She was the Corner Market

On the corner of Douw Street and Sixth Avenue sits one of the oldest buildings in Uptown. Originally serving the neighborhood as a Butcher’s shop, it’s now home to the Troy Police Department’s North Central Sub-Station. It’s a bit strange for me walking into the building these days. For me it will always be Ursula’s, one of three corner markets that operated at this corner in the ’60’s and ’70’s.

Velotti’s Market operated for decades in that building and the business was a stabilizing force in the neighborhood. Many families in our neighborhood depended on the store for their daily supper and oft times were a little shy on cash. Her proprietor Ursula had a heart of gold. Rather than see families go hungry, she would extend credit by running a tab that the families would settle once a month. Ursula took care of her neighbors and I believe she’d be thrilled by our efforts to Revitalize Uptown Troy.

The members of the CDC (Capital District Causes) have extended honorary membership to Hannah’s Hope. Please join us in supporting the efforts of our neighbors in Clifton Park with one of your remaining 9 votes today.

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 and Palace Performing Arts Center. We hope to add more CDC members soon. If you know of a worthy Upstate NY Project, leave a comment on our page when you vote with some info.

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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.