Mayor Vows ‘Great’ OPD

Chief Redmond Retires; Full Report On ‘Review’ Anticipated In 2 Weeks


By JIM KEVLIN

•Police Chief Joseph Redmond resigned, effective April 15, but immediately went on administrative leave.
• Officer Michael Breen, the target of police-brutality allegations in a Jan. 28 arrest, was suspended for 30 days without pay pending a hearing he may request on the charges.  Meanwhile, the case has been referred to District Atty. John Muehl for possible further action.
• Lt. Dennis Nayor, Redmond’s deputy, was appointed officer in charge of the Oneonta Police Department, effective midnight Monday, March 7.
• It was announced that an “experienced individual” was already being sought to act as temporary chief until a permanent replacement to Redmond is found, a process that could take a year.
A year and a half of unease about the Oneonta Police Department ended Monday, March 7, with not a whimper but a bang, as Common Council made those decisions, rapid fire, on the future of the 22-officer force.
“While this is a sad day for Oneonta, it is also a new day,” the mayor said in a statement issued at 9:37 p.m. Monday, March 7.  “The mayor and Common Council are committed to providing the community not with a good police department, but a great police department.”
The mayor and Common Council had brought in Joseph F. Loszynski, retired deputy superintendent, internal affairs, New York State Police, a month ago after the police-brutality allegations surfaced.
Loszynski brought in two colleagues, retired troopers Robert Hughes and Maynard Cosnett, who in the past month conducted interviews, reviewed statements and took some sworn testimony -- including from “highly credible civilian witnesses -- in the course of their “review,” according to a press release issued by the mayor’s office at 9:37 p.m. on the day of decision.
The chain of events began at mid-afternoon on Friday, Jan. 28, when Bradford Shanks, 39, was pulled over on Market Street.  He fled the vehicle, and when he was captured, he later reported, an officer held him down and punched him in the head.
The Loszynski review concluded the OPD “did not follow their established standard operating procedures beginning with the incident itself, and subsequently in the handling of Mr. Shanks, the investigation and communication within the Department. 
“Further,” the mayor’s release continues, “there were repeated failures in communication of the actions surrounding the incident and its aftermath to the mayor and Common Council, who have ultimate authority over the police department.”
In discussing the “post-incident conclusions” and resultant changes in departmental procedures, the chief chose to retire.
“Joe Redmond has served the City of Oneonta with distinction for over 30 years and is to be thanked for his commitment to our citizens,” the mayor’s statement said.
It further stated, “The Oneonta Police Department is made up of individuals who have done a good job insuring the safety of our city ... We are confident that the current officers and their continuing leadership will be part of that group.”

CANstruction Comes To SUNY Oneonta

THE SOUND OF CANSTRUCTION

Jim Kevlin/HOMETOWN ONEONTA
The Bee CANstruction team, representing SUNY Oneonta’s frats and sororities, included, seated from left, Elizabeth Hertweck, Ali Rossi, Jessica Lott, Kay Brewster and Lora Schaller from Sigma Gamma Phi.  Standing are, from left, George Lenz, Tyler Grable, Ryan Kelly and Michael Vanza from Alpha Phi Delta.

Visiting New York City, SUNY Oneonta administrator Tom Rathbone and Miriam Murray observed CANstruction under way and said to themselves, that would be fun on campus.
CANstruction is a nationwide effort that involves building sculptures from cans of food, which are then donated to food banks, said Linda Drake, director of SUNY Oneonta’s Center for Social Responsibility, which took on the project.
Saturday and Sunday, March 12-13, three teams – Bees for the Greeks, Union for the dorms, and Dragons for the sports teams – who had raised almost $2,000 spent the weekend building Oneonta’s first CANstruction sculptures.
The Bees did a bee.  Union, a representation of the ponds behind the Hunt Union, where the event occurred.  And the Dragons, a dragon.
When the sculptures were completed, they were dismantled and the food removed to the Lord’s Table on Elm Street, where representatives of various food banks shared canned delicacies ranging from tuna fish to ravioli.

to see more pictures, check out our pictures page and facebook album -- CANstruction 2011

Hartwick’s Abramo’s Teaching Recognized

Hartwick College Assistant Professor of Music Joseph Abramo has received the 2011 Outstanding Emerging Researcher Award from the Center for Music Education Research at the University of South Florida.
The award, established in 2009, honors music education researchers at early stages of their careers who are producing high-quality researchers.

CITY OF THE HILLS:

CHANCELLOR DUE:  SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher is expected at SUNY Oneonta Thursday, April 14, for Student Research Day, to view students’ projects.

QUICK, BUY:  The gold tickets for the Gordon Lightfoot concert March 31 at Foothills are sold out, and the rest are selling fast.  Stop by the Green Toad Bookstore for yours.

A FUN TIME:  If you’re interested in Oneonta artifacts, don’t miss the GOHS’ seventh annual Postcard & Ephemera Show & Sale, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, March 12, at the St. James Church Hall, Main and Elm.  Admission $2.

RESERVATIONS:  For tickets to the Otsego County Chamber’s annual Banquet & Celebration of Business, call Pam at 432-4500.

SPRING THING:  Have you smelled the skunks in the past few?  They’re out of hibernation.  Can spring  be far behind?

ACTUALLY, NOT:  This Sunday, March 13, Daylight Saving Time begins; turn your clock forward one hour.  Monday, March 21, is the first day of spring.

Jim Kevlin/HOMETOWN ONEONTA
OHS students Amanda Moore and Josh Jones were checking out the offerings at “An Artistic Discovery,” the Congressional Art Competition for Otsego County high school students, which opened Friday, March 4, at the Cooperstown Art Association.
For more pictures visit our album -- "An Artistic Discovery" Congressional Art Show 2011

MARDI MADNESS

Ian Austin/HOMETOWN ONEONTA

The Badra Bahlya Dellydancing troupe added exotic and mysterious flare to Carnevale of Animals Mardi Gras Masquerade Party at My Father’s Place Saturday evening, March 12.  Dancers included Caroline Huxtable, Leslie Palmerter, Jo Boring, Barb Sanders, Jenny Mannion, Jennifer Butler and Erica Jones.

to see more pictures visit our pictures page or visit our facebook album

Milford Girl Wins Valentine Contest

Milford’s Lia Solensten won the Green Toad Bookstore’s Happy Valentine’s Contest with this card to her teacher, Hillary Stocking
“Happy Valentine’s Day!  You have been my huggable, bubbly, laughable, overall extraordinary teacher!  You inspire me everyday and make me feel inspired to do new things.  Hope shines from every corner of your smile! 
“Even your toe-touch cheer is great and filled with enthusiasm.  You can change one child at a time.  Hope you have the greatest Valentine’s Day filled with love.  Give your loved ones my best... and thank you.”

SUNY Names Todd Foreman VP Of Finance

Todd Foreman was named SUNY Oneonta vice president for finance and administration, effective Jan. 3. He succeeds Dr. Leif Hartmark, who retired in December after more than two decades at the college.
Foreman joined the college in 1993 as coordinator of customer service for telecommunications. He served as director of telecommunications, and director of computing and telecommunications prior to becoming the college’s associate vice president for administration and technology in 2006.
Foreman resides with his wife and two children in Oneonta. He holds both bachelor and master of science degrees in telecommunications from the SUNY Institute of Technology in Utica.