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Volume 18, No. 20
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Lawmakers Rail against State Climate Law; Green Groups Call State Report Inaccurate By ERIC SANTOMAURO-STENZEL
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ALBANY tsego County’s representatives in Albany are criticizing the state’s landmark climate law after a report released by the Governor Kathy Hochul administration said its costs of implementation would be in the thousands of dollars for oil and natural gas users. The report comes as the Hochul administration has been mulling ways to alter provisions in the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, Politico has reported. Environmental groups are calling the report
inaccurate, exaggerated and misleading. The report from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority estimated that “Upstate oil and natural gas households would see costs in excess of $4,000 a year” by 2031 if the CLCPA is implemented as written. The three-page report said costs would fall particularly hard on those without the ability to install low emission technology, which is harder to obtain for a range of reasons. Doreen Harris, NYSERDA president and chief executive officer, also wrote that the federal government’s Continued on page 9
Yellowjackets Season Ends in Section Finals
Photos by PhotoJoe Photography-Joe Harmer
BINGHAMTON—Oneonta High School’s basketball team fell to Maine-Endwell Senior High School’s Spartans in the boys Class A Section Finals on Sunday, March 8 at Visions Veterans Arena. The Spartans won 68-42. Left photo: Yellowjackets senior Brady Carr goes for a jumper. Right photo: Yellowjackets senior Britten Zeh drives in for a layup. INSIDE ► Larry sharpe talks gUbernatorial race IN HARTWICK, page 2
Town of Hartwick Sets Public Hearing for Solar Moratorium By ERIC SANTOMAURO-STENZEL
HARTWICK fter a contentious start to its new term of office, the Town of Hartwick board has found an issue to unify ► citizen science IS BACK, around: opposing a proposed solar farm. AND IT’S chaos! page 4 At its regular meeting on Monday, March 9, town board members unanimously voted ►LOTS OF LETTERS, page 4 to set a March 20, 6:30 p.m. public hearing ► ccs hISTORY DAY for a proposed six month solar moratoOVERVIEW, page 6 rium, pending timely review by the Otsego County Planning Department and publi► HOLOCAUST EDUCATOR PLANS VISIT, page 9 cation of notices in “The Daily Star.” The moratorium proposal comes in response to ► NEALON ON BEHALF OF solar company SolAmerica seeking to build rss, page 10 a 12.8-acre solar farm near the intersection of Greenough Road and Dobbs Hill Road. Residents have been speaking out against the project since news of the company’s 1 98715 21709 4 inquiries broke last month, including three ► another county board meeting in the books, page 3
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Photo by Eric Santomauro-Stenzel
The Town of Hartwick board voted on March 9 to set a public hearing for a proposed six-month solar moratorium in response to a solar farm project being considered by Georgia-based SolAmerica.
public commenters at the Monday meeting. Opponents have cited noise, visual impact, potential environmental impacts and prox-
imity to residential properties. SolAmerica has yet to file an official Continued on page 15
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
THURSDAY, march 12, 2026
A-2 THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA
GOP, Libertarian Gubernatorial Candidate Campaigns in Hartwick By ERIC SANTOMAURO-STENZEL HARTWICK OP and Libertarian gubernatorial candidate Larry Sharpe spoke to supporters and potential supporters in Hartwick on Sunday, March 8. Town of Hartwick Councilmember Bryan LoRusso hosted the event on his property. Sharpe previously ran for governor on the Libertarian Party line in 2018 and 2022, each time securing a small percentage of the vote. He has already been nominated for the Libertarian line this year. By also joining the GOP primary this time, he said, he hopes to offer plans rather than vague criticisms of Governor Kathy Hochul. GOP leaders across the state have endorsed Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman in the race. But for some locals, Sharpe is the better choice. “I believe in Larry’s message, I always have,” LoRusso said while introducing him. “If a Republican doesn’t realize that this is the best goddamn team we’ve seen in decades,” also referencing Sharpe’s running mate, Lewis County Sheriff Mike Carpinelli, “they’re out of their minds.” Sharpe criticized what he saw as the ineffectual leadership of GOP leaders in New York and across the country. Comparing President Barack Obama to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Sharpe said, “So now the leadership of the GOP said, ‘Got you, Mitt Romney Jr.: Blakeman.’ We did exactly the same thing. We have learned nothing.” Sharpe said he anticipates party officials will attempt to keep him off the GOP primary ballot.
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Photo by Eric Santomauro-Stenzel
Gubernatorial candidate Larry Sharpe, fighting an uphill battle for the GOP nomination to face Governor Kathy Hochul in November, spoke in Hartwick on March 8.
Speaking and taking questions for about an hour, Sharpe outlined his plans to drastically decrease the size and function of state government, particularly in education. “Let teachers teach,” he said, while calling for the creation of a New York State sovereign wealth fund to fund schools and to abolish school taxes. “Am I against having more administrators than teachers? Yes, yes I am. Now who changes that? We can. Once local people run their school districts, you decide which measures you keep. No more grants, no more fundraising, no more oh, wait a minute: Kathy Hochul has a friend who owns a construction company, so I guess we’re getting football fields,” Sharpe said. On energy, Sharpe said he supported nuclear power. “Absolutely, nuclear energy is the answer, has been for years.” He called for communities to have 50 percent ownership stakes in the nuclear power plants and direct votes on how to spend any profits. “This is not you go talk to your city council, and they decide to give money to their friends,” he said. Sharpe also advocated for public union contracts to receive referendum votes from residents rather than be approved by local governments; to make small businesses and farmers “immune from all federal regulatory bodies” if they only sell in New York State; and to use local control over energy as leverage over the artificial intelligence industry. “If we do it right, within eight years, we will sue the government to stop taxing us. The federal government won’t need taxes because we’ll be self-sufficient,” Sharpe promised.
Otsego County Community Foundation Grant Rounds Now Open SPRINGFIELD he Community Foundation of Otsego County announced that applications are now being accepted for three grant rounds: the Otsego Lake Watershed Sustainability Fund, the Greater Otego
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Library and Education Fund, and the Advocates for Springfield Fund. The Otsego Lake Watershed Sustainability Fund is now open, with $20,000.00 available to qualifying 501c3s. An advisory committee reviews applications
and makes recommendations—the committee consists of the leaders of three lake-focused organizations: the Otsego Lake Association, the Watershed Supervisory Committee (Village of Cooperstown, Towns of Otsego, Middlefield
and Springfield), and the SUNY Oneonta Biological Field Station. CFOC funds projects that focus on the health of Otsego Lake and its watershed. According to a press release, special consideration is given to projects that comply with or advance the recommendations of the 9E Plan for Otsego Lake Watershed management that is now being prepared. The deadline for applications is Friday, April 17. The Greater Otego Library and Education Fund, created by longtime Town of Otego resident Dennis Fowler, has three purposes. 1: to assist in Phase 1 of planned renovations to the Harris Memorial Library in Otego; 2: to
issue grants for maintenance, repairs, and other operating expense of the Harris Memorial library; and, 3: for enhancement and development of educational and cultural resources of the Town of Otego to include, but not limited to, the Otsego Christian Academy. CFOC has allocated up to $13,000.00 for awards for 2026 (other than Phase 1 renovations to the Harris Memorial Library). Awards may be requested up to $2,000.00, officials said. Applications are reviewed by CFOC’s Initiatives Committee and approved by the Executive Committee. There are no deadlines and applications may be submitted until funds are
fully committed. The Advocates for Springfield Fund supports local nonprofit organizations that add to the fabric of the community, such as the volunteer fire department and the library. Funds can also be used to supplement summer jobs that benefit the community, especially in childhood education. CFOC has allocated up to $2,000.00 for these awards for 2026, with individual awards up to $500.00. Applications are reviewed by CFOC staff. The application deadline is Friday, May 15. For additional details and application forms, visit cfotsego. org/funds-and-grants/.
Bill White Wins O’Neil Award COOPERSTOWN he Board of Directors of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum announced that Bill White won the 2026 John Jordan “Buck” O’Neil Lifetime
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Achievement Award for outstanding contribution to baseball. He is the seventh winner of this award, established in 2007 to honor O’Neil’s eight decades contributing to baseball and its societal impact.
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THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2026
THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA A-3
Reps Hear Continued ICE Outcry, Discuss America 250 Grants By BILL BELLEN OTSEGO COUNTY rior to the regularly-scheduled March 4 meeting of the Otsego County Board of Representatives, there were three brief special meetings of various committees. The Intergovernmental Affairs Committee met to approve Planning Department Director Tammie Harris’ request to purchase two new buses for the OPT-Cooperstown route at a cost not to exceed $1,299,204.00. The buses will replace two older vehicles purchased in 2019. Harris clarified that 80 percent of the cost will be covered by federal funds, with the remaining 20 percent being provided by the state. Following IGA’s meeting, quorum was not met at a special session of the Human Services Committee, so no action was taken on any items. The Administration Committee met to approve a few last-minute resolutions to be presented to the board at-large before adjourning to make way for the primary meeting of the day. A sizable portion of the board was not present for the March meeting, with Reps. Andrew Marietta, Nora Mendez, Adrienne Martini and Jill Basile all being noted as absent. Rep. Daniel Wilber presented a resolution from the floor in appreciation of retiring Otsego County IT Director
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Brian Pokorny. Pokorny worked for the county for more than 30 years and has been director of his department since January of 2000. Wilber thanked him for building the digital infrastructure needed for county functions, including those of emergency services. Chairman Edwin Frazier Jr. commended Pokorny for always being “ahead of the curve” and doing his utmost to serve the needs of the county. Pokorny received a round of applause and well wishes in retirement from the board. The meeting then shifted to privilege of the floor, with Frazier reminding a very full audience of the rules of order before proceeding. Ten individuals spoke to the board in what amounted to nearly 25 minutes of separate addresses to their representatives. Among the many who spoke, Virginia Kennedy opened by citing various federal and legal officials—primarily from Trump-appointed positions—criticizing ICE for their misconduct and violation of court orders. She also questioned why her recent FOIL request regarding the 287(g) was initially denied on the basis of intra-and-interagency communications, wondering how this was the case based on her understanding that Sheriff Richard Devlin had unilaterally signed the 287(g) agreement.
Bill Hayes, who noted Chinese. And I have had he had spoken during the to show her her immiDecember 3 meeting on gration records and her the same matter, questioned why Otsego County has continued to partner with ICE despite New York Attorney General Letitia James’ advisory against such agreements due to their “inherent risks to county personnel as well as the public.” Teresa Winchester reflected on the efforts of county citizens in making their voices heard, making a plea to the board that months of outcry warrant some sort of direct board-sheriff communication. “It’s incumbent upon people of conscience to, at every opportunity, signal to the current chaotic and cruel administration that we will not support its agenda,” Winchester stated. “This board has an opportunity to send this message by demanding that Sheriff Devlin cancel the 287(g) contract he signed with ICE…and to do this immediately.” Marielle Ainsworth brought the ICE discussion to a more personal level, speaking about her adopted daughter’s fears regarding the agency’s actions. Her daughter has Chinese heritage and is a U.S. citizen. “She’s afraid,” Ainsworth said emotionally. “She’s afraid that she’s going to be snatched off the streets. Not because she’s done anything wrong—she’s a child—but because she’s
certificate of naturalization and she said ‘Yeah, but it doesn’t matter.’”
Other speakers echoed the thoughts of one Continued on page 11
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HOMETOWN Views
A-4 HOMETOWN ONEONTA
THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2026
reporter’s notebook
Eric santomauro-stenzel
Decatur, and Local News, in Distress This week, we hand over our “editorial voice” to Senior Staff Writer Eric Santomauro-Stenzel. In his second “Reporter’s Notebook” column, Santomauro-Stenzel touches upon everything small, local newsrooms struggle with today, from why trust in the media is at a record low to staffing time constraints to lack of resources. he Town of Decatur, an Otsego County jurisdiction with only 374 residents as of the 2020 census, appears to have not been the topic of a news article in several years. But a couple weeks ago, it became the subject of headlines ranging from Syracuse to Binghamton to Albany to rural Vermont, 15 minutes from the Canadian border (?). All because the Otsego County Sheriff’s Office put out a standard press release announcing that Decatur’s former town supervisor had been arrested for allegedly giving himself an unauthorized raise of over $2,000. “Otsego County Ex-Town Supervisor Arrested, Charged with Grand Larceny and Official Misconduct,” read one headline, “Former Decatur town supervisor arrested for misappropriation of town funds,” another. The many pieces, often lacking bylines, had no new details that weren’t in the Sheriff’s Office press release. Two outlets falsely reported defendant Johnathan Kersman is currently town supervisor despite the title of the sheriff’s press release clearly saying “former;” one also misspelled his name in a broadcast. (Another outlet both said “the Town of Decatur supervisor” and “while” the accused “was” serving.) Yet another claimed New York State Police announced and made the arrest, though the Sheriff’s Office release said deputies made the arrest and did not mention state troopers. “I am the only person that writes our press releases for Troop C. And also the only person that would provide any confirmation of an arrest. This is not our case,” NYSP spokesperson Aga Tinker told me, adding she would send a correction request. That piece was soon corrected. Like these outlets, we could have posted what we knew about the alleged crimes online immediately. But we felt this was an important local story with open questions and went a bit further, publishing in our March 5 issue. I reached out to relevant parties: the defendant former town supervisor, the current supervisor Julia Parker, who we learned defeated
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Kersman in 2024, the Sheriff’s Office, and the New York State Comptroller’s Office, which collaborated on the investigation, also requesting documents from the county District Attorney’s Office. I would have combed the Decatur town meeting minutes and code, if I could find a website for them. In so doing, we learned that the offenses are alleged to have occurred between June and November 2024; that the alleged theft was accomplished by claiming a bookkeeper line without town board authorization; that the reported cash amount was $2,900.00 in $491.00 increments; that the current supervisor has declined to offer comment; and that the accused opted to tell me an abbreviation for “Go f*** yourself,” instead of defending himself. Still managed to work some color in there, eh? This is no groundbreaking act of investigative journalism. It is rather standard. But it does take human work time to complete, and every minute spent on it is one not spent on another story. From the vantage point of some of these outlets, why invest this effort in a story mainly impacting a community of a few hundred people an hour or more outside of your main coverage area? To the extent they do report it, it may be because readers are much more likely to click it, post a comment and share it with a friend. As of this writing, the news outlet that got the most details wrong has 468 comments on its corresponding Facebook mugshot post—94 more comments than there are people in Decatur. Almost all of these audiences will not be interested beyond the surface details. So, outlets are less likely to seek more than that when a reporter could be doing something with a better bang for its buck. Repackaging something from the steady stream of law enforcement press releases is easy. That certainly does not excuse those strange, sloppy (artificially intelligent hallucinations?) factual errors in the Decatur stories, though. Cheap coverage is, in fact, cheap. These resource tradeoffs and sensationalist incentives have always existed. But they have metastasized in our modern (social and screen-based) media environment. While always a small operation, about a decade ago AllOtsego’s flagship, “The Freeman’s Journal,” employed three full-time reporters. Today, just one. In our 218th year, we are grateful to you,
our readers, to be doing better than many. Good reporting is not a momentary process. It is a constant search for new information; stories reflect a curation of what we know is happening, not all that is happening. Under increasing financial pressures and with fewer reporters, there are fewer leads. We just know less. Most of us do our best to serve the public interest despite the constraints, and I know I speak for my friends at outlets near and far when I say the stories we do not get to pursue are often the ones we lose sleep over. This contributes to a vicious cycle of public perception. The less journalism can offer, the more its reputation is damaged. Seeing the vacuum, more people pop up claiming to tell the truth but merely repost every hot tip they receive without confirmation, all at no monetary cost to you. More people claim journalists are untrustworthy as a class, often to advance political agendas they know fewer of us will be around to fact check. So, more people cancel or do not consider a subscription. The cycle repeats: the less journalism can offer. Perhaps, had someone had the resources to assign a reporter to some Town of Decatur meetings, we’d have heard about this well before it led to an arrest. Maybe things would even have played out differently. Maybe the regional outlets could do a Google search for some background, and write better pieces. Who can say? Nonetheless, the people still have a right to know. There are many unanswered questions about what happened at those Decatur board meetings and in the budget lines—potentially more interesting ones with the new details—hopefully to be answered as the case unfolds. In the meantime, my plea: Buck the trends by supporting local journalism. Help us, and local reporting at-large, to be ample and thorough in our coverage by subscribing and/or donating to AllOtsego and other local news organizations. Eric Santomauro-Stenzel is AllOtsego’s senior staff writer. Read his article, “Former Decatur Super Arrested for Alleged Theft from Town,” on AllOtsego.com or in our March 5 issue. Subscribe to AllOtsego online or by calling (607) 547-6103 and send check donations made out to Iron String Press Inc. at PO Box 890, Cooperstown, NY 13326. Donations are not tax deductible.
CITIZEN SCIENCE
Jamie Zvirzdin
Citizen Science 2026: Chaos in Nature
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t is strange to see our own breath appear before us on bright, frosty days. Invisible water vapor condenses to visible, light-scattering droplets, then evaporates to invisibility again as this breath-cloud
swirls, thins and vanishes. Trying to grasp it leads to frustration. Likewise, the concept of chaos is curiously, maddeningly, beautifully difficult to pin down. Defining chaos is itself a lesson in chaos. Despite
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY “Hometown Oneonta” welcomes letters to the editor that reflect the writer’s thoughts on an article or other item appearing in the paper, or on topics of general local interest. They must include the writer’s name, address, e-mail and telephone/mobile number; the opinions expressed must be the writer’s own. Hostile, offensive, factually incorrect or excessively inflammatory content will not be published. Maximum length is 300 words; however, the editors reserve the right to accept, reject or edit letters for clarity and space. Please send letters to: info@allotsego.com.
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Staff Writer: Eric Santomauro-Stenzel Office Manager: Larissa Ryan Sales Consultant: Randy Christian Intern: Arya Patel Columnists and Contributing Writers
Bill Bellen, Terry Berkson, Monica Calzolari, Rachel Frick Cardelle, Richard deRosa, Caspar Ewig, Maria Griswold, Chris Kjolhede, Larry Malone, Cassandra Miller, Wriley Nelson, Tom Shelby, Gayane Torosyan, Teresa Winchester, Jamie Zvirzdin
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MEMBER OF: National Newspaper Association, New York Press Association The Otsego County Chamber Published Thursdays by Iron String Press, Inc. 21 Railroad Ave., Cooperstown NY 13326 Telephone: 607-547-6103. Fax: 607-547-6080. Email: info@allotsego.com • www.allotsego.com Contents © Iron String Press, Inc.
advanced math classes on the subject, I’m still puzzling over how this word evolved across math and myth. This year, Citizen Science takes up the theme of chaos in nature—how it arises in our own bodies, ecosystems,
the cosmos and everyday life. And as I navigate a season of delightful chaos myself as my family moves from Germany to New Zealand (literally halfway around the Continued on page 7
Letters to the editor … In their opinION
Think Before Just Voting Party Line After the first year of Trump’s second term and his most current State of the Union address, how refreshing it is to follow the fast and decisive progress we are achieving as compared to the regression we have been experiencing for a long time. If our country continued on the path we’ve been on for a so long, we would have lost the values this country was built on. This may be the reason God is using Trump to get this country back on track. Remember that our Pledge of Allegiance states, “one Nation under God.” Many Democrat voters have been voting their party line forever, not realizing that the party has totally changed and today is operating under the dollars of evil billionaires that have the funds and intelligence to take this country down. I believe this is one of the reasons we have regressed to a dangerous point. Additionally, these billionaire dollars have taken control of most of the media, so the media delivers very slanted news and doesn’t
expose the lies that also are misleading. Those of us that understand what is taking place have a responsibility to help other voters realize what they are voting for, and also to reach out wherever we can to help MAGA candidates win. We also need to try to help our misinformed voters to realize what they are really voting for. I believe that God doesn’t do things on his own, but offers us opportunists to get in step with him. God leaves us the free will and responsibility to step up or lose. Prayer is important, but we also have to get out of our comfort zone to do our part of making things happen. If we don’t, Satan will steal the show. Bruce Beckert South New Berlin
After-hours Vets Needed Locally Our Otsego area is in dire need of after-hours veterinary care. Our traumatic experience with our gentle English mastiff shouldn’t have happened this past weekend. She broke her leg in our car and was unable to walk at all. In extreme pain. We
thought it was a sprain, but needed someone to come to our house with at least some pain relief. Or at best, take her to the clinic for an x-ray. That would have shown that she needed to be put down, unfortunately. She suffered terribly since it was a Saturday evening. I slept on the floor with her for two nights unable to help much. We searched the Internet for emergency help, but they are far away and don’t respond until they are in their offices on weekdays. Not everyone can drive to Albany or someplace hours away during a pet’s emergency. It is a true shame that our local veterinarians have no interest in our pets after hours. I can never have a pet again, knowing this could happen again. There should be a veterinary that is open on weekends. And an on-call vet for weeknights. Those would be the vets that truly cared about our animals, and not those that are just in it for the money. Ro Boerner Oneonta Continued on page 14
THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2026
HOMETOWN ONEONTA A-5
Otsego Explained: Planning for Plowing By BILL BELLEN
Compiled by Tom Heitz/SHARON STUART with resources courtesy of The Fenimore Art Museum Research Library
110 Years Ago
The Price of Gasoline—With the price of gasoline advanced within the week and now retailing at 28 cents in this city the subject is becoming one of much interest to both present and prospective users of cars and the one question heard is, “What will be the price in midsummer?” Dealers quite uniformly are at sea and declare that they are unable to learn anything about the future price. The only assurance they can secure is that their needs will be supplied—provided always they are regular patrons of either the Standard or the Tiona companies, the only two companies doing business in this section. The companies are unwilling and have been for some time to give a price for even ten days ahead. The user of 300 or 400 gallons of gas may pay say ten cents more per gallon than he paid during the past five years on the average. Most of them are getting more miles on the gallon, and even if not so, the increased cost will be only $30 or $40 for the season. March 1916
90 Years Ago
Robert Edmond Jones, film director, predicted today that within 20 years a combination of television and three-dimension photography will revolutionize not only entertainment, but commercial operations and scientific study as well. Looking ahead to 1956 he said he foresees: Movie stars performing right in the living rooms of millions of American homes; Department stores featuring the equivalent of “Kinetoscope peep shows” in lieu of mannequins to exhibit new fashions shown thousands of miles away; and physicians sitting in their offices watching major operations being performed in other countries. “It will be done by a combination of television and threedimensional movies,” Jones said. “And, if it sounds fabulous, I can only say that it will be developed more easily and more quickly than were the airplane and the submarine.” March 1936
50 Years Ago
Oneonta schools face drastic cuts in personnel, academic programs and services for 1976-1977, School Superintendent Dr. Frederick Bardsley told more than 50 people at the Greater Plains PTO meeting last night. A reduction of $1,012,048 in next year’s budget will be required because the Oneonta School District can no longer exclude pensions, social security, health insurance and some other items when computing taxes under the constitutional tax limit. Oneonta has been excluding such costs for more than six years under emergency legislation. But an amendment to the state constitution to allow the exclusions to be continued was defeated at the polls last fall. Also, based on the proposed state budget, the district can expect $100,000 less in state aid than had been anticipated this year, Dr. Bardsley reported. Since the school district is already at its constitutional tax limit of 1.50 percent on the five-year average full valuation of taxable real estate, total revenue from taxes cannot be increased substantially without a referendum. March 1976
30 Years Ago
The games, festivities and a talent show are on for downtown Main Street in Oneonta on Saturday. Previously advertised as downtown’s first Main Street Winterfest, the program has been rescheduled from two weeks ago after rainy weather predominated. Now the event is a “go,” snow or not—and could be subtitled “Pre-Spring, Main Street Fling,” according to Mark Drnek, event coordinator. Main Street downtown will be closed to traffic from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. A charity softball tournament is planned for Neahwa Park and a talent show for local residents is being organized by the Upper Catskill Community Council of the Arts. March 1996
Solution: “Leveling The Playing Field” (March 5)
OTSEGO COUNTY ighway departments. These agencies go through immense trials and tribulations to keep the streets, roads, and highways of our country clear and safe for travel during the brunt of winter storms. But how does it all pan out the morning of a big snow? In this first issue of our new series, “Otsego Explained,” AllOtsego takes you along for the wild ride of what is required to manage our county roads.
H
What is the Highway Department? The county level of highway maintenance is one component of the larger Department of Highways, Forestry and Parks. Created from the merger of the Otsego County’s independent Department of Highways and Department of Forestry and Parks in 1981, members of this agency have been tasked with the upkeep of the department’s namesake ever since. While the office’s primary services shift from season to season, the winter months of each year place a heavy focus on combatting the conditions of a frosty and bitter Mother Nature. This winter in particular has seen numerous heavy snow storms, powerful winds and frigid conditions that have kept the department on its toes. What Does it Take? Richard Brimmer, superintendent of Highways, Forestry and Parks for Otsego County, shared that his department currently has 19 operational tandem plows and five smaller, one-ton trucks with plows and salters attached. The tandem plows handle the primary county highways, while the more nimble one-ton vehicles clean up intersections and specific areas of concern like major hills. Brimmer noted that each truck has a rough lifespan
of eight to 10 years, but that the Otsego County Board of Representatives is supportive of switching to a five year rotational for trucks, though funding is a primary concern in pursuing such a policy. Even with all this machine power, the county’s Highway Department is only one component of the efforts to keep the roads clear. Each level of government, whether it be villages, towns or the county itself, is responsible for the maintenance of their respective designated roads. However, these designations do not prohibit cooperation between jurisdictions. “Our county highways are our responsibility, whether we contract them or whether we do them ourselves,” Brimmer said. “We contract with 12 towns to plow some of our roads, and also the City of Oneonta does one road for us…We pay them to take care of snow and ice operations. We provide the sand and salt material for them to put down, and they provide trucks and manpower.” How Does it Get Done? In standard circumstances, if the department determines there is a chance the plows may need to be deployed, 10 supervisors will depart around 2:30 a.m. to begin inspecting the roads. This crew aims to make a determination on the need to salt, sand or plow by 3:30 a.m., at which time the general crews will be called to be in by 4:30 a.m. Plows can be deployed from numerous outposts that the Highway Department has across the county, allowing for more comprehensive coverage. Operations generally last until 10:30 p.m., being split evenly between a morning and a night crew of plowers. Brimmer explained that, while this is the standard formula, everything is heavily dependent on what given conditions are, what road treatment is needed and what level of staff is on hand. Continued on page 15
By MERL REAGLE
Final Ballot… X marks the box
ACROSS 1 Cause of cling 7 Amenhotep was one 14 Ristorante rundown 20 Yacht spot 21 Otalgia 22 Emulate Vlad 23 Emetic plant 24 Jefferson’s second VP 25 Actor Anthony 26 Holiday in Hué 27 Invite 29 5-centime piece 31 Abner’s radio chum 32 “Whadja say?” 33 Do one’s thing as a responsible citizen (continues at 39 Down, backwards to 105, and up to 33 to form a square around the “X”) 40 To a Skylark, e.g. 41 Bowler’s save 43 Corporate head 44 No turns ___ 46 And the rest, briefly 48 Closet skeletons 49 Stop for the Sunset Ltd. 95 Nickname of basketballer Maurice Stokes 50 Word coined by Frank Lloyd Wright 98 Lacking decorum 54 Great effort 100 Strip of membership 55 Controversial injection 104 Suffix for collectibles 59 Lager cousin 105 See 33 Down 60 Small glass vessel 108 Duarte of Argentina 62 Some chart checkers, 109 High school debate org. familiarly 110 Janitor’s prop 63 Young Cleaver, to Wally 111 Kamchatka bird 64 Introduction to corn? 112 Type of point or theory 65 Sloppiness safeguard 113 Last king of England 66 Fix firmly 116 Bellerophon’s mount 68 See 84 Across 122 Victoria’s consort 69 Some Sun. successes 125 Breadwinner 70 Hemic trio 126 Part of EKG 71 On a slant 127 Dr. Seuss turtle 72 Jewelry-case liner, often 128 Exquisite 73 First of the double digits 129 Eats in front of the TV 74 Certain microchip 130 Animal Shelter truckload 75 Top DOWN 77 Maigret’s river 1 Commonfolk? 78 Woodpile tool 2 Get ready for UPS 79 Recession 3 Soulful Franklin 80 Fermentation vessels 4 Nervous reaction 81 Truth, in Tiananmen Square 5 Concert finale? 83 Serb or Croat 6 Chocolate source 84 With 68 Across, a Bogart- 7 Birds, at times Robinson film 8 Henry V’s nickname 85 Mortarboard features 9 Tanker guy 87 Break in shooting 10 Campaigned (for) 89 They play to the balcony 11 Use the Method 91 “___ the pits” 12 Cry of discovery 92 He never drinks ... wine 13 Muppet family? 94 A letter from Lesbos
14 Arouse 15 _ __ Darya (Asian river) 16 Home-gym alternative 17 “Old Rough and Ready” 18 Make reference 19 Appeared 28 “The Racer’s Edge” 30 He had 511 career homers 33 D o one’s thing as Chief Executive (continues at 105 Across, etc.) 34 Second in command 35 First name in bologna 36 Flagging 37 Idyllic places 38 Racetrack docs 39 See 33 Across 42 House mbr. 45 Ford’s 34 Down: inits. 47 Big House members 49 Whoopi Goldberg, to Caryn Johnson 50 Euro-nightspot 51 Woodcutter in The Arabian Nights 52 Orders a second strike on 53 Forms of relief? 55 Like a lackey 56 F ace on the cuttingroom floor 57 Librarian, at times 58 Walt, Roy, et al. 61 “___ pray” 63 Cotton collections 67 Barney Fife, for one: abbr.
68 Guitarist Paul 76 A real turn-on? 81 Draw around 82 Prefix meaning “eye” 86 Actor Alastair 87 Type of agency or trailer: abbr. 88 Abbr. on a mountain sign 90 A tribute to the way things are run? 92 Kicked off the ticket 93 “To everything there is ___” 95 Hit hard 96 “... that England should crouch down ___ and yield” (Shak.) 97 Anagram of AL GORE 98 Old Pontiac model 99 Mr. Symington 101 Spanish money unit 102 Vocalist Don or Phil 103 Relatives of cappuccinos 106 Abrasive substance 107 Approves 114 Essential cell component 115 Tourmaline or turquoise 117 C lark and Marilyn’s Misfits co-star 118 H. Norman was one 119 Sky king? 120 They usually run E and W 121 Tell tale site? 123 Permit 124 Cold remark?
A-6 THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA
THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2026
NEWS BRIEFS
Hellenthal Sixth in the State ITHACA—Cooperstown senior Thomas Hellenthal finished his swimming career on the podium at the State Swimming and Diving Championships on Saturday, March 7. He placed sixth among public school athletes and seventh in the Federation, which includes private schools, the Catholic League, and New York City schools, in the 100m backstroke. He set a personal season record of 51.22 seconds. Hellenthal also set a personal career record of 21.38 seconds in the 50m freestyle, earning him 10th place among public school swimmers and 12th in the Federation. He won the Sportsmanship Award for Section III swimmers by popular vote of section coaches.
CCE Announces March Classes OTSEGO COUNTY—Cornell Cooperative Extension and Annie’s Project will host virtual social media and marketing workshops on Zoom from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Wednesdays from March 11 to March 25. Registration is required at tinyurl.com/mrrr7jw6. There will be a dairy seminar on the care of dry and fresh cows at Marshman Farms, 3623 County Road 32 in Oxford, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday, March 16. Registration is $25.00 per person, including lunch, and is available at cnydfc.cce.cornell.edu/event.php?id=2730. Heather Kase will hold a berry production basics workshop on Zoom on Thursday, March 19. Registration is available at reg.cce.cornell.edu/ berrybasics_243. There will be a virtual certification course for USDA Good Agricultural Practices from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday, March 30 at cvp. cce.cornell.edu/event.php?id=2189.
SQSPCA Seeks Assistance COOPERSTOWN—The Susquehanna Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals announced that it is nearing capacity with nearly 120 animals in its care and requested help from community members. Adoptions are strongly encouraged and the fee is 50 percent off through Tuesday, March 17. To inquire about fostering or volunteering, call (607) 547-8111. Donations may be made at sqspca.org.
Gardening Workshop Is Friday COBLESKILL—Cornell Cooperative Extension of Schoharie and Otsego Counties will host a Master Gardener workshop at the Cobleskill CCE office, 173 S. Grand Street, from 1-2:30 p.m. on Friday, March 13. Trained volunteers will demonstrate seed starting and watering techniques, garden planning and tools, and answer any questions about home gardening. The program is free and open to the public. Registration is required at cceschoharieotsego.org.
U.S. Gas Prices Skyrocket UTICA—The average price of gasoline in New York State shot up 39 cents to $3.39 over the week ending Monday, March 9, AAA Northeast announced. Crude oil prices rose 30 percent last week, the largest single-week increase since 1983,
and topped $100.00 per barrel by Sunday. Markets are still adapting to the rapidly changing situation in the Middle East, where the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran has escalated to threaten the approximately one-fifth of global oil and gas trade that flows through the Persian Gulf. Tankers have largely stopped transiting the critical Strait of Hormuz as insurers react to fears of a land-based naval blockade. Iraq, Qatar, Kuwait, and other states have substantially dialed back production due to the blockade and the potential of direct attacks on oil infrastructure. The nationwide average for a gallon of gas in the U.S. has climbed more than 15 percent in a week, the highest weekly increase since the 60-cent shock in March 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Domestic production remains steady and inventories are slightly above the five-year average. Demand fell by nearly half a million barrels a day to a fairly weak 8.29 million. New York’s price is 41 cents higher than a month ago and 19 cents higher than this week last year. To view the full report, visit gasprices.aaa.com.
Weekend of Renewal Planned
Estrada Named to Dean’s List
Lake Newsletter Available
CANTON—St. Lawrence University released its fall 2025 Dean’s List, honoring students who maintained a grade point average of at least 3.6 while taking at least four classes. Honorees included junior Lilia Estrada, an English and digital media/ film major from Cherry Valley.
COOPERSTOWN—Otsego 2000 and the Otsego Lake Watershed Supervisory Committee announced the launch of “Otsego Lake Watershed Protection News,” a newsletter that will provide updates on lake management, public meetings, and the harmful algae bloom threat. To sign up, visit otsego2000. org/olwpn.
Club To Host Trivia Night EDMESTON—Members of the Edmeston Central School Spanish Club will hold an International Trivia and Pizza Night from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, March 20 to raise money for their upcoming trip to Costa Rica. The cost is $20.00 in advance or $25.00 at the door for teams of up to six people, with a cash prize for the winning team. Pizza and other concessions will be available for sale. The event will take place in the school cafeteria. For more information or to register, contact sknight@edmeston.net.
SBA Announces New Policy WASHINGTON, DC—The U.S. Small Business Administration issued a new policy notice to prevent foreign nationals and non-citizens from accessing SBA-guaranteed small business loans. According to a release, the shift is intended to prioritize American job creators and will take effect on Wednesday, April 8. About four percent of the 85,000 SBA loans approved in fiscal year 2025 went to businesses owned in part by lawful permanent residents.
Sound Bath Set for Equinox MARGARETVILLE—Marcel Smith will lead a Spring Equinox Sound Bath at the Open Eye Theater, 960 Main Street in Margaretville, at 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 21. The immersive soundscape is intended to promote healing and a fresh start as spring begins. Tickets are $20.00 and are available by contacting (845) 586-1660 or info@theopeneyetheater.org.
MORRIS—The Gatehouse Coffee Shop and Mercantile, 129 Main Street in Morris, will host an Introspective Weekend on Saturday and Sunday, March 14-15. There will be a guided meditation and creative writing workshop from 1-3 p.m. on Saturday, live music with Chris Riffle and other local musicians from 1-3 p.m. on Sunday, and an evening meditation session from 5-6:30 p.m. on Sunday. For more information or to register, visit thegatehouseny.com.
Members’ Exhibit Opens Friday ONEONTA—Community Arts Network of Oneonta will open its 2026 Members’ Exhibition at Wilber Mansion, 11 Ford Avenue, with a public reception from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, March 13. It features work by more than two dozen local artists and will be on display through Friday, April 3. Light refreshments will be served at the reception, which is free and open to the public. For more information, visit canoneonta.org.
Lecture To Celebrate Poe ONEONTA—Hartwick College’s 2026 Babcock Lecture will bring two internationally renowned experts on Edgar Allan Poe to the Shineman Chapel House on Thursday, March 26. Richard Kopley, distinguished professor emeritus at Penn State DuBois and the author of the definitive 2025 biography “Edgar Allan Poe: A Life,” will give a lecture at 5 p.m. At 7:30 p.m., rare book collector Stephan Loewentheil will present insights from decades of research, including his 1992 bibliography of rare Poe materials. Both events are free and open to the public. Additionally, the Yager Museum’s Poe exhibit will be on display through May 16.
Plumber Charged with Fraud RICHFIELD SPRINGS—The Otsego County District Attorney announced the March 5 arrest of 32-year-old Steven Vitalo, owner and operator of Central Plumbing and Drains in Herkimer. Vitalo surrendered himself to the State Police and was charged with insurance fraud, grand larceny, attempted grand larceny, and scheme to defraud. The investigation stemmed from complaints from clients in the Towns of Oneonta, Exeter, Richfield Springs, Hartwick and Milford. Vitalo was arraigned at Otsego County CAP Court and released on recognizance. Residents who did business with Central Plumbing and Drains and believe they were defrauded should contact their District Attorney’s office or the New York State Department of Financial Services Hotline at (888) 930-6565.
Local Students Take Top Honors at Regional History Competition By NIKKA DE LA CUESTA COOPERSTOWN n February 28, Cooperstown Central School hosted a regional National History Day competition, drawing students from across the Catskill region to showcase their research, creativity, and passion for history. This year’s theme, “Revolution, Reaction, and Reform in History,” coincided with the 250th anniversary of the United States and invited students to examine how actions, ideas, and events can spark change locally, nationally, and globally. The event featured exhibits, models, documentaries, websites, and papers that approached the theme from a wide range of perspectives. Participants came from Cooperstown, Milford, and Richfield, primarily junior-high students, along with a few freshmen from Cooperstown. They not only presented months of dedicated work but also connected with peers, received feedback from judges, and deepened their understanding of how the past continues to shape the world around them. Teachers, judges and the broader school community played a vital role in making the National History Day competition a meaningful experience for everyone involved. Cooperstown Central School teachers guided students through each step of the research process, from developing strong thesis statements to refining their final presentations. Volunteer judges, including educators, local historians, and history enthusiasts, devoted their time to carefully reviewing each project and offering thoughtful, constructive feedback. Cristal De La Cruz, the NYSHD state coordinator, was impressed with the quality of the students’ work, saying she is “always in awe of the breadth of knowledge and creativity that students bring to all levels of the NHD contests.” Behind the scenes, staff, families, and community supporters helped organize materials, provide refreshments, and create a welcoming environment for visiting schools. Their collective efforts not only ensured the event ran smoothly but also demonstrated a shared commitment to celebrating student achieve-
O
ment and fostering a deeper appreciation for history. Students were at the heart of the National History Day experience, bringing the theme to life through their curiosity, hard work, and personal interests. As they conducted research, analyzed primary and secondary sources, and refined their arguments, they built important skills in critical thinking, public speaking, and collaboration. “History Day is a perfect way to learn and explore history,” said Genevieve Lamp, a student at Milford Central School. Riley Brandise from CCS added, “NHD gave me the chance to gain more knowledge and opportunities.” For many, presenting their projects to judges and peers was a moment of pride and growth, reinforcing their confidence as young historians and active citizens who have a voice in how history is understood and remembered. The winners of the competition from the junior and senior divisions were: Junior Individual Exhibit • 1st Place: “Battle of Gettysburg”—Carter Brown, Milford CSD • 2nd Place: “A Fight for Freedom”—Riley Brandise, Cooperstown CSD • Honorable Mention: “Levi Strauss: Blue Jeans”— Hunter Archer-Pighinni, Cooperstown CSD Junior Group Exhibit • 1st Place: “The 19th Amendment: Women’s Rights are Human Rights”—Bailey Pernat, Patricia De La Cuesta and Leila Harrington, Cooperstown CSD • 2nd Place: “Women’s Rights”— Islla Martincorena and Danika McAdams, Milford CSD • Honorable Mention: “The Stock Market Crash 1929”—Wyatt Bradley and Oliver Norwood, Cooperstown CSD Senior Group Exhibit • 1st Place: “Civilian Conservation Corps”— Rowan Brown, Alfred Hom and Micah Raffo, Cooperstown CSD Junior Individual Website • 1st Place: “Cherry Valley Massacre”—Genevieve
Lamp, Milford CSD Senior Individual Website • 1st Place: “Selling Salvation: Exposing Church Corruption in the Protestant Reformation”—Nikka De La Cuesta, Cooperstown CSD Junior Individual Documentary • 1st Place: “The 1917 Bolshevik Revolution”— Emmett Allred, Richfield Springs CSD Senior Group Documentary • 1st Place: “The Declaration of Independence”— Douglas Geertgens and Finn Lukovsky, Cooperstown CSD Junior Paper • 1st Place: “The Small Pox Vaccine”—Phoebe Dill, Cooperstown CSD • 2nd Place: “The Whiskey Rebellion”—Willa MacLeish, Cooperstown CSD Special Awards • OWL Scholar Award (Oneonta World of Learning): “The 1896 Olympics”—Quinton Kantor and Eliyah Negrillo, Cooperstown CSD • The Spirit of the American Revolution Award (Catskill History Day): “Declaration of Independence”—Douglas Geertgens and Finn Lukovsky, Cooperstown CSD • Spirit of Eleanor Roosevelt (Mary Ann Luciano Award): “A Fight for Freedom: The Seneca Falls Convention”—Riley Brandise, Cooperstown. Looking ahead, the excitement and momentum from this year’s competition will continue as qualifying students advance to the next level of National History Day. The next contest will be held at SUNY Oneonta on Sunday, April 26, where participants will once again share their historical research with a wider audience. This upcoming event will offer students another opportunity to refine their projects, engage with new ideas, and represent their schools and communities with pride as they continue exploring how revolution, reaction, and reform have shaped our world. Nikka De La Cuesta is a current ninth-grade student at Cooperstown Central School and a senior division individual website competitor.
THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA A-7
THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2026
Science
Continued from page 4 world), I am grateful we will not face this topic alone. Several former Johns Hopkins graduate students, now respected science writers, have agreed to join us in examining chaos in the natural world. Thanks to Roberta McLain for stepping in to carry this column forward, alongside our indomitable editor Darla Youngs. To begin, we need a working definition of chaos, since the word has itself evolved chaotically. For most people, chaos means utter confusion, even panic, a wild mess with no predictability or pattern whatsoever. But in mathematical circles, chaos is a deterministic system that follows exact rules yet changes wildly because the system is exquisitely sensitive to initial conditions. Is the definition of chaos order or disorder? A small shift in context—who is using the word “chaos,” and why—can produce a dramatic shift in meaning. In chaos theory, this “sensitivity to initial conditions” is the hallmark of chaotic dynamics. The word “chaos” is sensitive to initial conditions, so to speak. The definition of chaos becomes more turbulent as we consider older meanings. The Roman poet Ovid, in his “Metamorphoses,” said chaos was an “undeveloped mass,” yet the older Greek word for chaos, χάος, came from the word for “empty space, yawning opening.” How can chaos be both a heap and a hole? A mass and a void? A something and a nothing, like our own breath on a frosty day? The meaning of chaos did not evolve smoothly over time. Instead, it stretched, folded, and branched across centuries, across myth, poetry, theology, meteorology, and mathematics. Such nonlinearity is also a classic feature of chaos. Although stretched across many meanings, chaos remains anchored within a familiar cluster of ideas: instability, unpredictability, emergence. Chaotic systems often generate fractals, patterns that repeat a crisp and lovely structure across scales. Nature is filthy rich with these fractal forms: coastlines, cloud banks, tree branches, seashells, lungs, lightning bolts, crystals, river networks, ferns, coral reefs, blood vessels, hurricanes, snowflakes, pine cones, spiral galaxies, interstellar gas clouds, even the large-scale web of galaxies stretched across the cosmos. In each case, structure repeats across scales while confined to a region. In my favorite chaotic system, pouring a little cream into black coffee, my stirring stretches pale streaks into thinner filaments, forming swirls within swirls. The motion is confined to the cup, keeping the system bounded. Zooming in, we would see self-similar details,
a fractal-like structure. Cream-swirls in coffee don’t last (diffusion blends them into a uniform brown, and the coffee is quickly drained to the last drop by me), but for a while, simple fluid motion generates a delicious nested structure. In mathematics, chaos has a precise meaning. More broadly, in nature, chaos describes orderly
yet precarious systems, nonlinear structures governed by rules but sensitive to disruption. Because narrow margins are shaped by constraint and tradeoff, even small shifts can tip stability and cause problems for us…and induce real panic. The best part about chaos is that studying chaos in nature quiets our inner chaos.
That is, our nervous systems appear wired to positively respond to certain forms of natural complexity. For example, in a landmark 1984 “Science” study, hospital patients recovering from surgery healed faster and required less pain medication when their windows overlooked trees rather than a brick wall. Lab experiments
show that viewing mid-range fractal patterns—like those in trees, clouds and coastlines—reduces measurable stress responses and increases alpha brainwave activity associated with calm, alert focus. Chaos in nature is therefore lawful, bounded and deeply familiar to us. When the world feels turbulent, step outside and
slowly exhale into the cold morning air. Your breath-cloud will swirl, thin and vanish. The laws that shaped it will not. Thanks for reading. Jamie Zvirzdin researches cosmic rays with the Telescope Array Project, teaches science writing at Johns Hopkins University and is the author of “Subatomic Writing.”
The job scene To place effective employment ads, call 607-547-6103
Staff accountant Sportsfield Specialties is seeking a highly motivated individual to assist in finance-related duties for SSI and associated Business Units. Responsibilities/Duties include but not limited to: • Bank reconciliations. • Processing credit memo’s & RMA’s. • Support and assist Accounts Payable. • Perform Balance Sheet account analysis., • Generate and interpret financial records and statements for management. • Manage Fixed Assets. • Support and assist contractors and subcontractors’ agreements. • Support and assist with periodic and yearend physical inventory counts. • Assist in cycle count programs and validate results to financial records. • Analyze inventory transactions for accuracy and ensure proper costing. • Coordinate with operations to resolve inventory issues and improve processes. • Prepare and post journal entries related to inventory, COGS, and variances. • Assist with accruals and account reconciliations during the close process. • Perform other duties as assigned. Required Qualifications/Skills: • Outstanding communication, organizational, attention to detail, and problem-solving skills. • Demonstrable initiative, creativity, and flexibility. • Must be able to meet deadlines. • Ability to thrive in a team environment and collaborate successfully. • Proficient in MS Office programs. • Data entry. • Experience with multi-state tax guidelines. • Proven internal and external customer service experience. Experience/Education: • Bachelor’s degree in accounting required, along with 2 years of accounting experience. • Working knowledge of ERP system. Salary Range: $55 – 65K/annually, the salary range represents the minimum and maximum range for the position. The actual range will vary based upon factors including, but not limited to, prior experience, knowledge, skill, and education as they relate to the position’s qualifications and internal equity. The salary range reflects just one component of our total benefit/ rewards package. Other components include, but not limited to, health, dental, vision, short-term disability, life insurance, PTO, retirement plan w/ company match, paid holidays, fitness reimbursement, growth opportunities, and many more. Sportsfield Specialties, Inc. is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity Employer. Authorization to work in the U.S. is a precondition of employment. We do not sponsor employment visas.
InsIde sales specIalIst
Sportsfield Specialties is seeking an experienced Inside Sales Specialist for its New Construction Division to assist with and provide coverage of duties for Inside Sales representatives where needed and/or when out of office for leave of absence, vacation, and/or sick leave. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: • Manage and track multiple bidding projects while ensuring consistent customer contact and project profitability. • Work with the Regional Sales Manager to determine project pricing and how to secure projects in line with margin targets. • Collaborate with Outside Sales, Contractors, and/or End-User, responding to all inquiries in a timely/accurate manner. • Conduct project material take-offs for quoting development by utilizing plan room platforms for project design plans and specifications, and potential project bidder and/or award information. • Communicate with Engineering for costing of custom items and/or Purchasing/Vendors for cost of vendor items. • Quote associated freight costs accurately. • Perform data entry to reflect project and production requirements as required by project designer/customer. • Input required CRM data in ERP system at the quote level to track company project win and close percentages. • Effectively share project leads with other internal sales regions/ divisions. • Maintain up-to-date product knowledge, including a working understanding of product installation, basic site construction, and a basic understanding of the rules and regulations of the associated sport or event. • Address and follow through project issues with clients as they arise to provide the best possible customer satisfaction experience. • Collaborate/communicate with departments below to follow up as necessary w/contractor representative(s). >Finance - establish customer credit, >Engineering - costing, submittal, and final product information, >Purchasing - vendor orders, > Production - lead times and >Shipping - ensure accuracy of shipments and packaging details. • Travel as needed and perform other duties as assigned. Required Qualifications/Skills • Excellent written, verbal, and problem-solving skills with attention to detail. • Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities while maintaining customer focus. • Must be able to communicate effectively at all levels within the organization. • Ability to complete tasks in an efficient/successful manner in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment. • Inquisitive nature encouraged. Experience/Education: • 4+ years of progressive Sales/Customer Service experience, Bachelor’s degree preferred. • Familiarity with ERP systems (Epicor preferred). Starting Salary: $65K/annually, the starting salary represents the minimum range for the position. The actual salary will vary based upon factors including, but not limited to, prior experience, knowledge, skill, and education as they relate to the position’s qualifications and internal equity. The starting salary reflects just one component of our total rewards package. Other components include health, dental, vision, short-term disability, life insurance, PTO, retirement plan w/ company match, paid holidays, fitness reimbursement, growth opportunities, and many more. Sportsfield Specialties, Inc. is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity Employer. Authorization to work in the U.S. is a precondition of employment. We do not sponsor employment visas.
THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2026
A-8 THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA
OBITUARIES
Photo provided
JaNE ELLIOTT BRAYDEN
Jane Elliott Brayden 1923-2026
COOPERSTOWN— Jane Elliott Brayden, age 103, died peacefully on March 4, 2026, a sunny Wednesday morning, with her family by her side. Jane was born on February 24, 1923 and raised in Massena, the daughter of Carl Hamilton Elliott and Jennie Bailey Elliott. Jane graduated from Massena High School in 1941 and from Middlebury College in 1944. She began a highschool English teaching career in Catskill and then Oneida, where she met her future husband, James M. Brayden. Jane and Jim were married on June 28, 1947 in Massena. They enjoyed a long and love-filled 61year marriage until Jim’s death in 2008. Jane and family moved to Cooperstown in 1954. Jane continued her teaching career for many years as a substitute teacher in various high schools in the Cooperstown area while raising her young family together with Jim. Jane enjoyed many activities, including baking (oh my, those apple pies!), knitting, sewing, swimming, walking or skiing in the woods with family and friends and her beloved
canine companions, playing bridge, and traveling near and far. Jane was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Cooperstown for nearly 70 years, and a longtime member of the Otsego Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Women’s Club of Cooperstown. Jane is survived by her four children, Mary Brayden Nevil of Decatur, Georgia, Joseph Elliott Brayden and wife Becky of South Burlington, Vermont, Patty Brayden and husband John Finbury of Andover, Massachusetts, and Meg Brayden Preston and husband Jeff of Hartwick; seven grandchildren, Elizabeth Nevil, Benjamin Brayden and wife Kari, Thomas Brayden and wife Jenn, Anna Light and husband John, Sam Finbury, Tyler Preston and wife Moriah, and Kate Preston; and five great-grandchildren, Callie and Holden Brayden, Everett and Gordon Brayden, and Winston Nevil-Smith. A memorial service will be offered at the First Presbyterian Church of Cooperstown on an April date to be determined. Jane’s family wishes to thank the staff of the Clara Welch Thanksgiving Home and the Sitrin Health Care Center for the loving care Jane received during the final years of her life. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Clara Welch Thanksgiving Home, 48 Grove Street, Cooperstown, NY 13326 or the First Presbyterian Church of Cooperstown, 25 Church Street, Cooperstown, NY 13326. Arrangements are with the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.
Grandma loved her farm, her family, and playing her old guitar. Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home will take the time to find out what made your loved one special. Whether it’s finding just the right flowers, or finding a musician to play her favorite tunes on her old guitar, we’ll do what’s necessary to make her service as unique as she was.
Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home 14 Grand Street, Oneonta • 607-432-6821 www.grummonsfuneralhome.com
Funeral Home
Dignity, Respect, Tradition
Dignified and Caring Service since 1925
Peaceful grounds. Home-like atmosphere. Suitable for large or small gatherings.
Peter A. Deysenroth
82 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown | 607-547-8231 www.cooperstownfuneralhome.com
William Oliver 1942-2026
COOPERSTOWN— The Cooperstown community and The Glimmerglass Festival lost a dear friend and colleague on March 1, Bill Oliver, who peacefully passed away at the age of 84 at The Cooperstown Center following a lengthy illness. Bill was born in Great Falls, Virginia on February 4, 1942, and grew up there and on a military base in Germany. He was an outstanding student. He graduated from Columbia University in 1964 with a BA in English, and in 1965 with an MA in comparative literature. Shortly afterward, he began a career in the Columbia College Admissions Office, where he served as director from 1976-78. He went on to further leadership roles at Columbia, first as director of alumni affairs and development at Columbia College (1978-84), followed by university director of alumni relations (198494). It was at Columbia where Bill met his partner of 64 years, Michael Willis, a fellow student, who predeceased Bill in February 2024. Bill and Michael were lifelong opera fans when, in the mid-1980s, they discovered the thennamed Glimmerglass Opera through friends who summered in the Cooperstown area. At the time, the company was performing in its original home in the high school and producing seasons with the invaluable help of a community of volunteers, who worked alongside professional musicians and performers. As Metropolitan Opera regulars, Bill and Michael tentatively approached their first evening at the opera, but they were immediately and delightfully surprised by the quality of the singers and productions. Wooed by the beauty of the area and the fact that they could see opera in the summer, they built a second home on Sugar Hill in Cooperstown in 1985. Along the way, they were introduced to General and Artistic Director Paul Kellogg and his partner, the painter Raymond Han. The opening of the Alice Busch Opera Theater in 1987 launched an era of growth for the opera. Major grants and individual contributions enabled Glimmerglass to expand from an average 21 performances of
Photo by Dory Schultz
WILLIAM OLIVER
three-to-four operas performed in succession each summer, to what ultimately became more than 40 performances of four operas presented in rotating repertory. This expansion and scheduling change enabled out-of-towners to see all seasonal offerings during a single, multi-day visit. This growth also brought with it the need to expand the small, fulltime staff. In 1994, Paul Kellogg hired Bill as the opera’s first full-time development director. A year later, in 1995, Paul brought on board Michael as the opera’s first director of press and public relations. They both retired from Glimmerglass in 2004, but they continued to attend many rehearsals and opening nights. They were married on September 17, 2011. Together, Bill and Michael’s contributions were crucial to the subsequent expansion of the festival; through their efforts, Glimmerglass greatly enlarged its base of support and garnered an international reputation. Beyond their retirement, they continued to be avid supporters and attendees of The Glimmerglass Festival each summer, so much so that staff created a special calendar for them so that they could attend rehearsals. Even during Michael’s lengthy illness and subsequent passing, Bill remained a loyal supporter and audience member, attending the 50th anniversary season this past summer. Patrons always remembered Bill for his extraordinarily personal touch, often inquiring after him during their visits. While at Columbia University, Bill and Michael became friends with two distinguished cultural icons—the much-decorated philos-
leWiS, HurleY & pietrobono
opher and historian, Jacques Barzun, who taught at Columbia College for many years, and the lauded American opera composer, Jack Beeson, who was affiliated with the Columbia University Opera Workshop and the opera productions of Columbia Theatre Associates. Bill and Michael introduced Paul Kellogg to both, which led to an ongoing series of standing-roomonly lectures by Jacques Barzun throughout the 1990s, and to an acclaimed production of Jack Beeson’s “Lizzie Borden” at Glimmerglass in 1996, which subsequently was seen in Lincoln Center at New York City Opera. Bill’s close ties with Mr. Beeson also led to his involvement as a board member of the Douglas Moore Fund for American Opera, which was originated by Mr. Beeson and two other Columbia-associated composers, James Stepleton and the worldrenowned composer of “Cabaret,” “Chicago,” and “New York, New York,” John Kander. Mr. Beeson and Mr. Kander were students and proteges of the great American composer, Douglas Moore, and over the years, the Moore Fund supported the advancement of emerging opera composers, the production of recitals and workshops of new and recent works, and education on mid-20th-century opera. Bill and Michael also served on the board of WSKG, the NPR member radio station and PBS member television station in Binghamton, and Bill extended his post-retirement professional opera involvement as a board member of New York City’s Gotham Chamber Opera. During his working years in Cooperstown,
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Bill was a Friend of the Library in Cooperstown and an active member of Rotary, and throughout his years in the community, he and Michael were fans and generous supporters of many of the cultural organizations in the area in addition to The Glimmerglass Festival. An avid tennis player, Bill immediately joined the Cooperstown Country Club upon his arrival in the community. For years, Bill and his regular opponent, Cooperstown attorney Ed Gozigian, who passed away at age 93 in 2024, engaged in a tempestuous ongoing battle, much to the amusement and pleasure of onlookers who felt it was difficult to decide who had the most aggressive—albeit somewhat awkward—serve. Astonishingly, they kept a running tally of the many sets they played over the years; it was generally believed that Ed was a few sets up when they both decided to hang up their racquets. Bill loved opera, reading, travel, especially to Italy, with many trips to Rome and Tuscany, which led to his and Michael’s love of Sienese painting. Bill is predeceased by his parents, Willard and Julia Oliver, and his husband, Michael Willis. He is survived by cousins Willard M. Oliver and his wife, Judy, Deborah Bour, and Nadine Lindgren, and several nephews and nieces. Bill will be remembered by his friends in Cooperstown, New York City, and around the country and beyond, and by the many students and colleagues, for his kindness, intellect, and wry sense of humor, along with his generosity and sharp wit. His and Michael’s contributions to The Glimmerglass Festival and the community will long be felt. Contributions in Bill and Michael’s memory may be sent to Glimmerglass Festival, (607) 547-0700 x299.
“Unable are the Loved to die/ For Love is Immortality.” — Emily Dickinson, Poem 809
THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2026
THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA A-9
Holocaust Scholar’s CCS April Presentation Open to the Public By ANNA BRAVIN COOPERSTOWN n April 1, 2026, Holocaust educator and scholar Dr. Eileen M. Angelini will speak to Cooperstown Junior-Senior High School students and the community. The presentation was arranged in collaboration with the school’s Holocaust course, an elective class being offered to CCS high-school students and taught by Jennifer Pindar. Currently, 25 students are enrolled in the course, which focuses on the history and impact of the Holocaust. Angelini is the upstate regional coordinator for 3GNY, a nonprofit organization founded by the grandchildren of Holocaust survivors. 3GNY’s mission is to educate communities on the harmful effects of intolerance and to
O
Climate
Continued from page 1 pulling back of support for clean energy projects, the COVID-19 pandemic, and geopolitical issues increased costs more than were anticipated when the bill passed in 2019. However, the memo relies on estimates for a cap-and-invest program, a program Hochul has previously supported but which is not in place and the CLCPA does not require to meet its objectives of 100 percent zero-emission electricity by 2040. “The Kathy Hochul cost burden is forcing New Yorkers to flee in search of more affordable states,” state Senator Peter Oberacker, whose district includes all of Otsego County and who is also running for congress, said in a statement. “On her watch, New York has had the highest rate of out-migration of any other state in the nation. That’s why I have been providing alternative solutions to her radical agenda for years now and will not stop until everyday New Yorkers can afford to live here.” Republican Assemblymen Chris Tague, Brian Miller and Joe Angelino also issued statements. Tague, whose district includes the northeastern half of the county and is running for Oberacker’s seat, said, “This memo confirms the devastating true costs of the Democrats’ radical Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), which was a bad idea from the start and has been even more disastrous in practice.” Saying “Albany Democrats and Governor Kathy Hochul are the ones who created this affordability crisis,” Tague called the 2019 law a “reckless downstate-imposed experiment” that is rushing “electrification without a plan.” Miller, whose district includes Oneonta and most of the western part of Otsego County, called for an “all-of-theabove energy strategy that expands natural gas infrastructure, supports nuclear and renewables, invests in reliable generation, and protects consumer choice by opposing mandates such as the zero-emission school bus requirement and the ban on
offer a supportive group for Holocaust survivors’ descendants. Angelini helps expand opportunities for 3GNY volunteer speakers, creating presentation opportunities for schools throughout Upstate New York. As a Holocaust scholar, Angelini has, with Barbara P. Barnett, created a documentary called “France Divided” to be shown during her presentation. Her main area of expertise and study is the German occupation of France during World War II. She uses the testimonies of Holocaust survivors, members of the French Resistance, hidden children, Righteous Gentiles, and historians to allow everyone immediate access to the Holocaust period of history. Angelini’s degree is in French studies; however, her passion surrounds the stories of Holocaust survivors, and she has promised to never let them be forgotten.
natural gas hookups in new construction.” Miller said in the press release, “We can pursue cleaner energy goals, but we must do it in a way that keeps power affordable and the grid reliable.” Angelino said in a letter to the editor in the “River Reporter” that the NYSERDA report “about the true cost of the CLCPA proves what I have been saying all along: the CLCPA will cause prices to skyrocket. Don’t just take it from me, but from NYSERDA, under their estimates, people could see their household costs increase to over $4,000 annually.” Environmental groups and bill supporters have been critical of the report, saying it misrepresents the requirements of the law, departs significantly
from prior NYSERDA and independent organization analysis, and does not properly account for the rising, unreliable costs of fossil fuels. “New Yorkers are already facing recordhigh energy bills, thanks to rising gas costs that are only going up,” said Liz Moran, New York Policy Advocate at Earthjustice, a nonprofit public interest environmental law organization. “Rolling back the climate law will do nothing to make life more affordable for the one in four families already behind on their bills, who the Governor now wants to force to pay for her procrastination. As the federal government decimates science-based climate protections every day, New Yorkers are depending on the Legislature to uphold the
2026 Summer Employment Opportunities The Village is seeking responsible caretakers for both parks during the summer months. Caretakers help oversee daily park operations and serve as a friendly point of contact for the public. In return, caretakers receive on-site housing plus a weekly stipend—a unique opportunity to live and work in one of Cooperstown’s most scenic settings. Seasonal salary for the positions are $7,800 for 3 Mile and $6,600 for Fairy Spring. For more information and to obtain an application contact the Village Office at (607) 547-2411 or a letter of interest and resume may be sent to Jenna Utter, Village Clerk, Village of Cooperstown, P.O. Box 346, Cooperstown, New York 13326. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. EOE.
Angelini began studying the World War II period near the end of her PhD studies, when she noticed authors’ writing styles changed drastically from the time prior to World War II to the period after it. She was intrigued by the change and wanted to figure out why it occurred. This led her to interview numerous people who experienced the Holocaust and to conduct her own research on the topic. Angelini’s knowledge and expertise is spread throughout the U.S. as she presents the information she’s learned to young students across America. Angelini also has a background in Jewish-Catholic relations and documentary filmmaking, which has helped to support her career and increase access to historical resources. One of Angelini’s most significant intentions is to make people realize knowledge of the Holocaust should
climate law and actually deliver real relief now.” Democrat Michele Frazier, who, like Tague, is running for the 51st State Senate District, said in a statement that Tague’s comments to “The Daily Freeman” saying Democrats are “hell-bent on dismantling our reliable energy system” in the name of “climate extremism” misrepresents what the NYSERDA memo states. “It also betrays a misunderstanding of how our energy system works, how renewable energy strategy fits in, and how failure to address the impacts of climate change harms our farms, businesses, and taxpayers who are forced to pay for the disruptions and damage caused by extreme weather events,” Frazier said.
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Fenimore Art Museum and Fenimore Farm have an opening for a full-time year-round groundskeeper. The successful candidate will be a steady, reliable worker who enjoys working outdoors year-round. They must have sufficient strength and manual dexterity to operate power equipment and lift 50 lbs. Experience with basic construction and carpentry a plus. Duties include maintaining grounds, soil preparation and planting, plowing and shoveling snow, and cleaning and maintaining power equipment as well as performing light carpentry and repair jobs. This is a full-time position that requires flexibility and a willingness to work overtime when necessary. This position offers an excellent benefit package and pleasant work environment. $18 - $21/hr. EOE
SECURITY/SAFETY GUARD FULL-TIME, YEAR ROUND POSITION
The workday includes using computer-based monitoring systems, walking extensive museum grounds, completing incident reports, and troubleshooting potential hazards. Applicants must have a clean driving license, be able to walk considerable distances in all weather conditions and have open availability including weekends and holidays. We provide training, certification, and an excellent benefit package, including health and dental insurance, paid holidays, vacation, and sick pay. $18-$21/hr. based on experience. These positions are for 2nd and 3rd shift. To apply, contact Mary Myers at 607-547-1462 or download an application from our website fenimoreart.org or fenimorefarm.org and email to hr@fenimoreart.org.
607
LIFEGUARDS FOR VILLAGE PARKS
The Village of Cooperstown is gearing up for summer and is looking for to join the team on the shores of beautiful Otsego Lake! Spend your summer outdoors at Three Mile Point Park or Fairy Spring Park, keeping swimmers safe from Memorial Day through Labor Day. We’re hiring teens and adults of all experience levels—so whether you’re a seasoned guard or brand new, we’d love to hear from you. This is a perfect summer job for high school and college students, as well as adults who enjoy fresh air and flexible schedules. Perks include: • Flexible scheduling • Reimbursement for course costs after reaching a minimum number of hours • Eligibility to participate in the Village’s retirement system Hourly rates range between $16.00-$17.50 per hour. There will also be reimbursement of certification/re-certification costs to lifeguards that work at least 220 hours during the season. Applications will be accepted until positions are filled. EOE. To apply, download an application from the Village website or stop by the Village Clerk’s Office. All lifeguards must be Red Cross certified in open water lifesaving and CPR. No experience? No problem! The Clark Sports Center is offering a certification course during spring school vacation (the week of April 6). Scholarships from the Friends of the Parks may be available to help offset course costs for those interested in working for the Village this summer. To register or learn about alternative dates, contact Matt at the Clark Sports Center at 607-547-2800.
not remain solely in the Jewish population; everyone should be aware of its impacts. “It is an honor and a privilege for me to be invited to present to Cooperstown Junior-Senior High School students and to the Cooperstown community,” she noted. “I am so grateful for the opportunity to maintain my promise to all those individuals who have so generously shared their stories with me.” Angelini will educate students throughout the day on April 1. Community members are invited to attend her session that evening from 6-7:30 p.m. in the library at the Cooperstown Junior-Senior High School. Anna Bravin is a current senior at Cooperstown Junior-Senior High School and a student in the Holocaust course.
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A-10 THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA
THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2026
RSS Addresses Misunderstandings, Questions about Housing Project By MONICA CALZOLARI ONEONTA embers of the public who spoke at the City of Oneonta’s February 24 Planning Commission public hearing on Solstice Commons—the $32 million new construction proposed by Rehabilitation Support Services in Oneonta’s Sixth Ward—raised many questions. Christine Nealon, RSS director of strategic partnerships, attended the hearing but did not speak. She did, however, address a number of questions and concerns via e-mail both before and after the event. “Solstice Commons will be financed primarily through the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program. LIHTC is not a grant, it is a federal tax mechanism that attracts private investment to build affordable housing,” Nealon explained in an e-mail on November 18, 2025 prior to the RSS questionand-answer session at the Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center on November 19. According to Nealon, “The New York State Office of Mental Health will fund supportive services and certain related capital costs for the 31 supportive units.” During the public hearing, several people in favor of the RSS project voiced concerns about the growing unhoused population in Oneonta and suggested the RSS project might be a solution to this problem. The assumption was that homeless people would be eligible to live at Solstice Commons. On February 26, Nealon clarified this misconception, saying, “If someone is actively experiencing street homelessness, they are often not yet ready for independent apartment living and may be better served by other components of the county’s homeless services system first. Solstice Commons is not a homeless shelter or treatment facility. “Rather, it represents a next step for individuals who have moved from crisis toward stability and are prepared to live independently with appropriate supports,” she said.
M
A Housing Continuum Nealon described a “housing continuum” that includes shelters, transitional housing, unsupported apartments and supported housing. Nealon also said, “The 31 apartments designated for individuals voluntarily receiving RSS support services will be available to people with a psychiatric diagnosis and a history of homelessness, among other qualifying characteristics. These individuals may currently be living in community residences, transitional housing or with family or friends.” Part of the confusion is that the two funding sources dictate who is eligible to live at Solstice Commons, where 31 units would be designated for people diagnosed with Serious Mental Illnesses and the other 31 units would
Photo by Monica Calzolari
Approximately 100 people attended the public hearing on Feb. 24 at Riverside Elementary School regarding the proposed RSS project.
be reserved for low-income tenants. RSS support is voluntary. Clarification of SMI “SMI and substance-use disorders are different diagnoses and are supported in different ways clinically and programmatically,” Nealon wrote on November 18. “The 31 supportive units at Solstice Commons are specifically for individuals recovering from a life disruption related to a serious mental illness, as defined by the Office of Mental Health,” she explained. “Individuals in recovery from substance use fall under separate diagnostic categories. Individuals in recovery could qualify for the incomebased units, but only if they meet standard income and eligibility rules, just like any other applicant.” Nealon said she was “surprised by repeated references conflating psychiatric diagnoses with substance use disorder.” “If an individual’s primary diagnosis is substance use disorder, they would not be eligible for one of the 31 apartments designated for individuals voluntarily participating in RSS support services,” Nealon said Minimum Wage Earners “Support services may include vocational and educational support, care coordination, community engagement and recreation, transportation and nutrition support, and other individualized services designed to help residents maintain stability and wellness,” Nealon wrote on February 26. “RSS does not use a live-in staff model. Instead, we staff the building through a 24/7/365 rotating schedule, which ensures professional boundaries and consistent support while allowing tenants to live independently,” she said. “Care management is one type of support RSS provides, but it is not the only service. Staff roles will vary in education, training, and credentials depending on the specific position and
responsibilities,” Nealon continued. “All staff are compensated at or above minimum wage, and many positions require specialized training and experience. In addition, RSS often coordinates with other community providers to ensure residents receive the services best aligned with their individual needs and goals.” Area Median Income “Solstice Commons will market and rent apartments to eligible households based on income, specifically those earning between 30 percent and 70 percent of Area Median Income,” Nealon said. “Our professional property management company will screen all applicants in accordance with Fair Housing regulations, including criminal background, credit, and income eligibility verification.” According to available public data, AMI in Otsego County is $56,171.00. Thirty percent of that is $16,851.00; seventy percent is $39,319.70. Therefore, an individual earning between $16.851.00-$39,320.00 might be eligible to live at Solstice Commons. “AMI is always calculated based on household size. The exact eligibility numbers for Solstice Commons will be determined at the time of leaseup using HUD’s official annual AMI tables,” Nealon explained. Tenant Selection and Priority “Tenant selection will follow a comprehensive, transparent process consistent with all state and federal Fair Housing laws,” Nealon said. • A public lottery to determine the order in which initial applications are processed. • Standard background checks (credit, criminal history, landlord references). • Income verification per LIHTC requirements. “Our mission is to address the housing shortage for Oneontans first, while still complying with Fair Housing law,” according to Nealon. “All outreach
during lease-up will be widely marketed within Oneonta and Otsego County so that local residents are well-informed and encouraged to apply.” “Applications submitted by the initial deadline will be entered into a publicly-viewed lottery. The lottery determines the order in which applications are reviewed, not who is accepted,” Nealon said. Total Construction Cost Nealon confirmed that the current estimated development cost for Solstice Commons is $32 million. “The majority of funding will come from LIHTC-driven private investment and supplementary New York State housing funds,” she said. “Local taxpayers do not fund the project.” Nealon said Solstice Commons will pay all costs associated with required water and sewer connections, necessary infrastructure upgrades for the site, and ongoing usage of municipal systems. “There is no cost to local taxpayers for these infrastructure needs,” Nealon stressed. Background In Otsego County, Nealon said RSS currently serves “more than 150 individuals...114 in Oneonta and an additional 44 across the rest of Otsego County.” “Some individuals we currently serve could become future tenants, but there is no automatic placement.” Nealon said. RSS operates a number of residential communities in Albany, Poughkeepsie and other parts of New York State. “We also have several new developments similar in style and mission to Solstice Commons underway in Ithaca, Schoharie, Saugerties, and Binghamton, all at different stages of development but not yet constructed,” Nealon added. “Solstice Commons is not a group home or treatment facility,” she reiterated.
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THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & & HOMETOWN ONEONTA
County
Continued from page 3 another, calling for an end to the 287(g) agreement and for the ceasing of any cooperation with ICE. Amidst the ICE discussion, Stacie Haynes, on behalf of the Susquehanna Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, shared that the shelter has acquired a new cargo van that will allow the organization to take services into neighborhoods. Haynes said vaccine clinics, wellness clinics, rabies vaccinations, blood tests and more should be able to reach people who otherwise cannot get to a veterinarian. The services will ideally be free, but if no significant sponsor is found, the SQSPCA will exercise a low-cost model. Haynes called on representatives to reach out if they have neighborhoods in their districts that they think can benefit from the new program. Moving to committee reports, Rep. Keith McCarty began by speaking for the Public Works Committee, sharing that County Highway Superintendent Rich Brimmer requested approval to amend the resolution allocating funding for the County Route 59 bridge project, noting the revised figure will not exceed $1.6 million and includes all phases of construction. McCarty also talked about the Civil War monument restoration in the Village of Cooperstown, sharing that Brimmer agreed to take down a couple trees by the monument and suggested exploring grants and other funding opportunities. He also said a local historian reached out to write grants in order to help fund the restoration, an endeavor that received unanimous board support. Rep. Margaret Kennedy represented the Administration Committee, noting that County Attorney Denise Hollis had a discussion with the group about the county’s current social media policy and some proposed changes. Hollis said she would bring the proposed policy back to the committee for further review in the future. Kennedy shared some updates regarding the upcoming second property auction of the year, which will be held on Wednesday, March 25. Minutes from the Administration Committee meeting detail that there are currently 19 properties, of which four recently exited bankruptcy and are authorized to pay before the auction date. Rep. Richard Brockway spoke for the Technology and Strategic Planning Committee. He explained that Harris gave a brief overview of what a countywide comprehensive plan could look like, noting that it is different from the existing strategic plan. Harris clarified that “a comprehensive plan is designed to guide the future actions of a community and [its] long-term goals and objectives.” Rep. Eamonn Hinchey commented on the comprehensive plan
proposal, approving of its mission and sharing that Harris would be coming in at the next regular board meeting for a special presentation on the matter. “A lot of people see it sometimes as more regulation, and it’s really not,” Hinchey remarked. “It’s a stakeholder plan for the vision of the community as opposed to being strategic within [a] department.” Hinchey went on to talk about how the various trails of Otsego County seem to be struggling to adopt a cohesive network, and posited that it may be in the county’s interest to play a role in such planning. He pointed to the “Paddle the 607” water trail not receiving enough public traction and Otsego
Outdoors discussing the possibility of decreasing the number of trails involved in its annual octet as examples of why county assistance could help turn trail planning around. County Administrator Steve Wilson said 15 percent of the 2026 budget has been spent so far. He then shifted to discussing the slow progress of the America 250 Commission and how they have reconstituted the group, establishing former board representative Michelle Catan as the new chair. The commission is seeking to reach out to historians and museums to make them aware of the tentative $15,000.00 in grants that the commission will be able to award, following the model of
the existing community event grants. Frazier said that the window for the grant funding will be very tight and requested board members make sure relevant officials in their districts are made aware of the opportunity. Interested parties that believe they may qualify for a grant can reach out to Wilson or Catan for more details. Wilson went on to highlight the continued vacancy in the position of Otsego County historian and said they are looking for a new volunteer for the position. Wilber floated the idea of creating an official paid position for the role due to its potential implications on tourism. “This area is so rich in history, both national, state and local,” Wilber
stated. “I think if we gave a list of places for people to go, it’d really tie into the people that are already here.” Wilson also shared that the department head meeting structure will be changing to adopt a model more akin to that of years past. A department chair will now host each meeting in order to make it easier to discuss common issues that affect them all instead of the meetings being a “topdown information channel.” Departments will also be working to redefine their priority outcomes in advance of the budget process in order to put dollar amounts on major priorities. With committee reports concluded, the meeting moved to the
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consent agenda, which then passed by unanimous vote of the present board members. There were a plethora of late resolutions, including final approval of the bus purchase, authorization of the purchase of two new ambulances and their respective EMS equipment, and slight funding modifications in various departments. After this lengthy slew of additional votes, the board concluded its business and adjourned. The next Otsego County Board of Representatives meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 1 at 10 a.m. The March 4 meeting can be viewed in its entirety on the Otsego County New York Youtube page.
A-12 THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA
Legal
Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of plotlynn, llc, a Limited Liability Company (LLC) filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on January 29, 2026. NY office Location: OTSEGO County. SSNY is designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of any process served upon him/her to: plotlynn, llc, 295 Emmons Hill Rd., Oneonta, NY 13820. General Purposes. 6LegalMar.12 Legal nOtice Notice of formation of Van Hinchey Holdings, LLC, a Limited Liability Company (LLC) filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on January 29, 2026. NY office Location: OTSEGO County. SSNY is designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of any process served upon him/her to: Van Hinchey Holdings, LLC, 295 Emmons Hill Rd., Oneonta, NY 13820. General Purposes. 6LegalMar.12 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of
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of Springfield, County of Otsego and State of New York. SSNY has been designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. The post office address to which the SSNY shall mail a copy of any process against the LLC served upon him/her is: Glimmerglass Properties LLC; 161 Sunset Avenue, Kinderhook, New York 12106. Purpose/Character of business: Any lawful business purpose permitted under the New York Limited Liability Company Law. This notification is made pursuant to Section 206 of the Limited Liability Company Law. 6LegalMar.12
be served. SSNY shall mail process to c/o The LLC, Box 20, New Berlin, NY 13411 Purpose: Any and all lawful activities. 6LegalMar.19
Legal nOtice Notice of formation of BOHEMIAN NODES, LLC. Articles of Organization were filed with the NY Secretary of State on 12/15/2025. The office of the LLC is to be located in Otsego County. The Secretary of State has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. The Secretary of State shall mail a copy of any process against the LLC served upon him to: The LLC, 1355 Co. Hwy. 33, Cooperstown, NY 13326. The purpose of the LLC is to engage in any lawful act or activity. 6LegalMar.19
B&E BuildingServices, LLC
Legal nOtice
Art. Of Org filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) 1/27/2026. Office Location: Otsego County. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail a copy of process to 773 Angel Hill Road, Burlington Flats, NY 13315. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. 6LegalMar.12
Notice of formation of
Legal nOtice NOTICE OF FORMATION OF A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY (LLC) The name of the LLC is Glimmerglass Properties LLC. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on December 31, 2025. New York office location: 7569 Highway 80, Town
SOS MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS LLC. Filed with SSNY on 01/30/2026. Office: Otsego County. SSNY designated as agent for process & shall mail to: 87 CHESTNUT ST., ONEONTA, NY 13820. Purpose: Any Lawful. 6LegalMar.19 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of Michelle’s Dream Farm LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the Sect’y of State of NY (SSNY) on 1.24.2026. Office location, county of Otsego. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may
Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of Oneonta Pet Lodge, LLC, a Limited Liability Company (LLC) filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on January 28, 2026. NY office Location: OTSEGO County. SSNY is designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of any process served upon him/her to: Oneonta Pet Lodge, LLC, 697 Winney Hill Rd, Oneonta, NY 13820. General Purposes. 6LegalMar.19 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of a NY Limited Liability Company. Name: BROOK WILLOW PROPERTIES LLC Articles of Organization filing date with Secretary of State (SSNY) was 3 February 2026. Office location: Otsego County. SSNY has been designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served and SSNY shall mail copy of process to 192 Main Street, Cooperstown, NY 13326. Purpose is to engage in any and all business activities permitted under NYS laws. 6LegalMar.19 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of a NY Limited Liability Company. Name: WHITETAIL LODGE PROPERTIES LLC Articles of Organization filing date with Secretary of State (SSNY) was 3 February 2026. Office location: Otsego County. SSNY has been designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served and SSNY shall mail copy of process to 117 Ball St., Northborough, MA 01532. Purpose is to engage in any and all business activities permitted under NYS laws. 6LegalMar.19
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LEGALS
Legal nOtice NOTICE OF ORGANIZATION OF Fordview Estates LLC Under Section 203 of the Limited Liabilitiy Company Law. 1. The name of the limited liability company is Fordview Estates LLC. 2. Articles of Organization of Fordview Estates LLC were filed with the New York Secretary of State on November 6, 2025. 3. The county within this state in which the office of the limited liability company is to be located is Otsego County. 4. The street address of the principal business location of the limited liability company is 551 Salt Springville Road, Cherry Valley, NY 13320. 5. The Secretary of state is designated as agent of the limited liability company upon whom process against it may be served. The post office address within or without this state to which the Secretary of State shall mail a copy of any process against the limited liability company served upon him or her is: Fordview Estates LLC, 551 Salt Springville Road, Cherry Valley, NY 13320. 6. The limited liability company is organized to carry on all lawful activities. 6LegalMar.26 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of YRS DAYS CLASSICAL MUSIC, LLC Articles of organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on February 16, 2026. Office Location: Otsego County. SSNY Designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to 27 Fair Street, Oneonta, NY 13820. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. 6LegalMar.26 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of LEATHERSTOCKING SCUBA LLC. Filed with SSNY on 02/06/2026. Office: Otsego County. SSNY designated as agent for process & shall mail to: 2963 STATE
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HIGHWAY 166, ROSEBOOM, NY 13450. Purpose: Any Lawful. 6LegalMar.26\
THE ESTATE OF JOHN J. FIELD, DECEASED; JOHN FIELD AS HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF JOHN J. FIELD, DECEASED; SEAN FIELD AS HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF JOHN J. FIELD, DECEASED; JOHN J. FIELD’S UNKNOWN HEIRS AT LAW, NEXT OF KIN, DISTRIBUTEES, EXECUTORS, ADMINISTRATORS, TRUSTEES, DEVISEES, LEGATEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, CREDITORS, AND SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST AND GENERALLY ALL PERSONS HAVING OR CLAIMING UNDER, BY OR THROUGH SAID DEFENDANT WHO MAY BE DECEASED, BY PURCHASE, INHERITANCE, LIEN OR OTHERWISE, ANY RIGHT, TITLE OR INTEREST IN THE REAL PROPERTY DESCRIBED IN THE COMPLAINT HEREIN; UNKNOWN HEIRS OF THE ESTATE OF JOHN J. FIELD;, any and all persons unknown to plaintiff, claiming, or who may claim to have an interest in, or general or specific lien upon the real property described in this action; such unknown persons being herein generally described and intended to be included in the following designation, namely: the wife, widow, husband, widower, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors, and assignees of such deceased, any and all persons deriving interest in or lien upon, or title to said real property by, through or under them, or either of them, and their respective wives, widows, husbands, widowers, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, be included in the following designation, namely: the wife, widow, husband, widower, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors, and assignees of such deceased, any and all persons deriving interest in or lien upon, or title to said real property by, through or under them, or either of them, and their respective wives, widows, husbands, widowers, heirs at law, next of
kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors and assigns, all of whom and whose names, except as stated, are unknown to plaintiff; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE; NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE; JOHN J. FIELD, and JOHN DOE AND JANE DOE #1 through #7, the last seven (7) names being fictitious and unknown to the Plaintiff, the persons or parties intended being the tenants, occupants, persons or parties, if any, having or claiming an interest in or lien upon the mortgaged premises described in the complaint, Defendants.
The relief sought in the within action is a final judgment directing the sale of the premises described above to satisfy the debt secured by the Mortgage described above.
within this state in which the office of the limited liability company is to be located is Otsego County.
Legal nOtice NOTICE OF FORMATION of Butler Auto Rental, LLC Art. of Org. filed with New York Sec’y of State (SSNY) on February 6, 2026. Office location: Otsego County. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to: 268 State Highway 7, Riverside, Sidney, NY 13838. Purpose: any lawful activity. 6LegalMar.26 Legal nOtice Notice of formation Of CTLO REAL ESTATE, LLC. Articles of Organization were filed with the NY Secretary of State on 2/4/2026. The office of the LLC is to be located in Otsego County. The Secretary of State has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. The Secretary of State shall mail a copy of any process against the LLC served upon him/her to: The LLC, 38 Sylvan St., PO Box 103, Gilbertsville, NY 13776. The purpose of the LLC is to engage in any lawful act or activity. 6LegalMar.26 Legal nOtice SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF OTSEGO SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS INDEX # EF2025-1069 Original Filed with Clerk December 12, 2025 Plaintiff Designates Otsego County as the Place of Trial The Basis of Venue is that the subject action is situated in Otsego County Premises: 121 Oneida St., Oneonta, NY 13820 NEWREZ LLC D/B/A SHELLPOINT MORTGAGE SERVICING, Plaintiff, – against – ALICIA POOLE AS HEIR TO
TO THE ABOVENAMED DEFENDANTS: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in this action and to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the Complaint is not served with this Summons, to serve a notice of appearance, on the Plaintiff’s Attorney(s) within 20 days after the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within 30 days after the service is complete if this Summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York); the United States of America may appear or answer within 60 day of service hereof; and in case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS: The foregoing Summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an Order of the Hon. Brian D. Burns, a Justice of the Supreme Court, Otsego County, entered Jan. 28, 2026 and filed with the complaint and other papers in the Otsego County Clerk’s Office. NOTICE OF NATURE OF ACTION AND RELIEF SOUGHT THE OBJECT of the above captioned action is to foreclose a Mortgage to secure the amount of $60,187.00 recorded in the office of the clerk of Otsego County on August 27, 2024 in Instrument # 20243352 covering premises known as 121 Oneida St., Oneonta, NY 13820 a/k/a Section 299, Block 1, Lot 29.00.
NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME If you do not respond to this Summons and Complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to your mortgage company will not stop this foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF NEWREZ LLC D/B/A SHELLPOINT MORTGAGE SERVICING AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. Dated: Uniondale, New York February 3, 2026 Respectfully submitted, PINCUS & TARAB, ATTORNEYS AT LAW, PLLC. By: Tabeetha Adde, Esq. Attorneys for Plaintiff 425 RXR Plaza Uniondale, NY 11556 516-699-8902 #102809 4LegalMar.12 Legal nOtice Notice of organization of 10 Youngman Ave, LLC under Section 203 of the Limited Liability Company Law. 1. The name of the limited liability company is 10 Youngman Ave, LLC. 2. Articles of Organization of 10 Youngman Ave, LLC were filed with the New York Secretary of State on December 1, 2025. 3. The county
4. The street address of the principal business location of the limited liability company is: 1027 South Gilboa Road, Gilboa, NY 12076. 5. The Secretary of State is designated as agent of the limited liability company upon whom process against it may be served. The post office address within or without this state to which the Secretary of State shall mail a copy of any process against the limited liability company served upon him or her is: 10 Youngman Ave, LLC, 1027 South Gilboa Road, Gilboa, NY 12076. 6. The limited liability company is organized to carry on all lawful activities. 6LegalApr.2 Legal nOtice Notice of formation of NYNH LLC Articles of organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (“SSNY”) on: 2/18/2026. Office Location: Otsego County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY may mail a copy of any process to the LLC: 507 Moody Rd., Pike, NH 03780. Purpose: any lawful act under New York LLC law. 6LegalApr.2 Legal nOtice Notice of Formation of FAMILY MEETING, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 02/05/2026. Office location: Otsego County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 26500 W. Agoura Rd., Ste. 211, Calabasas, CA 91302. Purpose: any lawful activities. 6LegalApr.2 Legal nOtice Notice of formation of CF Satriano Excavating LLC Art. of Org. filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) continued pg. 13
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from pg. 12 2/16/2026. Office Location: Otsego County. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail a copy of process to 148 Fred Field Road, Hartwick, NY 13348. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. 6LegalApr.2
following entity as additional insured: Otsego County Soil and Water Conservation District 967 Co. Hwy. 33 Cooperstown, NY 13326
Legal nOtice Notice of formation of Moonlight Manor Enterprises LLC. Articles of organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 1/28/2026. Office location: Otsego County. SSNY designated as agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Moonlight Manor Enterprises LLC: 21 Country Club Road, Oneonta, NY 13820. Purpose: any lawful purpose. 6LegalApr.2 Legal nOtice Request for Proposals This announcement is intended for any person or business interested in providing painting services at Otsego County Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD), with offices located at 967 County Highway 33 in Cooperstown, NY. Specifically, the Otsego County SWCD requests proposals to paint all interior walls, trim, and doors in the building. The District requires two different but complementary paint colors, one for the walls and the other for the trim and interior doors. All surfaces shall be primed then painted with two (2) coats of high-quality paint approved by the District Manager. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) shall be provided to the District Manager before paint selection is finalized. The successful proposal shall include all paint material as well as costs for materials needed to repair all noticeable wall damage. The District will identify areas needing repair as well as move furniture and office equipment to facilitate the painting job. Successful proposals will include a “Not to Exceed” cost (SWCD is exempt from NYS sales tax.); a timeline for project completion; and Proof of Liability Insurance Coverage naming the
Attendance by the contractors or their representatives at the site showing at 9 a.m. on 03/26/2026 will be MANDATORY and by registration only, and failure to do so will result in an automatic rejection. The project will be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder in compliance with District Procurement Policy. Submissions will be accepted until the close of business on 04/09/2026, and must be delivered by USPS, commercial carrier, or in person in a sealed envelope titled “Otsego County SWCD Interior Paint Project”, and addressed to Christos Galanopoulos, District Manager Otsego County Soil and Water Conservation District 967 County Highway 33, Cooperstown, NY 13326. Emailed submissions will NOT be accepted. The bid reveal date will be announced at the district office at 9 a.m. at 4/10/2026. Requests for additional information necessary for the preparation of the proposal should be directed to Christos Galanopoulos, christos@otsegosoilandwater. com. no later than 03/24/2026 at 4:30 p.m. Compliance with Labor Laws The successful contractor will be required to comply with all applicable laws, including but not limited to, Labor Laws, Prevailing Wage Rates, and Workers Compensation. 4LegalMar.19 Legal nOtice NOTICE OF FORMATION OF Lady Mystery and Quantum Key, LLC filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on February 23, 2026. Office location is Otsego County. SSNY is designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to PO Box 1348, Richfield Springs, NY 13439. Purpose: any lawful activity. 6LegalApr.9 Legal nOtice NOTICE OF FORMATION OF
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BUTTERNUT HANDYMAN SERVICE LLC Arts of Org. filed SSNY 2/16/2026. Otsego Co. SSNY design. agent for process & shall mail to 41 STATE ST., # 112, ALBANY, NY, 12207. General Purpose. 6LegalApr.9 Legal nOtice STATE OF NEW YORK SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF OTSEGO BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., Plaintiff, vs. Any unknown heirs to the Estate of CURTNER B. AKIN A/K/A CURTNER AKIN next of kin, devisees, legatees, distributees, grantees, assignees, creditors, lienors, trustees, executors, administrators or successors in interest, as well as the respective heirs at law, next of kin, devisees, legatees, distributees, grantees, assignees, lienors, trustees, executors, administrators or successors in interest of the aforesaid classes of persons, if they or any of them be dead, all of whom and whose names and places of residence are unknown to the plaintiff; EDWARD S. AKIN if living, and if he be dead, his respective heirs-at-law, next of kin, distributees, executors, administrators, trustees, devisees, legatees, assignees, lienors, creditors and successors in interest, and generally all persons having or claiming under, by or through said who may be deceased, by purchase, inheritance, lien or otherwise, any right, title or interest in and to the premises; CURTNER B AKIN III; ROBBIN AKIN HAYES; NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA O/B/O INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE; and “JOHN DOE” and “MARY DOE,” (Said names being fictitious, it being the intention of plaintiff to designate any and all occupants, tenants, persons or corporations, if any, having or claiming an interest in or lien upon the premises being foreclosed herein.) Defendants. Filed: 12/18/2025 Index No.: EF2025-404 SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS
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Mortgaged Premises: 2388 County Highway 11 Mount Vision, (Town of Hartwick) NY 13810 TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in the above entitled action and to serve a copy of your Answer on Plaintiff’s attorney within twenty (20) days after the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service, or within thirty (30) days after completion of service where service is made in any other manner than by personal delivery within the State. The United States of America, if designated as a Defendant in this action, may answer or appear within sixty (60) days of service hereof. In case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. NOTICE OF NATURE OF ACTION AND RELIEF SOUGHT THE OBJECT of the above captioned action is for the foreclosure of: Mortgage bearing the date of July 20, 2004, executed by Jacqueline Jones, Curtner Akin to Fleet National Bank, principally located in Rhode Island to secure the sum of $69,000.00, and interest, and recorded in the Office of the Clerk of Otsego County on September 9, 2004 in Book: 1364 Page: 18. Bank of America N.A. is successor by merger to Fleet National Bank. The relief sought in the within action is a final judgment directing the sale of the Mortgaged Premises described above to satisfy the debt secured by the Mortgage described above. Plaintiff designates Otsego County as the place of trial. The basis of venue is the County in which the Mortgaged Premises is situated. Section: 176.00 Block: 1 Lot: 44.00 DATED: December 2, 2025 Rochester, New York
THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA A-13
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may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to your Mortgage company will not stop this foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT.
shall mail process to: 167 County Highway 53, Richfield Springs, NY 13439, USA. TX address of LLC: 616 Cameron Way, Azle, TX 76020, USA. Certificate of Formation filed with TX Secy of State, 1019 Brazos Street, Austin, TX 78701. Purpose: any lawful activity. 6LegalApr.9
statements will be reviewed and selected according to a competitive review process based on technical skills, relevant project experience, and knowledge of grant/loan funded projects. Interested parties should contact the Village Clerk for a complete copy of the RFQ at clerk@ milfordnewyork. com, or by phone (607) 286-7331. Statements will be accepted until 2:00 p.m. on March 25, 2026. 1LegalMar12
of Agriculture and Markets Climate Resilient Farming Grant. The successful bidder must have technical knowledge and experience with the Irrigation System Microirrigation BMPs to be installed. Said BMPs pertinent to this bid include
pal Law 103 and on behalf of the project Landowner, will receive sealed bids for a Pumping Plant (533) regarding Project #08-37-1 funded through NYS Dept. of Agriculture and Markets Climate Resilient Farming Grant. The successful bidder must have technical knowledge and experience with the installation of pumping systems into water wells. Said BMPs pertinent to this bid include
BY: Kathryn E. Assini, Esq. DAVIDSON FINK LLP Attorneys for Plaintiff 400 Meridian Centre Blvd., Ste. 200 Rochester, New York 14618 Tel: (585) 7608218
filed with New York Sec’y of State (SSNY) on 02/25/2026. Office location: Otsego County. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to: 145 Cty. Hwy. 35A, Maryland, NY 12116. Purpose: To engage in any and all business activities and business activities permitted under NYS Law. 6LegalApr.9
WE ARE ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. SCHEDULE A LEGAL DESCRIPTION All that tract, piece or parcel of land situate in the Town of Hartwick, County of Otsego and State of New York, bounded and described as follows: Commencing in the center of the intersection of the South Hartwick Crossing Highway with Otsego County Highway #11, opposite pole #91 1/2 and proceeding thence northerly along the center of said Otsego County Highway #11 a distance of 190 feet to a point; thence easterly through an iron pipe driven in the ground a distance of 95 feet to lands of Robert Derr, thence southerly along lands of Derr to the center of the South Hartwick Crossing Highway, or Otsego County Highway #11R; thence westerly along the center of said South Hartwick Crossing Highway a distance of 85 feet to the point or place of beginning. 4LegalMar.26 Legal nOtice Notice of Qualification of
NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME
Poznyak & Co. LLC.
If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the Mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment
Authority filed with NY Secy of State (SSNY) on 01/12/2026. Office location: Otsego County. LLC formed in Texas (TX) on 05/23/2025. SSNY is designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY
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Legal nOtice Village of Milford, Otsego County, NY Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Professional Engineering Services RFQ #1 - Water Infrastructure System-wide Needs The Village of Milford, located in Otsego County, NY is requesting statements of qualifications to provide professional engineering services for system-wide upgrades and improvements to the Village’s public water. Improvements aim to address elevated nitrate concentrations in the source water. Solutions to the issue could include enhanced filtration or a new source well. The engineering services contract will encompass all water system components and appurtenances as needed. Engineering services required, include but not limited to: planning, design, bid assistance, construction administration, onsite-construction observation, engineering during construction, record drawing preparation, and project closeout. The Village is seeking funding through the Environmental Facilities Corporation’s (EFC) Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (DWSRF), and possible other sources. Qualification
Legal nOtice Request for Proposals Otsego County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) requests qualified contractors with proposals for the replacement of one (1) overhead garage door for pole barn at the rear of the property. The successful bidder will provide all necessary materials as required by the project specifications as well as remove and dispose of project debris. The project will be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder in compliance with District Procurement Policy. Submissions are open until the close of business on 4/10/2026 and addressed to Christos Galanopoulos, District Manager Otsego County Soil and Water Conservation District 967 County Highway 33, Cooperstown NY 13326. Requests for additional information necessary for the preparation of the proposal should be directed to Christos Galanopoulos, christos@otsegosoilandwater. com. no later than 4/07/2026 at 4:30 p.m. Compliance with Labor Laws The successful contractor will be required to comply with all applicable laws, including but not limited to, Labor Laws, Prevailing Wage Rates, and Workers Compensation. 2LegalMar.19 Legal nOtice REQUESTS FOR BIDS Otsego County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), pursuant to New York General Municipal Law 103 and on behalf of the project Landowner, will receive sealed bids for Irrigation Pipeline (430) and Irrigation Reservoir (436) regarding Project #08-37-1 funded through NYS Dept.
• I rrigation Pipeline o 1 – ¼’’ HDPE, 500 ft. o 1’’ Header Pipe, 473 ft. o 0.260 GPH Drip tape, 18,911 ft. • 1 20 Mesh Cleanable Filter matching manufacturer’s drip tape specifications, 1 unit Attendance by interested contractors or their representatives at the site showing at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, 3/31/2026, will be MANDATORY and by registration only, and failure to do so will result in an automatic disqualification. Contact Christos Galanopoulos (see below) by 4 p.m. on Tuesday, 3/27/2026 to register for the site showing. The project will be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder in compliance with District Procurement Policy. Bid packets will be distributed at the site showing. Bids shall be returned sealed and labeled “Irrigation System Microirrigation CRF Project 08-37-1” and delivered in person, by USPS, or by commercial carrier to the Landowner in care of Otsego County Soil and Water Conservation District, 967 County Highway 33, Cooperstown NY 13326. Email or electronic bid submissions will NOT be accepted.
• S olar Pumping System 5 gpm@ 482ft TDH with enough solar to run the maximum solar hours per day Attendance by interested contractors or their representatives at the site showing at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, 3/31/2026, will be MANDATORY and by registration only, and failure to do so will result in an automatic disqualification. Contact Christos Galanopoulos (see below) by 4 p.m. on Tuesday, 3/27/2026 to register for the site showing. The project will be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder in compliance with District Procurement Policy. Bid packets will be distributed at the site showing. Bids shall be returned sealed and labeled “Solar Pumping System CRF Project 08-371” and delivered in person, by USPS, or by commercial carrier to the Landowner in care of Otsego County Soil and Water Conservation District, 967 County Highway 33, Cooperstown NY 13326. Email or electronic bid submissions will NOT be accepted.
The project will be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder, with both the engineer and the landowner reserving the right to reject any or all bids. Bids will be received until 4 p.m. Tuesday, 4/21/2026. Bids will be opened at the SWCD offices (967 County Hwy 33 Cooperstown NY 13326) on Tuesday, 4/22/2026 at 10 a.m.
The project will be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder, with both the engineer and the landowner reserving the right to reject any or all bids. Bids will be received until 4 p.m. Tuesday, 4/21/2026. Bids will be opened at the SWCD offices (967 County Hwy 33 Cooperstown NY 13326) on Tuesday, 4/22/2026 at 10 a.m.
Additional information may be obtained from District Manager, Christos Galanopoulos, at Christos@otsegosoilandwater.com or requested by phone at 607-5478337 ext. 4. 3LegalMar.26
Additional information may be obtained from District Manager, Christos Galanopoulos, at Christos@otsegosoilandwater.com or requested by phone at 607-5478337 ext. 4. 3LegalMar.26
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REQUESTS FOR BIDS
REQUESTS FOR BIDS
Otsego County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), pursuant to New York General Munici-
Otsego County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), pursuant to New York continued pg. 14
THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2026
A-14 THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA
Letters
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Few Words Are Needed Elections quences …
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James R. Dean Cooperstown
Vote Membrino for Village Trustee On Wednesday, March 18, Cooperstown voters will elect a mayor and three trustees. I write to ask for your support and your vote to continue my service as village trustee for a three-year term. Since joining the Board of Trustees in 2019, my assignments have included chairing the Finance Committee and membership on the Water and Sewer Board and Watershed Supervisory Committee. Oversight of village finances is a paramount responsibility. The village is fortunate to have dedicated and responsive staff who received wellearned praise from village auditors for the state of village finances. We have managed revenues, appropriations, and grant funds for maintenance and capital projects throughout the village and in our parks in the Towns of Middlefield and Otsego. Street, sidewalk, and water and sewer repairs, improvements, and replacement are ongoing. I have been pleased to join the dedicated efforts of numerous advocates for a community dog park facility. This year, the Board of Trustees plans to appropriate funds to design a dog park on land adjacent to the Cooperstown Central School District on a site that the village acquired an interest in for a recreation facility more than a decade ago. Stewardship of Lake Otsego contributes to the well-being and economy of our region. Moreover, because the lake is the source of the village’s municipal water supply, the lake’s ecology is vital to public health. As village representative on the Watershed Supervisory Committee, comprised of the Village of Cooperstown, and the Towns of Otsego, Springfield, and Middlefield, I am collaborating in efforts to address degrading water quality in Lake Otsego and identify specific actions to protect the lake and its watershed. I am especially grateful to have worked on behalf of village residents to ensure that the village stands fast for human rights, and to have contributed to the village resolutions that condemned the increase of hate speech, intimidation, government violence, and hate crimes targeted against immigrants, refugees, and people of diverse racial,
ethnic, religious, and linguistic backgrounds. Dr. King wrote from the Birmingham jail more than 60 years ago that “injustice anywhere, is a threat to justice everywhere.” In my view, because Cooperstown has a national profile, the village has both an opportunity and a duty to make clear that it stands for equality, fairness, safety, and justice for all. Public service requires collaboration, long hours, and hard work among trustees, village boards and committees, and village staff, all with attention to the needs and concerns of village residents. I have been privileged to share in it. Thank you for considering my candidacy as a Democratic nominee for trustee. Whatever your decision, please exercise your right to vote on Wednesday, March 18 from noon to 9 p.m. at the Cooperstown Fire Hall. Joseph R. Membrino Trustee, Cooperstown Village Board
Vote Mooney for Village Trustee My name is Molly Mooney, and I am a current Village of Cooperstown trustee. I am running for a one-year term in the upcoming village election on March 18. For those who don’t know who I am or my background, I was born and raised in Cooperstown, leaving only to attend college and nursing school. I am currently working as a registered nurse at Bassett Healthcare, where I have worked in a variety of positions since 2017. I am proud to be an employee of Bassett, which happens to be one of our area’s largest employers. When I’m not at work or at a village meeting, I also sit on the Friends of the Village Library board. I love to read, and I love supporting our local library even more. I was inspired to run for a spot on the village Board of Trustees because I love this village and this community. I love being an active participant in the community— whether it be volunteering at one of the library’s biannual book sales, supporting FoMA (Cooperstown Friends of Music and Art), or sitting in one of the local businesses (where I am most likely reading or chatting with someone I ran into there). As a village trustee, I hope to work with the other members of the board to make Cooperstown an even better place for everyone who lives or visits the village. I ask for your support in the upcoming village election, to enable me to continue to make positive changes for Cooperstown and its people. Molly Mooney, RN Trustee, Cooperstown Village Board
‘Harry Levine Got It Wrong’ I have been writing about history and foreign policy for 40 years for national and international publications, and many readers have disagreed with my policy views and interpretations of historical events, but until now no reader has ever accused me of “dishonest writings.” Harry Levine claims that I omitted George Washington’s qualifications regarding his warning against permanent alliances. Mr. Levine should read more carefully. Here is what I wrote that Washington said in the Farewell Address: “We should ‘steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world,’ while trusting to ‘temporary alliances for extraordinary emergencies.’” As far as Washington’s commitment to honoring existing commitments with foreign countries, perhaps Mr. Levine is unaware that Washington as president ignored an existing treaty with France in order to stay neutral in France’s war with Great Britain because remaining neutral was putting America First. Finally, Mr. Levine implies that Washington would join with those state and local officials who encourage active obstruction of federal laws passed by Congress regarding illegal immigration and would oppose the Trump administration’s attempts to faithfully execute those laws. Perhaps Mr. Levine should read about how Washington handled the Whiskey Rebellion when citizens sought to resist federal excise taxes between 1791 and 1794. Mr. Levine should do his homework before calling someone “dishonest.” Francis P. Sempa Columnist, “The ‘Right’ View”
The 2026 Village of Cooperstown elections will be Wednesday, March 18, with polls open from noon to 9 p.m. at the Village Fire Hall. I am running for re-election to continue my service as mayor of the village. When asked why I want to run for another term, my response is “to continue serving my hometown community.” That service includes working with my board to secure and oversee funding for important infrastructure. Over the next two years, with NY Forward funding, improvements to Pioneer Alley, Hoffman Lane and Fowler Way will begin. New signage will be installed on upper Main Street and an
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from pg. 13 General Municipal Law 103 and on behalf of the project Landowner, will receive sealed bids for a Roof Runoff Structure BMP (558) regarding Project #08-37-1 funded through NYS Dept. of Agriculture and Markets Climate Resilient Farming Grant. The successful bidder must have technical knowledge and experience with
the Roof Runoff Structure BMP to be installed. Said BMPs pertinent to this bid must comply to both State and Federal Standards and include
MANDATORY and by registration only, and failure to do so will result in an automatic disqualification. Contact Christos Galanopoulos (see below) by 4 p.m. on Tuesday, 3/27/2026 to register for the site showing.
Policy. Bid packets will be distributed at the site showing. Bids shall be returned sealed and labeled “Roof Runoff Structure CRF Project 08-371” and delivered in person, by USPS, or by commercial carrier to the Landowner in care of Otsego County Soil and Water Conservation District, 967 County Highway 33, Cooperstown NY 13326. Email or electronic bid
Attendance by interested contractors or their representatives at the site showing at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, 3/31/2026, will be
The project will be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder in compliance with District Procurement
All of these actions contribute to what I believe is fundamental for our village, and that is sustaining and developing the feeling of community and being welcoming to all. When I first became mayor, we approved this signage to be placed at village entrances: “A community committed to dignity, freedom, equality and safety for all.” In support of that, the initiative of which I am most proud is Welcome Home Cooperstown, our first Tuesday of the month gatherings at Village Hall in coordination with the Friends of the Library. The Village of Cooperstown does have room at the table for all, and with your support I look forward to continuing my elected service. Ellen Tillapaugh Mayor, Village of Cooperstown
White
Continued from page 2 Phillies, he retired as a Cardinal in 1969 with a .286 career batting average, 202 home runs and eight All-Star selections. White spent 18 years as a broadcaster for the Yankees. As president of the National League from 1989-1994, he oversaw the expansion that created the Marlins and Rockies and was one of the nation’s highest-ranking Black sports executives. White, 92, will be honored at the Awards Presentation as part of Hall of Fame Weekend on Saturday, July 25. The Buck O’Neil Award is open to public nominations at any time, with the deadline for the 2027 award on June 30. Submissions must be made by mail. For more information, visit baseballhall.org
Vote Tillapaugh for Village Mayor
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• Roof Runoff Structure (558)
ADA-compliant sidewalk constructed on Grove Street. A grant for $671,274.00 is supporting a working partnership with environmental groups and the townships of Otsego, Middlefield and Springfield to develop a 9Element Plan for the Otsego Lake Watershed. The plan will be based on four years of grant funded lake water analysis and modeling to ensure a scientific basis for actions and policies to protect Lake Otsego in the coming years. A priority for me is increasing housing stock in our village. Our Cooperstown Comprehensive Plan stressed the need for increased housing, particularly apartment-style housing. When the 13-unit apartment building at 10 Chestnut Street was completed in 2023, it was the first apartment building constructed in the village in more than 50 years, and the project had to overcome often contentious public meetings. We applied for and became certified as a Pro Housing Community, opening doors to additional NYS funding opportunities. Our awarded NYF funding is enabling five applicants to upgrade their downtown businesses and upper floor apartments, and $1.3 million of NYF funds is supporting the construction of four townhouses and the apartment building on Grove and Glen. In May of 2025, the village learned that a grant application which I submitted for Restore New York funding was successful. Restore NY will provide $1 million to support a future 50-unit apartment building in our village, providing not only affordable housing, but also supportive housing for Springbrook residents in our community.
Call 877-516-1160 to schedule your free quote today!
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submissions will NOT be accepted.
Tuesday, 4/22/2026 at 10 a.m.
OF
The project will be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder, with both the engineer and the landowner reserving the right to reject any or all bids. Bids will be received until 4 p.m. Tuesday, 4/21/2026. Bids will be opened at the SWCD offices (967 County Hwy 33 Cooperstown NY 13326) on
Additional information may be obtained from District Manager, Christos Galanopoulos, at Christos@otsegosoilandwater.com or requested by phone at 607-5478337 ext. 4. 3LegalMar.26 Legal nOtice
Hemlock Hill Homestead LLC filed 2/26/2026. Office: Otsego Co. SSNY designated as agent for process & shall mail to: 706 County Highway 17, New Berlin, NY 13411. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. 6LegalApr.16
NOTICE OF FORMATION
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Legal nOtice NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY NAME: 853 HOOSE RD. LLC Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on
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JANUARY 30, 2026. Office location: OTSEGO County SSNY has been designated as agent of 853 HOOSE RD. LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to 853 HOOSE RD. LLC, 853 Hoose Road, Cherry Valley, NY 13320. For any lawful purpose. 6LegalApr.16
►Need to publish a Notice of Formation, Public Notice, Supplemental Summons, or Notice to Bidders? Contact Larissa at 607-547-6103 or ads@allotsego.com and she can get you started.
THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2026
Plowing
THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA A-15
or that breakdown?’ It’s more the downtime. The parts are expensive. We spend well over a halfa-million dollars in parts in a year. But it’s that downtime. Now instead of it taking two hours to do one run, it’s three.” Though downtimes can be plenty concerning on their own, they arguably take a backseat to the primary issue facing the Highway Department today: staffing.
Continued from page 5 Otsego County Board of Representatives Chairman Edwin Frazier spoke to the sheer scale of mileage that has to be covered each snowstorm. According to data from a 2022 New York State Department of Transportation county road listing, (https://www. dot.ny.gov/divisions/ engineering/technicalservices/hds-respository/ NYSDOT_2022_LHI_ County_Roads_Otsego_ County.pdf), Otsego County maintains around 476.31 miles of centerline road, meaning that—when accounting for both lanes of each highway—the county is responsible for cleaning nearly 952.62 miles of pavement. Frazier highlighted the 88 bridges also under county care and applauded the coordination it takes to get the job done. “[Richard has] constantly got his eyes on the future, what’s coming down the road, no pun intended,” Frazier remarked. “What does the weather look like? What problems do we anticipate? He really coordinates well with the other agencies that he needs to.”
“We have a vacancy rate of 15 to 18 percent [county-wide],” Frazier stated. “Unemployment changed this year and they really increased what [plowers] could collect staying home. Quite a few have decided not to work in the winter and just take the unemployment instead…They can’t blacktop in the winter and they’re driving trucks in the summer, so they could supplement their income. But we can’t really pay above what some of them would like in order to entice them to come into work.”
How Are They Holding Up? At the moment, the Highway Department is short six positions, not including any staff out sick. Brimmer noted that when crews go out short a truck, the other plowers will pick up the slack and split the footprint where the out-of-commission plow should have been. When dealing with shortages on this level, the public tends to only see minimal plowing delays of roughly half an hour. But, when staffing shortages, downtimes, and sickness compound, it can severely hamper the department’s capabilities. “We don’t have people knocking down our door to come in. We get one to two applications a month,” Brimmer said. “We compete with the towns and state DOT for the same people…At the end of the day, a lot of us are hurting, so, maybe this isn’t a fit for them, but maybe they’re going to go to a town or to DOT. That will help them out.”
would ask.” Alongside a continued push for recruiting and publicizing by the Public Works Committee and countyboard,theHighway Department is continuing to do its utmost to serve its citizens. Despite the department undoubtedly facing some headwinds, Brimmer is confident that his department can handle what lies ahead. When asked about their plans for moving forward as a department, Brimmer answered simply, “It’s nothing new. This is what we do every year.”
Hartwick
Moving Forward While the future of the Highway Department may seem grim to some, there is plenty of hope on the horizon. The county board recently approved a new contract with the CSEA union that Brimmer explained includes a number of “very nice incentives for our plow drivers.” Frazier and McCarty both exclaimed their continued faith in the skills of the county’s plowers. “We have a very, very dedicated crew,” Frazier said. “[They] come in very early. They stay very late. They work under the worst possible conditions in order to make sure that our roads are safe for everyone that needs to be out there. Just respect them and be considerate of the plows on the road… Thank one of them when you see them. That’s all I
Continued from page 1 application for the project, which they estimated would create 2 MW of power from 5,568 solar panels. The company has said it would be responsible for construction, active use and deactivation, which would include returning what is now a field to its natural state at the end of use of the solar farm. The moratorium, drafted by town attorney Hancock Estabrook LLP, would prohibit many kinds of “solar energy systems” from being built in the town during a six-month period, including both the kind SolAmerica is proposing and “Roof-Mounted Solar Energy Systems” and “Building-Integrated Solar Energy Systems.” The moratorium would bar the town from hearing any solar proposal during the six-month period after passage. According to the legis-
What Does This Cost? In Otsego County’s adopted budget for 2026 (https://county-otsegony-cleardoc.cleargov. com/22061/842571/d), the Highway Department has been allocated $44,141,345.00—nearly a $10 million increase from 2025. The total amount of the 2026 budget is $153,477,579.00. Nonetheless, there are still Lifetime Income Strategies concerns that the funding Tax & Planning Services may not be enough. OCTOBER 1 Investment – DECEMBER 2020 “I was a highway advisory 31, services, offered through superintendent up here PVG Asset Management Corporation. PVG Asset in Springfield for 40 Management Corporation is separately owned years,” shared Rep. and other entities and marketing names, products or services are independent of PVG Asset Keith McCarty, chair Management Corporation. PVG Asset of the Public Works Management Corporation and Donald Benson Committee. “Salt used to CPA are not affiliated. Benson, Don CPA/CFP® be not too expensive back 432-377531,• 28 Oneida Street, Oneonta OCTOBER – DECEMBER 2020 in those days, but now 1(607) you’re looking at $70.00 or $80.00 a ton, and so [Richard’s] gone to a salt and sand mixture, which lowers the price down and gives better grip.” Brimmer estimated the average cost of each deployment of the plows to be about $8,000.00, againUltraemphasized ? Assurance All-Season ? Kelly Edge All-Season WeatherReady though ? WinterCommand ? Kelly Edge HT CT Touring ? Kelly Edge All-Season Perf. ? Kelly Edge MT ? Wrangler DuraTrac varies wildly ? Eagle Sport All-Season Family (inc. ROF & SCT) the number ? Wrangler AT Adventure ? Kelly Winter Access MaxLife Winter Maxx 2 ? Kelly Edge AT depending onw/Kevlar circum- ?? Winter rate ? Kelly Edge HP ? Kelly Safari TSR ? Wrangler Fortitude HT , excludes C-Type Maxx SJ8 stances. He recounted that mand ? Wrangler TrailRunner AT the department spends *By online or mail-in rebate.on Rebates paid by Goodyear Prepaid Mastercard® or Visa® Prepaid Card. around $1.1 million salt and $300,000.00 on † ASK each AN ASSOCIATE sand year, as well asABOUT THE GOODYEAR 30-DAY PLEDGE additional $300,000.00 ? Assurance All-Season ? Kelly Edge All-Season eatherReady an ? WinterCommand Ultra ? Kelly Edge HT OFFERS AVAILABLE ATTHE THE FOLLOWING CT Touring Sport All-Season Family (inc. ROFLOCATIONS: & SCT) ? Kelly Edge All-Season Perf. ? Kelly Edge MT DuraTracovertime ? EagleAT OFFERS AVAILABLE FOLLOWING LOCATION: in? Wrangler solely pay. ? Wrangler AT Adventure w/Kevlar ? Kelly Winter Access axLife Winter Maxx 2 ? Kelly Edge AT Contracting with towns ?? Winter ate ? Kelly Edge HP ? Kelly Safari TSR ? Wrangler Fortitude HT , excludes C-Type Maxx SJ8 came in at AT around $1 and ? Wrangler TrailRunner million in expenses in *By online or mail-in rebate. Rebates paid by Goodyear Prepaid Mastercard® or Visa® Prepaid Card. 2025. 155 ERIE BLVD Though not meeting ASK AN ASSOCIATE ABOUT THE CANAJOHARIE GOODYEAR 30-DAY PLEDGE † , NY 13317 the board’s goals of fleet rotation, the department OFFERS AVAILABLE AT THE FOLLOWING518-673-5399 LOCATIONS: does still purchase new THETIRESHOP.BIZ plows annually, with the last four years ranging between and five r mail-in rebate on a qualifying purchase of a set of three 4 select Goodyear tires with any form of payment method; plus get an added rebate of up to $75 more when the purchase is made on the Goodyear Credit Card. Subject to credit approval. Get a $75 Prepaid Card with purchase or $150 Prepaid year Credit Card of: Assurance WeatherReady , Assurance ComforTred Touring, Assurance MaxLife , Wrangler All-Terrain Adventure with Kevlar , Wrangler DuraTrac , Wrangler Fortitude HT (excluding C-Type), Wrangler TrailRunner AT , Eagle Exhilarate , WinterCommand , WinterCommand Get a $50 Prepaid Cardacquired with purchase or $100 Prepaid Cardyear. with purchase on the Goodyear Credit Card of: Assurance All-Season, Eagle Sport All-Season Family (including ROF & SCT), Winter Maxx 2 and Winter Maxx SJ8. Get a $25 Prepaid Card with purchase or $50 Prepaid Card with per and Kelly Winter Access . t Card of: Kelly Edge HT, Kelly Edge AT , Kelly Edge MT , Kelly Safari TSR, Kelly Edge HP , Kelly Edge All-Season , Kelly Edge All-Season Performance 155 ERIE BLVD c 'MDLA &AF= (=O .AJ= =9D=J c &G? -CA<<=J .AJ=K “We trypaid in to the d Mastercard , then the following applies: Rebates the form ofkeep a Goodyear Prepaid Mastercard . This Prepaid Card is issued by Sunrise Banks N.A., Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Mastercard International Incorporated. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles c .AJ= ,=H9AJ c ?JA;MDLMJ9D card International Incorporated. This card may be used everywhere Debit Mastercard is accepted. Registration, activation, acceptance, or use of this card constitutes acceptance of the terms and conditions stated in the Prepaid.AJ=K Card Agreement. Prepaid Cards will not have cash access and will CANAJOHARIE, NY 13317 of issuance - other terms, conditions, and fees may apply. fleet updated,” Brimmer c &9OF 9F< !9J<=F .AJ=K c .AJ= @9AFK epaid Card, then the following applies: Visa Prepaid Card is issued by MetaBank , N.A., Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. No cash access or recurring payments. Can be used everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted. Card valid for up to 6 months; unused funds will forfeit c .0 /.0 .AJ=K518-673-5399 c ,M::=J .J9;CK stated. newer vehierms and conditions apply. MetaBank does not“The endorse or sponsor the Goodyear Credit Card offer. ating U.S. Goodyear retailers and websites. Offers valid only for U.S. residents who are individual consumers with mailing addresses in the U.S. and.J9AD=J U.S. territories. Commercial fleets are not eligiblecfor ? these 9?K rebates. Not 9D= valid on previous c -=EA .J9;LGJ purchases. Cannot be combined with other Goodyear cles don’t last as long as must be postmarked no later than 1/31/21. Base portion of rebate offered by Goodyear, and bonus portion of rebate offered by Citibank, N.A. Goodyear is not affiliated with Mastercard. Additional terms, conditions, and fees apply. See participating retailer for complete details and rebate forms. c GEHML=J 1@==D 9D9F;AF? (=L 1J9H THETIRESHOP.BIZ by Citibank, N.A. theof E.I.older ones forusedsure… marks or registered trademarks du Pont de Nemours and Company under license by The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company and affiliates. c .AJ= -=JNA;= ,=;9HHAF? c )AD @9F?=K e store associate for details, or for more information, visit https://www.goodyear.com/en-US/tire-warranty/30-day-pledge. c !GG<Q=9J (9LAGF9D ;;GMFLK c MKLGE 1@==DK You gotta try to keep bber Company. All rights reserved. -L9L= GFLJ9;L *JA;AF? c MLG ;;=KKGJA=K mail-in rebate on a qualifying purchase of a set stuff of 4 select Goodyear tiresthat with any form of payment method; plus get an added rebate of up to $75 more when the purchase is made on the Goodyear Credit Card. Subject to credit approval. 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lation, “Any person, firm or corporation that shall install, place, construct, enlarge or erect any Solar Energy System or Solar Energy Equipment without the required approval of the Town during the effective period,” would be subject to “a fine not exceeding three hundred fifty dollars or imprisonment for a period not to exceed six months.” Councilmember Bryan LoRusso, who has been a vocal advocate for the moratorium including frequent e-mails to Town Supervisor Cody Moore, told AllOtsego the urgency is because “we have to do it before someone presents a plan, because then you could be sued for sour grapes.” He and other board members said the time would allow development of a more comprehensive solar law for the town, which does not have its own zoning code. LoRusso also urged quick action to avoid what he said could be intervention from the Office of Renewable Energy Siting and Electric Transmission, a state body whose mission is to “consolidate the environmental review and permitting of major renewable energy facilities” of 25 MW or larger, according to its site. “They are the Gestapo of solar panels,” LoRusso said, emphasizing that the Town of Hartwick needs to act on this and other matters “or the state will.” Local discourse on the solar project has been overwhelmingly negative, Moore telling AllOtsego that “every person that I’ve heard from is 100 percent against it for the location.
They’re not against solar. They’re against the location of this particular project.” However, the proposed moratorium has drawn criticism from the executive director of Otsego 2000, an environmental nonprofit. “We encourage all towns to adopt zoning laws that allow for the town to develop according to the goals laid out in their comprehensive plans,” Ellen Pope said in a statement to AllOtsego. “At the same time, we recognize that small scale and community scale solar have an important role to play in reducing dependence on fossil fuels, as long as their siting preserves agricultural land. The town’s draft moratorium seems overly broad given it includes roof-mounted/groundmounted solar panels for personal or farm use, which have little to no impacts on agricultural lands.” Opposition to the potential solar project has brought together a board that has been at odds this term, starting out with a Sheriff’s Office visit to mediate disputes at its first meeting of the year in January. “It is apparent to me that this is a situation which will help the town come together over an issue that lingers, as do its positive or negative consequences on the local economy, residents, and animals,” Councilmember Tom Murphy wrote in an e-mail to other board members before the meeting. SolAmerica did not respond to requests for comment by press time.
Things To Do In and Around Otsego County _________
A-16 THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA
►Fri., March 13 QUILTING—9 a.m. to 5 p.m. “Happy Feet Quilted Sneakers Class with Joan Radell.” Fees apply; registration required. Also held 3/14. St. James Church, 305 Main Street, Oneonta. (607) 4413111. OUTDOORS—1-3 p.m. “Homeschool Nature Walk: Silas Lane Loop.” Presented by Otsego County Conservation Association. Registration required. Silas Lane Loop, 18 Silas Lane, Oneonta. (607) 547-4488. BLOOD DRIVE— 1-6 p.m. Donate Blood in Memory of Laura Emmett. Otego Fire Department and Emergency Squad, 5 River Street, Otego. (708) 434-5717 or RedCrossBlood.org GARDEN CLUB— 1:15 p.m. “Physical Therapy for Gardeners.” Presented by Bertha Miller, a doctoral student of physical therapy at Russell Sage College. Will describe common physical problems associated with gardening, along with techniques and exercises to improve fitness and avoid injuries. Bring a favorite garden tool or accessory for demonstration. Presented by The Oneonta Garden Club at St. James Episcopal Church, 305 Main Street, Oneonta. DANCE—3:30 p.m. “Ballet Class” for children ages 2-7. Class continues 3/20, 3/27, 4/10 and 4/17. Recital held 5/1 and 5/2. Free; registration required. WorcesterSchenevus Library, 170 Main Street, Worcester. (607) 397-7309. BENEFIT DINNER— 4:30-6 p.m. Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner. Fees apply. Benefit for the Banners for Heroes project. Laurens American Legion, 11 Main Street, Laurens. (607) 293-7356. OPENING RECEPTION—5-7 p.m. “2026 Members’ Exhibition and Opening Reception.”
Presented by Community Arts Network of Oneonta. Annual showcase celebrating the diversity of creativity within the local arts community. Free and open to the public. Light refreshments available. Wilber Mansion, 11 Ford Avenue, Oneonta. DINNER—5-7 p.m. Fried Fish Dinner. Fees apply. Open to the public. American Legion Post 259, 279 Chestnut Street, Oneonta. (607) 432-0494. BOOK CLUB— 5:30 p.m. “Book Club: A Curious Witch’s Year.” Take a year-long journey through the book “A Spell in the Wild: A Year (and Six Centuries) of Magic” by Alice Tarbuck. Free. Club meets second Friday of each month. Mountain Magic Market, 52 Pioneer Street, Cooperstown. (607) 287-7278. EXPLORE—6 p.m. “Discover Scuba Diving.” Presented by Leatherstocking SCUBA. Registration required. Oneonta Senior High School, 130 East Street, Oneonta. leatherstocking. scuba@gmail.com. POTTERY—6-9 p.m. “Hand Building and Sculpture.” All levels welcome. Held Fridays. Fees apply; registration required. The Smithy Clay Studio, 1 Otsego Court, Cooperstown. (607) 5478671. PLANETARIUM— 7 p.m. “The Life and Death of Stars.” Familyfriendly show open to the public. Fees apply. SUNY Oneonta Planetarium, Perna Science Building, Room 018A, SUNY Oneonta, 108 Ravine Parkway, Oneonta. (607) 436-2011.
►Sat., March 14 FUNDRAISER— 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. “2nd Pickleball Open.” Fees apply; registration required. Benefit for The Farmstead Pickleball Courts at Pathfinder Village. Clark Sports Center, 124 County Road 52, Cooperstown. (607) 965-8377 ext. 147.
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Time OuT OTsegO Things To Do In and Around Otsego County
TAXES—9 a.m. “VITA Free Tax Preparation and Filing.” Get taxes prepared and filed free of charge by IRS-certified volunteers. By appointment only. Held at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays and at 9 a.m. on Saturdays. First Floor Lobby, Alumni Hall, SUNY Oneonta, 108 Ravine Parkway, Oneonta. (607) 436-2171. WINTER—10 a.m. to noon. “Snow Snake Workshop.” Learn about the Native American Snow Snake game while finishing your own snow snake to take home. Fees apply; registration required. Fenimore Farm and Country Village, 5775 State Highway 80, Cooperstown. (607) 5471450. SPORTS—10 a.m. to 8 p.m. “NYS Indoor 900/1800 State Championship Match.” All welcome to compete. Fees apply; registration required. Oneonta Sportsmen’s Club, 251 Rod and Gun Club Road, Oneonta. (607) 433-0515. POTTERY—10 a.m. to 1 p.m. “Beginner Clay.” Held Saturdays through 4/4. Fees apply; registration required. The Smithy Clay Studio, 1 Otsego Court, Cooperstown. (607) 547-8671. BENEFIT—10 a.m. to 4 p.m. “Vendor Event to Support GMU Class of 2026.” Discover local vendors and small businesses. GilbertsvilleMount Upton Central School District, 1700 State Highway 8, Mt. Upton. MAKERS MARKET— 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. “Easter Shopping.” Markets held 2nd Saturday of each month. Southside Mall, 5006 State Highway 23, Oneonta. (607) 4324401. COMMUNITY FAIR— 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Community Craft and Vendor
Fair. Proceeds support the GMU Class of 2026. Free; open to the public. Gilbertsville-Mt. Upton Central School, 693 State Highway 51, Gilbertsville. (607) 783-2207. REPAIR—10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. “Cooperstown Repair Café.” Give your treasures a second life with the repair expert coaches. Cooperstown Farmers’ Market, 101 Main Street, Pioneer Alley, Cooperstown. (607) 5478881. PLANETARIUM—Family-friendly shows open to the public. Fees apply. SUNY Oneonta Planetarium, Perna Science Building, Room 018A, SUNY Oneonta, 108 Ravine Parkway, Oneonta. (607) 436-2011. • 10:30 a.m. “Messengers of Time and Space.” • 11:30 a.m. “The Sky Tonight.” CRAFT—11 a.m. “Sitn-Stitch.” Bring knit or crochet project to work or learn the craft. Held second Saturday of each month. Unadilla Public Library, 193 Main Street, Unadilla. (607) 369-3131. ST. PATRICK’S DAY— 11 a.m. Irish Dance. Presented by the Quigley Academy. Cooperstown Center, 128 Phoenix Mills Cross Road, Cooperstown. (845) 745-1089. WINTER CARNIVAL— 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Games, face painting, vendors, food, prizes and more. Free admission. Gym, Richfield Springs High School, 93 West Main Street, Richfield Springs. (315) 858-0610. WRITING—1-3 p.m. “Sacred Writing Circle: Renewal and Awakening.” The Gatehouse, 129 Main Street, Morris. (607) 2854111. ST. PATRICK’S DAY—1:30 p.m. Irish Dance. Presented by the Quigley Academy. Woodside Hall, 1 Main Street,
THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2026
Cooperstown. (845) 7451089. SEWING CLASS— 1:30-3 p.m. All experience levels welcome. Held every Saturday. The Green Giraffe, 179 Main Street, Unadilla. (607) 369-3234. BOOK CLUB—2 p.m. “BYO Book Club.” Followed by Book Journaling Club. Meets second Saturday of each month. Kinney Memorial Library, 3140 County Highway 11, Hartwick. (607) 2936600. DRUM CIRCLE— 2-5 p.m. “Oneonta Drum Circle.” Admission by donation to support local food banks. Held each second Saturday. First Presbyterian Church, 296 Main Street, Oneonta. (303) 406-1738. DANCE—3-5 p.m. Barn Dance. Live music by Tamarack with Paul Rosenberg calling. All welcome. Free; refreshments available for purchase. Worcester-Schenevus Library, 170 Main Street, Worcester. (607) 3977309. FUNDRAISER— 4-7 p.m. Spaghetti Dinner. Eat in or take out. By donation. Milford Fire Department and Emergency Squad, 64 South Main Street, Milford. (607) 286-9492. POTTERY— 4:30-6:30 p.m. “Saturday Night Out: A Pottery Immersion Workshop.” Fees apply; registration required. Azure Arts, 1149 Allen Lake Road, Richfield Springs. (315) 858-8899. DANCE—7-9 p.m. “Saturday Night Line Dancing Party.” Brewery Ommegang, 656 County Highway 33, Cooperstown. (607) 5441800. LIVE MUSIC—7 p.m. “Liam Herbert: Solo Show.” Performance by actor, writer and musician. Fees apply. Dunderberg Gallery, 118 Marion Avenue, Gilbertsville. danielvelle@gmail.com. CONCERT—7:30 p.m.; doors open at 6:30 p.m. “String Theory.” Presented by the Catskill Symphony Orchestra. Discover the infinite colors hidden within stringed instruments. Tickets required. Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center, 24 Market Street, Oneonta. CONCERT—8 p.m. “Winter Concert Series: St. Patrick’s Day.” Presented by Doomsday Mechanics. No cover charge. Richfield Bowl-ARama, 20 Bronner Street, Richfield Springs. (315) 858-2695.
►Sun., March 15 SUGARING OFF SUNDAYS—8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Featuring a pancake breakfast, activities, demonstrations of maple syrup making and more. Fees apply. Fenimore Farm and Country Village, 5775 State Highway 80, Cooperstown. (607) 5471450. WORKSHOP—11 a.m. to 1 p.m. “Irish Soda Bread with Jen.” Fees apply; registration required. Main View Gallery and Studios, 77 Main Street, Oneonta. (607) 4321890. CASUAL TEA HOUR— 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Held Sundays. The Sugar Beat, 281 Main Street, Oneonta. (607) 2674374. MEDITATION—11 a.m. “Sundays at Samye: A Morning of Practice and Study.” Meditation, study and discussion. Samye New York, 412 Glimmerglen Road, Cooperstown. (607) 547-5051. LIVE MUSIC—1-3 p.m. “Sunday Sessions with Chris Riffle.” The Gatehouse, 129 Main Street, Morris. (607) 285-4111. CONCERT—2 p.m. “Chaga Man Stan’s 5 Peace Band.” Jazz standards, honky-tonk, blues
and more. Admission by free-will offering. All ages welcome. Cash bar for ages 21+. The Loft, Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center, 24 Market Street, Oneonta. (607) 431-2080. CONCERT—3 p.m. Dorian Wind Quintet. Presented by the Oneonta Concert Association. Tickets required. First United Methodist Church, 66 Chestnut Street, Oneonta. (607) 267-6968.
►Mon., March 16 STORY TIME— 9:30 a.m. Staff share stories, activities and play. Held Mondays through Thursdays. Huntington Memorial Library, 62 Chestnut Street, Oneonta. (607) 432-1980. ADULT EDUCATION— 10-11:30 a.m. “Utqiaġvik, Point Barrow, and the Inupiaq People.” Presented by Charles Hartley. Fees apply; registration required. Center for Continuing Adult Learning, 31 Maple Street, Oneonta. (607) 441-7370. CONNECTIONS— 10:15 a.m. to noon. Chess with Pete Mateunas. Learn the game in a one-on-one setting. Held at 10:15 a.m. each Monday. Connections at Clark Sports Center, 124 County Highway 52, Cooperstown. connectionsatcsc@gmail.com. CONNECTIONS— 11 a.m. Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support group. Connections at Clark Sports Center, 124 County Highway 52, Cooperstown. connectionsatcsc@gmail. com. SENIOR MEALS—Seniors are invited to enjoy a delicious meal MondayFriday. Suggested donation is $4 for seniors, $11 for guests accompanying a senior. Today, enjoy a lunch of coconut curry chicken, noodles, broccoli and tropical fruit. (607) 547-6454. • 11:30 a.m. Each Monday-Friday. Nader Towers Housing, 2 Mitchell Street, Oneonta. • Noon. Each Monday and Wednesday. Cherry Valley Facilities Corporation Café, 2 Genesee Street, Cherry Valley. CONNECTIONS—Noon to 12:45 p.m. Tech Support with Eric. Reservations requested. Connections at Clark Sports Center, 124 County Highway 52, Cooperstown. connectionsatcsc@gmail. com. WORKSHOP—3 p.m. “Scams 101: Are You Prepared?” Free; registration required. Presented via Zoom by the Otsego County Office for the Aging. (607) 547-4232. ART—5:30 p.m. Community Painting Class. Fees apply; registration required. Gym, Pathfinder Village, 3 Chenango Road, Edmeston. (607) 965-8377 ext. 147. COOKBOOK CLUB— 6 p.m. Edmeston Free Library, 26 East Street, Edmeston. (607) 9658208.
►Tues., March 17 ST. PATRICK’S DAY COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS—8-9 a.m. Local community members gather to chat about what’s happening around Oneonta. Held each Tuesday. Green Earth Health Market, 4 Market Street, Oneonta. (607) 432-6600. COMMUNITY HIKE— 9:45 a.m. Hike with the Susquehanna Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club. Bring appropriate equipment/water and be aware of your level of fitness. This week’s hike will be at Catskill Scenic Rail Trail, 47 Railroad Avenue, Stamford. (607) 431-8010.
►Visit allotsego.com/ otsego-county-events-calendar/ for the full calendar