Senate Resolution No. 785

BY: Senator ANTONACCI

COMMEMORATING the 50th Anniversary of the Syracuse
New Times

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
those illustrious journalistic entities which have diligently and
consistently, year after year, recorded the history of their communities
and brought local news and news of the larger world to their readers;
and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Syracuse New Times; and

WHEREAS, Printed continuously for the past 50 years, the Syracuse
New Times is the oldest alternative newsweekly paper in the Nation;
published every Wednesday and distributed free to more than 1,100
locations, the paper reaches over 190,000 readers throughout a
six-county area every month with hyper-local stories and an entertaining
and engaging look at the most interesting and relevant people and events
influencing life in its community; and

WHEREAS, In February of 1969, the Syracuse New Times newspaper was
formed on the campus of Syracuse University by Publisher Ken Simon; its
humble beginnings took it from the University area, to offices in Armory
Square, and 33 years ago to its present location on West Genesee Street
in Syracuse; it has been locally owned for all but a few short years in
the early 1980s; and

WHEREAS, For five decades, the Syracuse New Times has faithfully
covered iconic events in Central New York, helped shape public opinion,
and provided the reliable, go-to resource for educated, affluent, and
engaged readers to discover the most important happenings in their
community; and

WHEREAS, In addition, the Syracuse New Times has established the
annual Street Painting Festival during the summertime ArtsWeek
festivities; the Best of Syracuse Awards, which salutes area businesses
and movers and shakers; and the Syracuse Area Live Theater (SALT)
Awards, which honors local theater achievements; and

WHEREAS, Through the years, the Syracuse New Times has won more than
400 national, regional, and local awards for outstanding editorial
content, photography, and design from such prestigious organizations as
the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies (AAN), the New York Press
Association (NYPA), Free Community Papers of NY/America (FCPNY), and the
Syracuse Press Club; and

WHEREAS, The Syracuse New Times is currently led by Publisher Bill
Brod, and committed longtime employees including: Bill DeLapp, Editor in
Chief (36 years); Michael Davis, Photo Editor (38 years); Walt Shepperd,
Political Writer (38 years); Jim MacKillop, theater reviewer (42 years);
Lesli Mitchell, Senior Account Representative (22 years); Deana

Vigliotti, Controller (20 years); and Reid Sullivan, Family Times and
Copy Editor (18 years); and

WHEREAS, After 50 years, the Syracuse New Times continues to
maintain a high quality and relevant newspaper, and delivers a superior
product to all of its readers, as well as serves as an expressive voice
to the people of its community by providing a platform for all members
of the community; and

WHEREAS, Our newspapers provide a tremendous service to citizens
across the State of New York by keeping them informed about current
events; the democracy of our State and Nation is strengthened by a
responsible citizenry which is actively engaged in reading and kept
abreast of news affecting their lives; and

WHEREAS, As the Syracuse New Times moves into the future, it carries
with it the legacy of a distinguished journalistic history and an
outstanding record of growth and achievement; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Syracuse New Times; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Bill Brod, Publisher, Syracuse New Times.