Keith Carpenter

 “You deserve a representative that will be there for you – serving your needs.  It is not a promise; it will be my job.”

Dear Residents of District #10 – Burlington, Edmeston, Exeter & Plainfield:

I am a candidate for Otsego County Representative in the upcoming November 3, 2009 election.  My name will appear on the Democratic and Unified Party lines.  I have called my independent line the “Unified Party” because I feel everyone, regardless of political affiliation, must unify and find ways to solve our problems and plan for our future.

I have a proven to be fiscally responsible while serving the Town of Edmeston and Edmeston Central School.  Budgetary increases have been minimal and line items scrutinized to ensure spending was appropriate. 

 As Town Supervisor, a number of improvements were made including, but not limited to:

• I set up three reserve funds for future expenditures including our highway equipment, municipal building and recreation program and purchased a number of pieces of equipment, all with minimal, to no increase in taxes. 
• Audit procedures were put in place and a bookkeeper was added to limit the control the supervisor had with the Town’s money.  Because I felt this was so important, I reduced my wages to offset the cost of the bookkeeper. 
• Controls and safety measures were implemented in regards to the investment of Town funds – significant increases in Town investment income was realized during that time as well.
• Edmeston Fire District & South Edmeston– While supervisor, we took over the responsibility of handling the South Edmeston Fire District which had been serviced by the New Berlin Fire Department.  We held a public forum in South Edmeston and at that time, the residence of this hamlet mentioned they felt they were paying too high of taxes for the support they were receiving from the New Berlin Fire Service.  Eventually, a referendum was made and Edmeston assumed the responsibility.  This saved the South Edmeston tax payers more than $6,000 per year for fire protection and increased the funding for the Edmeston Fire District by more than $10,000

As your county representative, I will be a voice for all residents by:

• Working closely with your elected Town officials by meeting with them on a monthly basis
• Promoting doing business locally and spending Otsego County money within the County whenever possible
• Promoting agricultural opportunities of all types within the County
• Being an advocate for education for students; teachers; public, private and pre-schools as well as our colleges and universities
• Stopping wasteful spending and finding ways to reduce, eliminate or minimize increases to our costs
• Finding ways to strengthen our economy
• Protecting our natural resources

Based on my experience, commitment and loyalty, I hope to receive your support so that I may serve you.  God bless.

Background:

• Lifelong resident of the area
• Father of four children, all whom attend, or have attended Edmeston Central School
• My wife, Susan, has a business in Otsego County
• Graduated from New Berlin Central School & the University of North Florida
• Member of the Burlington Flats Baptist Church

 Experience:

• Public Service
• Presently serve on the Edmeston Central School Board of Education
• Past Town Supervisor and Councilman in Edmeston
• Have worked for more than 20 years in the insurance and marketing industry; More than 12 years of management experience
• Fiscally responsible, skilled in short & long-term planning, cost-benefit analysis,  and have a collaborative working style

Betty Ann Schwerd

 Ms. Schwerd was offered an opportunity, simultaneously with Mr. Carpenter, to provide an open letter to the community regarding her candidacy for County Representative for Burlington, Edmeston, Exeter & Plainfield.  She declined.

Check the calendar to the right for Election Day polling time and place.