Oneonta ‘Town & Gown’ Task Force Has First Meeting

The City of Oneonta’s Town-Gown Task Force held its kickoff meeting last week. The effort is co-chaired by Common Council member Mark Drnek, who is running for mayor, and Melissa Marietta, SUNY Oneonta administrator. Mayor Gary Herzig and SUNY Oneonta President Dennis Craig are also members.

AllOtsego.com says the Town-Gown Task force was formed late last year to find a way to work with local colleges to address and dispel negative publicity following the fall semester spike in COVID 19 infection and its negative effect on the downtown shopping district. The task force will continue to identify avenues for campus- community conversation, determine concerns and action items, and develop strategies to engage students, residents, and business in the creation of empathetic, respectful and constructive relationships.