Perhaps Don can give us a brief lesson

My Papa was caretaker, driver and maintenance man for the Sisters of the Good Shepherd in the ’40’s & ‘50’s. Dad tells stories of riding with him on laundry deliveries. The family home for decades was the carriage house on the corner of Peoples & Eleventh. When RPI acquired the Peoples Avenue Complex, they kept Papa on to continue taking care of it. That is, until most of it was torn down in the mid-70’s coincidental to Papa reaching their “required” retirement age. My love/hate relationship with RPI has thus been life-long.

Imagine my surprise when I learned that the great RPI had its beginnings in the very same area that my ancestors chose to plant roots: North Central. The Rensselaer School opened its doors nearly 185 years ago in Middleburgh, occupying the old Farmer’s Bank building. Perhaps the community of RPI is willing to support our efforts to Revitalize Uptown Troy. We challenge them to live their pledge of “Comm-University”.

The surname from yesterday’s question was Eddy. Perhaps Don Rittner can give us brief lesson? Please continue supporting The Uptown Initiative’s efforts and those of our Capital District Coalition Partners: Albany Jewish Community Center, Project Hope/Fort Edward, WSW Art Farm, Encore Theater and Palace Theater. We hope to add more CDC members soon. If you know of a worthy Upstate NY Project, leave a comment when you vote with some info.

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A Great Foundation to Start with right Tina?

I’ve been told many times by people how amazed they are with the work that The Uptown Initiative has been able to accomplish in such a short amount of time. Yes, we have begun to see a change enveloping the areas we have focused on in our 9-month existence. However, without the dedicated work of Tina Urzan, Thila Belle and Nina Glandz amongst many others Uptown wouldn’t be ready for the revitalization we perceive it is about to receive. We had a great foundation to start with right Tina?

We understand that, throughout the histories of Troy and Lansingburgh, our area connected the two entities - at first separating them and then merging them together. Middleburgh, or Batesville as then also known, was chosen as home to The Farmer’s Bank precisely because it was located smack dab in the middle. Therefore, we understand that from our core we can Revitalize Uptown Troy.

The North Central and South Lansingburgh neighborhood associations have worked as a team for years and The Uptown Initiative was born of that collaboration. That's why we have joined the Albany Jewish Community Center, WSW Art Farm, Encore and Palace Theaters and Project Hope/Fort Edward as part of the CDC.  Working together works. Can it be said better than this?

“United we stand; Divided we fall.”-A. Lincoln

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.

It's Not A Trap If You Know About It

I love reading Sound Off in The Record. People think the darnedest things. Like today with the speed trap caller. Several main corridors are targeted for traffic safety in Troy NY not just Spring Avenue.  Besides if you know the area is regularly patrolled it’s not a trap. Excessive speed is not the only infraction that drivers are cited for during these patrols either and sadly, my fellow Real Citizens of Troy, neither do they generate revenue to the degree popularly believed.  I suggest we refer to these instead as Targeted Safety Areas.

Speed limits are clearly posted and monitored areas are identified through signage. Targeted Safety Areas remind drivers that they are not alone on the road. Traffic infractions are crimes too. Put politely, disregarding other driver’s by bobbing and weaving, talking on a cell while driving, or applying mascara at 18 miles an hour is inconsiderate. Tailgating at 65 miles an hour is downright hazardous. Speed and distraction equals destruction.

When you get behind the wheel of a vehicle, you accept responsibility and become accountable to every other driver on the road including our Peace Officers. Are you ready to accept the responsibility that accountability demands? Please drive safely…

OK - It Counts

Growing up I was taught that Armistice Day (renamed Veteran’s Day here in the States after WWII) was a day to honor the men who never returned from the trenches of WWI.  Each year, I’ve struggled to reconcile my service with the service of those in whose name the national holiday was created for in the first place.

I served in the US Army during peacetime – between Viet Nam and the Gulf War. I never saw combat, although I served with men who did. My enlistment was my way of not going to college. The possibility of dying for my country wasn’t in the equation. When the Iran Hostage Crisis began, just as I was finishing basic training, that possibility became all too evident. While serving in South Korea - Land of the Morning Calm – I saw first hand what student unrest was.  In a foriegn country, we US soldiers looked out for one another and the bonds formed last to this day. 

As you pause today to remember those that have, are or will serve our nation in military uniform, I’ll remain grateful to have served with men like SFC Herbert Mitchell, SSG Keith Barrett and SGT Edward Owens. To my friends Bob Deo, Ross Vumbaco, Herald Miller and Frank Dame, I thank you for your service. To my husband Bill: 30 years ago and 7,000 miles from home we served together and I thank God every day for that.  And as for my service - OK, it counts.