By Pauline Liu
The superintendents at Andes, Margaretville and Roxbury central school districts gave their reactions to Governor Andrew Cuomo tough talk last Tuesday about education reform.
The governor is calling for reform, because New York is facing the possibility of losing $700 million in federal “Race to the Top” funding for the state’s failure to  have a new teacher and principal evaluation system in place.

By Jay Braman Jr.
The anticipated announcement that Governor Cuomo wants to see the state-owned and operated Belleayre Mountain Ski Center be managed by the Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) came to pass Tuesday when the governor’s budget was presented to the state legislature.
With the decision now in the hands of the legislature, area representatives have different opinions on the matter.

By Brian Sweeney
Work is underway to replace the foundations of five adjacent Main Street, Margaretville buildings that were badly damaged by August 28 flooding.
The buildings in need of foundation repairs include the former Main Street Jewelers, Reprise men’s clothing store, the Village Pub, Rocko Mineral and Jewelry and the law office of Carey Wagner. In addition to retail spaces on the ground floor, all of the buildings have apartments on the second and third stories.

By Jay Braman Jr.
After representing the Catskill Region and beyond for two decades, Congressman Maurice Hinchey is calling it quits.
The career politician, who was first elected in 1974 to the New York State Assembly, announced last week that that he would not seek re-election in November.
Hinchey has been battling colon cancer and following two surgeries, the Congressman has been declared cancer free.
Regardless of his health issues, the Democrat was all smiles at a press conference last Thursday in Kingston at the historic Senate House when he made his announcement.

By Jay Braman Jr.
As questions swirl up about potential changes in management at Belleayre Ski Center, the Executive Director of the Belleayre Music Conservatory said this week that the Belleayre Music Festival will be unaffected.
Mel Litoff, who runs the festival and serves not only as executive director but also artistic director, is confident that the festival will not be harmed by the change.

By Pauline Liu
The Margaretville Telephone Company (MTC) has taken on a key role in the effort to bring improved cell phone service to the region.
According to General Manager Glen Faulkner, a subsidiary of MTC, which is called MTC North, has lease options on three proposed cell tower sites in hopes of bringing cell service to the greater Margaretville area, Grand Gorge-Roxbury and Andes.

By Pauline Liu
Members of Middletown Town Board made the difficult decision last Tuesday night to not participate in a 2011 property tax break program for flood victims, because they believe the town cannot afford to.
With new Supervisor Marge Miller at the helm, it was one of the toughest issues tackled by the town board at its first meeting of the new year. 

By Pauline Liu
From the way Andes residents crowded into their town board meeting last Tuesday afternoon, you’d think that something sensational was going to happen. In fact, to the community-minded residents of Andes, something really big was underway.
The first town board meeting of the year was in session. The new Town Clerk, Kimberly Tosi, and the two new board members, Wayland “Bud” Gladstone and Tom Hall, were in place. Many of those in the audience, felt they simply needed to see the changes in town government for themselves.

Arkville — The MARK Project is launching two new funding programs to assist owners of rental properties and commercial locations with property improvements.
Last April MARK applied to the office of NYS Homes and Community Renewal for a rental rehabilitation program and Phase Two of the Roxbury Main Street program. The organization was notified of funding approval for both programs in late December.

Delhi — With the assistance of Governor Cuomo and NYS Homes and Community Renewal (HCR), Delaware County Economic Development announced Monday that it has begun accepting grant applications from local businesses and commercial building owners who were impacted by the floods resulting from Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee.