Retiring Arc Otsego Exec. Director Leaves Community Legacy Behind

Another significant retirement has been announced in Oneonta, this time by an agency that serves Otsego County and is headquartered on Academy Street in Oneonta. The Arc Otsego has announced the retirement of long-time Executive Director Patricia (Pat) Knuth after 35 years of service with The ARC Otsego which serves those with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities here in Otsego County.

Knuth started her career with The Arc Otsego in November of 1986 as the agency's first Residential Director. In that position she opened three residential homes and three supportive apartments, all in the span of only four years. Following that achievement, she was promoted to Director of Program Services, and then moved into the position of Assistant Executive Director which prepared her to become the agency's Executive Director in 2015.

Knuth has led The Arc Otsego to many positive changes which not only benefited those individuals whom the organization serves, but also serve the community at large. One example of that was the introduction of the Otsego ReUse Center in Oneonta on Duane Street, a place where people can come to get all kinds of gently used household items  with proceeds benefiting the programs of the Arc Otsego. Talk about a win-win situation. The Otsego ReUse Center has rescued thousands of pounds of items from ending up in a landfill, items that were perfectly good but which were not wanted by the owners of those items.

Otsego ReUse Manager, Bill Hardy says that people come from as far away as Massachusetts and Pennsylvania, "pickers" he calls them, to visit the ReUse Center because they know the inventory is constantly changing as an entity open seven days a week. The Otsego ReUse Center alone has had a tremendous positive impact on our community but add in The Main View Gallery and Gift Shop and the latest project, the creation of Creekside Industries, a production facility on Browne Street in Oneonta and you have quite a few things that Knuth has brought to the community. You can discover her many achievements and service to community as she has served on community boards by clicking here.

Whomever becomes the next Arc Otsego Exec. Director has big shoes to fill! From where I sit, a job very well done Pat Knuth and I hope you enjoy your retirement to its fullest. For anyone who would like to wish Pat well in-person, she will be at the Otsego ReUse Center on May 19, 2021 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., or at the Main View Gallery and Gift Shop on May 26, 2021 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. You can also expect her at the "All Together Art Show" opening at the Main View Gallery on May 21st from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
There will be a card collection box at each location if you would like to share notes of congratulations.

Notes of congratulations can be mailed to:

The Arc Otsego, Attn: Pat Knuth
PO Box 490
Oneonta, NY 13820