Gary Koutnik

COUNTY BOARD OF REPRESENTATIVES, DISTRICT 11 (unopposed)

COMMUNITY OF RESIDENCE:  City of Oneonta

EDUCATION:  BS in Education, Bucknell University; MS in Administration, SUNY Albany

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:  School Psychologist and Director of Special Education (OCSD)

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:  Hyde Hall Site Interpreter; Farmer’s Museum Dramatic Interpreter; Glimmerglobe Theater; Catskill Players Executive Committee and VP; Otsego County Democratic Committee Executive Committee; Oneonta Assembly of God. 

FAMILY:  Wife Abbey (married 1979), two sons:  Randall (26) and Whitsun (23)

PHILOSOPHY OF GOVERNMENT:  “There are some things that we can’t do unless we do them together. When we do them together, that’s called government.” Barney Frank

MAJOR ISSUES FACING OTSEGO COUNTY:  Matching people to training and training to existing jobs.  Preserving our awesome natural resources and landscape.  Fighting back against the devastations of poverty.  Building up our County human resources – and therefore quality services – after a decade of cuts.

STATEMENT:  The County must begin to serve the needs of its citizens and not the political needs of its leaders.  These are difficult times which require bold decisions.  We need to plan carefully and thoughtfully for a short, medium and long-term future, and this process takes vision, hard work, and courage.

MY QUALITIES:  Passion for democracy; work ethic; ability to collaborate; long experience and relationship with Otsego County residents from all walks of life.