"This award – Stamford’s Citizen of the Year or COTY – is one of our city’s most coveted community service/volunteer recognition efforts and acknowledges an ordinary citizen who has been an extraordinary member of the Stamford community,” said Martin. “I am proud of this long-standing tradition that honors the best that Stamford residents have to offer our community and look forward to seeing this year’s nominations.”
Martin also announced the members of the 2015 Selection Committee. The six members, three of whom are past COTY recipients, include: Jami Sherwood, 2012 winner and selection committee chair; Timothy Curtin, 2013 winner; Gene Rubino, 2014 winner; Kurt Zimbler, commander, JWV Post 142; and at-large members Greg Caggainello, senior vice president, asset management, SL Green; and Pam Koprowski, public affairs and community relations consultant, Cardinale Associates.
“Having been named Stamford’s Citizen of the Year for 2012 was an incredible, unimaginable honor. Now to be leading the effort for the 2015 COTY is even more humbling and rewarding. Stamford is blessed with an amazing citizenry that gives back to it,” said Sherwood.
The criteria the committee will use to select the 2015 Citizen of the Year have been in place since 1945, when it was established by Mayor Webster Givens and Fred Robbins. Those criteria are based on four key qualities that all previous recipients have met. He or she should:
- Demonstrate a belief in interfaith harmony.
- Possess the highest standards of responsibility in civic life.
- Help in the promotion of projects for the public welfare.
- Personally has worked with distinction to benefit Stamford on a communitywide basis.
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