Charles E. Houghtaling, Jr. Charles E. Houghtaling, Jr. is serving his seventh term in the Albany County Legislature representing the 38th Legislative District. He is a life-long resident of the district, made up of the entire Town of Westerlo and southwestern portion of the Town of New Scotland.

Charley has served as Chair of the Albany County Legislature since 1994, and has been a County Legislator since 1984. He is a member of the Audit and Finance Committee. Before his election as Chair, he was Chair of the Conservation and Improvement Committee and a member of the Public Works, Personnel, Mass Transit and Public Information Committees. In his capacity as Chair of the Legislature, he serves on the three-member Albany County Board of Contract Administration responsible for scrutinizing bids and awarding contracts on projects costing between $20,000 and $100,000. Contracts valued below $20,000 are awarded by the County Executive, and those higher than $100,000 must be approved by the full Legislature.

Over the years, Charley has been instrumental in modernizing transportation systems in Albany County and the region. He was a member of the original Airport Steering Committee whose work led to the creation of the Albany County Airport Authority and laid the groundwork for terminal and parking improvements. He also is a member of the Capital District Transportation Committee and the Empire Corridor Rail Task Force working to develop high-speed passenger rail service and update freight lines.

Charley sponsored legislation securing funds to expand senior services, aid libraries and support the recruitment and retention of volunteer fire and emergency services personnel. He also has initiated legislation to preserve farmland and open space, protect water supplies, stimulate the rural economy, reconstruct bridges over the Onesquethaw Creek and apply for federal housing grants for farm operators employing migrant and seasonal workers.

A war veteran, Charley served with the U.S. Army as a sergeant during the Korean Conflict. He has been an active member of the Onesquethaw Volunteer Fire Company for more than 45 years, serving at various times as president and battalion chief. He also has served on the Board of the Albany County Soil and Water District since 1984 and is a member of the Capital District Local Development Corp.

Charley and his family operated Houghtaling's Market in Feura Bush for 32 years until February 2008. Previously, he was a construction superintendent and a member of the Carpenters' International Local 117. He and his wife, Ann, are the parents of three sons and have six grandchildren. The Houghtalings are members of the Jerusalem Reformed Church of Feura Bush.