Your Opinion: March 15, 2012

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March 15, 2012

Your Opinion: March 15, 2012

The Cooperstown Crier Thu Mar 15, 2012, 12:57 PM EDT

Why vote?

Although it’s difficult to muster enthusiasm to go to the polls when elections are uncontested, I need your support in order to effectively serve the village. Votes matter and participation is always important, whether an election is competitive or not.

As many of the residents of Cooperstown know, I have enthusiastically served for seven years as trustee, two of them as deputy mayor. In that time I have worked for the betterment of the village. Whether it’s supporting the fire department by receiving additional monies from other municipalities for fire department reserves, or helping Main Street businesses by spearheading Doubleday Field concerts, my focus has been what I can do in my official role to make Cooperstown a better place to live and work. If I do earn thehonor of becoming mayor of this wonderful village, I will continue to pursue keeping taxes down while increasing revenue and cutting costs without curtailing services we all depend on. I will work to increase our reserves for long term comprehensive street repair.

I will also work with town and county officials to advance Cooperstown, as I have successfully done in the past. I will continue pushing for bed tax monies to be distributed back to Cooperstown, the engine of all tourism in our area. I will continue to request funding for the village library from the towns that should pay a fairer share toward the library budget based on their usage. I have always worked closely with the Friends groups who do crucial work for our library and parks. I will also work with the Friends of 22 Main St., and with the recently revived Friends of Doubleday. All the Friends groups contribute so much to the village, raising funds that are outside taxpayer dollars.

My pledge to the residents of this village is that I will be a mayor who is open and fair, always accessible and impartial in his views. Cooperstown is more than its streets, its buildings and its infrastructure. We are a community who’ve made this village our home, and we’re all in this together. Please vote on March 20.

Jeff Katz

The right to vote

If the year were 1812 instead of 2012, by law I would not be allowed to vote. When this country was founded, in most states, only white men with property were permitted to vote (freed African Americans could vote in four states).

White working men, almost all women, and all other people of color were denied the vote.

Today, all citizens of the United States have the right to vote and cannot be denied this right based on birth, race or sex. Some might take the right to vote for granted, but for those of us who have descended from those who struggled and fought to be allowed to vote this is not the case. While our constitution grants us the right to vote, for me it is also a privilege. Every time I vote I am reminded of those who can’t and I say a silent prayer of thanks to thewomen of the 19th and 20th centuries who worked so diligently for women’s rights.

In small communities like ours, voting connects us to our fellow citizens. Votingday in Roseboom is special as it also gives us a chance to visit with neighbors and catch up on the local news as we wait for our turn to enter the voting booth. We moved to Roseboom in the summer of 2002 and voted here for the first time the following November. At the time we moved, we thought having a Cherry Valley address meant we lived in Cherry Valley, but on Election Day we discovered that our town barn was not a satellite voting booth for Cherry Valley — as I thought — but the polling place for the town of Roseboom. We went from being “Chervillians” to “Boomers” in the blink of an eye and we still chuckle over our mistake to this day.

I read recently that the village of Cooperstown will succeed if Jeff Katz and the village trustees succeed. I agree with that sentiment and urge you to vote on March 20 to not only exercise your right to vote but to also show your support for Jeff, Jim and Cindy and your desire to have Cooperstown succeed.

Beth Rosenthal

Otsego County Representative,

District 7

Empty Bowls was huge success

On March 3, the Cooperstown community enjoyed the sixth annual Empty Bowls luncheon and I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all those involved. This event is the perfect example of a small town, joining hands to accomplish something very big. This luncheon, which features pottery bowls, soup and bread, was a huge success again this year, raising $7,400 for the Cooperstown Food Pantry.

Many thanks to more than 25 potters for donating more than 400 bowls, thanks to all the local restaurants and individuals who donated delicious soups and bread, coffee and other items. Many thanks to our co-sponsors, The Gordon B. Roberts Agency and New York Central Mutual Insurance Company for giving us seed money each year to cover up front expenses. Thanks also to the Vet’s Club for its great space and hosting us. Manythanks to all the cheerful volunteers who work so hard to ensure the event is a success. It wouldn’t happen without you.

Lastly, thank you to all the guests who support the luncheon and the food pantry with generous hearts and donations. Together, we will help the volunteers at the food pantry continue their vital service to this area.

Donna Bailey-Mackie

Chairperson

SSPCA thanks supporters

The Susquehanna SPCA actively participated in the Cooperstown Winter Carnival and sincerely appreciates the sincere support from community volunteers and businesses.

The organization participated in the “The Samba Dromo” parade, coordinated the dog show, hosted a spaghetti supper and a new event, wine tasting with d’eourve samples that benefitted the SSPCA and hosted by Nicolettas Café on Main Street, resulted in a generous donation to the animals.

It was all an enthusiastic undertaking and the help of many made it possible. We thank the Cooperstown Winter Carnival Committee and Cooperstown Lions Club for their hard work in sponsoring the 36th Annual Event.

The following made the SSPCA participation possible and we extend our thanks: Christine Amos, Nancy Angerer, BJ’s, Amy Cannon, Cooperstown Crier, The Daily Star, Dale Davidson, Patti D’Esposito, Kelsey Donohue, Mary Fralick, The Freeman’s Journal, Martha Frey, Sue Friedlander, Phil and Fran Gootee, Pat Grillo, Charlotte (Schatzi) Hall, Maureen and Jon Hansen, Sue Ann Holmes, Jane Homburger, Dan and Sam Jansen, Anne & Lang Keith, Melissa Manikas, Patrick McBrearty, Rich McCaffery, Jane McCoy, Emily Murphy, Denise Nickol, Nicolettas Café, Mary Nolan, Barbara Pope, Ellen Pope, Price Chopper, Jessie Ravage, Bill and Tristan Reed, Allegra Schecter, Rachel Stone, Tara Sumner, Tops Friendly Market, Lyman Townsend, Catherine Tuttle and Deni Wicks.

The Susquehanna Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is committed to bringing about a time when there are no more homeless animals and every companion animal will be guaranteed a loving home. We work to accomplish this goal through our spay/neuter, adoption and education programs.

The Susquehanna SPCA and the Better Exchange Thrift Shop are located at 4841 StateHighway 28, Cooperstown.

You may contact them at 547-8111 or sspca@susquehannaspca.org. Also visit their new website at www.susquehannaspca.org .

Elizabeth Mackey

Executive Director, SSPCA

Anne Keith

President, Board of Directors, SSPCA