Even in retirement, Jim Seward will always be Schoharie County’s State Senator.
Senator Seward retired from a career that spanned three decades on December 31.
Friday, supervisors tipped their hat to the man they long considered a friend who could work across the aisle.
And did.
“He doesn’t deserve to go out without special recognition,” said Esperance Supervisor Earl Van Wormer, leading off the thanks.
“We couldn’t do any better.”
Senator Seward, a Republican, worked closely with former Democratic Congressman Mike McNulty when it came to issues with the Gilboa Dam, Mr. Van Wormer said.
“These guys were bulldogs…They jumped right on it and didn’t let it go. That project was hundreds of millions of dollars—not to mention lives and safety.
“Generation after generation will be safer in this Valley because of it.”
Even over Christmas, with retirement days away, Senator Seward was on the phone with County Administrator Steve Wilson, Mr. Van Wormer said, working on the Streambank Project.
“If I could have a neighbor that I could pick it would be Jim. He is a quality guy.”
Supervisors’ chair and Conesville Supervisor Bill Federice spoke about dropping into Senator Seward’s Oneonta office, cold, to ask for help with a local issue after he was first elected.
Mr. Federice left his wife in the car waiting, he said; it was only going to be a few minutes.
“She was in that car an hour and a half,” he said. “I left that meeting shocked. Contrary to the image we have of some politicians, he welcomed me in without even knowing me. He was a great guy.”
Gilboa Supervisor Alicia Terry, who’s retired from the County’s Planning & Economic Development Office, said Senator Seward was instrumental in establishing Empire Zones not just in Schoharie County, but in other upstate counties not even in his district.
Sharon Supervisor Sandy Manko remembered when fundraising efforts for the new library and municipal building in her town were falling short.
“He came through with some much-needed funding,” she said. “He was a very gracious man.”
Phil Skowfoe, Fulton supervisor, said he too got help from Senator Seward.
“He didn’t care if you were a Democrat or Republican,” Mr. Skowfoe said. “He reached right across the aisle.”
“He visited the farm many times,” added Summit Supervisor Harold Vroman, “If you had a problem, he’d look into it.”
At Mr. Van Wormer’s request, Town Attorney Mike West will write a resolution honoring Senator Seward’s contributions for adoption at supervisors’ February meeting.