January 4, 2005

The organizational meeting of the Otsego County Board of Commissioners was held in the Multi-Purpose Room of the J. Richard Yuill Alpine Center. The meeting was called to order at 9:35 a.m. by County Clerk/Register DeFeyter. Invocation by Commissioner Glasser, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Commissioner Backenstose.

Roll call:
Present: Backenstose, Bates, Beachnau, Liss, Olsen, Glasser, Johnson, Hyde, Bentz.

Others present: Mary Jergenson, Sheriff James McBride, Mary Sanders, Bill Less, Jack Thompson, Sheri McWhirter, Rudi Edel, Bill Kerr, Craig Ryan, Denise Koning, Susan DeFeyter.

Motion by Commissioner Bates, to have the term of office for the Chair a one (1) year term with a closed written ballot.
Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Backenstose, Bates, Liss.
Nays: Beachnau, Olsen, Glasser, Johnson, Hyde, Bentz.
Motion defeated.

Motion by Commissioner Olsen, to have the term of office for the Chair a two(2) year term with a closed written ballot.
Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Beachnau, Olsen, Glasser, Johnson, Hyde, Bentz, Backenstose.
Nays: Bates, Liss.
Motion passed.

Motion by Commissioner Glasser to nominate Commissioner Paul Beachnau for Chair.

Motion by Commissioner Backenstose to nominate Commissioner Clark Bates for Chair.

Votes cast by secret ballot and Commissioner Paul Beachnau declared Board Chair.

Board Chair Beachnau addresses the Board.

Motion by Commissioner Bentz to nominate Commissioner Kenneth Glasser as Vice-Chair.
Roll Call Vote:
Ayes: Beachnau, Olsen, Glasser, Johnson, Hyde, Bentz, Backenstose, Bates, Liss.
Nays: None.
Motion passed.

Commissioner Kenneth Glasser declared Board Vice-Chair.


Board remarks:
Commissioner Liss: Reported that the District Health Board of Appeals meeting is scheduled for Thursday January 6, 2005 at 2:00 p.m, and requested Commissioner Backenstose be appointed in place of Jeff Garfield.

Chairman Beachnau appointed Commissioner Backenstose to the meeting for the District Health Board of Appeals.

Commissioner Olsen: Thanked Craig Ryan for getting the tribute to Evelyn Pratt.

Commissioner Glasser: Thanked Lee Olsen for his leadership and welcomed Erma Backenstose to the Board.

Meeting adjourned at 9:55 a.m. at the call of the Chair.


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Paul Beachnau, Chair



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Susan I. DeFeyter, County Clerk