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Village of Middleburgh Meeting Notice

Written By Editor on 4/30/20 | 4/30/20

The Village of Middleburgh will hold its May monthly meeting via Zoom at 7pm on Monday, May 4th. To join, please use the info below:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89123493526

Meeting ID: 891 2349 3526
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Coronavirus: Plan to Rescue Middleburgh

Written By Editor on 4/10/20 | 4/10/20

$30,000 to Businesses, Juried Plays Key Role By Matthew Avitabile Editor’s Note: I’m writing this story from a personal perspective, with my opinions and feelings expressed throughout. My time as my hometown’s Mayor is coming to an end.

Come Monday, Middleburgh will welcome our new Mayor, Trish Bergan, who was originally slated to take office on April 1st. As I wrote in our last edition before the Coronavirus lockdown (and the subsequent canceling of elections), I knew that current Deputy Mayor Bergan was, and is, the right person for the job.

With my term set to expire on March 31st, the Governor’s announcement meant that I would be remaining in office temporarily. After 13 years on the Village Board, including 8 as its steward, it is time for new leadership. Before I left, I knew that I had one last Hail Mary in me. Being one of the members of the flood recovery effort in 2011-2012, I thought back to my experience hunkered down with volunteers in the Village Hall, doing our best to handle a terrible situation. One of the most successful programs I launched then was a donation fund that was then distributed to flood victims-- about $30,000 in all, without a dime for administrative or personnel costs. And so, one by one, I racked my brain regarding who could help. I knew that Nick Juried, who has been an unflinching supporter of our various communities and a kindhearted person, might be able to. Up late worried about the ultimate fate of our community, recently healed from the damage of Irene, I sent him a heartfelt email. He responded the following afternoon with the sincerity and understanding that I have become accustomed to. And so, the following day, on Thursday night-- halfway through my newspaper delivery route I thought of who might be able to help. Thanks to recommendations of my friends, and my father I contacted several other people with our community’s best interest at heart. My friend and former Mountain Eagle editor Carolyn Bennett held my chin up and took my call past 10 pm that night asking for guidance.

Before 2011’s Hurricane Irene, I didn’t fully comprehend the number of people that loved Middleburgh. From the hundreds of volunteers then to hundreds of volunteers and donors now, there exists a bevy of people ready to help their neighbors for nothing in return. The same happened here in the midst of our current crisis. The yeses continued on--from former Supervisor Dennis Richards to former Congressman John Faso to my friend Michael Ehline to online donors to the head of Delaware Engineering John Brust to our Zoning Board of Appeals Chair John Wingfield. Each one will be remembered for decades for being some of the angels needed to save the community.

All told, we had about $30,000 in pledges, with Nick providing the largest share. The Rotary Club, headed by our own Timothy Knight, agreed to accept and disburse the funds equally to storefronts in the Village that needed it. Our community’s hero (and I don’t use the word lightly), Josh DeBartolo offered to help with Small Business Administration funding guidance for our local merchants. Trustee Bob Tinker from the Village Board offered the key suggestion to defer loans through our community business development fund for three months, providing more liquidity and less pressure for businesses in need. Combine that with the fact that the Village Board again held our tax rate under the cap, homeowners would receive approximately $10,000 in state property tax rebate checks.

 Is this program perfect? Not at all. However, it is a valuable shot in the arm, both in terms of cash and morale for the business leaders who held our community together, along with volunteers, in the difficult days after Irene. I wanted their love and hard work to be repaid-- somehow.

For years I’ve debated a bit on whether or not buying a newspaper (of which I recently sold the majority share) was a wise decision at the end of 2016. It’s stressful, and time consuming, and financially risky. Heck, especially in the current day. However, the friendships I’ve built, including with Carolyn and Nick would not have been possible without being a part of the Mountain Eagle. It was partially through the means of local press that this program came together. Being a part of that team, knowing that it aided my beloved hometown, was worth every dollar, late night, and stress. 

Rotary also announced that in the aftermath of the first wave of checks, it would collect for a possible second round for the businesses most in need. I certainly hope that some of our readers may be able to help the community that I love and consider donating. Checks to the relief fund can be sent to the Middleburgh Rotary COVID-19 Fund, Box 1100, Middleburgh NY 12122.

I was weighing whether or not it was worth it to stay in office past my term due date, as if remaining for any part of April was like coming out of retirement for one last hurrah with those who had already rebuilt our community. And so I spoke to my longtime beau Heather and asked for some insight-- knowing me for 11 ½ years. She told me that she knew I wouldn’t leave until something could be accomplished for those in need. Heather likened me to a loyal dog, waiting by its hurt master until help could arrive.

And thanks to people I am proud to call our community’s friends, it did.

 Furthermore, the fruition of such a task left me drained, both emotionally and physically. As I wrote on Facebook Wednesday, watching my friends suffer through an ongoing crisis has ripped my heart out. As a result, I announced that I will be turning over the keys to Middleburgh’s new Mayor Trish Bergan and wish her great success over the next four years. I know full well that under her leadership Middleburgh, especially working with my mentor, Town Supervisor Wes Laraway, will improve and gain in the coming period.

The next weeks will be difficult, but our determined corps of business leaders, volunteers in the Rotary, Joshua Project, Knights of Columbus, and municipal leaders will usher in the next, best days to come for Middleburgh.

Editorial: What a Difference Two Weeks Makes

Written By Editor on 3/18/20 | 3/18/20

Just two weeks ago, the members of the Middleburgh school board were debating whether to cancel the History's Club's trip to Spain. Just 12 days later, the trip was not only canceled, but school will be closed for at least two weeks. In the beginning of March, some people scoffed at the precautions being taken calling the Coronavirus a "glorified flu." Now, on March 18, the country's borders are closed. Restaurants and bars are shuttered except for take out. The county office building, town and villages offices, and churches are closed. Almost all events, meetings, concerts, dinners, and school sports, have been canceled or postponed.
The world is a very different place.
I was speaking to my sister from Long Island this afternoon and we were talking about precedents for what we are all now going through and will be going through for the foreseeable future. There are few, thankfully. I remembered the shock and aftermath of 9-11. No flights for five days. Colleges shut down. No sports for about two weeks. A mini stock market crash. We knew there would be a response from our federal government against the possible culprits. No one knew if there would be further attacks and airport and sports stadium screening was forever changed. The cleanup in New York City, Washington D.C. and Pennsylvania took months. The effects were country-wide but more localized to the regions struck by the terrorists. People came together as never before. American flags were flown proudly. We eventually found out who our enemies were and they were punished.
Unlike 9-11, we cannot just "punish" our enemy and declare victory against the Coronavirus. We do not know yet how to combat this virus that started in China at the end of December.
We spoke about World War II. After the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, car production stopped and rationing began. Gas, tires, milk, sugar, meat, coffee, and other essentials were in short supply. In Harlem, my father owned a green 1939 two-door Plymouth which he waxed and was very proud of. He had to sell it to a "Fifth Avenue doctor" during the war because he could not get tires for it. People began to grow "victory gardens."  The country came together as it has just over 20 years before in the "War to End All Wars." We knew the enemies, Germany, Japan, and for a while, Italy. We banded together, crossing sex and racial lines, sacrificed at home and abroad, and eventually defeated our enemies. We celebrated throughout the country on V-E Day in May, 1945, and then again on V-J Day three months later.
It wasn't global, country or even state-wide, but one other similar event was the flood of August 2011. Those of us in the Schoharie Valley, Margaretville, Windham, and Phoenicia prepared for the worst. The storm was supposed to make landfall over Long Island go east of our region.It didn't. It shifted west and up the center of the state. Tannersville, the origin of the Schoharie Creek got about 19 inches of rain. Those who lived through it all know the story. The panic when we thought the Gilboa Dam had given way. The shock at the destruction in our villages. The mounds of garbage in front of home and businesses in downtown Middleburgh and Schoharie. National Guard troops and vehicles driving down Main Street in Schoharie. The water quickly subsided, but the damage remained. More than 80 percent of the home and businesses in the Village of Schoharie had more than six feet of water in them. The cleanup and restoration was immense. A mild winter helped ease the task, but the work continued for months. Even today, some homes and businesses are still damaged.
The region got help from throughout the state and beyond. Volunteers came from all areas to help muck out basements, remove wet drywall, and repairing what the flood wrought. The work was arduous and exhausting, but we all came together and persevered. The Schoharie Valley, Margaretville, Windham, and other areas hard hit by the flood waters shine even brighter today because of the work done by the residents and volunteers.
Though our enemy is much more nebulous and undefined, we once again are called to sacrifice for the greater good. We will be working from home, not eating at our favorite restaurants, or going to our favorite bars. We will be "hunkering down" for the next month or longer. But, just like before, we will come together and defeat our enemy. Instead of bullets, bombs, or hard work, we may come up with a vaccine or antidote that will defeat the Coronavirus. The battle will be a long and hard one, but we have been through tough times before, and, as before, we will not only survive, but in the end, prosper.

David Avitabile

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GGCAG Assembles Christmas Wreaths

Written By Editor on 3/3/20 | 3/3/20

Grand Gorge Community Action Group will be holding a Christmas wreath making workshop at the Civic Center in Grand Gorge Tuesday night 3/3 at 6:30 p.m. These are the wreaths that decorate Route 23 & 30 through GG. While it may seems a little early to start on wreath making, a lot goes into the project. A good number of wreaths need to be assembled by hand. This year new "led" lights will be used. A bucket truck will need to be secured to install them on the light poles. Also, a number of volunteers will be required.
A short meeting is planned that night so, please feel free to come by. See where you can help and maybe join the GGCAG.

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Carol Tubbs Obituary

Written By Editor on 1/30/20 | 1/30/20

Carol Jacoby Tubbs, age 86, a resident of Andes since 1962, passed away at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown on Sunday January 26, 2020.

She was born in Peekskill on February 5, 1933, the daughter of William Earl and Mary Veronica (Howard) Jacoby. Carol married Donald B. Tubbs on February 27, 1954 in Croton-on-Hudson.

After her children were all in school, she went to work at SUNY Delhi as a secretary for several department heads until she retired after 22 years of service. Carol loved making and selling jelly in her retirement years. She became known as the "Jelly Queen" in Andes. She truly enjoyed talking to everyone that stopped by to see her. She also had a passion for traveling that included visits to all 50 States. Carol's love of life was contagious to all who knew her. She loved to sing, dance and listen to all kinds of music, especially her Neil Diamond CD. Knitting was another passion of hers; hundreds of mittens and scarves were shared with friends, relatives, and anyone who needed them.

She is survived by her children: daughter Susan and her husband Ray Magill of Vergennes, VT; son Bruce and his wife Kathleen Tubbs of Ticonderoga; son Jeff Tubbs and girlfriend Lisa Marasa of Andes; and daughter Nancy and her husband Greg Greenlow of Suwanee, GA, as well as grandchildren: Jason Sabourin, Caitlin Magill, Meagan Tubbs, Carly Tubbs, Justin Stratton (fiancée Amanda Galunas), Ryan Greenlow, Brianna Greenlow; great-grandchild Jaxon Stratton and her sisters Margot Vaccaro of East Hanover, NJ and Gail Russell of Arlington, VA.

Carol was predeceased by her husband Donald (2004) and son William (Buck) (1990) as well as her sisters, Velma Sheridan and Joan Gera.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Hampshire House in Oneonta and the doctors and nurses at Bassett Medical Center, Cooperstown for their care and support.

Funeral and committal services will take place in the spring at a time and date to be announced. At that time, the family is asking that a donation to the Andes Fire Department be made in lieu of flowers.


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Karekin Markarian Obituary

Written By Editor on 12/30/19 | 12/30/19

Karekin Carl Markarian passed away on December 21, 2019 from heart failure.  Carl was born on June 1, 1936 in New York City to Mirhan and Mairenie Markarian.  He graduated from WC Bryant High School, served two years in the US Army stationed in Germany and upon discharge, lived in Astoria, NY until 1972 when he moved to Tannersville, NY.  He was a long time employee at the Hunter Mountain Ski Slopes, a job he loved.



Carl was predeceased by his parents, his sisters Rose Simonian Howard and Elizabeth Jenkins, his brother, Markar Markarian, his niece, Irene Nahabedian and his great nephew, Alex Nahabedian.  He is survived by his nephew, Sarkis Simonian, his nieces Constance Simonian, Arlene Markarian, and Morgan Jenkins, and great nephews Sarkis Simonian III and Vahan Nahabedian.

Carl was a gentle and generous person who loved his family and friends.  He loved country music, especially Hank Williams, and would play his guitar at family gatherings, where he would sing his favorite songs in his soulful voice.

There will be a gathering of family and friends on Monday December 30, 2019 from 1:00 – 3:00 pm at Millspaugh Camerato Funeral Home, 139 Jefferson Hgts., Catskill.  Interment will follow in the spring.

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Schoharie County Board of Supervisors Organizational Meeting

Written By Editor on 12/28/19 | 12/28/19

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that the Schoharie County Board of Supervisors will be
holding their organizational meeting on Thursday, January 2, 2020 at 5:00 pm at 284 Main
Street, 3 rd Floor, Schoharie County Office Building, Board of Supervisors Chambers, Schoharie,
New York 12157.

Sheryl Largeteau, Clerk of the Board
Schoharie County Board of Supervisors
284 Main Street, 3 rd Floor
Schoharie County Office Building
Schoharie, New York 12157
(518) 295-8347

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Town of Windham Reorganizational Meeting Notice

Written By Editor on 12/21/19 | 12/21/19

NOTICE is hereby given that the Windham Town Board has scheduled the
Organizational Meeting of the Town of Windham for Thursday, January 2, 2020 at 7:00 p.m.
at the Town Hall, 371 State Rt. 296, Hensonville, NY.

By Order of the Town Board
Bonnie Poehmel
Town Clerk
Dated: December 12, 2019

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Cherry to Leave Treasurer's Office After 24 Years

Written By Cicero on 12/19/19 | 12/19/19

 
An Era Draws to a Close in Schoharie County
By Timothy Knight 

Schoharie County Treasurer William “Bill” Cherry has held his title for almost as long as I have been alive. He came into countywide office on January 1st, 1996 and after twenty-four years of dedicated public service, he is set to leave elected office over the holiday season on December 31st

For many in Schoharie County, he is the only treasurer they have ever known. In a recent sit-down interview with the Mountain Eagle, Mr. Cherry discussed the past twenty-four years in a wide-ranging conversation that touched on everything from accomplishments to regrets. 

His story began many years before our final interview, nearly four decades in fact, when Mr. Cherry was a relatively new member of the Middleburgh community in the late 1970s. A member of the local Rotary Club, the young man printed community television guides out of his house. 

As Mr. Cherry recalls it, he was approached by the then-Mayor of Middleburgh – Charlie Slater – and asked to become a Village Trustee. The only problem is that the prospective trustee had no idea what the position actually entailed besides fleeting references in American cinema.

“But I only had heard the word ‘trustee’ in one context: it was the old George Raft prison movies where the trustee was the guy who had a stick with a nail in the end and he would pick up trash,” explained Mr. Cherry. Adding that Mayor Slater had said something about meeting in the park, the one-day treasurer came to the expectation of being handed one of those sticks and a canvas sack.

Luck would have Mr. Cherry being appointed to the Village Board instead of picking up errant trash, however. He would end up serving a few terms in Middleburgh before he moved his family and business to nearby Schoharie, where he was again approached to be Village Trustee and then later encouraged to run for Schoharie Town Supervisor.

Soon after becoming a supervisor, he was approached by then-Treasurer Lawrence “Larry” Tague to consider running for the countywide position due to Mr. Tague’s impending retirement. Mr. Cherry agreed to run for the position, and he was elected in November of 1995.

Early challenge

Upon taking office from his predecessor, Mr. Cherry found himself in the difficult position of uncovering a serious crime that was committed by Mr. Tague.

Alluding to a famous picture of a lighthouse off the coast of France that hangs in his office, Mr. Cherry said the lighthouse is never going to move, because it’s rock solid. It’s a picture he replaced after the original was destroyed in the flood, but it has hung there throughout his career as a reminder.

Commenting “Honestly, that event did shape the rest of my career,” Mr. Cherry explained that he was a political newcomer “who uncovered the thefts of money that was in the previous treasurer’s care and I brought it to life” by reporting the theft of three estates entrusted to Mr. Tague to court.

Ultimately, despite facing an immense amount of pressure from the political hierarchy, Mr. Cherry knew he was faced with a choice that gave him no choice. Further explaining that the press had tried to tie Mr. Tague’s crimes to the treasurer’s office, Mr. Cherry quipped “Government didn’t steal that money, Larry Tague did.”

Mr. Tague was arrested, convicted, and imprisoned for his crime.

Change in approach

In addition to the political changes that occurred when coming into office, so did the technological and regulatory components of the treasurer’s office dramatically change under Mr. Cherry’s leadership.

Explaining that all records were maintained by hand in ledgers when he first became treasurer, with all tax records being kept on index cards written in pencil, Mr. Cherry began the process of computerizing the treasurer’s office. Unfortunately, all of the hand-written records were destroyed in the flood, but they had electronic backups.

Another significant change in how the treasurer’s office operated was the implementation of monthly payment agreements for property owners in arrears on land taxes. Recalling an experience he had with an elderly lady from the Seward area who could not afford to pay her $600 in delinquent taxes, Mr. Cherry said that he realized “Some of the people I worked for were really struggling.”

This exchange spurred Mr. Cherry to authorize the elderly lady to make monthly payments on her taxes even though he did not have the legal ability to do so. Eventually, this practice was legally adopted, with Schoharie County being one of the few counties that does it. “The thing I’m most proud of is the number of people we’ve been able to help with payment agreements,” said Mr. Cherry.

Assemblyman Cherry?

Following the 2000 Census and subsequent legislative redistricting, Schoharie County found itself as the only county wholly part of the then 127th Assembly District and Mr. Cherry felt that the county should have a voice in Albany. Therefore, he disembarked on what he described in our interview as a “huge mistake” – he ran for Assembly in 2002.

Explaining that he thought there was a political ladder he was supposed to climb, Mr. Cherry tossed his hat into a three-way Republican primary for the Assembly seat and admitted that he was never so relieved then when it was over. In comparison to the tens of thousands of dollars his two opponents spent, Mr. Cherry expended only three thousand dollars and lost the primary by only 56 votes.

With his only foray into higher office ending in defeat, the treasurer remained focused on Schoharie County.

Debts and Floods

When Mr. Cherry took office as treasurer, Schoharie County was deeply in debt to the tune of $15 million with only a $31 million county budget to show for it. Explaining that he “made it my goal to get out of debt,” Schoharie County would become debt free by 2007. Unfortunately, mother nature would have other plans with the county’s financial fortunes.

Stating “the flood was a major challenge” might have been Mr. Cherry’s one understatement, as the floodwaters of Hurricane Irene caused sales revenues to decline, residential population to decline, and as the long serving treasurer put it, “county government was down on one knee.”

Functioning with no electronics and relocated from the Schoharie County office building, the treasurer’s office was tasked with paying payroll the Friday after the flood with no official checks.

“One of the hardest things was creating the confidence that government was going to continue to operate,” said Mr. Cherry before adding, “One of the important things was to pay county employees.” Thus, what was old became new again, as the treasurer’s office got their hand on starter checks from another branch of their bank outside of the flood and they hand wrote every employee’s check that week.

Mr. Cherry commented, “It was a huge challenge, but by the end of Friday, I think the people of the county knew we were going to get through this.”

With the flood came a new responsibility for Mr. Cherry: flood recovery coordinator. Tasked with overseeing the county’s response to Irene’s devastation, Mr. Cherry worked diligently to protect the county building by installing flood gates around the complex, to restore a sense of history by advocating for the Blenhein Bridge to be rebuilt, and to ensure a new county jail was constructed outside the flood plain.

“I’m really damn proud of these flood recovery projects,” stated Mr. Cherry, who further noted the total cost to local taxpayers is only $6 million in flood recovery debt. He is currently advocating for the county board to utilize a portion of the fund balance to pay off those debts.

Times are a-changin’

Despite the success Mr. Cherry had with flood recovery efforts after Irene, his relationship with the Schoharie County Board of Supervisors began to rapidly deteriorate during and as a result of the Ethington scandal, which was led by a Conservative Party insurgency both on the county board and in appointed governmental positions.

Explaining that there was a sense of the “16 being greater than the rest,” with Mr. Cherry namely blaming former Jefferson Town Supervisor Dan Singletary for such viewpoints, the treasurer said that the county board began to pull itself away from him.

This came at a time when Mr. Cherry became an outsized figure in county government, as he and a handful of allies on the county board began counter attacking the Ethington clan. He publicly supported his friend and Democratic Schoharie Town Supervisor Gene Milone while backing a successful Republican challenge against Mr. Singletary.

Ultimately, with the release of two reports that painted a sweeping picture of governmental wrongdoing by Personnel Director Cassandra Ethington and her cohorts, the political tide swept the conservatives out of office and a new crop of supervisors emerged. “Her dismissal was the right thing to do,” said Mr. Cherry about Ms. Ethington.

However, with this new crop of supervisors came an assumption that county government was dysfunctional, noted Mr. Cherry, and with it the rift between himself and the county board grew farther apart. “The Board of Supervisors has disconnected themselves in almost every way from the very people who put them there,” said Mr. Cherry.

Whether it be his frequent clashes with the county board over the stream bank project, employee and retiree’s health insurance, or budgetary decisions, Mr. Cherry was adamant that “I pick fights when I know I’m right.” After a recent proposal to settle the ongoing union negotiations by Mr. Cherry was all but ignored, he stopped attending county board meetings this summer.

When questioned on whether he had any regrets, Mr. Cherry said that he had wished there was a middle ground with the county board. Emphasizing that there was no changing him “speaking out when taxpayer money was at risk,” he regretted not being better at sticking to his guns whilst maintaining a working relationship with the board.

Looking back and beyond

There is little that Mr. Cherry has not been involved with over the past twenty-four years. For many years, he was the county board’s go-to elected official to assist with economic development, flood recovery, and even run the occasional department outside of his purview, but like all political eras there comes a dawn and a dusk when they are no longer nigh.

When asked how he would look back on his legacy, Mr. Cherry noted that implementing the monthly payment agreements “were the right thing to do” and that he maintained honesty and integrity as treasurer, with there being “never a question about my integrity.”

As a reporter, Mr. Cherry has been a source of many stories over the past six and a half years of my career in Schoharie County. We have shared information, broken bread over coffee or wine, and I have come to think of Mr. Cherry has a valued friend and trusted mentor.

His next step is similar to many folks who are entering retirement. His wife, Sherry, and he have eight grandchildren ranging from adulthood to infancy, and they intend to spend many days with them all. In addition to family life, Mr. Cherry intends to travel across the country with Sherry to see the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone in a used motor home they bought recently.

Mr. Cherry may still work part-time, but as he said to me with a warm smile, “I really want to spend time with family.”

Underneath the politics and public persona exists a man who is informed by his personal experiences. Mr. Cherry could empathize with struggling taxpayers because he grew up poor in a trailer and watched his mom struggle to survive, and while working to rebuild the county after Irene’s devastation, he too lost his home like many in the Schoharie Valley.

With our interview winding down, I asked Mr. Cherry if he wanted to say anything to the county’s taxpayers – the people who he repeatedly referred to as his employers – and he replied simply “Thank you,” before adding that, “Serving as Schoharie County Treasurer has been an unexpected honor.”

Coincidentally, as our interview came to its inevitable conclusion the county office building was being closed due to an issue on the second floor. Mr. Cherry told his staff to leave for the day and he hurried to get his belongings together before driving a friend home to Schenectady. Many years ago he might have been asked to assist with addressing the office building closure, but not anymore.

Someone else will rise to lead a new era in Schoharie County, but there may never be another like the community television guide publisher turned county treasurer. Debts and floods and politics have come and gone for Mr. Cherry, but the road ahead leads to grandchildren and the Grand Canyon.


Schoharie County Declares Snow Emergency

Written By Editor on 12/2/19 | 12/2/19

SPECIAL SNOW ANNOUNCEMENT FROM SCHOHARIE COUNTY EMERGENCY SERVICES:

Schoharie County Board of Supervisors Chairman, Earl VanWormer has declared a State of Emergency in Schoharie County, effective 11:30 am today due to intense snowfall causing roadways to be
impassible. The State of Emergency shall remain in effect until 6:00 am tomorrow.

Due to the intensity of the storm, we recommend limited travel by the public. Please refrain from all unnecessary travel to allow for DPW plows and emergency vehicle safety. If you must travel, please allow extra time to reach your destination and drive with caution

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Delgado Holds Town Hall in Arkville

Written By Editor on 11/29/19 | 11/29/19


By Brian Sweeney

Congressman Antonio Delgado held this 30 th town hall meeting of the year when he spoke to a
gathering of constituents at the Union Grove Distillery in Arkville on Saturday, Nov. 23.
Approximately 75 community members turned out to hear Rep. Delgado give an update on his
work as a freshman in New York’s 19 th Congressional District.

Rep. Delgado explained that his number one priority has been traveling throughout his far-
reaching district and listening to concerns from citizens and using that feedback as the basis
for developing legislative priorities. The Congressman recalled asking Chris Gibson, who
previously represented the district, how he managed to achieve a strong reputation and
considerable bipartisan support. He learned that being “accessible and accountable” were the
key traits to bring to the position. Rep. Delgado said he always tries to emulate Rep. Gibson in
his outreach efforts.

In his opening remarks, the current Congressman told the audience at Union Grove that he
was pleased that the Family Farmer Relief Act, his first sponsored bill, was signed into law in
August. This legislation streamlines the process of Chapter 12 bankruptcy reorganization for
farmers.

Top issues

Rep. Delgado also outlined some of his other primary legislative concerns during his first year
in office. He cited his support for two bills involving broadband and cell service expansion to
rural areas; proposed legislation that would allow sole proprietors to deduct health care
expenses; a bill to lift the cap on paying for drugs used to treat opioid dependency; and
legislation that would ban pharmaceutical companies from contributing to Political Action
Committees (PACs).

In addition, the Congressman touched upon two other priority legislative proposals he
supports: the Medicare-X Choice Act legislation that would create a public option health plan
available for purchase by individuals and small businesses; and the Green Jobs Opportunity
Act that would provide training for renewable energy sector jobs.

He also addressed the ongoing inquiry and hearings that will likely lead to a formal House vote
to impeach President Trump.
“I was not out there pushing for impeachment from Day One,” Rep. Delgado explained. “I did
not run to impeach the president – I wanted to figure out how to serve and help everyday
folks.”

The Congressman continued, “I have found the testimony of many of the witnesses to be
credible and alarming. Impeachment is a political tool and if we’re going to implement it, we
have to be thoughtful in the way we pursue it.”

All in this together
Commenting on polarized national political discourse, Rep. Delgado commented, “I hope that,
as we endure through some pretty divided times, we can remember we are all Americans. I
hope we can at least be agreeable to each other. I don’t like how nasty the rhetoric has
become.”

Audience members touched upon a number of topics during the question-and-answer
segment. The Congressman was asked about the status of the State and Local Tax (SALT)
provision of the 2017 tax bill that limits tax deductions on federal tax filings.

Rep. Delgado said legislation has been introduced to repeal the cap, but he’s not hopeful of
the bill gaining traction. He noted the tax overhaul that significantly lowered corporate tax rates
added $1.5 trillion dollars to the federal deficit. Instead of spurring reinvestment and higher
wages, most of the savings went into stock buy-backs and investor dividends, he pointed out.

“Trickle down never works – more often than not, it’s a sugar high and it never lasts,” he
stated. “That money was tossed away. We were told funds would go to infrastructure.”
Instead, he noted, there’s a record deficit of $22 trillion and no infrastructure funding.
The Congressman added that the country faces record debt and higher income inequality and
all economic indicators point to a looming recession.

“The tax bill exacerbated the problem and threw gasoline on the fire,” he stated.

Population drain

New Kingston resident Steve Finkel asked what can be done to help keep people who grew up
locally from leaving the area after completing school. He cited a “desperate need for qualified
workers.”

Rep. Delgado agreed that rural communities are at a significant disadvantage when it comes
to population retention. He indicated that a big part of the problem is that, “Over time, many
elected officials turned to a capital mindset – instead of a people mindset.” That type of
thinking has resulted a lack of investment in rural areas.

The Congressman pointed to his focus on expanding rural broadband and cell service as
essential to creating educational and employment opportunities.

“We’re in New York in the 21 st century. The notion that we have to struggle to get broadband is
absurd,” Rep. Delgado stated.

In response to this and general upstate disparities, Rep. Delgado said he is among the
sponsors, including U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, of the Rebuild Rural America Act. This
proposed legislation would address projects like transportation, housing, healthcare (including
loan forgiveness for workers who agree to serve rural communities for a designated period).
“There has to be a recommitment to our rural communities,” he explained. “We don’t spend
enough money where we ought to be spending it.”

Supports legalization

Another audience member raised the issue of marijuana legalization. The Congressman said
he supports legalization, emphasizing that it needs proper regulation in much the same
manner as alcohol.

“We have to help people to understand the ill effects of legal substances. I think we have to
educate people on these issues,” he explained.

He pointed to the fact that keeping marijuana illegal has been used as a tool to incarcerate a
lot of people.

Former Margaretville Mayor Bill Stanton asked the Congressman his thoughts about the
impact of long-term wars, such as the one in Afghanistan.

Rep. Delgado responded, “Our military strategy has become more about presenting might and
power, rather than developing a strategic end (to conflicts). Our men and women put too much
on the line to be used in that fashion – we need to rethink our strategy. We’d be better off
making sure our presence is felt more from a values standpoint, rather than a show of force.”
He also questioned why so much funding is allocated for military conflicts, but funds are
lacking to support troops when they return home. “Why aren’t (our military personnel) cared for
to the fullest extent possible when they come back?”

In his closing remarks, Rep. Delgado said he’s focused on keeping lines of communication
open with all of his constituents, no matter their political affiliation.

“I want to try to figure out how to bring people together. The important thing is the process of
how we communicate. No one should be judged because of their point of view,” Rep. Delgado
stated.

Todd Pascarella, left, and Brian Mulder, right, owners of the Union Grove Distillery in Arkville pose for a photo with Congressman Antonio Delgado follow the representative’s town hall meeting on Saturday, Nov. 23. — Photo by Brian Sweeney

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