Roby Politi was recently recognized by the Essex County Bar Association with the Liberty Bell Award. (Enterprise file photo — Peter Crowley)

JAY — The Essex County Bar Association honored Roby Politi with the Liberty Bell Award at its Law Day Celebration dinner held at the NewVida resort in Jay on May 8.

The Liberty Bell award is traditionally presented by bar associations across the United States to deserving non-lawyer members of the community whose outstanding community/public service has helped to foster a greater respect for the law and the courts, stimulate a deeper sense of civic responsibility, and contribute to the effective functioning of government institutions.

Politi was chosen for the award for his service to the local community over a period spanning several decades. Politi served as Lake Placid village mayor, North Elba town counselor, North Elba town justice, North Elba town supervisor, and vice chairperson for the Essex County Board of Supervisors. He has also worked as a realtor since 1973 and is currently the owner and principal broker of the Lake Placid real estate company, Merrill L. Thomas, Inc. He has served as the president of the Essex County Board of Realtors. He was a two-time Division 1 NCAA All American skier and a member of the St. Lawrence University, Northwood School, and Lake Placid Halls of Fame.

Many of Politi’s colleagues have described him as an “excellent choice” for the award.

Randy Douglas, former Essex County Board of Supervisors chairman and Town of Jay supervisor, described Politi as “a true public servant” and a “tremendous vice chairman of the Essex County Board of Supervisors” particularly because of his “professionalism, integrity, and calming demeanor.”