LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Ronald G. Podolak upon the occasion of
his retirement after 40 years of distinguished service to the Cayuga
County Soil and Water Conservation District

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
Ronald G. Podolak upon the occasion of his retirement after 40 years of
distinguished service to the Cayuga County Soil and Water Conservation
District, to be celebrated on Thursday, November 15, 2012 at Sunset
Restaurant in Auburn, New York; and
WHEREAS, Ronald G. Podolak began his career at the Cayuga County Soil
and Water Conservation District as an equipment operator/laborer in his
late teens; and
WHEREAS, For the past 40 years, Ronald G. Podolak rendered faithful,
conscientious and valuable service to the Cayuga County Soil and Water
Conservation District; and
WHEREAS, Blending his love for the land with a deep sense of practi-
cality, Ronald G. Podolak played an important role in helping to devel-
op, and eventually lead, what has become the foremost Conservation
District in New York State and a nationally-honored steward of the envi-
ronment; and
WHEREAS, In his capacity as Executive Director, Ronald G. Podolak
served with loyalty, honor and distinction; and
WHEREAS, In his official acts, Ronald G. Podolak was governed by a
keen sense of duty and always showed a unique grasp of human problems;
and
WHEREAS, As Executive Director of the Cayuga County Soil and Water
Conservation District, Ronald G. Podolak presided over and expanded a
wide-ranging array of conservation services to help safeguard local soil
and water resources for the residents and businesses of Cayuga County,
such as: lending technical support for streambank erosion control;
animal waste storage and watering projects; harvesting weeds from area
lakes to improve water quality; sponsoring educational programs such as
the Envirothon for students; holding erosion and sedimentation control
workshops for contractors and municipal workers; and staging County-wide
recycling events; and
WHEREAS, In addition to these and many other services, Ronald G. Podo-
lak and his staff worked tirelessly to develop a cutting-edge community
digester that will use first-of-its-kind technology in North America to
convert manure and food wastes into electricity and heat for the County
campus located on County House Road, plus fertilizer and animal bedding
for local farmers; and
WHEREAS, The District's achievements during Ronald G. Podolak's Execu-
tive Directorship have not gone unrecognized among its peers; twice in
the past five years, the District has received the highest award given
to conservation districts in New York; and
WHEREAS, Moreover, Ronald G. Podolak has received some of the highest
accolades in his profession, including the 2012 Commendation Award from
the New York Association of Conservation Districts, the 1996 Distin-
guished Service Award from the New York State Conservation District
Employees Association, followed by the 2003 Northeast Conservation
District Employees Choice Award; and
WHEREAS, A valued and involved member of his community, Ronald G.
Podolak is a 3rd degree Knight for the Knights of Columbus, member of

Falcon Sportsmen's Club, Chair of the Town of Owasco Planning Board,
member of Ann Marie Buerkel's Ag Advisory Committee, and Director of the
Cayuga County Farm Bureau Board of Directors; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Sara Podolak, and
their two children, Jeffrey (Julie) Podolak and Laura Podolak, all of
whom feel privileged to be a part of his life and rejoice in his
achievements; and
WHEREAS, During his tenure with the Cayuga County Soil and Water
Conservation District, Ronald G. Podolak truly 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 Ronald G. Podolak upon the occasion of his retirement after 40
years of distinguished service to the Cayuga County Soil and Water
Conservation District; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Ronald G. Podolak.