Joe Mellan, president, SCVFA presents Earle Poley with a certificate for his years of service, as Tom Bisig and Alan Welton watch.
Story and photos by Ted Waddell
OBERNBERG – In the aftermath of the open house in celebration of Station 29’s 100th Anniversary on Saturday, March 20, the firefighters of the North Branch Volunteer Fire Department put away their shined-to-a-polish trucks and dusted off their dress uniforms for an honorary roast beef buffet dinner at the Little Texas Ranch.
Guest speaker Joseph F. Kelly, 2nd vice president of FASNY and anniversary chairman Bob Theadore.
The local fire department was founded on March 17, 1910 and a C-note later, folks turned out to celebrate their “One Hundred Years of Service: A Century of Dedication”.
After Robert Theadore, chairman of the 100th Anniversary committee welcomed the attendees, department president Tom Bisig stepped up to the podium for a few remarks.
Father Joseph Juracek presented the invocation, and later as the evening drew to a close, the benediction.
The keynote speaker was Joseph Kelly, 2nd vice president of the Fireman’s Association of the State of New York (FASNY), which since it was established in 1872 has served to protect the interests of volunteer firefighters through legislative advocacy.
Corrine McGuire represented NYS Senator John Bonacic; Tom Bisig, president of the NBVFD; Alan Welton, chief, NBVFD.
Kelly talked about ramifications of the New York Reorganization and Citizen Empowerment Act (commonly referred to as the Consolidation Law), that was signed into law by Governor Patterson on June 3, 2009 and is
scheduled to go into effect in March 2010. In essence, the law provides a mechanism by which citizens can eliminate villages though a petition and village-wide referendum, or an act of county legislature and a countywide referendum.
NYS has four ‘general purpose’ governments: counties, cities, towns and villages, and in addition a myriad number of limited purpose governments called ‘special districts’ which provide a single governmental service within their borders including fire districts, water districts, and ambulance districts. While there are many critics of the law, the stated goal was to promote more efficient government at less cost to taxpayers.
Guest speaker Joseph F. Kelly, 2nd vice president, Fireman’s Association of the State of New York (FASNY).
Among the concerns raised by FASNY over the law is the potential loss of volunteer firefighters to local communities and heath insurance Kelly encouraged firefighters to get involved in the political process.
“If you’re going to survive anymore, you have to get involved in politics, and you have to have a common voice,” he said. “When you have a common goal, we band together,” he added, noting that of the 100,000-some volunteer firefighters in NYS, approximately 45,000 belong to FASNY.
Several notable figures attended the dinner; NYS Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther, Julie Allen (representing NYS Congressman Maurice Hinchey), Corrine McGuire (representing NYS Senator John Bonacic), Sullivan County Sheriff Michael Schiff, Undersheriff Eric Chaboty, Sullivan County District Attorney Jim Farrell, candidate for Sullivan County Court Judge Mike McGuire, and a host of fire chiefs and firefighters.
“I’m a local gal from Roscoe…thank you for all your wonderful service,” said Julie Allen.
Theadore noted that in addition to special recognitions from the NYS Assembly, Congress and Senate, Governor Patterson and the Sullivan County Legislature honored the department for 100-years of service. “And we have an email from the President of the United States sending his regrets that he couldn’t be here tonight,” said Theadore.
Reflecting on a sense of tradition and history, Corrine McGuire said of behalf of Senator Bonacic, “Looking back 100 years to the founders, it was their sense of vision and commitment to the community that brings us here tonight…the community remains your focus.”
“The fire districts are the center of our community and they play an integral part in making our children and homes safe….for 100 years whenever the alarm has sounded, the North Branch Fire Department has responded.”
“These brave volunteers risked their lives to save the lives of others…when that alarm sounds, your local volunteers will leave their homes and come to the aid of their neighbors,” she added.
Sheriff Mike Schiff likened the fire service to the Minutemen, “It’s the one entity in the community that everyone knows that will respond.” He noted that since the days when he was a NYS Trooper, the level of required training in the fire service is “now just incredible”, but some things haven’t changed, such as the service provided by firefighters at the scenes of emergencies.
“You’re basically professional fireman who don’t get paid,” said Schiff. “You know what you’re doing. Thank you for the job you do, you’re always there.”
Earle Poley, 95, was called up to the podium to receive award after award for 82-years worth of service with the North Branch Volunteer Fire Department, and for a time it seemed as if could never sit back down alongside his wife Mae as recognitions keep coming his way. Born on March 16, 1915 Poley joined the NBVFD at the age of 13, and by the time he was 22 years old, was elected chief.
Several volunteers were honored for their decades of service to the local
department.
Honorary Members (50 or more years): Philip Banaut, John L. Ebert, Ludwig Graner, James Hahl, Harry Hust, Earle Poley, Ralph Sykes, Albert Priebe and Richard Vogler.
The dinner was hosted by, Jim and Rita Greier’s “Little Texas Ranch,” located in Fremont.
40-year members: Dennis Banuat, Frank Baurenfeind, John W. Brockner, Paul Brockner, Lawrence Knack, Thomas Knack and Ernest Reimer, Jr.
30-year members: William Brustman, Robert Hillriegel, Thomas Kaminski, Fred Hoffman, Robert Sykes, Robert J. Theadore and Kevin Zieres.
20-year members: Dennis Brockner, George Conklin, William Flynn, Charles Hahl, Michael Hahl and Alan Welton.
Jim and Rita Greier of Fremont, hosts of the 100th Anniversary dinner, own the Little Texas Ranch located at the “tail end of the fire district.” Addressing the crowd next to a framed picture of John Wayne and surrounded by a herd of stuffed deer heads and mounted long horns, Greier stood proudly in a pair of well-worn boots.
“You guys and gals are out there volunteering every day, and that’s what it’s all about…we live in God’s country, and it’s the people who make a difference. It’s about friends and neighbors working together.”
To view more photos or to purchase prints from Celebrating a Century of Service visit the Chronicle on Zenfolio.
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The Catskill Chronicle 
Celebrating a Century of Service
March 27, 2010 by The Catskill Chronicle
Joe Mellan, president, SCVFA presents Earle Poley with a certificate for his years of service, as Tom Bisig and Alan Welton watch.
Story and photos by Ted Waddell
OBERNBERG – In the aftermath of the open house in celebration of Station 29’s 100th Anniversary on Saturday, March 20, the firefighters of the North Branch Volunteer Fire Department put away their shined-to-a-polish trucks and dusted off their dress uniforms for an honorary roast beef buffet dinner at the Little Texas Ranch.
Guest speaker Joseph F. Kelly, 2nd vice president of FASNY and anniversary chairman Bob Theadore.
The local fire department was founded on March 17, 1910 and a C-note later, folks turned out to celebrate their “One Hundred Years of Service: A Century of Dedication”.
After Robert Theadore, chairman of the 100th Anniversary committee welcomed the attendees, department president Tom Bisig stepped up to the podium for a few remarks.
Father Joseph Juracek presented the invocation, and later as the evening drew to a close, the benediction.
The keynote speaker was Joseph Kelly, 2nd vice president of the Fireman’s Association of the State of New York (FASNY), which since it was established in 1872 has served to protect the interests of volunteer firefighters through legislative advocacy.
Corrine McGuire represented NYS Senator John Bonacic; Tom Bisig, president of the NBVFD; Alan Welton, chief, NBVFD.
Kelly talked about ramifications of the New York Reorganization and Citizen Empowerment Act (commonly referred to as the Consolidation Law), that was signed into law by Governor Patterson on June 3, 2009 and is
scheduled to go into effect in March 2010. In essence, the law provides a mechanism by which citizens can eliminate villages though a petition and village-wide referendum, or an act of county legislature and a countywide referendum.
NYS has four ‘general purpose’ governments: counties, cities, towns and villages, and in addition a myriad number of limited purpose governments called ‘special districts’ which provide a single governmental service within their borders including fire districts, water districts, and ambulance districts. While there are many critics of the law, the stated goal was to promote more efficient government at less cost to taxpayers.
Guest speaker Joseph F. Kelly, 2nd vice president, Fireman’s Association of the State of New York (FASNY).
Among the concerns raised by FASNY over the law is the potential loss of volunteer firefighters to local communities and heath insurance Kelly encouraged firefighters to get involved in the political process.
“If you’re going to survive anymore, you have to get involved in politics, and you have to have a common voice,” he said. “When you have a common goal, we band together,” he added, noting that of the 100,000-some volunteer firefighters in NYS, approximately 45,000 belong to FASNY.
Several notable figures attended the dinner; NYS Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther, Julie Allen (representing NYS Congressman Maurice Hinchey), Corrine McGuire (representing NYS Senator John Bonacic), Sullivan County Sheriff Michael Schiff, Undersheriff Eric Chaboty, Sullivan County District Attorney Jim Farrell, candidate for Sullivan County Court Judge Mike McGuire, and a host of fire chiefs and firefighters.
“I’m a local gal from Roscoe…thank you for all your wonderful service,” said Julie Allen.
Theadore noted that in addition to special recognitions from the NYS Assembly, Congress and Senate, Governor Patterson and the Sullivan County Legislature honored the department for 100-years of service. “And we have an email from the President of the United States sending his regrets that he couldn’t be here tonight,” said Theadore.
Reflecting on a sense of tradition and history, Corrine McGuire said of behalf of Senator Bonacic, “Looking back 100 years to the founders, it was their sense of vision and commitment to the community that brings us here tonight…the community remains your focus.”
“The fire districts are the center of our community and they play an integral part in making our children and homes safe….for 100 years whenever the alarm has sounded, the North Branch Fire Department has responded.”
“These brave volunteers risked their lives to save the lives of others…when that alarm sounds, your local volunteers will leave their homes and come to the aid of their neighbors,” she added.
Sheriff Mike Schiff likened the fire service to the Minutemen, “It’s the one entity in the community that everyone knows that will respond.” He noted that since the days when he was a NYS Trooper, the level of required training in the fire service is “now just incredible”, but some things haven’t changed, such as the service provided by firefighters at the scenes of emergencies.
“You’re basically professional fireman who don’t get paid,” said Schiff. “You know what you’re doing. Thank you for the job you do, you’re always there.”
Earle Poley, 95, was called up to the podium to receive award after award for 82-years worth of service with the North Branch Volunteer Fire Department, and for a time it seemed as if could never sit back down alongside his wife Mae as recognitions keep coming his way. Born on March 16, 1915 Poley joined the NBVFD at the age of 13, and by the time he was 22 years old, was elected chief.
Several volunteers were honored for their decades of service to the local
department.
Honorary Members (50 or more years): Philip Banaut, John L. Ebert, Ludwig Graner, James Hahl, Harry Hust, Earle Poley, Ralph Sykes, Albert Priebe and Richard Vogler.
The dinner was hosted by, Jim and Rita Greier’s “Little Texas Ranch,” located in Fremont.
40-year members: Dennis Banuat, Frank Baurenfeind, John W. Brockner, Paul Brockner, Lawrence Knack, Thomas Knack and Ernest Reimer, Jr.
30-year members: William Brustman, Robert Hillriegel, Thomas Kaminski, Fred Hoffman, Robert Sykes, Robert J. Theadore and Kevin Zieres.
20-year members: Dennis Brockner, George Conklin, William Flynn, Charles Hahl, Michael Hahl and Alan Welton.
Jim and Rita Greier of Fremont, hosts of the 100th Anniversary dinner, own the Little Texas Ranch located at the “tail end of the fire district.” Addressing the crowd next to a framed picture of John Wayne and surrounded by a herd of stuffed deer heads and mounted long horns, Greier stood proudly in a pair of well-worn boots.
“You guys and gals are out there volunteering every day, and that’s what it’s all about…we live in God’s country, and it’s the people who make a difference. It’s about friends and neighbors working together.”
To view more photos or to purchase prints from Celebrating a Century of Service visit the Chronicle on Zenfolio.
Click any service in this box to share this post with your friends!
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