County’s municipalities lay out different strategies for federal aid By Kevin Limiti How Otsego County municipalities use funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) varies as widely as the towns and villages themselves. President Joe Biden signed the law in March 2021, giving federal relief dollars to state and local governments for COVID recovery For the City of Oneonta, this means spending the federal dollars on renovating Neahwa Park. But for Cooperstown, it simply means covering only 10 percent…
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COVID update November 29, 2021 COVID numbers for Otsego County on Monday spiked with three deaths, six hospitalizations, and 31 new cases, according to the Otsego County Department of Health. There is cause for concern with the Omicron variant causing New York Governor Kathy Hochul to declare a state of emergency on November 26, the day after Thanksgiving. Oneonta Mayor Gary Herzig said he has not discussed a mask mandate with the Common Council at this time. “We’re all waiting…
Oneonta won’t opt out on marijuana By KEVIN LIMITI • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com The city of Oneonta has no plans to opt out of recreational sales of marijuana, according to local politicians. In New York’s legal marijuana bill, which passed April 30, municipalities are able to decide to opt out on marijuana dispensaries by Dec. 31. However, there is no movement to opt out in Oneonta. According to Mayor Gary Herzig, no one on the Common Council has advocated for…
Common Council discusses COVID, budget, approves new asst. fire chief By Kevin Limiti • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com ONEONTA — The Common Council approved the new Asst. Fire Chief, Timothy Foster to a round of applause Tuesday, Aug. 17, after some discussion about tabling the potential appointment until the situation with the COVID delta variant became more clear. The council was briefed on the situation with the coronavirus variant, a mutation that is steadily causing higher rates of infection City Health Officer…
Oneonta’s review board gets hung up on ‘use of force’ language By KEVIN LIMITI • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com ONEONTA — Members of the Community Advisory Board Review Council, which includes mayoral candidates Mark Drnek and Len Carson, discussed some of the language pertaining to the Community Advisory Board document on “best practices” for the Oneonta Police Department. However, ultimately it was decided there would need to be another meeting in two weeks to further discuss what is being put in…
Juneteenth celebrated in Neahwa Park By KEVIN LIMITI • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com ONEONTA – More than 100 people gathered at Neahwa Park on Saturday, June 19, to celebrate Juneteenth, a day that celebrates African-American emancipation. There was additional cause for celebration Saturday since President Joe Biden signed a law this week making Juneteenth a national holiday. With a DJ spinning music the entire time, it wasn’t unusual to see spontaneous dancing. Free hamburgers, hotdogs and beverages were also provided. There…
Herzig: For city to thrive, jobs and housing are issues that intersect By KEVIN LIMITI • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com ONEONTA — Housing and jobs remain high priorities for the city of Oneonta. Both are needed and, according to Mayor Gary Herzig, need to be gradually increased at the same time. “You can’t have a thriving community, you can’t have a good economy, if you can’t provide people with good housing,” Herzig said. According to Herzig, housing is “desperately” needed at…
Common Council celebrates end of COVID restrictions, declining cases By KEVIN LIMITI • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com The Oneonta Common Council’s meeting Tuesday, June 15, began with a celebratory note, as a result of Governor Andrew Cuomo’s ending of most COVID restrictions Tuesday. A presentation was given by Dr. Diane Georgeson, who spoke about the improving situation in regards to COVID-19. While 53% of Oneonta residents were fully vaccinated, which is lower than the state average, the amount of cases have…
Jim Seward Lauded, Given Key To Oneonta By LIBBY CUDMORE • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com ONEONTA – Comparing retiring state Sen. Jim Seward, R-Milford to “Ghostbusters,” Mayor Gary Herzig lauded the Senator and presented him with a key to the city for his “timeless support” to the City of Oneonta. “It was never quite ‘Who you gonna call,’ because usually, he called me first,” Herzig said. “And he always asked, ‘What do you need me to do?'”…
City Clerk Nancy Powell Retires; Deputy Clerk Steps Into Position ONEONTA – After five years, City Clerk Nancy Powell has announced her retirement, with deputy clerk Kerriann Harrington expected to be appointed by vote during the Common Council meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 1. “Nancy has a long history with the City of Oneonta,” said Mayor Gary Herzig. “She started as Oneonta’s first female firefighter, and has committed to serving the people of the city. We appreciate all she’s done and…