Assemblyman Salka Hosts Bail-Reform Rally Locally Lawmakers, Sheriffs, Prosecutors Gather Thursday At County Jail MIDDLEFIELD – Otsego County Assemblyman John Salka, R-Brookfield, is organizing at “Repeal Bail Reform” Rally at 10:30 a.m. this Thursday, Feb. 6, at the Otsego County Correctional Facility, next to the county’s Meadows Office Building in the Town of Middlefield. In addition to state Sen. Jim Seward, R-Milford, attendees include three other assemblyman, including Chris Tague and Brian Miller, who represent parts of Otsego County; four…
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THIS WEEK’S NEWSPAPERS The Freeman’s Journal • Hometown Oneonta Jan. 30-31, 2020 PHOTO OF THE WEEK FRONT PAGE Oberacker Runs To Succeed Senator Seward Hundreds Honor Fred Lemister At Testimonial Republican May Dent Village Democratic Wall OYA Solar Seeking Leases In Town Of Otego Arson Trial Testimony Sorts Tangled Tale EDITORIAL Parties Should Find Local Candidates For Senate COLUMNS KUZMINSKI: Let Home Rule Guide Sanctuary Idea ATWELL: William The Conqueror Seized Moment ZAGATA: How To Reduce CO2, Trees Or…
EDITORIAL Both Parties Should Find Candidates Who Will Ensure Local Successor To Seward This story’s been related in this space before: Congressman Tim Holden, a Democrat from Pennsylvania’s anthracite county, used to tell campaign crowds: “I’m the only one of 435 Congressmen who gets up every morning and says to himself, ‘What can I do for Schuylkill County today?’” It’s also said that if you don’t appreciate what you have, you lose it.” • The vignette and the aphorism are…
Assemblyman Tague May Run To Fill Seat Otsego GOP Chair Voices Support By JIM KEVLIN • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com SCHOHARIE – Chris Tague, Schoharie, 21-month assemblyman in the 102nd District, plans to decide by the end of the week whether he will seeking to succeed state Sen. Jim Seward, R-Milford, in the 51st District. Calling Seward “a dear friend,” he said he was “distressed by the news” that the 35-year senator has decided not to run again as he continues…
They Love Meg Kennedy, But Debate Bipartisanship By JIM KEVLIN • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com COOPERSTOWN – When the 9-4 vote affirmed Meg Kennedy as the first woman vice chair of the Otsego County Board of Representatives, Andrew Marietta leaned over and said, “Meg, you know I support you.” The Conservative for Hartwick, Milford and New Lisbon and the Democrat from Cooperstown and the Town of Otsego both shook hands and smiled. But for the preceding few minutes Thursday, Jan. 2,…
‘OUR CITIZEN’ ELEVATED TO VICE CHAIRMAN REELECTED BOARD CHAIR, BLISS NAMES 3 NEW COMMITTEE CHAIRS By LIBBY CUDMORE & JIM KEVLIN • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.COM COOPERSTOWN – The Otsego County Board of Representatives, 9-4, with one absence, today elected Meg Kennedy, C-Hartwick/Milford/New Lisbon, as vice chairman. David Bliss, R-Cooperstown/ Middlefield/Cherry Valley, was elected chairman for a second two-year term. Dan Wilber, R-Burlington, nominated “our Citizen of the Year” for the post, a reference to Kennedy receiving that designation last week…
CLICK FOR ADMINISTRATOR JOB DESCRIPTION Past And Present Collide In Debate On Administrator Planning v. ‘Dealing With It’ Explored; Also, Redistricting By JIM KEVLIN • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com COOPERSTOWN – Three decades of striving ended today as the Otsego County Board of Representatives, 11-2-1, created the position of county executive. In a half-hour of give and take, it was clear that, despite and lopsided vote, starkly contrasting outlooks remain. “You talk about planning,” said county Rep. Keith McCarty, R-East Springfield,…
EDITORIAL On County Manager, Now Hard Work Begins By the time you read this, it’s very likely Otsego County will have created a job of county administrator, joining all but a handful of counties around New York State. Heading into the Wednesday, Dec. 4, monthly meeting of the county Board of Representatives, the momentum to professionalize government was clear. Six of the seven Democrats were firmly in favor, plus two Republican leaders – chairman David Bliss and Schenevus’ Peter Oberacker.…
EDITORIAL Kennedy, Bliss, Committee Deserve Praise Who gets the praise for professionalizing Otsego County government? Foremost, probably county Rep. Meg Kennedy, C-Hartwick. The idea caught fire with her, evident in her close questioning of SUNY New Paltz Vice President Gerry Benjamin, keynoter at “County Manager v. County Executive,” a forum on the idea Dec. 14, 2017, at Springbrook’s new community center. In the months that followed, she became the first local county representative ever recruited to New York State Association…
HEARING, VOTE DUE DEC. 4 County-Manager Plan Draws Few To Briefing The League of Women Voters’ moderator, above, greets attendees at this evening’s informational meeting on hiring a county manager, underway at this hour in Courtroom #1 at the county courthouse in Cooperstown. A half-dozen members of the public attended, including Bill Waller, left, and Sydney Waller (not related), at right. In the background are Village Trustee Jim Dean and Marie Ajello, Toddsville. Inset, county Rep. Meg Kennedy, who chairs…
