Coop Board of Trustees: ‘No’ to Proposed Sign Law Amendment
COOPERSTOWN–Following numerous meetings and a public hearing, the Cooperstown Village Board of Trustees voted 6-1 this evening, October 28, against a proposed amendment to the village’s existing sign law. If approved, the sign law would have been changed to allow banners to be placed on NYSEG utility poles on four streets in the Village of Cooperstown. The impetus for the proposed change was a request to hang “Hometown Heroes” banners, honoring local veterans, in the village. Mayor Ellen Tillapaugh was the lone vote in favor of amending the law. Reasons given against the change included concerns regarding turning over jurisdiction of sign approval and placement to NYSEG, the desire to preserve Cooperstown’s sense of place, and the temporary nature of the banners versus the timelessness of monuments. Read a full account of the meeting in this week’s “Freeman’s Journal” and “Hometown Oneonta,” which hit newsstands on Wednesday afternoon.
I’m delighted with this decision. We have many heroes to honor – firefighters, doctors and nurses, teachers, police,etc. I objected to singling out only one kind of hero, and the message that would send to our children about what kinds of service we value.
Without those veterans, none of the other heroes are possible!
If thorough research were conducted, it would be clear that the Hometown Heroes program is not limited to honoring Veterans; all groups mentioned could be recognized under this initiative. I fully support the effort to honor Veterans through this program. However, the Village trustees should consider that they recently voted down a proposal that sought to honor those who fought to secure the very freedoms, including the right to make such decisions, that they exercised.
Well said Joe. Very well said. It appears by the response I’ve already seen to this on social media, that the board is not representing the majortity of the people very well.
Do your research! Hometown Hero banners are not just limited to veterans. They have flag options for every single profession you listed.
It’s so sad for all the families of home town heroes! A lot of these brave men and women have gave up their life so we could remain free! Why not make a small park or trail for the veterans to hang up the banner’s that the families payed for! Come on!