Letter to The Editor: What's Wright in Middleburgh

Dear Editor:

What's wrong in Berne is Wright in Middleburgh.

In 1996, the Middleburgh School Board did not allow its varsity basketball coach to return because of the distaste of a few people, ignoring his history of dedication and success. The basketball program spiraled downward from that point, until that same coach and his brother returned in 2010.  It has taken several years of dedication, change, and hard work, but the program has once again flourished.

This season it's déjà vu on the other side of the mountain.  The Berne-Knox-Westerlo School Board did not allow its coach of 10 years, with a record of hard work and dedication to his players, to return.  Now this is where life comes full circle. That man from Berne now coaches the Middleburgh boys’ junior-varsity basketball team. 

Coach Wright has brought his passion for basketball and life to the players in Middleburgh.  From day one, Coach Wright has been loved and respected by his players, their parents, and his colleagues because he has one of those personalities that people gravitate towards.

Everywhere we have traveled this season, there is a genuine outpouring of admiration and respect from everyone he interacts with.  It has been particularly gratifying for me to see the support he receives from former players who attend our games.

At one point during a game, several players wearing BKW shirts were cheering for Coach Wright’s new team, prompting a scolding by a BKW School Board member.  Their quick response was, “That’s our coach,” which is indicative of the relationship he had with them.  Kids are much smarter than some give them credit for. 

Every day, Coach Wright is teaching our players much more than basketball — he is teaching them life lessons that can be used on and off the court, throughout their lives. I would like to personally thank the Berne-Knox-Westerlo School Board for the gift that it has bestowed upon us.  As the saying goes “One man’s trash is another man's treasure.”

Chris Brown

Middleburgh

Editor's note: This letter originally appeared in the Altamont Enterprise on January 30th, and is being republished on the consent of its author, who is the assistant Junior Varsity coach at Middleburgh. 

Local Filmmaker Presents: Drilling for Natural Gas in Schoharie County

Village of Middleburgh Trustee Bill Morton, who doubles as a local filmmaker, recently produced and released a forty-five minute documentary on the effects of natural gas drilling in Pennsylvania, and what that might mean for Schoharie County if the industry comes here.

Health Care Rochester Expands Services into Otsego County

ROCHESTER, N.Y., Jan. 28, 2014 — More patients and families in the Catskill region now can benefit from HCR Home Care’s nationally recognized home health care services.

HCR recently launched operations in Otsego County — after recommendation by the state Department of Health — which will increase patient choice among home health care agencies and help meet the need for community-based, home health services in the region. The expansion into Otsego County extends HCR’s presence in the Catskill region, which already serves Schoharie and Delaware counties.

The New York State Public Health and Health Planning Council approved HCR’s expansion plan in October 2013, based in part on the strong support from numerous area health care providers and community organizations.

“For more than 35 years, HCR has been a leader in providing the highest quality home care services,” said Elizabeth Zicari, vice president of clinical services, HCR Home Care. “We are pleased to bring our outstanding track record and our nationally recognized care programs to more Catskill region patients and families, who now have greater choice in home health care agencies.”

Zicari noted recent recognition of HCR’s services in Schoharie County, which was listed among the top 25 percent of agencies nationwide by HomeCare Elite, based on such performance measures as quality patient outcomes and patient satisfaction ratings. In addition, outcomes reported by the federal government gave HCR of Schoharie County patient care quality and patient satisfaction ratings that exceeded New York state and national averages in numerous categories.

The company’s Otsego County operations will be based at its Schoharie County office, under the leadership of Jacklyn Losie, director of patient services. Patient care needs will be met by HCR’s team of local, dedicated staff clinicians, all sharing in the belief of HCR’s mission statement: “Healthy people fostering and advancing the health of people.”

Local Fire Departments Train for Ice Rescues

Members of six fire departments and other local agencies were involved in an ice rescue training exercise this past weekend. Members of Middleburgh, Jefferson, Richmondville, Cobleskill, Sharon Springs and Hunterland Fire Departments were on call for the event, as were members of the Sheriff's Department and the Schoharie County Search and Rescue Team.

 Cold-water rescues aren't all that uncommon in the area, Shaw said. Last month, he said, the Middleburgh Fire Department responded to two calls in two weeks that involved cars in water in subzero temperatures. On one of the calls, a firefighter had to go into the water to cut a victim free.  

 In nearby Delaware County, three people died in two separate drowning incidents in late December of 2013, after falling through ice while out walking. 

 More info at the Watershed Post, which published a good article on the subject.

Cobleskill FD to Hold 150th Anniversary in June

Just a year after Middleburgh's Fire Department celebrated its 125th anniversary, Cobleskill's Fire Department is preparing a commemoration of its own. The recently-created Facebook page for the event explains that the ceremony will take place on June 14, 2014.

The preliminary schedule has a lot of activity:

10:00am (lineup at 8:30am) - Parade starts from SUNY Campus and proceeds to Fairgrounds

12:00pm - Opening Ceremonies

1:00pm - Fire Muster, Firematics, Car Show TBA - Trophies for Fire Muster, Firematics, Car Show 5:00pm-9:00pm - Chicken Herders

9:00pm - Fireworks

9:30pm-1:00am - Skeeter Creek

Artisan's Gallery to Host Wine Tasting Saturday, February 8th

The Artisan's Gallery, located on 322 Main Street in the Village of Middleburgh, will be hosting Hummingbird Hills Winery on Saturday, February 8th from 12-4 pm for an exclusive tasting of their locally produced wines. 

Hummingbird Hills Winery is a small family farm located just outside of Schoharie County in the Village of Fultonville. There will be wine available for purchase, an opportune Valentines Day gift. 

Senator Seward, Ag Committee Welcome Acting Commissioner Ball

ALBANY, 01/28/14 -- State Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I – Oneonta) today welcomed Acting Commissioner of the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Richard Ball to the senate agriculture committee’s first meeting of the year.

Photo attached, from right: Acting Commissioner Richard Ball speaks with senate agriculture committee members, Senator James Seward, Senator Michael Ranzenhofer, Senator Patrick Gallivan, and Senator Patty Ritchie, chairman of the senate agriculture committee.

“It was great to have Richard Ball on hand to open the first senate agriculture committee meeting of the 2014 legislative session,” said Senator Seward.  “Our new commissioner walks the walk and talks the talk when it comes to agriculture and I look forward to partnering with him on initiatives that will grow and enhance New York’s number one industry.”

Acting Commissioner Ball spoke briefly with the committee members and provided some background on his experiences running a farm and retail operation in Schoharie County.

Formal senate confirmation of Ball’s nomination will take place later this year.

State Backs Schoharie County on Relocating Jail, AECOM Projects Set to Go

The Schoharie County Board of Supervisors convened for the second time this year on Friday morning, hearing a wide range of reports from AECOM, County Treasurer Bill Cherry, and public discussion concerning the creation of an county administrator position in a short public session. 

Following last month's update that seventeen landowners could hold up progress on several stream restoration projects in Schoharie County, AECOM's representative presented a more optimistic report to the Board of Supervisors on Friday morning. Although thirteen residents have still not signed on, the construction process is set to begin at all four sites. 

Stating that supervisors would start seeing activity around March 1st, with all projects scheduled to be "full on" by April 1st, AECOM gave site by site status updates concerning the baker's dozen landowner holdouts: Dave Brown Mountain has none and is all clear; Platterkill has one; Line Creek has three, and Little Schoharie has nine. 

With Town of Middleburgh Supervisor Jim Buzon calling Schoharie County's creeks, "little ticking time bombs," and Vice-Chairman Phil Skowfoe expressing concerns over the property owners reluctance to sign, AECOM noted local officials are reaching out to the remaining holdouts to secure those final signatures, but suggested eminent domain may still be a viable last option. 

Discussion soon turned toward Town of Schoharie Supervisor Gene Milone's county administrator proposal, with Town of Summit resident Earl Gaskill lauding the legislator by stating that he, "agreed wholeheartedly with Mr. Milone on county administrator," suggesting further review of an executive was needed. 

Mr. Milone then addressed the board by accusing the powers that be of feeling, "threatened by the idea of a county administrator, or an executive." He would go on to state that someone needs to watch the store and that he was going to stand by his convictions in hopes the board would take a "long hard look at this issue." 

The Schoharie Supervisor would go on to defend his recommendation of appointing Schoharie County Treasurer Bill Cherry to serve as part-time administrator at the board's organizational meeting earlier in January. Arguing that costs would exceed well over $100,000 to fund the proposed position and necessary staff, Mr. Milone defended his nomination by stating, "Mr. Cherry has worn numerous hats in this county," and that, "he has safeguarded [Schoharie County] for years."

At this time Chairman Van Glad skipped over correspondence and statewide resolutions in favor of addressing the lengthy committee reports. Although outside of the normal operating procedure, Van Glad seemed concerned with getting everything that needed to be done on the agenda completed by lunchtime in preparation of an extensive afternoon executive session that lasted several hours.

But not before Flood Recovery Coordinator Bill Cherry presented the board with two important updates in the county's fight to relocate the public safety facility outside of the floodplain. Stating that Schoharie County's appeal to FEMA is gaining support, Mr. Cherry read two letters from statewide officials that could alter the dynamics of the situation (excerpted from Mr. Cherry's monthly flood recovery progress report):

I have attached two important pieces of correspondence to this report:

a) the first is a letter from the Executive Chamber in Albany dated December 26th in complete support of our position that the jail and Public Safety Facility should be moved out of the floodplain. This carries great weight since New York State will be paying 25% of the costs associated with that relocation, and NYS Emergency Management officials are in total agreement with our request for relocation, as opposed to repair of the existing structure. 

b) the second document is a letter from a top official at the NYS [DEC] dated January 21st. This significant letter takes the position that the use of state funds is restricted when those funds are being used within the floodplain. Included in the letter from NYS DEC Section Chief in charge of Floodplain Management, William Nechamen, is this critical sentence:

"Because a substantially damaged structure is treated like a new structure, Part 502 (under Title 6 of the Codes, Rules and Regulations of the State of New York) would not allow a correctional facility, major communication center, civil defense center or major emergency service facility (to be located) within a flood hazard area if state funding or state land is involved.

Mr. Cherry concluded that section of his report by informing the county board that Simmons Recovery is now, "drafting our second appeal to FEMA officials... and these two letters will play a major role in our making the case for a relocated jail and Public Safety Facility." He would add that, "FEMA must comply."

Poll: Readers Split Evenly Over County Administrator

The latest Schoharie News poll has found readers are evenly divided over whether or not a County Administrator position should be implemented. The position's creation was proposed by Town of Schoharie Supervisor Gene Milone earlier this month and has ignited a political firestorm in its wake. 

Reflecting the political sentiment of Schoharie County on this topic, readers were split evenly at 46% in support and opposition of the proposal while the remaining 6% were undecided. Over one hundred and sixty people took part in this past week's poll, which was open for five days on the right hand sidebar of the website.

 

Boil Water Order for Mobile Home Court

The County Department of Health has issued a boil water advisory for a popular Middleburgh mobile home complex starting yesterday. At 10:45 Monday the advsiory was released and will remain in place until further notice. The County will announce when the water is again safe to drink.

Wind Chill Advisory Until Noon Today

The National Weather service office in Albany announced that the area is facing a wind chill advisory until noon today. With today's high reaching only 13, there is concern that the wind chill could reach 27 below zero. Remember to wear those gloves and stay tuned to the Schoharie News' weather page-- always up to date!

Supervisors Mixed on Countywide Tax Abatements

With several Valley governments either adopting or researching proposals to implement tax abatements in their respective municipalities, Town of Schoharie Supervisor Gene Milone and allies renewed efforts to see the controversial tax assessment exemptions adopted countywide at Friday's monthly Board of Supervisors meeting. 

Spurred by movement toward abatements, Mr. Milone proposed a public hearing be held to further educate the public and continue discussion of adopting two soon to be introduced local laws based on the Town of Schoharie's first time home-buyers and home improvement exemptions approved last fall, as recommended by Real Property Tax Services. 

However, not everyone was on board.

Both Supervisors Bradt and Vroman assailed the hidden costs of adopting tax abatements to non-qualifying landowners, with Mr. Bradt of Carlisle arguing that unassuming neighbors would have to pick up the tab for homeowners that receive the exemptions. Mr. Milone reiterated his previous statements on the tax proposals by stating they would have no effect on existing landowners and that, "there is no downside to this."

Town of Middleburgh Supervisor Jim Buzon then jumped into the conversation, arguing against Mr. Bradt's position by pointing out that if a young couple purchased a previously vacant property in Huntersland assessed at $130,000 but were exempted for half the land's value the first year, there would still be a net gain of $65,000 in taxable value for the Town that would increase in $13,000 intervals over a five year period.

Calling Mr. Milone's proposal a great idea for, "those places that really need it," Town of Conesville Supervisor Bill Federice voiced his concerns over adopting countywide abatements because he felt if they were extended to Towns not affected by Irene and Lee that valley communities would not be helped as originally intended.  

After further discussion Supervisors set the public hearing on the two proposed local laws to immediately following their regularly scheduled county board meeting on Friday, February 21st at 2 pm. Members of the board, regardless of their position, believed more discussion was needed on abatements and their effect on county landowners.

Wright CRT to Hold Organizational Meeting Thursday, January 30th

The Wright CRT (Coordinated Response Team) will hold their organizational meeting Thursday, January 30 at the Gallupville Firehouse at 7:30PM. The CRT consists of the Town of Wright Supervisor, Gallupville Fire Department Chiefs, Gallupville EMS Captain, Scho-Wright Ambulance, Town of Wright Emergency Shelter Coordinators, Wright Highway Supervisor and Wright Emergency Management. 

In addition to pre and post event meetings, the CRT meets annually to review policy, provide updates and provide a venue for new leaders that may have recently taken office to interact and understand the roles the team plays. The CRT began in 2007 as an offshoot of the Town’s Emergency Management Plan and has served as a model for several other towns and has even been recognized by the State Emergency Management Office staff as being one of the most effective. 

Bob Muller, Town Emergency Management Coordinator, credits the CRT for not only providing extremely professional and effective response to four emergency declarations since its inception, including a flood, an ice storm, the record breaking snow of February 2010 and of course Hurricane Irene, but also fostering a spirit of cooperation that has really helped all of the agencies work together when needed even outside of the disasters.  

For more information, contact Bob Muller, Emergency Management Coordinator, (518)588-6002.

Blenheim Bridge Dispute Re-Ignites at County Board Meeting

Following recent sparring between Blenheim residents and Treasurer Bill Cherry over the county's efforts to rebuild or replace the Blenheim Covered Bridge that was reported by local media in December, both sides escalated their feud into a public argument Friday morning at the County Board of Supervisors January meeting. 

Gail Shaffer, who previously served as New York Secretary of State under former Governor Mario Cuomo and is currently a member of the Blenheim Long Term Recovery Committee, questioned Mr. Cherry's role in the process as Flood Recovery Coordinator by accusing him of bias against the small town. She would later also claim that FEMA has rebuilt every other covered bridge in the region, except for Blenheim's.

Mr. Cherry, clearly exasperated by Ms. Shaffer's comments, defended his actions with respect to the Blenheim Covered Bridge but in the heat of argument offered that if, "someone else wants to handle the bridge project, go ahead." He would go on to explain that the federal agency's decision was weighed solely on the fact that Blenheim's bridge did not cross the length of the creek nor was it used for travel, while the others were. 

After taking time to let the argument settle, Mr. Cherry would later present word to the assembled supervisors that FEMA has agreed to pay for the Blenheim project's architectural and engineering design costs. That approval allows Schoharie County to draw up reconstruction blueprints of the bridge and for Mr. Cherry to submit them to the necessary regulatory agencies, which would have been impossible beforehand.

Although good news was reported at Friday's board meeting concerning the Blenheim Bridge project, strife and mistrust still exist between Schoharie County's smallest town and the county's flood recovery coordinator, a situation that continues to complicate progress made toward restoring or restructuring the valley community's most cherished possession. 

State Police Arrest Middleburgh Man for Possession of Hydrocodone

On January 25th, the State Police in Cobleskill arrested Shane T. Hilland, 19, of Middleburgh, NY for possessing hydrocodone, a controlled substance.  Troopers stopped the vehicle Hilland was driving on State Route 30 in the Town of Middleburgh, shortly before midnight for a minor traffic infraction.  

Subsequent to the stop, Troopers discovered that Hilland was in possession of several hydrocodone pills, without having a prescription for the pills.  Troopers charged Hilland with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the 7th degree, a misdemeanor.  Hilland was released on an appearance ticket and is scheduled to appear in the Town of Middleburgh Court on 02/05/14.       

 

NYPA to Host Third Annual Mine Kill Snow Festival Saturday, February 1st

The third annual Mine Kill State Park Snow Festival will be held next Saturday, February 1st from 10 am to 4 pm at the New York Power Authority Blenheim-Gilboa Visitors Center located on 1378 Route 30, North Blenheim, New York.

There will be host of activities ranging from silent auctions and chili contests to oxen hayrides and much more. For more information contact the Mine Kill Park Office at 518-827-8690 or the NYPA Blenheim-Gilboa Visitors Center at 1-800-0309

Woman's Search for Childhood Horse Brings Her to Schoharie County

Three decades ago Laurie DeFeo was forced to give up her beloved childhood horse Tara when her parents divorced and subsequently sold the family's horse farm. Tara was given up to a girl who promised to keep the small grey Arabian, but would end up selling the horse anyway. 

Tara in a photo taken in 1990

Laurie would eventually find the filly and her newborn foal Sabrina in 1990 at Perry Farm in Putnam Valley, Putnam County, New York. The farm was owned by Diane Janecek and after visiting her old horse, Laurie knew that she could still not care for Tara and the recently born foal, but was glad she was healthy and well taken care of. 

Tara and her young foal Sabrina 

Twenty years later Laurie was in the process of settling in Millbrook, a small Duchess County Village that is home to numerous national celebrities and hosts several horse farms. The latter of which stirred decades old memories of Tara within her former owner and spurred the now grown woman to find out what ever did happen to her horse.

Sabrina has a distinctive blaze with a half moon shape over her right eye

Her search led to John Coyne, a former employee of the long shuttered Perry Farm, who remembers transporting Tara and Sabrina to a horse farm somewhere in Schoharie County, or at the border of a nearby county. His fuzzy memory of the long since forgotten journey places the farm near the Harpersfield/Jefferson town line, however nothing more has been discovered.

Since then Laurie has been traveling up to Schoharie County on the weekends; driving around, leaving flyers in mailboxes, talking to people and trying to find anyone who may know her horse's whereabouts. She has received tremendous support from the area, but unfortunately no leads on either Tara or Sabrina have turned up. 

Although realizing her search is a long shot, Laurie feels compelled to unearth the story of Tara and Sabrina. She recently reached out to the Schoharie News on the advice of a local horse owner in hopes of spreading her story across the county and finally learning where her horses are or what their stories were. 

Laurie offered the following description of Tara and Sabrina: 

Tara is 3/4 Arabian, and was about 10 years old at the time (her birthday is Memorial Day). Her coloring is a very light dapple grey/almost white; she is on the small side, just under 15 hands. She is smart, and a bit headstrong and feisty. Tara had just given birth to a chestnut foal named (at the time) Sabrina. Sabrina could have grayed out like her mother, and of course its possible their names were changed.

Tara would now be 35 years old if she is still alive, while Sabrina would be approximately 23. Laurie has felt compelled to search for both horses and would gladly give either Tara or Sabrina, or both a home again if need be. Or simply, she would just like to know that they are safe and happy.

If you have any knowledge of Tara or Sabrina's whereabouts, please contact either the Schoharie News at aaaabraves@yahoo.com or Laurie directly at ldefeo@msn.com with any and all information that may lead to a resolution in Ms. DeFeo's inspiring and touching story of love, devotion and search for closure. 

Middleburgh Boys Top Sharon Springs 88-29

Coming off Middleburgh's first Scho-Burgh victory in over a decade last Friday, the Knights varsity squad recognized their senior athletes and cheerleaders by defeating the visiting Sharon Springs Spartans 88-29 in a game that was never close. 

The Knights, who recognized senior athletes Michael Kelley, Austin Roney, Keith Campbell, Adam McMullen and Ryan Bechtold in between the night's junior varsity and varsity match ups, scored the opening points and never looked back. Sharon's offense struggled through out the evening, managing only five points in both the first and second quarters. 

Tyler Bianchine and Greg Ouellette each contributed ten in support of Sharon's offensive effort, while Troy Hinkley led Middleburgh with seventeen and every Knight player found the hoop at least twice, including crowd favorite Alan Phillipo who has seen limited playing time his first season. 

Cheerleaders Shania Ruszkowski and Shawnna Meyer were also recognized in Middleburgh's intermission ceremony. 

           1st 2nd 3rd  Final

Middleburgh   25  56  67  88
Sharon Springs 5  10  19  29

Flood Recovery Report Finds Higher Costs, Potential Reimbursements for County Building

Flood recovery director Bill Cherry presented a January progress report to the County Board of Supervisors. Included in the report was the ongoing struggle to mitigate issues around the County office complex and the Harvey Stoddard County Jail.

Unfortunately, there are pieces of good and bad news to the mix. Cost for the County office flood mitigation project has increased to $7.6 million. The vast majority of this cost would be spent on the floodgates, which would cost $5.9 million. Nearly a million would be spent moving infrastructure out of the basement and $800,000 would go for reinforcement and flood resistant windows.

Much of the increase was caused by the "porous soil conditions surrounding the County Office Complex." While this may cause an initial challenge, the Flood Recovery Coordinator Cherry is working on research to increase the total reimbursement from FEMA to cover the potential cost.

Beyond this, a new security system has been installed at the County building complex, including the replacing of panic buttons, keypad access, and a camera. The system is fully reimbursable from FEMA and should not cost the County any money. Further security elements approved by the County in November are almost completed.

Weather to Offer Slight Respite to Schoharie County

After dealing with sub zero lows much of the past week, Schoharie County has a slight respite to look forward to as we conclude one week and head into another. Even if that respite does include a chilly start to Monday and Tuesday morning.

 

WNYT is predicting a significant chance for precipitation
tomorrow and a slight one for Monday morning. Stay tuned

With temperatures expected to top twenty-five tomorrow afternoon and predicted to remain in the teens for the foreseeable future, it will feel like a walk in the park for local residents who have already gone through one of upstate's harshest winters in decades.