ONEONTA _ The Future for Oneonta Foundation has nominated a number of local homes, businesses and institutions for 2008 Property of Merit Awards.
According to FOF Executive Manager Carol Mahon, four new committee members were on board this year, and they came up with two new categories _ which means more winners.
New to this year's categories are commercial landscaping and most-improved business.
The Properties of Merit Awards will be presented at the FOF's annual Leadership Luncheon at noon Monday, Oct. 20, at the Foothills Performing Arts Center.
Ballots will run several times in The Daily Star, starting Tuesday. Ballots need to be returned to the FOF office by Oct. 3.
The foundation started recognizing those who take pride in their homes and businesses again last year after having taken a break after 2004.
Su Hartley, who owns the property on 13 Central Ave. that was nominated in the landscaping and most improved categories, said she thought the awards are a wonderful idea.
She noted that she was interested to see who else has been nominated and what the outcome will be.
Hartley said she believed her property was nominated because she replaced her ``ugly'' bamboo fence with a wood fence, which she says she has around the house to keep the deer out.
She has lived in her house for about 15 years, she said, adding that Oneonta is a great town to live in.
``I enjoy my house,'' she said.
Hartley said people walking on the street may also notice her work in the flower garden. She said her garden is an ongoing project. She also grows a vegetable garden, which is less visible from the street because it is located in back of the house.
Residential nominee Gayle Ryan, of Ravine Parkway North, sounded shocked when notified she will be on the ballot this year.
``It is very nice to think people must drive by and like what they see,'' Ryan said.
Ryan said her neighbor was nominated last year, so after putting new vinyl siding on her house, she joked with her mom by suggesting perhaps she would be nominated this year.
Ryan did not think it really would happen though, she said.
Ryan said she has been living in her house for 21 years and before that, her parents resided there. She said it is nice to see that the renovations of her house are being noticed, but said she is not done with making improvements. Ryan said she plans to put new awning on the house very soon.
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