy facilities are valued for tax purposes, had expected the appeal. So did his fellow Schoharie County Supervisors who were also petitioners-plaintiffs in the case. The defendants-respondents are the state, Governor Kathy Hochul and the state Legislature.

The supervisors and many others across the county have long contended that the tax assessment model for solar and wind facilities results in far too little taxes coming to the towns, county and school districts from such facilities.

Reached by telephone on Tuesday, Airey said that right now _ without knowing what the result of the appeal will be _ the court's March decision means that solar and wind facilities will be assessed at full value. If it stands, that will mean many more millions of dollars in tax revenue coming to towns, counties and school districts across the state, Airey said.

As an example, he said assessment at full value of the Town of Sharon's 50 MW East Point solar facility would mean $1.2 million in annual tax revenue split up among the town, Schoharie County and the Sharon Springs Central School District. Discounted assessment under the law being challenged brings $400,000 in annual tax revenue split up among the three entities, Airey noted.

"If you extrapolate those numbers across the entire state, the math speaks for itself," he said. "Even a blind man can see, that's a boatload of money we've been missing out on."

Judging from the usual speed of the judicial system, Airey estimated it would be six to eight months before the appeal is heard. He repeated his call for the parties on both sides of the issue to reach some sort of reasonable compromise.

"We don't endorse that every project should be assessed at full value," Airey said. "There is room for PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) agreements. We're not trying to be unreasonable or greedy. We're just trying to get a fair deal.

"There is good compromise ground on this. Why the state will not engage in compromise on this is elusive to me. There is enough money in this that no one should get hurt. The only ones getting hurt now are the host communities."

Dylan Harris of the Poughkeepsie law firm Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP, the attorney for the petitioners-plaintiffs, said he feels good about the chances of the appeal not being granted.

"We feel the lower court took a very deep dive into the facts and made a very well reasoned decision," Harris said. "We feel comfortable with our position and all the hard work, time and effort the lower court put into this."

The issues proposed to be raised by the state's appeal is whether the trial court erred in granting relief in favor of petitioners-plaintiffs and whether 575-b of the Real Property Tax Law is unconstitutional. The state's appeal does not get into specific legal detail on why state officials feel the appeal should be granted, but presumably detailed legal briefs will be filed by both sides as the process moves along.

The crux of the March court decision favorable to Schoharie County was that the state Legislature had improperly relinquished its taxing authority to an administrative agency, the Division of Taxation and Finance. Therefore, the judge went on to rule that the law governing the assessment model for wind and solar facilities, 575-b, violated the state constitution.

Other parts of that March state Supreme Court ruling did not favor Airey and the other petitioners-plaintiffs.

"Petitioners' first, third and fourth causes of action are dismissed for lack of standing and the motion is otherwise denied," the ruling stated.

 

Remember to Subscribe!

Subscription Options

One Year $50.00 USD Six Months $30.00 USD One Year with Insider Newsletter $75.00 USD

Man Convicted After Hitting Trooper

Joseph Cranker, 41, was convicted of Assault with the Intent to Cause Physical  Injury with a Weapon/Instrument in the Second Degree, a class D felony, in the  Schoharie County Court. Mr. Cranker admitted hitting an off-duty NYS trooper  repeatedly with a helmet, causing physical injury to the off-duty trooper was  attempting to prevent Mr. Cranker from damaging his neighbor’s robotic  lawnmower. Mr. Cranker was sentenced by the Court to a determinate sentence of  three and one-half (3.5) years imprisonment with five (5) years post release  supervision, a surcharge of $300, crime victim advocate fee of $25, $50 DNA  surcharge, an eleven (11) year order of protection was issued for the victim, and  $1,575 in restitution to be paid to the victim, as well as $3,276 in restitution to be  paid to the insurance company. New York State Trooper Yodis and Investigator  Domres were the arresting officers.

 

Remember to Subscribe!

Subscription Options

One Year $50.00 USD Six Months $30.00 USD One Year with Insider Newsletter $75.00 USD

Drug Dealer Sentenced

Scott Kossow, 39, was convicted of two (2) counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled  Substance in the Second Degree and one (1) count of Criminal Possession of a  Controlled Substance in the Fourth Degree in the Schoharie County Court. Mr.  Kossow sold methamphetamine to an undercover officer. Mr. Kossow was  sentenced by the Court to a determinate sentence of six (6) years imprisonment with  5 years post release supervision, restitution in the amount of $4,410 to be paid  himself, as well as $3,601.50 to be paid jointly with Co-Defendant, a surcharge of  $300, $25 crime victim advocate fee, and $50 DNA surcharge for one (1) count of  Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance. For the second (2) count of Criminal Sale  of a Controlled Substance, Mr. Kossow was sentenced to a determinate sentence of  six (6) years state imprisonment to be served concurrently. Regarding the Criminal  Possession of a Controlled Substance, Mr. Kossow was sentenced to a determinate  sentence of five (5) imprisonment with 2 years post release supervision, also to be  served concurrently with other sentences. District Attorney Susan Mallery would  like to thank the New York State Police Special Crime Unit for its investigation.

 

Remember to Subscribe!

Subscription Options

One Year $50.00 USD Six Months $30.00 USD One Year with Insider Newsletter $75.00 USD

District Attorney News

Joseph Thrush, 42, was convicted of Failure to Register or Verify as a Sex  Offender in the Schoharie County Court. Mr. Thrush pled guilty to the District  Attorney’s Indictment with no promises. Judge Ryan T. McAllister sentenced Mr.  Thrush to three (3) years’ probation with the Courts’ terms and conditions, a  surcharge of $300, crime victim advocate fee of $25, and $50 DNA surcharge.  Schoharie County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Armlin and Deputy Niesz were the  arresting officers. 

Simon Aranovitch, 21, was convicted of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the  Third Degree in the Schoharie County Court. Mr. Aranovitch was sentenced by the  Court to five (5) years’ probation, a surcharge of $300, crime victims advocate fee  of $25, and $50 DNA surcharge. New York State Police Investigator Kristel was  the arresting officer. 

Simon Aranovitch, 21, was convicted of Assault in the Third Degree in the  Schoharie County Court. Mr. Aranovitch was sentenced by the Court to time  served in jail, a surcharge of $200, $50 DNA surcharge, and a three (3) year Order  of Protection was issued for the victim. Schoharie County Sheriff's Office  Investigator Smith and Sergeant Whittaker were the arresting officers.

 

Remember to Subscribe!

Subscription Options

One Year $50.00 USD Six Months $30.00 USD One Year with Insider Newsletter $75.00 USD

Schoharie Storm Claim Victory Over Duanesburg

Information Courtesy GameChanger Media

Schoharie Storm were triumphant over Duanesburg 6-3 on Friday.

Schoharie Storm got on the board in the first inning after a dropped third strike scored one run, which helped Duanesburg tie the game at one in the top of the third.

In the bottom of the third, Schoharie Storm broke up the tie when Devon Schrader doubled, scoring two runs. Then a passed ball followed to extend the lead to 4-1.

Eddison Wayman-Bender earned the win for Schoharie Storm. The right-handed pitcher surrendered one hit and two runs (one earned) over five innings, striking out nine and walking four. Williams took the loss for Duanesburg. The starter went three innings, allowing four runs (two earned) on two hits, striking out six and walking four. Justin Vangasbeck appeared in relief for Schoharie Storm.

Schrader provided pop in the middle of the lineup, and led Schoharie Storm with two runs batted in. The right-handed hitter went 1-for-3 on the day. Tyler Dingee, Kolebyn Scheemaker, Vangasbeck, Schrader, and Noah Spencer each collected one hit for Schoharie Storm. Lawrence Zuefle and Dingee each stole multiple bases for Schoharie Storm. Schoharie Storm worked the count all day, amassing seven walks. Schoharie Storm stole seven bases in the game. Schoharie Storm turned one double play in the game.

Fall led the team with one run batted in. Williams led Duanesburg with two hits in three at bats. Williams stole two bases. Duanesburg turned one double play in the game.

 

Remember to Subscribe!

Subscription Options

One Year $50.00 USD Six Months $30.00 USD One Year with Insider Newsletter $75.00 USD

School Board Seats up at MCS, SCS

SCHOHARIE VALLEY - Five school board seats are up this May in Schoharie and Middleburgh, including those held by both school board presidents.

Three seats will be up on the Schoharie school board on the Tuesday, May 20 ballot. The three seats are: school board President Terry, Vice-president Dan Guasp, and Tara Barton.

Each seat is for three years.

In Middleburgh, the seats of board President Debra Bechtold and Vicki Hoerz are expiring.

The seats are for three years.

Election petitions have to be delivered to the district one month before the election.

 

Remember to Subscribe!

Subscription Options

One Year $50.00 USD Six Months $30.00 USD One Year with Insider Newsletter $75.00 USD