Former Mayor Sam Nader, left shares a laugh with current Mayor Gary Herzig at the 50th anniversary celebration of the Oneonta Municipal Airport, which Nader himself championed, on Sept. 17, 2016. In December, Herzig will ask Common Council to approve re-naming the airport in Nader’s honor.
By LIBBY CUDMORE • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com
ONEONTA – Mayor Gary Herzig will ask Oneonta Common Council to approve the re-naming of the Oneonta Municipal Airport in honor of Sam Nader at their meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 4.
“At our airport, I recently participated in the first graduation of Oneonta Job Corps’ Drone Operator program,” said Herzig. “While doing so, I could not help but think that this event would never have taken place if not for Mayor Sam Nader’s determination to realize his vision of an Oneonta Airport.”
When Nader ran for mayor in 1962, he supported a new airport, which newspapers at the time called “Nader’s Folly.”
“I said the issue was more important than any individual, and I would risk defeat to have an airport,” Nader said in an interview with the Hometown Oneonta in September 2016.
Above, Mayor Gary Herzig officially announces the renaming of the Oneonta Municiple Airport terminal Finn Terminal, in honor of the late Dennis Finn during a celebrations of his life at the airport this afternoon. Family, friends gathered to recount fond memories of Dennis, whose civic involvement, kindly manner and passion for life touched so many. At right: Ruth Allen, Oneonta, Dennis’ life partner, receives a folded flag in honor of his military service. She stands next to his daughter Kelly Lynch and son Kevin Finn. (Ian Austin/AllOTSEGO.com)
Mayor Gary Herzig hugs Ruth Allen, life partner of Dennis Finn, following the Common Council vote to name the “Finn Terminal” at the Oneonta Municipal Airport. “Dennis was a true friend of the city,” said Herzig. “But the airport was his true passion. It’s an honor for us to be able to memorialize Dennis this way.” During Finn’s memorial service on Saturday, June 24, Mayor Herzig will read a proclamation and a memorial tree will be planted at the site. (Ian Austin/AllOTSEGO.com)
Jeff Back, a longtime friend and fellow Airport Commission member with Dennis Finn, announces the commission’s recommendation to name the airport terminal in Finn’s honor. (Ian Austin/AllOTSEGO.com)Council member Dave Rissberger, Third Ward, will take the recommendation to the Operations, Planning and Evaluation committee that he chairs.
By LIBBY CUDMORE • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.COM
ONEONTA – During public comment at this evening’s Common Council meeting, city Airport Commissioner Jeff Back laid out his case for naming the Oneonta Municipal Airport terminal in memory of the late Dennis Finn.
“Dennis was a valued founding member of the airport commission,” he said. “His involvement with the airport goes back to it’s construction and pre-dates the original dedication ceremony in 1966. His commitment, daily efforts and never-ending promotion of airport activities have been a strong contributor to the renovation of airport facilities, airport awareness and increased community involvement.
“It is the unanimous recommendation of the airport commission that the airport’s main terminal be named in his honor.”
Kathy Hays, Oneonta, and Steve Underhill, the development project manager for Housing Visions, square off in front of a map of the proposed Silver Creek project at the City Planning Meeting this evening. (Ian Austin/ AllOTEGO.com)
By LIBBY CUDMORE • for AllOTSEGO.com
ONEONTA – Despite a final few voices of public outcry, Housing Visions’ proposed 48 unit Silver Creek senior and family housing project got site plan approval from the Oneonta City Planning Board at a special meeting called this evening at City Hall.
“This is a good thing for Oneonta,” said Mayor Gary Herzig, who served on the Housing Task Force that brought Housing Visions to the city. “We’re going to take down abandoned buildings and eyesores and turn them into affordable, quality housing. This is Oneonta at its best.”
The site plan was unanimously approved by the board, who also decided against doing a full environmental impact statement, citing that the SEQR answered all questions. The site plans for projects at 63-65 Spruce Street and at West and Columbia were approved at earlier meetings.
But it wasn’t a victory without detractors. At a meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 16, neighbors voiced concerns for two hours. And although public comment wasn’t scheduled for the special meeting, Council Member Bob Brzozowski, Seventh Ward, asked that the public be allowed to speak.
