History of TMR: 1985-1995

1985-86

Jim Boeheim talked about the basketball season. Ethical issues discussed by Tim Bunn of the Herald Journal, the president of the AMA, and Richard Schwartz of SU's Law School. Rev. Tom Costello described the position of the American Catholic Bishops on social-economic issues. Rev. Larry Howard gave a "minority perspective." Goodwin Cooke gave the first of several very popular presentations, this one on apartheid. Mayor-elect Tom Young attracted the largest audience in TMR history. Tom Maroney reported on the Citizens League study of City and County Charters. Plans for the new War Memorial were unveiled. AIDS in Central New York was discussed. TMR was given a special preview visit of the new zoo. A special series of eight lectures by SU faculty were presented to mark the Bicentennial of the Constitution. Funds were donated by Bond, Schoeneck, and King; Chappells; Gifford Charitable Corporation; and MONY to produce a booklet on this series.

1987-88

Bill Donlon, NiMo president, talked on energy problems. Several discussions related to the Citizens League study on "Syracuse 2000." The Herald-Journal arranged a special program on "Racism in Onondaga County." Stan Lundine, Lieutenant Governor, talked about public policy issues. TMR sponsored a tour of the new Galleries. A series of programs on "Lawyers and American Society" was initiated by Cathy Richardson, president of the County Bar Association. Jim Tallon, Majority Leader of the State Assembly, discussed the "uninsured and under-insured." Rev. Lawrence Jenco, former hostage in Lebanon, spoke about his experiences. Mike Falcone presented his "vision" for downtown. Bruce Kenan did the same for "Syracuse Lakefront." Nancy Larraine Hoffmann described life in the State Senate. John Henry, president of SUNY Health Science Center, presented plans for the new Sports Medicine Center. At its traditional Holiday Party, TMR presented a "roast" of retiring County Executive John Mulroy, a charter member and dedicated supporter of TMR. Richard Russell, president of WCNY, analyzed the challenge of the 90s for public broadcasting. It was the 15th anniversary of WCNY-FM broadcasts of TMR programs. WSYT-TV began delayed TV broadcasts of all TMR programs. On April 28th, the 800th TMR program was presented.

1989-90

By the end of 1989, there were 205 active members. One hundred fifty-two attended one-half or more of the 38 sessions during the year. Average weekly attendance was 138. Chancellor Eggers introduced the season with a challenging talk on poverty. Kathy Ruscitto listed this year's priorities in human services. A panel of newspaper, SU, and legal folk presented ideas for a local code of ethics. The new drug commission was introduced. Ross Whaley, president of ESF, described the aims of the Adirondack Commission. Henry Williams, new Super-intendent of Schools, described school problems. A panel analyzed the crisis of long-term health care. The new president of LeMoyne College, Kevin O'Connell, spoke on LeMoyne's future. Maurice Hinchey, NY State Assembly, described the price of preserving our environment. Dick MacPherson tried to forecast the football season. The second annual John H. Mulroy Lecture on Local Government was presented. The programming theme for our 25th year was our environment. An average of one program each month examined various issues and problems affecting the environment. Featured speakers included Thomas Jorling, Commissioner of DEC, and Peter Berle, President of the National Audubon Society. One of the most popular of all TMR programs was the dynamic talk by William Sloane Coffin. His exciting ideas on "Waging Peace" resulted in one of the very few standing ovations in TMR history. Also exciting was the program on the results of the Citizens League study on Poverty. Other topics included mentoring, drugs, development of "oil city," the end of the "cold war," mental health, regional market, and the state budget. At the beginning of our 25th anniversary month, March 1990, TMR membership was 220; average weekly attendance increased to 156. The March 1 program was the 867th session of the Thursday Morning Roundtable in Syracuse.

1991-93

At the conclusion of the 1992-93 season, there were 241 members. Most attended one-half or more of the weekly meetings. Average attendance was 163. Program topics reflected the major concerns of involved citizens, locally and nationally. The consolidation of local governments, a proposed civilian review board for police actions, problems of health care cost and access, the presidential campaign, our faltering economy, the Syracuse Symphony, race relations, public school challenges, the new Convention Center, criminal justice issues, and "Success by Six" were major subjects explored during these years. Speakers included the Mayor, SU Chancellor Shaw, William Sloane Coffin, Stan Lundine, Saul Weprin, Bill Donlon, Tarky Lombardi, Goodwin Cooke, Bill Pollard, Leon Modeste, Nadine Strossen (ACLU), Robert McClure, Emlyn Griffith, Saundra Smokes, Michael Dowling, and Christine Varney. The October 21, 1993 program was the 1000th TMR session.

1993-95

In 1993, Mayor Young delivered dramatic "parting thoughts" as he left office and County Executive Pirro described a new design for county government by 2000. In 1994, as in many past years, TMR was a platform for political leaders and other state officials. Speakers included the Lieutenant Governor, the State Attorney General, Commissioner of Social Services, State Commissioner of Criminal Justice Services, State Comptroller, and a candidate for Governor. During the past few years, TMR has hosted many women and minority speakers. Women and minority members have also increased within TMR. A spinoff from TMR is the Syracuse Youth Roundtable, a monthly forum for 140 students in the Syracuse middle and high schools. The purpose is to encourage young people to become better informed about the Syracuse community and eventually become involved in community programs and causes. As throughout the history of TMR, there were several programs on health issues, social problems, community development, and cultural issues. The April 27, 1995 program was the 1059th TMR session.

1995-97

During this period, members celebrated the 30th anniversary of TMR. At a luncheon program in Hotel Syracuse, there were skits, slide shows, and music describing the history of TMR and its offspring, the Onondaga Citizens League. Each TMR member received a 30th anniversary booklet and a little round table with "TMR 1965-1995" inscribed on the top. The tables were made by Consolidated Industries, the director of which was a TMR member. A very popular series of programs featured well known business leaders discussing "Our Changing Business Community and Its Impact on Our Total Community." The texts of these presentations were edited and published as another TMR booklet. The schedule for 1996-97 included many of the topics and themes featured at TMR in previous years-racism, welfare reform, managed care and other health issues, police consolidation (city and county views), economic conditions and problems, Syracuse downtown development, Syracuse schools, election issues, debates, and analysis. As usual, the Roundtable provided information and perspectives on the developments, conditions, problems, and hopes characterizing the larger Syracuse community. The June 12, 1997 program was the 1138th TMR session.