Michael Sweeton selected Warwick Citizen of the Year
Warwick. Sweeton was acknowledged for his governmental accomplishments as town supervisor and in other roles and his community involvement.
| 28 Sep 2022 | 10:50
Warwick Citizen of the Year Michael Sweeton, center, will be honored during a ceremony Wednesday, Oct. 26, at the Landmark Inn. Sweeton is shown with event co-chairs Stan Martin, left, and Leo R. Kaytes.
Michael Sweeton was recently named Warwick Citizen of the Year, acknowledged for his accomplishments as a 60-year Warwick resident, businessman and town supervisor. Those included his support for Warwick’s Purchase of Development Rights (PDR), which has allowed the community to retain its rural environment. The PDR program has already preserved 2,500 acres of Warwick farmland.
Then when Gov. Cuomo closed Mid-Orange Correctional Facility, Sweeton, assisted by other residents, worked to have the former prison converted into an economic development center, creating jobs and producing tax revenues. Local recreational facilities were also expanded with creation of Wickham Woodlands Town Park on a portion of the former prison property. Another cultural and recreational property is being developed at Kutz Camp, which Sweeton and the Town Board purchased last year.
Sweeton is a past president of the Warwick Jaycees and a 21-year member of the Warwick Valley Rotary Club. He has volunteered as master of ceremonies for Citizen of the Year ceremonies since 2008. He is a recipient of the Louis Mills Award from Orange County Land Trust, president of the Orange County Associations of Towns, Cities and Villages, Inc. for eight years, member of the Orange County Planning Board, on the Orange County Transportation Committee, past treasurer of RECAP of Middletown, and a past member of Orange County Citizens Foundation.
Sweeton is a graduate of Warwick Valley High School, has a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering from Clarkston University and an MBA from Manhattan College.
He and his wife of 44 years, Deborah, were long-time owners of Techni-Growers Greenhouses. They have two daughters, Stephanie and Samantha.
One prominent Warwick businessman commented that for the number of hours Sweeton works, he is probably one of the most underpaid Town employees. Another spoke of Sweeton showing up as veterans were retiring 2,000 American flags in three burn bins. The Town Supervisor, who was between two meetings, took off his suit coat, rolled up his sleeves and began helping, despite the heat and smoke. With more than 20 years in office, he is the longest serving Supervisor in Town of Warwick history.
Sweeton and recipients of this year’s Outstanding Community Service Awards – Backpack Snack Attack Director Jenna Price and Warwick volunteer Barbara Katz – will be honored during a ceremony on Wednesday, Oct. 26, at the Landmark Inn. The event, sponsored by the Warwick Valley Rotary Club, begins with a one-hour open bar social at 6 p.m. followed by food and the awards program. Tickets are $60 and available at warwickvalleyrotary.org or by calling Leo R. Kaytes at (845) 629-6497.
Sweeton showed up as veterans were retiring 2,000 American flags in three burn bins. The Town Supervisor, who was between two meetings, took off his suit coat, rolled up his sleeves and began helping, despite the heat and smoke.