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AllOTSEGO.com, OTSEGO COUNTY’S DAILY NEWSPAPER/ONLINE COMPLIMENTARY
Oneonta, N.Y., Thursday, November 23, 2023
Volume 16, No. 5
Otsego Pride Alliance Observes National Day of Remembrance By WRILEY NELSON ONEONTA tsego Pride Alliance hosted a solemn, moving memorial ceremony in Oneonta on Sunday, November 19. More than 30 people congregated at Green Earth Health Market to commemorate Transgender Day of Remembrance. The day of remembrance, which is held annually on November 20 nationwide, honors the memories of transgender and gender-nonconforming people whose lives were taken in acts of anti-transgender violence. OPA and community volunteer speakers offered tributes to the 77 known victims in North America in the last calendar year, including 47 victims of hate crimes. On average, one transgender person was killed in a hate crime every eight days. “It is clear that fatal violence disproportionately affects transgender women of color, especially Black transgender women,” one organizer said in a statement. “Eighty-eight percent of the victims are people of color, 54 percent are Black transgender women, 73 percent were killed with a gun, 47 percent were killed by a romantic or sexual partner, or friend or family member; 72 percent were misgendered and/or deadnamed by law enforcement, the media or families. We clarify that it is 47 known victims, knowing that many more have gone unreported or misreported by media, law enforcement and families.” According to Cleveland Clinic child and adolescent psychologist Dr. Jason Lambrese, “deadnaming” is the act of
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referring to someone by a name that they didn’t ask you to use. “A transgender person may decide to no longer use their birth or legal name,” Lambrese explained. “Instead, they’ll choose a name that better aligns with their identity. When someone uses their old name after being asked not to, that is what we call ‘deadnaming.’” Speakers gave a brief tribute to each victim, reading a memorial statement provided by friends or family and displaying a photo. The ceremony aimed to focus on the victims’ lives and their positive impacts in the world rather than the circumstances of their deaths. Organizers lit a votive candle as each name was read; by the end of the event, an entire small table was covered. At the close of each individual tribute, the speaker led attendees in a memorial litany: “We will say their names: [victim’s name]. We will remember.” The emotional impact of sitting with and processing the loss of dozens of individuals, many of whom were community leaders or children, and all of whom were unique and irreplaceable parts of their loved ones’ lives, was devastating. The small crowd, which included people from many backgrounds and ranged in age from a toddlers to seniors, was subdued and respectful throughout the ceremony. “Gender-based discrimination, legislative attacks, bullying, being rejected by friends, families and community; harassment by partners, family, police and public; denial of gender affirming Continued on page 7
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Kevin Parrott, Cedric Hawkins, James Gordon and Peter Oberacker were inducted into the SUNY Delhi Athletics Hall of Fame last month.
Sen. Peter Oberacker Inducted into SUNY Delhi Athletics Hall of Fame DELHI enator Peter Oberacker of Schenevus was one of four new members of the SUNY Delhi Athletics Hall of Fame honored last month. The college’s 15th induction class included Oberacker ’83 (baseball and basketball), Kevin Parrott ‘84 (wrestling), Cedric Hawkins ‘94 (track and field), and James Gordon ‘00 (lacrosse). The quartet was recognized October 14-15 in numerous events around Delhi, including a special reception and a halftime introduction at the women’s soccer match.
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“We are deeply honored to have such a diverse group join our Hall of Fame this year,” said Director of Athletics and Committee Chair Bob Backus. “Through our four inductees, we have six SUNY Delhi athletic programs featured.” Oberacker was a dual-sport athlete, participating in basketball and baseball at SUNY Delhi from 1981-1983, and a standout pitcher. His freshman year showcased a strong performance, accumulating a 3-1 record with an impressive 2.50 ERA. In his second Continued on page 10
Bassett Healthcare Welcomes Fourth Security K-9 Unit
INSIDE ► COMMUNITY BANK SAGA CONTINUES, page 2
COOPERSTOWN ► angel tree program assett Healthcare Network has gets underway, page 3 expanded its K-9 security team to include a fourth dog and handler. ► HATS OFF TO OTSEGO DA, On October 3, the team welcomed Hutch, SHERIFF, page 4 an 18-month-old German shepherd, and his ► cv-s to HAVE its own partner, Officer Jeffrey Bever. Hutch and school-based health Bever will be stationed at A.O. Fox Hospital center, page 4 in Oneonta full-time in the evenings. ► PEOPLE AND BUSINESSES Bassett’s growing K-9 Security team, IN THE NEWS, page 6 a unique program in Central New York, ► a berkson tHANKSGIVING is possible due to the generous support of donors. Hutch joined Bassett’s Security TALE, page 11 Department following a gift to Bassett’s K► HALL OF FAME BALLOT 9 program from David and Susan Theobald. ANNOUNCED, page 12 The couple, who are dog lovers and were inspired by the program, met Bassett’s KFollow Breaking News On 9 dogs during a trip to Cooperstown and wanted to give back. “We are truly grateful to David and OTSEGO.com Susan for their generosity,” said Dr. Tommy
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Hutch recently joined the K-9 security team.
Ibrahim, president and chief executive officer of Bassett Healthcare Network. “Bassett’s K-9 program is unlike other hospital security initiatives. Our K-9 teams elevate the level of safety and security we provide to caregivers and our patients who entrust us with care.” Bever and Hutch have been training together since September. Hutch, along with Bassett’s other security K-9 dogs—Hudson, Coal, and Remi—work at Bassett’s hospital and clinic campuses to help meet the increased security needs healthcare workers face today. Bassett Healthcare Network, like hundreds of other health systems and hospitals across the country, has seen a significant uptick in violence against healthcare workers in recent years. K-9 units are often able to quickly defuse tense situations before they escalate Continued on page 10
THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA, OTSEGO COUNTY’S LARGEST PRINT CIRCULATION 2010 WINNERS OF The Otsego County Chamber/KEY BANK SMALL BUSINESS AWARD RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER EDDM PRESORT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID ONEONTA PERMIT NO. 890