o ... to the city of Oneonta for planning to put bicycle racks on Oneonta Public Transit buses as a step to develop ``a greener community.’’

The racks would allow bicyclists to extend their range and avoid large hills. The city also is considering installing bicycle storage racks downtown.

Those measures are small but significant ways to promote bicycle riding, which would encourage recreational uses and perhaps providing an alternative to using cars.

Mayor John Nader said city department heads are expected to come up with environmentally friendly suggestions when the city budget is developed for 2008.

Tying the development of such options and alternative energy resources to the city’s spending plan will enhance the commitment to conservation and establishing a green community.

o ... to the local public colleges that recently were hosts to foreign delegations.

Several officials from the State University College at Oneonta met with leaders of the University of Cape Coast, Ghana, West Africa. They discussed increasing exchanges of students, faculty and expertise.

At the State University College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill, a delegation from Nanjing Agricultural University recently visited.

Student and faculty exchanges and study-abroad programs enhance not only education but also connections between communities and countries. The relationships are important in today’s global community and promote appreciation of cultures.

o ... to the planners and participants of the third annual Otsego Lake Festival earlier this month.

The event promoted the beauty of Otsego Lake and the charm of the Cooperstown area. Planners offered educational and recreational activities and exhibits that complemented the village’s tourist attractions.

We applaud the effort to round out offerings and provide more reasons to visit Cooperstown and the area.

o ... to the Catskill Watershed Corp. for authorizing the purchase of the former Delaware Inn in Stamford as part of a program to restore historic structures and return them to commercial uses.

This venture is just beginning, and we look forward to hearing more about the progress of the CWC’s Main Street and Historic Building project and its impact.

o ... to Creating Rural Opportunities Partnership, which this summer has been providing hundreds of area students fun ways to learn.

CROP is valuable because it helps students maintain skills and knowledge, provides a safe environment while parents work and offers lessons in fun formats.

o ... to the Historical Society of the Town of Middletown for arranging to take a photographic portrait of the town’s elderly residents.

Residents 80 or older were invited to participate at an event held at Binnekill Park in Margaretville earlier this month. Society spokeswoman Diane Galusha said the photograph was a way to recognize and pay tribute to local elders and also identify them for interviews to further preserve history.

The photograph and community event are welcome ways to tap into living history before it’s too late.