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ary Koutnik hasn’t just played Scrooge, he and his audience live the story of redemption together. “Everybody knows the play,” said
COOPERSTOWN
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olice Chief Mike Covert is exploring putting two body-worn cameras for his officers in the 2015-16 village budget. The idea came out of theVillage Board’s Public Safety Committee. Trustee Ellen Tillapaugh Kuch, the committee chair, reported the cameras are free, but storing the data for a required period can be expensive. NEW OFFICER: Senior Investigator Mike Ten Eyck is retiring from the county Sheriff’s Department at year’s end and will join the Village Police Department as a part-time officer Jan. 15. EQUIPMENT FAILS: Village trustees this week learned leaves piled up along village streets this fall because the required equipment needed repair. LONGER DAYS: Winter solstic was Sunday, Dec. 21, and by Sunday the 28th, days here will already be two minues longer.
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COOPERSTOWN
Chief Explores Body Cameras For His Officers
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OVE O L E H T R FO
By JIM KEVLIN
The Freeman’s Journal
For 206 Years
Cooperstown, New York, Thursday, December 25, 2014
COOPERSTOWN AND AROUND
Protected by an unseasonable umbrella, Debbie Ritton, Westford, heads back to Schlather & Birch on Tuesday, Dec. 23, after picking up some last-minute gifts. Rain and highs in the 50s were expected through Christmas Day.
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Volume 206, No. 52
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Ebenezer Scrooge (Gary Koutnik) is surrounded by his ghosts – from right, Christmas Past (Caley Sharratt, Hartwick), Christmas Present (Gary Kuch) and Christmas Yet To Come (Art Newell).
the actor, mutton-chopped for the time being. “They know what happens at the end. They’re waiting for it. I feel like I’m being swept along. “The more emotion I’m feeling on stage in the character, the more I can help the audience feel. And the audience helps me do that, too.” Koutnik, retired special-ed director Please See SCROOGE, A3
Jim Kevlin/The Freeman’s Journal
After Fracking Banned, Nation, World Beckon Activism Shifts To New Targets
Otsego 2000’s Nicole Dillingham hugs fellow anti-fracking Bob Eklund, New Lisbon, at a celebration at Cafe Ommegang after Governor Cuomo announced the fracking ban. “This is historic. This is euphoria,” she said.
By JIM KEVLIN COOPERSTOWN
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oday, Albany. Tomorrow, Kalangadoo, Australia. Laura Malloy, While local Laurens, and fracking foes were Clark Rhodes, elated by Governor Worcester, pour Cuomo’s Wednes- the champagne. day, Dec. 16, announcement that he plans to ban the controversial practice in New York State, they were already looking beyond. The widest-reaching is Lou Allstadt, the retired Mobil executive vice president, whose short-term plans include appearing on a Jan. 12 panel at San Please See FRACKING, A7 Jim Kevlin/The Freeman’s Journal
Trustees OK Solar-Power Study Solomon Energy To Explore Possible Multiple-Municipal Project By JIM KEVLIN COOPERSTOWN
W
ithin a year, Village Hall, CCS’ three buildings, perhaps Bassett and maybe even homeowners will be
enjoying a 25-30 percent reduction in energy bills. That’s if all goes as hoped, following the Village Board’s unanimous vote Monday, Dec. 22, to contract with Solomon Energy of Westchester County to study solar-energy options.
For the past several months, Trustee Lou Allstadt, the former Mobil executive vice president, has been exploring whether alternative energy makes sense for the village. The stumbling block, said Mayor Jeff Katz, was Please See POWER, A7
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SEE SLIDE SHOW AT www.
8 Teenagers Will Pioneer Chamber’s YEA Program By LIBBY CUDMORE
H
e may not know what business he’s starting just yet, but by the time Toby Harmon is finished with his freshman year at Milford Central School, he’ll be a CEO.
“I know that when I get there, I’ll come up with ideas,” he said. “It’s quite a privilege to be able to own your own business.” Harmon is one of eight students so-far planning to participate in the Otsego County Chamber of Please See YEA, 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
See the ad on page A3 for complete schedule.