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Cooperstown’s Newspaper

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NEW BOOK LOCATES ALL ROADSIDE SIGNS IN COUNTY/SEE B1

For 207 Years

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Cooperstown, New York, Thursday, April 30, 2015

Newsstand Price $1

Race Shapes Up After Otsego Dust-Ups An Arrest, A Resignation, And Town Supervisor May Face Challenge

By JIM KEVLIN FLY CREEK

Kiernan

I

f the Town of Otsego was simmering, simmering for the past two months, matters came to a

boil the evening of Tuesday, April 22, when engineer Jon McManus charged into Town Hall and began angrily shouting at Town Board members meeting there, according to eyewitnesses.

“Don’t talk to us that way,” Town Supervisor Anne Geddes-Atwell said

she told McManus, and he refused to leave. Sheriff’s deputies were summoned, and charged McManus, 35, who was in the parking lot by then, with disorderly conduct. He was arraigned in Hartwick Town Court and released, deputies reported.

Please See TOWN, A3

Atwell

DOWNTOWN HOTEL AT CENTER STAGE The Freeman’s Journal

Volunteer Maureen Murray straightens up clothing that had been disheveled by browsers during the OCCA’s annual garage sale Saturday, April 25 in The Farmers’ Market quarters in Pioneer Alley.

It’s a major fundraiser for the environmental group.

Village Cites Developer After 9 Trees Cut Down A CIDER RUN A DAY...

Trash Plastic Bags, Citizen Asks Trustees COOPERSTOWN

D

By JIM KEVLIN

r. Frank Harte, just back from visiting his sister in Newburyport, Mass., suggested to village trustees Monday, April 27, that they follow that town’s suit and ban the use of plastic bags here.

Nine communities in New York State and nine in Massachusetts have already done so, and in recent days Gov. Jerry Brown has enacted a statewide ban for California.

TENNIS, ANYONE? The CCS board has been approached by two local investors interest in building indoor tennis courts and clubhouse at the far end of the Blue Lot. The plans would require leasing a portion of land from the school district.

DROP OFF BOOKS: Further drop-off days for the Friends of the Village Library’s annual book sale are 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, May 2, and Saturday, June 6.

The event is Saturday, June 26, to Sunday, July 4.

‘We Will Be Vindicated,’ Lagan Says

COOPERSTOWN

I

Ian Austin/The Freeman’s Journal

Barb Mykytyn, Oneonta, races to the finish line at the 2015 Cider Run Saturday, April 25. The 5K and 10K races attracted more than 400 racers. There was some confusion, with runners crossing the finish line from both sides, but participants refused refunds, as proceeds go to the Alzheimer’s Foundation. Nicholas Arnecke, Edmeston, placed first in the 5K with a time of 23:33, with Frank Wilsey, Cooperstown, taking second at 25:02.

Ryan Corbett, Cooperstown, took first in the 10K with a time of 39:33, with Wayne Allen II, Oneonta, taking second with 39:35

For Glimmerglen Ashram, Nepal Quake Personal

By LIBBY CUDMORE COOPERSTOWN

W

hen he first heard about Saturday, April 25’s devastating earthquake in

Nepal, mediation teacher Matthew Zalichin thought immediately of Rangjung Yeshe Gomde’s founder.

Phakchok Rinpoche operates his retreat center on Glimmerglen Road, but his family, including his father Chokling and his uncle Chokyi Nyima, also run eight

monasteries, nunneries and retreat centers throughout Nepal.

“We have been able to confirm that the monasteries associated with Rinpoche are all still standing,” said Zalichin. “There’s structural damage, but the monks Please See NEPAL, A3

t may have seemed like a comedy of miscommunication, but the outcome was serious enough: The Village Board Monday, April 27, voted, 4-2, to issue a ticket THE MAIN EVENT: against BTP Village Trustees set Cooperstown, hearing on hotel the developplan for Monday, ers of the pro- June 29/DETAILS, A7 posed downtown hotel, after nine trees were cut down behind 124 Main St., the prospective site.

Despite some confusion outlined by village Zoning Enforcement Officer Tavis Austin, and confirmed

by Mayor Jeff Katz in an interview the next morning, Village Trustee Lou Allstadt, in making the motion to levy the ticket, said it’s important for the village to communicate that it intends to enforce its laws.

The matter now moves to court, where a judge will decide whether BTP Cooperstown failed to live up to the village’s requirements and, if so, what fine it should pay.

Given the confusion, Allstadt said the village should seek the minimum fine. That could be as little as $250; or it could be $1,500 – $250 for each of six trees. Village regulations Please See TREES, 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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A-2 THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL

THURSDAY, april 30, 2015

LOCALS

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Groundbreaking Planned On Streck Health Center At Pathfinder Village EDMESTON

P

athfinder Village is planning a groundbreaking at 10 a.m.

Friday, May 8, on the $1.2 million Dr. William F. Streck Community Health Center on Friday, May 8.

In addition to the honoree, dignitaries attending include U.S. Rep. Chris Gibson, R-19, state Sen. Jim Seward, Ruthe Ayres for The Freeman’s Journal R-Milford, and Dr. Vance Brown, Streck’s successor as On Arbor Day, Friday, April 24, David Bertram’s 2nd grade class at Cooperstown Elementary, president/CEO of the Bassett observed the planting of a gingko tree in memory Healthcare Network. of Frank Rollins, the photographer and retired In addition to leading teacher who passed away in 2013. Also attendBassett before his retireing were Mayor Jeff Katz, Tree Committee Chair ment last summer, Streck Ruthe Ayres, Village Trustee Joan Nicols, Hank Nicols, DEC forester Scott Moxham and the 2nd grade class. The Village of Cooperstown has been designated a Tree City USA for 26 years.

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is president of the Pathfinder Board of Directors.

The new 3,800-squarefoot community healthcare Streck facility is being built by Pathfinder and will be operated

by Bassett. The builder is Jim Wakeman of Sidney; the architect, Norman J. Davies of Chenango Bridge.

The new facility will replace the current Bassett Healthcare Network/Edmeston Health Center.

Bassett COO Bertine McKenna To Retire, Successor Is Sought COOPERSTOWN

B

assett Healthcare Network’s chief operating officer for the past 13 years, Bertine McKenna, is retiring, she and President/CEO Vance Brown announced jointly on Tuesday, April 28.

Brown and McKenna said succession planning for network operations has routinely been discussed since he arrived. Bassett will now undertake a national search for a new executive vice president (EVP) and chief operating officer (COO).

The search for a successor is expected to take several months.

At Brown’s request, McKenna will stay on at Bassett for a period of time to help assure a smooth transition of her operational responsibilities on an interim basis while the search for a new

EVP/COO is conducted.

McKenna, a Ph.D., has been Bassett’s executive vice president and chief operating McKenna officer for 13 years and has over 30 years of experience in health care leadership. She plans to remain in Cooperstown.

Brown praised McKenna for “for her extraordinary contributions to Bassett and her great assistance to me as I adapted to my new role. In the 10 months since I came to Bassett, I have witnessed Dr. McKenna’s tireless efforts on behalf of our patients and the organization.

Throughout her tenure, she has been a staunch advocate for improving quality, safety and service.”

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THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2015

THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL A-3

Otsego Supervisor Rebuffs Call For Resignation; Former Supervisor May Run Again TOWN/From A1 Back in Town Hall, where a special meeting had been convened to clear the way for participation in a solar-farm project being organized by Cooperstown Village Trustee Lou Allstadt, first-term Town Board member Julie Huntsman peremptorily resigned.

Called that evening, Huntsman confirmed her resignation, saying she had been considering it for a while, and she called for Geddes Atwell to resign as well. “This is not my opinion here,” said the departing member. “It’s about her competence and leadership.

And, by my experience, she has not demonstrated competence or leadership.”

Later that evening, a surprised town supervisor said, “I’ve always backed the things she’s done. I’ve supported her. If she had a problem she should have talked to me.” She added, “The only difference we had was how to deal with difficult people.”

Huntsman, a Democrat, said Meg Kiernan, a Democrat who served as town supervisor in 2010-12, should run again. Geddes Atwell is a Republican, now the only one on the five-person Town Board.

And, the following day, Kiernan confirmed she’s indeed considering running, with the idea of announcing in mid-June. “I do believe my strong point is being able to bring people together,” she said. “I don’t think party should matter at the local level.”

Last week’s events were

Local Buddhists Seeks Help For Quake Victims NEPAL/From A1 and nuns are all safe.”

But as aftershocks continued to rage, the death toll continued to climb to over 4,000, and many found themselves homeless, hurt and hungry. “The situation is dire,” said Zalichin.

“The Rinpoches have health clinics already, and they are letting people sleep in the courtyards of the monastery.”

Phakchok established the Rangjung Yeshe Gomde meditation center in 2009, and has returned to teach classes locally every year.

In 2012, Chokling came and performed a special “Fire Offering” at the center to bring blessings to Cooperstown.

And now, Rangjung Yeshe Gomde is sending the goodwill back.

On the website, www.rygcooperstown.org, a link has been established directing visitors to contribute to relief efforts. “Because these monasteries have already established health centers, they have almost zero overhead,” he said. “This is always a factor people need to consider in these situations.”

He also asks that people be considerate of how their actions effect others globally. “People should not click ‘Like’ on any Facebook posts coming from Nepal,” he said. “Doing so uses their electricity, and it’s a precious resource right now. The most helpful thing people can do is make financial contributions.”

And in addition to financial help, Phakchok also had another favor to ask – special meditations to help “Overcome obstacles and negative forces, and then to magnetize more auspicious circumstances for Nepal.”

To help with this, Rangjung Yeshe Gomde is hosting a daily “Smoke Offering” at 5 p.m. at the mediation center, 412 Glimmerglen Road.

rooted in plans by Roger Heroux to build a 9,500square-foot structure on his Route 26 property Huntsman between Fly Creek and Toddsville, according to Town Attorney Michelle Kennedy. (Geddes Atwell suggested her as someone who could outline the events dispassionately.)

The Planning Board found the structure permissible, but considered the “service trade establishment” definition that allowed the Heroux project

to be vague. The Town Board then moved forward that month and in March to tighten the definition.

It turned out, however, that Heroux planned four more similar structures, had “verbally communicated that” to the Planning Board, although he had not filed a formal application, Kennedy said. He feared the changes in the law would now prevent him from going forward with his plans.

At a subsequent meeting, Planning Board vice chair Joe Potrikus expressed concern that the change in the language would now prevent the additional Heroux buildings.

Geddes Atwell, on the other hand, expressed the view that allowing the buildings to go forward would be “zoning by precedent” – it would then be hard to close the door. The Town Board also felt the buildings were “inconsistent with the master plan,” Kennedy said.

While these regulatory adjustments may seem routine, they can evoke conflict. “To one individual, commercialization may be in their best interest,” Kennedy said. “But to neighbors, who simply want a quiet neighborhood, they may be contrary to their interests.”

On leaving the Town Board, Huntsman recommended Dr. Paul Russo of Cooperstown, who had run against Democrat Tom Hohensee for an open seat in 2013. (All of the Village of Cooperstown west of the Susquehanna is also in the

Town of Otsego.) Russo was a Republican, but has since shifted to independent, Geddes Atwell said. Regardless, he was not seated.

For her part, the town supervisor said she does not intend to resign.

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Perspectives

A-4 THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL

THURSDAY, april 30, 2015

EDITORIALS

Breathe. Oneonta’s Had 6 Traumatic, Turbulent Months

S

o much has happened in the past six months – and it’s only been six months – since Marty Murphy assumed the helm of Oneonta City Hall’s administration last Oct. 1.

No doubt, Mayor Dick Miller’s original plan was to bring Oneonta’s second city manager up to speed in The Miller Method, to put him in the picture on The Miller Initiatives. But, with Miller’s passing on

Oct. 25 – Murphy was three weeks into his new job – that wasn’t to be.

Deputy Mayor Russ Southard, to the thanks of his fellow citizens, assumed duties that he never expected nor desired. But, unlike the retired Miller, Southard has a demanding job and family responsibilities, plus he’s new to the mayoralty.

Taking Murphy by the hand, as Miller no doubt would have, just wasn’t to be.

City Hall is a picture of

Voters Elected Supervisor Atwell, And Should Decide If She Stays

W

as there a full call was “a total surprise. moon in Otsego As far as I could see, we County’s skies were getting along.”

Tuesday, April 21?

As in Oneonta, the Town As City Council member of Otsego fathers (and Mike Lynch was mothers) should bomb-throwing in take a deep breath.

Oneonta, in Fly Supervisor Atwell Creek the Otsego has been elected Town Board was twice to the town’s being harangued by top job. She is up an engineer angry for election again in at a stymied local November. Let the project. voters, not HuntsThe haranguer man, decide if she Geddes Atwell was charged with deserves another disorderly conduct, term. (Although then Town Board member Atwell isn’t sure she wants Julie Huntsman announced to run again.) she was resigning, and Town Board member called on Town Supervisor Huntsman had accepted a Anne Geddes Atwell to do two-year responsibility on the same, saying, “by my running for office, and she experience, she has not had a responsibility to see demonstrated competence it through. She certainly or leadership.” shouldn’t call on Atwell to To Atwell, Huntsman’s follow a regrettable lead.

transition: New city manager. New mayor. Four of the eight Council members – Bob Brzozowski, Chip Holmes, Mike Lynch and Larry Malone – aren’t running again this fall; they’re winding down.

In Mike Lynch’s case, though, can anyone be blamed for wondering if a Dec. 31 departure isn’t soon enough?

To the surprise of his fellow Council members, Lynch emerged from an executive session at the Tuesday, April 21, Common Council meeting to reportedly declare, “Something’s wrong. It’s obvious that something is broken and we’re going to find out what it is.”

Apparently it wasn’t obvious to Southard and other Council members, who said the executive session dealt with establishing a 360-degree review system for the city manager position. They called a special Council meeting for Friday the 24th where they reaffirmed their support for the city manager.

Can you believe it? Lynch didn’t attend.

• Council member Mike Lynch hasn’t exactly been a friend of professional management at City Hall, and explicitly so: “It (the charter) doesn’t pertain to my job,” he told the Charter Revision Committee last summer.

A year ago, almost to the day, he participated in the

The Freeman’s Journal

Oneontans should do what they can to make City Manager Marty Murphy and his wife Penny feel at home. It’s the friendly thing to do – and good for the city.

premature agitation that resulted in the ouster of the first city manager, Mike Long. That, too, caught his colleagues by surprise.

A murky effort followed to circumvent charter-defined credentials in the hiring of Long’s successor. In the end, Lynch declared his sympathy for that effort and became the sole vote against Murphy’s hiring.

Since, he’s voted against key Murphy initiatives – a professional study of the fire department’s equipment needs and the hiring of a Community Development director among them. And he’s routinely made motions to table other initiatives – recently, a paid-parking adjustment and leasing city land for billboards.

Certainly, that’s his right, but it’s part of a troubling piece.

Now, there he goes again, over-stating an evolving situation – Murphy’s just getting settled – as a crisis that demands immediate attention. It isn’t and it doesn’t.

It’s hard to know what Mike Lynch is up to and why. Certainly, though, his colleagues should strive to limit the damage he might do in the few months remaining, as they did at the special Council meeeting. .

• Yes, City Hall is in flux.

This simply is not the time to further rock the good ship City Hall as it navigates through storm to safe harbor.

It’s been said that Murphy hasn’t reached out to city workers, and he’s pledged an open door policy. This is good. Perhaps the department heads can organize

Congressional Report

LETTERS

Zoning Preserves What Makes Cooperstown Special To the Editor: In last week’s editorial, “In Itself, Deluxe Hotel Is Not A Bad Idea For Cooperstown,” a number of points are made in support of the construction of the proposed hotel. It is lamented that Cooperstown’s business district is not what it used to be.

Crowds thin out after 6 p.m. Some stores close completely in the winter months. Special events are not what they used to be.

But, if what is claimed is to be believed, much of this decline can be changed because the 120 people staying at the proposed hotel during the summer months would be able to keep the cash registers ringing.

This seems contrary to

the theory that instead of week-long visitors increasing business on Main Street, week-long visitors actually prevent the needed business which occurs when visitors stay but two or three days.

Instead of a having one set of visitors, with one amount of money to spend, visiting the village each week, the shorter-term tourists have two or three sets of visitors, with two or three amounts of money to spend, visiting each week. It would seem the latter scenario would be the one more likely to make cash registers to ring.

And while, if local workers and materials are used in the construction of the hotel, it would be a big help, shortterm, to the struggling construction industry. But

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coffee klatches for the city manager and staff to get to know each other in casual, low-key conversations. In the end, though, Murphy’s got to be the boss.

The city manager’s success is important to everyone. Perhaps city residents could make a special effort of reaching out to Murphy and his wife, Penny, to make them feel welcome and supported in their new home. He’s a change agent, and it can be a lonely role.

For his part, Murphy is in a trust-building stage with his new bosses. Before he introduces an initiative at Council meetings, he should be sure Council members are fully advised and nodding their heads in advance.

He needs a few singles and doubles, leading – but not right this minute, necessarily – to triples and home runs.

As they did with Long, Council members are focusing too quickly on making sure the personnel evaluation process is in place.

First, there should be goal setting, and with an acting mayor and four departing Council members, that should probably wait until the new mayor and Council take office Jan. 1.

Job One is to calm things down. Take it day to day, a step at a time. Time is the greater healer. In 18 months, we may find today’s crises – certainly the manufactured ones – have largely resolved themselves.

Katherine Monser Office Manager Ian Austin Photographer

Stephenie Walker Production Coordinator

Tom Heitz Consultant

OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER FOR Otsego County • Town of Cherry Valley • Town of Middlefield Cooperstown Central School District Subscriptions Rates: Otsego County, $48 a year. All other areas, $65 a year.

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E-mail: info@allotsego.com • www.allotsego.com Contents © Iron String Press, Inc. Periodicals postage paid at USPS Cooperstown 40 Main St., Cooperstown NY 13326-9598 USPS Permit Number 018-449 Postmaster Send Address Changes To: Box 890, Cooperstown NY 13326 _____________

what is the long-term effect of having a $4 million property smack in the middle of Main Street? Since assessments are based on surrounding properties, does a property of substantially more value than others have the potential of increasing the assessments of other properties over time. According to what is being said about the current increase in assessments on Main Street, this might prove to be a real problem down the road.

The claim is also being made that the village’s zoning ordinance is “hellishly” complicated. However, it should be noted that over the years the zoning ordinance, which is a product of much work and long hours on the part of village residents, has served the village well in maintaining the village’s delightful charac-

ter. In fact, because of the zoning ordinance the village would seem to be well positioned to make certain that development is in the best interests of the community.

Granted, it might seem that the zoning rules and regulations may not seem to be in the best interests of developers who want to trade on the village’s reputation to line their own pockets. But, contrary to what is claimed, the zoning ordinance was not created to block anything substantial but rather to preserve what has made the village successful for lo these many years.

Having watched the time and commitment which has gone into developing and maintaining the zoning ordinance over the past 30-plus years, it seems clear that there is a well thought out

Please See ELLSWORTH/A6

Landlocked Cooperstown Has To Grow Up, Not Out To the Editor: Cooperstown is landlocked, it cannot expand horizontally, it can only grow up – vertically. During the tourist high season, the pedestrian and vehicular density of the village core approaches that of some urban centers.

To accommodate those visitors, the village should address its expansion needs vertically – by utilizing all of the upper floor spaces available on Main Street.

Attendant parking is a necessity in such a densely used area. Height waivers – to accommodate mechanical rooms, stairways and

railings are likewise essential to vertical development.

The hotel developers may have gotten ahead of the approval process by cutting down trees behind the TJ’s building – for that, they should be required to plant trees in the park behind the building, and they should be required to post a completion bond for the demolition of the TJ’s eyesore.

Beyond that, the village should approve the project, as modified by the HPARB’s conditions, and start to take advantage of being able to grow up, if not out.

CHIP NORTHRUP Cooperstown

Gibson Proposes Testing Pupils Per ‘Grade Span,’ Not In Every Single Year Editor’s Note: This is an excerpt from U.S. Rep. Chris Gibson’s weekly e-letter to constituents. His 19th District includes Otsego County.

O

ur fight to empower state and local school systems continues to gain support. This week, U.S. Jon Tester, D-Mont., introduced a companion to the bill I authored to reduce the frequency of federally mandated assessments.

Families and educators across the U.S. agree the federal government’s testing regime is onerous and unfair, shifting classroom focus away from teaching and learning to testing. As thousands of New York State parents opt to have their children sit out of these assessments, and as the Senate prepares to vote on updating our main federal education law, I am grateful to Senator Tester, a former teacher, for joining our effort. As the father of three public school students and someone who spent several years teaching professionally, fixing this problem has been a major priority of mine since I retired from the Army.

We are hopeful that Congress will adopt our reforms and put an end to the one-size-fits-all approach to testing. The bill I re-introduced in the House this year with Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema,

D-Ariz., the Student Testing Improvement & Accountability Act, currently has 32 bipartisan co-sponsors from 19 states.

Our legislation replaces current annual testing requirements for math and language arts with the exact same grade-span testing requirements in current law for science classes.

This returns federal testing

requirements to the onceper-grade-span standards in place before No Child Left Behind, when math and reading assessments were conducted once in grades 3-5, once in grades 6-9, and once in grades 10-12.

State and local school systems ought to determine best practices for accountability – what works for New York may not work in Montana. The Student Testing Improvement & Accountability Act gives us a greater say in how we assess our students and schools, and it permits states to require more frequent testing if they seek it.

AllOTSEGO.com • MORE LETTERS, A6

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR WELCOME • E-MAIL THEM TO info@

THURSDAY, april 30, 2015

THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL A-5

BOUND VOLUMES 200 YEARS AGO

Melancholy Occurrence – Yesterday morning a young woman was found drowned in the Hudson near the state prison. She was handsome and well dressed, and had been in several houses in Greenwich in the afternoon of Wednesday, on some trifling pretense. It seems that she went to the river and deliberately undressed herself, folding her clothes carefully, laying them on the shore with a stone on them.

And two combs which she had in her hair, which is remarkably long, she put into her bonnet, before she committed herself to the river. No discovery of her name or family, or the cause of her dreadful resolution, is yet made, and it is only suspected that she is a stranger to the city and driven to her desperate condition by the perfidy of some treacherous lover.

May 4, 1815

10 YEARS AGO

100 YEARS AGO

In Our Town – Dr. M.I. Bassett has returned from a twoweek stay at Atlantic City and will be ready to resume her practice Thursday. Miss Florence V. Sill who accompanied Dr. Bassett to Atlantic City has also returned.

The O-te-sa-ga Hotel will open June 15th, an earlier date than ever before since its establishment. The number of advance booking augurs well for a very successful season.

Otsego Hall will also open next month.

Charles, Grieder, W.H. Minnerly, and J. Arthur Olsen, the three young men who are to conduct a hydro-haven here this summer are busy making their preparations. At present they are located in Floral Hall on the grounds of the Otsego County Agricultural Society. They are planning to make an exhibition flight Memorial Day. May 5, 1915

175 YEARS AGO

Democratic Convention – The undersigned republican young men of the County of Otsego, most earnestly invite their Democratic companions to assemble with them in a County Convention to be holden at the Court House in Cooperstown on the 27th Day of May next at 12 o-clock p.m., for the purpose of effecting a thorough organization of the Democratic Party in this county, in order to continue through succeeding Administrations, the principles of Republicanism and the blessings of a free Government.

In view of the fact that the prosperity of our beloved country is unparalleled in the history of nations, the question comes home to us in all its force – shall these principles continue to be the charter of our liberties and the guide to eternal independence, or shall we tamely submit to have those rights and privileges cloven down by the unprincipled aristocratic, rag baron, ruffed shirted, log cabin, hard cider, British Whigs?

May 4, 1840

150 YEARS AGO

Summary of News – Drowned! Coroner Blodgett reports that a little daughter of Mr. Simon Pearsall of Fly Creek, aged three years, was drowned by falling into a cistern, on Monday last.

Mr. W.G. Smith has recently been engaged in photographing a number of the more interesting localities and principal buildings in and around the Village of Cooperstown, for some of which there will doubtless be a large demand as the pictures are beautifully taken. The grave of Cooper and the monument are much admired. To be had at Mr. Smith’s new Gallery.

Master Weikart, only 14 years old, is considered one of the best pianists in the country. He has given concerts in several of the leading cities.

May 5, 1865

75 YEARS AGO

The ice has left Otsego Lake and there has been a little of the balm of summer in the air. But the winter is not over for the officials of the towns of Otsego County, nor for those of many other towns in the region. They have yet to pay the bill. It was a heavy winter with a great amount of snow and a number of blizzards that heaped the drifts mountain high over the highways. Modern people demand that the roads be kept open to enable them to travel by motor car at will, regardless of weather. Snow removal under such conditions costs money. In the Town of Middlefield, for example, the removal of snow from its roads cost over $4,000, several times the cost in a normal winter.

May 1, 1940

50 YEARS AGO

National Law Day was observed in Otsego County on Monday with an hour-long program at the Court House April 29, 2005 here. Members of the bar, including the county judiciary, officials of the Otsego County Bar Association, clergy and others took part in the program in the Court House which was jammed with students from neighboring schools.

Preserve the Forests of the Country – The destruction May 5, 1965 of our forests, especially in the older states, should claim attention. There are hundreds of farmers even in the County of Otsego having more or less land that could profitably be devoted to the growth of forest and other trees, the timber Village taxes will go up about 6.5 percent in 1990-1991 of which is steadily growing in value. Immediate revenue in accordance with the budget adopted last week by the would not be derived from the moderate investment, but the Board of Trustees. The tax levy for the June 1990-1991 pechildren of the present owners would be enriched thereby, riod will be $10.30 per thousand up from last year’s $9.67 and the value of the farms largely enhanced. The farmer per thousand of assessed property value. The village fathers who today has a large pine, black walnut, hemlock or locust gathered at a special meeting last Thursday before going tree to sell realizes a handsome little sum of money for out on “Inspection Day” to discuss the tentative budget, it. And the wise farmer of forethought does not clear off which had been reduced from $11 per thousand to $10.40 his wood lot, but occasionally cuts a few trees that have per thousand. The further reduction was accomplished by reached their maturity and can be spared. reducing the appropriation for unallocated insurance and May 2, 1890 increase the appropriated cash surplus fund by $10,000.

May 2, 1990

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LETTERS

A-6 THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL

THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2015

We Expect Visitors To Share Cooperstown’s Bounty On Our Terms ELLSWORTH/From A4 reason that in the Business District the permitted uses include: (1) Retail stores and shops. (2) Personal service shops. (3) Banks, offices, restaurants, theaters, auditoriums, gymnasiums. And (4) Accessory uses for the foregoing.

A hotel is only permitted upon the issuance of a special permit by the Village Board, suggesting that a hotel is not thought to be automatically in the best interests of Main Street.

Likewise, it was not a random decision that in the Business District the maximum height is 3.5

stories or 42 feet. These regulations were not arbitrary when they were enacted. They represent what the community wants and needs.

And over the years they have proven to be in the best interests of the community.

And now, members of the community will have the opportunity to express their views on the height of the proposed hotel project at a public hearing at the regular Zoning Board of Appeals meeting at 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 5, in the Village Board room.

Granted, much of Cooperstown’s success as a tourist

destination is tied to the Baseball Hall of Fame. But what puts Cooperstown ahead of other destinations is that it has always been an authentic community and not just one aimed at the tourists.

People live and work here. People are born and die here.

We are not just another tourist destination, but rather a living, working community that is the result of the tender loving care it has received throughout its history.

And while it might seem that we who live here are indeed overly protective of our community, it is that protection that has allowed

Supervisor’s Actions At Planning Board Embarrassment To The Town Of Otsego To the Editor: I wish to express my extreme disgust, embarrassment with actions and behavior of the Otsego town supervisor during the Town Board meeting Wednesday, April 8. In my many years of public meetings and community interactions, I have never seen behavior so reprehensible, disrespectful, rude, insensitive and a clear over-extension of so-called power.

The details of the interaction were almost too unbelievable to observe. Joe Potrikus, Planning Board vice chairman and nominated liaison, was attempting to make a Planning Board presentation. To start with he was interrupted over the definition of liaison. Which incidentally means: a person

who helps organizations or groups to work together and provide information to each other.

During attempts to continue, he was interrupted repeatedly, mocked and then in mid-sentence told he was not allowed to speak any more. Mr. Potrikus, to his credit, should have been congratulated for maintaining his dignity and his composure. He spoke with respect and with effort to provide useful and practical information that would have been appropriate to subsequent discussions.

Unfortunately he was unable to finish. As the planning board representative, (an appointed position from the Town Board), he has all the rights to speak on behalf of the Planning

across the four operating funds. During the four years reviewed, the town received more than $1.7 million in sales-tax revenue. The board should have first eliminated the tax levy in the part-town funds before allocating sales tax to the town-wide funds, but did not do so.

There is much more that shows this supervisor and Town Board do not know what they are doing.

State audit saved us the 20 percent decrease in our taxes this year.

This board does not

want any business in the town, as it wants to control everything that happens. It replaced the Planning Board attorney with the town attorney, but that did not last very long. (I believe that was a conflict.)

I think the Planning Board and the ZBA do a great job.

It is a thankless job but this Town Board wants to run what is happening on both of the boards. It is a wonder we can get people to serve on these boards with actions of the Town Board.

The supervisor should apologize for her actions on April 8 at the Town Board meeting. As the Republican town chair, I also believe that Anne Geddes Atwell should resign as the supervisor of the Town of Otsego.

SHEILA ROSS Fly Creek

FoR youR complete REaL EStatE nEEdS

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tion program director and experience on the school board certainly enhance her resume.

Marcy Birch’s unique strength also lies with her approachability, reasonableness, thoughtfulness and ability to work with differ-

sight of the shared goal and helps guide the process with action plans. Her keen insights help others to go beyond the action plans and keep the issue alive and pertinent to the organizations basic mission, adding strength and credibility to the outcomes.

Marcy’s tenure on the Cooperstown Central school board has been outstanding.

She is particularly skillful at bridging the greater community by articulating the crucial issues and filtering the results for us to easily understand – not always

an easy task. She makes the time to perform the job and is never too busy to do what she feels it takes to be accountable to her constituents. She shares her unique perspectives, stretches our thinking and never says “we can’t” or “it won’t work”; these only challenge her to prove such clichés are not an option until, at least, thoughtfully studied.

I am, once again, voting for Marcy Birch for the CCS board.

RICH McCAFFERY Cooperstown

ing views in a productive, collegial way.

As a former educator and taxpayer and parent, I am excited by the prospect of Marcy Birch continuing our school board.

RICK JAGELS Cooperstown

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CCS Candidate Thoroughly Prepared, Committed To the Editor: It has been a privilege to work side by side with Marcy Birch over several years in a variety of volunteer capacities and organizations.

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downtown hotels does not mean the Cooperstown should also have a downtown hotel.

The charm of Cooperstown, for visitors and residents alike, is that we are not like everyone else. In fact, we never have been, which allows us to consider ourselves the most perfect village. And there is no reason to be like everyone else now, especially if it might mean we would become the most imperfect village.

CATHERINE LAKE ELLSWORTH Cooperstown

Birch Approachable, Reasonable, Thoughtful

To the Editor: I was grateful to hear that Marcy Birch is runBoard. In counter balance, ning again for a seat on the over a different topic, two Cooperstown Central school lawyers not associated with board. the town were allowed to I have seen her commitspeak uninterrupted for over ment to the lives of young 45 minutes. I had the feel- people and her ability to ing that Mr. Potrikus was make good things happen being abused simply for the for them through her work amusement of the superviwith Ecumenical youth sor. group, fundraising to enI felt terribly embarrassed able youth outreach in the for the other members of Dominican Republic and the Town Board who have scouting. been working very hard to Her work as a speech improve the quality of the pathologist, special educatown. It is a shame that they have to be on the same stage as this supervisor. In my opinion she is an embarrassment to the town, its board and its citizens. I seriously question whether she is fit to lead this organization.

TOM HUNTSMAN Fly Creek

Town Board Meddling With Planning Board, ZBA To the Editor: The state audit for the Town of Otsego for 2010-13 was disturbing. It revealed that unrealistic budgets resulted in annual operating surpluses that caused the unexpanded surplus funds to increase in the general townwide and highway part-town funds year after year as indicated.

The general part-town funds’ unexpended surplus remained relatively unchanged during this period due to limited activity and routine nature of the items accounted for in this fund.

The highway town-wide fund’s unexpended surplus declined during this period, mainly due to unbudgeted equipment purchases.

The impact of the salestax variances was exacerbated by the inconsistent allocation of sales-tax revenues

Cooperstown to be referred to as the “most perfect village.”

We are always happy to share it with our many visitors. But we do expect our visitors to share it on our terms, not on their terms.

And the same is true for proposed projects within the village. We are not opposed to change, but it must be change on our terms which are outlined by our zoning ordinance.

Thus, as a community, we have every right to say this proposed hotel project is not in keeping with our Main Street shopping district.

The argument which has been made that other communities have

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THURSDAY, april 30, 2015

THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL A-7

LETTERS

Thanks To All, Including Police Officers To the Editor: We recently posted an ad that thanked those who helped with our recent fire at Mohican Flowers.

We neglected to thank the Cooperstown Village Police and the Otsego County Sheriff’s Department, who are always there for us in times of need. The village policeman on duty searched our buildings to be certain no one was in danger. He and the sheriff’s deputies provided protection for the site and the fire scene.

Mohican Flowers will continue operations on Main Street as it has for over 200 years, and we will continue to thank God that we live in such a wonderfully supportive community.

BILL and CAROL BATEMAN WALLER Cooperstown

Help Business People Who Care Continue To Thrive To the Editor: The Fly Creek community is a hamlet composed of 200+/- residences, plus a few commercial ventures.

Some years ago, the hamlet was in danger of losing its general store due to the owner’s retirement. Along came a willing investor who saved this important support business and service to the hamlet.

Sometime thereafter, another family reopened a local restaurant that had closed – now known as Portabello’s. Then came the restoration of the corner building that now housing a beauty parlor, apartment and a diner-style restaurant. We have a terrific auto service business.

Last year, the community gathered to save our post office whose closing would have taken that service away from the hamlet.

All of these businesses and service providers have been important to the hamlet for their services to us and also for opportunity of employment, plus the issue of tax income from most of them to the Town of Otsego.

Now the desire of the Michaels family to improve the Fly Creek Cider Mill building has come to the town Planning Board and several citizens of the hamlet have risen to object to this 160-year-old business’ efforts to improve its physical structure within the exact

footprint of the present building. The plan is to raise a roof and install an elevator, making the second floor available to the handicapped and upgrading the condition of the structure.

Do we consider this business important to our hamlet? It entertains us at times. It employs several people of the area, is very creative in its operation and supports many, if not all, of the important social issues of the area, on their property site. One can say that this brings people to the area to promote their business, which is true, but they do it nonetheless. That is the important issue!

All of the businesses mentioned have had to improve their buildings in recent years to maintain viability and be able to continue to serve the community within which we live.

All of these businesses employ people living in the area and pay taxes to support the town and its services we enjoy. And yes – all profit from the services they provide, as this is necessary for their survival.

What is rarely known and heard is the Michaelses’ respect of the hamlet and the neighborhood within which it sits. Having lived in Fly Creek for 13 years and having a home that abuts the mill property, I can attest to this respect.

ERIC HILL Fly Creek

3 Regulations Govern Tree Removal

TREES/From A1 allow 30 percent of “dangerous or diseased” trees to be removed from a property, so three of the nine trees apparently could be removed regardless.

For its part, BTP Cooperstown says it strived to follow the regulations and has done nothing wrong. “We continue to believe we followed the law regarding the tree removal,” said BTP partner Tom Lagan.

“Apparently, even some village officials are not certain what the law is.

We feel the best forum to decide this issue is the courtroom, not the local rumor mill. We are looking forward to our day in court.”

In his presentation at the trustees’ monthly meeting on Monday the 27th and a subsequent interview, Austin said he was approached about a month ago by an electrical contractor at 124 Main who told him the trees needed to be removed to install a power line at the back of the site. That was when he first became aware there was a situation.

He then received an e-mail from BTP

who’s right is for Tavis to issue the ticket” and get the matter into court,” Tillapaugh explained.

But Austin resisted, he said, because – at that point – he was only familiar with village regulation 300-31c, which allows the removal of “dangerous and diseased trees.” It is in the zoning code, which governs his duties at zoning enforcement officer.

He has since become The Freeman’s Journal award of regulation 258-6 ZEO Tavis Austin briefs the Vilwhich says, before trees lage Board on tree may be felled, the village regulations. BTP Tree Committee has to be Cooperstown partner apprised, and the Zoning Tom Lagan is in the Board of Appeals has to background. issue a variance.

He has also become Cooperstown, asking him to confirm receipt, which aware that H-PARB regulation 300-26B may he did. But he didn’t apply in this case. It prenotice an attachment at vents “material change” the bottom of the e-mail, of all sorts – including which contained a report of a certified arborist say- trees – without a “certificate of appropriateness.” ing the trees at the back When Austin finished of the site were “not in his presentation, Mayor good condition, and not high quality,” and should Katz asked each of the trustees four questions: be felled.

Did they break the law?

The next thing he If yes, what is the punishknew, the trees had been ment? To be consistent, cut down. how have we punished Village Attorney Marpeople in the past? And, tin Tillapaugh asked him to issue a ticket to the de- do we need to look at this law? veloper. “The only way “We all age,” said we are going to decide

Trustee Ellen Tillapaugh.

“But it doesn’t kill us tomorrow.” She said, “the gun was jumped.”

Trustee Cindy Falk, who oversaw the removal of 41 trees on Main Street – Village Hall is not required to follow its own ordinances – said she believes, listening to Austin, that “300-31 has been met.”

While Trustee Bruce Maxson, himself an attorney, agreed with Tillapaugh about “jumping the gun,” he added, “I’m not sure the couple of thousand dollars (to press the case in court) is worth the time and effort.”

Allstadt said, while he agreed with the need to fix the law, “don’t let one go” or there will be problems down the road.

Katz asked, “If none of us knows there’s a law, how can we expect other people…” He let the sentence trail off.

In the end, Allstadt was joined by Tillapaugh, Jim Dean, Joan Nicols. But Falk and Maxson voted nay.

Katz said later, given the confusion and contradictory regulations, the trustees need to revisit the whole matter.

Trustees Scheduled Public Hearing On Hotel For June 29 COOPERSTOWN

ing would be the Village Board’s, which must approve a “special permit” for any hotel proposed in the downtown Business District.

The trustees have now scheduled that hearing for 4 p.m. Monday, June 29. “We chose to do it outside our regular meeting,” said Mayor Jeff Katz, “because I think we all expect there will be a lot of public comment.”

By then, the village Planning Board, which rejected the plan as submitted when it met Tuesday, April 21, may have come to an

F

irst, there is a Village Zoning Board of Appeals public hearing at 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 5, to consider a variance that would allow the proposed downtown hotel to be four-stories or 48-feet tall. Village code sets the limits at 3½ stories and 42 feet.

If BTP Cooperstown, the partnership proposing the hotel, gets that variance – partner Tom Lagan has called it a make or break – the next make-or-break public hear-

agreement with the developers on a modified plan. The issues were parking – Lagan said he can find off-site spaces – drainage and impact on traffic.

Meanwhile, the H-PARB has yet to accept the hotel plan as complete, but Katz pointed out that it can’t make a decision on “use” – whether a hotel can be built on the site – but simply on associated issues like materials that would help it fit in to the Main Street ambience.

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Call Katherine L. Fistrowicz @ 607-267-2683 (cell)

MLS#93225 $86,000 Adam Karns 607-244-9633 (cell) MLS#98985 $111,000 35.50+/- acres, 3000’+/- road frontage along 3 roads.

Spacious 4 BR, 2 bath house to I-88.onLarge Prime building, hunting andis close recreation this open backyard, workshop/garage, shed. Make your and wooded property. Closesmall to Cooperstown. appointment Priced to@go607-267-2683 this week! (cell) Call Katherinetoday.

L. Fistrowicz Virtual Tour: www.RealEstateShows.com/708598

MLS#97997 $149,000 Opportunity for the Entrepreneur Storefront, 3 apts, efficiency in front. Single-family rental or owners house in back. Renovated in 2009. Priced below assessed value.

Call Adam Karns @ 607-244-9633 (cell)

MLS#95480 $234,900 3-BR, 2-bath, post-and-beam home on 11.60 acres.

Glassed LR and FR w/gas FP, entrances to side deck.

High ceilings w/skylights, wood floors, DR w/day bed.

Call Katherine L. Fistrowicz @ 607-267-2683 (cell)

MLS#99319 $50,000 6.43 acres. 2-story insulated cabin w/kitchen, LR, ½ bath, open 2nd floor w/plumbing for additional bath.

Cooperstown Village home.

Seller pays closing costs (up Septic and well in 1997.

Near Ommegang Brewery. to w/acceptable offer).

Call$3,000 Katherine L. Fistrowicz @ 607-267-2683 (cell)

MLS#97004 $169,000 Charming Hobby Farm! Exceptional renovated 3-BR, 2-bath home on 6.72 acres w/fenced pastures, barn, oversized 2-car garage w/workshop, small cabin.

Call Katherine L. Fistrowicz @ 607-267-2683 (cell)

MLS#96682 $274,900 Fly Creek Victorian has 3 BRs, 2½ baths. 2008 restoration includes wiring, plumbing, insulation and kitchen w/island, granite, SS appliances, pantry.

Call Katherine L. Fistrowicz @ 607-267-2683 (cell)

PR NE iC W E!

MLS#99269 $129,000 Large picturesque piece of land w/over 80 acres of woods not logged in at least 15 years, a pond, and beautiful open fields w/panoramic views.

Call Christopher Voulo @ 607-376-1201 (cell)

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lis NE tiN W g!

for complete listings visit us at realtyusa.com

MLS#98946 $14,999 Arnold Lake! Stream! 1.75 acres Otsego County land! Wooded w/drive and building site cleared.

Call William ‘Billy’ Vagliardo @ 607-287-8568(cell)

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MLS#95003 $152,000 Must Sell Now! Listed below original price w/$16,000 in improvements! Move-in ready, 3BR, updated oak kitchen w/new appliances.

Call Leanne McCormack @ 607-287-8965 (cell)

MLS#99011 $374,000 Income property ($30K) w/75’ lake frontage, yearround. Two, 2-BR efficiency cabins, game room.

Call George (ROD) Sluyter @ 315-520-6512 (cell) Virtual tour: www.canadaragohomes.com

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MLS#99182 $239,000 Storybook elegance, w/more than $100,000 in improvements! 5 BRS, 3 baths, remodeled kitchen.

A short drive to Utica, NYS Thruway, Cooperstown.

Call Leanne McCormack @ 607-287-8965 (cell)

MLS#99306 $349,900 Remodeled 4-BR, 2½-bath home on 40acres. Highly energy efficient, move-in ready. Kitchen w/exposed beams opens to large LR. Glass front FP, 1st flr BR. Call Kristi J. Ough @ 607-434-3026 (cell)

MLS#98676 $39,900 Surrounded by State Land! 26+ acres of wooded land is perfect for hunting, recreation or building.

Perfect place for a getaway cabin. Come look today!

Call Kristi J. Ough @ 607-434-3026 (cell)

Amazing, affordable, updated city home is right near Valleyview school making this the ideal location! Updates include new roof, new furnace, new hot water heater, new windows throughout, new doors and appliances—and freshly painted to top it off. Outside you will find a large driveway, cute backyard on a large lot, and a 3-story detached garage w/awesome storage and woodstove so you can work even in the cold months!

Great Starter Home has new roof, gas furnace and newer windows. This home has been newly remodeled w/3 BRs, 1½ baths, formal DR, large kitchen and comfortable LR. Laundry is on the second floor for easy access. Fenced yard w/awning, and spacious enclosed porch. Close to downtown, parks and colleges. Could also be used as a rental property.

MLS#99388 $109,900

$119,900 MLS#99372

Lizabeth Rose, Broker/Owner Cricket Keto, Licensed Assoc. Broker Peter D. Clark, Consultant

HUBBELL’S REAL ESTATE 607-547-5740•607-547-6000 (fax) 157 Main Street Cooperstown, NY 13326

ASHLEY

E-Mail: info@hubbellsrealestate.com Web Site: www.hubbellsrealestate.com

29 Pioneer Street, Cooperstown · 607-547-4045 Patricia Bensen-Ashley – Licensed Real Estate Broker/Owner

Prestige estate on 80 aCres

Camelot on 109 aCres

(8030) This nicely kept 4-BR, 2-bath farmhouse features den, modern kitchen, main-level master BR, gas stove, 3-car garage, newer windows, deck, large porch, dairy barn, 3-bay shed. Borders large creek. Follow your heart home. Cooperstown Schools.

Hubbell’s Exclusive—$375,000

Thinking of Remodeling?

Think of Refinancing!

(7862) Picture-perfect vintage Colonial w/rolling hills outlook. Historic 1840s, 4-BR, 2+ bath residence.

Gracious LR, gas fireplace, formal DR w/access to stone front porch. Custom kitchen w/professional stove, double ovens, window seat, butler’s pantry.

Custom closets and built-ins, wide pine plank flooring. Heated 2-car garage. Cooperstown Schools.

Hubbell’s Exclusive—$775,000

LGROUP@STNY.RR.COM www.leatherstockingmortgage.com 607-547-5007 (Office) 800-547-7948 (Toll Free)

New Purchases and refinances • Debt Consolidation Free Pre-Qualification • Fast Approvals • Low Rates Registered Mortgage Broker Matt Schuermann NYS Banking Dept.

Loans arranged by a 3rd party lender.

31 Pioneer Street, Cooperstown (directly next door to Stagecoach Coffee)

Jim BenJamin

REALTY

CONNOR

CooPerstown italianate

(7158) Remodeled 4-BR, 3-bath residence in the Village. Enticing home w/scenic views has den, master BR suite w/jacuzzi, new kitchen w/hickory cabinets and granite counter, formal DR. Pantry, newer furnace, 2-car garage. A premier-caliber home!

Hubbell’s Exclusive—$239,000

Since 1947, our personal service has always been there when you need it most. With comprehensive coverage for all your AUTO • HOME • LIFE insurance needs.

BUSINESS

Hours: M-F 8am-5pm Phone: 607-432-2022 22-26 Watkins Ave, Oneonta, NY 13820

AllOTSEGO.homes

Field Stone House in Cherry Valley, the historic village between Cooperstown and Sharon Springs. This home was built on bedrock w/3’-thick walls, and most of the original architectural detail remains. Originally it was likely a showroom for the Cherry Valley Organ Company which was next door.

This artist-owned property offers wood floors, beautiful stone detail, LR, DR w/Rumford fireplace, fully applianced kitchen, and a newer addition of family room/art studio w/full basement. On the main floor, ¾ bath w/an original outside stone wall. Upstairs are 3+ BRs and ¾ bath. Basement has what is likely the original cooking fireplace w/Dutch oven. Property is just under 4 acres bordering 2 streets. Cherry Valley Creek, a designated trout stream, runs through the property and the backyard has been transformed into a meditation pond (spring-fed) w/stone sculptures and stepping stones, flower and vegetable gardens, and trails.

Offered Exclusively by Ashley Connor Realty— NOW $242,000 Visit us on the Web at www.ashleyconnorrealty.com Contact us at info@ashleyconnorrealty.com

For Appointment: Patricia Bensen-Ashley, Broker/Owner, 607-437-1149 Jack Foster, Sales Agent, 607-547-5304 • Robert Schneider, Associate Broker, 607-282-2814 Donna Skinner, Associate Broker, 607-547-8288 • Chris Patterson, Sales Agent, 518-774-8175

CALL 607-547-6103 TO ADVERTISE IN REGION’S LARGEST REALTY SECTION/MORE ADS, A6