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Past Distinguished Citizen Award Honorees for 2002

James Eaton  -  Has held just about every position in Scouting from Scout, to Leader, to Council President.   When a Cub Scout pack was needed in Macedon, Jim organized one.  When Troop 166 needed a treasurer, Jim pitched in. He has been a Cub Leader, Scout leader and Exploring Advisor.  As an Explorer Advisor, he led youth to Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico 15 times since the 1960s.  When his church needed a lay leader, an usher, and treasurer—Jim stepped in.  When his community needed someone to help coordinate delivery of meals—Jim was the man—in fact, he is still doing it.  When his country needed him, Jim served in the US Army from 1941 to 1946 and then again during the Korean War from 1951 to 1953. The list of citizenship service goes on and on.  From school board president, to Finger Lakes Council President, to United Way President, to Sunday school teacher.
Jim, a Life Scout himself, grew up in Newtonville, Mass, but has since lost his accent.  In 1976 the Finger Lakes Council awarded Jim the Silver Beaver Award for his service to the Boy Scouts, United Way, his church, and other community organizations, service he continues to give freely.  Jim is retired from Kodak where he served as Senior Technical Associate in the chemical and photographic labs.  Jim and his wife, Peg, have four grown children: Jim, Ken, Carolyn and Ruth Ann. 

 I.A. “Drew” Morris  -  Drew, grandson of G. W. Lisk, is chairman of the board of the company his grandfather started.  The Finger Lakes Business Almanac wrote in December, 2000: “Mr. Morris, the unassuming, but undisputed, force in this (Clifton Springs) community, is caring and modest by nature but packs a keen business mind and driving work ethic.  He has easily accepted the mantle of business and civic responsibility that accompanies running his hometown’s largest employer.”  Drew served in the US Army Air Corps., following his ROTC training.  This ultimately led to his interest in building airplane components as part of the new company.  He met his wife, Marjorie, who served as a Navy Lieutenant.  They have 3 grown children.
Drew has been a long time supporter of the Boy Scouts and was a Scout as a youth.   He serves as the Chairman of the Board of Clifton Springs Hospital and is a wonderful influence on the village of Clifton Springs through his philanthropic contributions.

Robert E. Kernan, Jr  -  Bob has been a driving force behind much of the quality of life in Seneca Falls, New York.   An Eagle Scout, Bob began serving others many years ago as a young Boy Scout and he has been serving others since then.  He is President, Chairman and CEO of Seneca Falls Savings Bank, but he is a passionate community servant by avocation.  The list of organizations he serves in leadership capacities is a long one, and include United Way at the local and state levels, Seneca Falls School board, Catholic Charities, Chamber of Commerce, Mynderse Library, National Women’s Hall of Fame, American Red Cross, Seneca County Industrial Development Agency, the Finger Lakes Council, BSA and Upstate New York-Area III of the BSA.  He has received many community awards such as the BSA’s Silver Beaver Award and Distinguished Service Award,  United Way of NYS Volunteer Leader Award, United Way’s National Red Feather Award, and Catholic Charities' Sharing the Light Award. Bob and his wife, Mary Ellen, live in Seneca Falls and have four sons: Robert III, Daniel, Patrick and Michael.

Ellen Polimeni  -  Ellen plays two very major roles in the City of Canandaigua.  She is City Mayor and  House Principal of the Canandaigua Middle School.  Ellen’s community service includes Merit Badge Counselor for the Boy Scouts, member of Kiwanis Club, and President of the New York State Conference of Mayors.  Ellen has distinguished herself as an Athena Award recipient, which involves providing leadership to community initiatives.  She is proud of her support for character education, and has helped a community/school program in Canandaigua, a  project which has been recognized by the Lt. Governor as a model for other cities.   She was the first chairwoman of the Canandaigua City Planning Commission.
Ellen, who holds a Bachelors degree from SUNY Brockport and a Masters from Nazareth College, lives in Canandaigua with her husband, John.  They have two grown children, Anna and Chirs.