East Syracuse Trustee and Deputy Mayor Barbara Falcone Quonce, after more than a decade on the village board and two decades involved in the village local government, said goodbye last week to her fellow trustees during her final board meeting on March 2.
“I humbly thank the village residents for putting their trust in me and electing me to the trustee position,” Falcone Quonce said. “I wish the village trustees much success in the future.”
Falcone Quonce, a lifetime East Syracuse village resident, said she got her start in local government when she was involved in forming the East Area Volunteer Emergency Services (EAVES) in 1973. EAVES is a volunteer-based emergency medical service that provides services to residents in the East Syracuse fire district. Falcone Quonce is a lifetime member of the group.
Falcone Quonce then joined the police academy, and said that was her first time working for the village.
In the late 1980s, Falcone Quonce said the mayor at the time, Ronald Russell, asked her if she would join the village planning board, a position she held until 2002.
“I’ve always been a very community-orientated person. My husband and two sons are involved in the fire department,” Falcone Quonce said. “I believe you should give back to your community. It wasn’t hard for me to say ‘yes’ when I was first asked. ”
During her time on the planning board, Falcone Quonce worked on several projects, including the development of businesses along Route 290 in East Syracuse.
In 2002, Falcone Quonce was appointed by the village board to fill a vacancy on the board of trustees, and she decided to continue on the board by running for reelection when the term expired.
Falcone Quonce was appointed deputy mayor under former East Syracuse Mayor Danny Liedka and has served in that position until her retirement in March 2015.
Many accomplishments were achieved during her time on the village board, including the revitalization of Manlius Street and renovations of Ellis Street Park and the Hamlin Pool, said Falcone Quonce.
Falcone Quonce served as liaison to many departments in the village, including the fire department, parks and recreation and the village offices.
When asked about what she learned being involved in local government, Falcone Quonce said, “Patience, because I’m the type of person who wants it done right away and it doesn’t work that way. When you’re in any type of government, you have to learn nothing happens overnight.”
As for what she is doing during her retirement, Falcone Quonce said she will be spending more time with her family.
“She’s been a great person to work with and been a strong mentor to use as a support when I took over as mayor,” East Syracuse Mayor Robert Tackman said. “She’s certainly going to be missed and we know she’ll still be involved the community.”
Hayleigh Gowans is a reporter for the Eagle Bulletin. She can be reached at [email protected].
