LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Don Divens upon the occasion of his
retirement after 37 years of distinguished service as Highway Super-
intendent for the Town of Hornby

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 Don
Divens upon the occasion of his retirement after 37 years of distin-
guished service as Highway Superintendent for the Town of Hornby; and
WHEREAS, In recognition of his superlative work ethics, the Town of
Hornby will be dedicating the Town Highway Building in his honor on
Friday, March 6, 2015; and
WHEREAS, For the past 37 years, Don Divens rendered faithful, consci-
entious and valuable service to the Town of Hornby Highway Department
serving as Superintendent; and
WHEREAS, A lifelong native of Hornby, New York, located in Steuben
County, Don Divens was raised on his family's small dairy farm; he was
educated for two years in a one-room schoolhouse until 1957, when he was
sent to Painted Post; and
WHEREAS, Upon graduating high school at the age of 17, Don Divens
worked on the family farm until it was sold in 1966; he went on to
become a construction equipment operator; and
WHEREAS, Before he began his illustrious career with the Town of Horn-
by, Don Divens worked on the construction of a high-end apartment
complex in Irwin, New York, in 1970; after completion, he took over
maintenance and grounds for the complex until 1978; and
WHEREAS, Don Divens' entry into highway work came via his activity in
the Fire Department; in 1978, he was elected to the esteemed position of
Highway Superintendent for the Town of Hornby, promising better service,
and improvements to the roads; and
WHEREAS, As Superintendent, Don Divens was instrumental in building a
new Town Hall in 2007; in addition, Hornby now has approximately 42
miles of gravel, and 20 lane miles which are paved; his goal was to pave
one mile and recondition another mile each year; and
WHEREAS, Under Don Divens able leadership, the Hornby Town Board
purchased new equipment and began organizing plow routes which has
allowed him and his crew to accomplish several projects that were once a
struggle to complete; and
WHEREAS, In 2000, Don Divens teamed up with the nearby Town of Camp-
bell Highway Department Superintendent to apply for funding, and combine
those funds for equipment which both towns needed and could share; thus,
the beginning of shared services with Campbell began with crews from
each town working on construction projects together; and
WHEREAS, According to historical records available from the New York
State Association of Towns, New York State Association of Town Super-
intendents of Highways, and other organizations, Don Divens, at the time
of his retirement, is believed to have been the longest-serving Town
Highway Superintendent in New York State; and
WHEREAS, Officially retired on September 30, 2014, Don Divens' inter-
est in repairing multi-trade, small equipment is likely to grow into a
second career; and
WHEREAS, Don Divens, a faithful member of his church, was also the
2005 champion of street stock car racing at the Woodhall Raceway; and

WHEREAS, In his capacity as Highway Superintendent, Don Divens served
with loyalty, honor and distinction, earning the admiration, esteem and
affection of his colleagues; and
WHEREAS, In his official acts, Don Divens was governed by a keen sense
of duty and always showed a unique grasp of human problems; 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 Don Divens upon the occasion of his retirement after 37 years of
distinguished service to the Town of Hornby; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Don Divens.