Scriven Foundation underwrites nonprofit ‘mini-grants’ Underwriting from The Scriven Foundation allows the New York Council of Nonprofits (NYCON) to launch its 2022 Otsego County Mini-Grant Program, helping groups in the County improve governance and management of qualifying 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofits. “The foundation is proud to support this important program,” said Jane Forbes Clark, President of the Scriven Foundation. “We recognize how essential it is that our local nonprofits have access to high-quality advice and training as they seek to…
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The Freeman's Journal - Page 41
Editorial: “We’re following the science.” “Your call is very important to us. Please hold.” There’s one that’s hard to believe, particularly after you’ve been on hold for an hour with a faceless conglomerate whose digital operator’s repeated reassurance becomes more grating than helpful. “Thank you for your service.” A thoughtful and once-meaningful sentiment that recognizes our heroes who serve or have served our nation during war and peace. It keeps its intended depth on a one-to-one or small group setting,…
Letter: Farmers deserve a fair return Recent reports and letters that advocate for keeping the overtime pay threshold at 60 hours rather than reducing it to 40 present valid issues facing farmers today. Farmers struggle, caught between increasing costs and low income from processors who set the prices they will pay. Farming is a noble profession; farmers need and deserve to make a steady, predictable profit. Paying overtime at the 40-hour threshold will hurt farmers. Prices would need to rise…
Otsego Land Trust: A year-round commitment to nature The “Otsego Outdoors Winter Octet Challenge” continues into March and includes trails through Otsego Land Trust locations the group’s volunteers work to keep open throughout the year. Otsego Land Trust is a private, not-for-profit organization that works to preserve the distinctive rural character of the region by protecting working forests and farms, natural ecosystems, and scenic landscapes that define the county. Community volunteers, including the dozen members of the Trust’s board of…
The Driftwoods — Then and now and why John Thompson – he owns Advantage Maytag in Oneonta with his father-in-law, John Elderkin – and I have been best friends for nearly five decades now. We first met as fellow percussionists in the Cooperstown Central high school band when he transferred in from Milford and announced upon arrival that he had been drumming in his dad’s band since he was 11 years old. Probably not the best way to ingratiate yourself…
State Police recruitment tests underway New York State Police Troop C Major Jeffrey VanAuken put out the call last week announcing the law enforcement agency’s recruitment drive seeking candidates for what he called “the next generation of Troopers.” The trooper entrance examination – a two-hour test consisting of 150 multiple-choice questions measuring cognitive abilities, behavioral characteristics, and attitudes – is live on-line and open for candidates to sign up and schedule the date they’ll take the test. “For the first…
Legitimate Political Discourse by a Loving Crowd? Another Voice: Opinion by Jim Malatras The Republican National Committee recently declared the January 6th, 2020 attack on the U.S. Capitol a “persecution of ordinary citizens in legitimate political discourse.” Normally opposing a mob that grew violent and disrupted proceedings of Congress in the midst of certifying a presidential election would be a political layup. But these are dizzyingly polarizing times. Contrary to President Trump’s claim, that it was a “loving crowd”—like it…
Mayor Drnek says it’s Oneonta’s “light-switch moment” Oneonta Mayor Mark Drnek delivered his first ‘State of the City’ address February 15 to the city’s Administrator, department heads, Common Council, commission members, and guests, but directed his comments more toward residents in his bid to loop them more fully into his vision of citywide revitalization. That plan, he said, centers on attracting a young and vibrant population – 1,000 “new, employed residents” to the city by making Oneonta a destination for…
Blood shortage has impact on local supply Bassett Healthcare Network is among the hospital systems across the country dealing with what the American Red Cross calls its ‘first-ever blood shortage crisis.’ The Red Cross said in January that reduced numbers of blood donors throughout the COVID-19 pandemic dwindled its national blood supply to a 10-year low. The Omicron surge, normal seasonal illness, and winter weather has the agency and health care providers concerned to the point where the Red Cross…
A nice warm swim The SUNY Oneonta Biological Field Station volunteer diving team held an ice-dive training February 12 for the first time this winter with the ice one foot thick and air temperatures in the 40s. The dive team works with the field station and the Village of Cooperstown to maintain buoys, science instruments, and study the ecosystem of Otsego Lake. Pictured from left to right Ed Lentz, Lucas LaTarte (holding the safety line), Kari Minissale (noting the divers’…
