Letter from Jeff Woeppel

Benton Energetic, People-focused

This is written in support of MacGuire Benton’s candidacy for the office of Otsego County clerk.

MacGuire is a highly energetic, people-focused individual who has a track record of working successfully in both the private and public sectors. He served as a village board member and as deputy Otsego County elections commissioner. He is responsible for the growth, operation, and management of Cooperstown Distillery’s state and national distribution efforts. He has taken on the challenge of campaigning in a county-wide election for an office that hasn’t seen a contested race in 20 years. This is a daunting goal.

His planning, perseverance, and engagement with voters where they are—county fair, picnics, harvest celebrations, society gatherings, and at their homes, speaks to his style of public service, that is, hearing directly from his prospective constituents. We need this approach in county government.

There should be no concern about MacGuire’s ability to conduct the responsibilities of the job on a daily basis. We have before us an opportunity to have a fresh set of eyes and a new creative approach to the leadership of the office. MacGuire brings this type of entrepreneurial spirit and customer focus to the role. He has already announced a number of priorities that he stands ready to deliver on as county clerk. The office is constantly being handed down changes, tweaks and new direction from the State of New York. Regardless of who is elected our next county clerk, they will be challenged with new things to learn, process and implement.

MacGuire Benton has a demonstrated commitment to public service, the ability to relate to and engage constituents, and a vision for a people-centric approach to this aspect of county government. I support his candidacy.

Jeff Woeppel
Middlefield Town Councilman