Sanders Org. Endorses Beals for Congress

WOODSTOCK, NY - The national Bernie Sanders grassroots collective, The People for Bernie Sanders, today endorsed local teacher and former U.S. diplomat Jeff Beals for Congress in New York 19, boosting his campaign as the primary election day approaches on June 26.




“We’re excited to announce our endorsement of Jeff Beals,” said Katherine Brezler, co-founder of the group and a former national delegate for Bernie Sanders in the 2016 convention. “As a Woodstock high school history teacher he knows the civic importance of this fight. He believes in building bridges not walls. His bold platform to empower the 99% is what this district needs in Washington.”

Beals, a local teacher and former U.S. diplomat who lives in Woodstock with his family, has rallied a movement of activists, labor and environmental leaders across the district behind a progressive platform.

“We are finally building the movement to get working people in charge of their lives again,” said Beals.  "Our district suffers from decades of bipartisan failure to address income inequality and the corporatization of our political system.  Organizations like The People for Bernie Sanders are the backbone of a new political revolution to pass Medicare for All, raise Social Security Benefits and enact a Green New Deal in America through a federal jobs guarantee.  Our district, the home of FDR, is the place to make this change happen.”

The People for Bernie Sanders, which boasts 1.4 million followers on social media, adds their backing for Beals to that of the Justice Democrats, a national group of former Bernie Sanders staffers who endorsed Beals as the true progressive in the primary in NY-19 in December. 

The People for Bernie Sanders was founded in 2016 by veterans of the Occupy Wall Street movement to support Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaign. The grassroots collective, which operates independently of Senator Sanders, has more than 1.4 million followers on Facebook, and it is credited with popularizing the hashtag #feelthebern.

For more information about Jeff Beals’ campaign, visit http://www.bealsforcongress.com or email press@jeffbealsforcongress.

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Faso Engages in Effort to Elevate Tick-Borne Related Illnesses in Health and Human Services Department Priorities

Washington D.C. – Congressman John Faso (R-Kinderhook) joined Representatives Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Collin Peterson (D-MN) in putting forth new legislation to establish a national strategy for Lyme disease and to strengthen treatment and prevention of Lyme.

“This bill is about turning the tide on a disease that has truly taken its toll on Upstate New York and other vulnerable regions across the nation,” said Faso. “Lyme Disease is spreading, and it is more important than ever that the federal government update its Lyme and TBD strategy on behalf of the millions impacted and lives destroyed.”

H.R. 5900, the National Tick-Borne Diseases Control and Accountability Act comprehensively changes the federal government’s approach to Lyme and other Tick-Borne Diseases (TBD).  This bill would require the Health and Human Services Department (HHS) to submit an extensive report and strategy to Congress on government-wide Lyme funding programs, activities, and research. 

Additionally, the Office of Oversight and Coordination for TBD (TBD Office) would be created to oversee and assess this proposed strategy and all other Lyme activities under HHS.  The HHS Secretary and TBD Office would be instructed to coordinate various government agencies, including the official HHS TBD Working Group created by the 21st Century Cures Act, to focus on addressing the Lyme epidemic in full through research and education.

Background

• Rep. Faso recommended two individuals who were appointed to the Tick-Borne Disease Working Group at the Department of Health and Human Services.
• Rep. Faso introduced bipartisan legislation to establish a U.S.P.S. semipostal stamp to raise money for Lyme disease and other tick-borne related illnesses.
• Representatives Faso and Courtney introduced a resolution to make the month of May National Lyme Disease Awareness Month.

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Ulster Legislator Kathy Nolan Endorses Flynn in NY19

Kingston, NY - Today Congressional candidate Brian Flynn announced the endorsement and support of Ulster County Legislator and environmental activist, Kathy Nolan. Nolan represents District 22, which is made up of the towns of Denning, Hardenburgh, Olive, and Shandaken.

Nolan is a pediatrician and bioethicist who focuses her work on public health and the environment. She played an important role in achieving New York State’s pioneering ban on fracking and has been instrumental to bringing sustainable economic development to the area.

“While we have a fantastic field of candidates, my choice in the June 26 Democratic Primary is Brian Flynn,” said Nolan. “He is a practical problem-solver who also thinks outside the box and has a long track record of both creating jobs and fighting for progressive causes. More than a decade before taking the ‘No Fossil Fuel Money’ pledge as a candidate, he drove an all-electric Volt, helped to start the New York State Chapter of Environmental Entrepreneurs, and fought for common sense policies to protect the environment,” she explained.  

If you are looking for a candidate with proven progressive values, solid business sense, amazing dedication to our shared public good, and just a hint of what I would call the magic of the Catskills, … then you have found your candidate: Brian Flynn,” Nolan continued.

“I am very proud to have the endorsement and support of Kathy Nolan. Not only is she a well-respected champion for the people of our community, but she is a tireless advocate for the environment,” said Flynn.   

Kathy Nolan represents the Democrat, Green,Working Families and Women's Equality parties in the Ulster County Legislature. In addition to being an Ulster County Legislator, Nolan is the Senior Research Director at Catskill Mountainkeepers, focusing her work on issues related to the health impacts of fracking and fossil fuel infrastructure.

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NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TOWN OF CONESVILLE, NEW YORK

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
TOWN OF CONESVILLE, NEW YORK

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a public hearing will be held before the Town Board of the
Town of Conesville at the Conesville Fire Hall, on the 7th day of June, 2018 at 7:00 P.M. for the purpose of conducting a hearing upon a proposal to establish the West Conesville Sewer District as hereinafterdescribed at which time and place said Town Board will consider such proposal and hear all persons interested in the subject thereof concerning the same.

The purpose of the Resolution is to establish a sewer district. The general boundaries of said
proposed district are as follows: those properties located in the Hamlet of West Conesville delineated on
the proposed Service Area Map on file with the Town Clerk.

The improvements proposed to be made are as follows: the operation and maintenance of a
sewage collection system and community septic systemthat serves the residents within the sewer district.

The Engineer's Report and Plan are on file with the Town Clerk.
The costs of forming the district and designing, permitting and constructing the infrastructure are
funded by New York City pursuant to the Community Wastewater Management Program. The Town will not incur any expense in the formation of the proposed district and the construction of the public
improvements (i.e., sewer collection and treatment system) to be constructed within the district. During
the process to form the Sewer District, the Town Board reserves the right to modify the boundaries of the proposed district to address the concerns raised during the public comment period and to serve the best interest of the Town.

The estimated cost of hook-up fees is zero and a detailed explanation of the annual operation and
maintenance costs to residential and non-residential users is on file with the Town Clerk. If the Town
Board, after the public hearings, determines to proceed with the sewer district formation, the Town
Board anticipates (but it is not required) subjecting the district formation to a public referendum.
Dated: May 14, 2018
Conesville, New York

By Order of the Town Board of the Town of Conesville.

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Tee Off at Cobleskill Golf & Country Club to Benefit Athletics & Academics

SUNY Cobleskill will hold the 32nd edition of its ever-popular Annual Foundation Golf Tournament on Friday, June 15, benefiting the College’s Fighting Tiger student-athletes and its Business & Information Technology Department. Former business school dean Chester Burton and his wife, Nancy Burton, a former member of the business school faculty, are the honorary co-chairs of this great golf outing. They noted: “We are excited about the 2018 Foundation Golf Tournament, and we look forward to interacting with old and new friends. You don’t need to be a scratch golfer or even break 100. This will be a day of fun or competition … or both.”

The Burtons are being assisted with planning by Marie Curran-Headley, Director of Athletics, and Tim Purcell ’93, President of the College Foundation. A beautiful day on the links begins with registration and breakfast at 9 am, and will include fun, on-the-course activities like “Beat the Coach” and a hole-in-one contest, all offering outstanding prizes. The day will be topped off with a social hour and awards beginning at 3:30 pm. Soft spikes and golf attire are acceptable throughout the entire day.

Over 250 student-athletes participate in 19 individual and team NCAA Division III sports at SUNY Cobleskill, in an environment emphasizing teamwork, respect, inclusion, and leadership. Last year’s event drew 112 golfers and raised over $16,000. May 24 is the deadline for tournament sponsors and for early bird registration. After May 24, golfers can still register until June 7. Learn more and register here:
https://web.cobleskill.edu/alumni/events/golf-tournament/


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C-GCC Student Research Projects Accepted for Presentation by the Eastern Psychological Association

HUDSON – Eleven students at Columbia-Greene Community College received accolades from one of the oldest psychological associations in the country recently, having their research projects accepted for presentation by the Eastern Psychological Association (EPA).

Barbara Shaffer, associate professor of Psychology and Sociologyat C-GCC, explained that each year, students enrolled in her Research for the Behavioral Science course are charged with designing and conducting high quality research projects, which are in turn submitted to the EPA for possible presentation at its annual meeting.

“These students, under guidance, developed research hypotheses, collected and analyzed data, and wrote their original findings in professional form to be shared with the academic community,” she said, noting that each submission was peer-reviewed by members of the EPA, the oldest regional association of psychological associations in the United States, founded in 1896.

Four group projects were accepted from C-GCC, and findings were displayed as part of a poster session at the EPA Annual Meeting in Philadelphia, Pa. The research projects stood alongside the work of hundreds of other students from both two- and four-year institutions.

With Shaffer’s support, students Randy Dunham and Teanna Hedgpeth investigated the relationship between pet attachment and well-being, suggesting that further research is warranted in order to deduce whether pet-human connections create positive, negative, or neutral variables.

Christine Dempsey and Samantha Roggio posed the question ‘are highly religious individuals less intellectual?’, finding no significant correlation between religiosity and intellectualism.

Levi Usticke, Claudia Anderson, Alexandrea Lemus, and Amber Petrianni explored whether religious individuals have a need for closure, finding no significant relationship between the two variables, and Carlene Palmer-Palmateer, Samantha Mizener, and Sarah Juzapavicus examined ways to improve student engagement opportunities on a community college campus, aiming to prove that extracurricular involvement may have a positive effect on the academic performance of under-represented college students.

“This is quite an achievement, one that makes me very proud as a faculty member,” said Shaffer. “Most students at the community college level do not have the opportunity to present original findings at a professional conference, let alone a group of nearly a dozen.”

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E-Cig Use Among NYS Youth Growing at Alarming Rate

Tobacco control measures have helped decrease the current smoking rate among adults in New York State to 14.2 percent. Unfortunately, the percentage of New York State youth who have ever tried and currently use e-cigarettes doubled from 2014 to 2016 according to the recently released NYS Youth Tobacco Survey. Electronic cigarettes and similar devices (also referred to as e-cigarettes, vape pens, Juuls, mods, and e-hookahs) are the most frequently used tobacco products among New York State youth. E-cigarettes typically deliver nicotine, flavorings and other additives to users via an inhaled aerosol.

Among middle school students, the rate increased from 6.9 percent to 14.1 percent and among high school students, the rate increased from 21.6 percent to 43.8 percent. The percent of youth who currently use e-cigarettes and similar devices, defined as past-30-day use, also doubled from 2014 to 2016. Among middle school students, the rate increased from 3.2 percent to 6.4 percent and among high school students it increased from 10.5 percent to 20.6 percent.

“After communicating with students and personnel in schools in the three-county region, we know e-cigarette use among youth and young adults is a major public health concern locally,” according to Linda Wegner, program director for Advancing Tobacco Free Communities in Delaware, Otsego and Schoharie Counties (ATFC-DOS). ATFC-DOS educates the community and decision makers, mobilizes community members around the problems that tobacco addiction causes in local communities, and helps decision makers understand the types of choices that they have to address these problems. “It’s critical to protect local youth and adolescents from this preventable health risk.”

Bonnie Peck, Reality Check/Youth Engagement Coordinator with ATFC-DOS adds, “Nicotine has negative, long-lasting consequences for youth brain development. Studies show that e-cigarette use among youth is associated with both the intention to smoke cigarettes and subsequent cigarette smoking. We encourage individuals, institutions and communities to get the facts at SeenEnoughTobacco.org and take action to help combat tobacco use and marketing.”

Almost all e-cigarette products sold in area convenience stores and similar retail outlets contain nicotine. With or without nicotine, e-cigarettes are not hazard-free and the inhaled emission may contain heavy metals, volatile organic compounds, and other toxic chemicals. Exposure to secondhand e-cigarette aerosol is also harmful. E-cigarettes are available in a wide variety of flavors, including many that are particularly appealing to youth. More than 85 percent of e-cigarette users ages 12-17 use flavored e-cigarettes, and flavors are the leading reason for youth use. E-cigarette products can also be used as a delivery system for to marijuana and other illicit drugs. The nicotine in e-cigarettes and other tobacco products can prime young brains for addiction to other drugs such as cocaine and methamphetamine.

Tobacco use is the number one cause of preventable death and disease locally, in New York State and in the United States. The smoking rates in the Delaware, Otsego and Schoharie region are 22.9 percent for Delaware County, 26.3 percent for Otsego County and 19.3 percent for Schoharie County.

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C-GCC Launches English-as-a-Second-Language ‘Bridge to College’ Course

Columbia-Greene Community College has launched a new, non-credit course designed to assist non-native English speakers with the language skills necessary to succeed, from classroom to career.

The English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) Bridge to College Course is open to any non-native English speaker 18 or older. Classes meet twice per week in the evenings for 14 weeks, often taking advantage of the college’s Academic Support Center in addition to classroom work.  Students will also have the opportunity to meet with a professional tutor outside of class.

Robert Bodratti, director of Community Services at C-GCC, said the course was created to offer greater opportunities to non-native English speakers in both educational and career endeavors.

“Limited English language skills can hold people back from pursuing the level of education they would like, and can often slow down paths to success in the workplace,” he said. “This course will focus on pronunciation, grammar, and reading and writing skills, with the aim of preparing people for the next step in their educational and professional journey.”

Due in part to a grant from the Willow Springs Foundation of Illinois, the cost to enroll is only $15. For more information, contact the Office of Community Services at (518) 828-4181, ext.3342, or e-mail communityservices@sunycgcc.edu.

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Engineer to Greene County Leg: Jail Damage Risks “Catastrophic Failure,” Committee Votes $51 Million New Jail Bond in 5-3 vote

The Greene County Public Safety Committee met to a full crowd on Wednesday night. There was just a single item on the official posted agenda of a special meeting before the regular one: a report from Bill Scribner of Kaaterskill Associates Engineers on the structural integrity of the jail. The regular meeting at 6pm featured tense exchanges between legislators and the public.

A majority of the Legislature attended the meeting along with the members of the committee.

In a written report submitted to the Board the engineer stated that the building is under intense stress. It notes that the structural integrity of the structure is reliant on several building components and that “a deterioration of these elements and connections results in a building that will no longer resist the loads imposed by the environment and could lead to a catastrophic failure.”

Scribner said that upon review of some of the damage, “we could see that on the south wall of the building... there is an excessive amount of cracking” that “could be measured in inches.” In addition, the exterior wall connections and the floor diaphragms failed in part or in whole “in many areas.” On the South wall, there is a loss of integrity of the connections at 90% and 30% on the West wall, adding “most likely this wall would also partially collapse if the South wall failed.”

“The floor systems of the building have interior supports which might prevent the total collapse of the building in the event of the South wall failing,” the report continued.

Scribner reported to the board that environmental conditions could cause “catastrophic failure” under the correct conditions and recommend the closure of the original jail portion of the building until a “reinforcement structure is installed.”

Such surface mounted steel reinforcement “both on the interior and exterior of the South wall” would likely range between $300,000 and $400,000, according to the engineer. He concluded his written comments that “in addition to this there are many additional repair and maintenance items in this, and the connected buildings, that would need to be accomplished for continuing use.” Scribner said that the design work of such a project would take several weeks and construction several months.

Several of the legislators asked about the process in which the firm declared it unsafe. Legislator Lori Torgersen asked if any of the damage could have been prevented through maintenance.

“Anything would have helped,” Scribner said, citing potential change in layout, redirecting drainage, and other repairs. “The building reaches a certain age and it’s deteriorating, deteriorating, and deteriorating.”

At the end of the report and several questions about the integrity of the jail, the Public Safety Committee held its ordinary meeting with jail topics dominating the conversation.

In a contested vote, the Committee approved a resolution for the complete Legislature for the issuance of $51 million in serial bonds to potentially finance the project and for a USDA loan resolution for a similar purpose.

“The wheels have fallen off. Now we’ve blown the engine,” Greene County Undersheriff George Tortorelis said about the shape of the jail. He also stated that he does not believe that sharing the jail is a workable solution. He instead wanted to keep prisoners in the county.

Legislator Harry Lennon said that he believed there was “only one path”-- to build a new facility.

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Several members of the audience chimed in during the questions between the legislators and the Undersheriff. “Do I want to pay more taxes? No. Is it our responsibility? Yes,” he said.

Legislator Charles Martinez motioned and Legislator Linger seconded forwarding the bond. Legislator Kevin Lennon asked for a roll call vote. Furthermore, Legislator Torgersen asked about the previous vote rejecting a $30,000 study rather than the idea of a joint jail issue.

There were a number of comments from the audience. One comment asked why the County would consider a $50 million option to a “$15 million issue.” Another resident said “we’ve beat this thing to death umpteen times. We have a perfect opportunity to have this jail in Coxsackie.”

Legislator Aidan O’Connor asked if construction would start in late 2018 if the county moved forward in the near future. County Administrator Shaun Groden said that if not contracts were awarded by July, construction was unlikely this year.

O’Connor then apologized to a dozen corrections officers present, stating that he toured the facility in early 2016 and then found the facility “disgusting” then. O’Connor said that “we are rushing at the last moment” and that new construction will more than triple Greene County’s debt. “What happens to the mental health building? What happens to the medical records we have to digitize? We have to think differently.”

Legislator Lee Palmateer spoke next. “There has been no sense of urgency from you, Mr. O’Connor. You’ve been flipping and flopping.” He added, “There is a small minority, including you, that does not want to build a jail. This jail is falling down because of you and other members of this committee.”

“I take offense to that,” replied Legislator Michael Bulich. “I’m not afraid to build a jail. It’s not about making sure that people are employed publicly.” He added there is a nearby jail being constructed in Herkimer County with over 130 beds for $30 million. “Where is the other $20 million going? Who’s making the money?”

Legislator Kevin Lennon said that the County did not put money into the jail into recently and said he asked for the design plan and why the project is being downsized. Lennon said that when he asked for the plans last meeting, the meeting was closed.

Administrator Groden said that the Board of Elections did not allow a referendum on the subject after the idea surfaced from the audience. Legislator Torgersen said that she believed that it may be subject to a permissive referendum.

“Call the Board of Elections,” Groden said, “I’m tired of being the whipping boy.”

Windham’s Nick Bove called the situation “supercharged.” He said that this process is difficult on the legislature and the public “and I don’t see it going anywhere tonight but everyone yelling at everyone.” He called the idea of a referendum “brilliant.”

“There’s got to be a compromise,” Bove said. He added that he would rather pay existing employees more rather than spending more on a new jail.

Bulich continued, stating that if the original proposal for shared services was approved, it could be back now with a potential solution. He said that such a study would be reimbursed by the state except for $5,000.

Legislator and Committee Chair William Lawrence said that he believed that the option for a shared facility was “illegal” and “a lot more than $7.5 million. It’s going to be a lot more.” He also said that other estimates were not accurate.

Legislator Torgersen said that she attended a Columbia County meeting in which their legislature gave estimates on potential costs and said that the state declared that a joint facility is legal.

Chair Lawrence called a roll call vote of the committee: Legislators Martinez, Harry Lennon, Linger, Lewis, and Lawrence voted yes. Legislators O’Connor, Torgersen, and Kevin Lennon each voted no.

A vote to approve a USDA loan resolution passed 6-2 along the same lines as the previous vote, with the exception of Legislator O’Connor voting yes.

Legislator Harry Lennon said that he holds an obligation to the County’s corrections officers and that he is worried about their future.

At the end of the meeting, Legislator Matthew Luvera asked if the members of the Legislature could see the floor plans during a meeting. The plans may be discussed in executive session at a future meeting.

Cobleskill Police Blotter

Tuesday, April 24, 2018

At 6:32 p.m. Cobleskill Police arrested Eric R. Covey, 22, of Cobleskill, NY, on an Arrest Warrant for Criminal Contempt 2nd.  He was arraigned in Cobleskill Town Court and released after charge was adjudicated with a previous charge. No further action was taken.

Thursday, April 26, 2018

At 6:07 p.m. Cobleskill Police arrested Victor Howard, 19, of Cobleskill, NY, for Harassment 2nd. He was issued a criminal summons to appear in Cobleskill Town Court on May 15th at 5:00 p.m.

At 6:14 p.m. Cobleskill Police arrested James Marshall, 55, of Cobleskill, NY, for Harassment 2nd.  He was issued a criminal summons to appear in Cobleskill Town Court on May 15th at 5:00 p.m.

Friday, April 27, 2018

At 12:15 p.m. Cobleskill Police arrested Daniel LaFountain, 30, of Cobleskill, NY, for Promoting a Sexual Performance by a Child.  He was arraigned in Cobleskill Town Court and remanded to the Schoharie County Jail on $10,000 Bail / $30,000 Bond.  He is to return to Cobleskill Town Court on May 1, 2018 at 5:00 p.m.

Saturday, April 28, 2018

At 12:56 a..m. Cobleskill Police arrested Derrick Holt, 22, of Bronx, NY, for Disorderly Conduct.  He was issued an appearance ticket and released.  He is to appear in Cobleskill Town Court on May 8th at 5:00 p.m.

At 12:56 a.m. Cobleskill Police arrested Duane Goode, 19, of Bronx, NY, for Disorderly Conduct.  He was issued an appearance ticket and released.  He is to appear in Cobleskill Town Court on May 8th at 5:00 p.m.

At 1:35 a.m. Cobleskill Police arrested Dominick R. Stannard, 49, of Cobleskill, NY, for Violation of the Open Container Law.  He was issued an appearance ticket and  released and is to appear in Cobleskill Town Court on May 17th at 5:00 p.m.

At 2:56 a.m. Cobleskill Police arrested Samuel Yankcon, 21, of Nanuet, NY, for Disorderly Conduct.  He was issued an appearance ticket and released. He is to appear in Cobleskill Town Court on May 8th at 5:00 p.m.

At 8:25 p.m. Cobleskill Police arrested Michelle L. Vantongeren, 21, of Yorktown Heights, NY, for Disorderly Conduct and Unlawful Possession of Marihuana.  She was issued an appearance ticket and released.  She is to appear in Cobleskill Town Court on May 22nd at 5:00 p.m.

At 11:25 p.m. Cobleskill Police arrested Michael J. Sullivan, 19, of Gales Ferry, CT, for Violation of the Open Container Law and he was issued a summons for Possession of Alcohol by a person under the age of 21.  He was released and is to appear in Cobleskill Town Court on May 8th at 5:00 p.m.

Sunday, April 29, 2018

At 1:16 a.m. Cobleskill Police arrested Daryl Hagadorn, 31, of Worcester, NY, for 3 counts of  Disorderly Conduct.  He was issued an appearance ticket and released.  He is to appear in Cobleskill Town Court on May 15th at 5:00 p.m.

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C-GCC Stand-out’s Jersey Goes to Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame

HUDSON, N.Y. – As she received her Athlete of the Year Award at Columbia-Greene Community College’s Student Leadership Ceremony this week, Twins Women’s Basketball team captain Tanisha Edge of Cementon, N.Y. was asked to remain at the podium.

“We have some news,” said Richanna Lindo, director of Athletics at C-GCC, going on to announce that Edge’s jersey has been requested by the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in Knoxville, Tn., where it will appear in the Hall’s Ring of Honor.

The Ring of Honor at the WBHOF has been a fixture at the hall since it opened in 1999, and recognizes young basketball players for their achievements in the sport, including high school- and college-level players.

Along with her teammates, Edge made history during the 2017-2018 season. In only the second season of the new Twins Women's basketball program, the team finished their season as the Mountain Valley Conference and NJCAA Region III Runners-up. They earned their first-ever NJCAA Division III national poll listing – a fifth place ranking – and were inducted into the C-GCC Athletic Hall of Fame just two weeks after the season ended.

Edge, who began her basketball career at Saugerties High School, reached her 1,000-point milestone in January and became the first woman ever from C-GCC to do so. The same month, she was named NJCAA Division III Women's Basketball National Player of the Week and notched her eighth all-time NJCAA Division III Regional Female Athlete of the Week distinction.

She went on to earn the titles of NJCAA Regional Player of the Year and Mountain Valley Conference Player of the Year, and in April Edge was named a NJCAA Second Team All-American. She is the first of any Twins athlete to do so since 2005.

Edge’s jersey, which bears the number 1, will hang in the rafters along with more than 100 others in recognition of outstanding play during the 2017-2018 season.

For more information, please visit cgcctwins.com or call 518.818.4181, ext. 3327.

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Records Suggest Tague Took Thousands for No-Show Job

Former Sheriff Calls for Special Prosecutor

Earlier this week the Albany Times Union profiled Assembly candidate Chris Tague's time serving on the staff of former 107th District Assemblyman Steve McLaughlin. Mr. Tague claimed a part time salary as McLaughlin's Community Relations Director from January to September 2011, which averaged about 17.5 hours per week while also working full time for Cobleskill Stone Products. Tague received $10,000 in annual salary and benefits in this position. Further research shows inconsistent records in Tague's timesheets, including claiming time when he would have been unable to commute or telecommute to work and contradictory information from Tague and McLaughlin indicating that-- at least partially-- this represented a no-show job.

In 2010, Tague donated $1,000 to the McLaughlin campaign, as did organizations headed by him. Tague served as the Chair of the NYS Association of Builders and Contractors and the Chair of the Aggregates Committee on the NYS Construction Materials Association. These donated $425 and $5,000 to McLaughlin's campaign, respectively. After the campaign McLaughlin hired Tague for his district, situated east of Albany.

Former Schoharie County Sheriff Anthony Desmond was in office during the period in question and ran much of the County's emergency response. We asked him about the physical conditions of roads and the ability to travel. In disclosure, Desmond supports Tague's opponent Wes Laraway. Former Sheriff Desmond said that while individuals could have left Schoharie County on back roads, they would be stopped and refused entry coming back into the disaster zone.

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During his time as a State Trooper, Desmond investigated three public corruption cases. including in the Town of Wells, the former Otsego County Court Judge, and former head of Social Services in Otsego County. Desmond said that he believed that he believes that Schoharie County District Attorney Susan Mallery should appoint a special prosecutor to investigate the matter or that she should contact the State Attorney General's Office. He said that "if I was Mr. Tague, I would want a piece of paper stating that nothing happened."

Inconsistent Timesheets

Perhaps most compelling in the timesheets is the evolution of Tague's self-reported weekly work hours, varying between zero and twenty-one hours between January and July 20th, 2011. During these dates the hours were signed off by McLaughlin's Chief of Staff Daniel Lewza. From July 21st on, Assemblyman McLaughlin reviewed and approved the sheets himself-- and in each case through Hurricane Irene, Tague's hours were a repeated 17.5 hours-- the exact minimum needed to keep benefits.

Tague was unable to commute outside of Schoharie County after Hurricane Irene in August 2011. The roads in and out of Schoharie were closed due to a state of emergency with power and landline phone service in Schoharie out during the first several days after Irene. State Assembly policy requires all part time employees within the chamber report to a physical office to check in regularly and prohibited working at large without first doing so. McLaughlin had offices in Albany and Castleton-on-Hudson. Unless Tague physically visited one or both of these offices on August 29, 30, and the 31st, he would be unable to legally telecommute or work in the field.

Tague claimed 4.5 hours on Monday, August 29th-- the day after Hurricane Irene and the destruction of his own home, five hours on August 30th, and two hours August 31st, bringing him to the minimum needed to keep health insurance. He marked down "Legislative Duties" during this period, even as he later used personal and sick time in September, indicating a distinction in time claimed.

McLaughlin reviewed and approved this timesheet more than a month before Tague allegedly submitted the hours. According to the documents procured by the Times Union, which they sent to us and is here printed on this page, Tague signed the document outlining his hours after the flood on October 20th. McLaughlin approved Tague's request and and dated the form August 31st. The successive three timesheets were all signed by Tague as October 20th with differing dates from McLaughlin-- and all before Tague self-reported his hours.

At a base salary of $10,000 per year at 17.5 hours per week, Mr. Tague would have made approximately $10.99 per hour in wages from this position, not factoring commute time or other expenses. Above the salary, the Assembly Human Resources Department states that employees that work at least half time are entitled to "health insurance, life insurance, dental care, vision care, hearing care, workers' compensation, unemployment benefits and membership in the State retirement system." Between January and his resignation, Tague earned $7,441 in according to Assembly records. One official we spoke to stated that Mr. Tague regularly worked 60 hours per week at Cobleskill Stone around the same period.

In January the Times Union reported on a similar situation in McLaughlin's office. McLaughlin added his then-Rensselear County Executive campaign director Richard Crist to his Assembly office's payroll last year. The part time job lasted from September to December 2017. Although Crist never worked more than 17 hours per week, he received a pro-rated salary of $67,000 per year. Crist claimed working seven days a week, including Thanksgiving and an original, but scratched out note that he worked on Christmas Day.

The candidate did not respond to our calls for comment but told the Times Union, "The valuable and positive experiences I gained helping constituents and understanding how state government works have helped prepare me to serve the residents of the 102nd Assembly District." Tague's campaign manager told us that the candidate had nothing to say and "How could [Tague] be asked to remember a specific day seven years ago?"

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May 11th Einstein Event at Octogon Barn

Friday, May 11, 2018 8 pm

Knox Octagon Barn, 588 Middle Rd, Delanson, NY 12053, Albany County

Tonight’s lecture:  ALBERT EINSTEIN: 100 Years of Special and General Relativity by Prof. Matt Szydagis (U Albany)

Join us for an astronomy lesson and dark sky observing at the Octagon Barn in Delanson, NY! Programs include a 1 hour talk by local astronomy enthusiasts, followed by night sky observing if the weather is clear. Amateur astronomers and families are invited to bring binoculars or telescopes. Telescopes will also be set up for public use. Great for older children and adults!

Cost: Free! (donations graciously accepted)

Sponsored by the Lauterbach Pokorny family

Our mailing address:  Dudley Observatory at miSci - Museum of Innovation and Science, 15 Nott Terrace Heights, Schenectady, NY 12308

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Cobleskill Police Blotter

Tuesday, April 10, 2018

At 7:20 p.m. Cobleskill Police arrested Dorothy E. Lee, 50, of Middleburgh, NY, for Endangering the Welfare of a Child.  She was issued an appearance ticket and released.  She is to appear in Cobleskill Town Court on May 8th at 5:00 p.m.

At 7:20 p.m. Cobleskill Police arrested Shirley M. Felter, 68, of Blenheim, NY, for Endangering the Welfare of a Child.  She was issued an appearance ticket and released.  She is to appear in Cobleskill Town Court on May 8th at 5:00 p.m.

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Video of Downtown Renewal: Community Economic Revitalization in Oneonta

The video for the Downtown Renewal: Community Economic Revitalization video is available at ­­­­­https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pb23ECJEAQQ. The Downtown Renewal panel program, took place on Thursday, April 5th, from 5:30-7 PM, in the Otsego Grille, Morris Complex. The program was co-sponsored by the Oneonta Chapter of United University Professions (UUP) as well as the SUNY Oneonta departments of History, Political Science, Sociology, and Africana & Latino Studies Panelists included Oneonta Mayor Gary Herzig, former Cooperstown Mayor Jeff Katz, SUNY Oneonta Sociology Chair Dr. Alex Thomas, and President/CEO of The Otsego County Chamber of Commerce Barbara Ann Heegan, Dr. Michael McAvoy, Chair, SUNY Oneonta Department of Economics, Finance and Accounting, introduced and moderated the program. Following panelist presentations, audience questions and comments will follow. Remember to Subscribe!

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First Annual Family Fun Day at C-GCC

HUDSON, N.Y. -- The Day Care at Columbia-Greene Community College will hold their first annual Family Fun Day on Saturday, April 14 from 12 pm to 4 pm in the Arts Center Theatre.

The day will be filled with many activities and performances, including a magician, face-painter, balloon twister and more.

The event is sponsored by The Fortnightly Club, the C-GCC Student Senate, The Truss Group, 98.5 The Cat, and Pattison, Koskey, Howe and Bucci CPAs, P.C.

Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. All proceeds raised benefit the C-GCC Day Care Center.
For more information please call (518) 828-4664, or email daycare@sunycgcc.edu.

About C-GCC

Columbia-Greene Community College, a campus of the State University of New York, is a comprehensive twoyear college offering a variety of transfer and career programs leading to the degrees of Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, Associate in Applied Science, and Associate in Occupational Studies as well as one-year certificate programs and specialized courses geared toward community interest. C-GCC was recently ranked in the top four percent of community colleges in the U.S. by WalletHub.com, using data collected from the National Center for Education Statistics, Council for Community and Economic Research, and College Measures.

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Editorial: Goodrich Ends Tarnished Career

Sarah Goodrich announced that she is stepping down from her longtime position as Executive Director of the Schoharie Area Long Term Recovery organization, five months after an expose on hundreds of thousands of dollars in misappropriated funds.

The move comes over three years after the organization ended its last significant flood recovery operations and during a furtive transition towards economic revitalization.

This move is certainly a positive one, and one that will require far less money intended for flood victims to enter into the pockets of paid staff. It’s also a sign that the dozens of comments we received after our November article added up.

Sarah entered into the post-Irene scene as a major leader in flood recovery, but stood almost alone in her inability to leave the stage. As other volunteers moved on and died, she continued collecting a full time paycheck while hundreds of families still suffered. All the while the organization, which curtailed its actual operations, was lauded and abetted by almost every smiling politician and other media.

It’s difficult to say that Mrs. Goodrich completely gave back all of the goodwill she earned after Irene. After all, dozens of reconstructed homes and businesses are no small feat. However it does reinforce two fundamental ideas of community service:

1. There is always a time to step down gracefully. It is better to be a Cincinnatus than a Philippe Petain.
2. If you are betraying the public’s trust, especially for personal financial gain our paper will find you out and expose you. For far too long almost every bad idea, fiscal gamble, and backroom deal has been abetted by local leaders and media. This is our first scalp-- and won’t be the last.

Matthew Avitabile-- Publisher

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Cobleskill Police Blotter

Wednesday, April 4, 2018

At 11:42 Cobleskill Police arrested Selena Howard, 18, of Cobleskill, NY, for Failure to Provide Proper Sustenance to an animal.  She was issued an appearance ticket and released.  She is to return to Cobleskill Town Court on April 10th on 5:00 p.m.

Thursday, April 5, 2018

At 12:05 p.m. Cobleskill Police arrested Peter G. Delcoro, 46, of Cobleskill, NY, on an Arrest Warrant for Endangering the Welfare of a Child and Harassment 2nd. He was released and is to appear in Cobleskill Town Court on April 17th at 5:00 p.m.

At 3:13 p.m. Cobleskill Police arrested Bryan Porter, 26, of Cobleskill, NY, for Criminal Possession of a Hypodermic Instrument.  He was issued an appearance ticket and turned over to Glenville Police.  He is to return to Cobleskill Town Court on April 17th at 5:00 p.m.

Friday, April 6, 2018

At 4:24 p.m. Cobleskill Police arrested Patrick Gurdak, 21, of Cobleskill, NY, on an Arrest Warrant for Criminal Mischief 3rd, Attempted Assault 2nd, and Harassment 2nd.  He was arraigned in Cobleskill Town Court and remanded to the Schoharie County Jail on $1,500 Bail / $3,000 Bond.  He is to appear in Cobleskill Town Court on April 10th at 5:00 p.m.

Sunday, April 8, 2018

At 2:06 a.m. Cobleskill Police issued an appearance ticket to Brooke Fuhs, 25, of Canajoharie, NY, for a Open Container Violation.  She was released and is to appear in Cobleskill Town Court on May 17th at 10:00 a.m.

At 2:06 a.m. Cobleskill Police issued an appearance ticket to Cynthia Miller, 31, of Canajoharie, NY, for an Open Container Violation.  She was released and is to appear in Cobleskill Town Court on May 17th at 10:00 a.m.

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SUNY Baseball Falls to Hamilton

Clinton, N.Y.: The SUNY Cobleskill men’s baseball team dropped an 11-4 decision in non-league play on Sunday afternoon to the host Continentals of Hamilton College. The loss drops the Fighting Tigers to 1-14 overall on the season while win improves Hamilton to 10-9 overall on the year.

The Fighting Tigers defense struggles continued in the cold and wind at Hamilton’s Loop Road Complex as five Cobleskill errors and several misjudged balls aided the Continentals on the afternoon.

Offensively the Orange & Black were led by junior first baseman Nate Carinci, Oneida, N.Y., Oneida High School/Jefferson Community College, who went 4-for-5 with a triple, a RBI and a run scored and freshman center fielder Mitchell Holmes, Dartmouth, Mass., Bristol County Agricultural High School, who was 2-for-4 with two RBI.

Freshman southpaw starter Burke Hughes, Nantucket, Mass., Nantucket High School, took the loss going two innings allowing only one unearned, striking out two and walking one as the Fighting Tigers used the nine inning contest to find work for six members of the pitching staff on the afternoon.  

Cobleskill will return to action on Wednesday April 11^th when they travel to Cazenovia, N.Y. for a North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) doubleheader versus the Wildcats of Cazenovia College beginning at 2:00 p.m.  

LINE SCORE:

Hamilton 11, SUNY Cobleskill 4 (4/8/2018 at Clinton, N.Y.)

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SUNY Cobleskill..... 000 000 031  -  4 11  5      (1-13)

Hamilton............ 010 522 01X  - 11 10  0      (9-9)

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Pitchers: SUNY Cobleskill - Burke Hughes; Daniel Wade(3); Ryan O'Keefe(4); Dalton Stevens(6);

Eddy Garcia(7); Jacob Hoffee(8). Hamilton - G. Schaefer-; M. Borek(6); D. DePaoli(8); C. Lynn(9)

.

Win-G. Schaefer-(2-3)  Loss-Burke Hughes(0-3)  T-2:34  A-0

Weather: 33 degrees; windy; snow; partl

Game: COBMA08

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SUNY Women's Softball Splits in Abington

Abington, Pa.: The SUNY Cobleskill women’s softball team made their first trip to Pennsylvania on Saturday blanking a North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) doubleheader with the Nittany Lions of Penn State Abington taking the first game 3-1 then losing the second game by a 12-0 margin. With the split the Fighting Tigers move to 2-6 overall on the season with a 2-2 mark in league action while the Nittany Lions are now 2-10 overall with a 1-1 record in league action.

In the opener Fighting Tiger freshman pitcher Rachel Hall, Greenwich, N.Y., Greenwich High School, limited the home team to only two hits over seven innings allowing only one earned run by striking out one and walking no one while featuring a formidable sinker which accounted for 13 ground ball outs in the game.

Trailing 1-0 in the top of the third inning Cobleskill score a pair of runs on a fielder’s choice by senior third baseman Hannah Hoffman, Troy, N.Y., Averill Park High School, and a sacrifice fly by junior shortstop Nicole Flint, Union Springs, N.Y., Cato-Meridian High School/Monroe Community College, to take a 2-1 lead from which they never looked back.

Hoffman led the way from Cobleskill offensively going 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI while sophomore center fielder Brianna Murphy, Yonkers, N.Y., Yonkers Montessori Academy, who was 1-for-2 with a walk a stolen base and a run scored.

In the nightcap the Fighting Tigers could never get on track as the Nittany Lions cruised to a 12-0 victory allowing the visitors only one hit in the contest as junior catcher Gabriella Danthine, Sloansville, N.Y., Schoharie High School, had a third inning double as part of a 1-for-1 effort to break-up the Nittany Lions no-hit effort.

Cobleskill will close out their weekend road trip on Sunday afternoon when they travel to Chambersburg, Pa. for a pair of NEAC games versus the Phoenix of Wilson College with first pitch slated for 12:00 p.m.

LINE SCORES:

GAME 1:

SUNY Cobleskill 3, Penn St.-Abington 1 (Apr 07, 2018 at Abington, PA) (Game 1)

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SUNY Cobleskill..... 002 000 1 -  3  6  2      (2-5, 2-1 NEAC)

Penn St.-Abington... 100 000 0 -  1  2  2      (1-10, 0-1 NEAC)

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Pitchers: SUNY Cobleskill - Rachel Hall. Penn St.-Abington - B. Dougherty.

Win-Rachel Hall(1-2)  Loss-B. Dougherty(1-7)  T-1:24  A-97

Weather: Cold

Game: PSAWA07A

GAME 2:

Penn St.-Abington 12, SUNY Cobleskill 0 (Apr 07, 2018 at Abington, PA) (Game 2)

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SUNY Cobleskill..... 000 00 -  0  1  3      (2-6, 2-2 NEAC)

Penn St.-Abington... 220 8X - 12 10  1      (2-10, 1-1 NEAC)

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Pitchers: SUNY Cobleskill - McKenzie Cobb; Katerina Weingarten(2); Edyliese Aquino(4).

Penn St.-Abington - B. Dougherty.

Win-B. Dougherty(2-7)  Loss-McKenzie Cobb(0-2)  T-1:25  A-95

Weather: COLD

Game: PSAWAO7B

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