LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 100th Anniversary of Nortz and
Virkler, Inc.

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize that the
quality and character of life in the communities across New York State
are reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of those busi-
nesses and individuals that are devoted to the welfare of the community
and its citizenry; and
WHEREAS, It is also the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize
and commend those who work to better their local community and work hard
to keep a local tradition alive; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 100th Anniversary of Nortz and Virkler, Inc.; and
WHEREAS, This auspicious centennial will be celebrated during a two-
day event in Lowville, New York; a classic car parade will roll through
the Village on Thursday, June 2, 2016, and on Friday, June 3, 2016,
visitors will be able to enjoy a vintage car show, live music and
refreshments at the Ford dealership on State Street; and
WHEREAS, In 1916, Art Virkler started his business on a dusty dirt
road better known today as South State Street in the tiny town of
Lowville by selling a line of Fordson tractors; he parked a handful of
the Fordson tractors along the road and worked his magic; subsequently,
his tractor business grew so much he needed to hire more employees and a
salesman; and
WHEREAS, Art Virkler hired 16-year-old Hank Nortz to be his salesman,
and when he was in his early 20s, he became a partner and the business
grew from there; and
WHEREAS, Stepping away in 1969, the Virkler family is no longer part
of the business; nonetheless, the Nortz family continues to use the name
for both honor and recognition; and
WHEREAS, The dealership has been run successfully for 100 years by the
same family; now three generations deep, Nortz and Virkler, Inc. is
considered one of the oldest continuing Ford families in the state, and
one of the oldest dealers in the country; and
WHEREAS, A representative from Ford will visit Lowville in June to
help celebrate this century-old milestone, and the Nortz family will
learn just where they fall on the scale as one of the oldest Ford deal-
erships in the United States and New York State; and
WHEREAS, Today, the Nortz family recently renovated their whole build-
ing and doubled the size of the service department and showroom which
gives the dealership a lot of room for the most innovative truck that
Ford has created, the new F150 Limited; and
WHEREAS, As Timothy, Rick, William, Bradley and Nicholas Nortz cele-
brate their 100th Anniversary, they look to the future by introducing
new Ford products and continuing to service their loyal customers; in
addition, they look forward to growing new customers to appreciate the
same products and service that Central New Yorkers have enjoyed for 100
years; and
WHEREAS, The success of Nortz and Virkler, Inc. is possible because of
the hard work and vision that started 100 years ago, and passed through
the generations and onto the generations to come; and
WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the well-being and vitality of their community and have shown a
long and sustained commitment to excellence certainly have earned the
recognition and applause of all the citizens of this great Empire State;
now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of Nortz and Virkler, Inc.; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Timothy O. Nortz and Nicholas W. Nortz, Nortz and Virkler,
Inc.