The Joseph H. Mason Award has been given to some of Chautauqua County’s finest citizens over its 40-year history.

Burl Swanson is a wonderful addition to the award’s long and distinguished list of winners.

In addition to his involvement with labor through 35 years working for the telephone company in Westfield, Swanson has belonged to the Dewittville Fire Department for 44 years, serving in different positions including 19 years as the fire chief. During his time in the fire service, Swanson helped maintain the facilities of the fire service through the county and helped remodel both of the county training centers to aid in training the county firefighters. Swanson has volunteered his time helping build the ice castle as part of Mayville’s President’s Day Weekend Festival for eight years, is a member of the Dewittville Cemetery Association and has volunteered at the Chautauqua Children’s Safety Education Village.

In other words, Swanson is not only the epitome of what the labor movement aspires to be, but the epitome of the type of service-minded life that helps build a healthy community. As we said, the Joseph H. Mason Award has honored some outstanding Chautauqua County residents over the past four decades — but the committee’s 40th selection may have been its best.