LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Firefighter Gary VerStraete upon the
occasion of his being selected as Firefighter of the Year by the Marble-
town Fire Department

WHEREAS, The firefighters of New York State are renowned throughout the
Nation; their reputation is synonymous with excellence in the arduous
field of fire protection and prevention; and
WHEREAS, Since the early days of "teapot steamers," the volunteer
firefighter has been the cornerstone of our great Nation's efforts to
spare us from the ravages of fire; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to commend Firefighter Gary
VerStraete upon the occasion of his being selected as Firefighter of the
Year by the Marbletown Fire Department to be celebrated at the Firemen's
Banquet on Saturday, April 26, 2014, at the Finger Lakes Gaming and
Racetrack, Farmington, New York; and
WHEREAS, Firefighter Gary VerStraete is being recognized as Firefight-
er of the Year for his outstanding CPR lifesaving efforts; and
WHEREAS, Born on May 4, 1967, in Newark, New York, Gary VerStraete
earned his Associates degree in Criminal Justice; in addition, he is a
Level 2 Fire Investigator, and is a Nationally Certified Interior Fire-
fighter at the recruit level; and
WHEREAS, Currently serving as the Chief of the Marbletown Fire Depart-
ment, Gary VerStraete is also a 25 year member of the Newark Police
Department; and
WHEREAS, Dedicated to his community, Gary VerStraete is a member of
numerous organizations, including: the Housing Authority, Board of
Directors for Housing Development Corp., and St. Michaels Church; he is
also a past Cub Master for Pack 138; past Scout Master for Pack 122;
past member of Newark Arcadia Volunteer Ambulance; and past member of
Newark Elks Lodge; and
WHEREAS, The recipient of several accolades, Gary VerStraete received
the Exceptional Service Award for establishing the DARE Program and
serving as a DARE Instructor for both the middle schools and the high
school within the Newark Central School District; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Michelle, and two
sons, Kyle (Annalise Yager) and Brian, as well as two grandchildren,
Addison and Blake, all of whom feel privileged to be a part of his life
and rejoice in his achievements; and
WHEREAS, Volunteer firefighters and fire departments not only provide
the critical service of fire protection but also engage in other activ-
ities of great benefit and importance to the communities they serve; and
WHEREAS, It takes a special dedication, a strong desire to help others
and a tireless sense of community to forsake precious time with family
and friends to respond to the signal that a neighbor is in need; Gary
VerStraete is such a firefighter; throughout 29 years of devoted
service, this volunteer heroically performed, above and beyond the call
of duty, those responsibilities which define the task of fire
protection; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Firefighter Gary VerStraete upon the occasion of his being
selected as Firefighter of the Year by the Marbletown Fire Department;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Firefighter Gary VerStraete.