FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Contact: exec@greeneyoungdems.org

Greene County, NY – Three candidates running for a seat on the Greene County Legislature have received the endorsement of the Greene County Young Democrats at their July meeting. As voters prepare to elect local leadership in the shadow of Presidential, Congressional, and Senatorial contests; the Greene County Young Democrats are excited to support these strong candidates.

“We are pleased to extend our support to these individuals, all of whom have demonstrated a commitment to making government work for the residents of Greene County-at-large, and not any one specific faction or interest.”

Forest Cotten (Catskill) – A Greene County resident for over 13 years, Forest Cotten lives in Catskill with his wife Beverly and their three young children. Cotten was first elected County Legislator in 2006. Prior to that, he served as a Catskill Village Trustee for almost four years, with one term as Village President. Throughout his career of public service, Legislator Cotten has focused on opening up the government process and acting as a fiscally prudent guardian of taxpayers’ dollars. Cotten is an active and dedicated member of his community. He is Chairman of the Catskill Local Development Corporation, and a former Board Member of the Catskill Education Foundation and the Friends of Beattie Powers. Included in Cotten’s professional experience is his time as President of the CD Coalition for Crime Victims Rights and his advocacy work for the disabled. Cotten earned a BA in Sociology from the State University of New York at Albany.

Sean Frey (Durham) – Elected to the Greene County Legislature in 2006, Sean Frey’s term in office has been characterized by two main goals: fighting against the growth of taxes and wasteful spending in Greene County, and working to provide much needed support and resources to the residents of the Town of Durham. Legislator Frey has delivered economic support that benefits the many businesses, employees, and residents of Durham including grants for Main Street Revitalization, Tourism, and Youth projects. He has worked to directly improve the quality of life in Durham through his strong support of the Oak Hill-Durham Volunteer Fire Department and the Durham Reading Room. He was instrumental in the County Route 22 repaving project, in securing funding for flower arrangements along the main corridor of the Town’s business district, and acquiring Durham’s new welcoming signs for both town borders on Route 145. Frey has been at the forefront of efforts to reduce spending levels at the County level, and is widely regarded as one of the most financially conservative members of the County Legislature. Frey also serves as the County Legislature’s Minority Leader.

Chris Pfister (Athens) – Born and educated in Athens, Chris Pfister recently completed eight years of service as Village of Athens Trustee, including two years as Deputy Mayor. While on the Village Board, he served on every major committee. Notable accomplishments during his tenure include the construction of a new fire house, a new water intake, dam and filtration system, a new 750,000 gallon holding tank, expansion of the main water transmission line, roof replacements on all village buildings, relocation of the Brick Row Transmission Line, major restoration work on the Community Center and Gym, and improvements to the Wastewater plant and to the parks and streets of Athens. Pfister is an active contributor to the Athens Flower Program, the Athens Paddock Club, the Athens Street Festival, the Advisory Board to the Athens Community Foundation, the Greene County Aging Services Foundation, Meals on Wheels, and the restoration of the Athens Cultural Center and the Jan Van Loon House. This year, he and his wife were honored with the prestigious Coxsackie Area Chamber of Commerce Community Service Prism Award.

Established in April of 2009, the mission of the Greene County Young Democrats (GCYD) is to pursue the ideas of liberty, justice, and freedom for all, regardless of race, religion, or sex, through support of the Democratic Party and its ideas, ideals, and candidates. The Greene County Young Democrats is chartered through the New York State Young Democrats, and is affiliated with the Young Democrats of America.
GCYD anticipates announcing additional endorsements in the coming months. The election for the Greene County Legislature, as well as for various positions throughout the towns of Greene County is November 3, 2009.

The next GCYD member meeting is Thursday August 13, at 7pm, to be held at the Freehold Country Pub, located at 3663 County Route 67 in Freehold. All members and those interested in becoming members are welcome to attend. For more information, please visit http://www.greeneyoungdems.org.