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Cooperstown’s offiCial newspaper
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founded in 1808
news from cooperstown central school students, page 7 VISIT www.ALLOTSEGO.com, OTSEGO COUNTY’S NEWSPAPER/ONLINE Volume 218, No. 20
Cooperstown, New York, Thursday, May 14, 2026
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Board Reviews Ag District, Lauds Retirees By BILL BELLEN
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OTSEGO COUNTY ollowing brief special meetings of the Public Works and Administration committees, the May 6 session of the Otsego County Board of Representatives began with a public hearing on the eight-year review of Agricultural District #1. Agricultural districts offer property owners with agriculturally viable land potential tax benefits and promote the land’s continued use for farming or its preservation for potential future use. The review found that Agricultural District #1—which contains all agricultural parcels in Otsego County—currently contains roughly
188,864 acres. During the eight-year review, there were requests from seven land owners of 14 parcels to add 399.93 acres to the district, while 33 land owners of 36 parcels requested to remove 581.73 acres. During the annual 30-day open enrollment period for landowners to request inclusion in the district, five land owners of 14 parcels requested 570.57 acres of land to be added. With this information shared and no public comments to be heard, the hearing was closed. Personnel Officer Penney Gentile congratulated three new county retirees, beginning with James McGregor, who worked in the highway department for 21-and-ahalf years. Though not present, Martha Quackenbush Continued on page 11
Supporters of Fired Coach Challenge Board at Heated Meeting Wadnola. “I am also here to respectfully advocate for a fair and thorough RICHFIELD SPRINGS process as any concerns and allegations ensions were bubbling at a are reviewed.” Richfield Springs Central Supporters alleged that a player School District Board of award decision and parents’ complaints, Education meeting last Wednesday, including false allegations, were part of May 6. Supporters of coach Chris the reason for Chris Butler being let Butler showed up in force to oppose go. Other allegations included favorthe district’s decisions to remove him itism, nepotism and that he had been from coaching roles, first as a volunteer criticized for “embarrassing” a player assistant softball coach and now also as in comments about their performance. a modified baseball coach. District offiTying supporters together was a demand cials declined to specify the reason for for the district to provide an explanahis termination, citing personnel issue tion for the decisions, potentially in Photo by Eric Santomauro-Stenzel school board executive session just to confidentiality. AllOtsego was not able to indepen- Dozens attended the Richfield Springs Central School Board of Education meeting on May Butler himself. dently verify the circumstances leading 6 to demand an explanation for the firing of longtime coach Chris Butler. Responding to public commenters’ division of the community as a whole,” Toni Butler to the end of Butler’s coaching for the demands to receive an explanation, said, demanding an explanation for the decisions. district. School Board President Nancy Duevel said, “I know The saga has been escalating for more than a you don’t want to hear it, but I’m sorry, under the “We stand here tonight angry, disappointed and demanding answers,” Toni Butler said into the micro- month, playing out online, at board meetings and on law, we cannot discuss matters which are intended— the field. Many relationships have been strained in the which the law says we must keep confidential.” phone, husband Chris Butler sitting feet away. Around a dozen people wearing matching T-shirts small community, and law enforcement has at times “Much of what is being claimed by the public is supporting the 40-plus-year coach sat in the rows been involved to mediate and prevent disputes. not accurate,” Superintendent Tom Piatti said in an “As an administrator, if I were to evaluate Mr. interview after the meeting. “And unfortunately, I’m behind him. “You may avoid questions tonight, but you cannot Butler, I would rate him highly effective,” said not able to publicly respond to that,” he said, citing Continued on page 9 avoid the loss of trust your silence has created and the former dean of students, teacher and coach F.J. By ERIC SANTOMAURO-STENZEL
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INSIDE
► 18th-century morris, page 2
Memorial Marker Honors Revolutionary War Soldier By ERIC SANTOMAURO-STENZEL
► one store to serve them all? page 2
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► hernandez on his candidacy, page 3 ► let the ‘sun’ shine in, page 4 ► BOE HOPEFULS ask for support, page 4 ► area happenings in brief, page 6 ► kuzminski talks impeachment, page 9 Follow Breaking News On
Photo by Eric Santomauro-Stenzel
Around a dozen locals braved the rain to unveil a memorial marker to honor Revolutionary War veteran John Davidson on May 9. L-R: Sue Drake (marker is on her son’s property), Deb Mackenzie (former county historian), Ellen Tillapaugh (mayor, Village of Cooperstown), Peter Sheppard (president, Oriskany Battle Chapter Sons of the American Revolution).
COOPERSTOWN ust in time for America250, a new memorial marker at the intersection of Red House Hill Road and State Highway 80 honors Private John Davidson, whose gravesite is in the nearby Hickory Grove Cemetery. The marker was arranged by the William G. Pomeroy Foundation with assistance from the Empire State Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, according to a press release for the event. “These patriot burial markers are part of our commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution,” Peter Sheppard, the president of the Oriskany Battle Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, said in a speech. “Through this program, the Empire State SAR along with the William G. Pomeroy Foundation work to ensure that the Revolutionary War patriots buried here in New York are never forgotten.” Around a dozen locals braved the rainy day to mark the occasion, hearing speeches on Davidson’s life and the enduring impact of the American Revolution. Davidson, whose name is also spelled other Continued on page 9
THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA, OTSEGO COUNTY’S AWARD-WINNING WEEKLIES 2010 WINNERS OF The Otsego County Chamber/KEY BANK SMALL BUSINESS AWARD
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