Lewis Dale Whitney, although born in Bainbridge, graduated from Sidney High School in 1953. Following a stint as a US Marine, he operated his own Barber Shop in Bainbridge and worked in Bendix Corporation while attending Broome County Community College from which he graduated with a degree in Environmental Engineering.
He then was appointed Superintendent of Public Works for Bainbridge and a short time later, Senior Environmental Specialist for NYS Electric & Gas. Although changing careers some twenty years later to Real Estate and Appraisal, the one constant in his life was his love for his home town and community service.
During his twenty-year Presidency of the Development Corporation, he led the establishment and the development of the Bainbridge Business Park and Nature Walk. He was a member of the founding committee of the General Clinton Park and General Chairman, Grounds and Judging of the General Clinton Canoe Regatta Committee which he helped plan and imple-ment. In fact he took a trial run down the Susquehanna from Cooperstown to Bainbridge prior to the first scheduled race.
Lewis Whitney was part of the fund drive to construct the Village parking lot, chairman of the Bainbridge "Will Do" Committee, a joint committee of village and town leaders to develop a feasibility study for the con-solidation of services, and chair of the Board of Assessment Review.
He has served Bainbridge as a member of the Fire Department, Rotary Club, Sportsman Club, Treasurer and Trustee of the First Baptist Church, Treasurer of the Council of Churches and as Second Vice Chairman of the American Legion.
Most appropriately the road in the Bainbridge Business Park is named Whitney Way and Lewis is a member of the General Clinton Canoe Regatta Hall of Fame as well as the proud holder of the title Bainbridge 2004 Citizen of the Year.
Lewis and Beverly Whitney have four daughters, eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren.