January 2023 Newsletter

Dear Members of the Schoharie County Democratic Community,

Every month, we assemble this newsletter with the intention of informing you of our upcoming activities and helping you engage with local issues. This month is full of facts that you need in order to be an informed voter in Schoharie County. We start with some election analysis by Tim Knight and Greg Bucking. We then move on to the vote by our Board of Supervisors to not renew the contract of the Schoharie County Commissioner of Health, Dr. Amy Gildemeister.who has worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic to save lives and keep us healthy. Read more about that, below, and consider attending the Board of Supervisors meeting on January 3 at 4pm in the Board Room, Schoharie County Office Building, 284 Main Street, Schoharie, to share your thoughts.

Democracy does not happen unless people like you and me stay informed and get involved. Thank you for all that you have done: reading the papers and this newsletter, voting, talking to your friends and neighbors about the issues that matter.

A big thank you to the members of the Schoharie County Democratic Committee, who are working together to make decisions, inform voters and get out the vote. I am very proud to work with such a fine group of people!

From the bottom of my heart, I hope you and your family have a joyful, safe and fulfilling new year.

In Solidarity,

Theresa Heary

SCDC Chair

Go Local or Go Home

By Timothy Knight

Across party lines, Schoharie County had one of the highest rates of voter turnout in the recently held 2022 elections in New York State. Approximately 72% of registered Republicans, 65% of Democrats, and 53% of third-party or no-party voters participated via absentee ballot, early voting, or showed up to vote on Tuesday, November 8^th.

Despite a relatively healthy turnout among registered Democrats, that percentage was drowned out by the sheer number of registered Republicans who voted in Schoharie County. In fact, Democratic voters made up only 29% of the electorate this election in contrast to the 51% vote share that Republicans commanded.

With the exception of popular incumbent New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, who received 38.67% of the vote in Schoharie County, hardly any Democratic candidates received demonstrable crossover support; and some – like Nicholas Chase (26%) and Eric Ball (27.83%) – received less support than the total number of Democrats who voted.

Obviously, we need to consider this with some context.

Although 2022 would prove to be a difficult year to predict, as both sides found varying degrees of success, it cannot be disputed that a “red wave” did materialize in New York. While also true that our county did not shift as rightward as other places did, this is also because Schoharie is already the tenth most Republican county in the entire state.

Quite frankly, there is nowhere else to go but upwards.

At the risk of sounding optimistic, there was one bright spot on Election Night in Schoharie County: Rae Jean Teeter’s candidacy for Town Councilwoman in Wright. Despite running in a GOP favorable political landscape, Teeter was able to capture 41.95% of the vote – more than any other Democrat on the ballot – in her council candidacy.

This is why local – county, town, and village – offices are so important to rebuilding the Schoharie County Democratic Party from a data standpoint. Your average voter is more willing to cross party lines to support their neighbor, local firefighter, or school teacher for town clerk or village trustee than to vote for just any Democrat who is running.

Once elected and in office, Mr. or Mrs. Firefighter/School Teacher will then be able to demonstrate that not only are Democrats competent in elected office, but that we approach local issues from a more community-oriented posture. In a sense, this creates a permissive structure for those voters to support other Democrats for higher elected office.

Neither Rome – nor a more Democratic Party friendly Schoharie County – are built in a day. This requires candidate recruitment, ideological diversity, and understanding that our job is to make the data work for us: we don’t need to win the hearts and minds of every voter, but just 50.1% of them to start making change...

Not Left in the Cold Anymore

By Greg Bucking

As we settle into the cold months of winter, keeping our homes warm remains a top priority for everyone in New York State. Many in rural communities use propane to heat our homes and rely on timely deliveries throughout the season from a single supplier. But sometimes, for whatever reason, our supplier is unable to make a delivery, and as consumers we have had no recourse to receive badly needed heating fuel from another propane company. Fortunately, that has changed thanks to the emergency home heating bill recently signed by Governor Hochul.

“By cutting the red tape that previously prevented these homeowners from utilizing alternate suppliers in emergency situations, this commonsense legislation prioritizes the well-being of our community by providing them with more options this winter season,” said the bill’s sponsor Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara. The bill also for the first time creates a propane consumer bill of rights to further safeguard the protections put forward in this law.

With so many Schoharie County homeowners relying on propane for home heating, you would expect our local representatives in Albany to support such a badly needed protection. But you would be wrong. Even though the measure passed overwhelmingly in the State Senate and Assembly, Republican State Senator Peter Oberacker and Republican Assemblyman Chris Tague both voted against the now-signed law. Why would they leave their constituents out in the cold?

Support for Dr. Amy Gildemeister

The Schoharie County Democratic Committee (SCDC) strongly condemns the method by which the Board of Supervisors voted on the renewal of contract for the Director of Public Health in Schoharie County and urges the Board of Supervisors to reconsider the matter at their January 3, 2023 reorganizational meeting, 4pm in the Board Room at the County Office Building, 284 Main Street. This meeting is open to the public.

Using procedural tactics and in direct contradiction to the unanimous approval of the Board of Health, which has hiring authority over the position, nine supervisors took advantage of the absence of two members and voted not to renew Dr. Gildemeister’s contract, which had previously been unanimously renewed. In spite of her diligence in protecting the public during a worldwide pandemic, and working to enforce issues for public safety in our local water and waste treatment, Dr. Gildemeister was the target of anti-vaccination and anti-mask sentiments.

The SCDC cannot emphasize strongly enough that health science and sound public policy must be at the top of any list of criteria for the Director of Public Health, and Dr. Gildemeister embodied this approach. With direct blowback from those without any epidemiological or infectious disease expertise, she was steadfast in her efforts to protect the health of all county residents, regardless of their political leanings or other beliefs. The targeting of public health officials is a broader national issue of politicizing public health policy. It is a shame to see this happening on our Board of Supervisors.

The Board of Health voted unanimously to reappoint Amy Gildemeister to a second six-year term as Public Health director. Members of that board who voted to reappoint Dr. Gildemeister were Drs. Roy Korn, Stephen Strasser, and Rebecca Eckel, Fulton Supervisor Phil Skowfoe, Debra Wollaber, Bonnie Post, and Carl Stefanik. Six supervisors tried to delay the vote on the matter until the January 3rd reorganizational meeting, however two supervisors representing a large number of county residents were absent during the vote and it was narrowly defeated.

In spite of full support by the Board of Health, nine supervisors voted not to renew the contract for Dr. Amy Gildemeister as Public Health Director for Schoharie County effectively curtailing her position by denying her salary authorization. Those voting against her keeping her job were Mr. Federice, Ms. Hait, Mr. Leavitt, Mr. Luniewski, Mr. Rosa, Mr. Tavenner, Ms. Terry, Mr. Vroman, and Mr. Weinhofer. Voting to reappoint Dr. Gildemeister were supervisors Mr. Airey, Mr. Hampel, Ms. Manko, Mr. Skowfoe, and Mr. VanWormer.

The SCDC strongly supports reconsideration of this vote and reappointment of Dr. Amy Gildemeister.

2023 FARM SURVEY GOES LIVE!

Farming is integral to Schoharie County, and identifying those currently doing this work here is an important step in figuring out how to meet farmers’ needs. It’s been a decade since Schoharie County had a comprehensive list of farms and farmers. A lot can happen in 10 years. Nickolas Kossmann, Schoharie County’s Agriculture Development specialist, has created a survey on paper and online. You can fill out the survey starting January 10th, on line, request a paper copy or pick up a copy at most town halls.

Nick Kossman has already begun visiting farms and farm stores. The hope is to discover who is out there, where they are and specifics about their farms, farm products, ideas, current and future needs. He also wants to know who is providing the types of services that help farms produce, such as providers of excavation equipment or workers experienced with large animals.

Mr. Kossman will visit farms on what he is calling “Farm Fridays,” but farmers or those who provide services on farms in the Schoharie County area can contact Nick directly via email: Nickolas.Kossman@co.schoharie.ny.us or give him a call at 518-295-8785.

Represent Democrats in Your Town on SCDC

Every town and village in Schoharie County deserves a Democratic Representative on the Schoharie County Democratic Committee (SCDC). This could be you, whether you are new to the ins and outs of politics, or someone who has followed politics for years. What matters is that you are committed to representing a Democratic point of view in your community.

The Schoharie County Democratic Committee is an all volunteer organization. Our skills vary widely. We are committed to helping Democrats run for local, county, state and national offices and promoting Democratic ideas and policies in Schoharie County.

When someone asks you to sign a petition to help them get a Democrat on the ballot, it is likely the person circulating that petition is a member of SCDC. If you see ads for a Town Hall to meet a Democratic Congressional candidate, it is likely the ad and the Town Hall are organized by members of SCDC. You may have been invited to bid on an auction item or come to a postcard writing party or door knocking event, or a BBQ to help raise money. SCDC uses donated funds for printing ads supporting local candidates, and voter information about early voting and the deadlines for voter registration. As a member of SCDC, you can put your energy towards what interests you, and generate more enthusiasm for democracy and local engagement.

There are full committee meetings every couple of months where broad issues are discussed, budgets are approved and strategies are planned. We have formal and informal committees that work on communications, social gatherings, fundraising, long-range planning, membership and data and review of bylaws, along with an executive committee of SCDC officers (chair, vice chairs, secretary, treasurer and official committee chairs).

Every town and village is assigned a specific weight in voting, based on population. These values are divided among the representatives from that place so decisions made by the SCDC reflect the relative populations around the county. Larger towns and villages have many representatives, smaller ones, only a couple.

These towns and villages lack full representation:

Broome

Esperance Village

Seward

Sharon Village

There are also other ways to help. Please consider stepping up and joining the SCDC!

Spring is Coming and so is the SCDC SPRING Auction

By Joe Bozecivich

Last year we held our first ever online auction and netted $1800. This spring we will benefit from that experience and do even better with your help.

In Georgia’s runoff election, Reverend Warnock (D) outspent his opponent Herschel Walker (R) by 2 to 1, winning with an important 2.8% margin. Democrats in Schoharie County may not be getting the national attention that Reverend Warnock did, but they will need a lot of support and money to be successful candidates. This year, all of our towns and villages have local elections for supervisors, board members, clerks, and other positions. In two years, a Democratic candidate will be challenging Elise Stefanik for US Congress and we will be working hard to keep a Democrat in the White House.

You may have contributed money, services and items for our first stand-alone auction; or perhaps you bid on a few items. We are planning a fabulous second run for the money. It’s time to think about what you might donate to the auction, and consider who you might ask for donations that will bring in the bids. Classes, vacation home stays, tools, depression glass, services of all kinds, sports souvenirs, any and all would be welcome! Our top-grossing items were:

East Coast Swing Dance Lessons (6) $260.00

Mill Pond Inn Certificates (2) $168.00

Schlage Exterior Door Code Lock $125.00

Here's the schedule for the Spring Auction

February 27th: We will begin adding items to the site.

March 27th: Bidding will begin.

April 6th: Bidding ends and winners will be notified of their success.

Even if you don’t feel comfortable knocking on doors for a candidate, your contributions of time, expertise and items to this auction are a great way to support Democrats here in Schoharie County.

For more information on volunteering for, or donating to the auction, send an email to: fundraising.scdc@gmail.com

TOWN HAPPENINGS:

Date ALL THROUGH 2023

Town: LOCAL ELECTIONS WILL GET A HEAD START IF YOU LET US KNOW WHEN YOU ORGANIZE INFORMAL GATHERINGS OR A CAUCUS IN YOUR TOWN. WE CAN HELP GET THE WORD OUT.

January 2023 Newsletter

schoharie county democratic committee