Dietz Street preps for artists, families in 2022 Oneonta leaders continue to strategize logistics as the Lofts on Dietz Street take shape on the one-time municipal parking lot and city residents wonder what’s ahead. “We’re looking at sometime during the summer and fall of this year when people can start moving in,” Onoenta Mayor Mark Drnek said during the Otsego County Chamber of Commerce’s 2022 “State of the State” virtual conference on January 11. “We’ll be talking about parking for…
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Mayor Drnek’s ‘singular focus’ on City’s growth By Kevin Limiti The City of Oneonta welcomed its new mayor on New Year’s Day when former Eighth Ward Councilman Mark Drnek took the oath to assume his office. He already has changed City Hall: Mayor Drnek adopted City Administrator Greg Mattice’s plan to rearrange the office layout to “foster more coordination and collaboration” in the building. “I will always do what’s best for the business of organization or, in this case, the…
Greetings, Friends (with apologies to The New Yorker) Greetings, Friends! The time is nigh To bid this Covid Year good-bye. We’ve had enough, we’ve played our parts Stayed home alone filling Amazon carts. And cleaning our closets and working online Making do with our WiFi that’s not always fine. We’ve said goodbye to some friends, to some relatives too Our families we’ve not seen, travel’s been so taboo. Goodbye ’21, au revoir, off you go Adios and kwaheri, arrivederci, adjo.…
Otsego County notables fill the screen for “Roadhouse Coup” film By KEVIN LIMITI • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com What are all these local dignitaries doing in a brothel in Oneonta? Cooperstown Mayor Ellen Tillapaugh, Otsego County District Attorney John Muehl, former New York State Senator James Seward, and even Oneonta Mayor-Elect Mark Drnek are all there — all with roles in a new film about a 1930s brothel-operator-turned-murderer. It’s an enthusiastically local affair. Among many others, Ben Guenther of Five Star…
Mark Drnek wins Oneonta Mayor Race According to unofficial results available at press time, Mark Drnek (D) is the new mayor of Oneonta, defeating Republican challenger Len Carson. “I want to thank Len Carson for running a respectful and issue-oriented campaign, and I look forward to working with him in the realization of our many shared goals for the future of our City,” Drnek said in a statement. Mayor-elect Drnek’s statement continues:…
A look at key local contests By KEVIN LIMITI • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com Oneonta Mayor The months-long race to replace longtime Oneonta mayor Gary Herzig comes to an end next week when voters choose between Common Council members Mark Drnek (D) and Len Carson (R). The League of Women Voters hosted the candidates in a debate last week, during which Carson thanked Drnek for joining him in running a “gentleman’s campaign.” Drnek said he feels he is in “good shape”…
Oneonta won’t opt out on marijuana By KEVIN LIMITI • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com The city of Oneonta has no plans to opt out of recreational sales of marijuana, according to local politicians. In New York’s legal marijuana bill, which passed April 30, municipalities are able to decide to opt out on marijuana dispensaries by Dec. 31. However, there is no movement to opt out in Oneonta. According to Mayor Gary Herzig, no one on the Common Council has advocated for…
Women’s reproductive rights rally encourages community involvement By KEVIN LIMITI • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com ONEONTA — About 100 people gathered in Muller Plaza at a rally for women’s reproductive rights Saturday, Oct. 2. The rally coincided with the Women’s March happening across the country as thousands marched in support of Roe v. Wade. The event featured music and speakers as well as pizza and lemonade. The looming issue throughout the rally was the harsh Texas anti-abortion laws barring abortions at…
Common Council holds public hearing on police report By KEVIN LIMITI • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com ONEONTA — The Common Council held a public hearing for the long anticipated vote on the Community Advisory Board Review Committee report Tuesday, Sept. 21, created in response to former Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s directive that police departments create a document of “best practices” by local law enforcement with input from the community. Only two people spoke at the public hearing, both of whom were supportive…
AllOtsego Report: Mayoral Election edition Staff Report • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com We interviewed City of Oneonta mayoral candidates Mark Drnek and Len Carson for the AllOtsego Report Mayoral Election edition. Click here to listen to our interview with Mark Drnek. Democratic candidate for mayor, Mark Drnek, represents the Eighth Ward of Oneonta and is the owner of Sweet Home Productions and host of the syndicated radio show Blue Light Central. Click here to listen to our interview with Len Carson. Republican candidate…