Published: May 29, 2008 08:12 am         

Letters for May 29, 2008

Vote against moratorium

“Change is inevitable.”

Although this is a very old cliche it is true. Like it or not Springfield will change and decisions made by our town board will greatly affect how that change occurs.

I have been a resident here for 22 years and have witnessed a very large shift from an agriculturally driven economy to a town with little or no employment or economic growth.

There is a very vocal group of opposition to change in Springfield. This group, although partially made up of a few life long residents, also consists of second home owners, retirees, and people with little financial burden. These folks are the driving force trying to push the proposed moratorium through the board.

This proposed moratorium will stall economic growth and development for Springfield, its residents, and merchants. It’s been said the moratorium will only be for nine months but this could also include a three-month extension and beyond. The true intent is to buy time to finish the comprehensive plan which will lead to zoning. I know many say it doesn’t necessarily mean zoning, that the comprehensive plan can be enforced in other ways. I have yet to hear an alternative enforcement option.

I am not opposed to zoning entirely. My fear is if zoning is implemented it will be so restrictive Springfield will become a place for second homes, retirees, and struggling farmers.

There is a silent majority here in town that opposes this moratorium. You ask where they were and why they didn’t speak up. Several were at the public meeting and tried to speak, only to be interrupted by others who opposed their views. The rest of these people were home recovering from a long, hard day at work. These are the folks who are trying to scratch out a living here in Springfield. Many drive 30- plus miles to find employment, only to return home to a busy schedule. They are your firemen, EMT personnel, and Boy Scout leaders.

On top of trying to make a living and serve the community, many of these folks are raising families. Where will these children find jobs? Will these families be able to afford to live here as the tax base diminishes and the cost of homes and land increases? The moratorium issue raises its ugly head every time some project that could provide economic growth and development is proposed. I know some would like nothing to ever change, but like it or not, things will.

If you are a Springfield resident and share these views, you need to step up and be heard. I encourage you to talk to your board members and let them know what you think; they are here to serve you and our community. This moratorium is to be voted on June 9. We as residents need to speak out before the Springfield you now live in is no longer affordable or obtainable for you and your children.

Paul Leentjes East Springfield

Church thankful for award

The Cooperstown United Methodist Church is honored to receive an Otsego 2000 Historic Preservation Award for its stained glass windows restoration project. We sincerely thank the Board of Directors and Awards committee for public acknowledgement of our preservation mission.

This prestigious recognition provides inspiration to the continuing stewardship of the century-old building. In 2004, the Centennial Committee focused on a longterm project to restore the 24 stained glass windows. “Windows in Time” became the priority item in a Capital Campaign to raise funds for restoration and repair of the church building. The church membership, with support from friends in the community and elsewhere, and the Landmarks Conservancy Sacred Sites Program, met the challenge of raising $128,650 in three years for the windows. Once again, the windows beautify and inspire. They remind us of the perseverance of the membership then, as now, to build and preserve a church and its ministries. The congregation is deeply appreciative of the support and interest of the community now, as then, in helping us reach these milestones.

Kathryn Smith Mollach Merrilyn Rogers O’Connell Centennial Co-Chairs

Volunteers sought for project

The Village of Cooperstown’s new playground at Badger Park will be installed by the community with supervision from Parkitects, the designer of the playground, and goods and services contributed by local businesses on Friday afternoon and all day Saturday, the 6th and 7th of June. Volunteers are sought for both Friday and Saturday. Late Friday morning, four people will help stake out the site and drill holes for footers for the equipment. We need seven to 10 people that afternoon to help unload and sort parts.

Throughout the day on Saturday, 25 to 30 people are required. To be most efficient, the work roster will be arranged in four-hour time blocks (you may work more than one if you wish) in advance. We also have an equipment list of tools many people have at home that we would be happy to have volunteers bring. Refreshments will be offered.

To help out, please phone Village Parks Board members Kathy Clancy (547- 5541) or Shelby Cooper (547- 8975), who are organizing the work roster.

Several community businesses have already agreed to donate or discount supplies required to complete the project. Friends of the Parks, a not-for-profit support organization, is leading this effort. It still seeks a large volume of wood chips, landscape cloth, an excavator’s services for a day, and a front end loader with an auger to aid in the build.

Over the past six months, Friends of the Parks has raised through generous donations from the community to buy the equipment for the new playground at Badger Park. The build is the final step in finally having a community playground in Cooperstown.

Jeff Katz, Trustee, Deputy Mayor, and Chair of the Village Parks Board Jessie Ravage, Chair, Friends of the Parks, Inc.