Friendship renewed: Friends of 112th Street Dinner

I'm back and Happy New Year to everyone!

We are just little over a month away from one of the biggest fund raising events held annually in the city of Troy. The Friends of 112th Street will be holding their annual dinner party, which they have been doing since 1978.

On Saturday February 26, 2011 the committee and hundreds of community members will renew their friendship at the St. Augustine Hall. I have personally attended this event for a number of years and let me say its one most entertaining events you’ll have the opportunity to be a part of. For a $35 donation you will receive a dinner and beverages, and a show unlike anything you’ve ever seen. The committee puts on skits while roasting each other and everyone else that might appear on their radar. It is a hilariously fun time. Additionally, each year members of the community are honored for contributions and achievements they have made. The committee honors: a Man of the Year, Humanitarian of the Year, Veteran Awards, and Sports Awards.

As I previously mentioned this is a fund raiser with the proceeds from the event returned to the community. The Friends of 112th Street have supported and donated to community based programs, events, and individuals who have experienced a tragic event in their lives such as being displaced by a fire.

I would encourage you to visit www.friendsof112thst.com for more information and to learn how to purchase tickets for the event. You will want to buy them soon because each year the event sells out well in advance of the party. And I’m sorry to say ladies, but only men are invited to attend the event. I didn’t make this rule up so please don’t hold anything against me. This is a great evening that serves a great purpose.

Buy Local

Much has been made recently in the press regarding the financial troubles that the Troy Pioneer Food Co-Op is experiencing. But what is not being reported is the fact that businesses city-wide are feeling the same pain. This is a tough market to operate a small business in. Business owners are being tasked with making tough decisions and operating lean. The worse case scenario is they are closing a locking their doors. This has become the norm. We have lost and are on the verge of losing several businesses in the city, but why is this? Well, obviously the economy is a large part of the issue, but the second part is we as Troy residents are not diversified. There are many types of shops and restaurants from Lansingburgh to South Troy that offer something unique, but many residents are not “trying something new.” Spreading the wealth around would go a long way in helping these businesses out. It’s understandable that maybe there just isn’t enough money to go around at the moment, but if everyone tried a different local restaurant or bought some of their gifts locally this holiday season rather than venturing across the river it would make a tremendous impact.

Buying local is not a new concept. The biggest contributor to local economic success is by practicing this it. As a community we need to support our businesses, we need them. Their success directly impacts each one of us. One of the largest revenue sources for the county and city is sales tax. We, the residents, have some control in the matter. The more we purchase within our own communities, the more we contribute locally, the more we save. In effect we are re-investing in ourselves. The more we contribute locally the stronger our communities become. Our city has an outstanding selection of restaurants and shops. Take advantage of them. And if you’re looking for something that is not readily available within the city, I’m sure you can find it in Brunswick, East Greenbush, or elsewhere in the county. Again, it’s simple in concept.

When it comes time to make your next purchase or enjoy an evening out strongly consider keeping it “within the neighborhood.” The benefits are far reaching.

Funds For Paws

Tomorrow April 24 starting at 12 noon No Paws Left Behind will be hosting a fund-raiser called "Funds for Paws" at Trader Ed's, 630 2nd Ave in Lansingburgh.

No Paws Left Behind, Inc. is a focus driven not for profit organization, designed to bring awareness to all communities the silent victims of foreclosure who have no voice or rights to implement change. The group, as a united front, aim to restore the moral obligations toward all pets that have the potential to be, or have been, left behind to suffer needlessly.

No Paws Left Behind is a support group for those who find foreclosure imminent and need help to find shelter for their beloved pets; be a resource for those who find or know of abandoned pets; and last, but by no means least, create unity to end the needless suffering by creating a national movement targeting lawmakers to change the laws categorizing pets as personal property. Statistics show that 63% of all American households have pets. Foreclosures are growing in record numbers and experts agree that anywhere from 2 Million to 4 Million Americans will lose their homes before the crisis ends. That leaves over a 1¼ Million companion animals at risk.

Stop by and support this great cause. I'm sure, just like my wife Melissa and I have our beloved cat Rocky, many of you have furry friends who are near and dear to your hearts and you wouldn't want to see them suffer needlessly. No pet should be left to suffer, support this group and their outstanding cause.


What: Funds for Paws
When: Saturday April 24, 2010, 12 NOON
Where:Trader Ed’s, 630 2nd Avenue, Troy NY.
Cost: $10 Donation requested, donation includes Buffet (Cash Bar), Live Entertainment, 50/50 Raffle, Door Prize and Raffle Gift Baskets


If you can’t make it to the fundraiser check out http://preservationmonthly.com and click on “Funds for Paws.”

To make a monetary donation or donations can be sent to Preservation Monthly, PO Box 232, Troy NY 12182

Funds for Paws will benefit “No Paws Behind” and “Homeward Bounds Rescue Dogs”. Both Organizations are 501C non-for Profit organizations.

Unity House wants to do what?

A proposal submitted by Unity House to demolish three buildings on the corner of 105th Street and 5th Avenue in Lansingburgh in preparation for the construction of a 3-story community residential facility has been approved by the Planning Board, but with stipulations. Two of the buildings are occupied residential structures while the third, sandwiched in the middle, is a vacant single-story commercial property. I have two bones of contention with this proposal.



1. If Unity House moves forward with this project the city would be losing three taxpaying properties from its tax rolls. This is the last thing the city needs especially at a time when the State is pushing county and city taxes higher due to unfunded mandates and leadership that leads us to no solutions.

Several alternatives could be considered in lieu of their current plan. If they wish to be a part of the Lansingburgh community there are plenty of open/vacant lots and large vacant buildings available where development would be welcomed and the city wouldn’t take as much of a hit tax wise. This is a similar approach CEO took when they renovated the old Junior Museum for their new Youth Opportunity Center (just a block north on 5th Ave. of the proposed Unity House project.)



2. The building at 246 5th Ave. is a beautiful Victorian structure that purely examples the architecture of the neighborhood. In my opinion it would be a travesty if this building, that appears to be in great shape, would be torn down. It’s also adverse to a current movement in the city that is calling for demolition to be a last resort. I have supported building demolition in that past and I still do if it is absolutely necessary and it is not necessary to remove 246 5th Ave.

A better proposal, which the Planning Board offered as a stipulation of their approval, would be to keep the current building (246 5th Ave), and plan on additions and alterations to achieve Unity House’s desired outcome. Whether or not this is deemed feasible is another story.



With this said one key point that has gone unmentioned is what will be the end use of this, large-three story building in the heart of a residential area in the Burgh. Law prohibits the City to disclose the use of the building, which is very frustrating when considering whether or not the end use is suitable for the surrounding community. Several years ago when Whitney Young Heath Services was selecting a location for their Troy facility they worked with the community to ensure the location was correct for the neighborhoods and for themselves. Now we just need to hope the Planning Board remains tough in ensuring the stipulations are adhered to.

UPDATE: Here is the a link from the February 18, 2010 Troy Record story. It would appear that a strong sense opposition is forming against this project. Click here

Let the Bidding Begin

The Missing Link Street Ministry, lead by Pastor Willie Bacote is conducting an auction of a signed football by Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb. Bidding currently sits at $200; a pledge made by Mayor Tutunjian on Friday. I'm not too sure when bidding ends, the email and Facebook notification I received simply stated "Let the Bidding Begin," but the Mayor has set the bar high for the rest of us.

Proceeds of the auction will benefit the Ministry located in the North Central neighborhood of Troy to help offset the current National Grid bill. Earlier in the month Pastor Bacote emailed a notification detailing the current expenses and asking anyone who can and is willing to donate to their cause, to do so.

Since being founded roughly 18 months ago Willie and his countless volunteers have made a tremendous and positive impact in the community. Three times a week the Ministry distributes free meals to children from ages 3 - 15. The Ministry also conducted the very successful gun by-back program that removed approximately 200 guns off the streets in North Central with the assistance of the Troy Police Department and funds secured by former Senator Joe Bruno. I have partnered with Willie and the Ministry on several occasions with the North Lansingburgh Neighborhood Watch as we put together a Children's Neighborhood Safety Day and a March Against Violence on National Night Out. The programs and services provided through and in conjunction with the Ministry has the sole purpose of benefiting the children and showing them that there is another option in life other than violence, drugs, and other vices.

This is a positive and worthwhile organization in Troy that relies solely on donations and the support of the community to continue with their successes. Whether you bid on this autographed football, stop by one of Willies "Huge" flea markets at Power's Park in the summer, or simply make a donation, you will be welcomed with open arms and a warm smile, not just by Willie, but by the children and families that benefit from the generosity of the community and the Ministry's hard work. As Willie always says "Be Blessed But More So Be A Blessing In Someone’s Life today."

For more information and to contact the Ministry click here.

Welcome to Our Town!

Hello everyone, My name is Jim Gordon and I have been a resident of Troy my entire life. I am honored to have been asked to contribute to the Troy Records community of online blogs. I look forward to providing thought provoking commentary and having insightful conversations with everyone that calls Troy home. I will ask that you do contribute in a respectful manner. There are too many online communities that are improperly used.

I became involved in our community when my wife Melissa and I purchased our home in Lansingburgh. I firmly believe that it is everyone's responsibility to do their part in improving our communities and neighborhoods. With Chris Lambertsen, Darlene Simpson, and Lenny Kluz, I helped form the North Lansingburgh Neighborhood Watch. As a group we have been very successful in doing our part in addressing quality-of-life issues. On a daily basis I receive communication from our membership, that has grown to nearly 200 people. Issues that relate to code enforcement, city DPW, policing/crime, and abandoned/vacant buildings to name a few. Our group doesn't stop there. We have a large presence in the community by organizing different initiatives such as the Earth Day clean up in sections of Lansingburgh, we volunteer at the annual Easter Egg Hunt and Powers Park for the concert series, each holiday season we partner with Whitney Young to hold a toy drive, we apply for and have received grants to perform community beatification and improvement projects. I invite you to visit the Neighborhood Groups Facebook Page for more information click here

This is what it is all about. Giving back to and nurturing our communities. It is with this in mind that I will use this forum to discuss activities and events from South Troy, north to Lansingburgh. So sit back and enjoy Our Town...