Assembly Resolution No. 65

BY: M. of A. Simpson

CONGRATULATING Jean Raymond upon the occasion of
her retirement after nearly 37 years of dedicated
service as Supervisor of the Town of Edinburg, New
York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
honor those distinguished citizens of this great Empire State who have
devoted themselves to faithfully serving the best interests of their
community and the needs of its residents; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
congratulate Jean Raymond upon the occasion of her retirement after
nearly 37 years of dedicated service as Supervisor of the Town of
Edinburg, New York; and

WHEREAS, From grant writing to literal bridge building, 81-year-old
Jean Raymond is the town's longest-tenured leader and Saratoga County's
longest-serving female supervisor; and

WHEREAS, Elected in 1987, Jean Raymond worked tirelessly to bring in
the money to revamp the Town of Edinburg; she secured five federal
Housing and Urban Development grants to help those on the Great
Sacandaga Lake update their homes with indoor plumbing, furnaces, roofs
and electrical service; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, she delivered on a promise to bring cable
television to the area and was responsible for building the
one-million-dollar town hall in 2005; prior to construction, officials
worked out of their homes; and

WHEREAS, Jean Raymond will be most remembered for securing the funds
to rebuild the $46 million Batchellerville Bridge, the span that links
the communities around the northern end of Sacandaga Lake; additionally,
she wrote and won a $1.7 million grant from the state's Bridge-NY
Program to fund bridge repair work on Fox Hill Road and Military Road;
and

WHEREAS, With a steadfast and unwavering commitment to her
community, Jean Raymond was also instrumental in the formation of the
Adirondack Association of Towns and Villages, a coalition of each town
and village in the Adirondack Park who worked on behalf of its
residents, building consensus on common park-specific issues, and
promoting a balance of community building while still adhering to the
park's mission of environmental stewardship; and

WHEREAS, Originally from Stamford, Connecticut, Jean Raymond
discovered Edinburg on a visit there in 1975; she soon built a summer
home and moved to the area permanently; for 10 years, she ran the town's
four-corner store, Fuller's; and

WHEREAS, Over the years, Jean Raymond has been admired by her fellow
county supervisors who call her "The Queen of Saratoga County,"

describing her variously as a mentor, a jewel, and a class act; she also
stood up for the other women in the male-dominated board of supervisors
meeting room, regardless of their political affiliations; and

WHEREAS, In her much deserved retirement, Jean Raymond plans to
spend more time with her family, including a great-grandchild who is on
the way; and

WHEREAS, Through her dedication and tireless efforts, Jean Raymond
has helped make the Town of Edinburg a place where families want to
live, tourists want to visit, and businesses want to locate; her
unwavering commitment, willingness and ability to understand and respond
to the concerns of the people of Edinburg, have made a substantial
contribution to the betterment of this community; and

WHEREAS, For more than 36 years, Jean Raymond rendered faithful,
conscientious and valuable service to the Town of Edinburg, earning the
admiration, esteem and affection of her colleagues; and

WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the occurrence of such a compassionate
blending of strength, leadership, intellect, and commitment as that
demonstrated by Jean Raymond over a lifetime of sacrifice and dedication
to others; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Jean Raymond upon the occasion of her retirement, and to
wish her well in all her future endeavors; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Jean Raymond.