News Briefs: April 20, 2023

Compiled by WRILEY NELSON

Molinaro To Request Funding for Oneonta Sewer Project

ONEONTA—Each year, the U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations Committee entertains community development funding requests for the upcoming appropriations bill. Congressman Marc Molinaro (R-NY 19) announced on Monday, April 17 that he will request $41 million in federal funds for community projects in the 19th district, $4.2 million of which is intended for the Town of Oneonta’s West Main Street Water and Sewer Extension Project. The town plans to install 7,000 linear feet of sewer and water lines, along with their associated laterals, meters, and hookups. Representative Elise Stefanik (R-NY 21) submitted her requests earlier this year. They include a $1.5 million proposal to build a new firehouse in the Village of Richfield Springs.

Chamber of Commerce Requests Business Award Nominations

OTSEGO COUNTY—The Otsego County Chamber of Commerce requests nominations for business awards that will be presented at their annual dinner. Members of the public are encouraged to submit nominations for the 2023 Business of the Year Award, Eugene A. Bettiol Jr. Distinguished Citizen Award, Breakthrough Award 2022 and Volunteer of the Year. Nominations must be received by April 24. Visit https://form.jotform.com/info_info671_Chamber/annual-dinner-award-nominations for more award requirements or to submit a nomination. Businesses and groups are invited to the awards dinner, which will be held at SUNY Oneonta on May 24. Information and tickets are available at https://members.otsegocc.com/events/details/2023-annual-spring-awards-dinner-blooming-with-brilliance-1079.

Morris Fire Department to Host Recruiting Event, Open House

MORRIS—The Morris Fire Department will host a RecruitNY event and department open house from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 22. There will be a “jaws of life” equipment demonstration using a car provided by Kopper Towing at 10 a.m. Children can try on equipment and put out a fire. The department will provide refreshments and free blood pressure checks. There will be information and applications for prospective volunteer firefighters. RecruitNY is an annual statewide recruiting drive for volunteer fire departments. Volunteers provide essential safety services that otherwise would be unattainable for many rural communities. Residents are strongly urged to consider this rewarding service opportunity. Other local fire departments hosting RecruitNY events will include Cooperstown, Mount Vision, Richfield Springs, Afton, Sidney, Pindars Corners and Canajoharie.

Fenimore Art Museum Will Feature M.C. Escher Exhibit

COOPERSTOWN—Fenimore Art Museum will exhibit more than 180 works by famed Dutch graphic artist M.C. Escher from May 27 to September 4. Maurits Cornelis Escher (1898-1972) was born in Leeuwarden, the capital of Friesland in the Netherlands. Escher’s mathematically rigorous depictions of complex reflective surfaces, impossible landscapes and mind-bending tessellations are some of the most iconic images of the 20th century. The exhibit will feature many of Escher’s best-known works. It draws on the extensive private collection of Paul and Belinda Filos of Athens, Greece.

Leatherstocking BSA Council Celebrates New Eagle Scouts

OTSEGO COUNTY—The Leatherstocking Council of the Boy Scouts of America recently celebrated 45 scouts who achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in 2022. Eagle Scout is the highest rank that can be achieved in BSA, and only about 5 percent of scouts earn this distinction, as it requires years of commitment, hard work, and community service. Among the honorees was Grant Crowson of Fly Creek, a 2022 graduate of Cooperstown Central School and freshman at Ithaca College. Ethan Wagner and Christian Valentine, both of Laurens, are also among the new Eagle Scouts. Valentine is a senior at Morris Central School. Wagner graduated from Morris in 2022.