Tuckahoe Village Departments

TUCKAHOE TALK
With Mayor John Fitzpatrick

Strike A Pose

April 12, 2009

The official portraits of the new President and First Lady were recently released. This occurs relatively quickly in relation to the swearing-in. This event prompted some workers at Village Hall to remind me that even as I start my second term, I haven’t yet taken and hung my own official Mayor photo. Many have probably seen the official portraits of the former Tuckahoe Mayors hanging in Village Hall. For those that haven’t, I recommend you stop in and have a look. The 8 x 10, either sepia or black and white photos are neatly placed in chronological order of service to Tuckahoe. They are all an impressive bunch to view, but for my money the sepia gentlemen from the turn of the 20th century look most distinguished.

In addition to looking somewhat formal, the sepia gentlemen also look older than more modern Mayors. Recently, the Cleveland Clinic of Wellness Institute (whatever that is!) concluded that United States Presidents show twice the normal wear and tear on their bodies during their term in office. Obviously, Tuckahoe Mayors have significantly less stress than Presidents, but my suggestion to future Mayors is not to delay in regards to this matter and you will definitely have either more hair or fewer grays.

Of all the former Mayors I must state that I am particularly fond of the depiction of Mayor S.G. Teets. The photo displayed has Mayor Teets donning his World War I uniform. I have long wondered if this was because he had little interest in posing for a new photo, or maybe he felt his military service to our country was more relevant than his Mayoral service. I politely refer to him as Mayor Blackjack.

Oddly there is no photo of the second Mayor of our village. Mayor William Rubly, or “President Rubly” as mayors were then called, served from 1906 until 1915. The Historical Society of Tuckahoe has diligently tried to remedy this mystery for many years, but alas has been unsuccessful. It seems strange that a man could have served Tuckahoe for four terms and there be no photos anywhere. Rubly’s Vice President for two years was Charles S. Ecklond great grandfather of current Deputy Mayor Steven Ecklond. There are many photos of Charles Ecklond however, what is placed in the frame of Mayor Rubly is a photocopy of W.B. Mason paper guy, along with the words “no photo available.”

When I give a tour of village hall to kids it is inevitable that one asks, “If you’re really the Mayor, how come your picture isn’t on the wall?” I politely answer that I just haven’t taken my picture yet. The reality is that in the midst of all the work, I hadn’t concerned myself with such an inconsequential issue. Also, I just have too many questions regarding this matter. Is there any proper etiquette pertaining to placement of my photo? Do you place it on the wall as you leave office or while you are serving? (Bronxville Mayor portraits are placed when you are gone – which means out of office, not dead.) Should it be sepia tone or black and white? And what about a color photo for that matter? However, even as I write that last question I don’t particularly feel it should be in color. It just seems that black and white appears more historical. Nevertheless, since I haven’t been able to find any rules, a future Mayor may ultimately decide on a color photo.

Another reason for my reluctance to remedy the picture question is that often my expectations get the best of me when it comes to official Mayor photos. During the annual Police Memorial service I am afforded the opportunity to stand with the Tuckahoe Police Officers for a photograph. This past year, as I stood for that photo, I recalled the many black and white photos of former Mayors and the Tuckahoe police that line the walls of the police station. In each photo the group stood quite solemnly and perhaps even a little grimly. Since I was under the impression that this was good Mayor-Police photo etiquette, for my photo with Tuckahoe’s finest I struck my best severe pose possible. When I received a copy of the photo the next week, I immediately went to the Chief and pointed out that only Lt. Kevin Ferry and I hadn’t received the memo to smile happily.

Setting aside all the reasons I have listed for procrastination to adding my photo to the wall of Mayors, I must confess vanity has also played a small part. In my defense though, who would want a bad picture of one’s self hanging somewhere for a century or two? More trivially, I have even now begun pondering whether I should wear glasses or not. This is a personal issue, because I firmly believe I am only suffering hysterical blindness since election to office.

I will report I am now through with any further postponement, and will actively pursue a local photographer to shoot my portrait. The fact that many don’t believe even a famous portraitist like Annie Leibovitz can capture or even glimpse the essence of a man or woman in one photo, makes this assignment a little disheartening. Certainly, what all of our former Mayors meant to the community is evidently elusive in portrait. That being said, some residents look at the wall of Mayors and still feel compelled to point out which Mayors they liked or which they disliked. Perhaps the only solace my predecessors may take is knowing that their image will endure long after their detractors.