LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Charles W. Kelly, legendary reporter,
editor and publisher, upon the occasion of his retirement after 56 years
of distinguished service

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge the
significant milestones in the distinguished careers of esteemed resi-
dents of this noble Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Charles W. Kelly, legendary reporter, editor and publisher, upon the
occasion of his retirement after 56 years of distinguished service, to
be celebrated on Friday, September 10, 2010; and
WHEREAS, For the past 56 years, Charles "Chuck" Kelly has been the
publisher and editor of newspapers in Ogdensburg, Massena, Canton and
Malone; he has delivered more than his share of papers after hours and
on weekends when the delivery staff had gone home; and
WHEREAS, After graduating from St. Mary's Academy in 1954, Chuck Kelly
worked as a sportswriter and general assignment reporter before serving
a three-year stint in the United States Army; when he returned from
overseas duty in France and Germany, he resumed working at the local
newspaper, rising through the ranks to become publisher; and
WHEREAS, Chuck Kelly will retire as publisher and take on a part-time
role with Johnson Newspaper Corporation's St. Lawrence County Newspapers
division, which includes THE JOURNAL AND ADVANCE NEWS in Ogdensburg, the
DAILY COURIER-OBSERVER in Massena and THE MALONE TELEGRAM; he will
continue writing his popular "Kelly's Comments" and "Glance at the Past"
columns in the ADVANCE NEWS; and
WHEREAS, The words "Chuck Kelly" and "north country journalism" are
synonymous; his opinions have long set the agenda for conversation and
debate throughout the region and whether you agreed with him or not, he
would always give you an open ear and fair shot; at the end of the day,
the things he cared most about were the newspaper he loved and the city
he called home; and
WHEREAS, Chuck Kelly looks forward to focusing on his column while
stepping back from the day-to-day responsibilities of publishing; he
takes pride in the quality of the newspaper's reporting and used his
role to help bring jobs to the area; and
WHEREAS, Over the years, Mr. Kelly and others served on a committee to
help found the Ogdensburg Boys and Girls Club; he has been a longtime
promoter of the Ogdensburg Volunteer Rescue Squad and volunteer fire
departments across the county; in 1959, he began chairing the Ogdensburg
Recreation Commission where it developed skating rinks on Ogden Street
and at St. Peter's Square and Winter Park; and
WHEREAS, Chuck Kelly mentioned he had always seen his role as someone
who forces a public discussion of the issues facing the community, even
when elected officials might prefer to avoid it; and
WHEREAS, A true asset to society, Chuck Kelly has been a tremendous
source of support; his life story is a love story of a man and his
community; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout has been his wife, Therese, who feels
privileged to be a part of his life and rejoices in his achievements;
and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, 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
honor Charles W. Kelly, legendary reporter, editor and publisher, upon
the occasion of his retirement after 56 years of distinguished service,
and to wish him continued success in all of his future endeavors; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Charles W. Kelly.