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The ongoing dysfunction at all levels of Amsterdam city government has resulted in a complete legal mystery as to who holds, or will hold, the non-paying office of Member of the Citizens Review Board. This is really convoluted, so bear with me.
The three-member board was first created as an appointed ombudsman type office in the 1978 city charter. In 1982, following the recommendations of a charter review commission headed by me, the positions were made elected and the powers and independence of the board increased. This was affirmed by a majority of the electorate in November of 1982.
Both major political parties were terrified of the concept of an independent board actually looking at the way government is run, and so neither put up any candidates for the first general election. Your host, a bad Republican and at the time attorney for the Conservative Party locally, arranged for the Conservatives to gather petitions at the last minute for Republican upstarts Vito Dandreano, Pete Phelps and young whippersnapper Jeffrey Stark.
The Republicans then got hysterical and formed an independent party, the Key Lime Party or something like that, and put up their own slate in opposition to ours. Dandreano and Phelps won, and one of the Key Lime candidates.
When the Board first met to organize, the mayor at the time banned them from using City Hall, and so they ended up meeting in the lobby of the Public Safety Building, which is open 24 hours a day. Executive sessions were adjourned to the Mens Room.
That was about as active as the board ever got. After a few years, the staggered terms petered out and it got to the point again where no one was being nominated and elections were decided on write-in votes, if at all. The person getting the most votes, usually two or three, would then have to sign the oath book or the seat became vacant. We've had many vacant seats.
After some years of inactivity, the Common Council tried to eliminate the board, but the public overwhelmingly reasserted their interest in it, even if no one wanted to serve.
In the last couple of years, an effort has been made to reactivate, and the Common Council filled vacancies. Now, under the law, a filled vacancy for an elected position is only good until the next general election.
So, going in to this election cycle we have Board Members A, B and C.
I am assuming that Member A was elected for a three year term which has not expired. Member B, no one can answer for me. If she was appointed, her term should have been up for election this past November, and if she had been elected to fill a vacancy previously, the remainder of her term may have also expired for this November anyway, in which case the position should also have been on the ballot. And she moved out of town in August.
The seat that the City did certify to the Board of Elections as vacant, that of appointed Member C, was on the ballot this November. Odds are heavy that there should have been two positions open, if not three.
And then the election resulted in a tie vote, three to three. If there had been two seats open, both would be elected, but under the law, a tie vote results in NO ONE being elected. If someone HAD been elected, they would have taken office when the election results were certified, as happened with the City Controller a few years ago. But with no replacement, Member C remains in office until December 31, at which time a vacancy occurs.
The Common Council fills vacancies. Until December 31, there are no vacancies.
Nevertheless, the lame duck Common Council has now filled the position "effective January 1," which they have absolutely no authority to do. When questioned about this, Mayor Thane has opined that they are really filling the position of Member B who moved away. But Member B did not resign, nor has the Common Council certified the seat as vacant, which only they can do after giving Member B an opportunity to show that she is still a resident of the city. They haven't done that. In fact, none of them, except Alderman Leggiero who voted NO, can say what exactly it is they voted for.
So now the new council will come in in January and they have the ONLY legal authority to appoint someone. If they don't, the person appointed Tuesday to the unpaid position will be in legal limbo. Ditto if they appoint someone else. And they could still declare the other seat vacant and appoint TWO people.
Is it really, really too much to ask that they, maybe just this once, try to do things the right way?
 
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[Continuing my sharing with you of some of the raw research for the book I am writing of the 176 Amsterdam area men who died in World War II. Anyone having newspaper clippings, telegrams, letters, anecdotes and/or good quality photos of these men, kindly comment here or email me at the address in the left column]
Recorder, August 30, 1944
Former Resident, Serving in Marines, Killed in Action, So Aunt Here Learns by Telegram
Mrs. Harold B. Schotte, 6 Grieme Avenue, this morning received a telegram informing her that her nephew, Sergeant Edward Peckenpaugh, son of Mr. and Mrs. E. P. Peckenpaugh, Cocoa, Fla., had been killed in action while serving with the 2nd Division, U. S. Marine Corps. No information was given as to the date of his death, or the place.
Conducted Dutch Grill
Mr. and Mrs. Peckenpaugh, who went from here to Florida, conducted the Dutch Grill on East Main Street during their residence in Amsterdam. Their son, Sergeant Peckenpaugh, was born in New York City, coming here with his parents, where he attended Amsterdam High School, from which he was graduated in the Class of 1935. In his senior year he was editor of the “Yearbook.”
He had a natural tact for the stage, his father having been in theatricals, and following his graduation from High School here he attended Syracuse University and later studied at the New York Academy of Dramatic Art.
He was a member of the Little Theater and appeared to excellent advantage in some of its local productions. He was also one of the Tamarack Players, under the stage name of Edward Barry, and likewise won success in his endeavors with those players.
His parents retired from business here in 1941 and went to make their home in Cocoa, Fla.
Sergeant Peckenpaugh had an active career since enlisting in the Marines and his efficient service won him the rank held at the time he met a hero's death in defense of his country. He had seen action on Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Saipan and was last heard from prior to the Tinian invasion.
He was wounded at Tarawa but had recovered and rejoined his company on active duty.
[Note that he was a Wilbur H. Lynch High School contemporary of fellow-thespian Izzy Demsky, '34.]
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[Continuing my sharing with you of some of the raw research for the book I am writing of the 176 Amsterdam area men who died in World War II. Anyone having newspaper clippings, telegrams, letters, anecdotes and/or good quality photos of these men, kindly comment here or email me at the address in the left column]
Recorder February 7, 1946
Another Amsterdamian Who Was Reported Missing in Action, Is Now Declared Officially Dead
Mrs. Doris Pawlowski, 7 Reid Street, has been informed in a letter from Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal that her husband, John T. Pawlowski, motor machinist's mate, first class, reported missing in action since September 24, 1943, has been classified by the navy Department as officially dead since January 3, 1946.
The Amsterdam man, in service with the Navy since 1937, was a member of the crew of the U.S.S. ???, a submarine last reported on its way from a port in the southwest Pacific to Pearl Harbor. Having failed to return from patrol operations, the crew was listed as missing, but according to the Secretary of the Navy, no official or unofficial reports have been received to the effect that any members of the crew survived or was taken prisoner.
His last visit to Amsterdam was in 1943. he was a member of the Polish National Church.
Besides his wife, he is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Pawlowski of the above address and a brother, William Pawlowski, also a resident of this city.
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[Continuing my sharing with you of some of the raw research for the book I am writing of the 176 Amsterdam area men who died in World War II. Anyone having newspaper clippings, telegrams, letters, anecdotes and/or good quality photos of these men, kindly comment here or email me at the address in the left column]
Recorder, March 27, 1945
Navy Abandons Hope for Local Boy Reported Missing Last Dec. While on Mission in Aleutians
All hope has been abandoned for Machinist's Mate, 3rd Class, Edward Partyka, son of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Partyka, 42 Crane Street, who had been reported missing in the Aleutian Islands last December 13, while on a landing mission. The family was informed by the Navy Department that there was little chance of finding him alive after a search had been made and no trace of the Amsterdam boy was discovered.
Machinist's Mate Partyka was born in Amsterdam June 4, 1923 and was graduated from the Wilbur H. Lynch Senior High School. He entered the service April 3, 1943, and his family last heard from him in the Aleutians. Before entering the service he was employed by the American Locomotive Company in Schenectady.
Besides his parents he is survived by two brothers, Raymond and Theodore Partyka, and two sisters, Josephine and Genevieve Partyka, all of Amsterdam. ( Read more... )
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[Continuing my sharing with you of some of the raw research for the book I am writing of the 176 Amsterdam area men who died in World War II. Anyone having newspaper clippings, telegrams, letters, anecdotes and/or good quality photos of these men, kindly comment here or email me at the address in the left column]
Recorder June 23, 1944
Word has been received from the War Department that Corporal Edmund C. Pacunas, son of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Pacunas, 12 Meadow Street was "killed in action" in Italy on May 31. The sorrowful announcement to the parents of the young hero was contained in the regulation telegram from the War Department and signed by Adjutant General Ulio. The family of Corporal Pacunas received a letter yesterday
confirming the original announcement.
Native Son
Corporal Edmund C. Pacunas, a native Amsterdamian, was born here October 18, 1919, and he attended the public schools and the Wilbur H. Lynch Senior High School. He was inducted January 15, 1942, and prior to that was employed at the Socony service station, corner East Main Street and Vrooman Avenue. He was at an Army post in North Carolina when he was shipped overseas 23 months ago, and since that time saw an abundance of action and was a veteran of three campaigns, serving in the Army Engineers.
Corporal Pacunas first landed in North Africa and went through the African campaign. Then he was transferred to Sicily and went through that campaign, going back to North Africa and returning to Sicily again before going into the Italian campaign. He was promoted to the rank of corporal from private first class while serving in these campaigns. The last letter received by his parents was on May 22, but a sister in Scotia received one dated May 29, written two days before he was killed.
His mother received the following letter from the War Department yesterday afternoon, in confirmation of the first word of his death:
War Department, Adjutant General's Office, Washington, D. C.
June 20, 1944.
Mrs. Helen Pacunas,
12 Meadow Street,
Amsterdam, N.Y.
Dear Mrs. Pacunas:
It is with regret I am writing to confirm the recent telegram informing you of the death of your son, Corporal Edmund C. Pacunas, Corps of Engineers, who was killed in action May 31, 1944. I fully understand your desire to learn as much as possible regarding the circumstances leading to his death, and I wish that there were more information available to give you. Unfortunately, reports of this nature contain only the briefest details, as they are prepared under battle conditions and the means of transmission are limited.
I know the sorrow this message has brought you and it is my hope that in time the knowledge of his heroic service to his country, even unto death, may be of sustaining comfort to you. I extend to you my deepest sympathy.
Sincerely Yours,
J. A. ULIO,
Major General,
The Adjutant General.
Member of St. Casimir's
Corporal Pacunas was a member of St. Casimir's Lithuanian Church, where a memorial requiem mass will be sung at a date to be announced later.
Besides his parents, he is survived by two sisters, Anna, who is a graduate nurse on the staff of the Ellis Hospital, Schenectady, and resides in Scotia, and Mrs. Charles Meyer, also of Scotia.
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[Continuing my sharing with you of some of the raw research for the book I am writing of the 176 Amsterdam area men who died in World War II. Anyone having newspaper clippings, telegrams, letters, anecdotes and/or good quality photos of these men, kindly comment here or email me at the address in the left column]
Recorder, November 13, 1944
Private Edward J. Paciunas, Reported First as Wounded, Now Said Killed in Action
Mrs. Constance Paciunas, 40 Brookside Avenue, has been officially notified by the War Department that her husband, Private Edward J. Paciunas, father of two daughters, one aged three years and the other one year, had been killed in action in France, October 16. The message bringing the particularly sad news arrived after a. previous telegram, received on October 27, reported Private Paciunas "wounded in action October 14."
The second telegram reached Mrs. Paciunas on November 8, and read as follows:
"The Secretary of War desires that I tender his deep sympathy to you In the loss of your husband, Private Edward J. Paciunas, who was previously reported wounded in action. Report now received states he was killed in action October 10 in France.
"J. A. ULIO.
"Adjutant General."
Native of City
Private Paciunas was born in Amsterdam May 20, 1915, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Steven Paciunas and this city had always been his home. He graduated from the Wilbur H. Lynch Senior High School and was employed as a weaver in the Bigelow-Sanford carpet plant at the time of his induction into the armed forces March 9, 1944. He took his basic training in the Infantry at Camp Roberts, Calif., and went overseas last August.
He was a member of the American-Lithuanian Club and St. Casimir's Lithuanian Church. His name is entered upon the honor roll of gallant American boys who died in a noble cause.
Besides his wife, parents and two daughters, Arlene and Joan, he is survived by a brother, Everett, who is serving in the Navy.
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[Continuing my sharing with you of some of the raw research for the book I am writing of the 176 Amsterdam area men who died in World War II. Anyone having newspaper clippings, telegrams, letters, anecdotes and/or good quality photos of these men, kindly comment here or email me at the address in the left column]
Recorder, January 8, 1945
Officially Reported Killed In Action in Germany After First Being Listed Missing
Mr. and Mrs. Emmanuel V. Pacillo, 12 Lark Street, have been notified by the War Department that their son, Private First Class Frank A. Pacillo, 22, previously reported "missing in action in Germany December 12," is now officially listed as "killed in action in Germany December 12."
Second Telegram Arrives
Mr. and Mrs. Pacillo received the first telegram reporting their son missing a week ago. The second one, which arrived over the weekend, read as follows:
"The Secretary, of the Army that I assure you of his deep sympathy in the loss of your son, Private First Class Frank A. Pacillo, who was previously reported missing in action. Report now received states he was killed in action December 13 in Germany. Confirming letter follows.
"DUNLOP,
"Adjutant General."
Native of Amsterdam
PFC Pacillo was born in Amsterdam March 26, 1922. He attended the grade schools, the Junior High School and the Technical High School here and was a member of the Y. M. C. A. and St. Michaels Church. Before his induction he was employed at the Scotia Naval Depot.
PFC Pacillo entered military service March 9, 1944. He was at Camp Dix. N. J., before being sent to Camp Roberts. Calif., where he received his basic training and was shipped overseas September 15. He served in the Infantry, his regiment being called the "Go-Devils" and he saw action in both France and Germany. His advancement in rank came while he was in action and he had been awarded medals for gallant service.
He was popular in the circles in which he moved and his friendly nature was one of his chief attributes.
Besides his parents, he is survived by a sister, Antoinette, and two brothers. Michael and Anthony,at home; three other brothers serving in the armed forces, Sergeant Dominic Pacillo and Corporal William Pacillo in Italy, and PFC Annunzio Pacillo, whose present station is unknown, also his grandmother and several aunts, uncles cousins, nieces and nephews.
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[Continuing my sharing with you of some of the raw research for the book I am writing of the 176 Amsterdam area men who died in World War II. Anyone having newspaper clippings, telegrams, letters, anecdotes and/or good quality photos of these men, kindly comment here or email me at the address in the left column]
Recorder, September 2, 1944
Youthful Local Hero Gives Life for Country While Serving With Marines in Pacific Area
Private First Class Harold W. Ouderkirk, Jr., U. S. Marine Corps, son of Dr. and Mrs. Harold W. Ouderkirk, 78 Arnold Avenue, was "killed in action" in the Pacific theater, according to a telegram received here Wednesday morning. No date of his death was given. Had he had lived until next Tuesday he would have been 21 years of age. Widely known and extremely popular, the announcement that he has been killed is received with deep regret here, but there is balm in the knowledge that he is one of the large number of America's gallant heroes who have made the supreme sacrifice to the present titanic struggle that the cause of freedom shall not be torn asunder.
Dr. and Mrs. Ouderkirk were in New Hampshire on a vacation trip when the telegram arrived here from the War Department. The news was immediately transmitted to them and, as to all the other Amsterdam fathers and mothers who have given their sons to the noble cause, the shock was severe. Dr. and Mrs. Ouderkirk are now resting at a Summer camp in the Batchellerville neighborhood and are expected home Monday afternoon.
Private First Class Ouderkirk was born in this city September 5, 1923 and he attended the public schools and the Wilbur H. Lynch Senior High School, graduating from the latter in the Class of 1941. He was active In youth organizations about the Y. M. C. A. and he enjoyed the friendship of all his comrades.
November 12, 1942, he was in Syracuse where he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and was placed in reserve, being called for training January 7, 1943. He took his basic training in the famous “Leathernecks" at Parris Island, S. C, and from there he went to New River, N. C, where he was assigned to the instrument section of the 14th Regiment (Artillery), Fourth Division. He was transferred to Camp Pendleton, Calif., in August, 1943, and last January was sent to the Pacific theater. He was in action with the now famous Fourth Division of the Marines in the Marshall Islands, and was in the Battle of Saipan with his own division, the Second Marine Division and the 27th Division of New York State, which included Company G, 105th Infantry of Amsterdam. Private First Class Ouderkirk came through the bloody struggle at Saipan unharmed and his parents heard from him after the Japs had been vanquished there.
He was a member of the First Baptist Church and besides his parents he is survived by one sister, Mrs. Henry O. Parry, whose husband is an ensign in the U. S. Navy, they making their present home in San Francisco, also his grand|mothers, Mrs. Harry W. Ouderkirk, Amsterdam. and Mrs. Fred C. Sarno, Johnstown.
Buy my murder mystery The Evil Has Landed
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[Continuing my sharing with you of some of the raw research for the book I am writing of the 176 Amsterdam area men who died in World War II. Anyone having newspaper clippings, telegrams, letters, anecdotes and/or good quality photos of these men, kindly comment here or email me at the address in the left column]
Recorder, October 13, 1944
Army Sergeant Dies Suddenly; Has Wife Here
Mrs. John Y. Nichol, who is residing with her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Leopold Leonard, 410 Locust Avenue, received a telegram this morning announcing the sudden death of her husband, Staff Sergeant Nichol, which occurred today at Camp Gruber, Oklahoma. No details of the death were given, and a letter is expected to follow.
Staff Sergeant Nichol entered the Army in June, 1941, and received his basic training at Camp Upton, N. Y., where he was stationed for a year. He was next sent to New York City as a recruiting officer, where he remained until he was reassigned to Camp Croft, S. C. He next went to Fort Benning, Ga., and three months ago, to Camp Gruber. Mrs. Nichol traveled with him until he was sent to the Oklahoma camp.
Staff Sergeant Nichol was born in Clyddank, Scotland, the son of John R. and Elizabeth Young Nichol, and came to America with his parents when he was eight years old. The Nichols came directly to Schenectady, where he attended the public schools and was graduated from Mont Pleasant High School in 1936. He was employed by the General Electric Company for some time, and was working in the credit department of the Schenectady Union Star when inducted. He was a member of Clan MacRae, of which he was a past chief, and of St. Andrew's Society, both Schenectady organizations.
Survivors Include his wife, the former Rachel C. Leonard, whom he married in May, 1941; one son, John Robert Nichol; his parents; one brother, Robert; an aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. John Anderson, Delanson; two nieces and one nephew.
The body is expected to arrive in Amsterdam Monday. The funeral will probably be held Wednesday.
Buy my murder mystery The Evil Has Landed
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[Continuing my sharing with you of some of the raw research for the book I am writing of the 176 Amsterdam area men who died in World War II. Anyone having newspaper clippings, telegrams, letters, anecdotes and/or good quality photos of these men, kindly comment here or email me at the address in the left column]
Recorder, June 4, 1943
Another Local Hero Pays With His Life In American Cause
Private Angelo Natoli of 89 Academy Street, Killed In North African Area on April 28, News Reveals
Another Amsterdam young man has made the supreme sacrifice in the great cause of democracy and the preservation of American Ideals.
Word has been received by Mr. and Mrs. John Natoli, 89 Academy Street, that their son, Private Angelo Natoli, 26, was killed in action in the North African area on April 28.
The sad news was revealed in the following message received from the War Department at Washington, D. C, through Adjutant General Ulio, and which reads as follows:
"The Secretary of War desires that I tender his deep sympathy to you in the loss of your son, Private Angelo Natoli. Report just received states that he was killed in action on April 28 in North African area.
Letter follows.
"ULIO,
"The Adjutant General."
The last his parents received word from Private Natoli was Saturday, May 29, when a letter arrived from North Africa. It was written April 14, two weeks before he paid with his life on the field of honor.
Private Natoli was born in Amsterdam August 5, 1916. He attended the public schools and afterward was employed in the Shuttleworth Division of the Mohawk Carpet Mills, being at work there at the time he entered military service September 18, 1942. He received his basic training in the Infantry at Fort McClellan, Ala., where he was awarded a medal for marksmanship.
He is believed to have arrived in the North African area the latter part of February and he was in the thick of the campaign there. The announcement of his death adds another gold star to Amsterdam's big service flag but it brings deep regret. The young man passed his entire life in his native city up to the time he fearlessly answered the call to his country's defense.
Besides his parents he is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Joseph Call and Mrs. Mary Smicinski; four brothers, Dominick, Barney, Anthony and Private First Class John Natoli, Jr., also three nephews, one niece and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
Recorder, July 19, 1943
The President of the United States has awarded the Purple Heart, posthumously to Private Angelo Natoli, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Natoli, 89 Academy Street, who was killed in action April 28 last in the North African area while heroically fighting in defense of his country's honor. Announcement of the award was received by his father, In the following letter from Secretary of War Stimson:
My dear Mr. Natoli:
The President has requested me to inform you that the Purple Heart has been awarded posthumously to your son, Private Angelo Natoli, Infantry, who sacrificed his life In defense of his country. The medal which you will receive shortly is of slight intrinsic value but rich with the tradition for which Americans are no gallantly giving their liven. The father of our country, whose profile and coat of arms adorn the medal, speaks from it across the centuries to the men who fight today for the proud freedom he founded.
Nothing the War Department can do or say will in any sense repair the loss of your loved one. He has gone, however, in honor and in the goodly company of patriots. Let me, in communicating to you the country's deepest sympathy, also express to you its gratitude for his valor and devotion. Please believe me,
Sincerely yours,
HENRY L. STIMSON.
In addition Mrs. Natoli, mother of the gallant hero, received the following letter from Chief of Staff Marshall of the War Department:
My dear Mrs. Natoli:
I wish to extend my heartfelt sympathy on the death of your son who was killed in action. Angelo Natoli was a gallant soldier of the United States Army whose name is now indelibly recorded on the rolls of our nation's honored dead. As time passes, I hope that you will derive some consolation in the realization that your son gave his life so that others might live as free men.
Again my deepest sympathy to you and to the other members of the family.
Faithfully yours.
G. C. MARSHALL,
Chief of Staff.
The Purple Heart medal and the engraved certificate of the order issued by the President of the United States and signed by Secretary of War Stimson, awarded to "Private Angelo Natoli, A. S. No. 32491186, for military merit and for wounds received in action resulting in his death April 28, 1943," have been received by his parents.
The late Private Natoli was born in Amsterdam and attended the public schools here, afterward being employed in the Shuttleworth Division of the Mohawk Carpet Mills. He was engaged there when he entered military service September 18, 1942. He received his basic training in the Infantry at Fort McClellan, Ala., where he won a medal for marksmanship.
Tribute to Private Angelo Natoli
As a martyr is sanctified through the ages for the immortality of the righteousness of his cause, so the honorably valiant hearts that beat with dynamic symmetry for the security of our ideals and heritage are enshrined for their deeds of gallantry, glory of heroism, and redemptive spirit of justice on the altar of civilization and Christendom.
The late Private Angelo Natoli who fell on the field of honor in the battle where glory and grief commingled has entered the sanctum of this hallowed realm of sainthood. Quiet and unassuming was he in his peaceful pursuit of industry and contentment. No task was found that did not have its interest; no pastime its entertainment. Yes life was richly endowed with traditional thoughtfulness and love for the home in which he was cherished. All who knew him gained the versatility of his amiable and sociable attributes. As a good neighbor and faithful friend, a hero recognized for the courageous conviction of his indomitable spirit of sacrifice he is mourned by all. Though in honored glory his name is engraved on the scroll of history, immeasurably profound and irreparable has been the sustained anguish of his bereaved family.
There is no death for him who has fought, for his spirit of heroism marches on triumphantly to ultimate victory. He did not live to die. Reverently in the glory he attained he sleeps evermore to live eternally in the sanctuary of Mankind, in the bosom of consecrated peace.
ANTHONY TOMASELLO.
July 19, 1943.
[I remember Tony Tomasello. He was a great friend of my grandparents and could be called upon for any occasion to pay appropriate tribute. His eloquent words pop up frequently in my research.]
Buy my murder mystery The Evil Has Landed
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[Continuing my sharing with you of some of the raw research for the book I am writing of the 176 Amsterdam area men who died in World War II. Anyone having newspaper clippings, telegrams, letters, anecdotes and/or good quality photos of these men, kindly comment here or email me at the address in the left column]
Recorder, February 6, 1946
Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Murawski, 23 Van Derveer Street have been notified by the Navy Department that their son, Victor Joseph Murawski, fireman, 1st class, U. S. N. R., listed as missing since August 13, 1944, has been officially declared dead. The Amsterdam sailor was serving on board the U.S.S. Flier, a submarine which failed to return from patrol operations in the Pacific area.
Information available regarding the action in which their son apparently lost his life was given to the parents in a letter from Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal. He states that the U.S.S. Flier was cruising on the surface through a pass between islands in the Philippine group on the night of August 13, 1944 when there was a sudden tremendous explosion in the water alongside and a few seconds later the submarine went under. Immediately after the sinking personnel were seen in the water, but it appeared that only those stationed on the bridge or in the conning tower had managed to get clear of the vessel. Eight men were the only known survivors. A search of surrounding islands proved fruitless and to date no further information has been received by the Navy Department concerning Fireman Murawski.
Concluding his message, Secretary Forrestal writes:
“In view of the length of time to that has now elapsed since your son was reported missing, and because there have been no official or unconfirmed reports that he survived or was taken prisoner of war, I am reluctantly forced to the conclusion that he is deceased. I extend my deepest sympathy to you in your sorrow. It is hoped that you may find comfort in the knowledge that he gave his life for his country, upholding the highest traditions of the Navy."
Victor J. Murawski was born in Amsterdam November 28, 1924, and was graduated from the Wilbur H. Lynch High School in the Class of 1942. He worked at the Schenectady Army Depot for a few months after graduating but immediately following his 18th birthday, he enlisted in the Navy and was called into service in January, 1943.
Upon completion of "boot" training at Sampson, N. Y., he was sent to New London, Conn., for advanced training in submarine warfare following which he was assigned to the newly commissioned U. S. S. Flier. Young Murawski was home on his last leave in April, 1944, when his ship was returned from the Pacific area for repairs.
Surviving him besides his parents are three sisters, Mrs. Anne Bush, Mrs. Helen Pawloski and Miss Alice Murawski; two brothers, Corporal Anthony Murawski, now en route home from Manila, and R. M. 1/C Henry Murawski, aboard the transport U. S. S. Lander; also two nephews.
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[Continuing my sharing with you of some of the raw research for the book I am writing of the 176 Amsterdam area men who died in World War II. Anyone having newspaper clippings, telegrams, letters, anecdotes and/or good quality photos of these men, kindly comment here or email me at the address in the left column]
Recorder, April 25, 1945
Son of Veteran of Previous World War Reported Killed In Action in Germany Mar. 23
Technician Fifth Grade Robert A. Munroe was killed in action in Germany on March 23, according to a telegram received from the War Department by his wife, Mrs. Mildred Munroe, 77 Prospect Street. His father, Arnold G. Munroe, a veteran of World War I, is a patient in Veterans' Hospital, Brooklyn, and his mother, Mrs. Louise Munroe, resides at 243 East Main Street.
Technician Munroe was born in Amsterdam and attended St. Mary's Institute, from which he was graduated with the Class of 1942. He was inducted February 9, 1943, and was assigned to the Quartermaster's Department at Camp Lee Va. Later he was transferred to Camp Campbell, Ky.
He went overseas in January, 1944, arriving in England. Sent to the Continent, he was transferred to the Infantry, and added to the citation for services in the previous branch, he received the Combat Infantryman's Badge. His courageous action in combat was cited in a letter received April 24 from Lieut. Colonel Raynor E. Anderson, his commanding officer.
The information received thus far includes the fact that Corporal Munroe was buried with military honors, the rites being conducted by a Catholic chaplain in an Army cemetery in Luxembourg.
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[Continuing my sharing with you of some of the raw research for the book I am writing of the 176 Amsterdam area men who died in World War II. Anyone having newspaper clippings, telegrams, letters, anecdotes and/or good quality photos of these men, kindly comment here or email me at the address in the left column]
Recorder, May 23, 1945
Wounded While Fighting With Infantry in Italy, Local Boy Dies V-E Day, Report States
PFC Thomas B. Mullarkey, reported as seriously wounded in Italy on April 27, died on V-E Day, May 8, according to information of the War Department, received yesterday by his wife, Mrs. Edna B. Mullarkey, 75 West Main Street.
Text of Telegram
The telegram from Adjutant General Ulio states:
The Secretary of War desires me to express his deep regret that your husband, Private First Class Thomas B. Mullarkey, died of wounds in Italy on May 8. Confirming letter follows.
Private First Class Mullarkey was born in Amsterdam March 31, 1910, the son of Thomas B. and Nellie Ardison Mullarkey. He attended St. Mary's Institute. He was a member of St. Mary's Church and the Holy Name Society of the church. His marriage to Edna B. Kuiber took place on January 29, 1942. Before entering service he was employed at the General Electric plant in Schenectady.
Following induction on October 29,1943, he received radar training at Southwork Station, Philadelphia, Pa. Further training was received at Camp Davis, N. C. and Camp Meade, Md. Sent overseas to England in July of 1944, he remained in that country until the Fall of last year when he was sent to Italy, where he was attached to Company G of the 133rd Infantry, Fifth Army. No additional details surrounding the wounding and death have been received.
Besides the wife, the survivors are a son, Thomas B., 3rd, two and one-half years old; two brothers, Joseph Mullarkey of this city, and John, S1/C, stationed in the Pacific area: three nephews, several aunts, uncles and cousins.
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From Alderman-elect Gina DeRossi's Twitter:
"Planning something cool for our community :-) Hope it works out. Will know VERY shortly."
Shouldn't she, like, know that already?
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So what do you do if you are thinking about running for public office and suddenly discover that your potential opponent who is also president of the school board supplements her ordinary income by doing psychic readings on the internet? And how do you approach the fact that she claims to hear voices that she refers to as her spirit guides? And what about when you later learn that her guides have names and that one of them tickles her neck to get her attention?
In my case, the answer was simple. I wasn't so much interested in getting elected as in getting my positions and myself across (and validated). Not politically astute, perhaps, but I wanted to be judged on my own merits and my own ideas. So I kept my mouth shut, even though I've known about it since May, since just after the school board election and just before we both announced our candidacies.
The Democrats were aware, as well, and fuddled with it, but ultimately decided against bringing it up. And so, Gina DeRossi was elected as Alderman of the Third Ward.
I wouldn't be mentioning it at all, but for the remarkable conversation she had with Mike Chiara and Bobby O'Brien this morning on Bobby's radio show, which may have been the most fascinating radio interview ever. Since she is delighted with the publicity for her business, and I'm not one to hold grudges, judge for yourself at her most interesting web site.
Our elected officials come from broad and differing backgrounds. This may be the most different one of all.
Gina mentioned that one of the guides is named Martin. Just curious--- is there a Wierzbicki out there too? LOL
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"Insane" was the identical word I heard from the first three people to comment on the news that City Engineer Rich Phillips has been suspended by the increasingly unbalanced Mayor Ann Thane.
She appointed the guy, and he serves co-terminously with her. He can only be removed from office by a majority vote of the Common Council. Though she certainly has the authority to suspend him, I doubt that she has the authority to suspend him without pay, as she appears to have attempted to do, though I'm quite sure her Corporation Counsel will rule that she can, since the principal charges against him seem to be that he fails to follow the directives of the city's attorney.
It should be an interesting hearing before the council, since Mr. Phillips has first hand knowledge of many attempts by the mayor to circumvent the law, starting with her order to him to grant post facto demolition and building permits to Alderman Brumley after the latter illegally demolished and rebuilt her garage, which included the improper and grossly illegal dumping of asbestos materials at the MOSA transfer station. Then there was her order to him to purchase fire hydrants greatly in excess of the amount budgeted. Instead of going immediately to the Common Council for additional funds, she sat on it for months and then blamed Phillips.
When it was suggested to her that replacing certain hydrants would not result in functioning hydrants because the underlying pipes were not providing sufficient water pressure, her response to the engineer's office was that it is more important for the public to see that she is doing something than that the hydrants actually work. Meanwhile five months went by before she got around to asking the Common Council to hire a consultant to address the issue, all the while ignoring the advice of the city employees who were actually knowledgeable on the subject.
Yes, this should be an interesting hearing.
As I've mentioned before, I do not know the engineer very well. He arrived after I left City Hall, and these days I just bump into him at the coffee shop periodically. But I do know quite a few people who work with him, and I have never heard a negative comment about his skills or dedication to duty. He impresses me as being exceptionally knowledgeable in his area of expertise. Under the Charter, he is in charge of DPW, Water, Sewer and formerly Codes as part of his duties. The Mayor arranged to remove him as codes supervisor over the Brumley garage incident and, among other things, his refusal to put negative comments in the personnel files of certain employees she deemed to be disloyal to her.
If this is starting to sound like Captain Queeg, it's because more and more the mayor and her attorney ARE acting like Captain Queeg.
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Mayor Ann Thane in Sunday's Recorder:
“I don’t know that the [East] end was ever truly prosperous,” she said. “When I look at the archived photos of the city, I think it was always a working class area.”
See, now this is the problem when you elect somebody to an important office who has to rely on archival photos to form her opinions. While I'm not ridiculously older than the mayor, I do have something of an institutional memory from having lived in Amsterdam nearly my entire life.
Sure, the East End was never downtown Saratoga. But it absolutely was a vibrant melting pot of dozens of cultures, brought about by the presence of the city's principal employer, Mohawk Carpets. Folks arriving from the east first confronted Coessens Park, a joyful recreational area with ball fields and tennis courts and the annual home of Santa Claus and his reindeer in a wintery fairyland.
All of those empty storefronts on East Main Street used to house thriving businesses in an unbroken line of commerce that extended all the way to "downtown." Carmel's Diner and DiCaprio's Diner stood side by side and flourished. Lou's Market, endlessly expanding, was in the mid 1960's the second largest supermarket in the country by floorspace, and, if you counted the warehouse space it was probably the largest.
The "working class" of the day took pride in their homes. Even the poorest of the working poor understood neat and clean. Those "working class" people scrimped and saved and sent their kids off to college and a better life. They also sent their sons to fight and die for their country in huge numbers.
Heck, the neighborhood even produced a ragman's son who became one of the great movie actors of the 20th century, and when Kirk Douglas came home, he was sure to mention his old friends with names like Riccio and Rimkunas and Naple. When I was very young my Irish grandmother lived in the East End, in one of those two families on the north side of Main Street, close enough to walk to work and church and the market.
They were prosperous in ways some people will never understand.
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Here's an excerpt from my upcoming book HONOR ROLL: The World War II Dead of Amsterdam, NY:
Throughout the year 1943, each of the Eight Wards dedicated an Honor Roll for their men in service. Prayers were said, bands played, patriotic songs sung, flags waved, Veterans marched, Gold Star Mothers were introduced and admired. It was a continuous outpouring of affection, support, defiance and determination.
The last of them, the Second Ward monument on the grounds of the Academy Street School, was unveiled on Sunday, November 21, 1943. The principal speaker was New York Supreme Court Justice Christopher Heffernan, whose namesake son had died in the Bataan Death March. His words carried that burden, and responsibility:
Today the world is gripped by war. We are in the midst of the greatest war of all history. It has been brought on by the personal ambition of wicked and corrupt men. It is not a struggle for national supremacy. Its roots go far deeper. It is in very truth a world revolution that challenges all those principles of personal freedom, equality of right, impartial justice and popular sovereignty that are so dear to the hearts of all free men everywhere. In all the sorry pages of human history never has despotism stood forward more defiantly,never has it more brazenly announced its foul purposes, never have the rights of men and nations been more brutally assailed.
The present war is not merely for markets and territories; it is a struggle for the possession of the human soul. The civilized world is threatened by a sinister power which strikes directly at its moral foundations. Two philosophies of life are involved in deadly combat— the one based upon law, justice and human dignity; the other upon arbitrary will, violence and human slavery.( Read more... )
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[Continuing my sharing with you of some of the raw research for the book I am writing of the 176 Amsterdam area men who died in World War II. Anyone having newspaper clippings, telegrams, letters, anecdotes and/or good quality photos of these men, kindly comment here or email me at the address in the left column]
Recorder, July 3, 1942
Late Marine Private Is Given Military Funeral
The funeral of Private Fred L. Morse, who died Sunday at the Navy Hospital at the Marine training station, Parris Island, S. C, was held Thursday at 2 P. M. at the funeral house of Johnson-Lindsay, with the Rev. M. C. T. Andreae officiating.
Impressive military rites were conducted at the Green Hill Cemetery where interment was made. A firing squad of the James T. Bergen Post, 39, American Legion, under the command of William J. Orth, fired a salute at the grave. Members of the squad were Earl E. Smith, Harry D. Putnam, Alden Wickham, Joseph P. Hand, William McCune, Arch D. Anderson, Frank Gigilio and Edward Briggs. "Taps" was sounded by Michael D. Fratangelo, bugler.
Acting as an honorary escort were Sergeant Miles K. Arnett, Sergeant-Frederick R. Silvers and Sergeant James F. Gabriel of the local recruiting station of the United States Marine Corps, Corporal H. H. Whitney, William Siegle and John Turkowski, representing the U.S. Army.
The services were largely attended and among the many floral tributes were pieces from Buddies Platoon, J-l, U. S. Marine Corps, co-workers of Building 81 of the General Electric Co., Transmitter Department of General Electric Co., production followers of Radio Transmitter Department of General Electric Co., employees of Montgomery Ward and neighbors.
Acting as bearers were Edward Shuttleworth, George Peters, Frank Spannbauer, Stewart Young, William Meyers and Harold Brown. Attending from out of town were Mr. and Mrs. William Cramer, Schenectady; Mrs. Clarence D. Mosher, Gloversville; Mrs. Ella Earley, Fort Plain; William Myers, Scotia, and Harold Brown, Troy.
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