The Partial Observer by Elayne Mosher Campoli and Cecelia Walsh-Russo

27 Market Street: Are We as Welcoming as We Would Like To Be?

Everyday Oneontans can agree on shared values like supporting a vibrant, thriving downtown and businesses to be successful; we value families, children, young people, and providing dignity for the evolving needs of seniors and individuals with disabilities. We view Oneonta as a special place and value being a welcoming community. Conversations and transparency about issues like city finances or our shared built environment are crucial to everyone. 

Too often, however, we have found that our public discussions have been tinged with a lack of trust and the circulation of misinformation building up alongside accusations of divisiveness. We believe as elected officials that underlying our differences should be a shared belief that we are together in our struggles and in our joy, that we are invested collectively even during moments where, as community members, we may find ourselves debating points with significant disagreement.