Senate Resolution No. 716

BY: Senator JACOBS

COMMENDING William E. Swanson upon the occasion of
his retirement after 41 years of distinguished
service to the Town of Tonawanda

WHEREAS, It is the custom 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
commend William E. Swanson upon the occasion of his retirement after 41
years of distinguished service to the Town of Tonawanda, celebrated at a
Kenmore Tonawanda Chamber of Commerce luncheon; and

WHEREAS, At the young age of 19, William E. Swanson began his long
and distinguished career with the Town of Tonawanda as a laborer in
April of 1976; in 1993, he was promoted to the position of Assistant
Crew Chief of the Forestry Division; and

WHEREAS, In 2002, William E. Swanson was named Supervisor of the
Forestry Division; under his luminous leadership, the Town of Tonawanda
was recognized as a TreeCity by the National Arbor Day Foundation, and
has been the recipient of numerous 4 Growth awards; and

WHEREAS, In addition, William E. Swanson was instrumental in
creating the first suburban tree farm at the Riverside Boys and Girls
Club in the Old Town section of Tonawanda; and

WHEREAS, William E. Swanson was unanimously appointed as the 10th
Town of Tonawanda Superintendent of Highways on March 29, 2011, a
position from which he will officially retire on March 13, 2017; in this
capacity, he has delivered the finest highway services to the residents
of Tonawanda and expanded the Highway Department's reputation as one of
the finest in Western New York; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his illustrious career, William E. Swanson
served the Town of Tonawanda with intelligence and caring dedication,
continuously striving to effectively fulfill the duties of his position;
and

WHEREAS, Sincerely loved and greatly respected by all those with
whom he worked, William E. Swanson will be remembered for his honesty,
integrity, keen sense of duty and ability to show a unique grasp of
human problems in his official acts; 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
commend William E. Swanson upon the occasion of his retirement after 41
years of distinguished service to the Town of Tonawanda, and to wish him
continued success in all his future endeavors; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to William E. Swanson.