LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Mayor John S. Holden upon the occasion
of his retirement after many years of distinguished service to the
Village of Victor, New York

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to acknowledge the
significant milestones in the distinguished careers of esteemed public
servants who have devoted themselves to faithfully serving the their
community and the needs of its residents; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Mayor John S. Holden upon the occasion of his retirement after many
years of distinguished service to the Village of Victor, New York, to be
celebrated with a party held in his honor on Friday, March 27, 2015, at
the Ravenwood Country Club, Victor, New York; and
WHEREAS, A native of Elmira, New York, John S. Holden is a graduate of
Mansfield University and SUNY Brockport; he also proudly served his
country as a member of the United States Army National Guard; and
WHEREAS, In 1978, John S. Holden moved to the Village of Victor, where
he became an educator in the Gates Chili Central School District, teach-
ing both fifth and sixth grade for 33 years; and
WHEREAS, With a sense of civic responsibility, John S. Holden became
involved in politics in 1984, serving as a member of the Village of
Victor Planning Board; he later served as its Chairperson from
1986-1992, and was elected to the Village Board of Trustees; and
WHEREAS, John Holden was appointed Deputy Mayor of the Village of
Victor in 1998, and subsequently, became Mayor following the untimely
death of the then mayor; he won the election in 2006, and again in 2007
for a two-year term; and
WHEREAS, During his tenure, Mayor John S. Holden worked tirelessly to
serve the residents of the Village of Victor; his many notable accom-
plishments include reopening VictorWood Harlan Fisher Park, creating
Mead Square Park, securing grants for road improvement, and providing
affordable senior citizen housing in the village; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Mayor John S. Holden was instrumental in the
revitalization efforts to improve the downtown business district, as
well as in updating the Village Code Book; he also worked with the
Victor Fire Department to build a new village fire hall; and
WHEREAS, An integral part of his community, Mayor John S. Holden
served as President of the Local Development Corporation; in this capac-
ity, he helped secure significant funding, including a New York State
Main Street Grant for building and streetscape restoration; and
WHEREAS, Mayor John S. Holden faithfully served the people of the
Village of Victor and will be remembered for his honesty, integrity, and
keen sense of duty, as well as his unique grasp of human problems in his
official acts; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Julie, their two
children, John M. and Julie, and three grandchildren, Johnny, Jackson,
and Alexandra, all of whom feel privileged to be a part of his life and
rejoice in his achievements; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the quality of life in their community and have shown a long and
sustained commitment to the maintenance of high standards in their
profession, certainly have earned the recognition and applause of all
the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Mayor John S. Holden upon the occasion of his retirement after

many years of distinguished service to the Village of Victor, New York;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Mayor John S. Holden.