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Free Solar Panel? If It Sounds To Good To Be True...
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ooperstown Police Chief Michael Covert was quite surprised to get a call offering him free solar panels. “I told
Ian Austin/The Freeman’s Journal
For 208 Years
Cooperstown, New York, Thursday, February 11, 2016
COOPERSTOWN
Nick Brandt, Cooperstown, dances with daughter Emily at the Family Y’s DaddyDaughter Valentine’s Dance Saturday, Feb. 6, at SUNY Oneonta’s Hunt Union Ballroom, an annual Oneonta tradition.
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COOPERSTOWN AND AROUND
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him I already had 62 panels in my backyard,” said Covert. “He told me, ‘No you don’t, I’m looking at your house on Google Earth.’ “I told him to look again, and he hung up on me,” said the chief.
So far, village police have received two other reports from people reporting similar calls, both promising to install free solar panels in their homes. “Anything for free over the
phone is a scam,” said Covert. “With a real solar program, you would have to initiate the purchase. When someone calls and tells you that you can get free solar, it’s too Please See SCAMS, A2
All Eyes Looking Ahead To 50th Winter Carnival By LIBBY CUDMORE COOPERSTOWN
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Democratic Pick: Yandik Or Teachout?
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he Democratic County Committee planned to endorse either former gubernatorial candidate Zephyr Teachout or Ulster County farmer and town board member Will Yandik when it met at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 9, in Cooperstown Village Hall. Both will appear at the caucus, as will Assemblyman Bill Magee, D-Nelson, and Sherrill City Commissioner Mike Hennessy, who again is challenging him in the April 22 primary, said county Chair Richard Abbate. For outcome, visit WWW.ALLOTSEGO.COM
GETTING READY: U.S. Rep. Chris Gibson, R-19th, filed papers Monday, Feb. 8, with the state Boards of Elections to form a “Gibson for NY” exploratory committee, which would allow fundraising to begin for his prospective 2018 gubernatorial run.
Jim Kevlin/The Freeman’s Journal
The best way to enjoy a Cooperstown Winter Carnival is to dress for the cold, as Erin Newkerk, Clark Sports Center marketing director, can attest. She was bundled up at the finish line of the 44th Bob Smullens Run Saturday morning, Feb. 6, in Cooper Park/MORE PHOTOS, C1
Hilda Wilcox His Cooperstown Contact
‘Ideals, Not Politics,’ Drive Sanders’ Fan By LIBBY CUDMORE
LONGER HOURS: The Susquehanna Animal Shelter COOPERSTOWN thrift store, the Better Exchange, has increased hours aving grown up in a to 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Mondaysocialist household in Saturday; Wednesdays, it’s Utica, Hilda Wilcox, open until 6. Bernie Sanders’ organizer in Cooperstown, is no stranger to going door-to-door for her beliefs. “When I was 7, I distributed
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Wilcox leads Sanders’ effort in village.
leaflets to the neighbors supporting the Loyalists in Spain,” she said. “Afterwards, I asked my mother, ‘Who are the Loyalists?’ and she explained that we were fighting for democracy in Spain.” And though the cold weather kept her for ringing doorbells, she still actively campaigned for Sanders – he bested Hillary Clinton in the New Hampshire See SANDERS, A7
ven before the Touchdown Celebration Carnival Closer ended Sunday afternoon, Feb. 7, everyone involved was looking forward to next year’s 50th Cooperstown Winter Carnival. And an old friend may be back in the fold. “The Cooperstown Chamber of Commerce was involved up through the ’70s and ’80s,” said carnival co-chair Marissa Davidson. “The idea is still in its infancy, but involving the chamber again might be a benefit.” “The Carnival is an avenue of great interest for us,” said chamber Executive Director Matt Hazard. “It’s a great, community-driven Please See 50th, A3
Boat Wash Stations Coming For Lakefront, Canadarago By LIBBY CUDMORE COOPERSTOWN
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o freeloaders allowed. That’s the message the Otsego Lake Association, OCCA, the Otsego Land Trust and other local lake groups are hoping to enforce with a proposed
boat launch at Lakefront Park. “There’s a new state Quaggas lat- law in place est worry. that boats traveling from one lake to another have to be free of invasive species, plant or animal,” said Wayne Bunn, OLA Please See WASH, 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
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