The Freemans Journal - Cooperstowns Newspaper Since 1808

Friday, October 23, 2009

Water From Drilling On Crumhorn Put In Tanks

By JIM KEVLIN

Tainted water from Otsego County’s first natural-gas well is being stored in steel tanks atop Crumhorn Mountain after it was rejected as too briney by the plant that had agreed to clean it up.
The City of Watertown’s Waste Water Treatment Plant had been processing the “inventory” since the Ross #1 well in the Town of Maryland began operating at the end of September.
“This time,” said Yancey Roy, state DEC spokesman, “the water - used by the operator during drilling operations - was higher in brine, leading the plant to ask for more tests before it would decide to accept it.”
In an e-mail, Roy said storing the water in steel tanks is “acceptable up to 45 days after the cessation of drilling operations, unless DEC approves an extension based upon circumstances beyond the operator’s control.”
It was unclear what the brine consisted of, or what is considered the “cessation of operations.”
Roy concluded, “We will continue to monitor the issue to ensure proper disposal of the wastewater.”
The DEC spokesman emphasized that Ross #1 is a vertical well, although horizontal fracking – requiring millions of gallons of water – could be done there if state regulations governing such operations are approved.
The water is mixed with chemicals, and also returns to the surface with pollutants from below.
In a related development, pressure is being applied to DEC – the state Department of Environmental Conservation – to hold a local hearing, in Oneonta, on the proposal draft SGEIS, for “supplemental generic environmental impact statement.”
The original GEIS was issued in 1992, before horizontal hydrofracking was developed as a method to extract natural gas from formations like the Marcellus and Utica shales that undergird Otsego County.
In Watertown, City Manager Mary Corriveau said the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has been monitoring the plant, and so the city is particular about what goes in there.
The city had issued a permit for “well-development water,” she said, and began accepting shipments.
Howevr, “we got a tanker load that, from our perspective, was ‘out of character’,” she continued, “because it was different from what we anticipated we would be getting.
“We wanted to check the characteristics. Before we could, two more tankers arrived, so they were rejected.”
Corriveau said the city is working with Covalent Energy, which is developing the Crumhorn Mountain well, and the DEC.
“We anticipate we will issue a consent order defining how we can continue to accept the water,” she said.
Orville Cole, president of Gastem USA, which is developing the well for Covalent, characterized the development as “a small wrinkle. It’s not a big situation at this point.”
The Watertown city manager said that, in the well-development stage, only 80,000 gallons of “inventory” is required per well.
The city’s plant has a capacity to process 16 million gallons a day, and is only processing 12 million, so it has plenty of room to accommodate Gastem’s shipments.

Labels: 10-30-09, Front Page

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MUD WRESTLIN’ TO VICTORY

Victory v. Cazenovia Would Lead To Sectional Inside Carrier Dome

By JIM KEVLIN

COOPERSTOWN

CCS’ undefeated Redskins football team is just 48 minutes of play away from the Carrier Dome.
“They are really excited to have made it this far,” said Jay Baldo, CCS athletic director and an assistant to Head Coach Steve Pugliese. “They know they’re one game away from playing the game in Syracuse, and that’s something a Cooperstown team has never been able to accomplish.”
The 48 minutes of play will begin at 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, at Rome Free Academy, where the Redskins face the Cazenovia Lakers in the semis.
In addition to Cazenovia, General Brown and Utica’s Bishop Ludden have been considered the teams to beat, and they are playing each other the same evening, leading to the Section 3 championship game Friday or Saturday, Nov. 6 or 7, at SU’s legendary 49, 250-seat football (and basketball) mecca.
The Carrier Dome is the largest domed stadium of any college campus and the largest domed stadium in the Northeastern United States.
The Redskins have been used to carrying their own gear and changing in the girls’ locker room at away games. This will change at RFA, where attendants will carry the boys’ grips and first-rate changing facilities are in the offing. A taste of stardom.
The Redskins head to Cooperstown from a mud-wrestling bout at Lambert Field Saturday, Oct. 24, playing Canastota in heavy rains on a field that turned to soup. Nonetheless, there was only one turnover.
“It definitely played into the hands of Tanner (Niedzialkowski), being a good straight-ahead down-hill runner,” said Baldo. “With his speed, he just had a great day.”
The Canastota Raiders scored first, and Cooperstown had only a 24-16 lead near the end of the first half.
Then Luke Folts intercepted and ran the ball back to Canastota’s two-yard line. Alec Silvera ran it in, and the Redskins never looked back.
Niedzialkowski took in three of the TDs.
The Cooperstown players realize Cazenovia may be the biggest challenge to date to the Redskins 8-0 record.
The Lakers shut out Sherburne-Earlville, Clinton and Mount Markham during the regular season.
“They’re a very good team,” said Baldo. “They’re big. They’re very well coached. And they have some real good athletes. They’re a perennial powerhouse. They’re definitely the best we will have played to this point.”

Labels: 10-30-09, Front Page, Sports

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Cornell Team Expects Rt. 28 Report By May

COOPERSTOWN

Cornell’s Design Connect Team expects to have preliminary recommendations on the “Cooperstown Corridor” for citizen review by early December.
And a final report by May.
That came out of a second tour of the village’s Rotue 28 entryway from the south that five graduate students – three in landscaping (including Otsego Town Supervisor Tom Breiten) and two from regional planning – Sunday, Oct. 25, according to Chuck

Labels: 10-30-09, Front Page

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Otesaga Prepares For Guests-Who-Love-Ghosts Gathering

COOPERSTOWN

This in just in time for Halloween: Guests interested in ghosts will haunt The Otesaga this January for The Atlantic Paranormal Society’s (TAPS) “Ghosts of Cooperstown” Conference.
The conference – Friday-Monday, Jan. 8-11 – will include lectures on paranormal activity, Ouija boards, tarot cards and demonology, plus “Boot Camp Lite” a condensed training course on paranormal investigations.
Late nights Saturday and Sunday will be spent investigating unexplained – inexplicable? -- activities at The Otesaga and The Farmers’ Museum.
The SciFi Channel’s Ghost Hunters Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson be at the conference.

Labels: 10-30-09, Front Page

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COOPERSTOWN AND AROUND

NEW LINKS: Three diseases – B cell leukemias, Parkinson’s, and ischemic heart disease – have been linked to Agent Orange, county Veterans Service Director Tex Seamon reports. Vietnam veterans with those ailments may qualify for disability. Call (607) 547-4224.

FETTERMAN LAURELS: Brenda Wedderspoon-Gray, Clark Sports Center aquatics director, has received the Patrick C. Fetterman Award for service to youth. It will be presented Monday, Nov. 1, at a luncheon at The Otesaga.

MYSTERY SOLVED: The UFO that halted traffic on Lake Street Monday, Oct. 20, was actually a gold star-shaped balloon that escaped from a celebration on Nelson Avenue.

GREETINGS, SCOUTS: A fun-filled Girl Scout Appreciation Day is 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31 – Juliette Gordon Low’s birthday – at the Fenimore Art Museum. Girls wearing sash or pin get in free.

A REAL BLAST: More than 4,000 people — from all 50 states and 14 countries — have toured the Ronald Reagan Minuteman Missile State Historic Site near Cooperstown, N.D., in its first three months of operation.

Labels: 10-30-09, Front Page

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Locals

Rotarian Exchange Student Back, 44 Years Later

COOPERSTOWN

What was that?

Andrew Lovitt, a Rotary exchange student from Tasmania in 1965-66 who was playing for the Unatego varsity football team, had just executed a drop kick.
Was it a kick, fans wondered. Or had Andrew just dropped the ball?
That was one of the happenings Lovitt, now a past president of Rotary’s Monday Lunch Club, one of six in Launceston, Tasmania, is in Otsego County this week visiting members of some of the 11 families he stayed with 44 years ago.
One of those family’s was Judy Steiner’s in Otego. Now living in Fly Creek, Judy is an artist, a CCS elementary teacher, and a SUNY Oneonta lecturer.
Lovitt, operations manager for the Hertz operation in Tasmania, spoke to the Cooperstown Rotary Tuesday, Oct. 27, where Rotarian Tim Wiles introduced him as coming from the land of down under Down Under.
The visitor – three of his children have participated in Rotary exchanges, and he hopes the fourth will too – called the program “horizons opening” and a “cultural adventure.”
“The people here are just the same,” he discovered to his astonishment all those year ago. “...There’s an expectation of difference and a joy, if not surprise, at the similarities.”
Another football story: The Unatego coach had told his players, if you’re late for practice, you’ll have to run from Otego to Unadilla, where the high school is.
Andrew was late, and so he ran all 10 miles. Arriving at practice, the coach said, you’re late, Lovitt, run six laps around the field.
It was only when someone watching from the stands who, on his way to practice, had passed Lovitt running and told the coach that the added punishment was set aside.

_____________________________________________________________________

Labels: 10-30-09, Locals

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Perspectives

At This Point In County History, Elect Crowell County Treasurer

It’s uncanny.

It’s 2007, and the County of Otsego, not fully understanding its new computerized budgeting system, sends out bills that are incorrect by a factor of 10: Instead of the 2.2 percent tax increase the county representatives intended, the bills reflect a 22 percent tax increase.
What’s more, it’s too late and too expensive to simply correct the mistake and mail the bills out again.
We’re not making this up. This is what happened two years ago.
•
Fantastical as that scenario sounds, that’s not the uncanny part.
A few miles away in the Town of Middlefield lives a young man, a graduate of CCS, who then went on to Gettysburg College, post-graduate study at the London School of Economics, and a Fulbright Scholarship.
Before returning home to raise a family, he is managing director of The Halden Group, a finance and accounting-services firm, and works for the World Bank, specializing in rural economic development.
OK, here’s the uncanny part: As a consultant, he has been advising companies around the country on the very same budgeting software that, too little understood, caused the County of Otsego’s tax-bill fiasco two years ago.
•
This young man, Dan Crowell, decided to run for county treasurer, and he will be on the ballot this coming Tuesday, Nov. 3. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
This is the point where editorial writers usually say: He deserves your vote.
Let’s put it this way: Otsego County is fortunate to find itself with a candidate with Dan Crowell’s range of training and experience willing to run for public office.
This is to take nothing away from Ed Keator of West Oneonta, a hard-working guy.
But Crowell’s depth in the very specific skills the county Treasurer’s Office lacked, and that got it – and the rest of us – into trouble, makes him indispensable at this point in the county’s history.
Vote for Crowell. It’s just meant to be.

Labels: 10-30-09, Editorial, Opinion, Perspectives

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Bound Volumes

175 YEARS AGO
William H. Seward is a man of small abilities, little experience, and no consistency. He came to Albany in pursuit of an office, was disappointed, and changed his politics before he reached home. He has been a member of all parties; and though he boasted of his intention to transmit his Anti-Masonry as a legacy to his children, he is now the candidate of a party which has silently repudiated Anti-Masonry, and is associated on the ticket of the party with a Master Mason. To crown the whole, he is a bosom friend of Thurlow Weed, and owes him his nomination!
November 3, 1834

150 YEARS AGO
The Seminary is being rapidly put in proper condition for the reception of scholars. The indications are that the school will open with a goodly number of pupils. Mr. Flack has secured the services of Mr. C.G. Allen as instructor of Vocal Music. This announcement will give great satisfaction to those who are acquainted with Mr. A’s success as a teacher. Terms, $4.50 for 21 weeks; $2.25 for 10 weeks.
October 28, 1859

125 YEARS AGO
In a recent communication, Mr. Helmuth Dueberg presents a new theory of the moon and argues the possibility of its being inhabited on the farther side. It is well known that the moon always presents the same face to the earth. Because this side of the moon is an airless and waterless desert, we are not justified, Mr. Dueberg thinks, in assuming that the other side is like it. Since the moon does not revolve so as to change the side presented to the earth and since the attraction of the earth for the moon is very great, the heavier side, if there is any, must be turned this way. Supposing the moon to possess air and water, these lighter and more fluent elements of her composition would naturally lay at the farther side.
November 1, 1884

100 YEARS AGO
Advertisement – Base Ball – Pittsburg vs. Detroit, Bowne Opera House Saturday evening, October 30, 1909. The moving picture film of the championship contest between these two famous teams will be shown on the above date in addition to our regular pictures. A big show for little money. Spencer & Francis
October 30, 1909

75 YEARS AGO
Where Nature Smiles – Sunday morning Cooperstown awoke to find the ground covered with snow, and more fell during the day and Monday. It was of a very light character, however, and melted quickly. The forests of Otsego County were filled with huntsmen on Monday morning at sunrise for the opening of the annual pheasant season. Several very good bags were reported. Hunters are warned to look before they shoot. We learn of one of our local sportsmen who received a charge of shot in his face. Rehearsals are being held every night for the play “Peg ‘O My Heart,” to be presented by the senior class of the high school at assembly hall on November 22 and 23. Harold Hollis, who is a student at the Albany Business College, spent the weekend at home in this village.
October 31, 1934

50 YEARS AGO
The seating capacity at Doubleday Field will be expanded to 9,217. A generous gift to the village from Tom Yawkey, owner of the Boston Red Sox, will make it possible for the village to replace the 20-year-old bleachers along the first baseline and to expand the seating capacity from 1,462 to 3,179 fans. Mr. Yawkey has given the village a set of Safeway portable steel bleacher seats, formerly used at Fenway Park in Boston during the football season.
October 28, 1959

25 YEARS AGO
Merlin Bradley, Kenneth Hardy, and Larry Campbell, three former ministers and the current pastor Clyde Petrie, gathered with about 100 persons at the First Baptist Church of Cooperstown Saturday night for a supper to celebrate the church’s 150th anniversary. The dinner was served by the Westville Grange.

At Cub Pack 12’s monthly meeting, the following Cubs received the Bobcat Badge: Mason Sanford, Patrick Murray, Peter Kelly, Peter Calhoun, Seth Schaeffer, Bruce Dunn, Frederick Koffer, Jeff Harrington, Daniel Allison, Kevin Winnie, John May, Joshua Guyot, and Christopher Chandler.
October 31, 1984

10 YEARS AGO
The role of executive director of the Clark Foundation switched hands on September 7 when Charles Hamilton replaced Joe Cruickshank who has retired following a 20-year Clark Sports Center and the scholarship office. Hamilton comes to the Clark Foundation from the J.M. Kaplan Fund where he was director.
October 29, 1999

Labels: 10-30-09, Bound Volumes, Columns

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Obituaries

Julia Niedzialkowski, 82; Retired To Elk Creek

WESTFORD – Julia Niedzialkowski, who ran Julia’s B&B after her husband’s death, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009, surrounded by her loving family at Albany Medical Center. She was 82.
Daughter of Joe and Anna Yankovich, Julia was born in North Tarrytown on June 3, 1927, the seventh of eight children. Her childhood was split between Tarrytown and the family farm in Elk Creek, where she attended a one-room schoolhouse. She graduated from North Tarrytown High School in 1946.
She worked as a waitress at a country club and in a local bank in Westchester County before meeting John F. Niedzialkowski II on a blind date arranged by her best friend, Irene.
The couple married on Oct. 2, 1948, at St. Theresa’s Church, where her four sisters were bridesmaids.
While John was stationed in Yuma, Ariz., they owned and operated a restaurant called Giovanni’s, and later ran The Diner on Beekman Avenue in North Tarrytown.
Due to their love of the area, Julia and John purchased a farm in Westford where they spent many weekends and summers with their family. After John’s passing in September 1976, Julia transformed the house into a bed and breakfast, Julia’s B&B.
She enjoyed spending time outside feeding her birds, horses and dogs, as well as gardening and maintaining her lawn.
Julia’s greatest love in life was her family. She acted as the hub for her immediate and extended family and was unconditionally proud of them.
In addition, Julia had a love of travel. She was able to travel to many parts of the world including, but not limited to Morocco, the Panama Canal, Ireland, Poland, Europe and many parts of the United States. Some of these travels she was accompanied by family friend, Andy Simcox.
She is survived by her three children, Maryann and husband Jim Hurtubise, of Oneonta, Juliann and husband Richard Feirstein, of Slingerlands, and John and wife Carol (Phillips) Niedzialkowski, of Hartwick; grandchildren James Hurtubise of Oneonta, Patricia (Hurtubise) and husband Bret Leonard, of Otego, Jacqueline (Hurtubise) and husband Kevin Hitt, of Otego, Denise, Audrey and Jeff Feirstein, all of Slingerlands, Caitlin, Jay, Lucas and Tanner Niedzialkowski, all of Hartwick; two great-grandsons, Colin and Wyatt Leonard of Otego.
Julia has three remaining siblings, Joe Yankovich and wife Evelyn, of Schenectady, Betty Davis and husband Wilber Davis, of Riverdale, and Teresa Troegner of Flemington, N.J.
Julia was predeceased by two sisters, Mary Petcoff and Anna Bartoluzzi; and two brothers, Mike and John Yankovich.
A Mass of Christian burial was Saturday, Oct. 24, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Worcester, with the Rev. Ronald Green, as celebrant.
Arrangements were with the E.J. Skinner Co., Worcester.

Alice Erikson, 95; Devoted To Home, Family

COOPERSTOWN – Alice May Erikson of Cooperstown, formerly of Bayside, Long Island, died Wednesday night, Oct. 21, 2009, at her home. She was 95.
Born April 3, 1914, at home in Benton Harbor, Mich., Alice was the daughter of Henry G. and Caroline Emma (Hundertmark) Hillier. At age 4, she and her parents moved to Pensacola, Fla., where they lived until her high school years, when they relocated to New York City.
Following her graduation from a high school in Manhattan, she worked for Bell Telephone. It was during this time that she met Paul Runar Erikson, and the two were married March 12, 1938, in the Church of the Transfiguration (“The Little Church Around the Corner”) on East 29th Street in Manhattan.
The couple settled in Bayside, where Alice devoted herself to caring for her home and family. The couple belonged to Bayside United Methodist Church.
Her husband’s retired from ConEdison in 1974, and the Eriksons moved to the Cooperstown area in the mid 1980s, settling on Route 28, Hartwick Seminary. Alice was active in the Grande Dames, a women’s organization associated with Otsego Commandery No. 76, Knights Templar; her husband was a member.
Lovingly called “Mor Mor” by her family, Alice is survived by one daughter, Virginia E. Manchester of Worcester; four grandsons, Peter Pleuss and Erik Manchester, both of Worcester, David van Gaasback of Florida and Richard van Gaasback of California; four great-grandchildren, Corbin and Abigail Pleuss and Michael and Daniel van Gaasback; and several great-great-grandchildren.
Her husband of 63 years died on April 16, 2001. She was also predeceased by one daughter, Mrs. Carolyn Venita (Erikson) van Gaasback; and two granddaughters, Jennifer van Gaasback and Denise Pleuss.
The funeral was Saturday, Oct. 24, at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown, with the Rev. Thomas E. Pullyblank, pastor of the Fly Creek United Methodist Church, officiating.
Funeral arrangements were with Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home.

Labels: 10-30-09, Obituaries

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Letters to the editor

Setting The Record Straight

To the Editor:
In the June 12 piece in The Freeman’s Journal that announced my candidacy, a portion was devoted to the possible restructuring of the treasurer’s office, and I would like to clarify some aspects of that article.
First, my objective is to serve in the exact capacity that currently defines the treasurer’s office: in simplest terms, maintain accurate and transparent accounts and support the budgeting process.
I also look forward to collaborating with the county board, department heads and community members to improve the investment environment for our local businesses, continuously strive to reduce costs without sacrificing services, and generally improve the financial planning and analysis process that can help achieve those goals.
The “plan” described in the June 12 article derives from the debate at that time within our Board of Representatives, which considered taking the budgetary duties away from the treasurer and creating a new budget officer position. It is the board’s prerogative to make that decision.
In the meantime, another possibility worth exploring is to convert the current position of county accountant into county controller, and the current deputy position into a budget officer, or manager, or whatever the board decides.
This would take three current positions – treasurer, deputy treasurer and accountant – eliminate the first, upgrade the last and refine the middle position. I don’t endorse or condemn that option. I just think it should be considered an option.
If considered, the transition of county accountant to county controller would include an upgrade in qualifications: namely, that person should be a certified public accountant (CPA). Our county has never had a CPA in the treasurer’s office, although I think we should.
Thus, I understand the article’s inaccuracy of saying Ed Keator is a CPA. He worked in that office for 17 months and is now my opponent, but he is not a CPA. Nor am I a CPA either, for that matter, so this is not intended as a slight to my opponent. Just a correction.
My opponent is a capable bookkeeper, and on my own behalf, my background in building the same type of accounting software that Otsego County uses, plus my experience and training in economic and financial analysis and business growth, present viable options to voters in this race for county treasurer.
Aside from the debate about the structure of our county government, if elected it will be my duty and privilege to establish the best practices in all my areas of responsibility, to help objectively assess the optimal government structure rather than to protect my turf for my own sake, and to support any transition of duties if that is decided to be what is best for Otsego County’s residents.
At the same time, I do hope that I will be given a window of opportunity to show how the treasurer’s office can help fill any gaps in our current government structure, save taxpayer money and carry that success further in a re-election bid four years from now.
Lastly, the article was accurate that I have roots in Phoenix Mills, which is in the town of Otsego. But that is where I grew up – I currently live in Middlefield with my wife Dee, our son Paul and daughters Aliza and Maddy.
DAN CROWELL
Middlefield

Keator Sees ‘BIG PICTURE’

To the Editor:
Speaking from experience as a department head for Otsego County, my choice for county treasurer will be Ed Keator.
I met Ed when he was hired on as an accountant in the treasurer’s office almost three years ago. When Ed introduced himself he was then, and still is, a soft-spoken man. His voice hints of patience and intellect that is a welcome breath of fresh air to my department.
On numerous occasions I had to consult with Ed on the financial and operational complexities of my maintenance department. Ed has always come through, giving me sound and pro-active advice to help me with the smooth and cost-effective operation of my department.
This seems to come naturally for Ed, and when consulting with him, his intellect and experience begins to shine. You can tell he really enjoys his work and gets involved in the challenge of advising and solving the daily financial issues that we all share here at the county.
Ed in the past has been the watchdog of the numerous accounts in all the departments. Through this experience he has obtained the knowledge of their operations, revenues, issues and concerns. As a result of this he is able to see the “BIG PICTURE” of the county finances as a whole.
My department and I know others have become accustomed to his sound advice, and we will be looking forward to working with Ed for years to come.
With the national and local economic crisis we are experiencing, I feel 100 percent confident that Ed will guide us through these hard times in the most fiscally responsible way possible. With his knowledge, I feel he will be a great asset to the county and its taxpayers.
I encourage you all to get out and vote on Nov 3., and if common sense prevails you will cast your vote for the man with the proven judgment and experience; that man is Ed Keator.
DOUGLAS CZERKIES
East Springfield

County Fortunate To Have Candidate Like Crowell

To the Editor:
The long history of problems between the county Board of Representatives and the county treasurer has led to the call for a trained professional to help manage our county budget and the treasurer’s office.
I believe that we definitely need help and a return to confidence in our elected county treasurer, and as a long-time supporter of professional management for county government I continue to support the position of county manager.
However, I am suggesting that it may not be necessary to hire or support the position of budget officer.
I believe that idea of a budget officer may be a specific response to an individual issue that may no longer be a concern after the Nov. 3 election.
This year, Otsego County is fortunate to have Dan Crowell running for the position of county treasurer. Dan is a member of our community and a graduate of Cooperstown Central School. He is a fire fighter and local volunteer.
Dan Crowell is a published author on community development issues, who has experience working with the same kind of software that Otsego County currently uses.
Dan Crowell, a Fulbright Scholar, has extensive training and practical experience in both public and private financial planning, economic analysis and business development.
To learn more about Dan Crowell or to contact him you can go to his web site. www.crowell4treasurer.com/
I believe that the county Board should delay any discussion or decision to hire more help for the county treasurer or budget until after the election.
If we are fortunate enough to elect a person with Dan Crowell’s impressive credentials, experience and background we may not need that professional position. We will have just voted for it.
HENRY J. NICOLS
Cooperstown

Vote Republican All The Way

To the Editor:
Ed Keator is the only candidate who has, in fact, used the financial system installed in Otsego County. While his opponent may claim to be familiar with Microsoft Dynamics, he is a salesman. When you buy a car, you buy it from a salesman, but your salesman does not fix your car.
Ed has 30 years experience in accounting and is a trained professional.
Please vote Nov. 3 for the candidate with the knowledge of the job and the experience of working in the treasurer’s office. Vote for Ed Keator.
I would hope that you will vote for Erik Miller for mayor of City of Oneonta and Mike Getman for Oneonta city judge.
Also, for county representative, Craig Gelbsman in District 12, Scott Harrington in District 13, Janet Hurley Quackenbush in District 4, Betty Ann Schwerd in District 10, and Donald Lindberg in District 6.
These people will all work hard for the people they will represent.
Also, make sure to vote for all your Republican town candidates.
Vote Nov. 2.
SHEILA M. ROSS
Otsego County
Republican Chair

Clerk Candidate True Friend To Town Of Otsego

To the Editor:
The Otsego town clerk should be familiar with local issues and local people and have a general knowledge of the budget process. I can think of no person who is more community minded than Richard M. McCaffery. I fully support his bid for the position of Otsego town clerk.
Rich was my supervisor for several years when I worked for Cornell Cooperative Extension. As a boss, he showed a real interest in my program and was very supportive of new ideas and projects.
What surprised me was learning about the many committees that Rich has served on over the years. The Lions Club, the Cooperstown Village Parks Committee, the Chamber of Commerce and a Cooperstown Summer Concert Series, as well as Bassett Healthcare, are just a few of the places that have benefited from his involvement. Rich is a man who shows up, offers ideas and puts in the time to serve others.
Rich is a real people person. He takes the time to get to know folks and has a great memory for names and faces. From a business standpoint, he has worked with budgets at CCE for more than 30 years, where he was conscientious about filing reports and grant proposals in a timely way.
He is a true friend to this town and would do an excellent job as Otsego town clerk.
MARCIA KOZUBEK
Oneonta

Too Much Cash Tempts Governments

To the Editor:
I am writing to ask again for your vote for my second term as a Town of Otsego board member. But first I want to thank citizens who have allowed me to display signs and those who voted for me in the primary.
Going around the town, I’ve felt privileged as various citizens have told me their concerns and commented on issues we deal with on the board (and some we don’t!) – financial worries, concerns about traffic speed and signs, new concerns such as gas drilling or wind turbines, fiscal fairness, the openness of government, energy efficiency, and more.
I will remember these concerns, where necessary study up even more on the issues and work with you to find reasonable solutions. I always want to hear from you! No matter what your views, I will work hard to represent you.
It remains important to me that the board be fiscally conservative. Over the last four years, overall town income from sales and mortgage taxes has slowly increased; that has raised our available funds without the supervisor raising taxes. In fact, he lowered them a bit. But this has put us into temptation: we have too much cash reserve.
When government has too much cash at hand, it can easily spend without due thought. In this downturn, how much better to return some of this money to the appropriate people, while still maintaining adequate reserves?
I would rather our board arrive at estimates for special purchases (e.g., bringing our salt shed into compliance), and then set aside reserve accounts for those special expenditures. Without this kind of care, big decisions can be made without appropriate public knowledge or input.
Please vote for my continued service on our Otsego town board on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
ANNE GEDDES-ATWELL
Fly Creek

Spending Problem In Town Of Otsego

To the Editor:
On Sept. 3, the Republican Party held a “Meet the Candidates Night” for Republican candidates running for office in the Town of Otsego.
At that event, Councilman Ann Geddes-Atwell referred to herself as a “fiscal conservative.” Having attended almost every meeting of the Otsego town board for the last three years, I was amazed to hear it. Her record as councilman belies her statement. But voters need not take my word for it.
Two weeks after claiming to be a “fiscal Conservative,” Councilman Atwell voted with her fellow councilmen to add $242,000 in new spending at a budget meeting on Sept. 17.
New computers, servers and networking, as well as a building for housing sand and salt, were among the items unanimously approved for next year’s budget. To top it off, not only weren’t these things requested by the highway superintendent, the town clerk, and the other people who would use them, they are actually opposed to them.
I’m running for councilman because I’m sick of politicians saying one thing and doing another.
I am also supporting Rosemary Craig on the independent line because she shares my belief in limited government. If elected, we could have an immediate impact on how town government treats taxpayers and their money.
I’ve seen enough of what Ann Geddes-Atwell thinks of them.
CARL F. WENNER
Fly Creek

Labels: 10-30-09, Letters to the Editor, Opinion

posted by The Freeman's Journal @ 12:00 AM 0 comments

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