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Finding a successor to the late Raymond Beecher will not be easy, lawmakers agree
By Melanie Lekocevic
CATSKILL — When long-time Greene County Historian Raymond Beecher passed away late last year, he left a void in the county that will be difficult to fill. But now, the time has come to put someone into the position — a post that has become increasingly more significant with the quadricentennial celebrations that are expected later this year.
Ordinarily, the legislature would simply appoint a new county historian. But in a departure from the usual process, Greene County Legislature Chairman Wayne Speenburgh, R-Coxsackie, decided to take another tack, and appointed a search committee that will oversee the selection process.
“We will do something that is unusual for the Greene County Legislature — I will appoint members of a committee who have a passion for history, and who want to be involved in filling the position,” Speenburgh said.
“The committee I will appoint will be tasked with conducting a search, and they will bring us back a recommendation. I think this will work very well,” he continued.
Five county residents with a deep interest in local history have been appointed to the committee. They include Harvey Durham, Ted Hilscher, Robert Uzzilia, Jim Planck and Dick May. The committee will be chaired by Legislator Dorothy Prest, R-Catskill, in her capacity as chair of the legislature's Education Committee.
Their task will not be an easy one. Beecher was the county historian for decades, and was the author of numerous historical tomes about Greene County. Working in conjunction with the Greene County Historical Society, Beecher was a boundless well of knowledge when it came to local history, supporters say.
“Ray Beecher, in my opinion and in the opinion of others, is irreplaceable,” Speenburgh said. “He raised the bar very high for county historians. The people on this committee have a tremendous interest in the history of Greene County and care deeply about it. They said they wanted to fill the position with someone who would carry on, to the best of their ability, what Mr. Beecher would do.”
The five members of the search committee were selected for their interest in the county's history, and come from communities across Greene County. Both Durham and Hilscher worked with Beecher over the years, and the former even co-authored books with him. Planck, also a reporter for The Daily Mail, “expressed a passion” in filling the position with an appropriate candidate, according to Speenburgh, and May has a close connection with the Thomas Cole House and the arts. Uzzilia is the Town of Cairo historian, and came highly recommended by the two Cairo legislators.
“Their mission will be to put together a selection process, interview candidates and make a recommendation to the legislature,” Speenburgh said.
Once a candidate is selected by the search committee, the legislature will make the final decision. Because of the upcoming quadricentennial celebrations, which mark Henry Hudson's exploration up the Hudson River four hundred years ago, it is hoped that a new county historian will be appointed in May.
By Melanie Lekocevic
CATSKILL — When long-time Greene County Historian Raymond Beecher passed away late last year, he left a void in the county that will be difficult to fill. But now, the time has come to put someone into the position — a post that has become increasingly more significant with the quadricentennial celebrations that are expected later this year.
Ordinarily, the legislature would simply appoint a new county historian. But in a departure from the usual process, Greene County Legislature Chairman Wayne Speenburgh, R-Coxsackie, decided to take another tack, and appointed a search committee that will oversee the selection process.
“We will do something that is unusual for the Greene County Legislature — I will appoint members of a committee who have a passion for history, and who want to be involved in filling the position,” Speenburgh said.
“The committee I will appoint will be tasked with conducting a search, and they will bring us back a recommendation. I think this will work very well,” he continued.
Five county residents with a deep interest in local history have been appointed to the committee. They include Harvey Durham, Ted Hilscher, Robert Uzzilia, Jim Planck and Dick May. The committee will be chaired by Legislator Dorothy Prest, R-Catskill, in her capacity as chair of the legislature's Education Committee.
Their task will not be an easy one. Beecher was the county historian for decades, and was the author of numerous historical tomes about Greene County. Working in conjunction with the Greene County Historical Society, Beecher was a boundless well of knowledge when it came to local history, supporters say.
“Ray Beecher, in my opinion and in the opinion of others, is irreplaceable,” Speenburgh said. “He raised the bar very high for county historians. The people on this committee have a tremendous interest in the history of Greene County and care deeply about it. They said they wanted to fill the position with someone who would carry on, to the best of their ability, what Mr. Beecher would do.”
The five members of the search committee were selected for their interest in the county's history, and come from communities across Greene County. Both Durham and Hilscher worked with Beecher over the years, and the former even co-authored books with him. Planck, also a reporter for The Daily Mail, “expressed a passion” in filling the position with an appropriate candidate, according to Speenburgh, and May has a close connection with the Thomas Cole House and the arts. Uzzilia is the Town of Cairo historian, and came highly recommended by the two Cairo legislators.
“Their mission will be to put together a selection process, interview candidates and make a recommendation to the legislature,” Speenburgh said.
Once a candidate is selected by the search committee, the legislature will make the final decision. Because of the upcoming quadricentennial celebrations, which mark Henry Hudson's exploration up the Hudson River four hundred years ago, it is hoped that a new county historian will be appointed in May.
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jimaura wrote on Oct 29, 2009 2:19 AM: