Hometown Oneonta 09-07-23

A First Look at the Candidates

Basile, Benton Open Up About Themselves, Co. Clerk Position

OTSEGO COUNTY—On November 7, Jennifer Basile (REP, CON) and MacGuire Benton (DEM, CSE) will face off in the race for Otsego County clerk. This week, both candidates answer a set of 10 questions to get people thinking and help voters make the best choice come Election Day.

1. Why are you running for the position of Otsego County clerk?

BASILE: I have been asked this question many times in the past nine months. To me, running for Otsego County clerk was something I absolutely without a doubt had to do. There has never been any question in my mind as to whether or not to run. I genuinely care about the offices of the clerk, the staff and the community. I wholeheartedly love what I do every single day and take great pride in my job. I have spent over 14 years in this office, and I deeply care for the future of the offices and everyone these offices serve.

BENTON: Growing up in a household where service to others was prioritized and looking out for your community was rewarded, I’ve been drawn to public service my entire life. I made the decision at an early age to dedicate my personal and professional life to public service and volunteerism. I’m running for Otsego County clerk because there is important work that needs to be done to improve the office. My experience in elected office and in private business has prepared me to get it done.

2. What distinguishes you from your opponent?

BASILE: My entire professional career is what distinguishes me from

my opponent, having been in the Otsego County Clerk’s Office for over 14 years and having been appointed deputy county clerk for two terms. I know the offices inside and out, the functions within the offices, and how to effectively run them.

BENTON: Relevant private sector business experience is what is needed to improve customer satisfaction and the process of transactions and filing. As the only candidate with private sector experience in the last decade, I am uniquely qualified to deliver on those improvements. I understand the responsibility of the public trust as the only candidate who has been elected to and served in public office.

3. What do you see as the county clerk’s primary role?

BASILE: The primary role of a county clerk is to accurately process and maintain every document within the county, ranging from a DBA registration to mortgages, deeds, lawsuits and litigation, etc. The county clerk serves as Clerk of the Courts and is “keeper of the record.” The county clerk’s other main function is to oversee DMV under the Department of Motor Vehicle rules and regulations.

BENTON: The role of county clerk is an executive leadership position. It requires steady, positive, clear support of the employees in the office so we can deliver courteous, friendly customer service to everyone in the county, whether they frequent the office or utilize it once or twice a year. Ensuring timely filings of vital documents and

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Spirit of the City

ONEONTA—Oneonta Mayor Mark Drnek presented members of the Oneonta Federated Garden Club with the Spirit of the City Award at the Common Council meeting on Tuesday, August 15. The club was organized 90 years ago and provides scholarships in addition to its work to beautify the city. Drnek cited the club’s community engagement, including an annual wreath-making workshop, plant sales and horticultural education programs. From left are: Laurie Trelease, Wendy Miller-Willis, Mayor Drnek, Kathy Grygiel, Sophie Richardson and Susan Lettis.

Harvest Supper Set for October 1

COOPERSTOWN

Growing Community once again invites residents from around the area to bring a potluck dish and pull up a chair to its community dining table at the 9th Annual Community Harvest Supper. The dining table will be set up on Main Street from Fair to River streets on

Sunday, October 1 from 4-7 pm. The Stoddard Hollow String Band will once again be on hand to add to the festive harvest mood, and games for kids will be available on the library lawn.

The Community Harvest Supper is BYOE—“bring your own everything: • A potluck dish to pass made, if

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Morris Ceremony Commemorates Revolutionary War Soldier

By TERESA WINCHESTER MORRIS

Ithought it would just be Gary Norman and me,” mused John Avedian at Zion Episcopal Church’s Harmony Cemetery in Morris on September 2. A grave stone to honor Avedian’s fifth great-grandfather, Benjamin Weston, a Revolutionary War ensign in the 9th Connecticut Regiment, had just been erected. Weston, born in Massachusetts, was residing in New Lisbon at the time of his death in 1818. With the help of cemetery surveys procured by Avedian and Zion Church’s vicar Gary Norman, Weston’s grave was located after two attempts to find it. A foot stone with the initials “B.W.” and an adjacent headstone bearing Mary Weston’s name confirmed the find.

Contrary to Avedian’s initial expectation, approximately 55 people attended the headstone dedication.

“I’m overwhelmed with the turn-out, support and interest,” said Avedian, who resides in Winchester, Massachusetts.

A number of attendees were Avedian family members, hailing from Massachusetts, Michigan and Wisconsin. They included his wife, daughter, and son, three sisters, a brother-in-law, two nephews, and a niece.

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Photo by Teresa Winchester

Members of the Oneonta and Tianderah chapters of NSDAR participated in a ceremony to erect a relacement headstone for Revolutionary War soldier Benjamin Weston. From left: Linda Pearce, Barbara Pearce, Marcia Foote, Linda Sokolowski, Jaci Bettiol, Elaine Garito, Lorna Pearce, Helen Rees, and Jeanne Westcott. Kneeling: John Avedian, a Weston descendant.

Photo provided by Susan Lettis

All

Comp plan meetings Scheduled

mIDDLeFIeLD

Town of middlefield Supervisor David Karl announced that the middlefield Comprehensive plan Workgroup will hold three additional focus group meetings at the Town Hall this fall. The next meeting, “Otsego Lake Quality and Water Quality,” will be held at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, September 19. Douglas Willies from the Otsego Lake Watershed Supervisory Committee and Dr. Kiyoko Yokota, associate professor of biology and biological Field Station researcher at SUNY Oneonta, will attend the meeting to answer questions.

“I would like to disseminate information about public meetings that the Town of middlefield Comprehensive plan Committee is holding to try to engage the town residents and to gather input on topics that the responses to our town resident survey indicated were important issues,” Karl said.

The Comprehensive plan review process is ongoing and holds regular meetings on the third Tuesday of each month. Other upcoming workgroup topics are: “Senior Citizen Concerns” at 6 p.m. on October 17 and “Farmland and Open Space preservation” at 6 p.m. on November 21.

According to “Zoning and the Comprehensive plan,” by James A. Coon, a comprehensive plan is “the culmination of a planning process that establishes the official land use policy of a community and presents goals and a vision for the future that guides official decision making. The comprehensive plan invariably includes a thorough analysis of current data showing land development trends and issues, community resources, and public needs for transportation, recreation and housing.” meetings are open to all members of the public. For more information, visit www.middlefieldny.org.

Village To Hold Second NYF Public Workshop

COO pe RSTOWN—

The Local planning Committee for the

Cooperstown New York Forward program will hold its second public

workshop on Wednesday, September 13 from noon to 4 p.m. at the Cooperstown Firehouse on 24 Chestnut Street. members of the public are invited to attend and provide input on proposed projects for downtown revitalization. The agenda for this meeting will be to provide a status update on the NYF process, share key findings from the Downtown profile and Assessment, describe the community’s vision statement and goals, and provide an overview of proposed projects. Attendees are invited to circulate among a display of boards showing proposed projects and provide their feedback. The Village of Cooperstown was selected by the mohawk Valley Regional economic Development Council to receive a $4.5 million award from New York State Governor Kathy Hochul through the NY Forward program. more information can be found at: https:// www.cooperstownny. org/new-york-forward/

Fair History To Be Discussed

HARTWICK—Wayne Wright, retired head librarian of the New York State Historical Association, will deliver a lecture on the history of Oneonta’s Central New York Fair at the Kinney Memorial Library in Hartwick at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 14. In a 40-year career at the NYSHA library, Wright helped build a large research collection of historical materials and improve public access to the collection. The presentation is free and open to the public.

CCS Fall Fair Returns Sunday

ONEONTA—The Catskill Choral Society will present its Grand and Glorious Fall Fair in Neahwa Park on Sunday, September 10. The event will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and feature art and craft vendors, food, yard sale items, and children’s activities. Food vendors will include Catskill Hot Dogs, Catskill Momos, Ty’s Taco-Ria and Tickled Pink BBQ. There will be a full day of live musical entertainment, including a CCS performance at 12:45 p.m. and a battle of the bands from 2:15-4 p.m. More than 60 merchandise vendors are expected to attend. The free, family-friendly event is the group’s largest fundraiser. Founded in 1970, CCS boasts over 70 talented singers and performs throughout Central New York and the Southern Tier.

‘Frog and Toad’ Starts Sept. 9

COOPERSTOWN—Fenimore Art Museum’s Glimmer Globe Theatre will present its first musical production, the Tony-nominated “A Year with Frog and Toad,” in six matinee performance in September. Shows will begin at 1 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday from September 9 through 24. They will be staged in the Lucy B. Hamilton Amphitheater on the FAM grounds, overlooking scenic Otsego Lake. Tickets are available in advance via Eventbrite.com or at the front desk on the day of the performance. Audience members are encouraged to bring chairs or blankets to sit on. The show runs about two hours.

According to a release, this wholesome adventure will delight audiences of all ages.

“Join Frog and Toad for a year’s worth of wild adventures, as they and their animal friends (Snail, Turtle, Mouse and more) discover the true value of friendship,” the release continued. “Get ready for baking hijinks, exciting sledding trips, beachside pandemonium, spooky stories told in the dark and more, all paired with a jazzy, infectious score. Many of Arnold Lobel’s most famous tales find their place in this most eventful of years.”

For more information or to buy tickets, visit https://fenimoreartmuseum.org/calendar-a-4.

Craft Festival Is This Weekend

ONEIDA—Madison County Historical Society will hold the 59th Annual Madison County Craft Festival on Saturday and Sunday, September 9 and 10. The festival will have a wide selection of contemporary arts and crafts including fabric, glass, sculpture, ceramics, mixed media, metal, glass, floral, drawings, paintings, jewelry, photography, soap, skincare products, leather, and wood. It will be an outdoor craft show featuring juried artists, food artisans, live music and local wineries, breweries, and distilleries. There will also be live music by several groups and over half a dozen food trucks. The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Adult admission is $5, weekend passes are $8 and children under 12 are admitted for free. There will be children’s activities, free house tours of Cottage Lawn and a raffle drawing for a custom bench donated by New York State Designer Blacksmiths. For more information, visit www.mchs1900.org.

Library Sets Sept. Calendar

COOPERSTOWN—The Village Library of Cooperstown released its events calendar for the month of September on its Facebook page on Monday, August 11. Play and Learn events for children ages 8 and under at 10 a.m. will take place each Monday. The library will accept donations of new and like-new

bras on behalf of the nonprofit I Support the Girls on Friday, September 1. Storytime will be held at 10 a.m. each Wednesday, and the September 20 storytime will feature special guest Meg Tillapaugh. A parents’ program to create take-home fall sensory bins will take place on Tuesday, September 12 at 6 p.m. The Potluck Cookbook Club will meet on Thursday, September 7 at noon. Connections at Clark Sports Center will host its book group to discuss “The Lost Apothecary” at noon on Thursday, September 14, followed by the regular book club examining “The Bullet that Missed” at 4 p.m. Former Cooperstown Mayor Jeff Katz will lead an “Iconic America” tour of Doubleday Field at 9 a.m. on Saturday, September 30; participants should meet at the field entrance. The library reverts to its fall hours on Saturday, September 2. For more information, visit the Village Library of Cooperstown Facebook page.

FCFD Celebrates Anniversary

FLY CREEK—The Fly Creek Fire Company will celebrate its 75th anniversary with a parade, picnic and open house at 11 a.m. on Saturday, September 9. A picnic and raffle drawing at the firehouse will follow the parade through the hamlet.

Vendors Sought for Fall Fling

COOPERSTOWN—Rotary Club of Cooperstown will hold its annual Fall Fling event and fundraiser from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, October 7 at the Clark Sports Center. It will feature vendors, food trucks, live music, games and activities, a silent auction of gift baskets, and the Great Pumpkin Patch pumpkin sale. All proceeds will support the Rotary Club’s community allocations grants to local nonprofits and community groups. Artisans, crafters, fiber artists, farms, creatives, food trucks and other vendors can still register to participate at cooperstownfallfling.org. Rotary is also looking for sponsors, who can sign up at the website as well. For more information, contact rotaryclubcooperstown@gmail.com.

For more on upcoming events and other news in brief, visit all.otsego.com.

HOMETOWN Views

Clouds and Climate Change: Reading the Future

It’s been an odd summer, with lots of cloud cover folding in and out each day, sometimes fully taking over the sky and sometimes made to give way to the sun. At times the clouds are blue-black and menacing, filled with the fury of storms. At other times, billowing white puffs take on shapes of whales and islands, truly heavenly. The sky above is breathtaking.

As we dreamily consider the clouds, however, it’s important perhaps to realize that the atmospheric layer they occupy, the zone that protects us from the otherwise incinerating heat of the sun, is only 60 miles, a thin and rare wafer. And, as climate change crowds that wafer with greenhouse gas emissions from the burning of fossil fuels, clouds crowd each other, a major reason for extreme weather.

As I wrote in my recent book, “Pricing the Priceless: The financial transformation to value the planet…,” published by Wiley this summer, “the more tons of fossil fuel burned, the more tons of CO2e emitted to the atmosphere, where they cannot escape. As the gases accumulate, they in turn hold in the intense solar radiation that reaches the earth’s surface, preventing that heat from bouncing back off the planet and safely away into space. Once called the ‘greenhouse effect,’ this transforms our protective atmosphere into a heat blanket the earth cannot kick off.

This also entirely disrupts the earth’s critical water cycle. Warmer oceans mean more evaporation and moisture in the clouds, a key cause of torrential bursts of rain and ensuing flooding for which almost no human communities are prepared.

The trapped heat must make itself room in the tight space of the atmosphere, so it shoves wind, water vapor, and clouds around the earth like a bag of rags, wreaking havoc with established weather patterns, triggering wild storms, drought, extreme weather swings, and other frightful, unpredictable breakdowns of the seasons. The worst of climate change remains unknown, but meanwhile the first of climate change impacts are already underway worldwide, raising the odds that catastrophic events will occur more frequently.”

Even the best prepared localities are underprepared for the extreme weather ahead. Locally, we’d be well advised to take full advantage of the federal Infrastructure Act and the Inflation Reduction Act, both of which provide for billions of dollars to improve resilience to climate change.

We’ve always considered the sky our protective dome, but now it’s also a billboard on our future.

Paula DiPerna is a widely published author, strategic policy consultant and executive. In her new book, she looks to de-mystify and unveil today’s most fascinating financial disruption―pricing the priceless to flip conventional ideas of how we value natural assets and why.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY

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Clerks Endorse MacGuire Benton

We are happy to go on record supporting the candidacy of MacGuire Benton for Otsego County clerk. A lifelong Otsego County resident and dedicated public servant, MacGuire brings to the table his experience in the public and private sector. He served in county government as deputy elections commissioner. He’s served in local government as a village board member and has a background in small-business operations. Most recently, he’s worked at Cooperstown Distillery on their expansion project and national sales division. He’s a proven leader in Otsego County. His commitment to accessibility, high quality customer service and ensuring the office of the County Clerk and DMV does more for our residents has earned him our support. We trust that he will always go the extra mile and deliver for our communities. We urge Otsego County voters to elect MacGuire Benton our next Otsego County Clerk on Tuesday, November 7th.

Maggie Patrick

Richfield Town Clerk (D)

Terry

Yoder

Unadilla Town Clerk (R)

Charlene Wells

New Lisbon Town Clerk (D)

Erin VanDewerker Seeley

Roseboom Town Clerk (D)

Basile Gets Sheriff’s Nod

Jennifer Basile is a great person and a great candidate for Otsego County clerk. I’m fully endorsing her candidacy because Otsego County residents who use the clerk’s office and DMV deserve a leader with integrity, ethics, experience, and customer service skills. That leader is unquestionably Jennifer Basile. I hope every Otsego County voter joins me to support Jennifer Basile in this year’s election.

Sheriff Richard Devlin Milford

Details Important in Clerk Position

I wish to bring to light some accurate details concerning the recent court case involving MacGuire Benton’s ballot petitions and a recent newspaper article. First and fore-

most, I initiated the challenge to the petitions, NOT Jennifer Basile. In fact, I submitted over 200 specific objections concerning the petitions to the Otsego County Board of Elections. The Democratic and Republican commissioners both agreed and ruled Benton’s Independent petitions invalid. Benton initiated a legal case against me and the two commissioners. So, he is well aware that it was not his opponent who made the challenge.

My objections included numerous errors of incomplete signatures, duplicate signatures, even some signatures from people who were not even registered in Otsego County.

Benton credits his experience working at The Board of Elections qualifies him for the job. Yet, he submitted 1,262 signatures, not the over 1,300 he claims, that included over 200 errors. Most of the petitions bore his signature stating the petitions were true and accurate. Signatures on a petition must be just that, signatures and not printed names. Anyone can print a name. The court ruling allowed for 29 printed names to be verified by affidavits from each of the individuals that in fact printed their name. This allowed him to just squeak by with the minimum requirement of signatures.

I challenged his petitions for two reasons. One, there are well-established rules and requirements with respect to signature petitions and there was glaring and obvious disregard for those requirements. Two, the job of county clerk requires someone who follows the rules and pays attention to details to make sure your records maintained by the county are true and accurate.

I encourage you to take a look at the case and see for yourself the documents and evidence where the Board of Elections ruled 176 of his signatures invalid. That is what the Benton campaign is not telling voters. It’s relevant to inform county voters of that information.

On November 7, remember to get out and vote for Jennifer Basile for county clerk. Elect someone who cares about the job and doesn’t need on-thejob training.

Ashley Fassett Burlington Flats

City Needs New Leadership

How many photo ops can one mayor have? One? Maybe a dozen or more? On Mayor Drnek’s Facebook page, he’s got more photo ops than policies to help end the drug epidemic as well as the homeless problem and other issues in the City of Oneonta.

This is simply not the right kind of leadership nor the right type of strategy to be running the City of Oneonta. As I said before, another committee will not solve this problem, but better leadership will. Recently, the mayor got into a spat with someone based on what happened at the Town House Motel and I firmly agree with the individual who argued with the mayor. In previous comments on the situation, the mayor blamed all entities except for the one who should be responsible: himself.

Mayor Drnek has had two and a half years to solve the problems that I mentioned above and no solutions except for bypass the problem with no solution, no accountability, and certainly not listening to the public. The city needs a mayor who will lead and take the helm, not be a photo hog posing for photos every chance they get.

John Hamill City of Oneonta

Basile Best for County Clerk

I have been in practice for over 56 years and have dealt with several Otsego County clerks, all of whom were extremely competent and helpful. During the past couple of years, I have had contact with Jennifer Basile, who is running for Otsego County clerk. She has helped me more times than I can count with my county clerk business. I highly recommend her as our new Otsego County clerk.

Joseph T. Pondolfino Jr. Oneonta

Benton Has Vets’ Interests in Mind

I’m excited to share my support of MacGuire Benton for Otsego County clerk. I have known MacGuire since he worked at the Otsego County Board of Elections as deputy commissioner. He has

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H o metown oneon t a 2008 - 2022

14th anniversary & The Otsego-Delaware Dispatch

CORRECTION

HOMETOWN ONEONTA

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In a news brief from the MacGuire Benton campaign published last week, it was incorrectly stated that Jennifer Basile—Benton’s opponent in the race for Otsego County clerk—had challenged his nomination petitions to run as a candidate on the Customer Service Independent Party line in the upcoming election. In fact, Ashley Fassett— an employee of the Otsego County Clerk’s Office who is active in Basile’s campaign— filed the general objection with the Otsego County Board of Elections on June 2, citing 205 errors.

At the June 15 Board of Elections hearing, Commissioners Michael Henrici and Lori L. Lehenbauer determined that Benton did not have a sufficient number of signatures to

be listed as a candidate for the Customer Service Party in the November 7 election. Seeking to overturn the decision, Benton later filed a court case, Benton v Henrici, which the Supreme Court heard in oral arguments on July 3. Fassett was originally named in the action but removed after the judge determined the case was between Benton and the BOE.

Ultimately, 29 challenged instances in which signatures had been invalidated—because they were printed rather than signed in cursive—were allowed after Benton filed curative affidavits to prove the validity of the printed signatures. “We filed 1,262 total signatures. 1,115 were ruled valid after the court decision. I needed 1,106 minimum,” said Benton in an e-mail last week.

Supreme Court Justice Hon. Brian D. Burns, in his decision, wrote: “The Board of Elections conducted its review and the Commissioners unanimously ruled that the petitions were invalid because individuals who printed their name on the petition had signed their name in cursive, on the Board of Elections registration from. The court finds that the Otsego County Board of Elections acted entirely properly and in accordance with the law in doing so. The candidate-petitioner, however, filed affidavits in each of the 29 challenged curing this defect.” Basile said of the case, “I said since the beginning, no matter how the BOE or Supreme Court rules I am happy with decision. It’s a win [for voters] either way.”

70 YEARs AGo

‘Benefit Cliff’ Has Unintended Results

This article will focus on employment in otsego County as part of the opportunities for otsego Inc. Community Needs Assessment. Employment in otsego County is a blend of historical traditions, evolving industries and community-driven efforts. overcoming seasonal fluctuations, retaining young talent, and navigating the aftermath of the pandemic are challenges that the county faces to ensure a prosperous and sustainable future for its workforce. Wages play a significant factor in the growth and attractiveness of our community for the future.

on average, the median income in otsego County for all households, from 2017 to 2021, was $55,675. For practical purposes, let’s frame this in terms of living wages. A living wage is defined as the amount of income a household or individual needs to earn in order to support their family if they are the sole provider and are working full time. Currently, the general worker minimum wage in upstate New York is $14.20 per hour, except for fast-food workers employed at chain restaurants with more than 30 locations, whose minimum wage was increased to $15.00/ hour on July 1, 2021. Beginning January 2024, the New York state minimum wage will be raised to $15.00 per hour. In 2025 and 2026, the minimum wage will increase by an additional $0.50 in each year, after which the state’s minimum wage would increase at a rate determined by the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers for the Northeast Region.

By MERL REAGLE

40 YEARs AGo

September 1953

Leo Wickoff began working for the Delaware & Hudson Railway on January 27, 1942. Wickoff’s memory of the D&H yard is one of a bustling, busy place, with as many as 25 switch engines working during a single 24-hour work day. Wickoff considered himself to be lucky. “some of the men went as long as 20 years before getting a regular job,” he said. “I was pretty fortunate. I had a couple of different ones before I put my 20 years in.” His first regular job was on the midnight shift. “I spent extra board time picking up work tips from the other trainmen,” he recalled. Before joining the railroad, Wickoff worked at spaulding’s Bakery in oneonta, doing a variety of odd jobs such as wrapping bread, greasing pans, and sweeping up the floors. Every week, Wickoff applied for work at the railroad and was finally hired in January 1942.

September 1983

30 YEARs AGo

The United states ranks 40th in literacy in the world and 12th in per capita income, according to New York state Regent Carl Hayden. “For the first time in U.s history, students today will not enjoy the same level of life their teachers now enjoy. The Regents Action Plan of 1984 called for more “rigor” in the schools. The plan perpetuated the myth that more “seat time” meant reaching better outcomes. However, educators found there wasn’t enough time in the day for programs. “We need to have new ideas, new visions,” Hayden said.

September 1993

20 YEARs AGo

A 25-year-old oneonta man was recovering at A.o. Fox hospital Wednesday after being stabbed by a mental patient on Tuesday afternoon, oneonta police reported. Tim Mullinnex, a groundskeeper at the state University College at oneonta was stabbed in the back apparently without motive outside his 19 Watkins Avenue apartment at about 4 p.m. Mullinnex was transported to the hospital where a Cutco brand kitchen knife with a six-inch blade was removed from his upper back. A woman residing in the same apartment building was arrested Tuesday afternoon. When placed in the rear of the police cruiser she kicked out the back window. she was taken to Fox’s psychiatric crisis center. Mullinnex was stabbed while installing speakers in his car and he called 911.

September 2003

Despite these increases, many minimum-wage workers in otsego County cannot afford basic family expenses (e.g., food, childcare, healthcare, housing, transportation, broadband) plus all relevant taxes. According to the 2023 Massachusetts Institute of Technology Living Wage Calculator, only a household with two working adults and no children living in otsego County could sustain themselves on the current minimum wage.

The mandated yearly bump in hourly wages helps to address the rising cost of living; however, this has unintended consequences for workers receiving publicly-funded benefits such as food, childcare, housing assistance, and the Earned Income Tax Credit. Eligibility for public benefits is often means-tested, therefore small increases in earned income could cause low-income families to lose some or all of their essential public benefits, leaving them worse off despite earning more. This phenomenon, coined the “Benefit Cliff,” often traps families in poverty instead of lifting them out of it.* opportunities for otsego Inc. has constituents that are negatively affected by the Benefits Cliff, as the income eligibility requirements for programs is below the minimum wage in New York, despite the fact that minimum wage earners still need to rely on these services to get by. Unfortunately, without broad regulatory changes, populations in states with higher minimum wage requirements risk being underserved and families

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A Wordsmith’s Christmas…

Mixing things up for the holiday

Compiled by Tom HeiTz/SHARoN STUART with resources courtesy of The Fenimore Art museum Research Library

LOCALS: PEOPLE/BUSINESSES IN THE NEWS

Science Dr. Katherine Griffes, Hartwick Head Men’s Lacrosse Coach and Assistant Athletic Director Don LaSala, Cooperstown All Star Village and Nike Sports Camp developed the multi-sport camp for young kids. Wooden is an exercise science major at SUNY Oneonta who has taken courses in human growth and development, sport psychology and motor learning. The two-day camp provided a wide range of sports and basic movement activities for the siblings of kids in the area for the CASV baseball tournament. Some activities included basketball, soccer, kickball and football, endurance and agility games, and drills and low-intensity activities like yard games and sidewalk chalk.

DEGREE FOR DEVITA: Pamela DeVita of Cooperstown graduated from Missouri State University on May 19 with a Master of Science, Defense and Strategic Studies. MSU awarded 2,953 degrees to students this spring. The commencement ceremonies took place at Great Southern Bank Arena on the MSU campus in Springfield, Missouri.

SCHUERMANN SUCCEEDS: Meagan

Schuermann of Cooperstown graduated with High Academic Honors from Wilbraham & Monson Academy on May 27, 2023. Schuermann served as captain of the women’s basketball team, scoring her 1000th point as a senior. She led her team in the AllNew England Private School Athletic Conference Championship game, and was named 1st Team AllNEPSAC. Schuermann will be attending Emmanuel College in Boston, Massachusetts this fall, pursuing an interest in business and African American studies. Schuermann will also compete on the women’s basketball team for Emmanuel College. (Photo provided)

PROVOST PICK: Sophia Lorens of Edmeston was among 243 students at Genesee Community College named to the Provost’s List for the spring 2023 semester. To qualify, students must maintain part-time enrollment and earn a quality point index of 3.75 (roughly equivalent to an A) or better. Genesee Community College educates over 6,000 students in more than 70 academic programs and certificates. It operates seven campus locations in western New York, at Batavia, Arcade, Dansville, Lima, Medina, Albion and Warsaw.

LOCALS LISTED: More than 670 students were named to the Dean’s List at St. Lawrence University for the spring 2023 semester. To be eligible, a student must complete at least four classes and attain a GPA of at least 3.6. Local students named to the list include: Lily English, a senior psychology major from Richmondville; John Hill-Edgar, a rising junior finance major from Cooperstown; Madyson McCarthy, a rising junior history major from New Berlin; and Autumn Nealis, a rising junior history major from Oneonta. Founded in 1856, St. Lawrence University is a private, independent liberal arts institution of more than 2,000 students in Canton, New York.

GENESEE GREAT: Daniel Ceacareanu of Oneonta was among 176 students named to the Dean’s List at Genesee Community College for the spring 2023 semester. To qualify, a full-time or part-time student must earn a quality point index between 3.5 and 3.74.

CORTLAND COMMENCEMENT: More than 950 students received bachelor’s degrees from the State University of New York at Cortland this spring. Coverage of the 2023 commencement ceremonies, including video footage, may be found at www2.cortland.edu/commencement. Local students who graduated included: Star Banner, a school building leader major from Maryland; Rhiannon Beers, of Mount Vision, with a degree in exercise science; Justin Cornia, a physical education major from Oneonta; and Jordyn Lang, of Sidney, a sociology student. SUNY Cortland is one of New York’s top public universities, with 68 undergraduate majors.

BEST BANK: For the second year in a row, Community Bank has been recognized as one of America’s Most Trusted Companies by Newsweek and Statista Inc., the world-leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider. In addition to the Newsweek recognition, Community Bank was honored by Forbes as one of America’s Best Banks for the 14th consecutive year. “To be recognized for a second consecutive year as one of the most trusted companies in America is an honor, but more importantly, it’s proof that we’re doing right by our customers,” Community Bank Chief Executive Officer and President Mark Tryniski said. “Giving them the best possible financial guidance is and always will be our first priority. Thank you, Newsweek and Forbes, for the recognition, and to our employees, local communities, investors, and customers for putting your trust in us.”

EDWARDS EXCELS: Nathaniel Edwards of Morris was named to the Dean’s List at Wilkes University for the spring 2023 semester. To be named to the Dean’s List, students must obtain a minimum 3.5 grade point average and carry at least 12 credits. Wilkes University is located in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.

CAMP COUNSELOR: Graham Wooden of Oneonta was one of two SUNY Oneonta students to assist in the first collaborative Nike multi-sport camp held June 11-12 at Hartwick College. SUNY Oneonta Assistant Professor of Sport and Exercise

CERTIFICATION SECURED: HCR Home Care has earned Home Health Heart Failure certification from the American Heart Association®, the world’s leading nonprofit organization focused on heart and brain health for all. The certification provides an evidence-based framework for evaluating home health agencies against the American Heart Association’s rigorous science-based standards for heart failure patients, including program management, patient and caregiver education and support, care coordination, clinical management and quality improvement.

“Obtaining American Heart Association certification for our heart failure program is a tremendous accomplishment,” said Adrianne Mann, RN, BSN, MSHA, chief nursing officer and administrator of HCR’s Certified Home Health Agency. “Our staff provides quality care to our patients, and it is great to be recognized for all of their hard work and dedication.” The certification signifies confidence that: An agency’s heart failure program is based on standards aligned with the American Heart Association science; the agency is recognized by the American Heart Association, based on professional evaluation criteria designed by heart failure and home care experts, and: care is coordinated from pre-admission through working with the home health agency to discharge. Recognized as a top workplace six years in a row and as a top-ranked woman-owned business, HCR Home Care is headquartered in Rochester and operates in 25 counties across the Catskill, Central New York, Finger Lakes and North Country regions.

CURTIN AND CORDES: Two local students earned bachelor’s degrees from the University of Vermont as UVM President Suresh Garimella conferred degrees on an estimated 3,383 graduates at the university’s 222nd commencement ceremony. Helaina Curtin of Oneonta graduated with a bachelor’s in community and international development. Bernardina Cordes of Sidney graduated Cum Laude with a bachelor’s in environmental sciences. Garimella invoked words of writer Vladamir Nabokov to encourage graduates forward: “The pages are still blank, but there is a miraculous feeling of the words being there, written in invisible ink and clamoring to become visible,” he read. He urged students to follow the same spirit. “Go forth and write your next chapter in bold strokes. Go dauntlessly wherever your stories take you.” Speaking on the spirit of excellence, the Honorable Sethuraman Panchanathan, director of the U.S. National Science Foundation, delivered the keynote address.

FAN FAVORITES: The results of the Cooperstown Art Association’s 88th Annual National Juried Exhibition Popular Vote have been tallied. First place went to “Deconstruction and Reconstruction” by Carol Saggese; Jonathan Schubert took second place with “Chestnut Street Drizzle,” and “Yvette” by Herman Roggeman placed third in the voting. According to the CAA, this year’s exhibit featured 148 works on display from 126 individual artists representing 13 states.

MILFORD DELEGATE: Jack Yorke, a junior at Milford Central School, was selected by The Lauren’s American Legion Post #1688 as a delegate for the 2023 American Legion Boys State in Morrisville this past June. Boys State was founded in 1935 to counter the socialism-inspired Young Pioneer Camps. Students participating in the week-long program learn the “practical aspects of government as it exists in New York State, and come to recognize that the individual is integral to the character and success of government” under the guidance of American Legion counselors and U.S. Marines. Those selected to attend have demonstrated outstanding character and leadership and are immersed at Boys State in both citizenship and leadership training. Yorke is the son of Heidi and Daniel Yorke. He is pictured here with U.S. 1st Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Niles Ceasar, who led some of the programs at Boys State this year. (Photo provided)

NEW DEAN DAVIS: SUNY Delhi has appointed Daniel Davis as dean of the School of Applied Technologies and Architecture. Davis, who has served as interim dean for the past year, has been a faculty member at SUNY Delhi for 17 years. He holds a master’s degree in curriculum development from State University at Albany and a bachelor’s degree in career and technical educator preparation from SUNY Oswego. “Daniel Davis brings a wealth of experience and expertise to this critical position. With an impressive background in automotive technology and higher education, he has demonstrated exceptional leadership and a commitment to academic excellence throughout his career,” said Dr. David Brower, interim provost at SUNY Delhi. In his new role, Davis will be responsible for providing visionary leadership and strategic direction to advance the school’s mission of excellence in applied learning, student engagement, and community outreach. He will oversee cutting-edge academic programs that prepare students for successful careers in high-demand professions with the knowledge and skills to tackle complex challenges. Delhi graduates are highly sought after and enjoy a wealth of employment opportunities in their fields.

MUSIC MAN: The Catskill Symphony Orchestra has hired Glen Cortese (right) as interim music director for the 2023-2024 season. According to the CSO website, Cortese has appeared with the New Jersey Symphony, the North Carolina Symphony, the Florida Philharmonic, the Belarus State Philharmonic, Sofia Philharmonic, the National Romanian Radio Orchestra, the Slovak Radio Orchestra and the Mexico City Philharmonic. His opera credits include the New York City Opera, the Florida Grand Opera, Wolftrap Opera, the Cleveland Lyric Opera and the Eugene Opera. His credits in the world of dance include performances with the Connecticut Ballet, the Joffrey Ballet, the Elisa Monte Dance Company and was music director for the Erick Hawkins Dance Company at Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center, the Joyce Theatre and on national tours. Cortese has conducted more than 150 premieres, working in direct collaboration with composers, and he himself is an award-winning composer, having won the Charles Ives Scholarship from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, and a two-time winner of the Joseph E. Bearns Prize. He was an assistant conductor to the New York Philharmonic from 1990–92 for Zubin Mehta and in July of 1993, he was invited by Kurt Masur to guest conduct a reading with the New York Philharmonic at Carnegie Hall. “We are thrilled to announce that Glen Cortese has joined the CSO as our new music director, and we couldn’t be more excited about the future,” officials said. “With his exceptional talent, profound musical insight and boundless passion, Glen is set to take the symphony experience to new heights.” CSO’s 70th season begins on September 30 with “Heroes and Legends,” featuring acclaimed pianist Philip Fisher, as the orchestra performs Rossini’s “William Tell,” Rachmaninoff’s “Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini,” and Stravinsky’s “Firebird Suite.” (Photo provided)

We want to celebrate you! Send birth announcements, promotions, award information, anniversaries and other such community news for publication to darlay@allotsego.com.

STRIKES AND STRIFE: Dr. John Nader (above), former mayor of Oneonta, is writing a book about the history of the Sixth Ward. He addressed a crowd of 40-50 people on Saturday, July 8 as a guest speaker for the Greater Oneonta Historical Society. His talk, titled “Troubles Ahead, Troubles Behind,” detailed strikes and strife on the Delaware & Hudson Railroad between 1910-1922. The vast majority of the 1,100 trackmen who struck in 1910 were bilingual Italian Americans. At least 200 lived in the Sixth Ward. Dr. Nader is currently president of SUNY Farmingdale on Long Island. (Photo provided)

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Another relative, Barbara Bys—Weston’s fourth great-granddaughter and fourth cousin once removed of Avedian—had traveled from Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin to witness the headstone’s placement.

“This is kind of a milestone. I’ve done research on this for 12 years. To go to something like this, something that is really happening, is just a special experience,” Bys said.

Community participants included Oneonta Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution Regent Jaci Bettiol, its Chaplain Elaine Garito, Linda Sokolowski and other chapter members. Marcia Foote of the Tianderah Chapter of the NSDAR was also present.

“The unequalled liberties enjoyed in America today are the legacy of brave, strong patriots,” were words that particularly resonated in the invocation delivered by Garito.

The DAR placed a Revolutionary War Patriot flag holder by the newly-erected headstone and also provided refreshments.

Other community participants included Leland Hoag and David Joanis, both assistant scout masters for Boy Scouts of America Troop 61 of New Berlin, who formed a color guard for the occasion. Three members of Morris BSA Troop 3 were also present. Seven members of the Sherburne Sons of the American Legion Post 876 performed a 21gun salute.

“It’s a privilege and an honor for our post to be a part of this,” said Legion Commander Tom Summer.

Trumpeter Asa Dugan, a student at Morris Central School, played taps to end the ceremony.

“It feels special. It’s a big moment,” Dugan said of his participation.

Avedian’s pursuit of Weston’s grave and, subsequently, of a headstone replacement, was fueled by a lifelong “intense interest in family history,” but he only learned of his descendance from Weston “six or seven years ago” when one of his relatives put forth the notion that his family was descended from passengers on the Mayflower.

Avedian’s research was facilitated by his move from California to Boston in 2014, where he connected with the General Society of Mayflower Descendants in Plymouth, Massachusetts, whose documents confirmed that Mayflower passenger George Soule was indeed a family ancestor and that Benjamin Weston was the third greatgrandson of Soule. Town of New Lisbon Historian Virginia Schoradt also aided Avedian in his genealogical research.

In 1775, Weston was living in Wethersfield, Massachusetts, having recently wed Mary Woodhouse, whose family were shipbuilders.

When “the shot heard around the world” sparked the Revolutionary War, Weston was one of 115 Wethersfield patriots to step up to fight the British.

As a private serving in Captain John Chester’s Connecticut 6th Regiment, Weston fought in the Battle of Lexington in 1775. In August 1776, under the command of Captain John Hanmer, he sailed down the Connecticut River in a Wethersfield sloop to fight in the Battle of Long Island. After his promotion to the rank of sergeant, he served with Colonel Samuel Webb’s 9th Connecticut Regiment, in which he participated in the Battles Setauket, Fort Clinton, Fort Montgomery, and Rhode Island. Weston spent the winter of 1777-78 at West Point, where he helped build redoubts to protect Fort Clinton from southern approaches along the Hudson River. He was promoted to Continental Army ensign in April, 1779 and resigned from the army in July of the same year.

Less is known about Weston’s civilian life. Documentation related to a home built in Hartford, Connecticut indicates that Weston had masonry skills. With Mary, he had six children, born between 1776 and 1794— Mary, Wealthy, George, Hannah, Betsy, and Abigail. Other records show that he moved to the Butternut Valley in 1814, where he appears to have lived with his daughter, Hannah, and her husband, Cyrenus Noble, in an area then known as Noblesville. The home, located at the southeast intersection of county routes 14 and 12, still stands as a private residence.

Avedian has written a brief history of Weston’s life and service titled ‘’Benjamin Weston, Patriot,’’ which he continues to expand. The document is accessible at https://drive. google.com/file/d/1gT

78i7WKGgapv6e4AE w0oeLH5QUXXMJg/ view?usp=drivesdk.

The September 2 ceremony marked a gratifying culmination to Avedian’s research on Weston, search for his grave, and pursuit of a headstone.

“I was not going to leave a relative’s grave unmarked. I’ve always revered the past and been curious about where I came from. I do it for the memory of my ancestors and for children, nephews, and nieces so that someday they, too, may have an appreciation for their family’s history.’’

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always been interested in honoring veterans and especially the veterans of Otsego County. I spoke with him about the “Return the Favor” program, which is a Clerk’s Office-based program that gives veterans a discount on goods and services at local businesses. When he asked me in what ways we could improve that benefit, I told him I would hope more businesses could participate and the benefit increased. I’ve reviewed his plan and support it. I believe he can make it happen. Join me in supporting MacGuire Benton for Otsego County clerk.

Sidney Loeffler

Former Otsego County VA Services Officer

Burlington Flats

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will continue to struggle.

*Koball, H., Growing Pains: How Benefit Cliffs Can Derail Government Support, 05.12.2021 (https:// spotlightonpoverty. org/spotlight-exclusives/ growing-pains-howbenefit-cliffs-can-derailgovernment-support)

Dan Maskin is the chief executive officer of Opportunities for Otsego Inc.

Coop Food Pantry Selected for New Client Intake Program

COOPERSTOWN

The Cooperstown Food Pantry has been chosen by the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York to implement Service Insights, a web-based platform for registering food pantry clients when they arrive for food distribution. This new method is free and designed to better meet the needs of those the Cooperstown Food Pantry serves and be more precise in learning what food products satisfy clients. The electronic intake process, which launched in Cooperstown on June 26, reduces paperwork and redundancy for food pantry clients and its volunteers. The database is secure, and the data collected are only used to understand how well the food pantry is helping its community and if other communities need to be served.

Service Insights was made possible by Feeding America, whose vision is an America where no one is hungry. The Regional Food Bank serves 23 counties, comprised of 600 pantries, with a goal of making the software available to all pantries. The Regional Food Bank chose Cooperstown Food Pantry for this new opportunity because it has a good reputation for successful pilot programs, swift action, and a strong relationship with the Regional Food Bank, who graciously donated two tablet devices for the new intake system.

“The Regional Food Bank of NENY is grateful for the outstanding partnership of Cooperstown Food Pantry and for its ongoing commitment to enhancing the lives of our food insecure neighbors.” said Susan Lintner, director of community impact at the Regional Food Bank in Latham.

Will Kleffner, executive director of the Cooperstown Food Pantry, said, “This all came about through Maggie Johnson, the director of the Community Cupboard in Edmeston. Maggie and I serve on the board of the Hunger Coalition of Otsego County, and we often collaborate on issues related to feeding programs. We even occasionally trade various pantry items to ensure that we can meet the needs of the people we serve.  Maggie mentioned our interest in moving toward more modern methods to our partners at the Regional Food Bank and they selected us for this pilot program.”

Located at 25 Church Street and currently in its 46th year, the Cooperstown Food Pantry provides an important safety net for area families forced to choose between paying for utilities, medicine, gasoline, or food.  To receive assistance, call (607) 547 8902 or visit https://cooperstownfoodpantry.org/.

Photo provided

Cooperstown Food Pantry Executive Director Will Kleffner works with Manager of Operations Jess Lambert using the new intake system.

LegaL nOtice

NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION SUBJECT TO PERMISSIVE REFERENDUM

NOTICE IS

HEREBY

GIVEN that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Cooperstown, Otsego County, New York at a meeting thereof held on the 28th day of August, 2023, duly adopted pursuant to section 6-C of the General Municipal Law, a resolution subject to permissive referendum, the purpose and effect of which is to authorize an appropriation of up to $12,000 from Doubleday Field Reserve, a capital reserve fund, for design services related to providing an accessible route for vehicle and pedestrian traffic between Chestnut Street and Doubleday Field.

BY ORDER OF THE VILLAGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE VILLAGE OFCOOPERSTOWN, NEW YORK

Jenna L. Utter

Village Clerk

Village of Cooperstown 22 Main Street Cooperstown, NY 13326 (607) 547-2411 (phone)

jutter@cooperstownny.org (email)

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COUNTY OF OTSEGO NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

2024 Countywide Shared Service Property Tax Savings Plan

The County of Otsego will hold a public hearing on the 2024 County-wide Shared Services Property Tax Savings Plan. New York State’s County-Wide Shared Services Initiative (CWSSI) generates property tax savings by enabling collaboration between local governments across the state. The CWSSI expands on the ongoing commitment to reduce property taxes and modernize local government services by fostering new shared services and enhancing the existing collaborations already in place.

Otsego County intends to identify projects that will save taxpayers money through shared, coordinated, and efficient services between the county and local governments.

Plans that demonstrate actual savings in taxpayer dollars may be eligible for a

one-time reimbursement match on the savings amount. Written comments will be accepted until September 20, 2023. Comments should be directed to the Otsego County Planning Department, 197 Main Street, Cooperstown, NY 13326, or they can be submitted by email to planning@ otsegocounty. com.

The hearing will be held as follows:

Topic: CWSSI Public Hearing

Date/Time:

September 13, 2023 at 12:00 PM

Eastern Time Location: Classroom A Meadows Office Complex 140 County Hwy 33W Cooperstown, NY 13326

David Bliss, Chair—Otsego County Board of Representatives

LegaL nOtice SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF OTSEGO

INDEX

#EF2023-244

FILED: 8/10/2023

SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS

Plaintiff designates OTSEGO County as the place of trial. The basis of venue is: The location of real property being foreclosed.

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., Plaintiff, against ELVA SAMPSON A/K/A ELVA R. SAMPSON, if they be living and if they be dead, the respective heirsat-law, next-of kin, distributees, executors, administrators, trustees, devisees, legatees, assignees, lienors, creditors and successors in interest and generally all persons having or claiming under, by or through said defendant(s) who may be deceased, by purchase, inheritance, lien or inheritance, any right, title or interest in or to the real property described in the Complaint; VELOCITY INVESTMENTS, LLC; NBT BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION; NORTH STAR CAPITAL ACQUISITION, LLC; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE; NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE and “JOHN DOE No. 1’’ through ‘’JOHN DOE No. 100’’ inclusive, the name of the last 100 defendants

being fictitious, the true names of said defendants being unknown to plaintiff, it being intended to designate fee owners, tenants or occupants of the liened premises and/or persons or parties having or claiming an interest in or a lien upon the liened premises, if the aforesaid individual defendants are living, and if any or all of said individual defendants be dead, their heirs at law, next of kin, distributees, executors, administrators, trustees, committees, devisees, legatees, and assignees, lienors, creditors and successors in interest of them and generally all persons having or claiming under, by, through, or against the said defendants named as a class, of any right, title, or interest in or lien upon the premises described in the complaint herein, Defendant(s). To the above named Defendants: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the complaint in this action and to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the complaint is not served with this summons, to serve a notice of appearance on the plaintiff’s attorney(s) within 20 days after the service of this summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within 30 days after service is complete if this summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York); and in case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the complaint.

NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME. If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to the mortgage company will not stop the foreclosure action.

YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING

THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. The foregoing summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an order of the Honorable Brian D Burns, a Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, Otsego County, granted on the 4th day of August, 2023, and filed with the Complaint and other papers in the office of the County Clerk of Otsego County.

The object of this action is to foreclose a mortgage upon the premises described below, executed by ROY SAMPSON A/K/A ROY O. SAMPSON and ELVA SAMPSON A/K/A/ ELVA R. SAMPSON to FRANKLIN BANK, SSB, bearing date March 31, 2004 and recorded in Book 1305, Page 58 in the County of Otsego on April 26, 2004, which was modified by Loan Modification Agreement dated August 17, 2007 creating a new principal amount of $97,167.96, which was assigned to COUNTRYWIDE HOME LOANS, INC by instrument executed January 3, 2023 and recorded January 6, 2023, in Instrument Number: 2023-067, which was further assigned to BANK OF AMERICA, N.A by instrument executed January 19, 2023 and recorded on January 20, 2023, in Instrument Number: 2023-279. Said premises being known as and by 1322 COUNTY HIGHWAY 7 OTEGO, NY 13825, bearing tax map designation Section: 272.00, Block: 1, Lot: 73.00, which is more fully described in the Schedule “A” attached to the Complaint.

To the above named Defendants: YOU ARE HEREBY PUT ON NOTICE THAT WE ARE ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE.

There is due and owing to plaintiff the sum of $91,112.88 plus interest thereon from November 1, 2008, in addition to those accumulated late charges and those recoverable monies advanced by Plaintiff and/or Plaintiff’s predecessor-in-interest on behalf Roy Sampson a/k/a Roy O Sampson and Elva Sampson a/k/a Elva R Sampson together with all costs, including but not limited to, attorneys’ fees, disbursements,

and further allowances provided pursuant to the underlying loan documents and applicable law in bringing any action to protect the Mortgagee’s interest in the Subject Property.The relief sought in the within action is a final judgment directing the sale of the premises described above to satisfy the debt described above.

UNLESS YOU DISPUTE THE VALIDITY OF THE DEBT, OR ANY PORTION THEREOF, WITHIN THIRTY (30) DAYS AFTER YOUR RECEIPT HEREOF THAT THE DEBT, OR ANY PORTION THEREOF, IS DISPUTED, THE DEBTOR JUDGMENT AGAINST YOU AND A COPY OF SUCH VERIFICATION OR JUDGMENT WILL BE MAILED TO YOU BY THE HEREIN DEBT COLLECTOR. IF APPLICABLE, UPON YOUR WRITTEN REQUEST, WITHIN SAID THIRTY (30) DAY PERIOD, THE HEREIN DEBT COLLECTOR WILL PROVIDE YOU WITH THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE ORIGINAL CREDITOR. IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED A DISCHARGE FROM THE UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT, YOU ARE NOT PERSONALLY LIABLE FOR THE UNDERLYING INDEBTEDNESS OWED TO PLAINTIFF/ CREDITOR AND THIS NOTICE/ DISCLOSURE IS FOR COMPLIANCE AND INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. HELP FOR HOMEOWNERS IN FORECLOSURE New York State requires that we send you this notice about the foreclosure process. Please read it carefully.

SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT You are in danger of losing your home. If you fail to respond to the Summons and Complaint in this foreclosure action, you may lose your home. Please read the Summons and Complaint carefully. You should immediately contact an attorney or your local legal aid office to obtain advice on how to protect yourself.

SOURCES OF INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE The State encourages you to become informed about your options in foreclosure. In addition to seeking assistance from an attorney or legal aid, there

are government agencies, and non-profit organizations that you may contact for information about possible options, including trying to work with your lender during this process. To locate an entity near you, you may call the toll-free helpline maintained by New York State Department of Financial Services’ at 1-800269-0990 or visit the Department’s website at http:// www.dfs.ny.gov Rights and Obligations

YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO LEAVE YOUR HOME AT THIS TIME. You have the right to stay in your home during the foreclosure process. You are not required to leave your home unless and until your property is sold at auction pursuant to a judgment of foreclosure and sale. Regardless of whether you choose to remain in your home,

YOU ARE REQUIRED TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR PROPERTY and pay property taxes in accordance with state and local law.

FORECLOSURE RESCUE SCAMS

Be careful of people who approach you with offers to “save” your home. There are individuals who watch for notices of foreclosure actions in order to unfairly profit from a homeowner’s distress. You should be extremely careful about any such promises and any suggestions that you pay them a fee or sign over your deed. State law requires anyone offering such services for profit to enter into a contract which fully describes the services they will perform and fees they will charge, and which prohibits them from taking any money from you until they have completed all such promised services. Aldridge Pite, LLP, Attorneys for the Plaintiff, 40 Marcus Drive, Suite 200, Melville, NY 11747 File 1213-414B 4LegalSept.28

LegaL nOtice SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF OTSEGO

INDEX NO.

EF2023-118

Plaintiff designates OTSEGO as the place of trial situs of the real property

SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS

Mortgaged Premises: 8 ELM STREET,

WORCESTER, NY 12197

Section: 199.18, Block: 2, Lot: 48.00

MORTGAGE ASSETS MANAGEMENT, LLC

Plaintiff, vs. DAWN TOMEK, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF WILLIAM VAJDA; DIANNE VAJDA, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF WILLIAM VAJDA; JEFFREY C VAJDA SR, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF WILLIAM VAJDA; UNKNOWN HEIRS AND DISTRIBUTEES OF THE ESTATE OF WILLIAM VAJDA, any and all persons unknown to plaintiff, claiming, or who may claim to have an interest in, or general or specific lien upon the real property described in this action; such unknown persons being herein generally described and intended to be included in the following designation, namely: the wife, widow, husband, widower, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors, and assignees of such deceased, any and all persons deriving interest in or lien upon, or title to said real property by, through or under them, or either of them, and their respective wives, widows, husbands, widowers, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors and assigns, all of whom and whose names, except as stated, are unknown to plaintiff; SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT; NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, “JOHN DOE #1” through “JOHN DOE #12,” the last twelve names being fictitious and unknown to plaintiff, the persons or parties intended being the tenants, occupants, persons or corporations, if any, having or claiming an interest in or lien upon the premises, described in the complaint, Defendants.

To the above named Defendants YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the

Complaint in the above entitled action and to serve a copy of your Answer on the plaintiff’s attorney within twenty (20) days of the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service, or within thirty (30) days after service of the same is complete where service is made in any manner other than by personal delivery within the State. The United States of America, if designated as a defendant in this action, may answer or appear within sixty (60) days of service. Your failure to appear or to answer will result in a judgment against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. In the event that a deficiency balance remains from the sale proceeds, a judgment may be entered against you.

NOTICE OF NATURE OF ACTION AND RELIEF SOUGHT

THE OBJECT of the above caption action is to foreclose a Mortgage to secure the sum of $135,000.00 and interest, recorded on July 25, 2013, in Instrument Number 20133991, of the Public Records of OTSEGO County, New York., covering premises known as 8 ELM STREET, WORCESTER, NY 12197.

The relief sought in the within action is a final judgment directing the sale of the premises described above to satisfy the debt secured by the Mortgage described above.

OTSEGO County is designated as the place of trial because the real property affected by this action is located in said county.

NOTICE

YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME

If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home.

Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property.

Sending a

payment to the mortgage company will not stop the foreclosure action.

YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT.

Dated: August 11, 2023

ROBERTSON, ANSCHUTZ, SCHNEID, CRANE & PARTNERS, PLLC

Attorney for Plaintiff Matthew Rothstein, Esq. 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310 Westbury, NY 11590 516-280-7675

4LegalSept.21

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NOTICE OF FORMATION OF A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

NEW YORK NIGHTMARE PRODUCTION, LLC

filed Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on JUNE 6, 2023.

Office location: Otsego County. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of any process served upon him or her to: 1967 Wehrle Drive, Suite 1086, Buffalo, NY 14221. Purpose: Any lawful act or activity.

6LegalOct.12

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NOTICE OF FORMATION OF Infinite Hearts Reiki L.L.C. Filed 8/21/23. Office : Otsego County . SSNY designated as agent of L.L.C. upon whom to process against LLC. SSNY shall mail a copy of the process to LLC, 177 Cemetery Rd, Fly Creek , N.Y. 13337.

Purpose, general

6LegalOct.5

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NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LLC. Monticello Wind LLC (LLC)

Filed Arts. of Org. with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 8/22/2023. Office location: Otsego County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process may be served and SSNY shall mail process to the LLC at c/o continued pg. 9

Joan R. Butler

1933-2023 COOPERSTOWN

– Joan R. Butler, 90, who for many years resided in Pierstown, passed away peacefully August 8, 2023, at Woodside Hall in Cooperstown. She was born March 8, 1933 in Oneonta, the first daughter of Jesse E. and Elsie (Weldon) Robinson of New Lisbon.

In her teen years, her family moved to Cooperstown, where they resided in her grandparents’, Frank and Gracie Robinson’s, riverside home, the “Elmhurst” in Phoenix Mills, where they ran a lumber mill. Joan attended Cooperstown High School, later (in life) earning her GED in order to attain her broker certification.

On October 29, 1950, Joan married Robert Charles Butler, a native of Cooperstown, in a ceremony at Christ Church in Cooperstown.

They first lived in Hyde Park in a humble home built by her husband. Then, in 1989, Joan and Bob moved to a home and property on Reiss Road in Pierstown they named “Fox Run.”

Much like her late husband, Joan had a passion and knack for finance. After serving as a teller at KeyBank, she quickly became the branch manager in the 1970s. After her tenure at KeyBank, she earned her broker certification

OBITUARIES

and for decades was an investment counselor, first for John Hancock, and then RBC Wealth Management in Cooperstown, assisted by her sister, Dorothy. Joan retired in her late 70s.

Joan was a long-time member of OtsegoHartwick-Arbutus Chapter No. 201, Order of the Eastern Star, and in 2016 she was presented with her 50year membership pin at the annual OtsegoSchoharie District Officer’s Visitation at the Cooperstown Masonic Temple. Even after her husband, Bob, passed away, she remained dedicated to the Masonic Fraternity, often attending Otsego Lodge No. 138, Free and Accepted Mason’s Honored Guest Nights.

For many years, Joan also served as a member of the Board of Directors of Lakewood Cemetery in Cooperstown. In 2018, she received a certificate from the Lakewood Cemetery Association designating her “trustee emeritus” for her years of service as the association’s treasurer.

Joan is survived by her brother, Gordon A. (Barbara) Robinson (Fly Creek); and her nieces and nephews, Bonita “Bonnie” (Paul) Varney (Milford), Connie Jo Robinson (Fly Creek), Julie (Matthew) Robinson-Barnes (Hartwick), Brenda (Todd) Eckler (Conway, South Carolina) and Bruce (Donna) Eckler (Canastota).

Joan was predeceased by her father, Jesse E. Robinson, who died February 18, 1976; her mother, Elsie K. Etheridge, who died March 29, 2009; her husband of 60 years, Robert C. Butler, who died January 30, 2011; their son, Robert Jesse

Butler, “Slugger,” who died February 23, 2020; and her sister, Dorothy A. Eckler, who died April 1, 2022. Joan will forever be remembered for her strong-mindedness, determination, drive for perfection and independence.

Her family would like to thank the staff at Woodside Hall for their caring and loving spirit, her lifelong friends Laura (Michael) Page for their companionship and assistance, and Helios Care for making her comfortable in her final weeks.

Friends may call and pay their respects from 4-6 p.m. on Wednesday, September 13, 2023 at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.

The Office of the Burial of the Dead with Holy Eucharist (Rite I) will be offered at 11 a.m. on Thursday, September 14, 2023, in Christ Church, Cooperstown, with the Reverend Nathan P. Ritter, rector, officiating.

The Service of Committal and Burial will follow in Lakewood Cemetery, Cooperstown.

In her younger years, Joan served on the Board of Directors at

the Susquehanna SPCA, assisting in the construction of the Hartwick Seminary facility. Joan loved her cats throughout the years and her last cat, Jezebel, brought her much comfort. “Jezzy” was a feral cat who found a warm and loving home with Joan.

As an alternative to flowers, the family suggests that memorial gifts be made to the SQSPCA Joan R. Butler/Community Cat Alteration Program, 5082-5088 State Highway 28, Cooperstown, NY 13326. Contributions received in her name and under this program will assist in the capture, alteration, and re-release of feral cats in the community.

Arrangements are under the care and guidance of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.

Barbara ann Michaels

1938-2023

GLOVERSVILLE— Barbara Ann Michaels, beloved founder of the Fly Creek Cider Mill & Orchard, died Sunday, September 3 at the Nancy Dowd Hospice Home in Gloversville, New York.

Born June 14, 1938

Grandma loved her farm, her family, and playing her old guitar.

Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home will take the time to find out what made your loved one special. Whether it’s finding just the right flowers, or finding a musician to play her favorite tunes on her old guitar, we’ll do what’s necessary to make her service as unique as she was.

Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home 14 Grand Street, Oneonta • 607-432-6821 www.grummonsfuneralhome.com

LEGALS

from pg. 8 Liberty Renewables Inc., 90 State Street, Albany, NY 12207.

Purpose: any business permitted under law.

6LegalOct.5

LegaL nOtice

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

Crooked Reel Productions LLC filed Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on APRIL 28, 2023.

Office location: Otsego County. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of any process served upon him or her to: 228 Mountain Tom Road Springfield Center, NY 13468 and 1967 Wehrle Drive Suite 1086 Buffalo, NY 14221.

Purpose: Any lawful act or activity.

6LegalSept.28

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NOTICE OF FORMATION OF ACKLEY TREE SERVICE LLC.

Filed 4/7/23. Office: Otsego Co. SSNY desig. as agent for process & shall mail to: 3 Rose Ave, Oneonta, NY 13820. Registered Agent: United States Corporation Agents, Inc., 7014 13th Ave , Ste 202, Bklyn, NY 11228.

Purpose: General.

6LegalSept.28

LegaL nOtice

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF 62 Maple Street, LLC.

Articles of Organization were filed with the NY

Secretary of State on 7/12/23.

The office of the LLC is to be located in Otsego County.

The Secretary of State has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served.

The Secretary of State shall mail a copy of any process against the LLC served upon him to: The LLC, 493 Chestnut St., Ste. 2, Oneonta, NY 13820.

The purpose of the LLC is to engage in any lawful act or activity.

6LegalSept.14

LegaL nOtice NOTICE OF FORMATION OF The Turk Plantation LLC

Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on June 3, 2023 Office Location: Otsego County

SSNY Designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served.

SSNY shall mail copy of process to 810 Mooney Road, Worcester, NY 12197

Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

6LegalSept.14

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NOTICE OF FORMATION OF Waterman Trucking LLC.

Filed 7/18/23.

Office: Otsego Co. SSNY desig. as agent for process & shall mail to: 242 Waterman Rd, Worcester, NY 12197.

Purpose: General. 6LegalSept.14

LegaL nOtice

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF DOMESTIC LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY;

in Newark, New Jersey, Barbara grew up in Flushing, New York. She attended PS 32, graduated from Bayside High School, and earned a BFA in Art Education from the University of Buffalo and was a proud member of the Sigma Kappa Sorority.

After graduation, she taught at Hartwick Grade Center and Cooperstown Central School, where she developed great friendships with fellow teachers and encouraged many students to develop their artistic skills. Throughout life, former students often approached her with fond memories of her instruction and love of art.

During her first winter in Cooperstown, Barb learned to ski at Mt. Otsego, where she met

Charlie Michaels whom she married in 1962, settling down in the hamlet of Fly Creek.

It was in Fly Creek where Barb and Charlie resurrected the Fly Creek Cider Mill, growing it into an iconic Otsego County family destination. She established the Old Mill Studio Shop on the second level, greeting thousands of visitors and tempting them with warm doughnuts heated in a wood-burning stove. Her specialty was dried floral arrangements harvested fresh from her secret farms and fields, earning her the nickname the “weed lady,” who often left a bottle of hard cider behind as a thank you.

In the winter, Barb and Charlie continued their love of skiing in Park City, Utah, sharing the slopes with many new friends and visiting family. Later winters were enjoyed in Arizona and Barb applied her artistic talents to ceramics.

After retirement, she continued to help at the mill on busy fall weekends and developed a wide social media and YouTube following as

Continued on page 10

Funeral Home

Dignity, Respect, Tradition

Dignified and Caring Service since 1925 Peaceful grounds. Home-like atmosphere. Suitable for large or small gatherings.

Peter A. Deysenroth 82 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown | 607-547-8231 www.cooperstownfuneralhome.com

Name of LLC: 379 COUNTY HIGHWAY 33, LLC; Date of filing: July 26, 2023; Office of the LLC: Otsego Co.; The NY Secretary of State has been designated as the agent upon whom process may be served. NYSS may mail a copy of any process to the LLC at 6559 State Highway 80, Cooperstown, New York 13326; Purpose of LLC: Any lawful purpose.

6LegalSept.7

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NOTICE OF FORMATION OF Pleasant Brook Hotel LLC.

Filed 6/28/23. Office: Otsego Co. SSNY desig. as agent for process & shall mail to: 510 State Hwy 165, Roseboom, NY 13450. Purpose: General.

6LegalSept.7

LegaL nOtice

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF RCBJ PROPERTIES, LLC

Notice of formation of Limited Liability Company (“LLC”). Limited Liability Company Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (“SSNY”) on 07/21/2023. Office location: 168 Clover Hill Road, Oneonta, Otsego County, NY. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY may mail a copy of any process to the LLC, 168 Clover Hill Road, Oneonta, New York 13820.

Purpose: Any lawful act under New York LLC Law.

6LegalSept.7

LegaL nOtice

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF Kostek Consulting LLC

Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on April 30, 2023.

Office Location: Otsego County. SSNY Designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to 20 Quarry Street, Cherry Valley NY 13320

Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

6LegalSept.7

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NOTICE OF FORMATION OF

JNC OTSEGO LLC.

Filed 6/26/23. Office: Otsego

Co. SSNY desig. as agent for process & shall mail to: James Crutchley, 13 Oliver St, Framingham, MA 01702.

Purpose: General.

6LegalSept.7

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NOTICE OF FORMATION OF 31 Walnut Street, LLC, a Limited Liability Company (LLC) filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on July 18, 2023. NY office Location: OTSEGO County. SSNY is designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 31 Walnut Street, LLC, 31 Pioneer Street, Suite 3, Cooperstown, New York 13326. General Purposes. 6LegalSept.7

LegaL nOtice

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF Alan/Roberta Steere LLC.

Articles of organization were filed with the NY Secretary of State on 6/30/2023. Office location Otsego County. The Secretary of State has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served.

The Secretary of State shall mail a copy of any process against the LLC served upon it to the LLC, 161 Tunnicliff Road, Richfield Springs, NY 13439. Purpose: any lawful. 6LegalSept.7

Photo provided JOAN R. BUTLER

Photo provided BARBARA ANN MICHAELS

OBITUaRIES

Laura Jane Seeley

1984-2023

I would like to be in touch with the community about a recent sad event and the usual format of an obituary does not always lend itself to personal communication. There is now an empty place in the world that can never be filled.

Laura Jane Seeley left this world on Tuesday, august 22 when the car she was driving crashed violently into another vehicle while returning home from visiting her mother in New Hampshire. The day was clear and sunny, yet her vehicle crossed into the opposite lane and struck a large pickup truck. We may never know why this happened. Fortunately, the two people in the truck were not killed and we have been informed that their injuries were not life-threatening. and it is also fortunate that Laura’s two girls were not in the car because they were still visiting with their grandmother. What we do know is that Laura Jane has two parents, two children, a dedicated life partner, a sister, aunts and uncles, a nephew, and many other extended family, and of course many friends, and for these folks Laura Jane will never again be fully present in our lives. Her physical absence leaves an immense emptiness and her spiritual absence leaves us struggling to understand and cope with a world without Laura Jane.

Laura Jane Seeley was born February 1, 1984 in Winchester, Virginia. While many simply knew her as Laura, her parents—George B. Seeley (Cooperstown, New york), and Mary ann Klein (Keene, New Hampshire)—named her

Theatre Fall

Lineup Slated

WORCESTER—

The historic Worcester Wieting Theatre announced the lineup for its Fall Film Festival on Wednesday, august 23. all shows start at 7 p.m. They are free and open to

Laura Jane. Folks in the South are often known by two names and Laura was born in the South. Laura’s sister, Kate Sellers Seeley (Cherry Valley, New york) wanted to name her Buttercups. So we often called her Laura Jane Buttercups. We also often called her Blueberry Rice Chex, because her wide blue eyes and young blonde hair reminded us of the color found in those two foods. She would often sign cards to family with the initial LJBBBRC. She would probably be embarrassed to know her father is revealing these “secrets” to the world, but kids are often embarrassed by the actions of their parents, and I think she would be pleased that her death has not changed me in this regard.

So, even though Laura was born in the South and arrived in Cooperstown at age 5 with a Southern accent, she spent most of her life after age 5 living in and around the Cooperstown area. Most recently she resided in Hartwick, where she lived with her muchloved partner, Frank Novak. They built a life together and 2-1/2 years ago they were blessed with a very special daughter they named Frankie Bella Novak.

the public, and are shown in conjunction with the Worcester-Schenevus Library. The festival pays tribute to Otsego County native Paul Rubens by opening with “Peewee’s Big adventure” on Friday, September 8.

“Jurassic Park” will play on Saturday, September

Eleven years ago, Laura gave birth to another lovely daughter, ava Lee Brashear, and her father, Jesse Brashear (Oneonta, New york), shared custody with Laura. The two sisters are very close to each other and will need a lot of support.

I could spend time telling you more details about Laura’s life—the sort of thing one might find in an obituary, such as where she went to college (Syracuse) and where she worked and resided, but I will let someone else do that sort of reporting. I just wanted to write a letter so that folks who knew Laura would know something about what is going on. I prefer to tell stories about Laura’s life, some of which are difficult but many of which make me laugh and smile. Laura touched many people by just being who she was. I know that some folks got to know her as she served them at the deli counter at the Price Chopper, and would wait to be served by her. She always did it with a smile and got it right. No matter what sort of job Laura held, she did it with personality and conviction. you got the feeling that this was someone special who took not only her job seriously but took you

9. Next up is the original, animated “Mulan” on Saturday, September 16. Wieting will screen “The dark Knight” on Friday, September 22 and “Mean Girls” on Saturday, September 23. There will be a 25th anniversary celebratory showing of “The Big Lebowski”

VIOLENCE INTERVENTION PROGRAM

The Violence Intervention Program at Opportunities for Otsego offers support to victims, survivors and families impacted by violent crime such as domestic violence, sexual assault, physical assault, elder abuse, stalking, hate crimes, motor vehicle assault and homicide.

The Violence Intervention Program offers assistance in accessing crime-related supports and resources.

Counseling Advocacy

Helping Victims Become Survivors

seriously. Her friends can undoubtedly tell you many other stories. I have been hearing many of them through Facebook. I never had a desire to “do” Facebook, but many years ago Laura pushed me into it and I have never regretted it. Oddly enough, Laura is the only person I know of who has “un-friended” me, but even that did not last too long. But today I am grateful to Laura because Facebook is bringing people together to support one another in Laura’s absence and it is a wonderful tool for keeping in touch.

Many have asked me what is going to happen now. Will there be a service? yes. When? I do not know. But probably not right away. That is a decision for family to make. But we will be sure to make the announcement as clear to everyone as possible. Will there be a viewing? No. Laura was cremated by Ottman’s Funeral Home in Cherry Valley and we have her ashes. and it is also quite likely that any further announcements can be found on Ottman’s website.

Can we do something to help? So many people have asked that question and offered to help, but I do not know how to answer. Everyone has different needs. The two girls are of chief concern, so if there is some way you can support and help both or either of the fathers that would be helpful. Just taking time to get together with a family member, or perhaps one of her classmates from Cooperstown Central School, would help to diminish the sense of pain and loss. Grieving takes time and it helps if folks can talk to one another about their own sense of loss, but also of their own source

on Friday, September 29, followed by “Grease” on Saturday, September 30. Saturday, October 7 will have a double feature of “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” and “House of 1000 Corpses.” The final screening, a “Nightmare Before Christmas” singalong, will be held on Sunday, October 8. The theatre will hold a dropin horror film festival beginning on Saturday, October 28, details to be announced. This festival will conclude with a full shadow-cast screening of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.”

Otselic River Program Set

SOUTH OTSELIC—

The Otselic Valley Fishing and Heritage association announced that it will sponsor a three-part, literacy-based educational program titled “The Circle of Reciprocity—Our Gift, the Otselic River” this fall. Michael Foor-Pessin, a local English teacher, will lead discussions of Robin Wall Kimmerer’s “Braiding Sweet Grass” and Lynda Rutledge’s “West with Giraffes.”

of support as well. We all have different ways of coping and I hope that folks choose healthy ways to cope.

I will leave you with word of one of the most important things that Laura ever did. In 2006, Laura signed up to be an organ donor. When she was flown by helicopter from the scene of the accident in Burlington, Vermont to albany Medical Center, those attending to her knew there was absolutely no hope of recovery. We declined a dNR and that allowed the hospital to keep Laura’s body (and especially her organs) viable after being declared officially dead. Within days an operation was performed, whereby a long list of organs were saved. and as the organs were removed from Laura’s body, there were patients waiting in other operating rooms at albany Med to receive those organs. She was able to successfully donate both lungs, both kidneys, her liver, her pancreas, her eyes, and also skin and bones and other tissues. Her heart was also on the list, but I have been told they were not able to keep that organ viable.

So even though Laura was not rich or famous, and even though she left behind a long list of those who love her and grieve for her, she gave one of the most valuable gifts possible. She left behind a legacy of life. and I find it inspiring and comforting that there are people alive today who owe their lives and the quality of their lives to Laura. We may never understand her death, but we can remain confident that her life had meaning to many people in many ways.

God bless you Laura Jane, and God bless us all. George Seeley.

Fifty copies of each book will be given out free of charge on a first come, first served basis. Reading the books and participating in the discussion is not required, especially for residents who are more interested in the environmental topics.

along with the literary talk, a variety of presenters from the New york State department of Environmental Conservation, the Finger Lakes Prism, the supervisor of the Town of Georgetown and Jessica Farmer from the Oneida Nation will speak about the history and ecology of the Otselic River. The event will be held at 7 p.m. at the South Otselic United Methodist Church on Saturday, September 9, Saturday, October 7 and Saturday, November 4. The purpose of this Follett Foundationsponsored program is to generate community-wide discussion about stewardship of the Otselic Valley’s major natural resource among citizens of the nine communities between the headwaters in the Town of Nelson and the mouth at Whitney Point.

Continued from page 9

“Grandma Barb.”

Summers were spent at her beloved family camp, Red Roost, on Canada Lake. She bicycled with her biker-babes, kayaked and swam daily. Barbara shared her love for the Southern adirondacks through participating in the annual Caroga Lake Historical Museum Craft fair, where she displayed her lake photographs and Swedish weaving. Her happy place was enjoying a glass of wine on a porch rocker overlooking the lake after a long day of fun while commenting on all the “boat traffic.”

Barbara is survived by daughter Francine (Warren) Hoffman and son H. William Michaels; four beloved grandchildren, Jane and arthur Hoffman and Sadie and H. Henry Michaels; greatgranddaughter Serenity Hoffman; brother dan (Joan) yuenger and his children, Kristin and Luke; and many loving cousins. She is predeceased by her husband of 61 years, H. Charles Michaels, parents dorothy and arthur yuenger, and brother arthur yuenger.

Barbara will be laid to rest at Lakewood Cemetery and Canada Lake. She leaves behind her artwork and photography, many happy memories, a strong social media presence and love of calm water.

In honor of Barbara’s wishes, a private family service will be held followed by a celebration of life gathering. In lieu of flowers, Barbara asks that you consider a donation to Mountain Valley Hospice, 108 Steele avenue, Gloversville, Ny 12078 and a donation of blood to the american Red Cross.

Educators will speak about control strategies to combat invasive terrestrial and riparian plants, such as Japanese knotweed, and develop coordinated plans among the seven highway departments whose crews often encounter them.

‘Aging’ Series To Return

ONEONTa —Otsego County Office for the aging will present its “Planning for Successful aging” series for the second time this year. This time, it will be held in the southern part of the county, at Southside Mall in Oneonta. Each of the presentations will begin at 1 p.m. on a Monday. Registration is required; call OFa at (607) 547-4232 or email nyconnects@otsegocounty.com. The first lecture, on September 11, will discuss funeral preplanning and is hosted by the Leatherstocking Chapter of the New york State Funeral directors association. On September 18, Helios Care will present “How to Have the Hard Talk with Loved Ones.”

Photo provided

Laura Jane Seeley, Frank Novak, Frankie Bella Novak and Ava Lee Brashear.

Clerk

Continued from page 1

transactions in order to maintain quality results for people is at the core of the department. As an elected official, it’s critical that the clerk be present and available in the department and in every community across Otsego County.

4. How will you organize and prioritize your work load?

bASILe: Organization and prioritizing are key with any task. Organizing the daily workload begins with lists, daily agendas and effectively delegating the work to the staff member who is most adequately trained for that specific duty. While you can begin to prioritize your day or week with calendars and agendas, these can swiftly change as soon as the doors open. Generally, the priority is that person standing in front of you at the counter, or the person you are assisting in the records room, or the person on the phone. These people are there because they need important and timely information. It is very important to know where to find that information quickly for the constituent. Next is answering staff questions concerning their assignments. priorities in the office are constantly changing every minute. The clerk must be able to reprioritize immediately. That is why it is so important to have the knowledge and experience to accomplish correct prioritization. priorities can vary by the time of the week and month where there are specific priorities that you must address. priorities are handled on a case-by-case basis by the importance and urgency of the matter.

beNTON: In the last nine months, I’ve traveled the county listening to people. I’m going to prioritize what people want. people want a DmV office reopened in Oneonta. Residents in our most rural towns want a clerk who will bring services to them with a mobile DmV program. They’re concerned about accessibility and convenience as taxpayers and want a county clerk who recognizes that. As clerk, I’ll conduct a thorough department-wide review of its procedures and operations to cut costs and speed up the process of transactions and filing. I’ll implement a drop box program for license plate surrendering, an optional online appointment system to put scheduling in residents’ hands and expand the Return the Favor program for Otsego County veterans.

5. What aspect of the county clerk position do you feel you will enjoy most, and why?

bASILe: I thoroughly enjoy every aspect of the position, every day. I enjoy everything from helping that customer get started on their genealogy search to answering questions such as what forms I need for my divorce and what happens next. I will enjoy taking the offices in the next step into the future. I am fortunate to have worked here for

14 years, so I already know the answer to that question.

beNTON: In all of my jobs, whether in the public sector or the private sector, I enjoyed being able to help people, identify problems and work collaboratively as a solutions-oriented leader. In my current role in business, I’m responsible for managing relationships with dozens of distributor representatives and businesses across New York and the country. It’s personally rewarding to work directly with people, hear about what they need and accomplish it. As the county clerk, I will be provided with an ample opportunity to do just that.

6. What will you enjoy least, and why?

bASILe: The aspect I enjoy least is the constant struggle to fill staffing shortages. Trying to fill staff shortages is difficult everywhere, but in both the clerk’s office and DmV it takes a long time to train someone to where they are proficient and comfortable in their job. That is why one can’t just walk into this office and be ready on day one.

beNTON: Fighting Albany’s burdensome bureaucracy and unfunded mandates. Over and over again, in local government and in the business world, it is New York’s red tape created by lifelong bureaucrats slowing things down and creating delays that put our communities at a disadvantage. Too often, those with no experience in customer service, business, or delivering on deadlines are the root cause of delay and inconvenience among taxpayers who need services to be delivered in a timely, efficient, and highly effective manner. my experience will ensure taxpayers receive the services they need and deserve from our county clerk’s office.

7. If you are elected, what are your goals for the office?

bASILe: mobile DmV to best serve the community; reopening Oneonta DmV is not an option. That office no longer exists. The best and only solution I have is the mobile DmV program. Also: DmV digital billboard; enhancing customer service—in-house practices and office modifications; slated agenda items also include extended DmV hours, extended hours for notary and copy services; improve transaction processing—there are some behind-thescenes items that I plan, an example is to accept credit/debit cards.

beNTON: Creating a mobile DmV program to close rural service gaps and guide residents through the bureaucratic process is my top priority. prioritizing raising revenues and reinvesting it in our communities. ensuring that our local government is doing everything it can to cater to our residents’ needs. my plan for the department includes a strategic drop box system to allow for license plate drops and an optional online appointment system to

help residents receive a streamlined and efficient experience at the DmV. expanding the Return the Favor program for Otsego County veterans, reopening a DmV office in Oneonta to serve our residents in the southern part of Otsego County and conducting a department wide, thorough review of procedures and identifying ways to cut costs and enhance operations.

8. Looking to the future, what do you feel are the most pressing issues for the county clerk?

bASILe: The most pressing issue as the Otsego County clerk is finding a solution to the lack of a DmV in Oneonta and recruiting and retaining competent staff. I have been working with members of the board of Representatives on solutions to DmV. The next, most pressing issue as County Clerk is keeping up with the legislative changes of New York State. The laws, rules and regulations change often.

beNTON: As I’ve traveled around the county, knocking on doors and talking to our residents, people have advised me that convenience and accessibility to services is their main concern. I’ve met too many people who have to take half days and full days off from work to go conduct basic government business in the clerk’s office and DmV. I understand the issues facing our senior population, our rural communities who are without reliable telecommunications infrastructure, our citizens with mobility issues and more. people want a county clerk who

won’t leave anybody behind and that’s the kind of leader I’ll be in the department.

9. What accomplishment by your opponent do you most admire?

bASILe: His political eagerness for any open office, though I do have to say that’s not the clerk’s office. The county clerk is a working job, not just a title, meaning you must know what you are doing.

beNTON: public service is not easy. It’s often thankless work. It requires a lot of time away from home, missed family dinners, and long days listening and solving problems. I have respect for someone who puts themselves forward to serve.

10. Why do you think you are the best choice for the county clerk position?

bASILe: I am the best candidate for Otsego County clerk because of my entire professional background. I have been a paralegal for 19 years and understand legal documents, or legalese, if you will. I have been the deputy county clerk for almost eight years with over 14 years’ experience in the Otsego County Clerk’s Office. I know the offices like the back of my hand. I don’t have to spend an exorbitant amount of time learning the job. I already know it. I will be able to focus on moving the office into the future for the residents of Otsego County.

beNTON: experience. my experience working in business and serving as an elected official gives me a truly unique perspective to tackle the challenges of the clerk’s office and provide a top notch customer service

experience for all who utilize the office. I will bring to this job a set of concrete ideas and a plan for the office along with a firm commitment to always put people first. I listen, I have vision, and I have energy. I truly care about people and the community we live in. I am not running to collect a title or a pension. I’m running because serving my community is in my blood and I believe that I possess the right combination of public and private sector experience to effectively serve the people of Otsego County.

Dinner

Continued from page 1 possible, with local or homegrown ingredients in honor of the harvest season;

• place settings for your family (reusable or compostable plates, cutlery, beverage cups);

• beverages

• Camaraderie!

As in past years, Growing Community members strive to make this event as close to zero waste as possible, and ask attendees to bring reusable dishes, plates, cups, cutlery, etc. Any paper products should be uncoated so they can be added to the compost receptacles. please note that disposable aluminum or plastic serving dishes and utensils can’t be recycled unless they are clean, so attendees should keep this in mind and take home any aluminum or plastic serving dishes.

Growing Community began organizing the Community Harvest Supper in 2011, thanks to a member of the community sharing her dream of a communal table on

main Street where all are welcome. There are no table reservations—the event is free and open to all, with no politicking, no fundraising, and no tabling—just good food and conversation shared among friends and neighbors, old and new alike. Attendees are reminded to dress for the weather.

Growing Community is deeply grateful to the Village of Cooperstown, mohican Farms, and so many other volunteers without whose cooperation and support the Harvest Supper would simply not be possible. This year, Growing Community is seeking volunteers to help with setup, decoration and breakdown. To volunteer, contact Kristen Griger at kristenmgriger@gmail. com. Growing Community is also seeking contributions to help offset the cost of table and chair rentals. Checks made out to Growing Community should be mailed c/o ellen pope, 28 elm Street, Apt C, Cooperstown, NY 13326.

Growing Community is a group of people committed to growing food locally, sharing knowledge, eating well, and through these three things, building community. To learn more, visit www.facebook.com/Gro wingCommunityCooperstown.

WE WANT TO CELEBRATE YOU!

Promotions, births, events, new hires, milestones, awards, grand openings, meetings, opinions, results of sporting events, personal bests, weddings and more. Photos welcome, too. info@allotsego.com

►Fri., Sept. 8

ART DROP-IN All day.

Paint a unicorn, while supplies last. All ages welcome. Worcester-Schenevus Library, 170 Main Street, Worcester. (607) 397-7309.

GOLF OUTING

8:30 a.m. 37th Annual Golf Outing with the Otsego County Chamber of Commerce. Tickets include a cart, breakfast, lunch, drinks. Prizes for longest drive, straightest drive, putting contest, more. Oneonta Country Club, 9 Country Club Drive, Oneonta.

SENIOR MEALS

11:30 a.m. Seniors are invited to enjoy a delicious meal each Monday through Friday. Suggested donation is $3.50 for seniors. Today, enjoy a lunch of Philly cheesesteak burger, O’Brien potatoes, broccoli and watermelon. Nader Towers Housing, 2 Mitchell Street, Oneonta. (607) 547-6454.

POTTERY

1:30-4:30 p.m. Open Studio. Experienced potters are invited to work on personal projects. No instruction provided. $30/session. Also held 9/11 from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. The Smithy Clay Studio, 1 Otsego Court, Cooperstown. Gallery@ SmithyArts.org.

NATURE WALK

1-2:30 p.m. Homeschool Nature Walk kick- off. Explores the outdoors in late summer with OCCA. Parslow Road Conservation Area, 127 Parslow

Road, Oaks Creek. (607) 547-4488. MUSIC 6-8 p.m. Warren Sieme on acoustic guitar. Red Shed Brewery, 709 County Highway 33, Cooperstown. (607) 7316454.

POTLUCK 6:30 p.m.

Bring a main or side dish to share. Jamaican themed for the adventuresome cooks out there. All welcome. Good food and fellowship guaranteed. Fly Creek United Methodist Church, 852 County Highway 26, Fly Creek.

MOVIE

8 p.m. “Dazed & Confused.” Doors open at 7. Featuring cash bar and after party. $10 suggested donation. Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center, 24 Market Street, Oneonta. (607) 4312080.

►Sat., Sept. 9

LEGACY RUN

8:30 a.m. 21st Annual American Legion Riders Legacy Run. American Legion Post 259, 279 Chestnut Street, Oneonta. (607) 432-0494. MEET & GREET

9 a.m. “Meet the Candidates Breakfast.” Oneonta Democratic Club hosts Deirdre Hay, candidate for New York State Supreme Court, and MacGuire Benton, candidate for Otsego County clerk. Both will address the gathering and take questions from the audience. Get Fresh on Main Café, 254 Main Street Oneonta. RSVP to garymaffei@gmail.com.

ART WORKSHOP

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. “Basics in Relief Printmaking for Adults.’ 2-day workshop providing an introduction to relief linocut and woodcut printing. $265/non-members. The Fenimore Art Museum, Cooperstown. (607) 5471400.

ANNIVERSARY PA -

RADE 11 a.m. Fly Creek Fire District celebrates 75th anniversary. Followed by picnic and raffle drawing at the fire house. Fly Creek Fire District, 811 County Road 26, Fly Creek.

FINALE 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Last day to view “Passages: Creatures & Curiosities,” featuring Petey Brown, Ava Fedorov and Helen Quinn. Free admission. The Art Garage, 689 Beaver Meadow Road, Cooperstown. (607) 547-5327.

WELLNESS FAIR

Noon to 3 p.m. Demonstrations of Reiki, Pilates, and yoga; advice from a registered dietician; healthy cooking lessons. Exhibitors include the Richfield Springs Fire and Ambulance Squad, the Vets Club, Youth Sports, Otsego Outdoors, many more. Free, all welcome. Spring Park, 27 East Main Street, Richfield Springs. Visit facebook.com/ rscommunityfoods/

TRAIN ROBBERY

Noon. Action-packed ride featuring shootouts, period costumes and fun for the whole family. Tickets, $25/adult. Reservations required. CooperstownCharlotte Valley Railroad, departing from 136 County Route 166, Milford. (607) 432-2429.

THEATRE 1 p.m. “A Year with Frog and Toad.” Glimmer Globe Theatre, Also showing 9/10.

Fenimore Art Museum, 5798 State Highway 80, Cooperstown. (607) 5471400.

WRITERS GROUP

1:30–3:30 p.m. Join online group to work on writing prompts, share current work, and get feedback. Presented by the Huntington Memorial Library, Oneonta. Register at hmlwriters@gmail.com

BAZAAR 5-10 p.m.

“By Alley Light Art Bazaar.” Dietz Street Alley, Oneonta.

SPORTSMAN DINNER 5 p.m. Annual sportsman’s dinner and raffle. Tickets, $30. Enter to win a Beretta, $20/ ticket. Mount Vision Fire Department, 114 Fields Cross Road, Mount Vision. (607) 433-0997.

PERFORMANCE

7:30 p.m. “Muldoon’s Picnic.” A farcical mixumgatherum of poetry, prose and music. Tickets, $25. Presented by Klinkhart Hall Arts Center in the Sharon Springs Central School auditorium, 514 State Route 20, Sharon Springs.

CONCERT 7:30 p.m. “Half Way to Hell” AC/DC Tribute concert. Doors open at 6:30. Tickets, $25. Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center, 24 Market Street, Oneonta. (607) 431-2080.

►Sun., Sept. 10

FALL FAIR 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Catskill Choral Society presents the Grand & Glorious Fall Fair, featuring crafts, food, music, and more. Neahwa Park, Oneonta. ccs@catskillchoralsociety.com.

OUTDOORS 2-4 p.m. Mushroom Walk. OCCA presents 2nd mushroom walk with a local forager. Dress for the weather and be ready for mud. Vibbard

Road, Cooperstown. (607) 547-4488.

WALKING TOUR 4 p.m. “More than the County Fair: Walking Tour of the Village of Morris.”

Dr. Cindy Falk, professor of material culture at the Cooperstown Graduate Program, will cover the founding of the village by French refugees, the role of the Morris family, and the village’s architecture. Fee, $10. Register in advance. Part of the Otsego 2000 Historic Preservation Series. Cooperstown Farmers’ Market, Pioneer Alley, Cooperstown. (607) 547-8111 or visit otsego2000.org

CONCERT 7 p.m. Zoellner String Quartet Project with Lady Alexandra Foley, performed by the Musicians of Ma’alwyck. Tickets, $25. Hyde Hall, 267 Glimmerglass State Park Road, Cooperstown. (607) 547-5098.

►Mon., Sept. 11

POTTERY 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. “Totems in Clay with Ann.” Build a 3’ totem in clay with a metal armature in 6-week class. All skill levels welcome. Held Mondays through 10/16. $210 includes 1 bag of clay. The Smithy, 1 Otsego Court, Cooperstown. Gallery@ SmithyArts.org.

FALL MARKET

4-7 p.m. Bainbridge Farmers’ Market. 47 North Main Street, Bainbridge. (607) 624-5260.

GARDEN CLUB

6:30 p.m. Oneonta

Federated Garden Club presents members of the Community Garden Board giving an overview of their Gardens, tips on putting the garden to bed for fall, and what can be done now to improve the next growing season. All welcome. St. James Episcopal Church, 305 Main Street, Oneonta.

►tueS., Sept. 12

COMMUNITY CON-

VERSATIONS 8-9 a.m.

Networking group discusses Oneonta’s past, present and future. No agenda. Just informal, nonpartisan conversation. All welcome. Held each Tuesday at Green Earth Health Market, 4 Market Street, Oneonta. COMMUNITY HIKE

9:45 a.m. Hike with the Adirondack Mountain Club. Bring appropriate equipment, water, and be aware of level of fitness. This week’s hike will be at Pam Lea’s property in Schuyler Lake. Contact Lea at (315) 858-5337.

FLY CREEK QUILTERS 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fly Creek Area Quilters meet to cut, sew, tie, bind and have a good time working on quilts. Fly Creek Methodist Church, County Route 26, Fly Creek.

FOR SENIORS

10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Seniors Resource Fair. Includes 40+ community organizations offering information on health and wellness topics and services. Public hearing to follow at 1 p.m. Presented by Otsego County Office for the Aging. Southside Mall, 5006 State Highway 23, Oneonta. (607) 5474232.

DANCE 4 p.m. Irish Dance Class. Free to all ages. Registration required. Held 6 weeks through 10/24. Worcester-Schenevus Library, 170 Main Street, Worcester. (607) 397-7309.

FOR PARENTS 6 p.m. “Parents Program: Create a Take-Home Fall Sensory Bin.” Village Library of Cooperstown, 22 Main Street, Cooperstown. (607) 547-8344.

►Wed., Sept. 13

DEADLINE Last day to register for “A Fall Farmhouse Meal with the Royal Bride: A Woodstove Cooking Workshop.” Held Saturday, 9/16 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Cost, $55/non-member.