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The Best Gifts from Schoharie County

Thieves Steal ATV's, Game Consoles and More from Jefferson Oorah Camp; Two Thousand Dollar Reward Offered for Info

Written By Editor on 12/8/13 | 12/8/13


In what can only be described as a despicable act, thieves targeted Jefferson's TheZone campsite that is run by the New Jersey based Jewish organization Oorah on Tuesday evening - in the midst of Hanukkah - and stole thousands of dollars worth of ATV's, gaming consoles and television screens that children affiliated with the charity use on retreats to the complex formerly known as Deer Run Ski Lodge.
 
Rabbi Avraham Krewiec, who is director of both TheZone campsites in Schoharie County, said that "these items are used in the camp to give the children a great time." He added that "during a winter retreat, a functioning game room is a significant indoor activity that really contributes a lot to the success of the weekend."
 
According to an official press release issued by representatives of Oorah
Security cameras on site caught footage of the robbery. New York State police are reviewing the footage, which includes several images of the thieves. Oorah is enhancing these images and will be releasing them to the public shortly. Camp representatives are confident that with the help of the state police, who are working diligently on the case, the perpetrators will be apprehended before long.
This has encouraged officials within TheZone, which also has a second campsite in the Town of Gilboa, to offer a $2,000 reward to anyone who can provide local authorities with information leading to the arrest of the thieves and the return of the gaming equipment, which they hope will be recovered in time for an upcoming scheduled New Years weekend retreat.
 
"It's horrifying to think that anyone would be callous enough to steal games from children," lamented Rabbi Krawiec, who concluded his statement by saying: "especially during the holiday season and especially from a non-profit." If anyone has any information regarding this crime, please contact the State Police, Sheriff's office or Oorah with whatever details you can provide.

Opinion: Holmes Ready to Strengthen Cobleskill, Move Past Dissolution

Written By Editor on 12/7/13 | 12/7/13


After years of passionate debate over former Mayor Mark Galasso's proposal to dissolve the Village of Cobleskill into either the Town government, or an incredibly far-fetched idea that sought to create the "City of Cobleskill," residents of the county's economic and population hub can now look toward the future of their municipality without the constant drumbeat of self-destruction that their previous administration was so fond of pounding. 
 
It goes without saying that the Schoharie News is pleased with last month's election of former Village Trustee Linda Holmes to not only serve as Mayor of Cobleskill, but also as a promoter of stronger and more interactive government within the community. A vision Mayor Holmes started working on day one with the creation of an official facebook page for Village government, resembling that of Middleburgh's, in order to dually inform the public of government related news and community events.
 
While it is not earth shattering, it is definitely a small step in the right direction by signaling her administration is concerned with the promotion and strength of the community at large, whereas her predecessor was intent on its unequivocal dissolution despite the public and the data showing it was counter productive and based on the false premise of cost savings.
 
Only time will reveal whether Mayor Holmes term is successful in strengthening the community and putting the ill-conceived idea of dissolution behind them, but after eight years of either unpopular mayors or unconstructive administrations ranging from that of Michael Sellers to Mark Nadeau to finally Mark Galasso holding reign of Cobleskill, she can only lead the Village toward a better position than it has been.
 
What do you think?

Schoharie County to See Light Snowfall, Maybe 2-4 Inches Overnight

Written By Editor on 12/6/13 | 12/6/13


The convergence of two weather fronts - one bringing cooler air into the North East and the other a low pressure system from the Tennessee Valley - is not only going to be responsible for a chilly weekend in Schoharie County following the mild temperatures of the past week, but the potential for snowfall over the course of this afternoon and into tomorrow morning.
 
 
Both WRGB channel 6 and WNYT channel 13 are predicting light precipitation, generally in the two to four inch range, with the possibility for slightly higher accumulations in the Catskill Mountains, while lower elevations have to be on the watch for a sleet or wintry mix.
 
There's too many cracks in their snow related stories to even fathom counting
After the media exaggerated the effects of a mild snowstorm during Thanksgiving week, local readers would be wise to heed their warnings of potential snowfall, and maybe even sleet, while at the same time not rushing to the neighborhood supermarket because it probably will just blow over - like most storms - and avoid yet another Weather Channel panic induced shopping spree.
 
 

Lopez Hosting Flood Meeting Monday

Assemblyman Peter Lopez is inviting local leaders to another round of a series of flood resiliency meetings. The meetings, which have involved personnel from Towns, Villages, and County offices came about after Schoharie Supervisor Gene Milone suggested a better way to mitigate excess rain runoff. The project has been led by Assemblyman Lopez in conjunction with Congressman Chris Gibson and State Senator Jim Seward.

The next meeting is Monday, December 9th at 1pm at the Schoharie Town Hall. The meeting will discuss further methods of preventing future flooding and dealing with potential future logistical and weather issues.

Town of Conesville Write-In Votes Add to Hwy Superintendent Election Bizarreness

Written By Editor on 12/5/13 | 12/5/13

Last month's unusual Town Highway Superintendent race in Conesville between Democrat Stephen Young and incumbent Republican Larry Brandow, which resulted in a tie that the Town Board will have to decide on in January's organizational meeting, just got a little bit more bizarre with the County Board of Elections final results being published earlier this week.
 
According to the results almost 8% of the Town's electorate, or 20 voters, wrote-in their own choices for the Highway Superintendent position rather then support either Mr. Young or Mr. Brandow, with eighteen of those ballots going to a Town of Conesville employee by the name of Paul Hilliker - who also received a vote for County Coroner.
 
There were no more than a handful of write-in votes in the county Sheriff's election or in the various Town Supervisor races, but as if everything was meant to align perfectly in this scenario, there were more than enough in an election where just one vote could've changed the entire outcome and settled the question who will serve as head of the Town's Highway Department almost a month ago.
 
Add in the absentee ballot that was disqualified, due to its applicants unfortunate death, in addition to the Town of Conesville's indecisive citizenry, and the eighteen write-in votes for Mr. Hilliker just fit in with the bizarre nature of this election, which will be held again next November by New York State law because the Town Board has to appoint someone to fill the position and a special election is not an option.
 
Stay tuned for further developments in this continuously evolving story.

Schoharie News Opening an Office in Middleburgh

The Schoharie News would like to announce the opening of our public office in the Village of Middleburgh. The office, which we are sharing with 4 Star Reality, is located on 308 Main Street - will serve as a physical outlet for both our readership to reach out to us and as a space where we can work on exciting new projects and stories heading into the new year. As always, thank you for your continued support!

We will be officially opening sometime next week and will post an update status with that information.

Middleburgh Adds Accountant, Continues Post-Irene Growth


The Village of Middleburgh's business community grew a little bit bigger yesterday with the opening of the Valley Tax and Accounting office on 296 Main Street by owner Francis Pipczynski, who made the decision to come to the Village after he responded to outreach from the Mayor's office asking for an accountant to move into the area in an internet listing.
 
Praising Middleburgh's post-Irene recovery, Pipczynski said that "We are pleased to be here and part of the rebuilding process after such widespread devastation," adding that what has impressed them so much was that "after what seemed like a knock out punch, the residents and business owners did and continue to do whatever is necessary to get back on their feet."
 
With tax time just around the corner, Valley Tax and Accounting can be reached at 827-3311 or on their website. They provide a wide array or personal and business services including tax preparation, returns, IRS representation, accounting and bookkeeping services, wealth management and more.
 
Stating that he once read in life that you need to "Dream it, Conceive it, Believe it, and Achieve it," Mr. Pipczynski welcomed members of the Village Board and Business Association for an official ribbon cutting for his accounting office, which he said has a vision to "deliver comprehensive and professional tax, accounting, and additional services to the residents and business owners that they need and value." 
 



Official Results: Desmond Claims 49.87% of Vote, 12 Towns in Solid Victory


The Schoharie County Board of Elections has released their official results for last month's hotly contested election cycle, which shows a solid victory for incumbent Sheriff Tony Desmond over his two fellow law enforcement officers - Cobleskill Police Chief Larry Travis and Deputy Sheriff Todd Ethington - with 49.87% of the vote in the 2013 race for Sheriff.

Towns that supported Desmond are red, Travis are Blue and Ethington are yellow
Even more impressive was Sheriff Desmond's town-by-town dominance across the county. From his hometown of Sharon Springs to Conesville the incumbent Sheriff carried twelve towns overall, while both his opponents won just two each: Chief Travis in Blenheim and Cobleskill; Deputy Ethington in Jefferson and Summit.
 
Interestingly enough, this marks the second consecutive election where Sheriff Desmond has lost Cobleskill but still managed to build a large enough base of support across the rest of the county to offset the population center's more than fifteen hundred votes, which went by a healthy margin to their hometown candidate this time around.
 
But now that all is said and done, officially, all three men can return to their positions as law enforcement professionals with last November's race in the past and the protection of Schoharie's citizenry, regardless of who they supported, as their top priority in the present and into the future.

Letter to the Editor: Potential Maranatha Investor Dumbfounded by Apathy

Written By Editor on 12/4/13 | 12/4/13

Dear Editor;

I first arrived in Cobleskill to see how I could help with regard to reviving community tennis programing by using the indoor tennis club and the outdoor tennis facility on campus. As a taxpayer and as a tennis professional, I see nothing but awesome potential, not only for the beauty of the facilities, but also, the huge potential ability to derive revenue and create jobs for both the students and the community at large. Thankfully, it remains an on-going process, as I am still involved in discussions with SUNY Cobleskill's PACE program to start a class to instruct continuing education participants, with or without any tennis playing experience, on how to teach tennis, and then, to be able to pass a certification exam with either the PTR or USPTR, where the student tennis pros will be able to later earn anywhere from $20-$75 per hour within a 60 mile radius of Cobleskill at any club. In this economy, learning a new skill which directly allows one to enter a new profession and job market, in my opinion, is an awesome opportunity. But that is a story for another day.

While engaging in research and conducting a basic pro forma regarding the desire for tennis programming in the community, I was very fortunate to meet Maranatha staff members, Manager, Lynette Kubat, and Sports Director, Gianni Mordocco--two incredibly skilled and honorable professionals--at the Schoharie County Fair. That led to discussions of joint programming, and later, a full collaboration with Stella McKenna, who is an exceptionally passionate woman with a huge dream to provide for the needs of the community, and the leader of the Maranatha Fitness Center. After a few meetings, I soon transferred funds to invest in reopening the club during the first week of October, and followed-up with communications with the town supervisor, the village mayor, and their counsel. As all in the community now know, I came to the conclusion just before the Thanksgiving Break that due to being delayed by the leaders of the community for such a long period of time, unless there was a miracle or NBT to the rescue, that the business plan would fail if the run-up to the Christmas sales packages and subsequent New Year's resolution sign-ups--the equivalent of Black Friday for health clubs, especially in a cold weather climate--did not exist. Hence, I was forced to walk away. That leaves the community without a community recreation center, and straps the town, village, and creditors with bills/debts which will never be satisfied, ever. These were arrears that I would have paid, but if I were ever to move forward--as there are always possibilities--I will be divorced from any responsibility. Any reopening of the facility by anyone, will now start from scratch, and the new management will be free to conduct business with no responsibility to the past.

Since I first arrived on the Sunday before the Fourth of July, I have come to really embrace Cobleskill and the surrounding communities, and I feel quite at home, especially during celebrations, such as the Fourth of July, the Schoharie County Fair, Farmer's Markets, Thanksgiving, and now, all of the Christmas events. I have spoken at length with many residents, professionals, business leaders, and local and state politicians as I have investigated opportunities both on the campus and the community at large. I am very glad to say that except for a handful of exceptions, such as the coward who sat on the opposite side of the room during the town meeting who quickly slithered-out at its conclusion and who verbally attacked my family, I have met nothing but wonderful and extremely friendly and honorable people. With that said, I have been and I still am, even after all of these months living here, dumbfounded, and completely without any modicum of understanding, as to why there is so much apathy to build or maintain what is needed or what already exists, and then, why there is the overwhelming desire to tear down and destroy what has newly been built and generously given to all in the community.

Below are three links to articles about a $59 million dollar, yes, a $59 million dollar facility, opening up just four blocks from my home. Everyone is real happy about the place and no one talks about grants, donations, payoffs, or whatever negative. No one even thinks it, and no one is jealous. This new center in Manhattan has followed through with the same exact dream that Stella McKenna had, but without the additional medical and preventive medical services for which she has provided and the much more for which she had planned, all of which I was prepared to make work for the total benefit of the community. This 7,000 square foot facility, which is ten times smaller but ten times more expensive than Maranatha, and the articles regarding it, showcase a shining example of community cohesion and success. This facility is being opened and totally supported, even though NYC has many other venues competing for the interests of the people in the area. Thus, how much more appropriate is it for a rural area without a lot of competition for fitness, sports, and community events, especially in the winter, to have and to support such a similar venue, where in the Cobleskill-Richmondville community, would have truly been, the center of activity.




I am really thankful to have made many new friends, starting with those on-campus, from the president down through many professors and staff, especially IT genius Mohamed, who has become a good friend and should be making six-figures for Google or Apple, all of the business people and professionals in the community whom I befriended and whom I would have made special arrangements to develop a symbiotic relationship with the club, the amazing Maranatha staff members, Lynette, Coleen, Gianni, Jill, Christian, and Adam, all of the Elks who really welcomed me, Dave, Bill, Matthew, Jay, and of course, the Elk of the Year, Helen, Carol Reeves, an amazing woman whom I really wanted on the club staff's team, Will Sisson, a local honey and maple sugar producer who makes an awesome product and who went out of his way to help me during the Schoharie County Fair with his raw honey, which was used as an alternate non-food cure for a health related skin issue, Maggie, the Town Clerk with such an incredible amount of stored knowledge and experience that they should make her the fully paid combined Supervisor and Mayor, and lastly, Diane Dobry, SUNY Cobleskill's Director of Communications, who put the thought into my mind of coming to Cobleskill and giving to the community, all those many months ago. I thank you all for the awesome experience, and I hope that I can contribute to the community in one way or the other in the future.

Best Regards,

Da-lai Wu

SCARSA Seeks Re-Certification Amidst Breakdown of Communications With Bureau of EMS


The Schoharie County Ambulance & Rescue Squad Association's (SCARSA) October shutdown as a New York State Department of Health certified training center for EMT's has spurred the emergency responders to launch a petition directed to the State Department of Health's Bureau of EMS overseer for their case, Andrew G. Johnson, to reconsider his previous decision of non-renewal and reinstate SCARSA's certification.

According to Karen Cuccinello, SCARSA President and volunteer EMT for 25 years, despite numerous attempts to contact Mr. Johnson from mid-October until now there has been not one successful interaction between her organization and his office, with the exception being a brief discussion on November 3rd, 2013 when Mr. Johnson turned down a meeting request and instead directed SCARSA to e-mail him their official objections - which have not been answered in a month's time.

Meanwhile, the status of local EMT's seeking re-certification and residents looking to take new classes in the program are waiting for more information, which SCARSA cannot give them a hint of at this time because of the complete breakdown of communications between their training facility and the Bureau of EMS, which has left SUNY Cobleskill as the only functioning training site in the entire county.

The petition, which simply states: "Dear Andrew G. Johnson, HPA-2, NYS Dept. of Health, Bureau of EMS: Please reinstate Schoharie County Ambulance & Rescue Squad Association (SCARSA) as a training center!," has received 135 signatures as of midnight December 4th and is within striking distance of its goal of two-hundred signatories.

 

Schoharie County Town by Town Historian Information


Town of Summit historian Karen Cuccinello requested that the Schoharie News published this list of county-wide town by town historians and information that she compiled at the beginning of 2013.
 
BLENHEIM  Historian - Arrandale, Elizabeth , Box 893, North Blenheim, NY 12131,518-827-620 my3x2@midtel.net  Bridge One-Room Schoolhouse, Rte. 30, North Blenheim, in the process of being repaired following Aug. 2011 damage from Hurricane Irene. Lansing Manor Museum at the NYS Power Authority 1378 State Rte. 30, North Blenheim, 800- 724-0309, 518-827-6121, www.nypa.gov.  Open daily May 1-Oct. 31, except Tuesdays, from 10AM to 5PM. Free
 
BROOME Historian – Chichester, Betty, 1186 Hauverville Rd.,Middleburgh, NY 12122, 518-827-5092.
 
CARLISLE Historian - Turnquist, Jacqueline, 1432 Corbin Hill Rd, Sloansville 12160, 518-234-3041,  njcturnquist@gmail.com      Carlisle Historical Society, 2nd Wednesday of the month at 7:30PM in March, April, May, September, October, and November, Carlisle Town Hall, 541 Crommie Road, Carlisle, 12031 carlislehistoricalsociety2008@hotmail.com or 518-234-3041
 
COBLESKILL Historian - Shuart, Theodore, 4994 St. Rt. 145, Cobleskill, NY 12043, 518-234-7241, tshuart@nycap.rr.com   & County Historian Cobleskill Historical Society, 3rd Wednesday of the month (no meetings in July, Aug. & Dec.)7:30PM at the Assembly Hall of Zion Lutheran Church, 615 E. Main St., Cobleskill For info. email CHS@SchoharieHistory.net Cobleskill Library History Room, 110 Union St.  Hours: Tues. & Thurs. 10:30AM-8PM, Wed. & Fri. 10:30AM-6PM and Sat. 10AM-1PM. has bound Times Journal newspaper from 1972 on. Contact #518-234-7897, email coblib@mvls.info website www.comlibrary.org The VanWagenen Library SUNY Cobleskill Archives room, Summer Hours when school is out  Monday -Thursday 9AM to 3PM – Reference Desk Hours while school is in session Mon.- Thurs. 10AM-4PM & 6PM-10PM, Fri. 10AM-5PM, Sat. 10AM-4PM and Sun. 2PM-10PM. You cannot go into the archives room so figure out what you want to check out before you visit by looking at the website www.cobleskill.edu/library   or calling 518-255-5011. Times Journal office on 108 Division St. has bound Cobleskill Times, Index or Times Journal from 1919 on. Contact #518-234-2515 Email: tjournalnews@yahoo.com.  Cave House Museum of Mining and Geology, 136 Blowing Rock Rd., Howes Cave, 518-296- 8800. I believe they are open weekends Memorial Day thru Columbus Day from 12-5PM. Iroquois Indian Museum, 324 Caverns Rd., Howes Cave, For Info. 518-296-8949 or 296-8955, email info@iroquoismuseum.orgwww.iroquoismuseum.org
 
CONESVILLE Historian - Mattice, Beatrice home address: 1154 South Gilboa Road, Gilboa NY 12076 phone 607-588-9487.   From May-October, visitors are welcome from 1-4 p.m. at her Office at the Conesville Town Hall, 1306 State Route 990V, Gilboa NY 12076, phone 607-588-7211.  Phone from November-April:  352-288-5074.  Email address:  matticebeatrice@gmail.com.
 
ESPERANCE Historian - Jones, Kenneth, 239 Feuz Terrace, Esperance 12066, 518-875-6854, kjones8@ nycap.rr.com      Esperance Museum, Church St., Open Memorial Day – Labor Day on weekends from 1-4PM. For info email
kjones8@nycap.rr.com Esperance Historical Society meets 3rd Tues. of the month at 7:30PM at the Methodist Education Bldg., Tiffany Community Room in Esperance on Rte. 20 from Sept.- May.
 
FULTON Historian - Hamm, Gerald, 124 Cemetery Rd, Richmondville 12149, 518-827-4813, delano@midtel.net      Fulton Historical Society, 1st Thurs. of the month at the Fulton Town Hall  1169 Bear Ladder Rd., West Fulton 12194, 7PM. Contact info. PO Box 141, Fultonham, NY 12071 Vintonton one-room schoolhouse, West Fulton Town Green, West Fulton Rd. Open Sundays Memorial Day thru Columbus Day 12-4PM.
 
GILBOA Historian - Lewis, Richard, 177 Polen Hill Rd, Gilboa 12076, 607-588-6636 Gilboa Historical Society, 3rd Wednesday of the month 7PM, Gilboa Town Hall, 371 Route 990V, Gilboa. Contact for Society newsletter: Gerry Stoner gerrys@gilboahome.com. Gilboa Museum, Library & Fossils in a Two-Room Schoolhouse, 122 Stryker Rd. open July 4- Sept. 6 and Oct. 9 & 10. Contact #’s 607-588-6894 or 607-588-9413. Website gilboafossils.org 
 
JEFFERSON Historian - Zeman, Ingrid, 139 Tabor Rd, Jefferson 12093, 607-652-7252, inkhistory21@gmail.com     Jefferson Historical Society, 1st Wednesday  of the month Apr.-Nov. at 7PM, Jefferson Town Hall, 677 North Harpersfield Road west of the center of town. jeffersonhistoricalsociety@yahoo.com Maple Museum, 221 Creamery St. by the town green, hosts summer programs.
 
MIDDLEBURGH Historian - Spickerman, Charlie-273 Bixby Rd, Schoharie 12157, 518-827-5149, cjspick@midtel.net     Middleburgh Historical Society, 4th Tuesday of the month at7PM, Middleburgh Town Hall, 143 Railroad Avenue, Middleburgh. Contact emails patwhite@midtel.netmcoltrain@midtel.net,  website middleburghhistoricalsociety.com.  Dr. C.S. Best House & Medical Exhibit, 1568 Clauverwie Rd. Open May-Oct. Thusdays 10AM- 2PM and July & Aug. Saturdays 10AM-2PM or by appointment 518-827-5142. Free Middleburgh Library History & Genealogy Room, 323 Main St., 518-827-5142 www.middleburghlibrary.org. Hours: Mon. 1:30-8:30, Tues. 10-5 & 6:30-8:30, Wed. 10-4, Thur. 10-4 & 6:30-8:30, Sat. 9-2
 
RICHMONDVILLE Historian - Bernocco, Joseph - 211 Winegard Rd, Schoharie 12157, 518-294-7243, berny43@aol.com Richmondville Historical Society meetings the 1st Sat. of the month 9AM in the Bunn Mill May – Sept. and in the Village Municipal Building Oct.-Apr. Contact #’s 518-294-6650 or 518-294- 6685, website www.richmondvillehistoricalsociety.com Bunn Mill, 111 High St. Musical programs in the summer, starting the 1st weekend in June.
 
SCHOHARIE Historian - Hendrix, Anne - P.O. Box 711, Schoharie 12157, 518-295-7341, ahendrix@nycap.rr.com      Old Stone Fort Museum Complex and Library, 145 Fort Rd. Open May thru Oct. 10AM-5PM, Sundays Noon-5PM, 518-295-7192, www.theoldstonefort.org. Admission $7 adults. The library is open during museum hours and Tuesdays through the winter. Schoharie Library, 103 Knower Ave. (518) 295-7127, has a small archives. www.schoharielibray.org 1743 Palatine House, Spring St. Tours  Sat. & Sun.  Noon-4PM Memorial Day thru Columbus Day. For info. call 518-295-7505 or 295-7585. Schoharie Valley Railroad Museum, 143 Depot Lane, Sat. & Sun.  Noon-4PM Memorial Day thru Columbus Day, 518-295-7505.
 
SEWARD Historians - Christman, Rita- 297 Gardnersville Rd, Cobleskill 12043, 518-234-2002, AND  Diefendorf, Barbara, 421 Gardnersville Rd, Cobleskill 12043, 518-234-7134.
 
SHARON SPRINGS Historian - Pfau, Nancy- POB 134, Sharon Springs, 13459, 518-284-2371, nancypfau@yahoo.com   Sharon Historical Society, Box 363, Sharon Springs, NY 13459. Meets the 3rd Monday, 7PM at the Library Community Room, March-June & Sept.-Dec. mohawkvalleymuseums.com/sharon Sharon Historical Society Museum & One-Room Schoolhouse on 238 Main St./Rte. 10 open daily July Thru Aug. 1-4PM. PO Box 363, Sharon Springs, NY 13459. Contact info. 518-284- 2877 & Curator – Dorcas Comrie 518-284-2350
 
SUMMIT Historian - Cuccinello, Karen - POB 2, Summit 12175, 518-287-1945, karenc@midtel.net     Charlotteville 2-Room Schoolhouse, Charlotte Valley Rd., holds breakfasts the 3rd Sunday of the month 8-11AM May through October. Also used for community gatherings.  Joe Dahms is the president of the Schoolhouse Committee, 607-397-9180. The Museum of the History of Charlotteville & Library and the Anonymous Arts Museum, 606 Charlotte Valley Rd.  is open Fathers Day through mid August, every Sunday from Noon to 3PM.  For further information call Marilyn Karp at (607) 397-8606 or 607-397-8276 or email Marilynn.karp@nyu.edu.
 
WRIGHT Historian - Moody, Kevin- 345 Brick Schoolhouse Rd, Schoharie 12157, 518-872-2307. Gallupville House, State Rte 443, 518-872-1705, used for community events.

Letter to the Editor: Constitution Pipeline "Unnecessary"

Written By Editor on 12/3/13 | 12/3/13

Editor's Note: The Schoharie County Planning Commission met yesterday and discussed the proposed Wright Interconnect Station that will serve as a pivotal byway in the Constitution Pipeline's current plan. For more information please refer to our original article.

Dear Editor:
The poll on the proposed Constitution Pipeline is a terrific idea but the stated premise of that poll, “the likelihood of the pipeline coming in appears to be growing,” is simply not accurate. In fact, as the regulatory process associated with the pipeline becomes increasingly complex and fraught with challenges, the likelihood that the pipeline will be built diminishes.
Both the Army Corp of Engineers and the NY State DEC have erected significant roadblocks to the project by requiring that Constitution justify why it won’t route the pipeline along one of the many existing pipeline right-of-ways, requiring that surveys be completed on all impacted properties (something that is currently impossible because of landowner resistance) and insisting that Constitution bore under, rather than trench through or go over, nearly 80 stream crossings (a technique that portends exponential construction cost increases and considerable delays).
Nearly 75% of impacted in landowners in Delaware County and 50% of impacted landowners in Schoharie County have thus far refused to sign easements, demonstrating a unprecedented level of community resistance to a pipeline industry accustomed to getting 97% of landowners to sign on the dotted line.
The opposition to the pipeline is well-organized and coordinated with multiple organizations working collaboratively to challenge all aspects of the proposal, particularly the multi-county Stop the Pipeline group which has secured pro-bono legal representation from the prestigious law firm Pace Environmental Litigation Clinic. Stop the Pipeline has also raised nearly $20,000 in the last month alone to fund the hiring of subject matter experts to testify to the inaccuracies of Constitutions environmental reports.
The Center for Sustainable Rural Communities, a non-profit advocacy organization, has received a national grant to fund education and outreach in opposition to the pipeline proposal. Towns and Villages have passed resolutions opposing the pipeline, elected officials have submitted formal comments to FERC against the proposal and the Cobleskill-Richmondville School Board has rejected an easement offer from Constitution that would have routed the pipeline through the BOCES campus in Schoharie. The Schoharie County Board of Supervisors has called for a comprehensive impact analysis that includes an examination of the possible build-out of a fracking infrastructure before approval of the pipeline is considered.
More and more landowners are realizing that even if the pipeline is eventually approved, they are in a much better position if they refuse to sign easements and force the company to take them to court to take their property under eminent domain.  In court, landowners will have an opportunity to demonstrate financial losses far greater than the pipeline company would be willing to acknowledge while trying to intimidate those landowners across their kitchen tables. Local committees have been established to identify and refer qualified eminent domain lawyers to landowners willing to stand and fight.
Finally, as a counterpoint to intimidation and pressure tactics employed by landsmen working for the pipeline company, the Center for Sustainable Rural Communities has established a Landowner Response Team which is available to landowners by calling 1-800-795-1467. Trained members of that team can assist landowners in documenting harassment, trespass or other transgressions by survey crews and pipeline representatives and serve as witnesses to such activity if the opportunity for litigation presents itself.
Constitution is proposing to build a pipeline that is unnecessary, in a region that does not want it, by taking private property without just compensation.  In response, the vast majority of area residents have said no, have organized to prevent it, have expended their energy and opened their wallets to fight it and are growing less and less intimidated by the pipeline company threats and rhetoric. The probability of the Constitution Pipeline being build is not growing but rather, the opposition and resistance to it certainly is.
Bob Nied
Center for Sustainable Rural Communities

Cobleskill Stone Receives Two Industry Honors for Delaware County Project

Cobleskill Stone Products Inc. received honors by the New York Construction Materials Association (NYCMA) and the Empire State Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) for its paving project at the NY Safety Track at Davenport, New York - located just outside of Jefferson in neighboring Delaware County. They were awarded the Hot Mix Asphalt Showcase Award from NYCMA and the Excellence in Construction Award from ABC.

The awards were based on performance, safety, the material mix design, quality control and ride-ability, of which Cobleskill Stone was not only involved in the design and production of the material but was also the paving contractor that transported and placed the asphalt.

Aerial view of the New York Safety Track
Emil Galasso, President and owner of Cobleskill Stone Products, said that he was "very pleased, humbled and honored to receive such a prestigious honor from these two leading trade organizations." He went on to say that he was "very proud of our people who did an excellent job on this project."

The New York Safety Track serves as a safety training facility for motorcycle enthusiasts. It stretches 2.14 miles with 18 precisely designed turns and long straight-aways with over 450 feet in elevation changes. Mr. Galasso would go on to describe the track as not your "everyday run of the mill paving project," which he explained by saying "special mix designs were needed, special paving procedures and automation were also used." 

Greg Lubinitsky, co-owner of New York Safety Track said that “The reception and reviews of the track after our first season have been beyond our imagination," adding that "Many accomplished and veteran riders have proclaimed it to be the smoothest riding and technically the most challenging track in the East, if not in the country."


Poll: Mixed Results on Richmondville's Decision Regarding Maranatha

The latest Schoharie News poll shows sharp disagreement over the Town of Richmondville's recent actions regarding the Maranatha Family Center. The decision to block the efforts of potential investor Da-Lai Wu have caused a deep rift both within the Town and out.

The most recent poll has a narrow plurality supporting the Town's actions.

Do You Agree with the Town of Richmondville's Actions Regarding Maranatha?

Yes- 80: 48%
No- 66: 40%
Too early to tell- 19: 12%

The division will likely continue as talks have slowed down and the building sits vacant.

New Poll Up: What is Your Opinion on the Constitution Pipeline?

Written By Editor on 12/2/13 | 12/2/13

Be sure to vote in our new poll on the right hand sidebar on the Constitution Pipeline. With action taking place across the County and a possible shift in the Town of Wright, the likelihood of the pipeline coming in appears to be growing. Weigh in!

Town of Richmondville Conducting Survey to Address Broadband Availability

 
Members of the Town of Richmondville Board are currently going door to door delivering a 13 question survey, with return envelope included, in partnership with the Middleburgh Telephone Company (or MIDTEL) to gather the necessary information that will address the lack of broadband availability in the Town of Richmondville.
 
 
The survey is being completed as part of the process for MIDTEL to complete a grant application for the project, which would provide greater access to broadband in the Town of Richmondville - where many homes are still reliant on ineffective dial-up or overly priced satellite coverage for their internet access.
 
Broadband coverage is a major concern across the County, particularly in the sparsely populated and remote areas, but if the Town of Richmondville-MIDTEL partnership can acquire the necessary funds then perhaps one more municipality can scratch it off of its to do list and be an example to neighboring towns of how to address this important matter for their own residents.
 
 
 

Petition Calls for Reinstatement of Schoharie EMT Training Center

Some members of Schoharie County's EMT community are up in arms regarding the decision by the New York State Department of Health to remove a location in Schoharie County as a training center. The decision to remove the Schoharie County Ambulance & Rescue Squad Association is hobbling the efforts to certify medics undergoing training. This is taking place as the state is requiring more training mandates in order to become or continue service in local squads.

The petition listed here already has 25 signatures, including that of local EMTS.

Community Pipeline Meeting on Monday December 2, 2013 at 7PM inside of the Radez Elementary School Gym located on 319 Main Street, Richmondville, NY. The latest information on the proposed Constitution Pipeline from threats of eminent domain and legal efforts to landowner resistance and the pipeline company's safety record will be provided to the public. This advertisement is sponsored by the Center for Sustainable Rural Communities and the Stop the Pipeline Schoharie Action Committee

Schoharie County Planning Commission to Review Wright Interconnect Project, Vital Part of Constitution Pipeline

The Schoharie County Planning Commission, which is headed by Peter Shulman of Fulton, will be reviewing a referral submitted by the Town of Wright Planning Board tonight at seven in regards to the Iroquois' Wright Interconnect Project, which would expand the existing Wright Compressor Station to enable the delivery of gas via the proposed Constitution Pipeline.
 
In documents submitted in early August to the Town of Wright Planning Board, Iroquois' detailed its sketch plan of constructing a "new compression facility with gas cooling as well as modifications to certain existing facilities," with plans to commence construction by mid-Summer 2014 to meet their proposed in-service date of March 31, 2015.
 
They also included in their plan that "This Project is being developed in conjunction with the proposed Constitution Pipeline to enable delivery of up to 650,000 Dth/d of natural gas from the terminus of the Constitution Pipeline in Schoharie County, NY into both Iroquois' and the Tennessee Gas Pipeline under a 15-year capacity lease agreement with Constitution."
 
However, local review of the sketch plan seems almost foolhardy considering the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has "exclusive jurisdiction" over Iroquois' existing pipelines and the Wright Interconnect Project, leaving both the County and Town planning boards with little to no room to represent their local constituents.
 
If approved, the Constitution Pipeline would transport a natural gas equivalent of 4.5 million gallons of oil from the Marcellus Shale deposits in Pennsylvania to the Wright Interconnect Project which would then direct the fuel across New York State byway of both the Iroquois' and Tennessee pipelines.
 
There have been worries expressed across Schoharie County, some of which will be addressed in a community meeting at Richmondville's Radez School that is also scheduled for seven this evening, over the Constitution Pipeline's proposed path through the Northern portion of the county and the potential environmental risks associated with such a project.
 
Although it is still unknown whether the Constitution Pipeline will receive final approval, the County Planning Commission will have the opportunity to express their opinion on the construction of an integral piece of the pipeline puzzle, albeit with the knowledge that their decision could be rendered null and void by the federal government at any moment.
 
Community Pipeline Meeting on Monday December 2, 2013 at 7PM inside of the Radez Elementary School Gym located on 319 Main Street, Richmondville, NY. The latest information on the proposed Constitution Pipeline from threats of eminent domain and legal efforts to landowner resistance and the pipeline company's safety record will be provided to the public. This advertisement is sponsored by the Center for Sustainable Rural Communities and the Stop the Pipeline Schoharie Action Committee

State Police Arrest Jefferson Woman for DWI

Written By Editor on 12/1/13 | 12/1/13

 
The New York State Police stationed in Cobleskill arrested Heather Cunningham of Jefferson, New York for Driving While Intoxicated on November 30th, 2013 following reports of a property damage accident on North Harpersfield Road in the Town of Jefferson.
 
Heather Cunningham, 30, of Jefferson
According to investigators Ms. Cunningham "was operating the vehicle and exited the roadway coming to rest against a row of pine trees." She was then administered the standardized field sobriety tests, which she failed, and was then transported to the Cobleskill station for processing.
 
Ms. Cunningham was issued Uniform Traffic Tickets returnable to the Town of Jefferson court on Monday, Decembber 9th, 2013 at 7pm.
 
Community Pipeline Meeting on Monday December 2, 2013 at 7PM inside of the Radez Elementary School Gym located on 319 Main Street, Richmondville, NY. The latest information on the proposed Constitution Pipeline from threats of eminent domain and legal efforts to landowner resistance and the pipeline company's safety record will be provided to the public. This advertisement is sponsored by the Center for Sustainable Rural Communities and the Stop the Pipeline Schoharie Action Committee

Chrismastime in Schoharie Next Weekend - December 6th, 7th


Schoharie is set to kickoff the holiday season with their "Christmastime in Schoharie" two-day event next weekend. Starting on Friday afternoon and lasting into the following evening on Saturday, the event will offer something for everyone from meeting Santa (Friday at 6pm at the county courtyard) to horse and wagon rides and lighting the Fox Creek Park (Saturday at 4pm) for the holidays.
 
 
There will also be a Christmas decorating contest, sponsored by the Schoharie Promotional Association, that will award a prize to the best decorated businesses and three additional prizes for decorated homes. The judging will be done on December 18th and you can stop in Magical Printing and Designs to pick up a brochure with all the details.
 
Early forecasts indicate a 80% chance of either rain or snow to come down on Friday afternoon, with Saturday looking mostly dry with temperatures in the mid-thirties.
 
Community Pipeline Meeting on Monday December 2, 2013 at 7PM inside of the Radez Elementary School Gym located on 319 Main Street, Richmondville, NY. The latest information on the proposed Constitution Pipeline from threats of eminent domain and legal efforts to landowner resistance and the pipeline company's safety record will be provided to the public. This advertisement is sponsored by the Center for Sustainable Rural Communities and the Stop the Pipeline Schoharie Action Committee

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