O'Mara honors local small business owner as a Senate 2015 'Woman of Distinction' ~ Wellsburg Diner owner and operator Linda Thomas represents 58th District in last night's statewide tribute ~ Event coincides with weeklong celebration of local job creators

Albany, N.Y., May 6—State Senator Tom O’Mara (R-C, Big Flats) last night paid tribute to Linda Thomas, longtime owner and operator of the Wellsburg Diner in the village of Wellsburg, New York (Chemung County), as his 2015 “Woman of Distinction” at an awards ceremony in Albany.

Thomas represented O’Mara’s 58th District at the Senate’s 18th Annual “Women of Distinction” tribute in the Legislative Office Building.  She was recognized along with more than 60 other honorees representing senatorial districts from across New York.

O’Mara noted that this year’s ceremony coincides with National Small Business Week (May 4-8, 2015), which he said makes his tribute to Thomas even more timely and fitting. 

Thomas has owned and operated the Wellsburg Diner since 1997.  The diner was destroyed by severe flooding from Tropical Storm Lee in September 2011.  In the aftermath of the storm Thomas, despite daunting financial and personal hardships, vowed to reopen.

“This town’s been very good to me, and the people in this town have been very good to me, and I wanted to stay with them,” Thomas told the Elmira Star-Gazette in late February 2012 shortly before, with the help of the community, the Wellsburg Diner reopened just a block away from its original site.  “The Wellsburg Diner is more than a building.  It’s a family.”

O’Mara said that the new Wellsburg Diner has become a focal point of community life in the village and surrounding communities and has expanded to employ nearly 20 local workers.  Since the flood, Linda has hosted meetings and events at the diner to help address numerous community concerns, as well as to support local activities and organizations including the animal protection agencies “A Voice for All Animals and “The Second Chance Ranch.”   

"Linda Thomas exemplifies persevering through tough times, lending a helping hand to those around you, and commitment to community.  She’s proof that our small town traditions and values are alive and well,” said O’Mara.  “No one has done more for her community’s hope, pride and spirit.  As a job creator and a lifeline of community action and support, Linda exemplifies everything this nation celebrates during National Small Business Week.  The Wellsburg Diner is truly a small business making a big, big difference.”

O’Mara said that Thomas was nominated for this year’s award by Sherri Arnold, Regional Director of the Corning Community College Small Business Development Center.

Arnold said, “The Corning Community College’s Small Business Development Center is here to assist small business owners to create and manage their small business, but we don’t have any control over a person’s work ethic or integrity.  That’s why working with Linda Thomas was an honor – because she had the incredible determination to rebuild her business in a small community where her diner was the focal point.  She felt a responsibility to both her employees and her community to resurrect her diner after a flood that would have completely demotivated most people to return to business ownership. She is truly a local hero and role model.”

Wellsburg Mayor Malcolm Coles, who was also instrumental in helping reopen the Wellsburg Diner after the flooding, stressed the establishment’s importance to the village and surrounding communities.  

Coles said, “I have known Linda my whole life.  Over the years we have grown to be great friends. She is a very selfless, caring person.  She has always welcomed residents to the diner for a homemade meal, a cup of coffee and a place to socialize.  I felt it was critical after the flooding in September 2011 to have the diner up and running to give the residents a place to go where they felt some normalcy after this devastating flood.” 

O’Mara said that it was also recently announced that the Wellsburg Diner has been selected for a prestigious “Small Business Excellence Award” from the U.S. Small Business Administration. 

The Senate's annual "Women of Distinction" program, which began in March to coincide with Women's History Month in New York State, allows senators statewide to select one honoree from their respective legislative districts for this distinguished, statewide tribute.

O’Mara’s past honorees have been:

-- in 2011, Carol Berry of Hornell, a longstanding regional library professional and director of the Dormann Library in Bath;

-- in 2012, Virginia “Ginny” Houseknecht of Watkins Glen, a longtime area Cornell Cooperative Extension educator and leader, and founder of the Southern Tier Parkinson’s Disease Support Group; 

-- in 2013, Beverly “Bev” Stamp, co-owner and operator of Lakewood Vineyards in Watkins Glen, a long-time and beloved ambassador of New York State’s nationally and internationally renowned wine and grape industry; and

-- last year, Lauren R. Snyder, a public health professional from  Penn Yan who served as the Yates County Public Health Director for 28 years before retiring in 2009. 

View Thomas’ “Woman of Distinction” award HERE.