Letter from Richard A. Harlem

Basile Has Earned Clerk Position

In a few weeks, the voters of Otsego County will have the opportunity to participate in the election of our next county clerk.

I have been practicing law in Otsego County for 40 years. I interact, either directly or indirectly, with the County Clerk’s Office on almost a daily basis. The clerk’s office serves a vital and important role to the residents of the county at large, and to my clients in particular. It is important that the office runs smoothly and efficiently.

While I do not know either candidate socially, I have had a great deal of professional contact with Jennifer Basile. Both candidates, I believe, are good people, but Jennifer has spent the time and energy to master the intricacies of the office.

The county clerk must know how, among other things, to process a summons and complaint, enter an order or judgment, record a deed, mortgage, or other papers, and file a map. I can attest that Jennifer knows how to perform these functions, as she has done so, over and over again, at my request.

Jennifer is a working clerk. Unlike her opponent, she knows and understands the many functions of the office. She does not need time to learn the job. She can hit the ground running. As a consumer of the services of the county clerk, I want to work with a person who has experience and knowledge.
Jennifer is not a bureaucrat. She is a committed public servant performing an invaluable service in a quiet, efficient and cost-effective manner. Please cast your vote for Jennifer Basile for Otsego County clerk.

Richard A. Harlem
Oneonta