Allegany County Mourns the Loss of Lee Gridley, Volunteer Extraordinaire.
The Allegany County Board of Legislators wishes to express
sincere condolences to the family, friends, and former students of Lee Gridley.
Her impact on Allegany County cannot be measured as Lee contributed and gave
selflessly to numerous organizations and committees that helped shape our
community.
Lee Gridley was currently serving as Chair of the Allegany
County Planning Board, which she had been a member of for many years holding the
positions of Member, Secretary, and Vice Chairman. At the County level, Lee was
a charter member of the Comprehensive Planning Board as well as the
Comprehensive Plan Implementation Group. She was an integral contributor to the
basis of our County’s first official Comprehensive Plan, officially adopted in
2008 as well as revisions of the plan in 2013 and 2019. Two of these three
plans were award winning, being recognized by the New York Planning Federation
and the Upstate Chapter of the American Planning Association as first-class
documents and roadmap for many successful projects in Allegany County. Lee’s
expertise in editing and attention to detail made all the difference in each of
these documents. Lee also served and contributed to the Southern Tier West
Regional Planning & Development Board and Allegany County Citizens Advisory
Committee on Tourism, again lending her experience and insight to their
success.
Her interest and knowledge in Allegany County History led
her to be co-editor of Allegany County in the 20th Century: Stories of Change
along with our County Historian Craig Braack, a document that is truly
historical in its own right. Another successful project that Lee was involved
in was the annual Allegany County History Week, which has been a wonderful
educational opportunity for many of our residents and students in recent years.
Our County’s Bicentennial Celebration in 2006 would not have had the success it
achieved if it were not for the work and dedication of Lee Gridley.
Lee’s contribution to Allegany County through her unselfish
volunteerism is difficult to calculate and comprehend. If all the organizations
that Lee has been a part of for the last several decades were listed, it would
literally be pages, and then I am sure some would be missed. She stands out as
one who truly has made a difference to us all and is a role model that we can
all look to for inspiration. I will miss Lee’s attendance at our Standing
Committee meetings as well as our Legislative Board meetings, which her
attendance record is second to none, including our Legislators.
Allegany County has lost a great friend and community member
with the passing of Lee Gridley.
