Stan Martin named Warwick Citizen of Year

WARWICK — Stan Martin, retired newspaper editor and publisher, former Army captain, Rotary leader and longtime community volunteer, has been has been selected Warwick’s 2017-2018 Citizen of the Year.
Martin and two recipients of Outstanding Community Service Awards – Tom Buchanan and Paul Orthmann - will be honored during a 6-9 p.m. Oct. 25 celebration at the Landmark Inn.
Although “extremely pleased, honored and humbled by the honor,” Martin said he is indebted to all those who have contributed to any of his success. He praised his community, adding, “I’m a Bermudian by birth but a Warwickian by choice.”
'His time, talent and blood'During his 50-plus years in journalism, Martin has worked in radio, television, daily and weekly newspapers in positions ranging from sportswriter to president of a newspaper group. His preference for community journalism brought him in the mid-1980s to Orange County. He served as editor & publisher of Straus Newspapers, owners of The Warwick Advertiser, The (Monroe-Woodbury) Photo News, The (Goshen-Chester) Chronicle and additional community papers.
“Since his retirement in 2004, Stan Martin has been called upon almost daily to help in many ways his friends, neighbors and community organizations," Marge King-Porter wrote in her nomination letter. "He is almost always happy to give his time, talents and even his BLOOD.”
The latter is a reference to his more than 150 blood and platelet donations.
King-Porter's letter added that “Stan is much loved in our community. He is passionate about preserving the quality of life in Warwick and Orange County. His many achievements reflect these goals.”
Service to country, then and nowMartin served as an Army Signal Corps captain in charge of five communications sites in Northern Germany and Holland, providing support for NATO troops. After completing his active duty service, he used the GI Bill to earn two master’s degrees at the University of Utah – a Master in Business Administration and a Master of Science in Journalism.
Martin has been a member of Nicholas P. Lesando Jr. Warwick American Legion Post #214, for 27 years and currently serves as a vice commander and quartermaster.
Bruce Sutton, Post 214 Past Commander, wrote: “Legionnaire Martin continues to march in the annual Memorial Day and Veteran's Day observances in Warwick, participates in military funerals, plants American flags on the graves of our fallen comrades and shares his time in additional activities for the good of Post 214 and the Warwick community."
Essential informationTickets and additional information regarding the Oct. 25 celebration at the Landmark Inn are available online at Warwick Valley Rotary Foundation or by calling Leo Kaytes at 845 629-6491.