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Cooperstown’s Newspaper
O M C O PE
54 BUSINESSES TRACE ROOTS BACK TO 1808/SEE PAGES A3, 5, 6, 7
For 204 Years
RICHFIELD SPRINGS • CHERRY VALLEY • HARTWICK • FLY CREEK • MILFORD • SPRINGFIELD • MIDDLEFIELD Cooperstown, New York, Thursday, September 13, 2012
Volume 204, No. 37
COOPERSTOWN AND AROUND
Paul Donnelly photo
Thousands of tiny American flags appeared again in Cooperstown in recent days, a tribute by Cathy Raddatz to her brother, George Morell, who died in the Twin Towers on Sept. 11, 2001.
Republicans Will Primary On Sept. 13
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olls will be open noon-9 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 13, for a Republican primary between state Sen. Jim Seward, R-Milford, and challenger James Blake of Schenevus. In the 101st Assembly District, which includes the Otsego County towns of Springfield, Middlefield, Westford and Maryland, voters will chose between Republicans Brian Maher and Claudia Tenney. WOODLAND TALES: Christina M. Parise, Cooperstown Graduate Program in Museum Studies’ student, is looking for people who remember the Woodland Museum to participate in an oral history project. Call her at (412) 818-1376, or e-mail paricm68@suny.oneonta. edu. NURSE TRAINING: The Clark Foundation has awarded Hartwick College $250,000 to buy “the next generation of distance education and simulation equipment” for the college’s Department of Nursing, to help address an ongoing shortage of nurses.
Newsstand Price $1
LABOR DAY DEADLINE GONE
Cuomo: There’s No Rush To Release Fracking Regs With Suits Likely, What’s The Rush? He Says On Radio
BLESSING of the WATERS
By JIM KEVLIN
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or a man who aides say requires two reaction times from his staff – now and right now – Governor Cuomo’s remark during an interview with an Albany radio station may have seemed mystifying. It had been generCuomo ally anticipated the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) would issue regulations covering fracking in late summer, certainly around Labor Day. That didn’t happen, and the governor told WGDJ, Capital District’s Talk Radio, on Monday, Sept. 10, that there is no deadline: “When it’s done, and when they’re prepared – that’s when we’ll announce the decision. “And, remember, the announcing Please See CUOMO, A8
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he Rev. Craig Schwalenberg, right, Unitarian Universalist Society, Oneonta, blesses the waters of Otsego Lake Thursday, Sept. 6, as part of an anti-fracking demonstration by Central New York clergy. Fifty-two clerics signed a letter to Governor Cuomo stating, “We believe it is a moral obligation for all of us to work together toward addressing human needs while building a sustainable future that is respectful of the earth and the well-being of future generations.”
STULIGROSS INSISTS
The Revs. Mark Montfort, Oneonta, and Douglas Deer, Cooperstown, lead off the line of prayers.
Ian Austin/The Freeman’s Journal
Right To Declare ‘Save Tony’ Stands But Question Leads Planning Board To Full Revision Of Village’s Sign Law By JIM KEVLIN COOPERSTOWN
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omplaints about “Save Anthony” signs on lawns here launched a two-year Planning Board review of the village’s sign law. Ironically, chairman Charles Hill and his board discovered
IF YOU GO: A village Planning Board public information meeting on the revised sign law is 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 18, at 22 Main. there was little they could do. The U.S. Supreme Court has interpreted the First Amendment to mean “a person has a right to place signs on their lawn,” said Hill.
The exercise launched by the “Save Anthony” complaints, however, has led to proposed revisions that will expand the law from 17 to 28 pages, defining types of sizes, dimensions, hanging methods and much more. But Hill predicted the outcome, lengthier and as detailed as it is, is actually more user friendly and will be welcome by residents Please See SIGNS, A9
County Seeks Only Quality Purchaser For Otsego Manor By JIM KEVLIN COOPERSTOWN
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indful of public concern, Otsego County is exploring the sale of its Otsego Manor nursing home to the best, not necessarily the highest bidder, according to county Rep. Kay Stuligross, D-Oneonta, who chairs the committee in charge of the nursing home. “We will sell it to someone with the financial viability to continue it,” Stuligross said in an interview a day after the county board’s 12-1 vote to begin seeking a buyer. “If we sell it, we are not obligated to accept any of the bids Please See MANOR, A8
THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA, OTSEGO COUNTY’S LARGEST PRINT CIRCULATION 2010 WINNERS OF The Otsego County Chamber/KEY BANK SMALL BUSINESS AWARD
SAtuRDAy & SuNDAy, SEptEMbER 15 & 16 • 10AM - 5pM
Sponsored by:
Bring The Family & Celebrate Fall At The Farm! Let silhouette artist Laura Muney capture your profile • See dozens of cuddly alpacas
Sample seasonal foods • Watch skilled artisan craft demos • Shop our vendors • Listen to live traditional music See the Cardiff Giant • Take wagon rides • Enjoy free rides on The Empire State Carousel (Courtesy of Matt Sohns and Family) Haggerty Ace Hardware
Visit FarmersMuseum.org for complete details & advance tickets.
State Highway 80, Lake Rd. • Cooperstown, Ny • 607.547.1400
Get FREE ADMISSION to Fenimore Art Museum both days just show your Harvest Fest wrist band!