ELECTION SEASON BEGINS

Vice-Chair Koutnik

Planning To Retire

From County Board

Clark Oliver, Young Democrats’ Chair,

Looking To Succeed Veteran Lawmaker

By JIM KEVLIN • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com

ONEONTA – Today is the first day petitions may be circulated for this fall’s local elections, and a surprise has already surfaced: Gary Koutnik, Democratic vice chair of the Otsego County Board of Representatives, plans to retire. This time of life comes to everyone at different points, but whatever age you are when you decide to leave work, take a look at these retirement tips to see how to make the most of it.

The news surfaced in a press release from Clark Oliver, who chairs the county’s Young Democrats organization, announcing he plans to run in Koutnik’s District 11 in Oneonta.

An OHS grad, Oliver, who performed on Broadway as a boy, is completing his bachelor’s in political science at SUNY Oneonta. In high school, he founded OHS’ Rainbow Connection club, and is currently secretary of the Oneonta Democratic Committee.

He was born and raised in First Ward, attending Valleyview Elementary, and now lives in an apartment in the Second Ward.

“The city of Oneonta has always been home,” he said, “and few things are stronger than his passion to make his home a better place.”

In a statement, Oliver said he “looks forward to bringing a new perspective to the board, while also forming strong coalitions with local groups and elected officials on both sides of the aisle.”

He cited “promoting innovation and growth” in the county, while protecting “our beautiful environment.”