By Joan Lawrence-Bauer
Roxbury Central School District voters, who approved a capital building project last year, turned down the same project in a re-vote on January 6. The vote, which had been scheduled for December and was delayed due to inclement weather, was 127 against to 109 in favor. School Superintendent Tom O’Brien said the school board will review the results at a meeting on January 14 and determine what the next steps will be.

By Brian Sweeney
The Shephard Hills Golf Course owner faces a potentially huge expense if the state determines that upgrades are needed to a dam on the property.
WORK NEEDED? — The dam at Shephard Hills Golf Course in Roxbury may not meet the higher standards for such structures that have recently been applied by the federal government. If an engineering assessment determines the standards are not being met, upgrading the dam could prove to a very expensive project. — Photo by Dick Sanford

By Joan Lawrence-Bauer
A successful “Holiday on Main” event in Margaretville the Saturday after Thanksgiving has led to the formation of a new group that hopes to replicate the success and bring more people to the village. The Business Association of Margaretville (BAM) held a meeting Tuesday evening to plan a February event, which will be followed by other activities and events throughout the year.

Margaretville — The Middletown Town Board met January 6 at 5 p.m. in town hall to organize for 2015.
Appointments were affirmed by the board as follows: Mike Finberg, Deputy Supervisor; Beth Bush as the Supervisor’s Assistant and Bookkeeper as well as Health Benefits Administrator; Dave Goodchild as the Chairman of the Board of Assessors; Patrice Delameter as Town Health Officer; Terry Johnson and Ivan Misner, as, respectively, the Arkville and Halcottsville Water Districts’ Superintendent and Clerk; Bill Birns as Town Historian; Pat Davis as Code Enforcement Officer, Fire Inspector and CRS Coordinator; Cindy Waters as Court Clerk and Supervisor Marge Miller as Budget Director.

By Jay Braman Jr.
The Town of Shandaken reorganizational meeting last Monday looked like it would come to an end without controversy, but a last minute accusation that one town councilman is harassing the Phoenicia Water Department brought some tension to the otherwise calm proceeding.

By Cheryl Petersen
On January 6 in Delhi, Harpersfield Supervisor Jim Eisel took an oath to serve another year as Chairman of the Delaware County Board of Supervisors. Bovina Supervisor Tina Mole was re-elected vice chair. Wayne Reynolds was re-elected commissioner of public works.
“I’m thrilled Wayne Reynolds is agreeing to serve another four-year term. He is an asset to the county,” said Middletown Supervisor Marge Miller, who seconded Reynolds’ nomination.

Received grants

By Jay Braman Jr.
The Catskill Region’s Congressional representative announced Tuesday that he will not seek another term, but may run for an unspecified state office in 2018.
Chris Gibson, a three-term Republican who handily defeated Democratic challenger Sean Eldridge just two months ago, sent out a prepared statement citing self imposed term limits as his reason for retiring.
Regardless, mainstream media is already alive with speculation that Gibson will make a run at higher office. United States Senator Chuck Schumer, a Democrat, is up for re-election in 2016.

By Joe Moskowitz
The Village of Margaretville got a late holiday gift last week from the State of New York in the form of a financial go-ahead for one of the village’s Rising Community projects.
Mayor Diana Cope said she received an email just at the start of the New Year, but cautioned that it will be some time before the actual construction work can actually begin.

By Brian Sweeney
Ginseng, long recognized as one of the world’s most valuable herbal medicines, may soon be having a major impact on the economy of the Catskill Region.
GETTING TO THE ROOT OF IT — Bob Beyfuss is managing what is expected to become a large ginseng growing and exporting business in the Catskill Region. — Contributed photo
Four affiliated companies — American Ginseng Pharm Regional Center, Bounty Agriculture Pharm, Bounty America Pharm and Golden Roots — have recently been set up in the region. Each company will either grow wild-stimulated ginseng and herbs, or serve as a retail/factory for ginseng-related products.

By Joan Lawrence-Bauer
Business was good in 2014 and, from Boiceville to Bovina, local business owners are generally optimistic that 2015 will be as good or better.