Judge Sullivan receives Distinguished Citizen Award
NORWICH – Hundreds turned out to the Canasawacta Country Club Thursday night to honor retired Chenango County Judge W. Howard Sullivan, this year’s recipient of the Chenango District of the Baden-Powell Council Boy Scouts of America Distinguished Citizen Award.
In recognition of his outstanding dedication to the betterment of the Chenango County community, Sullivan was presented the award following a banquet in his honor, and a series of special speakers that included local representatives of the Boy Scouts of America, as well as longtime friends and family members of the revered former judge.
Sullivan, possibly best known for the time he served on the bench for County Court, Surrogates Court and Family Court, was lauded more for his interest in the local community. A lifelong resident of the area, he has practiced law in Chenango County since 1972. In that time, he has also served as a volunteer and board member for more than 20 different charitable and not for profit, community-based organizations, many of which focused on improving the community for local youth.
Sullivan was also applauded for the many successes he achieved in his profession. During his tenure in the legal field, Sullivan developed a Community Service Program that provided more than 4,000 hours of community service as an alternative to incarceration. Moreover, he implemented a training and education mandate for county residents who applied for a pistol permit and – realizing that 90 percent of the inmates in the Chenango County jail are there because of substance abuse – developed Drug Treatment Court, where offenders have an opportunity to complete a rigorous rehabilitation course in lieu of jail time, changing the lives of many individuals and saving taxpayers million of dollars over the years.
Family, friends, and colleagues – many of who are all three to Sullivan – hailed him as a hardworking, kind and devoted citizen, always looking for ways to better life in the area, values that are also heavily promoted by the Boy Scouts of America.
Eagle Scout Michael Holeck Jr., of Sherburne, ushered in the gala with a few words on behalf of the local chapter of the Boy Scouts of America.
“Throughout my eleven years of scouting, I have learned many things, and experienced many great things that otherwise would not have been possible without Boy Scouts,” he said, citing personal traits scouts develop, such as responsibility, charity and leadership. More importantly, he added, scouting provided insight to assess difficult situations and make critical decisions.
The spotlight turned back to Sullivan thereafter as, one by one, his closest acquaintances saluted his life and longstanding career.
“We are all proud of what you have become,” said friend Fredric Miers, recalling time spent with Sullivan over the years. “I just want to thank you for all that you have done and continue to do for our community.”
Chenango County District Attorney Joseph McBride was also given the opportunity to speak. While Sullivan’s legal career is nothing short of outstanding, he said, the best thing Sullivan has given to the community is “time.”
“Throughout his 40-year career, Judge Sullivan has given Chenango County his time,” he said, adding that all the time Sullivan has given has been to the “benefit of each and every one of us in Chenango County.”
Sullivan’s son, Chuck Sullivan, also addressed the crowd.
“Family to my father has always been Norwich and the Chenango County community,” he said. “Norwich raised my father and his brothers ... to him, (the Distinguished Citizenship Award) is about all of you who have helped him get here.”
Other speakers included Assemblyman Clifford Crouch – who issued a proclamation on behalf of the State Assembly for Sullivan’s service, professing him a “perfect model for Boy Scouts” – and Sullivan’s grandchildren, who lauded him for teaching them the value of kindness, hard work and respect for others.
Sullivan finally had his chance to speak at the end of the evening. He recalled his childhood growing up in poverty but said because of family and community, “it didn’t feel poor.”
He also praised past recipients of the Distinguished Citizen Award and the people who helped him achieve the same honor.
“It’s impossible to give more than you can receive,” he maintained. “I would like to thank all the people in this room for giving me the opportunity to give because of all that I was given.”
In recognition of his outstanding dedication to the betterment of the Chenango County community, Sullivan was presented the award following a banquet in his honor, and a series of special speakers that included local representatives of the Boy Scouts of America, as well as longtime friends and family members of the revered former judge.
Sullivan, possibly best known for the time he served on the bench for County Court, Surrogates Court and Family Court, was lauded more for his interest in the local community. A lifelong resident of the area, he has practiced law in Chenango County since 1972. In that time, he has also served as a volunteer and board member for more than 20 different charitable and not for profit, community-based organizations, many of which focused on improving the community for local youth.
Sullivan was also applauded for the many successes he achieved in his profession. During his tenure in the legal field, Sullivan developed a Community Service Program that provided more than 4,000 hours of community service as an alternative to incarceration. Moreover, he implemented a training and education mandate for county residents who applied for a pistol permit and – realizing that 90 percent of the inmates in the Chenango County jail are there because of substance abuse – developed Drug Treatment Court, where offenders have an opportunity to complete a rigorous rehabilitation course in lieu of jail time, changing the lives of many individuals and saving taxpayers million of dollars over the years.
Family, friends, and colleagues – many of who are all three to Sullivan – hailed him as a hardworking, kind and devoted citizen, always looking for ways to better life in the area, values that are also heavily promoted by the Boy Scouts of America.
Eagle Scout Michael Holeck Jr., of Sherburne, ushered in the gala with a few words on behalf of the local chapter of the Boy Scouts of America.
“Throughout my eleven years of scouting, I have learned many things, and experienced many great things that otherwise would not have been possible without Boy Scouts,” he said, citing personal traits scouts develop, such as responsibility, charity and leadership. More importantly, he added, scouting provided insight to assess difficult situations and make critical decisions.
The spotlight turned back to Sullivan thereafter as, one by one, his closest acquaintances saluted his life and longstanding career.
“We are all proud of what you have become,” said friend Fredric Miers, recalling time spent with Sullivan over the years. “I just want to thank you for all that you have done and continue to do for our community.”
Chenango County District Attorney Joseph McBride was also given the opportunity to speak. While Sullivan’s legal career is nothing short of outstanding, he said, the best thing Sullivan has given to the community is “time.”
“Throughout his 40-year career, Judge Sullivan has given Chenango County his time,” he said, adding that all the time Sullivan has given has been to the “benefit of each and every one of us in Chenango County.”
Sullivan’s son, Chuck Sullivan, also addressed the crowd.
“Family to my father has always been Norwich and the Chenango County community,” he said. “Norwich raised my father and his brothers ... to him, (the Distinguished Citizenship Award) is about all of you who have helped him get here.”
Other speakers included Assemblyman Clifford Crouch – who issued a proclamation on behalf of the State Assembly for Sullivan’s service, professing him a “perfect model for Boy Scouts” – and Sullivan’s grandchildren, who lauded him for teaching them the value of kindness, hard work and respect for others.
Sullivan finally had his chance to speak at the end of the evening. He recalled his childhood growing up in poverty but said because of family and community, “it didn’t feel poor.”
He also praised past recipients of the Distinguished Citizen Award and the people who helped him achieve the same honor.
“It’s impossible to give more than you can receive,” he maintained. “I would like to thank all the people in this room for giving me the opportunity to give because of all that I was given.”
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