Schuyler County may ask state to reject legislation that could close shooting ranges statewide

A proposed bill in the New York Senate is a gun control law being presented under the guise of an environmental law, warns the Schuyler County Clerk.

According to County Clerk Theresa Philbin, "the Sporting Range Good Neighbor Act," currently pending in the New York State Senate, would place heavy restrictions on shooting ranges, due to proximity to wetlands and open water sources, potentially forcing existing ranges to close.

That, in turn, would prevent people from getting pistol permits. It would also mean local school shooting leagues would have no place to practice.

At Philbin’s request, on Monday (May 13) the Schuyler County Legislature will consider a resolution asking state officials to reject the bill.

The proposed resolution, drafted with the assistance of Schuyler County Attorney Steven Getman, cleared the county’s Management and Finance Committee in April. It points out that the proposed act “will cause severe hardship on the clubs, members and schools who depend upon the fish and game clubs for this very popular recreational sport in Schuyler County and the Finger Lakes with no empirical evidence that the mandates and restrictions are necessary.”

“This Bill is based upon misinformation as to the trajectory of skeet shots, and the reason why most trap and skeet fields have been operating for decades without the need for this additional legislation,” the resolution notes.

“This mis-named Act would require skeet field tracts at shooting ranges to be a minimum of 600 yards by 300 yards….Participants are shooting shotguns with small lead pellet loads which are only capable of traveling a maximum distance of 150-200 yards; in addition, most clubs reclaim the expended pellets for reuse.” The bill says these restrictions will prevent lead from bullets getting into the environment.

Critics of the bill, including Philbin, have noted that shooting ranges already have to meet restrictive guidelines to operate safely, costing them up to $100,000, and that restrictions will cost thousands of dollars more, possibly forcing them to close.

“This Bill essentially will force most ranges and clubs to build a covered backstop and be required to follow the State rules regarding lead reclamation,” Philbin said. “Most if not all clubs will not be able to afford to comply with these regulations.”

Getman noted that closing ranges could impact citizens’ ability to obtain a pistol permit under New York State’s gun control laws.

“If you wish to apply for a concealed carry license, you need to complete the Concealed Carry Firearm Safety Training Course,” Getman said. “Often, those classes are held at the local ranges.”

“Forcing those ranges to close would effectively prevent many New Yorkers from exercising their Second Amendment rights.”

According to Philbin, it is not just club members who participate at these ranges, but also school trap teams. “When you look at those kids that are on school-sponsored sports teams, they get better grades in school, they have a lower dropout rate, they stay away from alcohol and drugs and tobacco,” she said.

"This legislation could negatively affect students’ futures. That’s why we want to protect our clubs."

The county’s resolution, if passed, will be sent to Gov. Kathy Hochul and the county’s representatives in the New York State legislature, Senator Thomas O’Mara and Assemblyman Philip Palmesano, asking each to oppose the bill.

The Schuyler County Clerk is the point of contact for pistol permit processing in Schuyler County. Amendments to the permit, name and/or address changes, transfers to/from other counties, as well as suspensions are made through the office. Pistol permit records are kept in the office, the original of each record is sent to the state.

The Schuyler County Attorney is the legal advisor for county government and its various officials. The County Attorney prepares legislation and prosecutes and defends civil actions on behalf of the county and county employees acting pursuant to their official duties.

A complete copy of the proposed resolution is available here.

County Officials Warn: Be aware of unsolicited property offers. “Know your rights before you sign.”

Schuyler County Clerk Theresa Philbin and County Attorney Steven Getman are warning property owners to be aware of unsolicited offers to buy land in Schuyler County, often at a deep discount from the actual value.

 “Reports have surfaced this month of a company soliciting  property owners in the area offering to buy vacant land for cash,” Philbin said.  “The offers include a Purchase and Sale Agreement, asking the owner to sign and send back within a short period of time.  The quick cash offer they make is always below the assessed value, and sometimes by as much as 15 to 25 percent. That could cost you thousands of dollars, depending the price and your property’s actual value.”

 “Many of these buyers are, basically, throwing out nets to see if they can find an owner who doesn't understand the real value of their property or an owner that wants to sell quickly at (almost) any cost. They may be senior citizens, facing a personal situation that is forcing them to consider selling their real estate. These buyers are often hoping to find sellers willing to sell at 85% or less of the true market value.”

County Attorney Steven Getman,
County Clerk Theresa Philbin

While the offer may be perfectly legal, signing and sending back the agreement, Getman pointed out, would create a binding contract.  That contract, Getman said, may obligate the owners to conditions or expenses they did not understand before signing. 

“For example, the offer may state the buyer will pay all closing costs, but also require the seller to clear up any liens or encumbrances on the property at the seller’s own expense before the sale,” Getman explained.  “That could include mortgages, property taxes or even electric, water and sewer bills.  If the sale price does not cover those expenses, the sellers could be left paying out more than they are getting for the property.”

In another case, Getman noted, the offer required to seller to convey to the buyer all personal property located on the land.

 “That could include items such as expensive appliances, motor vehicles or even items of sentimental value,” Getman said.

 Therefore, property owners should review any documents very carefully and consult an experienced attorney before signing any type of agreement, Getman said.

Philbin and Getman offered several tips to property owners who receive unsolicited offers to buy their land:

• Never sign anything until you are sure you want to move forward
• Have your own attorney review the document before your sign them. If you do not have an attorney, the New York State Bar Association may be able to refer you to an appropriate attorney via the NYSBA Lawyer Referral and Information Service: https://www.findalawyernys.org.
• Check out the would-be buyer online. If someone is legitimately interested in buying your home, you should be able to retrieve information about them. Look for any red flags such as bad reviews or lawsuits.
• Ask for references. If the buyer will not offer any, something is wrong. If their references are sketchy and cannot be verified, you need to rethink doing business with that person. 
• Find out the fair market value of your home before you agree to a price.
• Consider bringing in a real estate professional to represent you and give you a fair opinion of your land’s value. If the buyer is legitimate they should be willing to discuss terms with your agent.
• If selling your property seems like a good idea, do not jump at the first offer made (especially if it represents just a small fraction of the land’s worth).

Finally, if you receive anything in the mail about your property that seems questionable, Philbin and Getman said that you can contact the County Clerk or, in the event of possible criminal activity, local law enforcement.

 

“Keep in mind that this is often totally legitimate,” Getman said. “The goal here is to understand what you may sacrifice for convenience.”

“Know your rights before you sign,” Philbin said.

The Schuyler County Clerk is responsible for all books, files and other necessary equipment for the filing, recording and depositing of deeds, maps, papers in actions and special proceedings of both civil and criminal nature, judgment and lien dockets and books for the indexing of the same as directed or authorized by law.

The Schuyler County Attorney is the legal advisor for county government and its various officials. The County Attorney prosecutes and defends civil actions on behalf of the county and county employees acting pursuant to their official duties.

Schuyler Officials Support Proposed Youth Hunting Law

Sheriff William Yessman, Undersheriff Breck Spaulding, County Clerk Theresa Philbin and County Attorney Steven Getman have all endorsed a Local Law that approves a pilot program in Schuyler County allowing 12 and 13 year old youths to hunt deer through 2023.

The Resolution and Local Law are on the agenda for introduction at the Schuyler County Legislative Meeting at 6:30 pm on Monday May 10, 2021 in Montour Falls.

The proposed local law finds that “deer hunting is a valued tradition for many Schuyler County families, providing quality food to county residents and reducing the negative impacts of overabundant deer populations on our agriculture, forests, and communities.”

Under the proposed law, youth hunters aged 12-13 will now be allowed to hunt deer with a firearm or crossbow under the supervision of an experienced adult hunter. Currently, young hunters that are 12 or 13 years old can already hunt big game using archery equipment and can hunt small game with a firearm; however, until now, New York had been the only state to not allow these young hunters to hunt big game.

Schuyler County Tax Foreclosure, Index No. 19-145, Notice of Petition and Petition in Foreclosure

 

Please take notice that on the 2nd day of November, 2020, the Treasurer, County of Schuyler (the “Enforcing Officer”) of the County of Schuyler (the “Tax District”), pursuant to law filed with the Clerk of Schuyler County a petition of foreclosure against various parcels of real property for unpaid taxes. Such petition pertains to the following parcels: [see exhibits A, B and C, annexed hereto and made a part hereof]

 

1. Effect of Filing: All persons having or claiming to have an interest in the real property described in such petition are hereby notified that the filing of such petition constitutes the commencement by the Tax District of a proceeding in the court specified in the caption above to foreclose each of the tax liens therein described by a foreclosure proceeding in rem.

 

2. Nature of Proceeding: Such proceeding is brought against the real property only and is to foreclose the tax liens described in such petition. No personal judgment will be entered herein for such taxes or other legal charges or any part thereof.

 

3. Persons Affected: This notice is directed to all persons owning or having or claiming to have an interest in the real property described in such petition. Such persons are hereby notified further that a duplicate of such petition has been filed in the office of the Enforcing Officer of the Tax District and will remain open for public inspection up to and including the date specified below as the last day for redemption.

 

4. Right of Redemption: Any person having or claiming to have an interest in any such real property and the legal right thereto may on or before said date redeem the same by paying the amount of all such unpaid tax liens thereon, including all interest and penalties and other legal charges which are included in the lien against such real property, computed to and including the date of redemption. Such payments shall be made to: Holley Sokolowski, Treasurer, County of Schuyler, 105 Ninth St, Unit 17, Watkins Glen, NY 14891.  In the event that such taxes are paid by a person other than the record owner of such real property, the person so paying shall be entitled to have the tax liens affected thereby satisfied of record.

 

5. Last Day for Redemption: The last day for redemption is hereby fixed as February 26, 2021. 

 

 6. Service of Answer: Every person having any right, title or interest in or lien upon any parcel of real property described in such petition may serve a duly verified answer upon the attorney for the Tax District setting forth in detail the nature and amount of his or her interest and any defense or objection to the foreclosure. Such answer must be filed in the office of the County Clerk and served upon the attorney for the Tax District on or before the date above mentioned as the last day for redemption.

 

7. Failure to Redeem or Answer: In the event of failure to redeem or answer by any person having the right to redeem or answer, such person shall be forever barred and foreclosed of all his or her right, title and interest and equity of redemption in and to the parcel described in such petition and a judgment in foreclosure may be taken by default.

Notice and Petition of Fore... by Steven Getman

Schuyler County Clerk Theresa Philbin endorses Getman for Judge

Schuyler County Clerk Theresa Philbin is the latest local leader to endorse Republican nominee Steven Getman in this year’s election for Schuyler County Court Judge.

“As your County Clerk, I've seen Steve's work up close for years. He is always level-headed and focused on achieving a fair and just result. He is knowledgeable, understanding and fair in all of his dealings with county employees, elected officials and the public. Steve is right for this position in every way.”

“Theresa is one of Schuyler County’s finest public servants and it’s an honor to have her support in this important election,” said Getman.

Getman and Philbin have worked together extensively to help residents of Schuyler County. For example, earlier this year, they teamed up to help warn residents about a possible deed scam involving a company that sells public information to homeowners about their own properties at inflated costs.

Philbin also noted that, “Anyone who cares about Gun Rights should support Steven Getman. He has been extremely helpful to me by providing advice and counsel related to the Second Amendment and he is a lifelong supporter of our Right to Bear Arms.”

Getman, a resident of Watkins Glen, has been the Schuyler County Attorney since 2015. Prior to that, he served as the assistant county attorney. He has practiced law since 1992, in areas including criminal law, family law, and municipal government. He has helped teach our next generation as an Adjunct Instructor at Keuka College, leading courses focused on criminal justice and constitutional law.

Getman has previously been endorsed by Schuyler County Republican Chairman Van Harp, former County Republican Chairman Lester Cady, former County Republican Chairman and current County Legislator Phil Barnes and Odessa Mayor Gerry Messmer, among others.

In late June, Getman also earned the endorsement and nomination of the full Schuyler County Republican Committee. Getman will be the only county court judge candidate to appear on the Republican line on this November’s ballot.

He has been cross-endorsed by the Libertarian Party as well.

The General Election is slated for Tuesday, November 5.

Schuyler County Clerk Philb... by on Scribd