For over one month election signs have been seen all over the Town of Hartwick. We started putting our political signs up on Thursday, Oct. 11 on the road rights of way and on private lawns with permission. On the morning of Friday, Oct. 12, it was discovered that many signs were missing (removed without the property owner’s permission) including two signs that were taken from the Supervisor’s elderly aunt’s lawn. At several intersections and along roadsides, signs have been repeatedly run over by a vehicle leaving tire tracks as evidence signs were removed. Other signs remain undisturbed. This is a sad statement about vandalism mixing with the politics of a small town.

Mary Balcom, Supervisor

David Butler and Lynn A. Green, Councilmen

Town of Hartwick

Elect Coccoma Court Justice

I am writing to support the candidacy of Judge Michael V. Coccoma for election as a State Supreme Court Justice for the Sixth Judicial District.

I feel that there cannot be a more deserving candidate than Judge Coccoma. He has been an acting Supreme Court Justice since 2000, and he has been rated a qualified candidate by the Judicial Qualifications Panel after a comprehensive review.

I have known Judge Coccoma ever since he moved here, and I have the utmost respect for him, both professionally and personally.

Please support Judge Michael Coccoma with your vote on Nov. 6.

Paul J. Lambert

Cooperstown

Let’s keep young people here

Lately, there has been a lot of talk about the Upstate New York Brain Drain. According to Gov. Eliot Spitzer’s office, the population of 52 Upstate counties decreased by 22 percent among 20-to-34-year-olds and by 29 percent among 25-to-29-year-olds between 1990 and 2000.

First Lady Silda Wall Spitzer has spearheaded a campaign called "I Live New York," with a task force of 400 from across the state.

It will be interesting to see how their ideas come to fruition.

As a transplant to Upstate myself, and the leader of a marketing agency operated entirely by well-educated, creative transplants who are all between 28 and 40, I have a unique perspective on what draws and keeps young professionals here.

The fact is, we don’t have the large companies, shopping, attractions and 24-hour-a-day access to Starbucks that attract young people to other areas.

But our quality of life is extremely interesting to entrepreneurs. And we can do more to attract young entrepreneurs by making it easy to bring creativity, innovation and enthusiasm Upstate.

Why not offer something revolutionary, such as free or low-cost health insurance to employees of small qualifying business? Crazy, right? But think of how alluring that would be to young entrepreneurs and their employees. And to their investors.

Some other ideas:

Grants for businesses to expand their staffs.

City and town tax relief for businesses that meet certain hiring criteria.

Low-interest loans for solid business ideas from young professionals returning or relocating to Upstate New York.

Tax incentives for young, educated people to return or relocate to Upstate New York.

State-wide, coordinated efforts to publicize the benefits of living in Upstate, and to market all the wonderful resources Upstate communities offer small business.

Creative economic strategies supported by a focused marketing plan will help keep a certain percentage of college graduates in Upstate New York. Others will leave no matter what.

The challenge is giving them overwhelming reasons to return.

Christopher Quereau

Oneonta

Book should be profiled

Although I live in Virginia, I grew up in Cooperstown and have continued to subscribe to the Crier for many years. Over the last few months, there is a solicitation on the front page every week asking readers for photos and contributions. Upon receiving the Sept. 20 issue, I noticed that the solicitation was again listed. I also noticed that there was a very large article on the front page about a local author’s book and another article on page 3 regarding a local authoring another book.

I find it hard to believe that your publication, despite the fact that you are soliciting ideas and stories, has not profiled my father, David Butler, or his book, "Railroaded in Cooperstown." As I’m sure you know, the book chronicles corruption (among other things) in and around Cooperstown. It tells of how a "rich," corrupt, local politician tried to cover up employee mistreatment, drug use, and a fatal rail accident. It is certainly newsworthy and of local interest. The fact that you refuse to acknowledge its existence is a disservice to your readers and would have added another interesting chapter to the book. It would tell the story about how a newspaper, which is supposed to report the news, both good and bad, chooses not to report things that show financial supporters of their parent company in a bad light.

As journalists, those making the decision to exclude this most newsworthy achievement should be embarrassed for their lack or morals and ethics. They should also understand that the readers of this paper have the ability to form their own opinions. They need not exclude parts of the news and shelter their readers.

In closing, I am disappointed that the Crier would participate in this type of selective journalism. However, after living through much of the same for three decades, it doesn’t surprise me. "Raspberries" to the Crier’s editors.

Donald Butler

Suffolk, Va.

Clarvoe outlines platform

I ran for town council in 2001 and had a narrow defeat. I have observed at many Town of Hartwick Board and Planning Board meetings since then and have not been happy with what I have witnessed.

After winning this year’s primary, I am hopeful that I will win one of the two town council positions in the Nov. 6 election. I believe that residents of Hartwick have been prevented from involvement in town government and it’s time for a change.

Myself and others have sat through too many meetings, voiced our concerns and been ignored. Residents have offered their help and were turned down. Along with the Town Council, the Hartwick Fire Board, and Water Board Committee are made of the same five people. These five plus the seven members of the planning board, make up the "Master Plan" Committee. Twelve people are the only persons consulted when decisions are made for a town of 2,203 people. I believe the system shouldn’t work this way.

If I am elected, I will suggest and encourage the creation of committees made of town residents other than planning and town board members. More opinions, thoughts, and ideas need to be heard in order to have a fair and balanced future for Hartwick. There is much expertise and knowledge that can be shared for the betterment of the community and I hope to help that happen.

Please support Pat Ryan, Kenny Hotaling, and myself with your vote on Tuesday, Nov. 6. Polls open at 6 a.m. and close at 9 p.m.

Martha B. Clarvoe

Candidate for Hartwick Town Council

Clarifying remarks

I greatly appreciate that you printed my letter about paid parking and the concept of stickers for residents. However, I must inform you that when you printed my letter you made a significant mistake with just one "word." You printed $120 (one hundred twenty dollars), when you should have printed $12 (twelve dollars). I was referring to an article in the paper in August where we were told that the cost of trash removal related to the Hall of Fame Induction was approximately twelve dollars for every resident (approximately 2,000 residents) in the village of Cooperstown resulting in a cost of $24,000. (twenty-four thousand dollars) and therefore not $240,000 (two hundred and forty thousand dollars). I appreciate that you will be able to clarify this mistake before someone else writes you a letter to comment on the faulty information.

George Seeley

Cooperstown