The baseball induction weekend was quite an impressive event here in Cooperstown and Otsego County in general, as we played host to more than 75,000 baseball fans.

I had the pleasure of meeting and talking to several of these devoted individuals. One gentleman was kind enough to buy me an ice cream at Stewart’s.

I asked him the following question: "With a crowd of people that large, how could you see or hear what was taking place?" Just being there was all that mattered, was his response. After driving hundreds or perhaps thousands of miles, I would have to say these people have a real love or passion for the sport of baseball.

While many of us perhaps do not share the same passion for baseball, many of us may have similar feelings for the scenic beauty, historic attributes, landmarks and farmsteads of central New York. Some of us sacrificed financial gain to stay here and live while others came here for the same above reasons.

It is often more important for those people that are newcomers to be reminded that it was our families, the agriculturalists, that for generations kept the rural and scenic character of our region that they now enjoy and cherish.

It is equally important for us to listen to the experience of those who have moved here. Many of them have seen the results of uncontrolled development.

The short-term financial gain is not worth the long-term sacrifice of the blessings we enjoy. Sympathy and respect are not extended to those who desire to destroy what others value for their own financial gain.

We have already lost way too much in central New York.

My suggestion is that, if you have a passion for wind turbines, there are plenty of places you can go. I just heard today that California has a great many. Hope you enjoy!

David R. Petri

Town of Hartwick

Visitor impressed with village

I was in Cooperstown for this year’s Hall of Fame induction. While I realize it was the largest crowd ever to visit your town, we could not have asked for better hospitality. Everyone was kind and helpful during what I am sure was a very hectic time.

This was my third time visiting. The lines were longer at most every retail store and restaurant. But the attitude of the local people and the visitors we met was one to be proud of. Here in the South we pride ourselves on hospitality, but we learned that the people of Cooperstown are second to none.

Thank you to all of you for making a memorable trip such a fun one!

Britt Laughinghouse

Greenville, N.C.

Hall strikes out

on parking

Having just read the letter "Setting the record straight" written by Dale Petroskey, president of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, it would seem that Mr. Petroskey is clueless about what has really happened regarding parking for the recent Hall of Fame Induction.

Since the Hall of Fame seemingly took very little responsibility for plans to deal with the parking needs of those people whom the Hall invited to its induction party, it fell to other responsible groups, like the Village of Cooperstown and Otsego County, to try and deal with the potential parking needs. Most of us, when we hold a party, feel it is our responsibility to make certain that the parking needs of our guests will be met. The Hall of Fame, however, apparently felt the parking needs of its guests was not its problem, therefore forcing others to step up to the plate in order to try and solve what everyone knew was going to be a huge problem. It might be thought that the Hall of Fame would be grateful for the assistance. However, given Mr. Petroskey’s letter that does not seem to be the case.

Instead of criticizing those groups and individuals who took on the responsibility of trying to provide adequate parking for the Hall of Fame’s party, Mr. Petroskey should have been thanking them for their assistance. And, in fact, many believe it was the Hall of Fame that should have made the arrangements to provide the necessary parking for its party in the first place. Next time it would be hoped that the Hall would see to the needs of its own guests. And quite frankly, the fact that it didn’t this time is inexcusable.

It makes it most difficult to believe, to quote Mr. Petroskey, that "... we care deeply about the experience of every one of our visitors ..." It is equally difficult, regarding complaints about the parking situation, to accept his disclaimer that "Not one of these complaints has to do with the Hall of Fame ..." Does he not understand that everything that happened during the Hall of Fame Induction Weekend had to do with the Hall of Fame? Does he not know it was the Hall of Fame’s party? oes he not realize that by trying to distance the Hall of Fame from the parking experiences of the weekend it makes the Hall of Fame look foolish?

Of course, distancing itself from parking needs is definitely not a new position for the Hall of Fame. In its over 65 years of existence, the Hall of Fame has never once seen the need to provide even one parking space for visitors to the museum. Indeed, at the Hall of Fame they evidently "... care deeply about the experience of every one of our visitors ..." to leave the question of parking, which they must consider not to be part of the experience, in someone else’s hands. It seems obvious that this time around the Hall of Fame has definitely struck out on parking. Hopefully next time they have a party they will see the need to be part of the parking solution, not just part of the parking problem.

Catherine Lake Ellsworth

Cooperstown

Flag should

stay raised

Last week, I found myself in the public spotlight for raising the American flag in Cooperstown to its rightful place, after finding that it had been unlawfully lowered to half-mast by Cooperstown’s mayor, Carol Waller. For this act, I was arrested by the village police, and taken away in handcuffs. I was charged later with (for the lack of a legitimate charge, I assume) disorderly conduct and ultimately released and issued an appearance ticket for a later date in village court.

Mayor Waller had directed that the flag(s) in Cooperstown be lowered to half-mast in mourning the death of local businessman Walter Rich. Federal laws and flag regulations clearly state who can order the American flag to half-mast, and the correct protocol for doing so. In spite of her public comments that she "has done it before," it is clear that there is no authority for her perceived official act. If mayors in small towns across the country had this authority, flags would be lowered all the time in honor of local residents, and the significance of the whole event would simply evaporate.

Assume for a moment that Cooperstown’s mayor did have the needed authority. What, then, was her criteria in determining who this honor might be bestowed upon? A few days ago, a 30-year decorated U.S. Marine Sergeant Major from Cooperstown passed away. Certainly a well deserving candidate for any honors a grateful country might present to him, but the flag did not fly at half-mast for him. As a local politician, Mayor Waller has been a regular attendee at social functions held at Mr. Rich’s Edgewater mansion. A question that deserves an answer is whether this relationship played any part in her decision to lower the flags.

As a citizen and a wounded Vietnam combat veteran, I have the right to make this an issue, and I will push it as far as necessary, because many Americans before and after me have fought for the right to fly our flag in accordance with our laws, and not see this hallowed remembrance squandered in such a self-serving and dishonorable fashion.

Mayor Waller is on notice, but refuses to take corrective action. She has stated the flag will remain at half-mast as she first directed. In the interest of the public she is sworn to serve, and in respect for our citizens and veterans alike, I urge her to immediately raise the flag back up where it belongs.

God bless America.

David K. Butler, Sr.

Cooperstown

Heed crosswalk law

It’s happened again! A motorist has ignored the crosswalk with a pedestrian in it. Most people cruise through, studiously avoiding eye contact with the pedestrian. This scofflaw, however, had the audacity to execute that paradoxical maneuver, the "rolling stop," before cruising right in front of me after I’d set out from the curb. When I said to her through her open window, "I have the right of way," she flipped me off. Lest you think this was some heedless tourist, I can tell you she was driving a car with a local license plate.

Among Cooperstown’s attractions are its pleasant sidewalks. They are made safe routes by proper observance of the crosswalk law _ what might be considered an act of civil obedience. If locals will only observe the crosswalk through a reminder of how it could hurt their pocketbooks, perhaps it’s well to note that ignoring pedestrians is at best a moving violation, good for earning points on your license and increasing your insurance premiums. Accidentally hitting a pedestrian (or a runner) could lead to far more serious consequences, the least of which might be a court appearance.

School starts in a few weeks; many sports teams start practice this coming Monday, and many of them use village sidewalks and crosswalks for training runs.

For at least one of these reasons, I hope all motorists can take the extra moment required to observe the crosswalks for everyone’s well being.

Jessie Ravage

CCS Cross Country Coach

CCE exhibits lacking

The Otsego County Fair is typically on my list of must do events of the summer, and the 2007 production was no exception. This year, as in previous years, I looked forward to viewing the end results of 4-H members’ hard work during the year. Admittedly, I had some trepidation while on route to Martin Hall to view the 4-H exhibits.

My mind was full of thoughts of the new Cornell Cooperative Extension Executive Director Dinnie Sloman and CCE Board President Sharon Scofield, who so ruthlessly dismissed eight employees back in January, including the two with the 4-H Program. I was anxious to see how the new director was re-inventing the previously successful 4-H Program.

To my dismay, Martin Hall was VERY sparse of 4-H exhibits and involvement. The once vibrant display of 4-H Club and individual exhibits was sorely lacking..

I then ventured to the Mereness Building with much more confidence that the interactive CCE agriculture and Master Gardener exhibits of 2006 would cheerfully greet me once again. Regrettably, there was but a token of a static display and void of any Master Gardeners or staff.

This experience has made me wonder what has happened to the programs of Cornell Cooperative Extension that we once were proud to be involved and affiliated with. Where are these credible programs that were executed by competent staff? Long-term successful staff members were abruptly eliminated and evidently no plan to maintain any semblance of programs was considered.

I realize the CCE Board of Directors officially voted in May, as I was present, to not respond to the unanswered question posed by the concerned citizens back on March 15. This deplorable action prevents anyone from being able to support CCE, as its decision-makers refuse to be accountable to the public for their actions. The trust level is basically gone. What a shame!

I, like many others, certainly hope the true decision makers, those that allocate funds to CCE, the County Board of Representatives, take this into consideration as the 2008 budget discussions transpire.

Gwen Dowsey

Middlefield