Rotarians seek nominations for Warwick Citizen of the Year

WARWICK – Who should be Warwick’s next Citizen of the Year? You might have the answer.

Local Rotarians are seeking nominations for the coveted award. A letter outlining the accomplishments and reasons for the nomination can be mailed to the Warwick Town Supervisor, 132 Kings Highway, Warwick NY 10990, or emailed to stanmartin@hvc.rr.com.

Deadline for nominations is Friday, Sept. 5.

Members of the Warwick Valley Rotary Club, a community service organization of local business men and women who are sponsoring the annual event, are excluded from being nominated.

Stan Martin and Leo Kaytes Sr., both former Warwick Rotary presidents, are co-chairing the event. Seven years ago, they were instrumental in restarting the “Warwick Citizen of the Year” program which was inaugurated in 1968 by the now defunct Warwick Jaycees.

“There are so many local residents who deserve recognition for making this a quality place to live,” said Martin. “These volunteers have demonstrated a commitment to community service over an extended period of time.”

Kaytes encouraged community input on candidates for 2014-15 Warwick Citizen of the Year. He pointed out that there were so many qualified nominations last year that two additional persons – Joe Walter and Denise Thibault – were recognized with “Outstanding Community Service Awards.” Professor Richard Hull, Warwick’s Town Historian, was named 2013-2014 Citizen of the Year.

Two former Warwick Jaycees and current Warwick Rotarians - Town Supervisor Michael Sweeton and Attorney Doug Stage - are also on the committee along with Frank Truatt, Mechelle Casciotta, Katie Hansen, Susan Ronga and Warwick Valley Rotary President Leo Kaytes Jr.

The awards dinner is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 22, at the Landmark Inn.