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This is what he was elected to do
Kudos to Mayor Joe Booan for his article, ``The Mayor Reports’’ which appeared in the July 29 issue of the Freeman’s Journal and as a letter to the Editor in the July 29 issue of the Cooperstown Crier, which he wrote to let the citizens of Cooperstown know what is going on in their government. However, I take exception to the fact that it is written as though all of these things were instituted four months ago when Mr. Booan became mayor.
Everything that he mentions has been in the works during the previous administrations and I am glad to see that he will continue to address these and other problems as they arise. That is what he was elected to do. There is really nothing new in what he suggests.
Although not on a regular basis, there have even been Town Hall Meetings in the Court House to give anyone interested, a chance to speak out on certain issues. Actually, when I was a Trustee, I had already begun researching the feasibility of clearing snow off the sidewalks in the Village.
That had been done years ago, when I was new to Cooperstownand it seemed the time had come to reinstate this benefit to the taxpayer. As an older citizen who finds it difficult to keep my sidewalk cleared of snow, this would be most welcome.
It was also during my tenure that the parameters were set for vending on Main Street. Many hours were spent working out the fairest way to do this for the benefit of the merchants and the rest of the Village.
Merchants are limited to a certain number and size of tables and racks to display their merchandise so that Main Street will retain a dignified look and not become overloaded with outdoor displays that could lead to a shoddy, honky-tonk look and, at times, compromise public safety with the crowded conditions they present.
Merchants are entitled to use privately-owned property for their displays, but not Village property. I did not see the wisdom of ceding over public property for private use when this law was instituted, and I still do not. If a precedent is set in this instance, where will it stop?
We like to boast that Cooperstown is the ``Perfect Village,’’ but will more tables and racks of all kinds of merchandise along Main Street be in keeping with that assessment? One of the merchants who is asking for free access to public property to showcase his wares, is quoted in the newspaper as saying, ``The outside display of merchandise is only negative as far as locals are concerned.’’
HUH? As a local resident and taxpayer, I am concerned and I have every right to be ... do I not? As do all of you who live here throughout the year and enjoy and support the charm of our Village.
Grace Kull
Cooperstown
Hawkeyes say thanks
As you know, the Cooperstown Hawkeyes’ inaugural season has just ended. I would to thank the members of the Cooperstown community who made such a critical contribution to the success of our team. The baseball experience for those who attended our games was described as nothing less than excellent. A genuine sense of community developed at Doubleday Field and the children of Cooperstown loved the experience.
Hawkeyes’ players made a significant contribution to our community as well. For example, they conducted free baseball skills clinics that were very well-attended by our children and helped with the annual library book sale. In a very real sense, the Hawkeyes became Cooperstown’s team this year and were embraced warmly even by people who were originally skeptical of our efforts to bring baseball to the Village.
I would especially like to thank our host families who ``adopted’’ our players this season.
It was heartwarming to hear the players describe their hosts as ``my summer mom and dad,’’ and the children of these families as ``my little brother and sister.’’ Additionally, many community members expended significant time, effort, and money to provide our players with excellent post-game meals.
Their efforts to make our players feel at home in Cooperstown were very generous.
During the last few days when host families were saying goodbye to their players, it became clear that in a number of cases relationships have been established that will last for a lifetime.
I would also like to thank our many community members who participated as Cooperstown Hawkeyes sponsors this year and who helped to make our initial season a successful one.
Your commitment to the Cooperstown community as well as the Hawkeyes is greatly appreciated.
On August 10, at 10 a.m., the Doubleday Field Committee will meet in the Village Conference Room. A discussion of the Hawkeyes’ first season is on the agenda. If you found the baseball experience provided by the Cooperstown Hawkeyes to be a positive one, please try to attend this meeting to show your support.
Tom Hickey
President,
Cooperstown Hawkeyes
Goodbye to the community
After living in Springfield Center for over 20 years, it is time to say ``goodbye’’ to everyone.
My wife Barbara and I both agree that it has been the most wonderful years of our 67 years of marriage. But how do you say goodbye to a place that you love dearly?
How do you say goodbye to our many good neighbors and dear friends from Cooperstown, Springfield and others in a 50-mile radius from here? It is most difficult to leave behind all the things that we have been enjoying: our community center, our library, our walking path, our senior group, our exercise classes, the historical society, the Independence Day celebration.
What a grand place to live! I suppose that it is part of life that all good things must come to an end and now, not by our choice, we must leave everything and everyone behind, so simply ``goodbye’’ to all.
We truly love you forever.
George Rutler
Barbara ``Wink’’ Rutler
Springfield Center
Opinion
Your Opinion: August 5, 2010
- Our Opinion
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Our Opinion: Enjoy the carnival
It does not look like there will be much snow, if any at all for this year’s Cooperstown Winter Carnival. Although many events are weather-dependent, that will not spoil all the festivities. As far as getting out your hats and mittens, you might want to dig them out. At least it does not look like the weather will be as abnormally warm as it has been so far this winter.
Continued ... -
Our Opinion: Roses
Roses to Cooperstown sixth-grader Tom Knight, who once again might have the chance to compete in the state level geography bee. He won his school district’s competition for the second year in a row this year and will be taking a written test to see if he qualifies. One could wish him luck, but Tom said he feels more confident taking the test this time around the now knows what to expect. He also said he feels more comfortable answering questions on paper that out loud in front of an audience.
Continued ... -
Our Opinion: Buying locally is right
We are happy to report this week that buying locally made products appears to be on the upswing in the Cooperstown area. We have long been a proponent of shopping locally. It stimulates the local economy, returns more sales tax to the county and is more environmentally sound. Buying locally made or grown products takes it one step further.
Continued ... -
Our Opinion: Confused much?
As if figuring out one’s tax bill isn’t mind boggling enough. Now, with a two percent limit on property tax increases, there will be more brains flustered. It is not a simple calculation at all. In fact, the tax cap will affect each school district’s levy in various ways. So don’t think you will be able to take your bill from last year and just increase it by two percent. The process uses a much more complex formula eight steps, as a matter of fact.
Continued ... -
Our Opinion: We’ll miss Nicols
Cooperstown Police Chief Diana Nicols will be leaving her job shortly and will be missed by the community. She is being retired by the New York State and Local Retirement System that notified her last week that she is “permanently incapacitated for the performance of duties.” The incapacitation is the result of a knee injury she received in 2008 during a training class.
Continued ... - Thursday, January 5, 2012
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Our Opinion: Roses and Raspberries
Roses to Cooperstown Central School graduate Molly Pearlman for putting off her college plans for a year to serve a 10-month term of service in the National Civilian Community Corps, an AmeriCorps program. She said her inspiration to participate in the program came from her father and brother.
Continued ... - Thursday, December 29, 2011
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Our Opinion: Looking forward
While many will spend the next few days reminiscing about 2011, we at the Crier are looking forward to next year. We are ready to ring in a new year and look forward to the events to come. Of course there are those events that happen annually such as the Cooperstown Winter Carnival,The Goodyear Polar Bear Jump, the Farmers’ Museum’s Junior Livestock Show, The National Baseball Hall of Fame’s Father’s Day Classic and Induction weekend, the Pumpkin Festival and Regatta and many more.
Continued ... - Thursday, December 22, 2011
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Our Opinion: Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus
At this holiday season, we take great pleasure in reprinting one of the classic newspaper editorials of all time − perhaps the best Christmas editorial ever written. It has survived the test of time and seems particularly fitting and poignant this year.
Continued ... - Monday, December 19, 2011
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DEC should not dismiss findings
Last week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released the findings in a draft of a new federal report that links hydraulic fracturing for natural gas in Wyoming with groundwater pollution. Hydraulic fracturing is a process that pumps millions of gallons of chemically treated water into gas wells to fracture the rock and release the gas.
Continued ... - Thursday, December 8, 2011
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Our Opinion: Who would have guessed?
Much has been revealed during the baseball winter meeting in Dallas this past week. The Miami Marlins seem to be in hot pursuit of all the big name players to fill their new stadium, Manny Ramirez announced he would like to return to Major League Basbeall, Pedro Martínez announced he plans to officially retire, elections have been held and it appears former Red Sox manager Terry Francona is swapping places with the franchise’s new manager Bobby Valentine.
Continued ...
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Our Opinion: Enjoy the carnival
- Your Opinion
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- Your Opinion: February 9, 2012
- Your Opinion: January 19, 2012
- Your Opinion: January 5, 2012
- Your Opinion: December 29, 2011
- Your Opinion: December 22, 2011
- Your Opinion: December 1, 2011
- Your Opinion: November 3, 2011
- Your Opinion: October 27, 2011
- Your Opinion: October 20, 2011
- Your Opinion: October 5, 2011
