I was asked to photograph the dedication of the new 9-1-1 Memorial in Lansingburgh on Sunday in a newly created park North of the 112th Street Bridge. It was an honor. It was a great day.
The memorial looks great and is a fitting tribute to the devastating attack on America and Troy's assistance in many ways in the weeks that followed.
Jim Gordon spearheaded the effort and should be recognized for his outstanding concept and execution. Everything starts with an idea, but it then takes hard work and on organized effort to get anything done. He and his committee got it done.
I have long felt and have written how important I feel it is to have every entry point to our city sparkle. You get one chance to make a first impression and people entering Troy should know we take pride in our city and take care of it. Having this memorial greet people who enter Troy from Cohoes is a significant improvement over what used to be there. This is an outstanding use of this space and a profound improvement.
Congratulations to everyone who worked to make this project a reality and hopefully it is indicative of how we as a city can move forward developing ideas and bringing them to reality in the future.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Election
There are 63 days left until the election. I will be going door-to-door 4 or 5 days a week until the election. I plan on being at the candidates night on Oct 4 in the old School 12. I will gladly speak to any group interested in having me regarding the election or my work as a photographer.
I still have to make a living and after a slow summer, it looks like my photography work is picking up which is good. While my schedule provides me the flexibility to devote the time to being a council candidate and hoepefully a council person, I still have work obligations like everyone else. I am not retired!
I hope to see you soon and if you have any questions, ideas, or concerns let me know.
I still have to make a living and after a slow summer, it looks like my photography work is picking up which is good. While my schedule provides me the flexibility to devote the time to being a council candidate and hoepefully a council person, I still have work obligations like everyone else. I am not retired!
I hope to see you soon and if you have any questions, ideas, or concerns let me know.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Restaurant Tour
Tuesday night's restaurant tour of 12 downtown establishments was a huge success. Sharon Smith, The Executive Director of The Troy Boy's & Girl's Club runs this terrific fundraiser. On a beautiful night there were a lot of people out supporting the Club and visiting Troy's restaurants.
The Dinosaur, Ryan's Wake and Brown's Brewing were unable to participate as intended due to clean up from the flood. I love all three places and wish them well as they recover from Hurricane Irene.
Even without their participation the 12 that were able to go forward did a tremendous job. Troy has without a doubt the finest eating establishments in this entire region. Congratulations on a great night to be in Troy.
The Dinosaur, Ryan's Wake and Brown's Brewing were unable to participate as intended due to clean up from the flood. I love all three places and wish them well as they recover from Hurricane Irene.
Even without their participation the 12 that were able to go forward did a tremendous job. Troy has without a doubt the finest eating establishments in this entire region. Congratulations on a great night to be in Troy.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Flood
The flood Irene dumped on our region reminds me of the flood I covered as a photgrapher for the Record in January 1996. That flood was largely about ice, but the water overflowed the banks in a similar manner. The next day cars parked behind the Quayside apartments were covered in sheets of ice. It was an amazing scene.
While it is certainly a mess, the situation could have been much worse. We suffered very little wind related damage and few power outages. We have also been blessed with great weather since the storm.
My heart goes out to all who have suffered damage particularly the homes on Brunswick Road which felt the effects of a mud slide. But, I have great faith in the people of our city. I'm sure there will be many who help clean up and life should get back to normal fairly quickly.
Our police,fire and DPW workers did an outstanding job as they typically due under difficult conditions. A tip of the hat to all the city work force.
While it is certainly a mess, the situation could have been much worse. We suffered very little wind related damage and few power outages. We have also been blessed with great weather since the storm.
My heart goes out to all who have suffered damage particularly the homes on Brunswick Road which felt the effects of a mud slide. But, I have great faith in the people of our city. I'm sure there will be many who help clean up and life should get back to normal fairly quickly.
Our police,fire and DPW workers did an outstanding job as they typically due under difficult conditions. A tip of the hat to all the city work force.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
ValleyCats fundraiser
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.
I am planning a couple more events and will post when I have established dates.
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!
Friday, August 19, 2011
Finance Meeting
Last night's finance committee meeting of the city council was an eye opener for me. It is now clear what is driving councilman Bill Dunne's desire to move city hall to the Dauchy Building. He despises Mayor Tutunjian and the current building's landlord Sam Judge. I don't know all the history which has lead to this, but I know it is NOT how you make important public policy decisions. You should never make an important decision driven by emotion- particulary anger. We need sound judgement, common sense and reason as we make important LONG-TERM decisions.
I remain opposed to the move, while continuing to acknowledge the obvious short term benefit of the move. The problem I continue to have is two fold: 1) it is not a building built as an office building and will not work well as a city hall. There is no adequate space for a council chambers and I am sensitive to parking concerns area business owners have expressed. 2) The building will experience a significant increase in property value when the $32 million project on the former city hall site a block away is finished in about five years. This valuable piece of real estate MUST stay on the tax roles. Plopping city hall on this stretch of commercially desirable real estate just as it is about to increase in value is short sighted and could cost the taxpayers millions in tax revenue over the next fifty years.
This is a mistake and trying to shove it down the citizens throat as this council heads out the door is just plain WRONG.
I remain opposed to the move, while continuing to acknowledge the obvious short term benefit of the move. The problem I continue to have is two fold: 1) it is not a building built as an office building and will not work well as a city hall. There is no adequate space for a council chambers and I am sensitive to parking concerns area business owners have expressed. 2) The building will experience a significant increase in property value when the $32 million project on the former city hall site a block away is finished in about five years. This valuable piece of real estate MUST stay on the tax roles. Plopping city hall on this stretch of commercially desirable real estate just as it is about to increase in value is short sighted and could cost the taxpayers millions in tax revenue over the next fifty years.
This is a mistake and trying to shove it down the citizens throat as this council heads out the door is just plain WRONG.
Council For Economic Development
I attended the public meeting hosted by RPI for the Capital Region Economic Development Council Thursday. It is an impressive group of business, academic and political leaders from the 7 county capital region which is preparing a Comprehensive Funding Application seeking money the Governor has made available to the regions around the state who have the best ideas on how to attract business and people to their area.
They have a website www.capitalregionopenforbusiness.com which has several surveys on it. I encourage everyone to take the surveys which take about ten minutes each. Public input is being sought so please provide it. I took the surveys and they make you think, which is always a good thing.
They have a website www.capitalregionopenforbusiness.com which has several surveys on it. I encourage everyone to take the surveys which take about ten minutes each. Public input is being sought so please provide it. I took the surveys and they make you think, which is always a good thing.
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