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Oneonta, N.Y., Thursday, October 24, 2024
Volume 16, No. 52
Bassett Lays Off 101 Employees as it Addresses $80M Shortfall
Council Talks Warming Station, Code Blue Alert Accommodation
By DARLA M. YOUNGS
By TONY SAVIO
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OTSEGO COUNTY n Wednesday, October 16, Bassett Healthcare Network eliminated 101 filled positions across the eight-county network, but that may not be the end of the association for some of those employees, according to Bassett President and Chief Executive Officer Staci Thompson. Thompson sat down on Friday afternoon, October 18, to discuss the layoffs and dispel rumors that more cuts are looming on the horizon. “The rumors have ballooned to 400 layoffs coming in multiple waves,” Thompson said. “None of that is the truth. No additional widespread cuts are planned.” Thompson said last week’s layoffs are administrative and that none of those let go were providing direct patient services. “We eliminated about 100 postings across the entire network as part of efforts to control rising healthcare costs,” Thompson explained. “It is a proactive approach that we’ve undertaken in order to continue to maintain our independence as a community based healthcare system.” Thompson said Bassett has been working with Huron, a healthcare consulting group, since April, part of an overall improvement plan to ensure that Bassett is healthy for the future. Continued on page 6 INSIDE ► T wo men, three awards at WCDO Radio, page 2
D Photos by WilliamJayMiller.com
Under Construction TOWN OF OTSEGO—As of Tuesday, October 15, State Route 80 is closed about two miles north of the Village of Cooperstown to facilitate a culvert replacement, according to the New York State Department of Transportation. Two separate signed detours are expected to last through the end of November. Local traffic should follow Otsego County Route 28, which runs parallel to State Route 80 for four miles. Eastbound State Route 80 truck traffic will follow State Route 28 North from the Village of Cooperstown to the Village of Richfield Springs, then take U.S. Route 20 East to connect back with State Route 80 in the Town of Springfield. Westbound truck traffic will follow U.S. Route 20 West from the Town of Springfield to State Route 28 South in the Village of Richfield Springs, then take State Route 28 South until it reconnects with State Route 80 West in the Village of Cooperstown. Drivers are asked to use caution and follow the posted detours. Motorists are reminded that fines are doubled for speeding in work zones.
Farmers’ Museum Announces New Name Effective Nov. 1
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COOPERSTOWN fter more than 80 years, ► Iron string press one of the nation’s first forward award, page 4 open-air living history ► solution TO employment museums has unveiled a new Woes, page 4 name and new visual identity. The Farmers’ Museum will ► election pancake day change its name to Fenimore coming up, page 6 Farm & Country Village begin► cancer survivor has ning November 1, 2024. The new story to tell, advice to name was selected to accurately give, page 7 reflect the property’s long history ► Autism awareness and to better express the museum’s project encounters current focus. Fenimore Farm & resistance, page 11 Country Village will continue to ► calendar: scary, creepy serve as a center for education, a guardian of artifacts from our things to do, page 12 rural past, and a community hub. Follow Breaking News On “Fenimore Farm & Country Village communicates dynamism through its unique loca-
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ONEONTA espite the late-October wave of warm conditions and sunny skies, winter weather is on its way, putting people without homes at higher risk. The city and town of Oneonta are reported to have the largest population of unsheltered persons who will rely on local authorities required to announce a Code Blue alert as soon as the National Weather Service predicts temperatures falling below 32˚F with wind chill for at least two consecutive hours. At its October 15 Common Council meeting, council members discussed the opening of a warming station at 291 Chestnut Street on November 1 and how to provide accommodations to unhoused individuals if the temperature falls below freezing—known as a “Code Blue” alert—in October. When possible, the decision to declare a Code Blue alert will be made by 5 p.m. each day, according to the Otsego County Department of Social Services. The Code Blue will remain in effect until the temperature rises above 32˚F with wind chill, but at least until 7 a.m. the next morning. The Catholic Charities Warming Station will operate during inclement weather, warranting Code Blue from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. daily from November 1, 2024 through March 25, 2025. The warming Continued on page 6
tion, encompassing a broad range of exhibits and activities— everything from a beautiful rural setting and a historic village to special events and programs, and a working farm,” said Paul S. D’Ambrosio, president of Fenimore Farm and Fenimore Art Museum. “The name also aligns seamlessly with Fenimore Art Museum, which was part of the original property. We believe returning to the property’s
original name better serves our visitors as it clearly defines the museum’s focus.” The property was originally referred to as Fenimore Farm from the time it was owned by James Fenimore Cooper (1813-1817) and Judge Samuel Nelson (1817-1873). After it was purchased by Edward Clark in 1876, it became formally known by that name. Edward Clark’s son, Edward Severin
Clark, became sole owner of Fenimore Farm in 1896 and transitioned it into a modern dairy farm by experimenting with new breeds of cattle and the latest in agricultural technology. In 1943, the property was opened to the public as The Farmers’ Museum. As part of this announcement, a new graphic identity was developed in conjunction with the new institutional name. A new website, FenimoreFarm.org, will launch on November 1. “This change will not alter our core mission or activities,” D’Ambrosio added. “All of our beloved programs and events like Harvest Festival and Continued on page 8
THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA, OTSEGO COUNTY’S AWARD-WINNING WEEKLIES 2010 WINNERS OF The Otsego County Chamber/KEY BANK SMALL BUSINESS AWARD
STD PRESORT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID ONEONTA PERMIT NO. 890