Sunday, June 7, 2009

Neighborhood Associations

Throughout the city of Troy we have all different types of areas: residential, commercial, and mixed use. Each area has its own personality and its own problems.
Over the past 12 to 15 years community organizations that we refer to as “Neighborhood Associations” have popped up. With the advent of Community Policing, and organizations such as TRIP, there has been a lot of help starting concerned groups and working on their problems.

Our groups are composed of a wide selection of residents in the area. Some are young, some old, some lifetime residents, and some are dubbed “newbies”. Whether they are white, black, working, or non-working they all have the same mission: to improve their living environment. These groups meet in a variety of areas including Community Police Stations, Church meeting rooms, The Lansingburgh Boys & Girls Club, and wherever they can find an accessible and easy to find space.

What goes on at a meeting? Where do they meet? Well, if you are not aware of an association in your neighborhood you could either ask a neighbor if there is one, watch the community listings in your local paper, or call City Hall. The City of Troy website has a ton of information on what the city has to offer.

At a typical meeting new folks are introduced to each other, your area designated Community Police officer, your Council person, or perhaps Bob Mirch the Commissioner of DPW may also be there. Frequently our Mayor Harry Tutunjian is there and we always try to have a key speaker in relation to concerns for the area or perhaps a new project coming such as a business or improvements to the area. Great emphasis is given to “getting the word out” to our neighbors regarding important news they should know.

After speakers have their presentations there are a question and answer period and a problem solving session. We highlight the importance of staying connected to each other, knowing your neighbors and area, and reporting unusual occurrences.

Do you belong to a Neighborhood Association? If you don’t - why not? If you do - is it working for you? Do you have any suggestions or other area problem solving concerns that may need to be covered during the meetings? In what other way could a Neighborhood Association help you or your area? Would you want to start one in your area?

Let’s hear your opinions on how well or poor our Neighborhood Associations are doing. Opinions are valuable, everyone has one, and we want to hear yours. Why? Because that is the way it is!

9 comments:

  1. Tina...
    I do agree with you that it is important to have a strong community board... however...it is time for more to be done.

    I am writing today because I was rudely awakened to the sounds of gunfire outside my window last nite...and am tired of it.

    This is the second time in less than 2 weeks that there has been gunfire in the area "where there is no crime" (North Burg).

    For years I have been fighting the battles of brighter streetlamps, increased police presence, closing of the "unlicensed drug stores" and a host of other issues, all of which have fallen on deaf ears.

    I am tired of having to work every day to support the scumbags who terrorize this city by nite...

    I am tired of the "under-served" getting away with blue bloody murder because no one challenges them.

    I have been fighting this battle for 4 + years trying to make a home amongst the crack bags and syringes, but I am tired.

    This is what the human flotsam counts on...driving the decent people out so they can really prosper.

    I believe that it is time for us to invite the State Police, County Sheriffs, DEA and any other branch of Law Enforcement which is willing to come into "Little Compton" and help us take back our town.

    It is time for a change... and if the City Council, The Mayor, and our County Officials...the DA and Judges really mean what they say when talking about "Quality of Life Issues", its time to put up or be put out...

    It is an election year, and God willing, I'll make it to vote all of them out if there is no action...

    unless the next drive by catches me off guard.

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  2. Well said David. The police would rather look the other way and make their living off of us taxpaying, law abiding citizens by giving out tickets.

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  3. Just a little update...

    I did see a detective... 3 days later! He reported that they were "a little busy" with the rest of the shootings and homicides... He was thorough, however, he too promised that someone would contact me to retrieve this information. To date... there has been no further contact.

    I also had the opportunity to run into Hizzoner Mayor Tutunjian... who I also asked to get someone to help investigate this crime... and he assured me that he will be getting someone to me by the end of the day...YESTERDAY

    And you guessed it...
    Another UNFULFILLED PROMISE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    I am gonna find a way to dump this video, and you can watch for it on the news... since they're the only ones who seem to care.

    And as for the City Officials... don't bother to contact me now... my video is private property and if you really are interested in it, you can copy it off the news once it becomes public domain...

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  4. WE need a new law for pitbulls no one w/ a felony can be in possenion w/one,or under the age of 18, also make them take a safety test charge them $$$ every year! most of the owners abuse them or use them as a weapon! let them take ther dogs bac to yhe bronx or over to albany,

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  5. troy is shot ugly run down buildings along w/overly run welfare un safe streets no middle class tons of trash from upstate, close the slumlord buildings dont auction off these properties tear them down,that will save tax payers money not a 3 unit w/ all social serv, w/12 kid and 1 parent on each floor living on welfare w/ there [parttime boy friend from n,y,c,

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  6. WELFARE, DRUGS, SOCIAL SERVICE,SLUMLORDS,WHATS THAT SPELL? TROY NY !!!!

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  7. CAN WE TRY TO GET ID OF SOME OF THE PROJECTS HOUSING IN TROY CATHERN SWEENEY,MARTIN LUTHER,CORRLISS PARK,GRISSWELL HEIGHTS,THE ONE ALONG THE RIVER N,TROY AND THE ONE ON TOP OF HILL SOUTH TROY,ALONG W/THE ONE ON TOP OF STOW AVE!AND OF COURSE THE ADHERN APT,ALLSOCIAL SERVICE!!THE HOME OF UNCLE SAM!HA HA MORE LIKE THE HOME OF WELFARE,SOCIAL SERVICE,DRUGS,SINGEL PARENTS FAMILY, PITT BULLS, AND DOWN STATE DRUG DEALERS!!!

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  8. I agree, though as we all know, not ALL Folks in the Projects are bad, and they started out very good for those who were good solid Citizens but in need of some help, they have turned into huge problems in the City. Bill Meissner has done a terrific job in the last couple of years, carving out the illegal people in there, but there is lot more to be done. I still say people behave better when they are living in a house where the Landlord/Owner also lives. They know they have to behave to will be asked to leave. In the days where they questioned, "well where will we go if we are evicted?" They would solve their own problem with making the Family behave.

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  9. Troy has long been known for its high welfare rate. I know there are people who need the help that this program offers. I also know that many abuse the system. Where is everyone when the counsel meets? NO one for the budget meeting? The counsel needs to hear more than a few voices, and the same ones at that. If you want change then shout it loud and clear and bring others with you...If you are not willing to voice your ideas and opinions then stay behind your closed curtains and be silent.

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