Oneonta ‘Town & Gown’ Task Force Has First Meeting
The City of Oneonta’s Town-Gown Task Force held its kickoff meeting last week. The effort is co-chaired by Common Council member Mark Drnek, who is running for mayor, and Melissa Marietta, SUNY Oneonta administrator. Mayor Gary Herzig and SUNY Oneonta President Dennis Craig are also members.
AllOtsego.com says the Town-Gown Task force was formed late last year to find a way to work with local colleges to address and dispel negative publicity following the fall semester spike in COVID 19 infection and its negative effect on the downtown shopping district. The task force will continue to identify avenues for campus- community conversation, determine concerns and action items, and develop strategies to engage students, residents, and business in the creation of empathetic, respectful and constructive relationships.
SUNY Oneonta Implements Health and Safety Plan
SUNY Oneonta announced the implementation of a health and safety plan for the Spring semester which began on Monday. The plan includes several new initiatives aimed at protecting the safety of the campus and greater Oneonta community.
Acting President Dennis Craig said students, employees, parents and community members alike must commit to doing their part, day in and day out, to ensure a safe semester. Oneonta Mayor Gary Herzig echoed those comments adding the plan’s clear expectations will help them succeed.
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After a failed attempt to reopen during the coronavirus pandemic this fall, officials at SUNY Oneonta are working out how they can safely bring students back for the spring semester.
Acting President Dennis Craig is aware that SUNY Oneonta has been through a “traumatic” few months. Despite a state-approved reopening plan, the college had over 700 students test positive for COVID-19 within a few weeks this fall. I fully realize that an unsuccessful spring would be a disaster for this campus, and would further disintegrate any trust that I ve built over just 10 days. Any plan for spring must begin by first determining a density level that s safe and does not put our community at harm.
The choice of Heidi Bond, “General in the Fight Against COVID-19,” as we put it, has been seconded by many since the “Citizen of the Year” edition appeared last week. She and her team at the Otsego County Department of Health rose to the challenge.
All of us thank her for her tireless contributions in 2020.
Otsego County has been lucky in leadership this year. Here are four other individuals who shone, and there are many others who, unheralded, have as well.
Many county leaders stepped up during the COVID Year, among them, from left, County Treasurer Allen Ruffles, Bassett Healthcare Network CEO Tommy Ibrahim, SUNY Oneonta President Dennis Craig and SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras.