Election campaign: 1951

Solvay Democrats knew how to attract attention. Mayor Buster Major and village trustee John Nozynski got media coverage for riding a donkey-drawn wagon through Solvay streets during their 1951 re-election campaign. The photograph below, by Louis Raczkowski, is from the Syracuse Herald-Journal, once Central New York's leading newspaper.

In the background, right-to-left, are Al Nowakowski, the campaign manager; Gerald Blair, chairman of Solvay's Democratic party; Judge Donald Salvetti, who didn't face re-election until 1953; and Frank Klock, whom I recall as a village character who popped up everywhere people gathered.

Republicans couldn't counter this stunt. The circus wasn't in town and the Burnet Park Zoo was a mess, so no elephants were available.

Nowakowski was an energetic, often creative fellow. His donkey stunt may seem corny, but thanks to his urging, the Solvay Democrats were the first Onondaga County politicians to use television to reach voters – not through commercials, but through 30-minute programs in which candidates introduced themselves and explained their goals and accomplishments.

My father, usually an engaging fellow at home in front of an audience, was intimidated by television, but eventually managed at least one comfortable, Buster Major smile on camera. He was much more at ease during the political rallies when he'd perform from his satirical songbook.

– JACK MAJOR