r and .isdtech.net e t u p Com 090 • www
2-7 607-43
VISIT www.
Volume 213, No. 29
COOPERSTOWN AND AROUND Milford fundraiser rescheduled for Saturday at park A community fundraiser for Milford Central School graduate Caleb Radulewicz, who was in a serious car accident in Ohio last month, was rescheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday, July 24, in Milford’s Wilbur Park. There will be a raffle, free activities and food available from Big Al’s. Raffle winners will be announced at 2 p.m.
M IA
in 1808
Film business grows locally
AllOTSEGO.com, OTSEGO COUNTY’S DAILY NEWSPAPER/ONLINE Newsstand Price $1
‘Like a waterfall coming down the hill’
Major flooding hits Butternut Valley Gilbertsville, Morris, Pittsfield affected, local politicians request state, federal aid By KEVIN LIMITI
He said because of the “renewed focus” on infrastructure he hoped the state would take a look at fixing more of the infrastructure in the Butternut Valley, including significant damage to some of the bridges on State Route 51. Shelby Wing, Pittsfield town supervisor, said there was “extensive damage” to Cobb Road and Hawks Road and they could be closed for a while. Wing said while cleanup crews were making “good progress,” they were somewhat limited because of how small the town is. She said federal and state aid would be a “huge thing for a town like us.” “Crews have done a very good job getting everything up and running,” Wing said. “It’s (going to) be a busy summer for them.” Federal Emergency Management Agency officials were on the scene in southwestern Otsego County on Sunday to assess the damage, according to county officials. Rep. Michelle Farwell, D-Butternuts, Morris, Pittsfield, said the cost of the damage is expected to be in the millions, particularly with the damage to one of the bridges on State Route 51. Heavy rains Saturday night caused the Butternut Creek and several of its tributaries to flood, first around Gilbertsville, and later in Morris south of Janice Costello the Otsego County Fairgrounds. Flood damage in Gilbertsville on Sunday, July 18, shows the See FLOOD, Page A10 extent of the problems left behind by Saturday’s storm.
AllOtsego people: In Cooperstown, a female majority forms By PHOEBE SMITH
COOPERSTOWN — When Hanna Bergene decided to run for a village trustee position and Jim Dean announced he would step down to make way for her, it inadvertently led to a local first: a female majority board of trustees. Cooperstown Mayor Ellen Tillapaugh, who was first elected in 2018, and is the second female mayor of the village, Deputy Mayor Cindy Falk and trustees Bergene and Jeanne Dewey Follow Breaking News On hold four of the seven votes on the local board, although with all seven members being part of the Democratic OTSEGO.com Party, there are not many political or ideological differences being debated ►Broadband grant: Library in in the village. Springfield Center to address rural internet issues. Instead, the four women are a major►BEst PRactices: Oneonta ity part of Cooperstown’s expansive committees to review recent investments and infrastructure projwork on police reinvention. ects, working to shape the village for ►Common COUNCIL: City the 21st century and helping it get past officials met Tuesday, July 20; the economic damage brought by the details are online. Greg Klein/The Freeman’s Journal coronavirus pandemic. Cooperstown’s Village Board of Trustees has a majority of Although the four members are alike female members for the first time as seen in this picture in gender, they range in age, experifrom Monday, July 12. From left, are trustees Jeanne Dewey, ence and expertise. Bergene is in her Cindy Falk, Mayor Ellen Tillapaugh and Hanna Bergene. late 20s; the other women all have
All
founded
Lights, camera, Otsego County
Cooperstown, New York, Thursday, July 22, 2021
The flooding that occurred in Gilbertsville, Morris and Pittsfield on Saturday, July 17, is expected to cost millions and elected officials are calling for federal and state funding to pay for some of the damages. State Sen. Peter Oberacker, RMaryland, estimated the amount of Railroad announces money needed for the flood damage in Butternuts and Morris would far reopening event exceed their total respective town The Leatherstocking budgets. Historical Railway Society “After what I’ve seen, it would be has announced a resumption conservative (that damages) would of service beginning at cost at least their budgets and then 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 7. some,” Oberacker said. There will be a special Oberacker toured the area Monday, train robbery reenactment July 19, and called it “absolutely on that date, as well as again devastating.” during several weekends in “Thank God there haven’t been any August and September. fatalities,” Oberacker said. “It’s mind Go to Cooperstowntrain. boggling that there (weren’t).” com for event dates and During his tour, Oberacker said he other information. saw tons of property damage, including water and sediment up to the fourth INSIDE step of a house. He also spoke ►NEW BUILDING: After a with some of the landowners and successful fundrasing homeowners in the area. campaign, the Susquehanna Oberacker said he and Assemblyman SPCA opens a state-of-theJoe Angelino, R-Norwich, plan on art animal shelter near drafting a letter to Gov. Andrew Cuomo Cooperstown. Page A3. inviting him to “come and see the ►Concert SERIES: devastation” and begin the process of Cooperstown Music Festival declaring the area a disaster zone. returns with classical music. Page A8. ►GRIPPING GRAPPLER: Despite losing senior season to the pandemic, Milford’s Avery Leonard left his mark on Cooperstown’s wrestling program. Page A7. ►HALL HONORS: The baseball induction was moved to September, but the Awards Presentation will still take place Saturday, July 24. Page A7. ►ANIME SPIRIT: Reporter Kevin Limiti discusses his favorite cartoon character and explains why he identifies with ‘Deku.’ Page A4.
L
Dreams
E WIL
Summer
onI m e t remo naGement ices & ma IT Serv
DG
on DIvISI S m e ySt tIon S a m r G Info torIn
JU
Cooperstown’s offiCial newspaper
1808 BY
COOP
E
OUNDED IN
R
•F
adult children. Such diversity, in their eyes, symbolizes the board as a whole, what makes them successful and what they collectively hope to achieve in the future, they said in separate interviews in July. Tillapaugh’s election to the board in 2011 makes her the veteran of the quartet, while Bergene’s election this year has cast her temporarily as the neophyte. “At the same time, I also think the diversity of ages on the board right now is really critical,” Tillapaugh said. When Tillapaugh succeeded Jeff Katz as mayor, she appointed Dewey to her vacant trustee seat. Dewey chairs the Parks Committee and serves on the Safety Committee. “Ellen and Cindy are such strong leaders, and they have been great mentors,” Dewey said. “Now that Hanna is also on the board, it is just really exciting to have four women.” Falk, who chairs both the Streets and Buildings and the Economic Development committees, has been on the board for nine years, succeeding Tillapaugh as deputy mayor. “You don’t have to go back too far See TRUSTEES, Page A2
THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA, OTSEGO COUNTY’S LARGEST PRINT CIRCULATION 2010 WINNERS OF The Otsego County Chamber/KEY BANK SMALL BUSINESS AWARD