PLATTSBURGH — Lifelong City of Plattsburgh resident Robert “Bob” LaValley has “seen it all.”
LaValley, 92, has seen Plattsburgh change from long stretches of fields everywhere to the storefronts and housing developments that exist throughout the town and city today.
“We moved here to Plattsburgh on Cornelia Street when I was 3 years old,” LaValley said. “At that time, there was basically nothing.”
LaValley was invited to City Hall on June 22 to share his wealth of knowledge about the Plattsburgh area.
He was also there to receive a certificate for his service and dedication to Plattsburgh all these years.
LaValley was drafted during the Vietnam War and spent some time away from his hometown in the 1950s, serving his country in Germany and Korea before being discharged in 1959.
“From business development on Route 3 to the downtown area, from apartments and housing to Michigan stands and restaurants, Mr. LaValley, you’ve truly seen it all,” City Mayor Wendell Hughes said, reading the certificate to LaValley.
“Thank you so much for your service. Thank you for living here as long as you have.”
City Planner Emily Reinhardt came up with the idea to invite LaValley, her neighbor, to City Hall and treat him to a special day with lunch from Zuke’s. Tammy Judge, LaValley’s niece, also accompanied him.
Other local officials, including Assemblymember Michael Cashman, North Country Honor Flight Executive Director Barrie Finnegan, Community Development Director Andrew Durrin and Community Engagement Coordinator Emma Stewart, joined the visit.
They made it even more special by asking LaValley about his life while learning a thing or two they may not have known about Plattsburgh. LaValley was specifically asked why he decided to stay here his whole life.
“I think a lot of it was family. They had everything they wanted here … And we lived next door to McDonald’s for 62 years,” LaValley said.
He remembered when Michigan stands started to pop up around the North Country. When asked what his favorite go-to place for the local delicacy is now, he said home, where he has his own recipe.
“Right now, most places around are spicy,” he said with a laugh.
LaValley, who had a pacemaker replacement a couple months ago, remains active. He was asked what the secret to a long, happy life is.
“The main thing is keeping busy,” LaValley said. “That’s the main thing is to keep busy and be happy and treat people right.
“I’ve helped a lot of people, and this last winter, people I even forgot that I helped called me to see if I needed anything.”
Just before lunch was served, LaValley reflected on one more thing: what’s changed in Plattsburgh and what hasn’t. The one area that hasn’t changed, he said, was the MacDonough Monument downtown.
“Everything (else) has changed so much,” he said.