LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Karen M. St. Hilaire upon the occasion
of her retirement after eight years of distinguished service as St.
Lawrence County Administrator

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, 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 honor
Karen M. St. Hilaire upon the occasion of her retirement after eight
years of distinguished service as St. Lawrence County Administrator; she
will officially retire on Friday, March 27, 2015; and
WHEREAS, Raised in Franklin County, Karen M. St. Hilaire has resided
in St. Lawrence County for most of her adult life; she received both her
bachelor's and master's degrees from Clarkson University in Potsdam, New
York, where she also served for 10 years as spokesperson and Director of
Communications; and
WHEREAS, In July of 2007, Karen M. St. Hilaire began serving as St.
Lawrence County Administrator, a challenging role which involved manag-
ing 26 county departments, and approximately 900 employees, as well as
overseeing a large annual budget; and
WHEREAS, During Karen M. St. Hilaire's tenure, the property tax levy
decreased while the fund balance increased, and the tax rate has also
decreased, which implies St. Lawrence County is on its way to becoming
financially stable; and
WHEREAS, Karen M. St. Hilaire credits the county's Civil Service
Employees Association for its role in helping county officials stream-
line the workforce, which reduced the cost of wages and benefits and
future retirement expenses; and
WHEREAS, The ability to hire strong county department heads was among
Karen M. St. Hilaire's greatest assets; she fostered good working
relations and understandings between department heads; and
WHEREAS, Prior to her esteemed role as St. Lawrence County Administra-
tor, Karen M. St. Hilaire served as President/CEO of the St. Lawrence
County Chamber of Commerce, where she represented 800 member businesses;
and
WHEREAS, During her tenure with the St. Lawrence County Chamber of
Commerce, Karen M. St. Hilaire was named Small Business Advocate for the
Northeast Region by the United States Small Business Administration; she
was also recognized for Most Innovative Project at the World Chambers
Congress in South Africa for a project she undertook to assist small
businesses to move into e-commerce; and
WHEREAS, Since 2007, Karen M. St. Hilaire has faithfully served as St.
Lawrence County Administrator; she will be remembered for her honesty,
integrity, keen sense of duty and ability to show a unique grasp of
human problems in her official acts; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is pleased to have this opportunity to
express its highest admiration for Karen M. St. Hilaire, and to wish her
continued success in all her future endeavors; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Karen M. St. Hilaire upon the occasion of her retirement after
eight years of distinguished service as St. Lawrence County Administra-
tor; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Karen M. St. Hilaire.