Rhea Eckel Clark Citizenship Award

The Rhea Eckel Clark Citizenship Award was established in 1985 in memory of Rhea Eckel Clark, one of the founders of the Central New York Regional Planning and Development Board.

This award is dedicated to the spirit and memory of the late Rhea Eckel Clark, one of the founders of the CNY RPDB. Mrs. Clark distinguished herself throughout her career by working to help improve the quality of life in Central New York by addressing issues of regional significance such as education, health care, community revitalization, environmental protection, and social justice.

Mrs. Clark spent three terms as chairperson of the CNY RPDB from 1967-1969. During this period she helped to direct the agency through its formative stages and initiated work on a range of comprehensive planning issues confronting the Central New York community.

In addition to her work with the CNY RPDB, Mrs. Clark was president of Cazenovia College from April 1957 to March 1971. She was also named director of the American Management Association for a three-year period beginning in 1968. Upon retiring from her presidency of Cazenovia College, Mrs. Clark headed Governor Rockefeller's State Commission of the Aging.

Before coming to Cazenovia College, Mrs. Clark spent eight years with the New York University School of Education as assistant to the dean and consultant for community education and development. Previously, Mrs. Clark was executive secretary for New York State Citizens Council, Inc., and in 1949, she served in Germany as a visiting consultant to the U.S. Army of Occupation Program. During her lifetime, Mrs. Clark received a number of honors including the 14th Colgate Civics Awards presented to area men and women "who have exemplified, by their own generous service, the principle of democracy in action." Mrs. Rhea Eckel was married to Dr. Wesley C. Clark. Dr. Wesley Clark was dean of the Syracuse University School of Journalism for more than 20 years.

Criteria

The recipient of this award must:

• Provide strong regional leadership;
• Help implement programs that have improved the quality of life in CNY; and
• Support efforts that foster intergovernmental cooperation and civic participation.

Eugene Saloga, CNY RPDB's 2006 REC Award Recipient

Eugene Saloga was named the recipient of the 22^nd Annual Rhea Eckel Clark Citizenship Award at the Central New York Regional Planning and Development Board's (CNY RPDB's) Annual Meeting held on Wednesday, December 13, 2006, at the Syracuse Wyndham. Mr. Saloga is a resident of the City of Oswego and an active member of his community. Prior to his retirement several years ago, he served as the Executive Assistant to City of Oswego Mayors Lazarek and Fitzgibbons, and has spearheaded many community revitalization initiatives in the city including such noteworthy projects as the Pontiac Hotel and St. Lukes senior citizen apartment complexes. Regionally, Mr Saloga helped bring vision and drive to the development of Oswego's waterfront, including Breitbeck Park overlooking the Oswego Harbor, and the development of the recreational opportunities associated with Wright's Landing and riverfront development projects. The development of these projects has been of benefit not only to the Oswego community but also to the region, by drawing people to Central New York and showing communities across the region the potential of their waterfront areas.

Mr. Saloga has served or worked on many local board and community development initiatives, and has served as supervisor for the 6^th ward for the City of Oswego. From the early sixties until 1973 he was a member of the Oswego County Planning Board, and during that time he served on a county committee that was formed to help establish the CNY RPDB. His work is continuing today, helping to develop a veterans museum on the grounds of Fort Ontario in Oswego.

As an army air corp veteran of World War II, the Air National Guard, and the 1961 Berlin Crisis, Mr. Saloga has exhibited throughout his life the traits of a true community leader.

Past Recipients