Discovering Oneonta

Two women met in Oneonta a few Fridays ago, old friends and workmates reconnecting over dinner. One, a bit of a Luddite, remembered her phone but had very little battery remaining. The other, a bit more of one, forgot her phone entirely. They had made arrangements to meet at a restaurant, the Indian Grill on Main Street. The first woman—we’ll call her Sarah—did not visit Oneonta’s Main Street very often. Her trips to the City of the Hills were largely limited to grocery shopping and maybe now and then to Southside Mall. The second woman—for our purposes, Mary--was more social and knew her way around. The Indian Grill was a favorite eatery of hers.

Sarah had forgotten at the eleventh hour which restaurant it was they had decided on. Was it the Thai place on the corner of Main and Chestnut? She called Mary with what little battery she had left. No answer. She texted after parking her car. No answer. Excited and nervous (Sarah doesn’t get out much, you see), she entered the Thai restaurant. “I’m meeting someone,” she said, and was guided to a table. Minutes passed, and Sarah became less and less sure she was in the right place. With the last one percent of her battery power, she Googled “Indian restaurant Oneonta” and with a somewhat sheepish grin made her apologetic exit—“I’m sorry. I think I’m in the wrong restaurant”—heading north on Main to the right one.

The Indian Grill was comfortable and inviting, the server attentive, the food delicious and the servings generous. Mary introduced Sarah to navratan korma, vegetables in a creamy spiced sauce with basmati rice, and vegetable biryani with crunchy cashews, and they shared the dishes between them. They enjoyed naan, a traditional flat bread, dipped in tamarind and mint chutneys. Their conversation was easy and casual. “This place is wonderful,” said Sarah. “Thank you for bringing me.” She could not believe there wasn’t a line at the door to get in, everything was that good.

The women took their time, savoring the food and the company. It had been a while since Sarah had actually gone out to dinner—since before COVID even, she had become a bit of a hermit. As they left the restaurant (with enough leftovers for another meal, maybe two), Mary asked, “Would you like to walk around a bit?” Sarah said sure, not remembering the last time she had strolled just for the fun of it.

And what a walk it was. Oneonta’s Main Street was alive. The weather had been unseasonably warm, with a high of 82 degrees, and the thoroughfare was full of people, young and old, laughing and walking, window shopping and talking. Sarah felt the excitement as they passed NAGS Bar and Kitchen—there was a line there, with a fellow checking IDs. The two women stopped to look at storefront displays as college students capered by excitedly in summer clothes and couples passed, arm in arm, their minds on dinner and drinks.

Sarah and Mary stopped for a time at the corner of Dietz and Main, peering in the windows of the Greater Oneonta History Society, and continued down the length of the Laskaris building--the oldest brick building on Main Street—to admire the murals painted there and to ooh and aah over the gemstones and bling on display at Edward Teleky Jeweler. They then retraced their steps back to Main Street and continued examining storefronts at their leisure all the way to the intersection. Sarah did not linger in front of Simply Thai, lest she be recognized.

The friends walked north now on the opposite side of Main Street, admiring the window displays of The Artisans’ Guild and Green Toad Bookstore, and bemoaning the loss of ArtWare, all the while picking their way through a steady stream of people doing much the same. They remarked on the delightful weather, the busy sidewalks, the crowded restaurants, the noise and the overall vibe. They stopped to admire a doorway painted by the talented James McIlroy, whose vibrant images can be found all over the city.

Mary and Sarah parted at the South Main Parking lot, saying their goodbyes and, “Let’s do this again soon.” Sarah thanked her friend for the wonderful evening and, as she walked to her car, it struck her that she had been missing out. Oneonta was a thriving, bustling little city with much to offer, and not just on Main Street. She thought of the wonderful arts organizations, the many ethnic foods that could be enjoyed, the music and theater options, and the many shops. The two colleges, with sporting events, programs and performances, all open to the public. And so many other places to go and things to do, yet to be discovered.

Sarah is still thinking about that evening, which opened her eyes to an Oneonta she had not previously really seen, and thinking ahead to the next dinner outing. Maybe Thai?

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Cap and Invest: It’s Complicated

As part of the Hochul Administration’s plan to implement the Climate Leadership & Community Protection Act (Climate Act), a market-based pollution control program called ‘’cap and invest” was proposed earlier this year in legislation associated with the budget. It was not included in the final budget bill but it will be considered later this year. This is an overview of this complicated proposal that has affordability and energy use implications.

The Climate Act Scoping Plan identified the need for a “comprehensive policy that supports the achievement of the requirements and goals of the Climate Act, including ensuring that the Climate Act’s emission limits are met.” It claimed that the policy would “support clean technology market development and send a consistent market signal across all economic sectors that yields the necessary emission reductions as individuals and businesses make decisions that reduce their emissions” and provide an additional source of funding. The authors of the Scoping Plan based these statements on the success of similar programs, but did not account for the differences between their proposal and previous programs. The cap and invest proposal is a variation of a pollution control program called cap and trade. In theory, placing a limit on pollutant emissions that declines over time will incentivize companies to invest in clean alternatives that efficiently meet the targets. These programs establish a cap, or limit, on total emissions. For each ton in the cap an allowance is issued. The only difference between these two programs is how the allowances are allocated. The Hochul Administration proposes to auction the allowances and invest the proceeds but, in a cap-and-trade program, the allowances are

Don’t Blame Biden, Blame the Democrats

Biden was placed in office by the money behind today’s Democrat Party which has no resemblance to the party of years ago. The power behind today’s Democrat Party wants a one-party government (full control of us) and they are trying to achieve it with their money and corruption.

allocated for free. The intent is to reduce the total allowed emissions over time consistent with the mandates of the Climate Act and raise money to invest in further reductions.

The Environmental Protection Agency administers cap-and-trade programs for sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) that have reduced electric sector emissions faster, deeper, and at costs less than originally predicted. In the EPA programs, affected sources that can make efficient reductions can sell excess allocated allowances to facilities that do not have effective options available such that total emissions meet the cap. Also note that EPA emission caps were based on the feasibility of expected reductions from addition of pollution control equipment and a schedule based on realistic construction times.

However, there are significant differences between those pollutants and greenhouse gas pollutants that affect the design of the proposed cap and invest program. The most important difference is that both SO2 and NOx can be controlled by adding pollution control equipment or fuel switching. Fuel switching to a lower emitting fuel is also an option for carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions but there are no cost-effective control equipment options. Consequentially, CO2 emissions are primarily reduced by substitution of alternative zero-emissions resources. For example, in the electric sector replacing fossil-fired units with wind and solar resources. The ultimate compliance approach if there are insufficient allowances available is to limit operations.

New York State is already in a cap and invest program with an auction for CO2 emissions from the electric generating sector. Although significant revenues have been raised, emission reduc- average Democrat voter thinks it’s just everyday politics. Most of the media isn’t going to convey anything different, Democrat politicians are going to bait you with dollars, promises, environmental scares, and racial division, and big tech is going to entertain anything that will bring them the largest return. tions due to the program have been small. Since the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative started in 2009, emissions in nine participating states in the Northeast have gone down about 50 percent, but the primary reason was fuel switching from coal and residual oil to natural gas, enabled by reduced cost of natural gas due to fracking. Emissions due to the investments from the auction proceeds have only been responsible for around 15 percent of the total observed reductions.

So who cares about us/our country?

The Hochul Administration has not addressed the differences between existing market-based programs and the proposed cap and invest program. Although RGGI has provided revenues, the poor emission reduction performance has been ignored despite the need for more stringent reductions on a tighter schedule to meet the arbitrary Climate Act limits. The Hochul Administration has not done a feasibility analysis to determine how fast the wind and solar resources must be deployed to displace existing electric generation to make the mandated emission reductions. Worse yet, the Climate Act requires emission reductions across the entire economy and the primary strategy for other sectors is electrification, so electric load is likely to increase in the future.

In late March, the Hochul Administration proposed a modification to the Climate Act to change the emissions accounting methodology to reduce the expected costs of the cap and invest program. New York climate activists claimed that the change would eviscerate the Climate Act and convinced the Hochul Administration to delay discussion of the cap and invest proposal. This cost issue will have to be resolved in the upcoming debate.

In addition, the Hochul Administration has proposed

Continued on page 9 war money, county reps sat on the Soil and Water board and did nothing for farmers with highly erodible land that could not comply with a conservation plan.

We now have beef steers as part of our income, yet the New Lisbon Town Board has on their website encouraging people to eat less meat or no meat at all.

Maureen Culbert, Richard deRosa, Caspar Ewig, Daniel Francis, Ian Kenyon, Joel J. Plue, Tom Shelby, Dan Sullivan, T. Stephen Wager, Teresa Winchester, Jamie Zvirzdin

Web Architect Ivan Potocnik Historian Tom Heitz/Sharon Stuart Legal Counsel Jill Ann Poulson

Editorial Board

Tara Barnwell, Faith Gay, Michael Moffat, Elinor Vincent, Darla M. Youngs

The Billionaire Elites have spent up to three times what Republicans could muster in election cycles, with projections of five times for 2024. Elections are being bought and/or stolen. Illegitimate elections are being contested across the country, but with liberal courts and legal fees, good luck.

So who’s running our country? Hard to say for sure, but it’s folks that will respond to money, power, and corruption, while caring less about us and our country. How has our country’s government gotten to this point? Gradually, over a few decades, our politicians have sunk deeper in the swamp. In today’s politics, every Democrat voter is unknowingly turning this country over to our enemy, the Global Billionaire Elites. I’m so sad and scared when I’m told, “Well, I’m a Democrat!” This spells the end of freedom and our great lifestyle, plus think of our grand/great-grand kids, to say nothing of the world.

We are being taken, and the

It’s us, the average voter. I can only write a few letters, talk to a few people, contribute to a few patriot politicians, pray, plus lose sleep. But united, informed and with our great Lord, we can rescue our country.

With respect for our country!

Bruce Beckert

South New Berlin

Changes, New Laws Bad for Farmers

As a life-long farmer, I have seen many changes. When Chobani started up, Senator Schumer told farmers to make more milk. In short time, surplus milk meant less money paid to farmers.

Some of our county reps were more interested in using county money for a pot fest and to get money for a local official’s 501c3 than using county money to replace our sagging cattle pass that our large cows could not fit through.

While Trump was trying to help farmers with COVID and China trade

A New Lisbon town proposal could fine a landowner up to $500.00 a week if their neighbor doesn’t like the looks of your place. We have no problem suing the town if this law is used against us.

There is enough hatred in this world without the New Lisbon board adding more to it.

Joseph Gregory Mount Vision

Bond Act Should Pay for Electric Buses

We read with interest Anthony Scalici’s thoughtful letter to the editor (April 6). Mr. Scalici is a seasoned Cooperstown Central School District School Board member, who has shown a long-term commitment to our local school and is knowledgeable about school finances. The letter was addressed to Senator Oberacker, asking him to do away with New York’s mandate that schools purchase

210 Years Ago

Several very large bets have been made in this city (Albany), on the result of the ensuing election – The following was offered and taken up on Tuesday last – 1,000 dollars was given to receive one dollar for each vote over 4,000, which Gen. Van Rensselaer should obtain more than Gov. Tompkins, for the office of Governor of this state. (Ed. Note: The wager came to nothing as Daniel D. Tompkins won the election. Tompkins served as Governor of New York from April 1807 through February 1817, winning re-election in 1810, 1813 and 1816; he resigned the office to become Vice-President of the United States as the running mate of President James Monroe and was re-elected with Monroe in 1820)

May 1, 1813

185 Years Ago

The General Bank Law in New York—We regard the passage of this law as the most important act of the late session of our Legislature. We speak of the principle, not the details of the present bill, or of its immediate practical benefits. It puts an end to the corrupting system of granting special charters, places the trade of banking where that in silks and cotton is —open to the competition of all whose taste, skill, enterprise, or ability, incline them to pursue it.

April 30, 1838

160 Years Ago

Local—A meeting of the citizens of Cooperstown is called at Bowne Hall on Saturday evening of this week, at 7 o’clock, to consider the practicability of constructing a branch railroad to intersect the Albany and Susquehanna. A general attendance of all who feel an interest in this important subject is invited.

The midnight hour of Tuesday last gave out the sharp alarm of “Fire!”—and the neat dwelling owned by David Wicks of Hartwick and occupied by the Rev. J.T. Wright, situated a little south of the Seminary, was burned, together with the barn attached. The loss was about $1,400; insured for $900. The fire is supposed to have taken from an imperfectly secured or defective stove pipe. Rev. Mr. Wright lost his library, family clothing, some articles of furniture, and a quantity of wood. No insurance.

May 1, 1863

135 Years Ago

No government in the world has ever shown such liberality in pensioning its wounded and sick soldiers as has the government of the United States—and to this policy there has been no opposition north or south. But there is a growing disposition in Congress—on the eve of another Presidential election—to vastly overdo the pensioning business, and it is high time that sensible and independent men and newspapers of all parties demanded a halt. The war closed 23 years ago, and yet the pension list continues to grow. Congress has just voted upwards of $80,000,000 to pay pensions during the ensuing fiscal year—and a Democratic Congress, “full of Rebel Brigadiers,” be it remembered! Every week it has private pension bills under consideration—the worthless character of many of which has been exposed by the Pension Department. The taxpayers understand that no money can be taken from the Federal Treasury that does not come out of their pockets through some form of taxation.

May 4, 1888

110 Years Ago

The teams of the Sunset League representing five of the Cooperstown churches, have been making rapid progress since the opening game on Tuesday last, and are putting up some great ball. Games are held every afternoon excepting on Mondays and Saturdays after 6 o’clock at the athletic grounds in good playing condition. In the first contest last Tuesday the Christ church team triumphed over the Universalists by a score of 10 to 1 in five innings. Lutes and Reisman were the battery for the Universalists; Bundy and G.D. Ellsworth for the Episcopals.

May 7, 1913

20 Years Ago

May 2, 2003 noteworthy

A Thousand New Residents? Here’s Part of the Plan

Ah, youth…There is nothing as entrepreneurial as a youthful spirit; or as willing to invest itself in potential. The future lies ahead, and it is filled with possibilities. That there are well-advertised obstacles to be navigated is a blessing and curse. A way around can be charted, and a better way plotted, but it requires attention to the possibilities.

And that is where we come in. We are signaling, “If you aren’t happy with your prospects…Here we are.”

Oneonta is a charming little city with as much heart as you’ll find anywhere. And living here could be an idyllic option for anyone unsatisfied with the quality of their life.

While we (obviously) love and embrace all ages—and would be pleased to welcome them as neighbors—we are specifically targeting a 25 to 40year-old demographic in a marketing campaign that’s now under way.

Oneonta is courting a youthful demographic. Young families, couples, and singles who are in search of a future that is promising and fulfilling.

The last two decades of our high school, college, and university graduates will be hearing quite a bit from us. Our messaging will be engaging, and I believe that it will touch a chord, and hopefully encourage a return visit.

Graciously, the three institutions have given us the permission and freedom to anthropomorphize their mascots in illustration…And what a gift they’ve given us!

There is no more effective bit of branding to employ in connection with alumni than their school mascots. And we’re having a lot of fun with the dragons, hawks, and yellowjackets. We imagine them older, with the

By MERL REAGLE

trappings of age and family. It’s not just Red, Swoop, and Buzz that we spend time with, but their families, their kids, and babies.

Thanks to a cadre of SUNY Oneonta students, and the volunteer efforts of a collection of our area’s leading marketing professionals, our campaign is in progress.

We have a podcast. Yes. A podcast.

It’s called “The Hill City Gambit,” and you can find it on most services—Amazon, Spotify, Apple, and others.

So, what is the gambit?

If we realize our goal of bringing those thousand new neighbors to our community, will they have the housing they need?

We think so. We hope so. But that is the gambit.

Not, “If you build it, they will come.” But rather, “They are coming, and we WILL build it in time.” I have confidence that we will, because Oneonta has answered the call.

We will find housing. We will build housing. We will, because more than five dozen people are volunteering their time and energy to find creative strategies that maximize the potential of our housing stock and create new opportunities for development.

It’s a chicken or egg scenario, but neither comes first. Housing development. A booming retail sector. Population growth. They are going to happen simultaneously, and it’s going to be a juggling act. But there will be an increasingly youthful vigor to our little city. More folks that will help. It’s an exciting prospect.

If you want to join our efforts, let me know.

All4Oneonta.com

Mark Drnek is the mayor of the City of Oneonta.

SPORTS SNIPPETS

Compiled by Wriley Nelson

Cooperstown Eighth-Grader Medals in Golf Match

COOPERSTOWN—Brayden Sentz received a medal for his three-over performance in Cooperstown Central School’s 178-233 victory over Herkimer in a golf match on may 1. Cooperstown moved to 1-1 for the season and has yet to play a division match.

Oneonta Track and Field Succeeds at Cortland

ONEONTA—The SUNY Oneonta track and field teams put up successful performances at the Cortland Qualifier meet on April 30. This was the final meet before Oneonta hosts the SUNYAC championships on may 5 and 6. Junior Sierra Basco finished fourth in the women’s 1,500m, while Eion mcCalin and Owen Sullivan took second and fourth in the men’s 1,600m. Josephine Alliano was second in the 100m hurdles with a personal record time of 16.55. Danielle Jackson won the 400m finals and placed second in the 100m finals. Cameron Sands took second place in the men’s 100m. Freshman Eva Woodworth won the women’s 800m. Junior Shane marchese placed third in the 3,000m steeplechase.

On the field, Sage Douglass, Kate Bellman and Tarryn Herman placed second, third and fourth in the women’s javelin. Cliff Biehl, marco Alteri and Drew Obernesser went 1-2-3 in the men’s javelin. Isabella Fabrizio, Emelene Burek, Teghan Garris and Kate Bellman took second, third, fourth, and fifth in the women’s shot put. Fabrizio also placed third in the hammer throw. miles moliterni threw a personal best of 54.41 meters to win the men’s hammer throw. Sawyer Eckberg, of the Town of maryland, took third in the men’s discus throw, and Gabi Ragozzine, of Oneonta, was third for the women’s. Richard mangogna placed second in the pole vault. The Oneonta men (Biehl, Alec Weiss, Joseph Ciardi and Chad Franklin) took first through fourth place in the long jump. Ejim Nnate and Alliano placed second and third in the women’s long jump.

Oneonta’s Oliver Commits to D1 Soccer

ONEONTA—Oneonta High School’s Finlay Oliver, one of the most decorated student-athletes in school history, has committed to play Division I soccer at Stony Brook University. Oliver recently won the men’s 800m race at the Quinney Track and Field Invitational in Sidney and was named Athlete of the meet.

SUNY Oneonta Baseball Clinches Playoff Spot

ONEONTA—The SUNY Oneonta baseball team split a doubleheader against Oswego on Friday, April 28 and secured a spot in the SUNYAC playoff tournament. The Red Dragons fell 5-4 in game one and won game two 12-8. Senior Jake Barrett made his 100th career hit in the second game. Oneonta moved to 23-11 and 9-5 in SUNYAC with four games left in the regular season.

Women’s Tennis Defeated in SUNYAC Finals

ONEONTA—SUNY Oneonta women’s tennis defeated Cortland 5-3 in the SUNYAC semifinals on April 28, advancing to the finals for the fifth year in a row. The match on the 29th was the fourth consecutive time the Red Dragons faced New Paltz in the finals. Oneonta won the title for the first time in program history last year. This year, however, the Red Dragons fell 5-0 to the Hawks. Oneonta athletes Julia Holtermann, Brianna Shaw and maxie Karen were named to the All-Tournament team.

Men’s Lacrosse Claims Playoff Spot on Sr. Day

ONEONTA—The Hartwick men’s lacrosse team sent out their seniors with style on April 29 by beating medaille Univserity 25-2 and securing the number four seed in the Empire 8 tournament. The Hawks scored nine straight times in the first 15 minutes of the game. They will face number one seed St. John Fisher University on may 3.

Cooperstown Softball Crushes Oxford

COOPERSTOWN—Cooperstown Central School softball shut out Oxford 20-0 in five innings on April 28. Dani Seamon threw a no-hitter with 11 strikeouts. Katie Crippen had three hits, including a home run, three runs and three RBI. She received the game ball.

OHS Boys Track Finishes First; Girls Place Fourth

WINDSOR—The Oneonta High School boys track and field finished first among Southern Tier Athletic Conference schools at the Gerry O’Donnell Invitational track meet at Windsor on April 30. Nicholas Kahl took second place in the 400m finals and fourth in the 200m finals. Finlay Oliver won the 800m with a time of 1:59.48. Donovan Lema placed second in the 3200m, and Colin Fletcher-Foster took third in the 1600m. Logan Temming took third in the pole vault. Beckett Holmes won the high jump and took third in the 110m hurdles final. OHS won the 4x400m relay and placed a close second in the 4x800m. Porter Holmes took third in the high jump.

The OHS girls finished fourth as a team and put up several impressive performances. Claire Seguin placed third in the 100m finals, second in the 200m finals and fourth in the pole vault. Selene Wellman and Natalie Wild finished third and fourth in the 400m. OHS relay teams took second place in the 4x100m and fourth in the 4x400m. maggie Nealis took second in the long jump. Sasha Sloth finished fourth in the pole vault.

Senior Dani Seamon Named to All-State Team

COOPERSTOWN—Star Cooperstown Central School athlete Dani Seamon was named to the New York State Sportswriters Association’s Class C all-state third team, the NYSSWA announced on April 21. Seamon, a senior, led Cooperstown girls basketball team to a 19-6 record in the 2022-2023 season. The basketball season may be over, but she continues to put up stunning performances for the softball team.

Cooperstown Softball Topples Westmoreland

COOPERSTOWN—The Hawkeyes defeated Westmoreland 13-0 in a home Center State Conference game on monday, April 24. Dani Seamon threw a one-hitter with 10 strikeouts and made two hits. Brenna Seamon scored twice and hit two RBI with a double. Katie Crippen went 3-for-3 and scored three times. Tori France made two runs.

Cooperstown Tennis Sweeps Waterville

COOPERSTOWN—Cooperstown Central School tennis defeated Waterville 5-0 at the Clark Sports Center on April 25. Gunter Weldon beat his singles opponent 6-0, 6-0.

Coop Hawkeyes Softball Shuts Out Clinton

COOPERSTOWN—The Cooperstown softball team beat Clinton 15-0 on April 7. Sophomore Emmy Lippitt got the win in the circle. Senior Jeana Geertgens drove in 4 RBI and junior Tori France had three hits.

Oneonta Baseball Overcomes SV

ONEONTA—Oneonta High School baseball overcame early fielding errors to beat Susquehanna Valley 6-5. Nolan Stark received the win after striking out six batters.

Megan

Palmatier Breaks Home Run Record

ONEONTA—The SUNY Oneonta softball team swept Potsdam in a conference doubleheader on Thursday, April 28. Graduate student star megan Palmatier, of Bainbridge, finished the day with four RBI and her ninth home run of the season. She set a new program record for most home runs in a single season. Freshman Abigail Silliman, of Rensselaer, started in her first collegiate game and went 3-for-4 with an RBI and a stolen base. The Red Dragons beat Potsdam 14-10 and 4-3 and advance to 13-16-1 for the season and 7-5 in SUNYAC.