Honor Tri-Valley Townsman Anniversary

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.