Money for Cooperstown
The article in last week’s Crier concerning the county budget was infuriating.
Cooperstown, which is the driving force for tourism in this county and the very reason for the existence of some businesses (after all, it is called Cooperstown Dreams Park) was, once again, denied bed tax monies, which it does a great deal to create.
I understand the need in tough financial times to make difficult decisions, but taking the slated $100,000 for Cooperstown and putting it in the county’s asphalt budget is a slap in the face.
At least give some of that funding for Cooperstown’s own infrastructure needs.
Our village, with the NationalBaseball Hall of Fame and Museum and Bassett Healthcare, brings hundreds and hundreds of thousands of visitors to Otsego County. Right outside the village, The Farmers’ Museum, Fenimore Art Museum and Glimmerglass Opera bring in many more. These visitors stay within the county and pump up the coffers via bed tax.
People throughout the country and the world visit Cooperstown because they value its importance, for so many reasons. If only our county representatives had that same feeling.
Jeff Katz
Trustee, Village of Cooperstown
Our well in Africa is now finished.
In 2009, with the help of family and friends and the Cooperstown ElementarySchool, I raised the money to build a well to supply clean water for people in a developing country.
I partnered with charity:water an organization that puts every donated dollar directly into building the well. Their operating expenses are from other sources.
Kloko Sakassou in Cote d’Ivoire, which is the Ivory Coast of Afric, is the area they chose in which to build our well. The operation had to be stopped temporarily because of a Civil War in that area. But that conflict was resolved and the well project was resumed.
It is with great pleasure that it can now be announced that the well is complete and is supplying clean water to people who were accustomed to having to walk two hours to get water, which was polluted.
Thanks to all of you who donated to this project. It could not have been possible without all of your financial help.
It gives me, and I hope all of you, much personal satisfaction to know that what we did has given these people a better life.
The women and children who had to fetch the water, now have time for other, more productive activities, such as school for the children, and there will be much better health for them all now that they do not have to use polluted water, which is the cause of many diseases and even deaths. What joy for them to have clean water, something that we take for granted.
Charity: water has sent the following GPS coordinates for the location of the well 7.30958, –5.03808. Or, you may go to http:/www.charitywater.org/projects/map/andtype in Grace Kull.
Opinion
Your Opinion: December 1, 2011
- Our Opinion
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Our Opinion: Vote for Pohl
Cooperstown Central School graduate Phil Pohl is among 10 finalist in the Lowe’s Senior Class Award. First off congratulations, Phil. You have always shined on and off the baseball diamond. Pohl graduated at the top of his class and was a two-time Class C New York state Player-of-the-Year while at CCS.
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Our Opinion: Put an end to the chemicals
The use of chemical herbicides and pesticides was the main topic at a meeting of the village’s environmental conservation committee meeting Tuesday morning.
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Our Opinion: Town board made right decision
Last week, the Otsego town board voted to grant the village’s Gateway Project “limited zoning immunity.” The decision nullified a stop work order issued to the project earlier by Otsego Town Code Enforcement Officer Hank Schecher.
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Our Opinion: Small tax increase a good idea
The village board held its public hearing on the budget Monday night and no one showed up to voice opposition to the 2 percent tax increase approved late last month by the trustees.
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Enjoy area activities, attractions
With the rising gas prices many people are counting pennies just to keep food on the table, much less thinking about taking a family vacation.
Continued ... - Thursday, March 15, 2012
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Our Opinion: Contest or not, vote
Next Tuesday is the annual village election. Residents will vote for a new mayor and two members of the board of trustees.
Continued ... - Friday, March 9, 2012
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Our Opinion: Roses
Roses to the Cooperstown Concert Series for the completion of another entertaining season. The series has been providing live entertainment for the community during the fall and winter for 42 seasons. Each year the series brings that entertainment to Cooperstown through the efforts of the many volunteeers in the organization. Their efforts and the support of their patrons and sponsors adds a great deal to life in the village.
Continued ... - Friday, March 2, 2012
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Our Opinion: Taking concussions seriously
Traumatic brain injury is a serious public health problem in the United States. Each year, it contributes to a substantial number of deaths and cases of permanent disability. Recent data shows that, on average, about 1.7 million people sustain a traumatic brain injury annually. It is becoming a national concern!
Continued ... - Thursday, February 23, 2012
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Our Opinion: Roses
Roses to the Cooperstown boys and girls basketball teams for their winning ways this season. The boys record is 18-1 and the girls stand at 16-3 and both teams won their Section Three quarterfinal games last Friday. This Friday, the top-seeded boys will play fifth-seeded Syracuse Academy of Science in the sectional semifinal and the second-seeded girls will face No. 3 seed Fabius-Pompey. We wish both teams the best as they march toward the championships.
Continued ... - Thursday, February 16, 2012
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Our Opinion: Override helps keep options open
The village board of trustees will hold a public hearing later this month on a local law that would allow the village to exceed the 2 percent property tax cap approved by Governor Andrew Cuomo and the legislature.
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Our Opinion: Vote for Pohl
- Your Opinion
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Your Opinion: May 10, 2012
I am a candidate to continue with another term on the Cooperstown school board. My background is a graduate degree in technology education and professional experience in financial planning and management and regulatory compliance as director of a nonprofit community development corporation. I started on the Cooperstown board in 1996 and have seen much change in how New York manages public education in funding support, mandates, and expectations.
Continued ... - Your Opinion: May 3, 2012
- Your Opinion: March 15, 2012
- Your Opinion: March 8, 2012
- Your Opinion: March 1, 2012
- Your Opinion: February 23, 2012
- Your Opinion: February 9, 2012
- Your Opinion: January 19, 2012
- Your Opinion: January 5, 2012
- Your Opinion: December 29, 2011
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Your Opinion: May 10, 2012

