Yes, Xenia, Persistance Does Pays Off

Ever notice that when you are about to give up hope on something happening, it happens? Well, that’s what it was like Wednesday morning for my friends and I of The Uptown Initiative. After attempting to submit our Uptown Initiative Neighborhood Project every month since April, we finally got accepted to vie for a $50,000 Refresh Everything neighborhood grant. Yes, Xenia, persistence does pays off and thank you for proving it.

We’re all exceedingly excited about the opportunities this opens up for our neighborhoods and encouraged by the support we have already been shown. The Albany Jewish Community Center and Hannah’s Hope are two great projects we are partnering with to broaden the depth of local support.

We’ve selected Project Hope/FtEdward as our Uptown Youth Supporting Other Youth project of the month. This group of middle school students have taken the lessons of the tragic loss of their friend Hope and turned it into positive action for their community. The best hope for the future of our neighborhoods, cities and nation lies within our youth. It is incumbent on us to promote and recognize those displaying extraordinary civic responsibility.

And remember, it’s in the giving that we truly receive, so don’t forget to share.

Let Them Rest Safely

I have a special affinity for truck drivers. Since my job in the Army was Motor Pool Parts Clerk, I worked with them and their mechanics to keep their trucks rolling. I met my first husband in one of those motor pools. More recently, I worked for one of the areas largest truck leasing companies. Trust me when I say that it takes a special person to drive truck for a living.

With the closing of six rest areas by the NYSDOT, these drivers must now take on additional risks to do their jobs effectively. Driving truck may seem like a cake job yet it’s not. Long hours in the same position take its toll on a body. Circulatory issues and back problems are common ailments. Drivers need safe places to get out and stretch their legs. Long haul drivers need safe sleeping havens. When I read the tragedy of Jason Rivenburg, my heart sank.

The New York State Motor Truck Association is fighting for the restoration of services at these closed rest areas. I hope they are successful in at least getting the areas unblocked. You see, my son’s dad still drives long haul out of Indiana and makes deliveries to this area as often as he can to see Boy and the grandbabies. We’re always excited to hear he’ll be in the area. Now, that excitement will be tempered as many times he arrives early and has to wait it out at a nearby rest area. The area he usually uses is now closed. Where will he wait and will he be safe there?

Owning Pets is Like Having Children

Owning pets is like having children in that they require daily care. Responsible pet owners understand that the animal is part of their family and must be treated as such. I don’t own any pets and am happy that way. I have chosen not to take on the responsibility inherent in pet ownership. I’ve raised my family and don’t feel the need to fill the “void” in my empty nest. That said, I couldn’t sit by and do nothing when I read of such terrific atrocities being inflicted on dogs right here in Troy NY.

It infuriates me to read about dogs living in their own feces or pit bulls being trained to fight, living in cages in a dark basement. Unfortunately, far too many people own pets that shouldn’t. Even sadder is that these same pet owners have children too. And that’s what really scares me. If this is how they handle their animals, I wonder how they treat their kids?

How many times did someone try to reach out to Troy’s Animal Control Officer to report an issue only to be frustrated by not being able to get through to him? I know of a situation of possible animal abuse occurring right now that isn’t being investigated because the real citizen of Troy who has been trying to report it hasn’t been able to get a message through to Troy’s Animal Control Officer. Thankfully, The Record’s SeeClickFix gave this person an ability to let people know what has been going on. Action is being taken to get this checked out.

Come to find out, through communicating with my TPD Community Police officer, the answering machine assigned to the ACO broke down some time ago. Rather than having it repaired, the chief has requested a replacement. Hopefully it will be installed soon as it seems that crimes against animals in Troy are increasing as quickly as other violent crimes are.