LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating Sidney Auto Body upon the occasion
of its designation as recipient of the 2009 Business of the Year Award
by the Sidney Chamber of Commerce

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize the
achievements of those individuals and businesses which substantially
contribute to the economic vitality of their communities and the entire
Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to congratu-
late Sidney Auto Body upon the occasion of its designation as recipient
of the Business of the Year Award by the Sidney Chamber of Commerce on
Friday, June 5, 2009; and
WHEREAS, Sidney Auto Body was started in May of 1961 by John "Jack"
Thomas along with one employee Wayne Baldwin; his mother-in-law, Laura
Klee, served the business as secretary for many years; and
WHEREAS, Jack Thomas expanded his business in 1968 with an addition to
the existing building; when he sold the business to his son, Bill, in
1987, Wayne Baldwin was still an employee and later retired and moved to
Florida; and
WHEREAS, In addition to operating the business, Jack Thomas was a
member and director of the Sidney Chamber of Commerce and served on the
Sidney Central School Board of Education; he resigned from the school
board when he was elected as Town of Masonville Supervisor, a position
he held for 28 years; and
WHEREAS, Bill Thomas continued their membership in the Sidney Chamber
of Commerce and also served on the school board for seven years; he
built a second addition to the building in 1988; and
WHEREAS, Today the business boasts the only computerized laser frame
and unibody measuring machine in the Tri-Town area having the ability to
measure within 1mm accuracy; Sidney Auto Body mixes their own paint via
computer to Dupont specifications, resulting in high quality paint and
superior color matching ability; and
WHEREAS, Aside from the business, Bill Thomas and his wife Linda are
very active members of the community; they are members of the Chamber of
Commerce, and the National Federation of Independent Business; they both
grew up in Sidney and have raised their three sons in the town as well;
and
WHEREAS, Bill and Linda Thomas are longtime sponsors of a Pee Wee and
Little League team in Sidney; Linda is secretary for the business and a
charter member of the Hill and Valley Garden Club, where she also serves
as secretary; and
WHEREAS, It is with great pleasure that this Legislative Body acknowl-
edges this exceptional business and its contributions to the local and
State economies, fully confident that it will continue to enjoy the
sparkling successes it has experienced thus far; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Sidney Auto Body upon the occasion of its designation as
recipient of the 2009 Business of the Year Award by the Sidney Chamber
of Commerce; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Bill and Linda Thomas.