2011 Citizen of The Year

By Camilla A. Herrera

Earlier today, Arthur Selkowitz, chairman of the Mill River Collaborative, was named Stamford’s Citizen of the Year for 2011, an award sponsored by Fred Robbins Post 142 of the Jewish War Veterans of the U.S.A. It’s been bestowed to an A List of civic leaders since 1945.

“Arty is known for more than just cherry trees,” quipped Richard Taber, the 2007 Citizen of the Year who chaired this year’s selection committee; Selkowitz had been summoned to the surprise breakfast at Purdue Pharma under the pretense of a business meeting. “He also won Dancing With the Stars.”

A member of Stamford magazine’s editorial board, Arty was recognized for his work to establish Mill River park downtown, and his support of the Avon Theatre, Stamford Museum & Nature Center, Lupus Research Foundation, Jewish Community Center, St. Luke’s LifeWorks and Jewish Home for the Elderly in Fairfield. He is also a recent recipient of a 2011 Moffly Media Light A Fire award.

“I had no idea. I am dumbfounded!” Arty exclaimed to some forty friends and supporters gathered to surprise him with the honor. “I was pumped to talk to the CEO and [as I] was walking in the door, and see the sign with ‘Arty’ on it, I thought, ‘They are so polite!’”

As the laughter abated, Arty thanked everyone, including his wife, Betsey. “It’s an honor to be among these distinguished citizens. It will be a privilege to be up on that wall.”

In March, Arty’s name will be added to a Government Center plaque where past recipients are listed, and in May he will be toasted during a dinner at the Italian Center, where the Fred Robbins Post will hand out scholarships to college-bound students who also made a name for themselves through charity work.

From all of us at Moffly: Congrats, Arty!