Senate Resolution No. 808

BY: Senator REICHLIN-MELNICK

MOURNING the death of Arthur Aldrich, founder of
Community Media newspapers, distinguished citizen
and devoted member of his community

WHEREAS, There are certain outstanding members of our community who,
through their selfless commitment and dedication, have served to better
the quality of life in our community and have had a measurable positive
impact on the lives of its residents; Arthur Aldrich was one such
individual; and

WHEREAS, It is with profound sorrow and deep regret that this
Legislative Body records the passing of Arthur Aldrich, noting the
significance of his purposeful life and accomplishments; and

WHEREAS, Arthur Aldrich, a longtime publisher of the weekly Our Town
newspaper known throughout Rockland County, New York, as a warrior for
justice wielding a pen, died on Monday, April 12, 2021, at the age of
83; and

WHEREAS, Arthur Aldrich was the founder of Community Media
newspapers, which served various Rockland and Bergen County, New Jersey,
communities over the years; he also had a weekly radio show on WRCR AM
1700; and

WHEREAS, Renowned for his role in Rockland's media landscape, his
community involvement and his volunteerism, Arthur Aldrich was a
dedicated journalist who thought and worked outside the box, but always
directed his energy to reporting the truth, exposing corruption and and
serving the public interest; and

WHEREAS, Born in Yonkers, Arthur Aldrich, affectionately known as
Art, spent his childhood in Baltimore and then White Plains, New York;
he began his first job in journalism at just 11-years-old, covering
local government meetings for a Maryland news group; and

WHEREAS, After graduating from high school in White Plains, Arthur
Aldrich went on to attend NYU and the New School, later obtaining a
master's degree at SUNY Empire State College; and

WHEREAS, Early in his career, Arthur Aldrich took a job with a
Mamaroneck weekly before working as an editor with the Eastchester
Record; he was also a lighting designer and technical director for
off-Broadway productions, but community news became his passion; and

WHEREAS, Arthur Aldrich and his bride settled in New Rochelle, and
he soon landed a job at the former Rockland Leader, a Spring
Valley-based weekly with a circulation that, in its heyday, showed up
The Journal News; and

WHEREAS, The Rockland Leader's remnants turned into a group of
community weeklies which combined existing local papers that joined a
larger corporation; in 1973, Arthur Aldrich left that corporate group to
launch Our Town; and


WHEREAS, With a steadfast and unwavering commitment to his
community, Arthur Aldrich taught marketing and business courses at
Rockland Community College and later at the Long Island University
Learning Collaborative; in addition, he offered discussions at local
assisted living communities on topics such as "the history of the
American newsreel"; and

WHEREAS, A longtime active member of the Unitarian Universalist
Congregation of Rockland in Pomona, Arthur Aldrich was also involved in
various community groups across Rockland and taught defensive driving
courses; and

WHEREAS, Arthur Aldrich is survived by his wife, Elaine; his son,
Arthur; his daughter-in-law, Christina; two grandchildren; and a niece
and nephew; and

WHEREAS, Arthur Aldrich's selflessness and benevolence will shine on
through his family's vivid and happy memories; his insight and strength
will serve as a beacon of love, light and hope to the countless lives he
touched; and

WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, Arthur Aldrich leaves behind a legacy which will remain as a
comforting memory to all who were privileged to have known and loved
such an amazing man; he will be deeply missed and truly merits the
grateful tribute of this Legislative Body; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of Arthur Aldrich, and to express its deepest
condolences to his family; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Arthur Aldrich.