COOPERSTOWN

The state Conservative Party has endorsed state Sen. Jim Seward, R-Milford, for re-election, the party announced today.
"I certainly welcome the support of the Conservative Party as we work together to reduce taxes, create jobs and make our state more business friendly," said Seward, adding he filed 390 signatures with the state Board of Elections to get on the Conservative ballot line, triple the number required.
CAPTION: Sen. Jim Seward, R-Milford.

COOPERSTOWN

Governor Paterson's directive to the Department of Environmental Conservation to upgrade regulation of natural-gas drilling was a "de facto moratorium" and a vindication of Democrat Don Barber's own call for a moratorium, the candidate for the 51st state Senate seat said today.
"We weren't the only voice pointing out that the DEC's regulations don't cover the new techniques drillers intend to use all over our region," Barber said. "Local citizens raised legitimate concerns."
Barber said he is ready to meet state Sen. Jim Seward, R-Milford, as public forums around the district to discuss the issue.
The candidate's spokesman, Michael Blaine, said although Barber supports a moratorium, he also supports exploration for natural gas if the right safeguards are in place.
CAPTION: Don Barber, Town of Caroline supervisor and candidate for state Senate.

MORRIS

If you anticipate baseball fatigue by the end of this weekend, there's an antidote: The Otsego County Fair opens Tuesday in Morris, featuring harness racing and a firemen's parade (Tuesday), Rick K & The Allnighters (Wednesday), demolition derby (Thursday and Sunday), a tractor pull (Friday) and a rodeo (Saturday.)
For details, check page 15 of The Freeman's Journal, on newsstands this afternoon, or click here

COOPERSTOWN

"How Do You Spell Relief? G-O-S-S-A-G-E" is the lead story in this week's edition of The Freeman's Journal, exploring how Rich "Goose" Gossage pioneered the concept of "relief pitcher."
According to sports writer Charlie Vascellaro, there was a lag in the understanding of the special talents -- grace under fire, in particular -- needed to be an exceptional relief pitcher.
That lag delayed recognition of Gossage, and of Bruce Sutter, who was the first relief pitcher inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, in 2006.
Gossage's induction is at 1:30 p.m. Sunday in a field to the south of the Clark Sports Center.
CAPTION: Rich Gossage in early career, before the nickname "Goose" stuck.

SPRINGFIELD

The funeral for Jeannette D. Smith, 96, who is credited with reviving Springfield’s Fourth of July Parade in 1935 and shepherding it through the next seven decades, is 11 a.m. Saturday at Blessed Sacrament Church, Springfield Center.
Mrs. Smith, who was also Springfield town clerk for 25 years, passed away on Thursday, July 17, at the home of her daughter, Barbara DiVincenzo, in Spencerport.
Calling hours are 3-8 p.m. Friday at the Ottman Funeral Home, Cherry Valley, with prayers at 7 p.m.

COOPERSTOWN

The Cooperstown Chamber of Commerce announced today that John Bullis, executive director since March 2007, has resigned, effective Aug. 22.
He has accepted the newly created position of executive director of organizational development at Mohawk Valley Community College in Utica. Before coming to Cooperstown, he had retired from Herkimer Community College, where he was a dean.
The resignation was announced to the chamber staff Tuesday, and Chamber President Marc Kingsley said the executive committee met that evening to begin discussing the search for Bullis' successor.
CAPTION: John Bullis in front of the chamber office, 31 Chestnut St., this afternoon.

COOPERSTOWN

Soprano Lisa Saffer will be featured at "Enchanted Baroque," the Cooperstown Chamber Music Festival concert at 7:30 this evening at Christ Episcopal Church.
Amanda Crider, mezzo soprano; Peggy Pearson, oboe; Linda Chesis, flute; Brian Manker, cello, and Bradley Brookshire, harpsichord, are the other performers of works by Bach, Purcell and Telemann.
CAPTION: Lisa Saffer, who has been described as "one of those special singers whose technique and blooming sound always serves sense and emotion."

COOPERSTOWN

Three years ago, Manfred Weidemann of Schuyler Lake died when the vehicle he was riding in ran into the back of an unlit manure spreader on Route 28 in Milford.
At 4:10 p.m. today, state Sen. Jim Seward, R-Milford, announced that Governor Paterson has signed Senate Bill 2180-D into law, requiring all farm machinery to display the standard, reflective slow-moving-vehicle emblem to improve visibility when operating on public highways.
Seward praised Carina Franck of Cooperstown, Weidemann's daughter, for championing the effort that resulted in the new law.
CAPTION: Governor Paterson