Mayor Caroline Simmons is pleased to announce that nominations are now being accepted for 2022’s City of Stamford Citizen of the Year (COTY).

“This award gives Stamford the opportunity to reflect on the people who have made extraordinary contributions to the community we love,” said Mayor Caroline Simmons.

The COTY award is given annually to a resident whose contributions make Stamford the great place that it is. This year’s selection committee includes:

• Rick Redniss, Chair and 2016 Citizen of the Year.
• Cathy Ostuw, 2018 Citizen of the Year.
• Steve Fischer, Commander of Jewish War Veterans Post 142.
• Jon Winkel, Member-at-large.
• Jodi Gutierrez, Member-at-large.
• Gary Stone, Member-at-large.
• Natalie Coard, Member-at-large.

“Honoring veterans and high school seniors who have a demonstrated a deep commitment to our community, along with our Citizen of the Year, affords us an annual opportunity to celebrate the dedication and achievements of these phenomenal individuals,” said Rick Redniss. “Each year we look forward to learning more about all of the COTY nominees. Then we make the difficult decision of choosing just one who makes us proud to be part of this community.”

The committee’s criteria for selecting the award recipient has remained the same since the founding of the award in 1945. The chosen nominee shall:

• 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.
• Has personally worked with distinction to benefit Stamford on a community-wide basis.

“I encourage everyone to take a moment and reflect on your fellow residents who have made a difference in your life and Stamford’s community,” said Mayor Simmons. “Take the time to nominate a special person who consistently contributes to making Stamford the exceptional place that it is.”

Nominations must include a bullet point summary of the nominee’s background supporting   the criteria listed above. Nominations can be filled out at stamfordcoty.org, emailed to StamfordCitizen@aol.com or mailed to:

Nominations Committee

2022 City of Stamford Citizen of the Year

22 First Street

Stamford, CT  06905

All nominations must be received by Friday, January 7, 2022.

Citizen of the Year is an annual award that has been given to one resident of Stamford every year since 1945. The award was founded by Fred Robbins, a war veteran of World War I and World War II — after he settled in Stamford and became involved in community affairs. Robbins worked with Mayor Webster Givens to establish the Citizen of the Year award. Mayor Givens appointed Post 142 of the Jewish War Veterans of the United States to be the sponsoring organization for the award. Post 142 has sponsored the award on behalf of the City for 75 years and in that time the award has honored more than 75 men and women who have served the Stamford Community.

Prior City of Stamford Citizens of the Year:

1945      Father John Kelley                                                         1983      Julius M. Wilensky                           

1946      C. Russell Waterbury                                                    1984      Joseph F. Fahey                                          

1947      Rabbi David W. Pearlman                                             1985      Sylvia Rosenfield           

1948      Rev. Lloyd F. Worley                                                     1986      Frank D. Rich, Jr.          

1949      Walter H. Wheeler, Jr.                                                  1987      S. Beatrice Foreman

1950      Benjamin Bogin                                                             1988      Norman T. Woodbury

1951      Sarah F. Smith                                                               1989      Jane F. Norgren

1952      Norris E. Pierson                                                           1990      John T. D. Rich

1953      Gibbs Lyons                                                                   1990      Elizabeth P. Rich

1954      Jean Ware Hoyt                                                            1991      Lynne R. Laitman

1955      Harold E. Rider                                                              1992      Charles A. Guinta

1956      Pat Marshall                                                                  1993      Charles C. Judd

1957      Harry Rosenbaum                                                         1993      Jane M. Judd

1958      Joseph E. Morrow                                                         1994      John A. Ball

1959      Rev. Donald F. Campbell                                              1995      Michael J. Cacace

1960      J. Walter Kennedy                                                         1996      George B. Harvey     

1961      Walter Thayer                                                               1998      Adele Gordon

1962      Thomas C. Mayers                                                        1999      Polly O’Brien

1963      T. Carter Dodd                                                              2000      Len Miller

1964      Rev. Russell McGown                                                    2001      Sam Cingari

1965      Doris Kirshbaum                                                           2002      Rev. Winton M. Hill III

1966      John F. Cameron                                                           2003      Marc Lyons, Jr.

1967      Herbert B. Kohn                                                            2004      Rick Robustelli

1968      Dr. Peter Goldmark                                                       2005       Sandy Goldstein

1969      Thomas J. Feeney                                                          2006       Al Sanseverino

1970      Rev. Cyrill S. Peters                                                       2007       June Rosenthal

1971      Dr. Angelo Mastrangelo                                                2008       Richard E. Taber                  

1972      John O. Nicklis                                                               2009       Juanita T. James

1973      Charles A. Ukkerd                                                         2010       Bobby Valentine

1974      Alphonsus J. Donahue, Jr.                                             2011       Arthur Selkowitz

1975      Louis Lotstein                                                                2012       Jami Sherwood

1976       Lillian Moran                                                                 2013       Timothy J. Curtin, Jr

1977      Tony P. Pia                                                                     2014       Gene Rubino

1978      Pobie Johnston                                                             2015       Jay Sandak

1979      Edith Sherman                                                              2015       Mary Sommer                            

1980      Fred T. Allen                                                                  2016       Richard W. Redniss

1981      Wayne L. Tyson                                                             2017       Dudley N. Williams, Jr

1982      Christel Truglia                                                              2018      Dannel P. Malloy

                                                                                                     2019       Cathy Ostuw