E–ARTH ENDURES FESTIVAL, TOO SUSTAINABILITY CELEBRATION MARKS 10TH YEAR/B1
HOMETOWN ONEONTA !
E RE
F Volume 7, No. 29
City of The Hills
& The Otsego-Delaware Dispatch Complimentary
Oneonta, N.Y., Friday, April 10, 2015
IDA = Otsego Now
Economic Development Rebranded, Web Site Due
W Ian Austin/HOMETOWN ONEONTA
Council members followed Chip Holmes in putting the city manager’s parking-meter plan on hold.
Muni-Meter Relocations Put On Hold
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hether you need site development, workforce training or infrastructure enhancement, you can get it all at Otsego Now. “Otsego Now,” a “brand, name, logo and website” for the Otsego County Industrial Development Agency (IDA), was announced Monday, April 6. In development since September, the goal is to create united image for This is the county IDA’s new logo
all the IDA’s proposed services, from site selection to workforce training. “The new branding and associated tactics are exactly what is needed to pave the way for future expansion and new opportunities,” said state Sen. Jim Seward, R-Milford. Last September, Elizabeth Horvath, IDA COO, brought together 11 local leaders as an advisory board to analyze the “core values” of the economic-dePlease See BRAND, A6
ALL DOLLED UP A
plan to move the “Muni Meter” from the lower level of the downtown parking garage to the Wall Street lot faltered at Common Council Tuesday, April 7. The plan had been proposed by City Manager Martin Murphy, who said, “We recognize that no one was using the ground level.” However, the concept was included in the council’s “consent agenda,” meaning it would have been voted on without discussion. So any action was tabled.
SUNY Oneonta Human Ecology students Danielle Congdon, left, and Emily Drajone help sort prom gowns for girls from throughout Otsego County.
Ian Austin/HOMETOWN ONEONTA
Gowns Available For Prom-Going Cinderellas
projects every semester, but this is one I always offer,” she said. “But each group has to do a different or the last 10 years, Dr. take on it.” Rosemarie Avanzato has The Cinderella Project itself been a Fairy Godmother is part of a national program, but to hundreds of local girls. “Havthis one is given a service-oriented ing a daughter myself, I know twist. Some students go into the how expensive prom is,” she said. community and ask for donations CLEAN IT UP: Neighbors, “But no girl should have to skip of hairdo and manicure gift certifijoin AOπ and Phi Kappa Psi her prom because she can’t afford cates to raffle. Fashion students members for the Third Ward a dress.” offer to do free alterations, and Volunteer Cleanup Saturday, Avanzato, a lecturer in SUNY other arrange deals with dry-cleanApril 11, beginning with cof- Oneonta’s Human Ecology ers willing to give a discount to fee at 9 a.m. at 17 Maple St. Department, oversees the annual recipients. Cinderella Project, part of her This year, the girls can choose TEAMS CAN-DO: Stop Consumer Resource Management Human Ecology Profrom over 200 gowns in all sizes, by Southside Mall this fessor Rosemarie class. colors and styles. “We love this week and take a look at the Gowns, shoes and accessories Avanzato is in her red strapless one with the jewels,” element. Canstruction Construction are gathered from the commusaid Danielle Cogdon, a SUNY – structures built with cans nity and students from schools Oneonta junior. “We keep moving – that local fraternities, throughout Otsego County are invited to come it forward so other girls will see it!” sororities and other clubs are in and pick evening wear, free of charge. And student volunteers man the “store,” building there. Judging is 5 “Usually I have (my students) do different Please See GOWNS, A6 p.m. Sunday. PINWHEELS ABOUND:
The Otsego County Committee on Child Abuse & Neglect has distributed hundreds of blue pinwheels, reminders that April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. Be on the lookout.
n its Tuesday, April 6, edition, the New York Times examined whatever it is U.S. Rep. Chris Gibson is up to, whether reviving the state GOP, or running for governor or U.S. Senate. “Behind the scenes, Mr. Gibson has instructed advisers to study his options for creating a new political fund-raising entity, to help collect and spend money for Republican causes throughout the state,” Alexander Burns reports. Follow the link from
AllOTSEGO.com
www.
Jim Konstanty, 1942-2015
Jim Konstanty enjoyed a grandson’s game with three of his sons, Jared, James John, and Mike.
Often In Public Eye As County Attorney
J
3 DIE IN FIRE: Oneonta
native Ashley Tefft, 23, and a brother and sister died in a Cherry Valley fire Thursday, April 2/DETAILS, B6
I
TIMES LOOKS AT WHATEVER GIBSON UP TO
By LIBBY CUDMORE
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im Konstanty, tall, handsome, funny, always tanned, the center of attention at any gathering, a man about town, a man about Otsego County, seemed indestructible. “I couldn’t believe it when I heard the news,” said Bob Turrell, who played with him on Coach Tony Drago’s undefeated 1960 OHS basketball team. And yet, Friday, April 3, after completing a round of golf in Jim Pinehurst, N.C., with his son MiKonstanty chael and cousin Richard Fox, dining while overlooking the 18th green, James Edward Konstanty, 73, 20-year county attorney for the county Board of Representatives, passed away. During his 20 years at county attorney, his outspoken opinions often put him in the news. Practicing his profession until the end, he was undeterred by controversy, arguing against paid parking in downtown Cooperstown, and recently representing clients who had lost their homes in the recent controversial county tax sales. He was born Feb. 26, 1942, in Jamestown, the oldest son of 1950 National League MVP Jim Konstanty, who later operated Konstanty’s, the downtown sporting goods store, and the former Mary Burlingame. Jim grew up in Worcester, where the family Please See KONSTANTY, A3
HOMETOWN ONEONTA, OTSEGO COUNTY’S LARGEST CIRCULATION NEWSPAPER 2010 WINNER OF The Otsego County Chamber/KEY BANK SMALL BUSINESS AWARD