SCHENECTADY Street section named for former mayor BY JUSTIN MASON Gazette Reporter
If there’s one opinion of Frank Duci that city residents can agree on, it’s that he’s an indelible part of Schenectady. He was first elected to city offi ce in 1959 and became Schenectady’s first Italian American mayor in 1972, serving until 1983. Then, after a nearly decade-long hiatus, he served another term as mayor in the early 1990s. In all, Duci spent 16 years as mayor of Schenectady, more than anyone else in its history. But for many, his record of public service always seemed to take a back seat to his on-the-street persona. The nearly ubiquitous Duci is often credited with being the quintessential listener — the type of person who is never too busy to lend an ear to a troubled resident. “He always listens,” said Flora Ramonowski, a resident who lives near Duci’s home in the city’s Goose Hill neighborhood. “You don’t see that much with politicians anymore.” Duci’s contributions to Schenectady and his legacy as a lifelong resident were honored during a ceremony at the City Hall rotunda Friday, when city officials renamed a portion of Avenue A as “Frank Duci Plaza.” The 88-year-old Republican was presented with a personal copy of the signs, which will soon adorn a section of the street where Duci has lived for decades. Mayor Brian Stratton, who admitted he didn’t always see eye to eye with Duci, spoke glowingly of the former mayor. Even though he and Duci often disagreed on issues, he said he never doubted Duci’s tireless commitment to the city and even compared it to the dedication his father, the late U.S. Rep. Sam Stratton, demonstrated in office. “Even though his ideas were a little bit out there at times, no one ever questioned his commitment,” Stratton said of Duci during the ceremony. .................>>>>................>>>>...........http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r01101&AppName=1
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October 17, 2009, 6:00am
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I'm *really* surprised Stratton didn't save this for election year ... this would have been a great "warm fuzzy" moment for him to use in his campaign.
I'm *really* surprised Stratton didn't save this for election year ... this would have been a great "warm fuzzy" moment for him to use in his campaign.
Nahhh, there would have been a messy democrat primary.
"While Foreign Terrorists were plotting to murder and maim using homemade bombs in Boston, Democrap officials in Washington DC, Albany and here were busy watching ME and other law abiding American Citizens who are gun owners and taxpayers, in an effort to blame the nation's lack of security on US so that they could have a political scapegoat."
Sheople are so stupid, that they will vote stratton in again....just like the stupid sheople are trying to get fdg elected in rotterdam.
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
That was really a nice gesture. Especially after having to sit through Karen Johnson's story about when Frank told her that "if she was a man, he'd punch her right in the face." (ROFL)
That by the way was at a "Conservative Party Mixer" where the only attendees seemed to be democratz and cops. WHEW!
Anyway, Frank having gone through what he's gone through (aneurysm and now lung cancer) and he's still kicking without any complaints. Such a good guy he is. GO FRANK GO!
Whether people agreed or disagreed with his political views....he is one who truly loves his city!
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
It is quite apparent from Mark Ruddiman’s Oct. 13 letter that he is not aware of my mayoral/county legislative voting records. To begin, I respectfully remind Mr. Ruddiman that his Democratic Party has had control of the city council since 1976. Throughout the 16 years that I served as mayor, City Hall records will attest [that] I voted against legislation that hurt the people and their city. One of many examples is the parking garage. Had the city council forced the private sector to construct the garage, the millions of dollars taxpayers have been paying annually could have been written off tax-wise by the private sector. As mayor from 1992-95, our administration spent less than was a budgeted by the city council. In 1992 the budget was $43 million. When I left office in December 1995, the budget was $43 million. That was a first in the history of our city. With regard to my county legislative record, I am very proud to say that over my 12 years as county legislator, we as Republicans and Democrats worked together on governmental concerns. I am also very proud to say that when I was chairman of the education committee, we worked together to initiate the use of the Hotel Van Curler as a community college. We constructed a new library and expanded our branch libraries. We also expanded the use of our irreplaceable courthouse. These are but a few peopleoriented needs that I, along with my fellow Republican and Democratic legislators accomplished.
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This reminds us of when we had a vibrant 2 party system in this County. Way back when. Glad Frank is finally getting his due.
