On Monday, June 3, Huntington Town Clerk
Jo-Ann Raia was recognized by the New York Association of Local Government
Record Officers with the Robert Arnold Award for Distinguished Service for her
integral role and dedication to the Town of Huntington’s Records Center and
Archives. In developing a first-class records management system from the ground
up, the Jo-Ann Raia Records Center and Archives is the main repository for the
numerous records, manuscripts, deeds and maps detailing the over 350 year
history of the Town. At the April 16 Huntington Town Board Meeting, the Town
Board voted to rename and dedicate the Records Center and Archives after its
champion and Huntington’s longest serving Town Clerk.
Annually, NYALGRO honors one individual
with the Robert Arnold Award for Distinguished Service because it recognizes an
individual who has demonstrated characteristics similar to that of a Regional
Advisory Officer in lending expertise and assistance to other local officials
in the establishment of furtherance of records management programs. In
nominating the Town Clerk, David Lowry, Manager for the Records Advisory
Services of New York State Archives, stated "Jo-Ann considers the town’s
archives and records management program that she built as her greatest accomplishment,"
and she “frequently conducts tours of the town’s state-of-the-art archives and
records center for other local government officials and is willing to answer
their many questions.”
In consideration for the award, Mr. Lowry
reviewed the many steps and hard work Ms. Raia took to build up an incredible
system from a trash-ridden basement in Town Hall. After she was presented with
her award, Ms. Raia commented on the nearly past four decades she has worked in
the Town, and the legacy her Records Center & Archives will have going
forward. “After 38 years as Town Clerk, I am honored to be recognized by
NYALGRO and be nominated by Mr. Lowry. Since taking office it has been my
mission to serve and assist our residents, and this especially includes preserving
the history documenting our wonderful Town for future generations. I believe it
remains my most significant achievement in giving back to the Huntington
Community,” commented Ms. Raia.
In the photo (l-r): David Lowry,
Manager, Records Advisory Services of New York State Archives, and Huntington
Town Clerk Jo-Ann Raia
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