The Freeman's Journal 07-30-20

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Volume 212, No. 31

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Cooperstown, New York, Thursday, July 30, 2020

COOPERSTOWN AND AROUND

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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Again, Streck Era Ends Visionary Administrator Built Single Hospital Into Bassett Network ►WILLIAM F. STRECK

By JIM KEVLIN COOPERSTOWN

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hile the coronavirus threat may have been subdued, it’s not necessarily over yet, according to Bill Streck, Bassett The Freeman’s Journal president & CEO Gone fishin’? Two for 30 years, plus Amish boys were the past two years. much remarked up in Regardless, Cooperstown on a road the healthcare through the village last network won’t be week with a rowboat returning to any tied to their buggy’s roof.

New Normal.

“Bassett’s future is in digital Public Hearing said Streck, who – with Set For Aug. 5 flexibility,” the arrival of Dr. Tommy Ibrahim, On Mask Law the new network president & CEO – retired for a second time on Friday, July 10. Because of the COVID-19 COOPERSTOWN emergency, “people can go to any site and get what they need.” ith a handful of With “less travel” meaning “less Jim Kevlin/The Freeman’s Journal changes, including cost,” he sees Bassett going “full Retiring Bassett Healthcare Network President & CEO Bill narrowing the afbore into the digital future.”

Streck brought along a copy of John Davis’ “History of Bassett fected area, the Cooperstown An e-future means more effecHospital.”

Why not?

The Streck Years figure in it prominently.

Board of Trustees voted to set a public hearing for 5 p.m. Monday, Aug. 10, on OBERACKER REPORTS: the proposed law that would require people to wear masks on Main and Pioneer streets.

The law, based on the state’s mandate, would allow them to fine individuals up to $1,000 for refusing to Bond: COVID Cases wear a mask.

For more details on MonBy JIM KEVLIN Seem To Be Random day’s trustees meeting, see

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90-Year-Old, In Schenevus, 3 Others Off Distribution Ventilators Center Lives

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►TEEN AIRLIFTED after Exeter ATV crash. ►TEEN ARRESTED in Oneonta tire-slashing spree. ►dr. anthony fauci’s firstpitch mask donated to the Baseball Hall of Fame. ►VIRTUAL FUNDRAISER held for Congressman Antonio Delgado, D-19. ►SEWARD RESCUES Richfield Springs retiree from pension error. ►COMET NEOWISE visible in Otsego County skies.

SCHENEVUS

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he SEQR review of the 120-acre proposed industrial site at Interstate 88’s Exit 18 will begin by the end of the year, bringing the dream of a 300-job distribution Oberacker center closer to reality, county Rep. Peter Oberacker, R-Schenevus, told the Maryland Town Board last week.

The consultant on the project, McFarland Johnson of Canandaigua, will do Please See SCHENEVUS, B2

By LIBBY CUDMORE COOPERSTOWN

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90-year-old hospitalized with COVID-19 last week is out of the hospital and recovering, Heidi Bond, Otsego County Public Health director, reported as this edition went to press.

By LIBBY CUDMORE “All the people who were hospitalized have improved,” ONEONTA she said. “No one is on a ventilator anymore.” ctivist Diandra Sangetti-Daniels was After a quiet weekend – shocked when she received the letter no cases were reported on from Police Chief Doug Brenner Saturday, Sunday or Monday criticizing the planned “Black Lives Matter” – on Tuesday, July 28, one memorial in downtown Oneonta.

Please See COVID, B2

BORN Sept. 8, 1946, in Parsons, Kansas; raised in Oklahoma City.

EDUCATION: Oklahoma State; University of Missouri medical school; internship, University of Rochester.

CAREER: Endocrinologist, 197684, Bassett Hospital; 1984-2014 (and 2018-20), president & CEO, Bassett Healthcare Network.

FAMILY: Wife Karen, children Patrick, Sarah, Kate and Molly.

• ►EDITORIAL: What if Bill Streck wasn’t? You don’t want to go there/A4 ►FOR MORE on Bill Streck’s life, visit Cooperstown Graduate Program oral histories at: www.cgpcommunitystories.org

tiveness, too, said Streck in a Saturday, July 24, interview summing up his career and, more specifically, the two years since he was asked to return in 2018 after his 2014 successor, Dr. Vance Brown, resigned.

For instance, after Governor CuoPlease See STRECK, B6 Oneonta native Elizabeth Patterson, a Columbia County florist, introduces “Say Your Name,” photos of young black people killed before their time.

Ian Austin/The Freeman’s Journal

‘Black Lives Matter’ Display Divides Herzig, Police Chief

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“I read that letter,” she said during her remarks at the dedication of the “Say Their Names” photo display Sunday, July 26. “If they’re truly protecting every resident, you would support this. To have someone in a position of power write this letter upset me.”

Brenner drafted the letter on July 19, but Common Council went ahead regardless, voting unanimously Tuesday, July 21, to Please See DISPLAY, B6

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, July 30, 2020

LOCALS HARTWICK Community Garden Beat COVID-19 Blahs

Andrea Vazquez, Hartwick Town Clerk, took this photo of the Hartwick Town Community Garden on Hatchery Road, which she said has flourished during the pandemic. “We had a resident till the garden numerous times, another resident donated manure, another donated the fencing, another donated starter plants and seeds, and another some fancy scarecrows to add to the excitement!”

Cancer Center Installs TrueBeam Mara Promoted To Treat Cancer More Quickly To ADG Major

COOPERSTOWN

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he Bassett Cancer Institute today announced the installation of a TrueBeam linear accelerator that will treat complex cancers much more quickly.

Dr. Alfred Tinger, the institute’s chief and medical director, called the TrueBeam “a game changer in terms of cancer treatment in this region.”

“Some cancers can be hard to reach and precisely targeted,” he said. “The TrueBeam changes that. It is an advanced radiotherapy system with functionality that allows us to treat cancer anywhere in the body as precisely as possible. It offers greater accuracy, speed and comfort for

patients.”

The Truebeam performs accuracy checks every 10 milliseconds during the course Dr. Alfred of a treatTinger ment and a patient’s time on the table is reduced by 75 percent.

The technology provides image-guided stereotactic radiosurgery and radiotherapy to treat many different types of cancers, such as brain metastases or meningiomas, lung, liver, prostate and pancreatic cancers, and is also capable of precisely treating breast, esophageal, stomach, gynecological and rectal cancers.

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nthony Mara, West Edmeston, has been promoted by the The New York Air National Guard’s 224th Air Defense Group (ADG) Mara directs the logistics and civil engineering sections at the 224th Support Squadron.

The 224th ADG is composed of the 224th Air Defense Squadron and 224th Support Squadron, located in Rome, and Detachment 1 and Detachment 2 that serve in the Washington, D.C. area.

The 224th ADG provides the forces to conduct the Eastern Air Defense Sector’s (EADS) mission. Part of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), the Sector is responsible for the air defense of the eastern U.S.

Connected to health, wherever you are.

TeleHealth is not a new concept at Bassett Healthcare Network, but now more than ever, we are focused on providing access and delivering great care to all of our communities.

Stay connected to your primary care providers and healthcare specialists by video chat, phone call, or text message.

No matter where you are, expect the care you can count on.

Bringing Care to Where You Are. Bassett.org/TeleHealth 1-800-BASSETT

Look for the TeleHealth icon on your provider listings.

THURSDAY, July 30, 2020

THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA A-3

Perspectives

THURSDAY, July 30, 2020

A-4 THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL EDITORIAL

What If Bill Streck Wasn’t? You Don’t Want To Go There

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e can talk about what Bill Streck was. But what about if he wasn’t?

“We could have gone out of business, or become just a little rinky-dink hospital,” said Dr. John Davis, retired physician and author of the definitive “History of Bassett Hospital.” Instead, “We’ve become a model.”

“He was the guy who guided us to where we were going,” said Dr. Michael Gold, former Bassett chief of surgery, now retired in Georgia. “One thing about Bill, he wouldn’t tell you your idea was good, and then not do anything.

If he believed in it, he got 100 percent behind it.”

Said Dr. Walter Frank, former chief of medicine, who

has observed and collaborated with Streck since the departing president & CEO arrived in 1978, “He had a vision of integrated healthcare systems, and we developed it here at Bassett before it became a national model …

He has served the hospital extraordinarily well over the years.”

These men used words like articulate, compelling, caring.

He was a great teacher, a great recruiter of talent. He cared about providing an equal quality of care, whether to a congressman or to a laborer.

As Streck said it himself, he fully embraced Bassett’s triple mission of research, teaching and, most of all, healing the sick in a rural community.

LETTERS

Trustees Ensure Cooperstown Is Where Plague Comes To Die To the Editor: The Cooperstown Village Board have clarified the village’s response to the Plague by adopting a resolution to require social distancing and require that masks be worn in public places. This ordinance will be enforced with fines.

The board has insured that Cooperstown is where the Plague, not people, comes to die.

The QAnon Karens and Kens may throw tantrums on TikTok about this ordinance, but that will just underscore the need for

• What if Bill Streck wasn’t here?

In a departing interview, you could hear the strains of a visionary, energetic, dedicated and problemsolving executive.

Certainly, when he arrived he could only see “through a glass darkly” where Bassett needed to go.

But as he solved one challenge and the next challenge became clear, and then the next, the vision was defined and expanded into what today is an eight-county Bassett Hospital photo medical system of hospitals, clinics and a nursing home.

Dr. William F. Streck From one hospital, many facilities, And he pursued it over 30 years almost 100, staffed by more than and, after a four-year hiatus, two 500 physicians and 2,500 people more. in all the tasks – mowing the lawn

to brain surgery – that comprise a great medical institution.

His sense of fun was evident.

Certainly, a cardiac institute would never be created in such a rural locale. So, instead, he declared formation of “a rural demonstration project,” and incrementally built the Bassett Heart Care Institute from there.

It was also instructive how he positioned Bassett for state largesse and support, not by a head-on assault, but by becoming “very knowledgeable” in the state’s priorities, and building a strategy around that knowledge.

• What if Bill Streck wasn’t?

Think about it whenever you’re Please See EDITORIAL, A5

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ny display that disrupts the community feeling and positive energy of the community serves no purpose but to divide, especially when the content of the display is in relation to incidents that did not occur locally and shows all law enforcement, including members of Oneonta Police Department, negatively.”

DOUGLAS W. BRENNER • Chief, Oneonta Police Department

protecting the community, for everyone’s benefit, including QAnon Karen, whether they like it or not.

QAnon Karen and Ken can always go elsewhere, like Florida. We don’t need irresponsible people here infecting others. They’ll fit right in there.

As to enforcement, you only have to cite one scofflaw for the rest of them to get the message. Scofflaws are like that. Even on TikTok. CHIP NORTHRUP Cooperstown

If Others Had Slaves, So What?

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Cooperstown’s Newspaper

territories was under open attack before the American revolution, and the British later outlawed the sale of human beings.

• Second, U.S. slavery was not a benign institution.

Charles Dickens visited the country in the 1840s and just happened to read U.S. newsprint. Ads describing runaways were prominent.

The papers described disfiguring wounds used for identification: missing hands, fingers, toes, bent and crippled limbs, missing ears and noses, scars from branding and whipping, etc.

Academic and journalistic accounts habitually avoid the hideous abuses of American slavery.

It makes no difference who else did it.

ROBERT MOYNIHAN Cooperstown

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To the Editor: Re: Morgan, as in Slavery So everyone does it?

That’s the old fallacy: “I robbed a bank. So what?

Others did it before me, so it must be OK.” Somebody has performed an idiotic criminal act. I can do it too.

Other nations? Slavery?

Must have been OK. A respected attack on this fallacy occurs in the first chapters of the Bible. The Creator confronts Adam about bites from the tree of knowledge. Adam responds: “The woman gave it me, and I did eat.” No good. Leave paradise. Preceding error must fail in the future. It was no excuse for Adam’s transgression.

However, a few observations of mere historical accuracy: • First, slavery in English

For 212 Years

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James C. Kevlin Editor & Publisher

Ian Austin/The Freeman’s Journal

Johnny Brown prays Sunday, July 26, at dedication of the “Black Lives Matter” display in Oneonta.

Non-Local Photo Display Divides, Chief Says Editor’s Note: Oneonta Police Chief Douglas W. Brenner expressed his concern about the“Black Lives Matter” photo display at the Westcott Lot. Nonetheless, Common Council unanimously approved the display Tuesday, July 21, and it was installed this past Sunday.

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he Oneonta Police Department has always placed the needs and concerns of the residents and visitors to the City of Oneonta as its first priority.

While not insensitive to the issues facing the nation and the world, the efforts of the members of the department are best focused on what we can do for our neighbors to make Oneonta a better place for everyone.

On the agenda for the regular meeting of the Oneonta Common Council for July 21, Item 9 is listed as a topic for discussion and pertains to a photographic display supporting Black

DOUGLAS W. BRENNER

Lives Matter to be placed on the fence at the head of the Westcott lot on Main Street.

I would be remiss not to express my concerns with a photographic display that could show members of law enforcement locally in a

negative context.

The city is blessed to have residents and visitors who can freely express themselves in a respectable and constructive manner, which has been seen on at least two occasions in the recent past.

We enjoy good neighbors, friendships and any display that disrupts the community feeling and positive energy of the community serves no purpose

but to divide, especially when the content of the display is in relation to incidents that did not occur locally and show all law enforcement, including members of Oneonta Police Department, negatively.

Any display that could have ramifications that are potentially divisive to the City of Oneonta, its residents and its businesses, is not an image that should be promoted.

In addition, as the chief of police, one of my top concerns is for the wellbeing of the members of the Oneonta Police Department.

Police officers throughout the nation are under attack for the disturbing and unlawful actions of a few other law enforcement officials from other agencies who they have no contact with, no allegiance to, any sympathy for, and no tolerance for such actions.

This has caused a national shortage of those who wish to serve their Please See BRENNER, A6

Tara Barnwell

Advertising Director & General Manager

BE AFRAID, BUT DO IT ANYWAY

Libby Cudmore

Managing Editor

Larissa Ryan Business Manager

Kathleen Peters Graphics & Production

Elizabeth Cooper Correspondent

Ian Austin Photographer

Ivan Potocnik Web Architect

Tom Heitz/Sharon Stuart Consultant

IN MEMORIAM: Mary Joan Kevlin, Co-Publisher, 2006-17 OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER FOR Otsego County • Village of 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 Contents © Iron String Press, Inc.

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Household Finances Under Control – And Then....

his is really scary — getting your own place to live at 21.

At 21, I was boarding with a young family which had a newborn plus two girls, 3 and 5. Small house, outdoor toilet, minuscule bath and a small parlor converted to a bedroom for me.

Not my image of a single woman with the perfect job as a reporter at the morning paper in Wellington, New Zealand. I definitely needed my own place or at least shared with another single woman.

Yet college economics doesn’t teach you how to figure out how much can

you spend on a place to live. So I asked a wise old reporter of maybe 29 or 30 for his advice. His few words changed my life. He told me it was easy — save 25 percent of ERNA MORGAN income, spend 25 McREYNOLDS percent on where I lived and then I could do whatever I wanted with the rest of the money.

Armed with this advice, I hunted

until I found something that fit his guidelines. Hard to find anything in Wellington but it all worked out because I got a new job working as a radio/TV reporter in another city.

Accommodations there were a lot less expensive although my pay had increased with the new job. Right away I was saving the 25 percent, limiting the cost of my rent to 25 percent and living in a nice flat.

But even with some rules to live

by I was still scared. And I needed to search out things like bed linens and towels. A bed, pots and pans, dishes.

Please See ERNA, A6

AllOTSEGO.com

LETTERS TO EDITOR WELCOME • EMAIL THEM TO info@

THURSDAY, July 30, 2020

THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL A-5

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

205 YEARS AGO

Notice: Attorneys and Others are in the habit of paying only single postage on letters addressed to the Editor, containing one or more enclosures. If these letters are only marked single when they are mailed, the error is uniformly discovered, and the double or treble postage added, ere they reach our hands. These impositions are too considerable to be countenanced. We beg that gentlemen out of this city (Albany), will also bear in mind, that all advertisements under the insolvent and absconding debtor Acts must be paid in advance. The prices of advertising are for six weeks, $2.50; for ten weeks, $3.00; for ten weeks, $5.00. N.B. Editors in this State who will have the goodness to give the above notice an insertion in their papers, will confer a favor, which shall be requited when opportunity offers. J.Buel, Albany.

July 27, 1815

165 YEARS AGO

Professor McKown, who has just closed his labors as Principal of Cooperstown Seminary, has already been elected Principal of the High School of Pittsburgh, Pa. The duties are not one-fourth what they have been here and the salary is $2,000 per annum. It is a day school for boys under the control of the city Board of Education.

We congratulate Prof. McK. on the ready appreciation of his abilities as presiding officer of an institution of learning. It would appear that men fitted for such responsible posts are in Demand. We sincerely hope that the Trustees of Cooperstown Seminary may be fortunate in the selection of a new Principal, who will combine Mr. McKown’s experience, energy and devotion to all its interests.

July 27, 1855

140 YEARS AGO

The proprietors at Three and Five Mile Points are having about all they can attend to this season in the way of providing game and fish dinners for parties from Cooperstown, Richfield, Cherry Valley and other places.

The picnic of the Universalist Church of this village will occur on Thursday of this week at Three Mile Point. The boat leaves at 10 a.m.; tickets can be purchased at the dock. A number of the young people of the village, with their visitors, had a pleasant lake party at Three Mile Point on Friday last.

July 29, 1880

125 YEARS AGO

115 YEARS AGO

There is a scarcity of gasoline in the local market today. It happens that all the usual places where this useful summer commodity is sold have entirely exhausted their supply.

After scurrying about the town anxiously the local automobilists and launchmen made a raid upon a drum of gasoline just received

by Editor Davidson for his automo-printing-press. But for the temporary relief thus afforded the distress among our auto and launch folks would have been great.

July 27, 1905

90 YEARS AGO

The members of the Cooperstown Rotary Club and a few invited guests boarded the steamer Mohican Tuesday afternoon of last week and voyaged to Three-Mile Point and there enjoyed a picnic outing. A few who were unable to make the boat slipped up to the Point by motor car so that when the viands were ready two long tables were filled and the meeting, sans singing and speaking, proved a most enjoyable one.

The weather favored the event, for the skies which had poured a drizzling rain all the morning cleared during the afternoon.

Needless to say, the food, consisting of beef steak, creamed potatoes, salad, pickles, rolls, coffee and pie was cooked to a turn under the masterful hand of Captain George N. Smith and his assistants.

July 30, 1930

65 YEARS AGO

Cherry Valley officials have been informed that the D&H is taking steps to discontinue the spur line which runs from Cobleskill through Hyndsville and Sharon Springs to Cherry Valley. According to D&H officials the line has been a losing proposition for about 15 years. The line has

25 YEARS AGO

Children, parents and grandparents will not want to miss out on the summer fun in August at The Farmers’ Museum. By popular demand on Saturday, August 5, the Storycrafters will be back by popular demand to share their lively brand of foot-stomping, hand-clapping music, and storytelling. The Storycrafters, Barry Marshall and Jen Burns of Philmont, will host performances in the August 1, 1895 Main Barn Activity Center with a potpourri of folk arts, stories, mythology, dances and been operating since 1879 and three trains a traditional and original music. Programs day with freight and passengers were sched- feature a variety of instruments, guitars, uled for Cherry Valley. In recent months hammered dulcimers, drums and musical there has been but one train every other day. saws that include audience participation Loss of the railroad would vitally affect the through clapping, dancing and singing. coal shipments into the towns and also the July 30, 1995 two large feed companies in Cherry Valley which receive carloads of grain via rail.

Milk, hops and hay used to be the principal Quotes from participants in the recent products shipped by rail.

Hall of Fame Weekend: “That’s what this July 27, 1955 is all about – Striving for excellence,” Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith declared from the podium. Inductee/Former Manager Whitey The Little People’s Theatre, Inc. of Herzog on life’s vicissitudes: “If you don’t Cooperstown has been recognized by the own the club, or don’t die, you’re going to America the Beautiful Fund of New York get fired.” Andre Dawson – “If you love the by the award of a grant of $500 toward game, the game will love you back. support of production staff and operating July 29, 2010

10 YEARS AGO

40 YEARS AGO

LIFE IN THE TIME OF COVID-19

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Will Fast-Tracking Vaccines Work?

nformation about vaccines is turning out appear to be the furthest along in developto be very fluid. What was correct last ment with the other two close behind. week may be wrong today.

This could change by the time this article There are over 150 and development of is in print. There is no guarantee that any of each of them screaming for attention. There these will actually protect against the virus. are several that are prominent and are ready One reason that so many companies and to go into the last phase of testing to see if labs are in the hunt is the humanitarian need they work. for a preventative or a cure for Vaccines attack the COVID-19 COVID; another is whichever comvirus in different places and in pany/lab that wins this race will different ways. make billions and billions of dollars.

Some have demonstrated strong Typically, the development of responses, but we don’t know if a vaccine and its commercial those responses will be protective distribution takes years, 3-5 against getting COVID-19 or amebeing typical. liorate the severity of the disease.

After the development of the Not only is the science comvaccine, there are three stages of plicated, government regulations testing.

RICHARD are complicated, manufacturing • In Phase One, just a small STERNBERG capabilities are complicated, and number of individuals are tested to finances and value of the various see if the vaccine is safe. companies performing this work is • Phase Two is a larger study to see if the very interesting. vaccine elicits an anti-viral response.

Right now, there are several leading • Phase Three is a much bigger study candidates in the race to develop an involving tens of thousands of people who effective vaccine. are given the vaccine and then evaluated to One is being developed by Oxford see if it actually works in the real world.

University in the U.K. in partnership with There has to be a large enough sample AstraZeneca. Another is Pfizer, working to statistically determine the difference with a German company. A third is between those members of the sample who CanSino Biologicals, a Chinese company. subsequently developed the disease, and And a fourth Moderna, in Cambridge, those who don’t.

Mass., in conjunction with the National Following the results of the study, if posiInstitutes of Health. tive, then doses of the vaccine have to be made.

As of July 27, there were approximately In the case of a vaccine against COVID-19 160 vaccines in development with 23 in this will require billions of doses. human trials. Moderna’s and Oxford’s Please See STERNBERG, A6

costs for the coming year. The Little People’s Theatre is an organization which exists to involve young people from the area in theatrical productions and workshops. During the past five years, several hundred children (ages 4-17) have acted, worked as set designers, stage crew, and assistant directors in such plays as Many Moons, The Wizard of Oz, and Sleeping Beauty.

If you live in Cooperstown, or do business in the Village, chances are good that you have already met Delores Coleman, owner and chief operating officer of Coleman’s Answering Service. She provides an invaluable service to many businesses and professional people by answering their telephones and relaying important messages when their offices are closed or unattended.

In the course of a day Delores handles calls of all varieties.

July 30, 1980

WE’RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER

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Civil War Promise Still Unfulfilled

recently took photographs at a Black Lives Matter demonstration in the Village of Delhi, a small town with a resident population of 4,600. Over 700 people turned out for the peaceful, civil demonstration.

The photos staked into the ground are of black people murdered across the United States: Murdered by police, murdered by self-appointed vigilantes, or mur- LARRY BENNETT dered by white people just afraid of or angered by black people just for being black.

There were 36 portraits of murdered black men, women and boys on display, ranging from 1999 to 2020.

Yet, as horrible as these numbers are, they are almost certainly a small percentage of black lives viciously cut down in the past 20 years.

• I experienced irony and pain looking at the monument in the background – it’s situated in the Town

Square and commemorates Union soldiers from Delhi and Delaware County who fought in the Civil War. The other photo is an historic full-size view of the monument. Sixty feet up is a statue of Peace, with a raised sword sheathed in laurel leaves.

The monument honors the 144th New York Volunteer Infantry that was raised across Delaware County. Delhi, the county seat then and now, was at the time a town of 3,600.

The county was agricultural, the population small, and every man was essential to maintaining the Delhi’s Civil War small farmsteads. Nonethe- monument represents less, the 144th went to war a promise unfulfilled. with 956 men. The 144th It’s hard to know with fought from Washington, certainty but it’s reasonable D.C., to Charlestown’s Folly to believe the 144th was Beach and Fort Sumter, almost all – if not entirely and into Florida. Of its 956 – white men.

These were men, it lost 217 from 1862 white American men from to 1865 – the three years it the North who volunteered was in service. As was true to fight white American men of soldiers on both sides, from the South for the presmore died of diseases than ervation of the Union. They of battlefield wounds.

Please See BENNETT, A6

EDITORIAL: Promising Successor For Hard Act To Follow Dr. Bill Streck, left, and Dr. Tommy Ibrahim sport the sign of the times: masks.

Ibrahim extends Bassett’s tradition of putting a doctor in the top job.

EDITORIAL/From A4 sitting in a waiting room, two minutes or 15 or 30 from home, chatting with someone from Deposit (90 minutes away) or Old Forge (two hours).

Productive time NOT lost by easy access to a quality hospital is beyond counting, not to mention proximity to expert treatment.

Think about it when your niece gets a nursing job, or your retired aunt supplements her income as a receptionist, or your son is inspired to go into medicine.

What if 2,500 jobs that buoy Otsego County’s economy – Bassett Hospital photo the network is the largest local

employer – was buoying Utica’s or Binghamton’s or Albany’s instead?

In effect, Bill Streck has been Otsego County’s indispensable man for more than three decades now.

• So now we’re at an end, and a beginning.

Be assured that it’s no coincidence that Dr. Tommy Ibrahim, a young, celebrated hospital administrator, has succeeded William F. Streck.

Coming out of the COVID19, ordeal, Streck sees – and not through a glass darkly – that

Bassett is headed “full bore into a digital future.”

Dr. Ibrahim, who used computers to streamline quality management in Oklahoma’s nine-hospital Integris system, seems just the kind of executive to pick up where Streck is leaving off.

He’s a young 39, a touch older than Streck’s 37 when he took over, with plenty of ideas, and he exudes similar energy, curiosity and, in the best possible way, high spirits.

As we bid hail and farewell to Dr. Streck, let’s hail Dr. Ibrahim as he aims to apply his predecessor’s qualities to the digital age.

THURSDAY, July 30, 2020

A-6 THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA

McREYNOLDS: Home – At Last ERNA/From A4 All of this with no money left over after moving, paying a month’s rent in advance plus a security and getting a better wardrobe since I was going to be on TV. Moving to this small city was scary.

I didn’t know anyone. I had emigrated from the U.S., which meant I had no family to consult. The few friends I had made in my short time in New Zealand now lived two and a half hours away.

There weren’t cell phones or wireless and long-distance calls (known as “trunk calls”) were expensive. Calls were saved for a lot more important things.

Somehow I found the Salvation Army store which had everything I needed.

And well within my budget.

Buying furnishings wasn’t the end of the scary moments though. Trying to make the flat seem more cozy and a bit like home, I planted peas outside my window. Well – my Dad had always planted a crop.

On Guy Fawkes Night, also known as Bonfire Night, I stuck a couple sparklers in my pea planter – my contribution to the fireworks. It was illegal at home and the first time I had ever done anything like that. I was nervous. What if that old wooden building caught fire?

Even worse – unimaginable – as I put the match to the first sparkler the building started to move under me. The planter moved from side to side and started to slide away from me. I started to shake.

As I held onto the window a friend came into the room. An earthquake!

Holy cow!

My punishment for daring to burn up my peas – and in honor of a guy who tried to blow up Parliament? Maybe I should have succumbed to that fear?

Erna Morgan McReynolds, raised in Gilbertsville, is retired managing director/financial adviser at Morgan Stanley’s Oneonta Office, and an inductee in the Barron’s magazine National Adviser Hall of Fame.

She lives in Franklin.

BRENNER: Disrespect Police, And You’ll Lose Them BRENNER/From A4 community. Oneonta is no exception to this shortage. The department currently has two unfilled patrol officer positions and two members who are eligible for retirement. The current civil service list is almost exhausted and there is no entrance exam scheduled for this year by the state.

Many other departments throughout the state are accepting lateral transfers, as are we, but are able to offer more advantageous working conditions.

If my officers sense that the City of Oneonta is not supporting their hard work,

their dedication to community, their professionalism, their unwavering dedication to fairness by allowing a divisive display, the probability of losing more officers increases.

We at the Oneonta Police Department enjoy a positive relationship with our friends and neighbors in the city, and work very hard to promote good relationships with all members of the community in which we protect and serve. A display that intentionally shows all members of law enforcement in a negative light based on the actions of a few from well outside our area would be devastating to the morale of the

finest officers I have ever had the pleasure to work with and lead.

As the chief of police and a lifelong community member, I would hope that all factors are taken into consideration before any display is permitted in the City of Oneonta. Our strength comes from ourselves, and the residents in the City of Oneonta are compassionate, respectful, have concern and empathy for our neighbors, and love of community.

Any display that does not emphasize the positivity only serves as a catalyst to create division and polarization of this community.

STERNBERG: COVID Vaccines, Treatments On Way

STERNBERG/From A5 Due to the expense involved in producing the vaccine in the past, manufacturing was undertaken only after successful Phase Three studies and regulatory approval.

Uniquely, several of the vaccines under study are all being manufactured now before proven successful and approved, in the hope that they will be approved later. The idea is that the vaccine will be immediately available for distribution instead of waiting months to years in the typical development plan.

The concept that we might actually have

an effective vaccine distributed in under one year is astounding.

There is concern that the vaccines being developed, while so far being successful in testing and causing antibody reaction, in the patient may not prove useful since the strain of the virus most common currently or in the future may not be the strain of the virus to which the vaccine was developed.

This is a situation with the yearly flu vaccine, where scientists have to guess which strains will be common in the population that year and vaccinate against those.

So right now, it’s full speed ahead devel-

oping a vaccine and having enough doses to go around, as soon as possible. One or several companies will do very well financially, others will lose a great deal of money, for working in this fashion. Hopefully, the ones that are developed will prove significantly effective.

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.

BENNETT: Promise Of Civil War Has Still To Be Realized BENNETT/From A5 went to war for the future of the United States, for the end of slavery, and for the emancipation of all black men, women and children.

Now, 155 years later, the fact that so many people in our nation still wave Confederate flags, that so many people still have deep disregard for black lives, that so many black lives are taken by law enforcement that is sworn to “protect and serve,” and that so many black people are killed without any semblance of justice, is appalling.

Now, 155 years after the most horrific

war in our history was fought, this state of our nation remains inhuman, monstrous and unacceptable.

We must all help. We must examine our own biases and check them. We must visibly, openly, and loudly support the rights of black people, whether through Black Lives Matter, the NAACP or other organizations and actions. We must learn what these organizations stand for and believe in.

We must learn about the truths of black culture, not just the ones popularized by white culture. We must seek out and read black political writers, black authors, black websites. We must speak up when we hear,

see or read racist remarks from anyone.

We must patronize black-owned businesses and refuse to patronize businesses with records of racism and unfair treatment of fellow citizens.

We must uncover the racist, unconcerned or unengaged people in every level of our government, and support people committed to defeating them.

We must do an important thing this year.

We must vote as if black lives depend on it.

They do.

Larry Bennett, retired Ommegang Brewery creative director who is active in local causes, lives in East Merideth.

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OTSEGO.life

THURSDAY, July 30, 2020

By LIBBY CUDMORE ONEONTA

W

hen Fran All saw what she thought was a new neighbor wandering around confused in her School

►SUBSCR IBE NOW

PAGE B-1

Let’s Help Birthday Girl Do 80 Acts Of Kindness ►REPORT 80 ACTS of Kindness to: pegall_40@yahoo.com

House Road backyard, she tried to be gentle with her.

“I tried to help her!” she said. “She was moving around like she had some Please See ACTS, B4

JOIN US! AllOTSEGO.com

Fran Reed, center, wants to invite you to join her family in doing Acts of Kindness for her birthday. With her, from left, are great granddaughter Haley Titus, daughter Stephanie Cooke, brother Frank All, sister-in-law Judy All and daughter OTSEGO.life Cyndi Miller.

Otseg Daily ne O COunty’s wspape r/online Call la rissa at 6 07-547-61 03 to get sta rted.

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All

Ian Austin/

BEST BETS

Wilber Park Mystery Solved As Abbey Koutnik Steps Forward The kids of the Shakespeare in the Valley workshops present a performance of “Two Gentlemen of Verona” over Zoom this weekend.

By LIBBY CUDMORE

A

ONEONTA bbey Koutnik: Just call her The Founder of Fairyland.

“In early May, my husband Gary and I were walking the loop in Wilber Park.

I picked up a pine cone and a water bottle lid, and some rocks, and created the scene.”

The next day, she came back.

And there was a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle action figure lying on the ground. Abbey, an artist who is active in community theater, and also known as Rosie the Clown, placed him in front of the tree as a guard.

“I thought, wouldn’t it be fun if other kids added to it?” she said. “My background is in art and teaching, and I always oriented that towards being fun and playful.”

Abbey Koutnik She and Gary, the recently Ian Austin/ OTSEGO.life retired vice chair of the Otsego County Board of Representatives, went to Cape Cod for Please See KOUTNIK, B3 Lily Cole poses for a selfie with Ms. Fairy, the original residient

All

of Fairyland

COOPERSTOWN GRADUATE PROGRAM DOES ONEONTA EXHIBIT

After WWII, Enamel-Steel Homes Short-Lived Fad GOHS Executive Director Bob Brzozowski pauses in front of Oneonta’s sole ArmcoFerro home at 34 Union St., which briefly appeared to be part of the answer to the housing shortages as the Baby Boom got underway after World War II.

By LIBBY CUDMORE ONEONTA

A

►IF YOU GO: “Building Blocks of a City” opens Saturday, Aug. 1, Oneonta History Center, 183 Main St.

mong the cigarette-smoking robots, Cadillac limousines and performances by the Andrews Sisters and Judy Garland, Vito Molinari found a home.

“Peter Molinari’s uncle Vito went to the 1933 World’s Fair in Chicago,” said Bob Brzozowski, Greater Oneonta Historical Society executive director. “While there, he saw the Armco-Ferro houses, brought back the plans, and built one in Oneonta.”

Armco-Ferro pioneered pre-fabricated OTSEGO.life Please See EXHIBIT, B3

All

Ian Austin/

Teen Shakespeare, A Concert Film, And Bird Q&A

T

he teens of the West Kortright center’s annual theater workshops present a virtual version of The Bard’s “Two Gentleman of Verona” in a Shakespeare in the Valley event. 6 p.m.

Friday, July 31, Saturday, Aug. 1. www. westkc.org/eventbrite-event/shakespearein-the-valley/ • Get all your questions answered by experienced birders of the Delaware Otsego Audubon Society. Bring your questions and observations for virtual discussion. 7 p.m.

Thursday, July 30, www. facebook.com/Delaware OtsegoAudubonSociety.

• LIBBY Do you know the differ- CUDMORE ence between real science and pseudoscience? Play Zoom trivia with the AJ Read Science Discovery Center and SUNY Oneonta. Test your critical thinking skills. Registration required. 7-9 p.m. Friday, July 30, www.facebook.com/AJReadSDC/.

• Glimmerglass Festival bass-baritone Ryan McKinny presents a short film, ‘Glimmerglass Lieder’ Showcasing Schubert Lieder’s music against the back drop of Otsego Lake. 5:30 p.m.

Thursday, July 30, www.glimmerglass. org/events/glimmerglass-lieder/ • It’s a socially distanced dance party as you enjoy a live performance by Loose Canon Acoustic Duo featuring blues, rock, folk and country music. 6-8 p.m.

Friday, July 31, Pioneer Park, Main St., Cooperstown. www.wearecooperstown. com/free-fridays/.

• Tenor Thomas Meglioranza and pianist Reiko Uccida perform program of Schubert including ‘Sonata in A major’ and ‘Die schöne Müllerin’ from the 2019 Honest Brook Summer Music Festival. 10 a.m.

Saturday, Aug. 1, WSKG or channel 105.9.

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THURSDAY, July 30, 2020

Schenevus Distribution Center Site Up For SEQR Review 90-Year-Old,

SCHENEVUS/From A1 the environmental review, in hopes the site can be shopped to Amazon and other prospective distribution center tenants by next spring, Oberacker said.

Contracted by the County of Otsego, MacFarland Johnson last year reviewed 86 sites along I-88 between the Schoharie and Delaware county lines, and concluded the Schenevus one is the top prospect for development.

In May, MacFarland presented two maps for the site, which is on a bluff to the north of Exit 18, one for a single project, the other for a six-site industrial park.

“I’m still in favor of one site,” said Oberacker, who is McFarland Johnson, the county’s consultant on the Schenevus site, released also the Republican candithis schematic of a distribution center for the Schenevus site in May. date to succeed state Sen. Jim Seward, R-Milford, in facing Democrat Jim Barber, Oberacker said he feels a The project has been in the Nov. 3 election; he is Schoharie. “I believe I have greater sense of urgency in play since 2016, when former a better chance of selling the community since the Otsego Now President Sandy this one-time.”

Schenevus Central School’s Mathes collaborated with Maryland Town financial troubles surfaced Oberacker in initial studies of Supervisor Chris DiDonna over the winter. “Will this the site, which is owned by couldn’t be reached for the save the school?” Oberacker Ronald Klink. town board’s reaction, but said he’s being asked.

One of the challenges faced by the site is access to natural ·· gas, and Oberacker said, after Buying AntiquES, the Constitution Pipeline from JEwElry, firEArMS Northeastern Pennsylvania Buzz Hesse was blocked, the idea of

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running smaller pipeline here from the Iroquois at Schoharie was considered.

That’s another reason why he prefers the single distribution center to a six-lot park, the county rep said: It would require less energy, and much of it could be obtained through solar panels on south-facing roofs.

Similarly, the Town of Maryland is considering running a water main up to the park entrance. But a distribution center would require less water than a business park, and might be able to handle waste water through an onsite system.

Oberacker, who is president of Form-Tech Solutions, a research and testing company for the food industry, said he and others have spoken to Ron Kinch about buying the entryway to the prospective park and putting in a road, since it would make the property more saleable to potential tenants.

With Amazon and other e-retailers looking to deliver “products to people in not just days, but hours,” sites like Schenevus’ are in demand, Oberacker said.

3 Others Off Ventilators

COVID/From A1 new case was reported in the Village of Cooperstown and two were reported in the City of Oneonta.

“They weren’t travelers,” Bond said. “Two of them had close contact with someone who tested positive. There’s no trend that I can tell.”

On Friday, July 25, three cases more were reported in Laurens. Of those cases, one was an “index” case, where a direct source can’t be located, and two were from close contact.

“We don’t know where it’s coming from,” she said.

“It’s not one active party; there is likely more disease in the community that we don’t know about.”

Currently, there are 10 active COVID cases in the county.

In all, there have been 30 cases of COVID-19 since June, with 21 so far in July.

At the peak in March and April, there were 62 cases.

Of current cases, 18 are women and 12 men.

“It’s not as bad now, but we still need to be concerned,” Bond said. “We don’t want people to get complacent, there is still an active disease.”

She said that the cases eExc. Cond./ Rust Free appear to be “milder” than 137,000 miles they were in the spring. “It Exc. gas mileage could be a different strain,” No accidents Many new & extra parts she said.

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607-432-2695 “It’s hard to tell why that’s happening,” she said. “My only guess is that people are going back to work and are socializing more than they did in March and April.”

Five cases were reported in people under 20; the youngest current case is 12.

“In March and April, our youngest case was a year old,” she said.

In all, there have been 99 confirmed cases, with 84 recovered from the illness and five deaths, plus the current 10.

Though testing at the hospitals is reserved for those showing symptoms, the county DOH has set up a free testing for those Send calendar items site to info@allotsego. who feel they may have been at risk, but are not showing symptoms.

“If someone feels they are high-risk – their job put them at risk, or maybe they have traveled – they can come get tested, free of charge,” she said.

The testing will be held 9 a.m.-noon Friday, July 31, at the Exeter Town Barn.

To register, call the DOH at (607) 547-4230.

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GLIMMERGLASS GLIMPSE – 5:30 p.m. Enjoy short film ‘Glimmerglass Lieder’ by bass-baritone Ryan McKinny.

Showcasing Schubert Lieder’s music against the back drop of Otsego Lake. Presented

by Glimmerglass Festival.

Visit glimmerglass.org/events/ glimmerglass-lieder/ for info.

MORE CALENDAR, B4

AllOTSEGO.life

THURSDAY, July 30, 2020

B-3

2 Pre-Fab Houses In Exhibit, But What About The Sears Kit House?

EXHIBIT/From B1 houses used porcelain enamel steel panels over corrugated steel panels bolted together.

The home, at 34 Union St., remained in the family until 2018, when Peter Molinari Jr. passed away, but remains occupied.

“Because of the generosity of the Molinaris, we will have the blueprints on display,” said Brzozowski.

It’s one of two such homes in the city, and they are highlights of “Building Blocks of a City: 100 Years of Architecture in Oneonta,” which opens this Saturday, Aug. 1, at the Oneonta History Center at Dietz and Main.

Another set of blueprints is for a similar enamel and steel Lustron home at 251 West St. “It’s a bit more modest, and the interior and exterior have been changed,” said Brzozowski.

It was built in 1947 by the Lustron Corp. of Columbus, Ohio, to help meet the demand of GIs returning from World War II and starting families, selling for $8,500, a quarter less than the normal new home of the time.

“Billed as a way profit,” said Falk. to maximize pleaSaid Brzozowski, sure and minimize “Cindy gave a talk work, advertising on Otsego County contended that architecture at SUNY the Lustron home Oneonta, and I was in would create a attendance. I thought ‘new and richer it was a good idea experience for the if we could focus it entire family,’” on Oneonta, and she The Wikipedia agreed.” entry relates.

In the late 1990s, Mom “has far Sally Mullen, director more hours.” The of what was the Upper youngsters “have Susquehanna Historical fewer worries.”

Society, got the downAnd “there’s far town designated a more leisure for state Historic District, Dad.” based on the research The idea was of Jessie Ravage, the all-steel homes the Cooperstown would required consultant. less upkeep, and “Sally’s skills with that seems evident persuasion got a lot of in the sturdy West building owners and the Street home that public to see that these is still in good were historic places,” condition and is said Brzozowski. occupied 80 years In addition to the after Vito Molinari Lustron and Armcobuilt it, said Ferro houses, Oneonta Brzozowski. Only Vito Molinari’s Armco-Ferro house, under construction has several Sears Kit following the 1933 World’s Fair in Chicago, is still standing about 2,000 of the on Union Street in Oneonta.

Houses, but at present homes remain in they are not included in the United States, the exhibit. we’d look at a particular with the majority of them in Cindy Falk’s “Modernism “We wanted to include & Anti-Modernism” class at area – commercial, educathe Midwest.

Sears Kit Houses, but we the Cooperstown Graduate tional, transportation, The exhibit was develcouldn’t verify which ones Program. “Each week, housing, and civic or nonoped in collaboration with were real,” he said. “A lot

are misidentified.”

In addition to studying the city’s architecture, Falk’s class also discovered some hidden histories of Oneonta.

“The 1920s Census showed a significant African-American community on the other side of the Lettis Highway,” said Falk.

“But when the post office was built, it displaced all these people.”

The class was also able to detail how national trends played out in the downtown.

“So much of what we found was based on commercial trends,” she said. “In the 1960s, for instance, there was the movement towards malls, so we have Southside Mall and what’s now the FoxCare Center.”

Similarly, she said, Bresee’s Department Store weathered many of the downtown’s changes.

“Department stores were relatively new when it was built, and just kept updating,” she said. “We have the notes on their bigger windows, we have the plans about ‘modernizing’ in the 1960s – including the aluminum façade.”

Architect Returned From Vacation To Find Fairyland Blossoming KOUTNIK/From B1 a month, and when they returned, Fairyland had blossomed – out of nowhere, it seemed to mystify Oneontans who came across it.

“I walked around and I just loved the creativity and participation,” Abbey said. “The point is the creativity – I want kids to feel good about what they create, and it’s the perfect socially distanced activity.”

In her absence, the trail had expanded to include a City Hall, dining scenes, a post office and the South Pole, complete with

penguins, as well as the moniker “Fairyland,” as we featured last week on this AllOTSEGO.life page.

Until now, the creator’s identification was a mystery.

“I was thinking of putting in a sign, but I couldn’t figure out what to call it,” Abbey said, on returning from the Cape. “Then I saw that someone had named it ‘Fairyland’ and made a sign!”

Mrs. Fairy had taken flight, however. “I think she left with the squirrels,” she said.

“When I ride my bike up here, there can be 20 people enjoying

the houses,” said Nate McGonigal, whose daughters, Olivia and Lillian, built the Fairyland Museum at the top of the trail. “I bring the girls up here, and it’s always the highlight of our weekend.”

“Every time we go for a walk, there’s something new,” said Lily Cole, who was walking with her brother, Felix and father, Dan. “Felix gets very excited about it!”

And although squirrels took her original scene, Mrs. Fairy returned on Sunday, June 26 to build a new home for Mrs. Fairy, complete with a selfie booth for kids to take

their pictures with.

Abbey also created the Fairyland Village News, a weekly newspaper posted at the top and bottom of the trail.

The first edition, published Wednesday, July 23, noted the “expansive growth” of the village, which now extends beyond the hill trail and along the upper path, as well as a note on the new-tothe-neighborhood penguins and a police report on the squirrels that have vandalized several homes.

“I want to get some reporters to write articles about what they

see,” she said. “The kids can tell their own stories, and put them in a drop box.”

Though Fairyland will remain active for the summer, Fairyland fan Margery Merzig noted that the Fairyland DPW will be going through the trail just after Labor Day to “winterize” the community and store the installations.

“If any of the residents want to retrieve their stores, houses, zoos, etc. before that the DPW goes to work, the community will be happy,” she said. “Their message is ‘See you in the Spring.’”

IA

DG

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Cooperstown’s Newspaper

OUNDED

JU

& The Otsego-Delaware Dispatch

•F

1808 BY

ONEONTA

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IN

HOMETOWN

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Three major reasons to wear masks: Masks protect other people | Masks protect YOU | You may be contagious and not realize it

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AllOTSEGO.com

THURSDAY, July 30, 2020

B-4 THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA

Family Asks Community For 80 Acts Of Kinds To Mark Mom’s 80th Birthday ACTS/From B1 kind of dementia, and said she wanted to plant a pot plant in my garden. I had sympathy for that lost lady!”

The “neighbor” was actually part of a “Zingo-Gram” joke played by her kids as part of her 80th birthday celebration, but the kindness she showed

her – before she learned the kooky neighbor was a performer from the Slingerlands-based party company – was, in a way, also part of the gift.

“My mom is someone who doesn’t collect a lot of things, so a gift wouldn’t be viable,” said her daughter, Cyndi Miller. “So we

Police Officer The City of Oneonta Municipal Civil Service

Commission announces an opencompetetive exam for Police Officer on September 26. Applications and the exam announcement may be found at www.oneonta.ny.us/personnel or by calling (607)432-0670. Please review the exam announcement carefully for special pandemic related instructions. Applications and other required materials must be submitted via mail postmarked no later than 8-21-2020 EOE

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decided we wanted to do 80 Acts of Kindness to celebrate her.”

Helping a fake neighbor aside, Fran, who turned 80 on June 15, has herself dedicated her life to kindness; after she retired from the business office at Robinson Terrace in Stamford, she continued to be active with

daughters Deb Mueller and Stephanie Cooke, brother Frank All and sister-in-law Judy All, as well as grandchildren – have all pitched in.

“We had a party and we all went around the circle, saying what we did,” said Cook. “And so far, we’ve collected about 25 acts, and we mailed invitations to

people who couldn’t make it, asking them do an act on Mom’s behalf.”

Frank paid for a stranger’s cartful of groceries. Mueller has donated nearly five gallons of blood. Judy visited with one of her former Meals on Wheels clients, a 100-year-old retired nun. Miller and Cooke, along with Fran, made nearly 200 reusable masks.

Granddaughter Stacey Sinstack’s Daisy Scout troop even pitched in, taking boxes of extra Girl Scout Cookies to the hospitals.

But to get to 80, they said, they’ll need the community’s help, and now Miller is encouraging people to perform an act of kindness in Fran’s honor.

“It can be something as simple as holding a door for someone,” said Miller.

“Look for an opportunity to be generous and to help someone.”

“You can do something for the environment, such as picking up litter,” said Send calendar items to info@allotsego Mueller. “Or you can support a local business – that’s a huge act of kindness.”

“There is so much need for volunteers,” said Fran.

“Anywhere you live, there’s a lot you can still do amidst COVID.” When your act of kindness is done, Miller invites you to email her mother to tell her about it, pegall_ 40@yahoo.com “The world really needs this,” said Fran.

job scene

The

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To place effective employment ads, call 607-547-6103

PROUD to be a Meet Noble, one of our many creative and compassionate overnight staff who has been committed to Springbrook for over 10 years.

Through this uncertain time, Springbrook has provided stable work with no layoffs for 1,000’s of employees, and we hire every day.

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Position details and application can be found at www.cooperstowncs.org.

For information call 607-547-8181

Deadline: August 6, 2020

Literacy Volunteers and Habitat for Humanity.

Following her mother Zada’s death in 2012, she even established a scholarship at Stamford High School, giving $1,000 to a graduating senior in honor of the former French and Latin teacher.

Her family – including

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Head Start Positions

Join Our Team of Dedicated and Caring Professionals

Senior Accountant

SUMMER JOBS FOR YOUTH

Residential Associates at OFO Shelters

30+ Summer Jobs available for Youth

FT-3rd shift (wkdays), 2nd shift (wknds); PT- 1st shift (wknds); Sub--all shifts; Addl. shift pay for qualifying shifts

CDO Workforce in Otsego County has Summer Jobs for youth throughout the Otsego County area. Youth must be 14 to 20 years old, Otsego County resident, and meet income and program requirements. Youth, 14 to 20 years old, with disabilities are encouraged to apply for these summer jobs.

Head Start Positions (All F/T with school breaks & Summers off)

For Information about jobs and eligibility visit www.cdoworkforce.org or call 607-432-4800 x 100. Youth can call to have a Summer Youth application sent to them or pick one up at CDO Workforce, 12 Dietz St. in Oneonta.

Family Partner Classroom Teacher

OFO is a family-oriented organization offering competetive wages, excellent benefits and opportunities for professional growth. For an application, submission instructions, benefit package summary and descriptions of all employment openings, visit EOE www.ofoinc.org/jobs

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Legal

Legal

Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of

Formation of GREULICH REALTY LLC

Legal nOtice

Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 7/23/2020.

Office in Otsego Co. SSNY desig. agent of LLC whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Jeff Greulich, 9 Roaring Rock Rd., Washington, NJ 07882.

Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Principal business location: 40 Maple Ave., Unadilla, NY 13849.

6LegalSept.3

Notice of

Legal nOtice

Goss Properties, LLC, Art. of Org. filed with SSNY on 6/25/20.

Off. loc.: Otsego Co. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom proc. may be served & shall mail 33 Ford Ave., Oneonta, NY 13820.

Purp.: any lawful.

6LegalSept.3

Legal

Notice of Formation of a NY Limited Liability Company.

Name: PRIME’S OUTDOOR POWER LLC Articles of Organization filing date with Secretary of State (SSNY) was 24 July 2020.

Office location: Otsego County.

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

what’s fun _______

Legal

LEGALS

SSNY shall mail copy of process to 5715 US Hwy 20, East Springfield, NY 13333.

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

6LegalSept.3 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of a NY Limited Liability Company Name: SPRINGFIELD CAMPGROUND LLC

Legal

Articles of Organization filing date with Secretary of State (SSNY) was 24 July 2020.

Office location: Otsego County.

SSNY has been designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served and SSNY shall mail copy of process to 7761 State Highway 80, Springfield Center, NY 13468.

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

6LegalSept.3 Legal nOtice

Legal

Notice of Formation of AMERICAN MAIN STREET PROJECT LLC Arts. of Org. filed with SSNY on 06/26/20.

Office location: Otsego County.

SSNY desg. as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC, 81 Spruce St., Oneonta, New York, 13820.

Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

6LegalAug.20

Legal

Legal nOtice

Notice of Formation of Limited Liability Company, (LLC)

BLOOD DRIVE – Noon - 5 p.m. Donate blood, help save lives. Registration required.

Quality Inn, 5206 St. Hwy. 23, Oneonta. 800-733-2767.

MUSIC ON MAIN – 6 - 8 p.m. Get outside to enjoy a live performance by Loose Canon Acoustic Duo featuring blues, rock, folk and even some country music. Pioneer Park, Main St., Cooperstown. Visit www. wearecooperstown.com/freefridays/ for info.

►Saturday, August 1 PADDLE & PULL – 9 a.m.

- 2 p.m. Enjoy fun socially distanced day to help pull up Water Chestnut stump portion of Goodyear Lake. Personal watercraft allowed, rentals available. Registration required. Meet at Fishing Access Site, St. Hwy. 28, Portlandville.

607-547-4488.

ARCHITECTURE EXHIBIT – 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. New exhibit ‘Building Blocks of a City: 100 Years of Architecture in Oneonta’ opens. Greater Oneonta Historical Society, 183 Main St., Oneonta. Visit www.oneontahistory.org/index. htm for info.

Legal

served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to: 23 Washington St., N. Chelmsford, MA 01863 Purpose: Any lawfull purpose.

6LegalAug.13

Name:

Legal nOtice

Rainbow Pond LLC

NOTICE OF FORMATION of

Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 06/23/2020.

Office location: Otsego County.

SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be

PJM UPSTATE PROPERTIES LLC A Limited Liability Company.

Articles of Organization were filed with the New York State Secretary of State on June 12,

►Need to publish a Notice of Formation, Public Notice, Supplemental Summons, or Notice to Bidders?

Contact Larissa at 607-547-6103 or ads@allotsego.com and she can get you started.

Legal

2020.

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: Troy Muller, 2690 Co. Hwy. 35, Schenevus, NY 12155.

The purpose of the LLC is to engage in any lawful act or activity.

6LegalJul.30

THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL B-5

THURSDAY, July 30, 2020

OBITUARIES

R. Helen Davis, 95; Nurses’s Parents Immigrated From Finland FLY CREEK – Word has been received that R. Helen Davis, 95, the last of the Finnish area immigrants residing in Otsego County, died Saturday, April 4, 2020.

Born July 27, 1924, in a farmhouse off Harrison Hill Road in Mount Vision, she lived her earliest years there, later moving with her family to a Route 205 farm house closer to Mount Vision village. Her parents, Jaakko and Anna (Veikkolainen) Puputti, immigrated by ships (the White Star

Line “Cedric” and the Scandinavian American Line “United States”) from Jaakima, Finland, in 1905 and 1913, respectively, entering America through Ellis Island.

Helen was tasked with learning the English language upon entering Laurens Central School, graduating with the Class of 1943.

While in nurse’s training, the cadets worked in critically short staffed US hospitals during the war years and cared for the returning wounded soldiers.

Helen served stateside as the war had ended before earning her RN degree in 1947.

Helen then started her profession at the Mary Where YOUR personal design Imogene Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown in the is OUR specialty obstetrics department, a 20% IN-STOCK that included an MEMORIALS OFF Add’l lettering/carving extra career unexpected surprise rush delivery in the elevator.

312 Chestnut St., Oneonta She married her first 557 St. Hwy 80 East, New Berlin husband, Gerald F. Gage, a 607-433-0975 • 607-847-6549 sicklermemorials.com • sicklerm@outlook.com Tech 4 World War II veteran

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

awarded a Purple Heart in the Battle of the Bulge. Together they raised their two children, Robert and Barbara.

He predeceased her in 1988.

She later married Donald A. Davis in the Fly Creek United Methodist Church.

Helen is survived by her children, Robert Gage and

his partner, Sue Garvin of Fly Creek, and Barbara Stephenson of Westford, and a grandson, Gerald Gage and his fiancé Brittany Duncan of Clayville.

Surviving also are two nieces Kate Lindsey and family of New Jersey, Los Angeles and Brooklyn and Ruth

Johnson Hansen and her children, Tessa and Manja and her wife, Kris, all residing in Denmark.

Surviving also are two step children, Duane Davis and wife, Sharon of Ohio and Florida and his sister, Joan Blankenship of South Carolina.

She was predeceased by her husband, Donald A. Davis in 1998, and her beloved brother, Eino (Edward) Johnson.

A graveside service will be at a later date.

Arrangements are entrusted to the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home.

IN MEMORIAM

Jim Wolff, 79, Fly Creek Town Justice, Civic Leader

FLY CREEK – James Francis Wolff, Sr., 79, longtime civic leader in Fly Creek, who served as Otsego town justice, and with the Fly Creek Volunteer Fire Company and EMT squad, lost his lengthy battle with cancer on Thursday, July 23, at his home with family by his side.

Born May 3, 1941, Jim was raised in Richmond Hill, Queens, and attended Richmond Hill High School, graduating as a scholarathlete. After attending the City College of New York, he worked in the wood products industry, including positions at U.S. Plywood and Champion International.

He married his first wife Teresa Walicki in 1965, and the couple lived in Rutherford, N.J., and had two children.

Jim was a staff sergeant in the logistics department of the Air Force from 1961 to 1969 and in 1972. The family left the New York City suburbs to join the Walicki family on their farm in Burlington, where Jim launched his own business importing and exporting plywood and lumber.

There, he also started the

Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) to become a transporting amchapter at the Edmeston Cen- bulance service. His love of tral School, beginning a long his rural community was also tenure of civic engagement. expressed through his work In 1982, he married with both the Fly Creek Valley Margaret Williston Sloan and Cemetery Association and the moved to their current home Fly Creek Historical Society, in Fly Creek, where they eswhere he spearheaded the tablished Litco Farms acquisition of the Bed & Breakfast, one Fly Creek Grange of the earliest B&Bs in building. the area. The couple Jim loved to read hosted guests from all and spend time with across the country, as family and friends well as international and always kept travelers, who came to himself active, often visit the Cooperstown being seen riding area. around the Litco Jim was elected as Farms property on Otsego town justice in his bright orange 1987 and served in Kubota tractor, workJim that role for 25 years, ing on one project Wolff and concurrently or another. In recent served as justice for years, he found the Village of Cooperstown enjoyment spending time from 1989 to 1993. He was with Margaret at their camp also a past member of the cottage on Lorton Lake in the Cooperstown Chamber of Adirondacks.

Commerce.

He fought a valiant five-year In recent years, Jim was battle with cancer and Jim very involved in numerous was grateful for the outstandactivities and organizations ing care he received at the in Fly Creek. He served as an Dana-Farber Cancer Institute officer in the Fly Creek Volunin Boston and Bassett Hospiteer Fire Company and was tal in Cooperstown, as well as instrumental in helping FCVFC from his loving wife Margaret

and sister-in-law Arlene.

He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Margaret, sister Janet and brother-in-law Jack Lowe of Ithaca, sister-in-law Arlene (Side) Wolff of Easton, Md., son and daughter-in-law James and Lisa (Johnson) Wolff and grandchildren Katherine and Adam Wolff, all of Newtown, Conn., son and daughter-in-law Gregory and Osa (Armi) Wolff and grandchildren Alexander and Nicholas Wolff, all of Piedmont, Calif., stepson and daughter-in-law Eric and Sarah (George) Sloan and granddaughter Samantha, all of Liverpool, and stepson Christopher Sloan of Morris.

He was predeceased by his older brother Frank J. Wolff, of Easton, Md. Per his wishes, Jim’s remains have been cremated and a memorial service will be scheduled when restrictions on large gatherings have been relaxed. In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation in Jim’s memory to the Fly Creek Volunteer Fire Company, P.O. Box 218, Fly Creek, NY 13337.

Christine Coe (Cooke) Seibel

14 Grand Street, Oneonta • 607-432-6821 www.grummonsfuneralhome.com

May 6, 1952 - July 13, 2020

FOX LAKE, Ill. – Christine Christine was married to Coe (Cooke) Seibel, 68, Ernest Kranich (deceased) passed away on Monday, July and Carl Seibel (deceased).

13, 2020, at Northwestern She is survived by her two sons University Hospital, following and their spouses: Bradley a long illness. and Katie Kranich Christine was and Adam and Alborn May 6, 1952, lison Kranich; stepin Oak Park, Ill., to grandsons Ethan, Charles Eugene Liam, and Cole Cooke, Jr. and Ruth Paulley, and grandCoe Cooke (both daughter Andie deceased) of Gross Kranich.

Point, Mich. She was In addition, she predeceased by her is survived by her grandparents, Leroy brother, Charles and Grace Coe, Gross Eugene Cooke III Christine Coe Point, Mich., and and his wife Alma (Cooke) Seibel Charles Eugene and Marie, nephew Harriet (VanDycke) Cooke, Sr., Charles E. Cooke IV and his Gross Point, Mich. wife June, niece Elizabeth

Lauffer (Cooke) Walker and her husband, Dickson, many cousins, grandnieces and nephews, Aunt Sally Coe (Mrs. John Coe), and special friend, Beth Oppenheim.

Christine had a close bond with her rescue dog, Beanie.

Growing up, Christine enjoyed many summers on Lake Otsego, Cooperstown, at the summer home of her grandparents, Charles and Harriet Cooke, Sr. She had fond memories of the historic Cooke homestead: the farm in East Springfield, situated on the Old Albany Turnpike, which facilitated cattle drives and lodging in its day.

Christine will be buried next to her parents and grandparents at the Springfield Center (N.Y.) Cemetery.

Arrangements are entrusted to Tillapaugh Funeral Home, (607) 547-2571.

There will be a funeral mass at St. Mary’s “Our Lady of the Lake” Catholic Church in Cooperstown, (607) 547-2213. The date will be announced at a later time.

In lieu of flowers, you may consider a donation to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and the animal shelter of your choice in Christine’s name: Christine Coe (Cooke) Seibel.

William J. Liggio, 70

Our 132nd annive

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Tillapaugh Funeral Service Our historic Family Room

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SCHENEVUS – William John Liggio, 70, of Schenevus, a Vietnam veteran and careerlong truck driver who specialized in car carriers, passed away Thursday, July 23, 2020.

Born on August 25, 1949, Bill grew up the eldest of two siblings in an Italian family in the Jackson Heights neighborhood of Queens. He was the son of the late William Robert and Raffaela (Margio) Liggio.

Bill attended Rice High School in Harlem, where he played baseball and basketball.

Upon graduation in 1968, in the military tradition of his father, who fought in WWII and his grandfather, Vincenzo Margio, who fought in WWI, Bill enlisted in the Army. After training at Fort Jackson, S.C., Fort Knox, Ky. and Fort Hood, Texas, he achieved the rank of sergeant before deploying to Vietnam. After 12 months of service, Bill returned home

Vietnam Veteran; 4-Decade Truck Driver

on his birthday, Aug. 25, 1970.

Bill and Ann Marie married on Nov. 28, 1970, at Our Lady of Fatima Church in Jackson Heights.

In 1971, Bill enrolled in the National Tractor Trailer School (NTTS) and got a job at NuCar Carriers in Newark, N.J. He drove various large trucks but specialized in car carriers.

Bill retired in 2010 after a proud 39-year career.

Bill had a passion for cars, particularly muscle cars of the 1960s and 70s. He also enjoyed working on his own cars. Bill was handy and self-sufficient, able to fix just about anything.

Bill possessed skills in the kitchen, cooking for his loved ones. He enjoyed listening to music and, as a younger man, even played the drums.

But one of his greatest lifelong joys was animals. He was caring and compassionate to

animals of all kinds, but especially his beloved dogs Duke, Coco, Girl, Pups and Petey.

Whether at work or in retirement, Bill had a knack for striking up conversation and befriending people. He was a kind and loving man who will be deeply missed by his family, friends and anyone whose heart he touched.

Bill is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Anne Marie (Proscia) Liggio. He is also survived by his beloved daughters, Carrie (Todd) Lean of Bucks County, PA, Denise Liggio and her husband, Dennis Fediw of Nassau County NY, Christine Liggio and her fiancé Thomas Baron of Syracuse, NY; as well as his dear sister, Karen (Liggio) and Arthur Seltzer of Bucks County, PA; nephews, Andrew and Alec Seltzer; and grandchildren, Caleb and Aidan Lean; sister-in-law Diane, (Proscia) and Jay Semelmacher; and

niece, Jennifer Camilli and great nephew, Justin Nickel.

All are invited to the funeral mass at 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 29, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church at 201 Main St, Worcester.

Burial will take place at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery in Schuylerville, NY, where Bill will receive Military Honors.

Memorial donations in Bill’s memory may be made to Schenevus Maryland Emergency Squad, PO Box 80, Schenevus, NY 12155, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 201 Main St., Worcester, NY 12197, Super Heroes in Ripped Jeans, 697 Winney Hill Rd., Oneonta, NY 13820 or Susquehanna SPCA, 4841 State Highway 28, Cooperstown, NY 13326.

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

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AllOTSEGO.life

THURSDAY, July 30, 2020

Streck Crafted Bassett’s Expansion Into 8-County Network

STRECK/From A1

mo declared the state of emergency Friday, March 13, the Behavioral Health program shifted 100 percent to “e-consulting.” As a result, the program was able to counsel more patients, and there were fewer cancellations, he said.

Also, dermatology has gone largely digital, he said.

Of course, “you’ve got to come in for surgery,” Streck continued, and some patients “want to see their doctors, and be seen.” Still, younger patients may be more comfortable going into “something that looks like an Apple store,” to choose among a menu of offerings.

Of course, envisioning the future – Bassett’s future, specifically – has been part of Streck’s outlook since arriving in 1978, by way of an Oklahoma City boyhood, the University of Missouri medical school and his endocrinology internship in Rochester.

Just three month later, he wrote Dr. Joseph Lunn, Bassett’s chief of medicine: “I really like Bassett” – at the time, it was the single, stand-alone Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital – “But who’s planning for the future?”

It’s a much repeated anecdote.

Rather than write him off as a “Young Turk,” Lunn named him chairman of a committee to envision the future. The committee – a halfdozen doctors – met twice weekly, including Saturdays. Their report was accepted, innovations began and by 1984 Streck was “director,” the title that grew into president & CEO. Rural hospitals, then and now, were under challenge; many have since closed. “It became apparent Bassett could survive and thrive by going outside itself,” Streck said. Today, the network serves eight counties through almost 100 facilities, including five hospitals, clinics, in-school clinics, a nursing home and more.

As Streck sees it, part of the success was a willingness to take on problems, as when Herkimer’s Valley Nursing Home asked Bassett to assume management, or when the Cobleskill Hospital went bankrupt and the state came looking for an angel.

“You had to respond to the opportunity,” said Streck. If that approach “had not been proven correct step by step, it probably would have stopped.”

Bassett Hospital photos

President & CEO Bill Streck, third from right, turns a gold shovel at the 1990 Bassett Clinic groundbreaking. When it opened, the clinic lost $1 million a month for six months, one of Streck’s low points in his 30-year tenure, but it forged him from a coach into a CEO. At right is Roger Chamberlain, Friends of Bassett chairman and campaign chair.

COO Bertine McKenna (14 years).

Still, “the Bassett I left (in 2014) was one I had envisioned ‘through a glass darkly’” in the 1970s, when he picked up Paul Starr’s “The Social Transformation of American Medicine.” “I had a vision of what we had to do, and what to do to get there.”

Part of the concept was to raise the hospital’s profile statewide, and as early as 1984 he convened a Rural Health Conference at Bassett Hall.

The nine years leading up to 2014, he chaired the state Rural Health Council. “I tried to become very knowledgeable in how the state operated and its priorities,” he said.

There were setbacks, the darkest hour being the opening of the Prime Care Clinic building at River and Atwell: Bassett lost a million a month for the first six months, as the caseload went down as the organization adjusted to centralization.

Another off-repeated anecdote: “We’ve gotten ourselves into this and now we have to get ourselves out of this,” he told doctors.

A distinguished physician responded, “I didn’t get us into this.”

Up to that point, Streck told Virginia Lee, a student who added him to the CGP’s oral history archive in 2014, he had considered himself the coach Streck made a point of developing contacts of a talented team. with New York’s state and national legislaAt that moment, he tors, including briefing U.S. Sen. Hillary became a CEO: “If Clinton when she represented the Empire the ship went down, State.

I was going to go down as the captain.”

Throughout the interview, Streck But there were thrilling highpoints, gave much credit to colleagues – Drs. one being the creation of the Bassett Walter Frank, who served on the Heart Care Institute in 2003. Such original committee and succeeded an entity was considered impossible Lunn; Don Pollock, Prime Care outside an urban system, but Streck director; Michael Gold, retired chief didn’t approach it head-on, instead of surgery, and others – and “a board creating “a rural demonstration that would listen,” led by Dr. Thomas project” that evolved into what we Morris, chair during most of Streck’s tenure. He was “blessed” by “remark- know today.

A second was the Obama able and committed colleagues” like Administration identifying ACOs CFO Nick Nicoletta (28 years) and

The COVID hotline, the test tents and triage – defining degrees of urgency and deploying resources appropriately – had been developed under Heneghan’s leadership at a oneday meeting of 50 people from across the network, Streck said.

“We handled COVID effectively,” he said, then quickly pointed out that the challenge proved to be less than anticipated: “We were not submerged with a flood of patients, either.”

Overall, Streck believes Bassett’s response – particularly its ability to respond regionally – has raised its reputation.

Asked about an “illuminating moment” in his transformational career, Streck paused.

Early on, in 1987, he invited the state Health Commissioner David Axelrod, “charismatic,” “controversial,” a scourge of the medical industry, to speak to the medical staff.

So Bassett Hall was packed, SRO, with people ready to disagree with everything Dr. Axelrod had to say.

“He spoke about hospital evolution – and devolution,” Streck remembered, “and about the persistent vegetative state of the hospital system.”

And he got specific. He ticked off hospitals’ shortcomings, one by one.

But, to general surprise, he ended each criticism with, “but not here at Bassett.”

“This group that was there, ready to be angry, just came away truly

– “accountable care organizasomething for his “Incident Command tions,” hospitals that are reimbursed System,” usually implemented for according to healthy outcomes. activities such as large fires or bus Bassett had been working on such a crashes. model for years.

Dr. Steve Heneghan, the network Obamacare’s ACO “was the right model,” Streck said, although it continues to struggle. “All the patients need to stay in your system,” he said.

After retiring for the first time, Streck spent four years as innovation officer at the Healthcare Association of New York State, but was To begin raising Bassett’s statewide profile, Streck organized the called back on May 19, 2018, after Vance first Rural Healthcare Conference in 1984 at Bassett Hall. With him, from left, are Assemblyman Tony Casale, now a Cooperstown Brown’s departure.

He had two goals: resident, and state Sens. Lloyd Riford of Auburn, Jim Seward’s Understand what predecessor, and Charles Cook of Delaware County. was going on, and develop a plan that led to Dr. Ibrahim’s recruitment. clinical director, put together the captivated,” said Streck. The event Streck found “there was nothing pieces that were announced by Streck, ended with a standing ovation. bad going on,” just “a loss of Heneghan, and Drs. Bill Lecates, the And so ends a Bassett career, but a momentum at the institutional level, hospital president, Charles Hyman, career that continues: Bill Streck, 73, inactivity about strategy and plans. In the infectious disease expert, the expects to join a national consultancy, this environment” – the fast-changing Monday after the Friday when the advising hospitals across the nation on healthcare picture – “that was just governor announced the state of finances and the future. consequential.” emergency.

He put together a team – network COO Andrew Manzer, CFO Paul Swinko, CIO Lee Marley, LeCates, Heneghan, Innovations Officer Gerry Groff, facilities VP Jonathan Flight and Valley’s Lisa Betrus, the network’s longterm care expert – that “put together a work plan.”

They pursued a series of “very complicated” challenges – for instance, consolidating labs. “It was not high drama,” he said. “It was just work.”

What Streck couldn’t anticipate was COVID-19, of which he can say four months in, “we handled it effectively.”

Actually, the planning was initiated in January, not by the medical staff, Streck said, but by Brinton Muller, director of emergency preparedness, who viewed the then-distant threat from Wuhan as Bill and Karen, right, with their grown children and grandchildren at the time of his 2014 retirement.

‘Black Lives Matter’ Display Puts Chief Brennan, Mayor Herzig At Odds DISPUTE/From A1 allow florist Elizabeth Patterson, Oneonta native and the daughter of Paul and Sarah Patterson, to install the display on the fence above the downtown Westcott Lot. “We enjoy good neighbors, friendships,” he wrote, “and any display that disrupts the community feeling and positive energy of the community serves no purpose but to divide.

“Especially when the content of the display is in relation to incidents that did not occur locally and show all law enforcement, including members of the Oneonta Police Department, negatively.”

Interviewed this week, Brenner

asked, “Why are we trying to bring a problem here? I understand they want to bring awareness, but it’s not a local issue.”

For his part, Mayor Gary Herzig disagreed with the chief.

“It’s an unfortunate choice that Chief Brenner felt the need to defend the police in this letter,” he said.

“The memorial was not about us and it was not a referendum on Oneonta.

A defensive reaction is an unfortunate reaction.”

At Sunday’s dedication, SangettiDaniels called Brenner “an example of white fragility. He sees this as an attack on his officers.”

The memorial, which used

greenery donated by Wycoff’s Florist, featured 200 photographs of black men and women who were killed by “racism, racial injustice and police brutality.”

Among those on the wall is local Jason Walker, 22, who was stabbed

by Frank Ricca in 2005, following a dispute at a house party. Ricca, who testified at trial that he acted in self-defense, was acquitted.

“Oneonta has racism,” said Sangetti-Daniels. “It’s important to continue talking about it. Most of the people on this wall aren’t from Oneonta, but all that could change.”

In the interview, Brenner said, “You know who isn’t up there?

Brienn Leath. Julian Keen. John Arthur William Sr. Rasheen Phillipe McClain. They’re people of color, but they’re not allowed up there because they’re cops who were killed.

Apparently, black police lives don’t matter.”

Herzig thinks otherwise.

“This memorial is very meaningful,” he said. “It’s a powerful message when you see the faces of real people who lost their lives to racism. I’m proud that it’s on the streets of Oneonta.”

Following the local and national protests at the May 25 death of George Floyd while being taken into custody by Minneapolis police offi-

cers, Herzig proposed a Community Advisory Board to review OPD policies and procedures.

Since then, Governor Cuomo has issued an executive order directing all 500 communities with police departments to do so, and report to Albany

by April 1.

Oneonta’s community board will be announced during the Common Council meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 4.

Half of the members, Herzig said, will be people of color.

Brenner, he said, will not face discipline or censure for his letter.

“He expressed himself in defending the Oneonta Police Department,” said Herzig. “We’ll move on from here.”

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