As most members realize, when it comes to our progress we report the good as well as the bad. You may recall a while back the Galway Co-op purchased a property at 5698 Crooked St in Galway, New York. We purchased the lakeside property to rehab then use in part as a free retreat for children with Autism. We would be remiss if we didn’t also mention that there are tax deductions that served as an added incentive in our decision making. Because of recent developments that involved the New York State Police, we now feel that it is important to share with our members the history of this property and the problems that are associated with it. In 2010 Francis and Anthony Kurchner owned the Crooked St. lake house. The Kurchners explained to us that even though they were in their mid-seventies they still wanted a second place by the water that they always dreamt of and saved for. A few years after their real estate closing on their camp they were begging us to buy the property they thought was going to be their dream getaway. The dreadful series of events that accrued during their ownership of the property and ultimately caused them to want out simply should not have been allowed to happen. According to the couple, they were endlessly harassed by the neighbors, Carol Hynes 5710 Crooked St Broadalbin, NY 12025, Employed by PKS Advisary Services Albany, NY; Bradley Bischoff 5710 Crooked St Broadalbin, NY 12025, Employed by Bischoff Remolding, 5710 Crooked St. Broadalbin, NY; John Disalvatore 5700 Crooked St Broadalbin, NY, Employed by Capital Land Motors Scotia, NY; Kyle Ruch 5692 Crooked St Broadalbin, NY, Employed by Morgan Stanley State St. Albany, NY, simply because they were looking for peace and quiet, and to be left alone to enjoy their place as they desired. As a result, on several occasions during their absence from their camp the ties on their pontoon boat were cut. In all cases they eventually found their boat but, certainly not without a lot of effort by the seventy-seven year old couple. Several windows were shattered by a pellet gun, and trash was thrown in their yard. And they were subjected to verbal abuse. The lake association did nothing to stop the abuse when the couple notified them of the problems, and the town did nothing to stop the abuse.
The Kurchners came to us and admitted that they could not take it any longer. They wanted out so badly they offered to hold a mortgage if we wanted the property. We accepted. Months later we learned that one of the Kurchners old neighbors, Dr. Jay Watsky called and left message for them several times indicating that he wanted to buy their old camp. It was widely known around that section of the lake that the Co-op bought the camp so the Kurchners perhaps looked at Dr. Jay Watsky’s calls as more harassment. The Kurchners didn’t return his calls. But the calls persisted. They changed their phone number to an unlisted one in an effort to put an enad to the calls. Apparently that didn’t deter Dr. Watsky because he showed up at their house several times. The Kurchners wouldn’t even give him as much as an acknowledgment that he was at their door. He finally got the message.
Since our ownership the camp it has been broken into several times. There was really nothing of value inside that could be easily taken, but they did make off with a small boat. We installed security lights and were met with opposition from some of the same neighbors, Carol Hynes 5710 Crooked St Broadalbin, NY 12025, Employed by PKS Advisary Services Albany, NY; Bradley Bischoff 5710 Crooked St Broadalbin, NY 12025, Employed by Bischoff Remolding, 5710 Crooked St. Broadalbin, NY; John Disalvatore 5700 Crooked St Broadalbin, NY, Employed by Capital Land Motors Scotia, NY; Kyle Ruch 5692 Crooked St Broadalbin, NY, Employed by Morgan Stanley State St. Albany, NY that ran the Kurchners off the lake. The neighbors, Carol Hynes 5710 Crooked St Broadalbin, NY 12025, Employed by PKS Advisary Services Albany, NY; Bradley Bischoff 5710 Crooked St Broadalbin, NY 12025, Employed by Bischoff Remolding, 5710 Crooked St. Broadalbin, NY; John Disalvatore 5700 Crooked St Broadalbin, NY, Employed by Capital Land Motors Scotia, NY; Kyle Ruch 5692 Crooked St Broadalbin, NY, Employed by Morgan Stanley State St. Albany, NY claimed the lights were too bright. Under the circumstances we didn’t think they were bright enough. They complained to the town. Without even coming to the property to inspect the lights the town issued us a violation. We found this as interesting as the fact that there was no lighting ordinance in place when the lights were installed, thus making the violation unfounded and unsubstantiated. In addition we’ve been told by several attorneys that legally the lights were grandfathered, in addition to the code being overly vague . But, this wasn’t going to stop this gang. John Bates, who many folks around the lake wouldn’t want to see anywhere near their homes went to his eye doctor and got a letter. And based on this letter the town now said the lights were a health and safety issue. Of course that’s not exactly what the doctor’s letter said but, it was close enough for a town that’s on a mission. Once again, the town never came out to inspect the lights. Meanwhile the gang was making comments about the lights to everyone that would listen. The comments were so outrageous you would think the lights could be seen from outer space. We finally got the code enforcement officer to inspect the lights and it appears the town realized that the lights were not what they were portrayed to be and the matter went away…. but, apparently someone’s anger and need for retribution didn’t. On July 15, 2015 we discovered that the lights had been vandalized. We called the State Police. The Trooper looked at the lights, looked around and quickly mentioned that one of the neighbors directly next door had a video camera in their window directed in the exact area where the lights are now dangling. The camera wasn’t more than thirty feet from the lights. The house belongs to Dr. Jay Watsky and Jacqueline Watsky. The Trooper spoke to the Watsky’s and they claimed the lights had been like that for weeks and thought we had directed them downward. And as far as retrieving some video footage that may identify the culprit or culprits, well, the Watsky’s been having problems with the camera so there wasn’t any video footage to be had.
We should end this story by saying we can’t prove that anyone of the neighbors mentioned in this posting had anything to do with destroying the lights but, it certainly seems that it’s a good possibility that one of them did. And we are not implying that the Kerchners accounting of the abuse they say they incurred is supported by our personal knowledge. But, what we do know is that all the neighbors we have mentioned manipulate the local government by showing up in packs at town meetings and writing letters to town officials containing false statements, unfounded accusations and innuendos, as well as pressuring neighbors around the lake to join their pack. We will certainly write more about this matter soon, as there is a lot more that needs to be disclosed. We will also explain the difficulty we’re having with the town regarding our offices and showroom on Fish House Rd. In the meantime we’d like to hear your comments but we’re asking that you do not post them on our Facebook page. We rather you email us at info@galwayCo-op.com. Thank you.
Update 07-04-2015
Dr. Jay Watsky was reprimanded and given a warning by New York State Department of Conservation Police. It appears that Dr. Watsky admitted shooting at the geese on Galway Lake.
