The Freeman's Journal 12-11-25

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Cooperstown’s offiCial newspaper

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founded in 1808

actors sought for local film ‘ratsbane,’ page 2 VISIT www.ALLOTSEGO.com, OTSEGO COUNTY’S NEWSPAPER/ONLINE Volume 217, No. 49

Cooperstown, New York, Thursday, December 11, 2025

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Ed Frazier Is New Head of Otsego GOP By ERIC SANTOMAURO-STENZEL

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OTSEGO COUNTY he Otsego County Republican Committee has a new chairman: Otsego County Board of Representatives Chair Ed Frazier. He takes over from Daniel Koerner, who when he began in 2023, was the youngest party chair in New York State. Frazier told AllOtsego that Koerner and State Senator and congressional candidate Peter Oberacker approached him to request he take over the role. “I think it was like six weeks before the election,” Frazier said. He recalls asking, “How can I help?” “I served with Ed on the county board and have worked closely with him as senator,” Oberacker said in a statement.

“There’s no one more dedicated to serving our communities or more committed to doing the job the right way. “We are fortunate to have Ed Frazier leading our Republican team and I’m confident he’ll help guide us into a stronger future for Otsego County,” Oberacker said. Frazier, a longtime member of the Board of Representatives, takes on the role shortly after the party narrowly held the body in November elections. Another big election comes in 2026, with both a hotly-contested congressional election for NY-19 and local elections, which were recently moved to even years. Every two years, county and state parties elect new leaders. Koerner also recently departed his role working for Oberacker’s senate office. He did not respond to requests for comment.

Board Proceeds with NY Forward Projects, Seeks Route 28 Speed Limit Decrease By ERIC SANTOMAUROSTENZEL

COOPERSTOWN t the November 17 Village of Cooperstown Board of Trustees meeting, officials focused on several parking and traffic issues. The board voted to express its intention to sign a project proposal from the company Passero under the NY Forward grant for $220,800.00. The project includes pedestrian and ADA enhancements in downtown Cooperstown. Passero’s project proposal included improving access and circulation on Fowler Way, building sidewalks on Grove Street, a pedestrian redesign on Hoffman Lane, and improving pedestrian conditions on Pioneer Alley with pavers. The board also voted to send INSIDE ► DEMS file complaint about gop ad, page 2 ► otsego county board meeting recap, page 3 ► ccs should have done more, page 4 ► ice agreement meets with criticism, page 4 ► mohawk valley? buzz thinks not, page 6 ► THE DOG CHARMER RETURNS, page 8 ► GREEN EARTH: A COMMUNITY HUB, page 9 ► THINGS TO DO, page 12 Follow Breaking News On

a letter to the New York State Department of Transportation requesting a decrease in speed limit for portions of State Route 28 South approaching the village. “The Board has received multiple concerns from residents and visitors regarding vehicle speeds in this area, particularly the section north of Linden Avenue,” the letter included in meeting documents reads in part. Deputy Mayor Cindy Falk reported that the cost to the village for trolleys would be increasing to around $20,000.00-$25,000.00 per year in a five-year contract, too high for the current budget. The board voted to inform the Otsego County government that the village would be unable to fund the increase. “I think we need to discuss, at some point further, whether

the village wants to continue the trolley under a shorter contract,” Falk said, “or whether we are interested in stepping away from that three-part arrangement we have with the county.” The board voted to go to bid for the South End project, a Chestnut Street water project. Trustees also voted to remove certain EV parking from near Doubleday Field and bus/RV parking from the nearby Fowler Lot. Officials had previously approved four new EV charging spaces in the Fowler Lot. The board set a public hearing for the next meeting, on Monday, December 15, to consider an amendment to Subdivision Law to abbreviate the process for minor property lot line changes. Officials also announced that Cooperstown Police hired a new part-time officer.

Photo by Carter Kegelman/NBHoF

Headed to the Hall COOPERSTOWN—Five-time All-Star and 2000 National League MVP Jeff Kent, pictured above at the Hall of Fame Classic at Doubleday Field in 2009, will be part of the induction Class of 2026. See page 7 for details.

Unatego Takes Top Prize in ‘Student Voices’ Contest By BILL BELLEN

ONEONTA onday, November 24 marked the culmination of the fourth annual “Student Voices, Student Choices” presentation competition. This event, organized by the Community Foundation of Otsego County, serves as an opportunity for students from across the county to engage in philanthropic projects in their respective communities. The event took place in Hartwick College’s Slade Photo by Erin Quirk Theater, where six teams of From left, Molly Tolson, Lucy Bailey, Natalia Barnes and Raegan Goodspeed took students from private and public schools gave 10top honors for Unatego Central School at the SVSC competition.

minute presentations on their projects and efforts to aid their communities. Beginning in 2022, this competition was open to all interested schools, though in a more simplistic fashion. “In the first year…they were asked to come up with a local issue, team up with a nonprofit, and make a presentation, and everyone would get funded at different levels,” explained CFOC Executive Director Jeff Katz. “The second year, we started doing a September orientation at Hartwick College to prepare the schools Continued on page 7

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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