IKEA opened its first northeast enormostore just outside of Newark, New Jersey, in 1990, at a time when the sales tax there stood at four percent. The company filled New York City subway cars with signs enticing the locals to take a ride over the bridge where they could buy all the things they need and save a bundle on sales tax (the combined New York state and city rate at the time hovering around eight percent). Legend has it Albany was none too pleased by this tax-evading subterfuge and instructed staff from the Tax Department to prowl IKEA’s parking lot to take pictures of New York license plates. They’d match DMV records to the photos and send a letter to the registered owner with a friendly reminder that if they had purchased anything while out-of-state, they were obliged to report that to New York and cough up the “use tax” they had evaded by shopping in New Jersey.
Over the years, we’ve heard occasional denials that such activity ever took place.
Of course it didn’t!
No, instead we have LINE 59 on our annual state income tax return. From the instruction booklet we read this declarative: Report your sales or use tax liability on this line. Do not leave Line 59 blank.
If you use store-bought tax return software and try to enter a zero on LINE 59, it comes back as an error.
I was present at the birth for Line 59, advocating for it in my previous life as the lobbyist for New York’s brick-and-mortar retailers. This was in the early 2000s when Internet-only merchants were starting to ransack the retail
New York’s 2022 political season begins in earnest this month after both Democrats and Republicans convened in February to select their party-backed slates for statewide offices.
In the top of the ticket race for governor, Republicans this week chose Long Island Congressman Lee Zeldin as their choice to take on Democrat incumbent Kathy Hochul. Both face potentially difficult primary challenges, though, as Republican Harry Wilson – who narrowly lost a 2010 bid to oust state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, jumped into the race for governor last week.
The Westchester County businessman, originally from Johnstown, New York, reportedly plans to sink $12 million of his own money into the primary contest against Rep. Zeldin. His campaign began running introductory television messages in upstate media markets prior to the party’s February 28-March 1 convention.
With more than $20 million in her campaign account, Governor Hochul remains the odds-on favorite to head the Democrats’ ticket in November, despite failing to secure backing from the
We love Major League Baseball’s World Series, even when it’s not “our” team playing in the Fall Classic. It always is a joy to see visitors traveling to and walking around Cooperstown just for the opportunity to watch the game on television in a restaurant in The Home of Baseball.
This year’s television and radio broadcasts, though, border on the unwatchable. Not because the quality of play is any less intense or expert. Not because it’s the Houston Astros once again vying for the title — Manager Dusty Baker has single-handedly restored dignity to a franchise that just a year ago was almost shamed out of existence thanks to its bang-on-a-can, signal-stealing controversy.
It’s not even because Joe Buck sometimes rattles on a little too much about statistics that sound like some of the most arcane trivia one could ever imagine.
By RICHARD McDONOUGH • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com
An Edmeston school for children with Down syndrome welcomed three Japanese Americans in 1943, who had been imprisoned by the Federal Government for no other reason than their heritage.
The Otsego School provided employment opportunities for these three women.
The school in Edmeston has evolved through the years. Its successor is Pathfinder Village, which today provides a variety of educational and support services for people with Down syndrome.
The Oneonta Daily Star reported June 17, 1922, “The Chesebrough place at Edmeston has been remodeled and will soon be opened as the Otsego School for (children with Down syndrome).” The article indicated Susanne Jones and Florence Chesebrough were in charge of the school.
In early 1943, the Otsego School welcomed three new employees – Mary Hiroshige, Hisae Jeanne Mori and Rose Yasui.
FLY CREEK – The historic Fly Creek Cider Mill announced via social media that it will reopen later this year.
In a message from owner Bill Michaels, which was shared on the Facebook page Celebrate Cooperstown, the mill announced it will reopen after a business reorganization and with help from Farm Credit East.
The Michaels family has owned the mill for two generations of its 164 year history, but closed in January, after the coronavirus pandemic slowed sales to a halt in early 2021.
Editor’s Note: This appeared in YourAAA, the Jan./Feb. edition of the Automobile Association of America/Northeast. Our state Legislature may legalize recreational marijuana as soon as this month.
The legalization of marijuana is gaining popularity within the U.S. A recent Gallup poll found that 66 percent of Americans support marijuana legalization. More than half the states have legalized marijuana use to some extent, whether it be for medicinal use with cannabis strains like this hempstar for pain, stress or nausea along with other benefits, or recreational use.
Of the six states in the AAA Northeast footprint, only Massachusetts has legalized the recreational use of marijuana. But there have been recent pushes to legalize it in both New York and New Jersey. Marijuana use for medical purposes has seen success in NJ with the implementation of new jersey marijuana cards for those who need it for its medical benefits in helping people manage a range of health conditions, some very serious. It’s important to remember that marijuana is not all about getting high.
FRONTIER HISTORY – 6:30 p.m. Terry McMaster presents “Ethnicity, Alliance, Family & War – Defenders of the NY Frontier & The Andrustown, Springfield, and Cherry Valley Attack of 1778.” Hyde Hall, 267 Glimmerglass State Park Road, Cooperstown. 607-547-5098 ext. 6 or visit hydehall.org/event/ethnicity-alliance-family-war/
Last day to enter your design in the Library Lovers 3-D design Contest. Info, hmloneonta.org/3d-printing
LOCAL HISTORY – 2 p.m. Learn the story of the overnight summer camps for boys and girls on Otsego Lake with Suzan Friedlander, local historian, at Woodside hall, 1 Main St., Cooperstown. Info, Call (607)547-0600
SINGING VALENTINES – 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Sweet Adelines City of the Hills Chorus to deliver musical valentines to significant others in any location requested withing 25 miles of Oneonta. To order, call Elaine Mattice (607)432-0462 or email emattice160@gmail.com
WITH THE SNOW EMERGENCY CONTINUING MONDAY, BE SURE TO CHECK TO SEE IF AN EVENT IS CANCELLED BEFORE YOU VENTURE FORTH
FISHING TIPS – 7 p.m. Meeting of the Dave Brandt Chapter of Trout Unlimited where Tom Trelease presents “All the Secrets you need to catch bass on Otsego & Canadarago Lakes.” Inlcudes demonstrations of best rigs, lures, and baits. Includes spin and fly fishing. The Plains, 163 Heritage Circle, Oneonta. Info, dplummer@stny.rr.com
CONCERT – 3 p.m. Oneonta Community Concert band presents its annual “Summertime in Winter” concert featuring numbers like “Hail to the Spirit of Liberty”, “I’ve Made My Plans for the Summer”, and “Our Flirtations.” Free and open to the public. Fox Care Center, Oneonta. Info, 437-1052
TOURNAMENT – 4 p.m. Valentine “Hearts” Tournament to benefit Susquehanna Animal Shelter. Trophies and door prizes awarded, with beverages and food available. Cooperstown Beverage Exchange, 73 Main St, Cooperstown. Info, susquehannaanimalshelter.org/category/events/
THEATER – 2 p.m. Performance of ‘Love Letters,’ by A.R. Gurney, which tells the story of Andrew Makepeace Ladd III and Melissa Gardner via the letters they exchanged over their lifetime. The Production Center of the Foothills Performing Arts Center, 124 Market St., Oneonta. Info, (607) 432-5407 or GEStevens17@gmail.com
QUILT SHOW – 11 a.m.-4 p.m.. Thru Sunday Feb. 26. Cooperstown Art Association, 22 Main St., Cooperstown. Info, www.cooperstownart.com
PLAY READING – 6:30 p.m. Reading of “Lord of the Wilderness” by local playwright Ron Nash. Telling the story of William Cooper and the founding of Cooperstown. Based on Alan Taylor’s book “William Cooper’s Town.”Fenimore Art Museum Auditorium, 5798 NY-80, Cooperstown. Info, www.fenimoreartmuseum.org
COMEDY SHOW – 8 p.m. “Not Too Far From Home “ returns to the foothills staring Aaron David Ward and his team of homegrown comedians. Foothills Performing Arts Center, 24 Market St., Oneonta. Info, foothillspac.org
KISSING BOOTH – 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Meet the adoptable pooches of the Susquehanna Animal shelter. Dewar Hall, Hartwick College, Oneonta. Info, susquehannaanimalshelter.org/category/events/
TOASTMASTERS – 6:15-7:30 p.m. Speech contest with free refreshments. Come practice your public speaking in a supportive environment. The Green Earth, 4 Market St., Oneonta. Info, oneonta.toastmastersclubs.org or call (607)873-2070
DISASTER UNIVERSITY – 4:30-8:30 p.m. The Red Cross holds a training course for disaster relief. House fires to hurricanes, learn how you can aid your community in times of their greatest need. Registration preferred, walk-ins welcome. Alumni Hall, SUNY Oneonta. Info, Taylor Fanelli at (315)733-4666 or email taylor.fanelli@redcross.org.
CLUBHOUSE – 6-8 p.m. Baking night for teens 7-12th grade. Includes free food, give-aways, and, a judgement free zone where teens can relax with their friends. Unadilla Teen Center, 16 Watson St., Unadilla. Info, Blake Stensland @ bstensland@familyrn.org or Jon Ramirez @ jramirez@familyrn.org or call the Family Resource Network @ (607)432-0001
New York’s 2022 political season begins in earnest this month after both Democrats and Republicans convened in February to select their party-backed slates for statewide offices.
The legalization of marijuana is gaining popularity within the U.S. A recent Gallup poll found that 66 percent of Americans support marijuana legalization. More than half the states have legalized marijuana use to some extent, whether it be for medicinal use with cannabis strains like this 
