Schoharie News Under New Ownership

Tim Knight has transferred ownership of the Schoharie News to interim owner Robert Panico. Mr. Panico will keep the Schoharie News in Middleburgh and hopes to continue and expand the fine journalistic standards of this newspaper.

Mr. Knight would like to thank the loyal readers who have grown this paper over the last year. He will contribute occasional columns on the site.

Opinion: Three Years After Irene

2011 marked a red letter date in Schoharie County's history.

Not only was it the year of great devastation, but that of great courage and resolve.

That August 28th and the weeks and months that followed showed tremendous emotion-- the shock and sadness of losing property and a way of life-- the joy of finding loved ones okay-- and the determination of working to assist neighbors or your own house or business.

According to SALT, 15% of those that were flooded will not be returning to their property. This has caused a large loss of population, tax value, and business up and down the Valley. However, it also shows that the vast majority of those flooded out have stayed and have been helped by volunteers and friends.

Schoharie County has partially recovered from the storm and its wrath. SALT is transitioning into a revitalization organization. Communities are getting back on their feet. None of this would have been possible without so many people and their good deeds. Out of the floodwaters came the blessing of each other's love.

Liquor Store Opening in Sharon Wednesday

A new liquor store will open in Sharon Springs Wednesday, continuing the community's strong business development streak. McDermott's Wine & Liquor will be opening 1pm tomorrow. The store has a Facebook page here, the source of our photos.

SALT Receives Large Donation from FAM

Fenimore Asset Management has been a great friend to flood recovery. The Cobleskill business gave $250,000 to SALT in 2012. This month the company pitched in $40,000 more for flood recovery.

Photo credit: SALT

According to SALT's press release, Director Sarah Goodrich stated, “As we at SALT turn our focus to community and economic renewal, support from successful local businesses such as FAM is vital.”

Vote in Our Poll: Who Will You Vote for Congress?

There is a new poll on our sidebar asking our readers to choose between two term incumbent Chris Gibson (R) or challenger Sean Eldridge (D).

McAllister, Milone, and Smith Seen As Most Effective

The results were not overwhelming, but three supervisors are the most effective members of the County Board, according to Schoharie News readers. The poll included must dissatisfaction, with a full 26% stating that no member was the most effective-- more than any supervisor.

Newcomers Sean Smith of Blenheim and Leo McAllister were among the top three, with McAllister seen as a pragmatist and Smith successfully winning funding for the rebuilding of the Blenheim Bridge. Second term Schoharie Supervisor Gene Milone has won tax abatements at a county level and has led on many issues.

Make sure to vote in our new poll on the sidebar: who will you vote for Congress?

Barbic, Seward 1% 2  
Buzon, Middleburgh 5% 9  
Milone, Schoharie 15% 27  
Bleau, Wright 1% 1  
VanWormer, Esperance 3% 6  
Jordan, Jefferson 1% 1
 Smith, Blenheim 13% 22  
Smith, Broome 0% 0  
Skowfoe, Fulton 3% 5 
Lape, Richmondville 1% 1  
Manko, Sharon 2% 3  
Vroman, Summit 2%4 
Bradt, Carlisle 2% 4  
VanGlad, Gilboa 3% 5  
Federice, Conesville 6% 11  
McAllister, Cobleskill 16% 29  
Too early to say/None 26% 46   176 total - 

Schoharie Packed for Rock the Valley

Schoharie was mobbed with visitors on Saturday visiting the annual Rock the Valley concert and festivities. It was the fourth Rock the Valley since Hurricane Irene in 2014. The event was very well attended and money raised went to the Schoharie Fire Department.

The Valley Beverage Guy team won the bed races:

Photo credit the Schoharie Promotional Association and the Schoharie Fire Department.

Schoharie Introduces New Logo

The Village of Schoharie is looking to continue its flood recovery with a new publicity push. The community has unveiled a stylish new logo to promote its strengths. This also coincides with the Rock the Valley event tomorrow and a series of business openings in town. The logo's inclusion of water is a nod to the community's original name, Fountaintown.

Photo credit the Schoharie Promotional Association.

Sharon Hit by Mudslide, School Damage

The Town of Sharon suffered a flash flood last night, facing flooded basements and 4-6 inches of water in the school. There was a temporary road closure on Route 10 northbound after a mudslide. The flooding occurred near the intersection of Route 10 and Alder Avenue. 

Photos credit the Schoharie County Fire Wire Facebook page.

Airing of the Quilts Set for September 20th

The Schoharie County Quilt Barn Trail has grown into a popular destination for Schoharie County residents and visitors to the area alike. The trail, which includes dozens of quilt patterns on barns, houses, and even a visitor's kiosk in Middleburgh span the County.

Photo credit: SC Quilt Barn Trail

Now the Quilt Barn Trail is hosting its Airing of the Quilts. It asks for those with quilts to hang them in a visible place and to pick up a map and drive the trail. Anyone interested can find more information on the group's website and Facebook page.

Kayak and Canoe Trip Planned for August 30th

A non-competitive trip down the Schoharie Creek is being planned and all are invited. The event, which will include both kayakers and canoers, is open to the public and will take place on August 30th. The organizers plan to have the start at 10am at the pavilion at Middleburgh's Tim Murphy Park and end at the Route 7 bridge in Schoharie. Anyone interested should bring their own watercraft, food, and drink and prepare for a friendly, easygoing love of local nature and the Schoharie Creek. This follow's Middleburgh's successful April kayak and canoe race.

More information can be found on the event's Facebook page.

Fourth Annual Rock the Valley in Schoharie August 23rd

This Saturday will see the third iteration of the Rock the Valley concert in Schoharie. Started in late 2011 as a response to the flooding caused by Hurricane Irene, the project has brought together first responders, flood victims, volunteers, and other community members for a day of fun and remembrance.

This year's Rock the Valley will take place this Saturday, August 23rd from noon to midnight in Schoharie. The night before will have a Vegas-themed gaming night. There will be bed races at 10am and over thirty vendors. All donations go to the Schoharie Fire Department. The current roundup calls for music all day and fun for the whole family.

More information can be found on the event's Facebook page.

Gibson Holds Large Lead Over Eldridge

In a recent poll of the NY-19 District, incumbent Congressman Chris Gibson is holding a substantial lead over Democratic challenger Sean Eldridge. Eldridge has been producing slick ads in the district, backed by millions in his family's money. Gibson has been just about everywhere, co-hosting an event in Wright recently.

In the poll conducted in July, Gibson holds a large lead:

Gibson (R) (Inc.) - 56%
Eldridge (D) - 29%
Other/Und - 15%

The poll, conducted by DFM research, also shows Gibson to have among the highest positive rankings of any person in politics in the district. He has a 48% favorable and 16% unfavorable rating, as compared to Governor Cuomo's 41% positive, 51% negative. In the race for Governor in the district, Cuomo leads Republican challenger Rob Astorino 45-37%.

Vote in Our New Poll: Who is the Most Effective Member of the County Board?

With contentious issues and the Ethington trial coming to the County Board, it is time to see what our readers think. Who has been the most effective member of the County Board so far this year? Why or why not?

Construction Begins at Schoharie Senior Housing Project

Construction has begun at the site of the future Schoharie senior housing project. The construction, being done near the former Great American site has attracted significant attention and is part of the flood recovery program endorsed by local agencies.

 Photo credit Schoharie Promotional Association's Facebook page.

Middleburgh Hosting Next Fourth Friday this Week

Middleburgh is hosting the next in the series of Fourth Friday events this Friday, August 22nd. The event will have vendors and businesses up and down Main Street, including special exhibits. Among the planned events will be musical guests, a car show at the Best House Museum, and art exhibits. This will be the Middleburgh Area Business Associations' fourth iteration of the event, which has proven very popular.

The following Fourth Friday will be September 26th. All are invited to the special events.

Rensselear Offers $1 Million Annually for Albany Casino Support

The City of Rensselear has offered neighboring Albany a large annual payment in exchange for its support of a casino application. Rensselear expects to make $5.8 million annually in casino receipts if accepted-- and Albany would take $1 million of it each year if it backs the casino push. This would total $10 million over ten years and comes after the casino effort in East Greenbush offered a similar $7 million deal for Albany.

These new negotiations were reported in the Times Union. Albany has not responded to the offer but faces a substantial fiscal hole after its only casino proposal moved to Rensselear. The project is worth $280 million total. The East Greenbush project is endorsed by the Saratoga Harness Racing Inc. and Churchill Downs. Any decision from Albany would have to be approved by the City Council.

The Howe Caverns proposal has local support, including Assemblyman Lopez, Congressman Gibson, Sheriff Desmond, and Senator Seward. While the other sites have picked up endorsements from cities such as Rensselear, Albany, Binghamton, Norwich, and Schenectady, the Howe Caverns site has one endorsement from the the Town of Cobleskill.

Rollover Crash in Carlisle

There was a rollover crash in Carlisle this morning. These photos were placed on the Schoharie County Fire Wire Facebook page.

Iroquois Museum to Host 33rd Indian Festival

The 33rd Iroquois Indian Festival is a celebration of Iroquois creativity and self expression. Held in conjunction with the Museum’s new 2014 exhibit, Standing in Two Worlds: Iroquois in 2014, the two-day festival has many other features. 

There is an all Iroquois Indian Art Market where visitors may shop for authentic items.  Both traditional and contemporary arts are showcased. The Sky Dancers from Six Nations Reserve in Ontario will perform traditional Iroquois social dances, and may invite the public out onto the dance floor to participate. The Children’s area will feature arts & crafts activities including beadwork and cornhusk doll making.

Local wildlife rehabilitator Kelly Martin will discuss wildlife conservation in the region and present a variety of wild animals including birds of prey. The Museum’s archaeology department will be available to identify archaeological finds and give demonstrations of flintknapping and other early technologies.  Serving as Master of ceremonies for the two-day festival is Perry Ground, a Turtle Clan member of the Onondaga Nation. His life’s work is educating all people on the history, culture and beliefs of the Iroquois. Storytelling by Kay Olan, Mohawk.

The event will take place at the Iroquois Museum on 324 Caverns Road from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday August 30th/31st. Admission is $10 for adults; $5 for children.

Letter to the Editor: Milone Asks "Are We For Sale?"

Dear Editor,

    Neighbors & friends; Once again many of our residents in Schoharie County are faced with the fears of another natural gas pipeline proposed by Tennessee Gas.  Many of us have become well educated with respect to the process that will take place to convince the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission that this pipeline is necessary to benefit the greater good.  The question is whose greater good.  Certainly not the residents of Schoharie County since, once again, we will not have access to the cheaper energy the pipeline will carry.  It’s compounded by the fact that our county is becoming a gateway for pipelines to all destinations including export of the product.

    Our county’s residents know all too well the detriment these pipelines create not only causing devaluation of properties and posing potential threats to life and limb.  Let us not forget what happened in the Town of Blenheim not long ago.  Many of our residents have been dealing with pipeline representatives concerning easements and surveys on the proposed Constitution pipeline earmarked to travel through our county and where resistance from landowners has presented itself, trespass has occurred.   Please be reminded trespass carries a penalty.  These very same representatives have been offering self-serving contributions to many of our emergency services as well as County Government itself, but to date we have declined to accept any such donations.  Are we for sale?  What dollar amount compensates all of the problems these pipelines create?

    Local leaders who are opposed to these pipelines have been without the support of our representatives at the next levels of government, making our effort to stop the building of these pipelines through our county even more difficult and we have also experienced, in some cases, the lack of concern for each other, which is unfortunate (Divide and Conquer).

    There are many issues that will threaten our environment as well as life as we know it.  These issues if left unchecked can destroy an entire lifestyle.  I believe it is time for all members of the County Board of Supervisors to stand up and say that Schoharie County will not accept any more pipelines.  We are not for sale and we have every intention of protecting our communities.  Hopefully this will inspire our representatives at the next levels of government to do the same.

    The residents of Schoharie County and their leadership are responsible for our county’s future.  We must band together to preserve this rural lifestyle and this county’s landscape.  There is an answer to cheaper energy for all without jeopardizing our environment, without placing people in harms way in case of compromise from a pipeline and without devaluation of properties; it’s the solar energy movement already being explored by county leadership, a source of energy that can replace fossil fuel dependency.  Without question, there will be some of our residents that will disagree with the content of this letter and we are all entitled to our opinions, but let us not forget our obligation to protect the future of Schoharie County.

Gene Milone  

Schoharie Town Supervisor