This Presidents’ Day, Honor Otsego County’s
3-8088 607-35 om | a t n Oneo door.c Street, windowand is w e L a t 20 neon www.o
HERITAGE BUSINESSES FOR TRIBUTES, SEE PAGES A2, 3 and 7
HOMETOWN
& The Otsego-Delaware Dispatch
E!
E FR Volume 12, No. 19
City of The Hills
ONEONTA
Oneonta, N.Y., Thursday, February 13, 2020
Visit www.
AllOTSEGO.com
‘Tortured’ Dogs Fostered Probe Continues; Susquehanna Shelter Houses 6 By LIBBY CUDMORE HARTWICK SEMINARY
W Jim Kevlin/HOMETOWN ONEONTA
OJC Student Found Frozen In Streambed ONEONTA
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he body of Elias A. Zedeno-Correa, 19, Union City, NJ, was found in a creek of West Street in Oneonta, two days after he was reported missing in January. A report of the death wasn’t made public until Feb. 6. According to Chris Kuhn, director, Zedeno-Correa’s roommate reported that he had gone out the window on Monday, Jan. 6 and didn’t return. State police and Job Corps staff searched, and found him partially submerged in the stream. Though the body showed signs of hypothermia, a cause of death has not been determined.
ON
AllOTSEGO.com
► THE NYs DELEGATION representing Otsego County rallied against the state’s bail reforms Thursday, Feb. 6, in the lobby of the Otsego County Correctional Facility. ►this winter’s worst storm hit Friday, Feb. 7, closed schools and offices, and caused Sheriff Richard J. Devlin Jr. to issue a travel advisory. ►2020 WINTER CARNIVAL is featured in multiple postings, from the Soup ‘n’ Chili starter to karaoke and the Carnival Closer Sunday afternoon.
AllOTSEGO.com
www.
hat a difference a few days makes. “All six dogs are doing great,” said Stacie Haynes, Susquehanna SPCA
Oneonta’s Tom Slicer won the venerable Bob Smullens 10K race Saturday, Feb. 8, at the 2020 Cooperstown Winter Carnival in 38:53/MORE PHOTOS, B1
►DELAWARE DEPUTIES are conferring with D.A. For updates, check:
executive director. “We’ve named them all after candy, because they’re all so sweet.” On Wednesday, Feb. 5,
Solar Farm May Bring A Bonanza
Haynes, alongside Karen Matson, Broome County Humane Society executive director, were called to the Delaware Valley Humane Society shelter in Sidney, where Director Erin Insinga, Delaware Valley Humane Society director had taken Please See DOGS, A3
D
Jim Kevlin/HOMETOWN ONEONTA
CHERRY VALLEY INNKEEPER ASKS:
ID VAN BUREN SIT HERE? By LIBBY CUDMORE
At Minimum, Project Pays $875K In Taxes
CHERRY VALLEY
D
By JIM KEVLIN LAURENS
Y
oung Ryan Storke came across as a level-headed, knowledgeable, straightforward chap. Asked by farmer Gary Lull who would clean up after the 3,000-acre solar farm Storke he is proposing in West Laurens eventually wears out, he matter-of-factly said the state Public Service Commission (PSC) requires a line of credit be maintained sufficient for the job. “All the tourists who come here to Please See STORKE, B4
Richfield Board Ponders Future Of Disputed Plan RICHFIELD SPRINGS
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neonta attorney David Merzig has determined the Town of Richfield’s new – and disputed – zoning code might not survive a court challenge. And the town board plans to meet at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 17, with new Town Attorney Peter Hobaica to determine whether and how to set it aside and perhaps start anew, said newly elected Town Supervisor Nick Palevsky. The plan, which envisioned the town as mainly agricultural and residential, led to the election of Palevsky and two allies, Fred Eckler and Ed Bello Jr., last Nov. 5.
Jenilee Metch, Oneonta, hugs Sweetie, left, and Snickers, two of the dogs seized last week who she agreed to foster.
Ian Austin/HOMETOWN ONEONTA
Barbara Hall shows off two-seater where President Martin Van Buren may have sat in 1839.
uring home renovations, Barbara Hall and her husband, Gary Lozier, found where President Martin Van Buren likely sat when he visited the village in 1839. Not a chair. A toilet seat. “The whole back room was garbage,” she said of Barbara Hall’s historic the former Cherry Valley tavern. Story Tavern, now her refurbished home at 171 Main St. “As we were cleaning it out, we realized the outhouses were there.” Following his election as president in 1837, Van Buren came through the village in September 1839 to meet with his constituents, following a similar reception in Cooperstown the day before. “The Village had a reception at the Story Tavern and he certainly had some nice fare and something to drink,” she said. “Certainly, he used the outhouse.” The original Story Tavern was built in 1790; an addition in the back was added in 1783. William Story, a miller Please See 2-SEATER, B3
Centers Pioneers Inhouse Childcare Center By LIBBY CUDMORE COOPERSTOWN
C
ooperstown Center wants to care for the young, to assist in helping the not-so-young. “We’ve had a lot of staffing issues because people call and they say they couldn’t get a
babysitter,” said Heather Welsh, office manager. “So we’re opening a pre-school.” Dubbed Centers Childcare of Cooperstown, the preschool is a pilot across the Centers Healthcare Network as a way to provide low-cost, fully licensed childcare, so employees can be more dependably available. “Childcare is expensive,” said Lacey Rinker, direcPlease See PRE-SCHOOL, A3
HOMETOWN ONEONTA, OTSEGO COUNTY’S LARGEST CIRCULATION NEWSPAPER 2010 WINNER OF The Otsego County Chamber/KEY BANK SMALL BUSINESS AWARD
A-2 HOMETOWN ONEONTA
THURSDAY, February 13, 2020
HOMETOWN People Syrian Poet To Read At SUNY Oneonta
BOCES BOASTS NEW MECHATRONICS LAB
Sodexo GM, Organist, Bank VP Compete In Conductor Contest
ONEONTA
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State Sen. Jim Seward, R-Milford, stopped by the ONC BOCEs open house on Thursday, Feb. 6 for a tour and demonstration of the school’s new Mechatronics/Robotics Open House, which showcased the new lab, scheduled to be open and accepting students in the Fall 2020 school year. With him are Nicholas Benturn, a senior at Morris Central School, and Max Arlin, a senior at Worcester Central School, who demonstrated some of the lab’s equipment.
ana Bitar, an oncologist and poet, will read from her workin-progress, “The Long Tale of Tears and Smiles” at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb, 18, 2020, at 7:30 p.m. in the Craven Bitar Lounge, Morris Hall, SUNY Oneonta. A Syrian refugee, she described her first book of poems, “A Loaf of Bread” as a requiem for the loss of her homeland. During the years of the civil war in Syria, she lost her father-in-law, who was hurriedly buried somewhere in Aleppo. The reading is part of the Red Dragon Reading Series and is free and open to the public.
Jimmy Hamm, June Sheehan and Michael Walling will vie for a chance to conduct the Catskill Symphony Orchestra.
ONEONTA
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he Catskill Symphony Orchestra today announced three prominent Oneonta community members will compete in the annual Guest Conductor Contest at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 14, at SUNY Oneonta’s Dewar Arena. The annual concert will feature Mandy Harvey, a Golden Buzzer winner from “America’s Got Talent” as the special guest, and will
We Honor Our
also mark the debut of Music Director designee Maciej Zółtowski, who was selected as the orchestra’s new conductor after a year-long search. This year’s guest conductors are June Sheehan, retired music teacher and organist at St. James, Jimmy Hamm, Soxedo General Manager at SUNY Oneonta and Michael Walling, Senior District Manager and VP at Community Bank, Oneonta.
Heritage Businesses OUNDED
IA
O M C O PE
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DG
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Cooperstown’s Newspaper
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1808 BY
L
Hartwick College
1808 IN
1797
established in
JU
EstablishEd in
For 212 Years
www.Hartwick.edu
607-547-6103 • 21 Railroad Ave., Cooperstown www.allotsego.com
OtsEgO cOunty hEritagE businEss
otsego county HeRItAge BusIness
established in
1856
established in
1869
1881
2020 Season starts with Easter Bunny Express Trains, April 4, 5 & 11 36 east Main street, Milford • 607-432-2429 800.NBT.Bank • nbtbank.com • Member FDIC
www.cooperstowntrain.com • Like us on facebook
oTsego CouNTy HeRITAge BusINess
otsego county HeRItAge BusIness
EstablishEd in
established in
Church & Scott, Inc.
Leatherstocking Cooperative Insurance Company
1886
5396 State Hwy, 28, Cooperstown, Ny 13326 (607) 547-1228 OtsEgO cOunty hEritagE businEss
1886
4313 County Highway 11, Cooperstown 607-547-2007
otsego County HeRItAge BusIness established in
1898
established in
1888 tillapaugh
funeral service 132 years by the same family!
28 pioneer st., cooperstown • 607-547-2571
otsego county HeRItAge BusIness established in
1899
eLLsWoRtH & sILL “An oLd-fAsHIon stoRe compLete WItH oLd-fAsHIoned supeRB customeR seRvIce”
76 Main Street • Cooperstown • 607-547-9277
otsego countyHeRItAge BusIness
EstablishEd in
EstablishEd in
1925 Connell, Dow & Deysenroth, Inc.
1906 Sharon Springs Garage We are your Area Farm, Home & Garden Specialists
Funeral Home
Founded by Chester & Mildred ingalls Serving all faiths with care and dignity. Peter a. deysenroth
6799 St. Route 23, Oneonta 607-432-8411 (800) 540-0163
82 Chestnut St., Cooperstown • 607-547-8231
OtsEgO cOunty hEritagE businEss
established in
1933
oneonta • Richfield springs • cooperstown • Roxbury 607-432-6900 • 315-525-6050 • 607-547-9319 • 607-326-4012
otsego county HeRItAge BusIness
1899 Central Plaza East, Edmeston (607) 965-8321 • www.nycm.com otsEgo County HERItAgE BusInEss
otsego county HeRItAge BusIness established in
1937
established in
1939
3919 St Hwy 23, West Oneonta 607-432-6633 | www.reinhardthomeheating.com
183 Main street, OneOnta • 607-432-9060
otsego county HeRItAge BusIness
OtsegO cOunty Heritage Business
THURSDAY, February 13, 2020
THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA A-3
Rescued ‘Tortured’ Dogs Tended Centers Pioneers Inhouse Childcare
DOGS/From A1 17 pit bulls and two German shepherds from a home in Franklin. “I have never seen animals in such conditions of pain, torture and neglect,� said Insinga. “These dogs were stacked like pieces of furniture in a dark room, their cages were soaked through with vomit, urine and feces.� “Based on what we saw and what our veterinarians said in their exams, we believe these animals were the victims of dog fighting,� said Haynes. A Delaware County sheriff’s investigation is underway. The owner, who has not yet been named, did surrender the dogs to the Sidney shelter, allowing treatment to begin. Because of the limited space there, Haynes took six dogs back to the Susquehanna shelter. “It was really something, seeing three shelters come together to help. On Tuesday, Feb.
11, Jenilee Metch picked up two, Snickers and Sweetie, to foster at her Oneonta home; the four others are recuperating at the shelter. One, Maple, had a staple in her nose. “At some point, her nose was ripped off,� she said. “They stapled it back on, and then the skin started to grow around the staple.� The dogs were emaciated upon their arrival, but Haynes said they’ve been fed at regular intervals and are fattening up. “As far as we could tell, all of their health issues were related to the conditions they were kept in,� she said. “Those can heal, and we haven’t seen any lasting health issues.� Also, their loving personalities are starting to emerge. “Sweetie and Snickers are a year old – we call them puppies – and they want to play,� she said. “And even though some of them are stand-offish, they’re starting to get comfortable when
humans approach them.� “These dogs have suffered so much, but they are so forgiving,� said Insinga. “When you touch them, their tails start wagging. All they want to do is have that human contact.� Volunteers and staff have been active in taking them out for walks and socializing with them, but Haynes said there’s still a lot of work to be done. “When you come in the room, they look at you like, is this person going to be my friend or hurt me?� said Haynes. “When we first got them and brought them here, their tails were tucked, they didn’t want to come out of their crates. Even now, we can get them on the leash, but they’re not entirely comfortable.� And although many people believe pit bulls are dangerous animals, Haynes has seen nothing of the sort. “They’re very athletic, smart and loyal, they love their humans,� she said.
PRE-SCHOOL/From A1 tor of nursing. “At the Centers employee seminar, they asked what people needed, and several people made a suggestion for daycare. We recognize there’s a huge need.� Centers CEO Kenny Rozenberg refers to staff as “a very close family,� said Yecheskal Milworm, head of special projects. “We’ve heard from staff who say their spouse is watching the kids, but they can’t get a job themselves because they don’t have childcare. There’s a tremendous need by staff, and he recognizes that.� After two years in development, the program, which will open this spring, will be in the former staff dining room, which is now being adapted for the new use. It will be open 6 a.m.-7 p.m. seven days a week. “We were lucky to get to be the first one to try this,� said the local Centers administrator, Levi Lazar. “We see it as a way to give our staff a healthy work-life balance.� Sherri Bartelson, who ran Little Lambs Daycare in Oneonta for 25 years, will be lead teacher. “I’ve been a director, lead teacher, mother to two and grandmother to one,� she said. “I believe that kids learn best through play, but it will be a fully-educational pre-school program with math, arts, sciences, modeling conflict management and empathy teaching.�
We Honor Our
Although the first class will be for ages 3-5, Bartelson hopes to expand and include infants as well. In the future, Milworm said, they will look into offering after school programming. “Being open seven days a week will really help cater to staff needs,� said Bartelson. “It will not only help get our employees here, but kids will also have the opportunity to interact with other kids their own age,� said Welsh. Centers will be hiring additional teachers, depending on the number of applicants. Rinkler said that tuition will be “competitive� with other childcare options in the area, and parents may be eligible for tax credits or vouchers from the state. “It’s not about making money,� she said. “We just need to cover the costs.� And Lazar believes it will help recruit high-quality staff to Centers. “We are trying everything to bring the best staff to care for our residents,� he said. “This way, parents don’t have to drop kids off, they’re right here.� State regulations require a separation between the residents and the childcare, but the residents will still get some benefits. “Research shows that adults brain function picks up when they hear children laughing,� said Milworm.
Heritage Businesses established in
established in
1943
Stringer’s Body Shop
1951
Auto Body Repair & Painting THE PEOPLE WHO CARE
155 RiveR StReet, OneOnta | 607-432-4982
OtSegO cOunty HeRitage BuSineSS
The Family Restaurant for Over 69 Years Brooks’ Bottling co., LLc I-88 exit 16, Rt. 7 oneonta • 607-432-1782 • brooksbbq.com
otsego county HeRItAge BusIness
EstablishEd in
1954
the Village Printer
BIG COLOR • BIG COPY
www.thevillageprinter.com • 607-432-5259 7% 3()0 7% 02).4
3OLUTIONS TO ALL YOUR PRINTING NEEDS
OtsEgO cOunty hEritagE businEss 3ERVING YOU SINCE
established in
EstablishEd in
1962
Cooperstown Flooring & Bedding Inc. 4316 County Hwy 11 • Cooperstown 607-547-6038 www.krazytoms.com OtsEgO cOunty hEritagE businEss
s "USINESS #ARDS s ,ETTERHEAD s %NVELOPES s ,ABELS AND $ECALS s .OTEPADS s "ROCHURES &LYERS s 0OSTCARDS s 2ACK #ARDS s "OOKS s #ATALOGS "OOKLETS s &OLDERS s 3ELF INKING 3TAMPS s (EAT 4RANSFERRED 4 3HIRTS s 0HOTOGRAPH 3CAN 0RINT s #$ $6$ $UPLICATION s 3END 2ECEIVE &AXES
147 River street, Oneonta (607) 432-2121 - www.mamco-molding.com
otsego county heRitage business
s #ARBONLESS &ORMS s )NVITATIONS s !NNOUNCEMENTS s (OLIDAY #ARDS s 'REETING #ARDS s 4AX &ORMS s #$ $6$ )NSERTS s $OOR (ANGERS s #ALENDARS s 0OSTERS 02).43 50 4/ v 7)$% s3CANNING 3#!.3 50 4/ v 7)$% s 0HOTO 2ESTORATION 0RINTING !RCHIVING
EstablishEd in
1964
Formerly Krazy Tom’s • Rick Card Proprietor
Future Printing today
1964
munson’s
5662 Hwy 7, oneonta • 607-432-8756 www.munsonstruvalue.com
otsego county HeRItAge BusIness The Village Printer 330 Pony Farm Road www.thevillageprinter.com
EstablishEd in
607-547-2586 PO Box 4 5838 State Rt. 80 Cooperstown, NY 13326
Oneonta, NY 13820 607.432.5259 sales@thevillageprinter.com
established in
1973
established in
1964
s 2AFFLE 4ICKETS s -AGNETIC 3IGNS s 6INYL "ANNERS s ,AWN 3IGNS s .EWSLETTERS s -AILING 3ERVICES s %VENT 4ICKETS s -ENUS s "OOKMARKS s 4ABLE 4ENTS s 0ROMOTIONAL )TEMS s 3CREEN 0RINTING s %MBROIDERY
1971
The Eighth Note
Training Museum Leaders for more than 50 years www.cgp.oneonta.edu
www.theeighthnote.com 10 south Main st, Oneonta ¡ 607-432-0344
425 chestnut street, oneonta • 607-432-1160
otsego county HeRItAge BusIness
otsego county HeRItAge BusIness
otsego county HeRItAge BusIness
ESTABLISHED IN
established in
1976
1973
55 oneIDA st. oneontA, ny 607-432-2800 • 800-388-3632
otsego county HeRItAge BusIness
157 Main Street • Cooperstown 607-547-5740 • www.hubbellsrealestate.com otsego county HeRItAge BusIness
EstablishEd in
established in Celebrating Our 43rd year!
1977
24 Glen Ave, Cooperstown • (607) 547-5700 www.mylcu.org • Like us on facebook
otseGo County HeRItAGe BusIness established in
1980 ace glass co.
1978
Auto Commercial & Residential Glass, Tabletops, Plexiglas
*formerly Century Storage
*
Best of tHe Best ten yeaRs In a Row! locally owned • Joe BRIguglIo, owneR 607-432-3588 • 124 oneida st., oneonta • aceglasscony.com
330 Pony Farm Rd. • Oneonta • 607-433-1951 OtsEgO cOunty hEritagE businEss
EstablishEd in
1980
lamont Engineers Dedicated to Service...Committed to Excellence
197 Elm Street • Cobleskill, NY 518-234-4028 • www.lamontengineers.com
otSEgo CouNtY HERItAgE BuSINESS
otsego county HeRItage BusIness established in
1981
COOPERSTOWN BAT COMPANY 118 Main St., Cooperstown 607-547-2415 • www.cooperstownbat.com
OTSEgO COuNTY HERITAgE BuSINESS
established in
1982 LEAF
Leatherstocking Education on Alcoholism/Addictions Foundations, Inc. 80 Water Street • Oneonta • 432-0090 • www.leafinc.org
otsego county HeRItAge BusIness
A-4 HOMETOWN ONEONTA
HOMETOWN Views
THURSDAY, February 13, 2020
EDITORIAL
‘Trusted Traveler’ Revocations Or Not, ‘Green Light’ Bad Law On Nov. 3, 62% Of New Yorkers Can Vote Accordingly
O
n Sept. 11, 2001, the 19 terrorists who attacked the World Trade Center and Pentagon, or crashed in Schwenksville, Pa., had 30 driver’s licenses among them that allowed them to gain access to and hijack the four jets. Nineteen licenses were from Florida, eight from Virginia, one each from Arizona and Maryland, plus two from California that were issued to two “watchlisted” participants. None were from our state’s DMV, but if such a national catastrophe were to occur again, it could be different. Acting Deputy Homeland Security Secretary Ken Cuccinelli referenced that last Thursday, Feb. 10, in answering reporters’ questions on his department’s decision to exclude New
Homeland Security’s Acting Deputy Secretary Ken Cuccinelli defended the “Trusted Traveler” revocation.
Yorkers from four “Trusted Traveler” programs after the passage of the state’s “Green Light” Law, which prohibits state law enforcement agencies from sharing routine
DMV data with immigration agencies. The programs give preapproved travelers and trucking companies no-wait entry in to the U.S. The decision means 80,000 New Yorkers who have applied for the status won’t be approved, and 175,000 already approved will lose their status as their five-year passes expire. “It was embarrassing to us in Virginia, that (many) of the 9/11 terrorists used Virginia driver’s licenses to help accomplish their evil mission, and we set about to fix that, and we did fix that,” said Cuccinelli. New York is “one of the other targets of 9/11 that is walking backwards, quite intentionally, … to bar the sharing of law-enforcement-relevant information Please See EDITORIAL, A5
►HOMELAND SECURITY: ‘GREEN LIGHT’ LAW ENDANGERS U.S. Editor’s Note: This is an excerpt from Acting Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Chad Wolf’s Feb. 5 letter notifying the state DMV that New York licensees are no longer eligible to participate in the department’s “Trusted Traveler” program.
(N
ew York State’s “Green LIght” Act) prevents DHS from accessing relevant information that only New York DMV maintains, including some aspects of an individual’s criminal history. As such, the Act compromises U.S. Customs & Border Protection’s (CBP) ability to confirm whether an individual applying for TTP membership meets program eligibility requirements. Moreover, the Act delays a used vehicle owner’s ability to obtain CBP authorization for exporting their vehicle. Furthermore, on a daily basis, ICE has used New York DMV data in its efforts to combat transnational gangs, narcotics smuggling, human smuggling and trafficking, trafficking of weapons and other contraband, child exploitation, exportation of sensitive technology, fraud, and identity theft. In New York alone, last year ICE arrested 149 child predators, identified or rescued 105 victims of exploitation and human trafficking, arrested 230 gang members, and seized 6,487 pounds of illegal narcotics,
including fentanyl and opioids. In the vast majority of these cases, ICE relied on New York DMV records to fulfill its mission... ...New York DMV records have long been used by ICE law enforcement personnel to verify or corroborate an investigatory target’s Personally Identifiable Information (PII), which can include their residential address, date of birth, height, weight, eye color, hair color, facial photograph, license plate, and vehicle registration information. Moreover, ICE’s expeditious retrieval of vehicle and driver’s license and identification information has helped identify targets, witnesses, victims, and assets. ICE has used DMV records to obtain search warrants, and DMV records are also critical for ICE to identify criminal networks, create new leads for investigation, and compile photographic line-ups. Additionally, during the execution of search and arrest warrants, ICE officers have used DMV information to identify individuals whose criminal history renders them a threat. The Act prohibits the sharing of vehicle registration information, including the identity of the person to whom the vehicle is registered, with DHS. That prohibition prevents ICE from running license plate searches, even when ICE is aware that the vehicle’ s owner has committed a heinous crime. In short, this Act will impede ICE’ s objective.
LETTERS/SECOND AMENDMENT SANCTUARY?
Misinformation Can Lead To Unreasonable Worries To the Editor: In a recent edition of this newspaper, Mr. Brockway offered an explanation of his support for a resolution to make Otsego County a “Second Amendment Sanctuary.” He prefaced his argument with his opinion that, contrary to an accusation in a prior letter, he is not a fearmonger. However, much of the information he cites to support his case is distorted or factually incorrect – the type of misinformation that promotes unreasonable fear. I am a lifelong resident of the county (in fact I live just down the road from Mr. Brockway), and have been hunting in the Oneonta area for over 50 years. My career involved helping small communities and businesses in Otsego and Delaware counties, which I believe gives me a credible understanding of their residents. I have not heard any proposal from any presidential candidate that leads me to fear any of them would
HOMETOWN
move to take away my firearms if elected. While it is true that the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Heller vs. District of Columbia that the Second Amendment provides for an individual to possess arms outside of membership in a state militia, for traditional lawful purposes, including self–defense, within the home, the ruling also confirmed such right is not unlimited and that guns and gun ownership would continue to be regulated. Nevertheless, I don’t find in Governor Cuomo’s recent official proposals for 2020 reference to all of the gun-related regulations Mr. Brockway claims he has proposed. I’d be curious about the source of these claims. Mr. Brockway states that Australia passed a law forcing all its citizens to give up their guns, and that the crime rate then went up 400 percent in less than a year. The first statement is an Please See FRANCE, A6
James C. Kevlin Editor & Publisher
To the Editor: This news organization recently published a letter in which Otsego County Rep. Rick Brockway, R-Laurens, presented his opinion – certainly worthy of your readers’ consideration – about the general availability of firearms. In contrasting his perspective with that held by Democrats running for president, Representative Brockway wrote: “Adolf Hitler said, ‘To conquer a nation, you first must disarm its people.’”
History rules out the acceptability of lightly characterizing others as der Führer. Casually invoking him as a rhetorical device designed to negate an opposing viewpoint trivializes the suffering of the millions whom Nazis imprisoned, enslaved and murdered. It also diminishes the shared sacrifices that thousands of Americans and others of several nationalities and political beliefs, at home and abroad, in an out of uniform, selflessly made to end the Third Reich, liberate a
Tara Barnwell
Advertising Director & General Manager
Libby Cudmore
Managing Editor
Larissa Ryan Business Manager
Thom Rhodes Advertising Consultant
Lizzie Cooper Correspondent
Ian Austin Photographer
Ivan Potocnik Web Architect
Kathleen Peters Graphics & Production
Tom Heitz Consultant
Amanda Wilsey Consultant
IN MEMORIAM: Mary Joan Kevlin, Co-Publisher, 2006-17 MEMBER OF New York Press Association • The Otsego County Chamber Published weekly by Iron String Press, Inc. 21 Railroad Ave., Cooperstown NY 13326 Telephone: (607) 547-6103. Fax: (607) 547-6080. E-mail: info@allotsego.com • www.allotsego.com
continent and, in doing so, become the Greatest Generation. Hitler brutally perpetrated the most vile atrocity of the last century. Contemporary Democrat presidential candidates, on the other hand, suggest that the abundance of guns in our country is having ill effects. These two are not equivalent. Attempting to draw similarities between them is grotesque. HAL LEGG Oneonta
VIEW FROM ALBANY State Sen. Jim Seward, R-Milford and Assemblyman John Salka, R-Brookfield, confer before a “Repeal Bail Reform” rally Thursday, Feb. 6, in the lobby of the Otsego County Jail. Seward keynoted, Salka emceed, and Sheriff Richard J. Devlin Jr. hosted the event.
ONEONTA
& The Otsego-Delaware Dispatch
Equating Gun-Control Advocates, Hitler – Really?
Jim Kevlin/The Freeman’s Journal
Reform Bail Reform – Here’s How
A
nother week in Albany but still no legislative action has been taken to fix the disastrous bail/discovery laws that are continuing to wreak havoc across our state. Protecting the public is one of the most important responsibilities of government, and when a crime has been committed, the victim, not the criminal, should be our first concern. Unfortunately, the disastrous new bail laws have completely reversed those priorities, endangering communities and empowering repeat offenders – while also forcing new costs on taxpayers. This week I joined with other area lawmakers who represent our part of the state to speak out against the bail/ discovery laws. Several county sheriffs and district attorneys, who are on the frontlines enforcing our laws and dealing with the negative
fallout from the ill-advised reforms, also called for change. I believe full repeal of the law is needed so we can start from scratch and enact a workable bail system. Someone arrested for a non-violent offense should not be languishing in a local jail simply because he or she does not have the economic means to make JIM bail. However, SEWARD the changes to the system have gone much too far, turning our court system into a revolving door and taking away any judicial discretion. Commonsense legislation has been introduced in response to the concerns.
►GOP LAWMAKERS rallied Thursday, Feb. 6, against bail-reform measures. For full story, type “justice reform” in the search line on
AllOTSEGO.com
www.
I co-sponsor all of these bills, which range from full repeal to meaningful amendments, including: • S.6839 – giving judges discretion to set bail in domestic violence cases; • S.6840 – allowing judges to consider whether a defendant poses a danger to the community when determining bail; • S.6849 – repealing criminal-justice reforms enacted in the 2019-20 state budget, including bail and discovery changes; • S.6853 – placing a one-year moraPlease See SEWARD, A6
AllOTSEGO.com • MORE LETTERS, A6
LETTERS TO EDITOR WELCOME • EMAIL THEM TO info@
THURSDAY, February 13, 2020
HOMETOWN
HOMETOWN ONEONTA A-5
History
Compiled by Tom Heitz and SHARON STUART, with resources courtesy of The Fenimore Art Museum Research Library
150 Years Ago
The Bible in Ohio Public Schools – The Judges of the Superior Court have rendered their decision in the case involving the question of the exclusion of the Bible from the public schools. The action was to discuss an injunction heretofore granted to restrain the operations of the School Board, declaring that the reading of the Bible and religious books should not be permitted in the schools. Judge Hagens held that the provisions of the Constitution recognize the religion of Christianity, and acknowledge that religion and morality are necessary to good government, and therefore the exclusion of all religious instruction from the public schools is contrary to the provision of the Bill of Rights. Judge Storer concurred in these views and the injunction was made perpetual. February 1870
100 Years Ago
“Big Bertha,” with two Cleveland tractors manned by Fred E. Wells and Dick Bennett, another of R.J. Warren’s trusty men, plowed through the snow to Portlandville and return yesterday and opened the state road down close to the ice foundation, putting it in as fully good condition as the Otego road. While the crown is probably one or two feet above the macadam in places, light motor cars could easily make the trip, barring trouble to turning out when meeting other vehicles. One car made the trip through to Emmons after the trip up, while the road was in much better condition after the return trip. The road was much improved for horse-drawn vehicles, the track being widened and lowered to the hard and frozen snow. At least three motor cars came through over the Otego road. C.A. Nichols came in from his farm, while Mr. Bennett and Mr. Foote came all the way from Otego and experienced no serious trouble. Use of this or the Portlandville road, while passable, is not recommended to the drivers of motor cars unless quite familiar with winter motoring and prepared to contend with snow. February 1920
80 Years Ago
Snow Hill, Maryland – Five state troopers overtook a crowd estimated at 1,000 at nearby Stockton, Maryland and rescued two Negro women who had been dragged from the Worcester County jail several hours earlier. The women had been taken into custody Tuesday afternoon for “investigation” in connection with the Sunday night slaying of Harvey W. Pilchard, a Stockton farmer and the wounding of his wife Annie. The mob was dispersed by five troopers but one state officer was badly injured. The crowd of men broke into the Worcester County jail through a window late Tuesday night, pulled out a cell block door with a rope and seized the two screaming Negro women as they cowered in the cell. The men talked to the girls and from them ascertained who had done the shooting. The crowd placed the women in automobiles and headed toward Stockton, home of the farmer and his wife, who was wounded seriously when three Negroes entered the home demanding money. The troopers rescued the two women there after a brief melee. February 1940
60 Years Ago
A total of 41 students, the “scholastic cream” of Oneonta State University College of Education, have been named to the spring honors list, according to Dr. Howard D. Austin, associate dean of the college. Included in the group are three residents of Oneonta: Mrs. Janet S. Kniskern, Mrs. Dorothy J. Shedlock, and Miss Mary Ann Molinari. The listing of top honor students includes those who have maintained a cumulative average of 3.50 or above. What to do with delinquent canines? The problem has been referred to the Public Safety Board by the Oneonta Common Council. The ordinance reads: “No dog shall be allowed to run at large in any street, sidewalk, lane, or public places within the City of Oneonta without being properly muzzled, or under immediate care, custody and control of its owner or custodian.” “The
ordinance is here in name only,” Mayor James Georgeson commented. According to the present law, it’s the Police Department’s job to enforce the “dog” ordinance. February 1960
40 Years Ago
Twelve weathered stacks of $20 bills, part of the $200,000 given to legendary airline hijacker “D.B. Cooper” before he parachuted from an airliner more than eight years ago, were unveiled by the F.B.I. But, agents said they still have no trace of Cooper. The wads of money, bound by rubber bands, were found Sunday while Harold D. Ingram, his wife Patricia and their eight-year-old son, Brian, were preparing to build a picnic fire along the Columbia River, five miles northwest of the Interstate 5 bridge linking Portland and Vancouver, Washington. Ingram said that the money was found about 30 yards from the river’s edge under a thin layer of sand. February 1980
20 Years Ago
“Happy Birthday Marge” That phrase was abundant on Sunday as Marjory Hubler and 100 of her closest friends celebrated her 90th birthday at Elm Park Methodist Church. Parishioners held a potluck luncheon for Hubler and took turns telling jokes and stories about Elm Park’s favorite grandma. Thank you, every one of you for being here on my birthday,” Hubler said. Hubler was born in 1910 and spent about the first half of her life in Pennsylvania. After her first husband died she remarried Graham “Grip” Hubler, who died six or seven years ago. Grip used to call his wife “Double Batch Marge” because whenever she baked cookies, pies or other treats she always made extra to give away, friends said. February 2000
10 Years Ago
Walter Frederick Morrison, the man credited with inventing the Frisbee, has died. He was 90 years old. The manufactur-
ON THE RECORD
In The Lap Of Luxury – At Bassett To the Editor: Who would have thought that you could find this magic red button at Bassett. The pain was excruciating. After two months I couldn’t take it anymore. I went to the emergency room. We arrived at 10 p.m. By 4 they took me up to my room. Whoops, no bed. Waited a little longer, finally some rest and pain killers. They put an object that looked like a remote next to me, it had a big red button and was attached to a long cord. I was told just to push it if I needed something. I felt self-conscious and reticent about using it. I am stubbornly independent. The next day I became a little bit braver. It grew from there. In the middle of the night after fighting back and forth in my own mind about feeling cold, I finally pushed the button and said that I was cold. The door swung open and light spilled into the darkness. A nurse walked in and pulled back my covers. She laid two warmed blankets on me. Ahhh. You could push the button and get a cuppa tea. You could push the button and get a meal. By the third day I was getting into this. But I still held back some, knowing that I was not the only button pusher in this place. I need to go for a little walk, push the button. I need to go to
125 Years Ago
the bathroom, push the button. On the third day I realized I was getting all too comfortable with this. It was time to try and get out of here. I wasn’t pushy and they suggested one more day. I was not going to argue. This is one of the problems with the healing process. People become used to being waited on. They become used to the attention, compassion and concern from the nurses and doctors. Some patients can’t get that in their life so they turned to the medical profession and look for as many procedures as they can find in order to keep the caring people around them. To feel wanted. It gives you insight into our society and what is lacking in America. Humanism. Compassion. There are some people who would rather be sick then to go back out into their cold world. So on the fourth day they wheeled me out to the front door. I did drag it out till after lunch! One more push of the button! It was a bit sad, there were a few people that I really enjoyed seeing and talking to every day, as they were going about their rounds, and checking up on me from time to time, around the clock. Thanks guys. R. SCOTT DUNCAN Hartwick Forrest
February 1895 ing rights to the simple little toy originally named by Morrison as the “Pluto Platter, were licensed to a manufacturing firm in 1957 and later re-named the Frisbee. Sales have since surpassed 200 million. The Frisbee soon became a staple at beaches, college campuses and playgrounds and lately has spawned an official competition known as Ultimate Frisbee. There is also a licensed Frisbee Golf course that bears his name at Creekside Park in the Salt Lake City suburb of Holladay. “He was a nice guy. He helped a lot of people. February 2010
THE VIEW FROM WEST DAVENPORT
What Was Objectionable In State Of Union Speech?
T
his past week we had an opportunity to observe our President highlight his accomplishments and lay out his agenda for next year. Every president does this annually in the State of the Union Address. As is almost always the case, depending on party affiliation, there will be things covered that draw applause and some that draw frowns – and once in a while both sides are supportive. I watched the address and here’s what I heard the President claim to have done for us: increase wages more for the lower half of wage earners than for the upper tier; reduce unemployment, especially for
minorities, to historic lows; stimulate a blue-collar boom; create “Opportunity Zones” in our economically depressed cities (we could use one); re-negotiate trade deals with Mexico, Canada and China that will benefit American workers, including farmers; take steps to ensure we are an “inclusive” society; and defend our borders. These actions should not come as a surprise because they were part of the promises he made while campaigning. When was the last time a candidate you supported actually kept those campaign promises? The latter half of the address was devoted to listing the actions he was Please See ZAGATA, A6
EDITORIAL: Is Illogical ‘Green Light’ Law Worth Potential Risks?
EDITORIAL/From A4 like vehicle registration, matching driver’s licenses to identifications, and critically, criminal records that are kept up to date and DMV databases.” • As stated here before, the “Green Light” legislation, granting a legal document to people who are in the U.S. illegally, is illogical on its face, evident to the 62 percent of New Yorkers who opposed it in a Siena Poll. Plus, the Democratic majority folded it into the vote on the state budget, avoiding public hearings and on-the-floor discussion where the benefits and deficits would have become clear. The law forced county clerks who run DMV offices, like Otsego’s Kathy Sinnot Gardner, to disobey either state law or federal law, contrary to their oath of office: “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the Constitution of the United States AND the Constitution of the State of New York.” (Emphasis added.) Since DMV applications are automatically forwarded to the
state Board of Elections, where they are processed routinely, the “Green Light” at least gives an amber to voter fraud. The law in place, the DMV and state Division of Criminal Justice Service then ordered local police to sign a “pledge” not to share any related information with federal agencies; obdurate police would be denied access to DMV records, essential to ensure someone stopped for speeding isn’t wanted for shooting a cop downstate. County Sheriff Richard J. Devlin Jr., called that “blackmail,” reported Joe Mahoney, Albany correspondent for Plattsburgh’s, Niagara Falls’ and other Upstate papers, who broke the story statewide. “I signed the agreement with displeasure because it would really affect our officers here if we were not to have access to this data,” Devlin told Mahoney. All this just isn’t right. • Supporters of the “Green Light” Law argue that because of the vast number of illegal immigrants in New York State – in 2014 there were 4.4 million in New York
State, an estimated 22 percent of the population – this is a necessary safety measure, ensuring they pass the driver’s test and have insurance. Still, to anyone who watched the World Trade Center towers collapse, visited the chilling 911 Memorial & Museum in New York City’s financial district, or listened to Cuccinelli the other afternoon, the justification rings hollow. Should every law be repealed if it’s flouted? Should any? The answer to illegal immigration is much larger than the “Green Light” Law, requiring well-regulated borders and likely a humane path to citizenship for otherwise law-abiding immigrants. (A massive expulsion would be a human rights disaster.) But that’s a separate discussion. • Democrats have characterized Homeland Security’s decision as a reprisal by the Trump Administration: In his State of the Nation speech the night before it came down, the president singled out California and New York State as states where “sanctuary” commu-
nities are putting the law-abiding general public at risk. But with Monday the 10th’s announcement of action against the state of New Jersey and the county that includes Seattle, Wash., it appears to be part of a larger push-back against the whole concept of “sanctuaries” – one that’s long overdue. In New York State, according to the Center for Immigrant Studies, the cities of New York City and Ithaca, and five counties, are sanctuaries. However, that doesn’t include Cooperstown, where a Village Board resolution from 2017 declares village police won’t cooperate with ICE investigations that may occur locally; now, it may make sense for the trustees to withdraw that ill-considered resolution. Whether reprisal or prudent governance, the right course is clear: The “Green Light” Law should be repealed on the merits. That the state’s economy will now suffer and hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers face travel delays are an added impetus for the state Legislature to do the right thing.
• Instead of rethinking where we are and returning to a more sensible course, state Attorney General Letitia James, also on Monday, filed suit accusing the Trump Administration of using “our nation’s security as a political weapon.” Rather, is New York State simply risking our nation’s security to ride an ideological hobby horse? As for the governor, he said “more than a dozen states – including red states – (have) similar laws.” He knows better. While other states grant licenses to undocumented immigrants, they didn’t include the most objectionable provision: barring cooperation with federal agencies. Washington State is considering that clause, but now may change its mind. Contrary, it seems, to county clerks and sheriffs, the governor and attorney general are entitled to their own opinions. Neither is up for reelection in November, but the state Legislature is: 62 percent of voters should hold their representatives accountable on this issue. Turn off the “Green Light.”
THURSDAY, February 13, 2020
A-6 THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA LETTERS
Much In Country Today Seek Rational Middle Ground On Gun Debate shootings at the rate of more than one dominated by extremists and A4 Requires Self-Protection FRANCE/From per year; in the 20-plus years since, only alarmists on both sides of most issues exaggeration, the second is patently To the Editor: By happenstance I picked up the Feb. 6 copy of Hometown Oneonta. In it, I found letters to the editor about a topic I am profoundly concerned about: my freedom, as protected by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Clearly these letter writers have somehow missed a few very important points about life in these United States. And by that I think they may have slept through their civics and constitutional classes while still in school. The Constitution was written – and continues to be – the LIMITING Document, which defines the line that those working for US in government may not cross. The line is likewise defined by our Bill of Rights. There are many in government who choose to irresponsibly ignore those lines and have used all means possible to make “the people” forget all about them. They and their operatives have managed to infiltrate our nation’s schools – increasingly so, for the last 100 or more years, incrementally erasing, in steps, the teaching of civics and accurate history. A child who is not educated as to their rights knows not what they are. Karl Marx knew that, and so did so many tyrants of the 20th century. There have been over 20,000 “gun laws” written by this government in the last 100 years or more, and not a one has made you one bit safer, or stopped, violent crime. In fact, most of them are not enforced or serve the proper prescribed punishments upon the law-Breakers. Instead, to gather votes to further their own careers, politicians grandstand by “fighting crime” by imposing new “laws” on the law-
abiding. Criminals on the other hand, by their very job description, IGNORE laws, and indeed sometimes use the law’s existence to their advantage. This “job description” very much includes POLITICIANS. Because these politicians took an OATH and accepted the responsibility to defend the Constitution and our citizens, and then FAILED to do their job, Americans are plagued with • Unvetted aliens entering our country – by the millions. Many of whom who have already proved our “leaders” wrong, by murdering American citizens • Rampant Voter FRAUD – deliberately foisted upon the trusting populace by greedy power-hungry and seditious socialists, whose sole aim is to destroy this Republic. • Shuttered state mental hospitals - asylums for the insane - thus turning out the mentally insane into our society. •And on Jan. 1 of this year in New York, the governor managed to open the incarceration floodgates to allow 60 percent or more of NY’s criminals to “get out of jail free” – RIGHT OUT INTO OUR SOCIETY Politicians like this have made a mockery of our founding fathers and the thousands of brave Americans who gave their lives for American’s freedom. IN ADDITION, they themselves created the environment where now more than ever, citizens NEED to be armed for protection against those they themselves turned loose within our society. Give up our guns? I think not, thank you. DOUGLAS ANDERSON Bainbridge
false. Australia did pass very strict gun-control laws in 1998 following a horrific mass shooting. These banned most semi-automatic weapons, and the government bought more than 600,000 of them from citizens during a year-long buy-back program. While this resulted in a significant drop initially in the number of guns owned by civilians in the country, since then the number has gradually increased and the number of guns currently owned legally by Australian citizens is about the same as prior to the 1998 laws. Violent crime most certainly did not increase 400 percent following these laws; a simple Google search will show that this viral “fact” was debunked years ago but continues to be circulated. In fact, the rate of homicides in Australia continues to drop in a trend that started prior to the 1998 gun-control laws. Like Mr. Brockway, I don’t want Otsego County to become a gun-free zone, but Australia’s experience demonstrates that even rigid guncontrol laws won’t result in such a radical situation. The primary purpose of the laws was to reduce mass shootings. In the decade prior to them, Australia suffered mass
three such incidents, two of which were acts of domestic violence. The United States suffered 31 mass murder incidents in 2019 alone, and a total of 418 mass shooting incidents. The contention that the highest numbers of gun crimes are committed in cities with the toughest gun laws is also not accurate. According to the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Statistics, the highest murder rate (including any method, although it could be assumed the number of gun murders is proportional) of any U.S. city during 2018 was St. Louis (60.9 per 100,000 population). New York City’s rate was a very low 3.5. Houston’s was 11.8 and Dallas 11.4, these being cities in a state known for its liberal gun-possession rules. Statewide statistics for 2018 showed Alaska to have the highest violent-crime rate in the country (995 per 100,000). New York’s rate was 350.5, ranking it right in the center of the list of states. Clearly, there are many factors other than gun-control laws that affect crime rates. But as Mark Twain once said, “facts are stubborn, but statistics are more pliable,” so one can usually find statistics to back any side of an argument. Unfortunately, debate over issues in recent years has been
Gas Demonized, But CO2 Levels Keep Going Down To the Editor: Brian Brock’s recent letter to the editor (“Renewables, Not Gas, The Cleaner Way To Go,” 1/23-24/20) misses the forest for the trees. In citing a one-year (2018) up-tick in U.S. energy-related CO2, he conveniently skips the longterm role of gas in lowering emissions. A week earlier, the Energy Information Agency’s three decade (1990-2021) emissions report shows CO2 emissions dropped to 1990 levels as shale gas replaced coal at power plants. Before shale, coal generated 56 percent of our electricity.
Today it generates 24 percent, with projections of 21 percent in 2021. This in spite of our population’s growth and our economy’s expansion. Wind and solar contributed, but natural gas was the driver. Here’s why. Gas is cheap. Gas scales up easily to replace coal in an industrial society. Mr. Brock and the No Gas! No Way! folks ignore these facts and dismiss a realistic option in reducing greenhouse gas. Instead, they support the state’s (Governor Cuomo’s) multiple schemes to force New York ratepayers to pay
ZAGATA: Address Offered Olive Branches ZAGATA/From A5 committed to take, with the support of Congress, on our behalf in the coming year. The list included things normally supported by Republicans and things normally supported by Democrats. Some of those things are: Education Freedom Scholarships & Opportunities Act (freedom for students in impoverished school districts to choose the best school); ensure that every high school offers vocational and technical education; permanent funding for historically black colleges and universities; health coverage for people with pre-existing conditions; reduce the cost, not the quality, of healthcare and prescription drugs; ensure that Medicare benefits are secured for our senior citizens and not allowed to be depleted by providing those benefits to illegal aliens; complete the wall along our southern border; further curb the opioid epidemic;
war in Afghanistan; invite Iran to the peace-talks table; and fight terrorism. • It seemed to me the President had addressed traditional Republican-oriented programs and offered several olive branches to the Democrats. In response, the Democratic Speaker of the House publically tore up the speech reflecting her disdain for its contents and the President. How much longer are those of us being impacted From Youtube by this obvious hatred by those Democrats going to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi rips up her allow it to continue? copy of President Trump’s State of the Union We are all, Democrats and Address. Republicans alike, suffering increase funding for neoafford families who lose a as a result of this acrimony natal research; end late-term loved one due to a criminal and it needs to stop. Grow abortion; provide paid family protected by a “sanctuary leave via the “Working city” the right to sue that city; up and work together on Families Act”; join the interrevise our out-dated immigra- behalf of the American people who elected you. national initiative to plant one tion laws; defend religious Mike Zagata, a DEC trillion trees to restore forests freedom and the second commissioner in the and combat climate change; amendment; plant our flag Pataki Administration and re-build our infrastructure; on Mars with the help of the environmental executive for provide high-speed internet newly created “Space Force”; Fortune 500 companies, to rural America; increase negotiate peace talks between resides in West Davenport. support for law enforcement, Israel and Palestine; end the
SEWARD: 6 Bills Would Reform Bail Reform SEWARD/From A4 torium on criminal justice reforms to hold statewide hearings on the measures; • S.7133 – to allow the witness to a crime to decide whether their personal information may be shared with defense counsel or the individual accused of a crime; • S.7280 - ensure privacy protections for all emergency personnel present at a crime scene as it relates to the discovery process. The last two bills are extremely important when it comes to protecting the identity of witnesses of a crime and emergency personnel who are called to a crime scene. One of the more disconcerting policies enacted, as part of these sweeping changes, is the disclosure of personal information related to a witness to a crime to the defense and the accused. Such a policy has the potential to lead
who routinely promote distorted and downright false information. The rushed middle-of-the-night process used to enact the Safe Act was not government at its best. But in a civilized society, when citizens don’t like a particular law, the appropriate response is to work through democratic institutions to have the law changed. A deliberate choice to ignore and urge others to ignore selective laws contributes to a lack of respect for general law and order, and is more of a threat to the community than any single law. Surely there is a rational middle ground for regulations that could reduce gun violence without unnecessarily restricting legitimate, responsible gun ownership and use. Polls continually show the majority of Americans desire some degree of regulation to reduce the opportunity for violence-prone individuals to possess guns, and to limit possession of assault weapons to the military and law enforcement agencies. I’ll continue to enjoy the English skills demonstrated by Mr. Brockway’s outdoor columns, but I find his history lesson lacking. Otsego County has no need to declare itself a “Second Amendment Sanctuary”, and should not. ROGER FRANCE West Oneonta
to witness intimidation via the accused or their associates. This could have a crippling effect on cases presented by district attorneys, as well as a chilling effect on the willingness of witnesses to come forward to identify themselves to law enforcement and prosecutors. It is important that the state provide a witness to a crime the ability to prevent personally identifiable information from being shared with the defense or the accused, if they feel that their safety or the safety of their loved ones is jeopardized through the reporting of such information. I would also note that a justification must be provided to law enforcement and is subject to review by a judge. Along with introducing legislation and keeping the public informed on problems surrounding the bail/discovery law changes, the Senate Republican Conference has also commenced a
statewide Repeal Bail Reform Task Force. The task force, which just held its first meeting, will be collecting testimony from law enforcement officers, prosecutors, victims, local leaders, and the public who were shut out from publicly commenting last year before the sweeping changes to the state’s criminal justice laws were enacted. There have been countless stories, highlighting the problems with these so-called reforms since they took effect on January 1. An individual is arrested, immediately released, commits another crime, and is back in custody again – sometimes within hours. Action is needed to tilt the scales of justice away from criminals and back toward the law-abiding. State Sen. Jim Seward, R-Milford, has represented Otsego County in the state Senate for 34 years.
higher prices for expensive subsidized and/or mandated renewable-powered electricity. They miss the Big Picture. Energy needs are growing fastest in the Third World. The people of China and India hunger for the same amenities afforded in the West – TVs, refrigerators, washing machines, computers, air conditioners, new homes and infrastructure – all powered by electricity. In the Third World, that electricity has been and will continue to be generated by coal. Coal emits twice the CO2 of natural gas. Currently China alone emits more CO2 than the United States AND the EU combined. The two largest coal companies in the world, China Energy Investments (Shinhoa Group) and Coal India are both state controlled and under their countries’ political leadership. At the Paris Accords, that leadership carved out a 10-year waiver on emission goals and only a “promise” to set goals in 2030. They are unburdened by treaties. And China and India aren’t the only emerging nations with energy needs. How about Indonesia? Brazil? The continent of Africa? Natural gas offers an option. It’s competitive in price and emits half the CO2. It has transformed the energy structure of the United States. It can work elsewhere. We have the gas; other countries have the need, yet Mr. Brock and the antis oppose the pipelines and LNG terminals that could make exports possible. Here in New York Mr. Brock and his fellow gas deniers oppose drilling, pipelines, gas-fired power plants, or any upgrade to existing infrastructure. They’re
against the Constitution Pipeline, a pipeline that would bring cheap Pennsylvania gas to Upstate towns, New York City, and New England. About half the homes in chilly New England are heated with oil. Consider the possibility of Pennsylvania gas (one third less CO2) replacing that oil. Locally, the antis are against upgrading the NYSEG gas line serving Oneonta. This upgrade would safeguard winter shortfalls and would meet the stated needs of companies wishing to expand or relocate here. That would mean new jobs, new opportunities to help stem the outflow of young families whose children populate our schools and bring vitality to our communities. The lack of opportunity drives young families elsewhere. However, if any part of a solution involves affordable energy from gas, Mr. Brock and company are against it. Period. They oppose it in the name of climate change. Let’s get real. Banning gas and gas infrastructure in our little corner of the world may satisfy a need for virtue signaling, but will do little to decrease worldwide emissions. China, India and the rest of the emerging world will continue to electrify, using the cheapest fuel possible. In most parts of the world, that’s coal. We, in turn, should use gas (and renewables, where practical) to continue the erosion of coal-based generation here. Gas exports would meet needs elsewhere. These tangible steps would make a difference … if the politics would allow. DICK DOWNEY Otego
Village Candidate Approachable, Intelligent – No Hidden Agendas To the Editor: I wish to strongly support the candidacy of Mary Margaret Robbins for village trustee in the coming election. A certified and licensed pharmacist, many will recall her from the years she spent at the CVS pharmacy when it was located on Main Street. Having been a resident of Cooperstown for many years she has the vision and dedication to conserve our heritage. Despite her most recent health challenges, she has consistently managed a smile on her face. Helping Mary Margaret in this regard has been her loyal companion and rooter Dodger, whom she rescued from the animal shelter years ago. She is thoughtful, approachable, intelligent, and is a great listener of all opinions – no hidden agendas. One of her opponents has as a major legislative accomplishment-the proposal of placing the Rainbow Flag on the village flagpole during Pride Month (June). Learning of the contrary rumblings, he stated that if one did not like his proposal they should not vote for him in the coming election – come to think of it, that’s not a bad idea! Dr. ROGER MacMILLAN Cooperstown
THURSDAY, February 13, 2020
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otsego county HeRItAge BusIness
OTSEGO COuNTy HERITAGE BuSINESS
established in
2019
oneontA ReALty/ scAnLon HoMes teAM
on facebook • cooperstownescaperooms.com
607-433-2873 • 166 Main St. Ste 1., Oneonta www.oneontarealty.com
OTSEgO COuNTy HERITAgE BuSINESS
otsego county HeRItAge BusIness
established in
2020
20 Lewis street, OneOnta 607-353-8088 www.oneontawindowanddoor.com
otsego county HeRItAge BusIness
AllOTSEGO.homes
THURSDAY, February 13, 2020
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A-8 THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA
MLS#120943 $285,000 Historic Property Post-and-beam Colonial home w/2,227 sq ft was originally built for the school principal. Overlooks Historic Gilbertsville. Call Carol Olsen 607-434-7436 (cell)
MLS#124632 $475,000 Custom Cooperstown home w/5 BRs, 5,200 sq ft 27 acres, stream, breathtaking views, huge deck, radiant heat, finished basement, master suite. Call Melissa Klein @ 518-705-9849 (cell)
MLS#123478 $12,500 5.1 acre wooded lot w/stream. Mostly level, great place to build a home. RV on lot is sold with land. Call Melissa Klein @ 518-705-9849 (cell)
MLS#123685 $129,900 Village Home on 1.5 Acres! Quiet street. 3-BR home w/room to expand. Second floor is framed for 3 additional rooms and bath. Call Melissa Klein @ 518-705-9849 (cell)
MLS#120481 $279,000 Secluded Log Cabin on 11.75 acres in the scenic Catskills. 3 BRs, 2 baths, 3-car garage, full basement, wood stove. Renovated kitchen w/granite counters. Call Gabrielle Vasta @ 607-267-1792 (cell)
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MLS#124171 $150,000 Hunter’s Paradise 29 surveyed acres, 1000’ frontage, 95% wooded, mostly pine. Quiet road. Small stream on property. Close to Cooperstown. Call Donna Schulz @ 607-267-6330 (cell)
MLS#112548 $299,000 Established turn-key B&B/café. Prime location. All furniture, fixtures and equipment stay. Excellent condition. Motivated sellers! Call Pamela Andela @ 315-717-1907 (cell)
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www.howardhanna.com
MLS#123337 $79,000 Owner Financing Possible! 3 adjacent land parcels in the heart of baseball country! Less than 10 minutes to Cooperstown. 24 acres of privacy. Call David Mattice @ 607-434-1647 (cell)
MLS#124479 $394,000 Picturesque Fly Creek Setting Circa 1850 eyebrow Colonial home, post-and-beam barn, stocked pond, 8 acres. Call Kathy Fistrowicz @ 607-267-2683 (cell)
MLS#123824 $239,000 150’ Lake Frontage View of entire lake. End of road, dock, boat lift, full deck, 3 BRs, furnished, freshly Move-in Spaciouspainted. 4 BR, 2 bath housecondition. is close to I-88. Large Call George (Rod) Sluyter @small 315-520-6512 backyard, workshop/garage, shed. Make(cell) your appointment today. Priced to go this week! Virtual Tour: www.RealEstateShows.com/708598
MLS#124966 $130,000 Money Maker! 5-unit, multi-family in Oxford. Well maintained apartment building has natural gas, public sewer. Located in the village center. Call Lorraine Takahashi @ 845-545-0884 (cell)
MLS#124925 $200,000 115 acres of hills and mountain views. Build your own home, hunt on your own land in New Lisbon. Call Sharon Teator @ 607-267-2681 (cell)
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221 Main Street, Andes 845-676-3600
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4914 State Hwy 28 Cooperstown 607-547-5933
MLS#114624 $59,900 MLS#121682 $37,500 1982 double-wide w/3 BRs, 2 baths and 1½ story, 2-car 22garage. AcresNew 4 miles to Oneonta. Never been logged. heating system, updated electrical, new Wooded areas. siteinfor newbath. home walls andw/open ceiling in 1 BR.Building New ceiling master orCall bring yourP.camper. apple(cell) trees, creek. Sharon Teator @ Hunting, 607-267-2681 Call Carol Olsen @ 607-434-7436 (cell)
PR NE iC W E!
75 Market Street Oneonta 607-433-1020
MLS#122670 $159,000 Possible Farmette Views in all directions. 3 BRs, built in 1854 w/dairy barn on 7 acres. 28’ x 40’ 3-bay garage, plus steel carport, concrete RV pad. Call David Mattice @ 607-434-1647 (cell)
MLS#124911 $169,900 Affordable 4-BR Cape in the hamlet of Grand Gorge. Master BR on main floor, other BRs on 2nd floor. Hunter Ski Resort close by. Heated enclosed porch. Call Carol Olsen @ 607-434-7436 (cell)
MLS#124487 $83,000 Village Farmhouse Built in 1890 on a corner lot. 2,366 sq ft of living space. Wide plank floors, pine wainscoting. 4 BRs, 2 baths. Waltons’ porch. Call Pamela Andela @ 315-717-1907 (cell)
MLS#124400 $535,000 Location, Location Retail corridor—1.4 acres on State Rte 28, Hartwick. Money maker. 6 units, a lot collecting rent. Diligently maintained by owner. Call Sharon Teator @ 607-287-2681 (cell)
157 Main Street,Cooperstown 607-547-5740
www.hubbellsrealestate.com
Country Living on 12 Acres
(8694) Enticing 3-BR, 3-bath pond-side home boasts luxuriant garden, spacious yard, stocked pond, fireplace and fine master suite. Gracious LR, family room, newer windows, vinyl plank flooring, country kitchen, laundry room. 2-car garage, patio. A gem with much to love! Cooperstown Schools.
Hubbell’s Exclusive—$239,000
Cooperstown Village
(8618) Impeccable 3-BR, 2-bath Colonial provides pellet stove, bay windows, natural woodwork, formal DR and eat-in kitchen w/oak cabinets. Laminate flooring, laundry room, ceiling fans. Vinyl siding, large covered deck, large yard. Large 2-car garage. Move-in condition. Cooperstown Schools.
Hubbell’s Exclusive—$224,000
Award-Winning Restaurant Business for Sale! This Oneonta destination restaurant has been in business for 40+ years and is known for fine dining at its absolute best. All food, including salads, entrées and desserts, are prepared on-site. Turn-key operation includes all fixtures, furniture, equipment. Restaurant features 5 DRs, wine cellar, atrium/sunporch. Large parking lot with easy access off State Rte 7. Financing terms may be possible. List price is $324,900. Call today for more details on this great, turn-key business.
Perfect Country Colonial in Perfect Move-in Condition!
Locally owned and operated Single and multi-family homes Commercial property and land
99 Main Street, Oneonta office 607.441.7312 fax 607.432.7580
Log Cabin Home on 3 acres in a beautiful country setting w/privacy and wonderful views! Spacious and bright, 3 BRS, 2 baths, open floorplan, vaulted ceilings, upscale kitchen. Finished 2-car garage w/heat, water, electric. Minutes to Cooperstown and Oneonta. Schedule a private showing! MLS#124790 $199,900
www.oneontarealty.com Lizabeth Rose, Broker/Owner Cricket Keto, Licensed Assoc. Broker Peter D. Clark, Consultant
•F
OUNDED
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& The Otsego-Delaware Dispatch
Cooperstown’s Newspaper
1808 BY
ONEONTA
IN
HOMETOWN
O M C O PE
SELLING OR BUYING? DO IT ALL HERE! 607-547-6103 For 211 Years
AllOTSEGO.com
Home of the Week
This Colonial style home has unbelievable curb appeal! The house is situated in a park-like setting on almost 4 acres. This move-in ready home offers 5 BRs, beautiful finished basement, stone fireplace in family room open to kitchen, lovely formal LR w/French doors. Updated kitchen has double ovens, island. Spacious mudroom has radiant floor heat. Attached 3-car garage also w/radiant heat, overhead storage. Large master BR has walk-in closet that everyone will admire! Covered front porch is 44' long w/maintenance-free, long-lasting Trex decking. Private rear deck for outdoor relaxation and enjoyment. This warm and welcoming home has many outstanding features. Call for an appointment to visit. You will be glad you did!
Exclusively offered at $424,500
Don Olin
REALTY, INC
37 Chestnut street · Cooperstown · 607-547-5622 · 607-547-5653 (fax) parking is never a problem! For Appointment Only Call: M. Margaret Savoie, Real Estate Broker/Owner – 547-5334 Marion King, Real Estate Associate Broker – 547-5332 Eric Hill, Real Estate Associate Broker – 547-5557 Donald DuBois, Real Estate Associate Broker – 547-5105
Timothy Donahue, Real Estate Associate Broker – 293-8874 Madeline Sansevere, Real Estate Salesperson – 435-4311 Catherine Raddatz, Real Estate Salesperson – 547-8958 Michael Welch, Real Estate Salesperson – 547-8502
For reliable, honest answers to any of your real estate questions, call 607.547.5622 or visit our website www.donolinrealty.com
Immaculate Milford Home!
Prime location between Oneonta and Cooperstown, near Milford School. Large porch, deck, backyard, garage w/heated workshop. First floor has LR w/pellet stove, new updated kitchen w/radiant heat, family room, updated bath, large office/4th BR. Upstairs: master suite w/huge walk-in closet and full bath w/ laundry, 2 good-sized BRs w/large closets, full bath. Formally a duplex, could easily be converted back. Endless possibilities!
MLS#124958 $138,900
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OTSEGO.life PAGE B-1
THURSDAY, February 13, 2020
Nina Espinosa, Oneonta, escorts Olaf through Saturday’s craft show at St. Mary’s “Our Lady of the Lake” church hall.
THE
Bradley Weldon, center, waves as she passes her family’s 13 Main St. home en route to being the fastest female (23:50) in Saturday morning’s Bob Smullens 5K.
Cooperstown’s Leo Wood wowed sledders at Lakefront Park Sunday with his lobster.
WARMTH
OF
WINTER
what’s fun
in Otsego County
BEST BETS
Ken Burns documentary on the “The Central Park Five” will be screened at SUNY Oneonta on Friday, Feb. 14.
A Documentary, Crafts & Cooking And Sweet Brunch
AllOTSEGO.life
Jim Kevlin & James Cumming/
Dennis and Don Decker of Laurens transport 2020 Winter Carnival revelers around Cooperstown under a canopy of icy-covered trees. The three-day festival featured community activities, plus food, music and dancing under this year’s theme, “The Roarin’ 20s”.
Chris McNaughton, left, Mount Vision, and Tom Megura, Oneonta, examine offerings at the Friends of the Library Book Sale.
Al Bullard of Milford enjoys the bright colors at the Fenimore Quilt Club Show that continues until Feb. 23 at the Cooperstown Art Association.
Gangster Jim Donley and his “moll” – literally, Molly Myers – watch the door at the Roarin’ 20s Speakeasy Saturday evening at the Vets’ Club.
Cali Paterno, who found the Winter Carnival Medallion in Lakefront Park, accepts the $500 prize from The Freeman’s Journal/Hometown Oneonta Publisher Jim Kevlin.
Tilting, Historic Pierstown Grange Stable Again Built In 1898, ‘Unpolished Gem’ Began To Shift; Repaired, Its Reopening To Be Celebrated In June “It certainly speaks to the sense of community that the Pierstown PIERSTOWN Grange provides that so many people have he Pierstown dug so deep into Grange is getting their pockets to make a restoration contributions,” said overhaul. grange President Paul The 1898 structure 122 years old and Lord, adding that more is undergoing a donations have already standing strong. $130,000 renovation. started coming in since Grange members and the project kicked off, friends had raised about $60,000 but more is needed. Construction started this winter Lizzie Cooper/ OTSEGO.life in donations for the project when an anonymous supporter offered a and is expected to be complete by Leading the stabilization, Stephen Purcell reinlow-interest loan to cover the rest. Please See GRANGE, B3 forces a joist in the Pierstown Grange basement. By LIZZIE COOPER
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ee a free showing of Ken and Sara Burns award-winning documentary “The Central Park Five” and stay to discuss social justice. 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14, Waterfront room, Hunt Union, SUNY Oneonta. Info, (607) 432-6988. • Take care of the Valentine inside you with the American Heart Association at 4th annual indoor Heart Walk & Health Fair featuring LIBBY vendors, fitness classes CUDMORE and more. $30. 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, Fox Care Center, 1 Fox Care Dr., Oneonta. (607) 431-5009. • Enjoy a romantic brunch featuring mimosas, French toast, pancakes and live music from JoAnn Chmielowski, all to benefit the Catskill Symphony Orchestra. $18. Seatings at 11 a.m., 12:45 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, The Plains, 163 Heritage Circle, Oneonta. Info (607) 436-2670. • Teens can learn to cook a delicious fried chicken dinner from scratch with a free Life Skills workshop. Then, head over to the Oneonta Teen Center for a pop-up dance class. 4 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 15, SOL Center, 50 Dietz St., Oneonta. Reservations, info, ouroutc@gmail.com • Beat cabin fever with a family-friendly multi-media art project that benefits community organizations. 10 a.m. – noon Saturday, Feb. 15. Louis C. Jones Center, The Farmers’ Museum, Cooperstown. (607) 547-1400. • Author and climate activist Paula DiPerna presents “2020: Science, Policy, & Capital Converge on Climate Change - What Will Happen?” 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 16, Cooperstown Village Library. (607) 547-8344.
THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL • HOMETOWN ONEONTA
AllOTSEGO.com, WHERE OTSEGO COUNTY GOES FOR BREAKING NEWS
VISIT www.
Carpet • Vinyl • Ceramic • Wood • Laminate • LVT, VCT • Area Rugs • Carpet Tile Floor Cleaning Supplies and MORE! Family Owned and Operated
61 South Main Street, Oneonta · 607-353-7433
_________ Send calendar items to info@allotsego.com
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AllOTSEGO.life
THURSDAY, February 13, 2020
►Thursday, Feb. 13 CENTENNIAL – 11:30 a.m. Celebrate 100th anniversary of the Negro Leagues with program on founder Rube Foster. Baseball Hall of Fame, Cooperstown. 607-547-7200. ADVENTURE – 1:15 p.m. Presentation ‘Adventures in United Arab Emirates’ with Kathleen O’Donnell. Cooperstown Senior Community Center, behind St. Mary’s Church, 31 Elm St., Cooperstown. coopseniorcenter@gmail.com VALENTINE’S DANCE – 6 p.m. Throw on cowboy boots, bring your valentine for line dancing class. Includes ad-
mission to Valentine’s HIGH Fitness at 7:15. Cost, $10/ non-member. Oneonta YMCA, 20-26 Ford Ave., Oneonta. 607-432-0010. VALENTINES CRAFT – 6 - 7:30 p.m. Create catapult from simple craft materials. See who can shoot their Valentine’s candy the farthest or has best aim. Huntington Memorial Library, 62 Chestnut St., Oneonta. 607-4321980.
►Friday, February 14 VALENTINE’S – 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. Invite City of the Hills Sweet Adelines to deliver love songs, tokens of affection at
location of your choice within 25 miles of Oneonta. Cost, $30. Call 607-267-5540. FILM – 6:30 & 9 p.m. Presenting “21 Bridges.” Cost, $3/person. Red Dragon Theater, SUNY Oneonta. DOCUMENTARY – 7 p.m. Showing Ken Burns documentary ‘The Central Park 5’ examining case of 5 teenagers who spent years in jail for a crime they didn’t commit. Discussion to follow. Waterfront room, Hunt Union, SUNY Oneonta. 607-432-6988. PLANETARIUM – 7 p.m. Digital journey through cosmos in immersive multimedia experience. A.J. Read Science Discovery Center, SUNY
AllOTSEGO.
dining&entertainment
what’s fun in OtsegO COunty _________
Oneonta. 607-436-2011.
Youth enjoy hot cocoa while making personalized craft. Make a horseshoe picture frame (provide a picture), inspirational horseshoe, or horseshoe dream catcher. in OtsegO COunty Registration required by 2/8. Cost, $5/kit. Milford Central School, 42 Main St., Milford. 607-547-2536 ext. 225. LIFE SKILLS – 4 - 6 p.m. Class for teens 13-18 to learn how to cook fried chicken with Oneonta Teen Center. Dinner to follow. 6 seats available. Then enjoy pop-up dance class at 7:30. The Sol Center, 50 Dietz St., Oneonta. ourotc@gmail.com FILM – 6:30 & 9 p.m. Presenting “21 Bridges.” See Friday Listing.
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►Saturday, Feb. 15
HEART WALK – 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. 4th annual indoor Heart Walk & Health Fair features vendors, fitness classes, fun for the whole family. Cost, $30/person. Fox Care Center, 1 Fox Care Dr., Oneonta. 607431-5009. FAMILY ART DAYS – 10 a.m. - Noon. Parents & children work together on art projects to support Cooperstown Art Association. The Farmers’ Museum, Cooperstown. 607-547-1400. FAMILY FUN – 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. ‘Crazy for Cacao’ bring the kids to learn all about chocolate. Enjoy some historical snacks. Free. Rogers Environmental Education Center, 2721 St. Rt. 80, Sherburne. 607-674-4733. FUNDRAISER – 11 a.m, & 12:45 p.m. Valentine’s Mimosa Brunch to support Catskill Symphony Orchestra with French toast, pancakes, mimosa. Live music by classical pianist JoAnn Chmielowski. Cost, $18/adult. The Plains, 163 Heritage Circle, Oneonta. 607-436-2670. TUBING – 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Have fun sliding down a hillside on a tube. Tubes provided. Cost, $5/person. Hot cocoa, snacks available for sale. Glimmerglass State Park, 1527 Co. Rt. 31, Cooperstown. 607-547-8662. WRITERS GROUP – 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. Join other writers to help improve your craft. Hosted by published author, Jennifer Donohue. Huntington Memorial Library, 62 Chestnut St., Oneonta. 607-4321980. CRAFT DAY – 2 - 4 p.m.
what’s fun
►Sunday, Feb. 16 TUBING – 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Have fun sliding down a hillside on a tube. See Saturday Listing. FILM – 1, 6:30 & 9 p.m. Presenting “21 Bridges.” See Friday Listing. OPENING RECEPTION – 1 - 2:30 p.m. Photography exhibit ‘Natures Visions - Bird Life’ by photographer Lynn Cleveland. On display with works available for purchase through April. Open to public. Rogers Environmental Education Center, 2721 St. Rt. 80, Sherburne. 607-674-4733. SUNDAY PROGRAM – 3 p.m. Presenting ‘2020: Science, Policy, & Capital Converge on Climate Change - What Will Happen?’ talk with Paula DiPerna. Cooperstown Village Library. 607-5478344. AUDITION – 4 p.m. Try out for May production of Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town,” with Catskill Community Players.
new york pizzeria 2 large plain pizzas $25* Tax included! Toppings extra
75 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown · 607-547-2930 126 Main Street/ Rt 20, Richfield Springs · 315-858-0405
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Not valid w/other offers • 1 coupon per person
Inspired American Cuisine
Celebrate Polish Night
Wed., February 19, 4 pm-9 pm! Come Join us for an evening featuring the Best in Polish Cuisine, Desserts & Drinks Make Your Reservations now for Polish Night, or for our Winter Comfort Food Specials! MEatlEss ENtRÉE & GRaNDMa’s MEatloaf MoNDays Drink Special: $5 Mel’s Cosmos
taco tuEsDays Drink Special: $3 Margaritas
WEDNEsDay - chEf NiGht
Drink Special: 1/2-price Select Glass of Wine
thuRsDay stEaK NiGht
$17 Special Price • 40-cent Wings Drink Special: ½-off Drafts
fish fRy fRiDays Haddock & Chips - $12
satuRDay is PRiME RiB NiGht suNDay BRuNch Drink Special: $3 Mimosas
Good Food | Good People | Good Drinks 22 Chestnut St., Cooperstown Open Mon-Thur 11 am - 9 pm | Fri -Sat. 11 am - 10 pm Sunday Brunch 9:30 am - 2 pm | Dinner 3 pm - 9 pm Reservations: 607-322-4012 | melsat22.com
Seeking actors for large range of roles. Bring list of potential conflicts. The Worcester Inn, 151 Main St., Worcester. E-mail nancybcouch@yahoo. com.
Shear Perfection Beauty Salon
297 River Street Service Rd., Oneonta • 607-432-4407
for your Valentine: Gift certificates available for massage sessions with Debbie o’connor, LMt. call 607-768-5732 We currently have two salon suite private room/booth rentals available for licensed cosmetologist with following, esthetician, acupuncture - the opportunities are endless!
Call Bonnie at 607-432-4407
► Monday, Feb. 17 PRESIDENTS’ DAY! CELEBRATE – 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Special programs throughout the week to celebrate Presidents’ Day, Black History Month. Baseball Hall of Fame, Cooperstown. 607-547-7200. PREPAREDNESS – 2 p.m. Learn to prepare for health emergencies, learn about local emergency response structure with Alex Scorzafava. Cooperstown Senior Community Center, behind St. Mary’s Church, 31 Elm St., Cooperstown. coopseniorcenter@gmail.com PERFORMANCE – 9 10:30 p.m. ‘Step Afrika’ performs dance as practiced by traditionally African American fraternities, sororities incorporating song, story telling, audience participation. Admission, $3/person. Hunt Union Ballroom, SUNY Oneonta. LOCAL HISTORY – 2 - 4 p.m. Read, discuss letters sent by Edmeston Civil War soldiers to their families. Edmeston Museum, 1 North St., Edmeston. edmestonmuseum@gmail.com POP-SHOP – 5 - 7 p.m. Beautiful, hand-knit items with unique designs by Jeanetta Osterhoudt, of Sybil’s Yarn shop, and others. Autumn Café, 244 Main St., Oneonta. 607-432-6845.
►Tuesday, Feb. 18 BOOKMOBILE – Check out the mobile library. 9:30-9:50 a.m. Town Hall, 3966 NY-23, West Oneonta. 10:10-10:50 a.m. Little Lambs Children Center, 383 Co Rd 11, Oneonta. 12:20-12:45 p.m. Methodist Church, 811 Co Rd 26, Fly Creek. 1:15-1:35 p.m. Methodist Church, 2343 NY-205, Mt Vision. 2:10-2:30 p.m. Firehouse, 116 County Rd 4, Wells Bridge. www.4cls.org or call 607-723-8236
►Tuesday, Feb. 18 HISTORY – 6:30 p.m. Learn how our memory of the First US President has changed over time in ‘The Property of the Nation: George Washington’s Tomb, Mount Vernon, and the Memory of the First President’ presented by author Matthew R. Costello, Senior Historian White House Historical Association. Fort Plain Museum, 389 Canal St., Fort Plain. 518-993-2527.
Fine jewelry for your loved one
AllOTSEGO.life B-3 Outhouse Artifacts Unearthed Pierstown Grange Center Of Active Community Life
THURSDAY, February 13, 2020
2-SEATER/From A1 near Tekaharawa Falls, opened his business in 1812, and with its proximity to the turnpike, was a popular place for visitors along the road to stay. In addition to food and lodging, the building also served as the village court, auction and, according to Hall, a circus set up at the tavern, including a live tiger. Hall and Lozier bought the house in 2010 from where they had been living in Ulster County. “I wanted an older, historic house,” she said. “When we found this one, it had been abandoned for years. I knew it had been a tavern when I bought it, but I didn’t know the whole history.” The pine board seats two, each with a wooden seat cover. There were two outhouses at the back of the tavern, one on each side. Though the two outhouses had to be torn down, Hall insisted the seats be saved. “They’re pine, and in good condition,” she said. “There’s a lot of history in those seats!” She gave one to Dr. Paula Baker, a friend who teaches history at Ohio State University. “Martin Van Buren is one of her favorites,” she said. “She carried this wooden plank
on the bus, and then across campus!” The other one she kept, cleaned it – and the wooden covers – and placed it atop a Civil War era chest in the upstairs hallway. But the seats weren’t the only thing she discovered in the outhouse. “The outhouse was often used a trash bin,” she said. “As we kept digging, we found a lot of stuff!” Among the buried treasures were the front doorknob, a pocket watch, a wooden water spigot, several spoons, metal plaques from the American Radiator and Sperry Stove company, a spinning wheel piece, a Swiss Army knife and buttons from a British military uniform. “We also found boxes and boxes of pottery,” she said. “Under the floor we found all sorts of coins, and I use them as patterns in my quilts.” And while they were fixing the house, someone brought them a piece of history that they had found years earlier – a .38 revolver. “There was a murder in the village, but they could never find the gun, so they could never charge anyone,” she said. “Years later, a man who was doing some landscaping found the gun under a rock on our lawn!”
GRANGE/From B1 early summer, when there will be a grand reopening celebration that will kick off the next phase of the grange’s existence. Contractor Stephen Purcell, a farmer and grange member himself, is heading up the restoration. He called the grange an “unpolished gem,” but said it had been in danger of collapsing. Like many 19th century buildings, it was built very close to the road. As time went on, and the Pierstown Road was improved and built up, water began to pool on one side. It then seeped under the road and compromised the foundation of the grange on the other side. By 2019, the building was tilting precariously. Saving the structure has been a complicated job, but Purcell said it is on track for completion by the beginning of May. For him, it has been a labor of love, and he has learned new things, just as he has from other restoration projects. “These structures do talk to
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you, if you know how to read the evidence,” he said. In the case of the grange, there was a surprise. When they opened up the walls, the team realized that the building’s main floor was not tightly attached to its frame as most floors are. Instead, it was suspended atop strong but flexible metal rods. Purcell has a theory about the unusual set up: “They felt that the pounding of dancing would compromise the walls,” he said. He has now fully joined the floor to the frame, but in a way that allows for some give, so future generations can have as much fun there as generations past. “Oh, there will always be dancing here,” he said. When the work is complete, the ground floor will house a large dining room. An attached shed addition will be replaced to house a new kitchen and restrooms. The second floor will remain as it always has been, with a stage at one end and portraits and other memorabilia around the walls.
SLEEP & FLOOR SHOP For the month of February!
Sales Tax! Jon Hansen
607-432-2022
22-26 Watkins Avenue, Oneonta Monday through Friday 8 am - 4:30 pm
All
4316 County Hwy 11 Cooperstown 607-547-6038 krazytoms.com info@cfbsales.com SinCe 1962
We will discount the amount of your sales tax for all purchases in our store. Just mention this ad! Open weekdays: 9 am to 5:30 pm Saturday: 9 am to 4 pm After hours by appt. Closed Sunday
The grange still holds an important place in the hearts of Pierstown residents, both new and old. Where once it served a farming community, its functions are now more varied. The grange’s fundamental purpose remains unchanged, however. It serves as a center for a small but thriving community. Kathryn Mollach grew up in Pierstown “when cauliflower was king.” “My parents moved here in 1945,” she said. “Cauliflower was big business. We hired people. We had trucks. We had acres and acres of cauliflower.” The years went by and Mollach left the area to build her adult life elsewhere. But decades later she returned with her husband to her parents’ land. The community had changed, but they had kept the grange alive and she decided to become involved.
There were monthly meetings about community issues, lectures and performances. When new people moved in they were invited to join. The Mollachs and about 60 other Pierstown property owners participate in grange activities, though some are more involved than others. There are lectures on everything from local Native American artifacts to training guide dogs. The Glimmerglass Festival’s orchestra has performed there more than once. An annual Country Fair Day includes a bake sale, a plant sale and a collaboration with a local garden club. “Every time I meet with that community I feel uplifted, Mollach said. “It’s a changing grange. It’s adapting to new uses.” By June it will be all ready to go, complete with a fresh new coat of paint.
We’ve Moved! Specializing in womens/mens/children haircuts, styling, color and much more!
We welcome new clients and can’t wait for our loyal customers to stop by and say hello at our new home in the heart of Cooperstown! 43 Pioneer Street | Cooperstown t t Move In SpecIal! Foot Detox $35* (reg. $60) Remove toxins from your body through your feet! *Available to first 20 people to make appointment
Booth rental available. Call for details.
OTSEGO.dining&entertainment “Brilliant Guitarist” -eLTON jOHN
$20 for adults John Jorgenson TickeTs: $15 for senior citizens and college students with current ID $8 for students age 13-18 Quintet Children age 12 and under free when accompanied www.cooperstownconcertseries.org
saturday, February 22, 2020 7:30 pm Otesaga Resort Hotel
by an adult. Call 607-547-1812. Tickets also available at Church & Scott Pharmacy, Fly Creek General Store, and Riverwood. Tickets available on line at http://www.cooperstownconcertseries.org/
GREECE!
LAND OF Join us for an Informational Session GODS Thursday, February 13, 2020 • Noon Otsego County Chamber AND 189 Main Street Suite 500, Oneonta HEROES 607-432-4500
24 beers on tap HappY HoUr
5 to 8 pm Mon, tues, thurs: 1/2 off Drafts, select wines, well Drinks wed 1/2 off wings
5418 State Highway 28, Cooperstown • 607.282.4525
AmAzing Specials! Martini Mondays BOGO Wine Wednesday BOGO Happy Hour Friday
50% off all pizzas, well drinks & beer & wine BOgO Friday First Come, First Served 5 - 8 pm
5438 State Hwy 28 • Cooperstown • 607.282.4031 • www.boccaosteria.com
The Otsego County Chamber of Commerce is partnering with Aventura World to present 9 Days, 7 Nights including Hotels, Meals, Day Trips and airfare from New York JFK! The Peloponnese is home to an extraordinary collection of archeological sites as well as stunning mountainous scenery & charming villages where a traditional way of life has remained unchanged for centuries. On this splendid cultural journey, trace 5,000 years of Greek history while exploring the country’s archeological treasures. Walk in the footsteps of Socrates on the Acropolis & examine artifacts of Athens’ Golden Age at the outstanding Acropolis Museum, sail through the scenic Corinth canal, and enjoy the insights of a local guest speaker on the contemporary Greek economic and social scene.
For more information & webinar availability, contact Barbara Ann Heegan, CEO Otsego County Chamber of Commerce, email baheegan@otsegocc.com The Otsego County Chamber of Commerce 189 Main Street Suite 500, Oneonta 607-432-4500
Heritage at tHe Plains at ParisH Homestead Capital Senior living Community
Wine & Roses Paint n Sip
for the Young at Heart Saturday February 15 2 to 4 pm
$35 per person with limit of 30 people. Open to anyone 21 and over. All materials, food, beverage provided. RSVP by Feb 12 to: 607-267-4013 163 Heritage Circle, Oneonta
THURSDAY, February 13, 2020
B-4 THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA
The
job scene
Solar Developer Gives Laurens Folks Just The Facts
To place effective employment ads, call 607-547-6103
Security/Safety Guard
Full-Time, Year-Round position with benefits Your workday would include using computer-based monitoring systems, walking extensive museum grounds, completing incident reports, and troubleshooting for potential hazards. Applicants must be able to walk considerable distances in all weather conditions; have a clean driving record; and must be able and willing to work weekends, holidays and any shift assigned. We provide training and certification.
Jim Kevlin/HOMETOWN ONEONTA & The Freeman’s Journal
County Planning Director Karen Sullivan, left, offers Ryan Storke the use of her department’s web site to post updates on his solar project.
To apply visit fenimoreartmuseum.org for an applic ation, or contact Human Resources at 607-547-1462 or email j.zinger@fenimoreart.org. EOE.
Clark Sports Center Wellness Coordinator
Join Our Team of Dedicated and Caring Professionals
Accountant
The Clark Sports Center has a full-time Wellness Coordinator position available. Personal training, assisting with medical rehab, community wellness, and more. A college degree or certificate in Health Services, Fitness Management, or Physical Therapy are necessary. Visit clarksportscenter.com for job description and more information. Applications due by February 21. www.clarksportscenter.com
WIC Nutritionist/ Breastfeeding Coordinator Residential Associates -at OFO shelters
Heavy Motor Equipment Operator (full-time)
(FT - weekend overnights w/addl. shift pay & Subs -- all shifts w/ addl. shift pay for qualifying shifts)
HEAD START POSITIONS (All F/T with school breaks & Summers off)
Teacher/Center Director Assistant Teacher Center Associate OFO is a family-oriented organization offering competetive wages, excellent benefits and opportunities for professional growth. For an application, submission instructions, benefit package summary and descriptions of all employment openings, visit www.ofoinc.org/jobs EOE The leader in developing innovative solutions to promote healthy lives, thriving families, and caring communities since 1966.
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Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of
8 Myrtle Ave, Oneonta, NY 13820. Purpose: General. 6LegalMar.19
Gjonaj Farms, LLC
Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of a NY Limited Liability Company (LLC)
Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on December 5, 2019. Office Location: Otsego County. SSNY is designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC at: The Limited Liability Company, 483 Cherry Street, Bedford Hills, New York 10507. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. 6LegalMar.19 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of Sam’s Bicycles LLC. Filed 12/3/19. Office: Otsego Co. SSNY designated as agent for process & shall mail to:
Name: DRI 7, LLC. Articles of Organization filing date with Secretary of State (SSNY) was 6 February 2020. Office location: Otsego County. SSNY has been designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served and SSNY shall mail copy of process to 393 Main Street Suite 5, Oneonta, New York, 13820. Purpose: any lawful activity. 6LegalMar.19 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of PURE
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POLIDORO LLC Arts. Of Org. filed with the Sec’y. of State of N.Y. (SSNY) on 01/08/2020. Office location: Otsego County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: PO Box 309, Unadilla, New York 13849. Purpose: Any lawful activity. 6LegalMar.19 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of 21 Glenn Ave LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 1/31/30. Office location: Otsego. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 56 Waverley Ave Newton, MA 024587. Purpose: any lawful activity.
The Village of Cooperstown has an opening for the position of Heavy Motor Equipment Operator. Requirements include the possession of a valid New York State CDL Class A or B license, and experience in the operation of heavy equipment. This is a full-time position with competitive wage and attractive benefits. Applicants must be a resident of Otsego County. Also available are seasonal laborer positions to begin as soon as possible. Applications will be accepted until positions are filled. For further information regarding the positions and to obtain an application please contact the Village Administrator’s Office at 607-547-2411 or send your resumé and cover letter to: Teri L. Barown, RMC, Village Administrator, Village of Cooperstown, PO Box 346, Cooperstown, NY 13326
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LEGALS
6LegalMar.12
Legal nOtice NOTICE OF FORMATION OF Home Town Hauling & Recycling, LLC A Limited Liability Company. Articles of Organization were filed with the New York Secretary of State on January 29, 2020. The office of the LLC is to be located in Otsego County. The Secretary of State has been designated as the agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. The Secretary of State shall mail a copy of any process against the LLC to: Home Town Hauling & Recycling, LLC, 1074 Co. Hwy. 36, Worcester, NY 12197. The purpose of the LLC is to engage in any lawful act or activity. 6LegalMar.12 Legal nOtice
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Notice of LLC Formation of DeGlee Farms, LLC, a NY limited liability company (LLC). Cert. of Conversion filed with NY Sec. of State (NYSS) on 01/06/20. Office: Otsego County. NYSS designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. NYSS shall mail process to: 2093 County Highway 18, South New Berlin, New York 13843. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. 6LegalMar.12 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of a NY Limited Liability Company Name: HAYNES HOUSE LLC Articles of Organization filing date with Secretary of
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State (SSNY) was 17 January 2020. Office location: Otsego County. SSNY has been designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served and SSNY shall mail copy of process to 15 Pine Blvd. Cooperstown, NY 13326. Purpose is to engage in any and all business activities permitted under NYS laws. 6LegalFeb.27 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of Limited Liability Company (LLC) Name: Central Leatherstocking Consulting LLC. Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on January 6, 2020. Office location: Otsego County. The SSNY has
STORKE/From A1 see the beautiful countryside will see all black panels” between West Laurens and Morris, asked county Rep. Rick Brockway, R-Laurens. Storke answered, “Yes.” Asked if there are hidden costs that wouldn’t be covered by the annual $1,000-per-acre lease his company, Storke Renewables LLC, is offering landowners, he said the company will cover any taxes that may go up – for instance, if land must be taken out of an ag district, or if land is reclassified from agricultural to commercial. Plus, “intervenor funds” will be provided to the town to hire its own engineers to make an independent assessment of Storke’s plans. What chemicals are in the panels? “Zinc, boron, solder, silica,” he answered matter-of-factly. The panels come from all over the world – Canada, India, China, France. Any from the U.S.? The American firms, Solar City and Tesla, just aren’t competitive, he said. Some 50 people gathered at the Laurens Town Board meeting Monday, Feb. 10, to hear someone no one around here had heard about until a month ago talk about a project that could transform the West Laurens corner of Otsego County. What’s going on now is simply the “exploratory stage,” seeing if it’s possible to line up leases with landowners, Storke said. He plans to be back at the next Laurens Town Board meeting, at 7 p.m. Monday, March 9, with a formal proposal. The benefits would be financial: Storke reported the State of New York has determined such projects will pay a minimum $2,500 per megawatt hour in annual PILOTS (payments in lieu of taxes) to local taxing entities. That’s $875,000, split among the town, school district and other taxing entities – $2,500 for each of the 3,500 solar panels
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Storke said his company aims to install. It could be more, he said. Town Attorney Richard Harlem noted the company will have to negotiate a PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) with the county Industrial Development Authority, an affiliate of Otsego Now. As the young developer described it – 30, Storke, who attended SUNY Morrisville, said he’s been in the business for 12 years – the process his company is going through in West Laurens is strictly defined and regulated by the PSC and related state agencies. For instance, the state has issued a list of sites around the state, near power lines like Marcy South, which runs north-south near West Laurens, that would be desirable to utilities seeking electricity to serve the New York Metropolitan Area – not Otsego County. “We’re a developer, not an operator,” he added. His company, Storke said, “has eight or 10 of these in different stages across the state,” only one of which is mostly completed, although not yet generating electricity. The company has also been working in Pennsylvania and Massachusetts, although it is no longer active in the Bay State. The projects are big enough to be covered by an Article 10 proceeding, where the PUC convenes a siting board that includes commissioners of four state departments, plus two local residents. The review takes time, and Storke said, if nothing untoward happens, the project won’t be complete for five years. The state specifies the height and type of fences around the installation. To keep out deer? “To keep people from poking their fingers in it,” he said. Herbicides are only allowed in specific situations, and weeds are kept under control by, not goats, not cows, but sheep. He estimated this project will require 3,000 sheep.
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been designated as the agent of the LLC upon whom processes against the LLC may be served. The SSNY shall mail a copy of the process to the LLC, 225 Bristol Road Hartwick, NY 13348. Purpose: For any lawful purpose. 6LegalFeb.27
NY 13468. Purpose is to engage in any and all business activities permitted under NYS laws. 6LegalFeb.27
Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of a NY Limited Liability Company
Filed with SSNY on 01/13/20. Office: Otsego County. SSNY designated as agent for process & shall mail copy to 256 Littlewood Rd, Morris, NY 13808. Purpose: Any lawful. 6LegalFeb.20
Name: MARK D. MISIEWICZ, PT, PLLC. Articles of Organization filing date with Secretary of State (SSNY) was 30 December 2019. Office location: Otsego County. SSNY has been designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served and SSNY shall mail copy of process to 235 Griggs Rd, Springfield Center,
Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of The LyonsDen LLC.
Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of FURVENT, LLC. Articles of Organization were filed with the NY Secretary of State on 1/6/20. The office of the LLC is to be located in Otsego County. The Secretary of
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State has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. The Secretary of State shall mail a copy of any process against the LLC served upon it to: The LLC, PO Box 21, Gilbertsville, NY 13776. The purpose of the LLC is to engage in any lawful act. 6LegalFeb.20 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of 36 GROVE STREET, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 11/26/19. Office: Otsego County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, c/o Bondi Iovino & Fusco, 1055 Franklin Avenue, Suite 206, Garden City, NY 11530. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
►Need to publish a Notice of Formation, Public Notice, Supplemental Summons, or Notice to Bidders? Contact Larissa at 607-547-6103 or ads@allotsego.com and she can get you started.
THURSDAY, February 13, 2020
AllOTSEGO.life
B-5
THURSDAY, February 13, 2020
B-6 HOMETOWN ONEONTA
IN MEMORIAM Dick Daniels, 92, of Gilbertsville; Served As County Representative GILBERTSVILLE – Richard F. “Dick” Daniels, 92, former member of the Otsego County Board of Representatives and a community leader in the Gilbertsville area, passed away Feb. 4, 2020, at Fox Hospital in Oneonta. Dick was born on March 23, 1927, in Hartwick, to the late Harold and Isabell (Richards) Daniels. On May 1, 1948, he married his high school sweetheart Arlene W. Fenton in the First Presbyterian Church in Gilbertsville. He proudly served our nation in the Army in 1946-47. Throughout his life, Dick was a fixture in the Gilbertsville community, generous with his time and talents. He was often seen walking around Gilbertsville with his wife
Arlene, holding hands. Dick always had time to “visit” with friends and neighbors and was always eager to help anyone. He did everything from trimming a neighbor’s flowering quince bush to mowing lawns and clearing snow for elderly neighbors, and building a bow and arrow with “the neighbor boy”. He was an elder at the Gilbertsville Presbyterian Church, Butternuts town justice, a county board representative and a member of the Otsego County Magistrates Association. He was employed by Otsego County as highway supervisor of the Butternut section. He enjoyed woodworking and “tinkering” in his shop, skills that he passionately passed on to his sons and grandsons. He also enjoyed
Grandma loved her farm, her family, and playing her old guitar. Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home will take the time to find out what made your loved one special. Whether it’s finding just the right flowers, or finding a musician to play her favorite tunes on her old guitar, we’ll do what’s necessary to make her service as unique as she was.
Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home 14 Grand Street, Oneonta • 607-432-6821 www.grummonsfuneralhome.com
versar y Our 131st anni
Tillapaugh Funeral Service Our historic Family Room
Our Chapel comfortably seats over 200. George M. Tillapaugh (1888-1913) · Revo and Anna Tillapaugh (1913-1958) George G. and Marjorie Tillapaugh (1935-1988) · Martin H. Tillapaugh (1988-Present)
dignity · tradition · continuity 28 Pioneer Street, cooPerStown • 607-547-2571 Proudly serving area families since 1888
hunting, fishing, extensive camping trips and just about anything else outdoors. He is survived by his beloved wife of 72 years, Arlene Daniels; children; Gerald (Camilla) Daniels, Jack (Kathy) Daniels, Christie (Mike) Talbot, and Diane (Jeffrey) Notarbartolo, 13 grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 14, at the First Presbyterian Church of Gilbertsville, 19 Marion Ave., Gilbertsville. The committal service will be held at Brookside Cemetery in Gilbertsville at a future time, to be announced. Contributions can be made to: First Presbyterian Church of Gilbertsville, P.O. Box 314, Gilbertsville, NY 13776 or to Helios Care, 297 River Street, S. Service Rd Suite #1, Oneonta, NY 13820. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Johnston & Stanimer Funeral Home.
Cheryl A. Carter, 63; Surviviors Include Council Member ELMIRA - Cheryl A. Carter, 63, stepmother to Common Council member Kaytee Lipari Shue, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020. She was Cheryl born on March Carter 15, 1956, in Elmira, to the late Clarence and Dorothy Deats Carter. She was employed by various department stores including Rosenbaum’s and Harold’s Army-Navy store. Family was always of the utmost importance to Cheryl. She enjoyed gambling, reading, bonfires with bourbon, and her feline companions. Cheryl is survived by her two brothers, Ricky (Cheryl Marie) Carter Sr. and Stephen (Sheila) Carter, both of Gillett, Penn; stepchildren, Robert (Lisa) Lipari, Joseph (Brook) Lipari, Lindsay (Mark) Maynard and Kaytee (Jared) Lipari Shue; five step- grandchildren; stepsiblings, Gary (Lori) Hawk, Lee Hawk and Raymond (Andrea) Hawk; nieces and nephews, Amanda and Christine, Nicole and Jason, Kristen and Patrick, Rickey Jr., Crystal, Raymond, Rand and Ryan. In addition to her parents, Cheryl was predeceased by two companions, Michael S. Lipari and Peter Molinari; stepfather, Malcolm Bull; and stepsister, Bonnie Reese. Guests will be received from 1-3 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 15, at Caywood’s Funeral Home & Gardens, 1126 Broadway, Elmira. A memorial service will follow at 3:15 p.m. Memorials may be directed to Animal Care Sanctuary, 353 Sanctuary Hill, East Smithfield, PA 18831.
Joseph L. Otello, Jr, 70; Special Education Teacher
ONEONTA –Joseph L. Otello, Jr. (Joe), 70, died Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2020 on his 5-mile walk up Merrickville Road. His death was the result of an injury he sustained from a fall the previous day. Joe was the son of Joseph L. Otello, Sr. and Ruth V. (Decker) Otello. He married his wife, Donna Hotaling Otello, in 1985. That same year, they purchased Beach Tavern, a circa 1790 stagecoach inn. Joe spent the next 35 years committed to the preservation and restoration of this historic, local treasure. Joe started working at the age of 16 at the Oneonta Country Club. He went on to a myriad of jobs, including local restarant work and the building trade. In the 1990s he returned to college, graduating from SUNY Delhi, SUNY Oneonta, and the College of Saint Rose. He taught K-3 Special Education, working at Center Street and Valleyview Elementary Schools. Working with his students brought great joy to his life. He retired from teaching
Joseph Otello
in 2014 and enjoyed his walks, practicing yoga, traveling, and working in his gardens. He also enjoyed ceramics and had a knack for creating beautiful pottery pieces which he loved to give to family and friends. Joe was a devoted family man. He dearly loved his sister, Linda Oliver and her husband, John. He cherished their two sons: Peter and his wife Lisa and their two girls, Alaina and Brooke; and Joseph (JJ) and his wife Jen and their two girls Viola and Lily. He deeply loved
all his cousins and their children, many of whom referred to him as “Uncle Joe.” Joe is predeceased by his parents and beloved cousins, Norma, Gina, Lorraine and David. On Friday, Feb. 21, visitation will be held from 5-7pm at the Lester R. Grummons Funeral home, 14 Grand St., Oneonta. If they wish, visitors may bring an identified picture of them and Joe to hang on the board. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 39 Walnut Street, Oneonta. There will be a reception and memorial gathering immediately following the service at the St. Mary’s Parish Center across the street. Instead of flowers, the family requests that donations be made, in Joe’s name, to the Franklin Emergency Squad, P.O. Box 8, Franklin, NY 13775. Arrangements are entrusted to the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home, Oneonta.
Thank You to Everyone Who Came Out to Our Grand Opening! If you didn’t get a chance to visit our showroom, come on by! We have windows and doors to suit just about everyone, and we’re happy to be in Oneonta to serve you. Congratulations to our raffle winners: Grand Prize-Susan Blass, 2nd place-Karen Adolfsen, 3rd place-Michael Vanderhoof And thanks to Carol Ronovech, CPA, for drawing our winners names! 20 Lewis Street, Oneonta | 607-353-8088 www.oneontawindowanddoor.com
2020 Indoor Heart Walk at FoxCare Center Saturday, Feb. 15 • 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 1 FoxCare Drive, Oneonta
Donate $30 at the three-mile indoor walk at FoxCare and walk for free in America’s Greatest Heart Run & Walk in Utica on March 7. Kids 15 and under are free! All proceeds benefit The American Heart Association.
Featuring: Face-Painting • The Hill City Ice Queen • Pet Therapy Animals • Scavenger Hunt, and more! Plus: More than 40 local vendors and agencies • Hands-only CPR training • Free fitness classes from FoxCare Fitness Free blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose checks Free cancer screening kits • Free radon testing kits, and much more!
GAMES & RAFFLES
Register today by visiting: Bassett.org/fox-heartwalk