In selecting Barbara Ann Heegan as its executive director last week, the Otsego County Chamber would seem to have chosen a safe rather than a bold path for its immediate future.
If so, that would be perfectly understandable given the chaos created last year after its previous leader, Rob Robinson _ who had been the organization's president and chief executive officer for more than 15 years _ was arrested.
Robinson was fired Nov. 21, days after being charged with insurance fraud for allegedly creating a fictitious category in the Chamber so that individuals living in the New York City area could enroll in its health plan. His case is pending in Oneonta Town Court.
Heegan, 34, will certainly present a contrast to the previous regime. Where Robinson was outspoken and self-aggrandizing, Heegan is more polite and self-effacing.
But we are concerned that Heegan, marketing director at The Plains at Parish Homestead, an adult community in the town of Oneonta, might not have _ at least at this point _ a sufficiently active agenda.
She told The Daily Star in an interview this week that she will take an inventory of the local economy by stopping in at businesses.
That's all very well and good, but after spending several years in this area and being active in the community _ Heegan is past-president of the Oneonta Rotary, an officer of Oneonta Elks Lodge 1312 and a board member of the United Way of Delaware and Otsego Counties _ she should already have a pretty good idea about the needs of the business community.
Heegan, an unsuccessful Common Council candidate last year, said she did not know how much funding is in the 400-member Chamber's budget.
One would have thought that might have come up in her interview with the Chamber board. Another question that might have been asked in the interview process was "what is your vision for the future of the Chamber and the local economy?"
Heegan said in The Daily Star interview that a major challenge is to reach beyond Otsego County lines and market the county as a place for businesses to open or to expand.
That has been a challenge around here for many years, even as the local Chamber has spent far too much energy on lobbying state officials rather than promoting Otsego County to differentiate it from other areas.
Heegan doesn't even begin her duties until June 4, so it's unfair to expect her to have all the answers right away. But strong, effective _ and yes, bold _ vision and leadership will be required of the new Chamber executive director if our area is to not just survive, but thrive.
Opinion
Heegan must show vision for Chamber
- Opinion
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On our Opinion: Cheers
To the DEP's "The Watershed Experience," the Oneonta High School Envirothon team, and to ROPS rebate funding.
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Make sure Blodgett project holds water
Many thanks to Dennis Finn and the Planning Commission for allowing unrestricted public comment on the Blodgett Drive housing project at the commission’s May 15 meeting. Most who spoke are residents of the area who know the safety and drainage issues well.
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We need a law against Google Glass
It’s a technological marvel; a product ahead of its time, or at least ahead of the law for the time being, that is.
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Make sure you vote in school tax election
School superintendents have it anything but easy in these challenging economic times. In addition to dealing with myriad day-to-day and semester-to-semester issues, they have to have Solomon-like political acumen and management skills.
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No foreign aid until our needs are met
I couldn't agree more with Sal Furnari's letter published in the Weekend edition. I would also like to add that when I was growing up I was taught to "take care of my own first" and then share with others.
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THIS WEEK'S POLL
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It's sad to see Rich Murphy retire
It was a sad day for Otsego County when Rich Murphy announced his intention to retire from the county board at the end of his current term.
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Liberal media only care about themselves
Sounds like it all depends on 'whose ox is being gored' when it comes to the illegal phone tappings of reporters.
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Street Talk: May 20, 2013
Do you think that recent high school graduates have a harder time finding a job than previous generations?
- Saturday, May 18, 2013
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Casino in our area worth talking about
If Gov. Andrew Cuomo has his way, casinos will be awarded to three upstate locations.
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Public financing could cure pols' paranoia
Paranoia is an irrational fear of persons, places or events that have no basis in reality.
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Resort proposal is just too big
Belleayre Mountain Ski Center is a New York state taxpayer-owned recreational area. People who have paid for BMSC with their hard-earned dollars should not have to also pay for the infrastructure necessary to assure an enjoyable ski experience for the visitors to a private developer's monster mega-mall/spa resort on a mountaintop.
- Friday, May 17, 2013
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Take precautions to prevent kidnappings
It has been nearly two weeks since the arrest of Ariel Castro in Cleveland on rape and kidnapping charges for acts that should send a chill through the spines of everyone in America.
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Redistributing wealth just isn't fair
Yesterday a dozen of us were eating lunch in the break room where I work, most of us complaining that all we could afford was peanut butter and jelly and bologna ... except for Rob.
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Hoping many will adopt a grave
It's that time of year again; adopt a grave. I am hoping when you buy flowers or a plant for a family member or friend's grave that you will buy some for another grave. I wish everyone would open up their heart and honor someone else by putting flowers on their grave. My hope is that groups, families and youth groups adopt a cemetery or a grave, and at least once a year that person or persons will be remembered. I started out with two and now am up to 14. It doesn't have to be expensive; just what your heart tells you to do.
- Thursday, May 16, 2013
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IRS, Justice actions violate our trust
After the recent actions of the Internal Revenue Service and the U.S. Justice Department, belief in the integrity of our government is hanging by a very slender thread.
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Blame Dems for Social Security woes
In his inaugural address President Kennedy said: "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.'
- Wednesday, May 15, 2013
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After 40 years, it was time to get married
This newspaper publishes lots of wedding announcements, but one that appeared prominently in Monday's edition was especially heartwarming.
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Newman housing would benefit city
I would like to comment on the excellent letter written recently by Alan Cleinman concerning the "Newman Development."
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Paying what you can afford won't work
Our president said:
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On our Opinion: Cheers
