Cortland County
Keith Van Gorder currently serves as the Cortland County Legislator for District 7, starting in January 2024. Prior to this role, Keith held various positions at the New York State Department of Transportation, including Highway Maintenance Manager and Assistant Resident Engineer, from September 1993 to March 2024, where responsibilities included overseeing staff and facilities across Cortland and Tompkins Counties. Earlier in Keith's career, roles included Engineering Draftsman at Smith Corona Corporation and Estimator at Compagni Construction Company. Keith Van Gorder completed an Associate of Arts and Sciences degree in Architectural Sciences and Technology at Alfred State College, and also pursued further education at Tompkins Cortland Community College. Keith is a graduate of Cortland High School.
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Cortland County
Established on April 8, 1808, Cortland County named for Pierre Van Cortlandt, president of the convention at Kingston that wrote the first New York State Constitution in 1777, and first lieutenant governor of the state. Cortland County was formed from the southern portion of what was then Onondaga County. The county seat is Cortland. The famed Cortland apple is named for the county. Located in the glaciated Appalachian Plateau area of Central New York State, midway between Syracuse and Binghamton, this predominantly rural county is the southeastern gateway to the Finger Lakes Region. Scattered archaeological evidence indicates three different aboriginal cultures hunted the area beginning about 1500 AD. From its beginnings Cortland County has had a strong agricultural economy. While the small family dairy farms of the past have dwindled, large dairy operations and abundant crop farming continues. Cortland’s strong agricultural background contributed to the decision by dairy products producer Byrne Dairy to build a state of the art yogurt production plant there. Cortland County is noted for its strong manufacturing industries, local companies produce hospitality supplies, medical instruments and components, electrical components, consumer goods, components for the Department of Defense, as well as a variety of other goods and services. Cortland County is home to SUNY Cortland well known as a leading school for teacher education; the County also supports a joint Community college with neighboring Tompkins County. Cortland County boasts abundant open space and natural recreational resources including three ski resorts. Cortland County offers excellent public schools and enviable quality of life enhancements such as the Homer Center for the Arts, Lime Hollow Nature Center, access to the Finger Lakes trail and public as well private golf courses. For more information on open positions in Cortland County log on to Cortland-co.org.