Rensselaer County Legislature

April 2026 Honor A Deceased Veteran
2026-04-13 08:30 - 09:00 UTC
HONOR-A-DECEASED-VETERAN
April 2026

James R. Welcome
1914 – 1968
FAMILY HISTORY:
James R. Welcome was born on April 18, 1914 in Troy, New York. He grew up in Troy, New York and later lived in Pico Rivera, California. He was the son of the late Joseph and Bridget (Daley) Welcome, and brother to Charles, Lena, Ethel and Gertrude
EDUCATION/HISTORY:
After attending St. Jeans Baptiste School, Troy New York, James proudly enlisted in the United States Army on October 10, 1940 until July 11, 1945 and reenlisted on March 17,1949 until his second separation from the United States Army on August 18,1954 with the rank of Master Sergeant
During an attack against the enemy, the leader of the platoon of which Technical Sergeant Welcome was a member, was seriously wounded and had to be evacuated. Welcome immediately assumed command of the platoon. Demonstrating outstanding courage, repeatedly exposed himself to intense hostile fire to supervise the evacuation of the wounded. Under his courageous leadership the platoon continued to press home its attack and seized the objective
James was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in action, World War II Pacific Campaign Medal, 2 Bronze Stars, American Defense Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon, Glider Badge, Combat infantryman Badge, Commendation Ribbon and Good Conduct Medal
PERSONAL:
James married his wife, Theresa Eva (Herold) Welcome in the year 1931, in Las Angeles where he was employed as a meat cutter and went on to have two children: Carl and Mary Joan
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES/ORGANIZATIONS:
Sadly, on June 2, 1968, James passed away and was laid to rest at the Resurrection Cemetery, Montebello, Los Angeles, California

Regular Meeting April 2026
2026-04-14 18:00 - 20:00
Meeting Packet 4-14-26-
Special Rules Packet
Legislative Meeting will be held in the Legislative Chambers located at 99 Troy Road, East Greenbush, NY 12061 .
For more information on the meeting, please contact the office at 518-270-2880.

Public Forum May 2026
2026-05-06 18:00 - 19:00
Public Forum will be held in the Legislative Chambers located at 99 Troy Road, East Greenbush, NY 12061 .
Public Forum Speakers Pursuant to Rule No. 9 (D). Pursuant to Resolution P/51/02 the public may address the County Legislature regarding any subject matter at a special public forum to be held on the Wednesday of each month, preceding the regular meeting, in the Chambers of the Rensselaer County Legislature, beginning at 6:00 p.m. This Public Forum is open to all interested members of the public and the media. The Chairperson of the Legislature has set the rules for Public Forum to: No more than three (3) persons shall be permitted to address the Legislature on the same subject and no person shall speak for more than five (5) minutes on such subject without the permission of the Chairperson. The length of meeting will be determined by the number of people speaking.
All Speaker must be a resident of Rensselaer County!
No signs allowed in the chambers.
No yelling or argumentative behavior.
Please be respectful.
If you fail to follow these rules you will be asked to leave!

For more information on the meeting, please contact the office at 518-270-2880.

May 2026 Honor A Deceased Veteran - Felix E. Etman
2026-05-11 08:30 - 09:00
Felix E. Etman
1923 – 1994
FAMILY HISTORY:
Felix E. Etman was born on September 2, 1923 in Berlin, New York. He grew up in East Grafton, New York. He was the son of the late Albert and Viola (Weeden) Etman, and brother to: Franklin, Kia, Norma, Arthur, Shirley, Raymond, Patricia and Artell
EDUCATION/HISTORY:
Felix attended a one-room schoolhouse in East Grafton and Berlin High School until 10th grade. He registered in the United States Navy in 1942 due to his work at the Troy Chain Works.
Felix did not enter the Navy until September 7, 1944, in Albany, New York. He was assigned to the Naval Training Center, Naval Advanced Tactical Training, Norman Oklahoma Naval Station 3149. Felix held the rank of Coxswain and was a Duck Boat Operator preparing for invasion of Japan. Duck boats carried Troops and supplies from ship to shore. Felix was awarded the Philippine Liberation Ribbon, Asiatic Pacific Medal, American Theater Medal and Victory Medal
PERSONAL:
Felix married his wife, Margaret (Clancy) Etman on August 3, 1944 at the St. Georges R.C. Church, Pittstown, New York. Together they had five children: Margaret, Franklin, Joanne, Estella and Timothy; and Thirteen grandchildren
WORK EXPERIENCE:
After his Honorable Discharge from the United States Navy on March 24, 1946, Felix worked the family farm. He than worked for Troy Chain Company in the production of submarine netting and anchor chain. After World War II, Felix was a self-employed logger until 1966. From 1966 until his retirement in 1985, he was a physical plant operator for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES/ORGANIZATIONS:
Outside of work, in his younger years Felix loved hunting, fishing, gardening, where he loved to watch things grow, and paid a lot of attention to town politics and was quick to give his opinion to the Town Board and his representatives
He was a communicant of St. Francis De Sales Church in Troy, New York and a charter member of Carner-Etman-Smith Post, and Veterans of Foreign Wars
Sadly, on April 8, 1994, Felix passed away and was laid to rest at the Meadowlawn Cemetery in Petersburg, New York

Regular Meeting May 2026
2026-05-12 18:00 - 20:00
Certified Packet 5-12-26
Meeting Packet 5-12-26
Special Rules Packet
Legislative Meeting will be held in the Legislative Chambers located at 99 Troy Road, East Greenbush, NY 12061 .
For more information on the meeting, please contact the office at 518-270-2880.

Memorial Day - Office Closed
2026-05-25
Office Closed

Public Forum June 2026
2026-06-03 18:00 - 19:00

June 2026 Honor A Deceased Veteran
2026-06-08 08:30 - 09:00

Regular Meeting June 2026
2026-06-09 18:00 - 20:00
Meeting Packet 6-9-26
Legislative Meeting will be held in the Legislative Chambers located at 99 Troy Road, East Greenbush, NY 12061 .
For more information on the meeting, please contact the office at 518-270-2880.

Juneteenth - Office Closed
2026-06-19

Independence Day (observed)- Office Closed
2026-07-03

Public Forum July 2026
2026-07-08 18:00 - 19:00

July 2026 Honor A Deceased Veteran
2026-07-13 08:30 - 09:00

Regular Meeting July 2026
2026-07-14 18:00 - 20:00
Legislative Meeting will be held in the Legislative Chambers located at 99 Troy Road, East Greenbush, NY 12061 .
For more information on the meeting, please contact the office at 518-270-2880.

Public Forum August 2026
2026-08-05 18:00 - 19:00

August 2026 Honor A Deceased Veteran
2026-08-10 08:30 - 09:00

Regular Meeting August 2026
2026-08-11 18:00 - 20:00

Public Forum September 2026
2026-09-02 18:00 - 19:00

Labor Day - Office Closed
2026-09-07

Regular Meeting September 2026
2026-09-08 18:00 - 20:00

September 2026 Honor A Deceased Veteran
2026-09-14 08:30 - 09:00

Public Forum October 2026
2026-10-07 18:00 - 19:00

Columbus Day - Office closed
2026-10-12

Regular Meeting October 2026
2026-10-13 18:00 - 20:00

Election Day - Office Closed
2026-11-03

Public Forum November 2026
2026-11-04 18:00 - 19:00

November 2026 Honor A Deceased Veteran
2026-11-09 08:30 - 09:00

Regular Meeting November 2026
2026-11-10 18:00 - 20:00

Veterans Day - Office Closed
2026-11-11

Thanksgiving - Office Closed
2026-11-26 - 2026-11-27
