Honor Oriskany Mayor Retirement

Senate Resolution No. 673 BY: Senator GRIFFO CONGRATULATING Donald F. Rothdiener upon the occasion of his retirement after 30 years of service as Mayor of the Village of Oriskany, New York WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and honor those distinguished citizens of this great Empire State who have devoted themselves to faithfully serving the best interests of their community and the needs of its residents; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to congratulate Donald F. Rothdiener upon the occasion of his retirement after 30 years of service as Mayor of the Village of Oriskany, New York; and WHEREAS, This auspicious milestone will be celebrated at a Retirement Party held in his honor on Saturday, April 6, 2019, at Hart's Hill Inn in Whitesboro, New York; and WHEREAS, Donald Francis Rothdiener was raised in Utica, New York, where he attended Utica Free Academy before enlisting in the United States Air Force in June of 1949 at the age of 17; he proudly served his country in both Japan and Korea during the Korean War; and WHEREAS, Donald F. Rothdiener married his late wife, the former Melvina Kery in Utica on September 20, 1952, and together, they raised four sons, Donald F. II, Thomas E., Eric C. and Mark J., while stationed at Air Force bases in Big Spring, Texas; Rome, New York; Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, England; Washington, DC; Honolulu, Hawaii; and Oscoda, Michigan; and WHEREAS, On August 1, 1972, Donald F. Rothdiener retired at the rank of Senior Master Sergeant and was presented with the Third Oak Leaf Cluster of the Air Force Commendation Medal; he and his family returned to Central New York and purchased a home in Oriskany; for many years, he worked for Utica Fire Insurance Co. (now Utica First Insurance Co.), from which he also retired; and WHEREAS, In 1978, Donald F. Rothdiener was elected trustee on the Oriskany Village Board; 10 years and five terms later, he was elected to the esteemed position of Mayor of the Village; and WHEREAS, Mayor Donald F. Rothdiener officially took office on April

3, 1989, at a time when the village was in an era of change; the Helen B. Lawrence Library building was newly constructed, the Oriskany Village Museum was in the process of expanding into the former library, and improvements were being planned for the village's park, then known as Point Field; and WHEREAS, Over the next decade, Mayor Donald F. Rothdiener, the village Anchor Committee, and the Battle of Oriskany Historical Society arranged for the USS Oriskany Anchor Memorial to be constructed around the original starboard anchor from the namesake aircraft carrier; this was quickly followed by an A-4 Skyhawk plane, the ship's bell, a gazebo, and a new museum building, constructed almost entirely through community outreach and donations; today, the anchor serves as a prominent landmark for both residents and visitors; and WHEREAS, In addition to his role as Mayor, Donald F. Rothdiener served as President of the Oriskany Little League and as a coach for Parkhurst Post Baseball at Oriskany American Legion Post No. 1448; and WHEREAS, During his much deserved retirement, Donald F. Rothdiener looks forward to staying active hitting the links and bowling, and most importantly, spending quality time with his four sons and daughters-in-law, 14 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren; and WHEREAS, In his capacity as a public servant, Mayor Donald F. Rothdiener served with loyalty, honor and distinction, and was governed by a keen sense of duty and always showed a unique grasp of human problems in his official acts; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individuals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our attention, 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 congratulate Donald F. Rothdiener upon the occasion of his retirement after 30 years of service as Mayor of the Village of Oriskany, New York, and to wish him continued success in all his future endeavors; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Mayor Donald F. Rothdiener.