"Man of the Years"
Bainbridge to Honor Smith
By Nancy Sue Barnes
Dec. 12, 1968
Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY]: A man who believes it's everyone's responsibility to contribute time and effort for the betterment of his community and takes his own advice seriously will be honored this Saturday, December 14 by the Bainbridge chamber of Commerce.
Reno Smith of Railroad Avenue, Bainbridge, is the Chamber's choice for the "Man of the Years." He will be guest of honor at a dinner to be held at Rock Inn. Smith will be the sixth recipient of the award. Others who have been so honored include the late Dr. Edward Danforth; the late Frank Lewis, contractor; Harry Bluler, merchant; Kurt Schneider, inventor and engineer; and Charles Dix, farmer.
A stocky, balding man in his sixties, Chief Smith has at least a passing acquaintance with everyone in the Bainbridge area. His name is synonymous with the Bainbridge Fire Department. He joined the department 31 years ago and was elected to the post of fire chief for the 20th time this month.
Honors have been coming his way this year including being designated as the Chenango County Fireman of the Year and before that having his own men honor him by dedicating the 46th annual Chenango County Firemen's Convention Booklet to him.
While Reno acknowledged being Fire Chief is an honor, he said, more than that, it is a great responsibility. "It's more serious than people realize," he said. "It's quite a responsibility to be the one to tell the men what to do in the event of a fire or emergency." Serving as Fire Chief has meant more than rushing off to a fire at the sound of the alarm. For 20 years he has also taken care of fire alarms and emergency calls, again on a volunteer basis. But here he does have a helper--his wife. "I couldn't have done it without my wife's help," he said. Mrs. Smith takes fire calls and emergency calls 24 hours a day. She has to be familiar with the set-up as well as knowing the men well enough to be able to call them at home or work when there is an emergency. It's not surprising that both their sons are also members of the Fire Department. His older son, Douglas R. Smith who is also Justice in the community, is first assistant chief and Richard is a lieutenant.
The Smiths live in a comfortable older home on Railroad Avenue. It's not hard to figure out their hobbies. One room includes deer heads, antlers and other evidence of Reno's love for hunting and fishing. "Why he and that old dog of his have hunted and fished from Canada to Florida," said Mrs. Smith, who goes along to clean and cook the fish. In every room there are also cabinets and shelves crowed with glassware and china pieces collected over the years by Mrs. Smith.
A native of the area, Reno began working at a young age. One of his first jobs was with Amos Tuckey, who Reno says he recalls as having the first truck in Bainbridge. For 32 years Reno has served as Village Superintendent and even before that he worked for the village. He said many of the improvements in the community had pleased him but he mentioned in particular the new highway building, the improved water supply, new streets and of course, the new fire station. He said he would still like to see another industry come into Bainbridge. While the Smiths applauded the progress sin the community they hinted regret when they talked about the passing of the mail and passenger railway service. "We always used to meet the evening train," said Mrs. Smith, adding, "Why it was about the only entertainment in town at that time. There just wasn't so much going on."
Reno Smith is a man who has done his job as Village Superintendent and his volunteer job as Fire Chief well. But more than that he has served Bainbridge because he wanted to see it grow and prosper. "He just can't say 'no' to anyone who asks something of him," said Mrs. Smith.
On Saturday Chief Reno Smith will receive the thanks of the community for being the right kind of "yes man."
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