Huntington hosts anniversary party By Kevin Limiti • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com ONEONTA — The Huntington Memorial Library in Oneonta celebrated its centennial anniversary Saturday, Aug. 7, with an outdoor celebration at Huntington Memorial Park. Cupcakes on top of books, free drinks provided by Stewart’s and plants were given out at the celebration. The library turned 100 last year. However, because of COVID, the celebration got delayed. Mayoral candidates Mark Drnek and Len Carson were also on hand, with Drnek providing…
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Mayor Gary Herzig sounds warning about COVID variant at Common Council By KEVIN LIMITI • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com ONEONTA — The Common Council meeting Tuesday, Aug. 3, began with a message from Mayor Gary Herzig regarding the recent updates regarding the delta variant of the coronavirus. “We’re all concerned about the variant,” Herzig said. “The numbers aren’t alarming but they are going in the wrong direction.” Herzig likened it to a race between the virus and vaccinations. “Unfortunately, what we…
Oneonta Common Council has contentious vote on housing commission appointment, confirms new fire chief By KEVIN LIMITI • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com ONEONTA — In a two and a half hour meeting, the issue of housing was forefront as the Common Council struggled to come to agree on the choice of an out-of-city resident as part of the housing commission on Tuesday, July 20. This appointment was narrowly approved, 4-3, with Kaytee Lipari Shue, Len Carson and Scott Harrington being the…
Community Advisory Board document on OPD best practices set to be reviewed By KEVIN LIMITI• Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com ONEONTA — A committee including mayoral candidates Mark Drnek and Len Carson approved final changes to the Community Advisory Board police review document, which will sent back to the original CAB members followed by a public hearing. The process should take about a month to complete, according to city officials. The Community Advisory Board met Tuesday, July 13, at City Hall to…
First in-person common council since COVID celebrates recent achievements By KEVIN LIMITI • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com ONEONTA — The Common Council met in person Tuesday, July 6, with an atmosphere of visible joviality and relief after spending a year meeting via Zoom. “This is something we haven’t done in a long time,” Mayor Gary Herzig said, which elicited some appreciative chuckles. Some of the agenda items passed included motions authorizing the acceptance of a state grant for the development of…
Independence Day goes off with a bang in Oneonta By KEVIN LIMITI • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com ONEONTA — Independence Day on Sunday, July 4, drew thousands to the parade and Neahwa Park for fireworks and festivities with the day being dedicated to the essential workers during the COVID crisis. Mayor Gary Herzig repeatedly said throughout the day that without the essential workers, this day would not have been possible. “They were here for us all year,” Herzig said prior to…
Campaigns Off To Fast Start In ’21 Revised Calendar Requires 6-Month Campaign Season By JIM KEVLIN • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com Election Day is still six months away, but in the past few days it’s been off to the races, the local races. With Oneonta Mayor Gary Herzig’s announcing his retirement last week, three candidates immediately emerged to succeed him, a Democrat and two Republicans. Leading up to Tuesday, March 2, the first day nominating petitions can be circulated, a similar…
Oneonta Republicans Endorse Len Carson Gelbsman Didn’t Concede At Caucus By JIM KEVLIN • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com ONEONTA – Mayoral candidate Len Carson announced a few minutes ago that he received the city Republican Committee’s endorsement this evening to run for the city’s top office in the Nov. 2 elections. The committee chair is Susan Lettis. Carson said both he and Craig Gelbsman, who has also indicated he is interested in running for mayor, were at the caucus. After receiving…
MAYOR HERZIG REVIEW TERM Carson, Gelbsman Both Intend To Run For Oneonta Mayor 2 Republicans Would Primary On 6/22; So Far, Mark Drnek Is Sole Democrat By JIM KEVLIN • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com ONEONTA – Republicans Len Carson and Craig Gelbsman confirmed today they intended to run for mayor to succeed incumbent Gary Herzig, a Democrat, at the end of the year. If both candidates continue, it would ensure a Republican candidate June 22. A primary may also be shaping…
Scrappy, Innovative GOP Chair Resigns, Focuses on Consulting By JIM KEVLIN • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com It was 2013. The issue was fracking. And four prominent local Republicans knocked on Vince Casale’s door. “It was conveyed to me that the party was in some trouble,” said Casale, who last week advised the Republican County Committee he is resigning as chairman. “My work is done,” he said. “It’s time for a change.” He recommended Lori Lehenbauer of Worcester, Republican county elections commissioner,…