From left are Kevin Sixbey, president of the Rotary Club of Jamestown, honoring Pat Kinney and Sally Martinez with their Paul Harris Awards along with Joni Blackman, immediate past president of the club.

Sally Martinez, retired Director of the Jamestown Economic Development Zone, was presented with her fourth Paul Harris Award by Joni Blackman, past president of the Rotary Club of Jamestown.

The Paul Harris Award is presented in honor of an initial contribution of $1,000 to the Rotary Foundation and for each $1,000 additional gift. The money is used for various global humanitarian efforts all over the world. Paul Harris was the founder and organizer of the first Rotary Club in Chicago in 1905. In 1957, Paul Harris Fellow recognition was begun to promote voluntary giving to the Foundation. There are more than 1.5 million Paul Harris Fellows in the world. Each have earned their designated pin and certificate.

Ms. Martinez first came to Jamestown many years ago with her parents to attend a party at the Vikings. The next time she returned was with two sons to participate in a YMCA swimming competition.

Then after 15 years as a volunteer for various organizations and government in a big city, and a college degree which led to a 10-year career in yet another city, she came to Jamestown for yet another great job. This job led her to help many in their careers and business development.

Every Paul Harris Award recipient may name another to receive the award as well and Martinez named her dear friend and fellow employee Pat Kinney.

Mayor Dick Kimball introduced Martinez to Kinney and suggested her for the position of assistant to the Economic Development Zone. Martinez hired Kinney immediately for her experience and dedication to the community. Within five years, this duo organized the zones (Dunkirk, Olean, Friendship and Jamestown) to work together to attract businesses to the Southern Tier Economic Development Zone. They then got all the Economic Development Zone members to meet and work together in an “any door” policy. They also certified more than 60 businesses as eligible for Economic Development Zone tax credits. They also wrote and got approval for the very first Economic Development Zone businesses lending fund with a starting fund of $2 million.