DEP Investigating Oily Sheen in Schoharie Reservoir

The New York City Department of Environmental Protection is investigating the cause of an oily sheen that was discovered in the Schoharie Reservoir on Monday afternoon. 

According to a press release issued this morning, the sheen was located several hundred feet down shore from the intake, but was successfully prevented from leaving the reservoir by water safety operators shutting down the intake chamber and installing an absorbent boom around the intake structure. 

A Watershed Post story on the oily spill quoted DEP spokesman Adam Bosch as saying the sheen was approximately fifty feet wide and about nine hundred feet long. 

As of Tuesday morning the sheen had dissipated and was no longer visible in the Schoharie Reservoir, which stores up to 19.6 billion gallons of water that is collected from a 314-mile watershed and diverted to New York City through a series of tunnels, creeks, and reservoirs. 

Although the official cause is still unknown, Hurricane Irene is at least partially responsible: "A preliminary investigation found that the sheen was likely coming from a previously undiscovered tank that was washed into Schoharie Reservoir in 2011 by Hurricane Irene."

Blaming shifting ice and low water levels for dislodging the tank, DEP officials will continue to monitor the Reservoir for additional sheens, as well as develop plans to remove the tank once the ice melts and and its location is pinpointed. 

Devlin Elected to Fourth Term as Mburgh Fire Chief

Middleburgh firefighters organized Tuesday night, electing officers to oversee the municipal fire department's daily operations over the next year. 

Chief Michael Devlin, who has been involved with the department for over twenty-seven years, was elected to his fourth term as operations chief. Joining him as Assistant Chief is his brother, Brian Devlin. 

Other elected officers include: Jerry Wayman as 1st Assistant Chief; Jason Marsh as 2nd Assistant Chief; Jason Diamond as Captain; and, John Shaw Jr. as the Administrative President of the department. 

In addition to serving the Village of Middleburgh, the Middleburgh Fire Department is contracted by the Town of Middleburgh and the Town of Fulton to provide fire coverage. 

Cobleskill Police Blotter (4/8/2015)

The Cobleskill Police Department has announced several arrests that occurred from March 29-April 5 in the Village of Cobleskill.

Thursday, April 2, 2015

At 9:20 a.m. Cobleskill Police arrested Tiffany K. Cook, 26, of Central Bridge, NY, for Grand Larceny 4th and Falsifying Business Records 1st.  She was released and is to appear in Cobleskill Town Court on April 28th at 5:00 p.m.

Friday, April 3, 2015

At 8:59 p.m. Cobleskill Police arrested Andrew Delvalle, 23, of Cobleskill, NY, for Driving While Ability Impaired.  He was released and is to appear in Cobleskill Town Court on May 5th at 5:00 p.m. 

Sunday, April 5, 2015

At 10:18 p.m. Cobleskill Police arrested Amanda J. Sword, 29, of Schenectady, NY, for Petit Larceny.  She was issued an appearance ticket and released.  She is to return to Cobleskill Town Court on April 14th at 5:00 p.m.

Early Technology Day at the Iroquois Museum

The public is invited to the annual Early Technology Day at the Iroquois Indian Museum on Saturday, April 18th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Join the Museum for Flint Knapping demonstrations and workshops, fire by friction demonstrations, atl-atl shoot and other demonstrations of early technology.

In addition to on-site demonstrations of the flint knapping process, which is the ancient art of making chipped stone tools, visitors are encouraged to bring their artifacts for comparison and identification to the museum's extensive collection of point-type artifacts. 

This year's theme is to replicate adena points using a rather unique chert type to our area called Oriskany. It has a grainy but glassy texture, best worked with mostly percussion. There will be many examples of points, replica tools, and local archaeological displays.

A schedule of the day's events will be posted during the event and will include Knapping demonstrations throughout the day, workshops at cycled time slops for adults and youth nine years and up, atl-atl throwing at posted time slots, and other demonstrations of early technology.

For more information, please call the Iroquois Indian Museum at 518-296-8949 or visit their website at www.iroquoismuseum.org.

Letter to the Editor: Lopez - Too Little, Too Late on Pipelines

Dear Editor,

Shortly after Cabot &Williams announced that they intended to build a high-pressure natural gas transmission pipeline through the forests, farms, wetlands, streams and backyards of Schoharie County Assemblyman Pete Lopez held a press conference, not to oppose the pipeline, but to suggest it run along the I-88 right of way. Everyone who had any understating of interstate pipelines knew that such a route was not on the table and never would be. We all knew that Constitution would never agree and that the NY State Department of Transportation would never agree. We also saw Lopez’ proposal for what it was – a phony attempt to pretend he cared about the landowners who would be impacted by the pipeline by suggesting a route that could never happen but to which he could point as his big effort on behalf of his constituents.

For the next several years, an unprecedented political and legal fight ensured to stop the pipeline. Many of Mr. Lopez’ constituents were pressured, bullied, intimidated and eventually had their property condemned by Constitution. Mr. Lopez remained silent, unwilling to defend the voters who put him in office as they endured an emotional and economic assault by an out-of-control gas industry. As to why Mr. Lopez failed to respond there are two primary reasons: First his political and philosophical affinity for big oil & gas (witnessed by his condescending and insulting comments during the protracted fracking debate) and second is his special affinity for Constitution Pipeline, whose chief lobbyist and spokesperson John Faso has a long political kinship with Mr. Lopez.

Fast forward to a second pipeline proposal and Mr. Lopez has broken his vow of silence and has announced his opposition to the NED pipeline. We should be grateful, right? Maybe, if we didn’t once again see it for what it is - a calculated and transparent political move motivated not by a concern for the residents facing the unimaginable intrusion of a second forced pipeline easement through their properties but rather a simple expression of his loyalty to Constitution Pipeline. The second pipeline is in direct competition to Constitution.

Mr. Lopez is not opposing the NED, he is working to help Constitution as they play a high-stakes corporate game of chicken with a competitor, while landowners twist in the wind.  

Mr. Lopez can deny this as his motivation and probably will. I invite him to prove me wrong by opposing not just the NED but also the Constitution Pipeline which has already violated the private property rights of his constituents and which is poised to do irreparable harm to the land Mr. Lopez claims to steward.  I further invite Mr. Lopez to turn over a new leaf and be less of a shallow politician with blatant allegiances to big oil and gas and his political allies in the industry and more of a leader who is willing to stand up for those he represents. If Mr. Lopez can’t muster the fortitude to do that, he won’t be unopposed the next time he runs.  

Bob Nied

Village of Middleburgh Adopts Budget, Organizes for Fiscal Year

Organizing for the coming fiscal year, members of the Village of Middleburgh Board of Trustees voted to adopt the municipality's proposed approximately $800,000 2015-16 budget that is set to raise taxes by a single percent, or five dollars per house. 

Informing Trustees that the proposal was "significantly under the tax cap," Mayor Matthew Avitabile said that expenditures had increased because the village is putting aside money for a matching grant fund and towards the purchase of a new firetruck. 

Additionally, a two percent wage increase was approved for all village employees, except for members of the village board. Addressing the tax increase, Avitabile stated that the village had kept "everything at 1% total over the last four years." 

Relative to the rate of tax increases under former Mayor William Ansel-McCabe, who was unseated by then Village Trustee Avitabile in March 2012, village taxpayers have saved almost two hundred dollars each since then.

Further organizing the municipality for the 2015-16 fiscal year, village board members voted to name Shawn Smith as new Village Attorney; Trustee Bill Morton as Commissioner of Parks; and Trustee Bob Tinker as Commissioner of the Cemetery. 

The village also named the Times Journal and The Schoharie News as the municipality's official newspapers.

In other business, village board members:

• Heard from Middleburgh Area Business Association representatives Linda Quinn and Bob Stevenot that the Schoharie County Chamber of Commerce is offering a matching program for businesses and municipalities interested in producing television commercials for the coming tourism year.
• Heard from Middleburgh Village Highway Superintendent Dale Nunamann that highway crews will begin picking up leaves on Monday, April 13th through November on Friday's, and that clean up of the Village Cemetery will start on Wednesday, April 22nd and last three-four days. 
• Voted to approve several Heritage Trail projects funded by a New York State Council for the Arts grant totaling $15,200. Among the approved projects is the placement of several historical plaques, expansion of the Timothy Murphy Park, and $2,500 for the Dr. Best House and local Library.
• Voted to approve the expenditure of $400 toward the creation of an advertisement promoting village businesses and events as part of the Chamber of Commerce's matching program. 

Lopez Announces Opposition to Kinder-Morgan Pipeline

With the proposed Constitution Pipeline closer to securing final approval, after having received the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's blessing in December, there have been fears that additional pipeline companies are eyeing a similar path through New York.

Fears that were confirmed when Kinder-Morgan Company, which owns Tennessee Gas, announced its North East Direct Project to help meet increased demand for energy. Kinder-Morgan's proposed pipeline mirrors that of Constitution's natural gas route from Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania to the Schoharie County township of Wright.

Activists and public officials long opposed to Constitution have balked at the placement of another pipeline through Upstate New York's rural communities, with the Schoharie County Board of Supervisors signaling its opposition to the North East Direct Project's construction in a resolution passed last fall. 

Opposition that gained the support of State Assemblyman Peter Lopez (R-Schoharie) on Monday afternoon. 

Stating that "The proposal being advanced by Kinder-Morgan suffers from poor timing and even poorer judgment," Assemblyman Lopez believes the company is at best simply insensitive to the existing concerns of municipalities divided over Constitution, or at worst is trying to "simply roll over our small rural communities."

The Assemblyman's comments came on the eve of a series of public outreach sessions coordinated by Kinder-Morgan along the proposed North East Direct Project's route; the first of which was hosted last evening in Schoharie. 

Pleased that Lopez has "changed his mind about pipelines because we as a county really can't have a huge impact without the assistance of higher elected officials," Blenheim Town Supervisor Shawn Smith is hopeful that the state representative "actually follows through and teams up with the county on the issue." 

Kinder-Morgan has seven additional public outreach sessions scheduled over the next nine days, with one slated to take place at the Radez Elementary School in Richmondville on Tuesday, April 14th from 6:00-8:00 p.m. 

Concerned with the apparent gross duplication of the route already approved by FERC officials, Assemblyman Lopez concluded: "Our region has been exhausted by floods, the recession, and the existing controversy surrounding the recently federally approved Constitution Pipeline. We do not need any further disruptions. The residents and business owners have been through enough.  The region needs to move forward, heal, and rebuild. I do not support the Kinder-Morgan/Tennessee Gas Proposal."

Supers, Residents Divided on Proposed Cobleskill Bridge

Cobleskill residents remain divided on whether a new bridge is needed to connect Shady Tree Lane and Barnerville Road, with some urging the project forward to cut down on emergency response time while others disagreed with the county's intended use of eminent domain.

Informing residents that a final decision by the Board of Supervisors would have to be delayed until the April county board meeting, County Attorney Mike West explained that the continuance is because the necessary appraisals of disputed properties have not yet been completed.

That did not prevent homeowners or legislators from chiming in at Tuesday's public hearing, however. 

Broome Supervisor Bill Smith was having none of it. Stating that he is "not in favor of this project," Mr. Smith questioned the emergency response figures of some residents and further commented that the bridge is "a waste of the taxpayers money."

Questioning why "do we have to take so much from this person's land," Middleburgh Supervisor Jim Buzon expressed additional concerns on the safety of motorists exiting Shady Tree Lane by way of the busy Roue 7 intersection.

Barnerville Road resident Kari McKelvy disagreed wholeheartedly with Mr. Smith's assessment, recounting an emergency situation where her mother needed an ambulance and "time is of the essence."

Matt Mann, a resident of Shady Tree Lane opposed to the project, commented that it is a "Bad place to replace that bridge," but that maybe it could be moved to another location, "where you don't have to take someone's land."

Divided on either side of the creek, residents of Barnerville Road are in favor of the project to reduce emergency response time, while landowners on Shady Tree Lane are opposed to the use of eminent domain on their properties to construct the structure.

"They [residents of Barnerville Road] had been promised this bridge," said Cobleskill Supervisor Leo McAllister. The supervisor would argue that it is time to put the structure in place because, "This is the only alternative."

Wrestling with a bridge of convenience versus emergency services, Conesville Supervisor Bill Federice questioned whether only a one-lane bridge for emergency response could be constructed to cut down on cost and land infringement.

The answer was no. Stressing that the structure has to meet current federal standards, Department of Public Works Commissioner Dan Crandall said the project would not be eligible to receive grant monies otherwise.

A point of contention in the community since the existing structure was shuttered seven years ago, the proposed bridge is funded as part of a capital improvement project. If the county does not vote to move forward, it will have to pay back $400,000 in grant monies.

Awaiting the final appraisals, supervisors kept the hearing open to the public through the next regularly scheduled county board meeting set for Friday, April 17th at 9:00 a.m. 

Letter to the Editor: Pipeline to Reduce Quality of Life

Dear Editor:

It is no surprise that people are fleeing Schoharie County and many more will follow if they could only sell their houses. Just take a ride around our beautiful County and you'll see more real estate signs than cows. There are many factors for the population decline, most of the upstate region has been in a downward spiral for years. The Times Journal front page story "Sinking To New Levels" cited lack of jobs, hurricanes, and floods. I agree the floods devastated the County and a lack of good paying full time jobs are always a negative especially when people are looking to purchase a house and relocate to an area. The once great State of New York is not so appealing any more. It has taxed, tolled, and surcharged many decent people right out. Also the political culture is rancid in New York and the insufficient representation from our elected officials doesn't help much. This brings me back to the Times Journal story and the genius of one of my elected officials. Why of course it is Assemblyman Peter Lopez, doing what he does best "TALKING." Pete just once please say something meaningful or maybe something we don't know. One of Pete's quotes, "We have so much to offer when it comes to quality of life." Hey Pete you're absolutely right, that was the biggest factor when Jerry and Michelle Fiore decided to move to Summit 18 years ago. We wanted to raise our young daughters in a beautiful safe place and it has been everything we've dreamed it would be. But not anymore as we now will be having a 30 inch gas pipeline coming through our land and another one soon to follow. I don't think our quality of life is so good anymore, do you? So Pete, next time you trip over yourself to get in front of a microphone, tell us something we don't already know.

Regards,

Jerry Fiore Summit

Art, Food, Music Coming to West Fulton Saturday

Featuring family circus acts, local beverage vendors, art galleries, locally grown foods, and a live rendition of swing jazz, West Fulton's Panther Creek Arts is set to immerse the hill-town municipality in a cultural experience Saturday afternoon.

Scheduled to kick-off the day's extensive itinerary at 3:00 p.m. with an appearance by the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus, the event will run until 11:00 p.m. at the Panther Creek Arts' performance hall at 1468 Sawyer Hollow Road, West Fulton.  

Labeled as the "Tiny Arts Day in a Tiny Town," Saturday's affair will have something for everyone - from the everyday inclusion of local beers and foods to the unusual display of a live sword swallower - all of which is included in the official program available here.

Cherry Valley Fire Leaves Three Dead, Spurs Fundraising Push for Family

(Update: A GoFundMe page has since been set up in memory of Ashley Tefft, who perished in the fire with the two Sabler's.)

The deaths of three Cherry Valley children in a structure fire on Thursday morning has spurred the Northern Otsego County community to rally around the affected family.

The Sabler Family, courtesy of
Sabler Family Fire Rescue Fund

Occurring at approximately 3:45 a.m. in the home of Doris and Frank Sabler, fire engulfed the two-story wooden home and claimed the lives of two of their children, as well as a family friend who was staying over that night. 

Mr. Sabler is currently in critical condition at Syracuse Hospital after receiving severe burns while trying to save the entrapped children. 

Approximately fifty firefighters from multiple departments, including Sharon Springs, were on scene to fight the inferno, which was under control after ninety minutes. Water was shuttled in by tankers from Sharon Springs. 

A family friend of the Sabler's has set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for the family, which has received an outpouring of support from the surrounding area to the tune of $20,720 in just two days. 

No donation is too small or large and all proceeds go to the Sabler family in their time of need. Over three hundred individuals have donated as of this morning at 9:00 a.m.

Note: Reports from the Oneonta Daily Star and the Schoharie County Fire Wire contributed to this story.

Easter Egg Hunt in Central Bridge Tomorrow

Scores of residents participated in last year's Easter
 Egg Hunt in Central Bridge. Photo by Travis Hofmann

The Central Bridge Civic Association is gearing up for its Annual Central Bridge Easter Egg Hunt, set for tomorrow - Saturday, April 4th - at the Central Bridge Community Park beginning at 11 a.m.

There will be three chances to win a Easter Basket, with refreshments being served throughout the egg hunt. If inclement weather, the event will be held at the Central Bridge Methodist Church hall. 

Sponsored annually by the Central Bridge Civic Association, it is a hit with enthusiasts young and old. 

Letter to the Editor: Milone Seeking Re-Election

Editor's Note: Gene Milone is the Town Supervisor of Schoharie and is currently serving in his second term. He has defeated former Supervisor Martin Shrederis twice at the ballot box.

Dear Editor,

I write to inform you as well as the residents of the Town and County of Schoharie, that I will be seeking re-election as Supervisor of the Town of Schoharie in the November, 2015 general election.

While there have been some major issues addressed at the Town level such as flood recovery, assessment relief, the overturning of the Town's Land Use Laws by the Court, as well as budget difficulties, the Town has managed to address it all and will continue to move forward. There is still much to be accomplished as far as infrastructure is concerned, some of which will be funded by New York Rising money, flood mitigation efforts, economic development and my quest for a local grocery store. 

There are also a number of major issues at the county level to be completed such as the recovery effort at the county building, the rebuilding of a new jail in Schoharie and ongoing meetings of the flood mitigation coalition which I had a direct hand in putting together with hopes of mitigating flooding throughout the county. There is also the hope that the county will partner up with a local health care provider to put in place a skilled nursing facility, which I have addressed before, so we may meet the needs of our county residents. 

There must be an ongoing effort to keep in place a safe and prosperous workplace environment for Town and County employees, as well as an ongoing effort to prevent politics dictating the decision making process.

In closing, I wish for you to know that my interest and willingness to be a part of what yet still need to be accomplished is as strong as it has ever been. I remain willing to represent the best interests of the residents of the Town and County of Schoharie. 

Gene Milone, Supervisor

Town of Schoharie

Two Seasonal Roads Remain Closed in Cobleskill

Schoharie County Emergency Services has announced that two seasonal roads located in the Town of Cobleskill will remained closed for the time being. 

Set to re-open yesterday afternoon after the long winter, Tower Road from Greenbush Road to the Fulton Town line, and Settles Mountain Road from house #465 to #306, will remain closed until the snow and ice melts off.

WNYT forecasts that temperatures will peak at sixty degrees both today and tomorrow, which should help in the thawing of both seasonal roads. According to Albany meteorologists, this March was one of the coldest in decades. 

Buckskin to Bikinis Exhibit Opens at Iroquois Museum

Opening Saturday, April 4th from 1 to 3 pm, the Iroquois Museum's Buckskin to Bikinis exhibit will kick off the season with a talk by Dr. Jessica Metcalfe, a Turtle Mountain Chippewa from North Dakota.

Dr. Metcalfe writes about Native American art, fashion, and design, while she owns and operates the Beyond Buckskin Boutique, which sells Native American fashion. 

The Buckskin to Bikinis exhibition is designed for the fashion over in everyone. The show highlights the work of well-known Iroquois designers, including Tammy Beauvais, Bruno Henry, and Niio Perkins and introduces many upcoming Iroquois fashionistas. 

Diversity, artistry, elegance, and story are element that can be viewed in this well-timed exhibit.

Haudenosaunee cultural concepts of peace, power, and righteousness take shape with beads, bangles and bling to create garments and accessories to wear to the beach, for special occasions, or admire in a glass museum case.

“From hand-painted bikinis to high-heeled sneakers, street wear to evening wear, Iroquois fashion is distinct, contemporary, and infused with Haudenosaunee cultural symbols, traditional materials, and political punch,” said Exhibition Curator Colette Lemmon

The exhibit is set to run through November 30th, 2015. 

Opinion: Time to Move Forward

Alright, it's finally over. 

After fifteen months of debate, public hearings, and revised laws, Schoharie County will have an Administrator to oversee the daily operation of county government, albeit in a reduced form than we had hoped for at this publication.

We could spend the remainder of this editorial blasting the county board's decision making, but at this point in time - what difference would it truly make in the outcome of Tuesday's narrow vote? None whatsoever. 

Not only that, but we truly want whoever is the future administrator to succeed, because it is for the good of this county that they do. So why continue shrouding his or her future position atop the county pyramid over sour grapes.

Well, we wont. That's for sure. The same, however, needs to be said for our friends on the county board who opposed the amended version to either grandstand or on principle. We all must unite on this, or it is destined to fail. 

Treasurer Bill Cherry said as much when he stated that he has, "some doubts that any variation of the Administrator position can succeed in Schoharie County until both the public and the Board can find some common ground and joint consensus on this divisive issue."

A-men. 

This weekly editorial often condemns or points out the absurd in county politics, but we feel that at this time on this issue: we all need to be on the same page to not only move forward as a county, but to hire the right person to help steer us into that right direction.

As such, we would encourage both residents and representatives of the county to bury the hatchet and to heal whatever sore wounds exist due to the lengthy administrator debate, because from this moment forward the question is who will be in charge, not if. 

Independent School Seeks New Direction in Education

Inspired by the passion of two longtime teachers, a new type of school that emphasizes teachable moments outside of the classroom as well as teaching instructions on the blackboard is coming to Schoharie County.

Founded by Theresa Heary-Selah and Tracy Manning, the Country Classroom - set to begin classes in mid-September with a focus on young learners - is now accepting students into its independent program, which includes a homeschooling component. 

Explaining that the school is "being started by a group of educators and parents interested in making an awesome experience for our kids," Ms. Manning traced the Country Classroom's origins to the teaching backgrounds of both herself and Ms. Heary-Selah. 

A Masters in Education graduate at Antioch University New England, Manning gained invaluable experience over the past seventeen years of teaching, but perhaps none more than when she worked at The Farm School, where she was employed as a farmer educator.  

Tasked with educating children on basic, everyday skills outside of the four room classroom that modern schooling has evolved into, Ms. Manning is bringing that mindset, in addition to her co-educator's sixteen years of middle school experience, into their new endeavor. 

An endeavor that currently has three local children enrolled, with five more in the application process to attend the independent school, which places emphasis on children experiencing teachable and real world moments beyond just the classroom cornerstones.

The school is currently accepting students ages 4-8 as part of its pioneer class.

Enrollment is presently set at $5,000 annually for full-time students and $3,000 per year for students that are signed up for classes half-time. Eventually, as it becomes more economically feasible, a sliding income scale will be implemented to determine the cost of schooling.

Commenting that, "We're all in this because we believe in this, not because we're being paid," Ms. Manning was stirred by a conviction that education and life are connected and intertwined, and should be encouraged as such.

Located on Huntersland Road in the Town of Middleburgh, the Country Classroom is beginning small in a rented space within a farmhouse. Hopeful of growth to come, Manning believes the school will be epitomized by, "Kids that love going to school."

For more information please visit the school's website here.

Supervisors Approve Amended Admin Law

The Schoharie County Board of Supervisors voted narrowly on Tuesday evening to amend the recently established County Administrator's functions and responsibilities, despite public concerns over the amended version. 

Jo-Anne Noone typified the public's sentiment when commenting that creating an administrator was "A promise to eliminate political interests," but that the amended version, Local Law #3, managed to undermine whatever merits the original law had. 

Cobleskill resident Gary Brady concurred, stating that "all of sudden this position is nothing but a big joke." He would go on to state that he felt, "This thing needs to go back to the drawing board."

Supervisors had initially considered both the original and amended versions of the law at February's county board meeting, but had voted to approve the original law after Middleburgh Supervisor Jim Buzon came out against the amended bill, placing its passage in doubt. 

The amended proposal created a firestorm in the political rumor mill for weeks, speculation that Schoharie County Treasurer Bill Cherry sought to clarify at the public hearing.

"To set the record straight, prior to the law's adoption, Supervisor Federice asked me for my opinion and I suggested that the original law be cleaned up before it was voted on in order to more clearly define the role of the Administrator in the budget process," stated Cherry. 

A role that was rolled back in the amended version, as well as with other previously assigned duties the administrator would have been tasked, but proponents of Local Law #3 had argued were redundant with that of responsibilities already belonging to existing officials.  

Upset by the manner of which the proceedings had been set, Fulton Supervisor Phil Skowfoe angrily accused supporters of the amended law of setting the, "public hearing around the weighted votes," specifically that of Cobleskill Supervisor Leo McAllister's 481 votes. 

Conesville Supervisor Bill Federice, who has led efforts to establish an administrator after chairing an investigative committee into the matter, took offense to Skowfoe's comments, and stated that there is "nothing underhanded about the amended law."

Voting to adopt the amended version were Supervisors Barbic of Seward, Bleau of Wright, Federice of Conesville, Jordan of Jefferson, Lape of Richmondville, McAllister of Cobleskill, Milone of Schoharie, and Smith of Blenheim (1602 votes).

Opposed to the amended version included Supervisors Bradt of Carlisle, Buzon of Middleburgh, Manko of Sharon Springs, Skowfoe of West Fulton, Smith of Broome, and Vroman of Seward (1046 votes).

Supervisors VanGlad and VanWormer, who had both signaled their opposition to the Local Law #3, were both absent. 

Alicia Terry Sues County, Seeks Old Job

Alleging that she was improperly removed from her position atop the Schoharie County Planning Department for her political beliefs, former planning department head Alicia Terry has filed suit against the county in hopes of reclaiming her job and status. 

Filing a request for judicial intervention on Friday, March 20th to initiate Article 78 proceedings, Mrs. Terry listed Schoharie County, the Board of Supervisors, and Senior Planner Shane Nickel, who has been the de facto head of the planning department, as plaintiffs. 

Removed from her position as Director of Planning and Economic Development with the 2015 budget's passage in December, Mrs. Terry was demoted to the position of Senior Planner under her former subordinate and current Lead Supervisor, Mr. Nickel.

The budget, which was approved narrowly by supervisors, was crafted by Treasurer and Budget Officer Bill Cherry and resulted in the fracturing of planning and economic development into two separate entities, as well as the elimination of several positions, Terry's included.

Head of the Planning Department for almost twenty years, Mrs. Terry gained a mixed reputation with the rise and fall of the Schoharie County Conservative Party, which saw its fortunes peak in 2011 with Harold Vroman's chairmanship and the leading role of Cassandra Ethington.

In addition to her role as a department head, the long-time official briefly served as co-budget officer with Social Services Commissioner Paul Brady and at one point oversaw the AECOM stream bank project in conjunction with DPW head Dan Crandall.

Mrs. Terry's lawsuit contends that, "The County abolished Petitioner's position and laid her off as Director of Planning based upon her political party affiliation and beliefs, in bad faith, and as a subterfuge to avoid the statutory protection afford to her as a civil servant."

Along with seeking re-appointment as head of the planning department, Terry is seeking damages and lost salary associated with her demotion from the position. 

Letter to the Editor: Wright Councilmen Conspire to Alter Comprehensive Plan

Dear Editor,

Three Men in a Room in Albany proved to be bad politics and bad policy.  Three Men government is just as bad in the Town of Wright.

Three men in the Town of Wright have decided that they know better than anyone else what the taxpayers and residents think and need.  Councilmen Ed Thornton, Tom Aulita and George Karlewicz feel they are best equipped to revise the town Comprehensive Plan and, unless the taxpayers and voters speak, the 3-councilmen-in-a-room majority will set a course that will take years to undo.  And it’s an unnecessary course because the Plan that was drafted in 2013 had already been through Town Board and community workshops, public hearings, and County Planning Board Review and approval.  What don’t they like?  Are they hoping to remake the town in their image?

Read their 2015 Comprehensive Plan Draft and see for yourself. 

Three councilmen are not a committee.  Three councilmen are the Town Board.  Three is a majority and when a majority of the Board works together to craft a plan, then the normal, routine components of “public input” are a sham, a joke.  Three councilmen who come to agreement are not going to be swayed or influenced by a last minute public hearing.  Three men working this closely have their minds made up.  A 3-man committee made entirely of councilmen is completely inappropriate.  It might even be ethically improper. 

Working without the benefit of a summary town survey (2007) or current survey information, they place their own voices over the town as a whole.  The summary town survey from 2007 is deleted and lacks prominence as a guide to their draft document. It is present only in an appendix, as an afterthought.  This is especially ironic because they previously stated that the ’07 survey did not reflect enough input.  They’re talking out of both sides of their mouths.

Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats facing the Town and voiced by residents over 20 years of planning (properly included in the 2013 document) are now somehow unimportant in their new draft and are deleted.  The original Comp plan, the revision currently in place and the 2013 draft shared the same goals for reasons residents hold dear.  The newest draft being proposed seeks to change all that.  Why is that appropriate? 

According to the new Plan, appointed boards serving the town (Planning Board, ZBA, for example) are not worthy of using the Comprehensive Plan. “The Comprehensive Plan is not intended to be…used by the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals or any other town board to enforce zoning.”  (Remember: Wright has no zoning whatsoever so there is no enforcement possible.)  But the bigger point is their specific intent to keep the Planning Board from considering the Comprehensive plan in their deliberations.  Planning Board deliberations of a proposed subdivision may not take into account the most fundamental and broad document plan of the town.  How can such a thought be justified?  I guess only 3 men know but it looks like a blatant power play to strip the Planning Board of any real role in our town.

There aren’t nearly enough column inches to detail the absurd changes Thornton, Aulita and Karlewicz want to force on the taxpayers of Wright.  A few, however, really need to be mentioned.

1. The Vision Statement has been removed.  Their proposed Comprehensive Plan specifically removes a statement of vision.  Unbelievable.  But true.  I guess the Town of Wright doesn’t really need any vision to the future.
2. Their Goals as drafted will no longer “ensure development is consistent with our rural community and environment.”  Those words are deleted.
3. They are willing to preserve the essentially agricultural character of the town but they will no longer promote active working farms. The words “promote active” are deleted.   This ignores the town’s adopted Ag plan.
4. Despite the number of residents unable to access high speed Internet, the 3 men remove references to improving telecommunications and broadband from their goals.  They are unwilling to pressure Time Warner to act in the best interests of our residents and they ignore the crucial role telecommunications play in the development of all potential small businesses in town.  How does this pretend to speak for our common good? 
5. They remove the words “improve road conditions.”  Why?  What are they thinking?  Our roads do not need improvement?
6. Despite encouraging the utilization of contemporary development strategies, they strike language suggesting that the town’s subdivision law be amended to allow conservation subdivision and cluster design.  They appear to contradict themselves.
7. The 3 men strike all language directing attention to the needs of senior citizens.  Our population is aging and we’re not exactly seeing a flood of young people moving in.  Don’t senior citizens merit a mention?
8. They delete this language from the plan: “Prevent incompatible industrial uses.“   Why?  Isn’t a major function of local government to prevent incompatible industrial use?  Why would anyone delete such specific language?
9. All language specifically prohibiting heavy industry is deleted.  If heavy industry is not prohibited, then it is permitted.  Removing the prohibition on heavy industry opens a door that cannot be shut.  This is an almost unimaginable change in direction for our town and is in direct opposition to strong public consensus against heavy industry development.  Why promote heavy industry by removing the very language that prohibits it?  Does the proposed draft promote industry over agriculture?  Read it and decide.  I think it does.
10. Almost all language referencing energy efficiency and green initiatives is deleted.  For many of us, that speaks volumes.

It takes a lot of time to read the 2013 Draft and the 2015 3 Men Draft and flesh out the differences but Councilmen Thornton, Aulita and Karlewicz are walking a slippery path. 

Contact them and Supervisor Bleau.  Tell them to cease and desist with their current plan draft.  Tell them to approve without delay the 2013 Plan they have had in their hands for two years.  There is no reason to waste more time.  The public has given them the plan it supports.  Their job is to approve it.

- Jean Burton