TripOnline.org Blog

Electronics Recycling

2012-01-15T17:32:00.001-05:00

Do you have old computer parts, batteries, or other electronics taking up space in your house but aren’t sure how to get rid of them? You’ve already made the right first step—these are not things that should just be put in the regular garbage. The chemicals and plastics used to make products such as televisions or cell phones are harmful to our water supply and soil if they are simply thrown away.

Responsible electronics recycling is an important topic in a world where gadgets become outdated within months of purchase. To make sure you are up to date on the proper means of disposal for electronics contact your local dump or recycling center. The City of Troy and Rensselaer County host free e-waste disposal days; dates have not yet been publicized. There are also private companies that specialize in the proper disposal of electronics.

Troy residents curious about general recycling guidelines should visit http://troyny.gov/recycling.html.

Protect Yourself from Identity Theft

2012-01-15T17:28:00.001-05:00

As our world becomes more digitized and computer savvy, new risks arise. Identity theft is a contemporary problem that we all need to be aware of. With the holiday credit card bills rolling in (and hopefully being paid), it is increasingly important that our personal information is kept private.

Here are a few tips to keep your personal information from getting into the wrong hands:

- Only give out your Social Security number when it is really needed. Ask if and why it is necessary when you are asked to provide it.
- Be cautious who you share your personal information with and avoid sending such info in emails or through the mail.

- Shred any papers that have identification or account numbers before discarding them.

- Cut apart old credit cards and don’t carry unnecessary personal documents (birth certificate, Social Security card, passport, etc.) around with you unless you really need them.

- Pay attention to your billing cycles. If a bill is late arriving at your house follow up with your creditors as soon as possible.

- Create unique passwords for all of your accounts.
- Password protect your smartphone.

NYSERDA Energy Audits and Weatherization

2012-01-15T17:26:00.001-05:00

As you have undoubtedly noticed, it’s getting cold again. While this year has brought a strangely temperate winter, we can’t forget about the importance of monitoring our energy use and weatherization.

Weatherization is a broad term describing ways of protecting your home from the winter elements. Steps to keep the heat inside and thus lower your bill include: sealing any air leaks in your doors and windows, checking your roof for leaks, and being sure to keep snow and ice from building up on your home. Additionally, with less heat getting out, less oil or natural gas will need to be burned to keep your family warm. Some tips to keep in mind this winter and all year round can be found here: http://www.nyserda.ny.gov/About/Newsroom/2011-Announcements/2011-12-15-Make-Energy-Efficiency-a-Priority-This-New-Year-with-Simple-Energy-Resolutions-for-2012.aspx.

To find out just how much energy you and your family really use and how to improve, we recommend looking into the free and reduced-cost energy audits provided by the New York State Energy Research & Development Authority (NYSERDA) at http://www.nyserda.ny.gov/Page-Sections/Residential/Programs/Existing-Home-Renovations/Comprehensive-Home-Assessments.aspx.

Another positive program coming out of NYSERDA is EmPower New York and, announced on January 5th, the 2012 funding for the program has increased by $18 million, making for a total of $46 million in funds to aid in the improvement of energy usage in low-income households. To read the full announcement visit: http://www.nyserda.ny.gov/About/Newsroom/2012-Announcements/2012-01-05-Program-to-Help-Low-Income-New-Yorkers-Reduce-Energy-Bills-Gets-Increased-Funding.aspx.

Community Development and Planning Public Hearing Scheduled

2012-01-15T17:25:00.004-05:00

Troy residents, business owners, and organizational leaders are invited to a City of Troy public hearing on Wednesday, January 25^th at 6 pm in Conference Room A, City Hall, 1776 6^th Avenue. Attendees will have the opportunity to address what the City’s priorities should be for use of federal funding including the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding, Emergency Shelter Grants (ESG), and HOME funds. Those interested but unable to attend may also submit written comments to City Hall, 1776 6^th Avenue, Troy, NY 12180, Attention: Tim Mattice.

TNAC Meeting Scheduled

2012-01-15T17:25:00.003-05:00

Keeping the momentum rolling into 2012! TNAC (Troy Neighborhoods Action Council) has scheduled a meeting for Wednesday, February 1 at 7 PM. Interested residents and community leaders are invited to gather from 7-8:30 PM at The Hill Street Inn at 202 4^th Street. Neighborhood groups are encouraged to come prepared to tell a story about something that has worked well for them so that we can celebrate our successes and share best practices among neighborhoods. Other agenda items are welcome; please send to hilary@triponline.org ahead of time. Hope to see you on February 1^st!

Homebuyer Assistance Available Soon

2011-12-16T11:22:00.001-05:00

Good news! Rensselaer County was awarded $400,000 from the NYS Community Development Block Grant Program for Rensselaer County Housing Resources (RCHR). These funds are to provide downpayment and closing cost assistance to first-time homebuyers in Rensselaer County (excluding the City of Troy). These funds will not be available until the spring but now is the time to attend a Homebuyer Orientation. For more information call 690-0020.

The TRIP/RCHR Family is Growing!

2011-12-16T11:21:00.000-05:00

TRIP and RCHR would like to welcome our newest addition! On Wednesday, November 30, 2011, Mila Grace was born to Danielle Wattsman (from our Homeownership Center) and her husband!

Welcome Mila, we are all excited to meet you!

Goodbye and Thank You to Tim Kim

2011-12-16T11:18:00.000-05:00

Over the past semester, RPI student, Timothy Kim interned at TRIP, and we would like to thank him for all of his hard work! Tim is a 5th year architecture student with a personal interest in sustainability. He helped with research for TRIP’s “Green” initiative as well as doing architectural drawings for current projects. In addition, Tim got to spend some time visiting North Troy expanding his knowledge while contributing his skills to improve the community.

About his experience Tim says… “As an intern with TRIP, I learned a lot about community development. Working at TRIP was different from reading development policies in class. From planning many community events with Hilary and Jeanette, I learned how to be part of the community. I fully understood how to be civic[ly] engaged and an effective citizen.”

Tim Kim, hard at work at TRIP

Community Leadership Institute, Cleaner and Greener Campaign

2011-12-16T11:17:00.000-05:00

TRIP recently brought a group of North Central community leaders to a national Community Leaders Institute in Kansas City, MO. The four-day NeighborWorks America–sponsored conference attracted more than a thousand residents who are committed to improving their neighborhoods, Troy’s team is now putting that new knowledge to work in North Central! Partnering with School 2, they recently kicked-off a Cleaner and Greener Community Campaign. The campaign will focus on beautifying the neighborhood through arts projects and anti-litter efforts including a mural along the front of School 2, raised flower beds, and painted trashcans.

From left: Lynn DuBray, Davia Collington (Rensselaer County), Alysan Slighter, James Mayben, Hilary Lamishaw (TRIP), Priscilla McCauley, & Kim Mazor at the CLI Conference

Student art made from recycled materials at School 2 kick-off event, Dec 6.

2012 Rehab: 69 Middleburgh

2011-12-16T11:16:00.000-05:00

Just as TRIP revitalized 2232 5th Avenue in 2011, we are doing it again in 2012, this time at 69 Middleburgh!

We know that the transformation of one building reaches much further than the space between walls. Such rehabilitations provide comfortable homes for families, but also lift morale, improve surrounding communities, and make for a better image of Troy.

Look for more information to come about 69 Middleburgh and for our ribbon-cutting in 2012!

Thank you to our 2011 Donors!

2011-12-16T11:07:00.001-05:00

Season's Greetings

As 2011 comes to a close TRIP would like to say "THANK YOU" to all of our generous supporters this year! With your help TRIP is able to rehabilitate blighted buildings, create and educate new homeowners, prevent foreclosures, make available high quality affordable apartments to families, provide home repairs to seniors, assist landlords, and support neighborhood groups.

TRIP is hugely proud of our local and regional successes, and we would not be able to do the work we do without our supporters. Your dedication to improving Troy and Rensselaer County results in healthier, happier communities, and is greatly appreciated.

If you have not yet joined our list of supporters, there is still time! Click here to become a helping hand in the future of Troy.

Thank you again to all of our 2011 donors! For a full list of those who have supported TRIP this year see below…

TRIP 2011 donors (through December 15):

Wallace and Jane Altes, Eric and Caroline Lee Anderson, Anonymous, Barbara Arakelian, architecture+, AJ Arpey, Steven Axelrod, Joseph and Barbara Baggott, Bank of America, Duncan Barnett, Lisa Barone, BBL Construction, C.T. Barnes, Judith A. Barnes, Susan Benjamin, Thomas Blandy, James Bouldin, Lee Boyle, Lynn Bradley, Chris Burke, Christopher Burton, Assemblyman Ronald Canestrari, Capital Bank, Karen Carlson, Choice Heating and Cooling, City Station, John Clancy, Alma and Joseph Clement, Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region, Community Works of New York, Bob and Robin Cuddy, Michael and Rebecca Danforth, Garrett and Shellie Degraff, DeFazio Imports, Hal Dethorne, Robert Doherty, Doug Dylla, Emma Willard School, Michael Esposito, Amy Facca and Frederick Cawley, Priscilla Fairbank and Owen Goldfarb, John Fetscher, First Niagara Bank, First United Presbyterian Church, Sid Fleisher, Joseph Fleming, Delkis Flores, Charles Freihofer, Jane Freihofer, Bob Gamble, Marie Gavazzi, Lynn Gelzheiser, Alan Goldberg, Sandy Gull, Eve and Kevin Halloran, Garrett Hamlin and Laura Ferris, Jonathan Harvey, David and Katie Haviland, Mary Hendricks, Steven Heyman, Barbara and Gary Higbee, Paul Hoagland, Alane and Paul Hohenberg, HSBC, H2H Associates, Honorable Kathy Jimino, E. Stewart Jones, Key Foundation, Lynn Kopka, Debra Kossar, Gwen Krause, Hilary Lamishaw, Larralda Limited Partnership, Bernice Ledeboer, Elizabeth and Dean Leith, Lomonaco Architects, Robert and Janet MacLasco, John Madden Jr., Patrick Madden, Joseph Mangione, Carmella Mantello, Marvin & Co, Norman Massry, Kim Mazor, Honorable Roy McDonald, Thomas McGuire, Honorable Steve McLauglin, John McLoughlin, Robert Mitchell, R. Mihran and Ovsanna Mooradian, M&T Bank, Stephen and Mary Muller, John and Kelly Murray, NBT Bank, Christine Nealon, Kevin and Pat O’Bryan, Katrina and David Pacheco, Theresa Page, Mark P. Pattison and Laura Amos, Nina Pattison, Laura Petrovic, Ruth and Bob Pierpont, Pioneer Bank, Francis Pitts, Rensselaer County Chamber of Commerce, Rensselaer County IDA, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Dorothy Reynolds, Lou Rosamilia, Ken and Dorcas Rose, Michael Rynasko and Susan Troll, Ken Salzmann, SEFCU, Christopher Shaw and Bridget Ball Shaw, Patricia Shevy, Springwood Studio, Richard Sleeper and Jeannie Stiegler, State Farm, Dave Strack, David Swawite, TAP, Honorable Paul Tonko, Troy Living LLC, Troy Bike Rescue, Trustco Bank, Turner Construction Company, United Tenants of Albany, United Way of the Greater Capital Region, Betsy Voss, Patty Williams, Wojeski and Co, Garland and Deborah Yates, and CKYoung.

Popular Troy Landlord Training Program is Back!

2011-11-11T13:17:00.001-05:00

Wednesday, November 30th, 2011, 5:30 - 9:30pm

@The Homeownership Center

Maximize your return. Minimize your aggravation.

Did you know that TRIP has trained over 1000 landlords in its popular Landlord Training Program? This informative class is designed for landlords of any size property, including owner occupied, both newbies and old-timers. The training sessions are held two times each year. Participants learn best rental management practices in this four-hour session. Hear from TRIP's Rental Management Director, one of Troy's community police officers, a code enforcement inspector, Rensselaer Polytecnic Institute, and United Tenants. Seating Limited. $15 materials fee includes a light dinner served.

Please register in advance.

Learn about:

* EFFECTIVE TENANT SCREENING

* LEAD RULES & RESOURCES

* CODE ENFORCEMENT

* EVICTION PROCESS

* NUISANCE ABATEMENT

*SMOKE FREE HOUSING and more...

To Register please call The Homeownership Center at 690-0020
or To register online, click here.

Goodbye and Thank You

2011-11-11T13:09:00.000-05:00

Jeanette Nicholson

TRIP bids adieu - and thanks -- to Americorps*VISTA Volunteer Jeanette Nicholson. We can hardly believe that Jeanette's one year position here ends this month; the year has definitely flown by! Serving as TRIP's Outreach Worker, she has been so helpful in supporting various neighborhood groups, TNAC (Troy Neighborhoods Action Council), and the Vacant Properties Workgroup. She worked hard behind the scenes to ensure the success of community events like North Central's National Night Out and Earth Day cleanups, Uptown's Harvest Festival, TRIP's Open House at 2232 5th Avenue and more. She was a frequent face in the neighborhoods as part of TRIP's commitment to community-building.

Hilary Lamishaw, TRIP's Director of Community Affairs, claims, "Jeanette has brought such value to TRIP with her passion for Troy's neighborhoods. Yet what I'll miss most is her smile, enthusiasm and gentle nature. She was really a pleasure to work with. We're lucky that Jeanette is a long-time homeowner in Troy. We know we'll be seeing her out and about in Troy!"

From all of us at TRIP: "Thanks so much, Jeanette! It's been great having you as part of our team."

Two New Faces at TRIP

2011-11-11T12:44:00.001-05:00

Joining the TRIP team this month are two new AmeriCorp VISTA Volunteers. Claire Pitts and Mary Rynasko will be spending the next year as an Outreach Support Worker and a Program Support Worker respectively.

But what is a VISTA Volunteer? AmeriCorps "Volunteers in Service to America" has been on the front lines in the fight against poverty in America for more than 45 years. VISTA members commit to serve full-time for a year at a nonprofit organization or local government agency, working to fight illiteracy, improve health services, create businesses, strengthen community groups, and much more. With passion, commitment, and hard work, volunteers create or expand programs designed to bring individuals and communities out of poverty.

Mary

Mary Rynasko is a 2011 graduate of Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs. At Skidmore, she studied studio art and sociology focusing particularly on her interests in textiles, drawing, and gender studies. Mary says, “I learned of the position at TRIP through a family friend and started the ball rolling from there. I’ve spent the last four years taking a lot of art classes but always with an eye on how my work speaks to larger social issues. Through my study of sociology, I have become acutely aware of my own privileges and hope that my past and future decisions will position me to use those privileges as a tool for advancing equality; those who can do—should.” If you are curious to see how Mary spent her time and what sort of art she made at Skidmore, feel free to visit marynasko.com!!

Claire

Claire Pitts is a recent graduate of Alfred University with an Interdisciplinary Art major and a Dance minor. Though she loved living in a small town for the last four years, she missed her home in Troy and found herself excited to return at the end of her senior year. Claire states, “There is a creative and innovative energy in Troy that refuses to fade. I became a VISTA to encourage that energy to grow! I grew up guided by parents who were always involved in local non-profits, and it rubbed off on me in a big way. This year, I am looking forward to acquiring a skill set that will be helpful to not-for-profits. Already, I am excited about seeing some of TRIP’s current plans come to fruition. Troy is a beautiful place and I’d love to help its residents feel good about living here!” Claire makes sound and performance art and specializes in site-specific, modern dance. She has no website, but can provide links to some pretty silly dances she’s taken part in.

Giving Thanks to Our Community Supporters

2011-11-11T12:42:00.004-05:00


Joe Fama and Andrew Lynn

The TRIP/RCHR Annual Homecoming Dinner on October 24th was another wonderful event. The Troy Treasure Award went to Andrew Lynn of The Troy Bike Rescue. Andrew writes, "We had a great time at the dinner. We were truly honored to recognized by TRIP and to share the spotlight with TAP, two organizations that are so highly regarded in the Troy Community. We have a great amount of respect for Joe Fama and have known about his work and role in revitalizing Troy for some time. It feels pretty amazing to be recognized as a Troy Treasure also because we are a small all-volunteer non-profit, but we have big ideas and this means that Troy is taking us seriously. Thank you!!! Thanks TRIP!!! and thanks to our amazing community of supporters."

The Citizenship Award went to Joe Fama of Troy Architectural Project, Inc. (TAP) Joe says, "The three nicest things about being named a Community Citizenship Awardee are, first, the honor and amazement I feel at joining the list of previous recipients; people that I have admired and appreciated for their commitment and accomplishments to our community. Second, the evening itself. It was deeply moving to see so many dear friends, many that I had not seen in a very long time and many that have been with me every step of the way. Third, the deep sense of gratitude and kinship I feel with TRIP and its excellent staff and board who have shared this forty year labor of love in Troy, New York; our fabulous, funny and fascinating city." Thank you, Andrew and Joe, for all you do so tirelessly to make our city a great place to live.

A moving video presentation highlighted the evening with heartfelt words from several people expressing their gratefulness for the work of TRIP in their lives. It was an extraordinary and inspirational night. Thank you to all who made it special and to those who support the work of TRIP. If you would like to volunteer your time to help with planning next year's dinner, please call 272-8289. If you or your organization would like to donate to the work of TRIP and RCHR, please visit the donor page at our website.

Pastor Willie, Thanksgiving 2011: We Need Your Help!

2011-11-09T16:14:00.002-05:00

Missing Link Street Ministry, led by Pastor Willie Bacote, recipient of the 2010 Troy Treasure award at the TRIP/RCHR Homecoming Dinner, will again be sponsoring a Thanksgiving Day Community Dinner to help out families and individuals around Troy. Last year, over 1100 people were fed due to the generous support of people and businesses in our city.

Rev. Willie writes, "This year we are having great difficulty with our fund-raising efforts and are reaching out to you for help. Please volunteer your services or donate generously to feed the hungry, and to bring joy and love to Troy on Thanksgiving Day." Check out the video above for more info on how you can help.

Rev. Willie Bacote and E. Stewart Jones at last year's TRIP/RCHR Annual Homecoming Dinner

Complete dinners will be available from noon - 3pm on Thanksgiving Day, November 24th at the church or deliveries can be made by calling 421-5222 to make arrangements. Donations are being accepted and volunteers are needed to cook, serve, deliver and clean up. Please respond by contacting Reverend Willie D. Bacote, Missing Link Street Ministry, 3370 Sixth Avenue, Troy, NY 12182 or by phone at 421-5222 or 279-7096.

Meet the Candidates Night 2011

2011-09-30T15:55:00.002-04:00

Informed voters are the source of effective government leaders, and it is each citizen’s responsibility to gather as much available knowledge before casting his or her ballot. In an effort to educate members of the community, TRIP (Troy Rehabilitation & Improvement Program) and TNAC (Troy Neighborhoods Action Council) are sponsoring a Meet the Candidates Night to connect voters with those running for Troy Mayoral Office and City Council positions. Taking place on Tuesday, October 4^th, 2011 at School 12, 475 1^st Street, Troy, candidates will present their platforms and answer questions starting at 6:30pm and running until 9:00pm.

Attendees will hear each candidate’s opinions and solutions to issues facing the City of Troy, and thus be more confident in who to vote for come Election Day, November 8, 2011. Questions about the event should be directed toward the TRIP office at (518) 272-8289.

Annual TRIP and RCHR Homecoming Dinner

2011-09-30T15:55:00.001-04:00

This year’s TRIP and RCHR Annual Homecoming Dinner is sure to leave attendees with a glowing sense of community pride as well as full stomachs. Scheduled for Monday, October 24th at 5:30pm, guests will gather in the Franklin Terrace Ballroom, 126 Campbell Avenue, Troy. Joe Fama and Troy Bike Rescue will be greeted as the 2011 honorees.

Joe Fama is being recognized as the current Community Citizenship Awardee for his efforts over many years in serving the City of Troy with Troy Architechtural Program. (TAP)

Troy Bike Rescue has earned honors this year based on their ever-growing efforts to improve North Troy. Their workshop at 3260 6^th Ave. is the hub of bustling activity for both children and adults, providing a space to build and repair bicycles as well as friendships.

Those attending should plan to enjoy the event and RSVP by October 14, 2011. Any questions can be directed to the TRIP office, (518) 272-8289.

Two Fundraisers for Hurricane Irene Victims

2011-09-30T15:55:00.000-04:00

TEXAS HOLD 'EM FUNDRAISER

All proceeds from the tournaments will be used to help repair the damage to the Military Order of the Purple Heart that occurred during the Hurricane Irene flooding.
Dates: Sat., October 15th, Sat., November 12th, Sat., December 10th
Register: 1pm. Tournament Begins: 2pm
$65 Buy in: $10,000 in Chips. After 1st Hour: $20 Add-On, $5,000 in Chips
Includes Soda & Food
Tournament held at: Military Order of the Purple Heart 761 3rd Ave. in Lansingburgh
Top 7 or 8 finishers will be awarded money.
If you have any questions, please call PJ Higgitt 221-3428

AND

Hell and Highwater, or Lessons for When the Sky Falls

Wednesday Oct 26 7-11pm @ Russell Sage
Hell and High Water is a poetic, surprisingly funny, sharply satiric, and at times brutal play. A fantasia on the theme of security in America, Hell and High Water is based on the playwright's personal experience of surviving Hurricane Katrina.

"Was it morning in America or were we mourning America? I couldn't tell. It was fall in America. Or maybe the fall of America. I just couldn't tell." - Teacher Alice from Hell and High Water.

Working with Troy Shares, a local time bank which initiated flood clean-up, Troy Area United Ministries (TAUM) will direct all monies raised to benefit people affected by the recent flooding in Troy.

One of the organizers of the fundraiser, Amanda Santiago, whose home was flooded, is really excited about the partnership between Russell Sage and the community. "Its awesome! A lot of people whose homes were damaged or who lost items after the storm are elderly like my next-door neighbor who is in his 70's and lives by himself. My own family lives paycheck to paycheck. This fundraiser will be really helpful and it's great to see community taking care of community, and Russell Sage is part of that."

See this event on Facebook

Saving Our Housing Programs

2011-03-21T11:07:00.001-04:00

If you support the homeownership and housing services that TRIP and our sister organization, Rensselaer County Housing Resources (RCHR), provides to your neighbors, your communities -- and perhaps even you -- in Troy and the entire county, you might be shocked to know that the proposed State budget will eliminate and/or severely cut them. Here is why and what you can do.

The proposed State budget slashes funding for the Neighborhood and Rural Preservation Programs in half. These programs provide core funding to TRIP and RCHR to keep our agency, including our HomeOwnership Center, operating day-to-day. Therefore, these funds support many of our services including First-time Homebuyer Education, one-on-one financial counseling, Mini-Repair services and Landlord Training, among others. The small State investment is leveraged many times over, providing a great “bang for the buck.” For example, in 2010, through our HomeOwnership Center we counseled 436 families, produced 78 new homebuyers, provided home improvements and repairs to 220 seniors and 58 very low income families, and trained 64 landlords. This generated more than $10 million in mortgages, $1.8 million in local business, kept small contractors working, and more.

The proposed State budget eliminates funding for the Foreclosure Prevention Services Program. This program has provided resources for foreclosure prevention housing counselors (such as at TRIP’s HomeOwnership Center) and legal assistance providers to help homeowners prevent mortgage foreclosure when possible. Last year, TRIP’s foreclosure counselors helped 84 families in Rensselaer County who were facing foreclosure. This year, we expect to see many more families at risk of foreclosure due primarily to job losses or hours cut. In fact, the Federal Reserve Bank of NY found that in September 2010, in Rensselaer County there were 530 loans in foreclosure and just as many (525) where homeowners were more than 90 days late in their mortgage payment, leading to imminent risk of foreclosure. Experts believe that NYS is not even halfway through the foreclosure crisis, which means that foreclosure prevention services must continue in order to help homeowners navigate the very complicated foreclosure process. In turn, foreclosure assistance will help communities which also suffer when lenders foreclose: home conditions deteriorate, property taxes go unpaid, and surrounding housing values decline. Without additional funding for the Foreclosure Prevention Services Program, TRIP will likely lose our foreclosure counselors (1 FT, 1 PT) when our contract ends in December.

If you care about these services, your neighbors and your communities, we urge you to call your State representatives below and ask that they show their support for these housing programs by contacting their leaders.

- State Senator Roy McDonald at 455-2381

- Assembly-member Ron Canestrari (AD 106, much of Troy, Rensselaer, & Greenbushes) at 455-4474

- Assembly-member Steve McLaughlin (AD 108, various towns in Rens. Co) at 455-5777

- Assembly-member Tony Jordan (AD 112, eastern parts of Rens. Co) at 455-5404

Call as soon as possible as decisions are being made quickly to ensure a State budget agreement by April 1.

Troy non-profit tackling troubled neighborhoods

2011-01-04T11:17:00.005-05:00

News 10 also picked up our story. Check out the excellent video clip of the interview with Executive Director Patrick Madden

News 10
Posted: Dec 29, 2010 10:51 PM EST

Video: TRIP helping to rebuild Troy

TROY, N.Y.-It's not obvious, but Fifth Avenue in Troy is once again in the middle of a rehabilitation project.

"The interesting thing is, one building can ruin a block. When this building wasn't managed well, we had other tenants in our adjoining properties and wanted out. They wanted to leave," said Patrick Madden of the Troy Rehabilitation Improvement Program, or TRIP, did exactly what his non-profit organization has been doing since 1968.

TRIP bought the building, completely gutting it, rebuilding the inside from top to bottom.

"It's important for us to not only get this building for this building. But, for this block," said Madden.

TRIP has renovated about 150 properties around the city many of them on Fifth Avenue. All are then rented to lower-income families. This particular one was bought a year ago but, work on the inside just began last week.

Crews are making the inside as green and energy efficient as possible, realizing utility costs can often break the bank.

People living nearby saying the rehab projects are clearly better than the alternative, which are neglected properties and vacant lots.

"I think it's great," said Chris Wise. "If they aren't being used otherwise and they're all run down, I think it's great they're trying to build them back up make it a better place."
The current venture on Fifth Avenue is expected to be completed by April or May.

Troy Rehabilitation Improvement Program continues to create affordable housing

2011-01-04T11:02:00.000-05:00

Thanks to the Troy Record for this great article about TRIP's work in our community.

By Cecelia Martinez
The Record

Published: Wednesday, December 29, 2010

TROY — The gutted three-story row house at 2232 Fifth Ave. may not look like much now, but the building — and its upcoming renovation — represent the efforts of the Troy Rehabilitation Improvement Program (TRIP) to bring problem neighborhoods back into prominence, one house at a time. The not-for-profit organization has purchased the building and begun the process of turning it into an energy-efficient, four-family home for low-income families, with the hope of not only benefiting the future tenants but also anchoring the block for decades to come.

TRIP is a multi-service agency, acting as a stabilizer and landlord to tenants in dozens of rehabilitated buildings throughout the city, as well as a partner for community improvement efforts like this summer’s Paint the Boards program in the North Central neighborhood. Now, for the first time in years, it is taking on a complete overhaul with this building, which was shut down after numerous complaints and code violations.

“Our goal is to create living environments where people want to stay,” said TRIP Executive Director Wm. Patrick Madden. “We want people to live here because they like it here, not because it’s the only thing they can afford. That’s the environment we want to create, not only for the tenants but for the block as well.”

Renovations were already under way Tuesday afternoon, with George Tidmarsh from A.J. Arpy in Ballston Spa doing reinforcement work in the building. Many of the architectural features of the 19th-century building are still in place, including tile work in the entranceway, the stairway railing and an old dumbwaiter near the back stairway. Once completed, the new layout will include three-bedroom units on the top two floors with two smaller units on the first floor.

“We’re really able to reconfigure the floor plan to make it more in keeping with today’s market demands — bigger bedrooms, more bathroom space,” said Madden. “If we were to keep six bedrooms in each of these units the building would just have too many people.” The tenants will be selected from TRIP’s own roster of eligible families, contingent on income requirements based on family size. Madden said that he does not yet have tenants in mind or know what the rent would be, as it is dictated by income. TRIP would own the building long term, for at least 20 years.

With the announcement of the project, TRIP is also reaching out to the community for support through donations, which help to cover costs not met by grants and other revenue sources.

“We’re getting hit on all fronts, just like everybody else,” said Madden, referring to decreased donations and cuts to government-provided funding. “Yet, more and more people are coming in because they’re hurting as well and need help with housing.”

TRIP is already very familiar with this block of Fifth Avenue. Not only is their office within walking distance, but it also owns a string of buildings across the street from the planned rehab. In 1985, it purchased its first building on the block, the former Mr. Robert’s Pub, that had also seen its share of neglect and mismanagement.

“Let’s just say it wasn’t an asset in the community,” said Madden, adding that when they went in to gut the building, they started pulling 22 slugs out of the wall — the remnants from shootings that had apparently taken place at the pub. After the first renovation, they purchased a few more on the block. “We rehabbed all of those and we continue to own and manage those, having maintained them over the years.”

TRIP’s goal isn’t real estate dominance, however. Madden said the organization likes to see a mix of owners and tenants. One building on the block was recently purchased by TRIP and then sold to a family that wanted to oversee renovations themselves.

“We don’t aspire to own a block or a neighborhood, but sometimes there are buildings that have to be done with a lot of investment and we can commit and do that,” he said. TRIP’s presence in the community also helps to grow the tax base – the organization elects to pay property taxes on all of its 65 properties throughout the city, despite being a nonprofit.

The building will also be renovated with environmentally-friendly features like spray insulation, on-demand hot water heaters and Energy Star appliances to keep utility costs low for tenants.

“We’ve been paying attention to energy for a good number of years, and wherever we can raise money to do it, we’re doing it,” said Madden. “We realize that energy is becoming a larger and larger component of the cost of housing for poor people.”

Renovations are expected to be completed in spring of 2011, with tenants moving in shortly after the building is ready. Madden hopes that the project can spur private investment in the neighborhood.

“This should be a very desirable block,” said Madden. “We have the economic development going on down on River Street, with the Hedley Building and the possible creation of more jobs and opportunities. We’re hoping to see that spread out and this building as contributing to the revitalization of this whole neighborhood.”

TRIP’s offices are located at 415 River St. in Troy. For more information or to make a donation, contact 272-8289 or visit www.triponline.org.

Cecelia Martinez can be contacted at 270-1294 or by e-mail at cmartinez@troyrecord.com.

A Message of Gratitude to Our Friends

2010-12-14T14:47:00.034-05:00

A huge THANK YOU goes out to TRIP’s many supporters in 2010! Your gift to TRIP helps improve Troy by rehabilitating blighted buildings, creating and educating new homeowners, preventing foreclosures, making available high quality affordable apartments to families, providing home repairs to seniors, assisting landlords, and supporting neighborhood groups.

Furthermore, donations to TRIP are investments directly into our local economy. Donations to TRIP have a multiplier effect, enabling us to leverage over $7.7 million additional dollars into Troy’s community through private, federal and state sources. We are very proud of the work we do and the benefits that it brings to Troy. However, we could not do it without those of you who support us – through the tough times as well as the good times. You are all extremely valued partners in our success. Your dedication to the well-being and health of our community is greatly appreciated.

If you haven’t yet joined the list of supporters, it’s not too late! Click on the link here and you too can become an investor in Troy’s future.

Thanks to all our donors in 2010!
Betsy Voss, Mike Esposito, Shevy Law Firm, Hon. Roy McDonald, Hon. Ronald Canestrari, John Madden, Jr., Judith A. Barnes, David & Katie Haviland, Sunmark Federal Credit Union, Doug Kallenburg, John Nigro, Linda Mappes, Northeast Health, Chet & Karen Opalka, Jacqueline Witbeck, J.W. Pfeil & Company, SEFCU, Pioneer Bank, Commission on Economic Oppportunity, Kevin & Pat O'Bryan, Hon. Kathleen Jimino, Michael Danforth, Robert Burke, Wally & Jane Altes, Pattison, Sampson, Ginsberg & Griffin, Legal Aid Society, Seton Health, Massry Charitable Foundation, Lynn Kopka, Robert & Janet MacLasco, United Group of Companies, Arthur Ross, Emma Willard School, NeighborWorks America, Hon. Edward Spain, TD Bank, Robert Miller, John Murray, Hannaford, United Way of Greater Capital Region, Robert Gamble, Omni Housing Development, Don Fane, The Community Preservation Corporation, First Niagara Bank, Garrett Degraff, Joseph Fleming, Architecture+, NBT Bank, Rensselaer County IDA, M & T Bank, Groff Networks, Alane & Paul Hohenberg, Key Bank, William Schroeder & Wendy Pattison, Kim & E. Stewart Jones, Jr., Ken & Dorcas Rose, Lynne Gelzheiser & Wayne Metsch, Capital District Community Loan Fund, Rensselaer County Chamber of Commerce, Gwen Krause, Charles Freihoffer, Anonymous, Marie Gavazzi, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Unity House, Chris & Bridget Ball Shaw, Ken & Sandy Salzmann, Kim Mazor, Hon. Randolph Treece, E.H. Nash, Mark Pattison & Laura Amos, Mozella Irving, Anthony Cardona, O'Connell & Aronowitz, John G. Stewart, Nina Pattison, R. Mihran Mooradian, Warren Fane, Jodi Flood, Barbara Higbee, Bartle, McGrane, Duffy, & Jones, The Community Hospice, John McCann, Anne Patnode, Dreyer Boyajian, Lisa Barone, Jack Casey, John Casey, Hon. Peter Grimm, Sandy Gull, Christine Nealon, Katherine & Calvin Young, Hon. Matthew Turner, Monica Kurzejeski, Carl Erickson, Key Bank, Patrick Madden, Kaleel Jamison Consulting Group, Bob & Robin Cuddy, Ann F. Ellery, Hilary Lamishaw, Turner Construction Company, O'Bryan Family Foundation, Bank of America, Thomas McGuire, First United Presyterian Church, HSBC, Trustco Bank, Key Foundation, Citizens Bank, and State Farm.

The Value of One

2010-12-14T14:29:00.000-05:00

2232 5th Ave

Revitalizing Community
One Piece at a Time

There will be a new look on an old house at 2232 5th Avenue in Troy. TRIP recently purchased this four-unit, architecturally-interesting but long-neglected building. We are in the process of doing a complete rehabilitation of the building with plans for a ribbon-cutting in Spring 2011.

When finished, there will be upgraded, energy efficient units for tenants at affordable prices, a new appealing facade that will improve the street scape for neighbors as well as passersby, and another property will have been returned to the City's tax roll. It sounds simple and on the face of it, it is. The actual project, however, is a huge endeavor requiring lots of staff planning time, securing adequate financing from a variety of sources, coordinating various partners, architectural plans, contractor bids, and ... that's before rehabilitation can even begin!


2232 5th Ave. Rendering by Randy Rumpf

Despite the difficulties of taking a simple idea through its very complex implementation from beginning to end, we know its the right thing to do. We believe in the value of one in community revitalization: that the transformation of one blighted building into a productive, viable property benefits the entire block; that investment in one building can encourage other property owners to invest as well; that a well-cared look of a building can attract renters who likewise want to take care of it.

Through TRIP's HomeOwnership Center, this same philosophy -- the power of one -- underlines our homeownership education and landlord training programs, among others. The addition of one responsible homeowner or landlord adds to the fabric of that community.

TRIP could not help to revitalize Troy's communities without its many partners over the past four decades of our existence. We appreciate the support from so many people, organizations, and companies. And we hope that you will continue this support by making a donation today. Thanks.

To make a donation by mail or online, click here.

We Give Thanks

2010-11-14T21:06:00.003-05:00

Rev. Willie Bacote and E. Stewart Jones, Esq.

This year's TRIP/RCHR Annual Homecoming Dinner on Oct. 20th was once again a great success. The Troy Treasure Award was given to Rev. Willie Bacote of Missing Link Ministry. The Citizenship Award went to E. Stewart Jones, Esq. Both of these men give of their resources to our community in countless ways. Guests were entertained by MC Jack Casey who even wrote some songs for the occasion.

TRIP's Executive Director Patrick
Madden with E. Stewart Jones, Esq.

The stories and the laughter were wonderful. A video presentation highlighted the evening and then it came to a close with a beautiful testimony from a homeowner who shared her story and gratefulness for the work of TRIP in her family. It was an extraordinary and inspirational night. Thank you to all who made it special and to those who support the work of TRIP.

If you would like to volunteer your time to help with planning next year's dinner, please call 272-8289.

Energy $aving$$$ Programs

2010-11-14T20:33:00.002-05:00

Here's a conundrum: it costs money to save money... on energy expenses, that is! While it's obvious that energy conservation measures can reduce your utility bills, many of us wonder how to afford the up-front costs. Here are several options:

Federal Tax Credit for Energy Efficient Home Improvements

If you are ready to do energy efficient home improvements, don’t miss the boat on the federal tax credit which expires on December 31, 2010. The credit is for 30% of the cost of improvements up to $1,500. Only work done in existing homes that serve as one’s principal residence is eligible. New construction and rentals do not qualify. There is no upper or lower limit on income for the energy efficient tax credits.

Eligible home improvements include HVAC (heating, ventilating, air conditioning) work, biomass stoves (including wood and wood pellets), insulation, roofs (metal and asphalt), water heaters (non-solar) and windows and doors. Tax credits are available through the end of 2016 for solar energy systems, residential wind turbines, and geothermal heat pumps.

Tax credits are being administered by the IRS (www.irs.gov/contact).

To apply to the credit, you need to file IRS Form 5695 and submit it with your 2010 taxes, due April 15, 2011. You should save your receipts and the Manufacturer's Certification Statement for your records. For more information, see http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=tax_credits.tx_index

Financing Home Improvements

Work that is performed by a participating Building Performance Institute Accredited Home Performance Contractor qualifies for financing through any of the options listed below:

1. ENERGY STAR Financing (1 and 2 family owner-occupied only)

Low-interest ENERGY STAR Financing is offered through the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR program. Your contractor can supply you with the current interest rate. The following conditions apply:

* This is an unsecured loan, not a second mortgage or equity loan.

* The limit on the loan is $15,000 or $20,000, depending on your credit score.

* You can select a term of 3, 5, 7 or 10 years.

* Financing is available to owner-occupied 1- or 2-family homes.

2. New York Energy $martSMResidential Loan Fund

Energy $mart Loans are offered through a network of Participating Residential Loan Fund Lenders servicing New York State. The following conditions apply:

* Loans up to $20,000 ($30,000 in the Consolidated Edison service territory) may be obtained on a secured or unsecured basis, at the option of the Lender and the Borrower.

* Your interest rate is bought down by up to 4.0% or 400 basis points, reduced as low as 3.0%, for a term up to ten (10) years.

* Procedures and conditions may vary by Participating Lender, and by loan.

Eligible Improvements for 1-4 Family Homes are those Eligible Measures and Accessories that have been determined by NYSERDA to meet the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® Program guidelines.

3. Homeowner Financing Incentive

If you choose not to use either ENERGY STAR Financing or the New York Energy $martSM Loan Fund, you may be eligible to receive 10% of the cost of eligible energy efficiency improvements, up to a maximum incentive of $3,000.

4. Additional Incentives Based on Income Eligibility

Households with an income equal to or lower than 80% of state or area median income, whichever is greater, can receive additional financial incentives through Assisted Home Performance with ENERGY STAR®. That's an income of nearly $60,000 a year for a family of 4 in most counties and higher in several downstate counties. If you are income-eligible, you may receive assistance to cover up to 50% of the cost of energy improvements. Contact Energy Finance Solutions at 1-800-361-5663 to see if you are eligible.

Single Family: The building occupant's income must be less than or equal to what is listed in the income guidelines for the number of people living in the household. A 50% subsidy up to $5,000 may be available.

Renters: Income-qualified tenants can receive up to a 50% subsidy towards the purchase of ENERGY STAR appliances and lighting or other energy-reducing products. Use the income guidelines to determine if you are income-eligible.

2-4 Family Building Owners: Assisted Home Performance with ENERGY STAR will perform work in 2-4 unit buildings where either the owner is income qualified and occupies one of the units, or tenants are income-qualified. An income qualified owner that occupies a unit in a 2-4 unit building can receive a subsidy of up to $5,000 for the whole building without any income verification required for the tenants. A higher subsidy, up to a total of $10,000 per building, may be available if tenants also are income eligible.

So get smart and get energy savings. For more information, go to http://www.getenergysmart.org/.

Troy Grants for Home Improvements

2010-11-14T20:32:00.003-05:00

(Troy – November 4, 2010) Mayor Harry Tutunjian announced the city has been awarded a grant from the Affordable Housing Corporation (AHC) in the amount of $300,000 to improve 100 homes in South Troy. Combined with matching $200,000 from the city’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) monies, this money will be used towards improving 50 single-family and 50 two-family homes.

“Earlier this year, I announced the city would be taking an innovative approach to neighborhood revitalization by targeting two areas for infrastructure improvements and neighborhood sustainability projects. These grants for exterior rehabilitation will create a better quality of life and improve neighborhood viability for one hundred homes,” said Mayor Tutunjian. “By revitalizing neighborhood infrastructure and quality of life the city will be in a position to market itself to new homeowners seeking to purchase a home in an area that provides safe neighborhoods and quality basic services.”

"It is wonderful to see the diligent efforts of the various neighborhood groups, myself, and the Mayor pay dividends in the awarding of these facade grants to continue the initiative to improve South Troy. I will strongly advocate our homeowners in District Six participate in this program that will enable the property improvements essential to maintaining and improving the quality of life in our South Troy neighborhoods," Councilman Gary Galuski (D – District 6).

Earlier this year at the Mayor’s direction, the city’s Department of Planning and Community Development unveiled an innovative plan for the city’s CDBG monies in the new Five Year Consolidated Plan. This plan will invest $5 million over the next five years in South Troy and North Central neighborhood areas and received City Council approval.

Back then, Tutunjian noted that $1.2 million is budgeted for what’s being termed the “South Troy Reinvestment Area” to pay for various projects including housing and street improvements, new playground equipment, better sidewalks, more efficient and safer lighting, building stabilization where feasible, vacant building demolition where necessary, and handicapped accessibility projects. This area includes all the neighborhoods from Canal Street south to Main Street and from 1st Street east to 4th Street.

Additionally, Tutunjian’s recommendations continued funding quality of life programs such as the Neighborhood Improvement through Code Enforcement (NICE) that focus on specific neighborhoods in an intensive effort to correct minor and/or exterior violations before they develop into blight.

Upon receipt of the grant, the city will develop an application process to determine income eligibility, which cannot exceed 112% of the median income for that census tract. Awarding of the grants will then be determined by the type of project and may include rehabilitation of porches, steps, exterior painting, roof repairs, among other options.

It is anticipated the city will announce the opening for applications in Spring 2011.

As the Weather Gets Cold, Think "Weatherization"

2010-11-14T20:31:00.003-05:00

While the chill in the air may be invigorating if you're raking, running, hiking or otherwise enjoying the outdoors, it sure isn't fun to feel it in your house. As we all know, keeping warm costs money. National Weatherization Day, November 1st, was recognized in Troy earlier this month with a demonstration at a Sixth Avenue home in Troy. The day helps to raise awareness about assistance available to families through the weatherization assistance program. Weatherization helps those least able to afford expensive energy bills to significantly lower their costs, allowing seniors and others who would otherwise be forced to leave to stay in their homes. It is also an important step toward a clean energy environment in which homes are made energy efficient.

State and local officials, community leaders and others toured the three-unit building and watched a blower demonstration. Karen Gordon, executive director of the Commission on Economic Opportunity (CEO), said the program helps families in need to conserve energy and reduce their costs for heat, cooling, and electricity. The family at the Sixth Avenue home will save nearly 50% on last year's heating costs thanks to the energy saving measures. They took advantage of the weatherization assistance program through CEO, Rensselaer County's provider agency. Locally, CEO expects to weatherize 410 houses throughout Rensselaer County within the next year, using federal and state funding.

Families interested in learning more about weatherization services available through the program should contact the CEO at 272-6012.

Don't Be A Victim: Protect Your Identity

2010-10-19T11:42:00.001-04:00

Don't be a victim of identity theft, a growing problem in the United States. According to John Walsh, Acting Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), “Over 10 million Americans were affected by identity theft last year. Consumers must protect themselves and become educated about identity theft to prevent and resolve problems.”

To help in this effort, the OCC has joined with others and has designated October 17 – 23, 2010 Protect Your Identity Week.

From the OCC's press release this week:

WASHINGTON — The Office of Comptroller of the Currency has joined the public-private coalition that supports the third annual Protect Your Identity Week (PYIW), an initiative of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) and the Council of Better Business Bureaus (BBB). The week-long initiative, October 17 – 23, 2010, brings focus to the PYIW national campaign’s Web site and community events aimed at identity theft protection and education.

As part of this initiative, the OCC has made Web resources available that help consumers understand identity theft risks and how they may safeguard their personal information.

Consumers can find PYIW educational events in their area, hosted by local NFCC and BBB members, or other coalition partners, by visiting www.ProtectYourIDNow.org. Consumers can take advantage of identity theft workshops, onsite shredding and credit report reviews. The Web site also includes identity theft protection tips, videos, an interactive quiz to assess an individual’s risk of identity theft, and resources for victims. The Web site is also available in Spanish at www.CuideSuIdentidad.org. The OCC’s resources on identity theft may be accessed from the “Consumer Resources” section of the PYIW Web site.

Celebrating the Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region's 25th Anniversary

2010-10-19T11:40:00.000-04:00

The Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region is celebrating its 25th Anniversary on Monday, Oct. 25th from 5-7pm at the State Capitol. This organization has been making loans available to small business owners, not-for-profit organizations and homeowners throughout the area, providing credit when it otherwise was unavailable or too expensive to access.

TRIP was one of the very borrowers, helping us meet the financing gap on several of our earliest housing developments. Since then, there is an illustrious list of Troy-based businesses or groups which have sought financing from the Community Loan Fund, including Olde Judge Mansion B&B, The Sanctuary for Independent Media, Ark Community Charter School, Café Deli-icious, Troy Community Food Coop, Xs to Os Vegan Bakery, Independent Living Center, Art Gallery, Friends of Washington Park (street resurfacing), TAUM, and more.

Through a $1 million award from the US Department of Treasury last year, the Community Loan Fund created a Residential Lending Committee to provide mortgages and repair loans, enabling homebuyers and homeowners some financing options. This is important given the current credit crunch which has made home loans very difficult to access. The first residential loan assisted a customer of TRIP's HomeOwnership Center.

We appreciate the investment that the Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region makes in Troy! For more information about the Celebration on October 25th, contact Linda@mycommunityloanfund.org.

http://www.mycommunityloanfund.org/

Interest Rates are Low

2010-10-19T11:39:00.001-04:00

The State of New York Mortgage Agency (SONYMA) now has the lowest interest rates ever offered in 40 years. SONYMA's Low Interest Rate Program is at a rate of 4% and it's Achieving the Dream Program, for low-income first-time homebuyers, is at 3.5%!

SONYMA is dedicated to providing affordable home ownership opportunities to low- and moderate-income families in the State of New York by offering competitively-priced mortgages. SONYMA was created in 1970 with the mission of helping low- and moderate- income families become homeowners. It offers a variety of low down payment mortgages that provide below-market fixed interest rates, as well as closing cost assistance through a network of participating lenders across the state.

SONYMA offers six mortgage programs as well as mortgage credit certificates to assist you with the purchase of a home in New York State. Each mortgage program features a competitive interest rate, low down payment requirements, no prepayment penalties and down payment assistance, while the mortgage credit certificates offer a federal income tax credit. Each of these features are designed to make your home purchase more affordable.

For more information:

http://www.nyhomes.org/index.aspx?recordid=1331&page=9

http://www.nyhomes.org/index.aspx?page=48

Visit www.triponline.org for more information about TRIP's HomeOwnership Center and how we can help you purchase a home.

Single Stream Recycling in Troy

2010-10-19T11:38:00.000-04:00

Mayor Harry Tutunjian has announced that residents can now combine all of their recyclables into one container and no longer need to separate them. This new process called “single stream recycling” makes recycling easier for the residents while incurring no additional costs to the city.

“Single stream recycling means you no longer have to keep paper and cardboard products separate from plastics, metals and other commodities. Instead, you can place all of your recyclable materials into one blue recycling bin and not have to worry about what goes where,” said Mayor Tutunjian. “Increasing the ease of recycling has been shown to reduce the amount of garbage that goes to our landfills. Single stream recycling is a simple, environmentally friendly way to support ‘green’ practices all at no cost to our residents.”

According to their website, in December 2009, County Waste and Recycling launched Single Stream Recycling (SSR), which allows all recyclable materials – glass, paper, metal, cardboard and plastics – to be placed in the recycling bin for collection. Once collected, the recyclables are taken to County Waste and Recycling’s facility to be sorted and processed for shipment to recyclers. The result, according to County Waste and Recycling, has increased recycling rates by 24% in the communities where it’s been implemented.

Tutunjian noted that for SSR to achieve its maximum effect, it’s important to note what not to recycle including: trash, pizza boxes, diapers, clothing, styrofoam, bottle/can caps or lids, food, compost, yard waste, electronics, and construction debris.

Tutunjian noted that the city’s recycling program has had a significant, positive impact on City finances, specifically in the area of avoided disposal costs. Annual solid waste disposal for the City averages $1.2 million. Through the curbside recycling program the City has saved an average of $115,000 annually.

Please be advised that collection containers should be placed for collection after 6:00 PM the night before your scheduled collection day. If your recycling is not collected, please leave the container out and call the DPW dispatcher at 270-4579.

For more information on the city’s program and list of acceptable items to recycle please visit www.troyny.gov/recycling.html. To learn more about County Waste’s SSR program please visit www.county-waste.com/ssr.html.

Furnace Repair or Replacement

2010-10-19T11:09:00.001-04:00

The Furnace Repair and Replacement Component of the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is available to help eligible low-income home owners repair or replace furnaces, boilers and other direct heating components necessary to keep the home's primary heating source functional.

Furnace benefits amounts are based on the actual cost incurred to replace or repair the applicants’ furnace, boiler, and/or other essential heating equipment necessary to keep the home's primary heating source operational.

To receive a benefit, an application must be made in person at the local Department of Social Services and the applicant must receive a determination from the local department of social services that the applicant has met all established eligibility criteria, including established income and resource requirements. Benefits are paid directly to vendors after completion of all work for previously approved applications only.

Applications for furnace repairs or replacements are available at your local Department of Social Services office.

2010-2011 HEAP Benefit Gross Monthly Income Guidelines

Your total gross monthly income for your household size must be at or below the following guidelines:
Effective 10/01/10-9/30/11

Household Size	Maximum Gross Monthly Income
1	$2,129
2	$2,784
3	$3,439
4	$4,094
5	$4,749
6	$5,404
7	$5,527
8	$5,650
9	$5,773
10	$5,896
11	$6,029
Each additional	Add $468

Questions regarding the HEAP program should be directed to your local Department of Social Services Office or the NYS HEAP Hotline at 1-800-342-3009.

Meet this Year's Troy Treasure

2010-09-16T09:06:00.000-04:00

TRIP is pleased to announce that this year's winner of the much-coveted 2010 Troy Treasure award will go to Pastor Willie D. Bacote of The Missing Link Street Ministry Mission. Pastor Willie has been a long-time active proponent of families and particularly of children, especially those living in North Central Troy. He has been involved in the ministry since moving to Troy in the mid-1990’s, but never more so than in the past several years through The Missing Link Street Ministry Mission, located at 3370 Sixth Avenue.

Resulting from his deep concern for children’s safety, he has sponsored various anti-violence marches involving many of the neighborhoods’ families who are impacted by street violence. To remove guns from the streets, he created a gun buyback program that has collected over three hundred guns in the City of Troy since the program began.

But perhaps Pastor Willie is best known for the daily ministry he and others perform by providing hot meals to children free of charge. He started the Feed A Kid Program through The Missing Link Street Ministry in North Central more than two years ago so that no child would go to bed hungry despite issues of poverty or drug/alcohol addictions in their households. The program offers hot meals three evenings a week from 6 - 8pm, some evenings feeding close to one hundred children.

Of course, he doesn’t do this alone. There are many partners who have joined with him to feed our city's children, and to them, he -- and we -- are appreciative. For more information about how to help or to make a donation, go to www.missinglinkstreetministry.com.

Thanks to Pastor Willie’s wonderful leadership, consistent involvement and outstanding service and the difference that he has made in the lives of thousands of families in Troy, we are proud to call him this year’s Troy Treasure.

Pastor Willie will be honored at TRIP/RCHR”s Annual Dinner on October 20th. See www.triponline.org for details.

Fall's Coming: Home Projects Checklist

2010-09-16T09:03:00.000-04:00

From americanhomeguides.com

Well, we can't deny it any longer; fall is in the air.

And that means that winter is just around the corner, so now is the ideal time to be getting yourself ready for the cold months ahead. To get you started, here are a few things to put on the list.

Check the gutters: Fall is the ideal time to check your gutter and downspout systems. Clear the gutters of leaf and pine needle debris, and check that the opening between the gutter and the downspout is unobstructed. Look for loose joints or other structural problems with the system, and repair them as needed using pop rivets. Use a gutter sealant to seal any connections where leaks may be occurring.
Drain sprinkler systems: In colder areas, now is the time to be thinking about having your sprinkler and irrigation systems blown out. You can rent a compressor and do this yourself, or contact a landscape or irrigation system installer and them handle this for you. This is also the time to shut off outdoor faucets and install freeze-proof faucet covers as needed.
Check the fireplace: It's about time to get those logs burning, so get the fireplace ready! Clean the fireplace chimney or wood stove flue using brushes approved for the size and type of flue you have. If you're not partial to ladders, roofs and soot, this is a good project to leave to an experienced chimney sweep company as most do a great job at a very reasonable price. Clean out the firebox, making sure you place the ashes in a fireproof container with a tight lid for proper disposal. If you have an airtight wood stove or fireplace insert, check the door-seal gasket, and clean the glass on the door.
Change your furnace filters. Replace your old furnace filter with a new one. While you're at it, check the furnace for worn belts, lubrication needs, or other servicing that might be required, refer to your owner's manual for specific suggestions, and follow any manufacturer safety instructions for shutting the power and fuel to the furnace before servicing.
Clean your ducts: Now is also a great time to clean your furnace ducts. If it's been a while since that's been done, hire a professional duct cleaning service to handle this chore. If you've had it done within the last couple of years and you've been good about changing your filter, then all you should need to worry about is removing the register covers and vacuuming out the boots with shop vacuum.
Handle those yard chores: Many plants require pruning this time of year, and lawns should be fertilized with a fall/winter fertilizer to feed them through the winter and get them ready for a fast green-up when spring returns.
Close off foundation vents: Depending on the winter climate in your area, you'll want to be thinking about closing off your foundation vents to help prevent pipe freezes. You can leave the foundation open for as many months as the weather remains mild, but close them off when the local forecasts begin calling for freezing temperatures. Once closed, you can leave them that way until it warms up again in the spring.
Pack up the patio: Check and clean patio furniture and put them away for the winter. Clean and cover removable furniture cushions to protect them from dust and dirt, but be sure the cushions are dry before storing in order to prevent mildew growth.
Add a humidifier: Plagued with dry skin, cracking furniture, or maybe even an occasional nose bleed? Winters are dryer than summers, and closing ourselves up indoors with furnaces and especially wood-burning appliances going full blast will dry you and your house out in a hurry. You might want to think about adding a central humidifier to your forced air heating system, or simply setting up one or two portable units in key areas of the house such as the living room or bedroom.
Check weather-stripping: Air leaks around doors and windows can rob your home of expensive heated air and create uncomfortable drafts that keep you feeling chilly. Check the weather-stripping around doors and windows, and replace any that are worn. Retailers who specialize in doors and windows can fix you up with the proper replacement type for your situation. Now is also a good time to close up a few more air leaks by checking the condition of caulking around exterior door and window frames.

Troy Celebrates Peace Day

2010-09-16T08:59:00.000-04:00

What is Peace Day?

The International Day of Peace provides an opportunity for individuals, organizations and nations to create practical acts of peace on a shared date. It was established by a United Nations resolution in 1981, and in 2002, the General Assembly officially declared September 21 as the permanent date for the International Day of Peace. On Tuesday, September 21, 2010, men, women and children from around the world will celebrate this day, also known as "Peace Day."

Join with others from Troy and around the world to nurture peace
In 2009, a group of Troy residents and business owners came to together to create a day of celebration for Troy in the spirit of the original vision that brought forth the Charter of the United Nations which envisions building a Culture of Peace in the 21st century, uniting the strengths of organizations, businesses, projects and peoples in order to make peace a practical reality.

Banners asking "How can I/we make Peace?" have been hanging all over Troy this month inviting the residents of Troy to write their thoughts about peace. On Peace Day, church bells around the city will ring at noon inviting all to join a moment of silence for peace. There will be opportunities to find peace through yoga or meditation, children will be making art, a Peace Walk will be held downtown in the evening and there will be a music celebration at The Judges Inn. For more info about events, visit http://troypeace.org/.

Anyone, anywhere can celebrate Peace Day. It can be as simple as lighting a candle at noon, or just sitting in silent meditation. Or it can involve getting co-workers, organizations, communities or governments engaged in a large event. Or spending some time volunteering for a local charity or not-for-profit that works everyday to make lives in the community more peaceful by solving problems such as hunger, homelessness, domestic violence and providing a safe place for children after school. Since its inception, Peace Day has grown to include millions of people in all parts of the world, and each year events are organized to commemorate and celebrate this day, with the commitment to peace expressed in diverse and creative ways.

Along with being designated by the UN as the International Day of Peace, September 21 is also a day of Global Ceasefire. The cessation of hostilities for 24 hours enables relief workers to reach civilians in need with food, water, and medical supplies in areas that are often unreachable due to heavy fighting. These activities cover various areas of need and contribute towards peace-building and lives being saved: immunization campaigns, water and sanitation programs, the building of homes, gun amnesties, distribution of humanitarian aid, sports activities focused on reconciliation, workshops on human–wildlife conflicts and peace and security issues.

For Peace Day events in Troy visit: http://troypeace.org

Find out more about the International Day of Peace at: http://internationaldayofpeace.org

Find out more about the Culture of Peace Initiative at: http://cultureofpeace.org/

Find out more about Peace One Day at: http://peaceoneday.org

Compiled by Katherine Young

County Waste

2010-08-16T09:45:00.000-04:00

Troy can't be lead agency in County Waste expansion

By Cecelia Martinez
Reprinted from The Record

TROY - The state Department of Environmental Conservation will extend the comment period an additional week for the proposed expansion of a County Waste transfer station in South Troy, but the City Council will not be able to seek lead agency status under the State Environmental Quality Review Act process. According to DEC Region 4 spokesperson Rick Georgeson, the city administration never responded to a June letter sent out regarding lead agency.

Its not clear that they could even be lead agency if they wanted to, because they have to have some kind of permitting authority, said Georgeson. They'd have to tell us if they have any permitting authority for this type of change. At this point we don't know because they never responded.

City spokesperson Jeff Pirro said that he could not immediately determine whether or not the letter was received by the Mayors Office, but did release a statement via e-mail.

"I support the DEC extending the period allowing residents to comment and learn more about the operations at the County Waste site. DEC has stringent policies in place to permit and monitor these operations for environmental compliance," said Mayor Harry Tutunjian, adding that the city will install new signage and use enforcement to address resident complaints about the use of city streets for truck traffic. County Waste has invested significantly in that site. It is much cleaner and safer than it was six years ago when I took office.

Because they never received a response, the DEC took over as lead agency and made a negative declaration for the proposal on July 20. After multiple residents spoke out against the proposed expansion to the tonnage and operation hours of the station at last weeks regular meeting, City Council President Clem Campana, D-At Large, said the Council planned to seek lead agency status. Upon hearing that the SEQR process was already completed, Campana said No steps can be skipped in this process. It seemed like this thing just ramped right up without anybody knowing about it.

Campana said that members of the Council plan to meet with the DEC and have reached out to County Waste to hold some kind of open house so that residents can get a better idea of the stations operations.

The process was flawed, like most things with the city, so lets get back on track and get it done the right way, Campana said.

Even with the SEQR process already completed, changes can still be made to the proposed expansion.

The negative declaration means it does not have to go through a full-blown environmental impact statement, but if we did receive significant, substantive comments that we felt warranted further action we could either deny the permit or approve it with amendments, said Georgeson, adding that amendments could include a change in the proposed hours of operation or other permit conditions.

Comments received by the DEC are responded to, after which point a decision will be made a process that could last months.

It varies tremendously based on the project, said Georgeson. We work with County Waste to prepare responses; well look at them and if we have any further questions or concerns well have them amend it.

Georgeson said that the DEC has only received about a half dozen comments so far from the public regarding the proposal, but after multiple requests the comment period has been extended through August 19. For more information on how to submit a comment, visit the Environmental Notice Bulletin on the DECs website at www.dec.ny.gov/enb/enb.html or contact the Region 4 permitting office at 357-2456.

Cecelia Martinez can be contacted at 270-1294 or by e-mail at cmartinez@troyrecord.com.

Join in Troy’s National Night Out Festivities!

2010-07-26T13:35:00.000-04:00

The 27th Annual National Night Out is scheduled for August 3, 2010. Designed to deter crime through strengthening community and police partnerships, last year’s National Night Out campaign involved residents, police, businesses, and public officials from more than 15,000 communities. Troy will again participate in NNO on August 3rd with the following events:

- In South Troy, the Burden Iron Works Association invites Troy residents to National Night Out event at the Burden Iron Works Museum at the foot of Polk Street from 6 PM - Dusk. Meet your neighbors, free refreshments, museum tour and youth events. Contact Jane Snay at frinz40@hotmail.com for more information.

- In North Troy, 8th, 9th, & 10th street residents, in conjunction with TRIP and Rensselaer County’s Communities that Care will be holding a festival at the 7th Avenue Park by Ingalls from 6–8PM. Refreshments, music, dunking booth, face painting, basketball, information tables and more. Contact Rachel@triponline.org to volunteer or for more info.

- In North Lansingburgh, the N. Lansingburgh Neighborhood Watch will meet at 6pm at the 112th Street Gateway Park @ 1st Ave and 112th Street. Activities include planting, landscaping and a mini BBQ. Jim Gordon is the contact.

Come out for fun, to meet your neighbors and partners, all while stopping crime!

If your neighborhood wants to promote their event through TRIP and TNAC (Troy Neighborhoods Action Council), contact hilary@triponline.org. For more information about National Night Out, go to http://www.nationalnightout.org/nno.

New Financial Reform Impacts Us All

2010-07-26T13:15:00.001-04:00

If you are like most of us, chances are you have a credit or debit card and maybe even have bought a house or taken out a car loan. The rules regarding those financial tools, and many more, will be impacted by the new federal financial reform law, the "Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act" which was signed by President Obama on July 21, 2010.

Below is a useful summary as printed in the Times Union on July 25, 2010. We will provide you more information as it becomes available.

Financial reform changes some rules on Main Street and Wall Street

By SPENCER GAFFNEY, Hearst Newspapers

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama on Wednesday signed into law the most wide-ranging reforms in the U.S. financial system since the 1930s.

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, which puts government hands on everything from credit card rules to derivatives trading, is named for Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn., who has announced he will retire when his current term expires, and Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass.

The reforms will hold Wall Street accountable so we can help prevent another financial crisis like the one that were still recovering from, Obama said.

Here are some of the ways the nearly 2,000-page Dodd-Frank bill law change the way both Main Street and Wall Street do business.

MAIN STREET

DEBIT CARDS:

Old System: Unlike credit cards, where the user borrows money from the creditor and pays it back at the end of the month, debit cards are directly tied to money in the cardholders bank account. When a customer uses a debit card, banks charge retailers a fee, called an interchange fee.

New System: Dodd-Frank will empower the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), a new government agency under the Federal Reserve that will police lending, to cap interchange fees charged by banks with assets worth more than $10 billion. Retailers also will be allowed to set maximum and minimum purchases for debit card users.

Why Change?: Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., says that the fees banks charge for debit cards, roughly one or two percent of the purchase, are too high. These fees are a huge business for big banks, which collected almost $20 billion dollars in fees last year. Small business owners say they lose money when people purchase small items.

NEW MORTGAGE RULES

Old System: A key cause of the financial meltdown stemmed from subprime mortgages, which are home loans with high interest rates made to people with bad credit scores. Lenders were allowed to engage in NINA loans (No Income/ No Asset) where the borrower didnt have to prove he could pay back the loan.

New System: Mortgage lenders now must obtain proof of a borrowers ability to pay back the loan and borrowers will have to provide proof of income. Mortgage lenders must disclose how high the interest rate can go in an adjustable rate mortgage.

Why Change?: During the housing bubble, mortgage lenders made loans to increasingly less credit-worthy people. The policy was fine as long as house prices kept going up — home owners could use their now more valuable home as collateral to take out a newer, bigger line of credit and pay off their old mortgage. But when home prices started to stall, people who probably couldn't afford a home in the first place started to default on their mortgages. The housing bubble popped and brought down the economy with it.

The article continues at http://www.timesunion.com/default/article/Financial-reform-changes-some-rules-on-Main-589913.php#page-1

Seeking -- and Rewarding -- Good Deeds

2010-07-26T11:25:00.000-04:00

Public recognition for good deeds is a good thing! TRIP is happy to give such recognition to a “Troy Treasure” -- an individual, group or business who has done good deeds in Troy. It's easy to nominate a Troy Treasure; the simple form can be accessed from our website at http://triponline.org/2010TroyTreasureNominations.html. Nominations are being accepted through August 6th.

The selected "2010 Troy Treasure" will be celebrated at the TRIP/RCHR Annual Dinner on October 20th at the Franklin Terrace Ballroom. Also honored that evening will be E. Stewart Jones, who will receive TRIP/RCHR's Community Citizenship Award.

Congratulations to the five years of Troy Treasure awardees, including:

TRIP’s Previous Executive Directors Vinny Lepera, Duncan Barrett, and Barbara Jones Higbee (2009)

Alane Hohenberg (2008)

The Friends of Prospect Park (2007)

Friends of Sixth Avenue/S.Lansingburgh Neighborhood Association (2006)

Osgood Neighborhood Association (2006)

Washington Park Association (2005)

Be Safe on the Streets and at Home

2010-07-26T10:56:00.027-04:00

National Night Out, with events held across the country as well as in Troy on August 3rd, is about bringing people together to improve safety and deter crime in our neighborhoods. In addition to building community, every one of us can take important precautions to decrease the chance of becoming a victim. Here are important phone numbers to keep at hand, followed by safety tips to ensure your safety.

In Troy,
Emergency situations: 911
Non-emergency: 270-4421
Drug Tip Line: 270-5004

When walking on the street:

• look and act like you belong in your surroundings; be confident

• make eye contact with and notice the people around you; attackers are less likely to go after someone who could provide an accurate description of them

• avoid carrying so many things that your ability to move quickly and efficiently -- should a threat arise – is hindered

• avoid carrying lots of valuables; if you must carry a purse or handbag, keep it close to your body to minimize the chances of theft. If your purse, wallet or cellphone is snatched, don’t fight. Turn it over rather than risk personal injury and report the incident as soon as possible.

• stay in well-lit areas; avoid short-cuts through parks, vacant lots and deserted places; walk with a friend when possible

• do not listen to music so loudly that you cannot hear someone approaching you

Home safety:

• Always keep your doors and accessible windows locked or secured; do not leave valuables around in plain view; use motion-sensor lighting around your home where needed

• Keep spare keys with a trusted neighbor or nearby shopkeeper, not under a doormat or planter, on a ledge, or in the mailbox.

• Illuminate or eliminate places an intruder might hide: the spaces between trees or shrubs, stairwells, alleys, hallways, and entry ways. Trim bushes so they don’t provide cover for criminals. Plant "hostile foliage" (i.e. roses or thorn bushes) in strategic locations to discourage intruders.

• If you are a homeowner or a landlord that has ongoing problems with people not respecting your property, such as strangers sitting on your stoop or porch, contact Troy’s Community Service Bureau at 270-4689 to see what your best recourse is.

And in the spirit of National Night Out, make sure you know your neighbors and that everyone is looking out for everyone else's safety. That is what makes neighborhoods -- and the people who live in them -- safe!

For more information and useful strategies, go to the National Crime Prevention Council website at http://www.ncpc.org/topics/home-and-neighborhood-safety.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s Department of Public Safety also has safety tips posted; go to http://www.rpi.edu/dept/public_safety/pubs/safeliving.pdf

Neighborhood watch groups turns three

2010-07-21T13:00:00.000-04:00

Reprinted from The Troy Record

Neighborhood watch groups turns three

Published: Monday, July 19, 2010

By Cecelia Martinez
The Record

TROY — Members of the Osgood/South End Neighborhood Watch gathered at the Troy Area United Ministries building on Second Street Tuesday to celebrate three years as an organization. The celebration — like any birthday party — was complete with cake, decorations and party favors as the neighbors applauded the work done over the past three years and looked forward to the next steps to be taken.

“We asked everybody to put down three positive things about our neighborhood and then three issues that they saw in the neighborhood that might be problems,” said OSENW member Sidney Fleisher. “We have those sheets and we're going to evaluate those and come up with the results and next month we'll talk about that and develop some strategies to deal with some of those problems.”

The group, like many neighborhood watch organizations, was formed when a violent incident incited concern in the residents of the South End. After the beating death of a man at a neighborhood bar, neighbors gathered to discuss what had happened and develop ways to keep it from happening again.

“I think some of the real positive things that the neighborhood watch does is that it introduces everybody to each other, so you get to know who actually lives in your neighborhood,” said Fleisher. “You say hello to people a little bit more and you start to know who's not supposed to be hanging around or who might be looking to cause some problems.”

Monthly meetings generally attract between 20 and 30 people, and the e-mail mailing list for the group tops 100 subscribers. Unlike some neighborhood watch groups, the OSENW does not go out on formal patrols.

“It's more like window watching, in a way,” said Fleisher. “When you're walking around if you notice something you might note it. We fortunately don't really have a neighborhood that requires that kind of thing.”

Another positive resulting from the neighborhood watch group is the interaction and collaboration between the neighborhood and Community Police Officer Chris McDonald. McDonald attends every meeting and is a source of constant contact for neighbors to raise issues or report suspicious activity.

“He knows everybody,” said Fleisher. “I think the fact that we have a very active neighborhood watch really helps to keep crime down because people aren't afraid to call up Chris and say, 'I saw this' and he's willing to investigate it. The police are really helpful, and they like the idea of the neighborhood watch because it helps them, having that many more eyes in the neighborhood.”

At the other end of the city, the community police presence is a large component of the North Lansingburgh Neighborhood Watch, which is also celebrating its third anniversary later this year in September. NLNW leader Jim Gordon said that he is in contact with either code enforcement of Community Police Officer Chuck McDonald on a daily basis.

“He’s very involved,” said Gordon. “He comes to all our meetings, and he's one of the people I communicate with, just passing along the information that I've found or that others have given to me.”

Like the OSENW, the NLNW was formed when a neighborhood resident reached out to the community after an incident took place near his home on 4th Street. Now, nearly three years later, meetings pull an average of 40 to 45 attendees and focus on a variety of topics from consumer protection to veteran affairs to available funding programs.

“There's so much available to people out there so having different speakers from all levels and all types of agencies just gets everyone educated and keeps them more informed about changes and what's available to them,” said Gordon.

The OSENW meets the second Tuesday of every month at 6 p.m. at 392 2nd Street. The NLNW also meets the second Tuesday each month at 7 p.m. at the Lansingburgh Boys and Girls Club.

Cecelia Martinez can be reached at 270-1294 or by e-mail at cmartinez@troyrecord.com.

Vote to Help RCHR

2010-07-02T10:37:00.000-04:00

Are you on Facebook? Chase Community Giving is offering grants to non-profit organizations. These groups need to be in the top 200 to win!
TRIP's rural component Rensselaer County Housing Resources is also asking for your vote. Vote for Rensselaer County Housing Resources to get $20,000!

Ends Monday, July 12, 2010 at 4:00pm

To vote, click on the link below and sign in to Facebook. Click the button at the top right of the screen that says "Click here to start to vote" Once you finish the windows, you are able to click the "Vote Now" Button for RCHR.

Rensselaer County Housing Resources, Inc

Keeping the Kids Busy

2010-06-25T17:07:00.001-04:00

Parents as well as neighbors love to see kids keeping busy in fun, active ways, for who hasn't seen groups of bored kids hanging out on stoops, streets or corners being loud or perhaps even unruly as they try to keep themselves entertained?

Fortunately, there are some great options for kids this summer. Tyrell Pryor, a VISTA Volunteer who is working with TRIP for the summer, is compiling lists of camp opportunities, drop-in centers, and other events to share with kids and their families to keep busy in the next two months. He is currently getting out the word about the City of Troy's free sports camps at Frear Park, arts camps at the Arts Center of the Capital Region, a new South Central Recreation Drop-In Center at the Italian Community Center and more.

For more information, contact Tyrell at tyrell@triponline.org or check TRIP's website at http://www.triponline.org

Calling All Contractors

2010-06-25T17:07:00.000-04:00

TRIP is co-sponsoring an 8-hour RRPI (Renovation Repair & Painting Initial) training session on June 30 from 8:15 AM - 5:15 PM. This training will allow contractors to obtain certification under the new EPA regulations which require that contractor firms working in pre-1978 homes need to be certified and an employee will also need to be certified as a Certified Renovator. There are a number of waivers under the new rule, which can be viewed at http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovation.htm. For more information or to register for the RRPI training, contact Hilary at hilary@triponline.org

Supporting Neighborhood Improvement

2010-06-25T17:06:00.000-04:00

Congratulations to the Troy City Council and Mayor Tutunjian for recently approving $6500 in small grants to 19 neighborhood-based projects. Awards ranging from $150 to $700 will go to support projects that are initiated by neighborhood residents to "improve their communities, address neighborhood needs, and encourage residents to work together to enhance the quality of life for the entire community." And kudos to the neighborhood leaders who took the time and trouble to care enough to come up with plans that resulted in a neighborhood improvement awards! These leaders are from South Troy (three projects), Downtown Central (two projects), South Lansingburgh, South Central (two projects), North Central (two projects), Congress Street (two projects), Campbell Avenue, Eastside (two projects), Sycaway, Hillside, Griswold Heights, and North Troy.

Are You a Troy Treasure?

2010-06-25T17:04:00.000-04:00

TRIP is accepting nominations for the Sixth Annual “Troy Treasure” Awardee, which will be presented at the TRIP/RCHR Annual Dinner on October 20th at Franklin Terrace. This award is to honor a Troy resident, community group, or business who is passionately committed to improving Troy, toils in his or her neighborhood out of a love of community, and demonstrates his or her hometown pride in Troy in very positive and real ways. Criteria include that the nominee lives or works in the City of Troy; individuals must live or work here for at least five years and community groups or businesses must have been in existence for at least three years. Nominations are due to TRIP by July 20. Nomination forms may be found at http://www.triponline.org/ or hilary@triponline.org.

Troy is lucky to have many treasures. Previous Troy Treasure awardees include Washington Park Association (2005), Osgood Neighbors and the North Central/S.Lansingburgh Neighborhood Association (2006), Friends of Prospect Park (2007), Alane Hohenberg for her visionary role in creating the Troy Community Food Coop (2008), and TRIP's previous executive directors since 1969 Vinny Lepera, Duncan Barrett, and Barbara Jones Higbee (2009).

Vote to Help Our Community!

2010-06-25T17:01:00.000-04:00

Are you on Facebook? Chase Community Giving is offering grants to local organizations. These groups need to be in the top 100 to win! Two organizations from Troy are asking for your vote. You only have to log in and vote once this month. Vote for the Contemporary Arts Center Woodside and Capital District Community Gardens to each get $20,000!

Start Time: Friday, June 18, 2010 at 5:00pm
End Time: Monday, July 12, 2010 at 4:00pm
Location: THE INTERNET

Capital District Community Gardens
http://apps.facebook.com/chasecommunitygiving/charities/141596291-capital-district-community-gardens-inc?vote_successful=true

CAC WOODSIDE
http://apps.facebook.com/chasecommunitygiving/charities/43115130-berkshire-school-of-contemporary-art-inc

Spring Means It's Home Maintenance Time

2010-04-14T17:03:00.000-04:00

With warmer weather in the air, are you getting the itch to play in the sun, plant a garden, throw open your windows, and... have your furnace inspected? That’s right! Spring is a great time to protect the largest investment of your life, your home, by providing routine checks and repairs that can improve its appearance and functioning, while also preventing expensive damage.

Here are some tips courtesy of NeighborWorks America, a national network of not-for-profit groups, including TRIP, that are committed to revitalizing their communities.

NeighborWorks Home Maintenance Tips

Preventive maintenance includes routine checks and repairs that improve your home’s appearance and functioning as well as prevent more expensive damage from occurring.

These include:
·    To protect against leaks and insect damage, inspect your home’s roof, basement, and outside wall
·    Inspect doors and windows for unusual wear and tear. Repair and replace caulk, weather-stripping, glazing, window and door seals as needed.
·    Inspect insulation and replace any wet or damaged pieces.
·    Clean debris from gutters and down spouts.
·    Examine carpets and flooring. Treat minor mold growths quickly with a bleach and water solution.
·    Have your furnace, air conditioner and hot water heater inspected, upgrading them as needed to improve energy efficiency. Replace air filters regularly.
·    Thoroughly clean lint and debris that has built up in dryer ducts and behind lint screens.

Home repairs and replacements include fixing or replacing appliances, fixtures or systems in your house as they wear out through normal use.
·    Repair or replace an inefficient furnace, air conditioner or water heater to save energy and money.
·    Repair and replace leaking faucets and plumbing.
·    Routinely replace smoke and carbon monoxide detector batteries.

Taking the time now can save you expensive repairs later. Don’t delay.

Loan Scam Alert: Don’t Be Fooled

2010-04-14T14:09:00.001-04:00

As more homeowners face foreclosure, we want to remind people not to get scammed by “loan mod” companies and other for-profit companies that make promises to rescue homeowners in default. Their slick and appealing marketing materials may have you believing that they can save your home, your world, and your future, but don’t be taken in. If you need foreclosure assistance, we urge you to contact TRIP’s HomeOwnership Center at 690-0020 for free, confidential, and professional assistance. You may also contact any of the reputable not-for-profit housing counseling agencies listed on the NYS Division of Housing and Community Renewal’s website at http://www.nysdhcr.gov/Programs/ForeclosurePrevention/CounselListing.htm.

Please also note that there will be monthly Foreclosure Clinics held locally with free legal review and housing counseling available. April 15 and May 12 at the Legal Project. 5-8pm. Contact TRIP at 690-0020 for more info.

A national campaign has been created by HUD, NeighborWorks America, and others to provide important info to consumers. You can find some valuable information at its website at www.loanscamalert.org. A list of “6 Things You Should Know” is copied below from the website.

New York State is also getting the word out to consumers to beware of scams. A Statewide “Loan Modification Scam Alert” campaign was launched last month during Consumer Awareness Day. For more information, go to www.nysconsumer.org.
·
6 Things You Should Know
Scams aren't always easy to spot – but it helps if you know the warning signs to look for. Here are six red flags to indicate that you may be dealing with a loan modification scammer:

1. A company/person asks for a fee in advance to work with your lender to modify, refinance or reinstate your mortgage. They may pocket your money and do little or nothing to help you save your home from foreclosure.

2. A company/person guarantees they can stop a foreclosure or get your loan modified. Nobody can make this guarantee to stop foreclosure or modify your loan. Legitimate, trustworthy HUD-approved counseling agencies will only promise they will try their very best to help you.

3. A company/person advises you to stop paying your mortgage company and pay them instead. Despite what a scammer will tell you, you should never send a mortgage payment to anyone other than your mortgage lender. The minute you have trouble making your monthly payment, contact your mortgage lender.

4. A company pressures you to sign over the deed to your home or sign any paperwork that you haven't had a chance to read, and you don't fully understand. A legitimate housing counselor would never pressure you to sign a document before you had a chance to read and understand it.

5. A company claims to offer "government-approved" or "official government" loan modifications. They may be scam artists posing as legitimate organizations approved by, or affiliated with, the government. Contact your mortgage lender first. Your lender can tell you whether you qualify for any government programs to prevent foreclosure. And, remember, you do not have to pay to benefit from government-backed loan modification programs.

6. A company/person you don’t know asks you to release personal financial information online or over the phone. You should only give this type of information to companies that you know and trust, like your mortgage lender or a HUD-approved counseling agency.

For more info: http://www.loanscamalert.org/

Amanda's Law

2010-04-14T13:13:00.000-04:00

On February 22, 2010, "Amanda’s Law" took effect. The law mandates the installation of carbon monoxide (CO) detectors in all homes in New York State. The law is named for 16-year-old Amanda Hansen of West Seneca, NY, who died on January 17, 2009 due to a carbon monoxide leak from a defective boiler while she was sleeping at a friend’s house.

The reason for the law is simple: CO poisoning is the #1 cause of poisoning deaths in the United States and can be prevented by detectors. Carbon monoxide detectors and smoke detectors can save lives.

The law requires carbon monoxide detectors in every 1-2 family property; apartments in a multiple dwelling; and all condominium and cooperative apartments where the dwelling unit has appliances, devices or systems that may emit carbon monoxide or has an attached garage.

Under the law, homes built before January 2008 are permitted to have battery-powered CO alarms, while homes built after that date are required to have the alarms hard-wired into the building. Previously, only homes built or bought after July 30, 2002 were required to have these devices installed.

Additionally, Amanda’s Law will require contractors in New York State to install a CO alarm when replacing a hot water tank or furnace if the home is not equipped with an alarm.

Carbon monoxide can be produced when burning any type of fuel, including gasoline, charcoal, propane, natural gas, kerosene, oil, wood or coal. If any flammable material burns incompletely, carbon monoxide is produced. Carbon monoxide, which is odorless, colorless and tasteless, can kill within minutes or over a longer period of time depending on the amount that is in the air.

The symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are often mistaken for the flu and can include dizziness, fatigue, weakness, throbbing headache, nausea, vomiting and confusion. By the time people realize there is a problem, they are often too sick or too disoriented to get out of the house and get help.

CO detectors can be purchased at most hardware stores and home centers as well as many grocery stores.

Contemporary Arts Center at Woodside

2010-04-14T12:13:00.000-04:00

Here is a good Troy project that can benefit from your assistance to get a $50,000 grant from Pepsi. All it takes is your online voting – daily if you can.

The Contemporary Artists Center Woodside (CAC) is situated on a commanding hill overlooking the Wynantskill and the Hudson River in South Troy, NY. Formerly the Woodside Church and Chapel, the buildings stand as the only remaining structures of the once vast Upper Works of the Burden Iron Company, a site of profound significance in the history of American invention, industry, and engineering during the nineteenth century. It was built in the 1860's for Ironworks owner Henry Burden in memory of his wife. Purchased in 2007 by CAC, this neo-gothic stone church is now being rehabilitated and turned into a public contemporary art exhibition space. The first phase, the residency hall, has been open since June 2009 and has been bringing in artists from around the world.

You can help in the success story of a large church reuse! CAC is in the running for a $50,000 grant from Pepsi, which would go towards to the restoration of the main church structure and its opening to the public.

The grant is decided solely based on online votes.

Here is what you can do:

1. Sign up on the list: http://www.cactroy.org/grant (for instructions and daily reminders)

2. Vote for us as often as you can, up to once a day

3. Spread the word! (please give friends and coworkers the link and let them know about the project!)

Voting takes literally 10 seconds a day, and there is even a Facebook voting app for those on Facebook.

To connect with CAC on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/ContemporaryArtistsCenter.Woodside

For more info:

http://www.cactroy.org/

New Federal Lead Safety Rules

2010-03-19T11:34:00.002-04:00

New federal lead safety rules for Renovations, Repairs, and Painting (“The RRP Rule”) take effect on April 22, 2010. If you work on a house or building built before 1978 that is occupied by a child under the age of six or a woman that is pregnant this rule could apply. The RRP applies to housing, schools, hospitals, churches and childcare facilities. In general, the rule requires that after April 22, 2010 all renovation firms must be certified by EPA to continue doing renovation, repair or painting work. There are certain exclusions including:

renovations performed by homeowners in their own homes
emergency renovations (requires verifications)
renovation activities where affected components do not contain lead-based paint
minor repair and maintenance activities, including interior work that disturbs less than 6 square feet per room of painted surface and exterior work that disturbs less than 20 square feet per side of painted surface. This exclusion does not apply to window replacement, demolition and certain other prohibited practices.

Furthermore, a homeowner may choose the “Opt-Out” provision, meaning that she chooses not to use lead-safe work practices. She would have to certify certain conditions in writing including that:

she and her family reside in the home and
there are no children under 6 years old and
there are no pregnant women residing in the home and
there is no child-occupied facility in the home and
the owner and residents have been educated about the dangers of lead and received the Renovate Right pamphlet.

In early May, TRIP will be hosting a free 8-hour training class for contractors, landlords, maintenance workers, painters, etc. to receive certifications as required in Lead Safe Work Practices and Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP). Contact TRIP at register@triponline.org to secure a seat now. You will be informed of the date and location shortly.

TRIP will also make more information available about the RRP Rule on its website at http://www.triponline.org. To view a handbook about the RRP Rule, go to http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/sbcomplianceguide.pdf

Why Reassessment?

2010-03-18T20:29:00.001-04:00

The City of Troy has not completed a comprehensive reassessment of its tax roll in thirty-four years. As a result of this, many homeowners in Troy are paying taxes that do not accurately reflect the values of their homes. The City is currently attempting to build support for a citywide reassessment in order to remedy this problem. The reassessment is a very complex and controversial undertaking, especially in this difficult economic time.

A reassessment will examine every single building in the city of Troy in order to determine its value. Since it has been so long since the last citywide reassessment, many of the values recorded on the books may not necessarily be accurate anymore. The role of a reassessment is for every Trojan’s tax bill to reflect their share of the tax burden according to their property’s value as accurately as possible.

Another important reason to reassess is that many businesses with the resources to challenge their assessments are winning, costing the city money in legal fees and reimbursement of taxes. It is difficult for the city to defend itself in these disputes because the assessment is so far out of date, meaning the city loses and must repay taxes the courts determine were unfairly collected.

The assessed value is used to calculate the owner’s property taxes by showing the portion of the tax levy the owner is responsible for. The actual amount of taxes is determined by the amount of taxes the city chooses to levy. When the city determines how much it will collect overall in taxes, it uses the assessed values to determine how much of that each property owner will pay.

A reassessment does cause some problems for Troy, however. It will cost the city at least $1 million to complete a reassessment, which is not easily affordable in this time of declining revenues. Also, there is concern that some senior citizens living on fixed incomes may be forced out of their homes by unaffordable taxes if their assessments are raised by a reassessment.

The city will be conducting informational meetings throughout the city throughout March, and the City Council will vote on the measure at their April 1st meeting. A list of informational meetings is below

Monday March 22, 6:30 PM, Franklin Terrace Ballroom, 126 Campbell Ave.
Tuesday March 23, St. Mary’s Church, 196 Third St.
Wednesday March 24, 6:30 PM, Troy YMCA, 2500 21st St.
Thursday March 25, Sacred Heart School Cafeteria, 310 Spring Ave.

What is Troygle?

2010-03-18T20:24:00.006-04:00

Troygle is a group of Troy citizens committed to bringing Google's ultra-high-speed broadband to Troy to transform the way people play and do business here, and to catapult Troy into the future. Google will be test-piloting ultra-high-speed broadband in select communities around the United States, and Troy has the opportunity to apply to be a part of this trial. With cities across the nation vying to stand out and attract Google’s broadband network, local citizens have been hard at work trying to attract the company to the Collar City.

Your help is needed! It takes just a few minutes to fill out a very simple application to let Google know why Troy is a great place. The more residents who apply, the better the chances of winning the bid. Applications are due March 26th. Click here.

Not only is Troy the “All-American City” – the official home of Uncle Sam – Troy is the birthplace of countless innovations, the place where history, culture and technology meet. It has an educational environment, with excellent infrastructure and modest costs for housing and commercial space. It is time for Troy’s next innovation – to lead the way with Google by bringing ultra-high-speed broadband to a diverse, creative, historic city.

A number of meetings have been held by the Troygle group to discuss the application for Google to use the city as one of its test sites for its upcoming ultra-high-speed broadband network and to discuss the many community and technology-based details which must go into the city’s application. With the help of resident Lisa Graham, a video shoot was also held during the Waterfront Farmers market in the Troy Atrium to interview local residents about why they want Google broadband and how their lives and businesses would benefit from such technology. The group is hosting a face-off in Monument Square on March 23rd, from 5-7pm called "The Need for Speed" between the Hellions of Troy roller derby league and the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute hockey team while incorporating Google tools and technology into the event.

Google's ultra-high-speed broadband will benefit Troy and the community in countless ways:

JOBS - The greater efficiency and speed will facilitate the ability of its citizens to better do their jobs, to find a job, and will spur private enterprise. It will lay a foundation for job creation by helping to attract private companies to base themselves here.
CONNECTION - It will help connect all institutions to the community - including Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Hudson Valley Community College, Russell Sage College, and all of the schools, nonprofits and private sector businesses. It will serve as a bridge to bring Rensselaer's advance technological innovations to all of Troy.
COMMUNICATION - It will allow nonprofits to better serve their constituents, bringing high-speed wireless to lower-income residents and families who might not otherwise have access, thus opening up their worlds and creating more opportunities.
ACCESS - It will allow more access to broader collections of digital archives, multi-media and medical and biotechnology innovations, among other things.
VIRTUAL TOURS OF TROY - It will enable the city to better market itself to the world - bringing the world to Troy, and bringing Troy to the world.

Google announced in February that it would deliver download speeds of up to 1 gigabit per second through fiber-optic connections, which the company claimed would provide an Internet experience more than 100 times faster than what most Americans have access to today. According to Google officials, the company plans to offer the service “at a competitive price,” to between 50,000 and 500,000 people to provide speeds which would allow them to more easily download high-definition video, stream three-dimensional images, and perform other tasks which require massive data transfer rates. Google has not said how many cities it intends to serve, or how much it is willing to spend to do it.

http://www.troygle.org/

Consolidated Plan for Troy

2010-03-18T20:03:00.002-04:00

The City of Troy has released its proposed Consolidated Plan (Con Plan) for 2010-2014 as well as its 2010-2011 Request for Proposals (RFP) for CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) Program applications and several other programs. Applications for funding are due to Tim Mattice at City Hall by Wednesday, March 24, by noon. The Con Plan, the RFP and the application may be found at http://www.troyny.gov/projects/consolidatedplan.html.

The Con Plan serves as a planning guide to the City in the areas of housing, homelessness, community development and economic development. Furthermore, it helps the City prioritize how to spend its federal allocations of CDBG, HOME, and Emergency Shelter Grant funding, which together are estimated to be $14.5 million over the next five years.

In a departure from past Con Plans, where a variety of community service programs were funded to meet the varied needs of Troy’s residents, the City proposes to target its investment by stabilizing “its most challenged neighborhoods as a means to create citywide cohesiveness among al its neighborhoods” To accomplish this, funds would be targeted to infrastructure improvements such as streets, curbs, sidewalks, and trees, parks, greenspace, housing programs and commercial opportunities initially in several focus areas in South Troy, then in several areas in North Central.

The City Council will hold another public hearing on the Con Plan and the proposed One Year Action Plan on Thursday, April 1^st at 5:30 PM. at Christ Church at 35 State Street. The Consolidated Plan and the One Year Action Plan must be approved and submitted to HUD by mid-May so that funds can be appropriated by the start of the City’s fiscal year beginning July 1^st.

Free Tax Preparation

2010-02-17T11:38:00.000-05:00

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) volunteers provide FREE income tax preparation assistance to low-income, elderly, disabled and limited English speaking people. This excellent program helps income-eligible households have taxes prepared free of charge. Household income is generally under $54,000.

VITA Sites available in Troy:
1. Troy’s Weed and Seed Program offers assistance on Wed 12-5, Thurs 6-9 and Sat 10-2 at the Italian Community Center.

2. CEO offers tax preparation assistance on Tues and Thurs 4-8pm (Tues and Wed 12-4 for AARP/seniors only).

To locate the other VITA sites, call 1-800-829-1040.

Trained community volunteers can help with special credits, such as Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, and Credit for the Elderly or the Disabled. In addition to free tax return preparation assistance, most sites also offer free electronic filing (e-filing).

Certified volunteers sponsored by various organizations receive training to help prepare basic tax returns in communities across the country. VITA sites are generally located at community and neighborhood centers, libraries, schools, shopping malls, and other convenient locations.

Volunteers are also needed. Training is provided. For more information, or if you would like to help, please contact Colleen Goldston at 857-6471.

Troy Hoping to Partner with Google

2010-02-17T10:45:00.000-05:00

An article in Friday’s The Record announced that Mayor Tutunjian “plans to respond to a request for information from Google relating to the company’s recently-announced plans to build and test ultra-high speed broadband networks in communities across the nation.” Google plans to build and test ultra high-speed broadband networks that will provide speeds up to 100 times faster than typical service, with download speeds of up to 1 gigabit per second through fiber-optic connections. Troy intends to respond to Google’s RFI, which is the first step in the company’s process of selecting test communities.

Councilman Ken Zalewski, D-District 5, is also hoping that Google will choose Troy as a trial location. He has listed several steps, below, that community members can take to help build support for the proposal, which is one of the factors that Google will consider in selecting trial communities.

What you can do:
1. Spread the word. Forward this article to everyone you know in the city. Talk to your neighbors and friends. Encourage local business, education, and government officials to get involved. Our Mayor is already on board and the city will be submitting a response to the RFI. To have RPI, Sage, and HVCC administrators behind this would add more strength to our submission.

2. Nominate Troy. Go to http://www.google.com/appserve/fiberrfi/public/options, click on "Nominate your community", and submit your response. You will answer some questions about yourself, your neighborhood/community, your reasons for wanting this, and your current Internet service. Creative submissions are encouraged, including videos.

3. Become a Facebook fan. Join the new Facebook page created for this effort at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Troy-NY-deserves-Googles-1GB-hi-speed-internet-connection/298283647502

According to Councilmember Zalewski, “A Google broadband roll-out would be huge for our city. It would not only bring low-cost high-speed Internet service to many households, it would also bring a tremendous amount of positive attention to our community. My ultimate goal is to work with Google in opening a satellite office on our riverfront. Imagine replacing some of the old derelict industrial buildings on the riverfront with a new, modern office complex that creates potentially hundreds of new jobs. Getting Google to come to Troy is the first step..."

Please join in the effort!

New York's Great Appliance Swap Out

2010-02-15T10:39:00.000-05:00

The “Great Appliance Swap Out” is a stimulus-funded program run by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). The 10-day program begins February 12th and lasts through February 21st or until the $16.8 million available statewide for rebates runs out.

This is a nationwide program designed to provide incentives for the purchase of Energy Star-rated products, by providing consumers rebates for purchasing new energy efficient appliances and swapping out their old ones. The goals include reducing energy waste and stimulating retail sales. “Now is a great time to take advantage of the state’s rebates for refrigerators, stoves, and other costly appliances to save you some money and help the environment.” President and CEO of NYSERDA Francis J. Murray said “New Yorkers have an unprecedented opportunity to save money on energy efficient appliances that could save them hundreds of dollars a year in energy costs. I encourage New Yorkers to take advantage of this opportunity and to help New York achieve the ambitious energy efficiency goals that Governor Paterson has set for us.”

Shoppers can choose either the single appliance rebate option, under which they get $75 for a refrigerator or $105 when also recycling the old one, $75 for a clothes washer ($100 with recycling) and $50 for a freezer ($75 with recycling). Or they can choose the bundled option, where they purchase a refrigerator, clothes washer and dishwasher, and receive $500, or $555 if they recycle their old appliances. The program also provides for the removal of old appliances and consumers will receive the recycling certificate they'll need along with the purchase receipt to qualify for their rebate.

Rebates are only available for dishwashers when purchased as a bundle with at least 2 other energy efficient-rated appliances.

The guidelines for the program include:
• Consumers must be New York State residents;
• Replacement appliances must meet specified ENERGY STAR standards;
• Replacement appliances must be for individual residences;
• Consumers must submit in writing that purchased appliances are replacing existing appliances; and
• Proof of recycling of the replaced appliance must be submitted to NYSERDA.

Rebate forms will be available at www.NYApplianceSwapOut.com or through NYSERDA’s hotline at 1-877-NY-SMART. More information is also available by visiting www.GetEnergySmart.org.

Getting Your Finances Back on Track

2010-01-12T17:43:00.000-05:00

Many of us have good intentions to get our “financial house in order” and take control of our finances rather than letting them control us. Daunting as that may be, here are some practical suggestions excerpted from a CBS news story (www.cbsnews.com) about David Bach, best-selling author of "Start Over, Finish Rich," to get your finances organized for 2010 and help save you some money at the same time.

Asked how much money people are losing by being disorganized with their bills and receipts, Bach said, "The key is to start by 'finding your money' - getting organized is where you start. People can lose thousands of dollars a year when they don't know where their money is. Just losing itemized deduction alone because you didn't keep you records can cost you thousands of dollars. Not keeping your home improvement records can cost you tens of thousands when you sell your home."

Bach said the biggest mistake people make is not organizing their statements, stuffing all into a drawer without any system. Asked why, he said, "Most people don't know how to 'get organized financially.' They were not trained, they don't have a system. I have a system. It has helped thousands of people. It's easy and you can do it in an hour."

To get organized, Bach says to shred it and forget it - that is, shred and throw away old bills and statements. "You can get rid of most old statements. First clean out everything that is not tax related for 2009. Old warranties, old annual reports, newsletters etc. Out with the old and in with the new," he explained.

But what if you get audited? How far back should be keep financial documents?

"The IRS recommends you keep records for three years, and as far back as seven. But old tax documents can be filed in the garage or storage. They don't need to stay in your home office," Bach explained,

His next step is called "find it and file it."

"My start-over file folder box has 14 folders. It's a system in a box, that you can build in less than an hour to organize everything in your financial life," Bach explained.

The folders are: Tax Returns, Retirement Accounts, Social Security, Investment Accounts, Savings and Checking Accounts, Household Accounts, Credit Card Debt, DOLP Worksheet, Credit Scores, Other Liabilities, Insurance, Family Will and Trusts, Children's Accounts, Latte Factor.

Bach said, "You can completely automate your financial life in less than an hour, if you do it correctly."

"The secret to 'finishing rich' is to have an 'automatic' financial life," he said. "When you earn a paycheck, you automatically have you retirement account, emergency account, and other savings accounts funded. In 'Start Over, Finish Rich' I go as far as teaching you exactly how to automate your entire financial life into seven categories and that includes paying your bills."

Bach said that part of getting organized is fixing and protecting your credit score. "Everyone should start the year by pulling their credit score for free. You want to check it for mistakes, and get those mistakes fixed in January. Having mistakes on your credit report can cost you thousands of dollars a year in higher interest," he explained.

(TRIP recommends that you contact one of our housing counselors to pull and review your credit report with you. Not all sites provide free reports, despite their claims. And knowing how to correct inaccurate information is key to controlling your financial situation.)

And Bach recommended to "recommit to wealth."

"All recessions lead to recoveries," Bach said. "We are already in the beginning stages of a massive recovery now. The stock and bond markets have posted staggering gains in 2009. Home prices are stabilizing and earnings are improving. You cannot afford to stay down and miss this next economic boom. This is your year to 'Start Over, Finish Rich' and get your finances back on track."

Visit David Bach's Web site, FinishRich.com.

Tools for Tough Times

2010-01-12T17:09:00.000-05:00

Economic problems facing you in 2010? If you need help as a result of the economy, check out “Help Wanted,” a new public television series and web portal that provides information about vital resources available to consumers. Public Television stations WMHT-Albany and WCNY-Syracuse shed light on the current economic crisis in New York State with the brand new series “Help Wanted,” which premiered on Thursday, January 7th at 8:30 PM (WMHT-Albany). Click here for broadcast schedule. Previous episodes can also be viewed online.

Partnering closely with government and non-profit organizations, “Help Wanted” features a weekly 26-episode television series, a web portal that serves as a vital tool for resources, and public outreach events to expand the reach of the project and the resources. WMHT’s Dan Bazile is the host of the series with field reporting from WCNY's Liz Ayers. Together, WMHT and WCNY recruit guests from various backgrounds and give them real world advice for their real world situations from organizations that can truly help.

The series invites viewers to follow 44 diverse individuals as they are connected to employment and financial resources and both WMHT and WCNY feature stories and spotlight guests within the communities of New York State.

The series gives New York citizens useful and trustworthy information in an accessible centralized manner regarding the factors affecting their family economic situation. Four elements of concern will be addressed in each episode: Employment Resources, Job Training, Consumer Protection, and Family Finances.

More information on “Help Wanted” - including available resources -- can be found at www.helpwantedinteractive.org.

Dreaming of Buying a Home?

2010-01-11T11:54:00.002-05:00

Considering home ownership in 2010? TRIP’s national partner, NeighborWorks America, has created a web site to assist people who are considering buying a home called “Keys to My Home” at http://www.keystomyhome.org. NeighborWorks America tells consumers that “Your dream of owning a home can become a reality if you set realistic goals, get sound advice, plan carefully and clearly understand the costs of homeownership." That is why NeighborWorks America has partnered with E*TRADE Financial to create the educational Web site “designed to help you make informed, sound decisions related to the home buying process.” Topics include getting ready, understanding credit issues, financing considerations, finding a home and managing one’s home. If you are considering buying a home, this website will help you understand the big picture to prepare you for each step.

You should also plan on attending one of TRIP’s Homebuyer Orientations. They are offered once a month and provide useful information about local home buying programs as well as what TRIP can offer someone on their path to becoming a homeowner. To register for an orientation or to access quality, free financial and housing counseling, contact the TRIP NeighborWorks Homeownership Center at 690-0020 or rose@triponline.org.

Holiday Savings Ideas

2009-12-01T09:41:00.000-05:00

Here are some ideas to help you save money this holiday season:

Make a budget and stick to it: Before you decide who you need to buy gifts for, figure out how much you can afford to spend on gifts. Don’t forget to factor in your normal expenses (food, gas, rent, etc.) and make sure not to overextend yourself financially. Once you have decided how much you are spending, then you can decide how much to spend on each person.
Cash, not credit: Using cash can help you avoid breaking your budget. When you start doing your holiday shopping, take out the amount of cash you intend to spend. When the cash runs out, you’re done shopping. In addition, using cash helps you better understand how much money you are spending, because you are literally handing over the money, rather than swiping a card and seeing numbers on a receipt.
Trim down your gift list: If there are people on your list you don’t really need to shop for, don’t. Also consider implementing a Secret Santa tradition in your family so that you don’t have to shop for everyone. For a family, consider buying a gift basket with something for everyone in it. Consider teaming up with another family member to shop for relatives.
Get creative: Spending a lot of money isn’t the only way to show you care. Smaller items with emotional significance can be much more effective and cost-effective than an expensive gadget. If you are a creative person, consider making something yourself. It’s the thought that counts.
Shop around: Start shopping early so that you can have time to comparison shop. Look online for deals and make sure to get store flyers to check for the best deals. Taking the time to get the best price can wind up saving you a bundle this year.

New Foreclosure Law Expected to Be Signed Shortly by Governor

2009-12-01T09:24:00.000-05:00

New protections for homeowners facing foreclosure as well as tenants living in foreclosed homes will take effect within two months after the governor signs Governor’s Program Bill #46, which was passed by the NYS Assembly and Senate on November 16th. The governor is expected to sign the bill in the next few weeks.

Homeowners in default can expect to get a 90-day pre-foreclosure notice, enabling the homeowner to consider his or her options without imminent threat of a foreclosure. Information about local housing counseling agencies, like TRIP and RCHR, will be provided to encourage the homeowner to seek assistance.

Another key provision for a homeowner is the right to have a “mandatory settlement conference” with her/his lender (or their representative) in court, where both parties must “negotiate in good faith” during this mediation session. Lenders may not charge the homeowner a fee for attending a settlement conference and may be subject to sanctions if they fail to come with financial documents and other information required by mediators.

Additionally, when lenders notify the state of an impending foreclosure action, the state must send the borrower’s name to housing counseling agencies, which can then help prepare the borrower in advance of its settlement conference. The settlement conference provision stems from the hope that lenders will be more apt to work with borrowers to modify their loans; currently lenders claim they are overwhelmed by requests for modifications while homeowners complain that their cases drag on for months and months, putting them further behind in their payments.

The legislation also includes important protections for tenants of buildings that go into foreclosure, requiring that a separate notice be delivered to tenants within 10 days of the service of the summons and complaint to the mortgagor (borrower). The notice informs the tenants that the building is in foreclosure and that they may have the right to stay in occupancy for the remainder of their lease term, of if they have no written lease, for ninety days after they are informed of the name and contact information for the new owner by the person or entity who takes title. Tenants in 1 to 4 unit buildings must be sent the notice individually; for larger apartment complexes, the notice must be posted outside each exit and entrance.

In order to avoid the deterioration that can impact an entire neighborhood when a foreclosed home is not kept up, a provision of the legislation requires the plaintiff (lender) in a foreclosure action to maintain the property (consistent with NY property maintenance code) after the judgment of foreclosure is issued and until the property is sold. If a tenant occupies the property, the property must also be maintained in a safe and habitable condition. This provision may be enforced by the municipality, tenants, or a homeowners association, in applicable.

To prevent distressed homeowners from falling prey to “rescue scams,” the bill also includes provisions prohibiting “distressed property consultants” from taking any payment before completion of services.

This legislation creates new legal rights and responsibilities. The foregoing article is not intended to be a substitute for legal advice. If you are involved in a foreclosure action you should seek the advice of an attorney to understand how this legislation impacts your situation. Homeowners facing foreclosure can contact TRIP’s HomeOwnership Center at 690-0020 for assistance in determining their mortgage options and/or can contact Legal Aid directly at 462-6765.

For more information about the new State legislation providing foreclosure protections, contact TRIP at 272-8289 x214 or hilary@triponline.org.

Christmas in Little Italy

2009-11-30T19:47:00.030-05:00

There is an old Italian saying “to get what you want, you must share what you have.” The residents and businesses of Troy’s Little Italy invite the people of the Capital District to share in our love for our Italian heritage and our spirit of Christmas by attending “Christmas in Little Italy” to be held on Saturday, December 5, 2009, beginning at 5:30 pm at Liberty Square (Fourth and Liberty Streets) on the evening before Troy’s Victorian Stroll.

Our event begins with the display of an eight foot Ceppo (an Italian Christmas tree) at Liberty Square along with a community Christmas tree donated by the DeFazio family. The Ceppo, a three tiered pyramid shaped structure made of wood, has its origin in the Tuscan region of Italy. A Nativity scene donated by St. Anthony of Padua Shrine Church, representing the gift of God, is displayed on the bottom shelf. The remaining two shelves contain greenery, fruits, nuts, and presents representing the gifts of the Earth and Man. There will be Christmas carols sung in both Italian and English led by members of a local school choir. Musical accompaniment will be provided by Historic Second Street neighbor John Chupka on accordion. There may be several other musicians announced soon. Roasted chestnuts will be available at the site compliments of Chef Michael LoPorto.

The timeless Italian Christmas folk story of the legend of Old Befana, based on author Tomie DePaola’s popular childrens’ book, will be read by Claire Davis of the Osgood neighborhood. The reading will be held at Lisa’s Gelateria (across the street from Liberty Square) while you enjoy holiday treats and hot beverages. Holiday cookies and candy will be provided for each child attending the event.

At 7 pm, Professor/Cavalier Philip J. DiNovo, founder and President of the American Italian Heritage Association, (our “Dr. Phil”) will give a presentation on Italian Christmas traditions in the meeting center of the Freihofer’s Run for Women building a block south of Liberty Square at the corner of Fourth and Washington Streets. The event concludes with a showing of the entertaining film, Pinocchio, at Flavour’s Café across the street from the meeting center.

Several neighborhood restaurants, including Carmen’s Café, DeFazio’s Pizzeria, Flavour’s Café, the Irish Mist, Lisa’s Gelateria, and the Red Front Restaurant and Tavern, welcome your patronage on the night of the Christmas in Little Italy event if you choose to dine before or after our program.

On Sunday, December 6^th, the day of the Victorian Stroll, volunteers from Troy’s Little Italy will join with representatives of the Italian Community Center and the CYO Center at shared information tables in the Troy Atrium between the hours of 11 am and 5 pm. We will provide a continuous showing of our neighborhood history DVD. There will be a book signing of Troy’s Little Italy, as well as copies of Tomie DePaola’s The Legend of Old Befana on sale. In addition, a Silent Auction will be held on the second floor level of the Atrium outside the Bingo Hall to benefit the “Adopt a Family Fund” being sponsored by volunteer workers from the St. Anthony and Troy Little Italy bingo players with the support of various local businesses. Troy Little Italy will hold Bingo at 2 pm – doors will open at 10 am! Join us for a pleasant weekend of Christmas and holiday traditions.

--Mike Esposito
Originally published 11/29/09 in The Troy Record as TRIP's Troy Treasures column, which runs in every other Sunday edition.

Buttoning Up Your House

2009-11-17T08:56:00.002-05:00

Thanks to additional funding provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), also know as federal stimulus money, about 300 homes in Rensselaer County will be weatherized between now and April 2011. Eligibility is based on income limits; for example, a family of four whose household income is no more than $3903/month or $46,836/year would be eligible. Additionally, anyone receiving public assistance, rent subsidies, HEAP, or SSI is automatically eligible. All services are provided without obligation to the occupant of the home; however owners of rental buildings are required to contribute funds.

Weatherization activities average about $6500 per unit and typically will include air sealing and insulating, particularly walls, attics, and basements that lead to living spaces. Occasionally, replacements of furnaces, refrigerators; doors; and less often, window replacements, may be warranted. These activities are determined by a state requirement that the “Savings to Investment” ratio is 1 or higher, which formula values less costly activities such as limiting air flow over more costly window replacements. Other common activities include replacing all incandescent lightbulbs with compact fluorescent lights, creating savings by switching lights from 60-watts or more to 13 –watt bulbs.

To apply for this program, contact The Commission on Economic Opportunity at http://www.ceo-cap.org/cmt/files/WAP_Brochure_Guidelines.pdf or call CEO at (518) 272-6012 x290.

Loan Modification Scam Alert

2009-11-16T16:17:00.001-05:00

Loan Modification Scam Alert

It's a growing problem across the country: Homeowners facing foreclosure are losing their money – and their homes – to loan modification scams. Information is your best defense. If you see the signs of a scam and know the facts, you can protect yourself. Scams aren't always easy to spot – but it helps if you know the warning signs to look for. Here are six red flags to indicate that you may be dealing with a loan modification scammer: click here: How to Spot a Scam.

If you or someone you know suspects they may be victim of a scam, there is help. The Hope Hotline, 888-995-HOPE, is the point of contact for homeowners seeking assistance, protection and information on loan modification scams. For information on the Most Common Loan Modification Scams click here.

The "Loan Modification Scam Alert" campaign, launched on October 26, educates homeowners about loan modification scams and empowers them to protect their homes. The Homeowner's HOPE Hotline, 888-995-HOPE, is the central point of contact for homeowners who think they may be a victim of a scam.

Experienced counselors that serve on the Hotline will help remedy the situations of those who have fallen victim to scams. These counselors will then connect homeowners with other resources including a member of the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under the Law for free legal assistance, as well as the official loan modification scam alert website at www.LoanScamAlert.com.

Scam victims will be connected to seasoned HUD-approved housing and loan modification scam counselors and homeowners will also have free access to pro-bono attorneys who will review their case and work closely with state AG offices, the FTC, as well as local law enforcement to prosecute cases as appropriate.

Home Buyer Tax Credit

2009-11-10T08:51:00.003-05:00

The Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009 has extended the tax credit of up to $8,000 for qualified first-time home buyers purchasing a principal residence. It also authorized a tax credit of up to $6,500 for qualified repeat home buyers.

$8,000 First-time Home Buyer Tax Credit at a Glance

The $8,000 tax credit is for first-time home buyers only. For the tax credit program, the IRS defines a first-time home buyer as someone who has not owned a principal residence during the three-year period prior to the purchase.
The tax credit does not have to be repaid, unless the home is sold within 3 years following the purchase.
The tax credit is equal to 10 percent of the home’s purchase price up to a maximum of $8,000.
The tax credit applies only to homes priced at $800,000 or less.
The tax credit now applies to sales occurring on or after January 1, 2009 and on or before April 30, 2010. However, in cases where a binding sales contract is signed by April 30, 2010, a home purchase completed by June 30, 2010 will qualify.
For homes purchased on or after January 1, 2009 and on or before November 6, 2009, the income limits are $75,000 for single taxpayers and $150,000 for married couples filing jointly.
For homes purchased after November 6, 2009 and on or before April 30, 2010, single taxpayers with incomes up to $125,000 and married couples with incomes up to $225,000 qualify for the full tax credit.

The $6,500 Move-Up / Repeat Home Buyer Tax Credit at a Glance

To be eligible to claim the tax credit, buyers must have owned and lived in their previous home for five consecutive years out of the last eight years.
The tax credit does not have to be repaid, unless the home is sold within 3 years following the purchase..
The tax credit is equal to 10 percent of the home’s purchase price up to a maximum of $6,500.
The tax credit applies only to homes priced at $800,000 or less.
The credit is available for homes purchased after November 6, 2009 and on or before April 30, 2010. However, in cases where a binding sales contract is signed by April 30, 2010, the home purchase qualifies provided it is completed by June 30, 2010.
Single taxpayers with incomes up to $125,000 and married couples with incomes up to $225,000 qualify for the full tax credit.
Members of the Armed Forces, military intelligence and Foreign Service who are on extended overseas duty or who have been on active duty for more than 90 days in 2008 and 2009 have another year to use the tax credit (through June, 30, 2011).

Thinking of Purchasing a Home?

2009-11-03T06:40:00.001-05:00

Maybe you don't know where to start. Maybe you looked at homes in the past but for some reason put your search on hold. Maybe you don't think you will qualify for a mortgage. Maybe your "bad" credit isn't as bad as you think, or can be improved with a little direction. Maybe you don't have all the answers, or even know any of the questions.

TRIP's HomeOwnership Center can help answer some of your questions, and help you to generate more of your own.

Some good starting questions to ask yourself are:

What am I waiting for? A bill to be paid? Prices of houses to come down? Credit problems? Do I have enough money saved? How does the home buying process work?

How soon are you looking to purchase? 3 months? 1 year? 2 years?

What geographic area would you like to purchase a home? City of Troy, outside of Troy, outside of Rensselaer County?

Am I eligible for grant assistance? What does that mean?

TRIP offers counseling and education to potential home buyers regardless of income and geographic location.

What's your first step?
Attending a Homebuyer Orientation! At our orientation, we go over our programs, so you will better understand the qualifications and requirements for our down payment assistance programs as well as what's involved in the home buying process.

Check our Calendar of Events for the next scheduled Orientation!

Then contact the HomeOwnership Center at 690-0020 x221 or e-mail register@triponline.org with questions or to register.

And then what?
After attending a Homebuyer Orientation, you will need to schedule a one-on-one appointment with one of our counselors. At this appointment, you will be able to get an assessment of your mortgage readiness. This can include but is not limited to:

approximately how much of a mortgage will a bank approve you for based on income;
how much would that monthly mortgage payment be and how that fits with your monthly budget;
would a bank approve you for a mortgage based on your credit history and current debts;
are you income eligible for any down payment assistance;

Contact the HomeOwnership Center at 690-0020 or e-mail register@triponline.org with questions or to sign up for the next Homebuyer Orientation.

Keeping Cold Air Out = More $ in Pocket

2009-11-01T09:28:00.000-05:00

Winter is coming! Make sure that your house is ready for the freezing temperatures. By being prepared, you can save money on your heating bills and save headaches from burst pipes and damaged roofs, gutters, and walls. One of the easiest ways to reduce your heating bill is by preventing the warm air inside from leaking outside. Start by making sure that all of your doors and windows are in good condition, then caulk and weatherstrip around them. Ensure that your walls and ceilings are sufficiently insulated. Rugs on floors and heavy drapes at the windows can also protect against cold drafts.

Keep your heating system operating efficiently for both safety reasons and energy savings. Get your furnace serviced regularly.

A real winter nightmare – and a costly one – is frozen pipes that then break and flood your house with water, causing extensive damage to your house and belongings. Prevent pipes from freezing by identifying those located in unheated areas, then insulate them and wrap them in heat tape. Also, periodically run a small trickle of water from your hot and cold faucets and open the doors of cabinets with water pipes running through them. This is particularly important if the house will be unheated for extended periods of time, such as when you and/or your tenants are out of town.

An often ignored winter problem is the potential for ice dams to form, which can damage the roof, gutters, walls, interior ceiling and even items inside the home. Ice dams occur during melting/freezing cycles, when melted water and ice can work up under the shingles, eventually seeping into the building. To prevent ice damming, make sure your gutters and downspouts are clear of leaves and sticks in the fall, then clear snow and icicles from them all winter long. Make sure to keep the buildup of snow on your roof to a minimum, using a long-handled roof rake if needed to pull the snow off the roof. All winter long, keep gutters and down spouts clear of snow and icicles.

For additional simple tips to save energy, check out suggestion on Rensselaer County’s website at http://www.rensco.com/save_energy_main.asp

Assistance in Paying Heating Bills
As of yesterday, November 2nd, applications for assistance in paying home heating bills through HEAP (the Home Energy Assistance Program) are being accepted. The income limits for eligible households have been raised since last year; a family of four with an annual income of up to $46,837 is now eligible. Households that are eligible can receive one regular payment and may be eligible for a second emergency payment in certain cases. HEAP is available both to renters and to homeowners. More information about the benefits and terms can be found at http://www.myBenefits.ny.gov or at http://www.rensco.com/social_heap.asp or by calling (518) 270-3935.

Safety Tip: When you changed your clock this weekend, did you remember to change the batteries in your smoke alarm and carbon monoxide monitor?

Landlord Training Program

2009-10-28T12:29:00.000-04:00

TRIP is co-sponsoring a Troy Landlord Training Program on Thursday, November 12, 2009 from 5:30 – 9:30 PM. It will be held at the Italian Community Center at 1450 5^th Avenue. Anyone with rental properties in Troy – or those considering purchasing a building with rental units is invited to attend this informative, free, interactive session designed to assist landlords in managing their property. Topics include landlord/tenant responsibilities, tenant screening, the eviction process, Section 8, code enforcement and more.

Seating is limited so please reserve by contacting TRIP’s HomeOwnership Center at register@triponline.org or 690-0020. A light meal will be provided. The Troy Landlord Training Program is co-sponsored by Troy Rehabilitation and Improvement Program (TRIP), Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and the City of Troy.

A Commitment to Education

2009-10-21T19:56:00.000-04:00

What is the impact of providing Homebuyer Education? Or Landlord Training? Or Money Management Classes? How many of us emerged from high school with a sound financial education? Did we know the difference between an ARM and a fixed rate mortgage? Did we learn practical money management skills in the classroom? Was financial literacy a concern for our well-rounded education? Did we get tested on our financial IQ?

Everyday, TRIP is making a difference in our neighborhoods by providing the information that helps people make informed decisions, empowers homeowners, strengthens neighborhoods and brings a sense of pride in community.

Homeowners Take Advantage!

2009-10-20T16:40:00.000-04:00

You may be eligible for a 20% tax credit up to a $50,000 value for rehabilitation work on your historic home. A new state law to enhance the 2007 Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program increases financial incentives for rehabilitation of "qualified historic homes." Information about the requirements needed for a home to qualify is included below.

Tax credits are available for rehab in excess of $5000 of which at least 5% is spent on exterior work; the work is completed after January 1, 2010; and preliminary approval is received by the New York State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). Work that generally does not qualify for the tax credit includes landscaping, fencing, and additions.

A buyer of a qualified historic home may also be able to claim the tax credit if he or she was the first purchaser after a substantial rehabilitation by the seller, which was certified as meeting the established requirements. Furthermore, the sale must occur within five years of the certification of the completed work and the seller could not have previously taken the tax credit.

If the allowable credit exceeds the homeowner's tax liability for the year and the family's adjusted gross income is under $60,000, the excess will be treated as an overpayment of tax to be credited or refunded.

According to the SHPO, a "Qualified Historic Home" must be:

Owner-occupied;
Listed on the State or National Register or as a contributing building in a historic district; and
Located in a federal census tract that is at 100% or less of the State
Family Median Income or has similar designations. Call SHPO to determine whether your neighborhood qualifies.

For a map of historic districts in the City of Troy, click here. For more information on the Historic Tax Credit or an application, link to the historic tax credit page on the state's website at http://www.nysparks.com/shpo or contact the Residential Tax Credit Program at (518) 237-8643.

Annual Homecoming Dinner

2009-10-19T21:41:00.000-04:00

Throughout its history, TRIP has been privileged to be touched by "movers and shakers" who are dedicated to Troy. Four of these treasures will be honored at the TRIP and Rensselaer County Housing Resources (RCHR) Annual Homecoming Dinner on Monday, October 26, 2009.

TRIP & RCHR will present its 2009 Community Citizenship Award to John Scarchilli, President and CEO of Pioneer Bank, for his many decades of commitment to Troy and Rensselaer County. In conjunction with John's leadership, Pioneer has helped TRIP and RCHR -- and the communities they serve -- in numerous ways for many years. Pioneer is a long-term supporter of the homeownership programs, helping first-time homebuyers achieve -- and maintain - their American dream. Additionally, Pioneer provided capital investments so that TRIP could renovate derelict abandoned buildings and bring them back to life, and then supplied volunteers to help improve the surrounding neighborhoods with various improvement projects.

Also being recognized at the TRIP and RCHR Annual Dinner are three people who each contributed to Troy's revitalization when they served as Executive Directors of TRIP during its 40 year history. Vinny Lepera, Duncan Barrett, and Barbara Jones Higbee are this year's recipients of TRIP's Troy Treasure Award, which recognizes a person or group who demonstrates a passion for Troy in very positive and real ways. Come hear their stories.

TRIP and RCHR are pleased to honor and show their appreciation for four of our area's valuable assets at the Annual Homecoming Dinner. Please join us on Monday, October 26 at the Franklin Terrace Ballroom, 126 Campbell Avenue, Troy, NY. Tickets are still available. For ticket information, please contact gail@triponline.org or 272-8289 x212.

Meet the Candidates Night

2009-10-16T17:39:00.000-04:00

Troy residents are asked to make some important decisions on November 3, Election Day. Who do you want to lead the City as it faces difficult issues and tough choices over the next two years? Who will make the best judges in Rensselaer County Court and Family Court? What do you really know about the candidates? How can you find out their positions on issues that are important to you? How will you decide who to cast your votes for in two weeks?

To help you decide, don’t miss a “Meet the Candidates Night” on Wednesday, October 21st, from 7 – 9 PM at the CYO, 237 4th Street in Troy. You will hear from – and can pose questions to – eighteen candidates who are running for the City Council’s six district council seats and three council-at-large seats. You will meet and learn about the four candidates vying to be the next judge in Rensselaer County Court Judge or Family Court. You will also have a chance to meet some of the many candidates running to represent Troy as County Legislators from District 1.

“Meet the Candidates Night” is free and open to the public. It is sponsored by TNAC (Troy Neighborhoods Action Council) and TRIP (Troy Rehabilitation and Improvement Program) to help people who care about Troy make informed choices as they pull the levers on November 3rd for their best hopes for Troy’s leaders.

We’re pleased that the League of Women Voters is again partnering with us to moderate the presentations by the candidates. We look forward to an informative and interesting evening!

TNAC is a non-partisan coalition led by neighborhood leaders and comprised of Troy’s neighborhood associations, neighborhood watches, and concerned citizens. By meeting regularly and holding public events like the “Meet the Candidates Night,” we aim to encourage new neighborhood groups and support existing ones, in part by energizing people to get involved, whether it’s organizing block parties or working with the police to reduce crime. TNAC’s mission statement, goals and objectives can be used as blueprints for someone starting a group or to help current groups stay focused as they work to revitalize their communities.

More than the influence even of elected officials, Troy’s future will be determined by the passion, the vision and, yes, the hard work of many caring and committed lovers-of-Troy. For more information about TNAC, For more information, contact TRIP at 272-8289 x214 or email hilary@triponline.org.

Welcome to the TRIP blog!

2009-06-25T19:35:00.002-04:00

TRIP’s mission is to enable individuals and families to live in desirable, sustainable neighborhoods. Our vision is to foster the development of Troy as a dynamic city of thriving neighborhoods providing a variety of housing choices and accommodating a diverse population.

TRIP accomplishes this by providing opportunities for people to access decent, safe, affordable housing – whether through helping them achieve home ownership or by renting one of our apartments — and by working in partnership with neighborhood residents and others to create vibrant communities.