James Burpoe, the Orange County Commissioner of General Services and Information Technology, was recently awarded the “General John Hathorn Public Service Award.” This award, given for the first time, recognizes an individual who has dedicated his or her life to public service and has strived to make a difference in people’s lives and in their community. It was presented to Burpoe by Assemblyman Karl Brabenec at his annual Ball held a few weeks ago at the Chateau Hathorn in Warwick.

      The award was named in honor of General John Hathorn, a Revolutionary War general who lived in Warwick and was a teacher and private business owner.  He later served his community as a member of the New York State Assembly, Speaker of the Assembly and member of Congress during its first session.

      James Burpoe has served as Commissioner of General Services for Orange County since 2009. Previous to that he owned a computer business in the Town of Wallkill and also served as a part time officer with both the Town of Wallkill Police Department and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. He also served with honor and distinction in the U.S. Army. He’s married to Jeanette Burpoe and has one son, James, Jr., who currently works for the NYPD.

The first General John Hathorn Public Service Award was presented to James Burpoe at Assemblyman Karl Brabenec’s annual ball, held at the Chateau Hathorn in Warwick. Pictured (front row, from left) are: Jeanette & Jim Burpoe; (middle row, from left): Will Duma, Maggie Coyle, Karl Brabenec, Suzanne Edzenga, & Kathleen O’Connell; (back row, from left): Ryan Zygmunt & Joe Coleman. (Photo provided)