Irene - who as I write continues to wring out the towel overhead - can't dampen the joy my heart feels because of the incredible steadfast, die-hard, invaluable DAILY votes folks have cast to help me bring the Uptown Troy Community Harvest Festival to life this year. After months of supporting other organizations through the Refresh Everything program, I'm within reach of bringing something to my neighborhood so sorely needed - a full day of FREE family fun. I'm preparing for the best possible outcome. There's tons of planning that goes into an event like this and that planning has begun. Vendors have been selected and contacted for estimates and groups are gathering volunteers to man the booths.
I've reached out to Jim Blessing and the wonderful staff at The ARC of Rensselaer County to let them know it's looking like a "GO". Pastor Willie Bacote at Missing Link Street Ministry is putting together his shopping list to ensure a festive menu for the days activities. Tom Techman is warming up his vocal cords and songlist so that he can thouroughly entertain us. Joe over at Jumping Bean Party Rental is sharpening his pencil to allow for the maximum amount of fun and games. And wait till the kids get a load of the prizes they can get with their stash of tickets won at the games. The cherry on top? Well that is a special four-day residency by reknowned cello virtuoso and my dear friend Dr. Steven Elisha when he brings his Mr. Cello program to the area.
We're close yet we're NOT there. This is NO time to become complacent. It is vital to continue voting EVERY day and it will take a small city of daily votes for funding to be realized. In addition to your online daily vote (logging in with your FB account or direct with Pepsi or BOTH), those of you with texting capabilities get to cast a third daily vote by sending 107824 to Pepsi (73774). Your daily votes coupled with our collective POWER VOTES are the reason we're so close. Those little yellow Pepsi caps contain the codes we need to solidify funding. Find them where you can & drop them off at Smoker's Choice in either Troy Plaza or Latham or at Troy Discount Beverage in South Troy. Tell them The Dartlady sent ya.
Beyond a doubt, the hope of funding would not be possible without the strong support by my partner projects and their supporters. Please continue to cast a daily vote for Angels4Epilepy (107962), Nicholson (107973), Cohoes Music Hall/C-R Productions (100081) and most importantly National Inclusion Project (108169) with your daily votes over the next three days. That's right. Only three more days till we know whether our projects will be considered for grant funding. A special shout out goes to Uptown Initiative's Youth Supporting Youth partners from January Project Hope/Ft Edward, who have re-activated their voting machines to help make this festival happen.
Tonight as I've been writing this entry, a section of my old neighborhood was permanently altered. I lived both on top of that hill on Highland Avenue and at the bottom of that hill on Congress Street. My thoughts and prayers are with my neighbors up there especially those directly affected by the mudslide. For those neighbors not living in Mt. Ida, please send your good thoughts to them as well. With the rain continuing to fall, the risk of further slides and the flooding of the Poestenkill on the southside of the road increases. Ida Hillers & South Trojans are being evacuated. Stay safe my friends.
Showing posts with label Troy NY. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Troy NY. Show all posts
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Friday, December 10, 2010
Public Spirit Shines Brightly
Industry remains the spine in Troy’s economic body with public spirit being her soul. As a driving force in the Industrial Revolution, Troy became the fourth wealthiest city in the country at its peak. “Trojans are proverbial for their enterprise and public spirit. Everything which they take hold of "goes ahead". I found this quote from 1897 while researching and believe it holds true today. That public spirit shines brightly through the support we are receiving for our efforts to Revitalize Uptown Troy.
For decades, Geier & Bluhm has resided in one of our majestic and historic industrial structures. Whalen Tent, when given the opportunity to move their business, remained faithful to its roots and chose another historic set of buildings within the same neighborhood. Mcbain Electric seized an opportunity to expand their business also by acquiring and restoring yet another historic warehouse in Uptown. High tech company IEM chose Uptown also, showing their commitment to historic preservation in the way they handled the restoration and re-purposing of long-vacant commercial buildings in the heart of Uptown. For businesses, Uptown is a viable place to be.
Please continue supporting The Uptown Initiative’s efforts and those of our CDC Partners: Albany Jewish Community Center, Project Hope/Fort Edward, WSW Art Farm, Encore Theater, Palace Performing Arts Center and Hannah’s Hope.
Click here to sign up for The Uptown Initiative’s email list and to receive my daily “Uptown Tidbits” email.
For decades, Geier & Bluhm has resided in one of our majestic and historic industrial structures. Whalen Tent, when given the opportunity to move their business, remained faithful to its roots and chose another historic set of buildings within the same neighborhood. Mcbain Electric seized an opportunity to expand their business also by acquiring and restoring yet another historic warehouse in Uptown. High tech company IEM chose Uptown also, showing their commitment to historic preservation in the way they handled the restoration and re-purposing of long-vacant commercial buildings in the heart of Uptown. For businesses, Uptown is a viable place to be.
Please continue supporting The Uptown Initiative’s efforts and those of our CDC Partners: Albany Jewish Community Center, Project Hope/Fort Edward, WSW Art Farm, Encore Theater, Palace Performing Arts Center and Hannah’s Hope.
Click here to sign up for The Uptown Initiative’s email list and to receive my daily “Uptown Tidbits” email.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
They're standard equipment, use them
Anti-social behavior is one of my pet peeves. As far as I’m concerned, a driver who doesn’t use turn signals is asking to be rear-ended. It's inconsiderate. Other drivers aren’t clairvoyant. They don’t know your intentions unless you tell them - by signaling. Since turn signals are standard equipment on all vehicles, please use them. I’m encouraged by a pattern I’ve noticed in the TPD’s blotter. They are enforcing the city’s traffic laws. This enforcement is a good thing. It reminds drivers to think while driving and to be aware of their surroundings.
There’s another positive to these laws being enforced. As was said in Forest Gump, “Stupid is as stupid does” and using crack cocaine or herione is stupid. It shouldn’t surprise real citizen of Troy that someone using crack would make a minor traffic infraction in obtaining it. So why then does it surprise people that our men and women of the Troy Police Department are utilizing another tool in curbing drug trafficking? Many people ticketed for a traffic violation are also facing drug charges. At least one individual was charged with felony weapons charges following a traffic stop.
You see, when you don’t use a turn signal when pulling away from a curb, the police have a responsibility to remind you of the law by issuing a citation for breaking the law. Further, you’ve given them probable cause to search your vehicle. To me the enforcement of the traffic laws is a step in the right direction in eliminating the dirth of drug dealers.
There’s another positive to these laws being enforced. As was said in Forest Gump, “Stupid is as stupid does” and using crack cocaine or herione is stupid. It shouldn’t surprise real citizen of Troy that someone using crack would make a minor traffic infraction in obtaining it. So why then does it surprise people that our men and women of the Troy Police Department are utilizing another tool in curbing drug trafficking? Many people ticketed for a traffic violation are also facing drug charges. At least one individual was charged with felony weapons charges following a traffic stop.
You see, when you don’t use a turn signal when pulling away from a curb, the police have a responsibility to remind you of the law by issuing a citation for breaking the law. Further, you’ve given them probable cause to search your vehicle. To me the enforcement of the traffic laws is a step in the right direction in eliminating the dirth of drug dealers.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Learn from Their Mistakes
Just like my grandfather, I read three sections of the paper daily: the op-eds, the blotter and the obits. From these three sections, the vibrations of our city’s life can be felt. The op-eds speak to a variety of issues, keeping us informed of the public's opinions. From the blotter, we are educated as to who got caught doing what where, sometimes how they were caught. The obits tell us who has left their families and friends with a void that can never be filled. Sometimes, reading the obits isn't necessary though to hear of someone's passing. Some deaths make news.
There were three deaths reported in The Record this past week or so that did just that. In two of these deaths, the driver’s anti-social behavior caused their own death - fortunately, not anyone else’s. In the third case, the pedestrian wasn’t paying attention to his surroundings. All sad, all avoidable. There are lessons to be learned from these deaths.
The young man in such a hurry to get somewhere that he never made it to
Lesson: Driving like a maniac will not get you someplace any quicker.
In fact, it could prevent you from getting there at all.
The druggie too scared to get caught that he ate his drugs
Lesson: It’s one way to avoid jail time – just not a good way
The pedestrian who stepped out from between two parked cars at just the wrong time
Lesson: Look both ways TWICE before crossing a street and use crosswalks. Even if they take you 50 feet out of your way, they’re there for your protection.
There were three deaths reported in The Record this past week or so that did just that. In two of these deaths, the driver’s anti-social behavior caused their own death - fortunately, not anyone else’s. In the third case, the pedestrian wasn’t paying attention to his surroundings. All sad, all avoidable. There are lessons to be learned from these deaths.
The young man in such a hurry to get somewhere that he never made it to
Lesson: Driving like a maniac will not get you someplace any quicker.
In fact, it could prevent you from getting there at all.
The druggie too scared to get caught that he ate his drugs
Lesson: It’s one way to avoid jail time – just not a good way
The pedestrian who stepped out from between two parked cars at just the wrong time
Lesson: Look both ways TWICE before crossing a street and use crosswalks. Even if they take you 50 feet out of your way, they’re there for your protection.
Monday, September 6, 2010
Heavy Traffic
Tell someone else that only people living in South Troy will be affected by the increased truck traffic generated should the requested expansion of the County Waste Transfer Station at our southern gateway be approved, I’m not buying it. Have ya ever lived on a busy road? I have more than once. Anyone now living on or near a heavily traveled road knows exactly what I’m talking about.
People living near Mr. Subb’s or Wal-Green’s on Hoosick can’t open their windows because of the exhaust fumes generated by vehicles waiting at the traffic light. Residents along Oakwood get a little shake to go along with their noise pollution, with trucks coming down Route 40 so heavy and so fast, they make houses rattle. Neighbors where Pawling and Route 2 converge regularly enjoy the sounds of jake brakes being applied as drivers slow down for that traffic light. Route 378 is, at best, a daily traffic jam with trucks and cars jockeying for the roadway. These very different parts of Troy all have the same issue. Heavy traffic.
For the people living on or near these roads, noise and air pollution are something they deal with every day. It's no fun. “Well, if they don’t like it, why don’t they just move?” you say. My answer is “So, how easy would it be for you to move?” Throughout Troy, you’ll find families that have lived in their homes for multiple generations. Many have been in their homes long before these roads were expanded. Simply put, they were there before the traffic was. Some are elderly, some disabled, some depend on social programs and some work three jobs trying to support their family. Some incomes don't allow broad housing options.
Many of Troy’s roads are main thoroughfares, traveled by big, heavy rigs. There are roads where the noise NEVER stops ‘cause traffic’s ALWAYS flowing. There’s reason for all real citizens of Troy to be concerned about increasing truck capacity down in the South End. As traffic increases, the potential for our infrastructure (both above and below ground) to fail also increases. Failures are expensive. Guess who gets to pay for them?
People living near Mr. Subb’s or Wal-Green’s on Hoosick can’t open their windows because of the exhaust fumes generated by vehicles waiting at the traffic light. Residents along Oakwood get a little shake to go along with their noise pollution, with trucks coming down Route 40 so heavy and so fast, they make houses rattle. Neighbors where Pawling and Route 2 converge regularly enjoy the sounds of jake brakes being applied as drivers slow down for that traffic light. Route 378 is, at best, a daily traffic jam with trucks and cars jockeying for the roadway. These very different parts of Troy all have the same issue. Heavy traffic.
For the people living on or near these roads, noise and air pollution are something they deal with every day. It's no fun. “Well, if they don’t like it, why don’t they just move?” you say. My answer is “So, how easy would it be for you to move?” Throughout Troy, you’ll find families that have lived in their homes for multiple generations. Many have been in their homes long before these roads were expanded. Simply put, they were there before the traffic was. Some are elderly, some disabled, some depend on social programs and some work three jobs trying to support their family. Some incomes don't allow broad housing options.
Many of Troy’s roads are main thoroughfares, traveled by big, heavy rigs. There are roads where the noise NEVER stops ‘cause traffic’s ALWAYS flowing. There’s reason for all real citizens of Troy to be concerned about increasing truck capacity down in the South End. As traffic increases, the potential for our infrastructure (both above and below ground) to fail also increases. Failures are expensive. Guess who gets to pay for them?
Friday, September 3, 2010
Park Politics
It disappoints me greatly to criticize the behavior of The Friends of Prospect Park. As one of the first mission-based “neighborhood associations” born in our city, the very active and dedicated members of the group have shown us that when you show you care, others will begin to care. They are real citizens of Troy. They showed us, with their actions, how to be good stewards of our public spaces. They were at the forefront of people banding together for the common good. Therefore, it is unfortunate that the current uproar over the Uncle Sam Memorial Pavilion is occurring.
During last evening’s council meeting, it was stated that the Friends of Prospect Park did not want to make this political. It was further stated that the group was a-political. Ok, so I am not buying that. It was political from the outset; couldn’t help but be. One of the definitions of politics is the total complex of relations between people living in society. I don’t know all the facts and won’t pretend to. As an outsider to this particular political game, I can only speak to what I sense. I sense that someone’s ego got a little bruised here.
Ladies and gentleman, as I see it, this was Mr. Jacques dream. Mr. Jacques has been working towards this for almost a decade. Would there be an Uncle Sam Memorial Foundation if it weren’t for Mr. Jacques’ pursuing HIS dream? His intention has always been to memorialize Sam Wilson. His pavilion – built where it stands – will do just that. According to Mr. Jacques last evening, the pavilion was specifically designed for the overlook area. I believe he selected the ideal location and that the city administration was correct in allowing construction to begin.
Where were The Friends a decade ago? The Friends were in their infancy. If I recall correctly (and I’m sure if not, someone will let me know), The Friends of Prospect Park were initially formed in an attempt to keep the park’s pool from closing and then became dedicated to ensuring that the pool structure was preserved. I do not know whether that is still part of their mission. I also recall talk of rebuilding the band shell at the park. It was only further along in the group’s development that beautification become part of their mission.
Mr. Peter Grimm (president of The Friends of Prospect Park and County Legislator representing the City of Troy) is quoted in the September 1st edition of The Record as saying “The problem here is not the pavilion at all, it is the structure of people trying to work together to get things done and a non-resident renegade can do what he sees fit, not in accordance with the two organizations.” This is pure political spin, plan and simple. Mr. Grimm, you were a renegade when you established The Friends, weren’t you? Although Mr. Jacques now resides in Haynesville, he was a decades-long resident of Troy. He’s no outsider. He is president of the Uncle Sam Memorial Foundation. He is well known for his tireless work to see recognition is properly given to Sam Wilson. To besmirch his character is reprehensible.
What I think happened is that these people were unable to persuade this determinedly dedicated old Seabee from seeing HIS dream come true. Were The Friends attempting to get Mr. Jacques to change his pavilion and its location so that it could be used as a band shell too? Were the members of his foundation lobbying for a bigger facility? If that is indeed the case, a consensus was never going to be reached. It was his concept. He lived long enough to see it built.
During last evening’s council meeting, it was stated that the Friends of Prospect Park did not want to make this political. It was further stated that the group was a-political. Ok, so I am not buying that. It was political from the outset; couldn’t help but be. One of the definitions of politics is the total complex of relations between people living in society. I don’t know all the facts and won’t pretend to. As an outsider to this particular political game, I can only speak to what I sense. I sense that someone’s ego got a little bruised here.
Ladies and gentleman, as I see it, this was Mr. Jacques dream. Mr. Jacques has been working towards this for almost a decade. Would there be an Uncle Sam Memorial Foundation if it weren’t for Mr. Jacques’ pursuing HIS dream? His intention has always been to memorialize Sam Wilson. His pavilion – built where it stands – will do just that. According to Mr. Jacques last evening, the pavilion was specifically designed for the overlook area. I believe he selected the ideal location and that the city administration was correct in allowing construction to begin.
Where were The Friends a decade ago? The Friends were in their infancy. If I recall correctly (and I’m sure if not, someone will let me know), The Friends of Prospect Park were initially formed in an attempt to keep the park’s pool from closing and then became dedicated to ensuring that the pool structure was preserved. I do not know whether that is still part of their mission. I also recall talk of rebuilding the band shell at the park. It was only further along in the group’s development that beautification become part of their mission.
Mr. Peter Grimm (president of The Friends of Prospect Park and County Legislator representing the City of Troy) is quoted in the September 1st edition of The Record as saying “The problem here is not the pavilion at all, it is the structure of people trying to work together to get things done and a non-resident renegade can do what he sees fit, not in accordance with the two organizations.” This is pure political spin, plan and simple. Mr. Grimm, you were a renegade when you established The Friends, weren’t you? Although Mr. Jacques now resides in Haynesville, he was a decades-long resident of Troy. He’s no outsider. He is president of the Uncle Sam Memorial Foundation. He is well known for his tireless work to see recognition is properly given to Sam Wilson. To besmirch his character is reprehensible.
What I think happened is that these people were unable to persuade this determinedly dedicated old Seabee from seeing HIS dream come true. Were The Friends attempting to get Mr. Jacques to change his pavilion and its location so that it could be used as a band shell too? Were the members of his foundation lobbying for a bigger facility? If that is indeed the case, a consensus was never going to be reached. It was his concept. He lived long enough to see it built.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Our Parks need Historic Preservation Too
I have been blessed to enjoy every major public park in Troy. Each is special. I learned to swim at Knick; my son at the South End Pool. I climbed the monkey bars in Beman. My wedding reception was in the pavilion at Prospect park. I've spent more than a few bucks at Powers Park Flea Markets. I played baseball at Frear Park and have even golfed a couple of rounds. The history each park carries forward requires her owners – the real citizens of Troy – to tend to their needs attentively. It requires the highest level of stewardship. Groups like the Friends of Prospect Park and Frear Park Conservancy have been showing us the way for many years.
These green spaces and historic structures tell the recreational story of Troy. The 1920’s era Art Deco swimming pool at Prospect is a prominent example of craftsmanship and design from the Roaring ‘20’s. Closed in the mid-1990’s as a cost savings measure, that pool is one of only a few that remained in the US still standing. It’s use as a pool is long past yet the structure could be re-purposed perhaps for skateboarders. What a great way to get the newest generation using, enjoying and appreciating Prospect. The locker area could be rehabbed and that wonderful structure could be put back to good use.
The Arcadia Pavilion’s splendor and beauty are being wasted at Frear Park. It was built as a community-gathering place. City of Troy’s Parks and Recreation Department currently uses the space as a storage facility. The golf course lost its clubhouse years ago when the city chose to lease out that space to a private entity. It has since lost its pro shop too. How grand it would be if the pavilion were to be re-purposed as the course’s 19th Hole and Pro Shop.
These green spaces and historic structures tell the recreational story of Troy. The 1920’s era Art Deco swimming pool at Prospect is a prominent example of craftsmanship and design from the Roaring ‘20’s. Closed in the mid-1990’s as a cost savings measure, that pool is one of only a few that remained in the US still standing. It’s use as a pool is long past yet the structure could be re-purposed perhaps for skateboarders. What a great way to get the newest generation using, enjoying and appreciating Prospect. The locker area could be rehabbed and that wonderful structure could be put back to good use.
The Arcadia Pavilion’s splendor and beauty are being wasted at Frear Park. It was built as a community-gathering place. City of Troy’s Parks and Recreation Department currently uses the space as a storage facility. The golf course lost its clubhouse years ago when the city chose to lease out that space to a private entity. It has since lost its pro shop too. How grand it would be if the pavilion were to be re-purposed as the course’s 19th Hole and Pro Shop.
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