 
Assembly Resolution No. 565
 
BY: M. of A. Manktelow
 
        COMMEMORATING the 40th Anniversary of the Hannibal
        Community Center
 
  WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize that
the  quality  and  character  of life in the communities across New York
State are reflective of the concerned and  dedicated  efforts  of  those
organizations  that  would  devote  themselves  to  the  welfare  of the
community and its citizenry; and
 
  WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and  in  full  accord  with  its
long-standing  traditions,  this  Legislative  Body  is  justly proud to
commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the Hannibal Community Center to  be
celebrated at an event in November of 2019; and
 
  WHEREAS, Housed in a building located on Oswego Street, the Hannibal
Community  Center  has  served  as  a meeting place for individuals aged
three to 103 for four decades; and
 
  WHEREAS, Originally, the Community Center was known as the  Hannibal
Baptist   Church  which  was  built  in  1827;  after  the  Baptist  and
Presbyterian churches federated in 1926 to form  Community  Church,  the
Community  House became the center of the social life of the church and,
to a lesser extent, the community; and
 
  WHEREAS, In 1968, an inspection of the building  revealed  that  the
north  wall had dangerously deteriorated and the building was condemned;
at the time, the congregation of  Community  Church  did  not  have  the
necessary funds to repair the building and many residents of the village
felt that the historic structure should not be destroyed; and
 
  WHEREAS, A committee, headed by Bank Manager, Paul Elkie, was formed
in  1976, with the purpose of exploring ways to save the building; after
it was disbanded, Mayor Robert Simmons appointed  another  committee  to
continue working on saving the historic structure; and
 
  WHEREAS,  On  May  11,  1978,  the  committee  met, named itself the
Landmark Committee, and elected the following officers:  President,  Roz
Hastings;  Vice  President,  Robert Hooper; Secretary, Lois Chaffee; and
Treasurer, Bea Scott; and
 
  WHEREAS,  This  committee  and  other  members  of   the   community
successfully  navigated  the  process  of obtaining funds, arranging for
occupants, hiring a contractor and  holding  a  dedication  ceremony  on
November 16, 1979; and
 
  WHEREAS, Throughout the past 40 years, the Hannibal Community Center
has  provided  many  social services including youth development, senior
support, family stabilization,  health  and  education,  and  access  to
community  connections;  today,  the  building  houses the Hannibal Free
Library; The Senior Nutrition Site and Elderberries,  Hannibal's  senior
citizens group; and the Hannibal Historical Society; and
 
  WHEREAS, This vital not-for-profit organization believes in quality,
community  and  collaboration, and these values have been the foundation
and inspiration for the Hannibal Community Center  since  its  founding;
and
 
  WHEREAS,  It  is  the  sense  of  this  Legislative  Body  that when
organizations of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to  our
attention,  they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens
of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
 
  RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its  deliberations  to
commemorate  the  40th Anniversary of the Hannibal Community Center; and
be it further
 
  RESOLVED, That a copy of  this  Resolution,  suitably  embossed,  be
transmitted to the Hannibal Community Center.
Commemorating the 40th Anniversary of the Hannibal Community Center

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