Oneonta warming site at capacity By Kevin Limiti Opportunities for Otsego and the Oneonta Police Department are exploring strategies to get homeless people in the area sheltered now that winter is here. An executive order issued by former Governor Andrew Cuomo says that after temperatures go below 32 degrees, the homeless must be sheltered. Catholic Charities, the Main Street Baptist Church, Otsego County Department of Social Services, and other religious groups opened a new warming station in Oneonta in March…
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Eviction moratorium extension draws opposition By KEVIN LIMITI • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com The extension of the eviction moratorium in New York has drawn criticism from local politicians, who see it as being unfair to landlords, while others say renters and landlords need to take advantage of state assistance in order to mitigate a potential housing crisis. The eviction moratorium was extended to Jan. 15, 2022, which Gov. Kathy Hochul said was to “alleviate the crisis facing vulnerable New Yorkers who…
Chamber forum seeks solutions for workforce shortage By KEVIN LIMITI • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com The Otsego County Chamber of Commerce hosted a Zoom town hall Tuesday, July 27, to discuss workforce needs for small businesses. The participants included Congressman Antonio Delgado, D-19, State Sen. Peter Oberacker, R-Maryland, Assemblyman John Salka, R-Brookfield, Assemblyman Brian Miller, R-New Hartford, and Assemblyman Chris Tague, R-Schoharie. The overall sentiments of the Zoom call echoed the reality of a huge problem with understaffing and the difficulties…
‘Code Blue’ Fears Spur Shelter Idea By JIM KEVLIN • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com Main Street Baptist Church has stepped up to provide a home shelter on “Code Blue” nights this winter, when temperatures are below freezing, or the wind chill makes it feel that way. The only obstacle is $40,000-50,000 – a one-time sum needed to enable Catholic Charities to run the program. Once it gets going, the state will fund it. So a fundraising effort was launched this week,…
Joyce Mason Saved ‘Lord’s Kitchen,’ An Much More Oneonta ‘Missionary At Heart’ Retires – For Now By LIBBY CUDMORE • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com In 2008, Joyce Mason, working as a missionary in Honduras, got an urgent message that she was needed at home in Oneonta. “Opportunities for Otsego had decided to give the Lord’s Table two weeks’ notice that they would no longer run it,” she said. “And although they tried to limp along, it wasn’t enough.” After locating a…
HAPPENIN’ OTSEGO for WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 ‘Cooperstown Reflects On Racism’ COOPERSTOWN REFLECTS – 7 p.m. Join panel on Zoom to for ‘Cooperstown Reflects on Racism: History, Demographics, and Current Issues’ discussion with representatives from Oneonta NAACP, Cooperstown Graduate Program, Say Their Names exhibit, & Opportunities for Otsego. Presented by Cooperstown Village Library. Visit fovl.eventbrite.com to register. COVID-19 TESTING – 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Otsego County residents are invited for free rapid testing for Covid-19. Find out quick, help stop the…
HAPPENIN’ OTSEGO for THURSDAY, JULY 2 Oneonta Concert Series Online CONCERT SERIES – 7 – 9 p.m. Live From The Park, Oneonta Summer Concert series to feature Driftwood performing live online. Visit www.facebook.com/oneontarec/ for info.…
Helios, OFO Top Recipients Of Community Foundation Grants ONEONTA – Nine community organizations, including Helios Care, Opportunities for Otsego and Catholic Charities, have received more than $65,000 in grants from the Community Foundation for South Central New York to help the fight against COVID-19. “Typically, we support school districts, arts organizations and human services,” said Diane Brown, executive director. “But COVID-19 hit in the middle of our spring grant cycle, so we repurposed our funding.”…
Ruled ‘Essential Services,’ OFO Shelters Reopened By LIBBY CUDMORE • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com ONEONTA – Citing the domestic violence and homeless shelters “essential services,” the Otsego County Board of Representatives and the county’s Department of Social Services have reopened both buildings. “We’re happy that they have reopened and that they are helping these vulnerable populations in our community,” said county Rep. Adrienne Martini, D-Oneonta, chair of the county board’s Human Services Committee. “It’s so important that they be open and…
OFO Announces Temporary Closure, Virtual Services ONEONTA – Opportunities For Otsego has announced that they will be closed until Tuesday, April 14, closing Head Start and Universal Pre-K, and relegating emergency housing services to the County, according to a release from Dan Maskin, CEO. Essential staff will be working remotely to answer questions, and WIC and Weatherization participants with appointments will be contacted. The Violence Intervention Program staff will be providing virtual services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault,…