Griffo Gives 20 Community Leaders State Senate Commendation Awards at Munson in Utica
The list is a who's who of people running the region's nonprofits, newsrooms, banks and cultural groups, and a handy map of who to call when you need help in the community.
State Sen. Joseph Griffo presented New York State Senate Commendation Awards to 20 people at Munson in Utica on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026, the Rome Sentinel reported. Each honoree got a plaque and a commendation coin for their work in the 53rd Senate District.
Among those recognized:
| Honoree | Known for |
|---|---|
| Evon Ervin | Mohawk Valley Community Action Agency |
| Dianne Stancato, Michelle McCarrick | YWCA Mohawk Valley |
| Elizabeth Monaco | United Way of Mid Rural New York |
| Ryan Miller | The ThINCubator |
| Beth Irons | Former head of the Oneida County Public Market |
| John Clifford | Daily Sentinel photojournalist |
| Dorothy Willsey | National Abolition Hall of Fame and Museum |
| James "Jimmy Jam" Joseph | Adaptive athlete and Paralympian |
| Sonia Marte | Mohawk Valley Latino Association |
Others honored came from Bank of Utica, First Source Federal Credit Union, NEWSChannel 2, Utica University, the Earlville Opera House and Chabad of Clinton. Clifford and Irons, both retiring, also received resolutions from Griffo and Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon. WKTV also covered the ceremony.
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