General Services, Health and Environment Committee

COMMON COUNCIL MEETING GENERAL SERVICE, HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE Jack Flynn, Chair DATE: Monday, October 17th, 2022 LOCATION: Council Chambers-2nd Floor. City Hall TIME: 6:00 PM TOPIC(S) OF DISCUSSION/CONSIDERATION:  RESOLUTION NUMBER 88.92.22R A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL HONORING THE LIFE OF PHILLIP SABATINO AND RENAMING A PORTION OF QUAIL STREET IN HIS HONOR PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: YES Council Member Anane introduced the following RESOLUTION NUMBER 88.92.22R A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL HONORING THE LIFE OF PHILLIP SABATINO AND RENAMING A PORTION OF QUAIL STREET IN HIS HONOR WHEREAS, Phil Sabatino was born on October 2, 1924, in the City of Albany to Anthony and Lucia Sabatino, who originally came from the Province of Foggia in the Puglia region of Italy; and WHEREAS, Phil or “Philly” as he was affectionately known as was educated at St. Patrick’s Elementary School and Christian Brothers Academy in Albany; and WHEREAS, Phil joined the U.S. Navy in 1943 and was deployed on June 11, 1943 from the US Naval Training Station in Sampson, New York, to the Admiralty Islands, where he bravely served his country during World War II, and WHEREAS, after the war Phil returned to Albany and married his sweetheart Marion (Hilton) Sabatino and together they raised three children: daughters Sandra (Schweppenhauser) Pam (Holmes) and son Anthony. Phil and Marion had 8 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren; and WHEREAS, Philly was the proud owner of Sabatino’s Liquor Store on Quail Street, The Lamp Post Restaurant & Pub on Western Avenue, and LP’s Dance Club on Western Avenue, and was also directly involved in the development of Washington Avenue Extension; and WHEREAS, Phil Sabatino was noted for his compassion, friendship, and great sense of humor, exemplified every Christmas starting in the 1960s when Philly would purchase Christmas gifts for the needy kids in the “Quail Street” neighborhood and would provide the families a Christmas tree if they could not afford one, efforts which earned him the title “Neighborhood Santa.” Each Thanksgiving Philly would give to the families in the neighborhood a turkey or a pie; and WHEREAS, Philly contributed to the schools of Albany, including the College of St. Rose, the Vincentian Institute Christian Brother Academy, La Salle School for Boys, and Mercy High School, to name a few, donating his time, his money, and even his wine and liquor from the liquor store for their annual fundraisers; and WHEREAS, Philly was an active member of Blessed Sacrament Church and, before its closure, St. Patrick’s Church, for many years funding their church raffle prizes so that the church could benefit fully from the proceeds of the raffle; and WHEREAS, Philly was an icon in the Italian Community, insistent on cherishing the Italian traditions his parents passed down to him, supporting many Italian small businesses, serving as a charter member of the Italian American Community Center and on the Columbus Day Parade and Italian Festival boards for over 20 years, while also supporting the “Italian Church” or, as he called it, his mother’s church: St Anthony’s on Grand Street; and WHEREAS, he was a lifelong member of the YMCA on Washington Avenue until its closure and he enjoyed both watching and attending Yankees baseball and a Giants football games; and WHEREAS, Philly was liked by all who knew him: kind, friendly, humble, and eager to help anyone in need, the phrase, “Go see Philly if you have a problem,” was frequently heard. Philly made you a part of his family even if you only knew him for a little while. Philly counted singers Jerry Vale, Frank Sinatra, Mel Tome, and Buddy Hackett as personal friends; and WHEREAS, living his life-long commitment to “Always Take Care of Your Family,” he most enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, and travelled with his wife and family to Maine, Florida, Mexico, St. Maarten, and elsewhere in the Caribbean; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Common Council of the City of Albany honors the life of Phillip Sabatino, one of the most remarkable, caring, and compassionate residents in the City of Albany by renaming the portion of Quail Street from Western Avenue to Elberon Place “Phillip Sabatino Way” in his honor; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Common Council directs that two signs shall be produced reading “Phillip Sabatino Way,” which shall be placed in consultation with the Division of Traffic Engineering. To: Danielle Gillespie, City Clerk From: Owusu Anane, Council Member Re: Common Council Legislation Supporting Memorandum Date: September 29, 2022 RESOLUTION NUMBER 88.92.22R RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL HONORING THE LIFE OF PHILLIP SABATINO AND RENAMING A PORTION OF QUAIL STREET IN HIS HONOR GENERAL PURPOSE OF LEGISLATION To officially celebrate the contributions of Phillip Sabatino and create an honorary street sign at the proposed location. NECESSITY FOR LEGISLATION AND ANY CHANGE TO EXISTING LAW To celebrate the life of Phillip Sabatino FISCAL IMPACT None.