Dusten Rader/Express Editor
Recipient of the Charles Hough award, Michael Rose, holds up a plaque recognizing him for his volunteer work for the Fulton County Republican Party. Rose is seen with his family Feb. 12 during the Fulton County Republican Club’s 58th annual Lincoln Day Dinner at the Holiday Inn in Johnstown. From left: Brittany Richards, Christopher Rose, Suzanne Rose, Michael Rose and Matthew Rose.

By DUSTEN RADER
Express Editor

JOHNSTOWN — Lifelong Gloversville resident Michael Rose was recently presented with the Charles Hough award for his volunteer work for the Fulton County Republican Party.
Presented annually, Rose received the award Feb. 12 at the Fulton County Republican Club’s 58th annual Lincoln Day Dinner at the Holiday Inn in Johnstown.
“I’m really honored to accept this award,” Rose said. “I really don’t feel in my heart like I deserve the award, so I want to accept it on behalf of a few groups tonight. The fist group is my family. … The real sacrifice for the committee in my mind has been made by my family.
“The second is a group of individuals I call ‘The Old Guard’ in Fulton County,” Rose continued. “They are truly the ones who have been dedicated to this cause for years and years. The folks I’m referring to were always there and you could count on them for everything. They didn’t need to get an award, they didn’t need thanks, it was in their blood.”
According to the event brochure, the Charles Hough award honors the memory of an individual who gave generously of his time and effort to further the cause of Republican ideals. Hough was a Republican Committeeman who during his lifetime demonstrated loyalty and devotion to the principles of the party and gave unselfishly of his time to the promotion of Republicanism in Fulton County, the brochure states.
“I’m really proud to accept this award, I’m really proud to be a member of Fulton County, and to be part of this Republican Committee family,” Rose said. “Fulton County is a bright red county in the middle of this damn blue state. … We are suffering in this state the onslaught of Kristin Gillibrand, Andrew Cuomo, Bill DeBlasio, and I could go on and on. So, it’s up to these folks [Assemblyman Marc Butler, Sen. James Tedisco, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, and Sen. John DeFrancisco] to make sure our way of life continues the way we want it to.”
Before presenting Rose with the award, Gloversville 3rd Ward Supervisor John Blackmon gave an introductory speech about the recipient.
According to Blackmon, Rose is a lifelong resident of Gloversville who graduated from Gloversville High School in 1974 before attending Fulton-Montgomery Community College to earn an associate degree in business management and another in behavioral science. Rose then attended the University of Miami in New York and received a bachelor’s degree in business management.
Rose was employed by the New York State Division for Youth at Tryon for 14 years as a vocational specialist. He then went on to promoted to vocational rehabilitation counselor with the New York State Education Department for 11 years.
In 2003, then Gov. George Pataki appointed Rose as associate deputy commissioner for the division of rehabilitation services with New York State Office of Children and Family Services. In 2003, Rose accepted a position as statewide quality assurance manager with the New York State Commission for the Blind. Rose retired in 2015 with 37 continuous years in state service. Rose has also served in various leadership positions on boards and committees throughout the county.
In 2000, Rose was appointed coordinator for the 21st Congressional District for George Bush for president. Rose’s wife, Suzanne, was named alternate delegate to the 2000 Republican National Convention. In 2001, Both Rose and Suzanne were invited to attend the inauguration of George W. Bush in Washington, D.C.
In 2002, Rose was appointed to the 4th Judicial District Election Oversight Committee. He left politics in 2003.
Rose and Suzanne have three children, Matthew, Christopher and Joshua.