from ADRIAN KUZMINSKI Don’t ‘Abolish’ Otsego Now, But Consider Broader Council To the Editor: I am privileged to be a columnist for this newspaper. Readers ought to be aware, however, that editors, not authors, choose the titles for op-eds, letters, and columns. My last column was misleadingly titled “Abolish Otsego Now.” That suggests shutting down Otsego Now, and everything it does. I advocated instead that its functions be included in a much broader Economic Development Council. The Editor also paired…
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Opinion - Page 233
EDITORIAL Boys, Welcome To Baseball Mecca – Have A Joint The other day in downtown Cooperstown, a kitchen worker stepped out onto Main Street’s sidewalk in the middle of the day, lit a joint, took a few tokes and went back to work. You might think, get used to it. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Legalization of marijuana, which the ascendant Democratic majorities in the state Legislature and Governor Cuomo expected to become law in January, has foundered…
from TONY KROKER Face It: New Jobs Will Require Energy To the Editor: My wife and I recently moved to the area (my wife was born in Cooperstown) and I have been reading with interest the conflict about economic development that is being shaped in large part by Otsego Now! and Otsego 2000. I was also born in Upstate New York near Syracuse and have witnessed firsthand how cities and towns across Upstate were left gutted when industry moved out or…
COLUMN Help On Way For Small-Forest Owners By MIKE ZAGATA • Hometown Oneonta & The Freeman’s Journal New York’s 19 million acres of forests provide wood-fiber for the state’s $16 billion wood products industry – it’s larger than Maine’s, but we don’t often think of New York as being a leader in wood products. Our forests also provide habitats for wildlife, clean air, clean water, Carbon sequestration and aesthetic enjoyment. In fact, interest in wildlife is the number one reason…
from HILDA WILCOX Democracy Requires Honest Views Vigorously Expressed To the Editor: Having just finished reading this week’s Freeman’s Journal, my husband and I are elated by the free exchange of well-informed opinions and rigorous arguments we found on those pages. The health of our democracy is dependent on such unafraid, intelligent exchanges. We say “hip, hip, hurrah!” to our editor Jim Kevlin for his editorial and to Topher Hammond and Mike Stein for their vigorously free and honest letters…
from STACEY SMITH Despite Setback, Focused Food Pantry In Strong Financial Shape To the Editor: The Cooperstown Food Pantry serves more than 200 families a month, averaging 800 people. With over 100 volunteers and one full time Director, we are committed to serving those who face food insecurity and are in need. Recently, during routine cost evaluations, we discovered that fraudulent financial activities had been engaged in by a staff volunteer. Thankfully our financial checks caught the issue. This led to an investigation by the District Attorney’s office.…
COLUMN • MONEY MATTERS Let’s Build Great Future On Great Past By TOM MORGAN • Hometown Oneonta & The Freeman’s Journal Was America ever great? Former Attorney General Eric Holder poses the question. “Exactly when did you think America was great?” He competes with Governor Cuomo. Cuomo told us “We’re not going to make America great again. It was never that great.” Let us look at that question. But first, let us admit these politicians are simply trying to dilute…
from ALBERT COLONE City of Oneonta’s Misfortune Also A Drag On Town, County To the Editor: The City of Oneonta has been designated the fifth poorest city in New York State! It’s a real depressing condition that has gradually emerged over a couple of generation. Though the city is not alone in local poverty, likewise families within the entire surrounding area have been on a sinking ship into poverty, too – when in fact we should be one of the…
from JAN MULROY Need For Jobs Shouldn’t Rule Out Scrutiny To the Editor: Recently, it was reported that the generic environmental impact statement (GEIS) for the Oneonta Railyard Project has “generated opposition from Otsego 2000.” I know for sure that Otsego 2000 is not the only group that has provided comments to the Oneonta Common Council regarding the GEIS. These comments by so many, should not be construed as opposition to creating jobs in the City of Oneonta. These comments…
from ELLEN POPE Inflammatory View Doesn’t Deserve Reply To the Editor: As our phone conversation Friday made clear that the inflammatory editorial in last week’s paper regarding Otsego 2000 was published to stir up controversy and generate sales, we respectfully decline to respond in these pages. If anyone would like to learn more about what Otsego 2000 stands for, please visit www.otsego2000.org, follow us on Facebook, or give us a call at 547-8881. ELLEN POPE Executive Director, Otsego 2000 Cooperstown…