6 minute read
County Representative, District Caitlin Ogden (DEM, OUI) Rick Brockway (REP, CON)
by TARAbARNwELL
You would think that a man who writes children’s books about aardvarks named Arthur would be a kind, gentle person. well, Marc brown, author of the Arthur series children’s books, is much more than that. If you met him, you’d understand his successful career of over 45 years writing and illustrating, and it all started with him reading bedtime stories to his first-born son.
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“one night I was reading my son a story, and an aardvark that became Arthur was created. This became my first book, ‘Arthur’s Nose’”, brown said while sitting in the Gallery Room at The Fenimore Art Museum where he has an exhibit running through the end of the year, “believe in Yourself: what we Learned from Arthur.” “I had always been interested in writing and illustration, and after the college closed where I was a professor, I finally had the time to do what I had always loved!” brown started taking Arthur to schools and talked to the kids and found he really enjoyed it. “All of my stories come from real life. The best things happen in real life and are based on real people. That’s why the kids like the stories and illustrations, they can relate.”
“writing the story is the hardest part. once that’s done, I plan the book--what pictures go best with the words on the page? That’s when the fun starts with the illustrations! It’s my favorite part.”
“PbS came to me and wanted to turn my books into TV shows to encourage kids to read. Does it get any better than that?” brown said with enthusiasm. More than 125 books later and many shows on PbS that will continue to be produced and run for many years (by his oldest son), brown has written his last Arthur book, “believe in Yourself.” “This last book I wrote to adults and children. It talks about life lessons and it’s a compilation of my books over the years. It’s a bit of a memoir.”
He isn’t retiring, he says, rather he is working on a new series for Hbo called HoP (not yet announced to the general public). “I’m excited about HoP. HoP is just a little frog that has one leg shorter than the other, but he doesn’t let that get in his way.” Another life lesson. brown also strives to get young people involved, to see if they have a passion for writing and illustrating. “I’m doing a promotion with wSKG, I’m encouraging young people to read. Reading, writing, drawing…it’s all so important. Sharing your ideas are equally important. Everyone has an original point of view. Everyone has a story to tell.” Go to www.wskg for more information. brown resides in New York City but gets most of his writing done at his farmhouse in Martha’s Vineyard. “It’s peaceful on MV. I can go to my studio and write and relax, life is good!” Indeed. brown’s parting thoughts of the day: “Every child needs just one person in their lives that believes in them.”
Carry on Mr. brown, we have all enjoyed the Arthur books and will look forward to HoP for many generations to come.
Tara barnwell
Arthur the aardvark has evolved through the years
Contributed Author Marc Brown stands next to a life-size Arthur, the aardvark star of his children’s books.
A Look at Key Local Contests
By Kevin Limiti
Oneonta Mayor
The months-long race to replace longtime oneonta mayor Gary Herzig comes to an end next week when voters choose between Common Council members Mark Drnek (D) and Len Carson (R).
The League of women Voters hosted the candidates in a debate last week, during which Carson thanked Drnek for joining him in running a “gentleman’s campaign.”
Drnek said he feels he is in “good shape” for the election but the key is voter turnout. He said the whole process has been inspiring for him.
“I had no idea going into this but this has been fun,” Drnek said. “If you’re me and you’re having a bad day and see all the love and all the hope for what we’re going to do, oh my gosh, it’s going to be great,”
Carson said he feels “pretty confident” about the race.
“we’ve put a lot of hard work in,” Carson said. “It’s just been so humbling, having people volunteer their personal time.”
He said he heard some “good ideas” from constituents regarding recycling and biking on River Street and spent a lot of time listening to other people’s concerns about the police department and the fire department.
“I’ve enjoyed the last five months, going door to door,” Carson said, who was “trying to meet as many people as I could.”
“I’ve been trying to get in front of as many people as possible,” Carson said.
Town of Hartwick Supervisor and Town Board
After close summertime primary races, voters head to the polls Tuesday for the Town of Hartwick’s tightly contested contests for supervisor and town board.
Incumbent Town Supervisor Robert o’brien runs this year on the Conservative line after losing the Republican primary in June to challenger bryan LoRusso. Incumbent town board members bruce Markusen and Christopher briggs share the Conservative line after losing the Republican primary in June to challengers Jonathan Horth and Cindy Carr. Incumbent Superintendent of Highways Jerry wood takes on Fred Koffer.
“I hope our team stays together and we continue the work we’ve done,” o’brien said, touting accomplishments such as eliminating the general fund and securing water system improvements. brian LoRusso, running on the Republican line, is challenging o’brien.
“our board is not transparent,” LoRusso said. “They didn’t realize they’re driving our town into the ground.”
He wants to work with the Town’s historical society to “better community relationships” and wants to bring to Hartwick a satellite creamery in order to support local farms and grow the economy.
Town board candidate Markusen noted o’brien’s accomplishments, and hoped they could continue programs such as the Clean Sweep, which collects volunteers to clean up Hartwick.
“I like the recent trend of bringing in some of these sports teams like soccer and football,” Markusen said. “I’d love to make some improvements for the community center and make it more of a hub for younger kids and adults.”
Jonathan Horth is running for Town board alongside LoRusso and placed a heavy emphasis on small businesses, saying he wants to promote “people with amazing skills” and give them the ability to start a small business.
“That would be a fantastic way to revitalize the town,” Horth said.
Town of Oneonta Supervisor
Randal Mowers has the Republican and Independent lines in the race to succeed Robert wood as Town of oneonta Supervisor.
Mowers, who does automobile restoration and owns Mowers Towing and oC Mowers Auctions, said he has a vested interest in the Town of oneonta.
“I’m not a carpetbagger,” Mowers said. “I’ve been here my whole life.”
Mowers was born in Fox Hospital and served on the town board from 2016 to today. Previously, he was on the zoning board of appeals. He said he knows people in the town and gets along with them.
“I have an excellent rapport with everyone who works for the town,” Mowers said. “I’ve been serving the community my whole life.”
Mowers said he decided to run for town supervisor but “nobody stepped up.”
“Someone had to do the job,” he said.
Mowers pointed to specific unfinished projects in the Town as among his top priorities.
“we have a water project not done,” Mowers said. “The highway garage project needs to be finished.”
Theresa DeSantis is running against Mowers for supervisor. She declined to comment for this story.
