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Cooperstown’s offiCial newspaper
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VISIT www.AllOTSEGO.com, OTSEGO COUNTY’S DAILY NEWSPAPER/ONLINE Volume 212, No. 49
COOPERSTOWN AND AROUND
Cooperstown, New York, Thursday, December 10, 2020
Newsstand Price $1
‘Critical Point’ Nears Record 17 Hospitalized In County LeCates: ‘Important Moment’ By LIBBY CUDMORE COOPERSTOWN
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eidi Bond warned us. “I’d say 50 percent of our cases are coming from Thanksgiving,” she said. “We knew this was coming, but it
doesn’t make it easy.” As of Tuesday, Dec. 8, with a new record of 17 hospitalizations and 134 active cases of COVID19, Bond told the county board’s Health & Education Committee her staff is working “overtime and weekends” to keep up with the ever-rising Bond Zooms warn county Please See COVID, B3 reps: It’s getting worse.
By LIBBY CUDMORE COOPERSTOWN
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s COVID numbers continue to rise throughout the county, Dr. William LeCates, Bassett Hospital president, says that the hospital is prepared for the demand. “We have the ability to
SHOWCASING CHRISTMAS
The Freeman’s Journal
The display that’s returned to 76 Chestnut St. again begs the question: Has Santa been naughty or nice this year.
65 gift Cards Stolen From Food Pantry RICHFIELD SPRINGS
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Grinch stole 65 Price Chopper gift cards worth $2,500 from a locked box at the Richfield Springs Food Pantry inside the Church of Christ Uniting, according to State Police. The gift cards, said Trooper Aga Dembinska, were to be distributed by the church to help families in need to purchasing holiday meals. An emergency exit was also broken open, but Dembinska said troopers were unsure if that’s how the thief entered the church. Anyone with information is asked to call (607)561-7400. FULL COVID STORIES ON
AllOTSEGO.com ►HOF’S TAYLOR SPINK AWARD goes to Dick Kaegel. ►rocky depicted on Frontier Airline’s plane. ►it must be christmas, as the Clark Foundation’s brightly lit tree is illuminated at Grassland Farms. ►HARTWICK KIDS (of all ages) welcome Santa. ►lantern tours begin, at The Farmers’ Museum ►COOPERSTOWN MAYOR warns staff of “phishing” attempts ►DEMOCRATS MIFFED, but three cross line to vote for Mickle staff.
expand recovery areas,” he said in an interview. “Hospitals have to have these plans in LeCates place. We’re seeing an increasing number Please See LeCATES, B3
FUND DRIVE GOAL: $40K
‘Code Blue’ Fears Spur Shelter Idea By JIM KEVLIN ONEONTA
►TO DONATE, write “warming station” in check’s memo line and send to Main Street Baptist Church 333 Main St. Oneonta 13820
M Jim Kevlin/The Freeman’s Journal
Always notable, the Christmas window displays in L.J. and Wayne Alexander’s L.J. ‘s Sassy Boutique on 165 Main St. is eliciting even more remarks than usual. It’s a family tradition, said L.J. pointing out one ornament: “My mother bought it in The Bronx, where we lived, before I was born.”
Day Of Decision Nears On Gun-Sanctuary Vote Legal Opinion Expected; Resolution In Hand By JIM KEVLIN COOPERSTOWN
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ending a legal opinion on proposed gunsanctuary status for Otsego County, members of the county board’s Public Safety & Legal Affairs Committee are expected to consider a resolution on the matter when it meets at noon Thursday, Dec. 10. “I haven’t seen that opin-
►FOR OUTCOME of county’s Public Safety Committee meeting Thursday, Dec. 10, check
AllOTSEGO.com
ain Street Baptist Church has stepped up to provide a home shelter on “Code Blue” nights this winter, when temperatures are below freezing, or the wind chill makes it feel that way. The only obstacle is $40,000-50,000 – a one-time sum needed to enable Catholic Charities to run the program. Once it gets going, the state will fund it. Please See CODE BLUE, B3
GOAL: FIX NOTRE DAME de PARIS
‘Mary’s Plan’ Mailed To President Macron’s Desk By JIM KEVLIN ONEONTA
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y the time you read this, “Mary’s Plan” for the redevelopment ion,” county Rep. Andrew Stammel, D-Oneonta, a PSLA of Notre Dame de Paris may be on the desk of France’s member and an attorney, said Monday, Dec. 7. “The president, Emmanuel Macron. “We’re going to print this goal was to have us review plan on beautiful paper and it prior to our meeting.” County Rep. Rick Brock- send it directly to the palace” – the Palais de l’Élysée – way, R-West Laurens, who Please See GUNS, B5 “with beautiful photos,” said Jim Belleau and his Please See BELLEAU, A3 plans for Notre Dame. www.
Outpouring Helps Buoy ‘Angel Tree’ By LIBBY CUDMORE ONEONTA
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es, there are more families in need of Christmas cheer. But Salvation Army Capt. Selah Bender can report, there are many more angels to help make the season merry. Take the Angel Tree program, where shoppers can Please See ARMY, A3
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, December 10, 2020
LOCALS Sgt. Stegen Aids COVID Relief Effort
************************************ SiLvERAdo TRuCk FoR SALE
Hartwick Welcomes The Clauses
2019 Silverado. 18,000 miles. Extra large bed and cab. Trailer lights and wiring. Full Tire Warranty.
Always been in Florida. No Rust! Will fly buyer to FL to pick up. Call 941-445-7744.
RICHFIELD SPRINGS
S
gt. Brian Stegen, Richfield Springs, received a commander’s challenge coin for exemplary service with the task force COVID-19 response efforts. Stegen, who is normally assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry, has supported the Task Force COVID missions at the Oneida test site for the past seven months. He was lauded during ceremonies held in the Capital Region and Central New York, Nov. 11-12, 2020. Soldiers and Airmen continue to help staff 15 COVID-19 drive-in test sites located across the state from Long Island to Buffalo. As of Nov. 20, personnel helped administer 802,000 tests at those locations. Another enduring mission is the assembly of COVID19 test kits in support of the New York State Department of Health. Guard Soldiers and Airmen have assembled 4,390,000 COVID-19 test kits for distribution across the state. HOLOHAN TOPS: Delaney Kate Holohan of Cooperstown, a sophomore majoring in engineering and management, was named to the Dean’s List for the fall 2020 semester at Clarkson University. TEAM UNDEFEATED: Ray Hovis, Henry Wager, Theo Ignatovsky, Nate Savoie, Gareth Austin, Brayden White, Alex Bohler, Ollie Wasson, Max Jones and Frederick Hodgson finished undefeated in the first official Quiz Team tournament competition on Saturday, Nov. 21.
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FLOOR STORE
The Holidays Are Just Around the Corner Are your floors up to par?
“Wow” Your guests with a new floor!
We have floor coverings for every style and budget. 4316 County Hwy 11 Cooperstown 607-547-6038 krazytoms.com info@cfbsales.com SinCe 1962
Jim Kevlin/The Freeman’s Journal
The Pooles – dad Luke, mom Alicia, son Ian, 16, and daughter Claire, 5 – wait Saturday, Dec. 5, for the Clauses to pass by their Wells Avenue home in Hartwick’s Christmas parade. Luke reports the size of the display indicates it was a pretty warm fall; it’s hard to install once the ground freezes. Inset, the Chung family, mom Kristen, son Brody, 1½, and dad Matt (in the passenger seat) drove over from Cooperstown to enjoy the fun.
Open weekdays: 9 am to 5:30 pm Saturday: 9 am to 4 pm After hours by appt. Closed Sunday
Be a Pen Pal! A program for students and seniors!
Otsego County Office for the Aging is partnering with local school districts to launch a Pen Pal Project between seniors and students during this time of increased isolation. We will pair an older adult with a local student who will exchange letters to increase socialization and reduce boredom and loneliness.
Seniors: Connect with students on a personal level; share your life experiences with each other; combat loneliness and boredom. Students: Share your life experiences with older adults; develop skills in reading and writing; develop relationships
For more info, call 607-547-4232 | email aginginfo@otsegocounty.com
What do I do if cancer hits close to home? Receive the highest level of cancer care and turn cancer into answers. A cancer diagnosis comes with lots of complicated terminology—and so many complex questions. At Bassett Healthcare Network, our nationally accredited team of experts helps turn cancer into answers. Comprehensive Cancer Care
Bassett.org/Answers
THURSDAY, December 10, 2020
THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA A-3
Oneontan Sends Notre Dame Roof Plans To Palais d’Elysee And French President
An artist’s rendering shows Jim Belleau’s plan for Notre Dame’s roof and spires, left, compared with the room before the April 15, 2019, fire.
BELLEAU/From A1 Jim Belleau, as he prepared to mail the material earlier this week; it is also being sent via email. Packets are also en route to the Pope, and to the French Ministry of Culture, said Belleau, owner of Principally Prints, the Chestnut Street framing shop. In his view, the Oneontaborn plan will come to Macron’s view at the optimal time: “The cathedral is gutted, ready to be repaired.” The iconic cathedral was damaged by fire on April 15, 2019, its wooden roof trusses burned and the upper part of the cathedral’s walls weakened. Belleau, who is spiritually inclined, said he’d pledged a life of service to St. Mary during a visit to Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine during a 2017 trip to France. A year ago, it came to him: He was being called to design “Mary’s Plan” for the cathedral as a result of that pledge. By summer, the plan had taken shape. “The primary element is the pyramid, planned on top of the crucifix of the roof of the cathedral,” he said, noting that all cathedral roofs are cross-shaped. The pyramid – as well as new spires on the bell towers – would likely be made of a form of plexiglass, milled to the color of the Parisian sky at noontime, and the Smart Lighting would maintain that color throughout 24 hours. “Thus, Mary’s blue will become the beacon of the 21st century,” he said. I.M. Pei’s pyramid is
nearby at the Louvre, and the similar concepts will reinforce each other. The Oneonta plan only focuses on the roof and spires. A multi-billion dollar plan for the complete renovation of the Medieval cathedral, built in 1163-1345, was approved by Macron on July 9. In 2008, Belleau had written a book on Bob Marley, and in August he reached out to Junior Marvin, lead guitarist for The Whalers, Marley’s band, for guidance on publicizing the effort. Marvin arranged for him to meet Jonathan Silver of Cumulus Media in New York City, which designed the “Mary’s Plan” Facebook page and accompanying website. “We’re getting a strong reaction in Paris,” Belleau said, which he welcomes: It puts the concept in the public eye. From his experience at Lourdes, Belleau had concluded the world, to date, has been “oppositive – good, bad; tall, short; beginning, ending. Duality is a tough game to play; it’s a difficulty way to live life.” His understanding of Mary’s message, he said, is to escape that duality. Faced with conflict, adherents should step back and find the middle way that suits them best. For the time being, Belleau is seeking to publicize Mary’s Plan to the degree he can, seeking media outlets here and in Europe. “I want to expose as many people to this event as possible so the people who feel the importance of this
can really get behind it,” he said. If it’s meant to happen, it will, he says philosophically. “This is not between me and the world,” he said, “but between Mary and the world.”
WE’RE ALMOST THERE! We can do this together!
Let’s all pitch in to keep our community healthy while a vaccine is getting approved!
Wash hands frequently!
Wear facemasks always!
AllOTSEGO.com
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is outfitted with scan-code so you can make a donation directly using Google or Apple Pay. “It looks up your zip code and donates to the local Salvation Army.” At Walmart, shoppers also have the option of rounding up their spare change at the checkout. “That’s great for people who are doing the curbside pickup,” she said. “We’ve had a lot of help this year.” And with the abundance from the Angel Tree, families will still be able to collect toys for their children, but instead of in one large gathering, families will sign up for a time to pick up their gifts, and they will be loaded into the car. Similarly, the annual holiday food baskets are being discontinued. “Our volunteers are so limited, and we don’t have the college students to help sort,” she said. “It was a hard decision to make.” But the captain sees this as a blessing in disguise. “We’re directing the people who normally get a holiday basket to our food pantry,” she said. “It’s more of a bridge than just seeing them on one day, we can continue having conversations about their needs, and they have access to the food pantry more long-term.” And they still have both frozen turkeys and store vouchers for turkeys for anyone who might need the centerpiece of their holiday meal. Families can sign up online, and, like the toy distribution, food distributions are by drive-up only, by appointment. “Anyone who needs food can get food,” she said.
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ARMY/From A1 pluck a tag off a tree with the name of a child in need of a Christmas present. “We’ve had entire Angel Trees emptied almost as soon as we put them up,” Bender said. “We’ve had to go out and put more tags on them. We’ve had some really inspirational donors this year.” The captain and her husband, David, six-year veterans of the Salvation Army, arrived in Oneonta in August from northern Kentucky in the midst of the COVID-19 threat, and had to adjust. “Kettles have been a challenge since day one,” she said. “We weren’t sure we were going to be able to do them, but finally, the grocery stores all said yes.” Getting volunteers also proved difficult, so Selah has put the form on www. salvationarmy.org. “You can register for an hour or two, or if you’re a group, sign up for the whole day,” she said. Volunteers have to wear a mask, have no COVID symptoms and step back when people drop money in the kettle, she said. Some familiar faces have been recruited, including Nick Whitehead, who mans sites around Oneonta. But for those who looked forward to hearing him sing while he rings, new regulations have shushed him this season. This year, the local post is hoping to raise $35,000, down from the usual $60,000. “Because we started late, we had people calling up to say they were bringing a check by,” she said. In addition to throwing in your spare change, each kettle
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Perspectives
THURSDAY, December 10, 2020
A-4 THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL EDITORIAL
3 Democrats Prove They Believe In Bipartisanship
Let’s Call It: ‘Profiles In Fairness’
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t’s a bit of a Christmas story, The Admin Committee, 3-1, coming out of the Otsego on party lines, then approved County Board of RepresentaMickle, (who, aside from the tives, of all things. controversy, appears to be an It involves at least four of able candidate). Without Admin Pope Gregory’s “Seven Virtues” approval, Democrats needed – Charity, Patience, Kindness a 2/3rd majority to have their and Equanimity. (The Seven candidate even considered by Deadly Sins, of course, have a the full board. higher profile.) For a while, it looked like illFamously, talk is cheap, when will and recriminations would Martini Marietta Stammel it comes to bipartisanship (and be the gifts under the county generally). But three county Christmas tree this year. trap that could have lost them majority representatives – Andrew Marietta, • control for only the second time since Andrienne Martini and Andrew StamThe Republicans, it seems, hadn’t the Board of Representatives was mel – talked that talk AND walked that created in the early 1970s. fully considered how this might play out: walk in recent days. With Oberacker’s seat vacant, neither No need to relive every particular, The winner: Objective governance party had a majority under the county’s but when state Sen.-elect Peter for the good of all 59,493 of us, complicated weighted-voting system. Oberacker resigned Monday, Nov. 16, Republicans, Democrats, ConservaSo neither party could fill the the Republicans fast-tracked the tives, Working Family Party member, vacancy without at least one vote succession. small “i” and Big “I” i(I)ndependents, from the other party. Democrats only found out about Libertarians, etc. And the Democrats, at least some of plans to seat Oberacker’s hand-picked • them, were incensed, and in no mood successor, Jennifer Mickle, the day By the county board’s December to play nice. before the Thursday, Nov. 19, Adminmeeting on the 2nd, it was clear the If the vacancy stood, the Repubistration Committee meeting, too late Republicans had put themselves in a Please See EDITORIAL, A5 to come up with their own candidate.
VIEW FROM ALBANY
‘...L eaving that district without representation for year…doesn’t sit well.’ Editor’s Note: These were the comments from county Rep. Adrienne Martini, D-Oneonta, prior to voting for the Republican nominee to succeed state Sen.-elect Peter Oberacker, R-Schenevus, on the county board.
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agree with (county Rep. Clark Oliver, D-Oneonta) that the process was a little bumpy, and there were problems with it. It’s also not a process we do on a regular basis. If it should happen again in the near future, I hope that we will remember what we’ve learned. “I’ve gone back and forth on how I’ll vote. Ultimately I come down where (Rep. Keith McCarty, R-East Springfield) does, which is leaving that district ADRIENNE without representation for a year just MARTINI doesn’t sit well. County Rep, “We only have 30 days from RepD-Oneonta resentative Oberacker’s resignation to fill the seat by board vote. In a perfect world, the Governor could call for a special election, but the odds of that ever happening are low. “Additionally, the county would have to bear the cost of having a special election, which is an expense we cannot afford right now. We are still in the middle of a pandemic and it is getting worse in our county. “The board needs to have a voice from every single district as we face the next few months, which might be even more bleak than the spring was. “The candidate who was appointed will be up for election in November and her constituents will have a year’s worth of her votes to consider. I hope all parties field a candidate for this seat then so that the voters can decide. “Because of all of this, I will vote yes on this nominee.”
LETTERS
Governed Also Can ‘Regulate’
More Than Ever, Shop Locally This Christmas
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organizations and chambers of commerce are sponsoring special promotions to assist small businesses and get the word out about their unique offerings. Whenever possible, I hope you are able to meet your holiday shopping needs at one of our many amazing small businesses. Certainly, once you see what they have to offer, you will be visiting our small businesses year‘round. You can further add to the holiday cheer by making sure purchases include a “Made in U.S.A.” label. In fact, December is national “Made in America Month.” President Ronald Reagan made the declaration in 1985 in an attempt to boost national pride and the national economy. In making the proclamation, President Reagan stated in part, “It is time for consumers both here and abroad to take a fresh look at what America has to offer. Senator Seward has served Otsego County in Albany for 34 years.
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he holiday shopping season is in full swing and we are being hit from all sides with a seemingly endless barrage of commercials and promotions. While there are a number of factors shoppers use to evaluate potential purchases, one that should be kept in mind is where products are made. Shopping our loJIM cal Main Streets is one of the best ways SEWARD to get in the holiday spirit and help spark the local economy. The recent Small Business Saturday was a great opportunity to promote all of the terrific products our locally owned businesses offer. This year, it is vital that we find ways to support our locally owned small businesses. The COVID-19 pandemic has left many businesses struggling to stay open. Additionally, the cost to do business has increased sharply with new safeguards and restrictions putting increased pressure on the bottom line for many. Many of our local business
For 212 Years
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James C. Kevlin Editor & Publisher
Tara Barnwell
To the Editor: It is ironic that those who achieved an impressive education simultaneously lack the very basics of Constitutional study. Upon the current topic of the Second Amendment seems to illustrate this dichotomy quite well. The notion that the word “regulated” applies only to that of the government is Jim Kevlin /The Freeman’s Journal both taking words out of context and as completely Rotarians Katherine Dina, right, and Cathy Raddatz, left, flank the first ignoring the very function ultrafine air filter donated by Cooperstown Rotary to the village’s Senior Community Center. Others, in back, from left, are Bev Hence, Rae Consiof the Bill of Rights in the gli, Christine McNaughton, Patricia Dilorenzo, Betty McNeil and Marti Jax. first place. Front, from left, are Sue Straub, Enid Hinkes, Carole Lachance and Linda To exemplify this, the Second Amendment states: “A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to secure a To the Editor: Rotary President Richard Sternberg, free state, the Right of the members Cathy Raddatz and Katherine Social isolation among seniors is a reality People to keep and bear that has become an even greater concern Dina received $4,000 from two grants they arms shall not be infringed.” since the onset of COVID-19. wrote on behalf of CSCC. This grant money This can be split into two To minimize its effects on our older popu- has purchased three Healthway Intellipure general parts. The former is lation, Cooperstown Senior Community air purifiers which utilize the ultrafine 468 by far the most commonly Center, CSCC, took full advantage of the air filters strongly recommended by Gover- misinterpreted: “A wellnor Cuomo for use in schools and hospitals. regulated Militia, being sunshine and warm temperatures summer and early autumn provided. Seniors, living These air purifiers, along with other necessary to the security of a in and outside of Cooperstown, have been precautions, create a safe and healthy free state.” gathering 1 - 3 p.m. Thursdays since the environment inside the large brick building If one were to assume that end of July on the lawn and parking lot behind St. Mary’s where seniors now meet. “regulated” is deemed only of St. Mary’s at 31 Elm St. We are so grateful to Rotary for this generto that of government, how Hand sanitizing, mask wearing and main- ous donation. can a government regulated taining distance while outdoors provided On behalf of the many who enjoy (which is a method of coming to CSCC, I thank Rotary Club the safe and healthy social environment control) secure a free state? of Cooperstown for its service and commit- Quite to the contrary, if a much needed by seniors during this time of uncertainty. ment to addressing the needs of our seniors government evolved into Now thanks to the warm generosity of within the community, as well as surround- a tyranny, what stops them the Rotary Club of Cooperstown, the arrival ing areas. from regulating the militia of colder weather has not brought CSCC Carole L. LaChance into virtual nonexistence Acting CSCC Executive Director gatherings to an end. Please See deBLIECK, A6
Rotary Helps Fight Social Isolation
Advertising Director & General Manager
FRONT PORCH PERSPECTIVE
Libby Cudmore
‘Sometimes A Firm Rap...’
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.
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emember me? For scores of years, I was a guy who visited with you through columns in local newspapers, most recently The Freeman’s Journal & Hometown Oneonta. I loved doing it – until last summer, when the sky fell on me. Or more precisely, until I fell off our back deck, down four steps, and onto an unforgiving asphalt drive. I was knocked senseless when my forehead hit the driveway. (Later, lots of stitches.) But as I caromed down the steps, I had reflexively led with my right hand. That meant the brunt of my body’s weight was transferred
to my right wrist – and that wrist was trashed badly enough to leave a bone protruding. What a missed news photo! Stunned Jim lying on the driveway’s JIM hot asphalt, sun blazing down on ATWELL him, blood seeping from his forehead and his shattered wrist. Oh, and nobody home to glance out a window and gasp at the disaster.
(My dearest Anne, now at rest, was already at Bassett Hospital, undergoing a chemo treatment.) But an unlikely looking angel was at hand. Brian Chevalier had just finished mowing our back yard and actually saw me fall, as did two contractors working on a nearby house. They were at my side at once and met the immediate needs. One phoned the paramedics and the others rushed to block me from the blazing sun. • That pair dragged a tarp from our garage, and then the three together made tent posts of themselves. They Please See ATWELL, A6
AllOTSEGO.com• MORE LETTERS, A5
LETTERS TO EDITOR WELCOME • EMAIL THEM TO info@
THURSDAY, December 10, 2020
BOUND VOLUMES
THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL A-5
Compiled by Tom Heitz/SHARON STUART, with resources courtesy of The Fenimore Art Museum Research Library
200 YEARS AGO
Village Ordinance: “That the owner of every dwelling-house, office, shop or store, shall provide on or before the first Day of October next, under the penalty of one dollar for neglect or refusal so to do, one Leather Fire Bucket for every two fire places in each and every dwelling house, office, shop, or store; and that each dwelling house, shop or store, that may have but one fire place, shall nevertheless furnish and provide one fire bucket, and that the said fire buckets may be easily obtained at all fire alarms, it shall be the duty of such owners to place or suspend the said fire buckets in the most convenient place therefor. And further, it shall be the duty at every fire alarm, to place or cause to be placed, such bucket without the door for use.” The Trustees expect every citizen will be prepared to exhibit his fire bucket as required by the above ordinance, on the fifteenth of December inst., at which time they will inspect each house, store, office, etc. and in case of non-compliance the penalty may be expected to be enforced. December 11, 1820
175 YEARS AGO
It is a weakness to put editorial thoughts in type, when matter of more interest to the public is at hand. So we have collected all “the news” and pass it to the reader in this paper, less editorial comment of our own; and this proceeds more from a desire to serve the public well, than from a disposition to evade mental exercise. Our time has been fully absorbed in doing what the reader will find we have done making a “omnium gatherum” of our sheet. December 13, 1845
150 YEARS AGO
The 21 dwellings and one storehouse put up in Cooperstown during the present year are all located in the south and west ends of the village. Not a single building in all this year has gone up in the older parts of
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the town – not from any lack of vacant lots, for there are plenty of them. But they are either not for sale, or are held so far beyond their value that there are no purchasers. Let those who delight in the growth of the place rejoice over the fact that all the vacant spots about it are not owned by one or two men who are waiting to see what they will be worth twenty or fifty years from now. December 15, 1870
75 YEARS AGO
125 YEARS AGO
At the Gymnasium – a large audience gathered at the Gymnasium Tuesday evening to witness the contest between members of the boys’ class for honors in the running high jump, fence vault and high kick. As an introductory feature, under the direction of Professor Martin, sixteen small boys dressed in tights, marched and countermarched in intricate movements in a very credible manner. An exhibition with dumb bells called forth well-deserved applause. Charles Raubacher seems destined to carry off all the high honors of his class. In the running high jump he safely cleared the bar at four feet, seven inches. Fred Fuller was second at four feet, six inches. (Ed. Note: These exercises took place in the original Clark Gymnasium building, a frame structure destroyed by fire in 1929. It was replaced with a stone building that later became part of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in the 1980s when the present facility was opened in Middlefield on the former estate of Frederick Ambrose Clark) December 12, 1895
100 YEARS AGO
Where Nature Smiles – The girls of the school faculty and a few other invited guests were most delightfully entertained at the Village Club building last Thursday evening as the guests of Mrs. Edward S. Clark. Reisman’s Novelty Orchestra furnished music for dancing, and delicious refreshments were served. We are informed that the Leatherstocking Corporation which was chartered at Albany
od ending November 30, $465,630 worth of food stamps have been issued at a cost to purchasers of $250,155. The program is administered by the Otsego County Department of Social Services which carries out all operations of the program from the application through the sale of food stamp coupons to eligible recipients. Commissioner Kenneth G. Engell characterized the first year of the program here as “very successful.” The program staff is headed by Albert DeLong. Staff members are Mrs. Anne Boyer, Mrs. Mabel Volgelien, Mr. Wilma Dodge, Mrs. Suzanne Barrett, Mrs. Julia Slentz and John Atwell. December 9, 1970
25 YEARS AGO
“Eagle Scout – The Story of Henry Nicols,” an HBO documentary film that tells the story of the Cooperstown Boy Scout who has become an international spokesperson and AIDS educator, has been honored with the Cable Television ACE Award. The 30-minute documentary has also received recognition as the best “Children’s Short Documentary” and was first aired in the summer of 1995 as well as other awards and international recognition. The film tells the story of then 17-yearDecember 12, 1945 old Henry, a hemophiliac who contracted the AIDS virus from a blood transfusion. December 10, 1995 last week, is merely a holding company to take over some of the property of the Clark Estates in Cooperstown, particularly the hotel and garage interests. The officers Brand-new rooms will be complete any of the corporation are Edward S. Clark, day now at Lake Front Motel after the President, Waldo C. Johnston, first vicewest wing of the Fair Street establishment president; Stephen C. Clark, second vicecollapsed on Thanksgiving Weekend. president; George Shaw, Secretary, When the clapboards and interior walls W. Beach Day, treasurer. Mr. Day and of the 1950s vintage motel were removed Mr. Shaw are connected with the New York during a renovation project, there wasn’t office of the Clark Estates. enough left to hold the building up and it December 15, 1920 collapsed, said Village Attorney Martin Tillapaugh. Lake Front owner Paula Wikoff plans to have the work complete by next April, in time for the motel to open on Otsego County has just completed its schedule. first year as a member of the Federal Food December 9, 2010 Stamp Program. During the 12-month peri-
10 YEARS AGO
50 YEARS AGO
GUEST COLUMN
GUEST COLUMN
Individualism Won’t Stop COVID
Polio Fight Informs COVID Fight
ndividualism in the United States through the lens of SARS-CoV-2 defines freedom as “freedom to not wear a mask,” as opposed to “freedom from getting sick.” Since I was a young girl whenever I felt remotely ill I was told to “suck it up,” get out of bed, go to school, socialize and learn. This attitude is rooted in the American belief that “sickness is a weakness;” sickness MARIA NOTO is an attitude. To many in America, to take the day off for illness implies you are not hardworking and replaceable. Additionally, policies set forth by some companies and schools make it difficult to take sick days. For instance, in some schools, students are required to provide a doctor’s note to prove that they were actually sick. Not only does this reinforce the narrative that people lie about sickness but it also requires children to have health insurance which, in the U.S., is not considered a universal human right.
Someone’s socioeconomic status should not determine whether or not their sickness is considered “real.” Furthermore, some employers limit the number of paid sick days making it difficult for some people to take off. You should not have to choose between personal health and making money. American culture has deep roots tied to individualism which can be understood in the reflection of American values. “Self-motivation, self-choice and self-reliance,” are key principles. American individualism is neither universally good nor bad. However, its defects are more relevant today than ever. Many recognize that this American mentality is flawed, however, not in the ways that relate to our current, international crisis. Individualism has led the U.S. down a path that is not only selfish but deadly. Because of our self-interested mindset, if Covid-19
does not directly and negatively impact someone (i.e. harming the ones we love), then it does not apply to the individual. Too many of us continue to disregard CDC guidelines and restrictions simply when we feel like it and this is reflected in the increasing number of cases. SARS-CoV-2 was not destined to be a pandemic. For example, South Korea and New Zealand have better controlled the virus, keeping it at a Level 3 (the U.S. is at a Level 4). This success is not only due to those in power but also to their own cultural values. When analyzing the cultures of certain East Asian countries, several differences stand out. For instance, when people are sick and during the cold and flu season, many East Asian cultures, including South Korea, utilize mask-wearing. Considered a threat to freedom by some Americans it is a preventive action and community obligation in this example. This, along with many other cultural differences, is insightful in Please See NOTO, A6
Editor’s Note: Michael Jerome of Cooperstown chairs the Polio Plus Committee of the Rotary E-Club of Global Trekkers, a role he played for years at the Cooperstown club.
multi-year effort to immunize millions of children in the Philippines. The success of this project inspired Rotary to make a promise to the world to eradicate polio worldwide. Rotary International and its partners in ixty years the Global Polio ago, every Eradication Initiaparent in the tive (GPEI) have western world feared made great strides their child would be since 1988 in the afflicted with the cripsustained effort. pling disease of polio. Polio cases have Vaccines developed dropped by 99.9 by Drs. Jonas Salk percent, from and Albert Sabin MICHAEL 350,000 cases in enabled the U.S., JEROME 1988 in 125 counCanada and several tries to only 176 European countries to cases of wild poliovirus in become polio free by 2019 in just two countries: the early 1990s. Afghanistan and Pakistan. Health officials at the In August 2020, the time understood that as long World Health Organization as the polio virus exists anywhere in the world, the chance of its transmission FOOD FOR THOUGHT elsewhere is highly probable; possibly resulting in the reemergence of the disease in previously polio-free areas. The idea of eliminating polio from the globe took hold. fter retiring, oneThis inspiration caused term President leaders of Rotary InternaJohn) Adams tional in 1979 to begin a led a quiet life, tending to his farm, while Jefferson’s presidency came and went. Twelve years after he left Washington, Adams finally snapped out of his funk and To end where we began: Talk is cheap. sent a letter to his old rival... Most Democrats and some RepubliJefferson wrote back cans have been touting bipartisanship immediately, remembering in board deliberations. the long years in which But Marietta, Martini and Stammel “we were fellow laborers have shown that, to them, it’s a way of in the same cause.” For the governing, worth more than numerical next 14 years, a fountain control. of prose gushed from these Well done. Let’s hope, at least for two master stylists, divided the next year, bipartisanship will rule. in politics but reunited in • friendship. We’ve been here before, with an Much of it was personal opposite outcome: In 2006, the – proud parents discussing Republican representative from their children and grandchilWorcester, Don Lindberg, allied himdren, lamenting losses, comself with the Democratic minority and plaining of small ailments as achieved the board’s chairmanship. they aged. In his last letter, The anger generated by that deal Jefferson used the Greek prevented any friendly compromise word “Argonaut” to describe for the next two years. A recurrence their long journey together, has now been prevented. and their correspondence retained a grandeur befitting
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EDITORIAL: 3 Democrats Play ‘Fairness Card’ EDITORIAL/From A4 licans couldn’t have appointed the board’s chair or vice chair Jan. 2 at the annual reorganizational meeting. Or name the committee chairs, or control committee membership. All decisions would have had to be bipartisan. Out of power since 2008, the Democrats now held all the cards. • Including the fairness card. Not fairness to the Republicans, but to the 3,456 voters in Oberacker’s District 6 (Maryland, Worcester, Westford and Decatur). At the Dec. 2 full county board meeting, Marietta, Martini and Stammel were profiles in fairness. All decried the rushed (and partisan) process. But Martini put it this way:
“Leaving that district without representation for a year just doesn’t sit well.” So the three Democrats handed control of the county board – at least until Nov. 4, 2021, the next Election Day – back to the Republicans. (Also kudos to the board’s sole Conservative, Meg Kennedy, who scheduled a second Admin meeting to interview the Democratic nominee, former Worcester supervisor Diane Addesso, Kennedy a goodwill gesture, even though it was too late to make a difference.)
declared the Africa region – all 47 countries – free of the wild poliovirus, a major milestone towards Rotary’s goal. In impoverished parts of the world, the wild poliovirus still exists. Thus, the chance of its transmission elsewhere by travelers remains highly probable. Rotary and its GPEI partners remain optimistic. As reported in a recent issue of The Rotarian magazine, the legacy of this campaign is “more than eradicating a deadly disease from the planet, it’s also building a stronger health system that provides better access to lifesaving interventions for the world’s most vulnerable children.” The valuable lessons Please See JEROME, A6
Adams Lost After One Term, But Eventually Got Over It
(A
two patriarchs who had weathered so much on behalf of the same cause. Adams and Jefferson died, with startling fidelity to the cause and to each other, on the same day: July 4, 1826, the 50th anniversary of the Declaration on which they had labored together... Even before their unforgettable joint exit, the two former rivals had done a great deal to deepen democracy. We often think of their earlier contributions – the first stirrings of independence and the presidencies that helped a young country to find its footing. Yet the friendship that Adams and Jefferson formed in their old age was just as meaningful and showed the world that Americans could lose gracefully and find comfort in their commitment to shared principles. Prof. TED WIDMER Wall Street Journal Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 5 - 6
THURSDAY, December 10, 2020
A-6 THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA
ATWELL: COVID Jolt Refocuses Us On What Matters
LETTERS
ATWELL/From A4 If Sanctuary Passes, County May Be held that heavy tarp above me the paramedics arrived Sued For Failing To Enforce NY Law till –for perhaps 15 minutes. To the Editor: But here’s something to As elected officials, you of all people do not have the make me cry: The ambulance luxury of deciding which laws you will uphold and which that came carrying paramedics you will ignore, much less willfully and publicly flaunt asa was not Cooperstown’s own, partisan political stunt. which was already in service If you adopt this scofflaw “gun sanctuary” ordinance, elsewhere. If I hadn’t been you will be sued for failure to uphold New York State laws unconscious, how pleased I’d – laws that you are free to challenge in court, but laws that have been to know that it you cannot selectively ignore or flaunt to the detriment of was the Fly Creek first the rule of law, to the loss the trust that has been placed in responders who swung into you, or to the breach of your oath of office. our driveway – to “swoop CHIP NORTHRUP and scoop,” as paramedics say. Cooperstown For the story gets even better. The guy they scooped up that day was a bloodspattered version of one who, when he still lived in Fly
deBLIECK: Citizens Can Create ‘Regulated Militia’
deBLIECK/From A4 and paralysis? After all, to regulate such in any manner would clearly be within stated Constitutional grounding. Current conversation that I have been seeing from our opponents is that such regulations are not even limited to the militia but also to the people themselves. One wonders why the latter portion containing “shall not be infringed” rings any bells. It is pure nonsense to interpret the word “regulated” as only manifest from the government. To assume so renders the Amendment moot. For if it is permitted to allow government control of an armed populace, how then can such populace secure their republic free? The short answer is that it doesn’t. The fact of the matter is that government is NOT the sole source of regulation. To the definition, to “regulate” is “to govern or direct according to rule.” Allowing government to control the Second Amendment is logically the same as allowing the prisoners to control the prison. Rather, our Founders are concerned with a Militia being organized with a system of accountability, restraint, and method of function. All of which are well constituted without government intervention. A logical parallel can be argued to that of organizational bylaws. Such bylaws form the lawful/unlawful order by which it functions. In other words, the rule is
not by virtue of government, but rather to that agreed among the people of said organization. Brought under this interpretation, the Amendment, as a whole, loses the contradictions and fully makes sense. By being separately regulated among the people from government control(s), the militia does indeed manifest the function to counter check the government if said government strays from the Constitutional Law and into despotism. Therefore, it secures a “free state”. Further, by removing government controls and entanglements, there also is no longer the contradiction to the latter portion of the Amendment that “the Right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.” It serves proper advisement to the county representatives to heed Thomas Jefferson’s advice concerning Constitutional interpretation to rebuke such flawed arguments. For one to ignore the very purpose of our Bill of Rights and to ignore the innate contradictions in holding such flawed positions, only the uneducated would embrace such, and the fool to follow it. GARRETT deBLIECK Unadilla
Holiday Lives Even On Video
To the Editor: I just viewed the 4C’s video of Santa and Mrs. Claus arriving at their cottage and lighting the Village’s Christmas tree. Wow, what a wonderful video! It was very creative and so well done. Congratulations to you and everyone else who planned and produced it. You can be very proud of it. “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus!” I would encourage everyone to Google and read that famous editorial published in The New York Sun newspaper on Sept. 21, 1897, from which this saying was taken. We all need to believe in Santa Claus for hope after this awful year of COVID. Merry Christmas to all! K. WAYNE BUNN Otsego Lake resident
Creek, had helped restore a proud fire department there, and who served for some years as its chaplain. Who’d have thought it? My treasured friend Randy Velez, the Catholic deacon, does a lot of thinking about how in bad times like these, good people come storming onto the scene. Most of them would seem to be ordinary Janes and Joes, but suddenly they’re reaching beyond ordinarily attempts and doing the demanding, even the brave, even the heroic. Randy says that he recently took a chance and gave sermon on this subject – and that he wasn’t met with frowns, but
JEROME: Polio Taught Us How To Fight COVID-19
JEROME/From A5 learned from the polio eradication efforts have been utilized to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, which has temporarily halted all global vaccination efforts. Research facilities built for disease analysis, polio program infrastructures and partnerships, and surveillance systems designed to locate infected persons are currently being used by local health care workers to contain the spread of the coronavirus. With polio nearly eradicated, Rotary and its partners remain optimistic and intend to reach every child with the polio vaccine. Full funding and political commitment are needed to ensure that
this paralyzing disease does not return to polio-free countries, putting children everywhere at risk. Rotary has committed to raise $50 million each year to support global polio eradication efforts. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation pledged to match those funds 2-to-1, for a total yearly contribution of $150 million. Please join millions who are working to raise awareness and funds to end the debilitating scourge of polio, a vaccine-preventable disease. I urge you to reflect on your good fortune to live in a polio-free country and contribute to the global effort to End Polio Now by visiting endpolio.org and click on “Donate.” Thank you!
with thoughtful nods. “Whom the Lord loves, He chastises,” reads Proverbs. That sounds perverse, mean. But, as we’d say down South, the action is more like a firm “rap upside the haid,” a jolt meant to set our attention back to what’s really important to God and ultimately to us. And that’s one another. For we humans are easily lulled and dulled by seemingly untroubled times. Sometimes we need stirring up. And if you need a symbol of goodness suddenly awakened and springing
NOTO: Communal Values Helps Us Through COVID NOTO/From A5 understanding their ability to maintain the virus. These differences are deeply seeded in the values of a culture. However, there is hope for the U.S. and other individualistic cultures in recognizing and adopting these community-centered approaches. Our mindset needs to be revolutionized with the help of federal and local assistance: mandating masks, passing another stimulus package, contact tracing, etc… However, these measures will be unsuccessful unless everyone participates for the good of a community. While I know that we are looking for a fix-all solution
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to end this pandemic, I think it is much more complicated than that. American culture, especially white, dominant culture, needs to revolutionize its values. Handling this pandemic with an individualist mindset is clearly not the answer. For us to get through this, we need to adopt more communal values that will directly conflict with the dominant values in the United States. There is no vaccine for ceasing the spread of individualism, which in terms of this pandemic, is deadly. Maria Noto, a CCS 2017 graduate, is a senior at Wesleyan. She was on he Lady Hawkeyes’ state championship basketball team.
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to action, think of those three men standing in my driveway, their raised arms surely cramped with pain as they stood around me, sweat running down their ribs, holding taut that heavy tarp for perhaps fifteen minutes. I say, “God bless those men!” And you? Please shout, “Amen!” And me? I promise to be more careful. Even without my treasured Anne, I’d like to live on, hoping to balance the flood of kindness recently been poured on me. Jim Atwell, Quaker minister and retired college administrator, lives at Woodside Hall.
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OTSEGO.Christmas
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020
PAGE B-1
DADDY AL’S
Christmas Adventure By LIBBY CUDMORE
what’s fun
in Otsego County
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hen Sue Dick moved into the home here where she and “Daddy Al” raised their family, she often wondered about the Norway Spruce in the front yard. “I always wanted to decorate that tree,” she said. “But it was always too big and I didn’t have the stuff to do it. But now I’ve finally seen it decorated, and it was beautiful.” With performances by Kelly Clarkson, the Goo Goo Dolls, Dolly Parton and Earth, Wind & Fire, the Dick family’s 75-foot Norway Spruce was lit as the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree during the 88th annual celebration on Wednesday, Dec 2. Please See TREE, B3
AllOTSEGO.Christmas
Ian Austin/
Santa Claus will return to Muller Plaza Thursday, Dec. 10, for a virtual treelighting ceremony
Winter Artwork, Sing With Santa, Or Take A Hike
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“Daddy Al” and Susan Dick pose in front of their West Oneonta spruce as it was lit up at Rockefeller Center.
Monkey Business, Much More, Made Christmas Fun Fenimore Museum Dips Into Its Collection For Cards, Toys, Other ‘Holiday Goodies’ animals like monkeys were associated with the circus, with fun.” COOPERSTOWN Two such playful monkeys adorn hen people ►IF YOU GO: one of the many around Christmas cards The Fenimore here think Museum is at The Fenimore’s open 10-4 of Christmas, they “Decking the think of…monkeys? Tuesday thru Halls” exhibit, open At least they used Sunday. through Dec. 31. to. “It’s something “In the 19th century, delightful for the holidays,” they were still developing said Chief Curator Chris Christmas imagery,” said Rossi. “It’s been fun to James Matson, Fenimore Art go through the archives to Museum assistant curator. find these unseen holiday “Images of animals had a goodies.” more exotic appeal, and Please See EXHIBIT, B3 By LIBBY CUDMORE
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AllOTSEGO.Christmas
Ian Austin/
Fenimore Curator Chris Rossi shows off a circus monkey pull-toy in the “Decking the Halls” exhibit, on now through Dec. 31.
THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL • HOMETOWN ONEONTA
group show of winter delights open the Taj Garage’s Christmas season, with watercolors by Ursala Bower, tiny elves by Alice Hudson, carvings by Laverne Kelley and glass panels by David Wilson. 3 - 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11, 689 Beaver Meadow Road, Cooperstown. (607) 547-5327. LIBBY • CUDMORE You can’t have Christmas without a tree! Santa Claus and Mayor Gary Herzig will light Oneonta’s Christmas tree in a virtual ceremony broadcast from Muller Plaza. 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 10, www.facebook. com/DestinationOneonta/ • Santa Zooms into the Huntington Memorial Library from the North Pole to read a story to kids and host a Christmas sing-a-long. 6 - 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11, www.facebook. com/hmloneonta • Take a day – or a few! – to run, walk or bike a 2.5, 5 or 10K anytime in December to be part of the YMCA’s annual Frostbite Run. Register to get an “ugly sweater” race shirt in memory of the Christmas sweater king, the late John Hayen. www.oneontafamily ymcafrostbite5k.itsyourrace.com/ • Jeff O’Handley, Otsego County Conservation Association, leads a walk through Riddell State Park to showcase the natural beauty of the hill-and-fields landscape. Get out for a walk before it gets too cold! 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, Riddell State Park, Davenport www.occainfo.org
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THURSDAY, december 10, 2020
Al’s Adventure Of A Lifetime
TREE/From B1 “We knew that tree was beautiful,� said his daughter Paula. “It was a magical night.� “This year, we just feel the tree is vital,� said Rob Speyer, president/CEO of Tishman Speyer, which owns Rockefeller Center. “The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree always represents the holiday season, but it has also stood tall as a symbol of hope, resilience, and New York’s enduring spirit, from the Great Depression to 9/11, Superstorm Sandy through today.�
Speaking during the lighting ceremony, he continued, “2020 has been a difficult year, but New Yorkers have persevered, and we are determined to come back better and stronger. We are particularly proud to continue the joyous tradition this year.� As it happens, the huge spruce was the second from Oneonta: The first, from the Country Club Road yard of Graig and Angela Eichler, adorned Rockefeller Center in 2016. Following the delivery of
this tree to Rockefeller Center Saturday, Nov. 14, “Daddy Al� reported emails, letters, Christmas cards and gifts began to show up at his deli and grocery on Oneonta’s West End. “I’ve been answering emails all day,� he said. “They come from England, Haiti, Miami, Geneseo. People say I’m inspiring, but I didn’t know that!� One person sent even a hardcover book about the history of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. “They told me they thought I should
IT’S HERE!!!!!
THE GREAT OTSEGO HOLIDAY LIGHT TRAIL NOW to December 31, 2020
The map of local, spectacular light displays is up and running! Gather the family! Call some friends! Load up the car!
have it,� he said. “Another person who donated a tree sent me a little book about the tree, and I read it to my grandkids.� But he had a fair share of detractors too, some who called the tree – it may have arrived in Manhattan after a two-day journey looking a little worse for wear – “the embodiment of 2020� and “The Charlie Brown Christmas tree.� “The New York Times called me up and asked if I could guarantee the tree would look good,� Al said. “I told them of course it would look good!� But with the reveal a diminutive Saw-whet owl found among the branches after the 170-mile journey, softer hearts prevailed. Rocky, as she became known, was rehabilitated and released by the Ravensbeard Wildlife Center in Saugerties.
Her image adorned merchandise, memes, a painting by Cooperstown’s May Britt Joyce, a bobble-head and, most recently, the tail of a Frontier Airlines jet. “We hear owls all the time,� said Al. “But I’ve never seen that one! I don’t know how she got in there.� Before the tree lighting, the Dicks were taken to dinner and on a tour of the sights, including Top of the Rock and to see the famed Saks Fifth Avenue light display. “I’d seen it on YouTube, but to see it in person was phenomenal,� said Susan. And when word got around who they were, they had fans approaching them throughout the evening. “One woman came up to us and said that she had moved to Oneonta in 1982 and now lived in Rhode Island,� said Susan. “She asked if we knew some people that she remembered,
Fenimore Celebrates Cooperstown Christmas EXHIBIT/From B1 The exhibit features ornaments, paintings, toys and illustrations celebrating Christmas not just across the country, but right here in Cooperstown. Susan Fenimore Cooper wrote about local Christmases
in her “Rural Hours,� said Chief Curator Chris Rossi. “She writes about the greenery and gifts, and we thought it would be fun to include her voice in the exhibition.� She wrote, “Christmas must always be a happy, cheerful
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Go to Facbook, then to The Great Otsego Light Trail. Like us then Begin The Journey! Follow the lights on the map and enjoy the best lights in the region! ALSO AllOtsego.com and Destination Oneonta facebook pages will have the interactive map as well! Don’t forget to add your favorite light displays and photos to the page too!
LEAF
and we did!� The Oneonta tree was covered with more than 50,000 multi-colored, energyefficient LED lights, and is on display through early January 2021, with COVID regulations, including social distancing, digital queuing, time limits and mask requirements, in place. The lit tree will also will be livestreamed each day from 8 a.m. – midnight. “It was perfect,� said Al. “Just like we knew it would be.� Gardeners from Rockefeller Center have already returned to West Oneonta for one round of landscaping and plan to return in the spring to build a new fence and plant apple trees. And while they were there, they found a small sapling near the site of the former towering tree, likely one of the original pinecones taking root.
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day. The fresh and fragrant greens, the friendly gifts and words of goodwill, the ‘Merry Christmas’ smiles on most faces one meets, give a warm glow to the day.� “Things haven’t changed much,� said Rossi. Among the Christmas cards in the exhibit is a 1931 example sent out by Edward Severin Clark, Jane Clark’s great uncle, as well as a “Christmas in Cooperstown� contributed by the Afton Historical Society. “They found it in their collections and were kind enough to bring it our way,� said Rossi. “The timing was right.� You’ll also see an image of Thomas Nast’s original Santa Claus, in the Christmas 1862 issue of Harper’s Weekly. “Nast is credited with the definitive ideal of how Santa looks,� said Rossi. Early depictions, Nast’s and others, show him alone making the toys, she said, adding, “We know Santa has elves, but we don’t see them in any of the works in this exhibit.� Elves, like the famous red velvet suit, came more into prominence in the 20th century. The card case isn’t the only place a playful monkey is featured. A hearth filled with toys includes one on a pull-string. “The monkey is the hidden theme,� Rossi jokes. “Making the tableaux was the most fun, getting to pick out a mantelpiece and all these toys.� There’s a teddy bear, of course, and building blocks, as well as an elaborate dollhouse. “Dollhouses were fun to play with, because a little girl could learn about housekeeping and furnishing a home.� Christmas trees didn’t come into fashion in America until Queen Victoria put one up. Dried berries made for a festive garland and cotton stood in for snow, with paper cones that could be filled with sweets for the children. But without electricity, the glow of the tree had to be lit with thin white candles. “You would only light them for a few minutes,� said Rossi. “Otherwise, your whole tree would go up in flames.� In addition to homemade ornaments, a number of glass ornaments from the late 19th century were brought out of The Fenimore’s collection, as well as silver tinsel trim. “With the candles, it must have looked very bright,� said Rossi. This year, with no Candlelight Evening – The Farmers’ museums’ usual seasonal centerpiece – “Decking The Halls� is one of the alternatives developed for the Christmas of COVID. At The Farmers’, Holiday Lantern Tours are being offered, this coming weekend and Dec. 18-19. “I don’t want to be too modest, but The Fenimore and Farmers’ Museum makes a considerable contribution to how Christmas is celebrated in Cooperstown,� said Matson.
AllOTSEGO.life B-3 Bond Doesn’t See COVID Cases Drop LeCates: Bassett Adapting To Challenge very important moment for all of us.” A1 Until After Christmas, New Year’s Day LeCATES/From At present, the hospital only has a of community members become ill, and it’s
THURSDAY, december 10, 2020
COVID/From A1 numbers of COVID cases in the county. That day, the county hit a new daily high for community spread, with 35 cases reported. “There are only 10-12 hospital beds and four ICU beds at Bassett right now,” she said. “We are reaching a critical point. We’re seeing people getting sicker quicker, often within the first 10 days of the illness.” Four people are in the ICU, she said, and, for the first time since the start of the pandemic, one of them is under 40, believed to have gotten it from a roommate. By contrast, she said, there were no hospitalizations in November. “What frustrates me most,” she said. “Is the co-worker who gets COVID in the office. They didn’t go to the bar or Thanksgiving dinner. They just went to work. We need to take better personal responsibility to protect our co-workers and our families.”
On Dec. 5, Bond issued a quarantine recommendation after a patron at the Cooperstown Vets’ Club tested positive for COVID19. By Tuesday, Dec. 8, 13 people linked to the club had tested positive. “A patron was socializing without a mask,” she said. “That’s how it spreads.” In addition to the Vets’ Club, cases have emerged in the Morris, Oneonta and Schenevus school districts, and among employees and residents in group homes in Otego and Edmeston. “I feel like it’s to the point where public health is working so hard to reduce the spread, and people are continuing to behave in ways that spread the virus,” said Bond. “When we have this much community infection, people need to stay home.” With her staff stretched thin – contact tracing in a school, for example, can take up to 10 hours – Bond is seeking to ask the board for additional manpower.
“I haven’t had the time to figure out what staff would be most beneficial,” she said. Though NY Forward reported that 170,000 doses of the COVID vaccine would be delivered to the state by next week, Bond told the committee that it could be “months” before the vaccine was available to the general population. In the meantime, she suggests that, if unwilling to stop socializing, to at least practice harm reduction techniques. “100 percent reduction is not seeing anyone,” she said. “But if you use precautions at work and don’t go to bars or see people outside of your home, you can reduce transmission.” But Bond is running out of hope that things will improve. “If people didn’t stay home on Thanksgiving, I can talk until I’m blue in the face, but it’s not going to change,” she said. “And Christmas is an even bigger holiday for visiting.”
not unexpected that some portion of them will need hospitalizations.” Some are admitted in the ER and test positive at the hospital. Others had tested positive, and then got sick enough to require admission. Eight people have died since March; as of Tuesday, Dec. 8, 18 people were currently hospitalized, up from eight from the Tuesday before, and 13 over the weekend, with one in the ICU. “We’re at higher numbers than we were last month,” he said. “And last month was higher than the month before, and based on the trends, we’re going to see cases continue to further increase in the region.” Plans are constantly shifting, and the hospital is in constant contact with the county and state Health Departments over what to do if cases explode. LeCates said that, for example, if one hospital in the eight-county Network gets overloaded with COVID patients, some are sent to another hospital to open up space. “We can work through our own network,” he said. But LeCates warned that the hospital soon could face other issues, including closing for non-essential surgeries, if people continue to not wear masks or gather in bars. “I think all of us have an opportunity to lessen the rise in the community,” he said. “Further increases could be blunted by cautions of things we’re taking for granted. We’ll look back and find this to have been a
“limited supply” of rapid tests, and CVS pharmacies and the WellNow Clinic in Oneonta are often booked. There are several Bassett testing “tents” throughout the county, including at the FoxCare Center and in Bassett’s back parking lot, but LeCates said there are no plans to increase the number of tents. Appointments can be made by calling the COVID hotline, (607) 547-5555. But the results can take between two and four days to come back, with one patient reportedly waiting 11 anxious days for their results. In November, Bassett had to close the Fox Nursing Home and all hospitals, including Fox and Bassett, to visitors except for a primary caretaker or parent. “We know the value of visitation with family and loved ones is important,” he said. “And it was a difficult decision. But these rising cases present a high risk for spreading COVID, so it was necessary to restrict visiting.” LeCates is hopeful, however, that he will soon hear from the state on when they will receive the first rounds of vaccines. “We don’t have a date, type or amount yet,” he said. “But we’re making plans as best we can to receive it and administer the vaccine to staff.” “All of us are looking to the end,” he said. “There’s a sense of fatigue, but there is also increasing promise, and that’s giving us hope.”
Fund Drive Underway For ‘Warming Station’ CODE BLUE/From A1 So a fundraising effort was launched this week, according to Brad Feik, liaison between the Baptist church and Caring for the Homeless Collaborative, which Fox Hospital assembled two years ago on discovering its Emergency Room was the shelter available from wintry storms. A letter went out Monday, Dec. 7, to the county’s “faith community,” signed by the Rev. Cynthia Walton-Leavitt, pastor of Oneonta’s “Red Door” Presbyterian Church, and Jennifer Schuman, of Fox’s Homeless Collaborative. “Any donation of any amount is welcome to make this heartfelt dream of a Community Warming Station come true,” said the letter. A member of Main Street Baptist provided 189 Main St., a former optical store,
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Hospital president who was recently promoted to Network COO. “We’ve been speaking with funding sources and asking local citizens for contributions,” said Schuman. “Code Blue” was defined a few years ago by an executive order from Governor Cuomo. Currently, on cold nights people in need of shelter must go to the Opportunity for Otsego shelter and use the term “Code Blue” to receive a voucher a night’s lodging, Schuman said. The warming station, she said, “would be a very low barrier” for people seeking shelter, some of who are “people who have difficulty with authority.” According to Feik, the demand for the “warming station” might actually be less than usual this winter, since COVID-19 regulations have prevented banks from foreclosing and landlords from evicting tenants. He emphasized that the $40,000-50,000 is a onetime amount. Once the program gets going, the state Office of Temporary Disability will pay for it, Feik said, but there’s a six-month lag, and Catholic Charities doesn’t have the reserves to run the operation in the meantime.
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for the warming station, according to Feik, who with his wife Noel operate Otego’s Crossroads Inn, providing sober-living housing for people released from rehab and jail, and for the homeless. Renovations began over the weekend, said Feik, and should be completed in the next few days. The hope is to open the warming station in mid-January, at the time it’s most needed. He estimated there are 50-60 homeless people in Oneonta at any one time, and when “Code Blue” weather arrives, 3-7 people may sleep from 7:30 p.m. to 8 a.m. In some cases, people whose furnaces runs out of oil during cold snaps will use the facility as well. The “warming station” concept emerged two years ago from Fox Hospital’s Ethics Committee, which was concerned about removing homeless people from the Emergency Room where they congregated on cold nights because they had nowhere else to go, according to Schuman. She called Dr. Reggie Knight, who last month was named chief physician executive for Bassett Healthcare Network, the “administrative champion” of the concept. Feik also credited Jeff Joyner, Fox
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LEGALS
B-4 THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA Legal
Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of Platt Hollow Homes, LLC. Filed 10/23/20. Office: Otsego Co. SSNY desig. as agent for process & shall mail to: Chad Whitbeck, 360 County Hwy 42, Maryland, NY 12116. Purpose: General. 6LegalJan.14 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of BYAM’S RENTAL PROPERTIES LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 11/17/20. Office location: Otsego County. Princ. office of LLC: 35 Country Ln., Oneonta, NY 13820. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207. Purpose: Any lawful activity. 6LegalJan.14 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of HFB PROPERTIES, LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 11/13/20. Office location: Otsego County. Princ. office of LLC: 35 Country Ln., Oneonta, NY 13820. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207. Purpose: Any lawful activity. 6LegalJan.14 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of PEACEFUL FLATS PROPERTIES, LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 11/13/20. Office location: Otsego County. Princ. office of LLC: 35 Country Ln., Oneonta, NY 13820. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207. Purpose: Any lawful activity. 6LegalJan.14 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of a NY Limited Liability Company Name: MMS-DS PROPERTIES LLC. Articles of Organization filing date with Secretary of State (SSNY) was 2 December 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 144 Johnny Cake Rd, Cooperstown, NY 13326. Purpose is to engage in any and all
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business activities permitted under NYS laws. 6LegalJan.14 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of JGG PROPERTIES, LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 11/13/20. Office location: Otsego County. Princ. office of LLC: 35 Country Ln., Oneonta, NY 13820. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207. Purpose: Any lawful activity. 6LegalJan.14 Legal nOtice NOTICE TO BIDDERS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that sealed bids will be received until 2:00 p.m. on December 17, 2020, at the Village Office at 22 Main Street, Cooperstown, New York by the Village Clerk of the Village of Cooperstown for the purchase of 35,000 gallons of No. 2 Heating Oil and 11,050 gallons of LP gas for heating. The successful bidder will be obligated to deliver the purchased oil and/or LP gas during the time period beginning January 1, 2021 and ending November 30, 2021. Specifications may be obtained from the Village Office at 22 Main St., Cooperstown, New York, Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. or by calling (607) 5472411. Bids must be submitted on or before 2:00 p.m. on December 17, 2020 in a sealed envelope addressed to the Village Clerk, Village of Cooperstown and marked “BID-FUEL OIL/LP Gas” and may not be withdrawn within thirty (30) days after the bid opening. Faxed bid proposals will not be accepted. Bidders are advised not to rely on the Postal Service or any other mail delivery service for the timely and proper delivery of their bid proposals. The Village of Cooperstown reserves the right to reject any or all bids. Dated: December 2, 2020 Jenna L. Utter Village Clerk Village of Cooperstown 22 Main Street Cooperstown, NY 13326 607-547-2411 (phone) jutter@cooperstownny.org (email) 1LegalDec.10 Legal nOtice NOTICE TO BIDDERS Sealed bids will be received as set forth in instructions to bidders until 10:30 A.M. on Thursday, January 07, 2021 at the NYSDOT, Contract Management Bureau, 50 Wolf Rd, 1st Floor, Suite 1CM, Albany, NY 12232 and will be publicly opened and read. Bids may also be submitted via the internet using www.bidx.com. A certified cashier’s check payable to the NYSDOT for the
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sum specified in the proposal or a bid bond, form CONR 391, representing 5% of the bid total, must accompany each bid. NYSDOT reserves the right to reject any or all bids. Electronic documents and Amendments are posted to www.dot.ny.gov/ doing-business/opportunities/const-notices. The Contractor is responsible for ensuring that all Amendments are incorporated into its bid. To receive notification of Amendments via e-mail you must submit a request to be placed on the Planholders List at www.dot. ny.gov/doing-business/opportunities/ const-planholder. Amendments may have been issued prior to your placement on the Planholders list. NYS Finance Law restricts communication with NYSDOT on procurements and contact can only be made with designated persons. Contact with non-designated persons or other involved Agencies will be considered a serious matter and may result in disqualification. Contact Robert Kitchen (518)457-2124. Contracts with 0% Goals are generally single operation contracts, where subcontracting is not expected, and may present direct bidding opportunities for Small Business Firms, including, but not limited to D/W/MBEs. The New York State Department of Transportation, in accordance with the Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 78 Stat. 252, 42 U.S.C. 2000d to 2000d-4 and Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Department of Transportation, Subtitle A, Office the Secretary, Part 21, Nondiscrimination in Federallyassisted programs of the Department of Transportation and Title 23 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 200, Title IV Program and Related Statutes, as amended, issued pursuant to such Act, hereby notifies all who respond to a written Department solicitation, request for proposal or invitation for bid that it will affirmatively insure that in any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, disadvantaged business enterprises will be afforded full opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability/handicap and income status in consideration for an award. BIDDERS SHOULD BE ADVISED THAT AWARD OF THESE CONTRACTS MAY BE CONTINGENT UPON THE PASSAGE OF A BUDGET APPROPRIATION BILL BY THE LEGISLATURE AND GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. Please call (518)457-2124 if a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the letting. Region 09: New York State Department of Transporta-
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tion 44 Hawley Street, Binghamton, NY, 13901 D264385, PIN 9TGD20, FA Proj Z2329TGD-203, Otsego Co., Guide Railing & Drainage Requirements Contract, Otsego County, Bid Deposit: 5% of Bid (~ $125,000.00), Goals: DBE: 2.00% 2LegalDec.17 Legal nOtice Notice is hereby given that a license, (number to be assigned), for beer has been applied for by the undersigned to sell beer cider at retail in a restaurant under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law at 4604 State Highway 28, Milford, NY 13807, Town of Hartwick, County of Otsego for on premises consumption. Barnyard Swing LLC Legal nOtice Notice of formation of Limited Liability Company (LLC) OTICA, LLC, Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on November 2, 2020. Office location: Otsego County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: Incorporating Services Ltd: 3500 South Dupont Highway, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful acts or activities. Latest date upon which LLC is to dissolve: No specific date. 6LegalJan.14 Legal nOtice SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, COUNTY OF OTSEGO NATIONSTAR MORTGAGE LLC D/B/A CHAMPION MORTGAGE COMPANY, Plaintiff, against Jack E. Sanders, Jr., as Heir to the Estate of Joy Miller Sanders; Unknown Heirs to the Estate of Joy Miller Sanders, any and all persons unknown to plaintiff, claiming, or who may claim to have an interest in, or general or specific lien upon the real property described in this action; such unknown persons being herein generally described and intended to be included in the following designation, namely: the wife, widow, husband, widower, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors, and assignees of such deceased, any and all persons deriving interest in or lien upon, or title to said real property by, through or under them, or either of them, and their respective wives, widows, husbands, widowers, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators,
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devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors and assigns, all of whom and whose names, except as stated, are unknown to plaintiff; Gutchess Lumber Company, Inc.; Secretary of Housing and Urban Development; United States of America Department of Treasury; New York State Department of Taxation and FinanceTax Compliance Division-C.O.-ATC, and JOHN DOE AND JANE DOE #1 through #7, the last seven (7) names being fictitious and unknown to the Plaintiff, the persons or parties intended being the tenants, occupants, persons or parties, if any, having or claiming an interest in or lien upon the mortgaged premises described in the Complaint, Defendants Index No. EF2020-155. Plaintiff Designates Otsego County as the Place of Trial. The Basis of Venue is that the subject action is situated in Otsego County. To the above named Defendants YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in this action and to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the complaint is not served with this Summons, to serve a notice of appearance, on the Plaintiff’s Attorney(s) within 20 days after the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within 30 days after the service is complete if this Summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York); the United States of America may appear or answer within 60 days of service hereof; and in case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. That this Supplemental Summons is being filed pursuant to an order of the court dated October 23, 2020. NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to the mortgage company will not stop the foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. HELP FOR HOMEOWNERS IN FORECLOSURE; New York State law requires that we send you this notice about the foreclosure process. Please read it carefully.
THURSDAY, december 10, 2020 Legal
SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT You are in danger of losing your home. If you fail to respond to the Summons and Complaint in this Foreclosure Action, you may lose your home. Please read the Summons and Complaint carefully. You should immediately contact an attorney of your local legal aid office to obtain advice on how to protect yourself. SOURCES OF INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE The State encourages you to become informed about your options in foreclosure. In addition to seeking assistance from an attorney or legal aid office, there are government agencies and non-profit organizations that you may contact for information about possible options, including trying to work with your lender during this process. To locate an entity near you, you may call the toll-free helpline maintained by the New York State Department of Financial Services’ at 1-800-269-0990 or visit the Department’s website at http://www.dfs. ny.gov. FORECLOSURE RESCUE SCAMS Be careful of people who approach you with offers to “save” your home. There are individuals who watch for notices of foreclosure actions in order to unfairly profit from a homeowner’s distress. You should be extremely careful about any such promises and any suggestions that you pay them a fee or sign over your deed. State law requires anyone offering such services for profit to enter into a contract which fully describes the services they will perform and fees they will charge, and which prohibits them from taking any money from you until they have completed all such promised services. We are attempting to collect a debt. Any information obtained will be used for that purpose. The foregoing summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an order of the Honorable Brian D. Burns dated October 23, 2020. The object of this action is to foreclose a mortgage and covering the premises known as 235 Sohne Road, Mount Vision, NY located at Section 174 Block 1 and Lot 26 Dated: November 9, 2020 Filed: November 10, 2020 Pincus Law Group, PLLC., Attorney for Plaintiff, By: George J. Weissinger, Esq., 425 RXR Plaza, Uniondale, NY 11556 (516) 6998902. 4LegalDec.24 Legal nOtice Notice of Qualification of
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served. SSNY shall mail process to c/o Lemery Greisler LLC, 60 Railroad Place, Suite 502, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. DE addr. of LLC: c/o United Corporate Services, Inc., 874 Walker Road, Suite C, Dover, DE 19904. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State of the State of DE, Div. of Corps., P.O. Box 898, Dover, DE 19903. Purpose: Any lawful activity. 6LegalDec.31 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation for Harvest 336 LLC Name of LLC: Harvest 336 LLC Date of Filing of Articles of Organization with the NY Department of State: November 6, 2020 Office of the LLC: Otsego County The New York Secretary of State has been designated as the agent upon whom process may be served. The Secretary of State may mail a copy of any process to the LLC at: Sharon Boustani, 336 Coye Brook Road, South New Berlin, New York 13843 Purpose of the LLC: Any Lawful Purpose 6LegalDec.31 Legal nOtice Notice of formation of Limited Liability Company, (LLC) Name: Denison & Festa LLC Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 11/09/2020. Office location: Otsego County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to: 143 Main Street, Cooperstown, NY 13326 Purpose: Any lawful purpose. 6LegalDec.31 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of ONIE PROPERTIES, LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 9/30/2020. Office in Otsego Co. SSNY desig. agent of LLC whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail process to 8-12 Dietz St., Ste. 202, Oneonta, NY 13820, which is also the principal business location. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. 6LegalDec.31 Legal nOtice Notice of formation of Limited Liability Company, (LLC) Name:
J&J ENTERPRISES LLC
143-147 Main Street LLC
Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 08/27/20. Office location: Otsego County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 08/25/20. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be
Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 11/06/2020. Office location: Otsego County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process
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to: 143 Main Street, Cooperstown, NY 13326 Purpose: Any lawful purpose. 6LegalDec.31 Legal nOtice NOTICE OF FORMATION OF 9 O’Neill Drive, LLC. Filed 10/21/20. Office: Otsego Co. SSNY desig. as agent for process & shall mail to: c/o Paul J scorzafava Jr, 9 O Neill Dr, Oneonta, NY 13820. Purpose: General. 6LegalDec.31 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of a NY Limited Liability Company Name: AGRINOMIC INSIGHTS LLC Articles of Organization filing date with Secretary of State (SSNY) was 16 November 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 272 Bissell Rd, Cooperstown, NY 13326. Purpose is to engage in any and all business activities permitted under NYS laws 6LegalDec.24 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of a NY Limited Liability Company Name: CARR - ADAMS FARM LLC Articles of Organization filing date with Secretary of State (SSNY) was 30 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 289 Greenough Road, Cooperstown, NY 13326. Purpose is to engage in any and all business activities permitted under NYS laws. 6LegalDec.24
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Arts. of Org. filed with the Sec’y of State of NY (SSNY) on 10/27/20. Office Location: Otsego County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it my be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 109 Sunset Drive, Apt. 2, Oneonta, New York 13820. Purpose: Any lawful activity. 6LegalDec.24 Legal nOtice NOTICE OF FORMATION OF COOPERSTOWN AREA REAL ESTATE, LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the Sec’y of State of NY (SSNY) on 10/28/20. Office Location: Otsego County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 224 Lakeside Drive, Burlington Flats, New York 13315. Purpose: Any lawful activity. 6LegalDec.24 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of J. Talbot Property Maintenance LLC, Art. of Org. filed with SSNY on 9/24/20. Off. loc.: Otsego Co. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom proc. may be served & shall mail POB 440, Otego, NY 13825. Purp.: any lawful. 6LegalDec.17 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of a Limited Liability Company (LLC) Name: Jake’s Old Fashion Deli, LLC
Name:
Articles of Organization filed by the Department of State of New York on: 02/16/2017 Office location: County of Otsego Purpose: any and all lawful activities Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) is designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: The LLC 501 Main Street Otego, NY 13825 6LegalDec.10 Legal nOtice
INNOVATION AG LLC
NOTICE OF FORMATION OF
Articles of Organization filing date with Secretary of State (SSNY) was 30 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 7937 US Hwy 20, Sharon Springs, NY 13459. Purpose is to engage in any and all business activities permitted under NYS laws. 6LegalDec.24
D’amico & Jahnke, LLC. Filed with SSNY on 10/15/2020. Office: Otsego County. SSNY designated as agent for process & shall mail to: 9 South Main Street Oneonta NY 13820. Purpose: any lawful 6LegalDec.10
Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of a NY Limited Liability Company
Legal nOtice NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LONGTAIL CONTRACTING, LLC
Legal nOtice NOTICE OF FORMATION OF Mandr Brothers LLC. Filed with SSNY on 10/28/2020. Office: Otsego County. SSNY designated as agent for process & shall mail to: 41 Stewart Ave Apt B Roscoe NY 12776. Purpose: any lawful 6LegalDec.10
THURSDAY, december 10, 2020
OBITUARIES
Arthur H. Kiser Sr., 100; Served In CCC, Marines
COOPERSTOWN – Arthur “Art” Henry Kiser Sr., 100 years and five days old, who served in the Civilian Conservation Corps and the Marines during World War II, then spent a career with NYSEG, passed peacefully away Nov. 23, 2020, at home, in his own bed, just as he wished. His loving daughter, Teresa, was by his side. Art was born Henry Alvin Kiser Nov. 18, 1920, in Ohio, a third child of nine to Palmer “Parmie” Kiser Sr. and Anna Roonie (Crace) Kiser. As a young child Art lived in Ithaca, where much of his mother’s family lived. There he enjoyed the company of many cousins. As a teenager Art joined the Civilian Conservation Corps. After the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, the U.S. entered World War II, Art became one of “Edson’s Raiders” in the 1st Marine Raider Battalion, Company C, fighting the Japanese in the Pacific Theater. He was first on Tulagi then joined the other companies to fight on Guadalcanal and in the
well-known Edson’s Ridge Battle, the battle to control the airfield. Malaria took its toll on so many Marines and Art was no exception. After months of recovery back in The States, he returned to New York City where, at a party, he met the love of his life, Helen Platt, a Brooklyn girl. After two months of courtship they married on Dec. 31, 1944. Together they decided that city life was not where they wanted to raise a family. They moved to Cooperstown and bought the home they lived in for the rest of their lives and where they raised their six children. Art took a job in Oneonta with NYSEG, starting as a ditch digger. Before he retired, some 36 years later, he was working in the electric department in Cooperstown. Art’s hobbies and interests included self-taught TV repair, auto repair, carpentry, gardening, fishing and hunting, and was an avid reader. Art is survived by his children, Arthur Kiser Jr. (Lori) of Cooperstown,
ROSEBOOM - Wendall H. “Pink” Whiteman, 90, died peacefully on Nov. 24, 2020, in Largo, Florida. He was born June 10, 1930, in Westford, the son of Lynn and Marion (Hubbard) Whiteman. He was a lifelong resident
of Otsego County, where he was a dairy farmer and carpenter. He graduated from Draper Central School in Schenevus and the construction program at SUNY Delhi. He married Jean McAdam of Needham, Massachusetts,
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
County Attorney’s Opinion Awaited Before Deciding On Gun Sanctuary
GUNS/From A1 has championed the efforts of the local 2AS moveSue Georgia (Buddy) of ment – the acronym stands Walla Walla, Wa, Teresa for “Second Amendment of Cooperstown, Richard Sanctuary” – said “as far as (Lori) of Apalachin and I know,” the resolution is up Timothy (Tara) of Milford. for discussion. While not He is also survived by his a PSLA member, he plans Wilber Coccoma grandchildren, Jamie Kiser to participate in the Zoom sanctuary county,” said (Teresa) of Whitesboro, meeting. Stammel. “I think it’s Michael (Tiffany) of The PSLA chairman, contrary to the rule of law. Cooperstown, Scott Joslin Dan Wilber, R-Burlington, A lot of people cite the (Cathy) of Oneonta, and County Attorney Ellen Constitution, but what it Christine Joslin (Eli) of Coccoma did not return calls. really does is undermine the Marshall, N.C.m Nick Kiser The resolution declares, Constitution, (which) lays (Stephanie) of Buffalo, in part, “The Board of out laws and how to make Lexi Kiser (Dusty) of Representatives hereby Copenhagen, Alex Lubbers expresses its intent to uphold laws and enforce laws. This is not the way to do it.” (Lauren)of Spotsylvania, the Second Amendment Farwell isn’t against the Va., Devon and Kaylee rights of the citizens of idea of discussing change. Kiser of Milford; as well as Otsego County.” “If it were a resolution that by his great-grandchildren, It adds, “The board says rural people need a Dylan and Danielle Kiser, declares its intent to oppose seat at the table when gun Jonathan Joslin, Kruz and unconstitutional restriction regulation is discussed, Kamden Kiser, Coulter on the right to keep and bear then I would be for that and Wyatt Lubbers. Art is arms through such legal resolution.” survived by one brother, means as may be expedient, But she’s not sure state Paul Kiser of Milford; and including, without limitagun regulations will be many nieces and nephews. tion, court action.” adjusted. “Albany already Art was predeceased by Whatever way the deciknows what rural New York Helen, his wife of 66 years; sion goes, the Republicans thinks about the SAFE Act, daughter, Nancy Lee Kiser can make it; the new county and they have the polling on (Feola); as well as four rep, Jennifer Mickle, their side,” she said. brothers and three sisters. R-Maryland, appointed to “If it just reiterates a Graveside services are succeed state Sen.-elect resolution that already planned for the springtime. Peter Oberacker, has passed in 2013” – when the Arrangements are been appointed to fill his state Legislature adopted the entrusted to the Tillapaugh committee slots, which SAFE Act, considered the Funeral Service. included the PSLA, as most stringent of its kind in well as Public Works and the nation, “I don’t see the Intergovernmental Affairs. point. If we start getting The two Democrats, to the point where we’re Stammel and Michele saying Otsego County is Farwell of Morris, voiced going to pick and choose opposition to the 2As idea. which laws it follows, or in 1950 “I’m totally against a enforcing or not, I think near Army Camp McCoy, Wisconsin. Following his tour of duty in Germany they Wendall settled in Whitman Jon Hansen 607-432-2022 Schenevus, where they started their 22-26 Watkins Avenue, Oneonta Monday through Friday 8 am - 4:30 pm family, and he built their first home. A dairy farmer at heart, in 1960 Wendall and Jean bought a neglected farm near Roseboom where he put his farming and construction skills to work, including building one of the first milking parlors in the area. Wendall was a member of the Middlefield United Methodist Church and several farm organizations. He served as a volunteer firefighter for 43 years. Wendall was predeceased by Jean, his wife of 60 years; and their son, David. He is survived by two daughters and sons-inlaw, Diane and Stephen Constantino of Largo, Florida, and Karen and Robert Ream of Barton; siblings, Oakley and Connie Whiteman of Westford, Golda Fairchild of Pittsgrove, NJ, Ethelyn and Peter Ottzen of Otego, Geary and Caroline Whiteman of Schenevus; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, and a large loving family of cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. Services must be postponed at this time. Burial will be in Cherry Valley Cemetery in the spring. Arrangements are entrusted to the Ottman Funeral Home.
Wendall H. Whiteman, 90; Farmed 60 Years In Roseboom
Grandma loved her farm, her family, and playing her old guitar.
THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL B-5
that’s a dangerous path.” Farwell said she’s reached out to two 2AS advocates, including Garrett deBlieck of Unadilla. “I think the folks who signed the petition, at least the leadership, are determined that the county be declared a sanctuary. I think a half-measure isn’t going to be adequate to satisfy them.” For his part, deBlieck said he’s discussed the sanctuary idea with Wilber, and was told “there are certain areas where there may be some changes.” “Yes or no, we’re not going to be going anywhere,” he said. “If the board decides no, we aren’t going to fold up our cards and walk away. What good would that do?” Currently, the 2AS group is seeking non-project status, a vehicle that would allow the campaign to continue into the future. “We want to be upstanding citizens, but we’re being more and more marginalized,” he said. “And enough is enough. It’s to a point where numbers of people did not want to sign because they didn’t want to put down the names of their towns, much less their names.” For his part, deBlieck said he’s discussed the sanctuary idea with Wilber, and was told “there are certain areas where there may be some changes.”
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