A Former Oneonta Mayor That Made A Lasting Impact Died March 4th

Former Oneonta Mayor David Brenner passed away March 4^th at the age of 90 at Cooperstown Center Rehabilitation and Nursing Home . Brenner was Mayor of the City for three terms from 1986 until 1998.

Prior to serving as Mayor, Brenner was elected to the Otsego County Board of Representatives. He held that office for 12 years. While on the Board his colleagues selected him as Chairman.

During his career Brenner was SUNY Oneonta Vice President for Academic Affairs, a member of the College Council, which oversees the performance of the College President, and a member of the Rotary Club for 50 years.

While running City Hall, Brenner “was responsible, in a large part, for creating the financial stability that the city has enjoyed in recent years,” former Mayor Gary Herzig said in a CNY News interview. “He negotiated a sales tax with the county that is still used today.”

“Dave was an exceptional person,” Herzig said. Brenner was “a public servant, man of the community, and a warm, caring, friendly gentleman. He was always fun and a pleasure to be with.”

Herzig went on to say Brenner, “worked hard on quality of life issues, and made a big difference in the relationship between college students and the local community.”

The Brenner family has deep roots in Oneonta.

David Brenner’s son, Douglas Brenner, retired as Oneonta Police Chief in February 2021 after a 22 year career with the OPD.

After his retirement Brenner and his wife Lois moved from the City of Oneonta to the Town of Oneonta where he lived until his death.

The funeral service for David Brenner is at 11 this Saturday at St. James Episcopal Church in Oneonta. The day before, visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. at the Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home on 51 Dietz St.

Brenner's passing occurs a little over a year after another Oneonta icon passed away at the age of 101. Sam Nader served as Oneonta mayor from 1961 to 1969.

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