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on allotSEgo: Stefanik gubernatorial run; county rolls out clear plan program VISIT www.ALLOTSEGO.com, OTSEGO COUNTY’S NEWSPAPER/ONLINE Volume 217, No. 46
Cooperstown, New York, Thursday, November 13, 2025
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Board Honors Assistant EMS Coordinator, Discusses Tentative 2026 Budget Overview By BILL BELLEN
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OTSEGO COUNTY presentation by County Administrator Steve Wilson on the 2026 budget and recognition of EMS Coordinator Damon West were the highlights of discussion when the Otsego County Board of Representatives met on Wednesday, November 5. Before the regular session,
the Intergovernmental Affairs Committee convened for a brief special meeting to vote on Board of Elections Commissioner Michael Henrici’s request to approve overtime and compensatory pay for deputy election commissioners in accordance with state law. This request was approved and added as a late resolution to the consent agenda of the primary board meeting. Rep. Jennifer Mickle was absent
for the meeting. All other board members were present throughout the duration of the session. Edward Dawyot was the sole speaker to address the board during the privilege of the floor. He asked the county to find out information regarding the efficiency of windfarms, including a ratio of costs per kilowatt hour of energy they produce. Dawyot cited other energy Continued on page 10
Food Pantries See Increase in Use During Federal Shutdown By ERIC SANTOMAURO-STENZEL
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OTSEGO COUNTY he Cooperstown Food Pantry has reported its visitors have doubled over the last month. The Oneonta Salvation Army saw increases of use as much as a third. Already burdened by a cost of living crisis, the stoppage of SNAP benefits on November 1 as a result of the government shutdown has driven even further need for affordable groceries. “SNAP is a concern, but heat is also a major concern right now,” Cooperstown Food Pantry Executive Director Will Kleffner told AllOtsego. “Heat bills are rolling in and HEAP applications are not available right now in the government shutdown.” Millions across the country have been impacted by the shutdown and its corresponding stop in SNAP benefits as of November 1. Kleffner said some have driven to the Cooperstown pantry INSIDE ► GILBERTSVILLE VETS HONORED, page 2 ► Dems Gain Ground, page 2 ► FILM FESTIVAL GETTING UNDERWAY, page 3 ► ON JOURNALISTIC INTEGRITY, page 4 ► behind the scenes at suny show, page 4 ► NEW FIRE HOUSE: YES OR NO? page 6 ► CAFE COMING, page 9 ► CONCERNS ABOUT ECO-YOTTA, page 11 Follow Breaking News On
from as far as the Albany area to get help. Governor Kathy Hochul recently announced that New York State would be acting to fill the gaps. “New York State has issued full SNAP benefits to all eligible households,” read a November 10 statement on the state’s Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance website. “Those who expected to receive benefits yesterday and today have received them and were able to spend. Others will continue to receive their benefits throughout the week.” Otsego County Administrator Steve Wilson shared that the SNAP stoppage has had a “minimal impact so far and the Governor issued full SNAP benefits to recurring recipients beginning [Sunday] and expected to reach all recipients by Thursday.” He wrote that, “We have also been handing out pamphlets to clients listing all of the Continued on page 11
Photo by Eric Santomauro-Stenzel
Land of the Free and Home of the Brave COOPERSTOWN—Around 100 people braved the season’s first sticking snow on Tuesday, November 11 to celebrate Veterans Day in Cooperstown. Starting at the Veterans Club on Main Street, a parade of veterans, emergency vehicles and service people, and supporters marched to the World War I monument on Pine Boulevard. There, the crowd witnessed a musical performance, speeches, a gun salute and the retiring of an American flag. Veterans were then offered free lunch at the Vets Club. David Sanford is pictured in the foreground.
Keck Retires After Decades with Cooperstown Village By ERIC SANTOMAURO-STENZEL COOPERSTOWN lbert “Al” Keck has retired from the Village of Cooperstown after having served in several roles, most recently as village assessor. Village officials celebrated his service at a gathering before the regularly scheduled board meeting on October 27. “The people in the Village of Cooperstown are basically the most good-tempered, intelligent, hardworking people I’ve ever worked with in my life,” Keck, 82, told AllOtsego. “And that’s the truth in every administration. I would say that there were no slackers in any respect.” Keck got his start with the village in the early 2000s upon the recommendation of a friend who informed him there was an opening for a zoning enforcement officer.
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The Village of Cooperstown celebrated Al Keck’s service at a gathering before the regularly scheduled board meeting on October 27. Pictured from left are: Trustee Joe Membrino, Village Clerk Jenna Utter, Public Works Superintendent Mitch Hotaling, Al Keck, Mayor Ellen Tillapaugh, Trustee Audrey Porsche, Trustee Cindy Falk and Trustee George Fasanelli.
With his contracting background, Keck thought it was a good fit. He went on to
serve as assessor and watershed inspector. Continued on page 11
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