On Wednesday, President Barack Obama will mark his 100th day in office.
The first 100 days are traditionally a benchmark on which to judge the beginnings of a presidency.
This week, The Daily Star asked 20 local residents _ including politicians, community leaders, students, retirees _ how they think Obama has been doing since taking office.
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Jeff Katz, D-Cooperstown, a village trustee and deputy mayor.
He said he believes President Barack Obama is doing well in his first three months in office, but he's disappointed that alleged lawbreakers from the previous administration are not being prosecuted.
``Overall, I'm pleased,'' Katz said. ``I'm very happy with the direction of our social programs, like expanding health care coverage for children, but I have to say I'm appalled with the treatment of those who authorized torture. If someone commits a murder, you don't just say `we're going to go forward from here.' If people have broken the law, they should be prosecuted.
"That said, though, I'm happy with most of what I see.''
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Otsego County Rep. Jim Johnson, R-Fly Creek.
He said he is worried about changes coming from Washington.
``I think there are positive things the president is doing, but I have deep differences with some of his apparent philosophy of government.
``The greatness of America lies in our freedoms and personal accountability, and we're losing both at a rapid rate. I think that regardless of political party, there is a great danger when you don't have checks and balances in government, and that's the situation now with one party in charge.''
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Teresa Winchester of Butternuts, Otsego County Conservation Association assistant director.
She said she believes Obama is living up to his promise.
``Even though I supported Obama when he was running for president, I was apprehensive because of all the challenges he faces. Now that he's been in office a few months though, I'm very proud of how well he's doing.
``I think it's the right step to reach to the rest of the world and extend the hand of friendship. And it's wonderful to have a president who is articulate and understands policy deeply.''
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Retired police officer Joseph Kenney of Cooperstown.
He said he is upset with Obama's performance so far.
``I think it stinks,'' said Kenney. ``The changes are coming too fast and right now it seems like there's nothing to stop him.''
``With other presidents, the people seemed to have more input, but with this one, he just makes up his mind and that's the end of it, even before we know what direction he's going to take us.''
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Businessman Stefan Vilacky of Cooperstown.
He said he worries about Obama's willingness to shake hands with the likes of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.
``I grew up in Czechosolvakia and I know what dictators are like,'' said Vilacky. ``They like to take whatever they can. Obama has to be careful or they will take advantage of him and all of us.
``He's learning, I know, and I hope he does well, but he has to realize that there are people out there who want to take advantage of the United States.''
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Restaurant operator Nancy Hathaway of Sidney.
She gives Obama high grades.
``I'm excited by the change and I sense that in others around here,'' she said. ``Even with the layoffs Sidney has had, people seem a little more optimistic since he became president and business has been pretty good.''
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Margaret Cycon of Sidney.
``I'm very proud of him and how well he's doing. He makes me proud of my country, too, and one thing I really like is how he let's you know what he's doing.''
With previous presidents, the national agenda seemed to unfold in private, but with Obama there is a sense of openess that is refreshing, she said.
``It make me feel good that he is our president.''
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Business owner Charles Bates of Sidney.
He said he has detected an uptick in the economy since Obama took office.
``I think they he should have been more careful with the bailout money and how some people would take advantage of it. But I'm sure he's doing that now, and I think business will be better with him in office because people trust him.
`Overall, he's doing pretty well.''
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Michael League II of Eaton, Ohio, who was visiting Sidney.
``He's a lot better than George W. Bush, no question about it, and I think he's got us heading in the right direction.''
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Jeremy Gardiner, 20, a music industry major at SUNY Oneonta.
"I feel like he's not been keeping promises, but I feel like he's doing what needs to be done first. I'm not necessarily against him. I feel like he's doing a good job, but there's a lot that needs to be done. There were a lot of issues with this country that had to be fixed."
When asked about the economy:
"He's starting to pick things up. I feel like from what I have seen, he is trying his hardest. You can obviously tell there's effort there."
When asked if 100 days was too short a time to judge Obama's performance:
"People are judging him so quickly, right off the bat. (Former President George) Bush did some things I don't necessarily agree with. I'm sure Obama will do some things I don't necessarily agree with. I don't think 100 days is enough time to turn a country around."
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Brittany Thomas, 20, a history/anthropology major at SUNY Oneonta.
"He got his economic package through rather quickly, but we're still waiting for results."
When asked if the country was as divided now as it was during the election:
"I think that a lot of the media shows America to be divided to begin with. It's not quite as stratified as they make it out to be. It's always difficult to please the extremes.
When asked if she voted for Obama:
"I voted for Ralph Nader. I'm registered as an independent."
When asked if Obama's election has encouraged students to be more politically active:
"There's a lot of good progressive things happening on campus. Obama has helped support that."
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Lee Fisher, a retired social studies teacher living in Oneonta.
``He's doing a wonderful job. He's got a lot to straighten up from the years that have been in the past. I think he's doing a great job on the global front and doing his darnedest on the domestic front. There's just a lot to clean up from what has happened in the past, especially with our foreign countries in trying to correct the attitudes that we sent out to them during the Bush years. I just think he's doing a great job.''
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Elizabeth Castellon, 21, senior at SUNY Oneonta from the Bronx and a Democrat:
``The fact that he is going around the world and talking to leaders and trying to gain friendships with them is a good start.'' I don't believe the economic issues are going to get solved any time soon _ in his term _ because they take time to work out.''
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Nancy Scanlon, co-owner of Sport Tech in Oneonta and a Democrat:
``He has done a very good job, considering the magnitude of the mess that he inherited. I think that prioritizing creating an influx of cash for lending was important, and I think the business community already is seeing the benefits of that. He's created a sense of optimism; even though it's bad, people feel we can get out of this.''
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Richard "Butch" Frank, 73, of Walton, retired.
"President Obama is doing a good job, but he can't do it alone. Health care for the elderly is one of the biggest concerns, because some of them are really suffering. He definitely seems to be doing what he can. It is early in the game. We have to give him a chance."
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Luella Rogers, 82, of Walton, volunteer/homemaker.
"I don't understand this stimulus thing and it upsets me, but I did like it when President Obama went to the Venezuelan president and shook hands with him. I know a lot of people were upset by that, but it showed that we Americans are willing to reach out to people.
"He is the first president we have had that really mingles with people. He doesn't put himself on a pedestal like some did.
"I don't want to find too much fault because he hasn't been in office long enough to have accomplished a lot."
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Marlys Simonds, 57, of Treadwell, school aide.
"I think he's doing well, and I was hesitant at first. When I listen to his speeches, he sounded very honest and his words were heartfelt.
"I hope he can bring the country around. Health care is a big concern because so many people don't have insurance.
"If he wants to stimulate the economy, rather than changing the amount of withholding from our paychecks, he should give us one lump sum we can do something with. Having an extra $11 in my check really doesn't mean much.
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Jesse Cohen, 59, of Delhi, musician.
"He has done the best a person could possibly do in such a short amount of time. He was handed a great big stinking disaster, and it is going to take time to turn things around."
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Tom McBrearty, 66, of Walton, retired.
"He has done great so far. He has begun to get us out of the recession and out of Iraq. He is going down the right road. The stimulus program is great. It will cost a lot of money, but I think it will work."
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Joe Michaud, 21, of Saratoga Springs, SUNY Delhi student.
"I think he is keeping it real. He isn't giving anyone any false hopes. He knows it is going to take time, but he is staying loyal and keeping up his plans on helping the working class and bringing the economy around."
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Staff writers Patricia Breakey, Tom Grace, Jake Palmateer and Denise Richardson compiled the above interviews.
