LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Paul Stephen upon the occasion of his
designation as recipient of the 2012 Citizen of the Year Award by the
Clarence Chamber of Commerce

WHEREAS, Paul Stephen has given not only of his time and energies but
also of his competence, intelligence and leadership and consequently has
been designated for special honor; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Paul Stephen
upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the 2012 Citizen of
the Year Award by the Clarence Chamber of Commerce, to be celebrated on
Thursday, February 16, 2012; and
WHEREAS, Paul Stephen grew up in Bowmansville, New York; he attended
Lancaster High School and Broward Community College in Florida before
returning to the area; in 1984, he partnered with his brother Jim at
Intertech Satellite Systems, a startup company selling home television
reception with experimental residential satellite dishes; and
WHEREAS, In 1986, Paul Stephen purchased his first real estate proper-
ty, the Rock Garden Court Motel; over the next 10 years, the satellite
business grew rapidly, and by the mid-1990s, the brothers had decided to
diversify, with Jim running the new small-dish division, Intertech
Digital Entertainment, and Paul focused on the real estate side of the
business, which now includes the Sleep Inn and Suites at the Buffalo
Airport, and Rock Oak Estates in Clarence; and
WHEREAS, Paul Stephen has established a strong track record of success
with his ventures, and has built a reputation for improving the projects
he has been involved with; his firm, Stephen Development, has several
projects in the works, including a commercial and residential mixed-use
development on the site of the present Rock Garden Court Motel; and
WHEREAS, Paul Stephen's most important contribution to the Clarence
community is Rock the Barn - a two-day outdoor music festival that this
year raised a significant amount to fund the local operations of Meals
on Wheels; both he and his committee have given unselfishly to make sure
that "Clarence/Newstead/Akron Meals on Wheels" will be available for
many years; and
WHEREAS, Paul Stephen has been called upon to contribute his time and
talents to countless civic and charitable endeavors and has always given
of himself unstintingly; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the entire period of his community service, a
period of constructive involvement, Paul Stephen has stood constant in
dignity, good grace and humor; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout has been his wife, Tamara, who feels
privileged to be a part of his life and rejoices in his achievements;
and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by an individ-
ual for the benefit of others which Paul Stephen has displayed through-
out his life; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Paul Stephen upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of
the 2012 Citizen of the Year Award by the Clarence Chamber of Commerce;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Paul Stephen.