Letter to the Editor: Milone Makes Case for Abatements

Dear Editor, Neighbors and Friends,

Several months ago the Schoharie Town Board adopted four local laws pertaining to tax abatements. The first abatement deals with first time homebuyers or new construction. The second abatement pertains to home improvements for one or two family dwellings. The third abatement provides assistance with respect to living quarters for parents or grandparents 62 years of age or older and the fourth abatement speaks to conversion of non residential property to residential and commercial use. These tax abatements were adopted to encourage not only rehabilitation of homes affected by flooding, but any home that is in need of improvement. Also, taken into consideration was our desire to help our younger generation afford the American dream-a newly constructed home for first time homebuyers with a  5-year tax abatement. We did not forget parents and grandparents who are in need of living with family-giving an 8 year tax abatement on any additions built to existing homes for this purpose. These tax abatements represent opportunity as well as incentive to not only rebuild but to attract new families and businesses into our communities.

Just recently the Village Board of Schoharie also adopted these very tax abatements, the Town of Blenheim as well and the Towns of Middleburgh and Esperance are also considering their adoption. I and the members of the Schoharie Town Board have gone before the school board as well, calling for their participation in this program. I have also requested the Board of Supervisors adopt these tax abatements for Schoharie County simply because school and county taxes are among the largest that we pay.

Some individuals have said that these abatements will cause increased taxation to those of us who currently own homes and vacant land. That is a total misconception.  These abatements stand on their own with no additional cost to anyone. They hopefully will act as a catalyst to encourage new construction and upgrading, adding additional tax dollars to our tax base. 

Please be advised that there will be a Public Hearing on these tax abatements on Feb. 21, 2014 at 2:00PM in the Board of Supervisors Room, 3rd Floor of the Schoharie County Office Building.  It is my hope that all residents come and voice their opinions on this issue as well as have questions answered before the Board takes a vote on adopting or declining these tax abatements for Schoharie County. Clearly if understood, this is an opportunity for our county to open its doors and welcome new residents, lend some help to our children, safeguard our elderly and give our realtors a device to encourage development.  Every empty home, every vacant piece of land where a home was taken down and is now for sale, every vacant storefront has caused an increased tax burden to others. Give these abatements a chance to work.  We have nothing to lose and everything to gain. 

Gene Milone,

Schoharie Town Supervisor

Middleburgh Boys Top Germantown Despite Foul Troubles

Coming off of back-to-back victories on the road, the Middleburgh Knights varsity boys squad cruised to an easy 80-66 victory on home court over the Germantown Clippers on Wednesday evening. Led by Troy Hinkley's twenty-one point performance, the Knights offensive play picked up the slack for their defensive struggles.  

Alan Phillipo reacts to his teammate's free
throw attempt - Photo by Bob Roney

Germantown relied heavily upon Tyler Fuchs's twenty-five points to keep the visiting squad competitive, but it was simply impossible to keep up with Middleburgh's double-digit scorers Adam McMullen (20), Ryan Bechtold (17), and Keith Campbell (10).

Because of the Knights sloppy defensive performance, the Clippers took an unprecedented 31 shots from the free throw line, but fortunately for Middleburgh - they converted only eleven of those attempts, squandering valuable points in the process, and sealing the home team's third straight win. 

Middleburgh 80
Germantown  66

                       1st  2nd  3rd  Final
Middleburgh       20  41  63  80
Germantown      17  29  45  66

Letter to the Editor: Resident Invites Da-Lai Wu to Hold Maranatha Discussion

Dear Editor:

Da-Lai Wu is a businessman who asked for concessions from the Town of Richmondville and the State of New York in exchange for investing in the failed Maranatha Family Center.  Despite receiving concessions he has not come forward to invest in the facility or to pay any of its substantial debt.  Mr. Wu recently posted comments on the Schoharie News Facebook page in which he blamed critics of the facility for its failure and claimed that Maranatha was a positive thing for the community, despite millions in taxpayer monies that are now gone.

Mr. Wu’s statements point to what could be the saddest legacy of this failed facility – a failure to learn anything from its demise. Most of the community understands the Center closed after a year despite millions in grants, low interest loans and tax exemptions, but little more. Most people do not know that for more than four years red flags were raised about the projects planning, approval, funding and oversight. They also may not know that internal emails sent by those directly involved in the project called out financial irregularities, cast doubt on the honesty and accuracy of claims made by the developer and even warned about potential jail time for misusing public funds. Most area residents do not understand how many mistakes were made by local, County and State government agencies that repeatedly ignored poorly defined business plans, ever changing and unrealistic blueprints, unauthenticated claims of job creation and absurdly incomplete zoning and environmental reviews while the powers that be responded to intense pressure from influential politicians and fast tracked the ill-conceived project in hopes of a quick gold-shovel photo op.

Mr. Wu is inadvertently correct that the developer was not fully to blame. She, after all, just wanted to build a multi-million dollar facility with no real capital, no expertise to run it and little sense of responsibility to the community she thought should pay for it. The real culprits were those who helped her do it. With smoke screens like those thrown up by Mr. Wu we will never address the egregious failures that occurred at the Town, County and State Level.  Instead the millions lost will be swept under the carpet and written off at taxpayer expense and the real reasons why it all happened will never be addressed.

In response to Mr. Wu’s comments,  I have invited him to participate in a public discussion of the details of the Maranatha failure, including the project’s review and approval, allocation and accounting of funds and the various claims made to justify continued public funding as the project careened towards failure. I believe such a discussion is important to the community and would be eye opening, even to Mr. Wu, who is either joking or really believes that those who exposed the problems with Maranatha somehow caused them to not pay their bills and go bust.

If the taxpayers deserve anything for the money they invested in, and lost to, Maranatha it is the knowledge that such a blatant violation of the public trust and welfare will not happen again. To date Mr. Wu has not responded to my invitation.

Bob Nied

SUNY Cobleskill Cancels Thursday Afternoon, Friday Classes

With worsening snowfall creating traffic headaches across Schoharie County and the surrounding area, SUNY Cobleskill announced the cancellation of all afternoon classes from 3:30 on today, and all scheduled classes tomorrow. In addition, college offices and campus services will resume operations in the morning. 

Snowfall Predictions Increase for Today's Storm UPDATE: Even Higher

The storm that has already brought an inch of snow to the area is expected to be significantly stronger than previously believed. A winter storm warning has been issued from 10am today until 10am Thursday. Initial snowfall estimates have been revised upward to 8-14 inches total, with more snow falling in the eastern Catskills. Schoharie County falls within the 10-14 inch zone.

Credit: NWS

Snowfall is expected to consistently fall at a rate of 1-2 inches per hour with a maximum of 3 per hour by late Thursday. This will then slow down by Friday morning. Temperatures will reach a high of 26 today and fall to 20 tonight. Tomorrow, the thermometer will peak over freezing, at 35 and fall to 20 overnight.

EDIT: 9:24am: Channel 6 has updated this prediction to be more dire:

WNYT has it even higher:

Remember to keep it tuned to the Schoharie News weather page for constant updates.

Lady Knights Claim WAC Championship

The Middleburgh Lady Knights varsity squad capped a phenomenal 2013-14 season by claiming the WAC Championship in a nail-biter Tuesday night. Led by seniors Amanda Roney and Taylor Cater, the Knights held off the Fort Plain Hilltoppers 51-45 at Fulton-Montgomery Community College.

Photo credit: Bob Roney

Fifteen Foot Elevated Blenheim Bridge Visual Conception

With two hundred votes already cast in our Blenheim Bridge poll (located on the right-hand sidebar of the website), members of the Blenheim Long Term Recovery Committee wanted the following visual conception of a rebuilt, 15 foot elevated bridge for our readers to consider before passing final judgment. 

Seward Welcomes Schoharie County Youth Bureau to Capitol

ALBANY, 02/11/14 – State Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I-Oneonta) yesterday met at his Capitol office with members of the Schoharie County Youth Bureau. 

“The community value of the services provided by the Schoharie County Youth Bureau is impossible to quantify,”said Senator Seward.  “The group offers quality programming that provides our youth with opportunities they wouldn’t otherwise have, leading to productive futures for those involved.  I appreciate hearing their personal success stories and will be advocating for programs like this as we negotiate a final state budget that meets the real needs of New Yorkers.”   

High school students from Cobleskill-Richmondville Central School and Middleburgh Central School joined advisers with the Schoharie County Youth Bureau for a discussion with Senator Seward on current activities as well as future funding needs.  The meeting was part of the Association of New York State Youth Bureau lobby day.

Schoharie has You Covered for Valentine's Day

The Schoharie Promotional Association has many local businesses lined up to take care of all of your needs for this Friday.

Need some ideas for your Valentine? Stay local! County Café is serving dinner on Thursday, February 13th, beginning at 4 PM, reservations required 295-7777. Blue Star Café is taking reservations for Friday, February 14th for surf and turf dinner, 295-7557. Apple Barrel is serving dinner with live music, 5 to 8 PM along with fresh flowers, specialty gourmet chocolate cakes, chocolate covered strawberries, cards, 295-7179. Flowers and gifts at the Little Posy Place, 868-1313 (call to order flowers); Gifts at Generations, the Hive, Apple Barrel, Vroman’s Quilts and Gifts. Salons: J Lacy Unisex Hair Salon; You’re Worth it. For him: Creekside Sports, Valley Hardware.

Vote in Our New Poll: Should the Blenheim Bridge be Rebuilt?

Here is a chance for our readers to weigh in on the contentious debate over whether or not the Blenheim Covered Bridge should be rebuilt using either federal or local tax dollars. The debate has been standoffish at times between Blenheim residents and Recovery Coordinator Bill Cherry, but no true gauge of the public's opinion has been taken to this point.

Readers have four choices in this new poll: Should the Blenheim Bridge be Rebuilt?

Yes, exactly where it was

Yes, but as a replica elsewhere

No, the cost and risk is too great

Undecided

The poll is located on the right hand sidebar of the website. 

Cobleskill Police Blotter (February 11, 2014)

The Cobleskill Police Department submitted the following press release concerning recent arrests by their officers in the Village of Cobleskill: 

Monday, February 3, 2014

    

    At 11:02 Cobleskill Police arrested Tammy C. Perrotti, 38, of Cobleskill, NY, for Petit Larceny.  She was issued an appearance ticket and released.  She is to appear in Cobleskill Town Court on February 11th at 5:00 p.m.

     At 11:15 a.m. Cobleskill Police arrested Tina M. McGrath, 43, of Warnerville, NY, for Petit Larceny.  She was issued an appearance ticket and released.  She is to appear in Cobleskill Town Court on February 11th at 5:00 p.m. 

     At 2:46 p.m. Cobleskill Police arrested Danny R. Seagraves, 59, of Schenectady, NY, on a Bench Warrant for failing to pay a fine.  He was arraigned in Cobleskill Town Court and released after paying fines.

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

At 4:15 p.m. Cobleskill Police arrested Jennifer L. Wheelock-Tuck, 42, of Warnerville, NY, for Harassment 2nd.  She was released and is to appear in Cobleskill Town Court on February 25th at 5:00 p.m.

   

Friday, February 7, 2014

     At 8:40 p.m. Cobleskill Police arrested Joseph M. Cooper, 26, of Cobleskill, NY, on a Bench Warrant out of Oneonta City Court.  He was turned over to the Oneonta Police Department for processing.

     At 10:15 p.m. Cobleskill Police arrested Brent D. Speedling, 35, of Cobleskill, NY, for Burglary 2nd and Criminal Contempt.  He was arraigned in Cobleskill Town Court and remanded to the Schoharie County Jail on $10,000 Bail / $20,000 Bond.  He is to return to Cobleskill Town Court on February 11th at 5:00 p.m.

           

Sunday, February 9, 2014

    At 1:43 a.m. Cobleskill Police arrested Alyssa E. Alex, 19, of Altamont, NY, for DWI, Operating a motor vehicle with a BAC greater than 0.08%, and other vehicle and traffic tickets. She was released and is to appear in Cobleskill Town Court on February 25th at 5:00 p.m. 

62% Say No to Tax Abatements

Tax abatements have already passed into law in the Town and Village of Schoharie and the Town of Blenheim, but have little overall support in the County, according to a new Schoharie News poll. According to the figures in our unscientific poll, the majority of our readers reject all abatements and a substantial minority favor them being extended through the whole County.

Do You Support Tax Abatements?

Yes, they should span the County: 20 votes, 22%

Yes, but only in the Valley communities: 6 votes, 6%

No, the hidden cost will be too great: 57 votes, 63%

Undecided: 8 votes, 9%

Total Votes: 91

Overall, 63% oppose the abatements as a whole while only 28% support them in part or for the whole area. Remember to vote in our next poll, currently on the sidebar about whether the Blenheim Bridge should be rebuilt.

National Attention on Gibson Race

The race between incumbent Congressman Chris Gibson and his likely opponent Sean Eldridge is already making waves. National columnist George Will penned a column last month in the Washington Post regarding the two candidates, especially the 27-year old Eldridge.

 An interesting column, Will discusses both candidates and focuses on the challenger:

Eldridge, 27, is married to Chris Hughes, 30, who bought the New Republic magazine — founded 100 years ago this year as a voice of progressivism — with a portion of the fortune he made as co-founder of Facebook. Eldridge, who wants to bring his own progressivism to Congress by beating Gibson, grew up in Ohio, graduated from Brown University, attended but did not graduate from Columbia Law School, founded a venture capital firm and went looking for a receptive congressional district outside New York City. The first one where he and his husband bought a residence turned out to be politically problematic, so they kept that residence and bought another (supplementing their Manhattan apartment) in the 19th District.

No Movement on Ethington, Victims Still Not Rehired

Almost four months have past since the $300,000 Fitzmaurice Report was unveiled by the Schoharie County Board of Supervisors, the content of which painted a disturbing picture of Personnel Director Cassandra Ethington's "reign of terror" within county government. 

Mrs. Ethington's acts of misconduct and harassment include undermining the former Public Health Director Kathleen Strack, promoting and hiring allies of the Conservative Party, firing alleged foes, targeting the Sheriff's Department for sweeping layoffs, and so forth. 

The political cost was significant to Mrs. Ethington and her allies: six new Supervisors were elected, her husband placed a distant third for Sheriff in a race he was once competitive in, Conservative Party Chairman Bill Hanson was fired from county employment, and the Personnel Director was indefinitely suspended with pay.  

Since then, however, there has been no movement in regards to Mrs. Ethington's status as a department head, or in the reinstitution of two Health Department workers - Penny Grimes and Eva Gigandet - that the Fitzmaurice Report stated were wrongfully terminated, and urged that they be rehired. 

According to the Cobleskill paper's December 9th edition, the county has hired an outside law firm to review Mrs. Ethington's misconduct and to determine whether there are grounds to hold a public hearing, an investigation that is likely to last until June at the earliest. There have been no updates since. 

With an annual salary budgeted at $50,754, Mrs. Ethington has thus far received over $12,000 in pay during her three months on administrative leave. Meanwhile, the county has had to appoint an interim Personnel Director to maintain the department. In addition, neither Ms. Grimes nor Ms. Gigandet have been reinstated. 

Sheriff's Office: Foul Play Not Suspected in Schoharie Death, Victim Identified

      

The Sheriff's Office filed the following press release last evening:

Mark Trendell (35) of Sloansville, was found deceased in his vehicle on Orchard Street in the Village of Schoharie at about 11:40 am on Sunday February 9, 2014. 

The Schoharie County Sheriff’s Office with assistance from Schoharie Village Police, continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. At this time the investigation has revealed that, Mr. Trendell, had spent the evening in his vehicle in the driveway of an acquaintance, with their permission. The last contact was about 7:30 Saturday evening. At about 11:40 the acquaintance went to check on Mr. Trendell, who’s vehicle was still running in the driveway, and found Mr. Trendell unresponsive. The resident called 911. Responding police and Scho-Wright EMS determined that Mr. Trendell had passed. 

Foul play is not suspected, and any cause will not be determined until an autopsy is completed at a later time.  

SAFE Act-Compliant ARs Now Selling

Upstate gun stores are now selling guns that are compliant with the letter of the SAFE Act, although not with the spirit. Multiple vendors are now stocking the specially-milled weapons that have been painstakingly created to comply with the 2012 law. According to the Times Union, the new guns are nearly as effective as the old, but are missing some features.

Lawmakers and others who opposed the law say it's an example of how economics, along with a bit of imagination and tinkering, are prevailing over what they see as a hastily crafted law. 

"The industry is starting to respond to the market," said Rochester-area Republican Assemblyman Bill Nojay, a vocal opponent.

With such weapons now available and the 7-round mandate struck down by a judge, the effective lifespan of the SAFE Act might be on life support.

Man Seeks Shelter in Vehicle, Dies Overnight in Schoharie

Update: After a personal plea from the victim's family, the Schoharie News has removed the Times-Union's story concerning the death of a young man in Schoharie, which according to our sources may have been inaccurately reported earlier this evening. Thank you. 

Update 2: We have confirmed certain details of the Times-Union's story with Sheriff Desmond, but will hold off on publishing any details until the autopsy is completed, and the department issues their own press release concerning the man's death. 

Update 3: The Sheriff's Office filed an official press release published here. 

Skating Open in Schoharie

Following Middleburgh's first skating rink opening in a decade, Schoharie is celebrating its own winter activity starting up. According to the Schoharie Promotional Association Facebook page, a skating rink was opened up in the Fox Creek Park thanks to Floyd Guernsey. There is also lighting available from 6-9pm and they are planning a Family Fun Day on February 22nd.

Photo Credit Schoharie Promo Assoc.

SCARSA to Host Cardiac Emergency Training February 19th

The Schoharie County Ambulance and Rescue Squad Association (SCARSA), and Hudson Simulation Services, will be presenting local EMS 1st responders with the unique opportunity to participate in Cardiac Emergencies: an on-site simulation-training event. 

Greg Vis and educator Andrew Stern will be presenting a new format for group simulation training, which will be held on Wednesday, February 19th, 7-9pm in the basement of the Schoharie County office building. All rescue squad agencies are invited.

The schedule will consist of two cardiac scenarios. Each scenario will have a short refresher-lecture before the small group hands-on simulation. CME Credits will be issued at the event's conclusion.

Two Seeking Village Trustee in Middleburgh

With final petitions due on Tuesday, February 11th at the Middleburgh Village Hall, there are currently two candidates collecting signatures to run for the two expiring Trustee seats in the Village of Middleburgh's March 18th election. 

Sheryl Adams, who was appointed to fill Mayor Matthew Avitabile's Trustee seat in 2012, and was subsequently elected to the Village Board on her own right last year, picked up her petition in mid January in hopes of securing a second term. She is also a member of the Middleburgh Renaissance Council. 

Political newcomer Lillian Bruno, who is a Village-appointed member of the CRP Committee that is reviewing $12 million in Restore NY funds for the Schoharie Valley, has also securing a nominating petition. She is running to replace Deputy Mayor Thomas Gruning, who is retiring from public office. 

Both candidates are running under the Middleburgh First Party banner, which was founded by then Village Trustee Matthew Avitabile in 2006, and currently has control of the entire Village Board after a string of successful election showings.