The Freeman's Journal 10-22-20

REINVENTING

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ROOKS BBQ

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COOPERSTOWN

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fter eight years of planning, the Otsego County Master Gardeners have a master design and are ready to begin raising $200,000 to transform the parking lot at Cooperstown Cooperative Extension’s Lake Street offices.

The project will include plantings, a Greek revival style garden house, and a rain garden to strain pollutants from runoff that would otherwise flow into nearby Otsego Lake, according to Pati Grady, one of the organizers.

Further details will be forthcoming; meanwhile, you can look at the artist’s rendering and information at

AllOTSEGO.com

www.

►BULLETIN: cOOPERSTOWN schools were due to be closed Wednesday, Oct. 21, after a an elementary school staff member tested positive for COVID-19. ►Festival of lights is planned for two weeks at Christmastime in Oneonta. ►league plans forum for Assembly Salka, challenger Buttermann. ►Covid flood subsides at suny, but cases dribble in.

The offending marker

the Iroquois pursued by the Clinton-Sullivan Expedition.

A neighbor of Murphy’s walking through Neahwa Park alerted the freshman council member to the plaque at the park’s River Street entrance, which says the 1779 expedition “destroyed the Indian savagery Please See MURPHY, B 5

Newsstand Price $1

SUNY ONEONTA PRESIDENT RESIGNS; HERO OF PURCHASE SUCCEEDS HER ►Thursday, Oct. 15, the resignation of SUNY Oneonta President Barbara Jean Morris, who oversaw the largest on-campus COVID infestation in the nation, was announced. ►At the same press conference, SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras announceed Daniel Craig, who kept SUNY Purchase COVID cases to 25, would succeed her.

Details on www.

OTSEGO.com Also, this week’s editorial calls for town-gown amity going forward/A4

All

Craig Barber

Bail-Free, 2 Skip Trials 2 Men Who Would Be Senators

They Don’t Show, May Never Show, Prosecutor Asserts

Oberacker Has Local-Government, Private-Sector Experience

By JIM KEVLIN SCHENEVUS

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businessman’s approach.”

That’s how Peter Oberacker, handpicked to succeed state Sen. Jim Seward, R-Milford, describes what he would take to the state Senate if elected Nov. 3.

That approach has guided the job he’s done as Maryland town board member, Jim Kevlin/HOMETOWN ONEONTA then town supervisor and, Republican Senate candidate Peter for five years now, county Oberacker discusses an 8-inch main representative from Schenhelping make Schenevus’ site for a evus, Worcester, Westford distribution center “shovel ready.”

and Decatur.

He uses the term “ROI” – return on investment.

“Where do we get the most satisfaction for what we’re spending?” Oberacker, 57, asked during a Friday, Oct. 16, interview in the renovated barn on Route 7 east of here, headquarters of Form Tech Solutions, a culinary research firm the CEO operates with COO Ron Wheeler, who’s also his campaign manager.

As town supervisor, Oberacker’s main concern was maintaining and plowing 61 miles of road with decrepit equipment. Instead Please See OBERACKER, A7

Barber Would Bring 143-Year Farming Heritage To Albany

By LIBBY CUDMORE COOPERSTOWN

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f Monday, Oct. 19, was a test-run on whether the accused would show up for trial under the state’s new bail reform, Otsego County failed.

“We’re two-for-two on no-shows,” said John Muehl District Attorney John Muehl. “I knew this is exactly what was going to happen.”

Neither Joseph Mitchell, 36, New York City, or Eddie Holton, 35, Binghamton, showed up for trials due to begin in Otsego County Court.

These were the first two trials scheduled since COVID shut down the courthouse in March.

Mitchell was charged with criminal possession of a weapon, a pistol, in the Please See NO BAIL, A8

By JIM KEVLIN

FULL COVID STORIES ON

AllOTSEGO.com

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Oneonta Councilman Questions Plaque That Refers To ‘Savagery’ Of Iroquois

fter 118 years, Common Council member Luke Murphy, First Ward, wants to amend a marker in Neahwa Park referring to the “savagery” of

Gardeners Plan Beautification On Lake Street

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Cooperstown, New York, Thursday, October 22, 2020

ONEONTA

The Freeman’s Journal

For 212 Years

AllOTSEGO.com • Your COUNTY ONLINE DAILY NEWSPAPER

By LIBBY CUDMORE

Master Gardener Pati Grady discusses plan for a Garden Project in the county’s Cooperative Extension parking lot on Lake Street.

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COOPERSTOWN AND AROUND

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Landmark Converts To ‘Pick-It-Up, Take-It-In’/B1

A Rare Veto

MIDDLEBURGH

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here’s no doubting folks in the Schoharie Valley know Jim Barber, simply judging from the political signs that line Route 30 from Middleburgh to Fultonham and well beyond.

The family has lived on Barber’s Farm for 163 years, since two brothers bought 38 acres of some of the richest soil in the world.

Today, the family owns 450 acres of cropland, and another 100 of hillside.

And what a family – Jim Barber, 62, Democratic candidate to succeed state Sen. Jim Kevlin/HOMETOWN ONEONTA Jim Seward, R-Milford, has five sisters. He Democratic Senate candidate Jim Barber and wife Cindy have three children. Add the discusses the bumper pumpkin crop with wife Please See BARBER, A7 Cindy at Barber’s Farm in Middleburgh.

AllOTSEGO.com

►121ST ASSEMBLY RACE: For Salka, Buttermann Profiles, visit www.

Mayor Herzig Halts Mask Mandate In Private Homes

By LIBBY CUDMORE ONEONTA

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ith concerns over enforcement and overreach, Mayor Gary Herzig, who has pushed mask mandates, has vetoed the City of Oneonta’s proposed mask law Tuesday, Oct. 20.

“I fully support wearing masks,” said Herzig. “The intent of the law was to make local enforcement more effective.

Please See MASKS, B5

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, OCTOBER 22, 2020

LOCALS

Northern Otsego New Bassett HR Chief’s Goal: 5Students Join Delhi Develop Culture Of Diversity

Eagle Candidate jacob Reynolds Building milford Dog Park Milford Boy Scout Jacob Reynolds, (digging), was joined by three fellow scouts, Lawson Williams, Ben Webster and Martin Thorsland, as he began work on his Eagle Scout project over the weekend: building a dog park in the village’s Wilber Park.

DELHI

COOPERSTOWN – Corey Heller has been appointed senior vice president & chief people and diversity officer for Bassett Healthcare Network.

His role is to implement Dr. Tommy Ibrahim’s “Best Place to Work” initiative. Ibrahim joined Heller Basset in June as Network CEO. Heller will also develop a formal structure to cultivate a culture of diversity, health equity and inclusion.

Heller joins Bassett from United Health Services, Binghamton, where he was senior director of HR and Shared Services. He previously worked in Florida and Utah.

A native of Saranac Lake, Heller earned a master’s degree in industrial labor relations from Cornell University and is a graduate of Hamilton College.

Cheryl Clough/The Freeman’s Journal

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UNY Delhi has welcomed five northern Otsego County freshman to classes that began in August: Thomas Dygert of Schuyler Lake and Dalton Marshall, Cooperstown, Electrical Construction & Instrumentation.

Elizabeth Lesko of Cooperstown, Nursing Education.

Madilyne Kupris of West Edmeston, Liberal Arts & Sciences.

Raymond Smith of Fly Creek, Residential Construction.

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW!

Early Voting in Otsego County Saturday, 10/24 through Sunday, 11/1 • 9 am to 2 pm The Meadows in Cooperstown Complex, 140 County Highway 33W, Cooperstown

Problems? On or before Election Day, call or text 1-866-OUR-VOTE Your polling location? Go to www.otsegocounty.org, then click on “Click here for Polling Places”

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ONEONTA ONEONTA

& The The Otsego-Delaware Otsego-DelawareDispatch Dispatch &

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Cooperstown’s Newspaper Cooperstown ’s offiCial newspaper

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For 212 Years founded in 1808

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2020

THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA A-3

A whole new concept from your HOUSE OF BBQ!

Pick it up…Take it in!

Come to us…

Or we’ll come to you!

SO many ways to get the best BBQ in the region!

TO YOU, OUR LOYAL CUSTOMERS We have been together, as a community, through the entire pandemic. You’ve been here for us and our family and our team here at Brooks’ BBQ have been there for you.

After careful consideration, we are changing the way that we are serving you from inside the dining room. It will be fun and safe and in a relaxing atmosphere!

Pick it UP and Take it IN! It is very simple as you order your meal at our takeout window (or online, iPhone or Android app or call it in), pick it up and take it into the dining room to eat.

And what goes best with BBQ? Beer, Wine, Hard Cider and Hard Seltzer! In the very near future, Brooks’ BBQ will be offering a few local favorites and a few national favorites as well.

Don’t forget about the Brooks’ Roost Banquet Room, Home and Office Delivery and Curbside Pickup!

Our sincere appreciation to each and every one of you for supporting us over the years, and in particular, during the continuing pandemic.

We look forward to an even longer, prosperous future together!

Please stay safe and healthy as we all, together, get through these most challenging times.

We’ll bring it to you!

Let us cater your next event.

Come ‘n Get It! Eat at our place or yours.

BEER • WINE • HARD CIDER • HARD SELTZER Place orders via phone at 607-432-1782

or with the Brooks’ BBQ app on your iPhone or Android.

Perspectives

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2020

A-4 THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL EDITORIAL

COLLEGE PRESIDENTS, COMMUNITY LEADERS CAN HELP EACH OTHER

In Places Like Oneonta, Town Needs Gown And Vice Versa

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oth college presidents, SUNY Oneonta’s Nancy Kleniewski and Hartwick’s Margaret Drugovich, were key members of the City of Oneonta’s DRI committee. It was formed in 2015 to figure out how best to spent $10 million provided by Governor Cuomo’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative.

The committee, no doubt, benefited mightily from both leaders’ wisdom, experience working within institutions and calm demeanors; no bomb-throwers there. In turn, Kleniewski and Drugovich likewise benefited, no doubt, by getting to better know the city’s movers and shakers and the key issues facing the “City of the Hills.”

The City of Oneonta and the two colleges are joined at the hip, like it or not.

When the undergrads return each fall, the city’s population doubles, from 7,000 to 14,000. Problems – let’s call them challenges – always arise, ranging from public mischief of all sorts to actual crimes, from OH Fest to

Drugovich

Kleniewski

blowouts in otherwise quiet neighborhoods.

In the past, an atmosphere of mutual respect and appreciation helped the college presidents and top city officials work through the town-gown issues.

• The tip-off that something was awry with the administration of Barbara Jean Morris,

ISSUE & DEBATE

County Reps Take Oath To Uphold State’s Laws laws of the State of New York. If he can’t do that he should resign.

Undermining law enforcement by supporting a declaration of “no need to enforce” a law is disrespectful to the state Constitution, to law enforcement and to the citizens law enforcement protects.

The argument that the SAFE Act violates the Constitution is not valid.

It has repeatedly been upheld in the state courts, and Please See WHELAN, A5

County Reps Take Oath To Protect Constitution

THE FIRE OF LOVE

For 212 Years

GREAT BLUE Suzanne Kingsley, Springfield

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James C. Kevlin Editor & Publisher

Theresa Hensley, Cooperstown

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who departed abruptly two weeks ago after presiding over the largest on-campus outbreak of COVID-19 in the country, happened a week before the cataclysm.

The president was declining to meet with Mayor Gary Herzig, to his dismay.

And, after City Hall cancelled nighttime bus rides back and forth to campus, the

IN

Cooperstown’s Newspaper

County Board of Representatives is by no means an exception. It has even been brought to my attention that some representatives chose to substitute the Bible with the Constitution itself.

To these individuals, one would expect an ever-more committed reverence to uphold and support the Constitution to which our American Republic is based.

Please see deBLIECK, A5

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To the Editor: It serves as a necessary reminder to some that America is a representative republic based on Constitutional law. This is exampled by the requirement that every elected official must swear an oath to “support” or “protect” the Constitution of the United States before taking the seat that he/she was elected for.

As such, the Otsego

Craig

TROWEL to SHUTTER

LETTERS

To the Editor: Considerable attention is being paid to the anticipated request by county Rep. Rick Brockway, R-West Laurens, that the county board adopt a resolution declaring our county a “gun sanctuary,” by which is meant a declaration that the police need not enforce the state’s SAFE Act. This is, to begin with, an inappropriate request. As a county representative, Brockway took a signed and sworn oath to support the

Morris

Student Activities Office went ahead and leased buses through another company.

Bad omens.

When COVID exploded on campus after one particular party on opening weekend, Aug. 21-23, it was too late to build bridges.

When infections topped 100 on a single night the next weekend, SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras stepped in and, in effect, assumed Morris’ decision-making authority until her resignation “to seek other opportunities,” submitted quietly 10 days before the Wednesday, Oct. 14, press conference announcing her successor, SUNY Purchase Interim President Dennis Craig.

SUNY Purchase may have dodged the bullet by happenstance: SUNY Oneonta opened a week earlier, seven days when “pool testing” – of 20 students’ saliva at once – quickly expanded so health officials could identify outbreaks sooner and drill down to “patient one” more quickly. Still, success Please See EDITORIAL, A5

Tara Barnwell

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 Cooperstown • Village of Milford 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.

FRIENDS WALKING Susan Huxtable, West Winfield

LAKE & VALLEY GARDEN CLUB INVITES YOU TO THE SHOW at www.lakeandvalleygc.org/

Advertising Director & General Manager

SUNFLOWER SELFIE Jennifer Brickley, Gilbertsville

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Fearsome Retirement

om told me that they promised her the “Golden Years,” but she got the “Rust Years.”

She dreamed of retiring. Yet after a couple of weeks into retirement her litany changed from “can’t wait to retire” to telling me - “don’t do it.”

• My Mom was born when women were supposed to stay home, while their husbands supported the family.

But my Dad, Mom’s husband, lost their farm and his health. He became too ill to work. With three girls under the age of 5 at home, my Mom had to go to work. She got lucky and landed a

good-paying job at a factory. After a string of horrible jobs.

Not her Ozzie and Harriet dream. But good money to feed her family.

Mom was careful and saved from every paycheck. She belonged ERNA MORGAN to a union and got a McREYNOLDS good pension. She planned golden years of traveling.

After a couple months staying at home, she wanted to go back to work.

A week or two on a bus tour was okay but she didn’t want “vacation” all of the time.

• Any point here? Sure.

You have probably already figured out that I did what most of us do – I didn’t follow Mom’s advice.

I retired.

Afraid as always. Maybe this time I was right.

Did you know 10,000 baby boomers retire every day?

You don’t need any statistics. You know. You live it every day.

Please See ERNA, A6

AllOTSEGO.com • MORE LETTERS, A5

LETTERS TO EDITOR WELCOME • EMAIL THEM TO info@

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 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 Robert A. Harlem of Oneonta, former District Attorney Joseph Dispatch From New Orleans A. Mogavero of Unadilla and City – The fever raging here is equal to Court Judge Albert A. Baldo of the plague of the Barbary States.

Oneonta.

Not more than one out of ten of October 21, 1970 the newcomers who have had the temerity to remain here this season, has escaped death and the Cooperstown Central School disease has been uncommonly senior Jeff Dean was notified rapid. From four to six days have recently of his acceptance into the been the extent of life after the New York State Music Associapatient was attacked. The number tion’s All-State Jazz Ensemble, of deaths for the last week were scheduled to perform at the 146. They died with the black Concord Hotel, Lake Kiamesha vomit generally, in possession of on November 28. The ensemble is all their reasoning faculties. The an exclusive collection of 20 New letter gives a gloomy picture of York State students who began the scenes of distress that have competition in the spring of this passed under the writer’s eye. past school year by preparing a What makes it worse is that every written jazz solo for adjudication season it changes its character, before a NYSSMA judge. In addiOctober 25, 1920 so far as not to be subdued by the tion to his solo performance, Dean same treatment that was successful was also asked to improvise a jazz are confined to their homes by Archangelo Mogavero, George in a preceding one. number and perform a musical temporary illness.

Both have C. Meade, Leon W. Jastremski, O selection previously unseen – a worked too hard for years.

Richard Kraham, Arnold Vibbard, Sad Accident – On Wednesday process known as ”sight-reading.”

Everett T. Grout has entered the Amos Weaver, Salvatore last, two boys of Mr. S.H. Chapins, October 22, 1995 Western Union Telegraph Office Sapienza, Edward B. Scott, Gerald aged 10 and 12 years old, and a Excerpts from a dispatch from here to learn telegraphy.

Wayne Butler, James Decker, James boy of Peter Edgett, were playing Greene, New York: “I learn that Charles Weeks of Toddsville Derrick, Joseph J. Munford, Jr., together, having been left at home Mrs. Vars is a daughter of Bethel and L.W. Ackley of Oneonta, Thomas J. Thompson, Frank Smith, The Otsego Land Trust has analone. The older Chapins boy, Gray, and been married but a year under the firm name of Weeks and Alexander Lee Cooper, Edward P. nounced members of a committee, Charles, went into the house and or two. She had been out near Gilbert, and Robert Curtis. chaired by Francis Nolan, Hartwick, got a shotgun that was loaded. The Ackley, are now bottling the the creek for some purpose and Beaverwick Lager in Cooperstown.

October 24, 1945 to explore future public uses of Edgett boy, aged 8 years, took the sat down on a log to rest near the The boatmen along the lake Brookwood Gardens on Otsego gun and said he took off the cap, mill pond, when they came up front are taking up their docks and Lake. The committee includes and then snapped the gun, when it behind her, blindfolded her, tied preparing for winter. former Otsego 2000 Executive exploded, the whole charge taking Frederick W. Loomis of her hands, and then threw her into The Chestnut Street greenhouse, Edmeston will retire on October Director Martha Frey, Duey Townsend effect in the neck of Harvey Chapthe pond. Every man, woman and owned by Mrs. W.H. Russell, of the Lake & Valley Garden Club, ins, on the left side, just below 31 as Otsego County Judge and boy has turned out to look for the has recently been enlarged and John Davis of the Delaware-Otsego the angle of the lower jaw bone, Judge of Family Court after nearly villains. Such an excitement was improved and is now very Audubon Society, Meg Kiernan, severing the carotid artery on that 19 years on the bench.

His current never known in this town before. complete.

A new greenhouse has Otsego Town Supervisor, Otsego side, causing almost instant death.

10-year term has a little over four What we are coming to God only been added where a large variety County Planner Karen Sullivan, A coroner’s inquest was held and years to run.

Governor Rockefeller knows. This must have taken place of flowers will be cultivated.

Matt Albright of the SUNY Bioa verdict rendered by the jury of is expected to make an interim about 12 o’clock today. Yours C.S. There is room in Cooperstown logical Field Station, Bill Oliver, “accidental death by a gun in the appointment to fill the vacancy.

P.S. The woman was got out for this enterprise to grow.

Wayne Mellor, Doug Willis, and hands of James F. Edgett.

A recommendation for the post is alive, and who the perpetrators October 24, 1895 expected to be made by the Otsego Amanda Savage Mahoney, a October 20, 1870 are is a mystery, as she did not see descendant of Albany financier County Republican Party. Judge them. She says there were two of James B. Jermaine who once owned Loomis’s retirement had been them, as they talked, and asked The following Otsego County rumored for some time, and specu- the lakeside estate. The Cook Local: The channel of Willow one to the other if they should Foundation, which owned Brookmen under the jurisdiction of lation has been rife as to who his Brook has been deepened along take her and whether she would wood Garden, recently merged Selective Service Board 403, successor would be.

Mentioned its course through the lands of tell, and the other replied that she with the Land Trust, in part to chart Cooperstown, have been reported prominently as possible successors L. Averell Carter, from Lake would – and let her alone, etc.” a new course for the property. as honorably discharged: in the $26,000 a year full-time October 25, 1845 Street to the lake.

October 21, 2010 Phillip Petrie, Loren Weegar, post have been County Attorney G.M. Jarvis and C.R. Burch

200 YEARS AGO

100 YEARS AGO

25 YEARS AGO

150 YEARS AGO

175 YEARS AGO

10 YEARS AGO

50 YEARS AGO

125 YEARS AGO 75 YEARS AGO

WHELAN: SAFE Act Isn’t Illegal. It Also Saves Lives EDITORIAL: Going Forward,

WHELAN/From A4 for that reason has never reached the U.S. Supreme Court. The Supreme Court, in turn, upholds the right of individuals to bear arms and also the right of states to regulate them.

It is not an open-ended invitation for anyone, anywhere, in any state of mind, to possess any kind of firearm they choose to have and do with it whatever they want. Sadly, responsible gun ownership is not universal and cannot be left to individual decision-making.

People leave guns where children can play with them, disaffected teenagers can readily get their hands on them and shoot schoolmates, and mentally impaired persons can band together under some catchword messages about liberty and justify their violent impulses.

Here in Cooperstown, there have been two school shootings; and in Richfield, grandparents shot to death by their grandson. Their parents should have known better than to leave guns around. They should not have been able to buy them, on their own, or to get someone else to buy them for them.

Liberty - in the sense of Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness – is, in fact, more often violated by firearms than by any other cause.

Twenty-five children a WEEK are killed by firearms. More are injured.

They are a favored instrument of domestic violence and abuse, and of suicide and murder-suicide. What happened to these lives, liberties and

the pursuit of their happiness?

I have had two friends shot to death when they cheerfully answered their door on a Sunday morning. They were expecting piano movers. Instead, a grudge-bearing psychopath who never should have had a gun killed them.

Is it a civil right to be able to answer your door without defensively carrying a weapon against the chance of such an event? Where were my dead friends’ civil rights?

America is a gun culture. Our history glorifies it. Our children grow up buying into it. As a pediatric neurologist I saw, in one afternoon, three unrelated children - boys 4 years 3 months, 4 years 3 months, and 4 years 6 months of age - because their mothers were afraid of them. One of them said, “Dr. Whelan, he says he’s going to get a gun and shoot me and I’m afraid of him.”

I asked if there were a gun in the house. “Yes, but it’s in our bedroom, and he knows he’s not supposed to go in there.” Oh, fine.

Teaching school in Africa in 1961, the first question asked in my class was from an 8-year-old boy: “Where do people in America keep their guns?”

Most people who object to the SAFE Act probably haven’t read it. They probably can’t tell you what the First and Third Amendments are either, because, really, they don’t care about the Constitution: they just want their guns.

Look: Nothing in the SAFE Act prohibits hunting, as some like to claim.

It puts some background checks for criminality and mental illness in place for sales (there should be more). It

bans assault weapons, including semiautomatics, unless “grandfathered” in and registered, and it bans loading more than 10 rounds at a time.

It requires reporting if guns are lost or stolen. If you share a household with someone convicted of a felony or domestic violence, you are supposed to keep guns in a safe place. (Something that should be extended to households with children also).

None of these provisions are unconstitutional. Which of them offends you?

Putting it about that Democratic candidates want to “take your guns away” is known by those who say it to be untrue: it is said anyway, which makes it dishonest.

Claiming, as the NRA does, that the answer to guns is more guns, is just factually incorrect. Insured claims for firearm-related injuries actually go down during NRA conventions – these are multi-day events in which thousands of gun enthusiasts, and their guns, are effectively taken off the streets. So it’s safer out there!

Stop waving the flag around.

It’s not your flag: it’s ours. I grew up with guns. We had a shooting range in our basement. I was a pretty good shot. But I consider it my civil right not to live in place where law enforcement is flouted and reasonable legislation denigrated in the name of the Constitution. The second and third words of the Second Amendment are: WELL REGULATED. MARY ANNE WHELAN, M.D. Cooperstown

deBLIECK: 2AS Non-Partisan In Supporting Gun Rights

deBLIECK/From A4 It should come as no surprise that the Bill of Rights is an intrinsic part of American law. When an oath is violated, it is called perjury.

As I have stated before, our organization, Otsego 2AS, does not stand upon a partisan platform but, rather, a Constitutional one. Either one embraces the Constitution, or one does not. Thus, either the county representatives will embrace their oath, or they will perjure. It is just that simple.

The oath is no trivial matter.

In essence, it is what separates our republic from behaving as an unscrupulous banana republic, where whatever the powerful desire is what is pursued. It is the sworn duty of the elected officeholder to render

themselves restrained and accountable to such oath made. In this case, the oath is to support the Constitution.

Therefore, transgressing the Constitution clearly violates this oath.

As Chief Justice Marshall stated in Marbury vs. Madison (1803): “A law repugnant to the Constitution is void; and that courts, as well as other departments are bound to that Instrument.”

The 2AS Resolution embraces this ruling as a necessary step to reverse the course of Constitutional infringements. It is with profound satisfaction that Otsego county board does harbor fighters for freedom in standing upon their sworn oath.

In saying this, I cannot see anyone more qualified for state Senate than Peter Oberacker. It is never an under-

statement to say that doing the right thing is never easy. Likewise, I commend many sitting in our county board who truly desire to uphold their sworn oaths of office.

Yet the 2AS movement would never have been necessary had the New York State government not embarked upon the unconstitutional path of perpetual firearm infringements. It is to this where fighters for freedom must endeavor to straighten a lost government back to its sworn principles.

I have no doubt that Peter Oberacker will continue this restoration of a current state banana republic back to its Constitutional basis.

GARRETT deBLIECK Unadilla

Let’s Seek Town-Gown Amity EDITORIAL/From A4 is success: Malatras credited Craig’s leadership with limiting campus infections to 25; astonishng, when you think of what happened here.

Dr. Morris was likeable, at first blush dynamic, with a record of some success.

Her formulation of a 13-word mission statement was brilliant: “We nurture a community where students grow intellectually, thrive socially and live purposefully.” It’s possible to mourn and, still, try to understand what happened.

Regrettably but necessarily, a college president faces many demands – from the faculty and staff, implementing SUNY-wide policies, maintaining buildings and grounds, law enforcement, relations with local state legislators and community leaders. It goes on and on.

Students and pedagogy are the fun part, but most of a college president’s duties aren’t fun.

It also might be that Morris didn’t understand COVID virulence, that she trusted 19-year-olds too much, that she didn’t realize that student care needed to take a back seat to public health – for days or weeks or months.

A telling indicator, perhaps, was her concern, expressed at a town-gown “Control Room” meeting, about the negative psychological impact on tender students of HAZMAT-suited EMTS knocking on dorm doors in the middle of the night to escort young people to isolation dorms.

Sympathy is fine, but a potentially life-and-death situation called for sterner stuff.

Things got away from Dr. Morris, and there was no one on her side apart

from a loyal and admiring inner circle.

(It’s worth noting again that, where President Drugovich realized a successful response to COVID could be a life-and-death matter for Hartwick, the SUNY campus didn’t have to worry: Empire State taxpayers would continue funding SUNY, come what might.

(Hartwick kept total infestations to 21, or 2.9 percent of SUNY-O’s number, even though its enrollment is 25 percent of the larger school’s total.)

• For the good of all, let’s, as a community, get behind President Craig, and give him all the support we can to help him duplicate his Purchase success here.

A final thought: When Barbara Jean Morris was recruited, her “two-fer” status – she was a woman and a Native American – was heralded.

By all means, hire whomever of whatever background. But chairman Patrick Brown and the College Council shouldn’t have stars in their eyes, distorted, if you will, by PC prerogatives.

They have a responsibility – to the campus and the Oneonta community; (City Hall alone is losing $1 million in revenue per semester): Whoever succeeds Dr. Morris must be focused enough, tough enough, realistic enough, experienced enough to truly understand the daunting requirements of a college president’s job, and temperamentally able to handle them.

Getting that under control will allow the focus to return to raising the campus’ quality and reputation, which is what it’s all about.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2020

A-6 THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA

ERNA: Fear Retirement; Do It ERNA/From A4 Your long-time doctor and your lawyer have retired. Your plumber. Electrician. A year or so ago it seemed that all of the local CEOs, college and hospital presidents retired the same week.

• Are they like Mom? Regretting every day that they retired?

Baby Boomers do retire a few years later than the Great Generation. They are healthier and more active. But many work. Some because they can’t afford not to, but many are just like my Mom. She really wanted a longer vacation. When she wanted to take it. Not a permanent vacation.

Recently I commiserated with a 36-year-old. He went from a structured job — which he loved — to self-employed when his wife took a job on a remote Caribbean island.

A sort of retirement. Hard to do, he said. No structure. No people coming at you making you react. No co-workers. He likes some of the freedom but he misses having a regular job.

A week earlier I had coffee with a 67-year-old who had retired almost two years ago. He has nightmares about his job. He loved his job. Didn’t really want to retire, but it was time.

Intellectually he was at the top of his game. But he had great successors from the next generation. He did the right thing, he believes. But why the nightmares? Does he have a mental illness? Is this normal? he worried?

For me, I retired at the right time, for the right reasons. I had plans. Spend more time with some terrific non-profits with which I work. Mentor? Take up those old passions like gardening, go out for coffee or lunch.

I knew how I should prepare to retire. I coached clients for 30

years. “You’ll have a black pit ahead of you. Plan,” I told them.

Frightening. Retirement — terrified me. Fear drove a planning frenzy for the next third of my life.

My French teacher was right — I am a perfectionist. I intended to corral my fears and do this perfectly.

But even with all of that planning I spent my first year in mourning. I missed my colleagues. I missed my clients.

I missed feeling useful.

• At a conference with my Adviser Hall of Fame colleagues — many of whom are my age — they applauded my courage.

Said they envied me. They’re afraid to retire.

Some know they’re staying too long. Missing the chance to spend time with their spouse, children, grandchildren. To do charitable work. Give back.

Pick up those old hobbies abandoned to climb to the top.

Like the 77-year-old with whom I had dinner at that conference? She told me she was afraid to retire?

Her husband is sliding into dementia. He retired 17 years ago. Now she wonders where her courage was. Too scared to have enjoyed those great years.

“Be Afraid but Do it Anyway” still seems to be working.

Now a couple of years later, retirement seems less scary, not so heart-breaking.

Eventually I plunged into my plans and some unexpected projects too. COVID has upended life, but also has bestowed its blessings.

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.

LIFE IN THE TIME OF COVID-19

N

We Must Deal With Both Sides Of Pandemic

ow, as the levels of COVID 19 can increase the risk of any and all of fatigue mount, emotional issues these conditions and which by themselves among the public and providers, have a significant negative health impact especially those greatest at risk, continue including leading up to death. to grow. This is producing new cases of • morbidity and mortality related to the Finding the correct balance of risk of disease, but not directly due to the virus. contracting COVID-19 with the risk of Social isolation is the state of having complications from minimal contacts with the world. Loneliness isolation and loneliis an emotion, a feeling of being isolated ness is now a topic from others. Each can lead to the other. of discussion in the Isolation frequently causes loneliness medical literature. but, conversely, someone who is lonely There are no may further retreat into a self-imposed answers to what the isolation. Regardless of the etiology, both correct balance is. Prior can lead to significant pathology, both to COVID, most older psychological and physical. adults living on their Studies have shown that social isolation own or with a partner and loneliness are risk factors, including participated in social RICHARD obesity, in some cases morbid obesity, activities. This gave STERNBERG heart disease, high blood pressure, higher them an anchor and a risk of infection, depression and anxiety, feeling of mattering. decreased cognitive function, Alzheimer’s They gained pleasure through their interacdisease, and by increase of any of these, tions and their contributions to society. increased risk of death.

The current cutting off of contact with The increased risk of developing others to protect one’s health can lead dementia is particularly high. This is easy to self-devaluation. This state can affect to imagine if we remember that isolating susceptibility to diseases, infectious and a person has actually been used as a otherwise. technique for extracting information from Patients in hospitals, nursing homes, someone by altering their mental status. assisted living and senior homes are also at Effort to decrease the spread of COVID- high risk. Techniques necessary to protect

LETTERS

Sam Goodyear Plans Tribute To Chuck Schneider Saturday

To the Editor: Along with countless members of our community, I was saddened to read of Chuck Schneider’s death. It stirred multiple memories, as I had the privilege of singing in several Glimmerglass operas and Orpheus Theatre musicals under his direction.

In every instance, seeing him in the pit made me feel safe and secure.

I felt that he was not only keeping his eye on the production as a whole, but me personally.

And then there were all those Political Letters Due Noon, Monday, Oct. 26 memorable Catskill Symphony Orchestra concerts.

I remember ith national, state and local elections happening Tuesday, Nov. 3, next week’s is the final edition before the vote. seeing whole families in attendance, parents and children, and thinking Political Letters to the Editor are welcome.

To ensure yours gets in, please email it by noon Monday, Oct. 26, what a rich experience was being provided among us. to jimk@allotsego.com; mail it to Editor, Box 890, Cooperstown Working so hard under considerable 13326, or fax it to (607) 547-6080.

W

against spread of disease – banning visitors and keeping residents in their rooms – contribute to the problem. Isolating from family visits that have previously been regular, is particularly detrimental.

So, what can be done?

• Technology can play a major role in balancing the need to isolate with the need for contact. Mobile technologies have been instrumental in keeping people in touch and in some cases re-establishing lost past relationships.

While the technology and apps probably need to be simplified for the elderly, especially for those with cognitive impairment, there is no question that they, with the constraints placed by the pandemic, have greatly expanded the use of these technologies especially for older individuals. (Use your own definition of older. For me it is everyone older than the millennials.)

Something as simple as very regularly contacting someone whether a friend, acquaintance, or even a stranger can greatly help their mental health and probably yours too.

Richard Sternberg, a retired Bassett Hospital orthopedic surgeon, has agreed to provide his professional perspective during the COVID threat. A village trustee, he resides in Cooperstown.

He Fired Them; Fire Him

To the Editor: The list never ends.

General John Kelly (former Chief of Staff), pressure to navigate highly complex General Jim Mattis (former Secretary of Defense), waters cannot have been easy, yet I Rex Tillerson (former Secretary of State), Richard never once, not one single time, saw Spencer (former Secretary of the Navy), John Bolton Chuck lose his considerable cool. (former National Security Adviser) and on and one.

Always calm, always patient, always The common denominator through them all is cordial, he maintained his cheerful and “former.”

They were ALL wrong and summarily in generous nature for the benefit of art. time dismissed.

In each and every case, Trump was From 1 to 5 Saturday afternoons, I always right. After all, when is he ever wrong? host a classical music program called His selections of incredibly able people to his “Play It Again, Sam,” on WSKG cabinet, followed by his summary firings, underPublic Radio. It can be heard at 105.9 FM in Otsego County, and is streamed score the futility with which he has governed this country for the last four years. Sadly there is no room live on the internet at wskg.org whatsoever for disagreement even to the extent of a (click Listen Live-WSKG Classical). difference of opinion. It is the king’s way or else.

I will devote the 4 o’clock hour But, in point of fact, the emperor definitely has this coming Saturday, Oct. 24, in tribute to our maestro in thanks for the no clothes, nor the common sense to engage the expertise of advisers who know far more than he inestimable pleasure and enrichment ever will. He chose them and dismissed them. he brought to us all.

Now it’s our turn to dismiss him. Vote!!

SAM GOODYEAR KENNETH J. KAVANAGH Binghamton Cooperstown

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2020

THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA A-7

If Elected, Candidate Jim Barber Would Be Only Farmer In State Senate BARBER/From A1 sister’s children, and there are 22 cousins in that cadre. The next generation, the brother and sisters’ grandchildren – have so far produced 17 offspring.

And, given the grandchildren’s ages, there are more to come, the candidate added, walking past a haywagon full of three generations of Barbers, out Oct. 18 on a sunny Sunday afternoon pumpkin-picking excursion.

At least in Jim Barber’s generation, the siblings stayed, he said. Except for one of the sisters, that is: She moved to Cobleskill, 15 minutes away.

Barbers have been in the U.S. since the 1639. His wife’s family – Carloughs, Palatine Germans – have been here since the early 1700s.

If elected, Jim Barber would be the only farmer in the 63-Senator upper chamber in Albany, where the majority Democrats would benefit from his advice. For instance, the Farm Bill passed last year only addresses the “social justice” piece: limiting work weeks and helping farm labor to unionize.

“Farms are struggling – struggling to survive,” he said. “It (the Farm Bill) only addresses one side of the equation.” The other side is, “How do we help farms be more profitable?

If you don’t have the revenue, you can’t pay the expenses.”

“In order to have any impact, you need to be at the table with the Senate

Jim Kevlin/The Freeman’s Journal & HOMETOWN ONEONTA

Jim Barber hails multiple family members who were on a pumpkin-picking excursion Sunday, Oct. 18, on the Barber’s Farm in Middleburgh, Schoharie County. leadership.” As a Democrat as well as the rare farmer, he said, he would be there.

New York City’s “tremendous financial activity” needs to be further tapped to generate revenue statewide, he said: For instance, the stock transfer tax – it can now be rebated on application – should be enforced.

It would generate an estimated $16 billion.

In an interview, Barber – a Cornell grad; he met wife Cindy there – related how his family’s recent history

has paralleled the history of farming in Upstate in the last half-century.

“In high school,” the candidate said, “I knew I was staying,” adding, “I had a farm mortgage” – on a tenant farmer’s plot that went on the market – “before I had a driver’s license.”

His father, J. Roger Barber, Ag & Markets commissioner in the Carey Administration of the 1980s, was particularly interested in improving Holsteins’ milk output, through genetic research and other means.

Still, by the time the Northeast

Dairy Compact – it supported milk prices in New York State and New England – expired in 2001, the Barbers were looking beyond dairying.

When Roger Barber died in 2002, “we were the only dairy farm between Middleburgh and Gilboa” – 15 miles, said the son. The family sold the dairy herd in 2006.

By then, 50 years of diversification, beginning with sweet-corn routes in the 1960s – to Amsterdam, Gloversville, Stamford, Oneonta and small-town, family-owned supermarkets – was paying dividends.

In the 1990s, the Barbers set up their first greenhouse. Before long, Cindy was putting together flowers in 1,100 hanging baskets, to sell in the expanding Barber’s Farm roadside market. Before long, “we were growing 100 different vegetable crops,” he said.

The next innovation was “high tunnels,” also known as “hoop houses,” unheated greenhouses that allow even Central New York farms to grow vegetables year ’round – spinach, Swiss chard and kale in the coldest months. Covered, the tunnels keep the plants dry, which minimizes insects, and damage from insects.

When the Oneonta Farmers’ Market opened in the city’s parking deck, the Barbers were there, and joined other farmers’ markets that popped up. They also sell fresh produce from trucks set up in Cobleskill and Albany.

“From the COVID crisis,” Barber added, “people realized how important a local food supply can be.”

The decline of dairying may cloud the picture, but the man who would be the sole farmer in the state Senate is optimistic about farming’s future in New York State.

“We have good soil and plenty of water,” he said. In other parts of the country, “the aquifers are going to run out.”

Jim and Cindy’s three children are in related fields: Grace in an environmental consultant in Montana; Ford is the Farm Service Agency’s Orange County executive director, and Elias is distiller at 1857 Spirits, an on-farm distillery.

A nephew, Jacob Hooper, is managing the farm.

The father is particularly proud of his younger son’s success in this “value-added” venture. 1857 Potato Vodka – 1857 is the year the Barber brothers arrived here – won a gold medal at international competition in San Francisco. The gin won a triple-gold medal.

And his outlook is reflected in the son’s distillery promotions: “We grow the highest-quality, best tasting potatoes in nine feet of rich ‘Barbour Basher’ alluvial soils of the bottomlands. Our spring water comes from the aquifer directly beneath this soil.

From the heart of the Barber Family Farm in the Schoharie Valley to you, 1857 is a naturally gluten-free, farm-to-bottle vodka.”

Oberacker Brings Private-Business, Local-Government Experience To Race

OBERACKER/From A1 of buying new, Oberacker determined to lease equipment.

At the end of five years of operating new leased trucks, enough money had been saved to expand the Maryland Highway Department’s fleet, with more new leased trucks.

Elected to the county board in 2015, he proposed – as Public Works Committee chairman – doing the same with the county’s fleet, with similar results – dependable vehicles at less cost. (He’s also vice chair of the Administration Committee, and serves on Public Safety, Intergovernmental Affairs, and the Budget and Negotiations committees.)

Oberacker, born on Merrick, L.I., was introduced to private enterprise early in life. When he graduated from SUNY Delhi, he joined his dad, also Peter Oberacker, in operating Spicey Pete’s Meats, a market in Schenevus that, as its height, had an outlet in Cooperstown’s Danny’s Main Street Market.

While his dad provided exemplified entrepreneurship, mom Carolann exemplified public service as a 25-year Maryland town justice. She passed away in 2009; his father in 1993. In 1990, Peter

Peter Oberacker with wife Shannon, daughter Holli, 31, and son Derek, 29.

– brother Karl, now of Albany, and sister Cheryl Delello of Oneonta, also survived – joined Conagra, then Budenheim, food research and marketing companies.

When Budenheim eliminated his division, in 2004, it was a blow. But, inspired by watching Mel Gibson rally his men on “Braveheart” in the wee hours one morning, Oberacker hammered out a business plan, called Budenheim colleague Wheeler at dawn, and the two founded Form Tech.

The partners ran the product development and market research firm in College Station, Texas

– ask him about allergen-free soy sauce, one big success.

In 2018 – with Oberacker focused on county politics and bringing a distribution center to I-88’s Exit 18 at Schenevus –company headquarters were moved here.

He continues to promote the distribution center – aimed at mega e-marketing companies, from Google on down – and is working on making the site shovel-ready. The other day, he was able to show where an 8-inch main is being put under Route 7 to serve the site’s south end; on the north end, water is available from

Smokey Avenue.

As a county rep, Oberacker is also pushing ahead a fourtown consolidation plan – it would be a statewide model.

He and Wheeler continue to operate Form Tech, although it is on the market. Their new focus is Sparrow Hawk Winery, where the men are planning to produce a semi-dry Riesling using a newly developed grape, La Crossaint, within a couple of growing seasons.

With so much on his plate, you can imagine Oberacker’s surprise when the phone rang over the winter. It was Seward, announcing he didn’t plan to run again and suggesting the county rep run to succeed him.

“I was always impressed with Peter,” said Seward, who had known his parents.

“He had local government experience; he had private sector experience.” It would later impress the senator that,, after the candidate introduced himself to county chairmen in the nine counties, no primary challenge surfaced.

Still, “your head starts spinning,” Oberacker said, as he reflected on the time commitment, the prospective public criticism, and the toll on the family – wife Shannon, son

Derek, 29, and daughter Holli, 31, a teacher in Milford, Conn.

“Jim set a high bar,” he added.

“My expertise,” he said, “is with local governance, and how Albany effects local government.” He’s always been guided by a “bottom up” approach, which he plans to follow if elected on Nov. 3.

He’s committed, as are most candidates, to getting broadband everywhere. “It’s akin to the 1930s,” he said, “when they ran electrical lines.”

He’s also committed to

··

expanding support to local fire departments and EMTs after son Derek was injured in a farm accident and his father, a member of the fire department, waited, listening to the signal, for a volunteer ambulance crew to arrive.

“My son” – now recovered – “will be here,” the father said with some emotion. “He’s going to stay here. He’s going to raise my grandchildren here.

“If I can keep half as much as I experienced growing up here,” he said, “I’ll be satisfied.”

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2020

A-8 THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA

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Without Bail, Will Anyone Show Up For Trial? District Attorney Wonders NO BAIL/From A1 third degree, as well as criminal possession of a controlled substance, crack cocaine, stemming from a May 2019 narcotics investigation.

At a traffic stop, Oneonta police said, Mitchell ran away. A pistol, reported stolen, was discarded along the chase route, police said.

As for Holton, he was charged with possession of a controlled substance, cocaine, in an October 2019 arrest, also in Oneonta.

Both men were released on their own recognizance, with no bail set, as required under the state’s new bail reform.

“The problem with bail reform is that people like this are committing serious crimes, getting released, and then not showing up,” said Oneonta Police Chief Doug Brenner.

“It doesn’t bode well for someone who is carrying a weapon and selling dangerous narcotics,” the

Salka

Buttermann

chief said. “Who knows how many overdoses these guys have caused?”

Under bail reform, the court is tasked with notifying defendants of their upcoming trials. “We have to babysit them,” said Muehl.

Holton, he noted, had failed to appear in court five times, and had two prior felony convictions.

“Neither of them has ties to the area and both of them have failed to appear in court before,” said the district attorney.

“But we can’t take that into consideration.”

Muehl estimated the aborted trials – 60 jurors had already seated – cost county

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“The prosecution got everything together and no one showed,” said Brenner.

“By the time they catch the guy, it could be another year before trial. Memories fade, reports get old, officers retire or leave, so a case just gets weaker and weaker,” he said.

Assemblyman John Salka, R-Brookfield, has announced he will unveil Bill A11067 that, if passed, would “completely” repeal last year’s bail reform, at a press conference on Wednesday, Oct. 21, at the Madison County Courthouse.

“I have spoken with district attorneys, with law enforcement officers and they are so frustrated watching the people they arrest walk free before the paperwork is even finished,” he said. “In many cases, these people go on to re-offend and cause real pain in these communities.”

He also wants to give judges back their ability to set bail in cases where they believe it’s warranted.

“That’s what we elect judges to do,” he said.

His challenger, Dan Buttermann, Oneonta, said amendments to the original bill have already been made.

“We don’t need to repeal it, we need to fix it,” he said.

“We have to be continually looking for ways to make our communities safe, but also make sure the justice system is fair and balanced for all.”

Warrants for the arrests of Mitchell and Holton have been issued, and Muehl is confident they will be quickly located and arrested.

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OTSEGO.life

THURSDAY, October 22, 2020

REINVENTING

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PAGE B-1

ROOKS BBQ what’s fun

in Otsego County

BEST BETS

AllOTSEGO.life

James Cummings/

Frank Panzarella puts the finishing touches on his “Puking Pumpkin” at 14th annual Pumpkin Glow on the Village Hall steps.

Pumpkin Glow, Art In The Dark, Take-Out Turkey

AllOTSEGO.life

Jim Kevlin/

Amanda Calkins, left, and Danielle Dalton, both of Oneonta, take an order from Laura Page of Cooperstown.

Brooks has added three takeout windows to handle COVID-era demand at the venerable barbecue restaurant.

Landmark Adopts ‘Pick-It-Up, Take-It-In’ Approach This Week

By LIBBY CUDMORE ONEONTA

R

yan Brooks, thirdgeneration owner of Brooks BBQ is a man of his word.

“I made a promise to my grandma” – Frances Brooks, co-founder with husband Griffin – “that I was always going to keep this place going,” he said.

When the COVID threat shuttered the restaurant in March, he began innovating almost immediately to ensure the regional culinary landmark would make it through.

Brian Burger finds everything about horror movies scary, including the popcorn.

He marshalled a threevehicle fleet – his own included – and began delivery to homes and offices.

He offered take-out and curbside pickup with online ordering.

He moved waiters and waitresses onto the bottling line so that none of his employees had to go without a paycheck.

As the weather got warmer, he expanded outdoor dining by 50 seats, and added an outdoor restroom trailer that’s cleaned every 20 minutes.

W

Gio Curto, from Oneonta by way of Long Island, packs a takeout order. After conferring with his crew, Ryan Brooks added a second line to process the growing demand.

“We could serve 900-1,000 diners a day,” he said. “Folks didn’t stop coming, and we were so thankful for them for supporting us.”

And now, with the outdoor

dining season winding to a close and many of his army of loyal patrons still wary of dining indoors, he’s turning to “pick-itup, take-it-in,” a model that’s Please See BBQ, B3

HORRORS! But To Brian Burger, Fear Is Spice of Life

By LIBBY CUDMORE ONEONTA or Brian Burger, being a little bit spooked is essential to a good quality of life.

“Everything seems a little better after you’ve watched a horror movie,” he said. “It gets the blood pumping. You get more oxygen. And you feel better. The world seems a little nicer.”

F

Burger, a FOR-DO Club Oddysey assistant from Missouri, has amassed a collection of cult and hard-to-find horror movies – as well as making one of his own.

In 2014, after working as an Orlandobased location manager on such films as “Sydney White,” “The Final Destination” and “Burning Bright” – that one featured singer Meatloaf and had future “Tiger King” star Joe Exotic on set – Burger partnered with director Juan Ortiz to produce Please See HORRORS, B2

hat’s Halloween without the warm glow of a Jack-O-Lantern?

Carve your pumpkin, drop off in the morning, come back in the evening to see them all glow. 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25.

Cooperstown Village Library, 22 Main St., www.cooperstownart.com.

• Learn the secrets of the Fenimore Art Museum by lantern light with guides.

Limited to 8/tour, masks, pre-registration required.

6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, Cost, $14/non-member. LIBBY Fenimore Art Museum, CUDMORE Cooperstown. www. fenimoreartmuseum.org • Stuff of Dreams presents “An Evening of Lanford Wilson” with three short play. $10 allows you to stream any time over the weekend. Friday-Saturday, Oct 23-24. www. facebook.com/GEStevensOneonta/.

• Get a head start on Thanksgiving with a take-out roasted turkey dinner, complete with trimmings and homemade pie. 5 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 23, Middlefield Baptist Church, 121 Rezen Rd., Middlefield. Reservations (607) 547-9093 or (607) 264-8042.

• Join the Otsego County Conservation Association to help clean up a two-mile section of Route 80. Bags and safety gear provided, masks required. 8-11 a.m.

Saturday, Oct. 24. Presented by Otsego County Conservation Association. www. occainfo.org/calendar/highway-cleanup-9/ • Can you keep up with the Otego Spartans on a 5K run through Otego? $20 fee supports the athletic programs at Unatego Central School. 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25, American Legion Fields, Otego. www.spartanpride5khealthchallenge.itsyourrace.com/

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THURSDAY, October 22, 2020

Horror Movies Spice Of Life, Says Video Collector, Film Producer HORRORS/From B1 “Jennifer Help Us,” the first feature-length film shot entirely on an iPhone 4S. “We wanted to make something ourselves, but we had no money and no camera,” he said. “But we had a phone, so we decided to use that.”

The story follows a group of high school girls as they haze a fellow student, who then seeks revenge using a “haunted figure” involved in the town’s long-buried secret.

Because they knew they couldn’t match a professional camera’s look, they shot the film to look like horror movies from the ’70s and ’80s.

“We used the lower quality to our advantage,” he said. “That’s what a lot of these filmmakers did; they knew there would be quality loss on VHS, so a lot of times, when they’re restored on Blu-Ray, you can see the killer just standing there in the dark, where you wouldn’t have seen him before.”

He even mocked up a VHS cover for the movie.

The film played at

Italian horror classic “Suspiria.”

“They’re very interested in releasing it, but they want us to add 10 minutes in order for it to be on the shelves at Wal-Mart,” he said.

Burger grew up on horror movies. Like many kids, he saw his first, “Night of the Living Dead,” by sneaking out of bed one night. “I was intimately shook,” he said.

“I’ve always been looking for something that invokes feeling.”

A completethat Guide He beganto working as a locations manager after a collage internship, seeking out sets where crews could film.

“I did a film called Acalendar complete GuideZombies, to Zombies,’ Send items to‘Zombies, info@allotsego.com that we shot in a strip club Oneonta’s Brian Burger shows off his horror-movie that was set to be demolished,” he said. “We shot for video collection, which he shares with friends. a month, but no one told the demolition crew, and when national and international see a Blu-Ray release from they went in, there was festivals, including Another Synapse Films, company Sendacalendar items to info@allotsego.com blood everywhere.

Hole in the Head in San that specializes in cult film “They thought they’d Francisco and Freak Show restoration, including 1977’s in Orlando, as well as picking up the BloodGuts UK Horror Award.

“Jennifer Help Us” is available for free streaming on Vimeo, and may soon in OtsegO COunty

_________

AllOTSEGO.

dining&entertainment

24 beers on tap HappY HoUr

5 to 8 pm Mexican Mondays 1/2 off Mex DisHes Wed. 50¢ Wings thurs. 1/2 off DrinKs

5418 State Highway 28, Cooperstown • 607.282.4525

AmAzing Specials!

Wine Wednesday BOGO Happy Hour Friday 50% off all pizzas, well drinks & beer & wine BOgO Friday First Come, First Served 5 - 8 pm 11am-10pm daily • Closed Mondays

5438 State Hwy 28 • Cooperstown • 607.282.4031 • www.boccaosteria.com

Dining room open soon!

new york pizzeria 2 large plain pizzas $25* Tax included! Toppings extra

TAKE OUT Daily 11am-9:30pm

75 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown · 607-547-2930

Not valid w/other offers • 1 coupon per person

what’s fun _________ in OtsegO COunty _________ what’s fun in OtsegO COunty what’s fun _________ in OtsegO COunty _________ what’s fun what’s fun _______ in OtsegO COunty _________

►Thursday, Oct. 22

607-432-5407.

ART DISPLAY – 3 - 5:30 p.m.

Ghoulish art exhibit opens.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY – View ‘Legacy Artists: Figures 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. Volunteers in OtsegO COunty Plus’ featuring seasonal works aged 14+ are invited to help by artists Alice Hudson & construct 2 houses for famiLavern Kelley. Appointments, lies in need. No special skills Covid precautions required. required. Masks required.

McFarland Rd., Oneonta. 607- The Art Garage, 689 Beaver Meadow Rd., Cooperstown.

432-7874.

607-547-5327.

RABIES CLINIC – 9 - Noon.

TURKEY DINNER – 5 p.m.

Free rabies vaccination for Order delicious roast turkey cats, dogs, ferrets. Reservadinner with all the trimmings, tions required. First come, and homemade pies. first serve. Susquehanna Take-out only. Donations/ SPCA, Rt. 28, Cooperstown.

Reservations required.

607-547-4230.

Middlefield Baptist Church, BLOOD DRIVE – Noon - 5 121 Rezen Rd., Middlefield. p.m. Donate blood, help save To order call 607-547-9093 lives. Briggs Hall, Main Street or 607-264-8042.

Baptist Church, 333 Main St., Oneonta. 800-733-2767. ►Saturday, Oct. 24 VIRTUAL TOUR – 2 p.m.

Zoom walk-through of exhibit STREAMING – Theater. See ‘Pete Souza: Two Presidents, Friday listing.

One Photographer’ with phoADOPT-A-HIGHWAY – 8 - 11 tographer Kevin Gray. Free, a.m. Protect the environment registration required. Suggested donation $5. Fenimore by cleaning up 2-mile section of Rt. 80. Bags & safety gear Art Museum, Cooperstown. provided. Please dress for 607-547-1400. the weather. Masks required.

ART IN THE DARK – 6:30 Presented by Otsego County p.m. Tour galleries of folk art Conservation Association. & fine art by lantern light with 607-547-4488. guides. Learn some of the RUMMAGE SALE – 8 a.m. mysterious, untold stories - Noon. Find a little bit of behind the pieces & discover everything at Club Odyssey, secrets with ultraviolet light.

80 Water St., Oneonta.

Limited to 8/tour. Cost, $14/ HABITAT FOR HUMANITY non-member. Masks, pre-reg– 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. Volunteer istration required. Fenimore aged 14+. See Thursday Art Museum, Cooperstown. listing.

607-547-1400.

VOTE – 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Early WORD THURSDAY – voting begins. Meadows Office 7 - 9 p.m. Open mic followed Complex, 140 Co. Hwy. 33W, by featured poets recently Cooperstown. Visit www.otsepublished in ‘Seeing Things: gocounty.com/departments/ An Anthology of Poetry’. Preboard_of_elections/index.php sentation by Robert Bensen ART GALLERY GRAND and Pam Strother. Donations OPENING – 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. welcome. Zoom conversation presented by Bright Hills Press Owners Marjorie Landers and grandson Christopher & Literary Center, Treadwell.

Anderson open The Family 607-829-5055.

Tree Gallery featuring ten Cooperstown area artists. ►friday, October 23 Refreshments. 171 Main St., Cooperstown.

STREAMING – Theater COOPERSTOWN FARMERS returns with ‘An Evening of MARKET – 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Lanford Wilson’ featuring 3 Find food, crafts and more by plays performed by local aclocal growers, artisans. Wash tors. ‘Days Ahead,’ with Gary hands before entering, Stevens, ‘A Poster of the Cosmaintain social distance. Premos’ with Steve Dillon, & ‘The order and pickup available.

Moonshot Tape’ with Brooke 101 Main St., Pioneer Alley, Tallman-Birkett. Cost, $10 for 2-day streaming. Presented by Cooperstown. Rain or shine.

Info, www.facebook.com/CooStuff of Dreams Productions. perstownFarmersMarket/ ONEONTA FARMERS MARKET – 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Find locally produced food, crafts, more. Wash hands frequently, maintain social distancing.

Pre-order and pick-up available. Muller Plaza, Main St, Oneonta. Info, www.oneontafarmersmarket.com SHOE COLLECTION – 9 - Noon. Donate gently worn shoes to Oneonta High School Alumni Association for current charity project. Top level of Parking Garage, Market St., Oneonta. Visit www.facebook. com/OHSAlumniFundraising BOOK COLLECTION – 10 a.m. - Noon. Donate good- to excellent-condition books to be sold at next book sale to support your local library. Fair Street entrance to Village Hall, Cooperstown.

what’s fun _______

come across a murder scene and called the cops!”

He moved to Oneonta in 2019 to work at FOR-DO, the Friends of Recovery of Delaware-Otsego Club Odyssey, where he was invited by management to make his office into a comforting, self-care haven.

“My safe space growing up was the video store,” he said, “So now, my desk is a candy counter and I’ve got a wall of all the tapes I had in my basement.”

He even made fake signage, calling his office “IttyBiddy Video,” and lends his

videos, including essential Halloween watches like “Halloween III: Night of the Witch,” “Dark Night of the Scarecrow” and “April Fools Day” to friends and fellow horror enthusiasts.

And he hopes to connect with other horror filmmakers in the area, including having screenings of locally made horror films.

But you’ll have to work hard to scare him. “The older I get, the harder it is to scare me,” he admitted. “’Hereditary’ did that. Getting scared in a movie harkens back to being a kid.”

The

job scene

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

Family Planning OF SOUTH CENTRAL NEW YORK, INC. TM

CliniCian

Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant

Full time position (40 hrs/wk) in our Oneonta health center providing services to both women and men.

Women’s reproductive health care experience a plus, but not a requirement. Competitive salary and benefits, including full paid individual health and dental insurance.

Loan forgiveness available through HRSA Send resume to: shirley.hadley@fpscny.org or mail to: Family Planning, 117 Hawley St., Binghamton, NY 13901 EOE

Facility Manager/ Director of Operations Large facility in Gilboa, NY, seeking dynamic manager immediately.

Includes all general maintenance, and all other duties.

Fabulous work environment. Great team.

Excellent pay. Experience and resume required.

For all applications, please submit your resume and contact information to: chana.horowitz@oorah.org

Groundskeeper/ Manager Large, state of the art facility in Stamford, NY, Seeking a reliable and experienced Grounds Keeper/Manager for full time employment.

Knowledge of landscaping, fencing, plumbing and electrical is ideal for this position. Duties include: managing all Campus grounds, their maintenance and security. Resume preferred. Join our fabulous team in a beautiful country setting. Job includes free rent and wifi. Contact: Martino @ Martino.

Corto@oorah.org 607-644-6827

Join Our Team of Dedicated and Caring Professionals

WIC Nutritionist/ Breastfeeding Coordinator WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Residential Associates

at OFO shelters (PT-weekends; Subs-all shifts; Addl. shift pay for qualifying shifts)

FT Head Start Positions with school breaks & Summers off

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

www.ofoinc.org/jobs

EOE

The leader in developing innovative solutions to promote healthy lives, thriving families, and caring communities since 1966.

AllOTSEGO.life

THURSDAY, October 22, 2020

Brooks Initiates ‘Pick-It-Up, Take-It-In’

BBQ/From B1 become popular nationwide.

Ryan is active in national restaurant organizations, and at conventions he and other barbecue vendors seek out the most popular such establishments in the host cities.

“I’ve travelled to some of

the best barbeque restaurants in the country,” he said a few days ago at an interview in Brooks’ spacious dining hall at 5560 Route 7, “and every single one of them has a ‘pickit-up, take-it-in’ concept.”

It’s simple: order your food – either online or in person

– pick it up at one of the windows and take it inside to dine with your party – for now, at socially distanced tables, of course.

“It’s about being able to sit and eat with your friends,” he said. “It’s very relaxed, very back-to-basics.”

The

job scene

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

Gone are the self-serve salad bar, the beef bun and the sampler platter, where supply issues made getting the top round cuts difficult.

“We were even having trouble getting our take-out boxes,” he said. “If you came in once a week for a month, each time, you’d probably have a different manufacturer making the containers.”

The beef bun was replaced by brisket, which Brooks said has been a popular addition.

“It’s flying,” he said.

But that’s not the only change. “People were always disappointed that we didn’t serve beer,” he said. “The pairing of beer and barbeque is a natural.”

Partnering with Cooperstown Brewing Co., diners can order a can of their new “Third Man Ale” with their meal. The restaurant will also have beer on tap, as well as Sidney-based Awestruck hard cider and seltzer.

Three take-out windows have been added at the front of of the building – as takeout

AllOTSEGO.life

Jim Kevlin/

Proprietor Ryan Brooks holds up an “Imaginary Friends” sign, that will be set on tables to encourage patrons to maintain proper social distancing. multiplied with the New York Pause, lines multiplied too.

“We had one telephone line when this started,” he said.

“Now we have seven, and they are constantly ringing.”

The gift shop has also been expanded and moved from behind the main building to the front of the restaurant.

And if you’re looking for a familiar face, Phyllis O’Sullivan, Ryan’s aunt and waitress of 60-year tenure,

ONC BOCES LONG-TERM CLERICAL SUBSTITUTE Long-term clerical substitute position located at the Otsego Area Occupational Center in Milford. To begin on or about 11/25/20 – 2/16/21. Experience with school district clerical tasks preferred.

Application deadline: 10/30/2020 Please visit www.oncboces.org/jobs for complete job descriptions and application information.

Start NOW! Start TODAY! Carpenters...

Plumbers...

Your skills are needed right away!!

Large, State of the art facility in Gilboa, NY is seeking full-time employees immediately. Being multi-skilled is a big PLUS! Excellent place to work with rewarding pay.

Contact Toba Shifrin | 973-855-9639 Toba.Shifrin@thezone.org

ONC BOCES Teachers Support Staff Substitutes

Interested in a rewarding career working with children?

ONC BOCES has the job for YOU!

Requirements: high school diploma or equivalent; two years’ experience in residential construction with some supervisory experience; valid NYS driver’s license; good carpentry, supervisory, and problem solving skills.

Mon—Thur, 40 hrs. per week with benefits.

Applications and full instructions available at: www.ofoinc.org/jobs.

Print application and mail to: Opportunities for Otsego, Inc. 3 West Broadway Oneonta, NY 13820 See website for other ways to submit.

Equal Employment Opportunity MF/F/ Disability/ Protected Veteran Status

EOE

will still be up front to help serve her customers. “She’ll be right there when we open our doors,” he said.

Brooks worked alongside his kitchen crew on the busiest days. “It’s like being in a submarine,” he said. “We had to change the whole flow to two prep lines, and we incorporated a lot of their ideas to make it easier to work in there.

We learned so much about each other.”

At the bottling plant, he had to add a second shift to keep up with the demand for take-home sauces. “Our bottling business is up 110 percent,” he said. “We’ve got 50 people on the line.”

Brooks stopped the vaunted catering business in the spring, but he’s again reaching out to non-profits – which he recognized are also struggling – to partner for “drive-thru” dinners.

“Our catering is back up to six days a week,” he said. “We just did over 6,000 dinners for the health care workers at Albany Med, at cost.”

He paused, then went on: “70 years of history had to change in seven months,” he said. “But it’s time to rethink our process and update.”

Auto Mechanic FT/PT HOUSEKEEPING POSITIONS $12 per hour start

Apply in person 141 Courtyard Dr. • Oneonta 607-684-2000

Facilities associate

This is a 40 hour a week position. Will include holidays, weekends and other shift coverage as required. Benefit package includes paid vacation and holiday, health insurance and retirement option.

If interested please visit the employment section of our website, baseballhall.org/employment to complete an application.

For questions, please call Human Resources at 607-547-0207.

needed for our established Family Friendly general dentistry practice in Oneonta N.Y. Known for our quality care and exceptional staff, we are looking to add to our team a motivated and enthusiastic receptionist with some chairside responsiblities.

Candidate must be able to work independently as well as with a team, possess strong communication skills and be able to multitask. Dental experience a plus, but will train the right candidate.

Responsiblities include, but not limited to answering phones in a professional manner, scheduling appointments, greeting patients as they arrive, chairside assisting the doctors, taking x-rays, sterilizing instruments, clerical work, following office policies involving HIPAA and OSHA, checking out patients and taking payments.

Mostly 4 days a week, some 5 days.

No evenings or weekends.

GREAT POSITION FOR THE RIGHT PERSON!

eoe 3 Chenango Road, Edmeston 607-965-8377 pathfindervillage.org Speech-Language Pathologist: Pathfinder Village seeks an enthusiastic, creative, and collaborative speech pathologist to foster effective communication skills in students with a variety of developmental disabilities.

The speech pathologist will: Evaluate students’ communication disorders and make thoughtful recommendations; Develop and implement individualized education program (IEP) goals; Consult with staff and parents to support each students communication needs; Work collaboratively as part of an interdisciplinary team; Assess the efficacy of augmentative communication systems in supporting meaningful interactions and encouraging independence.

NYS certification as a Teacher of Students with Speech and Language Disabilities (TSSLD) required. NYS licensure as a Speech Language Pathologist and ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) preferred.

Music and Expressive Arts Specialist: Pathfinder Village is accepting applications for a full-time Music and Expressive Arts Specialist. Job duties include support of enrichment programming, primarily in music and expressive arts through a person-centered approach.

Hours include some evenings and weekends. Qualified individuals must possess a BS or BA preferably in music, a valid NY State driver’s license, and basic writing and computer skills.

Experience in the OPWDD field is preferred but not required. Pathfinder Village provides staff training from onsite clinicians and consultants specializing in supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Direct Support Professionals (Overnight and Day Shifts): Pathfinder Village presently has 12-hour Overnight and Day shift openings for Direct Support Professionals.

Primary responsibilities include providing direct care and residential guidance/supports for individuals living with intellectual and other disabilities within an open-access community setting. Additional duties involve advocating and supporting informed choices of individuals within the greater community. Strong record-keeping skills, local travel, flexibility, and a commitment to ongoing job training are required. No prior work experience is required.

Competitive wages and excellent benefits are offered. EEO. Apply online at pathfindervillage.org/employment or email your resumé to hr@pathfindervillage.org

Seeking a reliable and experienced mechanic. Large, State of the art facility in Stamford, NY. Excellent place to work with rewarding pay.

Contact Martino | 607-644-6827 Martino.corto@oorah.org

DENTAL RECEPTIONIST

The National Baseball Hall of Fame is currently hiring a full-time

Please visit www.oncboces.org/jobs for complete list of openings, job descriptions and application information.

EOE

ENERGY SERVICES CREW LEADER

B-3

Please drop off resume to: B. Aaronson, DDS & A. Thompson DMD, PC 53 Chestnut St, Oneonta, 13820 or email to: atdentaloneonta@gmail.com

The cooperstown central school district is seeking qualified candidates for the following positions: Athletic coordinAtor PT position requiring availability during the regular school day plus some after-school hours.

Annual stipend: $15,945 Bus driver PT, 10-month position w/competitive salary and benefits package. District incentives for reimbursement of cost for licensing requirements. speciAl educAtion teAcher suBstitute Assignment for a long-term period from on/about 11/2/20 – 3/29/21. Current certification in Students With Disabilities B-2 required & SWD Grades 1-6 preferred. suBstitutes – All AreAs Position details at www.cooperstowncs.org. interested candidates apply online at www.olasjobs.org/southern or in-person by 10/30/20 e.o.e.

B-4 THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL

THURSDAY, October 22, 2020

OBITUARIES

IN MEMORIAM

Darlene Rose Munson March 3, 1951 - Oct. 17,2020

MARYLAND – Darlene Rose North School of Arts and Munson, 69, passed away worked for a period of time at Oct. 17, 2020, at the family-owned home with her loving business, Munson’s family at her side.

Building Supplies.

She was born She enjoyed yoga March 3, 1951, in and meditation, Oneonta, the daughter artistry, softball, of Dominic and Betty candle making and (Rogers) Mastro. most of all being She married Steven a wife, mother F. Munson on July 18, and grandmother 1970, in Oneonta. spending time They celebrated their whenever she Darlene Rose 50th anniversary could with family.

Munson this year.

Visitation will be She is survived by 3 - 5 p.m. Sunday, her husband, Steve; her chilOct. 25, at the Lewis, Hurley dren, Shawn and wife, Tricia & Pietrobono Funeral Home, Munson, and Shaynon 51 Dietz St., Oneonta. Please Munson and boyfriend, wear a face cover, maintain Nate Miller; her grandchildren, social distancing and be Taylor, Jadyn, Morgan and prepared to wait to enter the Logan; her sister, Mickey building.

Eramo; and several nieces, Private services and internephews, and cousins. ment are planned at the MaryShe was predeceased by land Cemetery. her parents, Dominic and Donations may be made Betty Mastro and her brother, to the St. Jude’s Children Denny Mastro.

Research Hospital, 501 St. Through her life she acJude Place, Memphis, TN complished becoming a Certi38105, www.stjude.org fied Cosmetologist, Certified Expressions of sympathy Emergency Medical Technimay be sent to, www.lhp cian (EMT) attended the Bruce funeralhome.com

Victor Salvatore, Jr., 98; Challenged Doubleday Myth COOPERSTOWN – Victor Salvatore, Jr., of Sarasota, Fla., a Marine during World War II, and a newspaperman and executive who helped establish Abner Doubleday’s founding of baseball locally as myth, died peacefully at home on Oct. 6, 2020.

He was born Dec. 6, 1921, to Victor Salvatore and Ellen Ashfordbye Ryerson Salvatore.

His father was a sculptor who was born in Italy and came to New York as a child. His works are represented in The Metropolitan Museum of Art; “The Sandlot Kid” and “James Fenimore Cooper” are Cooperstown landmarks.

Victor’s maternal grandfather, Arthur Larned Ryerson, an American businessman, perished on the Titanic in 1912. His grandmother, Emily Borie Ryerson, was a Titanic survivor.

Victor attended The Forman School, Deerfield Academy the University of Virginia, and Princeton.

article, which marshaled the argument, now universally accepted, that the story of Abner Doubleday founding baseball in Cooperstown was a myth.

A voracious reader, he amassed a large collection of books and an encyclopedic range of knowledge.

Although he lived in many places (New York City, Washington D.C., Golden’s Bridge in Westchester County, Middletown, Conn., and most recently Sarasota.) he returned to Swanswick, the family’s historic home on Otsego Lake, virtually Victor Salvatore Jr. with his father’s “James every summer all his life.

Fenimore Cooper.”

Located adjacent to the Otsego Golf Club He was a veteran of the (with which his family Marine Corps in WW2, was associated since its serving on Iwo Jima and founding in 1894; he served in China. on its board for many years), His career in journalism this was a perfect place for as a newspaper reporter such an avid golfer. spanned the Washington He was very generous Post, the Hartford Courant, Wesleyan University, and the and enabled his daughters to ski, horseback ride, golf and Westchester Patent Trader. play tennis. In his later years He was a frequent conwas one fine backgammon tributor to The Freeman’s player.

Journal, and authored He was predeceased by an American Heritage

his two sisters, Vittoria Salvatore Demarest and Elena Salvatore Raymond. He is survived by his beloved wife Martha McGowan, his daughters Ellen Salvatore Cunningham, Andrea Salvatore Hook, and Joy Salvatore, as well as numerous grandchildren and greatgrandchildren.

A memorial service will be held in Cooperstown when circumstances allow.

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Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home will take the time to find out what made your loved one special.

Whether it’s finding just the right flowers, or finding a musician to play her favorite tunes on her old guitar, we’ll do what’s necessary to make her service as unique as she was.

Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home 14 Grand Street, Oneonta • 607-432-6821 www.grummonsfuneralhome.com

Legal

Legal

Legal nOtice Notice of formation of Winding Trails Farm LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 09/21/2020.

Office location: Otsego County.

SSNY is designated for services of process. SSNY shall mail a copy of any process served against the LLC to 2804 Gateway Oaks Dr #100 Sacramento, CA 95833.

Purpose: any lawful purpose 6LegalNov.26 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of a NY Limited Liability Company Name: MONDAY THROUGH SUNDAY, LLC Articles of Organization filing date with Secretary of State (SSNY) was 8 October 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 196 Lefferts Ave,

Floor 2, Brooklyn, NY 11225.

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

6LegalNov.26 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of

Legal

Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of COOPERSTOWN HOLDINGS, LLC

Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 8/26/2020.

Office in Otsego Co. SSNY desig. agent of LLC whom process may be served.

SSNY shall mail process to PO Box 11, Gilbertsville, NY 13776.

Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

6LegalNov.26

Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 10/07/20.

Office location: Otsego County.

SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to c/o Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 122072543, regd. agent upon whom and at which process may be served.

Purpose: Any lawful activity.

6LegalNov.19

Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of

Legal nOtice

Notice of Formation of

Saddlebag Lake, LLC.

Bethany Lake House LTPS LLC.

Art. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 10/13/2020.

Office: Otsego County.

SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, 343 Main Street, Oneonta, NY 13820.

Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

6LegalNov.26

Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 8/10/2020.

Office: Otsego County.

SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, at 50 North Clark Avenue, Somerville, NJ 08876.

Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

CAIRNGORM BOTHIES LLC

Legal

LEGALS Legal

6LegalNov.19

Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of

Notice of Formation of a NY Limited Liability Company.

Cooperstown Creamery LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 7/12/20.

Office: Otsego County.

SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, PO Box 1224, Cooperstown, NY 13326.

Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

6LegalNov.12 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of 23 OTSEGO LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 09/29/20.

Office: Otsego County.

SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, 34-18 Northern Boulevard, Suite 319, Long Island City, NY 11101.

Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

6LegalNov.12 Legal nOtice

CLEARVIEW OF HARTWICK PROPERTIES LLC. Articles of Organization filing date with Secretary of State (SSNY) was 29 September 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 PO Box 253, Hartwick, NY 13348.

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

6LegalNov.12 Legal nOtice

Notice of Formation of Julie-Jo Stanton Coaching, LLC. Filed A.O. 9/18/2020.

Office: Otsego County.

SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to LLC, 458 Miller Rd, New Berlin, NY 13411.

Legal

Our historic Family Room

Our Chapel comfortably seats over 200.

George M. Tillapaugh (1888-1913) · Revo and Anna Tillapaugh (1913-1958) George G. and Marjorie Tillapaugh (1935-1988) · Martin H. Tillapaugh (1988-Present)

dignity · tradition · continuity 28 Pioneer Street, cooPerStown • 607-547-2571 Proudly serving area families since 1888

Legal

Purpose: any lawful purpose.

6LegalNov.5

NY 13326.

Purpose: General.

6LegalNov.5

Legal nOtice

Legal nOtice

Notice of Formation of a NY Limited Liability Company

Notice of Formation of

Name:

Filed 9/14/20.

Office: Otsego Co. SSNY desig. as agent for process & shall mail to: 209 Main St, Oneonta, NY 13820.

Purpose: General.

6LegalNov.5

CLASSIC CANOES LLC Articles of Organization filing date with Secretary of State (SSNY) was 2 September 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 155 Saddlebrook Ct, Cooperstown, NY 13326.

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

6LegalNov.5 Legal nOtice

Notice of Formation of Ally Quirk Brand LLC. Filed 9/21/20.

Office: Otsego Co. SSNY desig. as agent for process & shall mail to: Allyson Quirk, 84 Lake St, Cooperstown,

Oneonta Optical LLC.

Legal nOtice

Notice of Formation of Robinsons Woodworking And Construction LLC. Filed 8/18/20.

Office: Otsego Co. SSNY desig. as agent for process & shall mail to: 3309 County Hghwy 11, Hartwick, NY 13348.

Purpose: General.

6LegalNov.5 Legal nOtice

Notice of Formation of 225 LAKESHORE LODGE, LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 9/23/20.

Office in Otsego Co.

Legal

SSNY desig. agent of LLC whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail process to 223 Lakeshore Drive North, Maryland, NY 12116, which is also the principal business location.

Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

6LegalNov.5 Legal nOtice

Notice of formation of a Limited Liability Company (LLC) Name: Shooting Stars Tactical Company, LLC Articles of Organization filed by the Department of the State on: 08/03/20 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 3 Miles Ave Ste 2 Oneonta NY 13820.

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

6LegalOct.29 Legal nOtice

Notice of Formation of BBC 24, LLC.

Legal

Articles of Organization were filed with the NY Secretary of State on 08/26/2020.

The office of the LLC is to be located in Otsego County.

The Secretary of State has been designated as 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 it to: The LLC, 5560 State Highway 7, Oneonta, NY 13820.

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

6LegalOct.29 Legal nOtice

Notice of Formation of Hussar Holdings LLC. Arts of Org filed with Sec of State of NY (SSNY) on June 15, 2020 Office Location: Otsego County.

SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall may process to Stanislaw Kowalczyk, Jr., 864 Franklin Mountain Road, Otego, New York 13825.

Purpose: any lawful purpose.

6LegalOct.29

►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.

THURSDAY, October 22, 2020

‘Public AND Private’ Mask Mandate Causes Rare Veto

MASKS/From A1 “However, I do not believe this ordinance will achieve that purpose, and I will exercise my right to veto this law,” he said.

The law, modeled on the state’s executive order requiring people to wear masks in all “public and private indoor and outdoor locations” when they cannot socially distance, passed at the Tuesday, Oct. 6, meeting of Common Council on a 5-2 vote along party lines, with one abstention.

At a public hearing

Dave Weaver

Tuesday evening, many of the comments voiced support for wearing masks in public, but balked at the language that required masks to be worn in private homes.

Kevin Perch, a SUNY Oneonta senior who sits on the city’s Control Room and serves as chief of staff for the student association, was among those expressing concerns.

“I advocate for wearing masks wholeheartedly,” he said. “I’ve mulled back and forth the past couple of

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days, and ultimately came to a decision – enforcing masks on streets and in business is appropriate, but I do not think that the legislation that is on table is one I want to see signed into law.”

Conversely, Steve Londner, in a letter to Common Council, expressed concern that the ordinance left open too many possibilities for spread of COVID-19.

“There’s an exception in the law that says a person playing a sport doesn’t have to wear one,” he said. “But if the intent is to limit the spread, it seems odd that a group of students talking quietly needs masks, but a group playing basketball and panting does not.”

Fran Colone also wrote a letter. “The required enforcement on private property is excessive,” he said. “If I’m mowing my lawn and my neighbor stops to chat, are we both

ticketed? How crazy is that?”

Bill Waller, Cooperstown, attended the meeting to share his experience with the law Cooperstown passed this summer.

“Our sidewalks were so narrow that the social distancing was forcing people into the street,” he said. “We mandated masks on Main Street, and we’ve issued a few tickets, but overall, it was a successful, mask-wearing summer.”

He also clarified how the “private home,” language came to be. “It is my understanding that this is for places like New York City, where buildings include areas like vestibules and lobbies,” he said. “They’re private homes, but public spaces.”

Only one letter writer, Rhonda Zuk, disagreed with the entire law.

“It violates our civil rights,” she wrote. “We are no longer in a State of

Emergency, and only seven people died. It’s clearly not a deadly threat in Otsego County, but government overreach is a threat to all Americans. You took an oath to uphold the constitution, so do your job and protect our freedoms.”

At the end of public comment, Herzig echoed the speakers concerns. “If you’re walking down Main Street without a mask on and someone walks out of a store in front of you, you’re in violation of the law,” he said. “But we can’t expect the police to follow someone down the street and wait to ticket them.”

Herzig said that he would sign an ordinance that required masks in the business district.

“That is where it is most needed,” he said. “If we can move forward with an ordinance that addresses our area of greatest risk, it has my support.”

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AllOTSEGO.life

B-5

‘Savagery’ On Plaque Questioned MURPHY/From A1 and opened the westward pathway of civilization.”

“It implies that the Haudenosaunee people were wiped out,” Murphy said.

“And while the Sullivan expedition did kill many of them, they are still here.

We even have the Iroquois Indian Museum in Schoharie County.”

And he said he was horrified by the use of “savagery.”

“It has some pretty Murphy overtly racist language,” said Murphy. “It perpetuates a lot of harmful stereotypes.”

The plaque was installed in 1912 by the local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

The council member reached out to the DAR and representatives of the Iroquois people for guidance.

“We owe it to ourselves to be accurate about history,” he said.

Mayor Gary Herzig said, to his knowledge, this is the first time anyone has brought the plaque’s language to City Hall’s attention.

In June, Cooperstown Trustee MacGuire Benton raised concerns about signs at Council Rock on Otsego Lake, which refers to the park as “meeting place of the Indians.”

At the time, Benton was concerned that the use of the word “Indian” on the 1930s-era signage was “racially insensitive,” but later Trustee Rich Sternberg withdrew the proposal after discovering many Native Americans don’t object to the term.

“What Luke is doing is shared with a good heart and intentions,” said Benton.

“It’s a matter of reflecting history honestly and giving people the dignity they deserve.”

Murphy, a liaison to the city’s Commission on Community Relations and Human Rights, said he’ll bring it up at the Thursday, Oct. 22, meeting.

“I applaud Luke for the way he’s going about it,” Herzig said. “He wants to encourage a dialogue and hear perspectives, then take it to the Commission and then to Council.”

If the Commission votes to forward it to Common Council, it can vote to remove it, replace it or leave it as it is. “Because it is on City property, it falls under the purview of Common Council,” said the mayor.

But Murphy doesn’t just want to see it removed – he wants to see it replaced.

“We’ve seen a lot of monuments come down, but I’d rather see new interpretation in its place.”

B-6

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