Running for San Miguel County Clerk & Recorder

osmith@colosys.net

I was born in central Illinois just north of Champaign in 1952

Our family had a 180 acre farm, primarily producing corn and soybeans. We

also sold GMC cars and trucks.

I purchased land in Norwood Colorado in 1982 and began building my own

house. The project

was completed and a C.O. obtained in 1991

I Attended the University of Illinois, College of Agriculture, Animal

Sciences.

Northland Pioneer College in Northern Arizona, continuing education.

National Radio Institute, Washington DC, consumer electronics.

During College I was a Ferrier (horseshoer) as well as a Silversmith

After College worked for Earlham College as a blacksmith/curator in the

blacksmith shop at Connor Prairie Living History Museum in Noblesville

Indiana.

I am married, my wife's name is Carrie, and we have been married for 28

years.

In January of 1977 we moved to Kayenta on the Navajo reservation.

There I ran my own Business, the Oak Blade Company, making custom crafted

cutlery. I also worked for the Kayenta school district as a substitute

teacher, for Northland Pioneer College as both an instructor and campus

coordinator, and for a time managed a tour business and restaurant on the

side.

I have been employed at the Wilkinson Public Library since 1995.

I have served in both the circulation department and the interlibrary loan

department.

I have been the Head of Circulation for the last two years.

I am currently the Chair for the San Miguel County Planning Commission. I

have been on the commission since 1997 and am in my second year as chair.

I sit on the Board of Trustees for the Norwood Public Library.

I serve on, and am the past chair of, the San Miguel County Board of

Adjustments.

I was an original member of SMERG, the San Miguel County Energy Resource

Group.

I am a past member of the San Miguel County Democratic Steering Committee,

as well as past precinct captain in Norwood.

I sit on the Council of Directors for the National Western Rendezvous

Association. A preservation group dedicated to the historical reenactment of

the western fur trade era.

Hobbies are: competitive muzzle loading rifle competition, I compete

annually

in the International Muzzle Loading Biathlon in Steamboat Springs, (cross

country ski racing with targets shot along the way) with Carrie I breed,

show, and train, championship German Shepherd Dog's both

in breed and obedience competitions, and I am a bluegrass musician and play

the five string banjo, the dobro, the

guitar, and the accordion.

Adhering to the Green Party philosophy of sustainable and renewable

resources Carrie and I have lived off of the grid in Norwood since we

purchased the property in 1982. All of our electrical needs are met using

solar panels.

Carrie and I have been married since 1974

Carrie has a degree in education with a specialty in Indian education from

Arizona State University. She was head of the social studies department at

the Kayenta High School, and taught for 19 years.

Currently Carrie works at the San Miguel Veterinary Clinic in Norwood.

" For the first time since the 1950's the citizens of San Miguel County will

have a choice for County Clerk. I believe the future dictates we must

embrace technology. We need to bring the clerks office and our county

records into the Internet age. My experience in the Library as well as the

County Planning Commission are just two of the assets I will bring to serve

the people of San Miguel County. I believe the Clerks office owes it to our

citizens to provide fast,

efficient, timely, and accurate information and service. To be a leader in

Internet accessible resources."