Out of Legislature, Othmer Enjoys New Role as Kent Highway Super
Last week, instead of sitting inside the Putnam County Historic Courthouse for a county Legislature meeting, Richard Othmer was either in his modest office at the Kent Highway Department headquarters on Ludington Court or on the road in the Town of Kent.
Six months into starting out as Kent Highway Superintendent and leaving the legislature, Othmer is enjoying every bit of the daily grind and grit that comes with the new post. It’s a completely different line of work for the Kent resident, but it’s the sort of job that fits his expertise and personality far better than when he was a legislator, he admits.
“I’m really enjoying it. It’s hands-on work, something that I’m accustomed to doing and it comes a lot more naturally to me,” Othmer said. “Being a legislator was a very important job, but at times it could be extremely frustrating.”
Going back to last election season, Othmer still had one more year left on his term as a legislator representing District 3, which covers most of Kent. But when it became known former highway superintendent Tony Caravetta wasn’t going to run for another term, Othmer seized the opportunity and ran uncontested.
While Othmer notes plenty of positives from his days on the legislature, the tension and unease that came with being in the political arena never sat well with him.
Though he remembers former legislator Dan Birmingham stating how much he enjoyed the arguing back and forth, Othmer “hated it.” He didn’t like the infighting within the Republican Party or the infighting within the legislature. And when he felt certain politicians took credit for things they shouldn’t have, it bothered him immensely.
“There were a few legislators with egos,” Othmer noted, but not naming names. “But the majority are good people.”
Signs of a good legislator, as far as Othmer is concerned is someone who passed a law, resolution or made a county charter change, things Othmer was able to accomplish. Upgrades to county facilities, implementing an SPO officer at Mahopac high school along with Legislator Roger Gross, voting on a term limits law, and making tweaks to the county charter are all actions Othmer took that he now looks back fondly on.
“I always voted for what I thought was right,” Othmer said. “My real belief is once you put your right hand up and take an oath, it doesn’t matter what party anyone belongs to.”
Now, for six months on the job as the highway superintendent, Othmer has stayed busy thanks to Mother Nature. Taking over the department during a horrid winter, Othmer and his crew had countless hours of snow removal to work through, one time even going two straight days. The roof of the department’s salt shed collapsed and the roof in the office’s kitchen blew right off, he said, leading to improvised repairs.
But making the transition has been easy, earning the respect of the workers in the department, which he said has a lot of talent. Also, Othmer said he’s received invaluable advice from Caravetta, who he considers a friend.
“It’s more hands on, it’s more fitting to my personality,” Othmer said.
Going forward, Othmer wants to seek upgrades for the highway department facility, which are rather old and worn down. He wants to see the 50-year building renovated and brought into the 21st century. Othmer believes he’ll be able to get the funds from the Kent town board in order to pursue that goal and provide better conditions for the nearly 20 highway employees that work tirelessly.
So instead of attending public legislature meetings or even campaigning this year where eyes in the past were always focused on him and scrutiny was prevalent, Othmer is sitting pretty and out of the spotlight, just the way he likes it.
“This is fine with me,” Othmer said. “If this is the last newspaper article I’m ever in, I’ll be happy. That’s exactly how I feel.”
