In March 1986, city manager John P. Buckley wanted to bypass the civil service list to appoint his preferred candidate for fire chief. What happened next?

We revisit a closed door meeting at city hall between Buckley and three potential candidates to lead Troy’s fire department, and the decision by one officer to go public with the request.

This special archive spotlight episode uses reporting from the Times Union, Knickerbocker News, Troy Record, and Times Record, recording plus audio from recent promotion and retirement ceremonies for then-Chief Eric McMahon.

Show Notes:

• Troy Fire Chief 'Doffs' Hat; "Rescue" of Ungrateful Feline Toughest Ordeal in 38-Year Career (Knickerbocker News, March 1, 1986)
• Firefighter: Buckley Asked 3 Candidates to Forefeit Chief's Job (Times Union, March 6, 1986)
• New Fire Chief Takes Over in Troy (Times Union, June 13, 1986)
• Fireman Climbed Ladder to Success; New Troy Fire Chief Worked Way Through Ranks Against Father's Advice (Knickerbocker News, June 13, 1986)
• McMahon Sworn in as Troy fire chief (Troy Record, March 8, 2019)
• ‘Be safe’: Troy Fire Chief McMahon says goodbye after 34 years (Troy Record, Nov. 4, 2023)

Audio Sources:

• Troy Fire Chief Promotion Ceremony (YouTube)
• Fire Chief McMahon Retires with 34 Years of Service to the City of Troy (YouTube)
• Troy fire dept. 1980s audio (YouTube)
• Troy Fire Department Battalion Chief 4, Engine 4, Truck 2 & Rescue Squad Responding (YouTube)
• Troy Fire Department Rescue Squad Responding https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EU0OTw40ds
• Typewriter https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/film-special-effects-typewriter-301419/

Credits:

Produced, edited, and hosted by John Salka
Theme music by Steven J. Goldman, Four Legs Records

Visit troystorypod.com for upcoming episodes, guests, and bonus content.

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On January 27, 1996, the legendary Ozzy Osbourne rolled into the Collar City for a headlining concert at the RPI Houston Field House. Ahead of the 30th anniversary of Ozzy’s first and only performance in Troy, asked fans to contribute memories for a special retrospective looking back at this exciting moment in Troy’s heavy metal history—and you didn’t disappoint!

The triple bill of Osbourne, Korn, and Life of Agony attracted a nearly-sold out crowd to the Field House that cold January evening in the Collar City, the first major concert at the venue in four years. It was an exciting evening of music, moshing, and even a few manic Ozzy fans who took things to the extreme.

With the help of recently-rediscovered concert video from the show, we revisit this thrilling show with the help of stories from countless fans there that night in Troy.

To see video of Ozzy’s concert in the Collar City, or to share your own memories of the gig, visit http://troystorypod.com/ozzy

Episode Notes

• The Polytechnic: Ozzy Rocks Fieldhouse: https://digitalassets.archives.rpi.edu/do/40649a04-e0d8-4daf-9a5a-b6439a5ffd57#page/14/mode/2up (page 14)
• Times Union: Ozzy Osbourne Comes Roaring Back into Town https://timesunion.newsbank.com/doc/news/0FB6CECE2345FA2C?search_terms=ozzy&text=ozzy&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=ATUB&sort=old&page=3&pdate=1996-01-29 (Jan. 26, 1996)
• Times Union: Jonathan Davis Finds Life with Korn Liberating https://timesunion.newsbank.com/doc/news/0FB6CEC86C1503EF?search_terms=ozzy&text=ozzy&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=ATUB&sort=old&page=3&pdate=1996-01-26 (Jan. 26, 1996)
• Ozzy & Kids on Joan Rivers https://youtu.be/O1MGM1PoIvo?si=z1nCDUbVFa1wco61

Music Samples:

• https://pixabay.com/music/classical-string-quartet-vivaldi-spring-allegro-185007/

Credits:

Produced, edited, and hosted by John Salka
Theme music by Steven J. Goldman, Four Legs Records

Visit troystorypod.com for upcoming episodes, guests, and bonus content.

Connect with Troy Story on:

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• Threads
• YouTube
• Bluesky

We planned to release our new episode looking back at the thrilling performance from The Prince of Darkness in the Collar City. However, a personal emergency delayed our post-production schedule. We’re obviously disappointed, but still plan to bring this new episode to you soon.

However, we didn’t want to let this anniversary pass by unrecognized. A few weeks ago, we reached out to Troy’s city council to ask if they would formally acknowledge this special moment in Troy‘s musical history. Earlier this month, the council's Finance committee last gave preliminary approval to a resolution commemorating the 30th anniversary of Ozzy's performance at RPI's Houston Field House on January 27, 1996.

More: http://troystorypod.com/ozzy

Concert Video: Watch on YouTube

Credits:

Produced, edited, and hosted by John Salka
Theme music by Steven J. Goldman, Four Legs Records

Visit troystorypod.com for upcoming episodes, guests, and bonus content.

Connect with Troy Story on:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Threads
• YouTube
• Bluesky