History of TMR: 1965-1975

January 1965

Clifford L. Winters, Dean of University College, Lee Smith, Irving "Wink" Berman, Executive Director of the Gifford Foun-dation, and John R. Searles, Executive Vice President of the Metropolitan Development Association, agree on concept and plans for a Thursday Breakfast Roundtable. A similar project had been conducted in Akron, Ohio for nine years by Lee Smith. Invitation letters and schedule of nine weekly programs (March 4 - April 29, 1965) were mailed to 82 community leaders identified by Berman and Searles. The first meeting featured the Mayor of Syracuse, William Walsh. Early sessions included full breakfast in the snack bar of Peck Hall. Average weekly attendance was about 30+-all men. Program emphasis in early years was on community and regional planning, and community development in general.

1965-66

Twenty-seven meetings were held, October-May. Participants became more predictable-33 men attended quite regularly. Most regular participants were from local government and civic organizations-only six from business. Tom Petry, head of WCNY, spoke on the need for an educational TV channel. Benson Snyder boosted the Syracuse Symphony, Marlow Burt, the Regent Theater, and Frank Thompson, the Canal Museum. Nick Rezak talked about coordinated planning in health and welfare. David Beers described the new University Hill Corporation. Frank Barry argued for integration in the public schools. Walter Welsh described future hopes for the Syracuse Community Development Association. Leo Jivoff outlined the importance of the Medical Center, and Charles Wayne talked about SURC and community development. Spencer Steele discussed the airport controversy; Earle Towlson, the new road network; George Schuster, Urban Renewal; Jim Heath, the new Parks and Recreation department; Dan Jackson, water problems (Onondaga Lake).

1966-67

The Regional Planning Board and its first director, Bob Morris, were introduced at TMR-the first of many appearances. The Crusade for Opportunity was represented on the agenda, as was Joe Golden espousing for the first time the development of a cultural center. Several sessions on the State Constitutional Convention. Dick Schlesinger described CHIPS and Lee Alexander, then a Councilor, gave his "Vision of Syracuse of Tomorrow." "Wink" Berman delivered his famous analysis of "Seven Top Unmet Needs." John Lascaris talked about the guaranteed annual income plan and social welfare. The Syracuse General Plan was presented. The Syracuse Metropolitan Review (forerunner of Syracuse Metropinion) was started-first articles by John Searles and Dick Schlesinger. Received letter from director of city-county Human Rights Commission complaining about exclusion of women from TMR membership.

1967-68

Began committee structure to plan programs-8 different committees of active members. Greater diversity of programs, including health issues, civil rights, arts, criminal justice and transportation. Some major topics: State Constitutional Convention, racial unrest, Campus Plan, cultural center (eventually the County Civic Center), Neighborhood Health Center, program for Onondaga Lake, the Onondaga Interchange (81 and 690), solid waste disposal. On April 18, a special program was arranged on the assassination of Martin Luther King, involving Croton School personnel. Resulted in the formation of the Community Chest's Urban Crisis Fund. Speakers included Scotty Campbell, Allen Galson, John Frantz, Ed McLaughlin, Dave Beers, Frank Barry, Joe Golden, Charles Wayne, Frank Wood, John Hennigan, Joe Rice, Bob Collins, George Schuster, Malcolm Sutton, John O'Connor, Stephen Rogers, and Bob Hennigan. Began ritual awarding of homemade wine to best attendees, etc. Started TMR-Syracuse Repertory Theater project (viewing plays, having refreshments and discussion with cast following programs). Death of one of TMR founders, "Wink" Berman. Received "Creativity Award" from National University Extension Association. Initiated Institute on Funding Services for the Poor. Active membership totaled 104, with heavy concentration on government, education, and civic associations. Average attendance was 45. First three women members were Norma Coburn and Maria Farr from City Council and Isabel Seimer from the League of Women Voters.

1968-69

During the early years of TMR, candidates for public office-Mayor, County Executive, Congress-usually spoke early in the fall when running for office. Jim Hanley and Dave O'Brien were on the agenda this year. The role of SOCPA was explained. A plea for "Hospital North" was made. First analysis of the need for a local Science Center was presented. There were several programs on housing and TMR met at the new Everson Museum for a tour and discussion. John O'Connor described "progressive police practices." Norma Coburn and Maria Farr offered a program on combating alcoholism.

1969-70

November 6, TMR members developed open letter to newly elected Mayor Alex-ander (who had been a TMR member), listing priorities of problems and suggested approaches. Top issues were public schools, housing, fiscal problems, and coordination with county. Program emphases: community development, education, politics, human relations, and environmental pollution. Number of sessions extended to 33.

1970-71

Number of regular participants-117. Average attendance was 59. Topics covered included the county zoo, Urban Develop-ment Corp., Model Cities program, Syracuse Hill Neighborhood Development, health legislation, PEACE, Cultural Resources Council, housing, revenue sharing.

1971-72

October schedule included reports from the Mayor, County Executive, SU Chancellor, and head of Metropolitan Development Association. For the first time, TMR met on a Tuesday-Dick Frost arranged a special program on American Prisons, featuring some articulate and well-known prisoners. Glenn Brown gave the first of several talks on PEACE. The TMR-Syracuse Repertory Theater party enrolled 102 people. Joe Golden spoke again on the Civic Center. Walter Beattie described the Toomey Abbott Towers experiment.

1972-73

A year of change and special programs for TMR. An Advisory Committee was instituted to help plan programs, govern membership, and establish policies. First members were Richard Hueber, Amelia Greiner, Leo Jivoff, John Menzies, Jack Murray, John Searles, and Walter Welsh. The annual TMR Award for Meritorious Community Service was initiated. Ben Shove was the recipient of the first award. TMR sponsored a series of public meetings on metropolitanism in Onondaga County and issued reports on the sessions. Rules and regulations on membership and attendance were drafted by the Advisory Committee. There were 126 regular members and average attendance was 68. John and Mary Lou Frantz entertained TMR with a musical program. Jim Harithas defended the Everson Museum against critics of the Yoko Ono show, the nude soccer players sculpture, and the ceramics exhibit. Jim Elliott and Tom Sardino outlined new concepts in police work. The first of many programs on changes in the Jamesville Penitentiary featured Jim DeStefano, then commissioner. First program on cable television for Syracuse. Several programs were conducted on the "energy crisis," citing consumption increases in past decade: gasoline-up 47.7 percent, heating oil-18.4 percent, natural gas-65.1 percent, and electricity-104.6 percent. WCNY-FM began broadcasting all TMR programs.

1973-74

TMR received honorable mention in the Community and Campus Awards competition of the National Association of Development Organizations. For the 7th year, TMR organized a theater party group of 100 persons. For the third year, the season began with talks by the Mayor, County Executive, SU Chancellor, and MDA Head. A weekly series of "Talk Back" programs over WCNY-FM was started, involving many TMR members. The controversial discussion on "Why can't we have a first class restaurant downtown?" upset some people. Walter Welsh, curator of the SU audio archives, delighted TMR with old recordings from Teddy Roosevelt and Edison on down. Arthur Storch was presented to TMR as new director of Syracuse Stage. Ed McLaughlin gave one of his many talks on juvenile justice. Prospects for the new town of Radisson were described. The Metro Sewer Treatment Plan was outlined again. Malcolm Sutton funded the publication of a booklet containing special addresses by Scotty Campbell, Maxwell McCombs, and Constance Timberlake on "Watergate," "the Media," and "Women's Rights." The Gifford Foundation granted funds for a 10th anniversary TMR publication. Robert McAuliffe received the second TMR award for Meritorious Community Service.

1974-75

On December 19, the 300th TMR was held. Alex Charters and John Searles presented Lee Smith with an inscribed gavel to call the Roundtable to order. As happened more often than not, John Mulroy opened the season with his annual report on the county. The first airing of the plans for a solid waste disposal-steam recovery plant for McBride Street was presented. The City Charter Commission reported its recommendations. Dave Beers presented his controversial analysis of health care costs. The Attica Tragedy was discussed by Arthur Eve. Warren Frank gave another pitch for mass transit. Roy Bernardi argued for consolidation of city-county services. Dan and Malcolm Sutton described how to turn back the calendar for downtown revival. Several speakers from the first season reminisced over changes in the past decade. Charles Fahey analyzed our care for the elderly and Dick Schmidt described medical education at Upstate. Leo Jivoff received the Community Service Award. There were about 135 active members, 25 of whom were women. Average attendance was 80.