Page 4 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • October 16, 2013 Glen Rock Sewall recognized for 50 years of service to borough by John Koster The Glen Rock Council declared that the borough would be renamed Skipsewallville on Oct. 10 in honor of Karl “Skip” Sewall, who has kept borough automobiles, Scout groups, and high school sports teams running for a half-century. “I was very honored,” Sewall said of the Oct. 9 council meeting at which Mayor John van Keuren and the council presented him with a proclamation. “I’ve spent my entire working life in Glen Rock, and this town has been very good to me.” The proclamation also designated Sewall, who started as an auto mechanic and now owns two local service sta- tions, having sold a third some years ago, as a “rock of Glen Rock.” “Our residents place high value on your long-term dedication because, in a fundamental way, you have made Glen Rock a better town,” said Mayor van Keuren. Sewall and his crew at Maple Rock Exxon put in over- time keeping cars rolling during emergencies, and perhaps most notably, his flagship station at the corner of Maple Avenue and Rock Road regularly hosts car washes to help raise funds for sports teams and charities. Sewall has also donated money on his own to support sports teams, local charities, and the Glen Rock D.A.R.E. program. Sewall is generally noted for his down-to-earth work ethic and crusty humor, but the Glen Rock Planning Board was astounded at his eloquence when he appeared before them two decades ago to reinforce his request for a canopy over the pump islands to protect his operators, emergency repair personnel, and the patrons who had to get out of their cars in rainy weather or heavy snow. Some neighbors said the canopy would not harmo- nize with the intersection and the community, but Sewall described in detail how it would blend with the style of the service station -- one of his hobbies is classical archaeol- ogy and architecture -- and explained that the advantage both to his own workers and to patrons would outweigh any disadvantage. The canopy was approved and is now a regular feature of downtown Glen Rock. The proclamation noted that Sewall has served Glen Rock residents well during good times and even more during emergencies, and made his business a haven for many community-oriented groups. “For 50 years, through big and little community gen- erosities, Skip Sewall has helped this borough’s residents and its volunteer groups in so many ways; it is time for the borough to say thank you,” the proclamation states. Karl ‘Skip’ Sewall