Leadership Orange names McLaughlin as award recipient

Orange County — The Leadership Orange Board of Directors recently announced that Orange County Legislator Spencer McLaughlin has been named the 2006 recipient of the organization’s prestigious Leadership Award. The Award will be presented on Tuesday, Dec. 5, in New Windsor. Legislator McLaughlin has been a frequent contributor to the Leadership Orange program and embodies all the characteristics of a true leader, said Joyce Stoeberl, chair of the program. “Spencer’s ability to bring people together in tough circumstances, to use humor to diffuse tense situations, and to stand by his convictions in order to better the community are rare and extremely admirable character traits,” she said. “We are fortunate to have a man like Spencer McLaughlin as part of our government and our community. He has set the bar for justice, truth, and passion for our elected leaders and for all those whose lives he has touched.” Previous Leadership Award winners include: Lou Heimbach, Jonnie Wesley-Kruger, Jerry Brisman, Silvio Petrucci, Ken Abt, Jill Varrichio, Izzy Lopez, Ruth Kassel, Barbara Sampson, Alanna Smith and Jim Smith. McLaughlin is an attorney based in Monroe. His firm concentrates on land use, municipal law, environmental law, real estate and corporate law. He serves as the village attorney for the municipalities of New Paltz and Unionville. He is a member of the New York State and Orange County Bar Associations and serves on the board of trustees of the Orange County Law Library. Since graduating from St. John’s University in 1967, McLaughlin has steeped himself in public life. He has served as the executive director of a number of Business Improvement and Neighborhood Stabilizations programs, and as the deputy executive director of the New York City Commission on Human Rights. He is certified in community dispute resolution as a mediator and has served as a senior training consultant for the Institute for Mediation and Conflict Resolution in New York City. McLaughlin was elected to the Orange County Legislature in 1990. He has served on, and/or chaired, numerous committees during his tenure, including the Physical Services, Mental Health, Personnel and Compensation, Environmental Facilities and Services, Social Services, Rules, Enactments and Intergovernmental Relations, Ways and Means, and the Education and Economic Development committees. McLaughlin’s volunteer roles in our local community are vast. He is a graduate of the Leadership Orange Class of 1994 and serves on the organization’s board of directors. “Spencer has been active and influential in just about every aspect of Orange County life,” Stoeberl said. “From Main St. revitalization to recreation and farmland preservation, Spencer has spoken for the people of Orange County honestly and selflessly. Leadership Orange has been honored to have Spencer not only as a supporter of Leadership Orange, but as a member of our team.” McLaughlin and his wife, Vicki, have two children and live in the Town of Monroe. Leadership Orange will honor McLaughlin at the Orange County Partnership’s 20th Annual Event at Anthony’s Pier 9. Tickets are $110 and can be reserved by contacting Ginny Forni at 845-294-2323. For more information about Leadership Orange, contact Sonia Kenney at 845-457-1550 or visit www.leadershiporange.org.