State’s Longest-Serving County Chair Honored By Association Of Counties

The New York State Association of Counties today presented Oneida County Board Chair Gerald Fiorini with a Distinguished Service Award in recognition of his 43 years of service to the county as a legislator, and his 27 consecutive years as Chairman of the Board of Legislators.



From left: NYSAC Executive Director Stephen Acquario, Oneida County Board Chair Gerald (Jerry) Fiorini, Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente

First elected to the Oneida County Legislature in 1979, Fiorini was elected by his peers in 1996 to serve as Chairman of the Board, making him the longest-serving county legislative Board Chair in the State of New York.

 
“Chairman Fiorini is a shining example of a public servant who has dedicated his life to improving his community and shaping future generations of citizens and leaders,” said NYSAC President and Tioga County Chair Martha ‘Marte' Sauerbrey. “On behalf of the New York State Association of Counties, I congratulate Chairman Fiorini for his decades of service to Oneida County.”


“I've had the pleasure of working with Chairman Fiorini for more than 15 years and have seen first-hand his passion for community service and his extraordinary leadership in the legislature,” said Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente. “For nearly half a century, Jerry has worked to make Oneida County a better place to live, work and raise a family while creating a legacy of public service that will inspire future legislators for years to come. I'm proud to count him as a friend and a valued colleague.”


Fiorini is an active member in the community and is well known for his leadership roles as the head baseball and football coach at Rome Catholic and as the head baseball coach at New York Mills.


In 2006, he received the prestigious honor of being inducted into the Rome Sports Hall of Fame for his years as an athlete and his dedication as a coach. Mr. Fiorini also helped maintain the baseball fields at the DeLutis Field Complex and served as a Member on the Rome Baseball Association Board of Directors. 


“Chairman Fiorini's extraordinary tenure as the longest serving Chair of a Legislative Board in New York State is a remarkable accomplishment that deserves to be recognized,” said NYSAC Executive Director Stephen Acquario. “You don't serve in local government for the money or the fame, you do it because you care deeply about leaving your community a little better than you found it, and that's exactly what Jerry has done for nearly 50 years.”