Senate Resolution No. 2638

BY: Senator BONACIC

COMMEMORATING the 70th Anniversary of Ye Olde
Tri-Valley Townsman

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 70th Anniversary of Ye Olde Tri-Valley Townsman,
celebrated on Sunday, May 7, 2017; and

WHEREAS, Published continuously for the past 70 years, Ye Olde
Tri-Valley Townsman is the Tri-Valley region's flagship newspaper;
throughout its history, the paper has reported on the area's booms and
busts, crimes and creativity, births and deaths and so much more; and

WHEREAS, The first official copy of Ye Olde Tri-Valley Townsman was
published on May 7, 1947; and

WHEREAS, During the late 1940s, the local school district, comprised
of small, rural schools, was spread over a vast area located in both
Sullivan and Ulster counties; school leaders realized these schools
needed to be consolidated, however, they did not have a way to
communicate, and disseminate information to the communities; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Carl Messinger; The Reverend Irving Marsland, Jr.; the
newly chosen supervising school principal, Gene Ross; and three
teachers, Inez Gridley, Mabel Jocelyn, and Fred Cryers decided a
newspaper would be the best way to share information with communities
far and wide; and

WHEREAS, Through their steadfast efforts, Ye Olde Tri-Valley
Townsman was established; shortly thereafter, 300 people subscribed to
the newspaper and local businessmen supported it with their
advertisements; and

WHEREAS, On Tuesday nights, the founders gathered in the loft over
Krum's General Store in Grahamsville, New York, for Townsman Night, and
spent many long hours producing the newspaper; all material was typed on
a manual typewriter and all advertising was hand drawn and lettered; and

WHEREAS, The group soon needed more space, so they met at a building
owned by John Condren, and then a garage belonging to Tom Crispell; and

WHEREAS, Through the last seven decades, there have been many
volunteers who have contributed their time and stories to Ye Olde
Tri-Valley Townsman, and several editors including Carol Smythe, Brook
Parker, Helen Aldrich, Lillian Sarchino, Kim Willens, Laura McNamara and
Deborah Daggett-Murphy; currently, it is led by Linda Comando ; and

WHEREAS, Today, the Townsman Tuesday night tradition continues in a
fashion; by Monday morning each flat has been prepared and emailed to
the printer and by Tuesday evening, it is printed; by Wednesday morning,
the Townsman Ladies gather at 8 a.m. to deliver 1,200 copies to its
loyal readers; and

WHEREAS, Under the luminous direction of Editor, Linda Comando, Ye
Olde Tri-Valley Townsman 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 her
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 Ye Olde Tri-Valley Townsman 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 70th Anniversary of Ye Olde Tri-Valley Townsman; and be
it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Ye Olde Tri-Valley Townsman.