2015 Brooks Patterson Community Leadership Award to Ann Padlo

The Cattaraugus County Planning Board, at its July 22nd Annual Dinner Meeting, presented the 2015 Brooks Patterson Community Leadership Award to Ann Padloof the City of Olean for her outstanding leadership in community involvement and economic development in the City of Olean and Cattaraugus County. The meeting was held at The Woods at Bear Creek in Franklinville with 85 in attendance.

The recipients of this annual award are chosen to give Countywide recognition to leaders and volunteers who make lasting contributions to the people and communities of Cattaraugus County and its region and who exemplify the outstanding spirit and example that Torrance Brooks and Donald Patterson set during their lifetime of dedicated service to their respective communities, County Legislature, County Planning Board, and regional agencies.

A lifelong resident of Cattaraugus County and Olean, Ann Padlo has dedicated most of her adult life to improving her hometown area. Over the years Ann has been involved in many community organizations and groups such as Hospice Care, Red Cross, and PTO, to mention a few.

Even though Ann was the Executive Director of the American Cancer Society for Cattaraugus County she still found time to be involved in her community. She was Co-chairperson of the city of Olean's efforts during our nation's Bicentennial Celebration in 1976. Additionally, Ann served on the Cattaraugus County Bicentennial Committee. Ann was a driving force behind two City of Olean projects that will leave a lasting memory - the Children's Flower Garden located in Franchot Park and the Veteran's Wall located in War Veteran's Park.

Simultaneously, Ann was involved in local planning boards. First, Ann was on the City of Olean's Planning Board, serving approximately seven years. Then, Ann was appointed to the Cattaraugus County Planning Board and served for 24 years, many of those years as Secretary.