Christian Steagall, operations coordinator at the Georgia Innocence Project, keynoted the Martin Luther King Day commemoration organized Monday by Cooperstown’s First Presbyterian Church.
By JIM KEVLIN • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com
ONEONTA – Police Chief Douglas Brenner, at the helm of Oneonta police for four years, almost to the day, will retire in 30 days, Mayor Gary Herzig said this morning.
Until then, Brenner, 56, will be taking left-over vacation time unused due to the demands of a year of COVID-19. “It’s been a hectic year,” said the mayor. “He felt like it’s time. It’s been a taxing time for all of us.”
The mayor said while he didn’t expect Brenner’s announcement this week, the chief advised him last year that he had become eligible for retirement and intended to do so.
Lt. Chris Witzenburg, a detective appointed as Brenner’s deputy in 2017, will serve as interim chief, according to the mayor. A Civil Service exam for the job will be administered in March, and candidates who pass can then be interviewed and appointed later in the year.
By JIM KEVLIN • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com
SCHENEVUS – Lori Lehenbauer of Worcester, the county Republican elections commissioner since 2016, was elected Republican chairwoman when the county committee convened here last evening.
She succeeds Vince Casale, Republican chairman for the past seven years, who resigned in December, to devote more time to his political consultancy, The Casale Group, based in Cooperstown but serving candidates statewide.
“I’ve been a longstanding party member,” said Lehenbauer. “I’ve very grateful and honored that they picked me. I will work hard to represent all Republicans in Otsego County.”
By JIM KEVLIN • Special to www. AllOTSEGO.com
COOPERSTOWN – Hanna Bergene, 29, well-known in Cooperstown affairs from her years as Cooperstown Chamber of Commerce marketing & events director, is running for the Village Board in the March elections.
Veteran Trustee Jim Dean, 80, a trustee for the past eight years, said he decided to step aside when he heard of Bergene’s interest. “I met with her and saw her bio,” he said. “I’m going to is step aside and make a space for her.” As the village comes out of the COVID Era, he said, younger people should be involved in building the future.
ALBANY – Otsego County’s new state senator, Peter Oberacker, R-Schenevus, has been named ranking 
Republican on two Senate committees: Internet & Technology and Alcoholism & Substance Abuse.
He will also serve on Education, Health, Higher Education and Judiciary.
“Being tasked with leadership roles on two senate committees is a major responsibility. Both of these key committees deal with vital issues that have intensified in need during the COVID pandemic.”
The next edition of The Freeman’s Journal and Hometown Oneonta (Jan. 14-15) will be a Tribute to State Sen. Jim Seward, who retired on Dec. 31 after serving Otsego County in Albany for 34 years.
You are welcome to participate. Please keep your tribute to 100 words, and email it by noon Monday, Jan. 11, along with your name and town of residence to
By JIM KEVLIN • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com
COOPERSTOWN – Democratic unhappiness over how state Sen. Peter Oberacker was replaced on the county board spilled over at today’s reorganizational meeting.
County Board Chair David Bliss, R-Cooperstown/Town of Middlefield, was reelected, but the vote was 10-3, plus one abstention. And not before Bliss was criticized for partisanship, poor communication and a lack of vision.
“The people of the county deserve a county chair who puts the good of the county above party and does not work the rules for partisan advantage,” said Michelle Farwell, D-Morris, one of two reps speaking out against Bliss’ reelection.
The other was Jill Basile, D-Oneonta, who said, “We saw our lack of transparency, partisanship and poor communications in the appointment of the District 6 representative,” Jennifer Mickle, R-Town of Maryland, who succeeded Oberacker.
WASHINGTON – Otsego County’s congressman, Antonio Delgado, R-19, said he was “humbled and honored” on being sworn in for a second term last evening at the Capitol.
The swearing in took place on the House floor, by groups, to observe social distancing protocols.
By CHRYSTAL SAVAGE • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com
COOPERSTOWN – Otsego County has welcomed the area’s first baby of the new year.
‘Allan Cotton, son of Mallory Diederichs and Scott Cotton of Dolgeville, was born – a week early – at 9:31 a.m. New Year’s Day at Bassett Hospital.
Allan weighs 9 pounds, 3 ounces and is 22 inches long.
Allan has four siblings: Michael, 12, and Karman, 3, at home and two older siblings, Zachary in Missouri, and Michaela in North Carolina.
Peter Oberacker is sworn in at 1 p.m. today in the Schenevus Fire Hall as state senator for the 51st District, which includes Otsego and nine other Central New York Counties. His wife Shannon holds the Bible. About 20 friends and well-wishers attended, the number limited by COVID precautions. A reception followed at FormTech Solutions, Oberacker’s business on Route 7 east of the hamlet. Inset, Oberacker’s FormTech partner and campaign manager, Ron Wheeler, is sworn in as Maryland town supervisor. His wife Christine holds the Bible. Town Justice Joseph Staruck, a fellow local judge for 28 years with Oberacker’s late mother, Carol, administered both oaths. Oberacker, who was a three-term county representatives for the Schenevus area (Maryland, Worcester, Westford and Decatur), succeeds state Sen. Jim Seward, R-Milford, who represented the county in Albany for 34 years. (Jim Kevlin/AllOTSEGO.com)
ONEONTA – Bonnie Cuozzo, Fox Hospital’s director of Hospitalist Services & Discharge Planning, is scheduled to be appointed deputy city clerk, according to Common Council’s agenda for its Tuesday meeting.
Tuesday’s session is also the Council’s annual reorganizational meeting.
COOPERSTOWN – Patricia Szarpa will retire as executive director of the Otsego Land Trust in February, the board of directors announced. An interim executive director will be appointed while a successor is sought.
During her tenure, Szarpa, former Cooperstown Chamber of Commerce executive director, worked to increase support from major funders, focused on preserving sensitive blocks of land in the Butternut Valley, and increased social media presence, including new website that will be launched by year’s end.
