The Ellsworth family
has paid school taxes
on the property at
105 Pioneer Street in Cooperstown
for just shy of one
hundred years. And while
we rather doubt that is a record
for the longest run by
a single family, we feel it is
not an insubstantial record.
Fortunately, we have only
been responsible, at this
point, for the school taxes
for twenty-eight of those
one hundred years. However,
those twenty-eight years
have been, unfortunately, at
the more expensive end of
the tax run.
It is no wonder then that
we have tended over the
years to try and pay attention,
as a member of the public, to
what transpires at the school.
Except for the occasional big
school issue which will bring
people out of the woodwork,
we feel we have been joined
in watching the school by
a mere handful of people.
Granted, the handful can
be a very vocal as anyone
who has attended a school
board meeting well knows.
But nonetheless it remains a
handful. We, of course, always
hope there will be others
who will see the need to pay
attention to what is happening
at the school and join us.
And this year we have felt
the need to pay attention is
greater than ever.
Thus we had been sorely
disappointed that we were
still joined by a mere handful
until we realized there is a
new player on the scene that
has the ability to watch the
school in a way that no one
else can. We of course refer
to this very newspaper which
seems to have taken on the
cause of keeping the public
informed on school issues.
In September, they covered
the decision to keep the
sixth grade at the middle/
high school as well as the
superintendent’s resignation.
This was followed in
the October 29 issue with an
article detailing the hiring
of a consultant to help with
the superintendent search as
well as a piece entitled ``CCS
enrollment is steadily declining.’’
In that it was reported
that the enrollment at CCS
has declined from a high of
1,350 in the mid 90s to 988
for the current year, a drop of
almost 27 percent. Yet in the
90s, there were just under 100
full time teachers. This year
there are 91.
In the Nov. 19 issue,
there was an article which
explained that community
members could participate
in a survey ``...to assist in developing
a profile of desirable
attributes and qualities of
the next superintendent...’’ In
that same issue there was an
editorial encouraging people
to not only participate in the
survey but to also attend the
Public Budget Forum to be
held on December 2.
This was followed by an
article on Nov. 25 on the
budget process in which
CCS Board of Education Vice
President Mary Leonard was
quoted as saying, ``Albany is
taking a very long time and
we have to be ready for some
very dramatic cuts.’’ It would
not exactly be what one
would want to hear about the
school budget.
On Dec. 10, the paper
published three articles about
the school. One explained the
plans for the superintendent
search, while the other two
dealt with budget issues. One
of these was a very detailed
report on the public budget
forum held on December 2
and the other was a most
ominous piece entitled
``Lawmakers caution schools’
funding will be less next year.’’
On Dec. 17, there were
two articles and an editorial
all relating to school issues.
One article, entitled ``MCS
uncertain about future as it
plans 2010-11,’’ talked about
the difficulties being faced in
preparing a school budget.
The discussion included a
quote from Tom Brennan,
Milford Central School BOE
President who said: ``The
state is suffering and districts
will share that pain.’’ The other
article addressed the issue of
rural school mergers which
had been discussed not only
at the Public Budget Forum
on December 2 but also at
a BOCES meeting held on
December 1 to discuss issues
facing the 19 school districts
in the BOCES.
However, we thought the
editorial, entitled ``CCS needs
to reduce spending’’ absolutely
hit the nail on the head.
It pointed out that the school
board has an opportunity in
the current contract negotiations
with both the Faculty
Association and the Service
Unit ``...to stem the tide
of escalating costs.’’ It also
pointed out that ``Those
contract negotiations offer
another opportunity to
reduce, or at the very least,
hold the line on salaries and
benefits. School employees
should not mistakenly believe
they are immune to the
economic impacts that have
hit many district residents. T
he board of education has to
make it clear that these contract
negotiations will not be
business as usual.’’
We could not agree more.
And we certainly hope that
both sides in the negotiations
understand the financial
problems facing many
residents of the district.
And the paper has continued
its coverage of school
issues into 2010. The Jan. 7
edition contains a must read
article entitled ``Schools face
gap when funds run out’’ as
well as an excellent editorial
entitled ``Merging might be
the answer.’’
We must admit that until
we sat down and compiled
all the articles and editorials
which have appeared in the
paper this school year, we
really did not realize how
much, and how well, information
has been presented.
We salute the paper for a
job well done and trust that
they will continue to keep
the public informed as the
school goes forward with the
superintendent search, the
contract negotiations and
the 2010-11 budget.
There is little doubt that
the decisions that the Board
of Education makes regarding
all of these issues will
have a profound impact
on all the residents of the
district.
In closing, as one of those
handful of people who have
watched the school for years,
we are reminded of a quote
by Dale Carnegie in which
he said:
``Most of the important
things in the world have
been accomplished by
people who have kept on
trying when there seemed to
be no hope at all.’’
It would seem that the
time has come when there
needs to be more than just a
handful of school watchers.
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 e-mail at
cellsworth1@stny.rr.com.
Columns
In These Otsego Hills: School watchers an important group
- Columns
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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.
Continued ... -
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.
Continued ... -
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.
Continued ... -
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.
Continued ... -
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.”
Continued ... -
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.
Continued ... -
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.
Continued ... -
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.
Continued ... -
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.
Continued ... -
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.
Continued ... -
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.
Continued ... -
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!
Continued ... -
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.
Continued ... -
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.
Continued ... -
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.
Continued ... -
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.
Continued ... -
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.
Continued ... -
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.
Continued ... -
In These Otsego Hills: Dear Santa ...
Although we tend to think Christmas is for children and thus rarely think about what we might like to have, this year we have decided to let Santa know what might be left under the tree with our name on it. Of course, we fully understand if our list is a bit long, a bit expensive and a bitlate. However, we have just finished reading our November issue of Health and so have just realized what we need that we do not currently have.
Continued ... -
Up on Hawthorn Hill: Irony abounds
These are querulous times. Dissent and disagreement, as uncomfortable as they sometimes are, are essential components of a viable democracy. Democracies are always messy because everyone has a right to speak his mind and because whenever a majority is able to gain the numerical upper hand it pretty much runs the show. Several political philosophers have written quite persuasively of what they characterize as the “tyranny of the majority.” Get enough people on your side and you have the opportunity to get your way so long as you are able to maintain power. I suspect that most thoughtful people would agree that wisdom is hard to come by.
Continued ...
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From Fly Creek: Cheers for the Blue Rabbit!
