Former Broome Executive Grippen & Former Legislator Svoboda Have Died

Two former leaders of Broome County Government have passed away.

Saturday, October 30, current Broome County Executive Jason Garnar issued a statement expressing sadness at the passing of former County Executive, former head of the Democratic Party in Broome County and long-time public servant, Timothy Grippen.

Garnar noted Grippen had been a major environmental advocate in the County while serving as executive, fighting to block a controversial trash incinerator that had been planned for Binghamton and building the County's recycling program.

Garnar also noted Grippen had been a key player in establishing the county-wide 911 emergency call system.

Garnar ordered flags to be flown at half-staff in honor of the dedicated public servant and Vietnam War veteran.

Grippen served two terms as County Executive from 1989 to 1999. He had worked for the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development before becoming Executive Director of Opportunities for Broome in 2000 and was regional administrator for the New York State Department of Labor.   He was elected to head the Democratic Party in the County in 2017.

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Also over the weekend, it was learned that former Broome County Legislator Joseph Svoboda had passed away on October 16 at the age of 81.

Svoboda served on the Broome County Legislature for seven full two-year terms before retiring at the beginning of his 8th term due to a family tragedy.

According to the obituary placed by the family, Svoboda was on the committee "to establish and construct the County Office Building in Binghamton."

He was also a long-time instructor at Broome-Tioga BOCES.

According to the obituary, there will be a private celebration of the long-time public servant's life.