CRAIG GELBSMAN

OTSEGO COUNTY REPRESENTATIVE, DISTRICT 12

COMMUNITY OF RESIDENCE

City of Oneonta District 12

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

County Representative for District 12; Small Business owner for 25 years with 24-45 employees. Own real estate in city, town and other parts of county for 25 plus years. Entertainment business for 21years.

COMMUNITY/POLITICAL INVOLVEMENT

Current County Representative, member of the IGA committee(two years), member of Public Safety committee (two years), Chair of the Telecommunication/Broadband committee (two years), member of Administration committee (one year), Budget committee (one year), member of the IDA board of Directors (two years), member of the Opportunities for Otsego board of Directors (two years), Gov’t Efficiency committee (two years).

Supportive of many non-for-profits including YMCA, Hospice, Pit Run, Bassett hospital, Fox Hospital, Coats for Kids, Mr. Rogers sweater drive, Opportunity for Otsego, Coach Boys and Girls club, Varsity girls and boys basketball, United Way, Hartwick College and Mens soccer, Mayors cup, and many others over the years.

FAMILY

Wife of 11 years Melinda. She is a Biology teacher in the Oneonta School System. We have four children ages 10 to 3. I try hard every day to be a better dad!

IN TWO OR THREE SENTENCES, EXPLAIN YOUR PHILOSOPHY OF GOVERNMENT. 

I believe government should represent and protect the individual rights of each person. Our job as elected representatives should be to listen and be vocal to what our constituents needs and wants are. Government is for the people and most bad government results from to much government.

WHAT ARE THE THREE MAJOR ISSUES THE OTSEGO COUNTY BOARD OF REPRESENTATIVES FACES, AND HOW WOULD YOU ADDRESS THEM?

As member of the public safety committee I have been leading the discussion of the drug issue in our county. The Sheriff, District Attorney and judges have been very receptive to the conversation and I’m making sure we are doing all we can. The conversation has not been limited to heroin as we also have a resurgence of “meth” in Otsego County. I have learned that incarceration is not the only solve for drug problems. Getting the dealers off the streets helps but conversation, education and the ability to get drug treatment is what will stop the epidemic. Its a Public Health issue as much as a criminal issue. Im one of the few with young children on the board so this issue means a lot to me. I have started the conversation, continually look to fund and will going forward.

As a member of the IDA (Otsego Now) which is in its infant stages of a huge overhaul we are making great strides in economic development. I will continue to work hard for moving smart growth for good paying jobs, it is desperately needed.  I was personally asked to be a member of the MV500 committee I will continue being at that table going forward. Understanding the challenges of other counties gives me the ability to have the conversation with other board members and Otsego Now on what makes us more attractive for Economic Development.

Being chair of the telecom/broadband committee I brought together the parties that we are working with to get broadband to every area of the county. We currently have an excellent plan and we will be putting together our application for funding. The next two years should be very exciting for rural areas and rural schools in the county. Its extremely important for the future of our economic development.

As a member of the administration and budget committee I continually work on keeping taxes low while providing the services we need and want. Im making the hard decisions so we stay within the tax cap set upon by Albany while providing the services.  Otsego County has excellent employees and during my term I have continually asked for funding on creating efficiencies. In the government efficiency committee I worked to put the first process map together so everyone with a flip of the page can see a complete outline of each dept in Otsego county. Now dept. heads and board members can make educated decisions not reactive decisions.  I motioned and passed that the county will put in our first strategic plan on having professional management in the county. I don’t believe in more government but having professional management for day to day will help board members and employees have a better synergy on carrying out budgeting and direction.

WHAT QUALITIES/EXPERIENCE DO YOU HAVE THAT MAKES YOU THE BETTER CHOICE IN THIS RACE

I understand budgets, working with people, and how the innovation and projects I have done in the private sector can work in the public sector. Im doing it now and will continue to do it. I have been asked for input and included in many conversations from the Mohawk Valley to Albany on Otsego County and with your vote will continue to be that strong voice. I’m trusted from my peers! I bring stability, knowledge, and consistency to the board. Ive proven I can get legislation passed for the betterment of the City of Oneonta.

IS THERE A STATEMENT YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE WITH VOTERS?

As I have been doing for the past two years I will continue to work hard for the City and the County of Otsego. Ive started to change the discussions and will continue to move this county positively into the future. Please vote for me on Nov. 3rd.