Hall of Fame Weekend
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ast time Vietnam veteran David Butler adjusted a flag on the pole at Main and Pioneer, in 2007, he was arrested for
The Freeman’s Journal
For 207 Years
WWW.ALLOTSEGO.COM
Cooperstown, New York, Thursday, July 30, 2015
By JIM KEVLIN
Village Police Chief Mike Covert directs traffic at Chestnut and Main after a power outage 4-6 p.m. Monday, July 27, blacked out most of the village.
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disorderly conduct. This time, Mayor Jeff Katz said, “I don’t disagree with Dave’s sentiment in the least.” He added, however, “If a private citizen needs us to lower our flags, please come to the police and tell us to do it. That’s most apPlease See FLAG, B4
Newsstand Price $1
Hazzard Back At Chamber Helm On his first day back, Matt Hazzard received recognition as an honorary member of the “20 Under 40” Class of 2015.
By JIM KEVLIN COOPERSTOWN ‘I’m back,” Cooperstown Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Matt Hazzard declared Monday morning, July 27, with a firm handshake to accompany the declaration. Hazzard, who was diagnosed with Please See HAZZARD, B4 Jim Kevlin/The Freeman’s Journal
4th Biggest Ever
Village Seeks 3 CFA Grants In This Round COOPERSTOWN
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FA grant applications are due at 4 p.m. Friday at the Mohawk Valley Regional Economic Development Council offices in Utica, and the village trustees Monday, July 27, approved funding for three projects: One, renovations to the Village Hall and library at 22 Main. Two, for a bike path to Fairy Spring Park. And three, to upgrade the sewage treatment plant. CFAs are Comprehensive Funding Applications, the Cuomo Administration’s vehicle to distribute $750 million in economic-development grants statewide. LEADER IN COUNTY: State Sen. John Flanagan, the new majority leader (replacing the indicted Dean Skelos), planned to hold a press briefing at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 29, on The Otesaga’s veranda, hosted by state Sen. Jim Seward. Details at WWW.ALLOTSEGO.COM
REVENUES UP: So far this summer, parking revenues are $193,151, up $2,000 from this time last year Village Streets Committee chair Cindy Falk reports.
Ian Austin, Jim Kevlin/The Freeman’s Journal
The irrepressible Pedro Martinez performs a little dance as HoF Chairman Jane Forbes Clark announces his induction.
Big Turnout Buoys Fans, Merchants 2 Bad Boys Of Baseball demonstrations, 45,000 people covered the field at the Clark Sports Center COOPERSTOWN to welcome the four-man class that also included ith 45,000 Arizona Diamondbacks fans, it may Randy Johnson and have been Houston Astro John only the fourth-biggest Smoltz. induction, but with the “When you can stand frenzied chanting of Cooperstown’s Regan Gece- here and not see field, Pedro Martinez’s fans, it wicz and her cousin from Ari- that’s big,” said Mayor may have been the most zona, Anna Bowles, sell sodas Jeff Katz, who wore his on Walnut Street. exuberant. Expos cap to honor MarWith drums pounding tinez. (Randy Johnson and Dominican Republic flags waving for was also an Expo at one point.) Red Sox’ Martinez, chants of “BIG-GI-O!” Forty-nine Hall of Famers, including for Atlanta Brave Craig Biggio and other Please See INDUCTION, A7 By LIBBY CUDMORE
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In Confrontations Here By LIBBY CUDMORE
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all them the Bad Boys of Summer. On Monday, July 27, Atlanta Braves relief pitcher John Rocker had a meltdown on Jonathan and Brian Paterno, who hosted him for a weekend signing at Paterno Brothers Sports at 83 Main St. In an argument over a
Reggie Jackson
John Rocker
rental car and transportation to the airport, Rocker threatened Jonathan Paterno repeatedly. “He was saying Please See BAD BOYS, A7
THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA, OTSEGO COUNTY’S LARGEST PRINT CIRCULATION 2010 WINNERS OF The Otsego County Chamber/KEY BANK SMALL BUSINESS AWARD