PLACE OF BIRTH: Cooperstown, NY
FAMILY: Husband, Gary Kuch (30 years) : Daughters, Maggie (24) and Rachael (21)
EDUCATION: BA Skidmore College : MA Art Conservation (State University College at Buffalo)
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
- Professional Associate, American Institute of Conservation
- Training and employment at: Williamstown Regional Art Center (Williamstown, MA)
- Intermuseum Conservation Association (Oberlin, OH)
- Northeast Document Conservation Center (Andover, MA)
- Tillapaugh Art Conservation:established in Cooperstown, in 1985. Providing conservation treatments and preservation consultancies to museums and private clients
PUBLIC SERVICE:
- Past President of Cooperstown Rotary Club, CCS Friends of Music & Art, LWV Cooperstown Area, and Friends of the Parks.
- Founder and Chair of Cooperstown Rotary Foundation.
- On boards of Smithy Pioneer Gallery, Leatherstocking Stamp Club, Cooperstown Foundation for Excellence in Education and Cooperstown Bank Community Advisory Board.
- Historian of United Methodist Church.
- Volunteered in Cooperstown schools, with PTO, PARP and Red Hot Ropers.
- Served as a reading volunteer and soccer coach, as well as Sunday School teacher, coordinator of Vacation Bible School and Girl Scout Leader.
- For the Village, served ten years on the Friends of the Parks, chairing it from 1990 to 1995. Developed a parks master plan and secured state grant grants to provide funding for the construction of a new pavilion and caretaker’s quarters at Three Mile Point Park.
- Recipient of 1998 Public Service Award and 2008 Chris Warrell Community Service Award.
PLEASE TELL US WHERE YOU STAND ON THE FOLLOWING ISSUES, AND PROPOSE SOLUTIONS WHERE YOU CAN (PLEASE, 150 WORDS PER ANSWER):
-- CONTRACTING WITH SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT FOR POLICE SERVICES
To be fiscally responsible, all large budgetary items (streets and sidewalks, etc.) should be looked at across the board to determine if cuts can be made. That would seem to be a first step. However, now that the Village Board has voted to proceed with further study and discussion on police consolidation, I am in favor of such a fact finding process. The bottom line is that this will be a true democratic process in that, any vote to dissolve the Village police department will in all probability, be subject to a permissive referendum so that all residents can vote on it.
-- RESOLVING THE POLICE CHIEF SITUATION
Obviously, I do not know details which have not been made public (which occurred in Executive Session) concerning the situation. It is unfortunate that the issue could not be amicably resolved and that it was pushed to the point at which legal action (a lawsuit) was seen as the only recourse.
-- SIDEWALKS AND STREETS
Streets and sidewalks are probably the most visible responsibility of the Village, particularly in the spring time when the freeze/thaw cycle has wreaked havoc. Repairs and improvements are by necessity limited by Village budgetary constraints. I know that the Village has made a concerted effort to coordinate street repair and sewer/water repairs, so that new paving does not have to be dug up after just a few years to make sewer repairs. Because we pay separately for water and sewer, that budget area often has monies for repairs but needs to wait until the street repair fund can also be built up enough to undertake coordinated repairs (as occurred on Lake Street this year.) This is a good approach. In addition, there are also some cost effective methods of street repair that are not as comprehensive and long lasting, but are appropriate repair techniques for some streets.
I walk a great deal in the Village and I feel that the sidewalks are in general, greatly improved from years ago when black top patches were everywhere. As part of our infrastructure, a continual process of repair and improvements to streets and sidewalks is an important budget expense.
-- DOWNTOWN ISSUES
Commercial businesses on Main Street look much different than when I was growing up, and obviously today are more geared to baseball tourism. But the important point is, that there are businesses on Main Street. Many neighboring locales do not have viable downtowns. I feel it is important to support our businesses and examine greater use of space (particularly 2nd and 3rd floors).
-- PAID PARKING
I think paid parking in Doubleday during the summer months is a successful, alternative revenue source for the Village. Even some opponents of the concept in 2007, have now concurred that it has been successful.
WHAT SKILLS/TALENTS/APPROACHES WOULD YOU BRING TO THE BOARD DIFFERENT FROM THE OTHER CANDIDATES?
After 26 years in the League of Women Voters, I have a strong non-partisan basis, which I feel would be beneficial on the board. My record of community service documents my willingness to work objectively and thoroughly to reach solutions.
ANY FINAL POINTS?
I am ready and willing to serve my hometown community.
