Meet this Year's Troy Treasure

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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)