The Freeman's Journal 01-21-21

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Volume 213, No. 03

Cooperstown, New York, Thursday, January 21, 2021

COOPERSTOWN AND AROUND

Newsstand Price $1

Bindi To The Rescue

VACCINATIONS ARRIVING

Obstacles Aplenty On C-19 Shots Bliss Ticks Off Shortcomings Ian Austin/The Freeman’s Journal

Paralyzed since age 11, James Scofield’s new single-wide includes a ramp so he can drive his ATV to the front door/ SEE A3

By CHRYSTAL SAVAGE COOPERSTOWN

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said Tuesday, Jan. 19. “This is a statewide problem.�

According to a list he provided, the problems include: • Demand is higher than the current supply. • Only a 100-dose weekly allotment to the county Health Department and selected pharmacies. • Undependable allotment to Bassett Hospital. • Local appointments aren’t held for local people.

Please See BLISS, A7

he struggle to lockdown Survey Seeks concrete information and a Your Opinions larger anti-COVID Of Local Police vaccine allotment continues in COOPERSTOWN Otsego County and beyond. he Otsego County “There is not an adequate commissioner directed supply of the vaccine,�

by Governor Cuomo to assess local policing is seek- David Bliss, county Board ing your opinion, according to of Representatives chair, county board Chairman David Bliss.

Attitudes toward state police, sheriff’s deputies, and Oneonta and Cooperstown police will be Chief Brenner Explains Surprise Retirement sought.

Brenner in A Survey Monkey quesBy CHRYSTAL SAVAGE an intertionnaire will be activated view after Thursday through Feb. 1 at ONEONTA announchttps://www.surveymonkey. ing his com/r/otsego2021 he City of Oneonta’s retirement.

Follow Breaking News On Citizen Advisory “They now Board – Governor need to Cuomo mandated such be refined OTSEGO.com entities statewide after and impleBrenner George Floyd’s death – is mented.â€? â–şCommon Council discusses due to report back April 1 A new chief with time raising Oneonta Ford for with recommendations. ahead of him to work the reTransportation Hub “All of them seem reason- forms through would better â–şNew COvid Cases more than double from 40 to 80 Tuesday, able,â€? said OPD Chief Doug Please See BRENNER, A7

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Fresh Energy’s Needed To Implement Reforms

Jim Kevlin/The Freeman’s Journal

Sonya Galley hugs Bindi in front of the pen where the rescue happened.

New Lisbon Farm Dog Best In U.S.

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Jan. 19 â–şHall of Famer Don Sutton, ace pitcher, dies at 75. â–şLight snow continues into mid-week â–şGeorgia Activists featured at MLK observance â–şAt noon daily check “COVID Vaccination Centralâ€? â–şBars spawn covid: Richfield VFW and Genesee Tap Room, and Oneonta Sixth Ward Athletic Club â–şIn surprise visit, Delgado promises funding, COVID aid â–şLori Lehenbauer, to chair county Republican Party, succeeding seven-year incumbent Vince Casale.

STATE OF THE CITY: FIRST COVID, THEN BOOM, MAYOR SAYS

I

n his sixth State of the City speech to Common Council Tuesday, Jan. 31, Mayor Gary Herzig praised the community for combatting COVID-19. “Thank you,� he said repeatedly.

But good times are comin’, he continued, running through a list of economic-development advances downtown that are just waiting for the fever to break.

FOR FULL SPEECH, SEE A4, AND

AllOTSEGO.com

www.

By JIM KEVLIN NEW LISBON

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ast spring, Sonya M. Galley, working in a pen on the family farm on Route 51 south of Garrattsville, felt a gentle nudge on her back.

It was anything but.

Turning around, she was confronted by a heifer, who then nudged her back into a sitting position “I was trapped,� said Sonya, who milks 60 Holsteins with her parents, Dave and Cassie, on Silver Spoon Farm. “I knew if I moved, I was going to be in trouble.�

The general public thinks of cows as Please See BINDI, A7

FOUGHT FOR LAKEFRONT, BUILT SANTA’S COTTAGE, PLAYED CARDIFF GIANT

James Dean, Village Trustee, And Much More Retiring Trustee Jim Dean, with wife Eileen by his side, holds up a newspaper report from when he played the Cardiff Giant in CBS’ “Ripley’s Believe It Or Not� in 1982.

By JIM KEVLIN COOPERSTOWN

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â–şFOR RESULTS of village Democratic caucus, 7 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 21, at Village Hall, check

ames Dean, a Cooperstown village trustee www.

OTSEGO.com since the Democratic sweep in 2012 began his party’s almost decade-long control of 22 Main St., is stepping down.

While known today as a trustee, Dean has been part of the civic landscape long before that: Please See DEAN, A7

All

Jim Kevlin/The Freeman’s Journal

THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA, OTSEGO COUNTY’S LARGEST PRINT CIRCULATION 2010 WINNERS OF The Otsego County Chamber/KEY BANK SMALL BUSINESS AWARD

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A-2 THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL

WIN AWARD: Owners of Southside Chiropractic, Joe and Shirley Rufrano, earned the Silver Award for Excellence in Clinical Nutrition from the Standard Process of Western NY for using whole foods and herbal therapy. They also raised funding for The Samaritan’s Purse Charity to build wells in underdeveloped countries.

LOCALS

6 On SUNY Canton President’s List CANTON – Six local students were named to the President’s list at SUNY Canton for the fall 2020 semester who earned a 3.75 or greater GPA during the fall 2020 semester.

Students who earned President’s List honors include: • Danielle J. Conway, a SUNY Canton Finance major from Gilbertsville •Brittany George, a SUNY Canton Criminal Investigation major from Mount Upton

THURSDAY, January 21, 2021

ROTARY GRANT BUILDS FOOD PANTRY SLIDE Richfield Springs Rotarians Ross Jones, president, and Cynthia Andela, examine a slide funded for the Richfield Springs Food Pantry by a grant from Rotary District 7170, which includes Otsego County.

Andela’s company, Andela Products, designed and built the ramp, which helps volunteers slide deliveries into the Christ Church Uniting basement, where they are stored until Jim Kevlin/The Freeman’s Journal distribution.

• Katherine DeThomas, a SUNY Canton Legal Studies major from Oneonta • Jordan B. Nelson, a SUNY Canton Early Childhood Care and Management major from Richfield Springs • Morgan R. Randall, a SUNY Canton Management major from Richfield Springs • Sarah Roselli Ortiz, a SUNY Canton Health Care Management major from Sidney

SHAKE OFF YOUR DEBT

Be a Pen Pal! A program for students and seniors!

Otsego County Office for the Aging is partnering with local school districts to launch a Pen Pal Project between seniors and students during this time of increased isolation.

We will pair an older adult with a local student who will exchange letters to increase socialization and reduce boredom and loneliness.

Seniors: Connect with students on a personal level; share your life experiences with each other; combat loneliness and boredom.

Students: Share your life experiences with older adults; develop skills in reading and writing; develop relationships

For more info, call 607-547-4232 | email aginginfo@otsegocounty.com

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OTSEGO.life

JOURNEY TO SUCCESS THURSDAY, January 21, 2021

PAGE A-3

Hartwick Goal: Thriving Grads With Lifelong Loyalty

“The number of collegebound students was declining, students’ needs and interests were shifting, and families’ ability to pay for education was diminishing. Hartwick had to adapt and evolve.

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►WHAT MAKES FLIGHTPATH SPECIAL?

MARGARET L. DRUGOVICH From The Wick, Spring 2021

By JIM KEVLIN ONEONTA

S

ure, life can be random.

But at Hartwick College, your higher education doesn’t have to be; (or your son’s or daughter’s.)

Just get on the right flight path. Or FlightPath, Margaret L. that is, Hartwick’s Drugovich, FlightPath innovative captain. new structure designd to ensure students get optimum value from their four years on Oyaron Hill.

It works like this.

Arriving on campus with dreams for the future, you take the Clifton StrengthFinder test – the best of its kind – to help identify your strengths and careers you might best pursue.

You’ll be welcomed by a Personal Guidance Team, including a professional “Success Coach,” as well as a career coach, faculty adviser and alumni mentor Please See FLIGHTPATH, A8

Trace the events that led to the fateful duel between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr. View letters between the pair and replicas of the pistols used in the exhibit at the Fenimore Art Museum.

Hamilton Exhibit, ‘Royal Wedding,’ & Miners Tribute

From “Hartwick College’s FlightPath” video on YouTube

►THE MISSION: To send forth

network, connecting with alumni. ►DIGITAL RESUME: Senior year will be preparation to launch into career, including development of a Digital Resume to bolster the job search.

young people who know their strengths, and use the college experience to transform those strengths into marketable skills and successful careers. ►“PATHWAY PLANNER”: Computer program enables students to chart steps toward goal, and adjust if necessary.

►TESTING FOR STRENGTHS:

Students take the Clifton StrengthFinder test to identify their talents, prospective careers.

►POST GRADUATION:

►”PERSONAL GUIDANCE” TEAM:

Each student is assigned a professional “Success Coach,” career coach, faculty adviser and alumni mentor to collaborate with him or her on the flight. ►EXPANDED J-TERMS: Internships, foreign travel, structured outreach help students learn, experience prospective professions. ►SUCCESS SUMMIT: Juniors attend two-day professional conference on career development,

Having become part of the “Hartwick Hawk” community, the emerging professionals will join a worldwide network of successful business people and professionals they can turn to for guidance.

STATE FUNDING MAKE DREAM COME TRUE

Worcester Man, Paralyzed At 11, Moves Into Dream Home At 31

By CHRYSTAL SAVAGE WORCESTER

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Road, framed by forest trees, courtesy of Otsego Rural Housing Assistance (ORHA).

The lifelong Worcester resident not only can enjoy hunting, fishing and working on cars with his 7-month-old, purebred chocolate lab Sky and 3-year-old pitbull-lab mix Zeus in his free time, but he is also self-sufficient.

Scofield takes care of himself without Please See SCOFIELD, A8

►DO YOU QUALIFY for ORHA program?

Call Timothy Peters at 607-286-7244

aralyzed after a farming accident when he was 11, James Scofield, now 31, says he values patience, accessibility and independence above all else.

Now, he can enjoy all those things in his new, fully customized and accessible single-wide, set back off Mooney

AllOTSEGO.life

Ian Austin/

A thrilled James Scofield moved into his new single-wide just before Christmas, thanks to ORHA and state funding. The home includes a ramp that allows him to drive his four-wheeler up to the door.

THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL • HOMETOWN ONEONTA

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our the exhibit ‘Hamilton’s Final Act’ online. Get your questions answered about the events leading up to the fateful duel with Aaron Burr.

2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 27. Presented by the Fenimore Art Museum, Cooperstown.

607-547-1400 or visit LARISSA fenimoreartmuseum.

RYAN org • Join the book club to discuss ‘The Gown: A Novel of the Royal Wedding’ about the wedding of Queen Elizabeth II and the women who made her gown. 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 26. Presented by the Huntington Memorial Library, Oneonta. 607-4321980 or visit https://www.facebook. com/hmloneonta/ • Stream live performance “Thank You For Your Service: Songs of Mineworkers and Their Families” celebrating the contributions of mineworkers throughout US history.

Performed by John O’Connor who is best known for his folk music and involvement in working class politics.

8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 21. Streamed

by The Yager Museum, of Arts & Culture, Hartwick College. Visit https://www.facebook.com/yagermuseum/ to view.

• Discover who the culprit is in this online theatrical performance of ‘Murder At The Speakeasy’ featuring flappers, booze, rivalry and murder.

Tune in to collect clues and guess who the culprit is for a chance to win a $50 gift card. Cost, $20/household. 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 22. Presented by the Murder Cafe. Visit www.murdercafe. net to register.

AllOTSEGO.com/digital-subscription-options

SUBSCRIBE TO COUNTY’S ONLINE DAILY AT www.

Order online...Pick it up & Take it in... Curbside Delivery...Home & Office Delivery...Catering!

SO many ways to enjoy! brooksbbq.com • 607-432-1782

Perspectives

THURSDAY, January 21, 2021

A-4 THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL EDITORIAL

Inauguration 2021 Chance For New Beginning T he loss of innocence. And we thought it could only happen once.

“I can’t help but think: You see these photos of the West Side of the Capitol, where presidents have stood and the transition of power has occurred. It’s so tainted now, with insurrectionists actually storming the Capitol.

It’s hard to go back.”

That’s Joey Katz, son of Cooperstown’s former mayor Jeff Katz, then a teenager, who – with his mother, Karen, the village former first lady – saw the second inauguration of Barack Obama. Then-congressman Chris Gibson, a Republican (and now Siena College president), provided his tickets, so the Katzes had a pretty good view.

• Inauguration is more than a simple swearing-in, more than an individual president – in this case, Democrat Joe Biden – pledging to “support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic.”

It’s a recognition, an affirmation of the peaceful transfer of power from one administration to the next, as has occurred since John Adams succeeded George Washington on Saturday, March 4, 1797, in Philadelphia’s

Here’s Joey Katz of Cooperstown and his mother Karen at President Barack Obama’s second Inauguration in 2013 in Washington D.C.

Senator Thanks YOU

STATE OF THE CITY

After COVID, Many Projects Will Happen Oneonta Ford Demolition, Renovations

On Upper Floors Planned, Mayor Says Editor’s Note: Oneonta Mayor Gary Herzig delivered his sixth annual “State of the City” speech to Common Council Tuesday, Jan. 19. This is the text.

By GARY HERZIG

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ting you know when they disagree with you – but we come together as one when times are tough. I could not be more proud of your doing so this past year.

On March 17, I sat in this room for our last in-person Council meeting. I spoke about there being many unknowns ahead and that we faced a potential shutdown of all we take for granted.

I said at that time that we may be tested in ways we Please See SPEECH, A6

IN

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Cooperstown’s Newspaper

Mayor Herzig addresses Oneonta’s MLK Jr. commemoration Sunday, Jan. 10.

JU

ood evening, Oneonta – We have been tested these past 10 months; however, I can tell you that the state of the City of Oneonta is one of Strength, Resilience, and Caring 2020 was a year that Oneonta will always remember – not only for the unprecedented challenges it brought - but also for the way we came together to overcome them. From the shutdown of the spring, to the SUNY outbreak of the Fall, and now the second wave of the Winter, we have stuck together and we are getting to the other side.

I know that Oneontans are independent-minded folks – never shy about let-

Good Wishes, Anecdotes Bring Back Happy Memories To the Editor: I want to thank you for the special tribute edition included in last week’s Hometown Oneonta/Freeman’s Journal highlighting my 34 years in the state Senate.

I am also deeply appreciative of all the words of good wishes and anecdotes that were submitted by so many area residents, community leaders, and family. Reading the comments brought back so many memories of my time in office. Thank you all!

I have cherished the opportunity to serve the people of our district and, in particular, represent the county where I grew up. I believe this area is the best place to live, work and raise a family, and I have always endeavored to build on the traits that make it so special.

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State Sen. Jim Seward and Cindy, his wife and political helpmate during his 34 years in Albany on the county’s behalf

Whatever successes I have had as a senator were not accomplished alone.

I have been blessed with the loving support of Cindy and my family, as well as outstanding staff members

TOM ARMAO, Country Club Automotive

– the best in the state Senate.

I have also been fortunate to partner with many wonderful individuals, organizations, local governments and community leaders.

These working relationships have helped improve the lives of those I have had the privilege to represent. It was these partnerships and true friendships that truly helped me succeed to make our area the best it could be.

To all the residents of Otsego County and the 51st District, thank you so much for your unwavering support and confidence over the years. I have always considered working for, and with, you to be an honor of a lifetime.

JIM SEWARD State Senator (retired) Milford

BRUCE J. HODGES, President Leatherstocking Railway Historical Society Cooperstown & Charlotte Valley Railroad

Respect! Retired Senator Jim Seward has earned that from all of us.

In this era of public mayhem Senator Seward’s career Our organization’s relationship with Senator Seward startis an example of what polite, respectful discussion from ed in the 1980s while he was working for his predecessor differing points of view can look like and sound like. His Senator Riford. Jim was instrumental in assisting us in the unruffled demeanor and calm answers are what we should purchase of our property in Cooperstown aspire to emulate.

Junction.

Editor’s Note: Senator Seward has always been available and In the mid 1990s, Jim’s support of our In producing our attentive to constituent’s needs and concerns. He has efforts to build a railroad museum in Otsego Tribute to James been a great champion of our region and has helped County got a major boost when Jim secured many projects become possible through his help. His L. Seward edition the matching funds in the state budget that last week, these two understanding of the needs of healthcare, education, tributes were inadver- allowed us to purchase and start operating manufacturing, insurance, tourism, and retail have the Cooperstown & Charlotte Valley Railenabled him to be a very effective advocate for us in tently left out. road, right in his backyard in Milford.

Albany.

We couldn’t have done it without Jim’s We have always gotten our money’s worth from Senator continuous support over the years, and we will be forever Seward. Thank you Sir! I hope you have a very long and grateful and proud to have had him as our State Senator. enjoyable retirement, you have earned it.

For 212 Years

LIFE SKETCHES

James C. Kevlin Editor & Publisher

Congress Hall. Even then, after a bitter campaign, there was talk of civil war, of whether Thomas Jefferson’s partisans would accept the outcome.

Accept they did, and Jefferson and his partisans then won the Election of 1800 and he took the oath on Wednesday, March 4, 1801 – his was the first four-year term. And the nation has stumbled forward since then for two centuries, sometimes in war, sometimes in peace, but rarely if ever in tranquility.

• We often hear it said that ours is the oldest democracy on the planet. And that the peaceful transition power is “a miracle” – uttered by the Godless and devout alike, so it must be so.

Since Wednesday, Jan. 6, when the Oath Takers – the Grinches of Inauguration season, if you will – Proud Boys (proud of what?) and other hotheads stormed the Capitol, President Lincoln’s exhortation from his first Inaugural Address is often uttered: “We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection.”

Actually, the bulk of that 1861 Inaugural Please See EDITORIAL, A5

Tara Barnwell

Advertising Director & General Manager

Chrystal Savage

Managing Editor

Larissa Ryan Business Manager

Kathleen Peters Graphics & Production

Elizabeth Cooper Correspondent

Ian Austin Photographer

Ivan Potocnik Web Architect

Tom Heitz/Sharon Stuart Consultant

IN MEMORIAM: Mary Joan Kevlin, Co-Publisher, 2006-17 OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER FOR Otsego County • Village of Cooperstown • Village of Milford Cooperstown Central School District MEMBER: National Newspaper Association, NY Press Association Subscriptions Rates: Otsego County, $69 a year. All other areas, $89 a year.

First Class Subscription, $155 a year.

Published Thursdays 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 Contents © Iron String Press, Inc.

E

Talk About Coop d’Etats!

arly this spring, my reigning rooster, Geezbrook, who fathered almost all of this year’s egg-laying rookies, was challenged and defeated by one of his sons.

When I arrived on the scene, the old man was cowering in a corner with his back facing his TERRY attacker.

I scooted them BERKSON out into the yard and they went at it again, Geezbrook seeming to have new heart against

his son, who got down like an alligator coming through a fan of feathers.

They both drew blood with the old man losing the fight until I slapped them both several times with my red plastic shovel.

Distracted, they headed for cover in a hedgerow.

• When I went back to the coop to gather eggs, I noticed that several of the hens had bald spots Geezbrook still rules the roost at the on their backs caused, no Berksons. doubt, by the roosters

practicing their dominance.

Luckily, Pee Wee, my favorite chicken, hadn’t suffered any damage or I would have gone after the bullies with hatchet in hand.

Instead, I tried to catch them, which was no easy task after they had had a taste of the shovel.

I needed to know which rooster was abusing my hens, so that I could pack him off to King’s every-second-Sunday auction in West Winfield.

Actually, you don’t need any roosters to keep the hens laying eggs. You only need them if you want to hatch the eggs.

Please See BERKSON, A6

AllOTSEGO.com • MORE LETTERS, A5

LETTERS TO EDITOR WELCOME • EMAIL THEM TO info@

THURSDAY, January 21, 2021

THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL A-5

BOUND VOLUMES Compiled by Tom Heitz/SHARON STUART, with resources courtesy of The Fenimore Art Museum Research Library

200 YEARS AGO

Letter to the Overseer of the State Prison at Auburn Village from Utica – “Dear Sir: I have been informed that there is a young woman in prison for which her father offers the sum of $3,000 to the person who will marry her. If that be the case, I want you to see her father and have him write to me as soon as possible. If he writes to him direct, his letter is to be left at Cazenovia Village Post Office as I shall be there by the 25th.

I was lately from Vermont on my journey to Illinois. I have had bad luck and got out of money and heard them speak of this girl, and I concluded I would marry her, if that was the truth. I wish to have you write as soon as possible. Direct your letter to Cyrus Crumb – this from me to the State Prison at Auburn Village.”

January 15, 1821

125 YEARS AGO

25 YEARS AGO

175 YEARS AGO

Letter to the Editor: There is one branch of our legislative government in which I understand there is a rule of secrecy. No more anti-American, anti-noble, and anti-honest practice, exists in any part of our institutions. Take a case – A man is nominated by the President for an office on the fullest and strongest possible recommendations.

A loafer or a scoundrel writes to a Senator, or the Senate, a pack of lies to defeat his confirmation and neither the nominee nor his friends can be heard in his defense, or even see the charges, or learn who made them. The nomination is defeated. This is the worst of inquisitions and of tyranny.

Such a procedure the people will one day, sooner or later, abolish.

January 17, 1846

150 YEARS AGO

Otsego County Governance: Last fall the Democrats carried 13 of the 24 towns comprising Otsego County, and there is no good reason why, if they make proper and judicious nominations for town officers, they should not elect as many Supervisors to the next board. To do this, however, two things are absolutely essential – the nomination of honest, upright, competent men, and fidelity to such nominations when made.

a little over two inches of snow has fallen here, and about nine inches so far in January. At this time last year nearly three feet of snow lay on the ground.

Bowling News – In the Individuals League, the Ding-A-Lings won three games from Bennett’s. High scores for the DingA-Lings were Lolita Clark’s 433 triple and Rowena Burgess 163 single. High for Bennett’s was Mary Bassler’s 164 single and 462 triple. League-leaders Wrench and Son won 4 games from Race’s with Betty Page’s 168 single and 472 triple and Gladys Wrench’s 180 single high. For Race’s, Virginia Gracey was high with 371.

January 13, 1971

The man who refuses his support to such a candidate, because of some personal or local matter, is not a person of correct political principle, and can lay no very high claim to being a Democrat. The man who will not take the trouble to attend the Town caucus has himself to blame if good nominations are not made.

January 19, 1871

100 YEARS AGO

Lynn Walker, a native of Richfield Springs is reported in a dispatch from Daytona, Florida to have accomplished “one of the most spectacular feats ever witnessed in this section.”

While traveling as a passenger in a speeding motor car driven by Ralph Mulford, noted racetrack king, Walker took hold of a trapeze suspended from the landing gear of an airplane overhead, piloted by Stuart J. Davies of Utica, New York and climbing from there into the airplane’s passenger seat. The stunt took place at Daytona Beach. Young Walker is a native of Richfield, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Walker of that town. He has gained considerable notoriety in the “flying game” during and since the war.

January 12, 1921

The United Way of Delaware and Otsego Counties pushed past its $290,000 goal as the 1995 campaign ended. The campaign was broken down into a number of divisions,” said United Way Executive DirecJanuary 16, 1896 tor Kathleen Lindberg. “One-third of the money came from the employees of participating businesses and organizations in the form of payroll deductions, direct contribuMotorists will welcome today’s word tions, and special events. The two largest from the office of Governor Thomas A. contributors were the State University at Dewey indicating the Thruway from Oneonta and Wilber National Bank.” United New York City to Buffalo will be a route Way Campaign Chair Vince Foti said that free of tolls. This statement was made by small individual contributions add up.

Hon. Chester T. Backus of Morris, president “”There are a lot of little guys giving small of the Tri-County Motor Club. “Removal donations,” Foti said. of the threat of tolls is gratifying to the January 21, 1996 organized car owners of the state. They appreciate the governor’s attitude and hope he will support another A.A.A. Two new members were inducted to the recommendation – a uniform ten dollar Lions Club of Cooperstown, bringing the fee for car registration and plate.” The total membership to more than 40. Mike gasoline tax at four cents a gallon provides Cring, Cooperstown Middle School Middle/ a fair differential in taxes between the High School Principal was sponsored by various sizes and weights of vehicles,” Lions Club president John Rowley. Rick Mr. Backus concluded.

January 16, 1946 Hulse of Fly Creek, self-employed, was sponsored by Lion Richie Abbate.

Winners of the Town of Springfield’s annual holiday lighting contest, sponsored The temperature dropped to 12 degrees by the Springfield Historical Society are: below zero in Cooperstown early Saturday First, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Zdanoczno, morning, the lowest of the season so far.

Koenig Road. Second, Mr. and Mrs. Charles It was still far short of the low mark for a Taylor, Bartlett Road. Third, Mr. and Mrs. January 9, when a minus 29 set the record Kenneth Martz, Route 80. on that day in 1968. During the past week, January 13, 2011

75 YEARS AGO

10 YEARS AGO

50 YEARS AGO

EDITORIAL: At Inauguration, He Concluded: ‘Things Will Work Out’ EDITORIAL, From A4 – go back and take a look – has Lincoln seeking to convince the Southern States not to secede, by pledging to enforce the Fugitive Slave Act. The Second Inaugural, delivered in the midst of Civil War, better resonates today: “Let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation’s wounds … to do all which may achieve and cherish a just, and a lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations.”

And then that chilling sentence: “Yet, if God wills that (the Civil War) continue, until all the wealth piled by the bond-man’s 250 years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every

drop of blood drawn with the lash, shall be paid by another drawn with the sword, … it must be said, ‘the judgments of the Lord, are true and righteous altogether’.”

The point is, the work – and it’s hard, and it’s sloppy – is never done.

And never will be.

• Still, many of us watching President Biden take the oath on Wednesday, Jan. 20, must have been asking ourselves, how will we again As early as the Thomas Jefferson Inauguration achieve not perfect, but relative tranquility? To Joey in 1801, partisans were calling for civil war.

Katz’s point: It’s hard to go Somehow, the union has survived. back, but go back we must. said Katz, a 2013 CCS associate, now living in His memories of 2013 are graduate and 2017 SUNY Buffalo. “We could hear an argument that we must.

Purchase film major, a Bos- James Taylor rehearsing “The day before, we were ton Jewish Film production ‘God Bless America.’ It was walking through the Mall,”

sort of a festival atmosphere, but much more low-key.

“I was a fan of the guy – that one. I was very relaxed and very happy to be there. It was a real comingtogether moment, a unifying patriotic moment, not a gung-ho patriotic moment.”

Katz paused. “I’m very proud to be an American.

And it was amazing to see it in action. To see the president. To be there.

To witness. Just to see the process. Just to know you were in a country where things were going to work out.”

• “A country where things are going to work out.”

Each of us have the responsibility to make that happen. As we enter

the 46th president’s administration, let’s prosecute the lawbreakers – it’s easy enough, given the damning social media clips.

Then let’s make a point of tolerating each other, of accepting that, if people disagree with us, they simply disagree with us – they aren’t immoral, they aren’t that guy with the buffalo head.

Let’s default to moderation, as individuals. We can do that in Otsego County, NY. It’s hard to go back, as Joey Katz rightly said. But let’s will ourselves, individually, to go back.

If enough of us do, moderation will rule – until, inevitably, we’ll have to do it all over again.

LETTERS

College Campuses Opening Again. Are We Sure It’s A Good Idea?

To the Editor: This week, Hartwick College began moving students onto campus. SUNY Oneonta will begin the same process on the 22nd.

I am sure that many area residents are wondering the

same thing that I am: Why are we opening campuses at all?

Last semester at SUNY Oneonta can be called nothing but a failure, (although the “Retrospective on Fall 2020” on www.

oneonta.edu, through a showcase of passive voice and pivoting, says not everything went poorly!)

Hartwick fared much better, but is easier to manage due to a smaller student population that is almost

entirely residential. The two schools were just one patch in a diverse quilt of successes and failures in campus management across the country.

Nobody was sure whether to open campuses in the fall

Greatest Generation Veterans Would Have Cringed To the Editor: My father was a U.S. Army captain in World War II; Nancy’s stepfather was a lieutenant in the Navy and Nancy’s father, Alfred Valjean Prather, was an officer in the 442nd Infantry Regiment, which was composed largely of Japanese Americans.

The 442nd was particularly adept at killing Nazis.

Although they are all gone, none of them would be particularly amused by the recent Trump Insurrection or the fact that it conspicuously included neo-fascists, including a fellow who sported a “Camp Auschwitz” shirt to the coup d’etat, to the merriment of his co-conspirators.

After the war, my father, who was in

Camp Auschwitz T-shirts?

What would our World War II veterans thought?

the Army Corp of Engineers, was involved in the dismantling of

POW camps.

After he returned to civilian life in Texas, he became strongly pro-Jewish, proposing the first Jewish member to the Dallas Country Club, and hiring Jewish people, including an Israeli engineer.

When I went to Brown University, he encouraged me to join the “Jewish fraternity,” Alpha Pi Lambda, which I did.

Both of our fathers spent a good part of their youth fighting fascists.

They never dreamed that we would have to fight them here in America.

But fight them we will. With alacrity.

After all, it’s a family tradition.

CHIP NORTHRUP Cooperstown

as the country braced for an imminent winter of suffering through increased cases and deaths.

On Aug. 26, when Hartwick welcomed new students to campus, New York’s seven-day average of COVID-19 cases was 591.

Yesterday it was 16,424, which is even higher than when students were sent home in the spring.

There were clear difficulties during the fall semester.

Lack of planning, communication, and compliance had varied results at different campuses.

The reopening plan released by SUNY Oneonta certainly has some improvements, but it still only plans on testing 10 percent of the off-campus student population each week, only conducting pool testing for those without symptoms, and have set aside less than 350 beds in isolation dorms, less than the number of

students who tested positive in the first two weeks of last semester.

The improvements in planning are not sufficient to confront the increase of cases.

If we were unsure in the fall, there should be nothing but certainty now: campuses should not open for the spring.

SAM MORKAL-WILLIAMS Oneonta FOOD FOR THOUGHT

A

s it happens, the best hope now is not Biden’s ability to summon the better angels of our nature with a soaring speech.

To the contrary, the new president’s modest oratorical gifts – the fact that he is by modern political standards a bit boring – can be a powerful asset.

JOHN F. HARRIS Politico Jan. 19, 2121

THURSDAY, January 21, 2021

A-6 THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA

HERZIG: Post COVID, City Will Blossom

SPEECH/From A4 have never before been tested. I am proud to say, “Together, we passed that test with flying colors”.

Here in Oneonta, we kept our infection rate among the lowest in New York State and to all of you, I say, “Thank you”. You did so with self-sacrifice and caring. Yet still, let us not forget that, sadly, to date we have lost 23 members of our Otsego County community. For their families and friends, we are all saddened.

Our “Survive, then Thrive” initiative this year brought people of all walks of life together - to support our local businesses with grants, outdoor dining and shopping, marketing, and a new priority list for making sure Oneonta does Thrive when the cloud of COVID is lifted. And for that I say, “Thank you”.

When the SUNY outbreak hit, we came together, with the support of our county Health Department, Governor Cuomo, and Chancellor Malatras, to stop the outbreak of more than 700 cases at SUNY Oneonta before it could spread to the greater community. And for that I say, “Thank you”.

Our business community, with leadership from the Otsego Chamber and Destination Oneonta, has been nothing short of remarkable – showing innovation and resilience with a “We are all in this together” approach. And for that I say, “Thank you”.

And I am also proud that, in these distressing times, so many in Oneonta have raised their voices against hate, racism, and bigotry.

To the many individuals and groups – Our Oneonta Chapter of the NAACP, our City Commission on Community Relations and Human Rights, the Oneonta Pride Community, Oneonta for Equality Community, and more – who have stood up and spoken out, I say, “Thank you”. And I commend the more than 40 people who have been working with our Community Advisory Board and the Oneonta Police Department to make a good police department even better. We await their report

by April 1, 2021.

The post-COVID world will certainly be different and it will create new opportunities for some

communities. When the doors open in 2021, Oneonta will be coming out of the gate running. The strong partnerships we have built between our business community, local government, our friends in Albany, our colleges, and our not-for-profits will serve us well. Through 2020’s fog of COVID, we have been busy putting together the pieces that will allow us to move from Survive to Thrive: We are now seeing new signs and façades sprouting up on about a dozen of our downtown businesses.

Expect to see dozens more by spring. We are very proud to be able to help our business owners in this effort. And look for new Directory Signs coming this spring as well.

No community can succeed without a diversity of quality housing. We know that this has been a tough challenge for Oneonta for more than 50 years. I am proud to say that we are now helping four local investors in their efforts to turn vacant downtown upper floors into quality market-rate housing.

In partnership with New York State, Kearney Development and Hartwick College, we look to break ground for the Lofts on Dietz Street. This project will provide quality affordable apartments for middle income households and artists. It will bring people, vibrancy, diversity, and customers to our downtown.

And, I want to talk about The Hartwick College Grain Innovation Center because it is truly a win-win-win – providing local farmers, brewers, and bakers with research and testing services while students get real-life learning experiences. And it will bring new energy to our downtown. And to Hartwick College, I say, “Thank You” for believing in and investing in the City of Oneonta.

At tonight’s meeting, our Council will discuss and, I hope, endorse a plan to demolish the blight at the corner of Market Street and lower Chestnut Street; create a new Transit Hub; and renovate our Market Street Parking Garage.

And here is a real challenge – and we are up for it: The Susquehanna River runs through our downtown but it is inaccessible – isolated by the construction of 1-88. In partnership with New York State and professional planners, we will undertake a Local Waterfront Revitalization Planning effort with the goal of making the Susquehanna waterfront accessible to the people of the City of Oneonta. Think bicycling, running, and walking along the river!

We are partnering with the Greater Oneonta Historical Society, the Friends of the Oneonta Theater, and local investors in working to find ways to restore and reopen this historic jewel – it is vital to supporting the arts and the economy of Oneonta.

We will continue to work in partnership with the Otsego County IDA with the goal of developing the Oneonta Rail Yard into a center for jobs and economic growth.

Yes – West Street will be finally repaved.

And, I will push to see that we finally build what has been one of the most requested items by the

people of this City – a dog park in Neahwa.

And finally, I want to talk about the importance of our two colleges – Hartwick College and SUNY Oneonta. Our relationships with both colleges are crucial to our success. The pandemic has demonstrated how, more than ever, it is important to foster the positive and constructive involvement of our students in our community – along with how important it is to confront and prevent negative behaviors that disrupt our neighborhoods.

That message is now being communicated consistently by both of our colleges and in partnership with the City.

I am optimistic that, this year, we have created an opportunity to reset expectations and set the bar higher for the future. The expectation for all is to live as neighbors, support each other, and even party while respecting others. This is now a time of unique opportunity – one which we should not waste.

In closing, let me say that, just like Rocky the owl, “We have had a rough ride and we have survived. In 2021 and beyond, we shall spread our wings and thrive”.

Thank you to all the people of the City of Oneonta for working so hard in getting us through a year with challenges we could not have foreseen, and for giving us much to look forward to as we move ahead.

BERKSON: Is Geezbrook’s Son Still Out There – Somewhere?

BERKSON/From A4 It is nice, though, to hear a rooster crow in the morning.

• Geezbrook hadn’t given me any trouble up until now, so I figured it was one of his coercive sons that was abusing the girls. There was no running these shy youngsters down, so I had to set a trap and bait it with cracked corn.

The door was held open by a stick on a long string, with me at the far end hiding behind a low cedar.

Several times I looked over my shoulder to see my wife, Alice, at the window shaking her head in disapproval.

Undaunted, I held my ground for most of the day because I knew at least one of these roosters had to go.

I eventually caught the culprit that was fighting with Geezbrook and boxed him up for shipment to the block.

• When Sunday came around, my wife turned down a date to the auction, so, alone, I drove to Winfield and pushed the rebel’s box across King’s counter.

They gave me a number which I sat on in the bleachers.

I could hear my rooster crowing, “Why me, why me?” above all the other birds in the building.

Serves him right, I thought, for picking on his father.

I didn’t let myself get sentimental and just sat there wondering what the troublemaker would go for. The

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That was easy, I thought.

One rebel down and maybe one more to go. For a while the regime seemed secure.

• A few days later I received a big postcard marked from Syracuse. The handwriting was so scratchy I could barely make it out.

It was the rebel telling me that the slaughterhouse truck he had been riding on didn’t make it under a low underpass and that his crate was swept onto the road where it broke into a hundred pieces.

Unscathed, this bird was telling me that he was on his way back with spurs intact and a beak ready for battle.

I pictured myself waiting by the coop with the red shovel in hand. At all costs, Geezbrook would still rule the roost.

I folded the postcard and put it in my back pocket.

Then Alice looked me in the eye for a long time, slowly shook her head, and then handed over the rest of the mail.

Terry Berkson, who has an MFA in creative writing from Brooklyn College, lives on a farm outside Richfield Springs.

His articles have appeared in New York magazine, the New York Daily News Sunday Magazine, Automobile and other publications.

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THURSDAY, January 21, 2021

THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA A-7

Many Flaws In State’s Vaccine Rollout Plan, Bliss Says BLISS/From A1 • The State of New York controls distribution of a limited supply.

• The state is falling down on communication.

• Due to high traffic, the state COVID-19 website keeps crashing.

• Pharmacy reservation systems have no bearing on how much vaccine may be available.

• The state is receiving 250,000 doses a week, but has 7 million residents eligible for the vaccines.

• Eligibility still limited to Phases 1A and 1B. “It’s a crapshoot,” Bliss said.

“But we have reason to be hopeful: The fact that we had the vaccine months ahead of anticipation to begin administering before Christmas was an absolute miracle.”

In an interview the same day, Bassett Pharmacy Director Kelly Rudd said two additional antiCOVID vaccines – AstraZeneca’s and Johnson & Johnson’s – are now in clinical trials, and could be available in a few weeks.

Another positive: The county is receiving some doses when neighboring counties are not.

According to Bliss, per his attendance at regular Mohawk Valley COVID-19 briefings, Otsego received 300 doses, while Schoharie got none.

The county Department of Health has received another 100-dose allotment and will be vaccinating at a clinic later this week. Bassett Hospital also continues to request vaccines weekly, although fulfillment of these requests are not guaranteed.

“We are prepared and ready to

go within our sphere,” Rudd said. “We are just waiting for the next step from the state.”

The general population, she continued, likely won’t receive the Dave Bliss vaccine at their Bassett Primary Care provider or at any clinics in the near future as it is not very “efficient.”

Dr. Tommy Ibrahim, Bassett Healthcare Network president/ CEO, added that, at this time, any timeline is “speculation.”

Still, he said, Bassett is working with the county Health Department to organize vaccination sites similar to those in metropolitan areas across the state.

“We are having high level exploratory conversations,” said Ibrahim. “All of which are dependent on the number of vaccines the county receives for distribution.”

The advice from Bliss, Bond, Ibrahim and Rudd are all the same: be patient and stay on it. The roll out of the limited anti-COVID supply is going to take time.

“We not only wish we could schedule more appointments, we wish we were able to get information out to the public quicker,” Ibrahim said. “Unfortunately, there is a funnel we are receiving information through.”

The best thing community members can do is continue to wash their hands, wear masks, limit gatherings and follow the guidelines put forth by the CDC. It is easy and even reasonable to be frustrated or impatient;

however, it is a testament to Operation Warp Speed, according to Bliss, that we are turning the corner.

Ibrahim adds, “To their credit, our staff is tired and has sacrificed a lot for nearly a year now. I can’t applaud them enough for their tremendous efforts that have been truly extraordinary.”

“The situation is fluid and changes daily,” Rudd said.

“The best thing people can do is continue to check pharmacy, hospital and state websites for the latest information and availability,” Bliss added.

Bassett patients can also receive updates with vetted and accurate information via the MyBassett application.

“We will continue to inform the community as we receive new information,” Ibrahim said.

Brenner: New Chief Needs To Lead Reforms

BRENNER/From A1 serve the city than Brenner, who at 56, is coming to the end of his career.

That was his explanation of his surprise retirement, announced last weekend and due to take effect on Thursday, Feb. 18, after a 35-year career.

Brenner started his career in June 1986, just weeks short of his 22nd birthday, as a guard in the old county jail, now the District Attorney’s Office.

In March 1988, Brenner was promoted to road patrol and attended the Herkimer County Police Academy.

In Cooperstown, Brenner assumed many roles, including firearms instructor, among others and even found himself with “job perks” such as meeting Hall of Famers like Jim Palmer and Yogi Berra.

In 1998, the Oneonta-native joined the city force. He was promoted to sergeant in April 2007, lieutenant in May 2012 and chief in July 2017, after the resignation of Chief Dennis Nayor.

“I was born at Fox” and raised in

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Despite the difficult and unfortunate circumstances, Brenner believes this led to the implementation of positive changes.

“I don’t know if I have instilled this in my officers or simply improved upon what was there in terms of our relationship with the community,” Brenner said. “We need to have a broad mindset; one that helps to make our officers good, smart, attentive and approachable.”

“I think my openness has been contagious in a good way,” Brenner said. “I have never been afraid to go out, have a coffee or grab some lunch – the respect is mutual.”

A sentiment Brenner also shared with the Black Lives Matter protests in Oneonta following the death of George Floyd in May. “There was a demonstration of about 500 people who needed to make their voices heard,” Brenner said. “If (the Oneonta PD) had a presence there, it would not have allowed them to truly express themselves.”

“The people in Oneonta are great,” Brenner said. “It has been an honor.”

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Oneonta, and always tried to bring a “community” approach to the work he does, inspired by his father, David Brenner’s, service as Oneonta mayor (1986 - 97), as well as the Cooperstown philosophy: Be “a helpful neighbor first.”

“I have been fortunate that the right opportunity has seemed to present itself at the right time,” Brenner said.

“However, now it is time for someone that has more time in front of them to take over.”

Brenner notes that transparency whenever possible is vital for developing trust between officers and the community they serve – a challenge for the department after two unfortunate incidents in 2009 and 2011 of which Brenner believes that staffing of the department never recovered.

“It was hard; we were looked down upon,” Brenner said. “We had to change ourselves and I was asked to help rebuild and redirect our department – it was a real turning point and the trust in our officers took a while to regain.”

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BINDI/From A1 placid, but they can be unpredictable.

“She may have been wanting to play with me,” said the 30-something, fourth-generation dairy person. “But she was much bigger than I was.”

Bindi to the rescue, a rescue that won her national laurels: Sunday, Jan. 11, at the U.S. Farm Bureau annual convention, the Otsego County native was Farm Dog of the Year.

“Git around,” said Galley, and the 3-year-old Australian sheep dog did what’s she’s trained to do.

She leaped into the pen and, barking and dashing, had soon moved the cows, including the balky heifer, to the other side of the

enclosure.

Her grateful owner pulled herself to her feet, safe.

So when the Farm Bureau was promoting applications to its Farm Dog competition, Sonya was on it.

Last September, she got word: Out of 90 nominations, Bindi had won, only the fourth winner of a prize created in 2018. “I had to keep it secret” until last week’s announcement, Galley said.

The contest is co-sponsored by Nestle Purina PetCare, which donated $5,000 in prize money for Bindi and four runners-up, plus a trophy plate and a year’s supply of dog food.

Purina Vice President of Sustainability Jack Scott said the company is proud to

help farmers “steward their land” with the help “of their amazing dogs, who help enrich lives on and off the farm.”

Sonya helped mom Ziva, 9, whelp Bindi, so the two have been together from the beginning. The Aussie is helped with her farming duties by her mom, her younger sister Reese, 2, and her uncle Toby, 10.

The Australian sheep dog breed was actually developed in the American West, and the animals can’t stay still. “The dogs pretty much do what they’re bred to do,” said Glassey.

In addition to moving cows around pens – a Holstein heifer can weigh 800 pounds, so it’s no easy job – Bindi and Reese can

help hurry the herd across the road to pasture during the summer, and can cut individual cows out of the herd, as necessary.

The Galley family has been in the Town of New Lisbon since 1972, when dad Dave moved up from Trout Creek, Delaware County. Sonya graduated from Morris Central, then from Morrisville Ag & Tech, then received her four-year degree from Virginia.

From the start, “I always knew I’d do something around farming,” she said.

On learning of Bindi’s prize, the Galleys were looking forward to the Farm Bureau’s annual January convention: It was planned in San Diego.

Dean Retires, Still Believing In Cooperstown, New York DEAN/From A1 • Since early 1981, when, recently arriving (in 1977) from New Jersey, he launched a fundraising drive to acquire Smith Ford’s Ed Smith’s property at the bottom of Pioneer Street to double the size of Lakefront Park. The drive failed and Smith eventually built a house there.

• Since December 1981, when future mayor Carol B. Waller, active in the 4Cs Christmas Committee, recruited Jim – a maker of fine staircases – to build Santa’s Cottage in Pioneer Park, which youngsters are still enjoying two generations later. “We manufactured everything,” he said, “the doors, the trim, the windows.”

• Since 1982, when a production executive knocked on the door of his workshop, in the parking lot behind what is now the NBT Bank branch, and asked him, “Have you heard of ‘Ripley’s Believe It Or Not’.” He hadn’t, but he agreed to play the role of the Cardiff Giant on the CBS serial, publicizing the story nationwide.

Dean, 80, who has always characterized his role on an activist Village Board as “supportive,” said he decided not to run again when Hanna Bergene, 29, formerly with the Cooperstown Chamber of Commerce, decided to run.

“I think she’s a good fit today with where Cooperstown needs to go,” he said.

Also, Village Trustee Cindy Falk, the deputy mayor, said she will seek nomination for another term at the Democratic caucus at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 21, in Village Hall.

Jim was born in Manhattan and raised in nearby New Jersey. He was aware of Cooperstown – as a boy, his father, James Patrick, worked at The Otesaga during summers just before the Depression. In 1968, he and wife Eileen built a camp on Cornish Hill.

“Then we moved up here in 1977,” he recalled the other day, buying the house that, their three children grown, he and his wife still occupy on Delaware Street.

“I didn’t have a clue as to what I was going to do,” he said.

As it turned out, his talents in architectural stair-building and handrailings, were sought after in the New York Metropolitan Area, and he made a living going back and forth to the city, serving the rich and famous.

When Dick Cavett’s house burned down in Montauk on Long Island’s east end, Dean rebuilt the staircase just as it had been before.

Meanwhile, he and Eileen raised three children, Coleen, a successful

acupuncturist in Manhattan, living in Union City, N.J., with husband Gerry; Janice, a lawyer, currently NYSERA deputy counsel in Albany and Jeff, a software engineer and partner in a small firm in Lafayette, Colo., near Denver, with wife Emily Clark, a Laurens native, and their daughter, Lola, 13.

“Cooperstown’s been very good to us,” said Dean.

He credited Richard Abbate, the former village and county Democratic chairman, with recruiting him for the Village Board, and he credits Abbate for putting together the activist team that has renovated the Main Street area – current Mayor Ellen Tillapaugh Kuch, Dr. Walter Franck, Cindy Falk.

“Without Abbate, the last 10 years wouldn’t have happened,” he said.

With the completion of the Doubleday Field renovations, new issues are arising and it’s a good time to move on, he said.

“Outreach, technology, young people” are moving to the fore, he said.

“Now we have to build an economy.

I’m not sure what that will be. I tend to hope and think it would be more people and businesses coming here permanently, and a little less tourism.

“I do believe New York State is going to rise again.”

THURSDAY, January 21, 2021

A-8 THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA

With FlightPath, Hartwick Students Will Chart Trip To Success New Home, More Freedom FLIGHTPATH, From A3 who will collaborate in your success.

Over the next four years, classroom studies, J-terms (locally, in the U.S. or internationally), and internships. will lead you to the first job in your optimal career.

By graduation, you’ve also become a full member of the Hartwick community. Its far-flung network of fellow alumni will support you, advise you and open new opportunities to you over the rest of your life.

“What’s special about FlightPath is our commitment to every student, every time,” said Karen McGrath, senior vice president/enrollment & student success. “It’s not optional: It’s the Hartwick Experience.”

“This is a move from traditional majors,” said Patti Delaney, first director of the college’s new Griffiths Center for Collaboration & Innovation.

“These are actual ‘flight paths,’ where students can imagine and design where they want to go.”

• FlightPath didn’t just happen, said McGrath, Delaney, and Paula Lee Hobson, vice president/college advancement, in an interview.

In October 2017, acting on longstanding concerns reflected in the quote that begins this article, Hartwick President Margaret L. Drugovich and the Board of Trustees began “in-depth conversations about planning a sustainable Hartwick,” McGrath said.

They brought in the Baltimore-based Art & Science Group, consultants in “market-based strategies,” which

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NOTICE OF BOND RESOLUTION The bond resolution, a summary of which is published herewith, has been adopted on January 6, 2021, and the validity of the obligations authorized by such resolution may be hereafter contested only if such obligations were authorized for an object or purpose for which the County of Otsego, New York, is not authorized to expend money, or if the provisions of law which should have been complied with as of the date of publication of this notice were not substantially complied with, and an action, suit or proceeding contesting such validity is commenced within twenty days after the date of publication of this notice, or such obligations were authorized in violation of the provisions of the Constitution.

A complete copy of the resolution summarized herewith is available for public inspection during regular business hours at the Office of the Clerk of the Legislature for a period of twenty days from the date of publication of this Notice.

Dated: Cooperstown, New York, January 13, 2021. /s/Carol McGovern Clerk, Board of Representatives BOND RESOLUTION NO. 89-20210106 DATED JANUARY 6, 2021.

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE RECONSTRUCTION OF AND IMPROVEMENTS TO COUNTY ROAD

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54 IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF OTSEGO, NEW YORK, AT A MAXIMUM ESTIMATED COST OF $1,625,000, AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $1,625,000 BONDS OF SAID COUNTY TO PAY THE COST THEREOF. Class of objects or purposes: Reconstruction of and improvements to County Road 54 Period of probable usefulness: 15 years Maximum estimated cost: $1,625,000 Amount of obligations to be issued: $1,625,000 bonds SEQRA status: Type II Action Legal nOtice

NOTICE OF BOND RESOLUTION The bond resolution, a summary of which is published herewith, has been adopted on January 6, 2021, and the validity of the obligations authorized by such resolution may be hereafter contested only if such obligations were authorized for an object or purpose for which the County of Otsego, New York, is not authorized to expend money, or if the provisions of law which should have been complied with as of the date of publication of this notice were not substantially complied with, and an action, suit or proceeding contesting such validity is commenced within twenty days after the date of publication of this notice, or such obligations were authorized in violation of the provisions of the Constitution.

A complete copy of the resolution sum-

had advised clients ranging from Harvard and Dartmouth to schools like Hartwick, from Hobart & William Smith to Wooster, Colby, Grinnell and Lafayette.

In winter 2018, a campus “Promise Group” – faculty, staff and students – was formed to answer questions like, “What do our students want?” and “What does Hartwick deliver?”

A “Promise Implementation Group” crafted FightPath from there.

• Beginning in September with this school year, FlightPath had a “soft launch” with incoming freshmen, and innovations appropriate to sophomores, juniors and seniors were also being introduced this year.

So “this is the first year,” said McGrath. “We weren’t marketing it to (prospective applicants.) When they arrived, this was value added.”

In the cover story in the current edition of The Wick, the alumni magazine, FlightPath is called “more than a program. It’s an institutional commitment” wherein each student creates his or her “own clear and purposeful path … to personal and professional success.”

“Next year” – the college’s 225th anniversary, “we are giving it a full-court press,” said McGrath.

“Print materials, social media, digital advertising.”

• Already, there have been successes.

There’s the story of one student interested in business who, guided by an alumni mentor, won an internship

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marized herewith is available for public inspection during regular business hours at the Office of the Clerk of the Board of Representatives for a period of twenty days from the date of publication of this Notice.

Dated: Cooperstown, New York, January 13, 2021. /s/Carol McGovern Clerk, Board of Representatives BOND RESOLUTION NO. 86-20210106 DATED JANUARY 6, 2021.

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF MAINTENANCE EQUIPMENT FOR THE COUNTY OF OTSEGO, NEW YORK, AT A MAXIMUM ESTIMATED COST OF $700,000, AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $700,000 BONDS OF SAID COUNTY TO PAY THE COST THEREOF. Class of objects or purposes: Purchase of maintenance equipment, each item of which costs $30,000 or over Period of probable usefulness: 15 years Maximum estimated cost: $700,000 Amount of obligations to be issued: $700,000 bonds SEQRA status: Type II Action Legal nOtice

NOTICE OF BOND RESOLUTION The bond resolution, a summary of which is published herewith, has been adopted on January 6, 2021, and the va-

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at Liberty Mutual Insurance in Boston, and was hired on graduation. (Trustees Chairman David Long is Liberty Mutual president/CEO, exemplifying the clout of Hartwick grads.)

“As of this morning,” said Hobson, the VP/college advancement, interviewed Thursday, Jan. 14, “we have 506 alumni mentors.”

Locally, regionally and internationally, 309 employers have signed on to participate, she continued, and “156 have posted jobs for our students: A summer job. A semester-long job.

Sixty-eight posted internships, and 59 posted fellowships in science or public health.”

Last week, J-Terms began, with one student interested in international business heading to Japan to visit a “Hartwick Hawk” in business there, expecting full immersion into Japanese life and culture.

• One, identify strengths. Two, develop knowledge and networking skills. Three, launch graduates into successful careers.

And fourth, said President Drugovich in an interview, prepare graduates “to navigate in a workforce that’s going to continue to change through their career.

“In this generation of students, they’re open to mentoring, and they expect it,” she said. “They’re open to guidance and support, and they expect it. They’re looking for an education that teaches them how to think, but they also want to be prepared to start their careers immediately.

“That’s what FlightPath does.”

LEGALS

lidity of the obligations authorized by such resolution may be hereafter contested only if such obligations were authorized for an object or purpose for which the County of Otsego, New York, is not authorized to expend money, or if the provisions of law which should have been complied with as of the date of publication of this notice were not substantially complied with, and an action, suit or proceeding contesting such validity is commenced within twenty days after the date of publication of this notice, or such obligations were authorized in violation of the provisions of the Constitution.

A complete copy of the resolution summarized herewith is available for public inspection during regular business hours at the Office of the Clerk of the Legislature for a period of twenty days from the date of publication of this Notice.

Dated: Cooperstown, New York, January 13, 2021. /s/Carol McGovern Clerk, Board of Representatives BOND RESOLUTION NO. 87-20210106 DATED JANUARY 6, 2021.

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE RECONSTRUCTION OF BRIDGES AND CULVERTS THROUGHOUT AND IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF OTSEGO, NEW YORK, AT A MAXIMUM ESTIMATED COST OF $1,910,000, AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $1,910,000 BONDS OF SAID COUNTY TO PAY THE COST

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THEREOF. Class of objects or purposes: Reconstruction of bridges and culverts Period of probable usefulness: 20 years Maximum estimated cost: $1,910,000 Amount of obligations to be issued: $1,910,000 bonds SEQRA status: Type II Action Legal nOtice

NOTICE OF BOND RESOLUTION The bond resolution, a summary of which is published herewith, has been adopted on January 6, 2021, and the validity of the obligations authorized by such resolution may be hereafter contested only if such obligations were authorized for an object or purpose for which the County of Otsego, New York, is not authorized to expend money, or if the provisions of law which should have been complied with as of the date of publication of this notice were not substantially complied with, and an action, suit or proceeding contesting such validity is commenced within twenty days after the date of publication of this notice, or such obligations were authorized in violation of the provisions of the Constitution.

A complete copy of the resolution summarized herewith is available for public inspection during regular business hours at the Office of the Clerk of the Legislature for a period of twenty days from the date of publication of this Notice.

Dated: Cooperstown,

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New York, January 13, 2021. /s/Carol McGovern Clerk, Board of Representatives BOND RESOLUTION NO. 88-20210106 DATED JANUARY 6, 2021.

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE RECONSTRUCTION OF VARIOUS ROADS THROUGHOUT AND IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF OTSEGO, NEW YORK, AT A MAXIMUM ESTIMATED COST OF $2,500,000, AND AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF $2,500,000 BONDS OF SAID COUNTY TO PAY THE COST THEREOF. Class of objects or purposes: Reconstruction of various roads Period of probable usefulness: 15 years Maximum estimated cost: $2,500,000 Amount of obligations to be issued: $2,500,000 bonds SEQRA status: Type II Action Legal nOtice

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY UNDER NEW YORK LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY LAW 1. The name of the limited liability company (“LLC”) is Farm View Farm LLC. 2. The date of filing of the Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State is January 12, 2021.

3. The County within the State of New York in which the principal

SCOFIELD/From A3 help, and assists friends in need, often plowing his neighbors’ driveways.

The young man had been living with his mother, Michele, but he eventually wanted a place of his own.

He bought land, planned to put a used trailer there. His brother Daniel cleared the site, and a slab was installed.

When he approached Latham Homes in Oneonta, Herb Fiederer recommended Scofield get in touch with ORHA Director Timothy Peters.

He might qualify for funds through the state’s Mobile & Manufactured Housing Replacement program, Fiederer reasoned.

Extensive planning for a fully customized single-wide, one-bed, two-bath unit started, all complete in time for Christmas.

“It was great,” Scofield said, who had never lived in a fully accessible unit; he even opted to keep the standard countertop height. “I was able to spend Thanksgiving at my mom’s, and then my first Christmas here.”

Modifying one bedroom into a utility room gave him more space in the hallways.

A shower space was made wheelchair accessible.

The unit also has two ramps, both wide enough and reinforced to withstand the weight of a four-wheeler – one of Scofield’s many hobbies. His disability does not keep Scofield from doing donuts in the driveway.

Selecting the color pallet for the interior and exterior, Scofield was more than pleased on a tour of his new home the other day.

“The amount of work and money I would have had to put into the used trailer – and it still wouldn’t be this accessible – is crazy,” Scofield said, joking that he had to “settle” for stainless steel appliances.

He said he enjoyed working with Fiederer and Peters, and the feeling was mutual.

“He’s an extremely interesting, capable and resourceful young man; he’s your typical Upstate New Yorker,” Peters said. “I think a lot of him,” Fiederer said.

To be eligible, he said, a participant’s household income can’t exceed 80 percent of the region’s median income. Plus, the mobile, modular or site-built home must be an owner’s primary residence.

Under the grant, property owners may buy a mobile, modular or site-built home.

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office of the LLC is located is Otsego.

4. The Secretary of State of the State of New York is hereby designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. The post office address to which the Secretary of State shall mail a copy of any process against the LLC served upon him or her is: 175 Rod and Gun Club Road, Unadilla, NY 13849.

5. The character or purpose of the business of the LLC is any purpose allowed by law.

6LegalFeb.18

SSNY shall mail a copy of process to 585 Richfield Hill Road, Richfield Springs, N.Y. 13439.

Purpose is to engage in any and all business activities permitted under NYS laws.

6LegalFeb.18

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Notice of Formation of Hwy28 LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the Sec’y. of State of N.Y. (SSNY) on 01/07/2021.

Office location: Otsego County.

SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to Nicholas Mangano PO Box 183 4285 State Hwy 28 Milford, NY 138071143 Purpose: Any lawful activity.

6LegalFeb.18 Legal nOtice

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF A NY LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY (LLC) Name: Maplelane Consulting LLC Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State (SSNY) were on October 8, 2020.

Office location is Otsego County.

SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served.

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Notice of Formation of ZAED Properties, LLC,

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Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of Johnston Trucking LLC. Filed 11/23/20.

Office: Otsego Co. SSNY desig. as agent for process & shall mail to: 2291 Rt 23, Po Box 204, Morris, NY 13808.

Purpose: General.

6LegalFeb.4 Legal nOtice

a Limited Liability Company (LLC) filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on January 4, 2021.

NY office Location: OTSEGO County.

SSNY is designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served.

SSNY shall mail a copy of any process served upon him/her to: C/O ZAED Properties, LLC, 6106 State Highway 28, Fly Creek, NY 13337.

General Purposes.

6LegalFeb.18

Art. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 11/03/2020.

Office: Otsego County.

SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to Jackson LLP @ 11 Broadway, #615, New York, NY 10004.

Purpose: all lawful 6LegalJan.21

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Notice of formation of a Limited Liability Company (LLC)

Notice of Formation of

Name: AutoTech Mobile Specialties, LLC Articles of Organization filed by the Department of the State on: 01/01/2021 Office location: Otsego County The Secretary of the State has been designated as the agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served and SSNY shall mail copy of process to P.O. Box 754 East Worcester NY 12064.

Purpose is to engage in any and all business activities permitted under NYS laws.

6LegalFeb.11

Notice of Formation of Detox With the Docs, LLC.

Trip L Farm LLC Filed 6/30/20 Office: Otsego Co. SSNY designated as agent for process & shall mail to: c/o Miosek Law, 29 Pioneer Street, Cooperstown, NY 13326 Purpose: all lawful 6LegalJan.21 Legal nOtice

Notice of Formation of Gretchen Raddatz Wellness LLC Filed 8/27/20 Office: Otsego Co. SSNY designated as agent for process & shall mail to: 6559 State Highway 80, Cooperstown, NY 13326 Purpose: all lawful 6LegalJan.21

THURSDAY, January 21, 2021

THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA A-9

IN MEMORIAM

Wayne J. Balnis, Jr., 59 Feb. 18, 1961 - Jan. 16, 2021

ONEONTA – Wayne J. Balnis Jr. better known as “JR”, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021 of heart complications.

Wayne was born on Feb. 18, 1961, in Oneonta, to Wayne Balnis and Patricia (Weitzel) Balnis.

He married Carla Palmer on May 23, 1992, in the First United Methodist Church.

They were married for 28 years and were constant companions, partners and best friends.

His children survive him, son Joseph Michael Balnis and daughter-in-law, Catie Vincent Balnis, of Delmar; daughter Caryn Rachel Balnis and spouse, Christopher Sloan, of Morris. He is also survived by two sisters and brothers-in-law, Sherry and

Brian Pidgeon and Laurie and ily man whose children and Stephen Page. grandson were an important Also, his mother-in-law, part of his life. Each of them Madolyn Palmer; sister-in-law, shares special memories of Sandra and Robb spending time Ross; brother-inwith him. He was law, Ransom and a true friend, and Renee Palmer; believed in people. very special friend Wayne graduand co-worker, ated from Oneonta Brian and Margie High School in Bourgeois, and 1979, and worked many nieces, at Mold-a-Matic nephews, aunts, for over 30 years, uncles, cousins, before going to Wayne J. and friends. Also work for Otsego Balnis Jr. survived by his County Highway GREATEST love, Department. his grandson, Colton Peter Wayne had many hobbies.

Balnis.

As a young man, fishing, He was predeceased by his camping and hunting with his parents, Wayne Balnis Sr. and Dad and Grandfather were Patricia Balnis, and father-inalways first on the list; a sport law Ransom Carver Palmer. he soon passed on to his Wayne was a devoted famson, daughter and wife. He

was an avid bowler with more than eleven 300 games; also “coaching” his family to share in his competitiveness. You notice Wayne did very little without his family together.

Wayne was an active member of the Oneonta Moose Lodge, The Sixth Ward Athletic Club, a past member of the Loyal Order of the Elks, a past president of the local Ducks Unlimited, and a very proud member of the West Oneonta Volunteer Fire Department; providing the BEST Chicken BBQ in town!

For fun, Wayne could be found at local singing competitions following his “Sweetiepie.” There was nothing like watching his heart when she sang. He loved bowling tournaments with his son, (and a little side wager), delivering

food for Sloan’s, supporting his favorite Ironman competitor, and watching the Disney sing-a-longs with Colton.

His love of FAMILY often put him in position he didn’t exactly volunteer for, emceeing dinner shows, breaking down and setting up charitable events, cooking chicken … he was the only part of the “Sock-Hop” family who didn’t sing (or at least on stage). He loved karaoke with his little girl.

He was a man of strength, who believed in faithfulness, to his wife, his children, his job and his friends. Wayne was never happier than when his children and his grandson were around him.

Many people dream of traveling during retirement, he spoke of it often; but

“dream” was big word to him … and he realized all his DREAMS right here in Oneonta with all of you surrounding him.

It is the wish of the family that donations are made to Super Heroes in Ripped Jeans, 697 Winney Hill Road, Oneonta, NY 13820, www. superheroesirj.org There will be no calling hours or services at this time.

A celebration of life will be planned when the world becomes a little less “crazy”.

At Wayne’s wishes, he will be cremated with arrangements handled by Oneonta’s only family-owned funeral home, Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono at 51 Dietz Street.

Expressions of sympathy may be sent to, www.lhpfuneralhome.com

OBITUARIES Barbara Duell Hewitt, 69; OHS Grad Raised Champion Morgan Horses

ONEONTA – Barbara Duell Hewitt, who was raised in Oneonta and went on to raise world champion Morgan horses in Virginia, passed away peacefully Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021, losing her final battle with early onset Alzheimer’s disease. Her loving family was at her bedside.

Barbara was born in Las Cruces, N.M., on Sept. 9, 1951. The family lived in Kansas with generations of family until Barbara was 7, when she moved to Oneonta with her family.

Barbara graduated from Oneonta High School in 1969, and from SUNY Oneonta in 1973, with a bachelor’s degree in biology.

She attended graduate school at SUNY Geneseo, earning her permanent New York State teaching certification. Barbara taught junior

high biology in Pittsford in 1976-78, enjoying the school, her colleagues and the energetic age group of students.

Barbara married the love of her life, Mike, in June, 1976.

Barbara bred and raised world champion and family pleasure Morgan horses on her Sweet Promise Farm in the White Oak area of Stafford County.

Barbara’s Radiance Morgans are cherished by many families for their willing attitudes, pleasant temperaments and beauty. She served on the board of the American Morgan Horse Association.

Barbara also loved her dogs, cats, fish (especially fancy guppies), Guinea hens and chickens.

Her three children, her husband, Mike, and a few dear friends meant

the world to her. Barbara had a unique, quiet goodness.

She was exceptionally smart. She embraced working on her picturesque farm and joyfully raised her children there. Barbara possessed a quiet elegance and a sweet calmness. We will miss her deeply.

She is survived by her mother, Mrs. Bonnie O’Donnell; husband, Mike; three children, Meghan Castner (Bill), John Hewitt (Nicole) and Amanda Pruett (Daniel); four grandchildren, Meredith and Peter Castner, George Pruett and Michael (Morgan) Hewitt; and four brothers, Steve Duell (Peggy), Roger Duell (Debbie), Robert Duell and Scott Duell (Melanie).

Barbara was predeceased by her father, Roy Duell.

Barbara Duell Hewitt

Irene M. Johnson, 80; Served Oneonta Schools For Half-Century

Grandma loved her farm, her family, and playing her old guitar.

Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home will take the time to find out what made your loved one special.

Whether it’s finding just the right flowers, or finding a musician to play her favorite tunes on her old guitar, we’ll do what’s necessary to make her service as unique as she was.

Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home 14 Grand Street, Oneonta • 607-432-6821 www.grummonsfuneralhome.com

ONEONTA – Irene M. Johnson, 80, who worked for the Kevin Kurkowski 607-432-2022 Oneonta City School District for a half-century, died Sunday, 22-26 Watkins Avenue, Oneonta Jan. 17, 2021.

Monday through Friday 8 am - 4:30 pm She was born Sept. 27, 1940, at home in a house on Country Club Road, the daughter of James C. and Tressa A. ·· Northup.

On Aug. 8, 1959, she married Stephen N. Johnson Sr., who survives her. They were married for 62 years.

Irene graduated from Oneonta High School in 1958, and was hired as the junior high school principal’s secreHave your own contractor? Not tary even before she graduated. a problem. DIY? Not a problem.

After she was married in 1959, Come on by and shop for what she worked full or part-time for the YOU want! OR we can do all of Oneonta City School District until the work for you! she retired in 1999, altogether 34 years. After retirement, she worked We’ll make it easy and fun with so many choices! as a substitute secretary for OHS and 4316 County Hwy 11 Open weekdays: OMS for 16 more years.

9 am to 5:30 pm Cooperstown She was an active member of the 607-547-6038 Saturday: 9 am to 4 pm Oneonta Southside Wesleyan Church, Irene M. krazytoms.com After hours by appt. where she became a member at info@cfbsales.com Johnson age 13 (1953) and started teaching Closed Sunday SinCe 1962 Sunday school when she was 17 years old. She taught Sunday school for close to 50 years, at one time or another teaching every age level. She held several other offices in the church as well.

She enjoyed making scrapbooks for all her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. She loved her flower gardens, quilting and sewing. She was happiest when she was around all of her family and when she was baking cookies for them or feeding them.

In addition to her husband Stephen, she is survived by three children; 8 grandchildren and their spouses; 10 great-grandchildren; three siblings, Glenn, James and Mary Jane and their spouses, her special nephew, Timothy and many other nieces and nephews and several cousins; also her Aunt Ella Burns.

Irene was predeceased by her parents, James and Tressa Northup; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Harry and Helen Johnson; baby great-grandson, Caanan Davis; brother and sister-in-law, Charles and Linda Northup; grandparents, Earl and Mary Tuttle and Earl and Emma Northup; aunt, Annie Johnson; uncle, Ed Burns, and several other aunts, uncles and cousins.

A graveside service will be held at a later date in Glenwood Cemetery in Oneonta.

Donations may be made to the charity of one’s choice.

Arrangements are with Oneonta’s only family-owned funeral home, Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono at 51 Dietz St. Expressions of sympathy may be shared at www. lhpfuneralhome.com.

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THURSDAY, January 21, 2021

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55 Oneida Street, Oneonta | 607-432-2800 | 800-388-3632 SALES: Monday - Thursday 8 am to 7 pm, Friday 8 am to 6 pm, Saturday 8 am to 5 pm | SERVICE (By appointment): Monday-Friday 8 am to 5 pm, Saturday 8 am to l pm