Senate Resolution No. 673

BY: Senator GRIFFO

CONGRATULATING Donald F. Rothdiener upon the
occasion of his retirement after 30 years of service
as Mayor of the Village of Oriskany, New York

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and
honor those distinguished citizens of this great Empire State who have
devoted themselves to faithfully serving the best interests of their
community and the needs of its residents; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
congratulate Donald F. Rothdiener upon the occasion of his retirement
after 30 years of service as Mayor of the Village of Oriskany, New York;
and

WHEREAS, This auspicious milestone will be celebrated at a
Retirement Party held in his honor on Saturday, April 6, 2019, at Hart's
Hill Inn in Whitesboro, New York; and

WHEREAS, Donald Francis Rothdiener was raised in Utica, New York,
where he attended Utica Free Academy before enlisting in the United
States Air Force in June of 1949 at the age of 17; he proudly served his
country in both Japan and Korea during the Korean War; and

WHEREAS, Donald F. Rothdiener married his late wife, the former
Melvina Kery in Utica on September 20, 1952, and together, they raised
four sons, Donald F. II, Thomas E., Eric C. and Mark J., while stationed
at Air Force bases in Big Spring, Texas; Rome, New York; Huntingdon,
Cambridgeshire, England; Washington, DC; Honolulu, Hawaii; and Oscoda,
Michigan; and

WHEREAS, On August 1, 1972, Donald F. Rothdiener retired at the rank
of Senior Master Sergeant and was presented with the Third Oak Leaf
Cluster of the Air Force Commendation Medal; he and his family returned
to Central New York and purchased a home in Oriskany; for many years, he
worked for Utica Fire Insurance Co. (now Utica First Insurance Co.),
from which he also retired; and

WHEREAS, In 1978, Donald F. Rothdiener was elected trustee on the
Oriskany Village Board; 10 years and five terms later, he was elected to
the esteemed position of Mayor of the Village; and

WHEREAS, Mayor Donald F. Rothdiener officially took office on April
3, 1989, at a time when the village was in an era of change; the Helen
B. Lawrence Library building was newly constructed, the Oriskany
Village Museum was in the process of expanding into the former library,
and improvements were being planned for the village's park, then known
as Point Field; and

WHEREAS, Over the next decade, Mayor Donald F. Rothdiener, the
village Anchor Committee, and the Battle of Oriskany Historical Society
arranged for the USS Oriskany Anchor Memorial to be constructed around
the original starboard anchor from the namesake aircraft carrier; this

was quickly followed by an A-4 Skyhawk plane, the ship's bell, a gazebo,
and a new museum building, constructed almost entirely through community
outreach and donations; today, the anchor serves as a prominent landmark
for both residents and visitors; and

WHEREAS, In addition to his role as Mayor, Donald F. Rothdiener
served as President of the Oriskany Little League and as a coach for
Parkhurst Post Baseball at Oriskany American Legion Post No. 1448; and

WHEREAS, During his much deserved retirement, Donald F. Rothdiener
looks forward to staying active hitting the links and bowling, and most
importantly, spending quality time with his four sons and
daughters-in-law, 14 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, In his capacity as a public servant, Mayor Donald F.
Rothdiener served with loyalty, honor and distinction, and was governed
by a keen sense of duty and always showed a unique grasp of human
problems in his official acts; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when
individuals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our
attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens
of the great State of New York; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Donald F. Rothdiener upon the occasion of his retirement
after 30 years of service as Mayor of the Village of Oriskany, New York,
and to wish him continued success in all his future endeavors; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Mayor Donald F. Rothdiener.