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People: Ed Moulton Honored for Years of Service

A costumed Gene Simmons of Kiss
A costumed Gene Simmons of Kiss
Assemblywoman Calhoun praised Moulton's service
Assemblywoman Calhoun praised Moulton's service
Colonel Blair joined the tribute
Colonel Blair joined the tribute
DPW chief Gilmore introduced a surprise guest
DPW chief Gilmore introduced a surprise guest
Howard Protter thanked Moulton for his trust
Howard Protter thanked Moulton for his trust
Moulton thanked village employees
Moulton thanked village employees
Senator Larkin spoke first
Senator Larkin spoke first
The honoree, Edward C. Moulton
The honoree, Edward C. Moulton
May 10, 2007

A crowd of more than 150 village residents and employees came out last Friday night to pay tribute to former Mayor Edward Moulton for his decades of public service.

Politicians, friends, and family were on hand to show their respect for the man and to tell a few stories about his decades of public service. The event, which was organized by village clerk Jeanne Mahoney with the assistance of Mary Ellen Dennett, was held at Anthony’s Pier 9.

Village attorney Howard Protter, who served as master of ceremony, noted that the measure of a man is what people say about him and after dinner more than a dozen people rose to praise Ed Moulton. Moulton listened at the head table, his wife, Floranne, and children at his side.

State senator Bill Larkin and New York assemblywoman Nancy Calhoun were among the first to speak in tribute to Moulton, who worked closely with both of them during his 26 years as mayor. County legislator Christopher Eachus also spoke, along with village trustee Rudy Hahn, who was joined by the other three trustees, Mark Edsall, William Fogarty, and Pete Miller in honoring Moulton.

Former police chief Rick Douglas remembered how Mayor Moulton never turned him down for any request, noting that “we did things at our own pace.” Cornwall town supervisor Dick Randazzo said that he, too, has been in and out of office. “There’s life out of politics,” he told Moulton, smiling.

American Legion commander Ed Flynn recognized the mayor for always coming to the Memorial Day ceremony. “He always had a few words for the veterans,” Flynn said.

Another veteran, Colonel Russell Blair, who is in his 90s, rose to share his reminisces about Moulton. Gerald Jacobowitz described his happiness living in Cornwall-on-Hudson and announced the establishment of a memorial scholarship in Ed Moulton’s name.

About half-way through the speeches, Mayor Moulton had his turn at the microphone after he accepted a gift from village employees that had been made from a piece of steel from one of the World Trade Center buildings.

Moulton recalled that he ran for office many times in his life, starting when he was in school. “The first election I ever ran for was president of the music association. I lost big time,” he said. Moulton did succeed in his bid to become president of his fraternity house in college, he said. He also said that he achieved a lot in the last quarter century as mayor of the village, during which time he built many bonds. “ It’s like saying good bye to your family,” the mayor commented, as he talked about his co-workers at village hall. “We’ve worked so closely, it’s like withdrawal.”

It was the local residents and old friends of Moulton who really brought out the many facets of the mayor who often seemed quiet in public.

Mike Klein talked about how his wife sang with Ed Moulton in classic choir. Ron Tulloch called the mayor “a patriot, bridge player, singer, writer, director of the Horse Thief Detective Society, Lions Club president… a good model for us.” Dick Mills said that Mayor Moulton “has delighted me for 34 years at work on Hudson Street.” He thanked the mayor for the ‘flowering Bradford pear trees, new sidewalks, and purchasing and fixing up an old bank.”

Bob Gilmore, the head of the Department of Public Works, told a couple of stories about the old days, including one about hiding a truck when it was apparently about to be repossessed because of a “miscommunication.” He also recalled how the mayor had laughed so hard when one of the DPW employees showed up at village hall dressed like Gene Simmons of the band Kiss.

Gilmore then announced a surprise for Moulton, the doors flew open and in walked the costumed Kiss character, who walked through the crowd shaking hands then came to the mayor and embraced him.

Mayor Moulton said he always had a soft spot for the DPW guys. “Thanks to those who steered the boat,” he told the crowd. “I had the privilege of holding on to the rudder.”

All photos by John Igo.

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