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AllOTSEGO.com, OTSEGO COUNTY’S DAILY NEWSPAPER/ONLINE COMPLIMENTARY
Oneonta, N.Y., Thursday, August 31, 2023
LPC Meets To Discuss Project Proposals Next Public Meeting Set for Wednesday, September 13 By DARLA M. YOUNGS COOPERSTOWN he Village of Cooperstown Local Planning Committee met on Tuesday, August 22 to review projects submitted following an open request for proposals associated with the village’s New York Forward grant. On March 2, the Village of Cooperstown was awarded a $4.5 million NY Forward grant, one of three Mohawk Valley winners of the first round of the new state grant program created to invigorate and enliven downtowns in New York’s smaller and rural communities. Building on the momentum of New York State’s successful Downtown Revitalization Initiative, the NY Forward program adopts the same “Plan-then-Act” strategy as the DRI to support a more equitable downtown recovery for New York’s smaller and rural communities. LPC members reviewed seven public projects submitted by the Village of Cooperstown totaling $4.5 million and seven private projects from downtown property owners amounting to $6.4 million. There are 19 potential small projects under consideration as well. According to project lead Laberge Group’s Adriana Beltrani, the goal is to submit $6-8 million in potential projects from which the state will then choose. Higher level projects that are more transformational are most attractive to the state, she said. The public projects proposed by Village of Cooperstown officials include improvements to Fowler Way (pedestrian and vehicle safe pathway), Grove Street (pedestrian improvements), the Lakefront Park (platform for fishing and scenic enjoyment), Hoffman Lane (improving pedestrian design and managing stormwater), Pioneer Alley (pedestrian comfort and to improve stormwater infrastructure) Continued on page 12
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INSIDE ► PLANS UNDERWAY FOR WELLNESS FAIR, page 2 ► GRAVESTONE FOR SOLDIER TO BE DEDICATED, page 3 ► MORE CONCERNS ABOUT NEW YORK STATE’S ENERGY PLAN, page 4 ► READERS WRITE: lETTERS TO THE EDITOR, page 4 ► SEPTEMBER IS RECOVERY MONTH, page 5 ► BBHOF ANNOUNCES BANANA BALL, page 6 ► EXHIBITS, DANCES AND MORE, page 11 Follow Breaking News On
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Local Motorcycle Club Raises Funds for Helios Care ONEONTA—On Friday, August 25, members of the Hudson Highlands Retread Motorcycle Club presented Helios Care with a check for $2,000.00. The club supports Helios Care every year through fundraising efforts by its members. This year, the group held a basket raffle in June and had donation baskets at several club events throughout the year, and donated the proceeds. “This unrestricted donation goes directly to support services for over 700 local patients and their families. We are so grateful for this group who have continued to fundraise for us for over 30 years,” said Helios President and Chief Executive Officer Dan Ayres. From left above are: front row, Hudson Highlanders Ruth Reynolds, Cindee Nevin and Aleta Dunham with Ayres and Kathryn Dailey, director of development at Helios Care; back row, Jeff Woeppel, chair of the Helios Care Board of Directors and Hudson Highlander Ed Niven.
Pastor Completes Tenth Consecutive Octet Challenge By WRILEY NELSON
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Richfield, Oneonta Awarded Grants By WRILEY NELSON OTSEGO COUNTY ew York State Archives recently announced the winners of the 20232024 Local Government Records Management Improvement Fund grant program. The Archives awarded 87 grants totaling $5.2 million for municipal projects related to inactive records, files Continued on page 13
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OTSEGO COUNTY ohn W. Buddle, pastor at the Oneonta Elm Park and Otego United Methodist Churches, completed his tenth Otsego Outdoors Octet Challenge in late August. Otsego Outdoors has run these seasonal challenges of eight or more outdoor activities since winter of 2021. Participants complete hikes, paddles, bike rides, outdoor events and volunteer activities to earn their way toward a listing on the Octet Challenge Roster, as well as patches and stickers. The program is intended to encourage local residents to take full advantage of Otsego County’s superb natural beauty and outdoor activity opportunities. The Summer 2023 Octet program includes activities at Fetterley Forest, Glimmerglass State Park, Star Field, Brookwood Point, the Cherry Valley Sculpture Trail, Robert B. Woodruff Outdoor Learning Center, Texas School House State Forest, Betty and Wilbur Davis State Park, the Table Rock Trails, the Portlandville Fishing Access Site, Gilbert Lake State Park, the New Lisbon bicycling circuit, Copes Corners Park, and SUNY Oneonta’s College Camp. Participants can also volunteer at events or take part in an outdoor activity of their own design for credit. The summer challenge continues through Friday, September 22, so community members still have plenty of time to get started. “I started doing the Otsego Octet at its beginning as a way of getting my churches involved in some Continued on page 12
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The former McGregor Law Office at 99 Main Street, Schenevus is the future home of the Town of Maryland Historical Society Museum.
Donated Building Will Be Home of Historical Society SCHENEVUS he generous gift of a home for the Town of Maryland Historical Society has been accepted by a vote of the membership (532), at a special meeting of the historical society on Wednesday, August 16. The building, at 99 Main Street, Schenevus, is being given by the current Continued on page 13
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RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER
THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA, OTSEGO COUNTY’S LARGEST PRINT CIRCULATION 2010 WINNERS OF The Otsego County Chamber/KEY BANK SMALL BUSINESS AWARD
EDDM PRESORT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID ONEONTA PERMIT NO. 890