Seward Honors New York's Top Senior Citizens

ALBANY, 05/12/14 -- State Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I – Oneonta) recently congratulated New York State’s top senior citizens as part of the New York State Office for the Aging 2014 Senior Citizens Day Celebration in Albany.

“Our senior citizens are vital, instrumental members of our communities,” said Senator Seward.   “The extremely active seniors honored today fulfill significant roles – volunteering with local ambulance companies, managing area food pantries, and holding elected office.”  

Along with honoring the local honorees the senate also adopted a resolution (J.4811) proclaiming May 6, 2014 as Senior Citizens Awareness Day in the State of New York.  The resolution reads in part: 

WHEREAS, The more than three million residents of New York State  60 years of age and older bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the increasingly  active  roles  they  play  in  today's society; their past contributions and future participation are a vital part of, and valuable asset to, the fabric of community life and activity; and

WHEREAS, These senior citizens have  contributed  to  the  State  by building  and helping preserve the customs, traditions and ideals of the many ethnic groups that make up the mosaic of New York State.

“I also have to give credit to the local county office for the aging staff members that work so hard on a daily basis providing crucial services to area senior citizens and advocating for their needs,” Seward added.

The senior citizens from Senator Seward’s district honored are:

• Chenango County Gladys Benjamin, New Berlin
• Cortland County Sister Kathleen Heffron, Cincinnatus
• Delaware County Frank Bachler, Meredith
• Otsego County Ken Dreis, Richfield Springs
• Otsego County Ellen St. John, Cooperstown
• Schoharie County Edwin Guntert, Middleburgh
• Schoharie County Deanna Urrey, Schoharie 
• Tompkins County Robert Spaulding, Ithaca
• Ulster County Donald DuBois, Saugerties

“Each of these senior citizens is special, but it gives me added pleasure to recognize Donald DuBois of Ulster County who was named the senior citizen of the year.  Donald’s longstanding commitment to helping others, his thoughtful teachings that foster new ideas, and his sustained efforts to bring out the best in others are well documented and warrant him being named New York State Senior Citizen of the Year,” Seward concluded.

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Photo: From left, Senator James L. Seward, New York State Senior Citizen of the Year Donald DuBois (Saugerties), Ulster County Office for the Aging Director Anne Cardinale, Senator David J. Valesky, chairman New York State Senate Aging Committee.