Nyssa Roennpagel Named February's Young Motivator of the Month

The Young Motivators of Schoharie County and this month’s sponsor Jenna Strang of StudioFab, would like to announce their first recipient for the month of February, Nyssa Roennpagel. 

Jenna Strang (left) poses with Nyssa, who was named
the Schoharie County Young Motivator of February

Nyssa, 9, is from Cobleskill and the oldest of 4 siblings. Nyssa is an active member at StudioFab where she participates in Lyrical, Gymnastics and Double Dutch. She is well liked by her peers and demonstrates leadership by always being the first to offer a helping hand. Nyssa is always motivating her team mates to do their best and to work just a little harder. She does this for herself as well, always striving to do a little better each time. Nyssa believes that everyone deserves a chance to be a friend regardless of reputation or difference. 

Young Motivators of Schoharie County is a small group who would like to recognize the youth in Schoharie County for the good that they do. We want to give a little positivity to the up and coming leaders of our communities and the world. Each month, people (teachers, family, peers…) may nominate youth (up to age 21) from Schoharie County that have shown they are a motivator: a positive influence. Maybe they motivated themselves, their families, their friends, their community or others. They get things done and encourage others to get things done as well. No motivation is too small. At the end of the month a recipient is chosen from the nominees. 

To nominate a Young Motivator, you may e-mail youngmotivatorsschoco@gmail.com or message the group on facebook. 

Village of Middleburgh Welcomes New SALT Vista

Earlier this week Middleburgh Village officials welcomed in local resident Sheila Donegan as the newest member of the Valley community's flood recovery team. Ms. Donegan has lived in Schoharie County for twenty years, however, she felt compelled by both the natural and political upheaval of Middleburgh's past three years to take a larger role in her adopted hometown. 

Sheila Donegan is already working on several
community projects in her new role as VISTA

Telling the Schoharie News that, "Following the flood, and the election of a new mayor, I wanted to become more involved in my community," Ms. Donegan started to attend local government meetings, and became the secretary of the Middleburgh Area Business Association.

But that was only beginning for Ms. Donegan, who applied for a position with VISTA - Volunteers in Service to America - with SALT Recovery as her project agency. After undergoing two weeks of training in Philadelphia and Utica, Ms. Donegan started her year of service on March 1st in the Middleburgh Village Hall. 

Valley to Reach Above Freezing Today, Tomorrow

It may not be much, but the area is facing a little higher temperatures. For the first time in two weeks over much of the County, the thermometer will hit above freezing. Some of the temperatures will hit above around 1pm: Schoharie: 40 Middleburgh: 34 Cobleskill: 40 Jefferson: 37 Sharon: 38 Gilboa: 37 How are you going to enjoy this tropical heat wave?

Coby Firemen to Take on CRCS Faculty in Benefit Basketball Game

The CRCS All-Sports Booster Club is sponsoring the fifth annual Cobleskill Fire Department vs. CRCS Faculty basketball game on Saturday April 5th, 2014 at the CRCS High School gym. Proceeds will benefit the upcoming 150th anniversary of the Cobleskill Fire Department.

Cost of admission is $1.00 for students, $2.00 for adults, and $5.00 for a family of four or more. In addition to the scheduled 7:00 PM tip-off; the school will be conducting a Chinese auction, a 50/50 raffle, concession stand, halftime event featuring their younger student athletes, and much more. 

Schoharie County Organizations Receive Grants for Local Art Programs

The Greene County Council on the Arts is proud to announce the recipients of 2014 DECentralization Grant awards.  These awards, a re-grant program of the New York State Council on the Arts, utilize taxpayer monies to make the arts accessible to all citizens of New York State.

Greene County Council of the Arts

In Schoharie County eight organizations received funding to produce and offer arts and cultural programming throughout the county in 2014.  Projects include: a multi-site art installation featuring the work of Norm Magnusson sponsored by The Center for Sustainable Rural Communities, "Stories, Rhythms and Vocals of West Africa" sponsored by the Schoharie Colonial Heritage Association (as part of a summer children's workshop series), string quartet performances by the Upper Catskill String Quartet as well as an original play reading featuring the work of local playwright Phil Potak (Jefferson Historical Society), the 2014 Theater Season brought to by the Theater Project of Schoharie County, a performance of Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture with live cannon fire as well as performances by Skip Parson's Riverboat Jazz Band and the Burnt Hills Melody Makers (Schoharie County Historical Society), "Music at the Mill" summer concert series (Richmondville Historical Society) and a performance by the Mettawee River Theater at the George Landis Arboretum.

The DECentralization Grant Program is administered by the Greene County Council on the Arts (on behalf of Schoharie County) and operates this program year-round with a new funding cycle beginning in June.

Questions can be directed to Grant Coordinator, Renee Nied at: schoharieDEC@gmail.com

Alleged Check Forging Leads to Grand Larceny Arrest

An Esperance woman was arrested for allegedly writing thousands of dollars of bad checks. According to the State Police, Valerie Ingraham is accused of a felony for writing over $17,000 in bad checks. According to the Daily Star article:

Troop G Public Information Officer Trooper Mark Cepiel said Ingraham, of Esperance, was hired in 2012 to assist individuals with day-to-day living at a private residence in the town of Middleburgh. While working there, Cepiel said, Ingraham allegedly forged checks from her employers to herself totaling more than $17,000. Cepiel said troopers began investigating the incident in early January after a relative of the victims noticed financial discrepancies and contacted state police. Ingraham was issued an appearance ticket, Cepiel said, and is set to appear in the Town of Middleburgh Court on Wednesday.

Dr. Best House to Host Season Opener on April 5th

UPDATE: Just a reminder, the Dr. Best House season opener will be held on April 5th, this upcoming Saturday, and will feature several new exhibits, including period military and wardrobe pieces in addition to a special surprise not seen in twenty years. Suggested donations are $5 per person and $15 for families.

The Dr. Best House will be holding their season opener on Saturday April 5th, as part of the Rise n' Shine event. Guided tours will be given inside the medical exhibit from 10am-2pm, while the Carriage House is scheduled to be open for visitors, weather permitting.

From battle tested Civil War kits to exquisite 19th century hats and gloves; 1920's kitchen decor, and thousands of period medicinal bottles, the Dr. Best House is one of Schoharie County's hidden gems with innumerable treasures waiting to be discovered.

For more information on scheduling private or group tours, call 518-827-5142 or visit the exhibit's website here. The Dr. Best House is located on 1568 Clauverwie Road in the Village of Middleburgh, just behind the Methodist Church.

Tourism Magazine Showing County's Appeal

For almost a year now, Cathleen Berry has been working on a project to highlight the positive growth of Schoharie County. In her project, the Seasons of Schoharie County, she aims to distribute valuable information to potential visitors across the state and let them know about the undiscovered jewel of the area.

Her magazine lists helpful stories, anecdotes, and advertisements from local businesses. She hopes to publish a paper copy of a magazine for distribution. On her Facebook page, she lists the different businesses that are working with her on the project and how the process is developing.

The stories provide perspective on the area that was once known as the Breadbasket of the Revolution and will serve as a primer for those looking to get acquainted with the area.

Sample story from the Facebook page.

For more information, Ms. Berry can be contacted at cathleen@grindstonepress.com.

Gillibrand Joins Growing Chorus in Support of Relocating Schoharie Jail

United States Senator Kirsten Gillibrand has become the latest member of Schoharie County's state and federal delegation to support the county's ongoing appeal to FEMA representatives in an attempt to relocate the Public Safety Facility and jail outside of the floodplain. She joins senior Senator Charles Schumer and Congressman Gibson's earlier calls. 

In a letter addressed to FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate in late February, Mrs. Gillibrand expressed her concerns that, "rebuilding the facility in the same location exposes the County to potential future damage due to severe storms and flooding." She would go on to point out that the, "structure has been damaged by floodwaters three times in the last 20 years."

Schoharie County officials appealed FEMA's earlier decision to deny relocation of the county jail after the agency justified their refusal by arguing that, one - state funds would be used during the course of the project in direct conflict with federal regulation, and two - the county could not add mitigation costs to construction figures to overcome FEMA's 50/50 rule. 

In her written appeal to Mr. Fugate, Senator Gillibrand stated that she believed that a, "future flood could have a larger impact on the County's emergency preparedness as the County would have to evacuate all inmates and interrupt their emergency operations." Alluding to the county's proposed alternative, Gillibrand renewed her call that, "FEMA consider the appeal from Schoharie County."

Seward Meets With Central Bridge 4-H Student in Albany

ALBANY, 03/04/14 – State Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I–Oneonta) Tuesday welcomed Schoharie County 4-H member Emma Wegner to Albany as part of the 79^th annual 4-H Capital Days.

“As a former 4-H member, I am pleased to see the program continuing to offer our young people a well-rounded education on topics like agriculture, leadership and life skills,” said Senator Seward.  “Ms. Wegner and her fellow 4-H members are our future leaders.  Meeting with them and providing some insight into Albany’s daily proceedings is a welcome highlight.”

Senator James L. Seward (left) welcomes Schoharie County 4-H member Emma Wegner (Central Bridge) to Albany for the annual 4-H Capital Days.

Ms. Wegner and students from other area 4-H chapters met with Senator Seward during a legislative breakfast, quizzing him on pending legislation, local issues of importance and the inner workings of the state senate.

In December of 2013, Senator Seward was named a Distinguished 4-H Alumnus, the first documented New York honoree to be listed in the national directory.

“The ideals I learned while a 4-H member helped give birth to my interest in public service and continue to foster my passion each and every day,” added Senator Seward.

4-H, a program of Cornell Cooperative Extension, brings students, volunteer leaders and staff from across the state to Albany each year for a two day conference.  Students spend time witnessing the state legislature in session, touring the Capitol and learning about history and state government.

Reality Check Presents: Movie Fame & Shame Awards of 2014

Cobleskill, NY – Smoking imagery in youth-rated movies is still common and a primary recruiter of teen smokers – just one of the many manipulative marketing tactics embraced by the tobacco industry.  Reality Check of Delaware, Otsego and Schoharie Counties is joining youth around the world to create awareness about the way Hollywood encourages youth to smoke during the International Week of Action (February  24 to March 2), which coincided with the week leading up to the 86th Academy Awards.

To celebrate International Week of Action and recognize the best and worst of smoke free movies, Reality Check youth from across New York State will present awards to the following movie studios and actors:

Fame & Shame Awards 2014

The Fame Awards:

1.  Walt Disney Studios

Reality Check presents a 10^th Anniversary Fame Award to Walt Disney Studios for providing family entertainment with a commitment to protecting youth from tobacco imagery.  Tobacco incidents have almost disappeared from Disney’s G and PG movies.  We salute Walt Disney Studios for adopting a policy to keep smoking out of youth-rated movies and producing movies like “Saving Mr. Banks” without tobacco imagery despite the historical use of tobacco by the lead character, Walt Disney, played by Tom Hanks.

2. Stanton A. Glanz & Jono Polansky, Smoke Free Movies Network
   Reality Check presents a 10^th Anniversary Fame Award to Stanton A. Glanz and Jono Polansky of the Smoke Free Movies Network for their tireless dedication to working to protect youth from tobacco imagery in movies.  The Smoke Free Movies Network is a project of Stanton A. Glantz, PhD, professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and director of the UCSF Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education.  Jono Polansky works with Professor Glanz and consults with UCSF on tobacco control strategy.  Together they use research, commentary and information about the deadly consequences of tobacco imagery in movies and its recruitment of young smokers to apply ongoing pressure on the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) to change its rating system and rate movies with smoking R.
3. National Association of Attorneys General & The New York State Attorney General’s Office

Reality Check presents a 10^th Anniversary Fame Award to the National Association of Attorneys General and The New York State Attorney General’s Office in appreciation of their dedicated staff and resources to addressing tobacco imagery in youth-rated movies.  For more than 10 years, Attorneys General have been urging movie studios and the MPAA to reduce youth exposure to tobacco in movies.

The Shame Awards:

1. Film Director Woody Allen

Reality Check presents a Shame Award to film director Woody Allen for his complete disregard for youth and their exposure to tobacco imagery in his movies.  As a director, Allen decides what appears on screen and could easily avoid the use of tobacco in youth-rated movies, but chooses not to.  His most recent and blatant support of tobacco came in 2013 when he cancelled the release of his film “Blue Jasmine” in India because he refused to air an anti-tobacco message prior to the film as required by India’s Ministry of Health.

2. Actor Johnny Depp

Reality Check presents a Shame Award to Actor Johnny Depp for allowing the popular animated character he voiced, Rango, to smoke in the movie by the same name. Rango is an animated film rated PG, intended for youth and widely seen by young audiences. This film included more than 60 smoking instances on screen including smoking by Rango, the hero and main character of the film. 

3. Actor Leonardo DiCaprio

Reality Check presents a Shame Award to Actor Leonardo DiCaprio for making smoking look cool on screen in the PG-13 rated movie “The Great Gatsby”.  While the novel “The Great Gatsby” only mentions smoking 8 times, this new 3D  version includes more than 150 smoking instances despite the reality that Americans smoked less in 1922 than they do now.  Tragically, this film has already delivered 2.5 billion tobacco impressions to audiences including youth.

4. The 10^th Anniversary Ultimate Shame Award:  Motion Picture Association of American (MPAA)

For 10 years, Reality Check has joined with other youth across the U.S. to encourage the MPAA to change its rating system to trigger an R rating when tobacco imagery is part of a film.  In 2007, the MPAA announced that it would “consider” smoking in its film ratings, but has yet to elevate the rating of any film for smoking or implement a policy where smoking generates an R rating similar to certain language.   The MPAA has received thousands of communications from youth, parents and the public in support of a change to its rating system, yet youth-rated movies continue to deliver billions of tobacco impressions.  For not taking action in the best interest of our nation’s youth, shame on you, MPAA.

Reality Check of Delaware, Otsego and Schoharie Counties and 15 other Reality Check contracts throughout NYS will be will sending the Fame recipients a photo of their youth with thank you messages written on the photo by youth thanking the recipient for their work in protecting kids from toxic movies. Each contract will send and empty shipping box to the Shame recipients with nothing in the box but a written message on the inside bottom saying “YOU CAN VIEW YOUR SHAME AWARD ALONG WITH EVERYONE ELSE AT REALITYCHECKOFNY.COM.” 

For 10 years, Reality Check has been working to get Hollywood to eliminate smoking in youth rated movies with an “R” rating.    “By the 2015 Oscars, we hope to have a new standard for “R” ratings to celebrate,” said C.J. Smith, Program Coordinator for Reality Check of Delaware, Otsego & Schoharie Counties.  “Movies that contain smoking should have an “R” rating because smoking on screen kills in real life.  It’s time for Hollywood to stop glamorizing smoking in the movies kids see.” Smith said. 

According to the Surgeon General’s 2014 Report, youth who are exposed to images of smoking in movies are more likely to smoke; those who get the most exposure to on-screen smoking are about twice as likely to begin smoking as those who get the least exposure.  The report further states that actions that would eliminate the depiction of tobacco use in movies could have a significant effect on preventing youth from becoming tobacco users.  PG-13 movies are the biggest concern since they accounted for nearly two-thirds of the smoking scenes adolescents saw on the big screen in 2012.

The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) has so far been unwilling to change its rating system to trigger an R rating when smoking imagery is part of a film.  Six of the leading movie studios, Sony, Disney, Time Warner, Comcast, Paramount and Viacom have voluntarily adopted smoke free movies policies, but have often failed to abide by their own policies.   One major studio, News Corporation (Fox) has failed to adopt a policy at all.

“Parents, teachers and our community are encouraged to send a message to the movie industry that celebrities enticing kids to smoke has got to stop,” said Will Hodge, a senior at Cobleskill-Richmondville High School and Reality Check Youth Advocate.  “Send an e-mail to the MPAA at ContactUs@mpaa.org.”

For more information about the harmful effects of tobacco marketing in movies, visit www.realitycheckofny.com.

Village of Middleburgh Joins Safety Committee

The Village of Middleburgh decided last night to join in a joint safety committee with the Town of Middleburgh, MEVAC, and the Middleburgh and Hunterland Fire Departments. The idea, promulgated by Town Councilman Brian DeFeo, received its blessing from the Town of Middleburgh two weeks ago. 

According to the Mayor's office, the Board accepted the proposal and appointed Trustee William Morton the representative. Morton, also a member of MEVAC will join DeFeo, representatives from the other agencies and two at-large members chosen from the public. The committee will discuss how to coordinate emergency services, especially in a post-Irene period.

Man Gored by Irate Buffalo in Town of Richmondville

The Schoharie County Sheriff's Department issued the following update on March 4th, 2014: "The name of the man who was injured by the charging Bison is BrianWare, he is 34 years old and resides in the Town of Richmondville. As of this writing, he has been released from the hospital."

In the midst of loading bison onto a cattle trailer for transport in over the weekend, a local man was chased and gored by an irate Buffalo in the Town of Richmondville. 

The man, whose identity has not been released at this time, attempted to run away from the charging beast but tripped and fell in the snow, where he was attacked and impaled by the one-ton behemoth. He was then brought to safety by the other wranglers on the scene, who immediately called 911. 

Photo credit: Times-Union

The incident, which occurred Saturday evening around seven at the Grumpy Buffalo Farm on Harroway Road, left the man in severe pain and with difficulty breathing, but fortunately members of the Richmondville Volunteer Emergency Squad arrived quickly and treated the victim on scene. After stabilizing the man, they transported him to Albany Medical Center for further treatment.  

He reportedly suffered no internal injures, according to Schoharie County Sheriff Tony Desmond. 

Schoharie County Bar Association to Host Training Program March 18, With Focus on Flood Insurance Reform

Schoharie County Bar Association will host a training program "The Changing Face of Real Estate Practice" on Tuesday March 18, 2014, from 10:00am-2:30pm. The program will highlight important updates including the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012.

Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 legislation passed in response to the devastating floods of the last several years and places risk of loss due to flooding on those who will be most benefited. The result is significant increases to flood insurance rates and many more properties than formerly included in the risk pool. 

Previously, flood insurance holders enjoyed a significant subsidy by the Federal Government. However, the costs associated with flooding from hurricanes including Katrina, Irene, Sandy and other rain events, have caused financial pressure and a shortfall in the insurance funds available.

This program is intended mainly for real estate professionals including attorneys, land surveyors, engineers, real estate sales persons, insurance agents and municipal code enforcement officers, however, it will be of interest to anyone who owns real estate in a flood zone or identified area of potential flooding.

The program will include training and a review of the germane aspects of the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012, the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), using and understanding Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM), Flood Elevation Certificates and other flood related topics. Speakers include Tim Blanchard, NYS DEC Certified Flood Plain Manager, Jon Thompson, Professional Land Surveyor and Joanne Darcy-Crum, Attorney and Professional Land Surveyor.

The program is being sponsored by Schoharie County Bar Association in cooperation with Schenectady County Bar Association and Catskill Area Association of Land Surveyors and will be held on Tuesday March 18, 2014. Registration and coffee starts at 9:30, with the program from 10:00a.m.-2:30p.m.at SUNY Cobleskill. The fee for the seminar is $100 for members of participating organizations, $ 125 for non-members, which includes Continuing Education Credit. Others are invited for a fee of $50 (if no Continuing education is needed) and includes handouts and a working lunch. Reservations are required. For additional information contact the office of Joanne Darcy Crum, L.S. at 518-234-4650 or jdcrum@hotmail.com.

Cobleskill Police Arrest Woman for Stealing More Than $4,000 from Employer

The Cobleskill Police Department submitted the following arrest report this morning:

   

      On 03/02/2014 at about 09:05 pm, Cobleskill Police arrested Misty M. Wayman, age 38, of Cobleskill NY on arrest warrants for Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, a class C Felony; and Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree, a class E Felony.

On December 31st, 2013, police received a complaint from Wayman’s  employer, the Schoharie County Council of Senior Citizens, Inc., alleging that Wayman was believed to have been involved in an on-going course of theft of money from the business over the course of her employment.

Business and financial records were subpoenaed and reviewed during the investigation. Subsequent information discovered during the investigation showed that Wayman is believed to have stolen a minimum of $4,055.87 between January 15th 2013 to November 28th 2013. Wayman is alleged to have used a business credit card for unauthorized personal purchases as well as taking cash deposits for her own use from  “The Everything Shoppe”, a business owned and operated by the Schoharie County Council of Senior Citizens. 

    

VanWormer: Empower Board Chairman to Meet Administrative Needs

With the Schoharie County Board of Supervisors largely undecided on Schoharie Town Supervisor Gene Milone's county administrator proposal, one member believes the ongoing public debate could be resolved within the framework we currently have now, rather than adding an executive layer to local bureaucracy.

Arguing that the implementation of an appointed county administrator would further widen the gap between residents and their government, Esperance Town Supervisor Earl VanWormer has suggested a simpler fix to the county's lack of executive oversight: empowering the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors to assume many of the proposed administrator's responsibilities.

Mr. VanWormer's proposed change would elevate the Board Chairman, a position he held for much of the last decade, to the equivalent of an Prime Minister in a parliamentary system. In addition to representing their town's constituents on the board, they would oversee the daily operations of county government and work with the department heads to ensure all gears turn properly. 

Citing figures that range from $250,000-$300,000 to cover the costs of an county administrator and all the position entails - personal staff, work space, office supplies, etc. - the Esperance lawmaker believes only a modest salary increase would be necessary to adequately compliment a full-time board chairman's additional workload. 

Coming just days after the Board of Supervisors welcomed the Greene County Administrator to brief them on his county's own governmental transition, it remains to be seen whether Mr. VanWormer's proposal takes a foothold in the continuing conversation, or like other proposed changes to county government, is assigned to the wastebasket of history. 

Fighting Tigers Close 2013-14 Season on Low Note

The SUNY Cobleskill men's basketball squad capped an already disappointing 2013-14 season by falling 66-57 in the first round of the North Eastern Athletic Conference tournament Friday night to the Penn State Berks Nittany Lions, an opponent the Fighting Tigers had defeated twice in the regular season. 

Led by junior Cortrell King's fourteen point performance, the Fighting Tigers offense had little to celebrate as they struggled with turnovers through out the contest - losing possession twenty-two times to the Nittany Lions - who would convert 45% of their shots  from beyond the arc, and for the upset victory. 

King averaged 14.2 points per
game this season, a team high

Finishing 11-14 overall in his sixth season at the helm, SUNY Cobleskill head coach Matt Allen will head back to the old drawing board in hopes of configuring a successful formula for the Fighting Tigers. His squad struggled greatly away from home this season, losing ten straight road games at one point, but posted a winning record om campus.

Support Our Sponsors

Topping 60,000 page views in the month of February, the Schoharie News has grown phenomenally since our conception last summer. We currently have over 2,100 facebook fans - more than any other source of local news in the Cobleskill-Middleburgh market - and average 2,000 hits per day on the website's server. 

None of which would have been possible without the continuing valued support of both our readership, and our handful of advertisers; both of whom we have praised consistently for making this possible through their loyal audience, but today we want to specifically thank Schoharie County's small businesses that have taken a chance on us.

From old friends at Magical Printing & Designs, The Hair Artist and Four Star Realty to new sponsors at the National Bank of Coxsackie and Tri-Town Computers, we have been fortunate enough to meet wonderful entrepreneurs and business professionals that span the county's diverse economic marketplace.

As such, we would like to encourage our readership in its entirety to support our hard working sponsors for making this news project possible. There are many ways to go about this, and they range from liking our advertisers on social media to stopping by their local establishments and experiencing a taste of the high-quality services they offer in person.

Need professional level business cards? Magical Printing & Designs on 281 Main Street in the Village of Schoharie is the place to go for that and so much more. They designed the Schoharie News' cards, and we cannot praise them enough for the quality of their work.

Looking for a local salon? Susan Stiles stylish The Hair Artist, located on 678 East Main Street in downtown Cobleskill, needs no introduction after twenty years in the styling and beauty industry - easily becoming the leader in Schoharie County fashion.

Maybe you're thinking of moving? Four Star Realty's dynamic duo of realtors represent the royalty of realty in the Schoharie Valley. With decades in real estate experience, Tracy Boomhower and Lisa Tenneson are the choice for high-level professionalism you'll love.

Tired of the same 'ole banking? The National Bank of Coxsackie's Middleburgh branch is not just another location on the corporate map, but an addition to the bank's expanding network of Catskill area communities they have adopted as their own, and have invested into.

Is your computer still not working properly? Stop by one of Tri-Town Computers two Schoharie County offices in either Cobleskill or Schoharie and they'll get your technology back into working shape, or you don't pay - that is the Tri-Town business guarantee.

Please share this article to your friends, neighbors, and family; and tell them about some of Schoharie County's finest small businesses, and most importantly of all, stop by their offices and check out our sponsors extraordinary quality - you wont be disappointed.  

Center for Sustainable Rural Communities to Host Comment Writing Workshop Saturday March 22

The Center for Sustainable Rural Communities is sponsoring a Comment Writing Workshop to help area residents, public officials and agencies develop and submit formal comments to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) concerning the proposed Constitution Pipeline. (The deadline for submitting comments to FERC is April 7, 2014.)

This is an important opportunity for the community to send a strong message to FERC that the pipeline will negatively impact the safety, property values and quality of life of area residents. Join us on March 22, 2014 from 10 AM until 2 PM at the Center for Sustainable Rural Communities, 296 Main Street, Richmondville, NY.

Instructions for writing a simple comment letter will be presented by community activist Allegra Schecter. Computers, printers and other supplies will be provided and volunteers will be available to assist you. Refreshments will be served. Registration is necessary. To register please call toll-free: 1-800-795-1467 or email: rnied@ruarlcommunities.org.

Petitions Available for Middeburgh Library Board March 1st

Starting today petitions will be available for local residents interested in running for the Middleburgh Library Board of Trustees at the library located on 323 Main Street in the Village of Middleburgh. Petitions come with an informational packet, and must be completed and returned by Saturday, March 22nd. 

Interested residents can run for any of three Board of Trustee seats open in the upcoming election, which will be held in conjunction to the annual library budget vote on April 22nd. There are currently nine members on the library board, but that number is being expanded to eleven with the addition of two seats this election. 

Members of the public are encouraged to speak with library director Teresa Pavoldi or attend the next library board meeting on Monday, March 10th at 6:30 p.m. for more information.