Exhibit 99.1
                                                                    ------------

                        SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

                          COMMUNITY BANK SYSTEM, INC.

                               [        ], 2001

                           PROXY VOTING INSTRUCTIONS

TO VOTE BY MAIL
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Please mark, sign, date and mail your proxy card in the envelope provided as
soon as possible.

TO VOTE BY TELEPHONE (TOUCH-TONE PHONE ONLY)
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Please call toll-free 1-800-PROXIES and follow the instructions. Have your
control number and the proxy card available when you call.

YOUR CONTROL NUMBER IS  ---> [         ]


                          COMMUNITY BANK SYSTEM, INC.
                            5790 WIDEWATERS PARKWAY
                            DEWITT, NEW YORK 13214

                        SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
                               [        ], 2001

          THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

         The undersigned shareholder(s) of COMMUNITY BANK SYSTEM, INC. hereby
constitute and appoint Sanford A. Belden, David G. Wallace, Charles M. Ertel and
Donna J. Drengel, or any of them, the true and lawful agent and attorney-in-fact
for the undersigned, with full powers of substitution, and hereby authorize them
to represent and to vote, as designated below, all of the shares of common stock
owned by the undersigned or registered in the name of the undersigned at the
Special Meeting of the Stockholders to be held on [       ], 2001 at [ ]:[ ]
[ ].m., Eastern time, or at any and all adjournments thereof.

         Proposal 1: To approve and adopt the Agreement and Plan of Merger,
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         dated as of November 29, 2000, by and between Community Bank System,
         Inc. and First Liberty Bank Corp., as amended (the "Merger Agreement"),
         providing for the merger of First Liberty Bank Corp. with and into
         Community Bank System, Inc., as described in the Joint Proxy
         Statement/Prospectus dated [ ], 2001.

                  FOR                AGAINST           ABSTAIN
                  [ ]                  [ ]               [ ]

         Proposal 2: To adjourn the Special Meeting, if necessary, to permit
         ----------
         further solicitation of proxies in the event that there are not
         sufficient affirmative votes at the time of the Special Meeting to
         adopt and approve the Merger Agreement.

                  FOR                AGAINST           ABSTAIN
                  [ ]                  [ ]               [ ]


         In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote upon such other
business as may properly come before the Special Meeting of the Stockholders or
any and all adjournments thereof.

         This proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner
directed above by the undersigned stockholder(s). If no direction is made, this
proxy will be voted "for" Proposals 1 and 2.

         Please sign exactly as the name appears on your stock certificate. When
shares are held by joint tenants, both should sign. When signing as attorney,
executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please indicate your capacity. If
a corporation, please sign in full corporate name and have signed by the
president or other duly authorized officer. If a partnership, please sign in
partnership name by general partner or other authorized person.

         Please mark, sign, date and return this proxy card promptly, using the
enclosed envelope.


                                 Dated:   ______________________, 2001


                                          ---------------------------------
                                          (signature)


                                          ---------------------------------
                                          (signature if jointly held)