HOMETOWN A-4 HOMETOWN ONEONTA
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What now with the monkeypox?
What a grand week for the environment! The New York Mets and Colorado Rockies were snowed out of their May 20 game after half-a-foot fell on Denver. Meanwhile, here in Otsego County, people escaped sweltering late-July heat and humidity with a trip to Glimmerglass, despite the beach being closed until Memorial Day weekend. A tornado ripped through northern Michigan. And GasBuddy.com, that repository of weekly good news, tells us average gasoline prices in New York rose more than 17 cents per gallon last week, $1.86/gallon higher than one year ago. Deny it if you must, but it all points to some kind of upside down climate difficulties. And as is its wont, New York’s state Legislature approved a “Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act” in 2019 to ‘take the global lead’ on all things climate change. Excuse us while we pat ourselves on the back and move on to the next thing that we can write a press release about! This nobly named statute created a 22-member Climate Action Council, whose ‘Scoping Plan’ — now under public review — lays the groundwork for 100% zero-emission electricity grid by 2040 and says “fossil fuel-emitting cars and appliances will no longer be sold after 2035.” The plan has its detractors and supporters, and we urge readers to examine the Council’s Scoping Plan at climate.gov.ny to read it in full. The period of public comment remains open through June 10, 2022. It’s a hefty read with laudable goals and conclusions — but we wonder if it ever will, or can, get up off the ground under the crushing weight of government-speak that fills its PowerPoint slides. Forget the 22 members named to the Council itself — there are advisory panels, a ‘Just Transition Working Group,’ and a ‘Climate Justice Working Group.’ Every person on every one of those sub-groups dutifully heads off to innumerable Zoom meetings where they say their piece — a piece that’s usually filled with clichés using a lot of words to say nothing. Lofty statements might sound good but often either deliberately obfuscate reality or lend themselves to misinterpretation. The CLCPA’s ‘zero-emission’ mandate, for example, has a lot of people believing that New Yorkers will no longer be able to burn firewood —after all, if ‘zero’ means ‘zero’ and firewood emits, then so long to firewood, right? Not so fast, the state had to correct — we have no intention to come after firewood. Then the Plan says “Necessary methane emissions mitigation in waste and agriculture will require transformative solutions.” “Transformative solutions” is one of those phrases that Albany loves to toss out there because it sounds fantastic. In this case, it prefaces a sentence they either mistakenly or deliberately do not complete, thus: “Massive diversion of organic waste from landfills and innovative manure management and animal feeding practices coupled with the capture of fugitive methane emissions” No period, no punctuation; we wonder what may have come after that might have given a little more detail about these ‘transformative solutions.’ Sounds expensive. Supporters say the cost of doing nothing far outweighs the cost of doing something now. Last weekend’s weather hints that may indeed be the case, but it would be enormously reassuring to know a few specifics rather than be patronized by an endless string of phrases constructed specifically to sound impressive rather than make an impression.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY The Hometown Oneonta welcomes letters to the editor that reflect the writer’s thoughts on an article or other item appearing in the paper. They must include the writer’s name, address, email and telephone/ mobile number; the opinions expressed must be the writer’s own. Hostile, offensive, factually incorrect or excessively inflammatory content will not be published. The length must be no more than 250 words. The editors reserve the right to accept, reject or edit letters for clarity and space. Please send letters to: info@allotsego.com.
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& The Otsego-Delaware Dispatch Tara Barnwell Publisher Ted Potrikus Editor Larissa Ryan Business Manager
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Editorial Board Elinor Vincent, Michael Moffat, Tara Barnwell, Ted Potrikus MEMBER OF National Newspaper Association, New York Press Association The Otsego County Chamber Published weekly by Iron String Press, Inc. 21 Railroad Avenue, Cooperstown, NY 13326 Telephone: 607-547-6103. Fax: 607-547-6080. E-mail: info@allotsego.com • www.allotsego.com
Full disclosure: I’m finding it challenging to give any gravity to something called “monkeypox.” It sounds like a vintage video game, like “Donkey Kong,” and I half-expect the symptoms to include an uncontrollable urge for a banana. I don’t want to think about monkeys being anything that carry a nasty Pox that apparently can do some pretty ugly damage to those who contract it. Says the Associated Press: “Monkeypox typically begins with a flu-like illness and swelling of the lymph nodes, followed by a rash on the face and body. In Africa, people have been infected through bites from rodents or small animals, and it does not usually spread easily among people.” At least there’s that. I hate to be glib about it, I really do. We’re starting to hear vague warnings that we had better prepare ourselves for all things monkey and/or pox. Get our gobags packed up and ready to go. The second coming of the vicious gangs of murder hornets that were supposed to descend on us two summers ago. But didn’t. A public buffeted by COVID guidance, mandates, warnings, cautioned — however well-intentioned and however accurate – looks to be generally done with it. Otsego County has seen an increase in the number of cases of late, enough so that we’re currently in the CDC’s “high” community level designation, so the CDC recommends that we “wear a well-fitting mask indoors in public, regardless of vaccination status.”
THURSDAY, May 26, 2022
A random, non-scientific walk around Cooperstown and Oneonta, though, finds that compliance with that red-level recommendation is pretty much hit-or-miss these days, a mandate-weary public mostly choosing to roll the dice. Some follow it, some don’t. Some stores and restaurants have signs up —recommending, asking — others do not. Indefatigable Otsego County Health Director Heidi Bond said last week that it’s a challenge to convey a cautionary message when so many people locally, nationally, and globally have put the pandemic behind them. “We’re following the CDC recommendation and urging people to wear a mask indoors, get vaccinated or boosted, but it’s a general recommendation,” she said. “I don’t think there will be a mask mandate coming back.” Even New York State Health Commissioner Mary Bassett (side note: Dr. Bassett, you really should come to Cooperstown for a photo op at our similarly named hospital, I mean, come on!) is walking an appropriately precautionary line in the state’s latest string of public service announcements. Look at the COVID reports like we look at the weather. Check the situation. Act accordingly. Prepare with a vaccine or booster. But
she’s not demanding anything. Heaven help any public official calling for a return to a mask mandate or economic shutdown – concerns over transmission notwithstanding. Even New York City Mayor Eric Adams – rumored to be considering a run for president in 2024 — said last week in The New York Times, “If every variant that comes, we move into shutdown thoughts, we move into panicking, we’re not going to function as a city.” Mayor Adams’s admonition is well-taken, particular as ‘every variant that comes’ rocks the boat in a different way. The one that pushed Otsego County into the CDC’s danger zone looks to be Omicron variant BA 12.1.2, although Ms. Bond said last week that the uptick in positive cases includes an increase in BA 12.1.1. It’s all starting to sound like those annoying software or operating system updates that seem to invade our computers just as we’re up against a deadline. “Time for Microsoft Office 46.6.3(A),” even though we could’ve sworn we had just updated a week ago to version 46.5.3. Maybe the namers of the virus are worried they’ll run out of Greek vowels before they run out of numbers. Or maybe nomenclature no longer means anything at all — we’ll all just wander around believing we’re inevitably vulnerable to whatever they’re calling COVID this week and do what we must to muscle through it. As for the whole monkeypox thing: I’m going to do my level best to avoid bites from small rodents and not agitate the primates. And if I go to the zoo, I’ll wear a mask.
the audacity to fly the “thin blue line” flag supporting our police on a publicly owned structure. We should remember both of these things come Election Day. Richard Sykes Oriskany Falls
Please note that if West Oneonta is overwhelmingly in need of these services, I will work on this project. I understand both the benefits and the costs of municipal water and sewer. As a Town Board member, I focus on what I can do to address the concerns of those I represent. The West Oneonta residents spoke of wanting clarity and transparency in the process of how our Town Board, Planning Board, and Zoning Board of Appeals work and the role each board plays. Residents appeared confused about what the Town Board envisions for West Oneonta and the process of how the Town Board expects to determine if there is a need of a water and sewer district project. Understandably, they are frustrated at the lack of accessible information related to CASV’s plans for development. A woman from Oneida Street voiced her concern about one of her neighbors being approached about selling their property for ballpark-related housing. The character of these established neighborhoods would likely change. As elected officials, we took an oath of office to act in the public interest as we carry out our duties. Public input from the taxpayers plays a key determining role in identifying actions that would best suit our community. It seems it would be helpful if the developer of CASV would engage with the community in a community forum. Protecting the character of our communities/neighborhoods within the Town should be forefront in our minds as we strive to find the best balance between growth and protecting our way of life. Please attend Town Board meetings. I value your input. Patricia Riddell Kent Councilwoman, Town of Oneonta
LETTERS
Beware of bail reform
Assembly candidate Dan Butterman recently penned an opinion letter regarding reforming the 2019 Bail law which has resulted in significant increases in crime across New York State, from petit larceny to violent crimes, including murder. I know Dan Buttermann. I like him. Personally, he is pleasant, kind, respectful, enjoyable to be around. We have had him to dinner at our home. Politically, however, Dan is a “wolf in sheep’s clothing.” There is no better example of this than his stance on bail reform. Dan is more interested in promoting and advancing criminals’ rights than he is in protecting innocent victims. He was a strong supporter of the 2019 bail reform act, taking his cue from career criminal defense attorney Robin Steinburg. How do I know this? He told me. While almost every District Attorney in New York State strongly opposed this legislation, Dan was unmoved, not curious enough to ask why, not contacting a single DA, not even well respected Onondaga Co. DA Bill Fitzpatrick, who composed a fact-based letter published in the Syracuse Post Standard clearly stating why passage of this legislation would be ill-advised. In Dan’s recent letter, he calls for reforms rather than repeal of that law. And if one looks closely at the reforms he proposes, they are really nothing more than “window dressing,” not substantive reforms which will reduce crime or help protect innocent law abiding New Yorkers. One more point: While most of us support our police, Dan is antipolice. Not too long ago, he led a protest against the elected officials of Madison County in Wampsville, NY. His gripe — those officials had
Public input valuable
Oneonta Town Board meetings have always given petitioners the opportunity to come and speak during Privilege of the Floor. I’m glad we do, and public input is essential. I appreciate that people take time out of their schedules to attend and bring their concerns to be heard by the people they elected to represent them. We need to be aware and listen, and do our best to communicate and be transparent. We are all impacted by decisions of the Board, and not just tax-wise. Lately, the Town Board is hearing concerns about the anticipated expansion of Cooperstown All-Star Village following the news of its sale and its purchase of sixty acres. A preliminary survey of West Oneonta residents and businesses has been underway to determine if there is a need for municipal water and sewer. This survey wasn’t prompted by a public outcry of residents having problems, and the absence of actual cost numbers makes it impossible to determine what residents and businesses would have to pay. So I have not been surprised to hear from residents that they have resolved their issues if they had issues in the first place, and that they are not interested. As with Southside, a new district would involve a thirty-year bond repayment, annual usage fees, and connection fees for each service. Unlike Southside, what I am hearing at Town Hall is that connection would likely be mandatory for both services.
“I own no interest and no party, but my country.”
– Banner motto of The Freeman’s Journal, 1823 to 1827
