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Tuesday, January 26, 2021

Allegany County Press Release - Allegany County Mourns the Loss of Lee Gridley

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.