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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001179209-03-000042.txt : 20030317
<SEC-HEADER>0001179209-03-000042.hdr.sgml : 20030317
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030317162125
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001179209-03-000042
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20020516
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030317

SUBJECT COMPANY:	

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CITIZENS COMMUNICATIONS CO
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000020520
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	ELECTRIC & OTHER SERVICES COMBINED [4931]
		IRS NUMBER:				060619596
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-11001
		FILM NUMBER:		03606132

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		HIGH RIDGE PK BLDG 3
		CITY:			STAMFORD
		STATE:			CT
		ZIP:			06905
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2036145600

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		HIGH RIDGE PARK BLDG NO 3
		CITY:			STAMFORD
		STATE:			CT
		ZIP:			06905

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	CITIZENS UTILITIES CO
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			TOW LEONARD
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001179515
		RELATIONSHIP:				DIRECTOR

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3 HIGH RIDGE PARK
		CITY:			STAMFORD
		STATE:			CT
		ZIP:			06905
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.txt
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4 - 05-16-2002
<TEXT>
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 4
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP
( ) Check this box if no longer subject to Section 16.
Form 4 or Form 5 obligations may continue. See Instructions 1(b).
1. Name and Address of Reporting Person
   Leonard  Tow
   Three High Ridge Park
   CT, Stamford 06905
2. Issuer Name and Ticker or Trading Symbol
   Citizens Communications Company (CZN)

3. IRS or Social Security Number of Reporting Person (Voluntary)

4. Statement for Month/Year
   5/16/2002
5. If Amendment, Date of Original (Month/Year)
   5/16/2002
6. Relationship of Reporting Person(s) to Issuer (Check all applicable)
   (X) Director ( ) 10% Owner (X) Officer (give title below) ( ) Other
   (specify below)
   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
7. Individual or Joint/Group Filing (Check Applicable Line)
   (X) Form filed by One Reporting Person
   ( ) Form filed by More than One Reporting Person
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 Table I -- Non-Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned                                                 |
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________|
1. Title of Security       |2.    |3.    |4.Securities Acquired (A)         |5.Amount of        |6.Dir |7.Nature of Indirect       |
                           | Transaction |  or Disposed of (D)              |  Securities       |ect   |  Beneficial Ownership     |
                           |      |      |                                  |  Beneficially     |(D)or |                           |
                           |      |    | |                  | A/|           |  Owned at         |Indir |                           |
                           | Date |Code|V|    Amount        | D |    Price  |  End of Month     |ect(I)|                           |
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________|
<S>                        <C>    <C>  <C><C>               <C> <C>         <C>                 <C>    <C>
Common Stock               |5/16/ |A   | |150000            |A  |           |2558601            |D     |                           |
                           |2002  |    | |                  |   |           |                   |      |                           |
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
Common Stock               |      |    | |                  |   |           |1946               |D     |IRA                        |
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
Common Stock               |      |    | |                  |   |           |88                 |D     |Joint w/Spouse             |
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
Common Stock               |      |    | |                  |   |           |16369              |I     |401(k)                     |
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
Common Stock               |      |    | |                  |   |           |5394022            |I     |LLC 1                      |
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
Common Stock               |      |    | |                  |   |           |1586               |I     |Spousal IRA 2              |
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
Common Stock               |      |    | |                  |   |           |2806               |I     |Spouse 2                   |
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
Common Stock               |      |    | |                  |   |           |32369              |I     |Spouse as Custodian 3      |
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________|
<CAPTION>
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 Table II -- Derivative Securitites Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned                                                   |
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________|
1.Title of Derivative |2.Con-  |3.   |4.    |5.Number of De |6.Date Exer|7.Title and Amount  |8.Price|9.Number    |10.|11.Nature of|
  Security            |version |Transaction | rivative Secu |cisable and|  of Underlying     |of Deri|of Deriva   |Dir|Indirect    |
                      |or Exer |     |      | rities Acqui  |Expiration |  Securities        |vative |tive        |ect|Beneficial  |
                      |cise    |     |      | red(A) or Dis |Date(Month/|                    |Secu   |Securities  |(D)|Ownership   |
                      |Price of|     |      | posed of(D)   |Day/Year)  |                    |rity   |Benefi      |or |            |
                      |Deriva- |     |      |               |Date |Expir|                    |       |ficially    |Ind|            |
                      |tive    |     |      |           | A/|Exer-|ation|   Title and Number |       |Owned at    |ire|            |
                      |Secu-   |     |    | |           | D |cisa-|Date |   of Shares        |       |End of      |ct |            |
                      |rity    |Date |Code|V|  Amount   |   |ble  |     |                    |       |Month       |(I)|            |
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________|
<S>                   <C>      <C>   <C>  <C><C>        <C> <C>   <C>   <C>          <C>     <C>     <C>          <C> <C>
Employee Stock Option |9.52    |5/16/|A   | |150000     |A  |4    |5/15/|Common Stock|150000 |       |150000      |D  |            |
(Right to Buy)        |        | 2002|    | |           |   |     |2012 |            |       |       |            |   |            |
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
Employee Stock Option |9.41    |5/16/|A   | |500000     |A  |05/16|05/15|Common Stock|500000 |       |500000      |D  |            |
(Right to Buy)        |        | 2002|    | |           |   |/2002|/2012|            |       |       |            |   |            |
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
Formula Plan Options (|10.6212 |1/1/ |A   | |5000       |A  |07/01|01/01|Common Stock|5000   |       |5000        |I  |Spouse      |
Right to Buy)         |        |2002 |    | |           |   |/2002|/2012|            |       |       |            |   |            |
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
Phantom Stock Units   |1 for 1 |     |    | |           |   |5    |5    |Common Stock|       |       |152227.64   |D  |            |
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
Phantom Stock Units   |1 for 1 |1/1/ |A   | |5000       |A  |6    |6    |Common Stock|5000   |       |33671.5555  |I  |Spouse 2    |
                      |        |2002 |    | |           |   |     |     |            |       |       |            |   |            |
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
                      |        |     |    | |           |   |     |     |            |       |       |            |   |            |
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________|
</TABLE>
Explanation of Responses:
1. Shares held directly by Lantern Investment Company LLC. Reporting Person is
the sole member.
2. Securities held directly by spouse.  Reporting Person disclaims any
beneficial ownership of securities and any direct or indirect control or voting
power over the securities.
3. Reporting Person's spouse is custodian for her minor grandchild.
4. Shares vest in four equal annual installments beginning on the first
anniversary of the grant.
5. Units to be settled the day after Reporting Person's retirement.
6. Pursuant to Spouse's election to receive Director's Fees in units; units are
to be settled after Spouse's retirement.

</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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