Paul Nelson is reporting in the Times Union residents of Esperance in Schoharie County awoke Sun., Jan. 1, to find swastikas painted over buildings, signs and a local church. Deputy Mayor Kelly Shelffo was informed by state troopers that someone had defaced property in the village with the hate symbol overnight. "It's devastating and heartbreaking, it makes you sick to your stomach that somebody thinks that they can come into our little village and just paint whatever they like, hateful symbols," said Shelffo. She said there were at least nine swastikas painted on buildings and signs. Some, including a green swastika painted on the side of a stone church, could not be removed. State Police in Cobleskill confirmed the vandalism was under investigation, but would not comment on the nature of the graffiti. The case is being handled by the agency's Bureau of Criminal Investigation. Read the full story in the Times Union.