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ON ALLOTSEGO: FRAZIER REELECTED BOARD CHAIR, WILSON reappointeD VISIT www.ALLOTSEGO.com, OTSEGO COUNTY’S NEWSPAPER/ONLINE Volume 218, No. 3
Cooperstown, New York, Thursday, January 15, 2026
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COOPERSTOWN ccording to a press release issued on Monday, January 12, Bassett Healthcare Network reports that its operational performance has significantly improved, with a projected positive margin for the fiscal year ending on December 31, 2025. Put in context of recent fiscal years, officials said this represents a “remarkable turnaround.” In 2023, the organization had a negative margin of about $60 million and, in 2024, a negative margin of about $55 million. Staci Thompson, MHA, FACMPE, president and chief execu-
tive officer of Bassett Healthcare Network, attributes the reported financial turnaround to initiatives launched in 2024 to stabilize the organization’s financial performance and operations. “I am so proud of the hard work of so many here at Bassett who have made these improvements possible. That includes literally thousands of people—practitioners, clinical chiefs, staff of every description and the executive leadership team. It’s been quite a feat, and it wasn’t easy,” said Thompson. “While we know Bassett, Continued on page 2
Sheriff’s Office Called to Hartwick Meeting in First 10 Minutes Town Board Manages To Pull It Together, Completes Hourslong Organization Meeting By ERIC SANTOMAUROSTENZEL
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HARTWICK he Town of Hartwick’s town board organizational meeting the night of Monday, January 12 barely made it past the pledge of allegiance without incident. After a visit from two Otsego County Sheriff’s Office patrol vehicles with deputies speaking to opposing factions, the meeting proceeded with only a few raised voices over the following three hours, successfully completing the must-do organizational meeting for various proceINSIDE ► coopERSTOWN ICE protest, page 3 ► county reps on ice, page 3 ► your views, not ours, page 4 ► Oh, deer, page 4 ► Lots o’ letters, pages 4, 7 and 8 ► concerts coming up, page 5 ► NEWS IN BRIEF, page 6 ► TIME OUT OTSEGO CALENDAR, page 10 Follow Breaking News On
dures, contracts and appointments. AllOtsego was not able to independently verify allegations made by Hartwick officials in this article by press time. Newly-elected Town Supervisor Cody Moore, who ran on the Republican and Hartwick United lines on a platform of bringing civility back to Hartwick government, began the meeting with a statement requesting that “the materials and the keys from the supervisor’s office be returned within 24 hours, and that access to the office and its files be restored immediately. “Our town records do not belong to one indi-
vidual. They belong to the people of Hartwick,” Moore said. In an interview after the meeting, Moore said she had not had access to those items since the start of her term at the beginning of the year. As Moore proceeded to the next agenda item, public comment, Councilmember Tom Murphy jumped in. “Point of order, supervisor,” Murphy said. “You had your comment, but I Photo by Eric Santomauro-Stenzel see no comments for the Hartwick Town Supervisor Cody Moore, right, and then-soon-to-be Deputy Supervisor other councilmembers.” Chris Briggs, left, speak with Otsego County deputy sheriffs. “Not today. I make the “I will postpone the after you,” Murphy said, agenda,” Moore replied. times shouting. “How do you want meeting,” Moore said. saying that had been The two continued to “This is not right permitted the prior two go back and forth about to stop me?” Murphy that I don’t get to speak Continued on page 2 the issue, with Murphy at asked.
Devlin Officially Announces Sheriff Reelection Campaign By ERIC SANTOMAUROSTENZEL
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MILFORD tsego County Sheriff Richard J. Devlin Jr. officially announced his reelection campaign for a sixth term on Wednesday, January 7. The Republican longtime head of the Sheriff’s Office was first elected in 2006. “Albany continues to pass laws that favor criminals over lawabiding citizens,” Devlin said in a press release. “Here in Otsego County,
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OTSEGO COUNTY SHERIFF RICHARD J. DEVLIN JR.
our Sheriff’s Office has helped keep our communities among the safest places in New York to live, work and raise a
family.” According to the release, Devlin has 36 total years of law enforcement experience. Devlin touted the creation of the Offender Watch to monitor registered sex offenders; VINE, a victim-notification system; CHILDSAFE, a gun-lock distribution program; and Operation Safe Child, which supports child identification and protection. Devlin also launched the Otsego County Sheriff’s App. He helped to establish an Animal Cruelty Registry known as
Oscar’s Law with county board support. The Sheriff’s Office has also grown its presence on social media under Devlin’s tenure. Followed by more than 21,000 accounts on Facebook, the office regularly posts mugshots of accused criminals and incident reports, weather alerts, hiring and promotion details, and other office updates. Devlin recently signed a 287(g) agreement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement to train five jail supervisors to serve administrative
immigration warrants in the county jail. He also recently launched a oneSaturday-a-month pistol permit service. “With nearly four decades in law enforcement, my focus has always been the same: protect our residents, support our businesses and schools, and run an effective, efficient, and well-trained Sheriff’s Office,” Devlin said. “There is more work to do and I’m ready to keep fighting for the safety and security of the residents of Otsego County.” Continued on page 2
THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA, OTSEGO COUNTY’S AWARD-WINNING WEEKLIES 2010 WINNERS OF The Otsego County Chamber/KEY BANK SMALL BUSINESS AWARD