Bill Stankiewicz awarded 2024 Republican of the Year

By Christopher Miller

FLEMINGTON, PA – The Lincoln Day Dinner held Saturday evening at the Red Eye Center in Flemington has been well-known to award Republican of the Year to a deserving volunteer member of the Clinton County Republican Party.

The 2024 Republican of the Year award was given to longtime City of Lock Haven resident Bill Stankiewicz.

“This Clinton County Republican of the Year is from Clinton County and he is a Republican,” said Clinton County Republican Party Chair Kurt Smith. “And that is the best I can come up with because nothing rhymes with Bill Stankiewicz.”

The crowd exploded with laughter and applause.

“He has been out and about and has been really well-known, but with that “our tradition has been to present the Republican of the Year with a genuine real silver dollar,” Kurt said. “He has served the county over and above.”

“Get out and vote,” was shouted by Bill when he was presented with the award. “All of you who know others that haven’t voted in a while, please encourage them to go, remind them and make sure your neighbors all get out and vote…we have a responsibility to help others get out and vote…we will not be successful in any endeavor we undertake unless we have the power to vote…now we are two to one Republicans to Democrats and in our last meeting, Kurt made mention that four out of ten Republicans get out and vote, we need to do better people, so my wish is for all of us to put forth a concerted effort to talk to our neighbors and get them interested in voting.”

Bill was accompanied by his wife, Kathy, to the dinner Saturday night. He has two children and numerous grandchildren. He is a veteran, an ordained Chaplain, active in the Christian Motorcycle Association and numerous other Christian organizations, a longtime resident of Lock Haven, and is also known to be the “gentleman in the red suit” for Downtown Lock Haven, Inc.’s Christmas festivities.