By: DarlaY
03/09/2023 3:12 pm
First Impressions: Steve Davis
The Leatherstocking Beekeepers’ Association recently held its Introduction to Beekeeping class at the Clark Sports Center in Cooperstown. Thirty-five enthusiastic attendees were treated to a wide variety of beekeeping topics. The LBA is a local group of primarily backyard beekeepers dedicated to responsible, healthy beekeeping. Our activities include educational programs, social events, outreach programs, lending of equipment and mentoring. Established in 2015, the organization has included members from Otsego County and beyond. Our numbers include anyone from Master Beekeepers to “new-bees.”
By: DarlaY
03/09/2023 2:50 pm
The Partial Observer: Adrian Kuzminski
On March 1, the Otsego County Board of Representatives stood up for their constituents in what could be an historic vote. In a welcome show of solidarity, the board voted unanimously to oppose key provisions of Governor Hochul’s proposed New York State budget for 2024, which would concentrate state power at local expense while trampling our constitutional right to home rule. This newspaper, reflecting public concern over this issue, has in effect endorsed the County Board’s action by calling for the need to reaffirm home rule as defined in Article IX of the state constitution.
By: DarlaY
03/09/2023 2:40 pm
News from the Noteworthy: Helios Care
Over the last couple of weeks, two well-known public figures have selected to seek hospice services. One is former President Jimmy Carter and the other actor Tom Sizemore. Sadly, Tom Sizemore just died with a relatively short hospice stay, while President Carter remains on hospice. We at Helios Care believe that the longer one is on hospice, up to six months or more, the greater the benefits of the multidisciplinary approach to the patient and the family. We provide nursing, social workers, chaplains, and home health aides to support patient and family, as well as bereavement support for the family following the passing of their loved one.
By: DarlaY
03/09/2023 12:54 pm
Letter from Christopher Witzenburg
I have been going to a fitness center of one kind or another for 35 years; I have been a member of FoxCare Fitness for over 23 years. I have made long-term friends there, met personal goals, milestones and countless challenges in my life, and have been supported by having the fitness center at my disposal. This week, there have been some long faces and serious discussions in regard to the closing of the center in June.
FoxCare Fitness is unique to Oneonta, serving the most mature fitness population of any other gym in the area. Many of the daily attendees started there from rehab and have not left because they have found it adds to the quality of their lives. I think we all understand that the gym costs money to run but, given the facility already exists, and has had the same equipment for many, many years, it is hard to imagine how cutting the fitness center would be a significant savings for the network.
By: DarlaY
03/09/2023 12:41 pm
Letter from Wayne Mellor
Sustainable Otsego fully supports the Otsego County Board of Representatives’ unanimous vote to oppose three propositions in the proposed 2024 state budget, which would change Real Property Tax Law 575-b, part N.
The first local, utility-scale, solar project was proposed for the Town of Laurens in 2019. In response, Sustainable Otsego’s position was that our communities and Otsego County need to benefit from the loss of our land to this solar project. Compensation should be cheaper, zero-carbon power via solar credits for our residents, and/or sufficient property taxes going to the county.
By: DarlaY
03/09/2023 12:36 pm
Letter from Ted Potrikus
Last week’s editorial, “Saving Article IX,” appropriately cautions New Yorkers to defend home rule and guard against efforts that would erode our right to govern our localities as we see fit.
By: DarlaY
03/09/2023 12:32 pm
Letter from Chip Northrup
There are short-term rental permits at 25 single-family houses in the Village of Cooperstown. Some were grandfathered when the village began issuing such permits in 2018. Some are exemplary applications of the ordinance—the owners are renting a garage apartment or other auxiliary dwelling unit that might otherwise go unused. Where the short-term rental is incidental to the family’s use and occupancy of the property. Where the building is not turned into a rooming house in disguise.
By: DarlaY
03/09/2023 12:22 pm
A Letter from the LVW of the Cooperstown Area
Cooperstown Village elections will be held on Tuesday, March 21, 2023. Two candidates are vying for a three-year term on the Village Board of Trustees: George Fasenelli and Joseph R. Membrino.
By: DarlaY
03/09/2023 12:06 pm
Letter from Cynthia and Bill Goertemoeller
The recent surprise announcement of the closure of FoxCare Fitness comes as a real shock to many! Hundreds of clients, including hospital staff, use this state-of-the-art facility daily to help maintain healthy bodies and spirits.
As in other aspects of society, COVID played havoc with the program, which was closed for over a year. When it opened, the extended mask policy kept some people away. However, we saw no real publicity announcing the re-opening. Was there any real effort to lure folks back? Was the Oneonta community given warning that the facility would have to close if members did not come back in sufficient numbers? Could grants and county resources be tapped to give FCF longer to rebuild? There are many concerns that should be addressed before the death of a unique, vital resource that hugely impacts greater-Oneonta.
By: DarlaY
03/09/2023 12:02 pm
Editorial
Among the myriad annoying swirls of disaffection, rage, frustration and division in this country, the years-long massive popular and political debate over abolishing daylight saving, or abolishing standard, times—and then adopting either as standard—should be a mere minor tremor. But this particular time war, which was in fact first developed by the Germans in World War I (and abolished right after it) has been raging across the country, as well as across Europe and Great Britain, for nearly a decade, and it is not going to stop until a decision is made. And then, of course, as have been several cases in the past, that decision may not even hold.
By: DarlaY
03/04/2023 8:19 am
By SANDRA BRIGHT
ONEONTA
I used to consider myself an animal lover, against harming any living creature. I still care about animals, very much, but my concern has grown to envelop all of nature; because of this, I now advocate reducing the deer herd. There’s a delicate balance, and if one species thrives, it is often at the expense of others. As a prey species, deer evolved to have multiple births. In the absence of cougars and wolves, their key predators, the population has grown to outstrip available resources.
By: DarlaY
03/02/2023 2:52 pm
News from the Noteworthy
Every year in March, we take time throughout the month to recognize people with developmental disabilities as members of our community, coworkers, family and friends for Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. Developmental disabilities can occur at birth or become present over the development age and can include autism and ADHD, cerebral palsy, learning, language, and intellectual disabilities. You may know or work with someone who has a developmental disability. Today, we live in a much more inclusive society, thanks to the actions of self-advocates and advocates of persons with developmental disabilities, as well as policy changes, and the evolution and growth of organizations like Springbrook. However, there will always be spaces and places that can grow in the scope of their inclusion and diversity, and an equitable workforce is a great place to start.
By: DarlaY
03/02/2023 2:42 pm
Letter from Jim Howarth
A recent article in “The Freeman’s Journal” asked, “Do Blooms Also Like It Cold?’’ and comments questioned what is being done to address our harmful algal blooms—HABs. The answer is, a lot.
We consider Otsego Lake to be unique—and in many ways it is. But one of the ways it is not unique is its susceptibility to HABs. Hundreds of bodies of water in the Northeast have experienced HABs recently. The causes of HABs are under study, but we do know there is no one driver or any party to affix blame to.
The Otsego Lake Association and its members have taken the lead in studying and dealing with HABs.
By: DarlaY
03/02/2023 2:33 pm
Letter from James L. Northrup
40 Lake Street is one of the oldest houses in the Village of Cooperstown, in one of the most prominent single-family locations. It is probably the worst candidate in the historic heart of the village to be turned into a short term rental property. The house and location are simply not suited for short-term rental, which, in this instance, would amount to a form of house and neighborhood abuse. The village should meet its regional obligation for long term affordable rental properties, but not with this historic home, not in this prominent location, not as a boarding house.
Multiple reasons to reject this requested change of use of 40 Lake Street into a short term rent house:
By: DarlaY
03/02/2023 2:25 pm
Letter from Bryan LoRusso
I have been following the movements of the Board of Representatives and the 911 director over the last two years in regard to the county’s paid EMS program that the constituents of Otsego County never approved. After reading last week’s article on AllOtsego.com, I have many thoughts to share and questions to be answered.
The Board of Representatives, including prior members, has never aggressively helped fire/EMS volunteerism in Otsego County. They have never offered county-wide incentives that made a substantial difference in volunteers’ lives. To that point, I have watched regulations get jammed down volunteers’ throats while telling them they need to pay for their own courses, they need certain certifications which they must also pay for, they must have certain levels of expertise—all without any form of incentive or financial assistance to do so.
