COOPERSTOWN – Patricia Szarpa will retire as executive director of the Otsego Land Trust in February, the board of directors announced. An interim executive director will be appointed while a successor is sought.
During her tenure, Szarpa, former Cooperstown Chamber of Commerce executive director, worked to increase support from major funders, focused on preserving sensitive blocks of land in the Butternut Valley, and increased social media presence, including new website that will be launched by year’s end.
ONEONTA – State Sen. Jim Seward, R-Milford, announced a few moments ago he will not seek reelection this year to the seat he has held since 1986.
“I have decided not to seek reelection in 2020 and will retire from the Senate when my current term, my 17th, expires at the end of the year,” Seward said in a statement released at 11:54 a.m . “While I have responded well to cancer treatments, my physicians have advised me that treatments will continue for the foreseeable future, limiting my ability to maintain the rigorous schedule needed to campaign for re-election. This is the right decision for my health, my family, and the people of the 51st Senate District.
“I want to stress that this decision is in no way related to majority or minority standing in the Senate. I have effectively served under both scenarios and have always fought for the best interests of my constituents no matter the party in power – which is exactly what I will continue to do for the remainder of my term.
Frances Wright, right, said goodbye to her Otsego County Office of the Aging coworkers as she retired from her position as director after 17 years. With her are, from left to right, Alicia Chase, Monica Stepp, Glenn Linsenbardt, Jim Lee Morris, Dick Hamilton, Donna Mateunas and Angela DeDominicis. (Ian Austin/AllOTSEGO.com)
