The recent Schoharie County court decision overturning the Village of Cobleskill’s $20,000 fine against Newberry Square owner Henry Ioannou affirms what had long been apparent to anyone driving down Main Street over the past year: The village is completely powerless when it comes to getting this owner to step up and maintain this property.
That Judge Bartlett’s decision is legally questionable and probably ought to be appealed, is a moot point. I sincerely doubt that a different decision would have translated into a different outcome with regards to the plywood. This owner is a deadbeat and has obviously committed himself to not making any improvements to the property. And this is not an acceptable long-term solution for this community.
Last year there was talk of an investor buying the building and using Restore NY grant money to rehabilitate the upper levels. But that doesn’t seem to be an option. Apparently, there is new talk of another buyer, but don't hold your breath.
More than likely, the saga will go on, and the village will be stuck with a deadbeat owner who would rather pay a lawyer than a window installer. Which brings me to the question, if the village can’t find another buyer for the Newberry Square building, why don’t they just acquire the building themselves, through eminent domain, if necessary? For years, the village has been talking about moving its offices back downtown. Is there a more appropriate time and place for such a move?
As the private sector has failed to find a profitable use for the Newberry Square building, it falls on our local government to insure that this centerpiece of Cobleskill’s business district is returned to some productive use. The existence of village offices could insure a steady stream of customers into the building, making it’s several retail spaces, as well as those in neighboring buildings that much more attractive. The same could be said for rehabilitating the upper-level apartments, either as offices or residential units. As it stands now, Newberry Square's blight is pulling down the rest of that Main Street block and indeed Main Street itself.
Now that the courts have cut off the Village's legs with regards to remedying the current owner's mess, the Village has an obligation to look into more aggressive approaches. Moving Village Hall to Newberry Square could resolve many issues at once. At the very least, it's better than sitting around waiting for Henry Ioannou to call a window repairman.
15 comments:
the reason the case was overturned was the incompetance of the village attorney meredith savitt. the madonna of the legal profession according to the likes of Gilmore Mcguire and Mckay.Apparently she was asleep at the wheel during trial lawyering 101. Thats not all she fucked up. The sewage treatment plant operator is owed over 30000 in back pay and benefits by the village as a result of her screw up. Throw in the lapietra case and she probably cost the village close to $100000. scary thought that the guy who is the self proclaimed shoe in for next mayor voted to keep her in for twice the pay of our current local attorney. With insight like that we are doomed for another 4 years of twisting in the wind.Time to get 2 year terms back.
You can't seriously lay all this crap at Savitt's doorstep. It's not her fault that the village routinely overplayed its hands.
But I agree with you 120% on the two-year terms. I think LaPietra would make an effective poster child for that cause.
To get 2 year terms back all it takes is a handful of petitions. Sean you should start a grass roots internet site to get this going.
if you doubt mr bork about savitt just read Mike Breen's letter to the editor two weeks ago. It was damning. Apparently she is a dolt.
the only shoe in for mayor out of that board is galasso. Mckay is washed up and is useless.he is the only shovel ready bored member. Dig a hole and bury his left wing ass and make it quick.
Amen,Bury his ASS
Dom Fizzle Says, The village really needs a man like The Deputy Mayor hes really serves everybodys interests with all his wifes guidance
Might as well be McKay as mayor. He is doing Seller's job. The noble experiment for youthful politicians was an abject failure and an embarassment. You get what you vote for.the general voting public is made up of morons. elected officials are useless and egotistical. Imagine , the top vote getter last year was a day care provider. She brought all the knowledge of changing diapers and wiping kids noses. How pathetic!This village needs an administrator ,a professional who knows what the heck to do. you wouldn't have a fiasco like newberry's windows with a professional on board.
Sure I'm cheaper than that woman.
Some other lawyer will have to be hired to handle most of the village's cases because the defendants are my clients.
brian kiser get your kilns stoked up for the influx of people as a result of new sidewalks on main street.When is the general public going to wake up to these arrogant store owners. I am tired of subsidizing these liberal pricks. try being like lamont and fix your own area with your own freaking money. that means liardo --you will have to sell a few more pizzas.
Galasso for mayor is like LaPietra with a big bank account. When are you right wing nuts going to get it?- the sleezeballs who suggest deregulation is the salvation for America are using you. They just want to be able to run amuck at your expense and get even richer. Sure, let's do away with health and safety regulations, environmental controls and zoning. Then America will be great again. Galasso is one of them.
Hey Bushed
What about the all the dem liberal CEO's on wall street who supported Obama.I suppose because they are dems they get apass. Give me a break you hypocrite.
"Scott Stringer" sez...Google my name and learn about the illegal hotel room situation in NYC...coming y'alls way soon 'enuff, well, said...
the reason the case was overturned was the incompetance of the village attorney meredith savitt.
Wrong.
The judge based his decision on a law that doesn't have merit in the case.
Harry Loannou and his homeless looking sidekick thomas matter are NYC trash that should be run out of our town, it should be no surprise these two have something to do with another main street eye sore 551 main street,i was talking to some poor students that rented an apartment from these loosers,the kids parents came to visit there kid and almost had a heart attack over the filth and disrepair of the place and when they asked for the rent deposit back so the kid could find a new place,the bums refused,both the newberry square and that little 551 mess have plywood windows and i am tired of looking at them,meredith savitt should have to live with this looser in his squaller over on france lane in the other two of there junk buildings (small brick house and the old creamery all with plywood windows) she realy let us down....and im sick and tired of it!!!
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