Oppose proposed subdivision

Ned Walker will present the final revised plans for his proposed subdivision off Browdy Mountain Road to the Town of Otsego Planning Board on Sept. 2. Unless the residents of Cooperstown, the Town of Otsego, and those who appreciate the natural forested surroundings of the lake take action now, the tall, richly wooded mountain face just south of Five Mile Point will be changed forever.

There are very serious reasons to oppose this subdivision, which involves carving up the steep face of the mountain above the lake in order to build three new houses. Mr. Walker’s original plan has had to be considerably revised because of objections from the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the Board of Health. And although it appears that some of the problems have been addressed, such as septic systems and storm water run-off plans, the proposed development still poses a threat.

A key concern is the steep, narrow private road that is supposed to serve the entire development. Mr. Walker obtained permission for a minor subdivision in 1994 to build his own and one other house on his 24.5-acre property in 1994.

Because it was only a minor subdivision, presented as a family compound, the requirements for the private road that served both houses were waived. Now Mr. Walker wants the same narrow, 800-foot-long, steep road to serve three more houses. This is a major safety threat, as it involves the ability of emergency vehicles such as fire trucks to gain timely access. The consequences of not being able to quickly contain a fire on one of the steep slopes surrounding the lake would be horrific, and make it imperative that this issue be addressed.

The Planning Board was initially concerned about the safety of the road, but inexplicably, has let this issue go.

At its February meeting, according to the minutes, “there was considerable discussion about the suitability and safety of the road.” But when Walker presented his application at the March meeting, the minutes record that “(Planning Board) Attorney Ferrari said he foresaw no problems for the Board on the road, saying ‘This is how these projects get done in rural areas.’” I find this attitude appalling. Mr. Walker’s private road either meets the requirements or it doesn’t, and according to letter of the law, it doesn’t.

The other key issue is that this development will change the character of the lake. That may sound dramatic, but it’s true.

Most of us who enjoy being in a boat out on the lake cherish the large areas of natural, forested mountains around the lake. The proposed Walker subdivision, which is on the tallest mountain on the west side of the lake, would diminish the unspoiled beauty that residents and visitors so deeply value and enjoy. If approved, it would also set a precedent that will only encourage more developments, more trees cleared, more impacts on the ecology of the lake and its surroundings.

As more people learn the details of this proposed subdivision, they are opposing it, and we encourage other Cooperstown residents to take action immediately! There’s not much time. The Planning Board will discuss and likely vote on Mr. Walker’s final revised application at its meeting on Tuesday, September 2 at 7:30 p.m. Make your voice heard by writing a letter to the Town of Otsego Planning Board (Town Hall, Route 26, Fly Creek, 13337) so that it will be received before Labor Day weekend, so that it can be available to the Board before the meeting. Planning Board meeting minutes relating to the Walker subdivision may be accessed online at http:// townofotsego.com/planningminutes. htm.

Other background information, such as previous letters to the Planning Board, reports, photographs, etc., is available by emailing saveth emountainside@gmail.com. We urge you to contact us, ask questions, request information, and join us in preserving the beautiful mountainside on the lake.

Marilyn Bradshaw

Cooperstown

Lambert for county judge

I support the candidacy of John Lambert for County Judge in the upcoming Conservative Party primary.

I have known John for many years and have always found him to be a quality individual. Born and raised in Otsego County, he has always had our local community at heart. He’s been a competent and hardworking attorney for the village of Cooperstown. He’s part of a respected law firm in Cooperstown — Lambert and Trosset — and has experience in the courtroom for all county courts. I believe he seeks to make our county a safer place.

Outside his law practice, John also gives back to his community in other ways. He has been President of the Cooperstown Central School Alumni Association for nearly five years. He serves on the Board of Directors for Hyde Hall and the Otsego Lake Association. On summer evenings, he coaches a local youth baseball team. I believe John is a good advocate for family values and a strong community. He’ll have my vote in the upcoming primary.

Terry Bliss

Cooperstown

Many negatives to concert

Why are so many Springfield people upset about the rock concert proposed by Madison Square Garden Entertainment? First, Springfield does not have the infrastructure to manage so many visitors. There are security risks, medical risks, traffic issues, ecological risks, and other serious problems that can and likely will get out of hand. The project threatens the safety and health of the community.

Second, three out of four respondents to a recent community questionnaire stated that they highly value the rural character, scenic beauty, peace and quiet, and agricultural base of Springfield.

The rock concert is not consistent with these values.

Noise, cars, and crowds will disrupt the very values we cherish.

Third, the proposal is way out of scale with our community. Imagine (as Don Simpson of MSGE has suggested) that your family invites visitors to Thanksgiving dinner and 250 people show up on Thursday with plans to stay the entire weekend. They want to use your bedrooms, eat the food in your refrigerator, bathe in your bathrooms and stay up all night in party mode. Even if you anticipated this crowd, your house is simply too small. Springfield is too small for MSGE’s rock concert.

Fourth, although this is billed as a once-a-year three day event, we are concerned that once this event is approved, there will be other projects on the boards. Does anyone really believe that MSGE will be satisfied using its land only one weekend a year? We already have seen other proposals for a motor cycle race track (no longer active) and a sports/ entertainment camp (actually in Richfield Springs). How many of these projects can we absorb before those values that make Springfield such a wonderful community disappear?

Fifth, the recent very nice addition of Amish families to our community may be lost as a result of the rock concert. This festival flies in the faces of our Amish friends and defies the very values that they live by. We run the risk of losing their valuable contributions to our town as they are firm in living according to their beliefs.

How many more reasons are needed in order to have doubts about this project and its negative impacts on both Springfield and the entire surrounding region?

Harry Levine

East Springfield

911 system works

This is an open letter of thanks to our local EMS

squads, fire departments and the Otsego County Sheriff’s Department. I have had two occasions recently within a two-week period to use our 911 emergency system. My husband became very ill and passed out while driving and my daughter called 911.

Within minutes we were being assisted by Sheriff’s Department, ambulances, etc.

It made a scary situation much more bearable. Then, 10 days later, I came upon my daughter right after she had been involved in a bad car accident. People were already on the scene and helped to remove her from her vehicle. She was badly hurt, but thankfully is recovering nicely. I am so very grateful to everyone in our community who responds to our 911 calls. For a small, rural community I am so impressed with the courage and caring that everyone showed to us in our time of need.

Ann Marsala

Cooperstown

The Big Picture

My father taught me that if I was ever approached by strangers who offered me candy or puppies, and talked a slick talk and told me stories that were beyond my wildest dreams, that I should be suspicious, because these people always had ulterior motives. He said there were predators out there and I needed to be very careful. My father wasn’t wrong about this. I regret that I didn’t pay more attention to his invaluable advice. I could have saved myself a lot of grief throughout my life.

It really bothers me that MSG representatives have met and are continuing to meet with certain groups in private sessions to influence them by offering enticements to gain support for MSG.

Why do they keep doing this, since there has been so much talk and written public information about private meetings and how it doesn’t pass the “smell test“? It seems that there might be something wrong with MSG’s organization if they feel it is necessary to go to all that trouble to gain the favor of the Springfield community. During the late fall of 2007 and many times during the winter following, MSG representatives met with some town officials privately. They also sought to meet with others who were unwilling to meet privately but who had enough integrity to suggest they make necessary contacts at public meetings. I am really concerned about the people MSG has involved in their escapades. They are causing them to have their reputations questioned by the rest of the population in town by involving them in these trysts.” Why should their names be tainted because of what MSG has asked them to participate in? These people have become victims of MSG’s aggression.

In early winter, when the moratorium was being considered by our planning board and town board, a group of businessmen and real estate people were rallied and offered enticements to fight the moratorium. The whole idea was a stall tactic that would allow enough time to get the MSG application for Site Plan Review submitted to the planning board before the moratorium was passed. The “big secret” of the rock concert came to light only after it was a sure thing that the “big foot” was in the door far enough to gain successful entrance. The selected group then passed a petition around town against the moratorium based on false premises.

It was a known fact that the moratorium only pertained to Type I Actions, or large projects that are controversial, or projects that would change the character of the community. The moratorium would not have affected any other kind of development. The petitioners claimed that the moratorium would impede the economic growth and development of the community, which was not the truth. People were even told that their very food would be taken from their mouths. Some people believed it so they signed the petition, not knowing they were being hoodwinked.

The prospect of MSG coming to Springfield has already had many effects on the town.

Members of the town board and planning board are paying the biggest price, physically and mentally. They are being overworked and not rewarded. They have been required to devote much more of their time just to accommodate the needs of MSG. There are mountains of extra paperwork to read and digest. Extra meetings, extra paperwork, extra effort for everything is taking a toll on these individuals. I might add that the planning board members receive no compensation whatever for their efforts, and the town board members receive what is considered a stipend for their efforts.

Special interest groups are also being overworked trying to keep on top of the information. It’s rush, rush, just to accommodate the almighty MSG. It’s all about MSG and not about Springfield. Springfield has become a battleground with neighbors against neighbors, husbands against wives, children against parents, families against families. People are bitterly opposed by the prospect of the rock concert in Springfield. Others think they can make a fast buck, pulling cars out of the mud or cleaning porta-johns, and collecting garbage. How rich do people think they will get from a three-day festival? Even employment for a month won’t make you rich. Get real! How does anyone think they will be able to transverse Routes 20 and 80 to get to the job, the hospital, the bank and the grocery store?

How will the farmers be able to carry on with their labors when MSG closes our roads? Again, why is MSG dictating what will happen in our town? Since when does a stranger move to a new neighborhood and tell the people who already live there what they can do or not do? Why are we allowing this to happen? For a lousy few bucks a handful of people might be able to put in their pockets at the inconvenience of the rest of the whole town? Nobody is going to make any real money on this music fest except for MSG. They will just bulldoze us, and our rolling hills, and leave us lying in the dust with empty pockets and bills to pay from their mess while they skip town with the gold. Believe it! Money is the root of all evil. Evil has settled on Springfield. The results are becoming obvious. Already, our town is being destroyed and MSG isn’t even here yet. What will happen when they do get here?

If everything is so legitimate, why do they need to go around meeting with groups and offering enticements to buy favor?

Why are we allowing this to happen? Greed is just another evil. The grass is not greener on the other side of the fence. It’s time to come back home where you know how green the grass is. Life is better in Springfield and we don’t need MSG taking that away from us.

It’s time for us to come together, support our Comprehensive Plan and develop the town ourselves.

We need to be proactive is seeking out acceptable ways to improve our economy here.

Other towns have done it and we can too. MSG is not the answer to our problems but it could be the nemesis that destroys our town.

Jeannette Armstrong

Artist in Residence

Springfield Center