Bound Volumes, Hometown History
October 19, 2023
70 Years Ago
On the verge of welcoming Dr. Miller A.F. Ritchie as its new president, Hartwick College yesterday announced that it would take steps to help prevent further attacks in its student newspaper against former college officials. The editorial charged that Hartwick had, in the past few years, “slithered down the drain of incompetence,” and had developed “a sour student body, a lethargic Alumni Association and an overtired, overworked faculty.” Concerning Henry J. Arnold, the retiring college president, the editorial said that Hartwick “has finally been blessed with a capable, efficient, future-minded president,” but characterized the condition of the college as an “ash heap he has inherited.” Under the headline “It’s About Time” the editorial continued: “People have not been happy here; something has been missing—an indefinable something that is displayed in school spirit, cooperation, eagerness, and collegiate traditions.” Students, it said, “have had the misfortune to witness this decay and to smell the stench…” “The Hilltops editorial containing negative criticism of the previous administration was a shocking surprise to me and is a source of deep regret,” said Dr. Ritchie. “His (Arnold’s) devotion to the college is a constant source of inspiration to me. I am sure that all who love the college…have a deep sense of gratitude to this intrepid Hartwick pioneer.” Dr. Ritchie promises “steps to provide wise counsel and guidance for the editorial staffs of college publications and to impress student journalists with the serious responsibility attached to writing for publication.”
October 1953
50 Years Ago
Oneonta school administrators will soon begin the search for a director of personnel. The school board agreed to create the position on a recommendation from school superintendent Frederick Bardsley. The salary for the new position is expected to be in the $10,000 to $15,000 range. The new post will eliminate the need for the school board to hire an outside consulting firm to handle contract negotiations. The consultants were paid $8,500 for their work in 1972-73. The decision to hire a specialist comes only a few weeks after a long impasse between the school board and the teachers was settled. “Education must learn to cope with personnel relations the way industry has,” Bardsley said. In addition to serving as negotiator, the personnel director will represent the school superintendent in all grievance and arbitration procedures, supervise and maintain all personnel records, and assist in budget planning. The board also filled a vacant seat with the appointment of Frank Briguglio, age 30, a 1961 graduate of Oneonta High School and a 1965 graduate of Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa. Briguglio is a certified public accountant.
October 1973
30 Years Ago
Between 250 and 275 walkers and joggers exercised their legs Sunday in order to fill less fortunate people’s stomachs. However, organizers said that the number of participants was down by about 200 from last year. Participants in the 17th Annual CROP Walk through Oneonta raised money as part of a nationwide campaign to fight hunger. Peter Shea, coordinator of the Oneonta event said he was still happy with the outcome. “Each year is a surprise, and each year you welcome new people in the walk.”
October 1993
20 Years Ago
An Otsego County not-for-profit that cares for the terminally ill gave $2,000 to NYS Republicans recently, and quickly got the money back after learning that campaign contributions are not legal. Lesley Deleski, executive director of the Catskill Area Hospice and Palliative Care made the contribution while attending a Republican fundraiser at a Cooperstown home this past summer.
October 2003