Cooperstown News Bureau

COOPERSTOWN - Otsego County's acting county clerk, Kathleen Sinnott-Gardner, said she is set to make an announcement about running for county clerk.

"I'm going to announce what I'm doing early next week," said Sinnott-Gardner, a Republican, who has been in charge of the office since March.

"I'm not a politician, but I do like this job very much, and I think I'm good at it," Sinnott-Gardner, 42, said.

She has been working in the county clerk's office for about six years and was appointed deputy clerk last summer. Sinnott-Gardner is in charge of the clerk's office in Cooperstown and the county's two Department of Motor Vehicles offices, overseeing a staff of about 15.

The county clerk's post became available when former Clerk Brian Carso resigned in March to become a deputy commissioner at the state Department of Motor Vehicles. When Carso left, Sinnott-Gardner became acting county clerk.

Carso was re-elected to a second four-year term last year, and his successor will be elected in November to complete that term.

Cynthia Lipari of Oneonta is the only candidate who has announced plans to run for the post, which pays $43,882 a year.

Lipari, a self-employed abstractor, was selected as a candidate by the county's Republican Committee in March, receiving 50 committee votes to 37 for Otsego town Supervisor Bill Gates.

Lipari, 56, could not be reached for comment Tuesday afternoon.

Charlotte Koniuto, the Republican Committee's chairwoman, said the group will stand by its choice.

"We already have a candidate and we will work for that candidate," Koniuto said.

Sinnott-Gardner, who is the treasurer of the county's Republican Party, said she has been learning more about the political process recently.

"I don't know much yet about running for office, but I do know how to operate the clerk's office," she said. "There's a lot to it, but I enjoy it."

By comparison, Lipari, an abstractor, has little experience overseeing the Department of Motor Vehicles, Sinnott-Gardner said.

According to the county Board of Elections, primaries will be held Sept. 9.

Hank Nicols, chairman of the county's Democratic Committee, said Tuesday he has spoken to a potential candidate who may announce intentions within days.

"I think we will have a candidate, and I think the more qualified people who are running, the better off the public will be," Nicols said. "We need to hear from the candidates, let them debate, then vote for the best person running."

Gov. George Pataki may, but doesn't have to, appoint an interim clerk to serve until the election. According to Sheila Ross, Otsego County's deputy elections commissioner, the county has not received word that anyone has been appointed.