LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Matthew Avitabile upon the occasion of
his designation as recipient of the 2015 Community Leader of the Year
Award by the Schoharie County Chamber of Commerce

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize that the
quality and character of life in the communities across New York State
are reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of those individ-
uals that are devoted to the welfare of the community and its citizenry;
and
WHEREAS, Individuals that give of their time and energies and serve
the best interests of their communities are an asset beyond remuneration
and cannot be sufficiently extolled; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Matthew Avitabile upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of
the 2015 Community Leader of the Year Award by the Schoharie County
Chamber of Commerce, to be celebrated at its Annual Business Dinner, at
The Best Western Inn, Cobleskill, New York, on Friday, March 27, 2015;
and
WHEREAS, Schoharie County Chamber of Commerce's annual business awards
recognize business people in Schoharie County who have been successful
in providing good products and services to clients and customers, and
who have consistently treated their business associates in a fair and
respectable manner; and
WHEREAS, A graduate of Middleburgh Central High School, in Middle-
burgh, New York, Matthew Avitabile went on to attend both the State
University of New York (SUNY) at Cobleskill and Oneonta; in 2010, he
earned a Master's degree in History from the State University of New
York at Albany; and
WHEREAS, Currently, Matthew Avitabile is employed as a History Profes-
sor at SUNY Oneonta; and
WHEREAS, In 2006, Matthew Avitabile became involved with local poli-
tics; a year later, he was elected to serve as a member of the Middle-
burgh Village Board, a position he held until 2012; and
WHEREAS, On August 28, 2011, due to the wrath of Hurricane Irene, the
Schoharie Creek overflowed its banks and flooded the Village of Middle-
burgh, causing significant damage; during the aftermath Matthew Avita-
bile coordinated a massive volunteer effort to help his neighbors
rebuild; and
WHEREAS, Grateful for his dedicated service after the flood, the
villagers of Middleburgh elected Matthew Avitabile to the esteemed posi-
tion of Mayor in 2012; and
WHEREAS, Since Mayor Matthew Avitabile's election, the members of the
Village Board, volunteers, and the business community have worked to
recover Middleburgh; the community is now tied for best fiscal manage-
ment in the County and has not raised taxes in three years; and
WHEREAS, Under Mayor Matthew Avitabile's able leadership, the Village
of Middleburgh was just rated by the ALBANY BUSINESS REVIEW as the third
most desirable place to live among young people in the Capital District;
and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the well-being and vitality of their profession and community,
and have shown a long and sustained commitment to excellence, certainly
have earned the recognition and applause of all citizens of this great
Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Matthew Avitabile upon the occasion of his designation as recipi-

ent of the 2015 Community Leader of the Year Award by the Schoharie
County Chamber of Commerce; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Matthew Avitabile.