League: No Contest,

But Exercise

Your Right To Vote

To the Editor:
The League of Women Voters, Cooperstown Area urges the citizens of the Village of Cooperstown to vote in the village election Tuesday, March 19. Polls are open noon-9 p.m. at the Cooperstown Fire Hall on Chestnut Street.
There are three open trustee seats: two for three-year terms; and one for a one-year term to complete the final year of the seat left vacant when Ellen Tillapaugh became mayor. Richard Sternberg and Jeanne Dewey, current trustees, are running for the two three-year terms. MacGuire Benton is running for the one-year term.
Because there are no challengers this year, these are the sole candidates for the seats. Therefore it is a “no contest” election year. Often, when there is a “contest” for seats, the League of Women Voters, Cooperstown Area, will host and organize a debate so that citizens may have an opportunity to hear the candidates respond to issues and ask questions directly of them. Because there is a single candidate for the seats this year, there will be no debate. However, the League strongly encourages all citizens to make their voices heard and exercise their right to vote.
Another method for participating in local government is to attend the meetings of the Village Trustees. Meetings are open to the public and occur on the fourth Monday every month, starting at 6:30 p.m. in the Village Hall, 22 Main St. The floor is open for public comment at the beginning of each meeting, when citizens have the opportunity to voice their concerns.