The Greater Oneida Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that the 2019 Distinguished Service Award will be presented to Leo Matzke. The award will be presented at the 2019 Chamber annual dinner Nov. 1, 2019, at the Kallet Civic Center.
The Distinguished Service Award is given every year to a community member, business or organization demonstrating service and commitment to improving the local community and making our area a better, more vibrant place to live.
Matzke was a teacher for 35 years, mostly at the sixth-grade level. He still continues to stay in touch with many of his students via social media. During his teaching career, he started the girls’ soccer program at Oneida High School and remained a soccer coach for 10 years.
Matzke has been director and executive director of the Madison County Children’s Camp since 1975. He has helped the camp grow from 40 kids a week to 700 children attending during the summer. He has been the commander of the American Legion and a board member of the Madison County Historical Society.
Matzke was elected to the Common Council in the City in 1984 and remained until 2001, being the deputy mayor for all but four years. He took two years off, but politics was in his blood, so he decided to run for mayor in 2003. He was elected and served as mayor from 2004 to 2007, again from 2010 to 2011 and again from 2016 to the present. He was the chairman of the Democratic Party from 1980 through 2000.
During the 2013 flood, Leo volunteered with an organization called “Northern Comfort” to help rebuild the houses of many of those folks who lost everything.
Matzke said he is proud of his many years of service and dedication to the city he loves.
Two additional awards will be presented at this year’s annual dinner: the New Business Award and Longevity Award. The award dinner will be held at the Kallet Civic Center at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1; cash bar opens at 6 p.m. Dinner starts at 7 p.m.
Tickets are $50 per person. Sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, 315.363.4300.