News From Fort Schuyler
September 17, 2002 - Volume 6, No. 27
COMING BACK - One of the neighborhood organizations formed in the wake of
the WTC attack is being run by a member of the Humanities Department,
Professor SHARON DECKER. The TriBeCa Organization (T.O.), was featured in
the September 11 issue of the NY Times. The article, "Downtown Rising"
(Dining Out- Section F1) deals with T.O.'s efforts to promote business
activity in TriBeCa, quotes T.O. Executive Director, SHARON DECKER saying,
"...the smaller restaurants, with smaller staffs and smaller clienteles, are
hurting from the loss of 100,000 to 200,000 customers who had been in the
downtown area." Responding to an NFFS query for more information, Sharon
writes that: "I started volunteering with the TriBeCa Organization in May,
figuring it would be a great way to spend my summer and give something back
to the City. As the summer drew to a close, they offered me the Executive
Director position. Maritime was kind enough to grant me a leave of absence
for a year, so I am working full time downtown. Although I miss teaching and
interacting with the students, I have been enjoying my job quite a bit. I am
responsible for outreach to press, politicians and community leaders;
planning and carrying out events; and strategizing and implementing the
short- and long-term goals of the organization. It is very exciting to be
involved in an organization that is so young, as I am being given the chance
to shape its future." Sharon concludes: "...we are always looking for
volunteers. Have them contact me at sharon@tribeca.org For full details on
T.O activities go to http://www.tribeca.org [Thanks to JANE FITZPATRICK,
Associate Librarian, for linking the "T.O." Decker to the "Maritime" Decker
for NFFS.]
TAKING BOOK - A former member of the Humanities Department, Prof. LOUIS
PHILLIPS (who taught at the college from the late 60's until 1975) is also
in the news with the publication of his newest book by Maritime College's
own Fort Schuyler Press. The Press, a division of the Humanities Department,
has just published his latest book of short stories, "Bus to the Moon and
Other Stories." According to the editorial description "It is a wild ride
full of surprises, humor and stunning beauty....Louis Phillips launches an
exploration of everyday life in modern America. His characters move through
a landscape of baseball, movies, strikes, dreams, magic, the Lindbergh
kidnaping, classrooms, encyclopedias, newspapers, and death. These trips are
consistently packed with Phillips's acute perceptions on human motivation,
memory and metamorphosis." The book is available for $19.95. A check payable
to the Fort Schuyler Press can be sent to: Esther Carstensen, Humanities
Department, SUNY Maritime College, 6 Pennyfield Avenue, Bronx, NY 10465.
EBB TIDE - The death of ROBERT C. TAYLOR, Class of 1958, has been reported
to NFFS by his classmate, TOM HANCOCK.: "Bob died of heart disease at his
home on Tuesday, August 20th, at the age of 66. Bob was a native of East
Hampton, NY and a descendant of some of the South Fork's first colonial
settlers. Bob began in the engineering program but switched over to the deck
program at the end of our first year. Bob was a trumpet player and was the
band leader in our last year."
"Upon graduation, Bob was commissioned in the U.S. Coast Guard and
served four years in the Marine Inspection Division. Bob then spent a few
years at sea before coming ashore and working for several years in the
marine insurance field in New York City. In time, Bob returned to a craft
that he had first learned as a youngster and opened his own woodworking
business, specializing in custom furniture and finished carpentry.
Bob is survived by his wife Geraldine, 5 children and 10 grandchildren."
According to an obituary in an East Hampton newspaper, Bob was buried at the
Most Holy Trinity Catholic Cemetery in East Hampton.
CRUISE CREDIT - Following up on the 24 May NFFS note about claiming
retirement points for Summer Sea Terms ("Old Cruises Count Too"), retired
Naval Reservist, Captain BILL SANCHEZ, Class of 1958, reports that his claim
looks to be approved after some unexpected delays: "I obtained the necessary
information from the Registrar's Office at SUNY Maritime and submitted it
... to the NRPC, NOLA by certified mail on June 24, 2002. They confirmed
receipt on July 8th. Later in July I called to follow up. I found out the
mail room confirmed receipt, but the proper office personnel had not seen
it. They were basically shut down at that time because their offices were
being remodeled. I called again September 5. After a search my paperwork was
found and processing will begin. I believe credit will be given. For those
already receiving retirement pay, any pay increase will be retroactive for
up to 6 years. YEA ! I strongly suggest that everyone who has submitted
paperwork and heard nothing contact NRPC at (800) 535-2699 or (866) 250-4778
to be sure it has been received and is located. I recommend all mail
correspondence by sent at least by certified mail w/return receipt
requested." [Good advice and well worth the trouble to those who are
eligible.]
SPEAKING OF RETIREMENT - A NFFS charter subscriber, ROY SOLURI, Class of
1962, writes: "Just wanted to pass along that after 40+ years of service
(Navy and civil servant) to this great country we live in, I have decided to
'pull the plug.' I will be retiring on 30 September 2002 from my position as
Deputy Chief, Maritime Safety Information Division at the National Imagery
and Mapping Agency." Roy says he has no immediate plans for the future but
will stay active in the Maritime Safety Information arena.
HELP NEEDED- The Maritime Industry Museum is offering a "no questions asked"
$1,000 reward for the safe return of a class ring missing from the EMPIRE
STATE II display case. The Class of 1947 NYSMA ring is the property of Mr.
JOE GERSON, '47. Please call (718) 409 - 7218. All information will be kept
confidential.
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