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SUBSCRIBE at www. AllOTSEGO.com to OTSEGO COUNTY’S DAILY NEWSPAPER/ONLINE Volume 212, No. 22

COOPERSTOWN AND AROUND

Cooperstown, New York, Thursday, May 28, 2020

AUCTION BARN EXEMPT FROM CUOMO ORDER

nadilla Livestock Auction, where a patron who later tested coronavirus positive spent eight hours during the Saturday, May 16, auction is under purview of the state Ag & Markets Department, and thus exempt from Governor Cuomo’s unPAUSE regulations.

►FULL STORY ON B6

Newsstand Price $1

Sidewalk Sales OK’d All Summer In Village By LIBBY CUDMORE COOPERSTOWN

t may not feel like a “special event,” but this summer, Cooperstown is going to celebrate – with a sale.

“By establishing a ‘special event,’ we can allow for sidewalk vending in certain locations,” Deputy Mayor Cindy Falk told her Village Board colleagues Tuesday, May 26. “A lot of our shops are in smaller spaces, so it may be advantageous to them to be able to sell on the sidewalk.”

LEST WE FORGET

The Freeman’s Journal

Mark Leggiero, Amsterdam, on a Straight Line Striping crew, blows dust and debris out of the way of striping machines. Crews completely restriped Cooperstown’s Main Street Tuesday, May 26.

In an effort to help businesses and bring shoppers back downtown as un-PAUSE unfolds, the trustees then declared June 1 through Oct. 12 as a “special event,” dubbing it “Cooperstown Outdoors.” Business owners in the CommerPlease See SIDEWALK, B3

COUNTY CLERK SAYS:

Numbers Show Why Oneonta’s DMV Had To Go By JIM KEVLIN

CCS To Name Principal For Lower Grades

ONEONTA

hen she saw the numbers, it was clear the Oneonta DMV had to be shut instead of Cooperstown’s office, according to County Clerk Kathy Sinnott Sinnott Gardner Gardner. ►59 LAYOFFS: In response to The county a question from Board of Repcounty Rep. resentatives Michele Farwell, Wednesday, D-Morris, at last May 20, laid off week’s meeting 59 employees, of the county effective June Board of Representatives, Sinnott 8. For full story, visit: Gardner drilled down in to the . OTSEGO.com relative revenues ►EDITORIAL, A4 generated by the two offices, she said in an interview Tuesday, May 26. She found Cooperstown’s DMV generated $4.5 million in sales tax; Oneonta’s only $1/2 million, indicating Please See DMV, B6

COOPERSTOWN

he CCS school board was hoping to name an elementary school principal later this week. Anne Mecciarello, the former principal, will be promoted to high school principal June 1, and the appointee will be her successor. As soon as the new principal is announced, the news will be posted on

AllOTSEGO.com

www.

Jim Kevlin & Ian Austin/The Freeman’s Journal

SEE MULTIPLE REPORTS ON

Art Gales, quartermaster and adjutant at American Legion Post 259, Oneonta, and wife Lorraine, above, bow their heads in reverence during Memorial Day services at Neahwa Park. At right, Cooperstown VFW Commander Floyd Bourne salutes at the Soldiers & Sailors Monument at the county courthouse, as the Acitelli family – mom Elizabeth, Mathieu, 4, and Josephine, 6, look on admiringly. Behind Bourne is John Rudy, the Acitelli youngsters’ grandad/MORE PHOTOS, A3

AllOTSEGO.com

►rETIRED ASSEMBLYMAN Bill Magee endorsed Corey Mosher, Hamilton, in the June 23 Democratic Primary. ►Glimmerglass state park opened for the season Memorial Day. ►COOPERSTOWN SENIOR Center was a first-time recipient of a $1,000 NYCON mini-grant. ►BASSETT OPENS mental health hotline in face of COVID. ►CATSKILL SYMPHONY received $19,000 in federal aid to pay musicians. ►FARANDWIDE.COM.99 calls By LIBBY CUDMORE Cooperstown “Best Town in State.” ONEONTA ►HARTWICK COLLEGE’S Mark Davies named SUNY Oneonta Dean of Education. f lockdown has you

COUNTY COPES WTH CRISIS

All

IN MEMORIAM Awaiting Sellers Market, Realtors Use Technology Andy Blum, 89; Man Of Many Friends

feeling like the walls are closing in, you can look for a new house – without ever leaving yours.

“The only way we can By JIM KEVLIN show homes is by doing it virtually,” said Betsy Shultis, Benson Realty. “We COOPERSTOWN go into the house and give a mentor to young peotour either through Zoom or ple, Andy Blum inFacetime.” vited Cooperstown’s In areas where internet Jacob Russell to lunch at The service isn’t available, she Please See REALTY, B4 Brook, the exclusive social

Andy and Flis Blum

club on East 54th Street. Henry Kissinger walked in. “I thought, ‘Wow, Henry Kissinger’,” said Jacob. The room was filled with Wall Street bigwigs, including Tom Hill, the Blackstone vice chairman. “They didn’t go up to Please See BLUM, B4

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

A-2 THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL

THURSDAY, May 28, 2020

LOCALS

Interpretive Signage Unveiled At Doubleday

Three Local Students Hits At SUNY Show COOPERSTOWN

olly Feulner, Cherry Valley, received the variable Martin-Mullen Creativity Award for “Dress,” a Silver-based print showcased as part of SUNY Oneonta’s 2020 Student Juried Art Exhibition. The exhibition, featuring more than 100 works by student artists, was presented this year by the college’s Martin-Mullen Art Gallery online. Featured artworks were chosen from an open Jim Kevlin/The Freeman’s Journal jury process and works Greg Andersen and Barbara Helly, Richfield Springs, were among the first entered by the art faculty. people to read the new interpretive signs that have just been unveiled Feulner’s piece around Doubleday Field and throughout the downtown as $7 million in “Mermaid,” a Black and downtown upgrades are reaching completion. Mayor Ellen Tillapaugh Kuch White Silver based print, was said the signs follow a design developed by metal fabricator Art Calhoun, also included in the show. who has since passed away, at his forge on Linden Avenue. Also part of the show were: • Gabrielle Bush, Hartwick, “Pigeons,” ONEONTA based Rotary International contact her at baheegan@ District 7170. otsegocc.com or by calling “Tracks” and “Leaves,” all digital photographs. he Otsego County Orders are (607) 434-3130. • Dot Oakley, Cherry Chamber of first-come, There are eight Rotary Valley, “A Family of Foxes,” Commerce is the first-serve, Clubs in Otsego County: Stone, Wax, Plastic, Clay point of contact for busisaid chamber Coopertown, Edmeston, and Bronze and “Portrait of nesses and not-for-profits President Milford, Morris, Oneonta, the Lute Player,” Newsprint, seeking to obtain some of Barbara Ann Richfield Springs, Vine Charcoal, Compressed the 1,000 masks made avail- Heegan, who Schenevus-Worcester and Charcoal. able through Binghamtonasked interested parties to Unadilla.

TWO LAUDED: Josephine Bertram and John Kennedy both received the Triple “C” Award from the NY State Office of the Attorney General for upholding the values of “Commitment,” “Character” and “Courage.”

THREE TOPS: Annika DeVries, Burlington Flats, Jessica Klem, Richfield Springs, Sarah Michaels, Cooperstown were all named to the Dean’s List at Nazareth College for the Spring 2020 Semester.

SCHOLAR NAMED: Caroline Whitaker was awarded the Averill Scholarship Award at Cooperstown High School for attaining the highest scholastic average during her senior year.

TWO ON LIST: Joseph Sell, Hartwick, and Will Emhof, Edmeston, were named to the Spring 2020 President’s List at Bob Jones University. Sell is a junior majoring in fashion design, Emhof is a junior majoring in Health Sciences.

Rotary Donates 1,000 Masks For Use Locally

1. Closing costs must be repaid if loan is paid off within three years of closing. Some restrictions may apply. Stated rate is with A+ credit tier your rate may vary. Loan approval based on credit worthiness. Call 877-642-7328 for details about credit costs and terms.

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THURSDAY, May 28, 2020

THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA A-3

At Cooperstown’s Lakewood Cemetery on Memorial Day, VFW Commander Floyd Bourne, right, and Color Guard Mike Boyson, Wayne Westerman, Jerry Gage and John Rudy pause at Medal of Honor Andrew Davidson’s grave. At left, American Legion Commander John Famulare plays taps as Rifle Squad members Rich Balcom, Jim Bridger and Doug Walker stand at attention.

The veterans’ cavalcade passes Old Glory at half staff at Main and Pioneer, Cooperstown.

In Crisis, We Remember

After Oneonta’s Memorial Day ceremony at the Veterans’ Monument in Neahwa Park, George Sluti brought the ceremony to World War II veteran John Forman, stopping by Forman’s Walling Avenue home to express appreciation for his service. With Forman is his daughter, Patricia. State Trooper Michael Woytach, Oneonta, plays “Amazing Grace” on the bagpipes.

Wayne Gregory, above, Post 259 president of facilities, plays “Taps” at the conclusion of the ceremony in Neahwa Park. At right, Pastor Randy Palada, Oneonta, gives the invocation as Les Grummons and Mayor Gary Herzig listen in reverence.

PHOTOS BY IAN AUSTIN & JIM KEVLIN/The Freeman’s Journal & HOMETOWN ONEONTA

Perspectives

THURSDAY, May 28, 2020

A-4 THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL EDITORIALS

9 ACCEPTED IMPERATIVE; 5 DIDN’T

Action Was Needed, And Responsible Majority Acted

ometimes things have to be done. Imperatives, they’re called. Such is the regrettable layoff of 59 county workers, a decision made May 20, a week ago Wednesday, by the Otsego County Board of Representatives. The layoffs go into effect Monday, June 8, the day county government is allowed to reopen. The vote was 9-4-1, with the nays all Democrats: a veteran county rep, Andrew Stammell, Town of Oneonta, who should have known better, and three newcomers, second-term Michele Farwell, Morris, ditto, and newcomers Jill Basile and Clark Oliver, who are, well, newcomers facing probably the toughest decision they will make in their tenures. Danny Lapin, also an Oneonta Democrat, had to leave halfway through the meeting – he was moderating a long-scheduled OCCA panel on adapting to a post-COVID-19 world. Asked, however, he said he would have voted nay, too. “I share the same

Preparing to vote on 59 layoffs Wednesday, May 20, are, from left, top row, Chairman Dave Bliss and Vice Chair Meg Kennedy; County Reps. Ed Frazier, R-Unadilla; and Andrew Stammel, D-Town of Oneonta. Second row, Michele Farwell, D-Morris; Clark Oliver, DOneonta; Rick Brockway, R-Laurens; Dan Wilber, R-Burlington. Third row, Andrew Marietta, D-Fly Creek; Jill Basile, D-Oneonta; Peter Oberacker, R-Schenevus, and Adrienne Martini, D-Oneonta. Bottom row, Keith McCarty, R-East Springfield. Danny Lapin, D-Oneonta, attended but had departed. (Screenshot from Facebook Live meeting)

concerns as Representatives Stammel and Farwell” – that the cuts made aren’t the best possible. • In listening to last week’s debate, and talking with county board Chairman David Bliss, R-Cooperstown/Town of Middlefield, and the vice chairman, Meg Kennedy, C-Hartwick, the cuts were made after an exhaustive review. Department heads were asked for guidance. Kennedy’s Administration Committee met for several hours Wednesday, May 13, then for five hours Friday, May 15, to make the final decision. All board members were welcome at these meetings, and all were emailed voluminous information and data that were the basis for the decisions, said Bliss. He added that many of the layoffs are people who were determined “non-essential” – a terrible term – and thus were prohibited from working anyway. Also, they will be laid off in time to partake of “enhanced” unemployment, an Please See EDITORIAL, A5

LETTERS

‘Reimagine Upstate’ Will Lead To Single Oneonta

OUNDED

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O M C O PE

•F

Hear Ye, Hear Ye!

RESOLUTION NO. 202-20200520 (amended) SUPPORTING COUNTY’S OFFER OF MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT WITH CSEA TO PROVIDE BENEFITS TO EMPLOYEES DURING LAYOFF ENTIRE BOARD WHEREAS, unfortunately the response to the COVID-19 outbreak has resulted in the need for a reduction in workforce; and WHEREAS, the County wishes to lessen the impact of this unprecedented situation on employees; and WHEREAS, while not required to do so, the County has reached out to CSEA and engaged in continuous negotiations to assist employees, but unfortunately has been unable to reach an agreement; and WHEREAS, the County wishes to

FRONT PORCH PERSPECTIVE

For 212 Years

James C. Kevlin Editor & Publisher

Tara Barnwell

Advertising Director & General Manager

Libby Cudmore

Managing Editor

Larissa Ryan Business Manager

Thom Rhodes Advertising Consultant

Elizabeth Cooper Correspondent

Ian Austin Photographer

Ivan Potocnik Web Architect

Kathleen Peters Graphics & Production

Tom Heitz Consultant

IN MEMORIAM: Mary Joan Kevlin, Co-Publisher, 2006-17 OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER FOR Otsego County • Village of Milford • Town of Middlefield 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

express its support for the proposed Memorandum of Agreement that it believes is in support of its employees during this difficult and unprecedented time; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, that the Board of Representatives expresses its support for the attached Memorandum of Agreement with employees which in summary allows health insurance to continue until December 31, 2020, allows employees to pay for health insurance through use of vacation accruals, allows employees to keep seniority and accruals while separated from service and urges CSEA to approve this offer.

The Otsego County Board of Representatives Wednesday, May 20, unanimously passed this resolution seeking to sweeten benefits to the 59 employees being laid off. The employees union, the Civil Service Employees Association, intitially rejected the offer, without explanation. By week’s end, due to pressure from employees, county board Chairman David Bliss believes, the CSEA changed its mind and accepted the offer.

Cooperstown’s Newspaper

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To the Editor: Until now, Cooperstown could be characterized as a quaint little village with one traffic light. That one light, on Main and Chestnut, has multiplied into five: one one each corner and one suspended above the middle of the intersection. Is this someone’s idea of a joke? Or just a case of Buy 4 Get 1 Free? JOHN A. RUDY Cooperstown

5 Traffic Signals Do Task Of One

unsigned comment in another paper. How can this be? Whoever submitted that comment, thank you for the notation “will someone gently remind Al Colone” that his longtime advocacy for merging was riding a “dead horse.” The word “gently” has become increasingly important as I’ve aged. On the importance of consolidation, it was not only something which should have been done 10 years ago as the writer notes; it was seriously discussed some 50 years ago. Too bad, had it happened we would have been a much better Oneonta than what we have now. The writer suggested the biggest hindrance against merging was in the notion the city has been looking to absorb the town to share the town’s prosperity. What prosperity? The town’s once proud retail sector is and has been gradually evaporating, starting long before the virus; a

To the Editor: A couple of weeks ago, Hometown Oneonta and The Freeman’s Journal published my opinion piece, once again trying to promote the idea of consolidating the city and town of Oneonta. I submitted it to try and generate some meaningful debate on the issue. Surprisingly, the only subsequent reference I’ve seen was an

Twelve Hours at Sea

ifteen years old. Never away from home overnight without my parents. And yet, wonderful! Sprung loose for two days on my own – with the night in between to be spent on a 250-mile trip on a steam packet, traveling down Chesapeake Bay from Baltimore, Md., to Norfolk, Va. I owe that dazzling adventure to the Annapolis Civitan Club, which had a junior branch in my high school. I was an officer of the junior JIM club and several times had ATWELL spoken at the senior club’s luncheons, reporting on our doings. Admittedly I’ve always had a wide vocabulary and an easy flow in using it. And, impressed by the skills, the se-

nior club’s president hatched a bright idea: The Civitan national convention would be gathering in June, down in Norfolk – about a thousand Civitaners from across the country, conducting the organization’s business by day and conviviating, genteely, in the evenings. The Annapolis president’s idea: Why not send this well-spoken, if scrawny and bespectacled, boy down to Norfolk to address a plenary luncheon session? He’d wow them, of course, and cast admiration back on the Annapolis club. I’m presuming my parents were at first uneasy. But the club president, an old friend of both, convinced them I’d be watched over – and, I think,

Young Jim Atwell embarked for Norfolk, Va., on the Baltimore Steam Packet Co.’s SS President Warfield.

clinched the matter by pointing out how valuable a listing this venture would be on college scholarship applications. So, almost before I knew it, I was deciding the most exciting part of the Please See ATWELL, A6

AllOTSEGO.com • MORE LETTERS, A6

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THURSDAY, May 28, 2020

THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL A-5

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

200 YEARS AGO

The following convictions took place before the Oyer and Terminer, which closed its session in this Village, on Thursday last. Bejamin A. Thompson, an Irishman, convicted of burglary, and sentenced to the State Prison at hard labor for life. At the time of passing sentence, Judge Woodworth intimated that there were doubts in his mind, whether Thompson had in fact committed the offence charged upon him, and that therefore, if he conducted himself well, it was probable a pardon would be obtained. Abraham Quackenboss, convicted of passing counterfeit money, and sentenced to the State Prison at hard labor for ten years – it appeared that this fellow was hardened in crime, and when sentence was pronounced upon him, he laughingly said, “I honor your judgment!” William Gannett, convicted of passing counterfeit money. He pled guilty, and threw himself upon the mercy of the Court – sentenced to the State Prison at four years hard labor. May 29, 1820

100 YEARS AGO

Church met recently at the manse for organization purposes. Officers elected were: President: Katherine Bouton; Vice President: Barbara Hall; Secretary: Mrs. Frederick McGown; Treasurer: Mrs. Charles Hadcock; Chairman of the Membership Committee: Mrs. John Sill. The group will be known as the Service Guild and plans to meet the third Monday in each month. Chief S.K.E. Sydney Smith and his son Hugh Smith, of Edmeston, had the pleasure of meeting recently and each spent a day on each other’s ship. This was the first time father and son had met in three years, and the first visit since son Hugh has been in the Navy. May 30, 1945

50 YEARS AGO

Federal Census Totals for Otsego County 21,636 (1800); 38,802 (1810); 44,856 (1820); 51,372 (1830); 49,628 (1840); 48,638 (1850); 50,157 (1860); 48,967 (1870); 51,397 (1880); 50,861 (1890); 48,939 (1900); 47,216 (1910); 46,200 (1920); 46,710 (1930); 46,082 (1940); 50,763 (1950); 51,942 (1960); 55,421 (1970). The 1970 total is a preliminary figure. May 27, 1970

175 YEARS AGO

The Binghamton Courier reports that the house of Mr. A.C. Angell was entered on Friday night by some person unknown. Mrs. A., being awake in bed, heard a slight noise, and aroused her husband, who made his way into the kitchen without a light, and discovering a person in the adjoining bedroom where slept his children, demanded to know his business there. Receiving no reply, he stepped a little back and seizing hold of a chair when the burglar did the same and an encounter ensued. At the fourth or fifth blow, Mr. A. floored his antagonist, and not knowing that he had made a finish of him, as he lay perfectly quiet without noise or motion, Mr. A. stepped to his room once again for a light. On returning the thief was gone, having failed in his object and received a sound drubbing. May 26, 1845

150 YEARS AGO

The Great Democratic Victory in New York – The result of the Special Election in this state on the 17th shows an unexampled Democratic victory. The Democrats have carried the state by about 90,000! When the telegraph first announced that the City of New York had given a Democratic majority of over 50,000, the Republican press said, “The rural districts cannot overcome this large majority.” But it turns out that outside of that city, there is a Democratic majority of about 30,000 – and this notwithstanding the Republican reinforcement of say 8,000 colored voters. The Albany Argus says “New York was first of the Northern States to shake off the delusions and hallucinations by which American politics have been so largely affected since the breaking out of the late rebellion. The crimes, the frauds, and the various smaller “rascalities” inflected by radical politicians upon the State of New York upon pretense of “saving the nation” have been exposed by the

25 YEARS AGO

Bernie Nonenmacher of Edmeston has been named Cooper Country Crafts June Artist of the Month. Nonenmacher contributes two very different crafts to the cooperative. She does black and white historical sketches and also constructs real fur-covered stuffed animals. Nonenmacher began drawing when she volunteered at the local museum. Taking many of the old, faded photographs, she tried to reconstruct May 26, 1920 how some of the older historical buildings might have looked. She has saved many historical scenes from extincDemocracy and have been checked by the results of the tion by converting the photos to black and white sketches. New York elections of the last four years. The conservative May 31, 1995 elements all over the country have taken fresh courage. May 26, 1870 Cooperstown Central School is planning two programs – on safety in schools and on cultural diversity. Parents Local: The lake water as it flows from the pipes in the and community members are invited to both. Dr. James houses of this village shows a temperature of 51 degrees, Gabarino of Loyola University, Chicago, an author and cold enough for pleasant drinking. expert on violence among children, will deliver a lecture We have alluded to the fact that robins are not as on June 2. Funds for the event have been provided by numerous as usual this year. There are, however, many other the Clark Foundation and the Heilig Foundation. A panel birds, including one or two new varieties for this section. discussion titled “Broadening the Horizon: ReconciliaMiss Chaffee of New York is visiting her Aunt, Mrs. tion across Differences” will also be presented June 8. The Alfred Corning Clark at “Fernleigh.” event is co-sponsored by the Cooperstown School District, F.D. Dexter is in town this week tuning pianos. He will the Village of Cooperstown and the Oneonta Branch of return next month as most of his patronage desire tuning in the NAACP. Panelists are Gretchen Sullivan Sorin, Ph.D June. Orders for tuning may be left at the usual places, or and Cooperstown Graduate Program Director, Grace C. addressed to Dexter the piano tuner at West Winfield. Olmstead, SUNY Oneonta, Dr. William S. Walker, SUNY May 30, 1895 Oneonta and Dr. Regina Betts, Vice-President and Political Action Chair of the Oneonta NAACP Branch. May 28, 2010 A group of young women of the First Presbyterian

10 YEARS AGO

125 YEARS AGO

75 YEARS AGO

LIFE IN THE TIME OF COVID-19

MONEY TALK

Social Distancing Works. Do It

ne and one-half weeks ago Otsego I found pretty much everybody either wore County, as part of the Mohawk Val- a mask or had one around their neck which ley Region, was allowed to begin they could then put over their nose and reopening following almost two months of mouth when they came near somebody else. lockdown to try and prevent the spread and It seems that each subsequent day fewer decrease the incidence of COVIDand fewer people even have masks 19. with them and what’s worse fewer Reopening is something desired people fail to separate themselves by pretty much everyone. As long as they pass others on the street. as all reasonable measures would • be taken to prevent further spread On Memorial Day I was out and it is reasonable, if not necesand about. There were many more sary, to start to remove restrictions people on Main Street than there and allow the economy to reopen. were a week ago. A majority were One would think that the majornot wearing masks. ity of people would be overjoyed Twice I came across people RICHARD to have increased freedom, the walking their dogs who neither had ability to either go back to work or STERNBERG masks nor gave way when they extend their working hours, and came near me. Additionally, I saw to come out and move towards getting multiple people running both on the sidenormal life back. walks and around the village and, while I It seems I am mistaken. agree that they frequently did not come into I try to walk half to one mile a day as contact with other people, they occasionpart of my rehabilitation exercises. I chose ally did so. None of them even had masks to do this on Main Street in Cooperstown around their necks. from Chestnut to River Streets. This area is I see businesses having difficulty enforcrelatively flat and has the benefit of having ing distancing rules. I saw three gatherings things to look at and the occasional bench of at least 20 people, none of whom were to sit on. wearing masks and many in close proximThe first few days that we were reopened, Please See STERNBERG, A6

Our Vast,Throwaway Nation

any visiting Europeans are stunned by the huge number of derelict and otherwise empty buildings we have. They ain’t seen nuthin’ yet. Most of our cities show signs of manufacturing blight. Especially northern and rust-belt cities. In this state, a city does not qualify as a city unless it can show several shuttered factories, an empty mall, vacant storefronts, office buildings half-empty. Maybe an armory. Many of our small towns suffer the same blight TOM with old school buildings and MORGAN industrial caracasses. Upstaters have grown up with the sight of them. To them they are as much a part of the landscape as maple trees. European visitors are shocked by the same sight. This is because Europeans do not have enough spare space to allow this. They cannot afford it. So they knock down or reuse old buildings. We, on the other hand, are rich enough to leave the bodies where they collapsed. Gilbertstville, where I graduated high school, is still home to the remains of a factory that failed in the 1930s.

We are in the midst of adding to the body count of unused buildings. Before the virus struck we were losing shopping malls. One big bank predicted we will lose 25 percent of our malls by 2022. About 9,000 stores closed last year. Many were in malls. The Wuhan Virus will surely steepen the decline. Victoria’s Secret announced this week it will close 250 stores. Already shaky Macy’s reports sales are down 45 percent. Bell-ringers are warming up the muffled bells. JC Penney and J. Crew have filed for bankruptcy. Lord & Taylor is looking at liquidation. Neiman Marcus is bankrupt. Nordstrom is closing 15 stores. Etc, bloody etc. Meanwhile, small businesses are vacating downtown and mini-malls. Many colleges and universities are shrinking because the pool of available students has shrunk. Some may go under. Office buildings in cities are somewhat empty. Because so many office workers are lately home workers. Facebook, Google and Microsoft say most of their workers will work from home until 2021. I have to Please See MORGAN, A6

EDITORIAL: Legislators Who Avoid Tough Votes Lose Clout EDITORIAL/FromA4 extra $600 a week. (A separate editorial, perhaps.) Plus, the CSEA, at first obdurate, has since agreed to additional sweeteners from the county board: Those laid off may return with their seniority and vacation time intact, and can choose to pay and stay on the county medical insurance through the end of the year. Civil Service Law requires none of this, Personnel Officer Penny Gentile told the board. All in all, that’s a pretty sweet layoff, if any layoff can be. “When you’re talking about the solvency of the county,” said Bliss, “you’ve got to do what’s right.” Not to edit him, but they

– the county reps – have to do the best they can, with the expectation any decision this complicated – paring 10 percent of a 500-person staff in two dozen departments – won’t be perfect. As county Rep. Peter Oberacker, R-Schenevus, said, quoting Teddy Roosevelt: “Sometimes the right decision and the hardest decision are the same.” • Here are a couple of ways to analyze the nay votes. One, the Republicans, in alliance with the one Conservative, control the county board, and there’s a responsibility that comes with control. They were elected to, and arguably they made the best

decision they could, after an open and inclusive process. And it’s not over: There are more tough decisions ahead. Two, through bipartisanship. That, along with “transparency,” are two terms that often emerge between Democratic lips. This was a time for bipartisanship. It’s interesting that two Democrats – Andrew Marietta, Cooperstown/Town of Otsego, and Adrienne Martini, City of Oneonta – serve on the Admin Committee, went through the many hours of deliberations, and voted twice in favor of the layoffs, once in committee, then on the 20th. County Rep. Dan Wilber, RBurlington, then called for those

who voted nay to come up with an alternate list, if they can do better. That’s fine in theory; but, frankly, the county board’s procedures were followed in getting to the 9-4-1 vote. It should stand, and likely will. “We have to do everything we can to bring these who lost their jobs back,” said Lapin. By not making the tough decision, he, Stammel, Farwell, Basile and Oliver will have little leverage to accomplish that. The decision will be made by those who took a deep breath and did what they had to. • Actually, County Treasurer Allen Ruffles has an idea that’s more

interesting: Use this opportunity to review county government top to bottom, to see where efficiencies can be put in place. For instance, bill paying and hiring is done across multiple departments. Why not centralize those activities, bills in the Treasurer’s Office, hiring and personnel administration in a new Human Resources Department. That would be the best of all worlds: Making layoffs as painless as possible, and streamlining county government so those who do return will reenter a leaner, more effective and efficient organization. Everyone’s adapting to the “new normal,” and it isn’t going to be 100 percent comfortable for anyone.

THURSDAY, May 28, 2020

A-6 THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA

MORGAN: Ruins Everywhere ATWELL: From Our Throwaway Society ATWELL/From A4 MORGAN/From A5 believe many companies will simply occupy less office space in the future. How’re you gonna lure them back to the office, after they’ve seen home cooked lunches? Don’t forget movie theaters. They are dark now because of the virus. Many will never reopen. They were already edging toward the abyss. The virus is jettisoning them into it. Old line churches have struggled for years. This virus may have people on their knees. But the praying has been at home. Some churches will perish. The country will see thousands of clinics, shops, florists and mom and pops of all types close. Wait. They are closed now. Thousands will not re-open. Banks that have cut their corps of tellers to the bone will – in many branches – saw through the bone. Local governments will take similar measures. My county is cutting a million

from its modest budget. It is closing one of its DMV offices. My point is that this country is going to look like a cemetery for deceased buildings. Even when the economy grows healthy again. And I believe it will. We knew more of our economy would go online down the road. The virus has brought the road to us. Down the road is no longer down. We are accustomed to seeing empty shops on Main Street. And empty factories here and there. And the odd shuttered shopping mall. Well, the view from the highway is not likely to improve. If you were in charge of degree programs at a university I would suggest a new one. An MS in Building Re-use. From Tom...as in Morgan. Tom Morgan, retired Oneonta investment adviser whose column is nationally syndicated, lives in Franklin.

venture: how to get to Norfolk. Annapolis Civitan offered two options: One, I could be flown down from and back to Friendship Airport (now Baltimore/Washington International) outside Baltimore. Mind you, I’d never flown before and so found this possibility very exciting. But the alternative! A 12-hour trip each way, to Norfolk and back, on the S.S. President Warfield. I wasn’t conflicted for long. It’d be south by water, back by air!

Only a couple of days got me ready. I’d shot up a bit since getting a dark gabardine suit, and Mother had to turn down and then iron down pants cuffs before the legs touched my shoe tops. I already had a natty Tattersall shirt, a red necktie, and, of course, a bronze Civitan medallion for my buttonhole. Look out, Norfolk! On departure day, I was picked up for the drive to Baltimore by a member of the senior club. He was an oculist by trade; perhaps that automatically makes for a very careful driver. He surely was. I was raring to get going on my adventure. But my driver putted up the 30 miles of dual highway to Baltimore at a stately 45. He kept his window open to wave by the drivers of cars and trucks that, going 55 and 60, stormed up and careened around us, often shaking their fists. My oculist smiled and waved back, smiling. I closed my eyes finally and began to examine my Systems!” It’s going to happen; neither the state nor conscience. federal Governments will be able to financially sustain the current over-kill of local governments. We’ll likely see more STERNBERG/From A5 County and regional consolidation. Townships are ity. Additionally, they were playing games and sports such as football and truly nonessential; they are inefficient! They don’t lead Frisbee. If we don’t keep the numbers down and are virtually obsolete. and they start going up again not only Upstate governance would function much better without will we not be allowed to advance reopening but we could have to go them, positively supporting the quest for real prosperity. back to lockdown. Why people who most want to see us come out and I hope this letter has brought greater clarity to my return to normal are behaving badly is really beyond me. views on the matter! Good I know that Americans like to say wishes!! ALBERT COLONE that nobody will tell them what to do. Resident This is so obviously inconsistent with City of Oneonta our normal daily lives, why is the

COLONE: ‘Reimagining NY’ Must Require Consolidation

COLONE/From A4 prosperous Oneonta would have had Southside water 10 years ago, as well East End sewer; while they both have substandard housing, the towns’ neighborhood deterioration is far worse than that of the city and; the median household income of both are consistent with the poverty levels within Appalachia! What prosperity? But the main reason for my letter was in trying to urge local leaders to move on consolidation before the state does it for us through a plan to “Re-imagine Upstate” and other issue “re-imagining; like our Upstate Education

Off To Confab On Baltimore Packet

oday, the whole sweep that curves around the harbor is a posh destination ... Back then, first impressions were of very pleasant smells. The giant factory and packing plant of McCormick Foods fronted the road and the air was rich with the scents of spices and herbs. But we weren’t crushed or run off the road after all and finally parked quite close to our destination, Baltimore’s inner harbor. But keep in mind that, when I stepped out of the car, it was into a scene of 65 years ago. Today, the whole sweep that curves around the harbor is a posh destination for tourists and shoppers. But back then, first impressions were of smells, though the main ones very pleasant. For the giant factory and packing plant of McCormick Foods fronted the road where we had parked, and the air was rich with the scents of spices and herbs ground there, then packed into signature red tins. Delighted, I drew in scents that put me in my mother’s kitchen at Thanksgiving or Christmas, with a hefty turkey sharing the oven with mince and pumpkin pies; and arranged along the stovetop, lids ajar, were those little red tins. They’d been playing

their part in a feast’s preparation. I thanked and waved at my smiling oculist driver, and was glad to learn later that he’d putted safely back home. And, since I had a couple of hours before boarding the ship, I could amble along at a pace that would have gratified my oculist chauffeur. The S.S President Warfield was not named for a U.S. president, of course, but for the steamship line’s president. (Interestingly, close kin to him was Bessie Wallis Warfield Simpson, whose philandering with England’s royalty raised hob with that country’s kingly succession and brought about an abdication.) Since I was traveling light with just a small suitcase, I could easily amble along a roadway paralleling the water and separated from it by lines of sheds, each with a dock extending out eighty or so feet. To the docks were tied local boats that had hauled melons, tomatoes and even blue channel crabs from Maryland’s Eastern Shore. More common, though, were literal banana boats, up from Central and even South America with cargos of bananas, plantains, and other tropical fruit. All this made my walk an exotic one – even though I was still only 30 miles from my home. But hang on! More excitement lies ahead. In a next column, I’ll climb the gangplank onto the President Warfield and entering a world of elegance that dazzled me. Jim Atwell, a Quaker minister and retired college administrator, lives in Cooperstown.

STERNBERG: Come On People, Let’s Wear Masks simple action of social distancing and wearing a mask so important to violate rules and recommendations? • Multiple studies have shown that social distancing works. Wearing a mask is a part of that when one can’t be at least 6 feet apart. It’s clear that the governor telling people to do so seems in many cases to have a counterproductive effect. Does it make a person feel good to stand up to the government? Is this worth the risk of spreading the disease to one’s loved ones? Of being disrespectful of others? Of leading to new

restrictions? In order to continue advancing to normal activity we must keep the number of new cases and deaths down. Social distancing works. Is that inconvenience too large a price to pay to avoid unnecessary deaths and worse restrictions? Richard Sternberg, a retired Bassett Hospital orthopedic surgeon, has agreed to provide his professional perspective while the coronavirus threat continues. Dr. Sternberg, who is also a village trustee, resides in Cooperstown.

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THURSDAY, May 28, 2020

PAGE B-1

SAVE THE WORLD – IN YOUR BACKYARD

what’s fun

in Otsego County

BEST BETS

The Furlans’ “Chateau de Weeds” turned out to be a nurturing home for Mother Nature.

NE IN A

By LIBBY CUDMORE

MARYLAND

ILLION

hen Joe and Elvira DiPeppi first bought the 5-acre property on Lichenburger Road, Town of Maryland, they nicknamed it “Chateau de Weeds.” “Nothing was here,” said Patty Furlan. “But they did a lot of work, ►CERTIFIED! and they left me all these To get National Wildlife beautiful Federation gardens and certification for schematics.” your property, Furlan, Google “wildwho bought life federation the house certified” with her husband Joe in December, has a new title for Ian Austin/ OTSEGO.life it – National Wildlife Federation After Patty Furlan and her husband Joe bought 5 acres on Crumhorn Mountain, they Certified Wildlife Habitat. were delighted when the National Wildlife Federation declared it a “certified wildlife “It was our Easter present to habitat,” a property that helps fauna flourish. It includes this Fairy Garden. the house,” she said. “A habitat is the best thing it could be.” Additionally, the gardens butterflies, frogs and other and wildlife from my mother.” To be a Certified Wildlife wildlife to raise their young. In addition to registering, the – the DiPeppis’ named them Habitat, owners must provide “It’s about promising to couple made a $20 donation and the Sacred Garden, the Holey natural food sources, clean preserve the land for wildlife,” received a plaque to put on their Garden and the Sacrificial water, cover and nesting/ she said. “I got my love of birds property. Please See CERTIFIED, B3 burrowing places for birds,

All

OMG! Retired Lawyer To Run Cooperstown Diner staying with her aunt on Pioneer Street.” COOPERSTOWN Now, 47 years later, he’s hen Caspar fulfilled that Ewig met his edict, taking wife, Patricia, over as the new in 1973, she had a conmanager of the dition for going steady The OMG! burger Cooperstown with her. Diner, which is remains. “She told me that if reopening for we started dating, Cooperstown take-out Thursday, May 28. was in my future,” he said. “I was looking for something “She spent every summer up to do and I saw the diner was here, taking horseback riding looking for a manager,” he lessons from the Moffats and Please See DINER, B3

Caspar Ewig, a retired maritime lawyer, is taking over the helm of the Cooperstown Diner for the Hayfords.

By LIBBY CUDMORE

AllOTSEGO.life

Jim Kevlin/

Pathfinder Village Photo

Theresa, a resident of Pathfinder Village, poses victorious at the end of the Splash Path 5K, to be held virtually this year.

Baseball Movies, Farmers Markets, And A Bright 5K

et your baked goods, fresh meats, eggs and more at the Milford Farmers’ Market, now open for the summer! 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, May 31, Curry Park, State Route 28, Milford. • The Franklin Farmers’ Market specializes in fresh produce and artisan crafts as they start their LIBBY summer season. 10 CUDMORE a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday, May 31, Franklin Farmer’s Market, 15 Institute St., Franklin. Info (615) 592-1337 • SUNY Delhi English professors Kathryn DeZur, Shelly Jones, and Erin Wagner read their literary & speculative stories, followed by a Q&A. 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday, May 28, www.facebook. com/hmloneonta/ • If poetry is more your scene, Bright Hill Press & Literary Center presents a virtual reading by Rainie Oet, author of three books of poetry, including a “Porcupine in Freefall.” 7-9 p.m. Thursday, May 28. Visit www.facebook. com/brighthp/. • Turner Classic Movies film host Ben Mankiewicz, discusses his favorite baseball films and reveals which one is his favorite. 11 a.m. Friday, May 29, Visit https://baseballhall.org/events/voices-ofthe-game-Ben-Mankiewicz-20?date=0 for info. • Dress up in your most colorful costume, grab some confetti and run/ walk through your neighborhood to support Pathfinder Village in the virtual Splash Path 5K Race! Saturday, May 30, Visit https://raceroster.com/ events/2020/31323/virtual-splash-path2020 for info & registration.

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Dear Dog Charmer, Growing up, our family shared many happy moments with Ginger, our pet dog. Now and as I get older, what are the advantages of adopting a dog as a single person in my seventies? I have read that it’s a good thing to do. Also, what breed and temperament should be considered? Bob Dear Bob Statistically, older people who are single live 15% longer with the companionship of a 4-legged significant other, than those who lack

that camaraderie and intimacy. Just petting a dog causes physiological changes; it relaxes and lowers blood pressure of the petter and the “petee”. And it’s not just because of the brotherhood or sisterhood with the dog, because included with the love is real respon- TOM sibility. Sure, puppy SHELBY gives and gets love, but puppy must also have meals every day, real exercise, a good social agenda,

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doctor appointments, etc. I’ve lost count of the older couples I’ve helped, who met because of their dogs. Might turn out to be better than a singles website. So, what kinda dog? Well, having experienced too many lessons teaching larger dogs to not repeat breaking their owner’s arm, elbow, leg, hip, by joyously pulling them down from their end of the leash, I might suggest a small dog. They’re just as cuddly as big ones, and are unlikely to pull you down or knock you over. My 5½ lb MacDuff was as cuddly as my 90 lb Michelle. If you’re a serious traveler, a Pomeranian or Papillon will easily share a plane seat with you. Real easy to carry if you don’t want to bother with the

other end of the leash in the airport or train station. If you live in Alaska, the heavier-coated Pom may be more comfortable than the Pap. Allergies? The mini poodle is probably smarter than some acquaintances. Thinking of the line in my book, “It’s amazing how much of my life revolves around feces and urine”, I wouldn’t suggest a puppy. There are so many older dogs that will show their appreciation with love and loyalty for being adopted and rescued. Plenty at the shelters and rescue organizations, and, they’re FREE (although donations sure do help). The DOG CHARMER Cooperstown author will be answering pet owners questions on training their dogs. E-mail your questions to dogsrshelby@msn.com

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THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2020

_______ what’s fun in OtsegO COunty

►Thursday, May 28

RABIES CLINIC – 9 - 11 a.m.. Free rabies vaccination for cats, dogs, ferrets. Scheduled for 30-minute intervals for social distancing. First come, first serve. Susquehanna SPCA, Rt. 28, Cooperstown. 607-547-4230 or visit https://sqspca.org/ free-weekly-rabies-clinics/ MORNING PROGRAM – 10 a.m. Keep kids ages 2-5 entertained with library staff presenting books, songs, & fingerplays. Huntington Memorial Library, Oneonta. www. facebook.com/hmloneonta/ READING – 7 - 8:30 p.m. English professors from SUNY Delhi share writings in literary, speculative genres. Includes Q&A session. Sponsored by Huntington Memorial Library. 607-432-1980 or visit https://www.facebook. com/hmloneonta/ WORD THURSDAY – 7 - 9 p.m. Bright Hill Press & Literary Center presents Rainie Oet, writer, game designer, author of 3 books of poetry including ‘Porcupine in Freefall,’ others. Visit https://www. facebook.com/brighthp/ to participate.

►Friday, May 29 BASEBALL DISCUSSION – 11 a.m. Turner Classic Movies film host Ben Mankiewicz, who grew up loving baseball, discusses love of baseball, his favorite team the Oakland As. Tune in to find out his favorite baseball film with the Baseball Hall of Fame. Visit https:// baseballhall.org/events/voices-of-the-game-Ben-Mankiewicz-20?date=0 for info.

►Saturday, May 30 SPLASH PATH – Run/Walk through neighborhood to support Pathfinder Village, upload photos sharing run/walk, personal color bursts with confetti, colored water, colorful running costume, more. Unleash your imagination. Visit https://raceroster.com/ events/2020/31323/virtual-

splash-path-2020 for info & registration. SHOP LOCAL BUSINESSES – Support local businesses during these difficult times. Visit supportotsego.com for list of local businesses online. ART & YOGA – 10 a.m. Stay centered at home with art talk by Mary Murray then yoga with Lisa Gallagher of Munson Willaims Proctor Arts Institute. Donations gratefully accepted to keep program going. Visit www.facebook. com/MWPAI to join the class.

►Sunday, May 31 FARMER’S MARKET – 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Come find farm fresh produce, crafts, more in fresh air & sunshine. For safety, please follow safety guidelines during the Covid-19 pandemic. Franklin Farmer’s Market, 15 Institute St., Franklin. 615-592-1337 or visit https://franklinfarmersmarket.com/

►Monday, June 1 WEEKLY CHALLENGE – 10 a.m. Have fun at home competing in creative weekly challenge. Submit via Facebook or Instagram with inspirational photo. Submissions due by 5 p.m. Thursday. Visit https:// www.facebook.com/oneonta. teencenter for info.

►Wednesday, June 3 RABIES CLINIC – 1 - 3 p.m. Free rabies vaccination for cats, dogs, ferrets. See Thursday Listing.

►Thursday, June 4 RABIES CLINIC – 9 - 11 a.m.. Free rabies vaccination for cats, dogs, ferrets. See Thursday Listing.

►Friday, June 5 VIRTUAL THEATER – Enjoy 2019 production of ‘The Taming of the Shrew’ from the Glimmerglobe theater. The Fenimore Art Museum. https://www.facebook.com/ fenimoreartmuseum/

►Saturday, June 6 SHOP LOCAL BUSINESSES – Support local businesses during these difficult times. Visit supportotsego.com for list of local businesses online. PHOTOGRAPHY – 10 a.m. 3-part virtual class on how to apply principlesradius of photogwithin a 10-mile and raphy to taking pictures with your smartphone. Classes include demonstrations, exercises. Continues June 13, 20. Huntington Memorial Library. Visit https://www.facebook. com/hmloneonta/ for info. VIRTUAL PRIDEFEST – 2 - 8 p.m. Celebrate Pride 2020. Online event will includes opening ceremony, speeches, musical performances, more. This years theme is ‘Colors of Pride.’ Visit https://www.facebook. com/otsegopride/ for info.

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►Thursday, June 18 RABIES CLINIC – 9 - 11 a.m.. Free rabies vaccination for cats, dogs, ferrets. See Thursday Listing.

THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2020

Buyers Find Home Refuge For Wildlife

AllOTSEGO.life

Ian Austin/

Patty Furlan shows off the plaque she and husband Joe received from the National Wildlife Federation identifying their Crumhorn Mountain home as a Certified Wildlife Habitat.

CERTIFIED/From B1 Garden – are part of the federation’s Million Pollinator Garden Challenge, aiming to provide habitat for the declining bee and butterfly populations. “We call it the Holey Garden because of all the chipmunks,” Patty said. “And the Sacrificial Garden is for the deer!” The Sacred Garden, meanwhile, is fenced-off in the center of the lawn, with a fairy garden off to the side and a planned vegetable garden in the back. “I’ve always grown herbs, but it was in a one-bedroom apartment,” she said. The rest of the land is forest, including a shallow shale cave and a longforgotten rock wall. “The rumor is that there used to be a brothel up here,” she said. “The madam would go into town, lure men up and then kill them. But that might just be lore.” She did, however, note that she did find an old foundation. “I’d love to have some forestry students come out and mark trails” she said. “We love to travel to state parks: But this year, this will have to be our state park!” The Furlans aren’t just letting their land grow wild. “We want to put in willow trees to help soak up some of the moisture,” the wife said. “I don’t only want to maintain the property; I want to add to it.” Other plans include building bat boxes to help control insects, and providing additional food for nesting seasonal species, such as hummingbirds. “They got here early at the end of their migration, and they just sat down and ate,” she said. “When I went to refill the feeders, they were waiting there, like they were stalking me!” As her gardens grow, she wants to expand flower boxes down the driveway and surprises outward into the forest. “I want to hang picture frames, or maybe invite some art students to do some sculptures or carve a stump into something,” she said. “I love the idea that you could just be out for a walk and there’s some art hidden in the woods, making the woods more interesting than they are already.” And she hasn’t ruled out additional protections for the property, including forestry and conservation easements. “We like being in the woods,” she said. “If you can’t give me the ocean, give me the trees.”

THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL B-3

In Cooperstown, Oneonta Outdoor Dining Intrigues

SIDEWALKS/From A1 cial District – Main Street – will be allowed to apply for a permit to hold sidewalk sales. “It’s a chance to do something really creative,” said Mayor Ellen Tillapaugh Kuch. Also discussed was outdoor dining, permitted since 2014. Several restaurants, including Mount Fuji, the Hard Ball Café and Mel’s at 22, have participated. Jim Kevlin/The Freeman’s Journal “Outdoor dining is going Mel’s proprietor Brian Wrubleski and his daughter to save us,” said Brian Gunther are adjusting their sidewalk tables Wrubleski, Mel’s. “There’s Alex to take social distancing into account. such good ambience.” meeting, although he the Hard Ball Café have The Cooperstown village added, “Because of social all offered outdoor dining trustees reiterated their distancing, many would only in the past, but others are support of outdoor dining in be able to have one out of beginning to look into it to Cooperstown during their meeting on Tuesday, May 26. every four tables open, and it expand their business. Stagecoach Coffee, owns “We’re encouraging busi- wouldn’t be profitable.” The Outdoor Dining law, land behind its building and nesses to get their applicaestablished in 2014, allows patrons can lunch there. tions in,” said Tillapaugh. In Oneonta, the idea is “That way, when the restric- restaurants to place seating out front, as long as there gaining also popularity in the tions are lifted, everyone is still 5 feet of pedestrian age of COVID-19. “Hill City will be ready to go.” space on the sidewalk. Grill has expressed interest, Restaurants are slated As part of the Main and as has Wise Guys Sammy’s,” for re-opening under Phase Chestnut redo, Wrubleski said Barbara Ann Heegan, Three of un-PAUSE – midexpanded his outdoor offerpresident, Otsego County June at the earliest – but no guidelines have been issued ings from seating 16 to seating Chamber of Commerce. 32. Still, he said, “If we didn’t The Board is waiving all for what that re-opening have COVID, I could get 45 fees, but businesses have to might look like. people out here!” provide proof of insurance, “Restaurants are very Restaurants including and vendors within three feet much in favor of it,” said Mount Fuji, Cooperstown of a display window must Village Trustee Rich Beverage Exchange and get the owner’s permission. Sternberg at Tuesday’s

New Manager Opens Cooperstown Diner DINER/From B1 said. “I called Scott Hayford” – longtime owner Earle Hayford’s son – “and the rest is history.” A native of Germany who was raised in Yonkers, Caspar and Patricia, the bookkeeper at his office, Hill, Rivkins LLP, married in 1977. She died in 2005. A maritime lawyer, he worked at the firm until he retired in 2017. “I got to my 71st birthday and I was still ready to work, but they wanted me to retire,” he said. The Ewigs had purchased a home on Route 166 near Cooperstown, where they planned to retire. “We’d go to the diner a lot when we came up to Cooperstown,” he said. “We’d get that humongous hamburger!” Meanwhile, their daughter Kathy has been living there with her son, Jason; her daughter Gabby, and Gabby’s twins, Sean and Amanda, are at SUNY Poly, near Utica, and SUNY Fredonia, respectively. Ewig’s son, Fred, father of Emily, 11, and twins Rebecca and Ryan, 6, lives in Princeton, N.J. Last October, Casper moved up from Jersey City and, in April, saw the listing for the new diner manager online. “I’ve always enjoyed

cooking,” he said. “Every church we ever attended, I always helped out with the cooking for luncheons and celebrations.” After 9/11, he said, he got some restaurant experience helping a friend run her restaurant, Giovanni’s Atrium, in Brooklyn, while she took care of her ailing husband. “I thought I might like to cook,” he said. The diner has been closed since the pandemic started, and Ewig’s used the time to study the menu and the operations. “I’m a big fan of ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’,” he said. “The diner has a great reputation; right now it’s just about tweaking some of the offerings and making sure they all travel well for when people do take-out.” But that doesn’t mean he’s not going to put his own touch on the diner. “The breakfasts are always good, but the dinners left something to be desired,” he said. To start, he’s going to add his specialty quiches to the menu. “I’m a big fan of quiche, so I’m going to make individual ones – spinach and ham and broccoli – in little four-inch pans.” German specialties may soon follow. “The diner has very standard offerings, but I want to do some food that’s more interesting,” he said.

B-4 THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA

Awaiting Seller’s Market, Realtors Use Technology

out of town,” she said. REALTY/From A1 According to Lee, he’s said, realtors will film a seeing an uptick in buyers video and post it on the from downstate looking for home listing. “I’ve had several inquiries summer homes. “They’re looking forward to the time on the internet for various they can come up and use properties,” said Rob Lee, a Benson Agency agent. “This it,” he said. “They want space from is a time when people have other people,” said Klein. the time, they’re driving by “They’re looking for a house and seeing a property for with a few acres of property, sale, or they’re calling and not being inquiring elbow-toabout summer elbow with homes.” anyone.” After Additalking by tionally, the phone or increase of email, Lee telecomsends a link to muting a virtual tour has given of the interior employees and exterior. more flex“They also In time of social ibility about have the where they option to do distancing, Howard a drive-by to Hanna is experimenting live. “Seeing virtual tours of that people complete the with homes, like this one on can work picture.” Eggleston Hill, Milford. from home Shultis is going to prefers to really affect commercial give a personalized tour to real estate downstate,” each buyer. “Facetime is great because people can ask said Shultis. “So people are looking for year-round me questions about something they see in the house,” housing.” “I’ve been getting inquishe said. “In one instance, ries about people who are my clients could hear the interested in relocating,” traffic in the background, said Lee. “They’re all which is important to a renting now.” potential homeowner.” And rates are very low, Melissa Klein, manager of she noted. “If you’re doing Howard Hanna, even offers a short-term loan, you could 3D tours of their properties, get an interest rate under similar to Google Earth. “You can ‘walk’ through the three percent,” she said. “And our housing prices are house,” she said. already reasonable.” And it’s worked. All the contracts can be “This area is really the signed electronically, and sweet spot for people who, buyers can put a clause in because of the virus, want that allows them to withdraw to get out of Long Island, their offer without penalties the city or even Westchester if a physical walkthrough County,” said Klein. doesn’t meet their standards. “The Catskills are getting “However, Shultis noted, crowded, and we’re not so housing stock is low. “A lot of far from the city that you people are waiting to list until can’t travel back down for a after the pandemic,” she said. weekend.” “Our supply is way down.” While realtors across the But that just means it’ll state have seen a significant be a seller’s market in a few drop in sales, Klein said months, said Klein. “If you’re that her agency, which has thinking about selling your offices in Oneonta and Cooperstown, has seen a rise home, now is a good time to do it,” she said. “When all in pending sales. this ends, it’s going to be a “The majority of people very busy market.” looking right now are from

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Legal nOtice NOTICE OF FORMATION of NETTZONE LLC A Limited Liability Company. Articles of Organization were filed with the New York State Secretary of State on December 23, 2019. The office of the LLC is to be located in Otsego County. The Secretary of State has been designated as the agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. The Secretary of State shall mail a copy of any process against the LLC served upon him/her to: Merwan Irani, 5981 State Highway 7, Oneonta, New York 13820. The purpose of the LLC is to engage in any lawful act or activity. 6LegalJul.2 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of Actively Becoming Me LLC, Art. of Org. filed with SSNY on 3/30/20. Off. loc.: Otsego Co. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom

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process may be served & shall mail 855 Smokey Ave., Schenevus, NY 12155. Purp.: any lawful. 6LegalJul.2 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of DeGlee Land Holdings, LLC, a NY limited liability company (LLC). Arts. of Org. filed with NY Sec. of State (NYSS) on 05/04/2020. Office: Otsego County. NYSS designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. NYSS shall mail process to: 2093 County Highway 18, South New Berlin, New York 13843. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. 6LegalJul.2 Legal nOtice *NOTICE OF ANNUAL SCHOOL DISTRICT BUDGET HEARING, BUDGET VOTE AND ELECTION OF MEMBERS FOR THE UNATEGO CENTRAL SCHOOL

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NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that the Annual Budget Hearing of the inhabitants of the Unatego Central School, qualified to vote at school meetings in said District, will be held as a video conference which the public may log on to June 1, 2020, at 6:30 p.m. where the proposed school district budget for the 20202021 school year shall be presented. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual District Budget Vote and Election of Members to the Board of Education for those qualified to vote in said District, will be held by absentee ballot only, on Tuesday, June 9, 2020, by order of the Governor of the State of New York in Executive Order 202.26. NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN that a copy of the statement of the amount of money which will be required for the ensuing year for school purposes may be obtained by any taxpayer in the District at the District Office during the fourteen days immediately preceding the vote except Saturday,

THURSDAY, May 28, 2020

Many Mourn Hyde Hall ‘Angel’ Andy Blum

BLUM/From A1 Kissinger to kiss his ring,” said Russell. “They went up to Andy to kiss HIS ring.” Andrew M. Blum, 89, the Wall Street banker, Cooperstown presence and transformative chairman of the Hyde Hall trustees, who died Monday, May 18, at his New York City home, was a man who made friends, many friends in all walks of life. At one chronological end was Jacob Russell, who, as a junior at CCS, chose to interview Andy for his English class’s “Our Town” essay assignment. The teenager expected a 20minute pro forma exchange; Blum went on for an hour and 40 minutes, and the two formed a friendship that survives the older man’s passing. “He was very honest with me, the ups and the downs,” said Russell, a Harvard grad now on the University of Georgia football team’s coaching staff. “He wasn’t afraid to be self-deprecating.” At the other chronological end was Ann Hyde Clark Logan, the last member of the Clarke family to be born in Hyde Hall; age 86, she passed away in 2010. “He told me about a promise he made to Ann Logan: ‘Andy, I want to make sure Hyde Hall survives’,” said Jon Maney, Hyde Hall executive director. “And he promised, and he kept that promise,” said Maney. “He was a terrific fundraiser.” “He was crucial to the financial stabilization of the group,” said Gib Vincent, the former NYSHA president who succeeded Blum as Hyde Hall chairman. “He made friends everywhere; he had a lot friends around the world, and he brought them in to support Hyde Hall.” Andy Blum’s introduction to Cooperstown some 70 years ago was happenstance. Their parents away, young Henry S.F. Cooper and his brother Jimmy – and perhaps Folger Oudin

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The Freeman’s Journal & HOMETOWN ONEONTA

Andy Blum with Dr. Gerald and Anne Evans of Cooperstown at the 2010 Hyde Hall Gala. Blum is credited with stabilizing the National Historic Landmark mansion’s finances in recent years. Jr., Vincent said – had commandeered Angus, the family’s Model A that sister Susie had painted a Scotch plaid, and headed to Cambridge, Mass., for a spring getaway. Andy Blum, visiting from Hobart College, spotted Angus on Harvard Square, and engaged the Cooper boys in conversation. He ended up riding back to Cooperstown, and had such a good time, he became a visitor for the rest of his life. In the 1990s, he and wife Flis finally bought a second home on Main Street, a historic property once owned by John B. Prentiss, the congressman and Freeman’s Journal editor. Maney and Blum were both Hobart alums, Phi Kappa Tau and Kappa Alpha respectively. Andy played football, “and he would often call me up and talk about how the football team was doing there,” said Maney. “It was not great when he was playing, but he took great pride in the connection.” Blum’s legendary career on Wall Street spanned over 60 years, his obituary related, during which time he was a friend and mentor to many. (For 20 of those years, he also served in the Navy Reserve.) He was a long-time partner of C.E. Unterberg Towbin Co. and a managing director

LEGALS

Sunday, or holidays between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. They may also be obtained from the school district’s website at https:// www.unatego.org. Petitions nominating candidates for the office of Member of the Board of Education must be filed in writing with the Clerk of the District between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. not later than May 11, 2020. The following vacancies are to be filled: a) A three-year term ending June 30, 2023 currently held by Byron McMichael b) A three-year term ending June 30, 2023 currently held by Cindy O’Hara c) A three-year term ending June 30, 2023 currently held by David Clapper Candidates do not run for a specific seat but rather all vacant seats are “at large”, meaning that each nominee is eligible for every vacancy, rather than only for a specific seat. Each petition must be addressed to the District Clerk, be signed by at least one (1) qualified voter of the District, and shall state the

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name and physical residence (911 address) of the candidate and physical address (911 address) of the signer. The candidate must meet all of the other requirements to run for the board. These include being qualified voters and having lived in the district continuously for one year prior to the election. Any petition shall be rejected by the Board of Education if the purpose of the proposition is not within the powers of the voters, or where the expenditure of money is required for the proposition and such proposition fails to include the necessary specific appropriation. The individuals receiving the highest number of votes shall be elected to the vacancies. NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN that all eligible voters are entitled to an absentee ballot. You are an eligible voter if you are 1) a U.S. citizen, 2) eighteen years of age or older, 3) a resident of the school district for at least 30 days before the vote, 4) and not otherwise disqualified to vote by law. The District Clerk shall mail absentee ballots to all registered voters in the

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District as indicated by the Otsego and Delaware County Board of Elections as well as all eligible voters who voted in the last School Board election. Absentee ballots must be received in the office of the District Clerk of the District not later than 5:00 p.m. on the day of the vote. If you do not receive an absentee ballot by June 1, 2020 and are an eligible voter, please contact Sheila Nolan, District Clerk at 607-988-5038. NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN that any person who is in actual military service, and by reason of such military service is absent from the school district on the day of registration or election; or is discharged from such military service within 30 days of an election; or a spouse, parent, child or dependent of a military voter, and accompanying or being with such voter, if a qualified voter of the State of New York and a resident of the same school district as such military voter may register as a school district voter by contacting the District Clerk at 607-988-5038 to receive an absentee

of NASDAQ. At the time of his death, he was a managing partner of C.L. King & Associates. Three times, firms Blum was with “went broke; he built himself back up,” said David Russell, Jacob’s father and an investment banker whom Andy recruited to the Hyde Hall board. When Gregory & Sons dissolved in 1969, Blum was a partner, telling Russell later that he learned a personal lesson in the difference between a corporation and a partnership, where partners share in the liabilities. “He didn’t declare bankruptcy, he took responsibility for the firm, he paid everybody back,” said Russell. It was a defining accomplishment for many of Andy’s friends, who speak of it with quiet respect. Friends were also in awe at the loving, 47-year marriage between Blum and his wife Felicia. Allison Hill-Edgar, the portraitist and neighbor whom Andy also recruited to be a Hyde Hall trustee, called it “a 50-year love affair. They were best of friends. Soulmates. It was really one of the most loving, supportive, fun marriages. As a couple, they were role models.” Her husband, Keyes, the ViacomCBS COO, added,

ballot.

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A list of all persons to whom absentee ballots have been issued shall be available for public inspection during regular office hours, which are between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. until the date of election. Any qualified voter may, upon examination of such list, file a written challenge of qualifications of any person whose name appears on such list stating the reason for the challenge. Such list shall be posted in a conspicuous place during the election, and any qualified voter may challenge the acceptance of the absentee ballot or a person on such list, by making this challenge and the reasons for the challenge known to the inspectors of election before the close of the polls.

“They were the best at relationships in general, but especially their own.” Andy is survived by three children: Marcia Compton, Olivia Brown and Drew Blum, all of Hillsborough, N.C.; eight grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. He also had two stepchildren: Edwin Stebbins and Richard Stebbins. A private burial is planned in Cooperstown this summer, with a celebration of his life in New York City in the fall. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in his name to Hyde Hall Inc., P.O. Box 721, Cooperstown, NY 13326 or Bassett Hospital, 1 Atwell Road, Cooperstown, NY 13326. Known for wearing red trousers – the same pair, it’s said, he was wearing when he met Flis – he bore the nickname, “Bear.” Learning of their friend’s passing: David Russell and wife Nancy dressed a teddy bear in horned rim glasses and other Andy Blum garb and left it on his Main Street porch, where it now adorns the mailbox. Cooperstown’s Tony Casale, former assemblyman, college vice president and state Liquor Authority chairman, knew Blum through Republican politics. A couple of years ago, Casale was invited to a symposium on the economy that included national leaders in business, politics and journalism. Larry Kudlow, then host of CNBC’s prime time “Kudlow Report,” now chair of the Trump Administration’s National Economic Council, moderated, and asked attendees around the table to introduce themselves. When his turn came, Casale mentioned among other things, “I’m from Cooperstown, N.Y.” “Kudlow stopped everything, and said to me: ‘Do you know Andy Blum?’” “Andy was bigger than life,” Casale said. “Everybody knew Andy,

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Arts. of Org. filed with the Sec’y of State of NY (SSNY) on 05/04/2020. Office Location: Otsego County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 33 Haven Esplanada, Staten Island, New York 10301. Purpose: Any lawful activity. 6LegalJun.25 \Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of Painted Pail Wine Company LLC.

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Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 03/30/2020. Office location: Otsego County. SSNY is designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to 124 Goose Street, Fly Creek, NY 13337. Purpose: any lawful purpose. 6LegalJun.25

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF

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CAMP FLORUBY LLC

NOTICE OF FORMATION of

Dated: May 6, 2020 Sheila Nolan, Clerk of the Board of Education 2LegalMay.28

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Victoria Tarbell, Mental Health Counseling, PLLC, Art. of Org. filed with SSNY on 1/29/20. Off. loc.: Otsego Co. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom proc. may be served & shall mail 50 Dietz St., Oneonta, NY 13820. Purp.: any lawful. 6LegalMay.28 Legal nOtice NOTICE OF FORMATION OF DOMESTIC LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY Name of LLC: UAS Oneonta Property, LLC; Date of Filing: 3/20/2020; Office of the LLC: Otsego Co.; The NY Secretary of State (NYSS) has been designated as the agent upon whom process may be served. The NYSS may mail a copy of any process to the LLC at P.O. Box 155, Robesonia, PA 19551; Purpose of LLC: Any lawful purpose. 6LegalMay.28

AllOTSEGO.life

THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2020

IN MEMORIAM

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Robert L. Wood, 82 April 25, 1938 - May 19, 2020

ONEONTA – Robert L. Wood, 82, passed away peacefully at home with his loving family at his side on May 19, 2020. He was born April 25, 1938, in Oneonta, the son of Jesse G. and Sarah E. (Wade) Wood. Bob enlisted into the National Guard during high school. He graduated from Laurens Central School proudly wearing his National Guard uniform. He then served in the United States

Army in 1960-63. he began working full He married time at Hartwick ColGwendolyn Haines lege in the shipping on May 3, 1965, in and receiving departOneonta. ment. Bob was emBob’s passion ployed at Amphenol was stock cars. He in Sidney for many raced cars and was years. During a flagger at the track that time, he also in Morris. He was inworked part time ducted into the Stock Robert L. at Hartwick College Car Hall of Fame. Wood as a security guard. He was also an avid After he retired motorcycle rider. He from Amphenol as a superviwas a member of Retreads, sor of shipping and receiving, the American Legion Riders

and the American Legion Post in Oneonta. Robert enjoyed model trains and building the tracks. He most especially loved his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Bob will be dearly missed by his family and friends and those who knew him as the neighborhood handy man. He is survived by his children, Cheryl Gorsch (Daniel), Ronald Wood (Cindy), Andrea Hitchcock (Jim Guerriere), Richard Goodspeed (Tammy), and Patricia Birdsall-Smith

(David); grandchildren, Sarah (Ramon), Jeffrey, Aaron (Sarah), Jill (Rick), Robert, Ronald, Alex, Brandon (Hope), Collin (Deztiny), Lindsey, Karly, Amber, and Chelsea; greatgrandchildren, Ryan, Molly, Santiago, Sofia and Lucy; his sister, Kathy Polley (Bob); son-in-law, Greg Hitchcock; several nieces and nephews, and his favorite four-legged pal, Tucker. He was predeceased by his wife, Gwendolyn Wood; two sons, Michael Cairo and

Mark Cairo. Public services will be held at a later date along with military honors and the burial at Oneonta Plains Cemetery. Donations may be made to the Helios Care, 297 River St. Service Road, Oneonta, NY or to the American Legion, 279 Chestnut St., Oneonta, NY 13820. To sign the online guestbook, visit the website of Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home, 51 Dietz St., Oneonta, at www.lhpfuneralhome.com

many cousins, a bounty of great friends that he made throughout his life, and his faithful border collie, Belle. He was predeceased by his father, Thomas P. O’Hara, and his brother, Thomas P. O’Hara, Jr and his wife, Kathleen. Terry’s family is deeply touched by the determination of the A.O. Fox Memorial staff and to all of the Bassett Healthcare ICU/SCU medical support staff who provided support to our loved one, and their heartfelt compassion provided to them during this very difficult time. You are heroes and will never be forgotten. Life is shorter than you think. Have that beer, hug the people close to you and tell them you care about them and love them – tell

them often. Terry was a gregarious Irishman who loved life. He leaves a void that will be impossible to fill. The family will have a celebration of Terry’s life and interment at a later date when it is safe to gather. To sign the online guestbook, visit, www.lhpfuneralhome.com, the website of Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home, 51 Dietz St., Oneonta. In lieu of flowers, the family ask that you consider donating to the Otsego County Habitat for Humanity, 403 B Chestnut St, Oneonta, NY 13820 or consider giving gift certificates from local eateries to one of the many health care professionals risking their lives to help save you and others. Sláinte!

Terrance O. O’Hara Oct. 28, 1948 – May 18, 2020

ONEONTA – How does one even begin to tell the story of someone like Terry and keep it brief? He was born Oct. 28, 1948 in Oneonta, the youngest son of Thomas P. and Margaret A. (Schoeller) O’Hara. He met his wife, Cindy, at Plattekill Mountain and they were married May 26, 1979, in the Jay Gould Memorial Church, Roxbury. Terry was known for his adventurous spirit, his smile and the glint in his eyes. As a proud Irishman, he was never without a joke to tell, or a story to share. He had patience, was a great listener with compassion and respect for others and he always wanted to make people smile, and – wow – did he know how to be a good friend. Family meant everything

to him as he was so proud of his Irish heritage, the history of his family’s homeland across the sea, songs and music from Ireland, pints of Guinness, and making sure that his grandchildren would grow up proud to be Irish. He always reminded his boys to remember where they came from, and what their name is, that knowledge is power and, most importantly, that family does matter – even if they had really upset you at times. Equipped with his Leatherman and his mini Maglite, he was always ready to assist with any problem, as he was a fixer of many things. He enjoyed making his Sunday morning breakfast, and was famous for his BBQ ribs. He was athletic; played football, wrestled, gracefully danced,

ice skated, and loved skiing. as well as for Catskill Area As a Plattekill ski school inHospice & Palliative Care. structor, he helped countless He was a 1966 Unatego people fall in love with the High School graduate and sport and the mountain for served in the U.S. Army as over 30 years. Specialist 5, Radar Terry spent Repairman. his career in the He is survived by his banking industry wife of almost 41 years, and most recently Cindy (Dysart); his as the site supersons, Kelly of Otego, visor for Otsego Conor and his wife, County Habitat for Alley, of Ramsey, N.J., Humanity. He was and Casey and his soul involved in many mate, Sara Bissaillon charitable organiof Catskill; his beautiful zations, including grandchildren, RileyTerrance O. the Oneonta Elks Ann, Lilian and Ada O’Hara #1312 (PER), the O’Hara, Caiden and Sixth Ward Athletic Jack O’Hara, and Julian Club, lifetime member of O’Hara; his mother, Margaret the American Legion, the O’Hara of Otego (who will Ancient Order of Hibernians. be turning 100 May 24); his He was a loyal volunteer at brother, Tim of Cliffside Park, the annual Great American N.J.; his loving nieces and Irish Festival for many years, nephews and their children,

Joyce S. Jones, 87 Oct. 22, 1932 - May 19, 2020

HARTWICK SEMINARY – Joyce S. Jones, a longtime resident of Hartwick Seminary and a devoted wife, mother and grandmother, passed away with family by her side Tuesday afternoon, May 19, 2020, at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown. She was also an accomplished seamstress and upholsterer, and had a

special love for Otsego Lake, often reminding her family, “Aren’t you glad I moved to Cooperstown; there is not a more beautiful place.” She was 87. Born Oct. 22, 1932, in Ayer, Mass., she was one of four children of David P. and Alice (Moison) Sargent. Raised on the family farm in Groton, Mass., Joyce gradu-

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

ated from Groton High School with the Class of 1950, and then attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst where she earned a bachelor of arts degree in 1954. Later that same year she moved to Cooperstown when she took a job at the Cornell Cooperative Extension. This was quite a step for a young lady in the 1950s to take, and Joyce admitted she was a bit scared moving away from her family and native Massachusetts, but she persevered and did well. Joyce was especially glad she moved to Cooperstown when, at a New Year’s Eve party, she met Duane E. Jones. On Nov. 26, 1956, Joyce and Duane were married in Groton, Mass., and, after relocating several times, settled into their home in Hartwick Seminary in 1964. In the mid 1960s, Joyce left her job at the extension office to devote her time to raising her children and caring for their home. She always had talent for sewing, and in the 1970s started working on her own as a seamstress as well as doing upholstery work. For decades, Joyce faithfully served on the board of directors of the Hartwick Seminary Cemetery Association. She, along with her husband Duane, looked after the upkeep of the cemetery and was the person to call whenever a burial needed to

take place. She was also a windows, and was instrumental representative for Cherry Valin raising the needed funds. ley Memorials. Her legacy at First PresJoyce was very devoted byterian will live on for years to the First Presbyterian to come in the stained-glass Church in Cooperstown, quilted wall hanging she where she was a long-time crafted for the church’s 2007 faithful member, served as bicentennial celebration. Dea deacon and was in charge signed and pieced together by of the Columbarium in the Joyce and her grandchildren, Church-yard. Before women they began choosing fabrics could take an active role in in June 2006 and worked church governance, together during school Joyce became a vital holidays for several part of the church’s months. Women’s FellowIt was quilted by ship, serving as their Joyce and her ecutreasurer and taking menical friends and part in the various upon completion in guilds that, at the July 2007, her son, time, were part of Steven mounted it on this church group. a wooden frame and As an accomit now hangs in the plished seamstress, sanctuary above the Joyce S. her passion for main entrance doors. Jones this ministry of The various blocks the church led her to be the represent and depict liturgimainstay for many years in cal seasons in the Christian deciding on and organizing calendar and cycles of life. the various sewing projects Never one to sit idle, Joyce the women worked on in their was also an accomplished Monday sewing circle. They bowler, and she and her sister, would sell their creations at the Jan, won the No Tap tournaAlternative Market held each ment four years in a row. year just prior to Christmas. This remarkable woman, Through the years she also who was such a vital part of served as chair of the annual her church and community, Ice Cream Social and the and whose hearing loss never accompanying sale of the kept her from persevering women’s handcrafted items, and accomplishing so much, as well as church rummage will be greatly missed by her sales. One of her biggest loving family. endeavors was raising awareShe leaves behind four ness of the need to restore children and six grandchilthe church’s stained-glass dren, son Steven Duane

Jones and his wife, Eva, of Niskayuna, and their children, Cora Elizabeth, Kelly Christine and David Duane Jones; and three daughters, Susan E. Bergene and husband, Gregory, of Cooperstown, and their daughters, Kristin Ellen and Hanna Joy Bergene, Sandra Lee Jones of Middletown, Del., and Sharon L. Otto and husband, Paul, of Niskayuna and their son, Paul Christopher Otto. She is further survived by her brother, David P. Sargent, Jr. and his wife, Janet, of Great Falls, Va., and a sister, Jean Norton and her husband, Lee, of Valatie, and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her father and mother, who predeceased her in 1994 and 1995 respectively, Joyce was also predeceased by her husband of 42 years, Duane E. Jones, who died June 21, 1999, and her sister Janet Ann Kerr, who died Dec. 8, 2018. She will be laid to rest alongside her husband in Hartwick Seminary Cemetery. While there will be no services at this time, please remember your times spent with Joyce, smile, and know she is at peace. For those who wish to honor Joyce’s life, please consider a memorial donation to Hartwick Seminary Cemetery Association, 1636 Kelly Corners Road, Oneonta, NY 13820, or Habitat for Humanity of Otsego County, 403-B Chestnut Street, Oneonta, NY 13820. Arrangements are under the care and guidance of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.

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THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2020

Ag & Markets Law Exempts Auction House By ELIZABETH COOPER UNADILLA – Things had been going so well. Until the weekend, Otsego County had not had a positive COVID-19 case in more than three weeks. Then on Friday, May 22, the county announced that an Bond individual who attended a Unadilla Livestock Auction had later tested positive for the virus. The individual, who is not a resident of this county, had been at a May 16 auction from 1:30 to 9:30 p.m. and was not wearing a mask, according the Otsego County Health Department. There were about 150 others present. “I think this is why the governor issued the executive order,” said county Health Director Heidi Bond. “To reduce the density of people.” The livestock auction falls under the state Department of Agriculture & Markets, the auction was not covered by Governor Cuomo’s order

that gatherings be limited to less than 10 people, Bond said. “From what I understand they didn’t have social distancing in place,” she said. “There was crowding and people were standing within 6 feet of each other without a mask.” The Devlin county Health Department issued an alert Friday warning local residents who may have been there to monitor themselves for symptoms. So far, only one person has reported symptoms, but the test is not back yet, Bond said. Also, in the past five days, two additional positive cases were reported. Neither was related to the auction, Bond said. Both individuals likely contracted the disease in a healthcare setting outside the county, one as an employee and the other as a patient, she said. The Health Department is working with the auction house to better protect those who attend.

This notice has been posted on the Unadilla Livestock Auction website since it was discovered a patron without a mask at the May 16 auction later tested positive for COVID-19.

Bond also stressed the importance of personal responsibility as county residents work to avoid the virus and prevent others from getting infected. “We all have to take personal responsibility,” she said. “If we don’t like what is going on at a business then don’t go there.” She also said people who feel ill should make a point of not going out in public. The case at the auction is a scenario that could have led to a cluster of cases locally, and because people come from other areas to attend the auction it could have led to a spread. So far, however, Bond is not aware of any cases in other counties that might be related. The two week incubation period will be up May 30,

and most people start to show symptoms within seven days, so she is hopeful that the region dodged a bullet, she said. Sheriff Richard Devlin Jr. said he had a complaint about the fact that the auction was still operating several weeks ago, but determined that they were deemed an essential business and pointed to state Ag & Markets. “The governor’s made all these stipulations to put it back on local law enforcement, but no tools to deal with it,” he said. Devlin said he had never been to the auction house and could not say whether it was large enough that 150 people could achieve proper social distancing while there.

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Sinnott Gardner: Cooperstown DMV Makes More Than Oneonta DMV/From A1 the main office in the County Office Building at 197 Main St., Cooperstown, is nine times more productive. That’s because the main office processes sales tax generated by auto dealerships. Locally, most are in Oneonta, but if a county resident buys a car anywhere else in the state – Utica, foremost, in many other counties as well – the sales tax reverts to the buyer’s county of residence. Half of the 8 percent sales tax goes to Albany, and the other half stays in the county, according to County Treasurer Allen Ruffles. Direct revenue from Oneonta from “foot traffic” ($247,998) is $48,000 more than in Cooperstown ($199,748), but the revenues from the county’s share of sales tax generated far outstrips that, she said. “When you have two offices and you have to close one of them,” Sinnott Gardner said, “somebody’s not going to be happy. There’s no way to please everyone in this case.” It first became clear one office

would have to go, the county clerk said, when she learned she was losing three clerks among the 59 layoffs the county board approved last week. Thus, three of the Oneonta clerks were laid off, and the two others transferred to join the three at the Cooperstown office, she said. Two were insufficient to operate that office alone. Not every county clerk in New York State operates local DMV offices in collaboration with the state Department of Motor Vehicles, but Otsego is among the counties that, in state law, must have such an office – but only one, Sinnott Gardner said. From a management standpoint, it makes sense to have the one office in proximity to the County Clerk’s Office in Cooperstown, she said, and county board Chairman David Bliss, R-Cooperstown/Town of Middlefield agreed. Bliss has also pointed out that, while Oneonta has the larger population, Cooperstown is more centrally located within the county. The county clerk, who like a county sheriff, is elected, not appointed by

the county board, has the authority to decide how to manage her operations. The county board only has influence through the purse strings. However, Sinnott Gardner – and Bliss – see what’s happening as part of a larger dynamic: “More and more people are going to the Internet to renew their licenses” and other services, she said. “Whatever they can do online, they’re doing on line.” She continued: “The county clerks feel, as long as we’re kept out of our offices” – since the governor’s March 13 emergency declaration – “it gives Albany the chance to move more and more transactions online. They’ve had almost three months to see what else they can do.” Still, some drivers, particularly elderly ones, aren’t comfortable going on line and prefer the personal service a DMV office can provide. “I believe, some day, if there are DMV offices, they aren’t going to make any money,” she said, and will have to be supported by other revenues as a service to citizens.

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