Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Troy September 11th Memorial Dedication and Memorial Service

This coming Sunday people worldwide will mark the Tenth Anniversary of one of the most horrific events in our Nation's history.

In Troy we will mark the anniversary by unveiling and dedicating the Troy September 11th Memorial and conducting a memorial service.

When we began to plan this memorial, just nine months ago, our purpose was clear. To construct a monument to honor the innocent lives tragically lost and to honor the response of our local Troy and Rensselaer County emergency response crews, which included the Troy Police and Fire Departments and the 42nd Infantry located in Troy.

We would like everyone to join with us on Sunday September 11th at Noon for the ceremony.

It has been an honor to be involved with this project and I am humbled by the positive response and support it has received. We are confident everyone will be pleased with the outcome.

Below is a copy of the invitation and program of events for Sunday. Also, please bring your own lawn chair, there will be no seating available. Thank you.


Friday, August 26, 2011

September 11, 2001 - From my perspective


On September 11, 2001, I was attending school at West Chester University outside of Philadelphia. That fall semester I had only one class on Tuesdays, Business Finance, that concluded at 9:45 am. I was a commuter, I lived off campus. I remember vividly the two individuals who stopped and asked me as I made my way back to my car, “Are classes still in session?” I had no clue what they were referring to and answered “yes” both times.

Once I got to and started my car I learned from the radio what had just happened in New York City. As the magnitude of what I was hearing began to sink in my mind started to race. I had several family members that worked in and around the World Trade Center; I have several family members that are members of the NYPD. I started to think of them and my family in Troy NY. I had no way to contact anyone at that moment. As I raced home to my apartment, making a 30 minute trip in 15, the reports were getting worse. Reports of several unaccounted for planes still in the air with several assumed targets. We were under attack; it was the first time in my life where I felt truly vulnerable.

I listened on the radio while I drove of reports of a plane crash in Pennsylvania, reports of some form of explosion at the Pentagon, and the collapse of the South Tower of the World Trade Center. When I finally arrived at the apartment and rushed inside, the only thing I was able get on the phone for what seemed an eternity was “All circuits busy please try again later.” I turned on the TV and watched and witnessed what millions of others were. I can’t describe the feeling that overcame my body, except for total numbness. Then just as I got through to my parents and my dad answered the phone, the North Tower began to collapse. I was witnessing something that will forever be burned into my mind. I remember sitting silent, there were no words. Then it set in and all I could do was be assured that my parents, brother, and sister were safe, Melissa was safe, and I was safe. It took several hours, long hours before we knew our extended family members in New York City were all safe.

I couldn’t stop watching, emotion building up. Questioning how this happens in New York and the United States. It wasn’t long after that I made the decision that I would do whatever I could to assist in the volunteer effort. First I gave blood, donated what money I could afford, then I decided I would assist in the recovery efforts. Melissa and my family were concerned about the safety of going to NYC, but this was something I needed to do.

On Friday morning, September 14th I made the hour and a half trip to New York, dressed in my work clothing, which at the time consisted of construction boots and related clothing. I was accustomed to manual labor, at the time I worked for an electrical contractor while attending school and playing collegiate lacrosse. One memory I have of the drive is, if anyone has ever traveled Interstate 78 from PA/NJ to NYC there is a point where the hill crests and you get your first view of the Manhattan skyline, a view that I seen a hundred times, but this time it was as if I was looking at a different view.

I parked on 34th Street by the Javits Center and headed south on foot to the WTC. It wasn’t long before a rickshaw stopped and insisted on transporting me to the site. Along the way we picked up another volunteer and hundreds and hundreds of “thank you’s” and “god bless you’s” from the people that lined the West Side Highway.

We were let off at Canal St. The man who I rode with turned out to be a union carpenter and left to find his crew. I continued alone. September 14th was also the day President Bush visited the site. Security, which was already heightened, became almost impenetrable. But I was determined. After being sent to five different entry points throughout lower Manhattan, I gained access at the Stuyvesant High School check point. I was in. Volunteers gave me several sets for gloves, a box of dust masks, and a white hard hat. They wished me well and I went on my way.

I don’t think I was completely prepared for what the next 24 plus hours had in store for me visually, mentally, and physically. Unless you were able to personally witness what was happening in NYC first hand you have a different perspective of the events, one that is at a completely different end of the spectrum from those who lived it live and in person. I have never given a detailed description of what those hours onsite were like, but I will say that the moment the President left I don’t think I stopped for more than a couple hours here and there. I worked with the US Marshals constructing a wooden bridge at Vesey St and West St to cover the power and communications cables that were destroyed, I found myself working among the emergency crews that consisted of members of the NYPD, FDNY, and hundreds of others from across the United States on the ‘bucket brigades,’ and when we were relieved we brought food and water to rescue workers. No one ever stopped. Day turned to night and then night to day. We worked tirelessly. We evacuated a few times for unknown reasons, but we all returned to continue.

The afternoon of Saturday September 15th was as beautiful as the morning of the 11th. The site was quiet despite the hundreds of workers and heavy machinery, then the silence was broken by emergency sirens. These were the same sirens that sounded when we evacuated the site previously, but this time it came with an explanation. Officials feared that the Deutsche Bank Building was about to collapse. We rushed up West Street toward Stuyvesant High School and waited for the emergency to pass and when it did only emergency workers and those with union cards in their possession were allowed reentry. Hundreds of citizen volunteers were left outside the gates. Some angry, some relieved, some not knowing what to do. I remember sitting on the curb looking at the ash and concrete dust on my boots and pants, knowing more work had to be done and feeling a little bit restless and peaceful at the same time.

I am honored to have participated and assisted. When I left that afternoon I knew we as a city, state, and country would overcome what had happened. The people I met and worked side-by-side with reassured this in me. There were tears at times, moments when worked halted to honor the fallen, but the resilience and unwavering approach of every individual I met and worked with helped make a 21 year old young man realize what it is all about.

To this day the emotion and memory of this experience is as fresh and raw as when it happened. Our lives changed on September 11, 2001, mine, particularly, was changed for the better.

Thursday, July 7, 2011

3rd Annual Children’s Safety Fair Scheduled for Saturday in Lansingburgh


The North Lansingburgh Neighborhood Watch will be holding their third annual “Neighborhood Children’s Safety Day” this coming Saturday, July 9th at Powers Park in Lansingburgh prior to the first show of the Powers Park Concert Series.

Several activates are scheduled to educate children and their parents on how to live and play safely. Members of the neighborhood group will be joined by the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Department, Troy Fire Departments, Whitney Young Health Services, the Troy Family YMCA, and the Hudson River Fish Out Reach Center for Environmental Health.

Over the last two years over 150 children participated in the program. The timing of this event is intended to coincide with the beginning summer vacation. The goal is to provide the children of the community one last refresher course on how to live and play safely.

This year the event will be held in conjunction with the first Powers Park Concert because the two events go hand-in-hand. The band, Four, consists of Lansingburgh teachers and draw a large crowd consisting of district students and their parents.

Each participating agency will present specific information to educate and bring awareness on how to prevent and deal with the everyday occurrences that children may encounter.
  • The Sheriff’s Department will be conducting the state-wide initiative - Operation SAFE CHILD, which was created to raise awareness about child safety. The program will provide photo ID cards, which contain fingerprint and biographical data, to individuals under the age of 18. The goal of this program is to record and store the fingerprints, basic biographical information and photographs of children, who are not missing, information critical to expediting the return of a missing child.
  • The Troy Fire Department will be educating attendees on the best fire prevention practices, how to react in the event of a fire, and how to prevent common playground injuries. Children will also enjoy the opportunity of “touring” a Troy Fire Engine.
  • Members of Whitney Young Heath Center’s Troy practice will be discussing the preventive dental and medical services they offer locally.
  • The Troy Family YMCA discussing the summer, youth & teen programs, camps and other activities offered throughout the year at their facility.
  • The Hudson River Fish Out Reach Center for Environmental Health will be educating everyone about how to take proper precautions while fishing the Hudson River.
For more information please contact Jim Gordon, email jgordon003@nycap.rr.com.

Who: North Lansingburgh Neighborhood Watch
What: 3rd Annual Neighborhood Children’s Safety Day
Where: Powers Park, Third Avenue side at 110th Street, Troy NY
When: Saturday, July 9th, 2011 4:00 - 5:30pm
 
 

Thursday, June 30, 2011

Modernize Services


We live in an age of cloud-based computing, where you can be in your car and reach your desktop computer. It's an age where cell phones can recharge without wires and connecting to other people and information is as much virtual as it is actual.

Troy can improve its overall level of service by more effectively employing technology to keep residents safe and maintain neighborhood quality-of-life. We have first-class municipal services from police and fire departments to code enforcement and the DPW, among others. Yet, there are several ways that we can improve them even more; some complicated, some that would need planning and investment.

First, would be for the city's website to offer a user friendly interface that expands “Action Line” reporting, requesting FOIL-able documents, and overall is a cleaner version of what exists. This can be done by acquiring a content management system, which also enables faster updating by each department head. Troy has a very active and involved community; we need to continue to encourage this. Three and a half years ago I helped co-founded the North Lansingburgh Neighborhood Watch to assist facilitate the resolution of neighborhood quality-of- life issues. We live in a “point and click age” and we need to make it easier for people to “point-and-click” their neighborhood issues to City officials.

Next, City government can improve the way it reacts to neighborhood issues. Troy is dense city with about 14,000 property parcels. To be effective city governments need quick, accurate, and relevant information to address quality-of-life issues, including Troy. As a member of the Troy City Council, I would support adopting the approach of Everett, MA officials.

Earlier this year, they acquired handheld devices and portable printers from a company called GeoTMS. Their product includes “a complete land-management software package designed…to electronically process and track information such as applications, permits, inspections and licenses” according to a press release.

The release goes on to say “Code Enforcement…Fire and Police officers and [other municipal] officials can enter an address in the device or on the web, look at any history of violations and immediately cite or fine an offender.” In addition to these agencies, we may be able to improve the capability of the City’s Assessor office using this type of new technology.

A third, but certainly not the final way, we can use technology to improve government is to enact a city-wide email and text alert system that goes directly to the resident, free and accurately, assuming they opt into it. This isn’t new either. RPI has a text alert system for their entire campus and Watervliet has recently begun an email newsletter service. I have to believe that while perhaps more complex, we can expand these services to anyone in Troy that wants to receive them.

The internet and social networking has altered the landscape of how government needs to connect to the people. These are simple, cost effective ways to address an information gap that might exist among people that use this new technology.

Proactive government allows for a progressive and successful community. A famous quote states there is no Republican or Democrat way to pick up your garbage. However, we need buy-in from city officials that view technology as an effective solution to municipal issues.

Our City and its services will only be as effective as the tools they utilize. We need to continue engaging our residents and provide them with essential details so they can enjoy all the city has to offer. We need to enhance our communication methods while continuing to maintain our traditional ones.

Friday, June 10, 2011

My Busy Summer

Hello everyone! It’s been awhile since I last posted but I have been tremendously busy. Specifically, I have been heavily involved in several community projects: the planning the 2011 Uncle Sam Parade, recently I have been appointed as a trustee of the Lansingburgh Historical Society, working with the committee coordinating the Capital District YMCA Golf Outing, working with the members of the North Lansingburgh Neighborhood Watch (as you can imagine “business” is picking up with summer fast approaching) and also I’ve announced my run for Troy City Council as an At-large candidate. Oh and I also celebrated my 31st birthday on May 23rd.

Yes, you read it correctly; I am running for office again and this time city-wide. I have been asked why I want to do this. I can honestly say it’s because I believe I have something to offer for the betterment of our community. We need individuals who will restore Troy government, specifically the city council, to one that is open and proactive, not reactive or obstructive. We need to establish and maintain a can-do, business friendly climate while providing our taxpayers with the highest quality service a municipal government can provide.

There is a toxic tone and too many fractured relationships that currently exist both within our government and with the residents and professionals of our community. This cannot continue to exist. Troy is currently positioned for great things. Over the past several months we have read stories and learned about the great multi-million dollar development projects happening across the city. This needs to continue and furthermore we need to be more aggressive in implementing initiatives that will decrease the cost of government, improve the quality of life for our taxpayers, and entice people and developers to Troy.

I am excited to share that our campaign committee has begun to detail how we will accomplish this. Just this past Monday, I announced the formation of a Sustainability Task Force that has begun to map out a set of initiatives that will reduce the cost our taxpayers are burdened with for waste disposal and energy consumption of our municipal properties. For example, the city of Troy expends $1.2 million dollars a year to dispose of solid waste, garbage. We will show just how implementing new recycling methods, to include composting of food and yard waste, will reduce this cost. Couple this with smart use of alternative energy sources like wind and solar for our municipal buildings to make them more efficient to operate will be less-costly than our current practice and just as important more eco-friendly. Nationwide municipalities are implementing ecologically intelligent plans its time that Troy goes Green as well. To learn more about our proposal or to get involved CLICK HERE

This is just one of the top priorities I will work hard to have enacted upon being elected to the city council. Several other goals include to continue to increase the marketability of our city as an attractive option for private and commercial investment; further develop our parks program; and most importantly, to continually enhance the safety and quality of life in our neighborhoods.

More detail will be provided as our campaign rolls along. I look forward to discussing the issues with as many residents and Troy advocates as possible. Whether it is long term initiatives such as neighborhood renewal in South Troy or everyday issues such as street cleaning or winter plowing (all of which are part of my top priorities) I want to know what is on your mind. I grew up in South Troy, my parents still reside on 2nd Street south of the Canal and I own a home with my wife, Melissa, in Lansingburgh. I have a keen understanding of what both these communities as well as those on the East Side face. I pledge that these areas will not go overlooked while I serve at the pleasure of the taxpayers of Troy. If you know who I am, you know that I have worked tirelessly with numerous community groups and people across this city with the specific goal of improving the city we all love. I look forward to being granted the opportunity to continue to do so as a city councilman.

You may follow my campaign via Facebook by “Liking” by page at www.facebook.com/gordon4troy or by visiting my campaign website, www.JimGordonForTroy.com   

Monday, April 25, 2011

A busy week ahead in Troy


Three items on the agenda for this week are geared to support three distinct and worthy causes happening around the Collar City.

On Thursday, April 28th the Troy Flag Day Parade Committee will be holding a fundraiser for this year’s 44th Annual Parade. Due to major cut backs at the state level the parade committee has publically stated that they may be short on funds to put this year’s parade on. I personally can relate to this as a member of the Uncle Sam Parade Committee we have been finding it tougher to raise funds to host our parade. Costs continue to increase while a constricting economy causes our donors to make tough decisions.

If you are interested, to aid in the effort to raise the money for the parade, the committee is planning a fundraiser from 5 to 8 p.m. April 28 at Revolution Hall at Brown’s Brewing Co. The event will feature hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar and music by John & Terry of Sound Spectrum. The fee for the event is $20 per person. The 44th annual Flag Day Parade, the largest tribute to our nation’s flag, is set for Sunday June 12.

On Troy Night Out! Friday, April 29th the Troy September 11th Memorial Committee will host a fundraiser in support of their efforts in constructing a memorial in Troy. “The World Trade Center lecture “9-11-01 Was 10 Years Ago” presented by Lester J. Millman. The Record Community Lab located at 501 Broadway, will host the event. Light refreshments will be served. The committee is asking for a $20.00 Suggested Donation (proceeds will benefit the Troy September 11th Memorial). Space is limited so if you are interested please RSVP to me Jim Gordon at 365-2270.

The World Trade Center lecture “9-11-01 Was 10 Years Ago,” by Lester J. Millman with photographs taken by Mr. Millman from the first night of 9-11-01 through the first few days of the disaster. These images are quite exclusive as they have rarely been shown before and no other photojournalists were permitted into the area. Ground Zero site was a crime scene and thus closed by the NYPD to the press.

Mr. Millman was the official photographer to Governor George E. Pataki from 1997 to the end of his term 2006. The images are public domain but not widely available. And, each image in the program was made by Lester Millman.

A lifelong photojournalist Mr. Millman has covered 3 wars, 7 U. S. Presidents over 50 terrorist attacks and countless stories of everyday life. From 1973-80 he worked in Israel for Time, Newsweek (cover), the Jerusalem Post and most major American and European publications. He has won awards from the POY in Missouri and the World Press Photo Contest, Netherlands.

Then on Saturday, April 30th the city of Troy will celebrate the citywide Earth Day celebration. Dozens of community groups and hundreds of volunteers will take to the streets of their neighborhoods cleaning up and performing a number of beautification projects. For a complete list of the citywide projects CLICK HERE.

Our group, the North Lansingburgh Neighborhood Watch will be focusing on two projects. The first is an exterior painting project at the Lansingburgh Boys and Girls Club and the second is a beautification project at the Historic Lansingburgh Village Cemetery. We will begin our projects at 9am, if you are interested in lending a hand please contact me at 365-2270.

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Lotto's subsidies for education

Many people, including myself, have always wondered what the financial relationship between the New York State Lottery and education is. Recently, WNYT issued a report with some interesting figures. In 2010, lottery sales totaled more than $7.8 billion! $2.6 billion of this went to fund education in NYS.

Here's how it breaks down:

For every $1 spent on the lottery, $.34 goes to education, $.58 ends up in the pockets of the lucky winners and $.06 is allocated to retail commissions.

Local District Allocations:
  • Troy $7,324,914.37 
  • Albany $12,171,940.24
  • Schenectady $16,657,100.67
  • Shenendehowa $9,977,686.19
  • Bethlehem $5,473,766.79
  • Niskayuna $4,617,544.85 
I reached out to WNYT for a more detailed break down of the Troy allocation, whether or not this was combined for both districts or just the Troy district. A quick look at the both districts budgets didn't simply answer the question, therefore, lets assume its combined. A little over seven million dollars is granted to our two local school districts. To put this in perspective the Troy School District's budget is approx $95 million while Lansingburgh's is approx $38 million. The local benefit is just under $150 per Troy resident, utilizing the new 2010 census number 50,129. The lottery subsidies serve its purpose but it's not the windfall that some believe it to be in "funding education."

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Effective Code Enforcement is... NICE


Code enforcement is one the essential services offered by our city. According to the City of Troy’s website “The Bureau of Code Enforcement administers the city's building construction, permitting and housing inspection programs. Under these programs the Bureau is responsible for the enforcement of all state and local codes as well as the city's zoning ordinance. Typical functions of the Bureau include issuance of building permits, performance of construction and housing inspections, vacant building inspections and issuance of certificates of occupancy and compliance.” In other words code enforcement keeps our city safe, clean, and orderly. As you can imagine it’s a tough task keeping an urban environment with numerous socioeconomically challenged neighborhoods. There are many reasonable influences that cause “code” issues. The list includes reasoning’s such as the current economic condition, a transient population, absentee landlords, and an aging housing stock.

The federal government through, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) facilitate the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program for local municipalities. The program's purpose is the development of viable urban communities for low-and moderate income persons through the provision of the following: 1) Decent housing, 2) A suitable living environment, and 3) Economic opportunity.

The City of Troy receives approximately $2.5 million annually from HUD. These funds are allocated to numerous citywide projects that fall within a target zone. The target zone is determined by the city administration through the development of a 5 Year Action Plan. The target zone must be within HUD’s qualifying census tracts which are determined through the census and based upon income.

One of the programs that is facilitated and paid for utilizing these federal CDBG funds is called the Neighborhood Improvement through Code Enforcement program (NICE). The approach this code enforcement program takes is aimed at achieve results in a timely manner. Over a specific period of time City Code Officers, whose sole responsibility is to conduct this program, will inspect the exterior of every property within the target area. If a violation is found the property owners will be notified instantly.

Once notified of the violation the property owner has 30 days to begin the repair, cleaning, or painting work that is needed for the property to be brought up to code. Property owners who fail to respond to City notices of violation will be ticketed after 30 days, brought to Code Enforcement Court, and be fined appropriately.

There have been 10 target areas from South Troy to Lansingburgh over the past eight years. Last year, our neighborhood group worked with Mayor Tutunjian to secure the NICE program for 2nd Avenue and 5th Avenue in Lansingburgh from 116th Street to Northern Drive. Personally, I believe the effectiveness of the program speaks for itself. Below are the statistics per target area, you can draw your own conclusions, however.

From the data shown below, for the total program history, there have been 3,526 properties inspected. Initially, just 42% of them where in code compliance (1,471 properties). Within the 30 day notification period 1,055 of those 2,055 found in violation started work to be come code compliant. At the end of the day, realizing that the data is still incomplete for the 2010-11 target areas, 72% of the properties inspected within the target areas are code compliant, a 71% increase from the initial compliance properties and this number will grow as the current programs expire. These are great results that will become greater!   




Beman Park-Hillside S. Lansingburgh - North Central
Year 2003-04 2005-06
# properties
inspected
390 628
# initially
comply
138 156
% comply 35% 25%
# respond or
began work
w/in 30 days
158 115
# court
appearance
notices sent
93 127
final # in
comply
335 524
% final
in comply
86% 83%




5th Ave tgt blocks South Central
Year 2005-06 2006-08
# properties
inspected
44 530
# initially
comply
18 291
% comply 41% 55%
# respond or
began work
w/in 30 days
16 134
# court
appearance
notices sent
10 45
final # in
comply
34 477
% final
in comply
77% 90%




S. Troy Osgood Burgh 2nd & 5th (104th -116th St.)
Year 2008-09 2008-09
# properties
inspected
249 317
# initially
comply
128 171
% comply 51% 54%
# respond or
began work
w/in 30 days
76 88
# court
appearance
notices sent
34 51
final # in
comply
205 259
% final
in comply
82% 82%




S. Troy North Central
Year 2009-10 2009-10
# properties
inspected
511 334
# initially
comply
193 156
% comply 38% 47%
# respond or
began work
w/in 30 days
132 107
# court
appearance
notices sent
113 90
final # in
comply
433 263
% final
in comply
85% 79%




S. Troy Hillside Burgh 2nd & 5th (116th St.-Northern)
Year 2010-11 2010-11
# properties
inspected
261 262
# initially
comply
97 123
% comply 37% 47%
# respond or
began work
w/in 30 days
131 98
# court
appearance
notices sent
33 27
final # in
comply
TBD TBD
% final
in comply
TBD TBD