About Marianne
Marianne’s Story
My name is Marianne Buttenschon. I’m running for re-election for the New York State Assembly 119th District. I was first elected in 2018 and have spent my first term working to support the interests of the residents on our district.
I am a lifelong resident of Oneida County and a Democrat since the age of eighteen. I grew up in Whitesboro. My father and mentor, Bill Goodman, served the people of Whitestown continuously for over forty years- first as Town Supervisor and now as a member of the County Legislature. My husband Don and I have lived in Marcy for over thirty years. We raised our three children on Luke Road and grew a successful business, the Buttenschon Christmas Tree Farm, literally from the ground up. We are the proud parents of our three children and two grandchildren.
I worked at Mohawk Valley Community College for two decades. I went from student intern to academic dean. Education is a community priority and will always be one to me.
I’ve developed, supported, and promoted groundbreaking courses and community partnerships that prepare young people for the workforce and retrain workers so they can better compete in our dynamic economy.
I am a community volunteer, believing the thought expressed by John Kennedy in the last line of is only Inaugural Address: “Here on earth, God’s work must truly be our own.”
I was the Vice-President of the Utica Food Pantry and President of the Marcy Chamber of Commerce. I served as First Vice President of the Chamber Alliance of Mohawk Valley and a member of the Board of the American Red Cross, Engine 11, and Institutional Research Board at Faxton-St. Lukes. I volunteered for the Boilermaker and have run the 15 and 5 K Boilermaker Races. I have given time to the United Way, Team MVCC, Great American Irish Festival, and always participate in the Great American Heart Walk and numerous community events and fundraisers.
My academic journey started at MVCC as a criminal justice major. I received my BA in Public Justice from SUNY-IT and an MA in Public Policy from the competitive and rigorous graduate program at Binghamton University. Finally, I recently received a Doctorate of Education in Organizational Leadership from Northeastern University. Learning is a process that never ends.
My guiding principle in both business and in my professional life is that the best way to work is to work as a team. My leadership style emphasizes a collaborative approach to finding solutions and achieving successful outcomes, some of which are life-changing and life-saving:
- Guiding the establishment of the fire and police academies
- Creating numerous professional development opportunities
- Growing nationally accredited cybersecurity programs
One must lead by example. I value civility. I avoid destructive partisanship and believe the only duty of any public official is to solve the people’s problems.
I have worked with the leadership and residents in Utica, Rome, Whitestown, Frankfort, Marcy and Floyd in my tenure in the assembly. During this period of health and economic challenges we must all look inside ourselves and decide what level of effort we must put forth for each other.
I have always put forth maximum effort. I have co-sponsored hundreds of bills and was the primary sponsor on bills that will have a positive impact on our communities. I have attended or hosted hundreds of meetings and as sub-chair of exports collected research from small and large businesses on what best will provide the I have a passion for serving our community and always try to do what is best for everyone.
We in the Mohawk Valley enjoy a wonderful quality of life but are being faced with many challenges due to the Covid 19 Pandemic. I will continue to strive to keep everyone safe and health. Please stay safe and healthy.
Feel free to reach out to me. I would like to meet you and hear what you have to say about the issues facing our communities.