Before the leaves turn or the nights get cold, there are other signs that summer is coming to a close.
Cars with out-of-state license plates double-parked on residential streets disgorge futons, duffle bags and desk lamps. Folding tables bloom from lawns in preparation for games of beer pong. Cash registers ring at pizzerias, coffee shops _ and bars. And the police department readies for a bloodless but brisk battle with a horde of underage drinkers.
The students have arrived.
What this means to you will depend a lot on who you are, and in part on where you live.
To those living near student rentals, this can mean that neighboring buildings are now alive with tenants, and sidewalks that were quiet on summer nights now see a steady stream of students headed to _ and, more noisily, from _ the downtown bars.
To many local merchants, including hair salons, restaurants, convenience stores and clothing retailers, this can mean a welcome surge in business.
This includes local bar owners, many of whom benefit from the patronage of underage drinkers (locals and students alike).
To local police, this is a time rivaled only by St. Patrick's Day, when officers go out in force to send the message to those younger than 21 that bad behavior can carry serious consequences.
To be fair, the majority of students are well-behaved and would think twice before urinating on the side of someone's house, or running up and down the street at 3 a.m. shouting "Woooooo!" (or worse).
But there are enough outliers to make a pretty strong impression on the rest of us _ the ones picking up beer bottles from our front lawns, dodging crowds of stumbling-drunk tipplers crossing the street en masse, or gawking at the voluminous arrest reports that roll in after the first weekend the colleges are in session.
We've said before that bars should be more judicious in screening for fake IDs. Earlier this year, three Oneonta bars raided by police and Liquor Authority officials were found to be serving alcohol to hundreds of underage drinkers. To many in Oneonta, this did not come as a surprise. But that doesn't mean it's a status quo we have to tolerate.
And at least one Oneonta Common Council member has implemented another approach, encouraging residents of his ward to be more active in reporting problems to police.
If past is prologue, we're in for a lively weekend (or two). But with each passing year, we continue to hope that common sense, decency and respect for the law can make inroads to reach the vocal minority who give their fellow students a bad name.
Opinion
Students' return has predictable results
- Opinion
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Satirical letter was pleasant change of pace
It was a pleasure to read the letter by Mr. Stammel of Stamford in the May 15 Daily Star.
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Teacher was wrong to dismiss fracking
As a longtime resident of Delaware County, and a person with strong business connections to the area, I was shocked to find that my grandson who was graduating from an unnamed upstate high school was told by his science teacher that fracking was not safe.
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Grads' fulfillment can wait if need be
Let's not mince words. Today's college graduates have it rough when it comes to job prospects.
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NRA's senators ignored will of the people
Last month, the bipartisan proposal to expand background checks in the Senate failed with a majority of 54 senators voting to support the bill.
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Fracking moratoriums are ridiculous
A moratorium is defined as a delay or stopping of an activity. Recently some local town boards issued moratoriums that included prohibiting vertical gas drilling. Since the early 1800s, 70,000 vertical wells have been successfully drilled in New York state. About 14,000 are active, contributing 44,000 jobs, and permits are still being issued by the DEC.
- Thursday, May 23, 2013
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Fed ammo theories show who is gullible
Ask 10 people for their thoughts on the National Rifle Association, and you'll likely get a broad range of responses. But on one point, we can all agree - if a threat to the Second Amendment appears, the NRA will find out about it and quickly spread the word. That's why it was nice to see the NRA last summer shoot down one of the more absurd rumors that's been making the rounds: that the federal Department of Homeland Security and other agencies are hoarding massive stockpiles of ammunition for secret, nefarious purposes.
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Natural gas boom is a false promise
Support for the Constitution and Leatherstocking Pipelines is based primarily on the false promise of affordable shale gas. False, since the price of this gas is too volatile to make it a reliable energy source in the future.
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Locally led baseball team deserves support
Springtime has finally come to us in the greater Oneonta area, with its warmth, sunshine, emerging shrubs, green lawns, with more smiles than frowns, and how we relish it!
- Wednesday, May 22, 2013
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Schools must find ways to deal with threats
Anonymous threats to schools are nothing new. Through the years, they have consisted -- among other messages -- of anonymous phone calls, magazine or newspaper lettering glued to a letter, and scrawled warnings on a bathroom mirror.
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City should improve access to river
Many cities make the river running through it a focal point for its scenic qualities. By doing this, they attract more people to their city to spend some time there and also utilize the stores, restaurants and hotels.
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Otsego County veteran's director is top-notch
The veterans of Otsego County are being well-served by Jack Henson, director. I feel he is the best director that has ever served in this county.
- Tuesday, May 21, 2013
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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.
- Monday, May 20, 2013
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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?
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Satirical letter was pleasant change of pace
