(Left to right) Chamber of Commerce notables Dave Collins; Mark Bellantoni; Terri Tommell; Robin Dalton; Yvonne and Steve Sullivan; Joe Dalton; Annamaria Bellantoni; Brian Straughter; and Todd Shimkus. Photo provided.
SARATOGA SPRINGS – Last week, the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce celebrated its 100th anniversary by announcing the creation of the Joseph Dalton Community Service Award; as well as its first recipient, Steve "Sully" Sullivan, the owner of the Olde Bryan Inn and Longfellows Inn and Conference Center.
Dalton was the Chamber President for 40 years, from 1970 to 2010. During his tenure the chamber was instrumental in creating and implementing a Plan of Action that has revitalized downtown Saratoga Springs.
Dalton worked closely with Ed Lewi Associates and NYRA to rebuild interest and visitation to the Saratoga Race Course. The chamber under Dalton also played key roles in creating the Saratoga Economic Development Corporation, Luther Forest Tech Park and the Saratoga Convention and Tourism Bureau.
In 1974, Sullivan first arrived in Saratoga Springs from Boston to attend Skidmore College. He waited tables at Lillian's, tended bar at Harold J's, and washed dishes at other restaurants. During a visit to the city after college, Sullivan was hired to wait tables at the Olde Bryan Inn, rising to partner in 1981. In 1996 he opened Longfellows.
For 30 years, Sullivan, his staff and a team of volunteers has prepared and delivered Thanksgiving meals—nearly 1,000 in 2017 alone—to the First Presbyterian Church, as well as to shut-ins across the area. He provides free meals twice each week to Code Blue and every Monday night to local hospice patients.
Sullivan is a mentor to students at Skidmore College and the Saratoga Springs Sponsor-a-Scholar program. He has been personally involved with the Double H Ranch in Lake Luzerne for children fighting life-threatening health challenges.
He also has long advocated for workforce housing. Sullivan was part of a steering committee that built a 36-unit building in Saratoga Springs—even as he bought other apartments in Schuylerville—to help his employees find affordable homes.
Sullivan was a co-chair as well of the Capital Campaign, which funded construction of Saratoga Hospital's Community Health Center to provide health care to those who are under-insured or without insurance.
These are only some of the many ways that Sullivan has created positive impact in our communities, according to the chamber.
