COOP M IA
1808 BY
DG
E WIL
L
Cooperstown’s offiCial newspaper
JU
E
OUNDED
IN
R
•F
founded in 1808
inside: heritage businesses; On allotsego.com: government shutdown VISIT www.ALLOTSEGO.com, OTSEGO COUNTY’S NEWSPAPER/ONLINE Volume 217, No. 41
Cooperstown, New York, Thursday, October 9, 2025
Newsstand Price $1
Board Discusses County and State Finances, Development, Government Transparency
ET!! EST BUFF
B
By BILL BELLEN
S
OTSEGO COUNTY hortly before the Wednesday, October 1 meeting of the Otsego County Board of Representatives, the Public Safety and Legal Affairs Committee convened for a brief meeting of its own. Otsego County Sheriff Richard J. Devlin Jr. used this time to request approval to contract with
-1782 607-432 q.com b brooksb
CFG Health in New Jersey to supply jail medical services for the county. The proposal included a threeyear contract with a year one price of $777,262.00. Committee Chair Daniel Wilber said the contract had been talked about extensively already, and the proposal was subsequently passed. Devlin noted it will save the county about $150,000.00 over an unspecified time period. Chairman Edwin Frazier Jr.
began the first public hearing of the morning shortly thereafter, regarding an additional mortgage tax for Otsego County. As no one stood to address the board, this hearing was adjourned. The board then transitioned to a second public hearing on a proposed “local law to override the tax levy limit established in general municipal law 3C.” Once more, no audience members spoke, and so the Continued on page 13
Senator Oberacker Announces Run for Congress in New York-19 2024. In a closely divided Congress, the district has maintained national attention and SCHENEVUS will likely draw millions of dollars of out-oftate Senator Peter Oberacker, a district investment on both sides. Republican, announced his candiOberacker’s first elected office was as a dacy for the hotly contested 19th New Maryland Town Board member, followed by York Congressional District the morning of two terms as the town’s supervisor. He won Monday, September 6 at the Schenevus fire the 51st State Senate district in 2020, and station. He is challenging incumbent Rep. re-election in 2022 and 2024. The district Josh Riley, a Democrat. Oberacker is the first includes all of Otsego, Delaware, Schoharie, major challenger to declare their candidacy. and Sullivan counties, and some of Broome, After being introduced by New York State Chenango, and Ulster counties. He currently Assemblyman Chris Tague, Oberacker told serves as the ranking member for the State the around 30 assembled supporters he made Senate’s Transportation and Alcoholism the decision to run after consulting his family, and Substance Use Disorders standing who he thanked. committees. “There really are two things you should “Every step of the way,” Oberacker said, never see being made: laws and sausage,” he was focused on “serving the people, not Oberacker said. “And I do know both,” he political insiders, not special interests, and added, referencing his father’s business as a not career bureaucrats.” He said he “fought sausage maker. to protect taxpayers and stop Albany from Photo by Eric Santomauro-Stenzel making their lives less affordable.” Oberacker described his story as being the American Dream, “growing up and learning State Senator Peter Oberacker launched his congressional campaign at the Oberacker emphasized his opposition to the values of hard work and dedication, as I fire station in Schenevus, before heading to other events in Delhi and Mon- New York’s bail reform law, and opposition ticello. did from my father, the story of my mother to utility rate hikes “even when my party told The 19th District, stretching from the Ithaca area instilling in me a sense of community and me not to.” He also highlighted his advocacy service.” Oberacker’s mother was also a local elected to the Massachusetts border and containing Otsego for whole milk to be in schools, and against “the County, was decided by less than 10,000 votes in official. Continued on page 6 ERIC SANTOMAURO-STENZEL
S
INSIDE ► gilbertsville bridge down, page 3 ► SETTING EXPECTATIONS, page 4 ► how you can help, page 5 ► arc otsego wins award, page 7 ► hartwick supervisor Q&A, page 8 ► SPLASH PAD FUND DRIVE UNDERWAY, page 9 ► ONEONTA MAYORAL Q&A, page 14 ► CALENDAR, page 16 Follow Breaking News On
‘Sandy’ Huntington Honored At Pine Lake Memorial By MARIA GRISWOLD
O
DAVENPORT n Saturday, September 20, a memorial service was held in honor of Hartwick Professor Emeritus C.W. “Sandy” Huntington. The service took place at the Strawbale House, where Hartwick faculty and alumni dedicated a plaque to Huntington for his leadership in building the Strawbale House and Cob House. The Strawbale House was constructed by students, volunteers and local builders as part of a course taught by Huntington, titled “Architecture of the Sacred.” This course was
Photo by Maria Griswold
Elizabeth Huntington, accompanied by host Joe Ficano, shares reflections on Sandy’s life with those gathered for the memorial service.
a religious studies class offered at Hartwick from 2000-2004,
aiming to help students understand the sacred aspects of
architecture in other cultures. Construction on the Strawbale House began in 2000, and was completed in 2002. The house was built using straw in order to sustainably insulate the structure. Huntington was born on February 24, 1949. He grew up in East Lansing, Michigan, and attended Michigan State University. Post-graduation, he traveled to Norway, where his passion for literature and language was born. He found a focus in Buddhist studies, and earned his PhD. Huntington later spent four years in India with his wife, Elizabeth, for part of his graduate training, where Continued on page 6
THE FREEMAN’S JOURNAL & HOMETOWN ONEONTA, OTSEGO COUNTY’S AWARD-WINNING WEEKLIES 2010 WINNERS OF The Otsego County Chamber/KEY BANK SMALL BUSINESS AWARD WEEKEND HIGHLIGHTS Kiddie Tractor Pull Saturday | 2pm *signups begin at 1pm
October 11 - 12, 2025 10am - 4pm Thank you to the Central New York Antique Engine Club, Tired Iron of the Butternut Valley and the Franklin Doodlebug Club!
Tractor Parade Sunday | Noon Kids events, 60+ tractors and machines, demonstrations, games and more!
fenimorefarm.org