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Cooperstown’s offiCial newspaper
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founded in 1808
State Comptroller Rep visits Otsego County, page 3 VISIT www.ALLOTSEGO.com, OTSEGO COUNTY’S NEWSPAPER/ONLINE Volume 217, No. 11
Cooperstown, New York, Thursday, March 13, 2025
Community Leaders:
Trustees Talk Fees, Possible Dog Park, Fairy Spring Plans
Lack of Affordable Housing a Barrier for Homelessness
By SARAH ROBERTS
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By CASSANDRA MILLER
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ONEONTA ore than 100 people attended a public information session on homelessness on Thursday, March 6 at Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center. Community leaders and service providers discussed challenges such as a lack of affordable housing, as well as current activities, including collaborative approaches to identifying and helping individuals. “I was really impressed with the event’s turnout and how positive it was; so many showed up from the community to learn together about homelessness in Oneonta,” said Oneonta Ward 1 Councilor Elayne Mosher Campoli, who serves on the Common Council’s Community Wellness Committee and the Greater Oneonta Homelessness Coalition. “I think it’s especially important for the public to know how hard our local nonprofits and other organizations are working to address homelessness, with limited and sometimes shrinking resources, and at the same time they are also collaborating to find longterm solutions that will be effective. The event was the third in a series of public forums organized by the City of Oneonta around topics related to the future of the city. The first focused on childcare and the second on downtown promotion and small-business collaboration. Panelists at the homelessness forum included Police Chief Chris Witzenburg, Family Services Association Executive Continued on page 8 INSIDE ► market street controversy continues, page 2
Photo by Gerry Raymonda
Guests enjoying the sea of daffodils at the 2024 Daffodil Jazz Brunch event.
Daffodil Brunch Set for April 19
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ONEONTA n Saturday, April 19, Tom Morgan and Erna Morgan McReynolds will once again host Helios Care’s annual Daffodil Jazz Brunch Fundraiser at their Franklin home. The couple, longtime Helios Care supporters, “graciously host this extraordinary event every year at their private residence, where there are thousands of blooming daffodils to greet each guest,” officials said in a press release. As a kick-off to the spring season, the Daffodil Brunch is a day of friends, food and flowers. Dee Smith Hazlett will cater the brunch, smooth jazz will be played by the Rob Hunt Trio, and Gerry Raymonda will take keepsake photos for each guest amidst the daffodils. There will also be a silent auction featuring unique items and adventures from local businesses. “Be sure to bid often and bid high,” organizers urge. This community-wide and family-friendly event is one of Helios Care’s main fundraisers and raises unrestricted funds for hospice and palliative care patients in Otsego, Delaware, and Schoharie counties. The outdoor event will be held, rain or shine, and registration is now open on the Helios Care website, helioscare.org/all-events/daffodil. There are two seatings for the Daffodil Brunch: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. or noon to 3 p.m. Single tickets are $70.00 and couple’s tickets are $130.00. Seating is limited.
COOPERSTOWN he latest monthly meeting of the Village of Cooperstown Board of Trustees was held on Monday, February 24. Over the course of the meeting, which began at 6 p.m. and ran for roughly two and a half hours, the six trustees and mayor discussed matters including upcoming special events in the village, changes to parking regulations, grants and project updates, plans for a potential new dog park, and the results of the Village Seal contest. Among the special events discussed was the Lakefront Park Concert Series, as well as waiving fees for outside dining applications from restaurants, with the outdoor dining period beginning May 15. Deputy Mayor Cindy Falk noted that this is a bit earlier than normal. “Some restaurants may want to start earlier if it’s nice out. Let’s hope so, after this winter,” joked Mayor Ellen Tillapaugh. Ye Old Bubble Tea was approved for vending during the concert series and the Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Weekend. A wedding ceremony was also approved for Lakefront Park. Falk suggested formalizing a fee structure for private events in the future. Nelson Mondaca was appointed to the village Planning Board as second alternate, and there was a prolonged discussion regarding adjustment of the zoning fee schedule and caps. There was discussion about prohibiting Continued on page 8
Seed Swap Promotes Gardening, Community Spirit By TERESA WINCHESTER
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OTEGO he weather outside was quite chilly on Saturday, March 8, never rising above the freezing point, but the ► ofo carries on atmosphere inside 354 Main—a longdespite government standing commercial building renovated uncertainties, page 5 and transformed by owner Bill Hovard into a shop, gallery, and small events center—was ► hellenthal sets new warm and friendly. Some 30 people showed swimming records, up for Hovard’s second annual “Seed Swap: page 6 Planting Seeds for Change!” event. ► act regulations make Hovard conceived of the swap as a way of no sense, page 9 promoting a more connected community. ► places to go and things “It’s really about sharing, another event to to do, page 10 bring the community together and support Follow Breaking News On each other, especially in these uncertain times,” Hovard said, noting that the event draws in a cross section of the community, bridging diverse factions that might not ► derosa tries to make sense of current events, page 4
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Photo by Teresa Winchester
Tony Pinotti, who contributed “Kentucky Wonder” bean seeds to the March 8 seed swap, chats with Greg Watson, who labels a package of seeds to give to his gardener wife.
otherwise be coming together. Hovard also said that many gardeners who collect seeds in the fall for planting in the spring wind up with more seeds than they need and that the swap gives people a chance to try new seeds. Besides providing an opportunity for exchanging seeds, the event also designated the Otego Community Food Pantry as the beneficiary of the donations placed in a large jar on the plenteous buffet table. Just over $300.00 was collected. The monies, Hovard said, will be specifically allocated to the food pantry’s birthday fund, which provides thoughtful gifts for the children and the elderly served by the food pantry. Food was provided by “Simply Jess,” an Otego bakery owned and operated by Jessie Wellman, and leftover food items were delivered immediately after the event to Continued on page 8
THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA, OTSEGO COUNTY’S AWARD-WINNING WEEKLIES 2010 WINNERS OF The Otsego County Chamber/KEY BANK SMALL BUSINESS AWARD