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Cooperstown’s offiCial newspaper
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founded in 1808
WISHING YOU AND YOURS A SAFE, HAPPY, AND HEALTHY THANKSGIVING! VISIT www.ALLOTSEGO.com, OTSEGO COUNTY’S NEWSPAPER/ONLINE Volume 217, No. 47
Cooperstown, New York, Thursday, November 20, 2025
Newsstand Price $1
Companies Consider Data Center for Oneonta Rail Yards; Idea Already Draws Opposition By ERIC SANTOMAURO-STENZEL
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ONEONTA wo companies have recently inquired about building a data center at the Oneonta Rail Yards in the City of Oneonta. Otsego Now, the county’s quasigovernmental umbrella development agency, owns most of the area property. One in-state and one out-of-state
company contacted the agency over the last two months, according to Otsego Now Chief Executive Officer Jody Zakrevsky. In an interview, he told AllOtsego he believes the loose project ideas are “not viable” due to the property’s current infrastructure. Zakrevsky said the two companies, which he was not at liberty to name at this point in the process, appeared to be shopping around for potential locations to build data centers.
At Otsego Now’s October 9 Projects Oversight Committee meeting, Zakrevsky requested a proposal be drafted for NYSEG to conduct a study on cost and power needs to “accommodate a data center” at the site, meeting minutes say. Zakrevsky told AllOtsego that the agency would be applying for a grant from New York State to cover the costs of the study. “I hope [the Continued on page 11
Fly Creek Fire Company Unveils New, ‘Lightly-used’ Fire Truck By ERIC SANTOMAUROSTENZEL
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FLY CREEK ozens of firefighters, their families, and other locals gathered at the Fly Creek fire station to welcome a newlypurchased, lightly-used fire truck on its journey back from an Illinois fire department on Wednesday, November 12. Officials said the new truck will bring more capacity and reliability—without requiring new expenses for taxpayers. “It’s gonna allow us to be able to respond without worrying about our trucks breaking down,” Chief Steven Baker told AllOtsego. “Anytime you can have a fleet that is operating without worries, it’s a benefit to our community.” “A new truck is anywhere INSIDE ► MAYOR-ELECT SHARES VISION, page 3
Photo by Eric Santomauro-Stenzel
The Fly Creek Fire Company welcomed its new fire truck with a traditional “wet-down” on November 12.
from $800,000.00 to a million dollars,” Baker continued. “So we purchased this truck for $390,000.00. “We’re just happy that commissioners were able to afford to pay for this truck. We didn’t have to finance it. We didn’t have to bill our taxpayers any more money,” Baker added. Nationally, new fire trucks are in short supply, with few suppliers to choose from. Many departments face yearslong waitlists for expensive trucks. First Assistant Chief Adam Kantor, who has been filling in for Baker since he had an offduty road accident, managed much of the process of identifying and purchasing the truck. He and another firefighter flew out to Illinois and drove the truck back. The fire company Continued on page 10
Angel Tree Program Celebrates Spirit of Christmas offices of “The Freeman’s Journal,” 21 Railroad Avenue, Cooperstown, or at the Salvation Army Chapel, 25 River Street, Oneonta. Questions? Call Santa’s elf Larissa at (607) 547-6103, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., or e-mail info@allotsego.com.
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OTSEGO COUNTY he Freeman’s Journal” and ► chamber honors award “Hometown Oneonta” winners, page 3 are partnering with The ► von stengel: Arts are Salvation Army again this year essential, page 5 to help ensure a joyful Christmas for area families through the ► holiday events and Angel Tree Program. other news, page 6 This tradition dates back to ► recycling program 1921 with the creation of The announced, page 9 Freeman’s Journal Christmas ► BERKSON: WINKIE’S Fund by Editor and Publisher STORY, page 12 Rowan D. Spraker Sr., as a way for neighbors to help others ► CCS VICTIM OF enjoy a happy holiday. CYBERCRIME, page 13 This is the 104th year of ► welcome home! page 13 this community tradition. The Follow Breaking News On Salvation Army has gathered the Christmas wish lists, grouped by family, as follows. You can help Santa, and be an angel, by
FAMILY #1
selecting a family to sponsor. Gifts should be both new and unwrapped (price tags removed, please), and received no later than Friday, December 5, to allow the elves time for wrapping and loading. Gifts may be dropped off at the
8-YEAR-OLD FEMALE Size: 10/12 Shoe size: 2 Likes or needs: makeup, drawing supplies, crafts 6-YEAR-OLD FEMALE Size: 7/8 Shoe size: 13 Likes or needs: Barbies, arts
and crafts, coloring 2-YEAR-OLD MALE Size: 2T Shoe size: 8 (toddler) Likes or needs: educational toys FAMILY #2 8-YEAR OLD MALE Size: 14/16 Shoe size: 6 Likes or needs: cars, board games, puzzles 7-YEAR-OLD FEMALE Size: 7/8 Shoe size: 1 Likes or needs: Barbies, baby dolls, games 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