Orange County Legislator (D)
Jeff Berkman, 20th District.

Jeffrey Berkman has lived in Middletown all his life, and has a lifelong passion for Orange County. "I believe in this place," he says. "It's home."

Jeff Berkman lives with his wife and daughter in Middletown. They enjoy traveling, especially visiting historical sites, and spending time with friends and family.

Biography

Jeff Berkman has an extensive background in public service. For the past twelve years, while running his own Orange County-based real estate management firm, Berkman has been a college instructor, a library trustee and is currently an Orange County legislator. His concerns are your concerns, because his home is here.

In November 1997 he was elected to the Orange County Legislature to represent the 20th District (Middletown and Wallkill). The district is comprised of all of the 2nd, 3rd and part of the 1st ward of the City of Middletown, and a portion of the 4th ward of the Town of Wallkill. Jeffrey Berkman is currently serving his second term.

He serves on three statutory committees and two appointed committees:

• Rules, Enactments, and Intergovernmental Relations Committee has jurisdiction over county resolutions involving Orange County's relationship with other branches of government.
• Health and Mental Health Committee involves Orange County's responsibility to provide and protect our residents with Health Department and Mental Health Department resources and facilities
• Public Safety and Emergency Services Committee which provides oversight over the Orange County Sheriff's Department and Homeland Security issues of local importance.

Additionally Jeffrey Berkman serves on the Off Track Betting Committee and the Electrical Licensing Study Committee.

Berkman is the first Democrat to be elected to the 20th District since the Orange County Legislature was established in 1968. In addition to the Democratic party's endorsement, he gained the endorsement of the Conservative Party.

Prior to serving in the county legislature, Berkman was Legislative Director for Assemblyman Jake Gunther. He was directly involved in writing and guiding successful legislation concerning real property tax reform. Two examples of this successful effort are the return of the Bashakill Wetlands and Lake Superior Park to the local tax rolls. New York State is now obligated to pay its fair share of property taxes to the local governments. Berkman was responsible for many other important issues of concern such as public library improvements and topics of the Asseemblyman's legislative agenda.

Berkman's start in public service centered on library issues. He was elected to serve on the Middletown Thrall Library Board of Trustees. He was president during the planning and construction phase of our new public library at the renovated and expanded Erie Railroad Station in downtown Middletown. Additionally, he served as a trustee for the Southeastern New York Library Resources Council and the Ramapo-Catskill Library System. Berkman is also a founding member and past president of the Friends of Thrall Library in Middletown.

For the past nine years, Berkman has taught State and Local Government and other political science courses for Orange County Community College as an adjunct professor. He has also mentored academic study groups in International Politics and Middle East Politics for SUNY's Empire State College and has participated in various academic programs for other universities and educational programs. He has traveled extensively and frequently provides commentaries for local radio and cable TV programs. Jeff currently hosts the Wednesday edition of the Round Table talk show on WTBQ, 1110AM.

Berkman serves as a trustee for the Middletown-Wallkill Historical Precinct, which operates the Van Duzer House, a local museum that has stewardship over many articles of historic significance to our community.

Jeff is the owner of JDB Management, Inc., a real estate management firm operating in Middletown for properties located primarily in the Orange County area.

His corporation primarily manages apartment rentals. Industrial and commercial real estate is also an integral corporate concern.