Many thanks to everyone who came out to support my fundraiser with the ValleyCats Wednesday evening. They provided a fantastic picnic "spread" and the game was outstanding with the Cats winning 7-4 on an 8th inning grand slam. What a perfect finish to a perfect night.
I am planning a couple more events and will post when I have established dates.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
TRIP
Along with candidates, Jim Gordon, Billie Jean Greene and Debra Lockrow, I met with Pat Madden and Hilary at TRIP Tuesday morning.
I felt it was a good meeting which was very informative. One of our cities most serious ongoing problems is vacant buildings and negligent absentee landlords. In a college town there are going to be a lot of rental units and probably therefore many absentee landlords.
TRIP is a tremendous asset in dealing with these issues. They currently own 45 buildings and manage about 200 rental units. They do pay property taxes on these buildings of close to $200,000 a year.
They have a landlord training program and a screening process for prospective tenants. They also help people become homeowners with a lengthy education process.
I was impressed and I certainly believe in their mission of trying to help people as they seek to become homeowners. Their counseling and educational programs are invaluable and I foresee working closely with them should I be elected. We must address the housing issues in our cities as they have a tremendous impact on the quality of life in our neighborhoods.
I felt it was a good meeting which was very informative. One of our cities most serious ongoing problems is vacant buildings and negligent absentee landlords. In a college town there are going to be a lot of rental units and probably therefore many absentee landlords.
TRIP is a tremendous asset in dealing with these issues. They currently own 45 buildings and manage about 200 rental units. They do pay property taxes on these buildings of close to $200,000 a year.
They have a landlord training program and a screening process for prospective tenants. They also help people become homeowners with a lengthy education process.
I was impressed and I certainly believe in their mission of trying to help people as they seek to become homeowners. Their counseling and educational programs are invaluable and I foresee working closely with them should I be elected. We must address the housing issues in our cities as they have a tremendous impact on the quality of life in our neighborhoods.
Voters thoughts
While going door-to-door on the East side it is clear voters are concerned about the future of city hall and taxes. Many people expressed frustration with taxes and some indicated it was why so many homes are for sale in Troy.
I have commented extensively on city hall and I remain opposed to a move to the Dauchy Building. As for taxes, that is a challenge. The key is abviously broadening the tax base. We have too many empty buildings and store fronts in the city. We have to market and "sell" our city better. Filling these spaces should be a high priority. Not only would it increase sales and property tax revenue but it would bring badly needed jobs into our city.
This will be a challenge, but TROY is worth the effort and everyone needs to get on board. The almost constant bickering which has been going on among our elected officials the past two years is NOT how to market our city. That is why this election is so important. I hope people turn out and I hope they think about the people they are voting for.
I have commented extensively on city hall and I remain opposed to a move to the Dauchy Building. As for taxes, that is a challenge. The key is abviously broadening the tax base. We have too many empty buildings and store fronts in the city. We have to market and "sell" our city better. Filling these spaces should be a high priority. Not only would it increase sales and property tax revenue but it would bring badly needed jobs into our city.
This will be a challenge, but TROY is worth the effort and everyone needs to get on board. The almost constant bickering which has been going on among our elected officials the past two years is NOT how to market our city. That is why this election is so important. I hope people turn out and I hope they think about the people they are voting for.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Great Saturday
I walked VanderHyden Estates with Dan Mahoney Saturday morning. It was great to meet so many different people, who seem truly concerned about issues in Troy. I then went to a neighborhood block party on Stow Ave.
When I worked for the newspaper I covered these types of events regularly and I realized yesterday that is what I miss the most about being a news photographer. Interacting with different people and traveling all over the city to different events. I'm there now as a candidate, which is different, but I still enjoy it. I learned and played ladder toss for the first time. I love these types of games and I had a great teacher in a young man, Cameron. In a decidedly unpolitical move I did beat him at the game. I couldn't help it, he is a good teacher and I was enjoying the event. I hope as I go forward I can continue to maintain my sense of humor and enjoy these types of events. I am always eager to discuss issues or more serious topics, but you have to enjoy yourself as well.
Which was the case at the Beat Shops fund raiser for Hope 7. Listening to the incomparable Jim Barrett sing requires a sense of humor. He is a terrific community minded citizen, and as he told me "You don't see any cats or dogs around when I'm singing do you!" A great day in Troy!
When I worked for the newspaper I covered these types of events regularly and I realized yesterday that is what I miss the most about being a news photographer. Interacting with different people and traveling all over the city to different events. I'm there now as a candidate, which is different, but I still enjoy it. I learned and played ladder toss for the first time. I love these types of games and I had a great teacher in a young man, Cameron. In a decidedly unpolitical move I did beat him at the game. I couldn't help it, he is a good teacher and I was enjoying the event. I hope as I go forward I can continue to maintain my sense of humor and enjoy these types of events. I am always eager to discuss issues or more serious topics, but you have to enjoy yourself as well.
Which was the case at the Beat Shops fund raiser for Hope 7. Listening to the incomparable Jim Barrett sing requires a sense of humor. He is a terrific community minded citizen, and as he told me "You don't see any cats or dogs around when I'm singing do you!" A great day in Troy!
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