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Cooperstown, New York, Thursday, October 29, 2015
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First Thoreau, Now Eklund Fracking Foe, New Lisbon Town Board Member’s Liberty At Risk In Seneca Lake Protests By JIM KEVLIN
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n 1849, Henry David Thoreau, dismayed by slavery and the Mexican War, argued conscience requires citizens to exercise “civil disobedience” against laws they consider unjust. Over the next century,
The Freeman’s Journal
For years, drivers have experienced filling-jarring jolts at the rail crossing at Walnut Avenue’s west end. Friday, Oct. 23, the village and Charlotte Valley & Cooperstown Railroad collaborated on repairs. Here, Street Superintendent Mitch Hotaling smooths asphalt; Chris Satriano helps.
Ugly Sweater Contest Back For 2nd Year
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he “Rockin’ Around Cooperstown Ugly Sweater Run and Walk” is back for a second year, with walkers and runners stepping off at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, from Santa’s Cottage in Pioneer park. Prizes will be given for ugliest sweater and team with ugliest sweaters. “After last year’s success, we hope this event becomes a staple,” said Matt Hazzard, executive director of the Cooperstown Chamber of Commerce, which is sponsoring the event with the Clark Sports Center. DEDICATION: With a donor reception, the $1.2 million Dr. William F. Streck Community Health Center, at Pathfinder Village will open Friday, Nov. 6. FILM DAYS NEAR: Glimmerglass Film Days, on the theme “Sacred Places,” returns Nov. 5-9/SEE B2 FALL BACK: Daylight Saving Time ends at 2 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 1. Turn your clocks back one hour.
Thoreau’s words influenced Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King. In the past few weeks, Bob Eklund, the fracking foe and New Lisbon Town Board member, has similarly responded to conscience’s call. Engaged in the fight against the use of fossil fu- Bob Eklund joins the els, Eklund has become the ranks of Thoreau, Gandhi.
first – and so far, the only – protester from Otsego County to be arrested objecting to plans to store liquefied propane in the salt mines under Seneca Lake. During the anti-fracking fight, Eklund got to know Sandra Steingraber, the environmental activist. After Governor Cuomo declared
a fracking ban last December, Steingraber turned her attention to Houston-based Crestwood Midstream Partners’ plant north of Watkins Glen. Eklund saw Steingraber’s “We Are Seneca Lake” movement and fracking as part of a piece. Please See EKLUND, A3
Water Park Plan Due NEXT Month $160 Million Project Might Add 600 Jobs
MV500’s Plan Gives Details Of Investment Editor’s Note: Page 98 of the MV500 plan, “Sparking Transformation,” contained this description of the proposed local water park.
By JIM KEVLIN
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tsego Now has contracted with a consultant, Hotel & Leisure Advisors of Cleveland, ooperstown Destination Ohio, to complete a feasibilWaterpark: A Fourity study on a $160 million Season International indoor-outdoor waterpark Attraction. to be located somewhere Currently, Otsego County is working with a developer between Cooperstown and to construct a $160 Million Oneonta. indoor-outdoor waterpark The report may be combetween Cooperstown and plete within a month. Oneonta. “It’s fairly far along. The 400-suite resort They got a draft to us,” said – featuring 85,000-squareOtsego Now COO Elizabeth feet of indoor waterpark Horvath, adding, “There are and 43,000-square-feet of a number of properties that outdoor waterpark – expands have been identified, but the options for families staySix Flags photo none that have been anaing in the region for youth baseball camps, provides an Six Flags Great Escape Lodge in Lake George has a indoor water park of the lyzed.” Please See PLAN, A3 type being proposed in a $160 million indoor-outdoor water park between “This is the largest such Oneonta and Cooperstown. Please See PARK, A3
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‘Courthouse Area,’ Leatherstocking Might Be Next To Get Paid Parking COOPERSTOWN
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illage trustees, meeting Monday, oct. 26, discussed the “courthouse area” and Leatherstocking Street as the next frontiers for paid parking, and perhaps revisiting River Street. Currently, both streets, located
next to the county office building, have all-day free parking. The discussion ensued after Trustee Cindy Falk, Streets Committee chair, reported record revenues of $383,347.55 generated by the 20 Pay & Display machines operational during the season that ended Columbus Day Weekend.
Richfield Wind Farm Reborn Candidate’s Stance Will Be Challenged At Oct. 30 Debate By DON MATHISEN RICHFIELD SPRINGS
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f elected, Richfield town supervisor, Republican candidate Paul Palumbo said he will revive quiescent negotiations with the Monticello Hills LLC wind farm developer.
Palumbo said he’ll “seek 50 percent more money from the developer.” But incumbent supervisor Fran Enjem, who is seeking reelection on the United Liberty ballot line, said he’ll kill the project if voters return him to office. “I’m not in favor of it because Please See WINDMILLS, B7
THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA, OTSEGO COUNTY’S LARGEST PRINT CIRCULATION 2010 WINNERS OF The Otsego County Chamber/KEY BANK SMALL BUSINESS AWARD