Letter from Hanna Joy Bauer

Changes Would Undermine Law

Supporting our veterans and changing the sign law are two separate issues, and I believe it’s essential to treat them as such. As a trustee on the Cooperstown Village Board, I am writing to share my thinking behind my decision to vote against amending the village sign law to allow for banners to be hung on utility poles in the Village of Cooperstown. This decision is rooted in careful consideration of our longstanding village values, legal responsibilities, and the need for sustainable ways to honor our veterans. It was made after months of public debate, research, letters, input from the community, and examining all sides of the issue.

I, along with my fellow board members, have received some very hateful comments about not supporting the veterans and having a lack of patriotism. That is just not the case, at least for me personally. I have deep respect for veterans, including those in my own family: my father, uncles, and grandfather all served in the U.S. Navy, and my uncle and cousins served in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Voting against amending the sign law is not a vote against honoring veterans. I wish this could be understood as two separate conversations.

At multiple points during this debate, we proposed alternative ways to honor our veterans: solutions including a permanent memorial, plaques, pavers, or dedicated public spaces to offer lasting and meaningful recognition. When these alternatives were suggested, the response was, “But that is not what we want.”

Our responsibility as trustees is to honor and protect the village in a way that benefits our community and its veterans in an enduring, sustainable way. I respectfully question whether a temporary plastic banner truly reflects the respect our veterans deserve, especially when it is subject to wear and tear over time.

The Village of Cooperstown’s sign law, in place since at least the 1970s, is unique among small communities for its commitment to preserving Cooperstown’s distinct character and sense of place. This law aims to maintain the charm and individuality that sets Cooperstown apart, and it has the backing of our Planning Board and several past board members and committee chairs.

Amending the law, in this case, would undermine its purpose, which is to prevent our village from becoming “like everywhere else,” and personally, I feel that is a good thing. Cooperstown’s unique historic charm is what draws people to live, work and visit.

Additionally, there are legal implications to consider. Making an exception for one cause—no matter how worthy—opens the door to many others, leading us down a slippery slope that could jeopardize First Amendment rights. By law, any nonprofit group would have to be allowed the same privileges, and the amendment could not legally be restricted solely to veterans’ organizations.

Another critical factor is that amending this law would grant partial control to NYSEG. While NYSEG’s current rules are known to us, those rules could change at any time, putting future decisions regarding our village’s aesthetics into the hands of an outside corporation, beyond our local control.

Cooperstown is not just a local community—it is a destination for tourists as well as thousands of employees, and patients of Bassett Hospital. The unique charm that draws people here could lead to a high demand for banner placements by those who feel a connection to the village.

Without clear criteria on who qualifies for a banner and where they could be displayed, we would face difficult, potentially contentious decisions.

As a Tree City, many of our utility poles have limited visibility due to the natural tree cover.

Banners in these areas would have little visibility, rendering the project less impactful and potentially more frustrating for those who wish to honor loved ones.

Moving forward, I would love to see a more sustainable and fitting way to honor our veterans that aligns with Cooperstown’s unique character. Permanent memorials, plaques, pavers or a dedicated space could serve as enduring tributes that reflect our community’s appreciation and respect in a way that truly lasts. I am committed to exploring these options with our community to ensure our veterans are honored in a manner worthy of their service and our village’s distinct sense of place.

Hanna Joy Bauer
Village of Cooperstown Trustee