City of Oneonta 7th Ward Council Member Candidate Mike Forster Rothbart: In His Own Words
By FLORECITA SILVERIOSUNY Institute for Local NewsONEONTA
AllOtsego’s 2025 pre-election coverage continues with an interview with Mike Forster Rothbart (IND), candidate for the 7th Ward seat on the City of Oneonta’s Common Council.
Forster Rothbart was appointed to the 7th Ward council member seat in November 2024, following Bryce Wooden’s departure from Common Council. He has been serving in the position since January 2025.
Carolyn Marks (DEM) will still be listed on the ballot on November 4. However, Marks withdrew from the 7th Ward council member race in early October, leaving Forster Rothbart running unopposed for the seat.
Forster Rothbart was interviewed at a campaign event at Oneonta Bagel Company on Wednesday, October 29. The following is a full transcription of that conversation, only lightly edited for grammar and clarity.
Please tell us a little about your background.
FORSTER ROTHBART:
I’m a photojournalist by training. I’ve also worked as a teacher and in urban planning and marketing photography.
The urban planning background is probably the most relevant to my role on City Council, since I’m the only member with that training. It helps me look at the city’s infrastructure and think about how all the complex systems work together. Our professional staff have deep expertise, of course. But it’s valuable to have that perspective on council. We all bring different strengths to the table, and I think we work well as a team.
What’s your connection to Oneonta? When did you move here?
