Member of the Month-Walker Associates
Since the early 50’s, Mr. T. Urling Walker has had an office located in the downtown area. First in an old office building across from the Baptist Church, then in the old Woolworth building now closed and finally in his present office on the 4th floor of the Key Bank Building. Mr. Walker still finds a need for an office since he is on a number of charitable, educational and hospital type boards. Mr. Walker has always been passionately involved in his community. .
Mr. Walker has held leadership positions in numerous civic organizations. His most visible public role was as mayor of Watertown. Elected to 2 four-year terms (1983-91), he stressed the need for a proactive city government instead of what he termed a crisis management style of leadership. He also served as interim city manager from September 1994 to December 1995.
Mr. Walker was chairman of the CREG Systems Corp., a private telephone systems firm, and was a trustee of JCC and the JCC Foundation. He was on the boards of New York Casualty Insurance, WNPE/WNPI Public Television and the Neighbors of Watertown.
Mr. Walker served five years on both the Watertowm school board and the Jefferson/Lewis Board of Cooperative Educational Services in Watertown, serving two years as president of each board. He was the first executive secretary for the newly formed Jefferson-Lewis School Boards Association.
He was involved in the merger of the Jefferson/Lewis and St. Lawrence Boy Scout council into the Seaway Valley Council and became its president twice, in 1990 and 1995.
Years ago the Chamber of Commerce was trying to promote the mercantile section of the City but a number of downtown merchants felt it wasn’t specific enough so formed what is now know as the Downtown Business Association dealing primarily with those merchants and businesses in the adjacent to the downtown area.
The featured member was selected on the basis of participation, downtown spirit and business achievement. The Member of the Month is sponsored by the Downtown Business Association and the Small Business Development Center. |
