FOR THE
B
IRDS...
VISIT AUDUBON SANCTUARY ON FRANKLIN MOUNTAIN/A3
HOMETOWN E!
E FR Volume 12, No. 36
City of The Hills
& The Otsego-Delaware Dispatch
Oneonta, N.Y., Thursday, June 11, 2020
C
hip Northrup knows a few things about protesting. “There was a big billboard outside of Dallas that proclaimed ‘Welcome to the Home of the John Birch Society’,” Floyds were among Northrup family’s serhe said. “So I got a gang together and vants in Houston.
3 Ceremonies To Mark OHS Graduations ONEONTA
O
neonta High School is putting plans in place to hold the 2020 graduation ceremony on the OHS athletic fields, Saturday, June 27. According to Superintendent Thomas Brindley, the ceremony will likely be split into three services, with each student limited to two guests in order to comply with social distancing. On Sunday, June 7, Governor Cuomo announced that graduations could take place if less than 150 attend. SEE MULTIPLE REPORTS ON
we paint-bombed the billboard. I was Antifa before Antifa was cool!” And when he heard about the death of Houston native George Floyd, Northrup recognized the name immediately. “Hazel Gay Floyd was our maid,” he said. “She basically raised our children growing up, and I spoke at her funeral. When I saw that George was Please See FLOYDS, A7
By LIBBY CUDMORE
I
f you see darkened windows at Mel’s at 22 on Thursday, June 11, don’t worry – they’re just getting ready to welcome everyone back in. “We’re closing on Thursday to get ready to reopen on Friday,” said owner Brian Wrubleski. Please See OPENING, A8
Protests Inspire County’s Jurist Talk Of Reform Top To Retire
Last year, she met Pope Francis; last Sunday, Paula DiPerna was among 850 people at the “Rally for Justice for George Floyd” in front of the county courthouse in Cooperstown.
By LIBBY CUDMORE COOPERSTOWN
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Jim Kevlin/HOMETOWN ONEONTA
850 Rally In Cooperstown; Next, Action In Unadilla
AllOTSEGO.com ►ONEONTA’S JC PENNEY escapes latest closings. ►UN-PAUSED, churches look to open this Sunday. ►FIVE-STAR SUBARU DONATES $17k to SQSPCA “Shelter Us” campaign ►COUNTY BOARD RETREATS from threatened cuts to promotion agency ►PRIDEFEST 2020 held virtually. ►assembly candidates, Dan Butterman debated ►WITH PERMIT WITHHELD, Oneonta cancelled their annual “Hometown 4th of July” ►A black lives matter rally will be held Saturday, June 13 in Unadilla.
AllOTSEGO.com
Restaurants Families Like Floyd’s ‘Great Role Models’ To Reopen This Friday COOPERSTOWN
Ian Austin/HOMETOWN ONEONTA
Visit www.
VICTIM, MANY KINFOLKS RAISED IN HOUSTON
By LIBBY CUDMORE
Greg Hunter leads the St. James Episcopal Church in song on Sunday, June 7, the first day that services could be held in-person. Churches could operate at 25 percent capacity; St. James held two services to accommodate.
ONEONTA
By JIM KEVLIN
A
Attendees at the Sunday, June 7 “Rally for Justice” included the Pondolfinos, formerly of Oneonta: dad Tom, mom Amy and son Thomas.
fter “Justice for George Floyd” rallies in Oneonta, then Cooperstown, the focus is turning from talk to action. Local chapter Vice President Michelle Osterhoudt advised MayMacGuire or Gary Herzig of the Organizers Benton and Maria Noto NAACP’s four-point confront a flag-waver “We Are Done Dying” they feared was an program, including a agitator. ban on chokeholds, opening police disciplinary records, and citizen review boards. Paula DiPerna, the Cooperstown climate activist, said she has asked Mayor Ellen Tillapaugh Kuch Please See RALLIES, A7
henever County Judge John Lambert had a question about the law, he knew he could turn to Judge Michael V. Coccoma, the county’s highest ranking jurist. “He was my mentor,” Lambert said. “There were times that Judge Coccoma a question would arise about how to handle something, he was a great person to bounce ethiPlease See COCCOMA, A8
HARTWICK, SUNY-O SUBMIT REOPENING PLANS, AWAIT WORD
I
t’s up to Albany. Both Otsego County’s colleges have prepared plans to reopen, and Hartwick plans to reopen in the fall, “if they let us,” said Vice President Paula Lee Hobson. SUNY Oneonta President Barbara Jean Morris sent her campus’ plan – she provided no details – to SUNY headquarters on Monday, June 8, and hopes to get Chancellor Kristin Johnson’s imprimature by July 7. For full story, visit
AllOTSEGO.com
www.
HOMETOWN ONEONTA, OTSEGO COUNTY’S LARGEST CIRCULATION NEWSPAPER 2010 WINNER OF The Otsego County Chamber/KEY BANK SMALL BUSINESS AWARD
A-2 HOMETOWN ONEONTA
HOMETOWN People
Nine Named To SUNY Provost’s List ONEONTA
B
hanupratap Gaur, Oneonta, a Communication Studies major at SUNY Oneonta, was one of nine local students named to the Provost’s List for the spring 2020 semester. Also on the list were • Michelle Geasey. Oneonta, Child and Family Studies, Dance • Abigail Hubbard, Oneonta, Psychology
THURSDAY, June 11, 2020
• Jacob Lyons, Morris, History • Ajare Malcolm, Oneonta, Music • Alexia Massaroni, Worcester, Sports Management • Michelle Rossi, Oneonta, Adolescence Educ.: Mathematics • Megan Short, Unadilla, Adolescence Education: Earth Science • Bekka Struble, Oneonta, Business Economics
SAGGESE TOPS: Hannah Saggese, Oneonta, was named to the Dean’s List at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania for the Spring 2020 semester.
5-Star Subaru Donates $16.9K To ‘Shelter Us’ Stacie Haynes, SQSPCA executive director, holds up a $16,963.64 check this week from 5-Star Subaru that brought the Shelter Us drive one-third of the way to its latest matching challenge grant of $100,000. The funds, presented by Ben Guenther, proprietor, were raised during Subaru of America’s Share The Love® event. With her is Tasha, an adoptable dog.
ROSSI LAUDED: Michelle Rossi, Oneonta, was awarded a Silver Level in SUNY Oneonta’s Leadership Education and Development (LEAD) program. DAVIDSON A GRAD: Kyle Davidson, Laurens, was awarded a BA from Grove City College.
Outdoor Dining
Visit these local restaurants and enjoy outdoor dining! OUTDOOR DINING!
FANTASTIC FOOD!
22 Chestnut Street Cooperstown (607) 322-4012 Open every day 11 am - 7 pm for take out and delivery.
On Friday, June 12, 15% of sales will be donated to Black Vision Collective.
Mel’s at 22 now has more space and tables for your outdoor dining enjoyment! We’re ready to serve you outside!
607-322-4012
See our website for menu options!
607-322-4003
4874 State Hwy 28, Cooperstown Open Daily 11 am to 9 pm
cooperstownsportsbar.com
Blue Mingo Grill The Patio is OPEN!
Good Food • Good People www.melsat22.com
NOW AVAILABLE
within a 10-mile radius and
It’s Summertime and The Lake is Calling!
HOME AND OFFICE DELIVERIES NOW AVAILABLE! FREE DELIVERy SERVICE within a 10-mile radius and $20 minimum order. 11 am - 7 pm
COME AND GET IT!!
Bask in the natural splendor of Otsego Lake in the glow of summer while you enjoy an al fresco lunch or dinner at the water’s edge with what The New York Times has called NOW AVAILABLE “the area’s best dishes.” within a 10-mile radius and
We will be open for carryout from 11am to 8pm and for delivery, 11am to 7pm Tuesday through Sunday. Place orders via phone at
607-432-1782
at www.brooksbbq.com or the Brooks’ BBQ app on your iPhone or Android.
OPEN DAILY
Open Daily 11am to 10pm Lunch Noon to 4pm Dinner Reservations highly recommended Dinner, reservations highly recommended, 607-547-7496 4pm to last seating at 8pm
607-547-7496 Closed Wednesdays A Compelling Collection of Unique Clothing, Gifts, and Accessories A Compelling Collection of Unique Clothing, Gifts, Open Daily 9am to 10pm and Accessories 607-547-2543 Open Daily 10am 9pm Open Daily 9am to to 10pm 607-547-2543 607-547-2543
ALL AT ONE LAKESIDE LOCATION SAM SMITH’S BOATYARD 2.5 miles north of Cooperstown on West Lake Road (Route 80) 607-547-2543
All
B
OTSEGO.outdoors
THURSDAY, June 11, 2020
FOR THE A Common Merganser peeks out of a nesting box in the DelawareOtsego Audubon Society Sanctuary on Franklin Mountain.
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Elizabeth Rodriguez and Magdelys Savigne are OKAN, bringing their Afro-Cuban styles to the West Kortright Center in a virtual concert.
Living Room Show, Birds, Then Bees, And Science Trivia
AllOTSEGO.outdoors
Ian Austin/
...Head Up Franklin Mountain To Audubon Sanctuary By LIBBY CUDMORE ONEONTA
T
“TeacherTeacher. TeacherTeacher.”
‘hat’s an Ovenbird,”
said Andy Mason, co-president of the Delaware-Otsego Audubon Sanctuary. “In all the years I’ve been birding, I’ve only ever seen two, and one of those times was because I almost stepped on a nest.” Named for their dome-shaped nest built on the ground, the Ovenbird is one of more than 100 species of birds who make their home in the 100-acre sanctuary, high on Grange Spur Road overlooking Oneonta. “We’ve seen a lot of Red-Eyed Vireos lately,” he said. “They’re a small, tropical migrant from the West Indies. Orioles too.”
In the early days of the COVID19 pandemic, when events were cancelled and many people were stuck inside, Mason said they saw a rise in the number of visits to their website, www. DOAS.us. “Our bird scavenger hunt was more popular than it’s ever been,” he said. “And we moved a lot of our workshops online. Sporting a wild hairdo, a Hooded Merganser takes a dip. The lockdown really prompted an and guidelines relaxed, people have started interest in birding. It’s a chance for people coming out to the sanctuary, which boasts to be outdoors, while maintaining social trails across a variety of habitats, including distancing.” forests, wetlands, open plains and, of But with the weather getting warmer Please See BIRDS, A10
Wanna Bike? 4 Trail Systems Available Within Minutes Of Oneonta By LIBBY CUDMORE
www.mtbproject.com
ONEONTA
I AllOTSEGO.outdoors
Ian Austin/
Sam Baskin hits the trails in Wilber Park.
►IF YOU GO: For directions to four mountain bike trails within 10 minutes of downtown Oneonta, visit
f it’s been awhile since you rode a bike, now is the perfect time to get your wheels out of storage, Otsego Bicycles’ Sam Baskin will tell you. “There’s actually a bike shortage,” he said. “Because all the factories are shut down, we haven’t been able to
get many new bikes in, so I’ve been busy fixing a lot of bikes that people have had in the garage for 10 years. There’s a big demand. I’ve never seen a bike shop that doesn’t have bikes!” Baskin, a 2016 OHS graduate, has taken over the store from founder Ed Lorenz, who retired at the end of Please See BIKES, A10
D
ance in your living room as you share in the jubilant Afro-Cuban rhythms of OKAN in a virtual concert, presented by the West Kortright Center. Registration required. 8-9 p.m. Saturday, June 13, www.westkc. org/eventbrite-event/virtual-afro-cubanconcert-okan/ for info. • Learn about the role that tiny fish play in ocean ecosystems online with DelawareOtsego Audubon Society, presented by Audubon Connecticut LIBBY and Mystic Aquarium. CUDMORE Then stick around for a Town Hall where DOAS answers all your birding questions. Webinar, 4 p.m., Town Hall, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 11, www.facebook. com/DelawareOtsegoAudubonSociety/. • Join the Oneonta Federated Garden Club as they screen “The Pollinators,” a documentary film following migratory beekeepers around the country as they pollinate commercial fields, with a live panel discussion and Q&A to follow. Free, registration required. 7-9 p.m. Thursday, June 11, https://www.facebook. com/Oneonta-Federated-Garden-Club133855897358767/ • Make a pile of s’mores and gather around a virtual campfire for some themed tales at Harris Memorial Library. 7-8 p.m. Saturday, June 13, www.facebook.com/harrislibrary/. • Hall of Famer Jim Thome helps the Baseball Hall of Fame celebrate the 81st anniversary of the Hall with a virtual Legends of the Game, discussing his career, his time in Cooperstown and his work for the MLB network. 1 p.m. Friday, June 12, https://baseballhall. org/events/virtual-legends-of-the-gameJim-Thome?date=0.
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A-4 HOMETOWN ONEONTA
HOMETOWN Views
THURSDAY, June 11, 2020
EDITORIAL
Personal Testaments Tell Us: We Can Do Better A t first, the “Defund the Police” initiatives surfacing nationwide seem like a truly awful idea: a blunt instrument to dissect a complex challenge dramatized again by George Floyd’s May 25 death while being taken into custody in Minneapolis. But drilling down, benefits surface. It’s only a slight exaggeration to say that all organizations in Otsego County – local governments, non-profits, churches, businesses large and small, even newspapers – are rethinking Bryce Wooden: My parents could have operations in light of the been killed. coronavirus disorientation. Cooperstown: If “Defund the Police” is a • Bryce Wooden of Oneonta, clean-sheet look at police department priorities, why shouldn’t law “a 25-year-old trying to be a good father to my future chilenforcement do what everybody dren,” recounted how in 2000, his else is doing right now? white mother and black father – a • teacher and a correctional officer It was hard to listen to personal – responded to a “bang, bang” on testimonies of speakers at their door at 2 p.m. to find a gun the Sunday, June 7, “Justice pointed in their faces. They were For George Floyd” rally in
Shannon McHugh: “My daughter shouldn’t have to be the wokest child.”
grilled at gunpoint for a half-hour. • Shannon McHugh, an Oneonta daycare operator who was in the 20 Under 40 class selected five years ago by Hometown Oneonta & The Freeman’s Journal, reported 10 officers searching her car after a routine stop, and finding nothing. She asked all of us to be “second eyes” when we happen on police stops.
HOMETOWN ONEONTA photos
Rev. LaDana Clark recounts being handcuffed for the first time in her life: At age 58 in Laurens.
• The Rev. LaDana Clark, the “outreach hip-hop pastor” who has preached at Cooperstown’s Presbyterian Church, described a harrowing series of events ensuing after she gave a cheerful “hi”
to troopers on leaving Oneonta’s Walmart. “For the first time in my life, an officer put cuffs on me in Laurens, N.Y. I’m 58 years old,” she recounted. “I was disgusted.” Diandra Sangetti-Daniels, Oneonta, a personal care assistant, related how she cried while writing down her experiences. Wesley Lippitt of Fly Creek, said only “a Guardian Angel” allowed him to speak at the rally: 10 years earlier, he had been chased out of Cooper Park and shot by a classmate. This doesn’t catch the richness and drama of their convincing narratives. Even “Black Lives Matter” skeptics had to leave the Otsego County Courthouse lawn shaking their heads: Something’s wrong here. • So what is wrong here? Oneonta Mayor Gary Herzig, Deputy Mayor David Rissberger and Police Chief Doug Brenner by Please See EDITORIAL, A5
LETTERS
JUSTICE FOR ALL
RISSBERGER: Expect Action On City Policing To the Editor: In light of recent national and local events, I feel compelled to speak out regarding the tragic death of Mr. George Floyd in Minneapolis on May 25. As I’d like to believe most civilized people would be, I was horrified and appalled to watch the barbaric treatment of Mr. George Floyd as he was being arrested by the Minneapolis police department. Police officers take an oath to protect and serve ALL members of their community and to treat citizens
with respect and dignity. The video of the death of George Floyd that went viral clearly Rissberger showed that Mr. Floyd was afforded neither. In recent days my heart has been filled with hope as I have watched thousands of people across our counPlease See RISSBERGER/A9
NAACP President: Let’s Live Up To Our Ideals
BRENNER: Police Will Listen To Your Concerns
To the Editor: Contemporary law enforcement is as dynamic and challenging as we seen during any of our careers in law enforcement. While we who have chosen this Brenner profession watch national trends, tragedies and triumphs and shared challenges, we are
uniquely Oneontan. We have had some low moments in this department that have prompted, over time, a near-complete overhaul of the agency. These changes were a response, in some cases, to public demands and outcry, internal investigations, independent investigations, changes in police training and best practices, court rulings and, as with any law enforcement agency, changes in State and Federal Statues. Please See BRENNER, A9
Jim Kevlin/HOMETOWN ONEONTA
At the “Rally for Justice” Sunday, June 7, on the Otsego County Courthouse steps in Cooperstown, NAACP President Lee Fisher drew a lesson from the other speakers: America needs to live up to its founding principles.
Editor’s Note: Lee Fisher, president of the NAACP, Oneonta chapter, delivered this address Sunday, June 7, at the Rally for Justice on the Otsego County Courthouse steps in Cooperstown. By LEE FISHER
HOMETOWN
ONEONTA
& The Otsego-Delaware Dispatch
James C. Kevlin Editor & Publisher
VIEW FROM OYARON HILL
Libby Cudmore
Hartwick College United In Seeking Justice
Managing Editor
Larissa Ryan Business Manager
Elizabeth Cooper Correspondent Ivan Potocnik Web Architect
Taylor in Louisville, Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia, Trayvon Martin in Florida or Eric Gardner in New York. People are demanding change in America. We should not just be here only for the senseless murder of George Floyd but the discriminatory practice about everyday issues such as a living wage, affordable housing, the cost of higher education, voter suppression, red lining and the list goes on. In her book, “I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings,” Maya Angelou said, if you’re for the right thing, then you do it without thinking – massive Please See FISHER, A6
Tara Barnwell
Advertising Director & General Manager
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e hold these truths to be self evident, that all humans are created (and treated) equal with certain inalienable rights and among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Now more than ever this nation must live up to the obligations imposed upon it by the Emancipation Proclamation. How far has it gone in assuring to each and every citizen, irrespective of our color, the equality of opportunity and equality before the law guaranteed in the Constitution? The murder of George Floyd by what is considered a “bad acting” policeman was a horrific, unspeakable tragedy. A routine arrest becomes a de facto execution. The protests we are witnessing all around the country are not just from the killing of Brianna
Ian Austin Photographer
Kathleen Peters Graphics & Production
Tom Heitz Consultant
IN MEMORIAM: Mary Joan Kevlin, Co-Publisher, 2006-17 MEMBER OF National Newspaper Association, 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
Editor’s Note: Hartwick College President Margaret L. Drugovich issued this letter to the college community to address concerns in the wake of George Floyd’s death.
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imply occupying the office of the college presidency does not give me the right to presume that I know how every member of our community thinks or feels. We do not all agree on politics, culture or even the meaning of words. The very nature of an academic community begs us to question and debate every
thought, every statement, and every idea that takes flight. But there are some ideas that stand clearly apart from all others. When it comes to human decency, justice, and fairness, MARGARET there is no room for DRUGOVICH equivocation. And so I write to every member of our Hartwick Community to say to
►TO VIEW President Drugovich’s May 31 video addresss to the college community, visit
AllOTSEGO.com
www.
all who will listen that we condemn the murder of George Floyd. There is no room for bias-fueled hatred at Hartwick. At Hartwick, we stand with all who seek justice for Mr. Floyd’s death. It is our responsibility to eliminate the social, health and economic ineqPlease See DRUGOVICH, A6
AllOTSEGO.com • MORE LETTERS, A6
LETTERS TO EDITOR WELCOME • EMAIL THEM TO info@
THURSDAY, June 11, 2020
HOMETOWN
HOMETOWN ONEONTA A-5
History
Compiled by Tom Heitz and SHARON STUART, with resources courtesy of The Fenimore Art Museum Research Library
135 Years Ago
Preparations for the laying of the cornerstone of the new state armory next Thursday indicate that, should fair weather prevail, there will be an immense crowd in Oneonta. The parade in the afternoon will be the grandest ever seen in the Susquehanna valley, comprising as it will two or three richly uniformed commanderies, a score or more of blue lodges, several military companies and the Albany cadets besides the Oneonta fire department, and the post of the Grand Army of the Republic. The governor and staff, the secretary of state and staff, and the grand master of masons of the state, and the grand lodge, in carriages, will also form part of the parade. June 1885
110 Years Ago
Clyde S. Tripp, a conductor on the D. & H., was fatally injured while working in the Oneonta yards early Wednesday morning. The accident occurred just below the Fonda Avenue crossing. He was standing on the rear running board of a switch engine, which was backing toward a string of cars, when the tender crashed into a box car and he was struck by the lever, which punctured his abdomen. When picked up it was found that his left leg and arm were broken, and that he had received fatal abdominal injuries. He was taken to the Fox Memorial Hospital, where he died about ten o’clock. The deceased was 30 years of age and a son of Mr. and Mrs. David Tripp of this city. He is survived by his wife, a daughter of five years, one brother, and his parents. He was a member of the United Presbyterian Church. Interment will be at the Plains. June 1910
90 Years Ago
With interest gaining momentum each week and with its factory already three weeks behind on its orders, officials of the Linn Trailer Company are adding a few experienced machinists, blacksmiths, and toolmakers to the list of employees. It is now expected that within a week the production of the plant will have been more than doubled. As one of Oneonta’s youngest industries, and as an organization producing an article of established merit in a field which has seen little development in more than a score of years of use, the Linn Company’s patented design stands out. Eugene Lee Ward, who may be appointed sales manager for the company, recently made a road trip with a demonstrator trailer towed by a Chevrolet Coupe and met with unusual success in interesting dealers and securing orders well exceeding the production capacity of the factory. June 1930
20 Years Ago
50 Years Ago
A five-member County Narcotic Guidance Council was appointed by the Board of Representatives at its June meeting on Wednesday of last week in response to a request made by Representative Stuart P. Taugher of Cooperstown. Appointed to the Council were Lewis Sturgess, a Unadilla druggist, the Rev. Robert Heffner, a member of the campus ministry at Hartwick College in Oneonta, Oneonta postmaster Samuel J. Bertuzzi, who was named Chair of the Council, Dr. Joseph Lunn, an associate physician at the Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown, and George S. Kepner, Jr., a Cooperstown attorney. Each member will serve three years. June 1970
40 Years Ago
The asphalt, gravel and curbs taken from Oneonta’s Main Street are to be melted down and recycled for use as fill and patching material for potholes around the city. Asphalt removed by the Cerasaro Construction Co. in the Main Street reconstruction project is being hauled away to Neawha Park. A machine purchased by the city for $12,000 to $15,000 is used to melt and remix the old paving asphalt. Asphalt recovered from River Street earlier added to the June 2000 Main Street asphalt will provide sufficient recycled fill and patch material to last 25 years, city engineer Richard Olton says. New asphalt costs about $35 a ton whereas the recycled asphalt about $2 a ton as remix for patch work. Two new library alcoves dedicated Sunday afternoon at June 1980 Hartwick College, will serve as a source for Otsego and Central New York State historians. The Traver Alcove contains the library of the father of Hartwick institutions, Johann Christopher Hartwick. Even though a good portion Classified advertisement: Program Coordinator (fullof the texts are written in German and Latin, they contain time) – Seeking motivated self-starter to implement the an accurate picture of life in the early 1800s. Many of Leatherstocking Promise ACT for Youth Program. Work Hartwick’s own original texts are included in the library. with various audiences including youth, parents, volunteers Several are written in the form of a diary thus accurately and media to enhance and build youth programs. B.S. in outlining his contacts with the settlers and prominent people Social Work, Human Ecology, Social Sciences, Health Serof the area. The Traver Alcove is given in loving memory vices, Education, or related field and two years of experiof Dr. John G. and Mrs. Ettie Traver, faithful servants of ence. Transportation required. Deadline June 23, 2000. Hartwick Seminary from 1886 to 1941, by former students Bassett Healthcare’s Mobile Mammography Program and friends. For many years Dr. Traver served as a teacher will host three mammography and osteoporosis screening at the Seminary and as headmaster. An alcove dedicated sessions in June. On Monday, June 19 and Tuesday, June to Richard H. Franchot and his brother Charles, given 20, the van will stop at Bassett Healthcare Oneonta. Women by descendants, will house a collection of writings and who would like to have a mammogram or an osteoporovolumes of this area. The alcove is to be known as the sis screening test at this time may call 1-888-416-3409 Franchot Alcove of Otsego History. Charles P. Franchot to schedule an appointment. Free or reduced cost mampresented a small round trunk once owned and used by his mograms are available through the New York State Breast grandfather Charles when he enrolled at Hartwick SemiHealth Partnership to income eligible, underserved, or nary in 1830. Both Richard and Charles Franchot attended uninsured women. Hartwick Seminary between 1830 and 1832. June 2000 June 1950
70 Years Ago
20 Years Ago
FROM PHILATHROPY’S FRONT LINES
FROM PROTESTS’ FRONT LINE
Where Is God? In Otsego County
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here is GOD? right now! Police Officers are quickly and strategiThe whole world goes down in a plague and comes up in a peace- cally being held accountable! ful protest! Rev. Dr. Martin Luther “Community policing” is being King Jr. said, “I can’t make a man put back on the table, funds from love me, only GOD can do that.” police budgets are being diverted Where is GOD? to human needs budgets or in GOD is in the heart of every other words, diverted to the least person who is rising up right now, on of these! one accord, all over the country, and Now, I don’t care if someone is a Democrat or a Republican as all over this world, for justice, love, peace and equality! long as they are for all the people! Where is GOD? A call for an enormous voter We are all a part of The Tapestry, REV. LaDANA registration and mobilization is in The Fabric, The Essence of GOD! effect! We must vote up and down CLARK We are One America! We are One the ballot, for local and national Global World Community and we candidates! are now operating together to be the change The pulse of the people is focused on we want to see! unity, peaceful protest, reflections on inWhere is GOD? justice and equality for all! Diverse people To our young people, across America and must keep speaking out! Responsible leadthe World! You are strong, bold, and peaceers must continue taking moral action! ful, amazing and triumphant! You are also This is how we get the people’s business our next generation of hope! done, at a standard that works in the best GOD is equally proud of you and all of us Please See CLARK, A6
Needs Met, But Much Left To Do
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e first announced the creation of the COVID-19 Relief and Recovery Fund in this newspaper on April 21. We had not intended to start our public life this way, but the need for such a fund was obvious to us and we felt a deep responsibility to join those already fighting the pandemic. What we can now report is that the community, the entire community, has risen to the same call and joined us. Here are a few points: HARRY • You have contributed over LEVINE $200,000 in less than two months. • Awards have been granted to 12 nonprofits for a total of $60,000. • Another 12 applications are being reviewed right now. • More than 250 individuals and families have joined in supporting the fund. • Another 20 organizations have endorsed the fund, including the county Board of Representatives, our Congressman (Antonio
Delgado), our state Assemblyman (John Salka), our state Senator (Jim Seward), and six local town boards. We are awarding every $1 received to help alleviate the crisis. The costs of the Fund are being absorbed entirely by the Community Foundation of Otsego County. Some funds are being reserved to help small businesses restart. But even these funds will be allocated quickly as the need far exceeds the size of the Fund. We wish we could award two or three times the amounts we have been able to distribute. We are encouraging applicants to return for more, if we have more. Certainly, the need is there. This can be done if everyone of us helps out. If you have not yet contributed to the COVID-19 Fund or if you are able to make a second contribution (some donors have actually made three contributions), please do Please See LEVINE, A6
EDITORIAL: Citizens, Let’s Strive To NOT Be Part Of Problem EDITORIAL/From A4 week’s end plan to announce an initiative – perhaps a commission, a task force, an outside audit or a community survey – to ensure the OPD is following best practices. That fits in with the emerging “Defund the Police” approaches: Today, police officers are being asked to do things they aren’t trained to do – social work, mental-health counseling, arbitrating domestic disputes, drug intervention. Does it make sense to shift funding from police officers, SWAT teams and deadly weaponry to putting softer skills out in the field? We should ask that question in Otsego County.. Our county, with 60,000 people, has to be right up there in police per capita,
with the OPD, the sheriff’s department, Cooperstown’s two officers, state police barracks at Oneonta, Sidney and Richfield Springs, town constables, DEC police, even armed security guards at Bassett Hospital. This is all very expensive. Is our investment working? • Since George Floyd’s death, people are asking: Are police unions protecting their members from discipline or removals that might save lives? Officer Chauvin, charged in Floyd’s death, was in the top 8 percent of Minneapolis officers in terms of public complaints. One study has found that the 5 percent of officers with the most complaints against them are responsible for 80
Monday, the state Assembly passed the STAT Act (for Statistics & Transparency) that would make such data public and “help researchers and the public evaluate the effectiveness of criminal justice policies,” according to Speaker Carl Heastie. The state Senate should adjust it as prudent and pass it. • Going forward, the presupposition of black guilt, as attested to by the “Rally for Justice” speakers from personal experience, stands The Freeman’s Journal & HOMETOWN ONEONTA and must be addressed. Let’s hope the City of David Pearlman, center, the retired Cooperstown Oneonta provides a model. High School principal, and Adrian Kuzminski, left, The county Sheriff’s Deof Sustainable Otsego County, listen to “Rally for partment should move forJustice” speakers. ward similarly, with Sheriff percent of civilian deaths. Floyd’s. Richard J. Devlin, Jr., in Right now, we don’t That suggests a pretty concert with what’s proveasy way to eliminate know who those officers ing to be the county board’s 4/5th of cases like George are, but that may change: able leadership, chairman
Dave Bliss, vice chair Meg Kennedy, county Rep. Dan Wilber, R-Burlington, who chairs the Public Safety Committee, and other reps. Bryce Wooden, Shannon McHugh, Pastor LaDana and the others were convincing: Racism – or at least ignorance and insensitivity – exist here, in the police and, regrettably, ourselves. In our police, we should require objectivity and evenhandedness. All of us – we whites in particular, including this editorial’s writer, given we’re 94 percent of Otsego Countians; but all of us, Hispanics, blacks, arrivals from the Pacific Rim and Indian – should conduct personal audits and strive, not to accuse, but to accept and support our fellow humans.
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THURSDAY, June 11, 2020
A-6 THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA LETTERS
Step Up, OCCA, BFS, Watershed Committee To the Editor: Michael Whaling’s recent letter in The Freeman’s Journal and Hometown Oneonta, regarding pesticide use by the Leatherstocking Golf Course, was spot on. This is just the time when the course begins its annual dousing of the shores of Otsego Lake with chemicals dangerous to humans and wildlife alike. The last time the public was able to learn the specific materials and quantities used on the course, it was revealed that the golf course used over 3,300 pounds and
100 gallons of pesticides – many carcinogenic, acutely toxic, and developmental or reproductive toxins. The golf course has not released its pesticide usage since – is there any wonder why? The use of these poisons adjacent to a public water supply and recreation area is unconscionable and goes unchallenged by SUNY’s Biological Field Station, the Otsego County Conservation Association, Otsego Lake Watershed Supervisory Committee, and the Village of Cooperstown – all ostensibly concerned
DRUGOVICH/From A4 uities that allow bias-fueled hate to continue. We must with the lake and public stare into the truth that these health. Clearly these entiinequities result in pain for ties are more interested in both individuals and our staying in the good graces society as a whole. There is of the Clark Foundation, no benefit to any one of us owner of the golf course, if others are treated with less than in living up to their respect, care, compassion, responsibilities. or opportunity and more The Leatherstocking course claims to be environ- prejudice, mistrust, anger and cruelty. It is easy to mentally responsible. say the words “Black Lives If that is truly the case, Matter.” Each of us must let them tell the people act in a way that makes it who drink and recreate on clear that Black lives do Otsego Lake’s waters just matter. Each of us must act what they are spraying in a way that makes it clear next to it. ANDREW MASON that every life matters. In my video message Oneonta on May 31 I spoke to our students about how impor-
County Planner Sullivan Always Went Extra Mile To the Editor: Karen Sullivan and her predecessor Terry Bliss were amazing leaders and expert planners. Otsego County was lucky to have them. I had the pleasure of knowing and working with them during my role as flood recovery coordinator from 2006 to 2008 and, as I recall, it was through Karen’s
efforts that flood victims who had lost their homes to the flood were able to benefit from funds from a state grant. Karen always went the extra mile! I, for one, will miss her and wish her the very best in her future endeavors. MAUREEN DILL Morris
LEVINE: Foundation Seeks Businesses’ Help LEVINE/From A5 so now. Go to our website at www.cfotsego.org for a list of awards and donation instructions. We cannot write this report without noting that our local governments and our hospitals (and all those people who work at these institutions) have done a tremendous job meeting the pandemic head on. They have prepared well. They have coordinated actions and publicized consistent messages, allowing all of us to behave with confidence and take personal actions to protect ourselves and our neighbors. We see face masks in use more often than not.
Spacing between us is generally in line with public health guidelines. Shoppers at grocery stores are respectful of proper distancing. As a result, the health aspects of the COVID19 pandemic have been relatively under control. We have had serious illnesses and even deaths. But our health system has not been overwhelmed as it has been in other parts of the country. And health workers have been there for us when they are needed. Economically, however, we are likely to suffer worse than many other areas. Our economy is heavily dependent upon tourism and upon the summer season of public
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events. In financial terms, this summer will be a disaster. We already have seen the signs of closed businesses. Personal income is down. Small businesses are going to struggle to reopen. Sales taxes, bed taxes, allocations from State and Federal budgets are going to be cut back, putting budgetary pressure on our local governments. The future is going to be hard. In this light, the Community Foundation of Otsego County sees an immediate need being addressed by the COVID-19 Fund and a longer-term mission to continue supportive efforts to tackle the challenges of our area. Today, we are focused on fighting the pandemic, but there will be a tomorrow and we intend to be there to continue working to improve the lives of those who live in our community. Please join us and donate today. Your money is being well spent and much appreciated. Stay with us tomorrow as we work to improve the quality of life in our area. Harry Levine, former chairman of the Otsego Land Trust, lives in Springfield.
FISHER/From A4 groups of people want change. Everyone should be on the side of fairness and equality. The massive protests we see are urgent responses to the systemic racism that has afflicted and torn apart our communities, not just the past few months but, for blacks, 400 years of a type of Apartheid. People in the privileged class many times don’t understand just how difficult it is to face the injustices that threaten people of color’s personal safety, as we witnessed with George Floyd and many more too numerous to mention – because of institutional systemic racism, not just everyday but for 400 years. Dr. King’s Dream for America was already delivered 57 years ago – 57 years – and 400 years of carefully planned institutional racism. How much time is needed, America? America. America, we are being called out by the whole world. America, we
CLARK/From A5 interest of “All GOD’s Children!” “Amen - Everybody!” Let’s keep moving America and the world community in “The Right Direction” and remain steadfast and unmoveable! Let us do our best to stay on the right side of history! Finally, remember social media and cell phone videos are more powerful than weapons of “mass destruction” and we
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while protesters had to get pepper-sprayed. What’s wrong with that picture? America, we can’t hide anymore in plain sight. If America stands for its colors – red, white and blue – remember, those colors stand for black, white, brown, yellow, red, straight and gay. Let’s to the right thing. This is our opportunity to call for America to stand up tall and begin the task of healing these open wounds inflicted by America’s system of systemic racism. America we can’t hide anymore in plain sight. We have been walking around racism, discrimination bigotry and hatred – and not dealing with it directly. Remember every time you pledge allegiance to the flag. We America, must as a nation, as one nation under God, not divided, together with liberty and justice for all, go forward shoulder to shoulder, arm and arm, working together in understanding, peace and love.
should use these tools wisely and continue these exciting, electric days of much needed peace, love, action and unity! Where is GOD? GOD is in you! GOD is in me! GOD is in everyone who breathes! Rev. LaDana Clark, Oneonta, known as Lady Jam, is a self-described hiphop pastor. She spoke at Oneonta and Cooperstown “Rallies for Justice,” and provided this excerpt.
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can’t be in hiding in plain sight anymore. It’s great that all of us are here – but you don’t get credit for just showing up. We must put this energy that we are now peacefully in protest marches, speeches, demonstrations – and this must be transformed into real action in November. If you want change, go to the polls and vote. America, we can’t hide anymore in plain sight because we are being watched from a distance not just here but around the world. Do we really mean what we say when we pledge allegiance. If you really say America stands for liberty and justice for all with your right hand over your heart – waving an American Flag – ask yourself: Is America true, honest and loyal to what that flag symbolizes as a Christian nation? Is it okay to stand in front of a church with a Bible upside down and backward and say, come on guys, join me in this photo shoot
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what it is like to be a black man who fears for his life when he leaves his home. But I do understand the fear that comes with the inability to breath. If you are angry, hurt, frustrated and afraid, please know that you are not alone. We do care about you. And we will defend and protect your right to live without fear. We will soon organize a forum for our community to discuss what we have learned from this tragedy and how we can turn that learning into meaningful action. I hope that you will participate. Margaret Drugovich has served as Hartwick College’s president since 2009.
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tant it is to get an education that will open doors to spaces of influence so that we can make the change that is so overdue. I hope that my message planted the seed of hope that this madness does not need to continue. Education certainly is not the full answer, nor is it the only answer, but it is one path to a more just future. I am a white woman who has worked hard to move to a place of relative privilege, but I have also been allowed the opportunity to do so. I cannot claim to fully appreciate the depth of rage and anguish of a woman of color who has been deprived of this same opportunity. I cannot know
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THURSDAY, June 11, 2020
THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA A-7
Locally, Focus Turning From Rallies To: What’s Next?
RALLIES/From A1 and village trustees to adopt President Obama’s eight-point program to reduce violence against blacks. “It’s a threshold,” said DiPerna after attending the Sunday, June 7, rally on the front lawn of the Otsego County Courthouse. “We need to dedicate ourselves in our personal lives and our professional lives to actually achieving some change.” Earlier this week, Herzig and Common Council member David Rissberger had already had a first conversation with OPD Chief Douglas Brenner about ensuring Oneonta policing policies are everything they might be. “This is a time for all of us to do a little introspection,” Herzig said, “and make sure our operating procedures and our policies are designed to do everything they can to guard against any inequality in how we treat the public.” That first conversation occurred after the Cooperstown rally, where the OPD and other police agencies came in for criticism from six speakers: • Oneonta’s Bryce Wood told how “my mother” – a school teacher – “heard that knock – bang, bang – at 2 a.m. one morning in 2000, and opened the door to a gun. For 30 minutes, they” – she and her husband, a state juvenile corrections officer – “were questioned at gunpoint. They thought we were drug dealers.” Showing their official IDs allayed officers’ suspicions, but what if they had no IDs? The parents woke their 7-year-old son, told him what happened,
and emphasized the danger he was in for just being black. • Shannon McHugh, chairman, Oneonta Community Relations & Human Rights Commission, urged attendees to be “a second pair of eyes,” to stop and observe when police officers have pulled someone over. She recounted being in a car that was pulled over, and 10 officers showed up to search the car, only to find nothing. Her 10-year-old daughter “wants to know why people who look like her mother are killing people like her dad,” said McHugh, who wants to make sure her daughter, for her own protection, is “the wokest girl in the world.” • Lee Fisher, president, NAACP, Oneonta chapter, declared, “When George Floyd was on the ground and he asked to breath – air is free – he asked for the freedom to breath. I believe that God said, ‘George, your last breath is going to be for America’.” What happened to Floyd was more than a single incident – it reflects the inability to earn a living wage, to get affordable housing or a good education, Fisher said. “People have to realize what’s going on is systemic,” he said. “It’s the system.” • The Rev. LaDana Clark, founder of ChurchNtheHood who has preached at the Cooperstown Presbyterian Church, recounted an episode that began when she said hi to officers on exiting the Oneonta Walmart. After a sequence of events, “for the first time in my life, an officer put cuffs on me in Laurens, N.Y. I’m 58 years
old. I was disgusted.” Diandra Sangetti-Daniel, a personal care aide in Oneonta, and C.S. Brown, a local activist, also spoke, detailing complaints with Oneonta police and pointing out that all Civil Rights causes should be similarly allied against oppression. And Wesley Lippitt, Fly Creek, who was chased from Cooper Park and shot by a classmate on Good Friday 2010 thanked his “guardian angel” for allowing him to survive. The Cooperstown event drew 850 people, up from 500 in Oneonta’s Muller Plaza Sunday, May 31, and 700 at the Delaware County Courthouse, Delhi, on Saturday, June 6. Another rally is planned 1-3 p.m. this Saturday, June 13, at Community Field in Unadilla. One of the Cooperstown organizers, Maria Noto, CCS ’17, set the tone: “Police brutality is rooted in white supremacy. This needs to change.” While Rev. LaDana was speaking, a young man, Austin Partridge of Milford, stationed himself next to the courthouse steps and unfurled an American flag. The organizers approached him and asked him to move away, then – when press began to take photos – they formed a cordon around him to block the Stars & Stripes from the cameras. He was eventually convinced to go away. “Listening to Rev. LaDana,” Partridge explained later, “it really resonated with me. I had the flag in my back pack. I wasn’t sure I was going to do anything. I felt what she was
saying represented American values, that we are all created by God.” Once he unfurled the flag, “a lot of people were very upset about that. I understand where they were coming from, although I disagree with them. They wanted me to leave. I was chanting no slogans, I was merely holding the American flag.” Before he left, he sought out Rev. LaDana: “I told her it was an amazing speech.” After reflecting on what happened for a few days, Benton said the organizers didn’t know what they were facing when Partridge unfurled the flag, whether he was there with “good intentions” or not. “We didn’t tell him to get out,” he said. “We asked him to step away from the section where people were speaking. I just thought it was in poor taste.” Benton, who is also a village trustee, objected to “the narrative that the co-organizers or Democratic politicians or people who support Black Lives Matter are somehow anti-American. I love America, (although) it doesn’t always live up to its promise.” On where to go from here, Mayor Tillapaugh pointed out the Village Board has already passed a resolution declaring Cooperstown a “welcoming community” for all people. Given the size of the police force right now – two officers, and one of them black, Terrell Silvera – the chances for problems raised at the rally are less than they might be, she said. Still, the trustees are planning to hire a new police chief
Northrup Remembers Floyd Family From Boyhood from Houston, I thought he might be Hazel’s nephew. Hazel’s daughter married a Tate, and there was a Tate who spoke at his funeral. I never met George, but I knew the kind of man he was.” He spoke fondly of Hazel. “She was a great big happy-golucky woman,” he said. “She’d turn on a soap opera like ‘All My Children’ and watch it while
Hazel Floyd helped raise Chip Northrup.
she was ironing, and if I was ever short with her, she would chastise me – and she was right to do so. My kids learned empathy from her. She was more human than I was.” Her husband, Otis Floyd III, also helped around their home, as well as worked at a local barbecue restaurant. “Otis and their son Michael were always happy to help us if we needed anything,” he said. “But Otis
worked himself to death shoveling wood into that barbeque pit.” Growing up in Jim Crow-era Texas, Northrup said that many of the people who surrounded him were black. “All our domestics were black,” he said. “Since the time I was a child, I was surrounded by kindly black folks, and they were always great role models for me.” Among his earliest memories, he said, was playing in the kitchen while his grandmother’s maid, Trudy, worked.
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over the next several months, and that would be a good time to revisit the issue, she said. At the county board level, Vice Chair Meg Kennedy, C-Hartwick, said the reps have been occupied with the financial devastation from the COVID-19 threat, and have not yet focused on the unrest that followed. Attendees interviewed after the latest rally thought it a worthwhile undertaking. DiPerna, a Democratic congressional candidate in the 1990s, called it “a very moving and significant outpouring of support by the community of the idea we have to eliminate system racism and ‘white silence is violence.’” Amy Pondolfino, the Oneonta activist who attended with husband Tom and son
Timothy McGraw
Thomas, said, “I am peripherally aware there is racism in our area, but it doesn’t hurt me directly.” Even so, she was moved by the “very powerful stories.” Cooperstown’s Mary Ann Whelan, the retired Bassett physician, expressed a similar reaction, but concluded, “It’s not always the system’s fault. First and foremost, individuals need to be held responsible.” As for Benton, he said “protesting is super important and is part of the movement, but it isn’t accomplishing everything we need to accomplish – supporting the black economy, standing up against racism, not waiting for someone else to take action.” As a first step, he’s joined the local chapter of the NAACP.
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THURSDAY, June 11, 2020
A-8 THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA
Eminent Jurist Retires At End Of Month
COCCOMA/From A1 cal questions of off. He was always willing to be there, even at night or on weekends.” Coccoma, a state Supreme Court judge who is also chief administrative judge for all state courts outside of New York City, announced Tuesday, June 9, that he will retire at the end of the month. “He has been a pillar and mainstay of this county for over 25 years,” said Lambert. “He has done nothing but bring dignity and respect to the bench.” Coccoma began his local legal career in private practice in 1979. In 1980, he was appointed assistant district attorney. Over the years, he served as county attorney – a position his wife, Ellen, now holds – and as district attorney. Elected in 1994 as county judge, he also heard cases in County and Family courts. After his election as a state Supreme Court judge in 2007, he was appointed administrative judge of the 10 Southern Tier counties of the Sixth Judicial District, in addition to his trial court duties. He led formation of
the county’s first Drug Treatment Court. For many years he worked with the Drug Court team and presided over the biweekly court proceedings. “He basically founded the drug court,” Lambert said. “He was instrumental in bringing that concept to the county, and now we’re in our 20th year.” In 2013, he was tasked with leading a team of criminal court judges from outside New York City as part of an effort to address a chronic backlog of pending criminal cases in Bronx County. After the 2018 enactment of the new law raising the age of criminal responsibility from 16 to 18 years of age, he and Deputy Chief Administrative Judge Edwina Mendelson prepared the State judiciary for implementation of the law and to serve on the Governor’s Task Force. Last July, he was selected as one of four regional judges outside New York City to manage the pretrial preparations of the many lawsuits filed under the recently enacted Child Victims Act. As deputy chief administrative judge for courts
outside New York City, he supervised daily trial court operations in 57 counties, including over 600 state judges and 5,000 court employees in addition to town and village courts. “Even covering this huge geographical area, he was still hearing cases in Otsego County,” said Lambert. Among those cases were the contentious Oneonta Fire District, including the 2018 dismissal of the Town of Oneonta’s lawsuit and ruling that it had no standing to prevent the town Board of Fire Commissioners from dissolving, which it did. Currently, he was judge in the case where Oneonta neighbors sued City Hall to block the Lofts on Dietz, a 66-unit complex of artist lofts and apartments. “When people walked into Judge Coccoma’s court, they knew that regardless of the nature of the case, they were going to be heard and they were going to get a fair trial,” said Lambert. “That’s all you can ask for.” He and wife Ellen raised a daughter and two sons locally. The judge is also a long-time Cooperstown EMT, and volunteer at Saturday’s Bread in Oneonta.
Restaurateurs Readying For un-PAUSE OPENING/Fron A1 “We’ll be able to do some more intricate plates, start fooling around for the summer!” With COVID-19 metrics continuing to improve, Otsego County is anticipating Cuomo’s announcement that restaurants can reopen for dine-in service, possibly as early as Friday afternoon. “The state will review the last two weeks of metrics and give us a date to reopen,” said Oneonta Mayor Gary Herzig said Tuesday, June 9. “It could be Friday, or it could be later in the week.” “Our members expect to be open Friday,” said Melissa Fleischut, state Restaurant Association president & CEO. “They’re excited that they’ve gotten the guidance in advance.” Guidance for restaurants to reopen was posted on the NY Forward website on Tuesday morning, including requirements that staff wear masks and recommending they be assigned to one zone for their entire shift to minimize overlap. “At the table, diners don’t have to wear a mask, but when they get up, they have to put one on,” said Rebecca Carrington, who owns Autumn Café with her husband Wayne. Phase Three would allow restaurants to serve diners inside at 50-percent capacity, not including staff. “We could have 66 people in here,” said Randy Olmstead, Morey’s Family
Restaurant. “With our spacing, that’s only 15 tables.” Wrubleski said that Mel’s could hold as many as 40, but with their expanded outdoor dining, add another 22 seats to that. “We have to be conscientious of turning tables, of not letting people linger,” said Fleischut. “Restaurants will need to look at how they can utilize outdoor dining and take-out components to build back to 100 percent.” There are other rules in effect as well. Silverware will not be on the tables when diners arrive, and only plastic utensils will be used. “We can’t have salt and pepper shakers or ketchup bottles on the tables,” said Olmstead. “It all has to be individual packets.” And gone too, he said, are salad bars and buffet-style eating. The Otesaga’s Jim Miles says restaurants at the hotel will all be open on Monday the 15th. The Hawkeye Grill’s patio opened last weekend. At Morey’s, Olmstead said they had been hoping to be ready to open Friday, but a project got in the way. “We’re installing new carpet on Saturday!” he said. “But if we get the go-ahead, we’ll be gung-ho and open Monday morning!” But not all restaurants are ready to reopen as soon as the word comes down. “We’ve been telling our customers two weeks,” said Carrington. “We’re still getting the back deck ready, and we don’t know how long that will take.”
sfcu Awards Scholarships To High School Seniors
Sidney Federal Credit Union along with the NY Credit Union Association have awarded $12,250 in college scholarships to 10 high school seniors to help finance their college education. The students, all members of sfcu, were chosen based on their outstanding academic and extracurricular achievements. “We are very pleased to award these scholarships to our hardworking young members,” said James H. Reynolds, sfcu President/CEO. “It proves that the ‘People Helping People’ philosophy of the credit union movement is alive and well at Sidney Federal Credit Union.”
Congratulations to our 2020 NY Credit Union Association and Sidney Federal Credit Union Scholarship Recipients:
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be served. The Secretary of State shall mail a copy of any process against the LLC served upon him/her to: Merwan Irani, 5981 State Highway 7, Oneonta, New York 13820. The purpose of the LLC is to engage in any lawful act or activity. 6LegalJul.2 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of Actively Becoming Me LLC, Art. of Org. filed with SSNY on 3/30/20. Off. loc.: Otsego Co. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process may be
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served & shall mail 855 Smokey Ave., Schenevus, NY 12155. Purp.: any lawful. 6LegalJul.2 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of DeGlee Land Holdings, LLC, a NY limited liability company (LLC). Arts. of Org. filed with NY Sec. of State (NYSS) on 05/04/2020. 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
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New Berlin, New York 13843. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. 6LegalJul.2 Legal nOtice NOTICE OF FORMATION OF CAMP FLORUBY LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the Sec’y of State of NY (SSNY) on 05/04/2020. Office Location: Otsego County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 33 Haven Esplanada, Staten Island, New York 10301. Purpose: Any lawful activity.
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6LegalJun.25 \Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of Painted Pail Wine Company LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 03/30/2020. Office location: Otsego County. SSNY is designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to 124 Goose Street, Fly Creek, NY 13337. Purpose: any lawful purpose. 6LegalJun.25
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THURSDAY, June 11, 2020
HOMETOWN ONEONTA A-9
RISSBERGER: We Must Never Rest
IN MEMORIAM Betty LouWhittemore, 96; Retired Church Secretary ONEONTA – Betty Lou (Sprague) Whittemore, 96, the retired secretary of the First United Methodist Church in Oneonta, died June 8, 2020 at A.O. Fox Nursing Home where she has lived since February 2016. She was born in Ilion on March 8, 1924, the daughter of Clarence and Jennie (Wilcox) Sprague. She was the youngest of five children. She graduated from Ilion High School in 1941 and Utica School of Commerce in 1942. Betty Lou married her high school sweetheart Robert Whittemore on July
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24, 1943 in Savannah, GA where he served in the Army. They had four children. Betty Betty Lou worked many Whittemore years in the advertising department at the Oneonta Daily Star and also worked at the Palladium Times in Oswego. She retired in 1992 as secretary of the First United Methodist Church in Oneonta. She enjoyed playing cards with her card club friends and her good friends at Nader Towers. She was a member of the Otego United Methodist Church where she served on the Pastor Parish Relations committee.
Joan (Ronald) Ward and Edith (George) Graves; two brothers, Chuck (Helen) Sprague and Dick (Marge) Sprague and her brotherin-law, Harold (Edna) Whittemore. A Memorial service will be held when it is safe and responsible to do so. Burial will be in the Otego Evergreen Cemetery, Otego, at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in Betty’s name to the A.O. Fox Nursing Home Activities Fund, 1 Norton Ave., Oneonta, NY 13820 or the Otego United Methodist Church, PO Box 288, Otego, NY 13825. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home.
Anthony L. Tomaino, 36; Football Star, Sportscaster
CHARLESTON, S.C. - Anthony L. Tomaino, 36, a top Hartwick College foot312 Chestnut St., Oneonta 557 St. Hwy 80 East, New Berlin ball player and sportscaster, passed away on Thursday, 607-433-0975 • 607-847-6549 sicklermemorials.com • sicklerm@outlook.com June 4, 2020.
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Church was a big part of Betty’s life no matter where she lived. Betty Lou is survived by her son, Brian (Jan Best) Whittemore, Remer, MN; daughters, Barbara (Joe) Stanton, Otego and Bethany (Terry) Vargason, Meridian, ID; grandchildren, Erik (Amy) Whittemore, Ian (Amy) Whittemore, Lori (Matt) Mannina, Kevin (Wende Ebberts) Stanton, Kyle (Caroline) Vargason, Derrick (Chelsea) Vargason; five great-grandchildren and great-great-granddaughter. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Betty Lou was predeceased by her husband, Bob; her son and daughterin-law, Brad and Charlene Whittemore; two sisters,
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Born and raised in Oneonta by his parents, father, James George Tomaino Anthony Jr. and late Tomaino mother, Maria Victoria Melo, he attended St. Mary’s Catholic School and graduated from Oneonta High School in 2001, where he participated as a three-sport athlete. Anthony remained in Oneonta, pursued a double major and received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Hartwick College, Class of 2005. He played football at the highest level by being in the top five all-time in Hartwick football history in many statistical categories. He was captain of the football team, pre-season All-American and No. 2 in the nation for defensive backs for pass breakups.
Anthony moved to South Carolina in 2005 where he began his successful career in technology development. More recently he was able to reconnect with his love of football as a guest commentator on Talkin’ Giants, a NY Giants-focused podcast with ultimate plans to do more as a commentator and sportscaster. He is survived by his best friend and wife, Leah; daughters, Scarlett, Ava, Stella and Nina; his father, Jim; siblings, James, Nicole, Michelle and Ben; loving mother-in-law, Marieta; father-in law, Richard; sisters-in-law, Rebecca, Anna and Megan; brothersin-law, John, Matt and Phillip; nieces, Dominique, Maria, Victoria and Perrin; nephew, Maximo; as well as numerous aunts, uncles and countless friends. Arrangements are entrusted to the Charleston Cremation Center and Funeral Home.
Patricia Hoye, 83; Fox Hospital Nurse WORCESTER- Patricia S. Hoye, 83, an RN at Fox Hospital and the retired Worcester school nurse, died Thursday May 28, 2020 at Valley Health Services in Herkimer. Pat was born on Sept. 2, 1936 in Cooperstown, the daughter of Gilbert F. Smith and Irene (DeLong) Smith and raised on the family dairy farm in Worcester. She was a graduate of Worcester Central School class of 1954 and Hartwick College class of 1958 with a BS in Nursing. On November 22, 1958
RISSBERGER/From A4 try taking to the streets in peaceful protest in response to the horrific treatment of Mr. Floyd and other instances of police brutality against people of color. The Justice for George Floyd protest in Muller Plaza recently drew over 500 people – one of the largest crowds for any protest in recent years. This speaks volumes of the caliber of people in our region who wish to demonstrate their dedication to improving their community by helping to ensure that people of color are treated equally under the law. Following the protest in the plaza, many have questioned on social media, “What next?” and “Were we even heard?” I would like to offer assurances that your Oneonta City Council members have been listening, but we also know that listening can become meaningless if not followed up by action toward areas of identified concern. Our mayor and the leadership of the Oneonta Police Department have met and will continue to meet with our local chapter of the NAACP to continue the dialogue to discuss ways in which to improve relations and interactions with people of color. My colleagues and I have
reached out to our police chief in order to discuss areas which may be improved, such as a review of ongoing education and training in the proper use of force and updating policies and procedures for police officer conduct. This is a good start and I am not naïve to think that this is the totality of the work that we will do in the coming days. I believe that Oneonta has made progress in race relations in the last 20 years but we must never rest on our laurels. The day that we do is a day that we allow those voices of bigotry and prejudice to slowly overshadow and stain our community once more. Those of us on the Common Council are dedicated to working with our police force and our local chapter of the NAACP to ensure that ALL citizens of Oneonta are safe, secure, and feel that their voices are equally heard. We need to continue to hear from the people in our community and hear your stories. Thank you for peacefully protesting and helping to move us forward to a better, more equitable society. DAVID RISSBERGER Common Council Oneonta
BRENNER: Dialogue = Effectiveness BRENNER/From A4 Calls for change have been consistently applied and reviewed, and in 2014 the City of Oneonta Police Department became a New York State Accredited Police Agency. Part of State Accreditation is ongoing review of best practices for law enforcement and best practices both inside of New York and across the nation. We, the City of Oneonta Police Department assure you, The People, the most important part of our city, that we continue to progress each day toward the goal of being better than the day before. In 2019, we achieved re-accreditation as we strive to provide the most professional police services possible. While we are deeply troubled and saddened by national events, our true concerns lie here at home with this community. We take great pride in wearing the uniform of a city Police Department. Local Law Enforcement is a total immersion undertaking. We get to know many of our local citizens, citizen students, business owners and workers from out of the area. Our effectiveness increases with community support and open dialogue.
We want to hear your concerns and use them as an opportunity for growth and improvement. We will stand with you in every aspect of denouncing practices that hurt, demean and destroy trust in our agency and work to ensure those practices do not occur in the City of Oneonta. We have had conversations with groups and individuals regarding how to operate as an agency. From our most junior officer to the chief of the department we all welcome constructive dialogue and we encourage anyone to ask us questions should the opportunity arise. We are proud to work here and love the opportunity to talk about the community, the issues we face and challenges that are inherent in the profession. Community activism and involvement runs deeply in this community, it is one of the hallmarks of civil society and a sacrosanct right we swore an oath to uphold. We are incredibly proud of the most recent example of a local demonstration regarding a larger national conversation assembled and completed in an honorable and peaceful manner. Yours in service, DOUGLAS W. BRENNER Chief of Police City of Oneonta
Pat married Bernard F. Hoye, Jr. at St. Joseph’s Rectory in Worcester. As an RN she was employed in various nursing positions during her career including Case Manager at Bassett Medical Center, Pediatric Nurse at Fox Hospital and school nurse at Worcester Central School, retiring in 1999. Pat was a long-time member of the Worcester Emergency Squad, where she was a former First Lieutenant. Survived by her children, Bernard and wife, Ellen of Skippack, PA, Timothy and wife, Carol of Down·· ingtown, Penn, Lisa and husband, Gary Mantz of Chittenango; six grandchildren; brothers, Bruce and Jerry Smith, sisters, Gwen Petro and Harriet Cornwell, and several nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by We are taking every precaution necessary to make our customers her husband, Bernard F. and our employees safe in our “new normal” environment. Hoye, Jr. in 2011. Funeral and graveside Our showroom and warehouse are packed, services will be private come on back! with interment to be at the Maple Grove Cemetery in krazytoms.com Worcester. info@cfbsales.com Arrangements are en4316 County Hwy 11 Cooperstown SinCe 1962 trusted to Heller & Skinner Funeral Home.
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THURSDAY, June 11, 2020
A-10 THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA
Birds – Even Ovenbirds – Abound At Audubon Sanctuary BIRDS/From B1 course, plenty of skies to watch. “Birding is a simple thing to get started with,” he said. “All you need is binoculars and a field guide.” And the field guide, he said, just got simpler, as the National Audubon Society has released a free app that includes photos, videos, recordings of birdsongs and more. “Now you don’t have to lug around a book,” said Mason. The sanctuary itself has Ian Austin/ OTSEGO.outdoors also gone digital. “We have DOAS President Andy Mason scans the skies for new signs that have a QR
All
birds – even the rare Ovenbird.
rising waters from maintains a map their dams – forced of other good the DOAS to spots for bird build an extended watching across boardwalk between the two-county the forest and the area, including wetlands. “The boy Gilbert Lake State scouts came out and Park, a canoe built it for us,” said ride between Mason. Portlandville But it’s worth and Milford, and In years the trek, muddy Wilber Park, of birding, Mason has as it can be. The where the county’s only seen two first pair of wetlands near the end of the trail are Ovenbirds. Merlins built their some of the best nest last year. places for amateur birdMason is hoping that watchers to start their spotting. gathering restrictions are “The wetlands are always eased in time for their productive,” Mason said. annual Franklin Mountain “We’ve got mallards and Hawk Watch, noted for wood ducks, and although the late-season flights of herons come to feed here, Red-Tailed Hawks. “We’ve they don’t build their nests.” been counting hawks since Though the birds gener1990,” he said. “Last year ally build their nests in the we counted 5,100.” wild, the Audubon Society Among those, he said, maintains several boxes, were 142 golden eagles. “In including bluebird and duck 2018, we had the highest houses. “It’s always great total of golden eagles in North America,” he said. when you see a bluebird settle into the box,” he said. “It’s always a big thrill to see In addition to the one, and we’re the best place sanctuary, the DOAS also in the state to look for them.”
►IF YOU GO: Take Swart Hollow Road from Southside Drive, Oneonta. In 1.5 miles, take sharp right on Grange House Road. In .2 miles, turn left into Audubon Sanctuary.
code that you can scan with your phone,” he said. “It shows the birds we have, and the trails.” Birds aren’t the only thing visitors may spot. “We see deer up here, we’ve got otters and a beaver dam, and we had a bear sighting earlier this spring!” The beavers – and the
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BIKES/From B1 last year. “I worked for him part-time for four years before I took over the store,” he said. “But he’s still out there maintaining the trails.” Even before the pandemic hit, Oneonta was a destination for mountain-biking enthusiasts. With 40 miles of marked, maintained trails spread across five networks – New Island, Susquehanna Greenway, Homer Folks, College Camp and Wilber Park – there’s plenty for riders of any experience level. “From Main Street, you can bike to any of the trails in 10 minutes,” said Baskin. For the beginner, he recommends the New Island trails. “It’s flat, relatively tame, and there are less rocks and roots. You never have to struggle up and down a steep grade.”
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But for the experienced rider, the Homer Folks and College Camp trails offer all the thrills you could ask for. “Homer Folks is a fun, flowy single track,” he said. “There are a lot of ups and downs. And the College Camp, there are a lot more for the technical rider, like drops and jumps. They really challenge you.” There are also trails in Wilber Park, as well as Glimmerglass State Park. “A lot of people are discovering the Wilber Park trails,” he said. But Baskin said you don’t need to be intimidated by the trails if you’re riding an older bike. “You don’t need a $5,000 bike to ride,” he said. “As long as you have knobbier tires and a helmet, you’re good to go.” In high school, Baskin was a member of the school’s mountain biking team, and raced at Fort Lewis College. “My friend’s dad was really into mountain biking, so he took us,” he said. “I got hooked. I’ve been riding for 10 years” He raced on the team in high school and at Fort Lewis College, where he graduated from last year. He’s hoping that Oneonta will be able to capitalize on the interest in socially distanced outdoor recreation. “Kingdom Trails in Vermont is in a town much smaller than Oneonta, but they have 5,000 people come out for a mountain bike festival every year,” he said. “There are a lot of places that advertise themselves as mountain bike friendly cities, and they’ve seen a huge growth in tourism.” Perhaps most importantly, he said, mountain biking allows riders to have fun while still maintaining social distance. “It’s just you and a bike,” he said. “You’re out there by yourself.”
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