Editorial Water Worries With the exception of the boisterous and breezy thunderstorm that ran through here last Friday, Otsego County has had little to no rain for the last several weeks, a relatively new problem for us here in what has long been touted as one of the wettest counties in the state. Though the storm was occasionally scary—downing trees, exuding earsplitting thunder and bursting with lightning—it was welcome, as our bright lime spring fields and meadows were on the…
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Opinion - Page 59
Bound Volumes June 8,, 2023 210 YEARS AGOAmong the ten provisions of a village ordinance adopted on May 21, 1813 is the following: And be it further ordained, that the owner of every dwelling, house, office, shop or store, shall provide on or before the first day of October next, (under the penalty of one dollar for neglect or refusal so to do,) one leather fire bucket, for every two fire places in each and every dwelling house, office, shop…
Hometown History June 8, 2023 135 YEARS AGOAn ingenious contrivance for recording the time of employees is being tested at the railroad blacksmith shop. It is an invention of Mr. Bundy of Auburn, brother of postmaster H.E. Bundy of Oneonta, and is in the form of a clock. Each employee is provided with a numbered key and when going to work must step up to the clock-like arrangement and insert the key and give it a turn. If this is…
Hometown History June 1, 2023 135 Years AgoA letter to an editor: Woman’s True Rights – I will take “Woman’s Rights” for my subject. I am in favor of what I call woman’s rights, but am not in favor of voting. Think that woman’s rights is to take proper care of the household; to see that everything is in readiness for her lord and master and for his enjoyment. But as to woman going to the polls on Election Day…
The Partial Observer by Maureen Dill Smart Meters Coming Soon, But Are They Safe? Most homeowners are familiar with the analog meters provided by utility companies, read monthly or bi-monthly by an employee of the company. Smart meters, on the other hand, are two-way communication devices that use technology—radiofrequency waves, a form of electromagnetic radiation energy—to transmit energy consumption data to a central computer at the utility company. According to NYSEG, smart meters will roll out here in our county…
News from the Noteworthy by LEAF Ongoing Conversation About Substance Use Important If you are a parent and have had to make a decision about how to have “the talk,” you are certainly not alone. Thankfully, there is good news. In spite of the all of the eyerolls, heavy sighs, and shoulder shrugs, the research tells us that you, the parent, have the biggest voice in the life your child. So much so that kids who hear from their parents…
Editorial On Being Polite Since the pandemic, and probably a bit before it, our once-comfortable world has been in a constant state of change. For some of us this is a very good thing; for others, possibly those of an older vintage, such changes are at times more difficult to understand. In the end, though, change is a good thing. It means we are learning, growing, improving and, at the very least, thinking, although we may not particularly agree with…
Letter from Mary Anne Whelan State of Emergency or Xenophobia? The last two issues of “The Freeman’s Journal” have covered David Bliss’ proposed strategies for, in effect, defending ourselves from any proposed influx of immigrants. While it is understandable to raise concerns about a housing shortage as a rationale for this, there is also a flavor of Trump-style xenophobia and a lack of any proposed humane solution to an urgent human problem.…
Bound Volumes June 1, 2023. 210 YEARS AGOAmong the ten provisions of a village ordinance adopted on May 21, 1813 is the following: Be it ordained by the Trustees of the Village of Cooperstown, that one-fifth part of the street on each side thereof be appropriated for sidewalks, and that no person shall lay or deposit, or leave any wood, timber, wagon, cart, sleigh, wheel-barrow, or other obstruction whatever, in or upon the said sidewalks, under the penalty of fifty…
Bassett at 100 by Dr. Tommy Ibrahim How Bassett Will Survive and Thrive Dear Friends, Neighbors and Colleagues, As you are almost certainly aware, these are difficult times for health systems nationwide. For over a decade there has been a growing shortage of medical caregivers. Due to burnout following the COVID-19 pandemic, even more people have left clinical professions, and this is now a dire situation. The shortage is national and is especially pronounced in rural areas. The need for…
