exorcising gENOCIDE’’’S GHOSTS RWANDAN SURVIVORS SHARE SOLIDARY IN SPRINGFIELD CENTER/B1
HOMETOWN ONEONTA !
E RE
F Volume 6, No. 51
City of The Hills
& The Otsego-Delaware Dispatch Complimentary
Oneonta, N.Y., Friday, September 12, 2014
MPA Helped Candidate Shine Martin D. Murphy Brings Quarter-Century Of Experience By JIM KEVLIN
R Jim Kevlin/HOMETOWN ONEONTA
Oneonta’s Susan Monser was among thousands drawn to the Grand & Glorious Tag Sale Saturday, Sept. 6, on Main Street.
etired Ogdensburg City Manager John Krol – Martin D. Murphy calls him his foremost mentor – remembers his protege’s humor, but also his energy and, most of all, his ability to get things done. When Murphy, who will
join City Hall on Wednesday, Oct. 1, as Oneonta’s second city manager, became involved in his hometown’s civic life after returning from SUNY Brockport with a master’s in public administration in 1989, the historic post office was a shambles.
Abandoned by the postal service, the 1867 twostory Neo-Classical landmark at 431 State St. had been a source of community pride. Various efforts to revive it in private hands failed, but Murphy took it on, obtained grants to renovate it, and succeeded
in getting the U.S. Postal Service to move back in on a long-term lease. Again a source of pride, U.S. Sens. Schumer and Gillibrand introduced legislation in 2009 to rename it the Frederic Remington Post Office, in honor of the Maple City’s most famous son. Murphy can take credit Please See MURPHY, A3
HAPPY 125TH, SUNY-O!
Teachout Wins Here, Loses NY
Z
By LIBBY CUDMORE
W
hile all the other Oneonta kids were playing outside, JV Johnson was inside with the monsters. “Every Saturday morn- JV Johnson ing at 10 a.m., they’d show a ‘Creature Feature’,” he said. “It was these old horror movies, like ‘Dracula’ or ‘THEM,’ where radioactive ants destroyed a town. My whole week revolved around being in front of that TV.” Years later, he found himself making friends and posing for photos with the people involved in making his childPlease See SPOOKY, A7
FIGHTING TICKS: U.S.
Ian Austin/HOMETOWN ONEONTA
SUNY Oneonta’s campus was “Red Day” indeed Friday, Sept. 5, as the college celebrated its 125th birthday. Those in the mood included, from left, RDs Juliane Schnibbe and Matt Shaler, with seniors Tyler Itzkowitz, Marielle Coffey, Samantha Schanzer, Samantha Riccardi, Samantha Murray, Amber Talbot and Julianne Mayne.
On Anniversary, Campus Reflects On Its Legacy Though SUNY offers a day of festivities at the start of every fall semester, this year coinrmed with noisemakcided with the Sept. 4, 1889, ers, feather boas, sparkly founding of Oneonta Normal beads and School. “This isn’t red T-shirts, SUNY your grandparent’s Oneonta students college, or even gathered around your parents,” said President Nancy Dr. David Brenner, Kleniewski to cut retired associate the cake and sing director of academic “Happy Birthday” for affairs at SUNY the 125th anniverOneonta. sary of the college’s But one thing has founding. remained across “It’s a day of generations — the Dr. Brenner recelebration,” said counts the school’s college’s commitHal Legg, director of history at a celPlease See communications. 125th, B7 ebratory luncheon. By LIBBY CUDMORE
A
TAKE BIKE RIDE: Reg-
ister now for Bike Otsego 2014, planned Saturday, Sept. 20, from Neahwa Park, which includes five events ranging from 75-mile “Grand Slam” to beginner routes. $35, or $40 after Sept. 10. Details at info@ bikeotsego.com DOT REINED: State Sen.
Jim Seward has halted DOT from taking action against Otsego Lake camp owners, including several from Oneonta, fighting Route 80 repairs next to Otsego Lake.
Entrepreneur Fulfills Dream In Scare-a-Con Since A Boy, He’s Liked Spooky
ephyr Teachout hammered Governor Cuomo in Otsego County in the Tuesday, Sept. 9, Democratic primary, 1,372-480, although Cuomo won statewide. In the 21st Assembly District, Bill Magee won this county and Madison and turned back a challenge from Sherrill Council member Mike Hennessy. In the Town of Oneonta, Republican Trish Riddell Kent beat Democrat Dave Rowley emphatically in the Democratic primary, 214-78. Rep. Chris Gibson’s H.R. 4701, the Tick-borne Disease Research Transparency and Accountability Act of 2014, passed the House of Representatives Tuesday, Sept. 9. It sets up an inter-agency working group to combat Lyme Disease.
Ian Austin/HOMETOWN ONEONTA
Martin D. Murphy and wife Penny smile as Common Council votes him in as the next city manager.
President Kleniewski cuts the birthday cake at noon on The Quad.
Jim Kevlin/HOMETOWN ONEONTA
Chantelle Heroux and Yasir Barton sign up competitor Shane May.
It’s Skateboarding, But With A Mission
Y
By JIM KEVLIN
asir Barton, proprietor of The Museum Skateshop at 201 Main, got to know Chantelle Heroux’s older sisters while they were all growing up in Cooperstown. But the younger sister got everybody’s attention when Chantelle became a comPlease See SKATERS, A6
HOMETOWN ONEONTA, OTSEGO COUNTY’S LARGEST CIRCULATION NEWSPAPER 2010 WINNER OF The Otsego County Chamber/KEY BANK SMALL BUSINESS AWARD