Bound Volumes, Hometown History

January 23, 2025

70 YEARS AGO

January 1955

40 YEARS AGO

Nearly 60 people attending a celebration for legalized abortion were urged to write letters to Oneonta Mayor James Lettis protesting his proclamation this week as the “Week of the Unborn Child.” “We find this very offensive that a religious view is put in a citywide proclamation,” Chris Lilly of Oneonta said to the group gathered at the Universalist Church, 12 Ford Avenue. The meeting was jointly sponsored by the National Organization for Women, Women Concerned about Women and The Feminist Discussion Group. Peter Hill of Oneonta, an attorney in Walton, spoke to the gathering about Roe vs. Wade, the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision which legalized abortion. “The case is certainly one to celebrate,” said Hill. “It’s about individual rights.”

January 1985

30 YEARS AGO

A forum of eleven local religious and academic leaders meeting at Lee Hall on the campus of the State University College at Oneonta on Sunday sought ways to apply the non-violent teachings of civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. There is rising concern about crime and violence in Oneonta and two incidents on Main Street within the last five months, one a fatal stabbing, occurred after men of different races exchanged hostile words. The violence was not mentioned specifically by panelists, but they expressed concern that blacks were being scapegoated for a community-wide problem. “We need to get over the idea that when someone encounters two or three guys walking down the street who may look different, the reaction is—“What are these guys up to?” said Marie E. King of the First Presbyterian Church.

January 1995

20 YEARS AGO

Jim Baldo, former co-owner of the Banjo Radio Group and his wife, Jacki Hunt, are the new owners of Oneonta’s Clinton Plaza. “We like Oneonta. We’re happy to be here,” Hunt said. “We want to be able to still participate in the community.” According to Otsego County records, the purchase price was $1,593,710. The sale closed on January 11. The plaza has 25 business rental spaces. The majority are occupied by tenants. Tenants include Domino’s Pizza, Bella Pockets and Bronsky Orthodontics. “These are businesses that worked hard to get where they are,” Hunt said. “They’re experienced merchants and experienced business people.” Clinton Plaza gets a lot of foot traffic, has parking, and an Oneonta Public Transit Station. Clinton Plaza opened in November, 1975.

January 2005