LETTER: Booan United Divided BOCES Faculty Behind Common Goal

3-12-10


To the Editor:
I have been a resident of Cooperstown for over 60 years. I am a registered Republican who seldom votes a straight ticket.
This year, however, is an exception. I can not remember when one ticket was so clearly superior to the other. It is almost like a Major League team vs. Minor League players. The Republican ticket is by far the superior slate.
I have known Mr. Joseph Booan since he was a student at CCS. I taught him religious education when he was in the seventh and eighth grades.
More recently, I worked closely with Joe while he was principal of BOCES and me a member of the Culinary Arts Advisory Board.
Mr. Booan became principal during a most turbulent period. There was a new building program and many clashing interests. Morale was very low among faculty.
I had major issues with Joe over plans for our program. While Joe disagreed with me, he was always polite and courteous. He even invited me into his office for a one-on-one to discuss our differences. He was open-minded and respectful of opposing views.
Mr. Booan moved the building program forward without alienating the various interests. He took a much-divided faculty and board and united us behind our common goal of providing a valuable educational experience for  students.
Arrogance, rudeness, disrespect and condescension are characteristics not found in Mr. Booan. I have no doubt that Mr. Booan will use his administrative skills as mayor as he has done as principal.
I have known Mr. Douglas Walker since high school. He was a member of the CCS class of ‘63 and me, the class of ‘64. After school, Doug decided to come to the aid of his country by enlisting in the Marine Corps, where he served in Vietnam during 1966 and ‘67.
After the military and graduating from St. Lawrence University, Doug again decided to serve his country by joining the Peace Corps and spent 1972-74 in Nepal.
After returning to his native Cooperstown, he opened Walker Gallery in 1979 and expanded his operation to include National Pastime in 1983. He was helpful in opening Danny’s Market in 1991. In 2003 he started a B&B at 2 Chestnut Street. He experienced success in all his ventures.
I have also known Mr. Alton “Chip” Dunn since high school. He comes from a very distinguished Cooperstown family. His father served as the Town of Otsego representative on the county board for years.
Chip was brought up in an environment of public service. During high school he obtained the honored rank of Eagle Scout in our own Troop 54.  After completing college at Colgate and obtaining a master’s degree in electrical engineering, he served the nation by spending three one-year scientific rotations in Antarctica.
I have served with Alton in the Cooperstown Fire Department and its Emergency Squad. Chip volunteered approximately 144 hours to become an EMT to better serve those sick and injured in and around our community.
Finally, the Republican candidate for village justice is Michael R. Molloy.
While Mike is the only Republican candidate not a native of this village, he served as justice in the nearby Town of Edmeston for 16 years. I have many friends in Edmeston who substantiate Mike’s knowledge and understanding of the court system and fairness of his court. He is a member of the NYS Magistrate Association.
A. FRED LEMISTER
Cooperstown