Predicting the future, looking at Utica's Common Council: This week in Mohawk Valley history

Frank Tomaino
·4 min read

1951, 73 years ago

Predictions

A panel of experts assembled by The Associated Press (AP) gazes into a crystal ball and predicts what the country will look like in 2001 when the 21st century is upon us: (1) there will be a female president of the United States, (2) most men and women will be enjoying a four-day, 30-hour work week, (3) appliances in homes will operate by push buttons and voice controls, (4) new medicines will advance the length of life of women to 80 years and men to 75, (5) because of diets, vitamins, proteins and minerals, the average man will be 6 feet 3 inches tall and wear a size 13 shoe and the average women will be 6 feet tall and wear a size 11 shoe.

Here is the old Utica State Hospital in the 19th century (when it was called the State Lunatic Asylum). The portico in front is supported by six fluted columns, built of blocks of hewn limestone, eight feet in diameter at the base and 48 feet high. That section still stands today.
Here is the old Utica State Hospital in the 19th century (when it was called the State Lunatic Asylum). The portico in front is supported by six fluted columns, built of blocks of hewn limestone, eight feet in diameter at the base and 48 feet high. That section still stands today.

1924, 100 years ago

Music composer

Francis Frank, organist at the Avon Theater in downtown Utica, is now a published music composer. His piano piece, "Fantasie Etude," is released nationwide by Shirmer & Company. Frank once was the organist at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Utica.

1949, 75 years ago

County surrogate

J. Maynard Jones, a graduate of Hamilton College, is appointed Oneida County surrogate by New York Governor Thomas E. Dewey. Jones has been serving as the county's first assistant district attorney.

1974, 50 years ago

Reilly's two 'scents'

Utica Councilwoman Sue Baum (D-6) receives a warm welcome from Councilman P. McCormick Reilly (D-5) at the first meeting this year of the newly elected Common Council. "It's nice to have the aroma of Chanel No. 5 on my right," Reilly says. Then he sees Councilman Roy Bouse (D-4) and adds, "And it's nice to have the scent of Right Guard on my left." Reilly notes that former Councilman Frank Andrello who sat next to him usually smoked cigars.

In other news, Edward A. Hanna takes the oath of office on New Year's Eve to become Utica's first independent mayor in nearly 100 years.

And Bob King is named head football coach at Hamilton College. He once coached at Utica's Thomas R. Proctor High and John F. Kennedy High.

1999, 25 years ago

Oath of office

Two Republicans are sworn into office after being re-elected last November. Sandra Caruso was first elected county clerk in 1983, and Daniel G. Middaugh has been county sheriff since 1994.

In high school girls basketball, Amanda LaPolla and Jennifer Fleischer each score 17 points to lead New Hartford over Proctor, 59-55. Fleischer also has 12 rebounds and six blocked shots. Proctor is led by Natalie Phillips with 15 points, Margaret Burke's 13 points and Latasia Woody's eight rebounds.

2014, 10 years ago

Common Council

Frank Meola is president of Utica's new Common Council. The others are: Frank Vescera D-1, David Testa D-2, Jason Flemma R-3, Joseph Marini D-4, Jerome McKinsey D-5, Samantha Colosimo R-6, and councilmen-at-large, Republican Mark Williamson, Democrat Jacklo Medico and Democrat Edward Bucciero.

The New Hartford Volunteer Fire Department elects Thomas A. Bolanowski as its chief. First, second and third assistant chiefs are James H. Monahan, Scott L. Nicotera and Richard E. Alexander. David P. Ambrose is first captain, Mark Wilson second captain and Briand McCormick third captain. First, second, third and fourth lieutenants are Jonathan E. Reese, Sean M. Luley, W. Michael Mathias and Steven M. Ingersoll. Fire police captain is James E. Monahan, Peter L. Rebisz in fire police 1st lieutenant and William H. Randall fire police 2nd lieutenant.

Meanwhile, the fire department also elects Joseph S. Luker as its president, David W. Butler as vice president, David E. Maier as treasurer, David F. Spellman as assistant treasurer, James Luley as recording secretary, Michael J. Galligano as financial secretary and James P. Kreutzer as director.

In high school hockey, New Hartford defeats Rome Free Academy 6-3. Christian Nimey has a hat trick and goals are gotten by Cullen Moran, Alex Bard and Alex Vitagliano. Tyler Hansen has 21 saves.

The Kiwanis Club of the Central Adirondacks installs Michael Griffin as its president. Others officers include: Linda Bamberger, secretary; Jane Slack, treasurer; and directors Bill Baumann, Helene McAleese, Dick Olson, Ray Schoeberlein, Tom Smedley and Carolyn Trimbach.

Gary McVoy is president of the Mohawk Motorcades Car Club. Other officers include Bart Rasmus. vice president; Maureen Mahere, seretary and Stewart Irvin, treasurer.

Trivia quiz

This early 19th century presidential candidate won the popular vote and the electoral vote, but another candidate with fewer votes was sworn in as president. Name the candidate and why he was not sworn in. Also, who was the candidate with fewer votes who became president? (Answer will appear here next week.)

Answer to last week's question: President Jimmy Carter's younger brother, Billy, had a beer named for him -- Billy's Beer. It was produced by several breweries across the country, including Utica's West End Brewery.

This Week in History is researched and written by Frank Tomaino. E-mail him at ftomaino221@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Mohawk Valley history: Taking a look back in time at this week