One of Sam Nader’s favorite photos records Don Mattingly Day at Yankee Stadium in 1995, when George Steinbrenner called the owner of the Oneonta Yankees onto the field to receive the fans’ accolades for his contributions to baseball.
At the time Sam Nader’s Oneonta Athletic Association was affiliated with the Detroit Tigers, the MLB team allocated a certain number of baseballs per season to its Minor League teams.
Anything over was a local team’s responsibility.
At the end of the Oneonta Tigers first season, Sam Nader tallied baseballs used, and mailed a check.
The phone rang. It was Detroit. “What’s this for?” he was asked.
“That’s our share for the baseballs,” Sam replied.
“I’m sending the check back,” said the nonplussed accountant. “None of our teams ever paid anything like that.”
Honesty.
That, according to his son John, was one of the cornerstones of the Wisdom of Sam Nader, the former mayor and Oneonta Yankees owner who passed away Tuesday, Feb. 9, at 101, in his home at 96 River St. in his beloved Sixth Ward.
While his son John, 7, looks on in awe, Sam Nader is sworn in as mayor of Oneonta in January 1962.
“Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.” William Shakespeare
Cherry Valley Town Supervisor Tom Garretson was this newpaper’s first “Citizen of the Year” in 2006.
Can it be 15 years since The Freeman’s Journal and Hometown Oneonta, (after its founding in 2008), have recognized a Citizen (or Citizens) of the Year in the final edition of the 12th month?
In 2006, Cherry Valley Town Supervisor Tom Garretson, digesting information brought before him on industrial-scale wind turbines, changed his mind and led the charge to block them. That took guts and flexibility.
In 2020, Heidi Bond is a worthy successor. Like Garretson, she didn’t expect the worst epidemic in a century to explode upon us. But, like Garretson, she rose to the occasion, deploying her limited staff and doing what needed to be done, including long hours of hard work many days on end.
When called for a comment, but not yet knowing who had been chosen, county Rep. David Bliss, R-Cooperstown/Town of Middlefield, said, “Your Citizen of the Year should be Heidi Bond.”
Of course, she is. Greatness was thrust upon her, and she was ready.
That is the case in several of the 42-some people who have been Citizens of the Year. (Several years, more than one person was chosen, the peak being Oneonta’s 12-person Charter Commission.)
But that idea: Not expecting a specific challenge, regular citizens can still be prepared, discovering that, through training, discipline, energy, intelligence and mental toughness, they can rise to the
occasion and overcome the challenges at hand.
That certainly applies to Heidi Bond, but also to Adrian Kuzminski (2010), who led the anti-fracking movement; Cooperstown then-mayor Carol Waller (2007), who led the village through a trouble-free record turnout to Cal Ripken’s 2007 Induction, to Pastor Sylvia Kevlin (2017), who responded to the fiery destruction of the Milford Methodist Church with the declaration, “We will rebuild.” And her congregation did.
Some achieved greatness in a more conscious way: Hartwick College President Margaret Drugovich (2016), who raised a record $32 million, launched numerous innovations and renovated the campus. Is it any surprise that she largely succeeded in limiting the COVID spread on Oyaron Hill?
Or former Oneonta Mayor John Nader (2009), who, required to resign when he was promoted to SUNY Delhi dean, put the pieces in place for the renovation of the former Bresee’s Department Store into a reborn downtown anchor?
Or state Sen. Jim Seward, R-Milford (2013) – he is retiring this week after representing us in Albany for 34 years – whose hiring of a hard-driving economic developer and the elevation of the IDA to Otsego Now grew out of two “Seward Summits” on economic development and a personal determination to help his natal county better succeed at job creation?
It’s interesting that some of the Citizens, chosen with high hopes, didn’t quite work out.
The new team of Kathy Clark, Kay Stuligross and Linda Rowinski (2012) on the county board helm was heralded as a “return of amity,” but it didn’t turn out that way.
Entrepreneur Tom Cormier’s plan (2010) to revive the Oneonta Theatre as a concert venue was an exciting one, and had traction for a few years before collapsing.
Arguably, the Oneonta Charter Commission was visionary in professionalized governance (2011) through creating a city-manager position. But three failed or iffy city-manager tenures later, the City Fathers and Mothers are looking for a greater role for elected officials.
Still, these have been learning efforts. While economic developer Sandy Mathes’ energy didn’t prevent his forced departure, his successor – the more low-key Jody Zakrevsky – has been able to move Mathes initiatives forward. Plus, Mathes – and Seward – underscored the importance of jobs, jobs, jobs.
Not all promising initiatives succeed. As John Kennedy declared in his Boston brogue: “Why do we go to the moon? Not because it is easy – but because it is HAWED.”
One thought: Over 15 years, Otsego County – north and south – has been operating as more of a unit, with much more communication and collaboration between Oneonta and Cooperstown.
At first, it made sense to have separate Hometown Oneonta and Freeman’s Journal Citizens of the Year. No more, with Senator Seward, the Hager family (hops yards in Pierstown, Northern Eagle’s new brewery in West Oneonta), Stacie Haynes, serving distressed animals countywide, with Oneontans working at Bassett, and Cooperstonians at the colleges, a single county agenda made more and more sense.
Another thought: While eight of the first 10 Citizens were men, six of the last nine were women.
That brings to mind a quibble: In the recent efforts to fill state Sen.-elect Peter Oberacker’s county board seat, both Republicans and Democrats declared it should be filled by a woman.
Folks, that battle’s been won; we can knock it off. The “little ladies” are beyond needing a leg up. They’ve fully arrived.
With MacGuire Benton’s election to the Cooperstown Village Board in a hard-fought race, and county Rep. Clark Oliver’s elevation to county Democratic chairman, it seems the county’s gay community is also claiming its proper place in our public life.
Fifteen years of recognizing our fellow citizens’ strivings to achieve, to solve problems, to realize visions, to meet challenges, demonstrate that imperfect human beings can do great things, whether they pursue us or are thrust upon us.
As COVID’s first anniversary approaches, the 42 Citizens provide reasons for pride and hope.
WE can overcome.
►FROM GARRETSON TO BOND, GREATNESS PURSUED
2006
Tom Garretson: Cherry Valley town supervisor led opposition to industrial-scale windmills.
2007
Carol Waller: She proved to be Cooperstown’s “Little Mayor That Could” during record attendance at Cal Ripken Induction.
2008
• Hometown Oneonta: The Centennial Committee – Tom Klemow, Kevin Herrick and Mayor John Nader – which organized city’s 100th-anniversary celebration that ended in a knock-out parade.
• The Freeman’s Journal:
Penney Gentile; her son Chris’ death in a Holy Thursday car crash spurred her campaign to make drivers’ education mandatory in state’s schools.
2009
• The Freeman’s Journal: Reinventing 22 Main – Mayor Joe Booan, Trustees Eric Hage, Willis Monie Jr., Neil Weiller. Republicans took control of Village Board and vowed clean-sheet look at Cooperstown government.
• Hometown Oneonta: John Nader, who resigned as mayor when he was promoted to SUNY Delhi provost (he is now SUNY Farmingdale president), but not before the Bresee’s renovation was assured.
2010
• Hometown Oneonta: Tom Cormier – Entrepreneur bought Oneonta Theatre, launched
promising revival.
• The Freeman’s Journal: Adrian Kuzminski, activist led
local fight against fracking.
2011
• Hometown Oneonta: 12-person City Charter Commission recommended professional city manager, got idea through referendum. Dave Rissberger, chairman; John Dudek, Martha
Forgiano, Karen Geasey, Tom
Kelly, Larry Malone, Steve Londner, Sarah Patterson, Paul Scheele, Kay StuliGross, Kathy Wolverton, Laurie Zimniewicz.
• The Freeman’s Journal: “Farmers of the Future” – Hartwick beef farmer Chris Harmon’s profile launched monthly profiles of futuristic farmers over 2012.
The 12-member Oneonta Charter Revision Commission (2011) created the city-manager position there.
2012
New amity on county Board of Representatives hailed as County Reps. Kathy Clark, chairman, Kay Stuligross, and Linda Rowinski took over leadership.
2013
Jim Seward, “Building a
Consensus on a Properous
Future,” as former Greene County Economic Developer Sandy Mathes prepared to lead
county effort.
2014
The Hager Family, “Reviving the Golden Age of Hops.”
2015
“Fighting The Scourge: They Opened Four Fronts Against Heroin Tide”: County Judge
Brian Burns, now Supreme
Court judge; Oneonta Police Chief Doug Brenner, LEAF executive Julie Dostal; District Attorney
John Muehl
2016
Hartwick College President Margaret Drugovich: “Beacon on Oyaron Hill,” as record $32 million fund drive came to a successful conclusion.
Hartwick College President (2016) completed a record $32 million fund drive.
2017
Pastor Sylvia (now kEVLIN): “Gethsemane & Back,” as new Milford Methodist Church building was rising after fire razed former church that March.
2018
Stacie Haynes: “For The Love Of Misty,” a childhood pet who nurtured a love of animals, and inspired drive to build new Susquehanna Animal Shelter,
now rising on Route 28, Index.
2019
Meg Kennedy: “The Kennedy Method,” where county board vice chairman, first local rep to serve on NYSAC board, built momentum behind county-manager system.
2020
Heidi Bond: “General in the
COVID-19 Fight.” The county’s public health director led
contact-tracing, much more to limit disease’s spread.
“This was the single greatest point of pride in my dad’s life,” said former mayor John Nader, as he accepted a plaque this evening after Common Council unanimously voted to rename the Oneonta Municipal Airport as The Albert S. Nader Regional Airport. Nader, president of SUNY Farmington, who drove up for the event, read a statement from his father, who remarked, “I regret that I am unable to be with you tonight, but I want to thank each and every one of you for bestowing this honor on me.” The vote was broadcast on the city’s Facebook page, allowing Sam to watch from home. With Nader is Mayor Gary Herzig, who presented the idea to Council just before Thanksgiving. (Ian Austin/AllOTSEGO.com)
Oneonta native John S. Nader high-fives members of the SUNY Farmingdale lacrosse team yesterday after being installed as the college’s ninth president. Nader praised Farmingdale’s focus as “a center of applied learning,” according to a report in today’s Newsday. “I arrived here at a remarkable time. We are attracting more and better-prepared students than ever before, our reputation is ever-improving and our profile on Long Island continues to increase,” the former Oneonta mayor said in his speech to hundreds of well-wishers. (Newsday photo by Steve Collins)
John S. Nader will become president of SUNY Farmingdale on Long Island.
ONEONTA – John S. Nader, former Oneonta mayor and SUNY Delhi provost, today was appointed the ninth president of Farmingdale State College on Long Island by the SUNY Board of Trustees.
Nader will succeed W. Hubert Keen, who has served as president of Farmingdale for the last nine years, effective July 15, 2016.
SUNY Board Chairman H. Carl McCall said, “As provost at SUNY Delhi and a former mayor, the Board has every confidence that Dr. Nader can step seamlessly into the leadership role at Farmingdale State College and continue the campus’ world-class service to its students, faculty, and staff.”
Nader, son of another former mayor, Sam Nader, has been provost at SUNY Delhi since 2009. He directly supervises all academic programs, as well as the library and learning center, career and business services, grants and sponsored programs, and partnerships with the community colleges and local high schools. From 2012-2013, he was president of the SUNY Chief Academic Officers organization.
The original Charter Commission had been advised that emergency powers must be exercised by a city manager, but City Attorney David Merzig, left, said Municipal Home Rule Law would allow a city to give those powers to the mayor. Clockwise from Merzig, others at tonight’s ad hoc Charter Revision Committee meeting were committee member Melissa Nicosia; citizen George Siaros; former Charter Commission members Paul Scheele and Steve Londner; Council member John Rafter; committee members Russ Southard, David W. Brenner and David Martindale, and committee chair John Nader. (Ian Austin/AllOTSEGO.com)
ONEONTA – As the waters rose around Oneonta during the 2006 floods, Mayor John Nader was constantly on the phone, talking to government officials, worried citizens and businesses affected by the rising river.
“It was crucial to have an elected official to speak to and for the community,” said Nader, who is chairing Mayor Gary Herzig’s ad hoc Charter Review Committee.
The power to call out police and fire in an emergency situation was given to the city manager under the new charter, but at tonight’s meeting the review committee concluded – with some dissension from members of the original Charter Revision Commission – that the power should revert back to the mayor.
For now, the suggestion is just that. When the ad hoc committee’s review is done, Common Council would be able to make minor changes to the charter. However, significant changes would require a public vote, like the one that approved the original charter by 71 percent of voters in 2010.
Joining Mayor Herzig’s ad hoc Charter Review Committee is new Common Council member John Rafter, Seventh Ward. Behind him is Council member Russ Southard, Sixth Ward. (Ian Austin/AllOTSEGO.com)
ONEONTA – Though a mayor’s vote is normally limited to breaking ties, the ad hoc Charter Review Committee is recommending that a mayor be part of the search for the city manager, and be allowed a vote along with Common Council to make the appointment.
“Both have to be heavily involved,” said Council member Russ Southard, Sixth Ward. “Otherwise, you don’t have a buy-in. Mayor Dick Miller was heavily involved in the search for the first two city managers.”
The continued clarification of the mayor and city manager’s roles were discussed in length at the charter review meeting this evening. Former Council member Maureen Hennessy had resigned from committee, and Mayor Gary Herzig appointed new Council member John Rafter to take her place.
HERKIMER – An open public forum with Herkimer County Community College presidential candidate Dr. John Nader will be at 7 p.m. tomorrow, Monday, Dec. 15, in the Hummel Corporate & Professional Education Center, Room 288, located in the Robert McLaughlin College Center.
This will be the last of four open forums held with candidates in the search for the College’s fourth president. Background information on each of the candidates is available at www.herkimer.edu/presidentialsearch.
Nader, the former Oneonta mayor, had been scheduled to appear at a forum last Wednesday, but it was cancelled due to the inclement weather.
SUNY Delhi provost wasn’t looking for a new opportunity when he opened his email in September. “I got an inquiry that piqued my interesting,” said John S. Nader. “I went ahead and applied to it.”
The former Oneonta mayor saw that Herkimer County Community College was seeking a new president, and he immediately applied. “Their program mix is consistent with the skill set I’ve tried to apply to SUNY Delhi,” he said. “They have a wide range of students from across the state and internationally, and they’re a leader in online education.”
And on Monday, Nov. 24, he got the news that he has been selected as one of the four finalists for the position. “I’m flattered that they’ve taken an interest in me,” he said.
The other three are Eunice Bellinger, vice president/academic affairs, Niagara County Community College; Stuart T. Blacklaw, vice president for instruction and student services, Yavapai College, Prescott, Ariz., and Cathleen C. McColgin, provost, Onondaga Community College.
The four will be invited to Herkimer in December for campus forums before a final decision is made. Nader’s will be the last, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10, in HCCC’s Robert McLaughlin College Center. “They hope to have someone in by June 2015,” Nader said.
The former mayor, part of an Oneonta political dynasty begun by his dad, Sam Nader, mayor during the 1960s, has been at SUNY Delhi since 1982, when, while working on his Ph.D. at the New School’s social research program, he taught economics, history and public policy.
In 2000, he was named the dean of the Liberal Arts & Sciences Department. In 2009, was named as provost.
The additional press of business made him realize he couldn’t continue at City Hall, and he recruited Dick Miller to run that fall on Democratic and independent lines.
Beth and Robert O’Brien and their two daughters will be spending their first Thanksgiving with triplets, who arrived home from Albany Medical Center in recent days. They are the only identical triplets in Otsego County, as detailed in this week’s Hometown Oneonta & The Freeman’s Journal.
Dr. John S. Nader, SUNY Delhi provost and former mayor of Oneonta, is one of four finalists for president of Herkimer County Community College. The college announced today that the four will be invited to Herkimer in December for campus forums before a final decision is made.
The other three are Dr. Eunice Bellinger, vice president/academic affairs, Niagara County Community College; Dr. Stuart T. Blacklaw, vice president for instruction and student services, Yavapai College, Prescott, Ariz., and Dr. Cathleen C. McColgin, provost, Onondaga Community College.
