Distorted version of Cooperstown
Early on I made the deliberate decision not to comment on the Anthony Pacherille case because I have great empathy for both the boys involved.
However, now that the Pacherille family has chosen to blame everyone but themselves for this unfortunate event and has chosen to demonize the victim and has actually set up a petition to boycott Cooperstown and Otsego County, I feel that I, asa citizen of Cooperstown, am being personally attacked.
Contending that the whole village is covering up at Anthony’s expense, so as to perpetuate its image as a lovely, wholesome place to visit, is ludicrous and insulting.
Anthony made a horrendous mistake when he decided to chase down and shoot Wesley Lippitt and then shoot himself.
Fortunately, he failed in both attempts, but his actions forever changed the course of many lives, especially his own and that of Wesley. The Pacherille family has taken it upon themselves to make light of Wesley’s wound, calling it a “scratch”.
In my estimation, being chased through the streets by a deranged person aiming a gun at you and shooting at you twice, is enough of a life-changing trauma, no matter what the extent of the wound.
Some of the inaccurate information on the Pacherille petition site is that Cooperstown is an unfriendly place for Italians and Catholics to live.
I know from personal experience that this isn’t true for the Catholic population.Families of Italian descent have made their homes in Cooperstown for many years and have been highlyrespected members of the community. We now have an Italian-American mayor, Joe Booan, who grew up here.
Unfortunately, anyone reading the information on the petition site is only getting a distorted version of Cooperstown.
The petition site leaves no way to refute this information. I think this is grossly unfair to all of us who live/work here.
I hope Anthony gets the help that he obviously needs, but I can’t see any good coming from the actions of hisfamily.
Grace Kull
Cooperstown
Opinion
Your Opinion: August 25, 2011
- Our Opinion
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Hopefully HOF Classic date change is a hit
The National Baseball Hall of Fame’s annual seven-inning exhibition game has seen a drop in attendance in the last couple of year. The Hall of Fame Classic began as a Father’s Day event, was then moved to the Saturday before the holiday, and is now being held on Memorial Day Weekend.
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Congratulations Cooperstown softball
It is hard to believe that Cooperstown's softball team had never won a division or playoff title until this week.
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Happy CYB has found a home
Cooperstown Youth Baseball has finally found a home. However, it is a bit sad it could not be in the village that is often referred to as the "home of baseball."
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Change is never taken lightly
We are glad the Cooperstown Central School Board finally chose a nickname, but were surprised by the plummeting attendance rate at meetings pertaining to the matter. What seemed to be a hot-button issue attracting nearly 100 people for and against a name change at initial meetings seemed to simmer to complete no shows toward the end.
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Tax cap is deceiving
As if figuring out one's tax bill isn't mind boggling enough. In its second year of implantation, the 2 percent limit on property tax increases makes things all that more complicated. One cannot just assume his or her individual taxes will not increase more than the cap threshold.
Continued ... - Thursday, April 11, 2013
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Earth Festival is a good start to spring
We hope Mother Nature brings us some sunshine and spring weather this weekend. But if not, there is a predominantly inside event coming up that should help get visitors thinking about spring.
Continued ... - Thursday, April 4, 2013
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Education heading in wrong direction
It is good to see that with teachers changing their curriculums to teach for the Common Core State Standards that there is still some hands-on learning going on locally.
Continued ... - Thursday, March 28, 2013
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Good luck, Tommy
Perhaps the third time will be the "charm" for Cooperstown Central School seventh-grader Tommy Knight.
Continued ... - Thursday, March 21, 2013
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Eliminate the gap elimination adjustment
Despite Gov. Andrew Cuomo's promise in his budget address to increase funding for education, local school officials are saying they are not receiving enough state aid to fund even basic services.
Continued ... - Thursday, March 14, 2013
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Groff is off to good start
Former Cooperstown Central School student and athlete Sarah Groff visited Cooperstown in November to share her dream of making it to the Olympics. She had just missed the podium at the London Games.
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Hopefully HOF Classic date change is a hit
- Your Opinion
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- In our readers' opinion
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Our readers' opinion
I received this statement from Christine Drew Martin, a former resident of Oaksville, who is the daughter of the late Ruth Yule, beloved English teacher at CCS.
Continued ... - In our readers' opinion
- Our Readers' Opinions: Nov. 21, 2012
- Our Readers' Opinions: Nov. 15, 2012
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In Our Readers' Opinion
Kudos to Mayor Jeff Katz and the board of trustees for revisiting the possibility of using paid parking to raise the funds necessary to keep our village streets in good condition.
Continued ... - In your opinion: Oct. 25, 2012
- Our Readers' Opinions: Oct. 18, 2012
- Our Readers' Opinions: Oct. 11. 2012
- Our readers' opinions: Sept. 20
