That's The Way It Is

McDonalds

2011-12-20T10:17:00.000-05:00

McDonald's, proposed for Hoosick St. at the corner of 15th seems to be on a lot of folks minds. I attended the last hearing on this in City Hall and there was a large crowd. The crowd filled the room and there were folks out in the hallway, but I couldn't tell you how many as in the position I was in I could only see those crowded in the doorway. Some folks had their say and then left and others quickly filled their seats.

The Principals for the project presented their case and then the Planning Board allowed comments of which there were many and most of them were concerned about the traffic area as was I. My thoughts were with the added traffic, and may I say, it is a high traffic area anyway and they is NOT going to go away but there will be some added to it. The REAL problem is: most of this traffic now is moving along, but adding the McDonald's will add a lot of stop and turn, stop and go traffic which will really slow things down. My concern was as Hoosick St. has a incline to it going East, and there are so many Tractor Trailers that utilize this route, for each stop and go of the Trailers it is going to be a real slow go for them to even get back up to speed again going through all of their gears only to have to stop again and try to get started again on that hill.

As for the other vehicular traffic, the Intersection lights are going to be a challenge to try and time correctly to keep anything moving smoothly. We already have gridlock at the bottom of Hoosick and 6th where the traffic lights are badly timed. The area between 6th and the end of the exit of the bridge is short, the traffic light is terribly long. So no one on 6th wants to be stuck waiting through a 2nd light cycle go bumper to bumper on the Intersection at high traffic time and the flow of traffic on 6th going North and South comes to a standstill due to the gridlock. This same thing will happen at Hoosick and 15th.

After thinking about this for a while I could only think as much as I detest them is to put a "Rotary" in at the 15th St. intersection, it would have to be wide with a small center to accommodate the Tractor trailers but at least it would keep things moving smoothly with no gridlock and few accidents.

It as always, only my opinion, but That's the Way It Is...

Occupy Albany/ Occupy Everything

2011-10-29T21:31:00.000-04:00

All week long, if you turned on the TV, or the Radio, or read the Newspaper all you hear or see is Occupy Albany and still some of the Occupy Wall Street and Occupy Oakland. Most of what you hear are people that are very negative towards the protesters, but I am on the opposing side, I am 'for' the Protesters.
This country isn't in very good shape economically and the morale of the US Citizen is not very good. For the last few years I have been saying that this Country is headed for a Revolution. The American Citizen has had enough, they are starting to get vocal and speak out and no one seems to be listening and I am talking about Government and big Corporations. The Administration isn't listening at all and they aren't watching things either. They have been elected to speak for us and protect us and they have done neither, we are in a big mess, created by our leadership. They have let big Corporations such as Insurance Companies and Credit Card companies fleece us and the Government whether it is Federal, State or the smaller leadership, tax us, fee us, surcharge us or whatever label you want to put on it, to death! Our protests got a start in the last election by voting some of them out but not enough, I don't think they got the message, so now Society is taking the next step, they are grouping together and protesting. Groups are mostly small but some larger and more agressive. There is a LOT of anger out there and we are fed up with what is going on. What does disturb me though is there are some people that just don't seem to get the message that they are doing this for us. If I could be there with them I would. I have been listening to the Radio Shows and some people calling in and saying 'get them out of there"! What are you KIDDING ME?? This is America and they have every right to their Freedom of Speech and they chose public areas where they can be seen. I am very surprised Paul Vandenburgh on Talk 1300, our only local talk show now on the Airwaves, has been pounding away all week on this, and he doesn't seem to be getting the amounts of calls he would like to on these protestors agreeing with him. Paul has his microphone, every single morning, and he reaches a huge number of listeners and when he goes on one of his rampages over something that is either upsetting him OR is blatanly wrong and he needs to get it out there and hammer away on it ( and that is a GOOD thing) he has his microphone. What do the Protestors have? Just there voices and their signs and whatever Media coverage they can get, lately the Media has been beating up on them. What is WRONG with everyone? Can't you see the Govenment is not listening nor anyone else and that by their total ignorance or as out in Oakland the violence that started with heavy Police action, they are causing more problems for themselves. I congratulate Mayor Jennings and D. A. Soares on their decision to leave it all alone. They know they have their rights and I would venture to say that they agree with them and are just sitting back and monitoring the situation. We have American soldiers in other countries that are fighting for other people's freedom of speech and liberties and getting killed for it, and we can't speak out here in our own Country? You have to be kidding me, to coin Paul's phrase, ya just can't make this stuff up Folks.
People will say, 'well just what are they protesting about'? Well, have you been living under a ROCK? Is everything so perfect in your world that you don't have a clue what is going on outside of your Soap Opera or Sports game? And if you think everything is OK, then I want some of the Kool Aid YOU are drinking! Each person is speaking out about different problems in our Country, for a few, High Taxes, Corrupt Politicians, Double standards, out of control Welfare System, people defrauding our Social Service program left and right, Illegal Immigration, Illegals getting benefits people paying the taxes for can't. The Unions. The Justice system letting people off one after the other, Politicians not being prosecueted, the rich not being prosecuted. Look what is going on with the Hollywood 'Elite', do just what ever you want and the Judge will say..........ok, play nice and you can go. u-m-m-m-m Linsday Lohan anyone? We are just sick to death of it all and us small people are paying for it all and paying and paying and paying. These groups are going to get larger and larger, and the same dumb people won't listen and the Revolution will start. It happened before and it can happen again and I am for one sure it will. I don't know if I will live to see it, it is going to take some time, but if I am still alive, I will be part of it, can't think of a better way to go!

As always, "That's The Way It Is"..........

Sound Off, Comments and so on

2011-07-27T13:53:00.002-04:00

There are various ways the Folks in Troy respond to stories that they read in the RECORD, or comment on things they know are going on, or hear on the street or TALK RADIO. Some are general comments, some made in anger or just being a little upset over how things are going and they vent. Some sign their names, and they are not ashamed of it, these are usually posted in the 'Pulse of the People', or they anonymously call into Sound Off or create a cute little name and respond in the "comment" section of the online version of The RECORD directly after the story.

I read these occasionally and find them to be amusing, sometimes right on the money and other times downright lies of people posting to try and sway the general publics thoughts on a specific matter,to their way of thinking, or just to throw them completely off base. In most events no one signs their real name, they use one of the inventive "made up names". Some are pretty funny, like "Gonnagetemville" or "SouthTroygirl", "Flapper", "FormerNYer" or whatever. Some of the names are very descriptive of the way they write or their mission with the post.

Today I found myself reading the comments that were being made under the article describing the tug of war between Mayor Tutunjian and Councilman Bill Dunne mostly regarding the lawsuit that is being brought against the City of Troy (us Taxpayers) by Officer Robert Fitzgerald, over his loss of Life's Enjoyment or a similar title. There was quite a bit of 'beating up" going on with these comments and quite a few were fairly easy to figure out who was writing them.

Years ago on a popular morning radio show, MASON & SHEEHAN there use to be a very entertaining segment of the show called "Dear Bobby". Folks would write in with some hilarious problems and Bob Mason would either solve their troubles for them or just make a very colorful comment to it. I use to enjoy writing letters in myself, under a fictitious name and listen to the results.

Nowadays, I don't entertain myself or others with that type of thing, I like to write about serious issues or concerns within the City of Troy or other areas and sign my name, which I occasionally do in the Pulse of the People.

So when reading the comments in the above mentioned article, I came across one from "Concerned Troy Resident". In this comment Chief Tedesco and both Mayor Tutunjian were getting beat up together over their handling of the PBA and the Police Dept. in general. In a 'hit' to Chief Tedesco the verbage was "Oh and let's not forget about his favorite TINA that will write into Sound Off for about a month or two after this". So geez I guess I have to revert back to the old MASON AND SHEEHAN show with this, so here goes...

Dear Bobby,
Thank you for mentioning me in your comment. I thought you forgot about me. I would like to point out a few things for you. No. 1, I don't have to call into Sound Off to make comments, I have my 'very own' BLOG now to do it, online with the RECORD for all to read and comment and guess what? I SIGN my name, no need to be sneaky or make up a name. I didn't know I was his "favorite" I thought I was Asst. Chief, remember when you gave me that title? But Chief Tedesco IS "my" favorite, and I also have to add I do have other lesser 'favorites' in the Police Dept. they know who they are and if you would like me to list them at some point I will. All are favorites because they pay attention, listen and react and make all of the citizens happy. Chief Tedesco is my leetle favorite because for the last 12+ years when he was barely just a measly little Captain, I happened to call upon his assistance when he first became associated with and then headed up the Community Police unit. I called for help, received it and have been getting the SAME results continuously. I have to tell you, before that fateful day I had a VERY negative view and relationship with the Troy Police Dept. and stayed as far from them or their assistance as I could. He changed all that for me and a LOT of people. He listened, he advised, he helped and he steered all of us in the Community Groups in the right direction. He had a band of Merry Little Community Police Officers that liked working for him and boy, they got it done, no disputing that and they KNOW it! He really helped in mine and others efforts to shape up North Central where before it was ignored like the Bubonic Plague. As he went up the ranks he continued. And because he is so well liked with the Community, he is despised by others including you. Though there are many in the TPD that absolutely admire him and work well with him. For these efforts he has been bestowed with the highest honor, from the Community, he has been awarded THE CAPE! He also knows that at anytime this prestigious award could be taken from him if he falls from grace...but I don't think so.

So in ending my 'Dear Bobby' letter, I invite you to pick up the phone and call me anytime and we can discuss issues in Troy, the PBA, the TPD or even the price of Kool-Aid these days, and who is drinking it, whatever..... Whoever you think is 'Sounding off" in that column is not me, but someone else defending the Chief and feeling the same as me. So now the new mission for you is to look farther to find out who, other than me, is "Sounding Off " I can always use a Partner!

And...... here it is! My Name in bold letters!

Tina Urzan

Mosley Trial

2011-06-02T19:36:00.002-04:00

Well the Mosley trial is over and no one is surprised over the outcome. The evidence the Prosecution had, mainly his DNA overwhelmed any story Mr. Mosley could make up of where he was or how his blood got there. I for one never went for the Snowboarding story to cover up how he cut his hand. Besides the testimony of the weather conditions that day, I recall he also said he met his Son after work (4:30-5:00 PM?) and I would have thought the lighting conditions, if it weren’t dark already would not have been beneficial to Snowboarding in such a dangerous area anyway. I didn’t go for the stopping by to give him a ride, was he already dead when he called for this ‘ride’?

What I was surprised at was the emotional scene created by his Mother when the verdict was announced. She went on the stand stating he spent the night with her that night, believed by few. She had to know in her heart he was guilty though no Mother I know would want to believe it and held hope against reality in her heart somehow he would get off. Listening to her on the news hollering “NO” and “get me out of here I want to die!”, made me immediately think of Arica’s Mother Robin. I am sure when her Daughter’s body was discovered; “she” wanted to die, over and over and over. The pain of losing a child is devastating but knowing she was murdered as horribly as she was and wonder over and over how long did she suffer, did she die quickly or linger, had to rip the heart out of Robin and you can see the toll it has taken on her body. Wilma’s Son is going to prison but is still alive, Robin’s heart dies again and again, day after day knowing she will never see her Daughter again, Wilma can visit and talk, Robin visits and stares,….. at a Tombstone.

The whole story is so very sad, I wish it never had happened for both parties sake, but it is done and over with. Perhaps Robin can get her health back, her heart is another story.

Downtown Parking Woes

2011-04-24T08:13:00.004-04:00

The Council is going to meet on an ongoing problem about parking in the Downtown Troy area. Street cleaning has become a problem with the cars that are parked there overnight. We all know it is a problem for the Residents who live in Downtown, many of these apartments do not have off-street parking, garages, or if they do, not enough room to accomodate all who live in the apts. as many have been broken down into multiple living spaces, OR the Tenants that live in them have mulitple cars. Troy was set up in the Horse and Buggy days and modern times have really made an impact on original plans for the City. Folks who lived in Troy in the middle to late 1800's, lived downtown and worked downtown and it was much easier to stable your Horse and or Buggy than it was to park a car or more. Vendors delivered goods to your homes or traveled the streets with their wares and you went out and purchased from them instead of having to leave you house to travel elsewhere.

We all know, it comes down to the basics, move your car for the cleaners or you have to suffer with dirty streets. Most if not all know the cars need to be moved as signs are posted and once you live there you know the drill. But there ARE occasions when it is purely an oversight of the rules or someone may be sick and not able to move their car, or lost track of what day it is or whatever the reason for an accidental leaving of your car there. People who do it purposely get no sympathy from this BLOGGER.

Resident Kevin Luddy has come up with an idea of using modern technology to notify Folks that their car was in the way of the cleaners. I believe the basics of this so far is an EXCELLENT idea, you GO Kevin. I do not though believe this should be the responsibility of the City though. We ALL know the next step will be lazy Folks who don't move their cars because the 'City' didn't notify them. The City already has through signage. This could be a very very good organized way of solving the problem. One person could take charge of registering each Resident whether by email or Twitter whichever technology that person possesses, and send out a 'reminder' of cleaning times. It is similar to all of the Cascade lists we all use to use via telephone. I think this will also foster great neighborhood relations which as we all know leads to less crime when we all know our neighbors and their habits.

Are there other Folks out there who have a similar idea that could be tossed out here to help solve the problem? No matter what the issue may be, when everyone cooperates, usually the problem goes away.

Hats off to Kevin!! He has put on the thinking cap to help solve this problem..

Please feel free to post your comments!

St. Patricks Church Revisited

2011-03-06T19:12:00.003-05:00

Well yesterday, Saturday, Mar. 5, 2011, some of the neighborhood Folks gathered on a cold windy day to watch the beautiful artifacts be carried out of St. Patricks's Church on Sixth Ave. It was like attending a funeral, standing outside waiting for the Casket and your deceased loved one inside, come out. Inside of going into a waiting Hearse, these Statues and other other wonderful items, bought and paid for by the Parishoners were being slid into a dirty old BUDGET RENTAL TRUCK! How depressing it was to observe this, very slow process. Outside on the top step stood a Chubby man with long curly hair, speaking on the phone with someone, when he hung up he said 'ok, goodbye Father', goodbye is right. Goodbye to the church, goodbye to your faith, and goodbye to the future.

When asked questions, we ignored us. When asked if we could go inside, he said 'no'. When asked who he was and I took a picture of him and a picture of the inside of the church through the door, he closed and locked them. Everyone, read this carefully, this is your Roman Catholic Church, the Church you grew up in and supposedly who taught you to have faith, be honest, slamming the door in your face! I for one, will never set foot in a Catholic Church again to attend Mass. The only time they 'might' see me is to attend a Funeral. And believe me when I die, MY services won't be in a CHURCH, if anyone drags my Casket in one, listen carefully, as you will hear me scratching to get out. The miracle will begin, I will push the lid off and you will hear my big mouth all over again and I will be, hollaring at everyone, 'what the hell is the matter with you??" OUT OF HERE! EVERYONE, what did you do..FORGET?? Bishop Hubbard, we will never forget, ever, you better leave town too. But not by way of a Church as you will have closed them all, what a Saint you are. I just can't wait to see, when we all die, where you end up.

Is this harsh? You BET it is! Is this warranted? You BET it is! Shame, shame, shame on him. He can put this on no one else but himself, His Church, his neighborhood, his disgrace. Not once did he come out to talk with the Parishoners who were begging to leave this church open. Nope, Bishop Coward, just hid in his little fort and sent his Henchman out to do his dirty work.

Catholics, where ever your church is still open, if you still attend Mass, when they pass around the basket, inside of putting your hard earned money in it, put in a slip of paper, not a I O U, but a U owe US! And then leave...forever!

The Rebirth of City Hall

2011-02-25T08:55:00.005-05:00

The following appeared in the Pulse of the People, The RECORD, Feb. 24, 2011

Much has been said about the location of a new Troy City Hall. Many are very pleased it is no longer located in the old building due to the mold problems, wasted space, a Council Chamber that was designed so inadequately it was very hard to hear anything that was being said in there, and just the plain old design of it. Personally I thought it was the ugliest building I ever saw. The structure was completely out of character for a great historical City like Troy, known for it's fine architecture. Suggestions for a new City Hall have been plentiful. Some like where it is right now, the old Verizon building at 1776 Sixth Ave. That is an acceptable location with parking, though there is not a Council Chamber and use has been being made of the Christ Church on State and Fifth Aves. I have to add, I like the situation and the sound enhancement and the atmosphere. There is plenty of comfortable seating and vision is excellent.

So at this point I would like to bring a fresh consideration into play. St. Patrick's Church in Uptown/North Central has been closed. Next door to it on the North is the former convent for the nuns, the Rectory is to the south of it. How wonderful it would be for City Hall to relocate here. The Convent could be turned into individual offices and also the Rectory. The Church would make an absolute outstanding location for the Council Chamber! It would afford the same position we now have for the meetings as Christ Church provides, roomy, wonderful views for those participating in the meetings and it is AIR CONDITIONED! When the location is not being used for Chamber functions, other meetings could be booked there holding many more people than the former City Hall ever afforded. Community meetings, Department meetings, Holiday functions and whatever type of purpose the Community could need. Also the City could rent it out for other gathering and help pay for its upkeep. There is parking on the corner of Douw and Sixth, and it is between 2 Bus lines which would make it accessible to everyone. The location is less than 1/2 mile from the major highways and right off of Route 7. The Community Police Station is half a block to the North. What a wonderful re-use of a building to keep a Community active and vibrant. The building is in wonderful condition and handicapped accessible. Extra parking could be found in other locations of the buildings that are slated for demolition or abandoned in the future.

Can you imagine the Kudos our City administration and Council would receive for such a fine change of venue for this building? I envision the magnitude of Citizens speaking of the brilliance of this occupation and use for the populace of Troy and the alternate uses for the general public. It would lessen the gap between the northern and central parts of Troy which is closing everyday with the development of the River St. area just north of the Green Island Bridge and also new talk of development of the former Marshall Ray building and the former Mooradians just south of that, is also ripe for redevelopment. Next would come new small businesses, restaurants, etc. and mid level and larger businesses. What a comprehensive boost to this area with the Street/Structural grant coming in mid 2012.

If you agree, let your City Administrators and Council Representative know.

Fed Up People

2011-02-03T06:41:00.004-05:00

Lots and lots of news out there lately, you really don't know where to start, what to believe and not to believe. But I can tell you, rest assured as I have always thought, where there is 'smoke', there is 'fire'. Maybe all the facts may not be out there yet, the course of how things happened, and ALL of whom may be involved, but the story has a pretty good foundation by the time you hear about it.

We have local issues that will knock your socks off, such as unbelievable Pensions people retire with, Voter fraud, where elections are manipulated to control you, control your City, and double dipping of our State and Federal workers. The game being, retire, take your Pension and then go right back to work, sometimes at the very same job, but maybe with a little tweaking to the job or title.

There is no bigger a story now though, then what is going on in Egypt and some other countries where the Citizens are fed up and speaking out. No surprise. What some Politicians don't realize is how very likely the same exact thing could happen here. I don't think they comprehend how much anger there is out there with the American Citizens, or maybe think, OK, they are upset, it will blow over, we just have to throw a few more lies out there, or some more BS and they will simmer down, just keep covering up. Maybe they ought to get out there in public a little more and take note of what they people are saying and feeling. More and more I hear people talking about how they just can't take anymore of the living conditions we are under. Not just a few people, but a LOT. I am a firm believer that our situation here is getting to the boiling point. I am astonished though that with all of the conversations and complaining of what is going on in our Government, Local, State and Federal, that many of these people were re-elected!!! I either have to ask myself, what is wrong with some people, are they more gullible than I ever thought, are they afraid to go against the flow, or are many more of the elections corrupt too? Talk of Computerized voting scares the dickens out of me, how easy will that be to manipulate the system?

I hear of organized efforts to change things, the Tea Party is certainly a good start and I truly believe that they have the beginnings of what is to be a very strong impact on the future elections. They are growing by leaps and bounds, all parties included. ANGRY PEOPLE! Listen all you Politicians out there ANGRY PEOPLE! The very people you represent, the ones who elected you to stand up for them, then you get in and start your own agenda, your OWN interests and then blow the people off. Now, listen again, ANGRY PEOPLE. We have over paid Politicians, under paid Citizens, benefits you receive but the voters, yes the VOTERS don't, for example, the new health plan. Yes go ahead and convince us of how wonderful it is, but not wonderful enough for the Politicians, they have their own premier golden plan, not us, out here in Serfdom. If you try to speak with your Representatives, they are too busy, blow you off, and avoid you, whatever spin you want to put on it, and they are representing us, being PAID by us, WE put them in office and they have no time for us, don't want to hear our thoughts, our problems, our dissatisfaction, what we need changed or for them to work on. We are overtaxed, double taxed, fees on this and fees on that, Foreigners come into this country and have more benefits than we do and never paid into any of it, they come and get free HOUSES, what is wrong with only providing that very generous benefit to Citizens only. They can't find any poor people here? What are they BLIND??? Our Representatives make laws to benefit themselves and not us. Just think back to the Jersey barriers surrounding the Capital, built by our money. Thank God newly elected Gov. Cuomo had the foresight to have them removed and I give him credit for that. I wonder who our previous Governors were trying to prevent from coming in, was it a fear of the 'terrorists' or of us.

The point of this BLOG is to all of our 'leaders' pay attention to what is going on around you and the world. Egypt is not that far away, it can certainly happen here, they were and are as fed up as we are. This isn't just good TV, this is reality! Watch that TV and watch it close. This is very scary. Our Country's history preceded us with some very angry people, where did the name Tea Party evolve from? The Revolutionary War and the Civil War were just not cool stories to read about in some book. Let us also note that those people did not have the communications in those days that we do now, they had to really work at getting organized, and they succeeded in making some big changes, unfortunately those who followed these leaders in Government have some very undersized memories. One of the first things that they did in Egypt was to try and break the communications. So the message is to all you Silver Spoon or wanna be Silver Spoon Politicians out there, get back to your Grade School basics and start reading again and make sure it sinks in, this is HISTORY and not some Huckleberry Finn story. And we are about to write more.

Why this BLOG today? Because 'That's the Way it is" and it better change, and for those who are still sleeping, you better wake up and SPEAK up!

Your thoughts and comments PLEASE!

Great Police Work

2011-01-28T08:53:00.003-05:00

People always have their opinions about the Troy Police Dept. some are good, some are bad, some well deserved and some not. I have always been pretty much a supporter of the Troy Police, like others I have also had some problems, some have been rectified and some haven't. In a city the size of Troy, I feel for our size and the problems we have been incurring over the past 10-15 years, there is MORE then enough work for our Officers. In fact I feel we need a lot more on the force than we have, but we can't afford them, and that is pretty sad. Our Officers on a daily basis have to deal with accidents, traffic problems, domestic problems, nonsense problems and some very serious such as murders. It is a very mixed bag.

The best officers we have on the force no doubt are well seasoned officers, those who have pretty much been through it all and have the experience of how to act and handle situations as they arise to hope for the best outcome.

When an officer knows his area and the people that inhabit it, who belongs in a neighborhood and who may be suspicious, those who are good solid citizens and those who are the problems he makes a very valuable asset for the department.

Officer Christopher Rasmussen was on patrol when the call came through with a brief description of a car that two young hoodlums were in after a alleged home invasion and assault, with a sharp eye he spotted one resembling the description and with cooperation it was stopped and the two inhabitants of the car were arrested. This officer could have been daydreaming or just cruising, but he was 'Johnnie on the spot' and deserves kudos for his work.

The two punks who committed this crime I feel are lost in an atmosphere of being cool or impressing their friends, or copy catting what they see on TV or the Movies but were clearly on the fast track of ruining their lives and now have reached their destination. It appears from what I read the perpetrators and the victims all knew each other, and I don't know the reason for the Home Invasion or what the beef was, but I do know this is not going to be a happy ending for these two. You have to wonder what goes on in their heads to make them think these types of actions are 'right' or are going to get them anywhere or why they thought they could get away with it. I am lost on this, these kids need to be taught there are other ways of gaining respect and advancing through the roads of life. Go to School, get a job, make some money, buy what you like and impress your friends and family THAT way. but I guess that just isn't cool. Well I for one am not impressed with the method that they chose, and I don't think that they are right now either.

I am impressed though with Officer Rasmussen.

National Greed

2011-01-20T16:32:00.002-05:00

I just read online that National Grid has been approved for a $112.7 Million increase. What may I ask, or who, with any kind of brains would approve anything like that for this company in the state of the economy we are now in?? A few weeks ago I read that they made 1.9 Billion in profit last year. I don't know about YOU but I am sick to death of these 'DELIVERY FEES' attached to my bill. Last month for my house and the one next door (I pay the Gas & Lights there) I was billed and paid $511.24, JUST THE DELIVERY FEE, for this I received NOTHING! My Gas and Lights were separate. Again this is just their DELIVERY FEE for the PRIVILEGE of getting their gas and lights. This is as much as my Mortgage. Your Mortgage you can eventually pay off, this you can't and it is there every single month on the bill.

I called Customer service about it last year and asked for an explanation of this fee. The Representative was very nice and explained it is similar to the Oil company having to pay for the Truck to deliver the Oil and for the driver to drive the truck, they are charging me to get it into my house. I told her no one drives a truck to get the Gas here and she told me I was right but there is a pipe from the street to the house for the gas. I gave her that, but then told her my house was 118 years old so how the heck long do you have to pay for the PIPE!!!

She sighed and said I hear you, what really happened to create this fee was, and application was made for a rate hike and not granted, so in place of a rate hike a separate DELIVERY FEE was added instead. We never had to pay this before this company took over and I have been getting their service for some 39 yrs now. Can someone explain this to me and also tell me how as Citizens we can legally get these charges removed from our bills? It adds up to more than my Property taxes a year, no wonder why we can't pay those.

Comments, PLEASE!!!!

Troy Police Vehicle Accident

2011-01-06T15:52:00.003-05:00

As of Jan. 6th, 2011 I am still reading comments on the early morning accident of a collison between a Troy Police SUV Cruiser, driven by Brandon Cipperly, an Officer of 3 years standing and a Pedestrian. I have been reading these and probably a good word to use is 'amazed'. I have been on both sides of the Love/Hate debate of the Troy Dept. I admit, not much on the 'Hate' side, but have had some complaints. AND I have to add, the complaints have been taken care of. From all that I know, this Officer has done nothing wrong here. For those who have been bashing him, and I do NOT know him, if you were in his position it would not have ended any other way. For those who have taken a real interest in the story, enough to know where it actually happened, you could NEVER blame the Officer. That area even in good weather should never be crossed! There is the ramp coming off of the Collar City Bridge, a curve in the road and it is a very wide spot there with traffic coming both North and South and a Ramp merge. How much more traffic do you need to keep track of in addition to your own safe crossing, plus jumping a snowbank AND unsafe street conditions? It is not a safe area for Pedestrians. This man should only have been crossing on the corner, with a light and a Crosswalk. He wasn't and he is at fault, plain and simple. The Officer, God Bless him DID see him or it may have had a different ending, he is lucky, he may have taken the full brunt of a collison.

For those bashing the Officer, just try driving through North Central on any day, in good weather and you can find all sorts of IGNORANT PEOPLE walking in the road, walking right out in front of you from inbetween cars, walking at night in dark clothes, standing in the middle of the road talking, double parking, or and just STOPPING their cars in the middle of the road to talk and not pulling over. Just how much can a responsible driver take and keep track of? And this guy is jumping out in front of the Officer's cruiser and the COP is supposed to be at fault?? Maybe those jumping all over him should be presented the same scenario and we can jump all over you. I am sure he felt terrible after it happened. I hit a Dog years ago who was chasing another up over a snowbank on River St. and I felt awful for weeks. He got up and ran away, but I had no clue whether he was OK or not, I reported it, then never heard anything else. This was a person he hit, so I am sure he feels terrible.

I think the Police should put out a major detail this Summer, when this insanity of the abuse of the use of the streets for other than vehicular traffic is at its peak. They should be stopped and ticketed for all infractions. One of the worse scenes I can remember is a young girl, in her Teen years, running around in circles at the intersection of Glen and Sixth, flapping her arms like a bird, making a mess of moving traffic and then sitting down in the middle of the road in defiance. True Story. She is lucky she didn't get killed and ya know, if she had gotten bumped or worse...you would be beating up the driver like you are doing now. Give it a break..please!

Comments?

Police Overtime Lawsuit

2010-12-21T17:12:00.004-05:00

Here we go again: If you are not following the latest problem within the Troy Police Dept. then you better start. A federal lawsuit has been filed against Police Chief John Tedesco, Mayor Harry Tutunjan AND the City of Troy. That is YOU! Anytime the City of Troy is sued, the Citizens are being sued.

In a time when many Folks are in a uproar over the out of control Pension plans, they should be taking a close look at the overtime being worked in our Police Dept.

When Mayor Tutunjian was making his considerations on whom he wanted to appoint as the new Police Chief, Tedesco said one of his priority's would be to cut down the Overtime that is overwhelming the budget, and he is trying to do just that. There are somewhere in the area of 125 Officers on the force, some excellent Officers and others maybe a little marginal. Some have been there forever and some are brand new on the force. So they may be reading this and saying, what the heck business is it of hers or of anyone else's , how we put in for, or work our overtime! Well, my dear people, WE are PAYING for it and we most certainly have every right to be concerned over the amount, or HOW it is accrued, ESPECIALLY if it is being accrued as a Scam. Much is the talk going around how one Officer will be assigned to a shift and call in sick so a fellow Officer can come in on overtime and then the 'favor' is returned. How much of this is in dispute right now, we are not sure but we will most certainly find out. Also a concern to us is the fact that those pulling their pay off of the Taxpayers are themselves not residents who have to pay for it, OR will have to pay for the Lawsuit that has been placed, and am I right, Bobby Fitzgerald himself? Chief Tedesco and Mayor Tutunjian want this stopped, and we agree! There should be strict guidelines involving overtime and I am sure there are, but are they being followed? All of the Citizens of Troy should get on board with this issue and make it their priority to be very vocal about it. The Overtime embellishes the Pensions and on and on it goes. How much $$ can the City/Citizens support? Did our Officers join on to protect the city or become rich? We never object to a well paid Officer for a job well done, but some of this is overdone. We need to make sure all time worked is quality time. If the Police Dept. were a private entity would you be seeing this as such an issue? How do we deal with a contract that is grieved mostly on pay and benefits and not on performance?

Also, seeing the Taxpayer is who pays the salaries, wouldn't you think we would be able to vote on the Contract? I think maybe that should be put into play here. If retired Police Officers who no longer work for the Police Dept. can, then those who PAY the salaries should be able to. Maybe all this nonsense would stop. Also we should have some say on the final decisions on Grievances. If we think the Officers are not being paid correctly or there is some other problem with the ranks that is being grieved, we should be able to have some say on righting the wrong OR disciplining the offending Officer. If the grievances continue, maybe we should fire the whole Police Dept. and start all over again, hiring on the Officers who really want to work as a Public Servants and eliminate those who think we are a private bank. I want to see a LOT of comments here, I want to know how people feel about this, let us know if you are a Police Officer responding or a Taxpayer. Also for the Police Officers state how you feel about the Grievance, Lawsuit and/or Overtime. Because, "That's the Way it is!"

The UPTOWN Initiative PEPSI Refresh Grant

2010-12-16T07:54:00.003-05:00

Revitalizing North Central is near and dear to my heart. Oh what a success story it would be to bring this once vibrant and elegant section of Troy back to its former glory! Xenia Allen, one of the founding members of the Uptown Initiative Neighborhood Project has written a application for a 50K Pepsi 'Refresh Grant'. This Grant would, if awarded, provide a great foundation for further restoration of Uptown/North Central. This has become a wonderful Community effort and we are asking and encouraging everyone to please go to the Pepsi Refresh site every single day and place your vote for this project. To vote simply click on the Internet address below or copy and paste into your browser.

www://www.refresheverything.com/search/?q=Troy+Neighborhood

The following are the Goals the group has included in their application:

Plant Trees and Perennials for improved curb appeal of our streets.
Artist paintings of murals at the gateway to Uptown.
Community outreach and education.
Regular clean -n -sweeps of the entire Uptown Neighborhood.
Encourage urban green living & sustainability.

Here is the breakdown of how the 50K will be used:

$27,500 Trees, Perennials,Supplies, Landscaping services

$3,500 Brochures, Fliers for Community Outreach & Education

$10,000 Artist Mural Paintings

$3,000 Uptown Neighborhood Banners

$3,000 Street Cleanups and Signs

$3,000 Administrative

Volunteering your time in your Neighborhood or any other project is time consuming and not all Citizens do it. So this is a small request to do some Community service and help this group out by giving them a BIG BOOST and vote for this project and also send out the link to everyone in your Address Book and ask them to do the same on a daily basis to make this a successful effort! Paste it on your Facebook page also. REMEMBER.....this voting segment ends on December 31st!

Billie-Jean Greene

2010-12-13T10:39:00.004-05:00

Billie-Jean Greene has made an announcement of her intention to run for City Council. I applaud her effort! In the short time she has resided in Uptown/North Central, she has gone the extra mile to make it her home and work towards making it a better place for everyone here. Some people reside in an area and just live in a house. Others take a look around them and say, 'what can I do to make it better for me AND my Neighbors'? This is what Billie-Jean has done. Billie-Jean attends on a Monthly basis the North Central Neighborhood Assn. meetings and also is a founding member of the Uptown Initiative. What is the difference you may ask? Not a whole lot but the Neighborhood Assn. focuses more on changing and eliminating the problems in our area, has a larger membership and has our Community Police in attendance and usually has a Guest Speaker to address and answer problems we may need help in dealing with. The Uptown Initiative is focusing on giving Uptown/North Central a different appeal to people and counteracting the negative reputation it has gained, mainly due to the fact it has become a dumping ground for situations not wanted in other areas of the City. Seeing Billie Jean lives DIRECTLY in North Central this young lady is going to be giving it her best. She is a member of both organizations and puts her effort out into the Community! If you don't know who she is, then you just haven't been involved.

Billie-Jean , should she definitely run , no doubt will focus on our problems and do her best to improve our conditions. We have a great location here in the City of Troy, situated nicely on the Hudson and really need to reach our potential as a desirable place to live. We have some of the largest and most beautiful houses in the City, and some of the most run down. We need to focus on and maximize what we already have. I know what she would like to see for herself, she would like to see for us all. Let's keep an eye on her and cross our fingers she WILL run! I have not heard of whomever else may be throwing their hat into the ring, but Billie Jean has my support.

Airport Anger

2010-11-21T13:45:00.004-05:00

I feel I have to present my opinion on the latest outrage that the public here in the U.S. is venting. I have flown quite a few times and have been inconvenienced and one time almost missed a flight because of the very lenghty lines of Citizens being checked at the Airport in a various amount of ways, BUT, I feel that they have gone 'way too far' in the latest manner. Some folks are objecting to the latest scanner that is visually invasive, showing what they feel is a little too much of your anatomy under your clothes. Government Officials state that no one other than the person on one side of the scanner can see your outlined body and one other in another location, but it has already been reported that these pictures have somehow been viewed by hackers into this system. They may not know who you are but certainly can see your body. Others, and this is the one that the public is upset about and really gets my craw is the physical touching and grasping of your body in very personal areas! This is TOTALLY unnecessary! You could feel something someone is concealing under their clothes without the groping that is being done. One woman, this morning it was reported on the News was made to remove her Prosthesis Breast in public. I believe it was a Flight Attendant per the news report. PLEASE, not only should this NOT have been requested but it should have been done in private. And just WHO are these people that are tasked with touching your body in these ways? Can I do the same to them and will that make it 'even'?? I would refuse this portion of my employment were I a TSA employee in protest of the violation of the rights of others. And where ARE OUR RIGHTS?? If enough would do this, this situation may be viewed in the reality that it is, Molestation. If I were to be in a Bar and touch someone in one of the areas of the body these TSA workers are doing I would be arrested for that, and now maybe this may be a platform of defense that molesters may use, stating, what is the difference between 'this' and 'that'?

I was watching an interview on TV, while cleaning yesterday, , of a person speaking with a Head of Security I believe in France. He was stating that yes indeed we have taken it too far and it is entirely unnecessary.France is having the same security problems we are having. He states the U.S. is too concerned with being Politically Correct than using common sense. We state, "oh, we can't profile people' in order to decipher who may or may not be a threat. "Someone" might complain, WE ALL ARE COMPLAINING!!! WHO isn't getting that?? For example he stated we have no common sense and he referenced the 'Shoe Bomber'. He relayed to the Interviewer, that he not only 'looked' the part but he had a One-way ticket and arrived at the Airport without any luggage, someone who should have been quickly culled from the crowd. Instead we spend and waste time going overboard on elderly Senior Citizens or little girls holding a Teddy Bear, or Parents traveling very tired with children. Oh yes to be sarcastic I am SURE they would be the type to blow up a Plane on their way to Disney World.

Here are a few examples of nonsense, one I viewed and the other 2 happened to me. Also how long do you think it is going to take people to stop flying in protest or Tourist coming to America.

First while waiting in line, I was behind a Gentleman who was most likely in his mid 80's, traveling alone and the TSA employee had him dump his little carry on on a table for her to go through, she was young and very rude to him. He was quiet and she picked up his rolled up tube of Toothpaste and threw it aside and told him to get rid of it. He stated there was hardly anything still in it and he thought he could bring under 4 ounces or whatever the stated amount on board. She said to him "well it held 12 ounces at one time" so she tossed it. He told her he could not go through the scanner due to having a Pacemaker in his chest and pulled out a card that people in this position must carry. She then threw the rest of his things back in his carry on and had another Female TSA worker come over to hand wand him. I was so embarrassed for him just watching what went on after this and the way she made him spread his legs and went up between them with his hands behind his head. This was BEFORE all this other nonsense started and I don't think most people under arrest go through what he did.

Second, while personally returning from Mexico I was separated from the crowd for a more 'thorough' search, just me, the rest of my Family continued through the line. I had a sack Sundress on and Sandals. I had gotten a very bad sunburn on my feet while on vacation and my feet were very swollen and blistered in spots. I was wanded and then told to take these rubber sandal's off. I could not, my feet were so swollen that the skin had swelled over the strap on top and also the little buckle could not be gotten at. I asked that they be left on as I would not be able to get them back on IF I could get them off. The TSA Employee insisted and said I was going nowhere until I did, my Family was now through the line and in another part of the Security area. Another TSA employee came over and asked the other girl, why she was making me do this as you could clearly see the medical problem and that she was sure I wasn't hiding anything in my open sandals. Employee #1 stated because she wanted too. Nice. Eventually I struggled to get them off, couldn't get them back on and then continued through, almost missing the flight.

#3 While at Atlanta Airport, getting ready to go through the walk through scanner, we were in line and the attendant was shouting to put everything on the conveyor belt, Shoes, Jackets, Luggage, EVERYTHING! So I placed those things as well as my Computer and Purse on the belt and got in line. I was holding the folder AAA gives you for your Passport and so on in my hand, she sees it and hollers I said EVERYTHING on the belt, so I toss it over. My turn comes for the walk through and she says, where is your Ticket? I told her on the conveyor belt, so she pushes me aside and said you weren't supposed to put THAT on there. She then proceeds to take the rest of the people through. So.. in the meantime my Purse with my travel funds and my Computer have passed through and laying at the end of the counter that they come out of the Scanner. Would you be worried? I was, all those people just grabbing things and taking off to unknown parts of the Airport, in Atlanta no less, and I said to the attendant, I need to get my Purse and things, they are unattended and she said when "I get to you, I will get to you". Who has made these people God? As well as being rude, now they get to feel your body in very very personal spots.

What I want to see is our President and his Family and our Senators and what other Gods that have pushed this upon us, have these groping maneuvers done and filmed and presented to us on TV, exactly the way they are doing it to us, maybe then some folks will be happy but I still won't.

Revolt America, this has gone t-o-o-o far.

Judge Matt Turner

2010-10-30T16:31:00.000-04:00

There is another race here in Troy that I am watching closely. Judge Matt Turner vs. Chuck Thomas. Judge Matt Turner currently presides over Troy City Court. For those who have never been before him, it would please you to know that it is a better experience than you would think. Not all folks have had the need to use the services of this court, but there are plenty of people in Troy that have and if you happen to have been before him either as a Claimant or a Defendant, you have to be honest, you may have gone in nervous but came out saying to yourself, geez, that wasn't as bad as I thought, regardless of which side of the road you were on.

I have been in Judge Turners Court 3 times. None of them I wanted to be there for, but because there are people in Troy whom don't hold up their end of an agreement, financially, or get some crazy idea in their head of what they think they can get away with, financial or otherwise, I have been there. Judge Turner, if possible will try to work something out between the Parties to avoid having it go any futher, if this is not possible you will have the hearing. Judge Turner makes it so no one feels intimidated. He lays out the facts of the case, as presented to him, asks if it is correct, lets both sides have their say in the matter, asks if there can be an agreement and when it is made or he makes it, he formalizes it and your matter is over. No Movie screen sweating, screaming, hollaring or pointing fingers. It is over and he calls the next case, and tries to move as quickly as possible so as not to inconvenience anyones day and stick to his schedule.

Judge Turner also has a very helpful staff who knows this Court very well and are quite helpful.

On Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 2nd, 2010, I will be casting my Vote for Matt Turner. I hope and encourage you to do so also.

Tuesday is Election Day

2010-10-27T17:09:00.000-04:00

Well, Election Day is almost here, and I don't know about you, but it can't come soon enough for me! I really am so tired of the Ads on TV, some of the lies and outrageous accusations really get to be a little too much.

Everyone needs to get out and have their voice heard by casting your vote, if you DON'T, you have no one to blame but yourself if things don't start to change here in New York State. This State has been so beat up by the Politicans I don't even know how we can begin to dig out. It is tax on tax on tax and just how can we survive if this continues?

We need CHANGE! I have been part of the cry for VOTE THEM ALL OUT!!! Why ALL of them? Well for one thing, we haven't seen much change nor anyone trying to save any of us, they just all seem to be going along with everyone and everything. Why isn't someone trying to stop or reverse some of this taxation? Why are they allowing or creating things such as the DELIVERY FEE on our National Grid bills. I just want to throw up over that. I am on the Budget so I don't suffer so badly in the Winter with the high heat bills. My Monthly budgeted amount is $468, OF that $175 is DELIVERY FEES! Money we pay that we get absolutely nothing for, I will go into that in another BLOG. But things such as this and the taxes on Cell phones, out of control School Taxes.

Then remember our Corrupt Policticians that have been kicked out of office this year, how long was this all going on that we screamed about and took until it came to all this to get rid of them? How much have we NOT uncovered yet? They all seem to be hanging in there to be able to reach out for that 'golden pension'.

I am still hoping and praying that Carl Paladino survives and is voted in as our Governor. We need a breath of fresh air, someone who isn't connected to all of the other Buddie-buddies that all cover for each other. I will do for you, if you will do for me, and don't worry, we can just get it out of the TAXPAYERS!! Paladino is a Businessman, he will run the State as a Business and not a Pot of Gold for the Good Ol Boy network. The Taxpayers should not be an unending source of money to be dipped into over and over. Not only have they driven businesses out of the State, but more and more Citizens are going, and should I say the TAX paying Citizens. We have way too many people in this State on some kind or the other 'program' we are all paying for, they just flock to New York State for the freebies.

I fear if Andrew Cuomo gets in, it is just going to big one huge continuation of this free for all. He has never worked in the private sector, always handed a great paying job, hasn't had to work his way up from the bottom, born with a Silver Spoon in his mouth, so what does he know of struggle and what does he care? You have to keep the 'good ol boy' network running and he certainly can be your man to do it.

The Polls say he is as of today, double digits ahead. Just who ARE these people they poll? I have never been polled, nor have any of my friends or acquaintances been. I am voting for Paladino and those who 'will' tell me who they are voting for, state Paladino gets their vote. Let me tell you, I AM aware there are lots of people out there who would not tell you, that is where their vote is going, because they are afraid to say it. Whether it is their job that might be in jeapordy or some other connection that keeps them quiet, or just the fear of always wanting to say they supported the winner, they won't give it up ahead of time. So for all the voters in the dark I will be happy to share my vote for Paladino with you. Remember, no one knows who your vote is cast for. Get out, vote and vote for CHANGE. It can't get any worse than it is NOW! Give him a shot.

Rededication of Lansingburgh Post Office

2010-10-10T16:34:00.000-04:00

On Monday, Oct. 11, 2010 the Lansingburgh Post Office at 2-116th St. will be renamed in honor of Marty Mahar a lifelong resident of Troy, NY. Marty was a Letter Carrier for the US Post Office and my own Postman when my Hair shop was at 106th & Fifth. You could always hear him coming, by his Whistle. Marty was also a Councilman in Troy and our Mayor. Marty also served as Branch President of the local National Association of Letter Carriers.

A variety of speakers will be there for the dedication including:
Congressman Paul Tonko
Congressman Scott Murphy
Former Congressman Mike McNulty
State Senator Roy McDonald
Count Executive Kathy Jimino &
US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is tentatively scheduled to speak.

Emcee will be William Cook who is President of Branch 358 National Association of Letter Carriers. John Reilly the Senior Manager of Post Office Operation for the Postal Service's Albany District will speak for the Postal Service.

For those of you unfamilar with Marty's career he work ed as a Letter Carrier for almost 30 years, he retired in 1983. He was a member of the National Association of Letter Carriers, District President for six years, Local President Branch 416 eight years and State Officer Delegate at Large two years, Secretary two years and State Treasurer for 25 years. He was National Legislative Liaison Officer for 14 years and served as Trustee, Local Branch 358, a very busy man indeed!

Here in Troy Marty was a City Councilman for 12 yrs and served as Mayor of Troy from 1990-1991.

Also very involved in the community, Marty was a founding member of the Uncle Sam Parade Committee, Uncle Sam Monument Committee, the Troy Patriots Pop warner Football League and the Troy Flag Day Parade, member of the Board of Tibbitts Cadets and past Commander of the Trojan Post 469 VFW. He was a former National Sevice Officer and Past State Legislative Director for the Military Order of the Purple Heart in Albany.

The Ceremony will start at 10 AM. Traffic on the street in front of the Post Office will be restricted.

He would be honored to have you there to join his Family for this great occasion!

Motorcyle Death

2010-10-08T20:54:00.000-04:00

It is horrifying to even think what went through the mind of the rider of the Motorcyle whom was killed Thursday night in Lansingburgh. Did he even realize there was a car entering the intersection, did he see it and try to stop or was he so absorbed in trying to make this machine go as fast as possible that he hit it and didn't even realize it. I heard this fellow zooming up and down Sixth Ave. Thursday night and it was so loud my first thought was he was going to kill someone. Then he was back again about 15 minutes later, going like a bat out of hell heading North, then, I thought he is going to kill himself! And he did, what a waste of life, leaving those who knew or loved him hurting more than he was. I don't even like writing a BLOG about something like this, but you just can't ignore it, it needs to be a lesson/story told. I don't know the man, I don't know if he had a Wife or a Family, how sad for them all if he did. I hope all of these other Rocket maniacs look at this long and hard and curb their needs to impress others with their skills as we have just witnessed this man had none. Nothing is scarier than when you are on a major highway and one of these clowns are zipping in and out of the lanes, scaring those who are driving when they come out of nowhere on these little racing cycles. May he rest in peace, I hope it wasn't as bad I think it was, I really don't even want to think about, but other cyclist should.

Carl Paladino

2010-09-13T17:29:00.000-04:00

Carl Paladino has thrown his hat in for the struggle to be Governor of the State of New York. Right now he is running against Rick Lazio. I like the man, I like what I hear so far and it shouts out that he thinks using Common Sense,i nstead of what he thinks people want to hear to garner votes for him. I for one, and many many others know New York State needs a BIG change. Our State, our Country is in trouble. More and more each day we pick up the paper and read of more and more corruption and problems with our Politicians. We need, as simple as it sounds, to put more 'honest' people in our Government and stop the people from being elected that are just in it for the 'money', 'security' and personal power. We need someone who is going to do something for the PEOPLE and make the state great again. It has been a long long time, I don't think I will see it fixed in MY lifetime but perhaps for my children and Grandchildren should they decide to stay.

I know quite a few people that have already left New York State and a couple that have left the Country....sad.

I have a gut feeling this man can do the job. I like what I hear, he has his own money and is not in it for the money, he appears to be as sick as everyone else with what has been going on. He is a Businessman, Community Activist ( I really like that) and a Veteran. He was previously with the Democratic party, now a Republican since 2005. I myself for those who don't know am a Republican. I don't always vote along Party lines, I vote for who I feel is the best person to get the job done, I stand on my own two feet, I never did like someone telling me what to do. His religion doesn't make a difference to me but he is Roman Catholic, maybe he can straighten out the Church.

When he was younger he was also in the CCC, (Civilian Conservation Corps. ) I know of that period as my Father also participated in them in his younger years, it was hard work. He is looking to change our out of control Welfare System, thank God someone does, how did it ever get this way? This is NOT what it was intended for, Generations living solely on Welfare, we have free education in this Country and listings after listings in the paper for JOBS! As we all know some people just are NOT able to work and some people need temporary help and that is why it was created, not as a unending fund for those who know how to minipulate the system.

He wants to stem the Illegal Immigration (note:Illegal) we still need and want all and anyone to come to our Country who have a love of America and want to live and work here, but not the ones who don't want to do it the correct way or come here for Criminal activity.

I hear 'reform' when I listen to him speak. Others are out there beating him up, are they afraid of him, maybe.

Well we all get our chance in the voting booth, my vote will go to Carl Paladino, and your vote will go to your choice, THAT is America. I hope whomever we end up with can set New York straight and where it should be so we can afford to continue to live here.

Curfew!

2010-06-17T11:02:00.000-04:00

The following is a copy of a letter posted to "Pulse of the People" in our Troy Record regarding the Curfew; Please read and feel free to comment. I would like to hear your comments and also any experiences you have had or known others to have regarding this late night activity that is causing so many problems. Or any issue you have with what we have written. This is your Forum for thoughts and opinions.

Tina

We Deserve a Curfew

As I read the paper today and turned to the opinion column, I have to say I was more than dismayed over what I read. The column was written regarding the recent enforcement of the "Curfew Law" in Troy. In the June 10 edition of The Record, Jim Franco wrote his opinion on the same subject and I have to say I agree more with Jim Franco. Also previous to these two writings there was another story right after the weekend enforcement, of people that made statements stating that it was unconstitutional or a violation of the underage children's rights.
Thila Bell, Nina Glandz and myself have co-chaired the combined North Central/South Lansingburgh Neighborhood Assn. for over 12 years. The most common complaint we hear at the meetings is that people are out on the streets late at night disturbing residents sleep, vandalizing property, partying and other quality of life disturbances. We and our groups have been asking for years to put out occasional "details" to put an end to this. We have a new Chief with the Police Department, and he is listening to us, and started the enforcement. Now we have people who are not affected by these late night activities, who feel that they need to jump in and tell us "why" it isn't needed, or how it violates the constitutional rights of those who choose to thumb their noses at the law. Laws are put on the book to be obeyed. Why do certain factions think that they are there only to be ignored? Towns and cities put laws in to their ordinance to make life livable and keep the residents happy and safe. Chirldren under 18 years of age have no business being out that late. Why do they need to be on the streets at that hour and why are their parents allowing it?

The following are our thoughts:
-Parents are just as guilty for endangering their children's lives by not supervising them, so they should be punished with the child.
-If the Parent protests, they should be reported to Child Protection Services and let the government get involved as they are endangering their child.
-The Malls prohibit teens and younger from the malls without a parent accompanying them.
-Mr. Guynup would not have gotten injured if they were home with their parents. The Parents in this case should also be charged.
-Neither North Central nor the black youth are being targeted on this. Anyone out past the curfew is being targeted. North Central just seems to have the most kids roaming the streets at three and four in the morning and where 'would' it be enforced, where there aren't any problems?
-Lastly just whose 'rights' are being violated? The poor suffering people who are trying to get some sleep so they can work the next day and pay for the vandalism to their houses and cars, or the creepy noisy little vandals roaming the streets at night? Put that to the test. Our vote goes to 'our' rights. Where in the Consitutution does it say that kids under 18 have the "right" to go out and disturb people late at night and pillage others property?

Retirement Communities, and gated communities all have their laws for quality of living they have all agreed on and no one is challenging those. If you don't like the laws of your village, town, City or state, move. That would make most of us happy.
If you are not having these problems in your area, thank your lucky stars and enjoy your sleep. But we are, so please let the citizens, the Police and the Public officials in our area handle it the way the laws state, and keep your opinions to issues that affect you. We aren't trying to run your neighborhood, please don't try to run ours.
We have suffered in our area long enough and we would like more people to agree with our efforts of remediation and let us enjoy the same privileges others have in this city.
Please help us make this city a place to enjoy living and be able to hear people say, "hey, you know, I LIKE living in Troy."

Tina Urzan, Thila Bell and Nina Glandz

How is Troy doing these days?

2010-05-23T08:17:00.000-04:00

Well today dawns as a lovely Sunday in wonderful Troy, NY. Give or take some problems, it is our City and up to us to make it what it is or isn't.
I would like to hear from some of my fellow Citizens out there to let me know how their feelings are lately. Nothing is off limits. Speak of our upcoming Festival Season, or the bantering of over where the new City Hall should be, How Mayor Harry is doing, what you would like to see from our Home Town paper the Troy Record, how your Neighborhood is coming along, how the new Chief is doing, it is your Forum. This will give me a nice platform to write of what interests people, let me know what your issues are.

Have a great day!

Tina

Chief Tedesco

2010-04-18T08:41:00.000-04:00

Boy do I like the sound of that CHIEF TEDESCO! I know most of the Neighborhood heads are as happy as can be and I am leading that list, just jumping for JOY!

Why? The simple reason being of the history the groups of the City of Troy have had with John Tedesco when he was Captain of the Community Police. And why is he so popular? Because he has always done his job. I first met Chief Tedesco, years ago, while being involved in our South Lansingburgh group. We had been meeting for quite a while going over and over our problems of our ever changing neighborhood which was going downhill quickly. Let me preface this with, I had not previously had much success with the Police in Troy, I had some bad experiences when calling about problems, one being a young boy who I caught setting fire to my garage, others which involved others in our neighborhood when there was a local boy shooting out our windows with a BB gun. So the outlook on the Police helping us was 'not good'. Well we invited Tedesco to our meeting, he sat and listened and we talked. When some who don't like him call him "Mr. Personality" I have to laugh, because when you first meet him, he is ALL BUSINESS. He has what we call 'the puss' on, but he did listen and said 'this will be taken care of and this is what I can do for you", and let me tell you, it wasn't just Lip Service just to shut us up. He and his Officers went to work 'with' us. We developed a great relationship and he always stood by us. He was always just a phone call away, always RETURNED phone calls and emails, the attention was always there. My opinion of the Troy Police did a huge turn around. Though not a perfect force it is getting much better and will continue to do so and shine under his leadership.

The Downside was when he was promoted to Asst. Chief, we felt this would be a plus for us, but with this promotion his duties were taken away from him, things were not well in the Dept. another story for another time. We began the Merry Go Round of "Heads of Community Policing". It took a giant step backwards. There were times we weren't even notified there was a new Captain in charge. There were times when we would get a new Community Police Officer and not even know it as no one, the Dept. Head nor the Officer would contact us. Sometimes we LOST our Officer and didn't know it. It was in shambles, much like the Dept. is now. But NOT FOR LONG! Tedesco has great plans for the City and the Force. He is very organized and determined. The Officers badly need direction and they will receive it. There is some shuffleing going on now and we will be advised of more. Tedesco knows exactly what the Neighborhoods need and I for one am very happy. Let's give the Chief the support he needs to guide the Dept. in the most advantageous way for the Citizens of Troy.

Let's hear your comments and what you would like the Chief to do for the City and the Force. Let us not forget a great big HUGE THANK YOU to Mayor Harry Tutunjian for making the best selection of all. LONG LIVE THE CHIEF!!!!

2010 Census

2010-03-23T09:05:00.000-04:00

Have you filled out and sent in your 2010 Census? The forms went out last week and should have been in your mailbox by now. I received mine, filled it out as soon as it came and returned it. I didn't want to set it aside, thinking "I'll do it later" and then have it forgotten. It was very easy, 10 questions, all easy to understand and not personally invasive.

Some people may not understand the importance of filling this form out. It is not that the Government is being nosey, of which they frequently are accused us, but need this information to distribute our tax dollars to the areas that are in need. This information will tell them the numbers that are living in our Cities and the ages of people. Many of the Social Service dollars are distributed in this way, to the needy areas and other dollars for improvements such as infastructure. Troy is one City that fell below 50,000 in the last Census and we lost aid because of this. In reality I find it very hard to believe we were below 50,000, just take a look around you. Look at the large houses that have been broken down into multi-apartments, and many Census forms delivered to those houses are inadequate. Records may show it is a 2 or 3 Family house, when in reality, it may now be 5 to 6 apts in there, so the proper number of forms never arrive. Many of the apts are also severely overcrowed and they fear being evicted so they don't fill out the form or fill it out incorrectly understating the amount of people there. Thus, we show less than our City has and hence get less funding. I hope the Government also does a cross reference on the amount of Citizens in the area on Social Services, Unemployment, and Elementary and High School enrollments and compare that number with the numbers that come back in the Census forms, that would show whether or not there is an imbalance to our numbers as the forms are returned.

Also we have a number of illegals living in the City, obviously they are not going to fill out a form or the people that they are living with are not going to include them.

We need to have these forms filled out properly and returned so we can receive our fair share of our Tax dollars returned to us. I have heard some make statements such as "I am not giving them any of my personal information, they know too much already!" Folks, if you know of any of these people, please try to stress the importance of filling out the form. Most people don't realize that there are other benefits to the count besides just knowing how many people live in the Country, State and Cities.

If you need help with it, Call City Hall in Troy as our Mayor has set up various times and places for Trojans to go and ask questions and receive help filling out the form.
If there is anything I have missed or any comments you would like to add, please do so, this is a BLOG for the Community, and we all jump in to comment because, "That's the Way It Is"!

Stop the State, I want to get off!

2010-02-26T21:59:00.000-05:00

What the heck is going on in New York State? I don’t even know how to actually start this piece. Has our Government gone crazy? Or is it crazy people that are in these positions? Over the past 2 years starting with Eliot Spitzer we have been entertained by the most embarrassing characters ever in State government and I guess it really ISN’T funny. We are paying for these people to represent us, and if we had to buy them, we would probably find them in a Garage Sale, picked over and tossed aside, only to be purchased at very low, cents on the dollar, price. We are the laughing stock of the Nation. I thought other states with the Governors having their affairs, and the “BLAGH’ in Chicago were Comedy show material, but we certainly hit the JACKPOT.

When I was a child and young adult, you thought of Congressmen, Senators and my God the Governor to be very revered men. Someone you had great respect for, and in some cases people you wanted to model yourselves after. But THIS BUNCH?? My God you just can’t make this stuff up, to tell the unwary of what was going on they would say, “go wan” you got to be kidding me! But no Folks, here it is, in Black and White right on the front page of our Newspapers, on our TV’s and all over the talk shows. What is it? It is the Governor Paterson show with all his Merry Thug men. I look at this ‘entourage’ he has surrounding him and all I can think of is rejected bouncers in Suits and wrinkled ones at that. What a joke they all are. Where did he find these prizes anyway? In the reject pile of the WWF?

Today came the news that he wasn’t going to seek re-election, did he even THINK he had a chance? Did ANYONE think that? Well I guess we can’t be entertained by that show anymore. What ever happened to intelligence in our State government? Maybe no one can spell the word so they don’t’ practice it. That is as good as reason as any I guess, considering the explanations and excuses we have been receiving to cover up all of these goings on. I will be so happy when the next election comes, if we have any money left to run one, just to get this brutal gang and tax-aholic make believe Governor OUT OF HERE!

When Commissioner Denise O’Donnell resigned I knew it was very serious and none of this was being fabricated. I met the Commissioner twice; both times she came to Troy when announcements of our continued funding for the IMPACT program were being made. I found her a very likeable person who took her job very seriously and was very surprised that she remembered me from the years before and asked how the area was doing, what our continued problems were and the value of the continued program. I thought to myself, this woman is putting a lot into her position and not just collecting a check or biding her time. If it is true she may be running for the next Attorney General, she would certainly have my vote. She certainly showed HER credibility by resigning. And she is doing the right thing distancing herself from this cover-up crowd. Lies, lies lies, right down the line, even the State Police involved in it all. Denise O’Donnell may even make a great candidate for a Governor at some point.

Do you think I am being too harsh? Have you ever seen anything like this in your life? Every morning you get up and say, now what? We are paying through the noses here in New York State, and this is what we get for our dollar? Plaeeeze…….save me! Maybe we could put them all on stage and sell tickets to their show and raise tax money that way……..but who would go?
We would make more money selling the Tomatoes out front to throw at them.

OK, so I haven’t been nice in this column, but geez, with the material we have here, what can you be? At least I am honest in my feelings.
I am just an everyday Citizen living under this umbrella of deceit with the rest of us and this is how I feel. I really don’t think I can write anymore as it is all very upsetting.

Add your comments. Was I being too hard? Too EASY?? What do YOU think and where do you think these hapless wannabes are going to land next? Those thoughts should be very entertaining. Can’t wait to read your opinions and comments.

St. Patricks Church

2010-01-31T12:24:00.000-05:00

One of my BLOG readers has asked me to comment on the closing of St. Patricks Church. Usually I stay away from Religious conversations as it always seems to raise the hair on some Folks backs as all our views are different so here I go on my Soapbox as requested!

Just for the record, I myself, was raised Roman Catholic. My Father was a Ukrainian Orthodox, but my Mom was a Roman Catholic so that is how myself and all my Siblings were raised. I started Kindergarten in the old St. Joseph's School with Sister Immaculata and mid-year after our Christmas recess, returned to the new school built on Fourth St. We moved in 1956 and I was enrolled in St. Jude's in Wynantskill until shortly after the death of my Mother in 1961 and then re-enrolled in Wynantskill School by my Step-Mother. So I do have a religious education and can comment with this being stated.

I feel the closing of St. Patricks is doing an absolute disservice to the people of North Central and the surrounding areas, as many Parishioners who have relocated still attend Mass there. I had the opportunity to speak with Bishop Hubbard last year and I was very direct in telling him how wrong this was for the Community and how he was going to realize this after the fact, and should reconsider. I told him I was sure that he was not aware of plans for some redevelopment of his area, especially along the river and that the volume of the people living here was going to increase and for the better. These Folks are all going to be looking for a Church and probably the most beautiful church in the City of Troy is going to be shuttered. I don't think I fazed Bishop Hubbard, I felt I was looking into empty eyes. I wondered if he was even hearing me. Bishop Hubbard was raised here in this area, St. Patricks was his school and Parish and he is not fighting one bit for that Church or Parish, SHAME on him! All the support he received through the years from his Parishoners and this is what he gives in return! Shame on him TWICE!!!!! I don't think he should be let into Heaven, St. Peter at the Pearly Gates should look HIM in the empty eyes and say "you did not do what we put you on earth for, and especially as a PRIEST & BISHOP"! You did not fulfill your duties. sorry you are not getting in. The Gates of Heaven should then be closed on him as he is closing the Gates to St. Patricks!

You would think that of all Churches, he would want to save the one of the neighborhood he grew up in, but sadly it seems not to be the case. In fact, that is my rub with the Catholic Church and why I don't attend Mass any longer. I do not feel that they care about their Community, the physical Church is there, the Priests are there but to go to them about a problem in your Family or your Community, they are not there for you, they will refer you to someone else or an agency. THAT is not what a Church is all about, it is about keeping the flock attended, checking on Parishioners who have fallen on hard times, people who are physically sick or those who are misguided.

So to the reader who asked my opinion, there is it, you got me on my Soapbox. For those who know me, they know I speak from the heart and truthfully, and never lie, I speak it as I see it and KNOW it, and if you don't like it, maybe you are the person I am speaking of or are maybe dishonest yourself. So I can't see and I haven't heard of anyone who is in favor of this Church closing. All of the donations made for over 100 years to this beautiful Church are now for naught. What the walls of this Church has witnessed over the years, the Baptisms, the Weddings, Funerals, Confessions, First Communions, Confirmations, prayers and many many people living and long passed on will fade into a non-existence. I hope Bishop Hubbard reads this,I hope he feels terrible after he does. Am I being rough on him? No rougher than he is being on the Parishioners that have supported him for years! Keep it open and get us a new Bishop! Bishop Hubbard is retiring soon, so he doesn't' care, he will be safe and sound, but what of his Flock? Don't bother looking for him in Heaven, he won't be there.

Delivery Stick Ups

2009-12-24T08:48:00.000-05:00

Troy and other areas are becoming hot spots for Deliverymen becoming victims of Crime. Usually they only end up losing all of the money that they have collected for the food delivered and/or the food that they are currently delivering, but someday one of them is going to lose their life! In times past more frequently you would hear of Cab Drivers being robbed,and we have had some murders involved in this, and to solve that problem bullet proof shields were installed in the cabs separating the Driver from the Passengers,and Passengers were to only ride in the back, but unfortunately, some drivers still allow pick-ups to ride in the front and are robbed.

Now deliveryman are a different victim, they have no way of protecting themselves from these creeps. These are innocent people trying to make a living and these creeps robbing them are the scum of the earth with no morals or values. A lot of my readers of this BLOG know me, and I have to apologize for some of the words I use to describe people or actions, but being in volunteer Community service as long as I have, I have learned these words are the only way to describe these Hoodlums.

How are the businesses, mainly Pizza and Chinese Food establishments to protect themselves? I have thought long and hard about this. Perhaps the Businesses could have a registry of their regular delivery customers. If you are someone new who would like to use their services and has not ever had delivery to your home, you could go to this business and tell them you would like to be able to partake of delivery and register your address and show your Drivers License number to be recorded to prove you actually live there and are legitimate. Then Drivers will only go to these safe locations. Food delivery brings more income to these businesses as many people are not able to go pick it up. It has nothing to do with being lazy, some people just don't have cars, some are elderly Folks who won't drive at night, due to vision problems or just being afraid to go out at night.Others may be a Parent home by themselves while the Spouse is working and just can't pack all the kids in the car for a pickup and can't leave the kids alone at home, so it is a great convenience.

What else could you do besides send a Cop out posing as a Deliveryman of which we don't have the available Police personnel to do this or positioning a undercover unit occasionally at a unknown request for delivery that seems questionable, perhaps the street crime unit. It is an easy crime for these thugs to pull off and I welcome comments, views and suggestions on solving this problem.

Action Jackson!

2009-11-11T10:56:00.000-05:00

Wow, so “Action Jackson” is coming to the RECORD! I think this is a great move for this Kid’s career. How many out there have caught his segment on Capital News 9 on the weekends? I do occasionally and think he is a mixture of talent, knowledge and hilarity! He really is funny on top of knowing his movies. We are usually accustomed to some older funky boring type person giving his reviews of movies and now along comes ‘Action Jackson”!

I am not sure of his age, he appears to be somewhere between 10-12. He is a short, cute kid with freckles, a nice looking and very well spoken. BUT inside the ‘kid’ body is somewhat of an ‘old man’ lurking in there. Have you ever heard someone describe their child as 10 going on 50? Well this is “Jackson”. He speaks as though he were 40 years old, went to the School of Hands for sure and has all of the facial movements and actions of any well seasoned TV Commenter. He really is a riot. I was very sorry I missed his show for the Halloween weekend. I caught the advertisement for it but was busy during the day and never did get to see it, but he sure had a cool get up on for the advertisement of the segment.

Sometimes you laugh watching his antics and sometimes he acts so old you want to “grab him and stuff him back into his KID body” but he is so enjoyable you are just stuck watching him and can’t turn away, his reviews are right on also, not just his opinion.

Well I want to wish him all the luck in the world with his young career. I can remember being his age and having all the ideas going through my head of what I wanted to ‘do’ or ‘be’, something we don’t see many of the kids doing today, they are just coasting, but he is acting on his ideas. Hurray for his Parents for encouraging him and not holding him back, or telling him he is ‘too young’ or wait until you are older. Let him to continue to run with this and all those other ideas floating around in his head, I think he should also branch out into TV advertisement he certainly has talent and a way of making people pay attention to him.

I don’t know if just having a Review column in the RECORD is going to be as interesting as watching his “act” on TV, but maybe, just maybe the RECORD may want to tie in a video segment of his reviews on their ‘online’ edition, I am sure there will be a lot of advertisers wanting their product info tied to his video segment. IF you have never caught his review, make an effort to do so. You will be mesmerized watching him and come away laughing.

Let me know what your opinion of ACTION JACKSON is, I am sure I will enjoy reading those, and also maybe ‘Action’ will too and get a feel for what the public thinks!

Troubled Sixth Avenue

2009-09-02T12:18:00.000-04:00

We all have been aware of the summer problems in Troy and even more aware of the problems that have plagued 6th Avenue on the Boulevard between 101st and 102nd Sts. It has been a real replay of the Hatfield and the McCoy’s for quite a while now.

The problem had been largely ignored by the Police Dept. per complaints at the Neighborhood Assn. meeting until the situation boiled over a few weeks back and 8 arrests were made out of one big brawl. NOT amazing was only one arrest was a person who actually lived on the block. Much of the crisis was coming from outside interference, but not all.

To try and rectify the problem, Nina Glandz, (co-chair Friends of the combined North Lansingburgh and South Lansingburgh Neighborhood Assn.) took it upon herself to hold 2 separate meetings with the group. The first was held with the Parents only at the North Central Community Police Station. Most of the parents on the block attended as well as Chief Kaiser, the Street Crime Unit (Officers Adam Mason, Chad Klein and Marty Furciniti), Chuck McDonald (the Community Officer for that district) and Dominick Comitale. Also in attendance was Councilman Mark McGrath, Pastor Willie Bacote, Jeff Pirro and myself.

The parents sat in a circle and one by one in rotation; they spoke of their problems as a group and individual either with each other or the situation. A lot of frustration was aired and problems alleviated and hopefully friendships that did not exist before extended. Plans were made to meet with each other and discuss how they were doing on each others porches and a BBQ get together. All left feeling much better.

A week or so after that, Nina held a meeting with the children and Teenagers at Pastor Willie’s Church at 101st & 6th, who was in attendance there but no one from the Police Dept., and she spoke and they conversed about their behavior that led to the problems and what they do that so irritates others that live on the block. The lights seemed to go off in the heads of those gathered. All left this meeting feeling better about themselves and each other also. Lately it has been a Model block with no need to call the Police.

THIS is Community, THIS is how problems should be solved before they blow up into something bigger than could be imagined and the Police need to intervene.

OK, just so WHO is Nina Glandz? Besides being the Co-chair of the Neighborhood Assn. she is a resident who lives on Florence Place. You can see her regularly, out sweeping and cleaning and picking up the street. Originally she came as a Guest to my Bed and Breakfast when her daughter was coming to this area to go to college. She fell in love with Troy and came to live, first renting an apt. and then later purchasing the home on Florence Place. Within the first 6 months of moving to Florence Place some very unusual things happened including a murder right behind her house in the alley, things that just aren’t acceptable mostly based in the problems of Absentee Landlords.

Nina at that point decided to jump in head first to improving the Community and the quality of life issues in her area and has been working her butt off since. If we all could put just half of this effort into our neighborhood blocks and areas, my God what a transformation in Troy we would see.

Let’s give an A+ to Nina and a huge THANK YOU, to the energy she put into solving a problem and making a problem block as trouble-free as possible.

Let her know how you feel, because THAT’S THE WAY WE ARE!

Has No Lesson Been Learned?

2009-08-07T09:32:00.000-04:00

With the recent tragedy of a 5 year old who lost his life while crossing a busy street that has been very well written about, I have to wonder if any lesson has been learned?

2 days ago I observed a Mom sitting on her porch while her ‘about’ 2 year old rode her little “Big Wheel’ in the middle of Glen Ave. Glen Ave is not a high volume street but does get plenty of traffic. It is also a one-way street which has PLENTY of people who do not take notice of the fact it is, and zoom down the street the wrong way. If they don’t notice that sign, will they n notice a little girl in the middle of the street on her toy? This also shows the lack of responsibility of the Parent to teach the education of the respect of the street to the child? How is the child to know this street or ANY street can be dangerous, when she is allowed to do this?

This morning I observe 2 kids on a bike riding down the middle of Sixth Ave. a very busy street. One was standing on the protrusions of the back wheel while the other was steering with one hand while talking on his CELL PHONE with the other!! Geez…….I want to go CRAZY!!

Other problems are the parents putting the Pools out on the sidewalks and tons of kids playing on them and running around, another tragedy waiting to happen. The BBQ’s out on the sidewalk with hordes of people eating, dancing, music blasting and kids running around unsupervised. These homes ALL have backyards, big ones in this area; a child in a backyard is less likely to become a victim as our last little boy than one on the street.

We need to have common sense and if we don’t the blame is all our own. Our Police force on patrol should stop and tell the irresponsible people to take it to a safe place. Backyards and parks are there for these purposes.

Let’s hear from those who would like to add or comment on our problems.

Very very sad

2009-07-29T20:17:00.000-04:00

Such a tragedy that has occurred in South Troy this week. Nothing can be worse than losing a child, for the whole family, extended family, neighbors and friends.

Children are innocent and very unaware of dangers about them. There is no blaming anyone in this situation, Officer John Wright, I am sure is in a very sad emotional state. I can speak on both sides of this issue. In my early twenties I was in So. Lansing burgh, coasting to a light at 102nd St. when a child playing tag with many other children in front of Mt. Moriah Lodge ran out from the sidewalk and right into the side of my car. I had no idea of what had happened, just that I heard a loud bang on the side of my car. There was a Wedding going on inside the facility, all the Parents were inside and the children outside playing. This young man was 6 yrs. Old. I don’t believe he even knew what had happened as he was involved in his being chased by others. I was sick to my stomach with worry. A mob came out and surrounded me hurling accusations over something they hadn’t seen. I was alone. Upset emotionally and scared. Troy Police came, we all went up to the hospital with the child and thank God no injuries. I never forgot it.

Jump ahead 8 years, my Son was coming home on the bus from the Lansing burgh Boys and Girls club and departed from the bus and crossed in front, and a car decided to go ahead anyway from behind the bus and clipped Michael as he was crossing right into the path of a truck coming the other way. Michael was severely injured, he was 6 also. Later that night after he was transferred from Samaritan Hospital to St. Peters, I was taken aside by the Dr’s and told there was a very good chance he wasn’t going to make the night. They would do all they could to relieve the pressure and fluid on his brain, he had a huge clot on the side of his head filled with fluid and blood that made his head look 1-1/2 times the size it was. I went into the bathroom and threw up. I know both sides and the pain is horrible.

Day in and day out in North Central we complain about people not using the sidewalks, we put in new sidewalks and people still walk in the middle of the road, blocking cars trying to get by. Mothers push their little ones in the “umbrella strollers”, they don’t realize when walking across a intersection against the light, those little ones are 5 to 6 ft. out in front of them in flimsy little strollers. How is a driver to see them?

We had a little boy hit on 6th Ave. just south of 101st St. He ran out from between 2 cars, and I believe he was about 6 yrs. of age. They are too SMALL to see! Adults have to watch these poor little ones. This fellow was severely hurt too, and no one could locate his parents. My God the memories flooded back!

The family of our latest little victim are heartbroken, the Community is upset. Officer Wright is devastated. The Family is demanding ANSWERS. There are none. Just facts of what happened, never, ever to be changed. The poor little guy was in the street unsupervised, way too small to be seen. If he were seen Officer Wright would have stopped. No one can change this; all we can do is pray for the little one and all those involved. Pray that in the future also, these children will be kept in a safer place, and the Parents and other Guardians remember this tragedy and protect the rest of these precious little lives.

Community Police Officers

2009-07-09T12:13:00.000-04:00

Some of us are familiar with Community Policing and others are not. Generally residents who reside in an urban setting are, though many are not. Perhaps they don’t have problems in their area that make them become familiar with this type of Policing or they are just not aware.

Community policing is a whole different breed of Officer. Community Officers are full fledged members of the Police force and have worked both sides of policing, but deal mostly with the Social problems in the Community. They focus on the little problems to prevent them from blossoming into larger problems thus, hopefully, saving a situation from becoming much more serious. What problems do they encounter you might ask? Well in Troy, Absentee Landlordism probably fills their slate during the day the most. Part of the problems that stem from this new breed of Entrepreneur are garbage issues, overcrowding of apartments, illegally breaking down on larger houses or apartments, code violations, noise and a variety of other issues that can make residents life miserable.

Anyone who attends their monthly Neighborhood Assn. meeting knows their Officer personally and seeks their help with the issues that are brought to the forefront at the meeting. Not only do you get to know your Officer first hand but we tend to “bond” so to speak with them, they become our ‘friends’ and not just a Cop. So where am I going with this? Well this week our Officer for the North Central area, Kevin Sessions, was injured while on Bike Patrol. He was biking on Fifth Avenue, when a women opened her car door into traffic and right into the path of Kevin. Yes, Kevin got whacked, he was injured pretty well, he was knocked off his bike and his arm and knee were quite damaged. He has a good injury on his upper arm and this could have been much more serious then it was. What if Kevin had been thrown into the path of the car following him? What if the other cars in the road hit their brakes and swerved to avoid him and then hit another car or pedestrian and most folks were injured? None of these things happened but poor Kevin is on the injury list. He is new to Community Policing and we feel badly this happened to him. We miss him.. So let us all let him know we are thinking of him. A card can be sent to him at 55 State St. Troy, NY, OR you can leave your ‘get well soon’ thoughts or comments here on the BLOG for him.. Let’s make him laugh and see the humorous side of this, because that is the way we are!

Neighborhood Associations

2009-06-07T17:34:00.000-04:00

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!

Troy Police Awards Ceremony

2009-05-22T11:00:00.000-04:00

Troy Police Awards Ceremony

Yesterday, the Troy Police Dept. held its annual awards ceremony at the Franklin Plaza in Troy. The Chiefs honored and praised a number of its fine Officers ranging from investigation to heroic acts while on duty. The Neigborhood Assns. and other Committees in the City work closely with the Police Dept. and many of these officers, some we know, some we don't. But there are many residents in our Community who do NOT know their Police force, some by name in the paper others only by face. I have always felt that the Community and Taxpayers should be included in this Award Ceremony, to witness, and offer our congratulations and to be able to SEE and meet those honored, who serve our neighborhoods. My question is: if there were a small fee charged to cover the cost of the meal at the venue where the ceremony is held, would you attend? Right now there is no avenue for the general public to attend because......THAT'S THE WAY IT IS!!!!

Where has all the Respect gone?

2009-05-15T15:11:00.000-04:00

WHERE HAS ALL THE RESPECT GONE?

We all know that living in a City can be hard, and particularly hard when the weather is warmer. But in the last few years we have noticed more and more that in general the Human Race has less respect for each other than I can ever remember. When I was a Child, we were taught to say "Please" and "Thank You" and to respect our elders, and so on, but nowadays, that has all gone out the window.

Issues we have living in the City are particularly rough. Kids, some Teens, many younger and a LOT older are just out of control. Sometimes their Parents are more out of control than the kids. For instance, I think there is a huge portion of the residents of the City of Troy, that don't know what a Sidewalk is, they walk right in the middle of the road and they don't get out of the way for anyone. If you happen to give a little beep to remind them you are trying to get through, they will either walk much slower or turn around and bang on your car. No Respect.

Also, no one seems to think that folks 'sleep' anymore. They are hanging around outside your house, sitting on your steps and under your windows making all kinds of noise to all hours of the night.Sometimes drinking their Beverages out of their Brown paper bags Notice I said hanging outside YOUR house, what is wrong with THEIRS?? Obviously they aren't aware of the fact you need your sleep as you have to get up in the morning to work. Must be they don't do that.No Respect.

Ah, and now let's also go to the Convenience store and buy something, then eat it on the way home and throw the papers on YOUR property, sometime even when there is a waste receptacle right close by, such as at the Bus stop, just throw it on the ground, I guess that is easier.Or smashing their bottles on the Sidewalks or into the street so folks can get a flat tire. No respect.

This is my first BLOG..Let me hear from you with your thoughts on where all the respect has gone and what you think we should do with these people, and experiences YOU have had with NO RESPECT! Let's let them know what WE think..........................why? ..Because THAT'S THE WAY IT IS!!!

Welcome to THAT’S THE WAY IT IS!

2009-05-15T14:02:00.000-04:00

My name is Tina Urzan. I was born and raised in beautiful Troy, NY and will be contributing to the RECORD’s Blog section of the online News. We live in a City flowing with past History, Wealth and Architecture and have a beautiful future ahead of us. One of the greatest Treasures Troy has, is its people. We are a melting pot all on our own and I am hoping to hear from everyone. Groups here in Troy share the passion to bring back and keep the great Town we once had. We are happy, we are sad and we can get angry! A person with a voice is one who cares and I want to hear your responses!

We will be chatting about Local, State and National issues. Discussing what is happening on your block. What problems you are having, how to solve them. Who is good for Troy, who is standing in our way, raise some rabble if we need to and praise the people and their deeds on our road here. In other words I want to hear everyone’s 2 Cents worth and more………….because THAT’S THE WAY IT IS!!