Cooperstown News Bureau

COOPERSTOWN - Republican Eugene Wells, 69, of Springfield has decided not to run for re-election to the Otsego County Board of Representatives.

He is in his 10th year on the board, serving district nine, which comprises Springfield and Richfield.

"I've liked serving on the board, but it's time to step aside," said Wells, chairman of the county's Health, Educational Services and Agriculture Committee.

"I had a little bit of bad health last year, and this year when I went down to Georgia for a while, really enjoyed that," he noted.

Wells' committee oversees health-related services the county offers — services that have been harder to provide in recent years. With demand growing for these services at the same time the state is cutting funding for them, "sometimes it feels like you're spinning your wheels," he said.

Board Chairman Carl Higgins, R-Edmeston, said, "Gene will be hard to replace. I've come to rely on him to manage that committee and all the programs it oversees, Mental Health, Public Health, OFA.

"He's done an excellent job and we're going to miss him."

Higgins, who is completing his 29th year on the board, said it is too early in the political season for him to announce whether he will seek re-election.

"I think there's plenty of time to make that decision," he said.

Rep. Cathy Rothenberger, D-Oneonta, said she was sad to hear Wells is retiring.

"Gene is very thorough, conscientious and he's able to pull people to the center from both sides," said Rothenberger. "I think he's done a remarkable job for his constituents and he will be hard to replace."

Rothenberger, who is completing her 10th year on the board, said she does plan to run for re-election.

Rep. Roberta Puritz, D-Oneonta, said, "I've really enjoyed working with Gene. We served together on the Solid Waste Committee and we often saw eye-to-eye.

"One thing I really like about Gene is he's always open to listening to what you have to say," said Puritz.

Rep. Charles Bateman, R-Cooperstown, said Wells "is one of the board members I'm closest too and I'm sorry he's decided to step down.

Gene's done a great job on the board and his committee assignment is tough, Bateman said. "I've served on that committee and I know."

Bateman, who is completing his 25th year on the board, said he plans to seek re-election in the fall.

"I've talked to my doctor and I'm in good health. I really like serving and I feel like I had an impact this year," Bateman said. "I helped convince the board to drop the increased bed tax and to increase the sales tax," he noted.

Wells' immediate predecessor on the board, Republican Alexander Shields of Richfield, said Wednesday he might consider running for the post again.

Shields, 66, said, "If Gene truly isn't running, it's something I'd think about."

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Tom Grace can be reached at grace@ascent.net or (607) 547-2431.