By: Staff
02/23/2023 11:38 am
Letter from Justin Wilcox
Upstate ratepayers should not be forced to subsidize downstate as a result of downstate’s over-reliance on fossil fuels. The rushed decisions being made to meet the state’s unrealistic climate goals will make New York State even more unaffordable, send New Yorkers packing, and put family-owned businesses under.
The PSC’s latest vote to approve an estimated $6.6 billion in local transmission upgrades is yet another example of how the state’s haphazard approach to curbing climate change is negatively impacting Upstate residents. Current Upstate energy generation is 91 percent zero emissions while downstate is a meager 9 percent, yet this 3-16 percent rate hike is expected to be highest for ratepayers and businesses north of New York City.
While all ratepayers will pay the same increases statewide, costs faced by Upstate ratepayers will nearly double on a percentage basis. It is not equitable or fair that Upstate ratepayers will be subsidizing the highest emitters downstate.
New Yorkers deserve to know the total cost of the state’s climate action goals, not find out piecemeal as projects are approved over time. If costs keep climbing for everyday New Yorkers and our small businesses, the Empire State Exodus will continue.
While there were two no votes, several PSC Commissioners expressed their concern about the rate increases in general. Until there is a fairer ratio for recouping the costs and we know more about the real price tag associated with them, we should all heed their warnings.
Justin Wilcox
Executive Director, Upstate United
By: Staff
02/23/2023 11:33 am
Letter from Chip Northrup
To avoid another summer of HABsteria, I’d suggest the following:
- Coordinated Plan—Since Otsego is the largest New York lake in the Chesapeake Bay watershed (which starts in front of our house on the Susquehanna), funding for watershed mitigation can be obtained from the Chesapeake Bay watershed authority—to supplement, not replace—a state-approved plan. Although the DEC 9-E Plan is imperfect, it’s better than a repeat of last summer’s Dueling-Banjos of HABsteria. Since the 9-E Plan is a political document, I’d suggest that the politicians (county, township, village, state reps and senators) and non-government organizations get involved and get busy. Since it’s a professional document, I’d suggest that professionals coordinate the effort and lay out what’s entailed in a public meeting.
- Coordinated Effort—Funding requests should be prioritized by where they fit into the plan. Although there may be conflicting agendas academically and organizationally, those conflicts can be addressed and resolved in private, not in the press, and without histrionics adding to HABsteria.
- No sacred polluters—The 9-E Plan study can identify the sources of nutrient loading. Once identified, we need to be prepared to do something about them. Even if they are us—our “compliant” septic system, our essential livestock, our own NPK fertilizer—be prepared to be surprised by what we find out.
Chip Northrup
Cooperstown
By: Staff
02/15/2023 3:57 pm
Letter from Sherry Hierholzer
The majority of dogs in our nation’s animal shelters come from “puppy mill” situations. Whether it is a large-scale operation with many dogs bred, or a local “back yard” situation mating a couple of dogs. Add to this the unneutered dogs allowed to roam freely. People buying/acquiring these dogs often do not keep them long. The person has no time, can’t afford the expenses, their lifestyle changes, or they can’t be bothered to train or spend time with the dog(s).
These unwanted dogs end up at the animal shelter, or worse, are left tied in the yard or left totally abandoned. The shelters become overcrowded, forcing some of them to euthanize the animals. Their budgets and staff are very limited.
By: Staff
02/15/2023 3:52 pm
Letter from Mary Anne Whelan
I would like to urge people to contact Governor Hochul’s office (518-474-8390) in support of the Hunger Prevention and Nutrition and Nourish New York programs. At the food pantry here in Cooperstown last year, we saw a 25 percent increase in demand and distributed over 85,000 meals to more than 5,600 people. With the expiration of SNAP Emergency Allotments next month, there will be an average loss of $87 per month per person, at a time when food costs are markedly increased. These programs are important to a lot of our neighbors! Let’s support them.
Mary Anne Whelan
Cooperstown
By: Staff
02/15/2023 3:48 pm
Letter form Gerry Welch
Friends, Romans, Countrymen and Concerned Citizens:
Here are cost effective, environmentally sound ways to process human waste; that of “humans.” DNA is our essence, the rest are trappings.
The “Field of Flowers Cemetery” is literally a manicured field of flowers. There could be a wall somewhat like the Vietnam memorial, displaying the name of everyone within the cemetery, and offering DNA capsules to be sealed within.
By: Staff
02/15/2023 3:45 pm
Letter from Ellen Pope
I’m writing in to express our deep gratitude to all who made our sold out Grilled Cheese for a Good Cause, a community fundraiser for the Cooperstown Farmers’ Market, a happy success.
Hats off to the talented chefs who served up deliciously inventive sandwiches and soups: Alex Webster from Alex’s Picnic, Tim Searles from Doubleday Café, caterer Mark Loewenguth, Alex Guenther and Brian Wrubleski from Mel’s at 22, Kyle Morris and Elizabeth Schula from Origins Café, Peter Calhoun from The Otesaga, Jesse Pascale from Rock Hill Farm, Michelle Ianelli-Rubin and Sierra Tompkins from Social Eats Café, as well as Cheryl Zamelis and Carlin Thompson from Sunflower Café.
By: Staff
02/15/2023 3:42 pm
Letter from Andrew Hamill
In recent/positive news, the City of Oneonta was given a federal grant to help combat the homeless situation. I firmly support this effort.
The only drawback I feel that needs to be addressed is where they are going to go. I fully support Mayor Drnek in his efforts and crusade to address the situation, but I also feel that there needs to be additional funding by either federal or state agencies to help restore old/historical buildings to turn them into housing units for homeless, low-income, and other housing for those who are displaced.
If the question is raised of how to address the upkeep of such housing in regard to the entire exterior and interior of the building, the answer is that it would be based on what the occupant’s income is.
Andrew Hamill
Oneonta
By: Staff
02/15/2023 3:39 pm
Letter from Steve Broe
Dr. Richard Sternberg asks your readers if they are still masking up and getting jabbed. I, for one, am not! The doctor seldom, if ever, mentions the keys to excellent health and COVID/flu avoidance. These time-honored keys are hard work or exercise, obtaining adequate rest, maintaining a slim waistline, getting plenty of fresh air and sunshine, and ingesting many fresh fruits and vegetables.
Donning ridiculous, respiration-depressing facemasks and taking dangerous, toxic vaccinations should be rejected by the medicos. Hopefully the “misinformation king” Dr. Fauci, along with the pharmaceutical companies, will be held accountable.
Steve Broe
Oneonta
By: Staff
02/12/2023 12:00 pm
Letter from the Cooperstown Winter Carnival Committee
A heartfelt thank you to the more than 100 individuals, businesses and organizations that participated in or generously donated to the 2023 Cooperstown Winter Carnival. Hundreds of residents and visitors alike braved frigid temperatures to attend a host of Winter Carnival activities, from the Hot Cocoa Kick-Off at The Otesaga Resort Hotel to the sold-out Grilled Cheese for a Good Cause event at the Cooperstown Farmers’ Market and all events in between! The winter doldrums were certainly alleviated!
The Cooperstown Winter Carnival is produced under the umbrella of the Cooperstown Lions Club and we thank them for their continued support of this beloved carnival weekend. Thank you to Mayor Ellen Tillapaugh and the Village of Cooperstown for their participation and assistance as well.
The 55th Cooperstown Winter Carnival was a success due to ALL OF YOU! Thank you to all who came out and supported the cause.
It took a village and our village did not disappoint!
Warm regards,
2023 Cooperstown Winter Carnival Committee
By: Staff
02/09/2023 4:20 pm
Letter from Ashok Malhotra
It is sad for all of us because the war in Ukraine is dragging on into the second year. You may ask: “What has Russia accomplished in one year and at what price?” The same question can be asked of Ukraine? The answer is disturbing, because more than 200,000 young soldiers from Ukraine and Russia have lost their lives; more than 100 ancient monuments and 1,000 buildings have been destroyed, and 5-6 million Ukrainian citizens who have been made refugees had to leave their beloved country.
You should also ask: “Who is footing the bill of more than $60 billion of U.S. aid and weapons sent to Ukraine for this war of destruction, bringing more misery than happiness?” Of course, the U.S. taxpayer is paying for it through inflated prices at the grocery stores, higher rents and higher mortgage rates, while making more people homeless. Now, to add fuel to fire, the U.S., Germany and Poland are sending more than 100 modern tanks to continue this war of destruction which is bleeding the U.S. economy!
By: Staff
02/09/2023 4:16 pm
Letter from Andrew Hamill
As a candidate for the Oneonta City Council, I can only hope that I will do well to help serve the people and the city in any capacity possible. If there are any doubts about this, do know that I will keep my personal opinion separate from the task at the job itself.
If I am elected to the Council, I want to increase the size of the Commissions from five persons to eight persons to help represent the public who live in the eight wards of the city so that all voices are heard and represented by those who are appointed to the Commissions.
By: Staff
02/01/2023 4:47 pm
Letter from Lang Keith
When I saw the front page of this week’s Freeman’s Journal I immediately checked my calendar, thinking I had somehow missed a couple of months and this was the April Fool’s issue. But no, it’s the January 26th issue, and the article about Ommegang was not a spoof of the omnipresent swath of American citizens who seem to spend their days seeking new ways to be offended.
Thank goodness for my neighbor, Peter Woods, at the Buddhist Retreat Center. He put this silly brouhaha in exactly the right context.
As for Messrs. Fisher and Zed, if they intend to nurture their outrage, they are going to be very busy boys. A look on the Internet reveals that almost every state has a Nirvana restaurant. Lots of opportunity for hurt feelings there. And do they know about the late Kurt Cobain’s band?
Me? I’m going to have a Heavenly Ham sandwich washed down with, dare I say it? An Ommegang IPA.
Lang Keith
Cooperstown
By: Staff
01/27/2023 11:00 am
Letter from Tom Dahulick
“Everything Old Is New Again.”
Can only say your newspaper is excellent! Would like to see future articles highlighting Cooperstown businesses, Leatherstocking Golf Course and on surrounding golf courses.
Good day!
Tom Dahulick
Omaha, NE
By: Staff
01/05/2023 9:35 am
Letter from Joan Kegelman
Regarding your recent coverage of the Fly Creek Fire District election, the current board endeavored to bring the district into compliance with the state’s regulations. However, there are those apparently who feel that rules do not apply to them, and that they are entitled to do things as they wish, regardless of state guidelines, protocols of the office of the state comptroller, and legal counsel. I take exception to the quote, “that this existing board had created an unnecessarily rigid and formalistic structure, requiring needless expenditure of thousands of dollars.” Is this due to the request for a forensic audit as suggested by several accounting firms as a first step, as no audit has been done in 16 years, and because the comptroller’s audit cited “more treasurer” oversight?
By: Staff
12/30/2022 11:00 am
Letter from Caroline Southworth
Many thanks to Dr. Richard Sternberg for his insightful article on Dr. Anthony Fauci and his many accomplishments during his long and distinguished career. I agree that but for jealousy and political hostility he would have been named officially as a great man. I agree with Dr. Sternberg that he is one.
Caroline Southworth
Cooperstown
