In regards to the project itself, our intentions are to purchase Woodside Hall and convert it from a former adult assisted living facility (a commercial business that was in existence for over 40 years) to a seasonal, upscale inn. We plan to preserve and improve upon the historic nature of the building and beautify the grounds. The inn will have 20 to 21 guest rooms. It will not have a public restaurant, bar, or swimming pool. We will not host weddings on the premises. This project will require a zoning change. We believe this project is a very good use of the property and in keeping with the goals of the village as presented in the Cooperstown Comprehensive Plan.

In an advisory meeting, the village planning board recommended that we contact Terry Bliss, Otsego County Planning Director, in regards to zoning. We spoke with Terry and he provided us with a document on spot zoning. This document was provided to the planning board. He also recommended getting a copy of the Cooperstown Comprehensive plan. After thoroughly reading the Comprehensive Plan, we feel that there are just as many points in the plan that support our request for a change in zoning as there are points to support no change.

We feel that the public hearing went very well as arguments were made both for and against the zoning change in a professional, low-tension manner. We respect the information that Michael Jerome provided at the hearing in regards to the development of the zoning and the Comprehensive Plan. We feel the ``Innkeeper versus Former Innkeeper’’ headline (in The Freeman’s Journal) was very much a misrepresentation of what transpired at the hearing. We have high regard for Michael and the efforts he made to develop The Inn at Cooperstown into one of Cooperstown’s top lodging properties. He has also volunteered significant amounts of his time to make the village a better place by serving on various boards and organizations. We sincerely respect his efforts and have taken his example and applied it to the way we run the inn and volunteer our time to the community.

The reported comment on the Mohican Lodge (also in the Freeman’s Journal) needs to be clarified. It is in a section of the village which is zoned R2. R2 allows for tourist accommodations with a special permit. The point we wanted to get across was that it did receive a special permit to operate as a B&B on May 4, 1999. While it’s unclear as to how long it operated as a B&B, what is clear is that it was a commercial business. There have been at least three commercial businesses in operation on the East side of the Susquehanna. Also, we would like to point out the statement made in regards to the current owner of Woodside Hall potentially petitioning to have the building torn down was made by a planning board member, not by us.

Key objectives of the Cooperstown Comprehensive plan are economic stability; maintaining the character of the village; maintaining a healthy village business and employment environment; develop the area of visitor attractions; tax stabilization; and protection, enhancement, and preservation of the village. The plan also states the economic impact from tourism is enormous and that tourism and the hospital are considered as providing the primary economic base for the community followed by business/ services and county/ village government.

Does converting Woodside Hall into an upscale inn help to meet the objectives as outlined in the Comprehensive Plan? We believe it does. We also believe and trust that the village planning board and the village board of trustees will make the right decisions in the best interest of the community as a whole.

Marc and Sherrie Kingsley

Cherry Valley

Let’s hear

park ideas

We, the members of the Friends of the Parks, Inc. are delighted with the Village Parks Board’s decision to begin a community dialog about the future of the Village Gardens. Now that the neighboring property owners have been surveyed it is time to hear from you!á A facilitated brainstorming meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 3 rd at 7:00 PM in the Village Ballroom, on the third floor of 22 Main St, Cooperstown. Cooperstown village residents large and small, young and old are encouraged to attend and share their vision for Cooperstown’s newest park.

Perhaps Cooperstown’s best-kept secret, the Village Gardens is located on Beaver Street behind the Great American.á It currently hosts a few swings and an asphalt surface that is converted into an ice skating rink in the winter months.á The hope of the Friends of the Park together with the Village Parks Board is to create a park that serves the community in ways that parks like Fairy Spring, Lake Front and Council Rock do not.

So whether you dream of a shady game of shuffleboard, a ride on a swing, the smell of a rose or a spin on the ice, come join the process that the Village has put forth. Let’s create Cooperstown’s newest park together!

Friends of the Parks, Inc.

Politicians ... who needs them?

First, let’s start with a slap on the back for Keith McCarty, one of the new county reps with some foresight and common sense. A rarity.

In the past, the gang of goofs gave M.O.S.A. a blank check, which we will pay for, for a long time.

Now it’s high taxes. The so-called typographical error belongs to the person who made it, not the Board. They just don’t read well, if at all, among other things.

Then the Social Services head got DWI’d, and is fired.

Whose buddy is the head of the county home?

He’s broken more laws than Al Capone and is put on sick leave. That’s sick. Down the road with the goofs next election.

Another reason for a county manager.

Now they’re talking a $2 million dollar shortfall because the state may hold back. Did you guys ever consider writing a budget that contains monies we have, not what we may get?

I may live to be 100 or hit the lottery for $10 million, but I wouldn’t bet on it.

And good luck to you, Spitzer, with his task ahead. He’s pledging to bring integrity and honesty to Albany. Till now there’s been a total lack of both.

And last but not least, if you’re traveling south on Co. 31 (East Lake Road) when you approach Cooperstown, turn right on Lakeview Drive and when heading north on same, at the top of Main Street (Co. 31), turn left on Lakeview, and this will take you back on Co. 31 and bypass part of one of the world’s worst patch jobs. There are smoother dirt roads around here.

There ought to be a bounty on all politicians. If you know a good reason why we need them, let’s hear it.

R.L. LaDuke

Cooperstown