Sense of Community Spirit Pervades Grand Opening in Morris
By TERESA WINCHESTER
MORRIS
There were many smiles on many faces at the grand opening of Sidney Federal Credit Union in Morris on Wednesday, July 23. Community members were smiling. Bank officials and employees were smiling, and members of Butternut Valley Alliance, whose “Save Our Bank” task force spearheaded the effort to bring financial services back to Morris, were also smiling.
BVA Vice Chair Maggie Brenner of Morris was the lead for “Save Our Bank.” Other members included Ed Lentz, Tom Washbon, Jason Cianciotto, Bob Thomas, Jim Tremlett, John DiStefano and Andrea Hull, all of Morris, as well as Peter Martin and Arlene Martin of New Lisbon.
The grand opening provided a feel-good ending to what wound up being a feel-good story. In a world where banks are closing with great frequency, especially in more remote areas, BVA reversed this trend and brought a financial institution back to Morris a year and a half after Community Bank NA had pulled out, offering its customers “nearby” banking services 14 miles away in Oneonta.
In what was originally considered by some to be an unlikely transaction, SFCU even managed to purchase the building out of which Community Bank had operated. Located at 132 Main Street, the handsome 130-year-old stone edifice at the corner of state highways 51 and 23 is on the National Register of Historic Places and has operated as a bank since 1856.
“I think SFCU’s purchase of the building demonstrates its commitment to the community,” said Brenner.
