During
the winter of '90/'91 two members of a local P.O.C.I. Chapter, (Pontiac/Oakland
Club International), who happen to own GTOs, decided to start a GTO club
in the Schenectady, NY area. Joseph James and Hank Eckert where the two
instrumental in contacting the GTO Association of America to see what
had to be done. They needed to recruit three more people to form an affiliated
chapter of five members under G.T.O.A.A.
By July of 1991 it was official. Electric City GTO's Inc. became an
affiliated chapter. For many months we had to use our own money to survive.
Having meetings at each other's home while sending mailings out to recruit
new members. Having more members was great but needing more space, we
started to meet at the Glenville Queen, a local diner. Communication
was another problem. So we started publishing a newsletter by November
of 91; it is called 'Ram Air Report'.
By 1993, thanks to a member who belonged to the Air National
Guard, we started holding our monthly meetings at "Stratton ANG Base" in
Glenville, NY. What a great facility! That same year, we went ahead with
our plans to have a car show. Holding the show at the air base on Sunday
of Labor Day weekend each year. In 2003, we celebtated out 10th annual show. Each
show more successful than the last. So, close to the end of the show
car season, we called the show, 'Cruise Out'. It's difficult to believe
that the tenth show is related to that first one. Every year we have
a variety of outings, including: cruises, picnics, car shows, annual
appreciation outing and our annual holiday party, which is free to members
and guests. Being a part of this club from the beginning, I have to say
I am quite proud of how far we have come and what we have accomplished
over the years.
The Electric City GTO's Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation chartered
under the laws of the State of New York and is an official chapter of
the GTO Association of America. Membership dues are $15.00 per year.
Membership meetings are conducted on the second Tuesday of each month
at 7:00 pm at Carney's in Ballston Lake. While many
activities center around the Pontiac GTO, owners and enthusiasts of all
Pontiacs are welcome to membership.
- Joe James, Founding Member, Electric City GTO's |