There have been a number
of times since 1984
when we wonder why
on earth we keep writing this
column. Most of them, until
now, have been related to
anonymous notes of extreme
dissatisfaction with something
we wrote.
Now, however, we discover
we have been bombarded
for something someone else
wrote. In a recent e-mail we
were accused of ``...whining
about George Bush...’’ and
we should ``Get over it.’’ This
was followed by a long list
of what the federal government
either has or has not
done in the past year which
ended with the statement
``Wow that’s some record of
accomplishment...’’ By the
time we got to ``Your socialist/
progressive/ communist
agenda is so transparent it is
laughable. ``We were quite
positive that the e-mail had
been sent to us in error and
thus we forwarded it on to the
person for whom we assumed
it was intended. However, it
did make us feel we should be
able to apply for combat pay.
Of course we realize that
every time we pen a column
we are opening ourselves up
to reader response. Thus we
were not surprised to discover
that the ink was barely dry
on last week’s column when
we received yet another
e-mail intended to arm us
with even more ammunition
for our discussion of the
upcoming school budget. This
particular e-mail directed us
to a news release from the
Empire Center for NYS Policy
entitled ``School Payrolls
Grew in 2008-09, On-Line
Data Shows.’’ And although we
did not think this was exactly
new news, we nonetheless
dutifully read that ``Total
spending on teaching and
administrative salaries by
districts outside New York City
increased 5 percent statewide
to $14 billion _ a $670 million
annual increase _ in the 2008-
09 school year.’’
And while this information
is indeed interesting, we were
even more fascinated by another
website, SeeThroughNY,
to which we were directed
and where we could ``...
search or sort the database
by name, school district and
salary level.’’ And much to our
astonishment that is indeed
true. We were able without
any difficulty whatsoever to
access not only the current
CCS Faculty Association
Contract, but also the current
superintendent’s contract.
And what we learned from
that is that we made, some
forty years ago, a very tactical
error in only obtaining a
teaching certificate instead of
going for the gold and getting
administrative certification.
As a result we are not, upon
retirement, in the position of
buying back from the school
district sick days at $350/day
up to $30,000, having 100
percent of the insurance premiums
for a $200,000 term
life policy paid forever by the
school district or having 85
percent of retirement health,
dental and prescription
insurance paid by the district.
Obviously we have missed
the boat big time as we have
never been given a sick day,
we do not have life or dental
insurance and we pay 100
percent of our premiums for
health and prescription insurance.
We can but wonder if
it is too late to live our whole
life all over again in hopes of
improving our retirement.
Of course, there is undoubtedly
much about the
job of school superintendent
that we would probably not
enjoy all that much. Decisions
regarding snow days
come instantly to mind. We
have long thought making
such decisions is a completely
thankless job. For example,
just before the February
vacation Cooperstown was
but one of many area schools
which announced a snow day.
And given the weather predictions
it was a decision that
we would have made. In fact,
based on that same weather
report, we cancelled our
planned activities for the day.
Unfortunately, or fortunately
depending on one’s
point of view, the predicted
snow did not materialize for
which the school district, in
our opinion, took a great deal
of undeserved grief. We heard
about negative conversations
carried on in the grocery
stores and read various negative
remarks posted on Facebook.
But the comment that
troubled us the most, and we
heard it from several sources,
was that the school lost state
aid because the snow day was
used. We checked, and as we
originally thought when we
heard the comment, nothing
could be further from the
truth. Snow days are built into
the school year and, one way
or another, they will all be
used by the end of the school
year. So while parents may not
have appreciated the fact that
their children were home from
school, in no way were education
dollars lost as a result.
We note, since this is once
again the first Thursday of the
month when we try to include
information about the Literary
Discussion Group in this column,
that the next meeting of
the Literary Discussion Group,
sponsored by the Women's
Club of Cooperstown, will be
held on Thursday, March 25 at
2:30 p.m. in the Dunn Room
of the Village of Cooperstown
Library. The book for discussion
will be ``American Lion:
Andrew Jackson in the White
House’’ by Jon Meacham. The
meeting is open to the public.
In closing, one of our faithful
readers asked us why there
was no quote in last week’s
column. Our somewhat lame
answer was that we couldn’t
seem to come up with one
that made sense given the
nature of the column. So, to
make up for that oversight,
we are offering two quotes
this week which we hope will
mollify our reader. The first is
a Proverb, namely ``The more
you know, the less you understand.’’
And the second, from
Dr. Seuss, is ``The more that
you read, the more things you
will know. The more that you
learn, the more places you’ll
go,’’ which is fine as long as
the place you go isn’t nuts.
PLEASE NOTE: Comments regarding
this column may be made by mail at 105
Pioneer Street, Cooperstown, NY 13326,
by telephone at 607-547-8124 or by email
at cellsworth1@stny.rr.com.
Columns
In These Otsego Hills: Where did we go wrong ?
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In These Otsego Hills: The losses are adding up ...
It is with sadness that we note the passing of long time friend, and distantrelative, Jane Patrick. Over the years we have worked with Jane in a number of organizations including Women’s Club and the Community Advisory Committee at Bassett. And, of course, in later years we joined her, along with the other Dinner Belles, for any number of delicious meals. But we do think that our favorite memory that we shared with Jane was when we discovered, having both married Cooperstown natives, that we shared Cooperstown Christmas plans.
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Up On Hawthorn Hill: Bird Feeder?
Bird feeder is a relative term. At least that is the case around here. A few mornings ago we spotted the first rabbit to visit the feeders. Normally, all we see during the winter are rabbit tracks crisscrossing the gardens.
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From Fly Creek: Cheers for the Blue Rabbit!
My handwriting’s always been an embarrassment. Way back in elementary school, while most of the others were developing a clear, sometimes graceful hand (especially the girls), my penmanship showed no improvement.
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In These Otsego Hills: This and that ...
We have found the weather so far this year to be on the unusual side. And while we have no problem with the fact that we have received very little snow, we are of the opinion that what we have had instead is not particularly to our liking either. In fact, we are very hesitant to venture out much as we live in fear that the rain will turn to mixed precipitation which will freeze into a sheet of ice. And we are definitely opposed to encountering a sheet of ice underfoot. In fact, we are so hesitant that we now have taken to canceling our participation in events based on what just might be a dubious forecast.
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Book Notes: Feinstein’s latest is sheer enjoyment
Most people who follow sports have probably heard of John Feinstein. As a nationally known author, sportswriter, pundit and broadcaster, he has brought a unique angle to sports journalism. His groundbreaking book on Bobby Knight’s 1986-87 Indiana University basketball team, “A Season on the Brink,” still resonates today as an all-time classic.
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Book Notes: No Trekkie should miss Shatner’s books
It would be hard to find a television phenomenon as popular as “Star Trek.” Even though it was only on television for three seasons and 79 episodes (1966-69) it attracted viewers and devotees that still follow it passionately 45 years later. The fanatical supportspawned several movies and television spinoffs. Star Trek conventions continue to this day. There has never been anything like it.
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Up on Hawthorn Hill: Making sense of things
A book I have been reading investigates the various ways over time that we have made sense of the world. It carries the reader through to the present via several seminal classical texts and ultimately aims to suggest a strategy for “ finding meaning in a secular age.”
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In These Otsego Hills: ‘Property must be secured or liberty cannot exist.’ − John Adams
Last week we were asked if we would be interested in previewing a documentary, “The Empire State Divide,”produced by the Foundation for Land & Liberty. And we were more than happy to do so as we understood the documentary dealt with the problems that continue to face family farms.
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From Fly Creek: Now wait a minute!
On the ninth day of Christmas, driving down Cooperstown’s Eagle Street, I saw something astounding! No, not “nineladies dancing, eight maids a-milking, seven swans” etc. I saw one jogger jogging. And puffing on a cigarette.
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In These Otsego Hills: Goals of the past and goals of the future
We have long subscribed to the concept that we are always more successful if we, number one, set a goal and then, number two, meet it. And this was our thinking when we decided before Christmas to watch at least part of every college football bowl game. It was perhaps an odd, if not completely nonsensical, goal.
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In These Otsego Hills: Not to our liking ...
It is with sadness that we note the recent death of Steve Nagel. The son-inlaw of our late husband’s cousins, Alice and Harvey Eckler of Fly Creek, Steve was married to the Ecklers’ oldest daughter, Gail. We had the pleasure of spending Christmas Eve with the Nagels and the Ecklers in Fly Creek, greatly enjoying the delicious food and delightful conversation.
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Up on Hawthorn Hill: Of birds and faith
I watch birds quite a bit. Every five days or so I send in a report to Cornell as partof its annual Project Feeder Watch program. The data, collected from volunteers from all over the country, enables scientists to track population trends. I would spend quite a bit of time checking out the visitors to our feeders anyway. Participating in the feeder program makes a personal pleasure that much more meaningful. It is rare that aesthetical and scientific endeavors work in tandem.
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Book Notes: Biography captures the real Stephen Colbert
It would be hard to find a comedian as unique as Stephen Colbert. As the host of “The Colbert Report” on Comedy Central he hasmanaged to leave his mark on the nation’s consciousness in both a serious and humorous sort of way. His unusual wit has allowed him to become American icon. It would be difficult to find another entertainer quite like him.
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From Fly Creek: Christmas and varied blessings
I’m still astounded! The last farmers’ market before Christmas, I was sitting up front, directly under the ceiling heater, shmoozing with the hoi-polloi. (That’s an awkward linguistic mix,but let’s let it go.) As I sipped my hot coffee, a gloved hand came to rest on my shoulder and a warm voice said, “Merry Christmas, Jim.” I looked to my left—it was Santa Claus!
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In These Otsego Hills: Always a learning experience ...
We must admit that we thoroughly enjoyed our 2011 Christmas celebration. We partook of Christmas Eve dinner at the home of Alice and Harvey Eckler of Fly Creek and Christmas Day dinner at the home of Sandy and Al Bullard of Milford. We had our usual Christmas Day brunch at home on Pioneer Street, although we must admit it was a tad bit later than usual as, what we enjoyed most about Christmas, namely our granddaughter Abby, took a great deal of time opening her Christmas presents.
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In These Otsego Hills: Coming up ... 2012
Difficult as it seems, 2011 is fast coming to an end. And it is always our hope that as a year draws to a close, the issues which have been in the forefront during the year will be resolved. Unfortunately, we suspect that will not be the case this year. Instead, we are fairly certain that many of the issues that plagued this year, will continue to plague next year. Thus we will find ourselves still musing about the same issues we have spent time with already. And while we have not come toany conclusions about many of the issues, we do think they would all likely benefit from both sides thinking critically about perspective, risk assessment and possible solutions.
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Up on Hawthorn Hill: Circularity
When she was a puppy my dog Gabby would run in what I described then as “circles of joy.” She celebrated her15th birthday a few weeks ago and despite the inevitable frailties that old age imposes upon all of us, she is doing pretty well.
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Book Notes: Grisham doesn’t disappoint
John Grisham is one of this country’s most popular authors. Every time he publishes a book it’s an instant best-seller. He appeared on the scene about 20 years ago with his tense legal thrillers, “A Time to Kill” and “The Firm,”and hasn’t stopped producing top-notch novels since.
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From Fly Creek: Still singing, beyond our hearing
This column from Christmas 2001 still speaks deeply to me, and perhaps will to you, too. Take it, please, as my Christmas gift.
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In These Otsego Hills: The 2011 Cooperstown Carol
Since 1984, with the exception of one year, 1999, we have looked forward at the end of the year to going through all the issues of the paper in order to glean those news items which have been worthy of note throughout the year and which should make their way into our annual Cooperstown Carol.
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In These Otsego Hills: The losses are adding up ...
