LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring James R. Petro, Jr. for his distin-
guished service to the Orange County Industrial Development Agency

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body seeks to acknowledge those individuals
whose professional lives and civic endeavors serve to enhance the stat-
ure of the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
James R. Petro, Jr. for his distinguished service to the Orange County
Industrial Development Agency; he will officially step-down on Wednes-
day, June 20, 2012; and
WHEREAS, A resident of New Windsor, New York, James R. Petro, Jr. is a
lifelong planning and development professional; and
WHEREAS, In his professional career, James R. Petro, Jr. has
constructed and owned more than 25 buildings since 1971, and continues
to make economic and industrial development his number one priority; he
is also a successful numismatist and has owned and operated a profes-
sional coin collection and appraisal business since 1971; and
WHEREAS, In 1991, James R. Petro, Jr. began his civic career as a
member of the Town of New Windsor Planning Board, where he was Chairman
for 14 years and presided over 375 meetings, 300 public hearings and
1,700 applications in one of Orange County's most active municipalities;
and
WHEREAS, James R. Petro, Jr. also worked daily on land use regu-
lations, SEQR, wetlands regulations, zoning local laws, Z.B.A. matters,
Building Department procedures, inter-municipal cooperation, open space
and impact of litigation; and
WHEREAS, In 1998, James R. Petro, Jr. was appointed chairman of a
special committee assigned to spearhead a purchase-lease agreement
between the United States Army and the Town of New Windsor for the
former Army sub-post at Stewart International Airport; the property
which was purchased has since developed into a successful business park,
bringing in significant funds in tax revenue to Orange County; and
WHEREAS, In 2006, James R. Petro, Jr. was elected to the board of
Orange County Industrial Development Agency and one year later elected
Chairman; and
WHEREAS, In his capacity as Chairman, James R. Petro, Jr. has served
with loyalty, honor and distinction; and
WHEREAS, Within his first two years on the board, James R. Petro, Jr.
became a driving force in bringing taxables and good-paying jobs to
Orange County; and
WHEREAS, James R. Petro, Jr. facilitated the sale of a 58-acre busi-
ness park at Stewart International Airport to the Port Authority of New
York and New Jersey and introduced the realm of entrepreneurial develop-
ment to the IDA early in 2009, with the concept of a local business
incubator, now called Orange County Business Accelerator; and
WHEREAS, For the past seven years, James R. Petro, Jr. rendered faith-
ful, conscientious and valuable service to the Orange County Industrial
Development Agency; and
WHEREAS, In his official acts, James R. Petro, Jr. was governed by a
keen sense of duty and always showed a unique grasp of human problems;
and
WHEREAS, During his tenure with the Orange County Industrial Develop-
ment Agency, James R. Petro, Jr. earned the admiration, esteem and
affection of his colleagues; 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 James R. Petro, Jr. for his distinguished service to the Orange
County Industrial Development Agency; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to James R. Petro, Jr.