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2-28-2007 As a frequent walker around Cooperstown to work, downtown, to Bassett, I read with interest the letters debating the winter care and maintenance of our sidewalks. One writer suggested that since we do not fully "own" our walks (we cannot dig them up, for example), we should not be obligated to shovel the snow off of them. Instead, let me suggest that we should consider those who benefit from clean sidewalks: our neighbors, mail carriers, paper deliverers, and children going to school. These are the people who use our walkways, but we force them into the street when we allow our sidewalks to stay snow and ice covered. When we fail to shovel, our actions say that the safety of our friends, neighbors, and those who serve us does not matter. And yet what does shoveling entail, especially in our community of mostly small lots? A few minutes with a shovel, a couple of shakes with some ice melt, a little sand sometimes. Is this too much to contribute to our neighborhood, or too much to give to our fellow villagers? And yet I notice that many employ the old snow management technique of my native Virginia: leave it alone; it will melt eventually. I was initially heartened to see the Village taking steps to clarify the shoveling requirement of clearing down to the concrete, for the width and length of every sidewalk that borders our properties. But after recent snows it seems there are as many untended walks as ever. This is a safety hazard (and pending lawsuit) the Village needs to address. The Village does not wait until someone complains about unsafe water before it addresses the safety of our water supply. Snowy and icy sidewalks are as much a threat to our health as bad water would be. Moreover, such sidewalks are clearly more of a safety issue than two-hour parking, and while we have village personnel devoted to monitoring parking, we do not have someone who circulates to monitor and enforce the village sidewalk laws. So I urge my neighbors to shovel their walks. Do it for your own convenience, for the safety of others, or just to avoid a Village fine. I further encourage the Village to actively monitor our walks as a matter of public safety. And if villagers do not wish to see Brian Clancy's crew in front of their houses, remember that a shovel a day keeps the Village away! John Odell Cooperstown Support Katz for trustee I have worked with Jeff Katz on several Rotary sponsored fund raising events for the benefit of our community. Rotary's motto of "Service Above Self" fits Jeff appropriately. Not only has he been a willing worker, but has done so enthusiastically, even bringing his son to help out. I have been before Jeff's Parks committee representing Otsego Lake Association's plan with the Lake and Valley Garden Club to create a buffer zone, preventing soil and water erosion from contaminating our drinking supply. His questioning and thoughtful remarks clearly indicated he had taken the time to be responsibly prepared, with the desire of improving our community's parks and water supply. This community is well served by Jeff Katz and we are fortunate to have him. I hope you will support him. Carl Good Cooperstown Cheesecake contest a success This year's Cheesecake Tasting Contest Winners were Janet Graham Faure and Margit Feury Ragland - tie for first place; John Smirk in third place; and Best in Show - chefs David Lockwood and Martin Freeman, from the Otesaga Hotel. The Tasting was held to raise money for the Double H Ranch Hole in the Woods Camp in Lake Luzerne, N.Y. and raised $750, which will be matched by Wal-Mart for a total of $1,500. The Ranch is a wonderful place where children with physical disabilities and life threatening illnesses can go, free of charge, to learn about the important things in life; friendship, trust, self-esteem, positive thinking and love. Several of our local children have been to the camp, Elizabeth Dunn, Bernard Miller, Katie Krause, Chris Philips, Dierdre Herr and Patrick Dewey. Special thanks to all the cheesecake bakers. Linda Smirk Cooperstown Katz, Vrooman best for future Regarding the upcoming Trustee vote in Cooperstown, I am reminded of two things: one, the metaphor for most drivers (except those with automotive aptitude) of never opening the hood of their cars until breaking down on the side of the road and when doing so, not really having a clue anyway; and my variation on a theme of the misguided, trite tee-shirt slogan (Cooperstown is a ----- - town with a -----): Cooperstown is a Transition Town with a Baseball Problem. Yes, like all of small town America, we are impacted by the slumping economy and housing crisis. However, more so than any other, we are directly and dramatically impacted by Major League Baseball. From steroids to HGH and the "Say It Ain't So" revelation of what many of our heroes were really doing in the clubhouse, to the putting- all-of-our-eggs-in-the- Dreams-Park-basket phenomenon and the end of the Hall of Fame Game era, Cooperstown cannot sit idle longing for the bygone days. With my eyes on the future of Cooperstown for my children and their children, I am supporting Jeff Katz and Jim Vrooman for Trustees. Both have demonstrated a passion and respect as stewards of the Norman Rockwell nature of Cooperstown's past, yet are actively involved and committed to planning and initiating for Cooperstown's future - with or without potential disillusioned little leaguers and their families, Roger Clemens, Barry Bonds, Mark Mc- Guire. Lori Miller Cooperstown Suuport local growers Let me to commend the Environmental Work Group for organizing the recent "Farmers' Speak-Out" covered in the Crier. As an advocate for, and consumer of, local farm products, let me also note some state efforts to promote locally grown foods. Since 1988, families enrolled in the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program and low-income senior citizens have been able to purchase locally-grown fresh fruits and vegetables at farmers' markets throughout the state. Although food stamp benefits can be used at farmers' markets, it's not happening. That's why we're promoting the use of wireless technology at farmers' markets so food stamp/EBT participants can take advantage of farmers' markets. Farm to School legislation authorized the purchase of New York farm products by schools, universities, and other educational institutions. It's been instrumental in ensuring that local farm products reach our school cafeterias, benefiting children and farmers alike. Last, I was able to secure a Senate grant last year to help provide heat for Cooperstown's farmers' market so they could sell fresh, local products during colder months. There's more to be done, and I would even encourage people to use of portion of their federal rebates on locally grown foods. That's good for farmers, families and our local economy. Good job, Environmental Work Group, for bringing the issue to the fore. James L. Seward State Senator 51st District Oneonta Walker, Weiller for trustee In the year 2007, I and my fellow employees were very concerned that Cooperstown government did not care about our families in the surrounding towns. As so-called out of towners we might not get to vote for the politicians that run Cooperstown, but it makes us no less a part of your beautiful village. As employees from surrounding towns, we are made to feel that we are aliens. I was told by a candidate running for office that they only cared about the village residents that could vote for them, as they were who they were representing. Now that it is time to vote for members of the village board, we would like all village residents to understand that your vote for Carol Waller, Doug Walker and Neil Weiller will bring home rule back to our government. These three candidates are not only village residents but also career business people in our community. Jim Vrooman has lived in our village less than two years and in no way understands the history of Cooperstown. Jeff Katz has demonstrated that he is not willing to abide by the majority of our community in voting in favor of the parking ordinance, ignoring the hundreds of people attending last fall's meeting at the high school's gym. This kind of behavior should not be rewarded by another term in office. We could go on condemning Jeff Katz but there is no point, his actions have spoken for themselves. Although a nice guy, it takes common sense along with intelligence to run our village. Please vote for Carol Waller, Doug Walker and Neil Weiller, proven successful business members of our village. Jenny Butts Westford Vote Katz, Vrooman for trustee How lucky we are in Cooperstown to have two outstanding candidates running for the two seats on the Village Board. Jeff Katz is completing his first term as a Trustee and can run on his record. I sat next to Jeff for the past three years at Village Board meetings and have been on several committees that he has chaired, and I can attest to his thoroughness, intelligence, dedication and desire to do everything in his power for the betterment of Cooperstown and his constituents. I respect and trust his judgment. Besides his duties as Trustee, he is very much involved in the community in other ways, such as his work as Co-Director of the Cooperstown Concert Series and school activities. We must have Jeff continue his work as a Trustee. Jim Vrooman is a relative newcomer to our Village. Some long-time Cooperstonians seem to think that is a disadvantage. I disagree. Jim moved to Cooperstown because he saw the type of community in which he wanted to live and raise his children. He recognized the good things about Cooperstown, but he also saw the village with new eyes. He saw that Main Street needed sprucing up and could be made to look more inviting, and he and his wife took it upon themselves to devise a plan to do just that. They brought their plan to the Trustees and it developed into the Village Pride Committee, which encourages individuals and businesses to adopt a tree on Main Street, plant flowers around it and tend it so that it is kept beautiful. The Vroomans chair that committee, and even the Hall of Fame and the Hotel are participating. It seems there was no one in Cooperstown, either native or Main Street business owner, who cared enough to initiate this type of project. Maybe they have lived here too long to notice. Jim did it just as a concerned citizen. He saw a need and did something about it. That is the kind of person that we want and need as a Trustee. Please vote for Jeff Katz and Jim Vrooman on March 18. Grace Kull Cooperstown Communities in financial stress The tax burden imposed upon Otsego County property owners is creating an unsustainable financial environment that will be magnified as the current recession worsens. An excessive school tax levy is the primary driver of this imbalance that is creating many hardships. Everyone should understand the consequence of this imbalance in order to vote intelligently. This report is from the New York Stake Controller's Office; "Despite record increases in both property tax relief and school aid last year, the local property tax burden statewide continued to grow at an unsustainable rate. New York taxpayers' property tax burden is nearly 50 percent higher than the national average and shockingly, for areas outside of New York City, 73 per cent higher than the national average," Hevesi said. From recently published data from NYSED, the CV-S school tax levy is $1196.00 or 25% per student HIGHER than the state average. When this amount, 25%, is added to the state average of 50%, the CV-S school tax levy is 75% HIGHER than the national average. When the same CV-S tax levy is analyzed to COMPARABLE (rural) school districts by NYSED, the CV-S tax levy is $2292.00 or 64% per student HIGHER than COMPARABLE school districts. The data to support this analysis or other local schools can be retrieved from the NYSED web site. What would happen to property owners if the CV-S school tax levy was reduced to COMPARABLE New York State school districts; An $8000 tax levy would be reduced to $4880; a $6000 tax levy would be reduced to $3660; a $4000 tax levy would be reduced to $2440; and a $2000 tax levy would be reduced to $1220. This reduction would bring the CV-S school tax levy in line with the New York State average for COMPARABLE school districts. Unfortunately, these reduced amounts are still significantly higher than the national average. There are many hardships felt by local residents as a result of this excessive taxation; 1. One of the most obvious consequences is that it is driving people out of their homes. Over 1.2 million people have been driven out of the State of New York in the last 5 years and many others have been driven out of their homes in Otsego County into other counties within the state. Assemblyman Clifford Crouch, R-Bainbridge, said "Our residents need relief and they need it now," he said. "The absurd property taxes here in New York are forcing our families and communities to dissolve and disappear, something we cannot endure for much longer." 2. Another significant consequence is the financial stress placed on the elderly who are on relatively fixed incomes. A comment from a retired elderly person, "At my age, I have no prospect of enlarging our income through employment, so we are just going to have to turn the screws and tough it out more than we even had to do since I began my working career." 3. Another direct consequence is the negative impact to our children and our grandchildren. At least 85% of our graduating high school seniors can not afford to live in this area and are forced out as a result of high taxes. Many local residents recognize the need for change and agree with State Sen. John Bonacic, "The highest property-tax rate in the nation must go down, not simply be capped,"..and rid the property-tax burden from homeowners once and for all." From the New York Stake Controller' 'However, there are defenders of higher taxes and more government spending sometimes argue that municipalities and school districts are forced to raise taxes because of funding from Albany or Washington. But the numbers prove that theory wrong. State aid for all local governments rose by nearly twice the inflation rate from 2000 to 2005. Federal aid increased even more rapidly. Property taxes rise steadily, every year and in every area of the state, for one reason: Because spending goes up. Here again, school districts bear the primary responsibility. Spending in all public schools, including those in New York City, jumped from $26.5 billion in 1995 to $46 billion a decade later. On a per-pupil basis, that represented an increase of 68 percent compared to inflation of 28 percent." School administrators tell us that the new budget is only pennies per thousand of property evaluation but over the years that mentality has resulted in instructional overspending by millions of dollars. Voters have failed the community, the elderly, the children, and grandchildren. Willy Bruneau Cooperstown Katz a sound decision maker I encourage the villagers of Cooperstown to support Jeff Katz for reelection to the Board of Trustees. Having served with Jeff on the Cooperstown Corridor Committee, I know from personal experience what a thoughtful and skilled decision- maker he is. He doggedly researches the topic at hand, learning from the past what mistakes to avoid and what strategies have yielded the greatest successes. He remains loyal to the principle of fiscal responsibility that he pledged to the villagers of Cooperstown when he first took office. He listens to opinions of others and can speak to all sides of an issue and leaving personalities and personal agendas aside, decides issues with consideration for the welfare of the entire community. From the experience of his professional life, he is a skilled negotiator who can find compromise in the most heated of debates, reminding us that our similar interest in wanting the best for the future of Cooperstown is far more important than our individual differences. We are so fortunate to live in a community that attracts such a variety of enthusiastic and talented people. I am grateful that some residents like Jeff Katz are willing to give of their time and devote their energies to solving the dilemmas that face our local government. Jeff's work is apparent in the success of the Paul Simon and Bob Dylan concerts, which helped fund the Fire Department and much needed library renovations. He helped revamp our village tax structure based on the completion of the property revaluation, creating a more equitable system for all. I know that he will continue to work towards projects that will ensure more financial security for Cooperstown in the future. I trust that Jeff will continue to make sound, principled decisions on our behalf. Kate Leonardo Cooperstown Jeff Katz for trustee Since the first day I met Jeff Katz in 2005 I have found him to be a hard worker, does his homework, is credible, listens, and is very sensitive as to how even the smallest decisions connect to greater issues and tradition. This initial perception continues today. Like the majority of us, he shares the same passion for the well being of this Village and has chosen to live in Cooperstown for its small town spirit and wealth of resources. I have witnessed his active encouragement to get residents involved in their Village through participation. and it's still working. In his two years as a Trustee he has heightened awareness of the inter-workings of Village government. He reaches out to seek assistance from seasoned residents, educates us on pertinent issues, stretches the realm of possibilities and is a hard daily worker on behalf of Village betterment. My involvement on Village committees that Jeff facilitates is very positive and productive. He again listens to an array of opinions and carefully ensures the issue is elevated to its next step only after group consensus. He's ever mindful to the Village process/protocol and makes no qualms to remind us of such! I will be casting my vote for Jeff Katz on March 18 so he, along with his fellow team trustees, may continue to bring to fruition unfinished initiatives and new opportunities that benefit residents and visitors alike.and most important are compatible with this place we call home. Rich McCaffery Cooperstown |
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