Michael P. Sweeton – A Sweet and Sad Adieu

By Taylor Sterling
T h i s p a s t S u n d a y, i n Montgomery, almost 300 attended  a “heartfelt thank-you” in honor of Michael Sweeton, the Supervisor of the Town of Warwick for 21 years of great leadership, and intelligent development that contributed to the economy while still taking into consideration the lay of the land for 32,000 residents residing and working on 108 sq miles in the Town of Warwick. How does one thank someone for 21 years of making their community better. The event was hosted by Vince Copello, Chairman of the Warwick Republican Committee. Many came to the podium with accolades, certificates, plagues, dedications, and heartfelt speeches for the last 21 years of making Warwick what it is today. One of those projects besides the recent shovel ready, Wickham Woodlands, was the

 acquisition of the Kutz Camp. Although I rallied hard to name the former Camp, The Sweeton Valley Park, Michael just laughed and shook his head. However, the Warwick Town Board did present Sweeton with a new sign.

They renamed in his honor, the Pavilion at Mountain Lake Park, The Michael P, Sweeto Pavilion. It’s a start. As my mother would say, “good on them!” Many elected officials attending including our Orange County Executive, Steve Neuhaus, Supervisor of the Town of Monroe, Tony Cardone; Legislator Paul Ruszkiewicz plus Candidate for State Senate, Dorey Houle; Candidate for Warwick Town Judge, Karen Amundson; Mike Contaxis, Chief of the Warwick Fire Department;Leonard and Val DeBuck; John and Peggy Christison (Yesterday’s Restaurant), A t t o r n e y B o b Krahulik, The Honorable Christine Krahulik, Floyd DeAngelo and The Honorable Nancy DeAngelo, the future Supervisor of the Town
of Warwick, Jesse Dwyer; Stephen and Tamara Kitar (Sam’s Meat Warehouse), Evelyn Card (The Warwick Valley Dispatch), Judge Peter Bartlett
and many more. It was not difficult but impossible to say farewell to Michael Sweeton. His legacy will be part of the landscape of the Town of Warwick in perpetuity. Thank you is not nearly enough of a way to thank Michael for all he has done for the Town of Warwick. I promise Michael….no statue 🙂 but I am still campaigning for Sweeton Valley Park.