CLARK’S COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Gelbsman Put On IGA Helm;
Carson To Lead Public Safety
COOPERSTOWN – Three of Oneonta’s five county reps are emerging as key players in the fifth year that county Rep. Kathy Clark, R-Otego, will chair the county Board of Representatives:
- Craig Gelbsman, R-12 (representing Wards 3 and 4), in his second term, will chair the influential Intergovernmental Affairs Committee, which oversees economic development. Already, Gelbsman has been serving as the county board’s liaison on the Otsego Now (IDA) board. As IGA chair, he succeeds Rick Hulse, R-Fly Creek, who left the board at the end of the year, and also takes over as chair of the Government Efficiency Committee, which Hulse initiated.
- Freshman Len Carson, R-13 (representing Ward 5 and 6), will chair the Public Safety & Legal Affairs Committee, overseeing the sheriff’s department, emergency services and 911. Carson is a recently retired captain in the Oneonta Fire Department. He succeeds Don Lindberg, R-Worcester, who retired.
- Veteran Kay Stuligross, D-14 (Wards 7 and 8), has replaced Republican Janet Hurley Quakenbush, who left the board at the end of the year, chairing the Health & Education Committee. Despite diverging with Clark on a number of issues, she has been the chair’s go-to person on tough issues, such as the sale of Otsego Manor. She had no chairmanships last year.
County Rep. Ed Frazier, R-Unadilla, continues as Clark’s right-hand person. He continues to chair the key Administration (ways and means) Committee, and succeeds Lindberg as chair of the Negotiations Committee.
Other chairs of standing committees are: Public Works, freshman Peter Oberacker, R-Maryland, succeeding Keith McCarty, R-Springfield; Human Services, Gary Koutnik, D-Oneonta, continues; Solid Waste & Environmental Concerns, McCarty, succeeding Beth Rosenthal, D-Roseboom, who retired.
While lacking a Standing Committee chairmanship, veteran Jim Powers, R-Butternuts, will, despite seeking to mount a challenge to Clark’s chairmanship, will chair Performance Review & Goal Setting.
