The Glimmerglass Festival has reduced its 2024 calendar to about a third of the potential season length of late spring, summer and early fall. This reduction means that one of the finest entertainment venues in America will sit idle most of the time...…
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Chip Northrup - Page 3
In Texas, where I vote, I am a Yellow Dog Democrat—meaning I would vote for the Democrat even if they were a golden retriever.…
A member of the Cooperstown Police Department drops the Main Street flag to half mast on September 11, in memory of those who lost their lives during the 9/11 attacks. (Photo by Chip Northrup)…
I respectfully disagree with Chip Northrup’s proposition to ban truck traffic on State Route 80 as a means to address the chronic roadway failures. While I understand the concern for the safety and stability of the road, such a ban could have adverse effects on our local economy, given that State Route 80 serves as a crucial transportation link for commerce and supplies in and out of our community.…
Letter from Chip Northrup Kudos to Canadarago Lake Communities Richfield Springs, near Canadarago Lake, is taking the lead locally on mitigating harmful algal blooms by curtailing the nutrients that are discharged from septic tanks—nitrogen and phosphorus—into the lake. We know why “the grass is always greener over the septic tank.” Toxic algae thrives in nutrient-rich water. As permitted, septic tanks discharge nutrients into the groundwater, and those fertilizers find their way into the lake where they help drive toxic algae…
Letter from Gerry Welch Zebra Mussel Control May Be Possible Chip Northrup stated that there is no way to control zebra mussels infesting Otsego Lake. Yes, there is, but the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation will not allow the introduction of predatory species. Their reasoning is they consider the introduction of other species as being invasive. Take for example the drum fish, which feeds on zebra mussels. The drum fish is good to eat and is prized by…
Letter from Chip Northrup Cutting of Trees Was‘Ugly Thing to Do’ A stately row of shade trees was cut down on the Leatherstocking Golf Course at the entrance to the Cooperstown Country Club. The trunks look sound, but the reason given was that the trees were “sick” and that one of the trees had shed a limb recently. All of the trees were removed based on the assumption that they were all dying and presented a hazard. Maybe so. Or…
Letter from Chip Northrup STR Loophole a Real Concern We greatly appreciate the Zoning Board’s unanimous rejection of the absentee owner’s attempt to turn 40 Lake Street into a transient rooming house. Transient housing would have ruined the neighbors’ quiet enjoyment of their homes. Susan Snell has proven to be an excellent chairman of the zoning board.…
Letter from Chip Northrup Short-term Rentals Should Be Limited There are short-term rental permits at 25 single-family houses in the Village of Cooperstown. Some were grandfathered when the village began issuing such permits in 2018. Some are exemplary applications of the ordinance—the owners are renting a garage apartment or other auxiliary dwelling unit that might otherwise go unused. Where the short-term rental is incidental to the family’s use and occupancy of the property. Where the building is not turned into…
Letter from Chip Northrup ‘HABsteria’ Imminent Without Planning Now To avoid another summer of HABsteria, I’d suggest the following: Coordinated Plan—Since Otsego is the largest New York lake in the Chesapeake Bay watershed (which starts in front of our house on the Susquehanna), funding for watershed mitigation can be obtained from the Chesapeake Bay watershed authority—to supplement, not replace—a state-approved plan. Although the DEC 9-E Plan is imperfect, it’s better than a repeat of last summer’s Dueling-Banjos of HABsteria. Since…