Not many entities make it to the 200-year mark, and when they do, it calls for a celebration.
That’s exactly what went on at Salina Town Hall on Saturday, when the town kicked off its year-long bicentennial celebration with an open house on the anniversary of the first Salina town meeting.
“On this day in 1809, at the first town meeting, Supervisor Elisha Alvord joined with other town representatives to conduct the official business of the town,” Supervisor Mark Nicotra said. “We’ve come a long way since then, but on the second and fourth Monday of every month, we continue to conduct the business of the town. That hasn’t changed.”
The event, the first of several designed to celebrate the town’s history, included displays from Syracuse China, the Willow Museum, the Salina Seniors and “The Wizard of Oz” Munchkin Convention. Among the items on display: a Liverpool Review article from 1977 on the restoration and opening of the Alvord House.
In attendance were numerous local dignitaries, including the entire Salina Town Board (excepting Fourth Ward Councilor Mike DelVecchio, who has the flu); County Legislators Dave Stott, Tom Buckel and Kathy Rapp; Congressman Dan Maffei; Lyncourt Superintendent Michael Schiedo; North Syracuse Superintendent Jerome Melvin; and Chuck Murphy, a representative from State Sen. John DeFrancisco’s office. Proclamations honoring the town during its celebration were read by Maffei and Murphy, and Salina Citizens Bicentennial Committee Chairperson Judy Tassone read two more from County Executive Joanie Mahoney and Assemblywoman Joan Christensen.
All of the day’s speakers noted the importance of the town of Salina in the history of the whole region.
“The history of Salina is the history of all of Central New York,” Maffei said. “It’s a rich history of industry that started with salt and moved into so many different things you should all be proud to be a part of that history.”
“It really all began here in Salina,” Rapp said. “This town, from the plank road to the salt industry to the Erie Canal nearby, was the catalyst that created our country. We really have a very rich history.”
Also at the open house, officials revealed the logo for the bicentennial, created by Syracuse University graphics professor Rod Martinez.
Nicotra acknowledged the work of the committee, especially Tassone.
“She worked tirelessly to get is to where we are today,” Nicotra said. “She took the bull by the horns, and she took on every challenge we threw at her.”
He, too, emphasized the historic nature of the bicentennial celebration.
“We create history every day,” Nicotra said. “I’m very happy and you should all be very happy to be a part of that.”
For a full listing of events scheduled to take place this spring and summer, visit salinacitizensbicentennial.pbwiki.com or check out Eagle Newspapers’ special supplement “Salina Days.” To obtain a copy, contact Sarah Hall at 434-8889 ext. 334 or [email protected].
