Reps Hear Continued ICE Outcry, Discuss America 250 Grants

By BILL BELLEN
OTSEGO COUNTY

Prior to the regularly-scheduled March 4 meeting of the Otsego County Board of Representatives, there were three brief special meetings of various committees.

The Intergovernmental Affairs Committee met to approve Planning Department Director Tammie Harris’ request to purchase two new buses for the OPT-Cooperstown route at a cost not to exceed $1,299,204.00. The buses will replace two older vehicles purchased in 2019. Harris clarified that 80 percent of the cost will be covered by federal funds, with the remaining 20 percent being provided by the state.

Following IGA’s meeting, quorum was not met at a special session of the Human Services Committee, so no action was taken on any items. The Administration Committee met to approve a few last-minute resolutions to be presented to the board at-large before adjourning to make way for the primary meeting of the day.

A sizable portion of the board was not present for the March meeting, with Reps. Andrew Marietta, Nora Mendez, Adrienne Martini and Jill Basile all being noted as absent.

Rep. Daniel Wilber presented a resolution from the floor in appreciation of retiring Otsego County IT Director Brian Pokorny. Pokorny worked for the county for more than 30 years and has been director of his department since January of 2000. Wilber thanked him for building the digital infrastructure needed for county functions, including those of emergency services. Chairman Edwin Frazier Jr. commended Pokorny for always being “ahead of the curve” and doing his utmost to serve the needs of the county. Pokorny received a round of applause and well wishes in retirement from the board.

The meeting then shifted to privilege of the floor, with Frazier reminding a very full audience of the rules of order before proceeding. Ten individuals spoke to the board in what amounted to nearly 25 minutes of separate addresses to their representatives.