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On Tuesday, December 3, the City of Oneonta’s Common Council initially declined to pass the tentative 2025 budget that they had approved on November 19. When put to a second vote, six of the seven council members consented to pass the 2025 budget of $20 million, with the caveat that there would be future budget cuts and solutions to cover the deficit while drawing down less of the reserves.…
After more than a year of construction, downtown Oneonta is beginning to showcase the fruits of its labor with the completion of the Water Street streetscape project. This revitalized area offers a fresh and inviting pathway to explore the diverse businesses that call Water Street home.…
The November 19 Oneonta Common Council meeting attracted about 25 concerned citizens, the equivalent of a full house. There were 20 motions on the agenda. The council debated various issues for more than four hours. Just before 10 p.m., the council approved the proposed 2025 budget and voted to exceed the tax cap. By this time, only three members of the audience remained. Two were city employees, Brian Knapp, the fire chief, and Chris Yacobucci, director of Public Works.…
When Iron String Press received the first e-mail from a concerned citizen who said they knew nothing about the Village of Cooperstown’s plans to install a cantilevered viewing platform at the terminus of Pioneer Street, we were surprised. It was not news to us, because we had covered the village’s NY Forward $4.5 million grant process from beginning to end, and the viewing platform was one of a number of projects being considered for funding.…
So, consider shopping small this Small Business Saturday—and the entire holiday season. This Saturday, take a stroll down Main Street and check out some of the more than 60 locally-owned businesses in Oneonta’s downtown. While you’re popping into the Artisans Guild and Maxwell’s, Freestyle Confections and Stoneonta, you can also enjoy complimentary hot cocoa from FOR-DO in its new spaces next to Tino’s Pizza from 2-5 p.m. …
The mayor has stated that a qualified candidate has been identified, yet has delayed sharing this individual’s name with the council and community. Increased transparency in this process—such as disclosing the candidate’s name earlier—would allow both council members and residents to engage meaningfully...…
The city has coordinated with the contractor to ensure there will be no work on Market Street on Election Day, Drnek pointed out. Market Street and Chestnut Street Extension will be open and detours will not be necessary to access the polling place.…
At the October 15 Common Council meeting, council members discussed the opening of a warming station at 291 Chestnut Street on November 1 and how to provide accommodations to unhoused individuals if the temperature falls below freezing—known as a “Code Blue” alert—in October.…
We do not need another mayor who is pressing on issues that are causing strife or a division with the people of the city. We need a mayor who listens to the people and to help bring unity back into the city.…
“County government is all about providing the services that our constituents need, and bringing back the DMV to Oneonta is one example of how we are trying to be responsive to our constituents,” said Otsego County Board of Representatives Chair Edwin Frazier Jr.…