Rail Trail President receives commendation

By Mark Reynolds
Posted 10/13/21

Last week Peter Bellizzi was honored with a commendation from State Senator Michelle Hinchey [D-46] for his selfless service to the community as President of the Hudson Valley Rail Trail Association.

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Rail Trail President receives commendation

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Last week Peter Bellizzi was honored with a commendation from State Senator Michelle Hinchey [D-46] for his selfless service to the community as President of the Hudson Valley Rail Trail Association.

Hinchey opened her remarks by saying, “the universe knows we are here for something very special and for someone who is really special.”

Hinchey said one of the best things about her job is getting to, “meet and learn about and honor people in the community who do incredible things for the community and who are incredibly selfless in their time and their efforts, not for accolades or for recognition or because they think it makes them look good but because it’s the right thing to do. It needs to get done and in a community like ours we band together and get it done.”

Hinchey said when queries went out from her office to the community she said Bellizzi’s name, “came up a lot because you are so valued here in this community for your incredible work with the Rail Trail and your vision guiding that all these years. So from my heart and from my office I want to take a moment to say thank you...and we wanted to make sure, too, that you know that it’s recognized at the state level. We would not be in such a great place here in Lloyd if it wasn’t for the work, the vision and the commitment that you have to better our community. So, thank you.”

Supervisor Fred Pizzuto described Peter as, “an unpaid asset and I am not sure how the town would move forward in many areas without him. He’s a very unique individual, as you know, and there’s no value to be put on him. He’s selfless and always puts the town first and foremost and with that it’s a pleasure for me to stand here and have Peter being honored by our Senator.”

In presenting the award to Bellizzi, Sen. Hinchey said, “This is actually the highest civilian honor that we can give from the NYS Senate on behalf of all the incredible work that you do here and for people continuing on to the next generation.”

Bellizzi said he is honored to have been singled out for this award.

“I’ve done a lot of different things through my career in construction; and is the job done? are they happy?, that’s all I care about,” he said.

Bellizzi said the Rail Trail was established in 1997 and he has been involved with it for about 10 years, “and I became that Rail Trail guy.” He said the town has always supported his ideas to make the community a better place for everyone.